City briefs - July 6

A public hearing was held on June 21 to hear final comments on the park board’s plan for Cedar-Isles park area. The hearing ran for about two hours and included a 15-minute staff presentation, 17 speakers and commissioner discussion. The planning committee passed the plan unanimously after making several amendments.  Three of Commissioner Barbara Shaffer’s amendments were approved by the committee. One clarified a funding source for improvements. One ensured that “as staff implement amenities within the Amenity and Wayfinding category, the assessment and repair of like-amenities within the plan scope will be addressed and communicated with the public.” The third will remove the soft surface, two-way bike trail northeast of Cedar Lake and add a pedestrian trail in its place. The amended plan will be considered for final approval by the full Board of Commissioners at their next meeting on July 5.

 

On June 16, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland held a press conference to announce the results of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation into Minneapolis police and an agreement between the city and DOJ to begin negotiation of a consent decree. Federal investigators found a pattern of unlawful and unconstitutional practices, and concluded that “there is reasonable cause to believe that the city engaged in a pattern of practice of excessive force, unlawful discrimination against Black and Native American people, unlawful responses to protected First Amendment activities, and unlawful discrimination against people with behavioral health disabilities.” 

 

On July 13, Hennepin County District Court Judge Janisch will hold a hearing on the potential court enforceable agreement between the city and the state department of human rights (MDHR) that outlines steps for improving policing in the city. At this hearing, MDHR and the city will explain why the judge should enter the court enforceable agreement. 

 

Registration is open for a “Representing Youth Stories and Experiences” (RYSE) summer media camp.  This is a free two-week program for high school students interested in media, technology and storytelling. Students will collaborate with local media professionals and their peers to bring a story they are passionate about to life, ready for the big screen and TV. Two sessions are being offered that will run 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. The first begins July 31 and the second Aug. 14. Find more information and apply on the SPEAK MPLS website.

 

The Ward 10 Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) party  endorsement concluded on June 22 with a tally of an online voting process. Council Member Aisha Chughtai was endorsed for reelection to the city council with 69% of the vote.  

 

Open Streets Glenwood will be held on Sunday, July 16 and follow Glenwood Avenue North from Washburn Avenue North to Bryant Avenue North. Open Streets Lyndale will be held Sunday, Oct. 8 on Lyndale Avenue from West 22nd Street to West 42nd Street. Open Streets Minneapolis is a city of Minneapolis initiative organized by Our Streets Minneapolis that gives local businesses, artists and community groups a chance to transform the streets into a place where people can gather and celebrate the diversity and creativity of the city while walking, biking and rolling.