February 15, 2022 Meeting Recap
At this month’s meeting, new Minneapolis Park Commissioner Cathy Abene attended and shared about her first weeks in office, her focus on water resources and youth programming at parks across the city, and answered questions about working more closely with the City of Minneapolis and the watershed district. Board members also planned this year’s Annual Meeting with a theme of Growing Together and the next print newsletter, which goes to all addresses in the neighborhood.
The ANA elected Charlie Wolfe to the Board (congrats, Charlie!!) and has one remaining open seat. The Board has a new midterm election policy outlined in the recently-approved ANA Bylaws, where the ANA will put out a call for interested candidates and elect new board members at the next month’s ANA Meeting. Please contact us at anacoordinator@armatage.org with any questions – we’re here to help!
Upcoming 58th St/Sunrise Dr/60th St Meeting
Minneapolis Public Works will hold a virtual meeting on the 60th St/Sunrise Dr/58th St repaving project and related assessment on Wednesday, February 23rd, at 6:30pm. To access the virtual meeting, please visit https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/58th-st-w/ A link to the Microsoft Teams meeting will be posted on the resurfacing project page the day of the meeting.
If you have any questions about assessments for this project, please email the Special Assessment Office at pwspecialassessments@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-2401. If you have any questions about construction, please email: Hazel.Wolf@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-772-2524.
Recent Policy & Government Oversight Discussion on No-Knock Warrants
Following the February 2 fatal police shooting of Amir Locke, City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, chair of the City Council’s Policy & Government Oversight Committee, invited nationally recognized experts to present on research pertaining to police procedures and no-knock warrants. The focus of the committee presentation was to gain insight on current policies and next steps to guarantee the effectiveness of these policies.
Presentations included information from Rachel Moran, associate professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, University of St. Thomas law student Sarah Murtada, and civil rights attorneys Ben Crump, Jeff Storms and Antonio Romanucci.
Click here to watch the Feb 7 Committee meeting.
Participate in the Redistricting Process
After every census, Minneapolis updates the boundaries of its 13 wards and six park districts to reflect new population counts. The Redistricting Group, made up of 24 Minneapolis volunteers, builds the new maps with input from their communities. The Redistricting Group needs your help with the redistricting project to make sure all voices are heard. See below for the remaining redistricting process meetings, which you can watch on the City’s website, the City’s YouTube channel, or on Comcast channels 14 or 799.
There is one more public hearing on Thursday, Feb 24 at 4:00pm (register online here to speak).
Next steps: the Minneapolis Charter Commission is expected to approve proposed ward and park district maps at 4:00pm on Wednesday, Mar 2. The City Council will vote on proposed voting precincts and polling places based on the new maps at its regular meeting at 9:30am on Thursday, Mar 10.
- Sign up to get notices for all upcoming redistricting meetings.
- See current drafts of ward maps.
- See current drafts of park district maps.
Armatage Park is Hiring!
Armatage Park is hiring! Positions available range from childcare staff to programmers, customer service and building supervisors! The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board offers flexible scheduling with hours ranging from afternoon-evening, weekdays and weekends available.
This is a great opportunity for teens, young adults, retired neighbors and anyone looking for flexible, fun work. Reach out to our Park Director Jordan at Armatage@mineapolisparks.org for more information or to apply.
Recreation Center Hours
As of Monday, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Center hours are back to Monday-Friday: 3:00-9:00 pm and Saturday 12:00-6:00 pm. Building visitors and employees must wear a mask in all common spaces within MPRB buildings. People should socially distance at least six feet within buildings. Search all available park activities at minneapolisparks.org/register.
Join the Board
The Armatage Neighborhood Association (ANA) has one open seat on the Board of Directors! We welcome any Armatage resident that is interested in making an impact, wanting to connect with neighbors and can provide a unique perspective! This is an opportunity open to renters and homeowners alike!
The time commitment and duties are posted at https://armatage.org/open-board-seats/ If you are interested in learning more, please email us at anacoordinator@armatage.org and plan to attend the March 15 Monthly Meeting at 6:30pm on Zoom. Photo credit: Jacob Tapia.
Celebrate Black History Month
The first Black History Month was organized in February 1926 by Carter G. Woodson to encourage “people of all ethnic and social backgrounds [to] discuss the black experience” (ASALH). Congress passed “National Black History Month” into law in 1986, proclaiming that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity” (Library of Congress).
