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 Amy Brendmoen

Councilmember Russel Balenger

Councilmember Mitra Jalali

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker

Councilmember Jane L. Prince

Councilmember Chris Tolbert

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

7 -

Present

Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, Councilmember Chris Tolbert,

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Jane L. Prince,

Councilmember Mitra Jalali, Councilmember Nelsie Yang and

Councilmember Russel Balenger

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Amending CDBG Project Budgets: funding for BJK Properties project.

AO 23-5

Received and Filed

Establishing eight (8) new projects through the Neighborhood STAR

Year-Round Program as adopted via City Council Resolutions #22-1550,

22-1832, 22-1936, and 23-27. In addition, two projects have been completed

under budget with balances now being returned to the Year-Round STAR

Program.

AO 23-10

Received and Filed

Letter from the Department of Safety and Inspections declaring 829 Third

Street East a nuisance property. (For notification purposes only; public

hearings will be scheduled at a later date if necessary.)

CO 23-6

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 Yang moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

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

Registration fees billed during June 1 to October 20, 2022, and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for March 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing for April

19, 2023 to consider and levy the assessments against individual properties.

(File No. VB2306, Assessment No. 238805)

Adopted

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

services during November 2022, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

March 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing for April 19, 2023 to consider

and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2306B,

Assessment No. 238105)

Adopted

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

Occupancy fees billed during September 27 to October 24, 2022, and setting

date of Legislative Hearing for March 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing

for April 19, 2023 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. CRT2305, Assessment No. 238204)

Adopted

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

Abatement services billed during September 22 to October 21, 2022, and

setting date of Legislative Hearing for March 7, 2023 and City Council public

hearing for April 19, 2023 to consider and levy the assessments against

individual properties. (File No. J2306E, Assessment No. 238305)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Graffiti Removal services during

November 2 to December 1, 2022, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

March 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing for April 19, 2023 to consider

and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2304P,

Assessment No. 238403)

Adopted

Authorizing the Fire Department to apply for the 2022 Assistance to

Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $2,297,500 from the Federal

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide paramedic training and

purchase computers for EMS, personal protective gear and SCBAs for

firefighters, and replace and update equipment.

Adopted

Changing the rate of pay for WIC Nutrition Educators from Grade 026 to

Grade 031 in the AFSCME Technical Salary Schedule.

Laid over to February 15, 2023

Accepting the gift of the costs of travel, transportation, and lodging from

Project Equity for the Mayor to attend the Project Equity Employee Ownership

Equity Summit in Oakland, California from February 7 to 8, 2023.

RES 23-180

RES 23-189

RES 23-191

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to enter into a joint powers agreement with

the State of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of Natural

Resources.

Adopted

Authorizing the City to accept a donation of $3,109 from Ramsey County for

the travel expenses of Nicolle Goodman, Sean Kershaw and Russ Stark for

traveling to Kansas City with Ramsey County at Ramsey County’s invitation to

learn about street cars.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Considering and adopting the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and

Recommendation submitted by the Administrative Law Judge concerning the

Liquor On-Sale 291 or more seats, Liquor On-Sale Sunday, Liquor On-Sale

2AM Closing, Liquor Outdoor Service Area - Patio, and Entertainment (B)

license held by Randall Johnson, RJMP Group Inc., d/b/a Billy’s On Grand

(License ID #20200000158), for the premises located at 857 Grand Avenue.

RES 23-183

Therese Skarda, Assistant City Attorney, gave a staff report.

A.L. Brown, Attorney representing Billy's on Grand, recommended deviating from the

Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) recommendation.

Councilmember Jalali spoke to facts versus opinions reflected in the ALJ's record.

Skarda responded to Jalali's concerns.

Councilmember Noecker echoed Jalali's concerns, and asked if one of the four

complaints occurring would be sufficient for DSI to consider that there was a violation.

Skarda stated that one item occurring would be enough for a violation.

Councilmember Balenger asked if all businesses in the building require cameras.

Skarda stated that during the ALJ hearing, the owner of the mall said that cameras

were not allowed throughout the mall. Only Billy's and the bathroom nearby have

cameras.

Councilmember Prince asked if one violation would be enough for a $1000 matrix

penalty.

