Approved Minutes 12-30-1997 SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 30, 1997 - 3:30 PM
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD FLOOR
City Hall and Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
The meeting was called to order by Council President Thune at 3:45 p.m.
Present- 5 - Blakey, Bostrom, Megard, Morton, Thune
Absent - 2 - Collins, Harris (excused)
Gerry Strathman read the following resolution honoring Donald Juenemann, Public Health employee who
was killed while conducting his housing inspection duties. The Council observed a moment of silence in
his honor.
Resolution- 97-1592 - Honoring the public service of Donald Juenemann.
The council unanimously approved the resolution.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Megard requested Item 12 be removed for discussion.
Councilmember Megard requested Item 21 be removed discussion.
Council President Thune pulled Item 10 for discussion.
Councilmember Blakey moved approval of the Consent Agenda as amended.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
FOR ACTION
1. Claims of Buon Giorno Italian Market, Gerry Conzemius, David Jacobowitch, Michael Madison,
Margaret Mogck, and Sean Sonksen.
Referred to Employee/Risk Management Division
2. Certificate as to Transcript in the matter of James Blanche and Carlos Blanche vs. 1996 Pontiac
Grand Prix.
Referred to the City Attorney's Office
3. Communication from Mayor Coleman announcing his veto of Council Resolution 97-1347,
approving the rate of pay for two deputy director positions to be established in the Office of
License, Inspections and Environmental Protection, adopted November 12, 1997, as amended.
4. Letter from St. Paul Fire/Division of Code Enforcement declaring 800 Concordia Avenue as
"nuisance property." (For notification purposes only; public hearing will be scheduled at a later
date if necessary.)
December 30, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 2
5. Administrative Orders:
D001401 Amending the 1997 budget in the Office of Human Resources by moving dollars into
appropriate spending codes to accurately reflect spending for the wrap-up of the
Human Resources Office move from Lowry to the Annex and the upgrade of
computer equipment and software to further automate the office.
D001402 Approving a one year extension to Lease Agreement LIB/2 of space in the West
Seventh Community Center for the West 7th Popular Library.
D001403 Addition of$187.48 to the contract for Saint Paul Civic Center Expansion, CP-6
Signs - Parking Ramp.
Noted as on file in the City Clerk's Office
6. Resolution - 97-1574 - Approving the appointment of Paul Larson and the reappointments of
Tracy Baker and David Heide, by Mayor Coleman, to the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation
Commission.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
7. Resolution - 97-1575 - Approving the appointment of Brian Braden and the reappointment of Ron
Pauline, by Mayor Coleman, to the Saint Paul Cultural Capital Investment Program.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
8. Resolution - 97-1576 - Approving the Youth Initiative Grant Steering Committee
recommendations for expenditure of state grant.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
9. Resolution - 97-1577 - Requesting that the Saint Paul Police Department provide, through Council
Research, an adequate but controlled number of tags or stickers for Councilmembers and Council
staff which identify a vehicle as being used for `official business."
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
10. (Discussed after the consent agenda)
11. Resolution - 97-1579 - Directing the Division of Parks and Recreation to enter into an agreement
with the Boys & Girls Club of Saint Paul for management of the Valley Recreation Center.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
12. (Discussed after the consent agenda)
13. Resolution - 97-1581 - Approving budget revisions in the General Government accounts for
Financial Forms, Tort Liability and Continent Reserve - General.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
14. Resolution - 97-1582 - Releasing contingency funds to the Office of Financial Services.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
December 30, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 3
15. Resolution - 97-1583 - Amending the 1997 budget in the Department of Technology and
Management Services/Risk Management Division for additional costs association with moving
workers' compensation to Risk Management and overtime costs associated with the change to
HealthPartners.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
16. Resolution - 97-1584 - Requesting the City Council to accept the approximate sum of$60,000.00
from the Norman Coleman Inaugural Committee, Inc. to defray a portion of the costs of the
inaugural ceremony and celebration for the Mayor and Councilmembers to be held January 2,
1997.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
17. Resolution - 97-1585 - Authorization to submit a grant to the Office of Drug Policy for the Saint
Paul Police Department's partnership in the East Metro Coordinated Narcotics Taskforce.
