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, December 6, 2023

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:37 PM

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Letter from the Department of Safety and Inspections declaring 802 Mound

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

be scheduled at a later date if necessary.)

CO 23-61

Received and Filed

Amending the 2023 spending budget in the Department of Public Works

Sewers Utility Fund Sewer Inspections Program accounting unit.

AO 23-113

Received and Filed

Amending CDBG Project Budgets: funding for 977 Payne Ave (East Side Arts

Council) and 959 Arcade (Far East Bar Restaurant)

AO 23-116

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 42 would be taken separately.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

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 April 7 to July 21, 2023, and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for January 9, 2024 and City Council public hearing for

February 28, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. VB2404, Assessment No. 248803)

Adopted

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

services during August 2023, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

January 9, 2024 and City Council public hearing for February 28, 2024 to

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

J2404B, Assessment No. 248103)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Demolition services from June to July

2023, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for January 9, 2024 and City

Council public hearing for February 28, 2024 to consider and levy the

assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2401C, Assessment No.

242000)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Demolition services from August to

September 2023 (C.D.B.G. Funds), and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

January 9, 2024 and City Council public hearing for February 28, 2024 to

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

J2402C, Assessment No. 242001)

Adopted

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

Occupancy fees billed during July 26 to August 25, 2023, and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for January 9, 2024 and City Council public hearing for

February 28, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. CRT2403, Assessment No. 248202)

Adopted

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

Abatement services billed during June 22 to July 21, 2023, and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for January 9, 2024 and City Council public hearing for

February 28, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. J2404E, Assessment No. 248303)

Adopted

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

Tree(s) services during September 2023, and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for January 9, 2024 and City Council public hearing for February 28,

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

No. 2402T, Assessment No. 249001)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills

for service during April to June 2023, and setting date of legislative hearing for

January 11, 2024 and City Council public hearing for March 13, 2024 to

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

CG2303A2, Assessment No. 230113)

RES 23-1719

RES 23-1747

Adopted

Authorizing the City to apply for a grant with the Metropolitan Council

Environmental Services for the 2024 Private Property Inflow & Infiltration Grant

Program.

Adopted

Approving the revised City specifications for house drain contractors.

RES 23-1748

RES 23-1751

Adopted

Establishing the rate of pay for Project Manager IV in EG, 06, Professional

Employees Association, Grade 022.

Laid over to December 13, 2023

Authorizing the Department of Public Works to submit project applications for

federal funding into the 2024 Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation

Program and to authorize the commitment of a twenty percent local funding

match plus engineering for any project that is awarded federal funding.

RES 23-1763

RES 23-1769

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into an Easement Agreement that includes

permanent and temporary easement rights from Ramsey County Regional

Rail Authority (“RCRRA”) for the Public Works Kellogg Street Bridge Project.

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Public Works to submit an application for state

funding to the 2023 Local Road Improvement Program.

RES 23-1771

RES 23-1775

Adopted

Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Paymentus Corporation to

provide modern payment service options for Saint Paul Regional Water

Services customers.

Adopted

Authorizing the Fire Department to pay for all costs incurred to host a

graduation ceremony for new firefighters on December 21, 2023 at the Paul

and Sheila Wellstone Center.

RES 23-1776

RES 23-1788

Adopted

Approving the appointment of Jeremy Lostetter as community advisor to the

Audit Committee and as a non-voting member for a term of three years.

Adopted

Approving the Auto Repair Garage and Auto Body Repair/Painting Shop

licenses for Brothers Auto Repair LLC d/b/a Brothers Auto Repair Bersain

Morales Escobar (License ID #20230001820) for the premises located at 881

Newcomb Street.

RES 23-1790

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2024 Wage and Fringe

Adjustment between the City and the International Union of Elevator

Constructors, Local 9.

RES 23-1791

RES 23-1795

Laid over to December 13, 2023

Approving the Wine On Sale, Malt On Sale (strong), and Liquor Outdoor

licenses for Slice Watch Bar Lowertown LLC d/b/a Slice Brothers (License ID

#20230001691) for the premises located at 400 Wabasha Street North Suite

200.

Adopted

Establishing the rate of pay for Veterinarian, Professional Employees

Association, grade 20.

RES 23-1799

RES 23-1802

Laid over to December 13, 2023

Approving adverse action and revocation against the Auto Repair Garage

license held by Dukes Cars and Towing, LLC d/b/a Dukes Car and Towing

(License ID #20190000933) for the premises located at 977 Front Avenue.

