St. Paul HRA approves 2026 maximum levy, amends Housing Trust Fund budget, sells property to Dayton’s Bluff NHS and OKs bonds for Metro Deaf School

The St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously approved four resolutions during a regularly scheduled meeting recorded in the meeting transcript. The board: adopted a 2026 maximum property tax levy for the HRA; amended 2025 Housing Trust Fund project budgets to reflect the 2025 adopted budget excluding contingencies; authorized the sale and conveyance of property to Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services and amended the development agreement for the Village on Rivoli project (Project District 5, Ward 2); and authorized issuance and sale of conduit charter school lease-revenue and refunding bonds under Minnesota Statutes sections 469.152 through 469.1655 for the Metro Deaf School project at 1125 Energy Park Drive (District 10, Ward 4).

Why it matters: The actions set the HRA’s maximum levy for 2026 and adjust how the Housing Trust Fund tracks project budgets this year, clear property conveyance for a neighborhood housing nonprofit, and enable bond financing for a charter school serving students from dozens of districts. Together the measures affect the HRA’s revenue authority, how housing projects are budgeted and carried forward, and financing for a local special‑education charter school.

Levy and budget amendments

Vice Chair Jost moved to approve the HRA’s 2026 maximum property tax levy as presented; the board voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution. The board then considered a resolution amending the 2025 Housing Trust Fund project budgets to match the city’s 2025 adopted budget "excluding contingencies." A board member explained the amendment codifies prior budget actions and excludes contingency amounts because related conditions have not been met; the updated resolution language also authorizes HRA and central city staff to follow up on year‑end actuals. Vice Chair Jost moved to adopt version 4 of the amendment; the board voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution.

Property conveyance for Village on Rivoli

The board opened a public hearing on a resolution authorizing sale and conveyance of property to Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services and authorizing an amendment to the development agreement for the Village on Rivoli project (Project District 5, Ward 2). No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Commissioner Coleman moved to close the public hearing and approve the resolution; the motion carried 5–0. The resolution and amended development agreement were adopted as recorded.

Conduit lease‑revenue and refunding bonds for Metro Deaf School

The board held a public hearing and considered a resolution authorizing issuance and sale of conduit charter school lease‑revenue and refunding bonds under Minnesota Statutes sections 469.152 through 469.1655 for the Metro Deaf School project at 1125 Energy Park Drive, District 10 (Ward 4). A representative of Metro Deaf School spoke briefly, thanking the city and Ramsey County and noting the school serves students from about 45 different school districts and was available to answer questions on student population and funding. No members of the public testified at the hearing. Commissioner Coleman moved to close the public hearing and approve the bond authorization; the motion passed 5–0.

Votes and procedural notes

Roll call at the start of the meeting recorded five members present and two excused (Commissioners Naker and Yang). For all four actions the recorded vote was 5 in favor, none opposed. The transcript records the motions and the 5–0 tallies but does not specify seconders for the motions. The record also indicates the HRA plans further budget discussions for the 2026 cycle and staff follow‑up on year‑end actuals for projects.

Less critical items and adjournment

Meeting remarks included a staff shout‑out to Jenny Wolf for work on conduit bonds. The transcript records Director McMann returning and the meeting being adjourned.

Quotes

A Metro Deaf School representative said, "Metro Deaf School's extremely appreciative of anything, in any work we do with the city of St. Paul and, with Ramsey County ... [we are] more than happy to answer about our students, where they come from from the 45 different school districts and anything about our funding."