So outside I was nothing at ready Call the meeting of the Saint Paul City Council to order Roll call police at area. here really Johnson here toast can come present maker here? 6 present one absent being councilmember Billy and she's expected shortly. Thanks everyone for joining us for a city council meeting today. Please join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to flag. A United States and calling from which stands. All liberty and justice for Consent agenda items, one through 14 or before you for your consideration. Is there anything to be taken for separate consideration? And then we'll take a motion from MR. Provides key to approve the consent agenda. Any discussion. All in favor
say Aye. I'll post 6 in favor. None opposed. The consent agenda is adopted item. Number 15 is resolution. 25 dash 7.89 proving adverse action against the liquor Auto Garage and secondhand dealer motor vehicle license helped by mf k Enterprise Inc doing business as mf k Enterprise for the premises located at 8.30, Robert Street South. Welcome to start at. I am going to use the magic overhead during my staff. Reports just giving heads off. That I will need Theresa behalf of the Department of Safety inspections given Greg, just for you here. Background given Greg version to this resolution? Actually, when I sat down last night working my staff report, I noticed that the title of the notice didn't include the request of the Department of Safety and inspections to
revise and some of the license conditions. I did contact the licensee this morning. Mookie a present here today. And I explain this to him. He let me know that he had read the notice and we went over the revised and amended license conditions. I let MR. Cano we could have more time to review, but he indicated to me that you still wish to address council today regarding the $1000 penalty and request to impose the amended revise license conditions. So with that background, I'm just going to lay out the license history for this license and get started check to started. But should we let me know when you want when you want me to move her son, too? Just so
that's the one that we're considering. You certainly could move it. Now, if you wanted or wait to London with the staff report, it's totally up to you. Why we hear the rest of the staff report But just so folks know the person to contains title that talks about changing license conditions and the change license conditions as misguided just mentioned. So that's that's the difference. Wanted to make sure that highlighted for one. And I I also fixed a couple typos can help myself. So the license history here is that in 2018 council passed resolution, 18, 3.31, this was a first violation. $500 Matrix penalty was for violations of 3 license conditions. Council
stated that Matrix penalty for 6 months pending, no same or similar. That in 2020. Council passed resolution 27. 95. And this was a adverse action after a complaint inspection. In FEBRUARY of 2020 found violations of to license conditions. Dsi recommended a $500 Penalty Council imposed at but stated for one year as long as there were no same or similar violations. And then in 2024, there was resolution. 24 23, this notice of violation was again related to license condition. Violations. These happened in JULY of 2023. And matter came before council in DECEMBER of 2024. And this is the basis for the request to impose the $1000. Matrix Penalty an under our
license. You stick on there. Is working? Yeah. If the voice activated protecting can just zoom in a I think we'll be able see it better. Okay. Uniform license called sets out. Presumptive penalties Council can deviate up. They can deviate top. And as you saw on the license history. You chose to impose the. The Matrix penalty sometimes. But deviate you. You stated so you did something a little different here is the first appearance of $500 fine. Second is house and this is where we are on the penalty. Matrix. Based on that prior licenses, history because it doesn't. When you get a kick by a it doesn't just carry with you forever. It times out after a while. So that's what's time. And there's because this was just last year. The last violation we
are in the second right there. To this violation on MAY 3rd, 2024, there was complain. Inspection. In which violations were observed. As part of that on JULY. First 2024, Dsi inspector Alan Fang sent a correction notice to the licensee. Whose referencing this MAY 3rd 2020 for inspection and indicated that the violations discovered on MAY 3rd needed to be addressed by JULY 12. And in this notice of violation. A correction notice he laid out. The violations which related to license conditioned one which are vehicles not parked in accordance with the approved plan. Number 2 must provide new Marine lane
maneuvering lane at all times 3, all repair must be conducted inside and enclosed building and license condition. 5, no eterior storage and storage must be in accordance with the Ramsey County Hazardous waste relating to tires and trash cetera. So the correction notice also stated that there would be a reinspection. To make sure violations were addressed and from the records submitted by Dsi. It doesn't look like the inspectors were able to return until OCTOBER of 2024. And Inspector Vang. Put together a report from his OCTOBER 2024. Visit. That wait out the violations he observed. And included vehicles parked in the public right away on the side road and surrounding air areas that were in violation of the
business license conditions. He talked with someone who identified himself as Manny he detailed the violations he observed with Manny. Inspector being stated he observed and k employees move and parked vehicles in the right away. And inspect Irving told ems he says in his report told the mfd employees they couldn't do this and heard them respond that there is nothing you can do. Take all the pictures you want. And specter of paying also documented damaged vehicle Jack stand with front end damage and missing parts and reported that an m f k employee told him and been there for a while like that. Then on NOVEMBER 14, 2024. Dsi inspector Alan Bang and inspector went back and
conducted another complaint based inspection and tey reported that they observed like black truck. The head, multiple vehicles on the back. And that was in the middle of the road. There are photos of this in your packet. Tsi inspectors also observed rubbish, food scraps, motor oil and chairs around the its chair. The business. They documented that they saw 01:00am f-k employee help unload a vehicle off the transport vehicle and back into the side street where he started to work on it to get started. The OCTOBER and NOVEMBER violations led to this request for adverse action, which includes dsi its recommendation for revise license conditions from the information in your packet, the basis for the department's
request to amend or revise conditions is that they updated the outdated conditions to implement current language for street parking after storage and delivery vehicles. They removed language that is no longer applicable. And they believe that these conditions will address the noon since behavior. That's being complained of and positively impact the safety and welfare of the surrounding neighborhood and also assist in clarifying the licensees responsibilities and better protect public safety. On 2/10/2025, the city attorney's office sent a notice of violation and a request for imposition of the $1000 Matrix penalty. The licensee. This information that notice of
violation did include the amended license conditions, but it didn't have it in the title. So that why I called the licensee this morning. But the notice gave the licensee until FEBRUARY 20th 2025. To a do nothing. And a resolution of city submitted to council to pay the Matrix penalty, admit the facts and request a hearing before council. Which is what the license you chose to do or request an administrative hearing, which is basically like a trial where I would go and represent the city and the licensee would be there. It's a little more farm informal, but we would both put her evidence on and let an alj make recommendations back to this body. When I talked to the licensee Mookie of this
