| Council Member Cashman wearing a denim jacket and speaking from the dais during the City Council meeting 3000 Minnehaha: This week we heard an update from City Staff about their community engagement work to survey residents about the future of the former Third Precinct to be developed into a Democracy Center for Elections and Voter Services with space dedicated for community use. Council voted last year not to house any police facility or functions at the site. Following that decision, plans emerged to house the 3rd Police Precinct at 2633 Minnehaha Ave, the new South Minneapolis Community Safety Center; that location will also offer community services and resources. In April, we voted on whether we support Elections and Voter Services at the former third precinct, which I supported then and continue to support now. This week our proceedings were incredibly difficult, as Council Members shared frustration over the lack of remediation and clean up on the exterior of the site. Meanwhile, the site was used for right-wing political pandering on the national stage, an act that was incredibly hurtful to our community. No one wants the site cleaned up more than the folks who live in its vicinity, and I invite you to put yourself in their shoes. They shouldn’t have to walk by razor wire fencing every day. We are all moving towards shared goals of racial healing and remediation of this site and look forward to seeing it flourish as a community resource. Residents across our city are still processing the violent history of the Minneapolis Police Department and the events of May 2020. Let’s unite behind community healing and focus our efforts on creating a future for 3000 Minnehaha that we can all be proud of. I know we are on the right track and appreciate your support and continued engagement on this important issue. Pollution Control Annual Registration Program for Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (PCAR): We voted to add Carbon Dioxide to the Pollution Control Annual Registration Fee schedule, which charges the city’s 36 largest polluters. I want to thank the Council Members and Health Department staff who have poured their hearts into the development of this program for years. The PCAR program tackles climate change head-on by going straight to the source of emissions and providing them with innovative technologies to curb pollution. Now carbon dioxide equivalents will be on the PCAR list of pollutants and help us achieve our goal of equitably reducing GHG emissions from the industrial, commercial and multi family building sector by 75% by 2030 (from the 2006 baseline levels). The Mayor vetoed our action because of the legal risk around novel fees, however we overrode the veto in Council and passed an extended implementation of the carbon fees to June 1, by which time a new staff member will be hired in the Health Department and conduct additional analysis. It is worth noting that Council will need to enact an amendment to the Mayor’s recommended budget during the markup process to ensure this new Health Department staff member has an ongoing salary, but it will all be covered by the charge of the fees – not on taxpayers. During lengthy conversations both with our City attorneys and fellow Council Members throughout this week, I re-centered on the fact that given the scale of the climate crisis already in front of us — hurricanes ripping through the Southeastern U.S., a disintegrating insurance market, and immigrants from highly impacted countries around the world seeking refuge – Minneapolis must remain committed to being a sustainability and climate action leader. We cannot afford to let any opportunity for climate action pass us by. - Grant Acceptance for the Farmer’s Market Sustainable Modernization Project: On behalf of the City’s Finance and Property Services Department, Council accepted at $850,000 grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This grant was secured by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar as a part of the Direct Appropriations Act, 2024 for Community Project Funding. The Farmer's Market Sustainable Modernization Project will provide needed infrastructure improvements to the city’s oldest and largest farmer’s market. Apart from replacing the shed roofs and painting, the Minneapolis Farmers Market has remained in its basic form since 1937. The current structure was constructed for wholesale activity versus the retail format that exists today. Funds will be used to make capital improvements to the market site to improve flow, function and safe operation of the site, address ADA deficiencies, upgrade restrooms, and increase the number of vendor stalls available to promote Homegrown Minneapolis participation. Structural improvements to the roofs will allow support of solar panels to provide the market with a sustainable power source for lighting, hot water, and an on-site communication system. The improvements will be designed to allow for the flexibility of indoor spaces to extend the market season, as well as additional vendor stalls. Modernized bathrooms will contribute to a welcoming, comfortable environment. The project also envisions expanding the market to provide for a year-round indoor market and to connect the market to future redevelopment of the neighborhood and to the new light rail station on Royalston Avenue.
- Resolutions from the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees: I had a walking meeting with the Ward 7 representatives on the Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC), Julia and Eric, to discuss the resolution they passed last week. They are calling on City leaders to center transit users—who are also pedestrians—in the proposed decision to remove transit from Nicollet Mall. While they share the City’s goal of expediting travel for transit users, they are concerned that moving transit off Nicollet Mall to less activated corridors would impact the safety, accessibility, and choice to travel by bus for infrequent and frequent riders alike. I'm grateful for their advocacy in advancing our City's mode shift goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expanding travel options for the 16.5% of Minneapolis residents who choose not to own a car and depend on transit—with the highest concentration of car-free people living in and around Downtown. The Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) also passed a resolution sharing factors to consider when redesigning access for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers.
- Ordinance Notices, Introductions, & Referrals: Council Members noticed the introduction of one amendment relating to an extension of the City’s gas franchise agreement with CenterPoint Energy to April 17, 2025. They introduced and referred to the appropriate committee one ordinance amendment relating to boulevards.
