Jason Chavez - Minneapolis Ward 9

Starting in February, 2024, South Minneapolis resident Davis Moturi began reaching out to the City of Minneapolis reporting concerning actions by his next door neighbor, John Sawchak. Last week, my colleagues and I sent a letter to the Mayor and Chief because of the inaction.

Mr. Moturi first reached out to the Minneapolis Police Department in February where he was concerned for himself and his neighbors' safety. He asked for help and did not receive the needed support he and his family deserved. Unfortunately, he was shot by his neighbor because of the inaction from MPD.

On October 28, MPD finally arrested Mr. Sawchak. It’s clear that MPD has to address the racial bias here. Why did it take so long to arrest a white man? And why is the this situation different when it’s a Black, Native, and person of color?

At yesterday’s City Council meeting, the Minneapolis City Council requested the City Auditor to undertake an independent After Action Review of the City’s involvement in and response to all incidents and resulting cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak in the year 2024.

After months of begging for help from the Minneapolis Police Department, he was shot. He was subsequently victim blamed for being shot by the Chief and his name was tarnished. This is unacceptable. The public deserves to know more answers.

The Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the closure of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC). The decades long advocacy and organizing by residents to resist and shut down the Downtown incinerator has paid off.

The resolution aims to position the City of Minneapolis in support of more robust funding and programming towards its zero waste goals, and it shows support of a full and permanent closure of the incinerator at Hennepin Energy Recovery Center no later than December 31st, 2027 and the closure of the entire facility by December, 31st, 2033.

We have a long way to go but we are committed to funding bold initiatives that not only address our zero waste goals but will address environmental racism and pollution in Minneapolis.

https://sahanjournal.com/climate-environment/minneapolis-city-council-herc-resolution/

I’m excited to get this resolution across the finish line today as the City Council continues its strategies to address unsheltered homelessness. This would add two new seats to the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing for residents who have been formerly unhoused or are currently unhoused representing the single and family community.

It does remove one seat from the Lived Expertise Advisory Group (LEAG) which has sat vacant. Those residents can still apply to these new seats that would be established.

As we work to address unsheltered homelessness with housing and policy development, it is important that we work on solutions with those who are and have been disproportionately impacted by homelessness.

Some quotes from the article:

“We’re working day and night to figure out ways that we can address homelessness with a humane approach,” Chavez said to Bring Me The News. “We know that to address homelessness, we should be talking and working with those who are most impacted by it or disproportionately impacted by it.”

“I believe fundamentally that by working with unhoused residents, whether they’re currently unhoused or were in the past, we can dive deep into the root cause of the issue to ensure that the city council and the mayor get advice on tackling it,” Chavez said. “I think that is a very good thing. It’s a positive way to ensure that we’re learning from those with the experience and leading with them in mind.”

Minneapolis to consider adding unhoused people to its housing advisory board The proposal would remove one seat from the Lived Expertise Advisory Group (LEAG) and create two new seats for individuals who are currently or were formerly homeless.

We need leadership that will address unsheltered homelessness with a comprehensive and housing first approach. Leaders that have the political courage to bring forward bold funding to address this issue head on and not fight against shelter funding.

It’s irresponsible to assume that this issue itself is only because of the “fentanyl” issue. Yes, in part, the opioid epidemic impacts unsheltered homelessness but it is far from the only issue. It’s about addressing mental health, addiction, employment opportunities, housing, and wrap around services.

Homelessness has increased 30% in Minneapolis Public Schools, renters who are evicted from their rental unit often end up in a shelter or on the streets, and when places like AVIVO Village are at capacity, it brings up the reality that we need an additional location in South Minneapolis while stabilizing the current one to keep services in our city.

Next month, we begin the budget process where we will amend the Mayor’s proposed budget. I look forward to bringing forward solutions and budget amendments identified by my residents.

City leaders say fentanyl to blame for encampment violence, councilmember says there's more to the issue Minneapolis City Councilmember Jason Chavez called homeless encampments a complicated issue and taking action will take time.

Street vendors are getting threatened with being jailed and having their belongings confiscated for trying to make a living. This is wrong and there is no disputing this fact with evidence.

It is unjust and inhumane to hear from these entrepreneurs that deportation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement is being threatened. Some of these vendors are being told there are no licenses to sell on the street or that they can simply get a food truck. This is not accessible, and it is not inclusive. This is not the welcoming Minneapolis I believe in.

My office has been meeting with around 20 street vendors on a bi-weekly basis who have shown me where one person showed me $1,200 in fines and citations, another who said they had $3,000 in fines, and many others who have been fined and cited. My office was originally told that there would be no fines and that there would only be educational enforcement. Unfortunately, there have been 38 violations and citations as of now.

These entrepreneurs have told me that they cannot afford these fines, that they are scared by the police and city officials and are doing this work so they can pay for food, rent, and help provide for their family. This is a human rights issue and an immigrant rights issue.

