November 20 Ward & News from Council Member Lisa Goodman
I want to extend positive wishes of thanksgiving and ask that everyone stay safe and healthy as we celebrate the holiday next week.
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Last Friday the Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 to approve a stop-gap funding request from the Police Chief to help stabilize staff levels through the end of 2020. This vote gives Chief Arradondo the ability to hire officers from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department and/or Metro Transit Officers to help the Minneapolis Police Department do patrols and respond to 911 calls. These partnerships are very common and something the city implements ever summer in downtown Minneapolis.
MPD staff levels have declined significantly since the first of the year. 40 officers have retired and an additional 121 are out on medical leave due to PTSD claims. Meanwhile, crime rates are up and although the leadership team has been able to shift staff and priorities, more work with less people has its limits. Without additional temporary assistance, we will continue to see a decline in staff and an increase in response time for 911 calls. When response times diminish, the ability to apprehend suspects is seriously compromised.
While the city is actively looking at transformative ways to improve the MPD – which I support – I feel strongly that we must support our Police Chief and embrace a both/and approach instead of an either/or stance so that we are able to maintain public safety as we work to improve public safety for all people in Minneapolis.
Share Feedback on Proposed 2021 City Budget at Upcoming Online Public Hearings
There are three upcoming online public hearings for people to share thoughts on Mayor Jacob Frey’s recommended 2021 City Budget. Comments can also be submitted online at the City’s website.
Online public hearings:
- 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2
- 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9
Learn how to participate in online public hearings.
Comments submitted online will be entered into the public record and shared with the mayor and council members. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the budget on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
Mayor Jacob Frey’s proposed $1.5 billion budget calls for a 5.75% maximum levy increase. With a 12% increase in the overall tax base growth, three-quarters of Minneapolis residential property owners will see a decrease in their property tax bills with the median-valued household set to experience a $59 yearly decrease.
Visit the City’s website to learn more about the mayor’s recommended budget, key dates in the approval process, FAQs and more.
The 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program Application Window is Open
The City of Minneapolis is now accepting applications for the Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program. This program helps property owners obtain property tax reductions for agreeing to keep a portion of rental units affordable for 10 years. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of January 8, 2021. Property owners are encouraged to apply early.
Since the launch of the program in May 2018, the Minneapolis 4d program has helped preserve over 1,100 affordable housing units through partnerships with more than 100 property owners. It is one of several strategies the City is deploying to address the affordable housing shortage in Minneapolis.
Program benefits
- 10-year eligibility for 4d property tax rate, which provides a 40% tax rate reduction on qualifying units. The reduction is prorated so if you enroll 50% of the units in the building your reduction would be about 20%, etc.
- Free or low-cost energy assessments and city cost sharing for solar energy installations and energy efficiency improvements.
- A grant to each 4d property, in the amount of $100 per affordable unit, capped at $1,000 per property, as well as payment of document recording fees and first year State of Minnesota Low Income Rental Classification (LIRC) fees.
Eligibility
Owners of market-rate multifamily properties that have a Tier 1 or Tier 2 rental license with at least 20% of the property’s rental units affordable to households making 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Starting this year, single family rental homes can be enrolled in the 4d program. In order to support future affordable homeownership opportunities, the City will release a 4d program declaration of restrictive covenants only if the property is sold to a current tenant, or another buyer with an income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), and in either case the buyer signs an affidavit that says they will occupy the home as their primary residence.
Learn more about eligibility requirements
Property Owner Commitment
Record a 10-year affordability declaration on your property stating:
- At least 20% of units at a property (e.g. 2 units at a 10-unit property) will remain affordable to households making 60% of AMI. You may enroll up to 100% of the units in the building. As of 2020, 60% AMI rents are:
- $1,086 for a Studio
- $1,164 for a 1 BR
- $1,396 for a 2 BR
- $1,613 for a 3 BR
- $1,800 for a 4 BR
- Rent increases for tenants in affordable units with rents below 60% AMI are limited to 6% or less annually.
