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Summary: Council received a presentation on the consent decree. Going forward, there will be quarterly updates on implementation of the two consent decrees, city spending, and the work of the Independent Evaluator.
Background: I authored a legislative directive for the Council and the public to receive information on consent decree enforcement, including the role of the city, the role of the Independent Evaluator, the relationship between the two, when the provisions in the consent decree become effective, ways for resident to report possible violations of consent decree provisions, and budgeting for implementation. This initial presentation was supposed to help level set for Council and residents, followed by quarterly presentations through 2025 on how implementation is going and on spending.
This week, Council received the first presentation and it offered a high level overview of the recently adopted Department of Justice Consent Decree. You can read more about the DOJ Consent Decree here and here.
I had a number of questions, including the new consent decree provisions that may have impacts to the city’s Community Commission on Police Oversight (CCPO) and how the new staff supervision ratio impacts MPD’s staffing and recruitment plans. The staff from MPD and other departments who have full answers to these questions were not present and will be following up with Council via a staff memo.
I look forward to more in depth quarterly presentations about how the city’s implementation unit is ensuring that both consent decrees are implemented quickly and completely. I will be doing everything in my authority to collaborate with the Frey administration and my colleagues on Council to advance federal consent decree compliance efforts. I will also be working closely with leaders at the Minnesota Department at the Human Rights to maximize our state settlement agreement, which will be particularly crucial if the Department of Justice under Trump attempts to undermine our federal consent decree process.
No matter what, local organizing and oversight will be among our strongest tools for enforcing the successful implementation of both consent decrees.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Summary: Council received a presentation on the status of Council’s legislative activity, reaffirming that we had a highly productive 2024 and are on track to keep up the strong work in 2025.
Background: Council receives quarterly reports on the ordinances, policies, legislative directives, and staff directives that are completed or in progress. The City Clerk presented about reports from the entirety of 2024 and the first cycle of 2025.
The presentation affirmed that this Council continues our strong productivity from last term. The City Clerk praised Council’s use of the legislative tools at our disposal and affirmed that the new infrastructure and processes Council made investments in during the 2023 budget process resulted in significant progress in fulfilling our legislative duties. The data in the presentation confirmed that having independent and nonpartisan staff have allowed us to be more responsive to our residents’ needs and take meaningful actions. Several Council Members also shared appreciation for their colleagues on Council, the Clerks’ team, Council staff, and staff in the administration for working together to advance city priorities and legislative work.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Summary: The I-94 Policy Advisory Committee met for the first time since MNDOT announced that they are eliminating the at-grade boulevard option. The meeting featured overwhelming consensus by Advisory Committee members and community that the at-grade option needs to be kept in consideration to the next phase.
Background: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) is planning to reconstruct the highway I-94 corridor between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St Paul. The Rethinking I-94 process has been underway for several years. I am a member of the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), which includes elected officials and community leaders from the districts and neighborhoods in the I-94 corridor.
We had our first I-94 PAC meeting of 2025 this Friday, where PAC members and the public would learn what project proposals would receive recommendation from MNDOT. Unfortunately, MNDOT did not recommend the at-grade/boulevard proposal for forward advancement to the next stage of the process. This was shocking considering both Minneapolis and St. Paul have passed resolutions in support of the proposal, PAC members have spent several years asking the MNDOT leadership and staff to seriously study and consider this proposal, and thousands of constituents have articulated their support for this proposal.
Instead, MNDOT proposed moving forward with proposals that maintain the status quo, essentially keeping the highway as it currently is with some modest tweaks.
Dozens of residents including subject matter experts and directly impacted residents have debunked MNDOT’s reasoning for dismissing the at-grade/boulevard option. Here are some of the many reasons to be dubious of MNDOT’s choice to remove the at-grade option:
- MNDOT did not provide data on air pollution or the public health impacts of air pollution caused by the highway.
- The traffic modeling evaluation they used to evaluate the proposals have been widely highlighted as outdated amongst experts in the field, and MNDOT even admitted that they will be using more modern and detailed evaluations tools such as dynamic modeling going forward.
- MNDOT has affirmed that expanding the highway would have negative impacts on the climate, yet won’t affirm the opposite. The realities of climate change are not reflected in the projects’ evaluation criteria.
