| Council Members stand with State Representatives Hodan Hassan and Frank Hornstein, holding their honorary resolutions, in the Council chamber - Honoring State Representatives Hornstein and Hassan: The Intergovernmental Relations Committee honored outgoing State Representatives Frank Hornstein, who represented a large portion of Ward 7, and Hodan Hassan. Rep. Hornstein is best known for serving as the Chair of the Transportation Committee and Rep. Hassan for serving as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee. I sincerely thank them for their service to Minneapolis. I look forward to working with the new representative-elects Anquam Mahamoud (62B) and Katie Jones (61A).
- 2025 City Budget Proceedings: Today was the first day of City Council Budget Proceedings. So far, the City Council has passed 6 amendments and has successfully lowered the property tax levy from the Mayor’s proposal of 8.3% down to 6.9%. We made budget reductions in three key areas: raises for appointed city staff, technology project deferrals, and delaying the purchase of internal software. Next week we will continue considering further amendments to shift departmental priorities. I have authored or co-authored several amendments to prioritize Zero Waste, funding a new Crime Prevention Specialist position in the 5th Precinct, a Technical Assistance Panel for Uptown, Traffic Calming, and the Rise Up Center in Uptown. If you want to follow these proceedings, here is the LIMS file.
- 2025 State Legislative Session Policy Positions: Yesterday we approved the City’s set of policy positions that our Intergovernmental Relations team will be advocating for at the state legislature. My office submitted and will work on the following priorities:
- State funding, tax credits or policy tools that will assist with the conversion of vacant downtown commercial buildings to residential or new uses
- State funding and policy for waste reduction, reuse, recycling and organics programs to meet zero waste goals, including removing the preemption on a municipal plastic bag ban
- State funding to create complete streets, increase traffic calming and address other city street maintenance and improvement needs
- Updating the Minneapolis downtown taxing boundary
- Authorizing cities to create land-value taxation districts
- Legislation that supports the statewide prohibition of minimum parking mandates to advance state and city climate action and housing affordability goals
- Resolution regarding recent campus activism at the University of Minnesota: On October 21st a group of campus activists at the U of M protesting the university’s continued investment in Israel and weapons manufacturers diverged from peaceful demonstration by spray-painting security cameras, breaking windows, barricading the building’s exits, causing over $67,000 worth of damage, according to the University. While I respect my colleagues for bringing forward this resolution for us to consider, I ultimately could not support it. I am concerned with some of the rhetoric from organizers of the protest and do not agree with some of the language in this resolution including a statement of support for boycotting Israeli academic institutions. I do, however, encourage University administrators, Hennepin County, and City attorneys seek restorative and non-punitive solutions for those involved.
- Labor Standards Board: Yesterday Council was unable to overturn the Mayor’s veto of the Labor Standards Board, which my office worked on with the offices of Council Vice President Chughtai and Council Member Chowdhury. I’m disappointed by this Mayoral veto and my colleagues who flipped their votes. The Labor Standards Board would have invited collaborative conversations with holistic representation from employers, employees, and community members who want to co-create recommendations towards improved, sector-specific workplace conditions. Studying and reporting on the working conditions of specific industries must be done with community representatives—they offer key insights as they also use or experience the services, products, and conditions that businesses create. The disinformation from City leaders on what authority this Board—or any board in the City—would have had was unfortunately successful. The Mayor ultimately vetoed the opportunity for employers, employees, and community members to have a direct voice on the labor standards issues that impact them.
- George Floyd Square Concept Layout: Today Council voted to refer the George Floyd Square concept layout approval back to the Climate & Infrastructure committee for its first meeting next year on January 9th, 2025. We also passed a resolution, authored by Council Member Chavez, supporting the Pedestrian Plaza Concept Plan. The resolution also supports establishing a multi-jurisdictional task force with the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the State of Minnesota to evaluate immediate solutions for housing, economic development, healing in the 38th Street Corridor and surrounding neighborhoods; review the 24 demands; and discuss the implementation of the Thirty-Eighth Street THRIVE Plan.
- Ward 7 Advisory Board and Commission Appointments: I want to extend my gratitude to Gladys Daniela Mejia and Brian Krohnke for their willingness to serve as the Ward 7 representatives on the Community Environmental Advisory Committee. This committee works closely with the Sustainability Division and provides policy and program advice and comments to the City. I have also re-appointed Katie Severt to the Public Health Advisory Committee. I thank her for her commitment to the priority areas of racism as a public health crisis, behavioral and mental health outcomes, and substance use and opioid response.
- Ordinance Notices, Introductions, & Referrals: Council Members introduced and referred to the appropriate committee ordinances and/or amendments on provisions related to the gas franchise agreement ordinance, the use of algorithms in calculating rental rates, and clarification of the administrative enforcement procedures ordinance.
