Approved Minutes 10-15-1997 SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL
Wednesday, October 15, 1997 - 3:30 PM
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD FLOOR
City Hall and Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
The meeting was called to order at 3:40 p.m. by Council President Thune.
Present - 7 - Blakey, Bostrom, Collins, Harris, Megard, Morton, Thune
Absent - 0
The following communications were read into the record by Gerry Strathman, Secretary to the City
Council:
Letters from the Office of the City Attorney announcing a public hearing before the City Council
on October 22, 1997, concerning license application for Taxicab Driver's License by Edwin
Kester, Jr., 609 Wells Street; concerning licenses held by Pat McGovern's, Inc., dba Pat
McGovern's, 225 7th Street West; and concerning Auto Repair Garage License held by Lewis
Stevens, dba Civic Center Auto Repair, 459 Toronto Street.
PUBLIC HEARING
35. Resolution - 97-1129 - Ordering the owner to remove or repair property at 1451 Sherburne
Avenue within fifteen (15) days from adoption of resolution. (Legislative Hearing Officer
recommends approval) (Laid over from September 10)
Councilmember Megard moved to lay over one week.
Laid over to October 22 Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
CONSENT AGENDA
FOR ACTION
Councilmember Megard moved approval of the consent agenda. Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
1. Approval of minutes of August 13 and August 20, 1997.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
2. Claims of Bruce Goedert, Keith Hondlik, Jim Hoy, Eugene Johnson, Janet Johnson, Harry
Reiner, and See Vang.
Referred to Employee/Risk Management Division
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 2
3. Letter from the Department of Planning and Economic Development announcing a public hearing
before the City Council on October 22, 1997 to consider the application of The Highlands
Townhomes, LLP for a preliminary and final plat to allow property at Cleveland Avenue South
(eastside between Villard and Magoffm) currently under construction to be subdivided and sold as
separate townhome units.
4. Letter from the Department of Planning and Economic Development announcing a public hearing
before the City Council on October 22, 1997 to consider the application of Derril Hundley for a
preliminary and final plat to allow the property at 1624 Old Hudson Road (southside west of
Kennard Street) to be subdivided into three lots.
5. Letters from Saint Paul Public Health declaring 951 Margaret Street, 1840 Minnehaha Avenue
East, 694 Sims Avenue, and 1421 York Avenue as "nuisance properties", and setting date of
Legislative Hearings for October 21, 1997 and City Council Hearings for November 5, 1997.
6. Letter from Ramsey County Property Records and Revenue Valuation Division requesting the
reclassification of property to exempt status at 202 7th Street West. (AF97-6326)
7. Communication from Saint Paul Animal Control dated October 6, 1997 announcing a request from
the University of Minnesota Research Lab for unclaimed dogs and cats.
8. Administrative Orders:
D001334 Amending the 1997 budget in the Department of Public Health by transferring
spending authority to various object codes in Public Health Special Project Activity.
D001335 Amending the 1997 budget in the Department of Public Health by transferring
spending authority to various object codes in Public Health's CISS Grant.
D001336 Authorizing the Saint Paul Police Department to pay up to $500.00 per year for
food for youth involved in the D.A.R.E. program.
D001337 Addition of$4,200.00 to the contract for Phalen Creek Regional Trail Access.
D001338 Authorizing the Department of Planning and Economic Development to contribute
$500.00 toward the Economic Summit to be held October 15, 1997.
D001339 Addition of$9,950.00 to the contract to disconnect Minnesota Museum of Arts
(Jemne) Building storm line from sanitary sewer and reconnect to existing public
storm sewer.
D001340 Amending the 1997 Capital Improvement Budget in the Department of Public
Works for West 7th & Walnut traffic signal by transferring $40,000 from CIB
Contingency.
D001341 Amending the 1997 budget in the Office of License, Inspections and Environmental
Protection by transferring funds for PC replacement.
D001342 Addition of$9,126.67 to the contract for Como Park Restroom Restoration.
