City of Saint Paul, MN Council Meeting

Call me the Simple City Council to order Roll. Call, please. Coleman here, Johnson Joseph, can get yanked here that we hear council PRESIDENT Maker here, 6 present one absent that being Councilmember Johnson, she is excused. Welcome everyone to our city council meeting. Thank you for joining us today. We invite everyone join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. It's te fag. Is there. One nation under GOD? Saw. And we have item 3 read into the record Yes. Item number 3, aled. 26 Dash 15 establishing intend for one-time special funds budgeted for consulting services and all of believe we just wanted some additional information about this from stunt was here. Coming up, welcome. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT Council member more lives in and the director of the Office of Financial Services. This item is a change assesses budget to the intention of funds that budgeted in this year's 2026 adopted budget. So there's $100,000 of one-time funding that was allocated for for Consulting services.

The original intention was for the consulting services to assist with a shift to priority based budgeting and has made a recommendation to continue to use the funds for consulting services in as budget. But instead to support the city's annual comprehensive Financial report or the act for a number of factors occurred kind of after the proposed budget and near the end of the year impacting our act for timeliness. We fully expected to complete the actor in a more timely manner last year. And then the cyber incident impacted that timeline. Assess, kind of looking at the current factors that dealing with this year. We would recommend read prioritizing that funding to support that actually work. Thanks, director, looking to my colleagues to see if their questions as Thank you. Council PRESIDENT, thank you so much. Drector life and providing that brief report. I did have some questions, particularly because I'm. Now I know for the intended purpose is for these dollars was to go towards our priority based budgeting.

And I know on the during our budget committee meetings and have chair yang here, particularly where, you know, some of our priorities was to be like on the two-year by annual budgeting. And that's something that is still a strong priority for us as a as a council, I'm particularly wondering with, like knowing asked for is like a mandatory annual reporting. You know, it wasn't just the timeliness is the issue because of the cyber attackers. Are we? Just like kind of like a larger question, prticularly around, you know, what can help us with the timeliness. Imagine, you know, outsourcing one time funds for something that we know we have to do every year. Can can actually do raise the question around, like, is this a good use of our funds So I I'm just trying to understand that would be that entire $100,000 that will be hiring for Arkansas team to help staff for us to make our deadline on time.

Yes, thank you. Council PRESIDENT Council member great question assess has they several years where we have been late with our act for report due to a number of factors. There's been significant systems issues when we transferred to our current year. If the system. Staff turnover. Just the whole. A whole host of issues we've been contending with. We've made significant improvements in our in timeliness and in process and a process management. And we have a really stable team of experts that is working on it. We a one-time kind of infusion of support. We'll make a really big impact this year and we'll gain us a considerable amount of time to then start working on next year's actress, a kind of digging out of the hole is going to have a long-term impact. Part of what we also want the consulting and temporary support to help with some work that will help us with longer-term solutions. So not just helping with this year's and actor but longer term.

So helping us with documentation of processees helping us with citywide training. So, you know, one-time solution that we think can make a big an impact this year, but also ongoing and just address what you brought up related to a biennial budgeting. And we fully understand that that's something that this council is interested in. Think also that the new mayor is interested in. We're committed to exploring that this year and what options we can put on the table. We think assess we can start to explore some options for longer-term budget planning without consulting support. And so we think we can still get at some of the shared goals related to have updating our budgeting process and incorporating longer-term planning. We think we can do that without consulting support this year. One last just clarifying questions. So is there are other staff within Ofs that's already assigned to conduct this reporting and meet this reporting. And are when you're saying like Steph turnout, our turnover, is it this time use of these funds because of the shortage that having in staffing or sure.

It's council PRESIDENT Council member. We do have a team of staff that are dedicated to working on the city's actor and they are really experiencing governmental accounting. We really a knack for team of I think 5 folks that primarily on the actor and then accounting staff across the city and all city departments also work on it. So it's it's a huge citywide list. It's a huge report. And are actually seeing has been stable for the last year. So we've been fully staffed on that team and really we're looking at kind of augmenting that staff because we've been in a hole for many years and it's hard to get out of that whole with current staff, even though they're excellent at what they do. It's hard to make progress without some outside support. We're also working on systems. Change is working with our partners and ogc and to make some changes to our year. If he system, which is in for, they can hlp our act for the a lot more automated right now.

We contend with a lot of manual processes. And so that's part of what contributed to the timeliness issue a time when last in our hopefully we can get a report in the future during the budget process because I do think this will be helpful. You you know, getting outside can sauteing support to, you know, overall help us with that. The system change that you mentioned. But yet again, thank you so much for providing this report, I think is really important. You know, as we are looking at our budget process that this is catering to that because, you know, $100,000, especially now likely want to make sure that we know our budget is going towards hiring, you know, qualify expertise, taxi, do that work. And so we can prevent outsourcing, you know, essentially what kind of our roles are particularly here in the city's thank you certainly at thank you. I would just add these are one-time funds.

We're not he would not be bringing in ongoing staff with those funds. That's really just help us kind of dig address the issue kind of this year. Thanks for us. Appreciate the questions. And think it's I had questions of a similar vein, somebody that you raise them. I think this plan to try to get ahead of this process, try to catch up. And this backlog of actor reporting has been a no concern for some time. So appreciate the departments innovative approach to getting this time and and the questions. Thank you. Consent agenda items for through 13 or before you for your consideration. Thank for taking for separate consideration. Seeing none. I'll take motion from this game for the balance. The consent agenda all in favor say Aye. Aye oppose 6 in favor. Nne opposed the consent agenda is adopted item. Number 14 is a bza 26 dash. One considering the appeal of the Minnesota Department of Administration to the Board of Zoning Appeals, lack of an approval of a zoning variance to permit a 10 foot tall fence between the service parking facility and Phalen Boulevard and Barclay Street.

The public hearing was closed. This is laid over from FEBRUARY. 11th. Thank you, council PRESIDENT. I appreciate the counts. Find MAY Council colleagues for your support on the weekly over. I'm also grateful for the applicants who are here last week meeting us in person. It's always great hear directly from the applicant since I appreciate that. I have interviewed the applicants appealed to the disease and denial of experience request the Bza package, including the bbc staff report and the comments from Bza members. The District Council and the public on tis issue. I agree with the abc is denial of the appeal based on airs and the findings and the abc report recommending approval of the vriance request specifically finding someone to and 6 contain errors and that should not tonight. I like to share that and finding one. The variance is not in harmony with te general purposes and intent of the zoning code. The applicant is proposing to construct a new fence around this property located in the tea to traditional neighborhoods on district.

