Committee approves consent agenda items, 2026 special service district plans and sewer/water assessments

At its Oct. 16 meeting the Minneapolis City Climate and Infrastructure Committee approved the consent agenda (items 4 through 8), a resolution adopting proposed 2026 services and service charges for the city's legacy special service districts, and a resolution adopting 2026 special assessments for water service line and sewer lateral repairs.

The consent agenda included setting public hearings for ordinances related to gas and electric franchise fees, authorization of a construction easement at 2225 West River Road, authorizing a grant application for the Local Road Improvement Program, and advancing the West River Parkway Phase 2 project for Upper Harbor Terminal. Chair Katie Cashman moved approval of the consent agenda and the committee approved the items by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

David Bauer, project manager for special service districts in Public Works, presented the proposed 2026 operating plans and budgets for multiple legacy special service districts and said the advisory boards for each district had recommended services focused on cleaning, greening and snow removal. Bauer said advisory boards mailed notices to affected property owners in advance of the hearing and staff recommended passage. The districts listed in staff materials included Central Avenue, Dinkytown, Eat Street, Linden Hills, Lowry Hill, Stadium Village, Uptown and an item referred to in the staff presentation as "40 Eighth in Chicago." Bauer said the enabling statute for special service districts is Minnesota Statute 428A and that the districts before the committee predate that statute but function similarly.

The committee opened the public hearing on the special service district proposals; no members of the public signed up to speak. Chair Cashman moved approval; the motion carried.

Jeff Handeland, principal professional engineer in the transportation engineering design division, presented the public hearing for water service line and sewer lateral repair assessments. He summarized the administrative process, noting that the city ordinance enables procedures for the city to repair or replace private service lines and to recover unpaid bills through special assessments. Handeland said staff had mailed assessment notices, received questions but no objections, and recommended passage of the resolution to adopt and levy the assessments. The public hearing drew no speakers; the committee moved the item and the motion carried.

The committee recorded the passage of these items during the Oct. 16 meeting and directed staff to proceed with the work authorized by the resolutions and the consent agenda approvals.