City briefs

New ambassadors hit the streets
On May 28, new city safety ambassadors began working along E. Lake St and E. Franklin Ave. The city has contracted with Metro Youth Diversion Center through March 31, 2026, for $325,164 for the Lake St. pilot program, and $256,836, for the E. Franklin program. The ambassadors may serve as escorts, connect people to services, provide first aid. do wellness checks, give directions and share information about events, resources or businesses in the area. They wear bright, visible uniforms and will work five days a week, typically during daylight hours.

City council's budget priorities
The city council has released budget priorities for the 2026 budget that the mayor will be proposing in August. Council members ranked priorities as follows: 1) affordable housing and homelessness, 2) community safety and police reform, 3) economic inclusion and living wage jobs, 4) racial equity and disparity reduction, 5) climate action and environmental justice, 6) public health and well-being, 7) effective public services and public service access, 8) transportation, infrastructure,&and public space, 9) good governance and civic participation, and, 10) arts, culture, and historical preservation. They also identified areas of over investment and under investment, and the range of property tax levy increase they each would be comfortable supporting.

DFL City Council Conventions
Wards 2, 9, 10 and 11 had Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) city council endorsement conventions on May 31. In Ward 2, there was no endorsement and DFL candidates Shelly Madore and Michael Baskins will continue their campaigns along with the independent incumbent Robin Wonsley. In Ward 9, Jason Chavez was endorsed. In Ward 10, there was no endorsement and DFLers Aisha Chughtai and Lydia Millard are both continuing their campaigns. In Ward 11, Jamison Whiting was endorsed. At the convention Mariam DeMello said she would end her campaign, but is now reconsidering. “I’m still in the process of deciding my next steps,” she said on June 9. “I also hope others from our community will consider stepping up to run.”

MPD off-duty fees
A recent city study found that fees of $6.99/hour without a squad car and $27.58/hour with a squad car would recover the costs of city law enforcement personnel working for private entities, which they are currently allowed to do when off duty. It is estimated that this could cover roughly $1.4 million that is currently being subsidized by taxpayers and $300,000 in new revenue that could be used to improve tracking and administration.

Safe and Thriving Communities Work Group
The city council has approved the first set of appointments to its new of Safe and Thriving Communities Work Group that is intended to advise the mayor and council on the creation of the new southside community safety center, as well as the implementation of the comprehensive community safety system. The appointees include Michele Braley, former, longtime director of Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice as well as Jane Lansing, chair of the Reimagining Public Safety Committee of the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis.

New Labor Agreements for MPD leadership
The city council has approved the terms for collective bargaining agreements for two police department staff groups not previously represented by unions: the inspectors and commanders organized under the Minnesota Public Employees Association, and the assistant and deputy chiefs organized as the Minneapolis Association of Police Deputy Chiefs-MPD Assistant and Deputy Chiefs. Both agreements cover Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2026 and include pay increases of 4.5% for 2024 and 4% for 2025 and 2026.

Police policy meeting
The city’s police department is making a public presentation on Tuesday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Public Service Building at 505 S. 4th Ave. to provide updates on MPD policy changes related to the city’s settlement agreement with the state. This is expected to include policy changes regarding the police use of force, stops, searches, and discriminatory policing, as well as the department’s mission, goals, vision, and values.

Park and Portland avenues
Hennepin County held an open house on June 26 to share a design concept for Park and Portland avenues between Interstate 94 and 46th Street East. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027. To learn more visit www.beheardhennepin.org/park-and-portland or contact Olagoke Afolabi at olagoke.afolabi@hennepin.us or 612-596-0311.

Household Hazardous Waste
Hennepin County is holding community collection events this summer where people can dispose of garden and household hazardous waste. Waste will be accepted on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9 at South High School.