Details Meeting Name: City Council Agenda status: Final Meeting date/time: 6/2/2021 3:30 PM Minutes status: Final   Meeting location: Council Chambers - 3rd Floor Please see the meeting guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Published agenda: Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Accessible Minutes   Meeting video: Video   Attachments: Meeting Items (54) Public Comments (47) 54 records Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by Type Group by Result Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word Show: Legislation only Legislation only All agenda items File # Ver. Agenda # Type Title Action Result Action Details Video CO 21-45 1 1 Communications & Receive/File Mayor's Emergency Executive Orders 21-21 and 21-22. Received and Filed   Action details Not available RES 21-799 1 2 Resolution Approving the application with conditions, per the Deputy Legislative Hearing Officer, for a Liquor On Sale - 100 seats or less, Liquor On Sale - Sunday, Entertainment (A) licenses for Sachoua & Houa LLC (License ID # 20210000176), d/b/a Smokin Ninjas located at 879 Rice Street. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-802 1 3 Resolution Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreements (January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022) and Memorandums of Agreement (2021 - 2022) between the City of Saint Paul and AFSCME District Council 5, Clerical - Local 2508 and Technical - Local 1842. Laid Over Pass Action details Not available RES 21-803 1 4 Resolution Waiving the 45-day notice requirement to issue a Liquor On Sale - 181-290 Seats, Liquor On Sale - Sunday, and Entertainment (A) Licenses with conditions to Hung Tu Inc. d/b/a Peking Garden Chinese Restaurant (License ID #20210000659) for the premises located at 394 University Avenue West. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-806 1 5 Resolution Approving an Auto Repair Garage license to B & A Tursso Inc. d/b/a All Tech Automotive (License ID #20210000513) for the premises located at 1581 White Bear Avenue North. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-811 1 7 Resolution Authorizing the City to approve the amendment to reduce Padelford Packet Company’s 2020 contractual payment to City. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-812 1 8 Resolution Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept 6 archery sheds that were built and donated by Terra Firma remodeling for use at the archery range. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-813 1 9 Resolution Authorizing the Fire Department to accept the donation of use of the fitness facility valued at $134,120 from Finish Line Wellness Group. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-814 1 10 Resolution Approval of an Auto Repair Garage with conditions to JWP Automotive LLC (License ID #20210000642) for the premises located at 1457 Marshall Avenue Unit A. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-815 1 11 Resolution Approving the license agreement as the form for execution regarding the real estate commonly referred to as the downtown Saint Paul Farmers Market; and, further, authorizing the execution of license agreement documents accordingly (District 17, Ward 2). Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-705 1 12 Resolution Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2021 Wage and Fringe Adjustment for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters. (laid over from May 26) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RES 21-807 1 6 Resolution Replacing RES 21-547 reaffirming the City Council's regular meeting schedule during the Covid-19 pandemic emergency and setting a date to return to in-person meetings. Adopted Pass Action details Video SR 21-92 1 13 Staff Report Update on Covid-19 vaccinations. Received and Filed   Action details Video RES 21-836 1 14 Resolution Proclaiming Saturday, June 5, 2021 through Saturday, June 12, 2021, to be NeighborWorks Week in the City of Saint Paul. Adopted Pass Action details Video RES 21-835 1 15 Resolution Declaring the first Friday in June to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Adopted Pass Action details Video RES 21-852 1   Resolution Affirming the Extension of Declaration of Local Emergency issued June 1, 2021 by Mayor Melvin Carter III. Adopted Pass Action details Not available Ord 21-20 1 16 Ordinance Creating Chapter 233A of the Legislative Code to establish certain rights for hospitality workers who have suffered loss of employment due to the Covid-19 pandemic to return to work with their previous employer. Laid Over to Second Reading Pass Action details Video Ord 21-21 1 17 Ordinance Repealing Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code related to Tenant Protections. Laid Over to Second Reading   Action details Video RES PH 21-124 1 18 