Adopted

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

31, 2025) and Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and

the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO Local 21.

Laid over to December 13, 2023

Authorizing the City to accept a donation in the amount of $926.00 from the

Blaine Police Department Explorer Post on behalf of the Saint Paul Police

Department (SPPD) for Explorer Activities.

Adopted

Authorizing an agreement between the City and Minnesota State Colleges &

Universities (MnSCU) and the Police Department for the use of the Public

Safety Bldg. Classroom A & Driver Training Facility.

Adopted

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Tobacco Shop

license now held by J&L Market LLC d/b/a J&L Market (License ID

#20230002012) for the premises located at 993 Payne Avenue.

Adopted

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Tobacco Shop

license now held by MNA Grocery LLC d/b/a MNA Grocery (License ID

#20230002089) for the premises located at 361 Earl Street.

RES 23-1811

RES 23-1812

Adopted

Approving adverse action against the Tree Trimmer, Tree Trimmer Vehicle,

and Tree Trimmer Additional Vehicle license applications submitted by

Minnesota Tree Experts LLC d/b/a Minnesota Tree Experts (License ID#

20230000536) for the premises located at 7527 Oliver Avenue North Brooklyn

Park, MN 55444.

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills

for service during July to September 2023, and setting date of legislative

hearing for January 11, 2024 and City Council public hearing for March 13,

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

No. CG2304A1, Assessment No. 230114)

RES 23-1823

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills

for service during July to September 2023, and setting date of legislative

hearing for January 11, 2024 and City Council public hearing for March 13,

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

No. CG2304A2, Assessment No. 230115)

RES 23-1824

RES 23-1832

Adopted

Approving the Retainer Agreement between the City and Brian T. Grogan and

his firm Moss & Barnett as special counsel representing the City for its

upcoming Comcast cable-franchise negotiations.

Adopted

Establishing the rate of pay for the new classification of Library Safety

Manager in SPSO, Grade 017.

RES 23-1836

RES 23-1847

RES 23-1850

Laid over to December 13, 2023

Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 4 neighborhood STAR

year-round program for The Center for Irish Music and The Midway Club.

Adopted

Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 6 Neighborhood STAR

Year-Round Program for the City of Saint Paul in partnership with Saint Paul

Parks Conservancy.

Adopted

Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 2 Neighborhood STAR

Year-Round Program for John Traxler and the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance.

RES 23-1852

Adopted

Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 3 Neighborhood Star

Year-Round Program for Highland Popcorn, LLC, Friends of Groveland PTO,

and St. Paul Parks Conservancy.

RES 23-1860

Adopted

Approving the minutes of the Saint Paul City Council meetings of October 4,

11, 18, and 25, 2023.

Min 23-44

Adopted

Honoring the Life of WangSang Her and Proclaiming Saturday, November 18,

2023 as WangSang Her Day in the City of Saint Paul.

RES 23-1806

RES 23-1859

Adopted

Honoring Jacklyn Milton for her outstanding contributions as a literacy

champion and literary leader on her 70th birthday.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Honoring Pig’s Eye Park Friends.

RES 23-1828

Councilmember Prince spoke to and read from the resolution.

Tom Dimond from Pigs Eye Park Friends gave remarks.

Kiki Sonnen from Pigs Eye Park Friends gave remarks.

Prince moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Presentation of the City Council Welcome Video, created by YouthLens360.

Councilmember Noecker spoke to the video.

SR 23-235

Norman Westberry from YouthLens360 gave remarks before playing the video.

Noecker gave additional remarks.

Council President Brendmoen spoke to the video.

Councilmember Yang spoke to the video.

Received and Filed

BUDGET ITEMS

Authorizing Public Works to request $897,283 in SCORE grant funds from

Ramsey County.

RES 23-1760

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Setting the Solid Waste Service Fee for 2024.

RES PH 23-346

Councilmember Jalali moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Setting the 2024 Special Service Fees for Certain Solid Waste Services.

RES 23-1817

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Setting the Recycling Service Fee for 2024.

RES PH 23-347

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Setting the 2024 Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer rates.

RES PH 23-326

Councilmember Balenger moved approval.

Adopted

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

RES 23-1835

RES 23-1820

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Approving the Regional Water Services 2024 Budget.

