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, August 26, 2026

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:30 PM

7 -

Present

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang,

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and

Councilmember Molly Coleman

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Approving the 2026 Fund 200 - City Grants Fund for the Fire Department to

more accurately record expenditures.

AO 26-48

AO 26-54

AO 26-59

Received and Filed

Amending CDBG Project Budgets: To allocate $254,961 for rehab of 47

Douglas St.

Received and Filed

Amending LAHA Project Budgets: Allocating $785,598 for LAHA affordable

housing development gap subsidy.

Received and Filed

Amending CDBG Project Budgets: $140,000 of funding for DSI demolitions.

AO 26-60

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:

Approving the City’s cost of providing Miscellaneous Abatement services

during June to July 2026, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for

September 22, 2026 and City Council public hearing for January 6, 2027 to

consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No.

J2603A, Assessment No. 268504)

RES 26-1247

RES 26-1248

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Rubbish and Garbage Clean Up during

June 2026, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for September 22, 2026

and City Council public hearing for January 6, 2027 to consider and levy the

assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2602R, Assessment No.

268607)

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into an

encroachment agreement with the Metropolitan Council for capital

improvements at Phalen Regional Park.

RES 26-1354

RES 26-1355

Adopted

Authorizing the Public Works Department to apply for the State

Competitiveness Fund from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to

support the Evie Carshare program and meet the match requirement for the

City’s recently awarded Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)

Improvement grant.

Adopted

Authorizing acceptance of the gift of registration and in-kind travel support

from the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation for the Office of Financial

Empowerment’s Director Marcus Owens' participation in the 2026 PolicyLink

Summit from 8/24/2026 - 8/28/2026.

RES 26-1371

RES 26-1372

RES 26-1373

Adopted

Authorizing acceptance of travel expense reimbursement and in-kind travel

support for the Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment’s participation

in convenings related to community wealth building, financial empowerment,

entrepreneurship, housing, and community development.

Adopted

Authorizing approval of settlement and payment in full and final settlement of

the lawsuit, Ger Vang v. Charles Lemon and City of Saint Paul, Ramsey

County District Court, Court File Number 62-CV-25-3224.

Adopted

Approving a new location application for the Liquor On Sale (100 seats or

less) and Entertainment (A) licenses (License ID #DSIBLLIQ-001644-2026)

for The Familiar LLC d/b/a The Familiar for the premises located at 949 Grand

Ave., Unit #102.

Adopted

Accepting the gift of lodging from the Minnesota State Patrol and the

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Forestry Division for the Saint

Paul Fire Department's Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) members to

support fighting the wildfires in Northern Minnesota.

Adopted

Memorializing a City Council decision to deny the appeal of Dominic Carchedi

from the Board of Zoning Appeals decision denying a zoning variance to

establish a 24-resident supportive housing facility on the property at 418

Sherburne Avenue.

Adopted

Memorializing a City Council decision to deny the appeal of Stronger Sober

House from the Board of Zoning Appeals decision denying a zoning variance

to establish a 11-resident supportive housing facility on the property at 519

Farrington Street.

Adopted

Approving an extension of Mara Humphrey's term on the Board of Water

Commissioners.

RES 26-1401

RES 26-1403

Adopted

Granting a permanent easement for right-of-way purposes to Anoka County

over city-owned vacant land located at Unassigned Address along Centerville

Road, Lino Lakes, Minnesota.

Adopted

Changing the rate of pay for Assistant Chief of Police from Grade 035 to the

new Grade 38C of the Employee Group 17, Non-Represented City Managers.

RES 26-1281

RES 26-1294

RES 26-1337

Adopted

Changing the rate of pay for Senior Zoo Keeper, EG 10, Manual and

Maintenance Supervisors.

Adopted

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

31, 2028) between the City of Saint Paul and the Classified Confidential

Employees Association.

Adopted

Approving Stipends for Youth Speakers Participating in the Inaugural State of

Our Youth Address.

RES 26-1427

Adopted

Authorizing the Provision of Refreshments for the Inaugural State of Our

Youth Address.

RES 26-1428

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Approving the use of grant funds through the Ward 1 Neighborhood STAR

Year-Round Program for the United Church Of God In Christ, Inc.

RES 26-1404

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

SUSPENSION ITEM

Approving of the Use Agreement between the Department of Parks and

Recreation and Neighborhood House for the Paul and Sheila Wellstone

Center, and approval of the termination of the prior Lease Agreement

governing the property.