Resolution-Public Hearing Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $16,300 to reflect additional 2021 funding expected from Como Friends. Adopted Pass Action details Video RES PH 21-127 1 19 Resolution-Public Hearing Approving the application of Avalon School for a sound level variance in order to present live amplified sound on June 10, 2021 at 525 Pelham Blvd. Adopted Pass Action details Video RES PH 21-132 1 20 Resolution-Public Hearing Approving the application of OSP Events, LLC for a sound level variance in order to present live amplified sound on June 10 and 17, July 8, 15, 22, and 29, August 5, 12, 19, and 26, September 2 and 9, 2021 at 221 Fifth Street East, Mears Park. Adopted Pass Action details Not available Ord 21-17 1 21 Ordinance Granting the application of Ali Alfureedy to rezone property at 444 Maryland Ave W from B1 local business district to T2 traditional neighborhood and amending Chapter 60 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the zoning map. (Public Hearing held June 2) Laid Over to Final Adoption Pass Action details Video Ord 21-18 1 22 Ordinance Granting the application of Stonewood Investments LLC rezone property at 300 Banfil Street/149-155 Dousman Street Rezone from B2 community business to RM2 medium-density multiple-family residential and amending Chapter 60 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the zoning map. (Public Hearing held June 2) Laid Over to Final Adoption Pass Action details Video RLH VBR 21-29 2 23 Resolution LH Vacant Building Registration Appeal of Shalanda and Nathanial Mathis to a Vacant Building Registration Notice and Summary Abatement Order at 474 BLAIR AVENUE. Adopted   Action details Not available RLH VBR 21-30 2 25 Resolution LH Vacant Building Registration Appeal of Patrick Nguyen to a Vacant Building Registration Renewal Notice at 596 CHARLES AVENUE. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 20-536 2 27 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 913 EARL STREET. (File No. J2023A, Assessment No. 208539) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-263 1 29 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Amending Council File RLH AR 20-160, adopted February 10, 2021, to ratify the assessment at 942 GALTIER STREET (File No. J2103B, Assessment No. 218102). Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 20-539 2 30 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 987 GERANIUM AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2024A, Assessment No. 208540) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH VBR 21-28 2 31 Resolution LH Vacant Building Registration Appeal of Robert Lunieski, Lunieski & Associates, to a Vacant Building Registration Notice at 1204 GRAND AVENUE. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-222 2 32 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 62 HATCH AVENUE. (File No. J2116A, Assessment No. 218515) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH VO 21-16 2 33 Resolution LH Vacate Order Appeal of Thomas and Pamela Bleise to a Re-Inspection Fire Certificate of Occupancy with Deficiencies (which includes condemnation) at 2245 HILLSDALE AVENUE. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-217 2 34 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 900 & 902 JENKS AVENUE. (File No. J2115A, Assessment No. 218514) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 20-538 2 35 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1304 JUNO AVENUE. (File No. J2024A, Assessment No. 208540) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-241 2 37 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 876 LAWSON AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2116A, Assessment No. 218515) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH CO 21-4 2 39 Resolution LH Correction Order (Code Enforcement Only) Appeal of Rev. Dr. William Hillebrand to a Correction Notice at 859 MARION STREET. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-264 1 40 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Amending Council File RLH AR 21-24, adopted April 14, 2021, to ratify the assessment at 1120 PAYNE AVENUE (File No. VB2106, Assessment No. 218805). Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 20-533 2 41 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1097 SUBURBAN AVENUE. (File No. J2023A, Assessment No. 208539) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-235 2 42 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1080 THOMAS AVENUE. (File No. J2113A1, Assessment No. 218540) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH VBR 21-27 2 43 Resolution LH Vacant Building Registration Appeal of Carolina Sanchez to a Vacant Building Registration Fee Warning Letter at 1399 THOMAS AVENUE. Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-253 2 44 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 981 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST. (File No. J2007P1, Assessment No. 208408) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 20-527 2 46 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 970 WESTERN AVENUE NORTH. (File No. J2023A, Assessment No. 208539) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH AR 20-119 2 47 Resolution LH Assessment Roll Ratifying the assessments for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services during April 2020. (File No. J2012B, Assessment No. 208111) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH AR 20-120 2 48 Resolution LH Assessment Roll Ratifying the assessments for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services during July 2019 at 589 FIFTH STREET EAST. (File No. J2003B1, Assessment No. 208112) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH AR 20-121 2 49 Resolution LH Assessment Roll Ratifying the assessments for Dangerous Tree(s) Removal services during April 2020. (File No. 2007T, Assessment No. 209006) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH AR 21-43 2 52 Resolution LH Assessment Roll Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during January 5 to 14, 2021. (File No. J2115A, Assessment No. 218514) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH AR 21-44 2 53 Resolution LH Assessment Roll Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during January 12 to 29, 2021. (File No. J2116A, Assessment No. 218515) Adopted Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 20-535 2 36 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 578 LAFOND AVENUE. (File No. J2023A, Assessment No. 208539) Adopted As Amended Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 20-530 2 38 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 95 LITCHFIELD STREET. (File No. J2023A, Assessment No. 208539) (Amend to delete) Adopted As Amended Pass Action details Not available RLH AR 20-123 2 50 Resolution LH Assessment Roll Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during April 30 to May 13, 2020. (File No. J2023A, Assessment No. 208539) Adopted As Amended Pass Action details Not available RLH AR 20-124 2 51 Resolution LH Assessment Roll Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during May 15 to 28, 2020. (File No. J2024A, Assessment No. 208540) Adopted As Amended Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-206 2 24 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 750 BLAIR AVENUE. (File No. J2116A, Assessment No. 218515) (Public hearing continued to October 13, 2021) Continue Public Hearing Pass Action details Not available RLH TA 21-176 2 45 Resolution LH Tax Assessment Appeal Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 553 VAN BUREN AVENUE. (File No. J2017A1, Assessment No. 208554) (Public Hearing continued to October 6, 2021) Continue Public Hearing Pass Action details Not available RLH SAO 21-40 2 26 Resolution LH Summary Abatement Order Appeal of Bob Marley, Jr. to a Summary Abatement Order, Vehicle Abatement Order, and Correction Notice at 1450 DALE STREET NORTH. Referred Pass Action details Not available RLH SAO 20-40 3 28 Resolution LH Summary Abatement Order Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2233 ENERGY PARK DRIVE in Council File RLH SAO 20-24. (continued from May 26) Adopted Pass Action details Video  Add New Comment 47 records Group Clear sorting Clear grouping Group by File # Group by Name Group by District Group by Opinion Export Export to Excel Export to PDF Export to Word File # Date  Name District Opinion Comment Action Ord 21-21 6/24/2021 2:17 PM Corinne McHie   Against Please do not repeal the SAFE ordinance for renters. Stable housing makes St. Paul a better city for everyone. These are reasonable and modest protections and they should be upheld. +8 -7 7 Ord 21-21 6/23/2021 8:35 PM Joshua T. Medley   Against I am against repealing the SAFE ordinances. I have experienced organized efforts from my landlord to get tenants to testify against our local homeless/houseless ***istance program and now attacks on tenant rights. This is of course concerning. Lawsuits from landlords that will end in the cities favor should not influence Saint Paul’s policy. Whether or not policy is good should determine our policy. SAFE was and is good policy. +8 -7 7 Ord 21-21 6/23/2021 4:28 PM Martin Hernandez   Against The city council voted unanimously for these ordinances when they were proposed. Show some backbone and stand up for you convictions and defend your previous votes in favor of SAFE ordinances. The corporate landlord cl*** will sue over anything that gives renters any modi*** of rights so any SAFE 2.0 you propose will also bring on a landlord lawsuit. Keep your promises and defend renter rights. No to Repeal. +8 -7 7 Ord 21-21 6/23/2021 4:18 PM Cheyanne J   