Updates from Council Member Aurin Chowdhury
Happy Sunday Ward 12 Community,
In newsletter, I will be sharing some specific updates the Transportation Network Companies Fair wage ordinance, I will also be covering some Ward 12 specific updates, public safety related information, and there will be other updates from the City of Minneapolis to share with you.
I have upcoming community office hours events for you to drop-in for constituent service help, discussion on policy or the goings-on of our community, and to be a place where you can ask questions and advocate for work you would like to see my office do. We will so be hosting a public safety community office hours with crime prevention specialist Shun Tillman and 3rd Precinct Inspector Gomez. My hope is that you can come and share your experiences with safety in our community, raise issues, and learn more about what is happening related to safety at the City of Minneapolis for our community.
I am excited to say that I have finished my first quarter as your Council Member. I have authored 4 ordinances, visited with small businesses in our community, held community office hours, taken on 100s of constituent cases with my amazing staff Amy and Ade, held an initial public safety meeting with Office of Community Safety and Public Safety leadership, chaired the intergovernmental relations committee to develop the City's Legislative agenda, visited with our representatives at the Capitol to build stronger relationships between the City and the Council, I am working to launch a few community engagement events with and for you, and so much more.
I have learned a lot in this time and I have also faced my challenges in this role, and these challenges have given me the clarity on how to improve. As I come into this next quarter, I am committed to taking what I have learned and improving constituent services in the Ward 12 office, sending more regular newsletters, and creating more opportunities so the work at City Hall feels closer to Ward 12.
This section is for my newsletter readers who want the highlights. If you want to dig deeper on a specific topic, click on it in the table contents and it will take you there directly.
- Community Office Hours dates listed below. Have a constituent issue, comment, or question? Come through.
- A full update on the Rideshare worker's protection ordinance. Why I supported, why it matters we hold uber & lyft to the same standard as all business, who are the drivers in our community, and what is the plan moving forward (fill out form to send comments).
- Yard waste collection starts on Monday, April 8
- Come to City Hall for a breakfast commemorating the anniversary of the Gay Civil Rights Ordinance
- Public Safety updates on trends in Ward 12 and more & Updates on the Old 3rd precinct located at 3000 Minnehaha, City Council being asked to vote on a concept of election voter services at the site prior to community engagement.
- City of Minneapolis Happening: Nomination for New Public Works Director Tim Sexton (voting on this on April 18, there is a public hearing feel free to join), Minneapolis joins partnership with Minnehaha Watershed District and Park Board to take on three initial projects to protect and preserve natural systems in the Minnehaha watershed (including Minnehaha Creek & Lake Hiawatha), Volunteer opportunities for you at Animal Care & Control and Doors Open Minneapolis.
- Info & updates on Morris Park and Minnehaha neighborhoods on water main cleaning & lining project, storm sewer replacement work to begin at Nokomis Ave to 45th St E, and wire theft and replacement on West River Parkway.
- Minneapolis Resolutions for Women's History Month & Ramadan
- A list of some neighborhood events and happenings at the end of the newsletter.
Have comments on items and issues on this newsletter? Click to fill out form.
Jump to what interests you in the table of contents below!
I will be having Community Office Hours the next couple weeks!
Friday, April 12 8am-9:30am at SunBean Coffee (4553 S 34th Ave)
Monday, April 15- 5:00pm-6:30pm at Sisters' Sludge (3746 23rd Ave S) Public Safety Office Hours with Crime Prevention Specialist Shun Tillman & 3rd Precinct Inspector Gomez.
If you would like to RSVP in advance please email my policy aide Amy at amy.umanzordiaz@minneapolismn.gov
 
The Minneapolis City Council approved the Transportation Network Company Workers’ Protections Ordinance. I voted in favor of supporting the ordinance at the March 7th Council Meeting. The ordinance was worked on for 18 months and the compensation rates in the ordinance for a fair minimum wage for drivers was calculated with available data from Seattle, a similarly sized city. Uber and Lyft knew that our professional Community Planning and Economic Development Staff and Policy & Research team were conducting work to determine the adequate compensation rate to achieve the minimum wage ($15.57) of Minneapolis, but did not provide them any data and information to help better inform their work. With the data that was available, our professional staff found the appropriate rate to achieve our minimum wage. That is what was passed.
