Ward 7 Update from Council Member Lisa Goodman
Friday, June 19, 2020 at 9:56AM
On June 19, 1865 -- two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation -- Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to report the Confederacy had surrendered two months earlier and that enslaved people were now free. Here we are on the 155th anniversary of that historic moment and I can’t help but acknowledge how much further we need to advance as a society and at all levels of our government.
Earlier today I saw the following quote from our Civil Rights Director, Velma Korbel, and I was so moved by what she shared, I asked her if I could share it with you.
“Juneteenth is an important day for Black people. Growing up in the South (Texas), this was a day for fellowship, friendship and spiritual healing. Juneteenth is also the way Black people celebrate ‘none of us is free until all of us are free’. The commemoration of Juneteenth is especially important today given where we are in our history. The demands that Black people are making are not simply about policing; these are the same demands we’ve been making for generations on our journey to full citizenship.”
However you celebrate or honor this important day, as always, please be safe!
Lisa
COVID-19 Situational Update as of Wednesday, June 17
• There are 4,162 cases in the City of Minneapolis and 181 deaths. The City is sharing Minneapolis specific daily case counts and demographics through a public facing dashboard at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard. The dashboard has been updated to provide more data on neighborhood level numbers of cases including new information on the total ICU count for the state and Minneapolis.
• Congregate living facilities in Minneapolis continue to see new cases among residents and while accounting only for 11% of confirmed cases, account for 78% of COVID-19 deaths.
• There are some age differences by race and ethnicity. While a majority of white cases (55%) are 45 and older, cases among Blacks, Asian, and Hispanics are under 45 years of age (over 60% for all).
• There are 31,296 cases in Minnesota out of over 448,000 tests completed. There have been 1,325 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 10,415 cases and 727 deaths in Hennepin County.
• There are over 8.2 million confirmed cases worldwide. There have been over 444,000 deaths globally and over 2.1 million cases are confirmed in the US. The US remains the country with the highest number of cases and deaths by a significant margin. A total of 117,033 deaths have been reported in the US.
• The Minnesota Department of Health is recommending expanding COVID-19 testing due to recent mass events, civil unrest and the response to the civil unrest that occurred across the state beginning May 25, 2020. Free testing is being offered this month in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
• Thousands of people may have been exposed to COVID-19 due to the large concentration of people in one area. Identifying and testing individuals who may have participated in a large public event will improve the ability to identify cases and institute appropriate isolation and quarantine measures.
• Testing criteria for all sites (clinics, hospitals and community settings) include people who have participated in any large gatherings including but not limited to protests, community clean up, and recovery efforts, vigils, neighborhood meetings (both those with symptoms and those who are asymptomatic). This also includes first responders and others who responded to the events.
• As of June 10, MN has entered Phase III of the Governor’s Stay Safe MN order which allows restaurants to offer indoor dining at 50% capacity, and opening of other businesses at different capacity levels. The Mayor has issued an Emergency Regulations requiring that masks be worn in indoor public spaces starting May 26.
Health Incident Command updates
• As the Health Department continues to respond to COVID-19, we are applying an equity lens to all our work in conjunction with partners across the City enterprise.
• The Health Department continues to conduct over 30 case investigations and contact follow-up for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 per day and has completed over 1,200 case investigations since May 8. Currently, MHD has 21 investigators and has onboarded 10 non-MHD enterprise staff. Of the over 1,200 case investigations conducted, 43% were done in a language other than English.
• The Minneapolis Health Department was involved in two testing opportunities last week in the Cedar Riverside area: we assisted the Community University Health Care Center with testing 77 individuals at the Cedars MPHA properties last Tuesday-Friday. No data on positive cases is available at this time. We also organized testing for residents of Riverside Plaza, Thursday and Friday of last week. 200 people were tested and 15 positive cases were found. We are in the process of contacting each individual to let them know about the outcome of their test. In addition, the Minnesota Health Department started testing at the following sites in Minneapolis last week: Sabathani Community Center, Holy Trinity and New Salem Baptist Churches. 2,042 people were tested at these sites last week, with a positivity rate of 1.2%. MHD staff will assist in these events starting this week which are scheduled for Tuesdays and Wednesdays through June.
