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This week has brought a renewed sense of awareness and deeper understanding to my experience serving and representing North Minneapolis. Each day continues to affirm both the strength of our community and the very real challenges we are working to overcome together.
I have remained vocal and persistent in advocating for the equitable distribution of city resources. North Minneapolis deserves fair access, real investment, and the support necessary to thrive, not just get by. Additional support is coming in the form of rental assistance, made possible through our partnership with Hennepin County. This is a meaningful step toward ensuring families have the stability they need during this time. At the same time, I want to be honest: the disparities we are facing in this moment of recovery are deeper than what existed before. That reality requires continued urgency, accountability, and collaboration from all of us.
I encourage you to keep showing up for one another. Continue to raise your voices, address the issues that matter, and stay engaged in the work of strengthening our neighborhoods. Your voice matters, and it is heard. As your councilwoman, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to ensure access, opportunity, and equity are not just goals, but realities for North Minneapolis.
Who Qualifies: Families earning 30% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) may be eligible. (AMI is the middle income for households in the area *if the middle household earns $60,000, 30% AMI would be $18,000/year.)
Important Limits: Some programs have a $10,000 lifetime limit per household, including funds from any city or county sources. Once you reach this limit, additional assistance from that program may not be available.
How to Plan: Use assistance carefully and confirm eligibility and limits with program administrators.
Learn More & Apply:
Minneapolis Housing Assistance: minneapolismn.gov
Bring It Home Program (state support): mnhousing.gov
Hennepin County Rental Assistance: caphennepin.org
The Somali Temporary Protected Status (TPS), set to end on Tuesday, March 17, has been temporarily paused by a federal court order. The end of TPS could have resulted in the loss of immigration status, work authorization, and deportation.
According to the court order, people with TPS or pending TPS applications keep all their rights and protections during the pause. Somali TPS remains in effect, pending further court action.
Be prepared
It’s important to prepare and get advice specific to your situation. You can connect with an immigration lawyer to:
- Get advice on your personal case
- Stay updated about laws and active litigation
- Explore other legal options, like asylum
Find links to free legal help on the Know Your Rights and Resources page on the City website.
If you or your family have been affected by immigration enforcement, watch out for scams. Scammers often target people looking for help with their immigration situation, such as legal services. Protect yourself by knowing what to watch for. Get the facts, check before you act and use trusted sources to stay safe.
Check credentials
Only work with a licensed attorney or Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representative on your immigration matter. In the United States, notaries are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice or file immigration paperwork.
You can:
Be cautious
Protect yourself from scams
- Use a licensed attorney or accredited representative.
- Get copies of the forms prepared for you.
- Never send original documents with your application unless U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asks.
- Check official sources like USCIS.gov.
Red flags for scams can include:
- Promises to speed up your case
- Requests for payment by gift cards, wire transfer or cash
- Pressure to sign blank or incorrect forms or give away original documents
- Unsolicited service offers through social media, including from people outside Minnesota
Get information from trusted sources
Resources
photo of pedestrian walking across the street with an approaching vehicle in a residential area
Minneapolis Public Works Traffic & Parking Services has completed the initial screening and scoring of Neighborhood Traffic Calming applications for the 2026 construction season. Residents in proposed project areas have received postcards with information about their neighborhoods.
Here’s what to expect in the coming months:
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Open Houses: Staff will host six open houses citywide to discuss the program, share selected applications near each neighborhood, and gather community feedback.
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On-Street Data Collection: Vehicle speed and traffic volume data will be collected to help finalize locations and treatments.
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Traffic Calming Recommendations: Designs for proposed treatments will be shared based on data and community input.
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Implementation: Approved traffic calming measures will be installed over the summer and into the fall.
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Monitoring: Staff will monitor the effectiveness of the treatments and make adjustments if needed.
Residents are encouraged to share feedback or ask questions. You can reach Traffic Calming staff directly at traffic.calming@minneapolismn.gov.
For a full city-wide overview of the program, updates, and a map of potential 2026 locations, visit: Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Urban League twin Cities Open House Flyer
I’m honored to invite you to a very special event with an organization that has played a foundational role in shaping the very team that serves you today the Urban League Twin Cities.
This isn’t just another community event. This is a place that carries history, uplifts today’s leaders and changemakers, and builds pathways for the future. The Urban League Twin Cities has poured into so many of us, and it’s only right that we show up, pay homage, and celebrate the work they continue to do in our community.
Come learn more about their impactful programs and services, meet the people behind the work, and connect with neighbors who care deeply about strengthening our community.
I encourage you to get involved, come out, and truly get to know your community. Let’s show up and lift up the organizations that continue to lift up all of us.
Safety is still important in Minneapolis, and one of the most powerful things you can do is know your rights and understand what to do when life happens. Whether it’s an unexpected interaction or a difficult situation, being informed helps you stay calm, confident, and protected.
Detailed flyer providing details of Know Your Rights event hosted by Urban League Twin Cities
To support our community, Urban League Twin Cities is hosting a Know Your Rights Community Event where you can learn what to do in these situations and get connected to helpful resources. There may be moments where you or someone you love needs to respond quickly. Knowing what to do can make all the difference.
