--- title: Minutes - Final --- 15 West Kellogg Blvd. ## Saint Paul, MN 55102 ## City of Saint Paul ## Minutes - Final ## Legislative Hearings ## Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer ## Mai Vang, Hearing Coordinator ## Joanna Zimny, Executive Assistant legislativehearings@ci.stpaul.mn.us 651-266-8585 ## 9:00 AM ## Room 330 City Hall & Court House/Remote Tuesday, April 14, 2026 9:00 a.m. Hearings ## Remove/Repair Orders 1 ## RLH RR 26-5 Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 299 SHERBURNE AVENUE within fifteen (15) days after the April 15, 2026, City Council Public Hearing. (Public hearing continued to May 13, 2026) ## Sponsors: ## Bowie Submit financing, have PD posted and CCI paid for and continue CPH to May 13. LH May 12, 2026 at 9 am. Waive VB fee for 90 days. Rashad Kennedy, purchaser, appeared Shelly Tesch, owner, appeared Thomas Barter, owner, appeared Moermond: The executive summary of what needs to be done we have. Mr. Kennedy, this is all you as general contractor? Kennedy: yes. Moermond: I just need proof of financing. Kennedy: I’ll send it in today. Moermond: how are you guys coming out on this? Tesch: well, it has to be done, so... Kennedy: after the $17,000 in taxes there is a little bit left over. The purchase agreement is $27,000. Moermond: so a little bit, that’s good. I’m happy to do this. We have weeks outline on the work plan. Mr. Hoffman, have you reviewed this? Hoffman: no concerns. No property maintenance concerns. Vehicles have been removed. I know you were talking to Mr. Humphrey about payment, we can’t take credit cards for these things. It has to be cash or check. What is here should be pretty close Page 1 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final to what the Code Compliance Inspection Report will say. Moermond: you don’t have those two pieces. Hoffman: we have the application, we just don’t have payment due to the nature of how they were submitted. Kennedy: I’ll go there after this. Moermond: this is on the Council agenda tomorrow. Get those documents to me no later than first thing in the morning, and I’ll recommend the Council give 180 days. It looks like we have everything else in place. Zimny: we are waiting for the Code Compliance though. Moermond: let’s talk about getting that fast tracked, that’s right. Zimny: it also needs to be cleaned out. Kennedy: yeah, we haven’t done that yet, I wanted to see how today went. But we can get it scheduled. It is a lot. We’ll get it in motion. As far as the report, we’re gutting everything. Nothing will be saved. As far as the Code Compliance Inspection Report so I don’t know if its necessary. Moermond: it is. We do have to do that unless you want to bring forward engineering plans or architectural specs. How long will the junk-out take? Kennedy: at least a few days. Probably a week. Moermond: when do you want to start swinging hammers? Kennedy: as soon as we close. Moermond: I’m trying to time this out. We put the closing on or before 30 days from the purchase agreement, which was signed Saturday. May 11th. It would be nice to have permits ready to go before then. Let Clint Zane know when they can go in and do the team inspection, and have the lock box on ready to go. I’m happy to stand at Council tomorrow and say I have the financials, a plan, the piece missing is the Code Compliance Inspection Report. I want that before I recommend the Council grant time. We have a week for the junk-out, closing May 11, get Clint Zane in late next week. You have a 2 week window to get the Code Compliance done before closing. I’ll ask Council to wrap up their recommendation on May 13th. We’ll check in May 12th on the code compliance. We’ll talk the day before. I’ll recommend a 90 day waiver of Vacant Building fee. If you’re done by early August, no fee. If you done in six months, we’ll be talking about pro-ration. Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026 ## RLH RR 26-22 Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 799 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST within fifteen (15) days after the February 18, 2026 City Council Public Hearing. Page 2 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final ## Sponsors: ## Bowie Refer back to LH May 26, 2026 at 9 am for review of settlement statement and discussion of preliminary engineering plans. ## Hai Truong, owner o/b/o Coaster Dreams Properties LLC, appeared Adam Hagedorn, attorney for Truong, appeared ## Robert Polski, attorney o/b/o Cuong Pham, appeared ## Cuong Pham, purchaser/Khue’s Kitchen, appeared Blaine Kirchert, contractor and future owner, appeared Moermond: I’m a little concerned because I didn’t get any materials at all from anyone. Kirchert: we’ve had tremendous trouble. It was difficult accessing the building. We’re still working on getting that together. I’m here to ask for some grace and timing. I have a long history with the City, I was one of the developers that help put in Phalen Boulevard and Phalen Crossing. We’re restoring 261 West Seventh with the Phams as well. No one really knew what was going on until we finally reached some resolution. It is already horrific what happened, but I’d like to turn it into something good. More time to evaluate the asset rather than tearing it down. I know you’ve already been patient with the situation. Moermond: I don’t understand the difficulty accessing the building that the door can’t be opened. Kirchert: there was lack in communication between both our parties obviously after the situation happened, with some natural tensions. Moermond: what situation? Kirchert: some disagreements between the fire and the present seller and buyer. It left communication broken down and handled between attorneys. Moermond: so the inability of you guys who have the vested interest in getting it rehabbed didn’t actually get you talking to each other? Polski: we have. Moermond: this needs to be taken care of and I’m not eager to let this draw out while conversation continues maybe. Even access to the building? That’s insane to me. Kirchert: I understand. I don’t think it is what either seller or buyer wanted. I’m just being transparent of how this transpired. As you know with disagreements it takes a while for everyone to calm down. We’ve now found a resolution. I’m not just a contractor, I’ll be one of the owners of the building. Polski: a lot of things have transpired since our last meeting. The parties entered into mediation with a judge. It took about 7 hours to come to an agreement. Going forward my clients are going to take over ownership, and their idea is to turn it into a restaurant with the help of Mr. Kirchert, as opposed to tearing it down. My client has paid for the engineering plans; they aren’t ready yet and part of the trouble was the parties didn’t have an agreement at the time as to who will own in. Now we do. Mr. Kirchert is going to step in and help get this off the ground. The parties hadn’t agreed on how to proceed forward, and it is in writing and we have 30 days to complete transfer of the property to my client among other items. We’re almost there. Once we get that transfer done the Page 3 