2026-09-23 - City Council
Summary
Based on uploaded captions in live-caption style; names and numbers may be misheard.
- Consent and audit studies: The consent agenda was adopted. Item 21, pulled for discussion, approved the Audit Committee's next two studies, of business licensing operations and street pothole repair, to be done by Wilder Research in 2026 and 2027.
- Tobacco license penalty: Resolution 26-1553 approved adverse action against the Northern Tier Retail (Speedway #4420) tobacco license at 1125 7th Street West after an underage sale on June 16, 2026. Staff recommended a $1,000 penalty because the same location had a violation in May 2025 and paid $500 in October 2025. See Speedway Tobacco License Adverse Action.
- Proclamation: Resolution 26-1588 proclaimed September 25, 2026 as Dolly Parton Day in St. Paul.
- 2027 maximum levies: Council adopted the 2027 maximum levies for the Library Board, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (RES 26-1605) and the city (RES 26-1599). Members noted the 6.8% city levy increase, about $14 to $15 million more, is the mayor's proposal and a cut in services is still in play. The mayor's supplemental budget found $564,000 to restore some library and recreation funding. Members said the 6.8% maximum was chosen by the mayor and that closing the whole gap would mean a double-digit levy. Final budget adoption is in December. See 2027 Maximum Property Tax Levy and 2027 Supplemental Budget Proposal.
- Xcel Energy franchises: Ordinances 26-40 and 26-41 (gas and electric franchises) and 26-43 and 26-44 (the matching franchise fees) were adopted.
- Water Commissioners property: Ordinance 26-46 on conveyance of city property to the Board of Water Commissioners had its first reading, with a public hearing on October 7. See Water Commissioners Property Conveyance.
- Salt storage: Ordinance 26-39, version 2, had its public hearing with no testimony and was laid over for final adoption. See Salt Storage Regulation.
- Public hearings: Council adopted assessments for the 7th Place Mall (2025 and 2026) and a Grand Avenue parking lot (2027); added $450,000 to the Public Works street lighting maintenance budget for electrician support for the Regional Water Services LED replacement project; accepted a state contamination cleanup grant for the Amber on Pine project at 500 Broadway Street; accepted a state grant for arts and cultural heritage at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory; and raised the Regional Water Services budget by $53,000 for a Metropolitan Council grant.
- Nuisance abatement: At a legislative hearing on a nuisance abatement order at 2203 Selby Avenue, the owner asked for more time and council granted a two-week layover, after which the city can abate.
Issues discussed
- Speedway Tobacco License Adverse Action
- 2027 Maximum Property Tax Levy
- 2027 Supplemental Budget Proposal
- Water Commissioners Property Conveyance
- Salt Storage Regulation
Sources
Video
Transcript
These are uploaded captions in live-caption style; names and numbers may be misheard.
Transcript
06:03>> Called a meeting of the
06:04Saint Paul City Council to
06:04order Roll Call, please.
06:09>> Councilmembers Johnson
06:10here. can't Ye. Ye comment
06:13here. And council president
06:14maker here, 7 presidents. Good
06:16afternoon, everyone. And thank
06:17you all so much for joining us
06:18for City Council meeting. We
06:19invite everyone to join us in
06:19standing for the Pledge of
06:20Allegiance.
06:23>> see the flag and to
06:29Republic for which it stands.
06:30One nation under that.
06:32>> all whether just saw.
06:38>> Consent agenda items to
06:39through. 21 are before you for
06:40your consideration. And I know
06:43you're playing item. 21, is
06:44there anything else to come
06:45off of consent? Seeing none.
06:48We'll take a motion from vice
06:48president and for the balance
06:49of the consent agenda on
06:50favor. Say Aye. 7 in favor not
06:54opposed. The consent agenda is
06:55adopted as amended item. 21
06:58approving the city of Saint
06:59Paul audit committees next. 2
07:01studies concerning the
07:01Department of Safety and
07:02inspections. Business
07:04licensing operations and the
07:05Public Works. Department works
07:06departments, street pothole
07:08repair operations, and
07:10authorizing Wilder research to
07:11conduct the respective studies
07:11in 2026. 27. just wanted to
07:14pull this one off of consent
07:15to take a moment to raise
07:17awareness of the fact that we
07:18have a city Council audit
07:20committee. I appreciate
07:22Councilmembers Johnson
07:23uncommon for being my fellow
07:24members on the committee. And
07:25the goal is really to look at
07:27how we're doing the work and
07:28to find ways to continuously
07:30improve.
07:32>> That wrk overtime. And
07:34this is setting the topics for
07:35our next to out its which will
07:36take place over the course of
07:382027 business licensing
07:42operations and public works.
07:43Tree pothole repair things
07:44that we hear a lot about. And
07:44we're looking forward to
07:47diving into those and figuring
07:48out how we can do the work
07:49better. So thanks to fellow
07:51colleagues on the committee
07:52and to all of us for your
07:52input as we figured out what
07:56these next 2 topics would be.
07:57And also to all the community
07:58members who weighed in and to
07:59serve on the audit committee
07:59along with us. So with that, I
08:02will move approval. Is there
08:03any discussion of the motion?
08:05Seeing none all in favor say.
08:09All 7 of not oppose resolution
08:11is adopted iem. 22
08:12resolution, 26 dash 15. 53
08:14approving adverse action
08:16against the tobacco shop
08:17license helping Northern Tier
08:18Retail LLC, dba speedway.
08:19Number 4, 4, 2, 0, for the
08:21premises located at 1, 1, 2,
08:225, 7 Street West. And I assume
08:27that we have a staff report
08:27from a ship or whatnot.
08:33>> Council president maker
08:36members of the Saint Paul City
08:36Council. My name is Monica
08:38Schaffer. I am assistant city
08:40attorney here with
08:41representing the Department of
08:42Safety and inspections today
08:43in this matter. The purpose of
08:47today's agenda item is because
08:48the licensee is challenging.
08:49The recommended penalty. There
08:53was a violation that took
08:53place the city and provide
08:55provided notice. And the
08:57licensee in this matter chose
08:59accept the relevant facts that
09:01were displayed and challenges.
09:03The specific penalty here Here
09:06are the recommended penalty is
09:07$1000, which is consistent
09:08with the licensing matrix. So
09:12we're not seeing the facts
09:12today. Just the penalty. So
09:15I'm going lay out the facts
09:16that happened and then explain
09:17why we reach that
09:17recommendation. This matter.
09:23Concerns Speedway at number 4,
09:244, 2, 0 located at 1, 1, 2, 5,
09:277th Street West. Brittany
09:28standing should be here. She's
09:29the area leader for this
09:32business and we are talking
09:33about the tobacco shop license
09:34that they hold. Dsi is
09:39required to conduct underage
09:41fire checks. This is a
09:41requirement under the state
09:43law. This means that dsi hires
09:46a person who is the between
09:47the ages of 18 20 and they
09:50come. They are hired for the
09:52purpose of going to tobacco
09:53shops uses with a tobacco
09:56license to attempt to purchase
09:58tobacco products if they are
09:59able to purchase that product.
10:01That is a violation of state
10:02and local law. And then we
10:05start taking action against
10:05them, which is what happened
10:06here. on June, 16th 2026, and
10:12underage fire. This one was 19
10:15year-old woman went into
10:16Speedway and attempted to
10:19purchase a pack of camel blue,
10:21which is a cigarette. So the
10:23tobacco product and around 12,
10:2630, they entered the clerk on
10:28duty, asked for their ID. The
10:32underage buyer provided idea
10:33that said they were 19 years
10:35old and the clerk at Speedway
10:36sold them the tobacco product.
10:38You have to be 21 in order to
10:39consume tobacco products and
10:43us. So that was a violation.
10:44We provided notice essentially
10:48this is their second
10:49violation. And that's why we
10:50have $1000. So in May 2025,
10:55the same location sold a
10:56tobacco product to another
10:58underage buyer in 2025. And
11:00then they paid that $500
11:02penalty in October of 2025. So
11:04less than a year later, we are
11:06here again. And that is why we
11:08have the $1000 recommended
11:08county. All of this is
11:11included in the exhibits
11:11attached. I can so share
11:12anything if you would like.
11:15Great. Thank you so much of
11:16their any questions from
11:18Schaeffer before.
11:18>> We will hear from the
11:19license. It does look like it.
11:22Thank you so much. To put too
11:25far.
11:25>> Will now have 5 minutes for
11:27the licensee to address
11:27behalf. So please come And
11:31police are with your name and
11:32where you're coming from. For
11:33the record.
11:38>> I only heard the first
11:39prizes start by name, name and
11:41address or where you're coming
11:42from, OK, my name is Brittany
11:44standing. My address is 1, 5,
11:475, 1, 2, Cornell, Rosemount,
11:48Minnesota, 5, 5, 0, 6, 8, As
11:53she said, there was a previous
11:54violation in May. But I just
11:58want you guys got seriously.
11:59We at Speedway take this. We
11:59have training that we offer.
12:03And Jane did have a training
12:06certificate completed. She is
12:07a ploy sold the minor using
12:08the over 30 button. What we
12:12have since removed from the
12:13system so all employees have
12:13to physically scan an ID or
12:17system will not allow them to
12:18any tobacco product cycles for
12:18alcohol as well. Last night,
12:25thought I apologize. We have
12:28asked all employees to retake
12:30all tobacco training that are
12:31still current to there. We've
12:33got manager Chand as well as I
12:35just became the area later,
12:36district manager for that
12:37store. So it's just super
12:39important. really wanted you
12:40guys to know that it's
12:41important to us that we take
12:42this seriously.
12:44>> Thank you very much. Is
12:46there any thing else you want
12:48to add a new request you have
12:50for OK, thank you very much
12:51and make sure to sign and and
12:52the the the signage ETS. Thank
12:53you.
12:57Okay. appreciate you being
13:02here. Appreciate the testimony
13:03and really grateful to hear
13:05that they're going to be
13:05changes made in towns like
13:06under new leadership, the
13:08there will be procedural
13:09changes in training, put in
13:10place to make sure that
13:11doesn't happen again. given
13:14the facts of the case and the
13:15fact that we do have a matrix
13:18penalty that is pretty clear
13:18about what happens with the
13:20second violation, especially
13:21one so soon after the first
13:22violation. I'm not hearing
13:23anything that would make me
13:26depart from what the
13:27department is recommending in
13:27this I am going to move
13:29approval of the adverse action
13:33and again, hoping and
13:34appreciating that we hopefully
13:35won't be back here again. Is
13:38there any and just I think
13:39it's important to know. We've
13:40worked really hard as council
13:41to adopt these anti-tobacco
13:45policies and secifically into
13:46youth underage smoking
13:48policies and it's really
13:49important to us, too. Hold
13:52folks accountable for those
13:54policies because if we don't,
13:55then the ordinance is just no
13:55more than the paper it or not.
13:57So again, really appreciate
13:59coming down here. And with
14:00that, I will make that motion
14:01and look to my colleagues to
14:02see if there's any discussion.
14:06Seeing none all in favor say
14:06Aye. all opposed 7 in favor.
14:09None opposed. resolution is
14:11adopted a solution. 26 dash 15
14:1488 proclaiming September 25th
14:172026 as Dolly Parton Day in
14:18the city of Saint Paul. might
14:24be our hardest of all And I
14:27want to apologize in advance
14:28to my incredible making
14:29jacket. that.
14:32>> Initiated this and who was
14:34very clear yesterday that we
14:36were all to wear pink today in
14:37honor Dolly pardon. to people
14:39here got a and hear Also super
14:47excited to let you all know
14:48that we have a very special
14:49guest joining us today as we
14:50celebrate Dolly Party.
14:52>> And proclaims September
14:5325th.
14:55>> 9 to 5. pardon day in the
15:00city of Saint Paul. There may
15:04be no more fitting cast for
15:05this resolution. Then someone
15:07who helps make all of our 9 to
15:085 is here in Minnesota. Just a
15:09little bit more fight. Donna
15:13Valentine, a long time. I talk
15:16personality and posted on an
15:17Steve heard weekdays from 9 to
15:18noon. Not. But 95 almost
15:19there. Has spent
15:21years entertaining twin
15:22cities, listeners with your
15:23humor. Her love of music and
15:26pop culture. And of course,
15:27for hilariously strong
15:28opinions on all the most
15:29important things in life.