Adopted Yeas 5 Nays - 0
18. Resolution - 97-1586 - Approving the rate of pay for the new classification entitled Deputy LIEP
Director - Construction in Grade 26 of the Professional Supervisory Standard Ranges.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
19. Resolution - 97-1587 - Revising the 1997 Municipal Equipment fund budget to allow purchase of
software for the Fleet Management Information System.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
20. Resolution - 97-1588 - Amending the spending and financing budget for the 1996
Inflow/Infiltration Correction project by adding financing from FEMA, State Emergency Fund,
University of Minnesota and Ramsey County.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
21. (Discussed after the consent agenda)
22. Resolution Approving Assessment - 97-1590 - In the matter of construction of storm service
connections, as requested by the property owners in the Lawson Block, in conjunction with the
Seventh/Cedar Area Storm Sewer Separation Project, and setting date of public hearing for
February 25, 1998. (File #18766-L.)
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
10. Resolution - 97-1578 - Restating the findings creating the Block 39/Arena Redevelopment
Tax Increment Financing District.
Councilmember Bostrom moved to introduce a substitute resolution and approval.
Substitute adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
December 30, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 4
12. Resolution - 97-1580 - Authorizing the Department of Planning and Economic
Development to begin the implementation process for the 1998 Neighborhood STAR
Program.
Councilmember Megard moved to lay over two weeks and noted thatt he guidelines call for
an annual report which has not been received and she feels the program is not working as
intended.
Laid over to January 14 Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
21. Resolution - 97-1589 - Correcting Council Resolution 97-1303 by adding an additional
finding and requirement that Burlington Northern Santa Fe immediately submit a site plan
to the Office of License, Inspections and Environmental Protection.
Councilmember Megard moved to introduce a substitute resolution and approval which
will narrow the scope of the site plan to the area east of Snelling Avenue.
Substitute adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
FOR DISCUSSION
23. D001398 Amending the 1997 budget in the Department of Technology and Management Services
by using funds remaining from unfilled staff vacancies to purchase contracted technical assistance
until permanent employees can be found.
(Laid over from December 17)
Councilmember Blakey moved approval. Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
Noted as on file in the City Clerk's Office
24. Resolution - 97-1504 - Approving the appointment of Kurt Schultz, by Mayor Coleman, to the
Saint Paul Civil Service Commission. (Laid over from December 17)
Councilmember Blakey moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
25. Resolution - 97-1542 - Amending the spending and financing plans of the Capital Improvement
Budget for street lighting on Burr, Minnehaha, Selby and Cretin by combining all four under one
activity. (Laid over from December 22)
Councilmember Blakey asked where the savings would be redirected and requested that Public
Works report back to the Council after the contract is signed.
Mike Eggum, Department of Public Works, appeared and stated unit prices tend to be higher on
small contracts. Councilmember Blakey asked about finished projects. Mr. Eggum responded
that all projects are reviewed once a year. If a project has not been closed, a report is given to the
Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Committee with an explanation. Those that can be
December 30, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 5
closed are closed and surpluses and deficits are moved and confirmed. They are brought forward
publicly and addressed and are either put into projects or contingency funds.
Councilmember Bostrom moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
ORDINANCES
26. Final Adoption - 97-1445 - An ordinance amending Chapter 409 of the Saint Paul Legislative
Code to allow administrative payment of fines for certain first offenses.
Councilmember Blakey moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
27. Final Adoption - 97-1446 - An ordinance amending Chapter 310 of the Saint Paul Legislative
Code to permit issuance of uncontested Class III licenses without a Council hearing.
Councilmember Megard moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
28. Final Adoption - 97-1481 - An ordinance amending Chapter 402 of the Saint Paul Legislative
Code pertaining to lawful gambling; raising the appropriate tax to two and one-half percent and
repealing the requirement to file financial reports with LIEP.
Councilmember Blakey moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
29. Third Reading - 97-1536 - An ordinance finalizing City Council action approving the petition of
the Salvation Army/HRA to rezone property at 619-623 Lawson Avenue East from RT-1 to P-1.
(Public hearing held October 8, 1997)
Laid over to January 7 for final adoption
30. First Reading - 97-1591 - An ordinance amending Chapter 409 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code
to amend the presumptive penalties for gambling.
