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Neighbors,
Our Last Council meeting this past Thursday was packed. The meeting started at 9:30 AM and didn't adjourn until 3:45 PM! We took action on 71 items forwarded to us from our standing committees, approved 3 honorary resolutions, and forwarded 4 ordinance introductions and 1 legislative directive to our standing committees for consideration.
I want to highlight 3 actions we took to address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness. The City Council unanimously passed an ordinance I authored extending the notification period required for evictons from 14 to 30 days, passed an ordinance mandating the city report on the cost and effectiveness of encampment sweeps, and we allocated $1.5 million in funding for the rehabilitation of Agate’s Board & Lodge Transitional Housing Facility & Shelter – which services 137 residents – to prevent them from closing their doors permanently. All three of these items passed with at least a supermajority of support from the City Council. I am proud that we were able to pass items that reflect our policy, budget, and oversight role all to the goal of preventing, reducing, and addressing homelessness in our City.
I'm committed to doing everything in our power to address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness facing our City. From giving people more time when they are notified being evicted to prevent homelessness, to saving over 100 shelter beds we can’t afford to lose, and having more transparency and actual data reporting around the removal of encampments and the people we need to get housed, these three actions show we are looking to help people all across the spectrum of homelessness so we can solve this crisis.
This is a step in the right direction but we need to do more. Unhoused people and housed people are deserving of safety, dignity, and a stable future. Encampments are not a dignified place for anyone to live. I will continue my work in taking a housing first approach to address the affordable housing crisis, the opioid epidemic, and better coordinate with the County, State, and Federal governments.
Sincerely,
CM Aurin Chowdhury
2025 City Budget Hearings + My Budget Priorities
There will be three public hearings for the 2025 City Budget. All budget hearings will take place in the Public Service Center, Room 350. The Public Service Center is located at 250 S 4th Street, 55415
The first hearing will be Today at 6:05 PM on Monday September 23rd. As mentioned in my previous newsletter.
The second hearing for the 2025 City Budget will be Tuesday November 12th at 10AM.
The last budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10th at 6:05 PM.
Budget Priorities
There are a handful of priorities I have already identified based on conversations with community members over the last few months. As of now, my budget priorities are:
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Aging Population and Caregivers:
- ARPA-funded community navigators program ($250,000 annually).
- Proposed increase to $500,000 for two years to ensure adequate resources.
- $17,000 for Minneapolis for a Lifetime to fund a comprehensive action plan for WHO and AARP submission.
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Transit Safety Coordinators:
- carry-over allocation of $720,000 from the 2024 Budget
- Focus on neighborhood safety and coordination.
- Address safety concerns in light-rail corridors.
- Collaboration with private security and city services (311 and PW).
- Importance of building relationships and solidifying community connections.
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Traffic Calming:
- Funding for quick builds at high-priority intersections.
- Utilize federal resources for holistic traffic calming measures.
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Neighborhood Association Funding:
- Maintain current funding levels to support community reliance.
- Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness
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Expanding Stable Homes Stable Schools Programming
- This is to ensure housing for students and their families experiencing housing insecurity/homelessness. Minneapolis Public Schools reported a 35% increase in student homelessness last year.
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Support for Small Businesses During Construction:
- Assistance with parking and other meaningful support to mitigate construction impacts on bottom lines.
At September 19th Full Council Meeting
Matching Funds for Agate to Save Shelter Housing
I was proud to be a supporter of Council Members Chavez and Koski brought forward a motion to allocate $1.5 million to help save the Agate run shelter housing at 510 S. 8th St. These funds are contingent on Agate finding a $1.5 million match, to cover the proposed $3 million in repairs that is necessary to bring the property back into proper shape for the shelter services Agate provides. It is more important now than ever before to maintain low-income housing, as we already lack available affordable units. This passed 10-3.
Encampment Removal Reporting Ordinance
This Council is responsible for oversight and residents in my Ward and across the city have questions around how the city plans to address homelessness in a humane and dignified way, how much of their taxpayer dollars are going towards these evictions and also reporting on information on the human outcomes of unhoused residents living in encampments-- such as if there was a enough shelter at the time of the removal, how many housing assessments were conducted, and how many individuals entered into treatment and or detox. The Encampment Removal Reporting Ordinance responds to a growing need for a data driven approach to policies around the city's response to homelessness, where there has currently been little to no consistent information given to policymakers and the public. This ordinance protects any personally identifiable information for residents, individuals experiencing homelessness, community partners, and city staff (to the degree allowed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act).
While reporting will be thorough, personal data is safeguarded to prevent privacy violations. I brought forward an amendment at council today to make some changes to ensure this ordinance was able to get the information necessary from our partners, such as Hennepin County. The reports requested are not punitive, and the authors met with department staff to align on the sentiment that we fully intend to extend grace while staff needs to determine how to approach planning for and tracking this information. This ordinance does not legalize encampments nor hinder city operations.
I am looking forward to being able to provide community with the transparency they should expect from us as a government entity. This ordinance passed 9-4.
