15 West Kellogg Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN 55102

City of Saint Paul

Minutes - Final

Legislative Hearings

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer

Mai Vang, Hearing Coordinator

Joanna Zimny, Executive Assistant

legislativehearings@ci.stpaul.mn.us

651-266-8585

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

9:00 AM

Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote

9:00 a.m. Hearings

Special Tax Assessments

RLH TA 25-376

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 583

MARSHALL AVENUE. (File No. J2526R, Assessment No. 258570)

(Refer to November 4, 2025 Legislative Hearing)

Bowie

Sponsors:

Delete the assessment.

No one appeared

Moermond: trip charge, but we have no orders.

Supervisor Lisa Martin: correct.

Moermond: recommend deletion.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026

RLH TA 26-31

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 580

MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2525R2, Assessment No.

258590)

Johnson

Sponsors:

Delete the assessment.

No one appeared

Moermond: this is a trip charge, but again we don’t have orders. Recommend deletion.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026

RLH TA 25-414

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 580

MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2527R1, Assessment No.

258601)

Johnson

Sponsors:

Delete the assessment.

No one appeared

Moermond: this was a cleanup done by the crew June 11. But we don’t have orders.

When you were looking for orders, Ms. Martin?

Supervisor Lisa Martin: it just shows “Resolved” so we have no way of knowing how.

Moermond: recommend deletion.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026

10:00 a.m. Hearings

RLH TA 26-80

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1216

ALBEMARLE STREET. (File No. 2603T, Assessment No. 269002)

Kim

Sponsors:

Approve and make payable over 10 years.

No one appeared

Moermond: the property owner is in agreement with the assessment but would like

payments divided over 10 years. So recommended.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/13/2026

RLH TA 26-47

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1106

CUMBERLAND STREET. (File No. 2601T, Assessment No. 269000)

Kim

Sponsors:

Approve and make payable over 10 years.

No one appeared

Voicemail left at 11:25 am: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling

Rosilyn Carroll Blakey about a tree assessment for 1106 Cumberland. We’ll try you

back in a little bit.

Voicemail left at 11:38 am: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling

Rosilyn Carroll Blakey again about the tree removal assessment for 1106 Cumberland.

I do know from the notes you wanted this divided over a number of years, I’ll

recommend this is made payable over 10 years. If you want to discuss this further,

reply to the email you receive and let us know and we’ll reschedule you a couple of

weeks out.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

RLH TA 25-422

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2170

HIGHWOOD AVENUE. (File No. J2511E1, Assessment No. 258325)

Johnson

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Abel Yohannes, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: looks like we have a few assessments.

Yohannes: we didn’t receive the orders because it was a new property. Those dates

and tickets had passed. You don’t see them right now, but they should be there

somewhere. We moved in September 1, 2025. It was new construction.

Moermond: what was this for?

Yohannes: someone had been parking next to the house and it didn’t have plates. I

called the police since it wasn’t my car. That’s what the ticket is about.

Moermond: did you talk to parking enforcement? Do you remember?

Yohannes: I just called 911 and they sent an officer since I didn’t know if it was stolen

or what.

Moermond: so someone dumped it there.

Yohannes: it was new construction, so we weren’t there and didn’t know.

Moermond: Ms. Martin, if there’s a call to 911 I imagine there’s a record?

Martin: in 2022 we have a report of no erosion control. May of 2023 construction project

is piling wood on boulevard. Another complaint August 8, 2022 about a tree blocking

road. Another for excavation with no permit. Then one more for a junk vehicle parked

on property on dirt. That’s all I see.

Moermond: so this bill is a result of a vehicle order May 2?

Martin: it is possible.

Moermond: your argument is you called the police about the vehicle? Did they talk to

you about doing a manager’s tow?

Yohannes: what they said is they can’t do anything for me. It wasn’t blocking anything.

Just the side of the garage. I just left it there because it wasn’t bothering anything. I

didn’t know I was getting tickets for that. We didn’t receive any kind of paperwork

because the address was 2000 Highwood Avenue, and my address is 2170 Highwood.

Moermond: but the property didn’t exist. We don’t make up those addresses; they

come from Ramsey County taxation.

Yohannes: when we purchased in 2020 the address was 0 Highwood. When I

transferred to my name they gave me 2170 Highwood when I went to the City. I don’t

know why they got the 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: I’m having staff pull up the transaction from when you bought the parcel to

see what the address was when you bought it. That wouldn’t be about 2170, that would

be about the OWNER address you listed.

