City Council Work Session - 10 Nov 2026

The City of Burnsville City Council work session on November 11, 2026, reviewed draft 2027 legislative priorities, a transit-oriented development sign-code amendment, and Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) programs. The council supported staff’s proposed process for responding during the legislative session to issues consistent with council direction, and staff will bring the draft agenda back for adoption before briefing legislators. Priorities include seeking state support for water-treatment resiliency and the Highway 13 corridor; the city said it had secured funding for water treatment plants and the Highway 13/Nicollet Avenue mobility project in the prior cycle. The council also directed staff to proceed with drafting an amendment allowing building-wall signs above the existing TOD sign band, without extending above rooflines, and to examine additional sign types. No formal contract awards or spending votes were reported.

Staff proposed keeping the 2027 allocation for existing housing programs at $1.1 million while reducing homeowner-rehabilitation funding from $300,000 to $100,000 and increasing down-payment assistance from $200,000 to $400,000, reflecting strong demand for that program. Staff also sought direction to develop three additional programs—not final funding approvals—including up to $240,000 annually in grants for manufactured-home repairs, $200,000 annually for services at high-need apartment complexes, and $500,000 annually to deepen affordability in selected new units. Council members broadly supported the program changes and development work, requested stronger outreach and translated materials, and asked staff to explore a possible future safe-parking program. Roundtable updates included an RFP for lobbying representation by the I-35 Solutions Alliance, a separate Municipal Legislative Commission RFP for a lobbying partner, and ongoing work on an MVTA drivers and maintenance contract; no selections or awards were announced.