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From Ward 5 Minneapolis City Council Member, Jeremiah Ellison.
At the recent full council meeting, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously adopted a resolution that declares unsheltered homelessness as a public health emergency. Immediately following this meeting, I joined Council President Jenkins (Ward 8), Council Member Payne (Ward 1), Council Member Wonsley (Ward 2), Council Member Osman (Ward 6), Council Member Chavez (Ward 9), Council Member Chughtai (Ward 10), Councilmember Koski (Ward 11), and Council Member Chowdhury (Ward 12) at a press conference to highlight the critical needs that our unsheltered community has and steps that we need to take as city leaders to protect the public health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable residents. To view the full resolution, click here.
This year, we saw a record number of budget amendments made that reflect the critical needs and priorities that our residents deserve. These investments were made possible by the inclusive and thoughtful dedication of our resident advocates, partner organizations, and my council colleagues and their staff who understand firsthand the impact this budget can make on our most vulnerable residents. I am grateful for the level of care that was put in to ensure that we make significant strides in community safety and police reform, climate action, and affordable housing. I am honored to serve North Minneapolis and look forward to continuing building the thriving and vibrant community that Northsiders deserve. Below our amendments that my office authored specifically:
Renter Relocation Assistance
- This amendment was co-authored with Council Members Wonsley and Chughtai and will increase funds for Renter Relocation Assistance from $150,000 to $240,000. The Renter Relocation Assistance provides financial assistance to renters when a rental license has been revoked, denied, cancelled or when requirements of the 90-day Advance Notice of Sale protection period is violated. The property owner is responsible for relocation assistance to renters equal to three months’ rent. In cases where the property owner does not comply, this fund is used to pay three months of rent to impacted residents and assessed to the property. Dedicating the necessary funds for Renter Relocation Assistance is necessary to better support renters and prevent them from becoming unsheltered.
Council Leadership Staff
- This amendment was co-authored with Council Member Chughtai and would add one additional employee to the Council President and Vice Presidents office in the amount of $245,000. By adding this additional capacity to council leadership offices, it will help ensure that leadership is able to engage and assist other council offices in their priorities and goals while also executing the responsibilities for their own ward.
DTAP
- This amendment was co-authored by Council Member Chughtai to add funds to Developers Technical Assistance Program (DTAP) with $350,000 to continue offering this resource to residents of Minneapolis. This program provides developers with knowledge and tools to navigate the real estate development process, evaluate and manage the risks of development, and work on projects in Minneapolis. This funding will support our small business department in offering these classes which benefit developers of all levels.
Open Streets
- This amendment was co-authored with Council Member Wonsley and allocates $250,000 for a competitive RFP for the Open Streets event series. Open Streets is a citywide event series that temporarily closes major streets to motor vehicles to open them up for people to bike, walk and play. For over a decade, these unique events transformed public spaces into celebrations of community, local businesses, and healthy living, and helped create space for over 60,000 residents to experience a car-free Minneapolis.
Appointed Boards & Commissions (ABCs)
- This amendment was co-authored by Council Member Wonsley and would allocate $190,000 to the city’s Appointed Boards and Commissions (ABCs). This year, Council began to comprehensively reform the city’s (ABC). During the process, many community members presented their concerns and suggestions on how the city could improve the ABC process. Several of these suggestions included ways to improve recruitment, accessibility, as well as equitable compensation. The current ABC program has resulted in many bodies having dysfunctionality, frustrating residents who have committed time in efforts to improve their community. These funds will support the Clerk’s office in ensuring that these boards work effectively and efficiently, removing the current barriers that are preventing the council in receiving valuable advisory information related to various policy issues.
Green Zones
- To build off the ABC amendment, this amendment was co-authored by Council Member Wonsley and would allocate $100,000 in 2024 to the Green Zones in the city. North and South Side Green Zones have described the difficulties in advancing policy recommendations due to removable barriers as well as recruiting and retaining local residents to serve in these appointed positions. These funds would help support overhaul of the ABC system and address some of the systemic problems within the current system.
