City Briefs - Dec 2024

Council lowers levy
On Dec. 6, the Minneapolis city council amended Mayor Jacob Frey’s budget to lower his proposed 8.3% levy increase to 6.9%. This was accomplished primarily through cuts to raises for the 160 highest-paid city staff, technology project deferrals, and delaying the purchase of software.

2025 City Election
There will be mayoral, city council and park board elections next year. Emily Koski, DeWayne Davis, Omar Fateh and Jacob Frey have all announced that they are running for mayor in 2025. With Koski’s decision, Ward 11 is now an open seat, with one candidate, Jamison Whiting, running so far. The executive director of the Stevens Square-Loring Heights Community Organization, Lydia Millard, has announced her candidacy for Ward 10 council member. She will likely be challenging Council Member Aisha Chughtai, who was elected in 2021and reelected in 2023.

Facade improvements
The city has authorized agreements for Great Streets Facade Improvement Grants for next year, totaling $380,000, including to southwest organizations as follows: $50,000 to the Lake Street Council, $40,000 to the Lyndale Neighborhood Association, $20,000 to the Lynnhurst Neighborhood Association, and $50,000 to the Southwest Business Association. The Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program provides grants to businesses and property owners for building improvements and, according to city staff, has stimulated over $11.9 million of investment in business facade improvements since its inception in 2008, including $3,477,044 in matching grants that helped leverage $8,477,203 in private investment.

Affordable Housing Funded
The city has approved loaning up to $1,070,000 for Alliance Housing’s 2116 Nicollet project and up to $1,250,000 for the Zaria Apartments project located at 3030 Nicollet Ave being done by Noor Companies.

City Legislative Agenda
The city council has approved a 2025 Legislative Agenda. It prioritizes state funding requests for the Nicollet Ave. Bridge over Minnehaha Creek ($2 million), renewal of a 36-inch water main ($12.36 million), three flood mitigation projects, and $5.7 million toward the community purchase of the Roof Depot site for use as a community-envisioned urban farm. It also calls for funding for programs that support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and local artists; affordable housing and homelessness prevention; and for zero-waste initiatives that will help prepare for the closure of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center.

County jail space
The Hennepin County Board has approved spending $5.4 million over the next six months to reduce its jail population to 600 or fewer inmates. The money will go to seven other counties to meet a state order to reduce the population at its Minneapolis jail.

Honoring outgoing officials
In November, the city council passed resolutions honoring the work of southwest State Representatives Frank Hornstein and Hodan Hassan who are leaving the legislature in January.

County Advisory Boards
Hennepin County is accepting applications until Dec. 31 from residents interested in volunteering to serve on advisory boards, commissions, councils and special task forces. This includes their Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council, Library Board, Racial Equity Advisory Council, Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and more. People can apply at hennepin.us/advisoryboards.

Food Waste Survey
The county is requesting input on a new food waste prevention plan that it is developing. They are seeking ideas and feedback on proposed strategies to prevent wasted food and make progress toward zero-waste and climate-action goals. www.jotform.com/mplshdrpi/Hennepin-County-Wasted-Food  

GOLD LINE EXTENSION
To enhance regional mobility, the METRO Gold Line, a bus rapid transit line opening in March 2025, will be extended to downtown Minneapolis in 2027. The Gold Line will become the region’s sixth bus rapid transit line when it opens next year, providing frequent, all-day service between downtown St. Paul and Woodbury. Gold Line buses will primarily operate in bus lanes generally along the Interstate 94 corridor, serving 16 stations in St. Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale and Woodbury.