Author Archives: anacoordinator

Springtime in Armatage

Springtime in Armatage

Saturday, May 13 • 9am – 12pm
Armatage Park

Come to Armatage Park to celebrate the arrival of spring with upcoming neighborhood event! In case of rain, the fun moves inside the Armatage Community Center:

  • Swing by the ANA table to register to serve on our Neighborhood Board and vote in the annual Board Election.
  • Bring garden tools or equipment you no longer need and pick up free new tools at the Garden Tool Swap.
  • Bring your house plants and cuttings to exchange with others, share tips & tricks about propagation, and make new planty friends!
  • Enjoy free activities and treats from the ANA, Armatage Elementary PTA, and more!
  • Connect with Hennepin County Master Gardeners to get all your gardening season questions answered.
  • Chat with a Minnesota DNR representative to share your love of feeding the birds and other delightful creatures that visit your yard and hear the latest, greatest tips for springtime feeding.
  • Visit Monarch Joint Venture’s table to hear what you can do to protect and promote monarch butterfly habitat in your yard
  • Bike tune-ups: we’re sad to share that we aren’t able to offer free volunteer-led bike tune-ups due to our lead volunteer being out sick! So sorry, neighbors!

Neighborhood Election Day

The 2023 Armatage Board Election kicks off at the event and runs from May 13–16 at armatage.org/2023boardelection.

The Armatage Neighborhood Association is small but mighty and we need more neighbors to serve on the ANA Board.  We’re a volunteer-driven neighborhood with one part-time staff member. Can you help our neighborhood by getting involved and serving as a board member?

Learn more about the time commitment and duties and register to run here. You can also stop by the ANA table and register at the event!


Garden Tool Swap

Huge thanks to Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling for coordinating this annual city-wide swap garden tools and plant-related equipment!  With spring approaching, hang on to unused yard tools and gardening items when cleaning out your garage.

From first time gardeners to those with green thumbs, all are welcome at this free event. All items are intended to be freely given and picked up and you do not need to bring items to the event to take items home with you. Find more info on the City’s website here.


Neighborhood House Plant Swap

Bring your house plants and cuttings to exchange with others, share tips & tricks about propagation, and make new planty friends!

How does a plant swap work? Each attendee brings plants or plant cuttings to share with others. New to the plant world? Bring something simple like some succulent cuttings or babies. Plant enthusiasts — bring some of your special stuff to share with the rest of the collectors. Remember that everyone is in a different place in their plant journey so be prepared to chat, trade, and learn. Learning is half the fun (collecting is the other half!) Please, no plants for sale, just trades.

Click here for what to bring and helpful tips for progagating house plants in advance of the event!


Free Bike Tune-ups – Canceled

We’re so sorry to share that this station is canceled due to our lead volunteer being sick!

Get your bike ready to roll for the season! We’ll have a volunteer providing light duty tune-ups for you or your kids’ bikes at our event. On a first-come, first-serve basis, you can get up to 15 minutes of time for the following tune-up options of your choosing:

  • Getting your tires pumped up to pressure
  • Adjusting your brakes
  • Adjusting your seat heights and/or helmet fit
  • Lubing your chain and/or gears

You can visit the other event areas while you’re waiting for your tune-up to be done, or you can lock up your bike and come back for it later.

January 17, 2023 Minutes

ANA Meeting Minutes

1/17/23 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Community Center

BOARD ATTENDEES

Vikisha Goberdhan, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Kevin Ross, Judy Vecere, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Eli Johnson, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lauren Anderson (Armatage Coordinator), Jason Green (interim Rec Center Director), Amy Schutt  (Assistant City Attorney), Ryan Tvenge (new neighbor), Denis Houle, Linea Palmisano (City Council)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email and are posted online.

6:37 Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:39 Comments from Community

  • Denis Houle — former board member (served about 15 years) and sat on the NCEC city board. Denis spoke at the December City Council budget meeting. He is hoping to get some organization around the budget needs of neighborhoods. He is concerned about the current trend by the council to defund neighborhood organizations. Nikki shared info about a collaboration group meeting of six area neighborhoods, and their hope to work together to address these funding needs. Linea also spoke to the new Mayoral process, and the current $10k base funding (which isn’t sufficient to professionally run these organizations that are a key component in citywide communications).

7:01 Council Vice President Linea Palmisano

  • 57th and Penn update. The city received over 1,000 traffic calming applications (map on the website). Public works is working to narrow down the most feasible projects, and have capacity and budget to implement 10-15 projects. Hope to know by spring to know which projects are selected.
  • One-sided parking. Feedback over recent plowing and parking issues has the city considering implementing 1-sided parking restrictions to help right-of-way access.

