Mayoral, city council candidates meet for forum in North Minneapolis
The Brief
A Mayor and City Council forum took place at Zion Baptist Church in North Minneapolis.
Topics ranged from public safety to education, and cost of living.
Five challengers look to unseat incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A Mayoral and City Council forum took place Thursday in North Minneapolis. Many people came to listen to the candidates. It was an opportunity for people on the city's northside to get to know the candidates.
The candidates
City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison isn't seeking re-election. Six candidates are running for the 5th Ward: Jovan Northington, Pearll Warren, Amber Frederick, Anndrea Young, Ethropic Burnette, and Miles Wilson. Topics were discussed such as public safety in North Minneapolis, cost of living and wages, and education.
What they're saying
In Ward 4, Incumbent Latrisha Vetaw is facing off against challenger Marvina Haynes. They talked about engaging with voters, community-based violence prevention, and encampments.
One undecided voter came to hear what everyone had to say.
"I don't want to jump up and just choose somebody. I want to understand that they care about what they're doing, and they're putting not just the job first, but they care for the community first," said North Minneapolis resident Chase Elliott.
Local perspective
In the Mayoral race, challengers Brenda Short, Omar Fateh, Emily Koski, Jazz Hampton, and Dewayne Davis are trying to unseat Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey. Fateh did not attend the forum. People questioned them about how they would help those who were incarcerated find jobs and homes after serving time. They were also asked about safety and education.
One voter told FOX 9 they want to see elected officials get along.
"That they have a vision for the city. That they can work with people who disagree with them. Right now, the current situation is that there is a lot of squabbling between the mayor and city council, and I'm tired of it," said Eva Young, North Minneapolis resident.
It's a long way until November, and Minneapolis is ranked-choice voting. So you get to pick your top three when you go to the polls.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Prior Lake-Savage School Board rescinds DEI resolution in 5-2 vote
The Brief The Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board voted 5-2 Monday night to rescind its 2020 equity and inclusion resolution. A large group of supporters of the resolution rallied ahead of the meeting. Equity resolution has been in place since 2020 and was crafted with community input. PRIOR LAKE, Minn. (FOX 9) - On Monday, families in Prior Lake showed up in full force to protest outside of a Prior Lake-Savage School Board meeting. Protesters made it clear that they did not want the board to rescind the district's equity and inclusion resolution. Supporters of the resolution argued it affirmed the district's commitment to combating racism and fostering inclusive environments. But critics said it failed to reduce a growing achievement gap, and they wanted to prioritize academic success and unity. What we know By the end of the meeting, in a 5-2 vote, board members sided with those against the resolution. What they're saying "I'm pleased with their decision," Justin Mikkelson said afterwards. "We've wanted to see this changed. Not that we're against anyone, or anyone's beliefs. [We're] just not happy with the direction of the district." "I am extremely disgusted by this," Sue LeGrand countered. "This was strictly a bulldozing process… it was clear that this was done in the dark." The backstory In 2020, members of the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools board passed an equity resolution after months of work and partnering with community members. It affirms the commitment of the board to supporting an anti-racist and inclusive environment for everyone but doesn't mandate any programs or initiatives. The full language of the resolution can be found here. In recent months, it has come under the microscope, and at their Monday meeting, the board is expected to take action on it, and possibly rescind it. Former board member Michael Nelson worked on the original resolution and says this is all happening with no discussion and no input. "At a time in our country when marginalized groups are increasingly being silenced (and) targeted... to publicly decide on bringing forth this resolution and sunset just one more painful thing to have to endure," said Nelson. The other side School Board Chair Daniel White declined an interview with FOX 9 ahead of the board taking action on the issue, but he did say throughout the winter and spring of 2024, community members came together to develop a new strategic plan for the district. "As we continue the work to ensure every student receives what they uniquely need for their best chance at success, the Board will be discussing the Equity and Inclusion Resolution to determine if it is still necessary given the direction and commitments outlined in our strategic plan," White told Fox 9.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Minneapolis PD memo tells officers not to assist with immigration enforcement
The Brief A memo from Minneapolis police reminds officers not to assist with ICE raids. Officers are prohibited from assisting with immigration enforcement under a city ordinance. The memo follows a protest in Minneapolis last week over ICE agents who were assisting with what turned out to be a criminal investigation. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minneapolis Police Department issued a new memo over the weekend, reminding officers of a separation order that restricts police from aiding in immigration removal actions by federal authorities, like ICE. The memo comes days after a protest over ICE agents involvement in what turned out to be a criminal investigation in Minneapolis. The backstory The memo comes days after a protest escalated in Minneapolis as ICE agents took part in what authorities later said was a criminal investigation into human and drug trafficking – not an immigration enforcement action. Officials said federal authorities were executing a search warrant at a Mexican restaurant at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue last Tuesday. However, rumors spread online that ICE agents were taking part in a raid, sparking a protest in the street. What they're saying On Wednesday, the day after the protest, officials including Sheriff Dawanna Witt and Mayor Jacob Frey criticized other public leaders for contributing to the heightening of tensions. The next day, at the Minneapolis City Council meeting, city leaders unamiously approved an after-action review by an auditor of the city's role with assisting ICE during the investigation and protest. The city of Minneapolis has a 'separation ordinance" that restricts officers from assisting with immigration enforcement actions. The review approved by the city council will look into that. Separately, the department is scheduled to present to a council committee later this month the steps it's taking to abide by the ordinance. What we know A memo sent out by Minneapolis Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell