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Since last fall, Council Member Wonsley and Council President Payne have been leading Council efforts to reform how MPD officers use City resources for their off-duty work. MPD officers are allowed to take private jobs for which they are paid directly by private entities while using City weapons and cars, wear City uniforms, and carry City liability coverage while doing so. Minneapolis’s off-duty system has been recognized as fundamentally inequitable by the US Department of Justice.
Due to a mid-1990s court case, Minneapolis must allow MPD to do off-duty work. The City can, however, implement fees to recoup the cost of City resources being used during off-duty work by MPD officers. Earlier this year, Council passed an ordinance to require a fee for costs associated with the use of City facilities or equipment in the performance of outside work. At the recent Public Health and Safety Committee meeting, the authors brought an ordinance to end public subsidization of side gigs, which was estimated to cost taxpayers $1.4 million last year alone.
Further, it will improve transparency and accountability. Recent events have demonstrated that MPD continues to have issues with time-keeping with a lack of safeguard mechanisms. Finally, this recent action highlights that there are significant changes that could be made today, which the mayor and his administration have failed to make. Our action will hopefully inspire the mayor and his administration to take more proactive actions for reform.
The next steps in finalizing the legislative process is the 2026 Fee Schedule being presented at the Sept. 2 Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee. Following that, the authors will bring forward an amendment for off-duty fees for consideration at the Sept. 11 full council meeting.
Traffic safety impacts everyone, and we know that a small number of streets (nine percent) are where the majority of severe and fatal crashes happen (66 percent). People walking, biking, and in historically marginalized groups are overrepresented in severe and fatal crashes. Quick-build safety improvements are proven effective ways to address traffic safety.
Beginning this week, Public Works will be installing Vision Zero quick-build safety improvements along 38th St. between Pleasant Ave. and 29th Ave. S. This section of 38th Street includes both current and recent high injury streets. The improvements will consist of the following:
The goal of the Vision Zero Program is to increase the safety of all roadway users by:
- Encouraging safe driving behaviors
- Decreasing vehicle speeds
- Reduce crossing distances for people walking
- Improving visibility at intersections
Earlier this summer, Council approved a comprehensive Civil Rights ordinance authored by my office and Council Member Wonsley. The last time the Civil Rights Ordinance was amended was in 2017. Since then, we have seen our world drastically change. We are living in a time when the rights of people are being stripped away. I am proud that we took action at the local level to protect and expand people’s rights.
For anyone living, working or visiting Minneapolis it is now illegal to discriminate based on your housing status, if you are justice-impacted and your height and weight.
Housing status
Housing status refers to whether someone has a stable place to sleep at night. Organizations can still ask about housing if required by law or if there’s a valid, legal business reason.
Justice impacted
Justice Impacted means having a criminal history, such as an arrest, charge, conviction, jail time or probation. Employers can consider someone’s criminal history if it relates to the job. But when making a decision about justice-impacted individuals they should consider:
- Whether there was a conviction
- How long ago it happened
- The severity and nature of the crime
- The person’s age at the time
- Any signs of rehabilitation
Employers can’t discriminate based on arrests that didn’t lead to a conviction (except for pending cases). Licensing laws still apply. Schools should also consider how a record may affect a student’s ability to get licensed.
Height and weight
Height and weight includes actual measurements and how someone is perceived (e.g., tall, short, heavy, light). In jobs, schools, housing or public places, height or weight can only be considered if it’s essential to the role or service and there’s no reasonable alternative without creating serious issues or risks.
 The Minneapolis Fire Department stations recently added a new piece of equipment to their buildings - and it's not for putting out fires. It’s designed to improve the health and well-being of our firefighters. Thanks to the Minneapolis Fire Foundation and five generous sponsors, firefighters at Stations 6, 7, 11, 14, and 17 now have access to new three-person infrared saunas. The saunas help firefighters:
- Detoxify after fires and other incidents
- Take time to physically and emotionally de-stress
Foundation founder and President Steve Shapira, a former St. Paul Fire Captain, said that his own firefighter occupational cancer diagnosis led him to begin using a sauna to help with his chemotherapy treatments. "Multiple studies have shown the benefits of saunas to sweat out toxins and other impurities that firefighters are exposed to while firefighting,” said Shapira. “This can significantly lower the risk of cancers, but also improve cardiovascular health, and help firefighters destress, given the difficult tasks they could face daily.”
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), 72 percent of firefighters die from cancer. With several chemical products in homes, the toxins that burn increase health risks. To compound those issues, the physical and emotional stress of emergency response can contribute to serious health issues.
The Foundation, designed to fill budgetary gaps and provide for health and wellness equipment for firefighters, continues to seek donors to supply saunas to additional fire stations and the training facility at the City’s Emergency Operations and Training Center (EOTF).
In addition to providing the saunas and other cancer-risk reducing equipment, such as particulate fire hoods and decontamination kits, MFD Chief Bryan Tyner says the Foundation has arranged for free skin cancer screenings for firefighters. “The Foundation’s work is doing a great job helping to keep firefighters and, by extension, the public safe," said MFD Chief Bryan Tyner.
Plans are underway to equip the remaining firehouses with saunas.
Parklets are seasonal public spaces that make the city more livable and walkable. The City designs these low-cost portable parks for people to relax and enjoy the city. Public spaces where people can gather and interact, such as parklets, are an asset to our community. Parklets are accessible and open to all.
In a previous newsletter, I shared that a location for a parklet in Ward 9 had been selected. Unfortunately, that did not work out. Thankfully, though, after Public Works reached out to previous parklet hosts in the ward, Savory Bakehouse (3008 36th Ave S.) responded with enthusiasm for hosting a parklet. There is community support for a parklet here, and we’re looking forward to installation of the parklet as early as today.
 The City is currently evaluating the feasibility of a pedestrian mall concept layout along Chicago Avenue between 37th and 38th streets. The proposed layout would restrict through traffic and create a cul-de-sac and public plaza near 3744 Chicago Ave. (also known as The Peoples’ Way).
See the concept and renderings for the potential pedestrian mall alternative on the City website.
Next steps
The engagement feedback and findings of this evaluation will be presented to the City Council’s Climate and Infrastructure Committee to consider Dec. 4.
To learn more about the City's efforts at George Floyd Square, visit the program webpage.
Parklets are seasonal public spaces that make the city more livable and walkable. The City designs these low-cost portable parks for people to relax and enjoy the city. Public spaces where people can gather and interact, such as parklets, are an asset to our community. Parklets are accessible and open to all.
In a previous newsletter, I shared that a location for a parklet in Ward 9 had been selected. Unfortunately, that did not work out. Thankfully, though, after Public Works reached out to previous parklet hosts in the ward, Savory Bakehouse (3008 36th Ave S.) responded with enthusiasm for hosting a parklet. There is community support for a parklet here, and we’re looking forward to installation of the parklet as early as today.
The inaugural Bridge Fund for Dance will support 41 projects across three funding categories. The fund invests in Minneapolis and Minnesota-based choreographers, dance companies, event producers, and performing arts organizations to create new and existing dance and choreography projects in and around downtown Minneapolis.
The funding was created largely in response to the temporary closure of the Cowles Center and the growing demand for financial support. It builds on last month's announcement of a new collaboration to operate the Cowles Center, and represents another direct investment in the City’s creative future – building stronger communities, a more vibrant downtown, and better quality of life for all through culture and creativity.
Read about the dance projects supported by the Bridge Fund for Dance on the City website.
Contact the Ward 9 Office
Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209
City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415
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. |
