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September 27, 2024
Here are a few updates from the past two weeks.
Last week the Vikings Foundation, in partnership with Xcel Energy, hosted a back-to-school event at Ward 4's Lucy Craft Laney School. They gave out lunchboxes, nightlights, school supplies and took the kids through a couple activities. They also provided lunch for the school staff and snacks for the students. The kids got to engage with Vikings professionals including former-player Ben Williams. Of course, Viktor the Viking made an appearance. What a way to start the school year! Skol Vikings!
This year's West Broadway Open Streets was one for the books! Bigger and better than ever. I had a great time seeing everyone out and about. There was everything from a free clinic, food trucks, and musical performances. There was something for everyone! I loved getting a chance to celebrate our vibrant community and enjoying everything our neighborhoods have to offer.
Last week I attended a tribute to Mrs. Bernadette Anderson's outstanding life and legacy, joining her family in acknowledging her contributions, as recognized through a street renaming and formal proclamation. I was honored to be a part of the celebration and such a meaningful day for the Anderson Family.
The City Council proudly passed a resolution recognizing the incredible contributions of Kathy Waite to the City of Minneapolis. Kathy Waite dedicated 30 years to the City of Minneapolis where she served as an Officer, Lieutenant, Inspector, Deputy Chief, and Commander. Kathy Waite was a trailblazing, impactful, innovative leader in the Minneapolis Police Department whose service made a significant impact on public safety and the community. Thank you so much Kathy for your unwavering service and dedication to our community.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has partnered with CM Vetaw to host a series of legal clinics at her ward office at 4205 Webber pkwy.
Mark your calendars
- Fair Housing 101 Training w/ Q&A - Thursday, October 3rd 5:30 pm
- Come learn about rights and protections you have as a renter or homeowner under federal and state fair housing law. Bring questions you have about your housing rights or experiences!
- For any questions or to learn more, email fairhousingtesting@mylegalaid.org or call 612-746-3752
- Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) Clinic - Friday, October 4th 10 am-2 pm
- North Minneapolis Homeowners, Minnesota has a way for you to leave your home to a loved one without a will. Come learn what a Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) is, and how it can help you build generation wealth without the expense and delay of the probate process.
- Email ward4@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-2204 to schedule a time-slot
- Senior Legal Clinic - Friday, October 18th 9 am-12 pm
- Ages 60 and over - civil legal services, one-time advice only clinic
- Email ward4@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-2204 to schedule a time-slot
The Connecting Camden project application has officially been submitted! Thank you so much to Allan Klugman, the Public Works Team, and the TKDA Team for all the hard work and time they have put in to making this application as impressive as it is. Thank you also to everyone that filled out the survey, attended the community meeting, or wrote us a letter of support. You have made this application stronger and the chances of its success even greater. I am beyond thankful for the amount of community support for this project and cannot wait to see where this goes.
We are hopeful to hear back about the application's success by Spring 2025, so stay tuned!
If you want to schedule a meeting or phone call with me, reach out to Maggie Kohl via email maggie.kohl@minneapolismn.gov or leave a message at 612-673-2204
If you have questions, comments, or concerns please contact Betsy Brock via her email betsy.brock@minneapolismn.gov or cell 612-257-5242
You can also reach me directly at my email latrisha.vetaw@minneapolismn.gov
As most of you know, I have open office hours every Friday at my ward office at 4205 Webber pkwy.
Please feel free to stop in any time between 10 am to 2 pm or email maggie.kohl@minneapolismn.gov to set up another time.
If you’ve never voted before and need to register, now is the perfect time. If it’s been more than four years since you last voted, or you’ve moved or changed your name since you last registered, you’ll also need to re-register.
Register ahead of time
You can register to vote online. You can use this same registration link to update your current name or address on your registration.
Voters who prefer to vote by mail can now sign up using the voter registration application to have a mail ballot sent to their residence for all future elections. On either the paper or online application, select “I request to have an absentee ballot mailed to the address where I live (residence) before each election in which I am eligible to vote.”
Unsure if you are registered at your current address? You can use the online lookup tool to check your registration.
Register when you vote
You can also register to vote in person when you vote early or vote on Election Day.
You will need to show proof of residence. Certain types of ID can be your proof of residence, but there are other options that don't require an ID. Be sure to read all your options and come prepared.
The Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services Division is responsible for administering elections in the City of Minneapolis. For information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, visit the City website.
Hosted by the City of Minneapolis, the 2024 Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit takes place Oct. 30. The summit is free and open to the public.
Trans Equity Summit: “A Safe and Thriving Trans Community” 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall, 200 Oak St. SE
The Trans Equity Summit is an event for trans and gender non-conforming community members to connect to resources and each other, and for all attendees to learn more about issues impacting their communities.
For general questions about the Trans Equity Summit, please email City staff.
Watch for updates.
