| June 6, 2025
Greetings Ward 11,
At yesterday’s City Council meeting, I was proud to be part of presenting an honorary resolution for the late State Senator Kari Dziedzic, designating the 10th Ave Bridge over the Mississippi River as the Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic Memorial Bridge. I grew up with Senator Dziedzic and her family in Northeast Minneapolis and she was a dear friend and mentor. She was instrumental in so many efforts at the State and City level, and will always be remembered for her steady demeanor and strong work ethic.
My colleagues and I remain vigilant to ensure that Minneapolis follows through with its commitment to be a welcoming city. While the city’s Separation Ordinance prohibits MPD from cooperating with ICE, their presence this past Tuesday along Lake Street has shaken public trust and raised concerns about their adherence to that policy. Yesterday, we put forward an After Action request to provide the public an independent report on actions taken by MPD. I stand committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all our residents.
In addition, colleagues have drafted a legislative directive to learn how the Separation Ordinance is being implemented within MPD, including educating officers, safeguards to support compliance, clear consequences as well as definitions for violations, and more. MPD will present at the Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee on June 23rd at 1:30pm. The public is welcome to attend in person at the Public Service Center (250 South 4th St, Room 350). The presentation will also be livestreamed on the City’s YouTube channel.
While we await the opening of the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center in 2026, I encourage everyone to visit our Lake Street Safety Center (2228 East Lake St.) during its open house next Tuesday, June 10, from 3-6pm. Some of the service providers at this location include MPD Crime Prevention Specialists, Community Navigators, Safety Coordinators, City Attorney staff, Hennepin County social workers and Behavior Crisis Response team members. This building is a vital resource for so many Minneapolis residents.
Summer has officially arrived and it is time to start thinking about one of my favorite events of the year – National Night Out! Click here to register your block’s event with the city. Please let my office know if you have questions and would like help planning for your event.
Here's to making the most of this beautiful weather!
In Gratitude,
Please note: The Table of Contents links below may not work on mobile devices due to a known issue with this publication's software. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Development is underway at the future home of the Minneapolis Democracy Center. Crews have made significant progress this year in preparing the former 3rd Precinct building at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. to become the heart of early voting and engagement in Minneapolis.
The City’s community engagement efforts found 70% of respondents living within the 3rd Precinct support plans to create the Minneapolis Democracy Center. This facility will include the Early Vote Center, offices for election staff, and flexible space for election-related equipment and supplies.
Cleanup
Crews have continued working on cleanup and repair. This includes HVAC, and electrical work continues on the interior, along with window, door, frame and skylight replacements. With the demolition of the vestibule, exterior improvements are more visible. Also on the exterior, bunker blocks have been removed from the building’s entry and new windows are being installed. New signage and fencing has also been placed around the site with more information about its future as the Minneapolis Democracy Center.
Barbara O'Brien, Director of Property Services, recently guided City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher and City Clerk Casey Carl on a tour of the site. We captured that tour on video so the community could also see the work being done inside the building and our vision for its future. Watch the video.
Community use space
In addition to Elections & Voter Services, the Minneapolis Democracy Center will house a large, 8,000 square foot, ground-floor space for community use. In December, the City issued an request for proposals for a tenant to program the community space in the building. Three proposals were received. Currently, staff are reviewing the applicants who submitted proposals.
Next steps
The design process for the Democracy Center will begin this summer and will incorporate community engagement that will be announced in the coming weeks. A conceptual design presentation will be made to the City Council later this year. The project is anticipated to move into construction in 2026.
To learn more, visit the City website.
The State of Minnesota offers a list of doulas in the state with search features that make it easier than ever to find a doula. Doulas provide physical, emotional and nonmedical support for parents before, during and after the birth of a baby.
The site includes a map for finding doulas with filter options such as for home birth services, cultural or religious practices, and payment options.
Doula support is especially important for people in communities facing disparities. A doula can help families feel safer, more empowered to make decisions about their body and baby, and more connected socially. Research shows that the support of a doula can:
- Reduce the length of labor.
- Reduce the likelihood of cesarean section birth.
- Provide nonmedical pain relief techniques.
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Support the partner or spouse.
- Result in babies often born with better heart rates and breathing.
Read more about finding a doula on the State of Minnesota website.
With warmer temperatures and bright, sunny days, the City has tips for residents as your gardens grow:
- Mow grass that reaches 8 inches or taller.
- Trim or cut back vegetation that hangs over sidewalks or the edges of alleys to keep them clear for people and vehicles.
- Mow vegetation that hangs over the street. It should be trimmed to the curb line.
- Prune and maintain the health and integrity of trees. (Residents with hazardous trees may qualify for help through the condemned trees assistance.)
- Discard rubbish such as loose or overflowing trash, scrap wood, brush piles, animal feces, etc., to keep rodents from setting up residence in yards.
