Council Member, Second Ward
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ward2<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fward2&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=Y5WzvEMkCyS1JYI1D1BdqQ7rg9Uqj1Ahnr8OXNTnPBU%3D&reserved=0>
http://secondward.blogspot.com<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsecondward.blogspot.com&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=sN4DVrou%2FDQzkGHyzxGNMY1a8rYGw%2Bd8Gniead0YuXI%3D&reserved=0>
www.facebook.com/camgordonward2<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcamgordonward2&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=O5VPs4jkON4dEkVY58bw%2F7%2F5FX8ifCKpuKjfBS%2FOcMA%3D&reserved=0>
Comprehensive Plan Draft. A detailed electronic draft of the City’s
Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan was released on March 22. This starts a
phase of review that will likely lead to further changes in the plan before a
final draft is presented to the Council for consideration and approval in
December. The draft of interdependent policies, topics, actions steps and maps
intended to help guide how we will manage grow and change over the next two
decades so all residents benefit. In the draft report, policies are organized
under 14 goals the City Council adopted in 2017, and also under 10 topic areas.
Among its many notable recommendation, it calls for changes to traditional land
use and zoning practices that would allow a greater diversity and density of
housing in all neighborhoods, including small-scale multi-family buildings
throughout Ward 2 residential areas, with small 1-4 unit building allowed on
traditional sized lots and 1 to 2.5 story multifamily buildings above 4 units
on a limited number of combined lots, and larger, taller apartments allowed on
transit corridors and near stations. The proposal also recommends elimination
of minimum off-street parking requirements citywide, creates four new
categories of commercial uses and prohibits new heavy industrial uses while
preserving land for quality living-wage production and processing jobs.
Comments will be collected at public meetings as well as online through July
22, 2018. That feedback will be taken into consideration as City staff revise
the plan for City Council consideration. Comments can be made at
minneapolis2040.com<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fminneapolis2040.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=g2rskjuDQEgu%2ByV7o8eWFVgrrfYMeeVfW0Kn168W1MY%3D&reserved=0>
or shared on Twitter: #Mpls2040
@Mpls2040<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fmpls2040&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=eh2o67DMC4n%2F1rXp7rgtyvOu6YzZ62viOEjhXA3H0Ig%3D&reserved=0>.
Please take some time to review the draft here
https://www.minneapolis2040.com/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolis2040.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=%2BPswLA3fMxydcRvuB4Bs3eg90nv1b2PvY25D%2BzY6yMM%3D&reserved=0>
and share your feedback with me and others.
Ward 2 Mpls 2040 Comprehensive Plan Community Meeting. To help me better share
the plan, gather feedback and understand your viewpoints, I will be convening a
Ward 2 community meeting on the draft plan on Thursday 7-9pm, April 26 at St.
Francis Cabrini Church at 1500 E Franklin Ave. Please join us
https://www.facebook.com/events/211830769401694/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fevents%2F211830769401694%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=PccUjuL60njnUfRNFWZopytvyB%2F5ID81FdCkNJjrpqo%3D&reserved=0>
Spring Street Sweeping. Spring street cleaning will begin April 17 and run for
approximately four weeks. Please look for temporary “No Parking” signs posted
in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to
follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and
towed to the Impound Lot. Please help remind and warn your family and
neighbors. Moving a car is relatively easy compared to the costs and
inconveniences of having it ticketed and towed. We can use the City’s website
to find out when the sweeping crews are coming through their neighborhoods. By
the Friday before the first week of the sweep, go to
www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/streetsweeping<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fpublicworks%2Fstreetsweeping&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915765877&sdata=pnRFicp7ySqg50Z2IcSbON5mtMxUSQTtuAowYkQBNuU%3D&reserved=0>
and click on “street sweeping schedule lookup” to find out which week a street
is scheduled to be swept.
Future of Neighborhood Organizations. The City is seeking feedback on a plan,
called the Neighborhoods 2020 Roadmap, through April 30th. 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://nam04.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%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=v3Jn0IMTDbC6jf2dUUQzs7WJUstjxLatwOVnbqV2sZc%3D&reserved=0>
sign up for updates at
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/2020<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fncr%2F2020&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=Igbxd59J9aeN4aCXrSjFZAN6F7fGQnWDt4gNZWDF26Q%3D&reserved=0>
and comment at <email obscured><mailto:NCR@minneapolismn.gov>.
Tobacco 21. In March the Council voted to take up an ordinance amendment that
would to ban the sale of tobacco products (including nicotine vaporizing
devices) sales to anyone under 21. We also set the public hearing for May 14
at 1:30pm at City Hall. Five other Minnesota cities have already passed
similar legislation. I support this proposal and commend Council Member
Johnson and Ellison for bringing it forward.
http://www.startribune.com/council-members-want-to-raise-tobacco-buying-age-to-21-in-minneapolis/477672063/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.startribune.com%2Fcouncil-members-want-to-raise-tobacco-buying-age-to-21-in-minneapolis%2F477672063%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=w44in20oAJDMxjn4oP3xDaGORVypyr6sDPQve%2FFo7us%3D&reserved=0>
Community Forums on Public Safety. The Public Safety and Emergency Management
Committee of the Minneapolis City Council is hosting a community forum 5-7pm,
Tuesday, April 10 at Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St. to engage with
residents on police-community relations and responding to emergencies. For
questions or to request sign language interpretation, please call 612-673-2244
or email
<email obscured><mailto:councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov>.
