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Greetings Ward 11,
Thank you to the Department of Neighborhood Safety for joining us at our Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting!
It was wonderful to learn more about the Department of Neighborhood Safety, and engage with a few of their programs, including Next Step, MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative, Youth Connections Center, and Inspiring Youth.
At the Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting we provided updates from the Office of Community Safety, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center/911, and the Department of Emergency Management.
To learn more about the Department of Neighborhood Safety and their programs, or the updates provided at the Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting, read the "Recap of the Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting with the Department of Neighborhood Safety" section of the Ward 11 Newsletter.
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Join us for the next Ward 11 Monthly Meeting on Environment and Sustainability!
The Ward 11 Monthly Meeting is on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at Pearl Park Recreation Center (414 E Diamond Lake Rd, MPLS, MN 55419) or online.
To learn more about the Ward 11 Monthly Meeting on Environment and Sustainability, read the "Ward 11 Monthly Meeting on Environment and Sustainability" section of the Ward 11 Newsletter.
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At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, we received and filed a report on Homeless Encampment Closures. To view the presentation of the report on Homeless Encampment Closures [2:35-57:30] at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, click here. To view the legislative file for the report on Homeless Encampment Closures, click here. The report on Homeless Encampment Closures was responsive to a Legislative Directive passed earlier this term.
On Friday, April 14th, 2023 I shared a statement regarding the litigation matters of Pope v. Chauvin, et al. and Code v. Chauvin, et al. To read the statement, read the "Statement Regarding The Litigation Matters Of Pope v. Chauvin, et al. and Code v. Chauvin, et al." section of the Ward 11 Newsletter.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at the Business, Housing, Inspections, and Zoning (BIHZ) Committee meeting at 1:30 PM they will receive and file a "Rent Stabilization Staff Analysis", an analysis of anticipated impacts of rent stabilization policy recommendations. The "Rent Stabilization Staff Analysis" agenda item will begin once the remainder of the agenda is completed; presentation and discussion of this agenda item at this meeting will be limited to 90 minutes, for further discussion to continue at the next regular BIHZ meeting. To view the Business, Housing, Inspections, and Zoning (BIHZ) Committee meeting, click here.
Celebrate Earth Day this Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 by participating in an Earth Day event!
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling is hosting Earth Day Cleanups across the City of Minneapolis. To learn more, read the "2023 Earth Day Cleanup" section of the Ward 11 Newsletter.
The Great River Coalition is hosting their annual 2023 Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk. To learn more, read the "Great River Coalition's Annual 2023 Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk" section of the Ward 11 Newsletter.
Also, we've added a new section to our Ward 11 Newsletters, Job Opportunities with the City of Minneapolis! This section of the Ward 11 Newsletter will include featured job opportunities, a link to all job opportunities, and an update on the number of job opportunities with the City of Minneapolis.
I hope to see you out and about at an Earth Day event this weekend!
In Gratitude,
Thai Pepper
www.thaipeppermn.com
5455 Nicollet Avenue, MPLS, MN 55419
(612) 886-1718
Thai Pepper is a full service restaurant that serves dine in, to go, and delivery. And, Thai Pepper has a brand new location in Ward 11 at 5455 Nicollet Ave, MPLS, MN 55419!
Thai Pepper had their grand opening in December 2022, and has been a part of the Ward 11 small business community for 4 months now. I encourage you to stop by Thai Pepper and welcome them them to the Ward 11 small business community!
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All Ward 11 Newsletters have a Ward 11 Small Business Spotlights section. To have a small business featured in the Ward 11 Small Business Spotlights section, please click here to fill out the Ward 11 Business Spotlights Form.
Council Member Emily Koski made the following statement regarding the litigation matters of Pope v. Chauvin, et al. and Code v. Chauvin, et al. on Friday, April 14th, 2023.
"Hello Ward 11,
On April 13th, 2023, the Mayor and City Council unanimously approved settlements in the two litigation matters of Pope v. Chauvin, et al. and Code v. Chauvin, et al. As the plaintiffs in both litigation matters alleged, former Officer Derek Chauvin – without question – used excessive force against them.
