Council Member, Second Ward
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/ward2/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fward2%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636812991451%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2FyM4dtxeuzjfm06%2B%2FLz6j5nKDfzkJ1q57P47vUytp%2Fs%3D&reserved=0>
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Gratitude. As we begin a new year and continue our work to heal and recover
from the challenges of 2020, I want to acknowledge how grateful and honored I
am to work for this City and serve you and all the people of Ward 2 and
Minneapolis. I am grateful to live in a compassionate and resilient community
where we truly care for each other, especially in times of need. I am thankful
to the local organizations, especially our neighborhood and local business
groups, for all their work pulling us together to improve our communities. I am
grateful for the committed and service-oriented City employees, from every
department and division, for their hard work, professionalism and assistance.
To all of those who have reached out to me to share a concern, ask for help,
give criticism, or offer ideas and inspiration, I sincerely thank you for
helping me do a better job. And lastly, I am deeply grateful for all the people
of goodwill everywhere who are fighting to make this City, and this world, a
better, healthier, more sustainable, more peaceful, and more loving place for
all.
Priorities for 2021 and Beyond. Our Ward 2 Office (Nancy, Robin and I), are
evaluating priorities for the year ahead. We continue to use the values of
social and economic justice, grassroots democracy, environmental
sustainability, and nonviolence to guide our work. So far, we have identified 7
main priorities for 2021:
* Improve and transform our community safety system.
* Provide everyone with safe, decent housing.
* Support a just, inclusive and thorough economic recovery.
* Ensure a healthy reopening of institutions and businesses.
* Foster more effective support and resources for at-risk youth and
families.
* Rebuild the areas harmed by the civil unrest in ways that maximize
community benefits.
* Fight climate change while improving the environment, creating green
jobs, and reducing energy costs.
We welcome your feedback on these priorities and as develop more specifics
strategies and building on our vision, goals and strategies that can be found
at
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/city-council/ward-2/statement-of-purpose/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fgovernment%2Fcity-council%2Fward-2%2Fstatement-of-purpose%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813011364%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=NSIDhWh6n%2BSNsjd%2FodktN8LsPVRW2Q7P3D1Cn4WEOPQ%3D&reserved=0>
Ward 2 Housing Forum. I am hosting a virtual forum on Monday, February 1, at
6:30pm, to discuss upcoming major policies I am working to enact at the City to
protect renters, especially the lowest-income residents in our community. The
first of these policies is Tenant Opportunity to Purchase, which would give
renters the legal right to purchase the buildings they call home when an owner
decides to sell. I have been working with my colleagues Steve Fletcher, Jeremy
Schroeder, and Jeremiah Ellison on this ordinance. Gretchen Nicholls with Twin
Cities LISC will be present to share information about a very important report
the City worked with LISC and Washington DC’s Coalition for Nonprofit Housing
and Economic Development. The second policy we will discuss is Rent
Stabilization/Control. I am working to put a question on the 2021 ballot that
will authorize the City to adopt a rent stabilization policy, which is a first
step that is required by state law. There are many more issues related to
housing as well, and we will attempt to answer other questions related to
housing. To join the forum, use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82231408464<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Fj%2F82231408464&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813011364%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=3aPqw%2BFTqAzC3Wtrt%2F9VATcAkEEVHBQOzHBS41ZIW3k%3D&reserved=0>
Truth and Reconciliation Workgroup. I am excited to report that the Council
has formed a Truth and Reconciliation Workgroup to help launch our Minneapolis
truth and reconciliation process in 2021. This is something I have long
advocated for and sets us up to better acknowledge and repair past harms that
created and perpetuate racial disparities especially with historically Black
American descendants of slavery and American Indian/Indigenous communities. The
workgroup will bring recommendations to the City Council’s Policy & Government
Oversight Committee in February. The workgroup is being led by the City’s
Division of Race & Equity and Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins and
includes the following community members: C Terrence Anderson and Dr. Rose
Brewer from the University of Minnesota; Elder Atum Azzahir, from the Cultural
Wellness Center’ Rev. Curtiss DeYoung and Rev Jim Bear Jacobs, from the
Minnesota Council of Churches; LaJune Lange, former judge and Honorary Consul
of South Africa in Minnesota; Robert Lilligren, from the Native American
Community Development Institute; Christine Diindiisi McCleave, of The National
Native American Boarding School Healing; Rev. Shawn Moore of Living Spirit
UMC.; Melissa Olson, from MIGIZI Communications; Melanie Plucinski, from the
Mitchell Hamline School of Law; Sandra Richardson of the People’s Institute for
Survival and Beyond; and Sharon Sayles-Belton, former Minneapolis mayor and
Ward 2 constituent. Learn more about this work at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coordinator/Equity/WCMSP-226698<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoordinator%2FEquity%2FWCMSP-226698&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813021315%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Wl9WQtfe17OtHLGm%2BIDHwkCMaZYUhbcU33kcWYRiIw8%3D&reserved=0>
COVID-19 Pandemic. As of December 31, statewide there have been 415,302
positive cases reported and 5,323 deaths from the virus. In Minneapolis, there
have been 28,497 positive cases, 2,043 people hospitalized, and 344 people who
have died from the disease. You can find Minneapolis coronavirus data at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Fdashboard&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813021315%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VQ9%2BsX7Jf2%2B0nsG1pwu35CZaumfVODkTLVkrWjvlXhg%3D&reserved=0>
COVID-19 Vaccinations. The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been
administered to health care workers, including those holding emergency medical
service or paramedic certificates, and those living in long-term care
facilities in Minneapolis. First responders from the Minneapolis Fire
Department, Police Department and Metro Transit are already getting their first
doses of the vaccine. Those who are most vulnerable will be vaccinated first,
followed closely by those slightly less vulnerable, and so on. We still need to
wear masks, stay 6 feet away from others, and avoid high-risk situations that
might cause the virus to spread until we know for sure that most Minnesotans
are protected.