Pre-Eviction Notice extended from 14 days to 30 days
Council President Payne, Council Member Chavez and myself co-authored an amendment to Minneapolis' Pre-Eviction Notice requirements. The new ordinance extends the notice period tenants receive before eviction from 14 days to 30 days—providing much-needed stability and security for renters. I am proud that all 13 Council Members recognize the importance of providing an off-ramp to evictions that increase rates of homelessness for individuals that may be just one paycheck away from making rent. I was proud to bring this ordinance forward and continue Minneapolis' legacy in being a leader in renters' protection. This passed unanimously.
ShotSpotter Contract Extension
The City Council passed an amendment this morning to extend the contract with SoundThinking, Inc. through March 21st, 2026, as well as expand coverage to the most emergent hotspots of gun violence since the system's last expansion. The expansion in committee was limited which I support. There will be a Third Party evaluation on ShotSpotter to determine it's efficacy. Cities across the nation, including the City of Saint Paul have denied contracts for shotspotter for concerns about it's efficacy and overpolicing & criminalizing BIPOC communities. Gun violence needs to be addressed at its root and I look forward to working on it. As CM Chavez shared, the community has ample shotspotter detection and yet people are still losing their life to Gun Violence. This passed unanimously.
Upcoming Community Engagement
Community Meeting: Minneapolis Encampment Removal Reporting Ordinance and Humane Encampment Response Ordinance on September 25th
 My co-authors and I will also be having a community meeting on Wednesday September 25th at East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center from 6 PM - 8 PM. We want your continued input and feedback, and I hope you'll stop by if you're able.
I want to offer some times to meet with me one on one. We will be meeting at Dogwood Coffee at 4021 E Lake Street on September 26 from 5-7pm. You can schedule a 20 minute appointment with using this link: https://calendly.com/councilmemberchowdhury/one-on-one-office-hours
This will be first come first serve. More opportunities to connect will be shared below.
 Are you a parent in the 12th Ward? If so this is an office hours for you! We have so many families in our community. I wanted to offer a time to our busy parents in the district to come meet with me and other parents to discuss the local issues that are top of mind. We are meeting at Sisters' Sludge 3746 23rd Ave S at 5:30pm on October 3.
 This is my classic community office hours! Please come and join me on Friday, October 4, at Cafe Ceres located at 4605 Minnehaha Ave.
These meetings are great opportunity for residents to engage with me, and each other. I'm also hoping that the virtual option creates more accessibility for our neighbors who don't often get to make it to my in-person events.
Public Safety
Minnehaha 3000 Open House Oct. 2
The City of Minneapolis has proposed redeveloping the former 3rd Precinct building into a democracy center. It would house Elections & Voter Services and offer a large, ground-floor space for community use. We’ve asked for and gathered your feedback beginning in 2023. Join us at an open house to hear about what we've learned.
Minnehaha 3000, a future democracy center and community space 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin Ave.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
Read more about the initiative on the Minnehaha 3000 webpage.
Sign up for Minnehaha 3000 updates.
Update on Community Safety Center
Director Harrington shared with me that she expects to present the next update on the Community Safety Center and the Office of Community Safety's quarterly update at the October 9th Public Health and Safety Committee. This meeting will take place at 1:30 PM in the Public Service Center, Room 350. The Public Service Center is located at 250 S 4th Street, 55415.
The City of Minneapolis is still recruiting members for its boards and commissions. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 30 and a full list of vacancies can be found online. The City is seeking applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the diversity of Minneapolis to strengthen the City’s work. Translation and interpreting services are available so all residents can participate.
For more information about serving on Boards and Commissions, potential applicants can call 612-673-2216, email ABCAdmin@minneapolismn.gov or visit this link.
Neighborhood Events
Sunday, Oct 6 TC Marathon Cheer Zone
Come show your neighborhood pride along the "Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America®", the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. SENA will provide poster making supplies, hot coffee, fresh donuts, encouraging music, and great vibes to help you cheer for your favorite runners alongside SENA neighbors.
Who - anyone can join us at SENA's cheer zone for the Diane and Alan Page Community Cheer Challenge; family friendly
When - Sunday, October 6 from 8:30am until ~11:15am (or until all runners pass).
Where - near mile 14 of the race at S 28th Ave and Minnehaha Parkway (just south of Lake Hiawatha, north of Mel-O-Glaze)
What - Free coffee and donuts, pre-made posters, poster making supplies, great vibes, music and a chance to show off your neighborhood pride.
Sunday, Oct 13 SENA Annual Meeting
The Annual meeting aims to bring all members of our neighborhood association and community together, provide relevant resources and discuss the state of our organization and community as a whole.
Who - neighbors and friends of the Standish & Ericsson neighborhoods; family friendly
When - Sunday, October 13 from 5:30pm - 7pm
Where - outside of Lake Hiawatha Recreation Center
What - the program agenda will focus on organizational updates, guest speakers & voting in interested new Board members. Guest speakers will include CM Aurin Chowdhury and a representative from the Secretary of State's office sharing voter resources. Additionally, we will provide free pizza, raffle prizes and hopefully pumpkins for sale to be carved at home! As always with our events, bring the whole family!
 When:
Saturdays
8:00am–1:00pm
Where:
2225 E Lake St
Accepts:
SNAP-EBT, Market Bucks, FMNP
Contact: info@midtownfarmersmarket.org
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