Minneapolis Climate & Infrastructure Committee Regular Meeting (Dec 4, 2025)

The Climate & Infrastructure Committee met on December 4, 2025 (quorum present; Council Members Rainville, Vita, Chavez, Vice Chair Koski, and Chair Cashman; Council Member Osman absent). The committee adopted the agenda with a walk-on “receive and file” update to the 2024–2025 committee work plan, approved most consent items, held a public hearing on the West River Parkway Phase 2 project (no public testimony), advanced two franchise-fee ordinances as amended (by roll call), and received three presentations on George Floyd Square/38th & Chicago (no vote scheduled on that topic at this meeting).

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 2–4 and 6–13 (Blue Line Extension-related actions; stormwater resilience grant application; traffic restrictions report; 2025 CIP amendments for water distribution improvements; legislative directive on the 2006 South Lindale Master Plan summary/redevelopment analysis; Winterapolis Curling Plaza block event permit on Nicollet Mall in February; correction/clarification of municipal state aid variance language for 35th/36th St project).
• Walk-on item: Received and filed an update to the committee’s 2024–2025 work plan (added to the agenda and included with the consent grouping).
• Winterapolis Curling Plaza: Chair Cashman expressed support/excitement for bringing activity to Nicollet Mall in February and noted concerns relayed by transit riders about bus detours off Nicollet Mall, urging continued work to make detour operations smoother.

Discussion Items

• Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) waste disposal/hauler services contract (2-year contract with Hennepin County)

  • Chair Cashman stated opposition to approving a 2-year term, arguing it does not adequately align contracts with city/county policy direction toward closure/repurposing of HERC and could create difficulties in “a couple of years” when ending use is expected.
  • Chair Cashman moved to forward the contract to full council without recommendation, with an intent to work to reduce the contract term to 1 year.
  • Council Member Chavez stated they would support forwarding without recommendation, but if no changes occur they would not support the item at full council.

• Legislative Directive on proposed closure of HERC (brought by Council Member Rainville)

  • Chair Cashman requested the item move forward without recommendation to allow time to work on clarifying language, including discussion of how energy produced at HERC is described.
  • Council Member Rainville indicated general amenability to suggested edits but said one proposed change was a “deal killer,” signaling continued negotiation.

• Public Hearing: West River Parkway Phase 2 Construction Project (City Project No. 2294)

  • Staff presenter: Michael Ritchie, Senior Professional Engineer, Transportation Engineering & Design (Public Works).
  • Project description (as presented): Construct ~0.3 miles of new parkway connecting West River Parkway Phase 1 to the 33rd Ave N roundabout to complete access/circulation through the Upper Harbor site; includes new sidewalk, ADA ramps, curb/gutter, pavement, utilities, signage/markings, and stormwater infrastructure.
  • Total anticipated cost: $3,718,402.
  • Total street construction assessment: $718,402, based on 2026 uniform assessment rates and influence-area method.
    • Rates stated: $3.20/sq ft (non-residential) and $1.12/sq ft (residential).
  • Remaining funding described as coming from common project reserve and tax increment financing funds.
  • Public testimony: None.
  • Council Member Vita expressed support and appreciation, emphasizing improved North Side access to the river.

• Gas and Electric Franchise Fee Ordinances (continuation from prior meeting; voted as amended)

  • Chair Cashman summarized amendments requested by utility partners (Xcel and CenterPoint):
    • Implementation date moved to April 1 (from an earlier date) to fit utility implementation timelines.
    • Data requests adjusted to align with utility privacy policies while still providing needed city data.
  • Chair Cashman referenced the prior committee meeting’s public hearing where “over 50 people” spoke in support.
  • Roll-call vote to approve both ordinances as amended: 4–1.
    • Rainville: No
    • Vita: Aye
    • Chavez: Aye
    • Koski: Aye
    • Cashman: Aye
  • Next step stated: ordinances to go to full council on Thursday, Dec 11, 2025.

