MINNEAPOLIS — A crucial conversation on how the City of Minneapolis should spend money will be hosted at city hall Wednesday.
This evening's meeting is a public hearing, held one week before the city council votes on mayor Jacob Frey's proposed 2020 budget.
The 2020 city budget includes money for hiring 14 new police officers. Eight officers would be designated for Neighborhood Outreach beats, 3 for a new traffic unit and 3 additional investigators to focus on domestic violence and sexual assault.
When the mayor presented this plan back in August, community activists showed up in opposition, and brought the meeting to an abrupt end.
- $31 million would go toward affordable housing, supporting tenant rights and adding a Tenant Navigator position to help residents access available resources. A Homeless Community Navigator would also be added to the police department.
- $1.35 million would go to helping create cultural districts throughout the city, with activities including street sweeps, trash pickup, better lighting, facade improvements and art.
- $250,000 one-time investment over current funding for programming to connect people of color and low-income residents with tech jobs.
Wednesday's hearing will be held in room 317 of the Minneapolis City Hall starting at 6:05 p.m. The more than 600 page proposed budget is available to read here.