| April 19, 2025
Greetings Ward 11,
Note: some internal links (such as those in the table of contents) are not working on mobile devices due to a GOVDELIVERY software glitch. All external links, such as the link to our survey below, WILL work on your mobile device. You may view this newsletter on a computer for full functionality of internal links. Apologies for the inconvenience!
As the days grow longer and signs of spring are becoming a reality, I want to take a moment to wish you and your families a joyful and refreshing season.
At the beginning of April, I invited you to take part in the "Resident Brainstorm: Investing in What Matters to You" survey. Your input will help guide my decisions and ensure our budget prioritizes the needs of our community. If you have not already done so, please take the survey: “Resident Brainstorm: Investing in What Matters to You”. I look forward to hearing what matters most to Ward 11 residents. This survey closes April 30th at 5pm.
In last Thursday's Climate & Infrastructure Committee, Public Works responded to a Legislative Directive requesting a thorough examination of our traffic calming initiatives, including the feasibility of addressing all eligible projects brought forward through the Neighborhood Traffic Calming application process. Each ward, including Ward 11, was awarded at least one project from 2024 applications. Great news - this year, Public Works has expanded program eligibility to include Municipal State Aid streets! Stay tuned for
In committee, we also received a response to my Staff Directive regarding ways to alleviate the financial hardship of special assessments for low- and fixed-income property owners. I look forward to taking these learnings and determining how we can better support our residents on these important issues.
On Monday, I visited the MPD's Special Operations Center (SOC) to meet the current class of recruits attending their police academy training. The morning's topic was Arrest and Control and was facilitated by STORM Training Group. Recruits participated in role-play scenarios involving aggressive subjects to develop de-escalation techniques and learn appropriate responses to close-quarters assaults. It was an honor to observe this diverse group working hard to become Minneapolis Police Officers.
A new Work Group called Safe & Thriving Communities has been established and is taking applications until May 4. Each ward will be allotted one seat. I am eager to fill Ward 11's spot with a dedicated resident. Please explore this opportunity to give feedback about our public safety eco-system.
Also note that there are new construction activities at the airport on the south parallel runway starting this week. The south parallel will be closed until May 23 and then after a break will be closed again starting in August. See below to learn how this may impact our neighborhoods.
Finally, I am looking forward to our April Ward 11 meeting featuring Attorney General Keith Ellison next Thursday, April 24 at 6pm at the Lake Nokomis Community Center! We will hear an update from the AG's office and take questions from those in attendance. I hope to see many of you there!
In Gratitude,
Please join us!
April Ward 11 Meeting: Conversation with Attorney General Keith Ellison
In the evening of Thursday April 24
6-7pm
Lake Nokomis Community Center: 2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy
We look forward to seeing you! (MinnPost photo by Peter Callaghan)
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has scheduled essential airfield maintenance projects at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) beginning next Monday, April 14th, that ensure the continued safety and efficiency of airport operations. These projects will involve temporary runway closures, which may affect flight patterns and noise levels in surrounding communities. To complete needed runway safety area grading and other airfield projects, the MAC will close the south parallel runway, Runway 12R-30L, over two periods:
April 14, 2025, to May 23, 2025 August 18, 2025, to September 26, 2025
Additionally, Runway 4-22 may be closed during these periods during nighttime hours. The dual phasing of the project means the runway will be fully open to all aircraft activity for the majority of the peak summer travel season.
Temporary changes in flight patterns and aircraft activity will occur during construction. Flights that would normally use the closed runway must be assigned to open runways. The FAA will adjust runway usage based on factors such as wind direction, aircraft safety, operational efficiency, and a priority Runway Use System (RUS). With aircraft directed to use open runways, residents may notice a temporary change or increase in activity over their neighborhood, depending on the flight patterns and runway configurations chosen by the FAA during the upcoming construction. When the runway construction is complete, and the runways are reopened, the FAA will return MSP to its pre-construction operational patterns.
The MAC is committed to keeping the community informed about MSP Airport construction and expected changes in aircraft activity. Updates will be shared through various channels, including newsletters, website updates, and community meetings. If you have any questions or concerns regarding airfield operations, aircraft noise, or runway closures due to construction, please contact our Community Relations Office at 612-726-9411 or you can learn more by visiting the MSP Runway Construction website for more information. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain the safety and functionality of MSP Airport's infrastructure.
Minneapolis is finding ways to make your neighborhood streets safer and reduce risky driving. We’ve identified several areas for traffic calming treatments to be implemented this year. Learn about the 2025 projects and please give us your feedback through our upcoming open houses, online interactive feedback map and survey.