I have publicly committed to making adjustments to our compensation rate to achieve a fair minimum wage through considerations available from data, information, and outside research, and not through corporate pressure.
I’m proud to say that I worked hard on getting a process in motion that will do just that. The City’s Policy and Research team in the legislative department is considering the State of Minnesota’s Department of Labor & Industry's report on Transportation Network Company Driver Earnings Analysis and Pay Standard Options– and researching Minneapolis specific data outside of the report determine accurate pay rate options.
More on that below, but first I want to share why I support our Transportation Network Company Workers’ Protections Ordinance for a fair minimum wage.
Why I Support a Fair Wage Ordinance for TNC Workers:
First and foremost, thank you for reaching out to my office through emails and calls. We have appreciated the conversations and input on this. We have received hundreds of calls and emails and are working to get back everyone.
After much deliberation, contact with constituents, drivers, Lyft, and leaders in the state government, it is clear passing the ordinance was the right thing to do. In the City of Minneapolis we require all businesses large or small to pay a $15.57 (large) or $15.19 (small) minimum wage and we ensure basic worker protections - and large corporations like Uber and Lyft cannot be an exception to the rules all other businesses are diligently following.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has released a report of the earnings, working conditions and options for pay standards for transportation network company (TNC) drivers. This report looked at one year of Uber and Lyft data from over 18 million rides and input from over 1,800 TNC drives. This analysis found, what Uber and Lyft was unwilling to admit: that drivers are being paid a subminimum wage. The after-expense-pay per hour for Twin Cities Metro area drivers was found to be a median of $13.63 and an average of $14.48. That is unacceptable.
The report painted a picture of who the drivers in our state and our city are. It found that a majority of drivers from our immigrant community are from the Black and African American communities. The majority of our full time drivers, who provide 67% of rides in Minnesota, are living at or below the poverty line and are on public assistance. These are hardworking people in our community who provide a critical service and are being paid unfairly and exploited.
The duopoly of Uber and Lyft have fought reasonable regulations in cities across the country. Our goal is to stop exploitative labor practices, and we must stand up to bad faith threats to stop service.
The heart of the matter is that we can want Transportation Network Companies to do business in the City of Minneapolis, but we also want Transportation Network Companies to pay a fair minimum wage and ensure basic worker protections. These two things are not mutually exclusive and should not be.
I want to be clear on a few things:
- Uber and Lyft have not left Minneapolis or the Metro. There has been some confusion and some community members have thought they have left.
- We are not kicking Uber & Lyft out, they are the ones who make the decision to leave or stay.
- I am concerned about the people who are reliant on rideshare services, especially for those who use it as an essential service, such as our disability community. I am working diligently to find a path where riders still have access to service.
- I feel we need more time before this ordinance is implementation. I believe we need more time for riders to adopt new and emerging rideshare platforms, for new rideshare companies to be further established, and more time for our conversation on compensation.
You, the riders reliant on service, matter deeply to me and I want to work towards Transportation Network Companies that provide services that are reasonably priced and accessible. I also want Transportation Network Companies to find a way to provide those services without imposing the cost and the burden on their drivers. I believe this is possible.
What are the goals and the plan moving forward?
What I am working towards:
- Re-evaluation of the compensation rate to achieve a fair minimum wage in Minneapolis, through a data and research based process, not through corporate pressure. Information specific to Minnesota is in the State report and is being used by the City of Minneapolis’ Legislative departments. Our Policy and Research team is considering it alongside Minneapolis specific data on driver costs separate from the report (This process is already in motion).
- The majority of your City Council does not want Uber and Lyft to leave. We want them to adhere to basic regulations all other businesses follow, pay their fair share in Minneapolis, and come to the table in good faith.
