Thanks to FoodSmith and Minnesota Locks for their support.
Rental licenses at problem properties, extending the city sales tax, athletic field rental policy, and cable franchise fees were some of the major topics for last night’s West St. Paul City Council meeting.
Rental Licenses
City Council unanimously approved rental licenses for two apartment complexes that have caused problems in the past, Hilltop at Signal Hills and Eagle Pointe. Both were on provisional licenses due to a number of issues.
- Hilltop at Signal Hills: Despite reducing police nuisance calls by 55%, a police department analysis recommended more cameras. A manager from the complex argued they already had 57 cameras and hoped relocating or adjusting cameras could work. They argued their efforts are working and additional cameras will only catch problems after the fact. A resident at the complex complained about the revolving door of management and staff and challenged some of the manager’s assertions. Council approved a provisional license requiring the complex to comply with the police department’s recommendation, though Police Chief Brian Sturgeon said they’d reevaluate the camera setup.
- Eagle Pointe: A regular rental license was approved for Eagle Pointe after significant improvement, including a drop in police nuisance calls. There is still an issue with unsafe balconies the complex is slowly repairing, though city staff can address that through the usual code compliance process.
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Extending Sales Tax
During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council discussed extending the city’s sales tax.
- Background: Approved by voters in 2018 and the legislature in 2019, the half-cent sales tax began in 2020. The sales tax funds are limited to street projects with regional impact.
- Timing: The original sales tax measure is for 20 years or $28 million, whichever comes first. The city is halfway to the $28 million and likely to reach it by 2030, so they’re starting now on a strategy to extend it.
- How: Any extension would require the approval of both voters and the legislature.
- At issue: Council discussed what to earmark funds for and how to get it approved by both the legislature and voters. Council wanted to focus on getting legislative approval (the first step in the process) and was open to a mix of parks and street projects.
Cutting Cable Payments
Beth Baumann, the new executive director of the Northern Dakota County Cable Communications Commission (NDC4) and Town Square Television, presented an updated cost-sharing agreement for cable franchise fees.
- What’s the issue: Cable companies pay to use the right of way, and those payments, known as franchise fees, fund NDC4. With cable viewers switching to streaming, the income model is no longer working.
- Solution: NDC4 is asking its member cities to take a reduced franchise fee in the coming years, going down to zero in 2027 as they try to explore new funding models. The request was approved unanimously.
- Impact: It amounts to $167,000 loss for the city, though the services Town Square Television provides just in covering government meetings is more than worth it.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Athletic fields rental policy: Council reviewed changes to the athletic fields rental policy during the OCWS. This has been an ongoing process and is mostly formalizing and streamlining processes. Council members described the changes as a potential shock to athletic organizations, but long needed and ultimately better in the long run.
- Code of ethics: Council discussed a number of changes to the Council’s code of ethics during the OCWS, primarily to align with state law and current practice. Some of the changes included limits to how many times members could appear virtually (with exceptions for illness, military service, etc., as required by law), how a resolution can come forward, how the agenda is set, and more.
- Plumbing: Council approved an ordinance change allowing the city to take on plumbing reviews, something previously handled by the state. No one spoke during the public hearing.
- Budget: Council reviewed the 2026 budget and capital improvement projects, which will be officially approved at the December 8 meeting. The final property tax levy increase will likely be between 7-7.4%.
Engage
- Watch: City Council and OCWS meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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