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final engineering plans will be put together and put pressure on the company to get it done. We want it to be a restaurant not a parking lot. Moermond: you keep talking about parking lot and I would say the other option we need to be mindful of is you don’t yet own the building. They do and they have the option to seek a different purchaser. They hold an asset right now. I think there’s a distance between you having a deal and a building getting knocked down. Hagedorn: I don’t think there’s too much distance. We have reached an agreement and we just need to close on the building to transfer title. Moermond: when is that happening? Hagedorn: within the next 30 days. We just had the mediation. We’ve explored whether or not we could even rehab if this falls through, and this side doesn’t have the finances to do it. Ultimately it would likely end up with the City and be demolished. We can’t get the funds to do what needs to be done. Moermond: and you don’t have any other purchasers interested? Hagedorn: we have only been talking to them since they expressed interest and would continue with it being a restaurant for decades. Their intention is to do that. We did talk at length about how this will happen. Since last week Mr. Kirchert has stepped in as a partner, things are moving but we don’t have another purchaser lined up. We’ve already committed in principle in a mediated settlement. Moermond: we’re 90 days in from when we started this conversation. I do see the Performance Deposit was posted. We aren’t going for the Code Compliance inspection because it will be a total renovation so there will be engineering plans. You are saying those are paid for. I’d like more information on that. I’d like a time certain. Kirchert: can we say the 30 days? As a drop dead date. Moermond: I can live with that, but I don’t want it to be indeterminate. Moermond: that makes it May 14th which is a Thursday. Let’s have them to my office by first thing Monday morning, May 18th. I just need the signed statements. Not a copy of the deed, just the settlement statement. I don’t want to be penny pinching around the time it takes to get it rehabbed, I’m trying to push now to get us locked into a rehab plan so we all have a very clear path forward. Kirchert: after we close we’ll have unlimited access to the building and I would say within 60ish days---we need those architectural renderings and once we get that I can get bids so can put everything together. Moermond: no access to the building until closing? Hagedorn: no, they can access whenever they want. Kirchert: I’m giving myself 90 days because I’m in the industry so I know how sub-contractors work transparently. Even though I own the company. Moermond: I’m glad you’re giving yourself 90 days, the engineer has already been paid. Page 4 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Kirchert: correct. For example, 261 West 7th, I paid for my engineering plans the City requested and I’m now six months out and I still don’t have them. We have approvals for everything else on the building. Engineering is difficult it is kind of a chicken and the egg situation. Until I approach the City with plans and a maximum occupancy, those drawings, especially with HVAC, will change. Multiple steps. Moermond: is the issue really that you’re doing another project? Kirchert: I have projects going in 3 different states. It has to do with the subs. Moermond: I am pretty sure the price reflects it is a Category 3 Vacant Building too. You’re making it work at the price you settled on and I’m struggling. Getting engineering access to the building? Kirchert: we can now have that started now we’ve reached an agreement. Moermond: let’s get started. I’m not willing to look at 90 days to get engineering plans, to be clear. I’m not going to rush getting it done if we have a clear plan with steps to follow. This is the most basic thing. Kirchert: you’re talking about conceptual plans, right? Not the City’s approval of those plans? Moermond: no. Kirchert: ok, then we’re on the same page. Moermond: if this was a residential building we’d be looking at a Code Compliance Inspection Report with the checklist to get it habitable again. That’s the level I’m operating at. No permits pulled. I need to know what it will take. Then, based on that engineering, what is the timing. I need those pieces: money, plans. If your scope takes us further I’m happy to work together but we need it out the door. Kirchert: understood, thank you. Moermond: can we get the engineer inside the building if not some plans? Kirchert: I can do that. By closing we’ll have a better estimate of a timeline. Moermond: we’ll talk again May 26. The Performance Deposit was done. We’ll talk about engineering plans, contractors you’ll be using, and ultimately I’m looking for a sworn construction statement and a nice layout of who is involved, the cost, and timing. I would also want confirmation that there are funds available to do the cost from the bids. Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026 3 ## RLH RR 26-7 Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 633 CAPITOL BOULEVARD within fifteen (15) days after the May 20, 2026, City Council Public Hearing. ## Sponsors: ## Bowie Layover to LH April 28, 2026 at 9 am for follow up. Page 5 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final No one appeared Staff report by Supervisor James Hoffman: The building is a two story, wood frame, single-family dwelling on a lot of 6,534 square feet. The building was condemned by Code Enforcement on July 24, 2019, and the property was referred to Vacant Buildings with files opened on August 2, 2019. The current property owner is State of MN Trust Exempt, per Amanda and Ramsey County Property records. On February 5, 2026, an inspection of the building was conducted, a list of deficiencies which constitute a nuisance condition was developed and photographs were taken. An Order to Abate a Nuisance Building was posted on February 9, 2026, with a compliance date of March 10, 2026. As of this date, the property remains in a condition which comprises a nuisance as defined by the legislative code. Taxation has placed an estimated market value of $25,000 on the land and $107,700 on the building. Property was tax forfeited in 2020. The vacant building registration fees were last paid in February 2025. Fees were not charged for 2026 pending owner’s decision for property and outcome of hearing process. As of April 13, 2026, a Code Compliance Inspection has not been done. As of April 13, 2026, the $5,000 performance deposit has not been posted. There have been four Summary Abatement notices since 2019. There have been four work orders issued for: Garbage/rubbish, Tall grass/weeds, Snow/ice and Graffiti. Code Enforcement Officers estimate the cost to repair this structure exceeds $125,000. The estimated cost to demolish exceeds $35,000. Moermond: fees were not charged for 2026. No one has been charged for 2026. That statement should be stricken. And the outcome of the hearing process? That reads as we’re waiting because the hearing officer hasn’t done anything yet, which