15:32Donna, thank you so much for
15:33being here and helping us
15:34celebrate Dolly working people
15:36and the joy of generosity
15:36community that bring us
15:37together. Not just today, but
15:38every day on your show. With
15:40that, I'd like to ivite you
15:41forward to accept this
15:41proclamation. And I will read
15:44it out loud as well. So coming
15:49Proclaiming September, 25th
15:502026 as Dolly Parton Day in
15:50the city of Saint Paul. Pardon
15:54is a beloved singer,
15:55songwriter, performer,
15:57philanthropist and cultural
15:59icon whose music, generosity
16:00and joyful spirit have
16:02inspired generations. And
16:04whereas throughout her life
16:04and career, Dolly Parton has
16:05demonstrated the power of
16:07investing and others mining us
16:07that strong communities are
16:09built. We support one another
16:11and lead with generosity and
16:11love. And whereas the same
16:15values are reflected in the
16:16kind of community we strive to
16:17build here in Saint Paul, a
16:19city built and sustained by
16:22working people were
16:23communities are strongest when
16:24the people who care for our
16:26families teach our children,
16:27serve our neighbors and keep
16:28our city moving, have the
16:28opportunity to thrive. And
16:32whereas Dolly Parton has given
16:33voice to these values through
16:33her extraordinary career,
16:35including through her injuring
16:38Anthem. 95, which celebrates
16:39the dignity, strength and
16:39resilience of working people.
16:42Whereas as working people and
16:44families continue to face
16:45rising costs and economic
16:47uncertainty, we are reminded
16:48of the importance of
16:49solidarity and our shared
16:50responsibility to build a
16:51community where everyone has
16:52the opportunity to build a
16:53good life now, therefore, be
16:54it resolved. It's a full city
16:58council proclaims September,
16:5925th 2026. 9 to 5 as Dolly
17:03Parton Day in the city of
17:03Saint Paul to be celebrated in
17:04her spirit with a little more
17:05joy. A little more generosity,
17:08a little more love for our
17:11neighbors a commitment to
17:12ensuring that working people
17:13can build a life drive in our
17:14community. Thank
17:30so excited that I get to be a
17:31part of this.
17:33>> Honoring an incredible
17:36human being.
17:37>> also, rally surprised by
17:38this
17:39>> because it was pointed out
17:40to me this morning that I have
17:44never worked. 95 shift 9 to
17:47noon kind of guy. But don't
17:48hold that against me right now
17:50on. I would like to thank you
17:51for inviting me. Megan and
17:52City Council, president maker
17:54and thank you to the council.
17:58Just very briefly. I working.
18:00I worked in country music for
18:0120 plus years and Dolly Parton
18:04has always been the gold
18:07standard. Te highest achiever
18:09in the format. And then some.
18:12I've also had an opportunity
18:13to interview her in person.
18:16And I could not have been more
18:17nervous because to me there
18:19was no bigger star tat
18:20existed in my mind. plus, I've
18:24never known a world without a
18:28Dolly Parton in it. So I can
18:29assure you that she walked
18:30into
18:31the room looking like a
18:32million bucks just like
18:32everyone would expect yet.
18:34Somehow she could not have
18:35been more down Earth and relay
18:38double and giving of her time.
18:42Today. And for the past 11
18:43years, I worked at a very
18:45unique talk station that
18:48discusses things like
18:51celebrity and entertainment.
18:52right here in the great city
18:52of Saint Paul. And to their
18:57credit, the people behind the
18:58scenes at my radio station had
19:00billboards up all over the
19:03city within hours of the
19:04announcement of Dolly's
19:04passing. She was that
19:09important. she was that
19:10special. We also changed all
19:14of our programming that day to
19:15celebrate the life and legacy
19:18of such an incredible human
19:19being and we will be
19:21celebrating Dolly Parton Day
19:25on Friday
19:25in te same way. So we are
19:26right there with you. You've
19:29already said so many beautiful
19:31things in this resolution
19:32about Dolly. But the big
19:33takeaway is that Dolly Parton,
19:35her impact went beyond country
19:37music or radio or movies.
19:40It went beyond being on the
19:40cover of the of a magazine
19:45being prolific songwriter,
19:47fabulous entertainer. As we
19:50all know, the most important
19:52thing about Dolly Parton. And
19:53with that, she was someone we
19:54could all look up to. Whether
19:58your 3 years old, 23 years
20:00old. 73 years old. She was a
20:01role model for human And as
20:05you mentioned in the
20:06resolution, she led with love
20:07and kindness and generosity.
20:10And that's something we need
20:11right now. More than ever. So
20:15here's hoping that Friday,
20:17September 25th, otherwise
20:18known as 9 to 5.
20:20>> As we remember Dolly in
20:21Saint Paul and hopefully all
20:22over the world that we also
20:25remember to be kind to our
20:26neighbors to leave with love
20:27and to do what Dolly would do.
20:29Thank you. Thank you.
20:36>> Thank you so much, Donna.
20:37And with that, I will move
20:39approval and look to my
20:40colleagues to see if there's
20:41any discussion of the motion.
20:45>> Thank you. Council
20:46president say this was so
20:49joyful and fun to just like
20:49witness and be part of say
20:53thank you for your leadership.
20:54I know we do a lt of hard
20:57business sometimes very
20:57challenging, but I wanted to
20:58say appreciate you taking the
21:00time to celebrate. I kind of
21:03global icon. You know, it is
21:05even listening to the speaker
21:08you know, staring at like
21:10know, Dolly Parton was the
21:12icon know of her life, right?
21:13The biggest star of her life.
21:14And I think about in my life,
21:17my childhood, especially now
21:19now Beyonce being that. But
21:20there would be no Beyonce
21:22without Dolly Parton. And, you
21:24know, Beyonce sees that we as
21:25her global stars, too size
21:28once. Also just recognize how
21:32this is opportunity to uplift
21:34that legacy of preserved. Now
21:34you that history and that
21:36impact in that, you know, part
21:38is not from Saint Paul. The
21:40same Paul is sustaining and
21:42thriving when it comes to to
21:43entertainment music and I and
21:47our culture. And I just want
21:48to say thank you so much for
21:49uplifting this history. Thank
21:49you.
21:51>> can claim U.S.. Ay other
21:54discussion of motion. Seeing
21:58none all in favor say Aye.
22:00post 7 in favor. None opposed.
22:00The resolution is adopted.
22:01Thank you again.
22:09OK? And we are going have
22:11again, we are going to recess
22:12the city council and then I
22:15will gavel and again as live
22:16report just getting so we are
22:16in recess. A live report order
22:22Roll call, please.
22:23Councilmembers Bowie. Here.
22:27Coleman Care, Johnson here
22:30there mker hear Ye hear and
22:31share just here. This is the
22:38library board meeting where
22:38the library will set the
22:40maximum levee.
22:41>> For 2027, the library board
22:46I for one knows but is its own
22:46separate agency. We have our
22:47own separate levee, which is
22:49within the city levy. so we
22:53have a resolution before us to
22:53adopt the maximum lvee.
22:58>> There are a couple of
22:59versions before us. I would
23:00like to just open this up for
23:00discussion before we.
23:04>> Make a motion to move the
23:07the maximum So I guess.
23:10>> Opening up anyone want say
23:11thank you. just.
23:15>> Thanks, chair Toast. I
23:15appreciate you giving a moment
23:17for the Yes, there are a
23:18couple versions that are there
23:20and I just wanted to speak to
23:21the person that that my office
23:22was able to put in council
23:25members. I want to just say
23:27that a few weeks ago we were
23:29looking at a proposed budget
23:30that would have closed today
23:31in library. It would have
23:34produced services at the
23:35Hollywood Hills Rec center and
23:37made other difficult
23:38reductions across the city.
23:40And I was very clear than
23:42that. I wasn't willing to
23:43accept the idea that those
23:44losses were inevitable. And I
23:47had strong disagreements about
23:49the fact that so many of those
23:52reductions for hyper focused
23:53on the east side Saint Paul
23:53where I represent. I was
23:56prepared to preserve
23:57additional levy That was what
24:00it took to keep it library
24:02opened. Because I do think
24:03that that resource is just
24:03that important. Not because I
24:07think raising taxes the first
24:09choice honestly, it wouldn't
24:10have been the first choice
24:11have been my ultimate last
24:13resort but because I believe
24:15that we had to keep every
24:16option on the table when we're
24:17looking for a better
24:17solutions. Since then, the
24:21mayor has brought forth a
24:22supplemental budget that would
24:23restore the funding for in
24:24Spotify Berry and how it feels
24:27along with several of
24:28reductions that were
24:29recreational services all
24:29across the city. So while I'm
24:32not proposing an additional
24:33levy increase tday, I do want
24:35to make sure tat we don't
24:37miss opportunity to look at
24:37the bigger lesson here in
24:40Saint Paul. We would we should
24:40be willing to go through lanes
24:41and high water too. Protect
24:43the basic services that
24:44residents depend on. That's
24:46our libraries. That's our rec
24:48centers. That's a public
24:50safety. And that's streets
24:51that people can safely travel
24:52on. Those are in extras. Those
24:56are some of the most basic
24:56things that people expect from
24:57their city government. And
24:59yes, we have a responsibility
25:02to fiscally responsible with
25:03our communities money. What
25:04people's money with Saint
25:05Paul's money. And I take that
25:08very seriously. And sometimes
25:08being fiscally responsible
25:10means looking again before you
25:14make a big decision like
25:14cutting are rec center,
25:15cutting te library. That
25:16means asking a couple more
25:18questions talking to the
25:20community that would deeply
25:21impacted, especially on the
25:22east side Saint Paul where so
25:23often decisions are made about
25:25but not with us. And it means
25:29also turning over every rock
25:30that we can before we tell a
25:32community, hey, you have to
25:33pay more in txes, but we're
25:34going to close or library and
25:34you're rec center all in one
25:35budget cycle. That's really
25:38what happened here. That's
25:42what was propose. And I just
25:43want to be very clear that if
25:44it wasn't for East Siders and
25:45residents across the city of
25:46Saint Paul speaking out.
25:49Council members being willing
25:50to ask questions and push a
25:51little bit harder. The
25:53administration also bing
25:54willing to go back and look
25:56again, finding $564,000 in the
25:59supplemental budget. That was
25:59not previously in the
26:00proposal. And find another
26:03path forward. This was what
26:04this budget process when it
26:06had to do today. And I just
26:10want to clear about that that,
26:11you know, the mayor proposes a
26:11budget, but we review it on
26:12the council. The public ways.
26:16And we ask questions and some
26:17have to find a better answer.
26:19So I want to be clear that the
26:20work isn't finished, but I
26:22also want to transparent that
26:25I'm extremely disappointed
26:26that this year we offered up a
26:28closure of a library and I
26:29hope we're never in this
26:30position again. When we talk
26:32about raising taxes, I don't
26:34think it should be coming at
26:35the expense of a library each
26:36of our libraries in our
26:37system. Arctic was important
26:37as the next whether they have
26:39the same usage numbers are
26:41not. They are truly where
26:43people go to do life. And
26:43that's the pride that we take
26:45in our libraries. Let's not
26:46forget that just because the
26:46number sometimes don't add up.
26:49So if we say our libraries
26:50matter, I buy that show that
26:53if you say are rec centers
26:54matter, budgets should show
26:55that as well. If it's a public
26:57safety matters dinner. But it
26:58should show that. And if we
27:00say that our streets and our
27:02basic infrastructure matter
27:04that, hey, as you guessed it,
27:05so should our budget. Because
27:07of budget isn't just numbers
27:08on a spreadsheet. I'm the
27:10chair of the Budget Committee
27:11at the Saint Paul City Council
27:137 a library board, a strong
27:14supporter of the libraries and
27:17also as a council member
27:18representing 46,000 people on
27:19the east side of Saint Paul,
27:19because I recognize that every
27:20asset that we hold equally as
27:24important. And I believe that
27:26the basic services here in
27:27Saint Paul, that residents
27:29depend on every day are worth
27:31fighting for even when it's
27:32about taxes. And not always
27:32the most So I do appreciate
27:36the fact that Councilmember
27:37colleagues here at tis table
27:39top length about why didn't
27:41vibration remain? And I
27:42appreciate the council members
27:43who both. We're willing to
27:46support the version 2, that
27:47was going to be ounce before
27:48and some mental budget. I
27:50won't be put in that for today
27:51and instead will make a motion
27:52to approve the. The version
27:56one with the levee proposed
27:57where the mayor has said it
27:58and propose that originally
27:59with no changes. Chair Joe's,
28:02I couldn't let the moment pass
28:03without being willing to draw
28:05that. I hope that they can
28:07still fly vry library for
28:09that matter, isn't offered up
28:09for the chopping block in
28:10future by that cycles. I
28:12sincerely hope we learned that
28:13lesson. If anything at all
28:13this budget cycle. Comments, a
28:20>> Thank you, chair. Just a
28:22couple of comments. another.