The current licenses provided by the city will not help these current entrepreneurs. That is why Council Member Chowdhury, and I are working on an ordinance to create new licenses. We want an equitable application fee system, with subsidies to make it affordable and a waiver the first year.

We want this ordinance to uplift our entrepreneurs and address any public health concerns. We want this ordinance done before the Spring of 2025.

Minneapolis council members are considering permits for street food vendors Migrants say they’ve been threatened with jail and deportation; city officials dispute that. They’re definitely getting ticketed.

At Tuesday’s Business, Housing, & Zoning Committee, I brought forward a resolution restructuring the Advisory Committee on Housing with Council Member Jeremiah Ellison and Council Vice-President Aisha Chughtai. This item passed unanimously in Committee.

This resolution would add two new seats for residents who have been formerly unhoused or are currently unhoused representing the single and family community.

It does remove one seat from the Lived Expertise Advisory Group (LEAG) which has sat vacant. Those residents can still apply to these new seats that would be established.

As we work to address unsheltered homelessness with housing and policy development, it is important that we work on solutions with those who are and have been disproportionately impacted by homelessness.

I’m excited to get this through the city council next week.

Earlier this month, I joined Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Member Andrea Jenkins and the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in announcing the inaugural recipients of the 2024 Cultural Districts Arts Fund.

This will help our local community tell its story in imaginative ways. 🎨

In its first year, the fund will grant 64 awards totaling $690,000 across the city’s seven cultural districts.

✅ 38th Street
✅Cedar Avenue South
✅Central Avenue
✅East Lake Street
✅Franklin Avenue East
✅Lowry Avenue North
✅West Broadway.

This initiative is designed to empower local artists, creative entrepreneurs, community place makers, and cultural organizations by providing critical financial support.

Learn more here: https://mplsartsandculture.org/cultural-districts-arts-fund (https://mplsartsandculture.org/cultural-districts-arts-fund)

I was proud to join Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, and our incredible city staff at a press conference relating to lead poisoning prevention. We recommitted funding to be first U.S. city to eliminate childhood lead poisoning and to address this issue head-on.

I want to thank Jamie for allowing us to be in her home today. She received help from the City to remove lead paint found in her 100-year-old Minneapolis home after her young children tested for elevated blood-lead levels. It’s an example on why this must continue.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also delivered a $6.7 million check to the Minneapolis Health Department’s Lead and Healthy Homes team during Tuesday’s news conference. This will help continue this work.

I’m thankful for the work of city staff to help lead the nation on addressing this issue. We look forward to continuing to support these efforts.

Dear neighbor,

On October 20, 2024, at 3:31AM, MPD Officers received calls about a large party at 3318 East Lake Street with the caller’s hearing arguing and then gun shots. There was an after-hours party there and MPD was dispatched.

We are in close communication with city staff and will continue to keep residents informed.

The City's Business Licensing team confirmed that there is no business license (including for liquor) at all in that building. In response to earlier complaints, Business Licensing issued a violation in August for extended hours, has placarded the premises twice since the notice of violation, and has been working with the property owner.

The property owner is in the eviction process since the offending tenants will not leave voluntarily. Evictions are a court process and the formal, forced eviction is handled by the Sheriff. The property owner reports that the sheriff is scheduled to evict the tenant next week. MPD is also investigating to see if we can identify individuals involved.

It is unacceptable that families, children and residents had to experience or even hear this happening.

Jason Chavez

We had a successful Phillips Community Clean Sweep event today! This annual event brings neighbors together with a light breakfast and a community clean up of the Phillips neighborhoods.

Thank you to all the organizers and community members who came and helped today. 🧹

Ward 9 Update - Oct. 18, 2024!

✅ City Council Overrides Mayor Frey’s Veto on Carbon Emissions Fees

✅ Comprehensive Update on the Future of 3000 Minnehaha

✅ Food Vendor Update

✅ City Council Looking Into MPD Off-Duty Fees

✅ Phillips Clean Sweep This Saturday

✅ And a lot more!

Ward 9 Update - October 18, 2024 Ward 9 Update - October 18, 2024 City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 10/18/2024 03:31 PM CDT Council Member Jason Chavez October 18, 2024 A message from Council Member Chavez Dear neighbor, This is going to be a long newsletter but it has a lot of important information and upcoming meetings so...

At yesterday’s Council meeting, Council Member Jamal Osman and I brought forward an honorary resolution honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It was great to be joined by Native community leaders.

We also know that these resolutions need to be backed by policy that improves the lives of residents.

Today we overrode the Mayor’s veto on Carbon Emission Fees with a 9-2 vote. We made it clear that we will not wait another year to take action and that we will do our best to address climate change.

This action will add Carbon Dioxide to the PCAR fees on Minneapolis’ 36 largest polluters and is projected to reduce emissions by 6%.

