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 - Action Only

City Council

Council President Rebecca Noecker

Vice President Nelsie Yang

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Councilmember Molly Coleman

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim

Wednesday, July 8, 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 the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public

Works Capital Budget for the University Avenue Reconstruction Project.

AO 26-39

AO 26-38

AO 26-40

Received and Filed

Establishing one (1) new project through the Neighborhood STAR Year-Round

Program as adopted via City Council Resolution #- RES 26-1027

Received and Filed

Amending CDBG Project Budgets: To allocate $150,000 for demolition of

648-656 Bush Avenue and to return $7,821.70 NENO business investment

and revitalization funds back to the undesignated fund.

Received and Filed

AO 26-41

Authorizing the Department of Public Works to move $71,499 from

unspent signing and lighting materials budget to accommodate a garage

door replacement for the Traffic Building, located at 899 Dale Street.

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

Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Authorizing the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation to

submit project applications for funding to the 2026 Metropolitan Council

Regional Solicitation for federal funding and the 2026 Active Transportation

Solicitation for regional sales tax funding.

RES 26-903

RES 26-944

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing removal of diseased and/or dangerous

tree(s) during April 2026, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for August 4,

2026 and City Council public hearing for September 16, 2026 to consider and

levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. 2606T,

Assessment No. 269007)

Adopted

Authorizing the City to apply for sub-grant funds from the Rocky Mountain

Institute (RMI) to install curbside charging through the RMI E-Mobility

Accelerator program.

RES 26-968

RES 26-998

RES 26-1000

Adopted

Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2026 - December

31, 2028) and Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and

the Saint Paul Supervisors' Organization.

Laid over to July 15, 2026

Approving Ordinance Permit 20240010110 for Roadway Base Infrastructure

and Roadway Traffic infrastructure installed by Project Paul, LLC (a

wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”) on the Ford

(Highland Bridge) Site. The roadway, lighting and signs & pavement marking

infrastructure identified in Ordinance Permit 20240010110 is for work at the

following location(s): on Bohland Avenue from Ranger Way to Finn Street; on

Ranger Way from Bohland Avenue to Saunders Avenue; on Beechwood

Avenue from Cretin Avenue to Finn Street; on Village Way from Cretin Avenue

to Finn Street; on Saunders Avenue from Cretin Avenue to Finn Street

(District 15, Ward 3).

Adopted

Approving Ordinance Permit 20240010110A for Roadway Base Infrastructure

and Roadway Traffic infrastructure installed by Project Paul, LLC (a

RES 26-1001

wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”) on the Ford

(Highland Bridge) Site. The roadway, lighting and signing & pavement marking

infrastructure identified in Ordinance Permit 20240010110A is for work at the

following location(s): on Finn Street from Bohland Avenue to Montreal Avenue.

Adopted

Approving Ordinance Permit 20240010308 for Roadway Traffic (Lighting)

Infrastructure installed by Project Paul, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of

Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”) on the Ford (Highland Bridge) Site

(District 15, Ward 3).

RES 26-1002

Adopted

Approving Right of Way Permit Fee Rates for 2026.

RES 26-1016

RES 26-1023

RES 26-1025

Adopted

Naming Phalen Picnic Island to Tou Ger Xiong Island.

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a

community garden license agreement with West Side Community

Organization.

Adopted

Accepting the gift of airfare, lodging, meals, and other travel expenses from

the Omaha Fire Department for Deputy Chief Brittney Baker to participate as

an assessor for their captain promotion process.

RES 26-1036

RES 26-1046

RES 26-1048

Adopted

Authorizing the City to enter into an Interconnection Agreement with Xcel

Energy, which includes an indemnification clause, for solar at Dayton’s Bluff

Recreation Center.

Adopted

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Auto Body

Repair/Painting Shop license now held by TW Auto Body 93 LLC d/b/a TNT

Auto Body (License ID #DSIBLAUTO-000641-2026) for the premises located

at 93 Annapolis St. E.

Adopted

Authorizing the City to Enter into a Services Agreement with Nortridge Hosting

Services LLC or One of Its Affiliates (that includes an indemnification clause)

for Certain Loan Servicing and Management Software.

RES 26-1050

RES 26-1051

RES 26-1052

Adopted

Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2026 - December

31, 2028) and Memorandums of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul

and the Professional Employees Association, Inc.

Laid over to July 15, 2026

Approving the Use of Grant Funds through the Ward 4 Neighborhood STAR

Year-Round Program for Bewick Cafe LLC Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Project.

Adopted

Approving a Special Law enacted by the Minnesota State Legislature during

the 2026 Regular Session allowing the City of Saint Paul to issue on-sale

intoxicating liquor licenses to the Science Museum of Minnesota and the

Union Depot for sales on the premises any day of the week.

RES 26-1055

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel expense and tuition from the Bloomberg Harvard

City Leadership Initiative for Mayor Kaohly Her to attend the Bloomberg

Harvard City Leadership Initiative from 7/11/2026 - 7/16/2026.

