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, September 23, 2026

ROLL CALL

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Meeting started at 3:31 PM

7 - Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang,

Present

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie,

Councilmember Saura Jost, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and

Councilmember Molly Coleman

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Amending the Citywide Capital Maintenance budget for the Fleet Services

AO 26-65

division in the Office of Financial Services

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 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Authorizing the Department of Planning and Economic Development to apply

to the Metropolitan Council for grant proposals submitted to the Livable

Communities Act (LCA) programs for site assessment, cleanup or

environmental remediation, other predevelopment activities, and or funding

for new construction or redevelopment from LCA Round Two of 2026.

RES 26-1352

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Miscellaneous Abatement services

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

October 20, 2026 and City Council public hearing for January 20, 2027 to

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

J2604A, Assessment No. 268505)

RES 26-1365

RES 26-1464

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul

and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 70, for the

purpose of providing a pilot program for off-shift differential pay for

employees that are regularly scheduled to work on the weekends. (To be

laid over one week for adoption)

Laid over to October 7, 2026

Authorizing the acceptance of $66,027.29 from the MN Department of

Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program for solar installation at

the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility and authorizing the execution of a grant

agreement.

RES 26-1569

RES 26-1576

RES 26-1583

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel expense and tuition from the Knight Foundation in

partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University for

Mayor Kaohly Her to attend the Leading a Government Residents Can See

and Trust program from 9/28/2026 - 9/29/2026.

Adopted

Memorializing a City Council decision to grant the appeals of Jon Knutson,

on behalf of Loucks, and Carolyn Wolf, on behalf of Tegra, from the Board of

Zoning Appeals decision denying two zoning variances from City Council

Resolution 23-1442 for a hotel at United Village Block D (where 43.1%

window and door openings are proposed for façade length [a 6.9% variance]

and 23.3% for façade area [a 6.7% variance], below the required 50% and

30%) at 1560 University Avenue West.

Adopted

Memorializing a City Council decision to grant the appeal of Joe Bennett from

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

an existing lit freestanding sign to dynamic display at 1305 7th Street West.

RES 26-1584

Adopted

Setting a public hearing date of November 4, 2026 for 2027 Water Rates and

Charges and 2027 Water Fees and Charges.

RES 26-1586

RES 26-1589

Adopted

Accepting the gift of travel expense and tuition from the Knight Foundation in

partnership with Harvard University for Mary Xiong to attend the Responsive

Cities Network Sprint convening from 9/29/2026 - 09/30/2026.

Adopted

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

the employment-related claim involving former Saint Paul Fire Department

employee, Jodie Carroll against the City of St. Paul.

RES 26-1592

RES 26-1595

RES 26-1597

Adopted

Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the Saint

Paul Police Federation to provide an accelerated program for Police. (To

be laid over one week for adoption)

Laid over to October 7, 2026

Approving the application for a Gambling Location license (License ID

#DSIBLLIQ-003262-2026) to be added to the existing Liquor On Sale and

Liquor On Sale--Sunday licenses (License ID #DSIBLLIQ-000216-2025) held

by NS LLC d/b/a Pizza Maya for the premises located at 1324 7th St. W.

Adopted

Authorizing the Fire Department to apply for the 2025 Hazardous Materials

Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant from the State of Minnesota

Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division to provide

hazardous materials training and purchase equipment.

RES 26-1601

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Council President Rebecca

Noecker to the Saint Paul Port Authority Board of Commissioners for a

temporary term beginning on September 24, 2026.

RES 26-1602

RES 26-1603

RES 26-1607

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

to the Board of Water Commissioners for a temporary term beginning on

September 24, 2026.

Adopted

Approving a Public Hearing on the Issuance of Conduit Multifamily Housing

Revenue Bonds by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of

Saint Paul, Minnesota (the “HRA”) for a Multifamily Rental Housing

Development Project Located at 408 St. Peter Street; Reciting a Proposal for

a Housing Finance Program Related to Such Multifamily Rental Housing

Development; Approving the Related Project and Program Pursuant to

Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C; Authorizing the HRA to Issue Conduit

Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and Authorizing the Preparation of

Necessary Documents and Materials in Connection with Said Project and

Program, and Related Documents, District 17, Ward 2.

Adopted

Approving the Mayor's appointment of Brian Brown, Mattias Kostov, and

Rafe Stanley to the Truth-in-Sale of Housing Board.

RES 26-1611

Adopted

Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Jon Commers to the Saint Paul

Public Housing Agency (SPPHA).

RES 26-1612

RES 26-1614

Adopted

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept a gift of travel

and lodging from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund for two staff

members to attend the 2026 Bank On Leadership Training (BOLT) convening

in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Approving the City of Saint Paul Audit Committee’s next two studies

concerning the Department of Safety and Inspections’ Business Licensing

Operations and the Public Works Department’s Street Maintenance and

Pothole Repair Operations, and authorizing Wilder Research to conduct the

respective studies in 2026 and 2027.

