City of Saint Paul, MN Council Meeting

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Meeting of the Saint Paul City Council to Order Roll Call, please. Johnson we Coleman council president acre here, 7 present non absence. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome. Thank you for joining us. At our city Council meeting, we invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I flag.? Indivisible, liberty and justice all. Consent agenda items to through 15 or before you for your consideration. And we are 6 for separate

Consideration. Is there anything else to come off of consent? Seeing none. I'll take motion from Vice President Yang t approve the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor say Aye. I'll post 7 in favor. None opposed. The consent agenda is adopted as amended item. 6 resolution. 26 Dash 14, 60 authorizing the city to enter into a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration for Safe Streets for all funding. And I wanted to pull this off of consent just to give our staff an opportunity to tell us a little bit more about what this funding would make available in all of us. Hear frequently from our constituents about the need for safer streets, safer, pedestrian crossings. And this is the kind of funding that gets us there. So I wanted to give an opportunity talk about that. Well, come up. Okay. Can everyone see that? Is that a cop? So the jurors up that's present council members.

My name is David Peterson. I'm a transportation planner and public Works Department. citizens. And I'm happy to bring to you today. It's been a kind of a long time in coming and entering into this agreement. We have a very short presentation here for them take some questions. So this is the federal safe streets for all transportation grant from Federal Highway Administration. And what's before today is authorization to accept the agreement. just want to show you a quick map of the project corridors this grant funding is intended to kind provide a lot of kind of low-cost solutions across a lot of different street. So this is approximately 40 miles city and county roadways on what was determined to be the high injury network from our Transportation Safety Action plan. We need to account for additional work that's going on in along corridors. Some of these they're sort of county workers also some some statement that work happening.

So there's coordination that's required just to note 10% of the budget removed from the original grant agreement by Federal Highway Administration in March of this year. There's a 5 year timeline for project implementation. That's completion of the project. So once the federal government signs Carter Center document, we have 5 years to complete work. So that's the preliminary design. Final design and construction project close out. Some of the types of improvements that you're likely see with You've seen some of these around Saint Paul elsewhere. They're not they're not incredibly what he say. They're not the the most innovative. They're kind of the bread and butter of doing a lot of safety work. So you'll see high visibility, crosswalks curb extensions that you've seen your neighborhoods, traffic circles 2 murders, median refuges, pedestrian media messages beacons reflective several back plates are actually one of those low-cost things that you don't think about into the figure that you don't see a traffic signal when you're when you're approaching an intersection.

Sometimes. So this is a sample of some of the types of things that you'll see us. And just briefly on the project budget. So the funding comes into groups of funding. We have the federal grant, which is about 40 million dollars. And then we have about a 4 million dollar match from the states. I Matching We were able to procure that for a total of about 18.1 million dollars. The budget is about 15 million of that is going to construction. They continued to costs. 3.2 million, 2 engineering and inspection costs. And we have some administrative costs that we've set aside for city to the city to administer the project. Generally on the timeline, we're looking to sign this the next week or 2. And once we d that, we have amended agreement also decide that we can get moving on the on the agreement. Otherwise we have to hire a consultant team to help support this.

And we want to get the request for proposals that right away. as we can. So we don't waste anything of that 5 year. But timeline and then the first year, that the first year project deliveries, 2027. That's going to be feeling a design and our environmental work. Followed by 2028. Final design. And then construction mainly across 2 years and 2029 to 2030. And then the last year really would just be kind of for cleanup work. So given the scale of the construction work, we think that that would that's feasible to to just have kind of punch list items the last year. And that's all we have very short presentations. So any questions, thank you so much.

And it's great to see this funding coming in for such much-needed projects. Just curious, do we know already or could be fined a list online somewhere of the specific? showed a map of the specific intersections that can expect this kind of treatment. Well, we have so one of the things we need to do with the consultants is sort of drill down exactly to where we would like to see the improvements happened. So they're going to be along those corridors. The intersections of the places where we tend to have the most crashes, specially crashes between arterial and collector streets. we don't have that for you yet. We will be developing that in year one. And is that something there'll be some public engagement around? We'll just we'll do some degree of public engagement. We do need to try to get through our. Preliminary our to our environmental documentation by the end of next year. So we probably won't do a whole half year.

Public engagement. Sure. Well, thank you. And we look to see my colleagues have questions as well. I just want to say it's it's really great to see external funding coming in for this were frequently telling folks we don't have the funding for that particular treatment that you want to see to make the neighborhood safer. And now we won't have enough to make every intersection That sounds like this will make a big dent and things so grateful to you for the work to get this grant. Is there a other questions or comments? Seeing none. Thank you so much. And purple. he's got motion. On favor, say Aye. A post 7 in favor. None opposing resolutions adopted item 16 Sr 26 dash one. 85 Saint Paul Port Authority 2027 budget presentation. We are pleased to welcome, Mr. Salmond and his friends from the Sample Port Authority to get the budget presentation. We ran out of time a little bit in our budget calendar.

