 Fair Drives (TNC Ordinance): Yesterday at the City Council meeting, we shared an update that council will receive an addendum to the City’s Policy and Research (PAR) department’s Analysis of TNC Compensation Rate Models to incorporate the recently published Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) report by April 15th, which we will take up and discuss at the April 25th City Council meeting. The original PAR analysis gave us a recommended rate to ensure all ride share drivers were earning the Minneapolis minimum wage. The DLI report confirmed that Uber/Lyft have been underpaying Twin Cities drivers. The upcoming research addendum will allow us to adjust our Minneapolis TNC Licensing ordinance based on additional, Minneapolis-specific data. In the meantime, this memo outlines steps Council is taking to ensure stability in ride share services. I have voted the way I have—as I affirmed on the dais yesterday—because we want TNCs to keep doing business in Minneapolis, and we want TNCs to pay the Minneapolis minimum wage and ensure basic protections for their workers. These goals do not have to be mutually exclusive. In response to City Council action on driver working conditions, several ride share companies have reached out to Council offices, and one is actively working with the City's Business Licensing team to be fully operational before May 1st —Drivers Coop, a worker-owned rideshare company currently operating in New York and Denver. Looking ahead, I’m reaffirming my commitment, as chair of the Climate & Infrastructure committee, to help build out our multimodal transportation systems—with expanded and improved public transit, multiple ride share alternatives, and accessible communities.  - The 2024-2025 Climate and Infrastructure (C&I) Committee Work Plan was approved, following the addition of two items raised during discussion last week. Each Council committee is drafting workplans to help guide policy direction for this two-year term.
- At the March 14th Climate & Infrastructure committee meeting, Deputy Health Commissioner, Patrick Hanlon, gave a presentation on the implementation progress of the Climate Legacy Initiative (CLI)—a historic $10M investment in climate work in Minneapolis. These investments include $4.7 million for weatherization, $1.4 million in workforce training, and $850,000 in tree canopy. A public comment period has been opened from March 14th to March 28th for community members to provide input on the CLI progress so far and where else they would like to see investments. Include the file number 2024-00260 when submitting your comment.
- Council approved a legislative directive related to the costs and staffing needs for an expanded vacancy abatement program that includes buildings and individual units that have been vacant for more than six months and a fee structure to recoup the costs of such a program.
- 3 Honorary Resolutions were featured at the start of yesterday's Council meeting:
- Passage of a Resolution recognizing March 31, 2024, as the International Transgender Day of Visibility.
- A resolution recognizing April 1-7, 2024 as Food Waste Prevention Week in the City of Minneapolis.
- A resolution honoring Minneapolis Immigrant Refugee Alliance (MIRA), a new Employee Resource Group (ERG) that aims to create a supportive space for City staff who identify as, or are connected to the immigrant and refugee community, to build shared camaraderie, increase recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction, and promote a welcoming and inclusive culture in the City enterprise and the City of Minneapolis.
- Other notable items:
Ward 7 Community Survey Series In each Ward 7 Newsletter, we include a question for constituents to weigh in on. Questions may be related to upcoming policy decisions, future planning, issue prioritization, community project ideas, and more. Today's question: What is the most important thing you think could be improved about our downtown skyway system? SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE HERE  Details for March "Coffee with Katie" Join me for the next monthly iteration of “Coffee with Katie” at Big Hill Books’ basement event space in Bryn Mawr on Thursday, March 28th from 5-6:30pm. These informal, community-based office hours provide a chance to talk directly with me about ideas, concerns, and opportunities. Come and go as your schedule allows! Note: if you have mobility challenges, please reach out to arrange an individual conversation with me on the Big Hill Books’ main level, 612-673-2207 or ward7@minneapolismn.gov.  Ward 7 Organization Spotlight: St. David's Center for Child and Family Development We are thrilled to welcome a new organization to downtown, as St. David's Center for Children has officially announced their purchase of the former YWCA building at 1130 Nicollet Mall. St. David’s Center is a regional leader in child and family development, working to create a healthy, vibrant society in which every member fully contributes to its success. They offer therapeutic, educational, and support services, including mental health and pediatric therapies, autism treatment, home visiting, an inclusive preschool, and disability services. The building will be home to roughly 150 headquarters and staff jobs and will continue to serve children and families. Apply now for a seat on a City board or commission! The City is now recruiting members for boards and commissions. The City seeks applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. City boards and commissions offer a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them. Translation and interpreting are available so all residents can participate. Applications will be accepted through March 31. City boards and commissions with openings include: - Arts Commission.
