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Hello neighbors,
Yesterday's full City Council meeting concluded our second full council cycle of the year. We took actions on 56 items that were forwarded from our standing committees. I particularly want to highlight that we moved forward on the Beltrami/Monroe NE residential resurfacing for 2024 that will help improve the Northeast Park neighborhood and our neighbors in Ward 3 in Beltrami. We also appropriated funds to our Health Department to provide sexual and reproductive health services at Edison high school and 4 other MPS schools through the year 2027. I'm a strong supporter of our School Based clinics and am glad Edison, in our Ward, will be receiving more funding.
City Council also introduced and referred 26 different legislative actions to our standing committees. I am authoring 4 of those items: updating our liquor license ordinance, legislative process reform ordinance, an ordinance that will strengthen our Community Commission on Police Oversight body by aligning it with the changes the State Legislature made to police oversight bodies last session, and a legislative directive that will help us find sustainable long term funding for the co-enforcement of wage theft. Other items that were referred to committees yesterday were humane encampment response & safe outdoor space ordinances, work on tenant protections, Pollution Control Annual Registration (PCAR), transportation rideshare workers protections, labor standards board, opioid response, and more.
I share all of that with you because you don't often hear about the majority of the work of City Council because it doesn't typically make headlines. One item that did make a lot of headlines was our vote to override Mayor Frey’s veto of the resolution passed at our January 25th meeting calling for a permanent ceasefire and preventing loss of life in the Middle East. I am proud that 9 Council Members stood up for a resolution that went through a very thorough and fair process and then received the overwhelming support of our members. When this Council speaks with the clarity of a veto-proof majority, I will do everything in my power as Council President to defend the will of the body, regardless of the issue. I hope this is the last time we will be faced with a veto this term and look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor collaboratively in the future.
In the rest of the newsletter you'll find information about the Independent evaluator selection, voting information to help NE arts district defend our national title, community connections conference information, and more.
Best,
Elliott
The City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights have selected Effective Law Enforcement for ALL (ELEFA) to monitor compliance with the City’s court enforceable settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The settlement agreement includes policy, budget and training requirements for the Minneapolis Police Department and City enterprise.
ELEFA was selected as the independent evaluator after a competitive process. The nonprofit was one of three teams selected to hold public presentations for the community last month.
Choosing an Independent Evaluator marks a pivotal moment in advancing the implementation of the MDHR settlement agreement and positions the City for the forthcoming consent decree from the DOJ. However, the most impactful step we can take is a collective commitment to accountability across all aspects of City government. Reforming MPD cannot occur in isolation. We must transform our entire governance system so that it consistently recognizes early warning signs of problematic conduct, earns the trust of the community, and includes the necessary corrective actions to restore trust when that trust is broken. The Independent Evaluator will provide meaningful expertise and technical assistance, but it falls upon us, as public officials, and the wider community, to remain deeply committed to a culture of accountability in all facets of governance over the long-term.
Next steps
The Minneapolis City Council will vote on a contract. The independent evaluator is expected to start work in early March. Once the ELEFA team is on board, they have 90 days to create an evaluation plan.
Read more on the City website about the independent evaluator and what’s coming up.
The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District has been nominated for the 4th year in a row to be the Best Arts District in the country. We are reigning champions for the past two years (2022, 2023) and came in second in 2021. We are currently we are in 3rd place, help us defend our title!
Our superpower as artists and the community is we help each other and share skills and knowledge to help others succeed. Being able to promote your community as part of the Best Arts District in the country is a badge of honor for Northeast. Please vote daily to get us to stay the #1 Arts District in the country. Vote today by clicking here!
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Vote daily, starting today!
- Share your vote with your art on social media
- Encourage your friends and family to vote too!
- Repeat daily until votingends on Monday, February 19th at 11:59am EST.
Minneapolis residents can sign up now for the free 2024 Community Connections Conference on Feb. 17. Join in for a fun day of learning and connecting. Get involved in your local community. Meet the people behind important City services, community groups and other institutions. The conference is free and open to everyone.
Program
Our program this year is built around the theme of “Open city, your Minneapolis.” We chose this theme to showcase how Minneapolis is a transparent, accessible city open to everyone, open to new ideas and open for business. We highlight the ways you can get involved in both government decision-making and your local community. We also celebrate the many parts of the city reopening and recovering after the pandemic.
This year's conference will have workshops, music and dance, activities for the whole family, an exhibit hall, and a community dialogue on youth and community safety.
Exhibits
Among the 150 exhibits, you can find:
- Jobs and paid internships for young people at the City of Minneapolis.
- Pathways to green careers and other job opportunities.
- The City Clerk’s booth on how to connect with the Minneapolis City Council; how to make your voice heard; and how to view the City Council’s ordinances, resolutions and meetings online.
- A free COVID vaccine clinic. No insurance needed.
- An indoor soccer field with the New Americans Youth Soccer Club.
- Minnesota Zoo animals.
Learn about:
- What all the different City departments do.
- How to save someone’s life with CPR and practice it on a mannequin.
- Immigration and other legal help.
- Opioid addiction resources.
- Crime prevention and services for victims.
- Community air pollution monitoring.
- Voting in elections.
- Resources to get rid of lead in your home. You can even bring in toys or ceramics you’d like to test for lead.
Breakout sessions
Join your choice of breakout sessions including:
- Your rights as a renter.
