June 14, 2024

A message from Council Member Chavez

Dear neighbor,

Happy Friday and an early Juneteenth! I spent my morning on East Lake Street with Kali Pliego, our Crime Prevention Specialist who organizes monthly cleaning events, the Lake Street Greenway Partnership, and community members cleaning our corridor. Please let me know if you want to participate in future opportunities. 

Yesterday, we concluded another Council meeting. I authored two resolutions that I am really excited about. The first is authorizing an application for and acceptance of an $8,000,000 Grant from the State of Minnesota for a Lake Street Fund. Click here for the resolution. This will allow a foundation to undertake an economic development program providing direct business support and direct corridor support, including assistance with marketing, placemaking and public relations services, to the Lake Street area between 30th Avenue South and Nicollet Avenue. 

The second is authorizing an application for and acceptance of a $2,000,000 Grant from the State of Minnesota for the Roof Depot property. Click here for the resolution. That means we are still looking to address the $5,700,000 gap that did not pass at the end of the state legislative session. My office continues to work with the Mayor’s Office, Council Leadership, Hennepin County Commissioners, and Minneapolis State Legislators on getting this done. 

Also, with direction from the Council President Payne and Council Vice-President Chughtai, the Clerk and Auditor have identified and prioritized Legislative Department funding needs for the 2025-2026 biennium. I voted in favor of this recommendation which would enable the Legislative Department to support Council in the performance of its official legislative, policymaking, oversight, and representational functions. 

This presentation provides the City Council with recommendations of its professional staff for the department’s budget needs for the 2025-2026 budget. Click here for the presentation. The final consideration and action on the Legislative Department budget will come as part of the City’s established budget process, beginning with the Mayor’s recommendations and the final action by the City Council.

We also granted exclusive development rights to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for a permanent community garden pilot program. Click here for the lots. The purpose of the permanent community garden pilot is to identify a permanent owner of a subset of buildable Community Planning and Economic Development Department lots that have established, well-maintained gardens and do not adversely affect City development goals. The areas located in Ward 9 are 3437 15th Ave S and 2820 18th Ave S.

Lastly, we approved the Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP) 2024 funding recommendations which provides funding for business-consulting services that support new business development, retention, and growth, focusing on minority and women-owned businesses. Click here to learn who else was awarded the funding. 

Sincerely,

Jason Chavez

Officer-Involved Shooting on the 3400 Block of Hiawatha Ave

I wanted to share information regarding a shooting that took place in Ward 9. On June 12, 2024, Minneapolis Police Officers shot and killed Michael Warren Ristow. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating this incident.

The Settlement Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights contains specific requirements that the City must meet following a critical incident. The City Attorney’s Office is in contact with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the independent evaluator, ELEFA, to ensure the City is complying with those requirements.

I have not seen the footage, so I will keep this update brief as the footage may provide more information and clarity. However, the Minneapolis Police Department said there was use of deadly force, that officers secured the handgun and rendered medical aid, and that Michael Warren Ristow was transported to Hennepin Healthcare where he was pronounced deceased.

There were four officers that were involved, and preliminary information indicates that three officers were involved in the use of force.  Over the past two days, I have been in communication with the Mayor regarding this incident. I’ve expressed my desire for the footage to be released as soon as possible. We are going to work to get as much information as possible to ensure transparency. 

My heart breaks for the continued gun violence and loss of life in our community. Please reach out to me if you would like more information.

Safe Summer 2024 Community Collaborative

On June 5, 2024, Council Member Wonsley and I, invited City of Minneapolis Violence Intervention and Prevention Organizations to present to the Public Health and Safety Committee. This was meant to hear from voices of our community partners in preparation for summer. 

I encourage everyone to watch the committee meeting. Click here to watch the meeting (Starts at 3:45:30). Our young people need additional support and hearing from them was important. There is no dollar figure for saving someone's life. 

We are meeting with Commissioner Barnette on June 21, 2024 to discuss these proposals.

Update on the Tentative 2023-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and Police Officers Federation

The City has announced a tentative 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement between the City and the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis (POFM). Read more about contract negotiations on the City website.

There are two opportunities to learn more about the tentative agreement and provide feedback below.  Both meetings will have a presentation by city staff, a presentation by Minneapolis for a Better Police Contract coalition, discussion and questions. 

Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee - June 18th at 10am

• Presentation on the contract by city staff, discussion and questions
• Presentation by the Minneapolis for a Better Police Contract coalition, discussion and questions
• Public comment period for any member of the public to share their thoughts. 
• Written comments can be submitted any time via email to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov

Adjourned Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee - June 25th at 5pm

• Short summary presentation on the contract by city staff
• Short summary presentation on the contract by the Minneapolis for a Better Police Contract coalition
• Public comment period for any member of the public to share their thoughts. 
• Written comments can be submitted any time via email to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov

You can attend, provide feedback in person or watch on Minneapolis City Council TV.

On June 27, at the regular meeting of the City Council, the Council will consider a motion to approve the tentative agreement.

Please email me with your thoughts on this issue. 

