 Minneapolis City Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw joined a panel of inspiring leaders at the Be the Change MN Youth Career Fair, where she shared her personal journey and passion for guiding young people toward fulfilling futures. Speaking directly to students from across the city, Vetaw emphasized the importance of mentorship, access, and believing in one’s potential—no matter where you start.
"Dream big, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take up space," Vetaw encouraged. "You belong in every room you walk into!"
As a Northside native and public servant, Vetaw continues to be a fierce advocate for equitable access to careers in public service, health care, and beyond. Her leadership reflects the very mission of Be the Change MN: to connect youth with real opportunities, resources, and the support systems they need to thrive.
The event brought together students and professionals from across industries—from tech and design to trades and nonprofit work—helping to spark curiosity and confidence in the leaders of tomorrow.
 At this week’s City Council meeting, Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw introduced a heartfelt resolution honoring the life and service of Officer Jamal Mitchell, who was tragically killed in the line of duty. The resolution recognizes Officer Mitchell’s courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the community he served. A dedicated public servant and beloved member of the Northside, Officer Mitchell is remembered not just for his heroism, but for the kindness and humanity he brought to his work each day. The City of Minneapolis extends its deepest gratitude to his family and loved ones, and reaffirms its commitment to uplifting his legacy through continued investment in community safety, healing, and support.
At a public listening session coming up May 15, the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee and the Planning Commission 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 and City Planning Commission Special meeting, public listening session 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15 Public Service Building, Room 100AB 505 Fourth Ave. S.
The Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee
The Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee is a group of residents and business leaders who advise the City of Minneapolis on its six-year Capital Improvement Plan. They share recommendations through an annual report. It will meet until the end of June.
Hennepin County is hosting three events near Minneapolis in 2025 for county residents to safely dispose of unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes.
Bring unwanted paints, stains, varnish, aerosol cans, gasoline, antifreeze, batteries (put tape over the ends), pesticides and more to an upcoming event.
Mark your calendar for events happening near Minneapolis from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday May 2-3, June 27-28 and Aug. 8-9. Learn more about what's accepted, safety guidelines and event locations.
 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.
· Use the project feedback map to tell us about safety concerns you experience near the projects.
· Take a short survey by May 15. Click Here
· Attend a neighborhood open house to learn about specific projects in your neighborhood and give your feedback to staff.
For More Information Click Here
The Met Council’s METRO Blue Line Extension project is seeking public feedback on design updates for two different areas. Your feedback will help shape station designs and the character of the areas along the corridor.
Blue Line Extension community meetings
· North Minneapolis West Broadway reconstruction, Penn Avenue station area, 21st Avenue light rail corridor
Staff presentation and community discussion 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave. N.
Community discussion 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 Twin Cities Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.
· North Loop Quarterly meeting for design and environment review updates
Staff presentation and community discussion 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 North Loop Garage, 600 Eighth Ave. N., Room 104
Community discussion 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 North Loop Garage, 600 Eighth Ave. N., Room 104
Minneapolis launches new emergency incidents dashboard
The City of Minneapolis has a new online dashboard showing 911 emergency incidents. The dashboard’s rollout coincides with encryption on the City’s main emergency-response channels. This encryption meets requirements for Minnesota’s state data privacy regulations. The new dashboard will be updated every 30 minutes and include the following features:
· 911 calls over the last 12 hours
· Map of incidents
· Incidents categorized into police, fire and behavioral crisis response calls
· Incidents categorized by date, agency, neighborhood or problem code
Click Here To Access The New Dash Board
Minneapolis is preparing for a busy 2025 construction season. More than $225 million is planned in infrastructure improvements. The 66 capital projects getting underway this year represent a major investment in safer streets, more reliable utilities and more vibrant neighborhoods.
From storm sewers and sidewalks to bridges and bikeways, these projects will strengthen the city’s foundation and improve quality of life for residents. To keep you informed, the City is also introducing a new online construction dashboard. The dashboard offers real-time updates on project timelines, traffic impacts and key milestones.
Click Here For More Information
For Those Just Starting Their Career
April is Youth Employment Month in Minnesota. Many young people looking for work struggle, but we can help. City of Minneapolis Employment & Training has programs and resources specifically for youths.
Minneapolis Youth Works is a year-round program for youth ages 14-24 with challenges to employment. The program provides support to finish school, get training in job skills and find or keep a job. Visit the City’s Youth Works page for full eligibility requirements and next steps. You can also fill out the interest form to have an employment coach contact you.
Resources The Minneapolis Employment and Opportunity Guide for Youth lists options for jobs, internships, volunteer work and more. You can also visit CareerForce in person or online.
Click Here For More Information
Resources for laid-off workers
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.
Click Here For More Information
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. 2 Central Avenue between 26th Avenue and 14th Avenue Hosted by the Audubon Neighborhood Association.
· 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. 6 West Broadway between Logan and Lyndale avenues Hosted by the West Broadway Business & Area Coalition.
· Sept. 20 Hennepin Avenue between West 26th and 36th streets Hosted by the Uptown Association.
Ads posing as MPLS parking app, stealing data and money
Residents and visitors searching for the MPLS Parking app should look out for a scam posing as the legitimate app. This does not affect people already using the MPLS Parking app.