- Honorary Resolutions: In addition to the honorary resolutions brought forward for Rep. Hornstein and Rep. Hassan two honorary resolutions were brought forth recognizing Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day 2024 and honoring Community Service Officers and the CSO Program.
- Budget Committee: December 10, 2024 at 6:00 pm
- Truth in Taxation Public Hearing & Budget Adoption
- Public Service Center, 250 S 4th St, Room 350
Ward 7 Community Survey Series Today’s Ward 7 newsletter marks the 23rd edition – one for every City Council cycle this year. We have added well over 600 subscribers since we began the term in January, and more are joining every week. Our team has worked hard to make this communication channel an effective and informative outlet both for keeping up with the work of the City and the Council and also getting involved in the community. Thank you to everyone who has kept up with our work and shared your feedback with us on the newsletter throughout the year. If you have read any of our newsletters, we want to hear about your experience. What do you like about it and why? What do you think could be improved upon or changed and why? Is there additional information you’d like us to include? Is there any content we currently include that you would like to see less of? Tell us what you think! SUBMIT RESPONSE HERE Loring Greenway Playground Recently, the City's Public Works staff identified significant structural concerns with the Loring Greenway playground that posed immediate safety concerns. As the Council Member for this area, I was very frustrated that the Department made a unilateral decision to remove the playground without consulting or notifying community partners or my office; I was not aware of the situation until neighbors began writing in to my office requesting information. It’s my job to be a bridge between the City and community, and I am working with staff to evaluate the decision-making process and communication breakdowns throughout to ensure we can improve moving forward. I am committed to ensuring that this playground gets replaced. City staff, neighborhood leaders, and I will be evaluating options for how to do so in the coming weeks and will communicate opportunities for neighbors to weigh in as they are identified. Please keep an eye on this newsletter and updates on from CLPC on this issue.  | Two side-by-side photos of new street lighting that has been installed in these two neighborhoods Stevens Square-Loring Heights and Loring Park Street Lighting Replacement Project  Area 1 still requiring temporary power connections.  Area 2 still requiring temporary power connections. Public Works anticipates that these remaining electrical connections will be completed this month, which would turn on the remaining lights on this project. According to the Public Works' Traffic & Parking Services division, the majority of the poles in Loring Park have now been installed and are operational. Please reach out to Project Manager, Joe Laurin, at joseph.laurin@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-5987, for questions on the construction status. Learn more about this project to replace direct bury wiring street lights in Loring Park and Steven's Square-Loring Heights. Citywide Street and Parkway Lighting Update Many residents continue to call into 311 and reach out to our office regarding street and Parkway light outages—thank you! Public Works staff are developing repair plans for streetlights on the north end of the Lake of the Isles along Franklin Ave, as well as the string of lights out along Cedar Lake Parkway and Burnham Bridge. The conduit repairs become more difficult with prolonged winter temperatures, and staff may not be able to make the repairs until early 2025. Staff noted that the north end of Lake of the Isles is a common copper wire theft spot, and Inspector Nelson put in a request for a light camera on that intersection. The majority of wire theft has been on parkways or along roadways with low activity level in the evenings, and staff are doing their absolute best to keep up. Well over 13 miles of wire has been replaced in 2022, 2023, and 2024 with more repairs needed. They are also piloting using aluminum wire as replacement instead of copper. Earlier this spring, the state legislature passed a new law that will require individuals selling copper to possess a state-issued license, which will regulate and lock out the thieves and opportunists from the market. This law will go into effect in January 2025. As a reminder, if you see a light not working, here is who you should contact. - For path and trail lights in parks: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board customer service: Call 612-230-6400 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday or email anytime.
If you witness someone damaging a light, call 911 regardless of location. MPRB Phone Systems Down If you've been trying to reach someone at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, here are three temporary numbers the public can use to get in touch following the 11/20/24 technology system attach that took down phone lines throughout the park system: - Customer Service: 612-491-9099 (answered Mon – Fri, 8 am – 4:30 pm)
- Park Police: 612-499-9323 (answered Mon – Fri, 8 am – 4 pm).
- Forestry: 612-491-9089 (answered Mon – Fri, 7:30 am – 4 pm)
- For issues requiring a Park Police or Minneapolis Police response, call 911.
Members of the public can also email info@minneapolisparks.org and the message will be routed to the appropriate department staff. A colorful graphic with the Downtown skyline at night and the words "Minneapolis Music Census" Minneapolis Music Census The results of the Minneapolis Music Census are now live! The Census was a community-led initiative to learn more about the needs of the local music ecosystem to help the City and the community make more informed, data-driven policy and programmatic decisions. A total of 2,258 responses were recorded over a 3 week period this past spring. Explore the dashboard to learn more about who responded and what we learned about the health and activity of music in Minneapolis. An illustrated graphic with the word "Holidazzle," winter creatures, a music stage, and snow in a downtown scene Downtown Events to Check Out - Holidazzle: Enjoy food, drinks, holiday shopping and activities for all ages at Downtown Minneapolis’ premier (and free to attend!) holiday celebration. This year, you’ll find a roller-skating rink, holiday pop-up bars, interactive art installments and even Santa Claus. December 18-22, Nicollet Mall.
