In This Issue:
- 2024 Metro Cities Policy Committees Begin Monday
- Metropolitan Council Adopts Wastewater Rates and Charges
- MnDOT EV Infrastructure Survey
- Metropolitan Council Votes to Begin Municipal Consent Process for BLE Project
- State Revenues Update
- Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Programs Information Sessions
2024 Metro Cities Policy Committees Begin Monday
As a reminder, Metro Cities policy committee process begins this coming Monday, July 29th. If you have not signed up and would like to participate, committee descriptions and dates are on the website. We look forward to seeing you next week!
Metropolitan Council Adopts Wastewater Rates and Charges
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Council voted to adopt wastewater rates and charges for 2025. This action came after the business item passed the Environment Committee where members heard a presentation detailing the rate setting schedule, Council-hosted engagement efforts, a peer comparison placing MCES among other metropolitan areas in the nation, and other information.
The proposed rates include a wastewater charge increase of 5.6%, no increase for sewer availability charges (SAC), and an average increase of 5.8% for industrial permit fees. The Metropolitan Council held customer forums on May 21 and June 6 to discuss the proposed rates and charges with municipalities. Click HERE to view the presentation to the Environment Committee. The next step in the budget process will be the preliminary operating budget adoption scheduled for August 28.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
MnDOT EV Infrastructure Survey
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is looking for input on electric vehicle charging stations. The state is investing $68 million in federal funding to install electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers across Minnesota. MnDOT is asking for help to identify the best places to put these chargers. Take a short survey (5-10 minutes) to share your thoughts!
The survey will be available in four languages—English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish. There is also an EV Charger Needs map where you can put a pin on the map with charger locations. Your input will help provide convenient charging stations for EV drivers throughout Minnesota. The survey closes on Aug. 16, 2024. Learn more and take the survey.
This work is being completed as part of the Minnesota Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Needs Assessment. This assessment will identify priority areas for EV charging infrastructure throughout Minnesota. Contact Beth Croteau-Kallestad at [email protected] for more information.
Metropolitan Council Votes to Begin Municipal Consent Process for BLE Project
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Council took official action directing staff to prepare Blue Line Extension Municipal Consent plans and to submit them to impacted local governments. The municipal consent process is outlined in state law. The Council’s action item also authorized a joint Municipal Consent public hearing with Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and Hennepin County on August 26, 2024 to discuss the physical design components of the preliminary plans for the METRO Blue Line Extension light rail transit project. Within 45 days of the public hearing, impacted cities review and approve or disapprove the plans for the proposed route. A non-response is treated as full approval. If a city disapproves, they have the opportunity to describe amendments to the plans that, if adopted, would lead the city to approve the project.
Some on the Council expressed concerns with the timing of this business item and the underlying process laid out in statute. Specifically, it was noted that city councils may change in composition following the election and the municipal consent process doesn’t afford local governments meaningful veto power over a proposed project, only the opportunity to disapprove with suggested changes to the route. Despite these reservations the motion prevailed. Click HERE to view the business item.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
State Revenues Update
The state’s net general fund receipts for FY2024 are anticipated to be $421 million above what was projected in the state’s last Budget and Economic Forecast that was released in February. Income, corporate and other receipts were above the forecast, while net sales receipts were slightly lower. Please click HERE for the update released by the Office of MN Management and Budget (MMB) this month.
Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Programs Information Sessions
The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Metropolitan Council will co-host in-person information sessions and site tours for the Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Programs. There is no requirement to sign up. You can find more information about the program HERE. The two sessions are listed below:
Session #1 Information Session & Site Tour: Thursday, August 29th
Information Session: 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
Golden Valley Library, Meeting Room
830 Winnetka Ave. N. Golden Valley, MN 55427
Cleanup Site Tour: 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Golden Valley Business Center
6300 Golden Valley Rd. Golden Valley, MN 55427
Session #2 Information Session and Cleanup Site Tour: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Information Session: 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
City of North St. Paul, Training Room
2400 Margaret St. North St. Paul, MN 55109
Cleanup Site Tour: 3:30 – 4 p.m.
Article 7
2515 7th Ave. E. North St. Paul, MN 55109
If you have any questions, please contact Ania McDonnell at [email protected].