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From Ward 5 Minneapolis City Council Member, Jeremiah Ellison.
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Neighbors,
Remember to vote tomorrow! If you are planning to cast your ballot on Election day, November 7:
The Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services Division is responsible for administering elections in the City of Minneapolis. For information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, go to the City website.
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Watch your mail for information on what to do when the City of Minneapolis declares a Snow Emergency. The City has sent out about 182,000 Snow Emergency mailers, one to each household in the city. The mailer has graphics and text showing the parking rules during the three phases of a Snow Emergency. Avoid a ticket and tow, and help crews do a complete job by moving your car when a Snow Emergency is declared.
Hold on to your mailer throughout the snow season and have it handy whenever a Snow Emergency is declared. It explains the Snow Emergency parking rules and ways to stay informed during the snow season. It’s also important to help neighbors and visitors know the rules.
Snow Emergencies are declared when there’s enough snowfall to warrant a complete plowing of our streets. Moving parked vehicles allows crews to plow the full width of the street.
When the snow flies, City Public Works crews have enormous jobs to do, with more than 1,400 miles of streets, parkways and alleys to clear. Vehicles parked on the street in violation of Snow Emergency rules can be ticketed or towed.
Sign up for alerts
There are several ways to know when the City has declared a Snow Emergency. We suggest getting your information in more ways than one so it’s less likely your car will be towed.
Read more about how to stay informed, and sign up for alerts on the City website.
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
Ward 5 Blue Line Community Conversation
My office had the privilege of hosting a community conversation to discuss the Blue Line Extension focusing on the 21st Ave stretch of the route. We were there to listen because your voice is crucial to shaping the future of our community. I want to ensure that this project looks how our community wants it to look, that it adds value to our neighborhood, and that anti-displacement is a priority to ensure that folks who call Northside home will continue to call Northside home without fear of displacement. We had about 100 neighbors attend to share their voice. It was a great conversation.
Thank you to the Project Office, Anti-displacement staff, Business and Community Advisory Committee members for being there to respond and answer questions. Thank you JXTA Arts for accommodating this meeting in your space.
Upcoming Minneapolis Blue Line Extension community meetings
Additionally, Metro Transit project staff are hosting regular community update meetings on the Blue Line Extension. The next one will be held Nov. 8. The meeting will include a project update and a Q&A discussion with attendees on the latest updates in each corridor city.
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Nov. 8 community update - in person 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 Metro Transit North Loop Garage, Room 104 600 Eighth Ave. N. Attendees are welcome to park in the Metro Transit North Loop Garage parking ramp.
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Nov. 14 Minneapolis community meeting - virtual Project staff are hosting a virtual community meeting about the Blue Line Extension in Minneapolis to discuss the proposed North Loop and 21st Avenue alignment options. 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 Click here to join the meeting.
Follow new Blue Line Extension meetings and events on the Metropolitan Council website.
Let Metro Transit know in this comment form what topics you would like to discuss or see in future meetings and presentations.
Keep checking the project website under Community Meetings and Events to see the latest Cultivate Arts events, pop-up events, and other project and community hosted events with a Metro Transit presence.
 Habitat for Humanity Harrison Home Volunteering Day
Had a great time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity - Twin Cities in painting one of the homes at Harrison Townhomes in our ward with Councilmember Payne, Chavez and Koski. Special thank you to Councilmember Koski and her team for organizing this volunteer opportunity for us all.
If you are interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity - Twin Cities, they have a variety of opportunities and offer great training to help in their projects. Take a look today.
 Speaking at the University of Minnesota
I had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Goetz's class this past week. It is always an honor to partner with Dr. Goetz who is a professor in urban and regional planning at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the director of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University of Minnesota. We had a great conversation about the US Department of Justice consent decree and public safety within our city.
Thank you Dr. Goetz and all the students for a great conversation and welcoming me to your classroom.
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.
 North Commons Senate Bonding Tour Site Visit
Every other year, the Senate Capital Investment Committee travels thousands of miles across the state to learn more about select projects seeking bonding. The tours are typically divided into the four geographic regions of Minnesota — southwest, southeast, northwest, and northeast — along with the Twin Cities metropolitan area. On the tours, the committee visits with the local governments and other entities seeking funds, tours the sites, and learns more about projects. These tours are vitally important for the committee members and allows the committee to see the projects firsthand.
