North Mississippi Regional Park sample programming for November, December and January

Winter Break Day Camps for Kids

Register kids ages 6-12 for naturalist-led day camps on no school days throughout the year! Explore outdoors, get messy and learn by doing. Spend days off in nature's classroom while having fun playing in the park at North Mississippi.

WILD WINTER SURVIVAL W-F  December 26-28  8am-4pm

Develop your wilderness skills by learning to trek through snow on snowshoes, craft survival shelters, track animal signs and more. We'll explore outdoors, play games and make art. Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild winter world? Registration Fee $90.  Activity #87904

FROZEN PLANET  W-F  December 2-4  8am-4pm

Are you curious about the wonders of the cosmos? Then, embark on an adventure through the cold depths of outer space...with the help of your imagination. Learn about amazing astronomical phenomena, complete missions with your crew and conduct experiments for extreme environments. Sign up to be the ultimate space explorer! Registration Fee $90.  Activity #93993

Day camp is based out of Kroening Interpretive Center. Every day please bring a lunch, snack and water bottle. Dress for the weather and a mess.

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Special Events

• Nature’s Black Friday Fun - Nov 23  11am-3pm   Ditch the mall crawl and opt outside this year! We’ll have naturalist programming and self-guided nature exploration activities. Hike the park, build a fort, go on a scavenger hunt, play games and more! Activities will be based out of Kroening Interpretive Center. FREE for All Ages. Activity #87899
• Winter Solstice Celebration -  Friday Dec 21  5:30-7:30pm  Rejoice the coming of longer days with an evening of celestial fun. Make a luminary and enjoy the warm glow of a bonfire while sipping hot spiced cider! Learn why the amount of light changes throughout the year and which winter constellations to look for in the sky. Plus grab a winter phenology bingo card to play throughout the season. Get bingo and bring it back to the Nature Center for a prize!  All Ages. $5 – Kids under 13 free.  Activity #87900

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Nature Nuts Play Group Wednesdays

Come with your little one to play and have fun in nature with other children and parents/guardians. During this four week series each day will be different, but will have nature themes involving plants, animals, and seasons. Enjoy the fall together! For kids up to age 5 with an adult. Registration Fee $16 (for 4 weeks of classes)

Nov 28 - Dec 19  10:45 - 11:45am   Activity #87896

 Jan 16 - Feb 6  10:45 - 11:45am   Activity #93925

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Nature Programs

Bird Watching

Join us for a morning of bird watching! We’ll hike through prairie, woodland and along the river while keeping our eyes and ears open for our feathered friends. First Saturday Each Month. Binoculars provided.

• Winter Birds - Dec 1   9-10:30am   Discover the winter bird cast of characters. Activity #87877
• Winter Woodpeckers - Jan 5    4-5:30pm   Go on the lookout for the bright flashes of woodpeckers on the bare trees. Ages 8 & up. Activity #93949

Outdoor Exploration & Nature Art

• Ginger-bird Houses - Dec 8 1:30-3pm   Invite birds into your backyard this winter by crafting an edible snack house for them. These feeders are a lovely decoration and a great food source for our bird friends that brave the cold.  $10 all supplies included. Kids under 13 free.  Activity #87891
• Fur, Tracks and Scat - Dec 29  1-2:30pm
• New Year Resolutions Hike - Jan 5  1-2:30pm   Do you have a New Year’s Resolution to be more active, to go outside more, or try new things? Take the first step on a naturalist-led snowshoe hike along our prairie, woodland, and river trails and start the year off right!  Activity #93959
• Sleep, Flee, Freeze  Dec 16  1:30-3pm    
• Winter Arts & Animals - Jan 13  1-3pm   

Family Funday Sundays

• Turkey Time -  Nov 25  1:30-3pm  Get ready for goofy gobbles as we discover more about turkeys! Play games and have fun investigating feathers, tail fans, snoods and feet to learn more about these big birds.  Activity#87880

Public programs are FREE for all ages

Unless otherwise noted. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a registered adult

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Free Snowshoeing each Weekend

Beginning December 22*, get some wonderful exercise while recreating in nature by checking out a pair of snowshoes to explore the park! Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

Saturdays 11am-1pm  /  Sundays 1-3pm

*Depending on snow conditions: at least 6 inches of snow on the ground is needed

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More Ways to Enjoy the Park

Stop by the front desk to check out binoculars, nature activity packs and nature guides.
Talk with a naturalist to meet and learn about our education animals.
Celebrate your birthday with us!

Like North Mississippi on Facebook to stay in the loop about what’s happening in our park! Learn more about North Mississippi Regional Park at our website. 

Winter Building Hours:

9am - 4pm Tues & Thurs

10am - 4pm Wed, Fri & Sat

12pm - 4pm Sunday

Closed Monday

Contact Info: Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Court; Phone: 612-370-4844, Email: NorthMississippi@minneapolisparks.org 

Join MCBA for New Editions, Nov 30 & Dec 1

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) invites the community to attend New Editions, a two-day event that celebrates and fosters the collection of book art. Over 130 new original works—from chapbooks and zines, to broadsides, artist’s books, and fine press editions—will be available for viewing and purchase. The curated offerings will include something for everyone, from the most seasoned collector to the newest enthusiast, with items at a wide variety of prices.

New Editions begins on Friday, November 30 from 6-9pm with a special preview night. Be the first to explore and purchase a curated collection of bookish works from Minnesota and around the country. At 7pm, learn more about the importance of collecting book art from a panel of artists, featuring Harriet Bart, Regula Russelle, and Gaylord Schanilec, and moderated by Karen Wirth. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, craft wine and beer, and creative company with other book and art lovers. Tickets are $50 and available for purchase on MCBA’s website or in The Shop at MCBA. Each ticket holder receives a commemorative limited edition broadside printed by Laura Brown during the event.

New Editions continues with a public sale on Saturday, December 1 from 10am-4pm. Attendees will be able to find special gifts for those on their shopping list, or treat themselves to a unique work of art. Saturday’s event is free and open to the public, and seasonal refreshments will be provided.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts celebrates the book as a vibrant contemporary art form that takes many shapes. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing and hand bookbinding to experimental artmaking and self-publishing techniques, MCBA supports the limitless creative evolution of book arts through book arts workshops and programming for adults, youth, families, K-12 students and teachers. MCBA is located in the Open Book building in downtown Minneapolis, alongside partner organizations The Loft Literary Center and Milkweed Editions.

