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Dear Neighbors,
I know that many in our community are feeling disheartened, scared, angry, anxious, and exhausted by the 2024 election results. While I do not claim to know the political leanings of everyone who reads my newsletter, I want to share that, as your council member and as an individual, I share those feelings. I am deeply concerned about what may be jeopardized under a potential Trump administration and the challenges we will face as a local government.
However, I am steadfast in my commitment to fight harder than ever at the local level for our neighbors. I will continue to ensure that the City of Minneapolis remains a frontline bastion for inclusivity, the protection of our people's rights, a fair democracy, and one that supports working people through improving their economic conditions. In these challenging times, we must continue to boldly address climate change, protect our immigrant communities, stand up for and with our Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, support and welcome our LGBTQIA+ community—especially our trans community, which is under constant attack—protect the freedom to choose, and fight for systems that improve the lives of our children and seniors.
What I know to be true is that the challenge ahead is great, but we are a tight-knit city, even with our differences. I believe in you, and I believe in us to come together. I encourage all of us to reflect on how we can lean in and support our local communities. All we have is each other.
Updates on City Council:
At yesterday's City Council Meeting we took action on 70 items forwarded to us from our standing committees, received notice of 1 ordinance introduction, approved 1 honorary resolution, and considered the Mayor's veto of the Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance.
I was proud to be one of the co-authors of the Labor Standards Advisory Board resolution to ensure workers, employers, and community stakeholders have an equal voice in advising City Council and Mayor on policy recommendations on improving labor standards through a sector by sector approach. This was the culmination of nearly 3 years of work and intensive stakeholder engagement. It was passed 9-3-1.
Unfortunately, the Council was unable to override the Mayor's veto on the Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance, short of the required 2/3 majority. Thank you to every person who reached out and asked me to vote to override this veto and support the policy. This policy would have aided preserving and growing the City's affordable housing stock, support small and local housing providers, and mitigate displacement of renters, many of whom are low-income and renters of color. In a time when affordable housing is a high priority for many in our community, we have consistently attempted to amplify your voice through as many avenues as possible. I remain committed to ensuring that we address our affordable housing crisis and deliver for our community that deserves so much more.
Sincerely,
Council Member Chowdhury
This newsletter contains the following topics:
 Dear Neighbors,
I want to thank everyone who joined our office’s community meeting on neighborhood security and safety on Wednesday, November 13th, at Hiawatha Flats. Your voice and perspective are valuable, especially when it comes to how you want public safety and livability to look in our neighborhoods. Initially, this meeting was requested by Hiawatha Flats management and residents, and my office coordinated the meeting. Later, the meeting was opened to the greater neighborhood and the public. While the nature of the meeting quickly evolved into a larger town hall, I am grateful that we were able to engage with so many more neighbors. If you attended, thank you for coming. If you were not able to attend please engage with the Ward 12 office to share your perspective, concerns, and ideas. Ward12@minneapolismn.gov & 612.673.2212
I also want to thank Council President Payne, Mayor Frey, Police Chief O’Hara, Lieutenant Haugland, and Lieutenant Fischer for joining the discussion. Public safety, neighborhood safety, livability, and addressing homelessness are top priorities for my office and continue to be the most frequently raised issues by constituents.
I will continue to listen to the first-hand experiences of residents about their concerns and take action to create solutions to build the city we want to see. As promised, below is an engagement recap for all neighbors, you can also view it through this link. My team did their best to help capture notes to create this summary, but despite our best efforts, there may be some information that is not covered.
Additionally, we had a handout available that detailed Ward 12 Office Actions to Address Homelessness and Public Safety that you can view.
The following are the key points of discussion that took place:
Encampments and Public Health:
The meeting was organized following the shooting that occurred in the small encampment at 4400 Snelling Ave. It was a tragedy. Three lives were lost, and the assailant has been apprehended by the authorities. The encampment is no longer on the city-owned parcel, and all those living there voluntarily left following the incident. Please read the coverage of this in the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, which includes a detailed update about the former encampment and the shooting from me.