COVID Testing. Even if you don’t feel sick, consider getting tested for
COVID-19. You may be infected without having any symptoms. Find local testing
sites at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Fcoronavirus-testing&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813031271%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=r%2By9YUACIoFz4nA3Xnr5fTRZz8g5S%2FCod%2FuxSJGhS1g%3D&reserved=0>
COVIDaware App. You can download the COVIDaware MN app to get an alert when
another app user you’ve been exposed to tests positive for COVID-19. It’s
anonymous, voluntary and free and is another tool to help protect myself and
others from getting the virus. The app can be used in English, Spanish, Somali,
and Hmong. You can learn more about it at
https://covidawaremn.com/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcovidawaremn.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813031271%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=mnWw3AWgQ7igkmJCwQElHoR7EgDL4qxJgOmbdOf38DY%3D&reserved=0>
and download it from the Apple or Google app store.
Minnesota Black Community COVID-19 Hotline. A hotline to support Minnesota’s
African American community through the pandemic is now available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. Callers can get information about virus testing, food
security, physical and mental health, employment, housing, childcare, legal
rights and other COVID-19 related challenges by calling the hotline at
612-254-1145.
COVID Hotline for Refugees, Immigrants and More. The Minnesota Department of
Human Services’ Resettlement Network has also set up a hotline at 651-318-0989
that is open from 9 am- 5:00pm Monday through Friday with information about the
COVID-19 pandemic and other services offered through the Resettlement Network.
Hotline staff speak Amharic, Anuak, Arabic, French, Hindi, Karen, Lingala,
Luganda, Mashi, Oromo, Somali, Spanish and Swahili. Language line help is
available for callers needing any other language. There is also a
Spanish/English COVID-19 hotline at 651-304-6145,
https://hacer-mn.org<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhacer-mn.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813041224%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=3kd6i6sYUPKpwOYBYs9UywSysr%2F9RZ7asW%2BtCIoXGw8%3D&reserved=0>
For more information on resources available to Minnesotans and to find helpline
numbers, visit COVID-19 Community Coordinators on the Minnesota Department of
Health
website<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.state.mn.us%2Fcommunities%2Fequity%2Ffunding%2Fccc.html&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813041224%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=szH62suQ0K5EW5skxuGS76cZ6rM8ofOaFbwkEPDaTwg%3D&reserved=0>.
2021 Budget. In December, following 3 hearings with over 10 hours of testimony
from over 400 people that was mostly focused on policing and public safety, the
Council unanimously approved, and the Mayor signed, a 2021 budget. The $1.5
billion 2021 City budget is $88 million (roughly 5.6%) less than the budget for
2020, due, in large part to losses in revenue from the pandemic. Its highlights
include a focus on maintaining quality basic city services with new investments
in violence prevention, innovative approaches to public safety, rebuilding and
recovery efforts for businesses impacted by COVID-19 and civil unrest, and $7.2
million increase in permanent funding to support affordable housing, including
permanent funding for the Stable Homes Stable Schools initiative. The 2021 City
budget for 2021 includes a 5.75% tax levy increase, but, with a 12% increase in
the overall tax base, three-quarters of Minneapolis residential property owners
will see a decrease in their property tax bills. You can find all the actions
on the budget at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-00894<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-00894&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813051185%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Rl%2FJviGnzQywI2yJ0NIC85MDg176D7QtL45sCUO4u90%3D&reserved=0>
Innovations in Public Safety. The final budget included shifting $7.8 million
from the proposed Police Department budget to other City departments, including
$2.4 million to launch a non-police 911 mental health response, $2 million for
the permanent expansion of violence prevention programs, over $1 million to
transfer non-emergency responses from MPD to other City departments, and
funding to increase capacity within the Civil Rights Department’s Office of
Police Conduct Review to investigate complaints about police officer behavior.
This budget was improved significantly by the adoption of the Safety for All
Budget Plan. My staff and I worked extensively on that plan, and I was proud to
coauthor it. It is clearly a compromise and preserved the Mayor’s key
recommendations regarding the police department including funding for 770
police officers, 3 new recruit classes and a funding reserve that can be used
to pay for police overtime. But the Safety for All plan also took some
meaningful next steps towards transforming community safety in Minneapolis, as
we unanimously promised to do in June, in the aftermath of the murder of George
Floyd. First, it invests in better responses to nonviolent 911 calls. This
includes creating mobile mental health crisis teams, as has been done in
several other cities around the country, most recently San Francisco. Second,
it invests much more in preventing violence, through proven public health
interventions that include expanded programming for our Group Violence
Intervention program, Next Step hospital-based intervention, and Community
De-Escalation and Restorative Justice training. And third, it invests more in
holding police officers accountable, outside of the police department itself.
