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

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"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.