01-08-2025 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

HED-19 CITY ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT •Programs and projects that improve broadband adoption, achieve significantly higher broadband speeds, and support efforts to improve digital inclusion by ensuring that robust and affordable Internet connectivity is widely available to all Minnesotans. •Municipal authority and encouragement of local governments to play a direct role in providing broadband service. The state should clarify that cities have the authority to partner with private entities to finance broadband infrastructure using city bonding authority; •Local authority to manage and protect public rights-of-way including public and private infrastructure, to zone, to collect compensation for the use of public assets, or to work cooperatively with and respond to applications from the private sector. Cities may exercise local authority over zoning and land-use decisions for siting, upgrading, or altering wireless service facilities and exercise regulations of structures in the public right-of-way; and •Public-private collaborations that support broadband infrastructure and services at the local and regional level, including partnerships and cooperation in providing last- mile connections. Historically, cities have played a major role in environmental protection, particularly in water quality. Through the construction and operation of wastewater treatment and storm water management systems, cities are a leader in protecting the surface water of the state. In recent years, increased emphasis has been placed on protecting ground water and removing impairments from storm water. In addition, there is increased emphasis on city participation in controlling our carbon footprint and in promoting green development. Metro Cities supports public and private environmental protection efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to further protect surface and ground water. Metro Cities also supports “green” design and construction techniques to the extent that those techniques have been thoroughly tested and are truly environmentally beneficial, economically sustainable and represent sound building practices. Metro Cities supports additional, feasible environmental protection with adequate funding and incentives to comply. Metro Cities supports state funding for municipal renewable energy objectives. Metro Cities supports sustained state funding for new and existing programs that support local climate action planning, climate resiliency, climate related infrastructure projects including funding and technical support for local level public-private planning initiatives that address climate resiliency issues that impact economic viability in the metropolitan area at a local and regional level. Green jobs represent employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that are part of the green economy, as defined in Minn. Stat. § 116J.437, including the four industry sectors of green products, renewable energy, green services and environmental conservation. 58