City Hall and Court House

15 West Kellogg Boulevard

Council Chambers - 3rd

Floor

City of Saint Paul

651-266-8560

Minutes - Final

City Council

Council President Amy Brendmoen

Councilmember Mitra Jalali

Councilmember Rebecca Noecker

Councilmember Jane L. Prince

Councilmember Dai Thao

Councilmember Chris Tolbert

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

3:30 PM

Council Chambers - 3rd Floor

Please see the meeting guidelines due to the COVID-19

ROLL CALL

Meeting was called to order at 3:34 p.m.

7 -

Present

Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, Councilmember Dai Thao,

Councilmember Chris Tolbert, Councilmember Rebecca Noecker,

Councilmember Jane L. Prince, Councilmember Mitra Jalali and

Councilmember Nelsie Yang

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Letter from the Department of Safety and Inspections declaring 134 Case

Avenue a nuisance property. (For notification purposes only; public hearings

will be scheduled at a later date if necessary.)

CO 21-48

Received and Filed

Mayor's Emergency Executive Order 21-26.

CO 21-49

Received and Filed

CONSENT AGENDA

Council President Brendmoen said Item 8 has been withdrawn. Items 10 and 11 are

for separate consideration.

Councilmember Yang moved balance of Consent

7 in favor, none opposed

Consent Agenda is adopted as amended

Adopted as amended

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Nay:

Approving the City’s cost of providing Property Clean Up services during April

1 to 12, 2021, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for July 20, 2021 and City

Council Public Hearing for September 1, 2021 to consider and levy the

assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2121A, Assessment No.

218538)

RES 21-766

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Property Clean Up services during April

13 to 28, 2021, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for July 20, 2021 and

City Council Public Hearing for September 1, 2021 to consider and levy the

assessments against individual properties. (File No. J2122A, Assessment No.

218539)

RES 21-767

Adopted

Approving the Maintenance Labor Agreement (May 1, 2021 - April 30, 2024)

between the City of Saint Paul and the International Association of Sheet

Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Local 10. (laid over from June 9)

RES 21-809

RES 21-829

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills

for service during January to March 2021, and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for July 15, 2021 and City Council public hearing for August 25, 2021

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

CG2102A1, Assessment No. 210106)

Adopted

Approving the City’s cost of providing Collection of Delinquent Garbage Bills

for service during January to March 2021, and setting date of Legislative

Hearing for July 15, 2021 and City Council public hearing for August 25, 2021

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

CG2102A2, Assessment No. 210107)

RES 21-830

Adopted

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

awarded accept funds from the Medica Foundation for Awakenings, the City’s

Youth Violence Intervention Program in an amount of up to $22,000 for

program year 2022. (To be withdrawn)

RES 21-851

RES 21-871

Withdrawn

Approving the use of grant funds through the Neighborhood Star Year-Round

Program for a new roof at Mounds Theatre.

Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

Authorizing the award of a professional services agreement to Cultivate

Strategy to perform a study of and make recommendations regarding the

city’s process to receive and respond to non-emergency resident complaints

and feedback.

RES 21-879

Councilmember Noecker said it is an important moment in audit committee work.

They are now at the point to contact Cultivate Strategy to start studying how the City

responds to constituents' and customers' questions, concerns, and complaints.

Council President Brendmoen said she supports the motion and resolution. She

appreciates the work of the audit committee.

7 in favor, none opposed

Resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Establishing the Saint Paul City Council Legislative Advisory Committee on

Reparations.

RES 21-886

Councilmember Prince said it is with great appreciation to the Council for passing the

recovery act and community reparations resolutions on January 13. Today they have

met their first goal of appointing the advisory committee in honor of Juneteeth this

Saturday. The committee will be convened by Mr. Crews, Veronica Burt, Dr. Williams

(head of St. Thomas Racial Justice Institute), and there is an impressive group of

committee members. She wanted to turn it over to Mr. Crews who has been a

national, state, local activist for getting reparations to be considered. He has written

the Saint Paul Recovery Act. He approached the Council, and he was prepared to

take this on. They are moving ahead as the largest City for working on this issue of

descendants of chattel slavery.

