March 16, 2021 Agenda
It’s a busy one this month! All are welcome to join next week’s meeting. Register to attend at http://bit.ly/ANAmtgs
- Welcome and Introductions (6:30pm)
- Special Election for Open Board Seat (6:35pm)
- Update from Council Member Linea Palmisano (6:40pm)
- Armatage Reparations & Equity Action (AREA) – Eric Magnuson & Veronica Soria Miller (7:10pm)
- 2021 Annual Meeting & Board Election Planning (7:30pm)
- Spring Newsletter (7:50pm)
- ANA Website Hosting & Domain Renewal (8:05pm)
- Committees – 3 Minute Updates (8:10pm)
- Safety, Equity & Outreach
- Community Engagement
- Green Team
- Mini Grant
March Special Election
We’re holding a special election for one open board seat this Tuesday, March 16! Learn more about the duties and register to run by tomorrow (March 12) at https://armatage.org/march-2021-special-election/
Election and voting info for Armatage residents (18 years and up) and designated neighborhood business/institutional representatives will be live at https://armatage.org from 9:00am-6:40pm on Tuesday, March 16. Please vote! 🙂
City Safety & Trial Info
The City of Minneapolis launched a new webpage to keep our community safe and informed during the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin. Find updates on current street closures, sign up for trial updates, report suspicious activity, and find mental health resources for support during this traumatic time at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/trial-support-safety/
If you need assistance:
- Call 911 for emergencies where someone’s safety is at risk that requires an immediate response from police, firefighters, or medics.
- Call 612-692-TIPS (8477) or text 847411 to report suspicious activity directly to MPD that doesn’t require an emergency response (example: reporting a fast-moving car without license plates or spotting something odd in an alley)
- Call Minneapolis 311 at 311 or 612-673-3000 or email Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov for non-emergency concerns.
Our colleagues at the Minneapolis Downtown Council put together a helpful guide with dates, links, and FAQs on the upcoming trial. Check it out at https://www.mplsdowntown.com/trial/
Armatage Reparations & Equity Action (AREA)
Not long ago, racial covenants barred anyone who wasn’t white from owning hundreds of Armatage homes. Armatage Reparations & Equity Action (AREA) is a new group of local neighbors raising awareness of the covenants and their legacy. Although unenforceable today, the covenants still shape Southwest Minneapolis in 2021.
AREA publicly launched in January and has inspired at least 17 Armatage households to renounce their covenants. They invite you to join them. In the weeks and months ahead, they will launch a variety of initiatives intended to counter the covenants’ long-term effects. Learn more at AREA1946.com or at the March 16 ANA Meeting (sign up above).
The City of Minneapolis also recently launched the Just Deeds program to help all Minneapolis residents denounce racial housing covenants on their homes. Learn more and apply at https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/attorney/just-deeds/
Get Involved on an Armatage Committee
The ANA just launched two NEW Armatage Committees! Neighbors are encouraged to join and get involved. Currently, all meetings are held on Zoom. Click on each group’s link below to learn more. Register to attend a meeting at https://bit.ly/ANAmtgs
The Green Team meets TONIGHT, Thursday, March 11, from 7:00-8:15pm.
Community Engagement next meets Thursday, April 1 from 5:30-6:30pm on Zoom to plan a distanced community event in May. Stay tuned!
Safety, Equity & Outreach will next meet on Saturday, April 10 from 10:00-11:00am at Armatage Park. Kids welcome and plan to wear a mask. Please note the date change due to Spring Break, Passover and Easter.
Hennepin County Emergency Rent Assistance: Apply through March 19
Hennepin County is offering emergency rent assistance. Households with unpaid rent and low incomes may qualify. The deadline to apply is noon Friday, March 19. Click here to apply now.
While you can’t be evicted for not paying rent during Governor Walz’s executive order, rent is still due. When the order is lifted, people owing unpaid rent could be at risk for eviction. This is an initial short-term program for urgent needs. More help will be offered through a statewide COVID-19 Emergency Rent Assistance program opening later this month.
Hennepin County Food Waste Survey
We love food, which is why most of us hate seeing it go to waste. By taking steps to reducing food waste, you can ensure that the money you spend on your food and the energy, land and water it takes to grow it and get it to you doesn’t go to waste. Reducing food waste is also one of the most important actions we can take to address climate change.
Help Hennepin County understand more about food waste so we can work together to reduce it! Take the 5 minute survey to provide insights into how you interact with food – from shopping, storage, cooking, and finally disposal – and how the county can support you in preventing food waste: https://hennepinco.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9NXd82xg4vSun8p
Discount Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale
Get a jump-start on gardening by ordering a discount compost bin ($66) or rain barrel ($79) through the City of Minneapolis and the Recycling Association of Minnesota this spring. You can pick up your order on May 15 from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Minneapolis Recycling Operations Facility, 2710 Pacific Street, Minneapolis, MN. Learn more at https://recycleminnesota.org/work/compost-bins-rain-barrels/
Low Cost Blue Thumb Spring Workshops
Blue Thumb is offering low cost DIY workshops again this spring. Topics include Bee Lawns, Resilient Yards and Planting for Pollinators. Attendees can get practical ideas for strengthening their yard while protecting the environment.
Staff from Metro Blooms, Blue Thumb’s parent organization, lead the workshops, which start in March. Each workshop costs $15 unless otherwise noted. Scholarships are available on request. More information and registration details can be found at https://bluethumb.org/events/ or by leaving a message at 651-699-2426. Presentations will be recorded for registrants who are not able to attend.