28:24We did a hard pivot from the
28:25Dolly Parton resolution, but I
28:28actually thinking about the
28:29legacy of Dolly Parton is and
28:30the investment, the financial
28:33investment in the literacy of
28:35generations actually don't
28:36know that this was as hard
28:37think that I really I think
28:37that. It is hard to talk about
28:41raising taxes. It is hard to
28:42talk about increasing the
28:44levee, but it is much harder
28:46for me as a council member. as
28:47a member of the library board,
28:49too, stomach the thought of
28:52telling the next generation of
28:54Saint Paul residents in Polly
28:55Ders that we are not willing
28:56to invest in their future. And
28:58I think that when we talk
29:01about dollars, we talk about
29:03Levis percentages. Well, we're
29:04talking about is what are we
29:06choosing to invest the fact
29:07that this body has been able
29:08to come together and thank you
29:10so much. Councilmember
29:12Johnson, Commissioner Carey,
29:12in spite. Library board,
29:18member Johnson for your
29:19leadership. That really
29:20impressing us to say that if
29:21we say that we value every
29:22single person in the city, if
29:23we say that we value every
29:25single young person in the
29:25city that we need to make sure
29:26that our money matches those
29:28values and that it is
29:29unacceptable to close a
29:30library. And that one way or
29:32another, we were going to find
29:33a way to keep it open ad
29:35really just incredibly
29:36grateful. And I think that it
29:37is as we go forward. And as we
29:39said the next of each day and
29:41as go through this budget
29:42process over the next couple
29:42of months, making sure that we
29:46are not making short-term
29:47choices that sacrifice the
29:48long-term good of every single
29:49person. This community is so
29:52essential that to me will what
29:54guides me through this process
29:56grateful that we're able to do
29:57that today and that there is a
29:58supplemental budget that's
29:58been proposed that allows us
29:59to do that within the context
30:00of a proposed 20% Levy and we
30:02don't have to increase the
30:03library levee in order to get
30:04there. But I am I just very
30:09strongly agree that we should
30:09not be in a position as a city
30:11where we're talking a closing
30:11libraries and taking away
30:12resources people need them.
30:13Most.
30:14>> Because we're calling any
30:15other comments. Well, thank
30:20you so much for this
30:21discussion from the library
30:22board. I will share that over
30:25the last several weeks. I've
30:26heard from community members
30:27all over the city.
30:31>> Especially from my
30:32colleagues about how much we
30:33value libraries and especially
30:34the didn't library. I heard
30:38from people in Ward 3 that
30:41tell me stories about library.
30:42firing, how much that meant to
30:45them? I think the value that
30:48this library or any library
30:49provides for community far
30:51exceeds the savings that we're
30:52talking about. That would come
30:52from this cut. These are
30:55investments that our residents
30:56we use our investments and our
30:58residents.
31:00>> And in our neighborhoods
31:01and their costs that our
31:01community is willing to
31:02support and they belong in
31:03this budget. I'm also really
31:06happy to see the supplemental
31:08budget from the mayor that we
31:09received last week that
31:10restores this lease and this
31:12funding. I think it's really
31:16important to recognize is the
31:17the work that Councilmember
31:20Johnson and this board was
31:21have had already put in. We
31:21started working on weeks ago
31:24to raise the levee for the
31:25library board and the maximum
31:26Levy for the city. that is not
31:28something that. We typically
31:31do. I don't know that we've
31:32ever done that. We haven't
31:33done it since I've been a
31:34council member here, but it is
31:37a power that the council has
31:37to set the maximum levee. And
31:40I think to me it is. It just
31:44it just was an action that
31:45would have spoken to how
31:46important that this investment
31:49was to our council because
31:51that is what we heard from the
31:51people in this city. And from
31:55the beginning, you know,
31:57you've heard that we wanted to
31:59ensure the Daytons looked
32:00Library would remain open and
32:01whatever the final budget
32:03would be, the maximum of you
32:05as a tool that we have. There
32:06was also the supplemental
32:08proposal from the mayor. And
32:09there could even be more tools
32:10that we might have had, you
32:11know, in the coming months
32:12here. But what we wanted to
32:15make sure that I think our
32:17community and the sport may
32:18clear is that we would not
32:20pass the 2027 budget that
32:20included the daytons. We'll
32:22have library being closed and
32:25the action that we're taking
32:26the day with the supplement to
32:29budget from the mayor is going
32:30to ensure that that commitment
32:32is honored. So with that, they
32:35said the motion all in favor
32:36say Aye. of the post. 7 in
32:38favor. None opposed. The
32:38resolution is adopted. And
32:42with that, we are A meeting of
32:46the same health City Council
32:47back toward a roll call.
32:47Police.
32:48>> Councilmembers, Johnson.
32:50Just can. Coleman here,
32:55council, president maker here.
33:00Item 24 resolution 26 dash 16.
33:020, 5 approving a Twenty-twenty
33:04said the maximum property tax
33:05levy for the housing and
33:05Redevelopment Authority
33:06Johnson. Thank you, council
33:09president. We had a housing
33:12redevelopment authority
33:13meeting earlier today where we
33:15talked through multiple
33:16different proposals, talked
33:18reviewing popular the property
33:19tax Levy. It was passed
33:20unanimously at the House and
33:21Redevelopment Authority board.
33:23>> And so with that, I move
33:25approval.
33:26>> Motion for approval. Is
33:26there any discussion the
33:27motion? Seeing none all in
33:30favor say Aye. Aye opposed 7
33:33in favor, not oppose. The
33:34resolution is adopted 25
33:35resolution 26 dash 15. 99
33:36approving a 2027 maximum
33:37property tax levy for the
33:38city.
33:39>> And so this is item that
33:43adopts the maximum property
33:45tax think it's really
33:46important to note only for
33:47those in the room, but for our
33:50millions are maybe 2 to 300. I
33:51think average viewers at home
33:54that this is just one step in
33:56the process. This is the
33:58maximum levee every council
34:01that I've ever been part of
34:01has worked to bring the levee
34:02down from the mayor's
34:04proposal. But we are required
34:06to set the maximum at this
34:07point. And so this is
34:08absolutely the highest, but it
34:09will go. The proposal is for
34:11the same percent increase that
34:12the mayor proposed. And I
34:16would just say, I think we we
34:18need to do that work to find
34:19ways to bring the levee down
34:23and to minimize the tax impact
34:24on residents. Now more than
34:25ever, we just talked about
34:28working families, thriving in
34:29Saint Paul. We all have seen
34:32the prices at the pump. We've
34:33seen the prices at the grocery
34:34store buying school supplies
34:37every single one of my
34:38constituents. I'm talking to
34:39the number one issue is
34:40affordability. And I think
34:42it's it might be easy to say,
34:44well, it's just a few dollars
34:45here and there, but these
34:45dollars really add up ad the
34:49city is only one part of
34:50people's tax burden today at a
34:51public works budget
34:52presentation. We were talking
34:52about all of the additional
34:54fees and and rate increases
34:56that go into that. So I just
34:57think we need to do everything
34:58we possibly can to reduce the
35:01tax burden this year. And I'm
35:02certainly committed to doing
35:02that. And I'm seeing from all
35:03of us in our budget
35:04conversations ably led by our
35:04budget. Your Johnson. We're
35:07already asking the hard
35:08questions were already digging
35:09in already trying to identify
35:11vice president leadership on
35:12tip district's new sources of
35:14revenue. So I'm I'm really
35:15hopeful that we'll be able to
35:16do that this year as well. So
35:19I will move the next property
35:20tax Levy look to my colleagues
35:21for any discussion. The
35:22motion. Seeing Israeli and
35:28then escaped. discussion is
35:31discussion. Okay. Well, so I
35:34just want to say I didn't get
35:35a chance to speak during the.
35:39>> I'm live Erivo. I was just
35:39going to hold my comments
35:41here. But now I also am in
35:43agreement and solidarity that
35:47our sustainability are costs
35:48of doing business in the city.
35:50Can't come at the expense of
35:50our frontline public spaces,
35:55especially our libraries rec
35:55centers. So I'm really, proud
36:01of how safe part president
36:01stepped up.
36:04>> And really, you know, went
36:05beyond what they should have
36:07done.
36:09>> To ensure the advocates who
36:10support our libraries. also
36:13want to recognize that, you
36:14know, this is a really tough
36:15decision. This is one of those
36:17votes we're like plugging nose
36:19and eating our vegetables,
36:20hoping for the best. And and
36:23and what's necessary for not
36:26only the health of the city,
36:27but also the fiscal
36:29responsibility and a long
36:30jobity of that. I want to just
36:32share that was 6.8 levy
36:36increase is not where I want
36:37us to end up this year, but
36:41also recognizing council
36:43present. Like you mentioned,
36:44this is the ceiling and not
36:45the floor. This is the selling
36:45and that the floor in this is
36:47establishing the threshold.
36:51Between now and the final
36:53budget. I'm personally
36:54committed to being more
36:57assertive, particularly in
36:58continuing be more assertive
36:59on how we fund essential
37:01services. recognizing that
37:02residents and business cannot
37:04simply absorb the higher cost
37:05year after year. And also
37:09recognizing that people expect
37:13to see the city government to
37:14deliver and they should also
37:15expect us to demonstrate that
37:18what every dollars collected,
37:19how it's being put to good
37:21use. And that means looking
37:23beyond what we spend and
37:24asking what we are actually
37:25getting for that investment. I
37:29you know, committed to leading
37:32on stronger performance
37:33metrics and having that as a
37:36standard intensely moving
37:37forward in our budget
37:38committee meetings as want to
37:38say thank you, Chair Johnson
37:40for also making sure that we
37:41have performance metrics and
37:43asking those questions having
37:47greater accountability around
37:50our budget year round and also
37:51looking at stronger financial
37:53guardrails that allows us to
37:55measure results and make
37:56better decisions. What the
37:59taxpayers dollars. And I want
38:01to be clear about something
38:02else. I do not like I
38:04mentioned, believe closing
38:05libraries and rec centers are
38:05even public spaces for
38:07residents depend on should
38:09ever become an easy answer to
38:11balancing our budget. And we
38:13have demonstrated that ad
38:16these are some of our most
38:17precious public facing
38:21institutions there where young
38:22people grow families, connect
38:23our seniors, find community
38:24and were neighborhoods built a
38:25sense of belonging. And I
38:27think about just how essential
38:29public libraries are to our
38:32work and our business and I
38:36have now endless amount o
38:39meetings at the round ally
38:41Berry. And even with the the
38:41transfer transition, the
38:45library to have a Q Brown, how
38:48we've been seeing kind of like
38:48some disruption of services
38:52and how you know, community
38:53also is kind of bearing the
38:54brunt right of the
38:55inconvenience and how do we
38:56make sure that our budget?
39:01Provides our directors and our
39:02staff safe place and being
39:04able to adapt and pivot and
39:06make sure they have the tools
39:08and resources to make
39:10decisions. you know, on daily
39:12basis. So today's vote does
39:14not. And the budget
39:16conversation. It also
39:17establishes the parameters for
39:18it in the rover is what
39:20happens between now and
39:22December and for my ward. One
39:24residents. I just want
39:26continue inviting you all and
39:28also my colleagues to engage
39:30in the continuation of
39:31advocacy. With me at our word
39:35one budget meeting happening
39:37on October, 20th at fraud Town
39:40Community Center. I believe
39:42myself and councilmember
39:43camera, the last 2 council
39:44members. They have our budget
39:47meetings. folks to to engage
39:49in conversation and also now
39:51doing them at them? I think
39:54one things that the learning
39:55experience from this year is
39:59we really kind of broke out of
40:00the kind of the restrictive
40:04wedge trying solve a formula
40:06for a.
