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, October 29, 2021

Second Ward October 2021 E-newsletter

Second Ward October 2021 E-newsletter

News from Cam Gordon 

Council Member, Second Ward 

www2.minneapolismn.gov/ward2/   

secondward.blogspot.com  

facebook.com/MinneapolisWard2  

 

2021 Election. Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, but people can still vote early at the Early Vote Center at 980 E Hennepin Ave. Please see https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/ and vote.minneapolismn.gov for the most complete information about this year’s election. Voters will be asked to wear face coverings when coming to vote in person at the polling places. The City will offer disposable masks and will follow additional health and sanitation protocols in all polling locations to protect both voters and City employees.   

 

On the Ballot. The offices of Mayor, City Council, Board of Estimate & Taxation, and Park & Recreation Board are on the ballot this year. There are also be three questions that propose amendments to the City Charter: government structure, public safety and rent stabilization. Information about the ballot questions can be found at https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/ballot/ where you can also find a sample ballot to review  before you vote. You can find the list of all candidates who filed for municipal offices at https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/run-for-office/candidate-filings/. Due to the timing of State and City redistricting, City Council members elected in 2021 will serve a two-year term. In 2023 an election will be held for another two-year term for council members. No other City offices will be on the 2023 ballot. City Council terms will return to a normal four-year cycle with the 2025 municipal election.

 

Redistricting. After every census, the country, state, and city have to adjust district and ward political boundaries. In Minneapolis a Redistricting Group, made up of 24 Minneapolis volunteers, is working on the new maps and is seeking input to have new maps in place before the City Council election in 2023. There are several ways to participate in the process including attending one of the following meetings: 4:00pm Wednesday, November 17, 4:00pm Wednesday, December 15, 4:00pm Thursday, February 24, 2022, and 4:00pm Wednesday, March 9, 2022. To sign up to get notices for redistricting meetings, explore maps and more visit https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/redistricting/

 

2022 Budget. The Council has nearly completed its process of reviewing department budget recommendations and will soon be conducting hearings and considering amendments to the Mayor’s proposal.  As I am reviewing the budget details, I am also reaching out for feedback from you, and all my constituents, as I am considering amendments. Final approval is scheduled for December. To learn more and see the Mayor’s full proposal go to https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/budget/.  In November there will be some more departmental presentations on the Mayor's Proposed Budget followed by two formal Public hearings: one on TuesdayNovember 16th at 1:30pm and the other on Wednesday, December 1st, 6:00pm. The Council will consider amendments after that last hearing and also at their meeting on FridayDecember 3rd. Final budget approval is set for Wednesday, December 8th.

 

Public Health State of Emergency Extended.  With the Delta variant spreading and COVID-19 cases increasing in Minneapolis, the Council has approved extending the COVID -19 state of local public health emergency through November 7, 2021. This will allow the City to conduct the election with safety precautions in place.

 

COVID-19 Vaccinations. The strongest defense against the delta variant is through vaccination. Get a free COVID-19 vaccine at a Minneapolis Health Department clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, and the vaccinations are free. You don’t need insurance, you don’t need an appointment and you don’t need an ID. Find more information, updates, and new free community vaccinations at https://coronavirus-vaccine-outreach-cityoflakes.hub.arcgis.com/.

 

Federal Grant for COVID-19 Response. The Council has accepted a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for over $4 million through May 31, 2023, to address COVID-19 health disparities among high-risk and underserved populations. This will help the city work with community partners to implement strategies that will decrease disparities and the overall rates and impact of COVID-19 as well as expand services for people at higher risk.

 

Health Literacy Grant. The City Council has accepted a $2 million grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for a two-year period to support advancing health literacy about COVID-19. The Health Department will use the funds to partner with 6 community-based organizations to get messaging out where it is most needed. 

