15 West Kellogg Blvd.  
Saint Paul, MN 55102  
City of Saint Paul  
Meeting Minutes - Action Only  
Legislative Hearings  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer  
Mai Vang, Hearing Coordinator  
Joanna Zimny, Executive Assistant  
legislativehearings@ci.stpaul.mn.us  
651-266-8585  
Tuesday, October 25, 2022  
9:00 AM  
Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote  
9:00 a.m. Hearings  
Remove/Repair Orders  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 523  
BEAUMONT STREET within fifteen (15) days after the September 21, 2022,  
City Council Public Hearing. (October 25, 2022 Legislative Hearing)  
RLH RR 22-48  
1
Brendmoen  
Sponsors:  
Refer back to LH December 13, 2022 at 9 am for update on foreclosure status and  
rehab vs. demo based on CCIR. PO to submit updated letter from financial institute  
indicating it will address all items in the CCIR.  
Ed Dropps, Greater Midwest Realty o/b/o GITSIT Solutions, appeared via phone  
Araiza Hargrove, GITSIT Solutions, appeared via phone  
Staff update by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: they were supposed to have the property  
cleaned out and ready for Code Compliance Inspection by last Friday and contact  
Nathan Bruhn to arrange that inspection.  
Moermond: and we just talked to Mr. Bruhn and he said he hasn’t heard from you yet.  
Let’s begin with that conversation. Has been cleaned out and we’re waiting for that  
inspection?  
Dropps: he was on a couple of emails where I explained the property has been  
cleaned, but I have not phoned him.  
Moermond: our team can send an email but I want Mr. Yannarelly to go by and eyeball  
it to make sure it is cleaned out so we aren’t spinning our wheels again. I did receive  
this letter dated October 21 indicating that GITSIT plans to dedicate the funds  
necessary to do the work outlined in the order, and I want to clarify that it wouldn’t be  
the work in the Order to Abate a Nuisance building, it would be the work in the Code  
Compliance Inspection Report. In order to reoccupy a building in this condition it has  
to meet minimum code compliance standard. I need a revised letter indicating that it is  
that Code Compliance Inspection Report.  
Hargrove: Ed has been keeping us in the loop, so yes, we are prepared to do those  
things.  
Moermond: I’m curious if you have an update on where you are at in the foreclosure  
process?  
Hargrove: as of right now the main issue we’ve been having is the location. Being in  
Ramsey County it makes it a bit different. Usually, we can shorten the redemption  
period to five weeks. Ramsey County has 12 months.  
Moermond: that isn’t true. If you are hearing that it must be due to another reason.  
Dropps: this was a reverse mortgage, a HECM, and those do have a 12-month  
redemption period. It is the only foreclosure that has that, outside of a federal tax  
default.  
Moermond: so, it’s the type of loan, not the location.  
Hargrove: in other counties we can petition for it to be shortened, but Ramsey County  
doesn’t have that due to the type of loan.  
Moermond: unusual. So, what is your lawyer talking about on timing?  
Hargrove: right now the redemption period is set to expire August 9, 2023. That is when  
it went to auction and reverted back with no bidders. We are stuck now in that  
12-month timeframe. That was our concern about some of the level of repairs. We  
want to maintain the property because it is in the best interest of everyone. Now we are  
tied to this $109,000 bid we set at auction. The more we improve the property the value  
increases but we’re only tied to being able to collect that $109,000 bid. We’re in a  
tough spot financially.  
Moermond: I understand Anthony Pilla has been deceased since 2019. It has been a  
while.  
Hargrove: what happens with the HUD mortgages, it ensures that in the event the  
originating loan company is unable to fulfill the payout made by the loan, HUD steps in  
the continue the payments. Once the owner passes away and the loan goes into  
default they then have an insurance policy that pays them their portion of their policy or  
whatever they step forward to insure. They don’t start the foreclosure. The properties  
we purchase pull reverse mortgages from HUD throughout the year. They deteriorate,  
once they are paid out that claim, at some point they package them up and decide to  
sell to smaller financial institutions like us. We didn’t take ownership of the mortgage  
until January 2022. We immediately issued notices and the foreclosure took place  
August 2022. We’re in California. There was 3 months before we realized something  
was behind the placard and understood what needed to be done. The magnitude of the  
repairs, we thought we could rehab and then our attorney told us know.  
Moermond: this went into the Vacant Building program September 2021, not long after  
Mr. Pilla passed.  
Yannarelly: it was a Category 1 when it came in, but it upgraded to a 2 because it  
wasn’t being taken care of.  