morning. He did. Asked we went over the license conditions and I did find in the pack at but Dsi requested amendments and I if we zoom in a little you can see hre they re numbered. Some they crossed out language that was outdated and then highlighted in red additional language. So that's that's kind of what that So to reiterate, the request from Dsi is to impose the $1000 Matrix penalty and the new license conditions. Particular license. Business is a little different in that. Contains to licensees on one property. One is MR. O m f k and the other is Another gentleman whose name Ihad in my head 2 minutes ago in Africa, Muhammad Abd and his manager,
Manny is here about his side and wishes to address council. But as the licensee that Dsi is believes is responsible for the license violations. Is and most here and he would get 5 minutes of leaf and then the other manager would get to. Any questions you night. Thank you so much. This a couple minutes of her first Johnson. I just wanted to go back to the beginning where you invite out some of the timing. For the the previous violations to just so I understand. So the $500 fee was put in place as long as well as I think I heard you say there was if there were no other violations in the year. So yet go through the dates again for me. So in 2018. 18 resolution, 18? 3.31. Was passed by council and I apologize. I didn't write down
the exact dates but it it was a first violation. Okay. And yes, I had recommended a $500 Matrix penalty. And the basis for the recommendation was violation of 3 license conditions. This went before council just like this and council amended that resolution. So when you look in Legistar the its its crossed out to impose it. And it says it stayed for 6 months pending no same or similar. It's based on the evidence that I found in Legistar. There was no same or similar. So we kind of reset the time frame. Now we're in 2020 and we have a resolution 27. 95. Which is another complaint inspection. And we have that one producing violations of to license conditions and that occurred on FEBRUARY 10th 2020. In that case, tsi
recommended a $500 penalty. And counsel to the same as they have done in 2018. A pose post it. But they stay that for a year. As long as there were no same or similar violations. Then in 2024. There was another notice of violations that went out related license condition violations again and the date of that was JULY of 2023. Came before council in DECEMBER of 2024. Hour and 2025. So still within that. I MAY have. So ok, is this a 3rd violation? Is the second? It is the. 4th violation violation. However. In uder our penalty matrix, we only count it. And we decide where we are in the boxes. We're only at the second box. Because our cold tells us how we in. Okay. And we've reset that clock in
2018, we reset again. Thank you. That's helpful tips. According to my math, we're fine. I in the second box. Now with that. So, you know, you just you just don't have to carry around all your violations forever because it a licensee who was in business for a very long time. Could, you know, potentially be generally light law abiding but have a few things and it would stack up. So and this is set by council just to be clear this these are the guidelines that you've set out for the department. Ok? Thank you. As usual. Ken Johnson, my mind's work the same way. So I also want confirm the timeline. So can you tell me when the 3rd violation was a good 2018 get MAY of 2024, just what's in front of us.
When was the 2023 1. JULY of 2023. And that came to us DECEMBER of 24 DECEMBER. 23 DECEMBER of 2024. It was it was rose. I I actually double check that too. But the resolution was 24. 23 saw. Tells me it was in 2024. Okay. And then. To essentially there has never been a penalty imposed. Because the $500 Matrix penalties we're never imposed because they were state. Despite the fact that there was a violation in 2018 2020 in 2023. In 2024. And then. It looks like when we came back in OCTOBER, there were more violations. And in NOVEMBER there were more violations which were not counting, has more violations
the Twenty-twenty council, PRESIDENT Maker the 2023. Matrix penalty was imposed and my recollection is that it was imposed because we did not hear from the place and seeing that matter. Okay. But it was there ws the Matrix penalty was imposed so that time $500 Correct. And then this one we're talking about now happened in MAY of last year 2024. For some reason inspection didn't happen until. OCTOBER. And that one found. More violations are the same violations doesn't matter. I guess if they're of the same conditions. Council, PRESIDENT Maker, I don't believe it matters that there thus, you know, that that the same conditions under our Code Council all is has the ability upwardly depart. a lot of times you'll see the Department of Safety inspections recommending upward departure. We see that
a lot with tobacco licenses were large volumes of prohibited flavored tobacco products are found within a licensed premises in this given the facts and what they observed, the Department of Safety and Inspections is just recommending that standard. $1000 penalty and the license conditions tat was the balance. I think they were trying to Okay. And my last question going back in NOVEMBER and finding more violations. That's not really in front of us right now are that's looped in with the man OCTOBER violations. the violations from MAY. JULY. OCTOBER and NOVEMBER. I believe our before. New today and just from reading the
notice of violation. And but all right. Thank you. Put together recommending just the second violation penalty. Any other questions for Vince Carter before we go to the public or before we hear from me license. Thanks, discarded. Don't go too far. So we will now and this is not This is opportunity for not the public to give input that for the licensee to have 5 minutes to speak to on this matter. So coming up. And make sure, please, please come on up to the microphone to appear. Just start by saying your name where you're coming from. And then you'll have 5 minutes to appeal to the council and then make sure that afterwards you sign. And I'm one of the 2 citations. Good afternoon. My name is no kill and again from and if came to France. you all know, we owe it to
a spot in the shooting on location quick and cause for issues. So the love to any cause for soon for both of and food, customer and employee parking for each of us. And then I just want let you know that the they came and inspection they found there. Some staff are there that they say is against on license and condition. For example, do have license for the pair, but don't do to much pay because most everybody. Cost them the option. You take a car and sell them, but that we do have contract we do or the company that he received, that they come and because So we no reason to leave board offside. Some people are the team. Got I can't repair shop where something one singer. It
happens. The Troy Fire back there with a tour and better not And none of the something outside that one. And we haven't seen that. So took a picture up and I in small pride and they use that against licensing. That be the store as of this video outside the car lot. But as I said, you do have contract to do complain and we haven't inside the that safety he was only they come and pick it up. You have no reason outside. Some windy. Then we didn't see that. Or picture of a car that parked on the street because it is not crime. And some people just parked cars, take advantage of the condo. They put a sign on for sale or something. Ad this city come say, oh, GOD that I can the way or the center at. So are some I'm just going
to stop you right there. We'll stop your time. I just wanna make sure they're on something because my understanding was that you are admitting the fact so agreeing with what the Department of Safety inspections found and contesting the pnalty and it sounds like you might be questioning the facts. And if the backed, we do have a separate process that we're not in the business of being able to know whether or not in judging whether or not the department safety inspections are used those facts that the phone I just want to have expand the nation about the facts. Like people have trash company contract that they come and take our trash. If you beach. So we have no reason give the trash outside. But place, you know, as I we
