Climate and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - June 18, 2026
Climate and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - June 18, 2026
The Climate and Infrastructure Committee of the Minneapolis City Council met on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 3:31 PM CT. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Robin Wansley. The committee approved a consent agenda, conducted three public hearings, and discussed several items including a resolution on Highway 280, annual reports from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committees, and postponed a presentation on the Climate Equity Action Plan. Key outcomes included the reappointment of Tim Sexton as Public Works Director and approval of special assessments for street projects.
Consent Calendar
- Items 4–22 were approved as a consent agenda, with the following modifications:
- Item 6.11 (Bicycle Advisory Committee appointments) was referred back to staff due to a nominee moving out of the city.
- Item 8 (Master utility agreement with MnDOT for University Avenue SE and 4th Street SE) was revised per staff.
- Councilmember Rainville praised staff for community outreach on Item 11 (First Avenue North Reconstruction Project).
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Van White Memorial Boulevard Resurfacing Project (Public Hearing): No public testimony was offered. Councilmember Warren expressed support for the project and ADA improvements. The committee approved the resolution adopting special assessments of $70,125.60 and authorizing assessment bonds.
- West Fulton Neighborhood Improvements Phase 1 (Public Hearing): No public testimony was offered. Councilmember Palmasano thanked staff for the project, noting it had been long-awaited. The committee approved the resolution ordering work, adopting special assessments of $65,108, and authorizing assessment bonds.
- Mayor's Nomination of Tim Sexton as Public Works Director (Public Hearing):
- Mayor Jacob Frey spoke in support, highlighting Sexton's leadership in drinking water quality, stormwater projects, traffic safety, and national recognition.
- Senator Scott Dibble testified in support, praising Sexton's collaborative approach and understanding of transportation as a public investment.
- Robin Hutcheson, Chair of the Metropolitan Council and former Minneapolis Public Works Director, testified in support, emphasizing Sexton's collaborative style and national leadership.
- Kevin Pramas, representing LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, testified in support, noting Sexton's partnership on lead service line replacement and apprenticeship programs.
- No other public testimony was offered.
Discussion Items
- Item 23: Resolution on Highway 280 Redesign – The committee heard from MnDOT Deputy District Engineer Ryan Wilson and Minneapolis Park Board Project Manager Julie Aldrich. MnDOT outlined plans to close the northbound 280 to westbound Broadway ramp and improve the Broadway/Industrial intersection in partnership with multiple agencies. The Park Board noted the project supports the Grand Rounds Missing Link trail. Councilmember Rainville, co-author of the resolution, expressed support for increased community engagement. The resolution passed unanimously.
- Item 24: Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) 2025 Annual Report – PAC Chair Lisa Maywist Wisterman presented key concerns: sidewalk accessibility and condition, winter maintenance, construction detours, and temporary asphalt patches. She emphasized the need for better communication with renters and interdepartmental coordination. Councilmembers asked about project opposition criteria; the PAC noted opposition arises when projects prioritize private vehicle storage over pedestrians and transit. The report was received and filed.
- Item 25: Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) 2025 Annual Report – BAC Chair Alyssa Shuffman presented the committee's work, including review of over 40 projects. She used the 35th Avenue North Flood Mitigation Project as a case study, noting that BAC input led to removal of parking on one side to allow for green stormwater infrastructure, but the corridor still lacks a dedicated bikeway. She highlighted the value of the Complete Streets checklist for transparency. Councilmember Vita thanked the BAC for their engagement. The report was received and filed.
- Item 26: Climate Equity Action Plan – This item was postponed to the next committee meeting due to timing. The presentation will be given by Deputy Commissioner Patrick Helen and Director Megan Hoy.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Approved (unanimous voice vote) with modifications.
- Van White Memorial Boulevard Resurfacing Project – Resolution adopted approving special assessments of $70,125.60 and authorizing assessment bonds (unanimous voice vote).
- West Fulton Neighborhood Improvements Phase 1 – Resolution adopted ordering work, approving special assessments of $65,108, and authorizing assessment bonds (unanimous voice vote).