7:12 Armatage Park Update (interim Park Director Jason Green)

  • Jason also manages Bryant Square and has been with the MPB since 1985, and has worked for 12 different neighborhoods. Jason commented about the importance of the work neighborhoods do, and is happy to support us if needed.
  • Fire & Ice (January 27th at Armatage Park). Events (such as Fire & Ice at Kenny) for this weekend will likely be canceled due to warm temperatures (hope to reschedule).

7:19 Minneapolis Just Deeds Program
(Amy Schutt, Assistant City Attorney)

  • Just Deeds helps homeowners discharge racial covenants from their deeds. They also help educate residents about the impacts of discrimination in homeownership and its long term impacts. Launched in 2021, they initially got over 1,800 applications, and are now positioned to re-engage their efforts with a more focused approach.
  • Just Deeds is willing to help with any number of outreach efforts. We can consider doing door knocking, mailing a targeted postcard, hosting a presentation, tabling at an event (like Summer Jam, August 27) and adding more info online.
  • Longfellow is using a grant to help them do this type of outreach in partnership with Free the Deeds.
  • The process to discharge the covenant is free. Just Deeds is able to get the needed documents, file with the county, and access an electronic notary service.

7:42 2023 City Engagement Funding

  • Discussed above. City leveled up some neighborhoods to a $20,000 total budget ($10,000 base operating  funds and $10,000 equitable engagement funds). Neighborhoods can now spend some limited amount on food (a small %) .

7:44 Welcome Bag Program Changes

  • In February we will work on distributing the remaining bags. Moving forward we will switch to different bags (paper w/ sticker…clip on magnet?) and a shared delivery method, with assembly taking place just before a regular monthly meeting.
  • We are drafting a postcard to invite renters (and homeowners) to receive a welcome bag, and plan to have a limited supply available at ANA events.

8:05 Office Clean-out Progress

  • For the people who have volunteered to help, more clean out sessions will be scheduled. Currently, we have gathered a lot of information to go to the Hennepin County Library archives, set aside materials we’d like to keep a copy of (and need to figure out the best way to create that copy/storage plan before giving this to HCL).

7:50 Approval of Minutes & Financials

  • Motion to approve November minutes. Seconded. Motion carries.

8:14 Committee Updates

  • Community Engagement — Welcome bag recommendations (noted above), Fire & Ice on January 27, Planning has starting on spring events (neighborhood election day/garden tool swap on May 13)
  • Green Team — Finalized grant submittals for Lawns to Legumes, Securing garden tool swap volunteers (master gardener for questions, tool maintenance info), Washburn tot lot meeting soon for final design plans, and working on building connections with neighbors for weeding and watering needs (May 20 & 21)

8:20 New Business

  • Need someone to do minutes in March and May as Nikki will not be able to attend those meetings

Meeting adjourned at 8:23

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

  • Jan 27 – Armatage Fire & Ice Skating Party (6:00-7:30pm, Armatage Park)
  • Feb 2 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club)
  • Feb 9 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, TBD)
  • Feb 21 – Monthly Meeting (6:30-8:30pm, Armatage Park)

2023 Board Election

Board Election Results

Thanks to everyone who voted in the 2023 Armatage Board Election and congratulations to our seven newly-elected board members:

  • Eli Johnson (continuing)
  • Ethan Komoroski (continuing)
  • Holly Stallons (new)
  • Laura Studer (new)
  • Ryan Tvenge (new)
  • Judy Vecere (continuing)
  • Charlie Wolfe (continuing)

We’re so grateful to have Eli, Ethan, Judy and Charlie continue their fantastic contributions on the ANA Board and to welcome Holly, Laura and Ryan as new board members!


Vote in the Board Election: May 13–16

  • Vote in person: voting kicks off in-person on Sat, May 13 from 9am–12pm at Springtime in Armatage! You’ll also be able to vote at the beginning of the Annual Meeting on May 16.
  • Vote online:  voting runs online from Sat, May 13 at 9am through Tue, May 16 at 7:30pm. Look for the voting link on this page and at armatage.org.

If you need assistance voting, please call us at 612-466-0296 – we’re happy to help. All Armatage residents 18 years and older and designated business and institutional representatives are eligible to vote in the election and help select the next ANA Board.


Annual Meeting: Tues, May 16 • 6:30pm

Join your neighbors for free pizza, a great talk from the folks at House Novel (if Zillow and ancestry.com had a baby, it would be housenovel.com) and Q & A with Council Vice President Palmisano!

Vote in the Board Election, hear what your neighborhood has been up to, and share a free meal with neighbors at the Armatage Community Center. Email anacoordinator@armatage.org with dietary restrictions.


