Second Ward, Minneapolis

This is a public policy forum that was established in 2006 by Minneapolis Second Ward (Green) City Council Member Cam Gordon and his policy aide Robin Garwood to share what they were working on and what life in City Hall was like. After serving 4 terms Cam lost his relection in 2021 but has continued to be involved in local politics and to use this forum to report and share his perspective on public policy. Please feel free to comment on posts, within certain ground rules.

Friday, May 14, 2021

Second Ward May 2021 E-newsletter

 Second Ward May 2021 E-newsletter   

News from Cam Gordon 

Council Member, Second Ward 

www2.minneapolismn.gov/ward2/   

secondward.blogspot.com  

facebook.com/MinneapolisWard2

 

Ward 2 Police Oversight Forum. Please join me for a Ward 2 Forum on Police Oversight on June 14 at 6:30pm. I have been working on amendments to the Police Oversight Ordinance and recently released a framework for changes to this ordinance that covers civilian oversight, police complaint investigations, and the Police Conduct Oversight Commission. The proposal would elevate the Commission and connect them more purposefully and directly with the review of complaints. It would remove the police from doing complaint investigations and serving on misconduct review panels, returning and strengthening the focus on non-police oversight, through a resident commission supported by Civil Rights department staff. It also calls on defining discipline as all corrective action, including coaching, letters of reprimand, suspension and termination of employment. It would require, to the greatest extent possible, that all sustained complaints be disciplined. I have already begun an extensive phase of gathering community input on the proposal. I am also happy to present the proposal to any and all interested groups. To view the framework document visit https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/download/Agenda/1981/Civilian%20Oversight%20Ordinance%20Update.pdf/55611/2396/Civilian%20Oversight%20Ordinance%20Update  To attend the meeting on June 13th see https://www.facebook.com/events/1611578762362729.

 

Follow-up Block Conversations about the Future of Community Safety. Last fall, I organized more than twenty small group conversations, across Ward 2, about the future of community safety in Minneapolis. Hundreds of people attended.  They shared their hopes, fears, and ideas for alternative responses to calls for help. In the months since we met, my staff and I reviewed and grouped the hundreds of comments we heard into some broad themes. I am now hosting another set of these small group conversations to report back about what we heard last year, the impact of this feedback, and to get input on the next steps we can take to improve safety in our city. I happy organize meetings with any and all interested groups. If you would like to set up a small group meeting on your block, or for your apartment building, please email my Policy Aide Robin Garwood at robin.garwood@minneapolismn.gov.

 

COVID-19. As of May 12, there have been 38,769 positive COVID-19 cases reported in Minneapolis and 427 deaths. The number of new cases per day continues to decrease (70/day) and the seven-day rolling average case rate is declining (16.9/100,000). Hospitalization rates have not yet begun to decline; however, the number of Intensive Care Unit admissions and deaths has decreased, especially among older adults.  Please get vaccinated, if you aren’t already. You can find the City’s COVID-19 vaccine web tool at https://coronavirus-vaccine-outreach-cityoflakes.hub.arcgis.com/ and a current list of free COVID-19 tests at https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/coronavirus/

 

Chauvin Trial. It was a tremendous relief that the jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on all counts for the murder of George Floyd. Holding Chauvin accountable for his actions is an important and meaningful step. I believe that this is just one step on a much longer journey. I believe we must keep working for a more just system and a more just city in which every person can feel safe and every person can thrive. Let us continue and recommit to our shared work to transform our public safety system, to make our city that vision of justice that I think we all share.

 

U.S. Department of Justice Investigation. US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in April that the Justice Department has opened an investigation into the City and our Police Department (MPD). The investigation will assess all types of force used by MPD officers, will assess whether MPD engages in discriminatory policing and will include a comprehensive review of MPD policies, training and supervision. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice via email at Community.Minneapolis@usdoj.gov or by phone at 866-432-0268. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s new reporting portal, available at https://civilrights.justice.gov.

 

Daunte Wright. I was shocked and saddened in April when I learned of the Brooklyn Center police killing of Daunte Wright. My heart goes out to his family and friends, and to our communities that have already been so traumatized by police violence. It is clear that our public safety system needs to be fundamentally transformed. Not just in Minneapolis, and not just in our surrounding communities, but throughout our society.

