 CM Jenkins presenting a resolution honoring International Transgender Day of Visibility with city staff and community members.
Hello Neighbors,
I hope all is well in your neck of the ward. The Council has been quite busy. We passed an ordinance banning digital collusion among corporate landlords to protect renters, as well as provided funding for the Sabathani Community Center to become a part of the MinneapolUS family of Violence Interrupters. Violence Interrupters, sometimes called "credible messengers" or "neighborhood change agents," are trained to identify and mediate conflicts, and connect individuals to resources and support services. This development will surely help improve safety in Ward 8 neighborhoods.
Speaking of public safety, I want to welcome the new 5th Precinct Inspector James Novak and thank and offer congratulations to the outgoing Inspector, Christy Nelson, on her promotion to MPD Commander. There will be a meet and greet with the new 5th Precinct Inspector and Chief O’Hara on:
Date: April 10th, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Location: Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave. South
*A community meal will be served starting at 5:30.
At a moment in American history when its federal government engages in widespread oppression of marginalized communities, no community has been more vilified than the Transgender and Gender non-conforming communities. I was proud to bring forth a resolution honoring Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2025. As stated by the Human Rights Campaign of which I serve as a board member, “Transgender Day of Visibility is not only a chance for the gender-expansive community and its allies to celebrate their tremendous resilience and vibrancy. The observance, which has been held on March 31 since 2009, is also a day to call attention to the disproportionate discrimination, poverty, and violence that trans folks continue to face in the U.S. and around the world.”
Each of us must be willing to stand up and resist the barrage of assaults this administration is aiming at our very democracy. We must expose these attacks for what they are, a thinly veiled turn towards authoritarianism. This is not the time for acquiescence but rather to fight back as if our very lives depend on it. Indeed, they do. The administration just halted funding for vaccines and Covid research. Funding for HIV and AIDS prevention has been clawed back. Medicare and Medicaid is being slashed, and Social Security is in jeopardy of being privatized. On Monday, I will be joining Outfront Minnesota and other community organizations at our State capital in solidarity of Trans and GNC visibility, advocacy, and to lift my voice in service to community members who may not have the privilege and opportunity to do so themselves.
To all my friends who will celebrate Eid at the beginning of next week, Ramadan Mubarak. And to all Minneapolis school age folks, Happy Spring Break!
Love,
Andrea
The 2025 City of Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, at the McNamara Alumni Center. The theme for this year’s event is “Trans Equity and Intergenerational Power: Strengthening the Future by Honoring Our Past.”
The City of Minneapolis and partners are planning the all-day, free event that provides space to connect on social, legal and health issues important to the transgender community.
The summit will include breakout sessions, a job and resource fair and healing justice offerings. Space will be protected for community care and collective witnessing for trans and gender non-conforming neighbors.
Bookmark this webpage and check back for updates.
Minneapolis renters, you have housing rights that protect you. Two new renter rights went into effect March 1.
Changes to the pre-eviction filing notice for unpaid rent
Renters at risk of being evicted for not paying their rent will now have a longer notice.
Before property owners start the eviction process, they must now give renters 30 days’ notice. Before, the notice period was 14 days. The period begins once the notice is mailed or the day it’s hand-delivered to the renter.
Mandatory information from property owners
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. Property owners must share some information before new renters sign a lease, and other information 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.
The federal government has pulled back all of its COVID-19 funds. This means that City of Minneapolis work around vaccination clinics and immunization education is stopped. The impact on the community is substantial as we’re canceling the five free clinics in April and do not know the future of our vaccination services right now.
Impact
Decisions at the federal level are impacting lives in our community and hurting employees dedicated to making Minneapolis a healthy place to live.
In 2024, the Minneapolis Health Department partnered with community organizations to hold 87 vaccine clinics in underserved communities. The clinics provided more than 800 COVID-19 shots, more than 700 flu shots and more than 500 mpox shots.
The decision also impacts the immunization work of three Health Department employees. The City is evaluating all options. In the meantime, the three employees will remain on staff and be funded by other sources.
Read more on the City website.
City staff and elected officials met with other cities’ leaders and with our congressional delegation at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference. At the conference, city leaders discussed shared goals for working with the federal government, heard from key Washington leaders, and solidified ways to work together better.
City Intergovernmental Relations staff and five City Council members met with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Tina Smith, and Rep. Ilhan Omar to thank them for their work and to discuss Minneapolis’ needs and concerns. The work our congressional delegation members do on behalf of Minneapolis includes supporting grant applications for important infrastructure projects, securing congressionally directed spending for City projects, and protecting important federal funding. That funding supports the City and residents with affordable housing, homelessness response, emergency management, public safety and transportation.
The City will continue to engage with members of the congressional delegation throughout the year as we face uncertainty in Washington.
You can find out more about the City Intergovernmental Relations team’s work at both the state and federal levels on the City website.
 Recruiting members for eight boards and commissions is open through the end of March. The deadline for the Community Commission on Police Oversight was extended.
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 affect your community.
Apply by March 31.
If you’re a City Solid Waste & Recycling customer, watch your mailbox in the coming weeks for your annual service guide. Your guide will include a collection schedule for the year; ways you can create less trash and reuse what you already have; and a catalog of what belongs in the black garbage cart, blue recycling cart and green organics cart. The guide also has instructions for setting out large items and for managing household hazardous waste.
Find more resources for recycling and organics on the City website.
 The Office of Mayor is moving back to the third floor of City Hall from the Public Service Center this week. The Office of Public Service will follow soon.
