From:
Gary Schiff
Date:
Nov 07 20:53 UTC
Short link
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/ward9/> November 7, 2008
In the News
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/ward9/Ward_9_In-The-News.asp>
Contact Gary <mailto:gary.schiff@ci.minneapolis.mn.us>
Helpful Links
Inspections
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/contact/email-form-codeviol.asp>
Report Graffiti
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/contact/email-form-graffiti.asp>
Animal Control
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/contact/email-form-animalcomplaint.asp>
Public Works <http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/public-works/>
Summer Jobs-14 to 15
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/EdResources_students.asp>
Summer Jobs-16 to 21
<http://www.achieveminneapolis.org/programs/stepUp.html>
City allocated federal foreclosure funds
There have been 2,304 foreclosures year-to-date in the City of
Minneapolis.
Minneapolis will receive $5.6 million from the federal government to use
on efforts to get foreclosed and abandoned homes sold and occupied. "The
city will prioritize funding under the federal program to those areas of
the city experiencing the highest number of foreclosures," Tom Streitz,
Director of Housing Policy & Development said. "We are also in
discussion with the State of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to receive
additional funds from the state allocation of federal funds. Based on
our initial conversations with the State we anticipate that we may
receive an additional $4 million dollars that will help us speed the
recovery of neighborhoods experiencing high numbers of foreclosures."
Minneapolis, along with St. Paul and the counties of Hennepin, Dakota
and Anoka were chosen to receive the money based on the number and rate
of foreclosures, subprime mortgages, delinquencies and defaults. The aid
can be used to purchase foreclosed properties for rehab and sale.
According to the Star Tribune article by Maria Elena Baca
<http://www.startribune.com/local/33284169.html> , "The federal money
comes with strings attached. At least 25 percent needs to be targeted to
help people at or below 50 percent of the state median income. Each
state, city or county has to create a plan and submit it by December 1
to HUD, which has 45 days to review it. The money needs to be committed
within 18 months, and spent within five years."
In addition to federal money, Minneapolis and St. Paul were chosen for
the First Look pilot program. "First Look" was developed by the National
Community Stabilization Trust who will coordinate the transfer of real
estate owned properties from financial institutions to local housing
organizations, in collaboration with state and local governments. A
benefit of the First Look Program is that the lenders will make the
properties available pre-market and at a significantly reduced rate. For
complete statistics and maps of mortgage foreclosures in Minneapolis,
click here
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/foreclosure/MortgageForeclosureMaps.asp
> .
Public forum on the Minnehaha-Hiawatha corridor
Reinvestment is happening along the Minnehaha-Hiawatha corridor and
residents have a role to play in the process. On Wednesday, November
12th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Sanford Middle School located at
3524 42nd Avenue South, the Longfellow Community Council Neighborhood
Development Caucus and the Community Advisory Committee to the Community
Works project is hosting a forum where neighbors can learn about and
provide input on a major Hennepin County Community Works Initiative. The
initiative will impact the area from Hiawatha Avenue to Minnehaha Avenue
South and from the Midtown Greenway to Minnehaha Parkway.
Residents may visit stations addressing topics such as transportation
and traffic, community image, safety, economic development, green space
and parks, housing and commercial revitalization. Short presentations on
recent corridor studies such as a railroad study, cultural resource
study and market retail study will be offered twice during the evening.
There will be refreshments and fun activities for all ages. For more
information, click here <http://www.minnehaha-hiawatha.com/> or contact
Robb Luckow at Hennepin County, <email obscured> or
612-348-9344.
Partnering to increase domestic violence convictions
Minnesota is considered a leader in the country on domestic violence
intervention.