 

Public Safety Transformation in Brooklyn Center. The City of Brooklyn Center has enacted a number of meaningful changes to their public safety system in the wake of the killing of Daunte Wright. Many of these reforms echo the kinds of changes that many of my colleagues and I on the Council have been advocating for. Some of the similarities: Brooklyn Center has created a new Department of Public Safety, of which law enforcement would be one component, exactly like the Charter amendment that I support adopting this fall. They have created a new non-police response for mental and behavioral health calls, similar to what the Council created through the Safety for All budget. They are moving traffic enforcement to a new unarmed division, similar to what the Council is currently studying thanks to a staff direction from Council Member Cunningham. It is good to see these common-sense changes being pursued not just in Minneapolis but in our neighboring communities – and to see that their Council and Mayor were able to come together to support this necessary work. It gives me hope for the kind of progress we can make here in Minneapolis as well.

 

Property Damage and Burglaries. The City received over 200 calls for service for business burglaries, audible business alarms and damage to property after the killing of Dante Wright between April 11 and April 13. This included an estimated 140 businesses and commercial properties in Minneapolis and several in Ward 2. This included a number of businesses on East Franklin. Businesses should report losses related to recent civil unrest to the City so staff can better understand the extent of damage and how to provide support. Contact the City’s Small Business Team at 612-673-2499 or smallbusiness@minneapolismn.gov.

 

Community Outreach & Support Contracts. The City awarded roughly $1 million to seven community organizations to provide outreach and support services during and after the trials of the former officers involved in the killing of George Floyd. The seven organizations are: A Mother’s Love, Center for Multicultural Mediation, NACDI (Native American Community Development Institute), Corcoran Neighborhood Organization and T.O.U.C.H. Outreach, C.E.O. (Change Equals Opportunity), Restoration Inc. and We Push for Peace. Contracts will run through Dec. 31, 2021. Contracts will run through Dec. 31, 2021.

 

 

 

 

Behavioral Health Crisis Services. We have received 3 responses to our Request for Proposals for providers of mobile mental health crisis response teams for the city in April. Staff have completed interviews and will share additional information when a final contract is submitted for approval by the Council, hopefully by the end of May. Updates will be posted on the City’s public safety alternatives web page at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/community-safety/focus-areas/alternatives-police-response/. I am grateful to our staff for their work on this, especially Andrea Larsen, Brian Smith, Gina Allen and Taylor Crouch-Dodson, for their work to write an RFP that resulted in strong proposals and pilot programs that are on track to begin this summer.

 

Less Lethal Weapons. As concerns about the continued use of so-called “less lethal” weapons by law enforcement officials during protests grew last month, I drafted a resolution that clarifies that the Minneapolis City Council opposes any use of so-called “less lethal” weapons against people in Minneapolis. It was approved by the Council and called on the Mayor, the Police Chief, the Hennepin County Sheriff, the Governor, and any other person in a position of authority over law enforcement personnel to end the use of these weapons in Minneapolis. It also be directed the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office to explore if an ordinance, passed by the Council to regulate or constrain the use of “less lethal” weapons by all Minneapolis employees, would be effective in preventing Minneapolis Police Officers from using such weapons.

 

Youth Congress Report on Reimaging Public Safety. The Youth Congress shared a report and findings on their youth engagement survey on Reimagining Public Safety. The survey found that young people mostly do not feel comfortable calling 911 to a situation they are in, and there are disparate comfort levels between LGBTQ+ youth and straight and/or cisgender youth. The Youth Congress members also studied case examples and academic research to identify alternatives to police responses to 911 calls, including mental health professionals, medics, and unarmed community responders trained in crisis management and de-escalation, greater investment in prevention programs for homelessness, restorative justice, domestic violence hotlines, social workers, crisis intervention teams, EMS and ambulance-based programs, and intellectual/developmental disability-specific responses. To read the report, go to https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/5230/YCB%20Youth%20Public%20Safety%20Update.pdf.

