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Greetings Ward 11,
I hope all Ward 11 Minneapolis Public School families had a wonderful Spring Break!
Join us for the next Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 11th from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at Pearl Park Recreation Center (414 E Diamond Lake Rd, MPLS, MN 55419) or online.
This Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting will feature the Department of Neighborhood Safety (formerly the Office of Violence Prevention). The Department of Neighborhood Safety will share presentations and engage in discussions.
We will have printed materials with updates from the Office of Community Safety, Emergency Management, 911, MFD, and MPD available.
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The survey on returning the 3rd Precinct building to South Minneapolis is now online. The information gathered from the survey and the upcoming public community discussions will help City Leaders decide which of the two places under consideration to select.
To take the survey, visit www.minneapolismn.gov/3rd-precinct-building/. The survey is available online now through April 30 to get feedback from people who live in, work in, or visit the 3rd Precinct area in South Minneapolis.
To learn more, read the "Survey Now Online for 3rd Precinct Building in South Minneapolis" section of the Ward 11 Newsletter, and or visit the City of Minneapolis's website www.minneapolismn.gov/3rd-precinct-building/.
Mayor Jacob Frey and the Minneapolis City Council approved terms of a court-enforceable settlement agreement that outlines policy, budgetary, and training requirements that the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and City enterprise will undertake.
The settlement agreement lays out a road map for achieving non-discriminatory policing that better supports community safety in Minneapolis. It includes many requirements that are already consistent with current MPD policies and reforms.
The U.S. Department of Justice also has an ongoing pattern or practice investigation into the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department. The Department of Justice launched the investigation after Derek Chauvin was found guilty of George Floyd’s murder.
To learn more, read the "Mayor Frey, City Council Approve Court-Enforceable Settlement Agreement with Minnesota Department of Human Rights" section of the Ward 11 Newsletter.
I'll be sending out another Ward 11 Newsletter on April 17, 2023 to get us back on our regular bi-weekly schedule.
See you at the Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting tomorrow!
In Gratitude,
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The next Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 11th from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at Pearl Park Recreation Center (414 E Diamond Lake Rd, MPLS, MN 55419) or online.
This Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting will feature the Department of Neighborhood Safety (formerly the Office of Violence Prevention). The Department of Neighborhood Safety will share presentations and engage in discussions.
We will have printed materials with updates from the Office of Community Safety, Emergency Management, 911, MFD, and MPD available.
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Mayor Jacob Frey and the Minneapolis City Council approved terms of a court-enforceable settlement agreement March 31. It resolves the Minnesota Department of Human Rights’ (MDHR) probable cause determination that the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) have engaged in a pattern or practice of race discrimination in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
The MDHR investigation launched June 1, 2020, one week after former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd.
The settlement agreement lays out a road map for achieving non-discriminatory policing that better supports community safety in Minneapolis. It includes many requirements that are already consistent with current MPD policies and reforms.
The U.S. Department of Justice also has an ongoing pattern or practice investigation into the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department. The Department of Justice launched the investigation after Derek Chauvin was found guilty of George Floyd’s murder.
The MDHR settlement agreement will be effective once it is approved by a Hennepin County District Court judge.
Read more about the settlement agreement and watch the news conference on the City website.
A survey is now online for people to share their thoughts on a new location for Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct building. Information gathered from the community through the survey and the upcoming public discussions will help City leaders decide which of the two places under consideration to select.
The 3rd Precinct is a police enforcement area in south Minneapolis that’s east of Interstate 35W and south of Interstate 94. During the community uprising after the May 2020 murder of George Floyd, the 3rd Precinct building at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. was significantly damaged. Since then, officers patrolling the precinct have operated out of a downtown building, which is outside of the precinct’s geographic boundaries.
Because of this, people within the 3rd Precinct area do not have the same access to public safety services as people in other areas of Minneapolis, who have their precinct building inside the precinct area. Police precinct buildings offer 24-hour walk-in assistance to anyone who needs help, and they can also provide space for various community needs. To restore that level of service to people who live in, work in and visit the 3rd Precinct area, the City is beginning the process to bring a functioning precinct building back to south Minneapolis.
The two sites under consideration are the former precinct facility at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. and a vacant City-owned lot at 2600 Minnehaha Ave. These were chosen after a survey of several potential sites from July 2020 through December 2022. This survey considered each site’s advantages against potential obstacles to access and construction.
Take the Survey:
If you live in, work in or visit the 3rd Precinct area, take the survey by April 30.
Join in a Community Conversation:
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Business Owner Session 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge, 3010 Minnehaha Ave.
- General Public Sessions
- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13 Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St.
- 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 15 Roosevelt High School, 4029 28th Ave. S.
- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 Keewaydin Recreation Center, 3030 53rd St. E.
- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 Sabathani Community Center, 310 38th St. E.
Snacks and beverages will be available at the sessions, with meal vouchers for the first 100 people at the Midtown Global Market session.
Find more information on the City website.
The Great River Coalition is hosting their annual 2023 Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9:00 AM 12:00 PM at Boom Island Park (724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413).
To register for the Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk visit www.greatrivercoalition.com/2023-beerunwalkcleanup. The registration cost is $40 in advance, and $45 on the day of the event.
The prizes for the Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk include a HD Flat Screen Smart TV, 2 tickets to US Bank Stadium, Row 12, End Seats, Seats 16, 17, 18, & 19, (End Zone, Facing Minneapolis, value $600 +), and much more.
The Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk is hosted by:
- Great River Coalition
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- The National Park Service
- St. Catherine University
- Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
- Mill City Running/St. City Running
People looking for help from addiction can now stop by Fire Station 14 in Minneapolis any time, any day, all year. Safe Station serves anyone struggling with substance use. Community members can walk up to the station, ask for help, and talk with a certified peer recovery coach. The coach will connect them to services such as treatment, support during recovery, harm reduction and housing.
First responders see opioid use disorder more and more here and across the country. The Minneapolis Fire Department is a partner in the Minneapolis Addiction Recovery Initiative. This collaborative launched the Safe Station Program to help address the opioid epidemic.
Fire Station 14 is at 2002 Lowry Ave. N.
To learn more about the program, visit the City website.
Community members are invited to get involved in the June 10 Community Connections Conference by setting up an exhibit or leading a workshop, roundtable, panel or presentation. The deadline to send in your ideas has been extended to April 30. We are especially looking for breakout sessions and exhibits that reflect the conference theme “Minneapolis in motion” and City priorities for 2023. "Minneapolis in motion" welcomes all communities to explore the ways Minneapolis is growing, moving and changing.
Read more about breakout sessions and send in your ideas on the breakout session webpage.
Nonprofits and public institutions can apply for free exhibit space by April 30. We are especially looking for informative, fun, interactive exhibits for children and adults. Learn more about exhibiting and apply for your space on the Community Connections Conference exhibitor webpage.
The community is invited to a free resource fair to support community members’ health and an award ceremony honoring our local public health heroes April 12. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” The award ceremony held during National Public Health Week will recognize the critical role of community members and organizations that help keep Minneapolis safe and healthy.
Local Public Health Heroes Awards Ceremony and Health Department Resource Fair 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 Resource fair: 11 a.m.-noon Light lunch buffet: 11:30 a.m. Award ceremony: noon-1 p.m. City Hall Rotunda, 350 Fifth St. S.
The Resource Fair will feature:
- A Homegrown Minneapolis table with seeds for the upcoming garden season. Those who successfully answer some trivia questions can win measuring spoons.
- An Environmental Programs table showing how air monitoring sensors and sound and odor monitors work. Staff will also give away seeds for plants that support pollinators.
- A Lead and Healthy Homes table with information about healthy homes, lead paint grants and resources for children with asthma. Staff will also test small household items you bring in for lead.
- A School Based Clinics table with information about how School Based Clinics connect with adolescents and youths in Minneapolis to support their health at school. You can also win a prize by spinning the wheel at this table.
- A Healthy Living table highlighting the five pillars of the Healthy Living team: healthy eating, physical activity, well-being and mental health, commercial tobacco prevention and quitting, and access to health care. Stop by to do an activity that gets you thinking about how the community institutions and infrastructure in your neighborhood promote these pillars.
- Hand-washing demonstrations from the pros in Food, Lodging and Pools.
Did you know that when it rains, stormwater carries grass clippings, leaves, cigarette butts, pesticides, fertilizer and animal waste through the storm drains directly into Minneapolis lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River? Not to mention antifreeze, paint, gasoline and motor oil. But you can help by adopting a storm drain in your neighborhood and keeping it clear.
Hamline University recently reported on Adopt-a-Drain programs in the United States. Of the 170 active programs in the nation, the Minneapolis program ranked No. 1 for communities over 100,000 people because we had the most storm drains adopted (6,179 at the time of the report in September 2022) and the highest rate of adoption: 14.5 storm drains adopted per 1,000 people.
Minneapolis’ significant investments in the Adopt-a-Drain Program have already resulted in less flooding, better water quality, better educated residents and changed behavior.
Adopt a Drain in Your Neighborhood:
You can be a part of it by adopting a storm drain near your home. Your 15 minutes twice a month can make a big difference. Learn more about adopting a drain in Minneapolis, and sign up to adopt a drain in your neighborhood.
