They disagree on whether the Vikings stadium should be built, but a coalition of city council members want minority hiring goals and $30 million for job training factored into the final deal.
Eight council members signed onto a letter Wednesday to mayor R.T. Rybak and Council President Barb Johnson, urging them to address racial disparities in stadium negotiations. The co-authors include four opponents of the mayor's stadium plan, two supportive members and two undecided members.
Their hiring objectives were devised by the HIRE Minnesota Coalition. They include hiring 25 percent minority workers for stadium construction jobs, offering 30 percent of non-construction jobs to communities with high employment disparities, and pledging $1 million a year for 30 years for job training and placement programs.
"While the signatories below may have differing views on stadium financing, we agree on one thing: A Vikings Stadium, if approved and built in Minneapolis, must have benefits for local residents and address racial disparities in employment," they wrote.
The letter was authored by council members Kevin Reich, Cam Gordon, Diane Hofstede, Robert Lilligren, Elizabeth Glidden, Meg Tuthill, John Quincy and Betsy Hodges.
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