##VIDEO ID:https://stpaul.granicus.com/player/clip/5157?view_id=37&redirect=true## And I call this meeting of a single city council to order roll call. Hear Johnson here. Just him. Maker here here, council presidential ally here, 7 present. No in absence. All right. Please rise if you would like and are able and join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. lag, mayor this nation under GOD. All Consent agenda items 5 through 38 or before you for your consideration, right? So we're going to take iem 12 separately, other any other items that we need to take from consent, seeing none a motion from Ms Yan to move the rest of the consent agenda on favor. Say Aye, Any opposed 6 in favor. No one opposed 7 in favor nor opposed the consent agenda is adopted as amended item. 12 is resolution. 25 dash 94 author racing Department of Safety and inspections to enter into a settlement agreement with alley-oop 3 d on behalf of Maryland tobacco doing says Maryland tobacco. All right. And handed over to camp for direction on the side of goodness. Some thank We have a staff report said like to invite in the icu to discuss and provide very free And council members here and that the half of the city of Saint Paul attorney's office, I'm here to provide our staff report. This is a violation that goes back to JANUARY 15 to 2021. It was a zoning issue. Licensee have their zoning license their zoning allowed during that time. There was a JANUARY 15th 2021 indicating the zoning was not in the b-one zoning district. MARCH 4 for 2021, a licensee drafted a letter an attempt to request for a continuance, public hearing before the zoning committee following that on MARCH 25th of 2021 licensee apply for the rezoning of the licensed premises from the b-one zoning district to it. He 2 zoning districts. APRIL 20nd 2021, the zoning committee approved the rezoning from the one. To that. He, too, for the 4th before Maryland. Well, allow India side too impose conditions on the license. Leading up to that. There was a lot of litigation involved with this particular licensee, as many of you MAY know, around the community, we've had issues at that premises. So NOVEMBER, 8th of this year, licensee proposed settlement offer to be a sigh and NOVEMBER 20. If we reached a settlement agreement with licensee. We submitted te settlement agreement as exhibit one with our resolution, wich indicates all the conditions that license cs, too, abide wth the revocation of the security to back a product shop license in effect of APRIL 30th of this year. There are 2 separate parts of the store. So there's the tobacco products, shop aspect of the store and then there's the tobacco shop license of the story. That part of the store will not be affected by this resolution settlement agreement as that part of the stores, not 90% revenue based on tobacco, licensed products. Thank you. Any questions for our colleagues at the city turns out this. All right. Thank you so much for this checkpoint. We appreciate it. Awesome. Thank So I really appreciate all support in You know, Maryland tobacco understands that there's conditions that are required. That require compliance in order to hold a cigarette and tobacco products shop license until APRIL 30th of 2025. Many of these license conditions are in the settlement agreement are conditions that were already in place for the licensee to comply prior to the settlement agreement settled agreement is a suitable solution for living expenses and resources in pursuing lj hearing failure to comply with the license conditions in Herrin as as was outlined, will result in immediate relocation. So this is basically correcting an error that we had made. And I look forward to having my colleagues support the intention behind having a staff report as many of MAY this location has a lot of community eyes on it. And as a result quiet that of community impact. So it's very iportant that folks in Ward 5 and folks in the North End neighborhood had the ability to see and hear. This can often Again. Appreciate my colleagues support make a motion for approval. All motion from his Kim. Any discussion on that item? All right. Motion from has come to prove on favor, say Aye. 7 in favor. No one opposed. The resolution is adopted. All right. As Bowie would move suspension of the rules on favor say any opposed rules are suspended resolution 25 dash one. 92 ensuring fairness and equity in the implementation of an administrative citations legislative advisory Committee. I'm sorry. I think I have. Language for the title. This is that I'm my apologies. Wrote I notes before the title change one 0nd. I still have this. Copy of it. Ensuring equity in the implementation of administrative citations through a legislative advisory committee. All right. I will pass it to his billion 0nd. I wanted to just say that this resolution is a companion resolution following the public hearing connected to the next item we have for votes. I'll pass it to his belief for remarks on what this resolution is going week. Thank you, council PRESIDENT Jalali. I just want to say want to thank my colleagues for reviewing tis. Resolution providing feedback and also want to thank our staff Have spill rounds of feedback that workshop our approach to how we want to define equity and give powers to. Legislative body and have advisors to assist in this process. Also want our nighbors, our residents and people ensure that we need to have stronger. Accountability systems and enforcement mechanisms and they also should be centered in equity. So I just want to say, I'm really proud of the work that we set forward to have clear indications of what equity means and how we're going actually practice that not only just go to the enforcement of a but in the process and how we lead on it. I just want to explain a little bit aout rsolution. It is a commitment from council to establish a legislative advisory committee due to add the ordinance of how we govern advisory committees. They are given one year and