October 31, 2025

A message from Council President Elliott Payne

Hello neighbors,

Happy Halloween! I hope the rain goes away quickly and that everyone has a great night of fun being out in the Ward.

I continue to be concerned about the delays and resistance the City's independent Auditor is experiencing from the Mayor's administration. Earlier this week, the Audit committee sent a letter to Mayor Frey outlining the importance of full cooperation, as is outlined in the City's Charter. The Auditor's office is independent and does not report to the Mayor or City Council and must not be stalled or prevented from doing their work. This is particularly important considering the killing of Mariah Samuels, Allison Lussier, and shooting Davis Moturi where Audits can help reveal systemic failures and gaps in the system that lead to these preventable tragedies. 

Lastly, I wanted touch on the former President of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce being indicted for allegedly embezzling more than $200,000. One of the first times that I ever had a number of constituents reach out to my office asking me to explain a vote I took was when I voted against accepting a gift from the chamber that would've temporarily embedded one of their staff members in the Mayor's office at no cost to the City. Because of the high vote threshold needed for the City to accept gifts, this move was blocked from happening because 3 of us voted against it. At the time, I talked about how "there's no such thing as a free lunch" and that there's a practicality to how groups operate and the first thing that you're taught to do is just to get a foot in the door. At that time, and even more so now, I just didn't think it was appropriate to open the door to the City in that way. Looking back now, I think we can all be grateful the City was not exposed to that kind of relationship with the Chamber. You can watch the comments I made on the dais at the time here. 

Best,

Elliott

Connect with Council President Elliott Payne

November Community 1-1s

When: Thursday November 13 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: Location TBD

November Office Hours

When: Monday, November 17 from 5:00-7:00 PM

Where: Location TBD

Tuesday is Election Day; you can vote early through Monday

You can still vote early by Monday, Nov. 3, or you can vote at your polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Vote early in person

The Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., is open for early voting in person 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Oct. 31; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2; and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3.

Drop off your mail ballot

If you have a mail ballot, you can still drop it off in person through 5 p.m. on Election Day. Bring it to Elections and Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin. (They may not be returned to individual polling places on Election Day.) Or you can choose to vote at your polling place on Election Day with a new ballot.

Vote at your polling place on Election Day

Find your local polling place to vote in person on Election Day.

Find more details about voting on the City website.

Federal shutdown impacts to SNAP benefits, City services remain stable

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 with no resolution in sight.

City staff are monitoring ways the shutdown could affect us in Minneapolis. We continue to have enough cash on hand to keep City programs and services that depend on federal funding going temporarily despite a slowdown in payments from the federal government.

But with federal programs at growing risk as the shutdown continues – especially for food assistance – we’re sharing some key information our community should know.

Food assistance

Shutdown impacts to SNAP benefits

Food security is a critical priority and a real concern for many families in our community. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will not be issued beginning in November due to the federal shutdown. More than 60,000 of our Minneapolis community members, 14% of our city’s residents, will be affected by the lack of SNAP benefits.

On Oct. 27, Governor Tim Walz announced the State of Minnesota would provide $4 million in emergency funds to support food shelves.

Attorney General Keith Ellison is co-leading a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors in filing suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for issuing SNAP benefits, and Secretary Brooke Rolling for unlawfully suspending SNAP. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order, arguing that the USDA has repeatedly stated its authority to continue SNAP benefits during a shutdown.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families is monitoring this situation and providing information to counties and tribal nations, which administer SNAP benefits in Minnesota. Find more information on the State’s website.

Food shelves

Minnesota has more than 300 food shelves and meal programs to help support families when they need help right away.

Residents can find a local food shelf using the Hunger Solutions map or by calling 1-888-711-1151.

Nutrition and breastfeeding program

If you have children up to age 5, you may qualify for WIC. WIC is Hennepin County's Women, Infants and Children nutrition and breastfeeding program that can help get food on the table. Learn more about WIC on the Hennepin County website.

How to help support our community

You can consider donating your dollars or time to a nearby food shelf to support neighbors. Locally, Minneapolis food shelves buy food that meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. Cash donations have the greatest impact because they allow local food shelves to:

• Access wholesale and discounted prices so they can stretch your dollar
• Make purchases based on inventory and cultural needs
• Purchase fresh foods such as produce, eggs, meat and milk

Impact to family planning services

We’re monitoring potential impacts to the City’s family planning services. There have reportedly been mass layoffs to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs made during the shutdown.

OPA administers the nation’s Title X family-planning network, teen-pregnancy prevention, and LGBTQ+ health initiatives. If the program does not exist, it will affect City services provided at school-based clinics and jobs supported through OPA grants.

The Minneapolis Health Department has identified one-time bridge funding that will allow services to continue through December.

Minneapolis is a Welcoming City; know your rights

Minneapolis is a Welcoming City – a place where all should feel safe, respected and included, regardless of immigration status. The City of Minneapolis works hard to put these values into policy and practice because we know that when everyone in our city feels like they belong, we all benefit.

