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St. Paul HRA amends World Trade Center parking budget, approves two master legal-services agreements
Summary
The Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority adopted a budget amendment to reflect a $51,818 transfer to the PED operations fund and approved master legal-services agreements with Ballard Spahr LLP and a second named firm; all measures passed unanimously by the four commissioners present.
The Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority on a meeting date not specified approved an amendment to the HRA World Trade Center parking enterprise fund and authorized two master legal-services agreements, HRA Chair Johnson and staff said.
Director Newton described the budget change as an accounting correction. “The city budget included a transfer of $51,818 from the HRA World Trade Center parking budget to the PED operations fund, just for a portion of a position, a project management technician position. And that transfer wasn't reflected in the HRA budget. So we're just simply amending the budget to reflect that transfer and staff recommends approval of the item,” Newton said.
Why it matters: the change aligns the HRA fund ledger with a citywide transfer and ensures the portion-of-position charge is recorded in the HRA budget. The HRA also approved two separate master legal-services agreements that staff said will be used for bond counsel and related public finance legal services.
Most important facts: commissioners voted to suspend the rules to take items under suspension and then voted on each resolution. The budget amendment (Resolution 205-237) was adopted by a 4-0 vote. The HRA also approved a master legal-services agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP (Resolution 25-240) and a separate agreement identified in the meeting record as with “Barna, Guzzi and Stefan Limited” (Resolution 25-243); both resolutions were adopted by 4-0 votes, according to the meeting transcript. Staff said these agreements mirror actions the City Council will consider.
Additional details: Director Newton told commissioners the two law firms serve as bond counsel and provide public finance legal services under consultation with the city attorney’s office. Newton said the Ballard Spahr agreement covers 2025 with an optional one-year renewal; staff described the Barnaguzzi/Barna-style firm item as “very similar” and presented it for separate approval.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of January 2025 HRA meeting minutes — motion by Commissioner Jost; outcome: approved (voice vote, motion carries). - Suspension of rules for three items — motion by Commissioner Yang; outcome: adopted (voice vote). - Resolution 205-237 — amend 2025 HRA World Trade Center parking enterprise fund budget to reflect a $51,818 transfer to PED operations fund; outcome: adopted, 4 in favor, none opposed. - Resolution 25-240 — approve and authorize execution of a master legal services agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP; outcome: adopted, 4 in favor, none opposed. - Resolution 25-243 — approve and authorize execution of a master legal services agreement with the firm recorded in the meeting as “Barna, Guzzi and Stefan Limited”; outcome: adopted, 4 in favor, none opposed.
What commissioners said: commissioners asked few substantive questions about the budget amendment; Chair Johnson and others noted the item was time-sensitive and that staff had provided briefings in advance. No commissioner raised objections in the meeting record.
Next steps: the resolutions were adopted at the meeting; staff noted a similar action for the master legal-services agreements will be requested at City Council.
