Minneapolis City Council is on a mission to shake things up with a new spin on improving city services and human rights. According to a recent update from Ward 9 City Council member Jason Chavez, the Public Health and Safety Committee has brought community partners and government agencies to the table to address citywide issues. In a bold move, AVIVO, a non-profit aimed at helping the homeless, presented their plans for low-barrier shelters with the ambition to purchase and upgrade their building.
In yesterday’s council meeting, a whopping 59 items were acted upon, putting a spotlight on the collaboration with Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department to station social workers around East Lake Street. A brief from Chavez adds that the council also nodded at new appointments to the Southside Green Zone, welcoming names like Robert Hendrickson and Moncies Franco to the fold. Upending the status quo, Chavez announced the council’s intention to plunge into crafting ordinances for a Sidewalk Cart and Street Vending Program, an annual Rental Inspections Services Ordinance, and expansion of the Civil Rights Ordinance to include homeless and immigration status as legally protected classes.
The Ward 9 office is also gearing up for a change, with staffer Dylan Bradford-Kesti bowing out to start his new role as the Minneapolis Fire Department Interagency Coordinator on May 13. Chavez shared his bittersweet feelings, recognizing Bradford-Kesti's five years of dedicated service across council terms and his critical role in policy-making achievements.
Residents have more to look forward to with a series of engagement sessions and an online meeting on May 22, to discuss what services will populate the new South Minneapolis Community Safety Center. The city’s outreach efforts are in full swing, targeting various community groups throughout May. Simultaneously, free legal aid clinics are operating across Ward 9, offering assistance on an array of civil issues, from housing to disability rights.
Amidst this momentum, an important health fair is on the horizon for May 11, hosted by the City of Minneapolis Health Department. The event at East Phillips Park Cultural & Community Center promises to connect locals with health resources, including air quality and asthma management. Neighbors will also have the chance to celebrate the community through events like Neighborhood Day and the unveiling of "Common Currents", a public artwork tribute slated for May 28, dedicated to Hussein Samatar’s legacy. Minneapolis is also getting proactive when it comes to hiring, with a career fair scheduled for May 22 aimed at helping citizens kickstart not just jobs but careers.
Completing the cornucopia of initiatives, Minneapolis is spotlighting mental well-being during Mental Health Awareness Month. Lastly, with an eye on housing challenges, the city calls for public commentary on the draft 2024 Minneapolis Consolidated Action Plan focused on housing and community development for the economically disadvantaged. The city retains its vision for a robust, engaged, and connected community, striving for equity and accessible services for all its residents.