do to know should cause 2 people within basically going And they've been for 25 years. You can check out quickly the We don't have any complaint any problem with their customers because we hope to buy causes minimum down payment. Don't charge interest. Nothing to go to work be on the business beat that you then they're going to college. You know, just working the so you have to say I guess what they find as a fact yet if were there, just fanatics pollination, some of the nba in us and on things that has happened. But we both tried to get the place playing. You know, we're not trying throughout the neighborhood. They've been there for so many years. And as you see, it just fit. Thing
of this started that the that's happened because the owner that are that and then you know, he's not so he's the friends. He's man the place where and the bullet right to keep the pace as much as possible clean and then do not go and license. But then once you know happens that these other of control, we cannot see anything. We never any cause from other states going to have any good, big truck company coming parked in the middle of this student drop off a conference. We never have that never ever have that. And then once in a while. That's happened that they have dropped the car. These a of them. This the there's a bunch of actress issue from I don't know nothing about that is not my car, but is it the
speaker can track it down? She was none of those cars and then and they can track it down it permission to all Council member. They come and they see anyway, which is in relation belongs to They can't make any decision fine. You know, we have no objection with that. And the other thing is pain to license. You go to the front the business to identity. You know. 2 different and if they come, for example, if has one more it's there's no reason to send a violation to get to input the vice So street as But board of the sponsor, a chicken in community, probably But that you'd like to speak to many comes, you know, for example, speak to Cannes and talk to someone at 8 o'clock. And he says employee, but that's not
true. He's not my employee. Know he's it opened at 10 And even that there was not there was the auction. So you want to pay more, you know, can see the nation and this matter if they come in, put a hold on the more because they want to write a citation well up in for don't have a because you see to it surprise. And if usually don't happen. But the i haven't needed serve as your over 10 and it's on the Thank you. So I cement come in to show you the but you if you have copies, you can certainly pass them around to us. And then you you can take a seat. You'd have to know. I know you are tied up. You're
representing the other. So - side before you this are the sky to which which businesses in question here. Do we have to licensees or want council PRESIDENT The business in question McKay auto. And this is the. Licensee for mf. Kate Auto. This is the manager of the other place. He gets the 5 minutes. This isn't a public hearing so he doesn't get to talk. He was here to support. Okay. His person or the shares the licensed premises sweat. But what I will say is I'm clearly hearing the licensee is disputing some of the facts and it is important that we have a record where there are facts admitted to base a penalty on and if not that we afford the licensee due
process of having an administrative hearing. So I just and we have we have covered that I I just want to make sure we have a clean record thank you. So so you won't have a chance to testify. Sorry about that. We've heard from you. Appreciate it, sir. You both consent and we'll just discuss the case now and we'll let you know if we have questions. I'm so sorry, you can't we we don't have an opportunity just say the last vote. For over time, But safety You got your very good at it, Very can convince that. Thank you. Okay. So I this I am open to other stats, but just as an initial did here Statements that I know, sir, you're saying we're just explaining the facts, but it did sound a bit like questioning the findings. Tis
was not my employees are not our cars. And those do seem like questions that again, we are not qualified are authorized to dtermine, but that needs to be figured out before we move forward. So it does seem to m like we need to go to an administrative law, judge. If we if we don't do that, my recommendation would be to proceed with the $1000 penalty today. But it seems like the applicants for licensees would. Be better served going to administrative law, judge. Again, I don't know if you're saying that offer has been made and rejected or what conversations have been had about that to this point. But I we can just decide that that's where it needs to go from here. Regardless of. Interest on the part of a licensee. Council. PRESIDENT Maker. It is within this council's discretion to make the determination to send
it back. Up to the alj for a full hearing and recommendations and you've done that before. And yes, we have had multiple conversations about the which option was chosen. Obviously from the history. MR. Mookie of the licensee has appeared before council before and admitted to violations. So this isn't I fresh person who was first before council. The only thing I can think of it if there are violations, he admits to perhaps. You know, we can do that. Otherwise my recommendation would be just send it up to the administrative law judge for hearing. Any other questions. Comments that will be my motion then would be to refer this to the administrative law judge for a hearing. Any discussion on that motion. Seeing none all in favor say aye. I opposed. 7 in favor. None opposed. The resolution
is adopted as amended. Thanks, Thank you. To buff. Item number 16 is accepting the Saint Paul Capital improvement budget process. Experts estimate report conducted by Wilder research. All So I'm these 2, along with councilmember rats can help present can be part of our city Council out of committee. We just concluded our 3rd it. We've been lucky to have the chance to work with Wilder research. Now on a couple the second out at concluding at the end of the audit, we always invite Wilder to come to present their findings. This time our focus was the capital improvement budget process. And specifically the community focus portion of that, which I know many of us have heard from our constituents about some hoping
you'll find this presentation, informative. I want to and I know that Dr but will as well. But in addition to Dr, Brit and her team are parks and libraries. I'm sorry, not parks and others That was the last one. Our Office of Financial Services staff who worked really closely with Dr Brittain her team to make sure that this was really well informed audit and responded to the needs and the constraints that they're seeing as well. And I would also just put out a product to all of us. You're listening to this presentation to think about what you uld like us to audit next. We're about to be moving into next phase of topics election now that this one is complete and the goal of the committee is really to be looking for improvements in departments and programs and processes that we want to explore. So as you'll if you have ideas for the next that. Make sure to let us know. And
with that Dr, it will come up. Everyone had the grit. Well, the research super excited to to be here today talk about sort of what we found. You had attached as part of your agenda. The full report it has been reviewed by the Office of Financial Services team we've made at its there was reviewed by the audit committee. W made some subsequent edits as a result of that. You also have attached the power point that we used our sort of presentations, the audit committee. So. I'm gonna go ahead and get started. So I'll Do a high-level overview. Welcome your questions. And again, I think we'll take one more round of editing that final report before its officials for the formal final
submission. And then look forward to what's next from the topic vantage point. All Also, I do want to as can the PRESIDENT Make or a outlined the Office of Financial Services staff's the Michelle Shannon Matalin and John were fantastic for us to work you all know we interviewed some applicants who went through this process. We interviewed some of your cip committee members. We interviewed staff and we interviewed a council member and so really appreciative of all of their great work. And as always who supports audit committee is absolutely exceptional. My wilder research colleagues, Audrey and Justin, I want to give a big shout out to as well. So