D001343 Authorizing payment, not to exceed $1,300.00, to Jill Danner, Parks and
Recreation Commission Chairperson, for expenses incurred which attending the
1997 National Recreation and Parks Association Congress in Salt Lake City, Utah.
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 3
D001344 Amending the 1994 budget in the Department of Technology and Management
Services/Purchasing Division by moving money from consulting services to correct
expenditure code for interns.
Noted as on file in the City Clerk's Office
9. Resolution - 97-1226 - Approving the appointment of Lori Komstadius, by Mayor Coleman, to the
Saint Paul Workforce Development Council. (Laid over from October 8 for adoption)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
10 . Resolution - 97-1227 - Approving the appointments of Mark Huges and Jim Counts, Jr., by
Mayor Coleman, to the Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. (Laid over
from October 8 for adoption)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
11. Resolution - 97-1228 - Approving the 1997-1998 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the
City of Saint Paul and the City of Saint Paul Professional Employees Association, Inc. (Laid over
from October 8 for adoption)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
12. Resolution - 97-1229 - Approving the May 1, 1997 through April 30, 1999 Maintenance Labor
Agreement between the City of Saint Paul and United Association Pipefitters Local Union No.
455. (Laid over from October 8 for adoption)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
13. Resolution - 97-1262 - Approving the reappointments of Donald Luna and Sergeant Richard
Tibesar (representing the Saint Paul Police Federation), by Mayor Coleman, to the Police-Civilian
Internal Affairs Review Commission.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
14. Resolution - 97-1263 - Approving the reappointment of Duane Stolpe, by Mayor Coleman, to the
PHA-City (HRA) Pension Plan Administrative Committee.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
15. Resolution - 97-1264 - Establishing a budget for the Rec Check Club program in the Division of
Parks and Recreation.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
16. Resolution - 97-1265 - Accepting a grant in the amount of$75,981 from the State of Minnesota to
assist unemployed City residents through the Job Training Partnership Act Adult Supplemental
Program.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 4
17. Resolution - 97-1266 - Accepting a grant in the amount of$332,200 from the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development - Emergency Shelter Grant Program for
emergency shelters recommended by Review Team.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
18. Resolution - 97-1267 - Accepting a grant in the amount of$200,000.00 from the Legislative
Commission on Minnesota Resources for restoration of Oak-Savannah in Indian Mounds Park,
Battle Creek Park and Phalen Park.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
19. Resolution - 97-1268 - Authorizing the Police Department to accept a contribution of$2,000.00
from Minnesota D.A.R.E. to pilot a Jr. High D.A.R.E. curriculum in the 1997 summer school
session.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
20. Resolution - 97-1269 - Authorizing the Police Department to accept Federal Weed & Seed grant
monies in the amount of$70,000 and establish a budget to expend the funds.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
21. Resolution - 97-1270 - Approving transfer of$110,000 from Fleet revenue accounts to Fleet
motor fuel and Fleet parts accounts in the Police Department.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
22. Resolution - 97-1271 - Amending C.F. 97-1132 to correct typographical errors in the legal
description.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
23. Preliminary Order - 97-1272 - In the matter of construction of concrete curb and gutter, new
bituminous roadway, concrete driveway aprons, boulevard sodding, tree planting, and
construction of a lantern style lighting system in conjunction with the Margaret/Arcade Area Street
Paving and Lighting Project generally bounded by Reaney, Earl, Hudson Road and Swede
Hollow, and setting date of public hearing for December 10, 1997. (File #18855)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
24. Preliminary Order - 97-1273 - In the matter of construction and/or repair of sanitary sewer, storm
sewer and/or water service connections, if requested by the property owner, in conjunction with
the Margaret/Arcade Area Street Paving and Lighting Project, and setting date of public hearing
for December 10, 1997. (File #18855-conn)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 5
25. Preliminary Order - 97-1274 - In the matter of construction of concrete curb and gutter, new
bituminous roadway, concrete driveway aprons, boulevard sodding, tree planting, and
construction of a lantern style lighting system in conjunction with the Railroad Island Area Street
Paving and Lighting Project, and setting date of public hearing for December 10, 1997. (File
#18856)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
26. Preliminary Order - 97-1275 - In the matter of construction and/or repair of sanitary sewer, storm
sewer and/or water service connections, if requested by the property owner, in conjunction with
the Railroad Island Area Street Paving and Lighting Project, and setting date of public hearing for
December 10, 1997. (File #18856-Conn)
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
(Thune left the meeting, Blakey assumed the chair)
