In This Month's Issue:

• Roads, Floods, and More - an Update
• Exchange with Japan Students and Southwest High School
• Neighborhoods 2020
• E Line Update
• A Healthy Rivalry Continues... St. Paul & Minneapolis Snowball Fight
• Council Approves Upper Harbor Terminal Concept Plan
• Women's History Month
• Be part of the conversation about improving transportation in the city
• Property Tax Calculation
• Help Shape Southwest Parks and Minnehaha Creek Trails
• Avoid Ice Dams with Help from the City and CenterPoint Energy

Roads, Floods, and More - an Update

Welcome to the sloppiest start of spring we have had in decades.  This winter has created huge challenges in our public right-of-way, and “the melt” is going to be no different. I wanted to take an opportunity to provide an update on Public Works activities on several fronts, and also ask for your help to get us all through this transition into Spring.

Localized Flooding and Storm Drains

Warmer weather along with rain will result in localized flooding in some areas of the City. Localized flooding means that lower lying areas of the City may experience some street flooding.  For the past several weeks we have been working proactively to clear approximately 55,000 catch basins to allow snow and water to flow into drains, and our work is continuing as quickly as possible.   At this time, based on forecasts and information published by our watershed partners, we do not anticipate widespread flooding from creeks and rivers.  

It’s very important to enable drainage, and while city crews are prioritizing efforts and are addressing known problem flood areas, please call and log your issue with 311 so we can respond in a triaged manner.

Can you help ensure the drain on your block is clear this week? Your neighbors will appreciate you. The easiest way to locate your street’s drains are through Google Earth/Maps. 

Are you ready to make this a year-round volunteer project? The city has an “Adopt a Drain” program, and a much improved new website that will go live in the next couple of months.  In the meantime anyone who wants to adopt a drain year-round can email AdoptADrain@minneapolismn.gov and you’ll be contacted when the new program goes live.

Winter Parking Restrictions- Park only on the odd side and snow emergency routes, please!

Just a reminder that the most recent Snow Emergency has come to a close, and Winter Parking Restrictions are re-instated.  While you can park on both sides of snow emergency routes and parkways, please only park on odd sides of other streets. There is still a need based on recent feedback from Fire, Metro Transit and Minneapolis Public School Transportation. While I am hopeful we will be able to lift these restrictions before April 1^st, current conditions still warrant these measures and are being closely monitored by Public Works. 

Sidewalk Inspection Update

As you know, Public Works piloted a proactive inspection program for sidewalk clearing.  Several times this effort was thwarted on inspection because of additional snowfall, thus interrupting the 24 hour time period residents have to shovel their sidewalks, and essentially starting it over again. In those 35,386 inspections across the city, our results have found 1,323 violations and that approximately 96 percent of properties have complied (meaning – made an effort to clear and/ or treat their sidewalks). As of March 4th, Public Works issued 1,263 work orders to contractors as a result of both proactive inspection and 311 complaints.  In 2017/2018 we issued 1,288 for the entire winter season, including April snowstorms, which means we are on track to surpass that number this season.  Our field assessment reflects varying conditions on sidewalks due to a few factors.  First, as many have noted, some people have not cleared their sidewalks. Most, if not all, the remediation work fines that have come into our office originated as a result of 311 complaints and not our new proactive inspection program. Second, a strong melt and re-freeze cycle is likely covering once cleared sidewalks with ice and slush.  Now the rain and lack of drainage due to ice in the boulevards continue to make the situation challenging.  I might also surmise that the weather and resulting conditions is generally wearing people down.  Thank you, again and again, for everyone’s efforts. By and large we are doing a great job. 

If a neighbor has been especially helpful during this past winter due to snow and cold conditions, please let me know so we can find a simply way to recognize and thank them on behalf of our community.

Exchange with Japan Students and Southwest High School

Council Member Palmisano and Mayor Frey in Council Chambers with Exchange Students from Kasugaoka

On Tuesday March 5^th, twelve exchange students and two teachers representing Kasugaoka High School from Osaka, Japan visited Minneapolis City Hall for a tour and conversation about how City government works in Minneapolis. 

This visit was part of a two-way exchange between Southwest High School and Kasugaoka High School, that has been going on for fourteen years and now holds an official Sister School Agreement. At the head of managing this sister school partnership is an amazing teacher- Ms. Kyoko French, our Japanese Teacher at Southwest H.S. There were the typical cultural and tradition exchanges between schools, events with host families across Southwest Minneapolis, and when they came to city hall we were able to gift these students a calendar showcasing photos across our city and- their favorite- socks imprinted with cool images of our downtown skyline! Each year, this exchange re-energizes me to look at city hall from a global perspective and how relationships like sister cities can benefit everyone.

