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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.
City of Minneapolis leaders provided updates on the City's response to the increase in homelessness, efforts to enforce COVID-19 safety protocols in bars and restaurants, and ongoing recovery/rebuilding work during a news conference today.
Watch the news conference.
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Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order today requiring Minnesotans to wear a face covering in indoor businesses and indoor public settings. Researchers have advocated for masking, calling it a simple and effective step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The mandate goes into effect on Saturday, July 25.
Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that makes it unreasonable for the individual to maintain a face covering are exempt from the order. Children ages 5 and younger are also exempt. Children under 2 should never wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation.
For information and resources on the mask mandate, including frequently asked questions, visit mn.gov/COVID19.
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The City Council will vote on adopting a revised 2020 budget Friday, July 24. The Council meeting starts at 9:30 a.m.
The Council's Budget Committee held two public hearings this month to gather feedback on proposed revisions. 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.
View Council members proposed amendments to the mayor's revised budget proposal.
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The Minneapolis Charter Commission has held two public hearings to gather feedback on a the proposed charter amendment establishing a new Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention authored by five City Council members.
The Minneapolis Charter Commission is also planning a public hearing 5 p.m. Monday, July 27 on a separate proposed charter amendment eliminating minimum funding level requirements for the police force. The proposal has been submitted by a Charter Commission member.
The statutory deadline for submitting questions on the Nov. 3 general election ballot is Friday, Aug. 21.
The proposed Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention would have responsibility for “public safety services prioritizing a holistic, public health-oriented approach,” according to the proposed charter amendment. As a charter department, the director would be nominated by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The director would have non-law enforcement experience in community safety services, including but not limited to public health and/or restorative justice approaches.
The ordinance provides that the City may maintain a division of law enforcement services composed of licensed peace officers subject to the supervision of the Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention.
Learn more about the City Charter.
The City Council has approved a resolution declaring racism a public health emergency in the City of Minneapolis and committed to a series of action steps to dedicate more resources to racial equity work.
The resolution notes that “racism in all its forms causes persistent discrimination and disparate outcomes in many areas of life, including housing, education, health, employment, public safety and criminal justice; exacerbated further by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis,” and “a multitude of studies connect racism to inequitable health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), including cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high infant and maternal mortality rates demonstrating that racism is the root cause of social determinants of health.”
The resolution commits the City Council and mayor to recognize the “severe impact of racism on the wellbeing of residents and the city overall” and to allocate funding, staff and resources to “actively engage in racial equity in order to name, reverse, and repair the harm done to BIPOC.”
Read more about the resolution and action steps policymakers have pledged to take.
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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.
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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.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is now offering low-cost pet vaccinations by appointment to follow safe COVID-19 guidelines and ensure there aren’t too many people in the shelter at one time. Getting animals vaccinated is an important public health and safety service, and we want to help pets live happy, healthy lives.
Services: Rabies vaccination: $10; DA2PP (distemper combination for dogs) vaccination: $10; PRC (distemper combination for cats) vaccination: $10; and microchip: $10.
Because of capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is only open to residents of Minneapolis who have or buy a current pet license. Residents can sign up for an appointment using this form or by calling 311 or 612-673-6222. Appointments are available 1-4 p.m. on most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Residents can sign up for an appointment using this form or by calling 311 or 612-673-6222. Appointments are available 1-4 p.m. on most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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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.
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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.
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 plans to distribute the donated masks throughout Minneapolis to residents, organizations and businesses that are most in need, including food shelves, congregate living facilities, small corner stores and shelters.
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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