they are given a clear task in this case, this task that will be given to this body is to simply advice. Here ngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngngi here that have cities have end also expedo that. We have representation reunion. We have representation accessing reparations commission already reveal equities of disparities. We also have representation from city staff. So I think it's really important who we choose to be in the in the seat to provide insight on this. I know I'll have leave my remarks for the vote on citations after this. But I just want to also just read into the record, a quote from one expertise to someone who as the founder until we are off 3 years ago was and partnership with the city that studied this, the work on the city's fines and fees and i his name is Kevin Rees. I didn't get a chance to enter that into the record last time. So well since he's been working with my office tracking this as well. I just want to put into record so his words is in my work and fines and fees with the city of Saint Paul. I've seen how these penalties have harmed Bonneville communities. The system often Norris, marginalized voices and devastates families, especially father, is facing arrest for unpaid child support, losing driving, losing driving privileges, traps them in a cycle of colonization in debt. Collaborating with policy link in other cities. I found the same poll has some of the most progressive policies in this country. Just want to read that again. I keep out the simple has some of the most progressive policies in the country, but they often look better on paper than in practice for real change. The city must ensure its reforms are as progressive in action as they are in intent. This would look like a starting the conversation about equity by censoring equity in the historical impact that equity has had on communities and the purpose of this legislative advisory committee is ensure that, you know, it's just not on paper, but it's actually an action and I commend all the work and the commitments to making sure that we're leading with equity. And I just looked to my colleagues to share their comments. About, you know, this good faith effort as we're stepping forward with adopting administrative citations. Thank you. Council in Bowie. Any other discussion on this resolution from colleagues I see MISS Yang co-head missing council PRESIDENT Of all for sale. Want to share that. I will be supporting the resolution. A convention for putting that resolution together. I know really came from concerns that you had heard and we're in conversations with with Comey letter leaders and constituents who are in your word. And so I really respect the time and diligence even putting into really honoring those concerns. And finding it was all for it abuse of our frank. That tiny for when this resolution was the 1st was shared with us and what the invitation to pull us. And as as partners and even staff cooperation on this was not a deal at all because I had only we have saw we saw the out late last week. And so this is not a call of a rather Colin, to you invite us to to conversations. And, you know, really when you have something that is urgent, something that is is a parody for you that you'd like to have addressed You care deeply about it, like let us know, because we also I equity leaders at the table here who know that our intentions with an citations has always been to follow through and lead from a lens of equity and to make sure that we're pushing for accountability in different ways such as education for a committee s that there is compliance for our ordinances. I just want to share that. I think that the resolution here is really great because it justice really on it really reiterate that values that we have been wanting to continue to do public engagement with our community members to make sure that what w are doing that we are setting a timeline to it. The deadlines and also that its operational and realistic. And so that was really the focus for me as I looked at the draft and I feel very confident about this, especially because the proposal for the Legislative Advisory Committee will be short term. Don't think that that is. Because only think about other legislative advisory committees. I sat on. There really was no purpose in having it be all year round and just permanent to make sure that the article are you into that we follow through on the purpose of establishing the committee that needed to really be a deadline on it. And so I appreciate just the the suggestions and ways in which we strengthen the resolution together. Like all 7 of us. And so I really believe that that's the strength of that. The work that and diligence that put in these past few days. I also want to name that this is a very great resolution that makes sure the that's the starting point for administrative citations continues being that we can tv productive practice. Later on, we're not having to figure out how come you better fit this policy. So that the can make it more equitable. Likely. That is really the starting point for us. And so tis is a wonderful again, in various supported and just that we can have a version of front of us that we have we are supportive So thanks again, everybody. Thanks. COUNCILMAN Yang, Icy COUNCILMAN Johnson. Go ahead. Touchdown. I appreciate the comments from council meeting and also jst like appreciate councilmember we and all of the staff and the leaders that kind of gather it's about this resolution and just to come up with language that I do think that will set us and set the tone for some of the equity work that yet to come. I want to make sure that. My community and my were knows that for me as a leader, I think I center I wnt to center and into center equity in everything we do, including how we make policy. And so, you know, when we look at this blueprint, you know there, I appreciate that at it that we had received and just your willingness to be able to have those conversations