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Greetings neighbors,
This will be my last update for a the year. As the City Council transitions into the 2024-2025 term, we are taking some time to reorganize. We are also physically moving to a new location at the Public Service Center, 250 S 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, as the Municipal Building Commission continues its "restack" of City Hall.
All Council offices will be working remotely until January 9th. You can still reach me and the rest of the Ward 1 team same as always. All of our contact information can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
The City Council concluded its 2022-2023 term on December 7. At our final City Council meeting of the term, the City Council unanimously passed a Resolution declaring unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency.
By declaring unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency, the Minneapolis City Council is committing to exploring all policies, actions, partnerships, and investments to urgently and meaningfully address this emergency alongside the Mayor and City of Minneapolis workers and leaders.
Following the final meeting of the term, I joined several of my fellow Council Members in requesting Mayor Frey delay the City's announced eviction of Camp Nenookaasi, an indigenous-run healing encampment located in the Ventura Village neighborhood of Ward 6.
You can read more about the Resolution and our request to the Mayor in the following section. This article from MPR News includes copies of the Resolution and the letter.
Thank you for reading. I hope you have a happy, safe holiday season, and I'm looking forward to connecting with you soon!
Best,
Elliott
At the December 7 Minneapolis City Council meeting, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency.
The resolution resolves that, “the Minneapolis City Council, by declaring unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency, is committed to exploring all policies, actions, partnerships, and investments to urgently and meaningfully address this emergency alongside the Mayor of Minneapolis and City of Minneapolis workers and leaders.”
Following the meeting, Council Members requested Mayor Frey delay the administration’s announced plan to evict Camp Nenookaasi, an Indigenous-run healing encampment located in the Ventura Village neighborhood of Ward 6.
Dozens of residents and volunteers from Camp Nenookaasi gave testimony during the City’s final public hearing on the 2024 City Budget. They spoke about the success and accomplishments of the encampment, including moving people from unsheltered homelessness to permanent housing and coordinating assistance with other services.
Organizers at Camp Nenookaasi report that they have successfully moved 74 residents into permanent housing and have had no deaths from overdoses since the camp formed.
Council Members Jamal Osman, Elliott Payne, Robin Wonsley, Jeremiah Ellison, Jason Chavez, Aisha Chughtai, Emily Koski, and Aurin Chowdhury submitted a letter to Mayor Frey's Office stating:
“We can all agree that encampments are not the long-term solution, nor should we consider living in a tent outside in subzero temperatures ‘dignified housing.’ But neither is the current approach carried out by the administration you lead. Without a permanent, dignified place to go, unhoused residents will continue to form new encampments after each closure. It’s time for us to put our differences aside. We must work together to explore new, evidence-based solutions. We’re sincerely offering our partnership to meaningfully and urgently address this crisis.”
The letter makes three specific requests from the mayor:
- Delay the eviction of Camp Nenookaasi until February 16, 2024;
- Between now and February 16, 2024, pursue all efforts to address public health needs at Camp Nenookaasi and the surrounding community;
- Request that the mayor meet and work with Council Members to collaborate on short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions to reduce homelessness, prevent the formation of encampments, and address the serious and urgent public health issues unsheltered populations in Minneapolis face
Currently, the City of Minneapolis has no codified ordinance detailing an encampment policy. Developing and codifying a standard and humane encampment policy is a top priority for many Council Members. Council Members want to ensure that when encampments exist, there are clear standards around bathrooms, sanitation, and needle pickup to mitigate potential public health and sanitation issues. Council Members also want to ensure there is a clear process that respects the dignity of encampment residents during encampment closures, such as ensuring residents are connected to viable options for shelter and services, given sufficient notice of the date and time of the closure, and given a guaranteed option for storing their belongings.
Council Members also are committed to working on Safe Outdoor Spaces as a more humane and effective way to address unsheltered homelessness. This is model has been implemented in Denver, Colorado and other U.S. cities. Council Members Elliott Payne and Jeremiah Ellison both had the opportunity to visit a Safe Outdoor Space in Denver in 2022 and see the model firsthand.
The Council’s action in passing a resolution declaring unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency formally commits the entire city to address the crisis. In the immediate term, this means following the lead of residents and service providers and delaying Camp Nenookaasi’s closure until February 16, 2024 and coordinating with Hennepin County, our organizational and community partners, and service providers to increase the resources available to unsheltered residents at this site, including coordinating access to healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, and permanent housing options that are accessible and affordable.
How would you invest in regional transportation?
The Metropolitan Council and the Transportation Advisory Board would like to know how you’d distribute funding for transportation projects. Your responses will help inform the Transportation Advisory Board as it considers projects this spring.
Use this tool to build your budget and learn more about the funding categories.
Projects focus on results such as moving more people more effectively, managing congestion, and improving air quality.
The tool to build your transportation budget will be open through Jan. 31.
Open Enrollment has begun for MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace.
