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Dear Neighbor,
I hope your new year is off to a good start, and you have been making the most of this mild, not-so-snowy winter. I know our snow plow crews are grateful for this reprieve, especially after last year!
The beginning of this new term has brought a mix of emotions. I am grieving, alongside many constituents, who have been affected by the tragic loss of innocent lives in the Middle East. I appreciate those of you who have contacted my office to share how you’ve been impacted by this conflict. It’s clear that residents are divided in their opinions and experiences–some feel strongly that this body has an obligation to take a stance, while others fear that such a statement will increase division and inflame both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in our community. I believe we, as Council Members, should focus on municipal issues and policies within our purview. We should use this difficult moment to educate and support one another–without choosing which stories we’ll tell and what narratives. Peace should be our goal, and I will not be supporting a resolution that fails to recognize complexity and acknowledge our shared humanity.
I am also grateful for the tremendous honor and privilege of representing you at City Hall. I come into this work with a desire to make our city work better for everyone, in the 13th ward and beyond. Some days, that involves helping resolve a constituent’s missed recycling pick-up or reporting a pothole to 311; others it means continuing the challenging work of ensuring our local government is equitable or working to build consensus on some of the most complex, controversial issues facing our city. No matter what it is, every day I show up and look forward to this work. I acknowledge, with much gratitude, that I would not be here without you. Thank you for your trust in my representation and engagement in local government.
Regards
Two-block section of King's Highway closes January 22-24
A two-block section of the westbound lane of King's Highway between Dupont and Fremont Avenues S will close for up to three days beginning Monday, January 22, 2024.
The closure is necessary for City of Minneapolis Public Works to perform water line maintenance.
Traffic will be detoured to W 47th Street. Local access will be maintained, but please follow detours, slow down, and stay out of work areas. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience while public infrastructure is repaired.
East Lake Harriet Parkway Closes between 44th and 43rd Street on January 31
East Harriet Parkway is scheduled to close between 44th Street and 43rd Street on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
The closure is necessary for City of Minneapolis Public Works to replace the fire hydrant at the northeast corner of 44th Street and East Lake Harriet Parkway.
Traffic will be detoured to Fremont Avenue S. Local access will be maintained, but please follow detours, slow down, and stay out of work areas. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience while public infrastructure is repaired.
The Fifth Police Precinct has seen an increase in burglaries and break-ins targeting the homes of residents who are on vacation for an extended period of time.
Request a Vacation Check:
The MPD provides vacation patrols at the request of residents to deter home burglaries. Reach out to the Fifth Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist, Jennifer Waisanen (Jennifer.Waisanen@minneapolismn.gov), with your address and vacation dates to arrange these extra patrols.
Utilize Smart Home Technology:
Use Smart Home technology, such as Alexa or Google Home, to turn on and off interior lights, music, and TVs to give the impression that you are home.
The City Council Chamber is closed through the year for City Hall renovations. Until this construction is completed, council and committee meetings will take place in the Minneapolis Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350.
Independent bodies that also meet in the Council Chamber will move to Room 350 of the Public Service Center beginning Jan. 22.
Find Up-to-Date Meeting Locations
For the most up-to-date information on meeting locations, go to the City’s Legislation Information Management System.
Live Streams
You can find live streams on the City’s website; on the City’s cable channels, Comcast 14 and 799; and on the City’s YouTube channel.
Please clear your sidewalk of snow and ice all winter to keep Minneapolis accessible for everyone. Minneapolis has around 15-20 snow events each year from freezing rain to blizzards. These cover sidewalks with snow or ice and make it difficult to pass. Many in our city rely on the sidewalks to get to work, school, errands, appointments and more.
One- and two-family dwellings have 24 hours after the snow stops to clear their sidewalks. All other properties must have clear sidewalks within four hours. If you don’t clear your sidewalk, you could get a warning letter and bill from the City to remove snow from your sidewalk. A typical bill is $229.
Resources are available for people who are unable to shovel or clear their sidewalks. Several for-hire contractors and a few nonprofit organizations can help. If you need help, you can call 311 to find the best match in your area.
Visit the City website for more information and resources or to report an issue.
You can check the status of uncleared sidewalk snow and ice cases in Minneapolis using the City's interactive dashboard.
Garbage Pickup Reminder: Shovel Around Your Carts
Remember to shovel out your garbage, recycling and organics carts. If the collection crew cannot easily wheel your carts to the truck, they cannot empty them. If your carts are not emptied, clear away snow or ice and the crew will empty your carts on your next collection day.
Please do not shovel snow into the alley or street. This makes collection more difficult for our crews, it makes moving through alleys harder for you and your neighbors, and it’s not allowed under City ordinance.
Margaret Anderson Kelliher was sworn in Jan. 3 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 will lead thousands of employees Citywide to ensure high-quality, coordinated City services.
