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From Ward 5 Minneapolis City Council Member, Jeremiah Ellison.
From my heart to yours, I wish all of our Jewish neighbors and friends a Happy Yom Kippur. May you and your family be healthy, safe, and in community during this holy time.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise and flu season right around the corner, our office recommends that you take every precaution you can to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe. Here are a few free resources for you and your family:
Free COVID-19 Vaccinations Available from the City of Minneapolis
All community members 5 and older who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine are invited to get a free vaccination during an event offered by the City of Minneapolis.
Even though the public health emergency has ended, COVID-19 is still here. Vaccination continues to be one of the most important ways for people to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Anyone 5 years and older who may have delayed getting their updated vaccination can stop by these community clinics and reduce their risk of getting or spreading COVID.
Find details and any updates on the City website.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available from the MN Department of Health
Minnesotans can order free rapid at-home COVID-19 tests. Every home in Minnesota can order eight tests once a month while supplies last. Even if you have ordered before, you can order again.
Order tests here, the website is available in English, Hmoob/Hmong, Soomaali/Somali, Español/Spanish, and more!
Join me from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM every Monday for Open Coffee Hours! These are informal and a chance for me to hear directly from you while we share coffee or a meal (virtually).
Office hours is on a first come first served basis. Please try not to call in past 12:50 p.m. as we want to leave enough time to chat about what you'd like to discuss.
Please RSVP here and my staff will follow-up with the call-in details. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Dieu Do, Policy Associate, at dieu.do@minneapolismn.gov.
Community Engagement Corner
Constituent Call Time
There's nothing that brightens my week more than connecting with Northsiders during our weekly constituent call time. Every week, I sit down with my team to call constituents to discuss constituent cases that they have open with our office, policy issues that folks are passionate about and want to hear my perspectives on, and to thank folks for their service to our community. Every conversation, every phone call, every interaction reminds me of the purpose of our work, to remind people that they matter and that they are not alone in experiencing these issues. The most valuable thing that we can give to others is our time and I am consistently reminded of this when I am talking to Northsiders about the issues that they are facing.
If you are in need of help, you are not alone. Whether it's a city, county, state, federal, or legal issue, we will do our best to connect you with the best resources to help. If you have a constituent issue that needs our attention, please contact my staff Dieu Do, dieu.do@minneapolismn.gov, and she will assist you.
CTUL Press Conference & March
On Monday, September 11th and Tuesday, September 12th, I was honored to join CTUL's Building Dignity & Respect Campaign press conference and march to stand in solidarity with our workers. The Campaign for Dignity and Respect (BDR) will set a new precedent for worker rights in the non-unionized sectors of the Twin Cities metro area construction industry to improve the conditions for all workers. After joining CTUL and the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters on a construction ride-along a few short weeks ago, our office has seen and heard firsthand accounts of worker exploitation, wage theft, and labor trafficking that is taking place on non-unionized construction sites in our city and this is unacceptable. Our workers deserve dignity, respect, safety, fair wages, quality healthcare and benefits, and we won't stop fighting for them until these demands are met. Thank you so much to the relentless organizing work of CTUL's staff members for coordinating such powerful events and efforts to raise awareness to these important issues.
Emerson Village Groundbreaking Ceremony
On Thursday, September 21st, I was delighted to speak at the Emerson Village Groundbreaking Ceremony to celebrate this instrumental victory for the Northside. This development project will create supportive housing of 40 high-quality and well-managed apartment homes for families earning less than $30,000 per year. Project for Pride in Living will be providing on-site services to each family member and what they want to focus on – such as health, employment, education, finances, or parenting support.
The road to building affordable housing in our city is one that takes patience, perseverance, and vision. It requires individuals to look forward and see beyond themselves, beyond the years to come, beyond the challenges they will face, to see a future where countless families will be clothed, fed, and housed in dignity and love. I am grateful for the tenacity and passion of the staff at Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, city staff at the City of Minneapolis, the Project for Pride in Living team, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), and numerous others who never lost sight of what we were building towards at Emerson Village. Thank you so much to the Church of the Ascension and Greater Mount Vernon Missionary Church for providing the space and parking so that our community could gather for this important moment.
