Minneapolis City Council's latest decision to increase rideshare drivers' pay has sparked controversy as Uber and Lyft have threatened to pull out of the city in response, a move that could disrupt over 300,000 daily rides. Despite these warnings and a veto from Mayor Frey, the City Council overrode the veto with a vote of 10-3, pushing the ordinance to take effect on May 1, 2024. Council Member Linea Palmisano, who voted against the proposal, expressed her disappointment in a statement to 13th Ward News, arguing that the decision contradicts data from a statewide study and risks rideshare accessibility for those without cars and individuals with disabilities.
The turmoil does not stop there, efforts are underway to counter this disruption, the city is now embarking on a recruitment drive for more MPD officers and 911 dispatchers; an "Imagine Yourself" campaign seeks to fill the city's critical safety needs.
As the city grapples with public transit and safety employment, it's also gearing up for new, inclusive community projects. Among these is a pilot community safety center slated for East Lake Street, expected to launch later this summer—a venue set to bundle select services and resources until a permanent facility opens in 2025. Another initiative aims to green the urban landscape, with a 'City Trees program' offering low-cost trees to grow the city's canopy, focusing especially on areas with sparse tree coverage.
In the same push for an inclusive civic tapestry, the Minneapolis City Council honored March as Women's History Month, adopting a resolution that celebrates the diverse achievements of women and recognizes the historical exclusion of marginalized groups, from their stance, the City remains not only a custodian of past achievements but a forge ahead of future equities. Also on the agenda for local engagement, the City continues to encourage a diverse pool of applicants for various Minneapolis boards and commissions, seeking representation in tune with the city's demographic composition.
For those looking to actively shape their city's direction, neighborhood association meetings continue across the 13th Ward, offering community members the chance to voice concerns and aspirations for the shared fabric of their streets, their blocks, and their Minneapolis.