A 34-year resident of Minneapolis, Anderson Kelliher previously led the City’s Public Works Department and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. She served 12 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives with four years as the speaker.
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 position on the City website.
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Join an open house online or in person to hear about Minneapolis’ proposed pilot for traffic safety cameras. Camera enforcement is proven effective at saving lives and reducing crashes. To do the project, the City is seeking legislative authority. The City is committed to a pilot that protects privacy and is fair, equitable and effective.
Both open houses will offer a presentation and opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.
In-Person Open House
5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 Minneapolis
Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 100
Presentation at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Traffic Safety
The City is interested in a pilot for speed and/or red light cameras. Speed and running red lights are two of the top four factors in severe and fatal crashes in Minneapolis. The work is part of the City's effort to get to zero traffic deaths and severe injuries.
State Law and Timing
A local pilot on traffic safety cameras would need a state law change. The City is working on a bill (House File 2098/Senate File 2026).
If the bill passes this year, the City will work to develop the full details for a local pilot. This would include significant community engagement. The earliest a traffic safety camera pilot program could start is the summer of 2025.
Make sure you’re signed up to get an alert this winter if a snow emergency is declared.
Snow emergencies are declared when there’s enough snowfall to warrant a complete plowing of our streets. Moving 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 that need to be cleared. Vehicles parked on the street in violation of snow emergency rules can be ticketed or towed.
Drivers following snow emergency parking rules helps the City, too. Towing and impounding vehicles is expensive and makes plowing inefficient, so it’s in everyone’s interest when drivers follow the parking rules and avoid a ticket and tow.
Sign Up Now; Stay Informed throughout the Season
There are several ways to know when the City has declared a snow emergency. We suggest getting information about snow emergencies in more ways than one. The more ways you use to learn about a snow emergency, the more prepared you will be to do your part, and the less likely you will be to be towed.
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Hotline: Call the automated 612-348-SNOW hotline. If a snow emergency is in effect, the hotline will have recorded information on that day’s parking restrictions that you’d need to follow to avoid a ticket and tow. The hotline includes information in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
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The City’s website: Go to the City’s website to find out if a snow emergency has been declared. Information on Snow Emergencies is available in many languages. Also, see the snow emergency parking map, which lets you put in an address or a neighborhood to see where you can park during a snow emergency.
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Phone calls to residents: Minneapolis uses automated phone calls to notify residents when snow emergencies are declared. The system can place thousands of calls per hour. Sign up for phone alerts.
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Social media: Like Minneapolis snow emergency on Facebook and X.
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Email and text alerts: Sign up to get snow emergency alerts emailed or texted to you.
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Smartphone app: Drivers who have Android or iPhone devices can download the snow emergency app. During a snow emergency, the app will tell you the parking rules for that day. It also has the snow emergency parking map, which shows you the parking rules in detail when you enter an address.
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The news media: News releases are sent to the media so TV, radio stations and other news outlets can inform their viewers and listeners that a snow emergency is in effect.
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Cable TV: Tune in to Minneapolis City TV (Comcast channel 14 or 799.) These channels will have information in several languages when a snow emergency is declared.
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Videos: Informative videos in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong are available online to help explain where you can park when a snow emergency is declared:
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As of Saturday, January 20, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has all of its outdoor ice rinks open.
Forty-five general skating, hockey or broomball rinks will be offered at 22 parks this year. All outdoor rinks are free, are open to the public, offer a warming room, and are lit until at least 9 p.m. Sites with broomball are lit until 10:15 p.m.: Logan, Longfellow, McRae, Shingle Creek, Van Cleve and Windom NE.
Find opening and closing dates and times, locations, warming rooms and more on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website.
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Minneapolis Crime Data Dashboard:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/government-data/datasource/crime-dashboard/
Minneapolis Crime Locations Map: Hover or click on the icons to learn more.
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/police-public-safety/crime-maps-dashboards/crime-locations-map/
Crime Tips & Sign up for Crime Alerts:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/prevent-prepare/crime-prevention/
General Public Safety Links:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/
Jennifer Waisanen (Crime Prevention Specialist for 5th Precinct):
jennifer.waisanen@minneapolismn.gov
Watch the Minneapolis Minute for a snapshot of opportunities and important information for residents. Each episode provides timely news and how you can get involved.
In the latest edition: the City Council leadership, the new poet laureate and radon awareness.
Watch the Minneapolis Minute.
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One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet with my constituents, learn more about you and hear your questions, concerns, hopes and dreams for our shared community.
If you'd like to schedule a time to meet with me, send me an e-mail and my staff will help get it scheduled. Please let me know what you'd like to talk about and a convenient place to meet- a coffee shop, a park, your home, my office, etc. I try to reserve Fridays for constituent meetings, but can work them in other times, as necessary, too.
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