- Implementation of new rideshare companies in the market. We need healthy competition in the rideshare market and there is a viable opportunity for that to happen. There are successful companies in other cities who have proven they can pay a fair wage, support their workers, and not overburden their riders with extreme costs. The duopoly of Uber & Lyft have created conditions that make for bad outcomes for drivers and riders, who are often pitted against each other.
- Host a community meetings for constituents to share perspectives, ask questions, and learn more.
Fellow Council Members and I have been working hard on addressing the compensation rate and implementation of new rideshare companies. T
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A data and research driven analysis on the Minneapolis compensation rate for TNC drivers for a fair minimum wage. As the Chair of Intergovernmental Relations, I have been speaking with state leaders and the Department of Labor and Industry to find a path forward together. The Department of Labor and Industry walked through the State Report with The Minneapolis Policy and Research team in the Auditor’s department. The Policy and Research team will examine the methodology of how the State Department calculated their rates and consider any Minneapolis specific data to re-evaluate our ordinance’s Minimum wage rate. It is expected the Council will be considering an analysis done by our Policy and Research team on the compensation rate the week of April 15 and I am hoping to take an action on it on April 25.
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Updates on emerging new rideshare companies.
- Several new rideshare companies are in contact with Business Licensing, including local startups and companies that are already operating in other cities.
- Three new Rideshare Companies have applied for Business Licenses. There have been additional companies that have made public announcements about their intention to obtain licenses and begin operating this spring: MOOV, Wridz, and new local startups Hich and MyWheels. Local drivers are also working with the team behind the New York Drivers Coop to launch a worker-owned rideshare company in Minneapolis.
- The Drivers Co-op has launched an onboarding app to sign up drivers and riders before the app goes live. The driver app can be downloaded here and the rider app can be downloaded here. There are currently about 1,000 drivers and 3,800 riders signed up. For clarity, this company has not yet been licensed by the city of Minneapolis.
- The city will be updating the city website with any companies that receive licenses.
- We continue to be in conversation with drivers, who have been engaged with several potential new rideshare companies. They are eager for the opportunity to partner with these new potential companies.
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Safe Rides Ordinance: Council is now bringing this through the legislative process with the intention to pass it by the end of April. This ordinance is to ensure Minneapolis has access to unrestricted data on an ongoing basis and ensure that Minneapolis minimum compensation rates are accurately aligned with the $15.57 minimum wage.
Potential Council Timeline:
April 11: Council Meeting Motion to reconsider the compensation is presented
April 15-19: Professional Policy and Research staff deliver compensation analysis
April 25: Council Meeting where likely action will be taken
As of now the this Ordinance will go into effect on May 1, 2024, and it will be evaluated after 6 months, 1 year, and annually after that with the first evaluation taking place in November 2024. These evaluation points provide opportunities to make adjustments over time.
If you have anything you would like to share, you can fill out this form.
The 2024 season for Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling collection of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings starts the week of April 8. Customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curbs next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their pickup day.
Customers can set yard waste out in a reusable container, compostable bags (paper or certified compostable plastic – look for the BPI logo), or bundled with string or twine.
Other requirements
- Reusable containers must be 32-38 gallons in size and 26-32 inches high with sturdy handles. Reusable containers are lifted and emptied by hand; they must be easily managed. Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers.
- Each container, bag or bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds.
- Bundled brush and branches must be less than 3 inches in diameter and cut to less than 3 feet long.
Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” don’t meet the State law requirement and are not accepted.
Solid Waste & Recycling crews can’t pick up dirt, soil, sod, stumps, trees, or branches wider than 3 inches in diameter or longer than 3 feet.
Raking leaves into the street is against the law and bad for our lakes, creeks and river.
For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can check the City website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 Monday-Friday.
Protecting pollinators
Bees often nest in broken stems of plants, and butterflies overwinter in leaf piles. The City encourages gardeners and landscapers to leave yard waste untouched until daytime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees (mid-April or early May) to protect pollinators.
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 The public is invited to a breakfast April 11 before the City Council votes on a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1974 gay civil rights ordinance. The breakfast will honor aldermen, trailblazers and community leaders who spearheaded the ordinance; LGBTQIA leaders; and organizations that serve our community.