If you receive a notice from the City to correct an issue, make sure to address it by the due date on the letter. After that, either the City or a hired third-party takes care of the complaint at the property owner’s expense.
Find out more or report an issue on the City website.
The City uses Smart911 to send important information to residents during an emergency.
Get alerts
You can choose to receive Smart911 alerts by:
- Text messages
- Emails
- Phone calls
- Push notifications in the Smart911 mobile app
- Wireless emergency alerts*
Alert topics
The City of Minneapolis will use Smart911 to send alerts on topics including:
- Snow emergencies
- Severe weather
- Public safety incidents
- Major infrastructure issues
- Major special event impacts
Find out more and subscribe on the City website.
*Wireless emergency alerts come through the nationwide Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
What can the safety center do for you? Whether you're a resident or worker or connected to a local business, learn about what the Lake Street Safety Center offers Tuesday, June 10. Meet the community service providers who work out of the center. Learn about the helpful services and resources available – right here in the East Lake Street neighborhood.
At the center
The Lake Steet Safety Center serves as a collaborative space of government and community-based services and resources. It offers services including:
- K-12 school enrollment and education-related resources.
- Resources for victims or survivors of crimes.
- Help with safety concerns or resolving conflicts.
- Housing services, like rental help or rapid rehousing.
- Support recovering from substance use disorder.
- Resources for the area’s businesses and property owners, like help with graffiti issues, lighting concerns, and registering security cameras.
- Connecting to social services and case managers.
- Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips are always available at the safety center – no questions asked. Pick up these resources to protect yourself and others.
We’ll have tables set up outside the center so you can stop by, ask questions, and find out how to connect with these services during regular office hours.
At the open house
- Learn how you can file non-emergency police reports at the center.
- Find out more about the City’s brand new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program in the Lake Street area.
- Learn about other walk-in support services and readily available resources at the center.
Lake Street Safety Center open house 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10 2228 E. Lake St.
Learn more about the Lake Street Safety Center on the City’s website.
Years of work on police reform and accountability will continue
The City of Minneapolis will continue police reform work already underway, despite the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) motion to dismiss the consent decree case more than four months after reaching an agreement and just days before the five-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.
On January 6, the City entered into a proposed federal consent decree with the DOJ, outlining policy, resource and training requirements that would, together with the settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR), continue to guide the City’s and Minneapolis Police Department’s (MPD) reform efforts over the next several years. The DOJ and the City jointly filed the agreement in federal court, seeking court approval. Since that time, DOJ requested and was granted three consecutive 30-day stays of the court proceedings.
On May 21, the DOJ filed a motion to dismiss the case. The decision on whether to dismiss the case now lies with the federal judge. No matter the outcome, the City of Minneapolis’ path remains clear – to continue to implement the reforms, apparently without support from the White House.
The City has already begun to implement the reforms listed in the federal agreement and will continue to do so. You can find more police reform updates on the City’s website.
Air quality affects everyone, especially people with asthma or other breathing challenges. Follow the Minneapolis fire rules and recommendations to keep our air safe and clean:
- Limit fires.
- Let neighbors know when you’re planning a fire.
- Recreational fires are only allowed between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Keep fires small: Less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high.
- Skip fires on windy days.
- Burn only untreated, unpainted, dry wood.
- Keep a hose or fire extinguisher nearby.
- Don’t burn during an air pollution advisory day. Sign up for air quality alerts from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Watch a video for safety tips about recreational fires.
As cookout season kicks off, keep food safety in mind. Warm weather is great for grilling – and for harmful bacteria to grow. Foodborne illnesses are caused by harmful bacteria, viruses and other agents that get into food.
Five key food safety practices
- Washing your hands before preparing food or when changing tasks.
- Keeping food at the correct temperature (hot or cold).
- Cooking food to the right temperature.
- Keeping raw and cooked foods separate.
- Using safe sources for food.
Read more food safety instructions on the City website.
Celebrate Juneteenth in Minneapolis parks throughout June. From large community events to small neighborhood cookouts and movie screenings, there are a lot of ways to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture.
Read more on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website.
Join us for a Caring Careers job fair at the Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center June 18. There’s a critical need for workers in health care and social assistance. Find out more about jobs to help elders and people with disabilities living in our community.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center 505 15th Ave. S.
A new City opioid treatment program has begun for our community members with opioid use disorder. This pilot offers free prescription injections, treatment, and connections to services and support. That also includes insurance coverage help for longer-term treatment.
Read more about the opioid treatment program on the City website.
Minnesota’s Hot Weather Rule protects residential utility customers from having their electric service shut off on any day that the National Weather Service has declared an excessive heat watch, heat advisory, or excessive heat warning.
Read more about hot weather protection on the State of Minnesota website. |
