On
Dec.12, my office is hosting a panel on Islamophobia at Southwest High School. This is an important conversation to have and I am proud to be partnering with Ward 6 Council Member Abdi Warsame's office to bring together an excellent group of panelists to discuss the issue and answer questions here in our community.
Details:
When: Mon, Dec. 12, 6-7:30 pm
Where: Southwest High School, 3414 W 47th St (enter through Door #1--the main entrance--at 47th & Beard)
Panelists:
- Congressman Keith Ellison
- Ward 6 Council Member Abdi Warsame
- David Scherer - Ward 13 resident, Musician (Agape), and Youth Minister
On Wed.,
Dec. 7, the City Council plans to approve the City’s 2017
budget. Before that happens, there are two public hearings you can
attend to share your thoughts about the proposed budget and property
taxes. I've shared the dates for the two public hearings in previous newsletters, and you also received the dates in your proposed 2017 property tax statements from Hennepin County. The first was held last night, Nov. 30. The second is Wed., Dec. 7 at 6 pm. It will be held at City Hall (350 S. 5th St.), Room 317.
If you can't attend the hearings, you can submit comments on the proposed budget online.
All comments submitted online before 3 pm Dec. 6 will be entered into the
public record and shared with the mayor and council members. You can also
submit your comment directly to my office.
November was a busy month and my office was able to participate in several important community events, which centered on conversation and coming together.
Our Palmisano Presents event (pictured left) featured an intimate conversation with new 5th Precinct Police Inspector Kathy Waite and members of the community. We were able to hear about her extensive training and background and she spoke to neighbors about how police are trained and managed.
Our office also helped to plan the "United in Love & Action" event (pictured center) at Sabathani Community Center, in coordination with other City Council offices, Representative Frank Hornstein, and several government and community partners. It was a great evening full of sharing ideas and feeling a great sense of community.
Finally, earlier this week I was a panelist at the Peace Forum 2016 discussion (pictured right) hosted by the City's Police Conduct Oversight Commission (PCOC). The PCOC is a civilian committee that shares feedback and insight into police activity to the City's Department of Civil Rights, the Minneapolis Police Department and the City Council. It was a valuable experience to hear feedback from the community and to share what we are doing as a City to improve police community relations.
Whether we like it or not, winter is
coming, and it’s time to start thinking about your Snow Emergency plans! The
more people follow the Snow Emergency parking rules, the easier snow season is
on everyone.
Snow Emergencies are declared whenever
there’s enough snowfall to warrant a complete plowing of our streets. To get
that done, people need to follow the parking rules and move their vehicles so
crews can plow the full width of the street. When the snow flies, our Public
Works crews have enormous jobs to do, with more than 1500 miles of streets,
parkways and alleys that need to be cleared. It’s important for drivers to
follow the Snow Emergency parking rules so plows can do the best job possible
clearing snow. Vehicles parked on the street in violation of Snow Emergency
rules can be ticketed and towed.
Do your part to stay informed and aware
when Snow Emergencies are called. There are many ways stay up to date:
• Phone
alerts – You can add your cellphone or unlisted landline number to the alert
system by signing up at www.minneapolismn.gov/snow/snow_phone-alert (landlines in Minneapolis automatically receive this alert)
The Minneapolis Police Department has completed the rollout
of body-worn cameras (“body cams”) citywide. The cameras will now be worn by
officers who respond to 911 calls in all five police precincts.
Body cams are now a recommended best practice for policing,
and they put Minneapolis at the forefront of cities across the country that are
using them to help improve interactions between police officers and residents.
The use of body cams
comes after the finalization of MPD’s body-worn camera policy, and they are an important tool in advancing our city's policing efforts.
Phase 1 of the reconstruction project on W 54th
St (between Penn Ave S & Lyndale Ave S) is wrapping up for the season! As
you’ve likely already noticed, two-way traffic is now open. It will
remain open through the winter.
The second (and final) phase of this project will begin in
spring 2017. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we complete this much-needed
work. Our crew has done a fantastic job, but the project still comes with many
inconveniences for the people who live near the project, as well as those who
regularly use this stretch of road for travel.
For more information and to sign up for construction
updates:
It’s that time of year again –
the holiday season is upon us and winter is finally coming. The MPD has several
crime prevention tips to pass along based on seasonal crime trends.
As temperatures drop, there is
typically an increase in automobile theft due to vehicles left running
unattended with keys in the car. See tips to prevent vehicle theft here and here.
Have
a safe and happy holiday season!
For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact the 13th Ward office at 612-673-2213, or Ken Dahler via ken.dahler@minneapolismn.gov . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 agents at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.
Para asistencia 612-673-2700 • Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 • Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.