City of Saint Paul - Meeting of City Council on 11/12/2025 at 3:30 PM

Details

Meeting Name:

City Council

Agenda status:

Final-revised

Meeting date/time:

11/12/2025 3:30 PM

Minutes status:

Final

Meeting location:

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Published agenda:	Agenda Accessible Agenda	Published minutes:	Minutes Accessible Minutes
Agenda packet:	Agenda Packet

Meeting video:

Video

Attachments:

File #	Ver.	Agenda #	Type	Title	Action	Result	Action Details	Video
AO 25-66	1	1	Administrative Order	Amending the 2025 Saint Paul Regional Water Services spending budget to record the cost-neutral change in spending of $1,762,500 for the cost of issuance, principal and interest due on PFA note DW10.	Received and Filed		Action details	Not available
AO 25-67	1	2	Administrative Order	Amending the financing and spending plans in the SPRWS 2025 Adopted Budget in the amount of $50,000 to better support current priorities and maintain facility operations.	Received and Filed		Action details	Not available
RES 25-1674	1	3	Resolution	Authorizing the acceptance of $59,270.40 from the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program for rooftop solar installation at Hamline Midway Library.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RES 25-1680	1	4	Resolution	Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ReLeaf Community Forestry Grants Program to invest in forestry planning and management of the tree canopy throughout Saint Paul.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RES 25-1734	1	6	Resolution	Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a Request for Proposals for the FY25 Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) Grant Program, issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RES 25-1738	1	7	Resolution	Approving Ordinance Permit 20240020604 for Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure installed by the Saint Paul Port Authority (SPPA) on The Heights project site at the following locations: on Arlington Avenue between Howard Street and McKnight Road.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RES 25-1721	1	5	Resolution	Amending project budgets to align with spending needs.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
RES 25-1746	1	8	Resolution	Canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the City General Election held November 4, 2025.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
RES 25-1780	1		Resolution	Appointing Jacobson Lawyers Group, under the direction of Dan Jacobson, as special counsel representing the City in Saint Paul et al. v. Christopher Wright et al., filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
Ord 25-59	2	10	Ordinance	Amending Chapters 60, 63, 65, 66, 67, and 69 of the Legislative Code as recommended in the Traditional Neighborhood (T) District Zoning Study.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
RES 25-113	1	9	Resolution	Initiating the T District Follow-Up and Transit Corridor Zoning Study.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-65	1	11	Ordinance	Creating Chapter 225A of the Legislative Code titled Firearms Regulations to establish regulations for Assault weapons, Binary triggers, Ghost guns and Signage.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-72	2	12	Ordinance	Amending Chapters 60,61,68, and 72 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area and the Flood Plain Management Overlay Districts.	Amended and Laid Over for Second Reading	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-77	1	13	Ordinance	Amending Section 220.05 of the Legislative Code to set rates for base level garbage service to be effective January 1, 2026.	Laid Over to Second Reading		Action details	Video
Ord 25-63	1	14	Ordinance	Amending Legislative Code Chapter 220 to allow for Garbage Cart Sharing at properties with two or more Dwelling Units beginning January 1, 2026.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-66	1	15	Ordinance	Creating Chapter 420 of the Legislative Code establishing regulations for the registration of cannabis and hemp businesses, creating Chapter 420A of the Legislative Code establishing a permit requirement and process for temporary cannabis events, and amending section 310.01 to add a definition for “Cannabis Fees”.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-67	1	16	Ordinance	Amending Chapter 170.02 of the Legislative Code to allow the Director of Parks and Recreation to adjust the hours of certain parks to accommodate for park use during the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-68	1	17	Ordinance	Amending Section 106.01 of the Legislative Code to allow businesses in the Downtown Entertainment District to temporary allow items in the right-of-way without a sidewalk-use permit during the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-69	1	18	Ordinance	Amending section 293.02(d) of the Legislative Code to remove the requirement for a sound level variance in the Downtown Entertainment District during the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-70	1	19	Ordinance	Amending section 409.08 of the Legislative Code to allow holders of Liquor Licenses issued under section 409 to apply for extended service of alcoholic beverages until 2:00 a.m. during the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-71	1	20	Ordinance	Amending section 55.04(a) of the Legislative Code to simplify the requirement for a temporary structure permit during the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
