Council Member, Second Ward
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ward2<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fward2&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=1NbQx4U5q%2Fb77WC1rXVJ4APiA8QIrvsN1MyjvD15VAg%3D&reserved=0>
http://secondward.blogspot.com<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsecondward.blogspot.com&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=vCh0goVRzxWgPtsup9nPrI11c4rshHShnxbV2817zMM%3D&reserved=0>
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Meeting on Housing Policy. Please join Council Member Warsame and me Thursday,
March 8th from 7 – 9 pm at Matthews Park, 2318 29th Ave S, for a community
meeting on housing with a focus on Wards 2 and 6. There we will discuss housing
concerns, goals and strategies for improvement in our Wards and throughout
Minneapolis. This is one is series of meetings that I will be using to help
develop the work plan of the City Council’s new Housing Policy and Development
Committee that I am chairing. The Committee will have oversight of all policy
related to the health, safety and affordability of housing and oversees all
matters related to homelessness prevention, housing opportunities, fair housing
and housing finance, including residential real estate development,
redevelopment and land sales.
Future of Neighborhood Organizations. The City is seeking feedback on a draft
plan, called the Neighborhoods 2020 Roadmap, through April 30th. The
Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC) will hold an open forum
on this at their next full commission meeting on Tuesday, March 27th from
5:00-7:00pm at the Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room, 300 Nicollet
Mall. The plan presents three different approaches to neighborhood funding,
programming and support services in preparation for an end to the City’s
current funding scheme that has been supporting community engagement and
neighborhood organization work for decades. This scheme, which used revenues
from a special Consolidated Taxing District created by the city and authorized
by the state legislature, will continue to provide funds for this work through
December 31, 2020 subject to annual City Council budget approval. New funding
is proposed to start January 1, 2021. After a community engagement process that
concludes in April, recommendations to the city council will be developed and
potentially considered by the Council in November 2018. You can find the report
at
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@ncr/documents/webcontent/wcmsp-208855.pdf<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fwww%2Fgroups%2Fpublic%2F%40ncr%2Fdocuments%2Fwebcontent%2Fwcmsp-208855.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=0WaHesQdZ6rjpkneYx4qyslbqq1FUSx04M%2FUue9WVM8%3D&reserved=0>
You can sign up for updates at
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/2020<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fncr%2F2020&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=%2Bhg1nLkd4HYyrNHHWW6BpWyU5Tgo%2FvhrU47Wq%2FfwBgw%3D&reserved=0>
Comments can be submitted to
<email obscured><mailto:NCR@minneapolismn.gov>.
Racial Equity Community Advisory Committee Vacancies. The Racial Equity
Community Advisory Committee that I led the effort to establish late last year
is poised to begin work this year. This group will serve as an advisory board
to the City Council, Mayor and City Departments on City policies, practices,
budget and other matters that it determines to be appropriate, related to
addressing racism and racial inequities and promoting racial justice and racial
equity in the City enterprise and in the City as a whole. It will also advise
the Racial Equity Steering Committee on the creation and implementation of the
Racial Equity Action Plan, and provide an annual evaluation report to the
community on the City’s progress addressing racial inequities and closing
racial disparities. This is critically important work and need skilled people
who are passionate about this work to apply. The committee is comprised of 17
voting members. At least one member from each of the 13 wards are appointed by
the City Council and two members are appointed by the Mayor, with one seat
available to a person appointed by the Minneapolis School Board and one by the
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, with a priority on racial balance.
Members serve two-year terms. For more information you can contact the Division
of Race and Equity, 612-673-2032, or
<email obscured><mailto:Raceequity@minneapolismn.gov>. The
application deadline is Friday, March 30, 2018.
