Climate and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - July 23, 2026

The Climate and Infrastructure Committee of the Minneapolis City Council met on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 18:34 UTC. Chair Robin Wansley presided over the meeting, which included approval of a consent agenda, a detailed presentation on the city's climate equity plan and funding, and a progress report on the 20-year streets funding plan. Discussions focused on meeting climate goals, franchise fee revenues, program equity, and pavement condition.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved 17 items including:
  • Block event permits for Dinner du Nord (September 10, 2026) and Banana Ball games (August 7–9, 2026)
  • Setting public hearings for September 10, 2026, on proposed 2027 services and charges for the Downtown Business Improvement District and the 42/428A Special Service Districts
  • Authorizing a Skyway easement from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
  • Authorizing a subordinate funding agreement for the Metro Green Line Extension (Southwest Light Rail)
  • Amending the Minneapolis street lighting plan to reclassify railway segments as pedestrian street light corridors
  • Setting public hearings for September 24 and October 22, 2026, on sanitary sewer service charges and unpaid water/sewer line repair assessments
  • Accepting Metropolitan Council grants for infiltration/inflow repairs and related resolutions
  • Accepting low bids for tree removal/disposal, green stormwater infrastructure in West Fulton, and Columbia Heights Membrane Plant Roof Replacement
  • Authorizing a contract amendment with CS McCrossen Construction Inc. for bridge nine improvements
  • Approving one appointment to the Bicycle Advisory Committee

Discussion Items

• Climate Equity Plan and Funding Presentation (Deputy Commissioner Patrick Hanlon and Director Megan Hoy):

  • Hanlon highlighted that 2023 was the hottest year on record, followed by 2024 and 2025, with atmospheric CO2 at 422.7 ppm (exceeding the 350 ppm planetary capacity). Minneapolis has experienced a 2°F increase from the 1990s and 3.5°F from the 1970s.
  • The Climate Legacy Initiative has spent 123% of budget allocation year-to-date due to intentional over-budgeting (25-30% of projects drop out). The tree program has exhausted its budget for 2026.
  • Green cost share projects grew from 48 in 2017-2018 to over 1,100 in 2026. The program has supported over 6,000 low-income households. Environmental justice spending (North Side Green Zone, South Side Green Zone, low-income areas) exceeded the 40% target, reaching 60%+.
  • Hoy presented the Climate Equity Plan (adopted 2023, 10-year plan) with goals of carbon neutrality by 2050, Justice 40 standard, and living within a carbon budget. The city is on track to exceed the carbon budget by 2030.
  • Key metrics: The city is off track for reducing fossil gas consumption (flat or increasing), insulating 29,000 homes (only 760 units insulated in 3 years, 3% of goal), and shifting to walking/biking/transit (mode shift goal of 3 out of 5 trips by 2030 is not on track).
  • Councilmember Chowdhury expressed concern that the additional $4 million from franchise fee increases might be used to balance the mayor's budget instead of climate programs, citing community reports. Chair Wansley and Deputy Commissioner Hanlon stated no such conversations had occurred, but acknowledged the commitment is political, not legal.
  • Councilmember Warren raised issues of equity in solar and electrification programs, noting that gas bills are often cheaper than electric bills for low-income residents, and that energy assistance programs favor gas over electric. Staff acknowledged the complexity and emphasized the principle that programs must save money for low-income participants.
  • Councilmember Palmasano inquired about expanding private EV charging options beyond the city's car-share program, noting the need for a regulatory framework. Staff indicated openness to exploring this.
  • Councilmember Vita noted the tree program has exhausted its budget for 2026 but will continue next year. She also asked about workforce program coordination between the Health Department and CPED; staff explained the Health Department focuses on exposure and accredited training, while CPED handles job placement.

• Your City, Your Streets 2025 Progress Report (Transportation Planner Gustav Stewart):

  • Since 2017, the city has completed 308 miles of street work, with 89 miles (29%) in equity priority areas (21% of streets are in equity areas).
  • Pavement Condition Index declined from 72 in 2017 to 57 in 2025 due to rising costs; only 10 miles of resurfacing were completed in 2025 (down from 25-30 typical).
  • 2025 accomplishments: 93 intersections upgraded, 39 signals upgraded, 5.6 miles of safety conversions (four-to-three lane conversions), 6.1 miles of improved pedestrian realm, 1,088 ADA ramps upgraded, 271 curb extensions, 7.1 miles of new/upgraded bike facilities (5 miles protected).
  • Notable projects: Hennepin Avenue reconstruction (26th Street to Douglas Avenue), First Avenue South reconstruction (in-house), Lowry Avenue Northeast reconstruction (with Hennepin County), E-line Bus Rapid Transit (opened 2025), and multiple pedestrian safety projects.
  • Councilmember Palmasano asked about the remaining number of ADA ramp upgrades needed; staff will provide details from the ADA transition plan.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (with Councilmember Palmasano voting aye after arriving late).
• Motion to hold the climate equity plan presentation over to August 20, 2026 (CNI meeting) was approved by voice vote, pending receipt of detailed fiscal accounting for the Climate Legacy Initiative (including franchise fee projections, actual collections, and breakdown of funding streams).
• The Your City, Your Streets progress report was received and filed. Staff committed to provide an update on ADA ramp progress and sidewalk gap funding at a future meeting (Q1/Q2 2027 per Chair Wansley's request).
• No formal votes were taken on policy changes; the presentations were informational.