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Metro Cities News 11/17/23

by: Jennifer Dorn
Category: Newsletter
Nov
17

 

In This Issue:

 

Metro Cities’ 2024 Legislative Policies Adopted

Metro Cities’ 2024 legislative policies were adopted by the association’s membership at the Policy Adoption Meeting on Thursday, following adoption of policies by the Board of Directors in October, and policy recommendations made by four legislative policy committees. Thank you to all city officials who attended the policy adoption meeting and/or participated in the policy committee process this year. Your participation is important and appreciated.

A special thank you to policy committee chairs Mike Thompson-Public Works Director, Plymouth, Gary Hansen-Councilmember, Eagan, Heather Butkowski-City Administrator, Lauderdale and Dana Hardie-City Manager, Victoria for your work in chairing the committees, and to Heidi Nelson-City Administrator, Maple Grove, and Mike Funk-City Manager, Minnetonka for presenting policies at the policy adoption meeting on Thursday.

The PowerPoint presentation by guest speakers Peder Kjeseth and Chris McNulty from the MN Department of Agriculture, who presented on the regulatory framework for the legalization of adult-use cannabis, is on Metro Cities’ website under the Policies & Resources tab in the Adult-Use Cannabis/THC Resources section.

 

2023 Municipal Inflow and Infiltration Grant Program

The Metropolitan Council Environment Committee this week adopted Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) grant program guidelines for 2023. The action item also authorized the Regional Administrator to award and execute grants and grant agreements for this program. Metro Cities advocated for funding for I/I during the 2023 legislative session and secured $12 million in state capital funding for this purpose. Cities are eligible for funding if they have been identified as contributing excess levels of I/I or if they have a measurable flow rate within 20% of the allowable flow limit.

The Metropolitan Council is running an equity pilot program for the 2023 program based on communities’ 2021 net tax capacity per capita. Communities with a 2021 net tax capacity per capita below 85% of the total pool’s median will receive 100% of their Part 1 funding through the program. 2023 program guidelines are expected to be before the full Metropolitan Council in mid-December, with a request for proposals being submitted to cities by December 20, 2023. Click HERE to view the business item in full and HERE to view the presentation slides from Tuesday’s meeting.

 

Transportation Network Company (TNC) Task Force Update

The Governor’s Committee on the Compensation, Wellbeing, and Fair Treatment of Transportation Network Company (TNC) Drivers met on November 9, 2023. The Committee, created by Executive Order 23-07 is tasked with analyzing the working conditions of TNC drivers and is required to provide recommendations for state policy and legislative changes related to driver compensation and fair treatment of drivers. These recommendations are due by January 1, 2024. The committee has 15 members, one of which represents the interests of cities. Click HERE to view the webpage for this committee.

Last week’s meeting included a presentation from the city of Minneapolis regarding their current transportation network company regulations as well as an overview of current state and local proposals on the pay and working conditions of TNC drivers. This overview was provided by committee member Diaz, who represents SEIU.

Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.

 

State Revenues Update

The October Revenue Review, released by the Office of MN Management & Budget (MMB) shows that revenues for October are $133 million, or 5.9% more than forecast. For Fiscal Year 2024, year to date receipts are $533 million, or 6.5% above what was forecast. The monthly update shows that individual income and sales taxes are up, while corporate franchise taxes are lower than expected. Click HERE for more information.


Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Programs Application is Open

The application is open for the Redevelopment Grant and Demolitions Loan Program, until February 1, 2024.

The Redevelopment Grant program supports communities with redevelopment projects by filling the financial gap needed to reuse land. The Demolition Loan Program was added to the Redevelopment Program in 2012 and is intended to support local governments with the acquisition and removal of vacant blighted structures when there is not an immediate plan for site redevelopment.

DEED will host a webinar on Tuesday, December 5th at 10:00 to provide a program overview and answer questions. You can find more information about the program, a link to the webinar, and how to apply HERE.

If you have any questions, please email Ania McDonnell at [email protected].

 

2026-2027 Qualified Allocation Plan Information Session

Minnesota Housing will host a virtual information session to hear feedback and discuss the 2026-2027 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP provides direction on how Low-Income Housing Tax Credits are awarded and allocated to multifamily rental projects. The webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, December 13th from 10:00 – 11:00 am. You can register for the webinar HERE.

If you have any questions, please email Ania McDonnell at [email protected].


Public Comment Open for Affordable Housing Plan Draft

Minnesota Housing released its draft 2024-2025 Affordable Housing Plan and will accept public comment through Friday, December 1st. This plan outlines the main policy and program initiatives for 2024 and 2025 for MN Housing and estimates the funds that they will make available for each program. Over the next two years, Minnesota Housing intends on making over $4.5 billion available.

You can view the draft plan HERE. To submit comments, please email [email protected] with the subject line as “Comments on Draft Affordable Housing Plan.”

If you have any questions, please email Ania McDonnell at [email protected].

 

2022 Metro Transit On-Board Survey

At Monday’s Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee meeting, Metro Transit staff delivered the results of their 2022 On-Board Survey. This system-wide survey is conducted every 5 years and was conducted last year from April to December. The survey captured responses from 30,456 riders. The results explore rider demographics and compare system users by race, gender, age, income, disability status, language, and employment status. The survey data also provided meaningful insights on how and why individuals use the transit system (commuting to work, going to school, etc.). Click HERE to view the slides presented at Monday’s Transportation Committee meeting to see the trends and insights gleaned from the data.

Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.

 

Imagine 2050 Engagement Update

At Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Metropolitan Council staff provided council members an update on engagement efforts for Imagine 2050 in the policy areas of land use, housing, parks, transportation, and water. Staff facilitated conversations in reaction to engagement data gathered in these areas.

The discussion centered around five goals:

  • Our Region is Equitable and Inclusive
  • Our Communities are Healthy and Safe
  • Our Region is Dynamic and Resilient
  • We Lead on Addressing Climate Change
  • We protect and Restore Natural Systems

For each of these goal areas, staff provided findings from the various past and ongoing engagement efforts across the Metropolitan Council’s divisions. Among the feedback are observations, critiques, and hopes from elected and appointed individuals (including city officials), private sector and nonprofit partners (including Metro Cities), local staff, state, and federal partners, historically excluded communities, users of various regional systems and services, young people, new Minnesotans, advocates, and more.

Click HERE to view a recording of Wednesday’s discussion. Click HERE to view this business item and HERE to view the presentation slides used by staff to facilitate the conversation.

Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.

 

Active Transportation Planning Assistance

MnDOT is accepting applications for their Active Transportation Planning Assistance solicitation until November 30, 2023. Up to $800,000 in consultant support is being made available each year through 2024 for cities and other eligible applicants. There is no local match requirement for these funds. The goal of this program is to help communities create active transportation plans to help more people walk and roll to destinations where they live, work, and play. Plans will analyze existing conditions, engage the community, identify ways to improve infrastructure, and identify ways to encourage active transportation. MnDOT will announce awards in January 2024 with work beginning in Spring of 2024. Click HERE for more information on this opportunity.

Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.

 

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