[0:00] What's up, Twin Cities? It's your girl, [0:01] Glam Life Kim. And of course, in the [0:03] building is one of my favoriteest people [0:05] in the Twin Cities, and that's Mr. [0:06] Anthony Taylor from the city of [0:08] Minneapolis. What's up, Aaron? [0:09] I am good, sis. How you doing? One of my [0:12] favorites, too. [0:13] Hey, you know what? I'm doing all right [0:15] considering I see snow on the ground. [0:17] You know, that's diabolical for me. [0:18] Yeah, that's always a issue, right? Uh [0:21] just saying it it look cute, but [0:23] sometimes, you know, driving around it [0:25] could be a little crazy, right? [0:26] And also too tell you that that winter [0:28] is coming. So, coming. [0:30] We know what's going on with that. So, [0:31] it is. But I guess it's to be expected [0:34] because Thanksgiving is tomorrow. [0:35] I know it's tomorrow. Tomorrow. You [0:38] going to eat good? [0:39] Oh my god. Yeah. I You know what? I'm [0:40] just going to be a fat girl for no [0:42] reason. For no reason. [0:44] Get Get your fat girl on. [0:45] Yes, please. Please. Anybody who has a [0:48] plate, save it for me because I'm eating [0:50] everything. [0:50] If I'm in the first, happy Thanksgiving [0:53] to you. [0:53] Yes. Happy Thanksgiving to you. [0:55] Such a beautiful thing. Minneapolis, it [0:58] is uh Thanksgiving Eve. [1:00] Um I know that if you are at home, it's [1:04] some good smells is going on. I know [1:06] these pies is getting cranked out. [1:08] Potato pies. [1:09] My greens. Uh [1:10] oh. You got some work to do. [1:11] I got work to do today. I do. I got work [1:13] to do today, [1:14] you know. So save me some of them [1:15] greens, too. [1:17] For sure. And my yams and turkey and [1:20] ham. [1:21] Minneapolis, we making y'all hungry. We [1:23] making y'all hungry. Kim started it. I'm [1:25] already hungry, too. This is horrible. [1:29] Welcome to Minneapolis 360, y'all. I am [1:31] your host, Anthony Taylor. Uh, always my [1:34] pleasure and blessing to come to you [1:36] every second and fourth Wednesday of the [1:38] month. Uh, Minneapolis 360 is such a [1:40] beautiful thing. It is uh important just [1:42] to say this uh to everybody. Um, hug [1:46] someone if you can today. Like be [1:47] thankful uh that you are still around, [1:50] that you woke up this morning. Life is [1:51] not promised to you. Thanksgiving has [1:54] been one of my always my favorite [1:56] holidays. Not only the food, you know, [1:58] the football, but it's the family, [2:00] right? Kim, it's a family. Being able to [2:03] be around people, I think that's [2:04] important. So, happy Thanksgiving to you [2:07] and yours. Uh, anybody see me around [2:10] this weekend. I'm still taking sweet uh [2:12] potato pie orders. So, if somebody [2:14] didn't get theirs, [2:16] call me, I'll come and pick it up. So, [2:19] I love it. Minneapolis, it is uh winter [2:22] time and and I got a guest to come on [2:24] today to talk about heat resources, [2:26] right? So, if there's low heat, no heat, [2:28] and your landlord uh is some [2:30] requirements. I got a person who's been [2:32] on our show several times to talk about [2:35] what you can do uh to provide uh [2:37] yourself with some rights, right? So, if [2:39] there's some resources or people you can [2:41] call, it's important. Knowing your [2:43] rights is something that I think is [2:45] huge. And a lot of times I think there [2:47] are some out here and we know there some [2:48] landlords that aren't always on the on [2:50] the up and up, right? And we know that [2:52] if you haven't been in that situation, [2:54] you know somebody that's been in that [2:55] situation. I think it's important, [2:57] right? And it's going to get cold, [2:58] y'all. I mean, let's be real. This is We [3:00] say it's cold, but this is nothing, [3:02] man. It it is it I mean, it's chilly. [3:04] It's it's it's chilly, but it ain't [3:06] cold. [3:07] It's not cold cold, [3:08] right? So, when it get cold and you [3:10] ain't got no heat, that's a problem. [3:11] That's a problem. So, uh, I want to [3:13] bring in a good friend of mine, Donald [3:15] Brown, housing liaison for the city of [3:17] Minneapolis. Uh, one of my favorite [3:20] people in the city. I've known this [3:21] brother for a long time and respect him, [3:23] his work, and his team's work. Brother [3:25] Donald, welcome to Minneapolis 360. [3:28] What, for the eighth time? How you [3:29] doing, bro? [3:31] What's going on, big bro? What's up, [3:33] sis? How y'all doing? Good. [3:36] Anytime you breathe, you win. [3:38] Oh, wait. Oh, man. Yeah. No. Hey. [3:40] Yeah. Are you ready for this cold [3:42] weather? That's the question. [3:43] That's That's the question. [3:44] So, you know, I'm a fall baby, so you [3:46] know, I can I can adapt. You know, it's [3:48] cold. It's the snow