 

Contracts for Violence Prevention.   This month, the Council approved funding the following applicants who were recommended for funding as part of an open, competitive process as follows: Somali Community Resettlement Services: $43,750; Sewa-AIFW: $43,750; Worldwide Outreach for Christ: $43,750; Northside Residents Redevelopment: $43,750; Hennepin Theatre Trust: $20,833; Webber Camden Neighborhood: $20,833; The Sanctuary Covenant Church: $20,833; Art Is My Weapon: $20,833; HIRED - $20,833; Phumulani MN African Women: $20,833; Lutheran Social Services of MN: $10,000; Restorative Justice Community Action: $10,000; Dynamic Family Solutions: $10,000; Lateshia Carter: $10,000; and Kente Circle Training Institute: $10,000. I am excited to see this money (totaling $350,000) being put to use and am hopeful that these programs, especially so many aimed to support youth at risk, will help prevent our youth from being involved in violence in the years ahead.

 

Unarmed Traffic Safety Division. A Council Committee has approved a staff directive that will (if approved by the Council) set in motion the creation of an unarmed Traffic Safety Division, to be housed in a department outside of the Police Department, to be responsible for enforcement, education, and other activities that increase traffic safety and report back to the Public Health & Safety Committee with a project timeline by the end of Quarter 2, 2021.

 

Transforming Community Safety Learning Lab. People are invited to see the recording of the Minneapolis Office of Violence Prevention learning lab on transforming community safety from May 6. This first learning lab of the series featured Anthony Smith, the executive director of Cities United, a national organization focused on reducing homicides and shootings. You can watch the recording and presentations at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/community-safety/background/learning-lab-1/. 

 

Public Safety Department Charter Amendment Proposed by the Council. The Charter Commission has voted to extend its review timeline of this proposal to the full 150 days, which expires August 12, 2021. This will still allow time for the Council to place the matter on the ballot in November.  If the petition from residents is validated, however, the Council may decide to withdraw our proposal which is very similar.

 

Resident-Initiated Public Safety Department Charter Amendment. On April 30, the Yes4Minneapolis petition committee presented their petition to the City. This started the statutory ten-day clock in which the City Clerk is required to validate the petition by verifying it contains at least the minimum number of signatures of registered Minneapolis voters required, which is 11,906, or 5% of those who voted in the 2020 general election. The ten-day period expires next Saturday, May 15. I expect the Council to get a report on Monday, May 17.  Based on the 30 boxes of petitions that were submitted I am anticipating that the 11,906 thresholds will be reached.

 

Eviction Protections Ordinance. The Council has set a public hearing for May 18, 2021, to consider amending our Housing Maintenance Code, to add a pre-eviction filing notice requirement. My coauthors and I have also been working on a Just Cause requirement but, there has been a court decision that has resulted in an injunction against the St. Paul ordinance that we were using as our model. So, we have decided to pause the Just Cause provision temporarily. The ordinance amendment we are moving forward with will require property owners to provide a pre-eviction filing notice before an eviction filing can be made for non-payment of rent or other financial obligations. The amendment as currently drafted would require a 14-day written notice but I am concerned that 14 days may not provide enough time for renters to get help they may need, including financial assistance from the County.  An effective pre-eviction filing notice has the potential to improve housing stability by giving renters time to work with property owners on potential solutions before a formal eviction is filed and with an opportunity to obtain financial assistance from Hennepin County or other emergency rental assistance programs to pay back rent prior to a formal eviction being filed. For more information see https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-00106. You can also sign up to speak at the public hearing.

 

2021 Housing Consolidated Plan. The Council has approved our 2021 HUD Consolidated Plan Action Plan. This will lead to securing significant federal funding to support many of our housing programs and included funding for $11 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; $2.6 million for HOME Investment Partnerships; $900,000 for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG); and $1.9 million for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grants.

 

Affordable Housing Funding Priorities. Staff will be bringing recommendations for changes to our 2021 Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) Program and the Housing Tax Credit (HTC) Qualified Allocation Plan to the Council on May 18th. Three of the more substantive policy changes are the addition of a community preference policy to AHTF projects, the addition of equitable development points, and improvements to the way we evaluate cost reasonableness. The relevant documents can be found at this link https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/cped/items-for-public-review/.  I would welcome your thoughts on these programs and the proposed changes.

