Cam Gordon
Working for a Minneapolis where each of us has the freedom and opportunity to reach our individual potentials while caring for one another, improving our environment and promoting social well-being.
Focused not only on our immediate needs, but also on the future we want for ourselves, our children and for generations to come.
Dedicated to using the values of Social and Economic Justice, Ecological Wisdom, Grassroots Democracy, Peace, Community Based Economics, and Respect for Diversity to guide his work.
For the latest news from Cam Gordon, see the Second Ward e-Update.
The Second Ward occupies the Eastern-Central part of Minneapolis and straddles the East and West banks of the iconic Mississippi River gorge. It includes a diverse mix of residential, institutional, industrial and commercial land uses with some of the highest density housing outside of downtown, flourishing low density residential neighborhoods, thriving and underutilized industrial areas and major commercial corridors like University Ave and East Lake Street. It is also home to several significant institutions including the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota, Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. For more information about the people and places of Ward 2, see our Ward 2 Planning Department Profile and our Regulatory Services 2016 Report.
Current Projects
Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic
The City is working hard to support all our residents during this challenging time. Basic City services, including providing safe drinking water, garbage and recycling services, as well as police and fire services will continue to be provided. Robin, Nancy and I are doing most of our work remotely but are still checking phone messages and emails several times a day. The City Council, Mayor and all our department heads and staff are working hard to use your government to protect and promote the public good and take care of all our people during this difficult time. We know that many people will face challenges as they or family members get sick, as they struggle to run critical errands like grocery-shop or get medication from the pharmacy and want to do what we can to help everyone through this difficult time. I welcome your ideas toward that effort as we work to fulfill our responsibilities as a city. Please continue to practice social distancing, stay home as much as possible, wash your hands, sanitize surfaces, bags and clothing, stay six feet apart, and see resources and updates below and at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/ for more information.
State of Local Emergency. On March 16 Mayor Frey declared a state of local emergency in the City of Minneapolis and on the 19th the Council approved and extended the declaration that you read at: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/WCMSP-223263. The City has also activated its Incident Command System (ICS) in response to COVID-19 and the City Health Department has assumed Incident Command of this response for the City, per the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. The Minnesota Health Department remains the lead response agency in Minnesota and we are working closely with them. They have set up a COVID 19 hotline at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 that is operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
City Meetings and Events. To minimize the risk of exposure or potential spread of COVID-19, the City has canceled most of its public hearings and meetings for appointed boards and commissions through Friday, April 17, 2020. Some boards and commissions, like the City Council, which are required under state law and City Charter, will continue to meet during this time. The City Council is temporarily reorganizing itself into 4 policy making bodies: a Policy Group that consists of the Mayor, the President and Vice President of the City Council, the City Coordinator, City Clerk, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, Commissioner of Health, and additional selected Department Heads; a Business, Inspections and Zoning Committees made of 6 Council Members, including myself that will include work that would come to the Economic Development, Regulatory Services and Zoning Committees; a Policy & Government Oversight Committee, that would merge all remaining committees and be made up of all Council Members; and, finally, the full City Council that will meet weekly on Friday’s for the time being. The public is encouraged to monitor meetings remotely via broadcast or live-streaming available at minneapolismn.gov/tv/citycounciltv. For the most current information about the City’s public hearings, meetings and events, check the Legislative Information Management System at lims.minneapolismn.gov.
