July 16, 2020 eNews

July 21, 2020 Agenda

6:30-8:30pm | Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/94646891472

All meetings are open to community members. Please allow time to sign in at the link above.

  • Welcome & Introductions
  • Officer Elections for Vice President & Secretary
  • Community Conversation Next Steps
    • Recap of June 9 and June 25 Conversations
    • Community Safety Survey
    • Where We Go Next
  • August Community Outreach:
    • Food Truck Night
    • Bike Parade?
    • Budget, Communications & Outreach Plan
  • Summer 2020 Print Newsletter
    • Content
    • Articles Due July 31
  • Other Business
  • President’s Report
  • Minutes – Approved Via Email
  • Treasurer Report – Financials Emailed
  • Committee Updates
    • Green Team:
      • Native Plant Rebate Program
      • Adopt a Storm Drain Challenge
      • Litter Be Gone Clean-up
    • Complete Count:
      • Census Social Media Campaign wrap-up
    • Mini Grants:
      • Happy Hour 2 Min Recap
  • Coordinator Update:
    • Neighborhoods 2020
    • Board Member Info on Website
    • August ANA Meeting

Final Ward 13 Public Safety Conversation Tonight

Council Member Linea Palmisano is hosting the last in a series of virtual community dialogues on the future of public safety in our city tonight from 6:00-7:00pm. If you are able to participate, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040449A9A628ABFC1-palmisano



Proposed City Charter Amendment

Learn more about the City Council’s proposed charter amendment at http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/charter/WCMSP-225116 If passed, it would create a new Community Safety & Violence Prevention Department and remove the Police Department from the Charter. The Charter Commission has one more public hearing on the amendment scheduled for next Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00pm.

Ways to comment:



Final Revised City Budget Public Hearing

The City Council’s Budget Committee will hold its final public hearing on proposed revisions to the City’s 2020 budget. Minneapolis faces a significant revenue shortfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and needs to make cuts to the City’s roughly $1.5 billion budget. Community members can engage and share their voices in this process during the second and last online public hearing this Wednesday, July 22 at 10:00am.

You can watch or participate in the online meetings. The City Council is scheduled to vote July 24 on a revised 2020 budget. For more information about the budget, visit the City’s website.


Mental Health Crisis and Non-Emergency Crime Surveys

The City of Minneapolis wants to hear from residents who have experienced and reported mental health emergencies and non-emergency crimes.  A team of residents and staff are redesigning the way calls are handled and hope to hear your perspectives on who responded, how you were treated, and if your needs were met to make real change in our communities. Surveys are open to all and responses are anonymous. Both close this Friday, July 17 at 11:59pm.

Click here for the mental health survey.
Click here for the non-emergency crime survey.

If you have questions, please email the Office of Performance & Innovation at innovate@minneapolismn.gov


Polling Location Changes

To keep voters safe, 50 polling locations throughout Minneapolis are changing for both the 2020 Primary and General Election. Of the 50 relocated polling places, 16 were in senior homes, high-rises and other residential sites and another 32 had insufficient space for people to keep at least 6 feet apart. Registered voters will receive a postcard in the mail with their new polling locations. You can also check the Minnesota Secretary of State’s polling place finder to see if your polling place has changed.

Vote by Mail

All Minnesota voters are eligible to vote by mail. This year in particular, we encourage you to stay safe and minimize direct contact with others while exercising your civic duty. It only takes a couple minutes to request ballots for both the August 11 primary and the general election. Ballots will arrive with postage-paid envelopes for return. Complete the vote by mail application online here.   You can track the status of your ballot or confirm that it was received back and accepted without problem.

Vote Early In-person

Visit the Minneapolis Early Vote Center (980 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis MN 55414) Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm (Saturday hours start in August) to vote early in-person for the August 11 Primary.  Hours and details are posted at vote.minneapolismn.gov/events/ and please don’t forget your mask!



Free Activities and Programs in the Parks

Find activities you can enjoy solo, with others from your household, or while social distancing. From Family Recreation Saturdays from 2:00-4:00pm each week at Linden Hills Park, Fun on the Run youth activities each Wednesday from 1:00-4:00pm at Kenny Park, or Old Fashioned Outside Yard Games for all ages on Sundays from 4:00-5:00pm at Lyndale Farmstead, there are TONS of great distanced outdoor programs for kids and adults happening through the end of August.

For up-to-date listings, including virtual programs, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/summer2020



Emergency Rent Assistance & Evictions Suspended Through Aug 12

Hennepin County is still accepting applications for its emergency rent assistance program. Learn more and apply at www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/emergency-rental-covid19

With the extension of MN’s peacetime emergency through August 12, evictions are suspended but rent is still due so please continue to share this resource widely.


Last Chance to Comment on Park Master Plans

You have one last chance to comment on two Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Master Plans that impact our area.  Click on each link below to learn more about the project, view the final plans, and submit your comments:



Be Counted in the Census

If you haven’t completed the 2020 Census yet, please take a few minutes to respond and remind your friends and family to do the same. Census data determines how billions of dollars in federal funding is allocated and impacts representation at the local, state, and national level.

Minnesota is currently leading the nation with a 71.5 percent response rate! You can help maintain our lead by responding online here, by phone, or by mail.


Upcoming Trainings on Resilience, Peace and Healing Racial Trauma

When terrible things happen, like racism, police brutality, and COVID-19, our peace has been stolen from us. Intro to STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) for Cultural Competence trainings teach how to build culturally competent peace back into our lives and communities with justice for all.

2-hour online trainings are led by the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute and are partially funded by the City of Minneapolis’ Office of Violence Prevention to promote racial trauma healing, resilience, and restorative justice for all who live, work, and/or play in Minneapolis. Pay-what-you-can up to $30. Minnesota social workers, teachers, and nurses can earn 2 hours of continuing education for $45.

Click the date/time link to register:
Friday, July 17, 2020, 10am – 12pm CST
Tuesday, July 21, 2020, 2pm – 4pm CST
Thursday, July 23, 2020, 10am – 12pm CST
Tuesday, July 28, 2020, 2pm – 4pm CST
Friday, July 31, 2020, 10am – 12pm CST



Pick up a Free 20 is Plenty Yard Sign

Did you know that both Minneapolis and Saint Paul are in the process of implementing new, lower speed limits to support safer streets? Starting this fall, the new speed limit will be 20 mph in both cities unless otherwise signed. Many busier streets already have new 25 mph speed limit signs installed. Learn more about new speed limits here.

To help get out the word out, you can pick up a free “20 is Plenty” yard sign at any Minneapolis Fire Station, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm from July 6 to July 24 while supplies last. Due to COVID-19, signs will be available outside the stations for no-contact pickup. Signs come with metal stands. Find your nearest fire station here.


National Night Out Postponed to Sept 15

ICYMI, National Night Out has been postponed until September 15 this year. Block leaders can register their event and request to close their street here for this annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, hold block parties and get to know their neighbors.