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July 19, 2024
On Thursday, July 18th, the City Council voted to pass the collective bargaining agreement with the Police Officers’ Federation of Minneapolis for the period Jan 1, 2023, through Dec 31, 2025.
Key highlights of the contract including the following:
- Additional staffing flexibilities to give the Chief and his leadership team the ability to assign officers to areas of the greatest need and reduce the period it takes to fill vacancies.
- “Civilianizing” work that can be completed by a non-sworn employee, like investigative work, so the Chief can keep MPD officers focused on critical safety work.
- Officers will no longer receive an automatic notification of the identify of the person requesting public personnel data about them.
- Extending the period during which the Chief has the full discretion to keep an employee on paid leave pending investigations of allegations of severe misconduct.
- Delivering a historic boost in pay for Minneapolis police officers – a 21.7% pay increase over the three-year contract would make MPD among the highest paying in Minnesota by 2025.
- Increase starting salaries for new recruits to over $90,000/year.
I am proud to have voted in favor approving the contract, because it is critical for our city to move forward. This contract is a big factor in our police department’s ability to recruit and retain quality officers. I am grateful that my colleagues recognized the importance of passing this contract and that we can move forward with recruitment, retention, and implementation of permanent reforms.
Thank you to Northside for sending my office emails, leaving us messages, and showing up to any of the public engagement opportunities. This contract was passed because of your support and hard work. You have been loud and proud of your desire for our city to move forward and I am eternally grateful to be your representative. Our work is just starting but this is a huge win for the Northside and for the public safety of our entire city.
 CM Vetaw took the time to speak at the recent Minneapolis Park Board meeting regarding her concerns on the proposed Blue Line project.
Watch CM Vetaw speak here
Director Phillips joins the City of Minneapolis following her tenure as Inspector General for the City of Oakland, California. She has dedicated much of her professional life to enhancing accountability in government and has deep expertise in civilian oversight of police and constitutional policing. She is committed to bringing a community-oriented approach to advancing equity and justice in Minneapolis.
Director Phillips will be overseeing the Civil Rights Complaint Investigations Division, the Office of Police Conduct Review, the Labor Standards Enforcement Division, the Contract Compliance Division and the Equity and Engagement Division.
Within those divisions, Director Phillips will have a hand in enforcing the consent decree, working with the Community Commission on Police Oversight, enforcing labor standards and preventing wage theft.
Welcome to Minneapolis, Director Phillips!
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Celebrating the remarkable impact of Spike Moss on our community was an uplifting experience that filled us with pride and joy. We celebrated his many achievements with a street naming ( Spike Moss Way) and a wonderful family gathering that reinforced the power of unity and the potential for positive change.
I present to you The Countess of Cocoa and Queen Buttercream!
Thank you to Ward 4's Dancing Bear Chocolate for bestowing this honor upon me. It was fun joining you at Whiz Bang Day.
Thank you to Wisdom Mawusi for bringing youth in her Black, Bold & Brilliant program for a visit at our ward office.
I always love speaking to our youth about what it takes to run for office.
If you want to schedule a meeting or phone call with me, reach out to Maggie Kohl via email maggie.kohl@minneapolismn.gov or leave a message at 612-673-2204
If you have questions, comments, or concerns please contact Betsy Brock via her email betsy.brock@minneapolismn.gov or cell 612-257-5242
You can also reach me directly at my email latrisha.vetaw@minneapolismn.gov
As most of you know, I have open office hours every Friday at my ward office at 4205 Webber pkwy.
Please feel free to stop in any time between 10 am to 2 pm or email maggie.kohl@minneapolismn.gov to set up another time.
 Hennepin County Homeowners! Minnesota has a way for you to leave your home to a loved one without a will! Come learn what a Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) is, and how it can help you build generational wealth, passing your home to a loved one without the expense and delay of the probate process. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid will pair you with an attorney in the community who will work with you for FREE! All you must pay is the cost to record the deed with the county ($46). Legal Aid is hosting informational sessions on July 23 and 25 at 7 p.m. at the Harrison Recreation Center 503 Irving Avenue N. Minneapolis, MN 55405. Come learn about the process and get signed up to work with an attorney for free!
CenterPoint Energy has further natural gas line work in Ward 4 this year. For a few months starting Monday, August 12, several natural gas lines will be upgraded in Minneapolis’s Victory Neighborhood along the following streets:
- Xerxes Avenue N. from Osseo Road to Zenith Avenue N.
- Washburn Avenue N. from Osseo Road to Victory Memorial Drive
- Vincent Avenue N. from Osseo Road to Victory Memorial Drive
- Upton Avenue N. from Osseo Road to Victory Memorial Drive
- Victory Memorial Drive from Vincent Avenue N. to Osseo Road
The crews will replace natural gas mains, move inside meters outside by appointment, replace and/or reconnect the service lines to the new main, and restore the areas affected by their work. The new pipes used are more resistant to corrosion and leakage, helping us continue to provide safe and reliable service to our customers.