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. The Council has approved the details
of a new position of Director for the soon to open new Office of Immigrant and
Refugee Affairs. The new office that will support immigrant and refugee
communities and residents, collaborate with community stakeholders on
immigration and refugee issues, and serve as resource, for other community
organizations serving immigrants and refugees .You can learn more about the
position here
http://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCA/3311/Director,%20Office%20of%20Immigrant%20and%20Refugee%20Affairs.pdf<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FRCA%2F3311%2FDirector%2C%2520Office%2520of%2520Immigrant%2520and%2520Refugee%2520Affairs.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=kUWJr11M7bRwmmwJ2g6usiptS%2F2qd9%2Fcg7bDLFAnp4k%3D&reserved=0>
Students Against Gun Violence. In response to the Parkland shootings in
Florida, hundreds of students from Minneapolis Middle and High Schools marched
to City Hall on February 21st to call for better regulation of firearms. Some
students addressed our Intergovernmental Relations Committee before a vote was
taken to add the following to our legislative agenda: “to support legislation
that bans the sale statewide of assault weapons, bump stocks, silencers, and
extended magazines.” To see a run-down of the City’s formal position on gun
legislation at the state level look here:
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/881/Gun%20Violence%20Prevention.pdf<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FFile%2F881%2FGun%2520Violence%2520Prevention.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=Os5VWtJZ3d4CSqophWweJY%2B7dN%2BpMcXZPn8%2Fqw%2BMEJs%3D&reserved=0>
Our position on the federal level legislation is that “Congress and the
Administration: oppose legislation that will create unsafe federal gun purchase
safety standards, including legislation that removes right to carry
restrictions across borders and lessens mental health criteria for gun buyers;
support funding for the Center for Disease Control to resume studying the
causes of gun violence; and support efforts to curb suicide rates and domestic
abuse violence related to firearms.” Here is a written statement from Students
Against Gun Violence “In conjunction with students nationwide, we are demanding
that our voices be heard. It is unacceptable that we continue to feel unsafe in
schools as a result of gun violence. It is unacceptable that our
representatives continue to put the interests of the NRA over our safety. We
demand that our lawmakers pass regulations to make it more difficult for
assaults rifles to fall in the hands of those proven to have violent intent.
We urge our fellow community members to use their power in the coming election
to vote our politicians who have accepted donations from/been bought by the
National Rifle Association. As our representatives, we urge our city, state and
federal officials to take out voices in account.”
House Tables Bills Aimed at Preventing Gun Violence. The Minnesota House Public
Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee heard two gun violence
prevention bills on in late February. One (HF 1669) would expand criminal
background checks on private sales and transfers and the other (HF 1605) would
create a new gun violence protection order in statute that would allow family
members and law enforcement to petition the courts to temporarily remove
firearms from individuals who have demonstrated that they may be a significant
danger to themselves or others. Both are authored by Rep. David Pinto (DFL-St.
Paul). Unfortunately, following a public hearing the committee voted to take
now action and both bills were tabled indefinitely.
Youth Violence Prevention Update. In February the (newly renamed) Public
Health, Environment, Civil Rights and Engagement (PECE) committee received an
update on the City’s youth violence prevention work. We learned that youth
(18-24 year olds) homicides were down from 17 in 2015 and 10 in 2016 to 7 in
2017. This included 2 children under 18 and one of those was under 10. The
number should be zero. The total number of youth violent crime victims was also
down, to 1,615 from 1,820 last and is the lowest it has been since we started
tracking this in 2006 when it was at 2,718. The update included information
about specific programs including Group Violence Intervention, Inspiring Youth,
Coaching Boys to Men and a new program on to stop Commercial Sexual
Exploitation and Sex Trafficking. You can see the slides from the presentation
here
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/891/Youth%20Violence%20Prevention%20Presentation.pdf<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FFile%2F891%2FYouth%2520Violence%2520Prevention%2520Presentation.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=1QtuzDTCcst80EdZjAsfH%2BPi0JoZadfcCuqE6%2BHfXGk%3D&reserved=0>
During the discussion we learned that the Youth Violence Prevention Executive
Committee had not met since 2016 and then moved and the Committee unanimously
supported directing staff to work with stakeholders, including the City Council
and Mayor's offices, and return to the Public Health, Environment, Civil Rights
& Engagement Committee by June 18, 2018, with recommendations on the future of
the Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee.
