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Nearly half a million people call Minneapolis home, and together, we make our city thrive. With 27 departments working tirelessly to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors, each department brings its unique expertise and contribution to the table. It’s through our collective efforts that we keep this city moving forward.
As we move further into the new year, I believe it’s important to take a moment to reflect on some of the great accomplishments from 2024. From Minneapolis being named the happiest city in the country to the significant progress we’ve made in affordable housing, we have a lot to be proud of. These strides are a testament to our shared commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant city.
I’m grateful to be serving you, and I look forward to continuing our work together to make Ward 4—and all of Minneapolis—an even better place to live, work, and thrive.
Warm regards,
Council Member Vetaw
 Protect our pollinators; do not rake your leaves yet
With the early warming up in our weather, some people may want to tidy and rake up their yards. But pollinators nest in the broken stems of plants and overwinter in leaf piles. To protect
them, please do not rake any leaves or clean up your yard until temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees.
Yard waste collection will begin the week of April 7.
In Minneapolis, all dogs, cats and ferrets four months or older must be current on rabies vaccinations, and owners must have a license. Pet licensing helps the City know where an animal lives and its vaccination status if lost.
License fees for non-sterilized pets have been cut in half. The move is one of many that make pet ownership more affordable while helping safeguard both pets and the community.
Sign up for vaccine appointments
We’re once again offering low-cost vaccinations by appointment every other Tuesday. Microchipping and one-year rabies and distemper vaccinations are $10 each. Vaccinations help stop easily prevented disease and illness in our community’s pets.
 Recruiting members for boards and commissions opens March 1. We’re looking for applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. Translation and interpreting are available so all residents can participate.
Serving on City boards and commissions offers a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them. This is a way to help make changes and improvements that impact your community.
Applications will be taken in March for the following boards and commissions:
- Advisory Committee on Aging
- Advisory Committee on Disabilities
- Advisory Committee on Housing
- Bicycle Advisory Committee
- Community Commission on Police Oversight (applications open until March 16)
- Homegrown Food Council
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- Public Health Advisory Committee
Apply March 1‐31, and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting the City website.
Minneapolis renters have rights that help them know what to expect from good property management and protect them in difficult situations. March 1 marked the first day that two new renter rights went into effect.
Changes to the pre-eviction filing notice for unpaid rent
Renters who are at risk of being evicted for not paying their rent will now have a greater “heads up.”
Before property owners start the eviction process, they must now give renters 30 days’ notice. Previously, the notice period was 14 days. The period begins once the notice is mailed or the day it is hand-delivered to the renter.
Renter rights mandatory disclosures
In 2024, the City passed an ordinance that set a new standard for transparency in renting. The ordinance helps new renters learn more about the places they call home and their protections and resources—just in case they need them. Property owners must share some information before new renters sign a lease, and other pieces within 90 days after the lease starts.
Make sure to visit the City website to see the full explanation of what property owners must share and when. Property owners: Know what you must share and find resources Renters: Learn more about your rights
 The City is looking for community input before advancing a development group for Peoples’ Way to the mayor and City Council for approval. Please take a survey by March 21 to share your feedback.
Redeveloping the Peoples’ Way site for community use is a part of the City’s effort to work with community on a new vision for George Floyd Square. Years of feedback from community members has informed a shared vision for the area.
Meet with staff at Peoples’ Way pop-ups
Join in a pop-up event to check in about Peoples’ Way.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 8 Bichota Coffee, 3740 Chicago Ave. S.
3-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 Powderhorn Recreation Center, 3400 15th Ave. S., Room 103
Watch the newsletter for presentation materials and video recordings from the Feb. 26 event with the four applicants to redevelop the site.
Read more about Peoples’ Way on the City website and take the survey by March 21.
Give your input for the Lowry Avenue METRO Blue Line station
The public is invited to a brief presentation and discussion March 24 to learn more and share input on a planned METRO station. The Met Council’s Blue Line Extension Project is seeking community feedback on an updated design for the light rail station planned for the intersection of Lowry and West Broadway avenues in north Minneapolis.
Your feedback will help shape the final design of the station.
Minneapolis Lowry Avenue Station Design Workshop 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 24 Sanctuary Church, 2018 Aldrich Ave. N.
 Come to a public meeting March 12. You’ll get updates about the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Police Department’s path to meet the requirements of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement. Effective Law Enforcement For All (ELEFA), the independent evaluator of the settlement agreement, will present the updates.
ELEFA will present an overview of its role in the settlement agreement, describe its requirements and how it checks compliance, and provide implementation updates from the first semi-annual evaluation report.
