April 10 Newsletter from Council Member Lisa Goodman
Friday, April 10, 2020 at 3:35PM
As we close out another week I want to begin by wishing happy holidays to all that are celebrating Passover and Easter as well as those getting ready for Ramadan. I had the good fortune to have my father in town with me for the past two weeks from Chicago for the first few weeks of the shelter in place order and the holidays, being with family has been a blessing.
My hope is that you have all been able to make accommodations to work at home, learn from home, congregate inside and out safely and connect with your friends and family in person and online. Zoom, Go to Meetings, Microsoft Teams and Skype for business have been some of the many ways we have been trying to keep up with constituents, neighbors and neighborhoods.
This week the City Council completed our first cycle under the new committee structure and I’m happy to report that the City Clerk’s office was able to put a system in place that allows for public comment through our virtual meeting format. During the BIZ (Business, Inspections & Zoning) Committee meeting, which I chair, we did accept public comment from a constituent on a public hearing item. This is one more way the City is adapting so we can continue to operate under this time of change and transition.
The information below will highlight specific topics and items I wanted to share with you and at the end I will continue to provide a list of potential resources and contact information.
Lisa
State Stay-at-Home Order Update
- In case you missed it, Wednesday, Governor Walz extended the stay-at-home order until May 4
- The new order extends the closure of bars, restaurants and other accommodations but does add a list of exemptions especially for individuals that work outdoors as long as they maintain proper social distancing.
- It was stated that agency heads will continue to work over the next three weeks to get even more people back to work.
Mayor Frey Removes Moratorium on New Land Use Applications
- On Thursday, Mayor Jacob Frey signed a new Emergency Regulation 2020-10
- This new order rescinds Emergency Regulation 2020-4 which had placed a moratorium on new land use applications.
Situational Update
- As of 12PM, April 8th, there are over 1,452,000 confirmed cases worldwide. There have been over 83,000 deaths globally. CDC has issued a global Level 3 Travel Warning and a recommendation that anyone returning from international travel self-quarantine for 14 days.
- There are 401,166 confirmed cases in the US with new cases being updated rapidly. The US is now the country with the highest number of cases by a significant margin. A total of 12,936 deaths have been reported in the US, about a third in New York City.
- There were 1,154 cases in Minnesota out of approximately 30,753 tested (combined MDH Lab + Private Numbers). There have been 39 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 344 cases in Hennepin County.
- Thirteen (13) long-term care facilities in Hennepin County have seen at least one case of COVID-19 among either a resident or staff.
- The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has reported that social distancing may be having an impact in that COVID cases are doubling every eight days instead of the expected doubling of cases every one or two days.
- MDH is using strict testing criteria to focus on the highest priority specimens, including hospitalized patients. Health care workers and those in congregate living settings such as long-term care and correctional facilities will also be given high priority.
AARP Sponsored: Live Virtual Town Hall with Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis' Health Commissioner
In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, AARP is providing information, advocacy and resources to help older people and those caring for them protect themselves from the virus, prevent it from spreading to others and cope with the health problems and financial disruptions caused by the virus.
How can you best protect yourself and your loved ones from the virus, stay healthy and remain connected? Join the live tele-town hall with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Health Commissioner Gretchen Musicant as they address your questions related to COVID-19.
- Monday, April 13, 2020 (2:00-3:00 pm). Stream the call live online www.vekeo.com/aarpminnesota or join by phone 1-866-757-0754.
2020 Collection of Leaves and Bundled Brush Begins
- Just in time as the weather continues to improve and we all find ourselves wanting to spend more time outside,
- Starting this week (Beginning April 6, 2020) Minneapolis Solid Waste will once again be accepting yard waste as part of their regular pick up services.
2020 Spring Street Sweeping
As we do every Spring and Fall, the City of Minneapolis is set to begin the Spring Street Sweeping the week of April 20, 2020.
- Please pay attention through the look up feature on the City Web Page so you are not caught off guard. While many of us are using our cars far less frequently, I don’t want anyone to get towed while this is underway.
- Specific schedules are not yet available but you can check the city web page for updates at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/streetsweeping/
How to Provide Public Hearing Comment Remotely
- With public meetings now being done electronically due to COVID-19, the City Clerk has made use of a new system to allow the public to watch live meeting broadcasts, get access to agendas and reports and to participate in public hearings.
- The web page to utilize is: www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings
- Anyone wishing to offer public comment can submit their request to “participate by phone” and a phone number and conference code will be emailed to you.
