10th Avenue Bridge and Water Main Project Update - August 24, 2020

The 10th Avenue Bridge will be closed and detours will be in effect for approximately 18 months, until Summer 2021. This project will rehabilitate the historic 10th Ave SE bridge over the Mississippi River and W River Pkwy. A new water main will be installed under the river as part of the project. More info.

Latest Projct News

Construction Update Meeting - Friday, August 28, 2020 - at 10:30 a.m.

Project staff will hold a virtual construction update meeting this Friday using GoTo Meeting. Members of the public are invited to join the online meeting and hear updates on construction progress and speak with project staff.

Please use this link to join the 10th Ave Bridge Online Construction Update Meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/784924461

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 784-924-461

The bridge was closed on March 30th and the contractor has been actively working on repairs. For more details on the repairs, schedule and bridge deck changes, please see the latest Construction Update or go to the project page 10th Ave Bridge.

What's Coming Up

The bridge will remain closed to all traffic including, vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians until Summer 2021.

West River Parkway (roadway only) will be closed to motor vehicles through November 1, 2020. The adjacent trail will remain open for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Work requires the use of heavy equipment that will increase noise, vibration, and dust in work areas.

Access to adjacent apartments and businesses will remain open during the construction activity.

Project Contacts:

Bridge Contact: Meseret Wolana, meseret.wolana@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-3527

Water Main Contact: Peter Pfister, peter.pfister@minneapolismn.gov or 612-661-4906

Take the Great River Road to Minnesota’s Scenic Outdoor Tapestry

Via an August 24 News Release from the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission:

Nowhere along its 2,500+ mile course – from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico – does the Mississippi River provide such diverse scenic themes as it does in Minnesota. Minnesota’s Great River Road is the designated travel route to reach them all.

Eight geographic and geologic river reaches characterize the Mississippi River in Minnesota, and each has its own mystique. A drive on any of the eight is revealing, but a journey along all eight gives the traveler insight into the great river’s source…before it plunges southward.

Lake Itasca is a quintessential bucket list destination. Ancient pines and pristine lakes dominate the headwaters area, where the river meanders lazily. Large lakes and reservoirs provide supreme views and recreational opportunities. The Mississippi is a prairie river by the time it gets to Brainerd. St. Anthony Falls, the river’s only major waterfall, marks the Twin Cities’ reach where it played the centrifugal force in drawing Native peoples, European explorers and American industrialists all of whom left their mark on the landscape and the economy. It also offers the Mississippi’s scenic gorge. At the confluence of the Mississippi and the Minnesota, two of the state’s great rivers, the Mississippi becomes the mighty river of classic lore. And the Minnesota Mississippi River journey is completed in the scenic Bluffs and Driftless Area, where Locks and Dams 3 through 8 lie and are listed on the National Register.

Along the Great River Road, you’ll find urban centers, college towns, working river ports and iconic mill towns, a colorful collection of Minnesota communities. The Mississippi River travels through 43 towns, 20 counties and three tribes as it makes its way to the Iowa border. These communities offer a change of pace, history, and opportunities to get on or beside the river.

September is Drive the Great River Road Month. More important, it’s one of Minnesota’s prettiest months, when the dimming light of summer shows off the colors of the landscape. And, the car – or the bike or canoe – can be your safe passage to the vistas. For more information and a map: www.mnmississippiriver.com.

About the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission

Minnesota’s Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MN-MRPC) is a statutory Commission, recognized in 1963, whose mission is to...To preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Mississippi River, to foster economic growth in the corridor and to develop the national, scenic and historic byway known as the Great River Road.  The MN-MPRC is part of the larger 10-State National MRPC organized in 1938 to celebrate the Mississippi River by developing the Great River Road Scenic Byway. The 10 states include: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The National MRPC is the oldest organization whose work ties together all the Mississippi River states.

Eight Scenic Reaches to Explore

• Lake Itasca: The journey of this world-renown river begins at Lake Itasca. But there is more here than the point where the Mississippi spills out. The lake lies within the 32,000-acre Itasca State Park, the second oldest state park in America.

• Serpentine River: After percolating from Lake Itasca, the infant river follows a serpentine course to Brainerd, frequently twisting back on itself, leaving cut off lands and oxbows.

• Headwaters Lakes & Reservoirs: The headwaters region includes thousands of lakes. The largest contribute to America’s first reservoir system. Created by the Corps of Engineers over 100 years ago, the reservoirs provide a wide range of scenic views.

• Prairie River: From Brainerd to St. Anthony Falls, the Mississippi becomes the Prairie River, as it straightens out and islands replace oxbows. Here, the prairie runs up to the river’s banks, not bluffs.

• St. Anthony Falls: No place anchors the Mississippi’s significance in the Twin Cities like St. Anthony Falls - the river’s only major waterfall.  Its physical power gave rise to Minneapolis, but its scenic power has drawn nationally known artists since the 1800s and still attracts modern day painters and photographers.

• The Gorge: Below the falls, the Mississippi drops into the 8.5-mile Gorge, stepping down 110 feet through three locks and dams, running between bluffs one-quarter to one-third of a mile apart. Nowhere does the river fall so quickly over such a short distance.

• The Big River: The Big River – the river of Mark Twain - begins at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. It is characterized by a broad valley and a wide floodplain, with many side channels, backwater lakes and wooded islands.

• Driftless Area: Below Hastings, the Mississippi enters the Driftless Area, with its distinctive limestone bluffs. During the last ice age, glaciers bypassed the Driftless Area, creating a unique and nationally significant landscape.

For Great River Road route details and information on 700+ things to see and do, use the Plan Your Trip online mapping at www.mnmississippiriver.com.

Letter to the Editor regarding Upper Harbor Terminal

Submitted by Jen Antila and Alexis Pennie 

Upper Harbor Terminal:

Change the Process; It's not too late

The evolution of the industrial Mississippi riverfront to residential and recreational is a benefit to Minneapolis. The Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment in North Minneapolis will be especially welcomed as we say goodbye to environmentally harmful industry and welcome citizens back to the riverfront. Unfortunately, the City has awarded this development to United Properties (owned by the Pohlad family) and First Avenue. Northside residents, community activists, and environmental organizations do not support the project in its current form. The City’s approach perpetuates structural racism.

It’s important to acknowledge our racist history in the context of this project. Northside residents endure the legacy effects of “Jim Crow of the North” practices. Discriminatory housing policy in Hennepin County - dating back to the early 1900s via racial deed covenants - drained resources and denied opportunities for Black residents to build wealth through homeownership. Highway construction and racist policies reinforced redlined segregation. Today, Minnesota has the largest racial wealth gap in the nation.

The common thread of this history is that the government was complicit in creating the racial wealth gap that persists to this day. This project is a missed opportunity because the City will be forgoing the possibility of reparations, which will perpetuate systemic racism in North Minneapolis, reinforce white privilege and deliver more wealth to established elites.

Even though it’s now the eleventh hour, a change can still be made. The Upper Harbor development could be a transformational project in our city instead of an extractive wealth process. We urge you, City of Minneapolis, to take your blinders off, absorb what concerned residents have communicated to you, and adjust your actions accordingly. We can fundamentally change the process and the resulting outcomes from inequitable to equitable. It’s not too late.

August 21 Ward 7 Update from Council Member Lisa Goodman

Ward 7 residents in neighborhoods far and wide including Bryn Mawr, East Isles, Elliot Park, Kenwood, Loring Park and Lowry Hill have come face to face with our unsheltered neighbors living in encampments throughout our parks and city. It is estimated that there are currently approximately 100 encampments in Minneapolis. I appreciate that many of you have reached out to me, clearly articulating deep concern for all impacted by this crisis. Many of you have expressed that we are doing a disservice to those living in encampments and to all of the thousands of neighbors who don’t have their own green space and rely on this park for their only recreation during this time of COVID. The need for innovation and collaboration focused on addressing this crisis has never been greater.

We are in a time of great uncertainty and high anxiety. The city and our partners at the county and state are stretched to capacity as we work to respond to the numerous crises impacting our communities. I am very pleased that a group of Minneapolis-based (many from Ward 7) advocates and elected, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders including myself, are working collaboratively with City staff and our jurisdictional partners to develop innovative solution that address the needs of the over 4,000 people, disproportionately Native American and Black, who are homeless on any given night in Hennepin County. Of this 4,000, 800-1000 are living outdoors in Minneapolis.

Working in partnership with social service professionals, private philanthropy, City staff, other governmental partners and people with lived experience of homelessness, this group has leveraged their diverse expertise to develop The Indoor Villages Pilot Project www.indoorvillages.org. This innovative project is on track to be open by winter 2020.

It will be a welcome compliment to the other initiatives that will increase the availability of dignified emergency shelter with trauma informed supportive services. The Indoor Villages Pilot Project is a rapidly deployable indoor community that addresses the urgent need to expand and enhance shelter and supportive services for people in Minneapolis experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Indoor Villages is an interior community made up of secure, private dwellings (“tiny shelters”) within a climate controlled indoor structure designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and promote safety, stability and wellbeing. Trauma informed support services, such as mental health, chemical dependency and harm reduction services will be available on-site. The design and programming of Indoor Villages has been directly informed by people with lived experience of homelessness as well as our lead service providers, fiscal agent and shelter operator, Special Treatment Services and Simpson Housing Services.

The Indoor Villages Pilot Project is not meant to replace, rather complement and expand on existing government resources in partnership with State, County and City government entities. Last month Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis issued $3.5M in federal emergency aid related to Covid-19 to establish 50 beds for the American Indian community; 50 beds for homeless women; and approximately 203 beds for the elderly, medically frail and veterans (Star Tribune, 2020) for a total of 303 beds. Unfortunately, this does not meet the current demand that is anticipated to grow, in the coming months, due to COVID-19 economic impacts.

We are so grateful that a Ward 7 local, family foundation generously stepped forward with a significant matching grant to launch this innovative pilot. We at the City are actively supporting the project’s pursuit of additional State, County and private funding opportunities so that we can add approximately 100 desperately emergency shelter beds by this winter.

I invite you to learn more and get involved with Indoor Villages fundraising, communications and outreach efforts www.indoorvillages.org.

You can view the coverage of this initiative on WCCO through this link: https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/08/18/indoor-tiny-house-community-for-homeless-planned-in-minneapolis/amp/

Peavy Plaza Summer Season

Green Minneapolis in conjunction with Stronger Futures and the YWCA is offering free concerts and yoga classes in Peavey Plaza.

Thursday, August 27, 12:30 pm: Youth music and dance performances in partnership with Strong Roots Foundation.

KNOWN: A local youth choir made up of youth ages 10-21 years old. This choir is made up of youth that just want to sing and make music. This is a fun community choir that has brought joy and smiles to rally’s events and festivities right here across the Twin Cities.

Hopewell Music Cooperative North: Hopewell is about more than just music, it is about equal opportunities and access to music education. Music has the added benefits of instilling values such as discipline, resilience, cooperation, and good communication while providing both youth and adult students with a creative outlet. As an inner-city music school that is what we strive to do.

YMCA: Yoga Classes

Saturday, August 29 at 10:00 am

Monday, August 31 at 5:30 pm

Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 am

In addition to those activities, the Minnesota Orchestra is holding Chamber Music on Peavey Plaza every Tuesday through Sunday from 7:00 – 8:00 pm through the end of August.

