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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 Minneapolis Forward: Community Now Coalition has issued the first round of recommendations aimed at rebuilding the city in the aftermath of civil unrest surrounding the death of George Floyd. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and City Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins convened a virtual briefing of coalition members and funding partners to present the proposals from first of three planned work cycle sprints on Aug. 6.
The first round focused on four key areas of action including: business retention, prioritizing BIPOC/minority-owned businesses, supporting entrepreneurs who invest in the community, and real estate and investment.
Participants in the Minneapolis Forward: Community Now Coalition reflect leadership from Twin Cities foundations, community-rooted businesses, and community organizations that are working together to transform Minneapolis into a stronger, equitable, inclusive and innovative city. The coalition is a cross-sector action team whose work is guided by the expertise of Black people, indigenous communities, people of color, and immigrants, including young people.
Learn more about the coalition on the City's website.
Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services 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 the Aug. 11 primary fast approaching, 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 East 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 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. are 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.
Learn more.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for areas in Minnesota impacted by the recent civil unrest. Minneapolis business, nonprofits, and individuals are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans directly from the SBA, including both physical damage and economic injury loans.
See the SBA news release and fact sheet for more information; two online training sessions are also available.
For additional guidance and assistance, Minneapolis businesses can consult with an advisor through the City’s Business Technical Assistance Program or contact the Minneapolis Small Business Team at 612-673-2499 or SmallBusiness@minneapolismn.gov.
Apply online.
On June 26, the City Council voted to advance a proposal to change the City Charter as a ballot measure to be considered by Minneapolis voters. The proposal would remove the Police Department as a required City department and establish a Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention.
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.
At the Aug. 5 Charter Commission meeting, commissioners voted to extend their review period for another 90 days, until Nov. 27, 2020.
The Minneapolis Charter Commission has held three public hearings to gather feedback on the proposed amendment and is expected to return its recommendations to City Council at the end of their review period. City Council could submit a new or similar proposal to voters in a future election.
Learn more about this Charter amendment proposal and other actions related to transforming public safety in Minneapolis here.
Have you completed the census yet? Completing the census will ensure that our communities receive resources for programs and services that we need. Many programs that our communities rely on, including SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP and Head Start are funded through data that is obtained by the census. The 2020 Census is our chance to shape the future of Minneapolis for the next 10 years.
Census takers have begun following up in Minneapolis with households that haven’t yet completed the 2020 Census. Census staff have been hired locally and are here to help households complete their census forms. The goal of census door knockers is to help get an accurate count. Census staffers 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 follow both CDC and local public health guidelines, are trained in physical distancing protocols and will provide census takers with masks during their visit. Census staff have sworn a lifetime oath of confidentiality. Any information that you provide to them will not be shared with any entity other than the Census Bureau for statistical purposes only and never to identify an individual.
Find more information here on verifying a census taker’s identity, COVID-19 protocols or the strategy to visit households that haven’t responded yet.
Learn more.
Minneapolis is offering free COVID-19 testing events Aug. 11 and 15. All are welcomed. The tests are available to people arriving on foot or by car.
Free COVID-19 testing focused on PICA Head Start families 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 Fraser Early Childhood Center, 700 Humboldt Ave. N. Sign up here now for an appointment, or call 1-855-612-0677 if you can’t sign up online or need a translator to sign up. Hmong, Somali and Spanish interpreters will be onsite.
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. 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.
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. 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 has reported 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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Twenty-four City boards and commissions have openings for appointments this fall. Applications are open now. The positions are open until filled; application review begins Sept. 30 unless marked otherwise. The City seeks applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. Translation and interpreting services are available so all residents can participate.
City boards and commissions have brought forward recommendations that resulted in renter protections, wage protections and a ban on a hazardous chemical in dry cleaning. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis help shape key policy decisions, give community-based input into the City’s administration of services and supply valuable insights.
People can apply through the open position pages linked below and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings. Applications are open now.
Learn more about the openings.
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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