» Good morning everyone. My
name is elliot payne, the
president of minneapolis city
council. And at this time, I'm
going to call this regular
pleating -- regular meeting
of the july city council to
order.
» Council member warren.
» Here.
» Council member shaffer.
» Present.
» Council member wonsley is
absent. Council member chughtai
is absent. Council member
whiting.
» Present.
» Council member chowdhury.
» Present.
» Council member stevenson is
absent. Council member
rainville.
» Present.
» Council member vetaw.
» Present.
» Council member palmisano.
» Present.
» Council member chavez.
» Present.
» Vice president osman. Is
absent. President payne.
» Present.
» There are nine members
present.
» Let the record reflect we
have a quorum. Before we begin
the meeting, let me remind all
the meeting is broadcast to
enable greater public
participation. The broadcast
includes a real time captioning
as a means to increase the
accessibility of our proceedings
to the community. Therefore all
speakers need to be mindful of
the rate of our speech so our
captioners can tribe all
comments for the broadcast. We
ask all to moderate the speed
and clarity of t their
comments. The agenda for
today's meeting is before us.
and before I ask for a motion to
adopt the agenda, I have one
additional -- one addition. As
you know, last meeting, there
was a vote on the program that
resulted in a tie. That did not
dispose of the item. You'll
note on the public agenda that
it's before us once again under
unfinished business. There was
a question about the previous
action that tied. We have since
identified the action. That's
presented in front of us. That
is the resolution asking a
national search for a community
safety commissioner. At that
may 21st meeting, that was
brought forward by council
member wonsley and also resulte
in a tie. However, that was not
brought forward to the next
meeting under unfinished
business. That was an omission
that resulted from a clerical
error. I'm recommending that
the resolutions -- oh, the
resolution is in lims file 20
2026-00653 a printed copy in
front of everybody on the dais.
since it resulted in a tie vote,
and we weren't able to dispose
this item, it should have been
returned from council's next
regular meeting on june 11th.
since that didn't happen, I am
suggesting that we add that to
consideration for today's
meeting under unfinished
business. So that we can do a
final disposition on that
action. I'm also going to
recommend, once we get to
unfinished business, that we to
a proper motion to dispose of
those. And maybe I'll seek the
clerk's advice whether we should
delete them or whatever the
appropriate motion is when we
get there. Any objection to the
plan?
seeing none. May I have a
motion to adopt the agenda,
including that addition.
» So moved.
» Is there a second.
» Second.
» The clerk will call the
roll.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Council member shaffer.
» Aye.
» Council member whiting.
» Aye.
» Council member chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Council member stevens.
» Aye.
» Council member rainville.
» Aye.
» Council member vetaw.
» Aye.
» Council member palmisano.
» Aye.
» Council member chavez.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» 10 ayes.
» That carries and the agenda
is adopted as amended. The next
item is acceptance of the
minutes from the regular meeting
july 16th. A motion to accept
the minutes.
» So moved.
» Second.
» The clerk will call the
roll.
» Warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» 10 ayes.
» That carries. The minutes
have been accepted. Final, the
proper committees. The motion,
please.
» So so moved.
» Second.
» Warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» 10 ayes.
» That carries. And the
matters have been referred. The
next order of business is the
presentation of reports from our
standing committees. Which are
taken in alphabetical order.
we'll begin with the report of
the business, housing, and
zoning committee. I'll call on
council member chowdhury as vice
chair of the committee.
» Thank you. We're bringing
forward 20 items today. Item
number one approves the mayor's
nomination of enrique ha
velasquez to rector of
regulatory services. Two
approves a wine and strong beer
with general entertainment for
strange loop laboratory. Item
three approves an interim use
permit for people serving people
at 219 fourth street south.
item number four is an appeal
regarding the 300 minnehaha
avenue democracy center. This
item was sent forward without
rights. Item five is a rezoning
and alley vacation for the
democracy center at 300
minnehaha. This item was send
forward without recommendation.
item sixpproves five liquor
licenses. Seven approves 32
liquor license renewals. Eight
approves a gambling license.
nine grants business, license
operating conditions for
bloomington commercial kitchen.
10 amends the 2026 license fee
schedule for tow truck
service fees. 11 authorizes
contract amendment with macphail
center. 12 is state of
minnesota grants for employment
services. 1 authorizes dtap
funding recommendations. 14
accepts a bid for replacing
floor boxes at the convention
center. Item 15 delegates
authority to cped director for
the owner-occupied rehab
programs. 16 accepts an
authorized water efficiency
grant program from the
metropolitan council.
item 17 authorizes a contract
extinction for the green belt
development project. 18
approves a staff direction
related to rental properties.
