Minutes - City Council

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 Molly Coleman

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

7 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang,

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and

Councilmember Molly Coleman

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Amending the 2025 Saint Paul Regional Water Services spending budget to

record the cost-neutral change in spending of $1,762,500 for the cost of

issuance, principal and interest due on PFA note DW10.

AO 25-66

Received and Filed

Amending the financing and spending plans in the SPRWS 2025 Adopted

Budget in the amount of $50,000 to better support current priorities and

maintain facility operations.

AO 25-67

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 Noecker stated that Items 5, 8, and 9 would be taken separately.

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Authorizing the acceptance of $59,270.40 from the Minnesota Department of

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

installation at Hamline Midway Library.

RES 25-1674

RES 25-1680

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for grant funding

from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ReLeaf

Community Forestry Grants Program to invest in forestry planning and

management of the tree canopy throughout Saint Paul.

Adopted

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

Request for Proposals for the FY25 Community Based Violence Intervention

and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) Grant Program, issued by the U.S.

Department of Justice.

RES 25-1734

RES 25-1738

Adopted

Approving Ordinance Permit 20240020604 for Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure

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

the following locations: on Arlington Avenue between Howard Street and

McKnight Road.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Amending project budgets to align with spending needs.

RES 25-1721

Laura Logsdon, Interim Director of the Office of Financial Services gave a staff report

alongside Maureen Hartman, Library Director, and answered councilmember questions.

Councilmember Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the City General Election

held November 4, 2025.

RES 25-1746

Council President Noecker gave remarks and moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

SUSPENSION ITEM

Appointing Jacobson Lawyers Group, under the direction of Dan Jacobson, as

special counsel representing the City in Saint Paul et al. v. Christopher Wright

et al., filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

RES 25-1780

Councilmember Coleman moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

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

Amending Chapters 60, 63, 65, 66, 67, and 69 of the Legislative Code as

recommended in the Traditional Neighborhood (T) District Zoning Study.

Ord 25-59

Council President Noecker spoke in support.

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Initiating the T District Follow-Up and Transit Corridor Zoning Study.

Councilmember Jost spoke in support and moved approval.

Council President Noecker spoke in support.

RES 25-113

Councilmember Bowie spoke in support.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Creating Chapter 225A of the Legislative Code titled Firearms Regulations to

establish regulations for Assault weapons, Binary triggers, Ghost guns and

Signage.

Ord 25-65

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Councilmember Jost spoke in support.

Councilmember Yang spoke in support.

Councilmember Kim spoke in support.

Councilmember Coleman spoke in support.

Councilmember Bowie spoke in support.

Councilmember Johnson spoke in support.

Council President Noecker spoke in support.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

First Reading

Amending Chapters 60,61,68, and 72 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the

Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area and the Flood Plain Management

Overlay Districts.

Ord 25-72

Tony Johnson, City Planner, gave a staff report and answered councilmember

questions.

Council President Noecker moved Version 3.

Amended and laid over to November 19, 2025 for Second Reading

6 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember

Coleman

1 - Councilmember Bowie

Amending Section 220.05 of the Legislative Code to set rates for base level

garbage service to be effective January 1, 2026.

Ord 25-77

Sarah Haas, Solid Waste Program Administrator, gave a staff report and answered

councilmember questions.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Amending Legislative Code Chapter 220 to allow for Garbage Cart Sharing at

properties with two or more Dwelling Units beginning January 1, 2026.

Ord 25-63

Councilmember Bowie moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Creating Chapter 420 of the Legislative Code establishing regulations for the

registration of cannabis and hemp businesses, creating Chapter 420A of the

Legislative Code establishing a permit requirement and process for temporary

cannabis events, and amending section 310.01 to add a definition for

“Cannabis Fees”.

Ord 25-66

Councilmember Coleman moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending Chapter 170.02 of the Legislative Code to allow the Director of

Parks and Recreation to adjust the hours of certain parks to accommodate for

park use during the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Ord 25-67

Councilmember Jost moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending Section 106.01 of the Legislative Code to allow businesses in the

Downtown Entertainment District to temporary allow items in the right-of-way

without a sidewalk-use permit during the 2025 World Junior Hockey

Championship.

Ord 25-68

Councilmember Johnson moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending section 293.02(d) of the Legislative Code to remove the

requirement for a sound level variance in the Downtown Entertainment District

during the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Ord 25-69

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending section 409.08 of the Legislative Code to allow holders of Liquor

Licenses issued under section 409 to apply for extended service of alcoholic

beverages until 2:00 a.m. during the 2025 World Junior Hockey

Championship.

