Kingfield Neighborhood Association Supports a Vote on the Minneapolis Charter: But What does that mean with another Public Hearing Today on Yet Another Charter Amendment?
Passed by the KFNA Board 7/19/2020
Whereas, the Kingfield Neighborhood Association (KFNA) sees an urgent need for transformational change to community safety and policing in the City of Minneapolis.
Whereas, the current Minneapolis City Charter does not allow for that change and accountability.
Whereas, the community of Minneapolis should be given the opportunity to voice their opinion on this change and directly engage with the question of policing and safety.
Whereas, the need and responsibility to take bold action now is essential.
KFNA calls on the City of Minneapolis Charter Commission to fulfill their duty and let the people of Minneapolis vote on a meaningful City Charter amendment.
But what does this mean and what will the Charter Language Be? That Remains to be Determined.
Background:
In June, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously initiated a process to allow voters to decide whether to adopt a proposed charter amendment whether to create a new Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention. The Charter is essentially the City’s constitution, and this change (if approved by a majority of voters) would allow much more flexibility in how public safety is ensured or everyone in our City. The charter amendment would not eliminate law enforcement. Instead, this measure is needed so that we can incorporate strategies in addition to traditional policing. The language that was to be voted on as an ammednment is “Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to provide for the establishment of a new Community Safety & Violence Prevention Department and to remove the Police Department.”
However in July the Minneapolis Charter Commission has proposed another possible change to the City Charter, our City’s constitution, and will also seek public input on this proposal. This new proposal removes minimum funding requirements for the Police Department without eliminating Police as a required department. The language for this ammednment is ““Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to remove the minimum funding requirements of the Police Force.”
The Charter Commission’s new proposal is separate from the Minneapolis City Council’s existing proposal to eliminate Police as a required department in the City Charter and instead require the creation of a Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention, which may include a police division. PLEASE NOTE: If both proposals are approved by the deadline, they could both appear as ballot questions this November.
The public hearing for this newer proposed Charter amendment is set for:
- Monday, July 27 at 5 p.m. online.
How to participate and submit comments
- Use this online public comment form.
- Email councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov.
- Or mail comments to: Minneapolis Charter Commission / City Hall – Room 304, 350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
- If you’re interested in speaking at the July 27 online public hearing, you can pre-register here.
Background information
Kingfield Neighborhood Association Approves Resolution to Allow Vote on City Charter
Passed by the KFNA Board 7/19/2020
Votes: 11-2
Whereas, the Kingfield Neighborhood Association (KFNA) sees an urgent need for transformational change to community safety and policing in the City of Minneapolis.
Whereas, the current Minneapolis City Charter does not allow for that change and accountability.
Whereas, the community of Minneapolis should be given the opportunity to voice their opinion on this change and directly engage with the question of policing and safety.
Whereas, the need and responsibility to take bold action now is essential.
KFNA calls on the City of Minneapolis Charter Commission to fulfill their duty and let the people of Minneapolis vote on a meaningful City Charter amendment.
Kingfield Garage Mural Program 2020
Kingfield Neighborhood Association is partnering with LEAP*, and a local artist on a garage mural project. The goal of the project is to deter graffiti and improve the alley environment, but also to provide actual skills and adult mentorship to youth struggling to find employment in this challenging period of high employment. Youth will be trained and mentored by artist Katrina Knutson, who has a relationship already with many of these youth, and has also worked with KFNA on an alley mural project ten years ago. Katrina’s work in Kingfield can be seen in the allies of 3700 Blaisdell and Nicollet, as well as the 3600 and 3700 blocks between 1st and Nicollet. A link to her work in Kingfield (which will be the same style of work this project will follow) can be found here: https://bit.ly/3fpqgzk
Submit this form as your “Application”. You will be contacted and informed if your Application was approved or denied. Upon Approval, you will be required to pay the entire fee up front, then will be put in touch with the Artist who will coordinate the design with you, as well as lining up the youth to complete the work. Work can be done as soon as the week of July 21st.
Details:
• Extra base coat paint (if garage is prepped) will be left with the homeowner in case they want to touch up the garage, or paint the remaining three sides themselves.
• Designs are approved by property owner before painting, as is base color for garage.
• Proper distancing for all activities and interactions will be maintained.
Questions should be directed to Sarah Linnes-Robinson, KFNA Executive Director at sarah@kingfield.org or 612-823-5980.
Payments should be mailed to: KFNA, 3537 Nicollet Ave S, MPLS MN 55408. Please put ‘Garage Mural’ in the memo line and must be received before work is started. Do not mail your payment until your application has been approved. Contact KFNA if you want to arrange to make your payment by credit card.
Join the Kingfield Walk of Gardens on Thursday July 9
Plan your walking/biking route! 28 gardens will be open for public viewing, hosted by their resident, passionate gardeners this Thursday 6-8 PM. Additionally at least five musical groups will also be out on their porches participating in On Thursday We Sing, and serenading you along the route.
Donations for taking part in the event be given to The Donation Garden at MLK Park. This community garden is an important source of fresh food that is used to supplement daily meals for Aliveness Project clients living with HIV/AIDS, and also to support their food shelf. Dollars raised over what the garden needs this year to rebuild their garden beds will be donated to this important Kingfield partner. Donating is as easy as texting the words ‘Garden Tour’ to 44-321, which then sends you a reply text to click on to go to the KFNA donation page AND automatically directs your donation to this project.
Both a map and the garden descriptions are now published in the event found here: https://kingfield.org/event/kingfield-walk-of-gardens/
