| Greetings Ward 11,
Join us for the Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting on Thursday, April 18th from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at Pearl Park Recreation Center. Please note, the date of the meeting has been changed from April 16th to April 18th. See the “Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting” article for more information.
It’s hard to believe, but construction season is upon us! As always, we create a Ward 11 Construction Map to provide you with information about all the projects in and around Ward 11. This map also includes MPRB’s proposed trail upgrades slated for later this year which will improve safety for bikers, walkers and runners within Nokomis Hiawatha Regional Park. See the “Ward 11 Construction Map” article for more.
At the City Council Meeting on April 11th, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Gay Rights Ordinance with former elected leaders, advocates, and community leaders who have advanced LGTBQIA+ rights both 50 years ago and today. This celebration is especially special to me, as my late-father former Mayor Al Hofstede, signed this ordinance into law in 1974. See “'Beacon of hope': Minneapolis celebrates 50 years of the Gay Civil Rights Ordinance" for more information.
The City Council also passed a Legislative Directive I authored to research the staffing crisis within MPD, and best practices regarding recruitment and retention. See the “Law Enforcement Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention Staff Directive” article for more.
I also worked to amend the Transportation Rideshare Ordinance, to adjust the driver compensation to the state’s DLI study for the Minneapolis minimum wage and benefits. This amendment did not pass. The City Council did amend the ordinance to extend the effective date to July 1st. See the “Update on the Transportation Rideshare Ordinance.” article for more.
I hope everyone is enjoying this much needed spring weather!
In Gratitude,
At the City Council meeting, we reopened and considered amendments to the Transportation Rideshare Ordinance.
Council President Payne, and Council Members Cashman and Chowdhury brought forward an amendment to extend the effective date to July 1, 2024.
The extension will give the market time to adapt. And will give us an opportunity to build a fair, flexible market, with healthy competition, and good faith partners. I have been leading ongoing conversations with downtown partners on strategies to enhance market accessibility, boost entry and use for new companies, and support drivers in this transitional period. These strategies include potential grant programs, marketing/advertising support for new companies, and workshops from drivers.
The amendment passed unanimously, with all Council Members voting in support.
Council Members Jenkins and I are brought forward an amendment to adjust the per mile rate/per minute rates.
Leadership in decision-making entails gathering information, consulting stakeholders, and making informed choices, while also embracing uncertainty and adapting to new information. My goal has and continues to be to ensure fair wages for drivers, stability for drivers and riders, and a healthy, competitive market. This amendment would achieve those goals.
Transportation Network Companies are paying drivers a subminimum wage. The City Council took action to fix that. The State and the City have worked diligently to research and analyze available data – and the prevailing result of that work supports an adjustment to the Rideshare Ordinance. We must take action to adjust accordingly.
The current rates are based on our Policy and Research Division’s analysis which was done with the limited data they were able to obtain, which did not include data from Uber and Lyft. The State’s DLI analysis was done with significantly more data and included data from 18 million Uber and Lyft trips in the State, predominantly in this City.
The amendment’s per mile rate, $1.21, is the comprehensive rate recommended in the State’s Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) report, and the per minute rate, $0.51, is the rate recommended in the City’s Policy and Research Division’s (PAR) report. This rate reflects the City’s $15 minimum wage and benefits.
Unfortunately, this amendment failed, with Council Members Cashman (7), Jenkins (8), and I voting in support, and Council President Payne (1), Council Members Wonsley (2), Rainville (3), Vetaw (4), Ellison (5), Osman (6), Chavez (9), Council Vice President Chughtai (10), Council Members Chowdhury (12), and Palmisano (13) voting against.
I stand firm in knowing that we need to adjust our rates. I am committed to persistently advocating for this change and will continue to pursue it in the coming weeks.
At the City Council meeting, we unanimously approved a Legislative Directive I authored on Law Enforcement Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention.
The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) faces a staffing crisis. MPD vacancy rates (i.e. percentage of unfilled jobs) have been steadily increasing since 2020 (2020 – 24%, 2021 – 33%, 2022 – 37%, 2023 – 38%). And, despite the City's recruitment efforts and hirings to date, the MPD continues to face employee turnover due to early retirement, retirement, separation, etc., and the staffing situation remains net negative.
This staffing crisis is not unique to the City of Minneapolis, it is faced by police departments nationwide. Nationwide, police officer retirements and resignations have increased, applicants for open positions have decreased, and officer staffing levels are dropping. Police Departments are facing the challenge of recruiting and retaining enough qualified police officers to provide services and address violent crime.
