St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her says she will keep clearing homeless encampments
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It’s been a contentious few months for St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.
In July, it was revealed that St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed a sexual harassment complaint against Her, leading to an investigation by and independent law firm.
In August, she directed the closure of an encampment near Pig’s Eye Park where the city says an estimated 140 people lived — a move some advocates pushed back against. Since then, many encampment residents have moved to one near Shepard Road.
In September, Henry sued Her, alleging unwanted touching, sexual comments and repeated attempts by Her to develop a closer personal relationship. Henry also alleged the city retaliated against him after he complained about her conduct.
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In October, the city released the report from the independent investigation, which cleared Her of sexual harassment, but found she acted offensively and inappropriately.
Minnesota Now host Nina Moini asked Mayor Her about the city’s encampment response and Henry’s allegations in her first interview with MPR since these events.
Encampment response
Last week, the St. Paul City Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for 60 days of increased engagement before any future encampment clearings. It also calls for more low-barrier shelter options.
The non-binding resolution comes after the August closure of the Pig’s Eye Park encampment. The city had allocated $1 million toward expanding shelter bed capacity ahead of the clearing, but data from the city shows only seven of the estimated 140 people at Pig’s Eye Park opted in to shelter space.
Her said she supports the council’s plan, but contends much of what the council laid out is work the city is already doing when it comes to outreach and connecting people to resources.
Her said since August, the city and Ramsey County have been in contact with more than 300 people from the encampments.
Her announced in July a plan to eventually close down all encampments in the city, beginning with Pig’s Eye. Today, two encampments remain: one near Shepard Road, which has tripled in size since August, and another near a former Kmart.
Her said the city is working on both short- and long-term strategies, including looking for indoor shelter space for the upcoming winter season. However, the mayor said the city will still move forward with closing Shepard Road, but did not provide a clear timeline.
“We were told setting a date was not the right thing to do. And now we don't have a date, and now everyone says you need to set a date,” Her said. “It’s as if it doesn’t matter what it is that we do, we’re going to have criticism.”
Her said she’s balancing the needs of those living in the encampment and the surrounding neighborhood. She pointed to public safety concerns from nearby residents.
“As the mayor, I have to look at the perspectives of all of the people in the city, not just those in the encampments, but those also living near encampments,” she said.
Relationship with the police chief
Her declined to comment on the sexual harassment and retaliation allegations from Henry, citing the ongoing lawsuit against her.
The investigation called on the mayor to maintain professional boundaries, attend workplace conduct training and hire an executive coach at her own expense. When asked if she had taken any of those steps, she again declined to comment.
In response to a question about what her working relationship with the chief looks like, Her said first assistant Mayor Erica Schumacher oversees communication with the police department. Her said this workflow is status quo and historically the police chief does not communicate “directly with the mayor.”
Her added the situation has “not at all” diminished her ability to carry out her responsibilities around public safety or other citywide matters.
Hear the full interview with St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her Tuesday at noon on Minnesota Now.