I was pleased to join Minneapolis Park and Recreation board members and Superintendent Bangoura to welcome Sen. Sandy Pappas and other Senate Capital Investment Committee members to share the North Commons project with them.
Ash Trees Resolution
Our office brought forward a resolution to update the standards in how we are dealing with emerald ash borer. The resolution encourages education to homeowners so that they understand all of their options for ash trees on their property that may be infested with emerald ash borer.
Emerald ash borer is an invasive species that is killing ash trees throughout our state. Constituents and organizers such as Roxxanne O'Brien, Mitchel Hansen, Felicia Perry, Melisa Newman, Amoke Kubat, Nichole Buehler and more brought this issue to my office's attention.
The resolution is about choice, equity, and transparency for constituents while being responsible and responsive to the emerald ash borer infestation. The resolution which passed unanimously by the council supports an equitable tree canopy and allowing residents the chance to dictate the life of their trees through education without the fear of losing their homes due to forced removal and automatic liens.
Thank you so much to Parks and Power, Harrison Neighborhood Association, Tree Trust, Metro Blooms, University of Minnesota, City, County, State staff, Minneapolis Park and Recreation staff and Council Vice President Palmisano for helping draft this resolution.
See the resolution here.
Help save a life: 'Steve's Law' encourages people who witness overdoses to get help
A law called Steve’s Law protects people calling for help related to a drug overdose from criminal prosecution. Surviving an opioid overdose depends on how quickly a person overdosing gets medical help. This includes getting the life-saving medication naloxone. But the fear of arrest sometimes prevents people from calling for help.
"Steve's Law" is named after Steve Rummler, who died from an opioid overdose in 2011.
Find flyers to print out and share about this good Samaritan protection on the City website. The flyers are in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali and Oromo.
Give your feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey's recommended 2024 City Budget
There is one remaining public hearing to provide feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2024 City budget. Comments can also be submitted online at the City’s website.
The proposed 2024 budget is $1.8 billion with a proposed tax levy of 6.2%. The City Council has started reviewing the 2024 budget – the second year of the biennial budget cycle – and will vote on adopting the budget Tuesday, Dec. 5.
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.
City budget public hearing The public hearing will take place at City Hall, Room 317, 350 Fifth St. S.
- Truth in Taxation hearing, 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 (The City Council will vote on adopting the budget following the hearing.)
Learn how to participate in public hearings.
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
Heat rules for Minneapolis
- Minneapolis renters must have access to heat Oct. 1-April 30.
- The heating equipment must be capable of keeping your space at 68 F.
- If the heat stops working in your rental unit, tell the property owner or manager right away. If the heat can’t be fixed immediately, the property owner must provide two temporary heat sources to each rental unit.
- If the property owner or manager doesn’t respond, you can report it to the City to get help from an inspector.
- Call 311 or 612-673-3000 to report an issue. 311 is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Outside of 311 hours, call 911 to report low heat or no heat.
- The 311 agent or 911 dispatcher will take your contact information, and an inspector will contact you to set up an inspection as soon as possible. From Sept. 15 to May 15, there is always an inspector on duty to help renters who report heat issues.
- If you have questions about your rights as a renter, call HOME Line at 612-728-5767 or Legal Aid at 612-334-5970.
Winter preparedness
While property maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner, there are steps that renters can take to prepare their homes for cold weather. Here are some ways you can keep your home safe and warm this winter:
- Check smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries monthly, and change the batteries every six months. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are required in every rental unit in Minneapolis.
- If you use space heaters, make sure you’re using them safely. The National Fire Protection Association has tip sheets in multiple languages for heating safety.
- Consider using an inexpensive window insulation kit to keep your apartment warmer and save money on utility bills.
- Review your lease to see if you’re responsible for snow removal or other seasonal maintenance. Call HOME Line at 612-728-5767 if you have questions about your lease.
Report rental issues to 311
Contact 311 to report rental housing issues or speak to a housing liaison. You can also track complaints online on the 311 property complaint dashboard.
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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