Here are just a few small ways to learn more:
- Sign up for free, once-a-day emails from Anti-Racism Daily’s 28 Days of Black History at https://www.28daysofblackhistory.com/
- The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery’s latest exhibit shares the stories of early Black settlers in Southeast Minnesota. Now open with free admission and parking. Learn more here.
- Hennepin County Library has book lists and resources for every age at https://www.hclib.org/about/news/2022/February/black-history-month
Thanks to Safety, Equity & Outreach Member Sheila Dingels for pulling these resources together!
Personal Safety & Carjacking Prevention Tips
Our Safety Equity & Outreach Committee has pulled together tips from a wide range of sources from cities across the country, local media, law enforcement, and our own committee members. We hope they help you to stay aware and stay safe.
See the full list at https://armatage.org/safety-tips/ Follow the ANA on Facebook or Instagram for posts to share with family, friends and neighbors.
Organize a Block Party? Let us Know!
The ANA is gathering block leader contact information for every block in Armatage and we need your help! If you help organize any events on your block (like block parties, book clubs, etc.), you’re a block leader and we’d love to connect with you!
Currently, city requirements mean that block leader information cannot be shared or accessed by neighborhoods. Thanks to everyone who has already reached out – we’ve got contact information for about 1/3 of all blocks in Armatage and need to keep adding to this list!
- If you are a block leader and we don’t have your contact info yet, please send your name, address, email address, phone, and the block(s) that you represent to us at anacoordinator@armatage.org
- If you’re interested in learning more about block and apartment clubs and how they work, visit http://bit.ly/blockclubs to learn more!
Armatage Welcome Bags
Have you or any neighbors on your block recently moved to Armatage? If so, we want to bring an Armatage Welcome Bag! The groovy, reusable tote bag’s contents include useful information on the ANA, elected representatives, governmental services, local businesses, and a couple of fun items to welcome you.
- Homeowners: be on the lookout for friendly ANA volunteers Ethan (pictured), Eli or Kevin with a Welcome Bag with your name on it! They’ll swing by to do a distanced drop-off.
- Renters: if you are a renter who moved in during the past year or if you own a rental property in the neighborhood and have newish tenants, please reach out to us at anacoordinator@armatage.org and let us know where we can drop off a Welcome Bag!
Join Hennepin County’s Plastic-Free Challenge
Our actions help create a plastic-free world!
Join the 1,024 participants (and counting!) in reducing your plastic consumption, especially single-use plastics, in ways that fit best in your lifestyle and are most impactful to reducing your footprint. The challenge, which runs through February 28, will help you increase your understanding of plastics and plastic waste, uncover opportunities to cut back on the amount of plastic you bring into your home, and provide support and motivation to make lasting change at home and in your community. Learn more and sign up at https://hennepinplasticfree.ecochallenge.org/
(The ANA hosted a GREAT workshop on the problem with plastic and practical solutions one year ago with informative speakers from the City, Tare Market, and Eureka Recycling – check it out here!)
Minneapolis Lifts Food/Drink Establishment COVID Restrictions
The City of Minneapolis has lifted emergency regulations requiring people entering food and drink establishments to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test. The end of the mandate comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are trending downward. Case rates in Minneapolis have been dropping rapidly and positivity rates below the high-risk threshold. Businesses may continue with their own vaccine or testing requirements.
The City requirement that masks are worn in most public places will remain in effect.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing
Vaccines: if you haven’t been vaccinated or gotten a booster yet, get a free vaccine as soon as you can. Visit mn.gov/vaccine to use the Vaccine Locator Map (more options listed below). Learn more about boosters here.
Testing: you can now order four totally free COVID-19 rapid tests per residential household through https://www.covidtests.gov/ Ordering takes just a couple minutes. For more local testing options including home saliva PCR tests, visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/index.html
Mask Mandate: all patrons, employees and visitors over the age of 2 must wear a mask in Minneapolis businesses and areas of public accommodation. Learn more at https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/coronavirus/masking-guidance/
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The Armatage Neighborhood Association works to make Armatage a place where all are welcome, empowered, and connected through safety initiatives, community-building events, environmental work, advocacy and communications that keep you informed and engaged.
Big or small, EVERY donation matters! Give today at www.givemn.org/organization/Armatage-Neighborhood-Association As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, every donation to the ANA is tax-deductible and eligible for an employer match.