So we're having this come at a council meeting asked for us to put 30 minutes on the clock. And I would look to our budget chair to see if she has any introductory comments as Johnson. as member of the port port. I also, you know, just want to say thank you for providing this opportunity. I think every year the same part of the earnings more than willing to come to council to give a presentation sometimes in our budget calendar. We have our internal city departments that often take I somewhat of a president just because of the size of funding. You're talking about that the Port Authority did present their budget to the actual border itself prior to being here. So I've seen it. But I also will say that you know, I'm looking forward to just hearing what question may come fom my colleagues. as you guys know that the increase the year to year for the port is minimal.

And so that's the same this year as well. Welcome, Mr. Salmond. Thank you. God for maker Councilmembers. I'm Mike Sullivan, chief Financial Officer Saint Paul Port Authority. I think my slides are not getting the full screen but help it look okay for you. I'm joined by my leadership team members here. President CO Todd Ashley Arum, our senior VP of Communications, External Affairs. Emily Lawrence, our general counsel and Christine Williams, our chief development officer. So our first slide here. Coming back up. It's just a little bit about the port authority. So we are an economic engine for Saint Paul in the entire state of Minnesota. We redevelop underutilized land into thriving business centers to bring jobs and tax base to Saint Paul. for finance tools to help Minnesota companies become more energy efficient and resilient and manage the safe harbor on the Mississippi River, providing jobs and connecting our region to a global marketplace. Vance, the slides there.

So a little bit about background and her connection to the city of Saint So we've been the city's economic development partner, the a state statute since 1929, we have about 24 team members at the Port Authority and we have a mayor selected and council approved board of Commissioners. 2 of those board seats are held by city council members. Those being council, vice president council member Johnson, as you just heard, and the port operations are supported by a property tax We hope to show you a little bit about the return on that investment in this presentation. And so we're going to talk about is the ports different lines of business, our budget, and that levee. So the Port of Saint Paul enables Minnesota Industries to compete and worldwide will come out of these markets via the Mississippi River. And so you can see here some of the statistics, the 4 locations of our barge terminals, largely downriver of downtown Saint Paul and some of the top imports and exports that we're dealing with through the ports barge terminals.

So 5 to 8 million dollar million tons of commodities annually over 500 acres of land. With 21 10, it's providing more than 700 jobs on the river. And 2.3 million dollars in annual tax revenue coming through barge terminals. Our top exports are largely agricultural and top imports, fertilizer petroleum products and other industrial. Got some really significant projects going on at our river terminals this This is critical infrastructure for operations at these terminals. And they're great examples of the port leveraging outside dollars with state and federal grants utilized and public-private partnerships with our tenants. So the first set of projects that barge Terminal one, our tenant. There's bulk silos and we're doing a barge receiving system and must material storage and transfer system project. There ports are first and last mile to the rail and trucks that feed other districts. The cement material arriving at this location is distributed throughout throughout the city and the region and the efficiency of moving this material by barge has a direct impact on construction projects by reducing material costs.

Phase one of this project about 8 million dollars replace dilapidated infrastructure and allows direct loading and unloading of barges at this location. Phase 2 is going to about 10 million dollars, one hands, the landside silos and transfer systems for this. Tenet leveraging additional private and public investment in the terminal. And anticipate that starting in 2027. At Barge Terminal 2. We have about 18 million dollar Dockwell rehabilitation project going on. It's a 60 year-old dockwell that's being replaced. And we additionally secured federal dollars to include an emergency response boat ramp providing the only downtown river access for first responders and enhancing safety by effort for everyone using the river. Again, nearly 18 million dollar project. They're currently under construction. We hope t see that boat ramp opening soon. The last big project at the river is at the Southport Terminal and 800,800 $1000 federally funded grade separations study. And that's underway to identify solutions to address train blockages at the South Port terminals.

Only vehicle entrance trucks attempting to access the terminal. There are blocked by trains at the at great that causes ipacts to traffic and the surrounding community. The study is underway but building on that work. We've submitted a grant request to the Federal Railroad Administration to execute on the work currently underway and that be a grant for the final design and construction pase. So that potential request of over 38 million dollars from FRA we're applying for that. Now the studies and process, but design and construction for that work will take several years of planning in partnership with city and regional stakeholders. So really big year, couple years for infrastructure projects river turtles. And just to connect the dots on that last one, because we heard earlier today about the South Florida area and the lack of any there's only one in gress and egress point. This grade separation study would create that second ingress and egress points that would address some of the concerns we heard today from residents, although not all of them.

So just wanted I guess. Thank you, council president. So moving to some of our inland development that started the 1950's, the port business centers are really all across the city and have large economic impacts and jobs and tax base. Our recent industrial land study showed the importance of industrial land as a part of the city's tax base with only 6% of the city's acreage generating more than 9% of all property tax revenues using less cty services that it pays for and supporting 31,000 jobs. Nearly 18% of the jobs in the city. So we're really looking forward to working with the city on the upcoming comp plan to discuss how to increase this valuable resource. can see the impact of the existing business centers about 1000 acres of land supporting more than 500 businesses. 22,000 jobs and paying under just about 50 46 million dollars in annual property. Tax revenues. We've been busy with current and recent projects as So the demolition and redevelopment of the former Saint Joseph's hospital downtown is under way.