Support for Neighborhood Organizations. I was glad that a budget amendment I
authored with Council Member Johnson passed that offers more funding to
neighborhood organizations. The amendment will use unobligated funds generated
by interest earnings on unspent NRP funds to increase the 2021 base funding by
12,500 per neighborhood (for a total of $208,000) and increase the Equitable
Engagement fund by the same amount, $208,000. We were also able to get a motion
passed that directs the Neighborhood and Community Relations and Finance staff
to develop options for increasing funding for Neighborhoods by $3 million
annually, to accomplish a minimum base funding of $25,000 per neighborhood per
year, beginning in 2022. These options will be presented to the Council by
April.
Mobile Mental Health Crisis Response. As we prepare a request for proposals
(RFP) and continue the work to pilot a mental health response as established in
the 2021 budget, the City has reached out to several mental health providers
gain insights into what may be needed to successfully launch a Mobile Mental
Health Crisis Response in Minneapolis. Our goal is to create a model that
provides excellent mental health crisis intervention to residents and
connecting people to the services they need. This pilot will run 24/7 with two
teams per shift. For more context, you can watch this presentation to the
Public Health & Safety Committee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&t=6370&v=MeRG2W7grHk&feature=youtu.be<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fapp%3Ddesktop%26t%3D6370%26v%3DMeRG2W7grHk%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813051185%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=FYjcvGnqT50%2FH0%2BPVyN2mnXXgEFqvVN7v2vds4JJK3w%3D&reserved=0>
Fatal Shooting by Police. At the end of December, Dolal Idd was fatally shot by
Minneapolis Police Officers at 36th Street and Cedar Avenue. Once again, our
community is grieving. As the investigation into this tragedy continues, I hope
that we will more fully understand what happened, and that we investigate it
with an eye on how to prevent these kinds of tragedies in the future. I believe
that this event was not inevitable and that it could have been prevented. We
must not accept this kind of outcome as part of providing public safety. I
believe that we can transform our city’s approach to public safety and I remain
committed to building a more humane, holistic, compassionate and effective
system where violence is prevented and we all live in peaceful communities
where all of us are safe. As more information about this incident becomes
public it is being made available at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/police/records/frequent<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fpolice%2Frecords%2Ffrequent&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813061137%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=lKtRAw%2B1%2F2DbUxdAlUX8Agug%2BTjhOy5q3ZqKn4AlDro%3D&reserved=0>
Police Conduct Review Panel Appointments. The Council has approved the
appointments of Jim Jacobson, Diane Moe and Ngoc Nguyen to our Police Conduct
Review panel.
Police Conduct Oversight Commission. The Council has approved the appointments
of Kerry McGuire, Jordan Crockett and John Sylvester, to this Police Policy
Oversight group.
Sexual Assault Kit Testing. The City has secured a grant to help address the
shocking and deeply disappointing news from 2019 that the City Police
Department had failed to test and process close to 1,800 sexual assault
evidence kits. In December of 2020, the Council accepted a grant from the US
Department of Justice to fund the DNA analysis of the kits by the Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The grant, for $2,000,000, will end December 31,
2023. In addition to funding DNA analysis, it will fund a Hennepin County case
investigator and a prosecutor, and a community-based sexual assault advocate.
See
https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-police-discover-1-700-untested-rape-kits-spanning-30-years/564989082/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.startribune.com%2Fminneapolis-police-discover-1-700-untested-rape-kits-spanning-30-years%2F564989082%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813061137%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=2VLZWAR8kLFCpzT1m%2BR6hMwNDjd5%2Br3IuUU3AEZRmYY%3D&reserved=0>
for more information about the untested kits.
2020 Affordable Housing Trust Fund Awards. The Council has approved allocating
a total of $14,325,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to the
following 10 projects:
Whittier Community Housing, Greenway Apartments, Simpson Community Shelter and
Apartments, Agra, St. Stephen's Housing, Currie Commons, Northrup King
Residential, Plymouth Avenue Apartments, 3301 Nicollet, and Malcolm Yards
Affordable Housing. This includes a loan of up to $2,000,000 for the Agra
project located in Seward, at the former Perkins site, at 901 27th Ave S, and a
loan of up to $1,850,000 for the Malcolm Yards Affordable Housing project
located at 445 Malcolm Ave SE, by Malcolm Yards Development Partners. The Agra
proposal is for a new 175-unit apartment build with 32 units affordable for
people making $31,000 a year or less. The Malcolm Yards project, located in
Prospect Park, is proposing a new 142 units apartment building with 16 of the
units being affordable to people making 30% (or under $31,000) of the metro
area medium income which is approximately $110,000 per year. Additionally, 8
units will remain affordable for those making at or under 40%, 71 at or under
50% AMI, and 47 at or under 80% AMI. You can learn more about all the projects
at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/7097<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FRCA%2F7097&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813071094%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=bpOTXZan4xtuduFe1L%2F%2FfmjeaTpGbVqIJL3EAEJx8VI%3D&reserved=0>
4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program. The City is now accepting applications
for the 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program, which helps property owners
obtain property tax reductions for agreeing to keep a portion of rental units
affordable for 10 years. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a
rolling basis with a final deadline of January 8. For more information see
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/cped/housing/WCMSP-214366<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcped%2Fhousing%2FWCMSP-214366&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813071094%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=qwKZ60kOjI6kGSgpTc7MC%2BN1cn%2BsIcPjfX%2BwFmrXs4s%3D&reserved=0>
email <email obscured><mailto:4dprogram@minneapolismn.gov> or call
us at 612-673-5055 or 612-258-3390.