RES 26-1056

RES 26-1057

Adopted

Approving assessment costs and setting date of City Council public hearing to

ratify the assessments for sanitary sewer replacement within the street

right-of-way from the public sewer to the property line, done with the Metro

Transit 10-mile Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit project. (File No. 19252C,

Assessment No. 226001)

Adopted

Honoring Catherine Plessner and Recognizing July 9th, 2026 as Catherine

Plessner Day.

RES 26-1058

RES 26-1059

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel expense and tuition from the Bloomberg Harvard

City Leadership Initiative for Assistant Mayors Nick Stumo-Langer and Hnu

Vang to attend the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative from 8/9/2026

- 8/13/2026.

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to apply for the Firearms Storage Grant

from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

RES 26-1142

RES 26-1064

Adopted

Authorizing the Police Department to apply for a Crisis Intervention and

Behavioral Health Grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety -

Office of Justice Programs.

Adopted

RES 26-1073

RES 26-1074

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Liquor On Sale,

Liquor On Sale - Sunday, Entertainment (B), and Gambling Location licenses

(License ID #DSIBLLIQ-000905-2026) now held by MPL 1067 LLC d/b/a

Mounds Park Lounge for the premises located at 1067 Hudson Rd.

Adopted

Approving a new location application for the Liquor On Sale, Liquor On Sale -

Sunday, Liquor Outdoor Service Area Patio, and Liquor Outdoor Service Area

Sidewalk licenses (License ID #DSIBLLIQ- 000843-2026) to Bewick Café LLC

d/b/a Bewick Café for the premises located at 1340 Thomas Ave.

Adopted

Approving the 2026 Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant Program

awards.

RES 26-1075

RES 26-1077

RES 26-1092

Adopted

Approving the 2026 Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant

Program awards.

Adopted

Adopting the report of Ramsey County Elections finding that the petition

for an initiative to create Chapter 34A of the Legislative Code pertaining

to Tenant Right to Repair is insufficient.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Establishing the rate of pay for the classification of GIS Supervisor, EG 09,

SPSO, Grade 019.

RES 26-969

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story and Its

Enduring Legacy of Community, Culture, and Freedom in the City of Saint

Paul

RES 26-1106

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.

First Reading

Amending Appendix C of the Legislative Code relating to Northern States

Power, D/B/A Xcel Energy, Electric Franchise.

Ord 26-32

Laid over to July 15, 2026 for Second Reading

Amending Appendix B of the Legislative Code relating to Northern States

Power, D/B/A Xcel Energy, Gas Franchise.

Ord 26-33

Laid over to July 15, 2026 for Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Approving the application of Rondo Community Coalition for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound for Fourth Annual Rondo Block

Party event on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 820 Rondo Avenue - Rondo

Commemorative Plaza.

RES PH 26-146

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Approving the application of Sonya Castillo for a sound level variance in order

to present amplified sound for Chicano Fest event on Saturday, July 11, 2026,

at 235 Marshall Ave.- Saint Paul Technical College Parking Lot.

RES PH 26-147

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Amending Title IV of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to add Chapter 92,

titled Tree Preservation for City Sponsored Construction Projects.

Ord 25-4

Laid over to July 15, 2026 for Final Adoption

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEMS

Appeal of Ambe McKenzie, tenant of unit 5, to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy

RLH FCO 26-51

Correction Notice at 683 KANSAS AVENUE. (July 7, 2026 Legislative

Hearing)

Appeal denied, granted to August 7, 2026 for compliance.

Ambe McKenzie, tenant, appeared in-person.

Joanna Zimny, Legislative Hearing Officer: This is an appeal of a June 9, 2026 fire

correction order. There were plumbing issues, holes, and walls needing repainting.

Some issues are significant, but didn't rise to the level of condemnation. The appellant

spoke during the hearing about frustrations with their landlord, Housing and Urban

Development (HUD), and the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). According

to our records, we have no logged complaints about this property. All that's before you

today are the orders from June 9. Hearing Officer Moermond's recommendation is

grant to August 7, 2026 for compliance. The appellant has pursued other avenues with

other jurisdictions to deal with their concerns. The City doesn't have jurisdiction over

those avenues.

Council President Noecker: What are the orders in need of correction?

Zimny: The report by Supervisor Keith Demarest has findings including the kitchen

drain line dripping, upstairs bathtub overflowing through the ceiling, heat deflector

shield removed from kitchen heater, removed smoke alarms in the kitchen and

basement as the largest concern, some holes and repairs needed in the upstairs

vanity, bubbling in upstairs ceiling, repainting needed throughout, condensation on

walls, and a new vent fan upstairs.

Noecker: Do these orders go to the tenant or property owner?

Zimny: The property owner is ultimately responsible for the repairs.

Noecker: I'm trying to understand the tenant's appeal if there's no vacate order.

Zimny: The tenant has continued frustration with the landlord not addressing these

issues. This started in February 2026. There were multiple visits to the property with

orders issued and nothing done. New orders were on February 18, March 5, April 9, and

May 8. Nothing ever recorded being done.

Noecker: The tenant is appealing the orders?

Zimny: Yes. He perhaps disagrees with the time given. I will let him speak to that.

