when I think about our city's vitality, it isn't only defined by our budget or by building more buildings, but it's really truly rooted in arts and culture and the legacy preservation of what shapes our neighborhoods.

drill teams have not only been the heartbeat of the Rondo community, but they were also my heartbeat.

I think it's really important that the public record reflect the history that is embedded in the work of the drill teams especially and and their impact in the Rondo community. ... this is a part of that. So just really appreciate you all for being here and participating in that because that's ultimately what you are doing.

We are finally giving trees um, a voice at the table early on in the process. We are recognizing that trees are public infrastructure. Um, and we are recognizing the critical importance that so many people all across the city on every single corridor um, in every neighborhood feel about the importance of trees for for climate reasons, for equity reasons um, and for just the vitality and livability in our city.

bringing in different stakeholders especially our community um residents to be a part of the work is very important. It's how we can make sure that um you know even tree preservation which falls right into the bucket of equity work is at the forefront um of decision- making and even um um development and projects that come before us in the city here rather than an afterthought.

we know that we can do those projects and we can preserve trees at the same time and I think that that uh is so important um because we're going to have a lot of those projects moving forward. And as um Council Vice President Yang mentioned, you know, there are huge disparities across our city when it comes to our tree canopy, when it comes to, you know, what is the the temperature uh in the city and what do our residents experience?

My specific items that I look at in that that I think are problematic would be that the window in the bedroom could not open and stay open on its own. That is considered an emergency egress and you need to have two ways to get out of a sleeping room. One would be directly to the outdoors which this window would do and the other can be through the house. So through the closed door, um if it can't stay open, you can't use it safely.

Under the ordinance, habitability must be considered. Section 193A.06 06 C mandates that this council deny any rent increase for units in which a landlord has failed to comply with Minnesota habitability standards. Minnesota habitability standards include local code as you can see in the code and as the hearing officer referenced.

I understand that costs are up, but I can't carry the burden of paying more for an apartment that doesn't meet my basic needs. And the rising cost of gas, water, trash, and commonary electricity are already passed on to me as a tenant.

I appreciate you sharing some of the St. Paul life hacks of living in an old home. Um, you know, being born and raised in an old home. Um, particularly in the Rondo neighborhood, I know the feeling of not plugging up the toaster and air condition. Um, and you know, that is even more reason why we need to have more investment into our housing and to our repairs. Um, and really helping to improve our our old housing stock here in St. Paul