Council Member, Second Ward
COVID-19 Pandemic. We are in the midst of a major spike in COVID cases. As of
November 24, statewide there have been 282,916 positive cases reported and
3,3083 deaths from the virus. In Minneapolis, there have been 20,987 positive
cases, 1,641 people hospitalized, and 284 people who have died from the
disease. I encourage everyone to get more information about the Governor’s
recent “Dial Back” orders at
https://mn.gov/covid19/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmn.gov%2Fcovid19%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733247585%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=QDq7wWiIbKsiFsDSZtrGnH0r2KGKmdVnxuhNsRvpLpw%3D&reserved=0>
You can also find out more local Minneapolis coronavirus data at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Fdashboard&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733247585%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YyxOA1QphwLDsqKmQRoBdnFG2bgNnFekAArbuzi2alw%3D&reserved=0>
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
athttp://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Fcoronavirus-testing&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733257580%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=2bsdqUVX1xLul%2FUr%2FT8qUzZ08TFG5WuKblxGwEQps6M%3D&reserved=0>.
Election 2020. I am grateful to everyone who participated in the 2020 elections
as voters, candidates and as city and county elections staff. I offer my
congratulations to all who ran and look forward to working with all those who
were elected including, and especially those who will be representing residents
of Ward 2, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, State Senators Kari Dziedzic and
Patricia Torres Ray, State Representatives Jim Davnie and Mohamud Noor, and At
Large School Board Member Kim Ellison. A record number of over 237,000 ballots
were cast in Minneapolis this year. This included a record number of over
170,000 early ballots. That means 80.6% of registered voters in Minneapolis
participated in this election. A total of 219,832 ballots were cast in
Minneapolis in the 2016 presidential election, which was the previous record.
Of those, 60,538 ballots were cast early. The two Minneapolis Charter Amendment
ballot measures also passed, which means the Council will serve two 2-year
terms to better align elections with other city elected offices and that our
city rules around a special election to fill a seat vacated mid-term, will now
be consistent with the state rules. Full election results can be found
athttps://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20201103<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Felectionresults.sos.state.mn.us%2F20201103&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733257580%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=b433hIni46877eO9DhvqSJYn%2Be%2BMXDAJ23UEcNHB8%2B4%3D&reserved=0>.
2021 Budget. Throughout November the Council reviewed the proposed 2021 budget
that focuses on maintaining core City services during difficult financial times
that includes an estimated $30-60 million in lost revenue, mostly from a
reduction in expected sales taxes. There was one hearing held in November where
most comments focused on public safety. There will be public hearings at6:05pm
on Wednesday, December 2, and at 6:05pm on Wednesday, December 9. You can learn
how to participate in online public hearings
athttp://www2.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/WCMSP-185913<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fsustainability%2Fhomegrown%2FWCMSP-185913&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733267574%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=3gxab%2FDYXaFyIc%2FJyLQ00Ybw%2BLZxoK7GcsnAt3Eyzg8%3D&reserved=0>.
Comments can be submitted online
athttp://www2.minneapolismn.gov/budget/budget-comments<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fbudget%2Fbudget-comments&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733267574%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=LvP%2B7%2BzuNOWVfuHqMXcXs8fUoPjNefdYTfnCAyeZU9Q%3D&reserved=0>.
We will have a session dedicated to budget amendments on December 3 at 10:00am
prior to the last hearing and the Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the
budget Wednesday, December 9.For more information on the proposed budget
seehttp://www2.minneapolismn.gov/budget/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fbudget%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733277569%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=kpxRL25NW%2Brgnd0asaEw7qW%2FM6gVVYMzpVlpVg3uEf0%3D&reserved=0>.
2021 Budget Public Safety Amendments. I am working on a set of budget
amendments related to transforming our public safety system, with three main
pieces. These have been shared as the Safety for All Budget Plan. First,
amendments related to 911 response to give people more options when they need
urgent help. This includes launching and evaluating a new Mobile Mental Health
Crisis Team, incorporating mental health professionals and/or training into
911, and investing in more non-policing responses for people experiencing
homelessness. Second, amendments to invest more in preventing violence in the
first place. This includes more funding for programs led by our Office of
Violence Prevention, and more resources for organizing communities to prevent
crime and violence, outside of the police department. And third, I am working
to invest more in programs to hold police officers accountable, outside the
police department. This includes adding funding to our police oversight staff
in the Civil Rights Department to increase the number of investigators, and
funding for them to develop and maintain an Early Intervention System, to help
identify law enforcement employees who are at greater risk for misconduct. This
Early Intervention System has been proposed by the mayor to be in the Police
Department, but I believe it will be more effective if operated in the Civil
Rights Police Oversight division. I believe that all three of these goals are
broadly shared by the people of our Ward and our city, and I hope that they
will pass the full Council.