with us today meant a lot to me because prior to this discussion, I was really uncomfortable with supporting this resolution and part of how quickly it came about. But also just because I wanted to make sure that the centers were also centered in this work and as I see them as a continued need, that being a continued need in our city to address the inequities and that exist. And that do exist not only in our fee structure, but often to, you know, huge part of this wants to center communities that are marginalized or that lived experience of poverty and a lot of residents are city, unfortunately have it. And so being able to actually talk about how we're addressing that involves direct communication. That's what I feel like happened today. And so I just want to say, like for me, one of the support of things around this resolution is that I think it gives us moments in time to pause to center only a committee, but equity working framework that I know you can just hear. You speak about that today. Echoes the passion that is that exists you, but also in our and our collective council to not do laws the way that we used. And so I wll support this today. Mostly look, I'm most looking forward to the ongoing conversations not only regarding the findings of the committee, but also just like how it's established and what that process looks like. And with look forward to welcoming those discussions as we move forward in a way that hopefully continues to have where we can vote on future resolutions and ordinance language is with plenty of time to review everything and also but plenty of time to collaborate because I genuinely guy that special today and look forward to supporting the resolution. So thank you. Thanks. Council Johnson ahead, Councilman Acre, thanks so much, council PRESIDENT And thank you. Ms Pilley for your leadership in bringing this forward. Ialso be supporting this resolution today and one of the things that I particularly appreciate about this is that I think it really balances. Well, our desire to To protect people who need protecting to make sure that we can move forward with urgency to to look out for people who are the subjects of wage theft. Look out for people who are being locked unjustly in the sky ways or for the victims of predatory landlords and also make sure that we don't ever apply this in a way that hurts the very people. It's intended to protect. And so I've really appreciated the conversations that we've had about the need for this to this legislative advisory committee to move forward in parallel with ordinance creations that adopt administrative citations. We're not waiting on one before the other can happen. So really appreciate your work on this. And excited to vote. Yes. And Great. Any other discussion. I think I would just say I really commend you, COUNCILMAN Billy, for taking what we heard at the community from the public hearing. Taking that and trying to bring a solution forward, giving your clleagues room in time taking that incorporation into account. I just really do. Thank you for coming forward with clear structure. And I view this commission has essentially start down this path by which will come back. We'll update every individual ordinance will design carefully ability to pay measures for appeals. All the pieces that matter and then also our community has a voice in that process, not just assess the council members who ultimately passed those ordinances, but in a structure where we can have that dedicated conversations. So I hope you feel proud of that and I appreciate your leadership. So I think of it. There's nothing else on this item. I will take a motion from MISS Billy to approve on favor. Say Aye. Any opposed. 7 in favor nor opposed the resolution is adopted. Item. 39 is final adoption of ordinance. 25 dash 2, any chapter? 6 point. 0, 3 of the city charter pertaining to te application of administrative citations for violations of city ordinances. Based on the recommendation of the charter commission pursuant to Minnesota Statute section for 10.12 Subdivision, 7. All right. So this item, this charter changes before us for its long-awaited final adoption. Open it up to my colleagues. If there's anything they would like to say before we vote. Everyone said what they want to say What out what I'll say is I just want to really mark this occasion. I am very grateful for my colleagues for working through both returning and new colleagues there questions about why this matters focusing on equitable and fair implementation receiving community feedback and turning it into an actionable path forward. So much of the time it's easy to say no to things that could be good because what if they're also bad and like what this work is actually choosing? We're going to I think the peak him call that progress over perfection. We're going to work toward progress over perfection while creating the path that I heard. COUNCILMAN Police say last week is paved with equity. I'm really proud of our council for getting to this point. If there are no other comments, why don't we take our roll call vote. Johnson. Yes. Just yes. Cam. Yes maker. I council PRESIDENT Slowly, yes, 7 in favor nor opposed the ordinance is adopted. I do 40's final adoption of ordinance. 25 Dash 3 granted the application in McAllister College to rezone property at 16. 55. And 16. 61 Grand Avenue and 37 McAllister street from tea to traditional neighborhood to won multiple family and to rezone property at 53. 