Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis mayor vetoes 2 City Council data requests on homeless encampment closures
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed two directives submitted by town council that requested additional research on the impacts of clearing out homeless encampments and the involvement of police.
The mayor’s workplace acknowledged the end result was “on account of a technical error in the way in which the actions have been written” because it pertains to the just lately enacted “robust mayor” authorities construction now working in Minneapolis.
Each directives have been delivered by Ward 10 Councilor Aisha Chughtai and Ward 9 Councilor Jason Chavez.
Frey’s workplace stated as soon as the measures are written in accordance with the newly-established authorities process, he’ll signal them. Based on town, the requests must undergo the mayor as an alternative of particular metropolis departments. Frey would then resolve methods to get hold of the data requested.
“Ought to or not it’s the need of the Council to move one other request to the Mayor to direct the assets of the Administration to offer a examine or evaluation referring to the closures of encampments, I’ll signal that motion,” Frey wrote in each veto letters.
“I stand able to work with you to finalize a request with these technical modifications, together with cautious consideration of a practicable timeline to finish the work and availability of information, in order that it may be handed on the subsequent Council assembly.”
The subsequent metropolis council assembly is scheduled for Nov. 3, in response to town’s web site.
The primary directive proposed by Chughtai requested the Regulatory Providers Division to offer an in depth take a look at funds and well being and security impacts of compelled removals.
The second directive requested by Chavez requested the Workplace of Efficiency and Innovation and the Race, Fairness, Inclusion, and Belonging Division to look at the prevailing practices for conducting these encampment removals, particularly concerning the position of police within the removals.
It additionally requested to take a look at methods to cut back or get rid of police presence whereas clearing the encampments.
On Oct. 20, town council rejected a measure to cease compelled removals as it might go above and past what town council might do beneath the brand new authorities construction. Minneapolis Metropolis Legal professional Kristyn Anderson stated the directive of pausing compelled removals and clearing out encampments falls beneath govt authority – ie. the workplace of Frey – and never legislative.
Voters opted for a robust mayor system to be adopted in 2021, giving Frey the chief govt the administration energy for all metropolis departments, which have been beforehand – apart from the police division – beneath management of town council.
The removing of homeless encampments has sparked criticism from residents of the encampments, activists, and a few council members.
“The encampments have been eliminated with a closely armed police presence, leading to unsheltered residents shedding their belongings and the creation of latest encampments and the expansion of present ones,” Chughtai stated in the course of the metropolis council assembly, noting the Oct. 6 removing of the Close to North neighborhood encampment.
“This form of conduct is unacceptable. It is clear that our acknowledged intentions and the way in which residents expertise our selections and actions are out of alignment with each other.”
Chughtai accused the Metropolis of Minneapolis to react with “inhumane ways” in these cases. She additionally spoke on the way it makes social staff and law enforcement officials’ jobs harder, as officers stay understaffed within the metropolis and social staff reply to heightened annoying conditions.
The primary and second veto letters might be discovered right here and right here, respectively.
Minneapolis, MN
Prince's 'Purple Rain' House in Minneapolis Coming to Airbnb
Prince fans have a chance to stay in his famous “Purple Rain” house in Minneapolis, because it’s heading to Airbnb … in celebration of the movie and soundtrack’s 40th anniversary.
The late singer bought the place back in 2015 and it’s been closed to the public ever since … but now it’s finally opening its doors, courtesy of a couple members of Prince’s Revolution bandmates.
Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are hosting the overnight stay, and the lucky guests will be able to spend a night in the life of The Kid.
Airbnb tells us the “Purple Rain” house is newly restored and decked out with pieces and memorabilia from Prince’s personal collection … including a closet full of his most legendary outfits.
The home’s downstairs is adorned with purple velvet wallpaper, and there’s a vintage 1980s stereo loaded with songs inspired by Prince.
