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I attended an Advocacy Lunch hosted by the Council of Graduate Students (COGS). As a former UMN Grad Student myself, I value the opportunity to connect with this constituency and hear about their priorities. We discussed the lack of affordable and culturally-specific groceries in Dinkytown Marcy Holmes and Como, how to limit the presence of ICE on campus, and the MIX development on the East Bank. Thank you COGS for hosting me and I look forward to our next Advocacy Lunch!
Council Member Wonsley with Council of Graduate Students members.
You’re invited to the Annual Meeting of the East Bank Neighborhoods! The evening will begin with a social hour including catered appetizers and a cash bar. At the meeting, neighbors can hear from the candidates for the EBNP Board in advance of the vote. The meeting will also feature special guests, a recap of EBNP’s 2025 work and plans for 2026.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Machine Shop- 300 2nd Street SE
Flyer for the Annual Meeting of the East Bank Neighborhoods
There are two upcoming public hearings for people to provide feedback on the 2026 City budget.
City budget public hearingsThese 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.
Summary: MPD presented on their case clearance rates.
Background: Council approved a legislative directive authored by Council Member Cashman requesting MPD present on their case clearance rates, and what barriers exist to improving investigations and case closure. The results were presented this week and the committee had an interesting conversation about the information presented. MPD has lost nearly 40% of their investigations staff since 2019 and has raised the need for both sworn and civilian investigators. In response to this, I led Council to fund five civilian investigators for the 2025 budget, yet MPD was only told to hire three of the five. The other two were not filled, and Mayor Frey has proposed cutting them in the 2026 budget. The presentation underscored the need to increase civilian unsworn staff to support public safety efforts.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Summary: Council received a presentation on the city’s ongoing work to fulfill the opioid response strategic plan, and continues to work on harm reduction around the opioid crisis.
Background: The opioid crisis is a nationwide epidemic that disproportionately kills and harms Black and Native residents. In August of 2023, Council Member Payne and I requested that the Frey administration present their plan for responding to the opioid crisis and preventing deaths. In early 2024, staff gave an initial presentation their planned strategies. In May of this year, we received a presentation and report on the planned use of the City’s opioid settlement dollars.
We continue to see the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis in our communities. This week, Council received an update on the implementation of new strategies including the Mobile Medical Unit, narcan saturation, and more.
Additionally, Council Member Chavez brought forward a legislative directive exploring the viability of requiring that naloxone be available at bars and nightclubs as well as City buildings. This is a fantastic idea that my office has discussed in particular with stakeholders in the university area. I look forward to supporting this effort and other strategies to protect everyone in our communities from the harmful impacts of opioids.
Key votes: The Public Health and Safety Committee voted to approve Council Member Chavez’s legislative directive about exploring requiring naloxone in certain businesses and buildings.
Initial data from the City of Minneapolis’ traffic safety camera pilot program shows speeding is down at camera locations across the city in the program’s first month. As the program transitions from issuing warnings to issuing citations, the City is releasing preliminary findings of the pilot’s impact.
Across all five camera locations over the first month of operations:
- The rate of drivers recorded traveling 10 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by 30%.
- The rate of drivers recorded traveling 20 or more miles over the speed limit was reduced by 76%.
These positive initial results can only be attributed to signs and initial warnings sent out. Results in other cities with traffic safety camera programs have shown further reductions in unsafe speeding as more people receive warnings and citations are issued.
Warnings and citations
The City has begun to issue citations to drivers detected travelling 10 or more miles over the speed limit.
Read more on the City website.
The City of Minneapolis has opened two Resilience Centers to serve community members during a time of healing. Following the tragedy at Annunciation Parish in August and a mass shooting in the Lake Street area in September, the City has opened two in-person centers where people can find support and resources after tragic events.
These centers are welcoming spaces where people can recover together, connect with neighbors, and access important resources. Both centers are operating in partnership with state, county and local organizations. All services are free of charge.
By helping people come together and provide access to the care they need, Resilience Centers strengthen our communities and build a foundation for long-term safety and healing across the city.
Resilience Center at Washburn Library
The Resilience Center at Washburn Library supports any community member affected by the tragedy at the Annunciation Parish. Services include:
- Mental health care
- Crime victims’ services
- Therapy animals
- Applications for financial assistance through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs
Find the hours and schedule on the City’s website.
This center is in a temporary space while plans are made for a more permanent location.
Resilience Center at Waite House
Following the Sept. 15 mass shooting on Lake Street, the Resilience Center at Waite House provides a place for people to find support and access help. Services include:
- Mental health care
- Resources for people experiencing homelessness
- Information and connections to additional support
Find the hours and schedule on the City website.
When the City of Minneapolis declares a snow emergency, parking rules take effect so plows can clear the streets. Know the rules so you can help crews do a complete job, and so you can avoid a ticket and tow.
Stay informed
- Call 612-348-SNOW (7669)
- Go to the City website for more detailed information and to sign up for text, email and phone alerts.
- Download the MPLS Parking smartphone app for alerts.
- Text MPLSALERTS to 77295 for snow emergency alerts.
Remember to shovel sidewalks and around garbage carts
It’s the law and the neighborly thing to do.
Read more about snow emergencies on the City website.
Contact Ward 2
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward2
Email: ward2@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2202
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. |
