Oil trains travel through our backyards (including within the ward I represent, in the West Calhoun neighborhood), under our baseball stadium, next to our passenger trains, our bike paths, and across our water. Because of this risk, railroads must be forthright with information. Railroads’ worst case scenario oil spill response plans were due to the MPCA on Nov. 10 but the deadline was extended by state officials. We are keeping an eye on these moving targets and will continue to press for transparency and improved communication.
On Tuesday, the Transportation & Public Works Committee
of the City Council passed a resolution urging our legislative partners at the
state and federal levels to enhance rail safety and reduce risk of oil train
accidents by demanding railroad transparency, accountability and improved
communications. I served as co-author of the resolution, which was inspired by the advancements Rep. Frank Hornstein has made at the state level. The resolution—the first of its
kind in the state—is a call to action for cities around the country to
demand improvements, funding, and information from freight railroad operators
and the lawmakers who regulate them.
The resolution includes 21 specific things we can do to increase safety and has three calls to action:
1) it urges the Congress to enact legislation
and the U.S. Department of Transportation to adopt rules that enhance railroad
safety and decrease risk;
2) it asks railroad companies hauling crude
oil, ethanol, and other high-hazard, flammable materials within the City of
Minneapolis to have regularly scheduled discussions with city officials that
can lead to better communication and coordination and problem resolution with
emergency management personnel and with the public; and
3) it urges the Minnesota Legislature to
authorize funding for improvements to at-grade railroad crossings and for grade
separation projects and asks the Legislature to urge the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency (MPCA) to expedite public disclosure of worst case scenario oil
spill response plans.
On November 10, immediately following the resolution's passage at the Transportation & Public Works Committee, I hosted a press conference along with Committee Chair Kevin Reich. We also heard from State Representative Phyllis Kahn and members of CARS (Citizens Acting for Rail Safety).
The City of Minneapolis is
undertaking a rezoning study to implement the land use guidance from the Linden
Hills Small Area Plan. On December 13, 2013 the City Council adopted the Linden
Hills Small Area Plan; the next step after adoption is implementation. The
scope of the rezoning study has two major components: Implementing land use map
refinements identified in the future land use map on page 41 of the plan, and
revisiting the language of the existing Linden Hills Overlay District to be
more in line with the City’s Pedestrian Overlay District per the discussion on
page 37 and recommendations on page 39 of the plan.
The 45-day
public comment period began on the day of the Rezoning Study Open House on November
4 and will end on December 19, 2015. Following the public comment period City staff will consider revisions
to the draft staff recommendations for the rezoning. The City Planning
Commission will hold a public hearing on the final recommendations for the
rezoning on Monday, January 25, 2016. The Minneapolis City Council will
consider the recommendations for the rezoning at its February 12, 2016 meeting.
Your garbage day in the week of Nov. 16 is the last 2015 collection for leaves, brush and other yard trimmings. Yard waste must be in compostable bags – paper (Kraft) or compostable plastic – or unbagged in a reusable container approximately 33 gallons in size and at least 26 inches high with sturdy handles. Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers. Set all yard waste next to your garbage cart by 6 a.m.
Leaves
less than 40 pounds
Brush
bundles less than 40 pounds
less than three feet long
branch size less than three inches in diameter
must be bundled with string (no tape)
Other options include dropping off yard waste at a compost facility or composting yard waste at home and using the nutrient-rich compost for gardens and lawns. And remember: raking leaves into the street is against the law.
For more information, visit Solid Waste's website or call 612.673.2917.
As part of the City Council’s process of considering Mayor Hodge's recommended 2016 budget for the City of Minneapolis, City Council will hold two public meetings before the final budget is approved:
6:05 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18
6:05 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9
Both meetings take place in at City Hall (350 S. 5th St.), Room 317.
See the budget website for details about the budget, committee meetings, deadlines or to submit comments.
Staying in Touch with My Office
Are you facing an issue with the City? My office is glad to try and help! Whether this means a phone call, an email conversation, or an in-person meeting (I'm happy to meet constituents in the ward!), please reach out.
Additionally, if you want to be updated about airplane noise issues, please subscribe to my airport-specific newsletter by sending an email to my aide Emily Ziring (emily.ziring@minneapolismn.gov) with the subject line "Airplane Noise Newsletter."
Wishing you a warm and fulfilling Thanksgiving holiday!