Artist panel bios:

Harriet Bart creates evocative content through the narrative power of objects, the theater of installation, and the intimacy of artist’s books. Her installations, objects, and books have been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and Germany. She has completed more than a dozen public art commissions in the United States, Japan, and Israel. She is a guest lecturer, curator, and founding member of the Traffic Zone Center for Visual Arts in Minneapolis, MN. Bart has been the recipient of fellowships from Yaddo, MacDowell Colony, Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Bush Foundation, McKnight Foundation, NEA Arts Midwest, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. Since 2000 she has published twelve fine-press artist’s books and won three Minnesota Book Awards. Her work is included in many museum, university, and private collections, including: Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Weisman Art Museum, Jewish Museum, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Sackner Archive of Visual and Concrete Poetry. She is a current McKnight Visual Arts Fellow. In 2020 The Weisman Art Museum will present a retrospective of Harriet Bart’s work.

Regula Russelle is a Minnesota Book Artist award winner for her body of work and contributions to the book arts community. Her work has been supported by the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, and the McKnight Foundation. Regula’s work can be found in public collections, on kitchen bulletin boards, and in the occasional handbag. These days, she enjoys packing large questions into tiny books and zines — work that is affordable, and sometimes free. In addition, she is also an enthusiastic collector of books and zines, most of these happily purchased for under $75.

Gaylord Schanilec, noted for his color wood engravings, established his own press, Midnight Paper Sales, in 1980. Since then he has published more than 25 books under his imprint, as well as accepted numerous commissions including works for The Gregynog Press in Wales and the Grolier Club of New York. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Carl Hertzog award for excellence in book design, and the Gregynog prize. He is an Honorary Member of the Double Crown Club, and an active member of the Typophiles, the Ampersand Club, and the Fine Press Book Association. His work is represented in most major book arts collections in the United States and in the United Kingdom, and the archive of his working materials is held at the University of Minnesota.

Karen Wirth’s work explores the relationships between words, objects, and space through artist’s books, sculpture, installation, public art, and critical writing. Her work has been exhibited extensively in collections in the United States, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Walker Art Center, and in Africa and Europe through the US State Department. Wirth co-designed four Minneapolis light rail transit stations and she served as the artist administrator for conceptual design. She co-designed and co-fabricated the Gail See Staircase at Open Book in Minneapolis. Wirth is a founding board member of the College Book Art Association and served on the board of Minnesota Center for Book Arts.

Wirth’s artist’s books are in public collections such as the Museum of Modern Art Library, the Getty Center, and Yale University. Her writing has been included in many journals and magazines, including the Journal of Artists’ Books and Places magazine. Wirth has been awarded Bush, McKnight, Jerome, and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships and an American Council on Education Leadership Fellowship. She is the Interim President and professor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She received an MFA in sculpture from the University of Minnesota and a BFA in art education from the University of Wisconsin. Certified to teach K–12 art, she has taught at every level from preschool to graduate school.

MPRB is Looking For Winter Sports Coaches

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking enthusiastic volunteer coaches for youth hockey, basketball and wrestling.

- Practices start in December

- Athletes are ages 6-18 

- Teams practice 1-2 times per week

- Games are scheduled for a weeknight and/or Saturdays (January-February or March)

- MPRB will provide orientation for all new coaches

- Can't coach this winter? We'll need coaches for Baseball, Softball, T-ball, and Track & Field next spring/summer

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Click here to receive more information or to express interest in MPRB volunteer opportunities.  Contact (612) 230-6493 or recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org.

Hennepin County Now Accepting Applications for Citizen Advisory Board Volunteers

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is recruiting volunteers for 28 citizen advisory board positions through its annual open appointment process.

Each fall, the board appoints residents to volunteer service positions on advisory boards, commissions, councils and special task forces. Appointees advise commissioners and help set policy on a variety of topics.

Current Openings:

• Adult Mental Health Advisory Council – 11 vacancies
• County Extension Committee (University of Minnesota Extension) – four vacancies
• Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County – two vacancies (open to local elected officials)
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Board – three vacancies
• Human Resources Board – three vacancies
• Library Board – three vacancies
• Mental Commitment Attorney Panel Advisory Board – one vacancy
• Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners – one vacancy

Application process:

Apply online at hennepin.us/advisoryboards.

Hennepin County will accept applications through December 31, 2018.

The board will conduct interviews beginning in January 2019.

A Gingerbread Wonderland Awaits You at Norway House, Nov 17-Jan 6

Gingerbread houses, called pepperkake in Norway, are a quintessential feature of the Norwegian holiday season.

The Norway House’s 4th annual Holiday tradition - Gingerbread Wonderland - happens November 17, 2018 - January 6, 2019. Look for familiar buildings and landmarks from the Twin Cities and beyond, created by everyone from local bakeries to families and first-time gingerbread baking enthusiasts. Everyone is encouraged to enter their very own creation, regardless of their baking level. (Entries due by November 15.) The Norway House is located at 913 E Franklin Avenue. 612.871.2211 Facebook

Beginning November 17, the Gingerbread Wonderland is open:

10:00A - 4:00P, Tuesdays-Saturdays

11:00A - 3:00M, Sundays

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Closed Mondays, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. 

The Pioneers Monument

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Growing up in Northeast Minneapolis, I frequently passed by the stone sculpture depicting a family of pioneers on the corner of 5th Avenue and Marshall Street. It seemed like an odd place for a work of art, but I never really thought anything of it. As I grew older and the sculpture moved across the street to B.F. Nelson Park, I had to find out how this giant piece of granite found its way to Northeast. The journey of one of Minneapolis’ most forgotten icons is interesting to say the least, and it started half a mile south on the other side of the river in front of the downtown Minneapolis Post Office.

 1936 grand ceremony officially opening Pioneer Square.

The Great Depression was one of America’s darkest times, and while Minneapolis was not affected as much as other major cities, it still had its pockets of troubles. One of these areas was the block between 1st and 2nd Streets and Marquette and 2nd Avenues, which is now occupied by The Churchill Apartments. The city bought the block in the early 1930’s, installed walkways, benches, and a lawn, and in 1936, a grand ceremony took place to officially open Pioneer Square. This ceremony also celebrated the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Charles Loring, the first president of the Minneapolis Park Board. The focal point of the ceremony was the unveiling of a monument carved by the famous Norwegian-American Sculptor John Karl Daniels, and once the granddaughter of Charles Loring was done with her speech, the giant sheet was lifted off the sculpture and those in attendance were amazed by the grand monument.

