15 West Kellogg Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN 55102

City of Saint Paul

Meeting Minutes - Action Only

Legislative Hearings

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer

Mai Vang, Hearing Coordinator

Joanna Zimny, Executive Assistant

legislativehearings@ci.stpaul.mn.us

651-266-8585

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

9:00 AM

Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote

9:00 a.m. Hearings

Remove/Repair Orders

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 299

SHERBURNE AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the April 15, 2026, City

Council Public Hearing. (April 14, 2026 Legislative Hearing)

RLH RR 26-5

Bowie

Sponsors:

Submit financing, have PD posted and CCI paid for and continue CPH to May 13. LH

May 12, 2026 at 9 am. Waive VB fee for 90 days.

Rashad Kennedy, purchaser, appeared

Shelly Tesch, owner, appeared

Thomas Barter, owner, appeared

Moermond: The executive summary of what needs to be done we have. Mr. Kennedy,

this is all you as general contractor?

Kennedy: yes.

Moermond: I just need proof of financing.

Kennedy: I’ll send it in today.

Moermond: how are you guys coming out on this?

Tesch: well, it has to be done, so…

Kennedy: after the $17,000 in taxes there is a little bit left over. The purchase

agreement is $27,000.

Moermond: so a little bit, that’s good. I’m happy to do this. We have weeks outline on

the work plan. Mr. Hoffman, have you reviewed this?

Hoffman: no concerns. No property maintenance concerns. Vehicles have been

removed. I know you were talking to Mr. Humphrey about payment, we can’t take credit

cards for these things. It has to be cash or check. What is here should be pretty close

to what the Code Compliance Inspection Report will say.

Moermond: you don’t have those two pieces.

Hoffman: we have the application, we just don’t have payment due to the nature of how

they were submitted.

Kennedy: I’ll go there after this.

Moermond: this is on the Council agenda tomorrow. Get those documents to me no

later than first thing in the morning, and I’ll recommend the Council give 180 days. It

looks like we have everything else in place.

Zimny: we are waiting for the Code Compliance though.

Moermond: let’s talk about getting that fast tracked, that’s right.

Zimny: it also needs to be cleaned out.

Kennedy: yeah, we haven’t done that yet, I wanted to see how today went. But we can

get it scheduled. It is a lot. We’ll get it in motion. As far as the report, we’re gutting

everything. Nothing will be saved. As far as the Code Compliance Inspection Report so

I don’t know if its necessary.

Moermond: it is. We do have to do that unless you want to bring forward engineering

plans or architectural specs. How long will the junk-out take?

Kennedy: at least a few days. Probably a week.

Moermond: when do you want to start swinging hammers?

Kennedy: as soon as we close.

Moermond: I’m trying to time this out. We put the closing on or before 30 days from

the purchase agreement, which was signed Saturday. May 11th. It would be nice to

have permits ready to go before then.

Let Clint Zane know when they can go in and do the team inspection, and have the

lock box on ready to go. I’m happy to stand at Council tomorrow and say I have the

financials, a plan, the piece missing is the Code Compliance Inspection Report. I want

that before I recommend the Council grant time. We have a week for the junk-out,

closing May 11, get Clint Zane in late next week. You have a 2 week window to get the

Code Compliance done before closing. I’ll ask Council to wrap up their

recommendation on May 13th. We’ll check in May 12th on the code compliance. We’ll

talk the day before.

I’ll recommend a 90 day waiver of Vacant Building fee. If you’re done by early August,

no fee. If you done in six months, we’ll be talking about pro-ration.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

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.

RLH RR 26-2

Bowie

Sponsors:

Refer back to LH May 26, 2026 at 9 am for review of settlement statement and

discussion of preliminary engineering plans.

Hai Truong, owner o/b/o Coaster Dreams Properties LLC, appeared

Adam Hagedorn, attorney for Truong, appeared

Robert Polski, attorney o/b/o Cuong Pham, appeared

Cuong Pham, purchaser/Khue’s Kitchen, appeared

Blaine Kirchert, contractor and future owner, appeared

Moermond: I’m a little concerned because I didn’t get any materials at all from anyone.

Kirchert: we’ve had tremendous trouble. It was difficult accessing the building. We’re

still working on getting that together. I’m here to ask for some grace and timing. I have

a long history with the City, I was one of the developers that help put in Phalen

Boulevard and Phalen Crossing. We’re restoring 261 West Seventh with the Phams as

well. No one really knew what was going on until we finally reached some resolution. It

is already horrific what happened, but I’d like to turn it into something good. More time

to evaluate the asset rather than tearing it down. I know you’ve already been patient

with the situation.

Moermond: I don’t understand the difficulty accessing the building that the door can’t

be opened.

Kirchert: there was lack in communication between both our parties obviously after the

situation happened, with some natural tensions.

Moermond: what situation?

Kirchert: some disagreements between the fire and the present seller and buyer. It left

communication broken down and handled between attorneys.

Moermond: so the inability of you guys who have the vested interest in getting it

rehabbed didn’t actually get you talking to each other?

