City Hall and Court House  
15 West Kellogg  
Boulevard  
City of Saint Paul  
Council Chambers - 3rd  
Floor  
Meeting Agenda  
City Council  
651-266-8560  
Council President Mitra Jalali  
Vice President HwaJeong Kim  
Councilmember Anika Bowie  
Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson  
Councilmember Saura Jost  
Councilmember Rebecca Noecker  
Councilmember Nelsie Yang  
Wednesday, January 22, 2025  
ROLL CALL  
3:30 PM  
Council Chambers - 3rd Floor  
COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE  
Amending the 2025 spending budget in the Department of Public Works  
Electric Vehicle Maintenance accounting unit to budget for a new service level  
agreement with Zef Energy for 2025 to maintain electrical vehicle charging  
stations city-wide.  
1
Attachments:  
Approving the 2024 Fund 200 - City Grants for the Department of Emergency  
Management to more accurately record expenditures for the Urban Area  
Security Initiative (UASI) Grant.  
2
Attachments:  
Approving the 2024 Fund 100 - General Fund for the Fire Department to more  
accurately record expenditures.  
3
4
Attachments:  
Shifting funds within the ARP AU to an alternate spending account in order to  
align with project spending.  
Attachments:  
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.  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Rubbish and Garbage Clean Up services  
during October 7 to 23, 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for  
February 18, 2025 and City Council public hearing for April 2, 2025 to consider  
and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2511R,  
Assessment No. 258519)  
5
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Tall Grass and Weed Removal services  
during October 14 to 22, 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for  
February 18, 2025 and City Council public hearing for April 2, 2025 to consider  
and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2510T,  
Assessment No. 258520)  
6
7
8
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Rubbish and Garbage Clean Up services  
during October 28 to November 8, 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing  
for February 18, 2025 and City Council public hearing for April 2, 2025 to  
consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.  
J2512R, Assessment No. 258522)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Tall Grass and Weed Removal services  
during October 24 to November 6, 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing  
for February 18, 2025 and City Council public hearing for April 2, 2025 to  
consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.  
J2511T, Assessment No. 258523)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Authorizing the Office of Financial Services to apply for an MPCA Local Climate  
Action Planning Grant for developing a municipal fleet decarbonization plan.  
9
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Approving the Legislative Hearing Officer's recommendation for the application  
submitted by Jekai’s Scratch Kitchen LLC (License ID# 20240002005), d/b/a  
Chips Clubhouse, for Liquor On Sale - 100 seats or less, Liquor On Sale -  
Sunday and Liquor Outdoor Service Area (Sidewalk) licenses, located at 272  
Snelling Avenue South, Unit #200.  
10  
Sponsors:  
Jost  
d/b/a Maryland Tobacco (“Licensee”).  
Kim  
Sponsors:  
Attachments:  
Authorizing the Police Department's expenditures relating to community  
meetings and events in 2025.  
13  
14  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Police Department to purchase light refreshments for  
witnesses, victims, and suspects during critical incident investigations and  
assistance programs.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Police Department to purchase refreshments for employee  
recognition ceremonies and events in 2025.  
15  
16  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Police Department's expenditures relating to the Canine Unit's  
community engagement meetings, community engagement events, and  
training sessions in 2025.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Police Department expenditures for the Standardized Field  
Sobriety Testing Training program conducted in 2025.  
17  
18  
19  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Police Department to purchase food and beverages for law  
enforcement trainings conducted in 2025.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Police Department's expenditures relating to the Traffic and  
Pedestrian Safety Unit’s community engagement meetings and multi-agency  
Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) meetings and events in 2025.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept grants from the  
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) totaling $92,391 for Winter  
snow equipment acquisition and trail improvements at Highland Park and  
Phalen Park.  
20  
Sponsors:  
Jost and Yang  
Authorizing the Police Department to expense costs associated with the  
assessors for Police Officer exams taking place throughout 2025.  
21  
22  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept state bonding  
funds and enter into a grant agreement, which includes an indemnification  
clause.  
Sponsors:  
Kim  
Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Laura Trujillo to a two-year term on the  
Advisory Committee on Aging.  
23  
24  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Approving the Mayor's appointments of Kelly Leingang, Nick Petrucelle, Sam  
Tiratto, and Kaleb McCulloch and reappointments of Kera Peterson, Tristan  
Skoglund, and Rick Varco to the Labor Standards Advisory Committee.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Mysee Chang Vang to the Saint Paul  
Public Housing Agency (PHA).  
