Council Member's Message

Traffic safety has always been one of the paramount concerns of First Ward residents and businesses. Everyone, myself included, would like to see safer streets and fewer crashes. And to that end, I'm proud of the work we've already done to create a better environment for pedestrians, bikers and vehicles alike. One example is the innovative program we launched this year to upgrade our crosswalks citywide with more visible durable markings. Another is the traffic calming work we continue to do on Johnson Street, including new lane markings and a pedestrian island. We have a curb-separated ped/bike path coming on 18th Avenue and have seen a record number of ADA installations and curb bump-outs across the Ward. However, more needs to be done. 

This September the Transportation & Public Works Committee that I chair will take the first steps to establish a Vision Zero policy, aimed at eliminating fatalities and serious injuries while expanding safe and equitable mobility for everyone. This exciting and innovative approach has the potential to dramatically reshape our response to traffic safety.

Vision Zero was first implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, has had impressive results in Europe and is now being considered in a number of major US cities. It utilizes cross-disciplinary collaboration between traffic engineers, transit planners, public safety and public health professionals, policymakers, and the community to address the complex issues of traffic safety and it employs data-driven strategies and community input to craft solutions.

The first step in the process will be a resolution committing to Vision Zero, followed by the development of an action plan. The goal is the elimination of fatalities and serious injuries from crashes within our city by 2027. Stay tuned for more about this initiative which will greatly enhance work moving forward in our Ward and across the city.

New Police Chief Medaria Arradondo

The City Council has approved Medaria "Rondo" Arradondo, who has served as acting chief since July 21, as the City’s new police chief. Arradondo joined the MPD in 1989 as a patrol officer in the 3rd Precinct. He has served as a school resource officer and a northside beat officer. He also has internal affairs and property-crime investigation experience. Arradondo has served as 1st Precinct inspector, deputy chief and chief of staff. He is now the City’s first African American police chief.

Ward One was the first community to get an opportunity to talk with the new chief, at a forum hosted by Council Member Reich just four days before the final confirmation vote. Chief Arradondo recapped his career with the Minneapolis Police Department and talked about his vision for MPD going forward. He was accompanied by Inspector Todd Loining, who heads the Second Precinct, and Troy Schoenberger, the newly appointed Commander of the Special Crimes Investigations Division.

Community members had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns and issues with the police department. Several discussed the need for the new Chief to restore public trust in the department, while others raised issues about how officers relate to people of color. Incentivizing officers to live in the city and response times for low-level crimes were other topics touched upon.

Council Member Reich intends to offer additional community forums later this year to continue the discussion of various aspects of policing in Minneapolis. Next up will be a discussion about the City's co-responder program that pairs mental health professionals with officers and new technologies that can assist in interactions between officers and people with autism.

Fall Street Sweep Alert

This year's fall street sweep will begin Tuesday, October 17, with the first streets being posted "No Parking" on Monday, October 16.

The sweep typically takes four weeks to complete. Watch for more details in early October.

Public Input Sought on Zero Waste Draft Plan

In June of 2015 the Minneapolis City Council established a goal to recycle and compost 50% of its citywide waste by 2020 and 80% by 2030. The resolution also called for zero-percent growth in the City’s total waste stream from levels set in 2010. In 2015 the city of Minneapolis formed the Zero Waste Policy Work Group to develop a plan to meet those goals and set new ones. The city is has begun the drafting of a zero-waste plan and will host a series of engagement sessions for residents and business representatives.

 The draft plan can downloaded here: https://www.scribd.com/document/358292142/Zero-Waste-Draft-Plan

 Resident/Community Meetings

 6-8 p.m. Sept. 11, Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.

 6-8 p.m. Sept. 14, Matthews Park, 2318 29th Ave. S.

 6-8 p.m., Sept. 18, City Church, 1501 W. 54th St.

 6-8 p.m. Sept. 21, Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.

 Session for Haulers/Business Community

1:30-3:30 p.m., Sept. 19, CR Currie Conf Ctr 135 PW (100), 1220 Currie Ave. North

 For those residents unable to attend one of the above sessions, an online survey is available. Please share your thoughts by completing the survey.

City Introduces new Legislative Information Management System

The City of Minneapolis is launching a new Legislative Information Management System (LIMS) that will greatly improve public access to legislative and policy-related information, a big step forward in improving the accessibility and transparency of government. This project has been in process for several years and was publicly unveiled on Monday, September 11.

This new system will allow public users to easily access all legislative calendars and agendas and to follow items through the entire legislative process. Users will also be able to find briefing materials, committee reports and a portal to the City Charter and Municipal Code all in one place. LIMS will also enable public users to assemble data and customize reports of that data.

LIMS can be accessed from the City's website beginning September 11.

City of Minneapolis Public Art Tours

The City of Minneapolis has teamed up with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on six self-guided, interactive tours exploring public art. There are approximately 300 individual pieces of public art to visit in Minneapolis. The Eastside tour alone features 11 works, 74 individual pieces and 12 artists.

The interactive maps feature detailed information about each artwork and directions to the pieces. The maps also provide information on how long each tour will take for those who choose to bike, walk or drive. To learn more about the artworks and featured artists, visit the Minneapolis Public Art Tour interactive website. Tour goers are encouraged to share their adventures using the hashtag #TourMplsArt.

The photo at left is one of the 26 different painted metal motifs created by artist Susan Fiene, as part of the Northeast Gateway public art project located at the intersection of Broadway and Central Avenues NE. The motifs, created in reference to 26 different ethnic heritages, convey the cultural diversity of the Northeast community.

September 22 is World Car-Free Day

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 60% of Minneapolis workers drove alone to work in 2015. Move Minneapolis, an organization that promotes sustainable transportation in downtown Minneapolis, would like to raise public awareness of other, more environmentally-friendly options through an annual celebration of World Car-Free Day. Single occupant drivers are encouraged to consider carpooling, walking, biking, or taking public transportation on September 22. Visit http://moveminneapolis.org/car-free-day/ to take the pledge to not drive alone that day and register for a prize drawing.

World Car-Free Day is observed in 1.500 cities in more than 40 countries. Council Member Kevin Reich will be presenting a resolution at the September 20th City Council meeting designating that September 2 henceforth be World Car-Free Day in the City of Minneapolis

Save the Date Calendar

Health & Wellness Expo 2017: Your Community for A Lifetime

Tuesday, September 12, 10 a.m. – noon, East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. NE. Visit with dozens of vendors and participate in wellness exercises, demonstrations, drawings and door prizes.  Health screenings and flu shots will also be available

International Dot Day: Make Your Mark!

Friday, September 15, 9:30 – 4:30 p.m., Northeast Library, 2200 Central Ave. NE. Celebrate International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, by reading the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds and creating your own dot to take home or add to a beautiful display.

Northern Metal Recycling Community Meeting

Tuesday, September 19, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Elim Church, 685 13th Ave NE. Northern Metal Recycling has scheduled the second in a series of community meetings the company agreed to provide under the court settlement.

St. Mary’s Taste of Northeast

Friday, September 29 & Saturday, September 30, 1701 5th Street NE. This fall festival features music, food, games, iconography demonstrations and raffles.

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