Residents of Ward 8 have a calendar filled with community events aimed at enhancing the neighborhood's livability and tackling poignant issues, such as homelessness and public safety. Council Member Jenkins is pulling together an ambitious project to address some of these concerns head-on with the creation of an "Encampment and Unhoused Community Think Tank," as stated by the City of Minneapolis. Designed to concoct solutions for the unhoused, the group's roster will feature 12 individuals, notably including those with lived experience of homelessness.
The think tank meetings are slated for 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on September 20, 27, and October 4. As per the City of Minneapolis announcement, the goal is to "Better understand City, County, and State laws, regulations, and partnerships regarding homelessness and homeless response" and to "Collaborate on recommendations for immediate and long-term, humane solutions for the issues facing our unhoused neighbors." Interested participants have until September 12 to reach out to Kristina Mitchell with their details and a brief motivation statement.
Furthering local engagement, a rescheduled Public Safety meeting is now on the cards for September 12th at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Community Center. Scheduled to commence at 6:00 p.m., the gathering will provide a platform for discourse on public safety matters crucial to the welfare of the community. Another community-centric activity, a neighborhood cleanup, invites volunteers to rally together for East Lake Street's aesthetic revival on September 13. Meeting at the intersection of 31st St. and Nicollet Ave., participants will be equipped with cleaning supplies courtesy of the event organizers.
On another front, Minneapolis residents have been granted an extension until September 15 to advocate for traffic calming measures in their neighborhoods for the year 2025. Methods to mitigate speeding, such as speed humps and traffic circles, are on the table, as the city seeks to enhance pedestrian safety. Applications can be conveniently submitted online, or for those less digitally inclined, through Minneapolis 311, as laid out on the City's official website.
