| November 5, 2024
Greetings Ward 11,
Happy Election Day! By voting, we each play an essential role in shaping decisions that directly impact our families, friends, neighborhoods, and future. When we all take part, we create a future that better reflects the values and needs of our entire community. If you haven’t yet, please make a plan to vote today! Check out these links if you need help finding your polling place or viewing your sample ballot.
In last week’s City Council meeting, I co-authored a motion requesting the City Auditor’s office to undertake an independent After Action Review of the City’s involvement in, and response to, all incidents between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak. Our City’s public safety system failed Davis Moturi. We bear the burden of that failure. Apologizing is a first step, but without taking accountability and taking responsibility what happened, understanding how and why it happened, and making changes to prevent it from happening again, that apology is empty. I am committed to do the hard work to rebuild trust in our City’s public safety system on behalf of Mr. Moturi’s family, the community, and the public. Our City deserves a public safety system that provides help and intervention and protects from harm.
As the State is initiating its cannabis dispensary licensing program, the City has been working hard to develop zoning codes for this new type of business. I co-authored an amendment to the Cannabis Zoning Ordinance that came before the Council on Thursday. This effort responds to conversations with existing Ward 11 Low Potency Hemp Retailers (LPHRs) and aims to protect these local businesses from out-of-state companies. I am proud of our zoning ordinance which will prioritize safety, equity, and accessibility. I am committed to keeping Minneapolis and Ward 11 an attractive place for small businesses!
Finally, I am excited that the Lake Street Safety Center is OPEN! The Lake Street Safety Center has been a vision long in the making, and I’m incredibly honored to have fought hard, alongside my colleagues Council Member Chavez and Council Member Chowdhury, to make this dream a reality. It took dedication, hard work, and a shared commitment to our community’s safety. Click here to learn more about this essential community resource.
In Gratitude,
Welcome! Drop in here to keep up to date on the City's budget adoption process this fall.
Take your marks: As we move into the November budget markup process, we are off to the races!
Ready, set, go! Council Members are in the process of considering amendments to the Mayor's Recommended 2024 budget. Each draft amendment must also include a budget proposal. Council Members may consult with the Budget Chair, Budget Director, and City Attorney's Office, as well as departments impacted by the proposal.
Hurdles: Council Members must consider the proposed source of funding, staffing consequences, racial equity impacts and anticipated outcomes of their amendments.
Rounding the bend: The budget amendment schedule, listed below, allows for adequate time for Budget Leadership to review, suggest edits, and finalize all amendments and budget proposals, and prepare the final markup packet, before the Thanksgiving Break.
-
Nov. 20 @ 5 PM – Due Date for Amendments and Budget Proposals: Council author(s) must turn in all amendments and budget proposals to the Budget Chair.
-
Nov. 22 @ 5 PM – Revisions/Edits Returned: Budget Chair and Budget Director must return the amendments and budget proposals in need of revisions/edits to Council author(s) with suggested revisions/edits.
-
Nov. 25 @ 5 PM – Due Date for Revisions/Edits: Council author(s) must turn in the final draft of amendments and budget proposals with revisions/edits to the Budget Chair.
-
Nov 27 – Public Release of Amendment Packet: The Amendment Packet will be emailed to all Councilmembers and Aides and released to the public via LIMS.
Finish line: On December 10th, the day the budget is scheduled to be adopted, the finalized Amendment Packet will be voted on by City Council.
Join the Pep Rally: 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). Find out more about participating in a meeting here.
- Budget Committee Public Hearing: Nov. 12 @ 10am
-
City Council Meeting Public Hearing: Dec. 10 @6:05pm
 |
Visit the Lake Street Safety Center in the 3rd Precinct for a variety of social services meant to bolster community safety beyond traditional policing.
The Center aims to provide a comprehensive set of community resources, including in-person 311 staff, case workers, representatives from the City Attorney's office, space for MPD Officers to hold office hours, and space for other safety personnel including Crime Prevention Specialists, Community Resource Navigators, Behavioral Crisis Response team members, and other community navigators.
The Center is a temporary solution to provide needed resources until the new 3rd Precinct is up and running. The Center is strategically located along a part of Lake Street that has struggled with homelessness, drug use and crime in recent years.
The Lake Street Safety Center is located at 2228 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 and is open 5 days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9am-5pm; and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-7pm.
Come to a public meeting Nov. 13 or 14. Hear from Effective Law Enforcement For All as the independent evaluator of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement with the City of Minneapolis. You’ll get updates from Effective Law Enforcement For All about the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Police Department’s path to meet the requirements of the settlement agreement.
Effective Law Enforcement For All will present an overview of its role in the settlement agreement, describe its requirements and how compliance is checked, and provide implementation updates related to MPD policies and training.
Each session will follow the same agenda and format.
South Minneapolis public information session 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St., Suite 120
North Minneapolis public information session 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 North Community High School, 1500 James Ave.
Learn more about the Nov. 13 and 14 information sessions on this flyer.
You can also learn more about the evaluator and its work on this three-page flyer.
The vision for George Floyd Square is rooted in community engagement. Since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the City of Minneapolis has engaged with community members to create a vision for the space. The vision is intended to honor the space as an active memorial, center community needs, and take steps in repairing harms from the impacts of racism and the murder of George Floyd. Work guided by the community includes street redevelopment, memorials and the Peoples’ Way site.
