December 18, 2020 eNews

Happy Holidays from the Armatage Neighborhood Association!


December 15 Meeting Recap

The ANA held its final neighborhood meeting of the year and continued its conversation to update board and committee expectations. Our Coordinator Lauren reported that the Holiday Light Tour has had great attendance with 54 votes and counting. Tour messages will be updated to remind drivers not to idle more than 3 minutes on city streets. Council Member Linea Palmisano joined us for the second half of the meeting to answer questions and give an update on the City’s final 2021 budget after last week’s vote, funding for public safety and the impact of COVID-19 on revenue.


Armatage Holiday Light Tour: Voting Ends Sunday

Enjoy the colorful city streets and light displays of our neighborhood with our Armatage Holiday Light Tour, which runs each night from 5:00-8:00pm through this Sunday, December 20. Download the self-guided tour map at https://armatage.org/holidaylights/

While lights will linger throughout the month, voting wraps up on December 20 at 11:59pm, so after you’ve visited every stop on the tour, head back to vote for your favorite holiday displays. In the spirit of fairness, please hold off on voting until you’ve visited each and every stop. The three addresses with the most votes will get a $50 gift card to an Armatage business!

Huge thanks to our neighbors for making this holiday season so much brighter!


Last Chance for a 2020 Safety Rebate

Have you applied for an Armatage Safety Rebate yet this year?  If you’ve considered upgrading motion lighting, installing new deadbolt locks, or adding outdoor security cameras, check our list of eligible expenses and submit your Safety Rebate application for the 2020 program before December 31. If you’ve already gotten a rebate this year, you’ll have the opportunity to apply again in January 2021.

Whether you rent, own a home or operate a business in Armatage, there’s a Safety Rebate option for you! Click below to learn more:


Take the Minneapolis Purchasing & Waste Survey by Sunday

Got a few minutes? Take Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling’s survey on how your waste generation and purchasing behaviors have changed since March. The responses are anonymous and will serve as a guide for developing community outreach and educational messaging for 2021. The survey will close December 20 at 11:59 p.m. Take the survey here.


Reduce Waste this Holiday Season

Click here for tips to reduce food waste, buy used, safely recycle items like broken strings of lights, opt for low-waste decor and more from Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling!

For all of you exchanging gifts this month, look for wrapping paper that is recyclable and made from recycled paper and does not contain glitter, foil, reflective areas or velvet. These types of wrapping paper cannot be recycled or composted and should be put in the garbage. For extra low waste options, opt for fabric, newspaper (the comics section is particularly fun), old maps or calendars, or plain paper bags or boxes that you decorate yourself.


Take the City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Survey by Dec 31

As the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota plan for vaccinations, your perspectives are vital for creating an equitable and effective distribution plan. Share your hopes, concerns and suggestions through the City’s survey before December 31:


Free COVID-19 Testing

The City of Minneapolis is offering free COVID-19 testing for everyone, whether or not you have symptoms. For more info on what to expect, how to quarantine while you wait for results, when to expect results, and links to more testing sites visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing

Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 19

Columbia Golf Course, 3300 Central Ave. NE
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 20, Dec. 21

Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Exhibit Room E
Noon-7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends starting Nov. 9
Make an appointment here.
Find instructions here.

Native American Community Clinic, 1213 E. Franklin Ave.
2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Appointments required: Call 612-872-8086 to schedule an appointment.

Southside Community Health Services, 324 E. 35th St.
2-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
Appointments required: Call 612-821-3548 to schedule an appointment.
Same day testing can be done for health care workers, first responders and essential workers. Otherwise, expect to get your test results in about two-three business days.


New Speed Limits in Minneapolis

Crews finished installing signs at Minneapolis entry points to alert drivers that the speed limit is now 20 mph in the city unless otherwise signed. Slower speeds on local streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how you get around.

Now that the gateway signs are installed, the 20 mph speed limit on Minneapolis residential streets is in effect. New speed limits are 20 mph for local residential streets; 25 mph for larger, arterial City-owned streets; and 30-plus mph for a few City-owned streets. Learn more about the speed limit changes at visionzerompls.com


COVID-19 Business Relief Payments Coming Soon

The Minnesota Department of Revenue will send COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to restaurants, bars, gyms and other eligible businesses under a $216 million economic relief package signed into law December 16. Eligible business owners do not need to take any action to receive this aid. The state will determine eligibility and payment amounts based on program requirements outlined at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/covid-19-business-relief-payments


Free Pet Adoptions at MACC in December

There’s still time to help clear the shelter and help pets find their forever homes for the holidays!  Minneapolis Animal Care & Control has waived all adoption fees for adoptable animals during the month of December! Let’s clear the shelter –  read more here.

Adoption details:

  • Browse adoptable animals at www2.minneapolismn.gov/animals/adopt.
  • Call 311 or 612-673-6222 to request an adoption appointment. All adoptions are being done by appointment to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • Adopters must meet and spend time with the animal they want to adopt before completing adoption paperwork.
  • Minneapolis residents must purchase a City pet license.