--- ## title: Meeting Minutes - Action Only --- ## City Hall and Court House ## 15 West Kellogg Boulevard Council Chambers - 3rd ## Floor 651-266-8560 ## City of Saint Paul ## Meeting Minutes - Action Only ## City Council ## Council President Rebecca Noecker ## Vice President Nelsie Yang ## Councilmember Anika Bowie ## Councilmember Molly Coleman ## Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson ## Councilmember Saura Jost ## Councilmember HwaJeong Kim ## 3:30 PM ## Council Chambers - 3rd Floor Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ## ROLL CALL Meeting started at 3:32 PM ## Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Councilmember Nelsie Yang, ## Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Councilmember Anika Bowie, ## Councilmember Saura Jost, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson and ## Councilmember Molly Coleman ## Present 7 - ## COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE 1 ## AO 26-39 Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public Works Capital Budget for the University Avenue Reconstruction Project. ## Received and Filed 2 ## AO 26-38 Establishing one (1) new project through the Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program as adopted via City Council Resolution #- RES 26-1027 ## Received and Filed 3 ## AO 26-40 Amending CDBG Project Budgets: To allocate $150,000 for demolition of 648-656 Bush Avenue and to return $7,821.70 NENO business investment and revitalization funds back to the undesignated fund. ## Received and Filed 4 ## AO 26-41 Authorizing the Department of Public Works to move $71,499 from unspent signing and lighting materials budget to accommodate a garage door replacement for the Traffic Building, located at 899 Dale Street. ## Received and Filed ## CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration. Page 1 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only ## Approval of the Consent Agenda Consent Agenda adopted as amended ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 5 ## RES 26-903 Authorizing the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation to submit project applications for funding to the 2026 Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation for federal funding and the 2026 Active Transportation Solicitation for regional sales tax funding. ## Adopted 6 ## RES 26-944 Approving the City’s cost of providing removal of diseased and/or dangerous tree(s) during April 2026, and setting date of Legislative Hearing for August 4, 2026 and City Council public hearing for September 16, 2026 to consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. 2606T, ## Assessment No. 269007) ## Adopted 7 ## RES 26-968 Authorizing the City to apply for sub-grant funds from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to install curbside charging through the RMI E-Mobility Accelerator program. ## Adopted 8 ## RES 26-998 Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028) and Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Supervisors' Organization. Laid over to July 15, 2026 9 ## RES 26-1000 ## Approving Ordinance Permit 20240010110 for Roadway Base Infrastructure and Roadway Traffic infrastructure installed by Project Paul, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”) on the Ford (Highland Bridge) Site. The roadway, lighting and signs & pavement marking infrastructure identified in Ordinance Permit 20240010110 is for work at the following location(s): on Bohland Avenue from Ranger Way to Finn Street; on ## Ranger Way from Bohland Avenue to Saunders Avenue; on Beechwood Avenue from Cretin Avenue to Finn Street; on Village Way from Cretin Avenue to Finn Street; on Saunders Avenue from Cretin Avenue to Finn Street (District 15, Ward 3). ## Adopted 10 ## RES 26-1001 ## Approving Ordinance Permit 20240010110A for Roadway Base Infrastructure and Roadway Traffic infrastructure installed by Project Paul, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”) on the Ford Page 2 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only (Highland Bridge) Site. The roadway, lighting and signing & pavement marking infrastructure identified in Ordinance Permit 20240010110A is for work at the following location(s): on Finn Street from Bohland Avenue to Montreal Avenue. ## Adopted 11 ## RES 26-1002 ## Approving Ordinance Permit 20240010308 for Roadway Traffic (Lighting) Infrastructure installed by Project Paul, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”) on the Ford (Highland Bridge) Site (District 15, Ward 3). ## Adopted 12 ## RES 26-1016 Approving Right of Way Permit Fee Rates for 2026. ## Adopted 13 ## RES 26-1023 Naming Phalen Picnic Island to Tou Ger Xiong Island. ## Adopted 14 ## RES 26-1025 Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a community garden license agreement with West Side Community Organization. ## Adopted 15 ## RES 26-1036 Accepting the gift of airfare, lodging, meals, and other travel expenses from the Omaha Fire Department for Deputy Chief Brittney Baker to participate as an assessor for their captain promotion process. ## Adopted 16 ## RES 26-1046 Authorizing the City to enter into an Interconnection Agreement with Xcel