Ward 9 Update - November 1, 2024

Council Member Jason Chavez

Ward 9 Updates from Council Member Jason Chavez

November 1, 2024

A message from Council Member Chavez

Dear neighbor,

It has been yet another busy two weeks since my last newsletter. The Council has taken a number of meaningful actions to address some of the myriad issues facing our neighbors in Ward 9 and across the city as a whole. I was proud to lead on a number of those actions while working in partnership with my Council colleagues on many of the other initiatives we took. Before I provide that information on the Council’s work, though, I wanted to share an update on an incident that impacted our ward in a big way which led to many of you connecting with my office.

On October 20, 2024, at 3:31 a.m., MPD officers received calls about a large party at 3318 East Lake Street with callers reporting that they heard loud arguments followed by gunshots. There was an after-hours party there, and MPD was dispatched. Since then, my office has been in close communication with city staff, including the Minneapolis Police Department. As of October 30, the tenants have been evicted.

My office heard some harrowing stories from residents that live near the building and shared those stories with MPD and City staff. We worked with MPD to place a mobile camera outside the address and officers periodically stopped by throughout last weekend to keep an eye on it. I want to thank you all for your patience.

We learned from the City’s Business Licensing team that there was no business license (including for liquor) in that building. In response to earlier complaints, Business Licensing staff issued a violation in August for extended hours, placarded the premises twice since the notice of violation, and worked with the property owner.

It is unacceptable that families, children, and residents had to live through this experience, and I remain committed to addressing the underlying issues that lead to tragedies like this occurring. If and when similar incidents happen in the future, I will continue to work closely with relevant department staff to address them as quickly as possible.

I’ve also heard from several neighbors on the need for more support in the Longfellow area. That’s why my office established a Lake and Minnehaha Area Safety Coalition last month and meets monthly now. I am working on funding a safety program here to improve conditions for our neighbors in the upcoming budget process. 

Sincerely,

Jason Chavez


City Council Requests an After Action Review of the City’s Actions in Cases Involving Davis Maturi and John Sawchak

Starting in February, 2024, South Minneapolis resident Davis Moturi began reaching out to the City of Minneapolis reporting concerning actions by his next door neighbor, John Sawchak. Last week, my colleagues and I sent a letter to the Mayor and Chief because of the inaction. 

Mr. Moturi first reached out to the Minneapolis Police Department in February where he was concerned for himself and his neighbors' safety. He asked for help and did not receive the needed support he and his family deserved. Unfortunately, he was shot by his neighbor because of the inaction.

On October 28, MPD finally arrested Mr. Sawchak. It’s clear that MPD has to address the racial bias here. At yesterday’s City Council meeting, the Minneapolis City Council requested the City Auditor to undertake an independent After Action Review of the City’s involvement in and response to all incidents and resulting cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak in the year 2024.

This was an item I authored with my colleagues. Unfortunately, Chief O’Hara victim blamed him for being shot and his name was tarnished. This is unacceptable. The public deserves to know more answers.

Introduction of Safe Outdoor Spaces and Safe Parking ordinances

On December 15, 2023, the City Council declared unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency and committed to exploring all policies, actions, partnerships, and investments to urgently and meaningfully address this emergency alongside the mayor of Minneapolis and City staff. Earlier this year, I gave notice of intent with Council Vice-President Chughtai and Council Member Chowdhury to introduce an ordinance to develop regulations establishing authorized and regulated “safe outdoor spaces” or individualized outdoor sheltering options for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Yesterday, after further consultation with City Staff we gave three different notices of intent to introduce and develop a Safe Outdoor Space Ordinance Policy which will now include a Safe Parking Ordinance and will be packaged with a housing and building ordinance, health and sanitation ordinance, and a zoning ordinance.

People living in their vehicles in Minneapolis are highly mobile, making them very hard to count and connect to services. Providing safe parking spaces to people living in vehicles can be an effective early intervention model (a parking lot), helping to prevent some people from sliding further into homelessness. City Safe Parking can be accompanied by some sort of amnesty for those with parking or vehicle violations. Ordinances allowing for safe outdoor spaces in other cities sometimes encompass safe parking, such is the case for Duluth’s Interim Outdoor Living Site, among programs in other cities.  


City Council passes Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) closure resolution

Around the country, incinerators have been identified as examples of environmental racism, with community concerns of HERC’s contributions of increased rates of asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, and early death due to air pollution. I was proud to author a resolution with my colleagues asking for the closure of this center. We we passed this measure yesterday which aims to position the City of Minneapolis in support of more robust funding and programming towards its zero waste goals and the long-standing, community-driven ask to shut down the HERC.

