July 8 Newsletter from Council Member Steve Fletcher
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 5:45PM
Ward 3 Friends -
My regular Wednesday coffee hours will be cancelled this week and next while the Charter Commission takes up the Council's proposed public safety charter amendment for this year's ballot. Then, starting on Thursday, July 23, they will move to THURSDAYS at 5:00 P.M. for the foreseeable future.
I encourage you to read the proposed charter amendment and submit public comment to have your voice heard (more info below). There are also two scheduled public hearings: next Wednesday, July 15 at 4:00 P.M. and Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 P.M.
We are also amending the 2020 Budget this month to address revenue shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public hearings on that amended budget will be held on July 14 and July 22; more details on those are below as well.
I look forward to continued discussion with you on both of these critical items and more in the weeks to come.
En Avant,
Steve
Comments Sought on Proposed Changes to the City Charter
The Charter Commission holds its first public hearing July 15
The Minneapolis Charter Commission is seeking public comments on a proposed amendment to the City charter related to the future of public safety. People can submit their comments online or provide them directly to members of the commission at a July 15 public hearing.
The proposed amendment, submitted by the City Council, proposes removing the Police Department from the charter and adding a new Community Safety & Violence Prevention Department. Under State law, the Charter Commission is required to review and submit its recommendation(s) on the proposed amendment before a ballot question can be presented to voters.
The first of two virtual public hearings takes place at the next Charter Commission meeting, 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. Participation instructions will be published on the City’s website.
Other ways to comment:
- Using the online public comment form.
- Emailing councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov.
- Mailing comments to:
Minneapolis Charter Commission
City Hall – Room 304
350 South Fifth St.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(Virtual) Coffee With Your Council Member
I have normally held regular open community office hours at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, at a rotating neighborhood coffee shop in Ward 3 for constituents to drop by, ask questions, and raise any issues you see in the community.
While we are practicing social distancing, I am holding my community office hours remotely on Microsoft Teams.
Due to the Charter Commission meetings and Public Hearings, meetings are cancelled for the next two weeks. Then please join me for my coffee meetings on their new regularly occurring time on Thursday nights:
Wednesday, July 8 -- CANCELLED
Wednesday, July 15 -- CANCELLED
THURSDAY (new regular day), July 23, at 5:00 p.m.
Click to join in Microsoft Teams or by phone: 612-276-6670, 933 303 746#
Anyone can join a Microsoft Teams web meeting. A free software download may be required, depending on how you join the meeting (computer, Android or Apple device).
If you have questions or a topic to discuss, email David.Zaffrann@minneapolismn.gov to RSVP.
Public Hearings Scheduled for July on Revised 2020 Budget
The City Council’s Budget Committee will hold two public hearings in July on proposed revisions to the City’s 2020 budget.
The City faces a significant revenue shortfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and needs to make cuts to the City’s roughly $1.5 billion budget.
Mayor Jacob Frey will brief the City Council's Policy & Government Oversight (POGO) Committee on a revised 2020 budget July 9, and staff will present the revised budget to the City Council July 10.
Public hearings
Engage and share your voice in this process during two online public hearings:
- 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 14
- 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 22
You can watch the online meetings and participate in the online public hearings.
The City Council is scheduled to vote July 24 on a revised 2020 budget.
For more information about the City’s budget, visit minneapolismn.gov/budget.
Training Opportunities From Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute
When terrible things happen, like COVID-19, racism, police brutality, our peace is stolen from us. Most people want to build peace back into their lives and community.
These 2-hour online trainings are partially funded by the City of Minneapolis’ Office of Violence Prevention to promote racial trauma healing, resilience, and restorative justice for all who live, work, and/or play in Minneapolis.
Pay-what-you-can up to $30 Click to register:
- Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 2pm – 4pm CST
- Friday, July 17, 2020, 10am – 12pm CST
- Tuesday, July 21, 2020, 2pm – 4pm CST
- Thursday, July 23, 2020, 10am – 12pm CST
- Tuesday, July 28, 2020, 2pm – 4pm CST
- Friday, July 31, 2020, 10am – 12pm CST
This 2-hour online training teaches basic concepts, models, and strategies of the 5-day Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience - STAR Training. STAR is a research and practice-supported community education training integrating neuropsychology, trauma healing and resilience, restorative justice, nonviolent conflict transformation, and broadly defined spirituality for increasing cultural competence. All are welcome to join us. Space is limited to 30.
This training is for everyone: laypeople, paraprofessionals, and licensed professionals. This training is not only for “staff.” Training objectives:
1. Learn and reflect on the various types of trauma and common responses to psychological trauma for increased racial healing and equity.
2. Learn and reflect on the links between unhealed trauma and cycles of harm and violence experienced by all people.
3. Learn and reflect on the basic STAR trauma healing and resilience models and associated practices for increased racial healing and equity.
4. Explore ways to apply trauma healing, resilience, and restorative justice practices toward building peace within your sphere of influence.
