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, September 4, 2024  
ROLL CALL  
3:30 PM  
Council Chambers - 3rd Floor  
Meeting started at 3:30 PM  
4 -  
Present  
Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Mitra Jalali,  
Councilmember Nelsie Yang and Councilmember Saura Jost  
3 -  
Absent  
Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie and  
Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson  
COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE  
Amending ESG project budgets: Reallocating funding for the 2022-23  
1
Emergency Solutions Grant activities administered by Ramsey County per the  
Joint Powers Agreement approved via RES 19-2110.  
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 Yang moved approval.  
Consent Agenda adopted  
4 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang and  
Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
3 - Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
Approving assessment costs and setting date of City Council public hearing to  
ratify the assessments for Annapolis Street from Humboldt Avenue to Robert  
Street (Phase I, Part B) paving and lighting project constructed as part of the  
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2023 St. Paul Street Paving Program (SPS). (File No. 19249B, Assessment  
No. 245201)  
Adopted  
Approving assessment costs and setting date of City Council public hearing to  
ratify the assessments for Annapolis Street from Robert Street to Kansas  
Avenue (Phase II) paving and lighting project constructed as part of the 2024  
St. Paul Street Paving Program (SPS). (File No. 19250, Assessment No.  
245202)  
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4
5
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Vacant Building  
Registration fees billed during June 20, 2023 to April 22, 2024, and setting  
date of Legislative Hearing for October 1, 2024 and City Council public hearing  
for January 22, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against individual  
properties. (File No. VB2502, Assessment No. 258801)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Securing and/or Emergency Boarding  
services during May 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for October  
1, 2024 and City Council public hearing for January 22, 2025 to consider and  
levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2502B,  
Assessment No. 258101)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Demolition services from January to  
June 2024, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for October 1, 2024 and  
City Council public hearing for January 22, 2025 to consider and levy the  
assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2501C, Assessment No.  
259000)  
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Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Demolition services from February to  
March 2024 (C.D.B.G. Funds), and setting date of Legislative Hearing for  
October 1, 2024 and City Council public hearing for January 22, 2025 to  
consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.  
J2502C, Assessment No. 259001)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Fire Certificate of  
Occupancy fees billed during April 26 to May 23, 2024 and setting date of  
Legislative Hearing for October 1, 2024 and City Council public hearing for  
January 22, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against individual  
properties. (File No. CRT2502, Assessment No. 258201)  
8
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Excessive Use of Inspection or  
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Abatement services billed during March 22 to April 19, 2024 and setting date  
of Legislative Hearing for October 1, 2024 and City Council public hearing for  
January 22, 2025 to consider and levy the assessments against individual  
properties. (File No. J2502E, Assessment No. 258301)  
Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Graffiti Removal services during April 3  
to June 11, 2024 and setting date of Legislative Hearing for October 1, 2024  
and City Council public hearing for January 22, 2025 to consider and levy the  
assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2502P, Assessment No.  
258501)  
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11  
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Adopted  
Approving the City’s cost of providing Towing of Abandoned Vehicle(s)  
services during January to May 2024 and setting date of Legislative Hearing  
for October 1, 2024 and City Council public hearing for January 22, 2025 to  
consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.  
J2501V, Assessment No. 258000)  
Adopted  
Authorizing the Horticulture Section at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory to  
apply for a grant of up to $400 from the Mid-America Orchid Congress and, if  
awarded, accept it for the purchase of orchid plants in the year 2024.  
Adopted  
Authorizing the use of the Neighborhood STAR Program funds for Public  
Works' sidewalk program and bike & pedestrian improvements.  
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Adopted  
Accepting the gift of travel expenses from Association of Prosecuting  
Attorneys for City Attorney, Lyndsey Olson and Dave Hunt, Senior Attorney, to  
attend the Gun Violence Prosecutor-Led Alternatives, Community of  
Practicing Meeting in Bronx, New York on June 6,2024.  
Adopted  
Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Antonio Elias and John Perlich to the  
Business Review Council.  
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Adopted  
Approving the Settlement Agreement and Release between Ahmed Ali and the  
City of St. Paul, et al.  
Adopted  
Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the  
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 70, for the purpose of  
providing premium pay to Saint Paul Regional Water Services employees  
holding specific licenses in the classifications of Senior Water Operator,  
Maintenance Worker III and Chemical Feed System Specialist II.  
Adopted  
Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (May 1, 2024 - April 30, 2027)  
between the City of Saint Paul and the International Brotherhood of Electrical  
Workers, Local 110.  
18  
Adopted  
Establishing the rate of pay for Emergency Management Supervisor in EG 09,  
SPSO.  
ROLL CALL  
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Adopted  
Declaring September 9th, 2024, as James "Willky" Williams Day in the City of  
Saint Paul.  
