|
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.
Many Minneapolis voters are voting by mail for the first time ever this year. As of Oct. 6, the City has mailed out over 140,000 requested mail ballots.
If you have questions about your ballot or the vote by mail process, the Elections & Voter Services office is here to help. Read through the recently added frequently asked questions section of the vote by mail webpage, or reach out to the office for support. You can email your question to elections@minneapolismn.gov – please remember to include a good phone number to call you back at. You may also call Minneapolis 311 directly.
For voters who speak Spanish, Hmong or Somali, the City’s 2020 Voter Information Guide is now translated and in an electronic format.
|
The City Council's Budget Committee will begin reviewing departments' proposed 2021 budgets 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
The review will begin with the Minneapolis Police, Fire and 911 departments. The Budget Committee will review department budgets through November. The City Council is scheduled to vote on budget adoption Dec. 9.
Mayor Jacob Frey's proposed budget calls for a 5.75% maximum levy increase. With a 12% increase in the overall tax base growth, three-quarters of Minneapolis residential property owners will see a decrease in their property tax bill with the median-valued household set to experience a $59 yearly decrease.
Public hearings on the proposed 2021 City budget are planned for Nov. 16, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. Visit the City’s budget website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more. You can also watch a series of videos on the City’s budget process.
|
On Thursday, Oct. 1, a federal district court ruled a second time to extend the 2020 Census to the original modified deadline of Oct. 31. The U.S. Census Bureau has issued a statement of compliance and will continue counting communities as well as receiving census response forms until Oct. 31.
The new deadline will allow for a more thorough process by providing additional time to account for delays in enumeration efforts due to the pandemic. While Minnesota leads the nation in self-response rates at 75%, Minneapolis still has many communities that are near the 50% threshold including: Midtown Phillips, Prospect Park, Cedar Riverside, Ventura, Como, Jordan, Hawthorne, U of M, Loring Heights and Whittier.
The census occurs only once every decade. Failing to complete the census now means that there won’t be another chance to be counted until 2030. Complete the census form online or by phone before Oct. 31 so that our communities receive the resources that are reflective of our presence and contribution. We all matter, we all add value and we all count. Count yourself and everyone in your household today by visiting my2020census.gov or calling 1-844-330-2020.
The City of Minneapolis is offering free COVID-19 tests and flu shots. All are welcome. You do not need insurance for the test.
-
Free COVID-19 tests at Masjid An-Nur Mosque, 1729 N. Lyndale Ave. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 Somali interpreters will be available. Register onsite.
-
Free COVID-19 tests at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Bryant Ave. N. 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 2-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 Make an appointment if possible, or register onsite.
-
Free COVID-19 tests at Phelps Park, 701 E. 39th St. 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 1-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be available. Register onsite.
-
Free COVID-19 tests and flu shots at Phelps Park, 701 E. 39th St. 1-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 The flu shots are covered by insurance. If you have insurance, bring your insurance card for the flu shot. If you don’t have insurance, the flu shot is free. American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be available. Register onsite.
-
Free COVID-19 tests at St. Peter’s AME, 401 E. 41st St. 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 2-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 Make an appointment if possible, or register onsite.
You can expect to get your test results in about two business days. The COVID-19 test is free, and you do not need insurance for the test. If you need medical care but don’t have health insurance, the Minnesota Department of Health offers resources to find low-cost health care or health insurance.
Testing for other communities
Free COVID-19 tests focused on the Cedar-Riverside community hosted by Pillsbury United 1-4 p.m. every Friday and Monday Brian Coyle Center, 420 15th Ave. S. Note: Double-check with Pillsbury United for possible updates before heading over.
If you can’t attend one of these testing events, you can use this directory to find a testing location near you.
The City of Minneapolis has drafted frequently asked questions and rules documents to provide general guidance to freelance workers and those who hire freelancers about their rights and responsibilities under the City’s freelance worker protection ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.