Community Engagement Classes. The Department of Neighborhood and Community
Relations is offering classes to help residents and City staff improve
community engagement. The Community Connections Series is free and open to all
residents. The series covers ways to effectively plan for community
engagement, how to successfully engage the major cultural communities of
Minneapolis and increase disability awareness. There are both afternoon and
evening sessions that will be offered throughout April and May. To enroll and
see the schedule, go to
www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/learninglabs<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fncr%2Flearninglabs&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=VXxLDmIO05FTU8HQmaUiqJV6GyHooi4e%2B9xffDD0KE0%3D&reserved=0>.
Renewable Electricity Resolution. I have coauthored a resolution with Council
Members Steve Fletcher and Jeremy Schroeder committing the City to reaching a
goal of 100% renewable electricity for both the City enterprise and the broader
community. The resolution will commit us to using 100% renewable electricity as
an enterprise by 2025, and to reach 100% renewable electricity for the broader
community by 2030. This builds on the work of our Climate Action Plan and
includes a direction to our Sustainability staff to create an implementation
plan that will allow us to make progress towards reaching this goal. One
concern I have had about resolutions of this kind is that they are sometimes
adopted with a lot of fanfare, but sit on a shelf and make very little real
change. I believe and hope that our resolution will help drive the kind of
real, concrete change that we need to reach this important and aggressive goal.
The current schedule is for this resolution to be presented through the Public
Health, Civil Rights and Engagement committee in late April. I want to thank
the advocates who have put this on the City’s agenda and have helped vet this
resolution to make it as strong as possible: the Sierra Club Northstar Chapter,
the Community Environmental Advisory Commission, the Energy Vision Advisory
Committee of the Clean Energy Partnership, and more recently a youth
organization called iMatter.
Xcel’s Pro Nuclear Power Bill. In response to a very disturbing state bill
(Senate File 3504/House File 3708) introduced in March, the City Council has
updated our legislative agenda to oppose any new legal or regulatory
“mechanisms designed to maintain existing nuclear power plants – or reclassify
existing plants as ‘carbon reduction facilities’ – while raising electricity
customers’ bills outside of the normal rate case.” The proposed bill would
create a new classification of nuclear power plants as “carbon reduction
facilities” and would create a less publicly accountable pathway for massive
investments into these aging and dangerous plants. Given the energy future so
many want, the risks of these plants and the extreme toxicity of the waste they
create I believe that those investments would be better spent on less harmful,
cleaner renewable energy production. You can read the language of the bill
here:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF3504&version=latest&session=ls90&session_year=2018&session_number=0&format=pdf<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.revisor.mn.gov%2Fbills%2Ftext.php%3Fnumber%3DSF3504%26version%3Dlatest%26session%3Dls90%26session_year%3D2018%26session_number%3D0%26format%3Dpdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=uO5B7oK0STOEMiFrRd0Y8XxBGpDowrcFD1LBeh%2FI75A%3D&reserved=0>
and more about how it is problematic here:
http://www.communitypowermn.org/xcel_energy_seeks_blank_check_for_nuclear_option<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.communitypowermn.org%2Fxcel_energy_seeks_blank_check_for_nuclear_option&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=IzXLaD2LBgBm8hsPY1FdLhvLX6gNbhFhB76QM7DwncY%3D&reserved=0>
State Legislators Aim to Void Local Environmental Laws. The state legislature
is poised to pass a law that would preempt and undo waste reduction ordinances
that have already passed in city governments like Minneapolis and St. Louis
Park and preempt all Minnesota cities from passing their own ordinances on any
single-use bag fee and recyclable or compostable to go food containers. This
would nullify our popular and successful “green to go” food container ordinance
has already done so much to reduce the amount toxic polystyrene being burned at
the downtown garbage burner. The bill is HF
3606<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D0010tstjKNpZStwTxU6xvmdstiKbNoA_U_e7biWapKSWgCCYB2xEXVUsxd1ZsqebYuh1HKD6RbJ2OHksMQOacaDWqFMkHCU7Jy7uXhAQnRpP-L7UiyJG-UVh_giIBMpVbvXT68qQabyBuQkEdvn-nq9IfVbst2UFCp9YxEWplIKrKvz5zUAq38Fy3ayzrfpvBFHopFvbKxNwwcms__VcrKQzFR3k5nXxgt4pxToXH4kFQQ%3D%26c%3DvnV_bWPNZuTI6eshKH3iWL9Mcvd1ZFf_oDNV4FBFFAlei_j533BRoQ%3D%3D%26ch%3DYvm8DrtxdwZ9fLzfaO6tVRHChZTg8G9iG_qsuLb1TfVVCs0GOnWiKQ%3D%3D&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=qqqGv%2FefzPXkT%2FnTKBHWbscBF7al70qbR0kjXj2ZkyQ%3D&reserved=0>.