Other Budget Amendments. I am considering a few other amendments to the budget
including bringing more resources to support Neighborhood Organizations, more
support for Restorative Justice Programs like Seward/Longfellow Restorative
Justice, and some funds to continue support for a Children’s Savings Account
program being planned in cooperation with the County, similar to what has been
established in St. Paul.
Neighborhoods 2020. In November, the City Council approved program guidelines,
funding categories and a funding formula for Neighborhood Organizations. We
also authorized the extension of the current Community Participation Program
contracts, with the prorated amount of funding, until July 1, 2021, allowing
for time to complete the Neighborhoods 2020 applications, and the continuation
of the Neighborhoods 2020 Steering Committee to review programmatic and
legislative adjustments to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP)
reporting back to the Public Health and Safety Committee by July 1, 2021.
Neighborhoods 2020 is intended to maintain an engagement network of valued and
effective neighborhood organizations and help provide an equitable civic
participation system that builds people’s capacity to organize to improve their
lives and neighborhoods. The approved program will have four funds with final
amounts to be determined in the budget process. They are:
* Citywide Neighborhood Network Fund: with equal base funding for each
neighborhood to support a citywide network of neighborhood organizations.
* Equitable Engagement Fund: with funding based on a formula with the 3
variables of areas of concentrated poverty, cost-burdened households and
gentrification, to support neighborhood organizations' work to engage
historically underrepresented residents.
* Partnership Engagement Fund: for community-based organizations who
partner with recognized neighborhood organizations to engage historically
underrepresented residents.
* Collaboration and Shared Resources Fund: to support the voluntary
consolidation efforts or the sharing of resources.
For more information visit
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/RCA/6940<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FRCA%2F6940&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733277569%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=nnAr4hnN3I5tIh3VKdmHgxxY4O3GUXN%2Bo6lUMyDHtIY%3D&reserved=0>
and
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/2020#top<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fncr%2F2020&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733277569%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=6v44%2BFqIYtgIXFEB4XJNmg6DZIc%2FoOO22et8JlnGFeU%3D&reserved=0>
New Fire Chief. The City Council Public Health and Safety, with my support, has
forwarded Mayor Frey's nomination to appoint Bryan Tyner to become the next
Minneapolis Fire Chief. I expect the City Council to approve the appointment
when they meet again on December 4.
Block by Block Safety Talks. Throughout September, October and November I have
been meeting with block groups to discuss the future of community safety. These
give people a chance to ask me questions about what's happening regarding the
future of community safety, and to share our ideas and hopes for the future of
public safety in our city. We plan to continue to hold online meetings in
December. If you would like to host a conversation with me and the people who
live on your block, please email my Policy Aide, Robin Garwood, at
<email obscured><mailto:robin.garwood@minneapolismn.gov>.
Please include what block you live on, and a few days and times that would work
for you and your neighbors to have this discussion.
911/MPD Task Force Report. The Council's Public Safety and Health Committee has
received our911/MPD Workgroup Final Recommendations in November. The
recommendations include sending mental health professionals and paramedics to
mental health calls; training 911 dispatchers in assessing mental health calls
and/or embedding mental health professionals in 911. They also shared ideas for
training community members to de-escalate situations, transfer non-emergency
calls to 311, give residents the ability to report property crimes online, and
give other City staff responsibility for low-risk reports. You can read the
staff report
athttps://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-00706<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-00706&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733287564%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=oa%2FMdbhfKqppKsQOtkfN%2F1G4X2Wvne8cIoJCmA5dCsY%3D&reserved=0>and
the presentation slides at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/4545/PHS%20item%209%20%20911.MPD%20Workgroup%202nd%20Updated%20Presentation.pdf<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FFile%2F4545%2FPHS%2520item%25209%2520%2520911.MPD%2520Workgroup%25202nd%2520Updated%2520Presentation.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733287564%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ztnKo%2FQsykRrquV4FnMv2%2FfRIWe%2FOAz038LE%2Biax0HY%3D&reserved=0>
and see the presentation and discussion at the Committee
athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeRG2W7grHk<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMeRG2W7grHk&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733297558%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YsVnVPWzPHA4Bj6Y9kw5ujkRYFsgxopdoHohy4OISCw%3D&reserved=0>
Post-Election March and Freeway Closure. I was disturbed by the law enforcement
reaction to the protests in early November, following the election. What
disturbed me most was the decision, made by the State, to “kettle” and arrest
over 600 peaceful protestors. I would have preferred the protest to be treated
like an unexpected accident where the freeway could have been closed to protect
the protesters while they completed their peaceful assembly to exercise the
“right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for
a redress of grievances.” The decision not to declare an unlawful assembly and
give protestors who did not want to be arrested a clear means to exit the
situation was problematic. I hope that the Governor’s administration will
reassess and change this approach to these kinds of assemblies in the future.
