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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.
The City Council has approved a roughly $8 million funding package to expand shelter capacity for three new shelters for people experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County’s response to homelessness during COVID-19 prioritizes moving people from unsheltered homelessness to safer shelter and housing situations. There has been a significant increase in unsheltered homelessness since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City has received a one-time influx of funding from the federal government, through the CARES Act, to provide help with responding to homelessness during the pandemic. This historically large, one-time Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding provides an opportunity to strategically respond to COVID-19 across a range of strategies and to reshape the City/County homelessness response system to better serve persons experiencing homelessness in the coming months and years.
Learn more about the new shelters.
The City Council has approved a freelance worker protections ordinance to help prevent the exploitation of freelance workers, including many self-employed entrepreneurs who work as independent contractors. The new ordinance takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.
The City is dedicated to ensuring that everyone gets paid for the work they do regardless of their employment arrangement. Freelance work is a growing segment of the economy and Minneapolis is home to one of the largest communities of freelance workers in the country. Many freelance workers face difficulty securing timely payments and have limited recourse to secure earned but unpaid compensation. Mitigating those barriers helps everyone, especially as communities face uncertainty amid a pandemic.
Learn more about the ordinance.
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The City Council approved changes today to the City’s Minneapolis Homes programs that reflect a citywide strategy to create sustainable homeownership opportunities and make a meaningful impact to close the homeownership gap between white households and Black, Indigenous, People of Color and Immigrant (BIPOCI) households in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Homes focuses on reducing property vacancy, creating new housing units and sustaining homeownership in the city by providing educational, financing and property opportunities to homebuyers, homeowners and developers.
Minneapolis Homes programs are changing significantly in response to market data and community feedback through a long-term affordability housing study led by the City and Grounded Solutions Network.
Learn more about the changes.
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Next steps for proposed charter amendment that would create new Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention
The Minneapolis Charter Commission has held three public hearings to gather feedback on a proposed charter amendment establishing a new Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention authored by five City Council members. A decision on whether that proposal will be referred to voters at the Nov. 3 general election must be decided by Aug. 5 to meet statutory deadlines.
The City Council voted June 26 to advance the proposal as a ballot measure to be considered by Minneapolis voters. Under State law, proposals to amend the City Charter must first be reviewed by the City Charter Commission. The Charter Commission has at least 60 days to complete its review and submit its recommendation to the City Council but it may take up to 150 days to complete its review. The statutory deadline for submitting questions on the Nov. 3 general election ballot is Friday, Aug. 21. If approved by voters, the changes would become effective May 1, 2021. A decision by the Charter Commission is anticipated at its regular meeting on Aug. 5.
The Charter Commission also held a public hearing on a separate proposed charter amendment that proposed to eliminate minimum funding level requirements for the police force. That proposal was submitted by a Charter Commission member. At its meeting July 29, the Charter Commission voted not to submit that proposal to voters in November.
Learn more about the proposed charter amendment and submit feedback.
Minneapolis is scheduling free COVID-19 testing events Aug. 1 and 15 focused on the Latinx community. All are welcomed. The testing is available to people arriving on foot or by car.
Register onsite. Registration forms are available in English and Spanish. Spanish interpreters will be onsite. If you have medical insurance, please bring your insurance card.
Free COVID-19 testing focused on Latinx community members
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
Incarnation-Sagrado Corazon Church, 3817 Pleasant Ave. S.
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15
Incarnation-Sagrado Corazon Church, 3817 Pleasant Ave. S.
If you are unable to attend one of these testing events, you can use this directory to find a testing location near you.
Mayor Jacob Frey has issued an emergency regulation aimed at curbing community spread of COVID-19 in Minneapolis bars and restaurants.
The regulation orders the closure of bar areas in restaurants, clubs, and other indoor spaces beginning 5 p.m. Aug. 1. Indoor table service, including at high tops, will be allowed under the regulation as long as patrons follow the existing state guidance.
The Minneapolis Health Department is reporting a rate of 18 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 per day while the statewide rate has remained closer to 11 per 100,000. Public health experts have attributed the higher rate to people congregating at bars, among other reasons. More than 50 percent of new cases in Minneapolis continue to be in young adults under age 35 who report increased exposure in bars and at gatherings of friends and family.
Read more about the emergency regulation.
Watch the news conference.
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More than 20,000 Minneapolis voters have mailed in their ballots early for the Aug. 11 State primary. The sharp increase comes as health officials and the City support voting early by mail to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Since mail-in voting for the State primary began June 26, the City has received a record 20,727 completed ballots. That’s more than three times higher than the total 6,006 mail ballots received during the State primary in 2018, which is the previous record for a State primary.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging voting early by mail, and Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services supports voting early by mail and other CDC and Minneapolis Department of Health recommendations to make sure every voter in Minneapolis can safely cast their ballots this election year.
To make in-person voting safer, 50 of 125 polling places in Minneapolis are moving for the 2020 primary and general elections. 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.
Read more.
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Minnesotans are required 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 state regulation reinforces 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 are not 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 information on how to get a mask.
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.
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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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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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