15 West Kellogg Blvd.  
Saint Paul, MN 55102  
City of Saint Paul  
Minutes - Final  
Legislative Hearings  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer  
Mai Vang, Hearing Coordinator  
Joanna Zimny, Executive Assistant  
legislativehearings@ci.stpaul.mn.us  
651-266-8585  
Tuesday, July 30, 2024  
9:00 AM  
Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote  
9:00 a.m. Hearings  
Special Tax Assessments  
RLH TA 24-251  
1
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 978  
HYACINTH AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2420R, Assessment No.  
248524)  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
Reduce the assessment from $278 to $116.  
Kou Cha, owner, appeared via phone  
Moermond: calling back on the cleanup at 978 Hyacinth. Had a chance to do some  
follow-up on the loose ends from our last hearing.  
Staff update by Supervisor Lisa Martin: the Summary Abatement Order issued for the  
Bagster, it sounds like the crew was out there to clean it up and they contacted not the  
inspector, but another inspector with Department of Safety & Inspections regarding the  
cleanup.  
Moermond: the original inspector was Andrew McCullough and they actually talked to?  
Martin: Sean Westenhofer. He directs the crews on the work order. They did pick that  
up.  
Moermond: the crew was there. The inspector was there with them?  
Martin: no, not there. But he was the one who got called asking what they should do.  
Once they are dispatched they usually do pick it up, otherwise they get a fee just for  
the trip fee for the crew to come, $160.  
Moermond: you are remembering they were giving you a different price, and I think they  
are saying different pricing scenarios not offering a price. They thought they were  
telling you what the cost would end up being.  
Cha: this is new information. There was no other number to call other than the one on  
the abatement order. I’m calling to confirm the total amount I would need to pay. The  
worker was saying it was a different price. Knowing they were going to charge $160 just  
for the crew to come, that’s separate from the pickup from the Bagster, I don’t know if  
it was a good option. I don’t know who said what and what said where. We didn’t really  
resolve any issues other than me just having to pay the total amount.  
Moermond: $278, yeah. More than if Waste Management would have picked it up but  
not impossibly high. I’m kind of stuck with the person you talked to being the person  
who is responsible for the crews doing the work in the City. You got to the right guy.  
I’m inclined to say he was in possession of the correct information and I’m not sure  
what the crew was saying, but if you talked to Sean Westenhofer I’m sure he was  
giving you correct information. I can understand the crew saying something differently,  
there’s a lot happening at that moment. I’m stuck with the cost of the pickup on this  
one. The Council may look at things differently next Wednesday.  
[after review after the hearing concluded recommendation was changed to reduction]  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/7/2024  
RLH TA 24-249  
2
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 749  
SIMS AVENUE. (File No. J2420R, Assessment No. 248524)  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
Approve the assessment.  
Steve Vue, owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: a Summary Abatement Order was issued  
January 4, 2024 to occupant and owner to remove tires from rear of property.  
Compliance date of January 11, rechecked January 11. Work was done, 14 tires  
picked up, for a total assessment of $483. No returned mail and definitely a history of  
garbage at this property.  
Moermond: you had three and a half weeks there. What was going on?  
Vue: if you take the tires, its ok. You can charge me.  
Moermond: I’ll recommend Council approve the assessment.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/7/2024  
3
RLH TA 24-277  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 198  
BRIDLEWOOD DRIVE. (File No. J2410B, Assessment No. 248109)  
Johnson  
Sponsors:  
Delete the assessment.  
Voicemail left at 9:16 am: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling  
you about your appealed tax assessment for boarding at 198 Bridlewood Drive. I’ve  
reviewed the record and the police report and I believe it should be deleted, so we’ll do  
that. If you have any questions call 651-266-8585 and you’ll want to talk to Mai Vang.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
4
RLH TA 24-293  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 724  
JESSAMINE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2410B, Assessment No.  
248109)  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
Approve the assessment.  
Gholam Ashrafzadehkian, owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: the St. Paul Police Department in response  
to a domestic assault at the property requested an emergency boarding from the  
private contractor February 8 at 4:15 pm to board a window that a chair was thrown  
through. Total proposed assessment of $474.  