Join the ANA Board

One of the best ways to support our small but mighty neighborhood organization is to serve on the ANA Board!  Please consider joining this fabulous group of volunteers who live all over Armatage and get together on the third Tuesday of the month to advocate on behalf of the neighborhood, meet with city and other government officials, and guide ANA programs and events.

Click below to sign up by Sat, May 13 at 12pm or find us at the Springtime in Armatage event on May 13 to sign up in person. Members of underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to join.

February 21, 2023 Agenda

February 21, 2023 Agenda

The February Armatage Monthly Meeting happens next Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30pm!  Meetings kick off with comments from community members, so please come share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas!

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Comments from the Community (6:35pm)
  • Park Update (6:45pm)
  • SW Neighborhoods Collaborative (6:50pm)
    • Invite to Participate
    • Collaboration & Shared Resource Grant Application
  • Annual Meeting & Board Election Planning (7:10pm)
  • Partnering with LCCR (7:30pm)
  • Office Clean-out Progress (7:40pm)
  • Approval of Minutes & Amended City Budget (7:45pm)
  • Committee Updates (7:55pm)
    • Community Engagement
    • Green Team
    • SW Collaborative
  • New Business (8:10pm)
  • Adjourned (8:15pm)

2022 Highlights

Here’s what the ANA did in our community:

Here’s what your neighborhood association did to build community and make Armatage an event better place to live and work this year:

  • Fire & Ice Skating Party with Armatage Park (Jan)
  • Green Team Monthly Reading Circle (Feb-Sep)
  • Green Team Regenerative Agriculture series (Mar)
  • Earth Day Neighborhood Clean-up (Apr)
  • Tech Help for Seniors drop-in event (Apr)
  • Armatage Pet Fest (May)
  • Garden Tool Swap with City of Mpls (May)
  • Annual Meeting & Board Election (May)
  • Movie in the Park with Armatage Park (Jun)
  • Garden Evolution Workshop (Jun)
  • Armatage Summer Jam (Aug)
  • Rain & Pollinator Garden Program (Aug)
  • Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot (Sep)
  • Electronics Recycling Event (Sep)
  • Fall Neighborhood Clean-up (Oct)
  • Halloween Decoration Tour (Oct)
  • Holiday Light Tour (Dec)
  • New Washburn Tot Lot pollinator garden coming in 2023!

November 15, 2022 Minutes

ANA Meeting Minutes

11/15/22 / 6:30 PM / Armatage Park Community Center

BOARD ATTENDEES

Eli Johnson, Ethan Komoroski, Nikki Lindberg, Sharla McIntosh-Ziegler, Kevin Ross, Charlie Wolfe

NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Vikisha Goberdhan, Judy Vecere

OTHER ATTENDEES

Lauren Anderson (Armatage Coordinator), Dillon Clements (Rec Center Director), Debbie Goettel (Hennepin County Commissioner, District 5),  Graham Faulkner (Goettel’s Communications Director),  Lara Bergman, Ben Smith, Rachel Ireland-Henry (bookkeeper)

THE MEETING

Updated financials were sent via email and are posted online.

6:30 Welcome and Introductions (Kevin Ross)

6:35 Comments from Community

  • Update from Lara on the pedestrian crossing at 57th & Penn. The application has been submitted. They got lots of support (school, neighbors, park users). They are unsure as to when they will hear about their project, but expect it won’t be until the new year.
    • Commissioner Goettel mentioned some options if we don’t get selected by the city for this crossing. There are some funding options from the county to help slow traffic, including tree planting, public art installations, and wayfinding signage. We could look into relocating the park sign closer to this intersection and have an electrical information sign installed (grant funding available for this sort of project). Safe routes to schools funding should be coming back, and might be a resource. There are also funds for bike & walking trails that could be considered. Plus, she is presenting a new proposal around safe routes to transit. This crossing is co-located with a bus stop, and could be another potential avenue.

6:45 Armatage Park Update (Park Director Dillon Clements)

  • The MPRB has many opportunities available for various advisory appointment positions (https://www.minneapolisparks.org/volunteer-and-give/advisory_board_commission_appointments/) including the tree and bicycle advisory committees, the racial equity committee and Homegrown Food council. Apply online.
  • No update on when the ice rink will begin construction, but the boards have been delivered.
  • KPAC to help support funding new batting cage netting
  • 31 basketball teams (across all age levels) 25 last year
  • Fire & Ice Friday, January 27 in partnership with the ANA and Armatage PTA
  • It was asked about who is responsible for the sidewalks around and in the park. The City is responsible for the perimeter, the park for any within, but the park will clear snow from all.

