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 Nelsie Yang

Councilmember Anika Bowie

Councilmember Molly Coleman

Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

Councilmember Saura Jost

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim

Wednesday, September 2, 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

Establishing two (2) new projects through the Neighborhood STAR

AO 26-61

Year-Round Program as adopted via City Council Resolution #- RES 26-1317

and RES 26-1319.

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

City Clerk Nicole Tillander stated that Item 4 was withdrawn.

Council President Noecker stated that Items 16, 30, and 31 would be taken

separately.

Councilmember Yang 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 Public Works to apply for federal funding from

the Highway Safety Improvement Program administered by the Metropolitan

Council, which has a match requirement, to support safety improvements on

TH51 (Snelling Avenue).

RES 26-1202

RES 26-1226

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Vacant Building

Registration fees billed during August 2025 to May 2026, and setting date of

Legislative Hearing for September 29, 2026 and City Council public hearing for

October 14, 2026 to consider and levy the assessments against individual

properties. (File No. VB2603, Assessment No. 268906)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Vacant Building

Registration fees billed during April 2026, and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for September 29, 2026 and City Council public hearing for January 6,

2027 to consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File

No. VB2604, Assessment No. 268907) (to be withdrawn)

RES 26-1298

Withdrawn

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

ratify the assessment for the Mill and Overlay on Concordia/Rondo from

Snelling to Marion as part of the 2024 Mill and Overlay Program (Project No.

MO2403B, Assessment No. 255503).

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Jackson Street: University to Pennsylvania street

reconstruction project as part of the 2025 Saint Paul Streets and Sales Tax

Street Program (Project No. 19271, Assessment No. 255203).

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Wheelock/Grotto Residential Area Street

Reconstruction Project as part of the 2025 Saint Paul Streets and Sales Tax

Street Program (Project No. 19270, Assessment No. 255202).

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Mill and Overlay in the Fourth/Howard, Phase II

project area as part of the 2025 Mill and Overlay Program (Project No.

MO2501, Assessment No. 255504).

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Mill and Overlay for Front Avenue from Rice to

Western, as part of the 2024 Mill and Overlay Program (Project No. MO2306,

Assessment No. 245506).

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Mill and Overlay on George Street from

Cherokee to Cesar Chavez as part of the 2025 Mill and Overlay Program

(Project No. MO2503, Assessment No. 255506).

RES 26-1379

RES 26-1383

RES 26-1385

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Mill and Overlay on Eustis Street from the City

limits to 100 feet south of the City limits as part of the 2025 Mill and Overlay

Program (Project No. MO2504, Assessment No. 255507).

Adopted

Approving the application for change of ownership to the Second Hand Dealer

- Motor Vehicle license (License ID #DSIBLAUTO-002364-2026) now held by

EMR Auto Sales LLC d/b/a EMR Auto Sales for the premises located at 1414

Arcade St.

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for up to

$3,040,0000 from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy

grant.

RES 26-1386

RES 26-1389

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the replacement of sanitary sewer services within

the right-of-way as part of the Annapolis Street paving project. File No.

19249C, Assessment No. 266001.

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Robert Street: Kellogg to 11th street

reconstruction project as part of the 2024 Saint Paul Streets Program (Project

No. 19263, Assessment No. 255201).

RES 26-1394

Adopted

Approving the Labor Agreement (January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028) and

Memorandums of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and the Saint

Paul Manual & Maintenance Supervisors Association.

RES 26-1400

RES 26-1402

Laid over to September 9, 2026

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and

the United Association of Plumbers, Local 34, for the purpose of establishing

mandatory contributions for the utilization of the Minnesota Paid Leave

program.

Laid over to September 9, 2026

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

ratify the assessment for the replacement of sanitary sewer services within

RES 26-1408

the right-of-way as part of the Griggs Scheffer Phase II paving project. File

No. 19233C, Assessment No. 266002.