The excessive force used by former Officer Derek Chauvin, and the lack of intervention to stop the use of excessive force by all other officers involved, was horrifying. To be quite honest, I am having a hard time finding words to describe how deplorable I find the actions of former Officer Derek Chauvin, and all other officers involved.
I would like to express my deepest apologies to both Mr. Pope and Mrs. Code for the actions of former Officer Derek Chauvin, for the lack of intervention of all other officers involved, and for the trauma that this caused. And, I would like to express my deepest apologies to all for the racial discrimination in policing in the City of Minneapolis which is at the core of these litigation matters and others.
I’d like to echo the words of our new Chief of Police, Brian O’Hara…
“Today is not a day for excuses or for attempts at justification… We are dealing with the ugly consequences stemming from a systemic failure within the Minneapolis Police Department that allowed for, and even at times encouraged, unjust and brutal policing… The Minneapolis Police Department failed not only Mr. Pope and Mrs. Code, but through this failure we put everyone who would later come into contact with this former officer at risk.”
“To be clear, I will have zero tolerance for any conduct by our officers that dehumanizes or brutalizes anyone, regardless of who they are or what they may be accused of doing; and I will have zero tolerance for any conduct by our officers that provides cover for any such despicable behavior.”
As I’ve said before, it’s our responsibility to change the culture, and to make sure that the racial discrimination that has plagued the City of Minneapolis ends with us.
To read the City of Minneapolis’s news release “City reaches settlement agreements in two separate civil lawsuits filed by John Pope, Zoya Code in use of force cases involving former MPD officer Derek Chauvin”, click here.
To read the Chief of Police, Brian O’Hara’s statement, click here.
Thank You,
Emily Koski"
To view the "Statement Regarding The Litigation Matters Of Pope v. Chauvin, et al. and Code v. Chauvin, et al.", click here.
The Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting on April 11th, 2023 focused on the Department of Neighborhood Safety and a few of their programs.
Interim Department Director Josh Peterson gave a brief presentation on the Department of Neighborhood Safety. To view the presentation packet on the Department of Neighborhood Safety, click here.
The Department uses public health approaches to help reduce the impact of violence on our communities. And, works to address the complex root causes of violence to change conditions so that violence is less likely to happen in the first place.
At the early signs of risk, they work to reduce factors that contribute to risk for violence and promote protective factors that can buffer against the risk for violence. When violence occurs, they work to break the cycle of violence by supporting individuals and communities that have been impacted.
At the Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting we heard presentations from, and engaged in discussions with, a few of the Department of Neighborhood Safety's programs including Next Step, MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative, Youth Connections Center, and Inspiring Youth.
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Next Step is a hospital-based program that connects survivors of a violent injury to resources and support. Next Step Hospital Responders are on hand to provide immediate bedside support for people who have survived violent injuries while they’re still in the hospital.
After they leave the hospital, Next Step Case Managers continue to support participants around things like: access to crime victim services funding; connections to educational, vocational training, and employment opportunities; support with housing; securing basic needs; finding safety after an injury; mental health services; court advocacy; and more.
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The MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative is built on the principle that violence acts like a contagion. It uses public health-based strategies to help reduce community violence by interrupting cycles of violence and stopping the spread.
Violence Interrupters - credible messengers who have relationships in their communities and who are familiar with the impact of violence - canvas neighborhoods across the city. They do not carry weapons, provide law enforcement services, or respond in real-time to 911 calls.
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The Youth Connection Center (YCC) is an early intervention resource for young people ages 10-17 who encounter law enforcement for low-level offenses, curfew, or truancy. The YCC is jointly governed in collaboration between the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and Minneapolis Public Schools.
The YCC is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is staffed by youth workers from a contracted community-based provider, The Link. Staff from The Link use Positive Youth Development approaches to work with young people to understand their needs, provide immediate crisis support, and ensure they make it home safely.
Inspiring Youth is an early intervention resource for young people ages 10-17 meant to reduce risk factors that may increase the risk for involvement with violence and promote protective factors that may be a buffer against the impact of risk factors. A strong and growing base of scientific evidence suggests that there are multiple prevention strategies that reduce youth violence.