Breakfast reception open to the public 8-9:15 a.m. Thursday, April 11 City Hall Rotunda, 350 Fifth St. S.
Every month at least I would like to share with you public safety updates related to the Ward. I have been in consistent communication with our crime prevention specialists on constituent based issues, I have met with our Chief of Police, Inspector of our precinct, Commissioner of the Office of Community Safety, and our Director of Community Safety to share the public safety concerns and needs from our community that have been shared to me coming into office. I want to be able to share information with you that is valuable, so please let me know what you would like to see in this section in the future by filling out this form.
The Minneapolis Police Department 3rd Precinct shared these statistics and trends for Ward 12:
- Auto thefts are down -34 %, we have 80 year to date compared to 122 last year. Some contributing factors to the decline are software updates to the Kia/Hyundai models that were affected, communicating this issue with community and handing out auto clubs to prevent thefts.
- Burglary’s and Breaking and entering are down -20%, we have 34 year to date compared to 43 last year at this time.
- Robberies are up +71%, we have 12 year to date compared to 7 last year at this time. Robberies did increase city wide and the Chief issued a Robbery Pattern response Protocol (e.g., multiple robberies close in time or by the same suspects). When this happens the Chief and affected precinct leadership is contacted, and all available resources respond to the area of the pattern. Support from our partnering agencies is also requested. This has been successful, and we have apprehended suspects after the protocol has been initiated, robberies have trended down since the Protocol. I hope this trend continues.
Other issues that the police department has noticed is speeding on Hiawatha. Last year we had numerous fatalities on Hiawatha, and the city is trying to address this by education and enforcement conducting these traffic stops.
Public Safety Issues my office has been working:
- We have constituent cases in a few neighborhoods we are working with our crime prevention specialists, applicable city departments, and public safety personnel to address. To maintain the privacy of these individuals reaching out, I won't go into detail of the case. I do however, want to make a point to say, if you are having safety or livability issues-- do report emergencies to 911 and non-emergency issues to 311 and reach out to me and my office for assistance.
- 46th and Hiawatha Light rail station. My office is working with the Public Works Department, 311, Metro Transit, and will be reaching out to the Office of Community Safety to come together to address safety and livability issues nearby the station. I am working right now with administration to ensure that the livability issues we see in the area can be accurately reported and data can be collected to address situations and identify trends.
If you have any public safety concerns that you believe my office and I should be aware of, please reach out. If it is an emergency call 911.
When I got into office, one of my priorities was advocating to clean up and revitalize the corner of Lake and Minnehaha where the old 3rd precinct is. Our community deserves so much better than blighted and barbed wire corner that has been left that way for years. I am happy to report, the City of Minneapolis Finance and Property Services teams shared with me in a briefing that the clean up of that corner will begin this spring around May and go into the Summer. You will see banners go up on the corner announcing the clean up and I am told it is expected the jersey barriers, fencing, barbed wire, and boarded windows will all be addresses and there will be repairs made within the building.
What is the plan for what will be on the corner of 3000 Minnehaha?
I got a briefing on what the concept plan is this last Friday and I am dismayed to say that I alongside my fellow council members are being asked by the administration to take vote on it this upcoming Monday, April 8.
The concept draft plan is that the 70% of the building be used for an election voter service center where early voting can take place and the 30% be used as a community space. You can learn more about the concept plan here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCAV2/34750/Minnehaha-3000-Staff-Presentation.pdf
I am dismayed because last December I was told that there would be community engagement done on this concept plan before we as a City Council took a vote. Now, I am being told that it is desired by the administration that we approve the concept plan first and then have community engagement. I think that it is backwards and I in good conscious cannot vote for concept plan on this site without a community meeting to solicit feedback and share the drafted plan at a minimum. I also recognize, that while Ward 12 is a part of the 3rd Precinct area, it is 1 of 6 wards represented by it, and many of these Wards represent very diverse Black, Brown, Indigenous, Immigrant, and working communities that deserve to at a minimum be engaged with before we take a significant action to approve a plan.
