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I write this update with a heavy heart. I am pro-immigrant, pro-entrepreneur, and believe in humanizing some of our most vulnerable community members. I also happen to be the proud son of Latino immigrants. Many of whom are our neighbors. I'm sure many of you have seen many Latino community members selling fruit on the streets and sidewalks just to make it by.
I have been made aware that these entrepreneurs will be receiving letters that could lead to possible citations (ticket) of $200. They would double each additional time they sell food that is not in compliance with the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances. I strongly believe there are ways of enforcing ordinances that does not include citations and threats of $200 tickets. Even if this is not the first step, scaring vulnerable community members is not okay.
I am looking at our code of ordinances to see if Council could use its legislative tools to consider lowering the initial administrative citation amount. And ways we can establish a Food and Fruit Vending Permit Program that meets the needs of these entrepreneurs.
 Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Commissioner Conley, and I, toured Totrilleria La Perla and Better Futures to discuss ways we could envision a zero-waste future and opportunities for us to continue to partner. I look forward to working on municipal policies that help reduce waste and protect our environment.
I want to congratulate the Minneapolis American Indian Center for their special grand re-opening. It was a beautiful day in the community and I look forward to seeing this important asset improve the lives of Native residents across Minneapolis. I was proud to help approve $1.5 million for this important project.
- The renovations and expansion of the Minneapolis American Indian Center will make it easier to continue providing services and programming to the more than 10,000 community members they serve each year.
- The Boys & Girls Club of the Minneapolis American Indian Center will have its own space, including the new Best Buy Teen Technology Center.
- A new fitness center overlooking the gym will house Native Fitness and Nutrition programming.
- The Gatherings Café will continue serving delicious Indigenous foods and will be open to the public for dining, take-out, and catering.
- An artist studio will provide space for Indigenous artists, and it will complement the Two Rivers Art Gallery.
- A new co-working office space will offer alternative workspaces available for short-term use.
- The expanded meeting spaces will provide state of the art technology for meetings and conferences.
 Council President Payne and I had a great time at the Public Health Heroes Award Ceremony and Resource Fair. We honored community members, organizations, businesses, teams, and individuals who are doing incredible work to advance public health. I appreciate of all the city staff who made this a successful event.
 Representative Sencer-Mura, Senator Mohamed, Council Member Chowdhury, and I, are hosting a MN Promise Act Town Hall with MEDA and Neighborhood Development Center.
The Providing Resources & Opportunity & Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act is a new small business revitalization program that will provide grants and loans to disadvantaged businesses located in certain areas of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and greater-Minnesota.
When? Saturday, May 4
Time? 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Where? Matthews Park, 2318 29th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
 I was proud to join the City Council Collaborative Panel event this week with members from Minneapolis and Saint Paul city councils. The panel was intended to highlight women, BIPOC individuals, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community within council member positions. As a young person, I especially enjoyed speaking with students on why we do this important work.
The Minneapolis City Council passed a comprehensive amendment to the tobacco ordinance. The ordinance includes:
- Increasing the minimum per-pack price of cigarettes, and other commercial tobacco products to $15
- Ending price discounts and coupons for commercial tobacco products
- Increasing the penalties for licensees that violate city policy
- Ending the sampling “loophole” for any new commercial tobacco products shop
Effecting change
The tobacco industry uses price discounts and coupons to keep prices low, and target youth and individuals living in low-income communities and communities of color. Low prices are associated with increased initiation of tobacco products and make it harder for people to quit using them. One-third of adult smokers use tobacco coupons or discounts.
Increasing prices equals decreasing use
- For every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes, adult smoking decreases by 3-5% and youth smoking decreases by 6-7%
- Increase in price leads to increase in quit attempts
- Calls to quitlines increase when prices increase
- A study that looked at raising the state-level minimum price of cigarettes by an average of $2 per pack projected a resulting reduction in cigarette consumption by 15.9%
History of commercial tobacco regulation in Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis has long been a leader in implementing commercial tobacco legislation. The passing of this ordinance shows its commitment to the health of its residents, especially its youth.
- 2005 - Minneapolis ends allowance of indoor smoking.
- 2015 - The City Council votes to restrict sales of all flavored (sweet/candy) tobacco products (except menthol) except for in tobacco product shops and off-sale liquor stores.
- 2017 - The City amends the flavor restriction to include menthol, mint and wintergreen. This went into effect in 2018.