goals of this really to think about effectiveness of the current community project, cip process and improvement opportunities. So that was really the the focus of this round of the audit, specific areas, the process pieces of how this goes, the community engagement aspect of how we think about this process as well as just questions around - equity and the process and equity in funding. Those are things that we're sort of curious about. And again, these questions came from the audit committee and were shaped by the Office of Financial Services Staff, which I think is important to highlight that the the teams that are going to have to implement changes really accountable for shaping what those questions like. Tell from a methods vantage point.
You all know we always go through lots of papers that we did sme paperwork. We did. Some can form in interviews of a number of different humans. And then we sort of spun up and you'll see a link. And the report what are called story maps using art GIs to really take the data from applications from those applicants that were funded as well as several other data sources to put together so that you can sort of see the story goes was funded in what way and how does that line up with lots of things that are interesting characteristics the city. So key kind of the the widespread interest across all the stakeholders in continuing to innovate and make this process better. By better folks were thinking more equitable, more transparent, more accessible for folks. So enthusiastic attachment across
the number of humans that we talked to. Your cip committee members are really excited about being ambassadors and more activated ambassadors, but they need better direction and support to be able to do so. Your staff who managing sort of 5 rounds of sort of budget process is every couple of years have a lot coming at them. And they realize also that we need to simplify the process. Think about alignment between the funding cycles and the timing of this feels really tight for community but also feels tight for staff as they're prepping budgets and balancing implementation of their communication expectations. Got a whole bunch of applicants that are really excited to reapply or would be interested in
supporting other folks who are applying. So as long as they're sort of additional tools, timeline, clarity and some other kind of outreach support. From a challenge manage point. Lots of feedback that the process can feel overly complex and confusing. Even for folks who have done this a number of times. So that was really folks who were participants as well as city staff, not a clear owner for public outreach. I think there was some implicit decision-making early on in this most recent round. But I think there's a lack of alignment across a number of city areas related to this. And so there was really inconsistent engagement and some missed opportunities for making sure folks understood
what was happening. Timing, what additional support mechanisms were in place. All the things that want to leverage, there's still a sense that that application process favors folks who are in the No insider knowledge and have some grant writing and then the equity goals are not clearly defined. Every person that we asked about equity had a different point of view about that. And you'll see that and some of what will present. So that shared understanding about how prioritize and think about investment is still one around which there isn't clarity. From a process vantage point. You know, there really was that efforts to pull out the community process from the Big Department process meant to create something that felt a little fair little sort of smaller above field within which folks were competing bt has felt like it has added
some complexity. Applicants sometimes experience. The process is opaque and I will hear a call out the important note. Your most recent round that you did, you opened back up because you didn't get from a sort of sufficiently broad, a set of communities as you had hoped that reopening and that tight timeline shaped a lot of this fedback and a lot of the experience. So you're certainly you're going to hear that show up that recency effect of wow. This most recent round was really tough for us to navigate. You can hear that in these results. And again, I think the staff are really clear about their sense of there's internal funding, a budgeting timelines and the need for sinking that with publicly how we're talking about this opening up
the application process. Some opportunities so going to see throughout this just some quotes. I'm just going to read a couple for Each of these there are a lot of shifting deadlines that were difficult to keep track of him communicate. I think they even had to reopen the proposal period after after it had already closed system confusion. There. I didn't see any of this information and pretty late in the process and 3 mind together rather quickly, which is, you application itself is fairly complex. So you can sense the assertive descendants are conflict there. There's a gap in communication just because I'm on the committee doesn't mean I have ownership to communicate with the mayor's Who's on first, who's responsible for what kinds of communications? Some clarity there's is is pretty needed. From a community engagement vantage point, most folks couldn't identify who was the
primary accountability for The Cip committee members and the district councils, it seems really clear underused not leveraged enough, not engaged. And I the communication flow here and don't have really clear guidance about what am I supposed to be doing once this opens and how am I supposed to be shepherding and inviting folks in outreach? Start a little too late. Communication materials, little difficult for folks to navigate there are a lot of community groups that just don't do this process exists. It can't always be on the committee to get the word Who I accountable for engagement of - all the questions of the section, the section of the interview guide. That's the one I struggle with the most. We should be clear about committee members roles. They're supposed to represent communities and share information back that many don't know that or have the
support to do so. We do ask committee members to talk with neighbors, community groups and district councils. Some of that happens. But these are volunteers many with full-time jobs and families and they received a $25 per meeting stipend. So sort of the expectations for what committee members should would could be doing and then the support that they get. Probably not aligned. Key findings about equity and inclusion. There is a shared desire to fund projects and underrepresented areas. But the process still favors. Folks who are coming in for repeat applications and can kind of refined the application and for more resource, the neighborhoods equities interpreted in different ways. We again, we heard a lot of different interpretations. Some view it
as forward representation. Everybody should show up I that funding alignment. Other view it as needed based investment and need to find differently. Data is expected in the proposal. So that's one of the characteristics we want to make sure that you can show the data in order to be able to justify the particular need. But the sense was it's not made accessible or understandable fr most applicants. You have to be a little bit more of an insider to understand and access the data that I think it is sought in these applications. Us I was hard to know where to start or whether it was even allowed to apply. It feels like it's not really met for a summit to already know the system. I don't know if the decisions are based on who needs it. Most Great ideas from smaller organizations that don't go anywhere. And I don't know why. There's always
a tension between wanting geographic diversity and wanting to fund the highest quality proposals. But those don't always come from Jime neighborhoods and we don't have a system in place to bridge that gap. The data pieces really missing from the current community proposal process. They're encouraged to bring in data, but we don't give them any signposts or help finding it. I think we should be careful not to dismiss the project just because it doesn't come with crash statistics or citations. A lot of what people are responding to is what they see every day in their neighborhoods. We say we want equity driven proposals, but we haven't created a user-friendly way for community members to plug in the platform. Still favors people who've done this before. So some recommendations. The last time we did this and continue this approach moving forward at the request of the audit committee
