City Council - December 03, 2025 - Councilmember Johnson will be participating remotely.   12/3/2025

ROLL CALL

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

1. Amending the 2025 spending budget in the Saint Paul Regional Water Services in the amount of $75,000 for EAMS project.

• Financial Analysis

2. Amending CDBG Project Budgets: $210,000 of funding for 30,000 Feet (1351 Arcade St).

• AO 25-72 Financial Analysis CDBG (1351 Arcade St 30k feet)

3. Approving the 2025 Fund 200 - Grants Fund for Emergency Management to more accurately record expenditures.

• EM Fund 200 Grants Fund 2025 Budget Reallocation.pdf

4. Approving the 2025 Fund 100 - General Fund for the Fire Department to more accurately record expenditures.

• General Fund 2025 Budget Reallocation November 2025.pdf

5. Moving budget from the Public Safety Aid contingency project to department-specific projects in alignment with the 2025 Adopted Budget.

• AO 25-76 Public Safety Aid

CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

7. Authorizing the City to enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for Local Road Improvement funding for the St. Peter & 4th Pedestrian Improvement, Cleveland Sidewalk and Marshall Sidewalk Projects.

• MnDOT 164-020-176 164-020-177 164-136-013 LRIPAgree.pdf

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

8. Approving the 2025 Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant Program awards.

• Attachment A 2025 Cultural STAR Financial Analysis.xlsx
• Attachment B 2025 Cultural STAR Board and Mayoral Recommendations.pdf

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

9. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept donations, with an estimated value of $62,800, from Hope for the Brave, a non-profit organization, to provide necessities for kids and families at Dayton’s Bluff Rec Center and to support a variety of special events on the East Side in 2026.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

10. Approving the Mayor's appointment of Alina Hornfeldt to the Cultural STAR Board.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

11. Authorizing execution and recording of a Memorandum of Phase 2 Plaza License, Operations and Maintenance Agreement between the City and Ecolab USA Inc.

• Legal Description of Ecolab Property
• Legal Description of Plaza Property
• Memorandum of Plaza License

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

12. Authorizing the City to apply for the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services 2026 Private Property Inflow & Infiltration Grant Program.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

13. Authorizing the Department of Public Works to apply for the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services 2025 Municipal I/I Grant Program.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

14. Authorizing the City to apply for $85,709 from the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program for solar installation at Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

15. Authorizing the Department of Public Works to apply for a Planning Grant for the Stormwater, Wastewater, and Community Resilience program from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which has a match requirement, to help local communities assess vulnerabilities and begin planning for the effects of Minnesota's changing climate.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

16. Authorizing the Department of Public Works-Sewer Utility to enter into a Cooperative Maintenance Agreement with the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District for maintenance of the City-owned Hazel-Ross and Hazel-Nokomis Ponds.

• RWMWD-Saint Paul 2025-2026 Pond Maintenance Agreement.pdf

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

17. Authorizing the City's conveyance of a perpetual easement to the Saint Paul Port Authority for a new dockwall near the Barge Terminal 2 facility to tie into the existing levee system.

• Easement

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

18. Amending the 2025 budget to establish a transition team budget for Mayor-elect Her.

• RES 25-1834 Financial Analysis

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

19. Authorizing the City to acquire permanent and temporary construction easements from property owners within the University Avenue Reconstruction Project.

• BMM, LLC - Sidewalk, Drainage & Utility Esmt
• BMM, LLC - Temporary Construction Esmt
• Gemini, LLC - Sidewalk, Drainage & Utility Esmt
• Gemini, LLC - Temporary Construction Esmt
• Meritex Enterprises, LLC - ROW, Sidewalk, Drainage & Utility Esmt
• Meritex Enterprises, LLC - Temporary Construction Esmt
• Ramsey County - ROW, Sidewalk, Drainage & Utility Esmt
• Ramsey County - Temporary Construction Esmt
• University Realty Limited - Sidewalk, Drainage & Utility Esmt
• University Realty Limited - Temporary Construction Esmt

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

20. Authorizing the Fire Department to pay for all costs incurred to host a graduation ceremony for firefighters on December 17, 2025 at the Minnesota History Center.

• RES 25-1873.pdf

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

21. Approving the use of Neighborhood STAR grant funds for a change in scope of work for ArtStart.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

22. Approving the Legislative Hearing Officer's recommendation for the application submitted by NS LLC (License ID# DSIBLLIQ-000216-2025), d/b/a Pizza Maya, for Liquor On Sale - 101-180 seats and Liquor On Sale - Sunday licenses, located at 1324 7th St W.

