We must evaluate all our work through a climate and public health lens. We need to consider how all our work, not just our work around climate and public health, affects climate and public health.

We need to create action plans that ensure that we’re on target, and meet all our climate and public health goals. The City of Minneapolis has committed to a number of climate and public health goals - and we need to ensure that we live up to those commitments.

We need to increase our investments into climate and public health work. We need to explore additional funding mechanisms for the City of Minneapolis’s climate and public health work, and leverage our partners for joint investments in climate and public health work.

I have worked hard to support the City of Minneapolis’s multi-jurisdictional partnership with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. I hosted a Town Hall Meeting on the Lake Nokomis Groundwater & Surface Water Evaluation. I will continue to push for the multi-jurisdictional partnership to invest in water quality projects on the Minnehaha Creek.

While serving as Council Member for Ward 11…

  • We approved the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Phase 2 funding which included funding for:

    • Lead Remediation

    • North Commons Park Improvements

    • Green Cost Share energy efficiency and renewable energy assistance to assist with utilities

    • Green Zone Weatherization

    • The Green Minneapolis Climate Resiliency Initiative to add and maintain trees that will help to mitigate the City’s two major heat islands and equalize tree canopy coverage across environmentally disadvantaged parts of the city.

    • The Community Health Fund

    • Open Streets

  • We approved the City of Minneapolis’s 2023 Budget which includes funding for:

    • The Green Cost Share program which will help businesses reduce environmental pollution through solar energy and weatherization projects.

    • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

    • The maintenance of city-managed landscaping on complete streets projects, including specialized vegetated areas that are between the curbs, such as traffic circles, medians, and bike buffers.

    • A position in the City of Minneapolis to coordinate and maximize efforts to expand and equalize our tree canopy.

  • I brought the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Hennepin County, the DNR, and USGS together for a Town Hall Meeting on the Lake Nokomis Groundwater & Surface Water Evaluation. At the Town Hall Meeting we presented the Groundwater & Surface Water Evaluation, discussed next steps, and responded to Ward 11 neighbors.

    What’s next…

  • I will continue to push for the multi-jurisdictional partnership between the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to invest in water quality projects on the Minnehaha Creek.

  • I will explore additional funding mechanisms for the City of Minneapolis’s climate and public health work, and leverage our partners for joint investments in climate and public health work.

  • I will continue to connect Ward 11 to the City of Minneapolis’s climate and public health work.

  • I will continue to push for the electrification of the City of Minneapolis’s fleet.

  • I will continue to push for the expansion of the City of Minneapolis’s public EV charging stations and infrastructure.

  • I will continue to work to address the disparities caused by, and prevent further environmental racism in the City of Minneapolis.