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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week I want to touch on two projects that are moving our City forward. Both show how good government relations with other organizations and support for City staff benefit all of us.
I toured the new St. David's Center located in the former YWCA on 10th St and Nicollet Mall. St. David's mission is to help low-income families with children thrive. Over 90% of the families they serve are on Medicaid. They focus on early childhood development and when their new location is operational they will serve 2,000 children per year.
When I took office in 2022, I was approached to become a sponsor of an employee support group for veterans. Until yesterday, when Minneapolis became the first city government in Minnesota to be designated a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon employer, our city staff who are veterans, or have family members who are, were not being properly recognized. It took a lot of time, paperwork, and coordination within the City, but with the the leadership of HR Director Nikki Odom, HR Manager Rich Parocha, Property Services Director Barbara O'Brien, and 3rd Ward Council Aide Henry Jarvinen, our veteran employees and their families are now connected to the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network. Thank you to all the city staff involved in making this happen. The timing could not be more perfect with Veterans Day on Monday.
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From left to right: CM Rainville, HR Manager Rich Parocha, Property Services Director Barbara O'Brien, HR Director Nikki Odom, Deputy Fire Chief Staffan Swanson, Mayor Jacob Frey, Major General Shawn Manke, MPD Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell, Office of Public Services Administrative Manager Trudy Kjenstad, and Chief Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Other issues I worked on this week:
- Several meetings with the Minneapolis Renaissance Coalition to review a vision for the revitalization of the Warehouse District. It calls for adding housing, open space, connections to the North Loop, and creating a 1st Ave N that becomes a regional entertainment district.
- Met with staff to better understand the conditions for amplified sound permits. With the 3rd Ward brimming with events and roof top patios, many residents are asking for a balance between the sound and their livability.
- At the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee, we approved the license for Stargazer, the newest nightlife venue in the 3rd Ward. Stargazer will open on 2nd St NE and 13th Ave NE next to Vinai. It will seat 40 and feature exciting cocktails and a unique atmosphere. We also heard staff recommendations on changes to the 4d housing program which has helped preserve 4,735 affordable housing units in the City.
- As a board member of Meet Minneapolis, I serve on the nominating committee. This week we met to discuss future board members.
- With E Hennepin and 1st Ave NE construction finished, the business community and the Nicollet Island and East Bank neighborhood Association have been hosting a "I love Northeast" festival. Please think of the excellent shops and restaurants along this corridor when making plans to go out to eat or shop.
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As always, Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
Minneapolis 311 and the Minneapolis Service Centers downtown and in the East Lake Community Safety Center will close Thursday, Nov. 21, for one day. The team will focus on strategies to enhance service and better support residents.
They will resume regular business hours Friday, Nov. 22.
How residents can get information when 311 services are closed
Residents can get City information and make reports online whenever 311 is closed or leave a message for a call back.
- Residents can find information about City topics or departments on the City website.
- Residents can tell the City about issues from barking dogs to graffiti using an online form.
- Residents can dial 311 or 612-673-3000 and leave a message for a call back when business hours resume.
As always, call 911 for emergencies.
About the 311 Service Center
The 311 Service Center offers City information and services online on the City website; over the phone at 311 or 612-673-3000; and in person at 505 Fourth Ave. S., skyway level, and the East Lake Community Safety Center, 2228 E. Lake St.
Winter market season begins this month in four farmers markets around the city.
Winter farmers markets offer delicious ingredients including local produce, meats and baked goods. You can also find gifts and other handmade goods such as soap, jewelry and pottery. Shop at the winter farmers markets to pick up grocery staples and artisan goods but also to provide critical support to local producers and makers.
Winter markets
- Mill City Winter Market: Nov. 16 plus select Saturdays December through April.
- Minneapolis Farmers Market: Nov. 16, 23 and 30 plus select Saturdays December through April.
- Neighborhood Roots: Nov. 9, Jan. 11, Feb. 8 and March 8.
- Northeast Farmers Market: Nov. 10 plus one Sunday a month through April.
Learn more about winter farmers markets on the City website.
Leaving leaves in your landscaping and garden beds shelters pollinators for the winter. And mulching leaves on your lawn helps them break down faster and release those nutrients into your soil. Mulching leaves may have the same impact as applying fertilizer. You can do that by running over them with a lawnmower.
Next week, residents with a lead water service line will be getting a letter from the City. The water service line is the pipe that runs from the water main in the street to the meter inside a property and is owned by the property owner. The letter provides information about the water service line material, steps that can be taken to minimize lead exposure in drinking water, and an update on the City’s effort to replace lead water service lines. An interactive map of the water service line inventory can be viewed on the City’s website.
How we know our tap water is safe
Minneapolis takes steps to make sure our tap water is lead-free and safe to drink. The water is tested hundreds of times a day and is treated in a way that makes sure lead from pipes does not get into the water.
This year, using state and federal grant funds, we began proactively replacing lead service lines at no cost to the homeowner. In total, we will replace around 400 lead service lines using grant funds in 2024 with a plan to replace 1,000 in 2025. This effort will continue until we have replaced or attempted to replace every lead service line in the city (replacement requires the property owner’s consent). It is important to note this is not an opt-in program. The state legislation requires us to prioritize replacement based on:
- Focusing on areas with lower-income residents and other disadvantaged communities.
- Focusing on areas with children with elevated blood lead levels.
- Coordinating the replacement of lead service lines with other capital improvement projects for the most efficient use of grant funding.
You can find more information on the City website.
From supporting renter rights to creating healthier homes and neighborhoods, our community and City offer a wide range of renting, housing and health services. The Minneapolis departments of Regulatory Services and Health are bringing several resources to you this fall at two fairs open to everyone. Interpreters will be available.
Overcome common renting issues
More than half of Minneapolis households rent their homes. We’re here to support renters and rental property owners every step of the way. Come find help with common renting issues such as renter rights, your role as a property owner, maintenance and repair issues, retaliation, and mediation between a property owner and renter.
Free vaccines and health resources
Nobody wants to miss school, vacations or the holidays with family. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and the community. Get your free COVID and flu shots at our fair.
Other health resources involve these programs: Air Quality, Green Careers, Lead and Healthy Homes, Emergency Preparedness and City Trees.
Renter rights and health resource fairs
Whether you have questions about a renting issue or are curious about health programs available through the City, all are welcome.
9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 9 Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
4-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.
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. |
