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Hello neighbors,
I'm excited to greet you all for the first time this year as the President of the Minneapolis City Council for the 2024-25 term. It was an honor to be the only candidate nominated and to earn the support of so many of my colleagues. Along with my role as Council President, I will be serving as Chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the Board of Estimate & Taxation, and a member of the Public Health & Safety Committee.
I look forward to unifying my Council colleagues and the Mayor around our shared priorities. It's also a top priority of mine for City Council to fully embody our role as the Legislative Department, a co-equal branch of government alongside the Mayor's administration, providing oversight and evaluation for the City. Ward 10 Council Member Aisha Chughtai was elected as Vice President of the City Council and I can't wait to partner with her on this work.
You can find my full statement following my election as City Council President on our official Ward 1 Facebook and Twitter accounts. You can read more about my priorities from my interview on MPR and with Axios.
While being City Council President will bring a lot of new responsibilities, it does not change my office's number #1 priority which is serving you all. Please continue contacting my office with any issues you may have and we will do our best to help you. As apart of last year's budget amendments, the Council President and Vice President's office will each be getting an additional aide so we will be well equipped to serve you all.
Best,
Elliott
Tuesday, January 16th
When: 8:00 AM -10:00 AM
Where: Cosmic Coffee 3301 Central Ave Ne
Details: Facebook event (Open Office Hours)
Transit: Route 10
Thursday, January 18th
When: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Indeed Brewing 711 15th Ave NE
Details: Facebook event (Open Office Hours)
Transit: Route 10 & Route 30
The City Council Chamber is closed through the year for City Hall renovations. Until this construction is completed, regular council meetings will take place in the Minneapolis Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S. They’ll still stream on the City’s YouTube channel.
The City Council’s Organizational Meeting takes place at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, in Room 100 of the Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S. In that meeting, the council organizes its members for the coming term, mainly by electing officers and creating its committees. All other council and committee meetings after that will be in Room 350 of the Public Service Center until construction is completed.
Independent bodies that also meet in the Council Chamber will move to Room 350 of the Public Service Center beginning Jan. 22. The following meetings before that date will be held in Room 100 of the Public Service Building:
- The Planning Commission meeting Jan. 8.
- The Board of Estimate & Taxation meeting Jan. 10.
- The Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings, Jan. 18.
Up-to-date meeting locations
For the most up-to-date information on meeting locations, go to the City’s Legislation Information Management System.
Also, due to equipment relocation work, live streams of the above meetings taking place before Jan. 12 will not be available on the City’s website or on the City’s cable channels, but can be watched on the City’s YouTube channel.
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.
The City's Partnership Engagement Fund is now open for applications. Community-based organizations, groups and individuals can apply for funding for small-scale, meaningful projects to make Minneapolis communities more socially connected, healthy and safe.
In 2024, a total of $1 million is available for 40 $25,000 contracts with the City. Applicants will need to work with one of the City’s 70 neighborhood organizations for their project engaging underrepresented residents in Minneapolis.
Previous community projects have included youth mentorships, public events, garden infrastructure, civic leadership development, entrepreneurship training, addressing health disparities, employment support, youth peace building, corridor development, resource support for unsheltered neighbors, community building, youth media and storytelling, arts programming and placemaking.
Potential applicants can sign up to join either of the workshops or find a recorded webinar afterwards on the Partnership Engagement Fund City webpage.
Applications are open now with an interest form due Feb. 19 and the completed application due March 3.
Learn more on the City website.
The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month. The recognition increases awareness of the cancer risks caused by radon and encourages people to test their homes. Two in five Minnesota homes test high for radon.
About radon
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon:
- Comes from the soil and rock surrounding the home’s foundation.
- Enters a home through cracks and holes in the basement floor.
- Is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon testing and mitigation
The average radon level is more than three times higher in Minnesota homes than in the average U.S. home. It’s because Minnesotans need heat in the winter and close up our homes. This makes winter a good time to test homes for radon gas.
Learn more about low-cost radon test kits and the City’s grant funding for mitigation systems on the City website.
The first Twin Cities Immigration Forum of the new year will be Jan. 11. This monthly online meeting is hosted by the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs and the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program.
This monthly forum covers:
- Federal immigration news, with information on how developments impact our local immigrant and refugee community, and where to go for help.
- City, community and advocacy organization news and updates.
- More topics of interest and importance to people in immigrant, refugee and new American communities.
January 2024 Twin Cities Immigration Forum 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11 Click here to join the meeting.
Links for past forums can be found on the “meetings and events” tab of the City’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) webpage. For questions or to receive a calendar invite, contact michelle.rivero@minneapolismn.gov or 612-394-6018.
Join the teams that keep the city running. Many of the positions include paid on-the-job training.
Apply if you’re 18 or older with a valid driver’s license, fluent in English and open to working in all weather. We have opportunities for you whether you’re skilled or need paid on-the-job training.
Job openings in Public Works include:
- Public Works service worker trainee. This position performs manual labor and learns to drive and operate equipment. You’d support the department’s construction and maintenance activities. You will be supported in obtaining your CDL Class B license.
- Public Works service worker 1. This position performs manual labor and drives and operates equipment to support construction and maintenance work.
- Public Works service worker 2. This position performs manual labor and drives and operates heavy specialty equipment to support construction and maintenance work.
- Water distribution operator trainee. This position performs manual labor to maintain the City’s water distribution system.
- Water distribution operator. This position performs manual labor and semi-skilled work to maintain the City’s water distribution system.
- Automotive mechanic. This position maintains and repairs the City’s fleet of vehicles and machinery including snowplows.
Find online and in-person information sessions on the City website.
Read about these jobs and find out how to apply on the City website.
Apply on the City website by Jan. 14, 2024.
The Minneapolis Health Department offers a free program to help kids with asthma. The program includes:
- A home assessment to help identify common asthma triggers.
- Personalized asthma trigger education for you and your family.
- Free services and products, such as air purifiers, to help improve indoor air quality.
If you have a child 21 or younger with asthma, email the City Health Department or call 612-673-2301 for more information.
Learn more about the City’s free asthma program.
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, can be a serious illness in infants, young children and older adults. Babies are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized with RSV than with the flu.
Symptoms associated with RSV
RSV often presents like a common cold. People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six days after getting infected. RSV can cause severe illness, hospitalization and sometimes death. Call your health care professional right away if you are or your child is having difficulty breathing or a fever, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms.
Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two, and there is no recommended antiviral medication. Read more about the symptoms of RSV and how to relieve them.
Immunizations
There are immunizations to protect against severe RSV for infants and some young children, some pregnant people, and adults 60 and older. Talk with your health care provider about immunization options.
Ways to help prevent illness
If you feel sick, stay home to get better and protect others. Wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Also consider wearing a mask if you need to go out. The CDC shares everyday ways to prevent the spread of illness.
Read more about flu-like illnesses on the CDC website
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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