57 63 McAllister street from tea to traditional neighborhood to vp vehicular vehicle parking and amending chapter 60 of the Legislative Code Pertaining to the zoning map. All right. This item is also before us for final adoption. Is there any discussion on this motion before we vote? If not a minute, take a motion from Ms Joe's to approve on favor. Say Aye. Any opposed 75th No one opposed. The ordinance is adopted. Item. 41 is a public hearing of ordinance 25 Dash 4 ending title 4 of the Administrative code to at Chapter 92 title tree preservation for city-sponsored projects. Al right. So we heard staff report and first reading of this item last week and today we get to do the public hearing on this tree preservation ordinance so that I can manage Republican. If you're here to testify on this item raising your hand, just so I can see how many folks are here. So we'll start a public hearing. Basically, you will just get to come on up to the microphone. You'll actually just an between the 2 mikes. Let us know your name where you're coming from today. And then you'll have 2 minutes to give your with that. This public hearing on item number. 41, is there anyone here would like to speak to this item? If so, you're welcome up to the the microphones. You can get public comment if you like, people can also get public comment in writing and we MAY also extended if we want to give folks more time. So but you're welcome go ahead. If you want to share your $0.2. I'm glad you're us and uk, my list. But I'm just want to make sure I walk a lot. And I walked down some of the lots up until OCTOBER. When they get a new She holes like Someone is always busy with people giving tours. It's a and without the trees and won't be the same. So we want to make sure the trees there's no way we can lose or trees, not. They proved they proven. I don't know if any, if you walk down 2 are vying street. One of our streets in Saint Paul. Does anybody want prevent? We remember the little woods that was there several years ago and then they built a nw house. And then land next to put down some trees. There was never any runoff before. Now there on the summer. There's water. And now tere's ice. So when you cut trees down, changes everything. Not just the start, not the, you know, the biodiversity habitat provides for the better for all of our way of life. Basically. But also the water tree threats control or help control or water without them, it will be different. And when we all know that Give us oxygen. Taking carbon dioxide plus other in charities that we all have I planted about 17 clients in my ear. We don't have air conditioning anymore because the trees. Think it's a much cooler. You just cannot say enough thing about reason. I can't believe even thinking. About putting changing Summit Avenue which is no nation worldwide. The length 4 and a half. It's for and have miles of trees up cutting Thank you so much. Because we have 2 minutes per speaker, I want to just make sure this ok before you go. If you don't mind, just for the record telling us to do be able to them. And then we're coming from today. 5.80, for Lincoln. Wonderful. And if you don't mind signing on that the board, we really appreciate it. Thank you for being I don't mind there's a clipboard and that's where people sign all We're still on our public hearing for and lost it. Item number. 41, if you are here to speak for item number, 41, this is your public hearing. Yeah, of course. Coming up. Yeah, of course. Welcome. You can stand between the 2 microphones. Just let us know your name and then your neighborhood where you're coming from today and you look to minutes, go ahead. My name is Tom Darling and the Levant. Somebody up no. Ward, one and and the PRESIDENT Of the Summit Avenue residential Preservation Association are I Ordinance being proposed and having a hearing yesterday. Out of town. I had idea it was coming. Know. Notice none of the sharp a board member said in the notice we have been I did submit public comment this morning. W have been interested in that tree problem. In Saint Paul for a long, long time. It's come to a head, of course, with the Summit Avenue bike Trail. Which is going to put it after the hundreds 100's of treats. Ordinance. The idea is good that we need a tree preservation ordinance. This ordinance will not do the job. It is not detailed enough. It is not. Also use this word compulsive enough. There will always be. Reasons to say I need this project. And therefore. Trees will have to take second place. What we need is a tree ordinance. It has realty Senate. I attached my comments. Adraft of an ordinance. I wrote You know, not poetry, but I think. It will do a far better Of addressing this issue. Then the one on the table and what I think and I know there are many people who are very interested in this and have been for years and who feel a bit blindsided by How quickly this came with no notes. I know sot draft of this. I'm hearing you, sir. So every speaker gets 2 minutes. So to be fair, I would like if you could just close by letting us know just your name and where you're coming from. And then if you mind sending on the club, right, your comments and you being are just finish with this. Please. So hold us over. I suggest 3 months. Let's get the input that's needed to approve it. Give it. He's to make it work. And started town Thank you. And Summit Avenue. Thank you. We appreciate it. All right. This is a public hearing and item number. 41, is there anyone else here to testify to this item number? 41. Looking around, not seeing All right. So I looked in sneaker whether she'd like to close public hearing. Okay. So motion from his maker to close public hearing on favor say aye, any opposed 70 run unopposed public hearing is closed. Okay. Look to MISS Naked for further comment. Thanks so much, council PRESIDENT And thank you, Mr. Darling. And I've got your last name, but thank you so much for being here. Appreciate it. I know it's a cold one and I also want to thank everyone has submitted online as well. We got a lot of comment on this because this is really important subject. We've been hearing for a long time. How much trees matter to people how valuable they are and how important it is when we're doing public work on public roadways that we prioritize the tree canopy. And that's exactly why this ordinance is being brought I think that the good news is that there are a lot of people who are interested in the subject MR. Darling said a lot of people who have ideas about how to make