March 16, 2021 Meeting Recap
Congratulations to newly-elected board member Janhel Leandre! Council Member Linea Palmisano addressed concerns on the trial, Roof Depot building in East Phillips, and charges files after recent carjacking arrests. Members of Armatage Reparations & Equity Action (AREA) shared how they’re helping more neighbors renounce racial housing covenants on their homes. Save the date for more on AREA at the Armatage Annual Meeting on May 18 on Zoom.
The ANA Board approved funds for web hosting and for take home planting kits for Community Engagement’s upcoming spring food truck event. All are welcome to join Armatage meetings. Register to attend at http://bit.ly/ANAmtgs
Armatage Solar Workshop
Tuesday, March 30
7:00pm | Zoom
Join the Armatage Green Team and the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) for a free community workshop on solar options including rooftop solar, solar gardens, options for renters and more! Register to attend at https://forms.gle/NNSk3FVnePjmbzVz8
The workshop is free to attend, will last approximately 60 minutes, and is open to all, whether you live in Armatage or not. All attendees will be entered to win a solar portable charger (generously donated by MRES) or a $25 gift card to either Wagner’s or Ace (donated by the ANA and Green Team). Must be present to win.
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 tomorrow (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.
Renouncing Racial Housing Covenants
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 May 18 Armatage Annual Meeting.
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/
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/
Kid Clutter Pickup Drive in Armatage
Spring is here! Clean out all your outgrown kid stuff during the Kid Clutter Pickup Drive in Armatage on April 1st – 5th.
Kid A will pick up your used baby and kid items, pay you for gear they resell, and donate everything else to local organizations like Free Bikes 4 Kids MN and Arc’s Value Village.
Turn your kid clutter into community resources in one convenient and safe pickup – reserve a time now (slots are limited), then get ready to declutter! Learn more at https://kidamarketplace.com/pickup-drive
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/
New Solid Waste & Recycling Facebook Group
Join the new Minneapolis Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organics Facebook group and talk with your fellow community members on all things garbage, recycling and organics recycling (composting). If you’re unsure whether an item is recyclable or compostable, your friends, family and neighbors in this group and Solid Waste & Recycling staff will help you find the answer.
Stay up to date on news and events happening in your community and learn useful tips and tricks to recycle, compost, reuse, and reduce waste as well. Please note if your garbage, recycling, organics, etc. were missed, or you received an educational tag on one of your carts – please call our office at 612-673-2917. These issues cannot be addressed in the Facebook group. Click here to join.
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.
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
Community Engagement next meets Thursday, April 1 from 5:30-6:30pm on Zoom to plan a distanced community event in May. Stay tuned!
The Green Team will next meet on Thursday, April 8 from 7:00-8:15pm.
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.