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the replacement of sanitary sewer services within

the right-of-way as part of the Grand: Fairview to Snelling paving project. File

No. 19265C, Assessment No. 266003.

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the replacement of sanitary sewer services within

the right-of-way as part of the Jackson: University to Pennsylvania paving

project. File No. 19271C, Assessment No. 266004.

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the replacement of sanitary sewer services within

the right-of-way as part of the Pelham: Franklin to Mississippi River Blvd

paving project. File No. 19275C, Assessment No. 266005.

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the Grand Ave. from Fairview Ave. N. to Snelling

Ave. street reconstruction project as part of the 2024 Saint Paul Streets and

Sales Tax Street Program (Project No. 19265, Assessment No. 245204).

Adopted

Authorizing the Parks and Recreation Department to accept the donation of a

six-passenger golf cart valued at $10,000 from The Toro Company.

RES 26-1429

RES 26-1438

Adopted

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

ratify the assessment for the replacement of sanitary sewer services within

the right-of-way as part of the Wheelock-Grotto Phase I paving project. File

No. 19270C, Assessment No. 266006.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor's reappointment of Samantha Juneau to the

Administrative Committee of the Pension Plan of the Housing and

Redevelopment Authority.

RES 26-1474

RES 26-1480

RES 26-1484

Adopted

City Council approval of the Development Agreement, Use Agreement, and

Disbursement Agreement between the Department of Parks and Recreation

and The Sanneh Foundation for Conway Park.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Molly Coleman to the Workforce

Innovation Board of Ramsey County.

Adopted

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Seal Hi-Rise.

RES 26-1489

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

SUSPENSION ITEM

RES 26-1544

Appointing the Public Rights Project (PRP) as special counsel for the purpose

of providing legal representation to the City of Saint Paul in affirmative litigation

to challenge a federal rule related to grants.

Council President Noecker spoke to the item and moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Authorizing the Police Department to apply to the FY 2026 CPD Microgrants

Program from the U.S. Department of Justice. (Laid over from September 2,

2026)

RES 26-1399

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

questions.

Councilmember Yang expressed concerns and moved to lay over for one week.

Councilmembers Coleman and Kim stated their opposition.

Laid over to September 9, 2026

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Appointing Korinne Dennis as Communications Lead, Reggie Evans as

RES 26-1492

Reparations Legislative Aide and Joanna Zimny as Legislative Hearing Officer.

Council President Noecker moved approval.

Korinne Dennis, Reggie Evans, and Joanna Zimny were sworn in.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Staff report on the State of our Youth address.

SR 26-186

Jacy Johnson Becker, Ward 5 intern, gave a staff report.

Councilmember Kim gave remarks.

Received and Filed

RES 26-1493

Proclaiming September 2nd, 2026 as Jacy Johnson Becker Day in the

City of Saint Paul

Councilmember Kim read from the resolution, spoke in favor, and moved approval.

Jacy Johnson Becker, Ward 5 intern, gave remarks.

Councilmembers Yang and Noecker spoke in favor.

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.

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

variance in order to present amplified sound for Tommie Fest Homecoming

event on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 2115 Summit Avenue - J.P. Monahan

Plaza.

RES PH 26-210

Councilmember Coleman 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 University of Saint Thomas for a sound level

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

Football events on Thursday, October 8, and Wednesday, October 21, 2026,

at 2115 Summit Avenue - O'Shaughnessy Stadium.

RES PH 26-217

Councilmember Coleman 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 Anderson Race Management for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound for a Walk for Water event on

Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 226 Spring Street - Upper Landing Park.

RES PH 26-221

Councilmember Jost moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending the spending plan in the Fire Department Public Safety Aid projects

to more accurately account for the expenditures.

RES PH 26-222

Councilmember Bowie moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the

amount of $108,118.15 for the contribution received from the Minnesota Board

of Firefighter Training and Education to pay for training for firefighters.

RES PH 26-236

Councilmember Johnson moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the

amount of $8,500 for a payment received for selling a trailer that was no

longer needed for department use.