FOR DISCUSSION
27. Resolution - 97-1152 - Establishing the 1998 Residential Street Vitality Program assessment rates.
(Laid over from October 1)
Councilmember Collins explained that this resolution sets the rates for street paving, lighting and
sidewalk construction in 1998. Mr. Collins stated he has had many constituent complaints
regarding sodding including the quality of the sod, how it was laid down, and the issue of seeding
vs. sod. In order to correct this problem he suggested that the assessment rates be raised $.50 per
linear foot for both street paving and sidewalk reconstruction. This could amount to about an
additional $45,000 annually and would create four part-time seasonal inspector positions to work
on each project. In the past, there have been incidents where sod has been laid over concrete,
rocks, etc. Councilmember Collins suggested that seeding still be allowed when sidewalk
construction is done but another $.50 per assessable foot would be put in reserve so if there are
problems and it becomes necessary to lay replacement sod, the money would be available.
Councilmember Collins moved to amend the resolution to increase the rates by $.50/linear foot.
Chair Blakey stated he had a letter from a constituent who was concerned about the Lafond-Grotto
improvement project. The constituent indicated that the quality of work was not good; the sod
was laid over dirt and rock and the ground underneath was in poor condition.
Larry Lueth, Department of Public Works, responded that the issue Chair Blakey referred to has
been resolved. He said that new sod requires a lot of water and if residents do a good job of
watering there generally will be a nice boulevard. Councilmember Collins stated he has had many
complaints from people who have maintained their sod to no avail. Mr. Lueth stated that the rash
of complaints received this past spring was extremely high due to the dry summer of 1996.
Councilmember Bostrom stated that if there are situations where sod requires replacement, there
should be a line item in the Public Works budget for replacement.
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 6
Councilmember Collins moved to include amendments to the resolution adding 50 cents per linear
foot to assessments.
Chair Blakey felt this issue should be laid over. Councilmember Collins withdrew his
amendment.
Councilmember Harris moved a one week layover and requested Larry Lueth or the Budget Office
to return to the City Council with a fund balance for these projects.
Laid over to October 22 Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
28. Resolution - 97-1215 - Preserving the status quo with respect to the use of property in the area
commonly known as the Shepard Road - Davern Street Area pending completion of studies of
possible amendments to the City of Saint Paul's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
(Amended and laid over from October 1)
Councilmember Harris noted that at the October 1, 1997 City Council meeting, a discussion was
held on a moratorium on specific types of property and new construction in a limited area where
the 40-acre study is being done in the Shepard-Davern area. Since that time, some people from
the community council, other interested parties and Councilmember Harris have met with people
from the Hertz Corporation. Hertz Corporation worked with the community to make any
development in that area more neighbor friendly and they have agreed to look at a voluntary
down-zoning of the property. Hertz will do additional landscaping and 100 percent screening of
the property so it will not be visible from the surrounding streets. Additional lighting will be the
lantern style. Hertz has agreed to limit their hours of operation and have set construction
standards for their building of red brick or masonry with a design in keeping with the Fort Road
Plan. Councilmember Harris presented the agreement for the record.