isn’t the case. As far as abatement notices, I think that’s low. Boardings didn’t transfer from the old system. Hoffman: there have been a ton of boardings. Moermond: and get police call logs. Let’s ask real estate to pull all boarding assessments from 2019. In terms of the letter from Amy Spong, can we put together a plan of what is involved in doing the things in her letter. Hoffman: I believe that’s in the works. Vicki is working on it; I’ll talk to her about a timeline. Moermond: this has a Council Public Hearing May 20th. I’m going to lay this over to April 28th to see if we can’t get Capitol Area involved, we can reach out to Rena Moran’s office and discuss some timelines. Laid Over to the Legislative Hearings due back on 4/28/2026 10:00 a.m. Hearings 4 ## RLH TA 25-421 Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1846 ## MONTREAL AVENUE. (File No. VB2601B, Assessment No. 268903) ## Sponsors: ## Jost Page 6 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Approve the assessment and make payable over 3 years. Chris Cheney, owner, appeared via phone Moermond: this is a July 2024 through 2025 fee. [Moermond gives background of appeals process] Staff report by Supervisor James Hoffman: this is an unpaid Vacant Building fee July 2024 through July 2025. Went in the program due to a fire at the property. We are actively monitoring it. I did see a building permit entered into our former system but it was cancelled by the owner, but I couldn’t locate any other permits within that file. Total assessment of $2,623. Cheney: we had to write a letter to the insurance appraisal panel who met January 27, 2026. It took that long for the panel to convene. When we asked how long it would take to get a response we were told it won’t be 3 months. A month and a half ago my wife Quinn and I drafted a letter for our appraiser to ask what was taking so long. Haven’t heard anything since. We were advised to hold off on sending that to not upset the panel. Yesterday we were told to send it and ask the panel what is going on. We drafted that this morning. We’re still not in our house. Every time I feel like we’re close we aren’t. I’m doing my best to keep it together. We’re not moving. We live there. As much as all the early estimates were six to nine months. It is borderline offensive to start charging fees. We’re at the whim of an insurance company who decided our money is better off in their hands. I’d love for the County to tell the insurance company to get their act together. I have rescheduled my life around this appraisal process. I heard a 3 day to 3 month window and think both are ridiculous. And now here we are 3 months and a week later. Do you want the full 2 year story? Moermond: setting aside the insurance panel, have you had contractors walk through and have an estimate on cost? Cheney: That’s the big question: what will it take to finish the house. At first, they gave us $172,000 and the contractor thinks it will be closer to $300,000. We got started in good faith with early permits thinking our insurance company was a good steward of the claim. That money ran dry quickly and the contractor got frustrated so we had to stop movement until we settled on a number, and when you’re off by $125,000 or more that’s a lot for us. Moermond: of course. Mr. Hoffman, this is a long time but fire timing is long normally. What is your experience with getting fire damaged structures rehabilitated? Hoffman: typically a year and a half or so. I personally don’t know the extent of this property. This seems like a big discrepancy. Moermond: your situation is now bumping up on 2 years, which isn’t unheard of. I have this fee and it is for 2024 and 2025. And it’s a $2,600 fee. I think insurance should be covering it. It should be in their pile of bills. I’m stuck with the fee. Cheney: I’m just getting throttled by everyone around. This is just agonizingly frustrating. I’m still paying taxes Moermond: have you got your taxes abated? Cheney: I’ve tried. I submitted that as well. I don’t know where that is at. Page 7 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Moermond: we can make a call to Ramsey County taxation and follow up with you afterward. I’m thinking because this is up in the air and will be for a while, I can recommend this be made payable over 5 years. Then it isn’t all coming at you right now. Cheney: I appreciate the sympathy, if you are going to get me this, get me the bill ASAP so I can get it into the panel’s hands. They’ve had this for 3 months and a week. Moermond: not a problem, we can send this to Council next week. Cheney: I would be happy to meet with Council in person. My adjuster says this is the way every insurance claim is going. It is ridiculous. If I’m paying taxes what do you need the Vacant Building for? Moermond: this is above and beyond, and the City’s experience with fire-damaged structures--- Cheney: it shouldn’t be though. Whatever. Get me the bill as quickly as possible. Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026 ## Special Tax Assessments-ROLLS ## RLH AR 26-275 Ratifying the assessment for Demolition of Vacant, Nuisance and/or Hazardous Structure from the month of January 2026. (File No. J2604C, ## Assessment No. 262003) ## Sponsors: ## Noecker Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026 ## RLH AR 26-296 ## Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding June ## 2025. (File No. J2602B1, Assessment No. 268108) ## Sponsors: ## Noecker Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026 ## RLH AR 26-287 Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding fees billed during July 2025. (File No. J2603B3, Assessment No. 268112) ## Sponsors: ## Noecker Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026 ## RLH AR 26-308 Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding ## September 2025. (File No. J2605B1, Assessment No. 268113) ## Sponsors: ## Noecker Referred to the City Council due back on 5/20/2026 Page 8 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final 11:00 a.m. Hearings ## Summary & Vehicle Abatement Orders ## RLH SAO 26-28 9 Appeal of Emmett Owens, Jr. to a Summary Abatement Order, Vehicle Abatement Order and Correction Notice at 233 BATES AVENUE. ## Sponsors: ## Johnson Grant to May 15, 2026 for compliance. Emmett Owens, owner, appeared Moermond: I know you own three out of the 5 units. No other owners want to be involved? Owens: Bruce Johnson is at the very end, and the Deborah owns the other one. [Moermond gives background of appeals process] Staff report by Supervisor Lisa Martin: March 25 a new Summary Abatement Order was issued. We were previously in a Legislative Hearing with the carports being addressed with a deadline of June 1. New orders are for new items that have been added. Furniture, car parts, tires, refrigerators, pallets, luggage, paint buckets totes, boxes. Things everywhere including shed, boulevard, yard, driveway and fenced areas. We also have a lot of inoperable vehicles on the property without current tabs. We issued orders to all 5 properties for the vehicles. I met with Mr. Owen’s last week to discuss which vehicles are his and we talked