Moermond: Mr. Ashrafzadehkian, why are you appealing?  
Ashrafzadehkian: I wanted to get a fair chance of being able to do it myself. I don’t  
have $500 to spare on someone throwing a chair. Everyone at Department of Safety &  
Inspections has my number. They just need to give me a call and I’d do it. It is $50 in  
plywood and charging $500. I didn’t get a fair chance to repair my window and I don’t  
want to pay that outrageous price.  
Moermond: it wasn’t Department of Safety & Inspections that called in the boarding.  
When the police are there the job is to make sure that family is ok and the person who  
is threatening violence and throwing a chair is removed from the scene. In this case  
they were transported to the juvenile detention center. They’re concerned about that,  
not calling you. I know you’d have boards, but this is considered an emergency. They  
need to clear the scene and get the arrested person out of there. I don’t really have any  
options on this one. Public safety trumps notififing you.  
Yannarelly: and noting it is early February which adds a climate element to this.  
Ashrafzadehkian: absolutely. When they call about the furnace we go. This is the  
good ol’ boy system charging it. I never got a call saying there was no heat or to board  
it. They make that call but they can’t give us a chance.  
Moermond: that’s something you’d want to bring to the Council’s attention. They may  
have a different take on it. For my part, I’m going to go with this is an emergency  
situation that needed emergency action before they could safely leave the scene. The  
Council could look at asking the police to make an effort to identify and call the owner.  
I’d guess they will say they don’t have the time to track down an owner in a situation  
like that.  
Ashrafzadehkian: I get that, but my tenants could call me.  
Moermond: sounds like they had a lot going on at that moment, but yeah, they could  
have.  
Ashrafzadehkian: I don’t have a problem paying it, but calling someone to board my  
property that I’m responsible for? I should be getting a fair chance.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
5
RLH TA 24-291  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1046  
JESSIE STREET. (File No. VB2410, Assessment No. 248814)  
Kim  
Sponsors:  
Approve the assessment.  
Saj Bhakta, owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: this is the Vacant Building fee, the file was  
opened October 31, 2022 when a bank in California submitted a Vacant Building  
registration form. The file was closed six days ago upon the issuance of a Fire  
Certificate of Occupancy. Total proposed assessment of $2,616.  
Moermond: from what I’m hearing, it sounds like the property has been in the Vacant  
Building program for 9 out of the 12 billable months.  
Yannarelly: correct.  
Moermond: why are you appealing Mr. Bhakta?  
Bhakta: you had talked to my partner about this 8 months ago. We started the  
process since that hearing and things were going well and as I’m sure you hear,  
hiccups happen and things didn’t go as planned. We had almost completed the  
renovations—there were a lot of issues in this property—we slowly are trying to get  
things fixed. I’m appealing this because it isn’t like we are avoiding trying to fix the  
property and get it rented. Hiccups have been happening and we haven’t been able to  
finish on the timeline we’d have liked too. It just didn’t happen. We were in the last  
days of finishing up and contacted Mr. Hesse about getting the Certificate of  
Occupancy and that is why he assisted in getting the Vacant Building folder closed. It  
is ready to be rented within the next 3 or 4 days. I’m just waiting on the Certificate of  
Occupancy inspection.  
Moermond: I understand there have been things slowing you down. The problem is that  
the City isn’t responsible for trying to fill that gap for you. That’s kind of a private  
investment and endeavor. It is a cost associated with delay. Your property has been in  
the Vacant Building program for three-fourths of a year. I know you applied for that  
Certificate of Occupancy July 26 which is great. I’d reach out and ask if you can rent it  
now with your provisional. I need to look to see what it should owe. You did get a 90  
day waiver at the beginning. In my estimation the City did provide services and you’re  
looking at a cost of doing business. The Council could look at this differently than I  
do.  
Bhakta: Ms. Vang sent me two documents as a PDF about a notice for the Vacant  
Building. It was dated October and one in January. Do you mail that? I talked to my  
partner and we’ve never received though.  
Moermond: Ramsey County recorder’s office has Red Maple REI, LLC in Hudson, so it  
went there. I don’t know if that’s you or your partner, that’s the notice. I hear you saying  
you didn’t get it but that first notice was actually appealed. So someone got it because  
an appeal was filed.  
