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, October 11, 2023

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:33 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

Letter from the Department of Safety and Inspections declaring 188 Acker

CO 23-54

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

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

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

Council President Brendmoen stated that Item 24 would be taken separately.

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

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

RES 23-1454

Registration fees billed during July 13, 2022 to May 18, 2023 and setting date

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

for January 24, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. VB2402, Assessment No. 248801)

Adopted

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

services during June 2023 and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

November 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing for January 24, 2024 to

consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.

J2402B, Assessment No. 248101)

Adopted

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

Occupancy fees billed during April 11 to June 22, 2023 and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for November 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing for

January 24, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. CRT2401, Assessment No. 248200)

Adopted

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

Abatement services billed during April 24 to May 19, 2023 and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for November 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing for

January 24, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. J2402E, Assessment No. 248301)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Graffiti Removal services during July 11

to 20, 2023 and setting date of Legislative Hearing for November 7, 2023 and

City Council public hearing for January 24, 2024 to consider and levy the

assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2402P, Assessment No.

248401)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous

Tree services during June to August 2023 and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for November 7, 2023 and City Council public hearing for January 24,

2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File

No. 2401T, Assessment No. 249000)

Adopted

Approving a Liquor On Sale - 101 -180 Seats and a Liquor On Sale-Sunday

license for JED Inc., d/b/a La Cucaracha (License ID 20230001446) for the

premises located at 36 Dale Street South.

RES 23-1520

RES 23-1526

Adopted

Approving adverse action against the Tobacco Shop license held by Northern

Tier Retail, LLC d/b/a Speedway #4419 (License ID #20100004253) for the

premises located at 925 Grand Avenue.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Gaohuacua Goldy Moua to the

Business Review Council.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointments of Cadence Lee and Aaronn Woods to

the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Liz Xiong to the Public Housing Agency

(PHA).

Adopted

Approving the Mayor's appointment of Ololade Ariremako to the Police Civilian

Internal Affairs Review Commission.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Josiah Hunt and reappointment of

Michelle Furrer to serve on the Our Fair Carousel Board of Directors.

RES 23-1534

RES 23-1535

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Gloria Contreras Edin to the Capitol

Area Vitality Task Force.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointments of Alaina Gall, Meghan Redmond, Teisha

Magee, and Mary Jean Mulherin toꢀtheꢀAdvisoryꢀCommitteeꢀonꢀAging.

Adopted

Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2023 - December

31, 2025) between the City of Saint Paul and the Classified Confidential

Employees Association.

Laid over to October 18, 2023

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and

AFSCME Clerical, Local 2508 in order to provide a shoe allowance for

Zookeepers at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

Laid over to October 18, 2023

Authorizing the Police Department to enter into an agreement with Ramsey

County to provide services with funding from a Miscellaneous Funding 2022

Byrne Justice Assistance Grant from the Minnesota Department of Public

Safety.

Adopted

Approving the Use of Grant Funds through the Ward 6 Neighborhood STAR

Year-Round Program for the St. Paul Parks Conservancy.

RES 23-1546

RES 23-1551

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and

AFSCME Technical, Local 1842, to amend the 2023 - 2025 Labor Agreement

for the purpose of correcting uniform reimbursement amounts.

Laid over to October 18, 2023

Authorizing use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the Landmark Towers

Project at 345 St. Peter Street. (District 17, Ward 2)

RES 23-1572

RES 23-1576

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Jacy Johnson Becker to the Planning

Commission.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Kelly Yang and Mary Yang to the Saint

Paul Climate Justice Advisory Board.

RES 23-1578

Noel Nix from the Mayor's Office gave an introduction.

Stephany Lopez, Program Manager for the Youth Commission, gave a staff report.

Kelly Yang, appointee to the Climate Justice Advisory Board, introduced themselves.

Cadence Lee, appointee to the Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities,

introduced themselves.

Aaronn Woods, appointee to the Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities,

introduced themselves.

Yasmin, appointee to the Transportation Committee, introduced themselves.

Council President Brendmoen spoke in favor.

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

RES 23-1580

Councilmember Prince read from the resolution and spoke in favor.

Shelley Cline, Executive Director of the Saint Paul Intervention Project (SPIP), gave

remarks.

