St. Paul council approves citywide commercial corridor assistance, Healthy Homes guidelines and a slate of resolutions

The Saint Paul City council voted on April 23 to adopt a set of resolutions that advance economic and housing-related programs citywide, including a Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program and the Healthy Homes and Power of Home program guidelines.

The Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program (resolution 205633) was approved 6 in favor, 1 opposed. Council members said staff incorporated equity-focused changes and adjustments proposed by councilmembers during review. “I genuinely appreciated the time that city staff has taken to meet with us to respond,” Council Member Johnson said during discussion, and Council Member Yang credited staff for adding an equity boost for areas of concentrated poverty.

The vote follows months of development by the Department of Planning and Economic Development and reflects a push by council members to make targeted investments in neighborhood commercial corridors. Council members said they expect high demand from businesses once applications open.

Also adopted were guidelines for the Healthy Homes and Power of Home programs (resolution 205646), approved 6–1 after the Housing and Redevelopment Authority gave unanimous backing earlier in the day. Council Member Johnson said the HRA discussed the item and moved it forward to council for final approval.

The council also approved a number of other procedural and program items under suspension of rules with similar 6–1 votes: revocation of the dance/rental hall license for MJ Accents LLC at 670 Payne Avenue (resolution 205622); a small authorization to spend up to $300 for light refreshments for an upcoming WAR2 annual meeting (resolution 205654); and a time extension to the administrative citation legislative advisory committee (resolution 205658) to allow appointments after a November decision. A motion to expand the city’s EV car‑share program was reconsidered and adopted as version 2: the city approved an amendment to lease agreement 15905 with National Cooperative Leasing to expand the EV car‑share fleet by 45 vehicles (resolution 25‑5‑82, adopted 6–1).

Not all items were final actions: the council agreed to reconsider and amend a sound‑level variance for the Breakaway Music Festival after the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) disclosed a procedural error in public notice. Director Wheezy said, “the public notice had been drafted, but the all important part of hitting send did not occur,” and the council amended the record and laid the matter over to May 14 to reopen public comment and allow proper notice.

A final adoption also passed for ordinance 25‑30 amending the legislative code chapter 310.04 related to more efficient cancellation when a licensee is not in compliance. The measure passed on final reading 6–1.

Why it matters: The commercial‑corridor funding and the Healthy Homes guidelines direct city dollars and staff capacity toward neighborhood business districts and housing safety/efficiency work. Several items approved under suspension of rules were time‑sensitive; council members emphasized equity frameworks and community feedback as justifications.

What’s next: Staff will publish program application materials for the corridor assistance fund and return to council or HRA as required for program implementation. The Breakaway Music Festival sound variance will return on May 14 with extended public comment; other items will be carried out by respective departments.