5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 5:30-6 p.m. Food and refreshments 6-8 p.m. Event presentation Ukrainian American Community Center, 301 Main St. NE If you have questions or require accommodation to attend, please contact ELEFA.
  Take the survey on traffic safety cameras
Minneapolis is working to start a pilot for traffic safety cameras and wants to hear from you. Take a new survey to share your feedback on camera locations. A new State law allowing this pilot requires protections for fairness, equity and privacy.
Camera enforcement is proven effective at saving lives and reducing crashes. It’s one part of the City's effort to get to zero traffic deaths and serious injuries.
The pilot will launch as early as August with about five camera locations that will enforce speed limits. The pilot will run for up to four ears and may expand to a maximum of 42 locations. The program may also expand to enforce red lights.
The City will gather feedback on potential camera locations through mid-May. Read more information about the traffic safety camera pilot on the City website.
Apply to serve on Community Commission on Police Oversight
The City of Minneapolis is seeking qualified applicants to serve on the Community Commission on Police Oversight. The independent body allows the public a forum to have meaningful engagement in police oversight and review. Members of the commission serve on the Police Conduct Review Panel as civilian panelists making recommendations about whether MPD policies and procedures have been violated and making recommendations about discipline.
Applications are open now for three current vacancies plus eight seats that will open in May. Applications are due by March 16.
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Applications are now open for the City of Minneapolis Urban Scholars program that hires students in various city government offices for 12-week summer internships.
The program provides meaningful work experience, public sector professional development and mentorship opportunities for traditionally underrepresented young people. Applications are open to undergraduate, graduate and law students and are due Monday, March 17. Interviews will take place shortly after, with internships starting in early June.
"Our Urban Scholar program is an incredible opportunity to connect with some of the brightest, most driven young minds in our community," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "We provide real-world experience, but these students also teach us invaluable lessons that help us grow as a city. We’re excited to welcome the 2025 class of Urban Scholars and see the impact they’ll make, both in City Hall and beyond."
The City works with other metro partners like city, county and state agencies and offices to sponsor the Urban Scholars as well. Partners also help cover the costs of recruitment materials, training and intern salaries.
In its 14th year, the Urban Scholars program has awarded internships for more than 600 students. The goal of the program is to address employment disparities by serving racially diverse students and connecting public and non-profit organizations with young talent. Jessica Stone, a project manager for the City of Minneapolis Office of Public Service, was a member of one of the first cohorts in the City’s Urban Scholars program.
"After my curiosity for public service was peaked, I earned an internship in Regulatory Services -- I've been with the City ever since," said Stone. "My time here has been nothing short of a full circle experience. The mentors I've met and the skills and tools I have learned during my internship were invaluable; they've helped me become who I am today. I encourage anyone who wants real hands-on experience to apply to the program. It's one of the best decisions I ever made."
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 The City Council has passed a resolution honoring Women’s History Month. The resolution commemorates the achievements of women and pledges to continue efforts to promote gender equity, celebrate diversity, and support the empowerment of all women in our community.
The resolution also:
· Recognizes that all women are leaders, regardless of their formal roles or leadership positions.
· Supports opportunities within our organization where women, especially Black women, Indigenous women, transgender women, and women of color, are equitably represented and thriving across departments and roles.
The City of Minneapolis guarantees workers have access to paid sick leave, a minimum wage, and protection from wage theft. By investigating and enforcing these workplace protections, the City has now recovered more than $2 million for Minneapolis workers in wages and damages.
Since 2018, more than 1,000 labor standards complaints involving more than 16,000 workers have been processed by the Civil Rights Department. These have resulted in 382 mediations or settlements. These investigations often include policy changes and technical assistance for all parties involved. Recent resolved cases include:
· More than $43,000 in back wages for three workers at Amigos One Stop, a grocery store in south Minneapolis.
· More than $145,000 in back wages and damages owed to 180 security guards and valet attendants with Unparalleled Parking LLC and Unparalleled Security LLC.
· More than $22,000 in back wages to seven workers at Plymouth Academy preschool serving children and families. Violations can be reported by calling 311; filling out an online form; or stopping by in person at
Join us in our City’s annual celebration of National Public Health Week honoring our local public health heroes. The City will host a resource fair and Local Public Health Heroes Awards ceremony on April 9. This year’s theme is Building Bridges to Create Healthier Communities. This event is free and open to the public.
Local Public Health Heroes April 9 Resource fair: 11 a.m. Award ceremony: noon Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 100
A free lunch will be served.
Nominate a local public health hero
The work community members do in public health is essential to building healthier communities in our city. To honor those who do this important work, we give Local Public Health Hero Awards to individuals, teams/collaborations and organizations. |