25  
26  
27  
28  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Liz Lee and Trisha Duncan to the Visit  
Saint Paul Board of Directors.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the City to accept a donation in the amount of $200.00 from  
Stephen Titoe on behalf of the Police Department (SPPD) for general support.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Authorizing the City to accept a donation in the amount of $1,000 from St.  
Patrick’s Association on behalf of the Police Department (SPPD) for general  
support.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Vacant Building Registration  
fees billed during March 20 to September 24, 2024, and setting date of  
Legislative Hearing for February 25, 2025 and City Council public hearing for  
April 9, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against individual  
properties. (File No. VB2507, Assessment No. 258806)  
29  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Securing and/or Emergency Boarding  
services during October 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for  
February 25, 2025 and City Council public hearing for April 9, 2025 to consider  
and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2507B,  
Assessment No. 258106)  
30  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Demolition services from September  
2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for February 25, 2025 and City  
Council public hearing for April 9, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments  
against individual properties. (File No. J2503C, Assessment No. 252002)  
31  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Demolition services from September  
2024 (C.D.B.G. Funds), and setting date of Legislative Hearing for February 25,  
2025 and City Council public hearing for April 9, 2025 to consider and levy the  
assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2504C, Assessment No.  
252003)  
32  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Excessive Use of Inspection or  
Abatement services billed during August 22 to September 20, 2024, and setting  
date of Legislative Hearing for February 25, 2025 and City Council public  
hearing for April 9, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against  
individual properties. (File No. J2507E, Assessment No. 258306)  
33  
34  
35  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Graffiti Removal services during August  
21 to October 8, 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for February 25,  
2025 and City Council public hearing for April 9, 2025 to consider and levy the  
assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2507P, Assessment No.  
258406)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous  
Tree(s) services during October to November 2024, and setting date of  
Legislative Hearing for February 25, 2025 and City Council public hearing for  
April 9, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against individual  
properties. (File No. 2502T, Assessment No. 259001)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Authorizing a professional services contract with Almeida Public Affairs, Inc.  
36  
37  
38  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Authorizing a professional services contract with Messerli Kramer, P.A.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Authorizing a professional services contract with Primacy Strategy Group.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
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 6.03 of the City Charter pertaining to the application of  
Administrative Citations for violations of City Ordinances, based on the  
recommendation of the Charter Commission pursuant to Minnesota Statute  
section 410.12, subdivision 7.  
39  
Sponsors:  
Jost and Jalali  
Attachments:  
Granting the application of Macalester College to rezone property at 1655 and  
1661 Grand Avenue and 37 Macalester Street (north side between Macalester  
and Cambridge) from T2 traditional neighborhood to RM1 multiple family and to  
40  
rezone property at 53, 57, and 63 Macalester Street (southwest corner of Grand  
and Macalester) from T2 traditional neighborhood to VP vehicle parking, and  
amending Chapter 60 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the zoning map.  
Sponsors:  
Jost  
Attachments:  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to  
testify.  
Amending Title IV of the Administrative Code to add Chapter 92, titled Tree  
Preservation for City Sponsored Projects.  
41  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and  
Recreation in the amount of $250,000 to reflect funds received from the  
National Park Service for the Samuel Morgan Regional Trail Reconstruction  
project.  
42  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and  
Recreation in the amount of $50,000 for STAR Grant funds received for  
accessible multi-use courts at Conway Recreation Center.  
43  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Amending the finance and spending plan in the Department of Parks and  
Recreation in the amount of $50,000 from the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, to  
reflect funds authorized for the Swede Hollow Staircase and Trail project.  
44  
45  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and  
Recreation in the amount of $101,200 to reflect funds received from the Saint  
Paul Parks Conservancy for the Pedro Park project.  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Amending the spending and financing budget in the Lowertown Ballpark Fund  
for capital improvements to be made by the Saints at the CHS Field Ballpark.  
46  
47  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Approving the application of Podium Sports Marketing for a sound level variance  
in order to present amplified sound on January 30, January 31, and February 1,  
2025 at 214 4th Street East - Union Depot.  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Authorizing the Office of Financial Empowerment to apply for and accept a  
$583,000 grant from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation to support program  
operation costs for CollegeBound Saint Paul and CollegeBound Boost and  
amending the 2025 budget for the Office of Financial Empowerment.  