Tickets are required to be seated in the basin of the plaza but the music will flow up and out for all to enjoy.

These evening programs are designed by Minnesota Orchestra musicians and each concert will feature a piece of music written by a Black composer. The repertoire will be announced from the stage and will also include music by composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Benjamin Britten, Valerie Coleman, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Paquito D’Rivera, Jean Françaix, Devonté Hynes, Wolfgang Amadè Mozart, Daniel Bernard Roumain, William Grant Still, Igor Stravinsky, Jerod Tate, Heitor Villa-Lobos and George Walker, among many others.

Visit the Minnesota Orchestra website for more information.

*The basin and fountains of Peavey Plaza will be turned off a portion of the day due to this event.

Mayor Frey Delivers 2021 City Budget Address

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his 2021 budget address, which underscored his commitment to maintaining core City services, the City’s response to COVID-19, and new public safety transformation work. Frey has recommended continuing an enterprise-wide hiring freeze, reductions in spending across the board, and broad departmental reorganizations to maintain current service levels.

Without cuts, offsetting $35 million in lost revenue would have required a property levy increase of more than 15%. Frey’s measures will result in a 5.75% levy increase for 2021, but the overall growth to the city’s tax base means that median valued homes ($281,500) will actually see a 3% decrease ($47) under the mayor’s proposal.

Frey’s 2021 budget proposal also reinforces his commitment to affordable housing as a top priority. The proposal makes the Stable Homes Stable Schools program permanent. Started as a three-year pilot program, Stable Homes Stable Schools has housed or provided housing stability for 330 families and 946 children. Over 95% of the families served through Stable Homes Stable Schools are Black, Indigenous and people of color.

Frey also unveiled several public safety initiatives, including $2.5 million in ongoing funding for the Office of Violence Prevention to implement a violence intervention initiative. Trained violence interrupters and outreach workers prevent shootings in this model by mediating conflicts in the community and following up with individuals to decrease retaliation.

Frey is also allocating funding to provide staff from the Office of Violence Prevention with an office space in community to increase accessibility.

In his address, Frey continued making the case for a culture shift within the Police Department and advocated for meaningful arbitration reform.

The budget also features a move that adds positions to 311 to answer crime-report only calls and shift those calls away from the MPD to reduce demands on sworn officers’ time. The measure is estimated to save the City $336,091 annually.

City Council Approves Jim Rowader as New City Attorney

The City Council has approved Mayor Jacob Frey’s appointment of Jim Rowader as the new City Attorney.

Rowader currently serves as vice president of general counsel employee and labor relations for Target Corp. He will start working at the City Aug. 24. Before joining Target in 1994, he was an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board in Detroit and subsequently for a Twin Cities law firm. He is a board member of the Minnesota Justice Research Center and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. He’s also an active member of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association. 

He has served as vice chair of the Minneapolis Workplace Advisory Committee, which advises City leaders on workplace regulations and policy.

The City Attorney’s Office is organized into two divisions: Civil and Criminal. The Civil Division provides a broad range of legal services to the City’s elected officials and staff, the City’s departments, and independent boards and commissions. The Criminal Division prosecutes misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor crimes within the city.

Complete Your Census by September 30, Census Takers Begin Door Knocking

Have you completed the census yet? Completing the census will ensure that our communities receive resources for programs and services that we need. Many programs that our communities rely on, including SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP and Head Start are funded through data that is obtained by the census. The 2020 Census is our chance to shape the future of Minneapolis for the next 10 years.

Census takers have begun following up in Minneapolis with households that haven’t yet completed the 2020 Census. Census staff have been hired locally and are here to help households complete their census forms. The goal of census door knockers is to help get an accurate count. Census staffers can be easily identified by a valid government ID badge that includes their photograph and a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark.

Census field staff follow both CDC and local public health guidelines, are trained in physical distancing protocols and will provide census takers with masks during their visit. Census staff have sworn a lifetime oath of confidentiality. Any information that you provide to them will not be shared with any entity other than the Census Bureau for statistical purposes only and never to identify an individual.

Find more information here on verifying a census taker’s identity, COVID-19 protocols or the strategy to visit households that haven’t responded yet.

Fill out your census

If you haven’t yet completed the 2020 Census application and would like to avoid a census taker coming to your home, you can submit your form online, by phone or through the mail (using the U.S. Census Bureau form that you received in the mail at home). Language assistance is offered in multiple languages online or over the phone and can also be requested at your visit if they come to your home.

Take your census by Sept. 30

The U.S. Census Bureau officially announced that the 2020 Census self-response period will end Sept. 30, 2020. This means that there are less than two months remaining to ensure that our communities are counted and that we get the resources that we need for the next 10 years.

In 2010, Minneapolis had a census completion rate of 72.8%. Currently, Minneapolis has a completion rate of 69.9%. It is important – now more than ever – that our communities are counted.

Let’s get counted, Minneapolis.

City Seeking Diversity of Applicants for Fall Openings on Boards and Commissions Appointments

Twenty-four City boards and commissions have openings for appointments this fall. The City seeks applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. Translation and interpreting services are available so all residents can participate. The positions are open until filled; application review begins Sept. 30 unless marked otherwise.

City boards and commissions have brought forward recommendations that resulted in renter protections, wage protections and a ban on a hazardous chemical in dry cleaning. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis help shape key policy decisions, give community-based input into the City’s administration of services and supply valuable insights.

People can apply through the open position pages linked below and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings. Applications are open now.

Boards, commissions and advisory committees

The City of Minneapolis has more than 50 volunteer-based boards, commissions and advisory committees that advise the City on issues and help develop policy and administer services. Boards and commissions fall into a handful of categories: appeal boards, development boards, general advisory boards and special service districts (defined areas within the city with special services).

Appointments to boards and commissions are made twice a year: in the spring and fall.

Potential applicants can find more information at 612-673-2216 or OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov.

National Night Out Recommended Date Changes to Sept. 15 for 2020

The Minneapolis recommended National Night Out date for 2020 is Tuesday, Sept. 15. Residents can find out if their block is already signed up by emailing crime.prevention@minneapolismn.gov. Registered block leaders received notices directly about closing their streets to hold their event, but a block without a block leader could still hold a COVID-19 safe event by spreading out across three or four yards to make enough space for physical distancing.

Event safety in a pandemic

A safe event during a pandemic follows guidelines from the Minneapolis Health Department, Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Events are outdoors.
• People keep their masks on when they’re not eating or drinking.
• People keep at least 6 feet from others not in their household.
• Households bring their own food, beverages, utensils, tables and chairs.

National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, holding block parties and getting to know their neighbors to prevent crime. It’s a great way to promote community-police partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and family.

Find out more about National Night Out.

Seventh Annual Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit Goes Virtual

Hosted by the City of Minneapolis, the seventh annual Trans Equity Summit takes place Sept. 13-15. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all attendance this year will be virtual.

Trans Equity Summit

September 13-15

2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Register online

Join Facebook event

This year's theme is "Claiming Our Power for Change: Caring for Community." In this moment of deep pain and radical possibility, Minneapolis is centered locally, nationally and globally as a place from which potential new futures can be born. Organizers, healers and artists are redefining community, connection and the expansiveness of their own power. As always, trans and gender non-conforming folks are at the forefront.

Programming includes breakout sessions, performances, a job and resource fair, and healing justice offerings. Space is available for community care, for collective witnessing, and for trans/gender-non-conforming folks to find or further assert their places and power in this pivotal moment.

The summit is free and open to the public, and we encourage anyone interested in furthering trans equity to attend.

Find updates on the Trans Equity Summit here.

COVID-19 Situation Update as of August 19, 2020

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• There are 8,310 cases in Minneapolis and 212 deaths. The City shares Minneapolis-specific daily case counts and demographics at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face coverings in all indoor public places.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 17 regarding bars and restaurants remains in effect. The regulation closes bar areas in restaurants, nightclubs, and indoor spaces of entertainment. Food and beverages can be served tableside while patrons are seated and patrons can approach the bar to order as long as they don’t congregate.
• Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) has outlined five phases for easing students back into in-person learning over time. When school starts in September, MPS will be under Phase 2: Distance Learning with Student Supports. With Phase 2, all learning is done through distance learning, but students will be provided with supports such as tutoring, technology, and mental health at certain school buildings.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• There are 66,618 cases in Minnesota out of over 1.3 million tests completed. There have been 1,727 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 20,853 cases and 855 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The Health Department is using a color-coded map with multiple layers to show a seven-day rolling average of new cases in Minnesota. The State is at 11 cases per 100,000 and Minneapolis is at 16 cases per 100,000. These numbers put both Minnesota and Minneapolis in the orange category, which represents accelerated spread of COVID-19.
• Minnesota is currently in Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan for reopening.
• Governor Walz’s statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places where people gather and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.

Health Incident Command Updates As the Minneapolis Health Department (MHD) continues to respond to COVID-19, we are applying an equity lens to all our work in conjunction with partners across the City enterprise.

 Businesses: Health inspectors are assisting with permitting and inspecting larger public events that will serve food to ensure they are following the governor’s executive orders, including having an approved COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and meeting food safety standards. MHD staff worked with Communications to develop new posters to encourage people to wear masks when patronizing local businesses. These posters, which are geared toward young adults visiting bars and restaurants, are available in multiple languages on the City’s COVID-19 Print Resources webpage.

 Case investigations: MHD is conducting over 50 case investigations and contact follow-ups per day for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Currently, there are 26 investigators, including six non-MHD enterprise staff. Of the 8,310 cases in Minneapolis, 85% have been interviewed, 2% have refused, 8% have been lost to follow-up, and 5% are new cases that still need to be interviewed. Twenty-four percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents are in a language other than English.

 Community testing:

• Approximately 500 community members were tested at the Incarnation- Sagrado Corazon Church on Saturday, August 15. MHD staff will be supporting a second testing event at PICA McKnight (4225 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409) on Tuesday, August 25, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The testing is free for everyone. Both drive up and walk up testing will be provided. Online pre-registration is available, but not required.
• Free testing will also be available at Phelps Park (701 E 39th St.) on August 25 and 26 in collaboration with the Native American Community Clinic, Hope Communities, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB), and the University of Minnesota from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• MHD is collaborating with clinic and community partners to support and provide testing in the East African community. Community testing will be available at Abubakar As-Sadique Islamic Center (2824 13th Ave S.) on September 19 and 26. Additional testing opportunities are being planned for this Fall.
• Community testing is being planned for a north Minneapolis site in September.
• In preparation for cold weather, MHD staff are planning for indoor or sheltered COVID- 19 testing sites as well as for vaccine locations when a viable vaccine becomes available.

Food security:

• MHD continues to co-host a weekly free food distribution event at Powderhorn Park (Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) for 400-700 households, primarily serving the Latinx community.
• MHD convened a meeting with over 25 grasstops food insecurity partners to identify long-term capacity and potential strategies since humanitarian food distribution will continue into the Fall. Staff continue communication and outreach with pop-ups and food shelves from north and south Minneapolis.
• One issue being addressed involves ensuring food safety while sustaining community food assistance. An internal City workgroup is meeting to balance the needs of pop-ups who want to provide low barrier food support with the City’s regulatory authority to ensure that providers are using food safe practices and are complying with the City’s food licensing program while addressing equity, accessibility, and other systemic barriers to food security and distribution.

