 
Welcome! Drop in here to keep up-to-date on the City's budget adoption process this fall.
Breaking news: The Board of Estimation and Taxation (BET) set the maximum taxation level for the property tax levy on September 18th at 8.3%, slightly higher than the Mayor's proposed 8.1%.
What happened? The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is funded by the City and the property tax levy. The Mayor omitted part of the Park Board's personnel funding, required by the park workers' union agreement, in his recommended budget and levy. The BET made room in the budget for the Park Board to be funded, requiring the max levy to increase .2%.
What's next? City Council continues to conduct budget hearings with each City department. This week, the Council will hear from Community Planning & Economic Development, Regulatory Services, Neighborhood Community Relations, Arts & Cultural Affairs, Intergovernmental Relations, Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, and Performance Management & Innovation.
Have your say: Residents are welcome to contact the Ward 11 office to provide feedback at any time. In addition, here are opportunities for residents to provide feedback in person. All public hearings will take place in the Council Chambers of the Public Service Center (250 S 4th St., Room 350 Minneapolis, MN 55415).
Budget Committee Public Hearing #1: September 23rd @6:05pm
Budget Committee Public Hearing #2: November 12th @ 10am
Additional resources: Use these links to find out how tax levies may impact you, learn more about the City budget process, and review my Ward 11 budget priorities.
At the September 19th Council Meeting, a super majority of Council Members approved a comprehensive set of three Housing First policies.
First, the Council voted to secure funding to preserve a 100+ bed homeless shelter for Agate, one of the largest homelessness services organizations in Minnesota. We are losing crucial shelter and housing capacity when we’re already struggling to keep pace with the need. As a result, too many of our neighbors are forced to live in unsafe conditions on the streets and in encampments within our communities. Every bed we lose is another person left without safety, stability, and dignity. I worked directly with Ward 9 Council Member Chavez to come up with a funding solution allocating identified surpluses from departments throughout the City.
Other Housing First actions include mandating reporting on the cost and outcomes of the Mayor's encampment evictions in order to amplify what is working and what is not, and a rental eviction policy that will allow extra time for renters facing eviction to acquire emergency rental assistance from Hennepin County to stay in their homes.
The unprecedented level of unsheltered homelessness has been declared a public health emergency by the City of Minneapolis (though it is not limited to our city). I believe we must continue to evolve our response to make progress, with the goal of safe, stable housing for all. The actions of City Council show that we are determined to explore all solutions to end homelessness and keep the Mayor's administration accountable.
Click here to learn more about the City’s response to homelessness, including a dashboard that shows encampments by Ward and tracks 311 calls.
As of last Friday Sept. 20, voters can cast their ballots early by mail or in person at the Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
Voting by mail
All mail-in ballots need to be received by Election Day (Nov. 5) to count. If you choose to deliver your ballot in person to the Elections & Voter Services office, it must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places on Election Day.
Find more information on how to vote by mail on the City website.
Voting at the Early Vote Center
The Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., makes early in-person voting more convenient for Minneapolis voters. It’s especially helpful if you need language support or other special accommodations, such as curbside voting. Voting early can also help you avoid lines and crowds at polling places on the day of the election.
The Early Vote Center’s hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The center will extend its hours for the final two weeks of voting, including Saturdays and Sundays. Find all Early Vote Center hours on the City website.
For more information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, go to the City website.
The City is recruiting members for boards and commissions to strengthen the work of the City. People with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
Members are recruited twice each year, in the spring and fall. Fall applications will be accepted through Sept. 30.
City boards and commissions offer a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them.
Check for current openings and apply for positions on the City website.
For more information call 612-673-2216 or email staff.
Highlighted Commissions:
Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission
This is a 21-member team of dedicated city residents, including 6-8 lawyers, all volunteering their time to champion civil rights. This dynamic group leads the charge in identifying and addressing civil rights issues, engaging with elected officials and the Civil Rights Department, and educating the public about their rights under the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance.
