Council Member's Message

One of the First Ward’s most distinctive buildings also houses one of our most distinctive businesses. That’s Clockwork Active Media Systems, which was recently featured on NBC Nightly News for its growing reputation as one of the best workplaces in the country.

Clockwork Active is a digital solutions company that develops applications, websites and tools for businesses and numbers Best Buy, General Mills, Cargill and the YMCA among its clients. Over the past few years Clockwork Active has also received more than 16 “Best Workplace” awards from the Star Tribune, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Minnesota Business Magazine and other outlets. The company is routinely cited for its family-friendly policies, attitudes of respect for its employees, focus on life-work balance and general atmosphere of hard work combined with fun.

It’s also in a great location. In 2009 the company relocated to 1500 E. Hennepin, the former Rayvic Gas Station. This property had been redeveloped by Andrew Volna, the Ward One developer and entrepreneur who’s currently redeveloping the Hollywood Theater on Johnson Street.

It’s always exciting to see one of our community’s local businesses, in one of our iconic buildings, making national news in such a positive way. But behind this story is a larger narrative about our community and its economic vitality. From the exciting activity occurring up and down Central Avenue as both new and established businesses renovate and expand to the vibrancy of the re-purposed buildings that house our community's art studios, Ward One has increasingly become a magnet for creative industries. At the same time, this economic energy supports our community's diversity, livability and recreational amenities. Ward One is indeed a great place to work!

City of Minneapolis 2015 Budget

The City of Minneapolis’ 2015 budget was finalized on December 10, ensuring that we will be making significant investments in key areas of municipal responsibility such as public safety, services, and infrastructure, while also providing important additional funding for environmental initiatives, affordable housing, community outreach and support for our city’s diverse residents.

The Fire Department will see much needed increases in manpower, with $800,000 for two recruit classes and $50,000 for a youth recruitment and leadership program. 911 will receive funding for four additional operators. Additional funding for the Police Department will ensure the hiring of 10 police officers in 2015 and a police cadet class of 18, as well as additional community service officer classes. Also, the Crime Prevention Specialist division is fully funded as part of the base budget which will provide stability and adequate staffing. 

There has been significant discussion of funding that supports opportunity for all residents in Minneapolis. This budget will provide funds for affordable housing and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund will be fully funded for the first time since it was established. New funds will support additional security at public housing facilities, additional funding for homeownership counseling and outreach, and additional dollars for the Business Technical Assistance Program, which facilitates entrepreneurship in communities of color. Environmental initiatives such as the Clean Energy Partnership and the launch of curbside organics recycling also received significant support.

This budget will also offer important enhancements to the city’s multimodal transportation resources and infrastructure with increased funding for a comprehensive pedestrian safety initiative that will include durable street markings, a special budget increase for protected bikeways, and expanded support for Open Streets. Public Works will also receive additional funding for corner and bikeway snow clearance.

This budget is the product of vigorous and engaged conversation between elected officials, City departments, residents and stakeholders and it will have long term positive effects on the stability, vitality and sustainability of our city.

Honoring Edison Alumnus Gary Wilson

Edison alumnus ('54) and legendary youth coach Gary Wilson was honored by the  City Council on Friday, December 12, for his lifetime commitment to youth, parks and the spirit of play in the City of Minneapolis.

The 79 year old Wilson has been the Athletic Director at Farview Park for 50 years, meaning that several generations of Minneapolis youth have received the benefit of his mentorship and guidance. He has coached baseball, football and basketball and has been a tireless advocate for providing youth with athletic and recreation opportunities. In 2000 he was inducted into the Edison Community and Sports Foundation's Hall of Fame for his support of the school and its athletic programs and his significant contributions to youth recreation and athletics in the City of Minneapolis. Click HERE to read the text of the City Council resolution honoring Wilson.

Sidewalk Snow & Ice

Clearing sidewalk snow and ice is an important responsibility for property owners in the City of Minneapolis. Keeping our sidewalks safe and comfortable for winter walking is important for all pedestrians, but essential for those people who are mobility-impaired or pushing strollers. Please do your part.