Polski: we have.

Moermond: this needs to be taken care of and I’m not eager to let this draw out while

conversation continues maybe. Even access to the building? That’s insane to me.

Kirchert: I understand. I don’t think it is what either seller or buyer wanted. I’m just

being transparent of how this transpired. As you know with disagreements it takes a

while for everyone to calm down. We’ve now found a resolution. I’m not just a

contractor, I’ll be one of the owners of the building.

Polski: a lot of things have transpired since our last meeting. The parties entered into

mediation with a judge. It took about 7 hours to come to an agreement. Going forward

my clients are going to take over ownership, and their idea is to turn it into a restaurant

with the help of Mr. Kirchert, as opposed to tearing it down. My client has paid for the

engineering plans; they aren’t ready yet and part of the trouble was the parties didn’t

have an agreement at the time as to who will own in. Now we do. Mr. Kirchert is going

to step in and help get this off the ground. The parties hadn’t agreed on how to proceed

forward, and it is in writing and we have 30 days to complete transfer of the property to

my client among other items. We’re almost there. Once we get that transfer done the

engineering plans will be put together and put pressure on the company to get it done.

We want it to be a restaurant not a parking lot.

Moermond: you keep talking about parking lot and I would say the other option we

need to be mindful of is you don’t yet own the building. They do and they have the

option to seek a different purchaser. They hold an asset right now. I think there’s a

distance between you having a deal and a building getting knocked down.

Hagedorn: I don’t think there’s too much distance. We have reached an agreement and

we just need to close on the building to transfer title.

Moermond: when is that happening?

Hagedorn: within the next 30 days. We just had the mediation. We’ve explored whether

or not we could even rehab if this falls through, and this side doesn’t have the finances

to do it. Ultimately it would likely end up with the City and be demolished. We can’t get

the funds to do what needs to be done.

Moermond: and you don’t have any other purchasers interested?

Hagedorn: we have only been talking to them since they expressed interest and would

continue with it being a restaurant for decades. Their intention is to do that. We did

talk at length about how this will happen. Since last week Mr. Kirchert has stepped in

as a partner, things are moving but we don’t have another purchaser lined up. We’ve

already committed in principle in a mediated settlement.

Moermond: we’re 90 days in from when we started this conversation. I do see the

Performance Deposit was posted. We aren’t going for the Code Compliance inspection

because it will be a total renovation so there will be engineering plans. You are saying

those are paid for. I’d like more information on that. I’d like a time certain.

Kirchert: can we say the 30 days? As a drop dead date.

Moermond: I can live with that, but I don’t want it to be indeterminate.

Moermond: that makes it May 14th which is a Thursday. Let’s have them to my office

by first thing Monday morning, May 18th. I just need the signed statements. Not a copy

of the deed, just the settlement statement. I don’t want to be penny pinching around

the time it takes to get it rehabbed, I’m trying to push now to get us locked into a

rehab plan so we all have a very clear path forward.

Kirchert: after we close we’ll have unlimited access to the building and I would say

within 60ish days---we need those architectural renderings and once we get that I can

get bids so can put everything together.

Moermond: no access to the building until closing?

Hagedorn: no, they can access whenever they want.

Kirchert: I’m giving myself 90 days because I’m in the industry so I know how

sub-contractors work transparently. Even though I own the company.

Moermond: I’m glad you’re giving yourself 90 days, the engineer has already been paid.

Kirchert: correct. For example, 261 West 7th, I paid for my engineering plans the City

requested and I’m now six months out and I still don’t have them. We have approvals

for everything else on the building. Engineering is difficult it is kind of a chicken and

the egg situation. Until I approach the City with plans and a maximum occupancy,

those drawings, especially with HVAC, will change. Multiple steps.

Moermond: is the issue really that you’re doing another project?

Kirchert: I have projects going in 3 different states. It has to do with the subs.

Moermond: I am pretty sure the price reflects it is a Category 3 Vacant Building too.

You’re making it work at the price you settled on and I’m struggling. Getting

engineering access to the building?

Kirchert: we can now have that started now we’ve reached an agreement.

Moermond: let’s get started. I’m not willing to look at 90 days to get engineering plans,

to be clear. I’m not going to rush getting it done if we have a clear plan with steps to

follow. This is the most basic thing.

Kirchert: you’re talking about conceptual plans, right? Not the City’s approval of those

plans?

Moermond: no.

Kirchert: ok, then we’re on the same page.

Moermond: if this was a residential building we’d be looking at a Code Compliance

Inspection Report with the checklist to get it habitable again. That’s the level I’m

operating at. No permits pulled. I need to know what it will take. Then, based on that

engineering, what is the timing. I need those pieces: money, plans. If your scope takes

us further I’m happy to work together but we need it out the door.

Kirchert: understood, thank you.

Moermond: can we get the engineer inside the building if not some plans?

Kirchert: I can do that. By closing we’ll have a better estimate of a timeline.

