In This Issue:

• Governor Walz Extends Stay at Home Order Through May 18
• Mayor Gives Remote State of the City Address
• New Speed Limit Signs Going Up
• League of Women Voters Interviews MPS Superintendent on Comprehensive District Design
• City Establishes "Stay Healthy Streets" Routes
• Virtual Open House - Bryant Avenue Reconstruction Project
• Hennepin County Announces Small Business Relief Fund
• Park Board to Close Playgrounds, Athletic Fields By May 1
• Community Ed Resources for Youth and Families

Governor Walz Extends Stay at Home Order Through May 18

Earlier this afternoon Governor Walz announced that he would be extending Minnesota's Stay at Home Order through May 18. The Governor made it clear that this extension is necessary in order to continue preparations for the expected COVID-19 peak, predicted to hit Minnesota in July. Making sure we continue to buy time and stockpile the necessary resources to help prevent our state's healthcare system from being overwhelmed by the virus is of the utmost importance.

This latest extension comes with a few changes as the State will now allow some retailers to conduct curbside pickup or delivery for customers, similar to restaurants. Guidelines for curbside retail pick-up require businesses to:

• Develop and publicly post a plan for how to open safely.
• Use online payment whenever possible.
• Employees and customers should wear masks and protective equipment.
• In curbside pick-up scenarios, social distancing guidelines apply. If possible, customers should not leave their vehicle.
• In delivery scenarios, items should be deposited outside a customer’s residence.

In his address Governor Walz also strongly encouraged all Minnesotans to wear a manufactured or homemade mask at all times when they leave their homes to any place where social distancing is difficult.

You can watch the address here or read a summary on the Governor's website, here.

Mayor Gives Remote State of the City Address

Earlier this week Mayor Frey taped and released his third State of the City Address. In his remarks the Mayor highlighted the City's response to COVID-19 and the integral role our city plays in protecting public health, as the largest and most dense city in the state. He highlighted that our actions and decisions to date have made us leaders in flattening the curve, while also emphasizing that we should not let that hard work and sacrifice go to waste.

"Our state is now home to the nation’s strongest testing capacity. There are reasons for hope. But there are also stark warnings and the ever-present need to guard against complacency."

While this was a much shorter State of the City than anyone planned just a few months ago, I appreciated the Mayor's candor in addressing items like the City's projected budget shortfall. These are uncertain times, especially regarding federal or state aid, but I stand with Mayor Frey when he says,

"Core city services will continue to be delivered with excellence, and we will prioritize first those who are struggling the most."

I believe we are off to a good start to this and that we are well position to build on that success. Last month the City rolled out our Small Business Relief and Emergency Housing Support programs to help those most impacted by COVID-19. This month the Council has moved to institute cost savings initiatives to get ahead of budget projections and we aren't done yet. Even though we are currently in a new, temporary Council structure, I am still the Chair of the Budget Committee and am already having conversations with the Mayor and City leaders about how to reorganize and reevaluate spending for the rest of this year and in preparation of the 2021 budget. I am grateful to have partners like Mayor Frey in this work and look forward to better days ahead.

You can watch Mayor Frey's full address here or read a transcription here.

New Speed Limit Signs Going Up

The City continues to roll out new speed limit signs citywide. Minneapolis and Saint Paul announced lower speed limits March 12 to support safer streets. New speed limits are 20 mph unless otherwise posted; 25 mph for larger, arterial streets owned by the City; and 30 mph or more for a few other City-owned streets. Under Minnesota law, cities do not have the authority to change speed limits on county and MnDOT roads. When does it take effect? The 25 mph speed limit on larger streets will go into effect for each street as soon as its signs are posted. Once signs are up on the busier streets, Minneapolis and Saint Paul will install “gateway signs” at entry points in both cities indicating the citywide speed limit is 20 mph unless otherwise posted. The 20 mph speed limit goes into effect as soon as the gateway signs are installed. Sign installation is expected to be completed by this fall. To follow along on the sign progress visit: visionzerompls.com and stpaul.gov/speedlimits.

League of Women Voters Interviews MPS Superintendent on Comprehensive District Design

Minnneapolis Public Schools CDD Website - https://www.cdd.mpls.k12.mn.us/

Each month the Minneapolis chapter of League of Women Voters (LWV) hosts a recorded video interview called We the People with leaders, experts and other distinguished guests from across the city on topics specific to Minneapolis residents. For the month of April, LWV interviewed Minneapolis Public School (MPS) Superintendent, Ed Graff, on the school district's Comprehensive District Design plan.

Many of you are already intimately familiar with the MPS proposed plan to overhaul the current structure of how public school resources are distributed to students and families. However, whether you are new to the conversation or have been a part of it for the past three years, this interview is worth the watch, or listen to, if you prefer a podcast version. In it you'll hear how COVID-19 has impacted the final phase of the plan and what kind of feedback MPS has received throughout the process. If you or someone you know is connected to MPS I highly recommend you take a few minutes to give it a listen.

