City Council - February 18, 2026   2/18/2026

ROLL CALL

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

1. Letter from the Department of Safety and Inspections declaring 633 Capitol Blvd a nuisance property. (For notification purposes only; public hearings will be scheduled at a later date if necessary.)

• 633 Capitol Blvd.OTA 2-9-26

2. Amending the 2026 spending budget in the Department of Public Works Electric Vehicle Maintenance accounting unit.

• AO 26-13 2026 Electricity for 23031309 Financial Analysis.pdf

3. Establishing intent for one-time special funds budgeted for consulting services in OFS.

CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

4. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a three-year lease agreement with District 10 Como Community Council at the Historic Como Streetcar Station.

• District 10 Lease Agreement 2026.01.01 to 2028.12.31
• PRC CouncilLtr January 2026

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

5. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for funds of up to $250,000 per application from the Local Trail Connections grant program.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

6. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for funds of up to $500,000 per application from the Outdoor Recreation grant program.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

7. Authorizing the Police Department to submit an application for funds under a Request for Proposals for the 2026 HIDTA Grant Program, issued by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

8. Approving the application for change of ownership to the Malt On Sale (Brewery Taproom), Liquor On Sale--Sunday, Liquor Outdoor Service Area (Patio), Liquor Outdoor Service Area (Sidewalk), Malt Off Sale (Brewery), Malt Off Sale (Small Brewery - 128 oz), Gambling Location & Entertainment (A) license now held by Grainless Gravity LLC d/b/a SAW Brewing (License ID #DSIBLLIQ-000488-2025) for the premises located at 1750 Thomas Ave.

• Business Application Details
• License Condition Affidavit
• License Application Notification

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

9. Approving the application for change of ownership to the Auto Repair Garage license now held by Tee to Tree Auto LLC d/b/a Doran-King Auto Repair (License ID #DSIBLAUTO-000494-2025) for the premises located at 1521 Randolph Ave.

• Business Application Details
• License Application Notification
• License Condition Affidavit

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

10. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to accept a donation of tickets to local theater and sporting events from Tickets for Kids Charities for youth and their families to attend various events in the metropolitan area.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

11. Approving the City’s Council’s reappointment of Nick Muhammad, Carla Robinson and Regina Jackson to the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

12. Accepting the gift of travel expenses from the Knight Foundation for Assistant Mayor Nick Stumo-Langer to attend the Knight Media Forum from February 11 - February 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

13. Approving the use of Neighborhood STAR funds for Saint Paul Public Works Mill and Overlay and Sidewalk Programs.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

FOR DISCUSSION

14. Considering the appeal of the Minnesota Department of Administration to the Board of Zoning Appeals lack of an approval of a zoning variance to permit a 10' tall fence between the surface parking facility and Phalen Boulevard and Barclay Street. (Public hearing closed and laid over from February 11, 2026)

• Appeal Application and Supporting Documents
• Zoning Variance Application
• Staff Report
• Board of Zoning Appeals Resolution
• Combined BZA Public Comment
• Written Comments Referenced at BZA Hearing
• BZA Meeting Minutes January 5, 2026
• Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing Notice Mailing Map & List
• Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing Notice
• City Council Hearing Notice Mailing Map & List
• City Council Public Hearing Notice
• 60-day extension letter
• Ianni Houmas public comment
• DSI presentation to Council
• MN Dept of Admin presentation to Council

• Passed 5-1-0 Denied

SUSPENSION ITEM

Authorizing the Fire Department to conduct various fire training exercises at the property located at 753 Front Avenue.

• 753 Front Ave.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading.

Final Adoption

15. Adding Chapter 268B to the Legislative Code to require law enforcement officers to conduct law enforcement operations without a mask or facial covering unless certain exceptions apply.

• Ord 26-7

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

16. Amending Section 86.01(a) of the Saint Paul Administrative Code to Authorize up to Three (3) Assistants to the Mayor to Execute Certain Contracts Made in the Name of the City of Saint Paul and Authorized by the City Council and Further Amending Section 86.01 (a) to Increase the Dollar Value Amount for Contracts that May be Executed by Designees.

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

First Reading

17. Adopting the geothermal energy franchise by The Heights Community Energy, Inc.

• THCE Schedule A
• 02182026

• Passed 6-0-0 Laid Over to Second Reading

18. Granting authority to the Port Authority to issue and sell bonds in the principal amount of approximately $6,000,000, and any bonds to refund such bonds, to secure such bonds with a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of the City (the “City”) and to use the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds to pay the cost and expense necessarily to be incurred by said Port Authority for a portion of the cost of the redevelopment of part of the St. Joseph’s hospital site.