Adopted  
5 -  
Present  
Absent  
Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Mitra Jalali,  
Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Councilmember HwaJeong Kim and  
Councilmember Saura Jost  
2 - Councilmember Anika Bowie and Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson  
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.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways  
to testify.  
Amending Legislative Code Chapters 60, 63, 65, and 66 pertaining to adult  
use cannabis.  
21  
Robert Straugh, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Tom Ososki from the Saint Anthony Park District Council spoke during the public  
hearing.  
Tim Marino, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Jost moved to continue the public hearing for one week.  
Public hearing continued to September 11, 2024 for Final Adoption  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
Amending Section 409.01 of the Legislative Code to allow the Union Depot  
22  
and Science Museum of Minnesota to have unlimited catered events within  
their spaces for class T-Temporary on-sale liquor license-Caterer and class  
N-On-sale caterer's license.  
Councilmember Noecker moved to close the public hearing.  
Laid over to September 11, 2024 for Final Adoption  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
Approving the application of R. Mychael Wright for a sound level variance in  
order to present live amplified sound for a on September 14, 2024 on Selby  
Avenue from Chatsworth St N to Victoria St N.  
23  
Shirley Alexander, resident, spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Noecker moved approval.  
Adopted  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
Approving the application of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for a  
sound level variance in order to present amplified sound on September 15,  
2024 at 1199 Midway Parkway - Como Midway Picnic Pavilion.  
24  
Councilmember Kim moved approval.  
Adopted  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
Approving the application of the Minnesota United FC for a sound level  
variance application in order to present amplified sound on September 18,  
2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with pre-event sound checks at 5:00 p.m.,  
within the Street and the Beer Garden Area at Allianz Field - 400 Snelling Ave.  
N.  
25  
Councilmember Jost moved approval.  
Adopted  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Nay:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
Approving the host issuance by the City of Mendota of one or more series of  
conduit revenue bonds, approving a Bond Compliance and Fee Agreement,  
and authorizing the execution of documents relating thereto, all for the  
Hourcar Project located at 880 Duluth Street (District 4, Ward 6).  
26  
Paul Schroeder from HourCar spoke during the public hearing.  
Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing. Approved 5-0.  
Yang spoke in support.  
Councilmember Kim moved approval.  
Adopted  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 455  
34  
ROBERT STREET SOUTH within fifteen (15) days after the August 2, 2023,  
City Council Public Hearing. (October 22, 2024 Legislative Hearing)  
Execution of nuisance abatement plan required by October 22, 2024. To be given 90  
days from October 23,2024 Council meeting for completion of a rehabilitation plan if  
abatement plan requirement is met.  
Also in attendance: Tom Radio, attorney o/b/o Allstate  
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: It has been 13 months since you last  
saw this item and I am looking for direction on how you would like to proceed. I will  
start by showing some photos on the screen in front of you. Google street photos in  
July of 2022 show an operating Burger King, and photos from August show  
deteriorating conditions. April 2023 photos show continued deterioration. Fencing  
extremely close to the side of the building has been cut away. The most recent thing is  
that in June 2024 a Form 4 was sent from the Fire Department. I show all this to  
document how things have deteriorated over time. There have been continued  
difficulties, though things have somewhat improved. Still much of the interior has  
suffered from mechanical and electrical theft. The purchase agreement has also gone  
through many iterations. The seller is here today. The purchaser thought the hearing  
was at 4pm, though their interpreter is present. The buyer’s broker is here as well.  
Council President Jalali: Who owns it now and when did they become responsible?  
Moermond: Allstate is the owner, located out of Texas. They hired local real estate  
staff and lawyers. They have been owners for a while. The Burger King franchisee did  
not own the building.  
Tom Radio: The buyer and seller remain committed to this property. The best hope is  
for the building to remain and the sale to be completed. The buyer wants to invest here  
and has had a successful business in Minneapolis. We urge Council to not order  
demolition and have us work with Moermond on a short leash. There have been 6  
amendments made to the purchase agreement, which shows the commitment of the  
buyer and the seller to this property.  
Jalali: Do you or anyone else in attendance have additional comments?  
Radio: Brokers for the buyer and seller are here if you have questions, but they don’t  
need to speak.  
Jalali: So, your ask is to not order demolition and give more time to work with the  
Hearing Officer?  
Radio: Correct.  
Councilmember Noecker moved to close the public hearing. Approved 5-0.  
Noecker: I’m not sure an out of state corporation cares about the needs of this  
community. This has been a blight on the neighborhood since 2022, and situations  
like this only attract further vacancies. I hear about it more than any other property in  
my ward. After 2 years we don’t have meaningful progress. I am prepared to proceed  
with the order to raze or remove the structure. I could be talked down if a nuisance  
abatement plan is agreed to and progress being made. I hear progress being talked  
about but don’t see it. I am open to recommendations.  
