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, July 10, 2024  
ROLL CALL  
3:30 PM  
Council Chambers - 3rd Floor  
Meeting started at 3:30 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 General Fund budget for the Fire and Safety Department  
1
and the Special Fund budget for General Government Accounts.  
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 Bowie moved approval.  
Consent Agenda adopted  
6 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,  
Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
Ratifying the assessments for Repair of Sanitary Sewer Line on private  
property at 7 Sandralee Drive East. (File No. SWRP2401C, Assessment No.  
243004)  
2
Adopted  
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for funds from  
the Otto Bremer Trust for Sprockets, Saint Paul’s out-of-school time network  
in an amount of up to $50,000 for program year 2024.  
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Adopted  
Authorizing the Department of Public Works to expend an amount not to  
exceed $25,000 for the purpose of providing refreshments, marketing  
materials, recognition items, and other incentives for various activities,  
programs, volunteers, and events throughout 2024.  
Adopted  
Authorizing the Department of Planning and Economic Development to apply  
for the Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Demonstration Account  
Pre-Development Grant Funds for projects at 680-694 Minnehaha Avenue  
East. (Hamm's Brewery Redevelopment: West End) and 1449 Reaney  
Avenue East. (East Side Tennis and Community Center), which will include  
indemnification obligations.  
5
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Vacant Building  
Registration fees billed during May 2, 2023 to February 19, 2024, and setting  
date of Legislative Hearing for August 6, 2024 and City Council public hearing  
for September 18, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against  
individual properties. (File No. VB2411, Assessment No. 248817)  
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Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Securing and/or Emergency Boarding  
services during March 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for August  
6, 2024 and City Council public hearing for September 18, 2024 to consider  
and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2411B,  
Assessment No. 248110)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Fire Certificate of  
Occupancy fees billed during February 22 to March 22, 2024, and setting  
date of Legislative Hearing for August 6, 2024 and City Council public hearing  
for September 18, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against  
individual properties. (File No. CRT2410, Assessment No. 248209)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Excessive Use of Inspection or  
Abatement services billed during January 22 to February 20, 2024, and setting  
date of Legislative Hearing for August 6, 2024 and City Council public hearing  
for September 18, 2024 to consider and levy the assessments against  
individual properties. (File No. J2411E, Assessment No. 248319)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Graffiti Removal services during  
February 13 to 15, 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for August 6,  
2024 and City Council public hearing for September 18, 2024 to consider and  
levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2409P,  
Assessment No. 248408)  
10  
11  
12  
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Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous  
Tree(s) during April 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for August 6,  
2024 and City Council public hearing for September 18, 2024 to consider and  
levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. 2410T,  
Assessment No. 249012)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous  
Tree(s) during April 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for August 6,  
2024 and City Council public hearing for September 18, 2024 to consider and  
levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. 2411T,  
Assessment No. 249013)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Towing of Abandoned Vehicle(s)  
services during April to November 2023, and setting date of Legislative  
Hearing for August 6, 2024 and City Council public hearing for September 18,  
2024 to consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File  
No. J2401V, Assessment No. 248000)  
Adopted  
Approving the application for a Transportation Network Company (TNC)  
license (License ID #20240000933) submitted by Wridz LLC. to provide  
transportation network service in the City.  
14  
15  
Adopted  
Changing the rate of pay for Meter Reader Coordinator, EG 01, AFSCME  
Clerical.  
Laid over to July 17, 2024  
Changing the rate of pay for Sewer Pumping Station Operator, EG 12.  
16  
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Laid over to July 17, 2024  
Approving the application for change of ownership to the Parking Lot (License  
ID #20240000920) for the premises located at 471 Wabasha Street North.  
Adopted  
Supplementing the general resolution (RES 23-289) relating to Water  
Revenue Bonds of the City; accepting the offer of the Minnesota Public  
Facilities Authority to purchase a Water Revenue Note in an aggregate  
principal amount not to exceed $29,000,000; providing for the issuance of a  
Water Revenue Note, Series 2024-1; and authorizing execution of a Project  
18  
Loan Agreement with the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority.  
Adopted  
Approving the application for Eagle Auto Body LLC d/b/a Eagle Auto Body LLC  
for a change of ownership to the Auto Body Repair/Painting Shop (License ID  
#20240000663) for the premises located at 786 Robert Street South.  
19  
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Adopted  
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for $15,000 in  
cost-share funding from the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District  
for mechanical harvesting of aquatic vegetation on Lake Phalen in 2024.  
Adopted  
Accepting the gift of travel, lodging, and conference registration expenses  
from Local Progress for Council President Mitra Jalali and Council Member  
Cheniqua Johnson to attend the 2024 Local Progress National Convening.  
Adopted  
Supporting The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library’s application for The  
Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize.  
22  
23  
Adopted  
Authorizing the City to enter into the attached Management Agreement  
between the City and the Saint Paul Yacht Club for operation of two marinas  
within Harriet Island Regional Park.  
Adopted  
Authorizing the City to approve the Management Agreement between the City  
and Joy of the People for the operation of the South Saint Anthony Recreation  
Center.  
