Minneapolis Connects April Newsletter

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

April 11, 2019

Neighborhoods 2020 Next Steps

Collage of Neighborhoods 2020 community meetings from 2016

The Neighborhood and Community Relations Department (NCR) thanks hundreds of residents, community leaders and neighborhood organization board members and staff for their time and dedication to reviewing, discussing and commenting on The Neighborhoods 2020 Framework Recommendations, a policy document that outlines recommendations on what role the neighborhood organization system and NCR should play in meeting the needs of our growing city starting in 2020.

NCR gathered the recommendations from two years of community meetings, with input from three work groups, and over 300 public comments on The Neighborhoods 2020 Framework Recommendations. NCR staff attended a total of 40 community and board meetings, reaching over 1,000 people during this comment period.

For the next phase, NCR has assembled a team to compile public comments and identify the common themes within them. The comment review team has representatives from the City’s Division of Race and Equity, philanthropy, neighborhoods, community and NCR staff. The team's summary, along with the original comments, will be released in late April, and any resulting changes to the framework will likely be published by the end of April as well.

We remain on track to discuss the framework document and its public comments at the City Council’s Public Health, Environment, Civil Rights and Engagement (PECE) Committee on Monday, May 6, which will be a public hearing. Find City Council agendas and schedules at lims.minneapolismn.gov.


Join a City board or commission

Why I Serve 2018 boards and commissions, commissioner Jerome Evans quote

Board and commission members provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions and provide community-based input into the design and administration of City services. 

You can apply through the open position pages linked below and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings. The positions are open until filled.


Census complete count campaign kicks off: We Count

2020 Census We Count Kickoff celebration on April 1, 2019 crowd photo at the Center for Changing Lives

The yearlong 2020 Census complete count campaign has kicked off. We Count Minneapolis will promote awareness and participation in the 2020 Census. The goal is to ensure everyone is counted and fairly represented, regardless of immigration status, age or income level.

Getting a fair and accurate count in the 2020 Census is a major focus of the City of Minneapolis, which is the only municipality in Minnesota to dedicate funds toward the effort. Reaching historically undercounted communities will be a priority.

Michelle Rivero and Alberder Gillespie holding We Count signs at 2020 Census kickoff celebration

Around 50 community members gathered to kick off the We Count Minneapolis campaign, share ideas and make connections.

Find more information at minneapolismn.gov/census.


May marks the 50th anniversary of American Indian Month in Minnesota

2015 American Indian Month in Minnesota Kickoff Rally

May marks the 50th anniversary of American Indian Month in Minnesota. In Minneapolis, community members gather each May to celebrate Minnesota’s native cultures with a kickoff rally on May 1, art, food and open houses showcasing American Indian organizations in Minneapolis’ American Indian Cultural Corridor, along Franklin Avenue. To stay up to date on this year’s Indian Month, follow the Native American Community Development Institute’s Facebook page.


Help shape the future of transportation in Minneapolis

Transportation Action Plan illustration of biking walking bus and scooter

The City is hosting five community workshops and one online open house in April to collect public input on ways to improve the city’s transportation system as City staff develop the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan and the Vision Zero Action Plan.

The Transportation Action Plan will be a 10-year plan to implement the transportation vision outlined in the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan. It will develop strategies and actions on advanced mobility, pedestrian, bicycle, transit, freight, street operations and street design.

The Vision Zero Action Plan will be a three-year plan to advance the City’s commitment to ending traffic fatalities and severe injuries resulting from traffic crashes on our streets by 2027.

Can't attend an event?

You can provide direct feedback on our interactive website. Our topic pages include short surveys and are a great place to share your thoughts. You can also use #gompls to talk transportation with us and follow the City of Minneapolis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


City Council approves vision, mission and values as part of City’s Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan 

The City Council has approved the City’s vision, mission and values as part of the Strategic and Racial Equity Action planning process — a framework that will set the direction for the future of the City and ensure the implementation of racial equity goals.

The Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan is a four-year plan that will embed racial equity principles into all aspects of the City’s work, aligning work from City leadership to departments and defining goals at all planning levels that can be objectively measured and inform resource decisions. The council is expected to vote on a final version of the plan in June.

To learn more about the plan, visit the plan’s website or contact RaceEquity@minneapolismn.gov.

SREAP-TAP Southeast Asian Community Meeting March 15, 2019

NCR staff connect Latino & Southeast Asian community members with SREAP and TAP planners.

On March 15, community partners from the Southeast Asian community gathered to talk about the development of the City's Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan (SREAP) and Transportation Action Plan (TAP). 