Encampments, public health concerns, and safety were major parts of our discussion and the questions neighbors brought up. Here is a summary of what we discussed:
- I opened with the fact that everyone deserves safe and stable housing, regardless of their circumstances. The recent encampments in the ward have raised many safety and livability concerns for all our neighbors. The recent encampment at 44th St and Snelling Ave experienced a tragic shooting that resulted in the loss of three lives. The shooter was someone who did not live at the encampment and preyed upon already vulnerable people. During the meeting, I stated that the safety of people who live in neighboring apartments and single-family homes is just as important as that of unhoused residents in our city.
- There are many factors that contribute to an individual becoming unhoused. Some of those factors include the high cost of living, barriers and lack of resources, and the opioid epidemic. I shared a few budget amendments I plan to bring forward to help address homelessness in our city. I plan to introduce a budget amendment that would stabilize funding for the North Loop Avivo Village/tiny home model. Avivo Village has been a key tool in providing resources for unhoused individuals in the city by offering low-barrier transitional housing. They have assisted more than 100 people in transitioning to stable and permanent housing. Another budget amendment I highlighted that I plan to introduce is an increase in funding for our Stable Homes, Stable Schools program to target the 30% increase in student homelessness that our city is experiencing. As a city, we need to look at both short-term and long-term solutions and preventative measures, and starting with supporting our youth is one way to address homelessness in our city.
- Mayor Frey stated that he believes the primary driver of encampments is addiction, and that living in encampments is not a dignified way to live. The city is investing 8 times more in affordable housing and is leading the nation in this area, so the lack of shelters or housing is not the issue. He stated that he often gets calls from the police chief regarding drug trafficking and that he does not believe it is compassionate to let someone die in an encampment.
- Council President Payne acknowledged that the council agrees living outdoors is not acceptable. However, he emphasized that homelessness is a complex issue requiring a coordinated, multijurisdictional approach. Opioids, inflation, the absence of a mental health system that supports people, and the lack of affordable housing all contribute to this issue. He stressed the importance of the city partnering with Hennepin County and the state to address these challenges effectively.
- I stated that it is important to note who is not in the room: unhoused people and those who currently struggle with homelessness. As we contend with this issue, we have to stress that dehumanizing rhetoric toward the homeless is dangerous and can lead to violence. People who are unhoused deserve better conditions. They struggle without access to a bathroom, a place to wash their hands, charge their phones to stay in touch with service providers, and, in my work meeting with people who lived in the encampment near Walgreens, they wanted resources, help, and permanent shelter.
- I shared that while we might have shelter availability, shelters often are not adequate for what unhoused people need. They often do not have enough storage for belongings, LGBTQ+ people can find them unsafe, they do not allow couples to stay together or allow pets, and some are not low-barrier and require sobriety. That is why the Avivo Village tiny home model is so successful, and the North Loop location needs to be stabilized. We also need another location on the south side of Minneapolis, where a higher number of people live in encampments.
Safety and Housing:
Neighbors shared their lived experiences with general feelings of not feeling safe, property theft, drug trafficking, and other instances of crime. The message is clear: safety for everyone is important—whether they are living in a house, apartment, or facing homelessness. The overall message that came across was that the needs of unhoused individuals living in encampments and the needs of housed neighbors living near an encampment are not being met by the current status quo in the city.
- I stated that I am committed to amending the budget to bring funding to the 46th St and Hiawatha Ave corridor, which is where many safety and livability concerns are taking place. Neighbors pointed out the presence of needles, substance use, and anti-social behavior, and it’s a priority for my office to bring together the community and funding to create a thriving environment in this area.
- In addition to funding resources, I stated that homelessness is a systemic issue, and I am proud to have been the lead author of the Encampment Removal Reporting Ordinance, which passed on September 19th. This ordinance will provide data on how much encampment removals are costing the city, how much time is being spent, and how many people are receiving housing services and other resources as a result of the encampment removal. The results will help create data-driven solutions, so policymakers can better serve all of our residents.