Encampments:

• The large encampment located on the west side of Powderhorn Park was recently demobilized. In accordance with the Park Board’s safe school zones guidance, the park has been completely cleared of tents because of its proximity to Wilder School. Currently, there are more than 400 tents located in 34 parks across the city; most are permitted according to MPRB guidelines.
• City staff are monitoring two new encampments located on City-owned land: one behind the former Kmart site on Lake Street and another at 9th Avenue and 13th Street. In addition, MHD staff are assessing sanitation needs for an encampment of RVs located in a small park across from Xcel Energy in northeast Minneapolis.

Personal Protective Equipment: MHD has continued to respond to requests for masks and other supplies. In the past week, staff distributed 5,250 masks (1,900 one-time use masks and 3,350 reusable cloth masks) and 345 bottles of hand sanitizer to neighborhood organizations, small businesses, faith communities, healthcare, and community-based organizations.

• The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov. 

FINNOVATION Lab New Cohort Will Tackle Today’s Systemic Issues

Via a recent News Release:

FINNOVATION Lab, the champion of changemakers who believe in solving systemic social problems through the power of business, selected nine entrepreneurs for the third cohort of the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program. The program will support fellows as they work to develop innovative business models to address a range of social, environmental, economic and other timely issues and will help fulfill their potential of becoming leaders of social impact.

Selected fellows will receive a $50,000 living stipend, $3,000 health care stipend, have access to dedicated workspace, an ecosystem of advisors and mentors, and tailored curriculum focused on leadership development, business planning and modeling, and systems-level analysis for social change. The Fellowship Program is often the first opportunity participants have to focus their energy on diving deeper into a problem and developing a sustainable solution. The nine-month immersive program kicks off in September and will run through mid-June. 

Nine fellows were chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants aiming to address varied areas of impact. FINNOVATION Lab continues to attract increasingly diverse applicants with 66% identifying as people of color, 66% women or non-binary, 38% first-generation college students, and 21% in the LGBTQ+ community. After narrowing the pool to 20, applicants participated in a virtual Selection Day at which a panel of Minnesota’s leaders in social impact and entrepreneurship identified the top contenders demonstrating an understanding of the problem area, dedication to the issue, systems-level thinking, and an innovative entrepreneurial idea. 

“This year has highlighted systematic issues in our society and continues to bring new ones to light”, said Connie Rutledge, CEO of FINNOVATION Lab. “We saw so many great candidates with a passion to solve the issues of today. Our final group represents the strength of the social impact scene here in Minnesota, and we’re excited to see what they bring to the community.” 

The third cohort of fellows is made up of: 

• Michelle Abdon: addressing the lack of mental health education in high schools by building a curriculum development company that teaches mental health skills and knowledge through studio arts.
• Marlee Dorsey: reducing health disparities linked to systematic oppression and inter-generation trauma in the Black community through mental health services and resources.
• Valerie Fleurantin: addressing health disparities in the Twin Cities by creating a health and wellness center with a focus on a wellness culture shift.
• Naomi Ko: addressing disparities faced by women of color in the film and TV industry by creating a company that connects, empowers, and funds WOC filmmakers.
• Leah Korger: rethinking the hospitality industry to provide an intersectional space to foster authentic queer community through food and beverage.
• Brook LaFloe: reducing early childhood disparities for American Indian children by mobilizing an Indigenous artist and educators collective.
• Temi Ogunrinde: addressing housing inequalities by utilizing the entertainment industry to bring housing revitalization and increase homeownership in marginalized communities.
• Mary Taris: creating a Black literary arts center for the North Minneapolis community where the Black narrative is valued and Black voices are empowered.
• Dane Verret: dismantling institutionalized oppression in government and non-profit foundations by founding a learning institute rooted in the knowledge of Black and Indigenous people. 

“The Fellowship Program feels more relevant and important than ever,” said FINNOVATION Lab and FINNEGANS Brew Co. Founder Jacquie Berglund. “We’re proud to foster the growth and development of fellows tackling racial inequalities, housing inequalities, and mental health education and the important change they’re working to implement.” 

The Fellowship Program is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, known for its commitment to innovationand creative problem solving.

More information about the FINNOVATION Lab and the Fellowship Program is available at Finn-Lab.com.

About FINNOVATION Lab

FINNOVATION Lab is an inclusive workspace and community inspiring social change, growth, innovation, and experimentation. From educational programs to unique events, FINN Lab empowers social entrepreneurs to make a positive change in the world through the power of business. For more information, visit Finn-Lab.com.

Minnesota Farmers Union and Birchwood Cafe Announce F + B Pop-up Restaurant in Former Spoonriver Site

The F + B pop-up is scheduled to open Thursday, August 20 for dinner, and be open weekly Thursday-Sunday from 4-8 p.m., with brunch available on weekends and lunch hours and delivery to be added soon. Days of service and hours may expand.

There may be no State Fair this year, but the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) and Birchwood Cafe team are still serving up their fair favorite - the Minnesota-grown Heirloom Tomato + Sweet Corn BLT - and much more.

Based on a shared commitment to Minnesota family farmers, this proven partnership has been a success for several years at the Minnesota State Fair. Now they are moving forward to open F + B, a pop-up concept restaurant at 750 South 2nd Street in Minneapolis. F is for Farmers Union and B is for Birchwood. Together, F + B equals a delicious, locally sourced collaboration for Good Real Food sourced directly from Minnesota family farms.

The space, formerly home to the renowned restaurant Spoonriver, which was founded and run by local food pioneer Brenda Langton, will remain mostly as-is through the duration of the pop up, with minor changes for optimal safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. MFU and Birchwood have been planning to open a restaurant in this location for several months now. Amid hard times in the restaurant industry, the partners are delighted about this pop-up takeout opportunity.

“Of course this wasn’t exactly what we envisioned when we announced our new endeavor last fall, but when COVID-19 hands you lemons, you make Lavender Lemonade, right?” said Birchwood founder Tracy Singleton. “What’s essential right now is keeping our staff employed, uplifting and showcasing our local farmers and bringing our Good Real Food — food sourced, prepared and served toward cultivating a more equitable world — to a new audience downtown. To that end, F + B will follow Birchwood’s One House philosophy as a no-tipping establishment. Looking ahead, we’re excited to collaborate with the Shea design team to transform the space to best serve our new neighborhood’s needs. We see this pop-up as a test run to help us figure that out.”

“Farmers who do business with restaurants have been hit doubly hard by the pandemic, and the pop-up is a great way for Twin Cities residents to support both farmers and restaurants,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “As generations get further removed from the farm,  it’s important to reconnect consumers to farmers through their food, something the folks at Birchwood do really well. At Farmers Union, we advocate for Minnesota family farmers and we aim to build on that food connection to raise awareness for the issues our farmers face.”

A celebration of farm-community connections, the opening menu at F + B will feature Minnesota State Fair Farmers Union Coffee Shop favorites alongside Birchwood seasonal specialties. Spoonriver fans will recognize a few items created to pay tribute to Langton’s legacy. As the season changes, so too will the menu and inspirations.

The menu will be available for walk-up and curbside pickup, as well as a limited amount of patio seating. Additionally, there are picnic-site options in close proximity — with Stone Arch Bridge, Mill City Park and the spacious Guthrie plaza all steps away from F + B. It’s also close to public transportation and the beautiful bike trails along the River Road.   

“The Mississippi River has always been a part of our identity in Seward, and our new venture downtown brings us even closer to it, front and center with our region’s history and foodways,” Singleton said. “I think it’s imperative that we amend the Mill City narrative to acknowledge that we are on Indigenous land. By honoring the original Dakota and Ojibwe stewards, we offer gratitude for their past and present care for the land.”

MPRB's Movies in the Parks switches to Drive-In Style on August 26

Movies start at dusk, around 9 pm. Check sunset times here.  $15 per vehicle.  Advance online purchase required. 

UPCOMING MOVIE: Wednesday, August 26 - Happy Gilmore at Theodore Wirth Golf Course Parking Lot

Come park under the stars and enjoy a night of movie magic with a golf course view in Minneapolis. Join us for a drive-in movie at the Theodore Wirth Golf Course parking lot. Space limited to 60 vehicles. Tickets are $15 per vehicle and must be purchased in advance by clicking here. FM transmitter will be your access to the sound for this movie event. Details regarding sound and tuning into the movie will be confirmed after registering for this event.

Celebrating more than 120 years of free entertainment in Minneapolis parks.

Find the schedule for Virtual Concerts and Drive-In Movies at  www.mplsmusicandmovies.com. 

For schedule upcoming events and notifications: Facebook | Twitter

Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival Launches Social Distancing Art Experience August 17 Along Nicollet and Hennepin

Via an August 17 News Release from the minneapolis downtown council:

Throughout the month, chalk art will be available for viewing at own pace

The 2020 Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival, organized by the Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) and Hennepin Theatre Trust (HTT), returns today, August 17 and is adjusting this year to provide social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Street artists completed their work over the weekend, and the works of art are ready for viewing.

Over the following weeks—weather permitting, rain may impact art’s duration—the art will be available for viewing on Nicollet and Hennepin. Art can also be viewed through this virtual experience as well as the Mpls Street Art Festival social media channels. The street art is scattered and available for viewing at the public’s own pace, whenever time allows, to provide ample social distancing.

To learn more about the Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival, visit MplsStreetArtFest.com or follow along @MplsStreetArtFest on Facebook and Instagram, or @MplsStArtFest on Twitter.

The Downtown Street Art Festival is organized by DID and HTT with support from hospitality partner AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown.

Photo credit Tony Nelson Photography

Photo credit Tony Nelson Photography

Photo credit Tony Nelson Photography

Photo credit Tony Nelson Photography

About the Mpls Downtown Improvement District

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a business funded non-profit focused on creating a more vibrant downtown. We lead and collaborate on programs that make downtown safer, cleaner and greener. We convene people across sectors and jurisdictions to work on issues of mutual interest; develop innovative solutions to complex public space challenges/opportunities including strategic activation and seek continuous improvement of ongoing programs including the ambassadors.

About Hennepin Theatre Trust

Hennepin Theatre Trust drives cultural and economic vitality in Minnesota through leadership of the dynamic Hennepin Theatre District in downtown Minneapolis and educational programming that reaches every area of the state. Its historic theatres — the Orpheum, State and Pantages — and event center at 900 Hennepin light up Hennepin Avenue with top-tier entertainment, including the best of Broadway and a wide variety of arts programming. Hennepin Theatre Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

2020 Census Updates from the U.S. Census Bureau

Important information to know from the U.S. Census Bureau:

Census takers are now working across all areas of Minnesota to visit households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census from now through September 30.  

Door-to-Door Visits Begin Nationwide for 2020 Census  

NOTE:  The Census Bureau will follow up with some households by phone.

How to identify census takers?  

• Census takers wear a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge  
• Census takers will also have official U.S. Census Bureau phones  
• To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public in Minnesota may contact the Chicago Region Census Center:  312-579-1500  

Under Title 13 federal law, census taker work is confidential, to protect the privacy of households responding to the census - so news media are NOT allowed to follow census takers at work.  

Why is it important to respond to the 2020 Census?  