and ice that gets [3:51] me. The cold I can I can deal with. [3:53] 100%, Donald. And and thank you, man. I [3:55] appreciate you taking some time away [3:56] from your family, man, to come on, man. [3:58] It's always appreciated that you here. U [4:01] Donald, man, reintroduce yourself, man, [4:03] in Minneapolis. Tell people what you do, [4:05] man. Who is Donald Brown? [4:07] Oh, well, you know, I'm just your local [4:09] neighborhood housing liaison. No, but [4:11] no, I've been with the city of [4:12] Minneapolis. I work I'm a housing [4:14] liaison with the city. Been with the [4:16] city for about 18 years now. Currently [4:19] working with the housing liaison team um [4:21] within regulatory services. And so our [4:23] team is just designed to try to help [4:25] inform, educate, empower uh residents, [4:29] renters, you know, um to let them know [4:32] what their rights are, you know, uh and [4:34] inform people is a powerful people. So, [4:36] our job is to connect you all with [4:38] resources, with the information that you [4:40] need to know that even though you may [4:41] not own property, you you still have a [4:44] voice and your rights, you still have [4:46] rights in your situation. And we want to [4:48] make sure that we're connecting you with [4:49] that information and also providing you [4:51] with the next steps you need to protect [4:53] you and your family, especially during [4:55] during cold times, you know, uh when [4:57] it's freezing outside. You know what I'm [4:58] saying? And so, that's what we that's [5:00] what we strive to do. [5:01] Yeah, absolutely, Donald. I I I'm I'm [5:04] glad you you said that. One of the [5:05] things I think is important is to is to [5:07] break down like housing liaison, right? [5:09] And how you feel about just working with [5:11] people like some of the rewarding things [5:14] uh that you've seen throughout your time [5:15] here in the city being a housing [5:17] liaison. [5:19] Housing leaison is is definitely [5:21] rewarding because we basically are [5:22] advocates. We're we're we're the voice [5:24] of people who feel like they don't have [5:25] a voice. And so when they're running up [5:27] against complex housing situations and [5:29] they're, you know, dealing with the the [5:31] uh the city government or dealing with [5:33] city officials and they may not [5:35] understand or be able to interpret what [5:37] it is that they um um that's that's on [5:40] black and white. We're the ones that [5:41] come in to to help advocate for them, [5:43] fight for them, you know, to to be their [5:45] voice in difficult situations. And so [5:48] some of the things that we've seen, [5:49] we've seen families who are being faced [5:51] with with potential evictions or being [5:54] faced with um retaliatory actions from [5:56] their property owner. Um we've come in [5:58] the scene to be able to connect them [6:00] with free legal services, be able to [6:02] provide them with resources to help [6:04] better their housing experience. Um um [6:07] and make sure that they are in safe [6:09] livable spaces. Our number one priority [6:11] is is safety is is life safety. and we [6:13] want to make sure that even though you [6:15] know families are um that that them and [6:18] their families are are definitely [6:19] covered and provided for in in in these [6:21] times that we're in right now. So it's [6:23] it's definitely [6:25] being able to connect with them like [6:26] that. [6:28] Talking with Donald Brown, City of [6:30] Minneapolis housing liaison. Um Donald, [6:33] I think it's important, right? So we we [6:34] can joke around about snow, right? We [6:36] can understand that we say, "I don't [6:38] like snow. I like snow. I want to go [6:39] sledding. I want to stay in the house. I [6:41] ain't coming outside till spring. It's [6:43] all those issues, right? That you can be [6:45] able to uh understand how you do [6:47] weather, right? So, when we specifically [6:49] talk about this time of year, I think [6:51] it's important to talk about some of the [6:53] things that that you've seen. What are [6:54] some of the major issues that you've [6:57] seen when wintertime comes and and [6:59] people kind of uh struggle through some [7:01] things. Tell us about that, Donald. [7:04] Some of the struggles that we've seen is [7:05] that you have families um that that are [7:07] living in spaces where they don't have [7:09] enough heat. they don't have adequate [7:11] heat to to be able to, you know, [7:13] maintain, be able to live in and they, [7:15] you know, um find other ways of of [7:19] heating up their their properties. That [7:21] should not be the case, you know, in [7:23] time. Of course, we as a people, we're [7:25] going to do what we have to do in order [7:26] to survive, right? And so there's been [7:29] times we've