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 Rebecca Noecker

Vice President HwaJeong Kim

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Councilmember Molly Coleman

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

6 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang,

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost and Councilmember Molly Coleman

1 - Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Absent

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Letter from the Department of Safety and Inspections declaring 633 Capitol

CO 26-13

Blvd a nuisance property. (For notification purposes only; public hearings will

be scheduled at a later date if necessary.)

Received and Filed

Amending the 2026 spending budget in the Department of Public Works

Electric Vehicle Maintenance accounting unit.

AO 26-13

Received and Filed

Establishing intent for one-time special funds budgeted for consulting services

in OFS.

AO 26-15

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

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a three-year

lease agreement with District 10 Como Community Council at the Historic

Como Streetcar Station.

RES 26-198

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for funds of up

to $250,000 per application from the Local Trail Connections grant program.

RES 26-216

RES 26-217

RES 26-219

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for funds of up

to $500,000 per application from the Outdoor Recreation grant program.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a

Request for Proposals for the 2026 HIDTA Grant Program, issued by the

Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Adopted

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Malt On Sale

(Brewery Taproom), Liquor On Sale--Sunday, Liquor Outdoor Service Area

(Patio), Liquor Outdoor Service Area (Sidewalk), Malt Off Sale (Brewery), Malt

Off Sale (Small Brewery - 128 oz), Gambling Location & Entertainment (A)

license now held by Grainless Gravity LLC d/b/a SAW Brewing (License ID

#DSIBLLIQ-000488-2025) for the premises located at 1750 Thomas Ave.

RES 26-273

Adopted

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Auto Repair Garage

license now held by Tee to Tree Auto LLC d/b/a Doran-King Auto Repair

(License ID #DSIBLAUTO-000494-2025) for the premises located at 1521

Randolph Ave.

RES 26-274

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept a donation of

tickets to local theater and sporting events from Tickets for Kids Charities for

youth and their families to attend various events in the metropolitan area.

RES 26-288

RES 26-290

Adopted

Approving the City’s Council’s reappointment of Nick Muhammad, Carla

Robinson and Regina Jackson to the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community

Reparations Commission.

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel expenses from the Knight Foundation for Assistant

Mayor Nick Stumo-Langer to attend the Knight Media Forum from February 11

- February 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

RES 26-292

RES 26-302

Adopted

Approving the use of Neighborhood STAR funds for Saint Paul Public Works

Mill and Overlay and Sidewalk Programs.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Considering the appeal of the Minnesota Department of Administration to the

Board of Zoning Appeals lack of an approval of a zoning variance to permit a

10' tall fence between the surface parking facility and Phalen Boulevard and

Barclay Street. (Public hearing closed and laid over from February 11, 2026)

ABZA 26-1

Motion of intent is to deny the appeal

5 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

1 - Councilmember Noecker

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

SUSPENSION ITEM

Authorizing the Fire Department to conduct various fire training exercises at

the property located at 753 Front Avenue.

RES 26-320

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

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

Adding Chapter 268B to the Legislative Code to require law enforcement

officers to conduct law enforcement operations without a mask or facial

covering unless certain exceptions apply.

Ord 26-7

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Amending Section 86.01(a) of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to Authorize

up to Three (3) Assistants to the Mayor to Execute Certain Contracts Made in

the Name of the City of Saint Paul and Authorized by the City Council and

Further Amending Section 86.01 (a) to Increase the Dollar Value Amount for

Contracts Executed by Designees.

Ord 26-8

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

First Reading

Adopting the geothermal energy franchise by The Heights Community Energy,

Inc.

Ord 26-9

Laid over to February 25, 2026 for Second Reading

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Granting authority to the Port Authority to issue and sell bonds in the principal

amount of approximately $6,000,000, and any bonds to refund such bonds, to

secure such bonds with a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of the

City (the “City”) and to use the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds

to pay the cost and expense necessarily to be incurred by said Port Authority

for a portion of the cost of the redevelopment of part of the St. Joseph’s

hospital site.

Ord 26-11

Laid over to February 25, 2026 for Second Reading

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Amending section 310.01 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to create new fee

categories and associated license fees for Transportation Network

Companies.

Ord 26-12

Laid over to February 25, 2026 for Second Reading

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways

to testify.

