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Requirements to Recycle Food Waste

7/20/2022

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As of January 1, 2020, businesses that generate large quantities of food waste are required to recycle food waste. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on-site inspections were delayed. Hennepin County staff began conducting on-site inspections in June 2022. Certain businesses (including restaurants, food shelves, caterers and commercial kitchens) that generate one ton of trash per week OR contract for eight cubic yards or more of trash per week must have food waste recycling in place.
  • View the how to comply guide (PDF) for more information.
  • Complete the optional self-reporting form (DOCX) to confirm your business is compliant.
  • Anonymously submit a complaint about a business not following the requirements.

​To be compliant with the requirements, businesses must have food waste recycling service in place, provide food waste collection containers back-of-house and properly label them, separate food waste from trash in back-of-house operations (not required in front-of-house operations), and provide education and train employees annually. Learn more here ... 
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Mayor Jacob Frey’s Community Safety Work Group

7/20/2022

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On June 27, Mayor Jacob Frey’s Community Safety Work Group outlined recommendations for improving public safety in Minneapolis. The recommendations include strategies for strengthening oversight of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), bolstering officer recruitment efforts and accountability systems, and expanding violence prevention and behavioral crisis response programs.

Frey convened the Community Safety Work Group on Dec. 4, 2021, which is co-chaired by Nekima Levy Armstrong, attorney and civil rights activist, and Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis, lead minister for Plymouth Congregational Church. The 22-member volunteer work group includes community members and experts engaged on the full spectrum of community safety initiatives. Read highlights of the work group's recommendations and learn more here ...
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Livable Communities Grant Awarded for US Bank Site

7/20/2022

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The Met Council recently approved four Livable Communities grants, including two grants to the City of Minneapolis to address damages on Lake Street from civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd. The predevelopment grants total $475,000 and are from an account in the Livable Communities program that funds project feasibility studies, site planning, and community engagement work. 

REdesign and partners Re+4RM will receive $150,000 toward planning for redevelopment of the damaged U.S. Bank site on Lake Street. Plans call for BIPOC and community ownership of development projects that include public realm planning and affordable commercial and mixed-use developments, each connected to an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage district energy system. Read more about the program and each of the projects awarded funds.
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Lake & Minnehaha Updates

7/20/2022

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Downtown Longfellow - 2 Years Later

Wondering what the latest updates are with properties surrounding the Lake and Minnehaha intersection? Thankfully, our partners at the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger have pulled all the information together for us. Read the article Breathing New Life into 27th and Lake or view the Photo Story to learn more about Pangea World Theater, Gandhi Mahal, the Oddfellows building, the Post Office and more!
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Coliseum Building Gets Fresh Artwork

Last week the first floor of the Coliseum building at 27th and Lake was wrapped with panels featuring the work of local artists and poets. Purchased last year by our partners at Redesign, the property has many funding streams coming together to redevelop the building - including historic tax credits and a $1.5 million loan from the City's Commercial Property Development Fund.
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The rehabilitation will maintain the beautiful historic exterior while supporting local Black business and ownership and actualizing a community-led vision for the intersection of Lake & Minnehaha.  This includes a collaboration between Redesign, Chris Montana, of Du Nord Social Spirits, the first Black Owned Distillery in the nation; Janice Downing of CommonSense Consulting@Work; and Alicia Belton of Urban Design Perspectives. In addition to Black-owned small business, the Coliseum will have an event center and training facilities.  
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The Successes & Challenges of Rebuilding on Lake

MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with nonprofit leaders and business owners about the efforts to rebuild and revitalize businesses on Lake Street. Listen to the story and hear from guests Allison Sharkey (Lake Street Council) and David Nicholson (McKnight Foundation). ​
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Humane & Equitable Encampment Response Policy and Safe Outdoor Space Update

7/19/2022

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Courtesy of Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez:

I wanted to share a quick update regarding a community meeting in East Phillips I attended on March 31, 2022. It was in regards to a humane and equitable response to encampments and homelessness. Over 100 residents attended with ideas to support our unhoused neighbors

On June 30, 2022, Council Member Aisha Chughtai and myself announced a formal intent to work on an encampment policy for the City of Minneapolis. This notice of intent is the first step in the process to start a humane-centered approach. After years of advocacy from both unhoused and housed neighbors, we have started that process because we deserve something better. 