- As units turn over, new tenants must have household incomes at or below 60% of AMI. In 2020, maximum incomes are:
- $43,440 for one person
- $49,680 for two people
- $55,860 for three people
- $62,040 for four people
- $67,020 for five people
For more information, email 4dprogram@minneapolismn.gov or call us at 612-673-5055 or 612-258-3390.
More Spaces Becoming Available This Winter for People Experiencing Homelessness
Partners from the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and State of Minnesota are coming together to encourage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Hennepin County to come inside as winter weather arrives.
A broad coalition of government agencies, nonprofit and philanthropic partners are currently operating the largest and safest emergency shelter system that has ever existed in Hennepin County as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These collective efforts have thus far allowed us to avoid the devastating impacts COVID-19 has had on people experiencing homelessness in other cities.
There is existing emergency shelter capacity, especially for women, children and families. Emergency shelters continue to see beds becoming newly available each day, and some go unused each night. There are also around 200 current vacancies in board and lodge facilities, which provide low-barrier housing that people can access today.
Partners are also working to open new spaces that meet the individual needs of people sleeping outside before the end of the year, and to make permanent improvements to ensure COVID-19 safety guidelines continue to be met at existing and new shelter spaces, as they have since the beginning of the pandemic.
By the end of 2020, partners, including city, county, state and philanthropy, plan to invest $55 million to open at least seven sites to provide emergency shelter, low-barrier housing and protective housing for people experiencing homelessness, as well as enhance existing shelters and expand support services and street outreach. An additional 670 units of very affordable housing designated for people experiencing homelessness will have opened or begun construction by the end of this year.
Partners recognize that emergency shelter may not meet everyone’s individual needs. We are committed to working directly with individuals to find the best solutions available. One person sleeping outside is too many. We are committed to making full use of the options available right now, even as we bring more online.
So far in 2020, 1,300 people experiencing homelessness have found permanent housing with help from city, county, state and nonprofit partners.
Get connected to shelter
Hennepin County
- Single adults: Call Adult Shelter Connect at 612-248-2350.
- Families: Call the Hennepin County Family Shelter Team at 612-348-9410. Hennepin County practices a “shelter all” commitment for families.
New safe spaces, enhanced shelter and expanded supports expected by year’s end
Four new emergency shelter locations |Total investment of $15.2 million for 200 total beds
- Homeward Bound, 50 beds for Native American adults, $7.5 million total investment, planned opening December 1
- Lerner Building, 100 separate units in an “indoor village” for people currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness, $6 million total investment, planned opening end of December
- Salvation Army emergency shelter, 30 beds for women experiencing unsheltered homelessness, $1.3 million total investment, planned opening December 1
- Simpson Housing emergency shelter, 20 beds for women experiencing unsheltered homelessness on a separate floor of Simpson Housing’s existing emergency shelter location, $400,000 total investment, opened in October
New protective housing sites are also being acquired to replace hotel rooms currently leased by Hennepin County for people at high risk of COVID-19 complications due to age or underlying health conditions | $20-30 million total investment
Enhancements to all existing shelters to improve safety and meet CDC COVID-19 guidelines | $5.7 million total investment
- $3.2 million to make physical improvements to existing shelter sites such as air flow systems, partitions, etc.
- $2.5 million to ensure all existing shelters continue to provide 24/7 accommodations
Expanded support services | $17.4 million total investment
- $675,000 to expand homeless diversion services at Simpson Housing to help people find alternatives to shelter
- $700,000 to add seven new street outreach workers
- $16 million in state ESP-CV and CARES Act funding to expand shelter capacity at hotels/motels and shelters, extend shelter hours, increase staffing, support outreach workers and food provision
670 additional units of affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness
In addition to these investments, city, county, state, nonprofit and philanthropic partners continue to work together to develop and preserve permanent affordable housing and to create policies that support a variety of housing options.