Ord 25-76	1	21	Ordinance	Creating Chapter 297 of the Legislative Code prohibiting the use and placement of virtual currency kiosks within the City.	Laid Over to Final Adoption	Pass	Action details	Video
RES PH 25-253	1	22	Resolution-Public Hearing	Setting the Solid Waste Service Fee for 2026.	Laid Over	Pass	Action details	Video
RES PH 25-254	1	23	Resolution-Public Hearing	Authorizing Public Works to request $828,344 in SCORE grant funds from Ramsey County to support the curbside recycling program and setting the 2026 City Recycling Service Fees.	Laid Over	Pass	Action details	Video
RES PH 25-255	1	24	Resolution-Public Hearing	Authorizing the Public Library Agency to accept Minnesota Department of Education grant funds and amending the Library’s 2025 financing and spending plans in the amount of $500,000 to support reconstruction of the Hamline Midway Library.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
RES PH 25-218	1	25	Resolution-Public Hearing	Ratifying the assessment for benefits, costs, and expenses for the Grand/Snelling parking lot operation and maintenance costs for 2026. (File No. 18746-25, Assessment No. 257202)	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
RES PH 25-243	1	26	Resolution-Public Hearing	Approving the application of MN Run Series/Podium Sports Marketing Inc. for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Turkey Trot Saint Paul on November 27, 2025, by Shepard Road between Washington Street and Sherman Street.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
RLH TA 25-115	3	27	Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal	Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 686 EDMUND AVENUE. (File No. VB2507A, Assessment No. 258826) (Public hearing closed and laid over from April 9, 2025)	Adopted As Amended	Pass	Action details	Video
RLH SAO 25-62	2	28	Resolution LH Summary Abatement Order	Appeal of Deborah Ruberto to a Summary Abatement Order and Vehicle Abatement Order at 235 BATES AVENUE.	Referred	Pass	Action details	Video
RLH SAO 25-60	2	29	Resolution LH Summary Abatement Order	Appeal of Emmett J. Owens, Jr. to a Summary Abatement Order and Vehicle Abatement Order at 239 BATES AVENUE.	Referred	Pass	Action details	Video
RLH SAO 25-61	3	38	Resolution LH Summary Abatement Order	Appeal of Johnny E Howard Sr to a Summary Abatement Order at 633 VAN BUREN AVENUE.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Video
RLH SAO 25-59	2	30	Resolution LH Summary Abatement Order	Appeal of Philip and Kelly Oliver to a Summary Abatement Order at 597 FOREST STREET.	Adopted		Action details	Not available
RLH CO 25-10	2	31	Resolution LH Correction Order (Code Enforcement Only)	Appeal of Michael Haubrich to a Correction Notice at 1488 HAZELWOOD STREET.	Adopted As Amended		Action details	Not available
RLH FCO 25-64	2	32	Resolution LH Fire C of O OR Correction Order	Appeal of Todd Knudten to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice at 1205 HOMER STREET.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RLH FCO 25-61	2	33	Resolution LH Fire C of O OR Correction Order	Appeal of Abdalla Tobasi to a Fire Fire Inspection Report at 933 MINNEHAHA AVENUE WEST.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RLH CO 25-9	4	34	Resolution LH Correction Order (Code Enforcement Only)	Appeal of Parker Hoen to a Correction Notice at 1635 MONTREAL AVENUE.	Adopted As Amended		Action details	Not available
RLH FCO 25-60	2	35	Resolution LH Fire C of O OR Correction Order	Appeal of Abdalla Tobasi to a Fire Fire Inspection Report at 809 SELBY AVENUE (806 SELBY AVENUE).	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RLH RR 25-24	2	36	Resolution LH Substantial Abatement Order	Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 378 SIMS AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 25-5.	Adopted As Amended		Action details	Not available
RLH SAO 25-52	2	37	Resolution LH Summary Abatement Order	Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2198 TILSEN AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-49.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available
RLH CO 25-13	2	39	Resolution LH Correction Order (Code Enforcement Only)	Appeal of Robert Lankfard to a Correction Order at 613 VIRGINIA STREET.	Adopted	Pass	Action details	Not available