Now through January 15th, Minnesotans can enroll or make changes to their current marketplace health and/or dental insurance plan. If you recently lost Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, you may be able to find new coverage through MNsure.
Enroll before Dec. 15 to have coverage start on Jan. 1. Those who enroll Dec. 16 – Jan. 15 will have coverage start on Feb. 1.
If you have questions about open enrollment visit MNsure FAQs or call (651) 539-2099
The Energy Assistance Program helps pay energy bills for eligible Minnesotans.
This program is free and provides benefits up to $1,400, with additional support to respond to emergencies.
Both renters and homeowners can qualify, and eligibility is based on income and household size. The program is federally funded and administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Applications are open until May 31, 2024.
Click here to apply.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is leading the fight to make Kia and Hyundai vehicles safer.
According to the Attorney General's website, reported thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles increased by 836% in Minneapolis and 611% in Saint Paul from 2021 to 2022. Some vehicles have even been stolen multiple times in the same year.
Attorney General Ellison urges Minnesota consumers who wish to report concerns about the theft or risk of theft of their Kia or Hyundai to submit a complaint.
How to submit a complaint
The City of Minneapolis transferred the park parcel at the Upper Harbor redevelopment site to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Nov. 22.
Much of the park is linear. About a mile of parkway road with parking will also serve as a City street. It will have separated bike and pedestrian trails, buffers with plants, gently sloped shoreline with plants, and stormwater treatment areas.
A 5-acre park space will connect Dowling Ave to the riverfront. Construction is expected to begin in 2024.
In 2024, the minimum wage across the city of Minneapolis will rise to $15.57.
January 1, 2024 - larger employers (having more than 100 employees) and franchises start paying at least $15.57.
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.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control hopes an act of kindness will help many animals find their forever families this holiday season. Best Friends Animal Society will cover adoption fees for animals at MACC through New Year’s.
Find more information about adopting animals, volunteering, and supporting Animal Care & Control on the City website.
Winter market season began this month in four locations around the city. Farmers Markets of Minneapolis operate year-round with markets mainly operating outdoors.
Local produce is fresh, nutritious and affordable. Most of the markets accept SNAP-EBT (“electronic benefits transfer”) cards as payment, as well as Market Bucks and Produce Bucks, which combined provide $20 more for healthy food to market shoppers using SNAP-EBT.
In 2022, customers at the Farmers Markets of Minneapolis redeemed more than $350,447 in Market Bucks, Produce Bucks and SNAP/EBT, showing expanded access to fresh, healthy food for Minneapolis residents who experience food insecurity and receive federal food assistance. Sixty-two percent of market vendors donated leftover produce to hunger relief programs in 2022.
Find winter market schedules and locations.
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.
Mental Health resources
The City has created a list of mental health support resources to help residents and their loved ones. Find details and contact information here.
People in crisis and their loved ones can also turn to these resources:
- Minnesota warmline: a safe, anonymous and confidential way to connect with people. 1-877-404-3190 or text “Support” to 85511 noon to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): help finding resources for those with and without insurance. 1-888-NAMI-HELPS or 1-888-626-4435.
- CRISIS text line: a free, 24/7 phone line for those experiencing a mental health crisis. Adult services: 612-596-1223.
- Child services: 612-348-2233.
- Mobile phone: **CRISIS (274747) or text “MN” to 741741.
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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- Behavioral health crisis.
- Mental health support.
Minneapolis School Based Clinics
For students, Minneapolis School Based Clinics offer a range of mental health services. One in six youths each year experience a mental health condition, but only half of them get treatment. Mental health challenges for students include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Issues with family, relationships and academics.
Students can refer themselves or are referred by staff, parents or administrators.
Free and affordable food
Kids (18 and under) can find free nutritious meals and snacks from Minneapolis Public Schools while school is out this summer. Children do not need to attend Minneapolis Public Schools to participate. They can pick up food at parks, libraries, other community spaces, and the Minneapolis Public Schools food truck and food bus. Use the Free Meals for Kids mobile app or visit the Minneapolis Public Schools summer food webpage.
You can find locations, hours, contact information, and volunteer/donation needs of local food shelves and food distributions.
Check out the updated Minneapolis food security resources on the City website.
To see food shelves by location, explore our map.
Discrimination helpline: Report discrimination and bias
If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of discrimination or bias, call Minnesota's Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or submit an online form here. The helpline is staffed by investigators from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Translation and interpretation services are available.
Audubon Park Neighborhood Association
Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association
Logan Park Neighborhood Association
Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization
Northeast Park Neighborhood Association
Southeast Como Improvement Association
Waite Park Community Council
Windom Park Citizens in Action
Elliott Payne was re-elected in 2023 to represent Ward 1
Elliott serves on the Public Health & Safety Committee as Vice Chair, Public Works & Infrastructure Committee, Audit Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole.
Contact the Ward 1 Council Office
Elliott Payne, Council Member - Email
Ben Carrier, Policy Aide - Email
Liam Davis Temple, Policy Associate - Email
Office Phone - (612) 673-2201
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