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Approving the final 2024 Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) budget

and certifying the final HRA property tax levy payable in 2024.

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

The City Council recessed and convened as the Library Board to consider RES

23-1853: Library Board Resolution Adopting 2024 Budget and Requesting Property Tax

Financing

Meeting recessed at 3:58 PM

The Library Board adjourned and the City Council reconvened.

ROLL CALL

Meeting resumed at 4:01 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

Approving and adopting the Saint Paul Public Library Agency Budget.

RES 23-1854

Jay Willms spoke to the amendment process.

Councilmember Noecker moved Version 2.

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Approving the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority 2024

Budget.

RES 23-1838

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 2024 City Tax Levy.

RES 23-1857

Jay Willms, City Council Chief Budget Officer, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Prince moved the A-6 amendment, approved 7-0

Council President Brendmoen moved approval, as amended.

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Adopting the 2024 Budget.

RES 23-1833

Jay Willms, City Council Chief Budget Officer, gave a staff report.

Council President Brendmoen moved the A-7 Amendment, approved 7-0.

Councilmember Yang moved the A-2 Amendment and spoke in favor.

Councilmember Jalali spoke against the A-2 Amendment.

Councilmember Prince spoke in favor of the A-2 Amendment.

Councilmember Nocker spoke in favor of the A-2 Amendment.

Brendmoen spoke against the A-2 Amendment.

Councilmember Tolbert spoke against the A-2 Amendment.

Yang gave additional remarks.

Prince gave additional remarks.

Brendmoen gave additional remarks.

A-2 Amendment failed 3-4 (those opposed being Councilmembers Brendmoen, Jalali,

Tolbert, and Balenger).

Yang moved the A-3 Amendment and spoke in favor.

Prince spoke in favor of the A-3 Amendment.

Brendmoen spoke against the A-3 Amendment.

Prince gave additional remarks.

Jalali spoke against the A-3 Amendment.

Noecker spoke in favor of the A-3 Amendment.

Tolbert spoke against the A-3 Amendment.

Brendmoen gave additional remarks.

Yang gave additional remarks.

A-3 Amendment failed 3-4 (those opposed being Councilmembers Brendmoen, Jalali,

Tolbert, and Balenger).

Prince moved the A-5 Amendment and spoke in favor.

Jalali spoke in favor of the A-5 Amendment.

Yang spoke in favor of the A-5 Amendment.

Prince spoke in favor of the A-5 Amendment.

Brendmoen spoke in favor of the A-5 Amendment and expressed concerns.

A-5 Amendment approved 7-0.

Tolbert spoke in favor of the resolution.

Jalali spoke in favor of the resolution.

Noecker spoke in favor of the resolution.

Yang spoke in favor of the resolution.

Prince spoke against the resolution.

Brendmoen spoke in favor of the resolution.

Adopted as amended

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember

Balenger

1 - Councilmember Prince

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.

First Reading

Amending Chapter 51 of the Administrative Code, titled Disposition of City

Property.

Ord 23-63

Bruce Engelbrekt from the Office of Financial Services gave a staff report.

Councilmember Prince asked for clarification.

Engelbrekt answered Prince's question.

Councilmember Noecker spoke in support.

Laid over to December 13, 2023 for Second Reading

Amending Title IV of the Legislative Code to add Chapter 22, titled Local Sales

and Use Tax.

Ord 23-64

John McCarthy, Director of Financial Services, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Prince asked for clarification.

McCarthy answered Prince's question.

Laid over to December 13, 2023 for Second Reading

Enacting Chapter A-17 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to address

street names.

Ord 23-65

Councilmember Balenger stated that this would be a resolution instead of an

ordinance.

Withdrawn

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Amending Chapter 324 of the Legislative Code to remove tobacco vending

machine licenses, reduce the number of Tobacco Shop Licenses from 150 to

100, reduce the number of Tobacco Product Shop Licenses from 25 to 15,

and move the penalty section into the matrix penalties under section 310.

Ord 23-52

Council President Brendmoen spoke to the ordinance.

Jeanne Weigum spoke during the public hearing.

Damone Presley Sr. spoke during the public hearing.

Gemeda M spoke during the public hearing.

Alexia Bylander spoke during the public hearing.

One person spoke via call-in during the public hearing.

Brendmoen moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to December 13, 2023 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Amending specific sections of the Legislative Code pertaining to zoning

regulations to allow micro-unit dwellings as an accessory use to religious

institutions.