Next Step. At the PECE committee we also learned about Next Step, a hospital
based program that provides case workers for youth and young adult (10-28)
victims of violent injury treated at HCMC. It aims to reduce the rate of
violent re-injury and re-hospitalization for youth and young adults who are
victims of violent assault injuries by interrupting the cycle of recurrent
violence and supporting positive development and holistic healing for victims
and families who are affected by violence. Of the174 participants they have
served since July 15, 2016 only 3 have be readmitted for violent injuries
again. This is a significant success, because the national rate of readmittance
for violent injuries is closer to 40%. We learned after the report on the Next
Step program to the committee that a state grant has been awarded to the City
so that we can expand it to North Memorial Hospital as well. Here was a
television news story on this from 2017:
http://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/breaking-the-news/hospital-intervention-program-helps-reduce-violence/464972052<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kare11.com%2Farticle%2Fentertainment%2Ftelevision%2Fprograms%2Fbreaking-the-news%2Fhospital-intervention-program-helps-reduce-violence%2F464972052&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=nYksnxWq95Z3YIqYPzwXAehAMHFQ2j2RRc6Cagv6gvg%3D&reserved=0>
Youth Violence Prevention Week. Minneapolis will recognize Youth Violence
Prevention Week from Sunday, March 31 - Saturday, April 7, 2018. The deadline
for proposals from youth-centered programs to host an event was March first,
but if you have ideas please contact Erin Sikkink
(<email obscured><mailto:erin.sikkink@minneapolismn.gov>). For
more information see
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health/youth/yvp/preventionweek<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fhealth%2Fyouth%2Fyvp%2Fpreventionweek&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564129323&sdata=llGhoi8lUuH%2Bc8e0%2FNClKPE7oJ0DKgyBWLum%2FzCSC00%3D&reserved=0>
Youth Coordinating Board Leadership. In February I stepped down as chair of
the Youth Coordinating Board and 3 years and proudly moved and voted to turn
that role over to Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene. I will continue
to serve on the Executive Committee as an at large member along with Marion,
Don Samuels (Vice – Char), Londel French and Major Jacob Frey.
2017 Approved Construction Project. In 2017 the City approved construction
projects that total of $1.497 billion of new building investments. Following is
the total valuation of building permits for the past several years -- 2000:
$1.142 billion; 2001: $975.8 million; 2002: $889.2 million; 2003: $852.2
million; 2004: $944.7 million; 2005: $855.2 million; 2006: $839.6 million;
2007: $761.3 million; 2008: $772.5 million; 2009: $778 million; 2010: $547.6
million; 2011: $752.8 million; 2012: $1.118 billion; 2013: $1.211 billion;
2014: $2 billion; 2015: $1.4 billion; 2016: $1.757 billion; 2017: $1.497
billion. Most of the construction was for apartment buildings, commercial
buildings and hotels. Last year, permits were issued for 2,530 new dwelling
units, 196 new hotel rooms, including the new the Double Tree University in
Ward 2 at 511 Huron Blvd SE. The total permit valuation in ward two was
$106,857,415. Clearly the current trend is for more construction of housing
units in the City, especially high end apartments.
New Online Resources for Small Businesses. In February the city launched a new
online tool to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners to the
information and resources needed to plan, launch and grow a business in
Minneapolis. The online “portal” (at
business.minneapolismn.gov<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbusiness.minneapolismn.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=VO9ilXH6I7iaeG6njK36%2B5UTH0H3jRwY29R5BnGrczY%3D&reserved=0>,)
has a variety of resources to help both new and existing businesses and was
developed in consultation with entrepreneurs and business support organizations
across the City to test and customize the platform to meet the needs of
businesses in Minneapolis. It includes “starter guides” that lay out the steps
to start common types of businesses, including restaurants, daycare centers,
catering businesses, contractors, food trucks, and barbershops. The team has
also been doing direct outreach to businesses in the community, providing
information about the City’s Sick and Safe and Municipal Minimum Wage
ordinances and collecting feedback about common challenges small business
owners face.
