Minneapolis Connects: April 2016

Minneapolis Connects: News and information from Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations

April 2016

Thanks to everyone who attended!

Community Connections Conference banner
Community Connections 2016 photo collage

Over 550 people and 50 exhibitors attended the 4th annual Community Connections Conference on Saturday, April 2nd. Attendees participated in discussions around the conference theme - Big Ideas: Your Minneapolis. The conference also served as the kick-off for Minneapolis 2040, a three-year planning process for updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Watch for a final conference report coming soon! 

Applicants sought for Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission districts 2, 4, 6 and 8

This year, Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC) seats from neighborhood districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 are up for election through the neighborhood election process. The deadline for applications is May 13thIn addition, one (1) Mayoral and two (2) City Council positions are up for appointment through the City’s appointment process.

Visit the website for additional details, including the election process and candidate applications.  

Meet a Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commissioner: Antoine Martinneau


District 7 Representative

Term: 1st two-year term

Ward: 9

Neighborhood: Central

Sub-Committees:  Neighborhoods 2020

Antoine Martinneau

Antoine is a lifelong Twin Cities resident. He has been working with grassroots social justice organizations on a range of issues from voter education to housing advocacy since 2012. He currently serves as Executive Director of CANDO - the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization, the neighborhood association for the area where he lives.

How long have you been active in your community and what made you get involved in community work?

I’ve been involved with grassroots organizing in Minneapolis and across the state as an activist and organizer since 2012. I wanted to be a part of work that positively impacts economic stability and prosperity for a broad range of people.

What do you like most about your neighborhood or community?

I love the passion that people in my community have for projects that not only improve the lives of a few individuals, but also address the needs and concerns of many people from diverse identities and backgrounds. We have a very diverse population, and we share a lot of excitement around building together while honoring and celebrating that diversity.

Are there other boards and committees you are or have been on? 

I was involved with the Neighborhoods 2020 committee before being elected as a commissioner.

Do you have any tips for residents interested in running for neighborhood boards and/or City boards and commissions?

Do a little research; there is often information on the City of Minneapolis website about what the different groups do and the projects that they are working on. Many boards and commissions have regular public meetings, which are fantastic opportunities to learn how the group operates.

The “Meet a Commissioner” series of the monthly Minneapolis Connects newsletter is intended for readers to get to know representatives of the Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC). The NCEC is a 16 member board that advises the Mayor and City Council on a wide range of community engagement issues.

The NCEC is responsible for developing guidelines for the City’s principal neighborhood funding program, the Community Participation Program, as well as the One Minneapolis Fund and the Community Innovation Fund. The Commission also works to broaden participation on advisory boards and commissions and develops recommendations for improving the City’s public participation process.  

The Commission meets every 4th Tuesday of the month at 5:00p.m. Learn more about the Commission

Help shape our City - apply for openings on Boards and Commissions

Boards and Commissions


Applications are now being accepted for a number of open boards and commissions positions that the City Council and mayor will appoint this spring. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions and provide community-based input into administration of services. The City is seeking applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to strengthen the work of the City.

Applications will be reviewed beginning April 29. However, the positions are open until filled. There are 55 open positions on the following 9 City boards and commissions:

Visit the City’s website for a list of appointment opportunities, position descriptions and the applications. 

Position openings with neighborhood organizations

The Heritage Park Neighborhood Association is hiring a Director. Responsibilities include directing finance and fundraising, providing leadership that mobilizes the neighborhood, supporting the board of directors, managing the organization and coordinating stakeholder relationships. This is part time position. Applications are due by Thursday, April 21st.

Heritage Park logo
Powderhorn Park logo

The Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association is hiring an Outreach & Program Coordinator. This position drives year-round efforts to authentically connect with its diverse residents and various community stakeholders. This is a 25-30 hours/ week flextime position. Applications are due by Friday, April 15th. 

