In this issue:
Counci Member Cashman speaking from the dais with the U.S. Flag and City Seal in the background
Last week, Mayor Frey presented his 2026 City Budget (2025-00901) to the City Council and the people of Minneapolis. His budget includes a proposed 7.8% property tax levy increase. The Ward 7 office is still combing through each individual proposal, budget increase, and budget cut, and working to understand how each line item would impact Ward 7 residents.
Over the summer, our Urban Scholar intern, Daisy Vang, conducted rigorous community engagement and surveying of Ward 7 residents on your budget priorities. The results of that survey will shape our budget proposals, all while doing our best to keep property taxes down. Daisy's research found that the top needs for Ward 7 constituents are effective public safety solutions, expansion of affordable housing, and transportation infrastructure projects that support our City residents, our economic outlook, and climate resilience. As we move forward in the budget process, we appreciate all the feedback we have received and are committed to using it to shape our work going forward.
 |
Home electricity meter. Photo credit: Quality Electric
If we want to truly tackle climate change, we need to allocate funds wisely towards solutions that stop reliance on fossil fuels and lower energy bills. That is why I authored a Legislative Directive on Franchise Fee updates (2025-00927) to study and pursue changes to the revenue source we use for energy efficiency programs. This data will help us better understand how we are receiving funds through the franchise fee collection, how much we receive, where it is allocated, and if the work we have been allocating it to has been effective at lowering carbon emissions. Reaching City climate, health and equity goals will require expanding our current programs to reach 5,000-10,000 households every year over the next 10 years. We need to ensure that both homeowners and renters have full access to the benefits of clean energy, regardless of federal energy policy going forward. We appreciate the feedback that community members have been providing on these efforts.
Council passed updates to the Police oversight and accountability ordinance (2024-00141), which will strengthen the Community Commission on Police Oversight (CCPO) with better access to data, stronger training requirements and conduct standards for commissioners, and a clearer role for the City Auditor in police accountability. It will also increase the pool of eligible civilian review panel members to ensure that cases are processed in a timely way. I welcome these improvements, and I support further strengthening the ordinance and the ability of the CCPO to effectively provide civilian oversight to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Image of one person comforting another.
Council went over contract amendments with multiple vendors for Community Trauma Response services (2025-00865) to allocate funds to those that have been most effective in deterring violence and supporting community members impacted by violence. I support providing community-led healing after incidents of violence and other traumatic incidents, including case management, victim groups, grief counseling, and connections to other services. I’m encouraged that we continue to tailor these services to the unique needs of different neighborhoods and communities, including young people, BIPOC communities, and LGBTQ2S+ people. However, what I can’t support is funding organizations whose leaders have threatened Council Members and caused additional harm in community. I voted to deny contracts to Salem, Inc. and New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, and voted in favor of a reallocation of those dollars to other organizations. I want to emphasize that these services remain fully funded and equitably allocated across the City after Council Members collaborated on a resolution (2025-00951) to reallocate dollars to benefit the same geographic areas that the original contract was intended to serve.
Furthermore, our Neighborhood Safety Department has failed to implement key services for Ward 7, such as the Uptown Safety Ambassadors and the Violence Interrupters in Stevens Square, and I remain critical of the administration’s ability to deliver for us at the level needed. I will continue working to push the administration to improve on service delivery in these areas.
Minneapolis City Seal, with the American flag on the left, and the City flag on the right.
Ordinance Notices, Introductions, & Referrals: Council Members introduced and referred to the appropriate committee ordinances and/or amendments on provisions related to: reforming the appointed Arts Commission (2025-00948); reforming the Capital Long Range Improvement Committee (2025-00949); creating a permitting process for cannabis at events (2025-00881); amending provisions related to City property and resources and use of official time (2025-00885); structure demolition and wrecking (2025-00886); and, maintenance code for rental licenses (2025-00887).
Upcoming Public Hearings: Public hearings are officially confirmed when meeting agendas are published in the roughly 48 business hours prior to a scheduled meeting. I recommend checking back on the respective links to verify the timeline. Find out more about participating in scheduled hearings and submitting a public comment or watch meetings on the City’s YouTube channel.
Administration & Enterprise Oversight Committee Tuesday, September 2 | 10am | 250 S. Fourth Street, Room 350
-
Surveillance technology contracts ordinance (2025-00507): amending Minneapolis Code of Ordinances to update the procedure for approving surveillance technology.
Business, Housing & Zoning Committee Tuesday, September 2 | 1:30pm | 250 S. Fourth Street, Room 350
-
Commercial property sale ordinance (2024-00154): requiring advance notice of sale of commercial property.
- Administrative enforcement procedures ordinance: Title 16 (2025-00576): updating list of offenses subject to administrative enforcement.
In each Ward 7 Newsletter, we include a question for constituents to weigh in on. Questions may be related to upcoming policy decisions, future planning, issue prioritization, community project ideas, and more.
Today's question:
As threats to critical funding, civil liberties, and democratic processes from the Federal Government begin to more dramatically impact Minneapolis, how would you like to see local government respond and step up? What policies and ordinances would you like to see in place?
People paddle boarding on Lake of the Isles with the City skyline in the background. Photo credit to Cedar-Isles-Dean Neighborhood Association.
For good news, I want to illuminate the recent success of the City in repairing the street lights around the lakes. As of this week, all lights on Lake of the Isles and the south end of Cedar Lake have been repaired, with no new thefts reported! Public Works is now focusing on the west side of Cedar Lake. There is also now stickers on the light posts stating usage of aluminum, which has little to no scrap value. This took a lot of advocacy from my office and in the committee that I lead to get funds allocated and lake parkways prioritized, and I am so grateful to Public Works for getting this resolved for Ward 7.