40:06>> For threshold for a levee.
40:09>> And more so looking at like
40:10the impacts. And I think that
40:13though those are some
40:14milestones, I think are really
40:16incredible in terms of how
40:17we're looking at our budget,
40:18not just says, you know, a
40:21math problem. We're solving a
40:22math problem that we're
40:23looking at. overall impacts
40:24and where we want to be not
40:26only for next year, but even
40:27looking beyond for the next
40:28decade. So again, I just want
40:34to say thank you for all the
40:35hard work that went to just
40:37even get into this place. And
40:38I look forward to supporting,
40:39you know,
40:40>> each other as we vote on
40:42the on the actual adoption of
40:44the budget in December. Thank
40:46you as as can the mistrust.
40:47And then Jackson and the vice
40:48president.
40:51>> Thank I am going to be
40:53supporting the Max Levy as it
40:55is today when our fire
40:56stations are fully staffed.
40:58Our libraries open wrecks
40:59enters full with people with
41:00great programs. Are roads
41:02repaired and we have staff to
41:04connect our neighbors with
41:06resources and 10 communities
41:08residency and feel government
41:09actually meeting their needs.
41:11The vlue of the services like
41:13your favorite swim instructor
41:13time your life skills exceeds
41:16the dollar value amount. We
41:18could assign and exceeds the
41:20value of the Max Levy. We're
41:20poised to pass today. But when
41:25we fail to fund or cut course
41:26city services and we can't
41:27expect people to pay more. And
41:29we're weathering a storm at
41:30the federal government with
41:33the federal government and
41:34uncertainty at the state level
41:36and after everything that
41:37we've been through here,
41:37Minnesota and continue to
41:39face, we know it's going to
41:40take all of us coming together
41:41to fund our city. The Levy is
41:43just the starting point. I
41:46believe the role of the
41:47council in the next coming
41:48weeks will be ensuring our
41:50community see their needs
41:50being met. In the city's
41:54budget. I believe the
41:56council's role is to ensure we
41:56are using the levee to serve
41:58our communities. And yes, I do
42:01have a budget engagement an
42:02event coming up considerably.
42:04I look forward to engaging
42:06with all the word 5 residents
42:07coming up in 2 weeks on
42:07October, 8th 06:00PM at the
42:09North Community Center. Thank
42:11you as campus. Just thank you.
42:15Council President, I'll be
42:17supportive of this next one
42:18levee today. I also would have
42:21been supportive of of a
42:21potentially higher levee.
42:23>> In order to restore the
42:27library and the hours to the
42:28park's of them and cut. But
42:29now with the mayor
42:30supplemental budget, that is
42:30not something that we need to
42:33do today. But just want really
42:37emphasize that even though
42:37this is a 6.8% levy, and we
42:41think that amounts to 14 or
42:4415 million dollars. That's an
42:45increase in what's been levied
42:45from last year. This is a cut
42:47to the city budget. We're
42:51facing a deficit of 26 million
42:52dollars. And even though we
42:53were able to restore the parks
42:56and libraries, most the parks
42:57and libraries cuts with the
42:58supplementary budget from the
43:01mayor. There are still a lot
43:02of things that are being cut
43:03and those would have been cut
43:06potentially with this maximum
43:08Levy. If this council was not
43:09able to find other solutions,
43:12we are facing some major
43:15challenges and I'm not a
43:16council member that believes
43:17that we can cut $100,000 here
43:19$100,000. There to solve the
43:21property tax problem or to be
43:23able to save residents money
43:26about every, you know, a few
43:28$100,000 that we would have
43:30added back into this budget
43:31would have costs the median
43:32household a dollar a year. And
43:36so I think that, you know, we
43:37really need to be looking to
43:38the future about how we're
43:39going to solve this problem.
43:43How are going to expand our
43:44property tax base? Are we
43:45going to really rely on the
43:47state government and the
43:48federal government to give us
43:48the funding that we need and
43:49local government aid to be
43:51able to get us out of the
43:54situation that we're in. It's
43:56not something that is going to
43:57happen immediately. It is
43:58something that is going to
43:59take time with that being
44:01said, you know, I'm very open
44:03to as we go through the
44:03budget, any reasonable cuts we
44:07can make to try to save money
44:07here and there. But I won't be
44:08doing that in the spirit of
44:10the idea that that's going to
44:13save people money because
44:13realistically, it's not and
44:15when we're talking about this
44:16math problem with facing the
44:18budget, it really is whatever
44:20a math problem that you want
44:20it to be. The 6.8% was a
44:23maximum levy chosen by the
44:25mayor. But we would looking at
44:26a double digit. Levy if we
44:28wanted to close entire gap. So
44:30it's really wherever you want
44:31to set it. If you decide
44:33that's what we want to cut
44:34them. That's what we're
44:35talking about. Cutting. But
44:36that levee certainly could
44:37have been higher. It could
44:40have been much lower. We could
44:41have ended much worse
44:42situation. And I just also
44:44want to share, you know, this
44:45isn't something that is
44:45specific to the city of Saint
44:48Paul. The city of Minneapolis
44:49is looking at an 11.3% Levy.
44:51They're laying off 100 people
44:52in their city. Carter County
44:55is facing a 16.8%. Levy
44:58increase Shoreview is facing a
44:5910.7%. Levy increase. And a
45:01lot of that is because of the
45:03costs and taxes. Everything
45:07rolling down hill from the
45:08federal government, which is
45:09where majority of your taxes
45:12and so Ijust want to make
45:14sure that we're getting the
45:15full picture of the context of
45:17the situation or in as we're
45:17moving forward with the budget
45:20this year and especially as
45:21we're thinking forward in the
45:22years to come. But I'm really
45:25happy with where we're at
45:26today with the maximum levee
45:30with the support of the
45:31supplemental budget from the
45:32mayor that we didn't need to
45:33take action to raise the
45:33maximum levee today. And I
45:37look forward to the rest of
45:38this process and making sure
45:39that we and up with a final
45:41budget that reflects our
45:43city's values in the
45:44investments that we want to
45:45make and the things that our
45:46community members expect. I'm
45:50just say one more thing. I'm
45:51really excited about the
45:52restoration of the parks
45:53because Edgecombe Recs center
45:54in my ward. We're going to
45:55have its hours cut and there
45:58was a lot of really great
45:59programming there, specially
46:02pickleball that many of our
46:04residents relied upon for
46:06community and connection and
46:06being able to come together,
46:07especially some of the folks
46:09from our elders and our senior
46:12community that was also been
46:13cut from the Highland Library
46:14in the morning for one hur.
46:16So that made it really
46:16difficult to provide any
46:17redundancy and we'll services.
46:21And there's something that
46:21folks just really valued. And
46:22so if anything, even though I
46:25know we've got the
46:25supplementary budget, not
46:26gonna have to keep talking
46:27about those cuts. I learned so
46:29much from my community about
46:30what the to really value over
46:31the last month or so since the
46:35mayor's budget was propose and
46:35that was really, really
46:36important to me. just to
46:41really, really great
46:42experience to hear from
46:45everyone understand what is
46:46what they value the most in
46:47our city and what are the
46:49services that they expect to
46:50see. And so look forward to
46:51making sure that our final
46:53budget reflects that. Thank
46:54you. It's just it's just I'm
46:58sure a lot of the same
46:59sentiments as my colleagues
47:01have mentioned. And I'll just
47:02brief because I don't want t
47:03repeat some of the things that
47:05I show year earlier. I'll just
47:06simply share that was prepared
47:09today as well, too. Talk about
47:11the Max Levy in death because
47:16too Councilmember Jones
47:19earlier point we wear pink.
47:20there was a proposal to take
47:21out $286,000. A library
47:25budget. Some people may apply
47:27that cut. But really what it
47:27turned into was a community
47:31neighborhood by neighborhood
47:31being without a library that's
47:32been in our community since
47:332000. We're going to save 188
47:38$1000 on the parks budget. But
47:41Wrexham is across the city.
47:42We're going to be impacted by.
47:46Is reks senators like Highland
47:47Hills. We're going to
47:48completely reduced and we
47:48still haven't necessarily
47:50found a budget support, too.
47:52Assisted case Recs center.
47:56>> And when you're thinking
47:56about impact versus, you know,
47:58decision, I would say that. We
48:03were not going to get our bang
48:03for buck from that production.
48:05And I just want to continue to
48:08have courage and just simply
48:09say, on the on the other side
48:10of that one. I'm proud the
48:13site But in particular, you
48:20know, there aren't as
48:21budgetary responses that
48:25warrant the type of response
48:25that all of you may have
48:26witnessed over the last
48:27several weeks. That happens
48:29when a community is completely
48:32astonished a little bit
48:33surprised by decision that's
48:34being made. And I want the
48:37opportunity to encourage our
48:38city as its 12 have. that's
48:40what including the council and
48:42the administration to work
48:42together on this budget. You
48:45know, we think to the piece
48:47just tough decisions happening
48:48across the region. I think
48:49it's very true. I also want to
48:51share that there's been
48:52several examples where it
48:54doesn't appear that the
48:55strength of our city yet is
48:57being fully tap into when we
48:58don't have an alignment
48:59between the city and the mayor
49:01on particular budget
49:02proposals. That's the most
49:02important thing that we do.
49:04And so when we set this Max
49:05Levy and I hear from our
49:06colleagues at this is the not
49:09the floor. I would encourage
49:10us to be able to make sure
49:12that when we get to December
49:14my goal, my hope is that if
49:15there additional revenues and
49:16additional found money that we
49:19were able to be able to talk
49:19about that together. The
49:23reason why there's a burden to
49:24in the legis then went in this
49:25process right now is because
49:28up until literally the mind of
49:29this press release, I was not
49:30as but you're aware of this
49:30momentum budget coming and I
49:33want to be very clear about
49:34that because I think it's
49:35pivotal to what's going to
49:36come. Committee members expect
49:37us to have all the information
49:38in front of us. When we ask
49:40Forte, proposal is done. And
49:42while I'm glad that the
49:43supplemental budget that fixes
49:44some of my major budget
49:47concerns, I cannot stress how
49:50important transparency is
49:52around. Found revenue around,
49:53but it solves that would not
49:54have to fall back on the
49:56taxpayers because we have an
49:56obligation equally to
49:57represent our community. And
49:59so I just want to share that
50:00with you all and say that once
50:01again. We can only does
50:05together and this capacity. We
50:05have. We hear all the time
50:08about the over 3,000 employees
50:10that work in our city. And I
50:11want to be very clear to my
50:13community. We work and operate
50:14within a strong euro system
50:15often are told that our
50:18directors and our staff report
50:19to the mayor. And I respect
50:20that decision. And I also will
50:21say as a council member, I
50:23can't wait to work together
50:24on, but it solves that are
50:26maybe a little bit different
50:27than what is proposed that we
50:28can do that together when we
50:29have our experts being able to
50:30get the information to both
50:32capacity in both entities. And
50:35so as we go through this
50:36budget cycle, it's an open
50:36invitation for everyone who's
50:38listening. committee members
50:40expect for ad bodies, although
50:42separate to be working
50:42together on the budget each
50:44year. That is an expedition
50:45that ahead of the previous
50:46administration that 60 Jean, I
50:47will continue to have for this
50:48one. Thank you. Johnson as
50:50President. Thank you. Council
50:52president. Just a technical
50:57question here in let us rise,
50:59see virtual in-person to us.
50:59So we're going out
51:01>> Okay. Great. Thank you.
51:05Yeah, wanted to share my
51:07comments that I'm support of
51:09the unwind and I wnt to see
51:12thank you to come onsen for
51:14those very great Mike tracked
51:15make statement from earlier
51:16when we were in library board
51:18because I am in agreement with
51:19that and at the table here
51:23many times my commitment to
51:24our libraries and rec centers
51:25and how if we don't make a
51:28full commitment to funding
51:29them, if they're kept cutting
51:31hours, even then one, it's
51:33very hard to restore usually
51:36don't see him come back. And
51:37then also we can expect for
51:38any of her in a governmental
51:38partners to come and save You
51:39know, the guy I that's
51:44something that I'm I've just
51:45thinking a lot about it. to me
51:46that it also speaks by when it
51:49comes to key specs center. to
51:51me, it's very important that
51:52we do keep the doors of this
51:52very important facility open
51:56and make sure that we continue
51:58to keep open until rebuild is
51:59complete it. And so they work
52:00to make sure that the figure
52:01out the funding or in other
52:05words, the capital stack the
52:06timeline for that and having
52:07all of these put into place
52:09stone, not only so that we
52:11have answers about what the
52:13republics like, but also that
52:14our community does, too,
52:15especially to me is like in
52:18the east side on to have goal
52:20hire disparities across
52:20economics, half so much more
52:24that know that they continue
52:26to have this facility that's
52:27really important. So wanted to
52:28me that priority of mine also.