If it passes the legislature I hope the Governor will veto it. Governor Dayton
can be reached at 651-201-3400, and 800-657-3717.
Ranked Choice Voting Also at Risk. In addition to efforts to preempt packaging
regulations, some state legislators are also working to prohibit the use of
Ranked Choice Voting in local elections. The bill (H.F. 3690; S.F. 3325) that
got a hearing in March can be found at:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=SF3325&y=2018&ssn=0&b=senate)
<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.revisor.mn.gov%2Fbills%2Fbill.php%3Ff%3DSF3325%26y%3D2018%26ssn%3D0%26b%3Dsenate)
Campaign to Defend Local Solutions. As we face multiple preemption bills at the
Legislature designed to roll back our authority to make policy on a whole host
of local issues, I thought you might want to join me and others in pushing back
by signing on to this campaign. The campaign exists to “raise awareness about
these preemption laws that silence local voices like yours and attack local
officials for votes they cast.” I have asked the Chair of the Intergovernmental
Relations committee and key IGR staff how we might sign onto this campaign as a
City enterprise. I also wanted to let you know that it exists and encourage you
to sign on individually. You can find out more and sign on to the campaign
here:
http://defendlocal.com/about/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdefendlocal.com%2Fabout%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=gO6DqSC1%2BMEbP0PY%2F1QZwHxAj7bHCVq5ekLPL4%2FotoA%3D&reserved=0>
Court Rules in Favor of the City in Minimum Wage Lawsuit. The City has
prevailed in a legal challenge to our minimum wage ordinance. The decision
means the ordinance, which took effect January 1, will stay in place. For this
first phase of the ordinance, large businesses with more than 100 employees are
required to pay workers a minimum of $10 an hour. Smaller businesses are
gradually phased in with the first minimum of $10.25 set to begin on July 1,
2018. The City’s Department of Civil Rights oversees enforcement of the
municipal minimum wage, and employees are encouraged to report violations.
There are more than 84,000 people in Minneapolis with incomes below the federal
poverty level. An increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour is expected to
benefit 23 percent of workers in Minneapolis (about 71,000 people). For more
information visit
minimumwage.minneapolismn.gov<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fminimumwage.minneapolismn.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=z3KHbyjYhYaDgCRjivbvhSfHxte%2BbCCjMdAE4WO3dcY%3D&reserved=0>.
For additional questions call 311 or email
<email obscured><mailto:minwage@minneapolismn.gov>.
Annual Report on Sick and Safe Time and Minimum Wage Ordinance. In March the
council received our first annual report from the Civil Rights Department on
the enforcement of our worker protection ordinances. The Safe and Sick Time
ordinance went into effect last year and the Minimum Wage ordinance in 2018.
So far there have been a total of 126 complaints. Some of those were dismissed,
14 have “settled,” 3 determined to be violations and 44 are still under
investigation. The presentation can be accessed at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/2229<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FRCA%2F2229&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=%2FOPYt7g5%2FnH%2BreynZpZCmJKvUvwwbm5beJUTIuWcY5o%3D&reserved=0>
Small Business Team Consultation. The City’s Small Business Team, (Suado Abdi,
Zoe Thiel and Angie Earley) is working to do more outreach to businesses and
business associations this spring and summer. As part of that effort they will
be holding ongoing community office hours. Community office hours for Small
Business Team Consultation will be held downtown at the Central Library 2nd
floor, every other Tuesday, with the next hours on April 10th 10am-1pm; at the
Hosmer Library –every 3rd Wednesday of the month, with next one on April 18th,
3pm-6pm; and, at the North Regional Library –every 4th Thursday of the month,
with the next on April 26th, 1pm-3pm. For more information contact the Team ay
612-673-2499 or
<email obscured><mailto:smallbusiness@minneapolismn.gov>.
Violence Prevention Week. Youth Violence Prevention Week is March 31-April 8
and helps call attention to the issue of youth violence and ways to combat this
public health epidemic. You can find a list of events at
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health/youth/yvp/preventionweek<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fhealth%2Fyouth%2Fyvp%2Fpreventionweek&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=KyZNF5ThZFSyq7s9kdvx89LK1gdlMFVz7d3JqdBo2Us%3D&reserved=0>
Diabetes Alert. The Council has approved participating in Diabetes Alert Day
events April 7 and 8 to encourage people to find out if they are at risk for
diabetes and to take steps to prevent Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Alert Day
events will run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 7 at Cub Foods, 701 W.
Broadway Ave. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 8 at Cub Foods, 2850 26th Ave.
S. At the Diabetes Alert Day events, pharmacists will provide screenings, free
blood glucose tests and information about their My Diabetes Coach Program.
Minneapolis Health Department staff will also be there to connect people with
Minneapolis-based Diabetes Prevention Program classes. This is part of a
five-year program to improve the quality of care for diabetes patients..