A complete and accurate count of each community ensures that community receives its fair share of representation in Congress and the state legislature and its fair share of billions in federal funds distributed each year to state and local communities for many programs, such as emergency response services, hospitals and clinics, schools, job training, roads, highways and more. Census data is important for decisions by businesses, nonprofits and all levels of government.

Who will census takers be visiting?  

Households that have not yet responded.  

2020 Census response rates are updated daily on this interactive map: 2020Census.gov/response-rates  

The majority of households have already responded. In Minnesota, 72.6% have responded – about 1.9 million households. That means about one in four households will need census taker visits.

Can you still respond in your own to the 2020 Census?  

Yes - Those that respond on their own will not need to be visited to obtain their census response. 

Please share these ways for responding to the 2020 Census – thanks!   

• Online – visit 2020Census.gov   
• Phone – call 844-330-2020 – phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Central – seven days a week 
• If a census taker visits your home or calls you, please answer their questions. 
• The Census Bureau is also sending emails to low-responding blocks. The email is sent from 2020Census@subscription.census.gov. Please respond.  
• For non-English language support: 2020Census.gov/languages.  

More info on census takers:  2020Census.gov/census-takers  

What can households expect when a census taker visits?  

• In most cases, census workers will make up to six attempts at each housing unit address to count possible residents. This includes leaving notification of the attempted visit on the door. The notification will include reminder information on how to respond online, by paper or by phone. In addition, census workers may try to reach the household by phone to conduct the interview. 
• Census takers will go to great lengths to ensure that no one is missed in the census. After exhausting their efforts to do an in-person interview with a resident of an occupied housing unit, they will seek out proxy sources — a neighbor, a rental agent, a building manager or some other knowledgeable person familiar with the housing unit — to obtain as much basic information about the occupants as they can. 
• Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Census takers will also have materials on hand to help identify the household’s language. 

Following local public health guidelines  

Census takers have completed training on social distancing and safety protocols, will follow local public health guidelines, and will be required to wear a face mask when conducting follow-up visits. 

On Aug. 6, the Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control issued a joint statement stating: 

Participation in 2020 Census interviews should present a low risk of transmission of COVID-19. Census takers are trained to rigorously and universally follow these CDC recommendations to mitigate risk of transmission: 

• Wearing of face masks. 
• Maintaining social distance of 6 ft. or more. 
• Practicing hand hygiene. 
• Not entering homes, and conducting interviews outside as much as possible or practical.  

Census Takers Contacting Some Households By Phone  

In order to minimize the need to send census takers to households in person, the Census Bureau is training census takers to follow up with households by phone. Using information provided to the Census Bureau and third-party purchased data, the Census Bureau has a strong contact list for both landlines and cellphones assigned to houses on the Census Bureau’s address list. These phone calls will enable the Census Bureau to have maximum flexibility for conducting field operations, and is one more method that census takers can use to reach nonresponding households. Phone calls will be used on an as-needed basis and when in-person contact attempts have not resulted in an interview. If a voicemail is available, the census taker will leave a message asking the household to call one of the Census Bureau’s call centers. 

About the 2020 Census - The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone who lives in the United States on April 1, 2020 (Census Day).  

Sunrise on the Mississippi Invitation from Minneapolis Parks Foundation

Sunrise on the Mississippi: Rising to the Occasion in 2020

For five years, 300 Twin Cities community leaders have come together along the riverfront to champion parks that transform human life. This year, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation invites you to rise to a new occasion.

Join them for this ZOOM-in on newly-opening RiverFirst projects – Great Northern Greenway Overlook and Water Works – that are restoring a relationship between people and communities and the Mississippi River.

Thursday, September 10, 2020, 8 am – 9 am

Stories Featuring:

The Sioux Chef - Juxtaposition Arts - Damon Farber Landscape Architects - Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Please RSVP by August 31 to cmoir@mplsparksfoundation.org or 612-354-7513 to receive Zoom link and password.

Q1 & Q2 2020 Downtown Market Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

August 7 Updates from Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman

COVID-19 Situation Update as of August 5, 2020

• There are 7,356 cases in Minneapolis and 204 deaths.

• Thirty-one percent of all Minneapolis cases were diagnosed in July. Overall, 52% of cases were diagnosed in June and July.

• The City shares Minneapolis-specific daily case counts and demographics at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.

• Congregate living facilities in Minneapolis continue to see new cases among residents, but the numbers have decreased significantly, from an average of 49 cases a week in April and May to six cases a week in June and July. Residents of these facilities account for only 7% of confirmed cases, however they account for 71% of COVID-19 deaths.

• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks is still in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face coverings in all indoor public places.

• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 17 regarding bars and restaurants is in effect. The regulation closed bar areas in restaurants, nightclubs, and indoor spaces of entertainment in Minneapolis as of August 1. Bar areas that can be converted for seated service will be allowed if food and beverage are served tableside while patrons are seated. The goal is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among young adults, food service workers, and bartenders.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• There are 57,779 cases in Minnesota out of over 1 million tests completed. There have been 1,629 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 18,393 cases and 825 deaths in Hennepin County.

• The Health Department is using a color-coded map with multiple layers to show a seven-day rolling average of new cases in Minnesota. The State is at 11 cases per 100,000 and Minneapolis is at 18 cases per 100,000. These numbers put both Minnesota and Minneapolis in the orange category, which represents accelerated spread of COVID-19.

• Minnesota is currently in Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan for reopening.

• Governor Walz’s statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places where people gather and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.

Health Incident Command Updates

As the Health Department (MHD) continues to respond to COVID-19, we are applying an equity lens to all our work in conjunction with partners across the City enterprise.

Businesses:

o Multiple City departments assisted with distributing over 450,000 masks to businesses, prioritizing BIPOC-owned businesses and businesses in BIPOC communities. CPED led this effort in partnership with the Mayor’s office, the Health Department and Regulatory Services. Remaining masks (48,000+) will be given to City regulatory staff for further distribution to impacted communities.

o Health inspectors continue to conduct follow up at businesses with COVID-19 positive employees.

Case investigations: MHD is conducting over 50 case investigations and contact follow-ups per day for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Currently, we have 26 investigators, including six non-MHD enterprise staff. Of the 7,356 cases in Minneapolis, 85% have been interviewed, 2% have refused, 8% have been lost to follow-up, and 5% are new cases that still need to be interviewed. Forty-two percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents are in a language other than English.

Community testing: The Health Department, in partnership with Hennepin Healthcare and the Minnesota Department of Health, provided community testing on Saturday, August 1, at Incarnation- Sagrado Corazon Church in south Minneapolis (3817 Pleasant Avenue South). Community-based organizations and volunteers staffed the event. Approximately 400 community members were tested, the majority of whom were from the Latinx community. MHD will return to the same location on Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to offer additional testing. Staff are proactively exploring options for providing additional testing to priority groups including BIPOC communities and other populations most likely to be impacted by COVID-19.

Food security: MHD and hunger relief partners continue to see strong demand for free food at food shelves and community-led food distribution events. Despite the reopening of some grocery stores, ongoing unemployment and financial challenges are limiting the ability of many individuals and families to purchase food, especially nutritious staples such as fresh fruits and vegetables. MHD continues to co-host a weekly free food distribution event at Powderhorn Park (Fridays, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.) which primarily serves the Latinx community. In addition, MHD staff are regularly connecting with other community-led food distribution sites and food shelves to assess needs and connect them to resources.

Health at encampments:

o The Health Department continues to work closely with the Park Board, Hennepin County, and community-based organizations to respond to the needs of those living at encampments in parks and other locations across the city. MHD staff continue to distribute harm reduction supplies, masks, and hygiene kits.

o The Park Board has issued move notices to those remaining at the Powderhorn West encampment. Unlike in the past, there is not a hard deadline for moving. Park employees, along with outreach partners and MAD Dads, are encouraging campers to move to one of three other parks (BF Nelson , Marshall Terrace, and Beltrami). Law enforcement is not involved in moving these campers.

o The encampment located on City-owned land at 24th Street East and 13th Avenue South is causing pedestrian traffic issues. Staff from MPD and CPED will be visiting the site to see what can be done to mitigate the problem and ensure site safety.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): MHD has continued with community resource distribution efforts. To respond to community requests, we distributed 5,950 reusable cloth masks, 630 N95 masks, and 2,950 one-time use masks in the past week. Staff were able to work with Representative Mohamud Noor to provide masks for many who gathered in parks to pray during Eid.

Schools: Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) will start the year with distance learning. The MPS school year begins on September 8. Health Department staff are sharing local COVID-19 data with MPS to help with data-driven decision-making and are helping develop metrics to guide reopening. MHD staff are also assisting MPS in planning for testing, responding to outbreaks, and general safety operations as the pandemic continues. Staff are approaching partners at Hennepin County, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield and St. Paul health departments and districts to coordinate school pandemic planning.

Vaccinations: MHD staff are leaning in to prepare for future COVID-19 vaccination events with a focus on early engagement with BIPOC communities and other groups most impacted by COVID-19. Minnesota was chosen as one of four states to be part of a vaccination planning pilot. As part of the Health Department’s ongoing work, staff are exploring ways to promote seasonal flu vaccinations.

• The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.

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Polling Places Changing Due to Pandemic

To help keep voters and Minneapolis residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, 50 of 125 polling places in Minneapolis are moving for the 2020 primary and general election. The changes will help protect people living in residential facilities and provide more space to keep voters a safe distance from elections staff and each other.

Of the 50 polling places being relocated, 16 were in senior homes, high-rises and other residential sites. Another 32 were in areas with limited space that would make it difficult for people to keep at least 6 feet from others inside. Two were moved due to on-site construction.

Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation board to find new locations for voting during the pandemic. In total, 94 buildings will be open for the Aug. 11 primary and Nov. 3 general elections, with 35 in schools and 22 in park buildings. Some buildings will have more than one voting precinct.

Registered voters will receive a postcard in the mail indicating their new polling locations. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s polling place finder can also provide voters their new polling places. These locations will be the same for the Aug. 11 primary and Nov. 3 general elections. All voters choosing to vote in person on Election Day should check the online polling place finder or call 311 to verify their polling place.

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Ward 7 Polling Places

Bryn Mawr North (7-1C): Bryn Mawr Community School (252 Upton Ave South)

Kenwood (7-2D): Kenwood School (2013 Penn Ave South)

Lowry Hill (7-3): Temple Israel (2324 Emerson Ave South – Fremont Ave Entrance)

Cedar/Isles/Dean (7-4D): Kenwood School (2013 Penn Ave South)

Lowry Hill (7-5): St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral (519 Oak Grove Street)

Downtown West (7-6): Westminster Presbyterian Church (1200 Marquette Avenue)

Bryn Mawr South (7-7): Bryn Mawr Community School (252 Upton Ave South)

Loring Park (7-8): Emerson Spanish Immersion School (1421 Spruce Place)

East Isles (7-9): Temple Israel (2324 Emerson Ave South – Fremont Ave Entrance)

Steven Square West (7-10): Plymouth Congregational Church (1900 Nicollet Avenue)

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Voters: Get Your Ballot in Early Without Leaving Your Vehicle with Drive-Through Ballot Drop-Off

Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services will have a drive-through – and walk-through and bike-through – option at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. for voters returning their completed mail ballots. Staying in your vehicle or on your bike not only makes returning ballots faster and more convenient, it also helps you maintain a good physical distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With less than a week before the Aug. 11 primary, the City recommends ballots not be mailed back because they may not be delivered in time to be counted. Instead, mail ballots may be dropped off at Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., from now until the primary. Minneapolis voters may also drop off mail ballots at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St., in the skyway level of the building.

