Ward 1 Council Member Elliott Payne
January 27, 2023
A Message From Council Member Elliott Payne
Hello Neighbors,
Winter Parking Restrictions began Thursday, January 26 at 9:00p.m. and will remain in effect until April 1, 2023 unless conditions allow the City to lift the ban earlier. I sent a newsletter with this announcement from our Public Works Department earlier this week. You can read more about winter parking restrictions here. Just know that parking is banned on the even numbered side of non-snow emergency routes while restrictions are in effect. Parking is allowed on Snow Emergency routes, parkways, and the odd numbered side of non-Snow Emergency routes unless otherwise posted.
City Officials determined these restrictions were necessary because Minneapolis has had over 52 inches of snow this winter season. The heavy accumulation has narrowed streets, which poses a safety hazard when emergency vehicles cannot navigate these streets to reach people who need help. Please reach out with any questions, and find other ways to stay informed about Winter Parking Restrictions and Snow Emergencies on the City website.
This newsletter also includes information about:
upcoming open office hours in the ward
Black History Month events at the City
upcoming engagement opportunity on the reconstruction project at Johnson St NE and 35W intersection
how to give public comment on new draft land use regulations
information about Metro Transit's Transportation Assistance Program
how to access financial assistance for mortgages
how to adopt a pet from Animal Care & Control
resources for food businesses on how to reduce single-use plastics waste
job opportunities with the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board
and other community resources
As always, contact information for the entire Ward 1 team can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.
Best,
Elliott
February Office Hours in the Ward
Monday, February 13th
When: 8:00-10:00 AM
Where: Dogwood Coffee Company 1209 Tyler St Ne
Details: Facebook Event
Thursday, February 16th
When: 5:00-7:00 PM
Where: Brother Justus Whiskey Company 3300 5th St Ne
Details: Facebook Event
Black History Month Events at the City
Upcoming Black History Month Events
These will be hybrid events. Check the City website for links closer to the event dates.
Moving to Minnesota: The Migration and Immigration Experience For Black Americans, the Great Migration was one of the largest movements of people in U.S. history. Approximately six million Black people moved from the American South to northern, midwestern and western states from roughly the 1910s to 1970s.
Monday, Feb. 2. - Noon-1 p.m.
City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Conference Room 100
Embracing and Empowering our Youth
Monday, Feb. 9 - Noon-1 p.m.
City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Conference Room 100
2023 History Makers at Home award ceremony The Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights is honoring several community leaders as part of the History Makers at Home program – a profile series featuring inspirational leaders in a wide range of fields.
Monday, Feb. 16 - 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. programming, 12:30-1:30 p.m. refreshments and networking
Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway Ave.
Rock Your Crown Past Present and Creative
Monday, Feb. 23 - Noon-1 p.m.
City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Conference Room 100
Virtual Meditation, Mindfulness and Movement Events
Everyone is invited to join these free sessions with wellness experts at this Zoom link.
Mindfulness meditation 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Zumba experience 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8.
Yoga 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Mindfulness meditation 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Mindfulness meditation 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.
The events for Black History Month are presented in partnership with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County through the efforts of these employee resource groups: City of Minneapolis Black Employee Network, Hennepin County People of Color Employee Resource Group and Hennepin County African American Employee Resource Group. History Makers at Home is presented by the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights.
Open House: Johnson Street NE / 35W Intersection Project
Public Works is gearing up for its next round of engagement with an in-person open house event to present information and receive community feedback on the Johnson St NE and 35W intersection reconstruction project adjacent to the Quarry shopping center.
The goal of this project is to improve the safety, comfort, and experience for all users and include:
Upgrading pedestrian ramps and signals
Filling an existing bikeway gap along Johnson St NE
Improving the design and operation of the existing intersection
Adding Green Stormwater Infrastructure and Sustainable Landscaping
Improving the transit stops and experience along Johnson St NE
Engagement will occur throughout 2023, and opportunities to provide feedback on the project will be added to the project website. This project is currently at the Input phase, so this open house will be to present high-level information. No layout designs or recommendations are available yet.