The City Council and Office of City Clerk are scheduled to return in June followed by Finance & Property Services in July.
Watch for updates.
You can see a video update of construction progress on the third floor of City Hall.
Mayor Jacob Frey has set his 2025 priorities to guide policy and budget decisions. The 2025 priorities focus on safety, housing, economic inclusion, climate and good governance.
Read more about the 2025 priorities on the City website.
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.
Read the full resolution on the City website.
 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 11 a.m.: Resource fair Noon: Award ceremony Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 100
A free lunch will be served.
 As part of the annual statewide tornado drill, Hennepin County will sound the outdoor warning sirens in Minneapolis at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Thursday, April 10.
The two drills are intended to cover times of day when you may be at work or out and about, and when you may be home with your family.
Take advantage of the drills and Severe Weather Awareness Week. Practice your family's emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.
The Minneapolis Health Department has been reaccredited through the Public Health Accreditation Board. Public health accreditation measures a health department’s performance using nationally recognized standards:
- It follows the 10 Essential Public Health Services with equity at the center.
- Policies, systems and conditions foster the best possible health for all.
- Peers review accredited health departments’ work. The departments use the feedback to improve community services.
Read more about the reaccreditation on the City website.
 The City of Minneapolis has launched an initiative aiming to move the Minneapolis community toward a future grounded in racial equity and justice by harnessing the power of conversations to heal racial divisions. "Minneapolis Your Story,” a partnership with independent nonprofit StoryCorps Studios, will create an archive of community-centered stories focused on racial healing.
Now through May, people can record their perspectives in their own words and archive them as part of this special partnership. The community archive will include stories about the history of racial discrimination and injustice in Minneapolis, George Floyd’s murder, the civil unrest that followed, and the ongoing efforts to reform the Minneapolis Police Department.
The City will then host a community listening session to hear selected recordings.
Read more about StoryCorps and share your story on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis is moving forward with a plan to create the Minneapolis Democracy Center at 3000 Minnehaha Ave., the former 3rd Precinct police building. The Minneapolis Democracy Center will house Elections & Voter Services as well as a large, ground-floor space for community use.
Progress on cleanup
City crews are cleaning up the site. Fences are now off the sidewalk, and the razor wire is gone. Cleanup inside the building includes selective demolition before a complete building renovation. More work will include building systems updates, replacing windows and doors, and rebuilding the front entry at Lake and Minnehaha. Work will continue through the summer.
Read more on the City website.
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The Vibrant Storefronts pilot program is expanding to offer rental support for artist spaces in new parts of Loring Park, Downtown and Uptown. Bringing property owners and artists together ensures stable tenants for the owners and furnishes space for the local creative community.
The first three awardees from November have opened their doors in the Harmon Place Historic District: Black Business Enterprises, Blackbird Revolt and Pride Cultural Arts Center. The two remaining awardees will open this spring. The Vibrant Storefronts pilot is a part of Minneapolis 2040.
Applications open March 14. The City will hold site visits April 11, 12 and 19. Interested artists can learn more and apply by May 16 on the City website.
 For the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual Fix a Leak Week this month, take time to see if there’s a leak in your home plumbing. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other easy fixes. Stopping leaks can help conserve water and save money on your water bill.
Nationwide, more than a trillion gallons of water are wasted every year because of household leaks.
Resources
Find a checklist, a video and instructions on the City website for steps you can take to fix leaks in your home plumbing.
 Minneapolis is making history by becoming the first city in North America to own and operate a biochar facility. The City will process wood waste from Xcel Energy’s tree trimming around power lines. The facility will transform the wood waste into biochar, a specialized charcoal that holds onto carbon dioxide. This helps clean the air while also serving as an extremely powerful soil amendment for growing plants and trees.
Read more about the plan for biochar on the City website.
 National Night Out is a time for City residents to come together and celebrate with neighbors. Many blocks in Minneapolis take this opportunity to reconnect, eat and build relationships while kids play and bike freely in the closed street.
Registration is now open and is free. Pro tips:
- Include neighbors in your organizing efforts.
- Register only one event per block (appoint one neighbor to register).
- Consider whether you want your street blocked off to traffic.
- Checking the box for 75% approval is fine if you plan to notify every household of the event.
- Call 311 to request a fire truck, MPD K9, and/or MPD Mounted Patrol.
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Contact a City crime prevention specialist with questions.
Registration closes July 29. Read more about National Night Out and register your block’s event on the City website.
March is Explore Construction Employment month in Minnesota. This industry offers good wages and career advancement. Registered apprenticeship is a common path to a job in construction. The City is a partner in a new resource on apprenticeships, the Apprenticeship Outreach Office. The office is a valuable resource for anyone looking to start their careers and earn while they learn.
Construction companies hire the most apprentices in Minnesota. Apprenticeships are also growing in other industries.
The Minneapolis Apprenticeship Outreach Office is a partnership of the City of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Apprenticeship 101 workshops are held monthly at the CareerForce Minneapolis North. If you have questions, please contact Navigator Harrell Mathieu or call 612-494-8755.
Help us understand how you use tap water. This survey will guide us as we plan for a sustainable future that meets human needs and protects the environment.
When you take the quick survey, you'll get the chance to enter into a raffle to win an iPad. Your answers will stay anonymous and will only be used to help with planning.
Take the five-minute tap water survey from the City of Minneapolis and the Water Research Foundation.
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With the early warmup, 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 begins the week of April 7. |
