City Hall and Court House  
15 West Kellogg Boulevard  
Council Chambers - 3rd  
Floor  
City of Saint Paul  
651-266-8560  
Meeting Minutes - Action Only  
City Council  
Council President Amy Brendmoen  
Councilmember Russel Balenger  
Councilmember Mitra Jalali  
Councilmember Rebecca Noecker  
Councilmember Jane L. Prince  
Councilmember Chris Tolbert  
Councilmember Nelsie Yang  
Wednesday, December 13, 2023  
ROLL CALL  
3:30 PM  
Council Chambers - 3rd Floor  
Meeting started at 3:32 PM  
7 - Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, Councilmember Chris Tolbert,  
Present  
Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Jane L. Prince,  
Councilmember Mitra Jalali, Councilmember Nelsie Yang and  
Councilmember Russel Balenger  
COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE  
Amending the 2023 Saint Paul Regional Water Services budget for the  
AO 23-118  
1
transfer of available funds from accounting unit 69082140 to increase  
funding for various accounts in Production and Distribution divisions.  
Received and Filed  
Authorizing the Police Department to reallocate its 2023 Special Fund budget  
to more accurately record expenditures meeting capital criteria.  
AO 23-119  
2
3
4
Received and Filed  
Approving the 2023 general fund budget for the Fire Department to more  
accurately record expenditures.  
AO 23-122  
Received and Filed  
Amending the 2023 spending budget in the Department of Public Works  
General Fund Street Maintenance accounting units.  
AO 23-123  
Received and Filed  
CONSENT AGENDA  
Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate  
discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the  
Consent Agenda for separate consideration.  
Approval of the Consent Agenda  
Councilmember Yang moved approval.  
Consent Agenda adopted.  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
Initiating a zoning study to consider possible amendments to the Zoning  
Code regarding adult-use cannabis, now legal under Minnesota Session  
Law, Chapter 63.  
RES 23-1829  
RES 23-1844  
RES 23-1855  
5
6
7
Adopted  
Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 4 and Mayor's Office  
Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program for Saint Anthony Park  
Community Council in partnership with Public Works.  
Adopted  
Accepting a one-time donation valued at $1,400 from the City and County  
Credit Union to be used for training and education sessions offered by the  
Office of Human Resources.  
Adopted  
Approving the 2023 Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant  
Program awards.  
RES 23-1858  
RES 23-1871  
8
9
Adopted  
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept donations of  
food, decorations, and supplies valued at $1,000 from the Duluth and Case  
Recreation Center Booster Club, to host a Community Holiday Party at the  
Duluth and Case Recreation Center.  
Adopted  
Approving issuance of a HOME loan in the amount of $2,600,000; issuance  
of an SLFRF loan in the amount of $2,547,408; issuance of a sub-loan in the  
amount of $600,000 from a Metropolitan Council LCDA TOD Grant; and  
execution of a development, subrecipient and loan agreement and a sub-loan  
agreement, all for the Marshall Avenue Flats Project located at 1606 Marshall  
Ave (District 13, Ward 4).  
RES 23-1873  
10  
Adopted  
Approving the application for change of ownership to the Dance or Rental  
Halls license now held by MJ Accents LLC d/b/a MJ Accents LLC (License ID  
#20230001969) for the premises located at 670 Payne Avenue.  
RES 23-1875  
RES 23-1877  
11  
12  
Adopted  
Supporting a Job Creation Fund application for J & L Wire Cloth, LLC for a  
project proposed at 236 Water Street West (District 3, Ward 2).  
Adopted  
Approving a public hearing on the issuance of conduit multifamily housing  
revenue bonds by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (the “HRA”) for  
a multifamily rental housing development project located at 1606 Marshall  
Avenue; reciting a proposal for a Housing Finance Program related to such  
multifamily rental housing development; approving the related project and  
program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C; authorizing the HRA  
to issue conduit multifamily housing revenue bonds and authorizing the  
preparation of necessary documents and materials in connection with said  
project and program, and related documents (District 13, Ward 4).  
RES 23-1880  
13  
Adopted  
Approving adverse action against the Tobacco Shop license held by Garso  
Mini Mart d/b/a Garso Mini Mart (License ID #20180002292) for the premises  
located at 189 7th Street.  
RES 23-1881  
RES 23-1893  
14  
15  
Adopted  
Accepting the gift of the costs of travel, food, and lodging expenses from the  
Knight Foundation for Chief Resilience Officer Russ Stark to attend an  
Infrastructure Innovation Summit in Washington DC, on November 28-29,  
2023.  
Adopted  
Approving and authorizing the use of a Project Labor Agreement on the Mali  
Center rehabilitation project at 576 Front Ave.  
RES 23-1895  
RES 23-1896  
16  
17  
Adopted  
Reciting a proposal for a Housing Finance Program for a multifamily rental  
housing development, approving the project and the program pursuant to  
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C, authorizing the Housing and  
Redevelopment Authority to issue conduit multifamily housing revenue  
obligations and authorizing the preparation of necessary documents and  
materials in connection with said project and program for the Marvella Phase  
II Project, located at 2190 Hillcrest Drive (District 15, Ward 3).  