Authority to Contract for Law Enforcement Services. In November the Council
approved allocating almost $500,000 from our emergency contingency fund in
order to contract with other jurisdictions for state of Minnesota licensed law
enforcement officers to assist the Minneapolis Police Department. While I could
see both sides of this issue and heard from people I respect on both sides of
the issue, I opposed this rushed and unclear proposal that bypassed the Public
Safety Committee. So far, despite the proposed November 15 starting date, no
jurisdiction has agreed to provide the added officers. That said, and even
without my vote, the Council has approved this funding. I hope it is helpful,
that no police misconduct results and that response times and investigations
improve. There is absolutely no doubt we are in the midst of a public safety
crisis in our city. But it is hard to know if using these dollars to increase
policing by a small amount will have any positive impact.
Community Safety Update. In November, the Public Health and Safety Committee an
update on the deeply concerning increase in violent crime in Minneapolis that
you can find at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01066<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01066&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733297558%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=eM3DxXtDKyXPPgmzyNA3buBDbHJdgYsySiPtztW%2FOig%3D&reserved=0>
We reviewed crime trends for the year up to November 16, when there had been
4,680 violent crimes reported (an increase of 26% from last year and 19.8% up
from the four-year average), including 73 homicides (up 97% from last year).
The report included a detailed analysis of shootings and carjackings which both
continue to be occurring at unprecedented levels. We also learned about
targeted enforcement and investigation efforts being used in response that are
leading to some arrests and charges being made.
Evidence-based Violence Reduction. In November, the Public Health and Safety
Committee also received a report from Cure Violence Global staff about their
evidence-based, community-focused approach to reducing violence and promoting
safe communities. In the 2020 revised City budget, funding was allocated to the
Health Department’s Office of Violence Prevention that led to the creation of a
pilot of the MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative, based on this program.
Through the pilot, trusted community members have worked as outreach workers on
neighborhood-specific teams. They detect potentially violent events and use
informal mediation, non-physical conflict resolution, and interruption
expertise to de-escalate situations before they become violent. The pilot was
established quickly in the fall as a timely and visible peaceful resource in
the face of immediate concerns around violence. At the same time, the pilot was
intended to generate information and insights into longer-term implementation.
As the Office of Violence Prevention uses the transition of colder weather as
an opportunity for evaluation and planning, they will be engaging with Cure
Violence for expert technical assistance.
Police Conduct Oversight Commission Appointments. The following people have
been approved to serve on this police policy oversight commission: Cynthia
Jackson, Jordan Sparks, Lynnaia Jacobsen, and Malyasia Abdi.
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, 2021. Since the launch of the
program in May 2018, the Minneapolis 4d program has helped preserve over 1,100
affordable housing units through partnerships with more than 100 property
owners. For more information see
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/cped/housing/WCMSP-214366<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcped%2Fhousing%2FWCMSP-214366&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733307552%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=GDAhGu%2F5KJeI2939Rnm8wsZrrwBXfjExOeTjHGFcJMU%3D&reserved=0>
email <email obscured><mailto:4dprogram@minneapolismn.gov> or call
us at 612-673-5055 or 612-258-3390.
Opportunity to Purchase. In November, the Council received a report on a new
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase policy that I have been working on most of this
year. The aim of this policy is to give tenants more power and control over
their housing, by giving them the right to purchase the buildings they live in.
