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My office attended the East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership Annual Meeting last week. It was a packed house, and we enjoyed networking with neighbors from across the East Bank areas. Residents also voted on the first EBNP Board of Directors following their historic merger earlier this year. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of making the East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership successful this year. We are so excited to continue collaborating on improving grocery access, traffic safety, sidewalk lighting, and more with you in 2026 and beyond.
East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership Annual Meeting.
Community members filled City Hall last week at the 3rd public hearing on the City Budget. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come share your thoughts and feedback with the Council, as well as those who have submitted their comments online. Some of the priorities I heard most clearly were a desire to see the City cut the contract with ZenCity for MPD community perception surveying, more funding for labor standards co-enforcement, and investment in public safety strategies beyond policing. I look forward to the budget mark-ups beginning in December where Council can vote on amendments that reflect resident priorities.
Read more about the budget process, including how to share your feedback, here.
Seward residents with the Seward Traffic Calming Program (STCP) are organizing a community meeting to discuss the intersection of 26th Ave S and 24th Street E, as well as traffic calming on 36th Ave S. All Seward community members with shared concerns for traffic safety are invited to participate. Click here for an easy "save to calendar" link for the December 4th meeting.
Seward Traffic Calming Project has also created a survey to gather feedback about street safety in Seward: https://tally.so/r/m6bJQe. Please fill it out and share with your friends & family around the neighborhood!
Seward Street Safety Meeting
Discussion topic: 26th Ave S and 36th Ave S
December 4th 6-8pm
Matthew's Park Recreation Center (2318 29th Ave S)
Poster for the Safer Streets for Seward meeting on December 4th
Starbucks workers are on an open-ended strike. I continue to stand in solidarity with Starbucks Workers United. I call on the Starbucks corporation to stop union busting and meet the demands of workers. The contract could be settled with just one day’s worth of profits. I urge constituents and supporters to not cross picket lines and support the Starbucks Workers Union strike.
CM Wonsley with striking Starbucks workers in 2022.
Summary: Council is strengthening the ordinance limiting the role of City employees in federal immigration enforcement. You can submit written testimony or testify in person on December 9th.
Background: Minneapolis has a separation ordinance that affirms that federal immigration enforcement is not the City’s role, and prohibits City employees from asking about immigration status or performing the work of federal immigration agents.
Following the federal immigration actions on E Lake St and Bloomington Ave on June 3rd, the City Council requested that the independent City Auditor conduct an after-action review of the events. The review included a recommendation to update the separation ordinance. This echoed the calls that community members have made for the City to strengthen the separation ordinance in light of the fact that it’s almost 20 years old, and the context of the current federal administration.
In light of this, Council Members Chavez, Chowdhury and Chughtai have authored a revised and strengthened version of the separation ordinance. There will be a public hearing on the proposed amendments on December 9th at 1:30pm.
Separation ordinance public hearing - December 9th at 1:30pm
Testify in person:
- Separation Ordinance Public Hearing at the Committee of the Whole
- December 9th at 1:30pm
- Minneapolis Public Service Center: 250 South 4th Street– Room 350
- The location is also on the Blue and Green line and multiple bus lines. Parking is available at the Haaf Ramp-- 424 South 4th Street.
- Read more about rules for meetings and tips to participate
Testify in writing:
- Testimony can be submitted in writing at any time using this form.
- Submissions can include personal/individual comments, or official organizational statements.
- For “Subject or File Number,” write “Employee authority in immigration matters ordinance”
Key votes: Council voted unanimously to set a public hearing on the separation ordinance on December 9th at 1:30pm. Following the public hearing, Council will vote on the ordinance.
Summary: Council discussed our policy priorities for the 2026 state legislative session.
Background: The Council received a presentation on the draft policy positions that the City’s lobbyists will be advocating for at the state legislature during the 2026 session. There are a number of exciting priorities that I look forward to advocating for alongside my colleagues and community members.
Early next year, Council will have the opportunity to propose amendments to the City’s official list of priorities. I will be bringing forward a couple of priorities that have come up in Ward 2:
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Non-fatal shooting task force. Nonfatal shooting task forces are a model that acknowledges that every nonfatal shooting could have been fatal, and that investigating and closing cases of nonfatal shootings is an extremely effective way to prevent more shootings and bring down gun violence overall. Saint Paul and Ramsey County have implemented a nonfatal shooting task force that has impressive data about reduction in gun violence. I believe Minneapolis residents deserve the same level of seriousness and investment in public safety strategies that are proven to work. I believe it should be a priority for the state legislature to support and partner with Minneapolis on a nonfatal shooting task force.
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Extend the University of Minnesota’s Good Neighbor Fund for another 20 years, with a new focus on food security and grocery access. The Good Neighbor Fund is a community grant program that’s supported by the University endowment and administered by the University of Minnesota. It gives small grants to support community initiatives in the broader university area, ranging from public safety to arts and culture to economic development and more. The Good Neighbor Fund was chartered at the State Legislature in 2007 and is scheduled to sunset after 20 years, but I’ve heard loud and clear from residents that they want to see this asset sustained for another 20 years. There’s also an opportunity to ensure that the next 20 years of Good Neighbor Fund has a specific focus on food security and access. I look forward to partnering with the legislators who represent the university area on this initiative.
