City Hall and Court House

15 West Kellogg Boulevard

Council Chambers - 3rd

Floor

City of Saint Paul

651-266-8560

Meeting Minutes

City Council

Council President Rebecca Noecker

Vice President HwaJeong Kim

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Councilmember Mitra Jalali

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

4 - Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang,

Councilmember Saura Jost and Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Present

3 - Councilmember Mitra Jalali, Councilmember HwaJeong Kim and

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Absent

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Amending the 2025 Public Works Engineering Fund Survey Section budget

AO 25-13

to reallocate budgeted amounts within spending accounts for the

maintenance and upgrade of the public website in order to better align with

actual spending needs, in the amount of $20,000.

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 Johnson moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

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

from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

RES 25-317

for Right Track, the City’s Youth Employment Program in an amount of up to

$850,000 a year for two years.

Adopted

Approving assessment costs and setting date of City Council public hearing

to ratify the assessments for sanitary sewer replacement within the street

right-of-way from the public sewer to the property line, done with the

Cleveland Avenue Street reconstruction project. (File No. 19258C,

Assessment No. 226002)

RES 25-320

Adopted

Authorizing a lease agreement with the Police Department for the use of a

video relay antenna at Highland Tower No. 3 located at 750 South Snelling

Avenue.

RES 25-327

RES 25-335

RES 25-337

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for a

Geothermal Planning Grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce

for Como Zoo.

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and Fire

Supervisory Association, Local 21, to establish promotional rights from one

classification to another for employees in the following union represented

classifications: Fire District Chief, Emergency Medical Service Chief and Fire

Training Officer.

Laid over to March 12, 2025

Authorizing the City to enter into a joint powers agreement with Ramsey

County Geographic Information Systems for governmental units

interested in using geographic systems and data created and maintained

by Ramsey County.

RES 25-348

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to enter into an agreement with the Saint

Paul Public Housing Agency for the collaborative A Community Outreach

Program (ACOP) (that includes an indemnification clause).

RES 25-357

RES 25-359

Adopted

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Second Hand

Dealer-Motor Vehicle and Auto Repair Garage license now held by Earl

Street Auto Sales and Repairs LLC d/b/a Earl Street Auto Sales and Repairs

LLC (License ID #20250000006) for the premises located at 803 Earl Street.

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Vacant Building

Registration fees billed during March 11 to October 17, 2024, and setting

date of Legislative Hearing for April 1, 2025 and City Council public hearing

for May 14, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

RES 25-360

properties. (File No. VB2508, Assessment No. 258807)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Securing and/or Emergency Boarding

services during November 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

April 1, 2025 and City Council public hearing for May 14, 2025 to consider

and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2508B,

Assessment No. 258107)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Fire Certificate of

Occupancy fees billed during November 1 to December 12, 2024, and setting

date of Legislative Hearing for April 1, 2025 and City Council public hearing

for May 14, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. CRT2507, Assessment No. 258206)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Excessive Use of Inspection or

Abatement services billed during September 23 to October 21, 2024, and

setting date of Legislative Hearing for April 1, 2025 and City Council public

hearing for May 14, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against

individual properties. (File No. J2508E, Assessment No. 258307)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Removal of Diseased and/or

Dangerous Tree(s) during December 2024, and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for April 1, 2025 and City Council public hearing for May 14, 2025 to

consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.

2503T, Assessment No. 259002)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills

for service during October to December 2024, and setting date of legislative

hearing for April 10, 2025 and City Council public hearing for May 14, 2025 to

consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.

CG2502A1, Assessment No. 250113)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills

for service during October to December 2024, and setting date of legislative

hearing for April 10, 2025 and City Council public hearing for May 14, 2025 to

consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.

CG2502A2, Assessment No. 250114)

Adopted

Approving the minutes of the Saint Paul City Council meetings of December

2, 4, 11, 18, and 19, 2024.

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul

and the Tri-Council LIUNA Laborers, Local 363, to provide premium pay for

the union employees holding the title Water Utility Worker in the Saint Paul

Regional Water Service selected to the leads.

RES 25-331

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Administrating the Oaths of Office to the Assistant City Attorneys.

Shari Moore, City Clerk, administered the oath of office.

Received and Filed

SR 25-35

Considering the appeal of Sean Ryan - Ryan Companies, US Inc. to a

decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals denying four variance requests to

construct a mixed-use development on the property at 2200 Ford Parkway.

ABZA 25-1

ABZA 25-2

Councilmember Jost gave remarks and withdrew the item.