Moermond: Council came to similar juncture with West 7th Street Burger King. It was  
demolished eventually, as the purchaser did not want the building. There were lots of  
nuisances in the meantime, however. Council implemented a nuisance abatement plan  
to mitigate the issue of things happening there and buy time. It could also include  
conditions under which the Council could grant time for rehabilitation, such as a  
closing on the building, a new code compliance inspection report, a scope of work  
plan, and evidence of financing. These conditions are not met yet. I’m not sure how  
quickly that can all be brought together. Estimates for rehabilitation range from  
$150,000 to $250,000, since wiring has been removed. I talked with the City building  
official and the cost of just lighting the space to prevent nuisances was estimated to  
be under $10,000 and be about a 6-week effort. Fencing would be about a 30-day  
endeavor. If you want to give time for an abatement plan to be created, what you could  
do is refer to Legislative Hearing in a month. We could then review it and give a report  
back to you the following week on the plan’s status. Removal of the building would be  
a couple months away anyway, given the long process of removal.  
Noecker: You’re asking to send it to Legislative Hearing for creation of the nuisance  
abatement plan?  
Moermond: I’m asking for you to define the nuisance abatement plan here in Council  
today. We could then check on if the plan was executed a month or 45 days from now  
in Legislative Hearing.  
Noecker: What about progress towards rehabilitation?  
Moermond: Council could say that if the abatement plan is executed, you will give them  
a certain number of days to come with a rehabilitation package with financing, work  
plans, and other needed items.  
Noecker: I’m comfortable with that, having it come back to us in 5 weeks.  
Jalali: I support that direction. I would have liked to have the buyer here though.  
Noecker: I would have preferred that as well.  
Moermond: Vacant Buildings also present nuisances and losses to those beyond just  
the owner. There is a public danger and nuisance, as well as danger to vandals  
themselves. Based on our conversation, I am asking you to refer this to Legislative  
Hearing on October 22, with a Council public hearing on October 23. The nuisance  
abatement plan would include installation of black vinyl-coated fencing along the  
southern border of the parcel, at least 20 feet set back from the northern side of the  
structure, and along the parcel boundaries to the east and west extending to at least  
the 20-foot setback established along the fencing on the north side. This would extend  
the fencing north from the structure but not around the entire parcel. The abatement  
plan would also include installation of an alarm system and lighting system, either  
motion-activated or time-activated. If that plan is executed, I ask that they be given 60  
days from October 23 for a completed rehabilation plan.  
Noecker: So moved.  
Jalali: I support that.  
Amended and referred to October 22, 2024 Legislative Hearing, to return for  
City Council public hearing on October 23, 2024  
5 -  
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
0
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
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 Yang moved approval.  
Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended  
5 -  
0
Yea:  
Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,  
Councilmember Kim and Councilmember Jost  
Nay:  
2 - Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Johnson  
Absent:  
Appeal of Ali Ahmed to a Vacant Building Registration Notice at 219  
BELVIDERE STREET EAST.  
27  
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Adopted  
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1818 BLAIR  
AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 24-48.  
Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 746 COOK  
AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2406E, Assessment No. 248305) (Public hearing  
continued to September 4, 2024)  
Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)  
Appeal of James Swartwood to a Vacant Building Registration Notice at 729  
FOURTH STREET EAST.  
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Adopted  
Appeal of Abah Mohamed to a Vacant Building Registration Notice and Notice  
of Condemnation-Unfit for Human Habitation-Order to Vacate at 576  
LEXINGTON PARKWAY NORTH.  
Adopted  
Amending Council File RLH AR 24-50 to delete the assessment for Rubbish &  
Garbage Clean Up services during February 1 to 12, 2024 at 99 ORANGE  
AVENUE WEST. (File No. J2420R, Assessment No. 248524)  
32  
Adopted  
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 975 REANEY  
AVENUE. (File No. VB2410A, Assessment No. 248826)  
33  
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36  
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Adopted as amended (assessment ratified and payable over 5 years)  
Appeal of Manoj Bhakta, Bhakta Properties LLC, to a Vacant Building  
Registration Renewal Notice at 81 ROSE AVENUE EAST.  
Adopted  
Appeal of Angela Glenhue to a Summary Abatement Order at 1941  
STANFORD AVENUE.  
Adopted  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 291  
STINSON STREET within fifteen (15) days after the September 4, 2024, City  
Council Public Hearing. (Refer to September 10, 2024 Legislative Hearing)  
Referred to September 10, 2024 Legislative Hearing  
Amending Council File RLH AR 24-36 to reduce the assessment for  
Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees billed during March 29 to  
November 14, 2023 at 822 VAN BUREN AVENUE. (File No. VB2408,  
Assessment No. 248807)  
38  
Adopted  
ADJOURNMENT  
Meeting ended at 4:12 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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