6:50 Hennepin County Update (County Commissioner Debbie Goettel)

  • Goettel (pronounced “Go Tell”) has been commissioner for Richfield/Bloomington area, but picked up some precincts in Minneapolis in the redistricting, so is Armatage’s new county commissioner.
  • She gave an overview of her experience and involvement in various committees and projects (learn more https://www.hennepin.us/your-government/leadership/5th-district). Professionally was an environmental engineer, so has always brought an environmental impact lens to her civic engagement.
  • Her party affiliation is Democrat, and she is on the national board for Democratic county officials, and a member of the Minnesota national committee.
  • To help outline some of the projects the county has been working on, she walked through the $250 million in pandemic relief dollars and the various projects, including:
    • Education (helped deploy technology with community partners for schools and senior centers, providing hotspots, etc)
    • Employment (online training programs)
    • Health (providing rides to appointments to avoid public transit, Covid shots, Covid tests, PPE, vaccine incentives)
    • Housing (developed faster intake processes, helped shelters renovate and pay for staffing so could function 24/7, provide legal services to address evictions and created a program where a landlord could apply on behalf of the renter)
    • Income (participating in a guaranteed basic income pilot program)
    • Justice (with partners in the community to help with violence prevention)
    • Transportation (broadband and digital inclusion, infrastructure improvements to address coverage and connectivity, new hotspot/plug-and-play option coming, Telemed and new  kiosks to connect people to the help they need)
    • Other (HVAC system improvements, voter participation/Ipads, expansion of early voting locations)
  • It was asked what funding opportunities there might be from the county to support the neighborhood. Many mentioned during the pedestrian crosswalk discussion above, but there may be youth sports grants and capital project funding to support park needs, environmental related projects, arts projects, and recycling. She also suggested we look at Met Council grants.

Minneapolis School Board Update (Representative Ira Jourdain)

  • Has to reschedule due to a school board meeting postponement

7:20 Welcome Bag Program

  • Current process (Ethan, Eli, Kevin): assembling welcome bags with coupons, trinkets, recycling info, info about the ANA, etc.; Ethan has been storing materials at his home; it has become very difficult to find people at home for delivery. Currently have a backlog of about 86 new homeowners; Judy has helped out, and was delivering bags and got us down to 47. Average about 12/month, with spring and summer peaks. We get a list of the new homeowners from Eli through his work as a realtor. Joyce has also agreed to help out.
    • Would like to move the items to the ANA office
    • Looking for new ways to help manage this program
  • After much discussion and sharing of ideas, it was decided that we’d pilot a postcard program, mailed directly to the new resident and invite them to express interest in receiving a bag (and selecting a day/time). It is hoped that this helps save time for our volunteers and still accomplishes what we hope this program does, to welcome new people and help them become aware of the ANA. Lauren will work with Nikki to create a postcard. We are working on office improvements, and should be able to move the supplies to our space in the community center.

7:35 2023 Budget

  • We did a quick walk through of the proposed 2023 budget. With the approval of the below contracts, a motion was made to approve the budget. Seconded. Approved.

7:50 Staff Contracts (closed portion of meeting)

  • Motion to accept Rachel’s bookkeeping contract. Seconded. Approved
  • Motion to increase Lauren’s hourly rate. Seconded. Approved.

8:10 Approval of Minutes

  • Motion to approve the October minutes statement. Seconded. Approved.

8:15 New Business

  • December meeting. Switch to the 13th due to  several conflicts, cancel meeting and instead have a social event at Book Club.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

  • Dec 1 – Community Engagement Committee (6:00-7:00pm, Book Club)
  • Dec 8 – Green Team Meeting (7:00-8:30pm, TBD)
  • Dec 9–18 – Holiday Light Tour (each night 5:00–8:00pm)
  • Dec 15 – Monthly Meeting changed to social gathering  (6:30-8:30pm, Book Club)

 

January 17, 2023 Agenda

January 17, 2023 Agenda

Come one, come all to the Armatage Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Jan 17 at 6:30pm!  We’ll be joined by Assistant City Manager, Amy Schutt, who will present on the Minneapolis Just Deeds Program, and Council Vice President Linea Palmisano. Meetings kick off with comments from community members, so please come share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas!

  • Welcome and Introductions (6:30pm)
  • Comments from the Community (6:35pm)
  • Park Update and Fire & Ice Event (6:45pm)
  • Minneapolis Just Deeds Program – Amy Schutt, Assistant City Attorney (6:50pm)
  • Council Vice President Linea Palmisano (7:05pm)
  • 2023 City Engagement Funding (7:20pm)
  • Welcome Bag Program Changes (7:25pm)
  • Office Clean-out Progress (7:40pm)
  • Approval of Minutes & Financials (7:50pm)
  • Committee Updates (7:55pm)
  • New Business (8:10pm)
  • Adjourned (8:15pm)

2023 Armatage Fire & Ice Skating Party

Fire & Ice Thank You!

