Council upholds vacant-building assessment for 1003 Arcade Street, allows five-year payment plan

The Saint Paul City Council on Monday ratified an assessment for vacant-building registration fees tied to 1003 Arcade Street and amended the assessment to allow the owner to pay the charge over five years.

The council’s action followed a public hearing in which the property owner, Ea Lee, testified by phone that she was not aware mailed notices were delivered and asked for leniency while she brought the building up to code. City staff told the council that permits had been filed and finalized in June and that a certificate of occupancy was issued on June 23.

"I'm asking for leniency and for a waiver in this fee," Ea Lee told the council. She said the property was acquired in 2022 and required extensive work to meet fire-code requirements left by the previous owner.

City staff presented the case background and their review. A staff presenter summarized that notices had been mailed to addresses on file, that the council previously granted a 90-day waiver, and that the most recent permits were finaled in June. "I can't find a good argument for that causing any reduction," the staff presenter said when recommending against reducing the already-ratified assessment.

Councilmember Yang moved to ratify the assessment but to allow the owner to spread payments over five years; the motion carried unanimously. Councilmembers who spoke during the item noted both the owner's progress to complete the work and the need to preserve the program's enforcement mechanisms.

The council recorded the resolution as adopted with the amended payment schedule, and council members said they intend to review the vacant-building ordinance soon to consider how the city encourages rehabilitation while enforcing the code.

The council closed the public hearing before taking the vote.