Skarda confirmed yes.

Councilmember Yang asked if the item could be laid over.

Skarda confirmed yes.

Council President Brendmoen spoke in favor.

Noecker moved approval and spoke in favor.

Jalali spoke in favor and restated concerns over opinions versus fact.

Brendmoen echoed Jalali's concerns.

Yang echoed Jalali's concerns.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Approving the installation of bike lanes on Front Avenue from Kent Street to

Rice Street. (Public hearing closed and laid over from February 8, 2023)

RES PH 23-17

Joe Widing, Transportation Planner with the Department of Public Works, gave a staff

report.

Robert Leibman, property owner of 208 Front Ave, spoke during the public hearing.

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

Council President Brendmoen spoke in favor of Balenger's motion and the project.

Public hearing closed and laid over to February 15, 2023

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 Balenger moved approval.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 277 AURORA

RLH TA 22-394

AVENUE. (File No. J2303E, Assessment No. 238302)

Adopted

Ordering the razing and removal of the structures at 1011 BURNS AVENUE

within fifteen (15) days after the December 7, 2022, City Council Public

Hearing.

RLH RR 22-63

Referred to February 28, 2023 Legislative Hearing

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1153

CENTRAL AVENUE WEST. (File No. J2303E, Assessment No. 238302)

RLH TA 23-1

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1068

CHATSWORTH STREET NORTH in Council File RLH SAO 23-9.

(Legislative Hearing on February 7, 2023)

RLH SAO 23-13

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 46

FRONT AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the February 8, 2023, City

Council Public Hearing.

RLH RR 23-1

Referred to February 14, 2023 Legislative Hearing

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2149

GERANIUM AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2303B, Assessment No. 238102)

RLH TA 22-429

RLH RR 23-2

Adopted

Ordering the removal of the structures at 1618 HAMLINE AVENUE NORTH

within fifteen (15) days after the February 8, 2023, City Council Public Hearing.

Public hearing continued to February 22, 2023

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1194 HEWITT

AVENUE. (File No. J2303E, Assessment No. 238302)

Adopted

Appeal of David Busch, DRB #24 LLC, to a Vacant Building Registration Fee

at 45 LAWSON AVENUE WEST.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1674

ORANGE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2303E, Assessment No. 238302)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 461/463

OSCEOLA AVENUE SOUTH. (File No. VB2303, Assessment No. 238802)

Adopted as amended (assessment reduced)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1340 SEARLE

STREET. (File No. J2303E, Assessment No. 238302)

RLH TA 22-421

RLH RR 23-4

Adopted

First Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 1807

SEVENTH STREET EAST in Council File RLH RR 22-29.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1179

SHERBURNE AVENUE. (File No. VB2303, Assessment No. 238802)

RLH TA 22-428

RLH RR 22-54

Adopted

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 342

THOMAS AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the October 12, 2022, City

Council Public Hearing.

Public hearing continued to February 15, 2023

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 902 THOMAS

AVENUE. (File No. J2227A, Assessment No. 228532) (Public hearing

continued to February 8, 2023)

RLH TA 22-213

Adopted as amended (assessment ratified and made payable over 2 years)

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 1941

UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST in Council File RLH RR 21-60.

Referred to February 14, 2023 Legislative Hearing

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 431

WHEELER STREET NORTH. (File No. VB2303, Assessment No. 238802)

Adopted

Third Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 521

YORK AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 22-35.

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees

billed during January 7 to July 21, 2022. (File No. VB2303, Assessment No.

238802)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services

during August 2022. (File No. J2303B, Assessment No. 238102)

RLH AR 22-107

RLH AR 22-108

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Collection of Fire Certificate of Occupancy fees

billed during September 8, 2021 to July 26, 2022. (File No. CRT2303,

Assessment No. 238202)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Excessive Use of Inspection or Abatement

services billed during June 22 to July 22, 2022. (File No. J2303E, Assessment

No. 238302)

RLH AR 22-109

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous Tree

services during January 2022. (File No. 2302T, Assessment No. 239001)

RLH AR 22-110

RLH AR 22-111

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous Tree

services during August to September 2022. (File No. 2303T, Assessment No.

239002)

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:20 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.

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