Thank you so much for a wonderful 2023 Fire & Ice Skating Party! We are grateful to everyone who came out, our amazing park staff, and stellar Armatage PTA and ANA volunteers! Even with the chilly temps, it was a blast!  Thanks to your generosity, we also collected a ton of gear for the People’s Closet at George Floyd Square and for folks in need who stopped by the event.


Armatage Fire & Ice Skating Party

Join Armatage Park, the ANA, and the Armatage Elem PTA for our annual Fire & Ice Family Skating party on Fri, Jan 27 from 6–7:30pm!

Grab your mittens and hat for this outdoor neighborhood celebration and enjoy a night of skating, cocoa around the bonfire, popcorn and s’mores with friends and neighbors.

No registration required, just come on down!


Mutual Aid Table for Winter Gear

Bring coats, boots, snow pants, hats and mittens to donate at the ANA Mutual Aid table.

If your family or someone you know needs winter gear, please stop by the table to pick up free items. The winter gear exchange is open to all.

December 6, 2022 eNews

The Holiday Light Tour Starts Friday

Enjoy the colorful city streets and light displays of the Armatage AND Kenny neighborhoods this holiday season! This year’s tour map will be available on Thurs, Dec 8 atarmatage.org/2022holidaylights/ The tour is self-guided and open to all! Please be respectful of neighbors on your adventure. If you drive, please turn off your vehicle when you arrive at each stop.

Today is Your Last Chance to Register for the Tour Map!

If you live in Armatage or Kenny and love to decorate for the holidays, sign up to be a tour stop on the Holiday Light Tour! The deadline to register is tonight (Tues, Dec 6) at 11:59pm. Learn more and sign up here!


Final City Budget Public Hearing Tonight

Give feedback on the proposed 2023-2024 City budget through tonight’s public hearing or online comment. The proposed 2023 budget is $1.66 billion and the 2024 budget is $1.71 billion. The proposed tax levy increase for 2023 is 6.5% and is expected to be 6.2% in 2024.  Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more.

Online comments (click here to submit) will be entered into the public record and shared with the mayor and council members.

There is one final public hearing TONIGHT (Tues, Dec 6) at 6:05pm at City Hall, 350 S Fifth St, in Room 317. Learn more about participating here. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the budget after tonight’s hearing.


Ward 13 Conversation with MPD Chief O’Hara

Join Council Vice President Linea Palmisano for an evening of conversation with new Police Chief Brian O’Hara on Mon, Dec 12 from 6:30–8 pm at Southwest High School (enter through Door #1 on Beard Ave S).  Please pay attention to parking restrictions on certain blocks around Southwest High School.

Chief O’Hara will share some remarks and then open up the floor to Q &A. Pizza and cookies will be served starting at 6:15 pm. This promises to be a great forum – hope you can join in!


Support Your Neighborhood

Join us in supporting the Armatage Neighborhood Association Association this giving season! Click here to make a secure donation through Give MN.

Big or small, EVERY donation matters!  With your help, the ANA works to make Armatage a place where all are welcome, empowered, and connected through community-building events and programs (see the list below), environmental work, safety initiatives, advocacy and communications that keep you informed and engaged. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, every donation to the ANA is tax-deductible and eligible for employer matching. Give today at givemn.org/organization/Armatage-Neighborhood-Association

2022 Year in Review

Here’s what your neighborhood association did to build community and make Armatage an event better place to live and work this year:

  • Fire & Ice Skating Party with Armatage Park (Jan)
  • Green Team Monthly Reading Circle (Feb-Sep)
  • Green Team Regenerative Agriculture series (Mar)
  • Earth Day Neighborhood Clean-up (Apr)
  • Tech Help for Seniors drop-in event (Apr)
  • Armatage Pet Fest (May)
  • Garden Tool Swap with City of Mpls (May)
  • Annual Meeting & Board Election (May)
  • Movie in the Park with Armatage Park (Jun)
  • Garden Evolution Workshop (Jun)
  • Armatage Summer Jam (Aug)
  • Rain & Pollinator Garden Program (Aug)
  • Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot (Sep)
  • Electronics Recycling Event (Sep)
  • Fall Neighborhood Clean-up (Oct)
  • Halloween Decoration Tour (Oct)
  • Holiday Light Tour (Dec)
  • New Washburn Tot Lot pollinator garden coming in 2023!