Bhakta: I misspoke. The October one we received which is why we appealed. January  
we didn’t receive. Maybe we just missed it in the mail.  
Moermond: the January one was after your 90 day waiver expired. They’ll send another  
notice to pay then it goes to assessment.  
Bhakta: ok.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
RLH TA 24-292  
6
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 842  
LAFOND AVENUE. (File No. J2410B, Assessment No. 248109)  
Bowie  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH August 6, 2024 at 9 am (unable to reach PO).  
Voicemail left at 9:47 am: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling  
you about your appealed tax assessment for a boarding at 842 Lafond Avenue that  
was appealed. We’ll try you back in 10 minutes or so.  
Voicemail left at 9:55 am: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling  
you again about your appealed boarding fee for 842 Lafond. Since we’ve been unable  
to reach you, I’ll continue this case to next Tuesday, August 6 in the 9 am time slot.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 8/6/2024  
7
RLH TA 24-287  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 975  
REANEY AVENUE. (File No. VB2410, Assessment No. 248814)  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
Continue PH to September 4, 2024. If CC certificate is issued reduce assessment  
from $5,075 to $2,537.50 and make payable over 5 years. If not issued, approve in full  
and make payable over 5 years.  
Olympia Haidos, owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Joe Yannarelly: this is the annual Vacant Building fee  
covering February 11, 2024 to February 10, 2025. We’re about five and a half months  
into the cycle. Been on the Vacant Building list since 2016. The total proposed  
assessment of $5,075.  
Moermond: almost at the halfway mark. Tell me about what you’re looking for?  
Haidos: we’re in the process, as you know, of finishing within a month or two. My  
appeal is possibly reducing to half.  
Moermond: I’d like to see that for you. The halfway point would be the Council Public  
Hearing on August 14. I’m going to ask the Council to continue it to September 4 and  
if you have your Code Compliance certificate by then I’ll recommend it is reduced by  
half. If you aren’t done, it would be a good idea to testify at Council about it.  
Haidos: if we don’t, can you make it payable over a number of years?  
Moermond: absolutely. If approved I’ll ask it made payable over 5 no matter the  
outcome.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
8
RLH TA 24-289  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1823  
SEVENTH STREET EAST. (File No. J2422R, Assessment No. 248527)  
Johnson  
Sponsors:  
Approve and make payable over 2 years.  
Miguel Sanchez, owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: February 5, 2024 a Summary Abatement Order  
was issued to occupant and owner to remove sofa and totes from the rear yard.  
Compliance of February 12. Rechecked on February 12. Work was done March 11,  
2024 for a total assessment of $404.  
Sanchez: I was out of town. They dumped it outside my garage in the alley. When I  
received the letter that’s why I called a couple weeks ago.  
Moermond: unfortunately, it sounds like this happened while you were gone and there  
was a long window between the orders and the crew showing up. Over a month later  
when the City picked the items up. The City did give plenty of notice that this was a  
problem and that they did do the work. I don’t have a ton of options here.  
Sanchez: that’s fine.  
Moermond: I can make it payable over a couple of years if that’s helpful.  
Sanchez: a couple payments would be good.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/28/2024  
Special Tax Assessments  
9
RLH TA 24-298  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 819  
AURORA AVENUE. (File No. J2410E, Assessment No. 248316)  
Bowie  
Sponsors:  
Delete the assessment.  
Abbie Finger, owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: Excessive Consumption for Summary  
Abatement Order to remove chair and bumper from rear of property. Orders were  
issued January 8, 2024 with a compliance date of January 15. Rechecked January 17  
and an Excessive Consumption was issued. Work order was done February 2, 2024.  
Quite honestly there’s no history at this property since 2020, anything has been  
resolved by the owner. Typically, if the owner does call, we would have removed the  
Excessive Consumption fee at that time.  
Moermond: one thing that was noticed when putting this file together is the Excessive  
Consumption was 9 days after the original order and then a work order processed the  
following week. So there’s the Excessive Consumption charge but then a cleanup that  
is costing $278. When I looked at this, while it is legit code-wise, it feels like the  
timing is off.  