Minneapolis ordinance requires that property owners clear sidewalks after the end of a snowfall within:

* 24 hours for houses and duplexes

* 4 daytime hours for apartment and commercial buildings (daytime hours begins at 8 a.m.)

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 owner 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 and property owners will be billed for this service. To report a sidewalk that is not shoveled, call 311 or visit www.minneapolismn.gov.

Remember that property owners are as responsible for clearing ice on the sidewalk as clearing snow. 

Free sand is available to Minneapolis residents at 1809 Washington Street NE at 18th and Jefferson.

Unwanted Paint Disposal

If you have unwanted paint, know the right way of disposing it. Oil-based paint is considered a hazardous material and can’t go in the regular trash. Latex paint is non-hazardous and if dried can be placed in a residential garbage cart.

Hennepin County residents can bring all paint and paint-related materials to a Hennepin County facility for no charge, and now there are more options too.

PaintCare provides many locations in and around Minneapolis where you can drop off cans of unwanted paint. To find the location nearest you, just put in your zip code at www.paintcare.org/drop-off-locations. To find out exactly what you can drop off and get tips for using up old paint, visit here.

Volunteers Needed: 2nd Precinct First Responder Christmas Eve Dinner

Every year the MPD 2nd Precinct Advisory Council (2PAC) coordinates a special Christmas Eve meal for the police officers and emergency responders who serve Southeast and Northeast Minneapolis. The dinner takes place at the 2nd Precinct, 1911 Central Avenue NE and typically serves 150 first responders. Local restaurants and businesses contribute with generous donations, but assistance is also needed with donation pick-up on Dec. 23, set-up and serving on Dec. 24, and clean-up the morning of Dec. 25. If you would like to help out and are available to volunteer for a two-hour shift, please contact volunteer coordinator Emilie Quast at e-quas@tc.umn.edu or 612-378-0224

Congrats to the Theater Departments of Edison and Northeast Middle School

The second weekend in December was a stellar occasion for theater goers on the Eastside, with two fine school productions occurring simultaneously.

Edison High School presented "Working!", a musical based on Studs Terkel's oral history collection of stories from people of all walks of life. The full title of Terkel's book is "Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do" and his subjects range from film critics to janitors, receptionists to farmers. "Working" was adapted as a musical in 1977. In addition to his writing, Terkel worked as a broadcaster for 45 years. For more information about his work, visit http://studsterkel.org/

Northeast Middle School's theater department, which has been producing some very ambitious plays recently including last year's "Peter Pan", mounted "Shining Princess of the Slender Bamboo". This dramatized folktale was highlighted by a lovely set and truly magical lighting design. If you missed either of these opportunities to see some of the Eastside's youngest generation of thespians, stay tuned for information about their upcoming spring productions.

Save the Date Calendar

Fire & Ice Family Skate Night

Fridays, January 2-30, 6 - 8 p.m., Windom Park Recreation Center, 2251 Hayes St. NE. Enjoy skating as well as hot cocoa, popcorn and a firepit.

2nd Annual Soup Supper & Future Tommie Night

Friday, Jan. 23, 4 - 8:30 p.m., Edison High School,700 22nd Ave NE. Medallion Public Arts Connector (MPAC) will be hosting an All You Can Eat soup fundraiser in the Edison lunch room. Stop in there and then go to the gym to cheer on all three Edison Boys' basketball teams, while enjoying contests, face painting, raffle prizes and more.

Council Member's Message

As the City of Minneapolis fall street sweeping operation wraps up, preparations are underway for the coming snow season. All Minneapolis residents should have received a mailing with information about Snow Emergency parking rules and how to avoid a ticket or tow this winter. If you don't have that mailing, you may either call my office at 612-673-2201 for a copy or visit www.minneapolismn.gov/snow.  