 

Emergency Rent and Utility Bill Assistance. Eligible Minneapolis renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. If you qualify, you could receive up to 15 months of total assistance. To apply for RentHelpMN or find more information, visit www.renthelpmn.org  or call 211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN 8:00am – 8:00pm Monday through Saturday. In Minneapolis, you can also apply through Comunidades Latinos Unidos en Servico (CLUES) at 651-362-0162; New American Development Center (NADC) with Assistance in Somali, Oromo and Amharic at 612-823-0180 and the NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center at
612-767-9198.

 

Rent Stabilization Proposal. The Charter Commission’s Rent Stabilization Work Group reported that it had identified some errors in the ordinance transmitted by the City Council.  They have decided to split the proposal into two separate issues, and may make separate recommendations on each part: (1) whether the City Council should be given the power to exercise control on rent of private property and (2) whether a limited right of initiative should be established to give citizens the right, by petition, to control rent of private property. The Commission has decided to extend its consideration of the two proposals to July 31, 2021.

 

Juneteenth Holiday for City Employees.  I am very supportive of establishing Juneteenth as an additional holiday for City workers. This is based on feedback from employees, labor groups and a review and recommendation from the Executive Committee. Following the hearing on May 12, I expect the necessary ordinance amendment to be approved in time to establish it for this year. Observed June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the last of enslaved persons in the U.S. received news of their freedom and entitlement to natural born human rights under the law, which had actually been bestowed upon them two and a half years earlier with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is the first holiday to be added to the City calendar since Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a City holiday in 1986. For more information see https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Agenda/Council/2443  

 

Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Minneapolis restaurants and bars can apply for pandemic relief through the Small Business Administration (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). This is a direct payment. Eligible businesses can receive funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss and they do not need to repay the funds if the funds are used for eligible expenses. Applications opened on Monday, May 3 and first priority is being given to BIPOC, women, and veteran owned businesses. For support connecting to local resources contact the Minneapolis Small Business Team at 612-673-2499 or SmallBusiness@minneapolismn.gov

 

Semi-Truck Parking. Semi-truck parking continues to be a persistent problem in many areas of the City and especially in Seward. After an extensive delay, we are preparing to take the next steps toward enacting a new ordinance that I have helped write that would prohibit semi-truck parking on all city streets. The ordinance introduction is over a year old, has been delayed due to COVID and George Floyd’s murder/social unrest/trial, but we are now nearly ready to move forward. I am expecting for us to use a meeting on May 19 of the Transportation and Public Works Committee to formally set the public hearing on this for June 23 at 1:30pm.

 

Off Street Parking and Travel Management Ordinance. After unanimous recommendations coming from the Planning Commission and a Council committee, this month, the Council will vote on this significant ordinance amendment that will remove minimum parking requirements citywide, lower parking maximums, increase bicycle parking requirements, and require many more new buildings to go through a Travel Demand Management process. One exciting thing about that process is that developers will be incentivized to do much more to promote transit, including giving residents free transit passes. At the committee I successful moved an amendment that will require an accessible loading space (to accommodate Metro Mobility drop-off/pick-up etc.) for buildings with zero parking, as long as that requirement would not require an additional curb cut. The ordinance also includes a requirement that 1-3-unit buildings in the University Overlay “Interior 2” neighborhoods will be limited to nine bedrooms, as I note later in this report. To find out more, go here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-00704

 

Line 3 Resolution. I am working with my colleagues Alondra Cano and Jeremy Schroeder on a resolution opposing the Enbridge Energy Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline. This pipeline endangers important ecosystems and waterways, including the Mississippi River (which it is planned to cross twice). It is proposed to carry some of the most carbon-intensive fossil fuels in the world – oil from tar sands – that must be left in the ground if we are to have any hope of stabilizing our climate. The resolution joins with Indigenous people of Minnesota, environmental justice advocates like the Sierra Club and MN350, and many others, in opposing this pipeline and calling on Governor Walz and President Biden to halt its construction. We plan to bring this before the Council on May 28 in time to support the Treaty People Gathering from June 5 to 8 that you can learn more about at https://treatypeoplegathering.com/.

