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, June 9, 2026  
9:00 AM  
Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote  
9:00 a.m. Hearings  
Remove/Repair Orders  
1
RLH RR 26-2  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 799  
UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST within fifteen (15) days after the February  
18, 2026 City Council Public Hearing. (Refer back to September 15,  
2026 Legislative Hearing)  
Bowie  
Sponsors:  
Refer back to LH September 15, 2026 at 9 am to review work plan / scope of work as  
updated financing was submitted.  
Coung Pham, owner, appeared  
Blaine Kirchert, owner & contractor, appeared  
Pham: we are out there throwing the junk out. Hoping to start the demo next week, see  
what can be reused. The architect will be out after that. I’m looking for another  
architect, but I did pay this one I submitted.  
Staff update by Supervisor James Hoffman: no complaints, no issues to report.  
Moermond: I saw basically the architect scope of work. It cost $5,500 to develop this  
scope of work. I’d really like more detail about the different phases. This is at a grand  
level. When you estimate pulling a building permit, so on.  
Pham: I want to do it as fast as I can. I have funds for the demo. Once I get a better  
idea of the cost, then I can see if I use my own funds or take a loan from the bank. I  
need 3 bids for the architect.  
Moermond: we have the Performance Deposit, the property is in your name. All great.  
You have started with an architect. I think they could prepare your code analysis and  
based on that initiate permits.  
Pham: I need a permit to demo the inside. Once that is done the architect will walk  
through and see what we can get done. I can’t do that until it is gutted and that’s  
completed. That will take three weeks, and in the meantime I’ll get a couple architects  
in to do bids. Then I can submit plans to you.  
Moermond: I can ask Department of Safety and Inspections issue an interior demo  
permit, which is separate from the building permit. But you don’t yet have a grant of  
time to do the rehab yet. I don’t want you spending good money after bad. I think  
you’re in this, but it isn’t the same as the grant of time to do all of the work.  
Hoffman: Robert Humphrey knows what is going on, he knows it doesn’t need a Code  
Compliance Inspection. Since it is commercial it needs a whole code analysis anyway.  
Moermond: we have planning pieces, and code analysis approved before building  
permit issued. Attaching contractors to those actions. I need to see you have the  
money lined up to do the project. I would like any information refreshed once you have  
a final amount for the rehab. When I have those plans and evidence of financing, I’m  
happy to recommend the Council give you time to do the work.  
I’ll ask the Council to refer it back to Legislative Hearing in 90 days, at which point I  
want to see the bids. The Department of Safety and Inspections will be reviewing the  
code analysis, but I want to know its going. That brings us to September 15th on the  
strength of posting the Performance Deposit and you have title in your hands, you are  
sending in updated financing, all things we were looking for. A good faith effort to get  
us where we want to be. 90 days to give plans to develop, which seems reasonable  
given the fire.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 6/24/2026  
2
RLH RR 26-12  
Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at  
594-596 REANEY AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the July 15,  
2026, City Council Public Hearing.  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
Layover to LH July 14, 2026 at 9 am to review work plan, schedule, financing (CPH  
July 15).  
Jay Mitchell, contractor, appeared  
Staff report by Supervisor James Hoffman: The building is a two story, wood frame,  
duplex on a lot of 6,098 square feet. The property was referred to Vacant Buildings  
with files opened on August 6, 2009.  
The current property owner is Quality Residences LLC, per Amanda and Ramsey  
County Property records.  
On March 11, 2026, an inspection of the building was conducted, a list of deficiencies  
which constitute a nuisance condition was developed and photographs were taken. An  
Order to abate a Nuisance Building was posted on March 18, 2026, with a compliance  
date of April 17, 2026. As of this date, the property remains in a condition which  
comprises a nuisance as defined by the legislative code.  
Taxation has placed an estimated market value of $25,000 on the land and $127,800  
on the building. Real estate taxes are current. The vacant building registration fees  
were paid by assessment on September 3, 2024. As of June 8, 2026, a Code  
Compliance Inspection has been paid for but not conducted. As of June 8, 2026, the  
$5,000 performance deposit has not been posted. There have been eleven Summary  
Abatement Notices since 2009. There have been eight work orders issued for:  
Garbage/rubbish, Boarding/securing, Tall grass/weeds and Snow/ice. Code  
Enforcement Officers estimate the cost to repair this structure exceeds $100,000. The  
estimated cost to demolish exceeds $35,000.  
