A Ramsey County judge has levied damages against the city of St. Paul for dragging its feet on providing information to a Summit Avenue homeowner opposed to a regional bike trail down the storied avenue.
St. Paul ordered to pay damages for failing to give bike trail information to lawsuit opponent
The city violated the Data Practices Act 14 times, a Ramsey County judge found.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
July 31, 2024 at 7:19PM
Judge Patrick Diamond ordered the city to pay damages to attorney Robert Cattanach, a resident working with the group Save Our Street. Diamond said the city has violated the Minnesota Data Practices Act 14 times and imposed damages of at least $1,000 per violation and could eventually increase that to $15,000 per violation.
The final award will be determined after a trial.
Cattanach filed a lawsuit after city officials failed to turn over documents regarding the proposed regional trail. In a statement released by Save Our Street, Gary Todd said he was “encouraged” by Diamond’s ruling.
“We assume that the city will change its procedures to comply with the law,” Todd said.
City Attorney Lyndsey Olson did not respond to an email Wednesday seeking comments on the city’s next steps.
In May of 2023, the St. Paul City Council approved construction of a separate, raised trail down Summit that would connect with other regional trails. Officials have said the trail would likely be built in stages as the street is reconstructed. No money has been allotted for the project.
From the beginning, Save Our Street has opposed the proposal, saying it would endanger the avenue’s stately tree canopy.
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