This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

oct. Agenda

1. Trolley park follow up to last month’s meeting with MPRB Comm. Shaffer. We will formalize the membership of the sub committee of folks and choose some dates for a meeting with Park Board staff. Also set out some broad objectives and identify some first steps we can propose.

2. Update on the upcoming Holiday market Nov 23.  Volunteers are needed to help decorate the site. Time 3–7pm on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Seven Points.   

3. Bruce Brenner will give us an update on the overall development situation for 2025.  What’s likely, what’s not, what to watch for. Q&A included.

4. Livability Committee brainstorming session on 2025 goals.

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

sept. Agenda

1.  Minneapolis Parks Mini Town Hall with Elizabeth Shaffer

Our Parks Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer has agreed to join us for a wide discussion of the Parks. There are several items specific to our neighborhood 

1. Safety actions at the 32 st playground

2. The trolley path park development planning 

3. The Mall plans

4. Lake Harriet Pkwy will be resurfaced?

5. The schedules for continued shifting of amenities at the lake such as the sailing school

6. Park Board Budgets

Elizabeth will talk to these items and any others she wants to include. Then we will have a Q&A session

2.  Update on the Holiday Market plans and how to volunteer

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

aug. Agenda tba

Please meet us on the bike/walk trail near the Sailing Club lawn across from the stairs on W 31st Street to help clean up trash in and around the Lake. We'll have treats and cleanup gear like gloves, buckets, bags, and trash pickers. You may want to wear tall boots to reach trash at the edge of the Lake. Please be cautious as we sometimes find sharp objects.

Thanks to Wheels Fun Rentals, kayaks will be available free of charge for the clean up! Boats will be available from 8:30-10:00 am. Adults 18+ must leave an ID and sign a waiver at the rental desk. Kids under 15 must be accompanied by a parent (maximum of 2 kids), but can go out in separate kayaks. Kids ages 5-9 must ride in a double kayak with a parent. Boaters will take bags, trash grabbers, and gloves to clean floating trash away from the shore.

Our cleanups are Park Steward events, and the Park Board asks that all Park volunteers sign a waiver each year. You can find the 2024 waiver here, or sign one at the clean up: 

Forms for Adults: https://form.jotform.com/210516046139146
Form for Minors: https://form.jotform.com/211065085233144

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

july Agenda tba

June’s East Bde Maka Ska Livability Committee meeting has been canceled—please look for a scheduling update on the next meeting in our e-news.

Till then, there are a few neighborhood opportunities listed below. Click the links for full details, and please share these with your neighbors.

upcoming opportunities

June Neighborhood Social at Pimento Market
Tues. June 25, 5–7pm • inside Bde Maka Ska Pavilion, free apps, all are welcome!

Adopt a Drain in East Bde Maka Ska
Street drains flow directly to our lakes. Neighbor East Isles has the highest drain adoption rate in the country, they're challenging all the lakeside neighborhoods to help keep our lakes clean. There's a drawing with local prizes for those who adopt.

We're Hiring for a Bookkeeper
Annual contract to reconcile accounts, run monthly rebates with the City, cut checks, and do annual reporting and taxes. Please pass this opportunity along in your circles!

Neighborhood Super Sale registration opens early July
Sale will be Sat. September 7, 9am–3pm, across East Bde Maka Ska, East Isles, Lowry Hill, Kenwood, and Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhoods.

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

may Agenda

1. Henry LaBounta will join us to present and discuss a grant he has received to work with the neighborhoods around our lakes to improve water quality (his letter of introduction appended below)

2. Proposed closure of parkway on July 4 (discussion)

3. Updates on existing projects from last month

• Trolley Park 

• Mall Park

• Development at 34th and Hennepin update

• Street Lights

4. Boundary signage proposal for neighborhood 

5.  Upcoming Events:

1. Neighborhood Walking Club / Saturdays weekly, 10–11:30 AM, meet @ St. Mary's north parking lot

2. Ward 10 Open Office Hours / Tuesday, May 21, 9–10 AM @ Curioso Coffee Bar (inside Seven Points) / chat with Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai

3. West Maka Ska Talk: Dakota History of Bde Maka Ska / Thursday, May 23, 5–7 PM @ The Bakken / free, open to public, RSVP online

4. Renter Rights Resource Fair / Tuesday, June 4, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM@ Mpls Public Service Bldg (Downtown) / free meal + interpretation services