• SPPA Board Memo
• SPPA Resolution No. 4843
• TIF Modification to Redevelopment Plan
• Property Inspection and Evaluation Report
• St Joes City Council Presentation
• Public comments

• Passed 6-0-0 Laid Over to Second Reading

19. Amending section 310.01 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to create new fee categories and associated license fees for Transportation Network Companies.

• Exhibit #1

• Passed 6-0-0 Laid Over to Second Reading

PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.

20. Amending Chapters 65 and 66 of the Legislative Code pertaining to drive-through sales and services and walk-up service windows.

• Table 66-321
• Table 66-421
• PC Resolution- Drive Throughs zoning code amendments- adopted 2024-09-13
• PC memo post PH- Drive Throughs
• Map- Drive Throughs in Saint Paul June 2024
• Drive Throughs in St Paul 2024-09-05
• 10.3 public comment
• 10.15 public comment
• 10.31 public comment
• 11.5 public comment
• 11.6 public comments
• 11.7 public comment
• 11.8 public comments
• 11.12 public comments
• 11.13 public comments
• BRC Letter to Request Layover Drive Through Zoning FINAL
• BRC Letter of Opposition Drive Through Zoning Amendment Final
• TransitMap2
• 2026 public comments

• Passed 6-0-0 Amended and Laid Over for Second Reading

21. Ratifying the assessment for Repair of Sanitary Sewer Line on Private Properties. (File No. SWRP2601, Assessment No. 263000)

• Assessment Roll
• Ann & Brandon Palmer public comment
• Andrew Haldeman public comment
• Niko Lee public comment
• Melinda Vang public comment

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

22. Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to amend the financing and spending plan, in the amount of $250,000, and to enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Historical Society to accept Commemorative Statues, Memorials, and Historic Preservation (CSMHP) grant funds.

• Tou Ger Xiong MHS FS $250K

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

23. Amending the financing and spending plan in the Department of Parks and Recreation, in the amount of $2,500,000, to reflect funds awarded from the Department of Employment and Economic Development for a state bonding pass through grant of $2,500,000 for the Conway Recreation Center project, and authorizing the City to enter into a grant agreement, which includes an indemnification clause.

• Conway Deed FS 2026 Funding $2.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

24. Approving the application of Pro-Life Action Ministries for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Good Friday Solemn Prayer Vigil on April 3, 2026, at 671 Vandalia Street on Charles Avenue between Pillsbury and Vandalia Streets.

• Application_GoodFridaySolemnPrayerVigil
• ENS1
• Map_GoodFridaySolemnPrayerVigil
• Notice to Owners_GoodFridaySolemnPrayerVigil
• OwnerList
• Letter to Applicant_GoodFridaySolemnPrayerVigil

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

25. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Parks and Recreation in the amount of $551,205.97 to reflect additional 2026 funding expected from Como Friends.

• Como Friends Asset Preservation Fund 2.4.26 RES PH 26-45

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

26. Amending the financing and spending plans in the Fire Department in the amount of $679,543.63 to accept the 2024 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) to provide firefighter physicals, paramedic training, Art of Smoke training, Incident Safety Officer training, and Sleep Matter training.

• RES 24-1835.pdf
• 2024 AFG Grant Financial Analysis.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

27. Approving (i) the establishment of the Fairview/St. Joe’s Tax Increment Financing District (a redevelopment district) in the Downtown St. Paul Industrial Development District and adopting a Tax Increment Financing Plan therefor, and (ii) a modification to the Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown St. Paul Industrial Development District (District 17, Ward 2).

• SPPA Board Memo
• SPPA Resolution No. 4843
• TIF Modification to Redevelopment Plan
• Property Inspection and Evaluation Report
• St Joes City Council Presentation
• Public comments

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

28. Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.

• Public comments

• Passed 6-0-0 Continue Public Hearing

LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

29. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 970 BURR STREET. (File No. J2602E, Assessment No. 268301)

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

30. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 705 DAYTON AVENUE. (File No. J2602E, Assessment No. 268301)

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

31. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 839 EDMUND AVENUE. (File No. VB2602A, Assessment No. 268905)

• 839 Edmund Ave.Renewal Reg Notice 5-12-25.pdf
• 839 Edmund Ave.Minutes 6-10-25.pdf
• 839 Edmund Ave.Jacobowitch statement.2-18-26.pdf
• 839 Edmund Ave PH Notice.pdf
• 839 Edmund Ave.Jacobowitch statement.2-24-26.pdf

32. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 463 FOREST STREET. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

• 1264 Payne & 463 Forest.Dornfeld email.12-22-25
• 1264 Payne & 463 Forest.DSI email.12-22-25

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

33. Appeal of Armand McCoy, on behalf of Andrew Eisenhart, to a Summary Abatement Order at 708 HAWTHORNE AVENUE EAST.

• 708 Hawthorne Ave E.appeal.1-13-26
• 708 Hawthorne Ave E.photos 12-26-25.pdf
• 708 Hawthorne Ave E.McCoy Ltr.1-30-26
• 708 Hawthorne Ave E.McCoy Ltr.2-6-26