We're working towards completion of the public infrastructure at the Heights. Industrial Land sales at the Heights and progress on affordable housing. We hope to have some further progress on that potentially an action front of you yet this year to move forward. The first multifamily project on that site. So a lot of work out at the Heights. W're continuing demolition and remediation work at the former Kmart site getting ready for a future redevelopment. There and managing our 400 wabasha building through some of downtown's recent challenges. We wanted include the successful opening up the sandbox, heavy machinery classroom project we partnered with Saint Paul Public schools with on this year. So there's just some of the current and recent project we have going with our development team. The port is also the statewide administrator for them in Place. Park property assessed clean Energy loan program. And we also act as a lender of direct trillion beach. You loan program for lending in the city of Saint Paul.

So on the map, you can see shaded green, the different cities and counties that we work with as well as the completed project shown as red dots on the map, almost 500 loans completed 390 million dollars in investment. And those projects are saving almost 40 million dollars in energy use annually. So really a lot of impact. And we're always looking for opportunities to expand reach of these programs. Partnering wth Minnesota's Green looking for private lenders to partner with and clean energy at the groups to get the word out. I'm a great example project that just opened up this the Stella Market rate housing downtown. It's a good example of seeing pace loans that are increasingly included in the capital stack for both new construction and office. The house and cnversions. In addition to the more traditional energy efficiency and solar projects be financed in the past. And our capital outreach for is revitalization and epansion grant program core was a new program tis year.

We're proud of our team's work to stand this up with legislative funding specific to the capital area. Our first for projects per just with $530,000 granted to for businesses for capital improvements. 2 of those are up on the race street corridor and 2 of them are in downtown Saint Paul. Our round 2 of grant funding is closed and currently being scored and with an additional $600,000 from the legislature in we're looking forward to even around 3 of this program again for the capital area. slide shows the early decertification of the Williams Hill and Westminster TIF districts which were in the headlines last year. And we're excited to continue to decertify more districts ahead of schedule. And as legally required, once obligations are repaid. And so for 2026, we're proposing to bring forward the great northern North and south districts as well as the energy lane fairly decertification. Those were originally scheduled to be decertified in 2029, 2032 2030 respectively.

They generate roughly 2.3 million dollars in property taxes each year. And so we see these is really continued success stories for tiff work where we have job and tax outcomes from the use of this tax increment for acquisition, demolition and remediation. So just certifying these districts will generate about 66 million dollars in tax base being returned to the general tax base growth that would not have occurred. But for this public investment and we're really looking forward to similar success sories with our Saint Joe's and Kmart sites in the future. And I know there's interest in understanding the tax bill impact of these dew certifications. I don't have those numbers here today, but we're happy to work with the city's tough expert Jenny Wolf and the county to kind of crunch those numbers and report something back to the council. But it's a good impact. That's a positive impact. You see these is really great examples of TIF working intended to.

So transition of kind of the budget. Part of the presentation here, you can see my my graphic that we like to show in 2026. Our operating budget source is only 35% came from the property tax levy. So I know that's unique from other city departments that are more levy based of the levee here supports only 35% of our operating budget. Again, pointing to the return on the city's with those spots. This slide shows are adopted 226 and preliminary 2027 budget. Our timeline is a bit different with the mayor and council budget process. Happening ahead of our internal budget process. But looking at just that non-discretionary growth that we're projecting, we knew there would be a gap early on.

And so we're very grateful to the mayor fast break, including $75,000 increase to our operating levy in the 2027 proposed budget. That's as you can see on the slide. We're still looking at a potential gap of around $125,000. And I'm confident that we will solve that through our internal budget process, balancing revenues and expenditures, kind of internal to the port. So sarting at the top, you can see the $75,000 increase to the property tax operating line item and all the other revenues really held flat pending our internal budget process that will it's going on right now. The review, those individual line items with our different departments. For expenses. We are similar to the city and having the majority of our cost. The people and so projecting inflationary growth in personnel costs, including health care benefits. That's what's really diving that bottom line gap that you see there. But again, a lot of confidence. Our internal process will work to balance this and then deliver a balanced budget to our board.

The Port Authority's, 3 different tax lvies are shown on this slide. The general obligation, bond debt service Levy is set for the life of a bond at the time of issuance. And there's minor fluctuations annually. So that's that's small change you're seeing there. The mandatory tax levy is a limited tx levy capped at 0, 1, 8, 1, 3%, of the city's market value. And that's all showing a later slide. The port is utilizing less than 50% of that capacity with this proposed number. Again to help with inflationary cost pressures and maintain staffing to complete our existing projects and seek out new opportunities. We are requesting your support for the $75,000 increase in the mandatory or operating property tax levy that was proposed in the mayor's budget. And then the last item here is the discretionary levy for operations that is kept at $105,000 annually, Mr. Salmond is that 75,000 additional mean that you're actually hiring new, do new programs or services or is it just to cover the cost inflation?