19 authorizes pgram changes to
th affordable housing trust
fund orhe ahtf. Astly, item
20 authorizes program changes to
the naturally occurring
affordable housing program.
with that, I'll move forward all
items for approval except for
items four and five. And then
have a separate request vote on
item number 1. So that's one,
four, and five.
» Council member chowdhury has
moved approval of the biz report
minus items one, four, and five,
I'll recognize we've been joined
by council member chughtai and
stevenson. Is there any
questions or comments on the
remainder of the report? Seeing
none. I'll ask the clerk to
call the roll.
» Warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» A.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 11 ayes.
» That carries. And we'll next
take up item number one, the
appointment of enrique velasquez
for director of regulatory
services. Is there any comment
or discussion on this item?
seeing none, I'll ask the clerk
to call the roll. Oh, council
member vetaw.
» Thank you. Thank you,
president payne. I really just
wanted to take a moment to
recognize director velasquez and
express my sincere appreciation
for your leadership to the city
of minneapolis. Thank you so
much, director. We spent friday
afternoon in ward four, and had
a great time walking around the
ward, looking at a lot of the
livability issueshat my
community faces every day.
you've always been amazing at
checkinghings out and
understanding, talking about,
and understanding where they are
and what they want. The city of
minneapolis to look like for
them and their families. So I
really do appreciate the time we
spent in ward four on friday.
you're one of the kindest, most
thoughtful leaders I have the
privilege of working with. You
ag genuinely love
minneapolis. And you know that
if you spend two seconds with
you. You care about every
single person in this city. And
the love is reflected in how you
serve every single day.
you care about the people that
you work with and that work
alongside you. You lead with
respect, compassion, and
understanding. And you
understand that strong
organizations are built by
investing in the people that
make them successful. That's
huge for a leader!
and I appreciate that about you.
I ran into somebody who works
in your department coming out of
the elevator, and I'm certain we
spent an hour talking about how
good it is to work with you, and
how you treat them as partner
in the time that you take to
build them up as an individual.
but, also, the ente vision for
their department and the city of
minneapolis. They see in you
the care and so that inspires
them to care. So thank you for
that, director.
what's always stood out to me is
your responsiveness. Ratwhethem
a council member, a concern from
a resident, or a challenge
facing the department. You're
someone whoistens, you follow
through, and you work tirelessly
to find solutions. You never
shy away from the difficult
conversations. Hey typically
are, when it comes to ward four.
thank you for being able to
actually make me comprise a lot!
friday you just had so many
ideas that I'm so glad that
after the drones didn't pass,
you had already started thinking
about what next steps are for
getting policy and implementing
some programs that can help.
so when challenges arise, you
seem to have good solutions.
and I love how you take
responsibility, tooing with for
too, for the decisions you
make. That's what goo leaders
do. You don't bless -- pass the
blame or avoid accountability.
director, you're a visionary.
and sometimes being a visionary
is hard. You consistently have
looked beyond the immediate
challenges to think about how we
can build a stronger, more
effective city for the future.
your leadership has helped move
forward minneapolis while
keeping our residents and
employees at the center of every
decision.
leadership is not just about
making the easy decisions. It's
about showing up every day with
integrity, humanity, and a
commitment to serving others.
you embody that, enrique. You
embody all those qualities.
minneapos is better because of
your leadership, and I'm
grateful for everything you've
done for this city, for this
department, and for the people
that call minneapolis home.
thank you. Thank you for your
service. Thank you for your
dedication, your parership,
and your unwavering commitment
to this city. Thank you.
» Council member stevenson.
» Thank you, mr. President.
thank you, director.
unfortunately I will not be able
to support your appointment
today. And I want to let you
know the reasons why. We got a
tter from our workers in your
office. We had a meeting and
discussed that. And I
appreciate you coming and
talking with me directly about
this. But the facts from the
letter are just really not
acceptable. Does this
individual effectively resolve
workplace issues? No. We
talked about this. You told me
that there are some disciplinary
issues happening I the partner.