about moving the items into the one car port until June 1. Then he came and filed the appeal. Moermond: everything we’re looking at here is the Summary Abatement Order, were there also orders on the balcony? Martin: the building and fire inspector are looking at condemning the garages and balconies. They are going out this week. They’re very concerned about the condition. They’ll also be inspecting the rental properties. Moermond: do we have orders? Martin: I don’t have a copy; I’ll have to send them. Moermond: let’s do that. We have correction orders likely followed by condemnation. We will add that to this appeal. Martin: he had until April 22 to avoid further enforcement action, however if the Building inspector finds it to be a hazard it will be condemned immediately. Owens: I’m working with my insurance company to start the project. Moermond: the car port is taken care of; the car PARTS are still there. Owens: yes. Page 9 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Moermond: we have a yard cleanup needed. Martin: there is still luggage. There’s still shelving. We walked through all of the different things that needed to be removed. The last time I was in hearings my understanding was the exercise/weight equipment was going to be moved to the garage and he was going to pull it out as he used it. He still has everything in the front yard, and some are completely rusted and in very poor condition. The neighboring property, his rental property, has a keg in the front yard, a shed that needed to be closed, a few items he was going to call the garbage company about. At the very end, Bruce Johnson’s, his tenants had tires and paint buckets. Owen: they have a pontoon and trampoline taking up a lot of space. Directly across from the elementary school. Moermond: I have the resolutions saying the orders were abated and the matter resolved. Martin: I don’t know if things were stored elsewhere but we have almost the exact same things stored in the open carport. Again, we had given a verbal deadline of April 22. We walked through and showed him everything that should be taken care of. Owen: that’s only a week away. Moermond: the order was issued March 25th with a deadline of April 8, and you came in and appealed last week on the 8th. Did you say you had someone out there last week? Martin: I was out there with Mr. Kedrowski. Moermond: where are the vehicles at? Martin: he still needed tabs on one. It has 2025 tabs. A Vehicle Abatement Order was issued to all 5 properties. Moermond: I don’t have that here either. Martin: was that not provided at the time of the appeal? Moermond: we just have the Summary Abatement Order. Moermond: let’s get copies of the Vehicle Abatement Order from Department of Safety and Inspections. Martin: that’s why we met with him and agreed on the verbal orders, there wasn’t a lot of items to be moved out of the carport. That was a deadline of April 22. Owens: I’d like more time for the weather to clear up. Then I can talk to my trash man or see if I can get a scrapper to come grab it. Moermond: and you’re working with insurance on the garages and balconies? Owens: yes. Page 10 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Moermond: do you have a backup plan if they turn you down? Owens: I go with the next insurance company that will take over before more damage is done. If we could all 5 of us neighbors get together and have it re-tarred back there it would help make improvements. There’s also a big tree back there that the branches are falling off of. Martin: and we talked about it and it is yours. Owens: I’ve had the guys come cut branches down and it cost me a lot of money. It is too big. Moermond: when was the vehicle deadline? Martin: April 8, it has passed. We haven’t done anything because it is only a tab issue. Moermond: let’s give you an extension to May 15, and making finding May 19, Council Public Hearing May 20. In the meantime you have inspectors coming to look at the balconies. But for the yard cleanup and tabs on vehicles let’s do May 22. Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026 ## Making Finding on Nuisance Abatements 10 ## RLH SAO 26-24 First Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 399 BLAIR AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 26-16. (April 14, 2026 ## Legislative Hearing) ## Sponsors: ## Bowie The nuisance is not abated. Nyar Pwo, owner, appeared via phone Voicemail left for Hadler at 12:03 pm: this is Marcia Moermond from St. Paul City Council calling Mitchell Hadler into a hearing. Called a min ago and it got disconnected. I’m going to go ahead and start this process and talk to Mr. Pwo. Staff update by Supervisor Lisa Martin: the owner got the tow-truck removed which is great. There are still some scrap wood, auto parts, and debris in the driveway and stacked up against the east side of the garage. We have photos in the file. Moermond: not all the work has been done. Some has. Any comments? Pwo: all those are going away but I need more time to get compliance. I’m also trying to build a shed and working on a permit for that as well. I also wanted the inspector to contact me so I can talk to them and explain better. Moermond: we gave you an extra month after your original deadline of April 1. We have it partially addressed. Future deadlines of May 1 and August 1. I don’t want to get off on a pattern when we aren’t enforcing when we already tried hard to put together a plan that was understanding of your situation. I’m going to report to Council tomorrow it isn’t in compliance and let them allow Department of Safety and Inspections to finish the work you haven’t done. You are welcome to testify at Council. The hearing is at 3:30 Page 11 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final tomorrow, as the letter you received indicates. Pwo: I have to go to court tomorrow? Moermond: I’m going to find that the work is only partially done, and that the Council authorize a clean-up. If you want to ask for something else you can come and do that. Pwo: you gave me until May 1. Moermond: that was for item things. Pwo: I will try to get it all done. Can the inspector let me know whenever they’re here so I know what exactly needs to get done. Moermond: you should give them a call and try and schedule a time. This is an exterior inspection so they don’t really need an appointment. Referred to the City Council due back on 4/15/2026 1:00 p.m. Hearings ## Vacant Building Registrations ## RLH VBR 26-611 Appeal of Lynda Thurstin to a Notice of Condemnation and Order to Remain Vacant plus vacant building status at 767 MARYLAND AVENUE ## EAST. ## Sponsors: ## Yang Make a Cat 1 VB, waive the VB fee for 90 days (to July 4, 2026) and allow permits. Lynda Thurstin, owner, appeared via phone Robert Bauman, Square Companies contractor, appeared via phone [Moermond gives background of appeals process] Staff report by Fire Manager AJ Neis: this is a duplex that had a fire in September 2025. It was condemned and not reported to Vacant Buildings, though it should have been, but due to technology issues it wasn’t. March 27th our office received a complaint of a noise beeping from the