Mr. Crews said he would like to thank the City Council. (He talked about the harm and

injustices that have been done in the community.)

Councilmember Prince said the 50 people who applied but are not on the commission,

they will get back to those people. She moved approval.

7 in favor, none opposed

Resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

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 Legal Ledger. Public hearings on ordinances are

held at the second reading.

Final Adoption

Creating Chapter 233A of the Legislative Code to establish certain rights for

hospitality workers who have suffered loss of employment due to the Covid-19

pandemic to return to work with their previous employer.

Ord 21-20

Councilmember Noecker said this is an important step to ensure basic fairness of

workers who were laid off. It’s possible to respect and honor the employers that do the

right thing and to pass an ordinance to ensure this happens. She moved approval.

7 in favor, none opposed

Resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Approving installation of bike lanes on St. Paul Avenue between W 7th Street

and Edgcumbe Road.

RES PH 21-133

Council President Brendmoen said the installation of bike lane is something worth

noting.

Jimmy Shoemaker, Public Works, said the pavement will be mill overlayed, pedestrian

improvements, pedestrian ramps will be updated. There are 2 travel lanes in each

direction. One travel lane will be removed in each direction and buffered bike lanes

will be added in their place. This project is in the Saint Paul Bike Plan. Eight parking

spaces will be removed for curb extensions, but there will be no loss of parking as

result of the bike lane. Letters were sent to property owners. Residents were provided

contact information. There was a feedback form. It was posted on the web page and

included in the packet. There were opportunities to sign up for e-mails. This was

presented to Highland District Council. They reached out to the JCC. The only loss of

parking is as a result of 2 mid-block curb extensions.

Councilmember Tolbert moved to close the public hearing and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and the resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Approving installation of bicycle lanes on Water Street and Fillmore Avenue

from Plato Boulevard to Livingston Street.

RES PH 21-134

Items 15 and 16

Jimmy Shoemaker, Public Works, stated this will be for RES PH 21-135 and RES PH

21-134. One is a restriping project on Water Street to include bike lanes. The second

is a resurfacing between Robert Street and Lafayette Bridge. Parking will be

eliminated on the south side to make room for bike lanes. This is in the proposed

Saint Paul Bike Lane. They sent letters to notify property owners. They included a

feedback form. They responded to each of those. About 50 people signed up for

updates. They reached out directly to the Parks Department. Harriet Island Regional

Park is a big stakeholder. They spoke to 2 new developments along Water and

Filmore. One is still under construction. They spoke with All Incorporated, an

appliance retailer. They did 13 parking counts in Parks. They showed low demand.

They were taken during some construction and during the pandemic. They proposed

to remove parking on the south side. Water removed 56% of available parking. The

existing parking regulations are a bit cobbled together and do not permit overnight

parking. They knew that was important. They propose to change regulations on the

north side. Further east on Filmore, the existing parking is for bus staging, ‘no parking

buses exempt’ for buses that drop off Downtown. They are removing some of that

parking on the south side, but they are replacing it for the most part on the north side

where they are keeping parking. A net loss of 3 bus parking spaces will be the result.

Council President Brendmoen said this area is becoming a bike hub.

Councilmember Noecker moved to close the public hearing and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and the resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Approving installation of bicycle lanes on Fillmore Avenue from Robert Street

to East Lafayette Frontage Road.

RES PH 21-135

Council President Brendmoen said we got a staff report in combination with the

previous item (Item 15).

Councilmember Noecker moved to close the public hearing and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Approving the application of Big River Pizza for a sound level variance in order

to present amplified music for Songs to Phil the Air Series June 26, July 10,

July 24, August 14, August 28, September 4, September 18 and October 2,

2021 at the St. Paul Farmers Market.

RES PH 21-136

Council President Brendmoen said the public hearing was held virtually.

Councilmember Noecker moved to close the public hearing and approve. She

thanked Big River Pizza. They are always coming up with ways to bring activity

Downtown.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Approving the application of Co-Motion: Center for Movement for a sound level

variance in order to present live amplified sound on June 26, 2021 at 655

Fairview Avenue North.

RES PH 21-137

Council President Brendmoen said the public hearing was held virtually. There are

comments in Legistar.

