[0:09] >> GOOD AFTERNOON A AND WELCOME. I'M LINEA PALMISANO. [0:16] I WILL BE CHAIRING MEETING TODAY AS COUNCIL -- THE CHAIR OF THIS [0:22] COMMITTEE, COUNCILMEMBER ROBIN WONSLEY, IS OUT. I'LL CALL TO ORDER OUR REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETING FOR APRIL 7, 2025. [0:29] BEFORE WE BEGIN THIS MEETING, I'LL OFFER A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS, STAFF, AND [0:35] THE PUBLIC THESE MEETINGSES ARE BROADCAST LIVE TO ENABLE GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THESE BROADCASTS INCLUDE REAL TIME CAPTIONING AS A FURTHER METHOD [0:43] TO INCREASE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR PROCEEDINGS TO THE COMMUNITY. SO PLEASE ALL [0:48] SPEAKERS BE MINDFUL OF THE RATE OF OUR SPEECH SO OUR CAPTIONERS CAN FULLY CAPTURE AND TRANSCRIBE [0:54] ALL COMMENTS FOR THE BROADCAST. WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE MODERATE YOUR SPEED AND CLARITY OF YOUR [0:59] COMMENTS. I WILL NOW ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: COUNCILMEMBER VETAW. [1:05] >> PRESENT. >> ELLISON. >> HERE. >> CASHMAN. >> PRESENT. >> CHUGHTAI. [1:12] >> PRESENT. >> AND PALMISANO. >> PRESENT. >> THERE ARE FIVE MEMBERS PRESENT. >> LET THE RECORD REFLECT WE [1:17] HAVE A QUORUM. I'LL REMIND MY COLLEAGUES, WE'LL BE USING SPEAKER MANAGEMENT TODAY. PLEASE SIGN IN OR LET THE CLERKS [1:23] KNOW IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE. BEFORE WE BEGIN, DID YOU WANT -- [1:31] WOULD -- DIRECTOR MEG McCANN BE THE RIGHT PERSON TO INTRODUCE? >> MADAM CHAIR, I WANT THE STAFF TO COME FORWARD TO KNOW WE [1:38] HAVE SEVERAL SPECIAL GUESTS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY AND EXPLAIN WHY WE HAVE THEM WITH US. >> YES, PLEASE. HELLO. [1:45] WELCOME. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. PRINCIPAL CITY PLANNER. WE'RE JOINED [1:51] TODAY BY A CLASS -- A DEVELOPMENT CLASS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS. THEY'VE COME TO HAVE THE [1:57] REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A FUTURE DEVELOPER BEFORE THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THEY ASK TO COME [2:03] TO A PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE'VE WALKED THROUGH THE THE PODIUM A LITTLE BIT. WE'LL GO OVER TO TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE BUILDING [2:09] AFTER THIS. AND HAVE A LITTLE CHAT ABOUT DEVELOPMENT REVIEW [2:14] AND PROJECT DOCS AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE DO HERE AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEIR PROFESSOR NEXT. [2:19] THIS IS ANDY. >> HI. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. CHAIR PALMISANO, COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M ANDREW, THE DIRECTOR [2:27] OF THE REAL ESTATE PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING [2:32] OUR STUDENTS HERE. THIS IS A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT CLASS. AND SO A BIG PART OF [2:37] DEVELOPMENT, CLEARLY, IS THE CITY APPROVAL PROCESS. AND SO WHILE WE'RE NOT IN A PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OR CITY [2:44] COUNCIL MEETING, WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE LAY OF THE LAND AND HOW SOME OF THESE MEETINGS WORK. SO ONCE [2:50] AGAIN, THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU HAVING US HERE. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE AN ALUMNI [2:57] OF SAINT THOMAS HERE ON THE DAIS. I KNOW SHE'S ALREADY [3:02] WELCOMED YOU HERSELF. WE DON'T HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING TODAY. WE DO, AT TIMES, IN WHICH CASE [3:07] PEOPLE SIGN IN OVER THERE WITH THE CLERKS AND THEN WOULD GET CALLED UP BY THE PERSON RUNNING [3:13] THE MEETING. FOR UP TO TWO MINUTES OF THINGS THEY WISH TO SAY, QUESTIONS THEY WANT TO ASK, [3:19] THAT W WE DON'T HAVE A BACK AND FORTH HERE. WE'RE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THOSE KINDS [3:25] OF MEETINGS, SHE'S BEEN A GREAT PLANNER FOR US. I'M SURE YOU'LL GET MORE ORIENTATION THEN. SO [3:31] WITH THIS AGENDA, AS APPROVE, THERE ARE 11 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH I'LL READ NOW FOR THE RECORD. THE FIRST [3:37] IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM THE NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIP FOR TRAVEL AND LODGING EXPENSES FOR CHIEF [3:44] O'HARA. THE SECOND IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM THE MINNESOTA SECTION OF AMERICAN WATER WORKS [3:50] ASSOCIATION FOR TRAVEL, LODGING WITH, AND MEALS FOR RICHELLE [3:58] WIDMER. THREE IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH KARPEL COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR A CASE MANAGEMENT [4:04] SOFTWARE SOLUTION. IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,000 FOR A NEW TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED [4:12] $664,650. FOR CASE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS A [4:18] CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH PILLSBURY UNITED COMMUNITY FOR THEIR LEAD PROGRAM SERVICES. IT IS AN INCREASE TO THE CONTRACT [4:26] OF $250,000 THROUGH THE END OF NEXT YEAR. FIVE IS CONTRACTS [4:31] WITH METRO YOUTH DIVERSION FOR EAST LAKE STREET AND EAST FRANKLIN COMMUNITY SAFETY AMBASSADOR PROGRAMS. ITEM [4:38] NUMBER SIX IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS ON CITY [4:44] PROPERTY. SEVEN IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH KRAEMER NORTH AMERICA FOR THE FIRST AVENUE [4:51] BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. ITEM EIGHT IS CONTRACT AMENDMENTS WITH VARIOUS VENDORS FOR THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION [4:57] SERVICES. THESE ARE EXTENSIONS FOR CONTINUED FUNDING FROM THE [5:03] 2024 VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES CONTRACTS. ITEM NUMBER NINE IS A CONTRACT WITH THE [5:08] DOWNTOWN COUNCIL FOR THE VIBRANT DOWNTOWN STOREFRONTS INITIATIVE. [5:14] IT IS AN AMOUNT IN THE -- THE AMOUNT OF $46 0,000 THROUGH [5:20] MARCH 31st OF 2026. WITH THE OPTION TO EXTEND TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS. SUBJECT TO [5:28] AVAILABILITY FOR FUNDS. ITEM NUMBER 10 IS A LEASE AMENDMENT WITH COCO FOR FACILITY AND [5:34] MEETING ROOM SPACE. ITEM 11 IS A BID FOR OVERLAY AND EXISTING [5:39] LANE MARKINGS. FIRST, I'LL ASK IF THERE ARE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF THESE [5:44] ITEMS. AND I'LL CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER ELLISON. >> JUST WANTED TO NOTE FOR OUR STUDENTS HERE, THIS MIGHT SEEM [5:50] BORING. THIS IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. RIGHT. IT MEANS WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEBATE IT. BUT IF [5:55] YOU'RE, LIKE, IF YOU'RE A FUTURE STAFF PERSON AT A CITY. THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT YOUR STUFF. ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. [6:01] [ LAUGHTER ] IF IT'S NOT AN THE CONSENT AGENDA, IT MEANS IT RISKS GETTING DEBATED. AND WHILE [6:08] THAT'S PROBABLY MORE EXCITING TO WATCH. HAVING US DEBATING [6:13] YOUR ITEM IS PROBABLY NOT THE MOST FUN THING FOR STAFF. ANYWAY, I WANT TO GIVE YOU THAT [6:18] LITTLE LESSON. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER CASHMAN. >> WELL THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR [6:24] PALMISANO. I DID WANT TO ASK IF SOMEONE WOULD BE WILLING TO COME UP AND SPEAK TO NUMBER NINE, THE [6:30] CONTRACT WITH DOWNTOWN COUNCIL FOR VIBRANT STORE FRONTS INITIATIVE. NOT THAT I WANT TO [6:36] DEBATE IT. BUT I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT ON. >> I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MEMBER FROM THE PUBLIC IN THE AUDIENCE [6:42] INTERESTED IN IT. I'LL ASK MS. McCANN TO COME ON UP AND SHARE A LITTLE MORE. [6:50] >> THANK YOU. SO THIS IS A CONTRACT FOR WORK THAT REALLY HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2023. [6:58] THE CITY INITIALLY ENTERED INTO AN INITIAL $75,000 CONTRACT IN [7:04] 2023 TO BEGIN DEVELOPING THE GROUND WORK FOUNDATION FOR THE WORK THAT HAS CONTINUED OVER THE [7:10] LAST YEAR IT WAS A $400,000 CONTRACT. THAT'S IN THE BUDGET AS AN ONGOING EXPENDITURE. IT [7:16] FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVATION EFFORTS. SO THE MINNEAPOLIS DOWNTOWN COUNCIL [7:23] ALREADY HAS SOME WORK THEY'RE DOING. THEIR CHAMELEON STORE [7:29] FRONTS, FOR EXAMPLE WHERE THEY PROVIDE DEEP DIVE TECHNICAL [7:34] EXISTENCE. IT I THINKS UP AND EXPANDS WITH THE PROGRAM. THEY'LL TAKE COHORTS THROUGH [7:41] EXPENSIVE TRAINING ON HOW TO ELEVATE THEIR BUSINESS. IT INCLUDES WORK AROUND SOME [7:46] ANALYTICS. SO BUILDING A GIS-BASED DASH BOARD FOR DOWNTOWN THAT DEEP DIVES INTO [7:52] VACANCIES AND SQUARE FOOTAGES AND ASSETS WITHIN SPECIFIC SPACES. SO THAT WE CAN HELP [7:59] PAIR BUSINESSES WITH SPACE BETTER. THEY'VE CONTRACTED WITH A BROKER THAT, REALLY, IS ABLE [8:05] TO OPERATE DIRECTLY WITH ENTREPRENEURS. AND THEN PARTNER WITH THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MDC [8:12] HAS WITH EXISTING PROPERTY OWNERS. IT'S KIND OF STARTED IN 2024 AND NOW EXTENDING AND [8:19] TAKING OFF. SO A LOT OF COMPONENTS TO THE WORK THAT WE [8:25] REALLY BEGAN BUILDING IN 2023, DEVELOPED THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR IN 2024, AND ARE REALLY [8:31] LAUNCHING OFF POINT NOW. SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS CONTRACT. AND I THINK IT'LL BRING A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS! [8:36] HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. AND THERE'S A REPRESENTATIVE HERE, AS WELL, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER [8:42] C CASHMAN? >> THANK YOU. I HAVE A FEW FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'LL BE READILY [8:48] AVAILABLE TODAY. I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE AMOUNT OF VACANCIES IDENTIFIED OF RETAIL SPACES [8:55] DOWNTOWN. I KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT LUHRING PARK HAS 65. THAT'S WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD [9:00] ASSOCIATION COUNTED. AND THAT'S JUST ONE OF, I THINK, FIVE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS. SO I'M WONDERING IF WE CAN GET AT SENSE [9:06] OF HOW MANY RETAIL VACANCIES THERE ARE DOWNTOWN AND WHAT THE GOAL OF THIS INVESTMENT IS ARE [9:12] IF FOR THE YEAR. ARE WE PLANNING TO DO THE BROKERAGE [9:17] NEEDED TO CONNECT SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS WITH THE SPACES AND FILL [9:22] X-NUMBER OF DOWNTOWN RETAIL VACANCIES THROUGH THE PROGRAM? [9:29] >> SURE. I CAN REFER TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OVER