this ordinance better. And there's absolutely no. Intent on my part. 2 rush this through our to do this without encouraging that public input. And now we know exactly who wants to give it. So what I'd like to is layover of this item until FEBRUARY 26th to give me time and my staff time too. Talk to those folks who reached out to get their ideas to hear their comments. There's also going to be a rulemaking process that will follow this ordinance. And I'd like staff to have the chance to hear directly from constituents before they begin that rule making process of that. They can get some direction and some ideas for how they might undertake that. And then I also spoken with our director of Parks and our director public works who are both very willing to come back to this body with those rules when they're ready for additional public input. So that is hardly a process that will be that will be opaque. That will be a transparent public process as well. So with that, I would appreciate my colleagues patients and moving up for layover to FEBRUARY. 26 to give 5 weeks to give further time for getting all of that valuable input. All right. Motion fom a sneaker to live this matter over to FEBRUARY. 26 any other discussion on that motion seeing none motion from a sneaker all in favor say Aye, any opposed 7, a favorite. No one opposed. The ordinance is laid over to FEBRUARY. 26 for final adoption. Item 42 is resolution public hearing. 25 Dash one amending the financing and spending plan. The Department of Parks and Recreation and them out of $250,000 Tree. Fleck Funds received from the National Park Service for the Stanley Morgan Regional Trail Reconstruction Project. All right. This is a public hearing on item number. 42, is there anyone here to speak to this item? Seeing none. The motion from Ms Johnson to close the public hearing and approve on favor say Aye. Any opposed 7 favorite know in the post public hearing is closed to the resolution is adopted. I know 43 is resolution public hearing. 25 dash 2, many of the financing and spending plan and Hartman to parks and recreation. On a $50,000 for start. Grant funds received for acessible multi-use courts at Conway Recreation Center. Right? This is a public hearing and item number. 43, is there anyone here to speak to this item item? 43. Seeing none. The motion from MISS Kim to close the public hearing and approve all in favor say Aye. Any opposed 7 in favor opposed to public hearing is closed to the resolution is adopted item. 44 is resolution public hearing. 25 Dash 3 amending the finance and spending plan in the Department of Parks and Recreation in te amount of $50,000 from the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy to reflect funds authorized for the Swede Hollow Staircase and trail project. All right. This is a public hearing on item number. 44, is there anyone here to speak to this item number? 44? Seeing none the motion from the snake or to close the public hearing and approve on favor say Aye, Aye. Any opposed 7 in favor opposed to public hearing is closed in the resolution is adopted item. 45 is resolution public hearing? 25 Dash 5 amending the financing in spending plan. The Department of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $101,200 reflect funds received from the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy for the Future of Park Project. All right. This is a public hearing on item number. 45, is there anyone here to speak to this item number? 45? Seeing none. A motion from Ms Jones to close the public hearing and approve on say any opposed 7 in favor nor opposed the public hearing is closed in the resolution is adopted item. 46 is resolution public hearing. 25 Dash 9 amending the spending in financing budget in the lower town ballpark fund for capital improvements to be made by the Saints at the chs Field. Ballpark. All right. This is a public hearing on item number. 46, is tere anyone here to speak to this item number? 46. Seeing none motion from Johnson to close public hearing and approve on favor say Aye. Any opposed 70 favorite known to pose a public hearing is closed in the resolution is adopted item. 47 is resolution public hearing. 25 Dash 11 approve the application of podium sports marketing for some a variance in order to present amplified sound on JANUARY, 30th 31030th FEBRUARY, 1st at 2.14, 4th Street East Union Depot. This is a public hearing for item number. 47, is there anyone here to speak to this item number? 47. Seeing none. A motion from his Bowie to close public hearing and approve on favor say Aye, any opposed 7 favorite known to pose a public hearing is closed in the resolution is adopted item. 48 is resolution public hearing. 25 Dash 14 thing the Office of Financial Empowerment to apply for and accept a $583,000 grant from the same fallen Minnesota Foundation to support program operation costs for college bound Saint Paul College bound boost and amending the 2025 budget for the Office of Financial Empowerment. This is a public hearing for item number. 48, is there anyone here to speak to this item where 48 right and the 28. Okay. Seeing motion from Ms maker to close the public hearing and approve on say Aye, Any opposed 7 in favor nor opposed the public hearing is closed to the resolution is adopted item. 49 is resolution public hearing. 25 Dash 15 authorizing the city to apply for and accept $15,000 in grant funding from the Saint Paul Minnesota Foundation for travel in operating expenses related to college bound boost and amending the 2025 budget for the Office of Financial Empowerment. This is a public hearing on item number. 49, is there anyone here to speak to this item number? 