 CM Jenkins and CM Chowdhury with leaders from the Domestic Abuse Project and the Tubman organization receiving the Resolution honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Dear Neighbors,
Welcome to fall! The leaves are turning colors, the sweaters and hoodies are coming out of storage, and everything is coming up pumpkin spice. (Full disclosure, I have never had a pumpkin spice anything). It has been a busy time in the council chambers. We are full steam ahead in the budgeting process, we’ve held one public hearing thus far, with two more upcoming.
As many of you know the council approved a $1.5 million set aside for Agate Housing. A private donor has been identified so the rehabilitation will, hopefully, begin soon. This action, however, created some confusion that will need to be addressed, namely preserving funding for the North Commons Park project in north Minneapolis. I am committed to working with staff and my colleagues to ensure that project continues to move forward with the necessary and already committed resources.
The Council also voted to grant a conditional use permit to Lakeshore Care, Inc., to provide recuperative healthcare services to folks exiting hospital care, for surgery, broken limbs and other illnesses. There are several conditions on this business, including:
- 8:1 staff to patient ratio
- Must screen outdoor smoking area and parking lot
- Install skylights to provide natural lighting for the temporary residents
- Must have a community liaison to regularly interact with surrounding businesses and non-profits
The bottom line here is that the applicant has a right to open the business as long as it fits into existing zoning code boundaries and meets the standards outlined by the State of Minnesota as the licensing authority.
The Council also voted to grant municipal consent for the Blue Line extension in north Minneapolis. This extension will run along Broadway Avenue and has the potential to bring much need economic development to the area. However, it is critical that Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Council, the State of Minnesota, and the City of Minneapolis develop a meaningful and robust anti-displacement plan that includes resources, supports and access to businesses during construction.
During our recent council meeting I authored a resolution, honoring survivors and victims of Domestic Violence. We must continue to bring awareness to and create policies that address this pernicious and destructive behavior that impacts families, communities and subsequently our society. Tragically, 40 victims were murdered last year by perpetrators with guns. I am working with “Mothers Demand Action” to introduce and pass legislation to enact safe gun laws. We need a “Safe Gun Storage” policy to ensure that young people are not able to access guns in their homes. This policy exists in St. Paul, and we need to implement it here in Minneapolis.
If you are a victim of Domestic Violence or know someone who is, there is help available.
Lastly, I want to congratulate Sabathani Community Center on some great news they recently received. Scott Redd, Executive Director, shared the following:
“Sabathani Community Center has been selected for $6 million in new funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Change grant, allowing us to fully complete our geothermal heating and cooling project!
This achievement brings us to a pivotal moment. More than four years ago, we asked, ‘can we do this?’ And now, thanks to your support and the power of community, we can proudly say, ‘yes, we did!’ This spring, we will break ground on our geothermal project and begin the 18-month process of saying goodbye to our 58-year-old boilers, ‘Thelma & Louise.’ We welcome a new geothermal heat pump system that will reduce pollution by over 1,000 metric tons annually, improve indoor and outdoor air quality, reduce our energy burden, and provide workforce opportunities in geothermal and renewable energy. It’s a significant step toward transforming Sabathani into a model of sustainable energy for the Heart of South Minneapolis.
In addition to the EPA grant, this milestone wouldn’t have been possible without $6 million in Renewable Development Account appropriations from the Minnesota Legislature. We are immensely grateful for the dedication of our partners, supporters, Sabathani Board of Directors and the project team, whose commitment made this dream a reality.”
Congratulations to Sabathani on this critical milestone!
Love,
Andrea
 CM Jenkins, CM Koski, CM Vetaw and Mayor Frey with community members receiving the Resolution honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Minneapolis City Council has approved municipal consent for the Blue Line Light Rail Extension. The City’s consent involves the station locations and alignment of the project. The proposed route starts at the Target Field station and extends through north Minneapolis up to Brooklyn Park. The council resolution highlights economic and transit benefits. It also advocates for anti-displacement work supporting residents and businesses.
The Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County lead the project. Municipal consent means that all cities along the proposed route must approve certain physical components. The project will go ahead with final design and an environmental work plan.
Read more about the Blue Line extension resolution on the City website.
The City is hosting its first Latino Business Week Oct. 6-13. The whole community is invited to join in events around Minneapolis including workshops, resource fairs and opportunities to connect with Latino-owned businesses.
The 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.
