The following news release was issued by the Office of Minneapolis Mayor
Sharon Sayles Belton today.
Mayor calls for City of Minneapolis to team up with Hennepin County and the
faith community to provide additional snow and ice relief for residents
March 13, 2001 (Minneapolis, MN)-Minneapolis Mayor Sharon
Sayles Belton today announced a new partnership developed at her request
between the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County Community Corrections and
the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC) to increase assistance to
City residents with ice and snow buildup on sidewalks, steps and driveways.
The partnership will provide more sand at additional locations for residents
and labor assistance for seniors and people with disabilities, all at no
charge.
"We've had a harsh winter, and the result is that a lot of residents are
contending with snow and ice problems on their properties," said Mayor
Sayles Belton. "We wanted to make more sand available to residents as well
as provide snow and ice removal services for seniors or people with
disabilities."
Currently, residents can obtain sand for from the City at four locations.
Beginning today, sand will be available at six additional sites citywide
(see list of sites at the bottom of this release). The City's Public Works
Department is working collaboratively with the Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board to provide the sand at the additional locations. The City
has made over 475 barrels of sand available to residents to help improve the
safety and conditions of their sidewalks and steps.
Additionally, Hennepin County Community Corrections will assign crews from
its Sentence to Serve (STS) program to work with the GMCC HandyWorks Program
to provide increased snow and ice removal and sanding for seniors and people
with disabilities. The STS program will augment the Handy Works program by
providing an additional 2 crews of 8-10 workers per day beginning today and
continuing as long as the services are needed.
Senior citizens or people with disabilities who would like assistance can
call their neighborhood association, Ruth Kildow with the City's Senior
Ombudsman office at (612) 673-3004, or Cynthia Sandoval with the GMCC
HandyWorks program at (612) 721-8687, extension 329, to determine
eligibility and set up snow and ice removal services. (Seniors or residents
with disabilities who have someone living with them who can perform the
services do not qualify for help.)
Staff from the Mayor's Office will also volunteer to help with snow and ice
removal as part of their March monthly community service projects.
"We know there is a serious problem with snow and ice right now," said the
Mayor. "We want to make sure residents have access to sand, and that people
who need assistance are helped."
To date, the City has declared six snow emergencies to deal with the more
than 70 inches of snow received this year.
Minneapolis Sand Pickup Locations
* 6036 Harriet Avenue South (on West 60th Street between Lyndale &
Harriet)
* 1809 Washington Street Northeast (18th & Jefferson)
* 198 Aldrich Avenue North
* 4444 Snelling Avenue South (on 44th Street between Hiawatha &
Snelling, by railroad tracks)
* Bryn Mawr Medows Park (West Laurel & Morgan Ave S.)
* Powderhorn Park (3400 15th Ave South)
* Linden Hills Field (3100 West 43rd Street)
* Van Cleve Park (901 15th Ave S.E.)
* Columbia Golf Course, N.E. (800 Columbia Blvd, N.E. - Enter off 33rd
Ave & Central)
* Folwell Park (1615 Dowling Ave N.)
Ann Freeman
Communications Director
Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton
(612) 673-2156
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