 

Evictions Protections. As of October 12, under the State’s phased ending of the eviction moratorium, all lease terminations and eviction protections for non-payment of rent have been lifted except for eligible renters with pending COVID-19 rental assistance applications. To apply for help paying rent and utilities please see https://www.housinglink.org/List/emergency-rental-assistance, if you are a renter, or the Zero Balance Project (at https://www.housinglink.org/List/emergency-rental-assistance)  to be initiated by rental property owners and managers.  Completed applications in either program will protect you from eviction for non-payment of rent. Work with your landlord to select only one program to use. To learn more visit https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/coronavirus/housing/

 

Right to Counsel. The City Council and Mayor have approved the Right to Counsel ordinance I coauthored. The purpose of this ordinance is to codify in law that renters facing eviction will be able to expect to be represented by an attorney. We know that renters who face eviction stand a much better chance of being able to stay in their homes if they have legal representation. I hope to have the new ordinance passed and in effect before the eviction moratorium is lifted in October. This will also help inform the 2022 budget – I will be advocating for the City to allocate sufficient resources to meet this new Right to Counsel commitment.

 

Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program. The City is now accepting applications for the Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program, which helps property owners obtain property tax reductions for agreeing to keep rental units affordable for 10 years which provides a 40% tax rate reduction on qualifying units. The reduction is prorated so if you enroll 50% of the units in the building your reduction would be about 20%, etc. Participants also get free or low-cost energy assessments and City cost sharing for solar energy installations and energy efficiency improvements as well as $100 per affordable unit, capped at $1,000 per property, and payment of recording fees and first year State of Minnesota Low Income Rental Classification (LIRC) fees. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of January 7, 2022. Learn more at https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/housing-development-assistance/rental-property/4d/.

 

Help Paying Utility Bills. Minnesotans can get helping pay for current and past-due bills for electricity, gas, oil, biofuel and propane, emergency fuel delivery, and repair/replacement of homeowners’ broken heating systems. By submitting one application through the Energy Assistance Program, households could qualify for payments to cover both water and energy bills and qualify them for the Minnesota Weatherization Program. You can request an application or find your local service provider at https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energy-assistance/ or call 800-657-3710 and press “1.”

 

Emergency Rent Assistance. The City Council has accepted over $10 million in Emergency Rental Assistance funding from the U.S. Treasury to help cover costs of rent, utilities, and related costs for low-income renters experiencing housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We also approved a contract with Hennepin County for Emergency Rental Assistance Program Processing Support for up to $2 million to administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Tenant Application Program.

 

Homeowner Financial Assistance. We are partnering with the County and the Minnesota Homeownership Center on a new program called, the Hennepin Homeownership Preservation Program (HHPP). The program will provide limited financial assistance for past-due mortgage and utility payments will be available to homeowners who are below 50% of area median income (AMI), were economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have completed foreclosure counseling. The City is also lending support to City Lakes Community Land Trust (CLCLT) with their Project: Sustained Legacy which focuses on assisting existing homeowners facing the potential loss of housing remain in their home. CLCLT invests in debt restructuring for a sustainable housing payment and/or significant rehabilitation in exchange for the homeowner enrolling in a perpetually affordable housing model that will sustain a home’s affordability to future purchasers. Call 612-594-7150 to learn more about CLCLT’s program. To learn more about HHPP call 651-236-8952 or visit https://www.hocmn.org/HennepinHPP/.

 

Minneapolis Homes. The City Council has approved spending $14 million to help create 104 affordable homeownership units in Minneapolis: 62 new construction and 42 acquisition and rehabilitation. I was very glad to see that 70% of the homes will be perpetually affordable through a shared equity homeownership land trust model and that 70% of homebuyers will be Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Current or former residents dating back to 2007 of certain neighborhoods in the Near North, Powderhorn, Northeast, Phillips, and Camden communities that were most impacted by redlining and the more recent 2008-2012 foreclosure crisis will have a preference for the purchase of half of the homes created through a newly adopted preference policy. Also, 20 of the homes financed will be built to a net-zero or passive housing standard and be models for how to use innovative design to address the climate crisis.  For more details see https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/homes-development-assistance/minneapolis-homes/

 

School Based Clinic Service Expansion. The Council, with my enthusiastic support, has accepted a grant of $900,000 from the Minnesota Department of Health, to provide funds from November 15 through June 30, 2023, to increase the School Based Clinic work force of medical, health education and mental health to “catch up” on preventative care and be better able to address their increased health needs due to COVID. In addition, we will establish new clinic services for students attending the co-located FAIR and Wellstone Minneapolis Public high schools.