Deadlines

For the State primary, a voter’s ballot will count as long as it is postmarked on or before the day of the primary (Aug. 11) and is received in the mail no later than two days after the primary (Aug. 13). This is a change from previous election law requiring mail ballots to be received by the day of the primary.

Office hours

Hours for Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10. Voters delivering their ballots the day of the State primary, Aug. 11, must bring it to the office no later than 3 p.m. Ballots may not be dropped off at polling places Aug. 11.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging voting early by mail, and Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services supports voting early by mail along with other CDC and Minneapolis Health Department recommendations to make sure every voter in Minneapolis can safely cast their ballots this election year. 

What’s on the ballot?

Minneapolis voters will cast ballots for the following primary races:

• U.S. senator.
• U.S. representative (District 5).
• State senator and State representative (some districts).
• School Board member at large.
• School Board member (some districts).

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City Council Approves Funding Package to Expand Capacity for Three New Homeless Shelters

The City Council has approved a roughly $8 million funding package to expand shelter capacity for three new shelters for people experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County’s response to homelessness during COVID-19 prioritizes moving people from unsheltered homelessness to safer shelter and housing situations. There has been a significant increase in unsheltered homelessness since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City has received a one-time influx of funding from the federal government, through the CARES Act, to provide help with responding to homelessness during the pandemic. This historically large, one-time Emergency Solutions Grant funding provides an opportunity to strategically respond to COVID-19 across a range of strategies and to reshape the City/County homelessness response system to better serve people experiencing homelessness in the coming months and years.

Learn more about the new shelters.

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City Council Approves Changes to Minneapolis Homes Programs in Effort to Close Racial Gaps in Home Ownership

The City Council approved changes to the City’s Minneapolis Homes programs that reflect a citywide strategy to create sustainable homeownership opportunities and make a meaningful impact to close the homeownership gap between white households and Black, Indigenous, people of color and immigrant (BIPOCI) households in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Homes focuses on reducing property vacancies, creating new housing units and sustaining homeownership in the city by providing educational, financing and property opportunities to homebuyers, homeowners and developers.

Minneapolis Homes programs are changing significantly in response to market data and community feedback through a long-term affordability housing study led by the City and Grounded Solutions Network. Highlights of changes include:

• Focusing on lower income households: All homebuyer programs are changing to focus on households that make less than $80,000 a year with concentration on households making less than $60,000 or $40,000 a year. All City-owned land suitable for residential development will be reserved for creating affordable housing moving forward.
• Diversifying the types of units funded: One- to 20-unit ownership projects throughout the city are eligible. Projects can be on City-owned land or privately owned land. Acquisition, rehabilitation, down payment assistance and new construction are all eligible activities.
• More options for perpetual affordability: The City is launching its own model for perpetually affordable housing, which will sell homes at an affordable price and provide homeowners with a 2% rate of return annually in most market conditions. City of Lakes Community Land Trust partnerships and new perpetually affordable housing models will also be encouraged through City programs.

Learn more about Minneapolis Homes on the City’s website.

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Important Census Updates: Complete Your Census by Sept. 30, Census Takers Begin Door Knocking

Have you completed the census yet? Completing the census will ensure that our communities receive resources for programs and services that we need. Many programs that our communities rely on, including SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP and Head Start are funded through data that is obtained by the census. The 2020 Census is our chance to shape the future of Minneapolis for the next 10 years.

Census takers have begun following up in Minneapolis with households that haven’t yet completed the 2020 Census. Census staff have been hired locally and are here to help households complete their census forms. The goal of census door knockers is to help get an accurate count. Census staffers can be easily identified by a valid government ID badge that includes their photograph and a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark.

Census field staff follow both CDC and local public health guidelines, are trained in physical distancing protocols and will provide census takers with masks during their visit. Census staff have sworn a lifetime oath of confidentiality. Any information that you provide to them will not be shared with any entity other than the Census Bureau for statistical purposes only and never to identify an individual.

Find more information here on verifying a census taker’s identity, COVID-19 protocols or the strategy to visit households that haven’t responded yet.

Fill out your census

If you haven’t yet completed the 2020 Census application and would like to avoid a census taker coming to your home, you can submit your form online, by phone or through the mail (using the U.S. Census Bureau form that you received in the mail at home). Language assistance is offered in multiple languages online or over the phone and can also be requested at your visit if they come to your home.

Take your census by Sept. 30

The U.S. Census Bureau officially announced that the 2020 Census self-response period will end Sept. 30, 2020. This means that there are less than two months remaining to ensure that our communities are counted and that we get the resources that we need for the next 10 years.

In 2010, Minneapolis had a census completion rate of 72.8%. Currently, Minneapolis has a completion rate of 69.9%. It is important – now more than ever – that our communities are counted.

Let’s get counted, Minneapolis.

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City Council Passes Ordinance Protecting Freelance Workers

The City Council has approved a freelance worker protections ordinance to help prevent the exploitation of freelance workers, including many self-employed entrepreneurs who work as independent contractors. The new ordinance takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.

The City is dedicated to ensuring that everyone gets paid for the work they do regardless of their employment arrangement. Freelance work is a growing segment of the economy, and Minneapolis is home to one of the largest communities of freelance workers in the country.

Many freelance workers face difficulty getting paid on time and have limited recourse. In a response to a City survey of independent contractors, more than 33% reported lost income in the past 12 months due to a hiring party’s failure to pay, underpayment or late payment for work performed.

Highlights of the freelance worker protections ordinance

• Businesses that hire certain freelancers for their work in Minneapolis must confirm their agreement in writing.
• The hiring party may not refuse to pay the freelancer as stated in the contract or demand a freelancer accept less compensation after work has started.

The Labor Standards Enforcement Division of the City’s Civil Rights Department will enforce the ordinance by investigating claims and imposing remedies up to and including damages and penalties as appropriate for the violation. The division also oversees compliance of the City’s sick and safe time, minimum wage and wage theft ordinances.

For more information, email wagetheft@minneapolismn.gov.

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City Seeking Diversity of Applicants for Fall Openings on Boards and Commissions Appointments

Twenty-four City boards and commissions have openings for appointments this fall. The City seeks applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. Translation and interpreting services are available so all residents can participate. The positions are open until filled; application review begins Sept. 30 unless marked otherwise.

City boards and commissions have brought forward recommendations that resulted in renter protections, wage protections and a ban on a hazardous chemical in dry cleaning. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis help shape key policy decisions, give community-based input into the City’s administration of services and supply valuable insights.

People can apply through the open position pages linked below and stay up to date on vacancies, position descriptions and timelines by visiting minneapolismn.gov/boards/openings. Applications are open now.

These 24 City boards and commissions have 97 open positions:

• Animal Care and Control Advisory Board.
• Arts Commission, Minneapolis.
• Bicycle Advisory Committee.
• Capital Long-Range Improvements Committee.
• Commission on Civil Rights, Minneapolis.
• Community Environmental Advisory Committee.
• Futuro Latino Empowerment Commission.
• Heritage Preservation Commission.
• Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging.
• Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing.
• Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities.
• Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.
• Northside Green Zone Council.
• Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
• Police Conduct Oversight Commission.
• Police Conduct Review Panel.
• Public Health Advisory Committee.
• Racial Equity Community Advisory Committee.
• Transgender Equity Council.
• Southside Green Zone Council. (Application review will begin Aug. 9.)
• Workforce Development Board, Minneapolis. (Application review will begin Aug. 15.)
• Workplace Advisory Committee.
• Violence Prevention Steering Committee.
• Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Boards, commissions and advisory committees

The City of Minneapolis has more than 50 volunteer-based boards, commissions and advisory committees that advise the City on issues and help develop policy and administer services. Boards and commissions fall into a handful of categories: appeal boards, development boards, general advisory boards and special service districts (defined areas within the city with special services).

Appointments to boards and commissions are made twice a year: in the spring and fall.

Potential applicants can find more information at 612-673-2216 or OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov.

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National Night Out Recommended Date Changes to Sept. 15 for 2020

The Minneapolis recommended National Night Out date for 2020 is Tuesday, Sept. 15. Residents can find out if their block is already signed up by emailing crime.prevention@minneapolismn.gov. Registered block leaders received notices directly about closing their streets to hold their event, but a block without a block leader could still hold a COVID-19 safe event by spreading out across three or four yards to make enough space for physical distancing.

Event safety in a pandemic

A safe event during a pandemic follows guidelines from the Minneapolis Health Department, Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Events are outdoors.
• People keep their masks on when they’re not eating or drinking.
• People keep at least 6 feet from others not in their household.
• Households bring their own food, beverages, utensils, tables and chairs.

National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, holding block parties and getting to know their neighbors to prevent crime. It’s a great way to promote community-police partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and family.

Find out more about National Night Out at www.minneapolismn.gov/nno.

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Save the Date for the 7th Annual Trans Equity Summit: Sept. 13-15

The 2020 Trans Equity Summit will be Sept. 13-15, virtual and outdoor in person, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. daily. Programming will include breakout sessions, performances, a job and resource fair, and healing justice offerings.

This year's theme is "Claiming Our Power for Change: Caring for Community." It reflects a critical need for trans/GNC folks to embody themselves through community care, bear witness to one another without sacrifice and with joy, condition their collective emotional-spiritual excellence, and prepare to assert their power in the dramatic reshaping of Minneapolis.

The summit is free and open to the public. Watch for updates on the City website.

Friends of the Hennepin County Library Announces 24th Season of Pen Pals

Via an August 6 e-announcement from Friends of the Hennepin County Library:

The highly acclaimed and longest-running literary series in the Twin Cities returns for its 24th season this October...and you're invited!

We are thrilled to announce our 2020-21 Pen Pals season, a rich array of virtual and in-person events, offering fresh voices, expert perspectives, and classic storytelling, featuring: Colum McCann, Nikki Giovanni, Yaa Gyasi, Susan Choi, and Erik Larson.

Don't miss your chance to experience today's most acclaimed literary voices in thought-provoking, candid conversation! Last year’s events nearly sold out before individual tickets went on sale – subscribe today!

Attend all five lectures as a subscriber and triple last year's discount - SAVE $75!

Season subscription now only $150 - $200 after discount.

Download, print and mail in the season order form, or call our box office at 612-543-8112, starting Friday, August 7, at 9 a.m.

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2020-21 Pen Pals Season Author Guest - Colum McCann

Colum McCann is the author of the recent bestselling novel Apeirogon, as well as Let the Great World Spin and five others. He has received the National Book Award, a Guggenheim fellowship, and the Pushcart Prize.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 | 7:30 p.m. + on-demand replay through Oct. 25

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2020-21 Pen Pals Season Author Guest - Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, activist, and author of several children’s books, essays, and poetry collections, including the upcoming Make Me Rain. Her numerous honors include the Langston Hughes Medal, Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award, and seven NAACP Image Awards.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 | 7:30 p.m. + on-demand replay through Nov. 8

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2020-21 Pen Pals Season Author Guest - Yaa Gyassi

Yaa Gyasi, the author of Homegoing, is a recipient of the National Book Foundation’s “5 Under 35” Award and a National Book Critics Circle Award. Her new novel Transcendent Kingdom releases in September 2020.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 | 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 | 11:00 a.m.

