Ward 11 Newsletter

CM Koski

emily.koski@minneapolismn.gov

612-673-2211

Greetings Ward 11,

Student Leaders

Last week, I was joined by student leaders from Washburn High School, Southwest High School, and Edison High School.

The students joined me on a tour of the City of Minneapolis's Emergency Management Facility, lunch with fellow Council Members, a Policy and Government Oversight (POGO) Committee Meeting, and a Committee of the Whole (COW) Meeting.

It's been wonderful to connect with student leaders, and to connect them to City Hall!

This week, we're visiting with Washburn's Student Government!

Our next Ward 11 Monthly Meeting is March 7th, 2023 from from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at Pearl Park Recreation Center (414 E Diamond Lake Rd, MPLS, MN 55419) or online. As a reminder, Ward 11 Monthly Meetings are public meetings for Ward 11 residents, at Ward 11 Monthly Meetings I share presentations, updates, and engage in Q&A.

In Gratitude,

Digital Email Signature

Table of Contents:


Ward 11 Small Business Spotlight

Guavas Cuban Cafe

Guavas Cuban Cafe

5607 Chicago Ave, MPLS, MN 55417

(612) 824-0951

Guavas Cuban Café is a local café that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

On Wednesday nights Guavas Cuban Café has a date night special which includes 2 paellas, and 2 glasses of house wine,1 small plate or side for $50!

All Ward 11 Newsletters have a Ward 11 Small Business Spotlights section. To have a small business featured in the Ward 11 Small Business Spotlights section, please click here to fill out the Ward 11 Business Spotlights Form.


Minneapolis DataSource: Featured Dashboards

Minneapolis DataSource is the source to view and search City of Minneapolis interactive visualizations and dashboards. The City of Minneapolis has interactive visualizations and dashboards on  to create transparency and provide information on Public HealthCommunity SafetyElectionsHousing & Developmentetc.

Public 311 Cases Dashboard

Use the Public 311 Cases Dashboard to track the city's public 311 cases. 

To learn how to use the Public 311 Cases Dashboard, read the "How to use the dashboard" section of the Public 311 Cases Dashboard webpage.

Arrests Dashboard

Use the Arrests Dashboard to explore various arrest data from the Police Department.. 

To learn how to use the Arrests Dashboard, read the "How to use the dashboard" section of the Arrests Dashboard webpage.


Legislative Directive Regarding Potential City-Led Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Programs

The City Council, and the Mayor approved a Legislative Directive that requests a high-level analysis of potential City-led Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Programs. The high-level analysis will be used to inform future conversations of the City Council, and the Mayor regarding potential City-led Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Programs.

The High-Level Analysis Includes:

  • A high-level fiscal analysis of potential City of Minneapolis led Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Programs.
  • A high-level evaluation of a potential web-based interactive tool that tracks and reports on the City of Minneapolis’s winter maintenance, including but not limited to snow plowing, sidewalk snow and ice removal, etc., and is available to the public.
  • A high-level evaluation of the current Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Programs in the City of Minneapolis provided by external partners to residents.

The Legislative Directive did not/has not implemented City-Led Snow and Ice Removal Programs.

To view the Legislative Directive that requests a high-level analysis of potential City-led Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Programs, click here.


Auto Thefts in the City of Minneapolis, and Metro Wide

Auto Thefts are on the rise in the City of Minneapolis and Metro Wide, read below to see what you can do to prevent auto theft, and what to do if your vehicle is stolen!

What You Can Do:

  • Use a steering wheel lock, it is a visible sign that you’ve taken steps to protect your car.
  • Keep your car locked at all times, even while you are driving.
  • Never leave your car running, unattended.
  • Take your keys or fob with you, this includes any spare keys or fobs.
  • Keep your car clear of any bags, boxes, or any items appealing to a thief.
  • Install a tracking device to your car to help with a quick recovery.

What To Do If Your Car Is Stolen:

  • Call 911 right away.
  • Be prepared to provide any suspect description and direction of travel.
  • Know or have available: The year, make, model, color of the vehicle, license plate number, vehicle identification number (also called the “VIN”), and any characteristics unique to your vehicle.
  • You will be given a Case Number for possible investigation and insurance purposes.
  • You’ll also want to let your insurance company know within 24 hours if your vehicle has been stolen.

Taking a few simple precautions may help you reduce the chances of your vehicle being stolen! For more details on auto theft and other crimes please visit the Police Crime Dashboard.


Damōn Chaplin Confirmed as City’s New Health Commissioner

The City Council confirmed Mayor Jacob Frey’s nominee, Damōn Chaplin, as the City’s new Health Commissioner.

Chaplin currently leads the New Bedford, Massachusetts, Health Department where he led the community through the COVID-19 pandemic. He has more than 20 years of public health experience and serves on the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Board of Directors, representing health departments in six states.

Chaplin’s accomplishments include serving as co-chair for the Greater New Bedford Opioid Task Force, which acquired $4.5 million in federal funding to help reduce opioid use in marginalized communities.

Chaplin is expected to begin his role as Health Commissioner on March 20.


Minneapolis Minute

Watch the Minneapolis Minute for a snapshot of opportunities and important information for residents. Each episode provides timely news and how you can get involved.

In this edition, learn about Snow Emergency information, an inaugural community expo and a record-setting construction of affordable housing.

Watch the Minneapolis Minute.


Every Second Counts - Learn CPR And You Could Save A Life

During American Heart Month, the Minneapolis Health and Fire departments are partnering to remind people about the importance of learning CPR.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. If you notice the symptoms of a heart attack in yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately. The sooner emergency treatment begins, the better the chances of surviving a heart attack.