‘Carry-on Homes’ wins 2018 summer Creative City Challenge. The participatory
art installation “Carry-on Homes” by Peng Wu, Zoe Cinel, Shunjie Yong, Preston
Drum and Aki Shibata won the 2018 Creative City Challenge. “Carry-on Homes”
will host the stories of immigrants looking for a place to call home and will
open at The Commons June 15 as part of Northern Spark. You can learn more at
https://carryonhomes.com/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcarryonhomes.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=CkCAMsBflFiNvN81VwjlPPEhTHX4GQ2L%2FG8%2BjGOCHLQ%3D&reserved=0>
Energy Use in Mpls. Buildings. The 2016 Energy Bechmarking Report is now
complete. It analyzes the 2016 energy use of 276 commercial and 158 public
properties that submitted data to the City as required by the building energy
benchmarking and transparency ordinance. The buildings in the report include
125 million square feet of floor space, 80 percent of the city’s commercial
square footage. These buildings account for more than 686,000 metric tons of
carbon dioxide, the equivalent carbon dioxide production of about 143,000
households or roughly 80 percent of the households in Minneapolis. vAll energy
and water data associated with properties covered under the ordinance is now
public in spreadsheet form and on an interactive dashboard you can find at
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/energy/WCMS1P-137830<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fenvironment%2Fenergy%2FWCMS1P-137830&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987915922136&sdata=oI9FqVIyFdYF2WEOZPTLoWWfvadSpR1wUqJHp4D006I%3D&reserved=0>
The report and more information can be found at
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/energy/WCMS1P-116916<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fenvironment%2Fenergy%2FWCMS1P-116916&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=L5vAQaTJgo%2F1ktqS7pOg%2Fmv%2BZyqyZWh%2FE25vnSUEKak%3D&reserved=0>
and
www.minneapolisenergybenchmarking.org<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolisenergybenchmarking.org&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=FkfOp%2Fjp%2BfeuwAxNZTBL4gcCxHaYgBzzngFedOeTdT0%3D&reserved=0>.
Legislative Information Management System. The City has a new Legislative
Information Management System (LIMS) and is looking for places to show its
capabilities to the public. You can find it at
http://lims.minneapolismn.gov/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=sQVi7gtkVJnKKwBKB7XPtgdFyk3NDMeNibAQGOTAli8%3D&reserved=0>
The City Clerk’s Office has presented at a few neighborhood association and
business group meetings so far, and is looking for more groups who might be
interested in learning more. Staff are also glad to incorporate election
information into our visits to neighborhood associations, too, including
bringing along registration forms, absentee ballot applications, and other
informational resources. Please reach out to me or my office if you are
interested in scheduling a LIMS presentation for an upcoming meeting.
Seasonal Election Jobs. The City is planning to hire around 50 individuals to
support the administration of the election this year. Work may begin as early
as May and run through the November 6 General Election. From April 16 – April
30 applications will be taken for a Poll Book Supervisor. From April 23 – May
7 openings will be posted for 6 Absentee Voting Supervisors, 2 Assistant
Election Judge Trainers, 4 Warehouse Staff; and from May 4 – May 18 for 34
Absentee Voting Election Support Specialist. When available, job postings can
be found at
http://vote.minneapolismn.gov/judges/seasonal<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvote.minneapolismn.gov%2Fjudges%2Fseasonal&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=KwPxv8squOCG1rB2pEYsst519yHBv4DqVfxzZUD4uuI%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. The Council has established a staff workgroup
that includes representatives from the Police Department, Regulatory Services,
the City Attorney’s Office and the Health Department to help ensure that any
amendments are effective in helping landlords manage tenant behavior but not
force or encourage evictions when they are not necessary or justified.
Housing Advisory Committee. Following up on the recommendations of the Public
Health Advisory Committee in March, I am working on a resolution to present to
Council in April that would establish a new official city advisory committee
that will advise the Departments of Community Planning and Economic
Development, Regulatory Services, Health, the Sustainability division of the
City Coordinator’s Office, and the City Council regarding matters related to
the accessibility, maintenance, and development of stable, quality,
sustainable, healthy, and affordable housing in the City of Minneapolis.
Department Head Reappointments. The process of approving heads to lead the
various departments is still underway. Every two years the Council needs to
approve new directors for the Assessor, City Coordinator, Civil Rights,
Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), the Fire Department, Health
Department, Public Works, and Regulatory Services. The Police Chief’s term is 3
years and will not be up until the end of this year. So far, the Council has
approved the reappointments of Patrick Todd for City Assessor, Robin Hutcheson
for Director of Public Works, and Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde as City Coordinator
and Susan Segal for City Attorney. I supported the first two but voted against
the City Attorney’s reappointment. The Mayor and Executive Committee have also
nominated David Frank to lead and Velma Korbel to be reappointed as Civil
Rights Director. The public hearing will be on April 16, 2018, to consider the
reappointment of Velma Korbel. In April the Executive Committee will consider
the Mayor’s recommendation to reappointment the current Fire Chief, Jim Fruetel
and Director of Regulatory Services, Noah Schuchman.