I have no vision into that. I
have to take you at your word
and that that's what's
happening. And at the same
time, I don't think that our
emplees, our staff, are
vindictive people are making
things up. So I -- these two
truths have to be true at the
same time. And so I urge you to
do better by the staff. You
can. I very much appreciate our
conversations. And I appreciate
you as a person. And I know you
can do better. So I urge you to
please do that. We counted the
votes. We know you'll get
appointed. This is me saying
asking you to step up to a
higher level than I know you can
do. On top of that, we have
encampment recording ordinance.
it's not a suggestion. It's an
ordinance. It has to come every
quarter. And currently haven't
had one yet this year. We're in
july. This is not acceptable.
this is not a choice. Whether
it gets presented or not. So
I'm asking you to please level
up to the level that I know you
can do. When it comes to
management and meeting the
ornance on time, these are
vital things. These are not
preferential things. I will not
be supporting yo ur appointme
today. I'm asking we work
together on ways to improve our
relations. Our staff cannot
function without them. And
improve reporting on
encampments. It's an issue
deeply affecting our city.
which you know extremely well.
and for these reasons, I will
not be supporting your
appointment.
» I will note we've been joined
by vice president osman. And I
will recognize council member
rainville.
»
» Thank you. Director, you
have a very, very hard job. But
yet your professionalism shines
through all the time. I feel
your relations with your staff
are exrare and I will not be
second-guessing your management
desions. I really appreciate
the dignity that you bring to
the homeless encampment
situation. It's horrible.
there are people who are
addicted, we have sex
trafficking, crime, killings,
shootings, but yet your approach
to that, I'm very grateful for
your approach. Your appach is
dignified. So thank you so much
for servin the citizens of
minneapolis. I wl be voting
with you today. I will support
you. And, again, thank you so
much.
» Council member chowdhury.
» Thanks, president payne.
thank y, director, for your
service to the city of
minneapolis. We had a good
conversation in my office I
thought it was an important one.
we got to be very candid with
one another. It's no secret
that the job of the regulatory
services director is extremely
difficult. Tt's why I thank
you for your work. And for
deciding to step up to the plate
again. And come before this
body for a nomination process.
which it's no secret that's not
easy either. Ha. So I just
wanted to appreciate that. I
want to give you a lot of props
in your ability to listen. And,
also, your ability to see
through the hrt team and grow
it. And also kind of wrap your
arms around the work within the
regulatory services t
department. Be it inspections,
be it animal care and control,
be it doing constituent cases.
as council members reach out
with our job of serving the
450,000 plus residents across
the city of minneapolis. I
think you know that I'm struggl
ing in my decision and my
choice. Because nothing is
black and white. There's a lot
of nuance here. I appreciated
when you came to committee, you
shared that your charge was to
communicate transparently,
collaborate within the city with
external partners, and do the
right thing no matter what. And
I believe you will be the
relatory services director for
the nt foreseeable term. And
I only wish you the best in
achieving those goals to its
fullest extent. A support you
fully in order too that.
today, however, I'm wrestling
with some of the places where I
feel like the charge did fall a
little bit short. It's hard for
me to move ahead with an
affirmative vote. I'll share
you and I talked about this one.
it was the -- my office and I
had reached out about the
growing number of people who
were facing homelessness over on
cedar and 26th. The number of
phone calls I got from
constituents within my ward and
outside my ward that was just,
like, help. Like, things are
getting to a boiling point. And
working on the city council,
that's a familiar type of phone
call that gets your cortisol
levels going. You need to
connect with department heads
and trying to figure out what we
cano. And I reached out. And
then I felt deeply surprised by
not knowing what the plan was
movi forward. And seeing we
were going to do it this bust of
open-air drug markets in the
specific area. And I think that
was a point of communication and
place where we could have worked
together. I will share, like,
I've had to have a lot of hard
constituent conversations across
the board. Again, going back to
what's the right approach to
address homelessness and if the
city is going into a place where
we're criminalizing people far
too much and not seeing their
humanity. If we're going back
to the era of war on drugs. And
I believe in you and standing up
to do what's right. And I will
support you in doing that in the
future. I understand the seat
you sit in. I'll be there for
you in that regard. Umm, I
think the other place that we
also talked about where there's
an opportunity for growth is
just, like, the mixed reviews
within your department. And I
think, like, you're someo that
committed to me that's something
you absolutely step up to the
plate to do. And so I'm lacking
forward to doing that.
and then the last thing is, we
talked a lot about how the same
problems keep on coming up year
after year. And what do we want
to get done at the end of four
years. Right. We hear over and
over again, we need to bring
people inside. W need to
triage folks and get them to
housing. The navigation center
continues to pop up. The
question about tiny home
villages and safe outdoor
spaces, safe parking. Thinking
outside the box. Like, actually
getting to the root. The issues
with inspections. The way that
we can serve our constituents.