Neighborhoods 2020

Currently our Neighborhoods and Community Relations (NCR) department is conducting a city-wide engagement process,  dubbed Neighborhoods 2020, to gather feedback on how to further develop and improve upon the City of Minneapolis’ neighborhood based engagement structure. A recent Star Tribune article highlighted a few of the ideas that are being considered which I know has sparked debate amongst residents. You can find all the recommendations in the proposed framework here. I want to highlight that this process is far from complete. Feedback is being collected through the end of March and can be submitted electronically at neighborhoods2020@minneapolismn.gov. There are also opportunities to comment in person and speak directly to NCR staff. You will find their remaining events below:

• March 15: Waite House at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (In Spanish) 2323 11th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404
• March 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Park from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (English) 4055 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Many of you have also shared your comments directly with me, which I appreciate greatly. Last month I held a neighborhood board summit, where I invited board members from all seven associations in the 13^th Ward. We were joined by one of the leaders of the Neighborhoods 2020 initiative and had a robust conversation around some of the proposals, such as board diversity goals and by-law minimums. I then met with the Director of NCR following this summit to discuss the feedback. There are details still to be worked out, but I made it clear that I support the existing work of neighborhood organizations. I think it is important that the proposal puts a focus on the City's equity and inclusion goals and takes steps towards boards reflecting neighborhoods. I support funding them in the future, and I know this is not a one-size fits all collection of organizations. We will have to make adjustments across the city for different needs.

Please continue to share your feedback and ideas with me and my office.

E Line Update

Initial project feedback will help inform the E Line routing analysis

Focused planning efforts for the E Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project kicked-off in December 2018. The proposed project is planned to operate between downtown Minneapolis and Lake Street. Where it goes from there, however, is still being decided. Getting initial feedback from transit customers and the surrounding community has been very helpful as we dive deeper into the technical analysis.

Around 550 people provided comments on a survey or attended an open house about the project. Nearly 90 percent of people who participated were regular transit customers and more than 70 percent were Route 6 riders. While we are still connecting with people along the routing options, here is what we have heard so far:

• Over 90 percent of respondents indicated they would like to see the E Line extended from downtown Minneapolis along 4th/University Avenue to Marcy-Holmes, Dinkytown and the University of Minnesota area. People cited connections to other service, growing density, high existing ridership and important destinations as reasons to take the E Line further north. For those who selected an option ending in downtown, it was generally where they ended their current trips.
• For the southern routing, more than 85 percent of participants would like the E Line to end at Southdale Transit Center. Preferences between routing options to Southdale were balanced fairly evenly between the three options (via France Avenue, Xerxes Avenue or a combination of both). We also received a smaller but still notable number of responses showing a preference for the E Line to connect with the METRO Green Line Extension West Lake Street Station. Equity, walkability, and access to jobs were frequently mentioned in the comments.

The E Line project team will be analyzing the routing options and will select a smaller set to advance. We will bring a narrowed list of options to the community for comment in the spring.

Consultant selected to advance technical analysis

Kimley-Horn and Associates has been selected to help Metro Transit advance the technical analysis for the E Line. The team will help explore existing conditions, estimate future ridership, explore costs and weigh routing options against the goals and criteria that the community reviewed at December open houses.

Connect your neighbors

Metro Transit works to improve transit service for our customers and community. Your input helps make for a better project. If you know anyone that would be interested in the E Line, please encourage them to subscribe to the E Line newsletter or connect with us. If you have an event that you would like project staff to attend, email ELine@metrotransit.org.

A Healthy Rivalry Continues... St. Paul & Minneapolis Snowball Fight

Mayor Frey returns to the snow pile to reload another snowball

During one of the snowiest Februarys in Minnesota history, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and City Council challenged Mayor Frey and my colleagues to a snow ball fight.

So, after accepting the challenge, I took the field, with my 7 year old Charlie in tow, ready to take on the capital city. I am proud to say that Minneapolis City leadership and staff prevailed over our St. Paul counterparts. During a historically harsh winter this was a much needed event full of snowballs, frozen fingers and plenty of laughs. 

Council Approves Upper Harbor Terminal Concept Plan

The City Council has approved an amended concept plan for redeveloping the 48-acre Upper Harbor Terminal site along the riverfront in north Minneapolis with a first phase that will include affordable housing, mixed-use development, riverfront parkland and an outdoor music performance venue.

The approval of the concept plan comes after an extensive multi-year community engagement process that has guided a vision for the site, which is home to a former barging terminal that closed in 2014. The City owns the terminal site, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will oversee future parkland. United Properties, THOR Companies and First Avenue Productions make up the development team working with the City, Park Board and community on the redevelopment plan.

Highlights of community benefits for phase one of redevelopment

• Housing development with 300 to 500 units, including 40 percent affordable units.
• One-mile of public riverfront access and 19.5 acres of parkland overall (to be completed in multiple phases).
• Mixed-use development with space for 10 to 20 businesses focused on community-ownership models, office space and a hospitality component.