Energy, which includes an indemnification clause, for solar at Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center. ## Adopted 17 ## RES 26-1048 Approving the application for change of ownership to the Auto Body Repair/Painting Shop license now held by TW Auto Body 93 LLC d/b/a TNT Auto Body (License ID #DSIBLAUTO-000641-2026) for the premises located at 93 Annapolis St. E. ## Adopted 18 ## RES 26-1050 Authorizing the City to Enter into a Services Agreement with Nortridge Hosting Services LLC or One of Its Affiliates (that includes an indemnification clause) for Certain Loan Servicing and Management Software. ## Adopted 19 ## RES 26-1051 Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028) and Memorandums of Agreement between the City of Saint Paul Page 3 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only and the Professional Employees Association, Inc. Laid over to July 15, 2026 20 ## RES 26-1052 Approving the Use of Grant Funds through the Ward 4 Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program for Bewick Cafe LLC Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Project. ## Adopted 21 ## RES 26-1055 Approving a Special Law enacted by the Minnesota State Legislature during the 2026 Regular Session allowing the City of Saint Paul to issue on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses to the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Union Depot for sales on the premises any day of the week. ## Adopted 22 ## RES 26-1056 Accepting the gift of travel expense and tuition from the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative for Mayor Kaohly Her to attend the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative from 7/11/2026 - 7/16/2026. ## Adopted 23 ## RES 26-1057 Approving assessment costs and setting date of City Council public hearing to ratify the assessments for sanitary sewer replacement within the street right-of-way from the public sewer to the property line, done with the Metro Transit 10-mile Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit project. (File No. 19252C, ## Assessment No. 226001) ## Adopted 24 ## RES 26-1058 ## Honoring Catherine Plessner and Recognizing July 9th, 2026 as Catherine Plessner Day. ## Adopted 25 ## RES 26-1059 Accepting the gift of travel expense and tuition from the Bloomberg Harvard ## City Leadership Initiative for Assistant Mayors Nick Stumo-Langer and Hnu Vang to attend the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative from 8/9/2026 - 8/13/2026. ## Adopted 26 ## RES 26-1142 Authorizing the Police Department to apply for the Firearms Storage Grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. ## Adopted 27 ## RES 26-1064 Authorizing the Police Department to apply for a Crisis Intervention and Behavioral Health Grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Office of Justice Programs. ## Adopted 28 ## RES 26-1073 Approving the application for change of ownership to the Liquor On Sale, Page 4 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only Liquor On Sale - Sunday, Entertainment (B), and Gambling Location licenses (License ID #DSIBLLIQ-000905-2026) now held by MPL 1067 LLC d/b/a Mounds Park Lounge for the premises located at 1067 Hudson Rd. ## Adopted 29 ## RES 26-1074 Approving a new location application for the Liquor On Sale, Liquor On Sale - Sunday, Liquor Outdoor Service Area Patio, and Liquor Outdoor Service Area Sidewalk licenses (License ID #DSIBLLIQ- 000843-2026) to Bewick Café LLC d/b/a Bewick Café for the premises located at 1340 Thomas Ave. ## Adopted 30 ## RES 26-1075 ## Approving the 2026 Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant Program awards. ## Adopted 31 ## RES 26-1077 ## Approving the 2026 Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant Program awards. ## Adopted 32 ## RES 26-1092 Adopting the report of Ramsey County Elections finding that the petition for an initiative to create Chapter 34A of the Legislative Code pertaining to Tenant Right to Repair is insufficient. ## Adopted ## FOR DISCUSSION 33 ## RES 26-969 Establishing the rate of pay for the classification of GIS Supervisor, EG 09, SPSO, Grade 019. Adopted as amended ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 34 ## RES 26-1106 Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story and Its Enduring Legacy of Community, Culture, and Freedom in the City of Saint ## Paul ## Adopted ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 Page 5 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only ## ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading. ## First Reading 35 Ord 26-32 Amending Appendix C of the Legislative Code relating to Northern States Power, D/B/A Xcel Energy, Electric Franchise. Laid over to July 15, 2026 for Second Reading 36 Ord 26-33 Amending Appendix B of the Legislative Code relating to Northern States Power, D/B/A Xcel Energy, Gas Franchise. Laid over to July 15, 2026 for Second Reading ## PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify. 37 ## RES PH 26-146 Approving the application of Rondo Community Coalition for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for Fourth Annual Rondo Block Party event on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 820 Rondo Avenue - Rondo Commemorative Plaza. ## Adopted ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 38 ## RES PH 26-147 Approving the application of Sonya Castillo for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for Chicano Fest event on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 235 Marshall Ave.