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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week was another busy week in the 3rd ward. At this weeks City Council meeting, Council Member Vetaw and I coauthored a resolution honoring the life of fallen officer, Jamal Mitchell. We presented the resolution to his partner Tori, along with Chief O’Hara who spoke of Officer Mitchell’s dedication to the public safety of Minneapolis residents and the daily commitment of all Minneapolis Police Department personnel to keep us safe. You can read the full resolution (here).
 Other highlights of the week in Ward 3:
- Hats off to the Sheridan Neighborhood Organization for organizing its annual ice cream social. It was a fun night with children’s activities and ice cream from Fletcher’s Ice Cream Shop. I had many wonderful conversations and appreciated hearing from the newer residents of Sheridan who shared the many reasons they enjoy the neighborhood.
- I had the opportunity to meet with the mayor’s new Chief of Staff, Grace Waltz. Grace comes to the City of Minneapolis with a wealth of experience having worked with the Walz Administration and Senator Tina Smith. We spent a great deal of time discussing ways to strengthen the relationship between the mayor’s office and the city council. Welcome Grace! We appreciate your willingness to serve.
- I joined Senator’s Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith along with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, other state officials and leadership of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to commemorate the agency completing the installation of fire suppression systems in all 42 MPHA high-rises. The agency achieved this important milestone more than a year ahead of its stated goal and the final installation was in a Ward 3 building at 710 2nd Street NE.
 The 2025 budget process has begun. This week the mayor outlined his budget priorities for 2025 and he is calling for an 8% increase in the tax levy. Years of experience has shown me that the economic vitality of any city is a cyclical and Minneapolis is currently in a down cycle. Despite the rebounding we have seen since the Covid lockdown, the end of the Federal Funding for Covid Recovery and the loss of property tax values in downtown office buildings, the city is short $21 million in revenue for 2025.
This loss of revenue means the City Council must review all current spending and be very wise about new spending. In the coming months, all department heads will present their proposed budgets to the council, and we will have the opportunity to quiz them in order to understand where we can make cuts. Until we fill up the empty office buildings and build new housing to increase the tax base and property tax revenue, we must scrutinize every department budget. We cannot sugar coat the fact that the loss of revenue will impact every renter and homeowner in Minneapolis.
Finally, I want to invite everyone to join me for a Public Safety Session with Commissioner Todd Barnette and 2nd Precinct Inspector, Nick Torborg. The event will be held on Wednesday, September 4th from 6:00 to 7:15 pm at the Ukrainian American Community Center located at 301 Main Street NE. There will be a short presentation and time for people to ask questions.
As always, Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
Changes are coming to 1st Avenue N in Downtown Minneapolis. The City wants to hear your thoughts for the future of 1st Avenue N and what you envision for the street. The survey closes on August 31, 2024.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