house. Area inspector found it was previously condemned and placarded, sent another notice and sent it over to Vacant Buildings. Staff report by Supervisor Matt Dornfeld: we opened a Category 2 Vacant Building because of the length of time that has passed. Property appeared vacant and secure, and was placarded. Made a Category 2 April 3, 2026. Thurstin: nothing has been started because I was having issues with the mortgage company releasing funds back to me. I just got the check Friday and mailed a check to both the companies that needed it in order to start work. Moermond: I’m not sure what violations were called out last year. What are the bids coming in at? Page 12 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Bauman: I have everything prepared to move forward once the check clears the bank. The mortgage company has drug their feet so long that the insurance company had to get involved and threaten subrogation. Now that that’s solved we can move forward and repair it. It will probably take us 6 to 7 months. Thurstin: as long as the mortgage company continues to release funds in a timely manner. Bauman: if they continue to be a hindrance, she is right. As of right now we should be fine moving forward, but if there’s a hiccup with them, to be clear it isn’t with us or the homeowner. We’ve just been hindered by the mortgage company. Moermond: what’s the scope of the project? Bauman: north of $400,000. Moermond: because it is Fire damaged I think we can make this a Category 1 Vacant Building. What this means for you Ms. Thurstin, is that the condemnation remains and I don’t think there’s any argument about that. The next is about Vacant Building registration and any associated fee. That’s not in front of me yet. I’m going to ask Mr. Dornfeld to note in his file that the fee should be waived for 90 days. When that fee goes out it will be about $2,500. A 90 day waiver takes you to July 4. You probably won’t be done by then, but you’ll be wanting to pull permits in that time and I don’t want that fee to hinder you. That Vacant Building fee if left unpaid will go to assessment and we can talk about that further down the line. Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026 ## RLH VBR 26-712 Appeal of Lori Kroeger to a Notice of Condemnation and Order to Remain Vacant plus vacant building designation at 1066 MATILDA ## STREET. ## Sponsors: ## Kim Deny the appeal. Lori Kroeger, daughter of deceased owner, appeared via phone [Moermond gives background of appeals process] Staff report by Fire Manager AJ Neis: this is a property that was owned by Bernice Oslund who is deceased. We received a complaint back in March of several people living in home and no Fire Certificate of Occupancy on file. St. Paul Police Department reported squatters and that the house was believed to be bank owned. March 25 there was a inspection and found a substantial water leak in the basement. I’d previously been at the property with police. The back porch was not structurally sound. Xcel was requested to scene. Gas service had unauthorized use so they secured the gas to the home. At least 20 people were seen leaving the home during that inspection. Notice of condemnation went out and then it was sent over to Vacant Buildings. Moermond: there’s been an appointment of special administrator of Aaron Pue, are we talking about him being there or Ms. Kroeger? Neis: it was family representatives who were present at the inspection. Page 13 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Moermond: you said 20 people exiting, but I don’t’ see an over occupancy call in the orders. Why? Neis: if everyone was leaving were they guests, visiting, time of duration, if they actually lived there. If we try to ask questions they just ignore and leave, so we can’t cite something. Staff report by Supervisor Matt Dornfeld: March 26, 2026 we opened a Category 2 Vacant Building per that referral. Notes say the dwelling appeared boarded. The yard was a “bit messy” but was cleaned up as of March 31, 2026. Kroeger: I did write a letter. The home was owned by my mother, her parents built it in the 20’s. She had a reverse mortgage on it, so before she passed away I spoke to the RM company to find out what would happen and they told me it was basically a wash between what she owed and FMV. It ws anticipated it would go back to the bank upon her death. I notified them and even though I was in her will to take care of things, I couldn’t do anything since I wasn’t special administrator, we just kept waiting for the mortgage company to act. It goes through HUD which takes a couple weeks to get a call back. We found out about squatters and I did talk to attorneys and I found out I did have the opportunity to purchase, renovate, and sell. I thought that the bank was going to get it in its entirety. Now the condition of the house is so bad. We’d like to restore it since it was a family home built by my grandparents, even if if it isn’t our family there. Aaron Pue is a house flipper. He doesn’t have administrative rights. I went to court on this a couple months ago. He wanted to do a short sale and flip it for profit. That was insulting to my family, to have a complete stranger take over administrative rights didn’t seem ethical. The judge told him he didn’t have any claim in the home. He’d paid one of my mom’s bills and paid it and the judge told him that doesn’t make you a creditor. It was left hanging and at the end of the hearing it was earmarked by six months down the road, then he can go back and try again, if I haven’t received special administrative rights. Moermond: I have it condemned and being referred to Vacant Building program. Your brother HAD been living there but isn’t anymore? Kroeger: no, early on before my mom died she wanted my son living there to take care of the property to shovel and mow, things like that. She had a transitional period before she went into permanent care. That was ultimately how those homeless people ended up there, they broke windows and garage door. Moermond: the order in front of me says it is condemned and ordered vacant and referred to the Vacant Building program. Sounds like you need to go to court and you won’t be in possession of the property anytime soon. Is that what you’re hearing? Kroeger: yes. The first step is to get on the calendar to become special administrator. I don’t see any reason that wouldn’t happen. I was talking to Keith Demarest told us that it was his intent not to condemn it because the condition wasn’t that bad. We asked him to do it and we wanted it boarded because we didn’t want the homeless to come back in. Initially when he went out and saw the house he wasn’t planning on condemning it. Neis: that sounds 100 percent alignment with our department. We always want to assume good and that it is habitable. Our intent is never to make people’s lives hard. Page 14 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final He didn’t have a choice after he noticed the water leak and utilities being off. Then his hands are tied and he has no choice but to condemn. Kroeger: absolutely. Moermond: it is secured by other than normal means and the other