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 Rebecca Noecker

Vice President HwaJeong Kim

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember Matt Privratsky

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

5 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang,

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie and

Councilmember Saura Jost

2 - Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and Councilmember Matt Privratsky

Absent

ROLL CALL

7 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang,

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and

Councilmember Matt Privratsky

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 Noecker stated that Item 20 would be taken separately.

Councilmember Bowie moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

Authorizing the Department of Public Works Street Maintenance Division to

apply for and accept a Workplace Wellness Micro Grant Physical Activity

Station of up to $700 from the Saint Paul Area Chamber with the funding

RES 25-666

coming from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) through

Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health.

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Rubbish and Garbage Clean Up

services during April 2 to 11, 2025, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

June 17, 2025 and City Council public hearing for July 23, 2025 to consider

and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2522R,

Assessment No. 258555)

RES 25-710

RES 25-711

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Tall Grass and Weed Removal services

during March 28, 2025 at 1173 Edgerton St, and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for June 17, 2025 and City Council public hearing for July 23, 2025 to

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

J2512TW, Assessment No. 258550)

Adopted

Approving the City Council’s appointment of Marquita Cammon to the Saint

Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission.

RES 25-724

RES 25-744

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for $10,000 in

Minnesota Historical Society grant funds for the restoration of the Justus

Ohage Memorial at Harriet Island.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor's appointment of Jules Atangana and reappointment of

Kizzie Downie to serve on The Family Housing Fund.

RES 25-760

RES 25-769

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Emergency Management to apply for grant

funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through its Federal

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into the attached Lease Amendment between the

City and the Board of Water Commissioners for property at the Hillcrest

Reservoir and to terminate the Lease.

RES 25-770

RES 25-771

RES 25-774

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into the attached License Agreement between the

City and The Sanneh Foundation to operate a community garden at Conway

Park (2090 Conway St.).

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into the attached License Agreement between the

City and Summit Hill Association (“District Council”) to operate a community

garden at Linwood Park (860 St. Clair Ave.).

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into the attached License Agreement between the

City and Como Community Council (“District Council”) to operate a

community garden at Orchard Park (875 W Orchard Ave).

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into the attached License Agreement between the

City and Hamline Midway Coalition (“District Council”) to operate a community

garden at Tatum Park (1939 W Taylor Ave).

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into the attached License Agreement between the

City and Dayton’s Bluff Community Council (“District Council”) to operate a

community garden at Skidmore Park (1085 4th St. E.).

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into the attached License Agreement between the

City and Fort Road Federation (“District Council”) to operate a community

garden at St. Clair Park (265 Oneida St).

Adopted

Approving Ordinance Permit 20242010007a for Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure

installed by the Saint Paul Port Authority on The Heights project site at the

following locations: on Ivy Avenue: Howard (MH6201) to East of Howard

(MH6200); on Howard Street: Ivy Avenue (MH6201) to Cottage Avenue

(MH6204); on Cottage Avenue: Howard Avenue (MH6204A) to Winthrop

Avenue (MH6204).

Adopted

Approving the expansion of a Liquor-Outdoor Service Area (Patio) license to

the existing Liquor On Sale - 181-290 Seats and Liquor On Sale-Sunday

licenses for 1881 By Lake Elmo Inn Inc d/b/a 1881 By Lake Elmo Inn (License

ID# 20240000932) for the premises located at 214 4th St E.

RES 25-802

RES 25-806

Adopted

Accepting the gift of the costs of travel, food, and lodging from the Carbon

Neutral Cities Alliance for CRO Russ Stark and Climate Action Coordinator

Liz Boyer to attend the annual gathering of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance

in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 16-19, 2025.

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel, food, and lodging costs from the Global

Philanthropy Partnership for Chief Resilience Officer Russ Stark to attend a

Midwest Leadership Delegation in Paris, France, from June 22-26, 2025.

RES 25-807

RES 25-742

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2025 Wage and Fringe

Adjustment between the City and the International Association of Sheet Metal,

Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Local 10.

Adopted

Honoring the legacy and service of Shongleng Yang and proclaiming May 31,

2025, as Shongleng Yang Day in the City of Saint Paul.

RES 25-804

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Approving the appointment of Laura Logsdon as Interim Director of the Office

of Financial Services, effective Friday, May 16, 2025.

RES 25-805

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Laura Logsdon was sworn in and gave remarks.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

Approving the renaming of Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and Indian Mounds

Regional Park to reflect Dakota cultural significance.

RES 25-788

Ellen Stewart from the Department of Parks and Recreation gave a staff report and

answered councilmember questions.

Andy Rodriguez, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave remarks.

Councilmember Johnson spoke in support and moved approval.

Councilmember Privratsky spoke in support.

Councilmember Bowie spoke in support.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

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.