Join in the next Twin Cities Immigration Forum Thursday, April 13. This month’s forum includes:
- Federal immigration news with information about how developments affect our local immigrant and refugee community, and where to go for help.
- City, community and advocacy organization news and updates.
- Other topics of importance to immigrant, refugee and new American communities.
Twin Cities Immigration Forum 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, April 13 Join on Microsoft Teams.
This virtual forum is hosted monthly by the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs and the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program.
For questions or to receive the calendar invite for this monthly meeting, contact the Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs directly by email or call 612-394-6018.
Find links for the previous forums on the “events” tab of the City’s Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs website.
Learn about becoming a U.S. citizen and the immigration process at a resource fair April 15. All are welcome.
The Citizenship and Immigration Resource Fair will include:
- Legal service providers giving an overview on the citizenship application process.
- English language learning providers offering information about citizenship classes.
- Information about ways the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are working to help residents apply for U.S. citizenship.
- Service providers to answer questions from attendees about citizenship and immigration.
COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Resource Fair 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 15 (vaccinations 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Leap High School, 631 Albert St. N., Saint Paul
This event is part of a one-year citizenship campaign by the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul to help residents learn about and apply for United States citizenship. Monthly events alternate between Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Learn more about applying for U.S. citizenship on the City website or contact the Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs directly by email or call 612-394-6018.
The 2023 season for Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling collection of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings starts the week of April 17. Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curbs next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their garbage day.
Customers can set yard waste out in a reusable container, compostable bags (paper or certified compostable plastic – look for the BPI logo), or bundled with string or twine.
- Reusable containers must be 32-38 gallons in size and 26-32 inches high with sturdy handles.
- Each container, bag or bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds.
- Bundled brush and branches must be less than 3 inches in diameter and cut to less than 3 feet.
Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” don’t meet the State law requirement and are not accepted.
Solid Waste & Recycling crews can’t pick up dirt, soil, sod, stumps, trees, or branches wider than 3 inches in diameter or longer than 3 feet.
Raking leaves into the street is against the law and bad for our lakes, creeks and river.
For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can check the City website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Protecting Pollinators:
Bees often nest in broken stems of plants, and butterflies overwinter in leaf piles. The City encourages gardeners and landscapers to leave yard waste untouched until daytime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees (mid-April or early May) to protect pollinators.
Seven City boards and commissions have openings for appointments this spring. The City seeks applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. City boards and commissions offer a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them. Translation and interpreting are available so all residents can participate.
Applications will be accepted through April 30.
These seven City boards and commissions seek applicants for more than 40 positions:
- Bicycle Advisory Committee.
- Charter Commission.
- Civil Service Commission.
- Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.
- Minneapolis Workforce Development Board.
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
- Southside Green Zone Council.
Boards, Commissions and Advisory Committees:
The City of Minneapolis has more than 50 volunteer-based boards, commissions and advisory committees that help shape key policy decisions, represent their community in the City’s administration of services and supply valuable insights. Boards and commissions have brought forward recommendations that resulted in:
- Renter protections.
- Wage protections.
- Bicycle safety infrastructure.
- Gender-neutral restrooms.
- Public art.
- A ban on a hazardous chemical in dry cleaning.
Boards and commissions fall into a handful of categories: appeal boards, development boards, general advisory boards and special service districts (defined areas within the city with special services).
Appointments to boards and commissions are made twice a year: in the spring and fall.
People can apply and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings.
Potential applicants can find more information at 612-673-2216 or OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov.
Each year, the City of Minneapolis recognizes Youth Violence Prevention Week. This year, through the City’s Office of Community Safety, the Neighborhood Safety Department is supporting Youth Violence Prevention Week. Programs and events take place through April 14.
The goals of this annual weeklong campaign are to raise awareness about violence as a public health issue and to empower young people, families and the community around effective ways to prevent or reduce youth violence.
Through a diverse array of community-driven activities, the Neighborhood Safety Department — the new home for the City’s violence prevention and intervention and alternative response to police — will help encourage a healthy and safe start to spring.
Find the event list and details on the City website.
To learn more about violence prevention and intervention strategies in the City, please visit the Neighborhood Safety Department webpage.
The City of Minneapolis offers free training for solar jobs as a part of its Green Careers Exploration Program. The program offers education, awareness and training focused on preparing young people from Black communities, Indigenous communities and communities of color for environmentally friendly jobs. The green energy and environmental jobs sectors are growing.
Now in its third year, the free two-week training has qualified more than 100 members of the community for solar associate certificates.
Sign Up:
The Minneapolis Health Department is partnering with Renewable Energy Partners for the next trainings in April and May. Space is limited, so sign up now.
Read more about the training under “Our stories: a healthier community” on the City website.
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