The zoning code limits the height of fences constructed between off-street parking facilities and the public right-of-way to 4 and a half feet. But the proposed a 10 foot tall fence along Feeling Boulevard and Barclay Street. This is a substantial variance request for an additional 5 and a half feet in height, which is more than twice the height than what is currently permitted under the code. It would not promote protect the aesthetics of the surrounding community or promote economic viability. And general welfare of the neighborhood and finding to the variance is not consistent with the 2040 comprehensive plan, the proposed fence would be inconsistent with land use policy 9 under the comprehensive plan which calls for high quality urban design that supports pedestrian friendliness and a healthy environment and enhances the public realm. This fencing will not that goal. On the contrary, the fence would create an imposing fortress like presence that the tracks from the centre hadn't intended goals. The fence would also be inconsistent with land use policy. 24, which calls for the privatization of public and private investment in infrastructure that maintains and improves the public.

Encourage street level pedestrian activity and supports parts green space and recreation, putting up an imposing fence in this neighborhood will have the opposite effect on these investments. It is not welcoming and does not encourage development. Promote the walkability of the neighborhood or support parks, green space and recreation. In finding 6. The variants will alter the essential character of the surrounding area, the fence that the applicant wants to install is 10 feet tall with Triton cheetah blades. Kirby out towards the community. It has not occurred of it is threatened. It I intended to send a message that this is not a welcoming location despite it being public property in a residential neighborhood. There's no question that the proposed security fence will negatively alter the essential character of the surrounding area. And while understand that and appreciate that, the applicant's intent is t promote safety and security of the pc property. I believe there are other mans of achieving these goals that align with ours on the code are consistent with the comprehensive plan and support the essential character of the neighborhood.

The bca should explore these other options. And so council PRESIDENT With that, I mve to deny the Great. Thanks, MISS Yang. So the motion on the table is to is for denial. Is there any discussion of the motion? Will say seeing really appreciate your reasoning on I listened to the. The discussion of the bza and I have a different view of the discussion. I think that there errors in finding and procedure in the way that they consider this matter. As we know if we're going to uphold or to 09:00pm, we have to find errors, in fact, finding a procedure of the body that we r r of the previous body and in listening to discussion, I never heard a clear argument as to how a higher fence would fundamentally alter the essential character of the neighborhood, especially screen by the landscaping that is depicted in all of the applicants pictures instead, the discussion of the bza seemed to veer off of land use completely and and into questioning the security study that the bca presented with really no basis for the questions about the security needs and really speculation on the part of the commissioners, including at one point, the question about whether or not bubble should be built over the parking lot to prevent 9.11, style attacks are really rationally grounded arguments against the need for this fence.

It also appears that the bza commissioner who made the motion already had all of his reasoning in his comments written down in advance. And so it calls into question whether or not as - commissioner was truly engaging in the public hearing that was happening at that commission, making his decision based on what was being heard at the hearing. It seems like with proper landscaping, this could mean all 6 standards, which is what staff had determined. And it seemed to me listening to the discussion of the bza instead apply their own opinions about security needs and preconceived notions prior to the public hearing to reach their decisions. So because of those errors in the findings and the procedure, I would be voting against the motion. There further discussion? And just trying to thank you council PRESIDENT Thank you so much comes from reading for given your reasons. I just want procedurally so voting against it, which is basically denied the variance. the plant will have to be within our standards are in terms of like the height of the fence.

I'm just trying to get some as young as move to deny their appeal. So voting in favor of denial would mean that the applicant would not be allowed to build a higher fence of eye is against the ponding able to do that open and a vote against. It's a lot is not right. I think we need another motion to grant the appeal. So vote against actually is just a vote against an aisle. They're ready to be. Another motion made to approve. Any further discussion. I think we'll do a roll call. Vote. All right, sir. Motion to table again is to deny the appeal. Republic comment. Thanks. PRESIDENT, a now. 5 in favor. One oppose that being council. PRESIDENT Maker, the motion of intent is the appeal is denied. Take a motion from his just to suspend the rules to resolution 26 dash 3, 20 all in favor say Aye. 6 in favor. None opposed. The rules are suspended resolution 26 dash 3.20, authorizing the fire department to conduct various fire training exercises at the property located at 7.53 Front Avenue.

And this item is being brought under suspension due to the fact that this training exercise is actually happening on FEBRUARY 24th prior to our next council meeting and did reiterate with the department legistar deadlines and our desire to not have items brought under suspension since that incident, a transparent way of doing things. But given urgency of this wanted to bring this matter under suspension. So I move approval. Is there discussion of the motion? Seeing none all in favor say Aye. Post 6 in favor. None oppose. The resolution is adopted. Item. Number 15 is final adoption of ordinance. 26 Dash 7 amending chapter 8 to adding Chapter 2.68. Be to the legislative code to require law enforcement officers to conduct law enforcement operations wthout a mask or facial covering unless certain exceptions apply. This brings us to the ordinance section of our agenda. For tose of you who are just tuning in for the first time, we have 3 separate stages of ordinance adoption ordinances, all have 3 readings.

So the first reading is a first reading in the staff report the next ratings, a public hearing and the final adoption is the 3rd readings. So this item has already been before us twice, sometimes more than twice and it has been discussed extensively. And now it's before us for a final vote. So have a lot of PRESIDENT Kim of the first compass. Yeah. Just every single week we talk about grateful we are for partnerships and this is I think just customer. But talks about like legislating for loving us, a labor of love. So I just really appreciate. The commitment to my colleagues. Council recall many council ready aim for really putting in the time and energy to make sure that we win the plan on these items and that we stick to sort of aggressive schedule that we had initially set for herself. So really appreciative of the partnership for my colleagues in the support of my colleagues.

I think, you know, this is as much as the city talks, but what we do, what we also need to figure out what we what we do want in our cities. And I think every wants all residents feel safe to protected and to be able to move around freely without fear of mass secret agent center city. So very grateful for what appears to be the passage of this ordinance looking for the comments Alex thanks. PRESIDENT. Other discussion. Thanks, caller, PRESIDENT, just name to that. This really is a push for accountability and transparency with. Heard from many of our residents and committee members. They fear that they feel and when when they see agents masked in the community, I mean, the decision to that it taught her to know who those agents are with 2. And so that's move to make sure that they crying identification. And so again, this is about accountability and transparency that Comey deserved.

So I'm very proud co-sponsor Thanks 10. that's You know, I'll just share to thank you so much for all of the work put into it and getting us here. And I'm just thinking about, you know, yesterday was the first day of session and we saw a lot of our colleagues at the at the House and also in the Senate, you recognizing remembering, you know, Speaker Hartman. And I just think about just, you know, how this law is, you know, a point of accountability to make sure that are ale to not only identify who the officer is, but also be able to see that officers face. And I think about just in that case, aerial it was someone impersonating off an officer and we need ensure that we have clear guidelines around. If you are. Feel operating law enforcement in city of Saint Paul. You need to be able to show your face also that helps us.

