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A split Council vote and missed procedure led to a rental license not being approved, plus Council approved additional costs and delays for 150 Thompson.
1064 Robert Street Rental License Review
At the previous meeting, Council continued the rental license application review for a single-family rental property at 1064 Robert Street. Frustrated by a history of code violations and the current state of disrepair, several Council members were considering denying the rental application, which would evict the tenant. Instead, Council continued the review to this meeting, giving the owner a chance to address issues and the city a chance to notify the tenant.
- Options: Staff proposed a mitigation plan the owner had agreed to, but in the case of a denial recommended giving the tenant 90 days to vacate the property.
- Issue: Discussion centered around whether the management company the owner hired would be required to take care of maintenance issues that have caused the code violations in the past. The contract was vague, but the owner had clarification that standard maintenance would be covered.
- “I’m still not satisfied on the snow removal,” said Council Member Pat Armon. “I realize that’s a tough spot. But it is what it is. It needs to be addressed. That’s why we need to be serious and I don’t see any seriousness, to be honest.”
- Complication: The final vote was complicated by the absence of Council Member Doug Fromm and the recusal of Council Member John Justen (the applicant is the landlord for his business).
- Vote: An initial motion to approve a provisional license failed on a 3-1 vote with Armon the lone no vote. It failed because motions need four votes to pass. A second vote to continue the discussion to the next meeting also failed 3-1 with Council Member Wendy Berry voting no.
- What’s next: Not approving the license amounts to a denial. City staff noted the applicant could file an appeal and it would come back to the City Council.
- But: City Attorney Pam Whitmore missed a recent change to the City Charter from 2021 that allows the mayor to vote in cases where “three affirmative votes result in a failed motion.” That change, which predates both Whitmore and City Manager Nate Burkett, was passed for cases like this where absences and/or recusals make it hard to pass motions. As a result, Council will likely re-vote on the issue at the next meeting.
150 Thompson Delays and Cost Increases
The 150 Thompson development project at the former YMCA site hit another hitch with delays and cost increases. Council approved an updated development agreement to address costs and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved an update to the tax increment financing (TIF) agreement to address delays.
- Costs: The final estimate on public improvements—which lays the foundation for a future park but doesn’t actually include the park—is $409,000 over budget. There’s also an issue with running gas and utility lines, that depending on timing, could cost the city an additional $76,000.
- Delays: The developer, Greco, ran into delays securing financing and needs to push back the timeline. The project start will move back from early summer to late summer and the phase one completion date will move from June 1, 2028 to December 31, 2028.
- Vote: Council unanimously approved the both changes, though Mayor Dave Napier (who doesn’t get a vote) expressed his frustration with the increased costs and said that would only continue. Back in October he threatened to veto the project if prevailing wage provisions meant no park, though at the final vote in December (when it passed with a veto-proof majority) he had a more conciliatory tone saying he supported it either way.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Expiring CUPs: Council approved the final reading for an ordinance change to make conditional use permits (CUPs) expire. The first reading was approved unanimously at the previous meeting.
- Fixed: Council unanimously adopted St. Paul Regional Water’s policies and rules, something that was required in a 2001 agreement but never actually done.
- Snow removal: Council set the public hearing for the final assessment of Robert Street sidewalk snow removal for June 8.
- Police: Council recognized May 11-17 as National Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officer’s Memorial Day.
- Staff: City Manager Nate Burkett recognized Assistant City Manager Dan Nowicki for completing his master’s degree in public administration.
- Donation: Jim Probst with the South Robert Street Business Association presented two checks to the city, one for $20,000 to support Explore West St. Paul Days and another for $1,000 to support the West St. Paul Rider community bike ride.
- Comments: During Citizen Comments, Jon Althoff with the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce presented Napier with an award for raising money for breast cancer with the Mayor’s Cup and Kicks for a Cure.
Engage
- Watch: City Council and EDA meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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