|
From Ward 5 Minneapolis City Council Member, Jeremiah Ellison.
The City of Minneapolis is hosting its first Latino Business Week from Sunday, October 6th - Sunday, October 13th!
This week celebrates and supports Latino-owned businesses, which are vital to our community and help create jobs, drive innovation and foster a vibrant culture. Supporting these enterprises boosts financial empowerment across our entire city. All Latino Business Week events are free to attend. We encourage you to register; seating is limited at some events.
Join me in attending the Latino Business Week Kickoff event this Sunday! There will be music, performances, a panel discussion, and shopping with Latino vendors.
Event Details:
- Date/Time: Sunday, October 6th, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Location: Mercado Central, 1515 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Click here to view the full schedule for Latino Business Week and register for events.
September 30th to October 6th is National #WeekWithoutDriving. Nearly a third of people living in the United States rely on walking, rolling, transit, and asking for rides. These folks include people with disabilities, young people, seniors, and people who simply can't afford cars or gas.
The #WeekWithoutDriving challenge was launched in 2021 by Anna Zivarts at Disability Rights Washington. The purpose of this initiative is to challenge those who have the option to drive to learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face and work with nondrivers to create more accessible communities for all.
Whether it's walking, biking, rolling, or taking public transit, I wish everyone a safe and insightful #WeekWithoutDriving. Scroll down to learn about transit assistance programs and how to access discounted transit fares for low-income residents.
Transit Assistance Program
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.
City leaders, state leaders, and Northsiders cheering at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at North High.
North High School & North CTE Center Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
It was a beautiful day at North High to see the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of North High School and North Career & Technical Education Center. After years of planning, construction, and renovations, this state-of-the-art facility and technology will positively impact the education and well-being of so many of our students. Thank you so much to all of our intergovernmental partners, community organizations, neighbors, and MPS staff members who invested much dedication and time to improve our facilities to provide our students with a world class education at North High. Go, Polars!
Shelby Commons Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Shelby Commons is officially open! Our office was delighted to join the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of this highly-anticipated affordable housing community. Shelby Commons offers 46 new affordable rental homes for families and individuals in the North Loop neighborhood.
The City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Housing each awarded Shelby Commons with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) to support primary financing. All of the units at Shelby Commons are affordable for households earning 30% to 80% area median income.
Project for Pride In Living will provide optional supportive services for residents in the twelve units reserved for residents who have faced housing insecurity and need assistance. These services include items such as skill building around budgeting, housekeeping, and managing relationships with a variety of professionals. Additionally, PPL will make referrals to community services, health care providers, employment services, and education resources for these individuals.
Congratulations and much gratitude to Project for Pride In Living, Woda Cooper, city staff members, community partners, and everyone in between who had a hand in this remarkable achievement for Minneapolis residents.
Murals by Minneapolis artist Jordan Hamilton symbolize the historical roots of the North Loop neighborhood where Shelby Commons is located.
Nonprofit leaders, city staff members, volunteers, and community members applauding the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Shelby Commons.
Representative Esther Agbaje, Council Member Chowdhury, community members and I celebrating Nigerian Independence Day.
Honorary Resolutions
- 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness
- 2024 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Adopt a Shelter Animal Week
- Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Month
- National Community Planning Month
-
Nigerian Independence Day
- Fun Fact - State Representative Esther Agbaje (District 59B) is the first Nigerian person to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Blue Line Extension Project Resolution & Municipal Consent
On Wednesday, my colleagues and I unanimously passed the Blue Line Extension Project Resolution and approved municipal consent for the Blue Line Light Rail 30% design. I voted in favor of municipal consent because I believe that continuing to have a seat at the table for this project will allow me to continue to represent all of you in a way that benefits our community.
Transit is an essential part of our future as a sustainable city. I grew up riding the 19 as my commute and was a frequent rider on the C Line and the 5. Many Northsiders ride these lines out of necessity. They are the most used routes in the metro area and yet, the Northside has not always gotten the best infrastructure. When I think about the kind of infrastructure Northsiders deserves, the light rail is that, but the kind of impacts that come with transportation-oriented development can cause harmful displacement that is a real threat to the identity and people that live along some of these routes.