reminds officers they aren't allowed to assist in any immigration enforcement activity. The memo also tells officers they can't even assist with ancillary activities related to ICE raids, like crowd control. "Any assistance for federal enforcement action must be routed through the chain of command for evaluation and authorization by the Chief of Police or Chief's designer," the memo states. "Members of the MPD shall not self-deploy to any related immigration enforcement activity. We remain committed to supporting public safety and maintaining trust within our communities." The memo was first reported on by conservative Twin Cities news outlet Alpha News. FOX 9 was able to obtain a copy of the memo from Minneapolis police. Dig deeper In a statement, Minneapolis police say the memo was issued in light of the confusion surrounding last week's criminal investigation. "Assistant Chief Blackwell's memo serves as a clear reminder of the Minneapolis Police Department's longstanding policy and the City's ordinance prohibiting involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement activities. "The email was issued to help ensure officers understand how to appropriately respond to any requests for assistance related to immigration enforcement. This clarification was especially important in light of recent public confusion and misinformation following the federal operation earlier this week. "Our role remains focused on addressing criminal activity and maintaining public safety, while respecting the boundaries set by city ordinance and department policy." The backstory The memo also comes as protests over ICE in Los Angeles have spiraled out of control. Over the weekend, President Trump sent in the National Guard to help quell the protests which turned to rioting Sunday night.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Maui County Council to hear response to vacation rentals conversion today
A key Maui County Council committee will hear testimony today on Mayor Richard Bissen's proposal to convert less than half of Maui's short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing for local residents that's expected to trigger a loss of $60 million in tax revenue while lowering sales and rental prices. The trade-off will be worth it and lead to stable, more affordable housing for Maui residents, Bissen told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on the eve of today's hearing by the Council's Housing and Land Use committee. The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires killed 102 people, destroyed more than 5, 400 households and sent 12, 000 survivors into emergency housing, exacerbating Maui's housing shortage. 'We've taken a stand we believe in, ' Bissen said. 'It's not anti-visitor. It's pro-local, pro-resident. … It's not meant to divide our community, but to preserve our community.' Visitors remain welcomed on Maui and there still would be hotel rooms and other short-term vacation rentals available in other parts of Maui if Bill 9 passes, requiring 6, 100 rental units to convert to long-term housing for residents, he said. Another 8, 000 vacation rentals in Maui County would be unaffected, with most of them on the island of Maui, Bissen said. Instead of a constant turnover of guests, condominium buildings would turn into new neighborhood communities of full-time, local residents and families, he said. Owners of vacation rentals have urged Bissen and his administration to look for alternatives to developing more affordable housing, which Bissen said he continues to do. But finding appropriate land, getting permits approved and construction costs and time can take years compared to converting existing condos into long-term housing, he said. 'The bottom line is we need to create more inventory, ' Bissen said. 'It's an immediate problem.' Bissen has amended Bill 9 to now call for a three-year phaseout of the 6, 100 vacation rentals to give owners time to either sell to local residents or rent to them long term. He called sales to local residents 'ideal ' and long-term rental agreements 'also a good idea.' The wildfires exacerbated Maui's housing shortage and led many landlords to increase rental prices. Some landlords who had long-term rental agreements with residents evicted them in order to take advantage of higher rates they could charge by taking in fire survivors and, in some cases, nearly double their income, Bissen said. 'It's almost like looting when somebody jacks up prices when there's a need, ' Bissen said. 'I don't know how we punish all those landlords.' Most—94 %—of the people who own the 6, 100 short-term vacation units that would be converted live outside Maui, meaning the units represent second or third homes for them, Bissen said. Only 6 % are Maui County residents, said Bissen's executive assistant, Matt Jachowski. Bissen's proposal has the support of many residents and received unanimous approvals by planning commissions on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. It's drawn opposition from property owners like Loretta Ross, a 68-year-old retiree from San Diego who has owned her ocean-view, studio apartment in the three-story, 67-unit Hale Ono Loa condo complex along Lower Honoapiilani Highway for 20 years. The short-term rental market was first hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, then again in the aftermath of the wildfires and has continued falling ever since Bissen proposed outlawing vacation rentals last year for owners like Ross, she told the Star-Advertiser. 'Property values have dropped 30 %, ' she said. And her business has fallen, too. Ross used to charge $259 a night but cannot get bookings even after dropping her rate to $159. The potential passage of Bill 9 has scared away potential buyers who also would want to use her condo as a rental business, Ross said. 'I've had it listed for over a year, but my agent said no one's buying anything, ' Ross said. 'I'm on Social Security and I'm running out of savings.' Her monthly costs, including mortgage, taxes and association fees add up to $4, 000 a month that Ross doubts a local family could afford for a studio apartment. 'No one's going to pay that, ' she said. So if Bill 9 passes, 'it would probably have go into foreclosure as much as I love it and I've been blessed to have it. It would be like the nail in the coffin.' Bissen expects the Housing and Land Use Committee to hold two or three sessions of all-day hearings to listen to testimony in support for and opposition to Bill 9. The committee's made up of all nine Council members and its vote could foreshadow how the full Council decides the fate of Bill 9. In April, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization estimated that banning 6, 127 short-term vacation rentals could have profound economic implications for Maui County, including the loss of 1, 900 jobs, $900 million in annual visitor spending and $60 million in property tax revenue by 2029. General excise tax and hotel room tax revenues also could fall, adding up to $15 million annually, according to UHERO. But Bissen said Maui still needs workers and the county's $1.5 billion budget could be adjusted to absorb 'some losses.' Overall, he said, 'the benefits outweigh the negatives.'