49. All right, seeing none. I would move approval all in favor say Aye, aye. Any opposed 7 in favor known pose a public hearing is closed in the resolution is adopted. Item. 50 is our late rsa. 24 dash 12 appeal of James w Bush and Linda Dd year tenants rent stabilization termination. At 39, one Hazelwood Street apartments, 10 11 and the public hearing was closed on this item. All right. So this item is before us for action today. I'm going to pass it to MISS Yang for further direction. Go ahead, Councilmember and council PRESIDENT. I want to see things to the counsel for the one weekly over so can they can to the support of it more and also have conversations with Marshall legislate it. Legislative hearing officer, I do want to see things too. The testifiers who cannot last week and I I see a couple of even the count there today. This just for say this was a very complex issue that came before us. And also think that it was the first time we had. A rent, stabilization appeal, That was like the situation here. And so I just wanted to take some time to it to it to do every cab so that we're on the same page to before share my thoughts final decision on it. So we did received testimony last week. We also rceived at this weekend I got a chance to review it again. The tenants and key to that. They believe the rent increase, which went into effect for them on AUGUST. First of last year, just their current lease was an excess of allowable 3% increased under our current ordinance. And this is a real concern for I have said studied it carefully. And I also have concerns fall. Essentially appellants they would like for us to use the they want the base rent level. The news from the current lease to be adjusted downward by us and can set in consideration of the next increase. And so, but I mean by that is, as I was looking at the testimony from the appellants, their current lease right now shows the increase for the rent, including parking, which is the garage. It was around 5 0.6%. And so when you take that into account there, it that it does exceed the 3% and they are asking us to basically adjust downward as we consider this next increase. Unfortunately, I do think tat incorporating the violation the alleged violation is beyond the scope of our decision, which is about proposing rent increase for next year. I think that there needs to be an investigation by the Department of Safety Inspection on the election ordinance violation. We haven't had information provided or examine to make this type of finding our role here is to hear the appeal of the staff determination rather than acting as enforcement. And I strongly urge the Palins to file a complaint to the Dsi Department, which is the Department of Safety inspections. And I have also asked this moment to follow up with that about this information as I think that the situation really drives home the need for administrative citations, which which we took a vote on earlier. Dsi has very limited tools to enforce this part of ordinance. And if there is an ordinance violation, I know that and I according to staff, most people come into compliance been told. And so when I said earlier that I share the that the appellant shared. Mean, if I were the person doing the investigation and had all that documentation, I again would determine that there was a violation of ordinance. And I know that this council cares deeply about making sure that ordinances we approve of our complied with. And so this is definitely not something that I take lightly at all. And I would hope that through the investigation, a determination is made that that would conclude this matter. And also there with the compensation of some sort to refund the amount that was overpaid. But again, all of that must be investigated by staff. And I hope that that's something that will be followed So again, urge the plan make the take that initiative. And so for administrative citations me, I just think it's very timely and very coincidental that we voted on something like that as we are hearing this case before us and hope that you all support my emotion, which is too. Which is to approve the recommendation from the legislator hearing officer, it would allow a maximum increase of 8% in rent and that is inclusive of parking. Have the House and service. There has been language amended and the resolution for this has been amended. Budget de just want to add in one thing, one of the things I wanted to make sure the Putin was the date for the start of the next lease, which is when that percent for rent can be applied. And so that is it is, I guess, first 2025. So Marshall, can you make sure that that is included in the resolution language? The that is included in the resolution language, ok, great. Thank you. All right. So it sounds like a motion from missing to move the recommendation of the City, Thank seeing for taking the time to deliberate this. I agree that. This case does raise the issues that you pointed out. And while the recommendation I agree with, I do think we should be examining that in ordinance going forward. So thanks for your thoughtfulness and I'm supportive any further discussion motion for missing to approve the recommendation of the legislative hearing. Officer in this matter on favor, say Aye, any opposed 7 in favor nor opposed the resolution is adopted as amended. Legislative hearing consent agenda items. 51 through 83 or before you for your consideration. All right. And his Mormon looking to you to see if there's other items we should be taken separately for the remainder of our agenda. 