• Signed Conditions Affidavit
• Minutes
• PAULIE Application Information
• Floor Plan
• Site Plan
• Street Photos
• Property History
• Letter of Objection
• Additional Letter from Objector
• Aerial Photo
• Zoning Map
• Plat Map
• 100' Property Ownership
• Class N Notice
• Notice of License Hearing
• License Hearing Sign-In Sheet

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

23. Approving the Mayor’s reappointment of James Garrett Jr. and Hannah Hills to a four-year term on the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB).

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

24. Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Jenni Severson to the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

25. Approving the Mayor's reappointments of Sheigh Freeburg, Alanna Galloway, and Nate Gurol to the Labor Standards Advisory Committee.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

26. Approving the Mayor’s appointment of Thi Nguyen to the Business Review Council.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

27. Approving the Use of Grant Funds through the Ward 6 Neighborhood STAR Year-Round Program for the St. Paul Parks Conservancy and Chiro Health Clinic, P.A.

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

6. Approving the 2025 Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Grant Program awards.

• Attachment B 2025 Neighborhood STAR Board and Mayoral Recommendations.pdf
• Attachment A 2025 Neighborhood STAR Financial Analysis Final.pdf

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

28. Requesting a comprehensive relocation, renovation, and reopening plan for Rondo Community Library.

29. Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to revoke the Liquor On-Sale 100 Seats or Less, Liquor On-Sale Sunday license held by Damera Ethiopian Bar & Restaurant LLC d/b/a Damera (License ID #20110004770) for the premises located at 823 University Ave. W. (Laid over from November 19, 2025) (to be withdrawn)

• Exhibit #1
• Exhibit #2
• Exhibit #3

BUDGET ITEMS

30. Establishing the Water Charges for 2026. (Public hearing closed and laid over from November 5, 2025)

• BWC Resolution 25-1388

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

31. Establishing the Water Fees and Charges for 2026. (Public hearing closed and laid over from November 5, 2025)

• BWC Resolution 25-1389

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

32. Setting the 2026 Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer rates. (Public hearing closed and laid over from November 5, 2025)

• Associated Tables (formatted).pdf

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

33. Setting the Solid Waste Service Fee for 2026. (Public hearing closed and laid over from November 12, 2025)

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

34. Authorizing Public Works to request $828,344 in SCORE grant funds from Ramsey County to support the curbside recycling program and setting the 2026 City Recycling Service Fees. (Public hearing closed and laid over from November 12, 2025)

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

35. Approving the Regional Water Services 2026 Budget.

• Signature Copy SPRWS RES 25-1387
• SPRWS FY26 Budget

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

36. Approving the Final 2026 Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Budget and certifying the Final HRA Property Tax Levy payable in 2026.

• 2026 HRA Adopted Budget

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted As Amended

37. Approving and adopting the Saint Paul Public Library Agency Budget.

• RES 25-1863 Final Attachment A as Amended
• 2026 Library Agency Adopted Budget - City Council
• 2026 Library Levy - City Council Action
• A1 amendment to Attachment A (Council file)
• A2 amendment to Attachment B (Council file)

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted As Amended

38. Approving the RiverCentre Convention and Visitors Authority 2026 Budget.

• Attachment A RCVA Resolution 25-006 BOD Approved 2026 Budget
• RCVA 2026 Budget

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted

39. Approving the 2026 City Tax Levy.

• Attachment A
• v2

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted As Amended

40. Adopting the 2026 Budget.

• RES 25-1814 Final Attachment A as Amended
• Attachment A: 2026 Council Budget Changes
• A1 Kim - Budget Committee Chair Proposal - 12.03.25 (Summary of Attachment A)
• A2 Bowie - Opioid Settlement Dollars - Council Request for Information
• A4 Noecker - Library Materials (amendment to Attachment A)
• A5 Bowie - Returning Home Saint Paul (amendment to Attachment A)
• Shepard Road Lighting
• Peter Hendricks public comment

• Passed 7-0-0 Adopted As Amended

ROLL CALL

ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading.

Final Adoption

41. Amending Section 220.05 of the Legislative Code to set rates for base level garbage service to be effective January 1, 2026.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.

42. Amending Chapters 60,61,68, and 72 of the Legislative Code pertaining to the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area and the Flood Plain Management Overlay Districts.

