Last cycle’s City Council meeting concluded our second Council cycle of the year. We took actions on 56 items that were forwarded from our standing committees. We also introduced and referred 26 legislative actions to our standing committees on issues affecting Minneapolis residents like workers’ rights, unsheltered homelessness, civilian oversight of police, hiring practices for public safety workers, vacant buildings, tenant protections, and more.
I’m an author or co-author on four of those new legislative actions. They all moved forward to their next step in the legislative process by being referred to committee.
One is a proposal for the City to create a Labor Standards Board, which was referred to the Public Health and Safety Committee on February 14, 2024. The other three are ordinances related to the City’s response to unsheltered homelessness and encampments. A Safe Outdoor Space ordinance was referred to the BHZ Committee on February 13, 2024. A Humane Encampment Response ordinance and an Encampment Removal Reporting ordinance were referred to the Public Health and Safety Committee on February 14, 2024. These policies aim to address crucial issues facing working people and to address unsheltered homelessness in Minneapolis. Check out the coverage from KSTP and Sahan Journal on the unsheltered homelessness policy package, and coverage from Axios on the Labor Standards Board policy.
When proposals are referred to committee, they are reviewed there in detail. Once the specific language is finalized, a public hearing will be set and conducted on each proposal, after which further review and refinement can happen before the Council takes a final vote. We will share updates as the policy proposals are fleshed out and move through the process.
Council Overrides Mayor Frey’s Veto of the Ceasefire Resolution
At the February 8 City Council meeting, a supermajority of the City Council overrode Mayor Frey’s veto of our Ceasefire Resolution. I authored the resolution alongside Council President Payne and Councilmembers Chowdhury, Chavez, Ellison, Wonsley, and Jenkins. Minneapolis now joins more than 60 cities around the country in passing resolutions to express their residents’ support for a ceasefire to our federal representatives.
Following the vote to override the Mayor’s veto, Council President Payne and I shared the following statement:
“This morning the Minneapolis City Council voted 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. We are proud of the 9 Council Members who stood by what most Minneapolis resident believe: the defense of humanity is a shared project. When this Council speaks with the clarity of a veto-proof majority, we will do everything in our power as Council Leadership to defend the will of the body, regardless of the issue. We 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.”
Feb 27: Open Office Hours with Council Vice President Chughtai
On Tuesday, February 27 from 9:00-10:00am, I’ll be holding Open Office Hours at Third Space Cafe (2930 Lyndale Avenue South). Feel free to come by to chat! I’ll be there with my aides to hear your thoughts and try to address any of your questions or constituent service needs.
Independent Evaluator Selected to Oversee Compliance with Human Rights Settlement Agreement
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.
Ward 10 Appointees to City Boards and Commissions
We’d like to offer our congratulations to new Ward 10 appointees to City Boards and Commissions. Lucy Thompson was reappointed to the Ward 10 seat on the Minneapolis Arts Commission at the February 8 City Council meeting. Lucy’s new term will go until the end of 2026. Nick Nigro was appointed to the Ward 10 seat on the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee through the end of 2024. And Sonja Mydels was appointed to the Public Health Advisory Committee for the Ward seat through the end of 2025. Thank you all for your service, I’m so excited to partner with you!
March 14 Public Hearing Set for 1st Avenue South Reconstruction Project
At the February 8 City Council meeting, a public hearing was set for March 14, 2024 at the Climate and Infrastructure Committee meeting for the 1st Avenue South Reconstruction Project. This construction project will take place between Lake Street and Franklin Avenue South and is set to begin in this upcoming 2024 construction season.
For those interested in coming to speak at this public hearing, I want to remind you that our City Hall Council Chambers are under construction. We’ve temporarily relocated to the Public Service Center (250 South 4th Street) for the year. Our temporary Chambers are located in Room 350 at the Public Service Center!
Feb. 25: Chili Fest at Bryant Square Park
The South Uptown Neighborhood Association invites you to sample delicious chili and meet your neighbors while raising funds for the community at the Chili Fest in Bryant Sqare Park (3101 Bryant Ave South) The Chili Fest will take place Sunday, February 25 from 12:00-2:00pm. There will be four businesses serving chili!
Artists Selected for New Nicollet
In the fall of 2023, the City posted a Call for Artists for New Nicollet reconstruction. The project is on the former site of the Kmart building in South Minneapolis. The City formed an independent panel of community members, project staff and creative professionals. The panel reviewed artists’ applications and selected Juliette Perin Myers and Lori Greene. This spring, they will engage the community in identifying locations for artwork. This engagement will also inform the development of designs for the site. Stay tuned for updates as the project unfolds!
Hennepin County Grants up to $25,000 for Youth Art and Music Programming
The City of Minneapolis is seeking to partner with experienced artists and artist groups to apply for a Hennepin County grant for Youth Art and Music programming. The grant is for artists and artist organizations serving youth ages 24 and younger.
Programming must be based entirely in Minneapolis.
Artists from all disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to apply, i.e., established programs for youth and young adults, as well as artists considering launching a new program.
Artists from historically underserved/underrepresented communities are also invited to apply. The City of Minneapolis is committed to ensuring equitable opportunities for its vibrant arts community. The City of Minneapolis and each selected applicant will partner to create and submit a joint application to the program. Typical grant funding is up to $25,000 per applicant. Grants will be awarded tentatively in June/July 2024.
Enter Lottery to Buy a $30 Tree for Your Yard
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 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.
Aisha Chughtai, Ward 10 Councilmember & Council Vice President
Paul Shanafelt, Ward 10 Policy Aide
Brad Sigal, Ward 10 Policy Associate
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