June 6, 2025

A message from Council Member Chavez

This photo was taken by Brad Sigal at a press conference by the MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee, MN Immigrant Movement and Asamblea de Derechos Civiles.

Dear neighbor,

As you may have seen, I sent a separate newsletter on Wednesday that included my full statement on the federal law enforcement action that occurred on Tuesday at Lake St. and Bloomington. In that newsletter, I mentioned that I would be bringing a request for an independent after-action review of the City’s and MPD’s actions. Yesterday, I brought the request to full Council and was joined by four of my colleagues as co-authors. I’m pleased to share that the request was approved unanimously. You can read the request here. This after-action review is meant to respond to the community concerns and provide the public and the City Council an independent report and analysis on communications and actions taken by City and MPD staff leading up to, during, and immediately after the incident.

In addition to getting this after-action request passed yesterday, I have sent multiple requests to MPD Chief Brian O’Hara regarding the public statement he released on Wednesday. In his statement, he said the following:

“There was irresponsible misinformation shared on social media by some officials—statements made without gathering basic facts. That kind of rhetoric is harmful and only served to inflame tensions, increasing the danger to everyone involved. Elected officials have a responsibility to provide accurate information, especially during tense situations.”

I asked the chief to elaborate on what statements were made, and which elected officials he was referring to, so I can understand what he meant by “misinformation.” While I will not pretend to be aware of all content that was shared on Tuesday, I did not notice misinformation being shared by elected officials. Considering the absence of direct communication from the chief on Tuesday, I know that many of us on the council were intentional with our words. Further, I asked the chief for this information as it would be helpful to understand exactly what comments he was referring to so that I, other council members, and the chief have a shared understanding on his definition of “misinformation.”

I have also reached out to my colleagues on the Council to learn whether they’ve heard from the chief regarding potential harmful content they may have shared. As of now, I am not aware of any council members who have heard direct concerns from him. Chief O’Hara’s statement included a serious accusation to make while excluding the exact comments that he believed caused harm. More importantly, it offered no clarity on what specifically the chief would have liked to see differently. 

While the lack of engagement from the chief directly has been puzzling, I believe it’s in Ward 9 residents’ best interest—as well as those of the city as a whole—for Chief O’Hara to receive direct feedback from me regarding MPD’s participation with federal agencies, including ICE. I felt that it was important for the chief to understand the immediate impacts already felt by our community and the full cost the City took on with its actions. 

Unfortunately, in Chief O’Hara’s response to my questions, he did not provide an answer as to which elected officials shared misinformation and what that misinformation was, and he ignored my follow-up request for information. Further, while we were debating the after-action review at yesterday’s Council meeting, I asked him from the dais to whom and what he was referring. This morning, I followed up with the chief for a fourth time, again asking him to name the elected officials he accused of spreading “irresponsible misinformation,” and to provide specifics on what misinformation was shared.

It’s easy to make claims such as those that he made in a press release; but when you do that, my position is that it’s fair to be held accountable for such serious allegations. The chief’s refusal to answer my questions speaks volumes to me. I agree with the chief when he said that, “elected officials have a responsibility to provide accurate information,” but I believe also that unelected officials, such as the Chief of Police, have the same responsibility. 

I will keep you updated if and when I get answers from Chief O’Hara to the questions that I have repeatedly asked of him. 

I will continue to be vocal voice on this topic. I've made it clear that trying to downplay what our community experienced at Lake and Bloomington is wrong and irresponsible. The militarization of our community, armored vehicles and federal agents with assault rifles, and the way the federal action was carried out was dehumanizing and had total disregard for our immigrant community. 

Jason Chavez

Sidewalk cart food vendor licensing fee change

Along with Council Member Chowdhury at full Council yesterday, we brought an amendment to the 2025 Fee Schedule that reduces the permit fees for mobile food vendors, with a specific focus on sidewalk vendors. The changes we made will remove financial barriers for everyone who wishes to participate in the sidewalk cart food vendor program, including low-income, immigrant entrepreneurs who rely on food vending as a primary or supplemental source of income. Existing permit fees for vendors, which are $719, represent a disproportionate financial burden on this community. We took action to lower the fee amount from that $719—which was one of the highest fees in the entire nation—to $63.

Insights shared by the Minnesota Immigrant Movement highlight that the majority of food vendors in Minneapolis are immigrant women, parents, and newcomers who face systemic barriers including unstable work, housing insecurity, language access challenges, and inconsistent access to mental health and basic necessities. Vendors often earn less than $60 per day and work an average of 11 days per month, bringing in approximately $600 per month, which is well below Minneapolis’s livable income standards. 