was don't give us a batch of recommendations. Give us some high priority ones, some next-level ones and then some future ones. So we did some sitting of some sorting. So I think it's pretty clear clarifying roles and responsibilities across the What's the role of district councils? What's the role of Cip committee members? What's the role of Ofs? What's the role of the mayor's office? How does the council want to be engaged This will be important documenting the current process we heard from the office staff. We knd of spin it up each time and we really do need to spend the time to document the process and its components so that that could be referenced moving forward and then adjustments made in that. Need for perhaps a pre-application phase. This is sort of sort of a past experience that the
city has and lots of other places. So thinking about that pre aplication phase to screen for feasibility and increase accessibility and lots of folks are suggesting once you go through that, you can bet some technical support to those those sort potential applicants that are moving forward that will help address some of those concerns and some of the challenges that folks are facing. It needs to be clear who is leading outreach and communication. There's a lot of direct technical support already available. So there's lots of materials and things available online for folks to access a reinforcing that all that stuff is there and then probably enhance saying sort of expanding what that technical support looks like. Structure and support for Cip committee members needs to be improved state. I think our yearning for additional support and guidance. And so I
think if that was offered, that really could be activated in a different way. Application process, more transparent and predictable. Again, this most recent round having to reopen for a short period of time. And then I think just staff getting swamped really created some mitigating factors. This most recent time. But clarity about when Africans applications come in that they are received where they are in the pipeline. What that looks like from a decision-making damage point. Again, just simplifying and standardizing that application. So secondary priority recommendations. Think about that engagement infrastructure be on the District Council. So you've got lots of, you groups and engaged sort of neighborhood collectives. How do you
leverage sort of influence an invite those bodies to get engaged here? Thinking about the funding and implementation timelines, right? Sort of there's a desire for could just stretch out this application process and think about it some sort of all for differential cycle so that folks didn't feel like they were quite suppressed and what they're doing. Thinking about that objective data piece, right, making that data available in a way that feels clearer and easier for community members to access and then using that to think about prioritizing funding. Just the internal coordination, long-term planning again, thinking about the fact that they're running 5 big cycles every 2 years. Is there a way to kind of step back and take macro view here and then think about the cip
be process for accessibility and inclusion, right? You know, it's sort of is a English only technically process and to really backing up and thinking about if this is to be. more broadly accessible, are there some evolutions we could make? And then future so thinking kind of down the road. Really MAY be stepping back and thinking about kind of a five-year strategic planning cycle versus this, you know, sort of rapid repeated compressed cycle. But again, just residents of this long-term capital investment process. Thinking about larger scale infrastructure, sort of proposals entirely separately from sort of smaller community, different driven projects MAY sort of change up what the competition and sort of expectations that looks like. There was even a suggestion of right, if we're really only
able to given the budget do a certain set of things through these community projects. Perhaps we just restricted to. It's got to be one of these 5 or 6 kinds of things. So instead feeling like it could be absolutely anything. Maybe it really does for a wile need to be this set of 6 possibilities and you can sort of pick those based upon the data and sort of community need to see. That would help kind of focus that funding. It keeps implementation more reasonable navigates. The fact that there really are budget constraints for this particular portion of process. So it's continue to build internal staffing capacity related to engagement, technical assistance and cip coordination. But I think you all know the office staff are sort of maxed out and what they can be and have among
their team members, folks who are exceptional at community engagement. So it's not really a don't have the community engagement skills. It's. You know, sort of simply have too much sort of on deck to be able to to lan more toward this. As you all think about engagement. More broadly from the city facing communities thinking about how that fits related to this particular set of processes. Think about whether or not you want as many see are the types and sort of process isn't player. If you want to reduce that think about that on a different cycle. And then there was a sort of a request. There is some dash boarding that is done around the community projects. But just a broader set of dashboards around. All of these sort of proposals and sort of funding streams more broadly making sure that that's like just really sort of transparent for
folks to be able to access and see so its the last thing I will say see if we can go to it. So I would say if have not had a chance to dig through this, I would really encourage you to spend some time to dig through this. So it is really just sort of an overview of here's what it looked like. Here's some examples of the kinds of projects that have been funded. And then here's what it looks like by neighborhood from an application from a funding manage point. Really thinking about sort of at the ward level thinking about at the District Council level and then are sort of, you know, brilliant GIs you know, sort of. Navigated taking a deeper look at. Get to it in just a minute. But as the day to look like as
we take a look that sort of safety you know, applications over time as we think about equity. So concentrated poverty and what it's looked like. From an applications over time. Thinking about land use. Population density. Racial and ethnic diversity. And then thinking about young people. And folks who are disconnected so pull data from a number of different areas to be able to really just layer on top of the city geography so that you can get a sense for what that looks like. Up against where you're seeing applicants and where you're seeing funded projects I will pause and say this is built so that it can be handed over to the city so that it can be mounted inside the
city's footprint. I think as we do, that transition will rebrand it so that it looks like city of Sint Pul. And then we offered previously that the audit committee, happy to help her with your gis team said that this can be regularly udated and might be some modeling for how you want to think about making data available to your potential community projects in the future. So we're happy to to do all that transfer of all of these pieces and parts and have it show up kind of insider infrastructure and then if there's some additional technical support, let us know our team loves what the city has stood up from a sort of GIs data availability, vantage point and happy to turn it into something that maybe feels a little more community,
friendlier community facing there's lots of stuff again by Ward sort of word by word. So if you wanted to take a look or district council by district Council, so it kind of goes on and on and on and So but feel free to come wade through this and then sense for over the years over the last few cycles, what the state has looked like so. I will pause there and see if you have questions, fedback, anything else we can do to support. Thanks so much, doctor. But I'm sure there'll be questions or comments. I just want to I every time I se this story, my map, it is makes me want to delve. And again, there's just so much data here and it's really gift to the city that you designed in such a way