- Neighbors raised questions around affordable housing, barriers to housing, and rent prices, and how the city council and administration will prioritize renters and those who may struggle to make ends meet. One way I committed to protecting renters was by co-authoring a 30-day Rental Pre-Eviction Notice Ordinance to reduce or prevent unsheltered homelessness. This ordinance moves the current 14-day notice for rental evictions related to nonpayment of rent or other unpaid financial obligations to a 30-day notice. This extension allows tenants to connect with resources needed to maintain housing and work with their landlords to find a solution. The extension also aligns with an additional pay cycle, which could make the difference in submitting payment.
- Mayor Frey answered a question on prioritizing renters over developers, given the rising cost of living. He shared that he is a renter himself and does not support rent control because, as he put it, "data shows it doesn’t work." He also emphasized that Minneapolis is doing nationally leading work to build and produce affordable housing.
- A question was raised about what other urban areas are doing to address housing issues. Council President Payne stated that Hennepin County and Minneapolis are national leaders on homelessness and housing, but that is still "not good enough."
- Council President Payne and I shared thoughts about looking at other models of creating affordable housing, such as locally owned and built social housing that can be cooperatively owned (this is being done in Washington County and New Ulm, Minnesota). We agreed that we’ve followed the “build more” strategy for housing, and now we need to look at deeper affordability.
- Mayor Frey shared that he visited Finland and learned that if you give people a home, they can sort through other issues and become financially stable, but he noted that they do not have the same drug problem, and he doesn’t know of a city that has figured out how to address fentanyl.
- A neighbor brought up questions about what is being done about neighborhood safety and crime. They believed that the core of the safety issues was related to the supportive housing at Amber Apartments. I shared that there are certainly safety issues at Amber Apartments, but after building a relationship with the management, we found that not all the safety issues stem from there. Residents are also facing safety issues from outsiders. This year, we connected the apartment building management with the Public Health Department and Health Commissioner to get city support. As a result, they have brought on 24/7 security.
Police Staffing and Safety Resources:
Neighbors raised concerns about understaffed police officers and the lack of a safety response to immediate issues. Often, safety issues are reported to 311 and 911, but there is no immediate remediation.
- Police Chief O'Hara spoke about current police staffing levels, which are at 582 sworn members, with 520 currently on full duty. Chief O'Hara discussed ongoing recruitment efforts, stating that 39 qualified individuals will receive job offers this upcoming January. In July, the council passed the Minneapolis Police Federation Contract, which will provide historic raises to the Minneapolis Police Department, aimed at encouraging people to join the force.
- The Police Chief was asked how to recruit more BIPOC police officers. He shared information about the Community Service Officer program.
- Lieutenant Haugland mentioned that he is assigned to work on homelessness-related issues with his team.
- Lieutenant Fischer responded to a community member who asked what could be done for her to feel safer when leaving her apartment. She mentioned that it was dark and there was activity on the railroad tracks. Lieutenant Fischer explained that he was sorry but, due to staffing levels, they cannot remain in one area for long periods.
- I shared that our office is working on conducting safety site visits at apartment buildings with the inspector and crime prevention specialist, and offering personal safety training. This has been helpful for safety professionals to address issues more effectively when there are block captains and neighborhood safety groups to collaborate with. My office has also been working with businesses and stakeholders in the area to form a coalition that meets on safety and livability. We kicked off the coalition in October.
- The opioid epidemic is a major issue our city needs to address. I stated that the council, Council President Payne, the Mayor, and I are all committed to allocating funds to address substance use in our city.
- Neighbors raised concerns about the lack of street lighting in the area, which contributes to people feeling unsafe walking around their homes and apartments at night. My office is aware of these reports and has been working for the past year to expedite the process of getting the lights restored. The Mayor committed to working with my office on these operations.
- There was also a discussion about people in the area experiencing mental health crises. We shared that residents should definitely call 911 if they see someone in need. Our 911 operators are trained to triage calls to the Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) team, who will respond with a non-police response.
- BCR has been able to take non-emergency 911 calls from police. Council President Payne mentioned that this program was recently expanded in the last budget cycle, from two response vans to five, providing 24/7 service.
- If you ever see an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergency issues, especially related to livability, please report them to 311. This data is important and is often used to support policy and allocate funding.
