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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week I will update you on the 2024 legislative session, the recognition of Minneapolis as a UNICEF Child Friendly City, and a salute to new 3rd ward volunteers on the Public Health Advisory Committee and the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
The 2024 legislative session has begun and the help our city is asking for is in two areas. Bonding Requests (Capital Investments) and improving local governance. It is very important that some of the tax dollars sent to the state from Minneapolis are returning. The 2024 Minneapolis Bonding Requests are:
- Nicollet Avenue Bridge over Minnehaha Creek ($44 million)
- Structural renewal of the 36-inch water main running from the water plant through north Minneapolis to Downtown. This is the pipe that burst last winter ($8 million)
- American with Disabilities Act Transition Plan implementation. This will continue the work of rebuilding sidewalk ramps to make them handicap Accessible ($5 million)
- Bossen Terrace Sanitary Sewer Project. This provides much needed improvements to this neighborhood which was built on low land and is experiencing problems with proper sewage disposal. ($4 million)
The Minneapolis Priorities for improving local governance are:
- State funding, tax credits or policy tools for downtown conversion of commercial property into housing and retail store fronts
- Increased funding for operations of emergency housing shelters, a joint effort with Hennepin County
- Zero-waste initiatives and extended producer responsibility for plastic packing.
- Traffic enforcement cameras
- Peace officer recruitment and retention. The goal is to make it easier to become a police officer.
- The ability of the city to establish pedestrian malls.
As the second UNICEF Child Friendly City in America, our city has been chosen for the following:
- Recognition of the city’s advancement of child rights
- The commitment to eliminating discrimination against children through local policies and actions
- Fostering inclusive participation through child and youth councils
- Eliminating barriers to health care
- Providing after-school opportunities
- Offering mental health and substance use resources
- Creating youth job programs
A big thank you to Hannaan Shire who has volunteered to represent the 3rd ward on the Public Health Advisory Committee and Derek Eicholz who will be joining Sally Grans-Korsh as 3rd ward representatives on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Your willingness to help our city is appreciated.
And finally, a shoutout to Murray’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge for making the top 100 Romantic Restaurants by Open Table, the only Minneapolis restaurant to make the list.
As always, please know that Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
The Community Connections Conference this Saturday, Feb. 17, will kick off with dance, music and spoken word. Doors open at 9 a.m., and the opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with remarks from Mayor Jacob Frey.
During the ceremony, you can see performances by:
- Jingle dress dancer Miiskogihmiiwan Poupart-Chapman.
- Spoken word artist Enia Kyle.
- Vietnamese Social Services Traditional Instrumental Music and Dance Group.
- The Somali Museum Dance Troupe.
- Folk dance group Ballet Folklórico Mexico Azteca.
Find the stage in front of Hall E in the Minneapolis Convention Center.
You can pre-register for the free conference online now or register in person in multiple languages on conference day.
Read more and register for the free conference on the City website.
Celebrate Black History Month with us. The City of Minneapolis is offering free, public events under the theme African Americans & the Arts.
Upcoming Black History Month events
- Family Feud: Black History Month Trivia Featuring Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis employees: a live event to have fun, laugh, show off what you know about Black history, or learn something new. Noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 North Point Conference Center, Fifth Floor, Suite 5200 1256 Penn Ave. N.
- History Makers at Home The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department will recognize leaders in the areas of business, criminal justice, education, economic development, health, housing and government. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway Ave.
- Rock Your Crown This is the event where hair rules! With the State of Minnesota signing the Crown Act into law, we will celebrate the history of Black hair and the art of styling it. Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100 505 Fourth Ave. S.
The mayor and City Council passed a resolution honoring Black History Month. The resolution states that “the Mayor and City Council do hereby commemorate the achievements of Black Americans as history makers and legacy trailblazers and their role in the development of the region and the nation since its inception, and we join in recognizing the annual celebration of Black History Month and the anniversary of the Minneapolis Black Employee Network.”
The events for Black History Month are presented in partnership with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County through the efforts of these employee resource groups: City of Minneapolis Black Employee Network, Hennepin County People of Color Employee Resource Group and Hennepin County African American Employee Resource Group. History Makers at Home is presented by the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights.
