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, October 16, 2024

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:31 PM

7 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Mitra Jalali,

Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Councilmember HwaJeong Kim,

Councilmember Anika Bowie, Councilmember Saura Jost and

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Letter from the Department of Safety and Inspections declaring 1784 Norfolk

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

will be scheduled at a later date if necessary.)

CO 24-55

AO 24-59

AO 24-71

Received and Filed

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to reallocate $130,000

within its Highland Nine Hole Golf Budget in the 2024 adopted budget to most

accurately reflect the projected actual spending by expense category.

Received and Filed

Amending the 2024 Office of Neighborhood Safety budget to utilize salary

savings to pay for rent expenses in the amount of $17,513.

Received and Filed

Returning the balance of five (5) projects to the Year-Round STAR Program.

AO 24-73

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 Kim moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

Authorizing the Department of Planning and Economic Development to apply

to the Metropolitan Council for Tax Base Revitalization Account fund for

contamination cleanup for a project at 42 Water Street West (Farwell on

Water: District Connections and Venue).

RES 24-1386

RES 24-1387

Adopted

Authorizing the City to apply to the Minnesota Department of Employment and

Economic Development (DEED) for contamination cleanup funding for

projects at 530 Wheeler Street (Midway Program Center: YMCA of the North

Campus expansion), and 42 Water Street West (Farwell on Water: District

Connections and Venue).

Adopted

Approving the May 1, 2024 - April 30, 2027 Maintenance Labor Agreement

between the City and the United Association of Plumbers, Local 34 and

Sprinkler Fitters, Local Union No. 417.

RES 24-1400

RES 24-1477

Laid over to October 23, 2024

Authorizing the Fire Department to apply for the 2023/2024 Hazardous

Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant in the amount of $118,230

from the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety for training for

firefighters.

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and AFSCME

Council 5, Technical - Local 1842 for the purpose of regrading the

classifications of DSI Fire Safety Inspector II and DSI Fire Safety Inspector III.

RES 24-1504

RES 24-1505

Laid over to October 23, 2024

Authorizing the Office of Financial Services- Fleet, in partnership with the Fire

Department, to apply for the Heavy Duty On-road Replacement Grant

program from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to remove older diesel

vehicles from operation and partially fund the replacement of them with new,

less polluting vehicles.

Adopted

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

of Transportation for the East 7th and Arcade Street Project.

RES 24-1506

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and Operating

Engineers Local 49 in order to provide preferred license premium pay for

Heavy Equipment Operators in the Saint Paul Regional Water Services.

RES 24-1511

RES 24-1512

Laid over to October 23, 2024

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Liquor On Sale - 100

seats or less, Liquor On Sale - Sunday and Entertainment (B) license now

held by Lucy Bar & Restaurant LLC d/b/a Ethiopian Mesob Restaurant

(License ID #20240001343) for the premises located at 1220 Rice Street.

Adopted

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

graduation ceremony for 10 new paramedics on October 24, 2024 at the

Wellstone Center.

RES 24-1513

RES 24-1524

Adopted

Accepting the donation of conference registration from PFMAM (PFM Asset

Management) for City Treasurer Sarah Brown and Debt Manager Neal

Younghans to attend the 2024 Minnesota Investment Forum on October 16,

2024.

Adopted

Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 5 Neighborhood Star

Year-Round Program for TMREIT, LLC.

RES 24-1526

Adopted

SUSPENSION ITEM

Recognizing the historic agreement between the City of Saint Paul and

Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi to co-manage Bruce Vento Sanctuary and honoring

Indigenous Peoples Day.

RES 24-1538

Councilmember Johnson gave an introduction.

Andy Rodriguez, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave a staff report.

Council President Jalali spoke in support.

Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember 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.

First Reading

Amending Title XXIII of the Legislative Code to add Chapter 224A titled Wage

Theft.

Ord 24-27

Beth Commers, Interim Co-Director of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity

(HREEO), gave a staff report and answered councilmember questions alongside

HREEO Investigators Siyu Samantha Ng and Joshua Clapp.

Laid over to October 23, 2024 for Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Approving the application of Anderson Race Management for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on October 20, 2024 at Harriet

Island - 200 Dr Justus Ohage Boulevard.