Add New Comment

File #	Date	Name	Opinion	Comment	Action
Ord 25-77	11/13/2025 3:11 AM	Eric Lein (yet again)	Against	We were led to believe that rates starting 4/1/2025 would be unchanged until 3/31/2026. /// On 1/8/2025 Whereas explanations for ORD 24-40's base level rates included these tidbits: "...the rates for Trash Collection Costs and Disposal Costs shall be set annually..." and "...Rate increases pursuant to this Section 12.3 [of the City/FCC Agreement] shall go into effect on April 1 of each year, starting on April 1, 2026..." /// As of 11/12/2025, ORD 25-77's text (and the City staff report) ignores ORD 24-40's officially-stated "whereas history" and accelerates future increases by three months - to start January 1 instead of "April 1 of each year." /// PLEASE CLARIFY what changed ... or REVERT to April 1st rate increases.	+1
Ord 25-63	11/12/2025 9:45 PM	Alisa Lein		Please ensure the dumpster collection fee from FCC is not greater than the private market collection fee. I have called and left 5+ messages with FCC over the last two months asking for dumpster pricing in St. Paul and they never once have returned my calls, even after "expediting my message to a supervisor". So while I am 100% in favor of allowing dumpsters for multifamily, if FCC isn't returning calls, I sure hope the City will allow the free market haulers to continue to pick up dumpsters w/o h***les when a multifamily property wants to use one instead of carts.	+4
Ord 25-63	11/12/2025 9:38 PM	Alisa Lein	For	Hallelujah, multifamily cart sharing and DUMPSTERS!!!! The environmental and ethical and common sense ordinance revision to finally p***. I've been beating this drum since 2017 and am really excited to have the number of carts we all look at reduced in many alleys and to also stop paying to collect air of so many unused garbage carts.	+3
Ord 25-63	11/7/2025 8:00 PM	Scott Jensen		One more item regarding the cart sharing in c.1.iii; the language specifies "adjacent 2-4 dwelling units with same property owner" for dumpster service. Does that also include any 5+ dwelling units voluntarily enrolled in the program?
Ord 25-63	11/7/2025 7:49 PM	Scott Jensen		I am frustrated and disappointed not to see any explicit provision for exempting HOAs like the one I represent from the city trash program. I do see some hope for relief in 220.05 c.1.iii regarding dumpster service, but there is no further information regarding dumpster size, the number of RDA's that can share a dumpster, &c. Would this be determined on a per-case basis? Also, does "property owner" apply to HOAs with common property, or only to rental property landlords?	+2
Ord 25-63	11/7/2025 4:49 AM	Eric Lein		PLEASE REVISE THIS TEXT: "Adjacent two to four (2-4) dwelling units that have the same property owner may request dumpster service from the city. If the city’s designated contractor city services are unable to provide dumpster service, the property owner may contract with a private hauler with city approval." /// WHY? Owners of adjacent buildings should NOT be required to use the city's designated contractor if that contractor's price is greater than the price to be charged by a private hauler.	+7
RES PH 25-253	11/7/2025 2:16 AM	Eric Lein	Against	It seems unreasonable to charge an annual Service Fee for units (in a multi-unit building) that do not receive solid waste "service" because they share a trash cart with another unit at the same property. Cart-sharing households will (FINALLY!) no longer be charged for so-called "collection" of non-existent trash. Yes, their small amounts of trash will be collected, but the city will not have to account for or spend time on billings or cart-changes or vacation holds or bulky items or missed collections or damaged carts, and dozens or hundreds of already-paid-for carts will have been returned to the city for somebody else to use. Please revise language FROM a per-unit fee TO a per-cart fee.	+2
Ord 25-77	11/7/2025 12:55 AM	Eric Lein		As of 11/6/2025, the "effective" date in Ord 25-77's TITLE does not match the "beginning" date in the text of SECTION 2, Sec. 220.05(a). PLEASE CLARIFY: Do these base level cost increases begin January 1, 2026, OR April 1, 2026?	+1
Ord 25-65	11/4/2025 8:39 PM	Joseph G.	Against	Absolutely ridiculous. Unconstitutional, overreaching proposal that will not actually help anyone, but will instead seek to jail law abiding gun owners. This is part of the problem, not the solution to violence.	+4
Ord 25-65	11/4/2025 2:33 PM	Peter	Against	You cannot pretend that state law doesn’t exist. You are wasting time and money on something that you certainly know will not hold up in court. This is no different than trying to ban “*ault words.” What if someone had large-capacity mean words on pamphlets? Maybe if someone does want to distribute ault language pamphlets, we should serialize them, so that we know who has all the ault language. Then we could put up signage to encourage compliance of restricting *ault language.	+4
Ord 25-65	11/4/2025 1:38 AM	Brandon F.	Against	I am opposed to the proposed ordinance as a resident of Saint Paul. The ordinance will do nothing to deter the vast majority of the criminals who are the ones perpetrating the crimes who largely are already “prohibited persons” under current State and Federal law. The city, as well as the state, would be better suited spending it’s money actually finding, arresting, and actually prosecuting the criminals instead of limiting law abiding citizens in their rights. The criminals by and large are purchasing the firearms used in their crimes illegally in the first place so what specifically is this ordinance going to address again, other then limiting law abiding citizens who were already abiding the laws? How is this going to address the criminal who just committed another crime while awaiting trial for a previous crime and who already has a record going back to high school if not junior high? You cannot legislate the evil in man’s heart.	+4