- Reappointment of Tim Sexton as Public Works Director – Approved by roll call vote: 6 ayes (Vita, Warren, Chowjury, Palmasano, Stevenson, Wansley), 1 absent (Shakti). Motion carried.
- Resolution on Highway 280 Redesign – Approved unanimously (voice vote).
- PAC and BAC Annual Reports – Received and filed.
- Climate Equity Action Plan Presentation – Postponed to the next Climate and Infrastructure Committee meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. My name is Robin Wansley and I am the chair of the climate and infrastructure committee. I'm going to call to order our regular scheduled meeting for today, Thursday, June 18, 2026. But before we begin the meeting, I want to offer a friendly remind reminder to all committee members, staff, and the public that these meetings are broadcast live to enable greater public participation. These broadcasts include real-time captioning as a further method to increase the accessibility of our proceedings to the community. Therefore, all speakers need to be mindful of the rate of their speech so that our captioners can fully transcribe and capture all comments for the broadcast. We ask that all speakers moderate the speed and clarity of their comments. So at this time, I will ask the clerk to call the road to verify that we do have a quorum for this meeting. Councilmember Vita. Present. Warren? Present. Palmasano. Present. Vice Chair Stevenson. Present. Chair Wandsley. Present. We have seven present. Let the record reflect that we do have a quorum. And I'll remind my colleagues that we're gonna be using speaker management. Uh so if you have any issues, please make sure uh to reach out to our lovely clerk staff over there, and they will make sure uh to get you signed up. Uh, for the members of the public that are here from one of the public hearings. If you do wish to address the committee, we ask that you register with the clerks to my rights. Um, you can also provide any written comments or materials uh to include in the public record as well by reaching out to our clerk staff. Uh public work staff will also be available after each presentation to connect if you have any specific questions. Uh, with that, our agenda is in front of us, and we will begin with the consent agenda reflected as items four through 22 on the agenda. So starting with number four, authorizing acquisition of temporary construction easements for the 35th Avenue North Flood Mitigation Project. Five, authorizing cooperative agreement with Minne Haha Creek Watershed District and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for a stormwater best management practice. Six is approving bicycle advisory committee appointments. I do want to note on this one, staff has reached out uh to my office to share that one of the nominees uh will be moving outside of the city of Minneapolis and thus our boundaries, and that they do have another eligible applicant that they're going to bring forward. So I'll be referring item 6.11 back to staff. Seven is approving pedestrian advisory committee appointments. Eight is authorizing a master utility agreement with Minnesota Department of Transportation for the University Avenue Southeast and Fourth Street Southeast Project. Nine is authorizing the acquisition of permanent and temporary easements related to the 35th and 36th Street Reconstruction Project. 10 is setting a public hearing for August 6, 2026 for unpaid sidewalk repair and construction assessment charges. 11 is adopting resolutions for the project concept layout and acquisition of permanent and temporary easements related to First Avenue North Reconstruction Project. 12 is accepting the low bid for pump station six electrical room rehabilitation. 13 is accepting the low bid for the 35th Avenue North flood mitigation project. 14 is accepting a bid for small diameter sanitary pipe cleaning and televising 2026 project. 15 is authorizing contracts for 2026 through 2029 vehicle auction services. 16 is accepting a bid for the Friday water maintenance facility roof and masonry repair phase two. 17 is accepting a bid for pump station number three, wet well rehabilitation project. 18 is accepting a bid for the Logan Park Industrial Phase 1, Greenwater Stormwater Infrastructure and Landscape Plings. 19 is authorizing a contract with FOF Infrastructure and Environment LLC for Engineering and design Services of 22nd Avenue. Okay, sorry, I'm just getting a note. Uh for 22nd Avenue Northeast Storm and Sanitary Sewer Reconstruction Project. 20 is authorizing a permanent and temporary easement agreement with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board for the Oliver Avenue South Flood Medigation Project. 21 is setting a public comment for July 9th, 2026 to receive public input on the 2026 through 2029 Climate and Infrastructure Committee Work Plan. 22 is setting a public comment for July 9th, 2026 to receive public input on the Lyndale Avenue Reconstruction Project.
openpublica.com