In this issue:
Counci Member Cashman speaking from the dais with the U.S. Flag and City Seal in the background
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 Minneapolis elections process. It’s important to flex our democratic muscle when given the chance, and Minneapolis did with a record breaking 147,702 people casting their ballots. Minneapolis had its highest voter turn-out in City history, and that is something to be proud of. Thank you to all the Election and Voter Services staff for their hard work this year.
Serving as your Council Member these past two years has been an honor. I am so proud of the work I’ve done in service to our beautiful Ward, bringing resources for downtown and uptown revitalization, championing climate and sustainability practices, advocating for renters and often forgotten low-income residents, and successfully reinvigorating arts programming to the City. Even just yesterday, in our Council Meeting, we were able to deliver $1.6m in funding to Avivo Village, a move that the City Council made in last year’s budget cycle. Thank you for being a part of this work with me and coming to neighborhood association meetings, townhalls, and City Hall to advocate for your family and neighbors. I look forward to helping the new Council Member-elect get up to speed on constituent issues, and help her carry the baton on important priorities for the ward, like establishing a Cultural District on Nicollet Ave, increase MPD Investigator capacity, and everyday wins like keeping street lights on and buses running.
In my remaining time in office, I will be working to support launching the new E Line bus service, bring public bathrooms Downtown, establish an initiative to demise large ground floor storefronts, fund climate action and the zero waste strategies needed to close the downtown HERC incinerator, and continue Uptown revitalization work. I have a few ordinances left that I need to get over the finish line as well. Our signage code amendment had its public hearing on Monday, so we are looking forward to the completion of that work to help skyway level businesses and small businesses citywide expand their wayfinding and artistic expression through commercial signage and murals. The remainder of my term will be spent working to pass the best budget possible for 2026. Trust that you’ll continue to see me around, advocating for the best of our City, and know that I’m always just a phone call away.
I joined my colleagues on the Council this week in calling for more transparency and response from our Public Safety departments in the way they share information with the Council and the Auditors (2025-01176). As the City Council is the body tasked with budgeting and allocating resources, it has been incredibly frustrating to have continued delays when requesting data that helps shape our Public Safety budgeting priorities. My office has been working to receive data on investigation case clearance rates for months, with a final report due date of October 29th. That date came and went without a single notice or acknowledgement from our Public Safety leaders. This is not just frustrating, but significantly impairs our ability to improve our public safety systems. I am hoping to receive a full report on case clearance rates for MPD before the next Council session, as well as a better understanding on the repercussions from the City Charter for not communicating about presentations to full Council.
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Map of Uptown boundaries, courtesy of Mei-Ling Smith.
When passing our 2025 City budget last year, one of my City Council amendments for Uptown was to dedicate $50,000 to conduct a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) with the Urban Land Institute. The TAP is a method we used to identify policy and planning options for the former Kmart site at Nicollet & Lake Street and the Warehouse District. These stakeholder panels and reports have been deeply impactful in how the City moves forward with our plans in these neighborhoods. It's my belief that revitalization is never achieved through one single action - a silver bullet - but rather through the joint efforts made by the most involved members of the community. I am incredibly thankful for everyone who joined us for sessions last week to shape the future policies of Uptown. In the word’s of Prince, “Everybody's going uptown. It's where I want to be. Uptown, you can set your mind free”.
The Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership is seeking new Energy Vision Advisory Committee (EVAC) members to advise the Partnership as it seeks to meet its goals. The Clean Energy Partnership includes the City of Minneapolis, Xcel Energy, and CenterPoint Energy (the City’s electric and natural gas utility providers) as they collaborate to help the City reach its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals through energy conservation and renewable energy.
EVAC is charged with reviewing and providing strategic feedback on the Partnership’s biennial work plan and annual reports; providing feedback and working on special initiatives; and communicating to and from the members’ respective constituencies. Members should be a Minneapolis resident or associated with a business or organization located within the City of Minneapolis. Preference will be given to individuals or entities with a history of working in or with the City and who represent the diversity of Minneapolis.
Applications are due Nov. 14. To apply for the 2026-2027 term:
Front facing view of 255 2nd Ave S in Downtown. Photo credit to Sherman & Associates.
