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West St. Paul City Council ended a decade-long legal dispute with Burger King that clears the way for Popeyes and approved Emerson Avenue and Mina Alley reconstruction projects despite resident complaints over cost and sidewalks.
Burger King Settlement
Council approved a legal settlement with Burger King, resolving issues going back to 2013. Among other things, it clears the way for redevelopment and a new Popeyes fast food restaurant.
- The original issue involved easement payments for Robert Street reconstruction that were never resolved.
- The city will pay $192,500 as part of the settlement, which is from the original dispute in 2013.
- This will also address a series of abatement issues with the property.
Public Hearings: Emerson Avenue & Mina Alley
Council held a public hearing for the Emerson Avenue and Mina Alley construction projects.
- Scope: Emerson will be fully reconstructed from Delaware to Charlton and then a mill and overlay from Charlton to Oakdale. The road will be narrowed, parking limited to one side, and sidewalk added to one side. The Mina Alley work is south of Mina and brought by a petition of neighbors.
- Cost: The total estimated cost is just over $5 million.
- Assessments: Emerson full reconstruction assessments are estimated to be $8,393 per lot. Mill and overlay is $1,654 per single family lot. The alley assessment is $5,910 per single family lot.
- Timeline: Work will start next year.
- Public comment: Nine people spoke during the Emerson Avenue public hearing, with a majority opposed to the project. Complaints centered around the cost and adding sidewalks. Some residents complained about having to shovel sidewalks and claimed the sidewalks would be too close to their homes, prompting safety fears. Three people spoke during the Mina Alley public hearing, all opposed to the cost. Council Member John Justen pointed out that a recent assessment policy change reduced the cost for single-family homes by about $2,000-$3,000 by shifting more cost to apartments.
- Vote: Both projects were unanimously approved (Council Member Lisa Eng-Sarne abstained on the Emerson Avenue vote because she lives on the street and could benefit from any property value increase).
Other Items on the Agenda:
- Juneteenth: City Council recognized the Juneteenth celebration put on by SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa AFRAM Caucus. This drew an impassioned complaint from Kimetha “KaeJae” Johnson during citizen comments. The founder of Residents of Color Collective (ROCC) explained that they’ve hosted a Juneteenth event for multiple years and were dismayed the city would endorse a competing event and not bring these efforts together in partnership. Council Member Robyn Gulley apologized, but explained that the SEUI/AFRAM event was a private picnic for members and not a competing event.
- Business licensing: During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council discussed streamlining code to address food trucks, clean up liquor language, and reduce duplicated effort for certain licenses.
- Exterior grant: The Economic Development Authority (EDA) unanimously approved an exterior matching grant of $10,000 for Mancave Barbershop.
- Building materials: Also during OCWS, Council discussed modernizing the zoning standards for exterior materials on commercial buildings, allowing for new maintenance free materials and allowing certain older buildings to be painted.
- Process: OCWS also discussed the planning, zoning, and permitting process and how the staff works to find solutions while consistently applying ordinances. City Manager Nate Burkett emphasized that if the Council felt a change needed to be made, staff would always consider it.
- Trash: Council approved a five-year agreement with Highland Sanitation to pick up trash, recycling, and organics at city facilities and public locations. The arrangement gives more flexibility to pick up trash, especially along Robert Street.
- Pride: Council declared June to be LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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