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Staff Report <br />To:Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br />From:Laura Linehan, Assistant City Administrator <br />Date: December 17, 2025 <br />Re:St. Paul Area Association of Realtors (SPAAR) Key Communities Grant Program <br />Acceptance <br />Action To Be Considered: <br />Motion to approve, table, or deny the following: <br />Accepting the St. Paul Area Association of Relators (SPAAR) Key Communities Grant <br />award of $1,500.00. <br />Approve authorization for staff to apply for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) <br />Grant Program through the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors (SPAAR) <br />Background: <br />On December 17, 2025, the City Council approved city staff to apply for the SPAAR Key <br />Communities Grant Program for the city’s Community Connections Engagement Program, <br />which includes the Monthly Community Connections Series, Community Ambassador Program, <br />and the Community History Lecture Series. The purpose of the Key Communities Program is to <br />build strong ties between SPAAR Realtor® members and communities in SPAAR’s jurisdiction. <br />Notice of Award: <br />On February 4, staff were notified that the SPAAR’s Government Affairs Committee voted to <br />award a grant to the City of Little Canada for the Community Connections Engagement <br />Program. Therefore, staff is requesting council accept the grant formally. <br />National Association of Realtors (NAR) Grant Program: <br />As outlined on December 17, following Little Canada's selection for the SPAAR Key <br />Communities Grant, SPAAR will also bring forward the city’s program for additional funding <br />through the National Association of Realtors (NAR) grant program. Becky Wegscheid, <br />Government Affairs Director, will apply for additional funds to support the approved <br />Community Connections Engagement Program on the city’s behalf following staff review of the <br />submission. Ms. Wegschied has discussed our program with the National Association of <br />Realtors. As the program does not fully meet some requirements, she recommends that the city <br />apply for a $3,000 Level 1 Housing Opportunity Grant. <br />Housing Opportunity Grant <br />Housing Opportunity Grants empower Realtor Associations to advance affordable housing <br />through improved systems, programs, and policies—positioning Realtors as community leaders