Snow emergencies are declared whenever there's enough snowfall to warrant a complete plowing of our streets. Given that the City of Minneapolis has more than 1500 miles of streets, parkways and alleys to clear, this can be an enormous job for City Public Works crews. It's important that drivers follow the Snow Emergency parking rules so plows can do the best job possible of clearing the streets.

The City uses a variety of tools to inform residents, workers and visitors when a snow emergency has been declared:

·         Hotline – call 612-348-SNOW (7669). The hotline includes information in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.

·         City website – visit www.minneapolismn.gov/snow. You can also check out the street lookup, which lets you enter an address or neighborhood to see where you can park during a snow emergency.

·         Phone alerts – Minneapolis uses an automated notification system to alert residents when snow emergencies are declared. You can add your cellphone or unlisted landline number to the alert system by signing up atwww.minneapolismn.gov/snow.

·         Email alerts – visit www.minneapolismn.gov/snow/snow_esubscribe to sign up for email alerts.

·         App for Android devices and iPhones – Download the Snow Emergency app to your Android device or iPhone.

·         Media – TV, radio and other news outlets routinely announce snow emergency declarations.

·         Cable TV – Channels 14 and 79 have snow emergency information in several languages.

·         Facebook – visit www.facebook.com/MinneapolisSnowEmergency.

·         Twitter – if you have a Twitter account, just follow us.

·         Videos – informational videos in several languages are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/snow.

If you have other ideas for how to get the word out about Snow Emergency declarations, I’d like to hear about them.

Yard Waste Collection Ends Nov. 17

Your garbage day in the week of Nov. 17 is the last 2014 collection for leaves, brush and other yard trimmings. Yard waste must be in compostable bags – paper (Kraft) or compostable plastic – or unbagged in a reusable container at least 26 inches high with sturdy handles. Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers. Set all yard waste next to your garbage cart by 6 a.m.

Leaves

· less than 40 pounds

Brush

· less than 40 pounds

· less than three feet long

· branch size less than three inches in diameter

· must be bundled with string (no tape)

For information about all of our services, see www.minneapolismn.gov/solid-waste. If you have questions about leaf and brush pickup, call 673-2917 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Remember – don’t rake leaves into the street; it’s against the law and pollutes our river.

One-Sort Recycling: Year in Review

David Herberholz, Director of Solid Waste and Recycling (SW&R), offered a review report on the One-Sort initiative to the Transportation & Public Works Committee this past October. As you will recall, the roll-out of the program was completed mid-June of 2013.

In its first year, the recycled component of our total waste has increased to 25%. At the same time, the simplified system has enabled SW&R to reduce its routes by half, saving in energy costs. Workman’s compensation claims have also been reduced over 62% due to automation of pick-up. Check out the Powerpoint report http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@clerk/documents/webcontent/wcms1p-132719.pdf . The map below allows you to see how your neighborhood is doing.

Recycling in Minneapolis Parks

Minneapolis residents will recognize new garbage and one-sort recycling carts in Minneapolis parks as the same ones they use at home. Minneapolis neighborhood parks are now part of the City of Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling program.

Recycling in the parks is now an easier choice, because each garbage cart will be paired with a recycling cart. The one-sort carts collect glass, plastic, paper, aluminum and cardboard into one container. Remember – no plastic bags, trash, clothes, items that have food or wax on them, Styrofoam or other kinds of plastic foam.

For more information on what you can recycle in Minneapolis, click here.

Minneapolis Water Works Wins Award

Minneapolis Water Treatment and Distribution Services is among just nine public drinking water systems in the nation to receive the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. This is the first year the association has presented the award, which recognizes water utilities that have made a commitment to management that achieves a balance of innovative and successful efforts in economic, social and environmental endeavors.

Minneapolis was recognized for incorporating strategies and financial procedures such as requiring the water division to maintain a minimum cash balance equal to approximately three months of operating expenses to keep cash flow available and implementing a five-year capital improvement program that details each construction project, its estimated cost and where the source of funding. The association also noted the addition of a fixed rate in utility billing that helps stabilize revenues from fluctuations in water use due to weather and the declining water demand by customers. Minneapolis was also recognized for encouraging its customers to use water wisely and being engaged in other environmental stewardship initiatives, including sustainable design in capital projects, efficient vehicles, collaboration on source water protection, supporting urban farms and community gardens, promoting the value of drinking water and reducing the use of disposable water bottles.