51 to 83. Council PRESIDENT, I'm not aware of anyone here to testify at a legislative hearing item. Somebody could have arrived after. So you see said there's no other u n. Let's do. Let's take 75. Item 75 is our Lh tha 24 Dash 406, ratifying the Peel Special Tax Assessment for property at 9.16 University Avenue West. All right. We'll start if you know my just waiting one 0nd summit, Mormons going to give a staff report so we can be up on this item and then we'll go to the public. Thank you so much. Go ahead as ok, this assessment that me? that case, sorry. It's a substantial amount Tis is $91,952. It's for the demolition of a significant structure on University Avenue following. a fire. I can show you a photo of the building. It will probably. Come to memory for many of you there the photo on overhead. So the demolition was an emergency demolition following the fire. It was It was conducted within 2 36 hours of tough. And so that the fire that. Ashes being. Definitely put out. I'm sorry, the embers that out. And so here we hve a case and where we have a significant masonry structure coming down an emergency basis. The costs are. Maybe a little bit higher for this to militia and that might otherwise be the case because after a fire, they have to dispose of the materials as if they do contain hazardous materials. And so there's increased cost associated with that. So I'm not surprised that they the amount is what it It the family, unfortunately, we got testimony that they did not have insurance for this. And since the time of the The if father is deceased. And so this is now a matter of the estate. There real estate legal professionals working with the family. To sort out where to go from here. Unfortunately. The assessment itself is costs that the city has incurred on behalf of the public because this is presented a public danger and we need to recoup those costs per state law. Local code. The one way we can provide some assistance in that That. Could make the payments to visible over 10 years. And it is my recommendation that that be done. I think that the families facing a lot of decisions coming and, you know, in the near that is where we came to at the time of the hearing. Mostly what they were looking for was itemized bill of what the the contractor charged for the work. So all Any questions from his Mormon before we do the public hearing? Okay. So we'll go to the public hearing on this is a public hearing for number 75 and I appreciate you waiting if you mind coming back up and then just gonna let us know your name and then your relationship to the situation. And then I believe you will have 2 minutes. And then we might ask us some questions. Go ahead. Thank sure. My name is Grace Poe and I am the representative and the daughter of the owner on 9.18, University Avenue This was a property that my father owned the since the 1990's, it's a commercial and mixed residential. Property. So he was landlord and also a business owner. Up until he had his stroke in JUNE 2023. And that was when the property was last operational. He unfortunately passed away from a stroke in both him in my mother took care of this property and store my mother had a stroke to win SEPTEMBER 2020. And so. The last few years my father has been taking care of that. But in the last few years he has fallen quite behind in bills, utilities. That's several several thousands of dollars and the spire was about a year ao now and I've been after my dad passed away. I took care of this building, tried to fix it up. It was having some heating issues and issues with the boilers downstairs. We don't know the exact cause of the fire, the investigator did indicate to me that could have been the boiler. But, you know, we don't know for sure. So with the demolition costs of $92,000, it's quite significant. It's a significant burden on our family because my mother is disabled and unable to work. She is about 70 years of age and with your stroke. She's she has difficulties shows cognitive difficulties and speech difficulties. And so I have stepped in help take care of this property. $92,000 is significant because my mom for income, she only has Social Security and it's about 1100 a month. Otherwise, you know, we also have. A lot of cost to pay for. This comes with this property. Not only the demolition but utility bills that my dad was behind were also behind in taxes as well. So that I understand, is there a specific ask you have for us today with relation to the assessment? I you know, I would like to know if there any programs or assistance to help reduce the costs of of the demolition. For this for this building. I would also, you know, if if there are no programs for assistant to help my reduce these I I would like to know would payments and I think 10 years could be reasonable. But we would like more time to process things, too, because we are also considering other things with this property on. There's also title issues also are looking at that from with my lawyer as well. Understood. And it sounds like your family has really been through a lot. So we appreciate you sharing. That that has to be very, very challenging. And we'll take that into consideration. Yeah, of course. All If there's nothing else I think will close public hearing and then our colleagues will deliver a try to come up with a plan thank you enough. You might ending. And I would appreciate that. The motion from MISS Bowie to close the public hearing on their say Aye, any opposed. So I mean, I can past him as Billy. I did want to ask just to that last question, what avenues you is Mormon for trying to create some flexibility and ideas that you have. And I will also say to that, I'd be open to a layover on this item. If there isn't a time sensitive matter, if case that helps wrk with the COUNCILMAN In coming to is warning that my question coming out of what we just heard. The question about whether or not there's assistance for paying an assessment of this nature, not to my knowledge. I would end up directing someone to the Department of Planning and Economic Development. I think their focus is going to be more future oriented like where we are now and moving forward. But MAY be something I'm unaware Their tend not to be assistance programs for paying taxes, though, with respect to when payments would be made and come do the very first thing that would happen if the council were to adopt the resolution with a 10 years worth of payments would be pain. That would be invoiced to the owner within couple of weeks of that decision. I would be for basically one 10th of the amount to be a suspect and that could be paid over the course of 2025. And whatever is unpaid would be added to the 2025 taxes. That would be considered like year one in the next 