Thank you, council president maker, it's just a cover inflationary costs and show on this slide will still have some work to do to even balance from Thank you. This line is a little bit more detail on our general obligation, debt service, tax levy on the Ports. Levy is separate from the city's operating levy on a property tax statements. So similar to Ramsey County or Saint Paul public schools. It's a different line on the tax statement. RG Odette levees are approved via ordinance at the time a bond issue was brought forward to the council for for issuance. And w structure our debt with the goal of an overall level that levee over time. You can see some examples of the projects financed by past Joe binds that are still outstanding and their annual debt service levy amounts. the Beacon Bluff redevelopment was a big one for the port You can see the acquisition of the Help Press golf course. Now the Heights redevelopment, the city's emerald Ash borer project that was completed back in 2022.

And that our opportunity fund for the Kmart site acquisition and what each of those are going to cost the repayment in 2027 totaling about 5.5 million dollars. You can also off to the side of the slides. See what that that levee both 2026 and into the future as those past amounts are amortized and repay. Switching back to the mandatory are operating levy. That's kept again at 0, 1, 8, 3, of the city's market value. This graph just shows how over the last 10 years the levee, the blue line was relatively flat while market values and the authorized limit in orange increased. And so again, just a reminder that if approved this Levy would still be less than 50% of our maximum. Typically other limited tax levy, such as the H arrays are county H are usually at or near the limit. it's good to have that capacity. So this is kind of our wrap-up slide.

Just a reminder investment in our Saint Paul Port Authority operating budget is really key for us to have the tools we need to be opportunity ready and continue the return on investment that I hope we've shown our next steps to get our continuing our internal budget process, preparing our budget through October to develop a detailed budget aligned with our 227 work plan and then we will be presenting that budget for approval at our board, along with our tax Levy certification in leading up to the council's final in December this year. So those are our next steps and I'm happy to take any questions from the council. Thank you so much for this comprehensive information, Mr. Solomon, I appreciate not only that, you are at 52% of your mask possible levee, but also the EU's about 52% of your max. Time with us today. Thank you for always being on time and under budget. Questions from my colleagues. the certainly well, it is a question, but it's more so for folks that are maybe looking into the presentation or even just wondering about the funding structure.

Can you just share a little bit about what does go into that decision around? The Levy and every year, how it determined that the port is meeting. What percentage, what those decisions ultimately look like just for folks that are just trying around were the poor aligns with in the U. S. City Levy. Sure. Thank you. Council Councilmember Johnson. So I think like most departments were going through the process every year, right? We're looking at are again non-discretionary costs, which for us primarily wages, health care benefits, things like that that many organizations have been dealing with inflation on, and that helps us develop kind of a preliminary number. And so that's what we bring it to the mayor's process every year. Sometimes it's around hiring new staff at the council president noted sometimes it's just dealing with those inflationary pressures, but really just having the resources we need to kind continue developed to deliver on the projects we have really be ready for the next opportunity.

And like I said, we have our own process and then we fit into about the mayor phase and back here at the council phase. And then hopefully it all comes together November our board and then December with the final acts of vote here at the City Council. Giving us present and thanks, council president. Well, wanted to say thank you for your presentation. Health want to say things to the entire port. Team for all of the important work that you too, when I think about the port, I'm always thinking back to what President Hurley said, which is that the party is the economic development and engine for the city and that remains to to this day. And so I really commend you all. It's been an honor to sit on the port board alongside customer Johnson. And I'm really excited for all of the work ahead. I'll be honest here. I'm very surprised to see just like the small request in terms of the proposed town budget change for next year knowing that the return that we get from the port has just been enormous.

And and so I wanted to name my my support for and continue to support the work of the port. And, you know, I I would even question the 70 3,000 here, does it even covered the full inflationary cost that you all have to work to fill and sell. I want to keep up the incredible work the slides around the success stories was phenomenal. And I just wanted to name my support for those or at least the certifications. Another thing to hear, too, is that. I just even look at the before. And after photos. mean, it's really incredible. That changes there. And just the economic growth and development in those areas.

Very confident that without the work of the port and those 2 districts that these would properties will continue to be by properties. And I say that knowing that in my ward, but even you have never very many small properties tat continue to be vacant and have been for over 10 years. And so there's many success stories to celebrate. And again, very supportive of that request coming from the port here and keep up the amazing work. Thanks, Vice president and thanks so much to you. And it's Johnson for being our able representatives on the par 4. Any other discussion items are questions for Mr. Salmond doesn't look like it. Thank you so much. And this was just a second court will be considering budget and taking action in the coming weeks. Thank you much. Item, 17 ordinance, 26 dash. 39 amending chapter 63 of the legislative code pertaining to salt storage regulation. So this brings us to the public hearing section of our agenda.

