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Coffee with Senator Clark
When: Saturday April 25th from 12:00-1:00 PM
Where: Pilllar Forum Cafe (2300 Central Ave Ne)
May Office Hours
When: Tuesday May 12th from 5:00-7:00 PM
Where: 56 Brewing (3055 Columbia Ave Ne)
Details: Facebook event.
May Community 1-1s
When: Thursday May 14th from 9:00-11:45 AM
Where: Qahwah House Coffee (1851 Central Ave Ne)
Sign up: Link to sign up will be included closer to the date.
On April 22, 2026, the Minneapolis City Auditor published a new after-action review of the City’s actions in the cases of Davis Moturi and Allison Lussier.
Davis Moturi is a Black resident of Minneapolis who was facing specific threats of racist violence from his next-door neighbor. Mr. Moturi requested help and protection from the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), with his household making 38 calls to 911 between October 2023 and October 2024. Nine days after Mr. Moturi called 911 to report that his neighbor leaned out of his window and aimed a firearm at him, Mr. Moturi was shot in the neck by his neighbor.
Allison Lussier was a 47-year-old Indigenous woman who requested MPD protection from her domestic abuser. Ms. Lussier made at least nine 911 calls accusing her partner of domestic abuse. She was found dead in her North Loop apartment in February 2024, one week after her final 911 call.
In response to demands for accountability by victims and community members, the City Council requested that the City Auditor conduct an independent after-action review of the City’s actions in both cases. The after-action review was delayed due to resistance and opposition from MPD. Last year, the City was forced to add $115,000 to the contract for independent investigation due to police noncompliance with the audit timeline. The review included 49,000 pages of documents, 75 hours of body-worn camera footage, and more than 30 interviews.
The after-action review highlights shortcomings in MPD operations, including:
- MPD officers did not consistently review available information related to the suspect and case history on the way to a call.
- The Police Chief and Hennepin County Attorney did not communicate for months, despite attempts by the HCAO to reestablish a working relationship.
- Messaging from MPD leadership was premature, underinformed, or inaccurate.
- Incidents were not consistently assigned to an investigator, escalated to leadership, or both. Incidents were not always submitted for charging in a timely manner.
- Officers did not create documentation for every detail conducted.
- Officers did not consistently report bias or weapons in police reports.
- Officers had varying level of knowledge about applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
- MPD internal information management requires manual noting and flagging of repeat calls rather than an automatic system for tracking repeat incidents.
- MPD has made several positive improvements in domestic abuse response but needs to make more. MPD did not follow the recommendations of the Hennepin County Domestic Assault Service Center.
- “Blue Cards” left with victims included outdated contact information and resources.
At the joint meeting of the City Council and Audit Committee where the findings were presented, Council President Elliott Payne referred the report to the City Council for further discussion. You can watch the City Auditor’s presentation of his findings and the subsequent discussion here.
On August 27, 2025, a mass shooting occurred at the Church of the Annunciation. The perpetrator killed Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, and injured twenty-eight other people. The shooter fired 116 rounds from an assault rifle in less than four minutes.
These acts of violence devastated our community. Minneapolis residents and families made it clear that we cannot wait for action. They said that our city and state have the responsibility to act.
On September 11, 2025, Council Member Chowdhury gave notice to begin drafting the firearms ordinance. She has been working closely with the city attorney’s office and community members. Earlier this year, she re-introduced that notice.
This ordinance would, among other things, ban:
- Assault weapons
- Large-capacity magazines
- Binary triggers
- Ghost guns
Under current state law, the City cannot ban these weapons. This ordinance, if passed by the Council, would only go into effect if the state legislature passes a law permitting cities to take such action.
At this week’s Committee of the Whole meeting, we voted to set a public hearing for this ordinance at the May 5 Committee of the Whole meeting. That meeting will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m.
The City of Minneapolis continues to support renters and promote housing stability. Following Operation Metro Surge, the City has committed funds to emergency rental assistance. This investment will:
- Help renters at greatest risk of homelessness
- Prevent evictions before they happen
- Connect residents to these resources through community-based partners
Minneapolis residents having difficulty paying rent may be eligible for this assistance if:
- Their household earns no more than 30% of area median income
- They have received a 30-day pre-eviction filing notice from their landlord
We’re partnering with Hennepin County to distribute the money through Rent Help Hennepin and their network of community-based partners. Minneapolis households seeking this emergency rental assistance can reach out to one of these organizations to get help starting an application.