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

34. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2123 HAWTHORNE AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No. 268702)

• 2123 Hawthorne Ave E.eCRV Report 7-11-25.pdf
• 2123 Hawthorne Ave.Zimny email.1-9-26

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

35. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 606 LAFOND AVENUE (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No. 268702)

• 606 Lafond Ave.email chain.1-5-26
• 606 Lafond Ave.Vang email 1-7-26.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

36. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 760 MAGNOLIA AVENUE EAST. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

37. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1697 MINNEHAHA AVENUE EAST. (File No. J2602TW Assessment No. 268702)

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

38. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1264 PAYNE AVENUE. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

• 1264 Payne & 463 Forest.Dornfeld email.12-22-25
• 1264 Payne & 463 Forest.DSI email.12-22-25

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

39. Appeal of Terry Vasquez to a Fire Inspection Correction Notice, which includes condemnation, at 51 ROBIE STREET WEST.

• 51 Robie St W.appeal.1-29-26
• 51 Robies St W.Photos 1-5-26.pdf
• 51 Robie Street.Inspection Report 2-5-26.pdf
• 51 Robie St W.photos 2-5-26.pdf
• 51 W Robie.Vasquez Ltr.2-6 -26
• 51 W Robie.Vasquez Ltr.2-13-26

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

40. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1084 SELBY AVENUE. (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No. 268702)

• 1084 Selby Ave.email chain.1-5-26

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

41. Amending Council File RLH 25-21, adopted December 10, 2025, to grant Dennis G. an additional extension for property at 555 SMITH AVENUE SOUTH.

• 555 Smith Ave S.email chain 2-3-26.pdf
• 555 Smith Ave S.Purchase Agreement 1-26-26.pdf

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

42. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 720 SNELLING AVENUE NORTH. (File No. J2602B, Assessment No. 268101)

• 720 Snelling Ave N.Respro Receivables Invoice 81833 6-19-25.pdf
• 720 Snelling Avenue N.Incident Report.06-17-2025.pdf
• 720 Snelling Ave N.Street View Map .pdf
• 720 Snelling Ave N.email chain 1-8-26.pdf
• 720 (712) Snelling Ave.article.6-19-25

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

43. Ordering the rehabilitation or razing and removal of the structures at 799 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WEST within fifteen (15) days after the February 18, 2026 City Council Public Hearing. (Refer back to April 14, 2026 Legislative Hearing)

• 799 University Ave W.OTA 11-10-25
• 799 University Ave W.PH Mailing Letter 12-12-25
• 799 University Ave W.Fire Incident Report 8-11-24
• 799 University Ave W.Fire Incident Report 5-14-25
• 799 University Ave W.SHPO Response 12-12-25
• 799 University Ave W.Photos 10-29-25
• 799 University Ave W.Summary.pdf
• 799 University Ave W.LS 1-12-26.pdf
• 799 University Ave W.Street View Map.png
• 799 University Ave W.photos 1-12-26.pdf
• 799 University Ave E.Truong R-R Ltr.1-16-26
• 799 University Ave W.S Mason comment email 2-9-26.pdf
• 799 University Ave E.Truong R-R Ltr.2-13-26

44. Deleting the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 435 VAN BUREN AVENUE. (File No. J2602E, Assessment No. 268301)

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

45. Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1760 WILSON AVENUE. (File No. J2525R1, Assessment No. 258589) (Amend to delete)

• 1760 Wilson Ave.Vang email 10-22-25.pdf
• 1760 Wilson Ave.Vang email 2-2-26.pdf

46. Ratifying the assessment for providing Tall Grass and Weed Removal services during June 27 to July 8, 2025. (File No. J2602TW, Assessment No. 268702)

• Notice Assessment Roll J2602TW.268702

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

47. Ratifying the assessment for providing Excessive Use of Inspection or Abatement services billed during April 22 to May 21, 2025. (File No. J2602E, Assessment No. 268301)

• Notice Assessment Roll J2602E.268301

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

48. Ratifying the assessment for Collection of Vacant Building Registration fees billed during February 12 to May 22, 2025. (File No. VB2602, Assessment No. 268901)

• Notice Assessment Roll VB2602.268901

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

49. Ratifying the assessment for providing Securing and/or Emergency Boarding services during June, 2025. (File No. J2602B, Assessment No. 268101)

• Notice Assessment Roll J2602B.268101

• Passed 6-0-0 Adopted

ADJOURNMENT

City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also comment on public hearing items in writing. Any comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows: Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers. Council Meeting Information The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses. The agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council members use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile device greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached to files, are over 1000 pages when printed. Web Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds (RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subsc