Moermond: we’ll talk again May 26. The Performance Deposit was done. We’ll talk

about engineering plans, contractors you’ll be using, and ultimately I’m looking for a

sworn construction statement and a nice layout of who is involved, the cost, and

timing. I would also want confirmation that there are funds available to do the cost from

the bids.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 633

CAPITOL BOULEVARD within fifteen (15) days after the May 20, 2026, City

Council Public Hearing.

RLH RR 26-7

Bowie

Sponsors:

Layover to LH April 28, 2026 at 9 am for follow up.

Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 4/28/2026

10:00 a.m. Hearings

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1846

RLH TA 25-421

MONTREAL AVENUE. (File No. VB2601, Assessment No. 268900) (Refer to

March 31, 2026 Legislative Hearing)

Jost

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment and make payable over 3 years.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026

Special Tax Assessments-ROLLS

Ratifying the assessment for Demolition of Vacant, Nuisance and/or

Hazardous Structure from the month of January 2026. (File No. J2604C,

Assessment No. 262003)

RLH AR 26-27

Noecker

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026

Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding June

2025. (File No. J2602B1, Assessment No. 268108)

RLH AR 26-29

RLH AR 26-28

RLH AR 26-30

Noecker

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026

Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding fees

billed during July 2025. (File No. J2603B3, Assessment No. 268112)

Noecker

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026

Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding

September 2025. (File No. J2605B1, Assessment No. 268113)

Noecker

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026

Sponsors:

11:00 a.m. Hearings

Summary & Vehicle Abatement Orders

Appeal of Emmett Owens, Jr. to a Summary Abatement Order, Vehicle

Abatement Order and Correction Notice at 233 BATES AVENUE.

RLH SAO

26-28

Johnson

Sponsors:

Grant to May 15, 2026 for compliance.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026

Making Finding on Nuisance Abatements

First Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 399

BLAIR AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-16. (April 14, 2026 Legislative

Hearing)

RLH SAO 26-24

Bowie

Sponsors:

The nuisance is not abated.

Nyar Pwo, owner, appeared via phone

Voicemail left for Hadler at 12:03 pm: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City

Council calling Mitchell Hadler into a hearing. Called a min ago and it got

disconnected. I’m going to go ahead and start this process and talk to Mr. Pwo.

Staff update by Supervisor Lisa Martin: the owner got the tow-truck removed which is

great. There are still some scrap wood, auto parts, and debris in the driveway and

stacked up against the east side of the garage. We have photos in the file.

Moermond: not all the work has been done. Some has. Any comments?

Pwo: all those are going away but I need more time to get compliance. I’m also trying

to build a shed and working on a permit for that as well. I also wanted the inspector to

contact me so I can talk to them and explain better.

Moermond: we gave you an extra month after your original deadline of April 1. We have

it partially addressed. Future deadlines of May 1 and August 1. I don’t want to get off

on a pattern when we aren’t enforcing when we already tried hard to put together a plan

that was understanding of your situation. I’m going to report to Council tomorrow it isn’t

in compliance and let them allow Department of Safety and Inspections to finish the

work you haven’t done. You are welcome to testify at Council. The hearing is at 3:30

tomorrow, as the letter you received indicates.

Pwo: I have to go to court tomorrow?

Moermond: I’m going to find that the work is only partially done, and that the Council

authorize a clean-up. If you want to ask for something else you can come and do that.

Pwo: you gave me until May 1.

Moermond: that was for item things.

Pwo: I will try to get it all done. Can the inspector let me know whenever they’re here so

I know what exactly needs to get done.

Moermond: you should give them a call and try and schedule a time. This is an exterior

inspection so they don’t really need an appointment.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

1:00 p.m. Hearings

Vacant Building Registrations

Appeal of Lynda Thurstin to a Notice of Condemnation and Order to Remain

Vacant plus vacant building status at 767 MARYLAND AVENUE EAST.

RLH VBR 26-6

Yang

Sponsors:

Make a Cat 1 VB, waive the VB fee for 90 days (to July 4, 2026) and allow permits.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026

Appeal of Lori Kroeger to a Notice of Condemnation and Order to Remain

Vacant plus vacant building designation at 1066 MATILDA STREET.

RLH VBR 26-7

Kim

Sponsors:

Deny the appeal.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026

1:30 p.m. Hearings

Orders To Vacate - Fire Certificate of Occupancy

Appeal of Ashray Gupta to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice, which includes

vacate order, at 251 MARIA AVENUE.

RLH VO 26-18

Yang

Sponsors:

Grant to October 1, 2026 for orders related to windows and grant to June 15, 2026 for

balance of orders.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026

Appeal of Darren Bergstrom, Occupant, to a Notice of Condemnation and

Order to Vacate at 306 SIDNEY STREET EAST.

RLH VO 26-19

Noecker

Sponsors:

Property must be vacated by no later than April 30, 2026.

mins pending

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026

2:00 p.m. Hearings

Fire Certificates of Occupancy

Appeal of Sei Korti to Inspection Orders at 561 VAN BUREN AVENUE.

RLH FCO

26-33

Bowie

Sponsors:

Grant to October 1, 2026 for compliance.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026