This can be an effective tool to give tenants at risk of eviction a pathway to
ownership and control over their homes, close homeownership gaps, preserve
affordable housing and prevent involuntary displacement and rent increases. The
report outlines several options for implementation and was prepared by the
Washington, DC-based Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development,
which helps tenants exercise their Tenant Opportunity to Purchase rights in DC
where they have had a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase program in place since
1980. You can read it at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/4578/Minneapolis-OTP-Presentation-11-17-2020.pdf<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FFile%2F4578%2FMinneapolis-OTP-Presentation-11-17-2020.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733307552%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=D177Xwi2eVH%2ByfXTyShNgsaKHidU%2FJyPvYu%2B9w7eaMU%3D&reserved=0>
I am very excited about this policy and look forward to passing it next year. I
support moving forward with the options that maximize tenants' power, autonomy,
and agency.
Emergency Shelter Regulations. To help address our housing and homelessness
crisis I have been working on amending our laws regarding the establishment of
Emergency Shelters. After months of working with providers, staff, and
community members, the amendments that Council Member Schroeder and I authored
have been presented to the Planning Commission, where they were recommended for
approval. The amendments will come before the Council in December. You can find
the language here:
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/download/Agenda/1346/RPT-Text%20Amendment-Emergency%20Shelters.pdf/50059/2077/Emergency%20Shelters%20Text%20Amendment?fbclid=IwAR1nUKcD9pophOI_QYXg39L6cCp5OsQ7xV9A9Ax2rrSOT19Q0hSdotsaR1E<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2Fdownload%2FAgenda%2F1346%2FRPT-Text%2520Amendment-Emergency%2520Shelters.pdf%2F50059%2F2077%2FEmergency%2520Shelters%2520Text%2520Amendment%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1nUKcD9pophOI_QYXg39L6cCp5OsQ7xV9A9Ax2rrSOT19Q0hSdotsaR1E&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733317546%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=K3ce7Lw2f%2BNgAaFw0Cvqr0BbV5t7mZdTJOxXO5vb218%3D&reserved=0>
If approved by the Council, the change would remove obstacles that many
shelters have faced, including: removing the limit on the number of beds per
shelter in higher-density areas; tying the limit on the number of beds in
lower-density areas to the size of the parcel, to allow buildings like vacant
schools more flexibility to turn into shelters; changing the existing 30-day
limit on how long an individual can stay in the shelter to six months; reducing
the spacing requirement between shelters from 1000 feet to 350 feet; and,
allowing emergency shelters to locate in Industrial zones, which is necessary
for the proposed Indoor Villages project.
Evictions Prohibited Until December 14. The Governor's latest extension of the
peacetime emergency means that the suspension of evictions and
landlord-initiated lease terminations remains in place until December 14. This
will allow households to remain sheltered, but does not relieve a tenant's
obligation to pay rent. If you are having trouble paying rent, Hennepin County
offers emergency rental assistance for residents with low incomes who have been
financially harmed by COVID-19. Residents can learn more and apply at
www.hennepin.us/rent-help<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hennepin.us%2Frent-help&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733317546%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Y68ZFaNPOXBQvB0svRRrgZc7nhAteLJflu%2BY4HrijhM%3D&reserved=0>.
Sustainable Building Policy. The Council has passed a new sustainable building
policy for all one to three-unit new construction residential projects financed
through our Minneapolis Homes program. The policy will help meet the goals of
greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 30% by 2025 and by 80% by 2050. The new
policy provides a uniform performance standard for one to three-unit
development projects and ensures that housing units built through the program
are energy efficient and allows for increasing housing units in Minneapolis
without significant additions to carbon emissions. You can find the full
detailed policy and more information, including a more in-depth Passive House
and Zero Energy Ready Report at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01190<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01190&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733327540%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=lHT%2Fr3I9BNFjkksgdRl%2BJ6L2nX6q1xbqyWx0%2BFrJZBU%3D&reserved=0>
This progress was possible due to the Sustainable Building Policy that I
authored with Council Member Schroeder that you can find at
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCA/11549/Sustainable%20Building%20Policy%20Resolution.pdf<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FRCA%2F11549%2FSustainable%2520Building%2520Policy%2520Resolution.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733327540%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Z82QbRiQj9teRM9yq%2BqnK6ufhd7f9JHU%2Bt6ad8Fte40%3D&reserved=0>
Lead Poisoning Prevention. In November, The Public Health Advisory Committee
(PHAC) submitted a proposal to accelerate efforts to prevent childhood lead
poisoning in Minneapolis and its devastating effects on children’s healthy
development. The report highlighted an estimated 94,000 at-risk rental units in
the City and called on us to increase inspections for lead hazards in at-risk
rental units. They stated that “A new paradigm for inspections is needed. Such
a paradigm could consist of 1) focusing efforts on the highest risk rental
units, 2) shifting the current model of inspections to one of shared
responsibility among the Health Department, Regulatory Services Department,
landlords and tenants, and 3) developing strategies for cost-sharing to support
this effort.” I will be working to follow up on this effort in the weeks ahead,
including efforts to increase inspection capacity in the department. You can
find the full report
athttps://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-01170<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-01170&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733337534%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=aNCLGAOWc102InIAXZQE8U98rymJfSgmT4iMgStGC04%3D&reserved=0>.