48  
49  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Authorizing the City to apply for and accept $15,000 in grant funding from the  
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for travel and operating expenses related to  
CollegeBound Boost and amending the 2025 budget for the Office of Financial  
Empowerment.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM  
Appeal of James W. Bush and Linda D. Dear, tenants, to a Rent Stabilization  
Determination at 1391 HAZELWOOD STREET, APARTMENTS, 10 AND 11.  
50  
Sponsors:  
Yang  
Attachments:  
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.  
Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 515 BEAUMONT  
STREET. (File No. J2502E, Assessment No. 258301)  
51  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Appeal of Chang Hua Wang to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at  
1484 CHARLES AVENUE.  
52  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1289  
DANFORTH STREET in Council File RLH SAO 24-84.  
53  
54  
Sponsors:  
Kim  
Attachments:  
Appeal of Chang Hua Wang to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at  
1649 EDMUND AVENUE.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1659 EDMUND  
AVENUE (File No. CRT2502, Assessment No. 258201)  
55  
56  
Sponsors:  
Kim  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 276  
EXCHANGE STREET SOUTH. (File No. VB2502, Assessment No. 258801)  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 276  
EXCHANGE STREET SOUTH. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)  
57  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 1726  
FOURTH STREET EAST in Council File RLH RR 24-33.  
58  
59  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 104 IVY  
AVENUE WEST. (File No. J2502E, Assessment No. 258301) (Refer to  
February 4, 2025 Legislative Hearing)  
Sponsors:  
Kim  
Attachments:  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 674  
MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST within fifteen (15) days after the November 6, 2024,  
City Council Public Hearing. (Amend to remove within 15 days)  
60  
Sponsors:  
Yang  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023  
MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)  
61  
62  
Sponsors:  
Yang  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023  
MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2501V, Assessment No. 258000)  
Sponsors:  
Yang  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023  
MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2502E, Assessment No. 258301)  
63  
Sponsors:  
Yang  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023  
MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2503E, Assessment No. 258301)  
64  
Sponsors:  
Yang  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1122  
MARYLAND AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)  
65  
Sponsors:  
Yang  
Attachments:  
Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 41 MILLER  
CREST LANE in Council File RLH RR 24-23.  
66  
67  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Appeal of Shyann Murphy to a Correction Notice at 2151 MINNEHAHA AVENUE  
EAST.  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 2117  
MOHAWK AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 24-24.  
68  
69  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Appeal of Joseph Richardson to a Summary Abatement Order and a Vehicle  
Abatement Order at 1875 NORTH PARK DRIVE.  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Appeal of Raj Mehta to a Correction Notice-Complaint Inspection (which  
includes condemnation) at 220 ROBERT STREET SOUTH.  
70  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 874 SEVENTH  
STREET EAST. (File No. J2502P, Assessment No. 258401)  
71  
Sponsors:  
Johnson  
Attachments:  
Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1297 SEVENTH  
STREET WEST. (File No. VB2502, Assessment No. 258801)  
72  
73  
Sponsors:  
Noecker  
Attachments:  
Appeal of Zach Kirchoff, Ireland Homes, to a Vacant Building Registration  
Renewal Notice at 1650 SHERBURNE AVENUE.  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Appeal of Shawn Punjwani, Embassy Thomas LLC, to a Vacant Building  
Registration Notice at 1333 THOMAS AVENUE.  
74  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 916  
UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST (918 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST). (File No.  
J2501C, Assessment No. 252000)  
75  
Sponsors:  
Bowie  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees  
billed during June 20, 2023 to April 22, 2024. (File No. VB2502, Assessment No.  
258801)  
76  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services  
during May 2024. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)  
77  
78  
79  
80  
81  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Demolition services from January to June 2024.  
(File No. J2501C, Assessment No. 252000)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Demolition services from February to March 2024  
(C.D.B.G. Funds). (File No. J2502C, Assessment No. 252001)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Fire Certificate of Occupancy fees billed during  
April 26 to May 23, 2024. (File No. CRT2502, Assessment No. 258201)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Excessive Use of Inspection or Abatement  
services billed during March 22 to April 19, 2024. (File No. J2502E, Assessment  
No. 258301)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Graffiti Removal services during April 3 to June  
11, 2024. (File No. J2502P, Assessment No. 258401)  
82  
83  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
Ratifying the assessment for Towing of Abandoned Vehicle(s) services during  
January to May 2024. (File No. J2501V, Assessment No. 258000)  
Sponsors:  
Jalali  
Attachments:  
ADJOURNMENT  
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  
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.  
Web  
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  
supporting documents.  
Cable  
Meetings are live on St Paul Channel 18 and replayed at various times. Check your local  
listings.