Staff: it says 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: the Ramsey County records office, where all deeds are recorded, the

address listed on your deed when it was registered was 2000 Highwood. I don’t know

why. The person working on your title is likely the person who did that. That’s what the

Ramsey County recorder has as the official contact address for your property. You

need to straighten that out with them.

Yohannes: they cannot put 2000 Highwood because there was no number. It was 0

Highwood.

Moermond: I understand that. We’re talking about two different things. We’re not

talking about the address of the property, which was 0 and later 2170. We’re talking

about the address of the OWNER that got registered with Ramsey County. You and

your wife are the two names there and the location where Ramsey County was told you

had as a mailing address was 2000 Highwood. We can get you a copy of the

transaction documents.

Yohannes: I completely understand. We listed the Oakdale address at 7583 isn’t even

close to 2000 Highwood as a mailing address.

Moermond: I don’t know why it shows up that way but it has been that way since you

bought it.

Yohannes: absolutely right. It could be a paperwork misunderstanding and we didn’t

know.

Moermond: that’s what the paperwork shows.

Yohannes: we never received any kind of paper, ticket, anything until we moved into

the house and put the mailbox up. Then the mailman told me there was a bunch of

mail at the post office. When we went out there and then I find about 20 mail with

tickets from the City. I didn’t know I was getting them.

Moermond: we’ll get you the name of the title company. I think they owe you some

money.

Yohannes: regardless of where they sent it, even if they sent it to 2170 I wouldn’t have

got it because it was a new build. Why wouldn’t they send it to where I live in Oakdale?

Moermond: they’re legally required to send to address of record with Ramsey County.

Ramsey County needed to be updated or records corrected because of a mistake the

title company made.

Yohannes: it isn’t the title company tough. When I purchased it was 0 Highwood.

Moermond: they wrote 2000 Highwood for how to get a hold of you.

Yohannes: it isn’t even our fault.

Moermond: it isn’t, but if there’s liability you need to get them to pay. The title company

is insured for exactly this type of situation. They’re the ones responsible for you not

getting the notice because they filed the wrong address when they recorded the

transaction.

Yohannes: so you’re saying I have to go sue the title company?

Moermond: the City was following the law correctly. We’ll get you a copy of those

materials. They’re the ones who caused the issue.

We’ll schedule these items on the Council’s hearing schedule so you can argue

something different if I end up recommending approval. I’ll give this some time so you

can review the materials and talk to the title company about it. I’ll push the Council

Public Hearing to May 27th. Hopefully this is resolved by then. Right now, with the

information I have I’d recommend approval but I’m happy to look at additional

information to see if it is persuasive.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/27/2026

RLH TA 25-404

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2170

HIGHWOOD AVENUE. (File No. J2512E1, Assessment No. 258326)

Johnson

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Abel Yohannes, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: looks like we have a few assessments.

Yohannes: we didn’t receive the orders because it was a new property. Those dates

and tickets had passed. You don’t see them right now, but they should be there

somewhere. We moved in September 1, 2025. It was new construction.

Moermond: what was this for?

Yohannes: someone had been parking next to the house and it didn’t have plates. I

called the police since it wasn’t my car. That’s what the ticket is about.

Moermond: did you talk to parking enforcement? Do you remember?

Yohannes: I just called 911 and they sent an officer since I didn’t know if it was stolen

or what.

Moermond: so someone dumped it there.

Yohannes: it was new construction, so we weren’t there and didn’t know.

Moermond: Ms. Martin, if there’s a call to 911 I imagine there’s a record?

Martin: in 2022 we have a report of no erosion control. May of 2023 construction project

is piling wood on boulevard. Another complaint August 8, 2022 about a tree blocking

road. Another for excavation with no permit. Then one more for a junk vehicle parked

on property on dirt. That’s all I see.

Moermond: so this bill is a result of a vehicle order May 2?

Martin: it is possible.

Moermond: your argument is you called the police about the vehicle? Did they talk to

you about doing a manager’s tow?

Yohannes: what they said is they can’t do anything for me. It wasn’t blocking anything.

Just the side of the garage. I just left it there because it wasn’t bothering anything. I

didn’t know I was getting tickets for that. We didn’t receive any kind of paperwork

because the address was 2000 Highwood Avenue, and my address is 2170 Highwood.

