Council adopts revised fund-balance policy and clears multiple zoning measures; Hill Road rezoning passes after roll-call

The Metropolitan Council adopted several fiscal and land-use measures Wednesday, including an amended fund-balance reserve policy and multiple zoning approvals. A contested rezoning of a Hill Road Circle parcel passed on a recorded roll call.

Budget and Finance Chair Porterfield moved approval of RS2025-11139, the revised fund-balance reserve policy, with an amendment carried in committee. The amendment passed on the floor and the council adopted the resolution. Councilmember Swara spoke in support: “I wanted to stand especially for the sake of the, watching audience, in support of the, resolution.” The amendment and the resolution were adopted; committee votes on the amendment were reported as 11-0 in favor in Budget and Finance.

On interlocal and grant matters, the council approved an amendment to the agreement with the Cumberland River Compact extending and amending the city’s grant contract (RS2025-1162) after committee consideration and an amendment. The Transportation Infrastructure Committee and Budget and Finance reported unanimous committee support; the council approved the resolution as amended on the floor.

Several zoning and urban-design measures cleared third reading after committee recommendation and floor amendment votes. The council passed amendments and final readings for ordinances updating the RiverNorth urban design overlay (BL2025-7-56 and BL2025-7-57) to revise standards related to structured parking and building materials. Additional companion rezoning and materials restrictions ordinances also passed on third reading, including BL2025-7-58/7-59 and BL2025-7-62/7-63; each passed as amended after committee reports.

A contested rezoning on Hill Road Circle (BL2025-7-68) was on third reading and required a roll call. The council clerk reported that Title 17 bills on third reading require 21 votes to pass. The clerk recorded the roll-call results: 24 votes in favor, 12 against and 3 abstentions; the presiding officer announced the ordinance had passed its third and final reading.

Other items: an intergovernmental agreement with the East Bank Development Authority (RS2025-1142) and a stormwater revision request (RS2025-1167) were deferred one meeting by rule. Two agenda items (a lease amendment and a police department contract amendment) were withdrawn from the agenda. Many consent-agenda items and several second- and third-reading bills passed on consolidated consent; members removed a small number of items for separate consideration.

The council adjourned and noted a special State of Metro address by the mayor scheduled for Thursday, May 1 at the downtown public library.