- Saint Paul Technical College Parking Lot. ## Adopted ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 39 Ord 25-4 Amending Title IV of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to add Chapter 92, titled Tree Preservation for City Sponsored Construction Projects. Laid over to July 15, 2026 for Final Adoption Page 6 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 ## LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEMS 43 ## RLH FCO 26-51 Appeal of Ambe McKenzie, tenant of unit 5, to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice at 683 KANSAS AVENUE. (July 7, 2026 Legislative ## Hearing) Appeal denied, granted to August 7, 2026 for compliance. Ambe McKenzie, tenant, appeared in-person. Joanna Zimny, Legislative Hearing Officer: This is an appeal of a June 9, 2026 fire correction order. There were plumbing issues, holes, and walls needing repainting. Some issues are significant, but didn't rise to the level of condemnation. The appellant spoke during the hearing about frustrations with their landlord, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). According to our records, we have no logged complaints about this property. All that's before you today are the orders from June 9. Hearing Officer Moermond's recommendation is grant to August 7, 2026 for compliance. The appellant has pursued other avenues with other jurisdictions to deal with their concerns. The City doesn't have jurisdiction over those avenues. Council President Noecker: What are the orders in need of correction? Zimny: The report by Supervisor Keith Demarest has findings including the kitchen drain line dripping, upstairs bathtub overflowing through the ceiling, heat deflector shield removed from kitchen heater, removed smoke alarms in the kitchen and basement as the largest concern, some holes and repairs needed in the upstairs vanity, bubbling in upstairs ceiling, repainting needed throughout, condensation on walls, and a new vent fan upstairs. Noecker: Do these orders go to the tenant or property owner? Zimny: The property owner is ultimately responsible for the repairs. Noecker: I'm trying to understand the tenant's appeal if there's no vacate order. Zimny: The tenant has continued frustration with the landlord not addressing these issues. This started in February 2026. There were multiple visits to the property with orders issued and nothing done. New orders were on February 18, March 5, April 9, and May 8. Nothing ever recorded being done. Noecker: The tenant is appealing the orders? Zimny: Yes. He perhaps disagrees with the time given. I will let him speak to that. Noecker: The responsibility is on the property owner, though. Zimny: Correct. Page 7 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only Ambe McKenzie: That wasn't correct. That isn't why I'm here. My issue is that you, Noecker, had already visited the property in April 2025. There was $3.8 million worth of damages. This is just like Heritage Park in North Minneapolis. My issue is also with Maintenance Property Solutions. I have video of them stealing some of the materials I took from my house in Saint Paul to North Minneapolis Heritage Park. These guys targeted us, went into the garage, and stole from us. They also stole from the (not audible) home, which is how I know they steal. They come in and say they will repair, say, the exhaust fan. The exhaust fan is still missing. It was taken out in July. June was when I moved in. I was coached out of my place in April when the check from DOGE for that property was denied fro $3.8 million in damages. They knew that when they called me, a vulnerable adult with a vulnerable child, to this property with a fraud housing company and this company, Vista. They used that to pay all this money but won't repair anything. My daughter fell during Zoom court. The judge hurried up and dismissed my case. This was caught on camera. They dismissed it with prejudice just because he couldn't hear me on Zoom. I'm here because the Minnesota Public Housing Authority (MPHA) told me at the Heritage Park meeting that they don't pay for properties with this type of damage. Yet we're all black and they're paying for it. How does that work? I've brought up laws. Nothing is being respected. No one from the property wants to come here or to court because of the way I'm being retaliated against. Every violation...after April when I filed an Emergency Tenant Remedies Action (ETRA), when I asked the court to stop them from coming in my house and stealing from me. I have video proof. Noecker: What is your ask? McKenzie: I don't know. I'm still fighting. I'm trying to figure out where to go from here. There are others who don't want to come here or show up in courtrooms. Were do they go? We spent the winter with no hot water, no heat, and water leaking through the ceiling. The