What sets the Commission apart? Its unique role in adjudicating discrimination cases. As a member, you'll review appeals of Department decisions and hold public hearings in discrimination cases, ensuring justice and fairness in our community.
Who can join? We have openings for both attorney and non-attorney seats. Serving on the Commission is a powerful way to:
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Engage with Your Community: Be at the forefront of civil rights initiatives.
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Work with City Officials: Collaborate with elected leaders and the Civil Rights Department.
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Make Your Voice Heard: Play an active role in decision-making and advocacy.
Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities (MACOPD)
This advisory committee is open to any Minneapolis resident regardless of ward and has been in existence since 1976.
Many amazing disability justice advocates have served on MACOPD over the years and influenced numerous City projects. Some of the projects include the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Action and Transition plans, the Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan, renovations to public parks and recreation facilities, and numerous pedestrian and transit-related projects.
City boards and commissions offer a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them. Applications will be accepted Sept. 1 through Sept. 30. Translation and interpreting are available so all residents can participate. If interested in applying, fill out the online application.
For more information, potential applicants can email or call Guthrie Byard, Community Specialist – People with Disabilities, 612-554-3666.
Runway construction on the north parallel runway was completed Saturday Sept. 21st. The runway re-opened Saturday afternoon. Many residents have been enjoying quieter skies during this construction period and may notice an increase in flight traffic. Click here to learn more about how the airport's construction schedule impacts runways and flight patterns.
Runway use information and flight activity are available on the MAC FlightTracker. Information about runway closures at MSP is available here. Anyone with questions regarding airfield or aircraft noise and/or runway closures due to construction may call the Community Relations Office at 612-726-9411.
To our City of Minneapolis residents and neighbors,
We welcome you to subscribe to the Office of Community Safety (OCS) Dispatch, a new bi-weekly newsletter where you will find updates, news and events from OCS and its departments, 911, Emergency Management, Minneapolis Fire, Minneapolis Police, and Neighborhood Safety.
Although OCS as an office is relatively new, the work of our first responders is not. The approach to increasing community safety that OCS has undertaken is one that is coordinated, comprehensive, and equitable for all of Minneapolis. One that fosters trust, understanding and collaboration among all communities across the city.
We invite you to engage with us as we work to rebuild and refine the city's safety responses and resources that equitably meets the needs of our community at large. This newsletter will serve as a resource to inform you about the work within OCS as we advance our efforts to reimagine community safety. By creating an ecosystem of preventative, responsive, and restorative services that work hand-in-hand, we can reach our ultimate goal to create a Safer Minneapolis where all residents can thrive.
Office of Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette
Lake Street Safety Center
The lease for the Lake Street Safety Center building, located at 2228 East Lake Street, has been signed and finalized. The demolition for the safety center is complete, and the construction, design and build-out process will begin soon. The Office of Community Safety (OCS) staff are working with city departments on design, furniture, and technology related needs. Customer service representatives for the center have been hired and have started their training. The center is projected to open in November 2024.
South Minneapolis Community Safety Center
OCS and a committee of City department leaders have completed the review of Request for Information (RFI) responses from social service providers. From July 22 to Aug. 9, OCS opened an RFI process, gathering input from service providers on how their organization would operate in the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center. The information collected helps OCS to identify service delivery, space, and design costs in the safety center.
OCS is drafting a Request for Proposals (RFP) document to gather proposals from organizations on the following topics: culturally specific navigators, domestic violence-related services, mental health, services for victims of human trafficking, and youth services. More information about the RFPs will be provided in the coming weeks.
More information:
Rachel Sayre is one step closer to becoming the City’s new Emergency Management Department (EMD) Director. Her nomination moved through the Public Health and Safety Committee meeting held Sept. 11, and the City Council will vote on her confirmation to the position in the coming weeks. Sayre was nominated for the position by Mayor Jacob Frey, in consultation with Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette.