Municipal consent is about the technical aspect of the route, but my colleagues and city staff have been committed to ensure that anti-displacement has a spot in that discussion. With the resolution that passed attached to this action, I feel well-equipped to ensure that anti-displacement has a voice in the municipal consent process and becomes a real thing that we are going to execute down the line to ensure that this train is truly for the Northside.
Full text of the resolution passed at the City Council meeting is available here.
Budget Update
Budget season is well on its way. We have been receiving departmental presentations and meeting with constituents to hear directly from Northsiders what budget priorities folks have.
There will be two public hearings for residents to come and share their thoughts. 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 Public Hearings
- Tuesday, November 12th at 10:00 AM
- Tuesday, December 10th at 6:05 PM
Residents can also send in written public testimony any time by emailing CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov. You are always welcome to contact the Ward 5 office directly as well to ask questions or share your thoughts.
Cultural Districts Arts Fund Recipients Announced
The City of Minneapolis has selected the awardees for the 2024 Minneapolis Cultural Districts Fund. In its first year, the fund will grant 65 awards totaling $690,000 across the city’s seven cultural districts. This fund supports:
- An arts ambassador for each cultural district.
- Festivals, cultural venues and cultural spaces.
- Pop-up projects and creative activations.
The projects and arts ambassadors will showcase a vibrant tapestry of community engagement, artistic expression, and cultural celebration across the seven Minneapolis cultural districts. The districts are: Lowry Avenue North, 38th Street, Cedar Avenue South, Central Avenue, East Lake Street, Franklin Avenue East and West Broadway.
Highlights of the funded projects include:
- Transforming train cars into mural canvases.
- Engaging community elders, stakeholders and youths to document and exhibit Native stories.
- Art workshops to empower youths through self-expression.
- Events featuring Día de los Muertos, art demos, and workshops connecting diverse residents.
- A monthly photo exhibition, iron pour, and a celebration of Native artists.
- Northside Art Crawl revitalizing the local art economy.
- Showcasing local fashion designers and artists.
This initiative provides critical financial support to empower local artists, creative entrepreneurs, community place makers and cultural organizations. Read more about the projects, recipients and districts on the City website.
HERC Closure Resolution
I am co-authoring a resolution supporting a closure of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) along with a number of my colleagues. The resolution was introduced to the Climate and Infrastructure (C&I) Committee this week and is being held in C&I for one cycle to give the opportunity for the public to weigh in. Give public testimony on October 10th or submit your public comment in writing any time.
The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) is a trash incinerator that is located in North Minneapolis. Residents are organizing to demand the closure of the HERC, which contributes to environmental injustice and public health inequities on the Northside.
Everyone is welcome to submit comments in writing any time to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov. There will also be a public hearing on Thursday, October 10th at 1:30 PM where residents may speak for two minutes each about the resolution. The public hearing is located at the Council Chambers of the Public Service Center, 250 S 4th St., Room 350 Minneapolis, MN 55415.
Stable Homes Stable Schools Initiative Helps More Than 5,300 Minneapolis Students
This fall marks the fifth year of the Stable Homes Stable Schools initiative. The program helps Minneapolis families and students experiencing homelessness with housing or housing stability. More than 1,800 Minneapolis families representing 5,300 students have benefitted from the program.
This year, the initiative also saw an increase in school stability. That means the number of Minneapolis students enrolled in the program are more likely to stay in the same school for the academic year and make more connections with peers and teaching staff.
Resources
Families in immediate need of eviction prevention resources can reach out for these resources:
The initiative is a collaboration among the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Public Schools, and the YMCA of the North. The Pohlad Family Foundation provided initial grant funding and has consistently been the primary funder of the Housing Stability Fund.
Read more about Stable Homes Stable Schools on the City website.
Are you experiencing struggles with food insecurity, housing, career readiness, and legal matters? Are you in need of help? Please look below to see which resources can be beneficial to you.
Career Readiness
-
Project for Pride in Living (PPL)
- PPL builds the hope, assets, and self-reliance of individuals and families who have lower incomes by providing transformative affordable housing and career readiness services.