Moermond: first thing I notice is it has been a Vacant Building for 17 years. Code  
Compliance was applied for yesterday, so 2 or 3 weeks out. Should be done before the  
Council Public Hearing. Could we email Clint Zane and ask to expedite it?  
Hoffman: ok.  
Mitchell: it is one of many properties he owns. He’s owned it 8 or 9 years. It is on his  
radar now. I did put in for the Performance Deposit and hope to have it today or  
tomorrow and I’ll submit it.  
Moermond: that sounds great. You’ve done a walk through? Thoughts in terms of what  
needs to be done?  
Mitchell: we’ll be reding everything start to finish. Down to studs and back from there.  
Moermond: is it going to continue to be a duplex?  
Mitchell: yes. He’d love to get an ADU too.  
Moermond: it is a big parcel. Looks like they’ve been 11 Summary Abatement Orders  
in 17 years isn’t even one a year. And I’d imagine most of those happened after it was  
originally made a Vacant Building.  
Mitchell: now it has been turned over to me, I will be managing it personally. Checking  
grass, broken windows, squatters, things like that.  
Moermond: do you think this is one you can start right away? When would you start?  
Mitchell: we’re closing one up now. Hopefully within 30 days from July.  
Moermond: so September 1 let’s say. How long a job is it?  
Mitchell: realistically, probably 9 months.  
Moermond: so we’ll have to revisit at the 180 day mark and you’ll be looking for  
additional time. If you are at the 50% mark that Performance Deposit will be  
continued. No new one required. That would be your first goal.  
[discussion of Vacant Building fees and billing after cyber attack July 2025]  
Moermond: it seems realistic to have a conversation with you July 14, before the  
Council Public Hearing July 15. You’ll have the Code Compliance and can develop  
things. If you have the evidence of financing and Code Compliance Inspection in hand,  
no question I’d ask for more time to develop the other things.  
We’ll talk the 14th. If things are together you’ll get the time on the 15th, if not we’ll  
figure out next steps to pull things together.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 7/15/2026  
Making Finding on Nuisance Abatements  
RLH RR 26-11  
3
Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 1079  
ARKWRIGHT STREET in Council File RLH RR 25-31. (Amend to grant  
additional 180 days)  
Kim  
Sponsors:  
Grant additional 180 days and continue original $5,000 PD (additional $5,000 posted as  
required).  
Moermond: the conditions were in place we needed an updated work plan, financing,  
and additional Performance Deposit to recommend another 180 days. That all  
happened, so when this goes to Council tomorrow my recommendation will be to grant  
an additional 180 days and continue original Performance Deposit.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 6/10/2026  
10:00 a.m. Hearings  
Special Tax Assessments  
4
RLH AR 26-43  
Ratifying the assessment for Demolition of Vacant, Nuisance and/or  
Hazardous Structure from the month of March 2026. (File No. J2606C,  
Assessment No. 262005)  
Noecker  
Sponsors:  
Referred to the City Council due back on 7/15/2026  
11:00 a.m. Hearings  
Making Finding on Nuisance Abatements  
RLH SAO 26-37  
5
Second Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for  
1478 AMES AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-32. (Public hearing  
continued to June 10, 2026)  
Yang  
Sponsors:  
The nuisance is not abated.  
No one appeared  
Tried calling 11:36 am: unable to leave a message; voicemail box not set up.  
Moermond: findings are the same as last week when we talked to him, the nuisance is  
not abated.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 6/10/2026  
RLH SAO 26-45  
6
Making finding on the appeal of Emmett Owens, Jr., to the nuisance  
abatement ordered for 233 BATES AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO  
26-28.  
Johnson  
Sponsors:  
The nuisance is not abated.  
Voicemail left at 11:38 am: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling  
to update on the conditions on the property form the orders. We were just checking in  
after last week’s hearing. Things appear to be largely the same. My recommendation  
will remain the same. Again, the Council Public Hearing is tomorrow afternoon.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 6/10/2026  
RLH SAO 25-81  
7
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 239  
BATES AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-60.  
Johnson  
Sponsors:  
The nuisance is not abated.  