This is not the first time Minneapolis has received an award from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. The City received the organization’s Platinum Award for Utility Excellence in 2011 and the Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance in 2002.

2015 Budget Process Underway

The City Council is in the process of considering the Mayor’s proposed 2015 budget from now through early December with final approval scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014.

The City of Minneapolis has tentatively scheduled two public comment hearings on the proposed 2015 property tax levy and budget:

Nov. 18 at 6:05 p.m.
Room 317 of City Hall

Dec. 10 at 6:05 p.m.
Room 317 of City Hall

Additional key dates in the 2014 budget process include:

• Sept. 16 – Nov. 7 – Ways and Means presentations and consideration of City departmental budgets hearings
• Dec. 2 and 4, 1 – 4 p.m. –Ways and Means Budget Subcommittee budget mark-up
• Dec. 10, 6:05 p.m. – City Council final vote on budget after the public hearing

Watch the 2015 budget process live on TV or the City website

You can watch the mayor’s budget address and all the budget hearings on Minneapolis 79 (Comcast Cable channel 79) or on a smartphone, tablet or computer by visiting the City of Minneapolis website at www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/79. Video recordings are available to watch any time on the City website. The rebroadcasts on Minneapolis 79 will be Mondays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at noon from now until early December.

Take the Northeast Park Recreation Building Survey

The Minneapolis Park Board has posted an online survey available until November 12 for the planned Northeast Athletic Field Park Recreation Building. Please take 10 minutes to share your ideas for this building and how it might best serve the community. Contact Project Manager Dana Murdoch at 612-230-6446 or dmurdoch@minneapolisparks.org with any questions.

The survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NortheastParkRecreationBuilding1. Visit the project page at http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=1482.

Save The Date Calendar

Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. City offices are closed.

NE Network: NE Bakeries & Shop Local, Shop NE!, Thursday, Nov. 13, 7:30 a.m., Eastside Food Co-op, 2551 Central Avenue NE. RSVP to nenetwork@eastsidefood.coop.

Autumn Bazaar, Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Edison High School Gym, 700 22nd Ave NE. Featuring local artists and crafters and a silent auction. Proceeds will help fund the Edison Senior All Night Party.

Homegrown Minneapolis Open House, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Cedars Hall, 602 University Ave NE. Join the Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council for a short program, information fair, the 2014 Homegrown Heroes awards and a raffle. Snacks and refreshments will be served. RSVP at www.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/

Street Sweep Begins Monday, October 20

Fall Street Sweeping Begins Monday, October 20

The Street Department is preparing to start the fall sweeping and leaf collection of the City’s streets and parkways. Posting of streets is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 20, with sweeping beginning on Tuesday, October 21. It will take approximately 18 working days to cover the entire city.

Streets will be posted “No Parking” the morning of the day prior to the actual sweeping. Signs will specify the day of the week and will prohibit parking 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Vehicles parked on city streets in violation of these parking regulations will be towed to the Minneapolis Municipal Impound Lot. You may call 311 to find out whether or not a vehicle has been towed.

Telephone alerts will be sent via our community notification voice messaging system to residents whose streets are scheduled to be swept the next day. The City of Minneapolis website also features a “Street Lookup” so that residents can see the sweeping schedule for specific streets online: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/streetsweeping/streetsweep_streetsweeplookup. If you don’t have internet access, feel free to contact the Ward 1 Office at 612-673-2201 to find out when your street will be swept.