I think we can get there and I'm
willing to work with y to get
there. So I appreciate you
stepping up to the plate. I'm
not able to give you an
affirmative vote today. That's
not a reflection of my
willingness to work with you and
the growth I think we have
between the ward 12 office and
enrique ha velasquez,
director of regulatory services
and what we can door the
city.
» I'll note we've been joined
by mayor frey. You may have
seen council member palmisano
get in queue and bump out. She
was in queue for mayor frey.
I'll recognize mayor frye.
» Thank you for deviating from
the sequencing on your screen.
chair payne, vice chair osman,
members of the city council.
it's my pleasure to nominate
enrique for the director of
regulatory services. He's
someone that approaches his job
with such incredible compassion.
the issues that he is handling
are they neither lack complexity
nor do they lack difficulty. In
whether we're talking about
inspections, traffic
enforcement, or we're talking
about the very difficult issue
regarding encampments, open-air
drug markets, and homelessness.
these are issues that oftentimes
don't just touch one department.
they don't even touch one
jurisdiction. The vast majority
of social services lie with the
county enforcement lies both
with our city and even lies with
the state, at times. And so it
takes a lot of work together.
enrique is someone who is a
tried and true collaborator. He
has shown that time and again.
and if you look at the stats,
while we haven't solved these
issues, we have not. And there
is room for improvement. The
progress is unquestionable.
virtually every one of the data
signs shows that unsheltered
homelessness is dropping. In
some cases, substantially. The
statistics show that we're
housing more and more people
every single month. In many
cases, than we ever have before.
that's due to en enrique.
that's due to other departments
and due to other jurisdictions
throughout the state. It's due
to a partnership. And enrique
is nothing, if not a true
partner in this work. He's led
long-term effort to create
single consistent rental
licensing standard. He's worked
to insist that we were bringing
mpha into the licensing and
inspection program. That work
reflects his belief that
resident, regardless of age,
race, gender, ability deserves a
safe home. His leadership
expands way beyond housing.
under his direction, you may
know that animal care and
control has become a model
nationwide for compassionate
community-centered service. The
division has expanded access to
low and no-cost veterinary care,
strengthened partnerships. He's
also helped a whole lot with
public safety innovation.
through initiatives like traffic
safety camera pilot and civilian
crash investigative pilot. He's
embraced new ideas to make sure
we're delivering services more
efficiently. And more
responsibly.
he's also created something
called a true one regulatory
services team. Where people
work across divisions to solve
problems like they never have
before. He's strengthened
partnerships with ser city
departments, hennepin county,
and state agencies. We haven't
had that partnership in the
past. He's brought it. And
those who worked with him,
understand he's a thoughtful and
caring person. I have heard
from staff, indeed, who
adamantly disagree with the
letter that you got about the
work he's done. And how
committed they are to working
with him and for him.
unprompted. And so I am certain
that the experiences you've had
with him, if nothing else,
they're kind. He's diligent,
he's urgent in the work, and
he's willing to approach these
very difficult issues. When we
talk about homelessness and
unsheltered homelessness, I've
talked to mayors around the
country. The policies among
democratic mayors across the
country from san francisco to
new york city are virtually the
same. Every city does hard work
to put people in housing and
offer care and protection.
every city clears homeless
encampments. Every one. And so
this is not just a position from
enrique. This is my position.
this is a position of virtually
every single mayor out there.
you know, and I understand the
frustration. Because you all,
council members, you're hearing
directly from your constituents.
you're in deep touch with the
grassroots of your wards. And
thank you. Thank you for
providing the additional
urgency. Genuinely. I can tell
you it's felt. It's felt and
we're doing everything possible.
and I know that director ha
have a has questions is doing
that, as well. Thank you so
much for your time. Simply put,
he's a person who demonstrated
vision, experience, and a lot of
leadership. He has my full
support. Council members, thank
you so much for your time. I
ask for yours, as well. My
apologies I'm going to jump
here. I didn't expect you to
have zero resolutions before the
council meeting. And so we have
another meeting I'm
simultaneously at. Thank you so
much, council members.
» Council member warren.
» Thank you, council president
payne. I want to say thank you,
director velasquez for your
unwavering support in everything
that I have been embarking upon
in ward five. Specifically
around heritage park and your,
you know, --
[ comments off mic ]
we okay? Okay. Just your
solutions. Coming on tours and
showing up for all of the
meetings that we've been holding
there with community. I look
forward to the work we're doing
at the city and doing. I
appreciate you and want to say
thank you.
» Vice president osman.