Moermond: but the property didn’t exist. We don’t make up those addresses; they

come from Ramsey County taxation.

Yohannes: when we purchased in 2020 the address was 0 Highwood. When I

transferred to my name they gave me 2170 Highwood when I went to the City. I don’t

know why they got the 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: I’m having staff pull up the transaction from when you bought the parcel to

see what the address was when you bought it. That wouldn’t be about 2170, that would

be about the OWNER address you listed.

Staff: it says 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: the Ramsey County records office, where all deeds are recorded, the

address listed on your deed when it was registered was 2000 Highwood. I don’t know

why. The person working on your title is likely the person who did that. That’s what the

Ramsey County recorder has as the official contact address for your property. You

need to straighten that out with them.

Yohannes: they cannot put 2000 Highwood because there was no number. It was 0

Highwood.

Moermond: I understand that. We’re talking about two different things. We’re not

talking about the address of the property, which was 0 and later 2170. We’re talking

about the address of the OWNER that got registered with Ramsey County. You and

your wife are the two names there and the location where Ramsey County was told you

had as a mailing address was 2000 Highwood. We can get you a copy of the

transaction documents.

Yohannes: I completely understand. We listed the Oakdale address at 7583 isn’t even

close to 2000 Highwood as a mailing address.

Moermond: I don’t know why it shows up that way but it has been that way since you

bought it.

Yohannes: absolutely right. It could be a paperwork misunderstanding and we didn’t

know.

Moermond: that’s what the paperwork shows.

Yohannes: we never received any kind of paper, ticket, anything until we moved into

the house and put the mailbox up. Then the mailman told me there was a bunch of

mail at the post office. When we went out there and then I find about 20 mail with

tickets from the City. I didn’t know I was getting them.

Moermond: we’ll get you the name of the title company. I think they owe you some

money.

Yohannes: regardless of where they sent it, even if they sent it to 2170 I wouldn’t have

got it because it was a new build. Why wouldn’t they send it to where I live in Oakdale?

Moermond: they’re legally required to send to address of record with Ramsey County.

Ramsey County needed to be updated or records corrected because of a mistake the

title company made.

Yohannes: it isn’t the title company tough. When I purchased it was 0 Highwood.

Moermond: they wrote 2000 Highwood for how to get a hold of you.

Yohannes: it isn’t even our fault.

Moermond: it isn’t, but if there’s liability you need to get them to pay. The title company

is insured for exactly this type of situation. They’re the ones responsible for you not

getting the notice because they filed the wrong address when they recorded the

transaction.

Yohannes: so you’re saying I have to go sue the title company?

Moermond: the City was following the law correctly. We’ll get you a copy of those

materials. They’re the ones who caused the issue.

We’ll schedule these items on the Council’s hearing schedule so you can argue

something different if I end up recommending approval. I’ll give this some time so you

can review the materials and talk to the title company about it. I’ll push the Council

Public Hearing to May 27th. Hopefully this is resolved by then. Right now, with the

information I have I’d recommend approval but I’m happy to look at additional

information to see if it is persuasive.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/27/2026

RLH TA 26-49

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2170

HIGHWOOD AVENUE. (File No. J2601E1, Assessment No. 268302)

Johnson

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Abel Yohannes, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: looks like we have a few assessments.

Yohannes: we didn’t receive the orders because it was a new property. Those dates

and tickets had passed. You don’t see them right now, but they should be there

somewhere. We moved in September 1, 2025. It was new construction.

Moermond: what was this for?

Yohannes: someone had been parking next to the house and it didn’t have plates. I

called the police since it wasn’t my car. That’s what the ticket is about.

Moermond: did you talk to parking enforcement? Do you remember?

Yohannes: I just called 911 and they sent an officer since I didn’t know if it was stolen

or what.

Moermond: so someone dumped it there.

Yohannes: it was new construction, so we weren’t there and didn’t know.

Moermond: Ms. Martin, if there’s a call to 911 I imagine there’s a record?

Martin: in 2022 we have a report of no erosion control. May of 2023 construction project

is piling wood on boulevard. Another complaint August 8, 2022 about a tree blocking

road. Another for excavation with no permit. Then one more for a junk vehicle parked

on property on dirt. That’s all I see.