Against I am strongly opposed to repealing this ordinance that benefits a large portion of the population of St. Paul +8 -7 7 Ord 21-21 6/23/2021 4:18 PM Cheyanne J   Against I am strongly opposed to repealing this ordinance that benefits a large portion of the population of St. Paul +6 -6 6 Ord 21-21 6/23/2021 4:03 PM Jeanette Beger   Against I am against the repeal of the SAFE ordinance. Each of our neighbors deserves to have an affordable place to live. We will build a better Saint Paul when we continue to provide stable housing. +7 -6 6 Ord 21-21 6/23/2021 3:09 PM Patrice Tetta   Against I am strongly opposed to the repealing of these protections for tenants. Rising rents disproportionately affect BIPOC households and widen existing racial disparities in housing cost-burden, housing instability, and homelessness. Many Saint Paul renters have seen their rents increase hundreds of dollars at a time and we must do something about unreasonable rent growth. As a long term homeowner, I feel that renters should NOT be at a disadvantage. When I last rented (25 years ago), my monthly rent on a great TWO bedroom apartment in a nice, albeit not upscale, neighborhood was $525 -- the equivalent of $900 today. I was able to afford that on my relatively-small salary. A two-bedroom apartment at $900 is unheard of today. People need to be able to live affordably. Renters need protection. Please do not repeal this ordinance. +7 -6 6 Ord 21-21 6/23/2021 6:37 AM Ian Hedberg   Against The needs that drove p***age of the SAFE ordinance have not gone away. At the very least, some basic protections from a new ordinance need to be in place. Some landlords have expressed a chilling belief that if a person has committed a crime and served out their punishment in full, it is a landlord's right to further punish them by forbidding them the shelter they need to live for the rest of their life. Does the city represent only this small group of landlords accustomed to, and feeling entitled to, dictator-like power? Is the city not concerned about the possibility of a greed landlord evicting poor renters so they can get even more money from rich people moving in, which would greatly exacerbate our homeless crisis? Are renters, the majority of our city, not people worth fighting for? +7 -6 6 Ord 21-21 6/22/2021 10:38 PM Sara   Against +8 -6 5 Ord 21-21 6/16/2021 7:56 PM Nicolaas VanMeerten   Against The St. Paul city council should be working to protect tenants not landlords who are already in a position of power. +8 -6 6 Ord 21-21 6/15/2021 12:55 AM Andrea Buiser   Against Please do not repeal the S.A.F.E. Housing ordinance. Your most marginalized constituents are relying on you all to stand by the legislation created to protect tenants' rights. We are counting on each and every Councilmember to stand up for the population of renters in Saint Paul. +9 -6 6 Ord 21-21 6/10/2021 5:43 PM Anthony LaRose   Against I am against the repeal of SAFE housing! St. Paul is majority renters and repealing this will cause more problems than benefits. +8 -8 6 Ord 21-21 6/9/2021 7:32 PM Robert Craft   Against I am astounded that the City Council would retreat from protecting tenants with the proposed repeal of our Safe Housing Ordinance. The Council had to know the landlords would litigate the matter. Giving up without a fight because of one judge's opinion indicates a both of lack of resolve and a misplaced concern for legal expenses over human rights. Claiming that other protections and resources are available insults the testimony of all those who supported the ordinance because those resources fail tenants time and again. +9 -8 6 Ord 21-21 6/8/2021 10:11 PM Sam Robertson   Against Please do not repeal the S.A.F.E. Housing ordinance. I work at a domestic violence shelter in St Paul and this ordinance has allowed many of our residents to access fair housing where they would not have been able to without the ordinance. Revoking the S.A.F.E. Housing ordinance removes an essential protection for many residents of St Paul (housed and looking for housing) and is a colossal step back from housing equity. The ordinance works. We have seen it work successfully. +10 -8 6 Ord 21-21 6/8/2021 9:38 PM Onnie Brodkorb   Against Please do not repeal this ordinance. S.A.F.E. housing is a well-researched and legally backed ordinance that put bare minimum basic protections into place. I work with unhoused people in the city of St Paul and during the short time S.A.F.E housing was in place I saw it work to connect people who are able and willing to pay rent overcome the barriers to housing that exist when property owners have overreaching tenant screenings. Do not believe the rhetoric that this requires property owners to rent to criminals! The ordinance says the look back period for misdemeanors is 3 years and 7(!) years for felonies. People who have been