- 2018 - Minneapolis joins more than 340 cities nationwide in raising the tobacco sales age to 21. This goes into effect the same year. The federal government and state follow with Tobacco 21 laws in 2019 and 2020
The draft 2024 Minneapolis Consolidated Action Plan is posted for public comments through May 21, and the public hearing will be held May 14. The plan describes the City’s housing and community development strategies for residents with low and moderate incomes.
Goals of the Minneapolis Consolidated Plan
- Provide decent affordable housing.
- Develop housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Provide special needs housing.
- Expand economic opportunities.
- Improve neighborhood conditions.
2024 Consolidated Plan Action Plan public hearing 1:30 p.m. before the Business, Housing and Zoning Committee Tuesday, May 14 Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350
Find out how to participate in a public hearing on the City website or call 311.
If you’re unable to attend this public hearing, you can send written comments by May 21 to Rachel Kennedy Boehm at rachel.kennedy@minneapolismn.gov.
See the draft plan and learn more on the City website.
The City is recruiting members for a newly formed African American Heritage Work Group. This body will serve as an advisory board to the City Council to document and honor African American history.
The work group will advise on the selection of 25 properties associated with Black history in the city to be surveyed for inclusion in a Minneapolis African American Historic and Cultural Context Study. At least three properties will eventually be nominated by the City for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Community members who are knowledgeable on the topic of African American heritage are encouraged to apply by May 12.
Read more on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis has launched a citywide music census to measure its music ecosystem. This will help make more informed, data-driven decisions about the local music economy.
The music census is an online survey that will include questions about:
- Demographics
- Workspace needs
- Health and wellness
- Housing history
- Sentiments around diversity, equity and belonging
All adults who work in the music industry in Minneapolis can take the music survey through April 26.
To complete the survey in English or Spanish, visit the City website.
Garden tool swaps are coming up May 11. Stop by one of the seven garden tool swap locations to drop off your garden tools you don’t use anymore or to pick up garden tools you need. You do not need to bring anything to take something.
Garden tool swaps 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 11 Seven parks around the city:
- North: Folwell and Harrison parks
- Northeast: Logan Park
- Southwest: Martin Luther King and Armatage parks
- South: Longfellow and Lake Hiawatha parks
See what's accepted and find the park addresses.
Join and share the Facebook event.
Clean your tools
To prevent the spread of bird flu and invasive species such as jumping worms, please clean your tools and bird feeders before bringing them to a swap or before using items you took home.
Wash bird feeders, bird houses, bird baths and all tools with hot soapy water and spray them with a bleach solution or let them soak in a bleach water solution for 10 minutes. Let them completely dry before using them.
Cleaning guides will be available at each of the garden tool swap sites.
Love parks? Make them your office. The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board is hiring for summer and beyond.
Job opportunities include
- Sports league staff
- Market staff
- Youth club lead
- Park lead
- Pop-up dog park staff
- Sound technician
- Event attendant
- Ambassador
- Water Works staff
More jobs with Minneapolis parks
See a full list of seasonal, temporary and year-round job postings and apply for any opening on the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board website.
Park Board job fair Drop in 9 a.m.-7 p.m. May 1 Water Works Pavilion, 425 W. River Parkway.
The City of Minneapolis has issued a request for proposals seeking event organizers for two of the 2024 Open Streets events. Proposals are due May 10.
The City is looking for event organizers to coordinate and implement Open Streets events at portions of Central Avenue Northeast and on Franklin Avenue from Portland/Park avenues to 26th Avenue South. The City will provide up to $50,000 for each event as well as in-kind services to support event planning and execution. If an event organizer is awarded both events, the contract would be up to $100,000.
Three 2024 Open Streets event dates and vendor organizations have been finalized and are pending City Council approval:
- Uptown Association: Lyndale on Aug. 24.
- West Broadway Business and Area Coalition: West Broadway on Sept. 21.
- Lyndale Neighborhood Association: Nicollet Avenue on Sept. 28.
Open Streets Minneapolis events give local businesses, artists and community groups a one-day opportunity to transform the streets into a place where people can gather and celebrate the diversity and creativity of the city while walking, biking and rolling. From the first event in 2011 through the 2022 season, Open Streets events have drawn more than 677,000 people.
Read more about the proposals wanted on the City website.
Contact the Ward 9 Office
Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center
450 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 ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay wac 311. |
