Ward 7 News
Dear Neighbors,
This week marked my third week in office, and we hit the ground running from the start. I am so pleased to have welcomed Kaley Brown and MJ Carpio to the Ward 7 team, each of them bringing a unique set of experiences and expertise to our shared work. You will be seeing all three of us out in community and also invite you to reach out to us anytime with ideas, concerns, or just to say "hello!"
A lot has changed in the Ward 7 office, but our commitment to serving community members, addressing issues in our neighborhoods, and pursuing initiatives that will help make Ward 7 and Minneapolis an outstanding place to live, work, and play remains the same.
Looking forward,
CM Cashman
Ward 7 Councilmember Katie Cashman
katie.cashman@minneapolismn.gov | 612-673-2207
Kaley Brown, Policy Aide
kaley.brown@minneapolismn.gov | 612-673-3195
MJ Carpio, Policy Associate
mj.carpio@minneapolismn.gov | 612-673-2207
Ward 7 Community Work: January
So far in the month of January, CM Cashman and the Ward 7 team has:
Attended 4 neighborhood organization meetings
Participated in over 20 additional stakeholder meetings/forums
Joined MPD Officers in Precincts 5 and 1 for ride-alongs
Drafted a letter of support to MPRB in partnership with Ward 6 Councilmember Osman supporting the pursuit of a memorial for community member Robert Skafte at the Overlook Gardens
Organized our first Coffee with Katie meet and greet opportunity (join us this Sunday!)
Ward 7 Policy Work: January
Katie chaired the January 18th meeting of the Council's new Climate & Infrastructure Committee, passing 10 items including the acceptance of a $230,000 grant from Metropolitan Council Environmental Services to help property owners replace or repair failing private sewer line laterals. Check your property's eligibility and apply for funds here.
At her first City Council meeting on Thursday, January 26th CM Cashman:
Introduced an ordinance to establish a Labor Relations Board to study and report on working conditions in specific industries ultimately to support downtown revitalization efforts
Supported a resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. View the full resolution language on LIMS
Supported honorary resolutions recognizing Black History Month (February) and Human Trafficking Awareness Month (January)
CM Cashman's Council Committees & Appointments
This term, CM Cashman is a part of a number of Council Committees, as well as a appointments to a number of Boards and Commissions. Bookmark this link to stay up to date on each of these bodies.
Climate & Infrastructure (Chair): Meets biweekly on Thursdays at 1:30PM (next meeting on Feb 1st)
Business, Housing, & Zoning: Meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 1:30PM (next meeting on Jan 30th)
Administration & Enterprise Oversight: Meets biweekly on Mondays at 1:30PM (next meeting on Jan 29th)
Committee of the Whole: Meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 1:30PM (next meeting on Feb 6th)
Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree Oversight Subcommittee (meets at the call of the chair)
City Council: Meets biweekly on Thursdays at 9:30AM (next meeting on Feb 8th)
Budget: Meets biweekly on Mondays at 1:30PM (next meeting on Feb 5th)
Intergovernmental Relations Special Committee: Meets at the call of the chair
External Boards and Appointments
Meet Minneapolis Executive Committee
Minneapolis St. Paul Family Housing Fund
North Star Corridor Development Authority
Tree Advisory Board
Internal City Appointments
Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership
Community News, Events, & Resources
City’s first-ever poet laureate presents new poem for Minneapolis
During the first City Council meeting of 2024, Heid E. Erdrich, Minneapolis’ first poet laureate (and Ward 7 resident!), shared a new poem she wrote for Minneapolis. As the poet laureate, Erdrich will champion the power of words, engaging with diverse communities across Minneapolis through readings, workshops and initiatives that celebrate the city's cultural tapestry.The appointment of a poet laureate marks a pivotal moment in Minneapolis’ cultural and literary landscape.
You can watch Erdrich presenting her new poem at the beginning of the City Council’s Jan. 8 Organizational Meeting on the City’s YouTube channel. Read more about Erdrich on the City website.
Small Business Spotlight: Osman Cleaners
Mumtaz and Arif Osman are 30+ year business owners of Osman Cleaners on Hennepin Avenue. Visit them for your cleaning, tailoring, leather and repair work at
2500 Hennepin Ave. Let’s show our support for Uptown businesses throughout the Hennepin Avenue reconstruction process.
Business hours: Monday to Friday 7am-6pm. Saturday 9am to 4pm. Sundays closed. Call: 612 374 1462.
City of Lakes Loppet Festival & the Luminary Loppet
It's almost time for one of Minneapolis' greatest winter events! Come out to Lake of the Isles for the Luminary Loppet, a trail lined by 1,200 luminaries featuring unique ice features and much more – all in the heart of Uptown. The Luminary Loppet is part of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival, which includes cross-country ski, fat bike, snowshoe, and skijor races and tours, youth events, and more. The Luminary Loppet is not a race – enjoy a night out with family and friends! Start times are selling out, so be sure to register soon.
The Great Northern Festival
Yesterday marked the beginning of the 2024 Great Northern Festival, an event series "that celebrates our cold, creative winters through programming that invigorates mind and body. In an era of changing climate that threatens our signature season, we seek to create community, inspire action, and share the resilient spirit of the North with the world."
A number of festival events and opportunities are taking place right here in Ward 7! Check out the full set offerings and register here.
City Hall under renovations, City Council Chamber meetings move across the street
The City Council Chamber is closed through the year for City Hall renovations. Until this construction is completed, council and committee meetings will take place in the Minneapolis Public Service Center, 250 Fourth St. S., Room 350. Independent bodies that also meet in the Council Chamber will move to Room 350 of the Public Service Center.
For the most up-to-date information on meeting locations, go to the City’s Legislation Information Management System.
You can find live streams on the City’s website; on the City’s cable channels, Comcast 14 and 799; and on the City’s YouTube channel.
Stay in touch with the Ward 7 Office
Visit us at: minneapolismn.gov/ward7
Email: ward7@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2207
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center
450 South 4th St.
Get directions