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August 16, 2024
Wow! These past couple weeks have been some of the busiest. We began with community events like National Night Out and Live on the Northside and ended by hearing the Mayor's Budget Address and having a public meeting about our Connecting Camden Project. Here are a few updates from the Ward 4 Team...
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The Ward 4 Office along with the consulting firm TKDA hosted a community meeting on the Connecting Camden Project on August 15th.
If you were unable to make it, please consider filling out the survey by going to bit.ly/ConnectingCamden or by scanning the QR code on a smartphone or tablet camera.
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Before this week's full council meeting, CM Rainville and I presented Officer Mitchell's family with an honorary resolution recognizing his life and service to our city.
Thank you to the family for coming to receive the resolution and thank you to the officers and MPD staff who came to support. Officer Mitchell's life and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
This week I went out with Public Works staff and step-up interns to pick up trash and litter on Lowry Ave.
This is a part of the Cultural Corridor Clean-up Pilot. The first one was a success and can't wait to see more of these happen.
Thank you Public Works staff for your service and for caring for our community!
This week ViNA hosted me at a summer meeting at North Market. I always love getting an opportunity to speak with residents and answer their questions. We spoke about issues like the Blue Line Extension project, the Connecting Camden Project, Penn & Lowry, and city-owned properties ready for development.
Thanks for having me, ViNA!
The mayor's proposed 2025 budget totals $1.88 billion with an 8/1% increase in the tax levy.
The full text of Mayor Frey’s speech as prepared for delivery is attached, and you can watch the mayor’s full address on the City’s YouTube page.
Read the full proposed budget documents here.
Last week was the last LIVE on the Northside for the summer. It was a chilly evening but that didn't stop Ward 4 from showing up and showing out. The music was great and the food trucks and Dancing Bear Chocolate had lines the entire evening.
Thank you to the Victory Neighborhood for organizing and for a great night!
Last week I made the rounds for this year's National Night Out. It warms my heart to see our neighbors coming together to share some food and spend time together.
Make sure to invite me to your NNO event next year and I will try my best to stop by!
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.
Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his 2025 budget address Aug. 14.
The budget proposal features investments for the City’s workforce, funding for the federal consent decree and state settlement agreement. Commitments continue for the City’s affordable housing work, sustainable climate action, downtown revitalization and inclusive economic development.
The mayor’s proposed 2025 budget totals $1.88 billion with a proposed tax levy increase of 8.1%.
Read more about the proposed 2025 budget.
Watch the mayor’s budget address on the City YouTube channel.
Open Streets Minneapolis, the City’s popular summer event series, will kick off this year’s series Saturday, Aug. 24. Open Streets Minneapolis events transform the street for a day. Without cars, people can gather and celebrate the diversity and creativity of the city while walking, biking and rolling.
This year, Open Streets is hosting three events in partnership with neighborhood associations:
- Lyndale Avenue South between 22nd Street West and 36th Street West The Uptown Association plans on more than 200 vendors, 40 food trucks, a vintage car show and back to school backpack giveaways at Painter Park. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
- West Broadway between Lyndale Avenue North and Penn Avenue North The West Broadway Business Coalition plans on more than 250 vendors and activities spread across 17 blocks. Live music, dance performances and cultural showcases will celebrate the rich diversity of north Minneapolis. Pop-up markets and a cultural food court will feature the heritage of the community through handmade crafts and culinary delights. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21
- Nicollet Avenue from West 31st Street to West 46th Street The Lyndale Neighborhood Association offers live music stages, art activities and inflatables, skateboard demonstrations, and a 5K Run for Beer. Restaurants will offer food and drink specials with special menu items only found at Open Streets. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Two online information sessions will cover proposed zoning regulations for cannabis businesses in Minneapolis. City staff will present recommendations followed by time for questions and answers.
The State of Minnesota legalized adult-use recreational cannabis in 2023. Since then, Minneapolis has been getting ready. Our goal is to create rules that support the new legal cannabis industry and keep our community safe and healthy.
Join either session
10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 Join online on Teams.
4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 Join online on Teams.
The City’s zoning code needs updating with new rules to regulate when, where and how cannabis businesses can operate. Staff introduced draft regulations June 13. Read the staff report and draft amendments.
Sign up for updates on the cannabis industry in Minneapolis.
A public comment period is now open for a report to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development with a public hearing Aug. 20.