Buying and Selling Safely This Holiday Season

MPD has seen an increase in robberies associated with buying and selling items using social media such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Meeting with a stranger to make a transaction can be a dangerous situation. During an in-person transaction, individuals have been robbed of the item being sold or the money being paid.  In some cases, people have been shot.

Buying/Selling Meeting Safety Tips:

  • Transactions should only occur in a public place where there is good lighting, surveillance cameras, and with vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Police precincts, coffee shops, and public libraries are good examples of places to meet.
  • Never meet at your home or at a residence.
  • Do not disclose your personal information.
  • Check-out the buyer or seller’s social media profile to help determine if he or she is legitimate.
  • Bring a friend or family member to the transaction.
  • Have a complete plan in place before meeting, including a public meeting location, specific time, how funds will be exchanged (use transaction apps when possible – if paying in cash, only have the payment due on hand). Be wary and strongly consider canceling if the person changes anything last minute.
  • Trust your instincts! If something doesn’t feel right, cancel the meeting.
  • Never meet at night, alone, or in an isolated area.

Keep Sidewalks Clear of Snow and Ice

Please clear your sidewalk of snow and ice all winter to keep Minneapolis accessible for everyone. Many in our city rely on the sidewalks to get to work, school, errands, appointments and more. One- and two-family dwellings have 24 hours after the snow stops to clear their sidewalks. All other properties must have clear sidewalks within four hours. If you don’t clear your sidewalk, you could get a warning letter and bill from the City to remove snow from your sidewalk. A typical bill is $229.

Resources are available for people who are unable to shovel or clear their sidewalks. Several for-hire contractors and a few nonprofit organizations can help. If you need help, you can call 311 to find the best match in your area. Visit the City website for more information and resources or to report an issue.


Using the Right Amount of Salt Saves Money and Protects Clean Water

Winter road and sidewalk de-icing salt is a major – and permanent – polluter of local freshwater lakes and streams. Seventy-eight percent of salt applied in the metro area ends up in groundwater or local lakes and rivers.  Salt also causes infrastructure damage to things like vehicles and concrete and can hurt pet’s paws. Use the tips below or take the 30 minute Salt Mini Course here.

Salting tips:

  • Shovel: Physical removal is always most effective and prevents snow from turning into ice.
  • Select: Salt or sand? Salt doesn’t melt ice if the pavement is below 15 degrees, so use sand or grit for traction when it’s too cold or choose a different de-icer.
  • Scatter: A 12-ounce coffee cup of salt is enough to cover 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway.
  • Sweep: Clean up leftover salt and reuse as needed.

Equity Corner: Microaggressions

Microaggression is a term used for commonplace daily verbal, behavioral or environmental slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward stigmatized or culturally marginalized group, including LGBTQ+ people, people living in poverty, and people who are disabled. The persons making the comments may be otherwise well-intentioned and unaware of the potential impact of their words.

  • This handout has helpful examples of common racial microaggressions we may be unwittingly committing in our day-to-day interactions with friends, neighbors, or co-workers.
  • Also, this YouTube video does a great job of illustrating the little things people say that on the surface may not seem harmful.
  • Finally, if you’d like a quick tool for learning how to avoid microaggressions in the future, you can watch this short video here.

Thank you to Armatage neighbor, Sheila Dingels, for this write-up!


Neighborhood Roots Winter Markets

Neighborhood Roots Winter Markets return to Bachman’s with music, fresh food and beverages, produce, crafts, and gifts from local farmers, bakers, and artisans. This market series will take place outdoors (November and December) and indoors (January – March) at Bachman’s and will feature all your favorite vendors from the Kingfield, Fulton, and Nokomis Farmers Market.

The next winter market is this Saturday, December 10 from 10am – 2pm. For more information, visit www.neighborhoodrootsmn.org/winter-markets. Pets are not allowed at the market. Service animals are always welcome.


Field + Festival Holiday Market at Wagners

Field + Festival’s popular holiday markets at Wagner’s Garden Center are BACK! Check out the food and maker market series every Saturday and Sunday from 10am–2pm this holiday season. The fun happens inside the Wagners greenhouses, a warm escape perfect for holiday shopping!

Check out each week’s participating vendors and learn more at https://www.fieldandfestival.com/events


Apply for the 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program

The 4d program helps preserve naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) in Minneapolis through commitments from property owners to ensure long term affordability. This program allows property owners to obtain property tax reductions for agreeing to keep at least 20% of rental units affordable for 10 years. The eligibility for 4d property tax rate provides an approximate 40% tax rate reduction on qualifying units with prorated reductions. For example, if you enroll 50% of the units in the building the reduction would be about 20%.