But building trust that helps us you know, making sure people feel safe. So I'm happy to make this bill today. Thank you. MISS I kind by the time we get to final aoption, almost everything that needs to be said has been said so not much to add to my colleague code that gratitude to consumers concise Preston, Kim and to our city staff team, particularly our chief policy officer to Greenfield for getting us to this point on such an important piece of legislation. I will also just add tat we know that our work is not anywhere close to done when it comes to addressing the presence of ice and Border Patrol agents are city when it comes to cleaning up the wreckage that they have left in our city when it comes to rebuilding restoring public trust faith in government and so much work. That is ahead of us. So this is an important moment. We've passed several pieces of important legislation in the last several weeks.

That is good. It remains just a start. You know that everybody here is deeply, deeply committed to this work for days, weeks, months, years to come as long as it takes to make sure that everybody knows that they're truly welcome in the city. Thanks coming. Any further discussion. Seeing none. I will just once again extend my gratitude to add that those who so hard to make this happen to get us to this point.

And, you know, the work is not done. And this is just part of this larger package that we are continuing to advance. All right. So with that on favor say Aye. I'll post 6 in favor not oppose. The ordinance is adopted. Item. Number 16 is ordinance. 26 Dash 8 amending section. 86 Point 0, of the Saint Paul Administrative code to authorize up to 3 systems to the mayor to execute certain contracts made in the name of the city. authorized by the city and further amending 86 Point 0, to increase the dollar value amount for contracts executed by designees. This is before us for final adoption to MISS Billy for a motion into in approval sport on any discussion that motion. All say, I almost 6 in favor. None opposed. The ordinance is adopted item. Number 17 is first reading of ordinance 26 dash 9 adopting the Geothermal Energy franchise by the Heights Community. Energy Inc. And since this is a first reading believe we have staff report. When you come up, please just servicing your name where coming from. And then.

Tha. Counci esenenat t rictndaintau acqu e rtutrityn 20. Vet ilserv If youalwibesrng atel pcels850. What family housing units as well as some light industrial and mixed facilities. Thank you. Utility iself will be in thermal. System that will cool

The entire terror network. Using there's thermal energy to do that instead fossil fuels. The job for the network itself is part of large of a vision for the site of sustainability. Not just a mental thing. Development that's a workable working model of how stable infrastructure really can it and reduce cost Sussex. I mentioned this fossil fuel based technologies can be case with that that just normal system in that. Energy system. Looking to eliminate the curbing emissions related to energy, transportation, solid waste and wastewater through

That. Utility itself, the Heights Community Energy is a nonprofit 501, c 3, Minnesota corporation. Well, to design develop construct and operate the geothermal heating and cooling system. And the operations of will be under the direction of District Saint Paul. With participation from the Paul Port Authority. was the owner and master developer of I touched on the customer service. It's different The 850 multifamily residential units and several industrial buildings. The technology that we're utilizing is groundwater based technology using the Darcy

Solutions. Which is already commission that Xcel Energy at a different site on the Heights property. The system utilizes in grown heat exchanger to tap the different Temperatures within the groundwater. And utilizes that to generate a tense and temperature to slice it. That's he pumps that delivering energy to the customers. Through a closed loop system Throught and had to close helping system from the heat exchangers in that arson systems to the. If a customer buildings. The project's status we've completed the distribution construction which started in

AUGUST of 24. Approximately 12,000 feet pipe supply Richard piping on the site. Currently working with Darcy Solutions and engineers to finalize the design of the systems planned construction and to start this summer fall of 26 and b include 2 pleaded likely 28 reach the first customers Twenty-twenty age. The franchise like all other utilities and Saint Paul are not exclusive franchise agreements and this system will have approximately 20 year geothermal Energy franchise, which will be

Effective. 30 days after the organ age and it's 10 to SEPTEMBER 2024. Chase rate is 5%. There are different rates for all different systems, district energy say Paula said a percent. Energy parts of 6.8%. Cooling systems at 3.4%. So there's a range that depends on the alternative fuels and the type of energy utilize for each system. The fees are approximately $5,000 a year regulatory fees to the city to the rage We view each year. And we

Filed a for the first fiscal year for our system starts in OCTOBER of 27 to extend through SEPTEMBER of 28. So the first schedule already in place. And then for future rate changes, we would file schedules. Just one question on the side. It looks like the franchise terms go through SEPTEMBER. 30th 2045? Is that 20 years? Is that the typical franchise Yes. That we received that for Energy Park for district Energy Saint Paul 20 year franchises, we district heating system originally of the 30 yar franchise. But all extensions, are 20 years or

Less? Thank you. looking at the flight thank you so much. Usually there's a questions light at the end. And we've already asked all of our questions. So that was actually even better designed than we normally any questions for represent ERs. Thank you, council PRESIDENT. I don't have any questions, but I want to say thank you all, including. incredible folks over at the port and also our city staff who helped put this agreement together. It seems like ages be talked about first talked about that They're energy system here. And they really want to say thank you to the many community leaders wo helped really push for that vision, even with sometimes to some barriers are wondering, can we do this? They continue to advocate for it. And so I I really excited to see this all come together and at. Yeah, I know it was a huge overhaul, So I look to floor to the public hearing next week and yet, look forward to the continued partnership to.

Thank you Yes, and I want to commend you for reading for your leadership on this work and the Port Authority as well. That to get to the point where we are authorizing a franchise for geothermal, there was so much work that went into that. I remember celebrating. Able to get the the funding for that and push for that to happen. And that's because of - your leadership. So it's very exciting to be this point. Also want to thank district energy generally for all of work that you do excited for expansions of potentially removing heat from wastewater to also help power downtown in other neighborhoods. I know that we're working on together. So thank you for for all the work that you do. And the oher comments or questions are there wasn't a question for MISS Yang to lay this matter. Over till FEBRUARY 25th for public hearing. All in favor say Aye, help 6 in favor.

None opposed. The ordinance is laid over to FEBRUARY 25th for second reading public hearing item number 18 is ordinance 26 Dash 11 granting authority to the port authority to issue and sell bonds to the principal. 2 amount of them out of approximately 6 million dollars in any bombs to refund such bonds to secure such bonds with a pledge of the full faith, credit resources of the city to use the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds to pay for the cost and expense necessary be incurred by the Port Authority, free portion of the cost of the redevelopment of part of the Saint Joseph Hospital hopefully it will only get clear from here. Welcome, MR. Solomon. Apologies. The title council, PRESIDENT Maker Council members, Mike Solomon on the chief financial officer for the Saint Paul Port Authority. We've got a couple items on today's agenda, but the item before you now is the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the Port Authority to issue up to 6 million dollars in general obligation or bonds for the same justice hospital site.