Impacts and Support on Local Businesses. The City has set up a Frequently Asked Questions page specifically for local businesses at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/WCMSP-223299. Many businesses have been required to close and other limit operations. During the state of emergency the City will be Waiving all licensing late fees for food, taxi, liquor, wine, beer, or catering licenses. The City is also Helping establish “Food Pickup Zones” for businesses that do not currently have their own off-street parking. You can apply for this free permit online and it will be valid through March 30th. We have also established the COVID-19 Emergency Mental Health Fund and are expanding Business Technical Assistance to provide enhanced services, direct support in targeted areas
COVID-19 Pandemic Community Response. The community is coming together to ease the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable in our city. The Minneapolis Public Schools have set up meal pick-ups for children during school closures: https://health.mpls.k12.mn.us/meal_sites A host of restaurants around the region are making free lunches available: https://kstp.com/coronavirus/list-of-restaurants-offering-free-lunches-while-schools-are-cloased/5674954/ Minneapolis Public Works has indefinitely halted water shutoffs. Xcel Energy has suspended disconnecting service from any customers until further notice. If you have difficulty paying your electricity bill, contact them to set up a plan that works for you at http://spr.ly/60151s1OZ, or call 1-800-895-4999. Centerpoint Energy has likewise suspended disconnections until Tuesday, March 31. If you have questions about gas service or bills, contact CenterPoint at 1-800-245-2377. One of the biggest, most difficult parts of this declaration is the closure of restaurants, bars, theaters and other places where people gather. Restaurants can remain open for delivery, take-out, and drive-through. Information for Local Businesses is online at http://minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/WCMSP-223299. I am thankful to Governor Walz for making unemployment insurance more quickly available to the employees who will be impacted. You can find out more here: https://www.uimn.org/ You can also find more from the Governor here: https://mn.gov/governor/news/executiveorders.jsp. Please stay safe and healthy out there. Keep sufficient social distance from others. Continue to help each other. I am hopeful that we will get through this, and the present disruption will prevent our health infrastructure from being overwhelmed, and will ultimately help save people's lives.
Legal Aid. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has created a new page on lawhelpmn.org with updates on court cases and advice for people with questions about housing, safety, health, unemployment benefits, etc. during this time. Here is a link to the COVID-19 page: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/self-help-library/covid-19-other-planning-ahead-topics/coronavirus-covid-19 We are updating this page as new information and updates are available from the courts, government entities, and other sources.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Special Enrollment Period. MNsure is offering a special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance in response to the potential growth of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. This SEP will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through MNsure. Learn more at https://www.mnsure.org/new-customers/enrollment-deadlines/special-enrollment/covid19-sep.jsp
Governor Walz Executive Orders https://mn.gov/governor/news/executiveorders.jsp
University of Minnesota https://safe-campus.umn.edu/public-health-alerts
Minneapolis Public School information https://health.mpls.k12.mn.us/coronavirus_disease_2019_covid-19.html
Hennepin County information https://www.hennepin.us/residents/emergencies/covid-19
Minnesota Department of Health resources available in multiple languages as follows:
COVID-19 in Amharic (PDF)
COVID-19 in Arabic (PDF)
COVID-19 in Chinese (PDF)
COVID-19 in Hmong (PDF)
COVID-19 in Karen (PDF)
COVID-19 in Russian (PDF)
COVID-19 in Somali (PDF)
COVID-19 in Spanish (PDF)
COVID-19 in Vietnamese (PDF)
MDH has non-English versions of its coronavirus website as follows:
Spanish: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/spanish.html
Somali: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/somali.html
Hmong: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/hmong.html
Glendale Townhomes Historic Nomination Update
The study for local historic designation of Glendale Town Houses Historic District has been completed. While it finds that the area is historically significant under 2 of the 7 criteria, staff recommended that it not be designated a local historic district because it has lost “historic integrity” in the areas of design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The study did find that it has retained integrity for location and setting so, I recommended to the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) that it should be deisignated. The staff report and study can be found on the HPC’s agenda that can be found at https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/calendar/all/monthly. After a public hearing before the Heritage Preservation Commission on March 3rd, the Commission voted to recommend local designation. Their recommendation is scheduled to go to the Zoning and Planning Committee of the City Council April 9th,although because of the COVID 19 pandemic, it is unclear if this will be taken up at that time.
Addressing Housing Instability and Displacement
As Chair of the Housing and Policy Development Committee I am working to focus and coordinate efforts to preserve and increase affordable housing options, promote housing stability and prevent displacement of our residents.
Last updated Mar 23, 2020
