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July 24, 2024
Dear Neighbor,
At the City Council Meeting last Thursday, the Council passed the police contract with an 8-4 vote. This contract was shaped by historic amounts of community engagement, and I was proud to vote in support of a contract that represents our City’s continued commitment to both reform and a well functioning, fully-staffed police department. You can read more about the pay increases, reforms, and contractual changes below.
We must now find a sound, responsible way to fund the pay increases in this contract while minimizing the burden on Minneapolis property taxpayers. Fortunately, in late 2023 Minneapolis received $19M in one-time Public Safety Aid from the State Legislature. I strongly believe we should use this money to fund the pay increases in the new contract. My colleagues continue to talk about the need to “prioritize” due to the impending budget deficit. I think it’s pretty clear: we should be prioritizing USING the available public safety money for public safety.
My colleagues dispute this use because they previously allocated this money to public safety alternatives in addition to the existing $23M Neighborhood Safety budget, most of which funds alternative response. When my colleagues made these allocations, the Office of Community Safety made it clear that they would not have the staffing nor capacity to implement their desired programs. My colleagues chose to make these allocations regardless, and the money is currently unable to be used.
At this point, we are talking about doing nothing or doing something with this money–and I absolutely think we should do something. If public safety is the number one priority of my colleagues, as they all say it is, I certainly hope that they will vote to use this money to support our City’s critical public safety needs in a timely manner.
Yours in service,
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Last Thursday, I attended a meeting with Metro Transit, Minneapolis Public Works staff, and construction crew members to discuss the projects in the intersection of 43rd and Upton. I hear the fear and frustration of business owners in the area who have been impacted by this extended closure. I continue to work on spot issues to mitigate construction impacts for residents. I am eager to push the E Line construction to completion and partially reopen the intersection as soon as possible.
Metro Transit is currently completing utility work in the intersection of 43rd and Upton. The intersection will remain fully closed until August 12 while Metro Transit completes underground utility work. The current project timeline is:
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E Line Station Construction
- August 12 – September 1
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Metro Transit will work to install temporary gravel roadway for traffic south of 43rd St.
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Complete Roadway Pavement on East Side of Upton/ Sheridan
- First Week of September
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Metro Transit will work to re-open the intersection to northbound traffic.
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Complete Roadway Pavement and Fully Open Intersection
Sidewalks will remain open on at least one side of the street and pedestrian access will be maintained to homes and businesses.
Stay Engaged and Informed
West Bde Maka Ska Parkway is scheduled to close between Upton and Thomas Avenues from Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 until Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
This closure is necessary for City of Minneapolis Public Works to perform a catch basin repair and allow new concrete to cure. Please follow all posted detours and stay away from areas where work is being performed.
There will be no impacts to bike or pedestrian trails in the area.
Courtesy of Minneapolis Downtown Council; Photo by Hoskovec Photography
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.
By an 8-4 vote, the Minneapolis City Council approved a collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, July 18, with the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis (POFM). The agreement gives Minneapolis police officers a historic pay increase and important reforms. The vote marks the successful conclusion of a nearly 10-month negotiation between the City and POFM.
The contract, which applies to the period January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025, includes a 21.7 percent pay increase over three years. The salary bump means MPD officers will be among the highest paid in Minnesota by 2025.
Key reforms and contractual changes include:
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A zipper clause: A common term in collective bargaining agreements which eliminates any prior side agreements (LOAs) that are not attached to the contract. This gives the City, the POFM and the public the full scope of what has been agreed to in writing at the start of the term of the contract.
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Increased staffing flexibilities: the agreement gives management more discretion over job assignments and staffing ratios, so that Chief O’Hara and his leadership team can assign officers to areas of the greatest need and make promotions based on candidate readiness, not based on a mandated percentage.
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Employing civilian investigators: the MPD has identified opportunities to assign civilians clerical and investigative work so officers are deployed where they’re needed most.