Twelve projects with 670 units of new housing designated for people experiencing homelessness will have opened or begun construction by the end of this year, including:
- Catholic Charities Exodus 2.0 (construction beginning soon): 203 units for people experiencing chronic homelessness
- Park 7 (open now): 61 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Mino-Bimaadiziwin (opening December 2020): 17 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Maya Commons (opened July 2020): 12 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Penn Avenue Union (opened August 2020): 4 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Lake Street Phase 1 (opening late 2020): 6 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Franklin Avenue AICDC site (opening soon): 20 beds for Native American residents experiencing homelessness with chemical dependency
- Gateway NE (opening early 2021): 10 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Scattered site opportunities (opening soon): 200 new units for people experiencing homelessness, including 100 permanent and 100 time-limited, at various sites around the county with subsidies and support services
- Amber Apartments (construction beginning soon) – 17 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Lydia Apartments (construction beginning soon) – 80 units for people experiencing homelessness
- Anishinabe III (construction beginning soon) – 40 units for people experiencing homelessness
New policies to support affordable housing and shelter under review in Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis is also working on an ordinance to allow shared housing in the city, which would create additional low-barrier, affordable housing options. Zoning requirements related to emergency shelters are also under review to make sure the city can continue to provide adequate shelter space for those who need it.
Community Trainings on Restorative Justice, Trauma Healing, Self-Care and Resilience, and Racial Healing and Equity
The Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute has several upcoming trainings that are partially funded by the Minneapolis Foundation for all those who live, work, and/or play in Minneapolis.
Introduction to Restorative Justice for Community Healing and Transformation
Pay-What-You-Can-Up to $50; CEs available for MN social workers, teachers, and nurses
Monday, November 23, 2020, 9am-11am CST: FB page: https://fb.me/e/1Dj2Pemlg
Introduction to Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience for Cultural Competence, Racial Healing and Equity
Pay-What-You-Can-Up to $30; CEs available for MN social workers, teachers, and nurses
Monday, November 23, 1pm-3pm CST: FB page: https://fb.me/e/cGZKwTKqb
Friday, December 4, 10am-12pm CST
Coming to the Table (CTTT) Racial Healing Talking Circles
These free monthly events are free, and donations are gratefully accepted
Saturday, November 21, 2020, 10:30am-12pm CST FB page: https://fb.me/e/5HboZBg4E
Monday, November 23, 2020, 7pm-8:30pm CST: FB page: https://fb.me/e/27pzvcW3o
Introduction to Self-Care for Resilience: Training for Practice in Everyday Life
Pay-What-You-Can-Up to $50; CEs available for MN social workers, teachers, and nurses
Friday, December 4, 2020, 2pm-4pm CST
STAR-Lite Training: Learning Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience in a Single Day for Cultural Competence, Racial Justice Healing and Equity
Early Tuition: $99 Standard Tuition: $155 CEs/CLEs available for MN mental health professionals, attorneys, teachers, and nurses.
Thursday, December 10, 2020, 9am-5pm CST
Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute :: 5200 47th Avenue South :: Suite 101 :: Minneapolis, MN 55417 : 612-345-4310 : www.mnpeace.org
Speed Limit Now 20 mph on Local Residential Streets for Safety
Crews have finished installing signs at entry points in Minneapolis alerting drivers that the speed limit is now 20 mph in the city unless otherwise signed. The City of Saint Paul expects to complete its installation of new citywide and downtown gateway signs by early 2021.
Slower speeds on local streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how you get around. The speed limit changes follow detailed technical studies done by the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public Works departments to determine appropriate local speed limits as required by state statute.
Now that the gateway signs are installed in Minneapolis, the 20 mph speed limit on local residential streets is in effect. The cities will generally not be posting 20 mph signs on local residential streets.
New speed limits are 20 mph for local residential streets; 25 mph for larger, arterial City-owned streets; and 30-plus mph for a few City-owned streets. Per Minnesota law, cities do not have authority to change speed limits on County and MnDOT roads. Speed limits on these streets in Minneapolis and Saint Paul will not change.
