Minneapolis Connects: rebuilding and recovery edition.

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June 19, 2020

Remembering Juneteenth and emancipation in the U.S.

Gov. Walz declares Juneteenth Freedom Day in Minnesota, calls on Legislature to establish state holiday

Gov. Tim Walz today issued a proclamation to officially recognize June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Freedom Day in the State of Minnesota to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Walz is also calling on the Legislature to work with community to establish a state holiday recognizing Juneteenth.

History of Juneteenth

Today (June 19) marks the 155th commemoration of Juneteenth. Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and his troops landed at Galveston, Texas, where they announced – and enforced – President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had officially taken effect two and a half years earlier. Up until that time, enslavement of African Americans was still rampant in many areas including in Texas that had more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans.

We Count MN at Juneteenth events 

Ensuring that our communities of color are counted and receive resources and political representation is a priority for the City of Minneapolis and its Census 2020 efforts. To celebrate Juneteenth, the City of Minneapolis will have a census presence at these events:

  • Unite & Rebuild: 3-8 p.m. Friday, June 19 2500 E. Lake St.
  • Community Festival and Rally: noon-6 p.m. Friday, June 19 Cub Foods parking lot, 701 W. Broadway Ave.
  • Event and BBQ hosted by staff of Freedom Works: noon Saturday, June 20 St. Olaf Church, 215 S. Eighth St.

Read more.


Additional June events in Minneapolis

Somali Independence

This year's Somali Independence Day, typically a large celebration at the end of June on Lake Street in South Minneapolis, will move online on July 1, 2020 due to COVID-19. Learn more.

Pride

June is also Pride Month. You can visit virtualtcpride.org this year to celebrate online, including a virtual marketplace on June 27 and 28 where you can meet LGBTQ+ small businesses and non-profits.


Historic Supreme Court decisions made this June

Ruling protects gay, lesbian and trans workers

On June 15, 2020 the Supreme Court ruled that employers may not discriminate against gay, lesbian, and transgender employees under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Read more.

Ruling upholds DACA protections for undocumented youth

On June 18, 2020 the Supreme Court ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program must remain in effect. This program gives work authorization to undocumented youth who were brought to the US as minors, also known as "Dreamers." Read more.


Minneapolis Forward: resources for recovery, rebuilding

Be a kind human artwork

Over the last several months, our community has faced extraordinary challenges. The City of Minneapolis is working hard to help the people of our city to heal and recover, to emerge stronger and more equitable than before.

To find information about legal actions related to George Floyd's death, plans to transform public safety and resources for those affected by the civic unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, such as food and medicine or how to report a business loss, visit minneapolismn.gov/minneapolisforward

Community Now Coalition created to advise City leaders on recovery efforts

Mayor Jacob Frey is convening leaders from Twin Cities foundations, businesses and community organizations to rebuild and repair Minneapolis as a stronger and more equitable and inclusive city as the Community Now Coalition. This coalition will accelerate repair and recovery efforts in Minneapolis. Read more.

Get City updates about rebuilding and recovery


Changes to policing in Minneapolis

The State of Minnesota Department of Human Rights has opened an investigation into the policies, procedures and practices of the Minneapolis Police Department over the past 10 years to determine if the MPD has engaged in systematic discriminatory practices toward people of color and ensure that any such practices are stopped. The investigation began with a court order to make several immediate changes to policing in Minneapolis and a framework for systemic change detailed here.

Minnesotans with information that can further the investigation into the MPD, or who witness violations of this court order, should contact the Department of Human Rights at mn.gov/mdhr or 651-539-1100 or call toll free at 1-800-657-3704. Read more.

Additionally, the City Council has committed to starting a year-long process of community engagement, research and structural change to create a new model for safety in Minneapolis. Read more.


Get involved with your neighborhood organization

Community support icon  

Many Minneapolis residents are looking for opportunities to get to know their neighbors and find ways to collaborate. One avenue may be joining your local neighborhood organization. Look up your neighborhood organization by address.


Free COVID-19 testing available, recommended for people who have been in large gatherings

Get tested for COVID-19. mn.gov/covid-19. Stay Safe MN.

COVID-19 can spread easily and quickly in large groups of people who are close together for long periods of time. Even people who do not have symptoms can still spread the virus to others.

Residents who live in the area of these three outdoor sites who have recently been a part of large gatherings such as community cleanups, vigils or protests are invited to preregister for free COVID-19 testing. Read more.

Preregister for a time slot and find more information online here or by phone at 1-800-657-3903 if you don’t have internet access or need an interpreter.


Masks or face coverings required in indoor public places

Mask requirements social media graphic

As of May 26, Mayor Jacob Frey's Emergency Regulation 2020-12 is in effect. This regulation requires people in Minneapolis to wear cloth face masks or coverings when they are in an indoor place of public accommodation, including grocery stores, recreation centers, hotels, retail businesses, the skyway system, and government buildings. Download and share the mask requirements graphic for social media.

Shareable videos about how to use and make masks:

Read more.

Donate homemade face masks at Minneapolis fire stations for Mask Drive Mondays

Minneapolis residents can deliver homemade masks to their local fire station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday for Mask Drive Mondays.


State's Stay Safe MN plan enters third phase

Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms and entertainment venues, has begun. 

Occupancy rates will be limited based on risk, with an overall occupancy maximum of 250 people. All critical businesses are required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by June 29. Find detailed information about reopening, including guidance for businesses in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong at staysafe.mn.gov.

City of Minneapolis guidance for businesses on opening.


Eviction suspension order extended until July 13

House for Rent Blue Icon

The governor's latest extension of the peacetime emergency means that the suspension of evictions and landlord-initiated lease terminations remains in place until July 13.

