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St. Paul council ratifies vacant‑building assessment for 1003 Arcade St., allows five‑year payment plan
Summary
After a public hearing and testimony from the property owner, the St. Paul City Council voted to ratify a vacant‑building registration assessment for 1003 Arcade Street but amended the payment terms to allow the owner to spread the assessed amount over five years.
The St. Paul City Council on a unanimous vote ratified an assessment for vacant‑building registration fees at 1003 Arcade Street and amended repayment terms to allow the assessed owner to pay over five years.
The assessment at issue covered bills generated while the property was in the city's vacant‑building program; the council discussed whether to reduce or eliminate the assessment after the property owner, Ea Lee, testified by phone asking for leniency and a waiver.
"I was not aware of any mail coming through to the building or to me at my home address, which I have given the city," Ea Lee said during the public hearing. "We've been working very, very hard with the fire department and the city of Saint Paul and contractors to get this building back up and running." Lee told the council that permits were filed over several months and that a certificate of occupancy had been issued in June.
Legislative hearings staff member Marsha Mormont told the council that notices had been sent to the addresses on file and that, on review, staff did not find a basis to decrease or eliminate the ratified assessment. "My recommendation is that the council not amend the already ratified assessment rule," Mormont said.
Councilmember Rebecca Yang moved to ratify the assessment but allow the owner to pay the assessment in installments over five years. Councilmembers who spoke in the discussion supported the motion while noting the council's interest in encouraging timely repairs and construction. Councilmember Emily Johnson asked staff to confirm that the permits had been pulled and the project completed; staff and the owner confirmed the certificate of occupancy was issued the week before the hearing.
Councilmembers also flagged that the council will review the vacant‑building ordinance and related processes in the coming months to ensure the rules help properties return to productive use. The council adopted Yang's motion by a recorded tally of seven yes, zero no.
The council closed the public hearing and adopted the ratified assessment as amended, allowing the property owner to spread the payment over five years.