HUD Grant For Safer Homes. The City has secured a grant from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $1,628,571
per year for a three and one-half year period from January 1, 2021, to June 30,
2024, totaling $5,700,000, to correct lead-based paint hazards and other
housing-based health hazards in Minneapolis residential units for
income-qualified properties. The Health Department plans to work on 225 homes
through the end of 2023 to help address lead paint hazards, cockroaches, mice,
and asthma triggers as well as adding handrails, radon mitigation systems and
weatherizing. The grants will be awarded based on homeowner or tenant income. A
child of 5 or under must live in the home or be there regularly (for example a
grandparents’ home where they look after the child). Homeowners and rental
property owners can call 311 now to apply for the waiting list, ask about
training or to learn how to protect their child. The program is expected to
begin in early 2021.
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) Appointments. The Council has
reappointed James Rosenbaum, Faith Xiong, and Abdullahi Isse as commissioners
for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.
Homeless Assistance Grant. The Council has accepted a grant from the Minnesota
Department of Human Services/Economic Assistance & Employment Support Division
in the amount of $157,113, to assist sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons
in obtaining essential services related to COVID-19 prevention and mitigation,
for the duration of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2022.
Short-term Rentals Ordinance. In December the Council will vote on proposed
amendments to our short-term (STR) rental regulations. Updates to this
ordinance are intended to ensure the health and safety of all occupants and
safeguard the availability of affordable housing for low-income residents. The
amendment will create a rental license classified as a short-term rental
dwelling license including specific rental licensing conditions, establish a
limit on the number of STR units per owner, and limit the number STR units in
buildings with over 20 units to 10% of the total units (excluding
condominiums). If approved, there will be three proposed categories: small,
medium, and large, with a future fee increase to better address short-term
rental cost recovery.
Support for St. Anne’s Place. A Council committee, with my support, is
recommending approving up to $332,812 of fiscal year 2020 Emergency Solutions
Grant (ESG) funds for improvements to St. Anne's Place shelter for people
experiencing homelessness. The funds will help address an aging and inefficient
heating and ventilation system and upgrading it to provide central air
conditioning throughout the building.
Built Form Regulations. The new “Built Form” regulations, to guide development
in the 14 Built Form Districts called out in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, will
be coming forward to the Council in December. The new regulations that will
govern issues such as: building height, floor area ratio (FAR), lot sizes and
setbacks from property lines, was reviewed and amended following a public
hearing at the Planning Commission in November. I hope these rules will provide
more predictability for the scale of new buildings and additions in different
areas in the city, including neighborhoods, downtown, production/employment
areas and areas served by high-frequency transit. I will be reviewing the
Planning Commission’s recommendations and listening carefully to community
feedback in the days ahead. At this point, I am supportive of offering more
flexibility to duplexes and triplexes, linked to affordability and/or
environmental benefits. You can find out more at
https://minneapolis2040.com/implementation/built-form-rezoning-study/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fminneapolis2040.com%2Fimplementation%2Fbuilt-form-rezoning-study%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733337534%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=tswebSzDonE%2BQMgzibkFrYdrvOfcasFxemQm%2B5G0mAA%3D&reserved=0>
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area. In December the Council will be
adopting amendments to our zoning overlay governing the Mississippi River
Corridor Critical Area. I have been in conversation with advocates for
wildlife and the environment like the Audubon Society and Friends of the
Mississippi River, and am very supportive of strengthening this overlay as it
goes through the process. One of my key goals is to ensure that we protect
migratory birds that use the Mississippi River flyway.
Minneapolis African American Historic Context Study. The Council has secured a
grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in the amount of
$50,000, to conduct citywide community engagement for a Minneapolis African
American Historic Context Study. I am excited to see this study move forward
and hope that it will provide a deeper and richer understanding of this
important part of the history of our city.
