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Welcome to a snowy winter,
After two years of low snowfall, Minneapolis has already declared two snow emergencies. To keep current on snow emergency rules and get notified when they are declared, you can sign up for text and email alerts.
The 2026 budget has been set. In our budget discussions, I have continually spoken of the need to lower the rate of property tax increases. While the increase in 2026 was lowered from 13% to 8%, it is unsustainable. I continue to advocate for low and fixed income residents who are being forced out of Minneapolis. Every renter and homeowner is paying more for housing, not to mention the rising prices of insurance, utilities, energy, and food. Our 3rd Ward office will begin identifying areas in the City budget where spending can be reduced when we return to work in January.
The truth is the City has to tighten its budget just as every resident has had to do. Please send our office your ideas on where the City can cut the budget. One area I will continue to work on is having the County respond to the need for more supportive housing and social service delivery. The State also continues to benefit from receiving over $700 million in sales tax revenue from Minneapolis, while returning only $81.7 million in local government aid to the City. Minneapolis sales tax dollars are supporting all of Minnesota and the State has a moral obligation to return more of these dollars to us.
With the last Council meeting of the year behind us, we will be packing up the 3rd Ward office next week. When a new Council President is elected, they will assign office to everyone. While we are working remotely, we will be checking emails and returning calls, but we will not be able to answer the office phone when you call.
Last week the Basilica choir led by Lee Munnich and the Ard Godfrey House Committee led by Aileen Johnson hosted a wonderful open house with Christmas caroling at the Ard Godfrey House in Chute Square.
As I end the last newsletter of the year, Henry Patrick and I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.
Your neighbor,
Michael
On Dec. 9, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen was tackled, handcuffed and taken into federal custody while simply walking in his own neighborhood. Mubashir stood with Mayor Frey and Chief O’Hara to share his story, a story that makes clear just how deeply his constitutional rights were violated.
What happened to Mubashir is not policing. It’s targeting. If this can happen to a U.S. citizen in broad daylight, it endangers everyone, especially our immigrant and refugee communities, who are already carrying the weight of fear and uncertainty.
Our residents deserve better from the federal government. Minneapolis will not stand by while our neighbors are profiled or abused. We demand answers, accountability and immediate changes. Everyone deserves dignity, safety and their full rights under the Constitution.
Watch the video.
See the full news conference: U.S. citizen wrongfully detained in Minneapolis. Please note the video contains footage that viewers may find distressing.
Find the latest information about the City of Minneapolis’ response to federal actions.
Resources
It’s very important to know your rights, be prepared and contact an immigration attorney if needed. If you or someone you know is impacted, there are resources available, including free legal clinics with immigration attorneys:
Find more legal resources and know your rights information on the City website.
Snow emergency parking rules are in effect in Minneapolis until 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. Know the rules so you can help crews do a complete job plowing the streets, and so you can avoid a ticket and tow.
Stay informed
Residents, workers and visitors have several ways to learn when snow emergencies are declared and what to do when they are. We recommend signing up for at least two types of alerts.
- 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 MPLSSnow 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 this snow emergency.
Read more about snow emergencies on the City website.
Sidewalks are an important part of Minneapolis’ transportation system, and they should be open for everyone. That’s why Minneapolis ordinance requires property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall for houses and duplexes and four daytime hours for all other properties. It’s the law, and it’s the neighborly thing to do. If your walk’s not cleared, the City could have it cleared and you would be billed.
Don’t forget your garbage, recycling and organics carts. Crews need a 36-inch-wide path from your carts to the street or alley.
If you need help clearing snow, you can call 311 for a list of resources that might be available.
Read more on the City website.
A lot of people have extra recycling this time of year. Here’s how to set out extra recycling on your recycling day:
- For boxes that do not fit in your recycling cart, you can place them next to your recycling cart in another box. Keep boxes set outside of the cart smaller than 3 feet by 3 feet and less than 40 pounds. This is for safety and proper sorting.
- Put any extra bottles and cans next to your recycling cart in cardboard boxes or paper bags. (If you use plastic bags, the entire bag will be disposed of as garbage.)
Remember there's no charge to get another recycling cart. If you regularly have more recycling than will fit in your cart(s), contact our office at 612-673-2917 to request another cart. |
