City briefs - May 2023

Cedar and 42 Street
In April, Hennepin County workers began improvements on 42nd Street at 21st, 26th, and Nokomis Ave that include installing raised medians and pedestrian curb ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. In May, the county plans to close the 42nd St. and Cedar Ave. intersection to install new dedicated turn lanes, curb extensions and make drainage improvements. Closure is expected to last one month.

2023 CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN
On April 19, a city council committee received a presentation about the draft 2023 Climate Equity Plan. The plan updates and replaces the 2013 Climate Action Plan and sets a goal for the city to become carbon neutral by 2050 with a focus actions that can be taken over the next five years. Comments about the plan are being taken online until June 5, followed by a June 7 hearing at the Public Health and Safety committee, a Green Zone presentation on June 10 and council adoption set for June 15.

COMMISSION ON POLICE OVERSIGHT
City elected officials, staff and a council committee has reviewed and is recommending 15 people to serve on the newly formed commission that will, according to the new ordinance, “provide a forum for the public to have meaningful engagement in police oversight and shall serve as part of the deliberative review process.” Locally, recommended appointees include Mara Schanfield for Ward 2, AJ Awed for Ward 6, Fartun Weli for Ward 8, Stacey Gurian-Sherman for Ward 9, Philip Sturm for Ward 11, and James Westphal for Ward 12.

NEW TRANSIT PLAN
Metro Transit is drafting a new plan that will help guide their work for the next five years. They will be holding community workshops online from 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, April 26 and 12-1:30 p.m. Friday, April 28 and in-person from 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, May 4 at the Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. For more details and to take a survey visit www.metrotransit.org/Network-Now.

UPCOMING DFL CONVENTIONS
The Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) party will hold Ward conventions for Ward 12 on Saturday, April 29 at Roosevelt High School; for Wards 2 and 9 on Sunday, April 30 online; for Wards 6 and 8 Saturday, May 20 online; and, for Ward 11 on Sunday, May 21 online. See https://minneapolisdfl.org for more information.

WARD 6 CANDIDATE FORUM ON ENERGY
There will be Ward 6 city council candidate forum on energy and climate justice hosted by the group, Community Power, on Thursday, May 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Ave. S. All four announced candidates – Abdizirak Bihi, Kayseh Magan, Jamal Osman and Tiger Worku – are expected to attend.

PARKLETS AND STREET CAFES
The city is seeking applications for parklets and street cafés for the 2023 season. Neighborhood organizations, businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and special service districts are invited to apply. Street-level businesses can apply for a street café where you can seat and serve your customers. The deadline to apply to host one of the three city-owned parklets is May 7. All other applications can be applied for any time.

NEW HR DIRECTOR AT CITY
Nikki Odom has been hired as chief human resources officer for the city of Minneapolis. She will oversee city employee recruitment, benefits, collective bargaining, labor contract administration, training and more. Prior to joining the city, Odom served as vice president of People & Culture at Minnesota Community Care health center. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a law degree from Marquette University.