|
Dear Neighbors,
Happy Monday!
I wanted to share a few important updates with you. I was honored to attend a press conference alongside Mayor Jacob Frey and some Minneapolis Council Members. Minneapolis was officially recognized as the country's second UNICEF Child-Friendly City. This is a significant milestone for our city, reaffirming my commitment to creating a supportive and safe environment for young people in Minneapolis.
Last weekend, my office participated in the Community Connections Conference, where we had the opportunity to engage with community members, stakeholders, and constituents of Ward 6. My staff spoke with several constituents, gathering insights on their top priorities and concerns. The topic of tenants' rights was frequently mentioned, and I am dedicated to improving our tenants' rights laws in Minneapolis. In the coming weeks, I will engage in discussions with community members, stakeholders, city leadership, and advocates to address this issue.
Furthermore, as the co-author of the Transportation Network Company (TNC) driver ordinance, I want to inform you about the upcoming public hearing on the rideshare minimum compensation ordinance. This ordinance aims to guarantee a $15 minimum wage equivalent for Uber and Lyft drivers. After last year's veto of the full TNC ordinance, Council Members Wonsley, Chavez, along with myself, have been collaborating with drivers, other Council Members, and city staff to propose a policy that addresses the minimum wage gap for drivers. We have received broad support from Council Members who agree that rideshare drivers should be included in the city's minimum wage standards.
The public hearing is scheduled for February 27th at 1:30 pm at the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee meeting. We encourage all residents to attend and voice their opinions, with each speaker allotted 2 minutes. If you cannot attend in person, please consider submitting your comments in writing to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov.
Following the public hearing, the Committee will decide whether to recommend the ordinance for approval by the full Council, which will vote on the matter on March 7th at 9:30 am. Additionally, a separate ordinance addressing workers' rights, deactivation protection, and safety for riders and drivers will be introduced later this spring.
Your voice and engagement are crucial to our collective success. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further information.
The City of Minneapolis has been softening your drinking water since the 1940s. This means you don’t need to install your own water softener at home.
Watch a fun video and learn more about City’s treatment and delivery process on the City website.
If you receive a water notice on your door, make sure to look for the City of Minneapolis logo and phone number.
If you have any questions, contact 311.
A community safety center pilot is expected to open late this summer on East Lake Street. Commissioner of Community Safety Toddrick Barnette and Office of Community Safety Director of Design and Implementation Amanda Harrington recently presented an update to the City Council on the project. The center will allow neighborhood residents to have space in the neighborhood where they can access a select number of services and resources until the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center opens in 2025.
The Office of Community Safety will be meeting with partners across the enterprise and the community to determine what services and resources could be located at the East Lake Street location. Feedback from the community will also play a large role in this determination.
A potential site for the center has been identified. The City is currently following its procurement process to lease space.
To watch the presentation, click the play button for the Feb. 14 Public Health & Safety meeting. Then you can click “select chapter” and choose “discussion” to go directly to this presentation.
The City of Minneapolis will update community members March 7 on new concepts for the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project. The concepts address the road and the public spaces. A once-in-a-generation opportunity, this project can help reshape the site for a better quality of life in the area.
The City plans to reconnect Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane. We’ll work in partnership to develop the rest of the site into a walkable area with housing and retail. In November 2023, the City demolished the former Kmart building; the building had blocked Nicollet Avenue for X years.
Based on community input, City policies and project goals, the project team selected concepts for the site. City staff will first present the recommended selections to the community. The recommendations will go to the City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey this spring.
New Nicollet Redevelopment Project Open House 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 7 Abyssinia Cultural Center, 322 W. Lake St.
The open house will be a fun, family-friendly event to see the design concepts and talk with staff.
Community engagement on the development is expected to start in summer 2024.
Learn more about the New Nicollet Redevelopment Project and how to stay up to date on the project.
 If you’re a City Solid Waste & Recycling customer, watch your mailbox in the coming weeks for your annual service guide. Your guide will include a collection schedule for the year; ways you can create less trash and reuse what you already have; and a catalog of what belongs in the black garbage cart, blue recycling cart and green organics cart. The guide also has instructions for setting out large items and for managing household hazardous waste.
More resources
Choose from multiple resources for the best ways to use recycling and trash services.
- A reminder for recycling day.
- Holiday notices with any collection day changes.
- Seasonal notices such as the start and end of yard waste pickup for the year.
- Upcoming events to reduce waste, reuse what people already have and drop off household hazardous waste.
- Fun facts about recycling and composting.
Learn more about recycling and organics on the City website.
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.
 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.
Minneapolis is the second city in the country to receive a Child Friendly Cities designation. The designation from UNICEF:
- Recognizes a city’s advancement of child rights.
- Shows commitment to eliminating discrimination against children through local government policies and actions.
- Fosters inclusive participation through child and youth councils.
- Involves:
- A thorough assessment of the community.
- A detailed local plan.
- Implementation of much of the plan.
Read more on the City website about the designation and what the City is doing for children.
The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department honored community leaders and their contributions with the 2024 History Makers at Home awards. The awards honor African American leaders and organizations dedicated to elevating, engaging and educating their community and improving their quality of life.
This year’s honorees include:
- Dr. Josie Johnson, an iconic civil rights leader and activist.
- Nothando Zulu, a master storyteller and author who passed away in September 2023.
- Larry Cook, senior pastor of Real Believers Faith Center, entrepreneur, mentor and community leader.
- Violence Interrupters: community-led outreach groups working to end violence.
- Touch Outreach.
- WePush4Peace.
- MAD DADS of Minneapolis.
- Restoration Incorporated.
- Metro Youth Diversion.
- Strength Group.
- Maleta (Queen) Kimmons of One Family One Community.
The guests were honored Feb. 22; you can watch a recording of the event. It was part of a series of programs for Black History Month 2024.
Read more 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 event
- 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.
You can watch the event recording from the Feb. 22 History Makers at Home event. The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department recognized leaders in the areas of business, criminal justice, education, economic development, health, housing and government.
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.
|
 With the presidential primary election just a couple weeks away, the Early Vote Center is extending its hours. Anyone who is eligible to vote in Minneapolis on the day of the primary can vote early at the Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
From now through Thursday, Feb. 29, the Early Vote Center’s weekday hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. On Friday, March 1, the center is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The center’s last day of service is Monday, March 4, which is the day before the presidential primary election. Hours March 4 are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Elections offices are open until 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, but only for dropping off mail ballots.
Also, voters at the Early Vote Center can now place their ballot directly into the tabulator without needing to complete a series of envelopes, just like the process on the day of the primary.
Request mail-in ballot soon
If you’re planning to vote by mail, the City recommends applying for your mail ballot as soon as possible. Go to the City website to apply.
Completed ballots should be mailed no later than Tuesday, Feb. 27. After that date, the City recommends returning your mail ballot in person to make sure it arrives in time. Ballots can be dropped off during regular business hours at Minneapolis Election & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
Find information about registering and voting in Minneapolis on the City website.
Dear Ward 6 Constituents,
Please join me during our community office hours to chat and discuss issues that matter the most to you.
Thank you!
| 
