Yeah, >> I'm going to call the April 21st, 2026 meeting to order. Before we stand for the pledge, I have an announcement. Um, today, uh, Gene Burwald was called home to the Lord. He passed away earlier this afternoon. So, I wanted to give our condolences and our prayers for the Burwald family. Um, Jim, our Jean was quite the pillar of our community. We've had a few over the years and Jean was, you know, was a great and business owner and always loved and uh helped out the community. So, his passing is is very sad. So, I just want our prayers and thoughts to go out to the Burwald family and thank Jean and the family for all the years they've been loyal and so good to North St. Paul. >> Start with the pledge of allegiance, please. >> Go ahead, kid. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one indivisible and justice for all. >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Council member Nordby >> here. >> Council member Woods is absent. Council member McKenzie >> here. >> Council member Schwar >> here. Mayor Mongi >> here. Thank you so much. I have a motion to adopt adopt the agenda, please. >> So move. >> So move. Council member Kinsey. >> Second. >> Second. Council member Norby. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you much. >> All right. First up is uh presentations which are we have two proclamations. The first proclamation is for National Therapy Animal Day and the second one is proclamation for Arbor Day. Uh next up is our consent agenda. Um, item A, April 7th, 2026 workshop and regular meeting minutes. Item B, general claims of1,718,15.36. Item C is H claims of $49,238.50. Item D is a fee schedule update for electric vehicle time of use service charge. Item E is a resolution accepting donations for March of 2026. Item F is building permits for March of 2026. Item G is storm water facility maintenance agreement with car and school. Item H is police vehicle replacements for the CIP funds. And item I is consumption display permit renewal. >> Looking for anybody want to pull anything at this time? >> I'd like to pull H, please. >> H. All right. H will be pulled. Anybody else? If not, may I please have a motion to adopt the agenda? So move. So move. Council member Norby second. Council member Schwar. All those in favor say I. I. Thank you much. All right. Move on to open to the public. Reminder, uh, we have a threem minute time limit on each person. Are you ready? Is there anything else? Oh, I thought you were saying something. Okay. >> All right. Um, Pang Yang, is that Did I say that right? Okay. Welcome. come out to the microphone. That one there. >> Hi everyone. Thank you for having us here today. Uh I am here today because we would like to for the corner building 2544 on 7th and Margaret there. We would like to apply for a liquor license. We have in the past, but it has been denied. And we're here to ask all of you to please help us so that we may open up the business in that corner building. um you know, we'll do what we can. We can even start later like at 4:00 or 5 after the adult day centers closed. Uh just so that we can get our business there and then open all day on Saturday and Sunday. So, I'm really asking, you know, all of you and the community to help us so that we may push this forward and open the business there. So, we'll need the liquor license so that we could have a restaurant um and serve food. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate your time. >> John evening, John Schmall, 2750 Chisum Avenue. Um, this refers to something that went down probably uh two months ago. It had to do with uh the application for a uh grant to uh redo the hockey rink. And I just like to uh ask if uh any of you have realized that we're under a situation with global warming and which has had a great effect on all outdoor activities. um three items that have happened since this time. The dog sled race in Minneapolis, they just said, "That's it. We're done." Um there was an NPR article on what uh effects people have seen with global warming and they interviewed a hockey coach in the St. Paul Mariam Park area and uh he said, "I've been doing this for 20 years. One more year like this, I'm done. And uh I happened to be that weekend at my cabin and was watching Duth TV and they had an individual who was a retired um NHL hockey um player and um he was um uh offering that they should build an outdoor rink and he wasn't getting any traction. Uh he had drawings he had with roof over a hockey rink and just think if they can't get one in duth what are we doing? Um and there's no hockey in high school here anymore. It's it's gone. We there's a change and you're going to have to accept it. And at uh at that meeting, the woman sitting next to me said that u uh she has a town home somewhere where the old um nursing home was and there's a rink there. I've never seen it. She said all winter long lights are on. Nobody's there. So, uh why waste that money? And the last item, uh, Mark Cely on, uh, Almanac said, "In the next two years, we're going to see a mega El Nino, which is warmth." Anyway, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Sean. >> Donald, it's