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2020-21 Pen Pals Season Author Guest - Susan Choi

Susan Choi is the author of The Foreign Student, A Person of Interest, My Education, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated American Woman, and Trust Exercise, which won the 2019 National Book Award for Fiction.

Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.,  Friday, May 7, 2021 | 11:00 a.m.

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2020-21 Pen Pals Season Author Guest - Erik Larson

Erik Larson is the author of five bestsellers, including The Devil in the White City, which was nominated for a National Book Award. His latest, The Splendid and the Vile, chronicles Churchill’s first year as prime minister.

Monday, May 24, 2021 | 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | 11:00 a.m.

Season Format and COVID-19 Update 

Fall 2020 events are virtual and take place on Zoom. Winter/Spring 2021 events take place in person at Hopkins Center for the Arts with traditionally reserved seating. 

In-person events are subject to change based on recommendations from health agencies. Ticket holders will have access to a virtual backup event in the case of in-person event cancellation. 

Virtual event tickets include access to an on-demand recording for 72 hours following the event.

MSP Film Society's Virtual Cinema Updates

Via an August 5 e-announcement from MSP Film Society:

August has arrived and MSP Film Society has another jam-packed month of exciting programming available in our Virtual Cinema:

Opening this Friday, August 7 - A THOUSAND CUTS, Ramona S. Diaz's thrilling film about the increasingly dangerous war between press and government; along with OUT STEALING HORSES (Ut og stjæle hester), based on the bestselling novel by Norwegian author Per Petterson. JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY, the classic concert film set at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, will open on Wednesday, August 12.

In anticipation of Fashion Week MN, MSP Film Society is excited to present two fashion-forward docs this month:  MARTIN MARGIELA: IN HIS OWN WORDS, about the mastermind known as the Banksy of the Fashion World, opens on Friday, August 14; followed by HOUSE OF CARDIN on Friday, August 28, which offers a rare peek into the life of legendary fashion designer Pierre Cardin.

"WE THE PEOPLE: REQUIRED WATCHING" continues on Sunday, August 16 with a FREE screening of JIM CROW OF THE NORTH, the Twin Cities PBS original documentary that explores why Minnesota has some of the worst racial disparities in the nation, followed by a conversation with Director Daniel Pierce Bergin, Anthony R. Scott, President of Minnesota's Black Community Project, and Brian Paulson, Senior Program Officer at the Pohlad Family Foundation, on Monday, August 17 at 7pm.

Opening Friday, August 28 is MR. SOUL!, Melissa Haizlip award-winning documentary about her father Ellis Haizlip’s groundbreaking television variety show SOUL!, which ran from 1968-1973 and offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music, and politics. MR. SOUL! is being presented as part of our "WE THE PEOPLE: REQUIRED WATCHING" series, and will include a FREE Community Conversation on Monday, August 31 at 7pm. Registration will be made available as soon as guests are confirmed.

And on Wednesday, August 19, MSP Film Society presents a special encore screening of the MSPIFF39 Redefined official selection COUP 53, followed by a discussion with Director Taghi Amirani, Editor Walter Murch, and actor Ralph Fiennes on Thursday, August 20.

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OPENING Friday, August 7 - A THOUSAND CUTS 

On June 15, 2020, journalist Maria Ressa was found guilty of cyber libel, setting a ticking clock on the limited time she has to get her story out to the world and keep the fight for democracy alive in this all too familiar tale of an autocratic leader drowning out "fake news." Nowhere is the worldwide erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation campaigns, more starkly evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Ressa places the tools of the free press—and her freedom—on the line in defense of truth and democracy. Ramona S. Diaz's thrilling film follows key players from two sides of an increasingly dangerous war between press and government. As each side digs in, we become witness to an epic and ongoing fight for the integrity of human life and truth itself—a conflict that extends beyond the Philippines into our own divisive backyard.  official trailer  - official website

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OPENING Friday, August 7 - OUT STEALING HORSES (Ut og stjæle hester)

November 1999: 67-year-old Trond (Stellan Skarsgård), lives in self-imposed isolation and looks forward to welcoming in the new millennium alone. As winter arrives he meets one of his few neighbours, Lars (Bjørn Floberg), and realizes he knew him back in the summer of 1948. 1948 – the year Trond turned 15. The summer Trond grew up. OUT STEALING HORSES is based on the bestselling novel by Norwegian author Per Petterson. official trailer  - official website

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OPENING Wednesday, August 12 - JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY

Filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island and directed by world-renowned photographer Bert Stern, Jazz on a Summer's Day features intimate performances by an all-star line-up of musical legends including Louis Armstrong, Thelonius Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O'Day, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington, and closes with a beautiful rendition or The Lord's Prayer by Mahalia Jackson at midnight to usher in Sunday morning. The 1959 classic is considered one of the most extraordinary and possibly the first concert film ever made. official trailer - official website

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OPENING Friday, August 14 -  MARTIN MARGIELA: IN HIS OWN WORDS

An intimate profile of Martin Margiela, one of the most revolutionary and influential fashion designers of his time. From Jean Paul Gaultier's assistant to creative director at Hermes to leading his own brand, Margiela never showed his face publicly but reinvented fashion with his radical style for over 20 years, through 41 provocative collections. For the first time, the "Banksy of fashion" reveals his drawings, notes and personal items, giving us an exclusive peek to his vision and career. The film features interviews with, among others, Jean Paul Gaultier, Carine Roitfeld, Trend Forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort, Fashion Critic Cathy Horyn and Fashion Historian Olivier Saillard. The score has been composed by the Belgian rock band dEUS.

official trailer

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ONGOING SERIES - "WE THE PEOPLE: REQUIRED WATCHING" 

MSP Film Society presents our community screening and conversation series of films that speak powerfully to systemic inequality, followed by conversations with directors and community leaders discussing ways we can support social justice and anti-racism efforts within our communities.

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FREE SCREENING - Sunday, August 16 - JIM CROW OF THE NORTH

Why does Minnesota suffer through some of the worst racial disparities in the nation? One answer is the spread of racist, restrictive real estate covenants in the early 20th century. Jim Crow of the North charts the progression of racist policies and practices from the advent of restrictive covenants after the turn of the last century to their final elimination in the late 1960s. Roots of racial disparities are seen through a new lens in this film that explores the origins of housing segregation in the Minneapolis area. But the story also illustrates how African-American families and leaders resisted this insidious practice, and how Black people built community — within and despite — the red lines that these restrictive covenants created. A Twin Cities PBS Original. official trailer

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COMMUNITY CONVERSATION - Monday, August 17 at 7:00pm 

MSP Film Programmer Craig Laurence Rice leads a post-screening discussion with Director Daniel Pierce Bergin and Anthony R. Scott, President of Minnesota's Black Community Project, discussing the ways we all can support social justice and anti-racism efforts in our community.

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SPECIAL SCREENING - Wednesday, August 19 - COUP 53 

*MSPIFF39 Redefined Official Selection*

While making a documentary about the CIA/MI6 coup in Iran in 1953, Iranian director Taghi Amirani and editor Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now, The Conversation,The English Patient) discover never seen before archive material hidden for decades. The 16mm footage and documents not only allow the filmmakers to tell the story of the overthrow of the Iranian government in unprecedented detail, but it also leads to explosive revelations about dark secrets buried for 67 years. Working with Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Schindler’s List, The English Patient) to help bring the lost material to life, what began as a historical documentary about four days in August 1953 turned into a live investigation, taking the filmmakers into uncharted cinematic waters. The roots of Iran's volatile relationship with America and Britain has never been so forensically and dramatically exposed.

A ticket for the COUP 53 screening also includes an exclusive Q+A with Ralph Fiennes, Walter Murch and Taghi Amirani, which will be available on August 20. official trailer

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OPENS Friday, August 28 - MR. SOUL!

From 1968 to 1973, the public television variety show SOUL!, guided by the enigmatic producer and host Ellis Haizlip, offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music, and politics—voices that had few other options for national exposure, and, as a result, found the program an improbable place to call home. The series was among the first to provide expanded images of African Americans on television, shifting the gaze from inner-city poverty and violence to the vibrancy of the Black Arts Movement. With participants’ recollections and a bevy of great archival clips, MR. SOUL! captures a critical moment in culture whose impact continues to resonate. official trailer

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OPENS Friday, August 28 - HOUSE OF CARDIN

A rare peek into the mind of a genius, an authorized feature documentary chronicling the life and design of Pierre Cardin. A true original, Mr. Cardin granted complete access to his archives and his empire, and unprecedented interviews at the sunset of a glorious career to filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes. official trailer

Parkways Reopen to Motor Vehicles Beginning August 3 (With Construction-related Exceptions)

This is a reminder that all Minneapolis parkways closed to motor vehicle traffic and open to trail users will go back to allowing motor vehicle traffic beginning Monday, Aug. 3.

On Aug. 3, workers will begin removing barriers and other traffic control in place at Cedar Lake, Lake Harriet, West Bde Maka Ska and West River Parkways. Most parkways will be open to motor vehicle traffic by Wednesday, Aug. 5, with several construction-related exceptions.

West River Parkway will remain closed in three sections due to construction projects:

• Between 4th Avenue North and the Stone Arch Bridge parking lot for the Water Works project. Trail traffic will be routed onto one lane of the parkway.
• Between 13th and 22nd Avenues South for repairs to the 10th Avenue SE Bridge and Bridge #9, which serves the Dinkytown Greenway trail.
• Between East 33rd and 36th Streets for a sewer improvement project.

Theodore Wirth Parkway is also closed between 29th Avenue North and Golden Valley Road for a road resurfacing project. Please follow posted detours and stay away from areas where construction work is happening.

In late March the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) began closing parkways or park roads adjacent to its most popular trails to allow more space for trail users to follow social distancing practices and limit the spread of COVID-19. Several adjustments were made throughout the spring and summer in response to parkway conditions and demand, as well as efficiently use funds allocated toward maintaining the closures.

At its May 6, 2020 meeting, MPRB Commissioners passed Resolution 2020-202, which granted MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura authority to spend up to $250,000 on a series of parkway closures enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those funds will be exhausted by Aug. 3.

Please continue to stay at least six feet apart from people not in your own household while using parks and trails. Other guidelines park users are asked to follow to limit the spread of COVID-19 while using parks and trails:

• Bring a water bottle. Most MPRB water fountains are not operational.
• Bring disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer. Most MPRB restroom buildings remain closed.
• Do not use parks if you feel sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.
• Cover your cough with your elbow, don’t cough into your hands.
• Wash your hands immediately before and after visiting a park or trail.

Stay Updated

Visit minneapolisparks.org/coronavirus for more information on the MPRB's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Receive timely email updates by visiting minneapolisparks.org/subscribe, entering your email and selecting the “COVID-19” topic in the “News Updates” section.

Mobile Entertainment Embraces Social Distancing with new ‘Six Foot Bubble™ Tours’

Via a recent Press Release from Mobile Entertainment:

Mobile Entertainment, known for Human on a Stick– the first Segway tour operator in the U.S.an d Minnesota’s top-rated tourist attraction for over 10 years, is launching unique walking tours with professionally-authored and voiced storytelling technology.

