City of Minneapolis News Update: July 15, 2020

COVID-19
CoM news update

July 15, 2020


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.


Charter Commission holding public hearings tonight and July 21 on proposed charter amendment creating new Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention

The Minneapolis Charter Commission is seeking public comments on a proposed amendment to the City Charter related to the future of public safety. People can submit their comments online or provide them directly to members of the commission at a public hearing 5 p.m. tonight or July 21.

The proposed amendment, submitted by the City Council, proposes removing the Police Department from the charter and adding a new Community Safety & Violence Prevention Department. Under State law, the Charter Commission is required to review and submit its recommendation(s) on the proposed amendment before a ballot question can be presented to voters.

The virtual public hearings will take place tonight at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Participation instructions will be published on the City’s website. If you’re interested in speaking at either or both of the public hearings, you can pre-register using the online registration form.

Read more


Polling places are changing due to pandemic

pollingplace

To help keep voters safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, 50 of 125 polling places in Minneapolis are moving for the 2020 primary and general election. The changes will help protect people living in residential facilities and provide more space to keep voters a safe distance from elections staff and each other. 

Of the 50 polling places being relocated, 16 were in senior homes, high-rises and other residential sites. Another 32 were in areas with limited space that would make it difficult for people to keep at least 6 feet from others inside. Two were moved due to on-site construction.

Registered voters will receive a postcard in the mail indicating their new polling locations. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s polling place finder can also provide voters their new polling places. These locations will be the same for the Aug. 11 primary and Nov. 3 general elections. All voters choosing to vote in person on Election Day should check the online polling place finder or call 311 to verify their polling place.

Though polling locations will be open for the primary and general elections, the City encourages voting early by mail to minimize direct contact with others.

Read more


Public invited to comment on revised 2020 budget proposal at public hearing July 22

budget update

The City Council’s Budget Committee will hold another public hearing 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 22 on proposed revisions to the City’s 2020 budget. The City is facing approximately $156 million in projected revenue losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Jacob Frey presented the second phase of his revised budget proposal to the City Council’s Budget Committee July 9. The proposal avoids mass layoffs of City employees by relying on existing spending freezes, use of cash reserves, program cuts and furloughs. The budget also prioritizes preserving housing, economic development and racial equity work that will benefit the communities of color who have been hit hardest by COVID-19.

Frey’s Phase 1 response to the impact of COVID included spending and hiring freezes and has saved approximately $58 million to date. The City Council is scheduled to hold a budget markup July 17 and vote July 24 on a revised 2020 budget.

Learn about how to participate in public hearings virtually.


State leaders announce $100 million in housing assistance, homelessness prevention

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have launched a $100 million housing assistance program to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. The $100 million investment will be funded with federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was authorized by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

In conjunction with the governor’s announcement, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency launched a COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program Request for Proposals to select local organizations to administer the housing assistance program. Grants will be made to local administrators to provide outreach; accept and process applications from households requesting assistance; validate household eligibility; and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households to help maintain housing stability.

Local grant administrators will be selected in the coming weeks, and Minnesota Housing anticipates Minnesotans can begin applying for assistance with local grant administrators in the first part of August. Additional information about the program can be found on the Minnesota Housing website at www.mnhousing.gov.

housing

City and County seeking proposals for federal funding to assist with response to homlessness

The City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County have jointly released a request for proposals (RFP) for up to $14 million in federal Emergency Solutions Grant COVID (ESG-CV) response funds. The RFP information can be found on the City’s website here under the “housing development” tab. Proposals are due on July 24.

ESG-CV funding is designed to help local homeless assistance, prevention and housing providers deliver services, financial assistance and housing necessary to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 among persons experiencing homelessness. The City and County will be accepting proposals for four specific areas: emergency shelter, street outreach, rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention (shelter diversion.) 

The City and the County share the vision for this funding to support a housing-focused, culturally competent and trauma informed system-level response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, which ensures that the health, safety and well-being of people experiencing homelessness is preserved for the duration of the pandemic, and that the community staves off any increases in homelessness due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The vision for this system must explicitly address racial equity goals in our work on ending homelessness.


Minnesota peacetime emergency for COVID-19 extended

Gov. Walz extended Minnesota’s peacetime emergency through Aug. 12 to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 peacetime emergency protects Minnesotans against evictions and wage garnishment, provides expedited procurement power for personal protective equipment and other equipment, allows Minnesota to re-open society strategically while following the advice of public health experts, and protects workers from unsafe working conditions.

The governor points out that the emergency is not over, and we must continue necessary protections that are saving lives and keeping people safe. Working without the peacetime emergency would create a significant challenge and slowdown in the state’s response efforts and ability to provide emergency aid and economic relief across the state quickly – particularly with the current number of deaths and new cases.

Forty-nine out of the 50 states are in states of emergency because COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to proliferate.

Read the executive order.


State executive order suspending evictions extended until Aug. 12; rental assistance available through Hennepin County

The governor's latest extension of the peacetime emergency means that the suspension of evictions and landlord-initiated lease terminations remains in place until Aug. 12.

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.

While the eviction moratorium continues, housing providers can evict a tenant when the tenant violates a lease by endangering the safety of others, engaging in certain illegal activities, or significantly damaging property. Evictions can also proceed if the homeowner or their family member needs to move into the premises or if a writ of recovery was issued prior to March 24 at 5 p.m.

Hennepin County offers emergency rental assistance for residents with low incomes who have been financially harmed by COVID-19. Residents can learn more and apply at www.hennepin.us/rent-help.


Comment period for Neighborhoods 2020 program guidelines extended until Sept. 30

The public comment period for the Neighborhoods 2020 draft program guidelines on neighborhood programming and funding to support the City’s 70 neighborhood organizations in 2021 and beyond has been extended to Sept. 30, 2020. The equity and inclusion recommendations outlined in this document form the cornerstone of the City’s commitment to have an equitable neighborhood funding program for all of its residents.

The City has extended the comment period on the guidelines to give people more time to review and provide feedback as we face COVID-19 and civil unrest. The draft program guidelines follow the vision to preserve Minneapolis’ neighborhood organizations and create equitable communities in which all people are valued, communities are engaged and leadership mirrors the diversity of the city.

Read more


'20 is Plenty' speed limit yard signs available at Minneapolis fire stations

20isPlenty

Minneapolis and Saint Paul are in the process of implementing new, lower speed limits to support safer streets. Slower speeds on local streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how you get around.

The new speed limit starting this fall will be 20 mph in both cities unless otherwise signed. To help get out the word about the new speed limits and the importance of slower speeds for safety, the City has yard signs available for community members.

You can pick up your “20 is Plenty” yard sign at any Minneapolis fire station. Signs will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through July 24 while supplies last. Due to COVID-19, signs will be available outside the stations for no-contact pickup. Signs come with metal stands. Find your nearest fire station here.

Learn more about the new speed limits


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 City's Health Department continues to get requests from the community for help securing masks and the donations make a big difference in meeting those needs.

mask up

Public health information: Slow the spread of COVID-19

maskup

City's Cultural Radio Programs

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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