9 years would be state where it would be divided. And of course, like everyone, it's first and 2nd half property taxes. So that has t do with the decrease and assistance. The time period for repaying it. This is set at 10 years, which is the higher level that we have for nuisance abatement. A suspense. I don't believe that there is the latitude and city code or state law to go beyond the 10 year time frame. Okay. Good But we have a question. Thank you, PRESIDENT, thank you. More for this. And I asked what just want to just give my condolences and you know, to the family and thank you, for coming in in testifying. Marcia, it. Can you share with us the threshold them out. That assessment, our tax assessment have to be to where they will be looking at possible like tax forfeitures just trying to understand. What is that threshold where we get to a point where they could potentially actually lose their property by not being able to pay the taxes. I would want to double check this, but it's not a dollar amount per se. It's really a length of from when the last payment was dealt with. So, for example, if they were to stop making payments now, I believe the time period is 3 years. I want to double check that. It could be down to one year for mixed use like this. And I but the thing is unpaid and then you have delinquent status and you could have time to pay the amount that's delinquent and then they would move it to be. And the forfeiture list, During al of this time, you would have the ability. To sign a confession of judgment wth Ramsey County, a confession of judgment is essentially a payment plan with Ramsey County. I'm not sure how far outweigh into county can go and spreading those payments. But that would be like its own process. After it has forfeited to the county. If that happens, person can still applied to repurchase the forfeited property that we purchase can often be done. But I see them by means of a contract for deed executed with the county, our payments available over time and that I don't know there can be a failure of the confession and the session and there can be a failure on. Purchase. And then another failure. So there's lots o bites at the apple along the too, right? Thanks. Thank you for You know, again, I know Imus for any and you had a chance to. Really discuss this. And this is a property that's in my ward is the I I know very well as a commercial And, you know, it's really sad and I'm saddened to hear that the families and the circumstances. I know when the time of the fire happened, it was pretty early on in our term and had a chance to talk fire department. But there wasn't really what one of my life reflections is there. There was a kind of like a catalyst to actually talk with the council member around what next steps are. Hearing about, you know, our ordinance just really gives us the power to respond emergency way face off of the property being considered unsafe wife, which it obviously is. And the case of the fire, I think this, you know, gives us the opportunity to looking to the future around. You know what like acquittal mechanisms put in place of, you know, when we do issue this where the considerations of that cost I think in this is there. Is there the opportunities of I know you mentioned. The family can go to pd for assistance and that we're kind acting in a regulatory body and that the threshold of maximum time can give is 10 years. Is there any what is the kind of like the flexibility when it comes to like costs and possible cost reduction? My understanding of the code is that the council would have the latitude to decrease the assessment. Reduction in the assessment would be an amount that would be picked up by the general taxpayers at large. And thank you for that information I think will be best we lay this over a week and my office be able to talk with my 2, 2 weeks of though, the 2 weeks because the would state. Yeah, my. What a motion my colleagues and whoever one way the late this over for 2 weeks, just so they could be coming at time for my office to discuss what Marcia and the representative of the family about the best plan. Fully agree. And it sounds like we do have some ideas and pieces to work through, but I think time helps us do that. And so. To support you, COUNCILMAN, in I I'm happy to follow along. So motion from his the to lay this matter over to FEBRUARY 5th, giving us time put a plan together. Volunteers say Aye. 7 in favor nor opposed the resolution is laid over to FEBRUARY 5th. All Looking to see if there's anything else that we need to take separately from 51 83, Let's see anyone else is here to testify. But this is a combined public hearing on items. 51 to 83 is there anyone here for any of the rest of the items on the agenda? 51 to 83. I'll take a motion from Ms Yang close the public hearings and approve the rest of the agenda on favor. Say Aye, aye, any - opposed. 7 in favor opposed to public hearings are closed to the consent agenda is adopted as amended. All right. Well, if I just want to say is we bring our business to a close that this week was sober reminder of change in federal government at the national level. And while we're here with our constituents at council table, I want to reaffirm our commitment to upholding our separation ordinance and ensuring that we are not a part of any immigration action against our constituents. Looking to our congressional and state colleagues for upholding our If it has executive orders roll out and and always, we possibly can continue to be here for our constituents. So it did not want to let this first meeting pass after coming off of mlk weekend and inauguration without making that point. I know we got to talk about that with Angela Davis, but I will mention of a more time here and glad that we also on the note of standing up on our local community level, pass this a surcharge change today. So thank you to all my colleagues and all the staff report that if there's nothing else come before us, we are adjourned.