Reducing speed limits is one of the key strategies in the Minneapolis Vision Zero Action Plan, which outlines key steps for the next three years to advance the City’s goal of ending traffic deaths and injuries on City streets by 2027
Video
Watch a video promoting the new slower speed limits in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
Learn more about the speed limit changes at visionzerompls.com and stpaul.gov/speedlimits.
Gov. Walz Announces Four-Week Dial Back to Control Spread of COVID-19
As the spread of COVID-19 skyrockets across the state and hospitals voice concern about the ability to treat those who fall ill, Gov. Tim Walz announced new actions to help control the spread of the virus. Turning the dial back, Walz announced a four-week pause on in-person social activities, in-person dining, sports and fitness establishments.
The scientific research and public health data indicate that the virus is spread most in places where people gather for long periods of time, especially when masks are not consistently worn. For instance, a quick stop at a retail store with a mask and physical distancing appears to have a lower risk than a gathering of friends for dinner where guests are likely to be seated closer together and unmasked while eating or drinking — whether it’s at a restaurant or in their own home.
New restrictions
Beginning 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and lasting until Friday, Dec. 18, in-person social gatherings with individuals outside your household are prohibited; bars and restaurants are dialed back to take-out and delivery service only; gyms, fitness studios, entertainment venues, event spaces, and similar establishments will need to close; and adult and youth sports are paused. Retail businesses, salons, and places of worship may continue to operate with proper precautions in place. Childcare remains open. Schools will continue to operate under the Safe Learning Plan, which shifts between in-person, distance and hybrid learning depending on the local conditions of the virus. All other current restrictions also remain in effect.
The pandemic has reached a concerning and dangerous phase throughout much of the Midwest this November. It took 29 weeks to reach 100,000 infections in Minnesota, and just six weeks after that to reach 200,000. Less than three weeks after reaching 200,000 infections, Minnesota will reach 300,000 infections.
To support small businesses that are struggling as they do their part to combat the spread of COVID-19, Walz has announced an additional $10 million in Small Business Relief Grants. This funding will support an additional 1,000 businesses that have applied for the grant program. It supplements hundreds of millions of dollars in small business support that Minnesota has allocated since the beginning of the pandemic. With options at the state level severely limited moving forward, the governor is pushing the federal government for additional support. Minnesotans with questions about unemployment insurance are encouraged to visit uimn.org.
Find more information on the new restrictions.
Keep Your Loved Ones Safe This Thanksgiving: Stay Home
Because of the explosive community spread of COVID-19 all across Minnesota, holidays need to be different this year. In order to stay safe, protect our loved ones and slow the spread, stay home this Thanksgiving. A huge part of the spread has been through people with no symptoms who don’t even know they’re sick.
New restrictions from Governor Walz limit social gatherings to only the people you live with. This applies to both indoor and outdoor gatherings. These restrictions from 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, through Friday, Dec. 18, will help fight the spread of COVID-19. For everyone’s safety, do not host in-person Thanksgiving gatherings with anyone outside of your household.
Celebrating virtually is always a way to feel the love while protecting our loved ones. This year may be the time to develop special new rituals. Some ideas are to write cards of gratitude to loved ones, cook the same recipes in your separate locations, and virtually show off your Thanksgiving decorations and children’s artwork.
Get tested
Even if you don’t feel sick, consider getting tested for COVID-19. You may be infected without having any symptoms. Find local testing sites on the City website, including free saliva testing at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Remember to quarantine until you’ve received your test results and isolate if you test positive.
And remember, stay home if you don’t feel well, if you've been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days, if you're showing COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
COVID-19 Situational Update as of November 18, 2020
Situational updates: Minneapolis
- There are 18,798 cases in Minneapolis and 277 deaths. The total number of cases increased by 12% over the previous week. Hospitalizations increased by 6.3% and ICU admissions increased by 3.5%.
- Over the past week, there have been more than 300 new cases per day on average, with a high of 542 cases reported on Saturday, November 14. Minneapolis-specific daily case counts and demographics are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
- Cases are increasing across all ages, races/ethnicities, and geographic areas. Youth sports, young adult social gatherings, and dining at bars and restaurants are big drivers of community spread. For example, at least 25% of cases diagnosed in the last two weeks included an in-person restaurant visit.
- Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face masks 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.
Situational updates: Minnesota
- There are 242,043 cases in Minnesota out of over 3.5 million tests completed. There have been 3,010 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 53,486 cases and 1,061 deaths in Hennepin County.
- The Minnesota Department of Health uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of November 12, the State is reporting 116.3 cases per 100,000 and Minneapolis is at 80.7 cases per 100,000.
- Currently, Minnesota’s and Minneapolis’s seven-day rolling average rate is higher than what New York City experienced at their highest point this spring. Minnesota’s rate ranks fifth worst in the nation.
- Governor Walz announced new state restrictions [Executive Order 20-99] to control the spread of COVID-19. The following restrictions take effect on Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.
- Bars and restaurants must close in-person food and drink service, both indoor and outdoor. Take-out, curbside, and delivery may continue.
- Minneapolis businesses with a curbside pickup zone may continue to use those spaces. Businesses who have not previously had a curbside pickup zone can request one on the City’s COVID-19 Businesses web page.
- The following facility types must be closed:
- Gyms and other fitness facilities, including public pools, and pools and fitness centers at residential apartment buildings or condominiums.
- Recreation and entertainment facilities, such as bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, arcades, etc.
- Other venues providing indoor or outdoor events, such as festivals or fairs. Drive-in events may continue.
- 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.
Thanksgiving guidance
- Stay home: keep your loved ones and your community safe this Thanksgiving.
- Because of the explosive spread of COVID-19, holidays will look different this year. Social gatherings with people you don’t live with are not allowed. Celebrating at home with only those in your household is the best way to keep everyone safe and healthy. Traveling to visit family and friends or hosting social gatherings is not safe right now. These activities will increase your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19.
- Celebrating virtually is a good way to stay connected while protecting others. Consider developing new traditions to honor the holiday. Some ideas are to create a gratitude jar filled with notes about what you’re thankful for, leave a special holiday treat on your neighbor’s porch, or have kids draw a thank you picture to send to frontline healthcare heroes.
Health Department Incident Command updates
Case investigation/Contact tracing
- The Health Department continues to conduct follow-up on individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as contact tracing at workplaces and with exposed individuals. Of the 18,798 cases in Minneapolis, 69% have been interviewed and 2.0% have refused. Twenty-three percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents have been conducted in a language other than English.
- Nineteen percent of cases have been lost to follow-up (LTF), compared to approximately 11% last week. This increase is attributed to a recent change in how the State defines LTF cases. The previous definition was “no contact within 10 days of report”; the new definition is “no contact within five days of report.”
- As is true for contact tracing efforts across the state, the number of follow-up calls to be made is increasing at an overwhelming rate. Currently, 9.6% of new Minneapolis cases still need interviewed.
- Currently there are 34 active case investigators, including four non-MHD enterprise staff and 12 AmeriCorps staff. We will be training additional AmeriCorps and MHD staff as we attempt to keep up with the rapidly expanding workload. Case investigators are interviewing an average of 57 cases per shift and making an average of 82 calls per shift, plus conducting workplace and other contact follow-up.
Community COVID-19 testing and flu shots
- On November 14, MHD staff hosted a free community testing event at East Side Neighborhood Services. 288 people received free COVID-19 tests and approximately 120 people received flu shots.
- The State Health Department is offering free in-person saliva testing at multiple locations including the Minneapolis Convention Center and Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Testing at the Convention Center is open seven days a week from 9am to 7pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on weekends. Testing at the airport is open seven days a week from 7am to7pm. Additional information is available on the State’s COVID-19 testing webpage.
- The State is also offering free at-home saliva tests. Through the COVID-19Test at Home program, any person in Minnesota can order a saliva test to be delivered to their home with expedited shipping. The test is then sent to the new lab in Oakdale, Minnesota, for processing.