This suspension will allow households to remain sheltered during the peacetime emergency. The executive order does not relieve a tenant's obligation to pay rent, however. It also does not include eviction actions based on cases where the tenant seriously endangers the safety of residents, or where the tenant seriously endangers the safety of others on the premises. Read the executive order

Renter assistance from Hennepin County

Even though there is a temporary hold on evictions, rent is still due. Renters in Hennepin County can apply for assistance. If you do not have internet access or cannot complete the form in English call 612-302-3160.

There is no deadline to apply. Priority will be given to households with the lowest incomes and those not eligible for unemployment insurance.


Learn about new renter protection rules

Preview image of renter protection ordinance fact sheet

Starting June 1, there will be caps on security deposits and limits on what a rental property owner can use to deny rental applications in Minneapolis. The City is hosting a series of free webinars about the renter protection ordinance, which you can register for here

  • Inclusive screening criteria will set limits on what information in a renter’s criminal, rental and credit history can be used to deny a rental application. Landlords who don’t use the inclusive screening criteria will have to specifically state why an application is denied and provide an opportunity for the applicant to add more context to their history.
  • Security deposits will be capped at one month’s rent, or one-half month’s rent if the landlord requires first and last month’s rent to be paid in advance. If they require the first and last month’s rent to be paid along with the security deposit, renters must have the option to pay the security deposit in installments over three months.

The ordinance goes into effect June 1 for owners with more than 15 rental units. The effective date for property owners with 15 rental units or fewer is Dec. 1. Enforcement will be through the City’s housing maintenance code.

This follows previous renter protection efforts adopted recently, including relocation assistance for displaced renters and a requirement that owners of naturally occurring affordable housing rental property give the City 60 days’ notice before selling their units.

Shareable fact sheets

To learn more, visit minneapolismn.gov/renterprotections.


Neighbors Respond to COVID-19 fund

Neighbors Respond to COVID-19 Fund organizers holding mask donations

The City’s Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) Department has collaborated with several neighborhood organizations to launch the Neighborhoods Respond to COVID-19 Fund (NRC-19) to provide a meaningful and efficient way for neighborhood groups to assist with the City’s COVID-19 response.

The fund has paid for 2,500 face masks and 4,800 bottles of hand sanitizer (more than 3 million doses of hand sanitizer) for the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Connecting resources with need

The City’s Health Department has established an online portal to connect resources with community organizations and individuals in need of resources (not personal protective equipment) during the pandemic. Requests that cannot be covered with City funding but can be covered by Neighborhood Revitalization Program dollars may be considered under this fund.

The neighborhoods contributing to the fund so far include Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc, West Calhoun Neighborhood Council, ECCO, Cleveland Neighborhood Association, North Loop Neighborhood Association and Kenny Neighborhood Association.

Photo: Members of the West Calhoun Neighborhood Association join NCR director David Rubedor (right) in preparing facemasks and hand sanitizer for residents


Sign up online to vote early by mail this election year

Request an Absentee Ballot Now

With health officials advising everyone to reduce contact to keep each other safe during the pandemic, the City of Minneapolis is recommending voting early by mail this election year. Voters can sign up now to get ballots for the August primary and November general election mailed to them. Ballots will arrive approximately six weeks before those elections, along with postage-paid envelopes for return. Sign up to vote by mail at vote.minneapolismn.gov. Read more.


Census results affect federal funding for mental health care

Data from the census is used to not only determine political representation and redistricting for states, but it is also used by local governments to determine federal funding for many services and programs, including mental health care.

Mental health issues are common and affect tens of millions of Americans, but only half of individuals with mental illnesses receive adequate treatment. Without accurate census data, the funding that communities receive for necessary mental health programs may not represent the population that relies on such services. Completing the census allows communities to receive the funding that truly reflects their needs.

Don’t hesitate, complete the census now: my2020census.gov.


Public hearings scheduled for July on revised 2020 budget

The City Council’s Budget Committee will hold two public hearings in July on proposed revisions to the City’s 2020 budget.

The City faces a significant revenue shortfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and needs to make cuts to the City’s roughly $1.5 billion budget. Mayor Jacob Frey will brief the City Council’s Policy & Government Oversight (POGO) Committee on a revised 2020 budget July 9 and staff will present the revised budget to City Council July 10.

The public can then engage and share their voices in this process during two online public hearings:

  • 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 14
  • 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 22

You can watch or participate in the online meetings.

The City Council is scheduled to vote July 24 on a revised 2020 budget. For more information about the City’s budget, visit minneapolismn.gov/budget.


Report back from community dialogues about the Transportation Action Plan

Working with the City’s Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) Cultural Engagement Team, Public Works held seven community dialogues to connect with communities of different cultures, languages and abilities through small group discussions in spring of 2019. Key messages from the conversations influenced the draft Transportation Action Plan. Public Works made updates to the community dialogue summaries to highlight proposed strategies and actions which were directly informed by key messages heard from the seven conversations.

You can read the updated summaries below:

Learn more about the Transportation Action Plan in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.


Minnesota property tax refunds

The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers property tax refunds to homeowners and renters who qualify based on their income and property taxes.

Find more information here about qualifying and how to file.


Minneapolis Connects is published by the City of Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations department (NCR). If you have stories or community events that should be included in next month's edition, email rebekah.tedrick-moutz@minneapolismn.gov.

For questions, accommodations or alternative formats, please contact Neighborhood and Community Relations at 612-673-3737 or email us at ncr@minneapolismn.gov. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 agents at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-263-6850.

Para asistencia, llame al 612-673-2700 •  Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 • Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.