RES PH 24-257

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEMS

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 887

RLH RR 24-17

CHARLES AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the May 1, 2024, City

Council Public Hearing. (Amend to remove only) (Public hearing closed and

laid over from October 9, 2024)

Referred to November 12, 2024 Legislative Hearing for reviewing a developer

agreement, work plan, and financing for rehabilitation.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: Last week, you directed the owner to

develop a work plan with signed bids and a schedule, show evidence of financial

capacity to do that work, and sign an affidavit dedicating those funds, with a deadline

of this past Monday morning. All we have received is an affidavit dedicating funds. We

don't have any specifics on a financial account or work plan. At this point, I would

normally recommend ordering the demolition without an option for rehabilitation. In this

case, there is one option still left, that would allow the owner to retain some equity and

not lose the building with an assessment for demolition. This would involved the owner

being responsible for coming into a development agreement with someone else who

can provide a work plan and financing. That's usually done through a purchase

agreement, but it can also be done through a contract for deed or mortgage lien. There

are different legal options and we provide standard language for that. We've seen

cases that go through that process before, and are hoping this owner buckles down

and does that. I ask that this be referred to Legislative Hearing on Tuesday, November

12, to have that information, and hopefully have a development partner accompany him

at that hearing. This is our last ditch effort. I do not have confidence that the current

owner can execute the rehabilitation of the property.

Councilmember Yang: This is disappointing to hear. Has the owner contacted you

since we heard this last week?

Moermond: We have reached out to the owner on numerous occasions. We provided

feedback that the financial affidavit was not sufficient and what was still needed. There

has been ongoing communication, but it is clear that the owner does not have capacity

to do the work.

Councilmember Johnson: Is the owner receptive to finding a development partner? Has

that discussion happened?

Moermond: That conversation has not happened yet. I talked with Councilmember

Bowie about this, and I would not bring the proposal to the owner without your approval.

If you choose to go this route, we will send him a letter stating his options and

scheduling a Legislative Hearing.

Johnson: I share Yang's sentiments. It doesn't seem clear to me that there is a plan to

move forward, but that we're trying to buy some time. I'm amenable to that, but I'm

concerned we may be allowing time here that we do not allow to others. Why are we

waiting until November 12 to send this to Legislative Hearing?

Moermond: The next Tuesday that we hear Remove and Repair items in Legislative

Hearings, the 4th Tuesday of the month, is this coming Tuesday. I don't think this

could be accomplished by then, in just 5 business days. The other consideration is

that October has 5 Tuesdays and 5 Wednesdays, so the next available date is the

second Tuesday of the November, which is November 12. It's a long amount of time, I

am aware. I am hopeful but not confident that he will have something by then.

Councilmember Bowie: I share the same sentiments as my colleagues. This

continuation is not a courtesy to the owner, but rather a courtesy to the community.

We need to look at accountability that does not involve having a building demolished.

This alternative gives time to find a partner with experience and financing, so we can

move forward. This is not a new concept. The last communication the owner had with

Moermond involved sending a bank statement, which showed he did not have enough

money. This is an issue of affordability. I want to provide him the time he needs to find

support to get the job done.

Johnson: The finances he sent showed he did not have enough funding?

Moermond: He has not provided documentation that he has funding for this. We

received a bank statement in July where the checking account showed two large

deposits, but we don't have anything up to date. We would need that.

Johnson: My understanding of the affidavit is that it needs to show funding and to

dedicate that funding to rehab. Would he need a development partner and then also a

finance partner?

Moermond: That development partner would be the one who handles the financing and

the work plan, to take the matter out of the owner's hands. What is unique about this

is that we have not taken this route after just a first attempt to rehab the property.

Usually, it's done after a rehab is part-way completed and the owner has run into

difficulties. Last week I understood that Council wanted to look at this more deeply,

and so I think this is the best tool to do so.

Bowie: The reason why we are doing it this way is because this is a Category 3 building

and it cannot be sold. We don't know what the amount left on the mortgage is. The

only option is to enter into a contract with someone who can fix the property

themselves. It can't be transferred until the rehab is completed, is that correct?