The final vision document includes:
- The racial and cultural values, priorities and actions as the foundation for the future of George Floyd Square.
- The criteria for the use of the Peoples’ Way site.
- Locations for memorials and how the City can support memorial processes.
- A recommended design concept for streets and sidewalks.
Next steps
After having shared the vision with community Oct. 29, staff will share the final vision and preferred street design with the City Council’s Committee of the Whole Nov. 12.
Construction could start in 2025 after the five-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.
Read more about the vision for the streets, memorials and Peoples’ Way on the City website.
Come get a progress update Nov. 18 on the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and Lake Street Safety Center. It’ll include services and resources in the centers and how your feedback is being used to shape their plans.
In spring 2024, Minneapolis residents, stakeholders and business owners attended community engagement sessions to say which social services, resources and other uses they’d like to see in the future community safety centers.
Community safety centers update 5-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St.
City staff will be available for Q&A after the presentation. Community members can also learn more about other safety programs in the city. Learn more on the event flyer.
This session is hosted in partnership with wards 8 and 9. Any Minneapolis community member is welcome to attend.
More community engagement update sessions will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Find more information on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis is preparing its first mobile medical unit to help bring health care to people in underserved communities. The state-of-the-art vehicle should be fully operational and in the community by early 2025.
The Minneapolis Health Department is hiring and training staff to operate the vehicle and outfitting the vehicle with medical supplies. It can be used by anyone in the community but will deploy where access to care is challenging and needed most.
The unit will offer dignified care in a private, closed space. The Health Department’s Opioid Response Team will operate the unit, offering essential services such as:
- Basic health screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
- Medication consultation.
- Wound care.
- Vaccinations.
- Mental health counseling and referrals.
- Youth health services including physical exams, dental care and wellness checks.
- Medications for opioid use disorder.
Read more about the mobile medical unit on the City website.
Avoid the hassle and expense of getting towed during a snow emergency this winter. Don't let unpredictable weather catch you off guard. Sign up for Minneapolis alerts to stay ahead of the snow and know about parking rules.
Sign up for alerts today
Text "MPLSAlerts" to 77295 or create a full Smart911 profile online to stay informed this winter.
Watch the video about signing up for alerts.
Please take a survey on the New Nicollet redevelopment. The City of Minneapolis will partner with developers and the community to transform the former Kmart site on south Nicollet Avenue into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood with housing and retail. What types of housing would you like to see in the area? What kinds of shops, restaurants, grocery options? Help shape the future of the New Nicollet with the survey.
Please take the survey in English, Spanish or Somali and share it with your networks. The survey closes at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15.
Visit the City website for updated project information, project events and ways to get involved.
Please reach out by email with any questions.
The Minneapolis Health Department is committed to eliminating childhood lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is 100% preventable and is detected with a blood test. Contact your health care provider and test your child for lead poisoning if they:
- Are under 6 years old.
- Live in a home built before 1978.
- Live in a home with recent repairs to painted wood trim, walls or floors.
Or if you are concerned for your child’s health.
Read more on the City website about managing lead paint and how the City can help.
The City’s Green Cost Share program continues to help Minneapolis residents reduce their home energy use. From better insulation to new heating and cooling systems, the City helped residents with more than 200 projects so far this year to improve Minneapolis homes.
Need funding for your next home energy-saving project? We are offering rebates up to $14,000 for homes in a Green Zone and $5,000 for homes outside a Green Zone.
Learn more about the program and apply now.
Hear from homeowners who received funding from the program
Under an earlier phase of the program, the City offered 0% interest loans for energy-efficient improvements to Minneapolis residents. Watch a video on how residents Vivian Johnson and Mike Rivard used their 0% interest loan.
City customers’ garbage day the week of Nov. 25-30 will be their last 2024 pickup of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings.
Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curb line next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their pickup day. Set yard waste out in a reusable container, in compostable bags (paper or BPI-certified compostable plastic bags – look for the BPI logo) or bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).
Other requirements
- Reusable containers must be 32-38 gallons in size and at least 26 inches high with sturdy handles. Reusable containers are lifted and emptied by hand; they must be easily managed. Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers.
- Any container, bag or bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds.
- Branches must be less than 3 inches in diameter and less than 3 feet long.
Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” do not meet the State law and are not accepted.
Raking leaves into the street is against the law and bad for our lakes, creeks and river.
City customers are encouraged to set out properly prepared yard waste as soon as possible. There will be no additional 2024 yard waste service after the last scheduled pickup.
For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can check the City website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 Monday-Friday.
When you’re done with your carved pumpkins and other gourds, you can put them in your green organics recycling cart. They don’t need to be bagged. Remember to remove any candles or lights first.
If you haven’t signed up for organics recycling, you can put carved pumpkins and other gourds with your other yard waste.
Added synthetic materials such as paint, permanent markers, glitter or jewels make pumpkins non-compostable, and then they have to go in the black garbage cart.
Wrappers from Halloween candy go in the garbage. They are not recyclable or compostable.
Find more information about organics recycling on the City website.
|