RES 26-1616

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Approving adverse action against the Tobacco Shop license (License ID

#20100004254) held by Northern Tier Retail LLC d/b/a Speedway #4420 for

the premises located at 1125 7th St. W. (Licensee will speak to Council on

her own behalf).

RES 26-1553

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Proclaiming September 25, 2026, as Dolly Parton Day in the City of Saint

Paul.

RES 26-1588

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

RECESS

The City Council will recess to convene as the Library Board to take up RES 26-1594,

Requesting that the City levy property taxes for the Saint Paul Public Library Agency.

They will then adjourn the Library Board meeting and reconvene as the City Council.

Meeting recessed at 3:47 PM

Meeting resumed at 3:57 PM

ROLL CALL

Budget Items

Approving a 2027 maximum property tax levy for the Housing and

Redevelopment Authority (HRA).

RES 26-1605

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Approving a 2027 maximum property tax levy for the City.

RES 26-1599

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

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

Amending Appendix B of the Legislative Code relating to Northern States

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

Ord 26-40

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Amending Appendix C of the Legislative Code relating to Northern States

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

Ord 26-41

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Amending the Legislative Code by adding a new Appendix B-2 relating to

Northern States Power, D/B/A Xcel Energy, Gas Franchise Fee.

Ord 26-43

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Amending the Legislative Code by adding a new Appendix C-2 relating to

Northern States Power, D/B/A Xcel Energy, Electric Franchise Fee.

Ord 26-44

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

First Reading

Amending Chapter 51.01 of the Administrative Code, titled Disposition of City

Property, Authority and procedure, to allow for conveyance of real property

used by the Saint Paul Regional Water Services, to the Board of Water

Commissioners.

Ord 26-46

Laid over to October 7, 2026 for Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

to testify.

Amending Chapter 63 of the Legislative Codeꢀpertaining toꢀsalt storage

Ord 26-39

regulation.

Amended and laid over to October 7, 2026 for Final Adoption

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Ratifying the assessment for benefits, costs and expenses for the Seventh

Place Mall operation and maintenance costs for 2025. File No. 18428-25,

Assessment No. 257200.

RES PH 26-182

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Ratifying the assessment for benefits, costs and expenses for the Seventh

RES PH 26-183

Place Mall operation and maintenance costs for 2026. File No. 18428-26,

Assessment No. 267200.

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Ratifying the assessment for benefits, costs, and expenses for the

Grand/Snelling parking lot operation and maintenance costs for 2027. (File

No. 18746-26, Assessment No. 267202)

RES PH 26-193

RES PH 26-201

RES PH 26-244

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Amending the 2026 Public Works General Fund Street Lighting Maintenance

Accounting Unit budget by $450,000 to provide electrician support for the

Regional Water Services (SPRWS) Lead Replacement Project.

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Accepting grant funds, authorizing execution of a grant agreement (with

indemnity obligations and other documents related thereto) and amending

the operating budget with respect to the City’s sponsorship of a Minnesota

Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

Contamination Cleanup grant for the benefit of LSBD St. Paul Broadway II,

LLC for its project known as Ember on Pine located at 500 Broadway Street

(District 4, Ward 2).

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept grant funding

in the amount of $2,926,000 from the State of Minnesota and to establish a

budget in the Grant Fund to reflect said funds to support arts and cultural

heritage at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

RES PH 26-250

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Amending the 2026 Saint Paul Regional Water Services budget resulting in

an increase in spending and financing of $53,000 for a Metropolitan Council

grant.

RES PH 26-268

Adopted

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Making finding on the appealed of Thomas Turbes to a nuisance abatement

RLH SAO 26-66

ordered for 2203 SELBY AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-56.

Adopted as amended (granted to October 7, 2026 for compliance)

7 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

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 - Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim,

Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson

and Councilmember Coleman

Yea:

Nay:

Making finding on the appeal of Rich C. Nelson to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 2348 BUFORD AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-84.

RLH SAO 26-90

RLH SAO 26-94

Adopted

Making finding on the appeal of Barbara Clark to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 1552 CANFIELD AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-77.

(September 22, 2026 Legislative Hearing)

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Making finding on the appeal of Mary Roach to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 1045 CHARLES AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-78.

RLH SAO 26-92

Adopted

Second 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 26-96

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Making finding on the appeal of Jane Myers nuisance abatement ordered for

1521 HAGUE AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-58.

Adopted as amended (nuisance abated)

Making finding on the Appeal of Kinnell Tacket to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 444 JOHNSON PARKWAY in Council File RLH CO 26-4.

Adopted

Making finding on the appeal of Barry Campbell to a nuisance abatement

ordered for 449 VAN DYKE STREET in Council File RLH SAO 26-71.

Adopted

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

Hazardous Structure from the month of June 2026. (File No. J2608C,

Assessment No. 262007)

Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting ended at 4:58 PM

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

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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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