- We also shared that the Lake Street Safety Center is now open at 2288 Lake Street. This is an in-person safety center where people can go for non-emergency resources, such as filing police reports, accessing 311 services, meeting with crime prevention specialists, and getting help from BCR.
I want to thank Hiawatha Flats and all the neighbors who came and joined this conversation. My office will take back all the concerns, feedback, and perspectives and continue to advocate on your behalf at the city. If you were unable to join, I will be hosting a public safety office hours session on November 26th from 5:30–7:00 pm, location TBD (likely Hiawatha School Park, pending confirmation).
The Minneapolis City Council passed an ordinance amending the City’s zoning code to govern cannabis businesses. Mostly, it helps clarify where and how dispensaries and other licensed cannabis businesses can be located.
State department grants licenses
Minnesota law requires the City to allow a minimum of 34 licenses for dispensaries, based on a requirement of one cannabis retailer for every 12,500 people. State licenses cover the entire market from seed to sale. This includes cultivation, manufacturing and processing, distribution and sales. The State Office of Cannabis Management grants the licenses.
City staff worked with the City Council to vet the standards and make adjustments. The City is taking a safe and permissive approach to regulation and business support, focused on education and social equity. The City’s work addresses all facets of the industry including land use and zoning regulations, enforcement, small business assistance, business registration processes, and public health initiatives.
Read more about the ordinance on the City website.
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 I am proud to say after years of work, we have passed a Labor Standards Advisory Board in the City of Minneapolis. To ensure that workers have an equal say in creating robust policy recommendations to improve their workplaces and come to the table with employers and community stakeholders.
There are still egregious things happening to workers in some industries and sector. This board creates a tool to bring experts together to recommend policies that are not one size fits all to resolve these issues.
Thank you to the workers and high road employers who supported this work and my co-authors Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai & Council Member Katie Cashman.
This passed 9-3-1.
View presentation on the advisory board and learn more below:
   
 There is one more public hearing for people to provide feedback on the recommended 2025 City budget and 2026 plan. Comments can also be submitted online at the City’s website.
The proposed 2025 budget is $1.88 billion with a maximum tax levy of 8.3%. The City Council has started reviewing the 2025 budget – the first year of the biennial budget cycle – and will vote on adopting the budget Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more. You can also watch a series of videos on the City’s budget process.
This public hearing will take place at the Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350.
- Truth in Taxation hearing, 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. (The City Council will vote on adopting the budget following the hearing.)
Learn how to participate in public hearings.
Minneapolis 311 and the Minneapolis Service Centers downtown and in the East Lake Community Safety Center will close Thursday, Nov. 21, for one day. The team will focus on strategies to enhance service and better support residents.
They will resume regular business hours Friday, Nov. 22.
How residents can get information when 311 services are closed
Residents can get City information and make reports online whenever 311 is closed or leave a message for a call back.
- Residents can find information about City topics or departments on the City website.
- Residents can tell the City about issues from barking dogs to graffiti using an online form.
- Residents can dial 311 or 612-673-3000 and leave a message for a call back when business hours resume.
As always, call 911 for emergencies.
About the 311 Service Center
The 311 Service Center offers City information and services online on the City website; over the phone at 311 or 612-673-3000; and in person at 505 Fourth Ave. S., skyway level, and the East Lake Community Safety Center, 2228 E. Lake St.
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The new Lake Street Safety Center has opened at 2228 E. Lake St. next to the METRO Light Rail Lake Street/Midtown Station. The safety center features both City and community-based resources and social services. Community members can walk in five days a week and get help from City 311 customer service staff.
Now available, 311 staff can help with non-emergency issues and provide information on City services. They can also connect you with the right support service, depending on your needs. Services in the center so far include community navigators and crime prevention specialists. Community navigators will be in the center 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Crime prevention specialists are available three days per week 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Coming up, other partners will be in the center at varying hours and days. Soon, these organizations will operate out of the center:
- Be@School
- Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
- Lake Street Safety Coordinator
- LEAD Minneapolis
The center is open weekdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Please note: The Lake Street Safety Center will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 21, for a training.
For more information on the services and office hours, visit the City website.
