July 18th, 2024

A message from Council President Elliott Payne

Hello neighbors, 

I'm resending this update with corrected links!

Today the City Council approved the collective bargaining agreement with the Minneapolis Police Officers Federation. I wanted to explain the reasons why I voted in favor of the contract. 

When I first ran for City Council in 2021, I proudly ran on a platform of building a comprehensive public safety system—a system that didn’t rely on police as the only response to harm in our community. To achieve this goal, we need a police contract that is flexible enough to allow for a workforce that can scale to the needs of our city, allows officers to be assigned to the times and places that have the greatest need, and holds officers accountable to the highest standards of conduct in the community. 

From the outset, I was committed to a process that was as transparent as possible and that gave the public a chance to weigh in on. We published a full marked up version of the contract, we had multiple public hearings, and we offered the opportunity for community groups to make public presentations. I was originally pressured to have the Council vote on the contract on as soon as the tentative agreement  was approved by officers, with the mayor offering to hold a special meeting for that purpose. This would have made this process feel a lot different. And while some try to politicize giving the public time to review and weigh in, I wanted to ensure we did things different than in the past.

We've received a lot of input from residents on the contract with many asking us to pass it, and many raising very significant and legitimate concerns about the contract not going far enough. I definitely hear and resonate with those concerns and have had conversations with many of you discussing this in-depth. The Council had a choice to either vote the contract up or down, without the ability to make amendments. This contract certainly doesn't go far enough, but I was not confident that we would be able to get more from voting the contract down and could even risk the changes and reforms that were gained in the contract by doing so.

I was vocal about my priorities with the administration, drawing a bright red line around provisions I needed to see in the contract. I came into this process fully ready to vote this contract down if I didn’t see the reforms I requested. The contract that we approved today reflects those demands. Getting rid of the 70/30 staffing ratio for patrol officers, allowing officers to be assigned shifts based on need, and the ability to hire civilian investigators provides more staffing flexibility and allows for less armed staff in the workforce. In 2022, we received a comprehensive staffing study that found that we could meet our calls for service with 278 – 416 patrol officers, depending on staffing model. This contract sets the groundwork for a department that is staffed based data that reflects our city’s needs, rather than arbitrary ratios.  

I believe these changes will give us the tools to truly expand safety beyond policing. If we can staff up civilians to take on investigations, expand our Behavioral Crisis Response, launch more violence prevention programs and other alternative responses, we will be able to fully build out a comprehensive public safety system that allows police to focus on police work while lifting the burden off of officers. 

I went into this process hoping to see a lot more reforms reflected in the text of the contract; largely because we have all heard so many elected people blame their inability to hold the police accountable on the strength of the union. As we went through the negation process, I came to learn that many of the reforms that I had been fighting for were always available to the mayor and the chief. It is true that there have been many instances of police officers getting re-instated after documented abuses as a result of the arbitration process. In one of the most egregious examples of this process, the arbitrator concluded that management failed to issue discipline in similar cases of misconduct as the basis for giving the abusing officer their job back. These incidents don’t happen because of the strength of the union, they happen because of a failure of leadership and an inability to hold officers accountable to the community they serve. 

The time for excuses is now over. With today’s action, officers have the resources they need to do their job and the administration has the contract they need to hold them accountable when they don’t.

Best,

Elliott

Connect with Council President Payne

July Community 1-1s

When: Tuesday July 23rd 9-11:45 AM

Where: Pilllar Forum Cafe 2300 Central Ave Ne

Sign up: Sign up for a time slot here.

St. Anthony Parkway to be resurfaced between Hayes St & Stinson Blvd beginning July 22

The City of Minneapolis plans to resurface St. Anthony Parkway between Stinson Boulevard and Hayes Street NE this summer. This project will start during the week of July 22 and is expected to take two weeks to complete.

The area of St. Anthony Parkway being resurfaced will be closed during the project, including cross traffic (except at 29th Street NE, which was recently resurfaced and will be open for traffic).

Short segments of asphalt pavement at cross streets will also be resurfaced. The concrete pavement at cross streets will be open for use, but please be aware that construction workers and equipment will need to use these for access. Alley access will be maintained and available for use.

Follow all posted detours and stay away from areas where work is being performed.

In 2025, the City of Minneapolis plans to resurface St. Anthony Parkway between Hayes Street NE and Central Avenue.

Check out the project page here.

Share your thoughts on the plans for Lowry Avenue with Hennepin County

From Hennepin County:

While crews continue construction on phase 1 between Washington and Johnson streets, the design team is collecting feedback on the initial concept for phase 2 of Lowry Avenue between Marshall Street (County Road 23) and Washington Street.

Time is running out for you to share your thoughts.

If you haven’t already shared your thoughts with us, you can still view the initial concept for phase 2 and add comments online.  

• Visit the online engagement map

We will be collecting comments on the design through July 19. Once we close the comment gathering, our design team will start refining designs based on your feedback and design feasibility. Look for future updates about the next opportunity for you to share your feedback.   

Transit Assistance Program enrollment now available at Minneapolis Service Center

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.

Minneapolis Black Business Week, July 22-28

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 featuring local Black business owners, view a full list of events and register for events on the City website.

Free Narcan available at Fire Station 21

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.

Protect your family from measles

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.

Creating a Climate Legacy: Green Cost Share program makes weatherization more affordable

As part of the Climate Legacy Initiative, the City’s Green Cost Share program is helping Minneapolis residents make weatherization and other energy-saving improvements to their homes.

Owners of single-family or 2- to 4-unit residential properties can receive funds to make their property more energy efficient through rebates of up to $14,000.

From insulation to air-source heat pumps, the City can help you save money on utility bills and make your home more comfortable year-round.

Minneapolis resident Jamie Laudert received City funds to make her 100-year-old home energy-efficient year-round.

Watch Jamie’s video.

Apply for funds to make your home more energy efficient on the City website.

Become a Cultural District Ambassador

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 **Ward 1!**
• 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.

Minneapolis sister cities celebration July 14

Connect with Elliott and Ward 1 Staff

Elliott Payne was re-elected in 2023 to represent Ward 1

Elliott serves on the President of the Minneapolis City Council, Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Public Health & Safety Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole. 

Contact the Ward 1 Council Office

Elliott Payne, Council Member - Email

Liam Davis Temple, Policy Aide - Email

Ikram Mohamud, Policy Associate - Email

Office Phone - (612) 673-2201

Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward1

We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:

Room 100, Public Service Center
250 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 asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311.