52:31The comments that you made in
52:32in the very beginning council
52:33president about the commitment
52:35to you and make sure we're
52:37bringing down the levee.
52:38That's something I very
52:39committed to. I would say that
52:40ideally for me is very
52:44supportive of because I
52:45understand, you know, we're
52:45always starting up the budget
52:46season with budget gap. I
52:49understand that that means,
52:50you know, we will have to
52:52increase the Levy. I would
52:53always prefer a moderate
52:54anywhere from 3 to 5%. what is
52:57being propose in front of us
52:59for the It higher than 5%. And
53:01so I'm committed to bringing
53:03it down as always every year.
53:06But I do want to that for me,
53:08in, in other words, parities
53:09that I continue onto my plate.
53:12Here is I really looking at
53:15those overtime costs that you
53:17continue to talk about. And I
53:17know we haven't gone through
53:18all of the budget
53:19presentations yet from our
53:20departments and the ones that
53:21we have heard of so far,
53:25that's really important to me
53:26because it's really connected
53:27to how we spend our dollars
53:29more efficiently and
53:33recruitment of of police
53:34officers and even bringing on
53:35additional positions for
53:38firefighters. It's really
53:39important in order for us to
53:40actually get to efficiency and
53:41make sure that the I that the
53:46sustaining staff levels that
53:48are safe for folks who at the
53:49front lines when it comes to
53:51emergency services. when I
53:52think of all my ward, we have
53:56new families that have moved
53:57over to the 30 in the Twin
53:59Cities. Habitat builds. And
53:59that is really exciting.
54:03continue to an increase in
54:04population. However, we don't
54:05see an expansion and that the
54:09the sort of services that we
54:10want to provide trail
54:12residents. And so that gap
54:12there is very concerning to
54:15me. And I wanted to name my
54:16commitment again to not only
54:18bringing down those over time
54:20pass pipping sustainability to
54:21our departments. And I want to
54:22see that all across our city.
54:23Really not just for those 2
54:25departments that I named. The
54:27things that are very to me is
54:31that the opportunity to closed
54:35down many TIF district Senator
54:37City here we have 10 that are
54:37out for consideration in our
54:41housing and redevelopment
54:42authority. Ford, I sat on the
54:42Port Authority board. W had a
54:43really great presentation from
54:47president Hurley about
54:48district that can be closed
54:50down and considered by the
54:52port bard. And I just wanted
54:53to name my full commitment of
54:55support to be certifying all
54:57of I know that so many folks
55:02city, they why there tends to
55:03be increases in the levee. And
55:04at the same time, they're also
55:07asking us what can you do to
55:09alleviate this property tax
55:10burden that we're
55:11experiencing? Because one of
55:11the things that I want to be
55:15very clear and transparent
55:15with folks about is that
55:16whenever a here in the city at
55:18this table here, we're only
55:20talking about pretty much the
55:22city increases that our
55:24residents and commercial units
55:25are experiencing. We're not
55:26talking about the Ramsey
55:27County Levy, the school board
55:29at all. And so what I really
55:31notice is how siloed word
55:34government bodies are when it
55:37comes to the sort of
55:39conversation and when it comes
55:39to closing down these tough
55:40districts, even establishing
55:43them, it has an impact on all
55:443 of these tax, seen local
55:47taxing jurisdictions. And I am
55:50coming to the table here when
55:51it comes to tough. No, within
55:54the spirit of wanting
55:57collectivism collaboration
55:58because we all chilly concrete
55:58ones for each other. Whenever
56:00we make decisions
56:03collectively. So that being
56:04said, I am a supportive of the
56:07proposed to maximum body in
56:08front of us. And again, always
56:10committed to bring it down to
56:11really creative and innovative
56:12ways. And I would encourage us
56:14to remember that we're always
56:16trying to keep up with the
56:17pace, a pace with the cost of
56:19living. And sometimes it seems
56:19like we we fall behind and at
56:22the city level to make sure
56:24that our fees and even like
56:25licensing know that catches up
56:27to so I think that there's
56:29many opportunities for us to
56:30really dig into those details
56:31morning. Oftentimes the city
56:33Council, we see the Polish
56:34proposed budget. You don't get
56:35to dig into it as much. And so
56:36let's continue to put on that.
56:40That critical thinking had and
56:41continue analyzing this. These
56:43numbers. Thank you. As
56:43president is common.
56:47>> Thank president. I will
56:47keep this quick because
56:48there's a lot of that are on
56:49the table that agree with him.
56:53Spoiler will also be voting to
56:54support next a levee. So think
56:54we're going to unanimous vote.
56:57It's going to say really
56:58quickly and shared some of
56:59this when we were meeting us
57:00library board about what I've
57:01heard from residents over the
57:04last 6, 7, weeks since the
57:05budget was proposed that are
57:08guiding my vote today and will
57:10continue to decision making.
57:12And my final vote on the
57:12budget in December.
57:14>> The first is that people
57:16recognize that we're talking
57:17about increasing taxes will
57:19where is in the levee? They
57:20recognize that it is an
57:21economic justice issue. That
57:24is something that we have to
57:25be very, very mindful of how
57:27much we're raising it and what
57:28we are asking people to
57:29shoulder because comes
57:29president, as you said, the
57:31cost of living is absolutely
57:33out of control for Fy 20 of
57:35our residents. That is it the
57:36fault of the Saint Paul City
57:37Council. It is in the fall to
57:38anybody in Saint Paul City
57:39Hall. But we do have a role to
57:40play in thinking about how are
57:43we being as responsible
57:45financial stewards residents
57:46as we possibly can be. And so
57:46I think it is really essential
57:47that we are incredibly mindful
57:49that it is not in bottomless
57:52side of term. But we ask our
57:57residents to pay more into
57:57something that we need to take
57:58very, very, very seriously.
58:02And I've also heard over and
58:05over again from residents of
58:07Fort for that. They believe
58:08that government can make their
58:09lives better. councilmember
58:11Kim said this really
58:12excellently her mix that
58:14people want government to work
58:15for them. They want to see if
58:16these investments made in.
58:18Themselves, their families,
58:20their communities, people
58:22across the city who they may
58:23never meet who they care about
58:26because they are community
58:28When the mayor gave her budget
58:31address, certainly got some
58:33e-mails from people who had
58:35saw that the proposed Levy was
58:366 foot 8%. And we're very
58:37concerned about that.
58:38>> It's something that came
58:39about a budget engagement
58:40event. It's something that
58:40we've been meeting with
58:41constituents vote. And I heard
58:43from so many more people were
58:46concerned about how to ensure
58:47that we continue to sustain
58:48the investments in the things
58:48that make simple great heard
58:51from so many where people
58:51about the libraries, so many
58:55more people about the
58:55brexiters people where
58:58celebrating the investments
58:59that the proposed budget does
59:01make in our climate resiliency
59:02and our green infrastructure.
59:05People who are looking at the
59:05ways that we are continuing to
59:09invest in the residents of the
59:10city and see that as the role
59:12of government. And so I I
59:16share customer Joe sentiments
59:17that I think that there are
59:18times when it would be
59:20appropriate to consider going
59:21to an even higher next. A
59:22monthly I think in this case,
59:24pleased that we don't have to
59:24do that for him. But I just am
59:29grateful to everybody has
59:29reached ot and share their
59:30perspectives and has
59:31acknowledged that this is a
59:31very challenging budget year
59:34that we're going to have to
59:35make very hard choices that we
59:37need to be responsible
59:37stewards of our city's
59:39resources, but that we also
59:41need to continue to invest in
59:42everything that makes people
59:42want to be here. And it that
59:45makes families and individuals
59:46know that they will be able to
59:48have an excellent life that
59:48used to be in the city of
59:49Saint Paul.
59:54>> Thank you, Miss Coleman and
59:55thanks to everybody for those
59:56helpful eloquent I'm always
1:00:00grateful to be part of this
1:00:00body and its conversations
1:00:01like this that make me feel
1:00:02more and I. I just want to say
1:00:06something that couple of my
1:00:06colleagues mentioned that I
1:00:08really appreciate was putting
1:00:08our situation in the larger
1:00:11context. The fact that we
1:00:13truly are in an impossible
1:00:14situation as a city where
1:00:15every cost is going up, the
1:00:16needs are going up that vacuum
1:00:22in sound you hear all of or
1:00:23tax dollars going up to the
1:00:24federal and state levels and
1:00:24not coming back. We know that
1:00:27if we were getting local
1:00:28government aid we were
1:00:29entitled to, we wuld get
1:00:3070 million more dollars this
1:00:31year that 26 million dollar
1:00:31budget gap would be caught. We
1:00:33know that if the federal
1:00:34government were not not only
1:00:37just investing has not
1:00:38actively attacking in
1:00:40targeting U.S. or Medicaid
1:00:42benefits very different ad
1:00:43are meant to county tax
1:00:44increase would look very
1:00:45different. So we are in some
1:00:48ways in an impossible, larger
1:00:49context. And at the same time
1:00:50this was coming said it is
1:00:51incumbent on us to like we did
1:00:53during Metro surge to pull
1:00:54every lever that we possibly
1:00:54can at this table, even though
1:00:56it may not be enough, we are
1:00:59responsible for doing what we
1:00:59can to keep service is high
1:01:01and taxes low. And I also just
1:01:03want to say one more thing,
1:01:04which is that you know, I've
1:01:07been on the council now for 10
1:01:09years and I think at the
1:01:10beginning, I always every year
1:01:12in isolation, you know, what's
1:01:13the increase this year versus
1:01:14last year and now started to
1:01:18look at the budget slides and
1:01:20actually always kind of my
1:01:21eyes go back in time at the
1:01:222025 for 2022. and do the math
1:01:26between whatever the earliest
1:01:27year is on that side and now
1:01:29and think about the cumulative
1:01:29impact. I think if we see each
1:01:31budget year as a year and
1:01:33isolation, we're really not
1:01:34seeing the full picture. We
1:01:35should be seeing each year as
1:01:38a layer of services and a
1:01:40layer of cost increases and
1:01:41tax increases on our residents
1:01:43that, you know, they are going
1:01:43to be bearing year after year,
1:01:44even when we're not at this
1:01:46table and were responsible for
1:01:48that, too. And so I think just
1:01:50that something I mean to be
1:01:51keeping in mind this year,
1:01:52that it is not just about this
1:01:52year. It's also about all the
1:01:55previous years our residents
1:01:55and business owners have
1:01:56experience in all the years
1:01:57ahead of them and making sure
1:01:58that this particular layer is
1:02:01And on the Texas and it's
1:02:02services as possible. He's a
1:02:04very weird analogy. So with
1:02:08that any further discussion of
1:02:10the motion, which again is for
1:02:10version one. All in favor say
1:02:12Aye. A post 7 in favor. None
1:02:16opposed. The resolution is 26
1:02:20ordinance 26 dash 40 amending
1:02:22Appendix B of the legislative
1:02:23code relating to northern
1:02:24States power Dva Xcel Energy
1:02:27Gas franchise.
1:02:27>> So for those who are just
1:02:28tuning in, we have 3 readings
1:02:29of all of our ordinances. We
1:02:31have a first reading with the
1:02:32staff report where we get
1:02:33introduced to the iea we have
1:02:34a second reading where we have
1:02:35a public hearing. We accept
1:02:36public testimony on the idea
1:02:38and then our final adoption is
1:02:39our 3rd reading or sometimes a
1:02:40little bit later. If we need
1:02:41more time to make amendments.
1:02:42So anything before us now for
1:02:45final adoption, substantive as
1:02:46it might be, has at least been
1:02:47seen twice before. It's not
1:02:49just coming to us for the
1:02:50first time to make these major
1:02:51decisions. And that is true
1:02:52with the next few items in
1:02:52front of us, including our
1:02:55franchisees. I'm militants
1:02:57chose to he's ably, led us to
1:02:58this process for any comments.
