The meeting began with the adoption of Resolution 25 1015 in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Council members expressed gratitude for the presence of various community organizations partnering with the Office of Neighborhood Safety to address gun violence. Acknowledging the human impact behind statistics, members highlighted the importance of community involvement and continuous dialogue in tackling this issue. Plans were discussed to follow up with the Office of Neighborhood Safety and the Saint Paul Police Department about the non-fatal gun unit’s contributions to reducing gun-related homicides.

Next, the Council considered a resolution supporting the Hmong International Freedom Festival. This event, organized by United Hmong Family, Inc., is set to take place at McMurray Fields. The Council expressed enthusiasm for recognizing the festival, which celebrates the cultural contributions of the Hmong community. The resolution proclaims the day of the festival as International Freedom Festival Day in St. Paul.

The Council then moved to the final adoption of Ordinance 2536, which amends the Legislative Code to create a new commercial development district at 1624-1626 White Bear Avenue North. Council members acknowledged the proactive nature of local business owners in addressing safety concerns related to commercial developments. The importance of open communication between business owners and the community was emphasized, particularly in maintaining a safe environment while diversifying revenue streams.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a staff report on the Minor Text Amendment study. The report addressed necessary updates to the Legislative Code, including correcting typographical errors and clarifying language. Notably, the amendments sought to ensure future opportunities for electric vehicle charger installations were not hindered, particularly concerning surface parking facility reconstructions.

The meeting also involved a discussion on a vacant building fee assessment, which became a point of contention. The assessment related to bills sent by the Department of Safety and Inspections, with the timeline of fees and assessments at issue. A council member expressed that after reviewing the situation, there was no compelling reason to recommend a decrease or elimination of the assessment. Despite the possibility of appealing the assessment, the established fee structure was maintained.

During the public hearing, a property owner named Miss Lee expressed frustration over not receiving notification about the vacant building registration fee until discovering it while paying property taxes. She requested a waiver for the fee, citing her efforts to bring the building up to code and challenges faced during renovations. The Council discussed her testimony and proposed spreading the assessment payment over five years to ease the financial burden on the property owner. This proposal received support from multiple council members and was unanimously approved, resolving the issue.