Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

Eastside Minneapolis has seen many positive developments in 2013. First and foremost, Central Avenue, which is one of our most significant thoroughfares and business districts, has seen some welcome revitalization. Facades have been refurbished, buildings have been renovated and new businesses have moved in from one end of the Avenue to the other. I fully expect this trend to continue into 2014 as more and more businesses and companies discover the vitality of our community. And thanks to the hard work of the Logan Park Neighborhood Association, diligent assistance from City of Minneapolis Public Works staff and the talents of local company SignMinds, the “Welcome to the Northeast Neighborhoods” sign at Central and Broadway now provides a beautiful and very readable welcome to the Avenue. The 1st Ward office hosted a number of community forums in again 2013, as in past years, on a variety of topics including Public Safety, Regulatory Services and potential development at Shoreham Yards. I have been gratified to see not only increasing attendance at each forum but also the significant engagement in the topics and I look forward to continuing this participatory initiative in 2014 and beyond. We also saw some significant upgrades in infrastructure and City services in 2013. The rollout of One Sort recycling, which began at the end of 2012, was completed this year and has already produced dramatic increases in the amounts of material collected citywide and diverted from the waste stream. We also received the results of an assessment of options for organics collection in the City, putting us in a good position to take the next steps toward implementation if and when State of Minnesota rule changes make this a feasible direction. And lastly, Northeast was the site of two important pilot programs: the concrete street rehabilitation project that took place around Cavell Park and the snow and ice sidewalk clearing pilot that will continue this winter as well. The results of these two pilots will offer important data for further improvement of City services and infrastructure.

Snow Emergency Tips and Tools

The City of Minneapolis offers a number of tools for learning about snow emergency rules and requirements. Check out the information below to find out if a snow emergency has been declared and save yourself a ticket and tow: Call 612-348-SNOW (7669). TTY callers can use MN Relay Service or call 612-673-2157. Go to www.minneapolismn.gov. Watch local TV news or City cable TV channel 14 or 79, or listen to the radio. Sign up for a text message, email alert or phone call and the City will notify you when a Snow Emergency is declared. Look up where to park at www.minneapolismn.gov/snow/streetlookup. Download the Snow Emergency app for iPhones and Android devices.

Snow Shoveling Rules

Keeping our sidewalks free of ice and snow is the neighborly thing to do and it’s the law. For your own benefit and to help your neighbors, people pushing strollers or using wheelchairs, and the many people in Minneapolis who walk, please do your part. Minneapolis ordinance requires that property owners clear sidewalks after the end of a snowfall within 24 hours for homes and duplexes and 4 daytime hours for apartment and commercial buildings (daytime hours begin at 8 a.m.) When you shovel snow and clear ice Shovel the sidewalks on all sides of your property, the full width of the sidewalk down to the bare pavement. Remove all ice from sidewalks. After the sidewalk is cleared, sprinkling a little sand can help prevent slipping on frosty sidewalks. Pile snow into your yard and boulevard. It’s against the law to shovel snow into streets and alleys. If you have a corner property, clear curb cuts at corners and crosswalks to the street gutter. Avoid a ticket If the City of Minneapolis gets a complaint or discovers that a sidewalk is not properly cleared, Public Works will inspect the sidewalk and give the property owners a chance to clear it. If the sidewalk has not been cleared upon re-inspection, the property owner may be issued a citation with a fine. Crews will remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk. Property owners will be billed for this service, and unpaid bills will be added to property tax statements.

Soil Vapor Intrusion in SE Como

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently alerted homeowners in the SE Como neighborhood that potentially harmful vapors from a long-defunct General Mills facility may be entering their homes. MPCA is currently testing homes in the study area to determine the levels of TCE vapors at individual properties. Representatives from MPCA, MN Department of Health, Barr Engineering and General Mills will be available in the SE Como neighborhood for a series of open houses to answer questions, address concerns, as well as have both the sampling and mitigation access agreements available to review and sign: Thurs, Dec. 12, 2-4 p.m., Van Cleve Recreation Center, 901 15th Ave SE. Wed, Dec. 18, 4-6 p.m., Van Cleve Recreation Center, 901 15th Ave SE. Thurs, Dec. 19, 9-11 a.m., SECIA Office, 1170 15th Ave SE If you are not available at the listed times, but wish to speak to someone, please contact: For project or testing questions: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Edward Olson, Site Remediation, 651-757-2627, edward.olson@state.mn.us Hans Neve, Site Remediation, 651-757-2608, hans.neve@state.mn.us For health-related questions: Minnesota Department of Health Rita Messing, 651-201-4916 or Emily Hansen, 651-201-4602 Email: health.hazard@state.mn.us To schedule sampling, call Sara Gaffin, Barr Engineering, 952-832-2935 To contact General Mills, call 763-293-1165 For more information about the study, visit http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ax83hxk

NE Green Light Project Unveiled

Community partners, representatives from MPS, elected officials, students and neighbors gathered on a chilly day in early November to celebrate the unveiling of the NE Green Light Project. This Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) “Art as Energy” project offers a tangible sign of a community effort toward sustainability. The Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association (HNIA) and CEE are working with the surrounding community to enroll residents in energy audits and energy conservation improvements with the goal of saving an amount of energy equivalent to the amount needed to power Edison High School. As energy savings increase, the lights embedded in the sculptures will shift from orange through the color spectrum, with the goal of reaching green.

City’s Director of Water Treatment & Distribution Services Retires

Bernie Bullert The very recently retired Bernie Bullert served for several years as Director of Water Treatment and Distribution Services for the City of Minneapolis.  At first glance, his position may not seem to have much to do with the daily lives of Minneapolis residents. However, changes and improvements Mr. Bullert made to the state’s largest water utility have had an impact on every Minneapolis water user. When he first took on his position, Minneapolis water rates were rising at an unsustainable rate. Under his supervision and focus on operational efficiencies, the projected annual rate of increases was reduced by 40%. At the same time, he was instrumental in developing plans for a back-up water supply, eliminating longstanding taste and odor issues, and addressing deferred maintenance. The contributions he has made to the Water Division will last long after his departure, so remember him the next time you enjoy a glass of Minneapolis water.

Volunteer to Shovel Seniors’ Sidewalks

When it snows there are seniors in the city who need help shoveling their walks. Want to lend them a hand this winter? The City is working with the Neighborhood Involvement Program to find individual or group volunteers to commit to shoveling for at least one client for one month or for the entire winter. Visit the Neighborhood Involvement Program for more information and contact Jeanne Rasmussen at srvolunteer@neighborhoodinvolve.org or 612-746-8549 to sign up.

Save the Date

Public Hearing & Budget Adoption Wednesday, December 11, 6:05 p.m., Council Chambers at City Hall, 350 S. 5th St., Rm. 317. 2013 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Thursday, December 12, 7 - 9 p.m., Shoreham Yards, 2800 Central Ave NE. Enjoy family activities and music from The Claytones and Willy Porter at this free annual community event hosted by East Side Neighborhood Services. Monetary and food donations to ESNS’ food shelves are welcomed. “Greek Circus” Thursday, December 12 & Friday, December 13, 7 p.m., Northeast Middle School, 2955 Hayes Street NE.  All are welcome to this comedy presented by NEMS students.