Final Adoption

Considering the application of Matt Kenevan to rezone property at 959 Payne

Avenue (southwest corner of Case Avenue) from B2 community business to

Ord 25-32

T2 traditional neighborhood and amending Chapter 60 of the Legislative Code

pertaining to the zoning map.

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

Nay:

SUSPENSION ITEM

Approving the application of Shine In The World Ministries for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound for the Merge Twin Cities events

on June 6-7, 2025 at 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd - Minnesota State

Capitol Grounds.

RES PH 25-94

Marketa Smith and Sydney Rheeder from Shine the World Ministries spoke during the

public hearing.

Council President Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

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

Recreation in the amount of $2,500,000 to reflect funds awarded from the

Department of Employment and Economic Development for a state bonding

pass through grant of $2,500,000 for the Victoria Park Universally Accessible

Play Area project and authorizing the City to enter into a grant agreement

(which includes an indemnification clause).

RES PH 25-90

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

Nay:

Approving the application of Ordway Center for a sound level variance in order

to present amplified sound on May 28 - May 31, 2025 at Rice Park - 109 4th St

W and at Landmark Plaza - 379 St. Peter St.

RES PH 25-95

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

Nay:

Amending the grant contracts for two State Auto Theft Prevention Program

grants to change agencies from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to

the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and adjusting activity for approved

grant adjustments and current agency-approved budget.

RES PH 25-98

RES PH 25-100

APC 25-5

Councilmember Privratsky moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Police Department grant

fund in the amount of $60,000 and adding $237,000 activity budget for the

Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Edward Byrne Memorial

Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) grant.

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Privratsky

Nay:

Consider the appeal of the West 7th/Fort Road Federation to a decision of the

Planning Commission approving a site plan review for a public works yard or

maintenance facility including development of a compressed natural gas

garbage truck filling facility, truck fleet storage, and off-street parking at 560

Randolph Avenue.

Council President Noecker recused herself and left the Council Chambers.

Jaime Tincher, Deputy Mayor, gave an introduction.

Tia Anderson from the Department of Planning and Economic Development gave a

staff report and answered councilmember questions related to her work on this project

in her previous role as a planner in the Department of Safety and Inspections.

Julia McColley from the Fort Road Federation District Council spoke during the public

hearing on behalf of the appellant.

Becky Yust, resident, spoke during the public hearing.

John Purdy, resident, spoke during the public hearing.

Sara Fleetham, resident, spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Johnson moved to close the public hearing. Approved 6-0.

Councilmember Yang asked for clarification.

Councilmember Kim stated that the applicant's representative was missed during the

public testimoney.

Councilmember Privratsky moved to reopen the public hearing. Approved 6-0.

Greg Revering from FCC Environmental Services spoke during the public hearing on

behalf of the applicant.

Yang moved to close the public hearing. Approved 6-0.

Tincher addressed Yang's questions.

Privratsky moved intent to deny the appeal.

Johnson asked for clarification.

Tincher addressed Johnson's questions.

Yang asked for additional clarification.

Tincher addressed Yang's question.

Privratsky renewed his motion to deny the appeal.

Yang spoke in favor of denial.

Motion of intent is to deny the appeal

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie,

Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember

Privratsky

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Noecker

Abstain:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 685

RLH TA 25-56

MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. VB2505C, Assessment No. 258818)

(Public hearing closed and laid over from May 7, 2025)

Assessment ratified.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: I recommend ratifying the assessment.

We were looking to see if the owner could verify cold storage as a permitted use under

the building code. We are 9 months into this fee's term, and the intent is to have this

be the last year of it being in the program as they move forward with the cold storage

use.

Councilmember Yang: We've laid this over twice now while conversation continues, and

I am wondering where things are at now, since this recommendation doesn't involve a

reduction. Could you explain that? I would support a layover.

Moermond: This came forward as a vacant building assessment after being in the

vacant building program for several years. The owner converted the building from a

power plant use into cold storage. The initial hope was that a fire inspector could

determine if this was an approved use based on the structure. The fire inspector was

not able to make the determination and sent it to the building official. The owner now

needs to work with an architect or designer of record to make sure they meet the

building code requirements for cold storage. They are moving forward with that plan.

Yang: I support that and move your recommendation.

Adopted

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember

Privratsky

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Bowie

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

Council President Noecker moved approval.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

6 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember

Privratsky

Nay:

1 - Councilmember Bowie

Absent:

Appeal of Dan Schmidt, North Broadway Properties LLC, to a Correction

Notice-Complaint Inspection at 1039 ARKWRIGHT STREET.

RLH FCO 25-26

RLH SAO 25-20

Adopted

Third Making finding on the appealed of JoAnn Lorvig Tsoumanis to a

nuisance abatement ordered for 1400 CHARLES AVENUE in Council File

RLH SAO 25-2.

Adopted

Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 947

FREMONT AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the May 14, 2025, City

Council Public Hearing. (Public hearing continued to May 21, 2025)

RLH RR 25-10

Adopted as amended (granted 180 days)

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.

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