1:02:59Before we talk about. I was
1:03:01just a few things. I know we
1:03:04have make my comments now and
1:03:05we have several items that are
1:03:06all part of the same
1:03:09agreement.
1:03:09>> I'm really excited that we
1:03:12ready to adopt this today.
1:03:16This has been a really long
1:03:18road coming. And I first just
1:03:18want acknowledge are council's
1:03:23commitment to making sure that
1:03:25we had a progressive franchise
1:03:26fee excel. And so basically
1:03:30there's an existing energy
1:03:31assistance program that we
1:03:33have. We wanted to make sure
1:03:36that folks have lower incomes
1:03:38are able to to have some type
1:03:42support for their bills. So
1:03:46this progressive franchise fee
1:03:47takes folks that are enrolled
1:03:48in that program. The hasn't
1:03:49offers an additional 50%
1:03:53discount on those residents.
1:03:55Excel bills. this offered to
1:03:59folks whether your renter or
1:04:01homeowner as long as you are
1:04:03qualifying for the Energy
1:04:03Assistance program. You will
1:04:06be able to see that benefit.
1:04:12And this is something that we
1:04:13really really pushed for. And
1:04:14I'm happy to see it in this
1:04:15final agreement. I also want
1:04:17to acknowledge that, you know,
1:04:18in this process, we are told
1:04:20that we have one or
1:04:21complicated franchise fee
1:04:22agreements compared to other
1:04:25other cities. But I think that
1:04:26matters because represents
1:04:29just how much effort that we
1:04:31wanted to put into making sure
1:04:33that this was something that
1:04:33could work for our residents
1:04:34and for our city. And so we've
1:04:38also created.
1:04:39>> A
1:04:41>> In areement that
1:04:42acknowledges our climate
1:04:46crisis and it while balancing
1:04:49the cost burden of the utility
1:04:50bills for neighbors. I want to
1:04:51our neighborhood advocates
1:04:55such as needles their help
1:04:56making sure that the changing
1:04:59climate conditions are
1:05:00reflected in in this agreement
1:05:05and that we are doing our part
1:05:06in this agreement to help
1:05:06prevent climate change and
1:05:09also want to thank our city
1:05:10staff and our negotiating team
1:05:13and also axles willingness to
1:05:14come to the table and find
1:05:17solutions with us that can
1:05:21meet our goals, city's values,
1:05:21and also keep our utility
1:05:24bills affordable for
1:05:24residents. So really excited
1:05:25about this today. And thanks
1:05:28also to all my colleagues for
1:05:30there's For all of their help
1:05:34with this entire process and
1:05:37making sure that was something
1:05:38that would work for entire
1:05:38city. Thank you. It's just out
1:05:41to those motion for approval.
1:05:42any further discussion. Thank
1:05:48you. Council president and I
1:05:50think if you count number I
1:05:51also just want for my
1:05:52committee members, too.
1:05:53>> To know all that goes into
1:05:57the first vaccine to go. She
1:05:58ation somehow important. Some
1:06:00of the discussions are the
1:06:01staff work that goes behind
1:06:02most importantly, the duration
1:06:03of time that it takes to
1:06:06negotiate these one of the
1:06:07things that I will share,
1:06:09especially from folks that
1:06:10have came to the public
1:06:10hearing, testimony. You know,
1:06:14I wanted very clear that every
1:06:15time someone gives testimony,
1:06:17I take my time to review them
1:06:20in. So, you thank you to we
1:06:23had a wartime president
1:06:24dockets that came out and we
1:06:25also have with the party who
1:06:25came out and gave testimony
1:06:27around it. And I just want
1:06:28folks to know that like when
1:06:29we have tese negotiations so
1:06:32much gets talked about behind
1:06:36the scenes of folks don't
1:06:36always see. But the one thing
1:06:38that I'm very optimistic about
1:06:39in this regard is the change
1:06:40that goes from when we're able
1:06:41to negotiate again. I just
1:06:44want to be clear with a huge
1:06:46step the right direction comes
1:06:48from not having to wait 20
1:06:51revisit the space and to have
1:06:52a more frequent cadence of one
1:06:53will be able to communicate
1:06:54with excel. on behalf of the
1:06:55city. And so, you know, for
1:06:59committee members who are
1:07:00like, we're not sure just know
1:07:01that there are several winds
1:07:02in here for many community
1:07:03members.
1:07:03>> But also, I think the
1:07:04biggest one being that this
1:07:07commission will happen again
1:07:08might have to wait 20 years.
1:07:10Have the conversation to have
1:07:10the negotiations. Had really
1:07:15prefer conversations with
1:07:16staff as well about things
1:07:16that will be watching on the
1:07:18back in to understand and to
1:07:19also see impact behind
1:07:23decisions. But over off coats,
1:07:24I support of about where we
1:07:27landed but really wanted to
1:07:28drive home I appreciate the
1:07:34clarification on renters and
1:07:34tenants, especially as a ward
1:07:36where we have about half
1:07:38winters and have homeowners
1:07:40and as far how to build
1:07:41platform from being able to,
1:07:42you know, I have one of the
1:07:42higher disconnection rates in
1:07:43the city. My award share that
1:07:48with complex President you
1:07:49know, and there isn't a
1:07:52situation where we talk about
1:07:54franchise fees and it's like a
1:07:55double edged sword. A little a
1:07:56little bit when it comes to
1:07:59benefits and asking folks to
1:08:00pay more. But I just want to
1:08:02go back to what I shared
1:08:03earlier is that sometimes
1:08:04people into paying more if
1:08:05they know exactly where it's
1:08:06going. And I think the
1:08:07supplemental budget, if
1:08:08anything helps really dictate
1:08:10where the franchise fees,
1:08:11which are part of this
1:08:12negotiation conversation
1:08:13because the revenue that's
1:08:15part of the revenue that's
1:08:15being used for supplemental
1:08:16budget. This these fees that
1:08:19some of our committee members
1:08:20are being asked to pay will go
1:08:22right back into the rec
1:08:23centers, libraries in a way
1:08:26that is really needed. And
1:08:27what doesn't always make it
1:08:28sound great can still feed.
1:08:29But I just want to reiterate
1:08:30the importance of how
1:08:33sometimes being able to pay
1:08:34that one or $2 more could go a
1:08:37lot further. And this little
1:08:38city wide, so supportive of it
1:08:40and also just want to say
1:08:41thank you to the team that
1:08:42went back to the table
1:08:43multiple times with Excel 2,
1:08:45get several the council's
1:08:47priorities of the city's
1:08:47priorities of the mayor's
1:08:48priorities all in bed with a
1:08:50negotiation and negotiating
1:08:51timeframe. That's been years
1:08:52in the making and no arrests
1:08:57and longer a position a stark
1:08:58as well. And for all the staff
1:08:59folks that basically refused
1:09:02to leave the table with that
1:09:02equity and at its forefront.
1:09:03And I think that's really
1:09:04important. Thank you, Miss
1:09:06Johnson thank you for
1:09:07recognizing the testimony that
1:09:08we heard last week in the
1:09:09follow-up that we did,
1:09:09especially to verify that.
1:09:12>> Renters would be eligible
1:09:13for the 50% reduction. And I
1:09:15agree with you that I think
1:09:16one of the greatest
1:09:18achievements meant the most to
1:09:19least exciting on the face of
1:09:20it. The most exciting if you
1:09:21really think about it is the
1:09:21fact we have the opportunity
1:09:22to renegotiate every your when
1:09:24it comes to the franchise fees
1:09:25and that that is we find that
1:09:28something about the equitable
1:09:29assessment policy, which is
1:09:32innovative first of its kind
1:09:32thinking the nation as far as
1:09:33where, where is not working.
1:09:34We have the opportunity to
1:09:35relook at it. So thank you.
1:09:36Any further discussion of
1:09:37motion. Seeing none all in
1:09:41favor say post 7 in favor.
1:09:42None opposed. ordinance is
1:09:45adopted a 27 ordinance. 26 to
1:09:4741 amending Appendix C of the
1:09:49legislative code relating to
1:09:50northern states power dba Xcel
1:09:52Energy Electric franchise.
1:09:53Take a motion for final
1:09:54approval from is just is there
1:09:55any discussion? Seeing none
1:09:55all in favor say Aye. post 7
1:09:59in favor. None opposed. The
1:10:00ordinance is adopted 28
1:10:02ordinance. 26 dash 43 amending
1:10:04legislative code by adding a
1:10:06new appendix B to relating to
1:10:07northern states power dba Xcel
1:10:09Energy Gas franchise Feet.
1:10:09Take a motion for final
1:10:10approval from this justice
1:10:11there. Any discussion? Seeing
1:10:12none all in favor say aye. I
1:10:16opposed to 7 in favor. None
1:10:16opposing ordinances adopted 29
1:10:19ordinance 26 dash. 44 amending
1:10:20the legislative code by adding
1:10:23a new appendix C 2 relating to
1:10:24know the state's power dba
1:10:25Xcel Energy Electric franchise
1:10:25fee. Take a motion for MIS
1:10:28just for final approval. Is
1:10:29there any discussion of the
1:10:29motion? Seeing none all in
1:10:31favor say Aye. A post 7 in
1:10:34favor. None opposed. The
1:10:35ordinance is adopted item 30
1:10:38ordinance. 26 to 46 amending
1:10:40chapter. 51 Point 0, 1, of the
1:10:41administrative code title
1:10:42disposition of City property
1:10:42authority and procedure to
1:10:45allow for can Vance of real
1:10:46property used by the same
1:10:48water services to the board of
1:10:49Water commissioners since this
1:10:50is a first reading, we will
1:10:51have a staff report from a
1:10:51stream of will come Thank you.
1:10:56Council president maker
1:11:00council members and to council
1:11:01member Coleman Councilmember
1:11:03just a particular for helping
1:11:04to sponsor This ordinance
1:11:04amendment.
1:11:08>> Appreciate the opportunity
1:11:09to talk about this amendment
1:11:12that pertains to the
1:11:13disposition of city property.
1:11:14The amendment is very simple.
1:11:17It would ensure a new
1:11:18paragraph in the ordinance to
1:11:21allow her to authorize a more
1:11:23streamlined process to convey
1:11:25city property to Saint Paul
1:11:26Regional Water Service. Whose
1:11:29legal energy is the Board of
1:11:31Water Commissioners. What
1:11:32prompted this change was a
1:11:33recent request from Anoka
1:11:36County for a roadway easement
1:11:36over city of Saint Paul owned
1:11:39land that's located in Anoka
1:11:40County. The reason we own that
1:11:43land goes back to the 1800's
1:11:46when the water utility was
1:11:47owned by the city. And we
1:11:48acquired several parcels
1:11:51outside the city limits for
1:11:52pipes and ponds and other
1:11:54water transmission purposes.
1:11:57Some of that land was never
1:11:58improved for water. Use.
1:12:00Eventually the Board of Water
1:12:02Commissioners was created and
1:12:05land buildings and operations
1:12:06were separated from the city
1:12:08and became part of the new
1:12:10entity. But for some reason,
1:12:12some parcels were not
1:12:12transferred to the board such
1:12:14as the one in Anoka County.
1:12:18And that situation, real
1:12:19estate and water staff
1:12:21determined that the city did
1:12:22not need the property and that
1:12:24water could potentially use it
1:12:26for water transmission in the
1:12:27future. In reviewing the
1:12:29property disposition ordinance
1:12:32we found we could not transfer
1:12:33the city property without
1:12:36requiring compensation Bywater
1:12:37at Fair Market value, which we
1:12:40didn't think was necessary or
1:12:40appropriate. Specifically the
1:12:44ordinance amendment will allow
1:12:45the city to convey property
1:12:46that we own like the in
1:12:49Oakland County to water and
1:12:52for less than fair market
1:12:52value. But only as long as the
1:12:55city Council determines that
1:12:58the property will be used to
1:12:59further the mission ad
1:13:01operations of Saint Paul
1:13:03Regional Water Services and
1:13:04its facilities. We believe
1:13:07there are still other parcels
1:13:07like this under city
1:13:10ownership. Thus the desire to
1:13:10amend the ordinance to
1:13:13facilitate future conveyance.
