City briefs - Sep 2024

New regional plan
The Metropolitan Council is drafting a new regional plan to help guide land use, transportation and develop decisions for the next decade. They are seeking feedback on their draft “Imagine 2050” plan until Oct. 7, 2024, and will host a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at 390 Robert St. N. in St. Paul. People can learn more about the plan at https://engage.metrocouncil.org/ and submit comments at Mail: Metropolitan Council, 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, TMN 55101, public.info@metc.state.mn.us and 651-602-1500. They call the draft “the region’s plan for an equitable and resilient future,” and it will serve as a framework for required local city comprehensive plans for the near future.

Cannabis businesses
The city is working on drafting new regulations for cannabis businesses in Minneapolis. City staff introduced draft regulations June 13 and presented their recommendations about when, where and how cannabis businesses can operate at two meetings in August. The rules will create 13 new business licenses and rules that the city hopes will “support the new legal cannabis industry and keep our community safe and healthy.”

Audit of MPD coaching
In August, the city’s audit committee announced that it would be investigating the police department’s practice of coaching officers in response to misconduct complaints. The committee directed the city auditor to review the department’s use of coaching over the past year to gauge whether it put the city at legal or financial risk. Concerns have been raised in the past about the practice that does not create a public record of police complaints. This evaluation could lead to a more in-depth audit.

Early voting
Early voting in the 2024 Nov 5 general election will start on Friday, Sept. 20 and continue through Monday, Nov. 4. Early voting sites will operate at Elections & Voter Services center at 980 E Hennepin Ave., at the Urban League at 2100 Plymouth Ave. N, at Bethel Church, at 4120 17th Ave. S and at the Hennepin County Government Center. The ballot this year will include federal, state, local school board and judge races, as well as a constitutional amendment to renew the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and a Minneapolis Public Schools referendum to reauthorize and raise its Technology Capital Project Levy by $20 million a year to provide more funding for technology systems, equipment and support staff for the next 10 years. Visit https://myballotmn.sos.mn.gov/ for a sample ballot.

City seeks advisors
The city is recruiting new members for its various advisory boards and commissions. Members are actively recruited twice each year, in the spring and fall. Fall applications will be accepted through Sept. 30. These cover a wide range of issues where community members can use their expertise and experience to help improve city policies and decisions. Check for current openings and apply for positions on the city website. For more information call 612-673-2216.

METRO B Line construction
This month work on the new bus rapid transit B line project will focus between Lake/Excelsior and Market Plaza and Lake and Blaisdell on sidewalk, curb, and stations. One of the last things to finish this year is street resurfacing heading west along Lake St. at Bde Maka Ska before turning around at Market Plaza and moving east along Excelsior Blvd. and Lake St. to Blaisdell.