In This Issue:
- Seeking Applicants for Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Opening
- Latest Adult-Use Cannabis Rulemaking Survey is Live
- Provide Input on 2050 Water Policy Plan Papers
- MN Pollution Control Agency Will Host Cumulative Impacts Conversation
- University of Minnesota Launches Small Communities Program
- Local Taxes Advisory Task Force Update
- Metropolitan Governance Task Force Update
Seeking Applicants for Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Opening
Metro Cities is seeking interested applicants for a municipal opening on the Metropolitan Council’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that advises the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). Appointees must be department head level staff with an engineering, planning or public works background. Metro Cities’ guidelines place priority on making the TAC balanced with respect to city size and geography. The Board also gives preference to those who agree to serve on Metro Cities’ Transportation Policy Committee.
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 12, 2024. Interested candidates for the TAC should submit a letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Dorn at [email protected]. Please contact Mike Lund, at [email protected] or Patricia Nauman at [email protected] with any questions.
Latest Adult-Use Cannabis Rulemaking Survey is Live
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has released its fourth public input survey as part of its rulemaking engagement as it begins drafting rules for Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis industry. The latest survey covers packaging and labeling; integrated cannabis tracking, inventory, and verification system. The deadline to provide input on these topics is January 12, 2024. Click HERE to access the survey.
Future surveys are planned for topics such as social equity considerations, edible products standards, and more. Click HERE to view the OCM’s Rulemaking Overview page where you can see more details on upcoming surveys and sign up for rulemaking email alerts.
In other cannabis news, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced appointments to the Cannabis Advisory Council. Click HERE to see who was appointed to the Cannabis Advisory Council.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Provide Input on 2050 Water Policy Plan Papers
The Metropolitan Council is in the process of updating their Water Policy Plan for 2050. The plan outlines water supply, water resources, and wastewater policies to align local and regional water priorities. The plan also sets guidelines and expectations about the regional wastewater system and helps the region plan for future water needs. Council staff is seeking input from stakeholders on six research papers, which represent an important step in the 2050 planning cycle.
These papers cover the following topics:
- Protecting our Region’s Water Quality
- Exploring Water Reuse
- Protecting Source Water Areas
- Wastewater Planning Service
- Water and Climate Change
- Protecting Rural Waters
You can view each research paper HERE. This webpage includes a survey link for each paper where you can provide your feedback.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
MN Pollution Control Agency Will Host Cumulative Impacts Conversation
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is hosting the first of several virtual conversations on the implementation of the new cumulative impacts law. The first meeting will be held on January 30, 2024 from 1PM to 2:30PM. The zoom meeting will feature three panelists who will speak about cumulative impacts programs from around the country and what lessons they have learned so far.
Panelists will include:
- Kandyce Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Justice in New Jersey
- Dr. Esther Min, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences from the University of Washington School of Public Health
- Dr. Ana Baptista, Associate Professor of Professional Practice in the Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management graduate program, Co-Director of the Tishman Environment & Design Center (TEDC) in New Jersey
If you cannot attend this virtual meeting, it will be recorded and posted for reference after the 30th. Click HERE to join the virtual meeting later this month and HERE to learn more about the new cumulative impacts law.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
University of Minnesota Launches Small Communities Program
The University of Minnesota has launched its Empowering Small Minnesota Communities (ESMC) program, which was established in law during the 2023 legislative session. The goal of this program is to identify ways that participating communities can leverage existing assets for infrastructure and development projects. This program is designed to help communities position themselves for state and federal resources. The university is hosting an informational webinar on the program on January 10, from 3PM to 4:30PM. Click HERE to register for the webinar. Click HERE to view the program’s website which outlines the application process, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria. At least two rounds of project solicitation are anticipated. The first round of submissions are due by 5PM on February 14, 2024.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Local Taxes Advisory Task Force Update
The Local Taxes Advisory Task force met on Wednesday of this week and discussed a variety of considerations in evaluating criteria for local taxes. Members reflected on considerations provided by the Department of Revenue, including undue burdens for taxpayers and businesses, consideration of stacking local taxes that cover a single location, administrative complexities and effects of multiple taxes on taxpayers, authority for approval, oversight and compliance and how to address stacked taxes and equity considerations.
Members were asked to rank principles for the next meeting and discussed such issues as ranking community and convention centers, filing requirements, and the lack of a definition on regionality for evaluating local taxes.
The Senate and House Tax Chairs agreed to give the task force an extension to Feb 1 to complete their work, and two future meetings of the task force are scheduled for January 11th and 25th. Members also discussed a process for structuring the final report and receiving public comments. Metro Cities will provide further updates on the work of the task force and recommendations. Questions? Contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected].
Metropolitan Governance Task Force Update
The Metropolitan Governance Task Force, created by the 2023 Legislature, met on Wednesday morning. The meeting was focused on previously proposed legislation related to the governance of the Metropolitan Council.
Senator Eric Pratt (R - Prior Lake) presented on the Council of Governments (COG) model legislation proposed in 2018. View this presentation HERE.
Senator Scott Dibble (DFL - Minneapolis) provided information on legislation for an elected council that he introduced in the 2023 legislative session, as well as the home rule charter model.
Representative Jon Koznick (R - Lakeville) provided information on legislation that would provide for staggered terms for Council members and increase the transparency and local government input in the nominating process for new Metropolitan Council members. Metro Cities’ policies support staggered terms, and increased transparency for the selection of members.
Members of the task force discussed each model and asked questions of presenters. There are two upcoming public engagement listening sessions on Friday, January 5th, and Tuesday, January 9th. The next regular task force meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 10th at 10:00 am. Click HERE to find all the task force meeting agendas and presentation materials.