Voicemail left at 11:38 am: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling  
to update on the conditions on the property form the orders. We were just checking in  
after last week’s hearing. Things appear to be largely the same. My recommendation  
will remain the same. Again, the Council Public Hearing is tomorrow afternoon.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 6/10/2026  
RLH SAO 26-41  
8
Second Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for  
399 BLAIR AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-16. (Public Hearing  
continued to June 24, 2026; Legislative Hearing on June 23, 2026)  
Bowie  
Sponsors:  
Continue CPH to June 24, 2026. LH June 23rd for update on nuisance conditions.  
Nyar Pwo, owner, appeared via phone  
Mitch Hadler, attorney and friend, appeared via phone  
Moermond: today we’re reviewing the file to see if any updated in the recommendation  
should be made before tomorrow’s Council Public Hearing. The requirement in the  
resolution gave a April 1, May 1 deadline for vehicles, and June 1 to have building  
permit pilled or construction materials removed, and August 1 for the brick patio  
installed or bricks removed. So all the other items aside from the bricks should be  
done today. I know we pushed the deadline on the other items as sort of an information  
extension.  
Staff update by Supervisor Lisa Martin :we met with the owner and walked through the  
backyard. Less vehicles than there were, those are in compliance. New vehicles on the  
property, one does appear inoperable, but we couldn’t verify. There was a permit  
application, but it wasn’t issued. It needed more information and to be resubmitted.  
The area behind the garage the owner refused access to.  
Moermond: so vehicles in compliance. Permit application was denied when it was  
made, so the construction materials aside from bricks should be removed. Another  
storage area, but it wasn’t confirmed because access was denied.  
Hadler: we’re working on a drawing for the application and that’s expensive. We’re  
working towards moving forward with the permit process. The issue was with the  
drawing.  
Moermond: this expectation has been in place for quite a long time. The building  
materials need to find a different home, and once you get the permit  
Hadler: the building materials are contained, either wrapped or in a shed.  
Moermond: I have photos from this morning Ms. Martin, but I don’t see construction  
materials. What was the observation?  
Martin: wood stacked onto the shed, the unapproved shed, and OSB is completely  
exposed. Then behind the house by the back door there are a bunch, plus the hidden  
area behind the garage we didn’t have access to. In the past it has been storage.  
Hadler: there are sheds there, those aren’t illegal. They’re the right size. Materials  
anywhere are covered. They aren’t exposed. They’re in the garage or covered up. Not  
exposed. They’re allowed to be covered up. It is a big lot. Everyone has stuff in their  
yards and next to their garages. Nothing out of the ordinary here. The materials are  
neatly in place and the structure hasn’t gone forward because we’re waiting on that  
permit. This isn’t illegal. It is a private residential property.  
Moermond: and I’m not going to re-hear that. Council already made a finding. I’m here  
to make a finding on the building materials. I don’t have in the photos building  
materials stored outside, though I will note tarps are not protection.  
Martin: a lot of wood isn’t covered, it is just attached to the shed. And there’s just a  
covered area.  
Moermond: so that area just because it is exposed to the weather. I’m thinking that  
those boards and lumber should be stored on the inside of the shed structure. I did  
hear the comment about the exterior walls weren’t of proper material, but that isn’t in  
front of me right now. I’ll take no action at all on the addition materials are done with. If  
that can be moved inside the shed so it is covered then I can live with it as being  
abated.  
I don’t want it covered up. I want it moved from the outside in. The goal is to put it to  
use right now, or be properly stored. Put it away, and when you get your permit and  
take action then they’re in use and it is a different situation.  
Pwo: can we get a month?  
Moermond: no.  
Hadler: three weeks?  
Moermond: no, the deadline has come and gone.  
Hadler: alright, 2 weeks then.  
Moermond: at the hearing tomorrow I’ll ask them to continue it two weeks, to June  
24th. I’ll make a finding then on whether it is complete on June 23.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 6/10/2026  
RLH SAO 26-27  
9
Second Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for  
1377 MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST in Council File RLH SAO 26-19.  
(Public hearing continued to June 10, 2026)  
Johnson  
Sponsors:  
The nuisance is abated and matter resolved pending removal of trailer contents from  
property.  
Voicemail left at 12:11 pm: Hi Mary, this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City  
Council checking in on where things are at. Fantastic progress. Just the one trailer of  
items to be taken care of. 95% done, aside from the trailer, hoping that can be gone  
by the weekend. A crew won’t come out until next week if that isn’t done. Give us a call  
if something comes up and that doesn’t work.  
Referred to the City Council due back on 6/10/2026