Reappointment of City Attorney. Mayor Frey’s nomination of Susan Segal to be
reappointed as City Attorney met with some community concerns that I shared. My
concerns were serious enough that I voted against the reappointment. Before
casting my vote I stressed the following points about the performance of this
important city department. First, I hope we will do more to help protect the
rights of the people of Minneapolis, especially the least powerful, and not so
much to help those who are already doing really well, including wealthy and
powerful corporations. We should be more willing to use the law to go after
powerful bad actors (like Wells Fargo), and we should not use the law to find
ways to help the wealthy and powerful (like the Vikings). Second, we should
facilitate people exercising their free speech rights, including their right to
nonviolent civil disobedience, rather than using the law to penalize and
discourage free speech and protest. Third, we should be willing to disagree
openly and respectfully and as Council members, as the people of Minneapolis,
we should expect to get the best legal advice possible, even when it cautions
us against something we, and even a majority of the Council and Mayor, want to
do. This should include being informed about the legal arguments for and
against alternative courses of action. And lastly, we need to continue the work
to dismantle the institutional racism and classism that we know is still all
too prevalent in our criminal justice system. You can find some details about
concerns others have about this reappointment at
http://www.nlgmn.org/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nlgmn.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=0vCIUIXkss5n8jMP0TZ6AnLes2SmgPRQ%2FcfrEaCd33Q%3D&reserved=0>
and
http://southsidepride.com/2017/12/11/we-need-a-new-city-attorney/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsouthsidepride.com%2F2017%2F12%2F11%2Fwe-need-a-new-city-attorney%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=odJLcxO%2B7itzhUiHtS%2F9Hp6YZ5JYHewBL2XyqLsqbX8%3D&reserved=0>
and watch my comments by going to the agenda and clicking on the video link of
the Enterprise Committee report section at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/MarkedAgenda/Council/439<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FMarkedAgenda%2FCouncil%2F439&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=lOKJkXOZ0VeBtx3vugjmhHsbKMz9WObQoI8HgnoptvE%3D&reserved=0>
Lights Out Campaign. Once again this year the Council approved participating
in Earth Hour on March 24 as a symbol of the City’s commitment to being part of
the solution to climate change. We also thanked all the businesses that
participate in Earth Hour and the Audubon’s Lights Out campaign. The Lights Out
program calls for turning off lights between midnight and dawn during bird
migration seasons from March 15 to May 31 in the spring and from August 15 to
October 31 in the fall. Over 250 species of birds migrate through Minnesota
along the Mississippi migratory path each spring and fall. Many birds migrate
at night and can be drawn off course by lighted structures in their flight path
and are killed or injured when they collide into buildings. Minneapolis
buildings participating in the Lights Out Program this year include 20, 100 &
111 Washington Square, 33 South Sixth St./City Center, 333 South Seventh Street
Tower, Ameriprise CSC Building, Ameriprise Financial, AT&T Tower, Campbell
Mithun Tower, Canadian Pacific Plaza, Capella Tower, Carlyle Condominium, Fifth
Street Towers - 100 & 150 South Fifth Street, Fifty South Sixth, Grant Park
Tower, Hennepin County Central Library, Hennepin County Government Center,
Hennepin County Health Services Building, IDS Center, International Centre,
LaSalle Plaza, Marquette Plaza, Mill Ruins Building, Mill City Museum, Oracle
Centre, PWC Plaza, RBC Plaza/Gaviidae Common II, Retek on the Mall, River
Parkway Place, Riverplace, Thrivent Financial, US Bancorp Center, US Bank
Plaza, and the Wells Fargo Center.
http://mn.audubon.org/conservation/lights-out-program<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmn.audubon.org%2Fconservation%2Flights-out-program&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=OKIPprd6zg%2BKH6d6AlyGx%2Fi7LzlDonpcd46ycax%2FvdI%3D&reserved=0>
Bicycle Sharing Ordinance. Most likely in response to potential changes to bike
sharing programs in Minneapolis, and technology that would allow a system that
does not require docking stations, Council Member Reich has introduced
potential amendments to our ordinances that would add regulations for bicycle
sharing operations.
Major Public Building Investments Approved. In March, following a special
public hearing on March 20th, the Council approved a five-year capital
improvement plan and issuing bonds to help fund three significant building
projects: the East Side Storage and Maintenance Facility, City Hall
renovations, and the new downtown Office Building/Public Service Center. There
are three buildings, two of which are directly linked into one projects in the
plan. The first is located at 340 27th Avenue NE, known as the East Side
Storage and Maintenance Facility (“East Side Facility”). It is expected to
include bonds of up to $47,000,000. The other two buildings under this plan
consist of renovations to City’s space in the historic City Hall located at 350
South 5th Street and construction of a new office building/new public service
center to be located adjacent to City Hall at 501 4th Avenue South. Currently
the City leases space for its employees spread throughout downtown Minneapolis
in five different facilities, plus it owns two buildings that are at the end of
their useful life. These leased and outdated facilities house Community
Planning and Economic Development (CPED), Health, Regulatory Services, Public
Works, Finance and Property Services, the Youth Coordinating Board, Human
Resources, Neighborhood and Community Relations, Information Technology and the
Assessor. The City plans to move portions of the investigations division of the
Police department and other parts of the Police department that interact with
the public to the new public service center building along with outward facing
departments or portions of departments. Human Resources, parts of Information
Technology, parts of Finance, and Property Services, will move into space
vacated by the Police department in City Hall. Therefore, significant
renovation costs will be incurred in City Hall for the relocated departments
plus remodeling for existing uses such as Emergency Communications and other
City Coordinator departments. The construction of the 380,000 square foot new
public service center will provide better service to residents and businesses.
