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Dear Neighbors,
I want to take a moment to acknowledge and commend the admirable work of Camp Nenookaasi. Their dedication to community-based healing and resistance rooted in native practices is commendable. Their mission embodies a community actively working to protect vulnerable neighbors, fostering a space where individuals find both physical and emotional safety.
Today, I, alongside fellow council members, introduced a resolution to officially declare unsheltered homelessness as a public health emergency in direct response to Camp Nenookaasi. While understanding the difficulties faced by those in the encampment, it's crucial to recognize that encampments are not a sustainable solution. Housing is a fundamental right for every individual, and I want to approach this issue with empathy and cultural awareness.
- Jamal
The City Council adopted Mayor Jacob Frey’s 2024 budget Dec. 5.
The 2024 budget includes significant investments in the City’s record-setting affordable housing production, a historic level of funding for public housing, strategic inclusive economic recovery work, and alternatives for public safety strategies and police reform. The budget also triples funding for climate action work across Minneapolis and allocates historic funding for the health of the city’s parks and public water systems.
The budget totals $1.8 billion with a tax levy increase of 6.2%.
Read details about the budget on the City website.
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The City Council has approved Mayor Jacob Frey’s nomination of Margaret Anderson Kelliher as the City’s new city operations officer. The position oversees the City’s Office of Public Service and its 17 departments including Public Works, Community Planning & Economic Development and Regulatory Services.
Anderson Kelliher, a 34-year resident of Minneapolis, will lead thousands of employees Citywide to ensure high-quality, coordinated City services.
Under the City’s new government structure, the city operations officer is one of four direct reports to the mayor and oversees the Office of Public Service. Core functions of the Office of Public Service include internal services; communications and engagement services; and development, health and livability services. These departments primarily support the work of the enterprise, address community health and livability, foster racial equity, and administer performance management.
Read more about Anderson Kelliher and the appointment on the City website.
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The City Council approved Mayor Jacob Frey’s nomination of Erik Hansen as director of the City’s Community Planning & Economic Development Department. Hansen has served as its interim director since June.
Before that, Hansen worked as the department’s director of Economic Policy & Development for five years and has served 12 years as a principal policy coordinator for the department.
Read more about Hansen’s nomination on the City website.
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Minneapolis 311 and the Minneapolis Service Center will close Tuesday, Dec. 19, for a one-day training. Staff will gather to reimagine service delivery to Minneapolis residents and how they can continue to provide exceptional service.
They will resume regular business hours Wednesday, Dec. 20.
How to get information when 311 services are closed
You can get City information and make reports online whenever 311 is closed or leave a message for a call back.
- Find information about City topics or departments on the City website.
- Tell the City about issues from barking dogs to graffiti using an online form.
- Dial 311 or 612-673-3000 and leave a message for a call back when business hours resume.
As always, call 911 for emergencies.
About the 311 Service Center
The 311 Service Center offers City information and services online on the City website, over the phone at 311 or 612-673-3000, and in person at 505 Fourth Ave. S., skyway level.
Human Rights Day is Dec. 10, and International Migrants Day is Dec. 18. The City Council approved a resolution Dec. 7 honoring Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day.
Human Rights Day honors the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international treaty that recognizes the rights we all hold as humans. This year marks the declaration’s 75th anniversary.
International Migrants Day recognizes another international treaty, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and their Families. This document highlights the link between migration and fundamental human rights.
Online events recognizing Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day
Twin Cities Immigration Forum special edition Join the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs and the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee program. 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 Join the meeting on Teams.
Immigration 101 information session Join immigration experts from the University of St. Thomas Law School and The Advocates for Human Rights for an online information session on immigration to the United States. Learn about different types of immigration status in the U.S., transition pathways and obtaining immigration status, and challenges and opportunities based on a person’s immigration status. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15 Join the meeting on Teams.
Find more information on the City website.
In 2024, the minimum wage across the city of Minneapolis will rise to $15.57. First, on January 1, 2024, larger employers (having more than 100 employees) and franchises start paying at least $15.57.
Next, on July 1, 2024, all other employers (having 100 or fewer employees) reach the same required minimum wage of $15.57.
Find more information on the City’s website or email Civil Rights staff.
State of Minnesota law
Also in 2024, the State of Minnesota earned sick and safe time law is expanding paid sick leave protection to employees all across the state. It requires paid sick or equivalent leave (just like in Minneapolis) to be provided by all employers to their employees.
For more information, visit the MN Department of Labor and Industry’s website. Investment in people grows businesses and healthier communities.
Help for employers
No cost and risk-free (amnesty) compliance assistance for employers is available by emailing the Civil Rights Department or through free business legal advice provided by the City’s business technical assistance program.
The City of Minneapolis has accepted a $3.7 million personal guaranty as proof of East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s ability to pay its share of the $11.4 million purchase price of the Roof Depot site in south Minneapolis. This personal guaranty met the Nov. 8 deadline outlined in the purchase agreement approved by the City Council Sept. 7.
The sale of the site to East Phillips Neighborhood Institute is not yet final.
The City looks forward to the State of Minnesota satisfying its commitment from May to provide $2 million to the City as a good faith deposit, which was due July 15. The Legislature must also provide another $5.7 million to the project in 2024 to satisfy terms.
If all terms of the purchase agreement are satisfied, the sale of the site is scheduled to close on or before July 15, 2024.
The City is dedicated to finding a new water supply maintenance facility and will explore other locations for this project. The Minnesota Legislature has committed $4.5 million to the City for a new facility.
Read more on the City website.
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