Minneapolis Connects May Newsletter

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

May 8, 2018

Help choose public safety projects in Little Earth and along Lake Street, Penn Avenue and Broadway.

Map of focus areas for Collaborative Safety Strategies grant, showing Broadway, Penn Ave., Lake Street and Little Earth.

Do you want to support initiatives that prevent violence and criminal behavior in your neighborhood? Do you live, work or own a business in one of the four target areas eligible for funding through Collaborative Safety Strategies? You can help to choose which projects will receive funding this summer! Volunteer to serve on the committee that will review applications in your area by May 13. You must have no financial stake in any of the project proposals to volunteer on your area's committee. 

Questions? Email Cheyenne or Rebekah at NCR@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-3737.


Neighborhoods 2020 Update

Neighborhoods 2020 Wordmark

NCR will present an update on the Neighborhoods 2020 Roadmap to City Council on Monday, May 14 at 1:30p.m. The updated roadmap, a summary of public comments and a draft overview of the Neighborhoods 2020 workgroups and application will be visible on the published meeting agenda for the Public Health, Environment, Civil Rights and Engagement Committee on May 10.

NCR will send out an update to neighborhood organizations and the Neighborhoods 2020 mailing list this week. 

A big thank-you to all the residents and neighborhoods that took time to comment on the Neighborhoods 2020 Roadmap! We greatly appreciated your thoughtful feedback. It will be integral to the conversations in workgroups as they convene in the coming months. Read more on our Neighborhoods 2020 web page...


2018 Community Connections Conference Report

Page 2 of Community Connections Conference Report 2018

On February 10, 2018, the City of Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) Department hosted the 7th annual Community Connections Conference. A record 694 participants came together to have conversations, brainstorm ideas and create change as a community around the theme of ACT: Aspire, Collaborate, Transform.

Attendees participated in activities including a panel of outstanding local women in leadership, 18 interactive workshops, 107 exhibits and community round table discussions with Mayor Frey and members of the Minneapolis City Council. 

The 2018 Community Connections Conference report is now available on the conference webpage. The report includes feedback from over 100 attendees on community priorities and notes from the community round table. Read more...


Tips for Community Engagement this May

MN Indian Month 2018 Kickoff Parade 5.1.18

Minnesota American Indian Month

There are lots of great opportunities to celebrate the Twin Cities' Native American community in the next few weeks. Minnesota American Indian Month kicked off on May 1. View the calendar of events on the American Indian Family Center's webpage. You can also follow the American Indian Month Facebook Page.

Ramadan begins May 15

The Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, will start on May 15 in the U.S., ending on the evening of June 14. If you would like to be inclusive of your Muslim neighbors, try not to schedule major meetings or events during Ramadan, as many residents will be fasting until sundown. City-designated neighborhood organizations can reach out to Numan Shaikh, our East African Community Specialist, with questions via email at Numan.Shaikh@minneapolismn.govRead more about Ramadan in an article from 2017...


New ordinance protects renters on public assistance

House for Rent Blue Icon

Enforcement of the City’s ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing against renters on public assistance, including the Section 8 program, has taken effect. The housing discrimination amendments prohibit landlords from denying public assistance participants the opportunity to apply for housing, or refusing to rent to potential tenants because of the requirements of a public assistance program. The amendments also prohibit landlords from imposing unique rental standards or otherwise treating potential tenants on public assistance differently.

You can report violations of the ordinance by calling 311 or the Civil Rights Department at 612-673-3012. You may also report violations in person at City Hall, Room 239 or online. Read more...


Phillips Aquatic Center now open!

Phillips Pool Indoor Photo 2018

Phillips neighbors, community members and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) gathered on April 21 for the grand opening of the Phillips Aquatics Center – along with a ceremonial “community splash”. The Phillips Aquatics Center is MPRB’s only indoor swimming facility, and was years in the making. 

Originally opened in 1987, MPRB acquired the site when the surrounding junior high school was demolished. In 2008, the facility was closed. Neighbors rallied for the pool to be reopened, with the Midtown Phillips, East Phillips and Ventura Village neighborhoods all contributing NRP or CPP funds to cover the significant cost of the renovation. 

Thanks to their hard work and collaboration, the Phillips Aquatics Center now features both a 6-lane competition pool and a 4-lane teaching pool, as well as family/gender-neutral, women’s and men’s locker rooms. Key programming components include water safety instruction for all ages and women-only swim opportunities among others.

Admission is free for those under 12 and $5 for people aged 13 and older, with seasonal passes available and discounts for residents of East Phillips, Ventura Village, Phillips West and Midtown Phillips neighborhoods. Read more...


Free plants for pollinators

Bee and flower

Survey the pollinator habitat in your yard to win free plants for pollinators! If you answer 10 questions in the pollinator points survey from May 14-18, you can win free plants and seeds. The first 190 people will get vouchers in the mail to pick up five free native, pesticide-free perennial plants between June 22 and 24. Others can claim wildflower seed bundles and nutrient-rich growing material. Find more resources and information about how to protect pollinators here: www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/bees.


NCEC candidate filing deadline is May 11.

NCEC Meeting Screen Shot from 3/27/18 Meeting

Do you live in districts 2, 4, 6 or 8 in Minneapolis? Are you passionate about community engagement with the City of Minneapolis? Consider running for a seat on the Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC)! Candidate applications are due by May 11, 2018. Read more...


2040 Comprehensive Plan Public Comment Period

Poster Image for Minneapolis 2040

You can now comment on the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan! Upcoming open houses will offer an opportunity to interact with City planners in-person and include family-friendly activities and refreshments!

Public comment is open until July 22 on topics ranging from housing to transportation, the environment and job creation. Find out more at Minneapolis2040.com.

If you have questions or would like to request posters and flyers to share with your neighbors, contact Rattana Sengsoulichanh at rattana.sengsoulichanh@minneapolismn.gov or Christina Kendrick at christina.kendrick@minneapolismn.gov.


Welcome Erica Aucapiña!

Erica Aucapina Portrait Photo

NCR is excited to welcome Erica Aucapiña to department as our new program assistant. Erica is a long-time South Minneapolis resident and graduate of Metropolitan State University. She joins our team after having participated in both the Step-Up and Urban Scholars programs with the City of Minneapolis. She has a background in information technology and criminal justice and is a fluent Spanish speaker. Please join us in welcoming Erica to the team!


The City is hiring! 

We are seeking a policy specialist to join our team. Apply by May 9. Read more...

Voter services is also hiring absentee voting specialists for the 2018 election season. Read more...


Community Participation Program reports are live.

Over 50 neighborhood organizations' 2017 annual reports are available now on NCR's neighborhoods page.


Can I recycle that?

Find out how to dispose of items on the Solid Waste & Recycling Department's What To Do List!


Upcoming Events

5/8

5/9

5/12

5/14

5/15

5/16

5/17

5/18-5/19

5/19

5/20

5/31

6/1

6/2

6/6


Neighborhood and Community Relations Department

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