- Buying your first home.
- The Minneapolis Climate Equity Action Plan and how the City puts resources toward projects in communities that need it most.
- Voter engagement.
- Community dialogue on being a safe, healthy, and child friendly city.
Community Connections Conference 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Minneapolis Convention Center, first floor, Hall E Lunch is included. Metro Transit offers free rides to the conference.
Read more and register for the free conference on the City website.
The Urban Scholars application for internships this summer is open. This program invites college students and graduate students who want to work in the public sector to apply.
These paid internships match interns based on:
- Career goals.
- Skills.
- Experience.
- Academic work.
- Interests.
The Urban Scholars program pursues equity. It works toward an equitable workforce with leadership that reflects our community. Its goals are to provide:
- Leadership and professional development training.
- High-quality, resume-building work experience.
- Guidance and opportunities to grow a meaningful professional network.
Read more, hear about the experience from program alumni, and apply by March 4 on the City website.
Celebrate Black History Month with us. The City of Minneapolis is offering free, public events under the theme African Americans & the Arts.
Upcoming Black History Month events
- 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.
The mayor and City Council passed a resolution honoring Black History Month. The resolution states that “the Mayor and 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.
Early voting has begun in Minneapolis for the presidential primary. Voters in the city are among the first in the nation to cast in-person ballots in this high-profile race. They can do that at the Early Vote Center now through the day before the March 5 primary. The Early Vote Center is at 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
Unlike with other elections, voters in the presidential primary choose which of the participating major party’s ballot they want. The party they choose is not public information, though it will be available to the selected major party.
Standard hours for the Early Vote Center are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The center is closed on Presidents Day, Feb. 19. The center is also open the last two weekends before the primary. Besides the Early Vote Center, voters can vote early at the downtown Hennepin County Government Center, 300 Sixth St. S. You can find more information on early voting options on the City website.
The Early Vote Center makes early in-person voting more convenient for Minneapolis voters. It’s especially helpful to people who need language support or other special accommodations, such as curbside voting. Voting early can help people avoid lines and crowds at polling places on the day of the election.
Vote early by mail
Any voter can vote early by mail; no reason is required. Please allow enough time to complete the process by mail. It can take up to seven days. You can complete your applications online on the City website.
Make sure you’re registered to vote
While people can register to vote at the polls, preregistering speeds up voting on the day of the primary. Voters can check the status of their registrations on the City website. If you’ve moved to a new address or had a name change since last registering, you’ll need to reregister to vote. If you haven’t voted in the past four years, you’ll need to reregister.
Preregister online, or fill out and mail in a registration application, which is available at government offices and the City website. Preregistration ends 21 days before the March 5 primary.
Visit Minneapolis Animal Care & Control to see all the adoptable animals hoping for a forever home.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control has lowered adoption fees with the goal of getting pets into their forever homes faster. Since the start of 2024, pet adoption fees have been waived for Minneapolis residents; you just need to pay a licensing fee. Puppy (6 months or younger) adoption fees for residents and non-residents are $250.
See available pets and learn more about Minneapolis Animal Care & Control on the City website. If you’re not seeing many available pets, please check back. They have been coming in quickly.
Thank you to KME Photography for playing Cupid with these sweet pictures.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to hear from you. It’s asking Minnesota residents for feedback on public investment in transportation. Minnesotans can provide feedback by:
- Taking the five-minute survey about freight or passenger rail in Minnesota.
- Using the interactive map to give feedback on specific rail crossings, stations and locations.
- Attending an upcoming meeting or pop-up event.
Learn more about the Minnesota State Rail Plan update.
Get help with your broken stuff and learn repair skills at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic. Hennepin County’s clinics offer guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot, and hopefully fix:
- Small household appliances.
- Clothes.
- Electronics
- Mobile devices.
- And more.
Clinics are held on the second Saturday of most months from noon to 4 p.m., with the last items accepted at 3:30 p.m. Events are first come, first served.
Fix-It Clinics teach valuable troubleshooting and basic repair skills, build community connections, and reduce the number of repairable objects thrown in the trash.
Find dates, times and locations of upcoming clinics on the Hennepin County website.
Enter the lottery by March 31 for the chance to buy a $30 tree for your Minneapolis property. The City will offer 1,000 low-cost shade and evergreen trees to help grow the city’s tree canopy. The trees range from 3 feet to 8 feet tall.
The City is especially focused on adding trees in the Green Zones as those areas have some of the lowest tree cover in the city. We encourage anyone who owns property in the Green Zones to enter the lottery.
Sign up by March 31 to enter the lottery. Limit one entry per Minneapolis address. Rental property owners may enter the lottery for each planting address.
If you’re selected
If you’re selected in the lottery, you can buy one or two trees per address. You’ll get an email in April with information on how to order.
Tree pickup will be May 18 and 19 (subject to change). You’ll get an email with the pickup location.
Register for the lottery online.
Learn more about the City Trees program.
It sounds strange to say this in February, but please do not rake your leaves right now. Pollinators nest in the broken stems of plants and spend the winter in leaf piles. Even with this winter’s warmer temperatures, please do not go rake any leaves that you didn’t get to before yard waste season ended.
The last yard waste pickup was at the end of November/beginning of December. It will pick up again in the spring.
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 President of the Minneapolis City Council, Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Public Health & Safety 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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