• An outdoor music performance venue with free community programming and extensive job training opportunities. 

A newly established 15-member Community Planning and Engagement Committee will work with the project team on community engagement, refinement of the phase one plan and visions for future development phases. A more detailed redevelopment plan for the Upper Harbor Terminal site will be presented to the City Council in about a year after additional community engagement, testing and refinement of the Concept Plan elements, environmental review and financial analysis.

Next steps

The City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey are expected to appoint the Community Planning and Engagement Committee members in mid-May after a two-month application and review process. The committee is expected to have its first meeting in late May.

To learn more about the Upper Harbor Terminal project, visit the project website: upperharbormpls.com.

Women's History Month

Kathleen Murphy - Vice President ERA MN, Kathryn Ringham, Council President Bender and Council Member Palmisano

On March 1st the Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution recognizing Women's History Month. In the same meeting, the Council also approved a resolution in support of the MN Legislature passing the Equal Rights Amendment, a resolution that I authored.

Representatives from ERA MN joined me in presenting this resolution. 

Constituent Kathryn Ringham from East Harriet was extremely helpful in this effort, as were all of my colleagues. The resolution can be found here. An Equal Rights Amendment stating that “equality under the law must not be abridged or denied on account of gender” can help to correct systemic gender discrimination over time, and it is still NOT in our own state’s constitution.

On March 8th, the MN House of Representatives voted in support of sending this to the voters of Minnesota. Should it also pass out of the MN Senate (which has not yet taken the bill up for debate), this amendment would be on the 2020 ballot as an amendment to the MN Constitution. 

Be part of the conversation about improving transportation in the city

Last week City staff presented to the City Council’s Transportation and Public Works Committee for developing the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan. The Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan will guide transportation decisions to ensure alignment with the plan goals: safety, equity, prosperity, climate, mobility and active partnerships. It’s focused on the following topics: advanced mobility, pedestrian, bicycle, transit, freight, street operations and street design.

This initiative will coincide with the City taking it's next step in developing Vision Zero, a coordinated effort committed to the goal of zero traffic deaths and severe injuries on City streets by 2027.

Achieving the goal of safe streets for everyone will require significant effort and resources, including input from residents. Your input is critical to our work to make streets safer for everyone. Your feedback plays a key role in shaping our approach to the Vision Zero Action Plan. Our Public Works department will be releasing a Vision Zero survey and dates for upcoming community workshops in early February. Sign up for Vision Zero email updates to receive notice of these opportunities to share your input.

You can also take the Vision Zero Pledge. By doing so you pledge to:

• Slow down while driving and be alert to people walking and bicycling 
• Respect that people walking have the right of way
• Refrain from distracted driving including using my cellphone while driving
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Spread the word about this pledge and Vision Zero. #VisionZeroMpls

For more information visit the official Vision Zero website here.

Visit go.minneapolismn.gov to learn more about the Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan and upcoming engagement opportunities.

Property Tax Calculation

Recently our City's Communications Department and Budget Office worked on developing a new video to help residents gain a better understanding of how their property taxes are calculated. This video, titled Property Tax Calculations, gives a high-level overview of how it is that we come to each bill, based on the relative change in property values across the City.

Expect to see your estimated market value notices in the mail as early as next week.

Help Shape Southwest Parks and Minnehaha Creek Trails

The initial concepts outlining long term plans for more than 40 southwest area neighborhood parks as well as the Minnehaha Regional Trail have now been released. These concept plans are the most recent step in an overall Master Plan the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is undertaking to help guide the future of the parks in SW Minneapolis. Over the past seven months MPRB staff attended more than 100 public events and have been using this information and working with a design team to develop initial proposals for every Minneapolis neighborhood park south of I-394 and west of I-35W. Southwest Minneapolis community members contributed an amazing range of ideas and input on local neighborhood parks, leading to these concept maps.

Participate Online

With the maps now released, MPRB is once again asking for resident feedback to build out the final drafts. You can submit those comments through their online survey found here.

Avoid Ice Dams with Help from the City and CenterPoint Energy

Icicles and ice dams mean that a lot of energy – and money – is being wasted as heat escapes through the roof of your house. You can get rid of that problem by having air leaks between your house and attic sealed and putting more insulation in your attic. Insulation can help protect your house from ice dams and water damage while saving you money and energy – and even reducing the pollution that contributes to climate change.   Resources CenterPoint Energy offers rebates for 30 percent of the cost ($500 maximum) when you air seal and insulate your attic. The City of Minneapolis offers loans for the work with no interest. For information and to get started on the rebates, visit www.centerpointenergy.com/rebates. To see if you are eligible for the no-interest loans or to apply, call 612-335-5884 or visit mnlendingcenter.org/mpls.