Through this Staff Directive, the City Auditor’s Policy and Research Division will..
1. Conduct a landscape review of law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and retention practices in comparable jurisdictions, this may include recruitment policies, incentives, and outcomes; hiring processes, models, and standards; and retention incentives, initiatives, and effectiveness.
2. Provide an overview of the City's current, and future recruitment, hiring, and retention practices for MPD.
3. Identify any trends, standards, or areas of focus across comparable jurisdictions and provide any similarities or contrasts that merit consideration or continued discussion.
I am committed to approaching the staffing crisis with curiosity, creativity and collaboration, to find solutions that will not just move us but launch us in the right direction. I look forward to receiving this information, and to working with our Police Department to pursue new paths this upcoming biennial budget cycle.
Join us for the next Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting on Thursday, April 18th from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM at Pearl Park Recreation Center (414 E Diamond Lake Rd, MPLS, MN 55419).
This Ward 11 Public Safety Meeting will feature:
- Minneapolis Police Department leadership from the 3rd and 5th Precincts
- the Embedded Social Workers within the 3rd and 5th Precincts
- The Manager of the Community Navigators within the Neighborhood Safety Department
There will be updates from the Office of Community Safety, and all Office of Community Safety Departments as well.
Visit the 2024 Ward 11 Construction Map to learn more information about the construction projects happening in Ward 11. The interactive Ward 11 Construction Map will be updated throughout the construction season.
If you have any questions about construction projects, please use the contact information listed for each project, or contact the Ward 11 Office.
The Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) Annual Meeting is on April 25th from 6-8pm at American Legion Post 99 (5600 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417). Come to hear about what NENA has been up to for the past year, elect and re-elect Board Members, vote on organizational changes, and share a free community meal from Grande Sunrise with your neighbors!
Applications to join the Board will open on April 1st and run until April 16th. Online voting will begin April 18th and continue until the day of the Annual Meeting on April 25th where in person voting will also happen.
Learn more at the the NENA website.
The 2024 Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration brings an entertaining evening in appreciation of trees to McRae Park on Friday, April 26, 4-8 pm! The annual springtime celebration of Minneapolis’ tree-mendous tree canopy heads to south Minneapolis this year with a big party planned at McRae Park, 906 E 47th St.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department and its network of community partners invite everyone to enjoy a truly unique array of tree-themed activities for all ages. This includes live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and special twists that reflect the Field, Regina, and Northrop neighborhoods hosting this year’s Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration. Plus, you can help plant one of 65 new trees for McRae Park!
Learn more at the Minneapolis Arbor Day website and RSVP on Facebook.
Public Works crews are gearing up to start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what has accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 16, for the first day of sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 15, drivers should watch for hot pink temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.
Starting April 16 for approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
Find your street on the schedule
You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map. It will go live Friday, April 12, with this year’s schedule.
Learn more about street sweeping.
City staff have been meeting with the south Minneapolis community about the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and the Lake Street Community Safety Center. They’ve held public meetings and are also talking to people on the street about the two community safety centers. The information will help decide on what services could be in the community safety centers.
Here are some upcoming events for people in south Minneapolis:
- Talking with South High School students April 19.
- Talking with people who identify as Southeast Asian April 20.
- Talking with people who identify as Latino April 20.
- Talking with people who identify as African American April 25.
- Talking with older adults April 26 and May 6.
See information presented to the City Council about the Lake Street Community Center.
Check out the City’s website for more information.
The 30th annual Minneapolis Earth Day Clean-Up is on Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9:30 am-12 pm.
This year there are 44 clean-up sites across the Minneapolis park system. No registration is required, just show up to help beautify our city by collecting trash and recyclables that accumulated over the winter.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff or volunteers will provide bags and gloves at all Earth Day sites and City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling will properly dispose of all collected materials. Thank you to Earth Day sponsor Associated Bank!
Join the largest annual community service project in Minneapolis and help beautify our city! Since 2008, volunteers have removed more than 165,000 lbs. of garbage from parks during Earth Day Clean-Up events.
Learn more at www.minneapolisearthday.com.
The Boom Island Park Earth Day Cleanup site also hosts the 9th annual Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk and Cleanup! This family-friendly event features music, info booths, and a beautiful route along both sides of the Mississippi River between Boom Island Park and the 3rd Avenue Bridge.