Inspiring Youth emphasizes several of those strategies:
- Promoting Family Environments that Support Healthy Development
- Strengthening Youths’ Skills
- Connecting Youth to Caring Adults and Activities
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To learn more about these programs, and other programs provided by the Department of Neighborhood Safety, view the presentation packet on the Department of Neighborhood Safety.
At the Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting we provided updates from the Office of Community Safety, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center/911, and the Department of Emergency Management.
Updates from the Office of Community Safety:
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The Mayor and City Council approved a Court-Enforceable Settlement Agreement with Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The Settlement Agreement 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 Court-Enforceable 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 MDHR settlement agreement will be effective once it is approved by a Hennepin County District Court judge.
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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.
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The City of Minneapolis is considering the new location for the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct building. The two sites under consideration are the former precinct facility at 3000 Minnehaha Ave and a vacant city-owned lot at 2600 Minnehaha Ave. The City of Minneapolis is conducting a survey and community conversations to gather information that will help City Leaders decide which of the two places to select.
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The survey regarding the new location for the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct building is now online. To take the survey, visit gov/3rd-precinct-building.
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Join a Community Conversation regarding the new location for Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct building.
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Business Owner Community Conversation:
- Tuesday, April 11 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM at The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge (3010 Minnehaha Ave, MPLS, MN 55406)
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General Public Community Conversations:
- Thursday, April 13 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM at the Midtown Global Market (920 E Lake St, MPLS, MN 55407)
- Saturday, April 15 from 10 AM-12 PM at Roosevelt High School (4029 S 28th Ave Room 143, MPLS, MN 55406)
- Tuesday, April 18 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM at Keewaydin Recreation Center (3030 E 53rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55417)
- Wednesday, April 19 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM at Sabathani Community Center (310 E 38th St Ste 200, Minneapolis, MN 55409)
- There will be snacks and beverages will be available at the Community Conversations.
Updates from the 3rd Police Precinct:
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Crime in the 3rd Police Precinct is down significantly since 2022:
- Robberies have decreased by 22.9% - year to date
- Carjacking have decreased by 53.1% - year to date
- Shots have decreased by 33.5% - year to date
- Gunshot Wound Victims have decreased by 50% - year to date
- Homicide have decreased by 100% (0 nonnegligent, 9 last year to date) – year to date
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Auto Thefts in the 3rd Police Precinct are up significantly since 2022:
- Overall Auto Thefts have increased by 96.6% - year to date
- Kia Auto Thefts have increased by 1,650% (210 this year, 12 last year) – year to date
- Hyundai Auto Thefts have increased by 1,752% (352 this year, 19 last year) – year to date
- The 3rd Police Precinct continues their neighborhood/business beats.
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The 3rd Police Precinct sends two of their officers for a revolving 90-day career enrichment with our Gun Investigative Team (GIU). These officers come back and use the skills/knowledge they learned to be effectively proactive in patrol.
Updates from the 5th Police Precinct:
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Crime in the 5th Police Precinct is down significantly since 2022:
- Robberies have decreased by 46.3% - year to date
- Carjackings have decreased by 61% - year to date
- Shots fired have decreased by 27% - year to date
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In the 5th Precinct, Auto Thefts have increased 126% year to date. A large majority of the suspects of these crimes have been described as juveniles, and many arrested have been juveniles. There are clubs at the 5th Police Precinct available for the public.
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The 5th Precinct continues joint agency violent crime details, Guardian Beats and officers on violent crime suppression details are patrolling high crime hotspots. Guardian Beats are comprised of all investigators and specialty teams who rotate through patrolling hot spots.
- Windom Neighborhood Association is hosting a Safety Meeting on Saturday April 22nd from 1:30 PM-2:30 PM at Windom Community School (5821 Wentworth Ave, MPLS, MN 55419). To RSVP, contact 5th Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Jennifer Waisanen at jennifer.waisanen@minneapolismn.gov.