The 4d program also helps rental property owners make their existing buildings greener through cost sharing: $50,000 per building (up to 70% of project costs) with eligibility determined by a free energy assessment and Solar Energy incentives up to $50,000 per project. The application deadline is January 11, 2023 at 5pm. Property owners are encouraged to apply early! For additional information regarding the application process, benefits, and commitments, visit the 4d website. Please feel free to reach out with any questions at 4dprogram@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-5055.

November 29, 2022 eNews

It’s Giving Tuesday!  Will You Support the ANA?

We hope you’ll join us in supporting the Armatage Neighborhood Association Association this Giving Tuesday! Click here to make a secure donation through Give MN.

Big or small, EVERY donation matters!  With your help, the ANA works to make Armatage a place where all are welcome, empowered, and connected through community-building events and programs (see the list below), environmental work, safety initiatives, advocacy and communications that keep you informed and engaged. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, every donation to the ANA is tax-deductible and eligible for employer matching. Give today at givemn.org/organization/Armatage-Neighborhood-Association

2022 Year in Review

Here’s what your neighborhood association did to build community and make Armatage an event better place to live and work this year:

  • Fire & Ice Skating Party with Armatage Park (Jan)
  • Green Team Monthly Reading Circle (Feb-Sep)
  • Green Team Regenerative Agriculture series (Mar)
  • Earth Day Neighborhood Clean-up (Apr)
  • Tech Help for Seniors drop-in event (Apr)
  • Armatage Pet Fest (May)
  • Garden Tool Swap with City of Mpls (May)
  • Annual Meeting & Board Election (May)
  • Movie in the Park with Armatage Park (Jun)
  • Garden Evolution Workshop (Jun)
  • Armatage Summer Jam (Aug)
  • Rain & Pollinator Garden Program (Aug)
  • Fall Fun at the Washburn Tot Lot (Sep)
  • Electronics Recycling Event (Sep)
  • Fall Neighborhood Clean-up (Oct)
  • Halloween Decoration Tour (Oct)
  • Holiday Light Tour (Dec)
  • New Washburn Tot Lot pollinator garden coming in 2023!

Sign up for the Holiday Light Tour

Enjoy the colorful city streets and light displays of the Armatage AND Kenny neighborhoods this holiday season! The tour is self-guided and open to all! This year’s tour map will be available on Dec 8 at armatage.org/2022holidaylights/  Please be respectful of neighbors on your adventure. If you drive, please turn off your vehicle when you arrive at each stop.

Sign up for the Tour by Dec 6

If you live in Armatage or Kenny and love to decorate for the holidays, sign up to be a part of the Holiday Light Tour! The deadline to register is Tuesday, December 6 at 11:59pm. Learn more and sign up here!


Ward 13 Conversation with MPD Chief O’Hara

Join Council Vice President Linea Palmisano for an evening of conversation with new Police Chief Brian O’Hara on Mon, Dec 12 from 6:30–8 pm at Southwest High School (enter through Door #1 on Beard Ave S).  Please pay attention to parking restrictions on certain blocks around Southwest High School.

Chief O’Hara will share some remarks and then open up the floor to Q &A. Pizza and cookies will be served starting at 6:15 pm. This promises to be a great forum – hope you can join in!


Lake Harriet Trolley Events This Weekend

The beloved, volunteer-run Lake Harriet Trolley has two fun events for all ages this weekend! At both events, the Boy Scouts will offer hot cider, s’mores kits, and hot dogs for sale. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Thanks to Armatage neighbor and volunteer trolley conductor, Linda Ridlehuber, for sharing these:

  • Holly Trolley runs Sat, Dec 3 – Sun, Dec 4, 12–3:30 pm, $5 per passenger. Take a streetcar ride with Santa, then toast a marshmallow and warm yourself by a friendly fire. The ride is about 25 minutes. Tickets go on sale each day beginning about 11:30 AM in the Linden Hills Station for any ride that day and are trip-specific so you won’t have to stand in line.
  • Vinternatt (pictured) runs Sat, Dec 3, 6–8:30 pm, $6 per passenger. Celebrate the serenity and beauty of a Minnesota winter night. The historic streetcar is decorated inside and out and hundreds of luminaries light the track right-of-way. Cozy up to the fire and toast a marshmallow. There are no reservations or advanced ticket sales for this event. The streetcar makes frequent trips; purchase tokens at the Linden Hills Depot.

