Ward 8 Update: Friday, Sept. 6th, 2019

CM Andrea Jenkins

612.673.2208

andrea.jenkins@MinneapolisMN.gov

Office Hours: Monday 9-11 a.m.

Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.

Please join us Wednesday, Sept. 11th for this year's Building Bridges and Breaking Bread Dinner Event from 5-8 pm

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Join us on Wednesday, September 11 from 5-8pm for Building Bridges, Breaking Bread! A cross-cultural feast for neighbors on both sides of the 38th Street Bridge to come together in community for a sit-down dinner on the bridge, with kid friendly activities and more! This is an opportunity for neighbors to meet and have intentional conversation around our unique stories and shared future - where all members of the community are empowered! 

Hosted by: Marnita's Table, Ward 8 Council Member Andrea Jenkins, Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization, Kingfield Neighborhood Association, Bryant Neighborhood Organization, and MnDOT

This is our second year in a row hosting this event and we know this will be even more of a blast than last time!

What: A community feast and celebration
When: Wednesday, September 11th, 5 - 8pm, with dinner at 6pm
Where: On the E. 38th Street Bridge, between 1st Ave S and 3rd Ave S

Yes! This event is free.
Yes! Dinner is provided.
Yes! Children and youth are welcome.
Dress comfortably!

What to Expect:
Dinner is served in abundance to allay any dietary concern from vegan to carnivore provided by local businesses and facilitated using the Marnita's Table model of Intentional Social Interaction (IZI). 

Thank you to our co-hosts and sponsors:
Marnita's Table (marnitastable.org)
Andrea Jenkins - Ward 8 City Council Vice-President
Xcel Energy Minnesota
Seward Community Co-op
City of Minneapolis Public Works Department
Bryant Neighborhood Organization (BNO)
Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO)
Kingfield Neighborhood Association (KFNA)
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Sabathani Community Center
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder


FAQ and More Information:

Q: How can I get involved?
We are looking for volunteer hospitality guides, bilingual preferred. We are also looking for volunteers for setup and cleanup. If interested contact: Ward 8 Council Office, 612-673-2208, Deebaa.Sirdar@minneapolismn.gov

Q: What if I need interpretation or more information?
If you have questions or require interpretation, rsvp by Sep. 3rd to contact Deebaa.Sirdar@minneapolismn.gov, 612-673-2208

Q: Should I bring a water bottle?
This is a zero waste event, please bring your water bottle! However, cups will be provided to those without water bottles.

Q: Can I park my bike?
There will be free valet bike parking on-site!

Q: What if it rains?
Rain plan: Sabathani Community Center, 2nd floor, 310 E 38th Street, located 1 block east of the bridge on 38th St. As the date approaches and weather predictions become clearer we will provide more information. Please check our facebook event page for any important updates regarding the event!

Q: Why have I received multiple invitations?
Many community allies and partners are inviting community members to this conversation. As a result, you may receive more than one invitation.


35W@94 Downtown to Crosstown in Minneapolis: Construction Updates

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31st Street road reconstruction begins September 9

Beginning Mon, Sept. 9, MnDOT will start the road reconstruction on 31st St. between 1st Ave. S and 2nd Ave. S. There will be some impacts to the nearby local roads and ramps as part of the reconstruction work.

  • The ramp from northbound I-35W to 31st St. will be closed Sept. 9-11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
  • 2nd Ave. S will be closed between 31st St. and 32nd St. until mid-October.
  • 31st St. will be reduced to a single lane in both directions between 1st Ave. S and 2nd Ave. S through this upcoming winter.

Weekend closure of I-35W September 13-16

Crews will resurface I-35W the weekend of Sept. 13-16. Beginning at 10 p.m. Fri, Sept. 13, I-35W will be closed in both directions between I-94 and Hwy 280 until 5 a.m. Mon, Sept. 16. The ramps to/from I-35W will start closing an hour earlier at 9 p.m. Northbound I-35W will be open at Washington Ave. The detour is Hwy 280 and I-94.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Fri, Sept. 13, northbound I-35W will be closed between Hwy 62 and I-94 until noon Sat, Sept. 14. The detour is westbound Hwy 62 to northbound Hwy 100 to eastbound I-394 to eastbound I-94 to Hwy 280.

*All closures are weather permitting and subject to change.

More about this project

To learn more, including all current traffic impacts and detour routes, visit the project website at: mndot.gov/35w94

Metro Transit bus routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, and to sign up for Rider Alerts, visit: metrotransit.org/35W

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, visit: mvta.com

Stay connected

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit http://www.511mn.org/ or dial 5-1-1.


Diverse applicants wanted for Minneapolis boards and commissions

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Several board and commission positions are open for appointments this fall. The City seeks applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. Translation and interpreting services are available so all residents can participate.

City boards and commissions have brought forward recommendations that resulted in renter protections, wage theft prevention and a ban on a hazardous chemical in dry cleaning. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis help shape key policy decisions, give community-based input into the City’s administration of services and supply valuable insights.

