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Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week was another exciting week in Ward 3 as our Ward and City continue to rebound from 2020.
Last Friday members of the North loop community held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly installed pedestrian crossing lights at 8th Ave N and Washington Ave N. A big thank you to Allan Klugman from Minneapolis Public Works, along with the entire department, for getting this important safety upgrade across the finish line while navigating a complex situation. The complexity is that Washington Ave is a County road and they must be included in any changes to their roads. To date, the County has been hesitant to invest in pedestrian safety on Washington. I will keep working with the North Loop Neighborhood to make further safety improvements along Washington and throughout the neighborhood.
Top: the new pedestrian crossing lights; Bottom: CM Rainville, Diane Merrifield, and Allan Klugman cutting the ribbon on Washington Ave N
I have heard from many constituents of the need for pedestrian safety upgrades in their neighborhoods. If you have an intersection you would like our Traffic Safety Team to review, please let us know at Ward3@minneapolismn.gov.
On Monday I invited City staff from 911 to attend the Sheridan Neighborhood Organization monthly meeting to explain how the system works and when to call 911 vs 311. If your neighborhood organization has questions about any City department, please contact our office and we will arrange for staff to attend your neighborhood meeting.
To help increase the property tax base in Minneapolis I called together the City's lobbying team, leaders from the Downtown Council, the Building Operators Management Association, and several private sector developers to plan on how to approach the State Legislature to pass a tax credit for converting empty commercial buildings into housing. With the rise in interest rates, very little new housing is being built in Minneapolis and the State. While all cities in Minnesota will benefit from converting empty buildings, I am focused on the empty buildings in Minneapolis and especially in downtown. Think of all the affordable housing that could be added in the Warehouse District, spreading the vibrancy of the North Loop. Imagine all the affordable housing that could be built in the old Honeywell/Wells Fargo campus on 26th in South Minneapolis. The tax credits will:
- Increase these buildings' property values and the property tax 5 to 6 times what they are currently.
- Help leverage federal funding.
- Create affordable living close to jobs.
- Increase the property tax base which will help lessen the burden on existing renters and homeowners throughout the City.
This is the start of increasing revenue to our City and I will continue to work on this as a top priority and keep you informed.
Please attend the September 4th community meeting on Public Safety with Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette and 2nd Precinct Inspector Nick Torborg. It is being held at the Ukrainian American Community Center located at 301 Main St NE and starts at 6pm.
As always, 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
With severe weather moving through the metro, the City is sharing important information and resources to help residents and work crews stay safe.
Power lines
If you come across a downed power line, always assume it is energized and dangerous. Never touch or move a downed power line. Leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999. Xcel Energy actively responds to power outages. You can check outage status on the Xcel Energy website.
After a storm, please give work crews space so they can safely clean up debris and downed power lines. Also, leave 911 open for emergencies.
Traffic signals
If you encounter a traffic signal that’s flashing or completely out, treat the intersection like a four-way stop yielding to pedestrians. Report issues with City streets by calling 311 or report an issue on the City website.
Tree damage
Property owners are responsible for trees on their property. Tree debris such as leaves, branches (less than 3 ft long and less than 3 in diameter) and twigs are accepted with your regular yard waste collection. Larger branches are not accepted. Find out more on the City website.
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board is responsible for City-owned trees on the boulevards and park property. Report storm damage to them by calling 612-313-7710. Find out more on the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board website.
Tips to prepare
Get additional tips for what to do during a power outage from Ready.gov.
Read more about the City’s response to recent storms on the City website.
Minneapolis City government offices are closed Monday, Sept. 2, for Labor Day. This includes Minneapolis 311 and the Minneapolis Service Center. City offices will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Minneapolis police and fire emergency services and 911 are not affected.
There is no garbage and recycling pick-up on Sept. 2. Service resumes Sept. 3.
The City's metered parking spaces are not enforced on the holiday. Other metered parking restrictions in Minneapolis may be in effect and subject to enforcement. This includes the Park Board, University of Minnesota and private organizations that operate their own meters. Always read the information posted on the meter to be certain.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) has received 30 reports about the scam so far. It works like this: scammers look for posts about lost pets and then contact the owners. Sometimes they spoof the City’s phone number and pose as an animal control officer. They lie about finding a pet who needs a bogus emergency surgery. They send a link to wire money, potentially defrauding pet owners of thousands of dollars.
The City wants residents to be aware. MACC will never ask for money in a lost pet situation. When MACC identifies owners of lost pets in its care, the owner must visit the shelter in person and show proof of ownership.
For more information – or if people believe they have received a scam call or text – call 612-673-6222 to talk to a MACC staff member.
Read more on the City website.
The City is recruiting members for boards and commissions to strengthen the work of the City. People with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
Members are recruited twice each year, in the spring and fall. Fall applications will be accepted Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.
City boards and commissions offer a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them.
Check for current openings and apply for positions on the City website beginning Sept. 1.
For more information call 612-673-2216 or email ABCAdmin@minneapolismn.gov.
The deadline for artists to apply for the new Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts has been extended by two weeks.
The program provides City funding to subsidize rent for artists and arts organizations in vacant storefronts in the Harmon Place Historic District. This will ensure stable tenants for property owners and furnish essential space for the local creative community. This pilot is intended to support creative opportunities and increase vibrancy, innovation and sustainability.
The program is open to Minnesota residents, with a preference for Minneapolis residents.
The first round of applications will be accepted through Sept. 13. Applicants from all disciplines including visual, performing, literary, media, culinary, digital and public arts, design, craft and non-traditional mediums are encouraged to apply.
Read more on the City website.
A Home Energy Squad (HES) visit is a professional detailed review of your home’s energy efficiency.
Minneapolis residents and property owners can start their own climate legacy by getting a free HES visit from the City, while funding lasts.
Schedule a Home Energy Squad visit
Take an inside look into a HES visit: Watch a step-by-step video of a Home Energy Squad visit
This program is provided by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy and is delivered by the Center for Energy and Environment. It is part of the City’s commitment to Creating a Climate Legacy.
The City’s Green Cost Share program is funding upgrades for Minneapolis businesses to help save energy, reduce air pollution and cut carbon dioxide emissions. We match up to 45% of the cost for gas-to-electric lawn care equipment upgrades.
With help from the program, Parkway Lawn Service switched one of its landscape crews to battery-powered equipment.
The battery-powered equipment includes:
- Two mowers
- Eight pieces of handheld equipment, such as weed whips
- Portable large-capacity battery for charging the equipment
The switch is reducing the business’ air pollution by 2,500 pounds every year. That’s the same as taking 200 cars off the road.
Watch the video to hear Parkway Lawn Service’s story
This program is part of the City’s commitment to Creating a Climate Legacy.
Minneapolis has about 20 farmers markets for you to explore. Markets connect local farmers and gardeners with Twin Cities residents to build a sense of community over a shared love of food. Visit a local market including:
Minneapolis Farmers Market 312 E Lyndale Ave N. Every Wednesday-Sunday through Oct. 31 More information.
Northeast Farmers Market 629 2nd St E. Every Saturday through Oct. 12 More information.
Kingfield Farmers Market 4055 Nicollet Ave. Every Sunday through Oct. 27 More information.
Find a farmers market near you and explore how to multiply your SNAP-EBT dollars with Market Bucks. |