On July 19, 2022, we will be meeting with the Community Planning and Economic Development Department and Regulatory Services to discuss a framework for this policy. Over the coming weeks, we will be giving updates and setting up a process for engagement so the City has a humane, public health centered, and dignified response.
  • This policy will address the goal of developing a Humane & Equitable Encampment Response Policy: We need a  policy that reflects our community values about how to support both unhoused and housed neighbors related to unsheltered homelessness. Community members insist that the City Council work to create a policy.

Many people currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness are not ready to go inside or simply want to be outside. There aren't enough low barrier, trauma-informed, culturally specific beds for those who would consider and would like to utilize emergency shelter indoors. On July, 27, 2022, I will be meeting with the Community Planning and Economic Development Department, Regulatory Services, and the Health Department to discuss a safe outdoor space proposal. Where we can have regulated, safe, and staffed spaces.
  • This policy will address the proposal community members came up with on Creating 4 Safe Outdoor Spaces in North Minneapolis, Northeast Minneapolis, South Minneapolis, and Southwest Minneapolis.

Community members asked for a script that is more informative, constructive, and humane when receiving calls about our unhoused neighbors and being appropriately staffed. I met with 311 and we discussed ways the Ward 9 Office could be most helpful.  Current wait times vary but are down significantly from 4 and a half minutes in 2021 to roughly 2 minutes so far in July of 2022. This is largely due to 311 staffing levels beginning to stabilize.

Moving forward, 311’s first priority is to reach their full budgeted staffing level. At present, they have 26 agents, 6 of them are in training. They would like to reach a staffing level of 29 agents. Simultaneously, they will be implementing a new interactive voice response system. This will allow them to route calls according to type, which will allow us to more fully utilize our agents in training.

To alleviate the burden of waiting to be connected to an agent, they have implemented a   callback feature. When call volume or wait times reach a certain threshold, customers will receive an option to receive a call back. They can follow the prompts and be put into a queue for an agent to call them back rather than having to wait on hold for and using minutes.

Emailing 311 at minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov is also a great option. Our service level agreement is within 24 hours during the workweek. We have been averaging about 4 business hours to return an email.
  • My office is supportive of getting 311 fully staffed. We will continue to connect with them on new scripts for 311 & 911 Operators. 

Homelessness deserves to have an advisory board. It should be grassroots, representative of people who have experienced unsheltered homelessness, representation from all wards, and be reflective of who is experiencing homelessness in our city. 
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I am working with the Community Planning and Economic Development Department to designate a seat for the Lived Experience Advisory Group for the Housing Advisory Committee and giving priority to people with lived experience of homelessness for the residents' seats component on this committee. This should be expected before the council in August.
  • This policy will help address the component of appointing members and staff who have experienced homelessness, have lived experience and work closely with unhoused neighbors.
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Du Nord Foundation Celebrates Two Years in the Community

7/6/2022

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Just two years ago on June 23, 2022, the Du Nord Foundation was founded with the intent to work toward racial and economic justice as a direct response to the murder of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed. 

They first demonstrated this work through the Recovery Fund, a program created to provide emergency grants to small business owners (most of them BIPOC) whose physical stores or offices were damaged as a direct result of the civil uprising of 2020. The fund served as a resource to 75 small business owners with emergency support, distributing almost $500,000.

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The current program is the Community Market. The Community Market nourishes neighbors through an inclusive, welcoming, barrier-free food shelf. Staff work intentionally to provide culturally relevant food choices and fresh fruits and vegetables. This program serves approximately 2,000 neighbors each month. The motto is “solidarity, not charity,” as they strive toward a community-connected model of horizontal aid. Du Nord Foundation's goal is to support our neighbors on a dignified path to economic stability and provide access to aid that is barrier free. In 2021, they served as a resource to over 24,000 neighbors and distributed over 215,000 pounds of food, estimating that 80% of those neighbors belong to immigrant communities.

As part of their 2 year anniversary celebration, current partner of the month, Du Nord Social Spirits, will match any incoming donations - up to $5,000. Learn more and donate here.

Partner of the Month
Join the Du Nord Foundation as a partner of the month. Any business or organization can join our work through in kind donations, financial contributions, round-ups, bringing a group of volunteers, spreading the word on social media, or organizing an event and inviting us to fundraise (Party with a Cause). Partners of the month are featured on Du Nord’s website and social media. If you would like to learn more or become a partner, email angelica@dunordfoundation.org.