good to see you. It's been a while. >> Yeah. You rather sit at the table, Mr. >> Yeah, they're probably get the other chair. Don't worry, the three minutes doesn't start till you sit. >> Oh, you push it in a little bit. >> Yep. >> Not too far because I got to get out. Okay. >> Right back. >> All right. Done. >> Okay. Okay. >> Good to see you. >> Yeah. It's been a long time. I've been had a lot of meetings from 2004 till 19 and then everything went bad in December. So >> yeah, >> but anyway down 2146 Belmont Lane East North St. Paul. I'm 85 years old and I've been here all my life, but I'm wondering if the city is going to be picking up the pieces of black top from the snow plowing from the piles that are made at the end of our alley there in Belmont Lane in Skiilman. That's what I came for. >> Okay. >> Uh there's some >> for public works >> because uh the plow has been taken it and it puts it on the grass there and uh I used to pick it up and now I for the last six years I can't do anything anymore. And I used to plow that for 40 years you know and finally when I was in the hospital on a ventilator then everything changed. So that's the reason I came today and uh but I'm in pain right now but it's not bad. >> Okay. But uh and also got osteoporosis three years ago. So, >> all right. >> But I figured I'm going to come one of these days to meet everybody because I haven't met everybody. I met you at your was just before campaigning >> and uh >> yeah, four years already this year. It's hard to believe how fast it goes. >> That's the last time I seen I was at at the Legion there >> and uh I haven't met Mackenzie. I have met Woods and Norby. I met there and you I met there and um I know Brandle from a while back and uh but uh and then Jenny I know too. So >> Oh, good. >> But uh like I said, December se was my last meeting. Mary said I should have never came and I left early and four two days later I'm in a hospital on a ventilator. Actually, the ventilator was put in by the paramedics. >> Well, I'm glad you're here. Well, I'm glad I'm here, too. And >> they're excited to see you come in the back door. >> I would like to meet somebody there to explain some stuff there, but they'd have to come to the call me ahead of time, so I make sure I get down the steps without any problems. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay, then. I got everything on Jenny's got everything on a note there. So, >> all right. Appreciate it. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You can just stay there. >> I can I can stay there. Nobody else has to come. Yeah. >> Might have to call on you for a couple presentations, but better be ready. I'll tell you the date. That's for sure. >> That's right. >> All right. City business action items and recommendations. Uh item A is approval of the JPA with the state of Minnesota BCA violent crimes reduction unit. >> We have >> Chief. >> Hey, Chief. >> Yeah. >> Sorry, I jumped the gun there. We need to go back and >> I wasn't sure the order. >> No, no problem. >> You don't pull often. >> Well, and this is perfect timing. So, >> um >> I pulled each regarding the police vehicle replacements and the CIP funds. Um as I revisited the CIP, we had approved for two vehicles for 2026. Um both police re I'm gonna say the word wrong. Um but both police vehicle vehicles. Um, so I guess the fact that we approved it, moved on, and now it's April and we're asking for a third. I'd like to know why are we asking for a third? Um, and what is the justification of it? The the approved amount is 180,000. That back in December, Dan had indicated that roughly $70,000 equates to about a percent of um inside a levy. So now we're pushing to potentially adding another vehicle which adds a percent to our levy. Right now we've already approved the 8% levy. But now where is this money coming from and why are we needing the vehicle um at this point? Well, I believe uh there so current we have currently we have three vehicles that are beyond their life. Um according to the time frame that's in the current CIP prior to that uh I believe it was five years. Um so these three vehicles they've been run to the ground. Um and prior to my uh position as chief um this vehicle was already has already expired in the pre with with the previous chief. Why it didn't why it didn't come to the attention of the council at that time is I I really don't know. >> Um but here we are and we have now these three squads that are ready. We're we're putting more money into these three squads than uh you know than our our squads that aren't as old but um are out of their warranty and it it's almost it's almost becoming a waste of money at this point >> because of how much work it's being done on them. >> Yeah, we the the squad that is in question is um our cso squad. Mhm. >> Um, and right now we're waiting for this approval because if it if if it didn't go through, we're probably going to end up putting about $8,000 into it, >> which is more than it's worth. >> Sure. >> And how come that wasn't added to the CIP earlier? Was that brought to our attention? Did you were you aware that we needed that replaced? it was asked for but it wasn't in the CIP at the time. So, and in discussions with the finance director Winnick um he said that there was funding available in the um vehicle replacement fund um to be able to replace this vehicle. Uh one thing that did happen is the the 14 probably should have gotten rid of a while ago when they replaced a vehicle. It went to the cso but we have also um brought on another investigator. So, that was an additional vehicle that was needed. So, um that was kind of put a little bit more urgency on getting another vehicle in and then getting rid of a 2014 that was past its prime. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Yeah. No, thank you for motion. If we're any other questions or anything else, do we have to vote on this? So, >> yep. So to vote vote for the approval of the three vehicles for the fund. I have a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> Council member McKenzie. I have a second. >> I'll second. >> Second. Council member Schwar. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Mayor, council members, and city manager. Thank you for having me here tonight. uh regarding our uh joint powers agreement with the Minnesota BCA um the violent crimes reduction unit. Um I just want to so we're up for renewal with this joint powers agreement, but I just want to address some some key points and um some things that matter to the city uh and why this joint powers agreement is a benefit to uh the North St. Paul Police Department and the city. Maintaining this joint powers agreement with the BCA um violent crimes unit is vital for North St. Paul because it gives our small department big city resources to fight serious crime. Since crime does not stop at city borders, this partnership allows our agent to track criminals and illegal activity across the entire state. This agreement matters to our city because the BCA provides specialized tools that we can't afford alone, such as criminal intelligence analyst, forensic scientist, and firearms detection canines. The violent crimes unit uses specialized lab approach for rapid DNA testing and ballistic matching which helps solve violent crimes like shootings much faster by pooling our officer with uh other cities including Maplewood, Roseville, and Ramsey County. Uh our department can tackle major cases without leaving our local streets unprolled. In 202 2025 alone, this partnership led to 445 uh Caesars arrest seizures of 428 firearms and over 304 pounds of methamphetamine. That's statewide. Some key points under the Joint Powers Act, under the Joint Powers Agreement, North St. Paul can deliver services more effectively by sharing cost and liability with the state. They they uh reimburse us for this agent to be a part of their organization. The violent crimes unit specifically targets high-risisk individuals who are often responsible for a majority of local violence even in North St. Paul. Because the BCA has statewide authority, they can follow criminals, guns, and drugs from other cities before they reach North St. Paul. By maintaining this agreement is a fiscally is a fiscally responsible way to provide North St. Paul residents with the higher highest tier of law enforcement protection. It ensures that our police department is not outdone by complex criminal organizations and has the backing of the state's best investigative resources. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Looking for a motion to uh agree to extend the >> three and this is justformational for me. Is is >> this um extension is for one year? >> Three. >> Okay. Three. And is that term the same that all cities do it for? >> Yep. >> Okay. So is the the term length isn't unique to North St. Paul in any way? >> No. Nope. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's the contract. Yeah. >> Great. >> I think this is an incredible partnership. it. We've had it in place since I've been on board. I am hands down excited for this extension >> and the opportunity that we have with one of our officers to do this >> working out. So, >> yeah. >> Yep. every CR every every critical incident that we've experienced in the last two years of um my under my direction um the BCA has come through their violent crimes unit has come through uh and has provided us with resources that we probably wouldn't have such immediate access to if we didn't have an agent as a partner with this cause agreement. >> So >> great. All right. Can I have a motion for the approval? >> I'll make a motion. Council member Schwear. Second. >> Second. Council member Norby. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next item up is a conditional use permit for 2121 Holloway Avenue. Turn that over to community development director, Mr. Ken Roberts. >> Good evening, Mayor. Hopefully the presentation will come up on the screen. I didn't in the booth. Can we uh We're not getting the presentation. >> If there's anything we need to do, let us know. >> There we go. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah. >> So, as the city manager introduced, this is a request for a conditional use permit or accessory dwelling unit. And as far as I know, this is the first application that's come before the city for an accessory dwelling unit in the city of North St. Paul. The applicants and they are here and I try his name go I believe is the property at first name is 2121 Holloway Avenue. The aerial photo is on the screen and the request again is a conditional use permit to allow a conversion of part of their attached garage into an accessory dwelling unit. I'll go through some of the details. First of all, uh we look at the zoning code and the zoning district regulations. Uh the zoning there is our one single family by that shown with the yellow on the map. The zoning ordinance allows accessory dwelling units in the single family district subject to conditional use and compliance with applicable standards that are outlined in the code. So, here's some a little more details. This is a photo of this home from the street. The proposal is to convert this end of the attached garage into two levels of living space for the family. And that's this end of the garage here as shown on the survey. This is again another image of the front of the home. A little larger image for everyone to see. There's a large parking area on the site as well, both in front of the garage and wraps around the back side of the building. the floor plans as proposed. There's a lower level plan and these are inverted. Uh so hallways to the top here just for reference. Lower level would have laundry, a kitchenet, and a bathroom. And the upper level have another bathroom and three bedrooms. And so what are some of the regulations that affect accessory dwelling units? The generally the proposal is compliant with all our zoning code requirements uh except the bolded uh phrase on the screen here about size. The code says the minimum size of an ADU for short shall be 300 square feet with a maximum size of 900 square ft. The proposed ADU has a total square footage of,58 square feet and as I said the zoning ordinance limits ADUs to a maximum of 900 square ft. So staff is recommending as a condition of approval that the applicant amend the floor plans to show no more than 900 square feet for the proposed ADU which would take about 358 square feet out of again out of these plants. Other things we look at is is there an expansion or impact with imperous surface? There's none proposed here. Uh I'll go to the next slide. There's a large area showed on the area uh excuse me on the survey and on the uh street view of plenty of parking none proposed to be added or changed. So that is not a factor. Uh the design requirements we want any ADU to be architecturally cons compatible with the existing home whether it's attached or detached. And we have a condition of approval that all the siding windows and doors be consistent with the design of the principal structure. And again, as shown by the survey, there's plenty of off- streetet parking. So that is not a concern. Really, from staff's perspective and the plane commission's perspective when they reviewed this was about the size of the ADU. for any CUP to be approved by the city. There's several criteria uh that we have in the code for all of the all or any conditional use permit. A very condensed version. These are all the all the general criteria. This proposal except for the size question meets all the city's criteria for a conditional use permit and for an ADU. So again, no concerns with that. Little history. We had a uh public hearing notice published in the Star Tribune. We notified all the property owners within 350 ft of the site. We had a public hearing on April 2nd uh with the plane commission. I don't believe there was any neighbors that came out and spoke for or against the applicant spoke and explained the case a little bit further. and plane commission had good discussion about this application and I think my opinion they were wrestling with it somewhat because of the the way the size of the the size limits in the code because in the end when this converts over to an ADU other than changing some of the features on the front of the home or front of this part of the garage no one's going to know it's there all the exterior walls are not changing at all. It's just remodeling garage space. So, what we discussed with the plane commission, I I think it's a worthy idea, is to look at doing a code amendment for the ADU ordinance to better accommodate situational situations like this. Uh, unfortunately, we had not advertised that for the plane commission. So, we couldn't discuss it. We could have discussed it, but couldn't have taken action on it. So, what we're recommending uh and plan commission recommended uh approval of the CUP for this ADU uh subject to the six conditions that are on the screen. In condition number two, we're proposing that if the city approves zoning ordinance text amendments to allow an ADU to be 1258 ft or larger, then the city will consider this applicant's original proposal for the ADU in the existing attached garage as approved. And our goal is to have that ordinance amendment heard at the plane commission on May 5th and then bring it back to the