seen families try to heat [7:30] their whole house with a gas stove, use [7:33] space heaters, electric blankets, and [7:35] things like that, you know, to be able [7:36] to to to uh accommodate them and their [7:39] families, which is not sufficient [7:41] enough. It's not safe. And so anytime [7:44] that they've been dealing with [7:45] situations like that, they reach out to [7:46] our team. We try to come in to [7:47] investigate. We work in partnership with [7:49] the inspection services team to make [7:51] sure that that property owner is being [7:53] held responsible to be providing um [7:56] sufficient heat for residents during [7:58] this time because there is an adequate [8:00] um temperature level that needs to be [8:02] adhered to throughout this time frame. [8:04] You know what I'm saying? And we have to [8:05] make sure that that's being that that's [8:08] being done. [8:09] Yeah. 100% Donald and and thank you for [8:11] that cuz um and you're so right like we [8:14] got to do what we got to do to to heat [8:16] our our house and our family and [8:18] sometimes it's just not safe, right, [8:20] Kim? We we've seen that. [8:21] Yeah, we've done it. We done put the [8:24] oven turn the oven on, put the lid down [8:27] and let it heat out [8:28] 100% and let it go and that's not safe [8:31] because you talk about maybe the carbon [8:32] monoxide that comes out of that too. [8:34] Donna, you brought up a real good point [8:36] about space heaters. And before we get [8:38] to kind of the the the rules that the [8:40] landlords uh do or need, right, and some [8:43] of the resources, just talk about some [8:45] of the the dos and don'ts with like [8:47] space heaters, right? Cuz some of the [8:48] one of the things that that that hurts [8:50] my heart is I'll hear that there's a [8:52] house fire and people got killed, right? [8:54] And then you investigate and all of a [8:56] sudden it's a faulty space heater, [8:58] right? And then something like that. So [8:59] give us maybe just some dos and don'ts. [9:02] Are there some quality space heaters [9:03] that people can buy that wouldn't put [9:05] them at risk? [9:07] Um, you always want to make sure that [9:09] when it comes to space heaters nowadays, [9:11] technology has been at far more advanced [9:13] than when we we were coming up, right? [9:15] And so, a lot of the space heaters that [9:17] you're running into now, they have [9:18] safety mechanisms on them. If they get [9:20] too warm, they shut off. Or if they get [9:23] tipped over, um there's a mechanism at [9:25] the bottom of them where it [9:26] automatically disconnects it and and it [9:28] kills the heat so that way it doesn't [9:29] cause any fires or can't no one um get [9:32] harmed by them. If you have little [9:34] children while it's on, make sure [9:36] they're staying away from it because [9:37] them things do get hot and we don't want [9:38] anyone to get burned or have any any um [9:41] um severe injuries. And so the main [9:43] thing is is to make sure that you are um [9:46] using them when you need them. Don't [9:48] overuse them. Don't leave them on when [9:50] you're when unattended. Make sure that [9:52] you know you're doing your due diligence [9:54] to keep your family safe. Keep them in a [9:56] safe distance. Put them like off in a [9:58] corner pointed in the middle of the room [10:00] to to blow into the space so that way it [10:02] can provide you with some sufficient [10:04] heat. And just most importantly, just [10:06] make sure if you got the small kids, [10:08] animals, just keep them away while [10:09] they're yet running and you're there. [10:11] Don't never leave them unattended if at [10:14] all. [10:14] Appreciate that. [10:16] talking with Donald Brown, housing [10:17] liaison, city of Minneapolis. Uh Donald, [10:20] you talked about this too, right? There [10:21] are some rules I think people need to [10:23] understand and I'd love for you to kind [10:24] of get into that, right? You say there's [10:27] 68 degrees I think the landlord must [10:29] keep their that temperature uh regulated [10:33] at all time. Donald, kind of dig into [10:35] that a little bit. And what should [10:36] people like know about that? Are there [10:38] some rights or there some resources that [10:40] I need to know if my landlord is like [10:42] tripping like like dude I'll never like [10:45] you know mess with my heat, right? So, [10:47] absolutely. In the city of Minneapolis, [10:49] we have um there's this thing called a [10:51] low heat no heat ordinance, meaning that [10:54] rental property owners must have heating [10:57] systems that work properly and safely, [10:59] right? They must be able to keep the [11:02] indoor temperature between the um at 68 [11:05] degrees. that starts October 1st to [11:08] April the 30th from um you have to have [11:10] a a minimum housing um heating aotment [11:14] of 68 degrees at a minimum throughout [11:16] the house. And so if that's not taking [11:19] place, if you're not if it's if it's [11:21] below that, way below that, then you [11:23] need to make sure that your your number [11:24] your first thing is is to contact the [11:26] property owner, let them know. If [11:27] they're unresponsive, then your job is [11:30] then to notify the city so we then can [11:32] take the the necessary actions to come [11:34] out, validate those concerns, and then [11:36] hold the property owner accountable for [11:38] their to make sure that they're [11:40] providing you sufficient heat, right? Um [11:42] because there is a cold weather rule [11:44] where you're uh in Minnesota where you [11:46] have to have that heat going on between [11:48] the the dates that I mentioned, October [11:50] 1st to April 30th, but then also that [11:52] your your utilities should not be cut [11:54] off. And I mean like your gas or your [11:56] heating, that's with your electric and [11:58] your gas company. You can call them, you [12:00] can let them know, hey, I need to get on [12:01] a payment plan. Um, you know, so that [12:03] way you you don't um have to deal with [12:07] that loss of necessity during these [12:10] difficult times. And your heating [12:11] company will work with you, get that [12:13] established, and make sure that you [12:14] still you and your families have that [12:16] heat throughout the throughout the uh [12:17] winter season. [12:19] And and Donald, thank you. I want to [12:20] follow up with you on that because [12:22] there's a lot of misconceptions with [12:24] that that cold weather rule, right? Just [12:26] because you know October 1st come until [12:28] uh April 30th, that don't mean I just [12:30] can't not pay my bill, right? So talk a [12:33] little bit about that. [12:36] So when it comes to I'm sorry you broke [12:38] up a little bit. Repeat that one more [12:39] time. [12:39] Ju just just talk about like you know [12:42] call the utility company, make a a [12:44] payment plan. You just can't say well [12:45] okay October 1 I ain't just gonna pay my [12:47] bill until springtime. Right, Donald? [12:50] Right. So when you call your your this [12:53] is not a bailout plan or for you to take [12:55] the money and and and and go ahead and [12:57] you know uh do something else with but [12:59] this is the time for you to have that [13:01] conversation with them letting them know [13:02] your situation financially and then work [13:04] with them on a payment arrangement. That [13:06] mean that does not mean that you are to [13:07] not pay until the spring but work out a [13:10] uh payment plan that works with your [13:12] budget to get you to the point to get [13:14] you through this season. So, if that [13:15] means that if your typical bill is $150 [13:18] a month, you're saying, "Hey, I can't do [13:20] that, but am I able to at least pay a [13:22] portion of that from now until then in [13:25] order to get caught back up to maintain [13:26] your heating equipment?" You know what [13:28] I'm saying? So, you don't want to just [13:29] not pay. You want to make sure you're [13:31] working with them on what works best for [13:33] you and also with their systems. But, [13:35] they can't cut you off between these [13:37] months because of the cold weather rule [13:39] that's in fact that's in place for [13:41] Minnesota. [13:42] Yeah. So, you can't provide your own [13:43] stimulus packages. That is that is that [13:45] what you're saying though? [13:46] Bailout plan do that. Can't do that. [13:51] Okay. I mean, and and and it's it's [13:53] important Minneapolis to understand [13:55] that. And I asked that because there's [13:57] been a lot of misconceptions around [13:58] that. So, appreciate you saying that, [14:00] Donald. So, if I I need to take some [14:02] legal action, right? Like what? Like [14:04] now, okay, you talked about it. My [14:06] landlord, I got these requirements. We [14:07] know these rules, right? Now, I'm I'm [14:10] It's not still not right. like what are [14:12] my how how can I get some some help with [14:15] that Donna? What's my legal rights and [14:16] how can I find that? [14:18] Well, how if you're if you in order for [14:20] you to get connected with with with free [14:22] legal services, you can connect with our [14:24] housing liaison team. You can reach out [14:26] to us either by contacting 311 and they [14:28] will put you in contact with us or you [14:30] can for those that have email [14:31] capability, you can reach out to our [14:33] email address at um housing liaison um [14:36] at c minneapolis.gov [14:39] and you'll be able to get to us. So that [14:41] way we'll be able to direct you with [14:43] those connect you with those free legal [14:44] services because the services that we [14:46] provide are free of charge. We'll get [14:48] you connected to legal aid, homeline, [14:51] um, volunteer lawyers network to make [14:53] sure that you have the appropriate legal [14:56] options that you need that best fit your [14:59] situation. You know what I'm saying? So [15:01] by calling 311 or and and requesting to [15:03] speak to a liaison to get access to [15:05] those free legal services, we'll be able [15:07] to connect you with them to make sure [15:09] that you all have the appropriate [15:10] resources necessary. [15:12] Talking with Donald Brown, housing [15:14] liaison, city of Minneapolis. Um I think [15:16] it's an important topic that we talking [15:18] about uh here, Donald. And one of the [15:21] things I'd love for you uh to talk about [15:23] too is is just your team, right? Like [15:25] what are what are y'all foundational [15:27] principles and values, right? Because [15:28] you you're out there in community, [15:30] right? you understand that everybody is [15:32] in different situation like talk to [15:34] people like what it takes to really [15:36] build relationships with people and how [15:38] important that is for you and your work. [15:40] That's good. [15:42] Absolutely. Our our team is is comprised [15:44] of uh is a team of six including our [15:46] wonderful uh manager Demetrius Walker. [15:49] Um we're made we're spread out [15:51] throughout the city and so we're broke [15:53] we just recently went into what we call [15:55] districts or precincts meaning that we [15:57] have one liaison assigned to each [15:59] district of the city. The city is broken [16:01] up into five precincts which you have [16:03] the you know downtown district which is [16:05] the first precinct, northeast southeast [16:07] that's the second precinct and then we [16:09] have southwest which is the fifth and [16:11] then over and southeast the south area [16:13] is the um that's precinct three and then [16:16] over north we have is precinct four. And [16:18] so all five of us are broken up into [16:20] those quadrants of the city. And so we [16:22] basically our job is 95% we say 90 95% [16:26] communal which involves us being out in [16:28] community. We we come to the open [16:30] streets, we come to community events, we [16:32] partner with, you know, different [16:33] neighborhood organizations to see how we [16:35] can get our information out to the [16:37] community to make sure that they are [16:39] empowered and educated on um our [16:42] services and what and what their rights [16:44] are. You know what I'm saying? Most of [16:45] the times we go to these spaces, people [16:47] don't know that we're that we're here, [16:48] that we're there. Uh, and so we want to [16:51] make sure that they know that we're [16:52] we're we're yet live, we're let vibrant, [16:55] and we're present to be a help to them [16:57] and their families, especially when [16:59] they're running into complex housing [17:00] situations. And so, um, that's our main [17:04] focus. Our work is very, we try to [17:06] humanize the process, meaning that we [17:08] don't deal with the black and white. We [17:10] deal with the person that's in front of [17:11] us. We want to make sure and we realize [17:14] that there's people that are being [17:16] impacted that are that are suffering [17:18] behind some of the orders and things [17:20] that are being written up against them [17:21] or violations and things the property [17:23] owner may not be doing. And so we want [17:25] to deal with the the individual, pull [17:27] back those layers, really find out and [17:29] get below the surface as far as what we [17:31] can do to help improve their living [17:33] situation, taking the time necessary, [17:36] you know, and and we work with our [17:38] different u partners external and [17:40] internal to come to that resolution, [17:42] making sure that we can get compliance [17:44] at all costs. [17:46] And and thank you for that, too, Donald. [17:48] I'm glad you said that, man. And you [17:50] said some key words like humanizing and [17:52] and and this making sure this is not [17:55] black and white. This is about, you [17:56] know, this is about people and [17:57] relationships. [17:58] It is. And he he definitely kept that [18:00] voice. It was like he just wanted to [18:02] listen. He needs to be speaking and [18:05] running for mayor or something because [18:07] he definitely caught our attention. [18:11] Yeah, absolutely. The [18:12] the main thing is we want to make sure [18:14] that people know we're very transparent [18:17] in our approach. We want to make sure [18:19] that that everyone know that the people [18:21] that we're dealing with, the residents [18:22] that we're dealing with, that they [18:23] understand the entire process. So, we [18:26] establish expectations. We let them know [18:29] um who the like who their point of [18:31] contacts are. And like one of our [18:32] colleagues oftent times, we try to [18:34] shorten the distance. We don't shorten [18:36] the shorten the gap, the communication [18:38] gap in bridging a workable relationship. [18:41] We don't want to put people in the [18:42] social service runaround. We don't want [18:44] them just to go a and call 800 numbers [18:46] or call these blanket numbers, but we're [18:48] trying to connect you with actual live [18:50] body people that we've built [18:52] relationship with, that we've connected [18:54] with, that we know that's going to [18:55] provide you with resources and help when [18:57] you pick up that phone and call. [18:58] Especially when you let them know, I've [19:00] been referred by the housing liaison [19:01] team. They already know when you say [19:03] that, hey, make sure you work with them. [19:06] Make sure you're assisting them because [19:07] our name, our reputation is on the line. [19:10] You know what I'm saying? and and and [19:12] we're real big on on our integrity being [19:14] integral integral as we approach [19:16] different situations. [19:18] Yeah, brother Donald, like you got two [19:20] votes for mayor, man over here. [19:22] You hear the passion, don't you? I know [19:24] there's got to be a story behind like [19:26] why you chose to do this job because I [19:29] can hear the passion in it. I go ahead [19:31] and give us the story. [19:34] Well, I'm a very anyone that knows me, [19:36] I'm a people person. And so I I just [19:38] love to build relationships. As I've [19:40] been with the city of Minneapolis, most [19:41] of my career has been front-facing, [19:44] dealing with dealing with people. And so [19:46] I I'm just a helper to my heart. I try [19:48] to help where I can. Um try to uh [19:51] encourage where we're needed and just [19:53] make sure people are empowered and [19:55] educated most time and informed because [19:58] most time people don't know what they [20:00] don't know. But once you show them, once [20:02] you reveal to them [20:03] the options, the information, then they [20:05] will be able to improve their situation. [20:08] And so you just can't, you know, fault a [20:10] person for what they don't know. And so [20:12] I want to take the stance of just being [20:13] in a position to to educate and inform [20:16] and help where I can to be able to help [20:18] people improve where they their [20:19] dayto-day, you know, and so and and al [20:22] and oftentimes, you know, do unto others [20:25] as you want done to me. If I'm in a [20:26] situation, I want someone to help me [20:29] genuinely, not looking down at me, not [20:31] treating me or mistreating me or making [20:33] me feel bad, but I want to be able to [20:35] help where I can, genuinely from an [20:36] authentic place, you know, and so I try [20:38] to extend that in every interaction that [20:40] that uh I come across. [20:42] Yeah. Good job. and and it comes through [20:44] and and Kim, you you hearing that too, [20:46] like you you hear that and and [20:48] appreciate that too because one of the [20:49] things I think is important like all of [20:52] these [20:52] all of our roles in in this world is is [20:55] to help others, right? In some type of [20:57] way, right? You know, not not subtract [20:59] but add to people, right? And you [21:01] dealing with people sometimes, Donald, [21:03] in their worst times, right? And [21:05] understanding too, like, you know, my [21:07] landlord is tripping. Am I will I get [21:09] retaliated, you know, against if I [21:11] report this? And how do you come at that [21:13] that angle? I think is is important. And [21:15] you and your team does a great job, you [21:17] know, in doing that. And I just want to [21:19] ask you this, too, cuz Kim talked about [21:22] your your passion, right? And and being [21:24] a helper, like, and you talked about how [21:26] important that that is to you. Um, is it [21:29] a a sense that you feel like that's a [21:31] duty for you, Donald? [21:34] I think it's a responsibility. You know [21:36] what I'm saying? Especially when you're [21:37] in positions that you are that we're in [21:39] that I'm fortunate to be in. You have to [21:41] take this into a sense of why am I here? [21:45] You know what I'm saying? And if I've [21:46] been put in this role, been fortunate [21:48] and blessed enough to be to be in this [21:49] position. It's not it's not always about [21:51] a paycheck, but it's about trying to [21:53] make sure that you're utilizing your [21:56] abilities and your skills and your [21:58] resources to be able to help other [22:00] people that are less fortunate or or in [22:02] other situations less than you. Right? [22:04] And so with that