Open House Details
Thursday, February 2, 2023
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Northeast Recreation Center, 1530 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis
Seeking Feedback: Citywide Land Use Rezoning Study
As part of the city's ongoing efforts to implement Minneapolis 2040, our comprehensive plan, Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) has launched a 45-day comment period for the public to review draft land use regulations. The regulations are critical to achieving the goals of Minneapolis 2040. The plan will shape how the city will grow and change over the next two decades. Under consideration now are technical aspects of implementation.
Minneapolis 2040 went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, following over two years of community engagement. The plan guides growth and change with 14 key goals, including eliminating racial disparities, allowing complete neighborhoods, enabling a healthy, sustainable, and diverse economy, promoting environmental sustainability and climate change resiliency, increasing access to jobs and housing, and providing for predicable development outcomes.
As required by state law, the City has been working on changing its zoning rules to match the land use guidelines that the City Council already approved with Minneapolis 2040. This technical process has taken several years and includes updating the zoning classification of every property in the city to match Minneapolis 2040, although it is important to now that the use of every property in the city will not change between now and 2040.
How to Comment on the Draft Regulations
The deadline for written comments on the draft land use regulations is Feb. 26. Submit comments online.
Learn about proposed regulations and ask questions at an online open house hosted by City staff on Wednesday, Feb. 15. at 7 p.m. Additional information about this event will be announced on the project website and through social media updates.
The City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing, accept testimony, and make a recommendation to the City Council. The tentative date for this public hearing is March 20, 2023. The City Council is expected to vote on the land use regulations in April 2023. Learn more about draft land use regulations and sign up for updates at minneapolis2040.com.
Ride Metro Transit for $1
Metro Transit’s Transit Assistance Program helps make public transit more affordable for people with lower incomes. The program provides a yearlong reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card. Customers can use a bus or train for just $1 per ride – even during rush hour – with a two-and-a-half-hour transfer.
Signing up is easy
Apply or renew online or at an in-person location.
Show an identity document with your name and address and an accepted document (see details on the Metro Transit website) to show that you meet the income guidelines.
Once approved, you’ll get the discount pass added to a new Go-To Card or your existing card – then just add value and go.
Watch a video about how to apply and find more information on the Metro Transit website.
HomeHelpMN: Financial Assistance for Mortgages
HomeHelpMN from Minnesota Housing may be able to help if you are behind on your mortgage or worried about foreclosure due to the pandemic.
HomeHelpMN may be able to assist if you have past-due payments for:
Mortgage
Contract for deed
Property taxes
Homeowner Insurance
Homeowner Association fees
Manufactured home loan
Lot rent
Tribal land lease
What is the deadline to apply?
If you are behind on payments, you should apply as soon as possible.
Funds are limited, and you can check the availability of funds on the Applications Dashboard. Applications received after available funds are reserved may be put on a waitlist.
What if I already received HomeHelpMN assistance?
If you already received HomeHelpMN assistance, you may be eligible for additional assistance if you experienced another COVID-19 related hardship.
You will need to submit a new application, and the total assistance of all applications cannot exceed $50,000.
How do I apply?
To learn more or apply for assistance, visit the HomeHelpMN website or call 800.388.3226.
Seeking Homes for Pets - Adoption Fees Waived
With an extremely high number of dogs and cats in its shelter, Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is asking for the public’s help in finding new homes or foster families for its adoptable animals. All adoption fees are waived, and animals will be completely vaccinated, sterilized, microchipped and ready to go.
The City’s animal welfare division is now at capacity, with 98 animals being housed – a 47% increase from this time last year. This number includes animals at the City’s shelter and those being cared for through Animal Care & Control’s foster program, which is also facing capacity issues. In just 11 days, 139 animals were brought to Animal Care & Control, which is a 57.5% increase from the same time in 2022.
Of the animals being housed, 36 were brought in as legal cases or protective custody. Forty pets have been surrendered by their owners with many of those owners citing housing issues as the reason.