 

Hiawatha Public Works Facility Expansion at the Roof Depot Site. When the City of Minneapolis proposed to purchase the Roof Depot site in 2015, I voted against that action. I did so because the community had made clear that they had a different vision for that site, and I believe that the government should listen to communities, especially historically overburdened communities of color. In April, I worked with my colleagues Alondra Cano, Andrea Jenkins, and Andrew Johnson to again try to change the trajectory of this project by passing a staff direction that suspends all work to expand the facility and clears the way for the City to provide a significant piece of land to the community for use as an urban farm or other community-supported use. I also moved to postpone taking formal action on the adequacy of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) until August to align it with the larger work we are doing with this project. Folks can find the Environmental Worksheet at https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-00520, and the amended staff direction that the Council approved at  https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/5211/Hiawatha-Staff-Direction-043021-Gordon.pdf

 

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. During this month, we honor the influence, achievements, and contributions to history and culture made by those who identify as Asian and Pacific Islander. Visit www.asianpacificheritage.gov to learn more, and I encourage you to read the statement from the Smithsonian you can find at http://smithsonianapa.org/stand/?utm.

 

Presentation on Federal Funds. In anticipation of receiving American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Council Member Jeremiah Ellison put together a panel for the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 13, with presentations from subject matter experts about their current research on key areas of need in the city. They addressed topics including children and youth, housing and homelessness, and safety and wellness. Presenters included Dr. Michelle S. Phelps, Department of Sociology, University of MN; Andre Dukes, Vice President of Family and Community Impact, Northside Achievement Zone; Dr. Ann Masten, Institute of Child Development, University of MN; Dr. Ross VeLure Roholt, Social Work, University of MN, and Dr. Ed Goetz, Center for Urban and Regional  Affairs at the U of M.

 

Blue Line Extension. Metro Transit is seeking feedback on potential route options for the METRO Blue Line extension, which will connect downtown Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park. They are considering a few different routes and are looking for a “light rail project that benefits the community most and connects even more people to jobs, education, healthcare and other key destinations.” They want to identify a single community-supported route by the end of this year.  You can learn more and find the survey at https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Light-Rail-Projects/METRO-Blue-Line-Extension.aspx. You can also email feedback to Sophia.Ginis@metrotransit.org.

 

Street Cleaning. Please sign up for notifications to avoid a ticket and tow during the City’s spring street cleaning that is began April 20.  Watch for temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow. For more information see minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/street-sweep/.  You can sign up for phone alerts about street sweeping, at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/contact-us/sign-up-for-news-alerts/.  

 

Nice Ride Bike Share Program. The Nice Ride bike-share program is up and running for the 2021 season. The bike-share service has more than 3,000 bikes and more than 400 stations across Minneapolis. Nice Ride will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health for COVID-19 protocols. TO learn more visit https://www.niceridemn.com/.

 

2020 Census. The U.S. Census Bureau released the population data from Census 2020, showing that Minnesota’s population grew by 7.6% to 5,706,494 and grew enough to hold on to our eight congressional seats. Minnesota had the highest self-response in the nation, with 75.1% of households returning their census forms without additional follow up from a census taker. Thank you to everyone who completed their census and congratulations to all those who helped.

 

Redistricting. The U.S. Census Bureau plans to release local-level population data on September 30, which is when we anticipate we will be able to begin generating initial ward and district maps for public discussion purposes.  The City is hoping that the final redistricting plan will be completed by end of March 2022. To help with this, the Minneapolis Charter Commission establishing a Redistricting Advisory Group to help prepare new ward and park district maps before they approve new boundaries. The deadline to apply to be on this important group is June 24. To learn more and apply visit https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/redistricting/redistricting-advisory-group/advisory-group-application/

 

Government Structure Charter Amendment.  The Charter Commission has approved moving forward with a proposed charter change in government form to what they are calling an “executive mayor-legislative council” model. You can find the proposal, which, among other things, removes the Council as the “governing” body, elevates the Mayor to the position of “Chief Executive,” and removes the Executive Committee from the Charter altogether, at  https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/CH2021-00012. I recommend reviewing the “redlined” version at https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/5032/Government%20Structure%20Amendment%20Fourth%20Draft%20(redlined%20version).pdf to better understand what is being changed. Proposals initiated by the Charter Commission are required to be put on the ballot, but the Mayor & Council approve the actual language of the ballot question. 

