City Hall and Court House

15 West Kellogg Boulevard

Council Chambers - 3rd

Floor

City of Saint Paul

651-266-8560

Meeting Minutes

City Council

Council President Mitra Jalali

Vice President HwaJeong Kim

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:32 PM

6 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Mitra Jalali,

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost and Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

1 - Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Absent

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Amending the 2024 Saint Paul Regional Water Services spending budget to

record the cost-neutral change in spending for principal and interest due on

PFA note DW08.

AO 24-47

Received and Filed

Amending CDBG Project Budgets: $244,000 of funding for 729 Burr St and

$276,000 of funding for 930 York Ave to be funded with undesignated funds.

AO 24-48

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 Jalali stated that Items 18 and 23 would be taken separately.

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the release of grading easements along Ivy Avenue and the partial

release of a utility easement reservation in vacated streets and alleys within

The Heights development.

RES 24-640

RES 24-680

RES 24-763

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2024 Wage and Fringe

Adjustment between the City and the International Union of Painters and Allied

Trades District Council 82.

Laid over to June 12, 2024

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

Registration fees billed during August 14, 2023 to January 24, 2024, and

setting date of Legislative Hearing for July 30, 2024 and City Council public

hearing for August 14, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against

individual properties. (File No. VB2410, Assessment No. 248814)

Adopted

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

services during January to February 2024, and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for July 30, 2024 and City Council public hearing for August 14, 2024

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

J2410B, Assessment No. 248109)

Adopted

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

Occupancy fees billed during February 7 to 19, 2024, and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for July 30, 2024 and City Council public hearing for

August 14, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. CRT2409, Assessment No. 248208)

Adopted

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

Abatement services billed during December 27, 2023 to January 19, 2024,

and setting date of Legislative Hearing for July 30, 2024 and City Council

public hearing for August 14, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments

against individual properties. (File No. J2410E, Assessment No. 248316)

Adopted

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

January 8 to February 5, 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for July

30, 2024 and City Council public hearing for August 14, 2024 to consider and

levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2408P,

Assessment No. 248407)

Adopted

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

Tree(s) during March 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for July 30,

2024 and City Council public hearing for August 14, 2024 to consider and levy

the assessments against individual properties. (File No. 2408T, Assessment

No. 249010)

RES 24-768

RES 24-769

Adopted

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

Tree(s) during January 2024 at 2163 Marshall Ave, and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for July 30, 2024 and City Council public hearing for

August 14, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. 2409T, Assessment No. 249011)

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department

of Transportation (MnDOT) for the Trunk Highway 51(Snelling) Project from

St. Clair Avenue to Grand Avenue.

Adopted

Authorizing the City on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department to

apply for grant funds of $4,000 from National Recreation and Park

Association.

Adopted

Appointing Jardine, Logan & O’Brien, P.L.L.P., as Special Counsel for

purposes of providing legal advice, counsel, and representation in civil

lawsuits involving the City.

Adopted

Modifying the interest rate for Repair of Sanitary Sewer Line on private

properties, as requested by the property owners, adopted with RES PH 24-86

on May 1, 2024. (File No. SWRP2401, Assessment No. 243000.)

Adopted

Approving the expansion of the Malt On Sale (Brewery Taproom), Malt Off

Sale (Brewery), Liquor-Outdoor Service Area (Patio) & Liquor On Sale -

Sunday License to the existing licenses for Bang Brewing Company LLC

d/b/a Bang Brewing Company (License ID# 20120004741) for the premises

located at 2320 Capp Road.

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the Saint

Paul Manual and Maintenance Supervisors Association for the purpose of

providing a shoe allowance for Senior Zookeepers at Como Park Zoo &

Conservatory.

RES 24-788

RES 24-798

Laid over to June 12, 2024

Approving adverse action against the Tobacco Shop license held by Garso

Mini Mart d/b/a Garso Mini Mart (License ID #20200002430) for the premises

located at 189 7th Street East.

Adopted

Authorizing the City to apply for $72,000 from the Minnesota Department of

Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program for rooftop solar

installation at North End Community Center.

RES 24-799

RES 24-803

RES 24-804

Adopted

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

Request for Proposals for the 2024 HIDTA Discretionary Grant Program,

issued by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Adopted

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

Request for Proposals for the 2025 Enforcement Grant Program, issued by

the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety

(OTS).

Adopted

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

Year-Round Program for Checker Board Pizza Professional Corporation.

RES 24-829

RES 24-520

RES 24-526

Adopted

Establishing the rate of pay for Data Practices Specialist, in EG 02, AFSCME

Technical, Grade 039. (To be withdrawn.)

Withdrawn

Establishing the rate of pay for Data Practices Supervisor, EG 09. (To be

withdrawn.)

Withdrawn

Establishing the rate of pay for Library Safety Specialist, EG 02.

RES 24-748

RES 24-776

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the

Tri-Council LIUNA Laborers, Local 363, for the purpose of establishing and

clarifying requirements for the newly created Utility Trainee classification.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Authorizing the City Attorney to execute a Special Counsel Retainer

Agreement to retain Brian Grogan and the law firm of Moss & Barnett to

represent the City in matters of geothermal franchising and other specialized

areas as necessary.

RES 24-794

Councilmember Johnson asked for details from staff.

Kyle Citta from the City Attorney's Office gave a staff report.

Johnson asked about the timeline.

Citta spoke to Johnson's question.

Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the final plat for Townhomes of Hillcrest Heights.

Councilmember Johnson asked for details from staff.

Bill Dermody, City Planner, gave a staff report.

RES 24-812

Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Commemorating the 55th Anniversary of Stonewall and Celebrating June

2024 Pride Month.

RES 24-831

Council President Jalali spoke in favor.

