Scott Benson

With the announcement that two-term City Council member Scott Benson would be retiring later this year, Minneapolis’ southernmost ward became one of only three in the city to have open seats. Three candidates — two DFLers and one Republican — are vying to represent Ward Eleven, which encompasses much of the Diamond Lake area.

As Minneapolis City Council Member Paul Ostrow observed this afternoon, using a committee meeting to debate break room sink policy might expose the City Council to “some amusing media coverage.” And here, we attempt to deliver:

The Minneapolis City Council’s Health, Energy and Environment committee passed a resolution (pdf) today that scolds council members to stop [...]

TODAY AT CITY HALL: The Minneapolis City Council buys 3,000 to 4,000 disposable coffee cups each year. Council Member Scott Benson wants the council to start using ceramic mugs instead. The throw-away cups cost the city less than $500 a year, but they generate a lot of trash. The coating that holds in hot liquids [...]