September 14, 2017 eNews

September 19th Meeting Agenda

  • Welcome
  • Guest: Learn about 911
    • Update on changes coming to the service
  • City Council Update
  • Park Update, Nikki Friederich
    • Halloween – Trunk or Treat
  • President’s Report
  • Secretary Report
    • Electronic votes
      • Formation of a Small Business Facade Grant Program
      • Reconfirm interest in our Rain Garden proposal ($450 to homeowner, ANA the rest)
      • Approval of July minutes
  • Treasurer Report
  • Committee Updates
    • Community Engagement
      • Happy Hour – Red Wagon, Tues 10/3
      • Washburn Park – project has started
    • Green Team — additional garden funding or remaining at 10
    • Safety (Personal Safety workshop, Sat, Sept 23)
      • Stun and Run Self Defense – $100/1 hr or $200/2 hr
    • Summer Festival – Recap
  • Coordinator Update
    • October newsletter
      • Inquiries about advertising and business notifications
    • Accountant services
    • Air quality survey
    • Bylaws – Judy, Joel, Jim, Kelly, Laurel
    • Construction updates: Upton, 54th
    • Variance notices
      • 5925 Russell
      • 5728 Oliver
      • 5400 Washburn
    • November event – charity, tree lighting, activities
    • City Grievance Policy
    • City Zero Waste Draft Plan
    • 2020 meeting results available online
    • Court Watch program
  • New Business
    • Consider inviting Mobile Menders
    • Consider arranging community meeting and greet with members of Mpls Muslim community
  • Adjourn

Meetings are always open to the public. We invite you to come learn and share your thoughts about issues that affect our community.


Tuesday, Oct 3 • 7:00-9:00pm
Red Wagon Pizza

Join us at Red Wagon Pizza on October 3 for a neighborhood happy hour. We are excited to be welcomed at a new location, and look forward to seeing our neighbors, and enjoying some good food, drink and conversation.

Happy hour drink prices • Snacks provided by the ANA

Personal Safety Workshop

Saturday, Sept 23 • 10:00am-Noon • FREE
Armatage Rec Center

Join us for this personal safety workshop. This is the anticipated schedule for the workshop:

  • Initial brief crime analysis of the Armatage neighborhood (to see what areas are being affected, why certain crimes are being committed and to show each neighbor where crime is in proximity to their home)
  • Academic and practical assessments of situational awareness, or how to be aware of your surroundings and stay safe from crime.
  • Q&A Session
  • Hands-on self-defense moves & tactics to get out of dangerous situations; pepper spray (inert) & stun gun demonstrations
  • Additional Q&A Session (if time permits)

Sponsored by the ANA. Presented by Stun & Run Self Defense and the Self Defense Bros.
(www.stunrun.com / www.selfdefensebros.com)

E-poll books debut this November

By Casey Joe Carl, Minneapolis City Clerk
July 21, 2017

Image result for knowink poll pad

They’re here! In November, voters will find new technology in the polls. These are the electronic poll books, or EPBs, and they’re bringing a heightened level of service to Minneapolis voters. In a nutshell, these devices replace the bulky printed roster books used for voter verification and check-in at the polls on Election Day. As a result, EPBs help reduce long lines and wait times on Election Day.

Until now, election judges have been dependent on printed roster books containing lists of registered voters in a particular precinct. Expensive and cumbersome, these roster books required significant effort to produce and compile before Election Day, and an equal investment after Election Day to update voter history in the statewide registration system. The transition to an electronic roster not only expedites voter check-in and verification processes and makes it easier to look up voter data, but also saves money, makes post-election data updates faster and easier (and less prone to human error), and strengthens the integrity of the election.

Each EPB unit includes an iPad, a stand, battery pack, and a mini-printer. The iPads have limited functionality, tied specifically to the single purpose of checking, verifying, and—when necessary—registering voters. By limiting their functionality, the security of the voter data, access, and potential hacking is significantly minimized. Because multiple devices can be interconnected and working at the same time in a single precinct, the EPBs are able to synchronize voter data in real-time throughout the day, helping ensure the integrity of the election by preventing individuals from voting more than once.

EPB technology is currently deployed in 32 states, plus the District of Columbia. Last year, the technology was deployed throughout Hennepin County, with the exception of the City of Minneapolis. The EPBs worked well for other cities in the 2016 Presidential Election, and this year Minneapolis joins the other cities in using EPBs. The agreement with Hennepin County provides that the EPB hardware, software, operating equipment, license, and vendor support are all provided at no cost to the City. The entire EVS team completed training provided by the vendor, KNOWiNK, and is preparing specialized training programs for the City’s election judges. Training for election judges will be held in the months of September and October.

Be sure to look for the EPB in your polling place this year. We’re confident that this new technology will help ensure a successful, seamless, and positive implementation to improve service to our voters.

11th Annual Minneapolis Bike Tour

Sunday, Sept 17 • 8:00am
Start & Finish at Boom Island Park

Come experience the beautiful parkways that make Minneapolis the best place to bike in the country by participating in the 2017 Minneapolis Bike Tour! Spanning the Grand rounds Scenic Byway System, the Minneapolis Bike Tour is a family-oriented, recreational tour that is great for all ages and abilities.

The tour will take place on Sunday, September 17, at 8 am, with a picturesque start and finish line area at Boom Island Park (724 Sibley St. NE). There are two routes to choose from; 16-mile and 32-mile, both of which are closed to motorized traffic. All routes include stops with refreshments and bike mechanics.

Stick around after the ride to enjoy live music, beer for participants 21+ (must show ID), courtesy of local Utepils Brewing, food from local vendors, exhibitor booths and bike tour merchandise for sale.

For more information, please visit our website at www.minneapolisbiketour.com

Registration September 13-17: $50 (youth $40)

New Minneapolis program available to clean up litter in public spaces

The City of Minneapolis’ Division of Solid Waste and Recycling recognizes that not all volunteers are able to commit to reoccurring cleanup events, or maintaining areas for an extended period of time. The new Request for Litter Clean-Up Supplies program offers volunteers an opportunity to participate in one-time, no commitment cleanup activities. The program provides litter clean-up supplies such as bags and gloves at no cost, and delivery is provided. The program is available to Minneapolis residents, business and property owners, visitors and other groups that are interested in volunteering to collect litter in their community. Clean-up areas are limited to public sidewalks, curbs, and boulevard greenbelts, green spaces and other public property within the City of Minneapolis.

Find more information here or contact the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling’s Clean City Coordinator at (612) 673-2789.

New City Information System

We are excited to announce the rollout of the new Legislative Information Management System (LIMS), which supports the City’s goal of increasing accessibility and transparency in local government.

Operating like many popular search engines, LIMS is designed to help the public easily track local legislation, find calendars and agendas, and get involved with the City’s many public advisory boards and commissions. In addition to ease of access, LIMS helps users stay up to date on the latest actions taken by the Mayor and City Council as well as export data from LIMS into individualized search reports that can be used for private research or data visualization.

You can access LIMS at lims.minneapolismn.gov