Details for the event are listed below:
Date: April 11
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: 2100 Plymouth Ave N Minneapolis, MN 55411
- Learn your rights
- Get trusted information and guidance
- Ask questions in a supportive environment
- Lunch will be provided
The Justice & Liberation Fund, in partnership with Black Visions, will provide direct financial assistance to Black Minnesotans experiencing economic hardship.
A total of $500,000 will be distributed across the state. Individuals can apply for the following amounts:
Please note:
- These funds are grants, not loans
- No repayment is required
- This support is meant to help during times of need
Applications will be open from April 6 through April 30.
If you or someone you know could benefit, I encourage you to apply or share this information with others in your network. A connected community is an informed community sharing these resources is how we can support each. other.
Learn more about eligibility and apply here: http://bit.ly/JLsupport
The Minneapolis City Council has approved a $7 million Small Business Resiliency Fund to support local businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge. This effort is designed to help businesses recover, reopen, and bring customers back.
City leaders estimate that small businesses and restaurants lost about $81 million during this time.
The fund focuses on two main areas:
Direct Financial Relief – $4.5 million
- License fee relief to cover or reimburse business license costs, helping over 2,000 businesses
- Cultural market grants up to $50,000 to support operations, safety, and marketing
Business Support and Community Activation – $2.5 million
- Funding for neighborhood business districts to support events and promotion
- Free technical assistance for small businesses, including help with marketing and business planning
- Support for cultural business events, including Black Business Week and Latino Business Week
- Funding for community events such as block parties and local gatherings
- Support for music, arts, and creative marketing to bring activity back to commercial areas
This funding is intended to move quickly and reach businesses with as few barriers as possible.
More details on how to apply for some programs will be shared this spring.
As we continue to recover, supporting our local businesses is key to building a strong and connected community.
The City of Minneapolis invites experienced artists to apply to design and create public artwork for the I-94/22nd Avenue South bicycle and pedestrian bridge. This bridge connects the Seward and West Bank neighborhoods at Augsburg University.
The selected artist or artist team will collaborate with the project steering committee, design team and community members to create a public artwork for this location. Potential art opportunities include, but are not limited to, custom railings, concrete pattern work, inset artwork or sculptures.
Fill out an Intent to Apply form by April 1 at 4 p.m. We recommend that artists complete an Intent to Apply form as soon as possible.
Learn more about the application process.
Fill out the Intent to Apply form.
$38 Million Public Safety Training Facility: What You Should Know
The Minneapolis City Council recently discussed a proposal to build a new public safety training and wellness facility for police, fire, EMS, and other emergency responders. The estimated cost is $38 million, and the decision was returned to staff for further study after last Thursday’s vote. This means the project is not finalized, and the City is still working through questions about funding, location, and community impact.
Why this matters to residents:
- The facility is meant to centralize training for first responders, helping them coordinate and respond effectively to emergencies across the city.
- Modern training and wellness spaces could help responders prepare for large-scale or unexpected events, potentially improving response times and safety in all neighborhoods.
- At the same time, some residents and Council members are asking whether the funding and location best serve the needs of our community, including neighborhoods like ours.
What’s being proposed:
- Centralized classrooms and scenario training for police, fire, and EMS
- Wellness support spaces for first responders
- Opportunities for cross-department training and regional collaboration
- Funding would likely come from bonding requests and City resources, but final plans are still under discussion
Current status:
- The City Council did not finalize a vote and asked staff to provide more details before moving forward
- Public input is encouraged to ensure community priorities are part of the discussion
What this means for you:
- This project could affect City budgets and priorities, so it’s important for residents to know what’s being planned
- Location and funding decisions could impact neighborhoods differently; your voice matters in shaping those outcomes
- Staying informed helps ensure your neighborhood’s needs—like safe streets, parks, and community services—are considered alongside citywide planning
Next steps:
- Staff will provide more detailed proposals and cost analysis
- The City Council will revisit the project before any final decision is made
- Residents are encouraged to follow updates, ask questions, and share their input
Resources to learn more:
Even if your opinion isn’t the same as others, researching and sharing your perspective helps the City make better decisions. Our collective voices ensure that investments in public safety also respect and support our neighborhoods.
I recently had the opportunity to reconnect with Summit Academy OIC, and it was a powerful reminder of the impact this organization continues to have in our community. Their work is rooted in creating real opportunities for residents to build stable, well-paying careers.
This is an organization I truly value, and I would love to see more of our residents take advantage of the training programs they offer. These programs are designed to be accessible, supportive, and focused on long-term success.
Group Photo of Council Member Pearll Warren and the welcoming team at Summit Academy
Summit Academy OIC provides free career training in the following areas:
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Construction Training Program
- Prepares participants for careers in the construction trades
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Length: About 20 weeks
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IT Training Program
- Focuses on technology careers, including certifications and job placement support
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Length: About 20 weeks
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Healthcare Training Program
- Prepares students for entry-level roles in the healthcare field
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Length: About 20 weeks
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Dental Hygiene Program (New)
- Prepares students for careers in dental care and oral health
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Length: Program details available on their website
All programs include hands-on training, career readiness support, and job placement assistance after completion.
