City briefs - Nov 2, 2023

The first public hearing for the city of Minneapolis budget was held on Oct. 25. There are two more upcoming hearings for people to provide feedback on the proposed city budget for next year of $1.8 billion and tax levy increase of 6.2%. The hearings will be held at City Hall, Room 317, 350 Fifth St. S. at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1 and at 6:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The budget will be voted on by the council after the hearing on Dec. 5. Feedback and can also be provided online at https://fluence-media.co/3Q0ovfp. 

 

The proposed county budget is $2.65 billion with a net property tax levy of $991.3 million, an increase of 6.5 percent. The operating portion of the proposal totals $2.3 billion, a decrease of $34.0 million from the 2023 budget. There is a proposed capital budget of $343 million, which is $118 million less than in 2023. The county board is currently reviewing the proposed budget. On Nov. 1, they began considering administrator amendments. On Nov. 28 at 6 p.m, they will hold a public hearing, on Nov 29 they will consider commissioner amendments, and on Dec 12 they will vote to approve the 2024 budget. 

 

The city council approved funding for their Climate Legacy Initiative on Oct. 19 to help implement the recently passed Climate Equity Plan. The proposal was authored by Southwest council members, Lisa Goodman of Ward 7, Aisha Chughtai of Ward 10, and Linea Palmisano of Ward 13.  Both also serve on the city’s Clean Energy Partnership.  The initiative will raise $10.2 million next year for the city’s climate action work through increases in electric and gas franchise fees. These fees are paid through each customer’s utility bills and are a percentage of a company’s annual gross revenues. For residential customers, the increase went from 5 to 6 % for natural gas and from 5 to 5.25% for electricity. More specific program funding will be approved as part of this year’s budget approval with implementation starting in January. 

 

The city ouncil meeting, on a 12 -1 vote, confirmed the mayor’s nomination of Toddrick Barnett to become Commissioner of Community Safety to manage the Office of Community Safety that includes the Minneapolis Police Department, Minneapolis Fire Department, Emergency Management, 911 and the Office of Neighborhood Safety. He is replacing Cedric Alexander who resigned earlier this fall after serving only one year.

 

The city plans to hire a consultant in in the months ahead to assist with redevelopment at 38th and Chicago where George Floyd was killed. Next year the consultant will help develop “community priorities and vision,” and begin a “process to identify future community-centered owner for the Peoples Way,” and define “locations and goals for future memorials and clarifying the city’s role in these memorials.” In 2025, they will work on design and lay out how the infrastructure will work with construction expected in 2026. 

 

The council has approved the 2024 operating plans, special services, and service charges (shown in parenthesis) for the Eat Street ($215,000), Linden Hills ($35,400) Lowry Hill ($89,000), and Uptown ($400,000) Special Service Districts. More details can be found at https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2023-00780.  

 

There will be a public hearing on Nov 9, to consider the Tax Increment Financing Plan for the 550 Lake Street Apartments affordable housing project being done by an affiliate of Lupe Development called 550 West Lake Street Apartments, LP. The funds will be used to cover some of the costs of the proposed new apartment building that will include 80 units of rental housing and retail space.