Please take survey on future use of former 3rd Precinct building

Minneapolis is proposing to redevelop the site of the former 3rd Police Precinct to house a new Elections and Voter Services Center, a warehouse, and community space. The City is asking residents to give your input through a survey on the City website.

Take the survey.

South-Folwell Safe Routes to School Demonstration Projects

There are two new murals installed on the South-Folwell Safe Routes to School along 21st Ave South at 31st and 35th Streets.

A demonstration project has been installed on the project route. This project will test design options using temporary materials. They have been installed at five locations on 21st Ave S. Two of the locations include asphalt art murals. 

This demonstration project features:

• Two traffic circles – one at 34^th St and one at 40^th St
• Curb extensions with asphalt art at 31^st St
• A pedestrian refuge median with asphalt art at 35^th St
• A pedestrian refuge median at 38^th St

I'm proud of our city staff and artists Constanza Caraballo and Marco Aguero, who designed these asphalt murals with students from South High School and Folwell Community School. 

Click here to learn more about the project.

Citizenship and immigration fair June 15

Learn about becoming a U.S. citizen and the immigration process Saturday, June 15. A citizenship and immigration fair will include:

• An overview on the citizenship application process.
• Answers to your questions about citizenship and immigration.
• English language learning resources.
• Information about securing an interest-free loan through the New American Loan Program.
• Information on state driver’s licenses or state ID in Minnesota.
• Orientation on worker rights.

Interpreters will be present at this event.

Learn how the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and collaborative partners support residents in preparing for and obtaining U.S. citizenship.

U.S. citizenship and immigration resource fair 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 15 Open Door Learning Center, 627 W. Broadway Ave.

This event is co-sponsored by the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs and the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program. It’s part of a citizenship campaign by the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul to help residents learn about and apply for United States citizenship, with bimonthly events alternating between Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Learn more about applying for U.S. citizenship on the City website, contact the Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs directly by email, or call 612-394-6018 for more information.

City animal shelter restarts Saturday hours

Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is now open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every Saturday.

This expanded service is part of an ongoing effort to meet community members where they are and be available for those wanting to adopt pets in need. Please arrive by 2:15 p.m. on Saturdays to allow enough time to process an adoption before the shelter closes at 3 p.m.

The shelter is also open 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. On Thursday evenings, it stays open until 7:30 p.m. with the last adoptions of the day beginning at 7 p.m.

Find more information on adopting animals, volunteering and supporting Animal Care & Control on the City website.

Homegrown Minneapolis community projects a part of Climate Legacy Initiative

The City of Minneapolis is committed to reducing climate pollution by 2030. To help accomplish this goal, the Minneapolis Health Department is announcing funding of more than $315,000 for 16 community-led projects related to urban agriculture and preventing wasted food.

As part of the City’s Climate Legacy Initiative, the funding will support efforts to create a fair and climate-resilient food system in Minneapolis.

Each organization’s project is addressing one or more of the following areas:

• Growing food using sustainable production methods.
• Using energy-efficient controlled environments to extend the growing season into the colder months.
• Reducing wasted food through distribution to food shelves, composting and other programs.

Read about the 16 community award recipients and their projects on the City website

Juneteenth community events

Meet Minneapolis has compiled a list of community events celebrating Juneteenth and honoring Black culture all around Minneapolis.

Observed June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the last of enslaved people in the U.S. received news of their freedom and entitlement to natural born human rights under the law, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

See the Meet Minneapolis website for details about the events.

Household hazardous waste collection events

Hennepin County is hosting community collection events for County residents to safely and properly dispose of unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes.

Minneapolis events

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22 Sullivan STEAM School, 3100 E. 28th St.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Aug. 10 Jenny Lind Elementary School (enter off Dupont Ave), 5025 Bryant Ave. N.

Visit Hennepin County’s website to learn what items will be accepted at the event, review safety guidelines, and view all 2024 events

‘20 is plenty’ yard signs available

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.

Online meeting June 17: How the City of Minneapolis can better support people with disabilities

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.

Community Safety Centers Update

The Office of Community Safety (OCS) staff have completed the first round of engagement with the south Minneapolis community about the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center at 2633 Minnehaha Ave.  

The results of preliminary information gathered from the 36 community engagement events is below. It doesn’t mean that the city won’t do anything else on the list or suggested by community.

A more comprehensive analysis will be done by staff to determine what programs, services and resources will be available at the new site.

The 5 most supported social services include:

• Mental health
• Homeless resources
• Drug/addiction services
• Youth
• Affordable housing

The 5 most supported other building uses/resources include:

• Legal
• Community meals
• Community meeting space
• Medical services
• Childcare for people using services at the center

In addition, staff heard support for services related to:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault
• Human and/or sex trafficking
• Culturally specific service navigators

They also heard the following feedback:

• Avoid duplication of services already in community
• Some people won’t come to the center for services because of police
• Some services don’t go well together

Review the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center Community engagement feedback and reports. 

Review the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center June 2024 Update presented by Director Harrington the Public Health and Safety Meeting on June 5, 2024.

The first phase of Community Safety Center is projected to open in the Spring/ Summer of 2025. For updates and more information, check out the City website and follow OCS on Facebook and Instagram.

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, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.