Updates from the Minneapolis Fire Department:
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The Minneapolis Fire Department started a class of Fire Cadets on December 27th. There are currently 24 students, and once they graduate in late June, the MFD will have its highest number of personnel available to serve the City of Minneapolis in about 2 decades. 15 of the positions have been funded by a federal SAFER grant.
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The Minneapolis Fire Department began its 7th cohort of the award winning MFD EMS Pathways Academy on March 27th. This program is a paid internship which teaches people Emergency Medical Technician interested in careers in the EMS fields of firefighter, EMT, EMS dispatcher and paramedic.
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The Minneapolis Fire Department opened the doors of Fire Station 14 to kick off the Safe Stations Opioid Peer Recovery project. In partnership with the Twin Cities Recovery Project and others, the program offers assistance to residents looking to get treatment for substance abuse disorders. The program is funded through a federal COSSAP grant.
Updates from the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center/911:
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The Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center and 911 has 6 new call takers who will complete all their training in early to mid-April. 3 more call takers are ready to start with coaches on the floor for their next phase of training. 2 more call takers started in the classroom on Monday, April 10th.
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There are multiple software updates being completed to update Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center and 911’s current processes and new applications are being worked on for late spring release.
- The week of April 9th – April 15th was National Telecommunicators Week, a week to honor the rarely seen faces but clear voices that strive to keep the City of Minneapolis safe and informed.
Updates from the Department of Emergency Management:
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The Department of Emergency Management’s training on the National Incident Management System Reset is ongoing, and the Executive Branch refresher training is complete.
- The Department of Emergency Management briefed the Committee of the Whole on progress responding to the 2020 After Action Report.
- The Department of Emergency Management’s completed the Watch Officer and Equipment Cache functional exercise.
Join us for the Ward 11 Monthly Meeting on Environment and Sustainability.
The Ward 11 Monthly Meeting on Environment and Sustainability is on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at Pearl Park Recreation Center (414 E Diamond Lake Rd, MPLS, MN 55419) or online.
The Ward 11 Monthly Meeting will focus on the City of Minneapolis's environment and sustainability work.
At the Ward 11 Monthly Meeting on Environment and Sustainability there will be the following presentations:
- A presentation on the draft 10 Year Climate Action Plan from the Director of Sustainability, Kim Havey
- A presentation on Solid Waste & Recycling from the Recycling Coordinator,
Kellie Kish
- A presentation on the City of Minneapolis's Tree Program from the City Trees Program Coordinator Sydney Schaaf
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Minneapolis DataSource is the source to view and search City of Minneapolis interactive visualizations and dashboards. The City of Minneapolis has interactive visualizations and dashboards on to create transparency and provide information on Public Health, Community Safety, Elections, Housing & Development, etc.
Regulatory Services Violations Dashboard
Use the Regulatory Services Violations Dashboard to look up Housing and Fire Inspections violations on this dashboard. Updated daily, our data goes back to 1989.
To learn how to use the Regulatory Services Violations Dashboard, read the "How to use the dashboard" section of the Regulatory Services Violations Dashboard webpage.
Featured Job Opportunities:
Project Coordinator - Transgender Equity
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Salary: $75,470.72 - $94,273.92 Annually
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Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Job Type: Full-time
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Department: Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
The City of Minneapolis Division of Race & Equity is hiring a Transgender Equity Project Coordinator. The incumbent will provide subject-matter expertise, event planning, meeting facilitation and policy analysis support for the City's transgender equity work. The position will assist in maximizing the effectiveness of the City's existing programmatic infrastructure – Transgender Equity Council, the Transgender Issues Work Group, as well as expanding upon it while collaborating with elected officials, City staff, and community to achieve programmatic goals. He/She/They will be responsible for internal and external relationship-building to envision the future blueprint of trans equity work in the City and build out how the different pieces would come together.
The mission of the transgender equity program in the Division of Race and Equity is to advise the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board on matters of importance to transgender and gender nonconforming residents; and provide a forum for issues of importance to the transgender community. Study issues, courses of action, policies, and programs that affect the quality of life for transgender residents and makes recommendations to the City and Park Board for improvements related to these issues. Serve as a liaison between the Minneapolis transgender community and the City and Park Board and make every effort to ensure that the diverse viewpoints and interests of the transgender residents of Minneapolis are reflected in the work.