Thank you to Council Member Robin Wonsley - Minneapolis Ward 2 for your steadfast dedication to address environmental racism. Your leadership does not go unnoticed.

It’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day! We came together with the Metropolitan Urban Indigenous Directors and Indigenous community leaders for a Sunrise Ceremony at Bde Maka Ska.

Ward 9 Community Meeting on Housing, Homelessness, and Budget Proposals!

Please join my office for a community meeting on Wednesday. We invite all Ward 9 residents to engage in a discussion about housing, homelessness, and budget proposals to address community issues. Share your ideas, ask questions, and collaborate on solutions to create a more welcoming Ward 9 for all.

We will be sharing ideas to address these issues and will take feedback on those proposals. Additionally, we will also share update on progress since our last community meeting on this topic that occurred in July.

When? Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Where? St Paul’s Lutheran Church - 2742 15th Ave South

Time? 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Ward 9 Community Meeting on Housing, Homelessness, and Budget Proposals AND Latinx Farmers Market

Ward 9 Community Meeting on Housing, Homelessness, and Budget Proposals AND Latinx Farmers Market Ward 9 Community Meeting on Housing, Homelessness, and Budget Proposals AND Latinx Farmers Market City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 10/13/2024 08:59 AM CDT Council Member Jason Chavez October 13, 2024 A message from Council Member Chavez Dear neighbor, Please read this quick update to learn....

It’s my 29th Birthday!!! 🎂 ❤️

Today we hosted first ever Latino Business Week in the City of Minneapolis.

The kick-off was at Mercado Central. A thriving marketplace of 35 businesses at the corner of Lake Street & Bloomington Avenue. A cultural hub that shows how community economic development works.

When I first ran for office, I promised my community that they would have a seat at the table and that they would be represented in City Government. They were grateful for today’s event and the opportunity to shine a light at Mercado Central

I want to give a big thanks to Ivonne Hernandez! She works for the Ward 9 Office & is a BIG reason this event happened and was successful. Along with the business owners at Mercado Central who helped shape the day with their vision, support, strength, and did a great panel!

I’m thankful to Colombia Live for participating and volunteering time today at Mercado Central. And also I’m thankful for the vendors who joined us today and were able to sell their incredible products. It was beautiful ❤️

I’m appreciative of all the community members that came and city staff that came and helped as well. The day ended with community members dancing, signing karaoke, and then wishing me a happy early birthday. I love this community so much.

We have a lot of work to do. I’m looking forward to this upcoming budget process to make sure that the Latino community is reflected. This includes budget amendments to help with rebuilding East Lake Street and securing funds to keep this successful week going next year.

Happy Jewish New Year to all our neighbors celebrating.

I’m wishing health and happiness to all who celebrate! ❤️

Addressing unsheltered homelessness will require creative solutions along with reestablishing programs that have worked in the past.

At today’s City Council meeting I brought forward a Legislative Directive to get an update on the former Navigation Center and the use of city-owned land as a tool to address unsheltered homelessness.

This will also help provide the City Council with a list of city-owned possible locations to establish a new Navigation Center in Minneapolis that would work to address unsheltered homelessness with both social services and beds, as well as actions, partnerships, and funds that would be necessary to advance, develop, and establish a new Navigation Center.

Additionally, this could also include land owned by the City of Minneapolis that could be used as housing, shelters, or housing solutions.

The City of Minneapolis has access to a ton of land and it’s important to be able to use this to address unsheltered homelessness.

I’m proud to have brought this forward with Aisha Chughtai - Minneapolis Ward 10, Aurin Chowdhury - Minneapolis Ward 12 , and Robin Wonsley - Minneapolis Ward 2. This passed with a 10-3 vote on today.

We look forward to receiving a report back on this in January 2025 and the subsequent actions we take following that report to address unsheltered homelessness.

🌟 Join Us for Latino Business Week Kickoff! 🌟

We’re excited to announce that Latino Business Week is here! 🎉

📍 Location: Mercado Central
📅 Date: Sunday, October 6th
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🕒 Special Welcome at 3:00 PM: Featuring remarks from Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, and Council Member Jason Chavez.

Come celebrate with us! Enjoy delicious food from local restaurants, shop unique accessories from vendors, and support our resilient Latino businesses. There will be music and fun for the whole community!

🗓️ Check out the attached flyers for a full list of events throughout the week!

Spread the word and bring your friends and family. Let’s make this a celebration to remember! 🎊

https://www.minneapolismn.gov/things-to-do/events/2024-events/oct/latino-business-week/

BIG NEWS! ❤️❤️

Anonymous donor matches city grant to save Minneapolis shelter from closure The Minneapolis shelter operated by Agate Housing and Services was due to close Oct. 9 due to safety concerns. The building will still close temporarily for repairs.