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 Mitra Jalali

Vice President HwaJeong Kim

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:31 PM

5 - Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Mitra Jalali,

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Saura Jost and

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Present

2 - Councilmember Nelsie Yang and Councilmember Anika Bowie

Absent

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Authorizing the Police Department to reallocate its 2024 Office of National

AO 24-84

Drug Control Policy, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA)

Grant budget to more accurately record expenditures meeting capital criteria.

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 Jost moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2025 Wage and Fringe

Adjustment between the City and the International Union of Elevator

Constructors, Local 9.

RES 24-1689

Laid over to December 11, 2024

Adopting the Public Library’s Collection Development Policy.

RES 24-1713

RES 24-1721

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to partner with the

Minnesota Department of Transportation to apply for up to $1,000,000 in

National Science Byways grant funds for the River Balcony project.

Adopted

Establishing the rate of pay for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief,

EG 40.

RES 24-1732

RES 24-1744

Laid over to December 11, 2024

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

$25,000 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to

support the Outdoor Adventures Saint Paul project.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to enter an Amendment of the 2023

(SHSP) State Homeland Security Program (St Paul Bomb Disposal Unit)

from the Department of Public Safety.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to apply for the 2024 (SHSP) State

Homeland Security Program (St Paul Bomb Disposal Unit) in the amount of

$235,000 from the Department of Public Safety.

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel and meals expenses from Minnesota Pollution

Control Agency for Councilmember Nelsie Yang to attend the Sustainable

Materials and Solid Waste Exchange between Germany and Minnesota.

Adopted

Authorizing the City to approve the Management Agreement between the

City and Frogtown Gardens for use and programming of Frogtown Park And

Farm.

Adopted

Accepting the gift of airfare, lodging, and meal expenses from CARESTAR

for Christyn Lewis and Savonarei Hodges attend the conference being held

in Berkley, California, December 16-19, 2024.

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and

Operating Engineers Local 49 for the purpose of providing training to City

employees in the Tri-Council employee group.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

Accepting the gift of travel expenses from the Bloomberg Harvard City

Leadership Initiative for Mayor Melvin Carter to attend the Program for New

Mayors: First 100 Days, in Cambridge, MA on December 5-6, 2024.

RES 24-1775

Adopted

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

4, 11, 18, and 25, 2024.

Min 24-42

Min 24-46

Adopted

Approving the minutes of the Saint Paul City Council meetings of October 2,

9, 16, and 23, 2024.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Approving the Audit Committee’s recommendation to audit the Capital

Improvement Budget process since the City last revised the process in the

2018-19 cycle for the 2020-2021 and future cycles.

RES 24-956

Councilmember Noecker spoke in favor and moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to proceed with the $500

matrix penalty and license suspension adverse action against The

Neighborhood Café Inc. d/b/a The Neighborhood Cafe, (License ID

#20120000960) for the premises located at 1570 Selby Ave.

RES 24-1700

Councilmember Kim moved approval of Version 2.

Adopted as amended

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to proceed with the $500

matrix penalty and license suspension adverse action against KJ’S Hideaway

LLC Inc. d/b/a KJ’S Hideaway, (License ID #20210001046) for the premises

located at 408 St. Peter Street.

RES 24-1780

Councilmember Johnson moved approval of Version 2.

Adopted as amended

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

BUDGET ITEMS

Setting the 2025 Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer rates. (Public hearing

closed. Laid over from December 4, 2024)

RES PH 24-270

Councilmember Kim moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Establishing the Water Charges for 2025. (Public hearing closed. Laid over

from December 4, 2024)

RES PH 24-259

Councilmember Johnson moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Approving the Saint Paul Regional Water Services 2025 Budget. (Laid over

from December 4, 2024)

RES 24-1723

Councilmember Jost moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Approving the final 2025 Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)

budget and certifying the final HRA property tax levy payable in 2025.

(Laid over from December 4, 2024)

RES 24-1770

Councilmember Noecker moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Approving and adopting the Saint Paul Public Library Agency Budget. (Laid

over from December 4, 2024)

RES 24-1793

Councilmember Jost moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Approving the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority 2025

Budget. (Laid over from December 4, 2024)

RES 24-1791

Council President Jalali moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Approving the 2025 City Tax Levy. (Laid over from December 4, 2024)

Council President Jalali moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

RES 24-1750

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Adopting the 2025 Budget. (City Council to consider the Mayor's line item

vetoes.)

RES 24-1763

Council President Jalali moved to lay over for one week.

Laid over to December 11, 2024

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

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.

First Reading

Establishing the classification titled Senior Legislative Aide 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 but prior to Mayor

signature).

Ord 24-18

Ryan Gruber from the Department of Human Resources gave a combined staff report

on Items 27 and 28.

Council President Jalali spoke in favor.

Laid over to December 11, 2024 for Second Reading

Establishing the classification titled Chief Policy Analyst 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 but prior to Mayor

signature).

Ord 24-30

Laid over to December 11, 2024 for Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Granting the application of Church of St. Pascal Baylon to rezone property at

470 White Bear Avenue North from H2 residential district to RM2

medium-density multiple family residential district and amending Chapter 60

of the Legislative Code pertaining to the Zoning Map.

Ord 24-33

Ann O'Keefe spoke during the public hearing.

Faith Lowell spoke during the public hearing.

Elaine Tarone spoke during the public hearing.

Kate O'Connell spoke during the public hearing.

Kevin Walker spoke during the public hearing.

Tom O'Keefe spoke during the public hearing.

Jonathan Frisch spoke during the public hearing.