Watch City Council meetings on Minneapolis 79, the city’s website, or on
your smartphone: www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/79

CONNECT WITH THE CITY
   

"Kids Voting Minneapolis" Seeks Ward 1 Volunteers

Ward One Update

City Council Member Kevin Reich

350 S. 5th Street, Room 307, Minneapolis, MN 55415

(612) 673-2201 · kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov

HELP OUR STUDENTS VOTE ON ELECTION DAY

Since 2004, in partnership with the Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis City Elections Department, Kids Voting Minneapolis (KVM) has offered Minneapolis K-12 students the opportunity to go to the polls on Election Day with their parents and vote. Students vote in their own voting booth on their own ballot and get rewarded with their “I Voted” sticker. This authentic voting experience furthers civic education and helps students understand the important right and responsibility of voting in this democracy. 

For this to happen, KVM needs 300 community volunteers who staff the 123 city precinct polling places to assist students as they vote. We are still in need of volunteers in Ward 1 polling places. This is a wonderful, one-off volunteer opportunity, just 3 hours (2:00-5:00 or 5:00-8:00 p.m.) on Election Day, plus a convenient 1 hr. training session, and it’s fun. If you could help, just go to www.bit.ly/KVM2014 and fill out the simple Google form or contact the KVM Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah Williams at sarah@kidsvotingminneapolis.org.

Council Member's Message

One of the boards I was appointed to when I first assumed office in 2010 was the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO). I have been deeply involved in the work of this outstanding organization and proud to serve as its board chair since 2013.

The mission of the MWMO is to lead and foster stewardship of the Mississippi watershed with actions that encourage civic ownership and responsibility and through measures that achieve diverse and functional ecosystems. That mission aligns closely with the priorities of the First Ward, given that we share a border with the river and are part of the watershed. As an added bonus, MWMO's beautiful new headquarters is also located in Ward 1 on the banks of the river. The organization has been nominated for two 2014 ReScape Awards, for community impact and environmental impact, for its transformation of a polluted 1-acre site into an education center, offices, demonstration landscape and pedestrian connection to the Mississippi. You can visit the Minnesota Brownfields website to learn more about the ReScape finalists:http://mnbrownfields.org/rescape-award-finalists-announced-2014/

One of the important ways MWMO fulfills its mission is through funding and implementing projects that have a demonstrable impact on water quality. On a large scale, that work can be seen at the Edison High School parking lot, which was completely reconstructed in 2013 with state-of-the-art Best Management Practices so that it can now capture stormwater before it enters the storm sewers and ultimately the Mississippi. The second phase of this project is currently underway at the Edison athletic field, where MWMO is installing stormwater recapture and re-use infrastructure that will ultimately ensure that no stormwater leaves the site.

Other locations in Northeast where MWMO's work can be seen include the Sentyrz parking lot and the grounds of the Grace Center. In addition, MWMO has been monitoring stormwater at a site in the Windom Park neighborhood for a number of years to investigate the quantity and quality of stormwater as it enters Minneapolis from St. Anthony Village and eventually travels to the river near the University of Minnesota. For those wanting more information, MWMO's annual water monitoring report is available at http://mwmo.org/Annual%20Monitoring%20Report%202013.pdf. This project will provide the MWMO an opportunity to test new technologies to remove and manage pollutants before they enter the Mississippi River. The MWMO is also working with the City of Minneapolis in the Northeast area to model how rain water and snow melt moves through the storm pipe system in order to identify and prioritize projects to improve the function of the system. The results of this work could lead to the creation of sub-watershed districts. 

I, my fellow board members and the MWMO staff are pleased to announce that, as part of a larger organizational restructuring of staffing and programs, the organization's Stewardship Fund Grants Program has recently been revised to more closely align with our goals. We felt it was essential that these grants have stronger community connections and that they offer an opportunity for the MWMO to strengthen its relationships with community organizations and entities. Projects can still be done on private property, but the applicant will need to be a non-profit organization, officially recognized neighborhood group, business or professional association, school or local unit of government.

More information about the Stewardship Fund Grants, as well as eligibility guidelines and the application process are available on the MWMO website at www.mwmo.org.  You can also always feel free to contact my office at 612-673-2201 or kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov with any questions.

