November 2023 E-News

Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc.

 

To request this information in another language or format, please contact [email protected].    Si aad u codsato foomkan oo qaab ama luqad kale ah, fadlan la xiriir [email protected].

Things which do not grow or change are dead things.” – Louise Erdrich


EPNI November Calendar

Monday, November 20th - Monthly Board of Directors Meeting
6-7:30 pm • At North Central University, 1400 Elliot Ave
Your voice matters, and your insights are invaluable. Join us to stay informed, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our community. Together, we can make our neighborhood an even better place to live. See you there!

Thursday, November 16th - Land-Use and Transportation Meeting
6-7:30 pm • Elliot Park Recreational Center, 1000 E 14th St
Join us for a crucial Land-Use and Transportation Meeting to discuss the critical importance of improved pedestrian safety, following the recent tragic loss of a neighbor in an October 24th automobile-pedestrian accident. Your input is vital as we consider the impact of pedestrian safety in our community. See you at the meeting!

Do you have a suggestion or question for Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc.? Email [email protected] or call (612) 234-2280 and someone will get back to you soon!

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November Community Calendar

TONIGHT: Thursday, November 2nd - MPRB Dist. 4 Forestry & Community Meeting
5-6:30 pm • Kenwood Recreational Center, 2101 W. Franklin Ave.
Special guests include: MPRB Forestry staff including Director Ralph Sievert, Philip Potyondy, Danielle Schumerth, District 4 Minneapolis Tree Advisory Representative Mary Bolla and Ben Shardlow of the Downtown Improvement District.

Friday, November 10th - Southside Summit
12-5:00 pm • Open Book & Literary Loft, 1011 Washington Ave S.                                          
We Are the Change: The Fourth Annual Southside Summit will feature bold speakers, relevant workshops, connections among community members, and clear reminders of the impact we make together! More information and tickets at southsidesummitmpls.org.

Tuesday, November 14th - Learning Tuesdays - Public Realm Improvements: What's Next for Downtown?
12-1:00 pm • Minneapolis DID Community Space, 651 Nicollet Mall, Suite 105
Guest presenters Katie White, Minneapolis Public Works and Francisca Pass, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board will engage us in a conversation about the public space developments that will shape downtown for the years to come.  
Register HERE.

Wednesday, November 15th - Move Minneapolis Summit
9:00 am-12:00 pm • The Hennepin, 900 Hennepin Ave.
The 2023 Transportation Summit will feature a panel discussion and workshop session. What to expect: Overview of examples & elements of places that prioritize people from around the world.

Panel discussion with local experts:  Lesley Kandaras – General Manager, Metro Transit ✦ Joo Hee Pomplun – Executive Director, The Alliance ✦ Kyle Shelton – Director, Center for Transportation Studies ✦ Neil Reardon – Vice President, ESG Architecture & DesignBen Shardlow – Director of Urban Design, Downtown Council

Workshop engagement envisioning downtown spaces with local examples, small group discussion and artistic representation
The event is free and includes breakfast: Register HERE

EPNI Updates

EPNI Staff Update: Say hello to Jessica Focht-Perlberg, new Tenant & Community Organizer

Jessica's Introduction:

I am excited to join Elliot Park Neighborhood as the new Tenant and Community Organizer. I have lived in the SE Como neighborhood of Minneapolis since 2009 with my family - my spouse and our three kids, ages 12, 7 and 5. In my free time, I love to be out in nature, go adventuring with family and friends, and explore music.

I strive to teach our kids by example how to be part of creating a community that is ever more just and equitable, and continue to journey towards this throughout my social justice-focused career. Before making the move into neighborhood organization work in summer 2019, I worked as a social worker and a legal services attorney. The common denominator in my community-based work has been building relational connections to engage and empower. 

I look forward to building on these experiences to help cultivate collaboration and co-create solutions in the Elliot Park neighborhood. Whether you have lived and worked in Elliot Park for a long time or you are brand new to the neighborhood, I would love to connect. Contact me at [email protected] if you would be interested in finding a time to talk about what matters most to you in your neighborhood community.

Annual Fall Neighborhood Cleanup Success! 

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to help keep our neighborhood clean and beautiful at the Fall Trash Clean-Up event on October 21st! More than 20 resident volunteers joined up at the Elliot Park Community Center to help clean up our neighborhood, while also connecting with neighbors in our shared community. Now that there is snow on the ground, we've wrapped up the bimonthly trash clean-ups in collaboration with the Elliot Park United student group for the season as well, and look forward to beginning them again next spring. 

VOTE Tues. Nov. 7th: 2023 Municipal Elections

Your voice, your vote, your community! Municipal elections are just around the corner on Tuesday, November 7th. Exercise your right to choose your Ward 6 city council member – someone who will represent your interests and help shape the future of our community. Every vote counts, so mark your calendars and make your voice heard on Election Day. Your participation is crucial for our neighborhood's progress. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference. Go out and vote on November 7th!

If you need to register to vote, vote early by Nov. 6th, or want to find your polling location, Click here.

EPNI Renter's Corner

City of Minneapolis Renter Resources -- Get ready for Winter!

With winter approaching, here's a reminder about heat rules and winter preparedness for renters.

Heat rules for Minneapolis

  • Minneapolis renters must have access to heat Oct. 1-April 30.
  • The heating equipment must be capable of keeping your space at 68 F.
  • If the heat stops working in your rental unit, tell the property owner or manager right away. If the heat can’t be fixed immediately, the property owner must provide two temporary heat sources to each rental unit.
  • If the property owner or manager doesn’t respond, you can report it to the City to get help from an inspector.
    • Call 311 or 612-673-3000 to report an issue. 311 is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends. Outside of 311 hours, call 911 to report low heat or no heat.
    • The 311 agent or 911 dispatcher will take your contact information, and an inspector will contact you to set up an inspection as soon as possible. From Sept. 15 to May 15, there is always an inspector on duty to help renters who report heat issues.

Winter preparedness

While property maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner, there are steps that renters can take to prepare their homes for cold weather. Here are some ways you can keep your home safe and warm this winter:

  • Check smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries monthly, and change the batteries every six months. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are required in every rental unit in Minneapolis.
  • If you use space heaters, make sure you’re using them safely. The National Fire Protection Association has tip sheets in multiple languages for heating safety.
  • Consider using an inexpensive window insulation kit to keep your apartment warmer and save money on utility bills.
  • Review your lease to see if you’re responsible for snow removal or other seasonal maintenance.
  • If you have questions about your rights as a renter, call HOME Line at 612-728-5767 or Legal Aid at 612-334-5970.

Report rental issues to 311

Contact 311 to report rental housing issues or speak to a housing liaison. You can also track complaints online on the 311 property complaint dashboard.


Shop the Mobile Market!

The Twin Cities Mobile Market continues on Wednesdays! You can find the bus at 1515 Park Ave. All are welcome to stop by and shop. The market has beautiful and affordable produce, meat, dairy, bread, and more.

You can view the full schedule here on the Park Center Hi-Rise site. Sign up for text updates.

To learn more about the Mobile Market, please visit thefoodgroupmn.org/twin-cities-mobile-market/.