Learn the basics of emergency preparedness at Ready Camp Oct. 22 and 23. The free two-day training will provide you knowledge and skills to build an emergency kit, develop a communication plan, prepare for severe weather emergencies and recovery from an emergency or disaster. The City of Minneapolis Emergency Management Department hosts Ready Camp.
All ages are welcome. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Ready Camp 4:45-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23 Minneapolis Emergency Operations Training Facility, 25 37th Ave. NE
Register now on Eventbrite. Class capacity is 50 people.
Questions about Ready Camp? Reach out to LaVina Branscomb, Emergency Management communication and outreach coordinator.
The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison will be hosting a huge clinic in North Minneapolis called the "Debt Fairness Clinic" on Saturday, October 5th from 10 am-5 pm at NorthPoint Health & Wellness, Inc.
The Debt Fairness Clinic will consist of three main components:
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“Know Your Rights” Presentations: Led by the Attorney General’s Office, these presentations will provide attendees with essential information about their rights under the new Minnesota Debt Fairness Act protections.
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One-on-One Consultations: Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with volunteer attorneys from our partner legal organizations for “advice sessions.” During these sessions, attendees will receive a brief, informal review of their debt situation, general legal guidance, and recommendations for qualified attorneys and legal organizations specializing in debt-related issues. To participate in these consultations, attendees must complete a day-of form, which includes details about their adverse parties (e.g., medical providers, creditors), followed by a conflict check. We’ll also ask that attendees bring a printed copy of their credit report; however, printing services will be available at the clinic for those who are unable to do so beforehand. The conflict check process will be managed by designated staff, and partnering legal organizations will utilize their computerized systems to assist.
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Assisting people with expungements: Our office will run an expungement clinic adjacent to the consumer credit clinic on the same site and day. We will have plenty of Assistant Attorneys General there to inform attendees about the charges and/or convictions in their record that are eligible for an expungement. We are partnering with the Legal Revolution to help inform attendees about the pardons process too.
The City is hosting its first Latino Business Week Oct. 6-13. The whole community is invited to join in events around Minneapolis including workshops, resource fairs and opportunities to connect with Latino-owned businesses.
The week celebrates and supports Latino-owned businesses, which are vital to our community and help create jobs, drive innovation and foster a vibrant culture. Supporting these enterprises boosts financial empowerment across our entire city.
All Latino Business Week events are free to attend. We encourage you to register; seating is limited at some events.
Latino Business Week kickoff event This fun afternoon will feature musical performances, a discussion panel and shopping with Latino vendors. 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 Mercado Central
Latino Business Week coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
See the complete schedule and register for events on the City website.
In honor of the Minnesota Lynx making it into the Western Conference playoffs, the City painted First Avenue downtown and temporarily changed street signs. Public Works crews painted the words “Go Lynx!” on First Avenue North between Fifth and Sixth streets North. The 19-foot-tall letters are painted in Lynx blue and green.
Lynx-themed street signs also appeared at the intersections of First Avenue and Sixth Street and at First Avenue and Seventh Street.
The signs and street painting will remain throughout the series.
Read more on the City website.
This fall marks the fifth year of the Stable Homes Stable Schools initiative. The program helps Minneapolis families and students experiencing homelessness with housing or housing stability. More than 1,800 Minneapolis families representing 5,300 students have benefitted from the program.
This year, the initiative also saw an increase in school stability. That means the number of Minneapolis students enrolled in the program are more likely to stay in the same school for the academic year and make more connections with peers and teaching staff.
Resources
Families in immediate need of eviction prevention resources can reach out for these resources:
The initiative is a collaboration among the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Public Schools, and the YMCA of the North. The Pohlad Family Foundation provided initial grant funding and has consistently been the primary funder of the Housing Stability Fund.
Read more about Stable Homes Stable Schools on the City website.
Voters can cast their ballots early by mail or in person at the Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave.
Voting by mail
All mail-in ballots need to be received by Election Day, Nov. 5, to count. If you choose to deliver your ballot in person to the Elections & Voter Services office, it must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places on Election Day.
Find more information on how to vote by mail on the City website.
Voting at the Early Vote Center
The Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., makes early in-person voting more convenient for Minneapolis voters. It’s especially helpful if you need language support or other special accommodations, such as curbside voting. Voting early can also help you avoid lines and crowds at polling places on the day of the election.
The Early Vote Center’s hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The center will extend its hours for the final two weeks of voting, including Saturdays and Sundays. Find all Early Vote Center hours on the City website.
For more information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, go to the City website.
Poets and spoken word artists are encouraged to apply for the role of the 2025-2026 Minneapolis poet laureate. Applications are due Nov. 15.
The Minneapolis poet laureate is an official ambassador of the city’s literary culture, connecting our community through the art of poetry. As an advocate for poetry and literary arts in Minneapolis, the poet laureate will engage the community in meaningful, impactful and innovative projects. The goal is to share the transformative art of poetry through community and education.
