Three weeks left to comment on Neighborhoods 2020 Framework
 What role should the neighborhood organization system and NCR play in meeting the needs of our growing city in 2020 and moving forward?
The Neighborhoods 2020 Framework Recommendations is a policy document that outlines the recommendations gathered from two years of community meetings, with input from three work groups, and is now open for public comment through March 31, 2019. |
Read the recommendations
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How to comment
Welcome Alberder Gillespie
 NCR is excited to welcome Alberder Gillespie to lead the City of Minneapolis’s Census 2020 complete count efforts. Alberder joins us with over fifteen cumulative years of experience in campaign strategy and coalition building. She has been an active member of many cross-cultural organizations, boards and coalitions, including the Minnesota Attorney General transition team, MN2020, Common Cause Minnesota, the League of Women Voters, Restore the Vote Minnesota and the University of Minnesota’s Presidential Advisory Board.
As Census 2020 project coordinator, Alberder will be leading the City of Minneapolis’s efforts to ensure that all Minneapolis residents are accurately counted in next year’s census. An accurate population count is vital, as census population data is used to determine political representation for Minnesota and federal funding for local governments.
You can find all NCR staff contact information and job titles at Minneapolismn.gov/ncr/staff. |
Neighborhood Partnership Initiative Grant March 31 Deadline
The Neighborhood Partnership Initiative (NPI) programs at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) are currently seeking applications. The deadline is March 31, 2019.
The Neighborhood Partnership Initiative (NPI) makes technical assistance and small grants of up to $10,000 available to community-based, neighborhood or other place-based organizations located in communities of color and low-income communities in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs. Read more…
Entrepreneur training coming soon to Elliot Park
Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc. is working with Neighborhood Development Center to offer a Plan It! entrepreneur training in 2019. Prospective business owners and beginner businesses are welcome to attend either the spring or fall 2019 sessions.
The series will include classroom instruction and individual assistance, covering topics like accounting, finance, the credit review process, marketing, operations, management and more. Read more…
Download the application…
Minneapolis boards and commissions reaching race diversity goals
 Minneapolis’ appointed boards and commissions are becoming more inclusive with a steady increase in residents of color serving. The 2018 Appointed Boards and Commissions Diversity Survey Report shows that the City has met its race diversity benchmark with board and commission members within 80 percent of city demographics. Thirty-three percent of the City’s board and commission members are people of color, whereas the population of Minneapolis is 36 percent people of color.
The City still seeks more proportional representation in its appointed boards and commissions in the categories of:
- High school and technical school graduates.
- Renters.
- People ages 18-24.
Other cities across the U.S. have begun to model their own survey work and diversity tracking after Minneapolis’.
Read the full report here…
Join a City board or commission
The City benefits from the volunteer efforts of about 300 residents who serve on 20 appointed advisory boards and commissions. Board and commission members provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions and provide community-based input into the design and administration of City services. Apply by the deadline listed on the pages below, which range from March 30 to April 19:
City Council approves concept plan for redeveloping Upper Harbor Terminal site in north Minneapolis
 The City Council has approved an amended concept plan for redeveloping the 48-acre Upper Harbor Terminal site along the riverfront in north Minneapolis with a first phase that will include affordable housing, mixed-use development, riverfront parkland and an outdoor music performance venue.
The approval of the concept plan comes after an extensive multi-year community engagement process that has guided a vision for the site, which is home to a former barging terminal that closed in 2014. The City owns the terminal site, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will oversee future parkland. United Properties, THOR Companies and First Avenue Productions make up the development team working with the City, Park Board and community on the redevelopment plan.
Highlights of community benefits for phase one of redevelopment
- Housing development with 300 to 500 units, including 40 percent affordable units.
- One-mile of public riverfront access and 19.5 acres of parkland overall (to be completed in multiple phases).
- Mixed-use development with space for 10 to 20 businesses focused on community-ownership models, office space and a hospitality component.
- An outdoor music performance venue with free community programming and extensive job training opportunities.
Next steps
The City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey are expected to appoint the Community Planning and Engagement Committee members in mid-May after a two-month application and review process. The committee is expected to have its first meeting in late May.
To learn more about the Upper Harbor Terminal project, visit the project website: upperharbormpls.com. |
Winter parking restrictions in effect to improve access for emergency vehicles
 Minneapolis officials have implemented Winter Parking Restrictions to ensure city streets are passable for emergency vehicles, buses and other travelers in the face of heavy snow accumulation this winter.