Mobile Entertainment adds walking tours in a new tour series, Six Foot Bubble™ Tours, officially launching on Friday, July, 31. 

Six Foot Bubble™ is pioneering tours for a socially-distanced world with innovative audio equipment so groups can still enjoy learning more about wonderful Minneapolis and Saint Paul together. Watch our promotional video here.

For the first time, in addition to being led by a professional Mobile Entertainment tour guide, tourists will be guided by audio narration, either via headphones or a small speaker, produced to make listeners feel like they are reliving history, while keeping a safe distance from those outside their “bubble.” Local celebrities, including the architectural historian and former Pioneer Press critic Larry Millett, collaborated with Mobile Entertainment to produce a lively and informative narration for these tours.

“The idea behind Six Foot Bubble ™ is basically to make something good out of a bad situation,” says Mobile Entertainment Founder Bill Neuenschwander. “We want people to still be able to enjoy the rich history and views of the phenomenal areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, while keeping themselves and their families safe.”

There are six new routes that are part of the Six Foot Bubble™ Tours, all with a digital storytelling feature with narrators from unique and distinctive backgrounds. Kicking off the series is a tour of Irvine Park, the first neighborhood in Saint Paul. This tour will guide guests through the heritage preservation district of Irvine Park as well as other nearby landmarks within the broader West Seventh neighborhood, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Mississippi Upper Landing. Tours run everyday from 9-1 p.m., and 2-6 p.m., but tourists must make a reservation.

July 31 Ward 7 Updates

COVID-19 Situation Update as of July 29, 2020

• There are 6,751 cases in Minneapolis and 196 deaths. The City is sharing Minneapolis-specific daily case counts and demographics through a public dashboard at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• The Health Department is using the Harvard Global Health Institute's COVID-19 Risk Levels dashboard (https://globalepidemics.org/key-metrics-for-covid-suppression/). This color-coded metric looks at a seven day rolling average for new cases. Based on the latest data, Minneapolis is at 18 cases per 100,000 compared to 11 cases per 100,000 for the State. These numbers put both Minneapolis and Minnesota in the orange category, which represents accelerated spread of COVID-19.
• Case numbers for the past two weeks show that six Minneapolis neighborhoods (Central, East Phillips, Elliot Park, Jordan, Lowry Hill, and Whittier) have seen increased case counts which correlate with case increases in the under 35 year-old age group. Data also indicate a slight increase in cases among the 35-44 year-old age group.
• Over the past few weeks, the racial breakdown for the under 35 year-old age group has shifted from over 50% white to about 30% white and 60% BIPOC. This group is experiencing increased exposure in bars and at gatherings of friends and family.
• Congregate living facilities in Minneapolis continue to see new cases among residents, but the numbers have decreased significantly, from an average of 49 cases a week in April and May to six cases a week in June and July. Residents of these facilities account for only 7% of confirmed cases, however they account for 71% of COVID-19 deaths.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks is still in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face coverings in all indoor public places. Last week, the Mayor rescinded Emergency Regulation No. 15 and No. 16 which allowed Adult Day Cares to reopen and eased operational restrictions in licensed congregate care settings. These facilities are beholden to state COVID-19 guidance.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 17, signed July 29, 2020, requires all bar areas in restaurants, nightclubs, and indoor spaces of entertainment in Minneapolis to be closed starting August 1. Bar areas that can be converted for seated service will be allowed as long as food and/or beverage services are provided tableside while patrons are seated. The goal is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among young adults, food service workers, and bartenders. Nine Minneapolis bars have been publicly identified as having outbreaks associated with spread among patrons.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• There are 52,947 cases in Minnesota out of over 993,000 tests completed. There have been 1,589 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 16,881 cases and 810 deaths in Hennepin County.
• Minnesota is currently in Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan for reopening. This phase allows bars and restaurants to offer indoor dining at 50% capacity with tables spaced six feet apart. Further restrictions at bars are currently in effect in Minneapolis (see above: Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 17). Pools may open at 50% capacity and gyms may open at 25% capacity.
• Governor Walz’s statewide mask mandate is still in effect. This requires people to wear face coverings in all indoor public places where people gather and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.

Health Incident Command Updates

As the MHD continues to respond to COVID-19, we are applying an equity lens to all our work in conjunction with partners across the City enterprise.

Businesses:

o Health inspectors have completed 569 site visit/inspections since indoor dining reopened on June 10. Bars continue to have clusters of positive COVID-19 cases. Health inspectors continue to provide guidance and cleaning instructions to bars with COVID-19-positive employees and patrons. Additionally, inspectors are reviewing COVID-19 plans during all routine health inspections.

o The Health Department is assisting with a joint business recovery effort to distribute 500,000 masks to businesses, prioritizing distribution to BIPOC-owned businesses and those located in BIPOC communities. CPED is leading this effort in partnership with the Mayor’s office, Regulatory Services, and Health.

o In response to requests from business owners, Health Department and Communications staff created new signage clearly stating that the City requires masks in indoor public spaces. Signage is available on the City’s COVID-19 website in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.

Case investigations:

The Health Department is conducting over 50 case investigations and contact follow-ups for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 per day. Currently, there are 26 investigators, including six non-MHD enterprise staff. Of the 6,751 cases in Minneapolis, 85% have been interviewed, 2% have refused, 8% have been lost to follow-up, and 5% are new cases that still need to be interviewed. Thirty (30) percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents are in a language other than English. The MHD team has conducted 53% of the interviews for Minneapolis residents since May 8.

Community Testing:

o Sagrado Corazon/Incarnation Church: Community testing will be offered from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 1 and 15 at Sagrado Corazon/Incarnation Church, 3800 Pleasant Avenue South. This community testing event will focus on the Latinx community; however, it will be open to everyone. The goal is to test 300 persons per day during the 8 hours that testing will be available. Partners include Sagrado Corazon/Incarnation Church, Hennepin Healthcare, the Minneapolis Health Department, and St. Mary’s Health Clinics.

o PICA Head Start: Testing will be available on August 11 and 25 primarily for Head Start families at both the Fraser site (700 Humboldt Avenue North) and the McKnight site (4225 3rd Avenue South). Testing for the community will also be available. Partners include PICA Head Start, the Minneapolis Health Department, and the Minnesota Department of Health.

o The Health Department’s Long Term Care team supported baseline testing at the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s Heritage Park site for their assisted living residents on July 23.

Food security:

o The Health Department continues to co-host a weekly free food distribution event at Powderhorn Park (Fridays, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.). The event regularly serves approximately 500-800 people, many from low-income Latinx households that have been heavily impacted by loss of employment, COVID-19, and the closure of retailers along Lake Street. City staff will continue to support this event at least through the end of August and are in the process of assessing long-term food security needs, operations, and options, especially in light of the elimination of a $600 per week federal unemployment benefit.

o Health Department staff, in partnership with other City staff and community partners, are convening calls and conducting outreach with community-led “pop-up” food distribution hosts, The goal is to assess real-time needs, gather feedback on ongoing food security challenges in specific communities and related policy implications, and connect groups to available resources such as PPE and Hennepin County funds. MHD staff continue to coordinate with food banks and other hunger relief organizations to identify, implement, and support food-related community needs.

Homelessness:

o The encampment located on City property at 2601 14th Avenue South was disbanded on Wednesday, July 29. The Police Department’s Homeless Outreach team and community partner, American Indian Community Development Corporation, worked together to clear the property. People living at the encampment were given one week’s notice of this action and were provided with resources for available shelter. Immediately after the property is cleared, CPED and Public Works will fence in the property to prevent future encampments from forming.

o The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board designated the following as sanctuary parks: Riverside, Annie Young, Marshall Terrace, Lake Harriet, Boom Island, and Bde Maka Ska. An additional four to six parks will be named based on proximity to hygiene supports. Park encampments must obtain a permit and cannot have more than 25 tents. Encampments will not be allowed in Safe School Zones. The Health Department continues to work with MPRB to provide health and sanitation services at encampments on park land. Last week, MHD staff provided guidance on the potential environmental impacts and hygiene safety of “pop-up” showers that have appeared at some encampments.

o MHD staff continue to distribute harm reduction supplies, masks, and hygiene kits to community outreach partners for distribution to residents of various encampments.

Personal Protective Equipment: The Health Department is continuing PPE resource distribution efforts. In the past week, MHD staff have distributed over 2,200 cloth masks in response to requests from the community. In fulfilling those requests, staff are balancing the needs of clinics and health care providers with the needs of low-income individuals, BIPOC communities, low-income multi-family housing properties, faith communities, people experiencing homelessness, community-based organizations, food distribution sites, and people engaged in recovery efforts. The Health Department recently received an additional 50,000 cloth masks, which will help in responding to ongoing community requests.

• The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.

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Polling Places Changing Due to Pandemic

To help keep voters and Minneapolis residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, 50 of 125 polling places in Minneapolis are moving for the 2020 primary and general election. The changes will help protect people living in residential facilities and provide more space to keep voters a safe distance from elections staff and each other.

Of the 50 polling places being relocated, 16 were in senior homes, high-rises and other residential sites. Another 32 were in areas with limited space that would make it difficult for people to keep at least 6 feet from others inside. Two were moved due to on-site construction.

Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation board to find new locations for voting during the pandemic. In total, 94 buildings will be open for the Aug. 11 primary and Nov. 3 general elections, with 35 in schools and 22 in park buildings. Some buildings will have more than one voting precinct.

Registered voters will receive a postcard in the mail indicating their new polling locations. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s polling place finder can also provide voters their new polling places. These locations will be the same for the Aug. 11 primary and Nov. 3 general elections. All voters choosing to vote in person on Election Day should check the online polling place finder or call 311 to verify their polling place.

Keep safe and vote by mail

Though polling locations will be open for the primary and general elections, the City encourages voting early by mail to minimize direct contact with others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages voting early by mail, and Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services supports this and other CDC and Minnesota Department of Health recommendations to make sure all voters in Minneapolis can safely cast their ballots this election year.

More information on how to vote by mail is available at vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/bymail.

For those going to the polls on Election Day, we will have COVID-19 protocols in place to provide a safe and healthy environment for all voters and election judges. The polling place protocols follow best practices from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the protocols follow Emergency Regulation 2020-12, which requires people in Minneapolis to wear a cloth face covering when they are in an indoor public space.

Voting at the Early Vote Center

The Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., makes early voting in person more convenient for Minneapolis voters. It’s especially helpful to people who need language support or other special accommodations, such as curbside voting. And while we are in a pandemic, voting early can help people avoid lines and crowds at polling places on the day of the election.

The Early Vote Center’s hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The center will also have Saturday hours for the last two weekends before the primary. All early voting hours are posted on the Elections & Voter Services website: vote.minneapolismn.gov/events.

EVS Headquarters—located at 980 E. Hennepin Avenue—will be open to serve in-person early voters both Saturdays (Aug. 1 and 8) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Direct Balloting begins Tues., Aug. 4, allowing in-person early voters to directly scan their completed ballot into the tabulator…exactly as on Election Day. New this year, in light of the need for enhanced safety protocols, EVS will be hosting “drive-in, drop-off” ballot service, as shown on this graphic.