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 City customers’ garbage day the week of Nov. 25-30 will be their last 2024 pickup of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings.
Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curb line next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their pickup day. Set yard waste out in a reusable container, in compostable bags (paper or BPI-certified compostable plastic bags – look for the BPI logo) or bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).
Other requirements
- Reusable containers must be 32-38 gallons in size and at least 26 inches high with sturdy handles. Reusable containers are lifted and emptied by hand; they must be easily managed. Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers.
- Any container, bag or bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds.
- Branches must be less than 3 inches in diameter and less than 3 feet long.
Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” do not meet the State law and are not accepted.
Raking leaves into the street is against the law and bad for our lakes, creeks and river.
City customers are encouraged to set out properly prepared yard waste as soon as possible. There will be no additional 2024 yard waste service after the last scheduled pickup.
For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can check the City website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 Monday-Friday.
The City of Minneapolis is preparing its first mobile medical unit to help bring health care to people in underserved communities. The state-of-the-art vehicle should be fully operational and in the community by early 2025.
The Minneapolis Health Department is hiring and training staff to operate the vehicle and outfitting the vehicle with medical supplies. It can be used by anyone in the community but will deploy where access to care is challenging and needed most.
The unit will offer dignified care in a private, closed space. The Health Department’s Opioid Response Team will operate the unit, offering essential services such as:
- Basic health screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
- Medication consultation.
- Wound care.
- Vaccinations.
- Mental health counseling and referrals.
- Youth health services including physical exams, dental care and wellness checks.
- Medications for opioid use disorder.
Read more about the mobile medical unit on the City website.
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Next week, residents with a lead water service line will be getting a letter from the City. The water service line is the pipe that runs from the water main in the street to the meter inside a property and is owned by the property owner. The letter provides information about the water service line material, steps that can be taken to minimize lead exposure in drinking water, and an update on the City’s effort to replace lead water service lines. An interactive map of the water service line inventory can be viewed on the City’s website.
How we know our tap water is safe
Minneapolis takes steps to make sure our tap water is lead-free and safe to drink. The water is tested hundreds of times a day and is treated in a way that makes sure lead from pipes does not get into the water.
This year, using state and federal grant funds, we began proactively replacing lead service lines at no cost to the homeowner. In total, we will replace around 400 lead service lines using grant funds in 2024 with a plan to replace 1,000 in 2025. This effort will continue until we have replaced or attempted to replace every lead service line in the city (replacement requires the property owner’s consent). It is important to note this is not an opt-in program. The state legislation requires us to prioritize replacement based on:
- Focusing on areas with lower-income residents and other disadvantaged communities.
- Focusing on areas with children with elevated blood lead levels.
- Coordinating the replacement of lead service lines with other capital improvement projects for the most efficient use of grant funding.
You can find more information on the City website.
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 Avoid the hassle and expense of getting towed during a snow emergency this winter. Don't let unpredictable weather catch you off guard. Sign up for Minneapolis alerts to stay ahead of the snow and know about parking rules.
Sign up for alerts today
Text "MPLSAlerts" to 77295 or create a full Smart911 profile online to stay informed this winter.
Watch the video about signing up for alerts.
 Come get a progress update on the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and Lake Street Safety Center. Hear about services and resources in the centers and how your feedback is being used to shape their plans.
More update sessions are now available. Any Minneapolis community member is welcome to attend; the Ward 12 event will be held with Ward 11 at the 42nd Street Event Center on Thursday, November 21st. Here are all the upcoming sessions:
Wards 8 and 9 5-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St.
Wards 11 and 12 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 42nd Street Event Center, 3410 E. 42nd St.
Ward 6 5-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin Ave.
Online 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 17 Check the City website for the Zoom link when it’s available.
City staff will be available for a Q&A after the presentation. Community members can also learn more about other safety programs in the city.
Learn more on the event flyer in English, Español, Af-Soomaali, Hmoob and Oromo.
Find more information on the City website.
Winter market season begins this month in four farmers markets around the city.
Winter farmers markets offer delicious ingredients including local produce, meats and baked goods. You can also find gifts and other handmade goods such as soap, jewelry and pottery. Shop at the winter farmers markets to pick up grocery staples and artisan goods but also to provide critical support to local producers and makers.
