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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
It was another successful week in Minneapolis. Here are the latest updates from the City Council:
- We unanimously passed my office to residential conversion ordinance. I worked with staff and Council Member Cashman to make changes to the City's development standards and off-street parking and loading rules that will make it cheaper for developers to convert empty commercial buildings into housing.
- We passed the ShotSpotter contract and expanded its' coverage in Minneapolis. This technology helps police quickly (60 seconds) pinpoint gunfire (within 3 feet), the number of shots fired, and the type of gun used.
- We passed a rental eviction policy that extends the notice for eviction from 14 days to 30 days. This will allow extra time for renters facing eviction to acquire emergency rental assistance from Hennepin County to stay in their homes. It takes 28 days for the County payments to process. I did caution the Council that we need to pay close attention to the effect this will have on small landlords.
- We passed an ordinance to gather data on the closure of encampments. I worked with the authors to include the effects the encampments have on surrounding homes and businesses. There are currently 34 encampments that the City is monitoring. Working with Hennepin County, we are offering housing and services for all individuals living in these camps.
- We passed budget changes to give Agate housing a $1.5 million grant help rehab a transitional housing facility. This is a complex situation as they are scheduled to close in early October and will need 12-18 months to renovate the building. They will need to find an additional $1.5-$3 million to receive the $1.5 million from the City. This budget amendment allowed Agate to bypass the normal funding process and jump the line on other housing providers such as Common Bond, Avivo, and Aeon. To help prevent this practice in the future, I co-authored a legislative directive with CMs Vetaw and Palmisano to have staff give a presentation outlining the standard process for my colleagues.
This is going to be a great weekend to get outdoors. Both the Lebanese community of St. Marion's Church (University and 6th Ave NE), and the Ukrainian community (301 Main St NE) are holding their annual festivals. I hope to see you there.
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
Voters can cast their ballots early by mail or in person at the Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., starting Sept. 20.
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.
Poets and spoken word artists are encouraged to apply for the role of the 2025-2026 Minneapolis poet laureate. Applications are due Nov. 15.
The Minneapolis poet laureate is an official ambassador of the city’s literary culture, connecting our community through the art of poetry. As an advocate for poetry and literary arts in Minneapolis, the poet laureate will engage the community in meaningful, impactful and innovative projects. The goal is to share the transformative art of poetry through community and education.
Poet laureate responsibilities
The City of Minneapolis’ Arts & Cultural Affairs Department and The Loft Literary Center are partnering to identify the 2025-2026 Minneapolis poet laureate. The poet laureate’s responsibilities include:
- Writing a poem reflecting on the current moment of the City of Minneapolis.
- Celebrating the City of Minneapolis through public service engagements, including addresses at official City events.
- Leading a public event that features the sharing of poetry and community.
- Teaching classes through The Loft Literary Center that promote poetry as an opportunity for connection.
- Advancing the art form of poetry in Minneapolis as an avenue for deep engagement in our community.
Find guidelines and application links on The Loft’s website.
Read more on the City website.
Join the Health Department’s School Based Clinics team for a health and wellness fair as we connect the community to services, resources and career opportunities.
The fair is for all ages. It will include:
- Resources around mental health and social services for young people.
- Career opportunities ranging from lifeguard and swim instructor to yoga instructor training.
- Engaging activities for all abilities.
Health and wellness career fair 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 Edison Senior High School, 2030 Monroe St. NE
Learn more about Minneapolis School Based Clinics.
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.
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. |