Minneapolis Homes Program. In February the City sold over 30 properties for the
construction or rehabilitation of at least 30 homes. Twenty-five of them were
sold as part of the City’s Minneapolis Homes Development Assistance Program. As
a result, over close to 30 vacant lots and/or homes will be built or
redeveloped and added to our housing stock to provide affordable home ownership
opportunities to more people in our city. For more details visit
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/1903<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FRCA%2F1903&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=8EOCJjbtWsUB%2FG21qzDIjtTsFeOJV3g79bQS2VQcVc0%3D&reserved=0>
Eviction Report. In February the Housing committee received a disturbing
presentation on evictions in Minneapolis. In their research the staff found
that over 3,000 Minneapolis evictions are filed in the 4th District Housing
Court each year. These cases are disproportionately concentrated in just a few
neighborhoods and are major issues facing renters in low income and minority
neighborhoods, affecting nearly half of renter households in some areas of our
City. When comparing the number of eviction filings to the number of estimated
renter households, between 45-48% of renter households in zip codes, 55411 and
55412, experienced a filing in the past 3 years. The report concluded that
addressing high levels of eviction is critical for housing stability, access,
and quality and recommends that the City work to implement targeted strategies
to address high-evictions properties and reduce evictions. It specifically
recommends re-examining our Conduct on Premises ordinance, developing a
comprehensive legislative agenda and strategy for changes at the state level,
supporting additional tenant resources and exploring additional policy tools
for tenant protections. You can find the full report and more information at
http://innovateminneapolis.com/reducing-evictions/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Finnovateminneapolis.com%2Freducing-evictions%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=N%2BWVhfnaFoeOswxMYKHLOsh1E%2BPfujDEk6%2BFftPJoHc%3D&reserved=0>
Conduct on Premises Ordinance. In response to the concerns about evictions
Council Members Cunningham, Ellison and I have begun the work of amending our
Conduct on Premises ordinance. We want to ensure that it is effective in
helping landlords manage tenant behavior but not force, or even encourage
evictions, when they are not necessary or justified.
U of M Gentrification Study. In February I attended an interesting presentation
by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Regional and Urban Affairs (CURA)
researchers on gentrification in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. They shared
information about what kind of neighborhood change is happening, examining
census and housing market data, but also the perceptions of people living and
working in various neighborhoods within both cities. You can find more
information here
http://gentrification.umn.edu/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgentrification.umn.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=SbeZJLTfRby%2B3kGmNdiOcpGoHz%2BBa4FjTs3mNJPOjFk%3D&reserved=0>
Department Head Reappointments. Mayor Frey has begun the process of nominating
people for appointment to the various department heads that require
reappointment for two year terms this winter. In the next few months the
Council will need to approve new directors for the Assessor, City Coordinator,
Civil Rights, Community Planning and Economic Development, the Fire Department,
Health Department, Police Department, Public Works, and Regulatory Services.
The Police Chief’s term will not be up until the end of this year. Spence Cronk
has left his position as City Coordinator so that is the only position that is
currently vacant. At the last Executive Committee meeting he brought forward
three names for reappointment, Patrick Todd for City Assessor, Robin Hutcheson
for Director of Public Works and Susan Segal for City Attorney. I supported the
first two in the Committee and abstained from voting on the City Attorney. I
have voted against the City Attorney’s reappointment in the past and will
likely do so again. On March 9th, following public hearings held at the
appropriate committees, the Council will vote to approve or disapprove of these
appointments. The Mayor has announced his plans to nominate David Frank and
Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde the official department heads of CPED and the
Coordinator’s Office, respectively.
Reappointment of Director of Public Works. The Transportation and Public Works
Committee voted unanimously, with my strong support, to reappoint Robin
Hutcheson to the position of Director of Public Works following a public
hearing on February 27. The Council will take a vote on it on March 7th. I
have been very impressed with Robin Hutcheson’s thoughtful, responsive
leadership so far during her first term, and her willingness to push for growth
and change in the way we build and maintain our infrastructure. I look forward
to working with her in the years ahead.
City Assessor. The Executive Committee voted unanimously, with my strong
support, to nominate Patrick Todd to be reappointed to the position of City
Assessor. The Council will vote on this matter March 7 following the public
hearing before the Ways and Means Committee for on March 6. I have found
Patrick to be a thoughtful, professional and proactive assessor and plan to
vote for his reappointment.
