StoryMinneapolis Vision Zero Action Plan 2026-2030August 21, 2026

Minneapolis Adopts Ambitious Vision Zero Plan to Eradicate Traffic Fatalities

The City Council approved the 2026-2030 action plan, reinforcing its commitment to traffic safety and innovative enforcement measures.

Published Sep 30, 2026

Minneapolis reaffirmed its commitment to road safety on Monday, June 16, 2025, when the City Council's Budget Committee formally adopted the 2026-2030 Minneapolis Vision Zero Action Plan. This crucial five-year framework outlines a renewed strategy aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on the city's streets, marking a significant milestone in the city's ongoing efforts to create a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The adoption followed a comprehensive discussion about the plan's objectives and the innovative tools to be deployed in achieving its ambitious goals.

The newly adopted plan outlines specific policy goals and priorities designed to foster a safer transportation environment. Antonio Rosel, Vision Zero Program Coordinator, highlighted Minneapolis's prominent role in this national movement, emphasizing the city's dedication to leading by example in traffic safety.

Vision Zero is the tool that we use to address those and reduce those towards zero. Vision Zero is an action, a set of policies that the city of Minneapolis is a leader in nationwide.
— Antonio Rosel, Vision Zero Program Coordinator

Innovative Approaches to Enforcement

A notable component of the action plan includes the continuation and potential expansion of pilot programs, such as automated speed and red-light enforcement cameras. These technologies are intended to enhance compliance with traffic laws and reduce dangerous driving behaviors. Transportation Planning Manager Ethan Folly addressed public concerns regarding the privacy and integrity of such automated systems during the committee meeting.

Other Topics from This Document

Nicollet Avenue Public Restroom Funding
Central Avenue Reconstruction and Metro Fline Bus Rapid Transit
Climate Equity Action Plan Background and Overview
Sidewalk Snow and Ice Pilot Program Update

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Votes (5)

Passage of resolution returning Nicollet A public restroom funding for the uh from the general fund to the value capture fund.

Approved

Moved by Vice Chair Stevenson [0:08:24]

Council Member Chowry questioned the implications of returning the Nicollet Avenue public restroom funding to the value capture fund, expressing concern that without specific direction, it might not be exclusively used for restrooms. Staff, including Kathleen Male and Tim Sexton, clarified that the move was an administrative decision to protect the $700,000 annual allocation from potential diversion within the general fund, reaffirming the city's commitment to using it for public restrooms, despite procurement challenges causing delays in the current year.

Public Hearing reflected in item one on the agenda (Central Avenue Reconstruction).

Approved

Moved by Vice Chair Stevenson [0:17:39]

Peter Bennett presented the Central Avenue reconstruction project, detailing the full roadway and public space overhaul, Metro Fline BRT integration, and key features like a 4-to-3 lane conversion and protected bikeways. Public testimony included appreciation from John Danelik (Ideal Diner) for collaborative design to maintain business access. However, Paul Manard (representing local businesses) and Nancy Syndican (Cynic Investments) voiced strong opposition to the planned elimination of 14 street parking spaces, citing severe negative impacts on customer access, commercial vitality, property values, and previous business declines due to parking reductions.

Receiving the 2026 to 2030 Minneapolis Vision Zero action plan and passage of resolution adopting the policy goals and priorities in the plan.

Approved

Moved by Vice Chair Stevenson [0:29:41]

Antonio Rosel presented the Vision Zero Action Plan, highlighting efforts to reduce traffic casualties and focusing on high-injury streets, speed reduction through street design, and the traffic safety camera pilot. Council Member Chowry praised existing traffic calming, urged Public Works to collaborate with Hennepin County on dangerous corridors, and requested clarification on camera data privacy. Ethan Folly, the pilot manager, extensively detailed the cameras' non-surveillance nature, stating they are not Flock cameras, only record violations, blur identifiable data, and do not share information with MPD, addressing concerns about privacy and accountability.

Climate Equity Action Plan background and overview.

