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Dear neighbor,
On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council concluded its first official City Council meeting of the year. We discussed a variety of issues impacting our community. We took 40 actions, approved 2 different honorary resolutions (Black History Month and Human Trafficking and Exploitation Awareness Month), introduced legislation to restore the dignity of unhoused residents, and accepted a grant for private sewer lateral repairs. We also approved contracts for solid waste disposal, appointed community members to various boards and commissions, and approved a resolution expressing the City Council’s support for a permanent ceasefire and preventing loss of human life in the Middle East.
I’m grateful to all my residents who shared their thoughts about this resolution. I received nearly 200 emails, voicemails, and constituent contacts regarding this. 95% of whom asked me to vote in favor of it. The resolution passed with 9 votes, and I was proud to vote in favor of it.
I worked alongside Council Leadership to ensure there was a public process and an opportunity for Council members to bring amendments to the resolution through the Committee of the Whole. None of the dissenting voices engaged in the amendment process despite having issues with the ceasefire resolution. The night before the vote, at 9:45 PM, Council Member Palmisano sent an email to one of her updated substitute resolutions that she would walk on to the full council meeting, even though this could have been done through the Committee of the Whole, which was outlined a variety of times.
The City Council later received an updated version of this on the dais minutes before the vote. I could not vote for her motion that was not publicized, and with little time to review it and make amendments. Regardless of this, the original Ceasefire resolution passed 9-3-1, which was veto-proof.
Sincerely,
Jason Chavez
I also wanted to inform you of a variety of events my office is hosting. These are opportunities for you to engage, advocate, and work towards solutions.
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Community Forum on Smith Foundry and Public Health in Phillips: This will be located at the Little Earth Gym (2501 Cedar Ave South) from 6:00PM-:8:00PM on January 31, 2024.. The Minneapolis Health Department will be present and Spanish and Somali interpretation will be made available.
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LGBTQIA+ Community Safety Conversation Office Hours with the Queer Equity Institute: This will be located at Wildflyer Coffee (3262 Minnehaha Ave) from 8:00AM-10:00AM) on February 2, 2024. This event is co-hosted by Council Vice-President Chughtai, Council Member Chowdhury, and Council Member Jenkins. We are working with the community to address the rise in hate crimes experienced by our LGBTQIA+ community.
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Ward 9 Community Office Hours: This will be located at Wildflyer Coffee (3262 Minnehaha Ave) from 8:00AM-10:00AM on February 16, 2024. I want to hear what Ward 9 residents want my office to prioritize in this term.
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We are pleased to announce the recent hiring of Ivonne Hernandez to the position of Council Policy Associate in our Ward 9 office. Ivonne will be aiding in the day-to-day operations of the War 9 office, including connecting and maintaining relationships with Council Offices, City Staff, constituents, and stakeholders.
Ivonne is a lifelong resident of Minneapolis; Ivonne earned her bachelor's degree in political science and international relations from Augsburg University in 2023. Ivonne comes to us from the Waite House Community Center as a former Youth Program Coordinator and Advocate, where she served BIPOC, first generation and Immigrant Youth in the neighborhood to pursue their dream of Higher Education. Furthermore, Ivonne has organized with the Minnesota Immigrant Movement Coalition in support of the Drivers Licenses for All Movement and is also an alumni of the Minnesota Capitol Pathways Program.
Ivonne is excited and looking forward to strengthening her knowledge of public policy and continuing to represent and support the work of underrepresented communities in the City of Minneapolis.
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The city’s approach to homelessness is cruel and inhumane. As an elected official, I will no longer sit by while some of our most vulnerable residents are being treated less than humans. Council Vice-President Chughtai, Council Member Chowdhury, and I introduced legislation to begin the process of adopting 3 ordinances relating to homelessness.
Safe outdoor spaces ordinance: We introduced legislation to begin developing regulations and establishing authorized and regulated “safe outdoor spaces” or individualized outdoor sheltering options for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Humane encampment response ordinance: We introduced legislation relating to health and sanitation to establish provisions for a humane encampment response policy. It’s time to move away from an ineffective regulatory approach and towards an effective public health approach that will focus on housing residents.
Encampment removal reporting ordinance: We introduced legislation to require reporting on encampment evictions and the outcomes of individuals experiencing homelessness who were evicted. We hope this can bring transparency to the administration's approach.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will finalize these ordinances and move them through the City Council process for adoption.
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On January 21, 2024, I attended a Community Meeting led by the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute. Residents gathered at Little Earth to give feedback and discuss ownership of the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm. Please continue to send your ideas and vision to info@epnifarm.org to help shape the future of Phillips. Now that we won, we also need a new name for the "Roof Depot" site as we enter the next phase of healing and community building. Fill out this form to help name the project. |
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The City Council passed a resolution honoring Black History Month. The resolution states that “the City Council do hereby commemorate the achievements of Black Americans as history makers and legacy trailblazers and their role in the development of the region and the nation since its inception, and we join in recognizing the annual celebration of Black History Month and the anniversary of the Minneapolis Black Employee Network.”