As part of a collaboration between the Minneapolis Police Department and
Minneapolis City Attorney's Office
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/attorney/> , the 5th precinct
<http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/about/5th-precinct.asp> has
trained its officers on specific protocol designed to improve how they
collect evidence for misdemeanor domestic abuse related cases. Since
February of this year, the pilot project has already resulted in an
impressive 25% increase in domestic violence convictions compared to a
prior year. "We are getting better evidence, can bring more of these
cases to court and are obtaining more convictions, all with existing
resources," commented City Attorney Susan Segal. The pilot will run
until the end of January 2009.
"The new pilot project is an example of the Minneapolis Police
Department's on-going commitment to doing their part in creating
evidence based cases that the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office can
prosecute without requiring the victim to be the sole witness in the
case, "Carol Arthur of the Domestic Abuse Project
<http://www.mndap.org/> said. "Victims of domestic violence are
frequently intimated against testifying. Therefore, getting statements
at the scene and gathering evidence to support the assault can make all
the difference in a successful prosecution and intervention of abuse and
providing safety, help and resources to all family members."
Throughout the pilot, the Attorney's Office and Minneapolis Police
Department will communicate about specific cases, the impact of the new
protocol on resolving cases, and to discuss issues and problems that
arise. Segal is enthusiastic about the new endeavor. "The police
department, with Inspector Arneson's leadership, has been a great
partner on this project. We are looking forward to working with the
Department to expand the program to the 3rd Precinct and the rest of the
City."
Little Earth crime decreases as hope increases
A goal of Little Earth's strategic plan is for 85% of all eligible
students to graduate from high school by 2017.
As 2008 begins to come to a close, a downward trend in crime is becoming
evident for 2008. One of the most remarkable areas where this decrease
in crime is showing up is in the southern part of the East Phillips
neighborhood where Little Earth of United Tribes
<http://littleearth.org/index.shtml> is completing its thirty-fifth
year of existence. Little Earth is experiencing a dramatic drop in Part
One crime, which includes assault, burglary, murder and rape. In 2002,
there were 73 offenses compared to only 43 for 2008. The number has been
slashed by more than half since 2005 when the number of offenses reached
its peak at 93 by years end.
Bill Ziegler, who became president and CEO of Little Earth in December
2004 when the crime, drugs, gang activity, and a sense of hopelessness
ruled over development points out that not only has crime decreased,
Little Earth has also experienced increased resident involvement in
pro-active safety activities. Residents of Little Earth are taking pride
in where they live and who they are. The kids have painted a new mural
on the pedestrian bridge that connects the east and west sides of Little
Earth. "The art on the west side depicts traditional homes at a time
when the people prospered and life was good. On the east side is the
Minneapolis sky line," Ziegler says. "The pedestrian bridge in between
signifies that we truly can bridge between when we were strong as a
people and today but we must be willing to stand up and walk to a new
future as a people." In addition, Little Earth is partnering with the
City of Minneapolis and the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation on
a homeownership program that will place Little Earth families in single
family homes near the current development. For more information on
Little Earth's plan for the future, click here
<http://littleearth.org/strategicplan.shtml> .
Attend the annual Lake Street Council wine tasting
One of the silent auction items is a pair of the photo is a pair of
autographed Muhammed Ali boxing gloves.
On Thursday, November 13, the Lake Street Council will hold its 12th
annual fundraiser <http://www.lakestreetcouncil.org/eve-fundraiser.htm>
. Attendees will enjoy beer and wine tasting while perusing silent
auction items to support the work of the council. Items run the gamut
from sports to health to art. Supporters can bid on over 100 items, from
a heart scan at Abbott Northwestern, tickets to local sporting events,
gift cards to local stores and restaurants, as well as Lake Street art
and photography.
Tickets are $20 for members, or $25 for non-members. For more
information and to purchase tickets email Joyce Wisdom
<mailto:jwisdom@lakestreetcouncil.org?subject=Annual%20Fundraiser> or
call her at 612-822-0232. Tickers may also be ordered online at
www.lakestreetcouncil.org <http://www.lakestreetcouncil.org/> or be
purchased at the door.
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