1:13:17This is a simple change that
1:13:17will have no impact on the
1:13:20conveyance of any other city
1:13:22property, 2 other public or
1:13:23private entities. Thank you so
1:13:28much, Mr. Engelbrecht and
1:13:29because of the simplicity of
1:13:30the change we consulted with
1:13:31our chief policy officer and
1:13:32determined that this did not
1:13:34need to come through policy
1:13:36committee. So it's coming to
1:13:38us, cold today and appreciate
1:13:39your leadership bringing this
1:13:40forward. Questions from
1:13:40strangled Act.
1:13:43>> Seeing none of this really
1:13:44over until October 7th for
1:13:45public hearing. Thank you so
1:13:46much. Thank you very much.
1:13:50Item 31 ordinance, 26 dash. 39
1:13:52amending 63 of the legislative
1:13:53code pertaining to salt
1:13:55storage regulation. This
1:13:56brings us to the public
1:13:57hearing section of our agenda.
1:13:58If you are here to speak on
1:13:59any public hearing item when
1:14:01your item is called, we ask
1:14:02that you come to the front
1:14:04stand in between the 2
1:14:05microphones. You don't need to
1:14:06adjust them. They will pick up
1:14:06just fine. You can stand up
1:14:08straight you'll have 2 minutes
1:14:10to testify and we ask that you
1:14:11start with your name and where
1:14:13you're coming from and then
1:14:13sign in on either side sheet.
1:14:14When you're done. But for this
1:14:17one, we're going to move
1:14:18aversion to. So we will be
1:14:20discussing version 2 of this
1:14:22rest of this ordinance. Ad
1:14:23that will be what we encourage
1:14:24public testimony on. And after
1:14:26this. We will be to lady close
1:14:29the public hearing this really
1:14:30over for 2 weeks for final
1:14:31adoption. So with that, this
1:14:33is the public hearing on
1:14:34version 2. Is there anyone
1:14:34here to speak to this item? No
1:14:39one wants to talk about salt
1:14:39storage. And then take a
1:14:43motion from this bill would
1:14:44close the public hearing in
1:14:44the family over for 2 weeks
1:14:45for violent acts. So did you
1:14:51call for that? Protection us?
1:14:58We will motion to I will move
1:14:59version to all in favor, say
1:15:00Aye. 7 in favor. None opposed
1:15:04to version. 2 is laid over the
1:15:05final adoption.
1:15:09>> Item, 32 resolution public
1:15:10hearing 26 dash one. 82
1:15:11ratifying the assessment for
1:15:13benefits costs and expenses
1:15:13for the 7th Street, 7th Place
1:15:16mall operation and maintenance
1:15:17costs for 2025, this is a
1:15:18public hearing. Is there
1:15:19anyone here to speak to this
1:15:19item? Seeing none. I'll take
1:15:24motion for Mis Johnson to
1:15:25close the public hearing and
1:15:25approve all in favor say Aye.
1:15:27Aye. All opposed 7 in favor,
1:15:29not oppose. The rsolution is
1:15:30adopted. 33 resolution public
1:15:31hearing 26 dash one 83
1:15:33ratifying the assessment for
1:15:34benefits costs and expenses
1:15:35for the 7th Place mall
1:15:36operation maintenance cost for
1:15:382026, this is a public
1:15:38hearing. Is there anyone here
1:15:39to speak to this item? Seeing
1:15:42none. I'll take motion from
1:15:43vice president and to close
1:15:44the public hearing and approve
1:15:46all in favor say Aye. Aye, all
1:15:48opposed 7 in favor, not
1:15:49oppose. The resolution is
1:15:50adopted item. 34 resolution
1:15:52public hearing 26 dash one 93
1:15:53ratifying the assessment for
1:15:54benefits costs and expenses
1:15:55for the grand selling parking
1:15:57lot operation and maintenance
1:15:58costs for 2027. This is a
1:15:58public hearing. Is there
1:15:59anyone here to speak to this
1:16:00item? Seeing none. We'll take
1:16:03a motion from his chose to
1:16:04close the public hearing and
1:16:05approve all in favor say all
1:16:07opposed 7 in favor. Not oppose
1:16:09resolution is adopted item. 35
1:16:10resolution public and 26 dash
1:16:122, 1, amending the 2026 Public
1:16:14Works. General Fund Street
1:16:15Lighting Maintenance
1:16:16Accounting unit, budget by
1:16:17$450,000 to provide the
1:16:19electrician support for the
1:16:21regional water services led
1:16:23replacement project. This is a
1:16:24public hearing. Is there
1:16:25anyone here to speak to this
1:16:25item? Seeing none. I'll take a
1:16:31motion from his camp to close
1:16:31the public all in favor say
1:16:32Aye. post 7 in favor. None
1:16:36opposed. Resolution is adopted
1:16:36item. 36 resolution public
1:16:37hearing. 26 dash to 44
1:16:39accepting grant funds
1:16:40authorizing execution of a
1:16:42grant agreement and amending
1:16:43the oerating budget with
1:16:44respect to te city's budget
1:16:46sponsorship of a Minnesota
1:16:47Department of Employment and
1:16:48Economic Development
1:16:48contamination, cleanup grant
1:16:51for the benefit of LSP decent
1:16:52pop Broadway to LLC for its
1:16:54project known as Amber on
1:16:55Pine, located at 500 Broadway
1:16:55Street. The winner of the
1:16:59longest title this is a public
1:17:00Certain here to speak to this
1:17:01item. Seeing none. We'll take
1:17:05a motion from his coma to
1:17:06close the public hearing and
1:17:06approve all in favor say Aye.
1:17:097 in favor not oppose
1:17:10resolution is adopted. Aam 37
1:17:11resolution public hearing. 26
1:17:11test 2.50, authorizing the
1:17:14Department of Parks and
1:17:15Recreation to accept grant
1:17:15funding in the amount of
1:17:172 million, 926,000 dollars and
1:17:19the state of Minnesota and to
1:17:20establish a budget in the
1:17:20grant fund to reflect said
1:17:21funds to support arts and
1:17:23cultural heritage at the Como
1:17:24Park Zoo and Conservatory.
1:17:25This is a public hearing. Is
1:17:26there anyone here to speak to
1:17:27the site Seeing none? We'll
1:17:29take a motion from a scam to
1:17:30close the public hearing and
1:17:31approve all in favor say Aye.
1:17:34A post 7 of a minute. Those
1:17:35resolutions about that item.
1:17:3638 resolution public hearing
1:17:3726 dash, 2, 6, 8, amending the
1:17:402026. Saint Paul Regional
1:17:41Water Services budget
1:17:42resulting in an increase in
1:17:43spending and financing of
1:17:45$53,000 for Metropolitan
1:17:46Council Grant. This is a
1:17:47public hearing. Is there
1:17:48anyone here to speak to this
1:17:48item? Seeing none. We'll take
1:17:51a motion from vice president
1:17:52and close public hearing and
1:17:53approve all in favor say Aye.
1:17:56I'll post 7 in favor not
1:17:56oppose. The resolution is
1:17:58adopted legislative hearing
1:18:00consent agenda items. 39
1:18:02through. 47 are before you for
1:18:03your consideration. Welcome is
1:18:05ending.
1:18:05>> Good afternoon council
1:18:06president council members. We
1:18:08have one item to be pulled for
1:18:10separate consideration number
1:18:1345 early age as to 6.66.
1:18:15>> Making finding o the field
1:18:17of Thomas terms for a nuisance
1:18:19abatement ordered for 22. 0,
1:18:213, Selby Avenue in council
1:18:22filed our lhs 26 s 56 as
1:18:26>> Good afternoon. This is a
1:18:27follow-up hearing after
1:18:30Deadline council already has
1:18:31given of September 11th for
1:18:32compliance with both the
1:18:33summary abatement order.
1:18:36Consisted of cleaning up a
1:18:37large number of materials for
1:18:41the art, including tires,
1:18:41scrap metal, things like that.
1:18:44There's aso vehicle abatement
1:18:45order issued the same time in
1:18:48June. That included a travel
1:18:50trailer and a boat and
1:18:51trailer. they were both given
1:18:57the same deadline again of
1:18:58September. 11th. to be removed
1:19:02from released or disposed of
1:19:06that role during his original
1:19:07legislative hearing. Q.
1:19:12Indicated he's more than
1:19:13willing to comply. He has had
1:19:14some ongoing health issues. I
1:19:14think that may be slowed him
1:19:16down a little bit. The
1:19:20recommendation before you
1:19:22today is to find the nuisance
1:19:24is not abated and operate the
1:19:25Department of Safety and
1:19:26Inspection to take action They
1:19:29the remaining uses conditions.
1:19:33If I could show just a couple
1:19:36photos ad wasn't able to pull
1:19:37up the screen so that we were
1:19:38Jimmy Dolly.
1:19:39>> So if we could activate the
1:19:41voice activated, protecting To
1:19:45the quickly today. So you
1:19:50continue hear the best day to
1:19:52repair. Some would other
1:19:52items. Bikes, tings like
1:19:55that. Great before you Any
1:20:03questions from a simple yes.
1:20:08>> I just a clarifying
1:20:09question. The semi can you for
1:20:09the photos that are shown just
1:20:10for the day? And I was the
1:20:12date of the photos.
1:20:15>> said that they were taken
1:20:19last.
1:20:19>> Tuesday for making finding
1:20:22hearing. We did go out today
1:20:23from conditions remain much
1:20:26the same. Yes, I into
1:20:28technical issues sending most
1:20:28over. So I did not have
1:20:30updated photos, but these are
1:20:31from last week. Thank you.
1:20:33Miss Thank Miss Billy.
1:20:38>> state keep keep
1:20:42>> And so the I do see the
1:20:45photos here and now was there
1:20:47extension granted by the
1:20:48council or by the hearing
1:20:49officer prior t this?
1:20:52>> So his original hearing was
1:20:53in June. The 16th, the
1:20:56September 11th deadline was
1:20:58given. That's where we find
1:21:00ourselves today. No further
1:21:02extensions have been given
1:21:02It's that original given
1:21:03council. Thank you. Appreciate
1:21:05Thank you. Any other questions
1:21:06for staff? Thank you so much.
1:21:10Don't go too far scene and we
1:21:10will open up the public
1:21:13hearing and Mr. Tariffs come
1:21:15on up and you'll have 2
1:21:15minutes. And again, please
1:21:16start with your name and where
1:21:17you're coming from.
1:21:20>> My name Thomas Jarvis. I
1:21:21live it to 203. So Saint Paul,
1:21:24Minnesota, 5, 5, 104. First.
1:21:27I'd like to say that I respect
1:21:29the authority of Department of
1:21:32Safety and inspections and of
1:21:33course, the city council. I
1:21:35have lived on that block. All
1:21:37of my 73 and a half years. I
1:21:42am a registered nurse. became
1:21:43one in 1977. and I continue to
1:21:49hold my lace unsure. But I've
1:21:50retired plan. The university
1:21:51Minnesota way worked for for
1:21:52decades. They offered me a
1:21:54brass parachute to retire on.
1:21:56So it retired a year into
1:22:00pandemic.
1:22:03>> I
1:22:03>> did. That work into stance?
1:22:08I sustained a severe spine
1:22:10injury in August of 1993. and
1:22:13they did was unable to get
1:22:14back to work until 94 with a
1:22:19different position with the
1:22:19student health service prior
1:22:23to my injury and surgery, I
1:22:27was able bodied and I bought
1:22:29the travel trailer and the
1:22:32ball use to have believes some
1:22:35sense. And inspector came by
1:22:38today and you met my 2 lovely
1:22:40neighbors to the East. Susie
1:22:41and Chris. And they've been
1:22:45instrumental to help me out
1:22:46because when I started to try
1:22:47to rectify the situation in my
1:22:48backyard. I Lumber spying
1:22:54condition separate from the
1:22:55rest Fusion. I had done.
1:22:58>> Sergeant a hero of the
1:22:59time. If you can make sure
1:22:59that you may care ask for the
1:23:01council since you only have
1:23:02about 30 seconds left. If you
1:23:04can make sure that they for us
1:23:05today is clear.
1:23:07>> Inspector came out today
1:23:09met Susie and Chris, they
1:23:11assured him that they have
1:23:12made arrangements to have the
1:23:14travel trailer removed. The
1:23:17inspector acknowledge market
1:23:20improvement in the appearance
1:23:21of the backyard front yards
1:23:22and major problem. I tell
1:23:26myself at the mercy o the
1:23:29city council to request, just
1:23:31a two-week extension allowing
1:23:32this corals salvage too.
