City Of Minneapolis: City Council Confirms Margaret Anderson Kelliher As Director Of City's Public Works Department

Press release from the City of Minneapolis:

February 10, 2022

The City Council has approved Mayor Jacob Frey’s nomination of Margaret Anderson Kelliher as the new director of the Public Works Department for a four-year term. Anderson Kelliher has served as the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) since 2019.

Anderson Kelliher will begin her new role with Public Works on March 2, overseeing a department with approximately 1,100 employees that build, operate and maintain the City’s public infrastructure and deliver critical services, such as solid waste and recycling collection, safe drinking water, street maintenance and emergency sewer and road repairs.

In addition to serving as MnDOT commissioner, Anderson Kelliher served 12 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, including as the Minnesota House Speaker for four years. While House Speaker, she oversaw passage of the transportation and transit funding package in 2008 – a groundbreaking investment in the state’s multimodal transportation and transit system.

“I want to thank Mayor Frey and the members of the Minneapolis City Council for their votes of confirmation,” said Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “This is an exciting time in our country, state and city for renewed investment in infrastructure. I am excited to lead and help residents of Minneapolis deliver high quality services and modern and future-focused transportation and water systems.” 

“I am thrilled to have Margaret Anderson Kelliher taking the helm of our City’s largest department at such an important time for Minneapolis,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Her well-earned reputation for leadership will help our local government steer historic levels of federal funding toward creating a stronger, more inclusive transit system. I am confident that she will be a driving force behind meaningful climate action and strengthening our city’s resilience and core infrastructure.” 

“I’m really excited for Margaret Anderson Kelliher to join the City. I admire her collaborative leadership style, thoughtfulness, and remarkable record of public service,” said City Council Member Andrew Johnson, chair of the Council’s Public Works & Infrastructure Committee. “To have someone with a proven track record as a policy leader, bridge builder and problem solver will be a tremendous asset for the City.”

This press release was produced by the City of Minneapolis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.