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, July 26, 2023

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:31 PM

6 - Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, Councilmember Chris Tolbert,

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Jane L. Prince,

Councilmember Nelsie Yang and Councilmember Russel Balenger

Present

1 - Councilmember Mitra Jalali

Absent

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Authorizing Public Works’ General Fund’s street maintenance, traffic, and

AO 23-68

traffic engineering accounting units to amend their 2023 fiscal budget,

including a reallocation of spending by $2,964,230 to repair potholes

citywide.

Received and Filed

Authorizing Public Works Solid Waste and Recycling Fund to amend their

2023 fiscal budget, including a reallocation of spending by $1,793,850 to

purchase a pickup truck and four cart service trucks (including operating

personnel), a storage trailer, and a fabric storage building.

AO 23-76

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 Noecker moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

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

January 3 to 12, 2023, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for August 15,

2023 and City Council public hearing for September 27, 2023 to consider and

levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2305P,

Assessment No. 238404)

RES 23-589

Adopted

Approving Trunk Highway Routine Maintenance Agreement Number

1054194 between the City and the State of Minnesota effective July 1,

2023 to June 20, 2025.

RES 23-1017

RES 23-1059

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept funds and

enter into a grant agreement from the Minnesota Department of Employment

and Economic Development for Right Track, the City’s Youth Employment

Program in an amount of $775,000 a year for two years.

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept funds and

enter into a grant agreement from the F.R. Bigelow Foundation for Right

Track, the City’s Youth Employment Program in an amount of $30,000 for

the 2023 program year.

RES 23-1060

RES 23-1061

RES 23-1083

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept funds and

enter into a grant agreement from the Saint Paul Foundation for Right Track,

the City’s Youth Employment Program in an amount of $30,000 for the 2023

program year.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Jonathan Banks and Tanya Velishek

and reappointment of Chad Kulas, Tony Lusiba, James McClean, Yolanda

McIntosh, Sheri Riemers, Chris Tolbert to the Workforce Innovation Board of

Ramsey County.

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel expenses from the Aspen Institute for Mayor

Melvin Carter to attend the Aspen VisionXChange 2023 in Aspen, Colorado,

from July 30-August 2, 2023.

RES 23-1093

RES 23-1099

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into a Collaborative Agreement with the Ramsey

County Board of Commissioners, Saint Paul Independent School District

#625, and Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties

for establishment of the Saint Paul Children’s Collaborative.

Adopted

Accepting the donation of disc golf course tee pad gravel installation and tee

pad sign post installation improvements, valued at $750, for Hillcrest Knoll

Park, donated by Andrew Coddington through his Eagle Scout Service

Project.

RES 23-1100

RES 23-1101

Adopted

Memorializing a decision of the City Council denying an appeal from a

decision of the Planning Commission to approve a site plan and grant

variances for a new multifamily residential development at 0 Madison Street.

Adopted

Changing the rate of pay for Parks Services Lead (formerly titled Refectory

Supervisor).

RES 23-1110

RES 23-1117

Laid over to August 2, 2023

Approving a Gas Station, an Auto Repair Garage and a Tobacco license for

Royalty & Sons, Inc. d/b/a Parkway Marathon (License ID #20230001029) for

the premises located at 304 Wheelock Parkway East.

Adopted

Approving adverse action against the Tobacco Shop license held by

Walgreen Co. d/b/a Walgreens #02142 (License ID #20060003027) for the

premises located at 1585 Randolph Avenue.

RES 23-1123

RES 23-1127

RES 23-1128

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a

Request for Proposals issued by the Minnesota Department of Human

Services, Opioid Epidemic Response Services Grants Program.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a

Request for Proposals issued by the United States Department of Justice

(USDOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) FY 2023 Edward Byrne

Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a

Request for Proposals issued by the Minnesota Department of Employment

and Economic Development (DEED), Women’s Economic Security Act

(WESA) Grants Program.

RES 23-1129

RES 23-1084

Adopted

Approving the Labor Agreement (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025)

and Memorandums of Agreement between the City and the Saint Paul

Manual & Maintenance Supervisors Association.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Celebrating Olympian Sunisa Lee and Proclaiming Sunday, July 30, 2023,

as Sunisa Lee Day in the City of Saint Paul.

