City of Minneapolis News Update: Oct. 15
Oct. 15, 2026
This newsletter provides updates on important news and information from the City of Minneapolis and partners. Find updates at minneapolismn.gov/news.
Mayor Frey nominates Bill Peterson as Chief of Police
Mayor Jacob Frey has nominated Interim Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Chief Bill Peterson to take the permanent role of Chief of Police.
We launched a national search for the next Minneapolis Police Chief earlier this summer, seeking a candidate who could advance critical reforms, strengthen community trust, recruit and retain a strong police workforce, and lead the department into its next chapter.
The search engaged residents, community leaders, law enforcement and public safety leaders, labor representatives, and other stakeholders through multiple community listening sessions. We also engaged department employees through an anonymous survey to help identify the qualities and priorities sought in the next chief.
There was a mix of strong internal and external candidates who were reviewed and vetted based on community engagement feedback and the department’s desired qualities. The strongest candidates advanced to interviews with a community panel and a public safety & law enforcement panel.
The finalists were then interviewed with Mayor Frey, Commissioner Barnette, and other City leaders, followed by the required background, nomination, and City Council confirmation processes.
Next, Mayor Frey will formally submit the nomination to the Minneapolis City Council, and the City Council will schedule a public hearing and confirmation vote. Interim Chief Peterson will continue to serve as Interim Chief pending confirmation.
Learn more about Interim Chief Peterson on our website.
A better Minneapolis 311 experience is here
Minneapolis 311 is making it easier to connect with City services, find information and get help.
Residents can now use 311.minneapolismn.gov to:
- Request City services: Report issues and request help with streets, sidewalks, trees, garbage, signs and more, with 126 service types available online.
- Track requests: Create an optional account to manage service requests in one place and get notifications as they progress.
- Explore the map: See open service requests across Minneapolis and check whether an issue has already been reported.
- Find answers: Navigate City services and find information more easily.
An updated Minneapolis 311 mobile app for Apple and Android devices will be available soon. And residents can continue to call 311 for help.
The new online experience arrives as Minneapolis 311 celebrates 20 years of connecting residents with their City, building on that commitment with more ways to access City services.
MPHA opens housing voucher waitlist, applications due today
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) is now accepting waitlist applications for the new Minnesota Housing-funded housing voucher program, Bring it Home (BIH). This program provides rental assistance to low-income Minnesota families.
To be eligible for the BIH program, you must live in Minnesota, pay more than 30 percent of your household income toward rent, and not currently be served by a federally funded Section 8 program. You must also be willing to live in Minneapolis, as MPHA's BIH vouchers cannot be used elsewhere.
Apply today
If your household is interested in applying to be added to the Bring it Home waitlist, you must apply on MPHA's online portal by 11:59 p.m. today, Oct. 15.
Learn more about how to apply for the Bring it Home waitlist on the MPHA website.
Apply to be added to MPHA's Bring it Home waitlist on MPHA's online portal.
Fall street sweeping begins Oct. 20
City crews are getting ready to sweep streets across Minneapolis. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains. That helps keep them out of our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River. Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city Tuesday, Oct. 20.
During the four weeks in October and November, crews clean about 1,000 miles of city streets.
Stay informed
Temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours before they start so the street will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, Oct. 19, and sweeping will begin Tuesday, Oct. 20. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules, or their cars may be ticketed and towed.
Stay informed about the parking rules through a web map (to be updated shortly) showing when your street is scheduled for sweeping, “no parking” signs on the street, and email and text alerts.
Learn more about street sweeping on our website, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads and X.
Options for voting early
Minneapolis voters can still vote early by mail or in person for this year’s general election.
Voting by mail
If you requested a vote-by-mail ballot, we recommend mailing it back by Oct. 27 or bringing it back in person. Check our website for more details.
Voting early in person
Minneapolis has a main Early Vote Center open at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. We’ll also have one on the North Side and one on the South Side opening Oct. 20, with the same hours as the main site.
We’re also opening 12 special one-day voting sites all across the city Oct. 19-30. These pop-up sites have the same security measures, rules and processes as the main sites.
Find the voting sites and their open times on our website.
Family Gathering Concert Series continues Oct. 17 at PILLLAR Forum Café
Bring the kids for a free morning of live music, creative activities and fun.
Family Gathering Concert Series: Mae Simpson with Colin Bracewell and School of Rock
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17
PILLLAR Forum Café, 2300 NE Central Ave.