convicted and completed their sentences should not be subject to constant punishment and denial of housing. MN property owners concerned about criminal activity on the property are already protected by MN 504b.171. Not only is St Paul a majority renter city, but the majority of landlords want to do the right thing and to have fair rental standards. +10 -8 6 Ord 21-21 6/8/2021 9:23 PM Joan Countryman   Against Please do not repeal! Our renters need our ***istance. +9 -7 5 Ord 21-21 6/8/2021 9:13 PM Rainbow Health Minnesota   Against Rainbow Health Minnesota, based in St. Paul, knows that safe, stable housing is critical to people's health. We would urge the Council to not rush to repeal these provisions, but to take the time to develop a robust legal defense AND a back-up plan for protecting tenants. +9 -6 5 Ord 21-21 6/8/2021 1:46 PM Andrew Eikum   Against The city should protect its renters by not repealing these protections. +8 -7 5 Ord 21-21 6/7/2021 11:20 PM Joe Nathan   Against Having been a renter and then a homeowner, I strongly urge the Council and Mayor to delay action - and to instruct the City Attorney to appeal this Judge's Decision. New Jersey has used many of the ideas in the city's ordinance to balance needs of renters and landlords. Yes, we need to respect property rights. But St Paul should be a city that welcomes rather than discourages renters. +9 -5 5 Ord 21-21 6/7/2021 10:17 PM Joan Ostrove   Against Please do not repeal the SAFE Housing ordinance. We will be abandoning our city’s renters and privileging the interests of corporate landlords. The repeal will disproportionately hurt renters of color and working cl*** families, who deserve to be protected from displacement. Thank you +7 -6 5 Ord 21-21 6/7/2021 9:28 PM Elaine Tarone   Against I observedJudge Magnuson’s hearing of the cases for and against the landlords injunction. He clearly hadn’t even read the City’s written case; he plainly said he hadn’t. I urge you not to repeal the tenant protections in the face of such a judge’s opinion. Please fight hard against the landlords’ injunction. Get St Paul’s tenant protections enforced! +12 -6 5 Ord 21-21 6/7/2021 8:54 PM April Mootz   Against The fact that 5 of St Paul's council members are pushing to repeal a bill that was created to protect tenants from discrimination and exploitation at the hands of landlords is disheartening to say the very least. While our city is experiencing a housing and homelessness crisis no less. Our city is majority renters. I am a renter. Everyone I am in community with are renters as well. Everyone of the council members sponsoring this bill have a responsibility to the community's who gave them their power. By repealing tenant protections they are turning their backs on their own constitutes, as well as thousands of families who rent in St Paul. Keep SAFE housing in St Paul and stop pandering to landlords who are systematically exploiting and discriminating against black, brown, and working cl*** constitutes. +8 -6 5 Ord 21-21 6/2/2021 8:31 PM James Wilkinson     SAFE goals are important. I think that City should engage with plaintiffs and try to preserve some aspects of the ordinance now and look to improve and remedy problems in a thoughtful manner. +8 -5 5 Ord 21-21 6/1/2021 2:43 PM Matt Jarvi   Against Please support basic housing justice. Keep the SAFE Act. +8 -9 5 Ord 21-21 6/1/2021 2:25 PM Adrian Perryman   Against +10 -8 5 Ord 21-21 5/31/2021 5:05 PM     For Repeal. Do not force private landlords to rent to criminals. Instead help private landlords to filter and keep our good law abiding citizens safe, especially in muti- units. +14 -14 7 Ord 21-21 5/31/2021 3:38 PM Salina Amey   For Fix this. Basic tenant rights have already been guaranteed by the State of MN and numerous organizations are at the ready to implement those rights. The City of St. Paul overstepped its authority by impeding on property owners right to sell, disabling their ability to remove problem tenants due to the extremely limiting "Just Cause" portion of the ordinance and creating a revolving lease agreement which will hinder proper maintenance and upkeep by responsible property owners of affordable housing who may need to replace carpeting, refinish hard wood floors, renovate a bathroom, etc. at end of lease term, but cannot schedule such work unless the tenant chooses to not renew or relocation fees are paid. To be clear, the revolving lease takes away an owner's right/ability to decide whether or not to renew a lease and gives sole decision to tenant. Lastly, the ordinance punishes small property owners of affordable housing units while big developers remain relatively untouched. +11 -13 5 Ord 21-21 5/31/2021 1:39 PM Richelle Schenfeld   For This ordinance was fraught with problems from the beginning and poorly thought out. I encourage everyone to read the Judge's