Blue and green flyer with event info.
After the success of last month’s Clean-up with Katie event in Loring Park, we are hosting another. Join the Ward 7 office on Tuesday, August 26th from 5:30-7:30pm for a community clean-up. We will meet outside Walker Library (2880 Hennepin Ave) at 5:30pm to clean up litter along The Mall and Lagoon Ave, and discuss using 311 to flag issues for the City to tackle. Then, we will regroup at Pimento on the Lake (3000 E Bde Maka Ska Pkwy) for a snack and debrief. Hope to see you there.
For reasonable accommodations for this event, please contact the Ward 7 office at Ward7@MinneapolisMN.gov.
This week, Minneapolis Police made their first arrest related to the wave of mass car vandalism that has been happening throughout Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs over the summer. Three suspects have been arrested so far, and we are waiting for further updates on if and how this case will be charged and prosecuted. We have been in touch with both the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and MPD on this case to discuss their processes and encourage action. MPD has asked us to remind people to call 911 when you see an active car theft or vandalism, and include details of what the suspect looks like, where they were spotted, and any details about their departure, such as their license plate number or what direction they went. Additionally, if you have been impacted by this recent string of crimes, please report it to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Orange graphic with event information and the Car-Free MSP logo.
Many folks are returning to work in person, especially in Downtown Minneapolis. While this brings back bustling activity to our Downtown corridors, it also brings back traffic. If you’re curious about ways to get around without a car, join Move Minneapolis on September 3rd from 12-1pm for their Riding Downtown on Transit webinar. They will go over how to use transit, public safety, new features on transit, and so much more. Sign up on the Zoom event page.
Hennepin County has begun phase four of community engagement for the Lyndale Avenue reconstruction project. During this phase, the County is sharing their proposed concept layout with the community for feedback. The engagement includes an interactive online comment map, as well as an Open House on Wednesday, October 10th from 4-6pm at Spring House Ministries. You can learn more about the project on the Hennepin County website.
Photo of people dancing with motion blur effect. Text reads “Bridge Fund for Dance”
Performances and residencies have been selected for the Bridge Fund for Dance Program, focused on revitalizing Minneapolis’ internationally known dance scene, while reactivating major corridors in our City. Twelve of the residencies and performances will be taking place in Ward 7, bringing an exciting new energy to the Downtown area. You can find a full list of events on the City website.
As of August 1st, anyone who resides in, works in, or visits Minneapolis will be protected under a new Civil Rights ordinance that was approved in May. It is now illegal to discriminate against someone because of their:
- Housing status
- Justice-impacted status (having a criminal record or history)
- Height or weight
Text reads: Neighborhood Super Sale! In blue font on golden rod background, with a collage of random household items and gadgets in the background.
It’s that time of year again—the Neighborhood Super Sale registration window is officially open! If you live in East Isles, Lowry Hill, East Bde Maka Ska, Kenwood, Cedar-Isles-Dean, or The Wedge, and want to be a part of the biggest garage sale event in the City, sign up on the East Isles Neighborhood Association website.
Minneapolis Fire Stations have begun installing saunas in an effort to address higher-cancer risks among firefighters. Modeled after a program Saint Paul has had in place for a few years now, studies are still inconclusive on the benefits of reducing cancer risks. However, evidence has shown that using saunas after emergency calls has been improving mental wellbeing for firefighters, which is always good news. Read more about this development in the Star Tribune.
Photo of Bernese Mountain Dog smiling and wagging its tail. The Minneapolis Animal Care & Control logo is in the corner. Text reads Adopt One, Help Many. That’s the Rescue Effect.
Every Wednesday through September, you can adopt a pet for free at Minneapolis Animal Care & Control. As part of its nationwide campaign, The Rescue Effect, the ASPCA awarded Minneapolis a $13,300 grant to cover fees for adoptions and Minneapolis pet licensing.
Free pet adoptions will happen from 1-5:30pm every Wednesday in August and September at the Minneapolis Animal Care & Control office (212 17th Ave. N). All cats and dogs up for adoption are healthy, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. You can learn more on the City's website.
Up to $15,000 of funding is now available to businesses, cities, multifamily properties, nonprofit organizations, and institutions in Hennepin County to establish organics recycling drop-off sites. Funding can be used for hauling and disposal costs, necessary infrastructure, or education and promotion. Priority will be given to drop-off sites that increase access to organics recycling for residents in apartments and condos.
Person rides a lime scooter by the Metro Transit Light Rail.
Sometimes the news can get us down, but there is a lot to be excited about in Minneapolis! This year we will be sure to call out some good news in each of our newsletters. Do you have some good news to share? Let us know by emailing ward7@minneapolismn.gov and including “Good News Round-up" in the subject line.
Council Member Cashman takes a selfie with Council President Payne and friends outside a sign that says Harmon Court.
The Ward 7 team continues to get out in community to talk to neighbors and stakeholders where they are. Here are a few highlights from the past couple of weeks.
- Checked out all the art installations at the Arts & Cultural Affairs Vibrant Storefronts Celebration.
- Enjoyed the Cedar-Isles-Dean Open Eye Theater puppet show.
- Co-worked at Cardigan Donuts inside the City Center.
- Attended the Minneapolis Urban Scholars celebration and ceremony.
- Presented at the Cedar-Isles-Dean and Bryn Mawr neighborhood association meetings.
To find out about what’s going on in your part of town, check out the nine neighborhood organizations working to keep folks connected and engaged in Ward 7:
|
