Minutes 1-10-2007
SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE
SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 3:30 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD FLOOR
City Hall and Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
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Webcast.
The meeting was called to order by Council President Lantry at 3:30 p.m.
Present – 6 – Benanav, Bostrom, Harris, Helgen, Lantry, Thune
Absent – 1 – Montgomery (arrived after the consent agenda)
Council President Lantry requested Item 7 be removed for discussion
Councilmember Harris requested Item 9 be removed for discussion
Councilmember Harris moved approval of the consent agenda as amended.
Adopted as amended Yeas – 6 Nays - 0
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 - 16)
NOTE: ALL ITEMS LISTED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE
WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED BY A
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND
CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
1. Letter from the Office of the City Attorney announcing an Administrative Hearing on
January 16, 2007 at 1:00 p.m., Room 41 City Hall/Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg
Boulevard, to consider the application of Charles Lee Cox for a taxicab driver
(provisional) license.
2. Letter from the Office of the City Attorney announcing a public hearing before the City
Council on January 17, 2007 to consider an administrative fine for the sale of tobacco to
an underage person at Galtier Convenience, 380 Jackson Street.
3. Letter from Neighborhood Housing and Property Improvement, Nuisance Building
Enforcement, declaring 1897 Feronia Avenue, 646 Maryland Avenue West, 872 Simcoe
Street, and 66-68 Stevens Street East as nuisance properties and setting date of
Legislative Hearings for January 16, 2007 and City Council public hearings for February
7, 2007.
January 10, 2007 City Council Summary Minutes Page 2
FOR ACTION
4. Approval of minutes of December 13, 20 and 27, 2006.
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
5. Resolution – 07-17 – Approving the appointment, by Mayor Coleman, of Michael
Hahm to the Our Fair Carousel Board.
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
6. Resolution – 07-18 – Appointing Council President Lantry and Councilmember Pat
Harris to serve a one-year term on the board of directors of the Saint Paul Riverfront
Corporation Board.
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
7. Resolution – 06-1120 – Establishing a building deficiency point system for the purpose of
implementing a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Inspection Schedule based on building
characteristics, per Title VI of the Legislative Code "Building and Housing." (Laid over
from December 20; a public hearing will be held on January 17 in conjunction with
Ordinances 06-1129 and 06-1130)
(Discussed after the consent agenda)
8. Resolution – 07-19 – Recognizing the Science Museum of Minnesota's Celebration of
Martin Luther King Day with a new exhibit--Race: Are We So Different?
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
9. Resolution – 07-20 – Supporting Catholic Charities Campaign to reduce poverty in
America.
(Discussed after the consent agenda)
10. Resolution – 07-21 – Approving subordination of the STAR loan to $600,000 in
additional debt for improvements to the McNally-Smith Music College.
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
11. Resolution – 07-22 – Approving a joint powers agreement with Dakota County Technical
College to provide customized technical training.
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
12. Resolution – 07-23 – Authorizing Parks and Recreation staff to participate in campus
staff events sponsored by Lancer Hospitality and the Como Zoo and Conservatory Society
in 2007
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
January 10, 2007 City Council Summary Minutes Page 3
13. Resolution – 07-24 – Authorizing the signing of “Consent to Assignment by Merger” to
approve change of Humane Society leases reassigned to reflect their new name after
statutory merger.
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
14. Preliminary Order – 07-25 – In the matter of the installation of a 3-Globe Style Above
Standard Street Lighting System on the south side of Tenth Street from Wabasha to St.
Peter Streets, and setting date of public hearing for February 21, 2007. (File No. 19035)
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
15. Preliminary Order – 07-26 – In the matter of the operation costs of the Above Standard
Street Lighting System for White Bear Avenue from Hoyt Avenue to Larpenteur Avenue
for 2007, and setting date of public hearing for February 21, 2007. (File No. 19036)
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
16. Resolution Approving Assessment – 07-27 – In the matter of the assessment of benefits,
cost and expenses for summary abatement (property clean-ups) from December 1, to
December 27, 2006 (J0618A); providing weekly garbage hauling services from December
5 to December 27, 2006 (J0616G); and setting date of public hearing for February 21,
2007.
Adopted Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
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7. Resolution – 06-1120 – Establishing a building deficiency point system for the purpose of
implementing a Fire Certificate of Occupancy Inspection Schedule based on building
characteristics, per Title VI of the Legislative Code "Building and Housing." (Laid over
from December 20; a public hearing will be held on January 17 in conjunction with
Ordinances 06-1129 and 06-1130)
Council President Lantry introduced an amendment and moved approval .
Yeas – 6 Nays – 0
Amended and laid over to January 17 for public hearing
9. Resolution – 07-20 – Supporting Catholic Charities Campaign to reduce poverty in
America.
