YOUR VOICE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Tonight is a great night to fight for community! We’re gathering downtown to lift our collective voices in supporting the -
Increase of funding to neighborhood organizations through the Equitable Engagement Fund
38th and Chicago Business Support Plan which will assist the neighborhood in creating a vibrant, safe, and culturally grounded commercial corridor.
38th Street Thrive Strategic Development Plan (Budget Amendment) which honors the legacy of Black history along 38th street and invests in housing stabilization for our neighbors
Will you lend us your voice in supporting these initiatives?
Attend in Person at the Public Hearing for the City Budget on the third floor in room 350 at the Public Service Center (PSC), 250 S 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415 .
Register to speak up to 30 minutes before the hearing.
Plan to bring someone to back you up! We need a strong representation.
You will be given 2 minutes. At the end of your time, you may hear a timer go off. The Chair will tell you that your time is up.
Certain rules apply to Public Hearings. Signs are not allowed, but shirts representing your cause are! Speak respectfully using titles when possible. (tinyurl.com/smac25)
Give yourself plenty of time to find Parking (Parking costs are higher downtown: carpool or use public transportation if possible)
You’re on TV! Be mindful that everything you say or submit online to the public comment is public record and will be available online for others to view.
Participate Online
Submit written comments online to the City Clerk (minneapolismn.gov/government/city-council/meetings/public-comment), making sure to reference the case or action number (listed in parentheses next to each item number below) that you’re speaking about. The City of Minneapolis makes all comments public and includes them in the public record and online. Only include information that you are comfortable making public.
Watch Online
Public Hearing on Tuesday evening can be viewed using the YouTube link: youtube.com/watch?v=iA0vY0H4ooQ
SAMPLE SCRIPT
My name is ____________. I live in ward ____________ in the ____________ neighborhood.
I'm here today to urge you to (support/not support) the:
Increase of funding to neighborhood organizations through the Equitable Engagement Fund
38th and Chicago Business Support Plan
Community Streets Plan (Community Visioning Council)
38th Street Thrive (Budget Amendment)
East Phillips Urban Farm & Roof Depot
ICE & City Separation Ordinance
________________________________________
(This/These) issue(s) are important to me because:
Neighborhood organizations (2025-00901) have/are (community gardens, urban farms, food access, language education, emergency response for federal agents, important city infrastructure, racial equity requires resources, citizen engagement & organizing, fiscal sponsors, community solutions to Public Safety, etc.)
________________________________________
38th & Chi Business Support Plan (2025-01326) (46 years of property tax abatement: retroactive until 2020, flexible-open plan while incorporating spaces for reflection, cultural expression, and remembrance)
________________________________________
Community Streets Plan (2025-01309) (CVC vision for George Floyd Square, community-informed design, space for a permanent memorial to George Floyd)
________________________________________
38th Street Thrive (2025-00901) (Amendment #27) represents (legacy and heritage of the southside African American community, preserving economic vibrancy, creative identity, and affordability, strengthens the vitality, resilience and partnership of the people who live and work in the district)
________________________________________
The East Phillips Urban Farm / Roof Depot (2023-00736) (stewardship, ethical accountability, solar-powered indoor farm generating year-round fresh produce, as well as affordable housing, communal spaces, 500+ jobs)
________________________________________
ICE & City Separation Ordinance (2025-00716) (no information-sharing between police and federal agencies; no participation in federal enforcement, even in supportive roles like crowd control; require federal agents show their faces and wear official badges with name plates; and “punitive measures” up to and including termination for personnel or agencies violating the separation ordinance)
________________________________________
WHO REPRESENTS ME AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS?
The Central neighborhood is represented by Ward 8 Council Member Andrea Jenkins and Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez. Uncertain of who represents you? Identify your representative online at minneapolismn.gov/government/city-council/find-my-ward
Learn More about the City’s Budget Process online at www.minneapolismn.gov/government/budget/