Transportation Plan. With my strong support, the Council’s Transportation and
Public Works Committee has passed a visionary Transportation Action Plan, the
culmination of some very good work by our Public Works staff:
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCA/15615/Transportation%20Action%20Plan.pdf<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FRCA%2F15615%2FTransportation%2520Action%2520Plan.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733337534%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Tk0KuM6PXWbe1QIkNPhpTkb8u%2FWWPgIQjd%2FIvnnUVUE%3D&reserved=0>
This plan is based on a few key goals, including racial equity, fighting
climate change, and keeping people safe as they travel. As I said in committee,
it's a very big deal that we are going to be basing our future transportation
work on meeting those goals. Past transportation plans for the city have
focused much more on moving cars around as quickly and efficiently as possible.
This plan represents real progress, putting climate and people first. As this
came through, I made an amendment to clearly state that we will be looking at
City-led snow and ice clearance for sidewalks on the pedestrian priority
network:
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/File/4588/Transportation%20Action%20Plan%20Amendment%20by%20CM%20Gordon.pdf<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FFile%2F4588%2FTransportation%2520Action%2520Plan%2520Amendment%2520by%2520CM%2520Gordon.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733347532%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YJCofrmq56QJYbWK1MZJWAd8HYgqaFFXmc4IS8IpeKg%3D&reserved=0>
20 is Plenty. City crews have finished installing the gateway signs alerting
drivers that 20 mph is now the speed limit on most Minneapolis residential
streets. New speed limits are 20 mph for local residential streets; 25 mph for
larger, arterial City-owned streets; and 30-plus mph as signed for a few
City-owned streets. Speed limits on County or State streets will not change.
Reducing speed limits is one of the key strategies in the Minneapolis Vision
Zero Action Plan, which outlines key steps for the next three years to advance
the City’s goal of ending traffic deaths and injuries on City streets by 2027.
You can learn more about the speed limit changes
athttps://www.visionzerompls.com/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visionzerompls.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733347532%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YoMA0gtKra5mObDkuuocTThMp2whpNAajvxF4x%2F%2BfA8%3D&reserved=0>.
Snow Emergency Season is Here. Snow Emergencies are declared when there’s
enough snowfall to warrant a complete plowing of our streets. There are several
ways to know when the City has declared a Snow Emergency. You can call the
automated 612-348-SNOW hotline; go to
minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/snow<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fgetting-around%2Fsnow%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733357523%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=czpR7CEO7XBAwUWHS4mZT%2BxbTCureuYi9FxM2aPuwLs%3D&reserved=0>
to find out if a Snow Emergency has been declared, use the street lookup
feature 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 Workforce Development Board Appointments. The Council has approved
new appointments to the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board, including Dan
McConnell, from Ward 2, who will help ensure that labor has good representation
and a strong voice in the group. I thank Dan, and all 21 members of this
important state-recognized board that is authorized under the federal Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) to provide policy and program
guidance to the City.
Commercial Notice of Sale Ordinance. I am postponing a vote on our Commercial
Notice of Sale Ordinance until early next year. The intent of the ordinance is
to increase opportunities for small business operators who are renting space,
or community organizations who support them, to be able to preserve affordable
commercial space and prevent displacement or gentrification of valued,
neighborhood-serving, small and independent businesses. For more details
seehttps://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/2020-00638<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FFile%2F2020-00638&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733357523%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=DTmpEn9a5tbXUsoWkt2hNNcXWDl9djRHnvlXU8ckQZU%3D&reserved=0>.
Tax Relief for Damaged Properties. The State has approved requests by the City
and County for property tax relief for properties damaged during civil unrest.
The amount of relief for just over 600 impacted property owners is estimated at
more than $1.7 million for 2020. Of that, the State will be reimbursing the
City and other local taxing authorities $1.3 million. The County will
recalculate the taxes using the City Assessor’s reassessed value and issue new
property tax statements to those who need them. I am grateful to the City’s
Assessor’s Office for collaborating with other City departments and with
Hennepin and Ramsey counties and the Department of Revenue, to seek and find
this relief for taxpayers.
