City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 10/04/2024 07:47 PM CDT
Council Member Linea Palmisano
October 4, 2024
Dear Neighbor,
Last cycle, ten of my colleagues voted to reallocate $1.5M to a project with no competitive bid process and prior vetting. This is not sound, responsible budgeting. There are a number of great financial needs across our City, and we can’t assess where our money is most impactful without objective, data-driven processes. Taxpayer dollars should be disbursed fairly, not simply to whichever organization can grab the attention of my colleagues. I voted against this allocation alongside Council Members Rainville and Vetaw. This was a long meeting but this particular clip of the Mayor's argument I think said it best.
Last week, learned the consequences of this impulsive action only after the majority of my colleagues approved this allocation, including:
North Commons Park funding being cut by approximately $350,000.
Racial Equity will be required to stop contracted work currently underway
Human Resources will have a harder time filling jobs in a timely and equitable manner
I am disappointed that my colleagues made this allocation at the expense of the City’s residents, staff, and departments and against the advice of finance and budget experts. The decisions we make as a body have incredible consequences. But furthermore- this action takes the legitimacy out of any and every process that we have as a government. Later denying the reality of the resulting budget cuts doesn’t change the facts.
I remain committed to making decisions and taking votes that account for the health of our entire city and government. I absolutely support a housing first policy and responsible investments in affordable and deeply affordable housing. In fact, Hennepin County is one of the only places in the nation that has successfully reduced unsheltered homelessness through their housing first policy. We can step up to help meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors–alongside our partners at the county, state, and federal government– in a way that is collaborative, financially sound, and equitable. That is my continued approach to this work.
As a reminder, this weekend is Twin Cities Marathon weekend! Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the road closures in the 13th Ward and across the city. I'll be aiming to finish the 10 mile race on Sunday morning, so unable to support all you runners in my usual cheer spots. As a long-ago high school coach, I am constantly inspired by both runners and their cheering supporters alike, and I wish everyone a safe, smooth race day.
Road closure and course-crossing information are available on the race website. Road closures on Sunday start at 6:15 a.m. along the 10 Mile course and 7:30 a.m. along the marathon course. Notification postcards were sent to all residents living along the race course, cars parked on the route the before the event will receive reminder flyers, and “No Parking” signs will be posted along the route at least 48 hours prior to the event.
Parkways
To view a more detailed list of parkway closures and estimated timelines for re-opening of parkway sections, click here.
Join the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors and other community leaders for a Sunrise Ceremony in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day.
Monday, October 14 Thomas Beach - 3740 W Bde Maka Ska Pkwy Gather at 7:00 am, Ceremony at 7:15am
The Sunrise Ceremony is a tradition that began in 2014 when the Minneapolis City Council officially voted to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. The ceremony itself usually lasts 30-45 minutes. Warm refreshments will be available.
Crews are preparing to sweep streets across Minneapolis this month and November to clean the streets before winter. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains and from ending up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River.
Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city Tuesday, Oct. 22. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, Oct. 21, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.
Ways to stay informed of the parking rules:
Interactive web feature – The Street Sweeping Schedule Map will be available on the City’s website before street sweeping begins. Visitors to the website will be able to find out which week their street is scheduled to be swept. Then, on the weekend before each of the four weeks, the schedule for the upcoming week will be broken down to show which day of the week streets are scheduled to be swept.
“No Parking” signs – City crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. However, the “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking after the signs are removed. Vehicles not in compliance with “No Parking” signs may be ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot. The sweeping takes several steps, so people should not resume parking until the signs are removed.
Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb with enforcement of parking rules once in the spring and again in the fall. You can do your part by not pushing leaves, grass clippings or other debris into City streets. It’s bad for our lakes and waterways, it can cause safety hazards and it’s against the law.
Leaves that wash into storm drains end up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River. They may quickly begin to break down, creating pollutants that overfertilize lake water and help harmful aquatic plants and algae grow. The murky lake water that results is not good for swimming or fishing. It can also harm wildlife and pets.
Months of community engagement about the City’s proposal to redevelop the property at 3000 Minnehaha Ave., the site of the former 3rd Police Precinct, shows support for a new democracy center and community space.
A demographically representative poll found 63% of respondents support the democracy center proposal. The survey found even stronger support from people living within the 3rd Precinct, where there was a 70% approval rate.
The Proposal
The City is proposing to relocate Elections & Voter Services into the building at 3000 Minnehaha Ave. The building would become the new home to the City’s Early Vote Center, where it would be more centrally located and connected to transportation than it is now, and serve an area with historically lower voter turnout. Elections & Voter Services would also coordinate mail balloting, hospital voting, voter outreach and engagement, and pop-up voting events at the democracy center. More than 8,000 square feet would be dedicated to community use.
Next Steps
Open house materials will be posted on the project website. Community members can send comments by email through Oct. 11. After the open house, the report will be presented to the City Council at its Oct. 15 Committee of the Whole meeting. The City’s proposed timeline would have the site open as early as 2026.
Lynnhurst Park Pop-Up Vote Center 1345 W. Minnehaha Pkwy Monday, October 28 from 11 AM-6 PM
Curbside Voting is always an available option. There will be dedicated staff outside ready to serve voters. Simply look for the tent/signage in the parking lot. Ballot drop-off of mail ballots will be available at all Early Voting options.
Any Minneapolis resident may also vote at the Hennepin County Government Center. Visit the Hennepin County Elections website for more information.
Northbound and southbound vehicle traffic can travel through the intersection.
Construction of the bus platform pavement and shelter foundations will occur after the roadway pavement is complete with installation of shelters, pylons, and other station features to follow.
Sidewalks will remain open on at least one side of the street and pedestrian access will be maintained to homes and businesses.
Fourway traffic is anticipated to be restored on October 11.
After this week, four-way traffic is expected to remain open for the duration of the project.
METRO E Line staff will hold office hours at:
Turtle Bread - Linden Hills 3421 W 44th St, Minneapolis Wednesday, October 9 from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Stop by to ask questions about the E Line project!
One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet with my constituents, learn more about you and hear your questions, concerns, hopes and dreams for our shared community.
If you'd like to schedule a time to meet with me, send me an e-mailand my staff will help get it scheduled. Please let me know what you'd like to talk about and a convenient place to meet—a coffee shop, a park, your home, my office, etc. I try to reserve Fridays for constituent meetings, but can work them in other times, as necessary, too.
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 formats 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 ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.