Reappointment of City Attorney. Mayor Frey’s nomination of Susan Segal to be
reappointed as City Attorney has met with some community concerns and also hit
a bump with the Council Process when it failed to secure the needed 3 votes to
pass the Executive Committee but was erroneously forwarded to the Council
anyway. At the February Executive Committee meeting there were 2 votes in favor
of her nomination and 2 abstentions. The rules of the 5-member committee
require 3 affirmative votes for passage of any motion. In response to this the
Mayor has called a special meeting of the Executive Committee meeting for
Monday March 5th, at which the Executive Committee sent the nomination to the
full Council, for consideration at its meeting on Friday, March 9. There will
be a public hearing on this March 7th at 1:30pm, and the Council may vote to
continue the nomination into the next Council cycle. While I consider Susan
Segal to be a skilled, knowledgeable and hardworking City Attorney I do have
reservations about supporting her reappointment and will likely cast a no vote
on March 9th when it come up to the Council for final approval. To learn more
about the Council’s misstep in following our own rules see
http://www.startribune.com/after-breaking-own-rules-committee-to-redo-nomination-vote-for-minneapolis-city-attorney/475470633/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.startribune.com%2Fafter-breaking-own-rules-committee-to-redo-nomination-vote-for-minneapolis-city-attorney%2F475470633%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=YPWDeJEUzOuNwGE3o3fM3UNst9Kjwpx41DhvXGngCWM%3D&reserved=0>
You can find some details about concerns others have about this reappointment
at
http://www.nlgmn.org/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nlgmn.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=j1tX7lFZdgG%2Bp1lCQ9qRMoF%2FEY0LkIAAkGsLSw25V7U%3D&reserved=0>
and
http://southsidepride.com/2017/12/11/we-need-a-new-city-attorney/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsouthsidepride.com%2F2017%2F12%2F11%2Fwe-need-a-new-city-attorney%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=qSHTgEDer70F2Mqtnavtp6D8%2FRm%2BJF%2B%2BhtRi3Ts0Vag%3D&reserved=0>
Chief Resilience Officer. I was disappointed to learn that Kate Knuth was
stepping down as our resilience officer. I am sorry that we've lost Ms. Knuth
in this position. She's a talented person, and I wish her well in her future
endeavors.
http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-chief-resilience-officer-steps-down/473945953/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.startribune.com%2Fminneapolis-chief-resilience-officer-steps-down%2F473945953%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=A2DLQKNs%2BEfMHnkvSFcB9fnDthsMORa6Ub%2B2UKg5TKc%3D&reserved=0>
Annie Young Park. On February 7th I was happy to join the Park Board at their
meeting sharing comments about Annie Young, the former park commissioner who
passed away in January after serving 28 years on the Park Board. At the
meeting the Park Board approved renaming Lower Riverside Park as Annie Young
Meadow in her honor. A memorial for Annie Young will be held there on March 17
at 10:00am. This is the part of the park that is down the embankment on the
west river bank just north of the Franklin Ave Bridge. They are also
considering renaming all of Riverside Park in her honor, but some of the nearby
residents are have concerns about this, and there is more process underway to
assess this idea.
http://www.journalmpls.com/news/parks/2018/02/part-of-riverside-park-renamed-for-annie-young/<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.journalmpls.com%2Fnews%2Fparks%2F2018%2F02%2Fpart-of-riverside-park-renamed-for-annie-young%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=y6cu1%2BWIdpjsfd0J1SizHUjpIp%2B2VBXVkdImxZ7gyy4%3D&reserved=0>
Judy Farmer. I was sorry to learn that longtime Second Ward resident and former
School Board Member and President Judy Farmer has died. Her family is planning
a celebration of her life from 2 to 4 p.m. April 7 at the Minneapolis Woman’s
Club.
http://m.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000244555/?fullname=judith-lehman-farmer<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.startribune.com%2Fobituaries%2Fdetail%2F0000244555%2F%3Ffullname%3Djudith-lehman-farmer&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=3ba6CryZjMpKzO%2FnNck3W6lRrEC6ryFBFOwLc4foFjY%3D&reserved=0>
Stone Arch Bridge. After learning about concerns about the need for significant
repairs to the Stone Arch Bridge, the Council added language to our legislative
agenda to support a request for financial support from the state for
rehabilitation.