that we can take it on it. Continue to add to it. I see this being really helpful tool for applicants to be looking to see what previous projects been funded and where and of course, for ourselves as we look to improve the Thank you for that. Really that gift. What we paid for that see, he's getting advice. Present council PRESIDENT. Well, I really enjoyed the presentations. They want to say thank you to you all of the. The consultants at Wilder and the audit committee members. Really every everybody who was involved in this. Everything you shared its so accurate to. But that sun opinions experiences that I have cip and what I've heard from from, you know, the
public about their interactions with the to be or even just intel that they know about. This is some funding cycle here. And just late want to say generally like I think that. For me, it. And while one, I'm really impressed that even created pretty much own dashboard around this area wondering, is this like, you know, currently under city website, but it looks like it's your own website that you created. I think if you really great to have be on our on our website here, there's already really good research that you put together about our cip cycles are ready. And then overall like I really in agreement with all the different recommendations that you have, especially really defining what equity looks like winner in our city, especially pertaining to this funding source here so that
people actually know, you know, pretty much like if they wanted apply for something. They kind of they have a really strong and appealing application that that means the direction that you want to go how these dollars are used. So I am really excited is just see how overall like recommendations here will be implemented want to see generally that. I used to sit on the audit committee like my first 2 years on council. And even though I don't sit on it anymore, I do remember us always having really, really important. Always investing money into studies that were really important and valuable to us for me. I'm I'd be really interested in hearing, you know, within like the past 5 years or so. What were the sort of what were the sort of things that we actually
operation allies from the studies because I do remember them being very, very studies is really important results. But also with, you know, as being on the council, we understand how long sometimes like change actually how long it takes for it actually happen. And I think that for me generally, even I know generally like there's been a study done maybe every year. I don't want us to just have a study because you feel like, you know, it's it's been a tradition for us to do that. So we have to find money for study every year, but I would be really interested and just figuring out what does it look like for us to do a study in how many years do you want to give ourselves to really make it just happened before we
move on to another one? Because the first study that I was a part of on committee, what it was around customer service from or departments. And I think there were some service, some changes, but there's still so much from that study that I think we still, you know, would love to see change to that the state but haven't put action and yet because requires a lot of time and I'm sure many too. So that's just my overall Those are over about that. He wanted to share that, sir, especially that of committee members who serve on it right now. So thanks for your work on this. Thanks so much as Yang. And at just before you go, that's pressing Kim. I want to say I completely agree with you that the whole purpose of this is not just to do the studies but actually see change as a result. Leave often struggled with the fact that as a council, we don't have the
authority to execute any of the recommendations that are made, which is why working in close partnership with departments that what this study to happen and and care about the result. An hour committed to at least trying to implement the recommendations is so important. But I agree with you. And I think either it out of committee or council MAY be a policy committee. We could invite departments that have then did in the past to come and talk about what has happened since the which MAY be an interesting way of just keeping that accountability knowing whether or not it's time for anyone. Your point, it always feels like there's so much to to study, but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves in terms of. Time to actually take action. So just want to let you know, your points are well taken. That's
present him. Yeah, I really I I think a s aspect of this is just incredibly telling. Something that I've kind of been noodling on Sunday starting. We just had a really looking at our investment across te city. And if you really interesting, if we use this law firm j s to continue and expand to other funding sources like full Stack Laker star dollars like all the other resources that we put directly into community that look at will that investment is across the city. Because I think each war is very But also each I think, equally as deserving someone the best. Particularly when you look at that, the overlay lore about the neighborhood's that you see a lot more in 5, 6, 7,
part one te types of investments that we're getting. There are much more around public safety than common good assets that we see in other neighborhoods that don't have necessarily in the same. I'm instability in some of their public good request capital improvement. Might look like something like a 3rd space like a playground or something that offers much more of communal aspect of public safety aspect. And this is something that have to meet and I've been asking around pd for just like historic and uses an how many applications we had what gets what kinds projects get funded. So I just want to elevate that. I really appreciate the attention to tech 20 in looking at the types of investments and also the number of applications. Johnson called me and hey, of the cip application for this
year. As it turns out, we didn't have coming out of work 5. So it's not to say there's further engagement on our part say the folks that are actively applying have a and experience with the city that is different than someone that maybe does not where English is not their first language or they've never had to 5 years for city support and the last. I just we so appreciate the visuals and the equity lens and, you know, initially when you're talking about this for for an audit committee. Action and members. For director McCarthy talking about how they just want are certain and community engagement. Audits of the process. And so really just appreciate that feedback taken into account an earring. And I think a much more robust
focus around what are the results of our community engagement and our funding through this process. So just really appreciate the willingness to kind of take a second crack at a similar question that we asked. And similarly, what I found interesting about both of those was the originally suggested that maybe too much engagement where this one feels like not only maybe we need to do more, but some clarity who owns owns that work bcause I believe the outcomes are result ownership. So I just really appreciate. I just really appreciate all the work. Express present. Ad then Hey, actively looking into just the the story mask And I think just the word. Overall, just say this has
been really helpful I-10 to I myself, not but also it was taking notes from the presentation. There's a lot of the same things that I hear from. Some of my words of residents that do serve on ca b. So like I just spent a lot of payment in what you share today. And also just kind of some of the notes for. My word some of the fewest community projects abated. And even just from what I heard and a lot of the community spaces, that number and it really lead to. Part of the reason why was very vocal last year putting so this process and really and reopening it knowing that it a slightly not this is really an alignment with the process that they had. But the pocess that was outlined just didn't seem not to work with committee members who are looking to try and figure out how to submit and what to do.
