Twin Cities ToolBank

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A group of local individuals has partnered with ToolBank USA to assess community interest in bringing a ‘ToolBank’ to the Twin Cities area. What exactly is a ToolBank?

A Twin Cities ToolBank would lend a vast inventory to local charitable organizations for use in volunteer projects, facility maintenance projects, and even disaster response situations. Typical tool-borrowing organizations include public schools, churches, nonprofits, neighborhood associations, community groups, social clubs, parks, cemeteries, and many others. The ToolBank’s goal is to increase the impact of community organizations by providing quick and reliable access to an abundance of tools

A 60-second online survey awaits you at the link below, along with a chance to win a $50 Home Depot gift card for completing the survey. You can complete the survey multiple times – provided that you complete it on behalf of a different organization or company each time you complete it. (Example: a parent might complete the survey three times: once on behalf of his employer, again on behalf of his child’s school, and a third time on behalf of his church.) The survey is open to all residents in the Greater Twin Cities metro area.

Simply point your browser to www.toolbank.org to take the survey, and click Minneapolis–Saint Paul.

Hwy. 65 Resurfacing Project

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As of May 3, the project has begun in Fridley/Columbia Heights. The scope of the project involves:

  • Resurfacing from Washington Ave. to 14th Ave. NE, 18th Ave. to 27th Ave. and from 37th Ave. NE to 53rd Ave. NE
  • Storm sewer drainage repairs
  • Accessibility upgrades at 51 intersections, including curb ramps and truncated domes (raised bumps on the sidewalk surface to indicate an intersection)
  • Bridge repairs
  • Guardrail improvements
  • Traffic signal upgrades

For more information or to sign up for email updates, see this page.

One Neighborhood Initiative

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On Monday, May 7th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Avenue South, there will be a discussion to follow up from the One Neighborhood workshop session held during the Community Connections Conference on February 11, 2012. The One Neighborhood Initiative is intended to establish intentional partnerships between residents, neighborhood organizations, community–based organizations and the Neighborhood & Community Relations (NCR) Department that will foster an increase in inclusion, diversity, and overall participation in your neighborhood organization.

For more information and to RSVP contact Lance Knuckles, Neighborhood Specialist, at lance.knuckles@minneapolismn.gov or at 612.673.2919.

NE/SE Mpls Local Food Resource Hub

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The Eastside area, along with three others in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul, now has a resource hub. What are they? The Hubs are community-based networks of residents, organizations, and businesses supporting each other to grow, cook and preserve fruits and vegetables, thereby increasing overall community health and access to fresh food.

Saturday, May 19th is a plant pick-up day for members at Little Kitchen / Northeast Community Lutheran Church, 1500 6th St. NE (on the 5th St. side). Plants available will include several varieties of pepper and tomatoes, eggplant, okra and herbs. For membership details (there are three membership “packages”), check Gardening Matters.

Interested in growing and/or preserving food but don’t have much interest, or want to teach others? The Hubs organization is developing a mentor program.

April 16 board meeting agenda

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6:30 –– March board meeting minutes approval

6:35 –– Agenda discussion/approval

6:35 –– Treasurer’s report – Irro Mohamed

6:40 –– Garden report – Kathy Buchanan

6:50 – Community organizer’s report

6:55 –  2PAC – Jane McCarney

7:00 –– Median on Central Avenue – Kevin Reich

8:00 –– 37th Avenue Fence – Dan Bembenek and Mike Melman

8:15 –– Business matters (how we decide to spend money) –  Lotte Melman

8:25 –– Earth Day

8:30 – Adjourn

Landscaping on 37th Avenue – update

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On March 29th, Minneapolis City council member Kevin Reich, and Columbia Park residents Dan Bembenek and Mike Melman CPNA met with officials of the Columbia Heights Dept. of Public Works to request the addition of landscaping to screen an objectionable looking metal wall on the south side of “Bobby and Steve’s” impound lot along  37th Avenue. The officials said the metal wall does indeed meet City ordinances, but they would nevertheless ask Bobby and Steve’s to consider our request. We await their answer. (See photos here.)

Yard Waste Collection Changes

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The 2012 Yard Waste Season will begin the week of April 9. Beginning this year, all bagged yard waste must be in compostable bags. Acceptable bags include Kraft (paper) bags and compostable plastic bags.   Compostable plastic bags should clearly state that they meet ASTM D6400 standards for composting and be marked as compostable. Biodegradable or degradable bags do not meet state law.

A four-week grace period will allow you to set out conventional plastic bags of leaves filled last season. Leaves in non-compostable plastic bags from last year will be collected through your garbage day the week of April 30. Your yard waste crew will debag and collect the yard waste, disposing of the plastic bag in your garbage cart. Due to the extra work and expense this requires, please do not use non-compostable plastic bags. After the week of April 30, yard waste in plastic bags will be left and tagged for you to re-package.

If you prefer not to purchase compostable plastic or Kraft (paper) bags you may use your own container. Reusable containers must be 33 gallons in size or less with sturdy handles and weigh less than 40 pounds when full. Yard waste stickers are available to identify your reusable containers. To request yard waste stickers, or if you have any other questions please contact Solid Waste and Recycling (612-673-2917 or SWandRsupervisors@minneapolismn.gov).

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Summer Parks Jobs

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is holding two job application fairs for summer seasonal positions as Park Keepers, Mobile Equipment Operators and Park Patrol Agents.

The first was held on Thursday, March 29. Another is scheduled for Thursday, April 12 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at the Minneapolis Urban League, located at 2000 Plymouth Avenue North. Information sessions about seasonal jobs and working for the Park Board will be held at Noon and 5 p.m. Candidates who meet the required qualifications will be invited for interviews.

To view job descriptions and applications, visit the Temporary Jobs page.

For additional information, contact the Minneapolis Urban League (612-302-3100 or www.mul.org) or the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (612-230-6429 or www.minneapolisparks.org).

Job application fair events are a collaboration between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Urban League, EMERGE, Northside Community Response Team and KMOJ Radio.

CONTACT: Rhonda Heryla
Human Resources
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
612-230-6429

Expanded History Page

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Are you someone who is intrigued about how Columbia Park neighborhood came to be the unique place it is? If so, then be sure to check out the additions to the History page.. And check it out again soon: there’s more to come. Better yet, send what you have that you don’t see here: contact@columbiapark.org.

Mind Your Granules

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Homeowners who contract with a lawn care service need to make sure that the granules that end up on the sidewalk and street are swept up. This is required by City ordinance, since the granules can end up in the Mississippi River via the storm water sewer system.