HERC burns approximately a thousand tons of trash every day and uses it to produce steam that provides heat to the downtown Minneapolis district energy system and Target Field, and generates an estimated 200,000 megawatt hours of electricity every year that is sold to Xcel Energy. More than 230,000 people live within three miles of the HERC, disproportionately low-income and Black, Indigenous, and people of color compared to the rest of Minnesota. On average, more than 200 trucks every weekday drive to and from the HERC to deliver waste to the facility, and nearly another 100 over each weekend bringing additional pollution to the area in the form of diesel exhaust and tire emissions.

Minneapolis declared racism to be a public health emergency in 2020 and declared a climate emergency in 2021, acknowledging the need for action on a massive scale to deal with and reverse the climate crisis. The resolution we passed yesterday states that the Council  supports a full and permanent closure of the HERC incinerator no later than December 31st, 2027 and the closure of the entire facility by December, 31st, 2033. We will facilitate such a closure through implementing solid waste diversion and reduction measures as quickly as possible; monitoring changes in waste disposal costs and minimizing impacts on low-income residents and renters; and planning for potential liability given solid waste management regulations established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Hennepin County. 


Violence Prevention and Intervention Analysis

The City recently accepted a $2.5M grant for the Minneapolis Community Violence Interrupter Program housed within the Neighborhood Safety Department that I authored. Violence interrupters are trusted community members who work to prevent gun violence and firearm-related deaths in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of such incidents. Having them is a key proactive and preventative public safety measure. They also offer support and resources to people at risk, particularly young people. By stepping in early, violence interrupters aim to create a safer and more peaceful environment, helping residents feel secure and thrive.

At yesterday’s City Council meeting, we approved a Legislative Directive authored by Council Member Cashman and Council Member Wonsley that will  provide an overview of how the Neighborhood Safety Department (NSD) uses crime and safety data to determine when and where to assign violence interrupters from the MinneapolUS, Group Violence Intervention,  Youth Group Violence Intervention, and how technical assistance providers have advised on how to improve and strengthen deployment based on data. 

Additionally, it will provide an overview of the evaluation criteria for the Violence Prevention Services (previously called Violence Prevention Fund) and Community Trauma Response Funding and applications, including geographic distribution, amount of funding, and intended program outcomes.

It will provide the frequency in which NSD staff repeat data analyses in order to account for shifts in violence patterns, ensuring the assignments are responsive to changes in the environment and. an overview of how NSD staff coordinate with other entities that also have an unarmed public safety presence, including but not limited to Hennepin County, Metro Transit, the Downtown Improvement District, or locations that employ private security personnel. 

Lastly, it will provide the City Council with the metrics by which NSD staff evaluate the success and effectiveness of violence interrupters and how and when NSD staff report on outcomes of violence interrupter programming to the City Council.


City Council Passes Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance

The action aims to preserve and grow the city’s affordable housing stock by providing opportunities for local community ownership and to prevent displacement of renters, especially renters of color, due to conversion of rental properties. The development of this ordinance has spanned several years of peer city learning, expert consultation, significant interdepartmental staff policy development work, and intentional stakeholder engagement. This was brought forward by Council Member Ellison and Council Vice-President Chughtai and passed 9-4.

This ordinance will create a right of first refusal and/or opportunity to purchase for qualified organizations to the sale of rental housing. The policy gives qualified organizations (QOs) the rights of first offer and first refusal when certain rental housing buildings are made available for sale. If a QO were to acquire a rental housing building through the established process, affordability requirements and renter protections would apply.

Now, significant implementation work will be undertaken before the ordinance is applicable to rental property sales. Implementation of the ordinance will require two additional full-time employees (FTEs). One FTE will be needed in the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) to develop and maintain the program manual, recruit and determine eligibility of potential qualified organizations, and monitor sales of rental properties for applicability and potential exemptions. The other FTE will be needed in the Department of Regulatory Services for enforcement duties including responding to complaints and investigating sales for compliance. Both FTEs will be involved in education and ongoing engagement with stakeholders.

The ordinance will begin applying to rental property sales six months after the development and publication of a program manual. This time is needed for the City to recruit, determine eligibility, and establish a list of qualified organizations (QOs) based on adopted criteria.

This ordinance aims to prevent the displacement of renters. I’m proud the city council took action on a measure that will also help prevent homelessness in our city.


City Council Restructures the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing to add Unhoused Residents to the Committee

I was proud to author a resolution with Council Member Ellison and Council Vice-President Chughtai to restructure the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing which passed 13-0. The City Council established the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing in 2018. The Committee serves to advise the Mayor and City Council on matters related to housing policy and development. This will add two residents to the Committee  who have been formerly unhoused or are currently unhoused – one representing the single community and one representing the family community. It will also remove one representative of the Lived Expertise Advisory Group (LEAG) of the Hennepin County Continuum of Care or another Continuum of Care organization, a seat which has been vacant.

