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District 4,
This week, our peers on the jury delivered a verdict that declares and affirms the morally reprehensible violence we saw enacted on our community member George Floyd as murder. Though this is the outcome we wanted to see from this case, I fear that more community members will be harmed by police if we do not make meaningful changes in the manner and frequency of policing in our neighborhoods. Many of us know that what happened to George Floyd was not an anomaly, it was just recorded.
I am grateful to all of you who stood firm and resilient for the past year as we waited for this measure of justice; organizers, activists, and neighbors. I especially want to hold space for our neighbors who witnessed this crime against humanity, the pain they have endured and their courage.
This is the first step. Derek Chauvin’s sentence is just as much a part of justice as the verdict. The life of Brother Floyd was taken in our District. We will continue to call out and root out the policies and practices in policing that took him and so many others in our community.
My commitment to centering the well-being of our residents remains steadfast.
Be well and Happy Earth Day today!
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While the rollout of safe and effective vaccines brings hope, we need to stay the course: mask up, keep your distance, wash your hands, stay home if sick. Take care of each other.
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 Sign up in Hennepin County’s new vaccine registration system
Hennepin County is offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to people who register and meet current eligibility guidelines. Vaccine clinics are by appointment only. No walk-ins accepted.
Upcoming vaccine clinics:
Register for the vaccine
You do not need to be a Hennepin County resident to register.
Once signed up, you will be contacted to make an appointment when you meet eligibility guidelines and we have availability for you.
Registering for Hennepin County's vaccine program does not make you ineligible to sign up for other vaccine tools, including Minnesota's Vaccine Connector.
Testing is still important
Vaccines are here and they are saving lives. As supply increases, it'll become easier to get a shot. Until then, COVID testing is still important to help limit the spread.
Get tested if you have symptoms or if you think you've been exposed. Bit.ly/32SKDRd
All three vaccines are safe and effective
The Moderna, Pfizer, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines for COVID-19 have all be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and deemed safe and effective.
The best vaccine is the one you can get - as soon as you can get it. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines: hennepin.us/vaccinefaq
Hennepin County human services centers are currently closed to the public due to the pandemic, but essential services are still available virtually.
A new statewide COVID-19 emergency rental assistance portal is expected to open soon.
In two weeks, (who is “we” - Hennepin County? Might want to say that since the first sentence is about a statewide portal) received 3,737 applications, showing the level of urgent need in our community. The county and City of Minneapolis are providing more staff and resources to process applications as quickly as possible.
Each year, hundreds of children in Hennepin County are found to have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health. No level of lead exposure is safe, and lead poisoning is 100% preventable.
If your home was built before 1978, you may be eligible for free home lead tests and up to $12,000 to fix lead paint hazards. Safety measures are in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during home visits. Learn about funding assistance.
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Share your voice and help shape policy: apply for a citizen advisory board
Beginning April 1, Hennepin County is accepting applications for citizen advisory board vacancies:
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Community Action Partnership (CAP) – one local elected official position
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Lower Minnesota River Watershed District Board – one at-large position
Hennepin County businesses impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to receive one-on-one business consulting and technical assistance, including:
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COVID-19 protocols
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Employment law
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Insurance policy review
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Virtual employee engagement and retention
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Social media, website and e-commerce
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Financial analysis
New county minimum wage
Addressing racial disparities in employment and business
A board-approved contract with Fearless Commerce and Activate Network will help increase employment and business opportunities for people of color. Read more in this news release.
Help shape plans for housing and community development in Hennepin County
Each year, Hennepin County and suburban cities work together to develop an annual action plan to implement priorities for housing, land use and community development.
The 2021 housing and community development action plan identifies the proposed use of $5.2 million of federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, including funding priorities, projects, activities and outcomes through three federal programs managed by Hennepin County:
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Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
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HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)
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Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
You’re invited to participate in a shared, focused reading experience on themes of race, racism, and antiracism. Learn how to participate.
 Proposals are being accepted now for Green Partners grants. This program provides funding and support to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and take environmentally friendly actions.
 Watch here as Commissioner Conley shares about the need for shelter and affordable housing; she also talks about her own experience with housing instability which drives her leadership on the Board.
Watch District 4 Commissioner Angela Conley and other National County Leaders in a conversation about resources to support housing for all residents during the pandemic.
