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archive/summary/summary_EgtJo4inebk.md

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+# Minneapolis City Council Committee Meeting Summary
+
+## Meeting Information
+- Date: November 7, 2024
+- Title: Climate & Infrastructure Committee Meeting
+- Present: Katie Cashman (Chair), LaTrisha Vetaw, Jason Chavez, Aurin Chowdhury, Jamal Osman (arrived late)
+- Absent: Emily Koski (Vice Chair) - noted as having another commitment
+- Guests: 
+  - Jeff Hanlon (Public Works)
+  - Allison (Health Department)
+  - Kathleen (Transportation Planning Supervisor)
+- Votes: 3 (Consent agenda, Boulevard ordinance delay, Receive and file TAP report)
+
+## Highlights
+- Proposed boulevard ordinance amendment to allow food growing and gardens in city boulevards
+- Transportation Action Plan (TAP) and Racial Equity Framework progress report
+- Safe Streets for All grant implementation update ($25 million federal/state funding)
+- Mode shift and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction goals progress update
+
+## Discussion
+
+### Boulevard Ordinance Amendment
+The committee discussed significant changes to the boulevard ordinance to allow food growing and gardens. Main points of contention centered around permitting requirements for raised beds and fruit-bearing shrubs. Councilmember Chowdhury and Chair Cashman expressed concerns about permits creating barriers, especially for non-English speakers and residents in Green Zones.
+
+> "I personally don't think that we should require permits for shrubs. I don't think we should require permits for raised beds. I think permits are a barrier and our goal here is to encourage people to use the boulevard to beautify the boulevard, to plant and grow food in the boulevard, and any kind of permitting process bureaucracy is going to be a barrier," said Chair Cashman.
+
+The committee voted to delay the ordinance for one cycle to clarify language around fruit-bearing shrubs and consider removing permit requirements. Motion passed unanimously.
+
+### Transportation Action Plan Progress Report
+Kathleen presented a comprehensive update on the TAP implementation, highlighting:
+- 40% completion of 100-mile pedestrian improvement goal
+- 30% completion of intersection improvements
+- 12 of 25 transit priority projects completed
+- Reduction in vehicle miles traveled by 225 million miles per year (goal is 500 million)
+- Equity metrics showing investments in Transportation Equity Priority Areas matching or exceeding citywide rates
+
+Report was received and filed without objection.
+
+## Public Comments
+
+### Boulevard Ordinance
+1. Tessie Cohen-Brown
+- Shared experience growing vegetables and fruits in North Minneapolis
+- Emphasized importance of community gardens in food deserts
+- Described success of combining gardening with community music events
+
+2. Niki Karlsson (1717 Dupont Avenue North)
+- Participated in Edible Boulevards program
+- Praised program coordinator Michelle Shaw
+- Supported changes to allow raised beds
+- Described successful experience growing peppers, tomatoes, and onions
+
+3. Amy Dare-Waller (3659 Folk Street Northeast)
+- Advocated for making guidelines as easy as possible for food growing
+- Requested clarity on rules for food-bearing bushes and trees
+- Suggested alternatives to permit requirements for raised beds
+
+4. Michelle Shaw (Green Zone Task Force)
+- Emphasized importance of removing permit requirements as barriers
+- Requested clarity on mulch regulations
+- Suggested adding climate impact sections to ordinances
+- Highlighted success of Minneapolis Edible Boulevards initiative since 2019

archive/summary/summary_F8--NNmFEX0.md

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+## Meeting Information
+- Date: November 7, 2024
+- Title: Business, Housing & Zoning Committee Regular Meeting
+- Present: Jamal Osman (Chair), Michael Rainville, Katie Cashman, Aurin Chowdhury, Jeremiah Ellison (Vice Chair), Andrea Jenkins (joined late)
+- Absent: None noted at start
+- Guests: Rick Jacobus (Street Level Advisors consultant), David Ellis (CPED), Alfred Port (Housing Director)
+- Votes: 8 recorded votes
+
+## Highlights
+- Proposed changes to 4D Affordable Housing Incentive Program guidelines
+- Appeal hearing regarding billboard sign credits requirement
+- Presentation on enforcement of unlawful home occupations including auto repair and dumping
+- Presentation on allowing neighborhood commercial uses in residential areas
+
+## Discussion
+
+### 4D Affordable Housing Program Changes
+Staff proposed reducing rent and income restrictions from 60% AMI to 50% AMI for studios and one-bedrooms, while maintaining 60% AMI for larger units. The program has seen dramatic growth, with enrollment increasing six-fold in 2023. Consultant analysis showed most enrolled properties already charge rents below both thresholds, suggesting the city is providing tax benefits without gaining additional affordability.
+
+Industry representatives argued against the changes, with Steven Mihn noting "This program is your most successful affordable housing program" and warning that lowering thresholds would reduce participation. Council members debated between acting now or waiting for more data, with Councilmember Ellison noting concerns about exponential growth in the program affecting the tax base.
+
+The committee ultimately voted 5-1 to forward without recommendation to allow for further discussion at full council.
+
+### Billboard Sign Credits Appeal
+Orange Barrel Media appealed a zoning administrator decision requiring sign credits for billboard replacements. The company argued they had relied on initial city approval and that requiring credits for replacement of existing billboards exceeded city authority. Clear Channel Outdoor countered that Orange Barrel had no rights to the nonconforming use status of the previous billboards.
+
+The committee sided with staff's interpretation that credits were required under city ordinance. As Councilmember Ellison noted, "We have to enforce the ordinance. It's not anything I feel we can take into consideration at this point."
+
+Vote: Unanimous to deny the appeal.
+
+### Unlawful Home Occupations Enforcement
+Staff presented findings on enforcement challenges regarding illegal auto repair, scrapping, and dumping. Key issues included limited inspector availability, safety concerns, and difficulty catching violations in real-time. Council Member Vetaw, who initiated the study, focused particularly on illegal dumping issues in North Minneapolis.
+
+Director Enrique announced plans to work with first-ring suburbs on reciprocal enforcement: "If we encounter issues where we find residents, property owners, business owners dumping in Minneapolis properties, we will go to the cities and allow them to go after their own residents and their own businesses."
+
+No vote taken - received and filed.
+
+### Neighborhood Commercial Uses Study
+CPED presented findings on allowing more retail in residential areas. While some desire exists for neighborhood-serving retail, staff noted significant barriers including building code requirements, market demand issues, and enforcement concerns. The presentation recommended further study and engagement during the next comprehensive plan update.
+
+No vote taken - received and filed.
+
+## Public Comments
+- Ralph Mitchell: Supported his property rights regarding billboard replacement, arguing the city was unfairly reversing its previous approval
+- James: Presented plans for Stargazer restaurant/bar
+- Resident at 164 13th Avenue NE: Opposed Stargazer due to parking and noise concerns
+- Kyla & Partner: Presented plans for Queermunity Collaborative, describing it as a resource center and social hub for the LGBTQ+ community
+- Sean Garrison: Local artist spoke in support of Orange Barrel Media's community engagement
+- Steven Mihn: Argued against 4D program changes, presenting detailed statistics about program success and housing needs
+- Marvin List: Attorney for Clear Channel Outdoor explained their position on billboard rights
+- Multiple property owners: Spoke about impacts of billboard decision on their properties and rights