George Floyd Square / 38th & Chicago Presentations (Receive & File; No Vote)

Public Works presentation (response to City Council Legislative Directive adopted Feb 27, 2025)

• Presenters: Tim Sexton (Public Works Director), Adam Hale (Principal Project Engineer), Tiffany Spohr (Assistant City Attorney).
• Purpose: Provide feasibility information regarding a pedestrian mall/plaza concept at 38th & Chicago under Minnesota statute; and provide information on existing Minneapolis pedestrian malls. No action requested at this meeting.
• Key statutory points summarized by staff:
  • Council must adopt a pedestrian mall ordinance with required findings and specify times/days and authorized vehicles.
  • Protest provision: if owners of abutting lands representing a majority of frontage submit written objection before finalization, council must halt proceedings; no similar ordinance can be introduced for 1 year.
• Design/engineering findings (as presented):
  • Emergency access: requires a 20-foot clear zone (no fixed/removable obstructions, including bollards, planters, seating, vendor carts, snow storage, etc.). Cul-de-sac curbs designed to be drivable by fire apparatus.
  • Parking restrictions: No parking in cul-de-sac; parking removed on the north side of 37th St between Columbus and Chicago; Columbus/Elliott to be monitored for further restrictions.
  • Traffic: approximately 2,900 vehicles/day on the 3700 block of Chicago Ave; about 550 vehicles/day would divert to Columbus, Elliott, and 37th (with remaining diversion to Bloomington, Park, and Portland).
  • Pedestrian safety/crashes: staff reported fewer crashes at 38th & Chicago from 2021–2025 under center-island and all-way stop conditions; pedestrian/bike crashes over 10 years occurred on 38th St or the south leg of Chicago (none in the proposed pedestrian-mall area). Staff also noted local-street crash frequency was higher in 2020–2021 during the closure than before/after.
  • Deliveries: ~12 businesses receive 40–45 small-vehicle deliveries/week; larger vehicles cannot turn in the cul-de-sac and would need to drive through the pedestrian mall. Staff estimate ~20 vehicles/week (large deliveries/maintenance) would drive through the pedestrian mall.
  • Transit impacts: D-Line BRT described as a $75 million investment; average 13,000+ riders/day (Metro Transit’s highest ridership BRT route). Detour routing around the pedestrian mall would add 7–10 minutes northbound and 4–6 minutes southbound, for 11–16 minutes additional round-trip travel time. Staff stated this would prevent achieving the D-Line goal of 20–25% travel time reduction (described as 18–22 minutes reduction from the prior 90-minute one-way Route 5 schedule) and could potentially trigger federal funding payback.
  • Operations: snow removal estimated at $70,000 per winter (average winter), and maintaining the 20-foot clear zone and keeping vehicles out would be an ongoing operational challenge.
  • Assessments: staff stated ~83 properties would be assessed under city policy; assessment estimate $561,000 (chair later clarified assessments would apply regardless of the design concept; not “additional” for the pedestrian mall).
  • Planning consistency: staff said 10 Minneapolis 2040 policies were identified as applicable to the pedestrian mall concept (details referenced as available in the report).
  • Engagement stats (as stated):
    • 2021–2023: 1,000+ participants and 2,500+ comments.
    • 2024: 1,000+ event attendees and 25,000 interactions.
    • Aug 2025 (LD-specific share-out): 200+ attendees and 179 comments.
• Existing pedestrian malls summarized:
  • Nicollet Mall (opened 1967; reconstructed 2017; restricts general vehicles except deliveries/emergency).
  • Chicago Avenue Mall (Mill District/Guthrie area; pedestrian-focused; event space).
  • Milwaukee Avenue Historic District (pedestrian-oriented but privately owned; therefore not designated as a pedestrian mall).
• Legal/timeline notes (city attorney): pedestrian mall ordinance would need to be reintroduced in the 2026 session if council wishes to proceed.
• Construction timing notes:
  • Pedestrian mall path described as: final design in 2027, construction anticipated 2028.
  • Flexible open concept: if advanced, construction could begin in 2026; Public Works estimated utility work in 2026, major construction in 2027, with some elements possibly extending into 2028.
• Q&A highlights:
  • Chair Cashman asked about cost responsibility for the $70,000 snow removal; staff said it would depend on ordinance language (unknown at this stage).
  • Total project construction estimate for the broader 38th & Chicago work was stated as $11 million, described as local funding (no MSA funding).
  • Council Member Rainville asked about Metro Transit and business reactions; staff said Metro Transit would not prefer added time; businesses would prefer the open concept due to delivery challenges in a cul-de-sac/pedestrian mall.
  • Rainville asked engagement/planning costs to date: staff stated ~$3.5 million total city cost to date; < $400,000 since March tied to the legislative directive work.
  • Council Member Chavez added a separate position statement linking broader city costs to police brutality settlements.