Most of the traffic impacts will include sidewalk, lane, parking, and some road closures. While parking will be closed on both sides of the roads where the crews are working, the sidewalk will be closed on one side of the road at a time. The crews will work with residents and businesses on maintaining access. More information can be found here: https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/InYourCommunity/Pages/ConstructionZoneProjectSites/Minneapolis-Victory-Neighborhood.aspx?sa=MN&au=res.
The City of Minneapolis is calling on individuals, cultural groups, arts spaces, schools and neighborhood organizations to become Cultural District ambassadors. In this role you can engage deeply with your community, celebrate its rich cultural heritage and contribute to the vibrancy of our city. Join us in creating a thriving, connected, and dynamic community experience.
The City's seven Cultural Districts are:
- 38th Street
- Cedar Avenue South
- Central Avenue
- East Lake Street
- Franklin Avenue East
- Lowry Avenue North
- West Broadway
The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 26.
Apply on the City website.
The Transit Assistance Program offers discounted transit fares for low-income residents, making it easier to commute to work, school, medical appointments and other essential activities. With a reduced fare TAP card, riders pay just $1 per ride, even during rush hour.
Now, qualifying riders can sign up for a TAP card at the Minneapolis Service Center in downtown. With its location near high traffic areas like the Government Center and Metro Transit’s Blue and Green light rail lines, the service center will be easily accessible by thousands.
Minneapolis Service Center Public Service Building, skyway level 505 Fourth Ave. S.
Find out more about the new location on the City website.
Start your enrollment on the Metro Transit website.
This year’s celebration of the City of Minneapolis takes place July 24-27.
Mark your calendar for the parade, fireworks, music, triples tennis, water ski show, on-the-go AquaTivities and more.
Find details on the Aquatennial website.
The City has appointed 15 community members to serve on the African American Heritage Work Group. They will advise the Minneapolis City Council on efforts to document and honor African American history.
The group will focus on the Minneapolis African American Historic and Cultural Context study. It will include research on 25 sites that are culturally relevant or historically significant to the City’s Black community. Three sites from the study will be nominated to the
Artists, educators, community leaders, and planners are among the volunteers selected for the work group. They will begin meeting in late July.
Read more about the African American Heritage Work Group and sign up for an email newsletter on the City website.
Find out about the Minneapolis African American Historic and Cultural Context study
This month is a time to celebrate Disability Pride. Honor the diversity within the disability community, reflect on issues that people with disabilities are facing and inspire action to make the world more inclusive and accessible. Disability Pride Month occurs in the United States every July to commemorate the passing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990.
The Disability Pride Flag was created by Ann Magill and updated in 2021 to ensure accessibility. Each color of the flag represents a different type of disability: physical (red), cognitive and intellectual (yellow), invisible/non-apparent and undiagnosed (white), psychosocial (blue) and sensory (green).
The Minnesota Council on Disability has several resources to better understand the history of disability rights, including stories from those with disabilities.
Recently the City of Minneapolis updated it’s ADA Transition Plan addressing the accessibility of city streets and sidewalks and is currently updating its ADA Action Plan which addresses the accessibility of city programs and services.
In recent years, the City’s Health Department has significantly increased the number of clinics and free vaccines provided to community members, especially in diverse areas. The effort is paying off with more people getting vaccinated and a reduction in vaccine hesitancy.
You can help. Get yourself vaccinated for:
- COVID-19
- Flu
- Mpox
- MMR
- Tdap
Find a free vaccination clinic near you.
Consider hosting a free clinic in your neighborhood. Clinics can be added to already planned events or can be separate events. Staff and vaccines are provided at no cost.
Contact Sebastiana Cervantes for more information and to set up a clinic.
Read more about the City’s vaccine program on the City website.
Hennepin County is hosting community collection events for County residents to safely and properly dispose of unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes.
Minneapolis event 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.
Learn what items are accepted, review safety guidelines and view all 2024 events on the Hennepin County website.
Show your support for Black business development in Minneapolis with the City’s annual Black Business Week, July 22-28.
Highlights include:
- Black Business Week kickoff.
- Doing business with the City mini conference.
- Career and networking fair.
- Emerging developer project tour and social hour: Coliseum building
- East African business resource fair.
- West Broadway business area tour, discussion, and networking event.
- Pop-up markets.
Watch a video about Black Business Week, view a full list of events and register for events on the City website.
This month, the City launched the first Narcan vending machine.
The pilot program provides a free life-saving resource for people in need. It is located outside Fire Station 21 in an area that has seen a high amount of substance use and overdoses. So far this year, there have been 74 suspected overdoses and four suspected fatal overdoses. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 38 opioid-related deaths in the area.
Vending machine details
- Fire Station 21, 3209 E. 38th St.
- 24-hour access.
- Free to community members with no barriers.
Watch the news conference and hear from Minneapolis resident Christopher Burks who was saved by Narcan six times.
Find opioid and substance use resources on the City website.
Recent measles cases in Minnesota and Chicago serves as a reminder to protect yourself and your loved ones from this highly contagious disease.
Measles can easily spread and lead to serious health complications, including death. Vaccinations provide the best protection.
If you are not vaccinated and are notified that you have been exposed to measles, you must quarantine for 21 days to prevent spreading the disease. Quarantine can lead to significant life disruptions.
Read more about the importance of protecting yourself from measles on the City’s website.
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