“When in doubt, fill it out.” That was the word on permit questions in a Monday, March 16 presentation by Rum River consultants Andy Schrader and Carrie Levitsky to the St. Paul Park City Council.

“I always like to keep it simple,” Schrader said, there to give a presentation on the city’s relationship to the state building code.

Also from Monday, members approved approved a reduction in residential speed limits, advanced several community events and infrastructure items, and reviewed a significant budget surplus from a completed city project.

As for Rum River, Schrader and Levitsky outlined an approach to administering the Minnesota State Building Code in the city that emphasized a “neighborhood services” model focused on safety, property maintenance and customer service. Schrader and Levitsky said the program aims to guide residents and contractors through permitting and construction requirements while maintaining consistent standards across the city. The presentation also included discussion of expanded services, including plumbing plan review delegation from the state, which could speed up project timelines and keep more revenue local.

Among state laws relating to the building code were the following.

Among the complicated state rules of the Minnesota State Building code as it related to St. Paul Park and elsewhere are the following:

MN Rule Ch. 1300: MN Building Code Authority

MN Rule Ch. 1301: Public Official Certification

MN Rule 1302: State Building Code Const. Approvals

MN Rule 1303: Special Provisions

MN Rule Ch. 1305: Minnesota Building Code

Special Appendixes: MN Rules Chapter 1306: Special Fire Protection Systems

MN Rule 1307: Elevators and Related Devices

MN Rule Chapter 1309: MN Residential Code

MN Rule Chapter 1309: Minnesota Residential Code

MN Rule Chapter 1311: MN Conservation Code for Existing Buildings

MN Rule Chapter 1315: MN Electrical Code

MN Rule Chapter 1322: MN Energy Code

MN Rule Chapter 1323: MN Energy Cody

MN Rule Chapter 1325: Solar Energy Systems

MN Rule Chapter 1335: Floodproofing Regulations

MN Rule Chapter 14341: MN Accessibility Code

MN Rule Chapter 1346: MN Mechanical Code, and

MN Rule Chapter 1350: Manufactured Homes

Chapter 13: Data Privacy.

The matter involving several proposed city ordinances and a professional services agreement was ultimately tabled following the presentation by Rum River.

As for the night’s consent agenda it was approved unanimously, covering a wide range of city business. Items included payment of bills, 2025 budget adjustments, and authorization of several projects and programs.

Additional approvals included:

• A special event permit and contract for Heritage Days, scheduled Aug. 13–16
• Weekly S-61 Cruisers car shows running May through October
• Removal of an underground tank and installation of a new above-ground tank at Well No. 4
• Participation in the Partners in Energy program
• A no-cost agreement for an artificial intelligence pilot program

Council members briefly pulled one item from the consent agenda for further discussion before ultimately approving it.

Also among notable items, the council approved a resolution lowering speed limits on city-owned residential streets to 25 miles per hour. The change includes Third Street between 14th Avenue and St. Paul Park Road and reflects a broader effort to improve safety.

City documents note that lowering speeds is intended to “provide for safer streets for vehicles and pedestrians and reduce the likelihood of crashes or injuries.”

The action aligns with a 2019 change in Minnesota law that allows cities to set lower residential speed limits without a full engineering study.

Implementation of the new 25 mph speed limit will take effect once signage is installed. Additional decisions on use of the Steven’s Ridge surplus funds are expected at future meetings, along with continued discussion of infrastructure and community programs.

In other news from St. Paul Park Council, members also took a closer look at the reallocation of funds from the Steven’s Ridge infrastructure project, which came in significantly under budget. City Administrator Hugo McPhee said the project generated approximately $1.1 million in savings that will now be returned to its original funding sources, including water, sewer and capital funds. Staff also indicated potential future uses for the funds could include stormwater improvements, including pond maintenance and drainage upgrades, though specific proposals will come back to the council later.

The meeting closed with council members delivering routine updates from city boards and commissions, including public works, public safety, planning, and parks and recreation, followed with remarks from Mayor Keith Franke.

The meeting adjourned after council comments and requests. No residents spoke in the public comment portion of the meeting.