RES 26-1479

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Calling upon the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County to end their contracts

with Flock Safety.

RES 26-1421

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.

Final Adoption

Administrative Ordinance establishing a Qualifications and Examining

Ord 26-38

Committee for the position of Fire Chief pursuant to the provisions of Section

9.01(a) of the Administrative Code and Section 12.12.1 of the Saint Paul City

Charter.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Modifying Residential Permit Parking Area 23 boundaries to include Princeton

Avenue between Woodlawn Avenue and Mount Curve Boulevard and the east

side of Mount Curve Boulevard between Princeton Avenue and Fairmount

Avenue.

RES PH 26-175

Councilmember Coleman moved denial. (For purposes of vote tracking, 'nay' votes are

those in favor of denial)

Failed

Yea:

Nay:

7 -

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept grant funding

in the amount of $70,469.50 from Green Cities Accord to support Saint Paul’s

tree planting program.

RES PH 26-190

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Approving the final (combined) plat at 500 Broadway St.

RES PH 26-191

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and

Recreation, in the amount of $3,922, to reflect a donation from the Saint Paul

Parks Conservancy for the Dr. Justus O’Hage Memorial Restoration project.

RES PH 26-195

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Approving the request of Energy Park Utility Company to amend rates.

RES PH 26-196

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept Parks and

Trails Legacy Funds, amend the Department of Parks and Recreation

financing and spending plan, in the amount of $2,907,008, and enter into grant

agreements (which include an indemnification clause).

RES PH 26-199

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Approving the application of University of Saint Thomas for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound for the Cretin Derham Hall

Football events on the Fridays of September 18, and October 2, 2026, at 2115

Summit Avenue - O'Shaughnessy Stadium.

RES PH 26-205

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Approving the application of Stone Saloon, SBC d/b/a Waldmann Brewery for

a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Waldmann

Oktoberfest event on Friday, September 18, Saturday, September 19,

Sunday, September 20, Friday, September 25, Saturday, September 26, and

Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 455 Smith Avenue North - Waldmann

Brewery.

RES PH 26-206

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Approving the application of Church of Lumen Christi for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound for the Block Party event on

RES PH 26-207

Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1668 Montreal Avenue - Urban Academy

Charter School baseball fields.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Authorizing the Police Department to accept the 2025 State Homeland

Security Program (SHSP) grant from the State of Minnesota, Department of

Public Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, authorizing

the execution of the grant agreement and amending the 2026 grant budget

and adding activity budget.

RES PH 26-212

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Making finding on the appealed of Gary Grimes to a nuisance abatement

RLH SAO 26-50

ordered for 314 WYOMING STREET EAST in Council File RLH SAO 26-46.

(Public hearing closed and laid over from August 19, 2026)

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Appeal of Paul Mulcahy to a Vacant Building Registration Renewal Notice at

272 RICHMOND STREET.

RLH VBR 26-15

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA

Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be

enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the

Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Making finding on the appeal of Liam Magistad to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 1597 CHARLES AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-61.

RLH SAO 26-76

Adopted

Appeal of Peter Larsen to a Fire Inspection Report at 368 FRONT AVENUE.

RLH FCO 26-69

RLH VBR 26-16

Adopted

Appeal of Isaac Mooney, Wells Property, to an email dated 8/4/26 informing

staff that a vacant building file was opened at 1400 HEWITT AVENUE.

Adopted

Making finding on the appeal of Jane Foster to a nuisance abatement ordered

for 1312 SCHEFFER AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-54.

Adopted

Appeal of Erin Metz Verdeja to a Summary Abatement Order at 1518 SELBY

AVENUE.

Public hearing continued to September 2, 2026

Appeal of Matthew and James Lindquist to a Rent Stabilization Determination

at 1507 SEVENTH STREET W Units 6 and 8.

Public hearing continued to September 2, 2026

Appeal of Melanie Richards to a Summary Abatement Order at 2103

SHERWOOD AVENUE.

Adopted

Making finding on the appeal of Delmy Muniz to a nuisance abatement ordered

for 1689 STILLWATER AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-70. (August 25,

2026 Legislative Hearing)

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Appeal of Anna Fraser to a Notice to Cut Tall Grass and/or Weeds at 844

STRYKER AVENUE.

RLH SAO 26-72

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:31 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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