North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Community Center Funding and Feasibility
July 4th Enforcement at Casey Lake Park
Pollinator Gardens vs. Weed Gardens
Votes (8)
July 2nd 2024 Workshop minutes
Moved by Council Member Cole [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Wong [00:00:00]
Council member Wong requested to pull the minutes to clarify a statement attributed to her, ensuring it reflected her concern that economic and community impact measurements were missing from existing information and needed to be part of any study.
Approval of Rezoning Property at 2329 17th Avenue East
Moved by Council Member Cole [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Norby [00:00:00]
This item sought to formally adopt an ordinance to rezone property at 2329 17th Avenue East from R1 single-family residential to R2 mixed residential. This was a procedural cleanup, as the rezoning had previously been approved via resolution in May, but state statute requires an ordinance amendment.
Approve Delaware Place Final Plat, Final PUD, Stormwater Management Agreement and Contract for Development
Moved by Council Member Cole [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Sher [00:00:00]
The council considered final approval for the Delaware Place development, which involves constructing 10 townhome units across five buildings on a 2.4-acre parcel (a former church site). The project includes 1.5 acres for stormwater retention and recreation, and the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval.
Accept and Approve Tennis Sanitation LLC Agreement Extension
Moved by Council Member Sher [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Norby [00:00:00]
The item proposed extending the agreement with Tennis Sanitation LLC for two years, through August 31, 2026, with a potential 3% annual increase. The extension was sought to allow ample time for a comprehensive RFP process, which could take up to 1.5 years.
Resolution to not accept the state and federal Grant related to the North St Paul Community Center
Dissent: Council Member Norby, Mayor Mongi
Moved by Council Member Wong [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Sher [00:00:00]
This item sparked extensive debate. Council members discussed the pros and cons of accepting significant state and federal grant money for the community center. Supporters emphasized community building, economic benefits, and the risk of losing future funding by declining grants. Opponents raised concerns about the building's suitability, ongoing operational costs, and the financial burden on taxpayers. Procedural confusion regarding the wording of the resolution was clarified by the city attorney.
Authorize the issuance of an RFP for a Multi-Purpose Community Center Feasibility Study
Dissent: Council Member Norby, Mayor Mongi
Moved by Council Member Sher [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Cole [00:00:00]
Following the vote on grant acceptance, the council discussed issuing an RFP for a feasibility study. Concerns were raised about the timing of this item (after a denial resolution), the scope of community engagement within the proposed RFP, and the need for more robust exploration of potential uses beyond traditional offerings. It was suggested to send the RFP back to workshop for further refinement.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Ordinance Amendment
Moved by Council Member Wong [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Sher [00:00:00]
The council adopted three ordinance updates (828, 829, 830) amending chapters 94, 95, and 154 of the municipal code. These amendments were mandated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as part of the city's ms4 permit renewal cycle, aimed at protecting local water quality from pollution sources such as animal waste, salt runoff from snow/ice removal, and construction erosion.
Final Payment for McNight Water Main Improvements (City Project 22-04)
Moved by Council Member Cole [00:00:00] · Seconded by Council Member Wong [00:00:00]
The council approved the final payment for the McNight water main improvements project. The project was completed under budget, with the final contract amount being approximately 11.8% below the original estimate. The water main replacement was done in advance of a county roadway overlay project.
Notable Quotes (7)
I wanted to clarify in the meeting minutes it says um that I had concern with the economic and Community impact which I wanted to clarify that I've I wanted to express concern that the economic and Community impact is not measured in the existing information and needs to be sought out as part of the study that's it
I firmly believe in my opinion this is a rush to no... we haven't discussed publicly what hasn't been printed in any communication the cost of not accepting the money
I also wanted to talk largely about how much Community is needed... There are 40% people of color in this community and this Multicultural Center could be an avenue for that and those are the considerations we have not even discussed
I don't think the current building is a good spot location or investment for it so if you know me ple please come talk to me but know that just because I'm voting yay doesn't mean I'm against our community I think we have a great Community I love living here um I just think we're building on not on Sand rather than Rock
If you deny this resolution and I'm sorry I'm going on and on here but make sure we're clear If you deny the resolution then then it's simply off the table you have not accepted the money you haven't committed yourself to it and candidly if after the study comes back you say look this isn't satisfactory I don't like what we've learned you could come back and still deny the the money so candidly in my opinion a motion to deny the resolution simply keeps all options open
I do think that we need an RFP and really a project manager around that as well um I would also say that um we would I would like a little bit more time with looking at the um scope of services with RFP given um some of the things we've heard today um and I think that it not um robust enough for Community engagement
I think that the mindset of the past Community Center has been around the basketball courts the um workout facilities and the fees minimal fees that people paid in there we haven't looked at the Grand scope of everything could it be we have a full-size Kitchen in there could we do cooking classes could we build and have an indoor playground for our children to go in the winter
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Minutes from a previous workshop meeting that were pulled for clarification.
Minutes from a previous city council meeting.
Grant related to clean energy and water efficiency.
Application from the Church of St. Peters North St. Paul for an event.
Application from the Church of St. Peters North St. Paul for an event.
Application from the Church of St. Peter for an event at 2600 Margaret Street.
Resolution for accepting donations made in June 2024.
Informational report on building permits issued in June.
Comprehensive plan guiding the city's future, referenced in support of the community center.
Municipal code chapter amended for rezoning property and for ms4 compliance related to erosion control.
Municipal code chapter amended for ms4 compliance related to snow and ice removal.
Municipal code chapter amended for ms4 compliance related to animal waste.
One of three ordinances adopted for ms4 compliance.
One of three ordinances adopted for ms4 compliance.
One of three ordinances adopted for ms4 compliance.
Project number for the McNight water main improvements.