Check out the South Minneapolis Housing Fair on April 16th

South Minneapolis Housing Fair logo

Whether you are giving a room a "make-over" or starting from the ground up, you'll find answers to all of your questions at the 22nd-annual South Minneapolis Housing Fair. This FREE event will be held at Minneapolis Sports Center at the Midtown YWCA, 2121 East Lake St. NCR is a platinum sponsor of this event. 

Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour on April 30 - May 1

Home TOur 2016

 

Make plans for the Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour!

Held on April 30 and May 1, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Home Tour is a FREE annual event that promotes city living. The tour brings thousands of home enthusiasts together for a weekend of sharing home remodeling ideas.

The Neighborhood and Community Relations Department is a diamond sponsor of the Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour.

Organics Recycling Training on April 9th

Organics recyling

Come to one of two sessions to get your organics recycling questions answered. Sessions will include brief presentations from organics recycling experts and hands-on demonstrations and tips to make organics recycling easy. The morning session (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.) will be held at Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park and the afternoon session (1 p.m. - 3 p.m.) will be held at Folwell Park. 

Help with Earth Day Cleanup on April 23rd

earth day 2016

It's easy to get involved in Earth Day Cleanup 2016. No pre-registration is required! Arrive at any site between 9:30 am and noon, bring a pair of gloves to pick up trash, and check in at the registration table. A site coordinator will provide you with gloves (if you did not bring any) and bags, and instruct you where to go and where to leave trash. This is a collaborative effort between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling. 

Spread the word about the April 30th Teen Job and Opportunity Fair

Teenagers 14-19 can connect with employers and organizations for information about jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities and employment training at the Teen Job and Opportunity Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. The event will also feature workshops on how to conduct a job search and land a job. 

Parents, guardians, counselors and teachers are welcome to attend the job fair. The job fair is free and open to the public.

Teen Job and Opportunity Fair

Job opportunities in Minneapolis Elections office

Election office jobs


For every election, Minneapolis relies upon seasonal staffers. Some start months before an election to help the core Elections staff with the planning and preparations needed. As an election draws nearer, the number of seasonal staffers needed grows. A number of temporary full-time positions are available for the upcoming primary elections. Fluency in Hmong, Somali, and Spanish is highly desirable.  

Rake the leaves spring yard clean-up

SCS4Clogo

Leaf it to spring. Improve your health while helping a senior citizen remain independent in their home! Volunteers choose the date and time to rake and clean up the yard. Perfect for individuals, groups, and families; youth age 7+ welcome when chaperoned. This is a one-time unpaid fun, flexible activity on weekdays or weekends. Please contact Jeanne the HOME Program Volunteer Coordinator at scsvolunteer@seniorcommunity.org or call 952-767-7894 for more information.

Upcoming events:

4/2: Community Connections Conference

4/3: Hotdish Revolution

4/4: Draft body camera policy - community engagement session

4/5, 4/7, 4/9: Fire Department EMS Pathways Academy open house

4/8: Placing Art on City Property - pre-application deadline

4/8: Lyndale Open House

4/9: Shingle Creek STEAM Expo

4/9: Victory Art and Architecture in the Garden

4/11: One Minneapolis Fund – proposal deadline

4/12: Preparing a history of Native Americans in Minneapolis - public meeting

4/14: Domestic Abuse Project Downtown Happy Hour

4/16-4/17: Northern Indigenous Games

4/16: South Minneapolis Housing Fair 

4/16: Linden Hills Raingarden Workshop

4/21: Lyndale Personal Safety and Self Defense Workshop

4/22: Fix-It Tech Event

4/23: Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup

4/23: Taste of Southeast

4/25: North First: Safety

4/25: East Downtown Council Branding Initiative

4/30: Minneapolis Teen Job and Opportunity Fair

4/30: Stevens Square Police Substation Open House

4/30-5/1: Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour

Additional events and details can be found online: www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/calendar


Neighborhood and Community Relations Department

Director, David Rubedor 
Crown Roller Mill, Room 425
105 5th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 673-3737