Climate Infrastructure Committee Meeting: June 4, 2026

The Climate Infrastructure Committee of the Minneapolis City Council met on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM. Vice Chair Soren Stevenson called the meeting to order, and Chair Robin Wandsley later presided. The committee addressed a consent agenda, two public hearings, and several discussion items. Key topics included community opposition to special assessments for the 38th Street and Chicago Avenue Reconstruction Project (George Floyd Square), a lease renewal for a community storage program, and progress on railroad crossing elimination in the Camden neighborhood.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items 3–17) was approved with the exception of items 15, 16, and 17.
• Items 15 and 16 (Big Honking Truck Parade event permit and 612 Days block event permit) were pulled by Councilmember Chowdhury for discussion. After staff answered questions about deviations, transit impacts, and fiscal notes, both items were approved unanimously.
• Item 17 (Highway 280 resolution) was postponed to the June 18, 2026 meeting after Councilmember Chowdhury moved to allow MnDOT to present directly.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Loring Park Resurfacing Project (Item 1): No members of the public signed up to testify. The public hearing was closed, and the item was approved.
• 38th Street and Chicago Avenue Reconstruction Project (Item 2): Over a dozen community members testified against the proposed special assessments. Key points:
  • Julia Johnson (Ward 8 resident) stated the assessment would harm the neighborhood, raise rents, and cause displacement. She called for a "special tax freeze" instead.
  • Michaela Ziegler (Central neighborhood resident and CANDU board member) argued that the project is a direct result of a city employee killing George Floyd and that normal assessments are inappropriate. She urged creative solutions.
  • Lane Brown submitted a formal group objection, stating residents have "already paid several times over" through extraordinary circumstances and requested immediate abatement, dismissal, and forgiveness of assessments.
  • MyLisa Smith criticized the city's characterization of George Floyd Square as "abandoned," highlighting resident and caretaker efforts.
  • Patrick Roadie (resident on 38th for over 30 years) said he cannot afford $600,000 in assessment, which would exceed his mortgage.
  • Geraldine Michael (senior, homeowner since 1993) noted fixed incomes and asked what would happen to seniors.
  • Bridget Stewart (business owner) expressed emotional and financial exhaustion, pleading to "stop playing with us."
  • Ellen Huffschmidt (community vision council member) insisted the city listen to neighbors.
  • Michael Olson (resident) argued the need for reconstruction is due to the memorial presence, not infrastructure deterioration, and asked that assessments be deducted from the MPD budget instead.
  • Erica Thorne (owner of duplex since 1998) cited concerns about the selection of Agape over Ryzen Remember and liability issues regarding the central fist sculpture.
  • Linda Schatzel (resident for 50 years) questioned why the special assessment was not mentioned in previous community meetings and declared the city should pay for harm caused by police.
  • Vance Gullard (resident on 38th and Elliott) expressed concern about losing parking and property devaluation.
  • PJ Hill (property and business owner) opposed the assessment, saying the community has carried an extraordinary burden and that he may have to give back his building.
  • Bill Graves (financing partner) noted he purchased the property to return it to community ownership and asked the city to partner by removing the assessment.
  • Lawrence Williamson (resident) described the assessment as a "slap in the face" and noted many angry neighbors could not attend.
  • Katie Dillon (resident for 15 years) highlighted lack of snow removal in 2020-21 and no traffic calming measures, calling the assessment a conflict with the justice revolution resolution.
  • Michaela Rolfis (CANDU) reported that of 28 stakeholders door-knocked, only three were aware of the assessment; she cited institutional racism and asked how many times the community must pay for city harms.
  • Ken Bollinger (Bancroft resident for 38 years) said the assessment was never mentioned in six years of meetings and noted many retired neighbors on fixed incomes.
  • Chef Lachelle Cunningham (City Food Studio owner and Healthy Roots Institute founder) described the corridor as a place where immigrant and Black-owned businesses build, argued that assessment feels like another extraction, and urged the city to dismiss it.
  • Janelle Austin (organizer) reminded that community demanded a moratorium on property taxes after George Floyd's murder and called this an opportunity for the city to make good.

Discussion Items

• 38th Street and Chicago Avenue Reconstruction Project (continued):

  • Adam Hayo (Principal Professional Engineer) presented the project. Total cost: $15.1 million. Special assessments cover approximately 4% ($636,000). Assessments are based on uniform rates: $3.20/sq.ft. non-residential, $1.12/sq.ft. residential. Payment options: single payment before 2028 or 20-year installment. Deferment available for seniors 65+, disabled, and active military. Construction begins in two phases starting June 2026.
  • Vice Chair Stevenson expressed strong support for the community, stating the city's response to George Floyd's murder should not have been a street reconstruction and that the assessment is "kicking someone while they're down." He moved to forward the item without recommendation to full council, indicating he may vote no but will work with staff on an alternative.
  • Councilmember Chowdhury supported the motion, calling the circumstances "unique and exigent" and committed to finding another path.
  • Councilmember Chuck Tide clarified that the uniform assessment applies to all reconstruction projects. He noted that the 2026 budget included $1.2 million for the 38th Street Thrive Plan and emphasized alignment with community.
  • Councilmember Vita thanked seniors and community members, stating the city should relieve financial trauma.
  • Councilmember Chavez (not on committee but joined) supported the motion and reminded that the $1.2 million Thrive funding must be implemented.
  • Councilmember Palmisano acknowledged existing deferment programs for seniors.
  • Chair Wandsley echoed gratitude and called for a solution by the full council meeting on June 11 (next Thursday). The motion passed unanimously (7-0).

• Lease Agreement at 516 2nd Avenue North (Item 18):

  • Shane Zahn (Senior Director, Downtown Improvement District) presented the free community storage program at Ramp B. The program has been operating since 2021, serving over 3,000 clients, currently storing over 12,000 pounds for 550+ clients. Clients can store a 50-gallon tote, check in every 14 days, and retrieve for reasons including housing. 65% learn by word of mouth. The lease with MnDOT has a net zero fiscal impact (MnDID covers rent). Councilmembers praised the program as a critical service for unsheltered individuals. The item was approved unanimously.

• Railroad Crossing Elimination Grants (Item 19):

  • Ethan Fawley (Transportation Planning Manager) presented the Connecting Camden Railroad Grade Separation Project. The project addresses at-grade crossings at Humboldt Avenue, 45th Avenue, and Lindale Avenue North. Nearly 600 delay events of 15+ minutes annually, with 11 lasting over an hour. These delays impede emergency response (Fire Station 20 experiences two-thirds of train-related delays). The committee authorized acceptance of a grant for detailed planning and preliminary engineering. Councilmember Vita highlighted the public safety impact, collaboration with Canadian Pacific Railroad, and support from Senator Klobuchar. The item was approved unanimously. Chair Wandsley added Councilmembers Vita and Warren as co-authors.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved with items 15-17 handled separately.
• Items 15 and 16 (event permits) approved.
• Item 17 (Highway 280 resolution) postponed to June 18, 2026.
• Loring Park Resurfacing Project (Item 1) approved.
• 38th Street and Chicago Avenue Reconstruction Project (Item 2) was forwarded without recommendation to the full City Council (7-0 vote). The committee directed staff to develop an alternative to the special assessments, with a solution or plan expected by the next full council meeting on June 11, 2026.
• Lease agreement for downtown community storage (Item 18) approved.
• Grant acceptance for railroad crossing elimination (Item 19) approved.