5. Trees & Forests Learning Series + Hazardous Waste Collection Events / May–Aug., various dates + locations in the Metro

6. Neighborhood Super Sale / Save the date: Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 AM–3 PMacross East Bde Maka Ska, East Isles, Cedar-Isles-Dean, Lowry Hill, Kenwood / sale registration opens late June/July

Henry LaBounta Letter of introduction

I'm your neighbor Henry LaBounta, my wife and I live in East Isles.  I've been awarded a Hennepin Good Steward grant with Upstream MN. This grant has funds for 9 neighborhoods around the chain of lakes including East Maka Ska & South Uptown. 

Our goal is simple, to increase storm drain adoption to help prevent water pollution of our lakes. All our storm drains empty in our lakes and rivers. 

I received a MWMO grant last year and in East Isles we've increased our storm drain adoption from 16% to over 53%, highest in the nation. The grants pay for all the gear, food etc to empower neighbors to get together and make a difference. 

I have more info to share with you, can I join you for one of your neighborhood association meetings and tell you more? Some more info if you like but will share similar when we meet:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/796514388254895 - Friends of Lake of the Isles FB group has some info

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5WSncn7v3c - The Wedge Live interview, a bit long though

• Southwest Voices - shorter article - https://www.southwestvoices.news/posts/meet-your-neighbor-henry-labounta-is-cleaning-up-the-lakes 

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

april Agenda

1. Proposal for 3346 Hennepin Ave  (James Miles, Miles & Assoc)
2. Report on Trolley park (Trolley park subcommittee)
3. Discussion of traffic congestion on Lake street from construction
4. Update on Mall park (Gary Farland)
5. Streetlight colors changing (Hill & Lake Press article)
6. Upcoming Events & Meetings:

• Safety Committee: Wed. April 17, 6–8pm @ Linden Hills Rec Center

• Earth Day Cleanup: Sat. April 20, 9:30am–12pm @ 34th/Irving trailhead check-in

• Personal Safety Workshop: Wed. April 24, 6:30–8pm @ Bryant Sq. Rec Center

• Neighborhood Social: Thurs. April 25, 5:30–7:30pm @ Granada Theater

• May Board Meeting: Thurs. May 9, 7–9pm @ St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

march Agenda

1. Discussion of the Minneapolis 2040 Plan situation and how it (and the higher interest rates) are affecting development activities in our area.  Bruce Brenner, a developer and Livability member, has agreed to help us out with this discussion.
   

2. A review of the 2023 Uptown Holiday Market and a discussion of similar 2024 possible and planned activities.  (Thang Holt)
   

3. A review of where we stand on the trolley path park activities.  Some recent communications with the park board and residents who live adjacent to the path and proposed park were brought to our attention. Discussion will focus on addressing concerns and outlining a discussion strategy with the MPRB going forward.

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

feb. Agenda tba

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

jan. Agenda tba

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

nov. Agenda

1. Safety Committee Reports

2. Block Captains Review

3. Vacant Rental Garage Issue

4. Uptown Holiday Market

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

Oct. Agenda:

1. Volunteer(s) needed: Minneapolis Parks & Rec District-wide meeting

   1. Nov. 2, 5–6:30pm at the Kenwood Rec Center (2101 W Franklin Ave)

1. Bde Maka Ska Pavillion soft opening last week (opens Oct. 20)

2. Safety Team Updates

1. Biweekly Safety Walks:

1. Mondays, meet 7am at Duet Coffee (Daymark)

2. Saturdays, meet 10am at St. Mary's north lot

2. Block Captains (guide and application)

3. Security Comms

4. Violence Interrupters

3. Hill & Lake Press Discussion - editor Craig Wilson

4. YWCA Uptown / Uptown Businesses Update

5. Upcoming Events

1. Biweekly Safety Walks (Mon / Sat mornings)

2. Ward 10 Candidate Forum: Oct. 26, 6:30–8pm at Abyssinia (322 W Lake St)

3. 2023 Annual Meeting: Nov. 2, 6–8:30pm at St. Mary's Terrace Room

1. Free pizza + drinks, but bring a side or dessert if you like!

2. Board Nominations have opened, 10 seats are opening - consider applying, and share the opportunity with neighbors for our Nov. election!

