North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Resident Concerns: Electricity Rates and Casey Development
City Population and Housing Estimates (2025)
City Operations and Departmental Updates
Commission Reports
Local History Museum Event
Car Show Partnerships and Policy Changes
Public Parking Lot Improvements and Student-Built Homes
Resident Request: Boulevard Mowing Service
Votes (4)
Special Event Permit for St. Peter's Church Bonfire
Moved by Council Member Norby [3:17] · Seconded by Council Member Swear [3:20]
Council Member Nordby pulled the item to understand why a special event permit for a nonprofit bonfire required council approval and to clarify if it was still a free permit, given recent ordinance changes. Staff explained it came before the council due to potential fire department standby costs, but confirmed that permits for nonprofits remain free.
Letter of Support for the Highway 120 and Highway 36 Interchange
Moved by Council Member Norby [7:56] · Seconded by Council Member Woods [8:00]
Council Member Nordby pulled the item to understand the implications of providing a letter of support for a project that isn't finalized. Morgan, representing staff, explained that the letter supports Washington County's application for $20 million in regional solicitation funding for the interchange, which aims to improve multimodal transportation. It was noted that Ramsey County, Oakdale, and North St. Paul were also asked for support, and no city funding is currently requested, though future maintenance responsibilities for city right-of-way would remain. The funding, if secured, would be programmed for 2031.
Resolution of Support for Division Street Apartments
Moved by Council member Swear [12:47] · Seconded by Council member McKenzie [12:50]
Ken Roberts introduced a request from Mr. Ruby for a resolution of support for a Ramsey County grant application to rehabilitate the Division Street Apartments. Mr. Ruby (612 651 Properties) plans to invest over $200,000 in 21 units, focusing on interior mechanical systems, parking, and energy efficiency, without displacing current residents. Four units would be affordable at 30% AMI, and 17 at 50% AMI. The city's support requires no monetary contribution.
Solid Waste, Recycle, and Yard Waste Collection Service Contract Approval
Moved by Council member Schwar [15:58] · Seconded by Council member Norby [16:01]
Following an RFP process and interviews, staff recommended approving a five-year contract with Tennis Sanitation for solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection. The contract includes a 3% annual rate increase, no fuel surcharges, and the city retaining billing and customer service. Tennis will provide six bulky waste pickups and two appliance pickups annually per household at no direct charge (city covers tipping fees). A council member raised a question regarding the method for tracking bulky pickups to prevent abuse, which staff committed to resolving before the contract starts in September.
Notable Quotes (11)
The reason this is before you this evening is because the permit to have a bonfire. Fire department's clearly very concerned and very cautious and they may require to be on standby and there would be a fee or potential cost for that. That's the primary reason why this permits before you.
Special event permits for um nonprofits are still at no cost. Thank you. I I appreciate you taking the time for that explanation so I can understand what we changed.
So what is before you is uh simply to approve or authorize uh staff to complete and transmit a letter of support basically for a funding application... the future interchange at 36 and 120 is a transportation project.
The request or the solicitation as communicated to me by Washington County is for $20 million. that does not cover all of the cost or contemplated cost as far as I understand for the interchange, but it is a major component, a major chunk.
I know that one of the goals uh of the interchange project stated goals is to um maintain if not improve uh multimodal transportation which when you hear that that means not just cars right so it it could include mass transit but mostly what they're talking about is bikes and pedestrians...
The important thing for the city to know is that there would be no monetary commitment or contribution expected with this. Again, it's a letter of support saying we think it's as I say, it's a good thing to rehabilitate these projects, this project and support it.
My intent with the division streets and apartments is that we currently have accepted LOI and we are negotiating a purchase agreement... to renovate each of the interior of the units of the building... while not displacing the residents.
Additionally, something that's also very important to me is uh, energy efficiency, uh, carbon reduction. So, we'll be installing high efficiency boilers at the building to replace the old original boilers, high efficiency hot water heaters. Um, all lights will switch over to LEDs.
Based on the scoring and the tabulation. It was the consensus of the council at that time to have the uh review team here interview the two highest rated vendors. If you remember, that was vendor A and vendor B on this table with the highest scores.
The tennis contract that was proposed. They would be for five years with three one-year extensions. The garbage and recycling rates will increase 3% each year. They are not proposing any proision uh provisions for fuel search charges.
How is the city because we're providing we're contacting you as residents letting you know we have a bulky pickup and you all the city is providing us the customer service piece. How are you tracking how many items are being picked up by each resident in the house?
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
Permit for a bonfire at St. Peter's Church, reviewed due to potential fire department standby costs.
A letter supporting a $20 million funding application for the interchange project through regional solicitation, with Washington County as lead agency.
Resolution supporting an application to Ramsey County for grant funding to rehabilitate 21 affordable housing units.
A new five-year contract with Tennis Sanitation, including provisions for bulky waste and appliance pickups.
Minutes from a previous city council meeting, approved as part of the consent agenda.
General financial claims approved as part of the consent agenda.
Specific financial claims approved as part of the consent agenda.
A policy mentioned as part of the consent agenda, likely related to the later-discussed cash payment policy.
A waiver for EDA liability insurance, approved as part of the consent agenda.
A supplemental agreement approved as part of the consent agenda.
Approval for a training room audio-visual project, approved as part of the consent agenda.
A past state funding program for which the city had previously submitted applications for the interchange.
A competitive funding program distributed by the Met Council, for which the Highway 120/36 interchange is seeking $20 million.
The process used to select a vendor for solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection services.
New city policy going into effect August 1st, where pennies are no longer accepted for payments.
City's plan for capital projects, currently being prepared by departments for future review.
The new communication system for the Police Department, now up and operational.
New door security systems implemented in the Fire Department facilities.