 

Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot. This month more details about the City’s Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot program were approved. Under the pilot, 200 participating families will receive $500 per month for 24 months to support household financial growth and stability. Applications will be open on the City of Minneapolis website before the end of 2021, and payments will start arriving with families in early 2022. City staff is working with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis to evaluate the program to help inform future decisions about program expansion or modifications. The program will be funded with $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. Eligible households must have an annual income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income for Minneapolis, have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and live in the 55403, 55404, 55405, 55407, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55430, or 55454 zip codes. More information and an option to sign up for notice of when the application period opens for the Minneapolis Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program is available at www.minneapolismn.gov/gbi

 

Gun Diversion Program. In October, the University of Chicago published “Principles of Prosecutor-Led Gun Diversion Programming” you can find at https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/voices.uchicago.edu/dist/2/1015/files/2017/01/SDP-PLGDP-Brief-Fall-2021-FINAL.pdf.   The article highlights a Minneapolis program that was started in 2017 with the leadership of Deputy City Attorney – Criminal Mary Ellen Heng and the Criminal Division team.  We have been partnering with the University of Chicago on an in-depth study of our program and we expect the full study to be published later this year.  The program, called Pathways, has served some 124 offenders with 60 of them completing the program with 43 are currently in progress. The diversion program funded by the City, led by the Attorney’s office, and run by Urban Ventures has been able to successfully drop the typical 75% reoffence rate below 27% for participants. The program includes developing skills to handle strong emotions and learning about trauma and how to address it. To learn more about this program see https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/diversion-programs/pathways-diversion/.

 

De-escalation Training for Ward 2 Residents. I will be co-hosting, with the Office of Violence Prevention a de-escalation training for Ward 2 community members to help build skills around the prevention of and intervention in mental health crisis and wellness recovery. The training will be put on by the Barbara Schneider Foundation and features scenario-based actors who bring the trainings to life. The training is a total of six hours and is covered over a period of two days (3 hours each day) and will be held over two Saturdays on December 4th and 11th. The Barbara Schneider Foundation has many years’ experience training on mental health crisis response for first responders, law enforcement, social service providers, health care systems, and others (some of you may remember or participated in a scenario training the Barbara Schneider Foundation did for City staff a few years ago. Each training can have between 12 – 25 people. If you are interested please let me know or contact Nancy, from my office, at nancy.olsen@minneapolismn.gov.

 

Catalytic Converter Ordinance. A Council Committee has approved a new ordinance regulating the sale of catalytic converters and would prohibit the sale or purchase of a used catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle by anyone other than a bona fide automobile repair garage; whose license permits the installation, replacement, maintenance, or removal of catalytic converters.

 

Traffic Control Officers. The City has launched a pilot program to explore the possibility of Traffic Control rather than the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) responding to parking problem calls 24/7. Traffic Control already responds during the day. The goals of this pilot are to free up MPD time and resources spent on parking calls, improve service, and reduce duplicate services, while responding to urgent parking complaints on time. Traffic Control is adding an overnight (11:00pm-7:30am) shift Mondays through Fridays besides its regular hours. Staff will respond to urgent 911 and 311 parking-related complaints submitted during those hours. Currently, both Traffic Control and MPD respond to calls about parking problems. This pilot will determine the resources needed for Traffic Control to take all of these calls 24/7. Report a parking-related complaint by calling 311 during business hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday) or by submitting your complaint on the City website here https://www.minneapolismn.gov/report-an-issue/parking-violation/.

