City Briefs - December 2023

On Nov. 14, a Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory subcommittee received a report from Minneapolis Public Works and Metro Transit staff about a plan to make improvements to the intersection at 38th St .and Hiawatha Ave.  These will include corner curb bump outs, accessible ramps, median refuge areas and an overall reduction in crossing distances. They are also planning an on-street extension of westbound bike lane through Hiawatha and green bicycle crossing pavement markings. 

 

On Nov. 29, there will be a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) policy board ordinance.  If approved, they would double, from four to eight, the number of neighborhood representatives on the board and require elections of representatives on even years at the city’s Community Connections Conference. If approved each city-recognized neighborhood organization could send a delegate to vote on behalf of their neighborhood organization for one district representative and two at-large representatives. There would be six new NRP districts. The district geographical boundaries would be determined by the NRP policy board. 

 

On Nov. 2, the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Minneapolis would be joining more than 50 other jurisdictions who are part of the department’s National Public Safety Partnership, which they report “has a proven track record of helping partner sites reduce crime, improve homicide clearance rates, and enhance the quality of life for community members.” Beatrice Grimala, an assistant chief with the Los Angeles Police Department, was identified as the “strategic site liaison” to Minneapolis’ police department. The three-year commitment, according to the DOJ website, allows participating cities to consult with and receive expedited, coordinated training and technical assistance and “an array of resources from DOJ to enhance local public safety strategies.” 

 

The city of has accepted a $3.7 million personal guaranty as proof of the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s ability to pay its share of the $11.4 million purchase price of the Roof Depot site. This guaranty met the Nov. 8 deadline set in the purchase agreement approved by the city council on Sept. 7. The city, however, has indicated that the sale of the site to EPNI is not yet final and that the State of Minnesota still must satisfy its commitment to provide $2 million to the city as a good-faith deposit, which was due in July. Additionally, they said that the legislature must provide another $5.7 million to the project in 2024 to meet the $11.4 million purchase price. If all terms of the purchase agreement are satisfied, the sale of the site is scheduled to close by July 15, 2024.  

 

City council members are now finalizing their amendments to the 2024 budget proposed last August by Mayor Jacob Frey. A packet of proposed amendments is expected to be published on Nov. 27. On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the budget committee is scheduled to meet to consider amendments to the budget. There is still time to weigh in on the budget. You can email city council members individually or write to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov, as well as submit comments online at https://fluence-media.co/3Q0ovfp, and make them in person at the final public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 5 starting at 6:05 p.m. Following that hearing the city council may consider additional amendments before voting on a final budget to submit to the mayor for approval.