Councilmember Harris stated moving this resolution forward would be significant as
Saint Paul would be the first community in America introducing this national initiative
that is being promoted by Catholic Charities.
Ron Krietemeyer, Catholic Charities, stated that even in the midst of recovery, intense
poverty is increasing. Federal funds have been diminishing and this issue has been silent.
Frustration over time has caused Catholic Charities to set the drastic goal of reducing
January 10, 2007 City Council Summary Minutes Page 4
poverty in half by 2020. He applauded the City of Saint Paul for being the first city in
that nation to introduce and support this national effort.
Councilmember Harris moved approval
Adopted Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
FOR DISCUSSION
17. Resolution – 06-1083 – Adopting revisions to the Neighborhood STAR Program
Guidelines. (Laid over from January 3)
Bob Hammer, Department of Planning and Economic Development, clarified the
amended guidelines the Star Board was comfortable in moving forward. Item 5 would set
$5000 or more for projects going through that program where in the past there had been
no set limit. Councilmember Helgen said that one of the discussion items the Mayor
proposed was a NIF allocation for each ward which is now gone.
Councilmember Helgen moved approval of the amendments in sections 1-4 and withdrew
section 5.
Adopted as amended Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
18. Resolution – 07-03 – Approving the appointments of Rick Vasquez, Carrie Coleman,
Butch Howard, Jane Sanem, Cynthia Yongvang, Elizabeth Starling, Leah Ann Ahmad,
Rob McKenzie, Lora Stone, and Lee Helgen; and the reappointments of Paul Nelson,
Barbara Reindl, Tom Macy, Jackie Mlynarczyk, William Lowe, Lorrie Louder, Michael
Chanaka, Kathleen Engesser, Douglas Hubbard, Nancy Hendrickson, and Willie Nessbitt,
by Mayor Coleman, to the Workforce Investment Board. (Laid over from January 3)
Councilmember Montgomery congratulated Councilmember Helgen for his appointment
and Councilmember Thune thanked Councilmember Montgomery for her service while
she served on the board.
Councilmember Montgomery moved approval Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
19. Resolution – 07-28 – Approving a contract between the City of Saint Paul and the
Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee.
(Discussed later in the meeting)
January 10, 2007 City Council Summary Minutes Page 5
ORDINANCES
NOTE: AN ORDINANCE IS A CITY LAW ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. IT IS READ AT FOUR
SEPARATE COUNCIL MEETINGS AND BECOMES EFFECTIVE AFTER PASSAGE BY THE
COUNCIL AND 30 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION IN THE SAINT PAUL LEGAL LEDGER.
20. Final Adoption – 06-1047 – An ordinance amending the Saint Paul Legislative Code by
creating a new section, Legislative Code § 69.511, entitled “parkland dedication
requirements, residential developments.” (Laid over from December 13, 2006)
Laid over to January 17 for final adoption
21. Second Reading – 06-1129 – An ordinance amending Title VI of the Saint Paul
Legislative Code, "Building and Housing," to create a chapter establishing a Fire
Certificate of Occupancy Program.
Marcia Moermond, City Council Policy Analyst, presented the amendments which were
directed by the authors, Councilmembers Benanav and Bostrom, and had the input of
stakeholders including the District Councils.
Councilmember Bostrom moved approval of the amendments Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
Laid over to January 17 for third reading/ public hearing
22. Second Reading – 06-1130 – An ordinance amending Title VI of the Saint Paul
Legislative Code, "Building and Housing," the Fire Certificate of Occupancy Program, to
include a Classification System.
Marcia Moermond, City Council Policy Analyst, spoke to the change as being a technical
amendment.
Councilmember Bostrom moved approval of the amendment Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
Laid over to January 17 for third reading/ public hearing
23. Second Reading – 06-1131 – An ordinance repealing Chapter 51 of the Saint Paul
Legislative Code pertaining to Dwelling Unit Registration. (To be laid over to January
10, 2007 for second reading and January 17, 2007 for third reading/public hearing)
Laid over to January 17 for third reading/ public hearing
24. Second Reading – 06-1132 – An ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Saint Paul
Legislative Code pertaining to Building Code and Inspection. (To be laid over to
January 10, 2007 for second reading and January 17, 2007 for third reading/public
hearing)
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer, spoke to the technical changes to the
ordinance.
January 10, 2007 City Council Summary Minutes Page 6
Councilmember Bostrom moved approval of the amendments Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
Laid over to January 17 for third reading/ public hearing
25. First Reading – 07-29 – An ordinance memorializing City Council action granting the
application of Margery Wells to rezone property from RM-2 (Multiple-family
Residential) to OS (Office-Service) at 1449 Grand Avenue, between Pascal and Albert
Streets. (Zoning File No. 06-240-622) (Public hearing held December 20, 2006)
Laid over to January 17 for second reading
(The meeting was recessed from 3:50 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.)
