 The City of Minneapolis is organizing its 2025 Community Connections Conference around the power of participating in your community and local decision-making. Our theme this year will be “Participation is Power: Speak, Act, Grow.”
We invite people to:
- Speak: Voice your opinion about important upcoming projects and decision-making.
- Act: Take action by voting, joining a neighborhood organization board or a City appointed board.
- Grow: Learn skills and information you can use to improve your neighborhood, community and life.
Not just any event
The Community Connections Conference is an annual free event that connects residents of Minneapolis, community groups, neighborhoods and local government.
We believe:
- All communities should feel welcome in City spaces.
- It should be easy for everyone to get involved and influence important decisions.
- All communities should get information about programs and policies in language they understand.
This conference aims to bring in people who are often underrepresented in local decision-making to:
- Meet City departments and leaders in a friendly, welcoming environment.
- Celebrate successes and connect.
- Learn about new opportunities to get involved.
- Gain new skills and resources.
Watch the conference overview video.
Community Connections Conference
Saturday, Feb. 8
Minneapolis Convention Center, first floor, Hall E
Exhibit or volunteer
We invite everyone in the community to share information, skills, resources and opportunities through exhibitor booths.
Apply for your exhibit space by midnight Dec. 13. We are especially looking for informative, fun, interactive exhibits for both children and adults. Exhibit space is free for nonprofits and public institutions, and organizers will also provide booth spaces for conference partners.
We also welcome volunteers to help spread the word about the conference and exhibit opportunities.
Get involved and read more at minneapolismn.gov/ccc
 The City of Minneapolis shares important news and updates in English, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Hmong over community radio stations and two television programs.
You can see the upcoming schedule for these shows and find past recordings 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.
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.
City seeks applicants for community engagement vendor pool
The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is piloting a new community engagement consulting pool. Public Works staff will select vendors from this pool to work on various projects over the next two years. Public Works encourages businesses, neighborhood organizations, community-based organizations, artists, and non-profits to apply.
Community engagement services could include things like:
- Communications
- Outreach
- Event planning
- Trainings
- Door-knocking
- Tabling
- Surveying
- Facilitating community meetings
Read more in the community engagement consulting pool one-pager document.
You can send in proposals until 2 p.m. on November 26, 2024.
View the request for proposals in the City's eSupplier portal.
Contact Menno Schukking at menno.schukking@minneapolismn.gov for questions related to this opportunity.
Office hours for immigrants and refugees
The Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs hosts weekly community office hours. Office hours provide basic information on immigration legal services, shelter resources, health care and more.
Stop by South Minneapolis CareerForce, 777 E. Lake Street. The next open hours are on Mondays 1- 4 p.m. and Wednesdays, 2-4 p.m.
Please note, there are no office hours on Nov. 11 due to the Veterans Day holiday.
Learn more on the City website, email Michelle Rivero, or call 612-394-6018.
Twin Cities monthly immigration forum meets Thursday, Nov. 14
The City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) in partnership with the City of Saint Paul Immigrant and Refugee Program hosts a monthly immigration forum to offer immigration-related updates to the community. The next meeting of this series will be on Thursday, Nov. 14
Twin Cities monthly immigration forum
Thurs., Nov. 14, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Join online over Microsoft Teams
Or call in (audio only) at +1 612-276-6670 with meeting ID 102102912#
The topics covered include:
- Federal immigration news and resources.
- City, community and advocacy organization updates.
- Other topics important to immigrant, refugee and new American communities.
Watch previous forums on the City's YouTube channel.
Find dates and links to join the meetings on the OIRA events calendar. Learn more about the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) at minneapolismn.gov/ncr/oira or contact the office directly at oira@minneapolismn.gov.
Give your feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2025-2026 City budget
There are two upcoming public hearings for people to provide feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2025 City budget and 2026 plan. Comments can also be submitted online at the City’s website.
The proposed 2025 budget is $1.88 billion with a maximum tax levy of 8.3%. The City Council has started reviewing the 2025 budget – the first year of the biennial budget cycle – and will vote on adopting the budget Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more. You can also watch a series of videos on the City’s budget process.
City budget public hearings
These public hearings will take place at the Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350.
- 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12
- Truth in Taxation hearing, 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. (The City Council will vote on adopting the budget following the hearing.)
Learn how to participate in public hearings.
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.
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.
Learn more on the event flyer.
City staff will be available for Q&A after the presentation. Community members can also learn more about other safety programs in the city.
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.
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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.
 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.
Protecting Minneapolis communities from measles: Why vaccines matter
Measles is in our community right now. Watch and share these videos about the importance of vaccinating children against measles to protect their health and the community's well-being.
Get your vaccination
Protect your loved ones and get your family vaccinated at one of our free clinics.
Videos
Watch the videos about protecting our loved ones in English and Somali. Also watch a video that addresses some of the fears around vaccination and explains how immunization protects the entire community.
Protect your family from lead poisoning
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.
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.
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