MPRB North Commons Park Public Hearing
On Wednesday, September 20th, dozens of community members and I attended the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board public hearing to discuss Resolution 2023-168, a resolution approving the renovation/addition concept design for North Commons Park Phase 1 Improvements. After 2 hours of public testimony and discussion, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board unanimously voted to approve Resolution 2023-168.
Our office has heard from hundreds of community members on their perspectives on this plan, specifically requesting more funding, resources, and time to be allocated to North Commons Park than what the current plan outlines. Since this project is under the leadership of Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, our office recommends that you contact Commissioner Becka Thompson (District 2) for your comments and inquiries since she represents this area.
Commissioner Becka Thompson, District 2
- Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 2
- Email: bthompson@minneapolisparks.org
Open Streets West Broadway
On Saturday, September 16th, I had an absolute blast being in community for the annual "Open Streets West Broadway" event. Seeing so many Northsiders, from our youngest to oldest, on West Broadway dancing, laughing, cheering, eating, and celebrating the vibrancy, beauty, and culture of North Minneapolis was incredibly touching. To learn more about Open Streets, click here.
Inspector Charlie Adams Honored As "Gold Standard" of Community Policing
In my day-to-day as a Council Member, there aren't that many surprises, but when there is, it sure is a party! On Thursday, September 21st, I had the privilege of being invited as a guest alongside many Northside community members to a surprise party to celebrate and honor Inspector Charlie Adams (Fourth Precinct).
The room erupted in applause as Inspector Adams walked into the fourth precinct and was presented a plaque for "going above and beyond" the call of duty. The award acknowledged his 37 years of service as a police officer in Minneapolis. Thank you so much to Inspector Adams for his years of service to the Northside, to our city, and for his collaboration on critical issues in our community. And thank you to Lisa Clemons, longtime Northsider and founder of A Mother's Love, for organizing this thoughtful gathering for Inspector Adams.
Learn more about Inspector Adams' award and years of service here.
Policy & Government Oversight (POGO) Committee Update
Our office was excited to invite Minneapolis for a Better Police Contract (MFBPC) to give a presentation at the recent Policy & Government Oversight Committee (POGO) meeting. MFBPC is a coalition of individuals and community organizations who are passionate about police accountability and oversight that gather community feedback on the contract between the City and the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis.
MFBPC presented their 22 recommendations to the committee to inform the public on their work and to ensure that the community's 22 recommendations are being considered in the negotiations process. Thank you so much to all members of MFBPC for your advocacy and relentless efforts to ensure the community is being listened to and accounted for. A specific note of gratitude to Stacey Gurian-Sherman, Steering Committee Member of MFBPC, for all of your intentionality and time in coordinating their important presentation with my office and the office of POGO Vice Chair Councilmember Robin Wonsley (Ward 2).
Learn more about MFBPC and their 22 recommendations here.
Federal Funding Awarded to Address Emerald Ash Borers (EAB)
Emerald Ash Borers (EAB) are an invasive species of beetles that eat the inner bark of ash trees, creating irreparable damage to the tree's circulatory system that transports food and water. When a tree is affected by EAB and cannot be revived, it needs to be removed to prevent the species from spreading. Due to EAB, private property owners are facing upwards of thousands of dollars in cost to remove trees on their property to protect the environment, but it is unfair for the property owners to face these costs. The removal of these EAB-infested trees has disproportionately burdened our low-income neighbors, some experiencing urgent concern that they will lose their home. Our office will not let this infestation displace Northsiders from their homes.
Our office is excited to announce that the City of Minneapolis Health Department was awarded $8 million in federal IRA funding for our Equitable Tree Canopy Management Program that will provide funding for private property tree removals and many other resources to our community. This is one of the highest awarded projects in all of the Midwest! In addition to this funding, Hennepin County was also awarded $10 million to assist with this issue and urban forestry. More information on the grant funding, application process, and how the funding can be specifically allocated will be available in the coming weeks.