Councilmember Jalali moved to close the public hearing and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Approving the application of the University of St. Thomas for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on June 30, 2021 at

O’Shaughnessy Stadium - 2115 Summit Avenue.

RES PH 21-138

Council President Brendmoen said the public hearing was held virtually.

Councilmember Jalali moved to close the public hearing and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and the resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Approving the petition of Karl Ebert to vacate portions of Gordon Avenue and

Blake Avenue abutting Gordon Square and Block 39 within the St. Anthony

Park plat.

RES PH 21-139

Council President Brendmoen said this is a public hearing that was held virtually. Is

she looking for a staff report? Councilmember Jalali responded no, we can close the

public hearing, and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and the resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Approving the application of the Minnesota United FC for a sound level

variance in order to present amplified sound on June 23, 2021 within the

Street and the Beer Garden Area at Allianz Field - 400 Snelling Avenue North.

RES PH 21-140

Council President Brendmoen said this public hearing was held virtually.

Councilmember Thao moved to close the public hearing and approval.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Authorizing the Police Department to accept and amend the 2021 special fund

budget and add an activity for the Auto Theft Prevention Grant SWIFT No.

194499 by the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce.

RES PH 21-143

Council President Brendmoen said the public hearing was held virtually.

Councilmember Thao moved to close the public hearing and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Authorizing the Police Department to accept and amend the 2021 special fund

budget and add an activity for the Auto Theft Prevention Grant SWIFT No.

194496 by the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce.

RES PH 21-144

Council President Brendmoen said the public hearing was virtual.

Prince moved to close the public hearing and approve.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and resolution is adopted

Adopted

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Granting the application of Pillai Builders LLC to rezone

property at 385 Topping Street from B1 local business to T2

traditional neighborhood and amending Chapter 60 of the

Legislative Code pertaining to the zoning map.

Ord 21-19

Council President Brendmoen said this is before us for final approval.

Councilmember Thao moved approval.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and ordinance is laid over to June 23 for final adoption

Laid over to June 23

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Placing the classification titled Lead Victim Witness Coordinator in the

unclassified service pursuant to Section 12.03.2(H) of the Charter.

Ord 21-22

Council President Brendmoen said this is before us for final approval.

Councilmember Noecker moved approval.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and ordinance is laid over to June 23 for final adoption

Laid over to June 23

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Granting the Port Authority authority to issue general obligation bonds to which

the full faith, credit, and resources of the City are pledged pursuant to the

provisions hereof and by authority of said Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 469

and 475, as amended.

Ord 21-23

Council President Brendmoen said this is specifically speaking to the emerald ash

borer issue. There was a spirited conversation during the public hearing.

Councilmember Thao moved final approval.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing is closed and ordinance is laid over to June 23 for final adoption

Laid over to June 23

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Repealing Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code related to Tenant Protections.

Ord 21-21

Council President Brendmoen said there was continued discussion and there is a

request for a one-week layover by Ms. Prince.

Councilmember Yang said she wanted to lay this over to July 14. There is a 5th

Wednesday. She would like to keep it open until that date for more time. Brendmoen

responded her preference is a one-week layover.

Councilmember Noecker said she supports the layover. Based on her conversation

with the attorneys today, she has more clarity on her questions. She will not be here

on the 14th, so she would prefer to have it next week, but she will defer to her

colleagues.

Councilmember Jalali said with the 5th Wednesday and the holiday, the choices are

awkward. She understands the timing conflict that Noecker raised.

Councilmember Prince said she supports a one-week layover. She still has questions

that need to be answered and to discuss this further with the administration. A week

is adequate. We have a meeting on July 7. Maybe that is a compromise. She is fine

with a one-week layover. If we need to lay it over again, we can do that.

Brendmoen said the motion is the 14th. There is a friendly amendment being offered

your way, Ms. Yang.

Yang said she wouldn’t consider it a friendly amendment. She thanked Noecker for

sharing she will not be here on the 14th. She will change her motion to July 7.

Councilmember Tolbert said she understands people want to lay it over. A one-week

layover is a good thing. Having the pressure of having a meeting next week will be

helpful for getting answers. It makes more sense to do a one-week layover and lay it

over from there.