 

Police Officer Early Warning System. In October, the Council voted to accept a grant from the Pohlad Foundation for an Early Intervention System (EIS) in MPD, that I have concerns about this. Although I have been a long-time supporter of effective Early Warning or Early Intervention System (EIS) for law enforcement staff, I favor housing the program in the Civil Rights Department where we have staff and an advisory group focused on police oversight. The action is here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/8710.  In 2016, then-mayor Hodges put $124,000 in ongoing dollars in her 2016 budget for an EIS, including one full-time employee. It is unclear what has happened to the cumulative $744,000 that was intended to be spent on an Early Intervention System in that time, but it appears none has been functioning. https://www.startribune.com/early-warning-system-to-weed-out-troublesome-minneapolis-officers-didn-t-appear-to-launch/571157682/. I am also concerned that the program is being crafted as a voluntary employee health and wellness system. That is at odds with what we've heard from the Department of Justice, which in 2015 criticized the Mpls EIS program as "perceived as a wellness program, suggesting a human resources function as opposed to a systemized accountability and risk management tool." This can be found here: https://www.startribune.com/justice-department-releases-report-on-mpd-early-intervention-system/290149921/. I strongly support creating a truly functional Early Intervention System, as a systematized accountability tool. But given the limits on the Council's oversight of the police department under the current Charter, I believe that we should only release these grant funds once we see a plan for how they will be spent, and what this system will look like.

 

Green Cost Share Program. In October, the Council has received a very exciting report on the tremendous success of our Green Cost Share program. This program was created in 2013, and significantly ramped up after the Council voted to increase our utility franchise fees by half a percent to fund work to fight climate change. Since then, almost nine hundred Minneapolis homes and businesses have participated, installing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements that will save 14,500 metric tons of carbon and $60 million in lifetime energy bill savings. And these benefits are targeted to the communities that have been left out in the past. Over half of the funds have been spent on environmental justice, including in our Green Zones. One of my key priorities is to dramatically increase funding for this critical work. For all of the success we've seen, we know that this program is oversubscribed every year. Every year we get more requests for projects than we can fund. This program is the seed of a Minneapolis Green New Deal, and we should do everything we can to help it grow. For more information see https://youtu.be/8x8--BTHmqg?t=1402 and  https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-01116.

 

New Organics Drop-off Sites. The City is opening three new organics (food and other compostable waste) drop-off sites this fall in partnership with Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. These are intended to serve residents who live in apartment buildings where organics pick up is not offered. This includes one new drop-off site in the new Towerside Park in Prospect Park, as well as drop-offs at Holmes Park and Elliot Park. Two more drop-off sites will open in spring 2022. You can learn more at an upcoming educational session online from 6-7:00pm on Monday November. 1 and Tuesday November 9: Join session.  You can learn more at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/garbage-recycling-cleanup/organics-recycling/

 

Water Conservation. The City has lifted the even-odd water sprinkling restrictions as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has moved the Mississippi River Headwaters watershed to the drought watch phase and relaxed the goal of reducing water use.  While still well below normal, Mississippi River flows have been steadily recovering since mid-September. At the same time, Minneapolis and the City’s wholesale customers’ water use declined and have met target levels.

 

Street Sweeping. Fall street cleaning began in October and will continue into November During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed. You can learn more about fall street sweeping and how to find out when your street is scheduled for sweeping at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/parking-driving/street-sweep/

 

Leaves and Brush Collection. If the City collects your garbage, the pick-up day in the week of November 15 is the last 2021 collection for leaves, brush and other yard trimmings. Yard waste must be in compostable bags – paper (Kraft) or compostable plastic – or unbagged in a reusable container 32-38 gallons in size, at least 26 inches high, with sturdy handles. Anyone who has questions about leaf and brush pickup can call 612-673-2917 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can also find more information on https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/garbage-recycling-cleanup/.

 

Bring Your Own Bag. On Oct. 1, a City ordinance requiring a 5 cent fee for each carryout bag provided by a store goes into effect. Enforcement had paused temporarily when the pandemic began.  Carryout bags include any plastic, compostable, paper and reusable bags provided by the store. You can avoid paying the fee by bringing your own bags with you to the store. This fee is only charged when a store provides a new bag to a customer at checkout. You’re welcome to reuse any bags you already have.

 

October is Pedestrian Safety Month. Walking and rolling are great ways to get around our city, but we all have a responsibility to make it safer every month of the year. When driving please expect to see pedestrians everywhere, including at night; be sure to look for and yield to pedestrians when turning; come to a complete stop for people in crosswalks and allow for them to cross; never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk and slow down and travel at a safe speed (the speed limit is 20 mph in Minneapolis & Saint Paul unless otherwise posted). Learn more tips and pledge to travel safely at tcsafetycup.umn.edu.

