May 23rd, 2024

A message from Council President Elliott Payne

Hello neighbors, 

At our City Council meeting today we took action on 55 items forwarded to us from our standing committees, 54 of those votes were unanimous and 1 item passed on a 12-1 vote. We also received 1 notice of ordinance introduction, referred 3 different ordinances to committees, approved 6 different honorary resolutions, received an update that an initiative to create a Civilian Police Accountability Commission (CPAC) will not make it on the ballot for this election, returned our transportation ride share worker protections ordinance back to the author after a statewide policy was passed, and approved a block event permit for the Minnesota Timberwolves to host watch parties and street activation for the rest of their playoff run. 

I want to specifically highlight a few more important actions we took. We approved a liquor license for Black Duck on 29th and Johnson. Jason Sawicki has been working hard on this space since when he first bought it in the peak of the pandemic and started with the Fare Game food truck, which so many of us in Audubon loved. Even when he was hit with issues around enforcement of food truck rules that returned after being relaxed during COVID, he has pushed on through and I can't wait to support his restaurant and all it will add to our great commercial corridor on 29th & Johnson!

We also approved a contract for layout, engineering, and design services for the Logan Park Industrial project. We just saw the magic of Quincy street during Art-A-Whirl, and I'm really excited about the opportunity to permanently make Quincy more pedestrian centric with this reconstruction. 

Lastly, I wanted to highlight that we authorized a Partnership Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the City to administer the Transit Assistance Program (TAP), through our Minneapolis Service Center. Back in June of 2023, Council Member Chavez and I passed a Legislative Directive for a high-level analysis of the potential to expand and establish a Metropolitan Council’s Transit Assistance Program (TAP) partnership with the City of Minneapolis. Now, we have officially authorized that agreement and lower income people will be able to access reduced fare pass on Go-To cards. Customers can use a bus or train for just $1 per ride – even during rush hour – with a 2½ hour transfer window. By participating as a TAP partner, the City will make public transit more affordable for people with lower incomes by directly distributing TAP cards at the Minneapolis Service Center. It's always fulfilling to see the big ideas you have come to fruition with tangible actions through years of work. Thanks especially to Council Member Chavez and 311 Director Nzimbi for their partnership in making this happen. 

Best,

Elliott

Connect with Council President Payne

June Office Hours

When: Monday June 3rd 5-7 PM

Where: Norseman Distillery 451 Taft St Ne 55413

Transit: Route 25 & Route 61

Ward 1 CCPO Forum

What: Join Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne and Ward 1 CCPO Representative Josh Loar for a community conversation about police oversight. We will discuss CCPO and review panel updates and policy recommendations.

When: Tuesday June 4^th 5:30-7:00pm

Where: Audubon Park 1320 29th Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55418

Transit: Route 4 & Route 10

Legislative win for 2040 plan

Before adjourning, State lawmakers passed a bill that will resolve a legal challenge under the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan that gave rise to a lawsuit. The legislation will allow the City of Minneapolis to move forward with permitting long-stalled multi-unit housing projects.

The Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan was passed in 2019 and was the guiding vision for shaping how the city will grow and change for the next 20 years. This includes historic zoning reforms to allow for a diversity of use in all neighborhoods across the city.

In part due to the 2040 Plan, Minneapolis has seen record-breaking levels of affordable rental housing units produced in the past several years, while also keeping rents at some of the lowest rates in the country.

Read about the plan on the City website.

Statewide Rideshare Driver Protections Policy

The Minnesota Legislature passed HF 4746/SF 4780, legislation that increases pay and protections for drivers of transportation network companies (TNCs) and increases rates for drivers by 20%, includes the most protective insurance provision for TNC drivers in the country, and ensures a fair process when drivers are deactivated from the platforms.

The bill establishes minimum compensation rates of $1.28 per mile and 31¢ per minute while drivers are transporting riders. Other changes to the payment structure include establishing a minimum trip compensation of $5, ensuring 80% of trip cancellation fees and 100% of tips go to the driver, requiring drivers to be paid at least once every 14 days, and adjusting rates commensurate with inflation in the same manner the state’s minimum wage is adjusted. 

This legislation creates ground rules for TNC companies deactivating individual drivers, including providing a written policy on deactivation, sending a warning to drivers who are at risk of deactivation, and a process for reconsideration for drivers who are deactivated. It also requires TNC companies to provide drivers with a detailed breakdown of mileage, travel time, and minimum compensation before accepting a ride request, as well as a receipt after the ride is complete and a weekly summary of all trips. The bill also requires TNC companies to maintain personal injury insurance for drivers that covers medical expenses, lost income, and other benefits.

This legislation preempts any City from making their own rates, including what the City Council passed earlier this year. The legislation sets rates across the state for a more uniform pay structure.

I’m grateful for the work of all my City Council colleagues on this issue, particularly the authors who have advanced this issue over the last two years.

University Avenue Northeast/Highway 47 Public Meeting

Tuesday, June 11 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Las Estrellas Dual Language Elementary School 1201 University Ave NE

Website: www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/universityavempls/index.html

Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/3F5GL6B

Farmers markets opening for the season

The first spring farmers markets have opened, kicking off the 2024 season. The other farmers markets and mini markets will open over the next several weeks.

Locally grown food

Farmers markets are a great way to get locally grown food. In 2023, the average distance traveled from farm to market was 42 miles.

Spring, summer, fall farmers market locations and schedules

To see the locations, hours and other information about the 2024 farmers markets, visit the City website.

To learn more about local farmers markets, visit the farmers markets page on the City website.

Market Bucks and SNAP

Shopping at farmers markets is an easy way for everyone to get healthy, local food on the table. The Market Bucks incentive matches up to $10 worth of coupons per day to customers who use SNAP benefits to buy eligible food at participating farmers markets. Participating markets are noted in the map on the City website.

2023 was a record year for SNAP and Market Bucks use citywide, bolstered by Produce Market Bucks offering a double match on SNAP dollars. Farmers market customers in Minneapolis spent more than $345,000 in SNAP, Market Bucks and Produce Market Bucks last year.

Homegrown Minneapolis also offers other ways to get healthy, local food on the table. Homegrown Minneapolis is a citywide initiative expanding our community’s ability to grow, process, distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable, locally grown foods.

Renter rights resource fair June 4

The Minneapolis Department of Regulatory Services is gearing up for a Renter Rights Resource Fair June 4. Together with HOME Line, Legal Aid, Urban League Twin Cities, Arrive Ministries and others, City staff will help community members with:

• Overcoming maintenance issues.
• Renter rights.
• Understanding property owner/tenant responsibilities.
• Housing resources for immigrants and refugees.
• Environmental hazards in homes.
• Providing critical resources.

You can drop in any time during the event or join us at 12:30 p.m. for a presentation from HOME Line about new state laws. A free meal and interpretation services will be provided.

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

Share the event with a neighbor and stay up to date by visiting the Facebook event.

Contact Kaylee Tracy for more information or with questions.

Connect with Elliott and Ward 1 Staff

Elliott Payne was re-elected in 2023 to represent Ward 1

Elliott serves on the President of the Minneapolis City Council, Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Public Health & Safety Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole. 

Contact the Ward 1 Council Office

Elliott Payne, Council Member - Email

Ben Carrier, Policy Aide - Email

Liam Davis Temple, Policy Aide - Email

Ikram Mohamud, Policy Associate - Email

Office Phone - (612) 673-2201

Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward1

We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:

Room 100, Public Service Center
250 South 4th St.
Get directions

For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311.