Former Highland Market Comes Down

This September demolition began at the site of the former Highland Market, the first steps in a major shift on Central Avenue as Walgreens moves down the street. The move is part of a larger business realignment that will bring two brand-new buildings to Central Avenue. Neighborhood HealthSource's Central Clinic will move from their aging building at 2610 Central Avenue to the Methven-Taylor property at 2310 Central, while Walgreens will build a new store at 2600-2620 Central. This activity is the culmination of discussions with the Ward 1 Office, Walgreens and Neighborhood HealthSource over the course of the past two years.

2600 Central Avenue has long been a problematic corner, with a significant amount of Police and Inspections Department resources going toward monitoring  and dealing with criminal activity and livability issues (in the photo at right CM Reich holds a long list of Regulatory Services and Licensing complaints received for the former Highland Market).

The new Walgreens store will be larger than the current location and will feature a drive-through at the rear of the building. The building's design took into account both community comments and the Central Avenue Design Guidelines. As a result, the landscaping plan will include rain gardens, an amenity advocated for by the Holland neighborhood. Adelheid Koski, president of the Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association, and Nick Christoff, Walgreens District Manager, were also on hand to mark the launch of the project with the demolition of the row of aging buildings. Up next: Neighborhood HealthSource Central Clinic will have a groundbreaking ceremony at 2310 Central in a few weeks.

Organics Recycling Comes to the Eastside

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department, in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Audubon Neighborhood Association and Southeast Como Improvement Association, has opened residential organics drop-off locations at Audubon Park, 1320 29th Ave NE, and Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave SE.

Residential organics include all food waste, food-soiled and non-recyclable paper, and other compostable materials such as coffee grounds, filters, cotton swabs, dryer lint and popsicle sticks. Yard waste and pet waste are not accepted. Residents must drop off their organic materials in a compostable bag (either paper or certified compostable plastic). Larger items such as pizza boxes and wax-coated boxes do not need to be bagged.

The drop-offs will be open to all Minneapolis residents at no cost. For the first two months, the drop-offs will be open Tuesdays, 4 – 7 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. During these first two months, volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and gather some participant information from residents. Some information gathered will include the participant’s neighborhood, the number of dwelling units in the home of the participant, if he/she rents or owns their home, etc. Following the volunteer-staffed time period, participants will be given the code to the locks on the organics carts to use the drop-off at their own convenience.

The purpose of these organics drop-offs is to engage and educate as many residents as possible on what organics recycling is and how to participate prior to implementing a city-wide program. Information gathered from the drop-offs will be used to develop an effective educational plan for the implementation of a city-wide organics program. Information about the drop-offs can be found on Solid Waste & Recycling’s organics recycling webpage: www.minneapolismn.gov/organics.

Fall Street Sweeping Begins Monday, October 20

Minneapolis is known for its sparkling waterways and we want to keep it that way. That’s why protecting and enhancing our environment is one of the City’s top priorities. Street sweeping is one way we work to protect our environment because it keeps leaves and debris from clogging our storm drains and polluting our lakes and rivers. It also helps keep our neighborhoods clean and livable.

Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb once in the spring and once in the fall. This fall’s sweep will begin Monday, October 20. Streets will be posted at least 24 hours in advance. Parking on posted streets is prohibited 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

For more information and to access the Street Look Up tool for advance notice, visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/streetsweeping/ which will be routinely updated. Messages about parking restrictions are also available in multiple languages at this link.

Residents should not push leaves, grass clippings, or other debris into City streets – it’s bad for our waterways, can cause safety hazards, and is against the law. Anything that goes down a storm drain flows directly into our lakes and river, and decomposing plant material in the water encourages the growth of harmful aquatic plants and algae.

Ward 1 Business Update: Art Force

Since relocating to Northeast Minneapolis from Plymouth four years ago, Art Force (which was formerly known as Corporate Art Force) has filled an important niche in the creative economy of the Arts District. They provide an essential link in the marketplace between artists and higher institutions and businesses, leading to increased sales and leases of art for office complexes, organizational headquarters and corporate campuses. Beyond that, Art Force offers comprehensive art assets management and the SmartArt Rotating Art Program.