 

Draft Neighborhood Traffic Calming. The City is also working to support pedestrian safety with more street investments to support traffic calming and visibility for pedestrians. Draft neighborhood traffic calming procedures were released last week and will help Public Works fairly, transparently, and equitably prioritize traffic calming improvements. Engagement will begin this fall to discuss the draft and a website will be launched within the next week. In the meantime, you can see a summary presentation of the draft procedures here https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCAV2/24726/11-Draft-Neighborhood-Traffic-Calming-Process-Presentation.pdf and the full draft traffic calming procedures at https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCAV2/24596/Draft-Neighborhood-Traffic-Calming-Guide.pdf.

 

New Shared Mobility Program Sought.  In October the Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the University of Minnesota agreed to issue a joint solicitation for vendors to receive licenses under a new shared bike and scooter program starting in the spring of 2022. The joint solicitation requests proposers provide a variety of shared mobility vehicles in the public right of way including classic bicycles, electric-assisted bicycles and motorized foot scooters. You can learn more about this at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2021/october/city-of-minneapolis-park-and-board-u-of-m-and-city-of-saint-paul-collaborating-on-shared-bike-scooter-program-/.

 

Bus Rapid E Line Proposed.  In September, Metro Transit released the E Line Draft Corridor Plan (https://www.metrotransit.org/e-line-project), which provides information on the proposed station locations and corridor-wide recommendations for routing, bus service, and bus priority treatments along what is now the #6 bus route, which includes some of the Ward 2 in the University and Prospect Park neighborhoods. The comment period ends October 31.  Council comments can be found at https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/8782.  Metro Transit will use feedback when developing a Recommended Plan in the spring of 2022 to bring to the Metropolitan Council for approval later in the year. Construction is targeted to begin in 2024, while construction of some stations will be coordinated with other projects and may be built sooner. The E Line is planned to open for service in 2025.

 

University and Fourth Streets Reconstruction. I was very glad to see the most recent design for University and Fourth Streets that I believe will result in safer and more comfortable streets for people walking, biking, and taking transit. This project will include a two-way protected bikeway on the south side of University, which I have strongly supported for years. It also includes a protected bikeway on 4th Street. You can see the layouts for the project here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCAV2/25019/University-Ave-SE-and-4th-St-SE-Street-Improvements-Project---Attachment-2---Project-Layout.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3ZaT4VPRac433ZpbKgADBp6pCi9WnVuCRqihl1q7nx7eaEMn8GyeiCHdg, and all of the supporting information here: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-01163.  This project is proposed to include a number of innovative designs including a protected intersection at 15th and University, and several 'floating' bus stops. It's a great opportunity to show what a true Complete Street looks like. Once this project (and the one-block connection to the existing Oak Street protected bikeway) is complete, it will be possible to bike nearly all the way around the University of Minnesota without leaving a protected facility.  I'm very thankful to Public Works staff for their years of work on this. The original designs from the county did not include the two-way bikeway on University, and I know that staff fought for the City's position - and that effort has culminated in a project that I think will be seen as a local model for how to build a people-friendly street.

 

Highway 55 from 32nd Street to 13th Avenue South. The State will perform concrete rehabilitation, bituminous milling and surfacing, accessibility improvements, signing, signals, lighting, bridge repair and other associated construction upon, along, and adjacent to Trunk Highway 55 from 32nd Street to 13th Avenue South. The City is entering into a cooperation agreement and the Council is likely to approve an estimated amount of $40,448 for signal construction and lighting improvement costs associated with the Trunk Highway 55 project. The work is anticipated to be completed in 2022. I hope that we can leverage this opportunity to improve the crossing along this corridor, especially for those pedestrians and bicyclists. For more information https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/8723

 

Public Works Contract Settled. I was happy to see that the City was able to successfully negotiate an acceptable contract with our Local 363 union. This union represents many workers in our Public Works department including those who provide essential services like street repair and solid waste and recycling removal. These workers have done an amazing job throughout the pandemic and I am glad that we were able to find a contract that works for them.  You can learn more at  https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-city-employees-with-liuna-local-363-accept-new-labor-contract-averting-strike/600110489/.