John Karl DanielsFunded by the Pillsbury family, John Karl Daniels’ 23-foot-tall, 500-ton St. Cloud granite sculpture towered over the rest of the park and greeted patrons of the post office as they made their way to its entrance. The sculptor depicted a pioneer family consisting of a father with a plow, a mother with a baby, and a sitting grandfather with an axe and rifle. Three generations of pioneers. Three generations of those who paved the way for the city’s residents. The back of the monument also has a relief that depicts Father Louis Hennepin receiving a peace pipe from a Dakota chief, another important moment of Minneapolis history.

While the small park was nice to have in that part of town, it quickly drew interest for other uses. In the early 1940’s, a parking ramp was proposed for the site, and in 1951, a public atomic bomb shelter was even considered. The lack of maintenance on the park made it a less than ideal place to visit. A 74-year-old John Karl Daniels even got a ladder, bucket, and mop, and cleaned his artwork himself. As the years went on it became evident that the small park was more of a nuisance, and in 1967 it became no more. The Pioneer Monument was the only thing salvaged from the park, but moving it was a tall task. It was initially offered to anyone willing to move it, which greatly upset a now 90-year-old John Karl Daniels, as he thought his sculpture deserved much better.

The second home for the Pioneer Monument was a small triangular piece of land on 5th Avenue and Marshall Street NE. Not the best spot for such a sculpture. The very small triangular park was at a curve in the road, and many cars ended up crashing right into the monument. Also, the base the monument was put on was not properly built and started to sink into the ground as the decades passed. This once grand sculpture was now a forgotten piece of Minneapolis history. However, in 1993, the Saint Anthony West Neighborhood Organization board, which previously stopped the Interstate 335 expansion, now led by Michael Rainville, Sr., began discussing the possibility of raising money to move the monument. It took another ten years for plans to take shape, and the fundraising began. Finally, in 2010, the neighborhood board raised $75,000 to move the monument, clean it, and prepare its new spot across the street in the new B.F. Nelson Park.

B.F. Nelson Park with the statue and skyline in the background. Photo credit Twin Cities Property Finder 

Seventy-four years and two parks later, the Pioneers Monument found its new, permanent home. While it’s a far cry from its original spot next to the downtown Minneapolis Post Office, the redeveloped B.F. Nelson Park is the perfect fit for this sculpture. John Karl Daniels can now rest easy knowing one of his most prideful works of art is being taken care of in a park that offers great views of the Mississippi riverfront. Now that the leaves have fallen, take a hike through B.F. Nelson, stop in front of the Pioneers Monument, and gaze at the perfect backdrop to this statue, the Minneapolis skyline.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 6+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

10th Annual Give to the Max Day is November 15

A letter from Jake Blumberg, Executive Director, GiveMN:

Dear friends,

Generosity isn’t new to Minnesota. We take pride in our reputation of civic engagement, near the top of national lists of highest voter turnout and charitable giving year after year.

When we started Give to the Max Day in 2009, it was meant to be a one-time event to help raise awareness for the new GiveMN.org. But after $14 million was donated in just 24 hours, we knew something truly special had just happened in Minnesota.

10 Years of Give to the Max Day from GiveMN on Vimeo.

You’ve help to build Minnesota’s giving holiday from the ground up. More than 300,000 generous people like you have given $10, $100, $1,000 or more at a time, adding up to nearly $200 million through GiveMN.org to support more than 10,000 organizations all across the state.

For us, Give to the Max Day is a celebration of generosity in countless ways. We see groups of volunteers come together to pack meals for 24 hours straight. We hear from teachers who use the day to teach the importance of giving back, even offering students their own $5 and $10 Golden Tickets. There are countless displays of generosity each year as we shine a light on what’s good in our communities.

Support your favorite causes for GTMD18

As we get ready for the 10th annual Give to the Max Day this Thursday, we encourage you to reflect on the causes you are passionate about, whether it’s a national or statewide movement, or a neighborhood group down the street. Your donations will help them continue to meet their missions, but we also hope in the days to come you will consider volunteering, donating goods and clothing…realizing generosity in all its forms.

On behalf of Minnesota’s nonprofits and schools, thank you for your support on Give to the Max Day, and all year round.

Sincerely,

Jake Blumberg

Executive Director, GiveMN

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Editor's Note: If you'd like to participate in Give to the Max Day, but aren't familiar with local organizations, here are some to consider: People Serving People, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Mill City Summer Opera, The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, Minneapolis Parks Foundation, Friends of the Hennepin County Library, MacPhail Center for Music, Friends of the Mill District, St. Stephen's Human Services, House of Charity, YouthLink, Minnesota Historical Society, Minneapolis Foundation, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

2018 Holidazzle is Just Around the Corner!

It's not too early to start planning your 2018 Holidazzle experience.  Find all the info you need at https://www.holidazzle.com/. 

2018 Holidazzle dates and times:

. . . .

Friday, November 23-Sunday, November 25

Thursday, November 29-Sunday, December 2

Thursday, December 6-Sunday, December 9

Thursday, December 13-Sunday, December 16

Thursday, December 20-Sunday, December 23

. . . . .

Thursdays from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Fridays from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Sundays from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

November 11 Event Will Recognize 100th Anniversary of World War I Armistice

Via a November 9 announcement form Hennepin County:

The community will join in recognizing Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of World War I armistice on Sunday, November 11, along Victory Memorial Drive.

The armistice ended fighting on land, sea and air between U.S. allies and their last opponent, Germany.

Event details

• Sunday, November 11, 10 a.m.
• Flagpole plaza at 45th Avenue North and Victory Memorial Drive

Featured program

• Prominent speakers on the war’s local history
• Musician Robert Robinson
• 21-gun salute
• Moment of silence at 11 a.m.

View the full event program (PDF)

The flagpole will cast a shadow on the plaza around 11 a.m., weather permitting.

Hennepin County is sponsoring this event in collaboration with the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and City of Robbinsdale.

More about Victory Memorial Drive

Trees and monuments along Victory Memorial Drive honor the 568 Hennepin County service men and women who died in World War I. Dedicated to fallen soldiers in 1921 and rededicated in 2011, the drive is located in the northwest area of Minneapolis and the eastern border of Robbinsdale.

Learn more about the memorial’s history at hennepin.us/victorymemorialdrive.

Happy Thanks-Swimming! Come Swim a 5K on Thanksgiving Day

Via a November 9 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Why run a Thanksgiving 5K when you can swim it?! Join us for Happy Thanks-Swimming 5K, a new event being held at the Phillips Aquatics Center on Thanksgiving Day. It is all about swimming, fun and putting a new spin on the Turkey Day 5K.