Our office wants to express a deep note of gratitude to the advocacy and leadership of Parks and Power, Hope Community, and community leaders Roxxanne O'Brien, Melisa Newman, Mitchel Hansen, Felicia Perry, Nichole Buehler. This funding will prevent displacement and ensure that our neighbors can continue call Northside home. Thank you.
Federal Funding Awarded to Revive North Transfer Station
The Minneapolis Public Works Department secured a $4 million federal grant that will revive the North Transfer Station, a waste and recycling facility at 2700 Pacific Street. The refurbished transfer station will provide convenient disposal services to North and Northeast Minneapolis residents. Items that could be disposed are clothing/textiles, excess recyclables, bulky plastics, plastic film, mattresses, etc. This Northside facility will decrease the number of diverted items in our waste and water streams. The goal is to open the renovated facility by the end of 2026.
Learn more about this exciting announcement here.
Are you experiencing struggles with food insecurity, housing, career readiness, and legal matters? Are you in need of help? Please look below to see which resources can be beneficial to you.
Career Readiness
Family Support & Educational Programming
Food Insecurity
Housing/Tenant Protections
Legal Representation
Minneapolis residents eligible for energy assistance may qualify to have the additional cost of a winter storm surcharge removed from their gas bills. Gas customers eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can qualify to have a gas surcharge removed.
The City of Minneapolis is encouraging anyone who may qualify to apply for assistance:
The fee will be removed through September 2026.
Additional Benefit
- Those who qualify will also be enrolled in CenterPoint Energy’s Gas Affordability Program. This will limit the amount a customer will pay per month on their gas bill.
You might be eligible for free or low-cost internet services. The City is partnering with local providers to help make the internet more accessible.
Resources include:
- Discounted internet for household use.
- Free temporary internet access at Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Free internet access to public sector information including City, County and State resources.
- Low-cost computers.
- Public computer access.
- Personal help from a “digital navigator.”
Call 311, email 311 or look on the City website to find details, a list of resources and how to find out if you qualify for different internet services programs.
To help others find these resources, Hennepin County has developed flyers in four languages to share.
The Affordable Connectivity Program helps households pay for internet service and get a discount on a device. Find out if you qualify for the program on the Hennepin County website.
Food Shelves and Food Distribution
- Check out the Minneapolis food security resources on the City website. You can find locations, hours, contact information, and volunteer/donation needs of local food shelves and food distributions.
- To see food shelves by location, explore our map.
City of Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis has a ton of job opportunities that span across multiple departments. Click here to see all of them.
Hennepin County
Hennepin County is the largest county in Minnesota and has a wide variety of job openings in different industries. Click here to see all of them.
Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities can be a great place to start to look for a new job/change in your career.
Northside Businesses
If you are interested or know someone who may be interested, please apply and share with your networks.
Need to report an issue? Can't find the right information? Minneapolis 311 can help. 311 coordinates with City departments and service providers to report your concerns, find you information and connect you with nonemergency City services. For example, if you report an abandoned vehicle, pothole, or long grass/weeds, 311 connects with the experts in the right department to get to the bottom of it.
There are many ways to get in contact with 311 for non-emergency City information. Choose what's easiest for you.
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Call 311. Agents are here to answer your call 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 311 from within city limits or 612-673-3000.
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Email 311. You can email 311 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Agents will respond 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Text 311. You can text 311 a short question any time. Just text two or three keywords to 311TXT (311898) to receive an answer from the Minneapolis 311 information database on your mobile phone.
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Get the 311 mobile app. Report neighborhood issues on the 311 mobile app 24 hours a day.
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TTY. 311 agents use computer-based technology so hearing-impaired callers can easily communicate with the City using TDD/TTY devices. Call TTY 612-263-6850.
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Use the contact form. You can send 311 your comments or questions on the website contact form.
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