New Online Data Resource. A new online City resource presents more than 40
different dashboards of continuously updated data. Minneapolis DataSource pulls
data sets on many aspects of the City’s work and services including elections,
housing, health, community safety (for example, use of force and crime
statistics), outdoor air quality, city workforce demographics, and vacant and
condemned properties. The features and dashboards will continue to grow as part
of the continual service improvement efforts. Please check out these new
resources at
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/government-data/datasource/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minneapolismn.gov%2Fgovernment%2Fgovernment-data%2Fdatasource%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733367518%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=8nJKUPwzweTsmEXJN8cmadJNdAoj3Y9ylRL8nSG6NaU%3D&reserved=0>
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.
Minneapolis community members and park users are encouraged to review the plan
and send feedback by January 18, 2021. For more information about the plan and
how to comment
visithttps://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://nam11.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%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733367518%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=MojAGhaXPJh3XwvBGFwR6iRFwNwvYK%2FHiv3Mvg1lNk8%3D&reserved=0>.
Food Security Grants. The City has awarded more than $935,000 in federal
CARES-Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funding to support 37 local food shelves,
food pop-ups, farmers markets, restaurants and faith communities distributing
free food and meals directly to Minneapolis residents. These awards will also
help build capacity in the emergency food relief system, positioning community
partners to sustain the increased level of service needs brought on by the
impacts of COVID-19. Awards range from $2,000 to $53,500 and will pay for food,
hygiene supplies and equipment. For more
seehttp://www2.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/WCMSP-185913<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fsustainability%2Fhomegrown%2FWCMSP-185913&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733367518%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=LGUbw9IBgpC%2Bdm8TPoir2GIVKoCS8tIlMxopk%2B7qR4Q%3D&reserved=0>.
Winter Farmers Markets. Winter market season has begun this month in five
locations around the city. Farmers Markets of Minneapolis operate year-round
with markets primarily operating outdoors.
Visithttps://farmersmarketsofmpls.org/winter-markets/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffarmersmarketsofmpls.org%2Fwinter-markets%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733377512%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=XnDva30P%2Fg3jRE2Z8%2B1vUn%2BikGIm8WCdTk1dtBs8klM%3D&reserved=0>for
schedules and locations.
State Health Improvement Partnership. I was glad to see that the City has
secured a grant of $769,838 from the Minnesota Department of Health under the
Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP). Funds will be used to address
health disparities in leading preventable causes of illness and death such as
tobacco exposure, poor diet, and lack of regular physical activity. The staff
of the Healthy Living Initiative of the Minneapolis Health Department will use
these funds, over the next year, to work collaboratively with the community to
define and implement projects that address health disparities.
Flu Shots. Flu shots can help protect yourself and others from getting the flu.
They are free whether or not you have health insurance. Please check the City
website for free flu shots
athttp://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Fcoronavirus-testing&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733377512%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ZeqJMC8lLw9LxFK9Fl3R%2Fh47REFyW5iQR93afBrQ7zQ%3D&reserved=0>or
useVaccineFinder.org<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvaccinefinder.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733387510%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=PNjmt6LJSNoPxc8YLKFGIruRzBDPmf5AHFbegt4fmyM%3D&reserved=0>.
Economic and Rebuilding Strategies. City staff across various departments
continue their efforts to implement Council directives to support recovery and
rebuilding efforts associated with the civil unrest this summer. One of those
directives called for refunding or waiving fees associated with wrecking
permits. As of November 18, there are six demolition (or wrecking) permit
applications currently under review. These permits will have fees waived upon
approval and include 2 permits in Ward 2 for the Hexagon Bar at 2600 27th Ave
So, and the Post Office building at 3037 27th Ave S. You can find more
information at the City webpage titled “The City’s Commitment to Recovery” at
http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/minneapolisforward/WCMSP-225780<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fminneapolisforward%2FWCMSP-225780&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733387510%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Ml0JzvsWiI%2BFRt80QzvNxv2wAVAZ2xqxBjAiDLzwti8%3D&reserved=0>
Resolution on Economic Recovery at Minnehaha & Lake. I have worked with Council
Members Cano, Johnson, and Osman, along with members of LCC, Longfellow Rising,
and other community partners on a resolution “Recognizing the community-led
process for cultural and economic recovery for the Minnehaha Ave and E Lake St
area.” The resolution has unanimously passed the Council’s Business
Inspections, Housing and Zoning committee. I view this as being an important
step in aligning the City’s response along with the community’s great efforts
to rebuild this area, with a focus on racial equity and social and economic
justice. You can read the resolution here:
https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/RCA/15611/Recovery%20for%20Minnehaha%20Lake%20Street%20Resolution.pdf<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flims.minneapolismn.gov%2FDownload%2FRCA%2F15611%2FRecovery%2520for%2520Minnehaha%2520Lake%2520Street%2520Resolution.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733397502%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=IXs8obkSFk1RCfreBtJ8ibql3PjDWYQU55%2BdAX2zyfc%3D&reserved=0>
I hope and expect it will pass the Council at our next regular meeting on
December 4.