19. Resolution – 07-28 – Approving a contract between the City of Saint Paul and the
Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee.
Mayor Coleman addressed the Council on this agreement. The package was presented to
the Democratic and Republican Committees and the Republicans put their bid in first.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Republican Party, it will be a tremendous
challenge in the next 18 months to prepare for the convention with all the press it will be
given, Coleman said. It is an opportunity to showcase the Twin Cities to nearly 15,000
people who have never been here. He thanked staff who negotiated the contract with the
host committee and the Republican National Committee including John Kelly, Assistant
City Attorney; John Choi, City Attorney; Erin Dady, Marketing Director; and Matt
Bostrom, Police Department.
John Choi and John Kelly, Office of the City Attorney; Erin Dady, Marketing Office; and
Matt Bostrom, Police Department spoke:
• This agreement was an understanding of expectations between the City and the
Republican Host Committee. It doesn’t cover the details of a security plan,
transportation/parking plan, where protesters can be, etc. It is an agreement to include
the City on the details moving forward, and the signing of the contract is the
beginning of the process.
• The City of Boston’s convention would be used as a model after reviewing action
reports and what was effective.
• John Choi, City Attorney, sees the agreement as reflective of the values from the
Mayor and City Council and thanked City staff for their hard work that went into the
agreement.
• A commitment was made to hold two public meetings in the next three months for
comments and suggestions before decisions are made.
• Security costs will be $40-$50 million which will be paid through a federal security
grant. The Secret Service is coordinating security with the St. Paul Police Department
which is important to everyone attending the conference as well as peaceful
protestors.
January 10, 2007 City Council Summary Minutes Page 7
• Lost revenue (examples include parking, extra trash hauling) would be reimbursed up
to $300,000 by the host committee. The invoices will be submitted for
reimbursement on a quarterly basis.
• The agreement (Page 19, section 6.1) allows for flexibility in which coverages would
be subject to a deductible and the host committee will pay for the deductible. This
change would be a benefit for the host committee.
Several Councilmembers had comments:
• The deductible should be smaller, not larger. John Kelly clarified that the change in
agreement was to benefit the host committee for a higher deductible to get a lower
cost on insurance.
• This as an economic opportunity for St. Paul. Small businesses should benefit
economically from the convention as well as the large companies and a plan is needed
on how to market this.
• Hosting the convention is a duty to democracy and it is a chance for Saint Paul to
shine and be an example for other cities.
• Public hearings are important regarding street closures in business areas, the impact
on residents, and places designated for public demonstrations and community
meetings.
• Who assigns the work of City employees assigned to convention functions?
Erin Dady said they will eliminate the negative impact on businesses wherever they
can which would include relocating displaced parkers and shuttles. It will take
numerous people coming to the table to accomplish this and she invited
Councilmembers to the table. She agreed to work with small businesses on benefiting
economically from the convention. She said they will work with the host committee
on the City’s needs but she also sees a list available to the host committee of what
small businesses are available. Department heads are responsible for City employee
work assignments for the convention. She agreed that the public should have input
and stated there were details to be worked out and a process needed to be in place for
applying for demonstration permits.
Several questions were directed at John Kelly, Assistant City Attorney, including:
• How will the City handle the potential of multiple claims – probably large in number?
• How confident are we in the host committee to pay the deductible and was there a
handle on how to collect the deductible?
• Are City employees covered who may be sued individually?
John Kelly said that getting the convention to agree to the deductibles was a major
milestone in protecting the City. The agreement points to the host committee covering
those costs. He clarified that the host committee is responsible for bearing the cost on
January 10, 2007 City Council Summary Minutes Page 8
multiple claims and paying the deductible and that individual City employees are covered
under this plan. Erin Dady addressed the concern on the guarantee of the deductible
payment by clarifying that the City negotiating committee participated in choosing the
host committee which is comprised of close to 100 local, prominent businesses and they
have committed to this. There is an incredible leap of faith in this but there is also an
incredible partnership in moving forward.
Councilmember Thune moved approval
Adopted Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
21. Second Reading – 06-1129 – An ordinance amending Title VI of the Saint Paul
Legislative Code, "Building and Housing," to create a chapter establishing a Fire
Certificate of Occupancy Program.
Marcia Moermond, City Council Policy Analyst, presented amendments to the ordinance.
Councilmember Bostrom moved approval of the amendments Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
Amended and laid over to January 17 for third reading/ public hearing
Councilmember Thune moved to adjourn the meeting. Yeas – 7 Nays – 0
ATTEST: ADJOURNED at 5:05 P.M.
_______________________ ____________________________
Mary Erickson Kathy Lantry, Council President
Assistant Council Secretary
Submitted by: _____February 7, 2007_________
Carol Broermann Minutes approved by Council