Moermond: so this bill is a result of a vehicle order May 2?

Martin: it is possible.

Moermond: your argument is you called the police about the vehicle? Did they talk to

you about doing a manager’s tow?

Yohannes: what they said is they can’t do anything for me. It wasn’t blocking anything.

Just the side of the garage. I just left it there because it wasn’t bothering anything. I

didn’t know I was getting tickets for that. We didn’t receive any kind of paperwork

because the address was 2000 Highwood Avenue, and my address is 2170 Highwood.

Moermond: but the property didn’t exist. We don’t make up those addresses; they

come from Ramsey County taxation.

Yohannes: when we purchased in 2020 the address was 0 Highwood. When I

transferred to my name they gave me 2170 Highwood when I went to the City. I don’t

know why they got the 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: I’m having staff pull up the transaction from when you bought the parcel to

see what the address was when you bought it. That wouldn’t be about 2170, that would

be about the OWNER address you listed.

Staff: it says 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: the Ramsey County records office, where all deeds are recorded, the

address listed on your deed when it was registered was 2000 Highwood. I don’t know

why. The person working on your title is likely the person who did that. That’s what the

Ramsey County recorder has as the official contact address for your property. You

need to straighten that out with them.

Yohannes: they cannot put 2000 Highwood because there was no number. It was 0

Highwood.

Moermond: I understand that. We’re talking about two different things. We’re not

talking about the address of the property, which was 0 and later 2170. We’re talking

about the address of the OWNER that got registered with Ramsey County. You and

your wife are the two names there and the location where Ramsey County was told you

had as a mailing address was 2000 Highwood. We can get you a copy of the

transaction documents.

Yohannes: I completely understand. We listed the Oakdale address at 7583 isn’t even

close to 2000 Highwood as a mailing address.

Moermond: I don’t know why it shows up that way but it has been that way since you

bought it.

Yohannes: absolutely right. It could be a paperwork misunderstanding and we didn’t

know.

Moermond: that’s what the paperwork shows.

Yohannes: we never received any kind of paper, ticket, anything until we moved into

the house and put the mailbox up. Then the mailman told me there was a bunch of

mail at the post office. When we went out there and then I find about 20 mail with

tickets from the City. I didn’t know I was getting them.

Moermond: we’ll get you the name of the title company. I think they owe you some

money.

Yohannes: regardless of where they sent it, even if they sent it to 2170 I wouldn’t have

got it because it was a new build. Why wouldn’t they send it to where I live in Oakdale?

Moermond: they’re legally required to send to address of record with Ramsey County.

Ramsey County needed to be updated or records corrected because of a mistake the

title company made.

Yohannes: it isn’t the title company tough. When I purchased it was 0 Highwood.

Moermond: they wrote 2000 Highwood for how to get a hold of you.

Yohannes: it isn’t even our fault.

Moermond: it isn’t, but if there’s liability you need to get them to pay. The title company

is insured for exactly this type of situation. They’re the ones responsible for you not

getting the notice because they filed the wrong address when they recorded the

transaction.

Yohannes: so you’re saying I have to go sue the title company?

Moermond: the City was following the law correctly. We’ll get you a copy of those

materials. They’re the ones who caused the issue.

We’ll schedule these items on the Council’s hearing schedule so you can argue

something different if I end up recommending approval. I’ll give this some time so you

can review the materials and talk to the title company about it. I’ll push the Council

Public Hearing to May 27th. Hopefully this is resolved by then. Right now, with the

information I have I’d recommend approval but I’m happy to look at additional

information to see if it is persuasive.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/27/2026

RLH TA 26-38

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2170

HIGHWOOD AVENUE. (File No. J2602E1, Assessment No. 268304)

Johnson

Sponsors:

Approve the assessment.

Abel Yohannes, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: looks like we have a few assessments.

Yohannes: we didn’t receive the orders because it was a new property. Those dates

and tickets had passed. You don’t see them right now, but they should be there

somewhere. We moved in September 1, 2025. It was new construction.

Moermond: what was this for?

Yohannes: someone had been parking next to the house and it didn’t have plates. I

called the police since it wasn’t my car. That’s what the ticket is about.

Moermond: did you talk to parking enforcement? Do you remember?

Yohannes: I just called 911 and they sent an officer since I didn’t know if it was stolen

or what.

Moermond: so someone dumped it there.