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Dinky After Dark Phase II. Dinky After Dark is the initiative to install pedestrian lighting throughout Dinkytown and Marcy Holmes to ensure safe streets and sidewalks in one of the most heavily pedestrian areas of our city. In 2024, Council allocated the first $500,000 toward Dinky After Dark and several blocks of new lights have gone up in Dinkytown thanks to efficient implementation by Public Works. I’ve heard huge support from students and university communities and an eagerness to expand the coverage as soon as possible. That means our partners in this effort, the University and the State, have the opportunity to chip in the next allocations to ensure our student communities are safe in Dinkytown.
I know there will be many further conversations and I look forward to advancing these priorities and the entire list of the city’s legislative efforts during the upcoming session.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Heritage Preservation Ordinance
Summary: Council approved a comprehensive revision to the City’s heritage preservation ordinances.
Background: In 1972, the City adopted a local historic preservation ordinance to encourage and allow for the study, designation, and protection of properties significant to the City’s built and cultural heritage. In the past 53 years, the city has designated over 195 individual landmarks and 20 historic districts. The City’s preservation program follows state and federal procedures governing the establishment and regulation of significant cultural and historic properties.
Since the last comprehensive revision to the preservation ordinance in 2001, practices and processes in historic preservation have changed. Minneapolis has designated more landmarks and historic districts requiring CPED staff and the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to review a higher volume of applications. Historic resource surveys were completed across the city to document buildings, structures, and landscapes that may meet one of the city’s seven criteria of significance. There have been large shifts in how we recognize history, particularly those of underrepresented groups. New building materials and technologies have affected how historic design review is practiced. The Zoning Code received a major rewrite in 2023 to implement the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and inflation has influenced the fee structure of land use applications in Zoning and Planning. In light of this, City staff worked with the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Business Housing and Zoning Committee on a comprehensive set of revisions and updates to update and modernize regulations including application types, fees, review processes, and standards for nominating and designating landmarks and historic districts.
Over my time on the Council I’ve had the opportunity to learn a lot about heritage preservation in the city of Minneapolis. The questions about how to preserve our city’s heritage intersects with lots of other important and ongoing conversations about development, equity, arts and culture, and infrastructure. Every potential or proposed case of historic designation is different, and every one is an opportunity for a meaningful conversation about a piece of physical and cultural history and how to honor that history while also moving our city into the future in a healthy and equitable way. With that in mind, I’m really glad to see the updated heritage preservation ordinances coming forward today and want to thank city staff and the heritage preservation commission who put a tremendous amount of work into the full revision of this chapter.
I brought forward one proposed amendment to reflect a change suggested by the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC). The amendment would maintain the HPC’s current ability to nominate a property without additional eligibility pre-screening by City staff. The HPC helps widen the public conversation about heritage preservation, and we want to honor and foster that role rather than create an administrative step that could limit it. It's an important way to empower and support our Appointed Boards and Commissions and continue to have a robust historic preservation conversation. The HPC is a body of residents and subject matter experts. While they are not elected officials, they are a body of residents and subject matter experts who bring important and diverse perspectives to our city’s heritage preservation practices. Unfortunately, my amendment was not approved by the Council.
Key votes: My amendment to maintain the Heritage Preservation Commission’s current ability to nominate buildings and historic districts failed 5-9. The ordinance overall was adopted as amended.
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.
Here are the most recent streetlight repair updates from Public Work for November 8 - 23:
- New Theft
- St Anthony Parkway
- Since April, 9 weeks of no known wire theft, 14 weeks with evidence of new theft.
- In Progress
- Next Steps
- Surrounding pond at 37th and Chicago/Columbus
- Midtown Greenway (except at construction area at Nicollet Ave S)
- Sections of Hiawatha Bike Trail
Great see some public excitement about lights being fixed along the Greenway. Most of these have new shields on the bases to, hopefully, deter more theft. Thank you to Public Works for their continued hard work while the ground remains warm enough for them to make repairs.
A screenshot of a social media post celebrating the repair of the lights on the Midtown Greenway.
The City has launched a second Safe Station at Fire Station 7 to provide more access to recovery assistance where it’s needed most. Serving the Cedar-Riverside, Ventura Village and Seward neighborhoods, it’s one of the Fire Department’s busiest stations for overdose and other addiction-related calls. With nearly 500 overdose calls in 2024, expanding the program to this area was a priority.
Over the past two years, the Minnesota Addiction Recovery Initiative’s first Safe Station pilot program at Fire Station 14 has been an accessible, community-based resource for more than 7,500 people seeking help.
About the program
The Safe Station program is a partnership between the Minneapolis Fire Department and the Twin Cities Recovery Project. The goal is to increase access to recovery assistance in communities where it is needed most. A Safe Station provides peer support, treatment referrals, assessments and housing referrals.
Watch the video: A door always open: Minneapolis expands Safe Station recovery support.
Anyone who needs help can walk up to Fire Stations 7 or 14 and ask. No appointment, cost or judgement – we're here to help. Read the entire story and get more information on the City's website.
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 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.
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. |
