In This Issue:

• Property Tax Due Date Likely Extended
• Lake Harriet Pkwy Reopens to Vehicles, Bde Maka Ska Will Close to Vehicles
• Street Sweeping Begins April 21
• Real ID Deadline One Year
• Wear Cloth Masks When Out in Public
• Watch the Mail for your Organics & Recycling Guide
• Low Cost Trees Still Available
• Energy Bill and Furnace Repair Assistance
• Land Use Applications to Resume in Minneapolis

Property Tax Due Date Likely Extended

Yesterday afternoon, the Hennepin County Board’s Budget Committee unanimously moved forward a proposal to waive late fees for property taxes due May 15 for two months. While this proposal carries some exceptions, generally anyone who would pay less than $100,000 in property taxes would be able to delay their first property tax payment until July 15, without penalty. The County will vote on this next Tuesday (4/21) at their regular meeting and it is expected to pass.

Many of you have expressed some level of inquiry as to whether there would be any assistance related to property taxes and I am pleased that the County, in coordination with City staff, were able to bring forward a proposal. As this and other items at the state continue forward, I will continue to provide updates.

Lake Harriet Pkwy Reopens to Vehicles, Bde Maka Ska Will Close to Vehicles

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has reversed their original decision and will now reopen Lake Harriet Parkway to motor vehicles effective Monday, April 20. Parts of Bde Maka Ska will then close to vehicles effective Monday, April 20 and last through May 4.

The MPRB originally closed the parkway to motor vehicles in order to allow walkers, runners, bikers and all pedestrians more space to enjoy the lake and walkways while adhering to safe social distancing guidelines. I applauded the MPRB's original decision as we were seeing hundreds of folks flock to the lakes on nice days and it became essential that we add more space for social distancing, especially as we rapidly approach warmer weather. This was an effective decision and we saw a lot more spreading out.

The City's Public Works department even added over seven miles of temporary, protected space leading toward parkways around the city to help folks access them safely. These decisions have been applauded nationally and have been a welcome addition to everyday life while we take advantage of the natural amenities we love in our city.

I am deeply disappointed that the MPRB does not share the widespread opinion of the benefit of such measures, and any reversals at this point will diminish our overall strategy for supporting residents. I encourage the MPRB to reconsider this decision and urge you to contact your Commissioner.

Street Sweeping Begins April 21

The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 21 for the first day of Spring street sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 20, drivers should watch for temporary “No Parking” signs.

Starting April 21 for approximately four weeks, crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets in addition to sweeping alleys. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to do their part in making this successful and follow street sweeping parking rules, or they may have their cars ticketed and towed.

The City is required, by the MN Pollution Control Agency, to do two curb-to-curb sweeps each year. Street sweeping helps keep our neighborhoods clean and livable, helps to reduce intersection flooding and protects our waterways. Residents, workers and visitors have several ways to find out more about street sweeping:

• “No Parking” signs – Crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. The “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking. Drivers should not park along these streets until these temporary “No Parking” signs are removed.
• Interactive web tool – People can use a tool on the City’s website to find out when the sweeping crews are coming through their neighborhoods. Click here to find out which week a street is scheduled to be swept. The weekend before that week, they can revisit the website to find out which day of the week the street is scheduled to be swept.

Real ID Deadline One Year

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is extending the REAL ID full enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021. The deadline was originally set for Oct. 1, 2020, but is being delayed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This gives Minnesotans more time to apply for a REAL ID or enhanced driver’s license or ID card. I have been hearing that while it is still taking quite some time for folks to get their ID's after applying, the wait has improved from earlier in the year.

Wear Cloth Masks When Out in Public

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommend covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when in close proximity others. This is important given we now know you can spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. The cloth face cover is meant to help protect other people in case you are infected and are not showing symptoms, and their cloth cover is meant to help protect you. The CDC website offers instructions for making homemade cloth masks with or without sewing. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they are out in public, for example at the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. However, cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Please continue to keep about six feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for keeping a safe distance. Also, do not wear medical-grade or surgical masks. Those are in high need in health care facilities to protect health care workers. If you have medical-grade gear, you can donate it to frontline workers in need – more information is available here.

Watch the Mail for your Organics & Recycling Guide

Your 2020-2021 Solid Waste & Recycling services guides will arrive in your mailbox soon. The guide shows items that belong in your recycling and organics recycling carts, and what may have changed since last year. There is also a tear-off page showing your pickup days. Keep the guide throughout the year to reference when you have questions about your service. Find more information about your recycling, organics and garbage pickup services here.

Low Cost Trees Still Available

Minneapolis property owners can still order a 3- to 8-foot tree for $25 from the City of Minneapolis to plant in their yards. About 1,000 trees are still available for property owners to plant on their private property. You can be outside and keep a safe 6-foot distance from others while doing something good for our environment and quality of life in Minneapolis. The 22 varieties available this year include large species, flowering trees and several kinds of fruit trees. Comparable trees cost about $125 at a nursery. Low-cost trees are available first-come, first-served for Minneapolis residents. Limit one tree per address. Trees must be picked up May 16, 17 or 18 at the City of Minneapolis Impound Lot. Volunteers onsite will help load each new tree and a complimentary bag of mulch into vehicles. Order your tree here. In the past 13 years, the City Trees program has provided approximately 15,000 trees for planting on private property. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help the city’s tree canopy grow. Healthy trees are an important part of our quality of life in Minneapolis, but they need our help. Watch this short video about some of the benefits of our urban forest and how we can help.

Energy Bill and Furnace Repair Assistance

If you or someone you know needs assistance paying monthly heating bills, the State's Energy Assistance Program (EAP) may be able to help. The EAP helps individuals pay home heating costs and for furnace repairs for income-qualified households and was recently expanded to cover as many households as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who have recently become unemployed, households with young children, people with disabilities, veterans, and senior citizens are encouraged to apply.

Grants range from $200 to $1,400, based on household size, income, and fuel cost. In addition to the initial grant, crisis funds are available to help pay a past-due bill or get a broken furnace repaired or replaced.

Eligibility is based on income earned in the most recent full calendar month. Applications will be accepted until July 1. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis -- however state officials expect to receive additional funding through the federal CARES Act. Households can find their local Energy Assistance Program service provider by calling 800-657-3710 or visiting the program website.

Land Use Applications to Resume in Minneapolis

Last week, Mayor Frey rescinded an emergency regulation once again allowing land use applications to be submitted to the City. We had temporarily paused this work until the City had an established system for electronically processing requests and holding public hearings while still ensuring the health and safety of City staff and community members.

Going forward, land use application materials can be submitted and processed electronically. More information on how to apply and where to submit the electronic application can be found here.

City meetings that consider land use issues and applications – including the Planning Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, and Board of Zoning and Adjustment – are now able to conduct required public hearings virtually. Please call 311 with any questions.

Given we are all home a lot more lately, my office has been receiving an increase in complaints regarding construction noise. I want to point you to the City's Construction Management Agreement, and encourage you to help us hold builders to these standards.