Ord 25-65	11/3/2025 11:46 PM	Marc	Against	I am against ORD 25-65. As wasteful performative nonsense, it violates Minnesota Constitution's Preemption clause. It has already been targeted for legal challenge, wasting money. City leaders were specifically told this by letter. A councilwoman's flippant response shows clear contempt for peaceable gun owners as well as city residents and Minnesota taxpayers in general. The City of St. Paul already received $81,779,353 in Local Government Aid (LGA) from the State for 2025. Will you ask for more to cover lawsuits or cut city services, programs? This ordinance also sets up police if following an ordinance that doesn't match up with State law especially if arrests made as result of non-public safety traffic stops. Lastly, some courts treat violent and repeat offenders far too leniently. Far too often they continue after court appearances, harming neighborhoods. I didn't (don't) see or hear city leaders demanding action on this. Unfortunate.	+4
Ord 25-65	11/3/2025 8:03 PM	Katrina Lunden	Against	I don't live in St. Paul, but I am a permit to carry holder and I regularly come to St. Paul where do business, shop, eat, and generally spend money. To see you so willing to waste money paid in taxes by your residents is disgracefull. Your are required to be responsible with that money, not to waste it on ordinences that are illeagal, will be challenged by gunowners, (leading to expensive court costs on behalf of the city) and which are only designed to make you look like you are doing something, so you you can say, "Look, we tried." You're grandstanding, and spending tax payers money to do it. The only win you'll have is people that law abiding folk are confused about what they can and can't do. The criminals don't care because they don't follow your ordinances, just like they don't follow the law. Seriously, do your jobs better.	+7 4
Ord 25-65	10/27/2025 3:33 AM	Bill	Against	I own an AR-15 rifle, what you refer to as an "*ault weapon". They are one of the most commonly owned firearms in America. I also have had a personal policy of buying three more 30 round (standard capacity) magazines any time there is a proposed bill to unconstitutionally ban these defensive tools. Given how frequently this happens, I have about 20 magazines, so if you p*ed this law, every day I was in possession of them, I would be looking at five years in jail, and a $21,000 fine. No criminal record, tax payer all my life, help my elderly neighbors. What you are proposing is making a large number of gun owners into criminals, rather than holding the actual criminals accountable with your soft on (actual) crime policies. You should be ashamed.	+7
Ord 25-65	10/25/2025 6:53 PM	Tim	Against	I am strongly against this ordinance. Our city is currently under higher than normal financial constraints. Yet we are driving towards creating an ordinance that will be legally challenged, wasting time and resources we cannot afford. There are other forthcoming legal issues that better deserve our limited resources. During the council meeting, the question was raised; whether signs could still be placed if the ordinance is preempted by state law. I hope the intent here is is not how I see it. That; if the ordinance is unenforceable, we might still be able to place signs; maligning peaceable gun owners going about their day, and simultaneously spreading disinformation to all members of the public. I do not understand the origins of illiberal and regressive policies like this. While I appreciate efforts to identify ways to stop gun violence, this ordinance, presented as a means of 'doing something,' accomplishes nothing and is unconstitutional.	+8
Ord 25-65	10/25/2025 5:39 PM	Erik	Against	While I can understand that certain proponents of this ordinance do so from a place of grief or genuine well meaning, this legislation is unlawful, strips good Minnesotans of constitutionally protected civil rights, and will be ineffective at curbing both political violence and crimes of desperation. Wasting resources on this legislation weakens the DFL platform, alienates and vilifies voters, and jeopardizes good policy on housing, healthcare, economic opportunity, education and equality, all of which demonstrably more effective at curbing violence than gun regulation. Please reconsider.	+6
Ord 25-65	10/25/2025 3:16 PM	Bryan Strawser	Against	This ordinance is nothing but performative BS that is prohibited under the state's preemption law - and it's completely unconstitutional. Banning firearms? Give me a break. You should be ashamed of yourselves.	+9
Ord 25-65	10/25/2025 3:09 PM	James	Against	The ordinance faces immediate legal challenge. The ordinance also states it can't go into effect until state law changes. Why on earth is the city going to waste resources and taxpayer money fighting a legal battle to keep a dormant ordinance? Please don't sacrifice my tax dollars for political optics.	+11
Ord 25-65	10/23/2025 6:55 PM	Brandon	Against	This directly violates the state preemption law as well as the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution. You are wasting time and money on this. How about we just enforce the laws of the land. You should all be arrested and charged for even having this idea. You are not above the law. The safety of our children is extremely important but there are other ways to promote that.	+9
Ord 25-63	10/17/2025 1:53 AM	a resident		The haulers need to prove a lid is more than six inches using a ruler. Absent proof, the resident should be given the benefit of the doubt. An appeal process should be added, too. The haulers have a financial incentive to report overflowing carts.