- There is overwhelming public support for the at-grade option, and many members of the PAC are urging MNDOT to keep it in consideration. Many of the PAC members are representatives of color and represent neighborhoods that include high proportions of residents of color and working class residents. There is complete misalignment of the Policy Advisory Committee and the choices MNDOT staff are making.
Additionally, many of the PAC members including myself have raised concerns with MNDOT about the lack of independent decision-making authority we have amongst the PAC to be able to vote on actions, make motions, vote on formal positions, and enact basic Robert's Rules of Order. This is not how most advisory boards and commissions operate. While MNDOT has not explicitly said so, the lack of ability for the body to formalize policy recommendations on the project appears to be designed to ensure there is no documentation by MNDOT of the significant dissent of the majority of members on how this process is unfolding. By the end of the meeting, PAC secured a commitment from MNDOT that they will revisit the democratic and voting structure for the PAC prior to our next meeting.
The PAC meeting ended with testimony from members of the public. Over 140 people signed up to testify and nearly every testifier urged MNDOT to keep the at-grade options. The Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Trucking Association, and several other big business lobby groups spoke in support of keeping the highway based on unsubstantiated claims that an at-grade multimodal boulevard would have negative impacts on their profits. There were not any individual residents who testified in support of keeping or expanding the highway.
Dozens of residents from impacted neighborhoods across Minneapolis and Saint Paul testified urging MNDOT to keep the at-grade option in the process and to move forward with it. Residents spoke passionately about climate change and the need to invest in infrastructure that supports sustainable transit and urban density. Residents spoke about public health impacts of asthma and heart disease on the working class neighborhoods that border the highways. Residents spoke about how MNDOT made a formal apology for the racist harms of 94, and urged MNDOT to make good on that apology by taking actions that align with the acknowledgement that highways contribute to racial inequity.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Council Member Wonsley and Council Member Osman with community members participating in the Rethinking I-94 PAC Meeting
Summary: Public works is implementing three sidewalk plowing pilots supported by a budget amendment I authored based on strong community advocacy for the city to lead on ensuring safe and accessible winter sidewalks.
Background: For several years, residents have been advocating for the city to take responsibility for plowing sidewalks in the winter. Plowed sidewalks are crucial for safety and accessibility. Unplowed sidewalks create major barriers for strollers, wheelchairs, elders, residents with limited mobility or mobility aids, residents who don’t own cars, or residents who walk or use public transit to get around. Clear sidewalks in the winter improve equity and access, and encourage residents to shift from using cars to walking or using public transit.
Because of this community advocacy, at the end of 2023 I authored a budget amendment with Council Members Chughtai and Osman to allocate $595,000 to pilot three city-led sidewalk plowing programs. The budget amendment was passed with unanimous support from our colleagues. The three pilots are: support for seniors and elders with impairments to plowing their own sidewalks, support for property owners who have repeated failures shoveling, and city-led shoveling of 20+ miles of the Pedestrian Priority Network (the network of streets that is most heavily used by pedestrians and public transit).
The three city-led plowing pilots are underway and have been implemented twice this winter. Public Works is collecting quantitative and qualitative data on implementation and will present to Council in the spring. I look forward to receiving a comprehensive update on the outcomes of this pilot and how we can build on this foundation towards city-wide, city-led sidewalk plowing.
The pilot programs are targeting small areas to gather data on possible citywide programs. Property owners are still responsible for clearing their own sidewalks every time it snows. If you or someone you know needs assistance clearing your sidewalk, please contact 311 to learn about your options.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Summary: After one year of negotiations, the City releases the proposed documents for new agreements starting in 2025.
This week, the City of Minneapolis published the tentative agreements with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, its electric and gas utilities. The agreements are accompanied by memorandums-of-understanding (MOUs) that re-establish the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, a collaboration between the City and the utilities to help Minneapolis reach its Climate Equity Plan goals.
Together, the documents contain standard-setting commitments, such as Minneapolis-specific greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, equity expectations in service quality and program delivery, and improvements to information sharing for work done on public streets. These provisions were not included in the last 10-year agreements, which highlighted the importance of negotiating with a proactive and future-forward lens for the next decade ahead.
The proposed documents are published ahead of the public hearing at the Climate & Infrastructure committee tentatively set for February 6, 2025.