Credit Rating Upgrades. I am pleased to report that both the S&P Global and Fitch Bond Rating agencies have revised the outlook for City ahead of significant bond sales in October of $125.515M in General Obligation Bonds and $15.9 in Taxable General Obligation Housing Improvement Area Bonds. S&P has issued a AAA rating with a revised, stable outlook from a previous negative outlook. Fitch has issued a rating of AA+ with a positive outlook from a previous stable outlook. This upward movement in the ratings reflects the City’s continued resilience during a challenging period and the confidence in the financial planning and economic conditions for the next few years. Rating agencies have applauded the City’s detailed five-year financial forecast as this level of planning is significant in the current fiscal and economic context.  S&P states that the City has been able to create a multiyear roadmap for dealing with various, concurrent challenges that are unique in character and scope, allowing for a structured response that aims to address these challenges while preserving the city's reserves and fiscal health.  

 

New Director of Regulatory Services.  With my strong support, the Council has approved the appointment of Saray Garnett-Hochuli to the position of Director of Regulatory Services for the unexpired term ending January 3, 2022. I believe she has done an outstanding job as interim directory and I hope she can continue serving in that capacity next year as well.

 

Neighborhood Parks and Street Funding. The Council has amended the Parks Streets ordinance that was passed in 2016 and provided funding for improvements to both over a 20-year period.  As stipulated in the Article, funding for Neighborhood Parks was to remain flat for the first 5 years of the plan (2017-2021), before increasing to address inflation beginning in 2022. Following a review of a consultants’ report and the Council has approved an increase in annual funding for Neighborhood Parks from $10.5 million to $11.5 million (a $1 million increase) beginning in 2022, plus assumed 3.34% inflation each year afterward through 2026. This action only concerns the Neighborhood Parks funding as funding levels for Street Infrastructure currently include inflationary assumptions.

 

Upper Harbor Plan. The City Council has approved the Upper Harbor Coordinated Plan creating parkland, public infrastructure, housing, production space, community-supporting commercial space, a community hub and a community performing arts center. I believe that significant improvements were made to an earlier plan that preserves better public access to that park areas and the river, long term public ownership of the theater area and dedicated funding from the leases to help prevent displacement and create wealth for current residents on the North Side. The estimated $350 million development of the Upper Harbor will occur over many years in multiple phases with the expectation at the end to include 19.5 acres of new parkland and river access, 520 units of housing, 45,000 square feet of commercial space, a 7,000 to 10,000 person performing arts center, a health and wellness-oriented community hub, 160,000 to 180,000 square feet of production space to support an estimated 300 living wage jobs and new parkway, bicycle and pedestrian trails and related infrastructure. You can Learn more at http://upperharbormpls.com/ and https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-01069.

 

Hiawatha Facility and Roof Dept. I was very disappointed in October when a narrow Council Majority successfully changed what had appeared to be a resolution to the City facility relocation plan at the Roof Depot site in East Phillips. They reversed a previous action that I have long supported that would have saved the historic Roof Depot Building, moved the new City facility to another location and created a pathway forward for the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) to earn development rights for a proposed Urban Farm Project. Instead, the Council Majority and Mayor, without the support of myself and 5 other Council Members, have approved moving forward with the construction of a new water yard facility at the Roof Depot site, that includes demolition of the existing building, and then setting aside roughly 3-acres of land for possible future private and hopefully community supported redevelopment. You can find more information at https://sahanjournal.com/climate/roof-depot-minneapolis-east-phillips-public-works-city-council/

 