The ordinance will help prevent the exploitation of freelance workers, including many self-employed entrepreneurs who work as independent contractors. Under the ordinance, businesses that hire certain freelancers for their work in the City of Minneapolis must confirm their agreement in writing. It is an ordinance violation for a hiring party to refuse to pay the freelancer as stated in the contract or demand a freelancer accept less compensation after work has started as a condition of being paid on time.
Public comments about the clarity and substance of information in the FAQs and rules documents can be submitted online. The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 31, 2020.
Read more.
Many traditional Halloween activities can have a high risk of spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to celebrate Halloween.
If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, like with all activities you should not participate in person in Halloween festivities or give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Stay safer during the holidays
If you’re wondering how to stay safer in light of the pandemic during the holiday season, the City of Minneapolis Health Department recommends following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health.
|
The cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis invite community members to learn more about the new Twin Cities Electric Vehicle Mobility Network (TCEVMN) by attending online community meetings on Oct. 26 & Oct. 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Interested individuals will also be able to share their input and suggestions through an online survey.
The Twin Cities Electric Vehicle Mobility Network (TCEVMN) is a project being developed by the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, HOURCAR, and Xcel Energy. The TCEVMN will create a network of electric vehicle charging hubs and make a new electric vehicle carshare service, powered by renewable energy, available to community members. The EV mobility network is anticipated to launch in 2021.
Online community meetings
To join an online meeting, please RSVP prior to the event at www.stpaul.gov/EV. Both meetings will be recorded and uploaded to the project website in the event you can’t attend.
- Minneapolis meeting: 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26
- Saint Paul meeting: 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28
Learn more.
Crews will sweep streets across Minneapolis next month to clean the streets before winter to keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains and ending up in our lakes and rivers as much as possible.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb sweeping and leaf collection on streets throughout the city. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, Oct. 19, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.
Read more and find ways to stay informed of the parking rules.
A reminder as application review nears: 24 City boards and commissions have openings for appointments this fall. 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. The positions are open until filled; application review begins Sept. 30 unless marked otherwise.
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 here and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings. Applications are open now.
|
The governor's latest extension of the peacetime emergency means that the suspension of evictions and landlord-initiated lease terminations remains in place until Oct. 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.
Emergency rental assistance
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 and find more information here:
Minnesota’s COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program has opened to cover housing expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities or other housing-related costs. This program will help keep folks in their homes and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners in communities across the state.
People in Minnesota interested in applying for assistance can call the Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline at 651-291-0211, visiting 211unitedway.org or texting “MNRENT” or “MNHOME” to 898-211. The 211 Helpline has dedicated multilingual staff to answer questions about the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
For questions regarding the application process, check the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program frequently asked questions.
Workers have a variety of overlapping protections to navigate COVID-19 and its effects in the workplace.
The State of Minnesota and City of Minneapolis can help clarify best practices and requirements for workplace safety. Watch this video and check online for more information. Call 311, or MN OSHA at 651-284-5050, to report safety problems in a business or seek additional guidance.
Every COVID-19 preparedness plan must ensure that sick workers stay home. In addition to the City’s Sick and Safe Time ordinance, the U.S. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ensures that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and public health.
In general, employees (of government or private sector employers with fewer than 500 employees), are entitled to (up to) two weeks (of fully or partially paid) sick leave for COVID-19 related reasons. Additional partially paid leave is available to care for a child, including during school closure or virtual learning. Private employers may be reimbursed with tax credits. For more information about Coronavirus Leave, call 1-866-4-US-WAGE and check out the following resources: informational video, eligibility tool, poster and FAQs.
Park Board updates on encampments
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) limits the total number of parks available for temporary encampments and the number of tents per encampment. It has also established a temporary permit that can be issued to an individual or body that agrees to be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of an encampment.
The board’s regulations respond to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness who are living in parks temporarily until dignified alternative spaces can be found. The MPRB is working with state, county and city health and human service agencies to find short, medium and long-term solutions.
For the latest information on encampment locations and Park Board actions, go to minneapolisparks.org/encampments.
Learn more about the City's work with partners responding to the increase in homeless encampments.
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.
|
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
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
| 