RES PH 26-237

Councilmember Yang moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the

amount of $37,000 for the amount received from the sale of the land located

at 1683 Energy Park Drive.

RES PH 26-238

Councilmember Kim moved approval.

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Amending Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement

RLH RR 26-16

ordered for 947 FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 25-34. (Public

hearing closed and laid over from August 19, 2026)

Found incomplete. $2,500 of remaining $10,000 forfeited. $2,500 to be forfeited every

45 days until project completes or money exhausted.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: This has been before you a few times.

Two weeks ago, you laid this over to ask for additional information on how much of the

work is completed, to help make your decision on forfeiture of the performance

deposit. I previously recommended that $5,000 of the posted $15,000 performance

deposit be forfeited, with $2,500 to be forfeited every subsequent month that the

project remains incomplete, until the deposit runs out. You voted to do so. This item is

to make a finding on that first subsequent month. Your options are to:

1) Not forfeit any additional money.

2) Forfeit less frequently than once a month or forfeit less money.

3) Require an additional performance deposit. If you go this route I suggest no less

than $10,000

Some info was added to the record right before the meeting and has been placed in

front of you and in Legistar. It is from Jay Mitchell, who is representing the owner. He

provided an engineering report to show that progress is being made, though yesterday

morning's inspection showed 5% completion. This is a negligible increase from the 0%

two weeks ago.

Councilmember Johnson: The City found 5% completion?

Moermond: Yes.

Johnson: How many months away from completion are they? What have they shared?

Moermond: They're working off a 180-day grant of time, which is standard. I can get

more details if need be.

Johnson: What is the remaining balance?

Moermond: $10,000 of $15,000. My recommendation is to further forfeit increments of

$2,500 each month work remains not done, starting with this making finding. The

owners have indicated that it is impossible for them to reach completion before the

deposit is all forfeited, which would take place before the 180-day grant of time

completes.

Johnson: How much would the monthly forfeiture be to align with the 180-day grant of

time?

Moermond: I can work on computing that.

Johnson: I don't have an issue with the forfeiture. I am concerned about the

incremental forfeiture not aligning with the 180-day grant of time. My amendment is to

align the two things.

Moermond: That would mean forfeiting the $2,500 every subsequent 45 days.

Johnson: I move that amendment.

Council President Noecker: So, forfeit $2,500 and another $2,500 every 45 days until

the work completes?

Councilmember Yang: I support that.

Adopted (forfeit $2,500 and forfeit remaining deposit by $2,500 every 45 days)

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and

Councilmember Coleman

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 777 OHIO

STREET. (File No. J2602A, Assessment No. 268503)

RLH TA 26-158

Referred to October 6, 2026 Legislative Hearing.

Jessica Klasen, property representative, appeared in person.

Adam Lind, relative of property representative, appeared in person.

Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer: This is an assessment for an interior

abatement to repair a sewer line. The property was referred by Police to the

Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) for having dangerous conditions on March

8, 2026. DSI staff responded the next day. An inspection occurred not long after, but

DSI was denied access to the house. The Police referred stated that the woman was

living alone with stage 4 cancer, and there was black mold and sewage backing up to

create nonlivable conditions. She couldn't afford to fix her plumbing and couldn't flush

her toilets for weeks.

An outside contractor did work in April to clear the sewer line. The $6,868 charge is for

that work, which includes fees. The contractor said it was the worst sewer backup

they'd ever seen involving nonflushable products. There were two no-show Legislative

Hearings on this, where we made 5 phone calls to the property representative. The

owner passed away in May. Information has been attached to the file alleging that the

sewer line was in bad condition and that the city contractor did the job incorrectly. The

testifier today can correct me on that if I'm wrong. There is also a statement attached

from a plumber who had similar comments.