As its newest innovation, Art Force has introduced a unique Art Consultant Certification program. The certification was developed as part of Art Force Academy, which was originally a tool for their staff but has now been expanded to provide resources, education and information to art consultants and related professionals, artists and the marketplace. Art Force is the only organization in the industry that offers a certification program for Art Consultants. For further information about Art Force Academy and the SmartArt Rotating Art Program, visit http://artforce.org/project/artist-2

Energy Assistance Information

Following the termination by the State of Minnesota of its contracts with Community Action of Minneapolis, the City of Minneapolis is committed to ensuring that those who need the services that Community Action provided will still receive them. Effective immediately, Community Action of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) will deliver the Energy Assistance Program in Minneapolis.

Energy Assistance applications that were previously submitted to Community Action of Minneapolis will be delivered to CAPSH and processed in the order in which they were received. Clients do not need to submit new applications unless notified by CAPSH. Minneapolis residents who have received Energy Assistance applications should mail them to CAPSH at the address below rather than to the address printed on their application:

Mail new applications to:

Energy Assistance Program, 8800 Highway 7, #403, St. Louis Park, MN 55426

The Energy Assistance application can be downloaded online at www.capsh.org or by calling 952-930-3541. Residents who are interested in weatherization services for their home should contact Sustainable Resources Center at 612-870-4255.

Save The Date

Destination Northeast! Putting Northeast on the Map

Monday, October 13, 5 - 6 p.m.,  Artspace Jackson Flats, 901 18-1/2 Avenue NE.  This forum will examine how Minneapolis is promoted as a destination and how Northeast Minneapolis can connect to audiences outside its borders. 

NE Farmers Market Harvest Gala

Thursday, October 16, 6 – 10 p.m., Solar Arts Building, 711 15th Ave NE. This fundraiser and celebration of the season will include a seasonal cocktails and appetizers from local chefs, as well as a silent auction. To reserve tickets, visitwww.NEFMHarvestGala.eventbrite.com.

Nordeast Big River Brew Fest

Saturday, October 18, 1 - 4 p.m., East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 Second St. NE.  This event is a fundraiser for East Side Neighborhood Services' programs. For tickets, visit http://www.esns.org/.

3rd Annual Minneapolis Riverfront Summit

Monday, October 20, 5:30 p.m., Mill City Museum, 704 S. Second St. See the winning films in the Mississippi Minute Film Festival. To register for a free ticket, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-minneapolis-riverfront-summit-tickets-13391573557.

Morris Park Players’ “Shrek The Musical”

Friday, Oct. 24 & Saturday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m., Edison High School Theater, 700 22nd Avenue NE. Runs through November 9. For tickets and further information, visit http://mpplayers.wix.com/morris-park-players.

Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

The Transportation & Public Works Committee, which I chair, recently recommended authorizing City officials to enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the Clean Water Fund Grant Program to provide Minneapolis property owners with financial assistance for repairs to private sewer services. After being authorized by the full Council, this grant program will start February 14.

This should be a welcome resource for property owners facing the need to repair or replace their leaking sanitary sewer services to reduce excessive flow of clear water into the regional sanitary sewer system. Clear water gets into sanitary sewers in a number of ways, including from leaky lateral pipes that run from houses to the street sewer pipe and from foundation drains that are connected to the sewer system. There are significant environmental and financial costs associated with this problem. Inflow and infiltration can cause sewage backups into homes. Clear water that gets into the sewer is then treated and discharged into a river instead of infiltrating into groundwater aquifers. Property owners also pay for the unnecessary treatment of the clear water through their municipal utility bills.

Through the Clean Water Fund Grant program, funds are available to any property owner with sewer repairs on or after July 1, 2013. Property owners can receive a reimbursement for one-third the cost of the inspection and eligible repairs, up to a maximum of $2,000.