Winter markets
- Mill City Winter Market: Nov. 16 plus select Saturdays December through April.
- Minneapolis Farmers Market: Nov. 16, 23 and 30 plus select Saturdays December through April.
- Neighborhood Roots: Nov. 9, Jan. 11, Feb. 8 and March 8.
- Northeast Farmers Market: Nov. 10 plus one Sunday a month through April.
Learn more about winter farmers markets on the City website.
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Winter market season begins this month in four farmers markets around the city.
Winter farmers markets offer delicious ingredients including local produce, meats and baked goods. You can also find gifts and other handmade goods such as soap, jewelry and pottery. Shop at the winter farmers markets to pick up grocery staples and artisan goods but also to provide critical support to local producers and makers.
Winter markets
- Mill City Winter Market: Nov. 16 plus select Saturdays December through April.
- Minneapolis Farmers Market: Nov. 16, 23 and 30 plus select Saturdays December through April.
- Neighborhood Roots: Nov. 9, Jan. 11, Feb. 8 and March 8.
- Northeast Farmers Market: Nov. 10 plus one Sunday a month through April.
Learn more about winter farmers markets on the City website.
Bites from dogs and cats are projected to be up nearly 30% since this time last year in the Twin Cities metro area. That’s nearly 600 bites in 2024 so far compared to 480 in all of 2023. Reasons vary, but Minneapolis Animal Care & Control Director Tony Schendel says many of these bites happen when Minneapolis residents in particular don’t abide by the City’s leash ordinance. The ordinance requires owners to properly restrain dogs at all times. A first-time offense is a $75 fine. (There is no leash law for cats in the city.)
Schendel explained that animals are more likely to feel anxious or feel the need to protect their owners while out in public. Animals don’t have to display a long history of aggression to bite someone. It can happen very quickly and without much warning. Oftentimes animals react differently in an environment they aren’t familiar with. People should keep their distance from animals they don’t know.
Schendel says bites are getting more severe, affecting large areas of the face, arms and hands. Cat bites or scratches, while not considered as severe, could still lead to more infections.
In the event of any bites, people are urged to call 911 for medical attention.
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Leaving leaves in your landscaping and garden beds shelters pollinators for the winter. And mulching leaves on your lawn helps them break down faster and release those nutrients into your soil. Mulching leaves may have the same impact as applying fertilizer. You can do that by running over them with a lawnmower.
From supporting renter rights to creating healthier homes and neighborhoods, our community and City offer a wide range of renting, housing and health services. The Minneapolis departments of Regulatory Services and Health are bringing several resources to you this fall at two fairs open to everyone. Interpreters will be available.
Overcome common renting issues
More than half of Minneapolis households rent their homes. We’re here to support renters and rental property owners every step of the way. Come find help with common renting issues such as renter rights, your role as a property owner, maintenance and repair issues, retaliation, and mediation between a property owner and renter.
Free vaccines and health resources
Nobody wants to miss school, vacations or the holidays with family. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and the community. Get your free COVID and flu shots at our fair.
Other health resources involve these programs: Air Quality, Green Careers, Lead and Healthy Homes, Emergency Preparedness and City Trees.
Renter rights and health resource fairs
Whether you have questions about a renting issue or are curious about health programs available through the City, all are welcome.
9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 9 Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
4-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.
With more dark hours this time of year, you might notice lights out more on parkways or in parks. If you see a light not working, contact:
For parkway lights
The City of Minneapolis 311 Service Center: Call 311, email or report it on the City website or the app.
For path and trail lights in parks
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board customer service: Call 612-230-6400 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday or email anytime.
If you witness someone damaging a light, call 911 regardless of location.
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days for cooking in the U.S. Did you know that cooking accidents are the leading contributor to house fires in the U.S.?
If you have a cooking fire:
- When you’re cooking, keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turning off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it’s completely cooled.
- Never use water on a stove fire. Water will spread grease and flames, and it’s dangerous around electricity.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
- Get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number after you leave.
Find more safety guidance around fires from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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