The House Calls program provided two large dumpsters to remove items from the

house. I don't know if the DSI inspector said House Calls would be cleaning the floor,

but it's also alleged that that did not happen. I need more information, and I have no

hearing fall back on, so my recommendation is to ratify the assessment and make it

payable over one year. The City did this to allow the owner to stay in their home for

their hospice care.

Council President Noecker: What are the formal circumstances for us to do an interior

abatement and assess the cost for that?

Moermond: DSI needs to determine that it is a public nuisance. Past examples include

rat and cockroach infestations that impact neighboring properties. The issue here was

probably the spread of germs in a small area, due to the sewage. The owner also

wanted to do this work.

Noecker: This was done with consent of the property owner?

Moermond: Yes, which allowed her to stay in the home.

Noecker: I think it's best to send this back to Legislative Hearing, but we will hold the

public hearing.

Jessica Klasen: This was my mom's house. Ramsey County is charging for work they

claim was done. I dispute these charges because I have evidence showing the work

was not done. This includes photos, videos, and invoices from a licensed plumber.

The plumber inspected and performed work after my mom passed away. The evidence

shows that other than installation of new pipe, the work was either not done or not

necessary. The plumber addressed the actual issue, which contradicts certain

descriptions of the plumbing that were used to justify the City's charges. Please

dismiss or fix these charges.

Adam Lind: Before the owner died, Jessica was in South Carolina. The owner was my

mom's sister, and I was dealing with the plumbing issue when I learned about my

aunt's health issues. I talked with DSI inspectors. I was told that billed work was

purposefully not done because they didn't think it was needed, and all they needed to

do was get a jet truck out to jet the line. The charges are for digging and jetting the

pipe. The digging and replacing pipe charge should not be there, as they never did it.

We aren't disputing the whole bill. The receipts also claim there is a three-month

warranty for the work. The work was done in April and we were calling in May, but no

one would come out to warranty it. The owner was in the hospital for three weeks and

came home to a basement that was still flooded. It was still unsafe for her, and that's

where the City got involved. The ball got dropped somewhere. I don't want Jessica to

be responsible for something that wasn't done.

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

Noecker: Because there are factual disputes, and because the City Council has a

Legislative Hearing process for looking into these disputes, I would like to refer this

matter to Legislative Hearings.

Moermond: Could it be referred to Legislative Hearings on October 6, 2026?

Noecker: So moved.

Referred to October 6, 2026 Legislative Hearing (Public hearing on October 14,

2026)

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

Councilmember Yang 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:

Appeal of Barbara Clark to a Summary Abatement Order at 1552 CANFIELD

AVENUE.

RLH SAO 26-77

Adopted

Appeal of Robert Fox to a Rent Stabilization Determination at 1640

EDGERTON STREET.

RLH RSA 26-20

RLH RSA 26-21

RLH FCO 26-71

Public hearing continued to September 9, 2026

Appeal of Carli Valez, Tenant, to a Rent Stabilization Determination at 1640

EDGERTON STREET.

Public hearing continued to September 9, 2026

Appeal of Greg Heck, Montrose Pl LLC, to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy

Correction Notice at 221 MONTROSE PLACE.

Adopted

Appeal of John Ludwig, Superior Financing Inc, to a Vacant Building

Registration Requirement at 12 OAKLEY AVENUE.

RLH VBR 26-17

Adopted

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

AVENUE.

Public hearing continued to September 9, 2026

Appeal of Matthew and James Lindquist to a Rent Stabilization Determination

at 1501 SEVENTH STREET W Units 6 and 8.

Adopted

Appeal of Barry Campbell to a Summary Abatement Order at 449 VAN DYKE

STREET.

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Demolition of Vacant, Nuisance and/or

Hazardous Structure from the month of May 2026. (File No. J2607C,

Assessment No. 262006)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessment for Emergency Sewer Repair at 777 OHIO

RLH AR 26-52

STREET, fees billed during the month of April 2026. (File No. J2602A,

Assessment No. 268503)

Public hearing continued to October 14, 2026

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:40 PM

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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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