Former Minneapolis City Council Member Barret Lane won committee approval for his appointment as the city’s next director of emergency management. Lane has been serving as the interim manager of Emergency Services.
Mayor R.T. Rybak cited Lane’s “broad range of education and experience” in nominating him. Lane has a bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College and a juris doctor degree from the University of Minnesota.
Lane has also received extensive formal training in emergency management during the past 10 years and was part of the response team during the I-35W Bridge collapse and during the Republican National Convention.
“He gets emergency management at the grass-roots level,” said Kristi Rollwagen, director of emergency management for the Twin Cities Airport during a public hearing before the City Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Health Committee.
Lane served six years on the City Council, representing the 13th ward in the southwest corner of the city.
“He has been an inspiration to me as a leader,” said Council Member Betsy Hodges, who currently represents the 13th ward. “I couldn’t speak more highly of his character.”
“We owe you thanks as we welcome you,” said Council Member Don Samuels, who chairs the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Health Committee. Samuels also praised Lane for his “passion” for emergency management and his “objectivity.”
“It’s really good to be back,” said Lane after the committee voted unanimously to forward his nomination to the full council.