If you are looking to engage with our community in meaningful ways, check out the links below:

Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4da8a823a0f4c25-come
Spread the word: FB - facebook.com/DuNordFoundation | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dunordfdn/
Join Party with a Cause: https://www.dunordfoundation.org/takeaction
Make a gift: https://dunordfoundation.networkforgood.com/
Neighbors helping neighbors video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTy9MFWKb5M

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Auto repair at The Lift Garage provides a vehicle out of poverty. We’re changing the world one car at a time. Come join us on the Board!

7/6/2022

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At The Lift Garage  we work to recruit and retain people on our board who possess values that align with our unwavering commitment to treating each individual with dignity and respect and ensuring our clients receive equitable service: those that need the most support receive the most support. To better serve our community, we strive to have a team that reflects their diversity in race, gender-identity and socioeconomic status.
We specifically are interested in Board Member candidates who have experience in at least one of the following areas:

●      Garage operations
●      Marketing & Public Relations
●      Finance 
●      Fundraising and development 
●      Non-profit service provider or consumer
●      Social entrepreneurship
●      Customer Service  

If you’re interested in learning more about The Lift Garage or serving on our Board, read more here … 
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Attend an Info Session for REP and Become a CARER

7/6/2022

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REP (Relationships Evolving Possibilities) is holding info sessions in recruitment for community members who are interested in becoming CARERs (Community Aid Resourcing and Emergency Response). We are training a new cohort this fall, applications are due July 14th. Community members **MUST attend** an info session to get an application link, or they can schedule a 1-1 with one us by emailing directly at contact@repformn.org. The first info session coming up on zoom is on June 23rd at 7pm, and the last info session is in person on Saturday July 9th at 12 pm.

Relationships Evolving Possibilities (REP) is a network of dedicated abolitionists showing up to support others in moments of crisis or urgency, with care and respect for the full dignity and autonomy of the people in crisis.
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Hiawatha Avenue Construction Begins in August

7/6/2022

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Hiawatha Avenue between I-35W and Hwy 62 needs to be resurfaced and three bridges in the project area need to be repaired. The project will be broken up into two sections, the northern half from Downtown Minneapolis to 32nd Avenue and the southern half from 32nd Avenue to Hwy 62. Work will take place starting in spring through fall 2022. Click here to visit the project website and see more details. 
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If you have a business along the Hiawatha corridor and are interested in participating in an upcoming Zoom call to learn more about specifics about the road closure, please contact Kim for more information. 
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Businesses with Large Quantities of Food Waste are Required to Recycle

7/5/2022

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Ordinance 13 update from Hennepin CountyAs of January 1, 2020, businesses that generate large quantities of food waste are required to recycle food waste. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on-site inspections were delayed. Hennepin County staff began conducting on-site inspections in June 2022.

Certain businesses (see the list of covered sectors below) that generate one ton of trash per week or contract for eight cubic yards or more of trash per week must have food waste recycling in place.
  • View the how to comply guide (PDF) for more information.
  • Complete the optional self-reporting form (DOCX) to confirm your business is compliant.
  • Anonymously submit a complaint about a business not following the requirements.

To be compliant with the requirements, businesses must have food waste recycling service in place, provide food waste collection containers back-of-house and properly label them, separate food waste from trash in back-of-house operations (not required in front-of-house operations), and provide education and train employees annually. Businesses that produce large quantities of food waste are subject to these inspections. The requirement applies to businesses (including commercial businesses, nonprofits and public entities) in the following sectors:

Restaurants, grocery stores, food wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers, hotels, hospitals, sports venues, event centers, caterers, nursing and residential care facilities, office buildings with dining services, farmers markets, food shelves and food banks, colleges and universities with dining services, shopping centers, airports, golf clubs and country clubs, rental kitchens or shared use commercial kitchens.

Businesses that fall into an above category and generate 8 or more cubic yards of trash per week (1 ton per week if you use a compactor), must comply with Ordinance 13 requirements unless a variance is granted.

Unless you contact Hennepin County staff to schedule your inspection, your inspection will be randomly scheduled. To prepare for your Ordinance 13 inspection, please complete the optional self-reporting form (DOCX). If you have questions about Ordinance 13 requirements, would like to schedule your Ordinance 13 compliance inspection, or would like assistance from Hennepin County staff, you may fill out a Business Recycling Request Form, or contact one of our business recycling specialists at businessrecycling@hennepin.us or 612-543-9298.

​Additional resources
  • If you need assistance figuring out how much waste your business generates, see the guide to determining commercial waste (PDF)
  • Full text of the revised recycling ordinance (PDF)
  • Order free recycling, organics recycling, and trash signs
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Longfellow Business Association
3101 Minnehaha Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
info@longfellowbusinessassociation.org
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