Amending Chapters 65 and 66 of the Legislative Code pertaining to

drive-through sales and services and walk-up service windows. (Public

hearing continued from September 3, 2025)

Ord 24-26

Amended and public hearing continued to February 25, 2026 for Final Adoption

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Ratifying the assessment for Repair of Sanitary Sewer Line on Private

Properties. (File No. SWRP2601, Assessment No. 263000)

RES PH 26-7

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to amend the financing

and spending plan, in the amount of $250,000, and to enter into a grant

agreement with the Minnesota Historical Society to accept Commemorative

Statues, Memorials, and Historic Preservation (CSMHP) grant funds.

RES PH 26-39

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and

Recreation, in the amount of $2,500,000, to reflect funds awarded from the

Department of Employment and Economic Development for a state bonding

pass through grant of $2,500,000 for the Conway Recreation Center project,

and authorizing the City to enter into a grant agreement, which includes an

indemnification clause.

RES PH 26-40

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Approving the application of Pro-Life Action Ministries for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound for the Good Friday Solemn

Prayer Vigil on April 3, 2026, at 671 Vandalia Street on Charles Avenue

between Pillsbury and Vandalia Streets.

RES PH 26-44

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Parks and

Recreation in the amount of $551,205.97 to reflect additional 2026 funding

expected from Como Friends.

RES PH 26-45

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the

amount of $679,543.63 to accept the 2024 Assistance to Firefighter Grant

(AFG) to provide firefighter physicals, paramedic training, Art of Smoke

training, Incident Safety Officer training, and Sleep Matter training.

RES PH 26-46

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Approving (i) the establishment of the Fairview/St. Joe’s Tax Increment

Financing District (a redevelopment district) in the Downtown St. Paul

Industrial Development District and adopting a Tax Increment Financing Plan

therefor, and (ii) a modification to the Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown

St. Paul Industrial Development District (District 17, Ward 2).

RES PH 26-50

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.

PH 26-4

Public hearing continued to February 25, 2026

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

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

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 970 BURR

STREET. (File No. J2602E, Assessment No. 268301)

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 705 DAYTON

AVENUE. (File No. J2602E, Assessment No. 268301)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 839 EDMUND

AVENUE. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

Public hearing continued to February 25, 2026

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 463 FOREST

STREET. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

Adopted

Appeal of Armand McCoy, on behalf of Andrew Eisenhart, to a Summary

Abatement Order at 708 HAWTHORNE AVENUE EAST.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2123

HAWTHORNE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No. 268702)

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 606 LAFOND

AVENUE (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No. 268702)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 760

MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1697

MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2602TW Assessment No. 268702)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1264 PAYNE

AVENUE. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

Adopted

Appeal of Terry Vasquez to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice, which

includes condemnation, at 51 ROBIE STREET WEST.

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1084 SELBY

AVENUE. (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No. 268702)

Adopted

Amending Council File RLH 25-21, adopted December 10, 2025, to grant

Dennis G. an additional extension for property at 555 SMITH AVENUE

SOUTH.

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 720 SNELLING

AVENUE NORTH. (File No. J2602B, Assessment No. 268101)

RLH TA 26-8

RLH RR 26-2

Adopted

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 799

UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST within fifteen (15) days after the February 18,

2026 City Council Public Hearing. (Refer back to April 14, 2026 Legislative

Hearing)

Referred to April 14, 2026 Legislative Hearing

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 435 VAN

BUREN AVENUE. (File No. J2602E, Assessment No. 268301)

RLH TA 26-17

RLH TA 25-358

RLH AR 26-1

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1760 WILSON

AVENUE. (File No. J2525R1, Assessment No. 258589) (Amend to delete)

Adopted as amended (assessment deleted)

Ratifying the assessment for providing Tall Grass and Weed Removal

services during June 27 to July 8, 2025. (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No.

268702)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for providing Excessive Use of Inspection or

Abatement services billed during April 22 to May 21, 2025. (File No. J2602E,

Assessment No. 268301)

RLH AR 26-2

RLH AR 26-3

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees

billed during February 12 to May 22, 2025. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No.

268901)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for providing Securing and/or Emergency Boarding

services during June, 2025. (File No. J2602B, Assessment No. 268101)

RLH AR 26-4

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:46 PM

City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also

comment on public hearing items in writing. 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 or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony

will be taken in person in the Council Chambers.

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