» Thank you. I made my comment
on last biz meeting. But I want
to make one. Just kind of
mention one more time I fully
support you, enrique. I like
your leadership. And I say it
was unfair what we decided as a
city to, you know, give you the
homeless outreach team from the
health department to services
with less resources. Your team
has demonstrated very humane way
to reach to the folks that are
there. To really connect with
them. To, you know, make the
connection. And help as much as
they can to minimize homeless
folks out on the seet. And
give them the help they need. I
think this is one of the
challenge and issue in our city.
we need more resources,
speaking on the budget. We
cannot, you know, we're not the
county. But we have to play
thisole. Because these folks
are struggling with addiction
and thr drug dealers are,
you know, doing all kind of
horrible things to put these
people through these kind of
conditions. We are dealing with
under the bridge situation.
where people lost their lives.
there's overdoses, there's
traffic accidents. This is
other agencies, other government
need to involve more. You have
the -- coming to the community
meeting. Having that
conversation. Also, you know,
pling that city spokesperson
to go talk to the county, metro
transit, and others to address
this issue. I think what you
need is more resources to tackle
this issue. It means we're
going to help our residents that
are struggling and keep our
community, you know, less open
thr drug use. Less needles.
we need to put all the
resources, as much resources as
we can in this issue. You have
heard me many times talking
about this specific issue. St
that some neighbors are
struggling. Not every city is
dealing with, you know,
so-called open drug use. Right
now go ahead, you know, walk two
or six on franklin and see --
you'll see that. But those are
victims themselves. Those are
victs. They are being taken
advantage of. Being drugged.
and it's not acceptable for
society to have that kind of
addition for human beings. I
encourage you to continue doing
what uryo you're doing.
to reach out to colleagues, to
ask resources. And I'm hoping
that in other positions of
leadership, especially
leadership and mayor's
leadership could help you
address this unhoused shelters
in a humane way. In a
respectful way. I look forward
to working with you the next
four years.
» Council member chughtai.
» Thank you, mr. President.
I'm going to be supporting
mr. -- I'm sorry, director
velazquez's nomination today.
so that he will, hopefully,
continue serving over the course
the next four years. Over the
course of the term. As the
direct of the regulatory
rvices department. So I want
to join my colleagues in sharing
so flowers about the work in
the regulatory services
department that is going really
well.
in particular, I want to thank
the inspections team and you,
director, for your work with my
office. In best serving the
less de dent -- residents of
ward 10. As you know, we're the
second most renter-dense ward in
the city. Home to the some of
the city's larger concentration
of naturally occurring
affordable housing. And that
tenants across our city live in
conditions that we would
describe as undignified and
inhumane. Inside of their
properties. Living in
conditions that we ourselves
would never choose for ourselvee
partnership and the urge side
urgency that matches my
office and the residents that
we're seeking to serve together
is deeply appreciated it is
transformative I the work we're
able to do to ensure that
dignity of the people of our
city. I really appreciate that
partnership.
my big concern about some of the
work that's moving in the
department and I've had the
opportunity to share this with
you, and I believe that we're
going to continue to partner
through difference and find the
best path forward that serves
the people of our city. That
gets to better outcomes for some
of the most vulnerable people in
our city.
but the way -- the direction I
see our city moving now, as it
pertains to responding to
unsheltered homelessness breaks
my heart. If we believe that
every person is worthy of
dignity. If we really, really
truly believe that, if we truly
believe -- and I do and I know
you do, that substance use
disorder is a mental health
disorder, just like anxiety and
depression. If we believe that
no person in the richest country
in the history of the world
should live I worse conditions
than refe refugee camps,
in war-torn regions, if we
really, really believe that
every person is worthy of
dignity just because they're
alive. Just because they exist.
then the way we are approaching
homelessness is -- is
inconsistent with those beliefs.
it's inconsistent. If we
believe that human trafficking
is happening, and I know it is,
I know you know it is. Then the
waye're approaching this issue
is unconscionable. We're not
protecting anybody. Moving
people into the shadows, moving
vulnerable people into the
shadows does not ensure safety.
it does not house people. It
does not address substance use
disorder. It does not address
the core problems as to w
they're living outside in the
first place. I appreciate
knowing that every city, every
majority, every major
democratic mayor in the country
approaches homelessness the
same. And yet that approach
, because it's consistent across
the country, we know is one that
continues to fail.
criminalizing homelessness is a
failure everywhere we try it.
the only thing that helps house
people, the only thing that
contributes to a reduction in
homelessness isore housing, is
more services, is more upstream
solutions that prevent
homelessness in the first place.
criminalizing people does not
get us to a better solution! I
know you know that. And we see
that everywhere in the country.
so this war on homeless people
has to end. Because stripping
people of their dignity,
stripping people of their
humanity by saying, oh, they
just don't want help. It's
unconscionable. And it's not
working. And we have to do
better. Thank you.