- Honorary Resolutions: 5 honorary resolutions were brought forth celebrating 2024 Community Media Day, Youth Civic Engagement Day, National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Invisible Disabilities Awareness Week, National Transgender Children Day, and Indigenous Peoples Day.
Business, Housing, & Zoning Committee: October 22, 2024 at 1:30 pm - Considering approval of the Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance
- Considering approval of Northstar 8 Rosewood Room & Skygarden business licenses
Budget Committee: November 12, 2024 at 10:00 am - Public hearing on proposed City Budget
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: As a member of the Minneapolis Tree Advisory Commission, I meet with Park Board, City Health Department, and citizen experts monthly to address concerns related to the urban tree canopy in our city. This summer was an excellent summer for rain, until it wasn’t. Since the beginning of September we’ve been in a flash drought. We are currently six inches below where the water line should be. Trees need ample water to survive, especially the smallest ones. The Park Board has conducted over 4,000 tree waterings since August and has also sent messages out to their distribution list to enlist help with watering from everyday residents like yourself. Residents, businesses, and organizations can sign up to Adopt-A-Tree through the local Brewing a Better Forest initiative (https://www.brewingabetterforest.com/adopt-a-tree.html), and will receive alerts when watering is needed, an informational starter packet, and a few brew tokens from sponsoring local breweries as an added bonus! Have you ever voluntarily watered trees on the boulevard or other public spaces? Would you consider signing up for a coordinated effort to help care for our city's tree canopy? Why or why not? Tell us about your experience and participation in this important collective effort. 2737 E Lake of the Isles Pkwy Many residents have been reaching out with concern about the status of the long-vacant property at 2737 E Lake of the Isles Pkwy. I wanted to provide an update on what we know and how the City has been working to address properties like this one, which are negatively impacting neighborhoods across Ward 7 and even more significantly in other parts of the city. This particular property has been problematic for years, and despite consistent communication with the owner, City staff have struggled to make headway. While the owner is current on required property tax payments to the County, no City permits or licenses have been pulled for construction work in the last year. This confirms there likely still has not been any meaningful effort made to rehabilitate the property. City staff have explored possible demolition orders several times over the years, however the building has not met the specific conditions for demolition. In our June 28th and July 19th newsletters, we detailed the policy work that Council Members conducted earlier this year in partnership with City staff to update the City’s long outdated Vacant Building Registration system. Those policy changes directly apply to situations like the one at 2737 E Lake of the Isles Pkwy. City staff are in the final stages of operationalizing the changes set forth, and they will be going into effect by the end of this year. This means properties like this one that have been listed on the Vacant Building Registry for 2 years or more will automatically begin receiving enforcement letters detailing the increased and compounding monthly fee unless the owners to sell, rehab, or demolish the property. In the meantime, City staff have issued orders to address the tall grass and weeds. The City’s 311 system shows that only 4 nuisance property complaints have been made on this property so far this year. We urge residents to be submitting a 311 report at least once per week on everything believed to be a violation. It is up to City staff to process duplicates and determine whether a violation is present. City staff use 311 data to guide decision-making, so it is important to continue building up the property’s “record.” Stay connected with the team at the East Isles Neighborhood Association for any subsequent updates on this property. An aerial image depicting the new large scale street painting that reads "GO LYNX!" in bright blue and green Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals We are cheering on our Minnesota Lynx during their thrilling championship series against the New York Liberty. Lynx fans without tickets to tonight's game 4 have a lot of places to watch tonight’s game around town, many of them surrounding Target Center in Downtown. Here are just a few of them. Thank you to our amazing Public Works crew for getting 1st Avenue painted and freshly signed outside of the arena to support our squad! Annual Rail Safety Meeting on October 22 The City of Minneapolis will host an online meeting on Tuesday, October 22 from 6:00-7:15 pm about rail safety during construction of the METRO Green Line extension. The project is also known as the Southwest light rail. The extension will add 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line, which connects downtown Minneapolis with downtown Saint Paul. Residents will get information and have the opportunity to ask questions. Participants include the Southwest LRT Project Office, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company and the Minneapolis Fire Department. Motorists and bicyclists traveling down a tree-lined street with lots of yellow, orange, and green leaves on the street Fall Street Sweeping Begins October 22 Crews are preparing to sweep streets across Minneapolis this month and November to clean the streets before winter. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains and from ending up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River. Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city Tuesday, October 22. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, October 21, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.  |
Image of 4 people sitting and laughing with the text "South Minneapolis Seniors Fair" below in blue and white text Seniors Fair on October 23 The free Seniors Fair is tailored for our senior community members and caregivers. The day will feature workshops, an elected officials panel, a resource fair, and a free breakfast and lunch. The workshops will cover yoga and meditation, City services, public safety, and connecting with community. - Wednesday, October 23 | 9 am-2 pm
- Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, 5760 Portland Ave S
Metro Transit will provide free rides to and from the seniors fair. Get your voucher online or by mail: An blue, green, and white graphic with event details and a photo of CM Cashman in a center circle Our next "Coffee with Katie" opportunity is coming up next Saturday morning in Cedar-Isles-Dean! This is our monthly opportunity for stakeholders to talk with me and their neighbors about concerns and ideas for your community. Coffee and tea from neighborhood favorite Rustica will be provided, and attendees may come and go as schedules permit. We hope to see you on Saturday, October 26 from 10-11:30 am at Jones-Harrison Senior Living (3700 Cedar Lake Ave). An image of Ts Madison with dangling silver earrings and wavy black hair against a gray backround Ts Madison to Headline Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit October 30 Ts Madison is known for her candor on LGBTQ+ issues and is the first Black trans woman to star in and produce her own reality series, “The Ts Madison Experience.” She is also a recurring judge on the popular reality tv show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” The Trans Equity Summit is an event for trans and gender non-conforming community members to connect to resources and each other, and for all attendees to learn more about issues impacting their communities. Hosted by the City of Minneapolis, the 2024 Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit is free and open to the public. - Trans Equity Summit: “A Safe and Thriving Trans Community”
- Wednesday, October 30 | 10 am-5:30 pm
- McNamara Alumni Center, Memorial Hall, 200 Oak St SE
Protection from heat being shut off Though this weekend’s weather is trending warmer, it is important to know that the Cold Weather Rule is now in effect. The Cold Weather Rule means that if you can’t pay your home heat bill, your heat can’t be shut off between Oct. 1-April 30. If you get a notice about disconnecting your primary heat source, make sure to immediately contact the utility and set up a payment plan. City, County, State, and Federal elected officials and staff posing with an official proclamation of the achievement Hennepin County Ends Veteran Homelessness We are applauding the dedicated work by our partners at Hennepin County and the network of service providers in their achievement of effectively ending Veteran homelessness in the county. As reported by Minnesota Public Radio, it is one of the most populous counties in the U.S. to achieve this milestone. Read more in Hennepin County’s news release earlier this week.  Mark your calendars for the 2nd year of the Uptown Holiday Market, returning to Seven Points on Saturday, November 23! From 11am–5pm, folks can shop local while enjoying live music, local treats, and a variety of free, family-friendly activities. Event organizers are looking for talented artists and makers who want to share their work and spread some cheer. Register here and a representative will be in touch. CM Cashman and Policy Aide MJ Carpio with the Ward 7 Pedestrian Advisory Committee members on 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. - Toured the Public Works facility where City staff manage both traffic patterns and signal timing, as well as create and maintain transportation signage and infrastructure, such as bollards
- Spoke with residents and took in feedback on City budget priorities at the West Maka Ska Neighborhood Council and East Isles Neighborhood Association meetings.
- Met with a group of BIPOC restaurant owners to discuss details of the Labor Standards Board, a proposed advisory body of industry experts, owners, and workers, to research and provide industry-specific policy recommendations to Council as needed
- Participated in a ride-along with Minneapolis Refuse, Inc. to learn more about their day-to-day operations and experience collecting trash and recycling across the city
- Walked Nicollet Mall with Ward 7 representatives on the Pedestrian Advisory Committee to discuss the changes to transit and uses currently under consideration by the City and Metro Transit
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An aerial image of Loring Park with impacted pathways and soil erosion work areas indicated in red and blue lines Infrastructure Updates - Path improvements in Loring Park: From October 21 to November 1 approximately half of the trails at Loring Park will be rehabbed. During this time the park will be open but select trails may be closed to allow the work to happen. Attached is a map of the location of the trails that will be getting rehabbed. Please be careful navigating around the construction crews and give plenty of space for working equipment. The trails that are being completed this year were chosen due to their condition and alignment with the park Master Plan.
- CenterPoint Energy work in Loring Park: Beginning October 21 CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will be performing a service line replacement and meter move on a single address along West Grant Street between Willow Street and LaSalle Avenue. This work is expected to last through Friday, October 25. Construction schedules are subject to change, so please visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Construction and navigate to the Project Sites webpage. Select Loring Park Neighborhood from the Minneapolis drop down menu to see the latest schedule information and sign up for updates. If you have questions, please reach out to CenterPoint’s communication specialist at 612.321.5546 or by emailing una.omeara@centerpointenergy.com.
- Celebrating the Bryn Mawr Meadows Park Redesign: You're invited to a ribbon cutting and tour at the newly redesigned Bryn Mawr Meadows Park (601 Morgan Ave S) on Thursday, October 24 from 2-5:30pm! From bird watchers to ball players, the redesigned Bryn Mawr Meadows Park strikes a sustainable balance between nature and recreation. Highlights of the 56-acre park include a native landscape greenway and meadow comprising 9.5 acres of plants and grasses, plus 6.5 acres of pollinator-friendly turf for informal play fields. Additional features of the redesign include two storm water ponds to treat area runoff; a new playground and mountain-bike skills course; and two upgraded premier athletic fields - all connected via a one-mile walking loop. The Luce Line trail connects the park to the Grand Rounds and other citywide and regional trails.
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: |