Rethinking I-94. Inspired by transportation advocates in our community, I will
be bringing a resolution forward in December that will make the City’s position
clear about the Minnesota Department of Transportation plans for the full
reconstruction of I-94 between I-35W and I-35E in its Rethinking I-94 project.
The resolution makes clear that we oppose any roadway expansion, support
inclusion of dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service connecting the two
downtowns, and want a plan that would make mode shift from single-occupancy
vehicles the easy choice through the creation of safe and comfortable
non-motorized connections and strategically placed mobility hubs. The
resolution also calls for the plan to help provide continuous bicycle/walking
connections over the freeway from Ayd Mill Road in Saint Paul to both a future
Prospect Park Trail to 27th Ave SE and a future extension of the Midtown
Greenway in Minneapolis. I expect St. Paul to pass a similar resolution as
well. For more information about the project visit
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/I-94minneapolis-stpaul/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dot.state.mn.us%2FI-94minneapolis-stpaul%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733397502%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=L4n1aNlXKxK1jvKddZKecKK2TPCI5QUXV9AkqwRSnqw%3D&reserved=0>
Como Church on 14thAve SE. The Heritage Preservation Commission has approved my
application and the nomination of the Como Congregational Church building at
1035 14th Ave SE for local historic designation. As a result, the property is
now under interim protection for one year and will be studied further for
potential designation as a City of Minneapolis historic landmark.
31stAve Rail Bridge. I have been contacted about the 31stAvenue Bridge on the
Greenway/Hiawatha Line by a representative of the Minnesota Commercial Railway
(MCR) about supporting state funding for the reconstruction of the
deteriorating bridge which they lease the tracks that run along it from the
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). MCR shares use of the bridge with the Hennepin
County Regional Rail Authority, owner of the Midtown Greenway crossing the
bridge. During our conversation, I stressed my interest in seeing the extension
of the Midtown Greenway over the river and received some interest from the MCR
representative in working with me and the Greenway coalition in pursuing a safe
solution. He suggested that the best, safest and potentially most acceptable
approach to Canadian Pacific would be a state-funded enclosure of the greenway
portion of the bridge. I am hoping that the City and other organizations –
including advocates like the Greenway Coalition, nearby neighborhood groups
like Seward Neighborhood Group, Longfellow Community Council, and Prospect Park
Association, business organizations, and others – will make our support for the
railroad’s request contingent on an agreement on the bridge over the river.
The Health Commons Expansion. I was delighted to see the opening of a new
Health Commons facility in Riverside Plaza on the Westbank. I am grateful to
all those who collaborated to make this possible, including Augsburg
University’s Department of Nursing, M Fairview Health, East Africa Health
Project, and the People’s Center. The enhanced services include clinical space
as well as mental health and addiction services. A full-time Somali-speaking
nurse will help coordinate care and there are indoor and outdoor spaces for
health-related classes and other events once it is safe to gather again as well
as resources for virtual visits with medical personnel. You can learn more
athttps://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2020/10/promising-steps-in-the-cedar-riverside-community-toward-equitable-health-care/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minnpost.com%2Fcommunity-voices%2F2020%2F10%2Fpromising-steps-in-the-cedar-riverside-community-toward-equitable-health-care%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733407496%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=s49M3cpzWuRQnrElbGeW%2FAJyO%2BSnAjmvvsyoGsg%2Fcjo%3D&reserved=0>andhttps://www.augsburg.edu/healthcommons/cedar-riverside/<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.augsburg.edu%2Fhealthcommons%2Fcedar-riverside%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733407496%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=D0YuVtlwF9wSm4mocrGcAfh32s%2FVUu15AJjZyxfCwvw%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://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservice.govdelivery.com%2Faccounts%2FMPLS%2Fsubscriber%2Fnew&data=04%7C01%7C%7C130e403d206947a2fe5708d896ee9555%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637425298733407496%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=uPnfUNxE8ARyDC10gfz%2FBzs81qWbw1MtB4rTmIGzCAk%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.
Cam Gordon
Seward