Since 2015, Sayre has worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance where she most recently served as a Senior Humanitarian Advisor, mentoring and training incoming leaders on disaster response and team leadership. Sayre has also led USAID international disaster risk reduction efforts and humanitarian aid responses in dozens of countries, including war and disaster zones in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Haiti. In addition, she was the Senior Advisor to USAID’s Administrator in 2014-2015, where one of her many accomplishments included overseeing efforts combatting the international Ebola epidemic.
The EMD, one of five departments in the Office of Community Safety, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding communities by preparing for potential disasters, effectively managing responses, supporting recovery efforts, and reducing future risks. This is done through a structured approach to handling the various crises a city can face. Sayre is well versed in this area, having previously served in multiple leadership roles in responding to humanitarian disasters worldwide. She has qualified as an ICS equivalent Response Leader for a system similar to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System structure which the City has been further evolving for its own capabilities.
Sayre would be replacing Barrett Lane, who left the City last October for a position with the Metropolitan Airports Commission. EMD Deputy Director Bryan Gorman has been leading the department in the interim.
Paying to repair your private sewer line that connects to the public sewer can be expensive. But if your line has cracks in it, tree roots growing into it, or gaps in the connections, it has to be fixed. This pipe carries your wastewater from your toilet, sink, shower, laundry, dishwasher, etc. to the public sanitary sewer in the street.
Help paying for a repair
The property owner is responsible for the line from the home to the public sewer. If you need help paying for a repair to your private sewer line, you might get help from a property tax assessment, an upcoming grant program or private insurance.
- Property tax assessment:
- Grant program: City staff hope to receive funding from the Metropolitan Council in 2025 to help homeowners pay for private sewer line repairs. For more information about this program, visit the City website and sign up to get an email when funding is available.
- Private insurance: Some private insurance companies offer an endorsement or rider to help pay for the cost of a private sewer line repair. This needs you to take action before you find out your line needs repair. Contact your insurance company to see if this is an option. When doing so, get a quote for the annual cost, coverage limit and deductible. Make sure to read the fine print.
Read more about home sewer maintenance on the City website.
The New Nicollet project team wants to hear from you, the people who live, work and play near the New Nicollet site. The City of Minneapolis plans to reconnect Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane, through the old Kmart site, beginning in 2025. After road construction, the City will work in partnership to develop the remaining site into a high-density, mixed-use, walkable area.
We want to hear about your priorities and desires for the site, so we can reflect that in the design and outcomes of the future redevelopment.
Right now, the City wants your input on the priorities for property uses and buildings on the New Nicollet site. For this phase of engagement, there are two big opportunities for everyone to get involved:
Visit the project webpage to find updated project information, project events and ways to get involved.
Please email staff with any questions.
Save Oct. 23 for a free seniors fair. The fair is tailored for our senior community members and caregivers. The day will feature workshops, an elected officials panel, a resource fair, and a free breakfast and lunch. The workshops will cover yoga and meditation, City services, public safety and connecting with community.
Seniors fair 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, 5760 Portland Ave. S.
Schedule
Raffle with prizes to be announced.
9 a.m. - Welcome and breakfast 10 a.m. - Morning workshops: yoga for all – mind and body, City services presented by Public Works and 311 11 a.m. - Resource fair and lunch Noon – Panel discussion with local elected officials including City Council Members Andrea Jenkins, Emily Koski and Aurin Chowdhury; and Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley. More to be announced. 1 p.m. - Afternoon workshops: the City’s holistic approach to community safety, a discussion about making community connections through art.
The seniors fair is sponsored by Wards 8, 11 and 12.
Join your neighbors and explore vibrant spaces for walking, biking and rolling at one of the Open Streets events this year.
Open Streets Nicollet Avenue From West 31st Street to West 46th Street 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Hosted by the Lyndale Neighborhood Association, this event offers more than 2 miles of music and magic. Come for the live music, 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.
Read more about Open Streets on the City website.
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