Martin: typically, we’ll do an Excessive Consumption to get their attention and then  
remove the fee, and if they don’t we’ll issue a work order next inspection.  
Moermond: so this assessment goes to Council Public Hearing August 14 and I’m  
inclined to recommend it be deleted, however the cleanup assessment of $278 goes to  
Council next week. No appeal filed on this. Did you mean to appeal both assessments,  
Ms. Finger?  
Finger: I would love to appeal both, can I get more information? Is now a good time?  
Moermond: now is fine.  
Finger: one of the challenges is my address with St. Paul isn’t correct. I have tried for  
months to get that changed. I am not getting this information to be able to do anything  
about it. I’ve talked to 40 different people, Housing, someone with Inspections, and  
then all of a sudden one time I got an email which was amazing because I could rectify  
it right away.  
That is also a challenge, so yes I’d like to appeal both because a week is a short  
turnaround time, and it is hard for me to do something about it when I don’t know.  
Moermond: let me check the Ramsey County records. The City’s system pulls directly  
from Ramsey County. It is the address on your property tax statement. Their number is  
651-266-2000. Your bank probably pays the property taxes with the mortgage so it  
wouldn’t cross your desk. Ms. Martin?  
Martin: make sure the Certificate of Occupancy information with inspections is  
updated. I’m not sure what you’re current address is, but if you aren’t local hopefully  
you have a property manager looking at the property.  
Moermond: and the Fire Certificate of Occupancy lists you in Spokane, Washington.  
Finger: that’s correct.  
Moermond: and it must not have had that information when these orders went out.  
Usually they go to Responsible Party, tax owner, and occupant.  
Finger: thanks for that.  
Moermond: so today’s assessment recommended for deletion. Then we have the  
assessment for the cleanup order. Ms. Vang, can we set up a file and have it on our  
August 6 agenda going to Council August 7. If I need to ask them to continue it that’s  
fine. Next week around 10 am, Ms. Vang will confirm via email, we’ll call about the  
cleanup assessment.  
Finger: that sounds great.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
10  
RLH TA 24-254  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1370  
CARLING DRIVE. (File No. CRT2408, Assessment No. 248207)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Approve the assessment.  
Moermond: owner is no longer appealing?  
Mai Vang: yes, I also got an email this morning that they are going to make payments  
and won’t be attending today.  
Moermond: same situation for coach. Both recommendations to approve.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
11  
RLH TA 24-255  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1320  
COACH ROAD. (File No. CRT2408, Assessment No. 248207)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Approve the assessment.  
Moermond: owner is no longer appealing?  
Mai Vang: yes, I also got an email this morning that they are going to make payments  
and won’t be attending today.  
Moermond: same situation for coach. Both recommendations to approve.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
12  
RLH TA 24-290  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1557  
WHITE BEAR AVENUE NORTH. (File No. J2408P, Assessment No.  
248407)  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
Delete the assessment (waiver on file).  
Moermond: graffiti cleanup and waiver on file since January 5. Recommend deletion of  
that assessment.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
10:00 a.m. Hearings  
Special Tax Assessments-ROLLS  
13  
14  
15  
RLH AR 24-57  
RLH AR 24-58  
RLH AR 24-59  
Ratifying the assessment for Collection of Vacant Building Registration  
fees billed during August 14, 2023 to January 24, 2024. (File No.  
VB2410, Assessment No. 248814)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
Ratifying the assessment for Securing and.or Emergency Boarding  
services during January to February 2024. (File No. J2410B,  
Assessment No. 248109)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
Ratifying the assessment for Collection of Fire Certificate of Occupancy  
fees billed during February 7 to 19, 2024. (File No. CRT2409,  
Assessment No. 248208)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
16  
17  
RLH AR 24-60  
Ratifying the assessment for Excessive Use of Inspection or Abatement  
services billed during December 27, 2023 to January 19, 2024. (File No.  
J2410E, Assessment No. 248316)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
RLH AR 24-61  
Ratifying the assessment for Graffiti Removal services during January 8  
to February 5, 2024. (File No. J2408P, Assessment No. 248407)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
18  
19  
RLH AR 24-62  
RLH AR 24-63  
Ratifying the assessment for Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous  
Tree(s) service during March 2024. (File No. 2408T, Assessment No.  
