Summary

City Council meeting minutes — January 14, 2026

Saint PaulJan 14, 20263 min read

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Council met Jan. 14 (6 present, 1 absent). Consent agenda adopted; labor agreements approved; several grant awards and city actions on assessments, nuisance abatements, licenses, and interim Fire Chief appointment were approved or continued per the minutes.

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Mixed-Use Redevelopment Serenity Townhomes Redevelopment

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City Council

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LaborTransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceHousingUtilities

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Consent Agenda adopted (6-0; Councilmember Johnson absent).
Approved collective bargaining agreement with International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 9 (RES 26-11).
Approved Memorandum of Agreement for January 2026 wage and fringe adjustment with Sprinkler Fitters Local Union No. 417 (RES 26-12).
Authorized $12,325 settlement payment to Adam Branstner (RES 26-25).
Set public hearing date (Feb 18, 2026) for sanitary sewer service line repair assessments (RES 26-27).
Appointed Campbell Knutson as Special Counsel for Saint Paul Regional Water Services (RES 26-30).
Authorized intent to issue certain general obligation and revenue bonds per 2026 budget (RES 26-46).
Directed 10-day license suspension action against Club Milton (RES 26-48); approved other business licenses including Montcalm Apartments parking ramp and Tesla auto repair/body shop (RES 26-55, RES 26-56).
Approved Mayor’s appointment of Interim Chief of the Saint Paul Fire Department (RES 26-89).
Accepted grant funding and amended budgets to sponsor Metropolitan Council demonstration/livable communities Affordable Homeownership grants for Rondo Community Land Trust (642 Selby Ave) and Amani Construction’s Serenity Townhomes (0 Bush Ave) (RES PH 26-2, RES PH 26-1).
Adopted multiple legislative hearing actions: nuisance abatements, raze order for 52 Elizabeth St E, and ratifications of various special tax and service assessments (selected RLH SAO/RR/TA/AR items); several hearings were continued or referred to later dates.

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City Council

Jan 14, 2026, 12:00 AMCouncil Chambers - 3rd Floorscheduled

Agenda

ROLL CALL
COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE
Amending CDBG Project Budgets: $25,000 of funding for Ryan Park and $20,000 of funding for Conway Park.
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.
Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027) between the City of Saint Paul and the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 9.
Approving the Memorandum of Agreement for 2026 January Wage and Fringe Adjustment between the City and the Sprinkler Fitters Local Union No. 417.
Authorizing payment in the amount of $12,325 in full and final settlement of the claim of Adam Branstner.
Approving the City’s cost of providing Repair of Sanitary Sewer Service Line on Private Properties and setting date of City Council public hearing for February 18, 2026 to consider and levy the assessments against individual properties. (File No. SWRP2601, Assessment No. 263000)
Appointing Campbell Knutson under the direction of Corrine A. Heine as Special Counsel representing the Saint Paul Regional Water Services.
Granting preliminary approval to the issuance of certain general obligation and revenue bonds as approved in the 2026 City budget; expressing the intent of the City to reimburse itself from the proceeds of such tax-exempt and taxable bonds; and authorizing City finance staff and advisors to take certain actions with respect to the sale of such bonds.
Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to proceed with the 10-day license suspension adverse action against Club Milton INC d/b/a Club Milton, (License ID # 0097716) for the premises located at 334 Milton Street North.
Approving a Parking Ramp (Private) New Location license application for Montcalm Apartments d/b/a Montcalm Apartments (License ID # 20240000271) for the premises located at 535 Lexington Pkwy S.
Approving an Auto Repair Garage (DSIBLAUTO 000403-2025) & Auto Body Repair/Painting Shop (DSIBLAUTO 000402-2025) New Location license application for Tesla Inc d/b/a Tesla (License ID # DSIBLAUTO 000403-2025 and DSIBLAUTO 000402-2025) for the premises located at 2475 Doswell Ave.
Authorizing the City Council to spend up to $450 for the purchase of food for a staff appreciation event in January 2026.
Approving the Mayor's appointment of Interim Chief of the Saint Paul Fire Department.
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for and if awarded, accept $500 in grant funds from the St. Clements Faith Action Team.
FOR DISCUSSION
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.
First Reading
Changing references in the Legislative and Administrative Codes from Animal Control to Animal Services and correcting typographical errors.
PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.
Modifying and establishing certain City Council staff positions in Chapter 16 of the Administrative Code.
Final Order approving the 2026 Saint Anthony/Rondo Arterial Mill and Overlay Project.
Final Order approving 2026 Wheelock/Grotto Phase II Area Paving and Lighting; and Mill and Overlay Project (Project 19277 and MO2604, Asmt 265200 and 265203).
Accepting grant funds, authorizing execution of a grant agreement (with indemnity obligations and other documents related thereto), and amending the operating budget with respect to the City's sponsorship of a Metropolitan Council Demonstration Account for Affordable Homeownership Grant for the benefit of The Rondo Community Land Trust’s Mixed-Use Redevelopment at 642 Selby Avenue (District 8, Ward 1).
Accepting grant funds, authorizing execution of a grant agreement (with indemnity obligations and other documents related thereto), and amending the operating budget with respect to the City's sponsorship of a Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Demonstration Account for Affordable Homeownership Grant for the benefit of Amani Construction & Development LLC’s Serenity Townhomes Redevelopment at 0 Bush Avenue (District 4, Ward 6).
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.
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 239 BATES AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-60. (January 13, 2026 Legislative Hearing)
Appeal of Seth Richardson to a Summary Abatement Order at 2350 BAYLESS PLACE.
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 677 CALIFORNIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. VB2512A, Assessment No. 255834) (Amend to delete)
Ordering the razing and removal of the structures at 52 ELIZABETH STREET EAST within fifteen (15) days after the January 14, 2026, City Council Public Hearing.
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1473 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-66.
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 2016 FREMONT AVENUE in Council File RLH SAO 25-55.
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 680 MACALESTER STREET. (File No. CRT2601, Assessment No. 268200)
Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 805 MINNEHAHA AVENUE WEST in Council File RLH SAO 25-75.
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1171 MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2601B1, Assessment No. 268109)
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1846 MONTREAL AVENUE. (File No. VB2601B, Assessment No. 268903)
Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 159 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE WEST. (File No. VB2601, Assessment No. 268900)
First Making finding on the appealed nuisance abatement ordered for 1079 WESTERN AVENUE NORTH in Council File RLH SAO 25-71.
Ratifying the assessment for Collection of Fire Certificate of Occupancy fees billed during May 2 to June 5, 2025. (File No. CRT2601, Assessment No. 268200)
Ratifying the assessment for Excessive Use of Inspection or Abatement services billed during March 25 to April 21, 2025. (File No. J2601E, Assessment No. 268300)
Ratifying the assessment for Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees billed during July 31, 2024 to April 22, 2025. (File No. VB2601, Assessment No. 268900)
Ratifying the assessment for Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services during May 2025 (File No. J2601B, Assessment No. 268100)
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 or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers. Council Meeting Information The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses. The agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council members use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile device greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached to files, are over 1000 pages when printed. Web Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds (RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subscription. Visit www.stpaul.gov/council for meeting videos and updated copies of the agendas, minutes, and supporting documents. Cable Meetings are live on St Paul Channel 18 and replayed at various times. Check your local listings.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEMS
Approval of the Consent Agenda

City Council meeting minutes — January 14, 2026

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