The Port Authority issues, job odds from time to time to fund site acquisition and preparation, including demolition and environmental remediation. The approval today occurs via ordinance as the g o bonds or a pledge of the Port Authority's tax levy and the city's general obligation pledge. This is part of a larger financing plan that present a more detailed have slides for item. 27, but it authorizes the port issue. Tax increment bonds. These are issued in the form of temporary debt for the first 6 years or until there's a development that generates tax increment to repay the debt, permanent financing will need to occur in your 7. A uniquely in this situation, we don't plan to issue the bonds for another year or more. And as part of our partnership, the owner of the site is going to pay the debt service on the bonds until the cytosol to redevelopment or for up to 10 years. Whichever comes first.

We're really optimistic about our ability to have a redeveloped site and that roughly 12 year period, meaning there's very little risk of property tax use or even the Geo Credit enhancement be needed in the long term when compared to typical Port Butts. Pop more about the site, the opportunity and item number 27, but happy to take any questions about the bonds in the ordinance at this time. Thanks, MR. Salmond, I would say my questions and comments for item 27. But are there any questions or comments at this point? Seeing none. Thank Make a motion to leave this matter. Over have 25th for public hearing all in favor say Aye. I'll post 6 in favor. None opposed. The item is laid over to FEBRUARY 25th for second reading public hearing. Item number 19 is ordinance 26 dash. Well mending section 3.10, point 0, 1, of the same politics a code to create a new fee category and associated feet.

License fees for transportation network companies. Welcome, MR. Nikolic. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT Council members. Good afternoon. Denisha like Department of Safety inspections. Thanks for your consideration today for first of 2 odinance amendments in regards to transportation network companies. So we'll have one today and another one look at Friday in about 3 The first one today. So once again, as we know, transportation network companies means a person entity affiliated with tnc drivers that arranges transportation Services Fi a unique Internet based transportation application system connecting tnc endorsed drivers with passengers for the transport of passengers for compensation, Uber, Lyft and the lake. And we have many new players in the business. The purpose of our ordinance Amendment one is we've had a lot new players in the market different size and start a different user focused and 2, as we want to. Refi are enforced. But in that so part one today deals with the new entities in the environment.

We have a lot more as well as not different user groups. They're serving. So before you today is change. And if a license fees currently a license fee is $41,000 one 5th teen dollars. W are proposing good to 3 tier system after speaking to cells at policy work, meaning as well as talking to the administration. The focus was that's created tier system which makes a lot of sense from what we're looking at. So are system that we're looking at is based on the number of drivers b the tmc. Ad that plays directly into our enforcement is how we basically are creating the tnc model cheered for us. But to go into that, the way we're going to work, it is fact that we're going to break it down into tiers. First here is for those team sees that had 300 or less drivers. The second tears from 300 to 1000 and the 3rd tier is greater than 1000 drivers.

And the reason that makes sense is when we look at our force, but we're going to basically do compliance a proportion of drivers and vehicles based on the number of drivers. And so you can see proportionally were increase the number of drivers for criminal background checks verify a well as the fact we're going to do vehicle inspections based on the number of drivers they have per tnc. S therefore having a tier system, which is basically 5,000 for the lowest tier 11,000 for the middle and 18,000 plays into our model, which must be cost recovery. We are a cop's cop recovery We will not do full cost recovery even with what we're proposing here. But we are doing substantial cost recovery based on what we are proposing for staffing based on the expected work that's going to happen and the fees that we are collecting. So that is what's before you today 3, 2, year license proposal coming back to you in a couple weeks will be deal with the enforcement part pictures of the new compliance checks.

We want to do. We want to make sure that one is a criminal background checks are actually being done. Well. And then 2 is also doing the vehicle checks for more of a random perspective where we actually week request a ride in the past. We would have passed the team sees where give us a list of drivers of thicker Adams this way. We're actually gonna go on to the platform. Request a ride to make sure that person is actually on the platform. Make it is who they say they are and their vehicle is what it says it supposed to be. So by doing that, we're going to be doing random checks and we needed ordinance change to allow us to do that. Making sure one is that we're fully compensating the drivers. We are not thinking beating saying that he and were making for efficient and effective compliance which we find this is going to be better for a number of reasons.

One of which is going take the driver out of offline. Shorter because one of the things we can do right now is request that they actually take their car into a shop to be inspected by doing around the check it shorter. And if we see the vehicles generally looking good and they have ideal you don't need to send them to a shot that could take an hour or 2 hours to get into that. So I's going to be better for the driver, less impact, we believe for tnt's. But give us better information. Just a really once again. But we will look to do is to verify the management of license business is not how they run, but make sure message and their business as well. This is going to give us a better ability to do that. So with that before you is a license fee changes Chapter 3, 10.1, and I would stand for questions. Thank you. Thanks, MISTER Nutella. Just one quick How do you are 3 tiers and the associated fees aligned with surrounding jurisdictions? Thank you. Cause present.

Good question. Henry makes me think of another question. I need to get that councilmember yea asked about. So thank you for that. Pause for One our top is going to be greater. The Lake City of Minneapolis, but her lawyer feels going to be lowered. So they went with a single tear. We're going with features. So there's this, you know, more uniforms. Could be sort of the middle of ours. I think there's about 13. So will that 18 in a 5? So providing that here I think reflects the type of entities were working with as well as where the work is going to and who owns the cost for that work. The one that ask you to speak to was the fees FEBRUARY is the annual we knew at that we've had in the past. And so a lot of business as $41,000 is not a small check with floor, migration that we anticipated for Polly, we have not been able send a renewal in places.

So the tnc is have had and have not had to pay the FEBRUARY renewals, given the fact that this process has started, I'm going to hearing some things like that unless we see a ball for the next week or 2, we will proceed with our renewals probably in a couple weeks and they will reflect. Find you approved the new fees. So this play to tie those that are not be expected to pay the 41,000 until we can actually send out renewal notices based your timing in our timing, the new fees could alignment with Thank you. Other questions. Thank you. Council PRESIDENT Will no questions for Just want to see. Thank you for very, very wonderful and thorough presentation. I know you already presented to a stirring the policy committee, but it was great to get a refresher and then to see the final numbers for tiered schedule that you have here for fees. And I just want to emphasize that, like just really appreciate the work of side because directly addresses concerns that we heard from many, many teens seas.