Unity Community Mediation Team / 38th & Chicago business coalition presentation (Small Business Support Plan)

• Speakers included: Lachelle Cunningham (City Food Studio; 3722 Chicago Ave S), Victoria Lowing (Executive Director/Founder, Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center), Eany Augustine (Mystic Healing Stones; Technologist Computers), Asa Azriel (Plot Gallery; 3730 Chicago Ave), Bridget Stewart (Agape Movement; member of 38th & Chi).
• Shared positions and proposals:
  • Expressed a vision for 38th & Chicago as a “vibrant, safe, and culturally grounded commercial corridor,” honoring grief and remembrance while emphasizing the area should not be defined solely by tragedy.
  • Expressed support for the Flexible Open Concept Plan (with openness to exploring a one-way southbound alternative to balance pedestrian space and traffic flow).
  • Requested “meaningful investment” beyond symbolic actions; proposed a dedicated district economic development/support plan and a renewed commitment to the 38th Street Thrive Plan with a minimum $10 million investment target.
  • Suggested infrastructure upgrades (examples stated): permanent trash/recycling, regular street washing, seasonal sidewalk maintenance, façade improvements, improved lighting and illuminated signage, green space/public seating, ADA curb cuts, and exploration of parking configurations.
  • Expressed opposition to the pedestrian mall concept; cited concerns about delivery access, business impacts, and questioned the $70,000 snow removal estimate (one speaker stated current plowing is being done “for free” by a community member).
  • Asa Azriel provided a statistic about the immediate area: on the 3700 block there are “about 40 units,” with “10 residential” and “30 businesses,” and stated “17 are black-owned businesses,” describing the block as having exceptionally high concentration of minority- and women-owned businesses (as asserted by the speaker).

Community Visioning Council (CVC) presentation (alternative street plan)

• Presenter: Mylesha Smith (CVC co-chair since Oct 2024).
• CVC described having worked on the plan for about 1 year, with monthly meetings (stated average attendance: ~40 people, growing recently).
• Key elements of CVC’s on-screen “People Street” plan (as described):
  • Two-way Chicago Ave south of the memorial area, with a turnaround near 3749 Chicago Ave S.
  • Slanted/angled parking north of the memorial on the east side of the 3700 block.
  • Raised pedestrian space adjacent to the memorial (raised to sidewalk level), and a one-lane one-way southbound lane next to the memorial (no northbound lane directly in front of the memorial).
  • Retain the center “fist in the garden” / roundabout feature and stop-sign control.
  • Bus stop specifics for D-Line not determined; CVC reported discussing bus access with riders and referenced existing Route 38 stops at Park Ave and 10th Ave as currently workable.
• Positions stated: argued this plan best supports business accessibility/parking, pedestrian safety (cars yielding to people), memorial engagement, and event-friendly use while complementing the 38th Street Thrive Plan.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda adopted (with walk-on receive-and-file work plan update).
• Consent calendar approved (items 2–4, 6–13, plus walk-on), excluding two HERC-related items pulled for separate action.
• HERC hauler services contract: forwarded to full council without recommendation (committee vote: voice vote, carried); Chair Cashman sought reduction from a 2-year to a 1-year term.
• HERC closure legislative directive: forwarded to full council without recommendation (voice vote, carried), with further language work planned.
• West River Parkway Phase 2 project (public hearing): hearing opened/closed with no speakers; committee approved proceeding and related assessment/bonding/areaway actions (voice vote, carried).
• Gas + Electric franchise fee ordinances (as amended): approved by roll call 4–1 and advanced to full council for Dec 11, 2025.
• George Floyd Square/38th & Chicago: committee received and filed Public Works and community presentations; Chair Cashman reiterated no vote on George Floyd Square concept at this meeting.
• Design feasibility/timeline note: Public Works stated that incorporating more significant changes (e.g., converting to one-way) would take “months, not weeks” and could push construction to at least 2027; flexible open concept elements discussed (raised intersection already included; angled parking feasible only on one side and likely similar/slightly fewer spaces than current concept).