Julie Hellwich spoke during the public hearing.

Matt Bauer spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Johnson moved to close the public hearing. Approved 5-0.

Johnson gave remarks and moved to lay over for one week.

Council President Jalali spoke in favor of Johnson's motion.

Public hearing closed and laid over to December 11, 2024 for Final Adoption

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Amending Section 220.05 of the Legislative Code to set rates for base level

garbage service to be effective January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025.

Ord 24-36

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

Public hearing closed and laid over to December 11, 2024 for Final Adoption

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang 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 with respect to the City's sponsorship of a Metropolitan

Council Livable Communities Act Pre-Development Grant Program for the

benefit of JB Vang Partners, Inc. at 680 & 694 Minnehaha Avenue East

(District 4, Ward 7).

RES PH 24-284

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Approving the application of Lunda Construction and the City for a sound

level variance in order to present amplified sound on only one of the following

periods of time: December 6-9, 2024 or December 13-16, 2024 or December

20-23, 2024 or December 27-30, 2024 or January 3-6, 2025 or January

10-13, 2025 or January 17-19, 2025 or January 24-27, 2025, at the

intersection of Mounds Boulevard and Kellogg Boulevard East and on

Kellogg Boulevard East over Interstate 94.

RES PH 24-290

Sean Kershaw, Director of Public Works, gave an introduction.

Brent Christensen from the Department of Public Works gave a staff report and

answered councilmember questions.

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Adopted

4 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim and

Councilmember Jost

Yea:

Nay:

3 - Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember

Johnson

Absent:

Consenting to the issuance by the City of Center City, Minnesota of Conduit

Revenue Bonds on behalf of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation (District 9,

Ward 2).

RES PH 24-292

Jenny Wolfe from the Department of Planning and Economic Development gave a

staff report.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

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

amount of $60,381.50 for the Minnesota Task Force One (MNTF1)

reimbursement from the City of Edina.

RES PH 24-294

RES PH 24-295

RES PH 24-296

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

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

amount of $3,000 for the donation from Local 21 for IAFF Peer Support

Training for firefighters.

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

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

amount of $3,000 for the donation from the Saint Paul Fire Foundation for

IAFF Peer Support Training for firefighters.

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

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

amount of $17,519.41 for a contribution received from the Minnesota Board

of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE) to pay for training for

firefighters.

RES PH 24-297

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

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

amount of $75.00 for additional grant funds received from the Saint Paul

Area Chamber of Commerce for health and wellness equipment for the

firefighters at Stations 22, 23, and 24.

RES PH 24-299

Council President Jalali moved approval.

Adopted

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang 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 as amended

5 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Appeal of Corey Johnson to a Vehicle Abatement Order at 231 ANNAPOLIS

RLH SAO 24-79

STREET EAST.

Adopted

Fourth Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

939 CHARLES AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 24-6. (Public hearing

continued to December 3, 2024)

RLH RR 24-36

RLH CO 24-15

Amended and public hearing continued to December 18, 2024

Appeal of Barbara Ritt to a Correction Notice at 914 CHARLOTTE STREET.

Adopted

Appeal of Gomaa Elzamel to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy with

Deficiencies at 948 COOK AVENUE EAST.

RLH FCO

24-106

Adopted

Fourth Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

733 FAIRVIEW AVENUE NORTH in Council File RLH RR 24-26.

RLH RR 24-43

RLH RR 24-44

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 925

MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST within fifteen (15) days after the December 4,

2024, City Council Public Hearing. (Refer back to Legislative Hearing

Agenda for January 14, 2025)

Referred to January 14, 2025 Legislative Hearing

Amending Council File RLH AR 24-64 to delete the assessment for

Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees billed during May 2, 2023 to

February 19, 2024 at 233 MARYLAND AVENUE WEST. (File No. VB2411,

Assessment No. 248817)

RLH TA 24-475

Adopted

Appeal of Brenda Benson to a Correction Notice-Reinspection Complaint at

1250 MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST.

RLH FCO

24-104

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 802

MOUND STREET in Council File RLH RR 24-5.

RLH RR 24-48

RLH TA 24-457

Adopted

Amending Council File RLH AR 23-108 to delete the assessment for

Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills for services during July through

September 2023 for 621 MOUNT CURVE BOULEVARD. (File No.

CG2304A1, Assessment No. 230114)

Adopted

Amending Council File RLH AR 24-32 to delete the assessment for

Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills for services during October to

RLH TA 24-458

December 2023 at 621 MOUNT CURVE BOULEVARD. (File No. CG2401A1,

Assessment No. 240111)

Adopted

Amending Council File RLH AR 24-52 to delete the assessment for

Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills for services during January to March

2024 at 621 MOUNT CURVE BOULEVARD. (File No. CG2402A1,

Assessment No. 240113)

RLH TA 24-459

RLH TA 24-460

Adopted

Amending Council File RLH AR 24-94 to delete the assessment for

Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills for services during April to June 2024

at 621 MOUNT CURVE BOULEVARD. (File No. CG2403A1, Assessment

No. 240115)

Adopted

Appeal of Jaswant Teekasingh to a Revocation of Fire Certificate of

Occupancy and Order to Vacate at 159 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE WEST.

RLH VO 24-34

RLH RR 24-47

RLH VBR 24-71

ADJOURNMENT

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

1356 REANEY AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 24-13.

Adopted

Appeal of Carolyn Brown, Community Stabilization Project, to a Vacant

Building Registration Notice at 622 WELLS STREET.

Adopted

Meeting ended at 4:23 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

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

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