We got to hear one of them speak during our policy committee and without changes. The searching just that we want to hear that some of those companies are going have to consider stopping their operations completely, which I know we don't want. And so this is very important step for us. I appreciate you make your work and the department's look forward to the public hearing. Comes PRESIDENT Customary and thank you so much for the compliment. But yeah. That's pobably really enjoys being able work with industry and with yourselves and the administration around. The fact is how do we make sure we have a vibrant? The county and understand whose all apart of that. Thank you for the competition. Thank you. And again, thank you. Ms Yang for bringing this policy committee and for really taking the ball and running with it to make sure we make those changes. Your leadership is appreciated. All right. Out of the motion for missing to lay this matter over till FEBRUARY 25th for a public hearing all in favor say Aye.

A post 6 in favor. None opposed. Item is laid over to FEBRUARY 25th for second reading public hearing. And number 20 is second reading public hearing of ordinance. 24 dash. 26 meeting chapter 65 66 of the legislative code pertaining to drive-thru sales and services and walk-up service windows public hearing was continued from SEPTEMBER. 3rd, 2025, just thank u this item, as you heard was lead over from last year. And so what I'm going to do is move a version. 2, and we're going to hold a public hearing today and then we're going to keep the public hearing open to next week. So there's a lot of updates in this new version of item. And Drive-thrus has been a very long time coming. And a lot of folks perspectives have even evolved since the first introduction of this item in 2024. And so we move forward with this version. 2 that we think is more appropriate for 2026.

And it's it's notably different from that first iteration. So the second version does not ban any type of drive-thru. It also doesn't require walk-up window service to be available. Those are some notes that we took from folks in the in the business community. And additionally, raises the bar significantly regarding the quality of life for people that are living around these drive-thrus. It increases buffer zones around residential and high-frequency transit. It updates the stacking requirements which are being increased to prevent blocking of traffic defining accommodating walk-up window service for these restaurants. And so that really helps us, you know, with some of the situations we've seen that are community where the drive-thrus have been really problematic for stacking kind of overflowing into trafficking, creating safety issues and pedestrian safety issues. And so that's the reason for for those updates. And so I just want to express my appreciation of our community members and - organizations who have been in touch with our office on this item and MR.

Who's been working on this item for over 2 years now. And your input from all those folks is directly informed by the ordinance that you see before us today so that version 2 great mission tables for version 2 will take a vote on that motion. And then we will hold a public hearing. All in favor of version. 2 being put onto the table, say Aye. I post 6 in favor and opposed the amendment is approved. All right. And this is the public hearing section of our agenda. So when we call your items, public hearing will just ask anyone who's here to testify on that item to come right Lineup on both sides of the podium. When it's your turn coming stand right in between the 2 microphones. You don't need to adjust them at all or lean over towards them. They should pick you up just fine. You have 2 minutes to testify, which to go by quickly.

And my unfortunate job is to keep you to 2 minutes. There is a time or in front of you. So please pay attention to that. So that don't have to cut you off. And there's always other ways to share testimony with us whether via email by calling by submitting written testimony today, if it's in front of you. So there's other options. If you run out of time, we do ask that you start with your name and where you're coming from. When you begin your testimony and that you sign in on either the to sign in sheets when you are done. So with that, this is a public hearing on item 20. If you are here for this public hearing, please come on up.

All right, thanks, council members for hearing on first off. I think this ordinance is a good step in the right direction. So I would just state your name and where can Steve Harrigan Six-ten Avenue. This ordinance is good but doesn't do enough of it on the cusp the past with from word I'm not a fan of provision to of this. I will go over what I think is good. The 300 foot limit for light rail. That's great. It's still not enough because you have places like in the midway Taco Bell Hardy's. These are outside of that perimeter. It would be a lot be put there today. If you're just looking at distance from the light rail line, we should really be hadn't healed the in this area transit oriented development because that's the vision for this quarter. Another critic I have with this process is stacking car space idea. This ideas like building your way out of congestion.

It just doesn't work. He just wind up with more cars in the parking lot more demand will increase. And then as far as the litter, I love a couple miles from the Taco Bell at Rice and Dern discussing their this trash everywhere. What happens is you have people who can't law because it's nighttime. So they got the drive through the get their order. And then they just saw that rational side of the parking lot or they drove away, dumped out the window. So if you're going to ban drive-thru find some of the way to deal with a litter problem for passing this ordinance. Then one final but very critical point the section 65 to 5.30? I the part - about equal pedestrian access to driver access at all hours. And you can do that back into the ordinance without this provision. I'm assuming that they have no options. Such attacks are not, you know, a lot businesses.

It's just screaming towards pedestrians it's discourages any kind of development that area and discovered a second transportation Saint Paul. I think we should require businesses that discriminate against customers based near transportation choices. Many businesses closer lives early as 06:00pm to keep their drive-thrus open. 24 7 cit safety concerns. But they really are doing anything improved safety the area by having these kind of businesses. So let's try to introduce the right to this is to move in the Saint. Paul. Thank you very much. Thank you. Sign has anyone else here to speak on this item? We do. We have the voice activated project. Just put it right down in square. And then Yet the white Square enix to get and then we and we just need to zoom We'll get to that. Okay. Thank you. Council. My name is made or a service. The board PRESIDENT Of District Council 9, the West 7th for Road Federation.

Well, some of already heavily burdened by decades of car centric city planning. We're working to advance it. Eagles for dense walkable and transit oriented neighborhood. Our position from 2024 remains unchanged. We need a moratorium with any new drive to businesses requiring a conditional ue permit. I want to touch on some of the economic arguments against Japan. It's been said that this would intensify the perception Saint Paul's unfriendly to business. Most businesses that rely on drive-thrus in nearly all food service. Businesses are regional or global chains.

Very little of that money generated these enterprises goes back into the local economy. And here, I think comparison with Minneapolis, which banned new drive-thrus in 2019 would be helpful. Most people acknowledge that Minneapolis has attracted far more new housing and business development in recent years and restaurant specific news coverage helps backs this up. This is the Star Tribune's Periodic Restaurant Roundup. List of all known openings and closings of any food service. 8 in the recent past near future. I went to this entire list created this short tally. Clearly, it doesn't seem like a drive to ban is stifling restaurant growth in Minneapolis and it doesn't seem lke our current permissive approach is supporting development either. Then there's the about that struggling tax base and also shared with us by sustains and Paul suggest that these businesses with significant land dedicated to car storage are actually more of a drain on our tax base yielding dramatically less tax will mark market value per acre.