Review the tentative agreements here and learn more about franchise agreements in the presentation from the City Attorney’s Office at the July 11th Climate & Infrastructure committee meeting.
Key votes: There will be a public hearing on the tentative agreements at the Climate & Infrastructure Committee on February 6th at 1:30pm. Residents can testify in person at the Council Chambers or submit testimony in writing at any time to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov.
Summary: The Charter Commission is discussing regressive proposals to increase at-large representation and making Council part-time.
Background: The Charter Commission is an unelected body that has the authority to propose changes related to the City Charter via ballot questions.
Many residents have reached out to share concerns about the Charter Commission meeting that took place earlier this week. During the meeting, the Chair of the Charter Commission shared an interest in focusing further government restructure on the City Council, as well as a desire to explore the addition of at-large seats in lieu of our current model, which is direct geographical representation for all residents.
I understand why this conversation would be a cause of alarm for residents. At-large seats have historical significance which includes documented racial motivation to design an electoral system that would disenfranchise voters of color. Many cities and states were forced to change their at-large systems due to the Voting Rights Act in 1965. This fact sheet by the NAACP Legal Fund is a useful and concise overview on the impacts and history of at-large seats.
This is not the first time this subject has been discussed at the Charter Commission. Most recently in 2019, the commission entertained a citizen proposal that would decrease direct representation and add at-large positions for the city council. During that conversation, several negative impacts were named including that based on Minneapolis election data, at-large seats would benefit whiter and more affluent communities, effectively increasing their representation and influence at City Hall. The conversation also included how courts have affirmed that at-large elections are a tool to deny equal opportunity to both voters and candidates of color. This proposal was later tabled.
It is very troubling that while elected officials at the city council, school board, county, and state level are preparing to use all tools within our local authority to combat the impacts of a Trump administration, the Charter Commission is reviving an outdated conversation about racist practices that disenfranchise voters.
While the Charter Commission is an independent body, the Council does have processes to engage and provide feedback on proposals. A continued discussion with the Charter Commission on further government structure refinement was planned for this year, and I anticipate this particular suggested change will be something myself and many of my colleagues will have thoughts and feedback to provide. The Charter Commission also accepts public comments from all Minneapolis residents and stakeholders. Residents can find out how to engage with the Charter Commission here.
Key votes: No votes taken. The next Charter Commission Meeting is May 7th, 2025.
Join the Office of Community Safety for an update on the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center/3rd Precinct (2633 Minnehaha Ave) and Lake Street Safety Center (2222 E Lake St). The meeting will include services and resources in the centers, progress updates, and how your
feedback is being used to shape the plans of the new center. There will be an open house before and after the program for residents to connect directly with representatives from 911, Public Works, Health, and the MPD Consent Decree Implementation Unit.
Office of Community Safety Center- Community Safety Center Update
Wednesday February 5th, 2025 – 5-7pm
Matthews Park Rec Center (2318 29th Ave S)
Flyer for Office of Community Safety meeting at Matthews Park on February 5th
With dangerous temperatures expected this weekend, Minneapolis City officials urge everyone to take precautions. Frostbite can happen in just minutes during extreme cold temperatures.
How to stay safe and warm
Hennepin County offers warming station options throughout Minneapolis and the Twin Cities. Additional locations can be found at the Salvation Army and other organizations when temperatures drop below zero.
Protection from heat shutoff
The Cold Weather Rule isnow in effect through April 30. The rule prevents your heat from being shut off, even if you can’t pay your bill.
Find help and resources on the State of Minnesota website. Information is also available in Español/Spanish, Hmoob/Hmong and Soomaali/Somali.
Prepare your home for the cold weather season
Colder weather requires preparing your home to keep you and your family safe and comfortable. Your cold weather checklist includes:
- Keeping anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters.
- Turning space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Never using your oven to heat the home. Watch the City of Minneapolis video about heating safety.
- Having a professional inspection of furnaces and fireplaces once a year.
- Making sure your home has working smoke and fire detectors.
- Replacing furnace filters as needed.
- Caulking and weather-stripping are two simple ways to prevent drafts and keep the heat in. Learn more about air sealing your home in the winter.
Minimum heating requirements for rental properties
Rental properties must have safe and effective heating systems. From Oct. 1 to April 30, the minimum heat requirement is 68°F.