When Winter Parking Restrictions began on February 27 parking was banned on the EVEN numbered side of non-Snow-Emergency routes until April 1, unless conditions allow the City to lift the ban earlier. Read more…
It is possible that Snow Emergencies can be declared while Winter Parking Restrictions are in place. When it snows, people should take advantage of the many tools the City offers to stay informed of parking rules.
You have many ways to find out when a snow emergency is declared and what the rules are for each day to avoid being towed. Call 612-348-SNOW, visit: www.minneapolismn.gov/snow. Get emergency alerts via email at minneapolismn.gov/snow/snow_esubscribe.
Read more… |
Remember for crews’ safety to shovel around your garbage, recycling and organics carts
 This winter’s frequent snowfalls have made it difficult for crews to collect garbage, recycling and organics, and pulling a cart out of a snowdrift can injure them. Remember before your collection day to shovel a 36-inch-wide path from your garbage, recycling and organics carts to the street or alley.
City ordinances require this path be cleared for garbage, recycling and organics carts within 48 hours after the snow stops falling. If City crews have to shovel out the cart(s), a fee of $30 per cart will be added to your utility bill. If the snow stops for less than 48 hours and the carts aren’t yet shoveled out, for their safety, crews can’t empty the carts.
Learn more about garbage, recycling and organics collection here. |
Avoid ice dams with help from the City and CenterPoint Energy
 Icicles and ice dams mean that a lot of energy – and money – is being wasted as heat escapes through the roof of your home. You can solve that problem by sealing air leaks between your house and attic adding insulation in your attic. Insulation can help protect your house from ice dams and water damage while saving you money and energy – and even reducing the pollution that contributes to climate change.
Get Help
- CenterPoint Energy offers rebates for 30 percent of the cost ($500 maximum) when you air seal and insulate your attic. For details, visit www.centerpointenergy.com/rebates.
- The City of Minneapolis offers loans for the work with no interest. For more information, call 612-335-5884 or visit mnlendingcenter.org/mpls.
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New rules on energy efficiency disclosure before buying or renting
Starting over the next few years, homebuyers and renters will be able to learn energy information about a Minneapolis home or apartment before they sign on the dotted line. The Minneapolis City Council approved three new policies as recommended in Minneapolis’ Climate Action Plan:
- Residential Energy Benchmarking: Extends the existing commercial benchmarking ordinance to cover residential buildings of 50,000 square feet and larger. It requires an energy evaluation of properties with high savings potential. This policy will be phased in based on building size, with the first compliance date being June 1, 2019 for buildings 100,000 square feet and larger. Learn more about the requirements and rules for benchmarking and time of rent energy disclosure.
- Time of Rent Energy Disclosure: At the time of rent, residential building owners must disclose average energy cost per square foot. This policy will go into effect in 2021.
- Time of Sale Energy Disclosure: Energy efficiency characteristics must be included as part of the already-required Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH) report when selling a home. This covers information on the home’s insulation, heating system and windows. This policy will go into effect in 2020. Learn more about the requirements for time of sale energy disclosure.
The goals of these policies are to reduce overall housing costs, ensure residents have reliable cost information when deciding where to live, and reduce carbon emissions. Minneapolis joins nearly 20 other cities in adopting residential energy benchmarking for large buildings.
Get Help
Several programs are available to help property owners reduce energy use find the complete list of programs here.
Changes to Products Accepted for Recycling
 Hold onto your Solid Waste & Recycling service guide when you receive it in the mail. Your guide includes information on all the services that Solid Waste & Recycling provides, a list of accepted materials and a collection schedule for the year. The guide also highlights two changes to the accepted recycling materials and new programs to prevent and clean up litter.
No longer accepted:
- No. 6 plastics.
- Any black plastic.
The guide explains why some of the items commonly found in recycling carts are not accepted. Common items that are not recyclable include:
- Paper coffee cups, plates and takeout containers.
- Plastic bags, bubble wrap and plastic film.
- Large plastic items.
- Metal pots, pans and scrap.
- Paper egg cartons, napkins and paper towels.
Changes in recycling markets have made it more important than ever to place only the accepted items in recycling carts.
Learn more about what goes in your recycling carts by calling 612-673-2917 or visiting the City Solid Waste & Recycling website.
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