We’ve created a flyer with detailed instructions about how to access this funding. It’s available in English, Arabic, Dari, French, Hmong, Pashto, Somali and Spanish. Download the flyers.
Read more about emergency rental assistance on the City website.
This past winter, the world witnessed small businesses in Minneapolis stepping up for our community in remarkable ways, even as they experienced significant negative impacts from Operation Metro Surge. We created the Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund to help them recover from losses, promote community gatherings and drive customers to our vital commercial districts.
The Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund provides $7 million for license fee relief, financial support for public events in commercial areas, cultural market grants and additional resources. Staff in the department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) designed the fund to get money out to businesses quickly and without too many hurdles.
Immediate relief
License fee relief: We are excited to share that over 2,000 food and hospitality businesses are already receiving license fee relief. Eligible businesses have been contacted. Business Licensing staff is processing refunds for businesses that paid for their eligible 2026 license before the fund was announced.
Fee-Free Events: This year, you can look forward to events throughout the city that bring our community together in celebration — recognizing all we’ve been through and helping to uplift and energize our small businesses. This is supported by the City covering common event permit fees for 2026 public events. Read more about which permits are covered.
If you have questions about Fee-Free Events, email the Small Business Team or call them at 612-673-2499.
Funding opportunities
Existing business support programs are getting a boost this year thanks to monies from the Resiliency Fund. These programs will provide direct and indirect support for small businesses across the city in 2026.
Cultural business weeks: Organizations can apply now to host events during Black Business Week, scheduled for July 27-Aug. 2. Applications are due by 4 p.m. April 27. A separate request for proposals will be issued later this year for Latino Business Week events.
Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP): Funding is available for organizations that can provide consulting services and training for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Both nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses may apply. Proposals from service providers are due by 4 p.m. April 27.
Cultural market grants: The Cultural Market Small Business Support program is currently accepting applications for grants to cultural mall operators for activities that benefit all tenants and customers, such as security, marketing and physical improvements to common spaces. Applications are due by 4 p.m. May 13.
Great Streets Business District Support (BDS): BDS awards money to not-for-profit organizations to enhance the vitality of existing commercial districts in Minneapolis. The application period has closed and funded applicants will be notified in the next few weeks.
Learn more about these and other funding opportunities.
More to come
And — there is more to come. Additional information for venue and music activation, as well as the creative marketing activation, will be available later this spring as the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs department solidifies details with partners.
To receive future updates about funding opportunities, sign up for Plan. Launch. Grow., the monthly newsletter from our Small Business Team.
Learn more about the Small Business Resiliency Fund.
Public Works crews will start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program April 21 to clear away what accumulated in the streets over the winter. Drivers should watch for hot pink temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.
For approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,100 miles of city streets and nearly 400 miles of alleys. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
Find your street on the schedule
You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map.
Learn more about street sweeping.
Attend the Minneapolis Health Department annual resource fair for a free light lunch and connect with the City’s health, wellness and sustainability programs. Stick around for the Local Public Health Heroes award ceremony at noon and see who is helping make Minneapolis healthier. This year’s Local Public Health Heroes theme is “Supporting Community Resilience.”
When Wednesday, April 29
What Public health resource fair: 11 a.m.- noon Award ceremony: Noon-1 p.m.
Where Public Service Building 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 100
Learn more about the public health resource fair and award ceremony.
The City’s animal shelter has plenty of four-legged friends available for adoption, and there are no adoption fees April 30-May 1.
Normally Minneapolis residents pay no adoption fees for cats or adult dogs but $250 for dogs 6 months and younger. Non-residents normally pay an adoption fee up to $250 plus tax for any of the pets.
The City provides daily care, shelter and adoption services for animals in Minneapolis. We have about 65 animals in our care right now. Every adoption creates space for another animal in need. We’re open six days a week for adoptions and have a constantly changing selection of pets rescued in your community, cared for by your City.
Adoptable cats and dogs are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Licensing fees may still apply.
