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This newsletter provides updates on the City's response to COVID-19, an overview of recovery efforts underway, efforts to transform public safety and other important news and information from the City of Minneapolis.
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:
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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.
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.
The proclamation notes the significance of this year’s Juneteenth Freedom Day, as we grapple with our state’s racial injustices during the 100th commemoration of the lynching of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie on June 15, 1920 in Duluth, and the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis.
Read more.
For the upcoming 2020 elections, the CDC recommends voting by mail if possible. As always, all Minnesotans are eligible to vote early by mail. Voting by mail may mean you need to plan and prepare a bit more than you might if you were going to vote at your polling place, but it doesn’t mean your vote (and voice!) is counted any differently.
Myth: “My mail ballot will only be counted if the race is close.”
Fact: All votes are counted, no matter if cast in-person or by mail.
By law, we count every properly returned ballot we receive by Election Day, period. It is a common misconception that mail (absentee) ballots are only counted during very tight races.
Want to vote by mail this year? Apply online today for your State Primary and/or General Election ballot.
Saturday, June 20, is World Refugee Day. A refugee is a person who was persecuted, or who fears being persecuted, by their government or forces the government cannot or will not control. The persecution could be because of the person’s race, religion, nationality or political opinion, or part of someone’s identity.
Over 20,000 refugees have made Minneapolis home.
Learn more about the importance of World Refugee Day from these resources:
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.
Over the last several months, our Minneapolis community has faced extraordinarily painful challenges. The City of Minneapolis is working hard to help the people of our city 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 residents and businesses impacted by recent violence, civic unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, visit minneapolismn.gov/minneapolisforward.
Effective Saturday, June 20, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will offer weekend lifeguard services from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21 and June 27-28 at the three most-visited beaches in the park system:
If the temperature is 85 degrees or warmer at 6 p.m., lifeguard hours will be extended to 8 p.m. All beach visitors are encouraged to social distance, bring a water bottle and hand sanitizer, and follow Minnesota Department of Health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Read more.
MPRB commissioners pass resolution allowing people currently experiencing homelessness to stay in Minneapolis parks
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Wednesday that allows people currently experiencing homelessness to seek refuge on Minneapolis parkland. The resolution also requests assistance from other federal, state and local agencies to seek a permanent housing solution for the homeless population.
The resolution and the list of community partners currently working toward a sustainable, long-term housing solution is linked below.
Read more.
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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced that the Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program will begin accepting applications next week.
This program will provide $10,000 grants to small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. Half of the funding will go to businesses in Greater Minnesota and half to businesses in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, as required by law.
The application period will begin on Tuesday, June 23 and close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 2 to fulfill the 10-day period required by the law. A randomized, computer-generated lottery process will be used to select eligible businesses that will receive awards. All awards will be administered by qualified local and regionally based nonprofit agencies, and the grant funds can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar business expenses.
To be eligible, businesses must have a permanent physical location in Minnesota and be majority owned by a permanent resident of Minnesota. Businesses must be able to demonstrate hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Additional eligibility requirements and application information can be found online at DEED’s Small Business Relief Grants page.
Mayor Jacob Frey’s emergency regulation requiring people in Minneapolis to wear cloth face masks or coverings when they are in an indoor place of public accommodation is in effect.
Businesses will not be required to provide masks to customers or employees themselves, though employers shall be required to mandate the use of masks by their staff. Non-compliance should be reported through 311. Find more information here.
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.
The State has added special COVID-19 testing sites for critical communities for people who have recently been a part of large gatherings whether or not they have symptoms. Make sure to preregister for a time slot if you can before heading over to be sure you have a spot.
Residents who live in the area of these three sites who have recently been a part of large gatherings are invited to preregister for free COVID-19 testing:
- Holy Trinity Church (pedestrians)
2730 E. 31st St.
- Sabathani Community Center (drive up, limited pedestrians)
310 E. 38th St.
- New Salem Baptist Church (pedestrians)
2507 Bryant Ave. N.
Read more.
Tune into the City's cultural radio programs for COVID-19 updates. The City has programs on KMOJ 89.9 FM (English); La Raza 95.7 FM (Spanish); KALY 101.7 FM (Somali); and WIXK AM 1590 (Hmong.) Radio shows schedule
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