Family Support & Educational Programming
-
Way to Grow
- Way to Grow is a nonprofit organization on the Northside that provides free, year-round family support and educational programming for families in Minneapolis and in surrounding suburbs.
Food Insecurity
- EMERGE Youth-Led Food Shelf
- Days/Times: Weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Location: ECTC, 1834 Emerson Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
- Free Dinner
- Days/Times: Weekly on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM
- Salem Lutheran Church, 4150 Dupont Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
- Contact: 612-521-3644
- Haven Community Pantry
- Days/Times: Weekly on Wednesdays & Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Sanctuary Covenant Church, 2018 Aldrich Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Free/Discounted Internet
Housing/Tenant Protections
-
Home Line
- This organization provides free and low-cost legal, organizing, education, and advocacy services so that tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their own rental housing problems.
-
United Renters for Justice/Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia
- United Renters for Justice/Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia is a base-building nonprofit working to transform the Minneapolis housing system.
Legal Representation
-
Attorney General Keith Ellison's Office
- The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office appreciates hearing from members of the public. In many cases, they are able to provide direct assistance to people. Hearing from members of the public also alerts us to problems occurring in the marketplace.
-
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
- This organization provides free legal aid to people with low-income, disabilities, and seniors in 20 Central Minnesota counties. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Debt collection and unfair loans
- Disability-related cases
- Divorce and child custody
- Domestic violence
- Elder abuse
- Housing discrimination and evictions
- Immigration and citizenship
- IRS Tax Issues
Minneapolis 311
- Need to report an issue? Can't find the right information? Minneapolis 311 can help. 311 coordinates with City departments and service providers to report your concerns, find you information and connect you with nonemergency City services.
- There are many ways to get in contact with Minneapolis 311 for non-emergency information. Choose what's easiest for you.
- Call 311. Agents are here to answer your call 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 311 from within city limits or 612-673-3000.
- Email 311. You can email 311 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Agents will respond 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Text 311. You can text 311 a short question any time. Just text two or three keywords to 311TXT (311898) to receive an answer from the Minneapolis 311 information database on your mobile phone.
- Get the 311 mobile app. Report neighborhood issues on the 311 mobile app 24 hours a day.
- TTY. 311 agents use computer-based technology so hearing-impaired callers can easily communicate with the City using TDD/TTY devices. Call TTY 612-263-6850.
- Use the contact form. You can send 311 your comments or questions on the website contact form.
City of Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis has a ton of job opportunities that span across multiple departments.
Recent Job Postings
Hennepin County
Hennepin County is the largest county in Minnesota and has a wide variety of job openings in different industries.
Recent Job Postings
Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities can be a great place to start to look for a new job/change in your career. Start by viewing the MN Council of Nonprofits Job Board here.
Recent Job Postings
State of Minnesota
The State of Minnesota is a great place to start your job search. Click here to view job openings in the state.
Crews are preparing to sweep streets across Minneapolis this month and November to clean the streets before winter. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains and from ending up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River.
To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, October 21st, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.
Ways to stay informed of the parking rules:
-
Interactive web feature – The Street Sweeping Schedule Map will be available on the City’s website before street sweeping begins. Visitors to the website will be able to find out which week their street is scheduled to be swept. Then, on the weekend before each of the four weeks, the schedule for the upcoming week will be broken down to show which day of the week streets are scheduled to be swept.
-
“No Parking” signs – City crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. However, the “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking after the signs are removed. Vehicles not in compliance with “No Parking” signs may be ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot. The sweeping takes several steps, so people should not resume parking until the signs are removed.
-
Email and text alerts – You can sign up to get an alert automatically emailed or texted to you at the start of street sweeping.
-
Social media – The City will use Facebook and X to post periodic street sweeping updates and information.
-
Videos – Street sweeping is explained in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong on the City’s YouTube channel and on Minneapolis City TV.
Click here to learn more about street sweeping.
Matthew Hulstein (Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid attorney) and Patty Walton (Community Clinics Fellow) met with my staff, Bethany Turnwall and Dieu Do, about the new in-person legal clinic in Harrison.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has an in-person clinic in the Harrison neighborhood, offering free legal help! Legal Aid handles problems on this civil side (not criminal), including: housing, consumer, immigration, federal tax, public benefits, family law, and disability discrimination. Generally, clients must be Hennepin residents and be either lower income or aged 60+ (regardless of income).