So I really appreciate kind of like the emphasis on short-term improvements as well. And I think the other piece of just like being in what have having worked for residents apply on behalf some of our word 7 residents at times. I think it's because presidents don't actually do have to do the applications so they do consult with friends get them to help them. And in so many of the spaces that can that is actually you see some of the numbers there for. And so I just think that recommendation around, you know, touch of assistance are things that we can do to have. You know, we go to community. We asked for these projects within go to community. We also asked them to vote for these projects. Now, if we have a direct tie between people who not actually voting or just like submitting least
least amount posibles. How are they magically gonna find? You know, all of these different residents to to provide that. But feedback. And so I just I really appreciate attention from the out of committee on this. I think overall, I would be curious what information goes to the ca be directly because I do that. The community. Representation that we haven't see a would benefit from hearing from just some of findings from it. It's something that I know a lot of them are communicating about. They don't always know where to go To your point of like up in the mitigation. But I am curious if that curve leaders would actually benefit or even want to hear about we see because we have our staff. We have our council. Have a community panel that sets and reviews applications every year on ca b. And so that would be, you know, my suggestion to members of this body, also to fire as well as
like. This could be beneficial dress for them to Since we since there was a lot of those public information and being able to really does bring up to speed. I'm sure this would ballot it plot of some of their concerns. But I think also really get their brains. 49, but cut the road map ahead. And so, you know, I always envision people being kind of like the engine for some of this. And sometimes those questions being rally the spearheaded place of actual implementation and just kind of going a little bit about their structure. You know, they every hair they're going to this committee panel, this committee board, they're making decisions and sometimes I think that that kind of hearing what you found from it could beneficial. So that might be a suggestion, especially because the agendas
are also put together by the chair to be curious to hear if they would have interest in in from the minute on this. It's a great to Johnson funny how, you know, the one audience that really can directly maybe take action on some nation's is the cip committee. So think we can talk And if you're yet another presentation of this makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much comments that just thank you. Council PRESIDENT Dr it. I just was excited to see the results of the all the work today. I do You know, 5 or 6 months ago, not a committee. When we were finalizing. We're gonna work on you started working on this. It was really so much work in a really short amount of time to. I was just really impressed with like quickly
able to pull this all this together. And so I wanted to thank you for that. And I really do like the the data dashboard that you pull together and really looking forward to diving into that more. Then I I really enjoyed hearing kind of all of the feedback from your interviews and the recommendations. I think what stood out to me was, you know, that the applicants need more support in a variety of ways. And then even the cip committee members needing more support of process. And so I'm definitely interested I do agree we should present this to the cfp committee and then, you know, one of the steps look like moving forward for how implement some of the some of some of the recommendations. So so just thank you very Really appreciated your work
and looking forward to next steps. Just. Any other comments or questions. Seeing noneThank you again, DR. We are I grateful that we get to continue working with And I will just say to my colleagues again, please think about topics that you want to other topics you'd like the audit committee to explore. And also we haven't done before, but now that we have well, the research served retainer as it were. We could do a sort of phase 2 audit of the same topic. So, for example, just your point if there were a recommendation that you are really interested in seeing be pursued, for example, I'll just say for itself and love the idea pre application and then, you know, being very basic with that. And then the next phase gets more detail, the more
technical and gets help from city staff and be more technical rather than expecting that at the outcome. We could, for example, Wilder, I think to help us design that out in more detail as sort of a phase 2 audit percent. So just a thought to to start of games point earlier, we don't always have to like move on to a completely new topic. We could also consider. Delving more deeply and tough. Any final thoughts that your presence? We just talked at you for a long time? No, I think I mean, 2 final thoughts. And I think that, you know, the first audit that we did this most trees around was with parks and rec and libraries. And, you know, I think again, there attachment into it and their decision-making in the sermon about what they're going to lean in on and then start getting after. I think what's really
important, I think Office of Financial Services staff feel the same way. You know, again, everybody we interviewed is enthusiastic about continuing - to. Improve this process. And so I think you've got a lot of commitment. But both here, volunteers as well as your staff to say, hey, you know, we want to continue to sort of lean in here and shape it. So, you know, look forward to to really where they're able to take some of these some of these changes happy to be a partner with the city of the Thank you so much. Thank you. And thanks again to missing. For all of your support of the committee. Okay. We will move We will take a vote. We are a council that we do. I was a commotion from its just too. Approve the resolution formally accept the report for the out me. Any discussion that motion. All in
favor say aye opposed 7 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is adopted. Item. Number 17 is resolution public hearing. 25 dash 102. Proving the applications of the Grand Avenue Business Association for for Sound level variances at 6 sites in order to present amplified sound on JUNE one 2025 along Grand Avenue Snelling Avenue South Dale Street South with events at 15 53 Grand Avenue. 15, 10. 55 to 10 71 Grand Avenue 17 Grand Avenue 8.57. Grand Avenue 7.33. To 7.91 Grand Avenue and 7.42 Grand Avenue. If you couldn't tell from the title Grandal Day is coming up. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Seeing no take a motion from is buoyed close public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. 7 I favor. None opposed.