inspector will not address other problems and is covering them up for the landlord. There are issues with electrical outlets popping from space heaters we used all winter. Noecker: Your time is up. I heard your ask. Noecker moved to close the public hearing. Approved 7-0. Councilmember Bowie: I may have misheard. Is the appellant, Ambe McKenzie, the person who is here today to speak. McKenzie: Yes. Councilmember Johnson: Is McKenzie the owner? Zimny: They're the tenant. Noecker: I move to approve the hearing officer's recommendation to deny the appeal and grant to August 7 for compliance. I hear some issues here around how the problems arose, payment for fixing them, and the time taken to fix them. I want the owner to make these repairs, which is what the orders require. I hear your other issues, McKenzie, and I will work with you after this meeting on how to move forward. Removing this responsibility of the owner does not solve this. Johnson: I support that. How did we get the point where a tenant has to appeal in order Page 8 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only get concerns looked at? What happens next? It seems like the tenant isn't opposed to these orders. Zimny: There will be a reinspection after the August 7 deadline. If the items aren't done, it's up to DSI to take further action. How they choose to do so is up to them. They could condemn the property and order it vacated. Councilmember Kim: If this is condemned, that would mean we have an unhoused person situation. I support the motion. Noecker: McKenzie, I see your hand up. We will not take further comments. I will talk to you after the meeting concludes. Adopted as amended (appeal denied, granted to August 7, 2026 for compliance) ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 ## LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired. ## Approval of the Consent Agenda ## Legislative Hearing Consent Agenda adopted as amended ## Yea: ## Councilmember Noecker, Councilmember Yang, Councilmember Kim, ## Councilmember Bowie, Councilmember Jost, Councilmember Johnson and ## Councilmember Coleman 7 - ## Nay: 0 40 ## RLH SAO 26-41 Second Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 399 BLAIR AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-16. (July 7, 2026 Legislative ## Hearing) Public hearing continued to July 15, 2026 41 ## RLH RR 26-13 Second Making finding on the appealed substantial abatement ordered for 947 FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH RR 25-34. Adopted as amended ($5,000 of $15,000 performance deposit forfeited, granted 180 days, and referred to August 11, 2026 Legislative Hearing for project completion) 42 ## RLH FCO 26-48 Appeal of Robert Jennrich to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice at 873 FRONT AVENUE. ## Adopted 44 ## RLH VO 26-25 Appeal of Tobin Sauro to a Fire Inspection Report, including condemnation at Page 9 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only 1655 MCAFEE STREET. (July 7, 2026 Legislative Hearing) Adopted as amended (appeal denied, lower unit to be vacated immediately) 45 ## RLH SAO 26-52 Making finding on the appealed of Melanie Baker to a nuisance abatement ordered for 1884 MONTANA AVENUE EAST in Council File RLH SAO 26-39. ## Adopted 46 ## RLH SAO 26-53 Making finding on the appealed of Joseph Richardson to a nuisance abatement ordered for 1875 NORTH PARK DRIVE in Council File RLH SAO 26-44. ## Adopted 47 ## RLH VO 26-24 Appeal of Jay Mitchell, on behalf of Quality Residences LLC, to a Fire ## Inspection Correction Notice, which includes Condemnation, at 65 ROSE ## AVENUE EAST. ## Adopted 48 ## RLH FCO 26-50 Appeal of Adam Kado to a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Correction Notice at ## 1609 SAINT ANTHONY AVENUE. ## Adopted 49 ## RLH VO 26-27 Amending Council File RLH VO 25-23, adopted November 19, 2025, to grant Paris Getty an additional extension to a Condemnation a Unfit for Human Habitation and Order to Vacate and a Summary Abatement Order for property at 855 THIRD STREET EAST. ## Adopted ## ADJOURNMENT Meeting ended at 4:30 PM Page 10 ## City of Saint Paul ## July 8, 2026City CouncilMeeting Minutes - Action Only City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also comment on public hearing items in writing. Any comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows: Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to ## Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers. ## Council Meeting Information The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses. The agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council members use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile device greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached to files, are over 1000 pages when printed. ## Web Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds (RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subscription. Visit www.stpaul.gov/council for meeting videos and updated copies of the agendas, minutes, and supporting documents. ## Cable Meetings are live on St Paul Channel 18 and replayed at various times. Check your local listings. Page 11 ## City of Saint Paul