North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Resident Parking Concerns
Charitable Gambling Ordinance Amendments
Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Map Amendments
Metropolitan Council Pre-Development Grant for Nature Point Townhouses
City Code Text Amendments for Contractor Licenses
2025 Street and Utility Improvement Project Change Order
Community Multicultural Outreach Center Feasibility Study and Grant Funding
Votes (7)
Approved Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 112, Bingo and Charitable Gambling
Dissent: Council member Schwar voted Nay to tabling, suggesting a preference to proceed with the discussion or a vote on the ordinance as presented.
Moved by Council member McKenzie [00:46:11] · Seconded by Council member Nordby [00:46:14]
Council member McKenzie pulled this item for clarification regarding city permit and background check requirements for charitable gambling. Jack (City Staff) explained the amendment aimed to clarify existing code without changing practice, but it was revealed the city code mandated background checks that were not being performed. Gambling managers from the American Legion and VFW argued against redundant city background checks and associated fees, highlighting extensive state-level oversight, bonding, and audits. The discussion also touched on the distinction between state-licensed organizations and temporary exempt permits. Council expressed concerns about imposing new, potentially redundant fees and regulations without prior discussion or clear necessity.
Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Map Amendment
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member McKenzie [00:54:10] · Seconded by Council member Norby [00:54:12]
Ken Roberts (Community Development Director) presented a staff-initiated proposal to change the future land use and zoning designations for two areas (along 7th Avenue, South Avenue east of Mcnite Road, and Oakhill Place) from corridor mixed use to low-density residential (R2). This change addresses existing legal non-conforming single-family homes and enables residential development on vacant lots, which are currently restricted. The Planning Commission recommended approval after a public hearing where property owners' concerns about taxes were addressed.
Ordinance Approving Zoning Map Amendment
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member McKenzie [00:55:18] · Seconded by Council member Norby [00:55:20]
Following the approval of the comprehensive plan amendment, an ordinance was presented to make the zoning map consistent. This involved changing the zoning of the same properties from MU3 (corridor mixed use) to R2 (mixed residential district). The R2 district allows single-family homes and twin homes, and its minimum lot size accommodates the varied lot sizes in the affected areas, ensuring conformity.
Metropolitan Council Pre-Development Grant Application (Nature Point Townhouse Development)
Dissent: None (Council member Schwar was absent for this vote).
Moved by Council member Norby [01:03:57] · Seconded by Council member McKenzie [01:04:00]
Ken Roberts requested approval for a resolution supporting the application for a Met Council Livable Communities Pre-Development Grant. This grant, up to $300,000, would aid in the preliminary planning and engineering for the Nature Point Townhouse Development, proposed by Hong Kong Vang. The project aims to build up to eight townhouses for low to moderate-income families. Mr. Vang introduced himself, shared his background in real estate and social work, and expressed his passion for affordable housing. The approval is an initial step, with further council approvals required for finalized plans.
City Code Text Amendment (Contractor Licenses)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Schwar [01:07:44] · Seconded by Council member Norby [01:07:46]
Ken Roberts presented proposed revisions to City Code Section 110, aiming to remove outdated and redundant contractor licensing requirements. The changes include striking requirements for HVAC installations (already state-regulated), revising trenching licenses (exempting licensed plumbers, dropping corporate sur bonds for sewer/water contractors), and eliminating licenses for most general contractors (masonry, roofers, etc.), except for tree trimmers, to manage risks to public infrastructure.
2025 Street and Utility Improvement Project - Approve Change Order
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Schwar [01:09:59] · Seconded by Council member McKenzie [01:10:01]
Brian (City Manager) presented Change Order #1 for the 2025 Street and Utility Improvement Project in the Casey Lake area. The change order involves replacing trenchless sewer lining and service lining with open-cut, open-trench replacement. This modification is supported by engineering and public works, as it provides a cost savings of $108,493.65 and is expected to result in a better final product for this specific project.
Council Direction on Community Multicultural Outreach Center Feasibility Study and Grant Funding
Dissent: Council member Schwar voted Nay against tabling, indicating a preference to address the item immediately.
