By Jane McClure
It’s official – St. Paul’s Fourth Ward finally has a City Council member.
Matt Privratsky was sworn in the morning of April 9, just in time for a day of council and council committee meetings. The appointment by Mayor Melvin Carter officially ended weeks of uncertainty and a controversial appointment process.
Ward Four includes St. Anthony Park, Hamline-Midway, Merriam Park and parts of the Como and Macalester-Groveland neighborhood.
“Matt’s history of community action, prior service in City Hall, and alignment with former Council President Jalali make him the perfect choice,” Carter said n a press release. “I am honored to appoint him to fill this vacancy until Election Day.”
Former Ward Four Council member Mitra Jalali announced her resignation in January, citing physical and mental health concerns. She stepped down Feb. 5 but didn’t officially resign until March 8.
The council then announced it would make an interim appointment. Twenty people applied, and four were chosen for interviews. The three other finalists were Lisa Clare Nelson, a Union Park District Council member and art conservator; nonprofit consultant and former interim Ward Four aide Melissa Martinz Sones and Sean Lim, an artist and veteran community organizer who has been involved in issues including environmental/climate and housing justice.
Hamline-Midway resident Privratsky is a lobbyist and clean energy advocate. He was Jalali’s first council legislative aide, serving from October 2018 to October 2021. After that he returned to his previous field of clean energy and advocacy.
Privratsky had been in various positions at Fresh Energy before going to City Hall the first time. He went to Nokomis Energy in October 2021, as director of government affairs. Before starting his career in the energy field, he was news director at a Greater Minnesota radio station.
In his interview for the interim post, Privratsky cited his experience with the council and background in and understanding of city issues. He joins the council as it weighs key decisions including rent control and tenant protections.
Privratsky also joins a council that has had deep divisions on several issues, including development projects and a new public safety committee.
For the first time in recent memory, the council appointment process fell to the mayor when Council members sharply disagreed on candidates as well as the selection process.
At their March 26 meeting, council members split 3-2 on Privratsky being tabbed as the appointee for a final vote March 28. Some council members voted for Privratsky; others expressed dismay at the process in part because Council Presoident Rebecca Noecker was on a bereavement leave.
The meeting March 28 ended abruptly, without a vote. At the April 2 meeting, the council was also unable to agree on a candidate. Nelson was also put forward as a candidate. Martines Sones withdrew her name from consideration.
In recent memory, the council always has filled a vacancy by appointment. The last time that process was used was in 2022 when Ward One Council Member Dai Thao resigned.
The city charter calls for a vacant council seat to be filled within 30 days. If the council doesn’t act, the appointment falls to the mayor.
The election to fill the Ward 4 seat on a permanent basis is Aug. 12. So far, four candidates – Chauntyll Allen, Molly Coleman, Christen Incitti and Cole Hanson – have declared for the seat. The term expires at the end of 2027.
Jane McClure is a Twin Cities freelancer who covers local government.