ruling in it's entirety. I agree with his opinions and am grateful for his wisdom. The ordinance should be repealed. The city does not need another costly and lengthy lawsuit. +10 -9 6 Ord 21-21 5/31/2021 3:23 AM Eric Lein   For When creating "Tenant Protections," please listen to, respect, balance & incorporate the viewpoints and rights of ALL affected parties. Note these EXCERPTS FROM JUDGE MAGNUSON'S ORDER of 04/19/2021: The ordinance [Chapter 193] forces Plaintiffs [Landlords] to bear society’s burden related to housing needs. Plaintiffs have shown a probable likelihood of success on the merits of their regulatory takings claim. /// While the ordinance references racial disparities, that concern is addressed by the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits race-based housing discrimination. Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits regarding their substantive due process claim. /// Plaintiffs have established the existence of irreparable harm because continued enforcement of the ordinance is likely to result in ongoing violations of Plaintiffs’ constitutional rights, and “loss of [constitutional] freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.... +13 -9 5 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 9:08 PM Danette Lincoln   For Basic tenant rights have already been guaranteed by the State of MN and numerous organizations are at the ready to implement those rights. The City of St. Paul overstepped its authority by impeding on property owners right to sell, disabling their ability to remove problem tenants due to the extremely limiting "Just Cause" portion of the ordinance and creating a revolving lease agreement which will hinder proper maintenance and upkeep by responsible property owners of affordable housing who may need to replace carpeting, refinish hard wood floors, renovate a bathroom, etc. at end of lease term, but cannot schedule such work unless the tenant chooses to not renew or relocation fees are paid. To be clear, the revolving lease takes away an owner's right/ability to decide whether or not to renew a lease and gives sole decision to tenant. Lastly, the ordinance punishes small property owners of affordable housing units while big developers remain relatively untouched. +14 -12 5 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 9:04 PM Barbara Sellers   Against Please support basic housing justice. Keep the SAFE Act. +10 -7 5 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 6:03 PM David Ackos   Against The city must not repeal this ordinance! It is a set of legal protections that has already been reviewed and the city needs to stand behind its renter residents, our neighbors, and its SAFE ordinance. The SAFE ordinance has strong support among my neighbors, renters and homeowners, and we want to see the city defend it in court, not roll it back. We are actively organizing for safety and security for renters and for racial justice, and it's very disappointing to see councilmembers trying to remove a recently p***ed protection for our renter neighbors. Don't walk this law back. Defend it and expand it. Support our neighbors! +9 -8 5 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 5:59 PM Jeffrey Grizzell   Against Renters make up a strong majority of St Paul residents and they deserve protections! If we keep the protections, it will help renters to have more stable housing, helping to build a stronger community. Do not pull the rug out from under your constituents whose interests you were elected to serve. +14 -7 7 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 5:01 PM Ilya Garelik   Against This proposal only has the interests of privileged people in mind and is in opposition to the interests of renters who need help. If City Council wants to enact racial justice and the betterment of oppressed people, then this proposal should not be allowed to p***. In addition, working to repeal a recently p***ed policy is anti-democratic and reactionary. +9 -9 5 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 4:09 PM Bahieh Hartshorn   Against More than 50% of residents in Saint Paul are renters, and we deserve to be protected. Last year the council made a bold vote in alignment towards a vision of Saint Paul as the most "livable city" and this repeal would be a direct violation of that vision. This is really disappointing, and I hope that council members will stick with the vote you all took last summer that affirmed that renters deserve to be protected. +13 -6 4 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 3:52 PM       This ordinance was p***ed unanimously and it seems disingenuous to now repeal it after a little bit of totally expected push back. Renters in St. Paul deserve these protections AND EVEN MORE. Stand up for what you stood for last year and withdraw this ordinance! +8 -6 4 