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, February 25, 2026

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:32 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 LAHA Project Budgets: $500,000 of additional funding for the 2026

AO 26-14

Emergency Rental Assistance program.

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 10 and 13 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 Coleman

Authorizing the Department of Emergency Management to pay for all costs for

Emergency Management training and/or costs associated with the operation

of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies and

RES 26-65

declared disasters in 2026.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to purchase refreshments for Employee

Recognition ceremonies and events in 2026.

RES 26-92

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for $25,000, with

no funding match required from the City, from the Metropolitan Regional Arts

Council (MRAC) for the Revitalization of Outdoor Community Celebrations

Project.

RES 26-232

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for grant funds,

of up to $175,000, from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,

Parks and Trails grant programs, to support winter grooming and

snowmaking improvements at City owned parks.

RES 26-263

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into a cooperative agreement with Ramsey

County for their project on Dale Street from Grand Avenue to Iglehart Avenue.

RES 26-271

RES 26-272

RES 26-275

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to expense costs associated with

assessors for the Commander and Sergeant exams.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department's expenditures relating to the Traffic and

Pedestrian Safety Unit’s community engagement meetings and multi-agency

Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) meetings and events in 2026.

Adopted

Requesting a variance from Minnesota Department of Transportation

Municipal State Aid Rules to implement 10-foot wide travel lanes during the

reconstruction of Arlington Avenue from W Wheelock Parkway to Payne

Avenue.

RES 26-276

RES 26-314

Adopted

Approving Ordinance Permits 20210010309 - 20210010314 for Roadway

Traffic - Signage and Pavement Markings Infrastructure installed by Project

Paul, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”)

on the Ford (Highland Bridge) Site, for roadway signage and pavement

markings in various locations on Highland Bridge (District 15, Ward 3).

Adopted

Authorizing the City to apply for up to $3,000,000 from the Environment and

Natural Resources Trust Fund for the Mississippi River Learning Center

Peninsula Restoration project.

RES 26-325

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Supporting the designation of the West 7th Street corridor as the future

METRO J Line.

RES 26-311

Council President Noecker spoke in favor.

Councilmember Jost spoke in favor and moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Restoring Ford's Area C.

RES 26-330

Councilmember Jost spoke in favor and moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Recognizing Portia Hampton Flowers’ career with the City of Saint Paul and

thanking her for her service.

RES 26-343

Council President Noecker gave remarks, read from the resolution, and moved

approval.

Portia Hampton Flowers gave remarks.

All councilmembers gave remarks.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Approving the Mayor's appointments of Policy Aides - Assistant to the Mayor I,

Constituent Services Associates - Assistant to the Mayor I, and Director of

Public Engagement and Constituent Services - Assistant to the Mayor VI.

RES 26-326

Council President Noecker moved approval of Version 2.

Mayor's Office staff were sworn in.

Councilmembers Yang, Kim, and Johnson spoke in support.

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Black History month and uplifting

the significant contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the

National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Divine 9 and Links Incorporated to the City

of Saint Paul.

RES PH 26-58

Councilmembers Johnson and Bowie gave an introduction.

Mayor Kaohly Her read from her related proclamation.

Representatives from historically black fraternities and sororities gave remarks.

All councilmembers spoke in favor.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to proceed with adverse

action and the imposition of a $1,000 matrix penalty against Wizards Auto

Repair LLC d/b/a Wizards Auto Repair (License ID #20240000998) for the

premises located at 985 Randolph Avenue. (Licensee will speak to Council on

their own behalf)

RES 26-341

Monica Shaffer gave a staff report.

Mohamed Mohamed, license holder, addressed the City Council.

Council President Noecker gave remarks.

Shaffer answered questions from Noecker.

Noecker moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

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.

Authorizing the write off of Police staffing costs for qualifying free public

cultural festivals and community events.

RES PH 26-59

Councilmember Bowie spoke to the resolution.

5 people spoke during the public hearing.

Bowie asked about debt collection.

Kurt Hallstrom, Deputy Police Chief, spoke to Bowie's question.

Bowie gave additional remarks.

Council President Noecker expressed concerns.

All councilmembers continued discussion of concerns.

Bowie moved to lay over for two weeks.

Public hearing closed laid over to March 11, 2026

5 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, Councilmember Bowie,

Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember Coleman

2 - Councilmember Noecker and Councilmember Jost

Establishing the Festivals and Events Security Credit. (Laid over from

February 4, 2026)

RES PH 26-37

Kurt Hallstrom, Deputy Police Chief, gave a staff report and answered councilmember

questions.

Andy Rodriguez, Director of Parks and Recreation, spoke to additional councilmember

questions.

Hallstrom answered additional questions.