Ord 23-57

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to December 13, 2023 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending Chapter 183 of the Legislative Code pertaining to human rights

protections for persons with disabilities.

Ord 23-59

Councilmember Balenger moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to December 13, 2023 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending Chapter 293 of the Legislative Code to create an administrative

process for Amplified Sound Permits and modify the process for Sound Level

Variances.

Ord 23-60

Councilmember Jalali moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to December 13, 2023 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending Chapter 140 of the Legislative Code regarding the maintenance of

the Skyway Pedestrian System including responsibilities, abatements and

assessments.

Ord 23-61

Councilmember Noecker moved Version 2, approved 7-0.

Amanda Duerr from the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce spoke during the public

hearing.

Jess Grams from the Capitol River Council spoke during the public hearing.

Noecker moved to close the public hearing.

Amended and laid over to December 13, 2023 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Amending Chapter 105.04 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to allow raised

planter beds to be placed in the boulevard of the public right-of-way.

Ord 23-62

Councilmember Tolbert moved Version 2, approved 7-0.

Tolbert moved to continue the public hearing.

Amended and public hearing continued to December 13, 2023 for Final

Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public

Works Capital Budget to close out 2019 projects.

RES PH 23-274

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and

Recreation in the amount of $60,000 to reflect funds received from the Ward 7

Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program for the Pig’s Eye Park project.

RES PH 23-323

Councilmember Prince moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public

RES PH 23-308

Works Capital Budget for the Capital City Bikeway (CCB) Kellogg Phase 1

and the West Side Signals Project.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and

Recreation in the amount of $50,000 to reflect funds received from the Wards

1, 2, 6, and 7 Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program for the Hmong Plaza

Paj Ntaub Engraving project in Phalen Regional Park.

RES PH 23-332

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public

Works Capital Budget for the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project.

RES PH 23-338

Councilmember Prince moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public

Works Capital Budget for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Saint Paul Streets

Program.

RES PH 23-339

Councilmember Jalali moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public

Works Capital Budget for the Lafayette Trail Connection Project.

RES PH 23-341

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept Regional

Parks Bonding funds, enter into grant agreements, and amend the financing

and spending plan in the amount of $4,877,239.

Councilmember Balenger moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept Parks and

Trails Legacy Funds, enter into grant agreements, and amend the financing

and spending plan in the amount of $3,048,555.

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

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

of $84,867.26 for the contribution received from the Minnesota Board of

Firefighter Training and Education to pay for training for firefighters.

Councilmember Tolbert moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Authorizing the Police Department to accept (and amend the 2023 Special

Fund Budget for) a grant from the Office of Community Oriented Policing

Services of the United States Department of Justice.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Approving a Five-Year Street Reconstruction Plan for the Fiscal Years 2024

through 2028 and granting preliminary approval to the issuance of certain

General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds by the City.

RES PH 23-354

Sean Kershaw, Director of Public Works, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Prince asked for clarification.

Kershaw answered Prince's question.

John Purdy spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Noecker spoke to Purdy's concerns and asked for clarification.

Kershaw answered Noecker's question.

Prince asked for clarification.

Kershaw answered Prince's question.

Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

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 796 Stewart Avenue (Little Mod), (District 9, Ward 2).

RES PH 23-355

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Nay:

Authorizing a loan and 2023 budget amendment for the Port Authority’s “The

Heights” project (District 2, Ward 6).

RES PH 23-358

Holly Huston from the St. Paul Port Authority gave a staff report.

Councilmember Yang spoke in favor and moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

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

amount of $27,361.72 for the Minnesota Task Force One (MNTF1)

reimbursement from the City of Edina.

RES PH 23-359

Council President Brendmoen 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

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 1058

RLH RR 23-56

JESSIE STREET within fifteen (15) days after the December 8, 2023, City

Council Public Hearing.

Referred to December 12, 2023 Legislative Hearing.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: Earlier today I asked the Council to

continue this public hearing to December 13, as we had not yet received a

performance deposit. We have not received that. I'm asking that this be referred to the

December 12 Legislative Hearing.

Council President Brendmoen moved approval.

Referred to December 12, 2023 Legislative Hearing

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

Appeal of Iris J. Logan to a Summary Abatement Order at 1322 SHERBURNE

AVENUE.