Moved by Council member McKenzie [01:16:11] · Seconded by Council member Norby [01:16:14]
City Manager Brian provided an update on the proposed Community Multicultural Outreach Center, revealing that the EAPC feasibility study confirmed substantial costs (over $3 million) beyond the available $5.35 million in state and federal grants. He discussed options with the Capital Investment Committee administrator, including modifying the grant or repurposing the funds for other city projects (like roads or a water tower) with legislative support. The local legislator confirmed support for repurposing if the city chose that path. Council member McKenzie requested tabling the discussion to the next meeting to ensure full council presence due to the topic's significance.
Notable Quotes (12)
The intention of this amendment is to clarify but not really change any of the current regulations. So this is saying that you need to either get a a premises permit and that is a state level permit um or uh obtaining a temporary local permit that would be through the city.
Under this new city ordinance, he wants to charge do another background check. Even though I'm getting one done by the state of Minnesota, I carry a $10,000 bond on me. So, it's just kind of redundant as a person who's already certified from the state of Minnesota who gets a background truck every background check every year to pay another fee to the city council to do the same thing. It doesn't make sense to me.
The ordinance that we currently have on the books says that they will undergo a full background check conducted by the North St. Paul Police Department. So, that is what is currently the ordinance that the city code says. Uh is that it's a a more robust, you know, full background check on the organization. And again, we haven't necessarily been doing that, but that is um the current city code that would exist without any ordinance amendments.
For me it's for me it's the fee. Last year I donated uh $49,000 back in the city of North St. Paul youth sports high college uh the churches and all that. $100 is $100 in my eyes. I rather give it to a charity of kids sports, baseball teams, girls choir. I'd rather give it $100 to them, not to the city.
The challenge right now with the zoning and the land use designation is these properties are legal non-conforming. They're single family homes primarily, but with commercial land use designations and commercial zoning, which means by law and by our city ordinance, city has very the city and the owners are very limited on anything they can do with the properties.
The intent of this grant program is to help support low to moderate income housing being developed in the metropolitan c the metro area. And the Mr. Vang is proposing these these would be for sale units again for low to moderate income uh families of four or more in the city in North St. Paul if the grant is approved.
My first investment property as a real estate investor or agent was actually in North St. Paul... a passion of mine has always been obviously uh just beyond making money is obviously putting people first.
We're proposing that the city remove the license requirements for all those general contractors except the tree trimmers. And we want to keep the tree trimmer license as a city license because we want to make sure if they negatively affect our public infrastructure like our power lines that we have a way to go after them if we need to.
What this uh contemplates is deleting some of the uh trenchless sewer lining and sewer service lining from the contract and replaces it with open cut open trench uh sanitary sewer replacement and service replacement. Um, based on the numbers provided by the contractor, there is a cost savings uh to this change order of $108,493.65.
The study that they had uh put forward explained that the city would have to come up with $3 million more than $3 million above and beyond what the grant money accounted for. So that was the reason in bringing this back to you and the information.
You can cancel it and you can turn it back. And she did explain though that this because this money was uh cash and that not a borrowed sum that it is easier to manipulate and move around which made it sound like it would possibly be. It's easier certainly than starting from scratch as far as it being repurposed and try to do something else with it.
I would like the council to consider tableabling this for the next meeting and have Troy here. That's all I have to say.
Ordinances & Resolutions (17)
City code chapter regarding bingo and charitable gambling, proposed for amendment.
Revision approved as part of the consent agenda.
Public resource for checking charitable gambling licenses and violations.
Legal framework referenced for charitable gambling regulations and background check authority.
Existing local regulations referenced for charitable gambling and contractor licenses.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approved as part of the consent agenda.
Document outlining future land use designations, proposed for amendment.
Map depicting zoning districts, proposed for amendment.
Approved change from corridor mixed use to low density residential.
Approved change from MU3 corridor mixed use to R2 mixed residential.
Funding program for low to moderate-income housing development.
Proposed townhouse project seeking pre-development grant funding.
Federal department providing income standards for low to moderate-income housing.
Section of city code regarding contractor licenses, proposed for text amendments.
Identifier for the 2025 street and utility improvement project.
Infrastructure project in the Casey Lake area, subject to a change order.