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

Sept. Agenda

Safety Team Updates:

1. Safety Walks

2. Block Captains (guide and application)

3. Security Comms

4. Buy Back Alternative - Violence Interrupters

Upcoming Events:

1. Weekly Safety Walks: Saturdays, meet 10am at St. Mary's north lot

2. Trolley Path Mulching: Sept. 24, 10–11:30am

3. Neighborhood Social: Oct. 9, 5–7pm at Pinoli

4. Annual Meeting: Nov. 9 (Save the Date!)

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

Aug. Agenda:

1. Update on Seven Points

2. Discussion of Uptown Business Changes (Collab, Sooki & Mimi, others?)

3. Safety Team Updates:

1. Safety Walks

2. Block Captains

3. Security Comms

4. MPD Buy Back / Alternatives

4. Discussion of Hill & Lake Press Coverage/Advertising

5. Upcoming Events:

1. Neighborhood Super Sale: Sept. 9 (Register by Aug. 30)

2. Sail Bde Maka Ska: Sept. 16

3. Annual Meeting & Fundraiser: Nov. 9 (Save the Date!)

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

July Agenda:

1. Vision Zero Safety Improvements / Amy Barnstorff, Transportation Planner - Minneapolis Public Works

2. NRP Vote Proposal / Adam Olson, Treasurer - East Bde Maka Ska Neighborhood Association

3. Safety Team Reports

4. Latest on Fires

5. Seven Points Discussion

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please register via Zoom.

June Agenda:

1. Updates on the two safety committees, and a buy back program update.

2. Recent house fire on the 3500 block of Holmes Ave S.

3. Progress on the new park at W 34th St, and ways we might get involved when the time comes.

Last week our Livability Meeting hosted a safety conversation with 40+ neighbors, after which a Safety Team was formed to explore action steps the neighborhood can take. Join us to take on next steps toward stronger community safety—and if you plan to attend but missed our Livability Meeting, please review the minutes here.

Thursday, May 25 • 7:30–8:30 PM
Uptown Lunds & Byerlys: 1450 West Lake Street
Community Room (upstairs by the greeting cards)
*Zoom option here, but in-person will be ideal for some activities

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please join us via Zoom.

May 15 Agenda:

1. Safety 7:00-7:20pm

   • Review of Buy Back Program (details below)

   • Brief discussion on other actionable ideas, including future meetings with community leaders

   • Sub-committee formation and schedule

2. James Ave property 7:20-7:40pm

   • Presentation PDF

3. Park board update on 34th and Parkway 7:40-8:00pm

Buy Back Program details, via CM Aisha Chughtai’s office:

Process
The Neighborhood Association would first speak with the Precinct Inspector and discuss their needs including number of officers, hours, days, expectations. At that point it would be helpful for the Association to email the Inspector confirming their needs and copy a range of other staff.  We will confirm that the Deputy Chief and the Inspector approve the request and will develop a contract for the work.  It will also help to speed things up if a contact is provided that can work with us on the contract. 

Cost
The cost for Buy Back is $112 per officer per hour.  It is important to note that we do not guarantee all shifts requested will be filled as buy back is voluntary and also the needs of the Precinct come first.  The contract must go through Council for approval before the contract is signed.  We invoice them about monthly.

Resources

• City staff presentation on the program from March 29: view here

• Lowry Hill’s participation in the Buy Back Program, which has some info: https://www.mplssafety.org/

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please join us via Zoom.

Apr. 17 Agenda :

1. 30 min: The upcoming zoning codification of the Minneapolis 2040 Plan is up for discussion at a public hearing on Monday, Apr. 24, 4:30pm at City Hall. Should talk about what is being done with overlays, and have a general discussion on other issues folks have concerns with, as well as potential actions (letters, meeting attendance, etc.)

   • Public hearing notice is here, and relevant materials are available at the Minneapolis 2040 website.
     

2. Uptown development status/activity, and coalition of neighborhoods and business community. Uptown Association Board member Judy Shields will be joining us. Items to be discussed include but are not limited to:

• Construction at Seven Points (When will it start?)

• Update on Uptown Theater project.

• New businesses/restaurants opening this year.

This committee focuses on ensuring and enhancing a consistent, strong quality of life for East Bde Maka Ska residents. All are welcome! This meeting will be held virtually, please join us via Zoom.

Jan. 23 Agenda TBD