City briefs

The Metropolitan Council is drafting a new regional plan to help guide land use, transportation and develop decisions for the next decade. They are seeking feedback on their draft “Imagine 2050” plan until Oct. 7, 2024, and will host a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at 390 Robert St. N. in St. Paul. Learn more at https://engage.metrocouncil.org/.  

 

The city is working on drafting new regulations for cannabis businesses in Minneapolis. City staff introduced draft regulations June 13 and presented their recommendations about when, where and how cannabis businesses can operate at two meetings in August.  The rules will create 13 new business licenses and rules that the city hopes will “support the new legal cannabis industry and keep our community safe and healthy. 

 

In August, the city’s 100th electric vehicle went into service in an effort to achieve a public works fleet with no emissions over the next 10 years. Forty-one more have been delivered and 11 more have been ordered. Forty-nine fleet charging stations are installed with another 43 scheduled for this year.  

 

In August, the city’s audit committee announced that it would be investigating the police department's practice of coaching officers in response to misconduct complaints. The committee directed the city auditor to review the department’s use of coaching over the past year to gauge whether it put the city at legal or financial risk. Concerns have been raised in the past about the practice that does not create a public record of police complaints. This evaluation could lead to a more in-depth audit.

 

Early voting will start on Friday, Sept. 20 and continue through Monday, Nov. 4 at Elections & Voter Services center at 980 E. Hennepin Ave, North Early Vote Center at the Urban League at 2100 Plymouth Ave. N. and at the South Early Vote Center at Bethel Church, at 4120 17th Ave. S and at the the Hennepin County Government Center Curbside voting available.