Metropolitan Council approves 2026 budget amendment, tree-planting NOFA and Green Line change order

The Metropolitan Council on June 24 approved multiple business items including a second-quarter amendment to the 2026 unified budget, a notice of funding availability for a community tree planting grant program, and a change order for the Metro Green Line Extension contract.

Budget amendment: Council Member John Pacheco presented business item 2026-78, a second-quarter amendment to the 2026 unified budget. The amendment adds 3.5 full-time equivalent positions in regional administration (enterprise risk and compliance, enterprise content management), funds for the Office of Civil Rights and small business programs, and state funding additions—$3.7 million for the Bring It Home rental assistance program. In the capital program the amendment adds $8 million to community development and parks equity grants, and the staff report noted $50 million in federal funding for the Green Line Extension and $7 million in federal funding for Franklin LRT station renovation. The Council moved, seconded and approved the amendment by roll-call vote.

Tree-planting grant NOFA: Council Member Robert Lilligrin presented business item 2026-86, the Notice of Funding Availability for the community tree planting grant program. The program, created by 2024 state legislation, prioritizes replacing hazardous ash trees and projects in higher-vulnerability areas. The Council cited a new state appropriation totaling $6.9 million and authorized issuing the 2026 NOFA (with staff proposing two distribution rounds: up to $3.4 million in 2026 and $3.5 million in 2027). The motion was approved by voice vote.

Green Line Extension contract change order: Council Member Reva Chamblas presented business item 2026-107 requesting authorization for a change order to contract 17P0000 with Aldridge/Aldrich Parsons Joint Venture (APJV) to resolve costs tied to civil construction delays and to provide systems maintenance. The staff presentation said the change order addresses claims from civil construction delays, that funds are available within the project's $2.86 billion budget, and that the Council would increase aggregate change-order authority by $18 million (resulting in approximately $100.88 million cumulative authority and an expected remaining balance of $9.6 million after execution). The motion to approve the change order and additional authority carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion: Authorize 2026 unified budget as amended (Business item 2026-78) — Outcome: Approved (roll-call).
- Motion: Issue 2026 NOFA for community tree planting grant program (Business item 2026-86) — Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Motion: Approve change order and increase change-order authority for contract 17P0000 with APJV (Business item 2026-107) — Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

Why it matters: The budget and contract actions release funds and authorities needed to advance capital projects, including the Green Line Extension, and expand grant opportunities for urban tree planting across the region.

What’s next: The budget amendment and contract authorization allow project and grant work to proceed under the terms described in meeting materials; the Council said staff will follow up with implementation and reporting as required.