The Planning Commission voted at their meeting on Monday to approve the conditional use permit for the enhancement of a communication exchange (i.e., data center) at 255 2nd Ave S in Downtown. The applicant indicated that Xcel Energy has committed to upgrading the electrical service to the building from six megawatts to 26 megawatts of electric distribution capacity. While no one spoke at the public hearing, our office received input from constituents strongly opposing data center expansions without far more public input. I share these concerns, especially as the massively increased electricity usage will have environmental impacts and contribute to cost increases for residential ratepayers.
Council Member Chowdhury presenting an Honorary Resolution to Roosevelt Principal Ledesma while he is surrounded by students in City chambers.
Council Members approved four honorary resolutions recognizing: 2025 International Employee Resource Group Day (2025-01226); Veterans Day (2025-01225); Edison heroes (2025-01223); and Principal Christian Alberto Ledesma (2025-01224).
Ordinance Notices, Introductions, & Referrals: Council Members introduced and referred to the appropriate committee ordinances and/or amendments on provisions related to: updating the Gas franchise fees ordinance (2025-01061), and updating the Electric franchise fees ordinance (2025-01062).
Upcoming Public Hearings: Public hearings are officially confirmed when meeting agendas are published in the roughly 48 business hours prior to a scheduled meeting, so 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, and Oversight: Monday, December 1 | 1:30pm | 250 S. Fourth Street, Room 350
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Payroll updates ordinance (2025-01148): Setting a public hearing for December 1, 2025, to consider updating the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances relating to Administration: Personnel, updating and making technical changes to provisions pertaining to payrolls, pension deductions, and other related items.
- Civil Service Commission appointment (2025-01227): Setting a public hearing for December 1, 2025, to consider the Mayor's nomination of Anthony Kelly to Seat 1 beginning March 1, 2025, and ending February 28, 2028.
Climate & Infrastructure Committee: Thursday, November 13 | 1:30pm | 250 S. Fourth Street, Room 350
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Gas franchise fees ordinance (2025-01061): Modifying the current customer categories for the gas franchise fee and increasing the percentage rates of the franchise fees across the classes of customers.
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Electric franchise fees ordinance (2025-01062): Modifying the current customer categories for the electric franchise fees and increasing the percentage rates of the franchise fees across the classes of customers.
Heritage Preservation Committee: Monday, November 10 | 4:30pm | 250 S. Fourth Street, Room 350
119 4th St N, Ward 7; PLAN20318: Design changes to 119 4th St N, known as the Textile Building, in the Warehouse Historic District to enable its conversion to housing. There will be 80 affordable units, which is 100% of the proposed housing. All units will be affordable at 60% AMI and the project will be focused on artist housing. The Pizza Luce space will be retained.
Public Health and Safety Committee Wednesday, December 3 | 1:30-4pm | 250 S. Fourth Street, Room 350
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Lead paint ordinance (2025-01117): Amending City code of ordinances by adding a policy overview section, updating lead-safe standards and cross-department enforcement, and amending licensing standards and duties related to compliance and cross-department enforcement.
- Off-duty use of city resources reporting ordinance (2025-01151): Adding reporting requirement for using police and fire equipment outside of City work.
- Small and Underutilized Business Enterprise Program updates ordinance (2025-01012)
- Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights Appointments (2025-01222): Considering the following appointments to the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights: Mark ODay, Seat 5, Ward 4; Susan Herder, Seat 6, Ward 3; Carrie Nearing, Seat 10, Ward 2; Sheila Scott, Seat 15, Ward 4; Cindy Lord, Seat 16, Ward 11; Kenneth Cooper, Seat 17, Ward 12; Reginald Ferguson, Seat 18, Ward 9; John Bohler, Seat 19, Ward 13; Hol Flor, Seat 20, Ward 8; Paa Der Thao, Seat 21, Ward 7.
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Photo of Metro B Line. Photo credit to Lake Street Council.