If you are here for a public hearing when your item is called, we will ask you to come to the front stand between the 2 microphone to don't need to adjust them. You can stand up straight. They'll pick you up just fine. You'll have 2 minutes to testify. We ask that you start with your name and where you're coming from. And when you're done, please sign in on either the to sign in sheets. We're not to all right. So we are going to all the public hearing on this item. We actually are then going to continue the public hearing until next week because I'm supposed to be a version 2, that is not yet ready. So this is a public hearing on 17. If you're here to testify, please come on up. I've seen and I will move for us to continue the public hearing till September 23rd. Public areas continued to September. 21st with Items, 18 ordinance, 26 dash, 40 amending Appendix B of the legislative code relating to know the state's power dba Xcel Energy Gas franchise.

This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? going to have to race for it. I was worried about a collision there for a thing or if your first just just when you stand right in between the 2 microphone. So are stocking and I live in Ward 7. Jennifer Jackson is my councilperson. Hello to all of you who represent different points in the city. And I just want to speak in favor of the next 4 items in your agenda. We're really varied and work with me. Do see organization. works and immigration and conservation and climate. The those before us are jst a really magnificent step forward for the city in terms the franchisees have in the past been very aggressive charging people who have very poor insulation and very leaky house is more to be warm then because they just have to burn more energy keep their Hewitt is leaking fuel the leaking into that winter air.

A charging them more than the people who live in a nice tight, well, insulated home and that for their he has to be warm. It doesn't take nearly as much gs too, or electricity to do so with the part of this ordinance, wich route 50% of the franchise fee to that low income people who are and that have in the counties federally funded. How heating assistance program. To return. 50% of it franchise fee to them to the poor people. It's a magnificent step forward for all those families and for the city as a whole. So thank you, Congratulations to especially thank and congratulate those who negotiated this agreement. was a tough it's a very hard ball. I understand. So thanks to all of you thank you very much. Thank you so much. Make sure to sign Well, come up. And as Mr. Pretty comes up. I will say that at we communicate in advance and he wanted to testify on at 2 of the items and rather than having an artificial break at the 2 minutes and coming back.

Another 2 minutes. We decided that he would have 4 minutes to testify, but it will be related to to the items on the agenda. Welcome, Thank you. Up. Council members Council President John websites the Rates, Francisco rates up. Lowered. To the level that the you need ladies sets effectively. It looks like 3.4%. Franchise fee. That applies to people own homes have to. Show a bill to. The Department of Commerce. That

Shows your gas bill. You only get a gas bill if you own the property and pay to heat and soul. The other problem is that excel. Recognizes residential. People as living in a single house, a duplex. And that's Everybody else is considered. A commercial account. And so that's the problem. We've now started to widen the gap because between people live in apartments that are not paying their gas bill but are paying it through. They're at. And so just to us, just to show. What this does. It creates About a 5%. Get.

Between a low-income person that owns the property. And a low-income person. This living. In an apartment. And paying the rent and the heat as well. Where this matters. If I might have the overhead slide, I met ran. We ran the list of people that I attached, but I realize it wasn't doing any good. I modified to give you a better insight as to who these people And if I can get overhead, okay. You can use aiming thank both. To the voice activated projector. Spirits. You can keep going Mr. Keep going.

Well, I can't without showing it. But going light up It's going to be we see it. We just, you know, and I'm sorry yet. You can I forgot about There was a light projects anyway. What I'm trying to say is people rent properties. And the newest ones look like this. This is right by our house. You can see the building and you can see the gas meters right there can see them gas meters. Both sites of the property. Issue, each person has their own gas meter. They're going to get this. If they're low income, they're going to be able to receive the low price because they pay the gas bill. So that's the type of this is new construction. What I'm talking about are what I call legace buildings that are all over the 316 up and identified them in photographs. But here's a different lists which is much better for you to understand what I'm trying to say.

If you start out here, you'll see on the front page. You can see this. You'll see we're talking on Homestead low-income rental. These are all low-income rental on Page low-income rental page to all across the page. keeps on going. You know, 3 pages. There's look not just a low income, but these are starting out units that people rent. These things built in the 1900's and they're not always going attract people other than the rent that that's able to be paid for. That. So there's more income throughout these properties. There's and I apologize. I did bring a list. That I can live with better list. So what I'm trying to say is because what XL does here with the way that they call residential property. It the discount excludes all these people. Thank Mr. Pretty. That is my cousin. It's 7 seconds. 8 can say is if you'll as they head to this list. You'll see that mny, many as 318 units that these a high-rise units. There's a lot of people I would say it's affecting probably more. 9,000 people that are being gratefully given a discount.

Thank Mr. Pretty and you need to stop you. There are 30 seconds over. I appreciate the fact you also, you know, these comments, please leave the list here. I know I will be following up on the questions that you raise both about the equity argument that you're making and also that some of the other questions you have about details of the of the agreement. Of the Yeah, I'm not so concerned about those things because I know you're not going look at them. I don't think they ever did before. But it's helpful to have way to look at half past bills. But thank you thank you, Mr. you can leave that with Mister Williams. Thank you so much. make sure to sign in. Is there anyone else here to testify on this item? Seeing none. I move to close the public all in favor say Aye. And ordinance 7 in favor not oppose public hearing is closed.