Legal Clinic Details
- Days/Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Harrison Neighborhood Association (HNA), 1501 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- Walk-ins welcome/appointments preferred
- To schedule an appointment, call 612-352-9778. Residents can also call Legal Aid's central intake line: 1-877-696-6529 or visit www.mylegalaid.org.
- Patty Walton, pictured above in the yellow jacket, is a Community Clinics Fellow who is staffing the clinic in the Harrison Neighborhood.
Child Care Economic Development Program Request for Proposals
Deadline: Thursday, October 31st, 2024
DEED, through its Child Care Community Partnerships Office, is seeking proposals from qualified responders to receive grants to be used to implement solutions to reduce the childcare shortage in the state, including but not limited to funding for childcare business start-ups or expansion, retention of current child care programs, training, facility modifications, direct subsidies or incentives to retain employees, or improvements required for licensing, and assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements.
First Generation Down Payment Assistance
Minnesota’s two new first-come, first-served, down payment assistance programs are still accepting applications, and 50% of allocated funds remain.
Hennepin County Active Living Program
Deadline: 3:00 PM on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024
The Active Living program provides funding and technical assistance to cities and local agencies for activities that improve the walkability and bikeability of business and community nodes.
Funding and technical assistance are available to help with the following activities: (1) policy and plan development, (2) demonstration projects, and (3) programming and equipment investments.
Applicants can include cities and government agencies within the Hennepin County Public Health jurisdiction (all cities except Bloomington, Edina, Minneapolis, and Richfield). Click here for more information about this grant.
Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund
Deadline: Friday, November 1st, 2024
Hennepin County will accept another round of applications for the Environmental Response Fund (ERF) this fall. ERF grants are available for the investigation and cleanup of non-petroleum contamination or petroleum-related contamination.
Eligible applicants for ERF include municipalities, economic development agencies, housing and redevelopment authorities, other local public entities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit developers. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties. The fall round opened August 1 and closes November 1, 2024.
Hennepin County HRA Homebuyer Assistance Program
Limited Funds Available: Check Page For Updates
The Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) created the Homebuyer Assistance Program to reduce racial disparities in homeownership. HCHRA will provide down payment financing to assist buyers interested in purchasing a home to have as their principal place of residence in Hennepin County.
Eligibility Requirements
- Borrower’s gross household income must be at or below 115% AMI.
First-time buyer: Borrower must not have an ownership interest in another property for the last 3 years.
- Borrower can have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN).
- Borrower must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds toward the purchase.
- Housing Ratios: Borrower’s PITI must be within 20-35% (front end), not to exceed 50% (back-end) of gross income.
Required Education
- Certificate of Home Stretch group education within one year prior to purchase; see available workshops on Minnesota Homeownership Center website. Framework or other curriculums are not accepted. Sign up for NWHP workshops.
- Certificate of 1:1 Pre-purchase advising is required within one year of purchase. Sign up for NWHP pre-purchase advising.
- If there are two borrowers, both must complete Home Stretch and pre-purchase counseling.
Click here for more information and to apply for this program.
Northside Real Estate Developer Grants
Deadline: 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024
The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation announced the opening of the Northside Commercial Real Estate Development Grant. A grant pool of $100,000 has been allocated to distribute pre-development grants for Black commercial real estate developers with site control of properties in North Minneapolis.
Applicants can apply for up to $15,000. Click here for more information and spread the word amongst your networks.
Transformative Career Pathway Competitive Grants Request for Proposals (RFP)
Deadline: 5:00 PM on Monday, October 7th, 2024
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), through its Adult Career Pathways Programs, is seeking proposals from qualified responders to provide services through the Transformative Career Pathway Competitive Grants.
The Transformative Career Pathway Competitive Grants must provide skills training to communities of color and/or low-income communities, leading to employment or business development in high-growth industries. Applications are due on Monday, October 7 at 5:00 PM Central Time and must be submitted as a PDF to the Office of Adult Career Pathways email. Click here to download the application.
Join me from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM every Monday for Open Coffee Hours! These are informal and a chance for me to hear directly from you while we share coffee or a meal (virtually).