249010)  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
Ratifying the assessment for Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous  
Tree(s) service during January 2024 at 2163 MARSHALL AVE, (File No.  
2409T, Assessment No. 249011)  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
11:00 a.m. Hearings  
Summary & Vehicle Abatement Orders  
RLH SAO 24-34  
20  
Appeal of Gonzalo R. Sanchez to a Summary Abatement Order at 1040  
BUSH AVENUE.  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH August 13, 2024 at 11 am for further discussion and review of work plan.  
No one appeared  
Moermond: we had continued the appeal and what we have is information from Code  
Enforcement and the Building Inspector and I wanted more specifics from the building  
inspector and forwarded photos to the senior electrical inspector. Some of the  
electrical we saw looked hazardous so wanted their input on that. I’d like to fold all of  
the orders together and put them in order of level of hazard to attach deadlines for  
getting the work done. I’m laying this over to August 13 to do that.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 8/13/2024  
1:00 p.m. Hearings  
Vacant Building Registrations  
21  
RLH VBR  
24-42  
Appeal of Bridget-Michaele Reischl, PR of the Estate of Paul H. Glaser,  
to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at 2334 DOSWELL  
AVENUE.  
Jalali  
Sponsors:  
Grant the appeal and release the property from the VB program.  
Bridget Michaele Reischl, attorney o/b/o estate, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Moermond: do we need to add anyone to the call?  
Reischl: I planned on her only attending if  
Staff report by Supervisor Matt Dornfeld: this was made a Category 1 Vacant Building  
on July 1, 2024. Our department proactively received a call from an Erin Diamond,  
spoke with Inspector Humphrey, said there was a death at the property and St. Paul  
Police Department told them to call us and let us know it was vacant. An inspector  
confirmed the vacancy and opened a Category 1 Vacant Building. No code violations, it  
is a maintained property with a Responsible Party involved and no vacancy for more  
than 365 days.  
Moermond: therefore it doesn’t meet the definition of a registered Vacant Building and  
will recommend the appeal be granted. Any questions?  
Reischl: not one, thank you.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 8/14/2024  
RLH VBR 24-43  
22  
Appeal of Yia Jef Yang to a Vacant Building Registration Fee Warning  
Letter at 1688 EUCLID STREET.  
Johnson  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH August 13, 2024 at 1 p.m. for further discussion. PO to submit  
provisional C of O form prior to that hearing.  
Yia Jef Yang, owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Matt Dornfeld: proactively brought to our Department’s  
attention by Braun incorporated, a servicing company for US Bank. They emailed  
inspector Robert Humphrey on June 3, 2024 at 1:59 pm saying it “qualifies for  
registration under your ordinance. Please confirm fees due currently.” Braun  
Incorporated sent us a Vacant Building registration form June 3. We investigated and  
Code Enforcement had open orders for tall grass and weeds and a refrigerator from  
May 2024. Because of those outstanding violations and the proactive email, we opened  
a Category 1 Vacant Building June 7, 2024. It is my understanding due to the appellant  
attaching information including his lease agreement that it is indeed occupied, however  
there is no Certificate of Occupancy to legally rent the property.  
Moermond: also on the line is Supervisor Leanna Shaff for the Certificate of  
Occupancy program.  
Shaff: every building in St. Paul, with the exception of single-family home that are  
owner-occupied, or duplex. Being this is not owner occupied it would be incumbent  
upon the property owner to apply for a provisional Fire Certificate of Occupancy. Pay  
the fees, which would let it be rented until it was inspected. That application is  
available online, or could be included in the follow up letter.  
Moermond: two things going on, a Vacant Building registration that results from it  
being reported by a financial institution. The orders sent the following day would have  
been sent to that previous owner. Ramsey County website shows no transaction  
recorded.  
Shaff: if the bank is paying the Vacant Building fee and they’re technically the owner,  
they don’t service tenants. Who do we hold responsible for this building? Past  
experience says that isn’t the bank, that’s why they’re paying the fee.  