Minneapolis Music History. The City has been awarded grant funding from the
Minnesota Historical Society to complete a study into the history of music in
Minneapolis and I recently accepted the offer to sit on the Music Context Study
Steering Committee that will help to guide the study process that will be
managed by our planning department with support from Hess Roise Historical
Consultants. I am very excited about this study that is scheduled to be
submitted in October, which will identify and document a wide range of music
genres and the places that have played an important role in developing and
sustaining Minneapolis music. To help get started there will be two community
engagement events this month: March 20 at the Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway
Ave, and March 29 at Inbound Brewery, 701 N 5th St. To learn more and take a
survey to share your ideas please go to
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/hpc/WCMSP-208555<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fhpc%2FWCMSP-208555&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=99N5p%2BJYbg9W8OEfbLuAWjd%2F7L5J0Cc4iB1Hi8zfbN8%3D&reserved=0>
Block Leader Training. The 3rd precinct police are offering Block Leader
Trainings Tuesday April 4 and Monday June 11 from 6:30 – 8pm. Block clubs
offer a great tool for crime prevention and community building and in order to
better connected to the Police Department a leader is key. The training will
help you learn what block clubs do, how to organize your neighbors so you can
have a direct impact on preventing crime and be prepared to work with neighbors
and the police if there is a problem on your block. For more contact
<email obscured><mailto:Karen.notsch@minneapolismn.gov>.
Ethical Practices Board. The Council has held a hearing for the two new
appointees recommended to serve on the Ethical Practices Board and I am
confident that Walter Bauch will be reappointments and that Mehmet
Konar-Steenberg will be appointed early in March. Mehmet is a Ward 2 Seward
resident who served on the neighborhood group board in the past and is
currently working as a law professor at Mitchell Hamlin School of Law. I was
delighted to see that he had applied and believe he will make an outstanding
member of the Board.
Open Streets. The Council has approved all but one of the routes for the 2018
Minneapolis Open Streets events to be held this summer. Open Streets are events
that close a street or streets to motorized traffic and open it up for general
use by the public, notably those walking and bicycling. The events are free to
the public and provide an opportunity for people to engage in physical
activity, meet their neighbors, and discover new businesses in different
neighborhoods around the city. 100,000 people participated in eight events. The
routes approved that include Ward 2 neighborhoods this year include Franklin
Portland Ave S to 28th Ave S 1.8; East Lake/Minnehaha on Lake Street from
Elliot Ave to Minnehaha Ave, then on Minnehaha Ave to Minnehaha Pkwy/Godfrey
Pkwy for a total of 3.8 miles; University of Minnesota area on 14th Ave SE from
5th St SE to University Ave SE, then on University Ave SE to Oak St SE, then on
Oak St SE from University Ave SE to East River Parkway for 1.2 miles. Other
routes will be on West Broadway, in Northeast, on Nicollet, on Lyndale and
downtown.
Hateful Flyer in Cedar Riverside. In February, hateful flyers were distributed
in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood that were intended to intimidate and
discourage residents so that they would not participate in civic activity,
including political party caucuses. In response Council Member Warsame and I
released a strong statement on the people of Cedar Riverside to “respond to
these acts of hate the way we always have: by continuing to show up, speak out,
participate, vote, and use your passion and talents to make our society
better.” You can find the full statement here
https://www.facebook.com/camgordonward2/photos/a.463614340467597.1073741829.453149924847372/911254802370213/?type=3&theater<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcamgordonward2%2Fphotos%2Fa.463614340467597.1073741829.453149924847372%2F911254802370213%2F%3Ftype%3D3%26theater&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=iiD0NoLVpU8R4g%2FeWWSYnKqE9uF5yZO4GFIAxQ0tLWU%3D&reserved=0>
U of M Protected Bikeway. The Council has approved the layout for the
University of Minnesota Protected Bikeways Project, found at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2018-00122<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2018-00122&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=xkVh7VbD88TYaHn%2F40dOB1CpFPvTAwjaOYBiBrZZOTI%3D&reserved=0>
The project consists of new protected bike lanes connecting the University of
Minnesota and the surrounding neighborhoods of Como, Marcy Holmes, and Cedar
Riverside including on 18th Avenue from East Hennepin Ave to Como Ave SE;
Rollins Ave SE from 15th to 18th Aves; 15th Ave from Rollins to University;
10th Ave SE from 8th St to University; 19th Ave So from 2nd St S to Riverside;
4th Street So from 19th to 20th Aves; and, 20th Ave from 4th St So to Minnehaha
Ave S. Improvements will include signal improvements, new signage, and new
pavement markings. While approving the layout, the Council also directed staff
to explore opportunities to upgrade the physical protection of the protected
bikeway on 15th Ave SE from candlestick bollards to a more robust form of
protection where feasible, and to pursue this as soon as practical.
