We believe in government transparency and provide these West St. Paul City Council previews with the support of our members.
West St. Paul City Council will hold a rental license hearing for a major apartment complex after numerous complaints. Other issues include redevelopment progress, sign ordinance changes, an archeological quirk, and more.
Rental License Hearing for Eagle Pointe
City Council will hold a rental license hearing for the 212-unit Eagle Pointe apartments, with city staff recommending a provisional license that can require a mitigation plan.
- Background: City code requires all units to be inspected after the sale of a property before a rental license can be issued. Since Monumental Capital Management purchased the property in 2021, the owner delayed scheduling inspections, meaning they’ve been operating without a valid rental license.
- Issues: Inspections are now complete, but there have been numerous issues, including work without a permit, 92 police nuisance calls, six fire inspection violations, and three code compliance letters. Residents complained about lack of heat and hot water, noting they were using their oven for heat (issues we highlighted in 2022).
- Why a provisional license: “Staff has concerns surrounding the owner’s lack of overall management of the buildings. The inattention to the needs of these properties and their residents causes unnecessary disturbances, concern and anxiety to the neighborhood, as well as excess use of police and City resources.”
- Mitigation: The mitigation plan includes a number of requirements, including security cameras, proper locks and alarms on exterior doors, criminal background checks for tenants, background checks for managers, limiting guests, a crime free lease addendum, and more. None of the measures address tenant complaints about lack of heat.
Monument Capital Management will have an opportunity to defend itself, and city code states that any person can be heard for or against the license, which would give tenants and other residents the opportunity to speak.
Hy-Vee/YMCA Redevelopment Progress
The Economic Development Authority will meet to consider a preliminary development agreement for the former Hy-Vee/YMCA space. While nothing substantially new is presented, this does mean progress when other redevelopment projects around the city have stalled.
Sign Ordinance Changes
City Council will make a final vote on proposed changes to the sign ordinance that relax requirements and allow murals. While Mayor Dave Napier has opposed relaxing the sign ordinance, the rest of the Council supports the changes.
Archeological Dig in Marthaler Park?
Sort of. The consent agenda includes changes to the Marthaler Park improvement project due to a potential Native American burial site.
- Background: In the process of filing for a DNR grant, the site was flagged by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office. An 1887 record notes a mound 75 feet in diameter and five and a half feet tall. A 1911 note says someone dug into the mound and found human remains.
- However: It appears to be a clerical error, with the site confused with a Ramsey County location due to property identification numbers being transposed.
- Result: Getting the state money means taking no chances. So a certified archeologist will be on site to do shovel testing with any digging. Cost to the city—about $10,000.
More on the Agenda:
- 2022 financials: The city’s financials will be reviewed during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), including a comprehensive audit of 2022’s numbers, and approved during the regular meeting.
- New laws: During OCWS there will be a review of new changes to state law that may impact the city.
Engage
Watch: The public can watch the meeting live on Town Square TV or cable TV starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday (5:45 p.m. for the OCWS meeting).
Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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