15 West Kellogg Blvd.  
Saint Paul, MN 55102  
City of Saint Paul  
Meeting Minutes - Action Only  
Rent Stabilization Appeal Hearings  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer  
rentappeals@ci.stpaul.mn.us  
651-266-8568  
Thursday, May 21, 2026  
1:00 PM  
Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote  
1:00 p.m. Hearings  
Rent Stabilization Appeals  
Appeal of Henry Edelstein to a Rent Stabilization Determination at 1848  
FORD PARKWAY. (To be withdrawn)  
RLH RSA 25-25  
RLH RSA 26-7  
1
2
Appeal withdrawn by owner.  
Withdrawn  
Appeal of Tenant, Michael Smith to a Rent Stabilization Determination at 1517  
PORTLAND AVENUE APT D.  
Recommendation is forthcoming.  
Lynne Ferkinhoff, DSI-Rent Stabilization, appeared.  
Demetrius Sass, DSI- Rent stabilization, appeared.  
Michael Smith, tenant of 1517 Portland Ave Apt. D, appeared.  
Paul Smith, tenant’s father, appeared  
Legislative Hearing Officer, Marcia Moermond introduced staff and explained appeal  
and hearing process.  
Lynne Ferkinhoff presented the staff report:  
1517 Portland Avenue - Apartment D  
On January 18, 2026, the Department of Safety & Inspections received a staff  
determination application for an exception to the 3% cap on rent increases per  
ordinance 193A. The application includes three of four residential rental units (Units,  
A, B and D) located at 1517 Portland Avenue. The appeal is for a single unit  
(Apartment D). The intake form is part of the record, and Robin Doroshow and Richard  
Kronfeld are listed as the applicants and owners of the building.  
The application includes a proposed rent increase of more than 10 percent. The  
applicants indicated on the intake form that consistent increases will apply to multiple  
units starting on April 1, 2026. The reasons for the increase listed in the application  
include:  
“An increase in real property taxes”  
“An unavoidable increase in operating expenses”  
Consistent with the rent increase exception process for staff determination, the  
applicants completed and submitted a Rent Roll and a Maintenance of Net Operating  
Income (“MNOI”) worksheet. The Rent Roll was used for two tenant mailings.  
02/05/26: Notice of Application Postcard  
A mailing completed by the City’s print vendor informing tenants that their landlord  
requested an exception to the rent increase cap.  
03/03/26: Staff Determination Letter  
A mailing completed by City staff informing tenants that their landlord was granted an  
exception to the rent increase cap and advising tenants of their appeal rights.  
The current owners acquired the building in 2022, but the Maintenance of Net  
Operating Income worksheet defaults to 2019 as the Base Year. Given the limited  
financial history available, the owners claimed a Base Year Rent Adjustment.  
The applicants described the services provided to each rental unit.  
The landlord pays for sewer, lawn maintenance, snow removal (building, sidewalks,  
alley), repairs, pest control, Reduced Pressure Zone valve testing and related  
plumbing.  
The landlord additionally pays for electricity to the common areas, and for gas, water  
and garbage, and passes the costs through to the tenants. (The applicants note that  
they would like to pass through all costs to the renters.)  
The tenants pay for electricity in their units.  
The application included a completed:  
Capital Improvement and Expense Worksheet for roof repair, HVAC upgrade, and  
interior and exterior lighting. The applicants provided a spreadsheet version of the  
financial information with additional details about expenses and capital improvements.  
Owner Performed Labor worksheet for replacing power outlets, painting and cleaning  
carpeting. Landlord-performed labor is compensated at reasonable hourly rates, if  
documentation is provided showing the date, duration and the nature of the labor  
performed. The maximum allowed under this provision is 5 percent of gross income  
unless the landlord demonstrates that greater services were performed for the benefit  
of the residents.  
Staff reviewed the materials submitted by the applicants and worked with them to  
finalize the application, then issued determination letters to the:  
Applicants on February 27, 2026, granting approval of an exception to the rent increase  
cap. The approved exceptions were:  
Apartment A: 17.97%  
Apartment B: 17.97%  
Apartment C: 19.20%  
Apartment D: 17.97%  
Although Unit C was not included in the online intake form or the Rent Roll,  
property-wide financials were provided. Therefore, a property-wide determination was  
issued. Unit C was renting for a flat rate of $1,690 / month at the time of application.  