- Bicycle Advisory Committee.
- Capital Long-Range Improvement Committee.
- Community Commission on Police Oversight.
- Minneapolis Workforce Development Board.
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
- Southside Green Zone Council.
Find more information about the openings on the City website.
Infrastructure Updates
 Cedar Lake Road Bridge: A City project team is developing plans to replace the aging Cedar Lake Road Bridge over the BNSF railroad in Bryn Mawr and Near North. Slated for 2027 construction, this new bridge will include transportation infrastructure for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Review project details including a one-page fact sheet. City staff are hosting a community open house to share information and take feedback from neighbors. Open house details: - Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
- Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Location: In person at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (420 Cedar Lake Rd S)
 First Avenue North Reconstruction: The City is reconstructing a half mile of First Avenue North, between Washington Avenue and Eighth Street North. This Downtown street has between 3,000 and 20,000 people walking along it every day, along with 400 to 600 cyclists and 10,000 to 30,000 vehicles. The project is intended to improve how everyone uses this corridor. The City is holding its first open house for this project, part of a series of engagement events that seek community input to re-envision the popular corridor. Everyone is invited to stop by the family-friendly event to meet the project team, talk about the project and share favorite memories of spending time on this downtown corridor. This input will help the City design a street that better serves everyone’s needs and desires. Open House details: - Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
- Time: 4:30-6 p.m.
- Location: In person in the red skyway between Target Center and Mayo Clinic Square (above First Avenue North, between Sixth and Seventh streets)
- Snacks, refreshments, and activities for kids will be on hand. Learn more about the project on the City’s website.
 Douglas Ave ADA Improvements Project: As a part of the ongoing street maintenance program, City staff will resurface Lowry Hill streets in the area bounded by Kenwood Parkway, Vineland Place, Lyndale Ave S, Douglas Ave, and Morgan Ave S. The top layer of asphalt pavement will be replaced in 2024 to extend the life of a street for at least another 10 years; the City upgraded pedestrian ramps to current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards in 2023. Project staff will hold a virtual pre-public hearing meeting to provide an overview of the project and discuss questions and concerns with residents. Pre-public hearing meeting details: - Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Via Microsoft Teams, Telephone number +1 612-276-6670
- Meeting ID: 241 039 388 300, passcode: 2SKGXR
 Hennepin Ave Reconstruction: The City's work to reconstruct Hennepin Ave will be phased over 2 years. Phase 1 will be from Lake St W to 26th St occurring in 2024. Phase 2 of the project is scheduled for 2025, covering the area between 26th St to Douglas Ave. The City roadway construction will begin April 1st. This will include: - Pavement removals and deep sanitary sewer replacement work
- Closure of certain segments of Hennepin Ave and lane closures on cross streets
- Detours to Lyndale Ave for bus routes for the duration of the construction season (typically through October)
Ways to stay updated on this project:  We had a great time at the Annual Meeting for Citizens for a Loring Park Community (CLPC), which was held at the historic Music Box Theatre. There are a lot of volunteer-led, impactful projects in motion, so if you live in Loring Park now is a great time to get involved! East Isles neighbors can mark their calendars for the East Isles Neighborhood Association's (EINA) Annual Meeting coming up on Tuesday, April 16th from 6:30-9 p.m. at Grace-Trinity Community Church (1430 W 28th St).  Thank you to Emerson Elementary for inviting me to be a Celebrity Reader this week! Located in Loring Park, Emerson is one of 5 dual-language schools in the Minneapolis Public Schools system. |
