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At the City Council Meeting on April 11th, Council held several votes related to the rideshare minimum compensation ordinance.
- Council Members Jenkins and Koski brought forward an amendment to lower the per-mile compensation rates from $1.40 to $1.21. I have been consistent that if new and additional information came forward that challenged the current rates that were passed by Council, I would happily bring an amendment to reflect recommended changes. This was not the case on April 11th. No new information had come forward to support lowering the rate. The only thing that may have changed was Council Members feeling pressured to go back on their votes and to support subminimum wages. It is critical all of our policies should be rooted in factual data, not corporate pressure and political expediency. I also want to note that none of nearly a dozen new and expanding rideshare companies coming to Minneapolis have raised any concerns with the rates. In fact, they are coming to Minneapolis in response to Council passing the original ordinance that includes the $1.40 per mile and $.51 cent rates. The Jenkins/Koski motion was voted down 10-3, with Council Members Jenkins, Koski and Cashman voting in the minority.
- Council Member Palmisano motioned to rescind the ordinance entirely. This failed 10-3, with Council Members Palmisano, Rainville, and Vetaw voting in the minority.
- Council Members Payne, Cashman and Chowdhury brought a motion to delay the implementation of the ordinance from May 1 to July 1 in order to give more time for new and emerging companies to establish infrastructure, recruit drivers, publicize to riders, and to further coordinate with state leaders. After speaking to drivers who have been working with several of the new companies who plan to enter the market in the upcoming weeks, I supported this extension. A two month extension will give new rideshare companies more time to get their operations in order, and provide additional time for various stakeholders to inform the public about the new rideshare options that are coming to Minneapolis. Additionally, this extension gives the State Legislature the chance to finish out their legislative session and pass a strong statewide policy that guarantees minimum wage equivalents to all 10,000 Minnesota drivers. I am confident that this small additional delay in implementation will lead to better outcomes for drivers and riders statewide, and lay a stronger foundation for a Minnesota rideshare industry that is equitable and not exploitative. This passed unanimously.
- Council Members Chavez, Osman and myself brought a notice of intent to amend the ordinance with two provisions that are crucial for successful enforcement: fare transparency and data disclosure. These will progress through the standard legislative process.
We are confident that these three changes- a July 1 implementation date, data disclosure, and fare transparency- will strengthen the policy and help ensure equitable outcomes for drivers and riders.
The rideshare ordinance has sparked a national conversation about how everyone deserves a minimum wage, and how local elected officials can stand strong with workers to resist corporate pressure and bullying. We are on the way to a life-changing raise for thousands of workers of color and immigrant workers. We are also on our way to addressing systemic injustice in the transportation ecosystem. We can have a rideshare industry that includes high quality, affordable services for riders and dignified, good paying jobs for drivers. We can also have a transit system where rideshare is just one part of an ecosystem that includes robust public transit and multimodal options for working class communities to travel easily around the city and all workers are compensated fairly.
Key votes: Motion to lower rates from $1.40 to $1.21 fails 10-3 with Council Members Koski, Jenkins and Cashman voting in the minority. Motion to rescind the entire ordinance fails 10- with Council Members Palmisano, Rainville, and Vetaw voting in the minority. Motion to adjust implementation date from May 1 to July 1 passes unanimously.
The development of a biochar facility in Prospect Park is moving forward. As part of the Minneapolis Health Department – Carbon Sequestration Program’s goal to produce biochar from waste wood at 670 25th Avenue Southeast, the Program will be submitting a Land Use Application to the City of Minneapolis to develop the site. The application is expected to be heard by the planning commission hearing on May 20th.
Unrelated to the Land Use Application, the Health Department has requested an Air Permit determination from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The emissions from the project are very low and we should not need an Air Permit according to subject matter experts. In order to be thorough and complete, the Health Department has asked MPCA to give their formal opinion. This determination is also expected to be delivered by May 20th.
I was honored to give the welcome speech at the University of Minnesota Environmental Justice Summit hosted by BF50 Indigenous Health and Project Sweetie Pie. It was a fantastic event to connect students and diverse members of the University community around sustainability initiatives.
I had a great time at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the Capitol along with Saint Paul Council Members Annika Bowie and Cheniqua Johnson and many other amazing local Black women leaders, such as Chief Justice Natalie Hudson. Thank you to the AKAs for your work in Minneapolis and around the country.
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I attended the regular meeting of the Campus Safety Coalition. This month’s meeting featured a presentation by sexual assault prevention professional about existing programming at the U that ensures victims and survivors of assault have many options for when and how to talk about or report incidents of assault. Broadly, sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes and is especially persistent on and around college campuses. I am glad that the Campus Safety Coalition is broadening their scope to include sexual assault prevention and response and look forward to continuing to work in partnership on initiatives to reduce sexual assault and more effectively respond to it, in addition to other programs that keep students and campus community members safe.
Meet Minneapolis is conducting a survey of Minneapolis residents, and your input can help shape the future of travel and tourism in Minneapolis. The information gathered will be part of Meet Minneapolis' efforts to develop an updated 10-year destination master plan to increase the appeal of our city as a destination for travelers.
The survey, which closes on May 3, will take approximately five (5) minutes to complete, and your responses will be confidential.To begin the survey, please select:
English - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisEng
Hmoob (Hmong) - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisRShmong
Soomaali (Somali) - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisRSsomali
Español (Spanish) - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisEsp
The Minneapolis Music Census is a community-led initiative to learn more about the needs of the music ecosystem in our city. It aims to gather important information about the music industry in Minneapolis to help the city and the community make more informed, data-driven decisions. Take the Minneapolis Music Census here!
Contact Ward 2
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward2
Email: ward2@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2202
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center
250 South 4th St.
Get directions
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311. |