• Participants will choose a lane that best fits their timing needs and swim 75 x 75s.

• All abilities are welcome, and you can swim as much or as little as you wish.

• Cost: $40 ($5 discount for Open Swim Club members)

Take Thanksgiving by the drumstick and do a 5K in the water. It's a great way to stay fit this fall and kick off a healthy holiday season!

Event details

Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018

Time: Select one of two time slots: 8-10 am or 10 am-noon

Location: Phillips Aquatics Center
Address: 2323 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis

Cost: $40 ($5 discount for Open Swim Club members)

Hennepin County Voter Turnout Results

Via a November 7 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Unofficial election results were 100% reported for all of Hennepin County as of 2:43 a.m.

Total ballots cast in Hennepin County

In the 2018 election, 631,100 people cast a ballot in Hennepin County. Of these, 182,400 cast absentee ballots and 448,700 voted at their polling place on Election Day.

Voter turnout

Voter turnout in Hennepin County was 77 percent of registered voters.

For Comparison:

	2018	2016	2014
Total ballots cast	631,100	685,000	451,800
Absentee ballots cast	182,400	203,400	56,000
Election Day ballots cast	448,700	481,600	395,800
Voter turnout	77%	81%	59%

All results are available on Hennepin County’s election results webpage and all statewide results are available at the Secretary of State’s election results webpage.

Election results become official at the canvassing board meeting, set for November 13, 2018.

For more information about elections and voting in Hennepin County, visit hennnepin.us/elections. 

November E-Newsletter from 3rd Ward Council Member Steve Fletcher

A Note from Steve

On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Frey opened the Council meeting by reading the names of the people killed in a racially motivated shooting in Kentucky, and in an anti-Semitic shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

As shaken as I am, and as I know many of you are by the alarming events of the last couple of weeks, I'm also full of gratitude to be part of a community full of people who really show up for each other in difficult times. As an elected representative, as a resident of the city, and as a Jew, I have had many occasions to feel proud of the compassion, the clarity of values, and the generosity on display in Minneapolis.

I’ve heard from many of you looking for ways to be a comfort to people who are feeling fear and grief.  I’ve also heard from many you wanting to do something about the hateful rhetoric and dog-whistle politics that are empowering white supremacists around the country, and about the easy access these murderers have to assault weapons.

If there are ways that our office can provide comfort and support in this moment of grief and anxiety, please do not hesitate to let us know.  We will continue to work toward our vision of a city that is inclusive, supportive, and safe for everyone, and would welcome your input and collaboration in our work.

In the meantime, all of the work of the city continues. This week, we passed multiple groundbreaking ordinance changes on housing, aimed at stabilizing existing affordable housing, incentivizing more affordable housing, and preventing needless evictions. This marks the beginning of an exciting slate of tenants' rights and affordable housing work making its way through the council in the coming months.

This month will also include public hearings before the City Council on the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the 2019 Budget. More on both of those below.

En Avant,

Steve

TOMORROW — Tuesday, November 6 — is Election Day! Please VOTE!

VOTE EARLY IN PERSON TODAY (MONDAY) FROM 7AM-5PM Locations:

• Downtown Early Vote Center, 217 S. Third St., in downtown Minneapolis.
• East Early Vote Center in the University of Minnesota Field House Lobby, 1800 University Ave SE.
• North Early Vote Center at the Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.
• South Early Vote Center at Regents Assembly Church, 810 W. 31st St.

Absentee Voting is Easy: any voter can vote early with an absentee ballot; no reason is required. If you plan to vote absentee by mail, please allow enough time to complete the process, which can take longer than seven days. Absentee ballot applications are available at vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/absentee and may be submitted anytime throughout the year.

VOTE ON ELECTION DAY (TOMORROW)

• Polls are open from 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. If you are in line at 8:00 P.M., you MUST be allowed to vote.
• Click here to find your polling location.
• Voters can register at the polls in person and vote on Election Day. You must provide one of the forms of identification required by Minnesota law.

Sample Ballot: state law allows voters to bring materials into the polls to help complete your ballot — and the sample ballot is the single, best tool available for this purpose. Your sample ballot is customized to your specific ward and precinct, and you can get yours at vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/BALLOT.

THANK YOU for being a voter!

WEDNESDAY: Join Me for a Ward 3 Community Forum on the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan

On Monday, October, 29, the Minneapolis Planning Commission took four hours of public comments from over 110 people on the City's draft Comprehensive Plan, Minneapolis 2040. The Planning Commission then adopted a set of amendments and voted, 8-1, to forward the plan to the City Council for our consideration.

The City Council will have our own public hearing on the 14th, but first, join me on Wednesday for a community forum in Ward 3!

I will be joined by Heather Worthington, Director of Long Range Planning in the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development.

Together, we will discuss how the draft Comprehensive Plan has changed based on over 10,000 comments received during the 90-day public comment period earlier this year, and take further questions and comments. 

Community Forum on Minneapolis 2040, the City's Draft Comprehensive Plan

THIS WEDNESDAY, November 7 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.

University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE

Please RSVP for the event here!

To see the full draft plan and what has changed in it, go to http://minneapolis2040.com.

Additional public comments on this revised draft can be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council online. CPED staff will not be making any further revisions to the plan; any further edits will be made by the Planning Commission or City Council as formal amendments.

Here is the planned calendar of remaining public meetings for the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan:

• Wednesday, November 14, 4:30 P.M. — City Council Public Hearing
• Monday, November 26, 10:00 A.M. — City Council Committee of the Whole Special Meeting — Council Members can offer amendments; no public comments will be taken
• Wednesday, December 5, 1:30 P.M. — City Council Committee of the Whole Regular Meeting — Council Members can offer amendments; no public comments will be taken
• Friday, December 7, 9:30 A.M. — City Council Regular Meeting (final meeting planned for 2018) — final Council action (vote) on Comprehensive Plan

2019 Budget Update

The Budget Committee of the City Council has concluded hearing departmental presentations on Mayor Jacob Frey's proposed 2019 budget, and held our first public hearing on Thursday, November 1st. THANK YOU to everyone who attended to share your comments on the proposed 2019 budget.

