Dear Neighbors,
Last week the City Council wrapped up our final meeting of the year. In the coming week or so, we’ll be sending out a more comprehensive summary of our work on the 2024 City Budget as well as sharing highlights of our work over the past year. Keep an eye out for that!
Unsheltered Homelessness as Public Health Emergency
At the December 7 City Council meeting, the City Council unanimously passed a Resolution declaring unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency in Minneapolis. As we see the persistence of encampments and the failure of City policy to address the issue, the City Council is prepared to address this crisis with the urgency and data-driven policy it deserves. We look forward to working in partnership with the Frey Administration, Hennepin County, service providers, and Minneapolis residents to ensure a comprehensive, dignified, coordinated and compassionate response to this crisis.
Exciting 2312 Lyndale Ave South Rubble Update
We are THRILLED to report that the rubble at 2312 Lyndale Ave South, including footing, foundation, and debris, has all been removed!! The hole has been filled, and topsoil and seeding have been added. Some of you have contacted us to ask whether the City has to foot the bill for the removal of the rubble, or whether the property owner will pay for it. The City will bill the property owner the invoice to pay for this. If the owner does not pay the invoice, the City will pay the contractor for the debris cleanup and assess the cost to the property.
Whittier Community Dinner
The Whittier Alliance is organizing a Whittier Community Dinner on Thursday, December 14 (tomorrow!) from 6:30-8pm at the Whittier Recreation Center. All are welcome to join. It’s a donation-based meal, but free for everyone. There will be food from Channa Trinidadian Kitchen, a Whittier-based restaurant located on 29th and Harriet.
Uptown Winter Wonderland Pop-Up Holiday Market at Seven Points
Several neighborhood associations, businesses, and other local groups are coming together to help make the Uptown area a lively destination this holiday season! Join them this Saturday, December 16 from 11:00am-4:00pm at Seven Points (3001 Hennepin Avenue). The project will involve many local businesses, themed events, live music, and more! Follow the link for more details about the Uptown Winter Wonderland Holiday Market!
East Bde Maka Ska Neighborhood Walks
The East Bde Maka Ska Neighborhood Association is organizing weekly neighborhood walks! The goal of these is to build bonds and demonstrate that residents are working together to build a more safe community. Walkers will receive a free Community Safety shirt and knit cap! Read more about this effort.
The weekly walks take place every Monday from 7:00-8:30am starting at Duet Coffee (1477 West Lake Street), and every Saturday from 10:00-11:30am starting at St. Mary’s north parking lot (3450 Irving Avenue South). All East Bde Maka Ska neighbors are welcome to join!
Energy Assistance Program
The Energy Assistance Program helps pay energy bills for eligible Minnesotans. This program is free and provides benefits up to $1,400, with additional support to respond to emergencies. Both renters and homeowners can qualify, and eligibility is based on income and household size. This program is federally-funded and administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Open now until May 31, 2024. See application materials.
Residential Transit Pass
Residential Transit Pass is a deeply-discounted, unlimited-use transit pass designed specifically for multifamily developments of 10 units or more. Through this unique program, properties that purchase one pass per unit in a building will be eligible to purchase the transit passes for $14 per month per pass, which is an 88% discount from the full price of $120 per month for each pass. The management company must commit to one year and supply one Go-To Card for each unit at their complex. They can offer this service at their own expense or charge the value of the cards back to the resident. They cannot charge residents more than what they are paying. If you are a property manager or a resident that lives in 10+ unit apartment building and you’re interested in learning more, please contact our office at ward10@minneapolismn.gov!
Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program
The City of Minneapolis is now accepting applications for the Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program. The program helps owners of rental properties obtain property tax reductions in exchange for a commitment to keep a portion of rental units affordable to low-income residents for 10 years. The program also provides financial assistance to building owners who want to make existing buildings greener through energy efficiency improvements and solar installations.
Applications can be submitted starting November 14, 2023 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of 5:00pm, January 11, 2024. Property owners are encouraged to apply early.
Tips to Keep Your Water Pipes from Freezing this Winter
As we begin to experience subzero temperatures, remember that water in your service line can freeze and prevent it from getting to your faucets. This could happen when:
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The depth of the frost reaches the depth of the service line.
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Your basement is not heated where the water service line enters your home.
While water mains are maintained by the City, pipes that bring the water from the mains into homes and other buildings are the responsibility of property owners. If your service line is frozen, you’ll need to contact a qualified contractor who specializes in thawing frozen service lines. Call 311 for information on contractors who do this type of work.
Most service lines are buried deep enough not to freeze in the winter. If your water service lines have not frozen in the past, they are unlikely to freeze now.
City’s Animal Shelter Announces Adoption Fee Donation Program for Holiday Season
Just in time for the holiday season, Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) is announcing that Best Friends Animal Society will cover adoption fees for animals at MACC from Thanksgiving to the end of the year.
MACC is located at 202 17th Avenue North in Minneapolis. The shelter hours are Monday through Friday from 1:00-6:00pm with the last adoption appointments at 5:00pm. Extended hours on Thursday are until 7:00pm.
More information on adopting animals, joining the community of volunteers who support the animal shelter, and supporting Animal Care & Control is available on the City website.
Aisha Chughtai, Ward 10 Councilmember
Paul Shanafelt, Ward 10 Policy Aide
Brad Sigal, Ward 10 Policy Associate
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