» Council member palmisano.
» Thank you, mr. President.
I'd like to echo what my
coeague council member vetaw
said. And I cannot say it
better than that. I won't try
and restate what she said. As a
leader and a person, we couldn't
ask for anything more than the
consideration, the thoughtful
approach, the intelligence
paired with the compassion. And
oh, by the way, the lived
experiences of enrique have a
velazquez. You have a hard
job. It's such a necessary and
important one to keep our city
functioning. And your employees
are on the very front lines of
this work. I see you support
them, help them to handle tough
situations, and days they're all
tough situations. Director web
you , you knew this
already but you have my support.
.
» >>: I'm adding myself to
queue. I will be supporting you
today. I want to uplift some of
the sentiments of my colleagues.
it was good to be able to speak
with you one-on-one about the
asfme letter that gave more
nuance to the letter. I agree
with council member stevenson.
that's something to work on.
one of the bigger topics I have
in the role of how do we create
a culture of accountability. So
much of that conversation is
centered on the police
department. Everybody knows the
challenges in the police
department and accountability.
but that doesn't only exist in
our police department. They're
the ones with the guns. Right.
and so as wthink about
accountability and discipline
and seven tests of jt cause
and making sure we're consistent
in how we're delivering that.
that's true in the police
department as it is in every
other department. And we should
be partnering to make sure that
we have a strong and accountable
accountability system throughout
the entirenterprise.
especially in regulatory
services. You're in the
community, in a way, on the
frontlines. Similar to mpd.
just without the guns. There
are consequences to your body of
work, as well. Especially as we
think about the living
conditions. Whether they're in
an apartment that doesn't have
heat or water. Or whether
they're unsheltered neighbors.
that's the other piece, too.
I'm actually going to give up
words of the mayor. This is a
bigger problem than one
department. And I don't think
the city is being successful at
addressing this. I'm not going
to be able to say it better than
council member chughtai. She's
expressed my sentiments
perfectly. We're failing this
community. Profoundly. I don't
see that as your personal
failure. I see it as our
institutional failure. And why
the regulatory services
department has been appointed
the lead for something that is
as challenging and complex as
unsheltered homelessness, with
the intersectionality of mental
health disorders, the
intersectionality of substance
use disorders, the
intersectionality of unequal
society that, you know, has
wealth inequality never seen in
the history of humanity. We're
the wealthiest nation that has
existed in the history of
humanity and we have the big
biggest. Why is that a
regulatory services challenge to
solve? That's completely insane
to me. I think it's a failure
of this institution. And what I
would like to see beyond this
conversation in your appointment
is this something that should
live at a deputy coo level? So
that we can have that
cross-department collaboration.
should this live in the mayor's
office? Because this isn't
just, you know, there's debate
here. Was it a mistake to move
it from public health to
regulatory services. It's
bigger than the public health
department. Right. Maybe it
ought to live at a deputy mayor
level. As we see in other
jurisdictions. So that we have
that enterprise-wide approach.
what we're doing right now is
working. You have been set up
to fail in what we're doing.
I'm not going to use that as a
reason to vote against you. But
it is a reason to say that what
we have right now is
unacceptable. We need to change
that. So that is my sentiment
on that. And I'm hoping you'll
be a great governing partner in
figuring out the better path.
and I see council member sha
shaffer.
» I just want to state, again,
your work and your department
has been invaluable to ward
seven in these last few months.
we have tackled a lot of
resident issues within our ward.
that have been very
significant.
and I just want to public ly I
wili will you're making
a difference. I am thrilled to
work with you and will be
continually supporting you in
the years ahead and hope our
partnership will continue to
grow even closer. I can tell
you, your work in the last six
months has had and will continue
to have really great impact in
the next few weeks. You know.
as we head into some of these
things. And I want to tell you
loud and clear that, umm, you
have been really a key partner
and have been very effective in
trying to strategize around
issues my residents have been
having.
so thank you. And I look
forward to the next few years.
» Seeing no one else left in
queue, il ask the clerk to
call theoll.
» Counc member warren.
» Aye.
» Council member shaffer.
» Aye.
» Council member chughtai.
» Aye.
» Council member whiting.
» Aye.
» Council member chowdhury.
» Nay.
» Council member stevenson.
» No.
» Council member rainville.
» Aye.
» Council member vetaw.
» Aye.