- Remote participation will be utilized for the following meetings:
- City Council and Council Committees (BIZ and POGO)
- Audit Committee
- Board of Estimate & Taxation
- Executive Committee
- Charter Commission
- Civil Rights Commission
- Civil Service Commission
- Heritage Preservation Commission
- Planning Commission
- Zoning Board of Adjustment
- The above list consists of the 12 boards and commissions created under State Statute or City Charter that must meet and transact business, even during a declared emergency.
City Extends Comment Period for Neighborhoods 2020
- The new deadline is July 15, 2020
- Check out the program information at: www.minneapolismn.gov/neighborhoods2020
- You can submit comments:
- Email: neighborhoods2020@minneapolismn.gov
- Phone: 612-673-3737
- Mail: Neighborhood and Community Relations; 105 Fifth Ave South; Suite 425, Minneapolis, MN 55401
City Extends Comment Period for the draft Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan
- The new deadline is May 22, 2020
- Check out the program or comment at: http://go.minneapolismn.gov/
- This 10 year action plan will guide future planning, design and implementation of transportation projects for all people in all the ways they get around.
- Staff will hold its first online open house on the Transportation Action Plan on Monday, April 13 (4:30-5:30 pm).
Minneapolis Property Owners Can Buy Trees for $25.00
- This year Minneapolis offers twice as many low cost trees for property owners to plant on their private property (not to be planted on boulevards).
- 22 Varieties available (including large species, flowering and several kinds of fruit trees) Comparable trees cost $125 at a nursery.
- Trees are available on a first-come, first served basis for residents, businesses and nonprofits (limit one tree per address).
- Trees must be picked up May 16, 17 or 18 at the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
- ORDER THROUGH: https://mpls-tree-sale.myshopify.com/
City’s New Gap Funding to Help Renters, Families, Workers and Small Businesses
- More than $5M is being dedicated to help those hardest hit by the COVID pandemic.
- Housing assistance to low-income renters who have lost income and forgivable, no-interest loans for small businesses.
- The City is taking steps to ensure these funds complement, not duplicate efforts being made through State and Federal funding.
- Gap Funding for Housing Includes
- $2M in Emergency Housing Assistance Programs
- In most cases, the maximum assistance will not exceed $1,500 per household (but providers have flexibility to provide up to $2,000 in extraordinary circumstances)
- $1M to Expand the Stable Homes Stable Schools Initiative
- One-time or short-term assistance to families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Open to all 39 of the Minneapolis Public Elementary Schools
- $2M in Emergency Housing Assistance Programs
- Gap Funding for Small Businesses Includes:
- $2.2M in Forgivable and no-interest Loans to support small businesses and self-employed workers
- Companies with 20 or fewer employees are eligible to receive fixed loans between $5,000 and $10,000 (depending on their need resulting from the pandemic).
- Eligible businesses must be located in designated areas of the City
- Modifications to the City Loan Program
- The City’s existing 2% participation loan program for small businesses will be modified to set the interest rate to 0% and expand the eligible expenses to include working capital costs.
- Eligible businesses and self-employed workers need to have 20 or fewer employees or $1M or less in annual revenue.
- The City’s existing 2% participation loan program for small businesses will be modified to set the interest rate to 0% and expand the eligible expenses to include working capital costs.
- The City is also re-examining closed loans to help small businesses and considering forbearance and deferred payments
- Two (2) successful programs will have stepped up funding
- The Business Technical Assistance Program (B-TAP)
- Provides consulting support to small and medium size businesses
- The Twin Cities Hospitality Fund
- A partnership that provides micro-grants to low-wealth employees in the hospitality and service industry
- The Business Technical Assistance Program (B-TAP)
- For more information: www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/gap-funding
- $2.2M in Forgivable and no-interest Loans to support small businesses and self-employed workers
Support for Veterans
- Governor Walz announced that Minnesota veterans impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for $6.2 million in financial assistance grants from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).
- MDVA will award one-time financial relief grants in the amount of $1,000.
- To apply: Contact your local County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) or MDVA Field Operations Representative at FO.MDVA@state.mn.us OR you can apply online at: www.MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief
RESOURCES
- City of Minneapolis: http://minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/index.htm
- Impacts to Services: How Coronavirus is impacting City Services.
- http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/WCMSP-223375
- NOTE: This link has links to dozens of city departments and services
- FAQS on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- FAQS for Businesses
- Contact the Minneapolis Small Business Team:
- 612-673-2499 (BIZZ) or SmallBusiness@minneapolismn.gov.
- Community Support
- Housing
- Resources in multiple languages
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Center for Disease Control
- State of Minnesota Dedicated COVID-19 Hotlines:
- Community (schools, child care, business) questions: 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7:00 am – 7:00 pm)
- Health questions: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7:00 am – 7:00 pm)
judy.sherin@minneapolismn.gov or call at 612-673-2207