24  
25  
26  
Adopted  
Approving assessment costs and setting date of City Council public hearing to  
ratify the assessment for installation of a fire protection system for 1730 Old  
Hudson Road (File No. FP2024-01, Assessment No. 247100).  
Adopted  
Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the  
Tri-Council: LIUNA Laborers, Local 363; General Drivers, Local 120; and  
Operating Engineers, Local 49 for the purpose of amending Article 4 of the  
2023-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding the LIUNA Pension  
Fund contribution.  
Adopted  
Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and AFSCME  
Local 3757 - Legal for the purpose of revising the previously negotiated wage  
adjustment in the 2023 - 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement.  
27  
Adopted  
FOR DISCUSSION  
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept grant funding  
in the amount of $2,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest  
Service Urban and Community Forestry Program) and amending the  
financing and spending plan in the Department for forestry planning, planting,  
and management of the tree canopy throughout the City. (Public hearing  
closed and laid over from June 26, 2024)  
28  
Rachel Jongeward from the Forestry Division of Parks and Recreation gave a staff  
report.  
Councilmember Johnson moved approval.  
Adopted  
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 Title XII of the Legislative Code to add Chapter 143 titled  
Comprehensive Downtown Improvement Special Service District.  
29  
Joe Spencer from the Downtown Alliance gave a staff report and answered  
councilmember questions.  
Laid over to July 17, 2024 for Second Reading  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways  
to testify.  
Amending Chapter 67 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the EG East Grand  
Avenue Overlay District.  
30  
Dan Marshall, business owner, spoke during the public hearing.  
Cody Fischer, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Ari Parritz, developer, spoke during the public hearing.  
Ellen Brown, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Noecker spoke in favor and about the possibility of amendments.  
Councilmember Bowie spoke in support.  
Noecker moved to close the public hearing.  
Laid over to July 17, 2024 for Final Adoption  
6 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,  
Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
Approving the River Balcony Basis of Design Report as an addendum to the  
River Balcony Master Plan.  
31  
Kady Dadlez, City Planner, gave a staff report.  
Council President Jalali moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,  
Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
Accepting the Rocky Mountain Institute grant for a Department of Energy  
sub-recipient grant as awarded via RES 23-1300 and amending the financing  
and spending in the Public Works grant budget in the amount of $62,467.  
32  
Councilmember Jost moved approval.  
Adopted  
6 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim,  
Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
1 - Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
Approving the Installation of a bike lane on Concordia Avenue and Rondo  
Avenue from Pascal Street North to Western Avenue North. (Public hearing  
closed and laid over from July 10, 2024)  
33  
David Peterson from Public Works gave a staff report and answered councilmember  
questions.  
Kandace Logan, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Earl Bronaugh, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Jenna Czapieceski, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Charles Walker, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Bowie moved to close the public hearing. Approved 5-0.  
Bowie asked about construction and assessment timelines.  
Nick Peterson spoke to Bowie's questions.  
Council President Jalali asked about how residents could be involved in the process.  
N. Peterson spoke to Jalali's question.  
Councilmember Jost asked about this project in relation to the City's bike plan.  
D. Peterson spoke to Jost's question.  
Councilmember Johnson asked about engagement efforts and notification.  
D. Peterson spoke to Johnson's question.  
Bowie moved to lay over to August 7 to give time for community engagement.  
Jalali asked how that would affect the construction timeline.  
N. Peterson spoke to Jalali's question.  
Jalali asked for a two-week layover instead.  
Johnson asked for clarification from Bowie.  
Bowie addressed Johnson's question.  
Jost asked if layovers would delay construction.  
N. Peterson addressed Jost's question.  
Jalali spoke against a layover to August 7.  
Bowie renewed her motion. Failed 1-4 (Councilmembers Jalali, Kim, Johnson, and Jost  
opposed).  
Councilmember Kim moved a two-week layover.  
Jalali spoke in support.  
Johnson spoke in support.  
Bowie spoke in support.  
Public hearing closed and laid over to July 24, 2024  
4 -  
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and  
Councilmember Johnson  
1 - Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the  
amount of $15,408.02 for the Minnesota Task Force One (MNTF1)  
reimbursement from the City of Edina.  
34  
Councilmember Jost moved approval.  
Adopted  
5 -  
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie,  
Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson  
0
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Parks and  
Recreation in the amount of $1,987,150 to reflect additional 2024 funding  
expected from Como Friends.  
35  
Councilmember Johnson moved approval.  
Adopted  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie,  
Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
Approving the petition of Daniel L. Boblit and Allison L. Boblit, property owners  
of 71 Otis Lane, to vacate the City’s interest in a portion of Mississippi River  
Boulevard and divert its use as City parkland.  
36  
Brian Alton, representing the petitioners, spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Jost moved approval.  