Council President Thune explained this resolution would allow gambling when there is no profit-
making on the part of the establishment and it would not be held against them on the matrix.
Laid over to January 7 for second reading
PUBLIC HEARING
31. Resolution - 97-1490 - Approving the decision of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Property
Code Enforcement Appeals for property located at 383 Curtice Street East.
(Laid over from December 10)
Gerry Strathman, Legislative Hearing Officer, reported that Public Health conducted an inspection
of this property and has issued a Certificate of Code Compliance. Therefore, his recommendation
was to approve the decision to deny the appeal, but in fact the matter is moot.
December 30, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 6
No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Bostrom moved approval.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
SUSPENSION ITEMS
Councilmember Bostrom moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution:
Resolution - 97-1593 - Recognizing William J. Toenjes on his retirement from the Fire
Department.
Gerry Strathman read the resolution into the record.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
Councilmember Blakey moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution:
Resolution - 97-1594 - Directing Housing and Redevelopment Authority staff and Planning and
Economic Development staff to work with Ramsey Action Programs and Ramsey County to
develop the means to fmalize funding for the renovation of Ramsey Action Programs' Multi-
Service Center at 450 Syndicate Street.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
Councilmember Megard moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution:
Resolution - 97-1595 - Acknowledging the public purpose of Saint Paul Business Ventures.
Councilmember Megard explained that Saint Paul Business Ventures, a newly formed non profit
corporation, will identify growing entrepreneurial businesses and nurture their growth through
technical assistance.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
Councilmember Bostrom moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution:
Resolution - 97-1596 - Amending the budget for Cycle 3 of the STAR Program to include funding
for a loan to GMT Corporation for development of the Rayette Building.
Council President Thune explained that he had previously asked that STAR funding for the
renovation of the Rayette Building be withdrawn. Since that time, Mr. Thune has spoken to
property owners in Lowertown and the fate of this building may have an impact on the Crane
Building. Therefore, he was in support of the proposal.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
December 30, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 7
Councilmember Blakey moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution:
Resolution - 97-1597 - Reallocating $5,000 of 1997 Civic Organizations Partnership Program
dollars from Asian Women of Tomorrow Young Women's Mentoring Program to the Trusting
Neighbors Program.
Councilmember Blakey explained that Asian Women of Tomorrow Young Women's Mentoring
Program did not meet the requirements of the COPP program and, therefore, he requested that the
dollars be moved to the Trusting Neighbors Program.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
Councilmember Megard moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution:
Resolution - 97-1598 - Permitting the use of Como Park property for the purpose of permanently
locating and operating Cafesjian's Carousel.
Peter Hames, Mayor's Office, appeared and requested approval of this joint resolution between
the City and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority which will give direction to staff to submit
a proposal that will locate Cafesjian's Carousel in Como Park. Mr. Hames reviewed the
highlights of the proposal. It will be an operating lease for a period of twenty years with no limit
on ten year renewals. After 20 years, the ownership will go to Saint Paul, a new premier
building, at an estimated cost of$1.2 million, will be constructed. The major donor will commit
$314,000 of cash to the new building, the Division of Parks and Recreation will pay $314,000,
the Our Fair Carousel Board will contribute $250,000 to the new building, and Parks and
Recreation will be responsible for the restoration of Town Square Park. Finally, the major donor
will raise the remaining funds necessary.
Councilmember Blakey questioned if any park land will be taken. Mr. Hames responded that
issue would be between Midway Parkway and Como Park Conservatory.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays- 0
The meeting was recessed and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) meeting was called to
order for consideration of the Carousel issue. Present - 7 Absent - 0
The HRA meeting was recessed and the City Council meeting resumed. Present - 7 Absent - 0
Councilmember moved for suspension of the rules and approval of the following resolution:
Resolution - 97-1599 - Approving reimbursement of special funds for work performed to
implement the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Framework.
Adopted Yeas - 5 Nays - 0
December 30, 1997 City Council Summary Minutes Page 8
Councilmember Megard moved to adjourn the meeting.
ADJ ED AT 4:12 P.M.
anie ostrom, Council President
ATTEST:
Minutes approved by Council
Nancy Andon Ta lbw r
Assistant Council Secretary
rn/mce