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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.
Starting Friday, Aug. 7, Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services will have a drive-through option at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. for voters returning their completed mail ballots. Keeping people in their vehicles or on their bikes not only makes returning ballots faster and more convenient, it also helps people maintain a good physical distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With less than a week before the Aug. 11 primary, the City recommends ballots not be mailed back because they may not be delivered in time to be counted. Instead, mail ballots may be dropped off at Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., from now until the primary. Minneapolis voters may also drop off mail ballots at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. 6th St., in the skyway level of the building.
For the State primary, a voter’s ballot will count as long as it is postmarked on or before the day of the primary (Aug. 11) and is received in the mail no later than two days after the primary (Aug. 13). This is a change from previous election law requiring mail ballots to be received by the day of the primary.
Hours for Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10. Voters delivering their ballots the day of the State primary, Aug. 11, must bring it to the office no later than 3 p.m. Ballots may not be dropped off at polling places on Aug. 11.
Find more information on the Election & Voter Services website.
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The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that the 2020 Census self-response period will end Sept. 30, leaving two months to ensure that our communities are counted.
Starting Aug. 6, census takers will begin early non-response follow up (NRFU) in Minneapolis, where census staffers will begin interviewing households that haven’t yet completed the 2020 Census. Census staff have been hired locally to assist in obtaining an accurate count and can be easily identified by a valid government ID badge that includes their photograph and a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark. Census field staff are trained in social distancing protocols and will provide census takers with masks as well as following both CDC and local public health guidelines during their visit. For more information on verifying a census takers identity, COVID-19 protocols or the NRFU strategy click here.
If you haven’t yet completed the 2020 Census application and would like to avoid a census taker coming to your home, you can submit your form online, by phone or through the mail (respond to the U.S. Census Bureau form that you received at your household). Language assistance is offered in multiple languages online or via the phone option and can also be requested at your visit.
In 2010, Minneapolis had a census completion rate of 72.8%. Currently, Minneapolis has a completion rate of 69.9%. It is important now more than ever that our communities are counted and receive the resources and representation that are needed to meet their needs. Let’s get counted 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.
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 today, 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 4 p.m. today.
Learn more about the proposed charter amendment and submit feedback.
Minneapolis is scheduling a free COVID-19 testing event Aug. 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. 15
Incarnation-Sagrado Corazon Church, 3817 Pleasant Ave. S.
If you are unable to attend this testing evente, 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. 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.
If you see violations of the new rule, please report them by calling 311. Businesses can reach out for compliance support and guidance at 612-673-2080 or businesslicenses@minneapolismn.gov.
Read more about the emergency regulation.
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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.
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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