Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

I am honored to have the opportunity to represent Ward One and I look forward to working with you over the next four years. I forward this newsletter as an opportunity to communicate with you in on a monthly basis and offer you information about issues both at City Hall and in our ward.

I have been appointed to the following committees: Community Development, Transportation & Public Works (Vice-chair), Zoning & Planning, and Taxes (chair). These are appointments that will ably position me to work to bring people and resources on behalf of both Ward One and the City of Minneapolis. With your help, we can continue to make this a great place for everyone.

Council Member in the Ward

I encourage you to contact me to ask questions and share your viewpoints. I will be setting up regular Ward One office hours beginning in May and will keep you informed of that schedule, but I am also always happy to meet with you at a either at City Hall or at a convenient location in the ward. Just give the Ward One office a call at 612-673-2201 or email me at kevin.reich@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

I also encourage you to attend the next Northeast Network on Thursday, April 8 to talk about transit planning in Northeast Minneapolis. I will be sharing some information about potential plans for streetcars on Central Avenue and will be joined by Michelle Dibblee of Transit for Livable Communities and Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein. The Network is 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Eastside Food Co-op, 2551 Central Ave NE.

Camden Bridge Work

The Camden Bridge, which is the 42nd Avenue North 37th Avenue NE crossing over the Mississippi River and Interstate 94, was built in 1975. The bridge has now deteriorated to the point that it is in need of repairs to maintain public safety and will be closing to traffic on April 15 for a complete rehabilitation. It will remain closed through approximately July. During that time period major structural work will be done, including replacing the expansion joints, the bridge deck, the drainage system, approach panels, vehicular crash railing, sidewalks, pedestrian railings and lighting. The structural steel will be repainted after the bridge is re-opened to traffic. The work that has been planned will add 35 years to the life of the bridge and will save Minneapolis maintenance costs in the future. Currently, city crews spend approximately one month each year on deck patching and painting the bridge.

During the period in which the bridge is closed, vehicular traffic will be detoured to the Plymouth Bridge. Bicycle traffic will be detoured to the I-694 Mississippi River crossing area. For Vehicle & Bicycle Detour Maps, please Click here.

Some of you have asked why the City of Minneapolis is beginning work on the Camden Bridge at the same time that the Lowry Bridge is down. The City of Minneapolis requested $10 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funding to rehabilitate the bridge and there are specific timeframes within which the money must be used. This project is also expected to create approximately 90 construction jobs, which enhance our local economy.

Emerald Ash Borer Found in Minneapolis

The Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle that attacks and destroys ash trees, was discovered in the Prospect Park area of Minneapolis in February 2010. You can help slow the spread of this invasive species by taking the following actions:

• Don’t transport firewood. Purchase firewood at the point it will be burned and don’t bring the extra wood home.
• Watch your ash trees for signs of infestation. If you notice a major thinning of the tree’s canopy, splitting bark or significant woodpecker activity, contact the Minnesota Department of www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/311. Also, the Ward One office staff is 311-trained, so you may always call our office at 612-673-2201 for assistance. Agriculture’s “Arrest the Pest” Hotline at 651-201-6684.
• Start making tree planting plans. The City of Minneapolis has partnered with Tree Trust to provide more than 1,000 trees to Minneapolis residents at a reduced cost. The available trees include Fat Albert Spruce, Pagoda Dogwood, Kentucky Coffeetree, Blue Beech, Redmond Linden and more. Visit www.treetrust.org before April 23, 2010 to place your order. You may order one tree per residence at a cost of $25. Quantities are limited to first-come first-served. Trees will be available for pickup beginning in early May.

The Minneapolis urban forest includes more than 200,000 ash trees on boulevards and on private property. That’s 21 percent of all Minneapolis trees. If you have space in your yard to plant a tree, now is a good time to start one. If you have an ash tree in your yard, planting its replacement now will give it a chance to start providing shade. Research has proven that trees are a valuable investment and improve urban quality of life. Healthy trees are beautiful, increase property values, help improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide, save energy, keep the city cooler, provide homes for wildlife and help manage stormwater.

Recycling News

Many of us are trying to cut back on paper bag use by taking our own bags to the grocery store. If you find that that practice leaves you short of paper bags for separating your recycling, the City of Minneapolis has an alternative for you. You may use wastebaskets, pails or corrugated boxes for separated paper, plastic or cans. These alternative containers should be 10 gallons or less and there must be a city recycling sticker on at least one side of the container.

The Ward One office has a supply of recycling stickers, so if you need some, just give us a call at 612-673-2201. We would be happy to mail or drop them off for you.

Lend A Hand

The piles of snow, parking restrictions and sidewalk shoveling requirements are behind us now. Summer yard work, however, can present just as many challenges for seniors in our neighborhoods as the winter tasks did. Are there older adults on your block or in your area who could use a helping hand with mowing and yard work? Encourage them to call the Ward One office at 612-673-2201 and we’d be happy to guide them to low-cost and no-cost alternatives for summer and fall outdoor help.

Meet with your Council Member

If you would like to discuss an issue or concern with Kevin, he’d be happy to meet with you at either City Hall or a convenient location in Ward One. Please call the Ward One office at 612-673-2201 or email lisa.brock@minneapolismn.gov to schedule a date.

The City of Minneapolis invites and encourages participation by every resident to each program, service and event within our city.

Should you require an accommodation in order for you to fully participate, or should you require this document in an alternative format, please let us know by contacting 612-673-2201.

311

Need to report a broken street light? Is there a stray dog roaming your neighborhood? Do you just want a question about the City of Minneapolis answered? Minneapolis 311 is the most efficient option for taking care of these and many other issues.

Beginning April 12, Minneapolis 311 hours will be reduced. Operators will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Fri. However, you will find many 311 services and information sources online at www.minneapolismn.gov/311/. Also, the Ward One office staff is 311-trained, so you may always call our office at 612-673-2201 for assistance.

Disclaimer

To be in compliance with RESOLUTION 2006R-298 enabling Elected Officials' blogs that passed the Council Friday, May 26, 2006 (Ways & Means/Budget. Item 6), here's our disclaimer (from the Elected Official Blog Site Procedures document):

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