Emergency Shelter Regulations. In December the Council approved the amendments
I coauthored to our Emergency Shelter ordinance. These amendments remove the
limit on the number of beds per shelter in higher-density areas; tie the number
of beds in lower-density areas to the size of the parcel, allow individuals to
stay in the shelter for up to six months, reduce the spacing requirement
between shelters from 1000 feet to 350 feet; and allow emergency shelters to
locate in Industrial zones. I expect these changes to allow several new,
critically needed, emergency shelters to open in 2021. You can find the new
ordinance and more information at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-00939<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-00939&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813081051%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=8gIzKt5xT8SlFXIVqKRguuWE%2BKUPGO8QK%2FRc1qrOkzg%3D&reserved=0>
Built Form Regulations. The Council has approved a "Built Form" overlay to our
zoning code in December that I authored with my colleagues Jeremy Schroeder and
Kevin Reich. We made a few changes to the Planning Commission recommendations
that will incentivize public and affordable housing, as well as green building
practices and should help broaden access to affordable housing in all
neighborhoods. The change creates two different premiums for what is called
"floor area ratio," (or FAR) which is the way the City defines how much
building can be built on a given parcel. For one example, with an FAR of .5,
someone can build a 2,000 square foot building on a 4,000 square foot lot. The
first premium is for public and affordable housing. It gives an FAR bonus of .1
to duplexes and .2 to triplexes that have at least one affordable unit. This
bonus would apply to all public housing. The second premium is for green
buildings. It gives a .1 FAR bonus to sustainable buildings in the Interior 2
and Interior 3 areas. Buildings that are both affordable and sustainable can
use both bonuses. These changes will allow the Minneapolis Public Housing
Authority to build duplexes with two three-bedroom family units in every
neighborhood of the city. I thank the advocates who came together to urge the
City to change what staff had originally brought forward. See more at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/4745/BIHZ%20item%2026-1%20Motion%20by%20Schroeder%20Gordon%20and%20Reich%20regarding%20floor%20area%20ratio%20and%20premiums.pdf<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FFile%2F4745%2FBIHZ%2520item%252026-1%2520Motion%2520by%2520Schroeder%2520Gordon%2520and%2520Reich%2520regarding%2520floor%2520area%2520ratio%2520and%2520premiums.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813081051%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=9Ck%2BDAW8oVo9LzVDv2iFaJdra%2Fbxr2ixQ7g5hq0lVVU%3D&reserved=0>
Down Payment Assistance. A collaboration between Wells Fargo and NeighborWorks
America is offering down payment assistance for eligible Minneapolis homebuyers
who complete approved homebuyer education. The program offers $15,000 to use
toward down payment and/or closing costs. It will be available beginning
January 11. You can visit
https://nwhomepartners.org/neighborhoodlift/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnwhomepartners.org%2Fneighborhoodlift%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813091019%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=rZmYBSiVyIJC5HhMVPJybRCdb1CQVc28vbqkiVwkhrE%3D&reserved=0>
to apply any time between January 11 and 17.
Xcel Energy Integrated Resource Plan. In December, the City Council approved
commenting on Xcel Energy’s proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Xcel filed
its updated 2020-2034 Integrated Resource Plan Supplement with the Mn Public
Utilities Commission in June and the MPUC is accepting comments through January
15. While the plan does call for more reliance on renewable, clean energy
sources in the future, it continues to include many dangerous fuels including
coal and nuclear power. The City’s comments recommend that Xcel center
diversity, equity and inclusion in the planning process and focus the plan more
on accelerating coal and other thermal plant retirements, avoiding construction
of new utility gas plants, prioritizing investments in distributed energy
resources like energy efficiency, demand response, and rooftop solar and
retiring nuclear plants on time.