Community members brought up needs for ample residential parking for large family cultural ceremonies, expanding housing to accommodate large families, including public safety as a factor in each plan, removing barriers to small business development, and more Southeast Asian officers and a Southeast Asian community navigator in the Police Department.

SREAP-TAP Community Meeting at the Waite House on March 19, 2019

At the Waite House in South Minneapolis, 20 community members joined NCR and staff from the City Coordinator's Office and the Department of Public Works on March 19 for a discussion on SREAP and TAP as well.

Community members gave their input on the goals of each action plan and discussed their priorities and concerns. Both departments are planning to report back on how the communities' input was used in each action plan.


Northside Housing Fair a resounding success

Northside Housing Fair

On March 23, several hundreds gathered and dozens (including NCR) tabled at Lucy Craft Laney at the Northside Housing Fair. Sponsored by the Cleveland Neighborhood Association, the Housing Fair also included workshops and a discussion about Neighborhoods 2020, and drew attendees from throughout the city.


Senior Community Services HOME Program needs people to mow lawns for seniors in your community.

Senior Community Services is a City of Minneapolis partner organization, and its HOME Program mows lawns for seniors in Hennepin County. The HOME Program is seeking helpers to mow lawns every 7-10 days and use a weed whip once a month for $16 per hour.


Funding for residential organics recycling outreach

America Recycles Day

Funding is available to neighborhood and community nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis to conduct outreach focused on increasing participation in the City's residential organics recycling program.

Participating organizations will receive training, funding and environmental education resources to conduct a project in their communities.

Read more and apply for funding...


Join in the Earth Day cleanup and 5K run & walk

earth day 2016

The 2019 Earth Day cleanup and 5K run and walk are Saturday, April 20. Neighbors, businesses and volunteer organizations come together for a common purpose: stewardship of our City’s parks, neighborhoods and watersheds. Volunteers pick up trash and help clean up at several sites around Minneapolis.

5K Bee Run at Boom Island Park 7:30 a.m. Registration opens 8:30 a.m. Kids run 9 a.m. Fun run/walk

Cleanup at sites around the city Individuals can arrive at any site between 9:30 a.m. and noon. No pre-registration required.

The cleanup is a collaborative effort held each April by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation BoardMinneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling, and several neighborhood organizations.

To learn more about the cleanup events or join in, call 612-230-6479 or visit the MPRB's website and click on “Get Involved.”


2019 collection of leaves and bundled brush begins week of April 8

Yard waste and leaf collection illustration

The 2019 season for Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling collection of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings starts the week of April 8. Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curbs next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on garbage day.

Yard waste must be in compostable bags with sturdy handles. Reusable containers are lifted and emptied by hand, so they must be easily managed. Read more about how to prepare your leaves and brush for pickup...

For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.


Report from 2019 Community Connections Conference Published

2019 Community Connections Conference workshop crowd

NCR is proud to release this year's conference report, which details the record setting attendance, neighborhood participation and other highlights from the 2019 Community Connections Conference. Read the 2019  Community Connections Conference Report here...

This year, we had 884 attendees and 20 neighborhood organizations participating, either in the neighborhood showcase or presenting their work as part of the "Awesome Neighborhoods" workshop. This year's conference attendees also reflected city demographics, with 40% of attendees identifying as people of color.

Do you want to help shape the themes and workshop tracks for the 2020 conference? NCR is seeking community partners and volunteers to help provide input, recruit speakers and spread the word about the conference. Sign up here if you’re interested in getting involved in next year’s conference.


Jobs

The City’s Development Finance Division is hiring an Neighborhood Revitalization Program/Finance specialist. Read more...

The Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO) is hiring an executive director and a full-time community organizer. Read more...

Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association is hiring a community organizer. Read more...

For Neighborhoods

Neighborhood & Community Engagement Commission seeks new commissioners

If you are passionate about good government and effective engagement, consider serving on the Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC).

Minneapolis Minute: A quick look at City news

Watch this short video on how the City geared up for the Final Four, applications are open for Upper Harbor Terminal Community Planning and Engagement Committee, and the City is seeking feedback on its Transportation Action Plan.


Upcoming Events

Thu., Apr. 11

Sat., Apr. 13

Sun., Apr. 14

Mon., Apr. 15

Tue., Apr. 16

Fri., Apr. 19

Sat., Apr. 20

Mon., Apr. 22

Tue., Apr. 23

Wed., Apr. 24

Fri., Apr. 26

Sat., Apr. 27 - 28

Tue., Apr. 30

Sat., May. 4

Sat., May. 4 - 5

Sat., May. 18

Sun., May. 19


Neighborhood and Community Relations Department

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