Withdrawn by Councilmember Harris
29. Resolution - 97-1232 - Approving settlement of Port Authority obligations to the City under a
1991 Agreement related to the financing of the St. Paul Hotel in 1981. (Laid over from October 8)
Steve Thompson,Planning and Economic Development (PED), appeared and stated the
background on this issue dates back to 1981 and involves a federal grant to the partnership that
renovated the Saint Paul Hotel. There was a default in 1986 and two subsequent agreements in
1991. One agreement provided for a series of payments from the Port Authority to the City.
The language suggests that the payments made from the Port Authority to the City were the
general obligation of the Port Authority. This matter is part of PED's attempts to administer and
collect on its loan portfolio. The property, that is being proposed to be conveyed to the City as a
settlement of this Port Authority obligation, has been leased to the Civic Center Authority and
the Civic Center Authority has generated net income from the property.
Councilmember Megard indicated that this is an arrangement between the Port Authority and PED
to write off a loan and there is a loss of income to the Civic Center for parking revenues. It is up
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 7
to the Council to decide if losing $72,000 of income to store construction materials is a good use
of the property. It is basically a $1.6 million deal that's being written off for $350,000, she said.
Councilmember Harris asked Mr. Thompson if it is correct that the City would take the land and
$300,000. Mr. Thompson responded that the money is for the Plastics, Inc. relocation project. If
the proposal was approved by Council and if the HRA acquired the property and awarded it to the
Civic Center Authority or a different operator, the Port Authority would recommend it be
deposited in the HRA loan enterprise fund. Mr. Thompson said he has talked with Chris Hansen,
Civic Center Director, who said the Civic Center had only assumed three months income because
the site may be used for the arena construction. The resolution says ownership of the property
will be filed in the name of the HRA. Revenues will be derived from the use of the property and
sale of it will go into the HRA loan enterprise fund which is budgeted by the HRA Board for
housing and development.
Councilmember Megard moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
30. Resolution Ratifying Assessment - 97-1260 - In the matter of the Lafond/Grotto Area Street
Paving and Lighting Project. (File #18807) (Laid over from October 8)
Mike Eggum, Public Works, appeared and stated this lighting project is different from many of
the other residential paving projects because there was a lot of existing light in the area. Any light
on wooden poles is considered temporary lighting which generally is installed due to complaints.
There is one pole at each intersection and sometimes one in the middle of a long block.
Mr. Eggum stated the new lights have been designed, installed, and encased in concrete. They are
near the circuit limit and would need to be analyzed again. Mr. Blakey asked Mr. Eggum to see
what can be done about additional wattage in an attempt to increase illumination.
Councilmember Megard moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
31. Resolution - 97-1276 - Amending the budget to fund a program for public street improvements,
other improvements and retail promotion throughout the City to attract additional private
investment in Saint Paul neighborhoods.
Councilmember Megard stated this resolution involves spending STAR money outside the process.
Line 10 of the resolution indicates this money should be spent for retail promotion, but STAR
money cannot be used for that. She said she received a memo from the Budget Office indicating
they are $3,900,000 over budget predicted for STAR funds for 1997 and 1998. She suggested
laying this over until the entire STAR proposal is considered on November 5, 1997.
Councilmember Bostrom stated this is a once in a unique opportunity to have funds for
discretionary projects for the neighborhoods.
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 8
Chair Blakey indicated that he brought this resolution in a couple of months ago and he would like
to see it moved forward.
Councilmember Megard requested clarification as to who will receive the $125,000 and if it is
designated for staffing for the Selby Avenue Plan. One hundred twenty-five thousand dollars was
set aside in STAR funds for bricks and mortar. Also in this budget resolution, there is $125,000
in "soft money" coming out of the general fund; she questioned where that money will go.
Councilmember Bostrom responded that the idea for the $125,000 was to allow a percentage to go
to projects in various neighborhoods. There may be neighborhoods that just need the $125,000
for bricks and mortar and their projects do not require administrative funds. This is an
opportunity to work with the various projects giving the Council some flexibility to do what has to
be done in the neighborhoods.
Councilmember Harris stated this is a way to make sure that tax dollars go back into the
neighborhoods rather than in a fund balance. There are different needs and requirements
depending on the project. The general fund financing is to allow flexibility.