Council President Brendmoen spoke in favor.

Prince moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Approving adverse action against the Tobacco Shop license held by River

Spirits, LLC d/b/a Liquor Village (License ID# 20120000541) for the premises

located at 2289 Ford Parkway. (Licensee will speak to Council on his own

behalf)

RES 23-1527

Therese Skarda, Assistant City Attorney, gave a staff report and answered

councilmember questions.

Councilmember Tolbert moved to reduce the fine by half if there were no similar

violations within one year.

Adopted as amended (fine reduced by half if no same or similar violations

within 1 year)

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

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 Legislative Code Chapter 63 pertaining to off-street parking facility

standards and design.

Ord 23-31

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Granting the application of York Avenue Land Development LLC to rezone

property at 1500 and 1510 York Avenue from a combination of R4 one-family

Ord 23-42

residential & RM2 multiple-family residential to all RM2, and amending

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

Councilmember Yang spoke in favor and moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the Zoning Map and specific sections of the Legislative Code

pertaining to zoning regulations to promote the production of 1-6 unit

residential housing options as recommended in Phase 2 of the 1-4 Unit

Housing Study and amending additional Legislative Code sections that

regulate those aspects of property maintenance associated with 1-6 unit

housing.

Ord 23-43

Councilmember Noecker moved an amendment and spoke to it.

Councilmember Prince spoke in favor of the amendment.

Council President Brendmoen spoke in opposition to the amendment.

Amendment approved and public hearing closed with a vote of 5-2, with

Councilmembers Brendmoen and Tolbert in opposition.

Councilmember Jalali expressed interest in future changes after passage and spoke in

favor.

Councilmember Prince expressed concerns.

Amended and laid over to October 18, 2023 for Final Adoption

5 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali,

Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Balenger

2 - Councilmember Brendmoen and Councilmember Tolbert

First Reading

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

garbage service to be effective January 1, 2024.

Ord 23-47

Susan Young and Sarah Haas from the Department of Public Works gave a staff

report and answered councilmember questions.

Laid over to October 18, 2023 for Second Reading

Granting the application of 2285 Hampden LLC to rezone property at 2285

Hampden Avenue from I1 light industrial to IT transitional industrial and

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

Ord 23-49

Anton Jerve, City Planner, gave a staff report and answered councilmember questions.

Laid over to October 18, 2023 for Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Amending Chapter 233 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Earned Sick and

Safe Time, to bring Saint Paul’s ordinance into alignment with the State of

Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time law.

Ord 23-48

Councilmember Balenger moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to October 18, 2023 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Establishing the Water Charges for 2024.

RES PH 23-313

Councilmember Yang moved to lay over to December 6.

Public hearing closed and laid over to December 6, 2023

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Ratifying the assessments for benefits, costs, and expenses for the

Grand/Snelling parking lot operation and maintenance costs for 2024. (File No.

18746-23, Assessment No. 237202)

RES PH 23-140

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Ratifying the assessment for Minnesota Street from Kellogg to Sixth Street

paving and lighting project constructed as part of the 2023 Street Paving

Program (SPS). (File No. 19261, Assessment No. 235200)

RES PH 23-241

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Ratifying the assessment for Repair of Sanitary Sewer Line on private

property at 944 Cromwell Ave. (File No. SWRP2303A, Assessment No.

233003)

RES PH 23-312

Rebecca Cassidy, owner of 944 Cromwell Ave, spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Jalali moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Ratifying the assessment for Annapolis Street from Smith to Humboldt

(Phase I, Part A) paving and lighting project constructed as part of the 2023

Street Paving Program (SPS). (File No. 19249, Assessment No. 235201)

RES PH 23-244

Kent & Emily Aldrich, owners of 876 & 878 Stryker Ave, spoke during the public

hearing.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Amending the 2023 spending budget in the Department of Public Works

Sewers Utility Fund Major Sewer Service Obligations accounting unit for the

financing of the Ford Site Central Stormwater Utility and related facilities (as

well as updating related sources on the Mississippi River Boulevard Crossing

project, also commonly referred to as the Hidden Falls Connection and the

MRB Crossing project).

RES PH 23-314

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Approving the application of Anderson Race Management for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on November 4, 2023 at Harriet

Island - 200 Dr Justus Ohage Boulevard.