 

Neighborhood Organizations Funding. As a follow up to a staff direction Council Member Johnson I got passed as part of the 2021 budget, in April the Council received a report on options in order to increase neighborhood funding by $3 million a year. In the update we learned that the deadline for Neighborhood Network Fund and Equitable Engagement Fund will be extended to January 1, 2022 and that Community Participation Program contracts, with the prorated amount of funding, will run to December 31, 2021. Options for increasing funds included dedicating ongoing property taxes with a $3 Million increase in 2022 representing a 0.8% increase to the levy; using one-time funding from our Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) fund balance of $15 million, or using recent federal funds if applicable.

I remain convinced that adding funding to neighborhood organizations, both to the base funding and to equity funds, is a wise investment and am glad to see that there are ways to do so.  See https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/7732 for a little more.

 

Partnership Engagement Fund. The City is accepting applications for the Partnership Engagement Fund, one of the four funding programs that emerged from Neighborhoods 2020. Community-based organizations working to engage historically underrepresented communities are invited to apply for grants of between $5,000 and $15,000 for projects that will involve a partnership with one or more of Minneapolis' 70 neighborhood organizations. NCR staff is available to help interested organizations create partnerships with neighborhood organizations.

You are encouraged, but not required, to notify NCR of your intent to apply by May 16. Applications are due July 1, 2021. Application forms are available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong. Learn more and start the process at https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/ncr/neighborhood-programs/partnership-fund/. 

 

Comment on Immigration Services. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invites comments from the public on how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can reduce burdens in its regulations and policies, including those that block foreign nationals from immigration services and benefits. Comments are being taken until May 19. For more information, and to submit a comment, visit https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/04/19/2021-07987/identifying-barriers-across-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-uscis-benefits-and-services.

 

Property Tax Refunds. The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers property tax refunds to homeowners and renters who qualify based on their income and property taxes. See https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund for more information.

 

New City Assessor Appointed. The City Council approved the appointment of Rebecca Malmquist as the new city assessor in April. Malmquist, who became interim city assessor January, has served as director of assessments since 2014 and now becomes the first woman to head the Assessor’s Office in our city’s history. Prior to her work at the City, Malmquist served at the City of Minnetonka as an appraiser and the city assessor.

 

Rooftop Solar on City Buildings.  The Council has approved issuing two Requests for Proposals for rooftop solar installations at the Currie Maintenance Facility and the Lowry Warehouse.  This will help us reach the goal of having all the electricity used in the City's municipal operations be 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2022. The two arrays combined will produce 520,00 kWh - 800,000 kWh annually and cost roughly $1.2 million to $1.5 million, with annual cost reductions of around $70,000 to $90,000. This translates to a simple payback in roughly 14 years.  

 

Stormwater Management Program Changes. The City of Minneapolis is seeking public input into the priorities and programs that make up the city’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). There is a public hearing set for Wednesday, June 9 at 1:30 pm.  To find out more and sign up, go here: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/meetings/participate-in-a-meeting/. You can also make written comments by Friday, June 18 by emailing comments to Elizabeth.stout@minneapolismn.gov.

 

Hennepin County Climate Action Plan. It is good to see Hennepin County joining the City of Minneapolis in adopting a strong Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve net zero emissions in the County by 2050, with an interim goal of reducing carbon emissions by 45% by 2030. Reaching these aggressive goals will require transformational change, and the City of Minneapolis is ready to partner with the County and other levels of government to make that kind of change happen. You can learn more here: https://www.hennepin.us/climate-action.

 

May is Mental Health Month. The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community. Find crisis resources and mental health support on the City of Minneapolis website at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/trial-support-safety/mental-health-resources/ and visit Mental Health America's website at https://mhanational.org/covid19 with more resources and tips on managing mental well-being.