The events for Black History Month are presented in partnership with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County through the efforts of these employee resource groups: City of Minneapolis Black Employee Network, Hennepin County People of Color Employee Resource Group and Hennepin County African American Employee Resource Group. History Makers at Home is presented by the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights.
Upcoming Black History Month events
Black Music and the Arts – The Minneapolis Sound: A panel discussion to explore the history of Black contributions to music with a focus on the “Minneapolis Sound.”
- Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100 505 Fourth Ave. S.
Black and Belonging: A community discussion around belonging to a collective and creating welcoming spaces where we all belong.
- Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100 505 Fourth Ave. S.
Family Feud: Black History Month Trivia: Featuring Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis employees: a live event to have fun, laugh, show off what you know about Black history, or learn something new.
- Noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. North Point Conference Center, Fifth Floor, Suite 5200 1256 Penn Ave. N.
History Makers at Home: The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department will recognize leaders in the areas of business, criminal justice, education, economic development, health, housing and government.
- 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway Ave.
Rock Your Crown: This is the event where hair rules! With the State of Minnesota signing the Crown Act into law, we will celebrate the history of Black hair and the art of styling it.
- Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100 505 Fourth Ave. S.
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Open Streets will once again take place in 2024, and the City of Minneapolis is seeking event organizers for the 2024 event series. I am extremely disappointed that East Lake Street will not be considered by the City for Open Streets events.
The City is soliciting proposals for up to five event organizers to coordinate and implement up to two Open Streets events each. The City will provide up to $50,000 for each event. If an event organizer is awarded two events, the contract would be up to $100,000.
Open Streets Minneapolis events give local businesses, artists and community groups a one-day opportunity to transform the streets into a place where people can gather and celebrate the diversity and creativity of the city while walking, biking and rolling. From the first event in 2011 through the 2022 season, Open Streets events have drawn more than 677,000 people.
There are plans for five Open Streets events in 2024:
- West Broadway.
- Lyndale Avenue South.
- Central Avenue Northeast.
- Franklin Avenue.
- Nicollet Avenue.
Proposals are due by 2 PM on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Find more information on the City’s website.
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The City of Minneapolis is seeking an artist or artist team to create asphalt art murals on two intersections. The murals will be on the South-Folwell Safe Route to School. The artist must have experience working with young people to create large murals. The artist will work with students at South and Folwell schools to create and paint the designs. The chosen artist or artist team will receive a $20,000 artist fee and $4,000 for materials.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is supporting this City study as a traffic calming strategy.
Deadlines: The Intent to Apply form is due by 4 p.m. Feb. 5. Apply by 4 p.m. Feb. 7.
Find more information on the City website.
In February the City plans to start accepting grant applications to repair failing private sewer pipes and connections to the public sewer. Homeowners can receive grants between $5,000 to $10,000 and may need a match to receive the funds. The City expects this year’s funding to provide grants to 30-35 property owners. You can look at information now to get ready with bids and then apply when applications open.
Eligibility
- Residential property in Minneapolis.
- Owner occupied property.
- Uses a City of Minneapolis Target Market Program contractor. At least three bids will be required from this vendor list.
- Copies (photos or scanned images) of three bids uploaded with the application.
- Copy of proof of residency (license, utility bill or mortgage statement) uploaded with the application.
The Metropolitan Council funds these grants.
Find more information on the City website.
A milder winter can still have storms. Take some time to equip your vehicle for winter road safety.
If you’re traveling and your vehicle becomes stuck, stay inside if the weather conditions are dangerous or if you aren't in a safe place to be outside (like on the side of the freeway). Then call 911 for assistance.
Before driving in winter conditions, make sure you have an emergency supply kit for the vehicle. This supply kit should include:
- Jumper cables and printed instructions on how to use them.
- Sand or non-clumping cat litter to put underneath tires for grip.
- A shovel to move snow away from your vehicle.
- A flashlight.
- Warm clothes.
- Blankets.
- Bottled water.
- Nonperishable snacks.
Besides having the supply kit, try to keep the vehicle's fuel tank as full as possible during the winter.
Find more information from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
The Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs is hosting community office hours in January. Office hours provide basic information on immigration legal services, shelter resources, health care and more.
Office hours
Stop by South Minneapolis CareerForce, 777 E. Lake St., 1-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29.
Learn more on the City website, or email Michelle Rivero, or call 612-394-6018.
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.
Online information sessions
Two online information sessions covered more about the Partnership Engagement Fund program and how to apply. The sessions have passed, but you can find a recorded webinar 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.
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