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While the City of Minneapolis government does not own or operate Flock Safety cameras, residents of Minneapolis have called on their elected leaders to take any and all actions to stop the proliferation of Flock Safety cameras and ban their usage.
That being said, both the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the University of Minnesota have deployed Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. In order to address community concerns, I am bringing forward a resolution with Council Member Wonsley that formally communicates the council's position and calls on both entities to terminate their Flock Safety contracts.
In July 2026, a Star Tribune investigation reported that federal “immigration enforcement” agencies, including ICE, had means of accessing Flock Safety-collected data, despite Minnesota law restricting ALPR data-sharing to criminal investigations. Flock Safety cameras continuously capture and retain location data on every vehicle passing a camera, regardless of whether the vehicle or its occupants are suspected of any crime. This creates a comprehensive record of residents' daily movements that raises significant privacy and civil liberties concerns, particularly for immigrant communities already facing heightened “federal enforcement” activity.
A number of Minnesota jurisdictions, including Duluth, Isanti County, Sherburne County, West St. Paul, Columbia Heights, Brooklyn Park, Shorewood, and Saint Paul have ended or paused their use of Flock Safety technology, citing cost, erosion of public trust, and unresolved questions about how the data is accessed and shared.
We will be bringing this resolution forward for a vote to formally communicate the council's position and call on both entities to terminate their Flock Safety contracts on September 23, 2026, at the Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee of the Minneapolis City Council.
 The Minneapolis City Council, Neighborhood Community Relations, and the SOMOS Employee Resource Group cordially invite you to the 2026 Latinx Heritage Month Celebration!
Please join us on Thursday, September 17th, at 8:00 a.m. in the Minneapolis City Hall Rotunda (350 S. 5th St.) for a celebration of Latinx culture, history, and community resistance.
The celebration will feature cultural performances by Away Runakuna, Colombia Live MN, Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue and Angelica Bello-Ayapantecatl, to be followed by breakfast and the reading of an honorary resolution recognizing and celebrating the rich contributions of our Latinx communities.
 Bring the kids for a free morning of live music, dance, and creative arts at The Hook and Ladder in South Minneapolis. Enjoy music by Koo Koo, Heatbox, and School of Rock, hosted by DJ Bryan. Food will be available and kids can enjoy a balloon artist and creative hair station.
Family Gathering Concert Series: Koo Koo, Heatbox and School of Rock
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
- The Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave.
The Family Gathering Concert Series is produced in collaboration with the Minnesota National Independent Venue Association and is funded by the City of Minneapolis through Minneapolis Forward to support community and economic resilience.
Get event details and see who’s performing.
 The Taco Tour on Lake Street is happening on September 19, 2026. Join us for a day of exploring the Lake Street corridor. Make sure to use the map to see 30 Latino-owned participating businesses and their event specials! In between tacos, hang out at two event headquarters for music, art, and more fun!
Learn more here.
 A South Minneapolis music festival featuring 18 artists will continue the 14-year-long tradition of transforming neighbors' front porches into uniquely Powderhorn stages showcasing genres from Hip Hop, R&B, Surf-Psyche-Punk, Country, Americana, Singer-Songwriter, Latin Folk, Alternative, Reggae Funk, Pop, Jazz Fusion, and more!
Discover an array of Minneapolis' favorite food trucks, a refreshing beer garden, and activities for all ages. Spanning two city blocks, Powderhorn Porchfest is a fun-filled event for all ages during the day and an unforgettable celebration for the adults after dark.
Artists include:OBI Original & The Black Atlantics • TKO Drumline Collaborative Collective • Formerly “CAM” • Known MPLS Choir The HouseBand • TruArtSpeaks • Aniyah M. Ada • Jaz Steele Tearra Oso • Rock the Rez • Emmy Woods • Pete & Bill • Black Widows • Jamila • Pink strap • Ori the Ghost
Powderhorn Porchfest is FREE and fun for all ages. Learn more about Porchfest here.