Longfellow Community Council did however do a few community engagement sessions to inquire what community members were interested in seeing on the corner of 3000 Minnehaha, they will also be presenting on Monday. You can look at their report on those engagement sessions here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCAV2/34751/3rd-Precinct-Community-Conversation-Analysis.pdf
At this time I will not be supporting the concept plan. I have asked the administration to conduct community engagement sessions that I can help share and promote before a draft concept plan is approved.
Please let me know what you think by filling out this form here: https://forms.gle/yEjPVSgBvZLTqh249
*Community engagement events and surveys will be going out soon about the new 3rd Precinct Comprehensive Safety Center located at 2633 Minnehaha in the coming month. More information to come in my next newsletter.
The Minneapolis City Council voted to approve a partnership between the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. I am excited say that I am one of 3 Council members who is voting member on the partnership board.
This partnership between our organizations is characterized by collaboration, potential, and opportunities. Through this cooperative agreement, we will begin short-term and long-term planning and take first steps on three water projects on Minnehaha Creeks. Through this partnership, we will make big strides on water and water quality to advance on resiliency and adapting to climate change.
I a so excited for this partnership, this matters deeply so much to our constituents that care about preserving our natural systems for many generations in the future to enjoy, especially improving the health of lake Hiawatha and the whole watershed.
Thank you to the City, the Park and Recreation Board, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for coming together on this cooperative agreement.
Timothy Sexton is nominated to be the City’s new director of the Public Works Department. Sexton currently serves as the assistant commissioner for sustainability, planning and program management for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The nomination comes after an extensive search that yielded an impressive candidate pool.
At MnDOT, Sexton leads a staff of 350 people and provides strategic direction for all modal programs (freight, rail, waterways, aeronautics, transit, walking, biking, shared mobility), research and innovation, asset management, and sustainability and public health.
If approved for the position of Public Works director, Sexton will oversee a department with more than 1,100 employees who build, operate and maintain the City’s public infrastructure and deliver critical services, including solid waste and recycling collection, safe drinking water, street maintenance and emergency sewer and road repairs.
The City Council’s Climate & Infrastructure Committee has set a public hearing for April 18 on the nomination.
Read more on the City website.
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 Minneapolis Animal Care & Control relies on volunteers to help feed, exercise, play with, train and clean up after the animals in the shelter. Volunteers can make a huge difference for the animals in the shelter.
Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities include:
- The Animal Safety Net Program: Short and long-term care for animals facing displacement from their families from medical emergencies, disasters, domestic violence and other reasons.
- Foster care: A temporary home to save lives and reduce the stress for animals in transition.
- Rehabilitation: Working with staff to rehabilitate animals in physical, mental or behavioral crisis to help them safely return to the community.
- Dog walking and running: Every animal gets out of its kennel or cage every day. Volunteers walk dogs three times a day.
- Cat cuddling: Volunteers give cats 1:1 socialization and exercise daily.
- Dog play groups: Dog play groups let dogs learn good behavior from other dogs.
- Matchmakers: Specially trained volunteers work with customers to help them find the perfect pet for their family.
- Administrative projects: Volunteers who may not be able to work directly with animals can still help us.
See the City website for ways to help and requirements for volunteering.
Thank you to every person who reached out on the lighting and wire theft issue. I have been in consistent communication with our Public Works department to share the concerns we have heard. Here are the updates that department has shared with me:
- West River Parkway has had underground wire theft along large segments and also repeated thefts in the same locations.
- Staff were able to repair (pull new underground wire) for about 3 miles of West River Parkway lights during December and January.
- Indications of wire theft are often observed by tampered or removed pole access doors, exposed wires, and/or multiple lights out in a row.
- Wire theft damages that cannot be repaired due to frozen ground will be delayed until the ground thaws, which staff will continue to monitor.
- The most significant change we have made in our repair process is that we have been testing aluminum wire installation instead of copper. This is because the scrap value of aluminum is about ¼ of copper which we hope reduces incentive for theft. This should also be an easier item to identify at recycling centers. Since the test wire installation is recent, we still need to better understand how effective this change will be.