Animal Care & Control accepts every animal regardless of health, age, breed or behavior. Staff are committed to providing humane care and always strive to do what is right for each animal in our care. When animals cannot be adopted by the general public, staff calls on the help of partner rescue groups and sanctuaries to help.
Food Businesses: MNimize Single Use Plastic
Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation and Hennepin County have launched a new program to help food businesses, it's called MNimize Rebate.
MNimize Rebate helps food businesses reduce single-use plastic waste and receive recognition for their efforts.
MNimize Rebate offers businesses up to $500 toward eligible expenses.
One business, La Dona Cerveceria, used the rebate to invest in reusable metal trays and durable plastic baskets. This small change will avoid an estimated 53,000 disposable items every year and save the business over $1,500 annually.
.Learn about the MNiminze Rebate and apply here.
New Job Postings at MPRB
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is now accepting applications for the following positions:
Seasonal Horticulture and Program Support Intern - Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Seasonal Interpretive Naturalist - Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Seasonal Senior Naturalist - Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
To view a full list of job postings and to apply for any opening at MPRB, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.
COVID-19 Resources
Free Telehealth Treatment
Minnesota residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 can receive at-home treatment at no cost. The State has launched a new COVID-19 telehealth treatment pilot program with Cue Health.
Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline Hours
For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 1-833-431-2053. American Sign Language: click the "ASL Now" button on Contact Us: COVID-19 Questions.
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday.
Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Free COVID-19 Vaccines
While the State-run vaccination site at the Mall of America has closed, COVID-19 vaccines remain widely available. Vaccination continues to be one of the most important ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to get vaccinated including with the updated (bivalent) vaccine. Learn more on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Find a vaccine:
Contact your health care provider or a local pharmacy.
Use the State’s website to find vaccine providers near you. Providers update their information as appointments are available.
On vaccines.gov, you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at other community locations around Minnesota.
Get a COVID-19 Test
Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the State’s free COVID-19 Community Testing Sites. Test-to-treat options are available at some locations.
Order rapid tests through the State’s free COVID-19 at-home rapid testing program.
Sign up for free at-home tests from the federal government.
Check with your insurance company about ways to get free rapid tests from pharmacies.
Find a testing option near you through the State’s find testing locations map.
Community Resources
Mental Health resources
The City has created a list of mental health support resources to help residents and their loved ones. Find details and contact information here.
Free and affordable food
Kids (18 and under) can find free nutritious meals and snacks from Minneapolis Public Schools while school is out this summer. Children do not need to attend Minneapolis Public Schools to participate. They can pick up food at parks, libraries, other community spaces, and the Minneapolis Public Schools food truck and food bus. Use the Free Meals for Kids mobile app or visit the Minneapolis Public Schools summer food webpage.
You can find locations, hours, contact information, and volunteer/donation needs of local food shelves and food distributions.
Check out the updated Minneapolis food security resources on the City website.
To see food shelves by location, explore our map.
Temporary discount on monthly broadband bills
The City partners with local providers to offer free or low-cost internet services. Households may qualify for a $50 a month discount for internet service. Learn more here.
Discrimination helpline: Report discrimination and bias
If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of discrimination or bias, call Minnesota's Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or submit an online form here. The helpline is staffed by investigators from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Translation and interpretation services are available.
Connect with your Ward 1 Neighborhood Association
Audubon Park Neighborhood Association
Columbia Park Neighborhood Association
Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association
Logan Park Neighborhood Association
Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization
Northeast Park Neighborhood Association
Southeast Como Improvement Association
Windom Park Citizens in Action
Connect with Elliott and Ward 1 Council Staff
Elliott Payne was elected in 2021 to represent Ward 1
Elliott serves on the Public Health & Safety Committee as Vice Chair, Public Works & Infrastructure Committee, Audit Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole.
Contact the Ward 1 Council Office
Elliott Payne, Council Member - Email
Ben Carrier, Policy Aide - Email
Liam Davis Temple, Policy Associate - Email
Office Phone - (612) 673-2201