Lowering the fee enhances equity by making it more feasible for vendors to operate with a permit and safely, while also rebuilding trust between vendors and the City. This adjustment follows months of coalition-building between community organizations, vendors, and City staff, including efforts to improve cultural competency, training accessibility, and language support. Fee reduction is a tangible step toward creating a regulatory environment that values economic justice, supports informal entrepreneurship, and reflects the City’s commitment to racial and economic equity.

Recognizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, Intersex, and Asexual Pride Month

At yesterday’s council meeting, I was honored to present a resolution honoring  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQ2SIA) Pride Month along with Council Member Jenkins and our incredible city staff from the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) employee resource group.

Across the United States, LGBTQ2SIA+ communities continue to face growing threats, including harmful legislation targeting transgender youth, drag performers, gender affirming healthcare, self-expression and inclusive curricula. As a city, we stand firm in opposing efforts and remain committed to being a safe, welcoming, and affirming city for all. That is why we recognize June 2025 as “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, Intersex, and Asexual Pride Month” in the City of Minneapolis, and that residents and visitors are encouraged to join in the events celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, Intersex, and Asexual Pride Month throughout the city, and to support the ongoing efforts to advance full LGBTQ2SIA+ equity across Minnesota. 

Public restrooms staff direction

When I attended the National League of Cities Conference, along with my Council colleagues in attendance, we saw the public restroom infrastructure in Washington D.C. This led to further conversations with the administration and City staff to determine opportunities and constraints in the consideration of such restrooms in Minneapolis. This was in addition to the numerous complaints from Ward 9 residents relating to the issues that come from a lack of public restroom infrastructure. 

A couple weeks ago, I brought forward a staff direction with my colleagues directing the Legislative Department to produce a national landscape analysis of municipal standalone public restroom programs, an overview of the current public restroom situation in Minneapolis, and a review of applicable regulatory and zoning constraints and opportunities regarding standalone public restrooms in Minneapolis. This passed at yesterday’s council meeting.

Whether it’s related to public safety, public health, or simply our standard of living, I often hear from residents that having access to public restrooms is an issue that is important across Ward 9 and the city as a whole. We are hoping this report will assist the City Council in decision-making around the future of public restrooms. We know this is an important measure that can create a more welcoming and accessible environment.

Update on helicopters flying above the City

Many of you have reached out to my office to ask about the persistent presence of helicopters above the City, often in Ward 9 neighborhoods. My office met with MPD officials to discuss this issue twice, first in April and again last month. I wanted to share with you what we learned and what steps MPD has taken to bring some accountability and transparency to their processes.

MPD does not own any helicopters, nor do they control any. When MPD requests the use of a helicopter, the request goes to the state patrol. In our first meeting, MPD told us that they do not track when a request is made for a helicopter nor do they track when state patrol helicopters are above the city on MPD’s behalf. Coming out of that meeting, my ask of them was to develop protocols to track the data so that the council and residents could have a better sense of what is happening in and above our city. 

In our follow-up meeting late last month, MPD staff informed us that they came up with a protocol to track the data within their internal systems. Moving forward, we’ll be able to see the data on when a helicopter was requested, where the helicopter went, and who made the request.

While this is neither a perfect nor a complete solution, it’s a good first step in bringing accountability and transparency to an issue that has an outsize impact on residents.

Recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Day, and Caribbean American Heritage Month

At yesterday’s council meeting, I was honored to present a resolution honoring Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Day, and Caribbean American Heritage Month along with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, MIRA, NCR, Council Vice-President Chughtai, Council Member Chowdhury, Council Member Osman, and Council Member Ellison. I am so proud of our incredible city staff who make this city run and community who locked in arms with solidarity during these difficult times. 

East Phillips Bike Expo to take place tomorrow, Saturday, June 7

The Midtown Greenway Coalition, with support from the City of Minneapolis and the East Phillips Improvement Coalition, is sponsoring a FREE Bike Expo, where you’ll find free bike lights, free patch kits, a food truck, a skills course, safety tips, and more. It’s taking place on Saturday, June 7 from noon-5:00 p.m. at the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center (2307 17th Ave. S).

The FREE event includes:

• Slow Roll Bike Ride: Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot at East Phillips Park
• The ABCs of Biking: Skills Course/Training: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
• Free Bikes for Kids (pre-registered youth): Noon - 3:00
• Chimborazo Food Truck
• Mountain Bike Skills Course (Workshop) 1:30, 2:30, 3:30
• So You Want to Buy an E-Bike? (Workshop): 1:00
• How to Fix a Flat: 2:00
• Free Bike Tire Patch Kits and Tire Levers!
• Be a Better Biker in 30 Minutes (Workshop): 3:00
• Free Bikes for Kids (Walk-In/unregistered youth): 3:00
• Group Bike Ride to the Midtown Greenway: 4:00

Lake Street Safety Center open house

The Office of Community Safety is hosting an event to ensure that you know about helpful services and resources available in our neighborhood. There will be tables set up outside the center so that you can stop by, ask questions, and find out how to connect with these services during regular office hours. The event is taking place on Tuesday, June 10 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Lake Street Safety Center (2228 E. Lake St.)