When using a search engine to find the MPLS Parking app, some people are finding sponsored ads instead that mimic the logo and language used in the official app. If clicked, these ads lead to third-party websites unaffiliated with the City of Minneapolis. These fraudulent websites ask for a credit card to download and use the free app, exposing victims’ card numbers and
personal information. The City has taken action and reported four of these fraudulent advertisements to the search engine they’re sponsored on.
Tips
· Download the true Minneapolis Parking app directly from your phone’s app store: o iPhone app store o Google Play store
· Use the web app in your browser.
· See the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office phishing guide.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of this scam, immediately contact your bank or credit card company and file a report with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Click Here
Doors Open Minneapolis May 17-18
Doors Open Minneapolis 2025 is May 17-18. This annual event invites the public to several locations throughout the city where all the magic happens. This year, Doors Open will be a great chance to highlight work at City Hall, connect with the community, and showcase the newly remodeled and upgraded space.
This event will mark the first public tour of City Hall since recent upgrades were completed. These upgrades include remodeled offices for the Mayor’s Office, as well as significant improvements to the building’s mechanical, heating and cooling systems.
Doors Open Minneapolis 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18
Volunteer
Help us engage with the public and bring attention to the City’s ongoing work to keep government accessible and transparent. Volunteer at this year’s Doors Open Minneapolis to help guide visitors on tours, welcome them to City Hall, help with logistics, and make sure everything runs smoothly. Volunteers will get a look at the new spaces, and it’s a wonderful chance to contribute to an important community event.
· Shift 1: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (arrive at 9:30 a.m.)
· Shift 2: 1:30-5 p.m. (arrive at 1 p.m.) If you’re interested in volunteering, email the Municipal Building Commission by May 1 with your preferred date and shift.
Click Here To Volunteer
Apply to join the Safe and Thriving Communities work group
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 18.
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
Click Here For More Information
 For the first time, all residents in Minneapolis are represented by a neighborhood organization. Come celebrate at Neighborhood Day Saturday, May 3.
Neighborhood Day is an annual day set across the city to increase resident participation in local civic engagement through one of the city’s 68 recognized neighborhood organizations. It’s a chance to come together in community, find the neighborhood organization that represents you and get to know your neighbors.
Participating neighborhood organizations host their own events from board officer elections, recycling and clothing drives to food trucks, potlucks and tool swaps. There’s something for everyone.
Your voice is important
Neighborhood organizations are the most local, smallest form of government. It’s an easy way for residents to be involved at the most grassroots level in their own neighborhood, on their own street.
Organizations act as their own nonprofit and have volunteer boards of directors. The organizations communicate to residents – share City news and awareness of topics such as housing and environmental concerns – and engage with one another.
Local neighborhood boards review, respond and participate in City projects at the local level and participate in conversations on everything from stop signs to development projects. Learn more about Neighborhood Day and which organization represents you. There’s also a map of neighborhoods engaged with the day and details on their events.
Click Here For More Information
Cannabis dispensaries Can only be located in the Orange Zones**
Pink Zones are Protected (schools) *
Blue are buffer zones*
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.
Click Here For The Map
Minneapolis has won an award for keeping kids safe while they walk and bike. Two communities in the country won the National Center for Safe Routes to School’s 2025 Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award.
Minneapolis stood out for its focus on youth transportation safety through:
· Strong partnerships among City departments, schools and community organizations.
· Lowering the speed limit to 20 mph on local neighborhood streets.
· Adding traffic safety improvements around schools.
· Offering universal bicycle safety education for fourth- and fifth-grade students.
· Testing speed cameras near schools.
· Engaging young people to help shape transportation policies and street designs.
A new citywide student dance program is bringing dance education to students in all 13 wards. After the closure of the Cowles Center for Dance Education in 2024, the city’s dance community rallied for something new, something bold. This program is the response.
The program will include:
· Dance classes in every Minneapolis Public Schools elementary school
· Dance companies in residence at Minneapolis Public Schools secondary schools
· Dance programming at every Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board recreation center
Dance education improves physical health, builds confidence, sparks creativity, and helps students express themselves emotionally and artistically. When offered in schools and rec centers, these classes can be a lifeline for students seeking connection, belonging and a safe outlet for self-expression.
Click Here For More Infromation
To schedule a meeting or phone call with me
If you want to schedule a meeting or phone call with me, reach out to my office at:
ward4@minneapolismn.gov
Or leave a message at:
612-673-2204
You can also reach me directly at my email: latrisha.vetaw@minneapolismn.gov
Join us for open office hours with the council member every Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ward Office, located in the historic Camden Theater building at
4205 Webber Parkway Whether you’d like to discuss concerns, share ideas, or simply stop by to say thank you, all are welcome!
Exciting news, Ward 4!
We’re pleased to announce that starting this Friday, we now have an in-office notary available at the Ward 4 office! Whether you need documents notarized for personal or business matters, we're here to help. You can stop by every Friday during office hours to take advantage of this convenient service.
We look forward to serving you!
Contact Ward 4
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward4
Email: ward4@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2204
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. |
