In This Issue:

• Park Board Extends Parkway Closures Through June
• The Minneapolis Foundation's Conversations with Chanda Series
• Vote By Mail
• Minneapolis Public Schools Offering Free Food to ALL Minneapolis Kids
• Too Local To Fail
• Reminder - Virtual Open House - Bryant Avenue Reconstruction Project
• Safe Communities Grants
• City Preparing Emergency Foster Program for Pets

Park Board Extends Parkway Closures Through June

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/

As many of you know, park decisions are out of my jurisdiction as a Council Member but I have been working closely with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Commissioners and staff to safely, consistently, and smoothly close parkways around the city lakes that provide for more expanded access for users. I help make these happen to the best of my authority and ability to influence. From the beginning, I wanted these closures to remain in place for the duration of social distancing guidelines, whenever that is, and also encouraged the park board to consider purchasing better equipment to be a future asset of park activities, and not incur the massive rental fees being generated by the current setup.  Over time, some of these decisions have gone the way that I would like them. I will continue to advocate for more consistency and better ways to close our parkways during these extraordinary circumstances.

At its May 6, 2020 meeting, Commissioners passed Resolution 2020-202, which grants MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura authority to spend up to $250,000 on a series of parkway closures enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MPRB staff estimate this amount of funding will maintain these closures until at least the end of June.

Sections of eight parkways or park roads totaling 21 lane miles are closed to motor vehicles and open to pedestrians to allow more space for trail users to follow social distancing practices and limit the spread of COVID-19. 

MPRB staff are also evaluating the closures to improve the trail user experience and reduce costs. In our area, I work hard to be a conduit of these activities. Sections of four parkways – Bde Maka Ska, Cedar, Nokomis and West River – will begin transitioning from one-lane to full closures in some areas. Up-to-date maps of every closure in the Minneapolis park system are posted on the MPRB Road Closures page.

The Minneapolis Foundation's Conversations with Chanda Series

https://www.minneapolisfoundation.org/conversations-with-chanda/

Every other Friday, the Minneapolis Foundation uploads its most recent episode of their Conversations with Chanda podcast. This series aims at unpacking complex issues, including philanthropy's role in conquering hate, the struggles of navigating systems, the power of human connection during times of crisis, and much more. Through these conversations, the Minneapolis Foundation is sparking actions for our community’s grittiest, most vexing problems.

Chanda Smith Baker is The Minneapolis Foundation’s Senior Vice President of Impact and the host of the Conversations with Chanda series. She has over 20 years of experience working in, for, and with underestimated communities. Chanda is committed to helping us break out of our silos, talk about critical issues together, and be a catalyst for collective change.

I had the privilege to attend several of these conversations before COVID-19 required us to shelter at home and am grateful that the Minneapolis Foundation is working hard to keep the series going. I highly recommend, that if you have the time, listen to some of her interviews here.

A few examples of the topics covered include:

• Mobilizing Resources During COVID-19
• The Data Behind Mass Shootings
• From Pain to Positivity
• Breaking Hate

Vote By Mail

Beginning May 13, voters will be able to request absentee (mail) ballots for both the State Primary in August and the General Election in November. You do not need to be registered to apply.

To request an absentee ballot for the August primary, November general election, or any special elections, complete and return this application  to the Minneapolis Elections and Voter Services office by mail, fax or email. 

• Mail or in-person:
  Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services
  980 E Hennepin Ave
  Minneapolis, MN 55414
• Email: minneapolisabsentee@minneapolismn.gov
• Fax: 612-673-2756

Minneapolis Public Schools Offering Free Food to ALL Minneapolis Kids

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is offering free, weekly food pickup for all children 18 and under at nearly 50 food distribution sites across Minneapolis. Children do not need to be enrolled in MPS to receive food, and families are welcome to take one box per child per week.

Each day, up to 10 different sites across the city offer food pickup from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Food boxes contains five breakfasts and five lunches, including fresh fruits and vegetables and items that families can heat at home.

The closest food sites for Southwest Minneapolis residents are at:

• Windom Dual Spanish Immersion School
• Bryant Square Park
• Lyndale Community School

Find pickup locations and more information here.

Families can also download the Free Meals for Kids mobile app to find their nearest food pickup sites.

Too Local To Fail

As we work to safely reopen businesses and help with protocol that keep residents and small business workers safe, we want your feedback. Follow this link and submit your ideas, either as an individual or on behalf of an organization. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic response, the City of Minneapolis has been partnering with local stakeholders and several small businesses to provide guidance, aide and partnership. This has led to policy changes, the City's gap funding program, an expansion of the City's low-interest loan program and devising responsible plans for reopening businesses safely and at the right time. One of the City's partners in these efforts is the small business coalition called Too Local To Fail. This group focuses on resource acquisition and advocacy for businesses & employees in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Together, along with the Minneapolis Chamber and other stakeholders, we have collectively identified and produced resources for business and workers to survive and recover from the pandemic.

Reminder - 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.

Earlier this week I, along with staff from the City's Public Works department, presented the project plans at the East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association's monthly meeting. We appreciated the feedback from everyone who participated and hope to hear from more of you at the virtual open house.

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.

Safe Communities Grants

The Minneapolis Foundation recently announced a special grant opportunity focused on engaging grassroots leaders and organizations in reducing violence. The Minneapolis Foundation recognizes the importance of honoring community voices and expertise while supporting a broad spectrum of strategies and approaches to make Minneapolis neighborhoods safer on the heels of an unprecedented crisis that has exacerbated existing disparities and inequity.

Grant requests will range from $5,000 to $50,000. We expect to approve 30 and 40 grants. The average grant will be approximately $15,000.

These grants will fund direct services programs, communication, advocacy, and organizing efforts led by community-based organizations that have a track record of successfully contributing to the reduction of violence in Minneapolis neighborhoods. In addition to nonprofits, other community groups (including those with and without a nonprofit fiscal agent) are eligible to apply.

The Foundation will prioritize efforts that are led and influenced by BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Color) communities, and that are grounded in the needs of diverse Minneapolis neighborhoods.

Online applications or short video files that answer the application questions will be accepted starting at noon on Friday, May 8. All applications must be submitted online by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22.

City Preparing Emergency Foster Program for Pets

Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) is preparing for a possible influx of animals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To avoid shelter overcrowding, staff hope to recruit members of the community for emergency foster homes.

Foster homes help keep animals well by reducing stress on their immune systems and mental health. They also help increase the shelter’s capacity for care and allow a better focus on staff resources.

MACC will provide all the supplies to care for the animal.

Foster homes will need to:

• Commit to take an animal for at least four weeks.
• Have reliable transportation to pick up the animal and supplies.
• Keep the animal separate from any other animals in the household.

If you’re approved as a foster home, you would be contacted if there’s an emergency need to care for an animal.

To apply

1. Fill out the emergency foster application form.
2. If you're needed as a foster, a MACC representative will reach out to you. (Please don't contact MACC about the status of your application.)
3. The approval process includes a phone interview with a short training session and paperwork if approved.