You’ll be able to learn how to file non-emergency police reports; find out more about the City’s brand new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program in the Lake Street area, and; other walk-in support services and readily available resources at the center.

The Safety Center offers a variety of services:

• K-12 school enrollment and education-related resources
• Resources for victims or survivors of crimes
• Help with safety concerns or conflict resolution
• Housing services, like rental help or rapid rehousing
• Substance use disorder recovery support
• Resources for area’s businesses and property owners
• Connections to social services or case managers
• Free Narcan and fentanyl test strips, which are always available with no questions asked
• Tap water available from TapMpls

Public meeting on 18th Ave. S. Bridge over the Midtown Greenway

Public Works will hold a public stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. It will be held at the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center, 2307 17th Ave S. The purpose of the meeting is to deliver project updates, address questions, and receive feedback.

A recent check on the 18th Ave. S. bridge over the Midtown Greenway found some problems with its structure. To keep the bridge working until it gets fixed in 2026, the city has to limit traffic to one lane. Vehicles over 26 tons can not use the bridge. To make this happen, the Public Works crew put up signs and concrete barriers to show the new traffic rules. More information can be found on the project page.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

At last week’s Public Health and Safety Committee meeting, I was honored to present a resolution recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). It is observed every May to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and promote well-being for individuals and communities. Mental health challenges affect many in our City, with about 60 percent of Minneapolis residents reporting that their mental health is not good at least one day a month. One in four Minneapolis residents report that their mental health is not good for more than one week at a time.

The Minneapolis Health Department chose, “It's OK to Not Be OK: Break the Silence, End the Stigma” as the theme for MHAM, which also includes weekly themes “It's OK to Not Be OK: ‘Man up’ is not the Answer;” It's OK to Not Be OK: Speak Up, Reach Out, Heal Together; and “It's OK to Not Be OK: Every Mind Deserves Care.”

The City of Minneapolis is committed to supporting initiatives such as the 988 hotline that prioritize mental health services, education, and outreach to ensure all residents have access to the resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Community partnerships, including those with local organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and government agencies, are vital in creating a comprehensive system of care that addresses the mental health needs of all Minneapolis residents.

The City of Minneapolis calls upon all residents to join in promoting mental health awareness, understanding, and compassion while also supporting efforts to improve mental health services and resources across our city.

If you need help, call or text 988, which provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline information can be found here. 

Third Precinct Inspector Jose Gomez recognized for 30 years of service

Inspector Jose Gomez is a mainstay in our community, and I’m sure that many of you have encountered him on the streets or at community events over the past few decades. He recently marked his 30-year anniversary as an employee of the Minneapolis Police Department.

The City of Minneapolis recognizes its employees through a STAR Award program (“STAR” stands for Special Thanks And Recognition). This program includes City STAR awards for those who make a significant impact on the City, and Service STARs for those who reach milestone anniversaries of service (15, 25, or 30 years). 

Congratulations to Inspector Gomez, and thank you for your service to our community!

My visit to the International Institute of Minnesota

I recently visited the International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN) and met with their Director of Immigration Services Corleen Smith, Director of Development Corinne Ertz, and Resettlement Navigator Marcjanna Taylor. We discussed the many services that IIMN offers, such as immigration services, job training and career development, English classes, and college readiness, among others.

IIMN assists refugees and asylees to file first time green card applications, as well as green card renewals, work authorization, DACA renewal, and U.S. citizenship for adults and children. They help New Americans navigate the immigration process by providing services at low cost or for free in some cases. IIMN programs are highly subsidized by philanthropy to make them accessible and affordable to their clients. Through funding from the City of Minneapolis, residents are eligible for free citizenship services.  IIMN also helps community members file fee reduction or fee waiver applications for many of the immigration applications, which saves clients from paying high immigration costs. 

Among the free classes that IIMN provides are those to help residents gain skills and knowledge to increase earning potential and unlock new job opportunities. Classes such as Entrepreneurship, Professional Leadership, Nursing Assistant, and more provide interactive environments where attendees will receive support from knowledgeable teachers, financial coaches, and business experts. 

To learn more about IIMN services, visit their website at www.iimn.org. If you would like to receive Immigration services, please call and leave a voicemail at 651-377-8642.  

Contact the Ward 9 Office

Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209

We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:

Room 100, Public Service Center
450 South 4th St.
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For reasonable accommodations or alternative format 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.