Adopted  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie,  
Councilmember Jost and Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Yang  
Absent:  
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 695 OHIO  
42  
STREET. (File No. 2406T, Assessment No. 249004)  
Assessment ratified  
Also in attendance: Daniel Witucki, appellant, appeared via call-in  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: This stemmed from a notice to  
eliminate trees. Two were in the front yard and one in the backyard. The order went out  
on September 1, 2023. The deadline for completion was October 2. A work order was  
sent and the work was done on January 18, 2024. The cost was $3,700 with a service  
Charge of $336.67, for a total of $4,036.67. The cost of the tree removal is based on  
the contract cost for the City. The owner indicates he did not receive the notice, and  
that there were later conversations with staff after the tenant found a note on the door  
about the tree removal. This was a complicated removal because it required power  
lines to be dropped. The owner than got a contractor to look at the 3 trees, who came  
in December. The trees were then gone by the time the private contractor came back.  
The owner said he got an extension, but there is no record of that. The notice before  
you shows what the owner received, including how a failure to resolve the nuisance  
would result in an assessment. City code does classify this as a nuisance and the City  
has authority to abate this nuisance. The owner wants a reduction based on a lower  
bid he says he received for $3,000. There was a question in Legislative Hearings from  
the owner, where he argued that it was only partially on his property. The photo here  
shows the stump in line with the driveway, and so in the City’s view this is on the  
property line. My recommendation is approval of the assessment as written.  
Daniel Witucki: I’m partially contesting this assessment. A note from October 16 that  
one of my tenants found was the first I heard of this. I had an arborist scheduled to  
remove the trees and told Inspector Carl Mueller that. He had no objection to my time  
frame and now he says he doesn’t have a recollection of that conversation. My ask is  
to only pay $3,000, which was the cost of my private tree contractor. I did not have any  
contact from the contractor that the City hired or the inspector saying that the tree was  
going to be removed, which the City is supposed to do. I'm also confused with a notice  
saying that the amount had already been assessed. I would like clarification on that.  
Moermond: On June 26, Council laid this over to allow him to participate in this  
hearing. If he received an invoice letter, that was in error from assessment staff and  
that will be corrected if this is ratified.  
Kim: I move approval.  
Jalali: I support that.  
Bowie: We are voting whether to ratify an assessment for $4,000, the tenant asked for  
$3,000, and your recommendation is the full $4,000?  
Moermond: Yes.  
Jalali: Can it be made payable over time?  
Moermond: It can be made payable over 10 years. It was mentioned as a possibility  
during hearing but was not requested.  
Adopted  
4 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and  
Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
3 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Jost  
Absent:  
Appeal of Jonah Martin to an Appeal to Denial of Request for Fence Variance  
at 1672 MCAFEE STREET.  
40  
Public hearing continued to July 17, 2024.  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: I am asking for this to be laid over for  
one week to accommodate the appellant being able to testify.  
Councilmember Kim moved approval.  
Public hearing continued to July 17, 2024  
4 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and  
Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
3 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Jost  
Absent:  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 378 SIMS  
AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the December 20, 2023, City Council  
Public Hearing. (Amend to remove within 15 days)  
47  
Public hearing continued to July 17, 2024.  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: My recommendation had been to  
remove within 15 days, but at 2:50 PM today we received what appears to be the final  
materials needed. I have not had a chance to review them and am asking for a one  
week layover.  
Council President Jalali moved approval.  
Public hearing continued to July 17, 2024  
4 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and  
Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
3 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Jost  
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 Bowie moved approval.  
Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended  
4 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and  
Councilmember Johnson  
Nay:  
3 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang and Councilmember Jost  
Absent:  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 927 DESOTO  
STREET. (File No. J2418A, Assessment No. 2488522) (Refer to July 16, 2024  
Legislative Hearing)  
37  
38  
Referred to July 16, 2024 Legislative Hearing  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 68 DOUGLAS  
STREET (ALSO 72 DOUGLAS STREET). (File No. J2419A, Assessment No.  
248523) (Public hearing continued to October 9, 2024)  
Public hearing continued to October 9, 2024  
Appeal of David Abbott to a Vacant Building Registration Renewal  
Requirement at 1818 GRAND AVENUE.  
39  
41  
Adopted  
Appeal of Jennifer Roba to a Notice to Cut Tall Grass and/or Weeds at 1990  
NOKOMIS AVENUE.  
Adopted  
Appeal of Moe Thida, Moenaymoe LLC, to a Vacant Building Registration  
Renewal Notice at 933 PAYNE AVENUE.  
43  
44  
Adopted  
Appeal of Christopher Heinze, attorney of Libby Law Office representing  
Property Owner Vincent Hughes, to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice at  
1058 SELBY AVENUE.  
Adopted as amended (appeal granted)  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 499  
SHERBURNE AVENUE. (File No. J2419A, Assessment No. 248523)  
45  
46  
48  
49  
Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)  
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1472  
SHERBURNE AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 24-8.  
Adopted  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1698  
THOMAS AVENUE. (File No. VB2407B, Assessment No. 248821)  
Adopted  
Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during January 10,  
2024 at 927 DESOTO STREET. (File No. J2418A, Assessment No. 248522)  
(Refer to July 16, 2024 Legislative Hearing)  
Referred to July 16, 2024 Legislative Hearing  
Ratifying the assessments for Property Clean Up services during January 22  
to 24, 2024. (File No. J2419A, Assessment No. 248523)  
50  
Adopted  
ADJOURNMENT  
Meeting ended at 5:17 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  
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