Metro Transit is proud to accomplish 1,000,000 rides on the B Line since it opened on June 14th. Come celebrate from 12:00-3:00 on Saturday, November 8 at Martin Luther Ling Recreation Center (271 N Mackubin St, St Paul, MN 55102) and enjoy:
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Live music
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Free food (first come, first serve) from Pizza Karma, That Thai Street Food, and El Taquito Shop
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All-age family-friendly activities
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Arts and crafts
The City will host an online meeting Nov. 18 about rail safety during construction of the METRO Green Line extension, also known as the Southwest Lightrail (SWLRT) project. The extension will add 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line, which currently connects downtown Minneapolis with downtown Saint Paul. Residents will receive new information and have the opportunity to ask staff questions. Participants include the Southwest LRT Project Office, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company, and the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Rail safety meeting 6-7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18
Or call in: +1 612-276-6670 Phone conference ID: 358 220 044#
If you need accommodations for this meeting, you can contact our office by emailing Ward7@MinneapolisMN.gov or calling 612-673-2207.
Piles of fresh produce on a farmers market stand.
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.
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.
Minnesota has more than 300 food shelves and meal programs to help support families when they need help right away.
Nutrition and breastfeeding program
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:
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Access wholesale and discounted prices so they can stretch your dollar
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Make purchases based on inventory and cultural needs
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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.
If you have any questions or need additional support during this shut down, please reach out to our office by emailing Ward7@MinneapolisMN.org or calling 612-673-2207.
The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association is looking for vendors for their Holidays on Nicollet Pop-up shop. The shop will be open Nov 28- Dec 21st, Tues-Sun 11-5pm on the 2nd floor of the IDS Center. Vendor applications are due November 14th and can be done through this google form.
Bright pink "STREET SWEEPING, NO PARKING" sign.
City crews have started 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 began the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
During the four weeks in October and November, crews clean about 1,000 miles of city streets.
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, Oct. 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.
Minneapolis 311 and the Minneapolis Service Centers downtown and in the Lake Street Safety Center will close Wednesday, Nov. 19, for one day. A one-day staff training will focus on service improvements.
They will resume regular business hours Thursday, Nov. 20.
How residents can get information when 311 services are closed
Residents can get City information and make reports online whenever 311 is closed or leave a message for a call back.
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Residents can find information about City topics or departments on the City website.
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Residents can tell the City about issues from barking dogs to graffiti using an online form.
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Residents can dial 311 or 612-673-3000 and leave a message for a call back when business hours resume.
As always, people should call 911 for emergencies.
About the 311 Service Center
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
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Minneapolis North Transfer Station, bins outside of the gate, 2710 Pacific St.
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Minnetonka/Hopkins Recycling Center, 24/7, 11522 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka
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St. Louis Park Recreation Outdoor Center, container inside front entrance 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day 3700 Monterrey Drive, St. Louis Park
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Hennepin County drop-off sites, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays
- 1400 96th St. W., Bloomington
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8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park
Tiny ramp coming out of a stormwater trench that is painted as a roadway and is labeled “Bugs Bunny Blvd”.
Council Member Cashman speaking at the opening of Hennepin Ave alongside Council Vice President Chughtai and Mayor Frey.
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.
- Minneapolis traffic safety cameras show 30% reduction in high-risk speeding on city streets.
- Hennepin Ave is officially re-open and ready for your business.
- Minneapolis had a record turnout for the Municipal Elections this year, with 55% of registered voters turning out.
- Cheba Hut and Dreamstate were officially approved to open in Uptown.
- Road construction is almost done in Loring Park.
- 59 new units have opened for people transitioning out of homelessness at Kyle Garden Square in Downtown.
Council Members Cashman and Chowdhury smile outside Isles Bun & Coffee with Portland Councilor Sameer Kanal and their respective staff.
Council Member Cashman smiling with an elf outside the holiday trolley in Downtown Minneapolis.
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.
- Attended the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association annual meeting.
- Celebrated the launch of the Minneapolis Foundation, Downtown Improvement District, and Meet Minneapolis winter tourism initiative Winterapolis.
- Presented to the Uptown Rotary Club.
- Spoke at the grand reopening of Hennepin Ave.
- Ate at Murray’s Steakhouse.
- Met Portland City Councilor Sameer Kanal, and introduced him to Isles Bun & Coffee. He agreed that their cinnamon rolls were best in the world.
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:
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