City Briefs - June 1

West 21st Street closure
West 21st Street between Upton and Thomas avenues closed to non-residential vehicle traffic on May 22. It will likely remain closed until autumn for utility, track and roadway construction related to the light rail project. Local access for residents on Upton Ave. S.will be maintained through a temporary bypass road. Kenilworth Trail will also be temporarily closed between West 21st St. and the Bryn Mawr Station for the duration of the construction season.

Legislators end session
The state legislature finished its work on May 22 and adjourned until Feb 12, 2024. Among other things, they approved a health spending and policy bill, a $2.6 billion capital investment package and $300 million for nursing homes as part of 30 priority bills identified by the Democratic Farmer Labor party. After the session ended, southwest representative and house majority leader, State Representative Jamie Long, said, “We set out a vision and we delivered.” The bills passed also included a transportation bill championed by local State Senator Scott Dibble and Representative Frank Hornstein that will provide $1.48 billion for roads, bridges and other transportation needs in the next two years, including $2 million for Metro Transit mental health and addiction intervention teams, and $195 million for building passenger rail between the Twin Cities and Duluth.

DFL Ward Conventions
The Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) party has completed its planned round of city-ward level meetings to consider endorsing city council member candidates in each ward, including the southwest wards of 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13. The Ward 10 meeting was held on May 13, but was recessed before an endorsement vote could be taken due to the disruptive behavior of some participants. It may be rescheduled. At the Ward 7 meeting on May 21, Scott Graham, Katie Cashman and Scott Globus were seeking the endorsement. No candidate was endorsed and all three appear to be continuing their campaigns. At the Ward 8 meeting on May 20, Soren Stevenson was endorsed with 68% percent of the vote. Andrea Jenkins, who received 29% of the vote said she will continue in the race. Emily Koski was endorsed at the Ward 11 meeting on May 21 with 85% of the vote. Linea Palmisano was endorsed at the Ward 13 convention on April 1. Kate Mortenson was not endorsed, but is continuing her campaign. The candidate filing period goes from Aug. 1 to 15, so more candidates are likely to enter the races and others may drop out.

Community Connections Conference
The 2023 Community Connections Conference will be held on June 10 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This is a free annual event.