council in later on in May. Uh if not, if if the code doesn't get amended, we can we the city can still approve it with the condition and that's condition one that'd be limited to 900 square feet. Uh our hope is that council will approve it and the applicant's wish is to have it approved with this condition and they'll take some time. They'll need some time to get building permits and those kind of things ready in the interim and if we can get the code amended in the next 30 days then again if the council agrees they will be good to go. So that's our recommendation. Again, there is a resolution for you to uh adopt that's in the packet. And again, I'll take questions and the applicant is here as well. >> I know uh Jason, you were sitting in on it being on the planning commission. Is anything you would like to add? >> Um, one of the things that I I felt interesting was even though the zoning specifically calls out that accessibility dwelling units are okay in the zone, you have to have a cup for every single one of them. So this isn't before us because of anything special the applicants doing >> as a council. We will see every single accessory dwelling unit before us. So that was one of the things that I felt or found interesting. >> Um >> uh but but we had great discussion. Um if if if this gentleman just wanted to remodel >> and not turn it into a separate living space, he could use all 1,200 square f feet >> because they're doing it as an accessory dwelling unit. They can only use 900 of it. Um so so I I think the conditions that were put forth in the planning commission that if it gets changed it's automatic approval really makes sense and it was smart good dialogue. Um I was proud of the leadership um kind of had um for the planning commission to walk us through the process and um explain things but as the council liaison to the planning commission I see no reason not to um approve this. Now, would the accessibility for this part, the one end of the dwelling there be out the back door? Because I see there's no entrance in and out of the front door other than the garage door. >> By memory, I can't answer that question. >> What year was this house built? >> 2003. >> 2003. North side. >> Yeah, we're not getting on the screen. >> You can barely see it. >> Yeah, >> has a glare. Is there going to be any fire hazards that will cause this for accessibility if someone's on the upper level? windows big enough to get out if there's >> and and just to be clear, it would be subject to all building code review. >> Okay. >> Fire code review, all that before they did all the construction. Okay. >> Questions? Anybody else? Not can I get a motion to Can you get down there? >> Jason, I appreciate your background information on that and just going through >> planning commission as well. I mean, if this is something that's ultimately falls on council, make the overall decision and then they have to we have to amend it. That makes sense. >> Y Okay. I get a motion for the conditional use permit for 20 2121 Holloway Avenue East. >> So moved. So move council member Norby. >> I'll second. >> Second. Council member McKenzie. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Just to be clear, this is for the,200 ft, right? No, the 900. >> 900. So this is this is for the 900. And if it gets changed, it's automatic approval. Okay. Whatever it gets changed to. >> All right. >> Sounds good. We're good to go. And happy construction. All right, next up is reports from city manager and departments. Uh, a couple updates. Uh, we are looking again at for summer hours for city hall. Um, like we've done for the last two years, which will be 7 to 4:30 Monday through Friday, and then that will be 7 to 11 on Friday. Um, that would take effect uh June 1st through August. >> Okay. >> Um, just an update on the drinking water situation that we have here in town. So they finished up flushing today of the entire system. We will have uh chlorine put in the system until uh next Monday. Then it will shut off and uh we will wait for a week and then we will have um department of health that'll come out and do the testing again. Um if it fails, we actually will be looking at permanent chlorination of the system. Um, but hopefully we can come back with a clean uh tests and go back to the way we were. >> So, more to come on that. >> Appreciate all the I mean this has been a trial when it comes to this plus the time of the year it happens. So, >> appreciate everybody's patience because you know we're trying the best to make sure we can continue on the way we were. >> I also think the city is doing their best due diligence to be sure that we don't if we don't have to chlorinate we won't chlorinate. But we have worked closely and Ron has really worked closely to make sure that we don't we are meeting all expectations. So >> 100%. >> Yep. >> We appreciate everything that you guys all have been doing for that. >> They did a great job. Yeah. So community development um they've been having a meeting with the school. The school construction is starting here uh very shortly. They uh there'll be addition of 16 new classrooms. They'll