Here are the remaining City Council meetings for the 2019 Budget:

• Wednesday, November 28 — Adjourned City Council Meeting — Public Hearing on Property Tax Levy and Budget
• Friday, November 30 — Budget Committee Meeting — the City Council will mark up the proposed budget; no public comments will be taken
• Wednesday, December 5, 6:05 P.M. — Adjourned City Council Meeting — Public Hearing and Final Action (adoption) on 2019 Budget

Comments can also be submitted online on the City’s website, or you can send me your comments and ideas on the Mayor's proposed 2019 budget directly at Steve.Fletcher@minneapolismn.gov or to my office at 612-673-2203.

Visit the City’s budget website to learn more. You can also watch budget hearings on Minneapolis City Council TV. Tune to SD channel 14 or HD channel 799 on Comcast or SD channel 8001 or HD channel 8501 on CenturyLink. You can also watch archived meetings on the City of Minneapolis YouTube channel.

Update on Navigation Center for People Experiencing Homelessness

Last month, the City Council approved a 1.25-acre site at 2109 Cedar Ave. in south Minneapolis as a temporary site for a Navigation Center that will provide a safe and service-rich environment for single adults living at the Franklin/Hiawatha homeless encampment who face challenges connecting to traditional shelter housing.

Since then, the Council has had continued discussions about this project as it moves forward: we approved $1.5 million in funding towards the construction of this shelter, we voted to suspend procurement rules to better enable us to meet our goal of opening the Navigation Center by early December, and we voted to create a City-led work group for this project. I am one of four City Council Members serving on that work group.

Until the center opens, there are no plans to close the encampment. Ongoing outreach efforts at the encampment continue to focus primarily on public health and safety, especially as the weather gets colder, in addition to assessments to help people secure emergency shelter and supportive housing. At this point all but one of the families with children at the encampment have been placed in transitional housing; the navigation center is intended to serve single adults.

Click here for more information on how you can support people at the Franklin/Hiawatha Encampment.

"Making Downtown Fun Again"

The Star Tribune wrote an in-depth story on some of the work we've been doing as a city around downtown nightlife.

We know from the downtown crime stats - violent crime down over 20% and property crime down by nearly 50% year-to-date - that things have been improving, and that's been the result of a lot of collaborative work by Mayor Jacob Frey's office, the City Council, the Warehouse District Business Association, the Downtown Improvement District, the Minneapolis Police Department, city staff in Business Licensing, Public Health and Public Works, Minneapolis Mad Dads, St. Stephen's Human Services, YouthLink MN, and more.

Hoping this is the first of many positive stories about the Warehouse District. We'll keep working to make downtown nightlife better and better. You should come enjoy it!

Bloomberg Selects Minneapolis for American Cities Climate Challenge

Bloomberg Philanthropies named Minneapolis among its American Cities Climate Challengewinners for resources and technical support to help achieve ambitious climate goals.

Bloomberg will provide winners with robust technical assistance and a support package valued at $2.5 million per city. The resources include a philanthropy-funded team member to facilitate the development and passage of high impact policies, training for senior leadership to assist with implementation of their proposed climate plans, and public engagement support.

Minneapolis plans to improve transit reliability and user experience; encourage new mobility options such as bikeshare, electric bikeshare, more electric vehicle charging, and electric vehicle education and incentives; and implement a comprehensive citywide solar strategy including a focus on onsite and community solar garden subscriptions for low-income residents.

The Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge builds on the America’s Pledge initiative, which aims to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement.

Xcel Energy Terminates Grant Contract & Power Purchase Agreement with Crown Hydro

In August, the Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to order Xcel Energy to terminate their grant contract with Crown Hydro. This week, Xcel announced that not only are they terminating that grant contract, but they are also terminating their power purchase agreement with Crown Hydro as well.

This is great news, and a big win for everyone in our community -- but especially those who have spent years building an alternative vision for our central riverfront -- one that celebrates the Falls as an accessible community benefit for all.

It is up to all of us – residents, community organizations, and elected officials alike – to make sure that it remains accessible and vibrant for generations to come. I'll keep working with Mayor Jacob Frey, the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, Friends of the Lock and Dam, and more to protect and improve a riverfront we can all enjoy.

Read more here from Twin Cities Business.

Replacement of West River Parkway Wood Plank Trail

85-foot section of wood plank trail will be replaced over 2-3 weeks; parkway remains open

The second phase of a project that will eventually replace all planks on the West River Parkway Wood Plank Trail began in late October. Construction is expected to take two to three weeks to complete.

Closures and Detours

• During construction, the east (river) side of West River Parkway Trail will be closed between Portland Avenue and 11th Avenue South. The parkway will remain open.
• Pedestrians will use a detour to the sidewalk across the parkway. 
• Bicyclists may choose to use the parkway or travel south one block and use the bike lane on Second Street.
• Motorists traveling in this area must use caution and share the road with bicycle traffic.

Project Details

• Last year approximately 100 linear feet of planks were replaced. This work is Phase II, which will replace another 85 linear feet.
• The new planks are made from Douglas Fir, replacing the old White Oak planks.
• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board maintenance and planning staff are evaluating the new plank design before replacing the entire plank trail, which will occur as funding becomes available.

Minnesota Cold Weather Rule Has Begun for the Winter

The Minnesota cold weather rule begins for the season Oct. 15. The rule protects residential customers who have difficulty paying their natural gas bills from having their natural gas service disconnected between Oct. 15 and April 15. Residential customers must contact CenterPoint Energy to set up a payment plan.

Who should call?

Customers who anticipate having trouble paying their entire natural gas bill, have received a notice of proposed disconnection, or need gas service reconnected are all urged to call CenterPoint Energy to establish a payment plan. A payment plan will include what is owed and the amount to be billed. The plan will also take into consideration a customer’s financial situation and any other special circumstances.

Other helpful information:

• In addition to calling CenterPoint Energy to discuss and establish a payment plan, company representatives are available to refer customers to social service agencies who may have energy assistance funds.
• Customers can also sign up for CenterPoint Energy’s average monthly billing plan, which spreads natural gas costs throughout the year. Customers can sign up online through My Account at CenterPointEnergy.com/Register or by calling CenterPoint Energy.
• The Minnesota Department of Commerce maintains a website that provides information on energy efficiency and heating assistance programs.
• Customers interested in helping others pay their natural gas bills can support the Salvation Army’s HeatShare program. Visit The Salvation Army’s website to make a donation.

Call CenterPoint Energy at 612-372-4680 or 1-800-729-6164 to set up a payment plan. Find more information at CenterPointEnergy.com/ReadyForWinter.