Traffic Calming
- This amendment is co-authored with Council Members Chughtai, Koski, Osman, and Wonsley. Our amendment allocates $400,000 to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Process. Following the rollout of the new Traffic Calming Process last year, the City received significant community interest. There are currently an estimated total of 1,100 requests; about 750 of those requests are on neighborhood streets. The Mayor’s current budget allocation for this program only allows for Public Works to complete 6-7 projects next year, leaving a significant backlog that would go into 2025. Public Works has confirmed it is a lack of funding, not staffing, that makes them unable to address this backlog. These one-time funds would support staff in completing approximately 35 requests in 2024. While this does not address the backlog in totality, it would bring significant relief to neighborhoods city-wide and reinforce the City’s commitment to safer streets.
Senior Services
- This amendment was co-authored by Council Member Payne, Vetaw, and Rainville. Our amendment allocates $50,000 to Contractual Services budget for the Neighborhood & Community Relations Department (NCR) to administer an RFP process intended to award $25,000 each to two eligible community organizations capable of delivering senior services where there is currently a gap in service delivery. These services may include door-to-door transportation services and coordination of other resources. This amendment will offer a variety of services delivered to underserved aging communities.
Collaborative Public Safety Strategies
- This amendment was co-authored with Council Member Chavez to increase funding to the Contractual Services budget by $600,000 for the Neighborhood Safety Department to develop and implement the Collaborative Public Safety Strategies program to reduce gun violence. These funds will be used by the Neighborhood Safety Department to invest collaborative, community-driven, public-safety strategies. This innovative initiative will provide technical and financial resources for residents and business owners of these areas, and the community-based organizations that serve them, to collaborate on public-safety interventions that would best improve public safety there and reduce gun violence. One in North Minneapolis located at Cleveland and Folwell which have been gun crime hot spots. Another in South Minneapolis is located at East Phillips and Midtown Phillips which have been gun crime hot spots. The City of Minneapolis 2022 Gun Violence Overview shows why these neighborhoods are in dire need of community intervention on public safety.
Total in our amendments: $2,275,000
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
B'Beri Desserts Grand Opening Event
I was delighted to hear that there is a new Fresh pastry shop opening in the ward to serve our community. My office was invited to B'Beri Desserts' Grand Opening event this Thursday and it was a "sweet" success. Everything from the heartfelt remarks, the pastries, to the guests were extraordinary. I am excited to continuing uplifting our small businesses on the Northside. Congratulations to Diane and Fritz for this incredible endeavor! To learn more about B'Beri Desserts, click here.
John Biggers Seed Project Celebration Event
I was incredibly honored and humbled to be invited as a guest speaker at the John Biggers Seed Project Celebration event this past Saturday. I was a full circle moment to come, be in community, and speak on this meaning behind this project not only as the Northside Council Member, but also as an artist on this project. I applaud the brilliance and creativity of our artists and their work in bringing this vision to a reality. I also want to thank the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, Minneapolis Arts Commission, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minneapolis Public Works Department, and Voices of Culture for your performance at the program, partnership, and collaboration on this huge milestone for the Northside.
The North Loop Winter Market is hosting an exciting upcoming event, scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 16th from 10 AM - 4 PM at 501 Royalston Avenue, Minneapolis, a transformed 121,272 square foot warehouse adjacent to the Minneapolis Farmers Market. This event promises to be a lively celebration of local growers, producers, and makers, featuring over 100 local businesses in the vendor village and over 20 community partners who ardently believe in supporting the local food system.
At the heart of the North Loop Winter Market is a powerful mission – to create a warm and welcoming space for our vibrant community of growers, producers, and makers. More than just supporting sustainable Minnesota Agriculture, this event seeks to bring people together, foster connections during the winter months, and celebrate the incredible flavors of our region.
A significant portion of this event's proceeds will directly benefit the Minnesota Farmers Market Association. By participating in our event, attendees are not only supporting local businesses but also contributing to the growth and sustainability of our broader community. For the public event invitation, click here to see details.
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.
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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