be expanding the parking lots there. Um it's going to be a three-year process. They'll get that all built and then they will go back and gut an old area and then reconstruct that area. Um the interview is being set up with uh the two solid waste contracts that uh turned in their RFP. We'll have one on the 29th and one on the 6th and then we'll be bringing that information back to you guys. Um we have also got our um green step cities for four and five step four and five for the city which does make some grants available to the city for having that classification and the work that we've put in that they put into uh getting that level um public works uh you guys got the update for the student build here but uh they are also going to be starting the project from last summer which is they'll be starting the Casey pond which will be widen it out to about double what it is now to the reconstruction. Uh they're looking to have that project done with everything about midsummer. So depending on weather and how far we get set back with that. Um valley paving will be starting on May 4th for our mill and overlay project for this summer. Um and road restrictions were taken off as of yesterday. So construction has officially started. Um we've had quite a few applications for the inter uh positions that we've had open. We've had over 40 applications for the public works. Um they're getting that uh narrowed down to who they will be bringing in. Uh fire is doing their quarterly EMS uh refresher training and next Monday uh chief's going to be going up to the capital for the legislative session session for the bank fire representative and their issues that they are concerned about. Um finance actually had 89 applications for their position of accounting technician utility billing clerk. Um so they're working through that and whittling it down. So it's nice to see the application numbers go up. Uh May 5th, next council meeting, uh the auditor will be here to go over last year's audit, to give you guys the update on that. Um PD has also had good luck with a lot of applications for their uh open position. They will be setting up uh seven interviews and and then or had seven interviews and we'll be having three that will be moved on to the chief's interview. Um they are getting their new Motorola system completed the probably within the next month which will be their body cams and their vehicle cameras. Um electric has a bore contra contractor back in town for the Northwood area for the replacement of overhead electric uh high voltage lines. They're also working with Quicktrip who's working on putting in a second uh wash bay in there. They're going to be put on temp power on a generator for a period of four or five days while they're doing that switch over. So, they're working with electric department on that. Um, and they also have interviews set up. They had 12 interviews that they're setting up out of the number of applications that they had for their alignment position. So, uh, that's all I have for you. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. Council Commissions Committees >> Parks and Recreation had lovely Jack at the past meeting and went over the annual training. We also have parks cleanup May 16th, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at our local parks. More information to be out with um the community update, the weekly update, excuse me. And the next meeting is Wednesday, April 29th here in council chambers at 6:30. >> Thank you very much. I attended the uh fire pinning of their new firefighters last Tuesday. >> It was well in well attended by all the family members. There was I see six new firefighters come on board. Very very nice to see. >> It was a nice group. It was fun. >> Anything Jason? >> Um uh the planning commission we voted on um uh the cup that the planning commission approved. I appreciate um everyone, you know, kind of following along and and putting some good insight and some good questions there. And the next planning commission meeting will be on May 7th. >> Thank you very much. Any general information from anybody? >> Um I just want to comment on the um Mr. Burwald. he is was and his entire family is quite the asset to the city. He's dedicated a lot of his time um and services to our city and my sincerest condolences go out to not only Jean's family but everybody that has been connected with Jean and the Burwald family as everybody is grieving this loss. I extend my condolences also and he's been a very very well-known person in the city and he's helped so many people >> and I would like to echo those sentiments. Um I had the pleasure um because him and my dad were business partners for years um and did a lot of work together. I I've known him uh not as well I should have but for at least 20 years um and it is a tragic loss um and my condolences to the family as well. God bless you, Jean. You're going to be missed. All right. Our next meeting is May 5th. There's nothing else. Call for adjournment. >> So move. Council member Kenzie. >> Second. >> Second. Council member Schwar. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you all.