Council President Noecker spoke in favor and moved approval.

Councilmember Bowie expressed concerns.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Amending Chapters 65 and 66 of the Legislative Code pertaining to

drive-through sales and services and walk-up service windows.

Ord 24-26

Councilmember Jost moved Version 3 and spoke in favor.

Bill Dermody, City Planner, answered councilmember questions.

Version 3 approved 7-0.

5 people spoke during the public hearing

Jost moved to continue the public hearing for one week.

Amended and public hearing continued to March 4, 2026 for Final Adoption

Adopting the geothermal energy franchise by The Heights Community Energy,

Inc.

Ord 26-9

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 4, 2026 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Granting authority to the Port Authority to issue and sell bonds in the principal

amount of approximately $6,000,000, and any bonds to refund such bonds, to

secure such bonds with a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of the

City (the “City”) and to use the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds

to pay the cost and expense necessarily to be incurred by said Port Authority

for a portion of the cost of the redevelopment of part of the St. Joseph’s

hospital site.

Ord 26-11

Council President Noecker moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one

week.

Laid over to March 4, 2026 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Amending section 310.01 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to create new fee

categories and associated license fees for Transportation Network

Companies.

Ord 26-12

Councilmember Yang moved to close the public hearing and lay over for one week.

Laid over to March 4, 2026 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending the 2026 PED Operations Budget to Include HRA Housing Trust

Fund Funding for Emergency Rental Assistance Staffing, Citywide.

RES PH 26-62

Councilmember Johnson moved to close the public hearing. Approved 7-0.

Councilmembers Johnson, Noecker, Kim, Coleman, Jost, and Yang spoke in favor.

Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public

Works Capital and Capital Maintenance Contingency Budgets to transfer

$90,000 for the Dale Street Roof Replacement.

RES PH 26-42

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to amend the financing

and spending plan, in the amount of $10,000, and to enter into a grant

agreement with the Minnesota Historical Society to accept Minnesota

Historical and Cultural Heritage grant funds.

RES PH 26-38

Councilmember Coleman moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Authorizing an increase in the Parks and Recreation 2026 Grant Fund Budget

in the amount of $510,000 to reflect grant funding awarded from the State of

Minnesota DNR for a recurring operational grant at the Como Zoo and

Conservatory for State Fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RES PH 26-55

Councilmember Kim 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 Meefy Beat Inc DBA Shamrocks Irish Nook for a

sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for a Saint Patrick’s

Day Weekend event on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and Tuesday, March 17,

2026, at 995 West 7th Street - Shamrocks Irish Nook.

RES PH 26-52

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 petition of the Marianne McEvoy, to vacate the easterly half of

the north-south alley right-of-way abutting 2105 Scudder Street.

RES PH 26-51

Marianne McEvoy, petitioner, spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Coleman moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Approving the petition of the Ruth Dill-Macky, to vacate the westerly half of the

north-south alley right-of-way abutting the south 98 feet of 2115 Scudder

Street.

RES PH 26-53

Councilmember Coleman moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.

PH 26-4

Two people spoke during the public hearing.

Councilmember Johnson moved to continue the public hearing for one week.

Public hearing continued to March 4, 2026

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 839 EDMUND

RLH TA 26-11

AVENUE. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

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

Councilmember Bowie moved to approve the assessment.

Adopted as amended

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 Jost moved approval.

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2017

FOURTH STREET EAST. (File No. VB2513A, Assessment No. 258837)

RLH TA 25-478

RLH VO 26-5

Adopted

Appeal of Robert Jennrich to a Correction Notice, which includes

condemnation, at 873 FRONT AVENUE.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 692 HAMLINE

AVENUE NORTH AKA 1339 VAN BUREN AVENUE. (File No. VB2512B,

Assessment No. 258835) (Amend and public hearing continued to March 4,

2026)

RLH TA 25-420

Public hearing continued to March 4, 2026

RLH VO 26-8

Appeal of Florence Cherry Kimmel Minister Scarlet Rose to a Fire Inspection

Report, which includes condemnation, at 787 HOWELL STREET NORTH:

Final Determination. (Refer to Legislative Hearing March 3, 2026)

Referred to March 3, 2026 Legislative Hearing

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 843 SELBY

AVENUE. (File No. VB2513B, Assessment No. 258838)

RLH TA 25-479

RLH TA 25-405

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1615

STANFORD AVENUE. (File No. J2512B1, Assessment No. 258117)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 554

STRYKER AVENUE. (File No. VB2512C, Assessment No. 258836)

RLH TA 26-10

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 7:42 PM.

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

comment on public hearing items in writing. 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 or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony

will be taken in person in the Council Chambers.

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