• MRCCA Signed Resolution final
• CNPC to PC memo final 9-25-2025
• 10-17-25 PC Action Minutes
• CNPC reccomendations
• Planning Commission Public Testimony
• MRCCA map panels
• Other MRCCA Cities Heights Comparison Chart
• City Council Presentation
• Friends of the Mississippi River
• Document submitted during council public hearing
• City Council public comments

• Passed 6-0-0 Amended and Laid Over for Final Adoption

43. Establishing Chapter 15 of the Administrative Code to establish and define structured quarterly reporting requirements for certain personnel vacancies and overtime utilization.

• CPO

• Passed 6-0-0 Laid Over to Final Adoption

44. Amending the HOME project budgets to reflect the earned 2024 HOME program income of $3,356.60.

• RES PH 25-252 Financial Analysis HOME (2024 program income)

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

45. Approving the adoption of a Second Amended and Restated Spending Plan for various Tax Increment Financing Districts (under Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.176, Subd 4n).

• St Paul HRA Second Amended and Restated Spending Plan

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

46. Amending the 2025 Regional Water Services budget resulting in an increase in spending and financing of $600,000 for Urgent 2024 lead replacement funds.

• Financial Analysis

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

47. Approving the application of Minnesota Sports and Events for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Bold North Breakaway- Rice Park event starting December 26, 2025, through January 5, 2026, at Rice Park - 109 W 4th St. (to be withdrawn)

• Bold North Breakaway-Rice Park Application
• ENS1_BoldNorth
• MAP_BoldNorth
• Minnesota Sports and Events-Bold North Breakaway Rice Park Prop Owner Notification
• OwnerList_BoldNorth
• Minnesota Sports and Events-Bold North Breakaway Rice Park Letter to Applicant

48. Approving a Five-Year Street Reconstruction Plan for the Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030 and granting preliminary approval to the issuance of certain General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds by the City.

• StP 2026 Street Reconstruction Plan Final

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

49. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the amount of $29,333.99 for the Minnesota Task Force One (MNTF1) reimbursement from the City of Edina and accepting the donation of conference registration.

• MNTF1 Financial Analysis $29,333.99.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

50. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the amount of $4,500 from the Minneapolis Fire Department.

• Minneapolis Fire Department $4,500 Reimbursement November 2025.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

51. Amending the Fire Department's financing plan to transfer funds from the HRA to the Fire Department for Catholic Charities response work.

• Catholic Charities Transfer $500,000.pdf
• RES 25-1479 Financial Analysis.pdf
• RES 25-1479.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

52. Amending the City General Fund to budget a transfer in of available balances from the HRA.

• HRA Transfer to GF, Financial Analysis
• RES PH 25-274 V.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted As Amended

LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

53. Ordering the razing and removal of the structures at 693 COOK AVENUE EAST within fifteen (15) days after the December 3, 2025, City Council Public Hearing.

• 693 Cook Ave E.Summary.pdf
• 693 Cook Ave E.OTA 8-26-25
• 693 Cook Ave E.PH Notice 9-26-25
• 693 Cook Ave E.L S.pdf
• 693 Cook Ave E.Condemnation and Order to Vacate 5-1-23
• 693 Cook Ave E.Photos 9-27-22
• 693 Cook Ave E.Photos 11-23-22
• 693 Cook Ave E.Photos 12-8-22
• 693 Cook Ave E.Photos 2-9-23
• 693 Cook Ave E.Photos 5-1-23
• 693 Cook Ave E.Photo 5-3-23
• 693 Cook Ave E.Photos 7-24-25
• 693 Cook Ave E.Johnson R-R Ltr.10-30-25
• 693 Cook Ave E.SHPO Rec 10-14-25.pdf

• Failed 6-0-0 Adopted

54. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1240 VIRGINIA STREET. (File No. J2522R2, Assessment No. 258580)

• 1240 Virginia St.SA Ltr & Photo 3-4-25.pdf
• 1240 Virginia St.Photos 3-4-25.pdf
• 1240 Virginia St.Photo- Recheck 3-11-25.pdf

ADJOURNMENT

City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows: The public may comment on public hearing items in writing or via voicemail. Any comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows: Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us, CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or by voicemail at 651-266-6805. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers, and by telephone by registering to speak by noon on the day before the meeting. The registration link is located on the City Council website at www.stpaul.gov/council or https://forms.office.com/g/TD3xN7WHy5. Council Meeting Information