No adoption fee event Take the time to meet and fall in love with the pet that’s right for you. 1-5 p.m. Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1
Find adoptable pets on the City website.
Curious what happens inside Minneapolis City Hall? During Doors Open Minneapolis, you’re invited to take a look.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9-10, this free event offers behind-the-scenes access to spaces that shape our city — and the people who keep it running.
At City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse, don’t miss your first chance to see the newly updated City Council Chambers and other renovated spaces. Staff will be on hand to share how their work serves the community.
Doors Open is about more than buildings — it’s about helping people feel connected to their city. By opening these spaces, we make civic life more approachable and invite everyone to better understand, and care for, the place they call home.
You can also explore City sites like Fire Station 1, the Minneapolis Traffic Management Center and other spaces that shape our city.
Plan your visit on the Doors Open Minneapolis website.
No tickets are required — just bring your curiosity.
As temperatures rise and the air becomes drier, the risk of fires increases. Recently, the Minneapolis Fire Department responded to a large grass fire that spread quickly. Gathering around a bonfire is a great way to enjoy time with family and friends, but always remember to keep your backyard fires safe and legal in the city.
- Fires must be no more than 3 feet wide and 2 feet high, kept at least 25 feet away from buildings and enclosed by a nonflammable barrier.
- Recreational fires are allowed only between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Use only natural, cut wood — never trash — and always supervise your fire.
- Avoid lighting fires on windy days or when smoke blows directly toward a neighbor’s house.
- Be considerate — don’t burn if your neighbor has health concerns.
- Burn only when the wind is below 10 mph and do not burn during air pollution advisories.
Find more advice and resources about bonfires and other recreational fires on the City website.
On April 15, the City of Minneapolis highlighted the work already in progress for a busy 2026 construction season with more than $323.1 million in planned infrastructure improvements that reach every corner of the city. These projects were selected using data that helps drive a balance between community infrastructure needs and financial stewardship to maximize impact and sustainability. Led by the City’s Public Works department, the 37 construction projects getting underway this year represent a major investment in safer streets, more reliable utilities and more vibrant neighborhoods.
Statistics for the 2026 construction season include:
- 6 miles of street resurfaced
- 8 miles of street reconstructed
- 3 Greenway bridges will be restored
- 1,827 lead water service lines replaced
- 5 miles of water main rehabilitated
To keep the community informed about work that is in progress, many projects offer weekly stakeholder meetings and/or regular newsletters with updates on project timelines, traffic impacts and key milestones. You can also search for Public Works capital projects and visit the City construction and road closure maps by using the City‘s online construction dashboard.
As work proceeds, City planners appreciate residents’ patience and encourage those traveling through construction zones to be mindful of workers, detours and roadside hazards.
Visit the City website to learn about notable projects taking place during the 2026 construction season.
Celebrate with your neighbors at Neighborhood Day Saturday, May 2.
Neighborhood Day is an annual day set across the city to increase resident participation in local civic engagement through one of the city’s 67 recognized neighborhood organizations. It’s a chance to come together in community, find the neighborhood organization that represents you and get to know your neighbors.
Neighborhood organizations host their own events, ranging from board elections to family-friendly activities. This year, select neighborhood events will include a bike tour, bean bag tournament and duck race. No matter your neighborhood, there’s something for everyone.
Use this map to find information about your nearest Neighborhood Day events.
Your voice is important
Neighborhood organizations are the most local, smallest form of government. It’s an easy way for residents to be involved at the most grassroots level in their own neighborhood, on their own street.
Find information about your neighborhood organization.
Elliott Payne was re-elected in 2025 to represent Ward 1
Elliott serves on the President of the Minneapolis City Council, Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Public Health, Safety, & Equity Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole.
Contact the Ward 1 Council Office
Elliott Payne, Council Member - elliott.payne@minneapolismn.gov
Brandon Garcia, Policy Aide - brandon.garcia@minneapolismn.gov
Ikram Mohamud, Policy Associate- Ikram.Mohamud@minneapolismn.gov
Liam Davis Temple, Policy Aide - liam.davistemple@minneapolismn.gov
Office Phone - (612) 673-2201
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward1
Our offices have officially moved back to City Hall! You can visit us at
City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415
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.
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