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Public data requests: Officers will no longer receive automatic notification of the identity of the person requesting public personnel data about them.
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Extending investigation leave time: If there are allegations of severe misconduct, Chief O’Hara will have complete discretion to place the officer on paid investigatory leave and continue the leave for up to 180 days, instead of 30 days. This keeps the officer off the street while an investigation continues.
More information on the City’s contract negotiations with the POFM is available on the City’s website.
The familiar roar of lawnmowers has been replaced by a quiet buzz at Parkway Lawn Service this summer. The 40-year-old lawncare business recently replaced multiple gas-powered mowers and other pieces of lawn equipment with electric models thanks to grants from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and City of Minneapolis.
Grant funds helped Parkway Lawn Service purchase two battery-powered mowers, eight pieces of battery-powered handheld equipment including weed whips and leaf blowers, as well as a portable large-capacity battery for charging equipment in the field. The shift will reduce more than 2,400 pounds of fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compound emissions annually.
Gas-powered lawn equipment is a major source of air pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a new gas-powered push lawnmower produces as many volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in one hour of operation as 11 cars driven for the same length of time. The transition to electric equipment by Parkway Lawn Service demonstrates a commitment to reducing this environmental impact and improving community health.
About the City of Minneapolis Green Cost Share Program
The Green Cost Share Program helps businesses pay for upgrades that save energy, reduce air pollution, and cut carbon dioxide emissions. The next round of City of Minneapolis Green Cost Share grant applications will be reviewed in August.
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Xcel Energy crews made significant progress restoring power for customers after storms brought heavy rain, lightning and straight-line winds in the Twin Cities Metro area.
About 1,250 workers, including lineworkers and support staff from Xcel Energy and the company’s partners, worked to get the lights back on for approximately 35,000 customers without power.
In total, crews have now restored power to the 135,000 customers affected by the severe storms overnight across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
I heard from many constituents who were frustrated by the length of their power outage and the lack of clear and consistent communication from Xcel. Although the City does not own or control Xcel’s business or operations, they are certainly a partner in the infrastructure of our City. I have been in close communication with Xcel and have expressed my disappointment in the response to this recent storm. They cannot control the weather and I know they worked hard to get trees cleared and power returned as quickly as possible, but their communication to customers should have been better.
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 Starting in early September, several lines in CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas infrastructure will be upgraded in the East Harriet Neighborhood.
Along the streets highlighted in red, the crews will replace natural gas mains, move inside meters outside by appointment, and replace and/or reconnect service lines to the new mains.
Along the streets highlighted in blue, the crews will only move inside meters outside by appointment and replace some service lines.
Most of the traffic impacts will include sidewalk, lane, and parking 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 on CenterPoint's website.
It's construction season! In addition to the updates above, this link provides information on ongoing projects that were included in previous newsletters.
Armatage
Third Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at Armatage Rec Center.
East Harriet
First Wednesday of odd months at 7:00pm at Lyndale Farmstead Park or via Zoom.
Fulton
Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm at Pershing Park or via Zoom.
E-mail info@fultonneighborhood.org for the meeting link.
Kenny
Third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at Kenny Park or via Zoom.
Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 5108 0936
Passcode: 121112
Linden Hills
First Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at Linden Hills Rec Center or via Zoom. Register here for meeting link.
Lynnhurst
The Lynnhurst Summer Festival is Thursday, August 1 from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Join neighbors outside the Lynnhurst Recreation Center for live music, food, games, and a raffle!
There will be no August LYNAS Meeting.
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Minneapolis Crime Data Dashboard:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/government-data/datasource/crime-dashboard/
Minneapolis Crime Locations Map: Hover or click on the icons to learn more.
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/police-public-safety/crime-maps-dashboards/crime-locations-map/
Crime Tips & Sign up for Crime Alerts:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/prevent-prepare/crime-prevention/
General Public Safety Links:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/public-safety/ |
