25:15A significant portion of the meeting focused on expanding traffic calming measures beyond high-injury streets to include municipal state-aid roads, where many residents have expressed safety concerns. The committee reviewed a pilot program intended to increase the reach of traffic calming initiatives, utilizing a portion of the 2025 budget to install features such as medians and crosswalks that improve both traffic and pedestrian safety. The pilot aims to proactively identify and prioritize streets for intervention based on transportation and equity criteria.

The committee discussed the progress of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, which was initiated in 2022 to address speeding issues on residential streets. The program has seen several requests from residents, illustrating strong community interest in traffic safety. The committee noted that while 120 requests were made this year, only 49 projects will be executed, due to budget constraints and the scope of each project. The program is anticipated to address around 120 requests in the upcoming construction season, with projects planned across all 13 city wards.

In addition to physical traffic calming measures, the committee explored enforcement-based strategies to address traffic speeds. Discussions included the potential for a pilot program that would use budget allocations to implement allowable traffic treatments on municipal state-aid streets, with a focus on identifying areas with high injury rates. This initiative seeks to balance proactive interventions with resident feedback.

01:04:14The committee also considered the financial implications of infrastructure projects on property owners, particularly through special assessments. Ashley Dziuk from the Policy and Research division provided an overview of the current system, which includes levied assessments imposed by the city and owner-financed assessments for private property improvements. While these assessments theoretically distribute costs equitably, they can result in disparities, as evidenced by differing assessment costs based on property values.

To address these inequities, the committee discussed potential assistance programs, including subsidies for capital improvement assessments. Such programs could set eligibility criteria based on income and property ownership, offering a sliding scale of assistance. However, the absence of a city-wide income verification system poses a challenge in implementing these programs. The committee emphasized the need for improved communication about available financing options for low-income residents.

The conversation also touched on expanding deferment options for special assessments. Additionally, the committee considered amending state statutes to allow for longer repayment terms and adjusting interest accrual practices to alleviate financial burdens on property owners.

In the broader context of infrastructure improvements, the committee reaffirmed Minneapolis’s goal to replace all lead service lines by 2033. As of March 19, the city had completed 328 reimbursable lead line replacements, focusing on disadvantaged communities and integrating these efforts with street projects. The committee explored the possibility of creating a subsidy program for capital improvement assessments, potentially setting income thresholds similar to other city programs.