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Dear neighbor,
Thank you to everyone that has reached out to my office about the City of Minneapolis encampment response. Over the past month, multiple encampments have been evicted across our city. Hundreds of police officers, yellow tape in our neighborhoods, at times no notice or warnings, people’s entire life belongings being thrown away, and residents not being allowed to go inside their own houses (I have received correspondence from many of you).
In August 2022, the City of Minneapolis released its encampment closure process. I have personally witnessed the failure to abide by this process. My office has never been contacted before an eviction, disperse signs are not posted, people are not able to store all their belongings, minimal time is given to find a new location, service providers are not being informed, and no plan to keep neighborhoods safe after the encampment is moved.
Council Member Chughtai brought forward a staff direction requiring City Staff to report back to the City Council on the full monetary, health, and public safety costs of every encampment eviction for the last five years. I supported this and it passed with a 9-4 vote.
Council Member Payne made a series of updates to the policies around encampment removals. His staff direction would have allowed proper notice to vacate, storage of personal belongings, and a process to notify stakeholders. I was proud to support this and was disappointed that it failed by a 5-8 vote.
My Office and Council Member Chughtai successfully passed a staff direction to begin the work of exploring minimal police or non-police involvement in encampment closures. I look forward to hearing these recommendations and in return developing a plan with our staff. It passed by an 8-5 vote.
I also want to acknowledge the communication I have received from many of our neighbors who have unjustly experienced violence near encampments. My commitment to this critical work is to ensure the safety of both housed neighbors and unhoused neighbors alike.
Sincerely,
Jason Chavez
Over the past few months, the Minneapolis City Council has been receiving briefs on Mayor Frey’s proposed government structure. We had a variety of internal sessions, council meetings, dialogue among staff and colleagues, and debates on how to improve our government system.
In the November 2021 general election, voters narrowly approved Question #1 which established an Executive Mayor–Legislative Council form of governance. This became effective on December 3, 2021. It makes the Mayor the designated chief executive of our government and the head of its administration. It also makes the Minneapolis City Council the legislative body. It gives us authority to enact local laws to govern the community, public policies, and to direct the delivery of city services and programs.
I spent most of my time last year talking to all of you about my fears of a new government structure. Specifically, how it could impact our neighborhoods, which happen to be the most diverse in the City of Minneapolis. In Ward 9, 63% of voters rejected Question #1 while 37% voted in favor. While the City Council remains responsible for constituent services, it no longer has any authority to interfere or intervene in departmental operations.
I kept asking myself how this wall between the City Staff and the Council will improve the delivery of public safety goods, build safer roads, provide small business assistance, and most importantly how it will help get answers and support for our constituents.
I have been very public that I believe our new government structure should be sent back to the voters to approve. It would allow people in Minneapolis to approve big changes that will decide how we deliver public goods, ensure all 13 Council members can equitably collaborate, and ensure we are following what voters approved in November 2021.
It was up to the Minneapolis City Council to make changes to the Mayor’s proposed structure. Yet, hardly any dents were made to change it. In fact, we were told by our colleagues on the Dias that we should simply accept the structure as proposed.
Amendment regarding legislative power (FAILED): I voted in favor of an amendment that would specify the Executive Mayor–Legislative Council form of governance. This new government structure that passed allows the Mayor to submit a comprehensive policy to the Minneapolis City Council which is not what voters approved last Fall.
Elevating the Race, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Department to the Mayor’s Cabinet (FAILED): In July 2020, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously declared Racism as a Public Health Emergency. Yet, as a City we are failing to meet our own racial equity goals. I supported this amendment to ensure that the Race, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Department would be able to be a part of the Mayor’s cabinet and in return help meet our racial equity goals.
Performance Management and Innovation Department (PASSED): The future of this office was in shambles. This summer, there were internal conversations about whether this office was even going to exist. It was then proposed to be moved into the Legislative side (that failed), and will now be able to be its own Department. This was possible thanks to an amendment authored by Council Member Ellison that was approved with a vote of 7-6. This was the only structural amendment to pass on the Council.
Improving the Audit Functions of the Minneapolis City Council (FAILED): Throughout the year I have received correspondence from constituents asking for accountability of our departments. I supported an amendment that would allow the Council an ability to vote on all Department heads. This is a tool that would have allowed us to ask questions and vote to approve or deny appointments. A great opportunity to conduct checks and balances.
Most of these amendments failed. While it was disappointing to see, I am more troubled that this structure does not seem to follow what was approved by voters last fall and can put the city at risk of litigation.
The ballot read: Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to adopt a change in its form of government to an Executive Mayor-Legislative Council structure to shift certain powers to the Mayor, consolidating administrative authority over all operating departments under the Mayor, and eliminating the Executive Committee?
Under this new approved government structure, the Mayor will submit a comprehensive policy to the Minneapolis City Council. This gives the Mayor, Executive and Legislative power, which is not what voters approved last Fall. My concerns about this arose when we had internal briefings and were told that specific amendments would not be accepted because they did not align with the Mayor’s proposed budget. I do not want to set up a process where the Minneapolis City Council is not able to propose policy because it’s not in alignment with what policy the Mayor hopes to propose.
