City Briefs

In July, city officials announced the creation of a “Climate Legacy Initiative” that would increase electric utility franchise fees by $8 to 10 million each year by raising the average annual fee for each household an estimated $8-12. The funding, that still needs to be approved by the city council, would be used to make energy efficiency improvements. The CLI will help fund the City’s Climate Equity Plan, which the City Council approved July 20. This plan marks a historic investment in climate action and triples the city’s current climate funding.

 

A Hennepin County District Court judge has approved the settlement agreement between the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. In the weeks ahead the city and state will reviewing proposals and select an independent evaluator who will report on the city’s compliance and provide technical help. The city and MDHR will hold two public meetings about the independent evaluator finalists and a webpage will be set up to take comments about police policies and practices. The city will also hold several sessions on each the mission, values and goals of the police, on non-discriminatory policing, use of force and, stops, searches and arrests. The first community engagement sessions will be held on Aug. 15.  

 

Commissioner Cedric Alexander has announced that he will retire in September from his position as community safety commissioner. He was hired as the first commissioner approximately one year ago. 

 

The city is seeking feedback to help make design decisions about the new street and future redevelopment at Nicollet and Lake Street. The city plans to demolish the former Kmart building in March 2024, and begin the road construction in 2025.  Take a survey and learn more at https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/new-nicollet/.

 

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has opened a comment period on the the MSP Airport 2040 Long-Term Plan that they began drafting in 2019.  The plan will outline future facility and infrastructure needs at the airport as well as how to address future environmental factors including noise. On July 11, there was a public presentation at the Sabathani Community Center and written comments on the draft plan are being accepted through an online form, by email, or by mail until Monday, Aug. 21. To learn more, visit www.mspairport.com/long-term-plan.

 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is looking for input about the future of I-94. It has said that “MnDOT recognizes the actions 60 years ago devastated communities, and those impacts are still felt today,” and initiated an Rethinking I-94 effort to help reconnect neighborhoods and revitalize communities. MnDOT has drafted several alternatives and will develop details for its plan in the months ahead. See the alternatives and take survey through fall at https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/rethinking-i94/.