In this Issue:

• 13th Ward Staff Changes
• Minimum Wage Listening Sessions
• Palmisano Presents: A Workshop on the Psychology of Sustainable Behavior
• Storm Sewer Tunnel Tour
• City Recycling Guides Coming in the Mail
• Call for Artists and Writers for Bde Maka Ska Public Art Project

13th Ward Staff Changes

This month, we said goodbye to 13th Ward Policy Aide Ken Dahler. Although he hasn't gone far - just down the hall to work for the City Clerk's office! I want to thank Ken for his years of dedicated service to the constituents of the 13th Ward and we wish him well on his new job! Additionally, I'm excited to introduce my new senior policy aide, Kendal Killian. Kendal comes to us with 15 years of political organizing, caucus/union managing and labor relations work and I look forward to the perspective he will bring to this role. He joins my other policy aide, Patty Day, in managing the issues of the 13th Ward. He has attended many of the neighborhood meetings this month already and I look forward to introducing him to more of you in the community over the coming months. You can reach Kendal directly at: kendal.killian@minneapolismn.gov 612.673.3199 13th Ward Team (pictured right): Linea Palmisano, Kendal Killian, Patty Day and Ken Dahler

Minimum Wage Listening Sessions

As the City Council prepares to take up the issue of a city minimum wage, the City of Minneapolis is holding a series of listening sessions to get feedback from the community. These sessions are an opportunity for community stakeholders to share views on how a change in minimum wage would impact them. I would encourage you to attend these meetings, if possible, to make sure your voice is heard in these larger city-wide discussions. The City will compile this feedback and present it to the City Council, once all the sessions are complete.

There are two general city-wide listening sessions scheduled for February 2017:

• Tuesday, Feb 21, 6-7:30 pm @ Sabathani Community Center, 310 E 38th St
• Thursday, Feb 23, 6-7:30 pm @ Urban League (main floor gathering room), 2100 Plymouth Ave

I will also be participating in a forum organized by the Lake Street Council and Southwest Business Association on February 21, from 3-4:30 pm at Sabathani Community Center (Banquet Room). Council Members Glidden, Quincy and Warsame are also expected to attend to hear from businesses about the impact this potential ordinance would have on them personally. Additionally, I am working on scheduling another community forum, in coordination with the City and several neighborhoods, in order to bring more of this minimum wage discussion to southwest Minneapolis. 

Finally, I would also welcome you to contact my office via the 13th Ward contact form on our website or using the contact information at the top of this email. I value the feedback I receive from the community as we explore this important topic.

For a complete list of listening sessions (some of which are being held for specific groups), more background on the City's engagement on this issue, the City's online survey on minimum wage, and the complete minimum wage study,

Palmisano Presents: A Workshop on the Psychology of Sustainable Behavior

My office, in coordination with Ward 11 Council Member John Quincy, and the Lynnhurst and Tangletown Environmental Committee/Green Teams, is hosting a half-day workshop on the psychology of sustainable behavior. This free workshop is open to the public and will help empower residents with ideas and tools to encourage their neighbors in taking more environmentally sustainable actions. The workshop will be facilitated by Macalester College Professor Dr. Christie Manning, who has spent the last 15 years applying psychological research to issues of natural resource use, social justice and sustainability. I hope you can make it!

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday, February 25, 2017

Time: 9 am - 12:30 pm

Location: Lynnhurst Community Center, 1345 W Minnehaha Pkwy

Registration Deadline: February 17

Storm Sewer Tunnel Tour

A couple weeks ago my aide, Patty Day, was able to tour some of the city's oldest storm sewer tunnels in Minneapolis. Katrina Kessler, 13th Ward resident and the City's new director of Surface Water and Sewers led the tour, taking participants 90 feet below the street surface to get a first hand look at the state of these tunnels. Public Works is currently working to repair many of these tunnels, to ensure the long-term viability of our City's storm sewer tunnel system. This work, which involves removing sandstone and filling cracks and holes, takes place during the winter months, since the flow of water in these tunnels is lowest at that time. We have a great Public Works team and we appreciate the hard work that they do to keep our city running smoothly and efficiently! Did you know? - The city owns, operates and maintains approximately 565 miles storm sewer pipes, 16 miles of storm tunnels, 19 stormwater ponds and basins, 35 infiltration facilities, 25 pump stations, 400+ outfalls, 127 grit chambers, 31,000 catch basins.   - The storm sewer system conveys storm water runoff to area water bodies such as lakes, streams and the Mississippi River.  - To keep our system functioning smoothly, the City has $8 million per year budgeted for storm tunnel repair work for next 4 years and we anticipate $1.3 million each year for maintenance after 2020.

City Recycling Guides Coming in the Mail

City of Minneapolis recycling customers should watch their mailboxes for City Solid Waste & Recycling services guides arriving soon. The guides include information on all City Solid Waste and Recycling services from recycling and organics to large items such as mattresses, furniture and TVs. They even include information on how to get rid of excess household garbage and construction and demolition debris at the City’s transfer station, how to dispose of hazardous waste and resources to reduce waste. The guide also lists what customers can and can’t recycle, and it shows all their recycling pickup dates through March 2018. Customers can also sign up at www.minneapolismn.gov/solid-waste to get email reminders before every recycling day.

Call for Artists and Writers for Bde Maka Ska Public Art Project

An open Call for Artists for the Bde Maka Ska Public Art Project will run January 25-March 1. This public art project is part of construction improvements for Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) to create a gathering space and improved lake access. Both the site improvements and the public art will celebrate the history and culture of the Dakota and Native American people and honor Mahpiya Wicasta (Cloud Man) and Heyata Otunwe (Village to the Side).

This project is part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Master Plan and Site Improvements for Lakes Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska-Harriet. The City’s Art in Public Places Program and MPRB are working as partners in this project.

An informational meeting for interested artists will be held on Tuesday, February 7 from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm, Migizi Communications, 1516 E Lake St #300, Minneapolis (Free parking in back).

Application Deadline: March 1, 2017, 4 pm.

For more information visit this website or contact Ann Godfrey.