More Renewable Energy for Municipal Operations. Following a request for
proposals released this summer, the Council approved agreements with 3
companies in December that will provide 10,640,000 kWh of annual community
solar garden subscriptions. This builds on the work of the 2017 Blueprint for
Powering Minneapolis Municipal Operations with 100% Renewable Electricity by
2022
(https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCA/2357/Blueprint%20for%20renewable%20by%202022%20final.pdf<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FRCA%2F2357%2FBlueprint%2520for%2520renewable%2520by%25202022%2520final.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813091019%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=k6k%2BnPkSL7%2Bs92%2BQLdVS557vTOZ1Sxhgj4KF5J7UjrM%3D&reserved=0>
and keeps us on track for getting 100% of electricity used for municipal
operations from renewable sources by 2022. These three new agreements will
bring the total subscriptions to 30 million kWh and our savings to $260,000
each year. For more info see
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01281<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01281&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813100963%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Q7GDTFpO19MSq92KLihVM%2Fo5V78%2B0DdHBseApDPanyY%3D&reserved=0>
Renewable Electricity Resources Sought. In December, the Council took a
significant, long-awaited step towards securing 100% renewable electricity by
2023 for all the City government municipal electricity needs. First, we
authorized issuing of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new 100% renewable
electricity resource outside of city limits for 80 million kWh annually
starting in 2023 to supply 90% of the City of Minneapolis municipal operations
electricity needs. Second, we authorized issuing of a Request for Proposals
(RFP) for new 100% renewable electricity resource within city limits for 9 - 10
million kWh annually starting in 2023 to supply 10% of the City of Minneapolis
municipal operations electricity needs. I am very excited to see what responses
we get and how quickly we can make these moves towards more democratic control
or our energy in Minneapolis. For more see
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01204<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01204&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813100963%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=2rdGeSaRxIWi8ryUMqYX7R%2BSgGkogKD8eYgQ5JAQaSU%3D&reserved=0>
Community Environmental Advisory Commission. The Council has approved the
following appointments to this important environmental advisory group: Max
Dalton, Erin Niehoff, Abishhu Woge, Indigo-Davitt-Liu, Toya Lopez, Leslee
Jackson, Nemera Jorgo, Manu Lewis, Anna Johnson, Tess Dornfield, Mark Dhennin,
Senbeta Ayansa, Barbara Lunde, Divine Islam, Jaqueline Zepede, Mathew
Douglas-May, Lauren Fleming, Sandy Fazeli, and Nicholas Minderman.
Bird-safe Building Ordinance. In December I gave official notification of my
intention to introduce an ordinance amendment to the Zoning Code to add
provisions related to bird-safe buildings.
Northern Metals Settlement Area Expanded. The Council has approved expanded the
area where Northern Metals, LLC settlement funds can be used to help prevent
and treat lead poisoning and asthma. The new area will include all the North
and Northeast neighborhoods and allow us to serve more households consistent
with the terms of the settlement decree.
Local Food Resources. To find an emergency the locations and hours of food
shelves and emergency food distribution in Minneapolis visit
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/WCMSP-185913<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fsustainability%2Fhomegrown%2FWCMSP-185913&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813110923%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ZnOz%2BRATqSQ9SWomCto4RWwwy5aUCOaZAh3Yn9XvYjg%3D&reserved=0>
To find a map and schedule for winter farmers markets that nearly all accept
SNAP-EBT benefits visit
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/farmersmarkets<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fsustainability%2Fhomegrown%2Ffarmersmarkets&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813110923%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=yqqtfQMCicNFBT%2BnYGpSVTxzT9mTViIjbvPZQ%2FTEf2o%3D&reserved=0>
Flu Shots. Please check the City website for free flu shots at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing.<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Fcoronavirus-testing.T&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813110923%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=bRDWm5ZrgTgxJb8gLF1WiToZwwfwQkBAcPMi9E%2BpU8k%3D&reserved=0>
The City also has accepted a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health, in
the amount of $52,768, for enhancing influenza vaccination coverage as part of
COVID-19 response work through June 30, 2021.
Minnesota Department of Health Grant. In December the City accepted the next
round of the State Health Department Grant aimed to support of the Council’s
work acting as work as the City of Minneapolis' Community Health Board. The
grant, essential to much of the work of the department, of $2,916,670, will
help the city work in partnership with MDH to provide public health services in
2021.
Public Health Advisory Committee Appointments. The Council has approved the
appointments of Alicia Jackson, Kelsey Bigbee, Mary Peick, Kowsar Mohamed, and
Aaron Hurley, as well as Brit Culp, from Ward 2, to serve on this well
respected and important advisory committee.
Snow Emergency Season is Here. Snow Emergencies are declared when there’s
enough snowfall to warrant a complete plowing of our streets. To know when the
City has declared a Snow Emergency and where to legally park, call the
automated 612-348-SNOW hotline and go to
minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/snow<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fgetting-around%2Fsnow%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813120887%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=GycdwRKNhj%2F0hliuHS7kUkJeFElGJCCkMXavi6lWtL0%3D&reserved=0>
to see where you can park, or to sign up for email and text alerts. You can
also download a Snow Emergency smartphone app available for both Android and
iPhone devices.
Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan. In December, and with my strong support
the City Council approved the Minneapolis Transportation Action
Plan<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.minneapolismn.gov%2Findex.php%3FcID%3D265&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813120887%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=v9KU7HWKM4RGptPXoM44Q0ezKgLZyR5EUYfDdps1A34%3D&reserved=0>,
a forward-looking and groundbreaking 10-year action plan that will guide future
planning, design and implementation of transportation projects for all people
in all the ways they move around. It is guided by six key goals: climate,
equity, safety, prosperity, mobility and active partnerships. The plan includes
strategies and actions to improve walking, bicycling, transit, technology,
freight, street operations and design. The plan aims to reach a goal of having
three out of every five trips taken by walking, bicycling or transit, and lays
out strategies to improve walking and rolling on the streets and expand transit
coverage so that 75% of residents are within a five-minute walk of
high-frequency transit and 90% are within a 10-minute walk As this came through
committee, I also took the opportunity to make a small amendment to clearly
state that we will be looking at City-led snow and ice clearance for sidewalks
on the pedestrian priority network. You can learn much more about the Plan at
go.minneapolismn.gov<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.minneapolismn.gov%2Findex.php%3FcID%3D265&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813130832%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=1AsPmwRGlV8POiY9JmbsV00ZQAdfoZhl7L4FesG%2FuYc%3D&reserved=0>.
Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) Appointments. The Council has approved the
following appointments to our Bicycle Advisory committee including Philipp
Muessig, a Seward Ward 2 resident, as well as Joey Senkyr, Deanna Newman, Maya
Sheikh, Samuel Ferg, Dan Miller, Georgianna Yantos, Matthew Hendricks, Aaron
Shaffer, and Elissa Schufman.
Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC) Appointments. The Council has approved the
following appointments to our PAC: Matt Steinrueck, Sarah Goodell, Christopher
Ross, Neal Baxter, Abigail Johnson, Donna Hemp, Paul St. Martin, Christopher
Hoffer, and Barbara Olson.
2020 International Migrants Day. On December 18, the Council passed a
resolution recognizing the day as International Migrants Day in honor of the
contributions and challenges faced by migrants in the United State and abroad.
I was proud to support the resolution that denounced the actions of Immigration
and Customs Enforcement to detain migrants and non-citizens due to issues
around immigration status during a global health crisis, and called upon all
federal state and local agencies involved in the detention of immigrants in
county jail facilities in the State of Minnesota to facilitate the immediate
release of individuals in immigration custody in various county jail facilities
in the State, ensure that individuals detained in immigration custody have
access to quality health care; facilitate the provision of COVID-19 vaccine to
this detained population in an expedited fashion, and implement alternatives to
detention so as to limit the human rights violations that result from
indefinite detention of migrants.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). I was very glad to see that
the DACA program has been fully restored thanks to a December federal court
decision that requires the federal government to immediately restore activities
based on policies in effect before September 2017, when the federal government
attempted to terminate the program. For those interested in applying free legal
services are available. You can find more information about these services at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/oira/immigration-services#top<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fncr%2Foira%2Fimmigration-services%23top&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813130832%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=oNeKng%2BfQ%2BeoBVKvgsnnuRpRZh%2BzqONqI1EoIPzCz0M%3D&reserved=0>
and
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/oira/index.htm<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fncr%2Foira%2Findex.htm&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813140789%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Yd8hnmygCp78m8B2kpfC%2FJGjnE0Lkthq9HoJWWt%2BjZc%3D&reserved=0>
.
2021 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions. The Council has approved an
amended, strengthened and timely Legislative agenda for 2021. Among many good
changes, we added a section calling for the state to support economic recovery
and rebuilding for businesses, properties, households and communities in
Minneapolis impacted by events of civil unrest as a result of the killing of
George Floyd. Some other noteworthy changes include support for:
* State funding for programs in the Office of Violence Prevention.
* Arbitration Reform to remove undue barrier for a chief law enforcement
officer to make disciplinary decisions.
* Funds and support to keep residents faced with eviction in their homes.
* Allowing local units of government to set housing affordability periods
beyond 30 years for projects that receive public financing.
* More funding and leadership from the state to respond to the increase in
unsheltered homelessness in both Minneapolis and statewide.
* Expanding the Local Government Pay Equity Act methodology, which
currently requires gender equity testing only, to include a race-based equity
test.
* Allowing local units of government to serve as a custodian of a college
savings account and remove barriers that would count cash transfers against a
household income.
* Support programming that removes financial and administrative barriers
that prevent and make it difficult for permanent residents to acquire
citizenship
* Decreasing, by one day, the maximum sentence for low-level offenses to
not trigger deportation proceedings.
* A statewide ban on conversion therapy of minors.
* Setting a uniform standard and create a path for cities to enhance energy
efficiency and meet greenhouse gas reduction goals for multi-family buildings
of four stories or more.
* Amending the MN Data Privacy Act to make the status of complaints against
a peace officer accessible to the public.
* State assistance in identifying and supporting a regional solution to the
lack of designated commercial truck parking.
The Council also approved adding some important language I proposed to our
State Legislative Agenda that could help us realize the dream of extending the
Midtown Greenway across the Mississippi River and into St. Paul. It clarified
that "The City supports efforts to extend the midtown greenway nonmotorized
trail across the Mississippi river, and opposes investments in this rail
corridor that do not advance this goal." I did this after the Minnesota
Commercial Railway has come to the City asking for support for state funding to
replace their bridge over 31st Ave S, to help build support for the Greenway to
cross the river and extend into Prospect Park and St. Paul.
Request to State for River Crossing. Also In December, a group of legislators,
Park Commissioners and I sent a letter to MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson
Kelliher and Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle, expressing our shared position
that public funding should not be made available to Minnesota Commercial
Railroad and/or Canadian Pacific Railway to replace the rail bridge over 31st
Avenue South in Minneapolis until they work with City, County, and State
officials to facilitate the crucial connection of the Midtown Greenway over the
Mississippi River. I thank my fellow policymakers who signed onto this letter:
Senators Patricia Torres Ray and Scott Dibble, Representatives Jim Davnie,
Mohamud Noor, Aisha Gomez, Frank Hornstein and Jean Wagenius, and Park
Commissioners Jono Cowgill, Latrisha Vetaw, Brad Bourn, Chris Meyer, and Meg
Forney.