Yang: I wasn’t aware of the bank taking possession of the property. I was behind 3  
months, then I made the payment because my tenant had some medical issues. He  
was late with the rent. Last year when I rented it I was trying to find out what I needed  
to do to get it rented. I couldn’t get a straight answer. I’m a first time landlord and didn’t  
know what to do. I can certainly do the provisional Certificate of Occupancy. I just  
found out abou the landlord class, but it is filled up. There’s another one on August 22  
that is full as well. I’ll sign up for the one after that.  
Moermond: do you have access to a computer?  
Yang: one of the things you can do is to go to the City’s website and you’ll find there’s  
a whole section on rental properties there. You probably found it while looking for the  
landlord classes.  
Shaff: if the bank is saying they’re the owner, registered as the County, I can’t  
recognize him as the owner.  
Moermond: it is weird because the bank has a 2017 and a 2023 transaction. Braun Inc  
shows up but Yia Jef Yang shows up as the tax owner. Are you buying on a contract  
for deed?  
Yang: last year Pa Dee passed away, the owner, his wife fell behind so they were  
family friends and owed so much on the mortgage so they said if I can pay for the  
house they would give it to me. I got them caught up and they signed the deed over to  
me. I’ve been renting it since then. I don’t know the deal with Braun Inc owning the  
house. I’ll have to do digging on that.  
Moermond: it looks like they’re the mortgage holder.  
Yang: I heard US Bank earlier?  
Moermond: the servicer on the mortgage frequently changes. I don’t know for sure what  
is going on. What I would say is there’s a big problem in not having a Certificate of  
Occupancy. I don’t think this belongs in the Vacant Building program but it really  
belongs in the Fire Certificate of Occupancy program. I’m going to continue this case  
for 2 weeks and within that 2 weeks you need to file that application with Department of  
Safety & Inspections. We’ll double check you are on your way to get yourself squared  
away with that. You’ll get that Friday, and take care of it right away so its ready for  
August 13.  
Yang: in June I had the fridge and the stove out in the front lawn for two days. I  
received that letter, I was taken aback because I’d scheduled the hauler to pick it up.  
It was literally out for 2 days. I will take care of whatever you send me.  
Moermond: you are the beneficiary of a slow moving system. The orders for that went  
out early in May and the reinspection didn’t occur until June 25. By that time they were  
gone, so you got a default extension because things are backed up.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 8/13/2024  
1:30 p.m. Hearings  
Orders To Vacate - Fire Certificate of Occupancy  
RLH VO 24-26  
23  
Appeal of Mark Thieroff, attorney for owner, to a Revocation of Fire  
Certificate of Occupancy and Order to Vacate at 251 MARIA AVENUE.  
Johnson  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH August 13, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. and if permit application is made, grant  
through October 18, 2024 for compliance.  
Mark Thieroff, attorney o/b/o owner, appeared via phone  
[Moermond gives background of appeals process]  
Staff report by Supervisor Leanna Shaff: a 9 unit residential building. From what I can  
tell from Ramsey County the current ownership has been in effect since October of  
2022. It is in an HPC district, which affects outside repairs. There is a building permit  
for a roof from December 2022 that isn’t finaled yet because it had corrections to be  
made. We received some complaints on the building, one being an electrical shut off.  
Inspector Almstead also received notification that the windows had been replaced  
without permit or HPC removal. There is a stop work order issued by Nathan Bruhn  
March 31, 2023. Inspector Almstead made numerous attempts to inspect and getting  
compliance, including windows and roof permit. Condemnation on unit 3 for lack of  
basic utilities, for electric being off. As of July 18, 2024 after many months of trying to  
gain compliance we revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for long-term noncompliance  
for the permits. I think you saw the photos. The windows, in no way, are code  
compliant with the HPC nor with current building codes. They put in vinyl windows, too  
small for the openings, built up around them. Unfortunately, when they did that with the  
stucco, which had already been compromised, it had been left open. For over a year  
there’s been snow, ice, water, intrusion behind the stucco. We have some huge  
concerns about that. We haven’t been able to get any sort of compliance without  
revoking that. It seems they’re looking for more time. I spoke with Xcel yesterday and  
the electricity is still off. When I spoke with the property rep they said they didn’t know  
it was within HPC requirements. I know Inspector Almstead spoke with him about that  
extensively. He told Almstead he would just sell the building. I understand there may  
be a current sale pending, but with its current status that becomes problematic.  