Office hours is on a first come first served basis. Please try not to call in past 12:50 p.m. as we want to leave enough time to chat about what you'd like to discuss.
Please RSVP here and my staff will follow-up with the call-in details. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Dieu Do, Policy Associate, at dieu.do@minneapolismn.gov.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Testing Kits
You can once again get up to four free at-home COVID-19 testing kits through the federal government. With a high number of cases in our community, it’s important to protect ourselves and our families. Regular testing can help you stay informed about your health and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to loved ones.
You can use these whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms. You can take the test at home and receive results within 30 minutes—no need to drop anything off at a lab.
Click here to order your free tests today (no cost including shipping).
COVID Test Expiration Dates
- Many COVID-19 tests have extended expiration dates, so you may still be able to use them after the date printed on the box. To check if your test has an extended expiration date, check the FDA’s list of extended expiration dates.
Get Vaccinated
Flu, RSV, and COVID season is just around the corner. Minnesota is also experiencing a significant rise in pertussis cases among children, and there is also a measles outbreak in the Twin Cities metro area. Talk to a trusted medical professional to discuss what works best for you and your family to stay healthy this season.
Available Resources:
Minneapolis Trees Program Creating A Climate Legacy
The City Trees program is providing low-cost trees to Minneapolis property owners. Since the program began in 2006, the City has helped plant more than 20,000 trees. Minneapolis is one of the country’s greenest cities.
Trees are available year-round to:
- Businesses
- Nonprofits
- Organizations
- Apartment buildings with five or more units
Residents in Minneapolis Green Zones are encouraged to participate and to plant shade trees for the most benefits, including natural cooling during the hotter months.
The Climate Legacy Initiative is funding the City Trees program.
See what tree programs are offered on the City website.
Watch a video and hear from our City Trees team.
      
Agape Oasis 5th Annual Awareness Walk
Step up for a cause that matters! Walk with Agape Oasis to empower survivors of domestic violence, bullying, and breast cancer. Together, our community can make a lasting impact. For more information about the awareness walk, visit this website.
Event Details:
- Date/Time: Saturday, October 5th from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Location: Mill Ruins Park Area, 102 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401
"Change Starts With Community" Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Join me for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of "Change Starts With Community" Shiloh Cares Food Shelf and Community Safety Youth and Family Resource Coordination Center. This is not just an opening; it is a celebration of the Northside Minneapolis community resilience, collaboration, and the collective effort to create a food secure, safer and more accessible supportive environment for our Northside community. During the ceremony, individuals, foundations, government, and organizations that played key roles in supporting this important project will be recognized and celebrated.
Event Details:
- Date/Time: Sunday, October 6th at 10:00 AM
- Location: Shiloh Temple, 1201 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Jordan Area Community Council Annual Meeting
Event Details:
- Date/Time: Thursday, October 24th, 2024 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
- Location: 2147 Lowry Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Hidden Scars: Healing the Unseen Pain of Abuse
A community forum in honor of domestic violence awareness month and a celebration of Phyllis Wheatley Community Center's 100th anniversary.
Event Details:
- Date/Time: Thursday, October 17th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Location: 1301 10th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Minneapolis Debt Fairness Clinic
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is collaborating with community partners to offer expertise and assistance at the Minneapolis Debt Fairness Clinic hosted by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. This event is free and open to the public!
Share this with your neighbors who might benefit from:
- Know Your Rights presentations about the debt fairness act;
- One-on-one consultations with attorneys;
- Expungement assistance at no cost.
Event Details:
- Date/Time: Saturday, October 5th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Location: NorthPoint Conference Center, 1256 Penn Avenue North, Suite 5200, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Minnesota Home Energy Rebate Program Forum
The Minnesota Home Energy Rebate (HEAR) Program is hosting a public forum to talk about HOMES Rebates and HEAR programs on October 7. Details about this forum are coming soon.
In the meantime, check out the video and access the presentation slides from the June informational meeting. For questions and comments about the programs, submit them to the Department of Commerce here.
Event Details:
- Date/Time: Monday, October 7th, specific time is to be announced
- Location: To Be Announced
|