RES 23-1135

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and

pledging to create a city where people of all abilities can fully participate.

RES 23-1136

Koami DaCruz, from the City's AccessABILITY employee resource network, spoke to

the resolution.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

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

Amending the Ford Site (Highland Bridge) Zoning and Public Realm Master

Plan to accommodate a proposed project by the University of Saint Thomas.

Ord 23-30

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Approving an extension of an interim ordinance requesting a Planning

Commission study to undertake a zoning study of non-conventional

residential housing unit products.

Ord 23-36

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

First Reading

Granting the application of 897 LLC to rezone the property at 897 Saint Paul

Avenue from OS Office-Service to T2 Traditional Neighborhood and

amending Chapter 60 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the zoning map.

Ord 23-39

Laid over to August 2, 2023 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 NP328 LLC to rezone the property at 898

Raymond Avenue from RM2 multiple-family residential to T2 traditional

neighborhood and amending Chapter 60 of the Legislative Code pertaining to

the zoning map.

Ord 23-35

Andrew McNattin, property owner, spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Noecker moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to August 2, 2023 for Final Adoption

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Amending Chapter 142 of the Legislative Code (Title XII) pertaining to a

special service district in downtown. (Public hearing continued from July 19,

2023 for Final Adoption)

Ord 23-27

Withdrawn

Adopting the 2024 Operating Plan for the Downtown Improvement District

and imposing a service charge pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter

428A. (Public hearing continued from July 19, 2023)

RES PH 23-185

Joe Spencer from the Downtown Alliance spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Public hearing continued to August 16, 2023

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Final Order approving the 2023 Mill and Overlay Program.

RES PH 23-158

Nick Peterson from Public Works gave a staff report and answered councilmember

questions.

Lynn Rolf from the Office of Financial Services spoke to the assessments and the

special benefits analysis.

Renate Sharp spoke during the public hearing.

Gail Brinkmeier spoke during the public hearing.

Anne Fretheim spoke during the public hearing.

Tammy Albrecht spoke during the public hearing.

Deborah Smith-Wright spoke during the public hearing.

Dane Smith spoke during the public hearing.

David Shields spoke during the public hearing.

Ted Johnson spoke during the public hearing.

Monroe & Ann Walker spoke during the public hearing.

Jamie Parker spoke during the public hearing.

Heather Bach spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Tolbert asked about determining the rates for assessments.

Sean Kershaw, Director of Public Works, addressed Tolbert's question.

Rolf gave additional remarks in response to Tolbert's question.

Council President Brendmoen spoke to assessment concerns and potential policy

changes.

Councilmember Prince spoke to assessment concerns and potential policy changes.

Rolf spoke to the rate policy development.

Prince expressed additional concerns.

Brendmoen expressed additional concerns and asked about continuing the

conversation about the rates.

Kershaw gave additional remarks.

Councilmember Yang spoke to assessment concerns and potential policy changes.

Councilmember Noecker spoke to assessment concerns and potential policy

changes.

Councilmember Tolbert spoke to assessment concerns and potential policy changes,

and asked when approval of the policy would be before the Council.

Kershaw addressed Tolbert's question.

Prince asked about applicability to tax exempt properties.

Rolf addressed Prince's question.

Brendmoen suggested a date for the policy conversation being September 6.

Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Authorizing the Office of Financial Empowerment to accept grant funds from

the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, and to amend the financing and

spending plan, in the amount of $57,500, for the CollegeBound Saint Paul

program.

RES PH 23-190

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Approving the application of Securian Financial for a sound level variance in

order to present amplified sound on Wednesdays, August 9 - August 30,

2023 at 400 Robert Street North - Securian Financial.

RES PH 23-194

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Approving the application of Water Lantern Festival for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on July 29, 2023 at 1400 Phalen

Drive - Phalen Park Beach House.

RES PH 23-195

RES PH 23-196

RES PH 23-197

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Approving the application of MN Department of Human Services for a sound

level variance in order to present amplified sound on August 9, 2023 at 1600

Phalen Drive - Phalen Regional Park.

