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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.
Early voting continues at a record pace in Minneapolis.
The City recommends applying for a mail ballot no later than Oct. 20 to ensure you have enough time to receive and return your ballot, and putting your voted mail ballot in the mail no later than Oct. 27. Ballots will count if they are postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received in the mail no later than Nov. 10. If you would rather drop your ballot off in person, you may do so until 3 p.m. on Election Day.
Mail ballot drop-off locations
- Minneapolis Election & Voter Services (EVS), 980 E. Hennepin, the Minneapolis Convention Center, and the Hennepin County Government Center are all open for drop-off, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (extended and weekend hours begin on Oct. 19).
- On Monday, Oct. 19, nine more Minneapolis drop-off locations will open (for Minneapolis voters only). All sites will be open on Election Day through 3 p.m. – the deadline for returning a mail ballot in person.
Early in-person voting at Early Vote Centers
- Open now: Minneapolis Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
- Open now: Hennepin County Government Center, 300 6th St. S.
- Opening Oct. 27: The North Early Vote Center will be at the Urban League Twin Cities, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.
- Opening Oct. 27: The South Early Vote Center will be at the Longfellow Recreation Center, 3435 36th Ave. S.
For more voter resources, including the 2020 Voter Information Guide available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong, visit vote.minneapolismn.gov.
Watch the Oct. 15 news conference outside of EVS.
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The City Council approved a resolution today establishing a truth and reconciliation process for the City of Minneapolis. The ultimate objective of this process is to begin implementing specific solutions to specific harms that created and perpetuate racial disparities with a prioritized focus on healing with historically Black American descendants of slavery and American Indian/Indigenous communities.
The resolution notes that Minnesota and Minneapolis have some of the most severe racial inequities in the country. African Americans make up 31% and American Indians make up 8% of the incarcerated population but only 7% and 1%, respectively, of the statewide population. The Minneapolis median household income for white families is $68,000 compared to $30,000 for African American families.
The resolution calls for the establishment of a working group that will explore the creation of the truth and reconciliation process and study the meaning of reconciliation, research different models of truth and reconciliation commissions, and understand the impact that such a process might have on the City of Minneapolis and its residents.
Read more.
The City of Minneapolis is piloting a new initiative to decrease violence with “violence interrupters” on the streets in neighborhoods now. Outreach workers for the MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative de-escalate situations before they become violent, support behavior change for people at the highest risk for violence and help communities heal. By identifying and interrupting conflicts and working to promote community healing, the initiative is intended to break the “contagious” aspects of violence such as retaliation.
The interrupters wear bright orange “MinneapolUS” T-shirts highlighting the initiative’s purpose: to address the root causes of violence together as a community. The Minneapolis Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention initiative complements existing outreach organizations’ work already on Minneapolis’ streets, employing a specific approach built on the idea that violence is a public health issue. This approach is rooted in the power of Minneapolis communities. At the same time, it draws from strategies like Cure Violence, which has been effectively implemented across the globe.
Watch the Oct. 13 news conference on the initiative.
Visit the City website for more information about the City of Minneapolis Office of Violence Prevention and its other programs.
The City of Minneapolis is offering free COVID-19 tests and flu shots. All are welcome. You do not need insurance for the test. 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.
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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.
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Free COVID-19 tests and flu shots at Shiloh Temple, 1201 W. Broadway Ave. N. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
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Free COVID-19 tests and flu shots at Hennepin United Methodist, 511 Groveland Ave. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
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Free COVID-19 tests and flu shots at East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 Second St. NE Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
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.
Watch and share these short videos in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong by the Minnesota Department of Health about what to expect.
Crews will sweep streets across Minneapolis next week 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.
Crews have started installing gateway signs at entry points in Minneapolis and Saint Paul alerting drivers that the speed limit is now 20 mph in the cities, unless otherwise signed.
It will take about six weeks to install all of the gateway signs in Minneapolis. Saint Paul expects to complete installation of new gateway signs by the end of the year. To date, Minneapolis Public Works staff have installed 1,235 new or updated speed limit signs and will be installing 130 gateway signs over the coming weeks. Saint Paul Public Works crews have changed or installed approximately 750 new 25 mph speed limit signs and expects to install 150 gateway signs. As part of a joint education awareness campaign the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have distributed more than 4,500 free “20 is Plenty; Slower is Safer” yard signs to community members.
The Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul announced plans to lower speed limits earlier this year to support safer streets. Slower speeds on local streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how you get around.
Learn more.
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The City Council's Budget Committee has begun reviewing departments' proposed 2021 budgets and will continue 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 bills 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 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.
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Up to 25 approved adopters will get $50 off cat or dog adoption fees from Minneapolis Animal Care & Control Oct. 19-23 thanks to Bounce. If you’re interested in adopting, view cats and dogs available for adoption and then make an adoption appointment by calling 311 or 612-673-6222. Due to COVID-19, the shelter is closed to the public and all adoptions are done by appointment only.
More about the Bounce Home With Your Adopted Pet campaign
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is teaming up with North Shore Animal League America and Bounce Pet Hair & Lint Guard for a Bounce Home With Your Adopted Pet campaign. Throughout October, Bounce Pet is sponsoring adoptions at participating North Shore Animal League America shelter partners nationwide, covering up to $25,000 of adoption fees. Up to 500 approved adopters nationwide will receive:
- $50 off their adoption fees.
- A full-size sample of Bounce Pet Hair and Lint Guard.
- A downloadable checklist co-authored by Bounce and North Shore Animal League America aimed at getting adopters ready for their new lifestyle so they can enjoy their new furry friends without worry.
Now that the public comment period has closed on the Neighborhoods 2020 draft program guidelines, the Neighborhood & Community Relations Department is reviewing the 244 public comments received and creating a summary. The comments and summary will be available on the Neighborhoods 2020 webpage before the City Council takes action.
Next steps
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Oct. 22: Public Health and Safety Committee makes notice of intent for public hearing.
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Nov. 5: Public Health and Safety Committee public hearing and presentation.
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Nov. 12: Budget Committee presentation to discuss the program allocations and base funding amounts.
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Nov. 13: Full City Council vote.
By voting on the program guidelines before the budget, the City Council can discuss the funding needed to implement the program as designed.
Over the next few weeks, NCR will send out more information as it becomes available.
Find City Council meeting calendars, agendas and decisions on the City of Minneapolis’ Legislative Information Management System (LIMS).
Read more about Neighborhoods 2020 here.
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.
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Celebrate Energy Efficiency Day this month to save energy, cut carbon and breathe easier.
Save energy in your home
- Know your home's energy score; it’s like knowing a car’s miles-per-gallon rating. Each home energy score is generated by looking at the areas with the highest opportunity for energy savings in Minnesota’s climate: attic and wall insulation, heating system and storm windows. Check out local nonprofit Center for Energy and Environment's interactive map to find your home energy score.
- Sign up for a free virtual Home Energy Squad visit.
If you’re interested in pursuing an energy efficiency improvement recommended by a Home Energy Squad visit within the last three years, there is still time to apply for a 0% energy efficiency loan through the end of the year.
Learn more about the new Twin Cities Electric Vehicle Mobility Network by attending online community meetings or share your input and suggestions through an online survey. The project is being developed by the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, HOURCAR and Xcel Energy. It 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.
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.
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.
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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 Nov. 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.
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.
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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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