6:00pm: Introductions, welcome members of the public
Ava Kharin, UofM student, attended as a guest.
6:10 pm: Presentation from MNDOT on Rethinking I-94 Project, Sheila Kauppi and Gloria Jeff
Sheila Kauppi, the corridor director for Rethinking I-94, and Gloria Jeff, livability director for the Metro District, presented on behalf of MnDOT.
Rethinking I-94 is an ongoing effort to along 7.5 miles between Marion Street in Saint Paul and Highway 55 in Minneapolis, to improve the aging highway, sustain healthy equitable communities, and improve engagement with communities along the corridor. MnDOT recognizes the devastation created 60 years ago, which destroyed homes and communities, disconnected neighborhoods, and led to continued distrust today. MnDOT “intends to do better and prioritize communities.”
MnDOT’s Livability Framework recognizes communities along the corridor have goals broader than transportation, including health, environment, economy, sense of place, safety, connections, equity, and trust. The equity piece is inclusive of all races, incomes and abilities but requires extra effort to engage marginalized communities.
Rethinking I-94 is now in Phase 2, running 2018-2026, with construction not expected to start until 2027. In reality the project is multiple projects -- construction, pedestrian, etc. – along different parts of the 7.5 mile corridor.
Q&A
A member asked whether the equity/health analysis will be similar to that used on the Highway 252 project? Yes, but Rethinking I-94 is not at the stage of individual projects yet. Individual projects may require community and health impact assessment consistent with the US Department of Transportation Equity Action Plan.
A member asked how MnDOT addresses community concerns that are beyond the scope of MnDOT’s transportation mandate? This does often happen; MnDOT generally tries to refer communities to other agencies (DEED, Housing etc.), play a facilitator role working with the Cities, and tap federal resources. Extra effort is needed with people living near the corridor itself, who may not own a car but are still exposed to air quality issues.
A member pointed out that NEPA only requires analysis of regional impacts on air quality, and more local analysis may be needed. Different potential projects will have different air quality impacts, depending how they change traffic patterns.
A member asked if the impacts of individual projects within Rethinking I-94 will be looked at piecemeal, or is there an effort to analyze cumulative impacts? This question was not directly answered, but MnDOT noted projects will be spread out over time, with the earliest projects in 2027. Anti-gentrification is part of the scope. The 21st century transportation planning process is much more complex than just building infrastructure; really a process of exploration about how people experience the transportation system.
A member asked how often MnDOT meets with communities, at what time of day, with translation provided? Community leaders are meeting bimonthly. MnDOT’s engagement efforts paused with the pandemic and civil unrest, but MnDOT attends community events like Rondo Days and the Selby Jazz Fest. Overall, MnDOT has reached 2,200 people and conducted 800 interviews.
7:10pm: Review/recap
Members discussed the presentation after MnDOT staff signed off. There was agreement that the presentation was informative and gave a much better understanding of the scope and long timeframe of the project, but a general sense of frustration with the carefully managed storyline, slow progress, and sometimes defensive posture taken by the Department in answering our questions. Six years into the process, some community members are frustrated MnDOT has not presented more concrete project options that include a broad range of transportation options.
7:30pm: Review October 2022 meeting minutes
Minutes not approved for lack of quorum.
7:35pm: Thank you outgoing members! Need for recruitment, nominate executive team members (secretary, youth member, co-chair, co-chair in waiting)
May-Yang Lee, Paul Barral, Marlon Batres, Robert Blake, and Louis Offstein have chosen not to seek a second term. There are therefore a lot of vacancies to fill. Dominique suggested some sort of event, such as an open house, for community engagement and Board recruitment.
New executive committee members will be approved by vote at the January 2023, in-person meeting.
7:45pm: Updates
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From city staff
The City is expanding the Evie carshare program, in part with funding from Met Council.
An RFP will be released soon for the Healthy Homes low-income pre-weatherization program funded with $1 million in federal ARPA funds.
The Ramsey County Workforce Innovation Board is currently reviewing proposals for a career pathways program into construction and green careers.
The City is hiring a consultant to analyze the incentives available in the Inflation Reduction Act and how the City may be able to take advantage of these.
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From the Executive Committee
Nick mentioned that the PowerUp RFP winners will soon be announced. PowerUp is an energy sector job training program implemented jointly by Xcel Energy and DEED, which will create solar and other energy training opportunities for approximately 150 people, with a preference for women and BIPOC individuals underrepresented in the energy industry.
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From Board Members
8pm Adjourn