A Year of Elections. It was been an incredible year of elections in Minneapolis
last year. The City, and our entire elections team, led by City Clerk Casey
Carl and Elections Director Grace Wachlarowicz, successfully conducted a record
six elections in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic. Katie Lauer, our
Voter Outreach & Education Coordinator, pulled together the short video
summarizing the “Year of Elections” you can find at
https://www.facebook.com/votempls/videos/220754759431526<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fvotempls%2Fvideos%2F220754759431526&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813140789%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=708X%2FOgRjfKDSB6wI%2FGfE5acDWQPpm9l%2BdzVXRZMe9M%3D&reserved=0>
More than 2,000 people worked to make this possible. We should all be proud of
the critically important and high-quality work the Election and Voter Services
team did this past year and does every year. I know I am.
Post Office Relocation in 55406. Many People in the 55406 ZIP code have
received mailings from the United States Postal Service seeking input on the
relocation of the post office that was destroyed in the unrest on 27th Ave SE
this summer. My office has reached out to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s office,
and has heard that they are working to put together a briefing by USPS for
local elected officials, with a target of January. I hope to have more
information to share soon.
2021 Municipal Election Polling Places. The Council has approved polling places
for the 2021 Municipal Election that will be held on November 2. like The
polling places designated for 2021 match the pre-Covid polls used and Ward 2
polling places will be in the same locations as in 2018 and the March 2020
primary for each precinct as follows: 1 – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730
31st St E; 2 – Sullivan Community School, 3100 28th St E; 3 – Van Cleve Park
Recreation Center (Multipurpose), 901 15th Ave SE; 4 – Weisman Art Museum, 333
River Parkway E; 5 – Pratt Community School, 66 Malcolm Ave SE; 6 – St. Frances
Cabrini Church, 1500 Franklin Ave SE; 7 – Augsburg University Christensen
Center, 720 22nd Ave S; 8 – Brackett Park Recreation Center, 2728 39th Ave S; 9
– Matthews Park Recreation Center, 2318 29th Ave S; 10 – Grace University
Lutheran Church, 324 Harvard St SE; 11 – Longfellow High School, 3017 E 31st
St. As we learn more about the Covid-19 threat in 2021, staff may make
emergency poll relocations for the 2021 Municipal Election as needed to
maximize safety. Voters should verify their polling place next fall to be
certain of their polling location. For more information and a list of all the
city polling places for 2021 see
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01261<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01261&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813150748%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=cc4vyLGXLU6GD5cEtjOQSdkZrl4Uy6bku52sj1e1wRA%3D&reserved=0>
Upper Harbor Redevelopment. The City is seeking input on the redevelopment plan
for the Upper Harbor site on the Mississippi River in north Minneapolis: a
48-acre City-owned site formerly home to a barge shipping terminal. You can
comment on the Upper Harbor Draft Coordinated Plan by taking an online survey
on the project website by January 15. The City Council is expected to review
the Upper Harbor Terminal Coordinated Plan for approval in February 2021. To
learn more about the plan and take the online survey, visit the
http://upperharbormpls.com/draft-coordinated-plan/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fupperharbormpls.com%2Fdraft-coordinated-plan%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813150748%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=8Xe1%2BvloW8ZPXc8bSGrLfMTe65FF07a%2FOB4JshjdLdA%3D&reserved=0>
Freelance Worker Ordinance. The City’s new freelance worker protections
ordinance took effect on January 1. The ordinance requires businesses that hire
certain freelancers for work in Minneapolis to confirm their agreements in
writing and to pay the freelancer as stated in the contract. For more
information email
<email obscured><mailto:wagetheft@minneapolismn.gov> or visit
http://minimumwage.minneapolismn.gov/wagetheft.html<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fminimumwage.minneapolismn.gov%2Fwagetheft.html&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813160715%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=7iif44ZfZG%2B3z0R8Ryt8kw%2FAkVJZYJ7bC2y6yw5tZrc%3D&reserved=0>
Minneapolis Workplace Advisory Committee Appointments. In December, Davis
Senseman, Natalie Martin, Wade Luneberg, Ginger Jentzen, Kadijo Mohamed,
Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, and Elise Diedrich were approved to serve on this
committee.
Property Recovery Efforts. Clean up related to property destruction during the
civil unrest this summer continues. So far, the City has processed and issued
37 permits for complete demolition and removal of structures on properties
impacted by civil unrest and waived or refunded $39,234 in fees for the 37
permits. The permits for 2600 27th Ave S (Hexagon Bar) and 2709 East Lake
Street (Town Talk Diner/Paraiso Lounge) were issued in December. For more
information about our recovery efforts see
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/minneapolisforward/WCMSP-225780<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fminneapolisforward%2FWCMSP-225780&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813160715%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=QFN0CnpHvu3wKPbtNHpHx1w3doyX9nBrUHHJ06XKMUk%3D&reserved=0>
Heritage Preservation Commission. In January, the Council will consider the
appointments of Margo Struthers, Alicia Nystrom, Ethan Boote, and Claire
VanderEyk, to the Heritage Preservation board. For more information about these
appointments see
http://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-00007<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2021-00007&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813170666%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=v7nJBzl7lbWGSGJVFFieccTyAIpLnUewwV1gly6G2ys%3D&reserved=0>
16Planning Commission Appointments. The Council will likely hold a public
hearing for January 19, to consider the following appointments to the City
Planning Commission: Bill Baxley; Chloe McGuire Brigl; Keith Ford; and Alyssa
Olson. For more information about these appointments see
http://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2021-00009<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2021-00009&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813170666%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=56thR0hz8AnfQvhle3Jl36M7phT9YG49CDdKDIGI0NE%3D&reserved=0>
New Fire Chief. The City Council has approved the appointment of Bryan Tyner
as head of the Minneapolis Fire Department. Tyner has held several leadership
posts since joining the department in 1995. Tyner is the second Black fire
chief in the department’s history. He succeeds John Fruetel in the position who
retired after more than 40 years of service with the Department.