Question #1 passed in order to give consolidated administrative authority over all operating departments under the Mayor. This new approved government structure is different and creates buffers that will allow the Mayor to delegate his authority to others (the City Operations Officer, City Attorney, and Community Safety Commissioner). I do not oppose changes to our government structure but I expect better changes to be made. This needs to be sent back to Minneapolis voters to approve through a charter change, which is why I ultimately voted no.
Last year, I had conversations with you regarding my work on the Workforce and Business Development Committee at the Minnesota House of Representatives while working for Representative Mohamud Noor. Through this work, I am excited to announce that $10 million is being awarded to 20 projects on Lake Street, W. Broadway, and 38th St. This is the first wave of Main Street grants that are being awarded, thanks to funding from the state’s Main Street Economic Revitalization program and are on top of about $14 million raised in private funds to go towards these corridors through the Minneapolis Foundation Restore, Rebuild, and Reimagine Fund.
There are some exciting things going on in the East Phillips neighborhood! In December 2021, I met with Council Member Goodman and she told me about the work she was doing with our Little Earth neighbors to help them with a 20,000 square foot greenhouse with indoor farming.
This year I have been able to work with the Little Earth Residents Association and our City staff to find a pathway forward. After a variety of conversations, CPED came to a decision that a Comprehensive Plan amendment was needed. Our staff worked really hard to get this across the finish line. This was passed at full council.
This helps mark the beginning of a process for Little Earth to be able to create an agricultural innovation hub to address health inequities in our community and the ability to grow produce and fish year-round. All while helping with the development of our young people, which is critical in East Phillips. They already employ 37 seasonal youth, and if all goes well, this can only increase.
The goals of the development include boosting community engagement, improving food accessibility, improving health and wellness, along with job creation, and graduation rates for the community's youth.
The Department of Community Planning & Economic Development is now directed to submit the amendment to the Metropolitan Council for review and approval. I will be sure to keep our community updated.
On Oct. 26, the City Council’s Public Health & Safety Committee will hold a public hearing on Mayor Jacob Frey’s police chief nomination. Mayor Frey has nominated Newark Deputy Mayor Brian O’Hara to serve as the next Minneapolis chief of police. Learn how to participate in a public hearing.
The chief of police position is a four-year appointment.
Read more on the City of Minneapolis website.
Watch the news conference announcing the nomination.
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October's Topic: The future of Speedway gas station (the People's Way)
Guest presenters: City of Minneapolis, Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED)
- Monday, October 24th from 6PM-8PM.
- Sabathani Community Center; 310 East 38th Street; Minneapolis, MN 55409
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All Minneapolis residents are welcome to the South Minneapolis Seniors Fair Oct. 26. At the event, attendees can:
- Hear from elected officials.
- Engage with resource providers. The resource fair will feature AARP; Avinity Senior Living; City of Minneapolis 311, Assessor's Office, Clerk’s Office and Public Works Department; Hennepin County Library; Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education; Nokomis Healthy Seniors; Southside Clinic; Trust Inc; Trellis and more.
- Participate in workshops on preventing fraud and scams, health and well-being, elections and voting, and personal safety.
- Receive free blood pressure tests, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and flu shots.
COVID tests, masks, tissue packs and antibacterial wet wipes will be available for attendees.
South Minneapolis Seniors Fair
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26
Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has set public hearings on Xcel Energy’s request to increase electricity costs for all its Minnesota customers. Xcel Energy customers can join in in-person and virtual public hearings to learn more and offer comments to help the Public Utilities Commission determine whether to approve the request.
On average, the proposed rate change would increase the electricity bill for a typical residential electric customer by $18.56 per month.
Local and virtual public hearings
5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20
Saint Paul Rondo Community Library, 461 Dale St. N., Rondo Multipurpose Room
2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21
Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Doty Board Room
1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31
Virtual hearing. Find instructions for joining on Page 4 of the notice.
6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2
Virtual hearing. Find instructions for joining on Page 4 of the notice.
Find more information on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website. The notice begins on Page 3.
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The City of Minneapolis wants to hear from community members about your vision for the future of the former Kmart site. The City is reconnecting Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and the Midtown Greenway as part of the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project.
The development represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help reshape the future of the site and contribute to a better quality of life for people living and working in the immediate area.
Ways to share feedback
- Attend an open house 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Abyssinia Cultural Center, 322 W. Lake St.
- Take an online survey before Nov. 30.
Learn about the history of the former Kmart site.
The City of Minneapolis owns roughly 10 acres of land formerly home to the Kmart store. Reopening Nicollet Avenue at Lake Street has been a top City and community priority for decades. Reopening the street will reconnect neighborhoods, reestablish the street grid and set the stage for new development on land currently home to single-story retail buildings and surface parking lots.
The broad project goals include:
- Reconnecting people and places.
- Building safe, equitable and sustainable transportation networks.
- Building for who is there.
- Designing space to live, work, shop and play here.
- Designing safe and healthy communities.
This first phase of engagement focuses on open dialogues with community members who live in, work in, shop in and visit the area. The second phase will focus on a public space plan and Nicollet Avenue layout plan, which will require City Council approval. The third phase of engagement will discuss the future development of buildings.
Learn more about the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project and how to stay up to date on the project.
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Contact the Ward 9 Office!
Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209
Address: City Hall, 350 S. Fifth St., Room 307 Minneapolis, MN 55415
Or fill out our contact form here.
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