Latino Business Week kickoff event This fun afternoon will feature musical performances, a discussion panel and shopping with Latino vendors. 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 Mercado Central
Latino Business Week coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
See the complete schedule and register for events on the City website.
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 Minneapolis City offices – including election services, 311 and the Minneapolis Service Center – are closed Monday, Oct. 14, for the Indigenous Peoples Day holiday.
Find more information on early in-person voting options on the City of Minneapolis website.
If you’ve never voted before and need to register, now is the perfect time. If it’s been more than four years since you last voted, or you’ve moved or changed your name since you last registered, you’ll also need to re-register.
Register ahead of time
You can register to vote online. You can use this same registration link to update your current name or address on your registration.
Voters who prefer to vote by mail can now sign up using the voter registration application to have a mail ballot sent to their residence for all future elections. On either the paper or online application, select “I request to have an absentee ballot mailed to the address where I live (residence) before each election in which I am eligible to vote.”
Unsure if you are registered at your current address? You can use the online lookup tool to check your registration.
Register when you vote
You can also register to vote in person when you vote early or vote on Election Day.
You will need to show proof of residence. Certain types of ID can be your proof of residence, but there are other options that don't require an ID. Be sure to read all your options and come prepared.
The Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services Division is responsible for administering elections in the City of Minneapolis. For information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, visit the City website.
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. Note that the center is closed Monday, Oct. 14, for the Indigenous Peoples Day holiday. 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 now looking for a community partner to redevelop the Peoples’ Way site at 3744 Chicago Ave. In June 2023, the City of Minneapolis purchased the property to preserve it as a community space.
Local organizations and teams can apply to buy the property. The City will review the applicants based on values centered on the community. Once the City Council and mayor approve a group, the City will help create a development and operation plan with the new owner.
Years of feedback from residents has shaped the guidelines for the project, especially in community values, eligible applicants and property uses. Since 2021, the City has engaged with neighbors about the future of Chicago Avenue and 38th Street. In 2024, these conversations expanded to include the vision for George “Perry” Floyd Square, the Peoples’ Way, and the memorials offerings at the site.
For more information about the Peoples' Way project, visit 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. Watch the video invitation.
 KingDemetrius Pendleton with CM Jenkins
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.
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.
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.
Learn the basics of emergency preparedness at Ready Camp Oct. 22 and 23. The free two-day training provides knowledge and skills to build an emergency kit, develop a communication plan, prepare for severe weather emergencies and recover from an emergency or disaster. The City of Minneapolis Emergency Management Department hosts Ready Camp.
All ages are welcome. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Ready Camp 4:45-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23 Minneapolis Emergency Operations Training Facility, 25 37th Ave. NE
Register now on Eventbrite. Class capacity is 50 people.
Questions about Ready Camp? Reach out to LaVina Branscomb, Emergency Management communication and outreach coordinator.
 In honor of the Minnesota Lynx playing in the WNBA Western Conference playoffs, the City painted First Avenue downtown and temporarily changed street signs. Public Works crews painted the words “Go Lynx!” on First Avenue North between Fifth and Sixth streets North. The 19-foot-tall letters are painted in Lynx blue and green.
City crews also installed Lynx-themed street signs at First Avenue and Sixth Street and at First Avenue and Seventh Street.
The signs and street painting will remain throughout the series.
Read more on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis will host an online meeting Oct. 22 about rail safety during construction of the METRO Green Line extension. The project is also known as the Southwest light rail. The extension will add 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line, which connects downtown Minneapolis with downtown Saint Paul.
Residents will get information and have the opportunity to ask questions. Participants include the Southwest LRT Project Office, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company and the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Rail safety meeting 6-7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22
Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams. Meeting ID: 261 660 102 554 Passcode: wnXDzJ
Or call in: 612-276-6670,,544056463# Phone conference ID: 544 056 463#
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.
Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city Tuesday, Oct. 22. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. 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, Oct. 21, 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:
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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.
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Email and text alerts – You can sign up to get an alert automatically emailed or texted to you at the start of street sweeping.
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Social media – The City will use Facebook and X to post periodic street sweeping updates and information.
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Videos – Street sweeping is explained in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong on the City’s YouTube channel and on Minneapolis City TV.
Clean streets mean healthier water
Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb with enforcement of parking rules once in the spring and again in the fall. You can do your part by not pushing leaves, grass clippings or other debris into City streets. It’s bad for our lakes and waterways, it can cause safety hazards and it’s against the law.