The ordinance is laid over for final adoption. Item 19 ordinance, 26 dash. 41 amending Appendix C of the legislative code relating to northern states power dba Xcel Energy Electric franchise. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take motion from us just to close the public hearing. So sorry. Sorry. Take back up minute. Might as well come up now. Stockings again. forgot to mention the last statement made again a plan for the Bills for us. That the other equity bull equitable provision now in ledge and that in agreement with the utility company.

Is that in the past the residential sector, whether you're rich or was subsidizing the commercial sector. In terms of the percentage of rates that provided by categories. And so this agreement also that more effort, will it raise the rate that commercial parties are paying and lowered the race proportionately. best bench will have to pay. So this second important information for the public. Thank you so much. Thank you. Get that signing it again. Anyone else here to testify on this item. Seeing none. We'll take a question from is just to close the public hearing with the matter over to September 23rd for final adoption all in favor say Aye. I opposed 75 in an oppose. The ordinance is laid over for final adoption. Item. 20 ordinance. 26 to 43 amending Legislative Cove, adding a new appendix B to relating to know that states Cardi Xcel Energy Gas franchise fee. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item?

Seeing none. I'll take a motion from us just to close the public hearing, the matter over for final adoption on September 23rd all in favor say Aye. I'll post 7 in favor. None opposing ordinances laid over for final adoption. Item. 21 ordinance. 26 to 44 amending the legislative code by adding a new appendix C 2 related to know that state's power dba Xcel Energy Electric. franchise fee. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here speak to the side? That before I just want to make a note. I thought the public comment from today just whether or not we would have an official update from staff prior to the final vote next week. Regarding some of the public comment that was given today at that have a chance to review the record. But I also think that it's important to address in real time. And would love for there to be staff. I would those questions of that was something that, you know, Stephen, be present here today to talk to it.

But I actually really like to see the formal response Mr. Parties comments. Thanks Johnson. Yes, my plan was to follow up staff information on Mr. Pretty is comments and then being able to both speak to it here and also share with him. But that said, if there are staff here today who want to respond are prepared to. We can certainly welcome that doesn't like. But yes, absolutely. Well following up on that. And I agree. I think those are really important comments and especially appreciate again, the concern for. Equity of folks living in different types of units that Mr Party's rising so they Actually, before we hold a public hearing, also want to recognize representatives from Xcel Energy are here. And so. It takes 2 to tango. And we appreciate the fact that you engage with us in good faith in this process you're hearing a lot of support for what we came up with. we're really grateful for that.

This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. We'll take a motion from just to close the public hearing, the matter over to September 23rd for final adoption all in favor say Aye. I almost 7 in favor. None opposing ordinances laid over for final adoption item. 22 resolution public hearing 26 dash one. 23. Amending the financing and spending plans in the fire department and the amount of 1 million, 250,000 to accept the 2026 Economic Development Initiative Community Project funding federal earmark for the Fire Department's burned building restoration and reconstruction. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from his to close the public hearing and approve all favor say Aye. 7 in favor not oppose. The resolution is adopted item. 23 rsolution public hearing 26 dash 2.55. amending the financing and spending plans in the fire department and the amount of $5,467 for payment received for recycling scrap metal.

That was no longer needed by the department. This is a public hearing. Is anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. We'll take a motion from is common to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. A post. 75 or not oppose the resolution is that I adopt it 24 resolution. Public hearing 26 dash 2.56. Amending the financing and spending plans and the fire department in the amount of $30,000 for a grant from the state of Minnesota through the Department of Labor and Industry to support staffing for the apprenticeship program. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from Ms Johnson to close the public hearing and approve all in favor sy Aye. A post 7 in favor not oppose. The resolution is adopted item. 25 resolution public hearing 26 dash one. 76 ratifying the assessment for Repair of Sanitary Sewer line on private properties.

This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from vice president close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye host 7 in favor, not oppose. The resolution is adopted item. 26 resolution public hearing final order approving the 7th place mall operation maintenance for 2025, this is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. We'll take a motion from his camp to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. A post 7 of every not oppose resolutions adopted item. 27 resolution. Public hearing 26 dash one 81 final order approving the 7th Operation maintenance for 2026, tis is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to the side? Seeing none. take a motion from is going to close the public hearing and approve all in favor. Say Aye. post 7 in favor not oppose.

The resolution is adopted 28 resolution. Public hearing 26 dash one 92 final order approving the grand selling parking lot. Operation maintenance cost for 2027. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from his just to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. I opposed 75 another resolutions adopted item. 29 resolution public hearing. 26 test 2.48. Approving the application of the University of Saint Thomas for some of variance in order to present amplified sound for the 2026 University of Saint Thomas football season series on Saturdays of September. 19. 26 October 10. 31 and November 14th at 20 21 15 Summit Avenue. A shot the stadium. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from is common to close public approve all of their say aye. also 7 in favor not oppose resolution is adopted item, 30 resolution public hearing.