Yohannes: it was new construction, so we weren’t there and didn’t know.

Moermond: Ms. Martin, if there’s a call to 911 I imagine there’s a record?

Martin: in 2022 we have a report of no erosion control. May of 2023 construction project

is piling wood on boulevard. Another complaint August 8, 2022 about a tree blocking

road. Another for excavation with no permit. Then one more for a junk vehicle parked

on property on dirt. That’s all I see.

Moermond: so this bill is a result of a vehicle order May 2?

Martin: it is possible.

Moermond: your argument is you called the police about the vehicle? Did they talk to

you about doing a manager’s tow?

Yohannes: what they said is they can’t do anything for me. It wasn’t blocking anything.

Just the side of the garage. I just left it there because it wasn’t bothering anything. I

didn’t know I was getting tickets for that. We didn’t receive any kind of paperwork

because the address was 2000 Highwood Avenue, and my address is 2170 Highwood.

Moermond: but the property didn’t exist. We don’t make up those addresses; they

come from Ramsey County taxation.

Yohannes: when we purchased in 2020 the address was 0 Highwood. When I

transferred to my name they gave me 2170 Highwood when I went to the City. I don’t

know why they got the 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: I’m having staff pull up the transaction from when you bought the parcel to

see what the address was when you bought it. That wouldn’t be about 2170, that would

be about the OWNER address you listed.

Staff: it says 2000 Highwood.

Moermond: the Ramsey County records office, where all deeds are recorded, the

address listed on your deed when it was registered was 2000 Highwood. I don’t know

why. The person working on your title is likely the person who did that. That’s what the

Ramsey County recorder has as the official contact address for your property. You

need to straighten that out with them.

Yohannes: they cannot put 2000 Highwood because there was no number. It was 0

Highwood.

Moermond: I understand that. We’re talking about two different things. We’re not

talking about the address of the property, which was 0 and later 2170. We’re talking

about the address of the OWNER that got registered with Ramsey County. You and

your wife are the two names there and the location where Ramsey County was told you

had as a mailing address was 2000 Highwood. We can get you a copy of the

transaction documents.

Yohannes: I completely understand. We listed the Oakdale address at 7583 isn’t even

close to 2000 Highwood as a mailing address.

Moermond: I don’t know why it shows up that way but it has been that way since you

bought it.

Yohannes: absolutely right. It could be a paperwork misunderstanding and we didn’t

know.

Moermond: that’s what the paperwork shows.

Yohannes: we never received any kind of paper, ticket, anything until we moved into

the house and put the mailbox up. Then the mailman told me there was a bunch of

mail at the post office. When we went out there and then I find about 20 mail with

tickets from the City. I didn’t know I was getting them.

Moermond: we’ll get you the name of the title company. I think they owe you some

money.

Yohannes: regardless of where they sent it, even if they sent it to 2170 I wouldn’t have

got it because it was a new build. Why wouldn’t they send it to where I live in Oakdale?

Moermond: they’re legally required to send to address of record with Ramsey County.

Ramsey County needed to be updated or records corrected because of a mistake the

title company made.

Yohannes: it isn’t the title company tough. When I purchased it was 0 Highwood.

Moermond: they wrote 2000 Highwood for how to get a hold of you.

Yohannes: it isn’t even our fault.

Moermond: it isn’t, but if there’s liability you need to get them to pay. The title company

is insured for exactly this type of situation. They’re the ones responsible for you not

getting the notice because they filed the wrong address when they recorded the

transaction.

Yohannes: so you’re saying I have to go sue the title company?

Moermond: the City was following the law correctly. We’ll get you a copy of those

materials. They’re the ones who caused the issue.

We’ll schedule these items on the Council’s hearing schedule so you can argue

something different if I end up recommending approval. I’ll give this some time so you

can review the materials and talk to the title company about it. I’ll push the Council

Public Hearing to May 27th. Hopefully this is resolved by then. Right now, with the

information I have I’d recommend approval but I’m happy to look at additional

information to see if it is persuasive.

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/27/2026

Special Tax Assessments-Rolls

RLH AR 26-26

Ratifying the assessment for Removal of Diseased and/or Dangerous

Tree(s) service during Nov-Dec 2025 (File No. 2603T, Assessment No.