Dogs and costumes are welcome! Find more information and links to sign up at the Great River Coalition website.
Sign up for the City of Minneapolis’ new alert system. You can get text alerts, create a full profile if you’d like alerts on specific subjects, and even download the mobile app to your phone.
Alert topics
The City of Minneapolis will use Smart911 to send alerts on many topics including:
- Snow emergencies.
- Severe weather.
- Public safety incidents.
- Major infrastructure issues.
- Major special event impacts.
Smart911 is replacing the City’s former alert system, Swiftreach. If you were subscribed to Swiftreach, you'll get alerts in the new system. We encourage you to create a Smart911 profile for more precise alerts.
Sign up for alerts
To subscribe, text MPLSAlerts to 77295 or create a full Smart911 profile online.
Read more about the new alert system on the City website.
Plan to join in Neighborhood Day May 11. Neighborhood Day is an annual day set across the city to increase resident participation in local civic engagement through one of the city’s 70 recognized neighborhood organizations. Neighborhood organizations host a neighborhood engagement activity and or board elections to increase resident participation in their neighborhood organizations.
Picture the neighborhood you want to live in and then help make that vision a reality by becoming involved in your neighborhood organization. Learn more about your neighborhood organization by attending a Neighborhood Day event. Examples of 2024 Neighborhood Day events include neighborhood meet and greets, garden tool swaps, youth choir concerts, happy hours and neighborhood cleanup.
Your voice is important
Neighborhood voices are important for equity, but typically fewer than 1% of eligible people vote for neighborhood organization boards. Neighborhood boards are important local forces for change; they make investments and decisions about the community. Voting in board elections can help make sure the board members making these decisions and setting priorities for neighborhood organization activities represent voters on the most local level.
Neighbors are invited to come find out how they can help make their neighborhood better – including neighbors who haven’t been involved before. This will help neighborhood organizations better represent their neighborhoods for more equitable, accessible services.
Look up your neighborhood organization to find updated listings and see if your neighborhood is holding an event or an election this year.
If you don't know which neighborhood you live in, you can look it up by address.
Find more information about neighborhood board elections on the City website.
Find more information about Neighborhood Day on the City website.
Whether you’re new to Minneapolis, a college student or a lifelong renter, come join us for the 2024 Renter Rights Resource Fair.
The resource fair brings together staff from the Department of Regulatory Services and community organizations to connect with renters and property owners. So bring your questions. Find help overcoming common renting issues and learn about renter rights. Hear how the City works with property owners and tenants to ensure safe and quality housing.
2024 Renter Rights Resource Fair 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., first floor
A free meal and interpretation services will be available. Hosted by the Department of Regulatory Services.
The Climate & Infrastructure Committee of the Minneapolis City Council will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 1:30 pm, in Room 350, Public Service Center, 250 S. Fourth St., seeking public input into the priorities and programs that make up the city’s Minneapolis Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).
At the time of the public hearing, the committee will provide an opportunity (see guidance) for all interested persons to be heard regarding the SWMP. You are not required to participate in the in-person meeting. You may comment in writing by sending a written statement to arrive before the public hearing to: councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov or Minneapolis City Clerk’s Office, C/O Climate & Infrastructure Committee Coordinator, 350 S. Fifth St., Room 304, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1382. The committee will consider all timely written and oral comments and statements.
Meet Minneapolis is conducting a survey of Minneapolis residents. Please take the survey; your input can help shape the future of travel and tourism in the city. The results will help Meet Minneapolis update its 10-year destination master plan to increase the appeal of our city as a destination for travelers.
The survey closes May 3. It takes about five minutes to complete, and your responses will be confidential.
You can take the survey in English, Spanish, Somali or Hmong.
Give your input on the capital budget at an upcoming listening session. Every neighborhood in the city is affected by capital projects such as streets, sidewalks, parks and much more. Each year, the Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee, an advisory committee made up of residents appointed by the mayor and City Council, makes recommendations about which capital projects to fund in the next year’s budget. The committee would like to know your priorities.
You can share your priorities in person or by email.
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Northeast Minneapolis public listening session 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18 Audubon Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave. NE, Multipurpose Room
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South Minneapolis public listening session 6:15 p.m. Thursday, May 2 Lynnhurst Recreation Center, 1345 W. Minnehaha Parkway, Multipurpose Room
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Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee/Planning Commission joint public hearing 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 100
See the proposed capital budget requests up for consideration this year.
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