This is an example from my community comparing the McDonald's on Jefferson to shamrocks shamrocks as half land base over twice the tax on market value supports walkable community scale destination compared to an expense of asphalt and long lines idling cars. The moratorium is a moderate is a moderate compromising position. We believe if we're going now new developments, his business model entirely contradicts our city's pedestrian plan. The bicycle planned the climate action resilience plan, the complete streets plan and a minimum of 6 comp plan policies. At the very least they should have to apply for conditional use permit humanities and city Chanley chance to weigh in on new developments. Could that could harm community? Thank you very much. Thanks for Senate. Here to speak on item. Seeing none. We are going to keep the public hearing open till FEBRUARY 25th. Take a motion from it's just to at continue public hearing till FEBRUARY 25th all in favor say Aye.

Post. 6 in favor. None oppose the public hearing continued to FEBRUARY 25th for final adoption. Item number, 21 is resolution public hearing 26 dash 7 ratifying the assessment for a pair of sanitary sewer line on private properties. Then it I is a public hearing? Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Seeing none. I'll take motion for Mis Colin to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. I post 6 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted item number. 22 is resolution public hearing. 26 dash. 39 authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to amend the financing and spending plan the math $250,000. And you're doing grant agreement with the Minnesota Historical Society to accept memory of statues, memorials and historic preservation grant funds. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? MR. I'm so sorry. But there is a another item that a constituent hat.

Oh, okay. There was the the past itemize wanted to just have something on the record because one of my one of the public comments on their was requesting information for. was it payment plans, but out just a way towards the end, just have something on the record for the Purdue what their someone here to give a staff report on it yet. And I think they just left I'm sorry. Think you to know to call her up since there is no in here for the public hearing. Do you want to having come back and a staff reporter? No, we'll just make sure we can connect with them after. Sorry, okay. At. This is item. 22, this is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on Seeing none. I'll take a motion for mis come into close public hearing was yanked because public hearing and approve all in favor say opposed 6 in favor. None opposed.

The resolution is adopted item number twenty-three's resolution public hearing. 26 Dash 40. Meaning the financing spending plan, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the amount of 2 million, $500,000 to affect funds awarded from the Department of Employment and Economic Development for a state funding passed through Grant 2 min $500,000 for the Conway Recreation Center project in authorizing the city to enter into a grant agreement, which includes an indemnification clause. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here speak on this item? Seeing none. I'll take motion from vice PRESIDENT Came to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say I opposed to 6 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted item number. 24 is resolution public hearing. 26 dash 44 proving the application of pro-life Action Ministries for some level variance, prison amplified sound for the Good Friday solemn prayer vigil on APRIL 3rd, 2026, at 6, 7, 1, Min Daily Street and Charles Avenue between pills, Freeman billion streets.

This is a public hearing will come up. Good evening. My name is Brian Maurer program. Director of Pro Life Action Ministry they are not so a comment. If you have any questions of the happy to answer them. And this is a a picture of the sound system. I don't previous years concerns about the size of it. Obviously conceived suddenly and of a conference table. It's a battery powered. Combusted. Power generator. And battery and converter here and that's senses and billing be using. Those 2 on a pedestal. Any questions? I'd be happy dance. Thank you so much. Any questions. Thank you very much. As anyone else here to testify on this item. Seeing none. I'll take a motion from is Colin to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. Post 6 in favor nor opposed the resolution is adopted item number. 25 is resolution public hearing. 26 dash. 45 mending the financing and spending plans in the apartment of parks and recreation.

The amount of $551,205.97. To reflect additional to the ice to 2026 funding. Expect from friends. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Seeing say. Thank you to the coming friends and take a motion from vice present him to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say - Aye. I almost 6 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted item number. 26 resolution public hearing. 26 dash. 46 mending the financing and spending plans from the fire department in the amount of 679 543,000 out $79,543. And $0.63 to accept the 2024 assistance to firefighters. Grant to provide firefighter physicals, paramedic training art of smoke training, incident safety officer training and sleep matter. Training. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from his bully to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye.

All opposed 6 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted. I am number 27 is resolution public hearing. 26 Dash 50 proving the establishment of the Ferry Santos Act tax increment financing, district in the downtown Saint Paul Industrial Development District. And I think tax increment financing plan thereof and a modification to the redevelopment plan for the downtown Saint Paul Industrial Development District. It's getting guys to economic development and not writing of resolution tables for this one. We do have a brief report. First from MR. Some of the Port Authority in public hearing will come Thank you. PRESIDENT Maker Councilmembers. I will ask for assistance with computer. I do have slides this time. And we'll try to move too quickly. Assistance is on its way perfect and one of them is an interest lights off the start of that's all right with you all. S Mike Solomon, chief financial officer for the Saint Paul Port Authority. here tday to talk about the opportunity to prepare and position a portion of the former Saint Joseph Hospital site for redevelopment.

Our first slide, a little bit of our mission. And I noticed most of you are familiar, but the Port Authority as an economic engine for Saint Paul and the entire state of Minnesota. And one of our main purpose is to redevelop underused land into a thriving business centers to bring jobs and tax base to Saint animation of that. Thank you, Greg. We have a great track record of doing just that. So you can see the map in front of you. We built out business centers all across the city, redeveloping more than 1000 and utilize acres to make homes for 50 businesses. Thousands of jobs, 40 million plus an annual tax revenue. We're here today to talk about another opportunity to create jobs, taxes, tax base and vibrancy right here in downtown Saint Paul at the former Saint Charles Hospital campus. 5.5 acres downtown Saint Paul highlighted here on the slide in front of you a portion of the site has been vacant since 2020.

The other portion. The Fairview Wellness Hub is currently operating, providing crucial community health services to residents. Port Authority began working with Fairview Bill currently owns the larger campus in 2020 to help find a buyer for vacant properties. Just steps away from the dwntown fire in entertainment district. But it was made clear that obsolete and vacant buildings on the site could not be reused and presented a barrier to development. This past DECEMBER. We have to do a unique partnership with Fairview to prepare the site for redevelopment. As we've discussed with each of you throughout the process, this is going to include decoupling the existing wellness hub from vacant structures, demolishing the vacant obsolete buildings on the site and doing environmental remediation to remove any soil contamination with the goal of any type of development being possible on this site, the building slated for demolition are shown here in green, red, blue and orange and they're currently vacant.

The wellness hub and its associated parking in pink and yellow will remain fully operational. And the 276 a space parking ramp in purple. remain on the site, be acquired by the Port Authority and be an asset future developers. The site currently generates $0 in annual property taxes and the work to prepare the site's going to unlock major development opportunities. We have modeled the redevelopment with potential market value of estimated at 60 million dollars generating a million and a half dollars in annual property taxes more than sufficient to recruit recoup public investment in the site. Some details on our project roles and responsibilities. Fairview will retain ownership of the site during the project. All contracts for managing the project work will run through them along with some of our compliance requirements. Fairview will cover all the costs. The project up front and then be reimbursed for eligible portions of just the demolition and remediation on the site.

