Public hearings

Special assessments for capital improvements are approved at public hearings. The City Council approves special assessments for Public Works improvements after a public hearing.

Currently, the City Council Climate & Infrastructure (CI) Committee holds the public hearings.
Learn more about the Climate & Infrastructure Committee

Special Assessments

The city council or a council committee follows Article IX, Section 9.6(c)1 of the City Charter to approve special assessments. They will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed improvement and special assessments.

The assessment rolls are listed at the Minneapolis Public Works Special Assessment Office, and can be viewed electronically by submitting an email request to PWSpecialAssessments@minneapolismn.gov.

The committee may adopt the proposed assessments at the public hearing and recommend them to the City Council for approval.

You do not have to attend the in-person public hearing. You can send your objections or comments in writing. To do this, send your written objection or statement to arrive before the public hearing to:
Email: councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov
Mail: Minneapolis City Clerk’s Office, C/O C&I Committee Coordinator, 350 S. Fifth St., Room 304, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1382

The committee will consider all objections and statements that arrive on time.

Notice of Public Hearing

A notice about the public hearing will be published in the city’s official newspaper at least 21 days before the hearing. It will also be mailed at least 14 days before the hearing to the owners of the properties that will be assessed, as shown on the list provided by the city engineer.

The public hearing is your formal opportunity to speak publicly and be heard by City Council Members.  If the notice of public hearing is for a street paving project, it might also include an invitation to a less formal informational meeting.  The informational meetings are an opportunity to learn about the project and the assessment process and get your questions answered.

The notice of public hearing mailed to property owners will also include the amount of the proposed assessment. It will also state that if the property owner is unhappy with the assessment after it is adopted by the city council, they may appeal to the district court according to Section Chapter 24, Article III, Section 24.120 of City Ordinance.

Additionally, the notice must say that no appeal can be made about the amount of the assessment unless a written objection, signed by the property owner, is filed with the clerk before the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing.

Appeal Information

Filing an appeal follows certain laws and rules. File appeals according to  Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Section 24.120 . We cannot give legal advice, so if you need help with an appeal, please contact an attorney.