having to do with the utility shut off. Dornfeld: yes, that and then the referral. That’s what caused us to make it a Category 2. Multiple code violations. Moermond: what are you looking for today Ms. Kroeger? Kroeger: I would like is for an extension. My intent is to go to court and then from there other things will have to take place, we’ll have to have it appraised and get back with the mortgage company and make an offer on the home. That has to happen before we can take possession of the home. Moermond: I’m assuming you mean an extension on the Vacant Building registration? Kroeger: yes, if possible. Moermond: no question in my mind it should be in the Vacant Building program. The boarding, the gas leak, the squatters are all red flags to me. You have the time you need it is just there’s a fee attached to it. You’ll get a letter in the future to give you the form and the fee to pay and we can discuss whether a waiver makes sense. You aren’t in the possession of the property yet, so that makes me hesitant. We’ll keep it as condemned and uninhabitable. You’ll also need to get a Code Compliance Inspection report done as well. [Code Compliance Inspection process is explained] Moermond: we’ll send you a follow up letter. I wish you well going through this process. Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026 1:30 p.m. Hearings ## Orders To Vacate - Fire Certificate of Occupancy ## RLH VO 26-1813 Appeal of Ashray Gupta to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice, which includes vacate order, at 251 MARIA AVENUE. ## Sponsors: ## Yang Grant to October 1, 2026 for orders related to windows and grant to June 15, 2026 for balance of orders. Ashray Gupta, owner, appeared Staff report by Supervisor AJ Neis: multiple code violations. It is a 9 unit building and has been in appeals previously in 2024. We received another complaint on the property about black mold and exposed ceiling. This Certificate of Occupancy was revoked in 2024 but wasn’t ordered vacated because it was a window issue. The appeal was Page 15 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final granted if they had building permit closed by October. That is still outstanding. The Certificate of Occupancy is still revoked but we haven’t ordered it vacated. March 12 inspection report included utility shut off in units, exterior trash, basically just lack of proper building management and housekeeping. Gupta: regarding the trash, that’s in the process of being rectified. We have a caretaker on site and it was brought to our attention that they were not doing their job. We’ve since hired it. Portions are done, portions are scheduled. The drain spout has been fixed. We are working with renters’ insurance company for the fire damaged unit. We partnered with a general contractor so once we finish with insurance we’ll be pulling permits. I’m asking for an extension partially due to insurance. They sent a third-party fire investigator out last week. We have to submit photos from move in to the damage, and then our contractor will pull the permits. Finally, the windows I gave you documentation. It is an appeal for economic hardship. We worked with Gladstone windows and that contractor we paid to pull permits and replace windows and later found out he didn’t pull any permits. We were issued a stop work order. We engaged Gladstone and we’ve been trying to work to save up. In 2024 it was $52,000 to replace the windows. We’re having to allocate a portion of the net cash flow monthly to afford this. This is a 9 unit building in Dayton’s bluff. 100 percent of the tenants have subsidized housing. Fair market rents didn’t increase this year. Right now the property would lose $20,000 a year, if they have to spend $52,000 they would have to rent a 1 bedroom apartment for $2,000 in order to get the investment back in a normal time. 110 years is the current amount of time it would take to recoup that investment. I’m looking for options and avenues. I recognize it is a historic building but are we trying to preserve the historic nature of the building or the historic district? I’d rather have the building standing with modern windows and keep it occupied and affordable rather than putting in $50,000 in windows. No one is going to pay that much for a 1 bed. Moermond: you purchased in? Gupta: October 2022. That 1.25 million was the aggregate price for 3 buildings. Not just this one. Moermond: I’m more worried about the damage than the windows. Gupta: I would say for safety and security dealing with the insurance, I can say it would be pulled and permitted and complete in 60 days for the fire stuff. For the cleanup if they want to still come out on the 16th. Moermond: I don’t understand how I’m looking at an order from March 16th and it isn’t done. Gupta: the fire extinguishers aren’t done. Neis: this should have been done immediately. Moermond: what’s going on with the attic? Gupta: we have an issue with squatters who keep breaking in. I put a padlock on it; they broke in again. We go out with the police any time a tenant notifies us. We check Page 16 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final the building once a week. The break-ins happen at night, so I call and then meet the police on site. I live about 15 minutes away. I call 911 and meet the police there. Neis: the vinyl casement windows done in 2024, have you done anything with the windows since? Gupta: not since we got the stop work order. We were trying to work with Gladstone. I would ask if we can work with the windows we can get the adequate flashing. Neis: I can’t authorize you to do that, but I’m flagging it because there is exposed non-treated lumber exposed to the elements. It isn’t wrapped or sealed, and then I see complaints of potential mold-like substances. Gupta: that’s in the unit that had the fire. The tenant pulled down the ceiling and there was water damage there. That’s all within one unit. Neis: I see non-sealed wood in Google street view. Gupta: when I received the stop work order the original contractor, who didn’t pull the permits, was done by them. We’d have a new contractor do the work with the correct permits. What I’m asking is if we can just use the windows that are in place up to code, that would preserve the affordability of the building. Moermond: do the orders cover all the windows? Neis: just the ones that got replaced. That was a deadline of 2024 with revocation occurring we just didn’t enforce it because it would have resulted in the entire building being vacated. I’m not an attorney nor can I speak to tenant’s rights with a revoked certificate, but that’s where we’re sitting. Gupta: I recognize that. What I’m trying to say is we’re trying to go per the original plan doing historical windows, but in a building where we’re trying to solve to affordable rents and save from within the asset, and there isn’t excess equity where we can go to our lender to do the work with a line of credit. It takes time to save $50,000. Moermond: is $50,000 the cost of dealing with the windows? The ones pulled and are halfway done now? Or all the windows? Gupta: yes, the historical windows. Just 14 windows. The