The resolution is adopted item. Number 18 is resolution public hearing. 25 dash 103 amending the 2025 spending and budget in the Department of Public works. Right-of-way permits and inspection and counting unit to account for additional revenue received for their use of a portion of the city-owned Pierce Butler property that public works overseas in the amount of $7500. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here to speak on this item? Seeing none. I'll take a motion from MR. Prescott, a close public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. I'll post 7 in favor. None opposed. The resolution is aopted legislative hearing consent agenda items 19 through. 24 before you for your consideration. Is Mormon will cme up. Council PRESIDENT, I'm not
aware of anyone here to testify a legislative hearing it all right. We will hold a public hearing on all of our items. If you're here for items 19 to 24, this is your public hearing. Is anyone here to speak any of these items? Seeing none. I'll take motion from Vice PRESIDENT Kim to close the public hearing and approve the motions with the legislative hearing. Officers rcommendations. All in favor say Aye. Post 7 Fe Vernon oppose the legislative hearing. Consent agenda is adopted as amended. That brings us to the end of our formal agenda. I suspect there's some good news about the tapes. As Jess. And then Thank you. Council PRESIDENT, I just wanted to share with everyone that there will be a groundbreaking on Monday, JUNE second at Highland Ridge really excited to share. It will be for the Gateway Project, which is also known as the Black, too. So it's Monday, JUNE second from 2 to 3. The site is located on
Ford Parkway between Crean of Newmont group. So just really excited to get to get were going their own way. Just that is exciting. Things Council PRESIDENT Will first shout out to my executive assistants song up for prepping Iwanted to share that the water fest is happening this weekend. It's hosted by the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District. It's Saturday MAY 31st 11:00am to 04:00pm and it's at Phalen Regional Park. If you all are looking for something to do, this is really this place to go to. It's a free family festival celebrating our Clean Lakes provides an opportunity for outdoor hands-on learning about clean water, wildlife and land and water conservation. Also want to
highlight that there's a popsicle pop up, meeting greet happening. It's half that it's being hosted by Greater East Side. A committee counsel Prosperity Heights Park from 04:00pm to 06:00pm. And it's next Tuesday, JUNE 3rd. So that's a really great opportunity for folks in the gritty east side to get to meet our neighborhood leaders. Thanks. PRESIDENT. Thank you. Present the guy's have 2 events. So tomorrow that just they're safe from Florida, 06:00pm at the round of community. diversity of expressions. There is going to be a celebration reception for the PRESIDENT And the dean of Saint Kate's University and also the dean of PRESIDENT Michel can land possible. And the say public school
superintendents off the recognize and just I just, you know, welcoming them and I'm letting them know what we do. Particularly now at the city level up and the level. And then the second event tomorrow we have the firefighters graduation, the class of 2025. So that's going to get the Minnesota History Center and my colleagues, that's from one 32 to 30 again at the Minnesota History Center. This going? And I just want to uplift the work o Authority so share their bout the Heights, Open house that they'll be doing tomorrow from 5. 37 38 cops in tears and all that sun word. I will be attending on behalf of the jury and have to port. So if you are interested or, you know, folks that you're
probably going to have all the different vendors and kind of folks related to the Heights project. And I think sometimes we often get questions about how committee members and connect with what's going on there. And a lot of times they have representatives that actually help with questions, especially and how 2 get on the list for housing and how get connected with individuals that could help them if they're interested in being there being a future. Eastside resident in addition to us heading to Gemini season. Just kidding. You'll be getting most likely a message soon from some of the members of the reparations commission. We'll be watching their first a community engagement event and we're at 7. So we'll be starting in JUNE. So next month, but probably throughout
the summer you'll get some requests from individual words because the commissioners are interested in doing any engagement So we'll be starting on 12 in the evening at the un rec center. And so more information will be coming in from our board office says it will be in Ward 7 for that first engagement. First outreach Committee public working with the reparations commissioners. But you're probably be getting reached out to about that as well. They have interest in doing at least one event. And everybody's word as they try to just continue to get the word out about what they're doing, but also include people in there and put in the I'm excited to work on that and just kind of be their first getting paid. A week before Juneteenth and looking forward. If you're interested
or just curious, really, if more than welcome join for thanks, council PRESIDENT Just officially proving that I'm able to speak during the second. Yourself, lok at U.S. Women's national team is playing at Allianz Field on Saturday in the border country along a word word for their plan at 4.30. And so as I say, anytime stuff that's happening, Ali more stuff is good. So I figured I had to on the record. Awesome. Well, in case you all have any more room in your schedules which doesn't like you're going to just a couple things tonight are champions. The frost are going to be celebrated Excel Arena. And also I think this parade going from downtown, too, to the arena. So lots of stuff going on this evening downtown to celebrate our champions at a time. Tomorrow afternoon. There's a really needs ribbon
cutting for this exhibit called added 3 hits, which are these fantastical dreamlike creatures created by Mexican artist that are going to be on here island all summer. Huge, colorful, gorgeous time to bring your family. Your friends are just going to be a sight to see. So that's the ribbon cut tomorrow, but will be there summer. And it's loosely associated with the folks who are behind Minnesota Latino Museum. So it's a neat way of raising awareness for that. Also tomorrow, from 5 to 7, there's a downtown block party in nears park that is a great way to celebrate and support large town businesses. And then finally, the Flint Hills Children's Festival kicks of already kicked of today. 25 pianos, decorated by kids at area schools were unveiled and played even in the rain. There was a crowd and that's gonna be going on through all weekend. So I take
some time to So much going on with that. We reject.