» Council member palmisano
» Aye.
» Council member chavez.
» No.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are nine ayes and three
nays.
» That carries. Next we'll
take up -- before we take up
item fowrp, I want to recognize
vice president osman to share
how he would like to vote on the
consent agenda.
» Oh. Thank you. Clerk. The
consent agenda all aye except no
for nine, please. Thank you.
» Next we'll take up item
number four. Council member
chowdhury, should we take four
and five together or as separate
items?
» We can takehem together.
if the body wants to split it
down the line, that's all right,
too.
» Okay. I will recognize
council member chowdhury.
» Thank you so much, president
payne. And I just want to start
off looking at the item. This
is the conditional use permit
preliminary plat site plan
appeal. And, first, I want to
start off by ging a bighank
you to the folks at the hook and
ladder. And in downtown
longfellow. The businesses and
the community members in the
area that have reached out to my
office. That have reached out
to council member chavez. He
represents the area in the ninth
ward. I say that all my
constituents are always over
there. And I'm always over
there. So it's a huge part of
our community! I want to thank
them not just for coming to
speak to these items, but, also,
the number of years they've put
into this city. The care
they've put into our community.
hook and ladder has consistently
been an inclusive place for all
people. And our lgbtqia
community, in our immigrant
community, in our community of
artis. It's become an
important hub. And I would s
the same for all of the other
businesses in the area, be it
moon palace books, the coliseum.
and I think it's been -- it's
been important to ground us in
the fact that you can't just
talk about 300 minnehaha and the
democracy center without talking
out the immense pain that came
from the murder of george floyd
at the hands of minneapolis
police officers and the vionce
of those officers on to
community members throughout our
city follong protests of that
police murder. And leading to
the uprising, leading to the
burning of the third precincts.
I'll never sanitize that
history. I think it's always
important to speak to it. And
the hook and ladder and the
businesses in the area have
deeply struggled over the years.
due to impact and just the
trauma. The trauma of a
community experiencing this.
and I also want to highlight
some pitives. The community
has been really coming together
in downtown longfellow to ce
back, to be strong, to be
vibrant, and create spaces and
places f people. It was
amazing during the world cup
this year! Seeing the area that
had a building that was burnt
down. It was a gassy field
turned into a pla where
community members can gather.
have a place to sit, watch the
world cup, and then visit the
businesses in the area. Soul of
the south side in the area. Nd
I say all this to say there have
been so many concerns about the
design of 3,000 minnehaha
democracy center. Especially
the alley vacation. The site
plan. And concerns it's going
to further be a negative impact.
and I just want to say to the
council members that are here
listening. When y have not
only one business reaching out
to you, but you have several
businesses, an entire corridor
reaching out to you, sharing
their concerns, and community
members that are your residents
saying we're worried about the
future of this area. And how
this project might impact it.
you can't take it light. And
that's why in committee council
member chavez and I tried to get
some extra time to work out some
more details to see what we can
do in regards to the planning
and, unfortunately, it was voted
down. And I want to the just
share to thoseho are tuning in
either here or listeni. It's
clear that the way that the
design is, is moving forward
that's just based off of where
the will this council body is.
I believe in the democracy
center. I believe it's a great
activation for the area. I
think the way that engagement
with you all and other local
businesses and community members
has not been great. I haven't
been quiet about that. I'm
disappointed we aren't able to
make more of a difference here
for you. Hour, I want to share
with the body and those
listening, I do have a motion
that does create a condition
that I think could provide some
more chance for us to bring some
things together. It's not
everything that the community
has asked for. But it is
something. I'll read it out to
my colleagues here.
with the denial of the appeal,
we're I'm moving to put a
condition that says that the
applicant, which is the city,
shall within one month of the
date of the certificate of
occupancy being issued consult
with the businesses in downtown
longfellow, and the business
district, and finalize and
implement a plan for public use
of the redeveloped surface
parking lots on the 3,000
minnehaha avenue and 3033
smelling avenue parcels,
including ada accessible parking
spaces, at a minimum during the
times when they're not being
used by a city occupant. This
puts in writing that there will
be a shared use agreement for
parking. There will be a
definitive and transparent time
in which it will b implemented.
it does also say that the
business district must be
consted in planning ts out.
creating a place for engagement
and for stakeholders to b
consulted. Because that's just
been an issue at the top. We're
just not bringing enough people
in the neiborhood together, as
we're making these choices and
decisions. We have to change
that moving forrd. And I hope
this condition isn't the only
place it's going to be. I'll
continue to advocate for that.
and, colleagues, I ask for your
support in this today.