Fairview will cover all the costs decoupling. They're operating building from the bacon ones. We're leveraging the Port Authority teams, extensive knowledge of demolition and remediation by providing oversight review of the design, demolition and remediation plans. The Port Authority will acquire the site from of the project is complete for one dollar and will work with the city to market the site's redevelopment. The financing plan for this project is very similar to how we funded previous projects to prepare sites for redevelopment. We're pursuing a tax increment financing or tif district here today and temporary general obligation bonds for up to 6 million dollars in demolition and remediation costs at Saint Joe's. We will issue the bonds authorized or the ordinance later in the project process to reimburse for eligible costs. Fairview uniquely is going to pay those temporary in any future bonds through 10 years after issuance or until sell te property. Is that really reduces the amount of tif that's going to be needed to repay the debt.

Additionally, feb is paying site holding costs for a 10 year period. Further reduce the amount of public resources necessary to support the redevelopment. And once this is sold, you know, the land proceeds could repay the debt allowing for early closure of a district and if not a sfficient than used to from vertical development to support the remaining that likely without a general obligation, really highlighting the uniqueness of the significant investment by Fairview here doing the decoupling taking on costs above 6 million dollars 10 years of side holding cost and debt service on the bonds. It's it's a investment by that. I want to the Jenny Wolf presentation, but a quick reminder on You know, this is a tool that's authorized under state law. Allows us to capture increased local property taxes, Murray development that would not have occurred. But for this public subsidy that tif district is capturing the difference between the current tax on the site.

Right now, $0 and the future taxes that would be Got development scenario is a 60 million dollar taxable value on this site. Tiff is used to repay eligible costs. Once those eligible csts are repaid, the tif district must be closed. Returning that tax base to the city and other taxing jurisdictions. So the tif district must be close. 25 years after certification, whether or not the obligation to repay, we're really optimistic about the potential to close this one early. We have a recent example of doing that. Are Westminster Junction tif district. The port met its obligations here and was able to decertify that district 5 years early. The district was created. The site was home to 50 jobs, 138,000 annual property taxes. Today, there's more than 15 companies. They're 900 jobs and more than 2.5 in annual property taxes. We're hoping for a similar outcome on Joe site. So looking back at the site, we've got the proposed tif on the slide in front of you.

We've gone through the steps of completing the blight analysis determining that the existing buildings are substandard and represent blight and a barrier to the redevelopment here. But for the public private redevelopment would not occur on this site. And art, if planned bottles, those future development scenario show those gaps and establishing not to exceed budget for these public resource. Pretty high level timeline at a DECEMBER board meeting commissioners, including council PRESIDENT Maker Councilmember Yang. Approve this action allowing us to move forward here to city council today pending the approval of the tif district and adoption of the geo Bond ordinance for the site. The project would commence this spring with the issuance of demolition permits. We anticipate the project take about 2 years to complete with the Port Authority potentially acquiring the site in the spring of 2028. In the meantime, we're going to be working to market the site for redevelopment as soon as 2027 and our agreement with care of you has a partnership with Fairview staff as well as city planning and economic development staff to really see the marketing of this site.

Meet all of our goals. So happy to take ay questions you might have at this time. And thank you for your support. Thank you, MR. Salmond, are there questions from MR. Salmond. As PRESIDENT Questions his comments. First of all, no one can reap. Jenny Wolf safely. She knew the of that is a tall order. I had the opportunity to tour the Saint Joe's charity Hospital while ago. And it was so incredible like the Texas services, they offer the work that they do. And so this expansion is going to be just an incredible opportunity for us to continue to serve more families with services. And so looking forward to supporting and also just like meeting for the folks. You know, the Kmart site is in the ports ownership right now and and really looking forward to seeing this process makes me excited for the potential of the Port authority is going to do in my words.

So looking at Fort Springs Project, thanks for the presentation as pesident, other questions or comments. That's think you council PRESIDENT. Thank you so much, Mike. I just have one in 20 said do appreciate the Vance briefing on this. I under former pd director nude and had a chance to learn about this site the port authorities attention acquire the site. If you can just share are there. I know the peak and had shared, you know, the Kmart.

But are there other existing sites at the Port Authority currently owns and that, you know, has the same are similar model in terms of wanting to redevelop across the city of Saint Paul. Yes, thank you. Council PRESIDENT Neighbor Councilmember the port of 30's, big projects right now are the heights or pretty much done with the infrastructure out there looking to market those parcels for development, the community energy franchise you just heard will be a big part of that. We've got the Kmart project and then this one. We're always on the lookout for a potential opportunities. But the port is also kind of a developer of last resort. And when we see those properties that are out there not taken on the private market will take on for 5 plus years, those the ones we're kind of looking at, really always keeping an eye out for industrial opportunities again, with our mission of job that space.

Thank you. And one last question is there already a plan, particularly our development plan around? You know, once this is acquired, you know, I've heard that this is post the expansion by also heard that there's opportunities for, you know, you put in your presentation and mixed Is there any opportunities for retail knowing that, you know, it is just blocks away from the entertainment district. Can people want to have more of attraction? I just want to and that's included in this development. Crashes process will Thank you council as an acre councilmember So the ports participation here is really to kind of different. Put this forward as a Greenfield redevelopment site. And so we've modeled a redevelopment here for purposes of our tax plan. That includes 170 units of residential. As well as some commercials, that could be typical a standard officer, some new kind of office retail model, however, with the really long time line we have here to redevelop the site.

We're going to be looking for those more ambitious opportunities, especially partnership with Fairview and City pd to leverage entertainment district leverage the wellness hop on the site and really tie into the dense downtown. Feel that we're looking for here. Thanks, Buddy. Any other questions for public hearing? Thank you, MR. Solvent, thank you so much. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? All right, seeing none. I will make a motion to close the public hearing and then just make some brief all in favor of closing the public hearing. Eye. Post 6 in favor and opposed the public hearing is closed. I just want to say a huge thank you to the Port Authority for advancing this project. I think it is clear that this is going to be a major opportunity, an exciting opportunity to add vibrancy in downtown. And that's and it's a good fair deal, which I think is most important that the Port Authority negotiated the Fairview with minor public cost major public benefit the up to 6 million dollars public investment, which again could be could be significantly lower than that yield 60 million dollars in taxable value and one and a half million dollars every single year and tax revenue to the city of Saint Paul.