The amount of these bonds issued for both the City Hall and the new office
building/new public service center are estimated at a maximum amount of
$108,000,000. The total construction and renovation costs for City Hall and the
new public service building could reach $210,000,000 and additional funding
will come through the sale of property that the City owns at the former City of
Lakes and old Public Service Center. Construction is expected to commence in
2018. Under state law these special CIP Bonds are subject to a so-called
“reverse referendum:” if a petition signed by voters equal to at least five
percent of the votes cast in the City in last general election is filed with
the City Clerk within 30 days after the public hearing regarding the bonds, the
bonds may not be issued unless approved by the voters (by a majority of those
voting on the question). More details can be found at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/MarkedAgenda/WM/430<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FMarkedAgenda%2FWM%2F430&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=bk5GArSSL3JpPUslMbJOnG23L3WC%2F2XnJXb3Hq%2FR3IE%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 2-4pm April 7 at the Minneapolis Woman’s Club.
http://m.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000244555/?fullname=judith-lehman-farmer<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.startribune.com%2Fobituaries%2Fdetail%2F0000244555%2F%3Ffullname%3Djudith-lehman-farmer&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=%2BDdgiQxv%2BdCiyGfWj92HIk2H%2F%2BSM7faNtUsPQkteuQs%3D&reserved=0>
Minneapolis Music History. The City has been awarded a grant from the Minnesota
Historical Society to complete a Music Context Study about the history of music
in Minneapolis. I am serving on the 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. The study that is scheduled to be
submitted in October and 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 learn more and take a survey to share your
ideas please go to
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/hpc/WCMSP-208555<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fhpc%2FWCMSP-208555&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=NOv6CFqnn5DlZdYu5KCkHumUJI1%2FnYcVJ2rHLHmSZ2U%3D&reserved=0>
I-35W Portions Close. This Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) is
doing major construction on Interstate 35W that is expected to last through the
2021. This year major portions will close, including all exits connecting I-35W
traffic to Downtown. To learn more visit
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/35w94/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dot.state.mn.us%2F35w94%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=KHLHyRApAZ%2BX%2BD7Fp3Y%2BFLHbAE%2FCACxoHiuaDSH6VDM%3D&reserved=0>
or call the hotline at (612) 284-6125 or email
<email obscured><mailto:info@35w94.com>.
Housing Valuation Concerns. In March most Ward 2 property owners received
their property valuation statements for 2018. Many, especially those in the
Seward and Longfellow areas, saw significant increases and have shared their
concerns about this with me. Since hearing concerns I learned that the real
estate market right now has very little inventory for sale and that buyers are
offering full list price or more than list price for properties entering the
market. The marketing time in Ward 2 in 2015 was 32 days, today the average
days on market is 13 and it’s not uncommon to see properties sell in 3-4 days.
At my request the Assessor’s Office provided me with the following details that
may be of interest to some of you. Como’s 976 parcels in Ward 2 saw an average
estimated market value (EMV) increase of 11.1% where 46 properties were sold
last year with a median sales price of 243,802. Cedar Riverside Ward 2
properties saw a 7.1% average increase with no sales. Prospect Park properties
saw an average increase of 9.4% with 12 properties sold with a median sales
price of $343,641. Seward’s 1032 parcels saw an average increase of 18.8% with
37 sales and a median price of $ 276,075. Longfellow’s 1212 properties saw an
average increase in EMV of 15.7%, 47 sales and a median sales price of
$244,707. Cooper’s 1278 parcels saw a 9.8% average increase, 52 sales and a
median sales price of $273,071. In total, for all Ward 2’s 5136 parcels we
experienced an average increase of 13.2% in estimated market value and the
median sales prices for the 194 of them that were sold was $268,820. It is also
worth noting that, while important to it, the valuation does not determine the
property taxes and it is possible for your value to go up and for your property
taxes to go down. For more information on the assessment process, how it
relates to property taxes and how to appeal your value see
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/assessor/index.htm<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fassessor%2Findex.htm&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=9exEi6MNU9pK3UncVSRVLc5R1KlfzrbUg8suzggxZP0%3D&reserved=0>
Extend the Greenway. There will be a public kickoff meeting for the Extend the
Greenway Campaign on Thursday, April 5, from 5:30 - 7:30pm, at Anne Sullivan
community school on the Greenway (3100 E 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406). The
purpose of the campaign is to extend the Midtown Greenway over the Mississippi
River and through Saint Paul. For more information, contact Soren Jensen at
<email obscured><mailto:Soren@midtowngreenway.org>
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. 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>.
