City briefs - Jan 2025

The Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET), which sets the maximum property tax levy and coordinates taxing and borrowing for the city, has reelected Steve Brandt as president and Samantha Pree-Stinson as vice president.  Cathy Abene was also reappointed to serve as the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board member. The other members are Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai, Mayor Jacob Frey, and Council President Elliott Payne. 

 

The city and Metro Transit have developed three options to remove buses from the Nicollet Mall. They can be found on the project website and at an open house set for Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 12-1:30 p.m at the IDS Crystal Court (717 Nicollet Mall). To take a survey about the options and access the project website at https://linktr.ee/downtowntransit.  

 

The City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee will hold a public hearing on a proposed off-duty fees ordinance on Jan. 22 starting at 1:30 p.m. People can testify in person or submit comment in writing any time to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov. The city council is expected to vote on the ordinance on Jan. 27. For more information visit https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2024-00147.  

 

The city has published draft franchise agreements with the current electric and gas utility companies, Xcel and CenterPoint. The agreements, if approved by the city council, will allow the companies to continue having exclusive rights to provide natural gas and electricity in the city until Dec. 2034. They also include memorandums-of-understanding that re-establish the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, a collaboration between the city and the utilities to help Minneapolis reach its climate equity plan goals. The documents are available on the city website for review prior to the public hearing before the city council’s climate and infrastructure committee tentatively set for Feb. 6. 

 

Applications are now open for 14-21-year-olds to apply for the city’s Step Up summer employment program. Internships at public, private, nonprofit and community organizations will be available, with applications are open until Feb. 14. 

 

The city is now accepting applications from community-based groups and individuals to fund small-scale projects aimed at making communities more socially connected, healthy and safe. Those interested are required to complete an interest form before starting applications. Interest forms are due by Feb 19.

 

The city council has approved the two-year appointment of Andreas Gaston as a Ward 13 representative on this committee that makes recommendations to the mayor and city council on capital improvement program development and annual capital improvement budgets.

 

The city council has voted to appoint southwest residents Doug Moore  and  Zachary Colby, as well as Kelly McKay who works in the area as the Director of Education at The Museum of Russian Art, to the Minneapolis Arts Commission.