Report received and filed

Dissent: Vice Chair Stevenson voiced strong concern about potential budget cuts to climate programs contradicting prior commitments.

Patrick Hanland presented the city's climate funding structure, noting total estimated 2026 revenue from franchise fees and pollution control registrations at $21.6 million, with budgeted spending around $18.7 million. He clarified that all funds go into the general fund, not dedicated accounts. Vice Chair Stevenson raised strong concerns about a proposed $3.6-3.7 million cut in the 2027 budget for climate programs, particularly environmental justice weatherization. Stevenson highlighted that this cut goes against the city's promise to offset higher utility bills for low-income residents with increased weatherization investments, effectively breaking a commitment to constituents.

Receiving and filing the 2025 2026 update for the sidewalk, snow, and ice pilot.

Report received and filed

Ethan Van Offlin presented the outcomes of the second winter season of sidewalk snow and ice pilot programs. The report revealed a 96% citywide compliance rate for sidewalk clearing, but identified repeat offenders as a significant challenge. The 'Neighborhood Snow Patrol' was highlighted as the most cost-effective program for assisting residents in need. The 311 complaint-to-clearing process can take over seven days, prompting discussion on expediting enforcement, possibly through on-site stickers instead of mailed letters. The 'Snow Ambassador' program was impacted by staff reassignment during 'Operation Metro Surge'. It was clarified that Metro Transit is not responsible for clearing unsheltered bus stops.

Notable Quotes (17)

As staff, we've been looking at how to fulfill the requirements of the budget amendment and been in touch with many different cities around the US who have different public restrooms. There are limited number of vendors who are able to um meet all the different requirements as outlined in the amendment and then looking at procurement for these restrooms. it takes time to fabricate as well as secure um enough of a target market I guess I'll say for it to make it worthwhile for the vendors to come to a new market and so we are um in conversations with partners other agencies um in the area to see if there is um ability to kind of partner in scale of these restrooms...
— Kathleen Male, Director of Transportation Planning and Programming and Public Works [0:05:08]

Passage of resolution returning Nicollet A public restroom funding for the uh from the general fund to the value capture fund.

My understanding is that we uh I'm not exactly sure why they were these funds were originally transferred to the general fund, but we moving forward we can use we can charge directly to the value capture fund. The intention is to continue to use the 700,000 per year for the restrooms. So, this is an administrative change um to preserve the ability to have that funding available for the restrooms. Otherwise, if the funding is in the general fund, um there is less there's more chance there's a greater chance that it could be used for something else.
— Tim Sexton, Public Works Director [0:06:50]

Passage of resolution returning Nicollet A public restroom funding for the uh from the general fund to the value capture fund.

Great. As long as we're still going to work on those public restrooms, that's amazing.
— Council Member Chowry [0:08:14]

Ordinances & Resolutions (9)

RCA 202600952Permit

Approving the block event permit for the University of Minnesota Department of Public Safety Welcome back event.

Resolution designating the North Side Greenway phase 2 project and authorizing temporary construction easements for said projectResolution

Designation of a project and authorization of easements.

Resolution returning Nicollet A public restroom funding for the from the general fund to the value capture fundResolution

Administrative change to preserve funding for public restrooms.

2026 to 2030 Minneapolis Vision Zero action planPlan

An updated plan outlining policy goals and priorities to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Resolution adopting the policy goals and priorities in the planResolution

Official adoption of the Vision Zero Action Plan.

2023 municipal snow clearing analysis

THE MINNEAPOLIS RECORDER

Minneapolis Adopts Ambitious Vision Zero Plan to Eradicate Traffic Fatalities

Innovative Approaches to Enforcement

Other Topics from This Document

Nicollet Avenue Public Restroom Funding

Central Avenue Reconstruction and Metro Fline Bus Rapid Transit

Climate Equity Action Plan Background and Overview

Sidewalk Snow and Ice Pilot Program Update

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Votes (5)

Notable Quotes (17)

Ordinances & Resolutions (9)

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