• MHD continues to provide sanitation stations including porta-potties and handwashing stations for the unsheltered homeless. We have partnered with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to place hygiene stations in Powderhorn Park and supported their efforts to place mobile shower facilities for the growing number of people at this encampment. We are also relocating syringe drop boxes to Powderhorn Park in addition to the encampment at 12th Ave. and the Midtown Greenway. We support efforts to ensure that tents are spread apart to reduce the spread of the infection.
• Health Department staff are working with Homegrown Minneapolis and community partners to address food insecurity in the wake of the George Floyd murder and community unrest. Staff are supporting existing food distribution sites such as Holy Trinity Church and Powderhorn Park in South Minneapolis and are identifying additional distribution events. FLP is developing food safety best practices for pop up grocery distribution sites. We are also exploring access to pharmacy services in response to the destruction of several drug stores.
- The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.
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
- 10:00 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.
Frey, Arradondo, and Minnesota Mayors Call on Legislators to Fix Arbitration Process for Law Enforcement
Group underscores the urgency of addressing arbitrators’ authority and allowing local government to effectively shift police culture and enhance accountability
Thursday Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo joined local leaders to call on lawmakers to fix the state’s broken arbitration process for law enforcement officers. Frey and Arradondo have pushed aggressively for the legislature to address the state statute that impedes structural police reforms by giving third-party arbitrators authority to overturn disciplinary and termination decisions in cases of egregious misconduct.
“Without legislation to prevent arbitrators from reinstating officers who engage in the most egregious misconduct, the kind most damaging to public trust, Minnesota local government’s ability to make progress on shifting the culture of policing will remain limited,” said Frey. “If the legislature is serious about deep, structural police reforms, this is the most impactful change they could make.”
Mayors and chiefs highlighted past instances when the process has failed the department and their residents and hamstrung work to shift police culture.
Roughly 50 percent of police terminations in Minnesota are overturned by arbitrators when appealed.
Participants included Frey, Arradondo, Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse, Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott, Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris, and Richfield At-Large Council Member Mary Supple.
The League of Minnesota Cities, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton, who were not able to attend today’s event in-person, also submitted statements of support.
New Community Coalitions Formed to Advise City Leaders on Recovery Efforts
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined City Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins and community leaders from across Minneapolis on Monday to announce the formation of the mayor’s Minneapolis Forward: Community Now Coalition. The coalition will help accelerate repair and recovery efforts in Minneapolis. Frey is convening leadership from Twin Cities foundations, businesses and community organizations to rebuild and repair Minneapolis as a stronger and more equitable and inclusive city.
The coalition’s co-chairs include Allison Sharkey, executive director of the Lake Street Council; Felicia Perry, executive director of the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition; and Jonathan Weinhagen, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber.
Frey is also bringing together a Minneapolis African American Commission on Economic Inclusion with community leadership to provide direction and support to the mayor and City leadership. The commission will establish a feedback loop that is rooted in the black community and unfiltered through the lenses of non-black people.
Recovery work includes support for:
• BIPOC/Minority-owned businesses who either owned or leased space in a building that was destroyed or directly impacted and where insurance will not cover the total loss. This includes total destruction, fire, flood, looting, and related property damage that compromised the structural integrity of the building or resulted in an immediate health risk if occupied.
• Owners of real estate that has been destroyed and directly impacted and where insurance will not cover the total loss. This includes total destruction, fire, flood, looting, and related property damage that compromised the structural integrity of the building or resulted in an immediate health risk if occupied.
• Retention of businesses in the community at the start of the response to the murder of George Floyd whether or not the property owner chooses to rebuild or repair the destroyed, damaged, or directly impacted buildings. This includes businesses adjacent to destroyed, damaged, or directly impacted real estate.
• Residences destroyed and directly impacted and where insurance will not cover the loss. This includes complete destruction, fire, flood, and related property damage that compromised the structural integrity of the building or resulted in an immediate health risk if occupied.
• Solutions that implement economic inclusion and stabilize immediately impacted communities.
• Immediate needs such as food and transportation for impacted residents.
• Enhancement of the physical environment in a way that reflects the community that lives and works in these areas today, including public space infrastructure, repair and improvement of pre-existing commercial property, active use of vacant spaces, and capitalization of ideas from the community that was impacted.
Court Orders Minneapolis Police Department to Make Immediate Changes
Hennepin County Court has approved the proposed court order filed by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights that requires the Minneapolis Police Department to implement initial structural changes, as part of the State’s ongoing civil rights investigation. The court has the power to enforce these preliminary measures and failure to comply with the order could lead to penalties.
