City briefs - September 21

On Sept. 11, Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Hennepin County Chief Judge Todd Barnette to serve as the city’s next Community Safety Commissioner. If his nomination is approved by a City Council majority, he will be replacing Cedric Alexander who resigned after serving only one year of a four-year term.  The safety commissioner is likely the highest paid city employee, making over $300,000 annually. In 2020, Barnette was the first person of color to be elected chief judge of Hennepin County District Court. As Chief Judge, he is paid $171,000 and oversees the state’s largest county court operations, managing 63 judges and supporting over 550 employees. “I am grateful for this opportunity and eager to work collaboratively with local, county, and state leaders to develop innovative solutions that promote safety and foster positive relationships between law enforcement, the city, and the community,” said Barnette when his nomination was announced.

 

Mayor Jacob Frey has nominated the City of Minneapolis’ director of inspection services, Enrique Velázquez, to be the next director of regulatory services. If approved by the city council, he would replace Saray Garnett-Hochuli who left the position in June to become the city’s deputy city operations officer and lead more than 190 department staff members in divisions that include traffic control, housing inspections and animal care and control.

 

Hennepin County is developing plans for the reconstruction of Franklin Ave between Lyndale and Chicago Avenues. They announced that they are evaluating ways to improve safety, accessibility, and comfort for all road users and will seek community feedback before choosing a final design sometime next year with construction expected to occur in 2025 and 2026. View an initial design at https://www.hennepin.us/franklincorridor. 

 

In September and October, CenterPoint Energy contractors will be working along Hennepin Ave. from 26th St. to Lake St. and 27th St. W. from Humboldt Ave. to Girard Ave. They will be replacing natural gas mains, moving inside meters outside, and connecting natural gas service lines to the new mains. There will be parking and sidewalk restrictions on street sides where work is occurring.  

 

Hennepin County workers with resurface, using a mill and overlay process, 50th St. W. from France Ave. to Lyndale Ave. on Sept. 25 - 29. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction.  

 

This month repairs began on the replacement of the Lake Harriet Bandshell roof and the roofs of the neighboring buildings. Work is expected to be complete by late fall, weather permitting. Concessions will be offered at Bread and Pickle in October.