Buying and Selling Safely This Holiday Season

MPD has seen an increase in robberies associated with buying and selling items using social media such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Meeting with a stranger to make a transaction can be a dangerous situation. During an in-person transaction, individuals have been robbed of the item being sold or the money being paid.  In some cases, people have been shot.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe while meeting to make these transactions:

  • Transactions should only occur in a public place where there is good lighting, surveillance cameras, and with vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Police precincts, coffee shops, and public libraries are good examples of places to meet.
  • Never meet at your home or at a residence.
  • Do not disclose your personal information.
  • Check-out the buyer or seller’s social media profile to help determine if he or she is legitimate.
  • Bring a friend or family member to the transaction.
  • Have a complete plan in place before meeting, including a public meeting location, specific time, how funds will be exchanged (use transaction apps when possible – if paying in cash, only have the payment due on hand). Be wary and strongly consider canceling if the person changes anything last minute.
  • Trust your instincts! If something doesn’t feel right, cancel the meeting.
  • Never meet at night, alone, or in an isolated area.


Southwest High School Open House Postponed

Southwest High School has postponed its Prospective Student Open House. Stay tuned for the new date at southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us  If you have an incoming high schooler for the 2023-2024 school year, come check it out and learn about all the fabulous offerings at our community high school.


New Online Tool to Track MPRB Trail and Sidewalk Conditions

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) just launched a new Trail Plowing Status map. When snowfalls accumulate to two inches or more, the online tool shows real-time plowing activity from MPRB maintenance crews on park trails and sidewalks throughout the city.

Park staff and patrons can use the map to see where and when MPRB’s established plowing routes were cleared; they can also submit requests, issues or complaints related to snow and ice.

Click here for more information on winter maintenance in Minneapolis parks.


Give Feedback on the Mayor’s Proposed City Budget

Give feedback on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2023-2024 City budget through a public hearing or online comment. The proposed 2023 budget is $1.66 billion and the 2024 budget is $1.71 billion. The proposed tax levy increase for 2023 is 6.5% and is expected to be 6.2% in 2024.  Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more.

Online comments (click here to submit) will be entered into the public record and shared with the mayor and council members.

There is one final public hearing at 6:05pm on Tuesday, Dec 6 at City Hall, 350 S Fifth St, in Room 317. Learn more about participating here. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the budget after the hearing on Tuesday, Dec 6.


Plan for Winter Weather

Winter in Minnesota can be tough with extreme cold, whiteout blizzards and power outages. Children, older adults and people with chronic illness are especially at risk during cold months. Take steps now to prepare for severe winter weather:

  • Sign up for weather alerts on your device and download apps such as the free FEMA app.
  • Know important weather terms:
    • Winter weather advisory means that snow, sleet or freezing rain is accumulating.
    • Winter storm watch means that conditions are right for a storm to happen.
    • Winter storm warning means that a storm is happening.
  • Have a plan to stay home safely if the power goes out. Check in with neighbors, friends and family.
  • Have a plan to stay safe while you travel. Don’t crowd the plow. Have supplies in your vehicle such as boots, extra mittens, a hat, a blanket, a shovel, and traction aids like sand or kitty litter for icy areas.

Are You Signed up for Snow Emergency Alerts?

Snow season is here so now is a great time to make sure you’re signed up to receive snow emergency alerts.  You can sign up for text, email and phone alerts and download the Minneapolis Snow Emergency  app at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/getting-around/snow/snow-emergencies/snow-updates/

When a snow emergency is declared, parking rules take effect so plows can clear the streets. Plowing the streets completely requires vehicles parked on streets to move. We all have to work together to do our part and follow the parking rules so plows can do the best job possible and we can avoid a ticket and tow.


Field + Festival Holiday Market at Wagners

Field + Festival’s popular holiday markets at Wagner’s Garden Center are BACK! Check out the food and maker market series every Saturday and Sunday from 10am–2pm this holiday season. The fun happens inside the Wagners greenhouses, a warm escape perfect for holiday shopping!

Check out each week’s participating vendors and learn more at https://www.fieldandfestival.com/events


November is National Native American Heritage Month

What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

If you’d like to learn more, or want to celebrate the month with your family, the Meet Minneapolis has an excellent website that shares events, local restaurants, and retailers that honor our Indigenous people’s heritage. Celebrating Native American Heritage Month in Minneapolis | Meet Minneapolis | Meet Minneapolis

One of the very first proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, called upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.

The year before this proclamation was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a national day being proclaimed. Sadly, it took until 1990 for President George H. W. Bush to approve a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.”

Native Americans have been living in America for a very long time. They are not a single nation but include a variety of cultures, nations, and languages. Some people believe that they have been living on the sub-continent for over 30,000 years. The 10 largest Native American tribes are Navajo, Cherokee, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw, Apache, Pueblo, Iroquois, Creek, and Blackfeet, according to census data from 2010. The government of Native Americans serves as the model of federated representative democracy. The government system of the U.S. is based on the system in which the power is distributed amongst the central authority and smaller political units.

Thank you to Armatage neighbor, Sheila Dingels, for this write-up!