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 Molly Coleman

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

5 -

Present

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and

Councilmember Molly Coleman

2 - Councilmember Rebecca Noecker and Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Absent

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Moving funds from one account code to another within the Public Works

Downtown Improvements F211 project to align with project spending.

AO 25-48

AO 25-49

AO 25-53

Received and Filed

Amending the 2025 spending budget in the Department of Public Works

Grants Electric Vehicle Charging Stations accounting unit.

Received and Filed

Amending CDBG, ESG, and HOME Annual Budgets: Adjusting predicted

annual HUD grant budget amounts to align with actual FY2025 awards

received September 9, 2025.

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

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Authorizing the City to enter into an Interconnection Agreement with Xcel

Energy, which includes an indemnification clause, for solar at North End

Community Center.

RES 25-1244

RES 25-1247

RES 25-1434

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into an Interconnection Agreement with Xcel

Energy, which includes an indemnification clause, for solar at Animal

Services.

Adopted

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

$250,000 in Minnesota Historical Society grant funds for the design and

construction of a mural and statue honoring Tou Ger Xiong at Phalen Regional

Park.

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for $500,000

from the 3M PFAS Settlement Priority 2 Grant Program for the Duluth and

Case Revisioning project.

RES 25-1435

RES 25-1443

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Planning and Economic Development to apply

to the Metropolitan Council for Livable Communities Demonstration Account

for Affordable Homeownership projects at: 0 Bush Avenue (Amani

Construction and Development), 968 Payne Avenue (African American

Community Development Corporation), and 642 Selby Avenue (The Rondo

Community Land Trust).

Adopted

Accepting the donation of registration, travel, and lodging expenses from the

League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) for Councilmember Anika Bowie to attend

the LMC 2025 Annual Board Retreat in Bemidji, MN from September 17-19,

2025.

RES 25-1449

Adopted

Approving polling location changes for the November 4, 2025 election (wards

2, 3 and 5).

RES 25-1465

RES 25-1468

Adopted

Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to proceed with the denial

of the Tree Trimmer-1 Vehicle license and adverse action against North

Country Tree Solutions d/b/a North Country Tree Solutions, (application ID

#20250000582) located at 28268 120th Street Northwest, Zimmerman.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor's appointment of Molly Coleman (as an alternate) to

serve on the Metropolitan Transportation Advisory Board.

RES 25-1477

RES 25-1480

Adopted

Approving the Proposed Issuance of Conduit Charter School Lease Revenue

Bonds by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (the “HRA”) for the Metro

Deaf School Project Located at 1125 Energy Park Drive (District 10, Ward 4).

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Approving the City of Saint Paul Audit Committee’s next study related to the

data practices process and authorizing Wilder Research to conduct the

study. (Laid over from September 17, 2025)

RES 25-1447

Councilmember Coleman moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Authorizing the Police Department to accept the High Intensity Drug

Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program grant from the Office of National Drug

Control Policy, authorizing the execution of the grant agreement, and

amending the 2025 grant fund budget and add activity budget. (Public hearing

closed and laid over from September 17, 2025)

RES PH 25-203

Paul Ford, Deputy Police Chief, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

RECESS

The City Council will recess to convene as the Library Board to take up RES 25-1490,

Requesting that the City levy property taxes for the Saint Paul Public Library Agency.

They will then adjourn the Library Board meeting and reconvene as the City Council.

Meeting recessed at 3:35 PM

ROLL CALL

Meeting resumed at 3:37 PM

5 -

Present

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and

Councilmember Molly Coleman

2 - Councilmember Rebecca Noecker and Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Absent

BUDGET ITEMS

Approving a 2026 maximum property tax levy for the Housing and

Redevelopment Authority (HRA).

RES 25-1473

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving a 2026 maximum property tax levy for the City.

Councilmember Johnson gave remarks.

RES 25-1489

Councilmember Jost gave remarks.

Councilmember Bowie gave remarks.

Councilmember Kim read remarks from Councilmember Yang, gave her own remarks,

and moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

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

Establishing the classification titled City Council Communications Lead in the

unclassified service pursuant to Section 12.03.2(H) of the City Charter (must

be approved by Civil Service Commission after adoption by City Council and

prior to Mayor signature).

Ord 25-49

Councilmember Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Amending Chapter 441 of the Legislative Code to adjust the electric-vehicle

charging station rates.

Ord 25-53

Councilmember Jost spoke in favor and moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

First Reading

Amending Chapter 11 of the Administrative Code to update the responsibilities

of the Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity.

Ord 25-54

Beth Commers from the Department of Human Rights and Equal Opportunity gave a

staff report and answered councilmember questions on Items 20 - 23.

Laid over to October 1, 2025 for Second Reading

Amending Chapter 224 of the Legislative Code to align with State law

changes.

Ord 25-55

Laid over to October 1, 2025 for Second Reading

Amending Chapter 224A of the Legislative Code to clarify record production

processes.

Ord 25-56

Laid over to October 1, 2025 for Second Reading

Amending Chapter 233 of the Legislative Code to align with State law

changes.

Ord 25-57

Laid over to October 1, 2025 for Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

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

indemnity obligations and other documents related thereto) and amending the

operating budget with respect to the City’s sponsorship of a Minnesota

Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

RES PH 25-186

Contamination Cleanup grant for the benefit of The Rondo Community Land

Trust’s Mixed-Use Redevelopment at 642 Selby Avenue (District 16, Ward 1).

Councilmember Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Authorizing the Office of Financial Services - Fleet, in partnership with the Fire

Department to accept the $1,457,381.84 Heavy Duty On-road Replacement

grant and authorizing the execution of a grant agreement (which includes an

indemnification clause) with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to remove

older diesel vehicles from operations and partially fund the replacement of

them with new, less polluting vehicles.

RES PH 25-211

Councilmember Coleman moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Authorizing the Police Department to accept the 2026 Enforcement grant from

the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety, authorize

the execution of the grant agreement, amend the 2025 grant fund budget and

add activity budget.

RES PH 25-212

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the application of University of St. Thomas - Campus Life, Erin

Whipkey, for a Homecoming Event, Friday, October 3, 2025, for a sound level

variance in order to present live amplified sound at 2115 Summit Ave -

University of St. Thomas, Lower Quad.

RES PH 25-206

Jerome Benner from the University of St. Thomas spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Coleman moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the application of Twin Cities in Motion for a sound level variance in

order to present amplified sound for announcements, speakers, and music on

Saturday, October 4, 2025, and Sunday, October 5, 2025, during the

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon at the MN State Capitol Complex, 75 Rev Dr

Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.

RES PH 25-207

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

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 Bowie moved approval.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Appeal of Parker Hoen to a Correction Notice at 1635 MONTREAL AVENUE.

(September 23, 2025 Legislative Hearing)

RLH CO 25-9

Referred to October 14, 2026 Legislative Hearing

Appeal of Gladys Igbo to a Vacant Building Registration Fee Warning Letter at

385 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST.

RLH VBR 25-21

Adopted as amended (appeal granted)

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:15 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.

Web

Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds

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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.