Learn more about the traffic calming project and ways you can get involved on the City website.
Join a work group to advise the City on its safety services. The Safe and Thriving Communities work group will also support on engagement opportunities to connect with community members. Applications are open through May 4.
The new work group will provide community feedback as the City develops its community safety ecosystem. This includes services and procedures around:
- Prevention
- Non-police response
- Restoration
- Community safety centers
We’re looking for people who have expertise or lived experience in:
- Violence prevention services
- Unarmed violence intervention services
- Restorative justice and healing services
- Criminal justice system
Learn more about qualifications, expectations and the appointment process by visiting the City's website.
Public Works crews will start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program April 22 to clear away what accumulated in the streets over the winter. Drivers should watch for hot pink temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.
For approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
Find your street on the schedule
You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map.
Learn more about street sweeping.
The City of Minneapolis has selected four organizations to host street fairs for the 2025 Open Streets Minneapolis season, slated to kick off Aug. 2. Mark your calendar for entertainment, music, food and more.
- Aug. 17 Cedar Avenue between 15th Avenue and Sixth Street, and Riverside Avenue between Cedar Avenue and 19th Avenue Hosted by the West Bank Business Association.
- Sept. 20 Hennepin Avenue between West 26th and 36th streets Hosted by the Uptown Association.
Read more about Open Streets on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis has a new online dashboard showing 911 emergency incidents. The dashboard’s rollout coincides with the testing of encryption on the City’s main emergency-response channels. This encryption meets requirements for Minnesota’s state data privacy regulations. Testing will continue until May 1, when the channels will be encrypted full time.
The new dashboard will be updated every 30 minutes and include the following features:
- 911 calls over the last 12 hours
- Incidents categorized into police, fire and behavioral crisis response calls
- Incidents categorized by date, agency, neighborhood or problem code
Read more about the dashboard on the City website.
Now that Minnesota’s cannabis regulations have been approved, it won’t be long before legal adult-use cannabis dispensaries start to open across the state. Wondering where you might find one in your neighborhood?
Check out the map for zoning on cannabis dispensaries.
At a public listening session coming up May 1, a City advisory group will discuss the projects currently under review for the Minneapolis 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan. The committee invites public participation for a deeper understanding of community perspectives, to incorporate public input into their discussions with City departments, and to share information about the committee’s role in shaping the City’s long-range capital planning.
Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee Regular meeting, public listening session 6 p.m. Thursday, May 1 Sibley Park Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room 101 1900 E. 40th St.
The Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee is an advisory group for the City that provides recommendations for the its six-year Capital Improvement Plan through an annual report and project ratings system.
See the projects under review on the City website.
The rest of the trees for sale in the spring City Trees Sale can be ordered until April 30, while supplies last.
- Choose from shade or evergreen trees.
- Only $30 per tree.
- Order up to three trees per planting address.
- Trees must be planted on private property, not on the boulevard (area between street and sidewalk) or City right of way.
Order your trees today.
News of layoffs – federal workers, tech workers and others – have topped headlines recently. Unexpected job loss is tough for anyone, but there are resources to help. The Dislocated Worker program helps workers laid off through no fault of their own. This free program offers services including:
- Career planning and counseling
- Education and training support
- Help with your expenses around employment or training goals
Visit the City of Minneapolis' dislocated worker webpage or contact staff at CareerForce for help finding a new job.
The 2025 Earth Day cleanup is April 19. Join friends, family and neighbors in the largest community service event in Minneapolis, with more than 40 sites across the city’s park system. Since the event began in 2008, more than 23,000 residents have removed more than 165,000 pounds of garbage.
Just drop in to volunteer. Choose a site and arrive at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will bring bags and gloves, and the City of Minneapolis will dispose of the trash you collect.
Read more on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website.
Come to the Minneapolis Music Summit for a day of community-building, celebrating and imagining the future of Minneapolis music. Whether you’re a musician or a promoter, working in management, recording, venues, studios or policy, and whatever your genre, you’re invited. This event is free.
Connect to resources, give feedback on policy ideas, and be a part of the conversation.
Minneapolis Music Summit 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 10 Green Room, 2923 Girard Ave. S.
The Minneapolis Music Summit is a partnership of the City of Minneapolis and Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance.
Please RSVP, and watch the City website for updates.
The 2025 season for Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling collection of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings has started. Customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curbs next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their pickup day.
You can set yard waste out in a reusable container, compostable bags (paper or certified compostable plastic), or bundled with string or twine.
See how to prepare it on the City website.
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