The spa looks straight out of the “When Doves Cry” music video … complete with a claw-foot tub and stained-glass windows … plus a plush, purple robe and some lavender bath bombs.
Inside the music lounge, guests can play the drums, shred the guitar, tickle the ivories and sing the “Purple Rain” chorus along with pre-recorded audio from Prince himself.
Prince’s bedroom looks just like it does in “Purple Rain” … and it’s decked out with his personal tape collection — remember those things?!? — plus one of Prince’s original demo recordings.
Folks can request to book the “Purple Rain” house on Airbnb starting October 2 at 6 AM PT through October 6 at 11:59 PM PT … and guests will be randomly selected.
Good luck!!!
Minneapolis, MN
MPD adds 23 new officers, including first Somali woman and non-citizen
Somali-American woman sworn in as MPD officer
City leaders say the years-long effort to rebuild the Minneapolis Police Department, while not over, is starting to be seen and felt—nearly two dozen more officers, including new firsts, are on the force following a graduation ceremony.
“Just as they’re about to take their oaths today, before all of you and before God, I know that I have a sacred obligation to do that all I can for them,” MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said at the ceremony. “I pledge to you tonight that I will do everything within my power to take care of them.”
Now part of the rank-and-file are 11 recruits and 12 lateral officers who are joining from other agencies, some with more than a decade of experience. Of the recruits is the first-ever Somali woman, Ikran Mohamed, and permanent resident, Lesly Vera, for the department.
A permanent resident who is a non-citizen can be part of the department now due to a recent law change, Chief O’Hara said. Officer Vera said she moved to Minneapolis from Mexico when she was 4 and has called it home since.
“I didn’t see anybody that really looked like me, Latina,” Vera said about her drive to become a police officer. “I want to have that face for my people.”
The chief is standing firm behind his new officer.
“There may be people who question it, but that’s completely ridiculous. There’s, like I mentioned, there is a history in this country of people immediately on arrival to the country, enlisting in the military and serving,” O’Hara said, adding, “Somebody like [Officer Vera], who has been here essentially her entire life, absolutely is entitled to protect her community in the same way that anyone else here has, and we’re honored to have her.”
Her colleague, Officer Mohamed, with a similar message about her next big chapter in life.
“This is what I wanted to do, and it was very challenging. That’s why I’m here. And I want to be that somebody, [to] be a role model for girls who look like me. So they can say, I can do it too,” Mohamed said.
Mayor Jacob Frey feels the work they’ve been putting in to build up the department – not just in numbers, but culture – is starting to be seen and felt.
“It’s moving. It’s emotional. I mean, I talked about the hope in the room, from a personal standpoint as mayor of the city, it gives me a lot of hope. Our police department is looking more and more like the communities that we are charged with protecting and serving,” Frey said.
Also part of the graduation was four new Minneapolis Park Police Officers.
Minneapolis, MN
First look at Minneapolis' proposed rules for cannabis businesses
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council has released its proposed restrictions on cannabis businesses in the city, as the state moves into the next steps of recreational marijuana legalization.
What we know
The city is working to update its zoning for cannabis businesses, as licenses are issued in the coming months in Minnesota.
City staff have proposed a series of restrictions for businesses.
- Dispensaries must be a minimum of 500 feet from schools and 500 feet from other dispensaries.
- Cannabis businesses can’t grow plants outdoors.
- Cannabis will also face restrictions on odors.
- Cannabis manufacturing will only be allowed in commercial and mixed-use areas – similar to breweries.
Context
Earlier this month, the state met with cities to provide guidance on cannabis restrictions that cities can implement under the new state law.
Just last week, the City of St. Paul passed a similar set of restrictions on cannabis businesses.
What’s next?
The proposed zoning restrictions are still in the early stages of consideration and need further approval from the council.
Currently, the Office of Cannabis Management expects to finalize its draft rules for businesses in early 2025. The licensing process is expected to start in 2025 after the rules are in place. Currently, cannabis sales are only allowed on tribal lands.
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