City Briefs

France Ave. design 

The city’s pedestrian advisory committee voted to not support the proposed design for the France Ave. “This project does not meet county and city transportation and climate policies and goals, nor does it improve safety or comfort for people walking, rolling, and biking,” they wrote in a resolution passed in November. They pointed out how France Ave. is the only realistic north-south route between Excelsior Boulevard and 44th Street for bicyclists as well as cars, and called for more traffic calming, narrower lanes, more medians and rapid flashing beacons at busy intersections.

First Ave. S. reconstruction 

The Minneapolis city council has approved the layout for the 1st Ave. S. reconstruction between Lake St. and Grant St. and including the bridge over the Midtown Greenway. The layout has a two-way protected bikeway, new wider sidewalks, some reduced parking, and expands the boulevard to include trees, other plantings and pedestrian lighting. The block from 31st to Lake St. will incorporate striping and other elements to provide a better transition for bicyclists traveling northbound. The layout has one northbound traffic lane for motor vehicles, except between Lake St. to 28th St. and I-94 to Grant St. The city will evaluate the feasibility of adding raised crossings streets at the intersections at 28th Street, 26th Street, and 16th Street during the final design.

New public health advisory appointment

 On Nov. 9 a city council committee voted to appoint Lisa Pogoff to the ward 7 seat on the public health advisory committee. Pogoff lives in the Brynn Mawr neighborhood and has over 30 years of experience working in public heath, including for the state Department of Health and working at the U of MN School of Public Health. She is currently a member of the Hennepin County Adult Mental Health Advisory Committee and facilitates a support group for the National Alliance for Mental Illness in Minnesota. If approved by the full council and mayor (which is likely) she will be appointed for a two-year term ending Dec 31, 2024. 

Barret Lane reappointed

 In October, the city council voted to reappoint former Ward 13 council member, Barret Lane, as the director of the office of emergency management. The appointment vote was postponed in June after questions were raised about the office’s response to the civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd in 2020. Lane has been the director of the emergency management office since 2012. 

Ward 7 seat

On Nov. 9, a city council committee voted to appoint Lisa Pogoff to the ward 7 seat on the public health advisory committee. Pogoff lives in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood and has over 30 years of experience working in public heath, including for the state Department of Health and working at the U of Minnesota School of Public Health. She is currently a member of the Hennepin County Adult Mental Health Advisory Committee and facilitates a support group for the National Alliance for Mental Illness in Minnesota. If approved by the full council and mayor (which is likely), she will be appointed for a two-year term ending Dec 31, 2024. 

city BUDGET hearing on 6.5% levy increase 

The third public hearing on the city budget is scheduled to take place in city hall (350 S 5th St) on Dec. 6 at 6:05 p.m. in the council chambers, room 317.The proposed 2023 budget is $1.66 billion with a 6.5% tax levy increase. You can visit the city’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget. Written comments can also be  submitted to councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the budget following the hearing on Dec. 6.