HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.05.12 CCP STUDYCOUNCIL STUDY SESSION
MEETING
City Hall Council Chambers
May 12, 2025
AGENDA
1. Call to Order - 6:00 p.m.
2. Council Miscellaneous Discussion Items
a. A Resolution Urging the Minnesota Department of Transportation to Formally
Reinstate Environmental Justice Considerations in the Highway 252/I-94
Project
3. City Manager Miscellaneous Discussion Items
4. Adjournment
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Member introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. _______________
A RESOLUTION URGING THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO FORMALLY REINSTATE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE CONSIDERATIONS IN THE HIGHWAY 252/I-94 PROJECT, AND
ALL OTHER TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE OF
MINNESOTA, THROUGH ADOPTION OF AN INTERIM GUIDELINE
BASED ON FORMER FEDERAL STANDARDS
WHEREAS, the Highway 252/I-94 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process
is one of the most significant infrastructure efforts impacting the City of Brooklyn Center and its
residents, particularly those communities historically burdened by environmental and
transportation-related inequities; and
WHEREAS, MnDOT has recently removed Environmental Justice as a formal
evaluation criterion in the EIS process, following the rescission of related federal executive orders
by the current federal administration; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota currently lacks a state-specific Environmental Justice
policy framework that would otherwise provide guidance and accountability in the absence of
federal standards; and
WHEREAS, MnDOT has verbally stated that equity and health will remain part of
its project considerations, but has not issued any formal or written policy to ensure that these values
are consistently applied; and
WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center recognizes that developing a
comprehensive Minnesota-specific Environmental Justice framework will take time, but that
urgent interim action is necessary to restore public trust and uphold the commitments made to
impacted communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA:
1. That the City of Brooklyn Center urges the Minnesota Department of Transportation to
formally adopt the former federal Environmental Justice guidelines as an interim
administrative policy for the Highway 252/I-94 project and all other active transportation
projects across the state;
2. That the City requests MnDOT to issue a publicly accessible memorandum or addendum
outlining how equity and health will continue to guide project decisions during the EIS
process, using the interim Environmental Justice criteria;
3. That the City of Brooklyn Center reaffirms its commitment to advancing racial equity,
public health, and environmental justice in infrastructure planning, and encourages
MnDOT to do the same through transparent, accountable practice;
4. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of Transportation, the
Governor of Minnesota, and members of the Minnesota Legislature responsible for
transportation, environment, and equity policy.
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RESOLUTION NO. _______________
Date Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
and the following voted against the same:
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
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