RES PH 23-302

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Approving the application of Church of the Holy Childhood for a sound level

variance in order to present live amplified sound on October 14, 2023 at 1435

Midway Parkway - Church of the Holy Childhood.

RES PH 23-303

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Approving the request of District Energy St. Paul, Inc. to amend District

Cooling rates for fiscal year 2024.

RES PH 23-304

Councilmember Balenger moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Approving the request of District Energy St. Paul, Inc. to amend District

Heating rates for fiscal year 2024.

RES PH 23-305

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1985

RLH TA 23-78

MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2313A, Assessment No. 238512)

(Public hearing closed and laid over from April 12, 2023)

Assessment reduced by half, as there were no same/similar violations.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: You last heard this on April 12, 2023.

You decided to lay this over until today and cut the fine in half if there were no same or

similar violations, even though the work had already been done to clean up the

property. In keeping with that, this amended resolution reduces the assessment by

50%.

Councilmember Prince moved approval as amended.

Adopted as amended (assessment reduced by half, as there were no

same/similar violations)

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

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

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 1019 BEECH

STREET. (File No. J2307E2, Assessment No. 238321)

RLH TA 23-174

RLH TA 23-101

Adopted as amended (assessment deleted)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1030 BEECH

STREET. (File No. J2306E1, Assessment No. 238316)

Adopted as amended (assessment reduced)

Appeal of Anna Smith to a Revocation of Fire Certificate of Occupancy and

Order to Vacate at 1271 EDGERTON STREET.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 381 FRY

STREET. (File No. J2324A1, Assessment No. 238540)

Adopted as amended (assessment deleted)

Appeal of Heather Corland to a Rent Stabilization Determination at 475

GRIGGS STREET SOUTH. Apt, 2.

Adopted

Appeal of Paul Busch to a Notice to Cut Tall Grass and/or Weeds at 1523

LAUREL AVENUE.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 947

MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. VB2311, Assessment No. 238814)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 828 MOUND

STREET. (File No. J2317A1, Assessment No. 238535

RLH TA 23-173

RLH RR 23-43

Adopted as amended (assessment deleted)

Fourth Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 595

PARK STREET in Council File RLH RR 23-12. (Public hearing continued to

October 4, 2023)

Amended at public hearing continued to October 18, 2023

Appeal of Allison Kirwin to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at 433

ROBERT STREET SOUTH.

RLH VBR 23-58

RLH TA 23-320

RLH RR 23-49

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 615

UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST. (File No. J2307P, Assessment No. 238406)

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

1941 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST in Council File RLH RR 23-6. (Amend to

grant 90 days)

Adopted as amended (granted 90 days)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 132

WESTERN AVENUE SOUTH. (File No. J2305C, Assessment No. 232004)

RLH TA 23-309

RLH TA 23-315

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 556

WHEELOCK PARKWAY EAST. (File No. CRT2310, Assessment No.

238209)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees

billed during December 7 to March 20, 2023. (File No. VB2311, Assessment

No. 238814)

RLH AR 23-71

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services

during April 2023. (File No. J2311B, Assessment No. 238112)

RLH AR 23-72

RLH AR 23-73

RLH AR 23-74

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Demolition services from January to May 2023.

(File No. J2304C, Assessment No. 232003)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Demolition services from February to March

2023 (C.D.B.G. Funds). (File No. J2305C, Assessment No. 232004)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Collection of Fire Certificate of Occupancy fees

billed during March 7 to April 1, 2023. (File No. CRT2310, Assessment No.

238209)

RLH AR 23-75

RLH AR 23-76

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Excessive Use of Inspection or Abatement

services billed during February 21 to March 21, 2023. (File No. J2311E,

Assessment No. 238319)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Graffiti Removal services during April 3 to May

3, 2023. (File No. J2307P, Assessment No. 238406)

RLH AR 23-77

RLH AR 23-78

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Diseased Tree Removal service during May

2023 at 1636 MACKUBIN STREET. (File No. 2309T, Assessment No.

239008)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Towing of Abandoned Vehicle(s) services

during January to May 2023. (File No. J2302V, Assessment No. 238002)

RLH AR 23-79

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:40 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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