The Minneapolis Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report reviews how the City used its HUD entitlement grant funds. These funds support the City’s housing and community development strategies for residents with low and moderate incomes. The City will submit the final report to HUD at the end of August.
Programs, projects and strategies supported by these funds helped with the following goals:
- Provide decent affordable housing.
- Develop housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Provide special needs housing.
- Expand economic opportunities.
- Improve neighborhood conditions.
Discover how over $18 million in funding was put to use in our community. What are your thoughts on how funds were used? Are there strategies in support of the above goals the City should consider as it develops its budget later this fall?
Public hearing 1:30 p.m. before the Business, Housing and Zoning Committee Tuesday, Aug. 20 Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Council Chamber, Room 350
Find out how to participate in the public hearing.
Written comments can also be submitted at the public hearing and to Matthew Bower through Aug. 27.
Find the full report on the City website.
If your child has a mental, behavioral or emotional issue that leaves you overwhelmed, Hennepin County offers help. Support is free and quick.
There are no specific criteria required for Family Response support, but concerns may include children or youths who are:
- Having a hard time with a family member or change in the home.
- Showing aggression or anger.
- Feeling down or less engaged.
- Feeling worry and concern.
- Having issues at school.
Learn more about how to get support from the Family Response and Stabilization Service on the Hennepin County website.
The City Trees program is offering $30 trees now through Sept. 30. Minneapolis residents and property owners can purchase up to three trees per address. Choose from shade trees, fruit trees, flowering trees and evergreen trees.
Benefits of trees
Trees provide shade, lower utility bills, increase property value, clean the air, collect stormwater, provide habitat for wildlife, and improve mental health and well-being.
Purchase a tree today while supplies last.
City Trees program
Since the program began in 2006, the City Trees program has provided more than 20,000 low-cost trees for planting on private property, with 7,500 trees distributed in the last five years.
Learn more about our City Trees program.
Low-cost trees for businesses
Businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and owners of properties with five or more units can also purchase $30 trees. Submit an application before Sept. 15.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month and the start of back-to-school kickoff time. As caregivers get their children ready to head back to school, ensuring their vaccinations are up to date should be at the top of the checklist.
Nearly 40% of children enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools are behind on their childhood vaccines. If you’re a parent or guardian, talk with your healthcare provider to stay current with your child’s immunizations. It can help your family avoid missing school, activities, work, family events and vacation.
Resources
Listen to City health experts live or recorded talking about the importance of vaccinations this month:
- English, 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, on AM950 Native Roots Radio Network
- Hmong, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, on WIXK AM1590
- Spanish, 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, on La Raza 95.7 FM
- English, 1-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, on KMOJ 89.9 FM
Mark your calendar: The 2025 Community Connections Conference will be Saturday, Feb. 8.
The conference is a free event that connects Minneapolis residents, community groups, neighborhoods and local government.
Community Connections Conference Saturday, Feb. 8 Minneapolis Convention Center
More information will follow closer to the date.
Minneapolis has a contract with Aira, an app that helps residents and visitors who are blind or have low vision navigate their surroundings using their phone. The person opens the app on their phone and is connected with a navigator who provides visual navigation support. The Aira app uses smart technology to connect users with human agents who are trained professional guides. The agents access the user’s smartphone camera (or Aira glasses) for a live video feed combined with GPS and maps so they can describe these public spaces and help users maneuver through them and also more richly experience what they have to offer.
The service is now available at Target Center, Minneapolis Convention Center, Nicollet Mall, City Hall, and the City’s Public Service Building and Public Service Center. This contract had been in place since 2019 and was recently renewed with the addition of the Public Service Center and the Public Service Building.
Download the free app and use it for free within any of these locations listed above.
A new City pilot will provide City funding to subsidize rent for artists and arts organizations in vacant storefronts in the Harmon Place Historic District.
This will ensure stable tenants for property owners and furnish essential space for the local creative community. The physical spaces will help artists workshop, develop and present their programming and artmaking to the public, and build community. This pilot is intended to support creative opportunities and increase vibrancy, innovation and sustainability.
The program is open to Minnesota residents, with a preference for Minneapolis residents.
The first round of applications will be accepted through Aug. 30. Applicants from all disciplines including visual, performing, literary, media, culinary, digital and public arts, design, craft and non-traditional mediums are encouraged to apply.
Staff will host a virtual information session Aug. 2.
Read more on the City website.
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