If you are a renter and your heat isn’t working:
- Notify the property owner or manager right away.
- If they don’t take steps to fix it immediately, call 311 to report it.
- Outside of 311 hours, call 911 to report low heat or no heat. No matter the time of day, an inspector will follow up with you as soon as possible to address loss of heat.
If you are a rental property owner or manager:
- Be sure that renters know how to reach you to report urgent issues.
- If a renter notifies you that their heat isn’t working, take immediate steps to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed right away, provide space heaters for each affected unit until heat is restored.
Visit our web page if you have questions about your rights.
Winter Vehicle Theft Safety Tips
During the colder months, car thieves can take advantage of residents who leave their vehicles running unattended. Every year, running vehicles are stolen with dogs, and even children, still inside. Please note that even if you lock the doors, it only takes seconds to break a window or bypass a lock.
- Be aware that it is against City ordinance to leave your key in the ignition while you are not in your vehicle. In fact, if your car is reported stolen and your keys were in it, it may also invalidate your insurance coverage.
- It is legal to use a remote start because your key is not in the ignition and the vehicle cannot be moved.
- But do take your key fobs with you and don’t keep extra fobs or keys in your car.
ALSO, please be mindful of Snow Emergency Notifications. Call 612-348-SNOW or visit the City’s website for more information.
Pets get cold too
Minneapolis Animal Care and Controlreminds community members to keep pets inside. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.
- Never leave pets unattended in a parked car for any amount of time.
- Like people, cats and dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia.
- Leaving pets outside in the cold can result in citations of $500 or more, seizure of the animal, or the death of the animal from the cold.
Anyone who sees an animal outside without shelter or in an unattended car can call Minneapolis Animal Care & Control immediately – in Minneapolis, that’s 311 (612-673-3000). If they believe the situation to be life-threatening and the animal is nonresponsive, they should call 911.
Help shape the future of bus routes through downtown Minneapolis. The City of Minneapolis is working to move transit off Nicollet Mall to create a more flexible and dynamic Nicollet Mall.
In collaboration with Metro Transit, the City of Minneapolis has developed three options for future transit service. Join us for a public meeting to share your priorities and help us weigh the benefits and trade-offs of each option. Your input will play a key role in deciding which plan moves forward.
Public open houses
Online Noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 Join on Microsoft Teams or watch any time on the project webpage starting Jan. 28.
Evening 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
Midday Noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 IDS Crystal Court, 717 Nicollet Mall
Take the survey and learn more on the City website.
Being a welcoming city means we support and connect our neighbors and residents with the services they need and the opportunities they strive for. The City’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs will continue to engage with our immigrant communities, providing information and resources for legal assistance, food, shelter, transportation, healthcare, victim services and more.
We stay committed to limiting the City’s role in federal immigration enforcement. Minneapolis already has a local law in place that limits City employees from inquiring about immigration status or participating in civil immigration enforcement.
It’s not too late in the season to get your flu shot. Minnesota is seeing its highest flu hospitalizations since the Minnesota Department of Health started tracking hospitalization data. Getting the flu vaccine can lower your chances of getting very sick and help protect others by keeping the virus from spreading.
Video
Minneapolis firefighter Mark DeLude knows this too well after losing his father to the flu. DeLude’s father, also a Minneapolis firefighter, was not vaccinated. Watch DeLude’s story: Fighting the Flu: Minneapolis Firefighter Saving Lives in Father’s Memory.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting the flu vaccine at a free flu clinic or with your health care provider.
Join this online event focused on reflection, connection and action. The National Day of Racial Healing is an opportunity to come together as a community, engage in courageous conversations, and work toward building a more inclusive and just society. Through healing conversations and collective efforts, we can break down barriers, strengthen bonds, and create a future of mutual respect and understanding. Together, we heal, grow and move forward.
Learn about the history of the National Day of Racial Healing.
Featured speaker
Featured speaker Anton Treuer (pronounced troy-er) is a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and an author of many books. He’s building an Ojibwe teacher training program at BSU and his equity, education and cultural work has put him on a path of service around the nation and the world.
The City of Minneapolis is a co-sponsor of this Hennepin County event.
National Day of Racial Healing 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 Register for this online event.
Contact Ward 2
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward2
Email: ward2@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2202
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center
250 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. |
