 Key Policy & Committee Updates: - The Climate Legacy Initiative was approved in the City's 2024 budget and will allocate $10m per year to community organizations working on reducing Minneapolis' climate impact. Community members are invited to attend the March 14th Climate & Infrastructure Committee meeting at 1:30pm (Public Service Center, 250 S 4th St, 3rd Floor) to celebrate all the hard work that went into creating this historic opportunity; a public comment period will follow to help determine how this year's funding will be used.
- Many in our community are rightfully concerned about those living in encampments, impacts on surrounding areas, as well as the City's approach addressing unsheltered homelessness. At the February 8th Council meeting, 3 complementary ordinance changes related to this matter, which will be discussed and advanced over the coming months. The Ward 7 team would like to hear from you on this topic and work with community to find solutions.
- The Council passed a resolution calling for federal action to initiate a national recall of defective Kia and Hyundai models known to be vulnerable to car theft, a nationwide issue.
- The Council voted to extend contracts with 5 Neighborhood Safety Department vendors to continue providing violence prevention and safety ambassador services through March 2025 as a part of the MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative. Vendors include Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization, Metro Youth Diversion Center, Restoration Inc, We Push for Peace, and TOUCH Outreach.
- The Council approved a new Budget Committee workplan with the expectation that all Council Committees will be creating and approving workplans for the first time. The workplans are intended to be used as a guide and does not preclude the Council from addressing new agenda items that arise through each committee throughout the year or term. Setting and publishing these workplans is also a tool for increasing transparency and the ability for community to engage in the process.
- The 2024-2025 Great Streets Business District Support Grant contracts were approved. BDS grants are for not-for-profit organizations with the capacity and mission to perform business district revitalization and economic development work. Great Streets eligible properties are designated either as "Eligible" or "Priority Eligible." The Notice of Funding Application for this grant typically becomes available each fall; reach out to our office for details or to discuss a potential project in Ward 7.
- The Council approved a contract with Storm Training Group LLC for de-escalation and use of force technique trainings within the Police Academy for new recruits and for those already serving. These are the first of many contracts to be implemented in line with the City's court-enforceable settlement decree for police reform.
New! Ward 7 Community Survey Series In each Ward 7 Newsletter, we will include a question on which we'd like constituents to weigh in. Questions may be related to upcoming policy decisions, future planning, issue prioritization, community project ideas, and more. Today's question: Do you compost your organic waste at home? If not, why? SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE HERE  Ward 7 Small Business Spotlight: Bryn Mawr Pizza and Deli Earlier this month, all 13 councilmembers came together to co-author an Honorary Resolution recognizing February 9, 2024 as Minneapolis Pizza Day, a gesture made in conjunction with (the very official holiday) National Pizza Day. It created an opportunity for each ward to shine a spotlight on one of our many noteworthy small businesses and all that they do for our communities both inside and outside the kitchen. In Ward 7, the Bryn-Mawr neighborhood has been a happy home for Bryn Mawr Pizza and Deli, for more than 36 years. Located on the well-travelled corner of Penn Avenue and Cedar Lake Road, this business has been owned and operated by two generations of the Anderson Family, maintaining familiar faces to the many neighbors who have always been the lifeblood of its patron base. Brother and sister duo, Alex (owner) and Julia Anderson are at the helm today, following decades of ownership by their older brother (Brooke), father (Doug), and uncle (Paul) with support from Larry Smith. Notably, the majority of their staff have worked there for 10-15 years, including the dessert chef who has been making sweet treats in-house for 20 years – a testament to the environment and community that they have also cultivated within the shop itself. Julia and Alex credit their staff with the creativity displayed on their menu. With unique pies, sandwiches (try the “Dougwich”) and more, as well as a commitment to using high-quality ingredients their team has been able to weather the many challenges facing small businesses today. Bryn Mawr Pizza and Deli is open from 4-10pm Wednesday through Sunday and just recently added an online ordering option. They hope to be open for lunch again soon, so stay tuned for more! Go check them out at 404 Cedar Lake Road South and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  February's "Coffee with Katie" This morning's community office hours featured a great turnout and excellent conversation with 28 folks from all over the ward coming by this morning to discuss transportation issues, community safety approaches, access to low-barrier housing, and more. Stay tuned for the March date and location in our next newsletter.  UNICEF designates Minneapolis as a Child Friendly City The designation from UNICEF has only been given to one other city in country and does the following: - Recognizes a city’s advancement of child rights.
- Shows commitment to eliminating discrimination against children through local government policies and actions.
- Fosters inclusive participation through child and youth councils.
- Involves:
- A thorough assessment of the community.
- A detailed local plan.
- Implementation of much of the plan.
Read more on the City website about the designation and what the City is doing for children.  Watch the mail for your recycling guide If you’re a City Solid Waste & Recycling customer, watch your mailbox in the coming weeks for your annual service guide. Your guide will include a collection schedule for the year; ways you can create less trash and reuse what you already have; and a catalog of what belongs in the black garbage cart, blue recycling cart and green organics cart. The guide also has instructions for setting out large items and for managing household hazardous waste. Learn more about recycling and organics on the City website. Opportunities to get involved in Ward 7 - Climate and Equity Meet-up and Info Session hosted by a group of volunteers in Ward 7 discussing priorities for the Minneapolis Climate Equity Plan: Saturday, March 2 from 12:30-2:30 at Loring Park Recreation Center (1382 Willow St)
- Attend a Dance Community Town Hall at the Women's Club of Minnesota (410 Oak Grove St) on Monday, March 4 at 6:30pm to discuss the ways the City can support the local dance community in the wake of the news of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts' closure.
- Upcoming neighborhood organization annual meetings are a great way to get connected to volunteer opportunities of all kinds, including those related to leadership development through service on your neighborhood's Board of Directors. Check out the details for those upcoming soon in Ward 7:
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