Public Safety Conversations & Proposed Charter Amendment
Council Member Linea Palmisano is hosting several community dialogues virtually over the next week on the future of public safety in our city. Hour long calls are offered at different times to fit into your schedule and each has a limited capacity of participants. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040449A9A628ABFC1-palmisano
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. Submit comments and feedback directly to the Commission by emailing councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov or at the link above.
Next Armatage Virtual Happy Hour: July 14
Tuesday, July 14 | 8:00-9:00pm
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/502813335
Grab a snack or drink and join Armatage neighbors for our next Virtual Happy Hour on Zoom! This month is hosted by our Mini Grant Committee and the topic is what neighborhood project would you do with $1,000? Teens and older kids are encouraged to join and share their ideas. Anyone with a connection to Armatage can apply for a Mini Grant during our next funding round. Learn more about Virtual Happy Hours here.
Stay at Home & 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.
Vote early in-person
Early voting has also started for the August 11 State Primary. 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) if you prefer to vote early in-person. Schedules are posted at vote.minneapolismn.gov/events/ and don’t forget your mask!
Track my mail ballot
You can track the status of your ballot or confirm that it was received back and accepted without problem.
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.
Armatage Safety Rebate Program Turns Two!
Cheers to two years of the Armatage Safety Rebate program! Since starting in July 2018, we’ve given out 180 residential rebates and 3 business rebates and counting.
How it works: to increase neighborhood safety, the ANA provides a rebate for the first $100 in expenses for eligible home safety improvements per address per calendar year (no lifetime cap). The residential program is open to both renters and homeowners. For businesses, the rebate is up to $1,000/ year for businesses ($2,000 lifetime cap). Learn more about eligible expenses and apply for a rebate at https://armatage.org/programs/safety-rebate-program
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:
Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 2pm – 4pm CST
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
Revised City Budget Public Hearings
The City Council’s Budget Committee will hold two public hearings in July 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 two online public hearings:
- 6:05 pm Tuesday, July 14
- 10:00 am Wednesday, July 22
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 City’s budget, visit the City’s website.
Minneapolis Minimum Wage Increases
The minimum wage in Minneapolis is now $11.75 for small employers (100 or fewer employees) and $13.25 for large employers (more than 100 employees).
For technical information or risk-free consultation, visit minimumwage.minneapolismn.gov or email minwage@minneapolismn.gov. For more in-depth advice for businesses, including expanded Business Technical Assistance Program legal services, email smallbusiness@minneapolismn.gov.
Emergency Rental Assistance Available
Hennepin County is still accepting applications for its emergency rental assistance program. Learn more and apply at www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/emergency-rental-covid19 While evictions are suspended until July 13, rent is still due so please share this resource widely.
Select Minneapolis Wading Pools Now Open
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has opened 18 wading pools across the city. Our closest options are MLK Park (41st & Nicollet) and Bryant Square Park (31st & Bryant). Click here to learn more about locations and hours, social distancing guidelines, and restroom info.
National Night Out Postponed to Sept 15
Due to COVID-19, 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.
Donate Face Masks for Mask Drive Mondays
Minneapolis residents can still deliver homemade masks to their local fire station from 10:00am-2:00pm every Monday for Mask Drive Mondays. Our closest fire stations are at 2810 W 50th St and 5410 Nicollet Ave S.
Please plan to stay 6 feet away from others when dropping off your donation. The City of Mpls will distribute the donated masks throughout Minneapolis to residents, organizations and businesses that are most in need.
Proposed Armatage Neighborhood Funding Cuts
The City of Minneapolis is considering a plan that would drastically reduce the annual funding for Armatage and many other neighborhoods. The last few months have reinforced how critical strong, local communities are and we believe there can be a better balance that will increase funding for equity while allowing small neighborhoods like Armatage to keep doors open.
We Need Your Help
The comment period deadline has been extended to September 30. Visit armatage.org/n2020 for a message you can copy and send to the Mpls City Council.