26 test 2.51. Approving the application of Twin Cities in motion for some of variance in order present amplified sound from Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend event on Saturday, October 3rd Sunday, October 4th at 75 F and are Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Minnesota State Capitol grounds. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from his Johnson to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. All opposed. 75 in a post resolutions adopted item. 31 resolution public hearing 26 dash 2.52. approving the application of Anderson race management fr some of variance. In order to present amplified sound for get your rear in gear. Twin Cities event on Saturday on Sunday, October. 11th at 200 ER huge boulevard, Harriet Island Regional Park. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to the same? Seeing none. We'll take a motion from vice president and to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye.

I also asked 7 in favor not oppose. The resolution is aopted item. 32 resolution public hearing. 26 Josh to 53 approving the application of Xcel Energy for some of variance in order to present amplified sund for an excel energy infrastructure utility project on the C Pkc Railroad crossing at Eagle Parkway and Shepherd Road from October 19 through November. Second, 2026 at Eagle Parkway from Shepherd Road to North Chestnut Street. And before we hold a public hearing on item, I did have some questions for Xcel Energy representatives. I don't think that they're here. They are here to talk about OK, wasn't sure if they were just here by happenstance. I appreciate being here. I received some questions for my constituents about the duration of this project about the 24 hours a day major of this project. Really curious to know more about why that is needed and what level of sound you're anticipating and what is going to be done to.

Understand that sometimes you apply for some of a variance to give yourself the max possible opportunity to do work. I would really like to understand what is likely going to be happening when and how loud. And likely going to be and whether or not it really will be. 24 7, 4, A lot of does so. Council president

Going down there to get onto road tracks to get infrastructure. From the hybrid plan to west side of downtown. Equipment that the running 24 7 will be inside of all. The trench box, which would be by 15 feet underground. The noise from that probably isn't going to be as loud. Call up top. But there will be a prenup top to settle criminal and material and at certain times, but not a 24 7. Operation up there will be a generator that be running. 24 7 we discussed that put some type of a noise barrier around it. To push the noise more than south west part of the present, apartment or the House. They're parkway. Thank you. So the sound is going. 24 7 is the generator which are going to try to create a sound mitigation barrier and then the box that is below ground. Yeah. trying box with about 40 feet by 20 feet and they'll be equipment inside there, though, a few running.

24 7. We're anticipating minimum o 2 weeks, possibly 3, depending on the. The soil that we have push education through another attraction. And how loud is the equipment like inbox just trying to get a sense of? decibels inside the box a 5 around, 90 decibel, 200 decibels, but top. I have able to find the exact decibel level above ground. And I assume that this work has to happen at these times. And frustration can use a little more about what the actual project is that happening. Well, the whole project itself is probably about a year and a half. Just to check and the casings and attractions where. But you need a variance because that stuff, once we get to a certain point and are attracted, you have to keep going just because it. You don't need to track too, deflect any more than half inch. So one says want to get a certain point. We have to keep going.

You can start and stop when you're working on attacks like that. Yeah. Thank you. As he just. Thank you. Council president a Kurd so. How deep is the transfer trench box? And it sounds like you're basically the only sound there will vibrations from what sounds like excavation and drilling process. You said that your. casings, could just say a few What was it the bottom of the trench box of the roughly 50 feet down? just a big steel truss FOX to know. To be safe in there. You know, if I'm going to be an NFL, the running as far as vibration it smarter more of an otter. had real sort pushing the casing. As Pulitzer backed out. If there is any vibration, we had trouble or Shell rock or whatever down there, but be some vibration from that. But we have so bored samples and that doesn't appear to much of that type of material under there but it just sent off so just a little bit, but probably not much.

Any other questions. really appreciate you being here on short notice to answer those questions. I would also know that we actually approved the sound level, very unsettling back in April, but the work what happened then at the time, I haven't heard any concerns in certain any questions now I hadn't wanted to with this information. I feel more assured about both the necessity of the work in the measures are going to take to mitigate the noise and the level of noise expected to thank you for that. We have yet to hold a public hearing, but depending on how that goes into the moving thank This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. I close public hearing for all in favor say Aye. And also just 7 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted. A legislative hearing, consent agenda items. 33 69 are before you for your consideration.

Welcome is a name. Good afternoon council president council members and not aware of anyone here to testify today. All right. In that case, we will hold a public hearing on items. 33 through 69, if you're here for any of those items, this is your public hearing. Seeing none. We'll take a motion from present and to close the public hearings and approve the items with the additions recommendations. Legislative hearing apps are all in favor say Aye. Up 7 in favor. None opposing legislative hearing consent agenda is adopted as amended brings us to our favorite time of the week. The end of the council meeting and the news from around the any news from the Vice president council president wanted to share that next Monday, September. 21st from 06:30PM, to 8 p m hosting a two-day meeting about case Recreation Center proposed closure. But you heard in the mayor's budget. welcome everybody to calm. It's also an opportunity for folks to just share generally their thoughts about the budget proposal to however, the focus really is going to be about the rec center and it will be located at key specs center.