Moermond: you said there was a complaint on a few things and electric shut off was  
listed inside that. A complaint you normally think of as coming from a neighbor, but  
Xcel does this too.  
Shaff: part of it. We’ve had complaints about the windows and the state they are in and  
why it is allowed to continue.  
Moermond: was that a yes or no on Xcel?  
Shaff: yes, Xcel sends us a list of electrical shut off. Most of the time they’ve been off  
for 30 days by the time the City is notified.  
Moermond: and the City’s normal response is to send a correction notice. That affects  
only unit 3. That is condemned for lack of electric. When did the inspection process  
start?  
Shaff: February 13, 2024. It was a referral prior to that.  
Moermond: I’m seeing appointment letters February, March, April and then an  
inspection in May. The inspection in May they got access?  
Shaff: yes, May 6.  
Moermond: what’s the grade on this property?  
Shaff: a very low C.  
Thieroff: first, I don’t have any reason to contest any of the testimony. My involvement  
began following the July 18 notice. I can’t address reasons for the delay up until then. I  
can speak to what we’ve done since then. I spoke with Mr. Almstead and my  
conclusion from the notice and situation was the most important issue was the  
windows. I spoke with George Gause about rectifying it. After hearing the options, I  
concluded the best option was not to file any type of appeal but simply to start over  
with a contractor to get new replacement windows compliant within the design  
guidelines. The property owner has agreed to that. We’ve reached out to Gladstone  
Windows and have scheduled the first available date to have them come out and  
provide documentation we need to submit to HPC. They come out tomorrow. We  
weren’t able to comply with the July 18 notice, and we are asking for additional time to  
have that site visit tomorrow and quickly get an application into HPC staff to resolve  
that. With respect to Unit 3 and the electric, that is a surprise to me, I thought it was  
resolved. It was nonpayment by the tenant and I thought it was fixed, but it should be  
in process and can be resolved quickly. As far as the roof, Mr. Almstead gave the  
inspector assigned to the permit. Unfortunately, the roofing contractor is no longer in  
business. We reached out to the inspector to get that final inspection scheduled so we  
can get that finaled and closed. I think that too is imminent. Additional 10 days is our  
ask.  
Moermond: preceding your involvement it looks like the original inspection led to 20  
violations being written and what we’re looking at now are a couple of enforcement  
actions.  
Thieroff: as far as unit 8, I’ve spoken with Mr. Almstead. That was in error, not sure  
how that came to be. The rent is paid to date. No abandoned property in there. I’m not  
sure how the tenant came to understand the tenant was recently departed.  
Moermond: I’m guessing because you said they weren’t there. You asked for an  
extension to do the windows. Sounds like the contractor will do the bid, and part are  
the plans necessary for the permit.  
Thieroff: yes.  
Moermond: my understanding is that when the building permit application lands with  
Department of Safety & Inspections they look at it and simultaneously referred it to  
HPC. They may have comments or deny the permit, and that’s hitting restart on the  
process. If HPC staff approves they will report that back to Department of Safety &  
Inspections who can proceed with permit issuance.  
Thieroff: we intend to submit an application that meets the guidelines. I expect no  
public hearing because we are just going to comply.  
Moermond: July 29 there was a final inspection on the roof and that was approved by  
John Wilder.  
Thieroff: that’s great news. That unit with the Xcel shut off is vacant too.  
Shaff: I spoke with Xcel yesterday at 1:45 yesterday afternoon.  
Moermond: I trust you’ll get that back on before the unit is rented again. That leaves  
us with the revocation for long-term noncompliance and an extension to deal with the  
windows.  
Thieroff: no timeline from the contractor.  
Moermond: my expectation is you make that permit application no later than August  
13. If application is made at that time I will recommend the Council grant through  
October 18 to have the windows replaced. We’ll lay this over to August 13 and  
hopefully this will get the job done.  
Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 8/13/2024