Minneapolis Meets a High National Standard on Public Safety

Minneapolis is no stranger to national leadership. This fact is proven once again as our city was heralded as one of only six metro areas in the nation to receive highest ratings for our emergency agencies’ ability to communicate with one another during a disaster. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) examined 75 urban areas, and only Minneapolis-St. Paul; Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Columbus, Ohio; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Laramie County, Wyo. were given top ratings.

The DHS study examined how we use policies, technology and training for our law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services to work together and communicate within one hour of a disaster.
The DHS gave Minneapolis high ratings in each of the study’s three categories: how well we tackle leadership and strategic planning for emergencies, having the right policies and procedures in place and having and using effective technology.

Many thanks go out to our emergency preparedness team and partners. Public safety is our city’s most important goal because it makes everything else we do possible. Safety is also our most basic city service, but the irony is that the better we deliver it the less people think about it. The children who walk safely to school, the neighbors who walk to the corner store, the worker who walks home from the bus late at night, the senior sitting safely on their front porch at sunset rarely think that they can only enjoy this kind of life because of the protection provided by their police officers, fire fighters, and emergency workers.

Minneapolis 311 Takes 343,000 in First Year
Minneapolis 311 answered 343,428 calls in 2006, the first year of operation for the phone number that gives easier access than ever to City information and services. That’s nearly a phone call for every resident of Minneapolis! Plus, more than 90 percent of 311 calls were answered in less than 20 seconds, with the average wait time being just 10 seconds. 311 is now becoming more than just a phone number.  By visiting Minneapolis 311, residents and visitors can get help from the City through 311 without even picking up the phone. Dozens of service requests are already available on 311’s website, and the number is still growing. To learn more about Minneapolis 311’s year of success, who calls 311 and why, visit the City’s website.

Claim It! Campaign Promotes Free Tax Help
United Way website.

Get Fit Minneapolis Wants to Help You Get Healthy
Minneapolis and St. Paul have teamed up to with Get Fit Twin Cities: a fun, team-based, health and fitness challenge designed to jump start healthy habits that will help people feel better, look better and live longer, healthier lives. Teams can register in at the Get Fit website and then spend until May 10 motivating and supporting each other to move more and eat better. Each team member gets a wristband and Get Fit Passport that offers many free and discounted fun fitness opportunities. Teams that track their progress online can get more incentives and prizes. Get friends, family or co-workers together today and Get Fit!

It’s Official: The Republicans Are Coming
After months of planning, lobbying and hoping Minneapolis and St. Paul have officially been chosen to host the 2008 Republican National Convention, bringing as many as 40,000 visitors to the metro area. With major convention events planned in both cities as well as Bloomington, the entire metropolitan region will benefit from this convention. Beyond the direct economic benefit from a convention this size, one cannot put a dollar figure on the immeasurable value of the unparalleled national and international media attention that follows a national political convention and will showcase this region far into the future. The City of Minneapolis will work closely over the coming two years with the Convention Host Committee to put on the best convention we possibly can.

See and be Seen:
North Regional Library Opening

The North Regional Library is celebrating its grand opening Sat., Jan. 27, 1-6pm at
1315 Lowry Ave. N. This expanded state of the art library features 30+ public computers, wireless internet, a business and career center, teen center, children's discovery area and much, much more.
To learn more about the new second largest library in Minneapolis visit the Minneapolis Public Library website.

Learn More About:
Minneapolis’ Arts Economy

MN Citizens for the Arts website.

See and Be Seen:
City of Lakes Loppet Feb. 3-4

City of Lakes Loppet website for more details.

See and Be Seen:
Engage in Your City Government

The City of Minneapolis and the Neighborhood Revitalization Program are teaming up to learn more about how residents want to engage in their city. A citizen survey and eight public meetings give you a chance to speak your mind about your city. For more information and meeting dates, visit the City of Minneapolis website.