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 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

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

7 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Mitra Jalali,

Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Councilmember HwaJeong Kim,

Councilmember Anika Bowie, Councilmember Saura Jost and

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Amending the 2025 spending budget in the Department of Public Works

AO 25-3

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.

Received and Filed

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.

AO 25-4

Received and Filed

Approving the 2024 Fund 100 - General Fund for the Fire Department to more

accurately record expenditures.

AO 25-5

Received and Filed

Shifting funds within the ARP AU to an alternate spending account in order to

align with project spending.

AO 25-7

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

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

Authorizing the Office of Financial Services to apply for an MPCA Local

Climate Action Planning Grant for developing a municipal fleet decarbonization

plan.

RES 25-62

RES 25-89

Adopted

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.

Adopted

Approving the Legislative Hearing Officer's recommendation for the

application submitted by Cinema Ballroom LLC (License ID# 20240001715),

d/b/a CB Event Center, for a Dance or Rental Hall license, located at 1560 St

Clair Avenue.

RES 25-91

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department's expenditures relating to community

meetings and events in 2025.

RES 25-99

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to purchase light refreshments for

witnesses, victims, and suspects during critical incident investigations and

assistance programs.

RES 25-101

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to purchase refreshments for employee

recognition ceremonies and events in 2025.

RES 25-102

RES 25-103

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department's expenditures relating to the Canine Unit's

community engagement meetings, community engagement events, and

training sessions in 2025.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department expenditures for the Standardized Field

Sobriety Testing Training program conducted in 2025.

RES 25-104

RES 25-105

RES 25-106

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to purchase food and beverages for law

enforcement trainings conducted in 2025.

Adopted

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.

Adopted

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.

RES 25-107

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to expense costs associated with the

assessors for Police Officer exams taking place throughout 2025.

RES 25-108

RES 25-109

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept state bonding

funds and enter into a grant agreement, which includes an indemnification

clause.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Laura Trujillo to a two-year term on the

Advisory Committee on Aging.

RES 25-129

RES 25-130

Adopted

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.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Mysee Chang Vang to the Saint Paul

Public Housing Agency (PHA).

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Liz Lee and Trisha Duncan to the Visit

Saint Paul Board of Directors.

Adopted

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.

Adopted

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.

Adopted

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)

RES 25-148

RES 25-149

RES 25-150

Adopted

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

Authorizing a professional services contract with Almeida Public Affairs, Inc.

RES 25-158

RES 25-159

RES 25-160

Adopted

Authorizing a professional services contract with Messerli Kramer, P.A.

Adopted

Authorizing a professional services contract with Primacy Strategy Group.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Authorizing the Department of Safety and Inspections (“DSI”) to enter into a

Settlement Agreement with Ali Alfureedy on behalf of Maryland Tobacco Inc.,

d/b/a Maryland Tobacco (“Licensee”).

RES 25-94

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

SUSPENSION ITEM

Ensuring equity in the implementation of administrative citations through a

legislative advisory committee.

RES 25-192

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

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.

Ord 25-2

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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 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.

Ord 25-3

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

Ord 25-4

Laid over to February 26, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

RES PH 25-1

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

RES PH 25-2

RES PH 25-3

RES PH 25-5

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

RES PH 25-9

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

RES PH 25-11

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

RES PH 25-14

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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.

RES PH 25-15

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEMS

Appeal of James W. Bush and Linda D. Dear, tenants, to a Rent Stabilization

RLH RSA 24-12

Determination at 1391 HAZELWOOD STREET, APARTMENTS, 10 AND 11.

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 916

UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST (918 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST). (File No.

J2501C, Assessment No. 252000)

RLH TA 24-406

Public hearing closed and laid over to February 5, 2025

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 515

BEAUMONT STREET. (File No. J2502E, Assessment No. 258301)

Adopted

Appeal of Chang Hua Wang to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at

1484 CHARLES AVENUE.

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1289

DANFORTH STREET in Council File RLH SAO 24-84.

Adopted

Appeal of Chang Hua Wang to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at

1649 EDMUND AVENUE.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1659

EDMUND AVENUE (File No. CRT2502, Assessment No. 258201)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 276

EXCHANGE STREET SOUTH. (File No. VB2502, Assessment No. 258801)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 276

EXCHANGE STREET SOUTH. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

1726 FOURTH STREET EAST in Council File RLH RR 24-33.

Adopted

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)

Referred to February 4, 2025 Legislative Hearing

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)

RLH RR 24-34

Adopted as amended (granted 180 days)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023

MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023

MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2501V, Assessment No. 258000)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023

MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2502E, Assessment No. 258301)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2023

MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2503E, Assessment No. 258301)

Public hearing continued to February 5, 2025

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1122

MARYLAND AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 41 MILLER

CREST LANE in Council File RLH RR 24-23.

Adopted

Appeal of Shyann Murphy to a Correction Notice at 2151 MINNEHAHA

AVENUE EAST.

RLH CO 25-1

RLH RR 25-4

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 2117

MOHAWK AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 24-24.

Adopted

Appeal of Joseph Richardson to a Summary Abatement Order and a Vehicle

Abatement Order at 1875 NORTH PARK DRIVE.

RLH SAO 24-82

RLH VO 24-4

Adopted

Appeal of Raj Mehta to a Correction Notice-Complaint Inspection (which

includes condemnation) at 220 ROBERT STREET SOUTH.

Adopted as amended (appeal granted)

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 874 SEVENTH

STREET EAST. (File No. J2502P, Assessment No. 258401)

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1297

SEVENTH STREET WEST. (File No. VB2502, Assessment No. 258801)

Adopted

Appeal of Zach Kirchoff, Ireland Homes, to a Vacant Building Registration

Renewal Notice at 1650 SHERBURNE AVENUE.

Adopted

Appeal of Shawn Punjwani, Embassy Thomas LLC, to a Vacant Building

Registration Notice at 1333 THOMAS AVENUE.

Adopted

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)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services

during May 2024. (File No. J2502B, Assessment No. 258101)

RLH AR 24-87

RLH AR 24-88

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Demolition services from January to June 2024.

(File No. J2501C, Assessment No. 252000)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Demolition services from February to March

2024 (C.D.B.G. Funds). (File No. J2502C, Assessment No. 252001)

RLH AR 24-89

RLH AR 24-90

RLH AR 24-91

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Fire Certificate of Occupancy fees billed during

April 26 to May 23, 2024. (File No. CRT2502, Assessment No. 258201)

Adopted

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)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Graffiti Removal services during April 3 to June

11, 2024. (File No. J2502P, Assessment No. 258401)

RLH AR 24-92

RLH AR 24-93

ADJOURNMENT

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Towing of Abandoned Vehicle(s) services during

January to May 2024. (File No. J2501V, Assessment No. 258000)

Adopted

Meeting ended at 4:28 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

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telephone by registering to speak by noon on the day before the meeting. The

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https://forms.office.com/g/TD3xN7WHy5.

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