Moermond: my question is if the City Council has the temperament to wait for a year to  
see if it will be rehabbed. Certainly, the Code Compliance Inspection Report and steps  
to maintain work in your favor. But I’m putting this out there that this is an exceedingly  
long time. It may be in your best interest to have someone local come testify to  
Council. What does your General Contractor tell you?  
Hargrove: it is a large spin to rehabilitate the property. Roughly $98,000.  
Yannarelly: he was in recently and no problem getting around?  
Hargrove: yes, we’ve had several through.  
Moermond: so, a slim margin on that then. I’m going to let that Code Compliance  
Inspection be developed and let your contractor affirm those numbers once they see  
that Code Compliance. We can then talk about whether the path is still rehab. We’ll  
talk again December 13 to get it all together.  
Hargrove: we are talking to our attorney to reduce the redemption process slightly, six  
to eight months. That’s going through probate and having the court allow that. We’ve  
done it in other states.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 10/26/2022  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 1366  
FREMONT AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the October 26, 2022, City  
Council Public Hearing. (Forthcoming, pending October 25, 2022 Legislative  
Hearing)  
RLH RR 22-55  
2
Prince  
Sponsors:  
Refer back to LH December 13, 2022 at 9 am for further discussion of rehab vs.  
demo, foreclosure status, and ability to prepare property for CCI.  
Sam Coleman, Trott Law o/b/o Wells Fargo, appeared via phone  
Staff update by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: a $5,000 Performance Deposit was posted.  
Code Compliance Inspection has not been ordered. The property must be maintained,  
which is has been recently.  
Moermond: the most recent boarding was August, preceding our conversation. Mr.  
Coleman, I see the Code Compliance Inspection hasn’t’ been ordered yet but I  
understand that the house may be completely hoarded and the garage is full to the  
rafters. What is your client’s position on dealing with a junk-out?  
Coleman: because they don’t own the property yet, it would be simple if it was an  
eviction. In order to get the property into a condition where the inspection can be done.  
We would need a court order allowing Wells Fargo to go in and store the personal  
property, probably on-site. If the City has any suggestions, I’d be happy to listen. We  
can’t junk it out because we don’t have any rights to the property right now. I do have a  
hearing date scheduled.  
Moermond: for the sheriff’s sale?  
Coleman: no, a motion to allow Wells Fargo to access the property and move things to  
on-site storage.  
Moermond: I don’t know there’s room on site to do that. I would make sure to review  
the site.  
Yannarelly: it is a large lot. Talking to the previous inspector, who went out with the  
Cops, he made it sound like it is more of a hoarding situation, not storage. We don’t  
know what kind of condition the interior would be. To move one pile of garbage from a  
house into a pod may not be the best use of funds.  
Moermond: but it may be necessary to do that Code Compliance Inspection Report.  
This is a question of loss mitigation rather than profit for Wells Fargo.  
Coleman: right, and once the inspection is done then Wells Fargo needs to decide on  
letting it go versus rehab. They would like to at least have that inspection done, then  
make a decision. I’m going to have to word my court order a certain way.  
Moermond: can you have someone on site to look at it?  
Coleman: I can swing by. I haven’t been on site.  
Moermond: she died 2019 and it would appear family moved in and squatted and they  
were kicked out the following summer, August 2020. There would have been the state  
she left it in and then the state squatters left it in after that. It isn’t promising. It may  
be worth going out there with your REO and figure out the best way to word what goes  
to Court. Maybe some pictures. When in December is the hearing?  
Coleman: it is actually November 28.  
Moermond: this goes to Council tomorrow. We do have that Performance Deposit. I’m  
going to ask them to refer this back to hearing December 13. You should have a  
decision by then?  
Coleman: yes.  
Moermond: we can use that information to inform how I recommend to the Council we  
move forward. Maybe whoever you plan to have do the junk out would want to put eyes  
on it the same time. 75% full can equal a lot of money.  
Yannarelly: yes, $30,000 to $40,000.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 10/26/2022  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 771  
IOWA AVENUE WEST within fifteen (15) days after the October 26, 2022,  
City Council Public Hearing. (Forthcoming, pending October 25, 2022  
Legislative Hearing)  
RLH RR 22-56  
3
Brendmoen  
Sponsors:  
Refer back to LH November 22, 2022 at 9 am. PO to begin getting bids based on  
CCIR.  
Joseph Yanta, owner, appeared  
Staff update by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: the Performance Deposit was to be posted  
by October 21, that was done. Code Compliance Inspection has been ordered. The  
property has been maintained.  