The City of Minneapolis will reconstruct 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and 4th Ave. S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees and planting beds. Utility work and roadway construction are underway and are expected to be complete by the end of 2022.
- Crews will be removing trees and other miscellaneous items this week and will begin roadway pavement removal next week between Hennepin Ave. and 2nd Ave. S.
- Starting April 12, the intersection at 4th St. and Hennepin Ave. will be closed to through traffic. During construction, through traffic will be detoured to Washington Ave. and local access will be maintained (see 4th St. Construction Newsletter for detour and access maps)
- Xcel Energy utility work continues between 2nd Ave. S. and 3rd Ave. S. Utility work in this block is anticipated to be complete by mid-June.
View the 4th St. Reconstruction Newsletter.
Visit the project website and sign-up for updates: minneapolismn.gov/4thStreet
Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com
Contact the project hotline with questions, comments or concerns: 612-412-9774
 Earth Day Celebration!
3641 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Public · Anyone on or off Facebook
Join us for an Earth Day Celebration at George Floyd Square featuring performances from local artists and organizers! It will be festive, fun, and full of love as we honor our community during this monumental week.
There will be tamales (yum!) and local justice organizations sharing meaningful resources for all. The Free Food Market will also be open for those who need meals back home. Plus, crafts and gardening activities for kids! Bring an open heart— we look forward to celebrating our sacred earth together.
This event is jointly hosted by COPAL, East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI), and George Floyd Square (GFS)! We are local, grassroots groups fighting for racial and environmental justice in Minneapolis. GFS is an autonomous zone, occupied by the people in pursuit of Black liberation. If you’d like to further support our efforts, please venmo mutual aid to @marciahoward38thstreet. Your contribution will go towards food, firewood, safety training, and other needs at George Floyd Square. Thank you for the love!
Lastly, in light of Earth Day, it is imperative to recognize that we stand on the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of the Dakota. This land holds immense historical, spiritual, and personal significance for its original stewards: the Native nations and peoples of this region. We recognize this truth and advocate for the sovereignty of the Native nations in this territory and beyond.
Spanish:
¡Únase a nosotros para una celebración del Día de la Tierra en George Floyd Square con artistas y organizadores locales! Será festivo, divertido y lleno de amor mientras que honramos a nuestra comunidad durante esta semana monumental.
Habrá tamales (¡mmm!) Y organizaciones de justicia locales que compartirán recursos significativos para todos. El mercado de despensas gratuitas también estará abierto para los que lo necesitan. Además, ¡manualidades y actividades de jardinería para niños! Traiga un corazón abierto: esperamos celebrar juntos nuestra tierra sagrada.
Este evento es organizado conjuntamente por COPAL, East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) y George Floyd Square. Somos grupos de base locales que luchan por la justicia racial y ambiental en Minneapolis. Si desea seguir apoyando nuestros esfuerzos, por favor manden donaciones al venmo @marciahoward38thstreet. Su donación se destinará a alimentos, leña, capacitaciones de seguridad y otras necesidades en George Floyd Square. ¡Gracias por su continuo activismo y amor!
Por último, para el día de la tierra es imprescindible reconocer que estamos en las tierras tradicionales, ancestrales y contemporáneas del pueblo Dakota y Anishinaabeg. Esta tierra tiene un inmenso significado histórico, espiritual y personal para sus administradores originales: las naciones nativas y los pueblos de esta región. Reconocemos esta verdad y abogamos por la soberanía de las naciones nativas en este territorio y más allá.
Thursday April 22nd - 5 PM CDT
43–63°F Mostly Sunny
84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN
We are committed to cultivating intersections between performing arts and education for the benefit of all participants now and for generations to come.
Earth Day Cleanup: Marcy-Holmes
Father Hennepin Park
Saturday, March 24th at 9:30 AM CDT – 12 PM CDT
32–50°F Scattered Clouds
Earth Day Cleanup in Father Hennepin Park. Meet in the park near the corner of Main Street SE and 6th Avenue SE.
Bags, gloves and refreshments provided.
Contact us
Angela Conley
Commissioner, 4th District
Binta Kanteh
Policy Director
612-348-5204
Shanese Reed
District Outreach and Scheduler
612-348-3204
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