Ord 25-70

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending section 55.04(a) of the Legislative Code to simplify the requirement

for a temporary structure permit during the 2025 World Junior Hockey

Championship.

Ord 25-71

Councilmember Kim moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Creating Chapter 297 of the Legislative Code prohibiting the use and

placement of virtual currency kiosks within the City.

Ord 25-76

2 people spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Jost moved to close the public hearing.

Laid over to November 19, 2025 for Final Adoption

6 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember

Coleman

1 - Councilmember Bowie

Setting the Solid Waste Service Fee for 2026. (Public hearing closed and laid

over from November 12, 2025)

RES PH 25-253

Sarah Haas, Solid Waste Program Administrator, gave a staff report and answered

councilmember questions.

Councilmember Jost moved to close the public hearing and lay over to December 3.

Public hearing closed and laid over to December 3, 2025

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Authorizing Public Works to request $828,344 in SCORE grant funds from

Ramsey County to support the curbside recycling program and setting the

2026 City Recycling Service Fees. (Public hearing closed and laid over from

November 12, 2025)

RES PH 25-254

Sarah Haas, Solid Waste Program Administrator, gave a staff report and answered

councilmember questions.

Councilmember Coleman moved to close the public hearing and lay over to December

Public hearing closed and laid over to December 3, 2025

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Authorizing the Public Library Agency to accept Minnesota Department of

Education grant funds and amending the Library’s 2025 financing and

spending plans in the amount of $500,000 to support reconstruction of the

Hamline Midway Library.

RES PH 25-255

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Ratifying the assessment for benefits, costs, and expenses for the

Grand/Snelling parking lot operation and maintenance costs for 2026. (File No.

18746-25, Assessment No. 257202)

RES PH 25-218

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Approving the application of MN Run Series/Podium Sports Marketing Inc. for

a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Turkey Trot

Saint Paul on November 27, 2025, by Shepard Road between Washington

Street and Sherman Street.

RES PH 25-243

Councilmember Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEMS

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 686 EDMUND

RLH TA 25-115

AVENUE. (File No. VB2507A, Assessment No. 258826) (Public hearing

closed and laid over from April 9, 2025)

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Bowie moved the recommendation of the Hearing Officer.

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Appeal of Deborah Ruberto to a Summary Abatement Order and Vehicle

Abatement Order at 235 BATES AVENUE.

RLH SAO 25-62

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Johnson moved to refer to Legislative Hearings on December 9.

Referred to Legislative Hearings on December 9, 2025.

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Appeal of Emmett J. Owens, Jr. to a Summary Abatement Order and Vehicle

Abatement Order at 239 BATES AVENUE.

RLH SAO 25-60

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Johnson moved to refer to Legislative Hearings on December 9.

Referred to Legislative Hearings on December 9, 2025.

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Appeal of Johnny E Howard Sr to a Summary Abatement Order at 633 VAN

BUREN AVENUE.

RLH SAO 25-61

Councilmember Bowie asked for this item to be removed from the Legislative Hearing

Consent Agenda.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer, gave a staff report and answered

councilmember questions.

Councilmember Johnson asked for clarification.

Bowie provided clarification.

Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

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 Johnson moved approval.

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Appeal of Philip and Kelly Oliver to a Summary Abatement Order at 597

FOREST STREET.

RLH SAO 25-59

RLH CO 25-10

RLH FCO 25-64

Adopted

Appeal of Michael Haubrich to a Correction Notice at 1488 HAZELWOOD

STREET.

Adopted as amended (appeal granted)

Appeal of Todd Knudten to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice

at 1205 HOMER STREET.

Adopted

Appeal of Abdalla Tobasi to a Fire Fire Inspection Report at 933 MINNEHAHA

AVENUE WEST.

RLH FCO 25-61

RLH CO 25-9

Adopted

Appeal of Parker Hoen to a Correction Notice at 1635 MONTREAL AVENUE.

Adopted as amended (appeal granted)

Appeal of Abdalla Tobasi to a Fire Fire Inspection Report at 809 SELBY

AVENUE (806 SELBY AVENUE).

ADJOURNMENT

Adopted

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 378

SIMS AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 25-5.

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2198 TILSEN

AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-49.

Adopted

Appeal of Robert Lankfard to a Correction Order at 613 VIRGINIA STREET.

Adopted

Meeting ended at 4:56 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

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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

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

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