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.