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Approving the application of Irish Fair of Minnesota for a sound level variance

in order to present amplified sound on August 11, 2023, August 12, 2023,

and August 13, 2023 at 200 Justus Ohage Boulevard - Harriet Island

Regional Park.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Approving the issuance by the City of Mounds View of its Educational

Facilities Revenue Note, Series 2023, under Minnesota Statutes, Sections

469.152 through 469.1655, for the High School for the Recording Arts

Project at 1166 University Avenue West (District 13, Ward 1).

RES PH 23-201

Councilmember Balenger moved approval.

Adopted

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Yea:

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Fourth Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

RLH RR 23-18

318 EDMUND AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 21-11. (Public hearing

closed. Laid over from July 26, 2023)

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: I am asking that you lay this over to

August 16 and require a progress inspection on the open building permit for this

property.

Councilmember Balenger moved approval.

Laid over to August 16, 2023 (progress inspection required on the open

building permit)

6 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Yang and

Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Jalali

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 Prince moved approval.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

5 - Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Prince, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Yea:

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Jalali

Absent:

Appeal of Ron Becker to a Re-Inspection Fire Certificate of Occupancy With

Deficiencies (which includes condemnation) at 1020 and 1022 AURORA

AVENUE.

RLH VO 23-26

RLH RR 23-28

Adopted

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 1043

BEECH STREET within fifteen (15) days after the July 19, 2023, City Council

Public Hearing.

Adopted as amended (granted 180 days)

Appeal of Shai Leibovich and Carolyn Brown, Community Stabilization

Project, to a Vacant Building Registration Notice at 646 CHARLES AVENUE.

RLH VBR 23-39

RLH RR 23-37

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement order for 939

CHARLES AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 22-67. (July 25, 2023

Legislative Hearing)

Public hearing continued to August 9, 2023

Appeal of Danny Joslin, on behalf of owners Wendy and Jeffery Guertin, to a

Vacant Building Registration Notice at 826 COMO AVENUE.

RLH VBR 23-21

RLH VO 23-27

Adopted

Appeal of Albert Vierling to a Correction Notice-Reinspection Complaint

(which includes condemnation) at 20 EXCHANGE STREET EAST,

APARTMENT B104.

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1009

FULLER AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 23-28. (July 25, 2023

Legislative Hearing)

RLH SAO 23-33

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Appeal of Victoria Downey to a Summary Abatement Order at 761 HOWELL

STREET NORTH.

RLH SAO 23-26

RLH VBR 23-33

RLH RR 23-10

Adopted

Appeal of Kara Silva, Property Manager for 1583 Jefferson Avenue LLC., to

a Vacant Building Registration Notice at 1583 JEFFERSON AVENUE.

Adopted

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 1117

JENKS AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the April 19, 2023, City Council

Public Hearing. (To refer back to October 24, 2023 Legislative Hearing)

Referred to October 24, 2023 Legislative Hearing

Appeal of Lisa Proechel to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at

892 JESSAMINE AVENUE EAST

RLH VBR 23-40

RLH RR 23-43

Adopted

Fourth Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

595 PARK STREET in Council File RLH RR 23-12. (July 25, 2023

Legislative Hearing)

Referred to August 8, 2023 Legislative Hearing

Appeal of Howard Henry to a Vacant Building Registration Renewal Notice at

933 PAYNE AVENUE.

RLH VBR 23-34

RLH RR 23-36

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 1802

ROSS AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 22-43.

Adopted

Appeal of Arhondus Simmons to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement

at 1073-1075 SELBY AVENUE.

RLH VBR 23-31

RLH RR 23-38

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 346

SHERBURNE AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 22-65. (July 25, 2023

Legislative Hearing)

Adopted as amended (granted 180 days)

Appeal of Geruth Buetow to a Rent Stabilization Determination at 250 SIXTH

STREET EAST, Apt. 608.

RLH RSA 23-8

RLH CO 23-8

Public hearing continued to August 2, 2023

Appeal of Daniel & Cheryl Dobervich to a Correction Order at 1485

WINTHROP STREET NORTH.

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 5:24 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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