Adopted  
Authorizing Public Works, in conjunction with the Office of Technology and  
Communication, to submit a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of  
Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation  
(“SMART”) program for the purpose of funding a pilot study to evaluate the  
potential benefits of smart technology traffic signals and, if the said grant  
proposal is approved, authorizing the Public Works Department to enter into  
City obligations with the U.S. Department of Transportation.  
RES 23-1897  
18  
Adopted  
Approving the Audit Committee’s recommendation to support opportunities  
for collaboration, cost-sharing, and process improvement between the Saint  
Paul Public Library and the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department in  
engaging a consultant to assess current operations and make  
RES 23-1905  
19  
recommendations aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring efficient  
use of City resources.  
Adopted  
Authorizing the City to transfer $2,547,408 of American Rescue Plan funds  
from the 30% AMI Deeply Affordable Housing account to a specific account  
for the Marshall Avenue Housing project.  
RES 23-1909  
RES 23-1916  
20  
21  
Adopted  
Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 7 Neighborhood Star  
Year-Round Program for Voss Enterprise Incorporated d/b/a Roy's Service  
Station, Maria Flats Condominium Association, Dayton's Bluff Community  
Council, Graceville Pass LLC, Adam Food Inc., and East Side Freedom  
Library.  
Adopted  
Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 1 Neighborhood STAR  
Year-Round program for Victoria Theater Arts Center, MUSC Holdings, LLC,  
and YWCA St. Paul  
RES 23-1917  
RES 23-1918  
22  
23  
Adopted  
Amending RES 23-1515, Authorizing the City's ranked list of 2024 State G.O.  
bonding requests for submittal to Minnesota Management and Budget  
(MMB).  
Adopted  
Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 5 Neighborhood Star  
Year-Round Program for Pitt Shack BBQ LLC and the Bradshaw Group, Inc.  
RES 23-1929  
RES 23-1751  
RES 23-1791  
24  
25  
26  
Adopted  
Establishing the rate of pay for Project Manager IV in EG, 06, Professional  
Employees Association, Grade 022.  
Adopted  
Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2024 Wage and Fringe  
Adjustment between the City and the International Union of Elevator  
Constructors, Local 9.  
Adopted  
Establishing the rate of pay for Veterinarian, Professional Employees  
Association, grade 20.  
RES 23-1799  
RES 23-1804  
27  
28  
Adopted  
Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2023 -  
December 31, 2025) and Memorandum of Agreement between the City of  
Saint Paul and the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO  
Local 21.  
Adopted  
Establishing the rate of pay for the new classification of Library Safety  
Manager in SPSO, Grade 017.  
RES 23-1836  
29  
30  
Adopted  
FOR DISCUSSION  
Recognizing Jeanne Weigum Day in the City of Saint Paul.  
Council President Brendmoen spoke in favor and read from the resolution.  
Jeanne Weigum gave remarks.  
RES 23-1683  
Councilmember Prince spoke in favor.  
Councilmember Yang spoke in favor.  
Councilmember Noecker spoke in favor.  
Councilmember Tolbert spoke in favor.  
Brendmoen gave additional remarks and moved approval.  
Adopted  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
Nay:  
0
ORDINANCES  
An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate  
council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after  
publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are  
generally held at the second reading.  
Final Adoption  
Amending Chapter 324 of the Legislative Code to remove tobacco vending  
machine licenses, reduce the number of Tobacco Shop Licenses from 150 to  
100, reduce the number of Tobacco Product Shop Licenses from 25 to 15,  
and move the penalty section into the matrix penalties under section 310.  
Ord 23-52  
31  
Council President Brendmoen spoke in favor.  
Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.  
Adopted  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
Nay:  
0
Amending specific sections of the Legislative Code pertaining to zoning  
Ord 23-57  
32  
regulations to allow micro-unit dwellings as an accessory use to religious  
institutions.  
Councilmember Yang moved approval.  
Adopted  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
Amending Chapter 183 of the Legislative Code pertaining to human rights  
protections for persons with disabilities.  
Ord 23-59  
33  
Councilmember Jalali moved approval.  
Adopted  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
Amending Chapter 293 of the Legislative Code to create an administrative  
process for Amplified Sound Permits and modify the process for Sound Level  
Variances.  
Ord 23-60  
34  
Councilmember Noecker moved approval.  
Adopted  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
Amending Chapter 140 of the Legislative Code regarding the maintenance of  
the Skyway Pedestrian System including responsibilities, abatements and  
assessments.  
Ord 23-61  
35  
Councilmember Noecker spoke in favor and moved approval.  
Adopted  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways  
to testify.  
Amending Chapter 105.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to allow raised  
planter beds to be placed in the boulevard of the public right-of-way. (Third  
Reading. Public hearing continued from December 6, 2023)  
Ord 23-62  
36  
Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.  
Adopted  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
Amending Chapter 51 of the Administrative Code, titled Disposition of City  
Property.  
Ord 23-63  
37  
John Mannillo spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Noecker moved to close the public hearing and spoke to Mannillo's  
concerns.  
