City briefs - July 2025

Green Guardians MN
A new volunteer group called Green Guardians is helping people improve water quality in Minneapolis. According to a city news report, with their help, East Isles, working with Lowry Hill East and seven other neighborhoods, hosted 86 cleanups with over 1,200 volunteers, removing more than 14,000 gallons of trash, and boosting storm drain adoption from 16% to 73%. Email greenguardiansmn@gmail.com to learn more. 

County health plan
Hennepin County Public Health is developing its next strategic plan that will set priorities and guide decision making for their work from 2026-2028. To learn more and share your thoughts visit https://beheardhennepin.org/public-health-strategic-planning. 

Tobacco regulations
The city council passed an ordinance on July 10 that requires the price for vapes and e-cigarettes to be no less than $25 per device and stipulates that no tobacco dealer licenses can be issued for establishments that are within 300 feet of a school.

New revenue sources
The city council has initiated a study of new potential alternative sources of revenue beyond property taxes. A report set for Aug. 18, will likely include an overview of the sources of current revenue, a review of how revenue sources of peer cities, potential unused revenue sources that are available under state law, and policy changes that would be required at the state and local level to implement other changes including a some kind of local wealth or income tax.

Traffic cameras
The city has approved NovoaGlobal, Inc. as the vendor for its upcoming traffic safety camera pilot program. Beginning in September, cameras in five locations will enforce speed limits. The program may expand to 42 camera locations with some at traffic signals.

Zero Waste Grant
Hennepin County has awarded six Community Zero Waste Grants this year including one of $9,000 to the Lyndale Neighborhood Association to host swap events to promote reuse among residents and support their Free Fest event aimed at reusing household items, their Book Fest to recirculate books, and to their Wheels and Bike Rodeo event to make it a low waste event.

Art funding
In July, the city announced the 2025 Cultural District Arts Fund grant awards. They total $700,000 and will help fund 65 projects in the city’s seven cultural districts. This includes funding for festivals, pop-up projects and creative activations in Lowry Avenue North, 38th Street, Cedar Avenue South, Central Avenue, East Lake Street, Franklin Avenue East, and West Broadway. The 38th Street Projects will include dance and music performances, hands-on iron-casting workshops, piñata parties, sauna rituals, and storytelling-based workshops focused on trust and healing.

Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging (MACA)
The city council will vote to appoint candidates to the re-established MACA group that consists of 15 members, 13 nominated by the city council, one per ward, and two seats nominated by the mayor. Southwest appointees include Thomas Emig for Ward 7, Jim Meyer for Ward 8, Elladean Wikstrom for Ward 11, Barbara Brady for Ward 13 and Catherine Iliff who lives in Ward 11 and was nominated by the mayor.

Household Hazardous Waste
Hennepin County is holding community collection events this summer where people can dispose of garden and household hazardous waste. Waste will be accepted on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9 at South High School.