City Establishes "Stay Healthy Streets" Routes

Earlier this week, the City is established three “Stay Healthy Streets” loop routes totaling 15 miles to respond to the demand for attractive places to walk, bike, and roll while social distancing during the COVID-19 emergency. These routes will generally be closed to thru traffic to allow for people to safely walk, bike, and roll in the street. Car access for residents who live on these routes will be retained.

The City's Public Works department wants your feedback on these Stay Healthy Streets routes. If you have had a chance to explore one of the Stay Healthy Streets loops, or would like to see one established in Southwest Minneapolis, I encourage you to take a minute and submit your feedback on this online form.

Additional details on COVID-19 related city street changes can be found on the City's website.

Virtual Open House - Bryant Avenue Reconstruction Project

The Minneapolis Public Works Department plans to reconstruct 2.5 miles of Bryant Avenue S, from Lake Street to 50^th St W, in 2022. It is anticipated that this project will take two years to construct. The project will replace 60-year-old infrastructure. It also provides the opportunity to enhance the safety and comfort for people who live, work, and play on Bryant Avenue S. for 60 or more years into the future.

How to Participate

The City of Minneapolis is kicking off the Bryant Ave S Reconstruction project with a virtual open house on Tuesday, May 12, 2020. This is the first open house for the project.

Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Time: 7 - 8 p.m.

Visit the project website for instructions on how to attend.

If you cannot attend the virtual open house, Public Works has provided a recorded presentation online that you can view on the project website.

Tell Public Works what you think

What are your goals for the project? Tell them you think by taking the survey here.

Public Works also has an interactive map where you can leave comments.

The survey and map will be available until June 1.

Hennepin County Announces Small Business Relief Fund

Last week Hennepin County announced a Small Business Relief Program for forgivable loans up to $7,500 to help small local businesses meet immediate financial needs. The application period is currently open and will run through May 8.

Loans can be used to pay for critical operating expenses, such as:

• Utilities
• Rent payments
• Mortgage payments
• Payments to suppliers
• Other necessary expenses

Eligible for-profit businesses must:

• Be locally owned and operated
• Have a physical establishment in Hennepin County
• Have 1-20 employees
• Have under $1 million in annual revenue
• Have been financially impacted by COVID-19

Application

• Application forms will be posted to this website on April 27.
• Applications are due by noon on May 8, 2020.
• If applications exceed funding, awards will be made through a lottery system.
• Recipients will be notified by email on or before May 15.
• Translated application and program materials will be available in Spanish, Hmong, Somali and Oromo

Read the program guidelines here.

Park Board to Close Playgrounds, Athletic Fields By May 1

To better ensure the safety of those in and around parks, the Park Board announced it will modify or close more of its amenities in the coming days, though parks will remain open. These changes are designed to protect the health and safety of park visitors and our community and come after some visitors continue to congregate despite efforts to educate and encourage safe social distancing. Expect the following changes by this Friday, May 1:

• Playgrounds, skateparks, and athletic fields will be closed
• Tennis court nets will be removed
• Basketball court rims will be blocked or removed

The following measures, already in place, will remain in effect:

• Volleyball nets will remain down
• Trail users must remain six feet apart

The Park Board will also post signage at picnic areas to limit social gatherings to 10 people or less. Disc golf areas will also get new signage that reflects social distancing guidelines, similar to signs that were posted recently at Park Board golf courses. For more information on the Park Board’s efforts to keep us safe during this pandemic, check out their COVID-19 website.

Throughout the week I have heard from several of you regarding concerns and frustrations regarding the MPRB's decision, especially around the removal of tennis court nets. I want you to know that so far I have had conversations with Superintendent Bangoura, Mayor Frey and our area’s Commissioner, Brad Bourn. They are aware of these frustrations and that they are shared by many. What the MPRB has told me is that they expect their Park Ambassador program will have some opportunities to allow for safe recreation in parks across our city including tennis and other things. What that will look like is still being worked out on their end. I will continue to have these conversations with the MPRB and work to be a good partner on finding a reasonable solution. I hope to have more information to share with you all soon.

Community Ed Resources for Youth and Families

MPS Community Ed website - mpls.k12.mn.us/communityed/home

Minneapolis Public Schools’ Community Education is offering dozens of activities for youth and families, including both scheduled interactive options as well as anytime activities that can be done when it’s most convenient for you. Activities are available for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade, and high schoolers. There are also options that invite the whole family to participate together. Additionally, there is a long list of resources that can help your household during this time – this includes everything from food, housing, mental health, and literacy resources to fitness, life skills, STEAM, and animal activities for kids.