Maplewood council adopts 2025 legislative program, seeks $4.8 million for regional training facility

The Maplewood City Council on Jan. 13 adopted its 2025 legislative program and authorized staff to circulate a printed packet to area legislators and key committee members, including a request for $4,800,000 in state bonding to design upgrades at the East Metro Public Safety Training Facility.

The request, presented by city staff, would fund building design, parking, stormwater management and related site improvements for the regional training center used by more than two dozen agencies. Mr. Sable said the facility currently serves a large East Metro region and that the design funding is the first step in a multi‑phase upgrade intended to expand integrated training for law enforcement, embedded social workers, fire and EMS personnel.

The legislative package also lists city priorities on housing and economic development, including a proposal to allow the city to use excess tax‑increment financing (TIF) increment for redevelopment north of Frost Avenue; transit and transportation; public safety; environment; and flexibility for non‑elected boards and commissions to meet remotely. Councilmember Nikki Villavicencio asked that language on sober‑home licensing be added to the housing section; Sable said staff would draft proposed language aligned with regional city league documents and return it as an amendment.

Sable said the packet will be tailored and distributed to Maplewood’s legislators and to committee chairs where the city’s items are most likely to be heard. The council approved the program by voice vote. The city manager and staff will update the document as bills and committee deadlines evolve through the legislative session, which began Jan. 14.