Noecker: The responsibility is on the property owner, though.

Zimny: Correct.

Ambe McKenzie: That wasn't correct. That isn't why I'm here. My issue is that you,

Noecker, had already visited the property in April 2025. There was $3.8 million worth of

damages. This is just like Heritage Park in North Minneapolis. My issue is also with

Maintenance Property Solutions. I have video of them stealing some of the materials I

took from my house in Saint Paul to North Minneapolis Heritage Park. These guys

targeted us, went into the garage, and stole from us. They also stole from the (not

audible) home, which is how I know they steal. They come in and say they will repair,

say, the exhaust fan. The exhaust fan is still missing. It was taken out in July. June

was when I moved in. I was coached out of my place in April when the check from

DOGE for that property was denied fro $3.8 million in damages. They knew that when

they called me, a vulnerable adult with a vulnerable child, to this property with a fraud

housing company and this company, Vista. They used that to pay all this money but

won't repair anything. My daughter fell during Zoom court. The judge hurried up and

dismissed my case. This was caught on camera. They dismissed it with prejudice just

because he couldn't hear me on Zoom. I'm here because the Minnesota Public

Housing Authority (MPHA) told me at the Heritage Park meeting that they don't pay for

properties with this type of damage. Yet we're all black and they're paying for it. How

does that work? I've brought up laws. Nothing is being respected. No one from the

property wants to come here or to court because of the way I'm being retaliated

against. Every violation...after April when I filed an Emergency Tenant Remedies

Action (ETRA), when I asked the court to stop them from coming in my house and

stealing from me. I have video proof.

Noecker: What is your ask?

McKenzie: I don't know. I'm still fighting. I'm trying to figure out where to go from here.

There are others who don't want to come here or show up in courtrooms. Were do they

go? We spent the winter with no hot water, no heat, and water leaking through the

ceiling. The inspector will not address other problems and is covering them up for the

landlord. There are issues with electrical outlets popping from space heaters we used

all winter.

Noecker: Your time is up. I heard your ask.

Noecker moved to close the public hearing. Approved 7-0.

Councilmember Bowie: I may have misheard. Is the appellant, Ambe McKenzie, the

person who is here today to speak.

McKenzie: Yes.

Councilmember Johnson: Is McKenzie the owner?

Zimny: They're the tenant.

Noecker: I move to approve the hearing officer's recommendation to deny the appeal

and grant to August 7 for compliance. I hear some issues here around how the

problems arose, payment for fixing them, and the time taken to fix them. I want the

owner to make these repairs, which is what the orders require. I hear your other issues,

McKenzie, and I will work with you after this meeting on how to move forward.

Removing this responsibility of the owner does not solve this.

Johnson: I support that. How did we get the point where a tenant has to appeal in order

get concerns looked at? What happens next? It seems like the tenant isn't opposed to

these orders.

Zimny: There will be a reinspection after the August 7 deadline. If the items aren't

done, it's up to DSI to take further action. How they choose to do so is up to them.

They could condemn the property and order it vacated.

Councilmember Kim: If this is condemned, that would mean we have an unhoused

person situation. I support the motion.

Noecker: McKenzie, I see your hand up. We will not take further comments. I will talk

to you after the meeting concludes.

Adopted as amended (appeal denied, granted to August 7, 2026 for

compliance)

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

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

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:

Second Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 399

BLAIR AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-16. (July 7, 2026 Legislative

Hearing)

RLH SAO 26-41

RLH RR 26-13

Public hearing continued to July 15, 2026

Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 947

FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 25-34.

Adopted as amended ($5,000 of $15,000 performance deposit forfeited, granted

180 days, and referred to August 11, 2026 Legislative Hearing for project

completion)

Appeal of Robert Jennrich to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction

Notice at 873 FRONT AVENUE.

Adopted

Appeal of Tobin Sauro to a Fire Inspection Report, including condemnation at

1655 MCAFEE STREET. (July 7, 2026 Legislative Hearing)

Adopted as amended (appeal denied, lower unit to be vacated immediately)

Making finding on the appealed of Melanie Baker to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 1884 MONTANA AVENUE EAST in Council File RLH SAO 26-39.

Adopted

Making finding on the appealed of Joseph Richardson to a nuisance

abatement ordered for 1875 NORTH PARK DRIVE in Council File RLH SAO

26-44.

Adopted

Appeal of Jay Mitchell, on behalf of Quality Residences LLC, to a Fire

Inspection Correction Notice, which includes Condemnation, at 65 ROSE

AVENUE EAST.

RLH VO 26-24

Adopted

Appeal of Adam Kado to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice at

1609 SAINT ANTHONY AVENUE.

RLH FCO 26-50

Adopted

Amending Council File RLH VO 25-23, adopted November 19, 2025, to grant

Paris Getty an additional extension to a Condemnation a Unfit for Human

Habitation and Order to Vacate and a Summary Abatement Order for property

at 855 THIRD STREET EAST.

RLH VO 26-27

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:30 PM

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comment on public hearing items in writing. Any comments and materials submitted by

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available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows:

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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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