Other Job Opportunities:
To view all job opportunities with the City of Minneapolis, click here. There are currently 32 job opportunities posted.
The 2023 Earth Day Cleanup is Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9:30 AM-12:00 PM at multiple locations across the City of Minneapolis.
This year’s cleanup takes place throughout the City of Minneapolis and is a collaboration between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling.
2023 Earth Day Cleanup Ward 11 Locations:
- McRae Park (906 E 47th St, MPLS, MN 55407)
- Lake Nokomis Community Center (2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy MPLS, MN 55417)
- Pearl Park (414 E Diamond Lake Road, MPLS, MN 55419)
- Fuller Park (4802 Grand Ave S, MPLS, MN 55419) - Hosted by the Tangletown Neighborhood Association
To find more information about the 2023 Earth Day Cleanup, click here.
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
Construction will resume after spring road restrictions are lifted, work expected to take three weeks to complete.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is preparing to finish up a project to improve safety for trail users and drivers along Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail between Portland Avenue and Chicago Avenue.
Work to complete the project that began last fall includes trail paving, spring planting and parkway road and trail pavement markings. That work is expected to take about three weeks. It will begin after the ground is no longer frozen and road restrictions are lifted.
Project staff estimate work will restart around the end of April, but that is dependent on favorable weather. The MPRB appreciates everyone's patience while these safety improvements are built.
Project Improvements:
- Realignment of E Minnehaha Parkway at 50th Street to create a 3-way stop and "T" intersection.
- Expanded bike and pedestrian trail south of E Minnehaha Parkway between E 50th Street and Portland Avenue.
- Upgraded crosswalk markings, expanded curb ramps and a raised crossing on the south side of the Minnehaha/50th intersection.
- Removal of the parking bay immediately south of the Minnehaha/50th intersection.
- Conversion of the north and south Minnehaha Parkway frontage road segments to one-way.
- Repairs to the Minnehaha Parkway bike trail between Portland and Chicago Avenues
- New curb cut to access the northbound on-street bike lane at Park Avenue.
- Preservation and improved conditions for existing mature trees.
- Creation of a new rain garden to treat stormwater runoff.
To visit the project page, click here.
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:
- 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.
Find more information on the City website.
Public Works crews are gearing up to start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what has accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 18, for the first day of sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 17, drivers should watch for temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow. New this spring are hot pink “No Parking” signs.
Starting April 18 for approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets. The temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
Parkway and alley sweeping got off to a late start this year due to late-season snowfall. The work has begun; it will pause while the rest of the streets are swept and then finish up in May.
Learn more about street sweeping.
The City has reached settlements in two civil lawsuits involving former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. The two litigation matters are Pope v. Chauvin, et al. and Code v. Chauvin, et al. Both are based on 2017 incidents.
The City Council unanimously voted to approve the settlements April 13. A $7.5 million settlement was approved in the John Pope litigation matter and $1.375 million in the Zoya Code case.
Learn more on the City website about the settlements.
The City of Minneapolis has entered into license agreements with three operators: Lime, Spin and Veo to participate in its Shared Bike and Scooter Program for the 2023 season.
With Nice Ride leaving the market, this year’s bike share system will look a little different without the bike docking system. Like scooter riders, shared bike riders will be able to end their trip anywhere in the city. All they need to do is lock their bike to a bike rack or to any signpost except a stop sign or bus stop sign. And, thanks to a generous gift from Nice Ride and Lyft, Public Works has already started installing hundreds of familiar bright blue bike and scooter racks around the city that every rider can use. Find riding and parking rules along with examples on the City’s website.
All three vendors will have scooter rentals. Lime and Veo will also have e-bike rentals. Lime will have Class 1 e-bikes, which are pedal assist bikes, meaning the motor assists when the bike is actively being pedaled.
Learn more about scooters, including how to rent, ride and park them.
Learn more about bike sharing for short trips around the city.