Bruce Engelbrekt from the Office of Financial Services spoke to Mannillo's concerns.  
Laid over to December 20, 2023 for Final Adoption  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
Nay:  
0
Amending Title IV of the Legislative Code to add Chapter 22, titled Local  
Sales and Use Tax.  
Ord 23-64  
38  
John Purdy spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Jalali moved to close the public hearing.  
Laid over to December 20, 2023 for Final Adoption  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
Absent:  
Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the  
amount of $166,593.34 for the contribution received from the Minnesota  
Board of Firefighter Training and Education to pay for training for firefighters.  
RES PH 23-356  
39  
Councilmember Balenger moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
Absent:  
Approving the petition of Joseph Commers and Robert Stolpestad, on behalf  
RES PH 23-357  
40  
of Midway 280 Business Commons LLC and Exeter Territorial LLC, to vacate  
an alley between 2505 University Avenue West and 2424 Territorial Road.  
(Public hearing continued from December 20, 2023.)  
Councilmember Jalali moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
Absent:  
Authorizing the City's sponsorship of a Minnesota Investment Fund  
application by J&L Wire Cloth LLC for a project proposed at 236 Water  
Street West (District 3, Ward 2).  
RES PH 23-364  
41  
Councilmember Noecker moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
Absent:  
Giving host approval to the issuance by the City of Mounds View of conduit  
Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for a project in St. Paul, approving a  
Joint Powers Agreement and Bond Compliance and Fee Agreement and  
authorizing the execution of documents relating thereto, all for the Central  
Towers Apartments Project, at 20 E Exchange Street (District 17, Ward 2).  
RES PH 23-365  
42  
Councilmember Noecker moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
Absent:  
Amending the City's operating budget to transfer assessment revenue to  
cover non-debt financed project costs for Public Works.  
RES PH 23-366  
43  
Councilmember Jalali moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
Absent:  
Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the  
amount of $13,767.01 for a reimbursement from the State of Minnesota for  
hazardous materials training at Camp Ripley from October 3-5, 2023.  
RES PH 23-367  
44  
Councilmember Prince moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
Absent:  
SUSPENSION ITEM  
Renaming the portion of Concordia Avenue between Griggs Street and  
Mackubin Street to Rondo Avenue.  
RES 23-1971  
Councilmember Balenger spoke in favor.  
Yusef Mgeni from the St. Paul NAACP gave remarks.  
Frank White, descendant of the Rondo neighborhood, gave remarks.  
Nieeta Pressley, descendant of the Rondo neighborhood, gave remarks.  
Marvin Anderson, descendant of the Rondo neighborhood, gave remarks.  
Balenger moved approval.  
Councilmember Jalali spoke in favor.  
Councilmember Yang spoke in favor and asked for clarification.  
Sean Kershaw, Director of Public Works, addressed Yang's question.  
Yang asked for additional clarification.  
Kershaw addressed Yang's question.  
Balenger spoke to Yang's question.  
Kershaw gave additional details.  
White gave additional remarks.  
Council President Brendmoen spoke in favor.  
Adopted  
6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember  
Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember  
Balenger  
Yea:  
Nay:  
0
1 - Councilmember Tolbert  
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM  
Absent:  
Appeal of Greg Lehman to a Vacant Building Registration Notice and Fire  
RLH VBR 23-70  
46  
Certificate of Occupancy Revocation Notice at 839 FOURTH STREET EAST.  
Public hearing continued for one week.  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: I am asking for a one week layer. The  
Fire Certificate of Occupancy was mistakenly reinstated today and has been now  
correctly revoked. I think it is only fair to Mr. Lehman to give him another week to  
respond to this.  
Councilmember Prince moved approval.  
Public hearing continued to December 20, 2023  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
Nay:  
0
LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA  
Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be  
enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the  
Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.  
Approval of the Consent Agenda  
Councilmember Noecker moved approval.  
Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended  
7 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember  
Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember  
Yang and Councilmember Balenger  
Yea:  
0
Nay:  
Appeal of Peyton Hurst to a Correction Notice at 823 ENGLEWOOD  
AVENUE.  
RLH CO 23-12  
45  
47  
Adopted  
Appeal of George Mathews to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at  
189 MAPLE STREET NORTH.  
RLH VBR 23-71  
Adopted  
ADJOURNMENT  
Meeting ended at 4:49 PM  
City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also  
comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any comments and  
materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the  
public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be  
submitted as follows:  
The public may comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any  
comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be  
attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments  
may be submitted as follows:  
Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to  
Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us, CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at  
651-266-6805. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers, and by  
telephone by registering to speak by noon on the day before the meeting. The  
registration link is located on the City Council website at www.stpaul.gov/council or  
https://forms.office.com/g/TD3xN7WHy5.  
Council Meeting Information  
The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses. The  
agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council members  
use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile device  
greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached to files,  
are over 1000 pages when printed.  
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Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds  
(RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subscription.  
Visit www.stpaul.gov/council for meeting videos and updated copies of the agendas,  
minutes, and supporting documents.  
Cable  
Meetings are live on St Paul Channel 18 and replayed at various times. Check your  
local listings.