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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
A very busy week in Ward 3 and our vibrant City. Here is a snapshot of my week's activities as we continue to grow Minneapolis:
- On Monday I joined Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar as they unveiled the plaque officially renaming the Downtown Minneapolis post office in honor of former Congressman Martin Sabo. Sen. Klobuchar recalled that Congressman Sabo never once publicly disparaged a fellow elected official. I also spoke with several postal officials asking them to consider turning part of the parking ramp on Hennepin Ave into a green space allowing a connection from the Mississippi to Downtown.
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- Our office received an update on how the California Care Court pilot program is doing. The goal of Care Court is to deliver housing and services to those with untreated addiction and mental health issues. My hope is that California will succeed and provide a model for Minneapolis and Hennepin County to adopt.
- At the Budget Committee meeting on Monday, the Council received the 2024 property assessment report. As I have been saying publicly for over a year, I am concerned about the declining market value of the Downtown office towers. The 2024 estimated market value of Downtown commercial properties declined 13% from last year. This will affect the property taxes on all residents of Minneapolis. As I learn more, I will keep you all updated.
- At the monthly meeting of the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association we discussed the ride share ordinance which significantly raises driver pay (well over the State's recommendation) and the cost of rides. I voted against the ordinance because we did not have the State's wage study, and it burdens people with disabilities, the low income community, and those who don't own cars. I am very concerned about the impact Uber and Lyft leaving will have on the hospitality industry and the potential for increased drunk driving. The Council voted to take another look at the ordinance at the April 11th meeting as we review the State information on drivers' wages.
- I spoke with the local chapter of Mom's Demand Action, a group advocating for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. They asked very pointed questions about State and Federal gun laws, as well as what the City can do to help. We also discussed the firearm storage ordinance St. Paul enacted last year. I promised to work with the City Attorneys on a similar ordinance for Minneapolis.
- At the Minneapolis Convention and Visitor's Association Executive Committee meeting, we discussed the job creation in hotels and restaurants as Downtown hosted the women's and men's Big Ten basketball tournament, 13,000 scientists at the Convention Center, and Target employees returning for a week. What a two week run of activities. A big thank you to the Minneapolis Police Department for the outstanding public safety they provided.
- This Friday I attended the Metropolitan Council annual meeting in Hopkins. The Met Council plays an important role in our lives through public transit, storm water and sewage management, as well as a large funder of affordable housing. We need their help and I attend to let their leadership know we appreciate their efforts.
- Friday afternoon I hosted a meet and greet with the Lower Northeast bar owners and 2nd Precinct Inspector Nick Torborg. The juvenile robbery spree has reached into NE and we all have to work together to end it.
As always, Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
Mayor Jacob Frey, in consultation with City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher, has nominated Timothy Sexton to be the City’s new director of the Public Works Department. Sexton currently serves as the assistant commissioner for sustainability, planning and program management for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The nomination comes after an extensive search that yielded an impressive candidate pool.
At MnDOT, Sexton leads a staff of 350 people and provides strategic direction for all modal programs (freight, rail, waterways, aeronautics, transit, walking, biking, shared mobility), research and innovation, asset management, and sustainability and public health.
If approved for the position of Public Works director, Sexton will oversee a department with more than 1,100 employees who build, operate and maintain the City’s public infrastructure and deliver critical services, including solid waste and recycling collection, safe drinking water, street maintenance and emergency sewer and road repairs.
The mayor’s nomination has been referred to the City Council to schedule a public hearing for consideration of Sexton’s nomination.
Read more on the City website.
Neighborhoods near the Lake Street and South Minneapolis community safety centers will see more outreach over the next three months to talk about what services residents want in the new community safety centers.
The City of Minneapolis Office of Community Safety will hold events for residents and business owners in the 3rd Precinct service area. The events will try to reach people most affected by safety systems.
The Office of Community Safety and its partners will hold two events in the coming weeks:
- 6-7:30 p.m. March 27
Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S.
Hosted by the Longfellow Community Council, Lake Street Council, and Seward Civic and Commerce Association.
Open to all.
- An event will be held in April for Little Earth residents.
Hosted by the Little Earth Residents Association.
More engagement
Neighbors in southeast Minneapolis will be encouraged to fill out an electronic survey in May. You may also see City staff walking in south Minneapolis talking with people on the street in busier areas, such as East Lake Street, Chicago Avenue, East Franklin Avenue and Cedar Avenue.
More events will follow. To stay up to date on events and news about the south Minneapolis community safety centers, visit the City website.
If you own a home in Minneapolis, you can now apply for funding to help make it more energy efficient.
Owners of homes from one to four units can apply for 0% loans (which means you don’t have to pay interest) and up to $14,000 in grants for certain home improvement projects that save energy. You can combine these City funds with utility rebates and other grants.
About the program
The Green Cost Share program is a funding program helping reduce the cost of rooftop solar and energy efficiency projects in Minneapolis.
Eligible projects include:
- High-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
- Insulation and air sealing.
- Energy Star windows.
- Heat pump electric water heaters.
- Solar.
Who can apply?
This new offering is open to property owners of one-four unit homes. This includes townhomes, twin homes, condominiums, and properties held in a trust.
- Minneapolis properties.
- The property must have an energy audit in the last three years.
- The grant amount varies by income level and location in Minneapolis.
Apply for the home energy efficiency grants on the Center for Energy and Environment website.
A public comment period is now open until March 28 for community members to weigh in on the Climate Legacy Initiative progress so far. Where would you like to see investments?
At the March 14 Climate & Infrastructure Committee meeting, Deputy Health Commissioner Patrick Hanlon gave an update on the Climate Legacy Initiative, a historic $10 million investment in climate work in Minneapolis. These investments include $4.7 million for weatherization, $1.4 million in workforce training, and $850,000 in tree canopy.
Send your comments and priorities. Make sure to include the file number: 2024-00260 when submitting a public comment.
The City is holding its first open house March 26 for the First Avenue North reconstruction project. The open house is part of a series of engagement events that seek community input to re-envision the popular corridor.
The City is reconstructing a half mile of First Avenue North, between Washington Avenue and Eighth Street North. This street has between 3,000 and 20,000 people walking along it every day, along with 400 to 600 cyclists and 10,000 to 30,000 vehicles. The project is intended to improve how everyone uses this corridor.
Everyone is invited to stop by the family-friendly event to meet the project team, talk about the project and share favorite memories of spending time on this downtown corridor. This input will help the City design a street that better serves everyone’s needs and desires.
First Avenue North reconstruction open house
4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26
The red skyway between Target Center and Mayo Clinic Square (above First Avenue North, between Sixth and Seventh streets).
Snacks, refreshments and activities for kids will be on hand.
Survey: Take our short survey to tell us what you envision for First Avenue North.
Learn more about the project and how to stay up to date on more ways to participate in the planning and engagement process.
If you have young children in your household, you know that with children come germs and illness. While adults know handwashing is an important way to stop the spread of infection, sometimes kids need a little help.
The City of Minneapolis has put together a fun video to teach children the best way to clean their hands and prevent the spread of germs all year round.
Share the video with your children about outsmarting germs by washing their hands. |