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Next Steps for Proposed Charter Amendment that Would Create New Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention

The Minneapolis Charter Commission has held three public hearings to gather feedback on a proposed charter amendment establishing a new Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention authored by five City Council members. A decision on whether that proposal will be referred to voters at the Nov. 3 general election must be decided by Aug. 5 to meet statutory deadlines.

The proposed Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention would have responsibility for “public safety services prioritizing a holistic, public health-oriented approach,” according to the proposed amendment. As a charter department, the director would be nominated by the mayor and approved by the City Council. The director would have non-law enforcement experience in community safety services, including but not limited to public health and/or restorative justice approaches.

The ordinance provides that the City may maintain a division of law enforcement services composed of licensed peace officers subject to the supervision of the Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention.

The City Council voted June 26 to advance the proposal as a ballot measure to be considered by Minneapolis voters. Under State law, proposals to amend the City Charter must first be reviewed by the City Charter Commission. The Charter Commission has at least 60 days to complete its review and submit its recommendation to the City Council but it may take up to 150 days to complete its review. The statutory deadline for submitting questions on the Nov. 3 general election ballot is Friday, Aug. 21. If approved by voters, the changes would become effective May 1, 2021. A decision by the Charter Commission is anticipated at its regular meeting on Aug. 5.

The Charter Commission also held a public hearing on a separate proposed charter amendment that proposed to eliminate minimum funding level requirements for the police force. That proposal was submitted by a Charter Commission member. At its meeting July 29, the Charter Commission voted not to submit that proposal to voters in November.

Learn more about the proposed charter amendment and submit feedback.

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City Council Adopts Revised 2020 City Budget

The City Council has approved Mayor Jacob Frey’s revised 2020 City budget proposal that addresses roughly $156 million in projected revenue losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mayor and City Council have trimmed the budget through a combination of spending freezes, use of cash reserves, program cuts and employee furloughs. The revised City budget is approximately $1.5 billion.

The first phase of the response to the economic impact of the pandemic included spending and hiring freezes that saved approximately $58 million. The revised budget plan includes plans to offset approximately $100 million in additional revenue losses.

As part of the City Council’s budget markup process, approximately $1.1 million has been shifted from the Minneapolis Police Department to the Health Department for violence prevention efforts. In addition, the City added $100,000 to the budget to support initial community engagement in the co-creation of a vision for a permanent memorial for George Floyd.

The mayor will present a recommended 2021 City budget to the City Council later this summer. Learn more about the City budget at minneapolismn.gov/budget.http://tour.35wat94.com/

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Mayor Frey Moves to Curb COVID-19 Community Spread in Bars and Restaurants

Mayor Jacob Frey has issued an emergency regulation that targets the community spread of COVID-19 in Minneapolis bars and restaurants.

The action orders the closure of bar areas in restaurants, clubs and other indoor spaces starting at 5 p.m. Aug. 1. Indoor table service, including at high tops, will be allowed under the regulation as long as patrons follow the existing state guidance.

The Minneapolis Health Department is reporting a rate of 18 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 per day while the statewide rate has remained closer to 11 per 100,000. Public health experts have attributed the higher rate to people congregating at bars, among other reasons. More than 50 percent of new cases in Minneapolis continue to be in young adults under age 35 who report increased exposure in bars and at gatherings of friends and family.

Read more about the emergency regulation.

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National Night Out Recommended Date Changes to Sept. 15 for 2020

The Minneapolis recommended National Night Out date for 2020 is Tuesday, Sept. 15. Residents can find out if their block is already signed up by emailing crime.prevention@minneapolismn.gov. Registered block leaders received notices directly about closing their streets to hold their event, but a block without a block leader could still hold a COVID-19 safe event by spreading out across three or four yards to make enough space for physical distancing.

Event safety in a pandemic

A safe event during a pandemic follows guidelines from the Minneapolis Health Department, Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Events are outdoors.
• People keep their masks on when they’re not eating or drinking.
• People keep at least 6 feet from others not in their household.
• Households bring their own food, beverages, utensils, tables and chairs.

National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, holding block parties and getting to know their neighbors to prevent crime. It’s a great way to promote community-police partnerships and enjoy a Minnesota summer evening surrounded by friends and family.

Find out more about National Night Out.

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Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Parkways Reopening to Motor Traffic

All Minneapolis parkways closed to motor vehicle traffic and open to trail users will go back to allowing motor vehicle traffic by Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Schedule

• East Bde Maka Ska Parkway: Thursday, July 30.
• Cedar Lake, Lake Harriet, West Bde Maka Ska and West River Parkways: Barriers and traffic control will be removed starting Monday, Aug. 3.

The funds for parkway closures to allow more space for trail users to follow physical distancing practices and limit the spread of COVID-19 will be exhausted by Aug. 3.

Please continue to follow these safety guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19 while using parks and trails:

• Stay at least 6 feet from people not in your own household.
• Do not use parks if you feel sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.
• Cover your cough with your elbow, don’t cough into your hands.
• Wash your hands immediately before and after visiting a park or trail.
• Note that most MPRB water fountains are not operational, and most MPRB restroom buildings remain closed.

Keep up to date with Park Board news here.

MSPFS Presents Tribute to Rep. John Lewis with MN AG Keith Ellison

Via a July 29 Press Release from MSP Film Society:

To honor of the recent passing of the legendary civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis, MSP Film Society proudly presents an encore engagement of the powerful documentary “JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE” in our Virtual Cinema as part of our social justice-themed initiative “We the People: Required Watching," followed by a Community Conversation on Monday, August 3rd with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on the influence of Rep. John Lewis’s lifetime commitment as an activist and public servant.

JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE – available now in MSP Film Society’s Virtual Cinema

Using interviews and rare archival footage, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, now 80 years old, acclaimed filmmaker Dawn Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.

Community Conversation w/ AG Keith Ellison - Monday, August 3 at 7:00pm

Join MSP Film Programmer Craig Laurence Rice in conversation with Minnesota Attorney General and former Congressman Keith Ellison on the influence and inspiration of Rep. John Lewis’s lifetime commitment as a civil rights activist and public servant. Register to join this conversation via Zoom on MSPfilm.org or view it live or at a later on MSP Film Society’s Facebook page.

MSP Film Society presents “We the People: Required Watching” as an ongoing series to highlight films that speak powerfully to systemic inequality. Following each of these screenings, MSP Film Society Programmer Craig Laurence Rice hosts conversations with filmmakers and community leaders to discuss ways we all can support social justice and anti-racism efforts in our community. The films are made available to view through MSPfilm.org, and the Community Conversations follow on Monday evenings at 7pm via Zoom and on MSP Film Society’s Facebook page, where they can also be viewed at a later day. Further program information, including registration info, can be found on MSPfilm.org. 

Local Author Carolyn Holbrook to Discuss Her New Book Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify at Upcoming Virtual Events

Via a July 24 Press Release:

Local author Carolyn Holbrook to discuss her new book Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify at several upcoming virtual events:

- Virtual launch event: 8/12/20, 4 pm. Register at: z.umn.edu/holbrookzoom Hosted by the University of Minnesota Press. Books available for purchase through Moon Palace Books.
- First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, 8/18/20, 7:00 pm. Register at: tinyurl.com/MWPThesetimes. Sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Press and St. Catherine University.
- Ramsey County Library, 8/19/20, 7:00 pm. Register at: https://rclreads.bibliocommons.com/events/5ef1215c46ac164500d7d0ca
- Next Chapter Booksellers, 8/26/20, 7:00 pm. Register at https://www.nextchapterbooksellers.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 
Carolyn Holbrook’s life is peopled with ghosts—of the girl she was, the selves she shed and those who have caught up to her, the wounded and kind and malevolent spirits she’s encountered, and also the beloved souls she’s lost and those she never knew who beg to have their stories told. “Now don’t you go stirring things up,” one ghostly aunt counsels. Another smiles encouragingly: “Don’t hold back, child. Someone out there needs to hear what you have to say.”
 
Once a pregnant sixteen-year-old incarcerated in the Minnesota juvenile justice system, now a celebrated writer, arts activist, and teacher who helps others unlock their creative power, Holbrook has heeded the call to tell the story of her life, and to find among its chapters—the horrific and the holy, the wild and the charmed—the lessons and necessary truths of those who have come before. In a memoir woven of moments of reckoning, she summons stories born of silence, stories held inside, untold stories stifled by pain or prejudice or ignorance. A child’s trauma recalls her own. An abusive marriage returns to haunt her family. She builds a career while raising five children as a single mother; she struggles with depression and grapples with crises immediate and historical, all while countenancing the subtle racism lurking under “Minnesota nice.”

Here Holbrook poignantly traces the path from her troubled childhood to her leadership positions in the Twin Cities literary community, showing how creative writing can be a powerful tool for challenging racism and the healing ways of the storyteller’s art.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Holbrook was founder and executive/artistic director of SASE: The Write Place and now leads More Than a Single Story, a series of panel discussions and community conversations for people of color and indigenous writers and arts activists. She is author of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Journeys and Earth Angels, and coauthor with Arleta Little of Minnesota civil rights icon Dr. Josie R. Johnson’s memoir, Hope In the Struggle (Minnesota, 2019). Her personal essays have been published in A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota and Blues Vision: African American Writing from Minnesota. She is recipient of the Hamline University Exemplary Teacher Award, the Minnesota Book Awards Kay Sexton Award, a Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Next Step grant, a Minnesota State Arts Board Cultural Community Partnership grant, a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative grant, and was an AARP/Pollen Midwest 50 over 50 honoree. She teaches at Hamline University and in community venues. She is the mother of five, grandmother of eight, and great-grandmother of one.

For more information, including the table of contents, visit the book's webpage:
https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/tell-me-your-names-and-i-will-testify

2020 Census Update and Request for Assistance

Editor's Note - The U.S. Census Bureau is asking everyone to share this information - please pass it on!

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We’re reaching a critical point of the 2020 Census – two things are happening:

1.  The Census Bureau has added a NEW postcard reminder to households that have not yet responded to the census. Non-responding homes will get the postcard THIS COMING WEEK.

• March 12 is when the first 2020 Census mailings were sent - this NEW postcard mailing is due to the impact of COVID-19 on census operations.

 2.  Households that do not respond on their own will soon have census takers visiting in person to ask census questions. Enumerators will begin August 11 to visit homes. 

While Minnesota has almost 72 percent responding – that means more than one in four households has yet to respond.

• For Minnesota counties – the response rates range from over 80% for Carver, Washington and Anoka counties, to under 40% for Aitkin, Cass, Mahnomen, Lake of the Woods and Cook counties.
• For Minnesota cities with over 2k population – the response rates range from over 87% for Andover and Centerville, to under 50% for Howard Lake, Breezy Point, Gaylord and Nisswa. The response in Crosslake is 29%.  
• For tribal areas in Minnesota, response rates range from Fond du Lac at almost 60% to Red Lake at 5.2%.

Groups that tend not to respond – and who have been historically undercounted – include renters, people with low incomes, and ethnic and racial minorities and American Indians.

Response rate info:  2020Census.gov/response-rates - the map is updated daily M-F.

The map includes a link to response rate rankings.

Ways for responding to the 2020 Census: 

• Online – visit 2020Census.gov 
• Phone – call 844-330-2020 – phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Central – seven days a week.

Why is Goldy Gopher wearing a cape and eye mask? Because he's a census hero! You can be a #MNCensusHero too - complete the 2020 Census!