As we work to address unsheltered homelessness with housing and policy development, it is important that we work on solutions for those who are disproportionately impacted by homelessness. Working on solutions with residents who are unhoused or were formerly unhoused will add additional voices and lenses to help improve conditions for residents.


City Council Passes Proactive Rental Inspections Analysis

I was proud to author a Legislative Directive as an effort to improve our rental inspections in Minneapolis and work in collaboration with city staff. According to a report from the City’s Policy and Research department on proactive enforcement of housing maintenance codes and the Fair Housing Act, code enforcement has historically been reactive, responding to complaints from individual tenants or neighborhood residents through systems like 311.

Encouraged by scholars and advocates, cities are shifting to more proactive code enforcement, which rely on systematic and planned inspections rather than only responding to complaints. Given the cost and difficulty of proactive inspection models, cities, including Minneapolis, try to balance the two approaches.

Minneapolis has regular inspections targeted at severe or repeat offenders while retaining a system to respond to renters’ complaints and offering legal aid to tenants. Minneapolis has a selective proactive inspection enforcement that requires landlords and housing providers to obtain rental licenses and then targets inspections to those with the worst compliance records. The rental licensing agreement signed by the housing provider specifies that the city can do an inspection at any time.

I have met with many renters in Ward 9 who would like to see this city service improve. We passed a Legislative Directive yesterday that will provide: 

  • an overview of the city’s current rental inspections services program
  • an analysis of potential policy and programmatic approaches to provide more proactive rental inspection services
  • an analysis of potential policy and programmatic approaches to provide more proactive rental inspection services, and 
  • an analysis of the feasibility, including resource requirements and budgetary considerations, involved in providing more proactive rental inspection services. 

This information, which needs to be presented to Council in April 2025, will help with the legislative process to develop a future ordinance and improve inspection services across the city.


Council Passes Cannabis Business Regulations Ordinance

In September of this year, an ordinance was introduced to enact standards to regulate adult-use recreational cannabis, medical cannabis, and lower-potency hemp edible businesses. The intent of the amendment is to implement regulations to help to ensure that legalization of cannabis at a local level is safe, equitable, and accessible. Council Member Osman and Council Member Chowdhury led the City Council in passing this. 

Medical cannabis has been legal in Minnesota since 2014. Adult-use recreational cannabis was legalized statewide in 2023, following legislation permitting edible THC products to be made with small amounts of hemp-derived THC, also known as lower-potency hemp edible products, in 2022. Through state legislation, cities and counties have been tasked with adopting cannabis related regulations for their communities for "time, place, and manner." Local government units, including the City of Minneapolis, are now creating regulations that will be in place when the state begins issuing licenses for cannabis and lower-potency hemp edibles businesses, estimated to be early 2025.

The regulations recommended by staff reflect the policy approach emphasizing safety, equity, and accessibility, with a goal of creating a framework that is permissive but safety conscious. 

The ordinance that amends the City’s zoning code and helps clarify where and how dispensaries and other licensed cannabis businesses can be located. Highlights of the ordinance include:

  • Allowing cannabis retailers in most commercial and production zoning districts;
  • Requiring a three-acre area of contiguous commercial or production zoning in order to locate a cannabis retailer;
  • Requiring a 300-foot buffer between cannabis retailers and schools;
  • Requiring commercial cultivation of cannabis in the Production and Processing zoning districts, similar to existing urban agriculture uses; and
  • Allowing limited production of cannabis products in most commercial districts

Minnesota state law requires the City to allow a minimum of 34 licenses for dispensaries, based on a requirement of one cannabis retailer for every 12,500 people. State licenses cover the entire market from seed to sale; including cultivation, manufacturing and processing, distribution, and sales.


City Council authorizes contract to administer the Lake Street Fund

In June of 2024, the Council passed a resolution that I authored which authorized the application for and acceptance of an $8 million grant from the State of Minnesota through the Department of Employment and Economic Development for the Lake Street Fund.  

As required by the enabling legislation, CPED posted publicly a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to identify and select a qualified foundation to administer the program. This NOFA was posted from August 12, 2024 through September 13, 2024. The City received one proposal from the John & Denise Graves Foundation.  

The Graves Foundation is a family foundation located within the Midtown Exchange building on East Lake Street. Their location is squarely in the target geography for this fund, which includes Lake Street between Nicollet Ave S. and 30th Ave S. The Foundation has demonstrated meaningful ties to neighboring businesses, as well as civil and community organizations. 