Locomotive Fire Near Kasota Ave. In February, fire fighters responded to
locomotive freight train that was on fire in the area of 500 Kasota Ave. The
locomotive was reported to be carrying between 2000 – 4000 gallons of diesel
fuel in its tanks. Crews laid hand lines across the tracks and successfully
extinguished the fire before there was a larger catastrophe.
University of Minnesota Child Development Center. I was surprised and troubled
to learn that the University of Minnesota Administration intends close the
University of Minnesota Child Development Center. This has been a highly
respected Second Ward institution throughout my time on the City Council, and
well before. Since the closing of the Center has been announced I have received
a number of calls and emails with concerns from constituents and others. No one
has expressed support for closing it. Everyone is raising questions. Clearly,
the center provides a valuable resource for University staff, students and
faculty. Clearly, it is a valued community resource to others who serve and
teach children throughout the state. So in the days to come, I will be reaching
out to the University and asking them to reconsider this decision. I will seek
to better understand why it was made, listen to parents and others who are
concerned about the loss of this beloved program, and offer to work with all of
them to keep it open or find an alternative that would allow the Center to
remain in operation elsewhere. I have also signed this petition urging a halt
the Center's planned closure and for a commitment to its preservation. I invite
you to do the same.
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLScM5PkgkywKMXSJgj…/viewform<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLScM5PkgkywKMXSJgjE1qMaeKZRHnG832fWeSS6EC-i7cNo2dA%2Fviewform&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=1ByRRL%2BwSccNu9ckzb2qxVDZP9SExFg8VG3jP7koZUo%3D&reserved=0>
Minnehaha Commons. The council has approved accepting a Metropolitan Council
Livable Communities Local Housing Incentive Account (LHIA) grant award for
Minnehaha Commons at 3001 East Lake St in the amount of $250,000. Alliance
Housing, Inc. is partnering with the Touchstone Mental Health to create
Minnehaha Commons, a supportive service project for extremely low income
seniors who have experienced homelessness. The proposed development project
consists of a 31,500 sq. ft. three-story building with 43 studio apartments.
The property will have a community room, service provider space/office,
property management office, laundry room and front desk on the first floor.
There will be a tenant lounge area on the second and third floors and an
outdoor patio for informal gatherings. The building also includes adequate
storage space to hold property for required time periods when tenants leave
without notice.
Fresh Thyme Liquor License. On March 13 at 1:30pm there will be public hearing
in City Hall room 317 on the application we have for a liquor license for the
soon to open Fresh Thyme Grocery store at 26 30th Avenue Southeast near the
Prospect Park Station. Anyone is welcome to comment on the application from
Fresh Thyme Liquor for an Off-Sale Liquor License to operate a liquor store.
People can also submit comments in writing to contact Inspector Greg Buenning
at <email obscured><mailto:greg.buenning@minneapolismn.gov>
Aeon Prospect Park. The Council has accepted a Metropolitan Council Livable
Communities Local Housing Incentive Account (LHIA) grant award for Aeon
Prospect Park at 3001 4th St SE in the amount of $382,000.
Rezoning for Bunge Project. The Zoning and Planning Committee has voted to
recommend approval of an application submitted by Urbanworks Architecture to
rezone the properties located at 901 12th Ave SE, 901 1/2 12th Ave SE, 913 12th
Ave SE, 1200 Brook Ave SE, and 1206 Brook Ave SE to add the IL Industrial
Living Overlay District (retaining the UA University Area Overlay District) to
redevelop the former Bunge Grain Elevator site to 145 dwelling units of
multiple-family housing. This is small but critical step in the redevelopment
of this area into affordable housing unit while preserving the head house as a
land mark. For some more details see
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCA/3710/Bunge%20staff%20report.pdf<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FRCA%2F3710%2FBunge%2520staff%2520report.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564285578&sdata=D7q6aNZQw4JCDrtVDHQpmYKhVDjvDHrHFNv9%2FdJwrxs%3D&reserved=0>
Bunge, Riverton & PPL. The City has accepted grants from the Metropolitan
Council’s Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA) in the amount of $73,500 for
soil remediation to support Project for Pride in Living (PPL) and Riverton
Community Housing’s construction of two apartment buildings and restoration of
the Head House on site of the former Bunge grain elevators near Van Cleve Park.