Leaves that wash into storm drains end up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River. They may quickly begin to break down, creating pollutants that overfertilize lake water and help harmful aquatic plants and algae grow. The murky lake water that results is not good for swimming or fishing. It can also harm wildlife and pets.
Learn more about street sweeping.
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 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.
The tests and shipping are free. Order your free tests today.
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.
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.
Hosted by the City of Minneapolis, the 2024 Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit takes place Oct. 30. The summit is free and open to the public.
Trans Equity Summit: “A Safe and Thriving Trans Community” 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall, 200 Oak St. SE
The Trans Equity Summit is an event for trans and gender non-conforming community members to connect to resources and each other, and for all attendees to learn more about issues impacting their communities.
For general questions about the Trans Equity Summit, please email City staff.
Watch for updates.
Months of community engagement about the City’s proposal to redevelop the property at 3000 Minnehaha Ave., the site of the former 3rd Police Precinct, shows support for a new democracy center and community space.
A demographically representative poll found 63% of respondents support the democracy center proposal. The survey found even stronger support from people living within the 3rd Precinct, where there was a 70% approval rate.
The proposal
The City is proposing to relocate Elections & Voter Services into the building at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. The building would become the new home to the City’s Early Vote Center, where it would be more centrally located and connected to transportation than it is now, and serve an area with historically lower voter turnout. Elections & Voter Services would also coordinate mail balloting, hospital voting, voter outreach and engagement, and pop-up voting events at the democracy center. More than 8,000 square feet would be dedicated to community use.
Next steps
Open house materials will be posted on the project website. Community members can send comments by email through Oct. 11. After the open house, the report will be presented to the City Council at its Oct. 15 Committee of the Whole meeting. The City’s proposed timeline would have the site open as early as 2026.
Read more about the proposal and the survey on the City website.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Fall Listening Session is scheduled to be held at the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) General Office Building at 6040 28th Avenue South. Participants can also join remotely using Microsoft Teams or by calling (612) 405-6798 and pressing 371 924 890#.
The fall listening sessions are an opportunity to discuss and shape the Draft NOC Work Plan for the coming year. Community suggestions for 2024 Work Plan items will be solicited at this meeting.
More information will be made available on the Listening Session page. Join us for this two-way dialogue about MSP airport topics.
 Right now, City staff are looking at services that organizations may provide in the community safety center spaces.
Lake Street Safety Center
The lease for the Lake Street Safety Center building, 2228 E. Lake St., has been signed. Construction, design and build-out will begin soon. The City has hired Minneapolis 311 customer service agents who will work out of the Lake Street Safety Center supporting non-emergency requests. The Lake Street Safety Center is projected to open in November.
South Minneapolis Community Safety Center
From feedback gathered during community engagement March-May, community members would like to see services and resources in the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center. These include culturally specific navigators, and services around domestic violence, mental health, victims of human trafficking, and youths. City staff will gather proposals from organizations that provide those services.
The South Minneapolis Community Safety Center is projected to open in fall 2025.
More information
Bond rating agencies S&P Global and Fitch Ratings have assigned the highest credit rating possible to the City of Minneapolis for the second year in a row. The AAA rating to the $123.59 general obligation bonds indicates strong economic growth and revenue recovery for the City.
The AAA rating affirms the City’s creditworthiness and provides confidence to the bond holders. This also allows the City to borrow funds to finance critical capital projects at a lower interest rate and save taxpayer dollars.
“The AAA rating reflects Minneapolis’ highly productive economy and a management team that consistently has built reserves to a high level…responding to forward planning,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Jessica Olejak.
The report also speaks to the City’s stable outlook. Fitch Ratings says the AAA score incorporates strong demographics driven by high levels of educational attainment and a history of relatively low unemployment rates. It also credits the City’s amenities and cultural attractions. Fitch calls Minneapolis the second-largest economic center in the Midwest next to Chicago.
Read more about the AAA credit rating 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.
Please take the survey and share it with your networks. Find English, Spanish and Somali versions of the survey on the City’s website. The survey closes at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8.
Visit the project webpage to find updated project information, project events and ways to get involved.
Please email staff with any questions.
 Bichota Coffee is opening in George Floyd Square! You are invited to the grand opening on Sunday, October 13th from 8:00 a.m.-12:00p.m. Full shop hours will commence on October 14th. Bichota is located at:
3740 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
They state, "Bichota Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster and our shop is the best place to experience our creative practice. Feel the rhythms of our neighborhood as it interacts with the cultural beat of where our coffee and tea is sourced."
Welcome to the neighborhood, Bichota!
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