The Graves Foundation has proposed a comprehensive approach to executing on the range of activities eligible under the Lake Street Fund legislation. This includes contracts with key local community partners, including the Lake Street Council, Platform CRE, Great Northern Festival, and others to accomplish the ambitious scope of work outlined in the grant agreement. In addition to the partner contracts, the Graves Foundation has a dedicated project manager on staff to ensure appropriate coordination and monitoring.  

Activities funded through this contract will include direct business and corridor support such as:

  • Business advising and marketing support to businesses 
  • Real estate consulting services to business and property owners 
  • Marketing campaign celebrating the corridor 
  • Activation of vacant spaces 
  • Public-facing murals 
  • Community events 
  • Corridor safety programming and graffiti removal

Street Vendor Update

In 2023, the State Legislature passed the Drivers Licenses for All bill, which allowed undocumented Minnesotans to apply for driver’s licenses. This was an important action taken to ensure our residents could drive without fear of deportation. Making sure people can drive to the hospital, pick up their children from school, pick up groceries, and get from point A to Point B without fear of deportation. This was important to many residents in Minneapolis, specifically for our neighbors who live in Ward 9.

I write this update with this story in mind. Street vendors, many of whom are our immigrant neighbors,  are getting threatened with being jailed and having their belongings confiscated for trying to make a living. The current permits the City offers do not meet the needs of the current street vendors in Minneapolis. Some of these vendors are being told there are no licenses to sell on the street or that they can simply get a food truck. This is not accessible, and it is not inclusive. 

I’ve been meeting with around 20 of these entrepreneurs on a bi-weekly basis to understand their experience and move policy to ensure we have the adequate permits in place and address public health concerns. One person showed me $1,200 in fines and citations, and many others told me they have been fined and cited. My office was originally told that there would be no fines and that there would only be educational enforcement. Unfortunately, there have been 38 violations and citations as of now (potentially more).

These entrepreneurs have told me that they cannot afford these fines, that they are scared by the police and city officials and are doing this work so they can pay for food, rent, and help provide for their family.  This is a human rights issue and an immigrant rights issue. 

That is why Council Member Chowdhury and I are working on an ordinance to create new licenses. We are working closely with staff and hope we can ultimately find a shared path to uplift our entrepreneurs and address any public health concerns. We want this ordinance passed before the Spring of 2025. 

For more information, check out Minneapolis street food vendors say they’re trying to earn a living; city says they’re violating city code in Sahan Journal. 


Concerning Allegations and Practices within the Neighborhood Safety Department

Going back to last summer, the Neighborhood Safety Department (NSD) has faced scrutiny from across the board due to limited oversight and unpaid contracts, among other issues. It got to the point that violence-prevention groups were reaching out to me and my colleagues to ask why NSD wasn’t paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars that were due for services provided. Some of those groups were even forced to stop programming intended to keep our communities safe after NSD failed to make the payments.

Mismanaging contracts is just one issue on a growing list of concerning practices by the department , which have included serious allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. Understanding that history it was not surprising, though still shocking, to hear about a new allegation that a contract of nearly $1 million was awarded to an organization run by the sister of one of NSD’s staff members.

Only three weeks ago, NSD’s director came before council to request approval of the $990,000 contract to be awarded to the organization run by an NSD staff member’s sister. When the director could not satisfactorily answer Council Members’ questions about the organizations credentials or ability to provide services, a decision on approval was postponed. I’m thankful for the work of oversight being done by Council Member Wonsley. 

Speaking more broadly, Council Member Wonsley, in her role as chair of the Administration & Enterprise Oversight Committee, and I have led on this accountability and oversight work. I will use my capacity as Chair of the Public Health and Safety to work with her and others to get the answers that the City’s residents and Council Members need and deserve.


Community Policing Development Microgrants program to focus on recruitment and retention of women in law enforcement

The Public Health and Safety Committee, which I chair, authorized an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to accept a $175,000 grant to go to MPD. This was authored by my office, Council Member Cashman, and Council Member Koski. They will use that funding to focus on the recruitment and retention of women officers in support of the 30×30 Initiative, which is a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. 

Activities of this proposal include creating a targeted digital marketing campaign, creating and hosting two Women's Leadership Academy events, and establishing an internal and external women's mentorship program that will assist prospective candidates through the application process to the hiring process and then through their career as a law enforcement officer. In addition to increasing the number of women officers, this proposal will build on and create significant relationships in the community which help build trust and a better understanding of first responder duties.