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 1:10 PM Margaret Johnson   Against I have owned a home for 16 years in St. Paul, after being a renter. One of my daughters is a renter. The majority of people in St. Paul are renters. Please keep this very modest legal protection to help check the power balance, supporting basic housing justice. Please keep the code. +12 -6 4 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 12:40 PM Rick Hedrick   Against I live in an area with rentals and owned homes. Renter occupied units make up a majority of housing units in Saint Paul. The SAFE ordinance can only be seen as a law that promotes human rights against unrestricted property rights. Renters should have more agency in their lives. Please stop this outrageous effort to repeal the law. Instead stand strong with the majority of your voters. +9 -5 4 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 11:24 AM Rob Ramer   Against I have owned a home in St. Paul for 25 years.And I have been a landlord and a renter. I was proud of my city for p***ing decent tenant protections. The SAFE ordinance can only be seen as a law that promotes human rights against unrestricted property rights. Please stop this outrageous effort to repeal the law. Instead stand strong with the majority of your voters. This morning I took a walk around Merriam Park. I saw good furniture and belongings out in the rain. How many more evictions are coming if this law is repealed and the worst landlords see that tenants have no friends in the city council., +8 -6 4 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 3:07 AM Alan Richardson Hohn   Against The council engaged community organically and had consensus from district council in our when these protections were p***ed. Many residents felt the protections did not go far enough and the promise was that these would be the begining of protections. The city anticipated legal challenges and even wrote specific language into the code regarding the striking of any language which was found unconsitiutional. The effort to remove section 193 in entirety rather than strike portions which are found unconstitutional go against the language written in the section. To claim this is to avoid legal challenge and ***ociated cost to go back to square one and restart talks on the same topic is a waste of finances, disregards previous community input, and does not feel genuine considering the promise that this was the start of reforms when originally adopted. +12 -6 4 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 3:05 AM Chris Holbrook   For This is the best proposal I've ever seen. Respect private property rights. +18 -13 3 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 1:05 AM Thom Hirschboeck   Against A majority of St Paulites are renters. A basic set of legal protections aimed toward more equitable access to housing is not only needed by so many of our neighbors (as I'm sure you all know), it is the necessary foundation for stable communities and a truly livable city. +10 -5 3 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 1:03 AM Brigitte Temple   Against Last year St Paul city council listened to to needs of our majority renter city and decided to stand with renters. The modest tenant protections are necessary to ensure that St Paul can live up to its motto "Most livable city in America". The city council should continue listen to the voices of renters and keep the protections in place. +10 -6 3 Ord 21-21 5/28/2021 12:51 AM Michelle Hirschboeck   Against Tenant protections help to check the power balance, supporting basic housing justice. Please keep the code! +17 -7 6 Ord 21-21 5/27/2021 11:05 PM Tram Hoang   Against The City already did its legal homework on this issue and anticipated the legal challenges that would come from opposition. These policies are legal and have been implemented in cities across the country. St. Paul is doing nothing new or revolutionary with these tenant protections, and they must be defended in court. Now is not the time to abandon our majority-renter city. Renters, who are more likely to be BIPOC and low-wealth residents, need these protections, especially during this COVID housing crisis. City Council must hold itself accountable to the promises made during community engagement and defend this legally sound and proven public policy in court. +18 -7 3 Ord 21-21 5/27/2021 10:11 PM Benjamin Werner   Against We need strong tenant protections in Saint Paul. They need to stand as they are. +19 -5 2 Ord 21-21 5/27/2021 10:04 PM John Slade   Against The council worked hard with community to craft these protections, which are desperately needed particularly as the ending of the eviction moratorium comes closer. They have been upheld in other jurisdictions. This is premature. Please do not repeal these; instead, vigorously defend them. +19 -5 2