St. Paul reparations commission details work plan, harm‑report RFP and funding needs

Miss Burt, staff to the city's Recovery Act and Community Reparations Commission, briefed the Saint Paul City Council Policy Committee on the commission's founding, current activities and next steps, including preparing a request for proposals for a "harm report." The update took place during the committee's public agenda item on the commission.

Burt summarized the commission's purpose and origins, saying reparations are "a form of compensation provided to those who have suffered wrongdoings or to their descendants," and outlining the commission's advisory role under the city's administrative code. She told the committee the commission was formed from an initial Reparations Legislative Advisory Committee (January 2021) and was enacted in January 2023; the first 11 commissioners were appointed in June 2023. The commission has adopted bylaws, a monthly meeting schedule (fourth Wednesday) and an annual work plan.

The commission requested $500,000 from the city for 2025; Burt said the council approved $250,000 of that…