Phillips Community Sweep

Phillips clean sweep

We had a successful Phillips Community Clean Sweep event! This annual event brings neighbors together with a light breakfast and a community clean up of the Phillips neighborhoods. Thank you to all the organizers and community members who came and helped it an incredible day.


2024 Cultural District Art Fund

2024 Cultural District Art Fund

Earlier this month, I joined Mayor Frey, Council Member Jenkins, and the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in announcing the inaugural recipients of the 2024 Cultural Districts Arts Fund.  This will help our local community tell its story in imaginative ways. 

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.


Protect your family from lead poisoning

lead and healthy homes

Last week, I was proud to join Mayor Frey, Council Member Ellison, and our incredible city staff at a press conference relating to lead poisoning prevention. We recommitted funding to be the first U.S. city to eliminate childhood lead poisoning and to address this issue head-on.

There, we visited the house of Jamie Laudert, who received help from the City to remove lead paint in her 100-year-old Minneapolis home after her young children tested for elevated blood-lead levels. Learning that children have elevated blood lead levels, like what happened to Jamie's family, is heartbreaking.

I’m thankful for the work of city staff to help lead the nation on addressing this issue, and they have my commitment to continue supporting these efforts. 

Lead poisoning is a racial and economic justice issue, with about 75% of cases coming from rental properties, which tend to be rented to low-income families and disproportionately families of color. Importantly, it is also 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 First Mobile Medical Unit Meant to Address the Opioid Epidemic

mobile unit

In December 2023, the Minneapolis City Council approved funding to establish the City’s first Mobile Medical Unit that will travel around the city to provide opioid treatment, reduce opioid overdose deaths, increase access to treatment and promote long-term recovery. I’m glad that these investments are coming to fruition and that our residents will soon benefit from them.

This will 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.

This is one of the actions we are taking to address the opioid epidemic that is disproportionately impacting Ward 9 residents and taking the lives of too many Minneapolis residents. 


Community Safety Centers Update Nov. 18: Learn about progress based on your community feedback

event

Join my office, Council Member Jenkins, and the Office of Community Safety for an update on November 18 regarding the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and Lake Street Safety Center, which will 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, November 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. 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.


Early voting continues, Election Day is Nov. 5

early voting

There is still plenty of time to vote before the big day Nov. 5. As of Sunday, more than 42,000 Minneapolis residents have cast their ballots early, either in person or by mail. If you still have your mail ballot at home, make a plan for dropping it off. Anyone who can vote in Minneapolis on Election Day can also vote early at the Early Vote Center at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. or any of the additional sites.

Early Vote Center

The main Early Vote Center is open extended hours, including weekends, through 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 (the day before Election Day).

Mail ballots

If you still have a mail ballot, make sure it’s received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count. You can drop it off before Election Day at Elections and Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin; the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 Sixth St. S., skyway level; the 625 Fourth Ave. S. drive-through during voting hours; at any of the early voting sites during voting hours; or at any remaining pop-up voting events. On Election Day, ballots can only be dropped off to Minneapolis Elections at 980 E. Hennepin or the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 Sixth St. S., skyway level. Read more details about voting on the City website.


Warm clothing drive for fire victims of fire in Elliot Park Neighborhood

There is a new drop-off location for this drive, which is being run by our neighbors to help other neighbors. This location is accepting items through Nov. 5. 

St. Peder's Lutheran Church,

  • 4600 E 42nd Street S.
  • Monday - Friday, 9:30 - 4:00 pm or by appointment.
  • Access Door #2, ring doorbell

On August 13th, the Stadium Village Apartments were destroyed by fire. The surviving residents, 22 households, lost everything. Organizers want to give a very special thank-you to Pastor Odeen, who graciously offered St. Peder's church for a "Warm Clothing Drive" drop off location.

Please note that coats and jackets need to be washable for easier care for these families in transition. 


First public information sessions Nov. 13 and 14 on human rights settlement agreement

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.


Save money on your next home energy-efficient improvement

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.



Get ready for snow season

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.


Help us improve the 311 experience: take the survey

The City of Minneapolis is working on replacing the system that handles requests and information about City services. We use this system when people contact 311 to report things like potholes or graffiti. You can contact 311 in many different ways, such as phone, email, a mobile app, texts and the City website.

We want your feedback to help us create a new system that’s easier to use and better meets your needs. Please take this brief five-question survey by Nov. 15 in English, Español, Soomaaliga or Hmoob.


Tell the City your wishes for the New Nicollet (former Kmart) area

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.


Yard waste collection ends week of Nov. 25

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.


Contact the Ward 9 Office

Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209

We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:

Room 100, Public Service Center
450 South 4th St.
Get directions

For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.

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