Sheryl “Shari” Moore found a job as a video production assistant in the St. Paul City Council’s cable office in 1987, helping to run dolly-based television cameras inside the council chambers. She later joined the inaugural Citizen Service Office, directing residents to the department at City Hall that could best respond to their concerns.

Sheryl “Shari” Moore, the longstanding St. Paul city clerk, will retire in Dec. 2025 after nearly 40 years of service to the city. (Courtesy of Shari Moore)

The following decades would elevate her to one of the most sensitive and innermost administrative jobs in city government — that of city clerk. It’s a job she’ll retire from next month after nearly 40 years of service to St. Paul’s local elected officials and the public at large.

“This has been the ride of my life,” said Moore, wiping heavy tears as she addressed the council on Nov. 5. “I couldn’t imagine my life going any other way. This has been a privilege. … I love St. Paul with all my heart, and I love being a city clerk.”

Moore, who became acting city clerk in 2005, was appointed city clerk the following year, a role in which she swore in elected officials and oversaw virtually every printed document that came before the city council. She served under 49 council members and six mayoral administrations, oversaw the council’s digital modernization and transition to online agendas and digital tools administered by Granicus Legistar software, and served for a year as president of the St. Paul Supervisors Organization labor unit.

Moore, in an interview, said technology has ushered in deep changes in her industry, and the tone of residents toward government has become increasingly demanding “because everything is so instant.”

“Obviously, there wasn’t email when I started,” she said. “Everything was phone and walk-in. … Everything was paper before. We’re able to get people information a lot faster than we would have before.”

Every department of the city submitted budget requests, prospective ordinances, resolutions and other matters to the seven-member council through her office, and Moore served as a traffic cop of sorts, scheduling and preparing virtually every word that appeared before the elected officials.

“Shari Moore has been a rock,” said council President Rebecca Noecker, holding back her own tears while addressing the council. “It’s impossible to imagine the city of St. Paul without you. … You love being a city clerk, and you love the city of St. Paul.”

The sentiment was echoed by fellow council members around the council table. “Ms. Moore, you are a woman who knows her stuff, and it’s been an honor to serve beside you,” said council member Cheniqua Johnson.

In 2005, Moore served as host clerk for the weeklong International Institute of Municipal Clerks annual conference when it was held in St. Paul. She currently serves on the IIMC Foundation Board and is a member of the League of Minnesota Cities’ Human Resources and Data Practices Committee.

Moore was recognized as Clerk of the Year in 2020 by the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association of Minnesota, though the award was delayed a year due to the pandemic. “Our conference was canceled a week before it was supposed to be held,” she said.

Moore said she had no immediate plans in retirement beyond volunteering and visiting with friends and family.

Following remarks, the council voted to declare Nov. 5 to be Shari Moore Day in the city of St. Paul.

“Seven in favor, none opposed,” announced Moore, reading vote results aloud for one of the last times in her nearly 40-year career. “The resolution is adopted.”

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