269002)

Noecker

Sponsors:

Referred to the City Council due back on 5/13/2026

11:00 a.m. Hearings

RLH SAO 26-24

First Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for

399 BLAIR AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-16. (April 14, 2026

Legislative Hearing)

Bowie

Sponsors:

Layover to LH Tuesday April 14, 2026 at 11 am for update. (CPH 4/15)

Nyar Pwo, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: I’m calling about the deadlines put in place for getting the cleanup

addressed. The last time we spoke we talked about the deadlines and the Council

Public Hearing where you could contest. Today we have the same kind of situation and

whether or not the work was done. Again, another Council Public Hearing to talk to the

Council about if you disagree with my recommendation.

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: an inspector went by yesterday to take photos.

The flat bed tow-truck and large amount of outside storage and debris remains

throughout the property. They added another accessory structure that appears more

than 200 square feet, no permit for that. 3 other structures besides the house and

garage. A lot of wood and debris throughout the yard.

Moermond: we were expecting a cleanup of the tow truck, debris not construction

related, and the scrap metal. Why isn’t that done?

Pwo: I had to use the other truck to put the flatbed out. Today I had to fill out the

paperwork. The tow truck is gone today. I’m about to hop in the truck and go but you

called me. I got the paperwork filled out ready to drop off.

Moermond: what about the non-construction items like scrap metal? Those seem to

still be there. What’s going on?

Pwo: the wood?

Moermond: scrap wood, not building wood.

Pwo: I brought it out to lift the flatbed up, but I already put it away. There’s nothing in

the way right now.

Moermond: I have photos that show you still have scrap wood and the tow truck there.

Then I’m seeing junk wood leaned up against a shed with some particle board. Will

that be gone soon?

Pwo: yes. It took some time with all the weather. It will be gone soon. The tow truck

will be gone right now.

Moermond: I’m going to recommend the Council that the work isn’t done, and they

authorize the Department of Safety and Inspections to do a cleanup. If the work is

done before the cleanup, you’re fine. This has a Council Public Hearing next

Wednesday and if it is all done, fantastic. If it isn’t, then the Department of Safety and

Inspections is authorized to do a cleanup.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

RLH SAO 26-12

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1021

COOK AVENUE EAST in Council File RLH SAO 26-4.

Yang

Sponsors:

The nuisance is abated and the matter resolved.

Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: completed and abated.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

RLH SAO 26-26

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2016

FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-21.

Johnson

Sponsors:

The nuisances are partially abated.

Mark Puhala, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: we’re calling you about your first deadline to get things done. It looks like

you had the vehicle on an appropriate surface, licensed and operable, stakes and

fencing.

Puhala: we didn’t get the stakes. I knew we were forgetting something. I’m struggling to

find the email you sent me. The deadline was April 3?

Moermond: yes.

Puhala: we got the car moved and tires filled. The registration was done last

November, so that wasn’t expired tabs. They were red for 2026.

Moermond: I don’t know what they were looking at.

Martin: I don’t have the previous photos in front of me, but the ones from yesterday

show current tabs, full tires, and parked in front of the garage.

Moermond: so the car is now in compliance.

Puhala: but we still need the stakes.

Moermond: you do. This has a Council Public Hearing next Wednesday, and the

stakes need to be pulled right away. If they’re not I’ll ask the Council to authorize a

crew to go do it.

Puhala: not a problem. My partner said they should be able to do it right now. Can I

send photos after this call?

Moermond: you’ll get a follow up email from Joanna Zimny.

Puhala: thank you so much. I’m so sorry. I really wish I hadn’t lost track of the paper.

When I get the follow up email I will make sure I don’t lose track of it. For what its

worth plans for the garden are going well. My neighbor will be transplanting his bushes

into my yard.

Moermond: excellent. Then the branches and Christmas tree can go easier.

Puhala: right. I’m going to have those “twiddled” town, May 1 right?

Moermond: yes.

Puhala: would you be able to send the original document again just in case I can’t find

it?

Moermond: yes, that’s not a problem.

Puhala: I’m so sorry I didn’t get to the stakes in time.

Moermond: you still have a chance, so get on it.

Puhala: we’ll get it done tonight.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

RLH SAO 26-10

Second Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for

805 MINNEHAHA AVENUE WEST in Council File RLH SAO 25-75.

Bowie

Sponsors:

The nuisance is not abated.