average cost per window was $3,000. If we were to do modern we could do them for 1/10th the cost. It is an astronomical burden to place on the property. I understand the historic district but the building itself I struggle to see the historic nature. January to October 2022, prior to my ownership, the building was shot at 11 separate times. That hasn’t happened since we’ve owned it. If this building was truly historic, absolutely, but this is a 9 unit building where we’re trying to preserve affordability and lease to people— Moermond: well, you’re not a nonprofit. Gupta: correct. In that area we can’t lease for $2,000 a unit, and I wouldn’t feel ethically right doing that. Moermond: this is a periodic capital expenditure that you’re going to run into with any owned property. Page 17 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final Gupta: absolutely. We want to replace the windows but if we can get an appeal to do modern windows for 1/10th the cost, we would be able to— Moermond: and I can’t do that for you. Has this gone through the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC)? Gupta: George Gause looked at this in 2024 and denied it saying “affordability is not our concern, the historic preservation is our concern” and that’s a tough line to take in this area. You do this and this building is going to sit vacant. Would we rather have a historically preserved multi-unit— Moermond: I hear you on that. The decision was made by Mr. Gause’s staff and it would be appealed first to the HPC and then to the City Council. I don’t know timing of that, but it may be something you’d want to talk to Council about but they don’t have a case without you having gone through that process at the time. Gupta: HPC or City Council? Moermond: if you would have appealed before it would go to HPC and if you wanted to disagree with them it would go before the City Council. We’re 2 years down the road and an appeal wasn’t filed. Gupta: I would like to appeal that. Moermond: I don’t have anything to do with that. Mr. Gause would know the process. Did you get something in writing from him? Gupta: we exchanged emails a year and a half ago. Moermond: if you ask for a written determination it may or may not be helpful in terms of figuring out appeal rights. Let’s get everything except the windows in the 60 days you mentioned, which takes us to June 15th. The windows I’ll get you through this construction season on it, let’s say September 1, 2026. Neis: are we revisiting the previous hearing, because we revoked due to that issue but we stayed enforcement on vacating. [Previous appeal reviewed] Moermond: the decision was made by Council August 28, 2024 and it was covered in the 2024 orders (RLH VO 24-26) that gave the deadline pretty quickly. The thing is if there’s a failure to meet the expectation the next action is vacating the building or a citation, something like that. We could do that in October, same as now, but 2 years down the road is a lot. Gupta: I absolutely understand. It is an economics problem here. Moermond: I’m going to roll this back to September 1, and if that deadline isn’t met then Mr. Neis can take additional action. Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026 14 ## RLH VO 26-19 ## Appeal of Darren Bergstrom, Occupant, to a Notice of Condemnation Page 18 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final and Order to Vacate at 306 SIDNEY STREET EAST. ## Sponsors: ## Noecker Property must be vacated by no later than April 30, 2026. Darren Bergstrom, occupant, appeared Moermond: the state owns it, and Ramsey County manages it on behalf of them. Staff report by Fire Manager AJ Neis: we attempted to do an inspection March 26 and were told the property representative who lives there, and we’d have to come back. I came back the next day with St. Paul Police Department and Justin Hannah with state of MN trust. We noticed several people exiting the property. They denied living there or wouldn’t answer when asked. Went into the property March 7 and found multiple code violations, garbage, unsanitary, no smoke alarms, exposed writing. Exterior is in VERY bad condition. They’re doing auto repair work and I’m sure if they tested the soil it would be in breach of environmental standards. There was a fire “moat” in the back yard, a huge burn pit. Couldn’t even call it a fire pit. Boarded windows. I condemned with an order to vacate or in compliance by April 7. Came back April 7 with St. Paul Police Department where we were presented with the notice of appeal. There’s been nearly 100 police calls to the property in the last 2 years. Moermond: I attached a 5 year call log to the property which shows a consistent pattern of calls. Extraordinary numbers. 271 calls over 5 years. That’s 1 a week for 5 years. You indicated people left at your arrival. How many did you observe? How many may have been sleeping there based on bedding? Neis: we were denied access march 26th, so I used a hand written notice to return tomorrow. I can’t tell you what occurred within that 24 hours. I’ve been doing this over 20 years and I’ve seen bed get moved down the block until I leave, you name it. At the time I was there on the 27th it wasn’t over-occupied. Moermond: you mentioned a fire “moat” and I didn’t’ see it in the orders, does that mean it was within an acceptable distance? Neis: due to inspector safety we had multiple officers with us so it is harder to do an inspection and a couple things may have been missed. Moermond: 40-foot lot. Neis: you can’t burn garbage. Moermond: so it is what is being burned, but location? Neis: 25 feet from a structure. Moermond: so it would be nearly impossible to do that. Neis: we got in and got out. Not measuring. Moermond: illegal auto repair is something you looked at in terms of plates? Neis: vehicles were removed, but there are car parts, a Summary Abatement Order just a few days before where they already had cleaned some items up. Page 19 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final I don’t believe the State of MN intends to do any repairs of the property at this time. Bergstrom: I’m trying to get financing to pay the taxes and fix the windows and siding and then I’m going to sell. Moermond: you want to pay the taxes and get out. This did forfeit last August, but you are still living there? Bergstrom: yes. Moermond: that’s unusual. In terms of repurchase, that doesn’t have anything to do with what we’re talking about today. 