being said, I'm going [22:05] to do my due diligence to make sure at a [22:08] minimum that I'm I'm I'm representing [22:12] them well in my approach. It's not about [22:14] me. I don't need no pat on the back. I [22:16] don't need no no spotlight to say, "Oh, [22:18] you did this." My the main objective is [22:20] that person getting the help that they [22:22] need. And um or or at all cost making [22:25] sure that I I exhausted all of my [22:28] resources to try to assist them. that [22:31] that's something that helps me be able [22:32] to say, "Okay, you know what I'm saying? [22:34] I know I did everything I possibly [22:36] could. Even if it didn't work out the [22:38] way I wanted to see it work out or they [22:39] wanted it to work out, at least every [22:41] avenue, no stone was left unturned." [22:44] Talking with Donald Brown, housing [22:46] liaison, city of Minneapolis, no heat, [22:48] low heat resources who you can contact [22:52] in case you need some information. Can [22:54] we always talk about 311? the perfect [22:56] place, right, to find out that [22:58] information, that question. Right. So, [23:00] Donald, I'm glad you said that. Um, as [23:02] we run up against the clock, Donald, [23:04] like what is your main takeaways that [23:06] you want folks to to leave with today um [23:08] for our conversation? [23:12] The main takeaways is this. As a renter, [23:15] understand you have rights. You have a [23:17] voice. I don't care what your property [23:19] owner has tried to threaten you with, [23:21] what they tried to scare you with, what [23:23] they tried to come and you know um um [23:26] use scare tactics. Understand you have a [23:28] voice, you have rights and there are and [23:30] and there is a team of individuals that [23:33] are here equipped and ready to com to [23:36] fight with you and for you to make sure [23:38] that your voice is being heard. not only [23:41] being heard, but making sure that you're [23:42] that you're informed and you're equipped [23:45] with the tools necessary to move forward [23:48] and fight forward against [23:50] property owners who who don't want to do [23:53] their jobs. And so, uh, making sure that [23:57] you all can reach us at any point in [24:00] time. The numbers that are on our [24:02] business cards are not numbers to death. [24:04] Those are our cell phone numbers. We're [24:06] out in the field. We're out and about. [24:07] You'll get to us. You can text us, email [24:10] us, call us, however you need to in [24:12] order to get your your uh your your [24:14] situation resolved or addressed. And so [24:16] what I want people to understand is [24:18] making sure you you're utilizing your [24:20] resources available to you. If you're [24:22] not getting the answers that you need or [24:24] the response you're needing from your [24:25] property owner, call Minneapolis 311. [24:27] Let them know, I need to speak to a [24:29] housing liaison. I have this issue with [24:31] my house. I need to have a an inspector [24:33] come out and take a look at see what's [24:34] going on. and they will connect you with [24:37] um to us so we we can make sure that we [24:40] are um that your situation is getting [24:42] resolved. [24:45] Thank you Donald. I appreciate you you [24:47] being here man and like I had to know [24:50] this question was uh what I want to ask [24:52] you is like really important and I [24:54] forgot to like get to so I I need you to [24:57] just uh uh bear with me for a second [24:59] because I I forgot to ask you bro like [25:01] your top two must haves for Thanksgiving [25:03] man. I need to I need to hear your top [25:06] two Thanksgiving must have. Donald, let [25:08] me let me know. [25:10] For me, I'm going to have to say baked [25:12] macaroni and cheese and them greens. I'm [25:14] sorry. It's what it is. I'm baked [25:17] macaroni and cheese and them collard [25:19] greens. I need it. I need it. I need it. [25:21] It's a must. [25:23] Yeah, I need that in my life, too. You [25:24] know what I'm saying? So, [25:25] someone's calling. Should we see? We can [25:27] try it. [25:28] Camo Jay, what's your name? Where you [25:30] calling from? Hi, my name is Pat and I'm [25:33] calling from North Minneapolis. I I kind [25:36] of caught the tail end of your um [25:38] heating and electrical fires for the [25:40] winter during heating season, but I [25:43] didn't hear him say anything about [25:44] electrical stension cords. Did he say [25:46] something about them? [25:49] No, but you know what? Do you want to go [25:50] ahead and speak on that, Brandon? [25:54] But I really would like to [25:56] May I say something? [25:58] Of course. The thing I want to mention [26:00] is a lot of people will use those very [26:02] small electrical extension cords and and [26:05] there's like 14 gauge, 12 gauge, and 10 [26:08] gauge wiring setups. And people need to [26:11] use like the thicker gauge like the 12 [26:14] the 12 uh 12 gauge w uh electrical [26:18] extension cords and they and you can [26:20] tell you're using the wrong one because [26:22] they heat up really fast. Even the [26:23] thicker ones will, but people need to [26:25] know not to use those ones you hook up [26:28] to your Christmas trees or, you know, [26:30] uh, lighting, you know what I mean? [26:32] That's could be a problem, too. I just [26:34] thought they should mention that for [26:35] sure [26:36] cuz those will melt and then they cut, [26:39] they catch on fire. [26:41] Yes. Thank you so much for mentioning [26:42] that. And and the main purpose, you [26:44] know, of this call too was just to make [26:46] sure that people understand that they [26:48] can get some assistance and that they [26:50] have a resource, you know, if their heat [26:52] is is out or just, you know, anything is [26:55] happening that the landlord isn't taken [26:57] care of. But we definitely appreciate [26:59] that tidbit because that's a gem that [27:01] people need to know about. We need to [27:02] remind them. Actually, I just had an [27:03] incident in my um in my apartment [27:06] building uh what was that last [27:08] yesterday? [27:09] Someone um woke up at 3:30 in the [27:11] morning to the fire alarm saying a fire [27:13] has been reported in the building. You [27:15] got to go outside. Don't take the you [27:16] know elevator, walk down the steps. And [27:18] someone had forgot I guess they had pots [27:21] and pans or something inside their oven [27:23] and they went to you know turn the oven [27:25] on and he said when he came he saw it [27:27] smoking. He said he went to open it up [27:28] and it was a big flame. So just that [27:30] simple little thing. [27:31] Absolutely. Absolutely. Because little [27:33] stuff like this is the details. Right. [27:36] So [27:36] the electrical extension cords are [27:38] crucial. Okay. Thank you. [27:40] Thank you, sweetheart. [27:43] Donna, are you still there? [27:44] Yep. Yeah, I'm still here. [27:46] All right. Hey, listen. Uh, bro, um, [27:48] just I want to appreciate you for coming [27:50] on. Happy Thanksgiving, man, to you and [27:52] your family. Um, peace and blessings, [27:54] man. And, uh, we'll talk soon, bro. [27:58] Absolutely. You all take care. Be [27:59] blessed. [28:00] Thank you so much, Donald. [28:03] And that was Donald Brown, housing [28:04] liaison. A lot of good tips, [28:05] Minneapolis. And I think it's important [28:07] just to make sure that anytime you have [28:09] any questions, call 311. Uh make sure [28:12] that you're doing the right thing. We we [28:13] know about these extension cords and and [28:16] leaving the gas on and and space [28:18] heaters. Just be careful cuz the last [28:20] thing you want to do is put your family [28:22] in jeopardy. And and again, Minneapolis, [28:24] if I haven't said it already, happy [28:26] Thanksgiving to you and yours. Kim, you [28:29] as well, too. You know, what's what's [28:31] your what's your top two must haves? I [28:33] ain't tell you. I ain't forgot about [28:34] you. Mai look actually this Thanksgiving [28:37] I want some ribs. So right. Oh my god. [28:40] So I got one of my friends. She g great [28:43] with grilling ribs. I'm like can you you [28:45] know go ahead and grill me up. [28:49] But I'm going to make some ham, some uh [28:52] turkey macaroni and cheese. And I'm do [28:54] well I'm going do mac and cheese, some [28:56] uh yams and some greens and Oh my god. [28:59] Yeah. [29:00] I heard that. [29:00] I'm ready for I just want to be a fat [29:02] girl. Hungry. [29:04] Hungry. [29:05] What about you? What's your top? [29:06] I I I got to have some dressing. [29:08] Okay. [29:09] Everybody's top two. It's kind of the [29:10] same with macaroni. But man, my [29:12] biscuits, man. I need some rolls. [29:14] Yeah. Hawaiian rolls. [29:15] Hawaiian rolls. I I I can't I It's a [29:19] mustave. If it ain't If it ain't [29:21] brought, I'm going to get it. So, that's [29:23] a beautiful thing. So, happy [29:24] Thanksgiving to you and yours, too. [29:26] You, too. [29:26] You know, be blessed. Always good to see [29:28] you. [29:29] You as well. You going to see family? [29:31] I'm going to be around. Yeah, cuz the [29:33] weather is kind of [29:34] Yeah. And and you know, I'm going to get [29:36] my fat boy on, too. [29:37] Okay. That's what I'm talking about. [29:38] And I can sleep in my own bed. [29:40] That bar and watch I'm ready to watch [29:43] Christmas movies. [29:44] All that. [29:45] All right. Let's do it. All right, Twin [29:48] Cities. We going to get back into the [29:50] tunes. May you all have a very, very, [29:53] very happy Thanksgiving. One love, kings [29:55] and queens. Until next time.