Business Assistance Service Providers. The Council has approved 2018 funding
recommendations for business-consulting services that support new business
development, retention, and growth, focusing on minority and women-owned
business. The service providers and funding amounts are as follows:
Neighborhood Development Center, $75,000; Northside Economic Opportunities
Network, $60,000; Metropolitan Economic Development Association, $50,000;
African Development Center, $50,000; Metropolitan Consortium of Community
Developers, $40,000; African Economic Development Solutions, $40,000; West Bank
Business Association, $35,000; Latino Economic Development Center, $33,000;
Seward Redesign, $30,000; Bunker Labs, $25,000; Bii Gii Wiin Community
Development, $24,500; Lake Street Council, $20,000; GLITCH, $20,000; and Impact
HUB, $10,000, subject to modifications as approved by the Department of
Community Planning & Economic Development Director.
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2018-00277<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2018-00277&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916078389&sdata=sXHaxz%2FeRJ7ZQ1APNCE1Udzx%2F9%2F3LeF5JY1o0t7YsWY%3D&reserved=0>
Business Technical Assistance 2018. The City’s Business Technical Assistance
Program (B-TAP) is offering a variety of small business training and technical
assistance opportunities this year. Offerings include a series of workshops
that cover specific legal issues and advice on business growth, finances,
leases and managing people. There are one-on-one trainings and business plan
classes to support businesses in difference stages: feasibility, start-up,
retention or growth. There are special offerings for artists, for creating
cooperatives, for construction businesses, promote the development of women and
minority-owned real estate developers, and for those hoping to launch a
nonprofit social enterprise. For more information, opportunities and business
resources visit
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/cped/B-TAP<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcped%2FB-TAP&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=YdtonG6WIErSSdnoKafqThfKvVaGF%2Fg64WAhzpZaKpA%3D&reserved=0>
or email <email obscured><mailto:btap@minneapolismn.gov>.
Open Streets Dates Set. Seven Open Streets events have been scheduled for 2018.
Those in Ward 2 neighborhoods include the Lake and Minnehaha event that will
take place on Sunday July 22, Franklin that is set for Sunday August 26, and
University of MN that will be held Sunday September 30th. Open Streets
Minneapolis is a free event bringing together community groups and local
businesses to temporarily close major thoroughfares to car traffic, opening
them up for people walking, biking, rolling, and playing. Find more information
at
www.openstreetsmpls.org<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.openstreetsmpls.org&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=7vzDzaOTqIiaydITPu8%2FYmaWCASvKDy%2FQ0%2B2Pl9KlZA%3D&reserved=0>.
Minnehaha Academy North Campus Rebuild. Minnehaha Academy is moving forward
with plans to rebuild their Upper School campus following the tragic explosion
last year. They hope to have new buildings constructed this summer to allow
all students to return to the campus in the fall. The Longfellow Community
Council’s Neighborhood Development & Transportation Committee (NDTC) will
discuss this at their meeting on Tuesday, April 3rd from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at
Longfellow Park and Minnehaha Academy is hosting a community meeting on
Wednesday, April 4th from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at their Lower/Middle School Chapel
at 4200 West River Parkway. The Public Hearing at the City Planning Commission
(CPC) is scheduled for April 9, 2018, and both the applicant and staff are
recommending the applications be continued to April 24 where the Planning
Commission’s vote on approval will likely occur. The project will be reviewed
internally by City and Park Board staff on April 11. If the Planning Commission
decision is not appealed within 10 days the school will likely resubmit updated
plans and, if they meet all of the requirements and conditions, they can submit
for a building permit. The building permit review can take several weeks so the
soonest they could be able to get a permit would be the week of June 18th. You
can review their current plans at
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@cped/documents/webcontent/wcmsp-208948.pdf<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fwww%2Fgroups%2Fpublic%2F%40cped%2Fdocuments%2Fwebcontent%2Fwcmsp-208948.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=TUhliyUT%2FGUm8Wo9NQshBFAMeE9FfLoXCPt1PQOWM50%3D&reserved=0>
Annie Young Meadow. On March 17 I was delighted to join friends, neighbors and
other elected office holders to remember Annie Young and dedicate the renaming
of Lower Riverside Park, to Annie Young Meadow, in her honor. Young served
seven consecutive terms on the Park and Recreation Board representing the
entire city as an At Large Commissioner, from January 1990 until December 2017,
making her one of the two longest-serving commissioners in the board’s 134-year
history. She passed away in January at the age of 75. This small park on the
bank of the Mississippi was one of her favorite parks and renaming it in her
honor was a request she made before passing away.
Fresh Thyme Liquor License. The new grocery store, Fresh Thyme, has been
approved to receive a license to operate a Liquor store at its new store at 26
30th Ave SE. The hours of operation will be 8am-10pm, Monday-Saturday, and
Sundays from 11am-6pm. They will have a strict policy of carding all patrons
who wish to purchase alcoholic beverages. They will not serve anyone who
appears to be intoxicated. They will have security cameras inside and outside
of the business.
