BRIEFS June 2022

Posted

Lake Nokomis Area Groundwater and
Surface Water Evaluation
There will be a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. May 31 at the Nokomis Community Center, 2401 E. Minnehaha Parkway, to discuss findings of the Lake Nokomis Area Groundwater and Surface Water Evaluation. There will be a presentation and time for people to ask questions and provide comments. You can view the findings of the evaluation and learn more about Lake Nokomis area groundwater and surface water issues at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/nokomis‐groundwater.

No-knock warrant report
Minneapolis Civil Rights Police Conduct Review staff recently reviewed all the Minneapolis no-knock warrants between Sept. 1, 2021, though Jan. 31, 2022 and reported that all of the 29 no-knock warrants executed by Minneapolis police during that period were “targeting” people of color. They reported that 24 African Americans, three Native Americans, one Hispanic and one Asian American were targets of the raids.

State police increase presence in city
In April, the city council authorized agreements with the Minnesota State Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) that will add patrols and investigators in Minneapolis. There will be added patrols in a “North Focus Zone” that covers the West Broadway Business Corridor, and a “South Focus Zone” along Lake Street from Hiawatha Ave. to Interstate 35W and from Nicollet Ave. to Hennepin Ave. The State Patrol will have four officers work four hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week. The city will pay the State Patrol $400,000 based on an hourly rate. The BCA have will have 13 investigators working in the city police department helping investigate violent crimes. The BCA will be compensated up to $300,000 during the term of the contract. The city or state may terminate the agreements at any time, with a 30-day notice, but they are not set to expire until Dec. 31, 2023.

State of the City Address
Mayor Jacob Frey gave his 2022 State of the City address via a video recording on April 26. In it, he highlighted changes within city government and his spending proposal for the $43 million of remaining funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The address was given a day before the release of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights findings of police civil rights violations. “This spring season has cast a new light across our city, bringing with it a palpable renewed sense of hope and optimism,” he said. “From meetings in city hall to conversations at the many groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings, I’m struck by a newfound sense of purpose and focus, a resolve to attack the day with purpose.” His spending plan includes funding for affordable housing, public safety, and economic recovery, as well as climate and public health. The council was expected to consider amendments and approve a final budget for the funds on May 26.

County zero waste plan
Hennepin County is working on a new zero waste plan. The new plan will complement the county’s newly adopted Climate Action Plan and provide the foundation for the 2024 Solid Waste Management Master Plan. To help develop the plan, people are invited to share their thoughts and experiences in recycling, composting, and reducing waste online. hennepin.org/zero-waste-future.

~ Briefs compiled by Cam Gordon

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