In This Issue:
- Legislative Policy Committees Begin
- Office of Cannabis Management Webinar for Local Governments
- Provide Feedback on Draft Cannabis Rules
- Resilient Communities Project: Deadline is August 15
- SMC Quarterly Convening: Summer 2024
- BlueGreen Alliance Roundtable for Cities and Schools
Legislative Policy Committees Begin
This week, Metro Cities’ four policy committees held first meetings. Meetings included legislative updates and initial discussion on potential policy modifications and topics. If you have not signed up and would like to participate in the policy process, please contact Jennifer Dorn at [email protected].
Office of Cannabis Management Webinar for Local Governments
Next week, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will hold a webinar, “Implementing Chapter 342: Guidance for Local Governments on Adult-Use Cannabis” on August 9, from 10:00AM to 11:00AM. Registration is required and limited to 1,000 participants. Event registration link: Local Government Webinar Registration
The webinar will cover topics such as:
- General implementation update and 2024 legislative session changes
- Role of local governments in application and licensing framework
- Role of local governments in compliance and enforcement
- Discussion with local representatives on examples of ongoing planning work
Speakers for the event include:
- Sophie Leininger, OCM, Government Relations Director
- Eric Taubel, OCM, General Counsel
- Angie Berg, Stearns County, Land Use Division Supervisor
- Angie Wiese, City of Saint Paul, Director of Department of Safety and Inspections
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Provide Feedback on Draft Cannabis Rules
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has posted their first draft of proposed rules for the cannabis industry. The office is encouraging feedback on this draft through August 30. This draft is based on input the office has received through surveys, meetings, and other engagement efforts going back to Fall of 2023. This is not the official public comment period for the rules. That will take place later this year. A section of note for cities is 9810.5000 – Local Control. Click HERE to view the draft rules and HERE to submit your comments by the end of August.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Resilient Communities Project: Deadline is August 15
The Resilient Communities Project (RCP) is accepting applications from local governments in Minnesota for 2024-2025 partnerships. This University of Minnesota program seeks to help local governments advance community sustainability, equity, and resilience. August 15 is the priority deadline for projects to begin in January 2025.
The program has provided government entities with technical assistance, generating new ideas and perspectives, and bringing community voices into conversations, to address a range of local issues. Projects in the seven-county metropolitan region are eligible for matching funds from the Metropolitan Council for RCP projects that implement elements of locally adopted 2040 comprehensive plans. Click HERE for more information on the program and links to apply.
SMC Quarterly Convening: Summer 2024
The Minnesota Shared Mobility Collaborative is holding its quarterly convening on Tuesday, August 13. The event will be held virtually via Zoom from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. This convening will focus on mobility hubs. Panel presentations and conversation will explore how cities are using mobility hubs in both urban and rural settings, community engagement work during mobility hub development, and how to create destination spaces where rural transit needs to intersect. Then, attendees will hear an overview of the 2024 legislative session to identify opportunities for shared mobility.
Speakers include:
- Russ Brooks, Mobility Transportation Planner, City of Minneapolis
- Thomas Fisher, Director, Minnesota Design Center, University of Minnesota
- Michael Lund, Government Relations Specialist, Metro Cities
- Karen Onan, Senior Planner, East Central Regional Development Commission
The webinar is free to attend, but registration is required. Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirmation with a Zoom link. The link should not be shared with others; it is unique to you.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
BlueGreen Alliance Roundtable for Cities and Schools
Metro Cities has been asked to share information about an upcoming roundtable being hosted by the BlueGreen Alliance to discuss how federal investments can be leveraged for clean energy projects. The roundtable will be held on Thursday, August 15th from 1:30-3:00 pm at the UA Pipetrades Local 455 Hall, 13091 L Orient Street, St Paul. Use this link to register: https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/mnevent.