Immigration rights and responsibilities

You can find information from our community partners on the City website. Some of that information includes:

• What to know in interactions with ICE (federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement):
• You have the right to stay silent and to talk with a lawyer.
• You have the right to refuse to sign any document until you talk to a lawyer.
• You have the right to not open your door until you see a warrant.
• Stay as calm as you can, and do not run away.
• Learn more about your rights in interactions with ICE from the Immigrant Defense Project.
• How to prepare:
• Make a plan to prepare your family.
• Carry a “know-your-rights” card.
• Keep your immigration papers on you at all times.
• Meet with a lawyer to learn about your immigration options.
• Learn how to prepare for an immigration encounter. Attend a workshop, information session or community hours.

Visit the City’s website to learn all this and more.

Fall street sweeping began October 21

City crews are getting ready to sweep streets across Minneapolis. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains. That helps keep them out of our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River. Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city Tuesday, October 21.

During the four weeks in October and November, crews clean about 1,000 miles of city streets.

Stay informed

Temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours before they start so the street will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, October 20, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules, or their cars may be ticketed and towed.

Stay informed about the parking rules through a web map showing when your street is scheduled for sweeping, “no parking” signs on the street, and email and text alerts.

Learn more about street sweeping on the City website; Facebook, Bluesky, Threads and X; and videos in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.

Give your feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2026 City budget

There are two upcoming public hearings for people to provide feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2026 City budget.

City budget public hearings These public hearings will take place at the Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350.

• 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
• 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. (The City Council will vote on adopting the budget following the hearing.)

Learn how to participate in public hearings.

Comments can also be submitted at the City’s website.

Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended 2026 budget, details of the 2025-2026 adopted budget, quick facts, an explainer video and more.

Collection of leaves and bundled brush ends week of November 24

Yard waste collection goes through November. City customers’ collection day the week of Nov. 24-29 will be their last 2025 pickup of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings.

Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alley or curb line next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their pickup day. Set yard waste out in a reusable container, in compostable bags (paper or BPI-certified compostable plastic bags – look for the BPI logo) or bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).

Other requirements

• Max weight of 40 lbs. for bags, reusable containers or bundled brush.
• Brush must be shorter than 3 feet long and each branch less than 3 inches in diameter.
• Brush must be in a container or bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).
• Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” do not meet the State law and are not accepted.
• Reusable container must be between 26-32 inches high, between 32 and 38 gallons in size, with sturdy handles and no wheels.
• Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers.

City customers are encouraged to set out properly prepared yard waste as soon as possible. There will be no additional 2025 yard waste service after the last scheduled pickup.

Raking leaves into the street is against the law and bad for our lakes, creeks and river.

For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can check the City website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 Monday-Friday.

Yard sign recycling drop-offs Nov. 12-26

After the 2025 election season wraps up, if you have yard signs for the election check with the campaign to see if it’s collecting its yard signs for reuse. If the yard sign can’t be reused, you can drop it off Nov. 12-26.

The signs will be brought to Choice Plastics, where they’ll be turned into pellets and then recycled into new material.

Yard sign recycling drop-off sites

• Minneapolis North Transfer Station, bins outside of the gate 2710 Pacific St.
• Minnetonka/Hopkins Recycling Center, 24/7 11522 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka
• St. Louis Park Recreation Outdoor Center, container inside front entrance 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day 3700 Monterrey Drive, St. Louis Park
• Hennepin County drop-off sites, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
• 1400 96th St. W., Bloomington
• 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park

Find more information about yard sign recycling drop-offs.

Compost your jack-o’-lanterns and gourds

When you’re done with your carved pumpkins and other gourds, you can put them in your green organics recycling cart. They don’t need to be bagged. Remember to remove any candles or lights first.

If you haven’t signed up for organics recycling, you can put carved pumpkins and other gourds with your other yard waste.

Added synthetic materials such as paint, permanent markers, glitter or jewels make pumpkins non-compostable, and then they have to go in the black garbage cart.

Wrappers from Halloween candy go in the garbage. They are not recyclable or compostable.

Find more information about organics recycling on the City website.

Connect with Elliott and Ward 1 Staff

Elliott Payne was re-elected in 2023 to represent Ward 1

Elliott serves on the President of the Minneapolis City Council, Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Public Health & Safety Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole. 

Contact the Ward 1 Council Office

Elliott Payne, Council Member - elliott.payne@minneapolismn.gov 

Brandon Garcia, Policy Aide - brandon.garcia@minneapolismn.gov

Ikram Mohamud, Policy Associate - Ikram.Mohamud@minneapolismn.gov

Liam Davis Temple, Policy Aide - liam.davistemple@minneapolismn.gov 

Office Phone - (612) 673-2201

Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward1

Our offices have officially moved back to City Hall! You can visit us at 

City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats 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.