Consumer Tips
Always use a licensed contractor
Before hiring anyone to do work on your home or business, make sure they are a licensed contractor. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has an online contractor license look-up tool.
Disposing of storm debris
Tree debris
If you have tree debris on your property from the North Side tornado, the City will pick it up provided it is moved to and stacked along boulevards for collection. Once this is done, call 311 to arrange a pickup time.
Branches and other small tree debris can be picked up by your regular yard waste collection service.
Construction and demolition debris
There have been a number of volunteer debris cleanups already, however, there is still work to be done. Additional Clean Sweep cleanups of North Side neighborhoods may still be scheduled this summer to collect debris from the storm. However, its the responsibility of the property owner to have construction debris removed from their property. Residents can drop off any construction and demolition debris from the tornado at the South Transfer Station. A voucher is needed to bring debris to the North Transfer Station. To obtain a voucher, customers should call 311 or (612) 673-2917.
Appliance disposal
Damaged appliances should not be taken to the South Transfer Station. Instead, The City of Minneapolis has a regular large item collection service that you can use.
Hazardous waste disposal
Household hazardous waste and other materials can be dropped off at one of Hennepin County Drop-off Facilities:
- Brooklyn Park - Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer Station, 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park 55445
- Bloomington - South Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-Off Center, 1400 West 96th Street, Bloomington, 55431
Electrical repair
Xcel Energy has restored power to the entire North Side. However, some homes do not have electricity because lines from utility poles to individual buildings may be down, or damage to buildings has prevented power connections from being made. Some property owners are unaware that it’s their responsibility to reconnect their homes to utility lines. The City has been working with Xcel and local electrical contractors to help get these lines connected. If your power has not been reconnected, you can call 311 for more information on how to get the work done and the resources available.
Other consumer resources:
- Finding a Licensed Contractor – City of Minneapolis
- A consumer guide to hiring a licensed contractor (pdf)
- State of Minnesota – Dept. of Labor and Industry – contractor license look-up
- Finding a licensed tree removal service
- Disposing of household items, from A to Z:
Last updated Apr. 9, 2012