Under the court order entered by Hennepin County District Court Judge Karen Janisch, the City of Minneapolis must implement several measures immediately, including banning the use of all neck restraints and chokeholds.
The court order also requires the Minneapolis Police Department to fully comply with the ongoing civil rights investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Any Minnesotan who witnesses or experiences violations of the terms in the order should contact the Minnesota Department of Human Rights by calling 651-539-1100 or 1-800-657-3704.
The Minneapolis City Council has also approved the terms.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights launched an investigation into the MPD June 2 after filing a civil rights charge related to the death of George Floyd. The investigation into policies, procedures and practices over the past 10 years will determine if the MPD has engaged in systematic discriminatory practices toward people of color and ensure any such practices are stopped.
The order specifies that MPD and the City must implement the following measures immediately:
- MPD must ban neck restraints or chokeholds for any reason within 10 days of the effective date of the order.
- Regardless of tenure or rank, any member of the MPD who observes another member of the MPD use any unauthorized use of force, including any chokehold or neck restraint, has an affirmative duty to immediately report the incident while still on scene by phone or radio to their commander or their commander’s superiors.
- Regardless of tenure or rank, any member of the MPD who observes another member of the MPD use any unauthorized use of force, including any chokehold or neck restraint, must attempt to safely intervene by verbal and physical means, and if they do not do so they are subject to discipline to the same severity as if they themselves engaged in the prohibited use of force.
- Only the police chief or the chief’s designee at the rank of deputy chief or above may authorize the use of crowd control weapons during protests and demonstrations.
- The police chief must make timely discipline decisions as outlined in the order.
- Civilian body-worn camera analysts and investigators with the City’s Office of Police Conduct Review have the authority to proactively audit body-worn camera footage and file or amend complaints on behalf of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department.
The order also commits the City to working with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights on several fronts to build toward systemic change within MPD as part of the long-term investigation.
The City will prepare a report listing all of the State of Minnesota laws that impede public transparency of police data and/or prevent the mayor and police chief and/or impede civilian oversight from disciplining and terminating police officers who do not adhere to Minneapolis Police Department policies and standards. The report is due by July 30.
Minnesotans with information that can further the investigation into the MPD should contact the Department of Human Rights at mn.gov/mdhr or 651-539-1100.
Read the stipulation and order.
Remember to Wear Masks or Face Coverings While in Indoor Public Places
Remember to wear masks or face coverings while in indoor public places
Minneapolis Mayor Frey’s emergency regulation requiring people in Minneapolis to wear cloth face masks or coverings when they are in an indoor place of public accommodation is in effect.
Medical research has indicated that COVID-19 may have a high rate of transmission through respiratory droplets, particularly while indoors, and that wearing a mask can help reduce the risk of community spread. Research has also shown that people who don’t show signs of the virus can still spread it without knowing they have it.
Businesses will not be required to provide masks to customers or employees themselves, though employers shall be required to mandate the use of masks by their staff.
Non-compliance should be reported through 311.
Donate Homemade Face Masks at Minneapolis Fire Stations for Mask Drive Mondays
Minneapolis residents can deliver homemade masks to their local fire station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday for Mask Drive Mondays. A big thank you to people who already donated 2,400 masks plus 100 more child-sized masks for the Memorial Day mask drive.
Remember to stay 6 feet away from others when dropping off your donation. Note: fire stations are not equipped to take any other donations at this time.
The City plans to distribute the donated masks throughout Minneapolis to residents, organizations and businesses that are most in need, including food shelves, congregate living facilities, small corner stores and shelters.
State's Stay Safe MN Plan Enters Third Phase
Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms and entertainment venues, has begun.
Occupancy rates will be limited based on risk, with an overall occupancy maximum of 250 people. All critical businesses are required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by June 29, and the Department of Health (MDH), Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will publish industry guidance by June 15. Under Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan:
- Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50% occupancy.
- Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
- Gyms and personal fitness, yoga and martial arts studios may open at 25% capacity.
- Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
- Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades and museums may open at 25% capacity.
- Personal services venues such as salons, tattoo parlors and barbershops may increase occupancy rates to 50% while requiring reservations.
- Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts and theaters may open at 25% capacity.
- Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50%.
Restaurants, salons and barbershops have been able to offer limited service since June 1. Takeout, curbside, and delivery services have been permitted throughout the pandemic in Minnesota.