The series is produced in collaboration with the Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance and funded by the City of Minneapolis through Minneapolis Forward to support community and economic resilience.
Get event details and see who's performing.
Minneapolis Amplified: East Hennepin Auto Service
Minneapolis Amplified brings local artists to unexpected neighborhood spots, from hot dog joints to flower shops, while supporting the small businesses that make our city special.
This week’s event:
Minneapolis Amplified: East Hennepin Auto Service
Some S***** Cover Band
Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
East Hennepin Auto Service, 2100 E Hennepin Ave #16
More events are planned at small businesses across the city through December.
Minneapolis Amplified is led by Dance Agenda in partnership with the City’s Arts & Cultural Affairs Department and funded through Minneapolis Forward.
Find upcoming events and participating venues on the Dance Agenda website.
Attend the free South Minneapolis Seniors Fair Oct. 21
The annual free South Minneapolis Seniors Fair will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21. This fair is tailored to our senior community members and caregivers.
The day will feature workshops, an elected officials panel, a resource fair and a free lunch. The workshops will cover the City Budget, Elections and Voter Services, public safety and crime prevention, and connecting with the community. The resource fair will feature vendors from the City of Minneapolis, as well as community partners and organizations that provide services to seniors.
South Minneapolis Seniors Fair
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21
Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, 5760 Portland Ave. S.
Schedule
- 9 a.m.: Breakfast
- 9:45 a.m.: Welcome address
- 10 a.m.: Breakout sessions
- How to Build Community — Your Voice Matters
- City Budget
- 10:45 a.m.: Breakout sessions
- Consumer Protections with Attorney General Keith Ellison
- Social Security & Healthcare with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s office
- 11:30 a.m.: Lunch
- 11:45 a.m.: Elected officials panel
- 12:45 p.m.: Raffle
- 1 p.m.: Yoga
- 1:20 p.m.: Breakout sessions
- Crime Prevention
- Elections and Voter Services
- 2 p.m.: Wrap up
The South Minneapolis Seniors Fair is sponsored by Wards 8, 11 and 12; the City of Minneapolis; and TRUST Inc.
Join virtual annual meeting about rail safety during light rail construction
We will host an online meeting Oct. 28 about rail safety during construction of the METRO Green Line extension. The project is also known as the Southwest light rail. The extension will add 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line, which connects downtown Minneapolis with downtown Saint Paul.
Residents will get information and have the opportunity to ask questions. Participants include the Southwest LRT Project Office and the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Rail safety meeting
6-7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28
Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams.
Learn about updates to zoning rules for food access
We're making updates to zoning rules for food access. The goal of these changes is to make it easier for people to grow, make, distribute and access affordable, healthy food that fits their culture. To do that, we’re looking at what has made food access harder in the past and what still affects it today.
Learn more about zoning rules for food access.
A virtual public information session will be held on Microsoft Teams to provide an overview of proposed changes.
Virtual public information session
4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29
Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams.
Meeting ID: 222 714 917 261 70
Passcode: 6pM6y2Zg
A recording of the information session will be made available on the project webpage after the event.
Seeking a developer for the Peoples’ Way at George Floyd Square, applications due Oct. 19
We've renewed our search for a partner to redevelop the Peoples’ Way site at George Floyd Square. A request for qualifications (RFQ) is now open to organizations with experience in real estate development. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Oct. 19.
Learn more about the Peoples’ Way on our website.
City staff will review proposals and recommend a finalist to the City Council and Mayor. If approved, the selected group will engage the community and work with the City to create a plan for developing and operating the site with a community‑focused mission.
The Peoples’ Way effort builds on years of conversations about the future of George Floyd Square and the surrounding streets.
Fall leaves are here, and your storm drain could use a neighbor
When leaves, grass clippings and other debris on streets and wash into storm drains, they can carry pollution into our lakes, rivers and streams. Adopt a storm drain near your home and help keep it clear of debris. It’s free, easy and only takes a few minutes to sign up.
- Pick a drain near you.
- Keep it clear of leaves, trash and debris.
- Help protect local water.
- Keep your neighborhood drains flowing.
Minneapolis residents have already adopted more than 8,400 storm drains across the city. Join your neighbors and help keep that number growing.
Sign up to adopt a storm drain on the Adopt-a-Drain website.
Remember: Never reach into a storm drain or remove the grate. Only clear debris you can safely reach from the street surface.
For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact City Communications.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850.
Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311.
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