Please be sure to spread the word throughout the community. Continue to encourage one another to be committed to personal and professional development.
Contact Information:
Summit Academy OIC
935 Olson Memorial Hwy
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: (612) 377-0150
Learn more and get started: https://www.saoic.org
Students working at Summit Academy
I want to take a moment to highlight the vision and restoration work happening at the Fruen Mill. It is exciting to see the level of commitment and dedication it takes to bring a space like this back to life.
Located between Ward 5 and Ward 7, the Fruen Mill sits along Bassett Creek and has long been a part of North Minneapolis history. Originally built in the late 1800s, it played a role in the city’s early milling industry and helped shape Minneapolis as a center for grain production. For many years, the site has stood vacant, becoming both a symbol of history and a reminder of disinvestment. Now, there is a renewed vision to transform the space into something meaningful for the community.
Council Member Pearll Warren in a group photo at tour of Fruen Mill
Current plans and conversations around the site include:
- Redevelopment into a space that could include gathering areas, hospitality, and community-centered uses
- A focus on turning the site into a destination that brings people together rather than pushing them away
- Efforts to stabilize and restore the structure after years of safety concerns and closure
- Long-term goals of creating an “oasis” that reflects both history and future opportunity
City leaders and developers have expressed a strong interest in reactivating the site in a way that honors its past while creating new energy for the area.
As we look ahead, projects like this remind us what is possible when vision meets action. I am hopeful that this redevelopment will create a space where residents can gather, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. Northside has a story to tell, and spaces like this help us tell it, honor it, and build what comes next.
Learn more about the vision: https://www.graffitimill.com
Ward 5, the City invites you to take an active role in shaping the future of our city. Your voice matters, and it deserves a seat at the table.
The City of Minneapolis is currently seeking applicants for two important advisory groups:
- Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC)
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC)
These committees review transportation projects and policies and provide feedback from the perspective of people who walk, bike, and move through our city every day. This is an opportunity to help influence decisions that impact safety, accessibility, and how we stay connected across our neighborhoods.
I am not the final decision maker in all spaces, which is why your input is so important. When you step forward, you help ensure that Ward 5 is represented in the planning and decision-making process.
- Share your voice
- Help shape your community
- Be part of the planning that impacts your daily life
Applications are open until March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
I strongly encourage you to apply and represent our ward. When we show up, we make sure our needs, experiences, and ideas are part of the decisions that shape our city
If this is speaking to you. Please get more information on the city website:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/
Apply March 1-31
City boards and commissions bring resident voices to
discussions about aging, climate equity, community
safety, food access, housing, public art and more.
Hmong
Mus tso npe hauv ntaub ntawv
lub Peb Hlis “March” 1-31
Pawg thawj coj hauv nroog ‘boards” thiab pawg neeg lub nroog xaiv
los saib xyuas “commissions” coj cov neeg nyob hauv cov suab tuaj
sib tham txog txoj kev laus, kev ncaj ncees txog huab cua, kev ruaj
ntseg rau zejzog, kev muaj peevxwm txais zaub mov, tsev nyob, cov
duab kos nyob rau qhov chaw pejxeem pom, thiab lwm yam.
Somoli
Codso bisha Maarso 1-31
Golayaasha iyo gudoonaddu Magaaladdu waxa ay u soo
bandhigaan ra’yiyadda dadweynaha falanqeyno ku
saabsan arrimah, sida duqowga, sinaanta, cimiladda,
amaanka bulshadda, helida cunto, guryo, farshaxan iyo
waxyaabo kale oo badan.
Spanish
Solicite en Marzo 1-31
Las juntas y comisiones de la ciudad incorporan las voces
de los residentes en las conversaciones sobre
envejecimiento, equidad climática, seguridad comunitaria,
acceso a alimentos, vivienda, arte público y más.
Phot of a contructionworker using a tool on a constructions site.
Work will soon begin on the Farview North Residential Resurfacing Project. This project was originally planned for 2025 but was postponed to allow lead service line replacement work to be completed first. Resurfacing is now scheduled to begin in mid-April.
What to Expect:
- The top layer of the street will be milled and replaced with new asphalt.
- The work is expected to take up to 6 weeks.
- Access and parking may be temporarily affected. Short delays may occur when roads are closed for milling and paving.
Tips for Residents:
- Plan ahead for access to your home and parking.
- Please be patient while crews complete the work.
- Contact the project team if you have questions or special access needs.
Contact Information:
Hazel Wolf, Supervising Engineering Technician II
Phone: 612-772-2524
Email: Hazel.Wolf@minneapolismn.gov
For more information, visit: Farview North Area ADA & Resurfacing Project
Accessibility & Language Assistance:
Hmong: 612-673-2800
Spanish: 612-673-2700
Somali: 612-673-3500
Deaf/hard-of-hearing TTY: 612-673-2157
For general questions, call 311
Thank you in advance for your cooperation while we improve the streets of the Farview North area. Below is a picture of the mapped out area that will be affected by this construction.
Map of areas that resurfacing will be taking place in North Minneapolis
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