SPECIFICS. WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH MAYBE A DEEPER DIVE BRIEFING WITH YOU [9:34] THAT GOES INTO THE NUMBERS. AND WORK THRUF THE DASH BOARD THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. BECAUSE THAT GETS INTO REALLY FINE GRAIN [9:42] DETAILS AROUND THOSE VACANCIES [9:57] >> NO RUSH. THANK YOU VICE CHAIR PALMISANO, COUNCILMEMBERS THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. [10:03] COUNCILMEMBER CASHMAN. I DON'T, HAVE THE TOP OF MY HEAD VACANCY DATA. IF YOU LOOK AT AN [10:11] INDUSTRY REPORT, IT'LL LOOK PRETTY GOOD DOWNTOWN. BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF HOW INDUSTRY REPORTS. GATHER INFORMATION [10:18] FROM, LIKE, POSTED LISTINGS. WHEREAS THE NEW RETAIL INVENTORY TOOL WE DEVELOPED, THAT IS [10:24] AVAILABLE NOW, ALLOWS PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY SEE WHAT'S ON THE GROUND AND AVAILABLE AND VACANT. [10:31] SO YOU'RE A MOM AND POP SHOP. MAYBE YOU HAVE A STORE FRONT. YOU'RE NOT LISTING THE SPACE BUT [10:37] ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BE IN THE SPACE. THAT ISN'T [10:42] CAPTURED OFTEN BY A INDUSTRY REPORT. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID WITH OUR RESOURCES OVER THE PAST YEAR, WAS DEVELOP A [10:48] DOWNTOWN RETAIL INVENTORY TOOL. THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE RIGHT NOW THROUGH A [10:53] DASHBOARD. AND YOU CAN SEE INCREMENTALLY IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD DOWNTOWN WHERE [11:00] THERE ARE RETAIL VACANCIES, FIRST OR SECOND FLOOR, A KITCHEN HOOD, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF [11:06] INFORMATION INCLUDING SQUARE FOOTAGE, SOMETIMES BROCHURES, IF WE HAVE THEM. THAT BUILDING [11:14] BLOCK THAT MEG WAS TALKING ABOUT. BUILDING TOWARDS BEING ABLE TO CONNECT PEOPLE MORE TRE DIRECTLY WITH THE ASSET [11:21] BASE WE HAVE IN DOWNTOWN AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY'RE BRINGING TO IT. >> THANKS. DOES THAT DASHBOARD [11:26] INCLUDE COST-PER-SQUARE-FOOT OF [11:32] RENT. >> IT HAS INFORMATION ON RENT, WHERE WE HAVE IT. WE'RE INTERESTED ON CONTINUING TO [11:37] BUILD ON THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LEASING AGENTS. SOMETIMES WE HAVE ESTIMATES. OF COURSE, THE DEAL THAT CAN BE BROKERED IS [11:43] OFTEN DIFFERENT THAN THAT. >> AND IF A DOWNTOWN PROPERTY OWNER WANTED TO ENGAGE IN THIS [11:49] AND, YOU KNOW, SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH FINDING A TENANT, HOW CAN THEY GET INVOLVED? >> ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED, [11:55] INCLUDING ANY EXISTING DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OR ANYONE WHO'D LIKE TO OPEN A BUSINESS DOWNTOWN IS WELCOME TO REACH OUT TO OUR [12:01] OFFICE. WE HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, AS WELL. USING THIS DOWNTOWN [12:06] BROKER, HE'S ALREADY GOT A LIST OF MAYBE 35 PROSPECTS, I BELIEVE, HE'S WORKING WITH. BUT [12:11] WE'RE EAGER TO WORK WITH MORE AND EAGER TO PUT PEOPLE IN STORE FRONTS. >> THANK YOU. VICE CHAIR, I WANTED TO ASK IF WE CAN ASK FOR [12:18] A STAFF MEMO FOLLOW UP. JUST WITH THE AMOUNT OF DOWNTOWN VACANCIES AND THE AMOUNT OF [12:24] SPACES THAT WE'RE HOPING TO FILL WITH THIS INVESTMENT IN THIS YEAR. >> CERTAINLY. DOES THE CLERK [12:29] HAVE THAT? OR SHOULD COUNCILMEMBER CASHMAN WRITE THAT -- OKAY. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE THAT. MADAM, F FOR THE [12:37] RECORD, CAN WE HAVE YOUR NAME. >> LISA WITH THE DOWNTOWN COUNCIL DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. I'M OUR SENIOR [12:42] DIRECTOR FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. >> THANK YOU. AND PREVIOUSLY I [12:49] ACCIDENTALLY SAID MS. McMAHON'S WRONG. THANK [12:55] YOU. I RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO [13:07] THE FULL COUNCIL. SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. ANY OPPOSE? THAT [13:13] MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. NEXT UP CONTRACTS WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENTS, [13:18] LOCATIONS, AND ORGANIZERS FOR OUR 2025 OPEN STREETS MINNEAPOLIS. I'LL INVITE ANDREW [13:29] BA BALLARD FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIR [13:36] PALMISANO, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. I I HAVE A BRIEF [13:45] PRESENTATION TO GO THROUGH WITH YOU TODAY. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT [13:50] 2024. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPEN STREETS FROM LAST [13:57] YEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SERVICE HAS LEAD THE [14:02] PROCUREMENT, AS WELL AS THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR OPEN [14:09] STREETS. LAST YEAR WE HAD THREE EVENTS. ONE WAS ON LYNDALE [14:14] AVENUE. THE OTHER ON WEST BROADWAY. AND THE LAST ONE WAS ON NICOLLET AVENUE. THESE ARE [14:22] FANTASTIC EVENTS! OPPORTUNITIES [14:29] FOR THE CITY FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THERE WERE NUMEROUS CITY DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES [14:35] THAT WERE REPRESENTED AT THESE EVENTS. MPD, MINNEAPOLIS FIRE [14:41] DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, ELECTIONS AND VOTER SERVICES, 3-1-1. OFFICE OF COMMUNITY [14:49] SAFETY, AND MANY, MANY OTHERS. LAST YEAR ACROSS THE THREE [14:56] EVENTS, WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 75,000 PEOPLE ATTEND. AND THIS [15:02] WAS, AS REPORTED BY THE EVENT ORGANIZERS. THEY USED VARIOUS [15:08] DIFFERENT METHODS FOR ESTIMATING THEIR CROWD SUM. USING SOME [15:16] TECHNOLOGY TO FRANK TO TALLY UP ACTIVE CELL PHONES. SOME USED [15:24] VOLUNTEERS AND ENTRANCES AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. OVER THE COURSE OF THE EVENT, WE HAD OVER [15:33] 20 STAGES THAT HAD EITHER LIVE MUSIC OR DJS. WE ALSO HAD [15:41] APPROXIMATELY 550 REGISTERED VENDORS, AS WELL AS OVER 100 [15:47] FOOD TRUCKS AND FOOD VENDORS. OKAY. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT [15:55] BASED ON LESSONS LEARNED FROM LAST YEAR, AS WELL AS WANTING TO [16:03] EXPAND OPEN STREETS FOR THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR THERE WERE ONLY [16:09] FIVE LOCATIONS F FOR THE EVENT ORGANIZERS TO CHOOSE FROM. THIS YEAR WE HAD 13 EVENT [16:16] LOCATIONS ACROSS THE CITY. FOR [16:24] EVENT ORGANIZERS TO GIVE US PROPOSALS. WE ADDED ANOTHER EVENT WHERE LAST YEAR WE DID THREE. THIS YEAR WE'RE [16:32] PROPOSING FOUR. AND THIS YEAR [16:38] THE FOUR THAT WE'RE PROPOSING ARE SPREAD OUT MORE ACROSS THE [16:45] CITY THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR. SOME OF THE OVER THINGS WE'VE [16:51] CHANGED. THAT WERE CHANGED. IN ADDITION TO THE $50,000 TO EACH [16:57] OF THE EVENT ORGANIZERS, THE CITY ALSO PROVIDES A LOT OF [17:05] IN-KIND SERVICES, AS WELL AS WAIVING PERMIT AND APPLICATION [17:12] FEES. AS WELL AS SOME HARD EXPENSES. IN 2024, THE CITY [17:23] PAID, IN ADDITION TO THE $150,000 ON THE THREE EVENTS TO THE EVENT ORGANIZERS, THE CITY [17:30] SPENT APPROXIMATELY $20,000 FOR [17:35] ITEMS THAT WERE -- WE CONTRACTUALLY COMMITTED TO LAST [17:40] YEAR. THINGS LIKE PORTABLE TOILETS. WE HAD TWO CONTRACTS [17:50] ON RESERVE TRAFFIC CONTROL AGENTS. LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF [17:57] SOME EVENT CONFLICTS WITHIN THE CITY. AS WELL AS SUPPLEMENT OF SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING [18:05] EXPENSES. SO WHAT WE'RE [18:11] PROPOSING IS FOR THE FOUR EVENTS, THE $50,000 AS PROPOSED [18:17] TO EACH OF THE EVENT ORGANIZERS WITH $50,000 IN RESERVE FOR [18:24] THESE HARD EXPENSES. WITH THE [18:50] NEIGHBORHOOD AUDUBON ASSOCIATION. THE SECOND EVENT ON AUGUST 17, CEDAR AVENUE AND RIVER SIDE AVENUE. WITH THE [18:58] WEST BANK BHIZ AS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IS THE SPONSOR FOR THAT EVENT. ON [19:06] SEPTEMBER 6th, WEST BROADWAY BEING ORGANIZED BY THE WEST BROADWAY BUSINESS COALITION. [19:14] AND THEN HENNEPIN AVENUE BEING ORGANIZED BY THE UPTOWN [19:21] ASSOCIATION. AND WITH THESE FOUR EVENTS, THERE'S ONLY ONE [19:27] EVENT THAT THAT WE'RE REPEATING FROM LAST YEAR AND THAT'S ON WEST BROADWAY. AND ONE ADDITIONAL [19:34] EVENT ORGANIZER WHO DID ONE OF [19:40] THE EVENTS LAST YEAR. WHICH WAS THE UPTOWN ASSOCIATION WHO DID [19:45] THE LYNDALE AVENUE EVENT. SO AS [19:54] I MENTIONED, AS FAR AS FUNDING GOES, AS I MENTIONED, THE CITY IS PROVIDING EACH OF THE EVENT [20:00] ORGANIZERS WITH $50,000. THE [20:07] ORGANIZER IN ORDER TO -- IT'S A REIMBURSEMENT WHERE THEY HAVE TO [20:12] RECONCILE THEIR EXPENSES. THEIR ALLOWABLE EXPENSES TO WITH US WITH INVOICES AND RECEIPTS. [20:17] THEN WE REIMBURSE OUT OF THE ALLOCATED $50,000 FOR EACH [20:23] EVENT. THERE ARE -- WITH THE [20:30] EVENT ORGANIZERS, THEY CAN RAISE [20:36] MONEY ON THEIR OWN THROUGH SPONSORSHIP AND/OR REGISTRATION [20:45] FEES. LAST YEAR EACH EVENT ORGANIZER, IN ADDITION TO THE [20:52] CASH PROVIDED BY THE CITY, AS WELL AS THE IN-KIND SERVICES EACH EVENT ORGANIZER RAISED [20:58] ANYWHERE BETWEEN $35,000 TO $50,000 ADDITIONAL TO HOST THEIR [21:05] EVENT. THE CITY, AS I [21:11] MENTIONED, PROVIDES IN-KIND SERVICES. THESE ARE SPREAD [21:17] ACROSS VARIOUS DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES. [21:27] PUBLIC WORKS, POLICE, SECURITY, FIRE DEPARTMENT, VARIOUS OTHER DIFFERENT SERVICES FROM HEALTH [21:34] AND FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. THAT'S [22:24] ALL. >> THANK YOU, MR. BALLARD. THESE ARE SPECIAL EVENTS THE CITY SUPPORTS. IT WILL BE A LOSS FOR LYNDALE AVENUE. IT WAS [22:31] THE ORIGINAL ROUTE AND WON'T, THIS YEAR, BE A CONTINUING ROUTE. I'M HAPPY TO SEE HENNEPIN AVENUE ON THIS LIST. I [22:38] FULLY SUPPORT ANY OF THE ATTENTION THAT WE CAN BRING TO IT. >> YEAH. IT WAS A DIFFICULT [22:44] DECISION BETWEEN THE TWO. >> I WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE THIS FOR APPROVAL AND CALL ON [22:51] COUNCILMEMBER CASHMAN. >> THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR PALMISANO. MR. BALLARD, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE ESTIMATED COST OF [22:58] PUTTING ON AN EVENT IS TOTAL FOR EACH GROUP? I UNDERSTAND THE CITY IS PROVIDING $50,000 IN [23:03] CASH AND THEN ANOTHER $60 TO $75,000 IN KIND SERVICES. >> RIGHT. >> HOW MUCH IS THE TOTAL COST OF [23:09] PUTTING ON AN EVENT? >> WELL IN ADDITION TO WHAT THE CITY PROVIDES, LIKE I SAID, EACH [23:16] EVENT ORGANIZER ON THEIR OWN RAISED ANOTHER $35,000 TO [23:22] $50,000. SO THESE EVENTS EACH ARE IN THE $150,000 TO $175,000 [23:29] RANGE. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. AND I WANT TO THANK STAFF FOR RECOGNIZING THAT HENNEPIN AVENUE. JUST [23:35] BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN PHASE TWO IS NOW BEGUN AND PHASE ONE IS [23:40] COMPLETE. GOING SOUTHBOUND FROM 26th. SO IT'S EXCITING TO SEE [23:46] THE STRETCH OF HENNEPIN AVENUE SELECTED. AND TO S SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES THERE THAT [23:51] HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND STILL HANGING ON. I THINK THAT THE VISITORS TO THE NEW STRETCH OF HENNEPIN [23:57] ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE NEW STREET SCAPE. SO THE BIKE LANES, THE WIDENED [24:03] SIDEWALKS, THE TREES, THE PLANTERS, THE MEDIANS, AND EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE TO [24:08] MAKE THIS AREA SAFER TO EXPERIENCE IS GOING TO BE ON DISPLAY THROUGH THE EVENT. AND [24:13] I HOPE IT'LL BRING A LOT OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO UPTOWN THIS SUMMER. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THEM. FOR [24:20] RECOGNIZING UPTOWN AND SELECTING THIS DOOR DOOR. COCORRIDOR. [24:25] >> I THINK IT'LL BE A FUN EVENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER ELLISON. >> I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND [24:31] SECOND YOUR MOTION, FIRST OF ALL. AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. AND EXCITED TO [24:37] SUPPORT THIS. BUT DID HAVE A FEW MAYBE STATEMENTS. MAYBE A QUESTION, AS WELL. I'D LOVE NOT [24:44] FOR THIS PRESENTATION, OBVIOUSLY. BUT IN FUTURE PRESENTATIONS, IF WE CAN KIND OF SEE A LITTLE BIT OF TRACK MAYBE [24:51] THE PROGRESS OF THE EVENTS OVER TIME. I KNOW LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST TIME, AS YOU MENTIONED, THAT WE WERE SORT OF SENDING OUT [24:58] TO OTHER GROUPS. BEFORE THAT, THERE WAS ONE GROUP THAT HAD [25:04] BEEN OUR STREETS RUNNING THESE. AND WHILE IN THE LONG RUN, MAYBE SWITCHING FROM OUR STREETS TO [25:09] MORE OF A CITY-RUN PROGRAM, MAYBE WON'T BE NEITHER HERE NOR THERE. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE [25:14] FELT THERE WAS A LOT OF MOMENTUM. AND WITH THEM RUNNING THE EVENTS. WITH THINGS [25:22] CHANGING. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN THAT IT GOT STUNTED [25:27] OR TRIPPED UP. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TRACK OVER TIME, YOU KNOW, PARTICIPATION. SO WE CAN [25:33] KNOW NOT, YOU KNOW, FOR VIBE SAKE BUT FOR FACT. WHAT THE EBB AND FLOW OF THIS EVENT OF THESE [25:39] EVENTS LOOK LIKE. BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE DESERVE, YOU KNOW, ROBUST AND WELL-RUN EVENTS. I [25:47] HAD A GREAT TIME LAST YEAR ON WEST BROADWAY. I WANT US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ENGAGING [25:54] WITH THE FOLKS WHO HAVE RUN THESE EVENTS NEWLY OR WILL BE. SO WE CAN ALSO MAYBE TAKE SOME [26:00] LEARNI LEARNINGS AS A COUNCIL AND UNDERSTAND IS [26:06] $50,000 ENOUGH FOR US TO CONTRIBUTE PLUS IN KIND? DO WE NEED MORE OR LESS? IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTNERSHIP? [26:12] I'D LOVE TO HAVE A BETTER WRAPPING OUR HEADS AROUND THAT. AS WE MOVE INTO THE FUTURE. I [26:19] WANT US -- I WANT THIS KIND OF AMENITY, THIS KIND OF STREET FESTIVAL TO BE SOMETHING THAT [26:24] GROWS. AND NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS EVERY YEAR. AND, YOU KNOW, I [26:30] THINK KNOWING SOME OF THAT INFORMATION COULD HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WOULD TAKE. EVERY TIME WE WANT TO SEE [26:36] SOMETHING GROW, IT'LL COST A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY. AND, YOU KNOW, SO WE'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO [26:42] KNOW WHAT THOSE THINGS TAKE IN THE FUTURE. OTHERWISE THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. AND, AGAIN, YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS IS AN [26:49] IMPORTANT EVENT. AND WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO INVEST IN IT. BOTH IN KIND AND IN CASH. AND I LOOK [26:57] FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THIS YEAR GOES! [27:03] >> THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THAT MOTION [27:11] CARRIES. THANK YOU. NEXT IS DISCUSSION ITEM 13 OUR CONTRACT [27:17] WITH LSE ARCHITECTS FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES. THIS IS FOR [27:24] THE MINNEAPOLIS DEMOCRACY CENTER. I WILL ASK CITY CLERK KARL AND BARBARA O'BRIAN [27:31] DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY SERVICES TO SPEAK. [27:43] >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. AS YOU NOTED, MY NAME IS CASEY KARL. I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS CLERK FOR THE CITY OF [27:49] MINNEAPOLIS. MAY IT PLEASE THE COMMITTEE, I'M HERE WITH THE PROPERTY SERVICES DIVISION TO PRESENT OUR REQUEST TO APPROVE A [27:56] CONTRACT WITH LSE ARCHITECTS FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CITY'S DEMOCRACY CENTER. [28:03] WHICH IS TO BE SEX SEX SITUATED AT 3,000 MINNEHAHA [28:08] AVENUE. AS MEMBERS ARE AWARE, THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS PROJECT. [28:14] MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS AND LOTS OF INTERRELATED ISSUES THAT TIE TO THIS PROPERTY AND THIS PROJECT. TODAY WE'RE FOCUSED [28:19] SOLELY ON THE NEXT STEPS IN THIS PROCESS, WHICH ARE TIED TO REDEVELOPMENT. NEXT STEP IS FOR [28:27] ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN SERVICES, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE HERE. IN THE NEXT FEW SLIDES, WE'LL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PREVIOUS ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN [28:33] TAKEN AND LEVEL SET WHERE WE ARE TODAY. AND THEN DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC REQUEST BEFORE YOU. BEFORE I START THE FORMAL [28:39] PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COLLEAGUES FROM THE PROPERTY SERVICES DIVISION WHO ARE HERE WITH US. IT INCLUDES, [28:45] AS YOU NOTED, DIRECTOR BARBARA O'BRIAN AND SENIOR PROJECT [28:50] MANAGER WHO OVERSIGHTS CAPITAL PROJECTS PAUL MILLER. I'M PLEASED TO INTRODUCE FROM LSE [28:58] ARCHITECTURES THE FIRM'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. WE APPRECIATE HIM JOINING US FOR [29:05] THE PRESENTATION. AS I NOTED, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS AND PREVIOUS [29:10] ACTIONS ON THIS PROJECT. THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE MOST RECENT SET OF COUNCIL ACTIONS. AS YOU CAN [29:16] SEE IN OCTOBER, STAFF PRESENTED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ABOUT THE PLANNED REPROPOSING AND [29:21] TRANSCIGGING OF THIS CITY-OWNED PROPERTY. INTO WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED A DEMOCRACY CENTER. THAT WAS FOLLOWED THEN IN NOVEMBER [29:27] WITH THE ACCEPTANCE OF A BID BY CONSTRUCTION RESULTS CORPORATION FOR AN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT [29:33] THE SITE. AND THEN LAST DECEMBER THE CITY ISSUED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. I'VE NOTED HERE THE RESPECTIVE LIMS [29:40] FILES WHERE ALL THE DETAILS FOR THE DIFFERENT ACTIONS CAN BE FOUND. IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE [29:45] OF THE SITE, THE DEMOCRACY CENTER WOULD BE THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE CITY'S ELECTIONS AND [29:50] VOTER SERVICES DIVISION. THAT'S A DIVISION OF THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE. TO ACHIEVE THIS, STAFF [29:56] IS REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION OF A CONTRACT WITH LSE ARCHITECTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO THE EXCEED [30:05] $871500 TO COVER THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES. IN THE BRIEFING MATERIALS, YOU'LL SEE THE CONTRACT WOULD PROVIDE THE [30:11] CITY WITH THE RECK SIT ARCHITECTURAL, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION, AND [30:16] COST ESTIMATING SERVICES FOR THIS ENTIRE PROJECT. WHICH INCLUDES THE EVS OR ELECTIONS [30:22] AND VOTER SERVICES OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS FOR THE 8,000 SQUARE FEET OF GROUND-LEVEL SPACE THAT [30:28] WE'VE RESERVED FOR USE BY A COMMUNITY PARTNER TO BE NAMED IN THE FUTURE. APPROXIMATELY [30:34] $1.2 MILLION IN PROJECT FUNDING WAS SECURED BY CITY COUNCIL THROUGH THE REALLOCATION OF [30:39] UNSPENT 2023 ELECTION YEAR BUDGET SAVINGS. AND THAT WAS INCLUDED IN RESOLUTION NUMBER [30:46] 2024R418 WHICH INCLUDED ALL OF THE AUTHORIZED 2023 ROLLOVER [30:51] DOLLARS. THE ELECTION AND VOTER SERVICES DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE, AS YOU KNOW, FOR PLANNING AND CONDUCTING ALL [30:57] ELECTIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FROM PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS AND EVERYTHING IN [31:04] BETWEEN. AND FOR ENSURING ALL VOTERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX. THE PROPOSED DEMOCRACY [31:10] CENTER WOULD RELOCATE THIS CORE CITY FUNCTION FROM EXISTING LEASE SPACE ON THE NORTHEASTERN EDGE OF THE CITY TO THIS MORE [31:16] CENTRALLY LOCATED SPACE ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AND IN CITY-OWNED FACILITIES. THE [31:21] SLIDE HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE OFFERS. WHICH ENCOMPASSES ALL THE [31:27] ELECTION-RELATED PROGRAMMING, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS AND [31:33] COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. AS WE'VE SHARED IN PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS, THE RELOCATION OF THE EVS DIVISION OFFERS SEVERAL [31:40] ADVANTAGES. SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT OF THOSE ARE IN THE PLUS COLUMN HIGHLIGHTED ON THIS SLIDE. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WOULD [31:46] ALLOW THE CITY TO REPROPOSE AND USE THE EXISTING CITY-OWNED PROPERTY FOR AN IDENTIFIED CITY [31:51] NEED. THE NEED I WOULD SUBMIT IS A FOUNDATIONAL FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT. AND ONE THAT UNDERPINS ALL THAT WE DO AS A [31:57] REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IT RELOCATES THIS CORE FUNCTION OF THE CITY TO A MORE GEOGRAPHICALLY CENTRAL [32:04] LOCATION. WHICH IMPROVES ACCESS FOR ALL VOTERS. THIS IS FURTHER ENHANCED TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY [32:10] AND ACCESS THE SITE HAS TO MULTIPLE PUBLIC TRANSIT OPTIONS. AND MAJOR TRANSIT CORRIDORS. [32:17] VERY IMPORTANTLY, WOULD ALLOW US TO CONSOLIDATE ALL ELECTION-RELATED FUNCTIONS AND [32:22] OPERATIONS INTO A SINGLE SPACE. AT OUR EXISTING LEASED SPACE, OUR OPERATIONS ARE SPREAD INTO [32:27] THREE SEPARATE FACILITIES ON A SINGLE BUSINESS CAMPUS. WHILE THAT HAS WORKED FOR US IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, IT IS LESS THAN [32:34] IDEAL AND DOES CREATE SOME CHALLENGES. FINALLY, OF COURSE, THE