Withdrawn

Considering the appeal of Sean Ryan - Ryan Companies, US Inc. to a

decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals denying two variance requests to

construct a commercial building on the property at 0 Cretin Avenue South

(Highland Bridge Block 2C).

Councilmember Jost gave remarks and withdrew the item.

Withdrawn

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

Granting the application of East Mall Associates & Wengler Family Limited

Partnership to rezone the properties at 841 and 857 Grand Avenue from BC

community business (converted) and B2 community business to T3

traditional neighborhood and amending Chapter 60 of the Legislative Code

pertaining to the zoning map.

Ord 25-5

Council President Noecker moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Amending Chapter 85 of the Legislative Code regarding Water Rates.

Ord 25-6

Racquel Vaske from Regional Water Services gave a staff report.

Councilmember Yang gave remarks and moved to close the public hearing and lay

over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 87 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Water Service

Connections.

Ord 25-7

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 88 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Water Meters.

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

Ord 25-8

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 89 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Fire Supplies.

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

Ord 25-9

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 90 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Fire Hydrants.

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

Ord 25-10

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 91 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Water Code

miscellaneous provisions.

Ord 25-11

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 92 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Plumbing.

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

Ord 25-12

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 93 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Water Service

Connections.

Ord 25-13

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 94 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Interior Work.

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

Ord 25-14

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 96 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Connection of Air

Conditioning Equipment to City Water.

Ord 25-15

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Chapter 97 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Well Drillers.

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 12, 2025 for Final Adoption

Ord 25-16

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Considering the appeal by the University of Saint Thomas to a decision of the

Planning Commission to uphold a condition of their 2004 conditional use

permit regarding drive access from Goodrich Avenue. (Public hearing closed

and laid over from March 12, 2025)

APC 25-1

Bill Dermody, City Planner, gave a staff report and answered councilmember

questions.

Tammera Deihm, attorney o/b/o University of Saint Thomas, presented arguments

from the appellant.

11 people spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Jost moved to close the public hearing. Approved 4-0.

Jost thanked testifiers and moved to lay over for one week.

Public hearing closed and laid over to March 12, 2025

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending the 2025 Saint Paul Regional Water Services budget resulting in

RES PH 25-30

an increase in spending and financing of $12,000,000 for additional funds for

the McCarrons Water Treatment Plant project.

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

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

Recreation in the amount of $639,275 to reflect additional 2025 funding

expected from Como Friends.

RES PH 25-33

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Accepting grant funds, authorizing execution of a grant agreement (with

indemnity obligations and other documents related thereto), and amending

the operating budget for the City's sponsorship of a Metropolitan Council

Livable Communities Demonstration Account (“LCDA”) Grant for Gloryville at

1570 White Bear Avenue North (District 2, Ward 6).

RES PH 25-35

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Authorizing the Office of Neighborhood Safety to accept a Minnesota

Department of Human Services grant to support operating costs of shelter

space for integrated care to Familiar Faces clients experiencing

homelessness, and to amend the budget of the Office of Neighborhood

Safety accordingly.

RES PH 25-36

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

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

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Jost

and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Appeal of Pastor Roger Barcus to a Vacant Building Registration Notice at

677 CALIFORNIA AVENUE EAST.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 355 COOK

AVENUE EAST. (File No. VB2505A, Assessment No. 258816)

Adopted

Appeal of Glen Rank, on behalf of Millenium, to a Fire Certificate of

Occupancy Revocation and Order to Vacate at 1596 HEWITT AVENUE.

Adopted

Appeal of Abah Mohamed to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement

and Notice of Condemnation and Order to Vacate at 576 LEXINGTON

PARKWAY NORTH.

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

975 REANEY AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 24-28.

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Rubbish and Garbage Clean Up services during

September 9 to 20, 2024. (File No. J2509R, Assessment No. 258514)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Tall Grass and Weed Removal services during

September 4 to 30, 2024. (File No. J2508T, Assessment No. 258517)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Rubbish and Garbage Clean Up services during

September 23 to October 4, 2024. (File No. J2510R, Assessment No.

258516)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Tall Grass and Weed Removal services during

October 1 to October 9, 2024. (File No. J2509T, Assessment No. 258518)

RLH AR 25-11

RLH AR 25-12

ADJOURNMENT

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Miscellaneous Abatement services during July

to October 2024. (File No. J2501A, Assessment No. 258521)

Adopted

Meeting ended at 4:40 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

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

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