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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
As we all know, the State of Minnesota, after negotiations led by Governor Tim Walz, passed a compromise bill that sets ride share rates at $1.28/mile and $0.31/minute. Both Uber and Lyft have stated that these rates will allow them to continue operating in Minnesota. These rates are also very close to Mayor Frey's proposal that the Council majority rejected. Because of the chaos caused by a majority of my colleagues on the Council, the final days of the State's legislative session were ground to a halt. As a result, they ran out of time to pass a bonding bill. What does that mean for our City?
- No funding for the Nicollet Ave bridge over Minnehaha Creek - $44.45 million.
- No funding for the repair of the drinking water main in North Minneapolis - $8.34 million.
- No funding for Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan implementation - $5 million.
- No funding for the Bossen Terrace storm water improvement - $3.9 million.
In addition to the loss of the $60 million in infrastructure funding, the $5.7 million payment to the City for the Roof Depot site in South Minneapolis did not get passed. This impacts every renter and homeowner in Minneapolis as we are paying $250,000 a month in holding costs. The City purchased the site to create efficiency in the City's water system. Those improvements are stalled until the City receives the $5.7 million from the State.
On Memorial Day I attended a celebration for service members who have lost their lives serving our country. At the event, Tom Levy of NE Minneapolis was honored by the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota National Guard for all his help in organizing Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. Thank you, Tom, for your dedication to our veterans.
From left to right: Tom Levy of NE Minneapolis, MN Vikings representative, and a National Guard representative
Earlier this week, Senator Amy Klobuchar and I visited the 2nd Precinct. She met with Inspector Nick Torborg to learn more about the condition of the 100-year-old precinct building. Senator Klobuchar also took the time to meet with several of the day shift officers and hear from them directly about juvenile crime in Minneapolis. Hopefully the County will open a housing facility to help juveniles not re-offend. Unfortunately, a group of juveniles broke into dozens and dozens of cars in NE and SE Minneapolis that same day. Safe housing is the first step to helping these youth get on the right track.
From left to right: Inspector Nick Torborg, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Council Member Rainville
Out of respect for the family of Officer Jamal Mitchell and the families of all the victims in yesterday’s shooting, the launch of Warehouse District Live is being postponed until next weekend. I will share more about what to expect this year in next week's newsletter.
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
To help get out the word about local speed limits and the importance of slower speeds for safety, the City again has free yard signs for community members.
Slower speeds on local streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how you get around. Speeding is the No. 1 factor in severe and fatal crashes in Minneapolis; please slow down to save lives.
You can pick up a free “20 is Plenty” yard sign from any of the free sidewalk sand pickup locations:
- North: 2710 Pacific St., outside the main Public Works gate.
- Northeast: 1809 Washington St. NE, outside the fence at Jefferson Street and 18th Avenue.
- South: 27th Street just east of Longfellow Avenue near the Public Works gate.
- Southwest: 6036 Harriet Ave. S., at the southwest corner of 60th Street and Harriet Avenue.
The signs come with metal stands. They’re available to pick up 24 hours a day while supplies last.
Join in a discussion June 17: What does it mean to be a resident with a disability or someone who supports people with disabilities in Minneapolis?
What is and isn’t the City doing well with the accessibility of its programs, services and buildings? How can the City be a better partner with residents to improve City accessibility?
Americans with Disabilities Act community conversation
5-6:30 p.m. Monday, June 17
Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams.
Contact Guthrie Byard, 612-554-3666, with any questions, accommodations or alternative format requests.
The City of Minneapolis and the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis have tentatively landed on a 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement.
The three-year agreement comes after eight months of negotiation. Negotiation included five public negotiation sessions and multiple mediation sessions with the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services.
Details of the tentative deal will be public once union members approve the contract. The contract will then go to the City Council for approval.
New public art in Minneapolis has been dedicated to the late Hussein Samatar, the first Somali American to be elected to public office in Minnesota. The two sections of the sculpture, titled “Common Currents,” are installed at the ends of Samatar Crossing. This pedestrian bridge connecting Cedar-Riverside to downtown Minneapolis is named in his honor.
Local artists Ifrah Mansour, Aaron Marx and Randy Walker created “Common Currents.” The wavelike sculpture is made of colorful metal panels inscribed with poetry by local writers Sun Yung Shin, Sharon M. Day, ShaVunda Brown, Aegor, Ahmed Said Salah, Sixco and Mohamed Shariff. The verses evoke themes central to Samatar’s legacy: immigrating to the city, bridging cultures and bridging spaces.
Samatar immigrated to the United States in 1991. In 2004, he founded the African Development Center, which continues to help immigrants throughout Minnesota build credit, buy homes and start businesses. He was appointed to the Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees in 2006, and later was elected to the board of Minneapolis Public Schools. He died in 2013.
Candidate filing has opened in Minneapolis for Minneapolis School Board. Minneapolis Schools are Special School District 1.
Offices within Special School District 1 eligible to file with Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services in 2024:
- Minneapolis School Board director at large (one position)
- Minneapolis School Board director for District 2
- Minneapolis School Board director for District 4
- Minneapolis School Board director for District 6
All other filings in 2024 are handled by the Minnesota Secretary of State or Hennepin County.
Candidate filing is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays now through June 3, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 4. File at the Elections & Voter Services office, 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
See the City website for the steps you take to get your name on the ballot.
Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board have announced their 2024 summer event schedules.
Hennepin County’s free, family-friendly events include live music, Pianos on Parade, movie nights at Target Field Station, fitness classes and more. See the entire “Go Outside with Hennepin County” lineup.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board movies in the parks run June 1-Aug. 31 with 73 free outdoor movie screenings. Music in the parks offers 206 free outdoor concerts in nine park venues this summer. Read more about this year’s movies and music in the parks on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website. |