Learn CPR:

If you’re trained to use CPR or a defibrillator, you may be able to help until emergency medical personnel arrive. The City made this video to encourage people to learn CPR.


Take Your Career To The Next Level With Free Training, Coaching

Find free and full career services, work that works for you, and free training to take your career to the next level with Job Power.

Free Job Coaching:

  • Explore resources for training and job searches.
  • Find the career that fits you best.
  • Update or create your resume, prepare for interviews, and search for jobs.

Free Career Training:

  • Build new skills and strengthen your talents for in-demand careers.
  • Free industry-specific career and technical training.
  • Three- to 12-week programs to careers with high earning potential.

 How It Works:

  • Your coach can connect you to employers, interviews, career fairs and more.
  • Get seen and heard by hiring managers.
  • Find the right fit for your unique talents.
  • Access short-term training to move your career ahead.
  • Overcome personal and professional hurdles.
  • Gain new perspectives and new opportunities.

Find Support:

Support for your job success includes:

  • Child care.
  • Housing.
  • Health and wellness.
  • Transportation.
  • Technology and skill-building.

Services are offered in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish.

Get Started:

Sign up today via this online form to connect to a job coach virtually or in person, or call 612-876-2366.

The City of Minneapolis is helping promote these services offered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to connect job seekers with jobs and training. Find more information about Job Power on the Career Force website.


Ben Johnson Named Director of the City’s New Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs

Ben Johnson is joining the City of Minneapolis as the first director of the recently created Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs. Johnson’s decades of experience include managing departments and programs focused on arts and culture across the nation as well as here in Minnesota. He begins his role at the City March 13.

The department works with internal and external stakeholders to promote Minneapolis as a center for arts and culture and advance cultural equity, equality and inclusion through the arts.

Johnson comes to Minneapolis from Beverly Hills, California, where he served as arts and culture manager. Before that, he was the director of performing arts for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Johnson’s experience includes leadership roles in arts and culture at UCLA, the nonprofit foundation United States Artists Inc., University of Minnesota’s Northrop Concerts and Lectures, the University of Michigan’s University Musical Society, and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Johnson received a bachelor’s and master’s in arts administration from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona.

Read more on the City website.


Share Your Challenges With Internet Access

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to hear about the challenges people face with getting and using high-speed internet.

If you would like to share your experience, please complete this form. Sharing your story will help the FCC identify barriers facing historically unserved and underserved communities and will inform its work to improve access for all.

For more information about the Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination and its work, please visit the Task Force’s webpage. Anyone who would like to engage with this work also can use this webpage to request meetings with the Task Force.


Find Free Or Discounted Internet

You might be eligible for free or low-cost internet services. The City is partnering with local providers to help make the internet more accessible.

Resources Include:

  • Discounted internet for household use.
  • Free temporary internet access at Wi-Fi hotspots.
  • Free internet access to public sector information including City, County and State resources.
  • Low-cost computers.
  • Public computer access.
  • Personal help from a “digital navigator.”

Call 311, email 311 or look on the City website to find details, a list of resources and how to find out if you qualify for different internet services programs.

To help others find these resources, Hennepin County has developed flyers in four languages to share.

The Affordable Connectivity Program helps households pay for internet service and get a discount on a device. Find out if you qualify for the program on the Hennepin County website.


Learn To Use The Internet Safely

If you would like to become more comfortable with computer and/or internet technology or learn the best ways to stay safe online, you can get help from a Hennepin County digital navigator. Digital navigators help residents complete tasks online and develop life skills to become more self-sufficient online, with a particular focus on online safety.

Two Ways to Get Started:


Mayor Frey’s Priorities for 2023-2024

Mayor Jacob Frey has outlined his administration’s top priority areas for 2023 and 2024: affordable housing and homelessness, climate action, community safety and police reform, economic inclusion and recovery, and good governance.

With the new form of government passed by voters in 2021, the mayor oversees the City’s executive functions. Mayor Frey and City leadership established policy priorities to guide the administration’s policy and budgetary priorities, helping direct resources and staff time.

Read details about the mayor’s priority focus areas and budget highlights on the City website.


Lottery to Buy $30 Trees Now Open Through March 31

Minneapolis property owners can now enter a lottery any time through March 31 to buy a $30 tree for their Minneapolis property. The tree sale is so popular, a lottery will determine who can buy a tree this spring. The City will offer 2,000 5- to 8-foot shade, fruit, evergreen and flowering trees.

One entry is allowed per Minneapolis address.

Those selected in the lottery will get an email in April with the date when they can order.

Those who buy a tree can pick it up May 20, 21 or 22 (subject to change). The location is to be determined and will be emailed to people who bought a tree.

In the past 18 years, the City Trees program has provided more than 25,000 trees for planting on private property. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help the city’s tree canopy grow and enjoy all the benefits of trees.

Benefits of Trees:

Trees help clean the air and reduce outdoor temperatures in the summer. They save energy and lower utility bills by providing shade in the summer and protecting against wind in the winter. Trees reduce the amount of stormwater runoff into lakes and rivers. They even help reduce stress. Larger trees provide more benefits than smaller trees.

To register for the lottery, see what kinds of trees will be offered and get more information on the program, visit mpls-tree-sale.myshopify.com.

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please call 311 at 612-673-3000. 

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. 

TTY users can call 612-263-6850. 

Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500. 

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