Moermond: I see you’ve applied for the Code Compliance Inspection. Lots of concern  
about the cleanout. How has it been going?  
Yanta: it is mostly cleaned out. I believe it is accessible for an inspection.  
Moermond: Mr. Yannarelly, could you eyeball it and decide whether it is accessible and  
save the building inspection team a few minutes in case it isn’t. Then we’ll have that  
information. The lockbox combination appeared to be in the file.  
Yannarelly: sure.  
Moermond: the Performance Deposit was posted, which is necessary. Refresh my  
memory, are you wanting to partner to do the rehab or do it on your own?  
Yanta: that depends in part on how much work needs to be done. I don’t have an  
agreement with anyone at this time.  
Moermond: have any contractors been through to give a preliminary bid?  
Yanta: not yet. I was assuming I’d show them the Code Compliance Inspection Report  
and they’d use that as a guide.  
Moermond: that is the way most people do it. Waiting for that report is totally logical.  
This is scheduled for Public Hearing tomorrow. What kind of financing do you have to  
do a repair? Do you have it available? Are you seeking it?  
Yanta: a little bit, I was assuming I would get a loan. We do have some cash reserves  
for an emergency.  
Moermond: I would talk to your bank; they aren’t necessarily friendly to give loans for  
projects of this nature. Do your homework on that so there aren’t any bad surprises.  
This goes to Council tomorrow and I’ll ask them to send this back to hearing on the  
strength of that Code Compliance Inspection being orders and Performance Deposit  
posted. I am hoping it is cleaned out sufficiently.  
Yannarelly: I will go out before noon tomorrow, but they are scheduled already to go out  
I see.  
Moermond: if they go out and it isn’t cleaned out you can be put to the end of the line  
which can cause problems. I’ll ask Council to send this back for us to talk again  
November 22. By then you’ll have your Code Compliance Inspection Report and you  
can begin getting bids and we can talk about scope of the project and next steps then.  
Yanta: when would I have to provide that affidavit and proof of finances?  
Moermond: the reason we put that in there, besides wanting to know you have enough  
to do the work, the estimate from staff you should look at is the cost, if not more in  
this environment. So, you can prepare yourself it would be this much money and how  
you would tackle this much money.  
Yannarelly: you’ll know so much more when you have the trades through. We can just  
guess on how old the house is, how much a furnace costs, those types of things.  
Moermond: hopefully you will have some bids next time we sit down to talk.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 10/26/2022  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 694  
SHERBURNE AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the May 25, 2022, City  
Council Public Hearing.  
4
RLH RR 22-19  
Thao  
Sponsors:  
Grant 180 days to rehabilitate the property.  
Tia Lee, owner, appeared  
Mai Vang interpreted  
Staff update by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: please continue to work with zoning to  
complete process of reestablishing nonconforming use.  
Moermond: and updated work plan including labor costs. When we got that it was  
missing a ton of items on the Code Compliance Inspection Report so that needed to  
be addressed.  
Lee: last week I came down to meet with them about the zoning. I have submitted the  
work plan.  
Moermond: it sounds like Zoning is recommending you have this be a duplex again on  
the condition you bring it back into compliance, which is the plan we’re talking about.  
It sounds like we and the Planning Commission are in the same place. I’m going to put  
this in front of the City Council November 9 and recommend you get the 180 days to  
do the work. I have to say I’m a bit concerned you won’t get this done, so please prove  
me wrong. I’m glad you’ll be able to rehab this as a duplex, I know that makes it more  
valuable for you and provides more housing in the City. DSI can begin issuing permits  
Monday October 31, after the planning commission meets this Friday.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/9/2022  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 678  
SNELLING AVENUE NORTH within fifteen (15) days after the May 27, 2020  
City Council public hearing. (To refer to October 25, 2022 Legislative  
Hearings, pending roof permit is pulled and finaled)  
RLH RR 20-22  
5
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH November 8, 2022 at 9 am for further discussion.  
Lisa Kugler, consultant, appeared via phone  
Gene Gelgelu, AEDS, appeared via phone  
Kugler: we have a meeting here at 11.  
Moermond: we can lay this over a couple weeks, my questions will be about timing and  
when and if we pull the plug. We have a lot of decision points here. We will talk again  
in 2 weeks.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 11/8/2022  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 342  
THOMAS AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the October 12, 2022, City  
Council Public Hearing. (Legislative Hearing October 11, 2022)  
RLH RR 22-54  
6
Balenger  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH November 22, 2022 at 9 am. PO to submit evidence of financing,  
affidavit, construction statement/work plan, bids & schedule by COB November 18,  
2022.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 11/22/2022  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 1011  
BURNS AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the December 7, 2022, City  
Council Public Hearing.  
