City briefs - Nov 2024

Poet Laureate Celebration
The city and The Loft will be hosting a community celebration for he city’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Heid E. Erdrich, on Dec. 5 at the Minneapolis American Indian Center at 1530 E Franklin Ave. Erdrich’s year-long tenure ends at the end of December and has included workshops, readings, and gatherings at Eloise Butler Garden and Bde Maka Ska.

Metro Transit Network Plan
The regional transit authority that operates bus and lights rail services in the Twin Cities has released a Metro Transit’s Network Now plan that proposes expanding service by 35% and increasing the rate of metro area jobs accessible by a 45-minute transit ride by 25% by the end of 2027 by redistributing service to offer frequent service throughout the region to continue growing ridership. The plan will be refined based on the public feedback received this fall and presented for possible council adoption in early 2025. For more information visit www.metrotransit.org/network-now. 

Minneapolis Labor Standards Board
Following an hours-long discussion on Nov. 14, the city council approved a resolution to establish a new Labor Standards Board. The proposal, which faced some vocal opposition from some businesses and business groups, would establish a 15-member advisory board, with five seats each for employers, employees, and community stakeholders. Two years ago, the idea of the advisory board was supported by most council members and Mayor Jacob Frey, but recently Frey has shared concerns. He has not said if he will veto it or not.

Ice rinks
After announcing tentative plans to save $1.5 reducing the number of ice rinks this year from 22 to 17, on Nov. 8 board members decided to add rinks back at Windom, Logan, and Van Cleve Parks. They have until Dec. 10 to finalize the list of closures.

Soo Line Garden
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is seeking input on the design for the new Soo Line Garden along the Midtown Greenway. The garden was closed earlier this year due to contaminated soil. You can find more information, see the three concept designs and complete a survey until Dec. 6 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SooLineGarden2024. Soil clean and construction of the new garden is expected to being next year.

Midtown Greenway Regional Trail Plan
The Midtown Greenway Regional Trail Plan is scheduled to be considered for final approval by the full Board of Park Commissioners on Dec. 4, 2024. While the trail is owned by the city and operated by them in partnership with the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, the park board is the only agency within the city eligible for regional park and trail funding. The plan fulfills the requirements of the Metropolitan Council and also includes an agreement between the city, rail authority and park board focused on ownership, operations, and use of regional funding for the Midtown Greenway if it receives status as a regional trail.

County Solid Waste Plan
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has adopted the 2024 – 2029 Hennepin County Solid Waste Management Plan and concluded a significant effort in solid waste planning that began with the Climate Action Plan in 2021, and the creation of the Zero Waste Plan in 2023. In includes a prioritization of the highest impact zero-waste and, if implemented, would provide resources to cities to increase waste prevention and recycling, increase food waste diversion and recycling, expand collection and drop-off options, complete a food waste prevention plan, develop a plastics prevention plan, launch a new Community Zero Waste Grant program and more.

Mobile Medical Unit (MMU)
The city’s health department has purchased a new mobile medical van that they hope will help bridge healthcare access gaps and reduce barriers in underserved communities. More than $1 million from opioid settlement funds were used to purchase and equip and staff the new vehicle that is intended to help reduce opioid overdose deaths, increase access to treatment, and expand access and delivery of medications for opioid use disorder. The health department’s Opioid Response Team will operate the unit, offer basic health screenings, and provide medication consultation, wound care, vaccinations, mental health counseling and referrals and youth health services including physical exams, dental care, and wellness check. Services are expected to begin early next year.

Lyndale Ave.
Hennepin Count is reconstructing Lyndale Avenue S. between Franklin Avenue and W. 31st St in 2027, and they are seeking input on newly released concept layouts now. They have three design options created from input gathered over the last two years, and will choose a preferred concept in spring 2025 based on survey results and technical analysis.