Funds are limited, so if you are interested in taking advantage of this program, you should act quickly. Applications will be accepted beginning February 14, 2013.  A link to more information about the program and the process will be available at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/sewers/sewers_repairs beginning Monday, February 10. If you have any questions about this grant program, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 612-673-2201.

Lowry Avenue NE Workshop – February 27

Hennepin County, in cooperation with the City of Minneapolis, the northeast neighborhoods and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, is hosting the first public workshop for the Lowry Avenue NE plan on Thursday, February 27, 6 – 8 p.m., at Edison High School Media Room, 700 22nd Avenue NE. The workshop will begin with a short presentation on recently gathered corridor information followed by a series of community input activities focused on transportation and economic opportunities along the corridor and at the six study intersections. Please plan on staying for the entire workshop. For more information, contact Carol Anderson at Carol.Anderson@hennepin.us and watch the project webpage for updates: http://www.hennepin.us/residents/transportation/lowry-avenue-community-works.

Watch for Temporary “No Parking” Signs

Because of snow and ice buildup along curbs, some streets are getting too narrow for fire trucks, ambulances and transit buses to get around. To ensure that the streets are open for emergency vehicles, “No Parking” signs will be posted in some locations. In some cases, crews will work to remove some of the accumulated snow and ice, as resources allow.

Look for and follow the “No Parking” signs, and please help remind your neighbors to do the same. If you park in a spot posted for “No Parking”, you may receive a ticket, and your car may be towed to the impound lot.

If we get more snowfall in the coming weeks, it may be necessary to impose Winter Parking Restrictions (a city-wide, one-side parking ban on non-Snow Emergency Routes) to help ensure that firefighters, medics and other emergency workers can reach homes and businesses on every street. If you have questions about this work, please call the Ward 1 Office at 612-673-2201 or 311.

Mpls Boards & Commissions Openings

Applications are now being accepted for a number of open board and commission positions that the City Council and mayor will appoint this spring. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions and provide community-based input into administration of services. The City is seeking applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to strengthen the work of the City. There are more than 40 open positions on the following six City boards and commissions: Civil Rights Commission Bicycle Advisory Committee Workforce Council Public Health Advisory Committee Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission Pedestrian Advisory Committee Applications will be reviewed beginning April 25, but the positions are open until filled. Visit the City’s website for a full list of appointment opportunities and position descriptions.

Free Mini-MBA Course for Mpls Businesses

The Minneapolis office of the US Small Business Administration is offering a free intensive training course to area businesses. The Emerging Entrepreneurs training is open to small businesses located in the Minneapolis metro area with annual revenues between $400,000 and $10 million that have been in business for at least three years. The only costs are the business owner’s time and commitment to complete the curriculum. Participants should anticipate 100 hours of combined classroom, homework and peer-to-peer mentoring. A few of the past 22 Minneapolis participants include: Alexander’s Import Auto Repair, CorAzon, Gandhi Mahal, Guaranty Commercial Title, Manny’s Tortas and Mother Earth Gardens.

Thirteen classes will begin early/mid April and run through early November. Interested small business owners are invited to learn more about the initiative and request to have the one page application emailed by contacting the SBA office: Cindy Collett at 612-370-2312, cynthia.collett@sba.gov or Katherine Roth at 612-370-2320, katherine.roth@sba.gov. Applications are due March 11.

6th Annual “We Love Our Presidents” Walk

Join your friends and neighbors for this annual stroll of Northeast Minneapolis’ presidential streets on Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The walk begins at Edison High School, 700 22nd Avenue NE, at 10:15 and proceeds 1.5 miles to Northeast Middle School, 2955 Hayes Street NE, with a cocoa stop at Eastside Food Co-op. This year’s theme is Presidential First Ladies, so dress as your favorite one for extra fun and prizes. A chili lunch, games and contests will be hosted at Northeast Middle School from noon to 1 p.m. Visit the We Love Our Presidents Facebook page for further information.