Moermond: Yes, if a purchase agreement is the tool used. The development partner

could also put a mortgage on the property and have a lien. There are other options as

well. Either way, the partner will want to be made whole and then compensated for their

trouble.

Bowie: November 12 would be a Legislative Hearing with you, correct?

Moermond: Yes. It would then come back to Council after that.

Council President Jalali: Could you summarize your recommendation.

Moermond: Refer the matter to Legislative Hearing on November 12, 2024, at which

point we will review any potential developer agreement, work plans, and financing for

executing the abatement.

Bowie: I move Moermond's recommendation.

Referred to November 12, 2024 Legislative Hearing

6 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie and Councilmember Jost

1 - Councilmember Johnson

Appeal of Lesley Anizor to a Correction Notice at 692 WILSON AVENUE.

(Public hearing closed and laid over from September 11, 2024)

RLH CO 24-5

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: I last asked for this to be laid over so

we could do more research on intermodal cargo containers. We have since gotten a

call from the owner saying that she would remove the container and was okay with the

deadline in the resolution. I recommend approval.

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

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

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Jalali, Councilmember Yang,

Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost and

Councilmember Johnson

Nay:

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 188 ACKER

STREET EAST in Council File RLH RR 23-62. (Continue public hearing to

October 16, 2024)

RLH RR 24-32

Adopted as amended

Appeal of Shai Lebovich & Carolyn Brown to a Vacant Building Registration

Renewal Notice at 188 ACKER STREET.

RLH VBR 24-50

RLH TA 24-404

Adopted

Amending Council File No. RLH AR 24-50 to delete for Rubbish & Garbage

Clean Up services during February 1 to 12, 2024 at 819 AURORA AVENUE.

(File No. J2420R, Assessment No. 248524) at 559 BURLINGTON ROAD.

Adopted

Appeal of Gonzalo R. Sanchez to a Summary Abatement Order at 1040

BUSH AVENUE.

Adopted

Fourth Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 939

CHARLES AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 24-6.

Public hearing continued to November 6, 2024

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2016

FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 24-61.

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 195

GOODRICH AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 23-63.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1157

HERBERT STREET. (File No. J2405E, Assessment No. 248304) (Public

hearing continued to October 16, 2024)

Adopted as amended (assessment deleted)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 419

HERSCHEL STREET. (File No. CRT2410A, Assessment No. 249212)

RLH TA 24-340

RLH SAO 24-45

Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 705

MARYLAND AVENUE EAST in Council File RLH SAO 24-29.

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 401

ROSE AVENUE EAST in Council File RLH RR 24-11.

Public hearing continued to October 23, 2024

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 678

SNELLING AVENUE NORTH in Council File RLH RR 24-3.

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Appeal of Sharon Lee Anderson to a Vacant Building Registration

Requirement at 697 SURREY AVENUE.

Public hearing continued to October 23, 2024

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 829

THIRD STREET EAST in Council File RLH RR 23-64. (Public hearing

continued to November 6, 2024)

Public hearing continued to November 6, 2024

Making finding on the appealed of Donald A. Hinrichs to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 995 WAKEFIELD AVENUE in Council File RLH VO 24-31.

RLH SAO 24-73

RLH TA 24-375

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1645 WHITE

BEAR AVENUE NORTH. (File No. J2411B1, Assessment No. 248111)

(Public hearing continued to October 16, 2024)

Adopted as amended (assessment ratified)

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 1213

WOODBRIDGE STREET in Council File RLH RR 23-44.

RLH RR 24-41

Adopted as amended (granted 180 days)

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:08 PM

City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also

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

materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the

public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be

submitted as follows:

The public may comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any

comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be

attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments

may be submitted as follows:

Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to

Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us, CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at

651-266-6805. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers, and by

telephone by registering to speak by noon on the day before the meeting. The

registration link is located on the City Council website at www.stpaul.gov/council or

https://forms.office.com/g/TD3xN7WHy5.

Council Meeting Information

The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses.

The agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council

members use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile

device greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached

to files, are over 1000 pages when printed.

Web

Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds

(RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subscription.

Visit www.stpaul.gov/council for meeting videos and updated copies of the agendas,

minutes, and supporting documents.

Cable

Meetings are live on St Paul Channel 18 and replayed at various times. Check your

local listings.