Plus, the opportunity to at that that housing those jobs, MR. Salmond was talking about. So really grateful to have a partner like the Port Authority with a track record of success like you do and again, to have had this great deal for the city and for downtown negotiated by you. So I'll move approval. Any discussion of that motion? Seeing none all in favor say Aye. Post 6 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted item number. 28 is public hearing. 26 dash for public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? If you are coming up. Well, as credit today. But Peter Centre and I were to resident and a member of the Saint Paul neighborhood organization, neighbors protecting neighbors. I'm speaking today because I'm very concerned about the state of housing and income insecurity in my neighborhood and in our city.

I know from ongoing conversation that this council that many of you are sympathetic to this issue. And I appreciate your continued detention of the work that's been done so far and the opportunity to continue to speak to each of you directly as I've done the last 2 city council meeting. So thank you for that. However, feel that the pain that our city's residents are feeling is bring your cute. And Saint under this city council and mayor for his leadership is still not providing sufficient information and tangible resources to meet those needs.

Last month. 1365 families in the Twin Cities, metro area had notices of eviction filed against them. That's up. 44% from the average baseline from previous years on the call that my organization had with some of you that all of you. Few of you You mentioned that there would be a rental assistance and that funding would be provided. But after some looking at the website here. You can see that if you go to the emergency rental assistance page for the city of Saint Paul, the first 3 things that you're going to see. Our number one. I was last updated DECEMBER 8th 2025. That was 72 dys ago. Number 2, the program that program applications are temporarily cosed and the 2 links that are supposed to take you from trough the guidelines and program flyer just redirect you to the city's home page after seeing those things and wondering why would you even continue reading or seek some sort of mass from this council is to please follow up with my organization of sent you an email.

We want to know what decisions will be. Is it an increase year-over-year and how will it be provided and distributed so we can make sure that people get the help they need. Thank you. Thank you very much. Make sure to sign Is there anyone else here to speak on this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from is just too close to continue the public hearing till FEBRUARY 25th all in favor say Aye. Aye, all opposed. 6 in favor. None opposed. The public hearings continued to FEBRUARY. 25th.

And I'm sorry, I forgot to ask if there's any discussion of the motion. But if there's any comments present I really appreciate you letting us concern up. We are at the highest rents evictions right now. Like historically in the last like snapshot of last 7 years, even during the pandemic, we know why because we had executive action to help support our neighbors. But the need rental assistance and assistance across the board is astronomical right now for our families. There was an estimated pre pre January across the state with 7% of renters was at least one month behind across the state. And that equated to like millions and millions and millions of dollars. And now there are families that are multiple months behind because they're too, they've been too afraid to leave their home. And it's not just rental assistance. Also want to lift up. There is I want to name them. But there is a nonprofit focus on loss assistance and they have spent 2 million dollars of the legal assistance for families to obtain representation because there are just aren't.

Like nonprofit lawyers are overwhelmed and private lawyers are now like we just we can't create new lawyers in this moment, but it's just a name that this need is across the board. So I really appreciate you coming. Housing is obviously really, really important for us even allow our neighbors to shelter in place, which is something that still incredibly important, even though they said Metro surge is over. We kow from being out in their neighborhoods that it's it's not even remotely close to being over. So I and testifying and I'm looking forward to the conversation. My colleagues, the last out is last week. I provided very brief update from our chair Johnson where she is looking to move additional money and her rental assistance program. So we will make sure that that we follow up on that. But that is the attention of the chair to ensure that there are more assistance dollars gng out the door.

And I think that's even an option opportunity for us as a council as we look into what 20's, the 27 budget could look like as well. So thank you so much for your testimony. I really appreciate it. Just last Thank Thank you. Absolutely. Do that. It's just yeah. Just in Savings Council vice PRESIDENT Can for bringing bringing up update from from chair Johnson chairs, the jury. She will be here next week. believe that's 3rd grade. So should be. We have some presentations through that. The hre and I believe was going also be here for the council meeting potentially that day. And so looking forward to the work ahead on that, I think we also have some believe we have upcoming presentations about it, too. If the hurt us any further discussion. All right. Thank you. That brings us thank you. for cming out. Thank you for continuing to come out thank you for your work with with the organization as well.

And we've had numerous conversations. We're gonna continue to. That brings us to the legislative hearing section of our agenda will come up this moment. A legislative hearing, consent agenda items. 29 49 are before you for your consideration. Anything to be taken for separate consideration. PRESIDENT, I'm not aware of anyone care to testify the hearing. This will hold a public hearing on all of the items. 29 to 49, if you're here for any of these legislative hearing items, this is your public hearing. Come Not seeing anyone. I'll take a motion from is coming to close the public hearings and approve as amended legislative hearing. Officer all in favor say Aye. A post 6 in favor oppose the legislative hearing. Consent agenda is adopted as amended. That brings us to the end of our agenda and the opportunity for some news from the Wertz. Any news. MISS Yang. Thank you. The feeling Freeze Fest is happening this Saturday.

That's a very 21st from 01:00pm to 04:00pm. It's feeling Lakeside Activity center depending on the weather, the annual festival local on and MAY have one or all or a combination of the following ice fishing fire, building arts and crafts, orienteering s'mores and beverages. Snowshoeing nature activities, hacky and outdoor You can find more information about this at the Parks and rec website. Sounds great. Thanks for Yankees comment. Has it ever be knows? After year one of public hearings word for is very proud to be the home to a Planned Parenthood. You're very fortunate that they are serving your community, providing essential medical services to people in Saint Paul and really throughout the region. I very excited to be participating in their annual fundraising event tomorrow night, 7 o'clock to 9 o'clock in Ward. 4 seconds after which is in a different city. But they are nonetheless very excited to be celebrating them and supporting them in their essential work that they are doing for our community here in Saint Paul.

Thanks coming. I will share that actually just in a very little Man Semi's, neighborhood anchor institution is hosting a community dinner to support those in ned all ae welcome to join the Manson family. There will be an Italian buffet and music all donations which are accepted on a pay. What you can bases are gonna go to the community showing fund and the Raptors response fund at the Paul, Minnesota foundations, so opportunity to come out to a wonderful local restaurant. See your neighbors and support our neighbors in need from 06:00pm to 08:00pm. Tonight. Any other news as just thank you. So city related our Saint Fire departments had posting their local 21 annual installation party. There's going to be a happy hour. program there at side, public housing believe that's war, 3 it or the of so that's going to take place between 5.30, to 8.30, and then tomorrow as well between 7 to 8.30, at Harding High School is the Saint Paul Police Department Academy Graduation Academy.

So they'll be graduating their next set of officers. So I'm trying to figure out how to be at to please set points, but but for those who are interested in just welcoming in celebrating our fire department, our fire fighters or welcoming our new says it's opportunity for things to when you figure out how to be in 2 places at once, focus All There's no other news from the words. Thanks, everyone. For great meeting. We are