North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Monday, June 8, 2026
Facade Improvement Program Status
Community Car Show Events
Community Center Sale and Library Relocation
Student Build House Initiative
South/County Road B Townhouse Development
Water Tower Replacement Funding and Project Timeline
Downtown Parking Lot Improvement
Old Pine Tree Center Development Status
Loves Property / Coffee Trailer
Votes (9)
Facade Improvement Program Update
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Ken provided an update on the program, noting increased interest due to mailings. Several applications are in process, including for Joseph Matthews and Carrie Insurance, the Rosback building, Division Street Fuels, and Paperbacks Plus. One project (Main Drag and Sweeties Candles) is completed, showcasing energy efficiency benefits. The program still has substantial funds remaining.
Car Show Updates
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Ken updated on two car shows. The 'Invisible Wounds' Friday show was generally okay, with plans to improve vendors and musical acts. The 'History Cruises' will start soon. Attendance for the first show was slow due to rain threats but picked up, and confidence was expressed that both events would gain traction.
Community Center Sale Update
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
An appraisal of the community center was completed. Staff are in negotiations with two potential buyers, both of whom are willing to retain the library within the building. Buyers are asked to submit formal offers by the end of the week for council review.
Student Build House Program Update
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The current student-built twin home on 7th and 3rd is almost complete, with minor landscaping and exterior work remaining. It's expected to be on the market by August 1st. The EDA is actively seeking new vacant or large residential lots for future projects, noting the increasing difficulty in finding suitable properties due to general community improvements.
South/County Road B Townhouse Development Update
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
An owner/developer is planning a six-unit townhouse development on a property on South (County Road B) near Mcnight. Initial plans for eight units were reduced to six to accommodate required stormwater ponding. The developer has been responsive to city input, and a development site plan approval submission is expected soon.
Water Tower Replacement and Funding
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The state legislature approved the reallocation of $4.5 million for a new water tower at Tower Park. The new 750,000-gallon tower (compared to the old 300,000-gallon tower) is planned for construction and online operation by the end of 2028. It will improve fire protection and water pressure, especially for the north side. The playground at Tower Park will be redeveloped after the old tower's demolition.
Downtown Parking Lot Improvement
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The recently completed parking lot between Sidewinders and the tattoo place on the main drag was praised for significantly improving the downtown aesthetics. The lot provides 38-39 parking spots and serves as a temporary snow storage area during winter cleaning operations, offering efficiency benefits.
Old Pine Tree Center Development Inquiry
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
An inquiry was made regarding the status of the Old Pine Tree Center, which was sold months ago. While there were rumors of a fuel station, no formal plans have been seen. The EDA hopes the new owner will better maintain the property and plans to invite them to a future meeting for an update.
Loves / Coffee Trailer Update
Dissent: N/A
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
A brief mention of a new coffee trailer operating behind the Loves property, noting its early morning operation and apparent popularity. No specific action requested or taken.
Notable Quotes (19)
The probably the one we're most interested in is the facade improvement program. ...that has generated some interest in the facade improvement program.
The mailing did generate some interest. We've gotten three probably at least three applications we would not have gotten without that mailing.
The biggest thing is is putting in a uh type of a window that they did over at Swedies and the main drag... that they really warm up the building inside, you know, and everybody's got a larger window in the facing the street. It's only going to benefit them in the long run.
We now have two different car shows going on. had the first one with the invisible wounds on Friday. Reports are it was okay, I guess. I didn't hear of any big problems, which is good.
I really think it's going to catch stride very soon. ... You know, once they get their feet under them after a few weeks, I'm sure they're going to they're going to rock.
Brian's been in negotiations discussions with two potential buyers. We ask them if they want to submit a purchase agreement or a letter of intent to purchase to get it into the city by the end of this week.
The biggest part is um we discussed was to still have the library and both of the willing part both the parties are willing to have the library in it.
The student build house down on 7th and 3rd is just about done... Hoping to get that on the market by the 1 of August to then be able to sell the two units separately, but it's it's getting close.
The nice thing is these student build homes have taken some blighted properties and fixed them. And also people that own their homes have been fixing them.
He initially started out with a plan and showed eight townhouse units connected in two fourunit buildings. But he's found out working with his civil engineer, the wershed district, he has to include storm water ponding on site... So now he's on to six units, two three unit buildings...
He's been very good to work with in that he looks for input and suggestions and you know you got to check on setbacks. You got to do this and do this and he's he's been very responsive to me for those.
the state legislature did approve the reallocation of the $4.5 million for the community center to go to the new water tower at uh Tower Park. ...be constructed in 2028 and hopefully be online by the end of 2028.
It's 300,000 gallons right now. Our new one's 750,000 gallons. So yeah, that's better for better for fire protection.
how the nice the parking lot looks now between Sidewinders and the tattoo place. So, I mean, compared to where it was before where it was just, you know, bunch of old gravel pushed in and everything else and lines and it looks great.
Plus, we can put snow there during the winter when we're trying to, you know, clean out the downtown and be able to store it in the back until we're they do it in two steps.
do we have uh any update on the old Pine Tree Center?
Have him give Yeah, thank you. have him give an update on what he wants to do and how if there's any assistance that you know as far as uh ideas or anything else he'd like to go over that'd be great.
I still see I got a little coffee trailer behind it that I see there now on that. That's something a little bit newer. So, I don't know what's happening there.
He opens up like 6:00 a.m. all winter long and everything.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Required for facade improvement projects, mentioned for Joseph Matthews/Carrie Insurance and Paperbacks Plus.
Document requested from potential buyers of the Community Center.
Document requested from potential buyers of the Community Center.
Required for the townhouse development project on South/County Road B.