 

Farmers Markets Open. Nearly 20 farmers markets will operate throughout Minneapolis this year, and they have already begun to open. Farmers markets are a great way to get fresh food on the table, an important part of our food supply and an essential connection to our farmers. Please visit https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/homegrown-minneapolis/farmers-markets/ for more information, including a map of all the markets and a list of schedules.

 

Recreational Fires. This time of year, some residents enjoy outdoor fires, but others find them concerning and even harmful to their health. They are allowed in Minneapolis with the following restrictions: 0utdoor recreational fires are permitted between 9:00am and 10:00pm and must be less than three feet in diameter and two feet high. They are not allowed when Minneapolis is under an air pollution advisory. Sign up for air quality alerts at http://mn.enviroflash.info. Additionally, fires must be at least 25 feet away from a structure or combustible material and in a fire ring or pit with edges more than six inches high. Illegal open burning or recreational fires could result in fines that start at $200.

 

UNICEF's Child Friendly City Initiative.  This month I expect the Council to formally become a community collaborator with the Growing Up in Cities Project, to identify disparities in health and well-being outcomes for young people across the city and to engage youth as local change agents. This is part of our participation in UNICEF’S Child Friendly City Initiative and will include a Memorandum of Understanding with the Growing Up in Cities Project.  This means we will formally sign on as a Child Friendly City Initiative candidate. The first cycle of CFCI recognition is five years from signing the MOU and puts us on track to conduct a child’s situational analysis, develop local action plan for children, and execute a tangible community engagement project over next year, with more work to follow. In the second year we will be expected to demonstrate results of community building and child friendly governance strategies and progress on a local action plan for children. In the 5th year we will submit a final evaluation demonstrating outcomes of initial action plan and updated local action plan which results in holding CFCI recognition for next three years. For more information visit https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/5650.

 

Summer Activities for Youth. It is great to see that the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is offering a number of programs and activities for youth this summer.  You can find more details at https://mpls.k12.mn.us/summer_programs.html. This includes a Summer Scholars program that is free and open to all students in pre-K-8, with both in-person and virtual options depending on a student’s grade. Many programs are open to students who live in Minneapolis but do not attend an MPS school.  Swim lessons will return with class content adjusted to maximize safety, and sports offerings include soccer, volleyball, flag football, and track. Adaptive sports will also be available. Transportation is provided.

 

Metro Teen Job Fair. On Tuesday, May 25 from 2:00 to 5:00pm, there will be a Metro Region Interactive Teen Job Fair called Elevate Futures. People can register using the code TEENJOBS and set up a profile. There will be a broad scope of employers looking to hire. You can find more information at https://www.ycb.org/jobfair?utm

 

Nina Robertson Leads Step Up.  I was very happy to learn that Step Up Director, Nina Robertson was recently honored by being named in Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 40 under 40. In 2020, Step Up served over 1,200 young people through paid summer opportunities. As director of the Step Up Youth Employment Program for the city of Minneapolis, Nina helps prepare young people ages 14 to 21 for careers by training and placing them in paid internships at more than 200 regional employers. Nina brings a wealth of experience from her roles at the Northside Achievement Zone, Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota Kwanzaa Freedom Schools, Plymouth Christian Youth Center, and YMCA Twin Cities. Congratulations Nina and thank you for serving the people of Minneapolis so well. For more information see https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2021/04/19/2021-40-under-40-nina-robertson-minneapolis.html.

 

Job Help Available. The City of Minneapolis Employment and Training, in partnership with community-based service providers, assists job seekers with job search, skills training, resume prep and review, and interview coaching to help Minneapolis residents get back to work. Job demand remains high with many employers looking to hire today. See https://www.careerforcemn.com/virtual-interactive-services-career-seekers?utm to find virtual job search resources and online events. For in-person services in Minneapolis, please call North Minneapolis Career Force at 612-299-7200 or South Minneapolis Career Force at 651-539-4410 (currently limited due to COVID). If you have been laid off through no fault of your own, see https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/employment-training/minneapolis-employment-training/adult-programs/dislocated-worker/?utm  for services or call 651-539-4421 or 952-417-2108 to be connected to a career counselor.