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2018-00259<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2018-00259&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=yX8%2BXTvBYDUbkvCBZ0cvrl6OYUtXmjglzy2aMhTRkC4%3D&reserved=0>
4th Street Lofts. The Council has approved the application of Harlem-Irving
Companies to rezone the property at 2813 4th St. SE from the I1 Light
Industrial District to the R6 Multiple-Family District following the Planning
Commission’s approval of the variances to reduce the minimum yard requirements
on all four sides of the property. These approvals will allow Harlem-Irving
Companies to move forward with their plans to construct a six-story building
with 169 dwelling units and 40 parking stalls. The apartment will contain 107
“micro units” (averaging 390 square feet), 36 one-bedrooms, and 26
two-bedrooms, for a total of 195 bedrooms. All parking would be enclosed below
grade and accessed from 4th Street SE.
Pro Soccer in Ward 2. Minnesota United is returning to University of MN Stadium
for the 2018 Major League Soccer Season beginning in March. A schedule can be
found at
https://www.mnufc.com/schedule<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mnufc.com%2Fschedule&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=tUBmGgyTygFZnYsBV5D%2BgsNz9imunwsFvrk0xYiCZYY%3D&reserved=0>
Riverton Community Housing. In March the City Council, with my strong
approval, authorized the issuance of up to $25 million in Tax Exempt Revenue
Bonds for this new cooperative housing project in Southeast Como near Van Cleve
Park at 1220 Brook Ave SE. We also approved specific housing goals to ensure
there is affordable housing there for at least 30 years. A ground breaking
ceremony for this project is planned for April 26th at 3:30pm. You can find
more details at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2018-00280<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2018-00280&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=%2B52prb15YYy%2FLig6MKYdI3UevxDbJrcMAiDWx2QSZPM%3D&reserved=0>
New Truck Service and Sales Operation in Como. Interstate Development has been
granted a conditional use permit to operate a truck sales, service or rental
business at 600 Kasota Avenue. They plan to purchase the building and lease
the entire 55,000 square foot building to Boyer Trucks. Boyer Trucks is a
90-year-old, employee owned (ESOP) company in the business of selling and
servicing medium and heavy-duty trucks.
River Gorge Advisory Committee. I have appointed Gabriel Konar-Steenberg, from
Seward, to serve as the Ward 2 appointee on the Park Board’s River Gorge
Community Advisory Committee. The Park Board is drafting a Master Plan for this
132 acre land area along the east and west banks of the Mississippi’s only true
gorge. The area includes Bohemian Flats, East River Flats Park, East River
Parkway, Franklin Terrace Dog Park, Riverside Park, and West River Parkway.
Gabriel joins some 20 other committee members who will meet from now until
November to help the Park Board develop the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park
Master Plan. My thanks goes to Gabriel for his willingness to serve and to all
those who applied.
Openings on Boards and Commissions. A number of board and commission positions
are open for City Council and mayor appointments this spring. People can apply
and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by
visiting
minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fboards%2Fopenings%2Findex.htm&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=niclNFVOB11FnZjEsC8OUQViNEaaTUlAcTZaRlHbWTY%3D&reserved=0>.
The positions are open until filled. There are 99 open positions on 15 City
boards and commissions: Advisory Committee on Aging; Advisory Committee on
People with Disabilities; Animal Care and Control Advisory Board; Bicycle
Advisory Committee with the application review process beginning March 30;
Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee, with the application review process
beginning April 6; Community Environmental Advisory Committee; Neighborhood and
Community Engagement Commission, with the application review process beginning
April 20; Pedestrian Advisory Committee, with the application review process
beginning April 20; Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC); Public Housing
Authority (MPHA); Racial Equity Community Advisory Committee with the
application review process begins March 30; Transgender Equity Council;
Workforce Development Board; Workplace Advisory Committee, with the application
review process begins March 30; and, Youth Violence Prevention Executive
Committee. Potential applicants can find more information at 612-673-2216 or
<email obscured><mailto:OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov>.
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://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fward2&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=0E89%2FcDvGmJMgoRUCZKMAArB8NEIeMdna6aaHNc5nQU%3D&reserved=0>
http://secondward.blogspot.com/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsecondward.blogspot.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=zSRqJ4GeVJ1K7VpMXQdcTSWFMVWrrp%2FXzIKuHThptaA%3D&reserved=0>
https://www.facebook.com/camgordonward2<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcamgordonward2&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=hjw9%2FOG7DOMm8YrYfFpVw%2FVFoEDbQgcUJMtQ%2B8I7oW8%3D&reserved=0>
https://twitter.com/CameronAGordon<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FCameronAGordon&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23ba18ee4cde4987906508d598dad00c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636582987916234635&sdata=KU676L0ByiHPze1o3RbfjR72qCUEt45%2B%2FLmfS6L1u3s%3D&reserved=0>