 Join me on Sunday at 2PM for an important conversation about how we keep each other safe in these times.
Location: 2742 15th Ave South Minneapolis (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church).
When: Sunday, November 23, 2025.
Time: 2PM- 3:30PM
What: Free food, whistle & training, safety planning, know your rights, and solidarity.
Language Accessibility: English, Spanish, and Somali interpretation. We also have flyers in these languages (if you would like them email me at jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov).
At yesterday’s City Council meeting, I brought for a Legislative Directive meant to assist the city in tackling the opioid epidemic.
A study conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, looked at a pilot program in New York City to raise the awareness about opioid overdose risk due to fentanyl.
To raise awareness of fentanyl overdose risk, the DOHMH pilot tested an awareness campaign in 23 NYC nightlife venues. Although 87% of venue owners/managers were aware of fentanyl, no participating venues had naloxone on premises prior to the intervention. The campaign's rapid dissemination reached people at potential risk of opioid overdose in a short period of time following the identification of fentanyl in the cocaine supply.
As a result of the study, it was recommended that public health authorities in localities with high rates of opioid-involved overdose death should consider similar campaigns to deliver overdose prevention education in the context of a drug supply containing fentanyl.
This legislative directive is requesting relevant information to determine whether it is legally permissible and whether bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and city buildings should possess naloxone or other opioid antagonists.
As winter arrives and the federal government cuts vital housing resources, the City Council has awarded more than $14 million in direct investment, along with $1.7 million in 10-year federal housing tax credits, to jump-start 11 affordable rental housing projects. This money adds or preserves nearly 600 affordable homes for Minneapolis families, seniors, and residents exiting homelessness. It also adds 126 new shelter beds and 123 new units to help people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
 My office has been working with Councilmember Aurin Chowdhury and Council Vice-President Aisha Chughtai along with our City Attorney's to bring forward amendments to our City of Minneapolis Separation ordinance. Our communities are living under horrific and tragic times, and as a city we must fight back in every way possible. Our council offices are working diligently to bring forward a Minneapolis Separation Ordinance that strengthens the safety of our communities and residents.
Here is the proposed ordinance language. We will continue to refine the ordinance. The public hearing will now take place on Tuesday, December 9th from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a final vote scheduled for the City Council meeting on Thursday, December 11th at 9:30 a.m. On both these dates we can and likely will be bringing forward amendments based on community feedback.
The public hearing for the Demolition Safety and Wrecking Provisions Ordinance will occur at the December 2 Business, Housing and Zoning meeting. It will take place at 1:30PM in the Public Service Center (250 S. 4th St.) in room 350.
This ordinance came about after the demolition of Smith Foundry, where structures containing harmful materials were demolished with little-to-no notice to residents in the surrounding area.
Our office worked closely with City staff, the City Attorney’s Office, and community to develop a process by which a wrecking permit applicant must identify and disclose any potential materials or conditions that could cause adverse health impacts on residents during the wrecking process. This could include exposure to toxic or hazardous chemicals in building materials, mold, poor air quality, or other factors. The permit applicant would then be required to implement specific mitigation measures to protect public health and safety. Other provisions will also be considered to protect the well-being of our community.
 Knowing when a snow emergency is declared is now easier than ever. The MPLS Parking app will now send users push notifications when a snow emergency is declared and for each day of a snow emergency.
To receive snow emergency push notifications:
- Download the MPLS Parking app.
- Create an account.
- While not required to receive notifications, an account is required to interact with the notification and view the information in the app.
- Payment information is also not required if not using the app for metered parking.
About the previous app
The former standalone snow emergency “parking rules” app is now discontinued and no longer supported. If you already have the former app, it will no longer reflect snow emergency statuses or receive app store updates. The app will not be automatically replaced by the MPLS Parking app. Users who wish to receive push notifications about snow emergencies should download the MPLS Parking app.
Know the snow emergency parking rules. View the rules.
Have more than one way to stay informed.
View more information about snow emergencies.
I am concerned about recent reporting regarding self-driving vehicle technology and the testing of fleet in Minneapolis. I believe this will have an impact on workers with lower wages, decreased driver income, and concerns over safety and job loss.
Additionally, we know Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major factor in the growth of data centers which bad for the environment. I am concerned that this industry will further pollute our neighborhoods.
I've already reached out to the City Attorney's Office to begin the process of introducing legislation to enact regulations on this concerning activity.
 Yard waste collection season 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 containers 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.
 Unless prescribed by a doctor, cannabis should never be consumed by children or pets. Store cannabis products safely, and know how to respond in an emergency.
Lock up cannabis products
- Store cannabis products in a locked place where your child and pets cannot see, reach or access them.
- Store cannabis products in their original child-resistant packaging and keep the label on.
- Store cannabis edibles separately from regular food and drink.
Symptoms to look for
If a child consumes a cannabis product, they may experience:
- Changes in behavior (including sleepiness, intense happiness, irritability, anxiety and/or paranoia)
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea/vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Poor coordination or uncontrollable movements
- Low energy
- Seizures
- Coma
If a child consumes cannabis that is not medically certified for them, immediately call a medical professional or the free Poison Control Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Learn about cannabis and its health effects.
The minimum wage across the city of Minneapolis will adjust for inflation to $16.37 on January 1, 2026 for all businesses (regardless of business size).
Coverage depends on the physical location (in Minneapolis) of the employee while the employee is performing work.
For information about any of the City's labor standards, visit the City’s website, call 311 or email the Labor Standards Enforcement Division. To report a violation, submit details on the City website or call 311.
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)
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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.
A new online reporting platform brings clarity and connection to our climate work. The Climate Equity Tracker shows how we’re turning goals into action across Minneapolis to make sure community members and businesses benefit from this work.
Like the Climate Equity Plan, the platform focuses on 10 key areas. They include energy systems and green careers, healthy homes, transportation and green spaces. You can explore more than 40 strategy pages to learn more about progress within each key area.
This is just the beginning. The Climate Equity Tracker will continue to grow and add new features and updates.
Explore the Climate Equity Tracker.
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. |