People 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 with application review beginning Oct. 18.

There are 132 open positions on 19 City boards and commissions:

Boards, commissions and advisory committees

The City of Minneapolis has more than 50 volunteer-based boards, commissions and advisory committees that advise the City on issues and help develop policy and administer services. Boards and commissions fall into a handful of categories: appeal boards, development boards, general advisory boards and special service districts (defined areas within the city with special services).

Appointments to boards and commissions are made twice a year: in the spring and fall.

Potential applicants can find more information at 612-673-2216 or OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov.


September is National Preparedness Month

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Each year, September is recognized as National Preparedness Month. Disasters, severe weather or other emergencies can strike at any time, so Emergency Management officials encourage residents to plan for emergencies at home, work and in the community. This year’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) theme is "Prepared, Not Scared."

The City of Minneapolis encourages residents to set aside some time this month to use FEMA’s weekly themes and learn about ways to prepare for weather emergencies and other disasters that could occur at home and work and in their communities. Families preparing before an emergency with a focus on children’s understanding can help save lives and increase the community’s resilience.

FEMA’s weekly focuses in National Preparedness Month 2019: Prepared, Not Scared

Sept. 8-14: Make a plan to prepare for disasters

Sept. 15-21: Teach youth to prepare for disasters

Sept. 22-30: Get involved in your community’s preparedness

Find information on these weekly themes and more at Ready.gov/kids.

Video

Everyone is encouraged to share FEMA’s Prepared, Not Scared video with children, friends and neighbors and in social media.

App

Residents can prepare for a disaster today by downloading the FEMA app.

More information about emergency preparedness is available from the Minneapolis Office of Emergency Management.


U.S. Census Bureau knocking on doors for census pre-work

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U.S. Census Bureau field workers are in our neighborhoods now through October verifying addresses. Field workers will try to knock on every door to make sure the Census Bureau’s address list is accurate and complete ahead of the 2020 census. Check out a video produced by the Census Bureau to explain this door-to-door work. Communities must be fully counted to fully benefit from political representation and valuable funding over the next 10 years.

While address canvassing is a normal part of the census process, we understand an unexpected knock on the door by a federal government worker could create anxiety for some community members. There is no reason to be alarmed by legitimate census field personnel. Census workers participating in address canvassing will only ask for information about addresses – not people.

The U.S. Census Bureau recommends verifying the field workers are legitimate census field workers and not employees of any other government agency:

  • Census field workers must present an ID badge that includes a photograph of the field representative, a Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date.
  • Census workers may be carrying a Census Bureau phone or laptop as well as a bag with a Census Bureau logo.
  • If you have questions, you can call 800-923-8282 or 312-579-1500 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.

We are providing this information to help put Minneapolis residents at ease about the federal U.S. Census Bureau work occurring in our neighborhoods.

Again, if you have questions regarding the U.S. Census Bureau’s address canvassing operation, you can contact the Census Bureau at 1-800-923-8282.

Learn more at 2020census.gov.


Save the date for Feb. 1 Community Connections Conference

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Save the date for the free Community Connections Conference featuring interactive workshops, speakers, panel discussions and a catered lunch.

The conference is an annual event that fosters connections among the residents of Minneapolis, community groups, neighborhoods and local government. In 2019, 885 people participated.

We count

The 2020 conference theme will be “we count” to recognize the pivotal year that 2020 will be for Minneapolis and the importance of mobilizing all community members to get counted in the 2020 census and make their voices heard in the elections.

The program focuses on collaborative neighborhood and City goal-setting and sharing best practices for community engagement. Past participants have used the conference as an opportunity to gather or give input on important local initiatives.

Community Connections Conference 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 Minneapolis Convention Center

Want to get involved?

Read more about the conference here.


Submit a route idea for 2020 Open Streets season

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The City of Minneapolis and the City’s Open Streets event organizer, Our Streets Minneapolis, are seeking route ideas for the 2020 season.

Applicants can also share their interest in being a local route host. Applications are due Oct. 3, 2019. Routes that have had Open Streets events for the last two years do not need to apply for 2020 and will be considered along with other route ideas.

Open Streets Minneapolis encourages people to contact Nick Ray Olson, the organization’s event and program director, at 612-785-0722 or nickray@ourstreetsmpls.org before submitting a route idea.

Goals for Open Street Minneapolis events include fostering community connections, celebrating the city’s diversity, inspiring healthy living, supporting local businesses and promoting active transportation.

More than 93,000 people participated in Open Streets events in 2018. For more information on this year’s events, visit the Open Streets Minneapolis website at www.openstreetsmpls.org.


Visit us at minneapolismn.gov/ward8

Central • Bryant  Bancroft  Field  Regina  Northrop  Lyndale  Kingfield

Andrea Jenkins, 350 S. Fifth St., City Hall Room 307, Minneapolis, MN 55415

 

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please call 311 at 612-673-3000.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.

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