Councilmember Megard asked how much the Selby Avenue Initiative is requesting for
administrative costs. Chair Blakey responded the average is from 10 to 12%.
Councilmember Megard requested clarification on the one-to-one match. Joe Reid, Budget Office,
appeared and stated he is proposing a private match. This will require each Councilmember to
support the proposal. The match would be substantial, but he is not proposing that it be one-to-
one.
Councilmember Bostrom moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
ORDINANCES
32. Second Reading - 97-1247 - Amending the Saint Paul Legislative Code Sections 33.02 and 33.05
to update the building code and to require a certificate of occupancy for one-and two-family rental
dwellings which are not occupied by the owner.
Laid over to October 22 for third reading/public hearing
33. First Reading - 97-1216 - Preserving the status quo with respect to the use of property in the area
commonly known as the Shepard Road - Davem Street Area pending completion of studies of
possible amendments to the City of Saint Paul's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
(Laid over from October 1 for continuation of first reading)
Withdrawn by Councilmember Harris
34. First Reading - 97-1277 - Amending Chapter 27 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code by adding
a Section 27.08 reflecting change in the residency ordinance enforcement resulting from
arbitration award.
Laid over to October 22 for second reading
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 9
SUSPENSION ITEMS
Councilmember Harris moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following
resolution:
Resolution - 97-1278 - Authorizing the appropriate City officials to resolve any claims for parking
citations and towing and storage charges, made by the owner of those certain motor vehicles
towed from the temporary restricted parking zone established for the purpose of facilitating street
improvements along Blair and Lafond Avenues between Dale and Grotto Streets on October 14,
1997 by forgiving and/or repaying the same.
Chair Blakey stated that property owners were initially given a certain date for street
improvements and that date was changed by Public Works without proper notification and many
people were not aware of the date change This resolution will dismiss the charges on the vehicles
that were towed.
Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
Councilmember Bostrom moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following
resolution:
Resolution - 97-1279 - Authorizing and directing the Real Estate Division to submit applications to
the State of Minnesota Division of Emergency Management for Section 404 Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program funds and to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Community
Rehabilitation Fund Program grant to purchase and demolish the buildings located at 1680 and
1686 East Hoyt Avenue.
Councilmember Bostrom stated this resolution will allow submission of an application for grant
funds to purchase the subject houses.
Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
Councilmember Morton moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following
resolution:
Resolution - 97-1280 - Accepting the gift from Hubbard Broadcasting for travel expenses for the
Mayor, a Councilmember and City staff to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the purpose of enhancing
riverfront development as a vital interest of the City.
Adopted Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 10
36. POLICY SESSION
I. History of Recent City Council Discussions on Gun Violence Prevention
Councilmember Jerry Blakey
II. Presentation of the Council Research Report "Gun Violence Prevention: A Study of
Program Options from Twelve U.S. Cities" (Correlates with Resolution 97-1109 adopted
on September 10)
Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst
III. Geographic Analysis of Violent Crime in Saint Paul (Correlates with Resolution 97-1112
adopted September 10)
Saint Paul Police Chief William Finney
Laid over to November 26 Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
IV. Community Perspectives on Gun Violence Prevention
Police Chief William Finney
Community Youth Affected by Gun Violence
Reverend Devin Miller, Chair, Ramsey County Gun Violence Action Team
Susan Gaertner, Ramsey County Attorney
Michael Stevens, Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center Superintendent
V. Public Comment
VI. Council Discussion
37. Resolution - 97-1111 - Approving the hiring of personnel to plan, coordinate and evaluate gun
violence programs in the City of Saint Paul. (Laid over from September 10)
Councilmember Blakey moved to lay over to November 19, 1997.
Laid over to November 19 Yeas - 6 Nays - 0 (Thune not present for vote)
October 15, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 11
The meeting was adjourned.
Daniel Bostrom, Council President
ATTEST:
Minutes approved by Council
Nancy demon o'
Assistant Council Secretary
rn/mce