Xcel Energy is planning power grid upgrades in South Minneapolis to strengthen reliable electric service as demand grows from homes, businesses, vehicles, and everyday technology. Residents are invited to an open house where project team members will explain the work, answer questions and gather community feedback.
- Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
- Open house with presentation at 6:15 p.m.
- East Phillips Park Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room, 2307 17th Ave. S., Minneapolis
The project would add a new underground power line connected to the Midtown Substation, bringing more electric capacity to parts of South Minneapolis near I-94. Where possible, Xcel Energy plans to use existing underground infrastructure to limit construction impacts. The project also includes two new green pad-mounted housings that help crews safely manage power, respond to outages and maintain reliability.
This proactive upgrade is intended to prepare the grid before the system becomes strained and may help avoid larger, more disruptive work later. Xcel Energy expects to invest about $3.7 million and complete the work by 2030. Learn more about the project at xcelenergy.com.
 While the six-month moratorium on data centers is in place, council members and City staff are in the process of drafting a regulatory framework to guide how these facilities will exist in Minneapolis upon conclusion of the moratorium. As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, the mayor’s administration has put forward a draft proposal for review and public comment. It is now available on the City's website.
The current proposal opens all downtown to be zoned to allow for data centers through the conditional use permit process. In my previous newsletter, I let you know that the mayor’s administration also considered a Data Center Overlay District that would allow for data centers outside of downtown in areas currently zoned as RM3, CM1, CM2, CM3, CM4, PR1, and PR2. More information on those types of zoning and where they are located can be found on the City's 2040 plan website. When leaving a comment, it will be important to express your concerns about what this would mean in the area in the 9th Ward.
This framework would make industrial parcels bordering Little Earth, the Roof Depot site, East Lake Street, 38th Street, the former Smith Foundry and Bituminous Roadways sites, George Floyd Square, and parts of Hiawatha Ave South and Bloomington Ave South eligible for a data center overlay application, including parts of the Southside Green Zone already carrying a disproportionate pollution burden. I do not support this.
As you write your comments it is important to know that there are council members aligned with the data center industry who want this overlay so it is important that you make your voice heard.
The 60-day comment period on these proposed regulations is now open. You can learn more and share your thoughts on the city's website. There's also a public hearing on these proposed regulations at the planning commission on October 13 at 4:30 p.m.
The City of Minneapolis needs your input to help shape the next version of the Green Zone boundaries! This survey includes census tracts that were identified through collaboration with advisory board members who have connections and lived experiences in the Green Zones. Community members identified variables and then weighted those variables to determine which factors were most important.
Complete the Green Zone Map Survey by September 13, 2026!
The Green Zone Environmental Justice Zones were identified in 2016 through a year-long community-led process. Now, ten years later, we are updating the Green Zones using more up to date data. The Green Zones are areas of our city that have both environmental and social disparities.
Minneapolis voters can begin casting ballots for the general election Sept. 18 at the Early Vote Center.
Election Day is Nov. 3, and absentee voting begins 46 days before each election. Voters have several options for how to cast a ballot in elections including voting by mail or in person, voting early or on Election Day.
Find out about different ways to vote and ways to get help on the City of Minneapolis website. Make your plan now.
September is Workforce Development Month. The City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development are hosting an open house to celebrate.
Workforce Development Month Celebration
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17
- CareerForce Minneapolis North, 800 W. Broadway Ave.
Come tour the CareerForce location and hear from city and state leaders.
- Meet employers and training providers
- Receive help with resumes and interviewing
- Get a digital profile picture
A light lunch and refreshments will be served.
You do not need to RSVP to attend the open house.
See the event flyer for more details.
If you have questions, call CareerForce Minneapolis North at 612-299-7200
A runway at MSP Airport is closed through about Oct. 17 to upgrade electrical systems and lights. This will increase the number of planes using the other three runways, and Minneapolis residents may notice a temporary change in operations or noise.
The new lights will save energy and last longer.
If you have questions, you can contact Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 612-726-9411 or read more on its website.
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. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311. |