Recovery and Rubble Removal. This month we are coming to the end of the emergency rubble removal program initiated last October. Seventeen of the eighteen properties identified in the program with more than 75% damage posing a serious and immediate danger to community are complete.  The final one, 2815 E Lake St, is in the permitting process. Our program helped clean up 7 of the 18 sites and private insurance funded the other 11. We spent $953,628 of the $2 million budget and property owner insurance payments contributed $39,400 towards the rubble cleanup. The City waived the special assessment for the cleanup of these properties, amounting to $914,228 and was successful in securing $1.2 million for 4 property owners to assist in the rebuilding process. We have also waived fees for demolition and land use applications from each of these properties and expedited approvals for rebuilding. Special thanks go to Ken Staloch, Suado Abdi, and Jennifer Rudlong-Smith, from our Community Planning and Economic Development Department, who worked directly property owners. With the program coming to an end, staff is recommending that we reappropriate the remaining rubble removal budget back to our small business lending program.  This move will allow for the City to meet the growing demand for 2% Loans and allow us to quickly lend the funds out to small businesses.

Rebuilding Progress. As of this October the City has issued permits for over $175 million in unrest related rebuilding.  These are permits across the City and show that many property owners and businesses are rebounding.  The City estimated around $350 million in damages as a result of the unrest in 2020 and the permit activity shows substantial progress to recover from those damages.  As with the rubble program, Development Services has waived land use application fees and created an expedited process to review and issue permits.  The City continues to work with community-based organizations and provide direct support to assess needs and are monitoring many planned commercial and housing developments on the corridors and working to deploy federal funding, especially to our designated Cultural Districts.

 

Malcolm Yards Affordable Housing.  The State and City have approved funding for the Malcolm Yards Housing project in Prospect Park at 495 Malcolm Ave SE.  The City has approved a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan, Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocation and the use of Housing Revenue Bonds to support the project and the state has awarded Redevelopment Grant funds for demolition and public infrastructure improvements on the 2.37-acre site. In addition to shorter term construction jobs, the project is anticipated to create three permanent jobs, increase the tax base by $225,979 and result in a 143-unit apartment building with all the apartments considered affordable for families making at or below 60 percent of the defined Area Medium Income. It will have 11 efficiencies, 117 one-bedroom, and 15 two-bedroom units affordable to households between 30% and 60% of area median income. Hennepin County will provide 16 Housing Support assisted units to this project, which are set aside for those experiencing long-term homelessness and people with disabilities. The project will remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years. For more details see http://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-01059.

 

Towerside District Energy System. After years of work, the Council has unanimously voted to finance the Towerside Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage district energy system. This is a major victory for our climate, for the Towerside area, and for Prospect Park. The plan includes a $2 million subordinated loan from the City’s Common Bond Fund reserves, and additional resources from the McKnight Foundation. I see this as a clear, concrete way for us to make good on the commitment we made through our Climate Emergency Declaration. I also see it as a tremendous model for future large-scale developments. We know that natural gas is the largest single source of carbon pollution in Minneapolis, and this kind of system can heat and cool every building connected to it with carbon-free energy. Read more: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2021/september/city-council-approves-support-for-towerside-district-energy-system/ 

 

Walgreens on East Lake.  The plans for a new Walgreens store at 3121 Lake St E, have been submitted and reviewed by the City Planning Commission. The commission approved the site plan to allow for the reconstruction of a drug store The Planning Commission adopted the staff recommendations to require more windows and better materials that were proposed with one change to allow for a mural where the blank wall exists on the rear elevation, facing south. I was glad to see that the new Walgreens will meet the City’s minimum window standards on all three street-facing sides and that the exterior materials will be improved, particularly on the south side facing residential. This action will bring them closer to what was previously approved for the site. They plan to start construction next year.

 

Minnesota School of Barbering. The City has approved loaning $190,000 from our Commercial Property Development Fund (CPDF) to help Lamberto Veragara purchase the Minnesota School of Barbering property located at 3613 Lake St E. Lamberto is a graduate of the school and owner of LV's Barbershop located at 3006 27th Ave S that has been operating for 11 years, and was damaged during the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The purchase of 3613 Lake St E will allow LV's Barbershop to own its space as well as of the School.

 

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.  Cam will be holding open office hours on Mondays from 9:30 – 11:00am as follows:  

  • First and Third Mondays at Dogwood Café at4021 E Lake St.  
  • Second and Fourth Mondays at Black Waffle and Coffee at 1500 Como Ave SE.

 

 

 

 

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