Brendmoen said there is support of a one-week layover. Yang responded she will take

the vote for July 7th.

3 in favor, 4 opposed (Noecker, Prince, Tolbert, Brendmoen)

Motion fails

Prince moved to lay it over for one week.

7 in favor, none opposed

Public hearing laid over to June 23

Continue to Public hearing and lay over to June 23

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ITEMS:

The Legislative Hearing Officer recommends adoption of the following

resolutions, as no objections to these recommendations were received:

7 -

Yea:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Nay:

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2085 BUFORD

AVENUE. (File No. VB2108, Assessment No. 218811)

RLH TA 21-219

RLH TA 21-221

RLH VBR 21-32

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1805

COTTAGE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2108E, Assessment No. 218307)

Adopted

Appeal of Christina Ramirez to a Vacant Building Registration Notice and

Summary Abatement Order at 854 EUCLID STREET.

Adopted

Amending Council File RLH AR 21-24, adopted April 14, 2021, to ratify the

assessment at 298 JENKS AVENUE. (File No. VB2106, Assessment No.

218805)

RLH TA 21-279

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 310 LAWSON

AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2108E, Assessment No. 218307)

Adopted

Appeal of Joseph M. Whebbe to a Notice to Cut Tall Grass and/or Weeds at

521 MICHIGAN STREET.

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 817 OTTAWA

AVENUE. (File No. CRT2108, Assessment No. 218208)

Adopted

Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1234 RICE

STREET. (File No. VB2108, Assessment No. 218811)

Adopted

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1190

UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST. (File No. J2108B, Assessment No. 218108)

RLH TA 21-228

RLH AR 21-45

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees

billed during October 5 to December 22. 2020. (File No. VB2108, Assessment

No. 218811)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services

during January 2021. (File No. J2108B, Assessment No. 218108)

RLH AR 21-46

RLH AR 21-47

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Collection of Fire Certificate of Occupancy fees

billed during December 21 to January 12. 2021. (File No. CRT2108,

Assessment No. 218208)

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Excessive Use of Inspection or Abatement

services billed during November 23 to December 22. 2020. (File No. J2108E,

Assessment No. 218307)

RLH AR 21-48

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Graffiti Removal services during December 3

to January 6, 2021. (File No. J2106P, Assessment No. 218408)

RLH AR 21-49

RLH AR 21-50

Adopted

Ratifying the assessments for Towing of Abandoned Vehicle services during

November 2019 at 306 SIDNEY STREET EAST. (File No. J2003V1,

Assessment No. 208006)

Adopted

For the following items, no objection to the Legislative Hearing Officer’s

amended recommendations was received, and therefore, she recommends

amendment and adoption:

Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 854 EUCLID

STREET in Council File RLH VBR 21-32. (Legislative Hearing on June 15,

2021)

RLH SAO 21-50

Adopted as amended (nuisance not abated)

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 1023

JESSIE STREET in Council File RLH RR 20-33. (Public Hearing continued to

June 16, 2021 with the Legislative Hearing on June 15, 2021)

RLH RR 21-25

Adopted as amended (180-day extension granted)

7 -

Yea:

Nay:

Councilmember Brendmoen, Councilmember Thao, Councilmember Tolbert,

Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Prince, Councilmember Jalali

and Councilmember Yang

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 4:24 p.m.

In-person meetings, or meetings conducted under Minn. Stat. § 13D.02 of the City

Council, are not practical or prudent because of the COVID-19 health pandemic

emergency declared under Minn. Stat. Chapter 12 by the Minnesota Governor Tim

Walz and Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. In light of the COVID-19 health pandemic,

members of the City Council will participate in City Council meetings by telephone or

other electronic means.

Public attendance at the City Council’s regular meeting location is not feasible due to

the COVID-19 health pandemic. Members of the public may view City Council meetings

online at stpaul.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx or on local cable Channel 18.

The public may comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. 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, CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at

651-266-6805.

While the Council will make best efforts to decide all issues before them, the Council

may delay decisions on certain matters where the members believe meeting in-person

is necessary. More information is available at

www.stpaul.gov/departments/city-council

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