2018-2019 Snow Emergency Information

Winter can strike at any time, and being prepared for it might save you a few headaches, inconvenience and money.

By now you should have received the Snow Emergency Information mailer from the City of Minneapolis, but if you didn't (or didn't save it), there are a number of ways to keep up to date on weather-related restrictions, etc.

Go to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow/ and you'll find it all: If a Snow ER is in effect, the Snow ER hotline (612-348-7669), towed vehicle info, instructions for downloading the Snow ER app and more.

Envision Community Concept Combines Healthcare and Housing

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

Several months ago, I was honored to meet with a group called Street Voices of Change. Begun in 2016 with about 12 people meeting in a church basement, it has grown into 3 overflowing groups meeting every week at various churches throughout downtown Minneapolis. Street Voices groups are made up of people who experienced homelessness and want to invest in and empower each other to build a “loving community that recognizes the trauma of homelessness and seek to restore dignity in every aspect of the experience.”

A few years before Street Voices began their work, Hennepin Healthcare formed an innovation team called Upstream Health Innovations. Upstream’s mission is to “empower patients to lead healthy lives by partnering with the community to build capacity and foster the health innovations that create equity and improve outcomes.”

Dr. William Walsh, Upstream’s Deputy Chief Innovation Officer and a practicing physician, sees homelessness as a situation that profoundly impacts a person’s health and creates financial strain on the healthcare system. He believes the healthcare system could help provide housing for the patients whose health is most impacted by homelessness, but the high cost of housing makes this investment unfavorable. Upstream recognized that innovation is needed for the healthcare system to help house the homeless.

Dr. William Walsh explaining the planning process for the Envision Community concept

Dr. Walsh conducting a recent collaboration meeting

A collaborative group, including Upstream Health Innovations, started to work on ways for the healthcare system to participate in housing. This work was guided by Street Voices members, the true experts in the situation of homelessness who wanted to create viable housing for themselves and others experiencing housing instability. They called their initiative “Envision Community.”

Envision Community proposes a new type of housing for Hennepin County. Four things make Envision Community different than other housing in Hennepin County:

- Utilizing tiny home architecture in the form of pods.

- There will be pods designed for single adults. 

- There will be pods designed for couples.

- There will be a common house with shared bathrooms, a kitchen and common space for all residents to gather.

  

More pods can be added to the existing community at any time as the community grows.

Architectural models of the 'tiny house' pods

The population goals are to house a diverse community from across the housing stability spectrum. Envision is designed to include 20% chronically homeless who are the highest utilizers of healthcare, 20% people who have never experienced homelessness and would choose to live in this community, and 60% people who are experiencing homelessness and are not high healthcare utilizers.

During the design process, the collaborative recognized that housing alone is not enough. An accepting, flexible community is essential to create stability and belonging for people who become housed. This is what converts a house into a home. Without this, many people return to the streets seeking freedom and friendship. Because of the importance of community, Envision functions as an intentional community, sharing common values with the intention to live out those values on a daily basis.

It took a broad community to develop this concept. Key collaborators like the Minnesota Design Center, Alchemy Architects and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, assisted the Street Voices members by adding their industry-specific knowledge to help turn the Street Voices members’ needs, desires, and experience of what works into a viable solution. The United Health Foundation, the McKnight Foundation’s Region and Communities Program, Julia Dayton, and the Dayton Hudson endowment at the Minnesota Design Center generously funded portions of the project. 

Drawings of the planned community

Fascinating? I agree. Next steps include finding land for the initial demonstration community and raising additional funds. If you would like to find out more or get involved, please contact Dr. Walsh at william.walsh@hcmed.org.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

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Editor's Note: The Star Tribune also ran an article on this topic: http://www.startribune.com/a-village-of-mini-houses-for-the-poor-and-homeless-proposed-in-minneapolis/499730811/

Faribault Woolen Mill Opens Charming Retail Store on Washington Avenue

Article and photos by Merle Minda

Step inside the newly opened Faribault Woolen Mill store on the corner of Washington Avenue and 11th Avenue South in the Mill District, and you’ll feel it from the first moment: warmth, design, usefulness and beauty. Surrounded by these warm and beautiful woolen blankets in a vast array of colors and designs, you may even recognize some designs from your youth, when a woolen blanket was placed on the foot of your bed on a cold winter night.

Tom Kileen, CEO of Faribault Woolen Mill Co.

Faribault Woolen Mill is an integral part of Minnesota history. Spinning wool and making blankets since 1865 (that’s over 150 years, folks!), they start by using raw wool and combing, processing and weaving it into the fine products they make today. In their early history they made blankets for the military, both Army and Navy, still an essential piece of their business. Over one-third of their business remains with the military. Faribault blankets went off to two World Wars and everything in-between.

The mill in Faribault is perched on the banks of the Cannon River; you can visit the mill and see the entire process from beginning to end. They have a retail store at this site too, just 60 miles south of the Twin Cities, but the new Washington Avenue store is their first free-standing retail venture in the United States.

Faribault Woolen Mill store now on Washington Avenue in the Mill District.

Talking to CEO Tom Kileen, I learn that after all the years of being started and owned by the same family, the mill closed in 2009 and was about to be sold off in pieces when another family, the Mooty family, bought the mill and started it up again. Kileen is a family member, and talking with him is to speak with someone who devoted heart and soul to the mill and its fine array of new designs and products.

Not depending solely on history, the new blanket designs are truly gorgeous. In addition to the military blankets which you can buy here (and they are unbelievably warm and sturdy), the new designs and colors are simply tops of the availability of wool blankets sold today. Plus Faribault Woolen now makes scarves and warm ‘throws’ and larger and smaller sizes for any situation.  Use them for hiking, camping, backpacking – they are dependable and go everywhere.

The Betsy Ross design.

Blanket with street car map of Brooklyn.

Remember these striped ones?One of my favorites is the “flag designs”, with a Betsy Ross blanket as well as a current 50-stars blanket. Another innovation is blanket throws with designs of maps of major cities, such as a Brooklyn blanket. Inspired by vintage street maps, they also feature the Twin Cities, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. What a gift!

And then there are the new colors, the new plaids, the fringes, even the striped blankets you may remember from yesteryear. They make other products with wool too, partnering with Leather Works Minnesota for woolen valet trays, coasters and key chains. When you are out shopping this holiday season, do not miss this store.

Blankets everywhere!

Woolen pillows, too.