 

Art-A-Whirl Weekend. From Friday, May 14 through Sunday, May 16 people can join Art-A-Whirl, the largest open studio tour in the country, which happens annually throughout Northeast Minneapolis the third weekend of May. Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, the 2021 Art-A-Whirl will not be held as a normal event. Art-A-Whirl is online, with hundreds of member galleries, shops, and videos. Some individual studios, galleries, and businesses will have their own open hours during Art-A-Whirl weekend. Use this website to find open studios, buy art online, and discover new food & beverage options. If visiting in-person, be sure to wear a mask and observe social distancing. See https://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/?utm for more information.

 

West Bank Grants. The Minneapolis Foundation is now accepting grant applications from organizations that serve the needs of residents living in the West Bank area of Minneapolis and recognize the diverse cultures of residents and improve social connections across cultures and generations or encourage residents to engage in community-based and policy issues that are important to them. Applications must be submitted online by 4 p.m. on June 10, 2021. Learn more at https://www.minneapolisfoundation.org/stories/funding-opportunities/2021-west-bank-community-fund-grants/  or contact Jo-Anne Stately, at jstately@mplsfoundation.org. 

 

Encampment in Seward at 31st Ave and the Greenway.  A number of residents and businesses have reached out to me about the encampment that was set up in the few days on the land owned by an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church, on the north side of the Midtown Greenway between 30th and 31st Avenues. I have been tracking this closely and visited the encampment the evening on the day it was established. It appears this was a group from another encampment in the Phillips neighborhood that was closed down the same day. I visited the camp and have met with leaders of the camp as well as representatives from the Ethiopian church that owns the property. They church leaders are, understandably, concerned.  It is my understanding that they have given permission for the campers to stay for a limited number of days in order give some time for the residents to plan and organize for a move to other locations. I am hoping that this agreement will be followed through on and that there is a voluntary closure of the camp within the next 10 days or so.  I have engaged a team of City staff led by the Health Department and Community Planning and Economic Development. They are aware of the situation and monitoring it closely, with outreach workers meeting with individuals to help them find alternative housing. I want to thank everyone who reached out to make me aware of this situation. I recognize that this is an undesirable, unhealthy and potentially dangerous situation for the residents of the encampment and larger community. I am committed to working to resolve it in a peaceful, positive and compassionate way with the understanding that the residents at the camp are people who need support to find better housing and resources to stay housed.

 

University Area Overlay District Changes. My proposal to adopt a maximum number of bedrooms for 1-3-unit buildings in the Interior districts in the University Overlay District is moving forward as part of a broader package of transportation management and parking rules changes. I am optimistic that this change will better address the unique challenges of being proposed on some larger lots in otherwise lower density areas in the University District. You can find out more information here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/download/Agenda/1767/Text%20amendment%20-%20off%20street%20parking.pdf/53904/2293/Parking,%20Loading,%20and%20Mobilty%20Zoning%20Code%20Text%20Amendment  

 

Eastside Neighborhood Services. On Thursday, May 20, people can celebrate local food, drink, and community and learn how this Eastside organization works through education, food, childcare, career development, and wellness to support communities throughout the Eastside, including the Southeast neighborhoods of Prospect Park and Southeast Como. From 3 – 6 pm you can pick up meal kits, drink kits, and VIP bags in the East Side Neighborhood Services parking lot. Then at 7:00pm you can join the Virtual interactive vendor experiences and 7:30 p.m. is the virtual event program. For more information see https://www.esns.org/.

 

City Update Sign-Up. You can subscribe to get City updates on a variety of topics by email or text at https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/MPLS/subscriber/new   

 

Office Hours in the Ward. In-person office hours have resumed, while using masks and practicing social distancing, at 2 coffee shops on Mondays from 9:30 – 11:00am as follows:  

First Mondays at Dogwood Café at4021 E Lake St;  

Second Mondays at Black Waffle and Coffee at1500 Como Ave SE;  

Third Mondays at Dogwood Café 4021E Lake St; and  

Fourth Mondays at Black Waffle and Coffee at 1500 Como Ave S. 

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