It’s Give to the Max Day!

Every donation matters (big or small!) and there are so many amazing local nonprofits to support at givemn.org!

Support the ANA’s work 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 by making a donation (big or small) 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.

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November 16, 2021 Meeting Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined the November Monthly Meeting!  Park Director Jordan Nelson gave a quick update on expanded recreation center hours that are coming after Thanksgiving!  The ANA Board discussed and approved new policies that are required to continue receiving City of Minneapolis funding including an updated Americans with Disabilities Act Policy and new Language Access Policies, Member Hiring Policy, Financial Policies & Procedures, Board Training, Board Strategic Funding Plan and Board Development Plan. These will be linked at armatage.org/about/policies/ soon! The Board also approved 2022 staffing contracts for current ANA Coordinator, Lauren, and Bookkeeper, Claire!

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Sign up for the Holiday Light Tour

If you live in Armatage and love to decorate for the holidays, sign up to be a part of the second annual Armatage Holiday Light Tour! Any winter holiday or theme is welcome so bring your ideas and love of Hannukah, Kwanzaa, New Year, the Winter Solstice, and/or Christmas!

By signing up you agree to have your decorations up during the tour, which runs from December 10 through December 19, and to have your address published on the tour map. Sign up by Tuesday, December 7 at 11:59pm at https://armatage.org/holidaylights/

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Still Have Leaves in your Yard or Drains? We Have Options!

Yard waste collection has ended for the season but there still lots of leaves falling, including into our storm drains where they cause flooding and lead to all kinds of problems in our lakes and the Mississippi River. The pics above were from a volunteer clean-up earlier this month and WOW – what a difference! Thanks to Armatage Green Team members for sending this in!

For leaves on lawns, consider mulching them with your lawn mower to give your grass a nutrient boost, which is quick and easy.  If you find yourself with full yard waste bags and nowhere to take them, here are a few low cost options:

• SKB Malcom (630 Malcolm Ave SE): www.skbinc.com/our-locations/malcolm.html
• Ceres Mulch (Brooklyn Park): www.ceresmulch.com/about
• The Mulch Store (Minnetrista, Burnsville and Shakopee): mulchstoremn.com

Interested in Rooftop Solar?

If you’re interested in going solar, 2022 is a great time to do it with help from neighbors. Your participation will also help Minneapolis reach its goal to generate 10% of electricity needs with local solar. This is part of the City’s climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gases. We’re already at 6% today!

Twin Cities Region Solar Co-op

Twin Cities Region Solar Co-op helps make rooftop solar more accessible for Minneapolis homeowners. The solar co-op joins neighbors together to get the best price and service from a solar installer, tap into the expertise at Solar United Neighbors, and learn about solar incentives. The City of Minneapolis is partnering in this effort. Learn more from Solar United Neighbors.

Join an optional webinar TODAY (Nov 18) from 6:30-8:00pm. For more information, register on the Solar United Neighbors website.

Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards to Re-open in 2022

With Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards Incentive Program, if you produce more energy than you need, the extra energy is added to the grid, and excess energy will be credited to your bill.

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Safety Tips for Thanksgiving

Minnesota is unfortunately in the midst of high positivity and COVID-19 case rates. As you’re making your Thanksgiving plans, use these tips to stay safe and enjoy a healthy holiday. Thanks to the Minneapolis Department of Public Health for sharing these!

• Get vaccinated. Adults and children 5 and up should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Find yours at mn.gov/vaccine
• Wear a mask. Wear a cloth or surgical face mask over your mouth and nose when grocery shopping or in other public indoor settings, or when serving food.
• Wash your hands before eating or serving food.
• Outdoors is safer than indoors. Have your meal outside if weather permits, or enjoy other outdoor activities.
• Communicate in advance with guests about your COVID-19 ground rules and the precautions you’re taking. Cancel plans if you’re sick.
• Travel safely. If possible, delay travel if you’re feeling sick or not vaccinated. If traveling with unvaccinated family members, avoid crowds, wear a mask, and get tested.

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Share Your Feedback on the City Budget

Three upcoming online public hearings are available for people to speak publicly to the City Council on the proposed 2022 City Budget. Comments can also be submitted online at the City’s website and will be entered into the public record and shared with the mayor and council members.

Two more public hearings are scheduled for 6:05pm on Dec 1 and 6:05pm on Dec 8.  Learn how to participate in online public hearings here. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the 2022 budget on Dec 8.

The proposed 2022 $1.599 billion City budget includes a 5.45% levy increase. Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more. You can also watch a series of videos on the City’s budget process.

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Hennepin County Election Survey

What was your experience voting in the November 2020 and 2021 elections? The Hennepin County Elections Department wants to hear from you on your method of voting, barriers you experienced, your planned method of voting in 2022 and more. Your responses will remain anonymous. In addition to English, this survey is also available in Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Oromo, and Russian.

The feedback you provide will help guide decisions about our 2022 election approach and how Hennepin County administers elections going forward. We’ll be accepting responses through November 28. Thank you for helping to make our elections safe, secure, and accessible to all!  Click here to take the survey.

P.S. Looking for election results and voter turnout statistics? Check out https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/results-data/

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Park Board Lowers Parkway Speeds to 20 mph

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners voted Nov. 3 to lower the speed limit on parkways to 20 miles per hour (mph). The reduced speed limit on parkways will match the speed limit for local streets in Minneapolis. Slower traffic speeds support safer streets for everyone.

Over the coming months, the MPRB and the City’s Public Works Department, which manages signs along the parkway system, will change existing signage from 25 mph to 20 mph. Drivers should follow the posted speed limit on parkways while signs are updated.