“We expect our store to be an easy way for our old and lots of new customers to learn about Faribault Woolens and own one or two for their own family or gifts. We have done an extensive overhaul of the old mill, bringing back many former workers but also designing and making new products,” said Kileen. “We are very enthused about the reception of our latest designs and our new store in Minneapolis,” he continued.

Faribault Woolen Mill Co. is Minnesota’s oldest manufacturer, but they have stepped up in time for today’s market. See the “Story of Wool” on their website at www.faribaultmill.com. You can order online of course, but it is a treat to pop into this friendly store and pick out your favorites. They are located at 1029 Washington Avenue S (next to Northern Coffeeworks). Hours are M-F, noon-7pm; Sat. 9am–6pm; Sunday 11am-5pm. Customer Service: 1-507-412-5510, customerservice@faribaultmill.com.

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About Merle Minda

Journalist and free-lance writer Merle Minda writes about travel, business, people profiles and other subjects for a number of national and regional publications, including Delta SKY, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business, Star Tribune, Twin Cities Statement, Minnesota Monthly, and now Mill City Times. She can be reached at mminda@earthlink.net or TravelOverEasy.com on the web.

For MN Locals Only: 2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey Cocktail Competition

Do you fancy yourself a mixologist? If so, here's your chance to shine (and if you're really good, win a trip to Ireland)!

After opening popular Irish pubs – Kieran's Irish Pub, The Local, Cooper and the Liffey – Irishman Kieran Folliard launched 2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey in March 2011.

Kieran Folliard, photo credit Beam Suntory2 GINGERS Irish Whiskey has launched a Cocktail Competition open ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF MINNESOTA for a chance to win a 7-day trip to Ireland, hosted by creator Kieran Folliard himself.

With Minnesota as the muse, residents (21+) are asked to create a new cocktail recipe based on local landmarks or Minnesota history. Entries are to be posted on the contest website, including the cocktail recipe, directions to make the drink, photo and a short description of the cocktail's inspiration.

Contest ends December 31, 2018. Click here for official contest rules.

2 GINGERS was created by Kieran, who was inspired by his red-headed (a.k.a. "ginger") mother and aunt. It is double-distilled to retain more of those natural whiskey flavors (most Irish whiskey is notably triple-distilled) and aged for four years in Ireland’s mild climate.

Next some inspiration? Enjoy a signature The Big Ginger® (2 GINGERS plus ginger ale, a wedge of lemon and a wedge of lime in a tall glass filled with ice).

Give to the Max Early Giving Info

Although Give to the Max Day itself isn’t until November 15, you may make your donation early to count for Minnesota’s giving holiday! Simply visit GiveMN.org and search for the causes that mean the most to you any time between now and November 15!

All gifts made during this Early Giving period are also eligible for daily $500 Early Giving Golden Tickets—so planning ahead could boost your chances of winning!

Finally, Give to the Max gifts made during Early Giving are also eligible for the grand prize—a $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket drawn at midnight as soon as GTMD18 is over!

We are excited to help ignite the generosity of thousands of donors as we prepare for the 10th year of Minnesota’s statewide giving day!

Read more FAQs about Early Giving.

New Photography Exhibit Explores the Legacy of Local Department Stores From Dayton’s to Donaldson’s

“Thank You For Shopping” exhibit on display at Mill City Museum from Nov. 15, 2018 to Feb. 24, 2019

Throughout the 20th century, department stores ruled the retail landscapes of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. More than just shopping centers, stores like Dayton's, Powers, Donaldson's, Young-Quinlan, the Emporium and the Golden Rule were centers of social life. 

This exhibit is a companion to the new MNHS Press book “Thank You For Shopping: The Golden Age of Minnesota Department Stores” by Kristal Leebrick, and visitors can explore photographs of Minnesota’s iconic stores as well as a slideshow of many photos that weren’t included in the book.

MNHS Press and Mill City Museum will celebrate the book’s launch and exhibit opening on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 6-8 pm. Remarks begin at 7 pm, and Leebrick will be joined by designer Jack Barkla and artist Dan Mackerman, who both helped create Dayton’s 8th Floor holiday displays. Attendees will also be able to view a display of department store artifacts from MNHS collections. 

The exhibit will be on display in Mill City Museum’s Mill Commons and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours. 

About Mill City Museum
Built within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a National Historic Landmark, the award-winning Mill City Museum chronicles the flour milling industry that fueled the growth of Minneapolis. The story comes to life through the eight-story Flour Tower, Water Lab, Baking and other hands-on exhibits.

The museum is located at 704 S. Second St. in Minneapolis. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The site is also open Mondays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in July and August. For more information, call 612-341-7555 or visit www.mnhs.org/millcity.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.

MPRB Autumn Update: Taking Stock of the Evolving Urban Forest

Via an October 30 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

As leaves fall and trees settle into dormancy for the coming winter, MPRB forestry staff are wrapping up removals of ash and other tree categories for the season. To maintain and even expand the urban forest, we also planted some 8,300 trees this year.

About 1,800 were planted in parks and the balance of 6,500 went into boulevards along Minneapolis streets. Oak trees and coffeetrees, nearly 1,000 of each in various cultivars and species, were among the most-planted categories; planetrees were a close third. 

Numbers of Note

Of course, an urban forest is more than the sum of its trees. But some numbers are worth noting.

For example, 900 oak trees may sound like a lot, but to put it in perspective: Oak still comprise just 7% of Minneapolis' street trees - and that's up from only 2% in 2004. Meanwhile, coffeetrees have moved from less than 1% to 3%. These single-digit gains are how we measure success in developing a diverse urban forest. 

Two other measures of this type of success, also illustrated in the charts below: 

• The number of tree categories that comprised 2% or more of the total trees planted in 2018: Parks got 20 categories, while streets got 18.
  
  
• Overall, 16 tree categories comprised 1% or more of the overall street tree population in 2018 - up from only nine categories back in 2004.

Seeing the forest for the trees: Diversity rules!

As shown in the charts above and below, MPRB's overall mission is to ensure variety, which protects the entire urban forest from the kind of blight brought by diseases like Dutch elm or insects like emerald ash borer.

Some key MPRB practices advance this mission:

• Plant hundreds of tree types from dozens of categories
• Mix three to five or more tree categories on any individual city block
• Limit any tree category within a neighborhood to 10% (that's a limit, not a goal)
  
  

In practice, that limit 10% limit means that MPRB continues to plant tree categories that currently represent only single-digit percentages in parks and along streets. Over time, this lowers the percentages for categories that currently dominate - maples, lindens and yes, even elms - as shown in the street-tree charts below.