RLH SAO 23-45

Granted to June 6, 2024 for compliance with orders, including a re-grading and leveling

of the boulevard area with careful regard to maintain the root system of the boulevard,

and a commitment to conversation about policy-change going forward.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: First, I will show a photo of the front of

the property with rocks on the boulevard with a grade between 18-24 inches in height.

The City wrote orders on the boulevard to remove the stone that was there. The

complaint came in on October 30, orders went out on November 6, and the Legislative

Hearing was later held on November 14. I met with the owner then and made a

recommendation consistent with their ask. I met further with the owner and other

representatives today to talk more about how the situation has changed. This second

photo shows what it looks like today. There are a few organized piles of stone, and

what you can see was discovered was a mounded area around the tree about 12-18

inches above the sidewalk and curb level, causing water to flow to the sides. That

does change what needs to happen. During my conversation with the owner, we had a

great conversation about what that will be. We all agree that 6 months are needed to

fix this and re-grade the boulevard to sidewalk and curb level. There are 4 inches of

frost in the soil right now, and what's already installed in the soil is not movable. This

updated language is in Legistar before you. I recommend that you grant to June 6,

2024 for compliance. This is with the understanding that the situation has expanded to

include needed re-grading, and with the understanding that this great group of people is

committed to a continued conversation about boulevard planting so that this can

continue to be a productive conversation moving forward.

Council President Brendmoen: Huge progress. Thank you for working with the

appellant and the community to get this resolved.

Moermond: Good people with their hearts in the right place and their hands backing

that up.

Councilmember Jalali: I received a lot of outreach about this, and I want to clarify the

process on this for those who are watching. Items like this are of a quasi-judicial

nature, and so I can't directly interact with the situation once it is appealed, because

that would violate ex-parte rules of communication. My staff can interact with it though,

and have been doing so to help the homeowner and the neighbors who consider it part

of their neighborhood character. The feelings here have been felt by my staff and I. It

also exposes how our ordinance just has very clear broad language about items in the

boulevard. This includes things like Little Free Libraries, which we have dealt with in

the past, or things that could interfere with taxpayer-funded public services like street

sweeping or snow plowing. This Council has expressed interest in a middle-ground to

allow things like public art and amenities like libraries and planters. I just want to

highlight the human side of this. A well-intentioned community member was faced with

a challenge, and the community asked for time and a dialogue about policy change. I

will move the recommendation of the Legislative Hearing Officer to give that time. I

know many volunteers have been supporting this physically taxing work. I am also

open to continued dialogue on this. I apologize for distress that has been caused, and

to appreciate the work of Moermond, my own staff, and the Hamline Midway Coalition.

Similar groups have reached out to help, and I believe we will get to a better place on

this. With those acknowledgements and appreciation for my constituents, I move

approval of Moermond's recommendation.

Brendmoen: Through the course of this issue, I learned about how our tree canopy can

be impacted by things sitting on the root network. I hadn't thought about that before.

We usually just think about plows and right-of-way access to pipes. Things weighing

down tree roots though can also cause problems. I support the motion.

Adopted as amended (granted to June 6, 2024 for compliance)

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Tolbert, Councilmember

Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember

Yang and Councilmember Balenger

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:

Appeal of James Ngene to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at

1880 AMES AVENUE.

Adopted

Appeal of Tamiko V. Trott-Binns and Michael A. Binns to a Vacant Building

Registration Requirement at 1020 and 1022 AURORA AVENUE.

Adopted

Appeal of Ia Thao to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice at 986 GALTIER

STREET.

Adopted

Appeal of Leeyoun Sayaxang to a Summary Abatement Order at 960

GERANIUM AVENUE EAST.

Adopted

Appeal of Lisa McCormick, Attorney, representing Grand Holding Co., LLC, to

a Correction Notice-Reinspection Complaint at 236 GRAND AVENUE.

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

1803 IVY AVENUE EAST in Council File RLH RR 23-20.

Adopted

Appeal of James Nguyen to a Vacant Building Registration Requirement at

607 LAWSON AVENUE EAST.

Adopted

Appeal of Edwardo Rikprashad, Intact Properties, to a Vacant Building

Registration Fee Warning Letter at 1082 LOEB STREET.

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated and matter resolved)

Appeal of Jason Stockwell to a Vacant Building Registration Renewal Notice

at 1006 THIRD STREET EAST.

Adopted

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