April 17-21 is Severe Weather Awareness Week, when households and businesses are encouraged to practice what they’d do to stay safe if a tornado or severe weather strikes.
Expect Sirens April 20:
Thursday, April 20, is Tornado Drill Day. Sirens throughout the state will sound at 1:45 p.m. and at 6:45 p.m., giving people time to practice taking shelter in severe weather both at home and in the workplace. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota experiences an average of nearly 30 tornadoes per year.
Alerts:
An electronic weather alert service can make you aware of any imminent weather danger with email or text notices. Check the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website for options for wireless emergency alerts and smartphone apps.
There is specific information for people with disabilities or access or functional needs about how to prepare for storm season and other emergencies.
If Severe Weather is Approaching:
- Turn to local TV or radio or the weather channel, or make sure you have alerts enabled on a smart device or a weather radio programmed to pick up alerts inside. Weather sirens aren’t intended to be heard inside. If a warning is issued, go to the basement or an inner stairwell.
- If you’re outside and hear the weather sirens, go inside immediately and take shelter in an inner space away from windows. Don’t use elevators.
- Stay sheltered until the all-clear signal has been issued.
More About Staying Safe During Severe Weather:
Find emergency preparedness information on the City website.
Users of the current Minneapolis parking app need to download the new MPLS Parking app for on-street parking starting Sunday, April 16. The City has contracted with Flowbird, a new provider of this service. The MPLS Parking app allows customers to pay for on-street parking time without going to a pay station.
When downloading the new app, some information will automatically transfer for existing app users, but they will be prompted to create a new password and to enter updated payment information. The City encourages people to contact 311 if they have issues with the new app. Customers can also use pay stations to pay for metered parking.
Find more information on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis is seeking applications for parklets and street cafés for the 2023 season – amenities that activate community corridors and support local businesses.
Neighborhood organizations, street-level businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and Special Services Districts are all invited to apply.
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City-Owned Parklets: The City is looking for three community partners to host City-owned parklets for the 2023 season. The City-owned parklets include all the necessary structures, plantings, chairs, tables, patio umbrellas and public parklet signs. Hosts are responsible for day-to-day maintenance such as watering plants, picking up trash and reporting any issues. City-owned parklet hosts are selected through a competitive application process.
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Community Parklets: Businesses and organizations can apply to create their own public parklet space. The design and installation of community parklets is the responsibility of the applicant.
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Street Cafés: Street-level businesses looking to expand their outdoor seating can apply for a street café. This space functions as an extension of your business where you can seat and serve your customers.
Learn more about parklets and street cafés on the City’s website.
The Department of Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging will host a Denim Day awareness event April 26 with the Sexual Violence Center of Minneapolis. This effort supports the international campaign that brings awareness to sexual violence.
Denim Day Background:
In 1999, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a 1992 rape conviction with the reasoning that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she had to have helped her attacker remove them, implying consent. The day after the court overturned the conviction, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in solidarity with the victim. Since then, Peace Over Violence developed Denim Day in response to this case and the activism surrounding it.
Purpose:
Minneapolis is hosting Denim Day to:
- Bring awareness to the sexual violence that still plagues society.
- Honor victims and survivors.
- Highlight the disproportionate rates of sexual violence faced by members of Black and Brown communities.
The Minneapolis City Council issued a resolution during its April 13 meeting declaring April Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This demonstrates the City stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. You can watch the meeting by clicking the play button under “video” for the April 13 City Council meeting.
Denim Day Event Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 City Hall Rotunda, 350 Fifth St. S. The Sexual Violence Center will offer information, education and resources about its free services. Advocates’ reach includes survivors of child sex abuse, human trafficking and sex trafficking. People are encouraged to wear their denim. There will be photo opportunities to show your denim and support of survivors.
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.
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.
The 2023 season for Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling collection of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings starts on your pickup day 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.
To protect pollinators, the City encourages gardeners and landscapers to leave yard waste untouched until daytime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees (mid-April or early May). Bees often nest in broken stems of plants, and butterflies overwinter in leaf piles.
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 long.
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.
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