The Minneapolis City Council has been on a tear of activity lately, with several impactful updates coming through the pipeline, highlighting the city's efforts to balance growth with social equity and environmental consciousness. Council Member Jenkins, a key player in Minneapolis' legislative body, has been front and center on multiple projects. Take, for instance, the recent provision of $150,000 to the Pillsbury Creative Commons project as they forge ahead with their South Campus expansion, a story detailed in Minneapolis City Council Updates.

In a move resonating with broader humanitarian themes, Jenkins also voted in favor of a ceasefire resolution that speaks against the killing of Palestinian and Israeli citizens, advocating for peace and stability in the region, as reported in the same bulletin. When it comes to the practical heart of the city, Minneapolis rideshare drivers have something to cheer about – Jenkins approved a rise in wages based on time, mileage, and fees charged by companies like Uber and Lyft, "ensuring drivers get paid fairly" and also called for more transparency in rideshare operations in a bid to protect drivers' interests; alongside this, the council member cast her vote for the pedestrianization of Nicollet Mall, which aims to boost city growth and activity underpinned by green initiatives and infrastructure, the pedestrianization of Nicollet Mall is another scheme that Jenkins supported, aiming to boost city growth and downtown vibrancy underpinned by green initiatives and infrastructure,

Policing is another realm where Jenkins' influence is evident. In the effort to maintain community oversight and competitive employment standards for Minneapolis, she voted in favor of the police contract that stipulates public and community accountability. The local community is witnessing transitions in other areas, too, as Congresswoman Ilhan Omar recently relocated her Minneapolis offices to the Sabathani Community Center. In terms of monetary allocation, Sabathani was granted $6.9 million, combining a state award and a city investment intended for energy goals and workforce development, with Kids Care Zone Daycare Center and Tierra Encantada—lauded for its $38 million investment to expand services—exemplifying local support in child care services.

On the housing front, Minneapolis has seen Calvary Lutheran Church's transformation into affordable apartments available to those earning less than 30% of the area median income, a fact reported in the bulletins from the Minneapolis City Council. In a pertinent decision, Jenkins also voted for the redesign of George Floyd Square with multiple options on the table including an open concept that would maintain vehicle access and restore Metro Transit services, a transit mall to limit vehicular access but still cater to residents and businesses, and a pedestrian plaza which would redirect certain Metro Transit services but maintain essential access for residents and businesses Nonetheless, Route 23 would continue to serve the area, the focus on affordable housing continues with efforts to reconnect Nicollet Ave between Lake Street and Cecil Newman all while incorporating sustainable design and fair transportation networks;

Community empowerment isn't left behind with the celebration of the 4th annual Black Business Week, co-hosted by Jenkins, Mayor Frey, and Council President Payne. The event spotlighted discussions on access to capital, expansion challenges, and triumphs within the Black business community, tying neatly into the announcement of Black Business Month in August. And seniors aren't forgotten in the flurry of updates – a South Minneapolis Seniors Fair is scheduled for October 23, 2024, providing seniors a platform to connect with community resources, an event highlighted in the Ward 8 e-newsletters.

Lastly, The Aliveness Project, which will soon be home to a clinic inclusive of a pharmacy, extends Minneapolis' healthcare outreach, specially targeted at providing secure HIV treatment. The excitement surrounding its upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony was palpable in the Minneapolis City Council's bulletin, with CM Jenkins taking a tour of the facility and expressing optimism for the clinic’s potential impact on the community.