The department has also spoken with the scrap metal buyers in the area to be in communication if they believe they are receiving stolen wire. The police department has shared with me that they have been successful in the last months in making arrests on some individuals stealing the wire. I am in contact with Saint Paul City Council Members who are experiencing the same issue.
In the last month, residents in the Morris Park and Minnehaha neighborhoods have experienced work in preparation for 2024 water main cleaning and lining. With favorable weather, our Public Works staff have been able to get a jump on construction – and this past month shut off water temporarily and replaced some water valves or service to effectively do the work.
Water works staff are also spending time locating the water shut off valve to each property and testing them. Neighbors may have seen or will see staff conducting this work in the front of houses.
In April, city crews will continue important renewal work on water mains in the Morris Park and Minnehaha neighborhoods. Residents impacted by this work will receive a letter in the mail with additional information about the project. This map shows which streets will be impacted. If the water main delivering water to your home is being renewed, you will be placed on temporary water service. The letter you receive will include instructions and guidance about the temporary water service. To learn more about cleaning and lining visit the City's website.
In preparation for the upcoming renewal work, City crews evaluate hydrants, valves and other parts of the water distribution system and make any necessary repairs in advance. If your water will be shut off to make the repairs, you will receive at least 24 hours’ notice with a door hanger placed on your front door. Temporary shut offs typically last a few hours and water service is restored within the same day. To prepare for the water shutoff we suggest:
- Doing any necessary loads of laundry or dishes
- Showering or bathing the night before
- Pouring water into a pitcher or pot for drinking or cooking purposes
- Filling a bucket with water to use to flush the toilet if necessary
Click here for answers to commonly asked questions about water mains cleaning & lining.
Plans are underway to replace the aging Nokomis Ave S storm sewer
between E 45th St and Minnehaha Creek. The storm sewer carries
runoff from a large residential watershed to Minnehaha Creek.
This pipe is over 77 years old and at the end of its useful life.
The project will allow for continued safe drainage of this watershed
The project is currently underway, click here for the project website
Join us as a volunteer for Doors Open Minneapolis 2024 and delve into the city's rich heritage and architectural standouts on May 18th and 19th. Whether informing visitors, providing guidance at venues, or assisting behind the scenes, your contribution will make a significant impact. Don't miss this chance to be part of one of Minneapolis's most anticipated events and celebrate the vibrant spirit of the city! You can find volunteer events and training dates here.
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 The City Council has passed a resolution that I authored alongside Council Member Jenkins honoring Women’s History Month. The resolution commemorates the achievements of women and pledges to continue efforts to promote gender equity, celebrate diversity, and support the empowerment of all women in our community.
This year's theme for International Women's Day, “Inspire Inclusion,” echoes the need for calls for a collective effort to forge a more inclusive world for women, emphasizing the importance of understanding, valuing and promoting women's inclusion in all aspects of society.
The resolution also:
- Recognizes that all women are leaders, regardless of their formal roles or leadership positions.
- Acknowledges that the women’s movement has historically left out Black women, Indigenous women, transgender women and women of color and chooses to recognize and address the specific challenges faced by marginalized groups of women in the quest for true equity and inclusion.
Read the full resolution on the City website.
  A blessed Ramadan to all our Muslim Neighbors and early Eid Mubarak as well!
- Longfellow Community Council Free the Deeds Door knocking Event on April 8, 5:30pm at LCC Office, 3101 Minnehaha Ave. Learn more and sign-up here.
- Longfellow Community Council Spring Gathering and Board Elections on April 11, 6-7:30 at the Legacy Building (4024 E 46th St). There will be tacos.
- Sea Salt Eatery to Open on April 19 with a new addition of a sandwich shop next door, The Sandwich Room at Sea Salt.
- Neighbors have been working diligently to organize and keep Cooper Playground in the Cooper neighborhood. Take the Save Cooper Playground Survey. You can learn more on plaympls.org.
- I attended a meeting at Minnehaha Academy with neighbors to learn more about a plan the school will submit to the City's planning commission for changes on their soccer field to use artificial turf, changes to bleachers, scoreboard, and to put in soccer field lights.
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