Thank you. Vice president's and that's keeping it tracking on the east side and related budget conversations. I will be at the doesn't think his conversation as well. But tat will be also doing the dance pop fly. Very conversation. Library on Thursday, September 24th at 06:00PM to talk about te proposed closure for fighting. And I will be there and I'm there's shown up to almost like a at And if you're going let us know it to notice it. But yes, here. And by we have a free farmer's markets out of race in Arlington Ball Field on September 18 and October. 23rd. Everyone is welcome in. They receive fresh fruits and vegetables. Events take place between 10:10AM, and noon and a stone Houston services. So come join us at the wrestler laced. Oh, my goodness. Straight ahead, are field. So every yeah, I was got are set it that October 23rd and thank you to Hunt swinging for sharing having like it is for me today.

Is just as common his body. Thanks, council president. So this weekend is the Nativity County fair in McAllister Groveland. It is Nativity Church and school, which is that 1900 Stanford Avenue. It's that it's this Friday through Sunday and so Friday it starts at 5 o'clock until 10. Saturday is noon to 10 and then Sunday is. After must be your best 11:30AM, to 3 o'clock. So it's really fun event that I look forward to every year. It is just over 50, 50 years old and they have rides and fair food in lots of activities. It's super fun. And this year they're going to have counties cream cone, which I'm really excited about. So let's to do something for everyone and encourage come check it out. Thanks. I'm excited that the kind of an enterprise zones chromosome comas own festival as really hard for me to say to me on a festival that assessing park and West Midway neighborhood.

It's really amazing. They do these incredible murals every year. You can go watch their this work, their tours. There's an artist talk Thursday night at Prairie. It's all around us are really fun and exciting event to bring a lot of culture in terms of place Vegas, children, City. So. Yeah, check it I think that events start tomorrow, but APD has already started. So you can go and look at state be made. thank you. Yes, it's fair to support events and festivals aso highlighting some of our star Grant recipient. We have couple celebrations and ward one. One of tem being the fraud town arts festival. Their theme, this year's beat of the Black. They're going to have a section as well as some performers. It's going take place this Saturday, right on University on the corridor. And also thank you to the commercial corridor funds to support this initiative. It's going to be between 02:00PM to 09:00PM.

It's also the same time that they're going to be doing Frogtown neighborhood association is hosting their elections. So if you are interested in being a board member. You also sign up and they'll be doing that democracy and elections right then. And there our second event that's happening on the same exact day Saturday as well. At the Capitol grounds. I believe Capitol grounds, the capital Fest. So that's going to be taking place at 11 o'clock. They have food celebrations. They have a really cool car show there. So if you're into those antique cars. It's a great opportunity. I know in the years before they also have like a WrestleMania match right here on on the on the ground. So Ed, great opportunity to bring the kids and then the 3rd event that's happening in Ward one on Saturday. As most of the being 70 businesses from 10:00AM to 04:00PM. At Hearts. U. S. also known as the dunning wrecks in there.

It's going to be the intergenerational community health fair. So free checkups, free mobile health units there free health coverage screenings. So if you want to get your eyesight tests of 4 get measurements, blood pressure, blood glucose screenings. And there's also a job and career opportunities. So it's going to be a career fair as well. So that's taking place 10:00AM to 04:00PM and arts Yeah, going to be a phenomenal weekend many of It's good to know. That is not just me feeling overwhelmed. It is the month of September. There's so much is just started about one more But I think is a month ago, our council voted to turn on the lights at the Highland Golf course or anywhere. have like to have course, tomorrow night we'll be turning on lights and Highland golf courses after 7.15. So if you want to come by, I'll be there. I'm still not sure of all the details, but it's really exciting.

And I look forward to, you kow, what more we make of the do in the future. Now that our cuncil has made that change, will we be able to call? I'm driving just You can just come. All right. I will close out a giving one that steals from every single one of our words and then one that has worked tomorrow night. The League of Women voters. This is super cool. Especially this year leaving voters. partnering with us as public libraries and the apps and Minnesota secretary of state to put on voter education night across the city of Saint Paul. Every one of our words as a library that is doing this, it is Rondo Riverview Highland Park, Marian Park, Race Street, Arlington Hills and And you can tour a sample polling place and you can get a sample ballot and make a plan to vote. And I had a fight about Canada. Think you all that stuff and it's from 5, 37, 30 tomorrow.

So definitely 7 by heal and would encourage, especially as co-sponsors of this, too. Thank Plan to be at our libraries. If we can. And then also exciting news for more to a Aldi is planning a couple. A sneak preview events next Wednesday and Thursday.

Still not share on the time, but I think Aldi generally opens at 9. So my assumption this is both Wednesday and Thursday. You can come kind of get a sneak peek. I think you get a free tow. It'll be great. Most importantly, all these coming and it's really here. And it's next week. So look for that. With that. Thanks. Fairly and