MPRB street tree population, then and now

Up-and-coming trees

As diversity develops throughout the urban forest, you may begin to see more of these categories: 

• Maackia - A great option for our climate and urban conditions, maackia cultivars are becoming more readily available. Their small size makes them a good option on streets where space is limited. 
  
  
• Corktree - If we could get more, we'd plant more! But supplies are limited, since it takes years for nurseries to respond to changes in the demand for specific trees; most of the corktrees that MPRB procures are five to seven years old. 
  
  
• Larch (aka Tamarack) - Locals may be familiar with this tree from the Quaking Bog in Theodore Wirth Park - but the larch holds promise in parks and even along streets; MPRB is monitoring plantings in both locales. 

Remember: Water trees weekly!

After the leaves have fallen, but before you put away the garden hose for the winter, use it to give a good, long drink to young trees on your property and along nearby streets: It's essential in helping them get through the winter.

Find out more about MPRB's park care and maintenance and its stewardship of the urban forest and park trees.

Neighborhoods 2020 Update and Invitation

Via an e-newsletter from David Rubedor, Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations for the City of Minneapolis:

There has been a lot of progress made in recent weeks on the Neighborhoods 2020 initiative, so I would like to give you an update on the work thus far and invite you to provide your feedback in the upcoming engagement sessions and comment period. The Neighborhood and Community Relations Department (NCR) is continuing to work with neighborhood, community and elected leaders to identify new neighborhood programming, funding, governance and an engagement policy that will support the City’s 70 neighborhood organizations, beginning in 2021.

Neighborhoods 2020 is about strengthening our neighborhood organizations, elevating their work and ensuring that the neighborhood system is inclusive and cognizant of the equity issues facing our city. It is about combining diverse engagement tools to form a collective strategy that will effectively engage all people in our community.

We know there are not only concerns about the policy recommendations coming from the Neighborhoods 2020 work groups, but also about the future of funding for neighborhoods. Once the Neighborhoods 2020 work groups wrap up their work, their recommendations will be brought to the City Council in March 2019. It will be during that phase of the work that City Council will make determinations regarding the future of funding. As discussed at the NCR budget presentation on October 18th, it is possible that we may see efforts to include NCR funding and neighborhood work in the City’s long-term funding plan this year. If this occurs, it will be a general commitment that will need further clarification and council action upon completion of the entire Neighborhood 2020 process.

Below is more information about the expected timeline and opportunities for weighing in with your concerns.

Our Goal of Equity and Diverse Representation

NCR applies the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) framework and an equity lens to the City of Minneapolis’s engagement work.In 2016, the department adopted the Blueprint for Equitable Engagement, a 5-year strategic plan to engage cultural groups and under-engaged communities. We model our work around this blueprint to ensure equitable access to City resources and programming and inclusion in the City’s decision-making processes for all communities and cultures in Minneapolis, using a broad array of engagement techniques. One crucial component of this engagement toolkit is the neighborhood organization system.

The City of Minneapolis values the contributions of our neighborhood organizations. To that end, 73% of NCR’s $12M 2018 budget is committed to supporting neighborhood work. Nearly all of these funds are direct allocations to neighborhoods organizations through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the Community Participation Program. With these funds, neighborhoods have worked on many important issues, supported grass-roots initiatives and leveraged over $2.8M worth of volunteer time from residents in 2017 alone. One of our goals with Neighborhoods 2020 is to ensure that this significant investment in communities, the neighborhood organization system, also benefits from diverse representation and participation.

NCR’s engagement efforts focus on removing barriers to participation and creating welcoming spaces for all community members to participate. About 20% of our annual budget is dedicated to support this type of work. Some examples include the City’s new, overhauled Americans with Disabilities Action Plan, the over 500% increase in use of City language access services, and the NCR staff embedded in our city’s major cultural communities (African American, East African, Latino, Southeast Asian, American Indian, seniors and GLBT). We have included diverse voices in major policy initiatives such as the safe and sick time, minimum wage and municipal ID ordinances. We host radio shows in Spanish, Hmong and Somali to ensure more residents understand the issues facing our city and the resources they have available. We support voter outreach and recently added the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to expand our support to new Americans.

A complete list of the departments performance measures, including both neighborhood and cultural outreach programming, can be found here:http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/EquitableEngagement.

Neighborhoods 2020 Update and Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

The Neighborhoods 2020 work groups were established in July, each covering one of the three major topics under consideration: programming and funding, governance and formulating a citywide community engagement policy. The work groups consist of 47 individuals, representatives experienced in equity/undoing racism, from neighborhood organizations and cultural groups, and appointees chosen by City Council and the mayor.

Since July 2018, work groups have concentrated their efforts on five main goals:

Goal 1: Increase inclusive and vibrant leadership within neighborhoods by creating space for new ideas, people and planning.

Goal 2: Create effective financial and program accountability of neighborhood organizations to the communities they serve.

Goal 3: Increase effective capacity of neighborhoods in the areas of administration and program development.

Goal 4: Create inclusive, diverse and equitable neighborhood organizations.

Goal 5: Clarify an effective role and relationship with the City of Minneapolis.

After three-and-a-half months, work groups are close to finalizing and presenting their work. The groups will convene together on November 19 to make any changes to their recommendations based on the product of other work groups. There will be several opportunities for residents and community members to provide input or feedback on the work group recommendations.

Presentation of Draft Recommendations (late November):

During the last week of November and early December, presentations will be conducted at various locations around the City for community feedback. A separate announcement of the meeting times and locations will be sent out soon. The work groups will meet after these presentations to discuss any final changes to their product.

45-day Review and Comment Period (January – February):

Final recommendations will be available for a 45-day public comment period starting in early January 2019.

City Council Presentation (March):

Final recommendations, including public comments, will be presented to the City Council’s Public Health, Environment, Civil Rights and Engagement Committee in March 2019.

This has been a meticulous process for the work groups, the community and our staff; but, using the expertise and best practices that work group members and NCR staff contribute, I am confident that a solid and achievable program will emerge. The guidelines will be different than in years past, but the changes will make neighborhoods and the City stronger partners for years to come.

I want to thank all the work group members for their hard work and dedication. I also want to thank neighborhood leaders for their contributions and patience with this process. I know the uncertainty is difficult, but please know that we are working hard to bring Neighborhoods 2020 to a successful conclusion. I believe that, between the work of our volunteers, the work group members and NCR staff, Minneapolis will remain the most meaningfully engaged city in the US.