City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 01/24/2025 06:06 PM CST
Council Member Linea Palmisano
January 24, 2025
Dear Neighbor,
At last week's Council Meeting, I had the privilege of presenting an Honorary Resolution recognizing January as Human Trafficking and Exploitation Awareness Month alongside Council Member Jenkins and other Twin Cities-based organizations. One of these organizations, Our Rescue, will soon be headquartered in Minneapolis and will work alongside the City to end sex trafficking and support victims. I have long been engaged in this important work and am excited to establish this partnership.
With the recent change in presidential administrations, I've heard concerns about immigration and want to reiterate the City's commitment to making Minneapolis a welcoming city for all. We have a number of resources available to support the safety and wellbeing of all residents, regardless of immigration status. The Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs will continue to connect residents to shelter, food, legal help, and more. Importantly, the Minneapolis Police Department does not enforce federal civil immigration laws and the City has a Separation Ordinance that prohibits City employees from inquiring about immigration status or participating in the enforcement of civil immigration issues.
Enjoy a fun-filled winter day at Lake Harriet, featuring kites, sights, and sounds you won’t want to miss!
Lake Harriet Kite Festival Saturday, January 25 from 12 PM - 4 PM Lake Harriet
Plus, the Art Shanty Projects will be on the lake with 20 interactive art shanties to explore. For more info, visit artshantyprojects.org.
Shuttle Service: A free shuttle will run from the Executive Building parking lot (3033 Excelsior Blvd) to the west side of Bde Maka Ska. Parking at Lake Harriet will be VERY limited, so park and ride the shuttle!
Fulton's Lunar New Year Celebration is a free event open to everyone! There will be food demonstrations, how to play Mahjong, arts and crafts, inclusive children's story time (English, Chinese, and ASL), a photo booth station, scavenger hunt, make your own marble fan, face painting, and the Hana Bistro food truck.
Fulton's Lunar New Year Celebration Saturday, February 1 from 11 AM - 2 PM Pershing Park Rec Center
Do you make the best chili in Southwest Minneapolis? Start working on your recipes! This event will be free to eat and compete. The winner will receive the highly sought-after 2025 KNA Chili Cook-Off Trophy, gift card to a local business, and bragging rights.
Kenny Chili Cook-Off Saturday, February 1 from 1 PM - 3 PM City Church - 1501 W 54th St.
All entry forms are due on or before Friday, January 31st. Sign up here!
Enjoy an hour walk around Linden Hills as you visit with neighbors and pick up trash.
Linden Hills Walking Group Beginning Thursday, January 30 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday @ 3PM Meet at the Linden Hills Recreation Center - 3100 W 43rd Street
Bathrooms and parking available. Dogs and guests are welcome. No RSVP required. We are the latest addition to the Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Clubs. The frequency of walks depends on participation numbers.
Text Pam J., LH Walking Group Coordinator,at 612-963-7127 with questions or if you want to make sure she watches for you.
Actions of the new federal administration have brought up questions on several City initiatives and programs. One of these is the federal consent decree jointly filed in federal court Jan. 6 by the City of Minneapolis and the U.S. Department of Justice. Both parties came to an agreement on the consent decree, and it is now in the hands of the judge.
No matter what happens with the consent decree, the City is committed to this work and to building upon the reforms we’ve continued to implement in the Minneapolis Police Department. We will be moving forward with the terms laid out in this agreement, with or without the federal government.
The City of Minneapolis works all year round to fight human trafficking and protect vulnerable people. We are raising awareness during Human Trafficking Awareness Month with a particular focus on sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of people who may show signs of a substance use disorder.
Signs of human trafficking
Human trafficking thrives in silence, and survivors are often hiding in plain sight. Signs of trafficking include:
Physical abuse or neglect.
Missing school or work regularly.
Telling inconsistent or rehearsed stories.
Dating someone much older.
A history of running away or being homeless.
Sexually inappropriate pictures on social media.
Unexplained gifts, new possessions or tattoos that represent ownership.
In 2025, commit to becoming an All Seasons Lifesaver, donating at least once per season – your donations can make a real difference in someone’s life. If you’re not eligible, you can still help by sharing the message and recruiting friends or family to donate on your behalf.
Memorial Blood Centers has donor centers and blood drive locations all across the region, including an upcoming drive here in the 13th Ward at Wooden Ship Brewery on Wednesday, January 29. To learn more about donating or to make an appointment at the donation location nearest you, visit mbc.org.
Together, we can end the blood shortage and save lives.
One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet with my constituents, learn more about you and hear your questions, concerns, hopes and dreams for our shared community.
If you'd like to schedule a time to meet with me, send me an e-mailand my staff will help get it scheduled. Please let me know what you'd like to talk about and a convenient place to meet—a coffee shop, a park, your home, my office, etc. I try to reserve Fridays for constituent meetings, but can work them in other times, as necessary, too.
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 formats 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.