Rashad Turner, tenant, appeared via phone

Moermond: you had a deadline for appropriate surfacing or removal of vehicles. Vehicle

removal or site plan removal. As the tenant the site plan stuff would be up to the

owner. Ms. Martin, staff went out?

Martin: no approved site plan. Food trailer, broken fencing, boat and food trailer are

still on site as well and need to be removed.

Moermond: so still some issues. What’s going on?

Turner: sounds like the two of you may not be aware of what’s taken place recently.

Ms. Martin, I thought you were on that email “loop”. The plan was submitted based on

the hearing which the two of you said that the gravel was ok.

Moermond: we’re aware Mr. Turner, you don’t need to assume otherwise.

Turner: what’s the deal with that then?

Moermond: zoning denied the application and as the tenant you aren’t authorized to file

that.

Turner: you’re incorrect.

Moermond: let me finish my sentence, Mr. Turner.

Turner: well, you’re speaking incorrectly so I wanted to save you time.

Moermond: oh, well thank you, but I think I got it.

Turner: are you saying Caitlyn didn’t submit it or…?

Moermond: I’m saying YOU submitted it from what I understand.

Turner: you are incorrect.

Moermond: ok, tell me more.

Turner: your understanding is incorrect. You should be able to access that paperwork.

Moermond: all the same, the application was denied.

Turner: so you and Ms. Martin lied during the Legislative Hearing?

Moermond: no one lied.

Turner: you both said that gravel was ok.

Moermond: no, no. We said it was a zoning decision.

Turner: neither one of you said that. The recording has been made available. Maybe

we need to start the process over?

Moermond: that’s fine, you can argue that to the City Council. Either way next

Wednesday April 15, I’ll find it isn’t in compliance with orders and that they authorize

the Department of Safety and Inspections to act to abate the nuisance. There was no

guarantee on our part. It was application and approval of that application. Not just to

apply for it. You needed to be in compliance one way or another.

Turner: you didn’t state that one of those means was gravel?

Moermond: excuse me?

Turner: at the Legislative Hearing, did you not state one of those means was gravel?

Moermond: it COULD be, but that’s up to Zoning.

Turner: that’s not how it was articulated at the hearing. Do what you need to do and I’ll

talk to the Council about it.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026

1:30 p.m. Hearings

Orders To Vacate - Fire Certificate of Occupancy

RLH VO 26-16

Appeal of Orzugul Kahramonova, Art Investment Group, to a Fire

Inspection Correction Notice, which includes Certificate of Occupancy

Revocation and Order to Vacate, at 100 GEORGE STREET EAST.

Noecker

Sponsors:

Grant to June 1 for all orders on condition the units remain unoccupied, otherwise grant

to June 1, 2026 for orders related to windows, and to May 1, 2026 for balance of the

orders. (CPH April 22)

Voicemail left at 2:22 pm: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling

about 100 George. We’ll try back in just a little bit.

Voicemail left at 2:45 pm: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling

again about 100 George. I’m looking at what we were aiming for last week, which is the

tenants were out and you could measure windows and use that to figure out the

windows timeline. Looking for an update for you on that. If you want to send an email

that would be helpful. I’ll put this on the agenda next week but hopefully we can resolve

this by email.

Note: JZ spoke with appellant after hearing who agreed to above recommendation so

matter was sent directly to Council (email attached).

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026

2:00 p.m. Hearings

Fire Certificates of Occupancy

RLH FCO

26-25

Appeal of Ronald Staeheli, on behalf of Diane Staeheli, to a Fire

Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice at 358 ARBOR STREET.

Noecker

Sponsors:

Grant appeal of items 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 and grant to June 1, 2026 for item 3 of the

February 26, 2026 orders.

Ron Staeheli, owner, appeared via phone

Moermond: received some additional information from you that we’ve reviewed.

[Moermond gives background of appeals process]

Staff report by Supervisor Der Vue: an appeal due to recent orders issued by

Supervisor Keith Demarest. There are a few interior items including smoke alarm,

access, insect infestation and some exterior items which aren’t due until May 1, 2026

from a previous appeal.

Moermond: this is a follow-up inspection after a previous appeal. What’s new here we

haven’t talked about before?

Staeheli: is that a question?

Moermond: yes.

Staeheli: it isn’t for a smoke detector near a bedroom. It is a smoke detector IN the

bedroom. I don’t need one NEAR the bedroom, I have ones IN the bedroom.