The Council also accepted grants from Hennepin County's Environmental Response
Fund (ERF) in the amounts of $34,500 and $185,260 to be used for demolition,
hazmat abatement, and soil remediation.
Malcolm Yards, at 445 Malcolm Ave SE, 501 Malcolm Ave SE, 518 Malcolm Ave SE,
419 29th Ave SE, 504 29th Ave SE and 501 30th Ave SE, was awarded $45,700 from
the Met Council to assist in Wall Development Company’s redevelopment almost 17
acres in Towerside near the University. The funds will be used to investigate
soil conditions. The eventual project will consist of mixed-use
commercial/industrial and residential development, generating several hundred
thousand square feet of space and up to 600 residential units. The projected
total development cost is $200,000,000.
Midtown Corner Senior Housing. The City has accepted grant funds for a proposed
project at the old Rainbow Grocery Store parking lot in Longfellow at 2901 26th
Ave S. The Metropolitan Council grant award of $85,600; and State Department of
Employment and Economic Development Award of $98,800 will assist with
Wellington Management’s plans to construct a mixed-use affordable housing
project with 90 senior apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space on a
portion of the parking lot. The projected total development cost is
$19,990,238. The awarded grant funds will be used primarily for soil
remediation.
Corridors of Commerce Program. On March 9th I expect the Council to support
the Transportation and Public Works Committee’s recommendation pass of
resolution expressing the City's support for projects submitted to the
Minnesota Department of Transportation Corridors of Commerce program that
includes funding for the Hi-Lake Interchange Reconfiguration project that would
make significant improvements to the area on East Lake Street under the Highway
55 bridge near the Light Rail station. The Minnesota Department of
Transportation (MN DOT) has decided to fund/approve $400 million of projects
statewide in 2018 through a competitive selection of projects on the trunk
highway system, targeting transportation routes identified as important links
for regional and statewide economic growth. I am very glad that the Hi-Lake
project tis on the list and hope that is awarded funding.
Minnehaha Academy. Plans for construction on the North Campus of Minnehaha
campus are moving forward and currently include significant reconfiguration of
the campus with 4 new 1 – 3 story structures. A formalized proposal will be
coming forward for preliminary review by city staff and the Planning
Commissioner Committee of the Whole this month. They will also be setting a
community meeting to share the plans with the neighborhood soon. A formal
application will be made soon and they pal to seek formal Planning Commission
approvals at the commission meeting on April 9th. They are hoping to begin
construction in late spring so that it can be completed this summer and the new
campus will be ready for the first day of school September 2018.
Openings on Boards and Commissions. A number of board and commission positions
are open for City Council and mayor appointments this fall. Visit
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings/index.htm<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fboards%2Fopenings%2Findex.htm&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564441839&sdata=zFsyC4L6nQJx7Pqj3FMslvJBMTUXS2crbGTtOD%2F%2F0UU%3D&reserved=0>
for more information and to apply.
Open Office Hours in the Ward. I usually hold open Community “Office Hours” in
the ward every Monday morning from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Please feel free to call
the office at 673-2202 to reserve some time when I will be there or just stop
by.
First Mondays at the Birchwood Café, 3311 E 25th St;
Second Mondays at Black: Coffee and Waffles, 1500 Como Ave SE;
Third Mondays at T-Rex Cookie Café, 3338 University Ave SE; and
Fourth Mondays at the East Lake Library, 2727 E Lake St.
Cam Gordon
Minneapolis City Council Member, Second Ward
673-2202, 296-0579
<email obscured><mailto:cam.gordon@minneapolismn.gov>
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ward2<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fward2&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb93ccc0503ab40a29ad208d582e6e57d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636558850564441839&sdata=pvC2RVKifW6%2BHo%2FlERTIsCBcFKf2t4Q%2FCbbJ3hFFd04%3D&reserved=0>
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