7
RLH RR 22-63  
Prince  
Sponsors:  
Remove within 15 days with no option to rehab.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 12/7/2022  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 686  
MINNEHAHA AVENUE WEST within fifteen (15) days after the December 7,  
2022, City Council Public Hearing.  
8
RLH RR 22-64  
Balenger  
Sponsors:  
Remove within 5 days with no option to repair.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 12/7/2022  
10:00 a.m. Hearings  
Making Finding on Nuisance Abatements  
Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 698  
DESOTO STREET in Council File RLH RR 22-17.  
9
RLH RR 22-61  
Brendmoen  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH November 8, 2022 at 10 am. (CPH 11/9) PO to submit updated  
schedule and proof of financing if necessary by COB November 4, 2022.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/9/2022  
Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 975  
HUDSON ROAD in Council File RLH RR 22-18.  
RLH RR 22-60  
10  
Prince  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH November 9, 2022 at 10 am (CPH 11/16). PO submit 1) updated  
financial statement sufficient for completing rehab, 2) updated schedule (including  
bids if new contractors) and 3) property must continue to be maintained.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 11/8/2022  
Repurchase Application  
Making recommendation to Ramsey County on the application of Frances  
RLH OA 22-10  
11  
Nelson Lesicko for repurchase of tax forfeited property at 334 WARWICK  
STREET.  
Tolbert  
Sponsors:  
Recommend allowing repurchase.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/2/2022  
1:00 p.m. Hearings  
Vacant Building Registrations  
Appeal of Aychoeun Tea and Oudam Tun Tea to a Vacant Building  
Registration Fee Warning Letter at 318 EDMUND AVENUE.  
12  
RLH VBR  
22-54  
Balenger  
Sponsors:  
Waive VB fee for 60 days (to December 5, 2022) and allow permits to be pulled.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/9/2022  
Appeal of Elizabeth Klimmek (Sibet), representing Sibet Renovations LLC, to  
a Vacant Building Registration Notice at 227 FULLER AVENUE.  
RLH VBR 22-48  
13  
Balenger  
Sponsors:  
Layover to November 1, 2022 at 1 pm (due to error in previous letter). PO may submit  
additional documents proving proof of residence.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 11/1/2022  
Appeal of John Starr to a Vacant Building Registration Notice at 568 SMITH  
AVENUE SOUTH.  
14  
RLH VBR  
22-52  
Noecker  
Sponsors:  
Waive the VB fee for 90 days (to December 22, 2022).  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/9/2022  
1:30 p.m. Hearings  
Orders To Vacate - Fire Certificate of Occupancy  
Appeal of Daniel Repka, Repka Building Group, LLC, to a Fire Certificate of  
RLH VO 22-29  
15  
Occupancy Revocation and Order to Vacate at 278 SEVENTH STREET  
EAST.  
Noecker  
Sponsors:  
Appeal withdrawn by owner.  
Withdrawn  
Appeal of Atnafu Yeshidagne to a Revocation of Fire Certificate of Occupancy  
and Order to Vacate at 510 SNELLING AVENUE NORTH.  
RLH VO 22-30  
16  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH November 1, 2022 at 1:30 pm. for further discussion.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 11/1/2022  
2:00 p.m. Hearings  
Fire Certificates of Occupancy  
Appeal of Benjamin Roberts to a Re-Inspection Fire Certificate of Occupancy  
With Deficiencies at 124 LEXINGTON PARKWAY NORTH.  
17  
18  
19  
RLH FCO  
22-96  
Balenger  
Sponsors:  
Grant to December 31, 2022 for repair of exterior trim and grant to June 1, 2023 for  
caulking and painting repairs related to September 20, 2022 orders.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/9/2022  
Appeal of Kjersti Zaragoza, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of  
Derrick Parker, to a Reinspection Fire Certificate of Occupancy With  
Deficiencies at 1145 HUDSON ROAD, UNIT #429.  
RLH FCO  
22-98  
Prince  
Sponsors:  
Grant to December 1, 2022 for compliance.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/9/2022  
Appeal of Art Anderkay, Beowulf Properties, to a Reinspection Fire Certificate  
of Occupancy With Deficiencies at 1042 LOEB STREET.  
RLH FCO  
22-99  
Brendmoen  
Sponsors:  
Grant to September 1, 2023 for compliance with items 1 and 3 of September 16, 2022  
orders.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 11/9/2022