PROJECTED SAVINGS BY CONVERTING FROM LEASED SPACE TO [32:43] CITY-OWNED SPACE. AT IN THE TIME, I'D LIKE TO BRING DIRECTOR O'BRIAN TO THE PODIUM TO ADDRESS [32:49] THE PROJECT TIMELINE SHOWN HERE FOR YOU AS WELL AS VENDOR SELECTION AND THE EXACT SCOPE OF WORK ENCOMPASSED WITHIN THIS [32:55] SPECIFIC STEP IN THE JO OVERALL PROJECT. SHE'LL ADDRESS A UNIQUE FEATURE THAT WAS [33:01] INCORPORATED INTO THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT THAT IS NOT TYPICALLY BUT WE BELIEVE [33:06] ADDRESSES COUNCIL'S INTERESTS. AFTER HER PORTION IS COMPLETED, STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS THE [33:12] COMMITTEE MIGHT HAVE. >> THANK YOU. WELCOME, DIRECTOR. [33:19] >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR. I'M BARBARA [33:24] O'BRIAN. THE DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AS STATED, THE [33:30] RCA IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY IS TO AUTHORIZE THE CONTRACT WITH LSE [33:36] ARCHITECTS FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE [33:41] MINNEAPOLIS DEMOCRACY CENTER, TO BE LOCATED AT 3000 MINNEHAHA [33:46] AVENUE. THE PROCESS FOR BRINGING THIS RCA BEGAN IN 2024A [33:54] REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR DESIGN SERVICES WAS ISSUED BY THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THE PROPOSAL [34:01] SUBMITTAL TIME FRAME FOLLOWED OUR STANDARD PROCESS, AND WAS OPEN FOR SIX WEEKS. ON MARCH [34:09] 14th, 2025, THE SUBMITTAL PROCESS CLOSED. THE CITY RECEIVED EIGHT PROPOSALS IN [34:16] TOTAL. UPON REVIEW, FOUR OF THOSE PROPOSALS WERE SELECTED TO [34:22] ADVANCE. AND INTERVIEWS OF THE FIRMS WERE CONDUCTED TO THOSE FOUR FIRMS. UTILIZING THE [34:30] CITY'S DESIGNER SELECTION PROCESS, THE INTERVIEWS WERE CONCLUDED WITH LSE ARCHITECTS AS [34:37] THIS SELECTED FIRM. UPON APPROVAL OF THE CONTRACT FOR [34:44] DESIGN SERVICES, THE CITY WILL PARTNER WITH LSE ARCHITECTS TO BEGIN THE DESIGN PROCESS WITH A [34:53] KICKOFF PROPOSED IN MAY. THIS WILL BEGIN THE PROGRAMMING AND [34:59] SCHEMATIC PHASE OF THE PROCESS. AS CLERK KARL MENTIONED, THE [35:04] CONTRACT BEFORE YOU DOES HAVE A UNIQUE FEATURE BUILT INTO ITS [35:10] LANGUAGE. TYPICALLY ENGINEERING AND DESIGN CONTRACTS ENCOMPASS THE ENTIRE DESIGN PROCESS AND [35:16] ARE CONDUCTED IN A CONTINUAL PATTERN THROUGH THE ENTIRE -- [35:21] THROUGH ALL OF THE DESIGN PHASES. THE ENTIRE -- SO FROM [35:27] PREDESIGN THROUGH CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION. RECOGNIZING THE [35:32] DISTINCTIVENESS OF THIS CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AND THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY AND THE [35:39] REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS, THIS CONTRACT CALLS FOR A CLEAR STOPPING POINT IN THE DESIGN [35:45] PROCESS. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE, [35:50] PROPERTY SERVICES ALONG WITH -- SO THE CITY CLERK, EVS STAFF, [35:57] AND LSE ARCHITECTS WE'LL RETURN TO ELECTIVE LEADERS TO PROVIDE A [36:02] PRESENTATION ON THE OVERALL DESIGN CONCEPT. THE PRESENTATION WILL DEMONSTRATE [36:09] FUNCTIONAL SPACE LAYOUTS, ALONG WITH THE CORRESPONDING EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS THAT WILL ILLUSTRATE [36:15] THE INTENT OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF THIS BUILDING. BY TAKING [36:21] THIS COURSE COURSE OF ACTION, IT'S OUR INTENT TO SHARE THE PROJECT'S STATUS AND SOLICIT [36:27] FEEDBACK AT A TIME IN THE DESIGN PROCESS WHERE THAT ALLOWS FOR [36:32] INCORPORATION OF INPUT. FOLLOWING THE DESIGN PRESENTATION, ANTICIPATED IN [36:38] AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, THE DESIGN PROCESS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER, WHEN IT IS [36:45] ANTICIPATED THAT CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS WILL BE FINALIZED AND PREPARED FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDDING IN JANUARY OF 2026. AT [36:54] THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT [37:00] FOR LSE ARCHITECTS TO THE PODIUM TO INT INTRODUCE HIS FIRM AND DISCUSS THE APPROACH TO THE [37:06] DESIGN PROCESS THAT HE AND HIS FIRM WILL BE TAKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROPERTY [37:12] SERVICES. >> THANK YOU. WELCOME. [37:21] >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. MADAM CHAIR PALMISANO. [37:30] IS THAT RIGHT? >> SURE. YEAH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS [37:36] MOHAMED LEWALL. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECTURE FOR LSE [37:44] ARCHITECTS WE'RE BASED ON 1301 GLENWOOD AVENUE NO, NORTH [37:51] MINNEAPOLIS. BEFORE I SAY MORE ABOUT OUR FIRM. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I'M GOING ON MY 50th YEAR AS A MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT. OF [38:00] MY 58 YEARS. I RAISED MY FAMILY IN MINNEAPOLIS. AND THIS IS MY [38:06] HOME. I ALSO HAVE LOCATED MY BUSINESS HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS AND NORTH MINNEAPOLIS OVER ON [38:14] GLENWOOD. WE HAVE 50 ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS THAT WORK ON OUR STAFF. WE'RE THE LARGEST [38:19] BLACK-OWNED ARCHITECTURE FIRM IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. BASED HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS. AND WE DO WORK IN OVER 26 STATES. SO WE [38:28] EXPORT OUR EXPERTISE WELL OUTSIDE OF MINNEAPOLIS. THIS [38:43] WOULD BE ONE OF THE HIGHEST HONORS TO WORK ON THE [38:50] MINNEAPOLIS D.C. DEMOCRACY CENTER. WE HAVE DONE QUITE A FEW PROJECTS IN THE AREA. WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE [38:55] AREA. SO WE'RE EXCITED. WHAT [39:14] IS NEEDED, HOW WE CAN TRANSPORT AND REPROPOSE THE 3000 MINNEHAHA [39:19] BUILDING AT THE INTERSECTION OF MINNEHAHA AND LAKE STREET, WHICH YOU KNOW. AND WE WILL WORK WITH [39:27] YOU, COMMUNITY PROPERTY SERVICES TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO REALLY AND TRULY TRANSFORM THE BUILDING SO [39:33] IT BECOMES A BEACON OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND FOR DEMOCRACY. LIKE BARBARA [39:42] SAID, WE'LL BE COMING BACK TO YOU TO PRESENT IN AUGUST. IN [39:48] TERMS OF WHAT THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN PROPOSED DESIGN WILL LOOK LIKE. SO WE CAN HAVE YOUR [39:53] INSIGHT AND INPUT. [40:12] >> FIS F I'LL CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER ELLISON. [40:18] >> I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THIS FOR APPROVAL. WE'LL HAVE OUR DISCUSSION HERE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS SITE [40:25] ABOUT WHAT HAS GONE ON HERE. ABOUT THE HISTORY OF IT. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE DEMOCRACY [40:31] CENTER. I'M SOMEBODY WHO EARLY ON DIDN'T SEE THE ISSUE. I THINK SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES [40:37] WERE -- GAVE ME SOME GOOD FOOD BAFEEDBACK WHY THE [40:42] COMMUNITY MIGHT HAVE SOME PUSHBACK. AND WE HAD THE DEBATE. AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE'RE AT AT POINT WHERE [40:48] I'VE GOT AT LOT OF FAITH IN OUR ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD HERE. I'VE GOT A LOT OF FAITH IN YOUR ORGANIZATION TO DO COMMUNITY [40:55] OUTREACH YOU'VE DONE. YOU HAVE A LONG HISTORY AND YOU'VE DONE SOME WORK AT NORTH HIGH. YOU'VE [41:01] DONE WORK IN, YOU KNOW, SORT OF ACROSS THE CITY. AND I THINK THAT YOU'RE USED TO DEALING -- [41:06] YOU'RE A COMMUNITY -- YOU'RE COMMUNITY ORIENTED. THAT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE WITH LSE. AND SO [41:12] I'M HAPPY TO MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS HERE TODAY. AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN THAT. [41:19] IN MOVING THIS FORWARD WITH APPROVAL. BUT EITHER WAY, I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION FROM STAFF. I APPRECIATE SORT OF THE [41:26] ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE JOURNEY THIS HAS TAKEN. AND, OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW [41:32] LSE TO DO THE WORK THEY'RE SO GOOD AT DOING. I SEE A LOT OF VALUE IN THAT. SO THAT'S ALL. [41:39] THAT'S MY MOTION. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER VETAW. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR [41:46] EVEN APPLYING TO DO THIS PROJECT. AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, [41:54] AROUND THIS TOPIC, THERE WAS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY. AND I WAS ALWAYS THINKING IF ANYBODY WATCHES A COUNCIL MEETING WITH, [42:00] THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO APPLY TO DO THIS WORK. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STEPPING UP! [42:05] AGAIN. YOU'VE STEPPED UP SO MANY TIMES. IN PARTICULAR, ON THE NORTH SIDE. TO DO SOME OF [42:12] THE HARDEST WORK BEFORE US. AND I APPRECIATE SO MUCH. WHEN I SAW YOUR FIRM ON HERE, I WAS [42:18] LIKE, "YES! NORTH SIDE REPRESENT." HERE WE GO AGAIN. SOMETHING REALLY GOOD. A GOOD [42:23] PERSON COMING FROM THE NORTH SIDE. BUT, ALSO, WE KNOW [42:29] COUNCILMEMBER ELLISON AND I WERE UP HERE TALKING ABOUT. WE'RE CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITY TO JUST DO THIS AND, LIKE, DO IT [42:35] RIGHT. TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW HOW TO HAVE THOSE HARD CONVERSATIONS. YOU KNOW HOW TO [42:40] SAY YES AND NO. YOU KNOW HOW TO SAY "NOW IS NO THE TIME BUT THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO." AND THAT'S [42:47] WHAT WE WILL NEED WITH THE PROJECT. AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU STEPPING UP. EVERY TIME I HAVE A CONVERSATION [42:52] WITH YOU, IT'S ABOUT THE FOOTPRINT THAT YOU LEAVE FROM THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS IS JUST [42:58] ANOTHER FOOTPRINT. AND I THINK THIS MIGHT BE THE GREATEST ONE [43:03] YET! MAYBE THE WEBER PARK LIBRARY IS. I MISSPOKE WHEN I SAID THAT. BUT THIS IS A GOOD [43:08] PART OF THAT FOOTPRINT AND LEGACY THAT YOU'RE LEAVING FOR US AND GENERATIONS TO COME IN MINNEAPOLIS. SO THANK YOU SO [43:17] MUCH. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER VETAW, DID YOU WANT TO THE SECOND THE MOTION? >> SECOND. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER [43:23] DISCUSSION FROM MY COLLEAGUES? SEEING NONE. I THINK WE CAN DO A VOICE VOTE, UNLESS YOU WANT A [43:29] ROLL CALL. WE'LL DO A VOICE VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING [43:35] AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. [43:40] >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE CONCLUDED ALL BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE TODAY. SO WITHOUT [43:47] OBJECTIONS, WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU EVERYONE.