Poet laureate responsibilities
The City of Minneapolis’ Arts & Cultural Affairs Department and The Loft Literary Center are partnering to identify the 2025-2026 Minneapolis poet laureate. The poet laureate’s responsibilities include:
- Writing a poem reflecting on the current moment of the City of Minneapolis.
- Celebrating the City of Minneapolis through public service engagements, including addresses at official City events.
- Leading a public event that features the sharing of poetry and community.
- Teaching classes through The Loft Literary Center that promote poetry as an opportunity for connection.
- Advancing the art form of poetry in Minneapolis as an avenue for deep engagement in our community.
Find guidelines and application links on The Loft’s website.
Read more on the City website.
Paying to repair your private sewer line that connects to the public sewer can be expensive. But if your line has cracks in it, tree roots growing into it, or gaps in the connections, it has to be fixed. This pipe carries your wastewater from your toilet, sink, shower, laundry, dishwasher, etc. to the public sanitary sewer in the street.
Help paying for a repair
The property owner is responsible for the line from the home to the public sewer. If you need help paying for a repair to your private sewer line, you might get help from a property tax assessment, an upcoming grant program or private insurance.
- Property tax assessment:
- Grant program: City staff hope to receive funding from the Metropolitan Council in 2025 to help homeowners pay for private sewer line repairs. For more information about this program, visit the City website and sign up to get an email when funding is available.
- Private insurance: Some private insurance companies offer an endorsement or rider to help pay for the cost of a private sewer line repair. This needs you to take action before you find out your line needs repair. Contact your insurance company to see if this is an option. When doing so, get a quote for the annual cost, coverage limit and deductible. Make sure to read the fine print.
Read more about home sewer maintenance on the City website.
Save Oct. 23 for a free seniors fair. The fair is tailored for our senior community members and caregivers. The day will feature workshops, an elected officials panel, a resource fair, and a free breakfast and lunch. The workshops will cover yoga and meditation, City services, public safety and connecting with community.
Seniors fair 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, 5760 Portland Ave. S.
Schedule
Raffle with prizes to be announced.
9 a.m. - Welcome and breakfast 10 a.m. - Morning workshops: yoga for all – mind and body, City services presented by Public Works and 311 11 a.m. - Resource fair and lunch Noon – Panel discussion with local elected officials including City Council Members Andrea Jenkins, Emily Koski and Aurin Chowdhury; and Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley. More to be announced. 1 p.m. - Afternoon workshops: the City’s holistic approach to community safety, a discussion about making community connections through art.
The seniors fair is sponsored by Wards 8, 11 and 12.
Fewer than 200 trees are left from the fall City Trees sale, so now is your last chance to order a low-cost City tree this year. You can buy up to three trees today for just $30 each through Sept. 30 or until they run out.
Choose from shade trees, fruit trees, flowering trees and evergreen trees. Watch this video to see the types of trees you can get and the many benefits they provide.
Since the program began in 2006, the City Trees program has provided more than 20,000 low-cost trees for planting on private property, with 7,500 trees distributed in the last five years.
Funded by the Climate Legacy Initiative, we’re providing more low-cost trees than ever before.
Read more and purchase your trees while they last.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is getting the word out about bats as a potential rabies risk. They are urging the community to stay aware and look to vaccinating pets to protect them from rabies, a fatal disease spread by an infected animal’s bite.
Pet exposure to bats
The City recommends the following steps if pets are exposed or bitten:
- Whether or not they’re vaccinated, pets should visit a vet or a community clinic for a rabies booster within 72 hours of the exposure or bite.
- There could be a time of confinement and/or quarantine.
- If the pet is unvaccinated and exposed to a bat, it will need to be impounded until the bat is tested and has a negative result.
Low-cost vaccine appointments
Minneapolis Animal Care will start offering low-cost vaccine appointments within the next few months. In the meantime, several clinics in the area can help.
If a person is exposed to or bitten by a bat
While human rabies is rare, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends the following steps if exposed to or bitten by a bat. If the bat can be tested for rabies, it’s usually safe to wait one or two days for the test results to come back before taking action. If the bite occurred on your face or head, it may be more urgent. Consult the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414. If the bat can’t be tested, it’s recommended you receive the rabies shots.
Read more about protection from rabies on the City website.
The City’s Health Department has compiled a back-to-school health checklist. You’ll find tips, advice and resources to ensure your child is ready for a healthy and successful year.
Use these resources to set your child up for success in academics and also health.
Read more back-to-school resources and information 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.
Ward 4 currently has vacancies on the Public Health Advisory Committee, the Advisory Board on People with Disabilities, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Click here to apply to the Public Health Advisory Committee.
Click here to apply to the Advisory Board on People with Disabilities.
Click here to apply to the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
 This is a survey to listen to the broader community's understanding and opinion of the Minneapolis BCR and learn about the perspectives around safety. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Go to bit.ly/BCRmnjrc24 or click here to fill out the survey.
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