Moermond: often enough when we get this type of order we’re talking about a bracket

or something that doesn’t have an alarm mounted. If the bracket would come off it is

compliant often.

Vue: if there is one within 10 feet of a sleeping room on this level and the property

hasn’t had a building permit recently, if there was a bracket and it isn’t legally required

removing it would be sufficient.

Staeheli: the orders state specifically in living room/dining room are too far away to

provide adequate detection. He’s making stuff up. We’re talking about a bed that’s

rumpled and must be used as a bedroom, and installed IMMEDIATELY underlined in

bold. Those aren’t legal orders. Let’s not cover for him by saying there’s a bracket on

the wall.

Moermond: we already discussed the bedroom space. You weren’t using it as a

bedroom, but it IS a bedroom. That’s covered in a previous hearing. It is true we

wouldn’t need detectors in certain areas, and I don’t see photos.

Vue: if there is a smoke or carbon within 10 feet of a sleeping room it meets the

requirement, but I can’t confirm since I didn’t do the inspection myself.

Moermond: I’m going to grant this piece conditionally and I would want to see photos

with measuring tape in the future if it’s called out again. We need a lot better

documentation.

Staeheli: it wasn’t random insects near a garbage bag. It was a clean bag barely 3/4th

full with a random bug near it. The rest is storage and one of his business. That

woman can own as much as she wants in whatever stacks she wants. It may not meet

your LIFE standards but—

Moermond: hang on, you are correct. The photos I have don’t show heavy content. Just

a note about clean egress to windows and doors. I’ll recommend granting the appeal of

that item.

Staeheli: 3 of the 4 inspections he’s saying I failed on, he didn’t bother sending me any

letter or email about a reinspection for the December 22nd date. Every one I “didn’t

attend” were either excused.

Moermond: hold on. None of the no shows are relevant to me, only the deadline

embedded in the bottom of the order. That can be removed from the order since it is

covered in the follow up appointment earlier.

Staeheli: I want June 1 and you really should let paint be above 35 degrees to get a

good coat on it. I’m old, I’d like to not ever do it again.

Moermond: I can agree with June 1 for that.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026

RLH FCO

26-26

Appeal of Gomaa Elzamel to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction

Notice, Second Notice at 1090 LOEB STREET.

Kim

Sponsors:

Grant to June 1, 2026 for compliance.

Gomaa Elzamel, owner, appeared via phone

Cristabel Olivera, partner of owner, appeared via phone

Staff update by Supervisor Der Vue: I have updated photos and Correction Order from

Inspector Dravis from April 1. I’m looking at the orders in comparison to the March 2nd

orders. I show 4 deficiencies, not much change, if any, from the April 1 inspection. A

fourth deficiency was added for the exterior of the property for the April 6 orders.

Moermond: my team sent those April 6 orders since its only April 7 so no way they’d

have received them. They’re identical except for item 4, which doesn’t seem like it

would be a surprise. Are you looking for more time?

Elzamel: I want another inspector. Alex isn’t very professional. He added some things

he didn’t need to. I also need more time, yeah.

Moermond: what am I supposed to see in the photos that show that? That you don’t

think are violations.

Olivera: he’s talking about the ones before the new ones. The new ones we went with

the Supervisor. He’s asking for a new inspector and not having to deal with Alex

anymore. The photos he’s talking about are from the previous ones where they took

photos from last year and the window framing that’s wear and tear. He asked Alex what

I’m supposed to do about the window, and Alex said “well, I can’t tell you how to do it,

I’m just saying what needs to be done.” Gomaa asked if he could repaint it, and he

said sure.

Elzamel: he keeps adding more and more.

Vue: during the April 1 inspection, the inspector was accompanied by a Supervisor

correct? Inspector Demarest?

Elzamel: yes.

Vue: based on the updated deficiencies the Supervisor agreed with inspector Dravis’

inspection.

Moermond: my perspective on this is these orders are all old except for item 4.

Vue: based on the photos on page 7, 4, it looks like it would be accessible by

rodents. Not uncommon for squirrels to do this.

Moermond: an extension to complete these, what are you asking for?

Elzamel: 2 months?

Moermond: I’ll say June 1, and then the Department of Safety and Inspections can

take further action. What would that be Ms. Vue?

Vue: our next step is typically revoking the Fire Certificate of Occupancy with an order

to vacate.

Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026