Intergovernmental Relations
Our people
Programs and divisions
Mission and goals
The mission of Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) is to identify and develop relationships with local, regional, tribal, state, and federal governments to pursue and protect the interests of the city, its residents, and businesses. IGR monitors state and federal government activities, develops legislative programming approved by the City Council and Mayor, manages the City's federal and state consultants, and coordinates legislative activities with other public and private-sector entities. In coordination with City departments, the staff performs several intergovernmental relations functions.
In order to carry out this mission the Intergovernmental Relations office has the following goals:
- The City’s needs are understood and advanced at a federal level. IGR advocates for legislative and administrative policies on behalf of the City to the Congress and federal agencies. The work in Washington, D.C., is collaboratively administered through a firm whose contract is administered by IGR locally. The firm's work is guided by the city's Federal Agenda, which the City Council and Mayor adopted.
- Effective relationships are maintained with Legislators and State government to successfully advocate for city priorities. IGR works with the Minnesota legislature, executive branches, and state agencies to foster amicable relationships that promote Minneapolis' city government policies and goals. A legislative agenda and policy positions on numerous public policy issues are adopted annually by the City Council and Mayor. This program is responsible for liaising with state agencies, other local government units, partner associations, and outside organizations to further City goals and objectives.
- Partnerships are maintained with regional bodies to ensure a city voice in regional decision-making, and impacts. IGR represents the interests of the City of Minneapolis at the Metropolitan Council and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) through participation in various workgroups, meetings, public comment submissions, and lends support to the City Council and Mayor.
- The city enterprise is supported by the advice and support of the department. IGR supports city staff on policy initiatives that impact the City's federal and state legislative agenda priorities and provides policy planning assistance on issues identified by the City Council and Mayor. IGR provides support to city enterprise policy initiatives that address the City's federal or state legislative agenda priorities and provides policy planning assistance.
Services provided
IGR provides a variety of services depending on the type of function. Through the Federal Relations function, IGR serves as the City's liaison to the Congress; assists in the development of the federal legislative agenda with the City Council and Mayor; communicates federal related information to city officials, Mayor, and city staff; facilitates meetings with Washington-based federal elected officials and staff; and consults on city grant applications for federal assistance and proposed federal regulation.
Under the State Government function, IGR informs city staff on Minnesota's legislative process, including on legislation that could impact their respective areas of work; prepares the state legislative agenda; publishes a legislative newsletter; assists elected city officials and staff at legislative meetings; drafts legislation and supporting documents; advocates for the City's position on relevant legislation; provides information to state lawmakers regarding the impact of legislation on the City; and maintains communication with state agencies and other public-private partners.
Services rendered under the Regional Relationships and Partnerships function include working with city officials and staff to develop responses to and recommendations for regional development policies and programs. IGR aids city officials and staff by reviewing Metropolitan Council and MAC policies and plans, monitoring Metropolitan Council and MAC meetings, serving on workgroups, and staffing the City's Airport Working Group. Program staff also serve on policy committees of the Metro Cities organization.
Through the Enterprise Support Function, IGR provides policy research, leads workgroups, drafts reports, and makes presentations on issues identified by city officials. IGR participates in guiding the Community Action Agency's reorganization and participates in COVID-19 response and planning, housing and homelessness prevention initiatives, and several other City initiatives.
Race equity impacts
IGR assists in ushering legislation at the federal, state, and local levels that reduce disparities and seek to diminish or eliminate future harm to communities of color and under-resourced communities. Most recently, IGR played a crucial role in informing policymakers on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Minneapolis residents and business owners and lobbied for passage of several coronavirus response packages from the White House and Congress. Locally, IGR engaged with legislators, the Governor's office, and state leaders on public safety reform, rebuilding after the civil unrest, and lobbying for resources at all levels of government to increase affordable housing production, supportive services, and shelter expansion and access. IGR approaches all City policies and programs through the lens of racial equity and champions strategies that prevent and eliminate disparities in public policy and public investments.
Intergovernmental Relations
Expense and revenue information
General Fund expenses
Special Revenue Fund expenses
Special Revenue Fund revenues
Intergovernmental Relations
Expense and revenue visualizations
Intergovernmental Relations
Staffing information
2023 and 2024 staffing levels reflect the administrative addition of a Seasonal Legislative Aide using department non-personnel funds.
See detailed information on department staffing in Schedule 5.