Patrick Todd. In December, Patrick Todd retired as our City Assessor after 30
years of service to the City of Minneapolis. I will miss Patrick and always
appreciated how very helpful, professional and effective he was. You can read
the resolution the Council passed to honor him at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01284<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01284&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813180619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=XMQeHhFgu2pvkaD%2FiEgRwiM2Rm3MmJEHPCE%2Bj%2BNxP%2BA%3D&reserved=0>
Micah Intermill. The Council also passed a resolution honoring our Budget
Director Micah Intermill who has taken a new position in the private sector.
His service and assistance budgeting these last few years were enormously
valuable. He will be missed.
New Park Board Comprehensive Plan. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
(MPRB) has published a draft of Parks for All, a new comprehensive plan that
will set Park Board priorities and policy direction for the next decade. For
more information about the plan and how to comment visit
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/news/2020/11/09/draft-of-new-minneapolis-park-and-recreation-board-comprehensive-plan-parks-for-all-opens-for-public-comment/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolisparks.org%2Fnews%2F2020%2F11%2F09%2Fdraft-of-new-minneapolis-park-and-recreation-board-comprehensive-plan-parks-for-all-opens-for-public-comment%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813180619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=oP4jFCCfq6Gzyd23gO%2BjNb0ZgxllryDQ9dafKnrQKp4%3D&reserved=0>
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area. In December, the Council adopted
amendments to our zoning overlay governing the Mississippi River Corridor
Critical Area. When it was approved, I moved a staff directive, that passed the
full Council, that directs staff to develop recommendations for standards for
bird-safe materials, bird-safe lighting, and bird-safe vegetation management,
as well as height tiering at the Xcel Riverside site.
Rethinking I-94. In December, the Council approved a resolution I coauthored
with Council Member Osman, laying out a clear vision for transforming I-94. The
purpose of the resolution is to put the City on record demanding that this
project start to undo the harm that I-94 has done to the neighborhoods it cut
through in the 1960s. This harm falls disproportionately on communities of
color, as we clearly lay out in the Race Equity Impact Analysis for the
resolution that you can find at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/RacialEquity/7077?fbclid=IwAR0xXP6Yd4D0_NHOTCoFQ7nmzFOWIdJZjnuXAfQFtNguiJEWF8VdkrNGjko<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2FRacialEquity%2F7077%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0xXP6Yd4D0_NHOTCoFQ7nmzFOWIdJZjnuXAfQFtNguiJEWF8VdkrNGjko&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813180619%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=5z4S1iMu20OXF2sb33it7tSWqtbs2JnYXro1hldePcQ%3D&reserved=0>
The first clause of the resolution states that "the City of Minneapolis
strongly opposes the repair or reconstruction of I-94 in its current form and
categorically rejects any roadway expansion within its boundaries or any right
of way expansion." It also calls for a commitment to transit on I-94, as well
as facilitating nonmotorized connections across the freeway. This builds on
work by Seward Redesign, Seward Neighborhood Group and their Reconnecting
Neighborhoods plan
(https://redesigninc.org/current-initiatives/reconnecting-neighborhoods/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fredesigninc.org%2Fcurrent-initiatives%2Freconnecting-neighborhoods%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813190577%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=dOIn%2Fd7MaOKrmVXBJSBewxg8m%2FFtU7gsX4R91mbYdx4%3D&reserved=0>
It is also a concrete next step in implementing Policy 48 of the 2040 Plan,
which calls for Freeway Remediation that I moved as an amendment to the plan.
To see the full resolutions visit
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01259<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01259&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813190577%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=aPK182%2BRRn9jP9CmdHK0bUUZS3ZbqutK1vrK9otjyD8%3D&reserved=0>
City Update Sign-Up. You can subscribe to get City updates on a variety of
topics by email or text at
https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/MPLS/subscriber/new<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservice.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FMPLS%2Fsubscriber%2Fnew&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd7fd4aa5766b484739eb08d8b2863728%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637455636813200530%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=sia2LqBcJj9u8GSbukYOjHslRK4%2Fu5P%2BgK5t1PzsAsI%3D&reserved=0>
Office Hours in the Ward. In-person office hours have been suspended for now
but will resume when businesses open again, while using masks and practicing
social distancing at 2 coffee shops on Mondays from 9:30 – 11:00am as follows:
First Mondays at Dogwood Café at4021 E Lake St;
Second Mondays at Black Waffle and Coffee at1500 Como Ave SE;
Third Mondays at Dogwood Café 4021E Lake St; and
Fourth Mondays at Black Waffle and Coffee at 1500 Como Ave S.