- Departments at Dayton Holiday Market: Peruse a curated retail experience featuring 78 independent vendors showcasing heritage brands from across the state. November 14-December 30, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 11am-5pm at the Dayton’s Project, 700 Nicollet Mall.
- Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame Experience: Check out this free, limited time pop-up exhibit celebrating Minnesota’s greatest athletes from legends like Herb Brooks and Patty Berg to today’s stars like Suni Lee and Anthony Edwards. The temporary installation highlighting Minnesota’s sports history will recognize the many individuals, teams and key moments that have contributed to our state’s sports legacy. November 29-December 28, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 11am-5pm, Lower Level of the Dayton’s Project, 700 Nicollet Mall.
Out and About in Ward 7 The Ward 7 team continues to get out in community to talk to neighbors and stakeholders where they are. Here are a few highlights from the past couple of weeks. A photo of Council Member Cashman standing with other City leaders and the Vibrant Storefronts awardees Solutions & Support Panel: Sam O’Connell, Katie Cashman, Matt Kazinka, Move Minneapolis moderator John Barobs on stage facing the 2024 Transportation Summit attendees - Participated in a panel discussion with other fantastic community members and advocates about how small businesses can survive and thrive during major infrastructure projects.
- Welcomed music industry and venue leaders from around the country to Loring Park for a summit focused on the Minneapolis Music Census and an evaluation of the health of our local music scene.
- Celebrated the announcement of the Vibrant Storefront Program’s awardees, Loring Park’s newest tenants filling long vacant commercial spaces on Harmon Place.
- Marked the completion of the first phase of Hennepin Ave S reconstruction project with community members, project team members and fellow City leaders.
- Shared updates and learned about community concerns and project work at the December meetings of the Kenwood Neighborhood Organization and Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association.
- Stay tuned for details on our next “Coffee with Katie” event in January!
 | A photo of Council Member Cashman speaking on the newly opened Hennepin Ave with other City leaders behind her Infrastructure Updates Hennepin Ave S Reconstruction Phase 1 Completion: We are celebrating the completion of the first phase of the Hennepin Avenue reconstruction project! Thank you to everyone who has remained flexible and patient throughout the year with the frequent shifts in traffic patterns and stages of work. We hope you’ll make your way to Uptown for your holiday shopping and throughout the winter to support our amazing small business owners and their teams. The newly redesigned street includes infrastructure upgrades and space for future METRO E Line stations, improving the overall flow of traffic while promoting safer and more efficient transit. Key improvements include: - Replacement of 14 water lead service lines, 2,127 ft. of sanitary sewer
- New signal and lighting systems
- New electrical infrastructure installed by Xcel Energy
- New gas main & service upgrades installed by CenterPoint Energy
Buses resumed their regular routes on Wednesday, November 27. Both northbound and southbound from Lake Street to 26th Street have new dynamic bus lanes in effect from 7-9 am and 2-6 pm Monday-Friday. Outside those windows, the lane is set aside for paid street parking. The original bus lanes that use the parking lane on Hennepin Ave from 26th St to Franklin Ave have the following hours at this time: - Northbound from 25th St to Franklin Ave, 7:00-9:00 am Monday-Friday
- Southbound from 25th St to 26th, 4:00-6:00 pm Monday-Friday
As part of the Hennepin Ave reconstruction, Public Works sited and installed/are installing new parking meters on 26th St and 27th St between Hennepin Ave & Humboldt Ave and Hennepin Ave & Girard Ave. 28th St in between Hennepin Ave and Girard Ave will also have 5 spaces for EV charging and 5 metered spaces added. The goal of this metered parking is to support businesses along Hennepin Ave. They will require payment 8am-6pm Monday-Friday, which is our standard timeframe throughout the city. Public Works determined after conducting a parking study that residential and commercial properties in the selected areas have sufficient dedicated, off-street parking. Phase 2 begins in the spring, extending from W 26th St. north to Douglas Ave. Much of the work done in Phase 1 will continue, including safety enhancements, utility upgrades, storm water treatment, and more. Beginning December 2025, the METRO E Line will bring faster and more reliable service to the Route 6 corridor, along with enhanced stations that include real-time signs, ticket machines, light, and heat. The City’s Project team will build on the effective communication strategies from Phase 1 as well as strengthening outreach to corridor stakeholders as the next phase begins. Read more about the project work completed, what’s ahead, and access the weekly virtual stakeholder meetings held each Friday morning. To find out about what’s going on in your part of town, check out the nine neighborhood organizations working to keep folks connected and engaged in Ward 7: |