26,000 in past due taxes. Bergstrom: no mortgage. Moermond: no communication with the State on eviction or anything? Bergstrom: no. Moermond: this order says you need to get out. I’m thinking your appeal is you want to stay. Bergstrom: yeah, if I had a list to repair I would repair it. Moermond: the County isn’t here, but the County would have to give you permission because it is their responsibility right now. You may live there, which is unusual, but swinging hammers is their call. This had a 10 day vacate order, and we’re at about 2 weeks past that. Neis: it was the 7th, so we’re about 7 days past that. Moermond: and you want to stay there. Bergstrom: yeah. I have no place to go. I have 2 dogs. Moermond: how is it you came to have so many police calls? Bergstrom: I let a guy stay at my house because I was out of work. He allowed his family to come in and its been a fight ever since. They seem to know about squatting rights and it has been an issue. Moermond: I have orders on the physical structure and grounds of the building and I have to look at the appeal in the context of your ability ot fix things but also the behavioral nuisances and other crimes at the property which are significant. You aren’t in ownership and not in control of the property. It isn’t okay. My faith in this being resolved within a certain period is low. Bergstrom: I was kind of looking for some help. Neis: looking at just the exterior work on the property is going to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Moermond: I’ve seen a number of cases like yours. You have the tax balance, 26,000 Page 20 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final is a big number. You need to not only pay for these repairs. It is probably time to think if you could even get $26,000 together you should be spending it on housing that isn’t here. You have all the repairs, and paying taxes. Is it spending good money after bad? That’s your decision to make, but on its surface I want to say that out loud. Please see a housing counselor. I think the fire inspector call is correct on this. It isn’t the County sitting here telling me they’re doing the work. If there continue to be these nuisance problems, the call log I have goes through last week and there’s already 4 calls in April to go with inspectors on proactive visits. Another 9 in march, 2 of which led to police reports. It is SO much. Neis: to be clear, even if you were caught up on taxes these orders still wouldn’t change. Then, we know you don’t own the property anymore legally. I can’t force anyone to make these repairs. Talking about this list with you is kind of irrelevant. The only path I see out of this is vacation of the property. Moermond: if you still owned the property and it was condemned and vacated and in the Vacant Building program you could be there between 8 am and 8 pm to remove belongings. You’d have to negotiate with the County as the owner to get in and out. I want to say to pick and choose the most important items to get out, I say that all the time when I see houses with a lot of “stuff” in it like yours. You need to make those decisions now to take the best care of yourself you can. Things for your profession. We’ll go to April 30th. May 1 Mr. Neis will make sure it is emptied. If it isn’t he will make sure it is emptied and boarded. This sound like a property where people may break in, which means he would make sure the house is secured. Definitely reach out to the County about making arrangements to get your things out. That’s what I have for you. Neis: understand those 2 weeks are based on the conditions today, if we are called out on any other activities that could potentially change. If say, we get another call from St. Paul Police Department and it needs an emergency condemnation that overrides this. Moermond: we’ll have this on the Council agenda next week. Referred to the City Council due back on 4/22/2026 2:00 p.m. Hearings ## Fire Certificates of Occupancy ## RLH FCO 26-33 15 Appeal of Sei Korti to Inspection Orders at 561 VAN BUREN AVENUE. ## Sponsors: ## Bowie Grant to October 1, 2026 for compliance. Sei Korti, owner, appeared via phone Zonea Grant, tenant, appeared via phone [Moermond gives background of appeals process] Staff report by Fire Manager AJ Neis: March 16th orders went out on Unit 2. There’s a Page 21 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final radiator valve in the living room that was stripped and basically the tenant no longer had control of their heat. There is no requirement for the tenant to have control over their heat. The landlord is required to provide and maintain a minimum of 68 degrees. I was previously called to this address with the St. Paul Fire Department due to concerns and I do recall the unit being very, VERY warm. We contacted Xcel to inspect the boiler and they said itw as operating safety. Area inspector went out again and found that the thread knob was not operable and laying next to the radiator. Mechanical inspector went out and said having control of that valve may be able to control some of the excessive temp issues, it does say in code that if things are there they must be maintained. This was a broken component, therefore the order is to properly install it. Moermond: Mr. Korti, why are you appealing? Korti: they are there for tenant to adjust the temp and tenants aren’t supposed to use the valve. It is for maintenance or for someone who knows the system to use to allow heat into the room. The tenant should never ever use it. It can’t be fully closed in the winter. The tenant has no business at all dealing with that. It isn’t necessary for it to be there because it isn’t necessary to the tenant. Grant: I do want to state that the radiator is 3x the size it should be. Not only that but the valve he’s referring to has to be replaced because it was spraying out water all over my unit and belongings and the control valve was gone when I first move in. he may have had someone come in and replace the side valve piece but since water is still currently still spraying into a tote in my front room I am unable to properly control the temperature. Korti; she manufactured all these issues. Hasn’t paid rent this year. Tampering with the radiator. Making water leaks. She keeps tampering with this valve. Grant: due to the handle being stripped there’s no way to confirm if the valve is completely open or shut. Fire and Department of Safety and Inspections both explained that to him. Moermond: I think I have a pretty good feel of what’s going on. Is there a maximum temperature for a unit? Neis: the law requires a minimum but has no maximum temperature threshold. We do get complaints in the summer about hot units in the summer, but we can only enforce the minimum. I was in the unit and it was extremely hot, but as I indicated then there is no minimum temperature requirement. We just care the system is operating safely, which Xcel did find. Moermond: I think the City’s expectation would be the radiator is maintained and operable and that would mean it can be shut on and off, and there’s a difference between ability and who has access. So it may be that it just needs to be able to adjust with a handle or something. Neis: yes, similar to a landlord putting a lock over the thermostat that is set over 68 degrees. We aren’t going to arbitrarily have a landlord pull a knob out of their pocket and show it turns. Moermond: I’ll put a deadline to be shown as operable by the next heating season. Let’s say October 1st. The expectation is it is operable at that time, which doesn’t Page 22 ## City of Saint Paul April 14, 2026Legislative HearingsMinutes - Final include the ability for the tenant to adjust the heat. Neis: correct. Moermond: we’ll have a Council Public Hearing on May 6. Referred to the City Council due back on 5/6/2026 Page 23 ## City of Saint Paul