Tenants on March 3, 2026, informing tenants that their landlord was granted an  
exception to the rent increase cap and advising tenants of their appeal right she last  
Fire Certificate of Occupancy inspection rated 1517 Portland Avenue as a Class B  
property. A renewal inspection was due on June 22, 2025. There are no open  
complaints for this property.  
Marcia Moermond reviewed documentation submitted:  
• Base year 2023  
• 2025 data in its entirety and used for analysis  
• Rent increase would be in effect in 2026 at the start of the next lease term in  
accordance with local/state law  
Michael Smith:  
• Lived in building 10 years  
• Building was sold a few years ago, Mr. Smith said that he had a terrible time with  
realtor/people being in/out constantly. Building is for sale again.  
• Stated there had been no maintenance in his unit until last year, he had to beg for  
hot water to be fixed  
• The last time rent was raised, they didn’t go through the city’s process  
• Has only received 2 increase letters from the city  
Marcia Moermond: Noted that landlords are permitted to increase rent up to 3% without  
input from the city.  
Michael Smith:  
• Rent lowered after Mr. Smith and his father confronted landlord about raising rent  
without getting a city waiver rent  
• Says random fees have been charged: $200 with a spreadsheet, testing fee,  
maintenance fee  
• Robin and Rich have done no maintenance  
• Other tenant who has lived there left  
Paul Smith:  
• Robin “threw him under the bus” by asking if he is Mike’s conservator -he is not – he  
just helps his children  
• Disclosed that he owns millions in real estate and is relator/appraiser familiar with real  
estate  
• Change rent to “triple” net - landlord pays for utilities, etc. and increase was unfair. He  
suggested they turn it into condos if they want it set up this way.  
• His opinion they are selling it for too much, paid too much, it won’t cash-flow. He  
believes it is only worth 150K  
• Michael is a good tenant and pays rent on time, but he does not make a lot of  
money.  
• Michael’s energy bill is notably more than neighbors’,  
• Michael noted that Xcel wouldn’t come out to see why, Robin locked the thermostats  
• Paul is here to support Michael, and he will have to pay the difference of the  
increased bill to subsidize $400 -500/month  
• Thinks that owner overpaid, and he feels sorry for him. Paul researched nearby  
rentals several are $500/month  
Michael Smith:  
• Stated they want his rent to increase by $200 – his paycheck can’t cover it even  
though he has gotten raises  
Marcia Moermond:  
• Clarified what she can consider in her recommendation –  
• Asked about building maintenance and condition of oven  
Michael Smith:  
• Oven doesn’t work properly; refrigerator is inefficient due to age.  
• Thinks there should be better quality, given the amount they want to increase the  
rent.  
• Described conditions of building, hallway, etc.  
Paul Smith:  
• Agrees with Michael -the building is not worth the amount of rent  
Marcia Moermond:  
• Invited others to testify  
- None  
Marcia Moermond:  
• Would like to request inspection. Bldg. is currently considered a class B building.  
Demetrius. Sass:  
• Clarified that C of O inspection was due in June 2025  
• Will request inspector to look at inoperable oven. (not normally looked at) with C of O  
Inspection Likely 4 years since last inspection.  
• Will look for info from inspectors on the tree issue  
Michael Smith  
• Weren’t sure other tenants would be part of the appeal, but he felt it was important to  
try  
Marcia Moermond:  
• Noted that she cannot take tenants’ income into account for her recommendation  
about the increase  
Paul Smith:  
• Submitted Xcel Energy use statement  
Marcia Moermond:  
• Will follow up on previously mentioned issues  
• Many of the factors are private decisions and can’t be considered with the  
recommendation, even though it may increase the rent  
• Recommendation is forthcoming  
• Add C of O information to the record  
• Will provide a recommendation in writing  
Referred to the City Council due back on 7/15/2026