- The City's testing webpage offers guidance about what to do while you wait for COVID-19test results. It is imperative that you stay home and away from others while you wait for test results, especially if you are showing any symptoms. The webpage also includes short videos in multiple languages explaining how to quarantine and isolate effectively.
- We are receiving training on how to use three different types of saliva test kits purchased with federal CARES funding. These tests would be distributed strategically to mission-critical enterprise staff, essential workers in the community, congregate care settings, and at free pop-up testing events. Decisions about how to distribute these tests are being based on available COVID-19 data and health equity principles. Additional details will be shared as our plans are finalized in the coming weeks.
COVID-19 vaccination
- Pfizer and Moderna, two companies in the final stages of COVID-19 vaccine development, released initial results this past week indicating vaccine efficacy rates above 95%. While this is hopeful news, it is critical to keep wearing a mask, washing your hands, and limiting physical contact with those outside your immediate household in order to slow the spread of the virus right now.
- MHD is actively planning for vaccination of Phase 1 critical populations, including staff at senior care facilities and first responders. The City’s vaccine distribution plan for Phase 1A will be submitted to the State by December 4. Our plan will address anticipated challenges with vaccine distribution including ultra-cold storage and two-dose vaccination requirements.
- We continue to host community conversations to share information and gather questions about vaccine development, approval, and distribution. On November 17, our staff met with Hmong community leaders and we plan to meet with this group on an ongoing basis. Additional upcoming community conversations include a District60 Virtual Town Hall with State elected officials via Facebook Live. Watch the event live on Thursday, November 19 from 6:30–8p.m. at www.facebook.com/RepMohamudNoor.
- Training for a new group of Community Vaccine Liaisons started November 18. The liaisons will conduct individual and group discussions with community members in the coming weeks. Information from these conversations will inform our vaccination planning and communications efforts.
Responding to community needs
- MHD staff continue to respond to community requests for masks and hand sanitizer. This past week we saw an increase in the number of requests. Supplies were distributed to religious groups, food shelves, community-based organizations and residents, a Montessori school, the Civil Rights Commission, and a Council Member’s office for distribution in their Ward’s multi-family housing buildings. A total of 6,200masks, 200+ bottles of sanitizer, and 200 thermometers were given to the community.
- We continue to field comments and inquiries to ourCOVID19@minneapolismn.gov email address, averaging between 6-10 per day. Emails received in the past week range from questions about small business relief grants to requests for COVID-19testresults. Residents also are reporting complaints about mask wearing and physical distancing concerns in businesses. Businesses located both within and outside of Minneapolis have been reporting to us positive tests of staff.
- We completed purchases with federal CARES funds and nearly all have been received. Supplies purchased include: personal protective gear and hygiene products, electronic equipment, signage, and administrative supplies to support COVID-19 testing and flu shot events.
Businesses
- Health inspectors completed 50 food safety routine inspections with an emphasis on COVID-19 preparedness plans and the implementation of COVID-19 protocols. Health inspectors responded to 13 food safety/sanitation/COVID-19 311 complaints; two incidents of reported COVID-19 positive employees/patrons; and one business fire call.
- Environmental Health and Business Licensing staff developed guidance for businesses about the Governor’s Emergency Executive Order 20-96 which placed restrictions on bar and restaurant operations. We are in the process of developing additional guidance to reflect new restrictions announced on November 18 as part of Executive Order 20-99. MHD will assist Business Licensing with compliance when needed.
- Environmental Health is coordinating with Business Licensing and Hennepin County on the approval of three sites to house homeless individuals who are vulnerable to COVID-19. The VOA property (143 19th St E) and the Metro Inn (5637 Lyndale Ave) submitted their applications and were approved by Health to move forward for lodging licensure. Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation 2020-19 will assist the Indoor Village in moving forward through the process. Indoor Village has submitted a concept plan and continue to work with CPED and Regulatory Services on fire safety and occupancy issues.
- Stories from the field: The director of a Montessori school described their child screening plan to a health inspector. However, some families did not have thermometers and were unable to follow the school’s plan. The inspector reached out to the COVID-19 logistics team which connected the school with supplies.
The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.