COMMUNITY MEETING: ENCAMPMENTS
Monday, August 17th – 7 to 9 pm (via Zoom)
Hosted by: Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization (MTNO)
Join the Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization (MTNO) for a Community
Meeting about the people living in tents in Marshall Terrace Park and the people
living in RV’s, semi-trucks, and other vehicles on Columbia Avenue NE – south of
St. Anthony Parkway.
MTNO has invited the government representatives for our area: Kevin Reich -
Minneapolis City Council, Chris Meyer - Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board,
Kari Dziedzic – MN Senate, Sydney Jordan – MN House of Representatives, and
others to share current information about the Pandemic and related issues with
homelessness.
Each representative will share relevant information and plans to address the issue
of homelessness during the Pandemic. Attendees will have a chance to ask
questions and a discussion will be facilitated by Board Members of MTNO.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82941071359?pwd=UHd3VmUxUFd2eVVXTTJNcGNyZVFrQT09
ID number: 829 4107 1359,
Password: MTNO or 276023.
You can join the meeting by video (computer, laptop or tablet) or phone – You will need to download
Zoom before joining the meeting.
Meeting about the people living in tents in Marshall Terrace Park and the people
living in RV’s, semi-trucks, and other vehicles on Columbia Avenue NE – south of
St. Anthony Parkway.
MTNO has invited the government representatives for our area: Kevin Reich -
Minneapolis City Council, Chris Meyer - Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board,
Kari Dziedzic – MN Senate, Sydney Jordan – MN House of Representatives, and
others to share current information about the Pandemic and related issues with
homelessness.
Each representative will share relevant information and plans to address the issue
of homelessness during the Pandemic. Attendees will have a chance to ask
questions and a discussion will be facilitated by Board Members of MTNO.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82941071359?pwd=UHd3VmUxUFd2eVVXTTJNcGNyZVFrQT09
ID number: 829 4107 1359,
Password: MTNO or 276023.
You can join the meeting by video (computer, laptop or tablet) or phone – You will need to download
Zoom before joining the meeting.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Who decided that people experiencing homelessness could reside in the Minneapolis Parks?
A: Due to the Pandemic, which has reduced space at shelters and led to many people being unemployed and/or without housing, many more people than usual have pitched a tent in the Minneapolis Parks. Due to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-55, protecting the rights and health of at-risk populations during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency, no one can be evicted – without having another place for them to go. So, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is working with City, County, and State Health and Human Service Agencies to find long-term solutions.
In the meantime, the MPRB has set up a system to temporarily “permit” encampments in no more than 20 parks with a limit of 25 tents (including tents for storage or support). If you have concerns about the encampments in the Minneapolis Parks you can contact: Chris J. Meyer, Commissioner: 612-283-5626, cmeyer@minneapolisparks.org; Corky Wiseman, Director of Community Outreach: 612-230-6483, cwiseman@minneapolisparks.org; Jennifer Ringold, Deputy Superintendent: 612-230-6464, jringold@minneapolisparks.org; or Park Police: 612-230-6550. For more/updated information: www.minneapolisparks.org/encampments
Q: Do campers have a permit to be in Marshall Terrace Park?
A: Yes, there is a Permit Holder who has some responsibility for the management of the encampment. The Board Members of the Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization (MTNO) are working closely with the MPRB and the Permit Holder at the Marshall Terrace Park Encampment to ensure the health and safety of the campers and the residents of Marshall Terrace Neighborhood. The Encampment at Marshall Terrace Park is limited to 15 tents; and Permits need to be renewed every two (2) weeks.
Q: What are the criteria that the MPRB has set up to grant a Permit for an encampment in a Park?
A: The MPRB Resolution 2020-267 outlines the criteria (see the full Resolution at the website noted above); they include that the encampment only uses 10% (or less) of the open park space, does not inhibit the public uses of the park amenities, and that it is not near a school. If permitted, the MPRB provides amenities (portable restrooms, handwashing stations, and trash containers). The goal is to have everyone relocated from the encampments to more permanent housing by September 15th, 2020.
Q: Are there guidelines the campers have to follow during their stay in a Minneapolis Park?
A: Not specifically, other than the rules/laws that apply to everyone else in a Minneapolis Park (with the exception of over-night camping) and in the City of Minneapolis. However, the Permit Holder can ask a camper to leave.
Q: Who can be called with questions/concerns about people living in their vehicles on Columbia Avenue NE?
A: For an emergency: 911. Public Works: 311 or Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov (go to Streets/Traffic/Parking, then click on Parking Violation Report). Or contact Kevin Reich – Minneapolis City Council (612-673-2201, kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov, or his aides: lisa.brock@minneapolismn.gov or shannon.mcdonough@minneapolismn.gov
To Contact the Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization:
Q: Who decided that people experiencing homelessness could reside in the Minneapolis Parks?
A: Due to the Pandemic, which has reduced space at shelters and led to many people being unemployed and/or without housing, many more people than usual have pitched a tent in the Minneapolis Parks. Due to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-55, protecting the rights and health of at-risk populations during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency, no one can be evicted – without having another place for them to go. So, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is working with City, County, and State Health and Human Service Agencies to find long-term solutions.
In the meantime, the MPRB has set up a system to temporarily “permit” encampments in no more than 20 parks with a limit of 25 tents (including tents for storage or support). If you have concerns about the encampments in the Minneapolis Parks you can contact: Chris J. Meyer, Commissioner: 612-283-5626, cmeyer@minneapolisparks.org; Corky Wiseman, Director of Community Outreach: 612-230-6483, cwiseman@minneapolisparks.org; Jennifer Ringold, Deputy Superintendent: 612-230-6464, jringold@minneapolisparks.org; or Park Police: 612-230-6550. For more/updated information: www.minneapolisparks.org/encampments
Q: Do campers have a permit to be in Marshall Terrace Park?
A: Yes, there is a Permit Holder who has some responsibility for the management of the encampment. The Board Members of the Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization (MTNO) are working closely with the MPRB and the Permit Holder at the Marshall Terrace Park Encampment to ensure the health and safety of the campers and the residents of Marshall Terrace Neighborhood. The Encampment at Marshall Terrace Park is limited to 15 tents; and Permits need to be renewed every two (2) weeks.
Q: What are the criteria that the MPRB has set up to grant a Permit for an encampment in a Park?
A: The MPRB Resolution 2020-267 outlines the criteria (see the full Resolution at the website noted above); they include that the encampment only uses 10% (or less) of the open park space, does not inhibit the public uses of the park amenities, and that it is not near a school. If permitted, the MPRB provides amenities (portable restrooms, handwashing stations, and trash containers). The goal is to have everyone relocated from the encampments to more permanent housing by September 15th, 2020.
Q: Are there guidelines the campers have to follow during their stay in a Minneapolis Park?
A: Not specifically, other than the rules/laws that apply to everyone else in a Minneapolis Park (with the exception of over-night camping) and in the City of Minneapolis. However, the Permit Holder can ask a camper to leave.
Q: Who can be called with questions/concerns about people living in their vehicles on Columbia Avenue NE?
A: For an emergency: 911. Public Works: 311 or Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov (go to Streets/Traffic/Parking, then click on Parking Violation Report). Or contact Kevin Reich – Minneapolis City Council (612-673-2201, kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov, or his aides: lisa.brock@minneapolismn.gov or shannon.mcdonough@minneapolismn.gov
To Contact the Marshall Terrace Neighborhood Organization:
- Phone: 612-568-7422
- Web: marshallterrace.org
- Email: marshallterraceMPLS@gmail.com