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Authorizing issuance of and awarding the sale of General Obligation Various

Purpose Bonds, Series 2024A and levying a tax for the Series 2024A Bonds.

RES 24-787

Neal Younghans from the Office of Financial Services gave a staff report on Items 30

and 31.

Councilmember Noecker asked for clarification.

Younghans addressed Noecker's question.

Councilmember Bowie spoke in favor and moved approval as amended.

Adopted as amended

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Jost

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Providing for the issuance of and accepting a proposal on the sale of General

Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds, Series 2024B; and levying a tax for

the payment of the Series 2024B Bonds.

RES 24-789

Council President Jalali moved approval as amended.

Adopted as amended

5 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Jost

Nay:

2 - Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Johnson

Absent:

Authorizing the Office of Neighborhood Safety to use fund balance,

accumulated and unspent in 2023, to increase the financing and spending

budgets in the Office of Neighborhood Safety Special Fund by $3,598,936.

(Public hearing closed, laid over from June 5, 2024)

RES PH 24-121

Councilmember Bowie moved to lay over for one week.

Council President Jalali spoke against a layover.

Laid over to June 12, 2024

4 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and

Councilmember Johnson

2 - Councilmember Jalali and Councilmember Jost

1 - Councilmember Yang

Nay:

Absent:

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Authorizing the conveyance of city-owned property at 1199 Rice Street to

Ramsey County in connection with the County's Rice Street roadway

improvement program.

RES PH 24-108

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Authorizing the City on behalf of the Office of Neighborhood Safety (“ONS”) to

RES PH 24-130

accept and amend the financing and spending plan in the amount of $450,000

for a 2024 Community Crime Intervention and Prevention Grant, issued by the

Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Amending the Parks and Recreation and the Public Library’s spending and

financing budgets in the total amount of $1,478,814 to reflect grant funds

received from the MN Department of Education’s After School Community

Learning Grant, to be used during the period of May 8, 2024 to June 30, 2027

and authorizing the proper the City officials to enter into a Grant Agreement

with the State of Minnesota (that includes indemnification language).

RES PH 24-131

Councilmember Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the application of City of Lakes Community Band for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on June 18, 2024 at 1360

Lexington Parkway North - Como Lakeside Pavilion.

RES PH 24-123

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the application of Ruck B Media/Kyle Rucker for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 6th

Street East between Sibley Street and Wacouta Street.

RES PH 24-126

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the application of Ruck B Media/Kyle Rucker for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at

109 4th Street West - Rice Park.

RES PH 24-127

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Approving the application of Breakaway Music Festival Inc. for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on June 28, and June 29, 2024 at

400 Snelling Avenue North - Allianz Field Grounds.

RES PH 24-132

Jarrod Fucci, President of Breakaway Music Festival, spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Bowie asked about the type of music being played.

Fucci spoke to Bowie's question.

Councilmember Noecker asked why they picked St. Paul for a venue.

Fucci spoke to Noecker's question.

Councilmember Johnson asked where to find more information.

Fucci spoke to Johnson's question.

Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Authorizing the City to amend project budgets from Grant Fund to Special

Fund.

RES PH 24-137

Maia Wahlberg from the Office of Financial Services gave a staff report and answered

councilmember questions.

Councilmember Johnson moved Version 2, spoke to the amendment, and asked the

City Clerk to read the amendment.

Shari Moore, City Clerk, read the amendment.

John McCarthy, Director of Financial Services asked for timeline adjustments in the

amendment.

Council President Jalali spoke in favor of the request from McCarthy.

Johnson spoke in favor of the request from McCarthy and amended her amendment.

Councilmember Noecker asked if a 3-week layover was needed.

Jalali spoke in favor of adopting as amended.

Councilmember Bowie asked for clarification.

Johnson addressed Bowie's question.

McCarthy addressed Bowie's question.

Johnson renewed her motion to approve Version 2 as amended.

Jalali spoke in favor.

Councilmember Kim spoke in favor.

Adopted as amended

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA

Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be

enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the

Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Yang

Absent:

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for

1043 BEECH STREET in Council File RLH RR 23-68.

RLH RR 24-21

RLH TA 24-125

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 557 DALE

STREET NORTH. (File No. J2406E, Assessment No. 248305) (Public hearing

continued to June 5, 2024)

Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)

Ordering the razing and removal of the structures at 857 LAFOND AVENUE

within fifteen (15) days after the June 5, 2024, City Council Public Hearing.

RLH RR 24-18

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1082 LOEB

STREET. (File No. VB2407D, Assessment No. 248823)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 746

MONTANA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2324A2, Assessment No. 238541)

Adopted

Appeal of Dharmedra Bhakta to a Revocation of Fire Certificate of Occupancy

and Order to Vacate at 901 SNELLING AVENUE NORTH.

Adopted

Making recommendation to Ramsey County on the application of Fee Owner,

Kao Lee Vang-Thao, Hotland Properties, LLC, for repurchase of tax forfeited

property at 732 STATE STREET.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 779 THOMAS

AVENUE. (File No. J2304E3, Assessment No. 238310)

Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 779 THOMAS

AVENUE. (File No. J2305E3, Assessment No. 238314)

Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 779 THOMAS

AVENUE. (File No. J2306E3, Assessment No. 238318)

Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 183

WYOMING STREET EAST in Council File RLH SAO 23-51.

Adopted

Appeal of Alice Baier to a Correction Order and Summary Abatement Order at

2425 YOUNGMAN AVENUE.

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during December

6 to 20, 2023. (File No. J2416A, Assessment No. 248515)

RLH AR 24-34

RLH AR 24-35

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Sewer Repair in Right Way during December

2023 at 687 SIMS AVENUE. (File No. J2417A, Assessment No. 248516)

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:30 PM

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comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any comments and

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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

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Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to

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