Community leaders and their contributions will take center stage when the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department holds it 2024 History Makers at Home awards program. The event honors African American leaders and organizations dedicated to elevating, engaging and educating their community and improving their quality of life.
This year’s honorees include:
- Nothando Zulu, a master storyteller and author who passed away in September 2023.
- Larry Cook, senior pastor of Real Believers Faith Center, entrepreneur, mentor and community leader.
- Violence Interrupters: community-led outreach groups working to end violence.
- Touch Outreach.
- WePush4Peace.
- MAD DADS of Minneapolis.
- Restoration Incorporated.
- Metro Youth Diversion.
- Strength Group.
- Dr. Josie Johnson, an iconic civil rights leader and activist.
The guests will be honored Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., beginning at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. It is part of a series of programs for Black History Month 2024.
Read more on the City website.
Early voting has begun for the March 5 presidential primary. Voters can cast their ballots by mail or in person at the Early Vote Center, 980 East Hennepin Ave.
All mail-in ballots need to be received by March 5 to count. Anyone who requested a mail ballot should allow up to seven days. The City recommends all requests for mail ballots be made no later than Tuesday, Feb. 27, and completed ballots should be mailed no later than Friday, March 1.
If voters choose to deliver their ballot in-person to the Elections & Voter Services office, it must be returned by 8 p.m. on primary day, March 5. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places on Election Day.
Find more information about voting by mail on the City website.
If you’re a City Solid Waste & Recycling customer, watch your mailbox in the coming weeks for your annual service guide. Your guide will include a collection schedule for the year; ways you can create less trash and reuse what you already have; and a catalog of what belongs in the black garbage cart, blue recycling cart and green organics cart. The guide also has instructions for setting out large items and for managing household hazardous waste.
More resources
Choose from multiple resources for the best ways to use recycling and trash services.
- A reminder for recycling day.
- Holiday notices with any collection day changes.
- Seasonal notices such as the start and end of yard waste pickup for the year.
- Upcoming events to reduce waste, reuse what people already have and drop off household hazardous waste.
- Fun facts about recycling and composting.
Learn more about recycling and organics on the City website.
Please clear your sidewalk of snow and ice all winter to keep Minneapolis accessible for everyone. Minneapolis has around 15-20 snow events each year from freezing rain to blizzards. These cover sidewalks with snow or ice and make it difficult to pass. Many in our city rely on the sidewalks to get to work, school, errands, appointments and more.
One- and two-family dwellings have 24 hours after the snow stops to clear their sidewalks. All other properties must have clear sidewalks within four hours. If you don’t clear your sidewalk, you could get a warning letter and bill from the City to remove snow from your sidewalk. A typical bill is $229.
Resources are available for people who are unable to shovel or clear their sidewalks. Several for-hire contractors and a few nonprofit organizations can help. If you need help, you can call 311 to find the best match in your area.
Visit the City website for more information and resources or to report an issue.
You can check the status of uncleared sidewalk snow and ice cases in Minneapolis using the City's interactive dashboard.
Garbage pickup reminder: shovel around your carts
Remember to shovel out your garbage, recycling and organics carts. If the collection crew cannot easily wheel your carts to the truck, they cannot empty them. If your carts are not emptied, clear away snow or ice and the crew will empty your carts on your next collection day.
Please do not shovel snow into the alley or street. This makes collection more difficult for our crews, it makes moving through alleys harder for you and your neighbors, and it’s not allowed under City ordinance.
Pillsbury United Communities and YWCA Minneapolis received honors for their significant contributions to workforce development. Mayor Jacob Frey joined the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board and Minneapolis Employment and Training to celebrate.
Pillsbury United Communities received the Outstanding Innovation award for its hair care stylist workforce development program. The organization has partnered with the Natural Hair Care Institute on a training program in natural hair styling. The field has high demand and limited training opportunities. Within four months, students complete training with hands-on experience. They finish with a vocational certificate from the Office of Higher Education.
YWCA Minneapolis received the Promising Practices award. This award recognizes its early childhood education workforce development program. The six-month program provides foundational employment skills and safety training. It also supports a child development associate credential. This qualifies them for work as early childhood teachers.
Read more on the City website.
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