1:23:36Remove the travel I've been
1:23:38removing up and down. Thank
1:23:41you very much. Thank you, Mr.
1:23:42Jarvis. So it sounds like
1:23:42you're asked us for a two-week
1:23:44extension.
1:23:45>> two-week extension to allow
1:23:46time for the work to be done,
1:23:46that that was the 2 weeks yet.
1:23:49OK, thank you very much.
1:23:51Please make sure to sign in.
1:23:53And we're going to close the
1:23:54public hearing. Talk a little
1:23:55bit amongst ourselves. So just
1:23:56statement. Take a motion from
1:23:59is coming to close the public
1:24:00hearing all in favor say Aye.
1:24:02I'll post 77 and post public
1:24:03hearing is closed. That's
1:24:05common. Thank you. And just
1:24:06spoke with question from a and
1:24:09it sounds like we have a
1:24:10little bit of a factual
1:24:11dispute about what happened
1:24:11with the TSA inspectors want
1:24:14today.
1:24:15>> Whether that was marked
1:24:16improvement or whether the
1:24:17situation was, have changed. I
1:24:17have not seen the photo so.
1:24:22And just to be clear, lack of
1:24:22focus because of a technical
1:24:24issue that the department they
1:24:25were trying to send him over a
1:24:26left turn So given that I
1:24:30think and as something of a
1:24:34factor of dispute of being
1:24:36kind and we don't come to me
1:24:37next week. I would be inclined
1:24:38to move a two-week layover.
1:24:40>> So that we could get the
1:24:41photos and actually assess the
1:24:42situation and proven to made.
1:24:44So that sounds like the actual
1:24:46request is also far just 2
1:24:47additional weeks to get the
1:24:49trailer removed. of ending.
1:24:53Alright, let's save hearing
1:24:54officer's recommendation after
1:24:55the 2 additional weeks. That's
1:24:57the final deadline on this.
1:25:00And I would support mission.
1:25:01Thank you. As common Johnson.
1:25:04>> yeah, I just want council
1:25:05comment just for clarity for
1:25:06me as I know that there's a
1:25:11couple ways that can be done
1:25:11of like it's approval after 2
1:25:13weeks, you know, like
1:25:14basically moving forward with
1:25:16the abatement. If it's not
1:25:17done 2 weeks from now. are you
1:25:21saying that? Are you saying
1:25:21like just take no action today
1:25:22in Lee over for 2 weeks?
1:25:26>> So that if it that deadline
1:25:27would be to Israel today,
1:25:28which over 7th and that if the
1:25:33situation remains that at that
1:25:33point that CSI to abate.
1:25:39>> shes
1:25:40>> granting of 2 weeks. In
1:25:41addition for the work to be
1:25:41completed. Not a two-week way
1:25:45Thank you for Any further
1:25:47discussion, the motion. Seeing
1:25:49none all in favor say Aye. I
1:25:51post. 7 in favor. None oppose.
1:25:54The resolution is adopted.
1:25:57Anything else to come before
1:25:59us for separate consideration?
1:26:00as far as I'm the public and
1:26:03Oliver legislate If you're
1:26:03here for any of these now is
1:26:04public hearing.
1:26:07>> Seeing none. I'll take a
1:26:08motion from best to close the
1:26:09public hearings and approve
1:26:10the items within nation's and
1:26:11recommendations of legislative
1:26:12hearing. Officer all in favor
1:26:13say Aye. I'll post 7 of every
1:26:17not oppose a legislative
1:26:18hearing. Consent agenda is
1:26:18adopted as amended.
1:26:20>> That brings us to the end
1:26:21of our agenda and time for
1:26:21news from the works. Any news
1:26:22from the works? Johnson and
1:26:25come in the best president.
1:26:29>> Thank you, council
1:26:29president. I just want to send
1:26:31a friendly reminder out to
1:26:32everyone who stick to what
1:26:32stuck with us to the end who
1:26:33will watch from the playback
1:26:34that we're having a future
1:26:38conversation around the dance.
1:26:39library still proceed with
1:26:42that event. It's tomorrow on
1:26:43TWENTY-FOURTH at 06:00PM at
1:26:44Metro State University. It's
1:26:46on the 3rd floor of the same
1:26:49building in which 5 areas. And
1:26:50so I look forward to seeing
1:26:50people. Instruction. just
1:26:54can't fives. But engagement is
1:26:56coming up in 2 weeks on
1:26:57October, 8th at 06:00PM at the
1:26:59North and Community Center
1:27:00come one come all. Please join
1:27:00us for a conversation on the
1:27:02budget.
1:27:02>> Thank you. Miss campus
1:27:05present. Thank you to that
1:27:06news for me. The pain feeling
1:27:06committee counsel is hosting
1:27:09meet us on our Kate Street. So
1:27:11it's Saturday. September
1:27:12TWENTY-SEVENTH from 01:00PM to
1:27:1304:00PM at the Urban Village.
1:27:14That's 10 82 10 82 arcades
1:27:18tree. And there will be free
1:27:20community making activities
1:27:21for everyone, food,
1:27:21distribution and discussions
1:27:23about the future vision for
1:27:24our Kate Street. And my says
1:27:27I'm really excited to and
1:27:28parental leave starting
1:27:30tomorrow. My tentative return
1:27:32date is Jerry a lot. to look
1:27:34forward to still continue to
1:27:34join y'all virtually for the
1:27:383.30 council meetings and for
1:27:38the rest of our Wednesday
1:27:39knees come virtually as
1:27:42needed. I just wanted to say
1:27:44thank you, everyone for your
1:27:46support from Miami to staff in
1:27:47my office Sonia to the council
1:27:50colleagues here,
1:27:53Councilmembers, the mayor's
1:27:54office, Oliver City staff
1:27:56constituents are friends,
1:27:57family members who really are
1:27:58part of, yu know, that
1:27:59support network for me. I
1:28:03really excited overall to show
1:28:05BB whenever they come back
1:28:06that first council meeting
1:28:09online.
1:28:09>> And yeah, want to give a
1:28:10special a special shout out to
1:28:14council president for filling
1:28:15in for me on the scene. Pub
1:28:17Port Authority. While I'm away
1:28:19and customer Johnson, you
1:28:20being on the water board
1:28:21you'll hear a lot about PFAS
1:28:24to Thank you, counselor.
1:28:27Gilles for Billion for me on
1:28:28leadership team meetings
1:28:30within the council here and
1:28:31also as the vice chair. And so
1:28:32look forward to see you all.
1:28:36Thank you, Vice president and
1:28:38I think I'm speaking for all
1:28:39of us. I know I'm speaking for
1:28:40all of us from We are. We'll
1:28:42be thinking of you wishing you
1:28:43the absolute best. Can't wait
1:28:44to meet the newest member of
1:28:47the family.
1:28:48>> And family and yeah, and
1:28:53it's always better when baby
1:28:53appears on the screen. So do
1:28:55make sure that you do that and
1:28:56thank you for your attention
1:28:57to detail. Always making sure
1:28:59all of your bases are covered
1:29:00for you leave. And while
1:29:01you're gone with really
1:29:02appreciate your diligence and
1:29:03attention to the work, thank
1:29:07jokes. I don't have any events
1:29:07this week, but I just want to
1:29:10share arecap of the events
1:29:11from last last Thursday.
1:29:14>> Night we opened up the
1:29:15Highland Golf course driving
1:29:17range golf and it was really
1:29:21great. There no free driving
1:29:22range from 78 and the driving
1:29:25in his full until about after
1:29:29it got dark and in close. And
1:29:32so it's really exciting. And
1:29:32some people that don't golf
1:29:34just stopped by to say, hey,
1:29:35thanks for doing this. They're
1:29:36really excited about it. We're
1:29:37already on track to bring in,
1:29:40you know, several $100,000,
1:29:42more in revenue. And so I'm
1:29:44really excited about it was
1:29:44super fun event. I hope that
1:29:48this is something we can and
1:29:49other golf courses across the
1:29:51city. And s she want to share
1:29:54that. And then also the
1:29:56Nativity Fair was this weekend
1:29:56in McAllister Groveland and it
1:29:57rained most of the weekend.
1:30:00But there were still, you
1:30:02know, folks we're committed,
1:30:04they came out and it was still
1:30:05a really fun time in
1:30:08community. I got to play bingo
1:30:11one night with my son and he
1:30:12won. And so it it was it was
1:30:15super fun. So I really
1:30:16appreciate the Nativity
1:30:19community for putting that And
1:30:20I'm grateful that that folks
1:30:21still came out and those still
1:30:22really great time. Nothing can
1:30:25beat the spirit of
1:30:28>> want to come together
1:30:29regardless of the rain. And I
1:30:30was actually in the area and I
1:30:31heard the music and it was
1:30:32like in a brief interregnum
1:30:33between the rain and it
1:30:34sounded like everybody was
1:30:35having an amazing time. And I
1:30:36could hear from some of what
1:30:37are. So it sounds like a
1:30:37script, quite a fair, as
1:30:38always. This
1:30:41>> Thank you, council
1:30:43president. So I have events.
1:30:45Wine is in my ward caught so
1:30:48be days. So they're used to be
1:30:51a celebration. Annual
1:30:52celebration. Kind of like a
1:30:53block party slash barbecue.
1:30:56>> On so be avenue in the
1:30:5790's. So I kinda before my
1:31:00time. So nw there's
1:31:02grassroots effort to bring it
1:31:03back close out the summer.
1:31:07Celebrating 70 days this
1:31:08Saturday, September. 26
1:31:15between 11 and 06:00PM on
1:31:16Selby Avenue and grad. a lot
1:31:18that has them arrows on it.
1:31:22And it will be a celebration
1:31:23and biting businesses there be
1:31:25free food, entertainment arts,
1:31:28crass bring the kiddos out
1:31:33great opportunity and then the
1:31:35festival that's taking place,
1:31:36I believe in might be. And
1:31:37council members, Kim's ward,
1:31:38I'm not sure it's right on the
1:31:40border north neighborhood. It
1:31:44is the married Ale Festival.
1:31:45So tat's also another
1:31:45throwback that's coming back.
1:31:47So thanks to our security
1:31:49credits and our amazing staff,
1:31:50you know, helping to help
1:31:51activate our space. The
1:31:55married a festival will take
1:31:57place, I believe at the North
1:31:59End rec center looking through
1:32:02their event page right now,
1:32:05it's offer an assessed. area
1:32:06festivals hosted in Maryville
1:32:08Park. thank you. Thank you.
1:32:09I'm looking for a dozen
1:32:09Maryland and
1:32:14>> Maryland, I think on the
1:32:15intersection of Maryland hence
1:32:19>> So at the Saturday and
1:32:22lets, you know, I don't want
1:32:24steal your thunder. Okay
1:32:26Saturday, 12:00PM to 05:00PM.
1:32:27So Saturday is going to be
1:32:28amazing. They've also the day
1:32:30of my nephew's birthday. So
1:32:32turning 10.
1:32:33>> And if you will also be at
1:32:34a batting cage in Saint Paul
1:32:35also is going to be off and
1:32:36things in Saint Paul. Thanks,
1:32:39>> Other news from the works.
1:32:44I think mentioned last week,
1:32:44but I will just remind folks
1:32:47that had to tomorrow is the
1:32:47grand opening of the downtown
1:32:50Aldi.
1:32:51>> 08:30AM. There's a press
1:32:52event and then 09:00AM, the
1:32:53doors just get flung open? And
1:32:55I think the first 200 folks
1:32:55get a free tow.
1:32:59>> And some folks went to the
1:33:00south opening today, including
1:33:01our own council director, Mr.
1:33:04and he gave me the preview
1:33:06that it is apparently quite an
1:33:07impressive algae. If you like
1:33:09Aldi this. Check this one out
1:33:13tomorrow. You'll be impressed
1:33:15Mr. Ramsey would like to add.
1:33:16You look like you Wanna
1:33:18Townsend President
1:33:20Councilmembers. Terrific.
1:33:22really enjoyed my time. And
1:33:24all the recorded on Yelp ater
1:33:26this meeting. Yes, all right.
1:33:27With that news, we are