Race Equity Advisory Council Annual Report

Dissent: N/A

Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A

The Race Equity Advisory Council (REAC) presented its annual report, detailing critical priorities for 2025: mental health and wellness, juvenile justice, education, income, and housing. Specific recommendations included expanding the SHAPE survey, tracking equity in early childhood special education, increasing funding for mobile health programs targeting cancer disparities in Black communities, developing a Medicaid/Medicare information sharing plan, updating domestic violence resources for youth, expanding immigration legal resources, and working towards a long-term juvenile rehabilitation facility. Income recommendations focused on reviewing and potentially expanding the Guaranteed Basic Income pilot, establishing a reparations research task force, and supporting indigenous communities. Education recommendations included a countywide collaboration task force, anti-racism training for educators, and parent/caregiver programs. Housing recommendations involved increasing reparations through grants, applying a racial equity impact tool to decisions, revising assistance eligibility criteria, increasing the HCHA levy, establishing an eviction prevention fund, and launching a lease-purchase pilot program. Commissioners praised the report for its thoroughness and focus on solutions, with particular interest in male health disparities, educational inequities, and the proposed reparations task force.

Authorize Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity Program Contracts

Dissent: N/A

Moved by Commissioner Fernando [0:45:34] · Seconded by Commissioner Conley [0:45:36]

The board approved $2 million in pilot funding for contracts under the Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity (ACP) program. This funding is part of a larger $10 million allocation to mitigate displacement in the Blue Line corridor ahead of 2027 construction. The program focuses on housing, business, and real estate stability, aiming to keep residents and businesses in place to benefit from transit investments. Commissioners lauded it as a 'first of its kind' community-led initiative, emphasizing its potential to serve as a model for future transportation projects. The importance of matching funds from external sources and the development of a robust evaluation plan were also highlighted.

Establish Community Environmental Advisory Board

Dissent: N/A

Moved by Commissioner Lundy [1:0:2] · Seconded by Commissioner Fernando [1:0:59]

Commissioner Lundy proposed the establishment of a Community Environmental Advisory Board, including a youth advisory component (ages 15-21, with consideration for 14-year-olds), to provide diverse feedback on environmental and zero-waste policies. The aim is to ensure that various community perspectives, including those from different geographic areas (city vs. suburbs), are meaningfully integrated into county planning. Commissioners broadly supported the concept, but a progress motion was made to allow for further discussion on how the board would be managed, its specific outputs, and potential compensation for youth members to ensure their engagement is robust and impactful.

Authorize Adoption of MN Laws for Maple Grove TIF District Extension and Edina TIF District Extensions

Dissent: Commissioner Fernando expressed concerns regarding lack of sufficient background information, not opposition to the projects themselves.

Moved by Commissioner Fernando [1:31:40] · Seconded by Chair Gotel [1:31:48]

The committee considered requests to adopt special state legislation extending Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in Maple Grove (Gravel Mining Area Soils Deficiency TIF) and Edina (70th and France, 72nd and France TIFs). The extensions are necessary to allow cities more time to finance infrastructure improvements due to slower-than-anticipated development or specific project needs (e.g., bridge repair in Maple Grove). Commissioner Fernando expressed concerns about the lack of specific project details, financial impact on property tax burden, and overall transparency of these long-term extensions in the provided packet. While acknowledging the utility of TIFs as city tools, commissioners debated the need for more comprehensive information. Both items were moved to progress for the next board meeting, with a request for additional background on the projects and their financial implications.

Amendment to Agreement with Axon Enterprise Incorporated

Dissent: N/A

Moved by Commissioner Fernando [1:57:37] · Seconded by Commissioner Green [1:57:39]

An amendment to the agreement with Axon Enterprise Incorporated was approved, extending the contract to 2034 with a not-to-exceed amount of $39,885,000. This agreement provides public safety technology, including body-worn cameras, tasers, digital evidence management, and now consolidates FusIS (a video sharing platform acquired by Axon) for significant cost savings. The amendment also includes optional access to Axon's current and future artificial intelligence (AI) tools at no additional cost. Commissioners discussed the implications of AI in the justice system, potential data sharing concerns with third parties, and the need for a robust review of vendor options before future extensions, despite the immediate cost savings.