» Council member chavez.
» Thank you, council president
payne. Ah, first, I want to
talk a little bit about the
democracy center. The voter
services center. It was a
project that I initially did not
support. I did not vote in
favor of it for a variety of
concerns that I had. Part of it
was my opinion that there still
isn't enough community space.
all though I'm excited for the
community space component. I
think that's a good community
asset. The component of
windowless, components of the
democracy center, the license
and voter service center,
whatever we want to call it.
and I had been expressing those
concerns for a very long time.
I do think that staff could hear
some of the concerns I had. And
they were able to address those
particular concerns. So I was
happy to see them make those
changes to the windowless stuff
that it was happening. I did
not want to have a location on
lake street that would not be
helpful to the community. And I
think they've been working hard
to address some of the concerns
I've had. I want to thank staff
for that component.
I really am looking forward to
the community component. Like I
said earlier, I think that's
something that will be a big
asset to the community that I
represent in the ninth ward.
and I also want to talk about
the history of 3,000 minnehaha.
I think as we take this vote
today, and as we hear from
neighbors and business owners in
the area, I think the last thing
that I want is a project in the
community that I represent that
is going to cause more
frustration, more opposition,
when it's a project that I hope
brings everybody together.
so I guess what my ask is, I
hope my colleagues will support
this motion. I think it's a
middle ground to address the
concerns that some of the folks
in the community are asking for.
and I want to be clear. It's
not going to make everybody
happy. It won't be. It won't
be everything everyone is asking
for. I think it tries to do
this approach of not stopping a
project that needs to happen to
activate the lake street
corridor but addressing some of
the concerns that even folks
that want it to happen. Are
showing the frustrations.
so I guess what I will ask my
colleagues is to please support
this motion. So then we can
approve the rest of the project.
thank you.
» Thank you. Council member
chavez, I am in queue here. So
my comment is the council
members -- there was a
background conversation thanks
to council member chowdhury's
leadership. Able to talk to the
staff and go through this
motion. And they have not shown
any, you know, resistance on
this. So I think this is
something that will show that we
are supporting the small
businesses. At the same time.
just making the community a lot,
you know, comfortable. The
community should be trusting us
and should be trusting the
government. And, you know, as a
council I think this language
makes it working. It makes the
relationship work better. Maybe
not having ada parking. I can't
imagine that. We enforce the
ada policy. We' the city.
but to put it in letter, let the
community know we're there to
work with you. We' supporting
the small businesses and we want
to make sure that we're good
neighbors and we are a great
community that is moving forward
and progressing. And I would
encourage the colleagues to work
with us. This has been a
collaboration from council
member chowdhury and my office.
and to speak to the staff about
this. Thank you..
thank you. Next in line is
council member palmisano.
» Thank you. Colleagues, two
things can be true here at the
same time. We can absolutely
support the downtown longfellow
business district and do
whatever we can to support their
success. Given the history of
3,000 minnehaha and its impact
on their livelihoods.
I give all that due deference to
the council members who
represent the community in this
vicinity.
and we can also build a
democracy center that meets our
needs of our city and brings an
incredibly valuable and
important asset to this area.
and that is something to
celebrate today.
we would, I need to point out,
we would never put a condition
like this on any other
applicant. It's only because
the applicant here is the city.
we would never do this to any
other applicant.
but these two things supporting
the downtown longfellow business
district and building a
democracy center are not
mutually exclusive. We're going
to do both of these things at
the same time today. Which is
good. We he this condition to
allow for shared use of the
public parking areas of the
democracy center that we will
figure out after it opens.
we have been good partners here.
listening to community concerns
and responding with
modifications to our plan. To
our own detriment. We've made
modifications to our plan. My
biggest worry is that any
further delay would have a
cumulative effect. It would
mean that the democracy center
wouldn't be ready for the next
presidential election. We need
to have full occupancy ahead of
that election in order to
accommodate things like early
voting, et. Cetera.
we are finally in a place to
meaningfully move this space
forward. From being a
fire-damaged building to
something that is important for
us and for the community. I
wanted to thank our architecture
group and all of the time
they've spent on this. And all
the time they've spent in
community working out issues for
this. It's been a long road.
there have been a lot of votes.
it's been delayed for even more
conversations of planning
commission. It's involved one
of the largest community
conversations about a building
in my time here. All over the
city. This building is not what
it was.
thank you to council member
chowdhury for developing this
plan. I see it as a comprise
that I can support.
» Council member whiting.
» Thank you, president payne.
and u I'm going to say
something. I think the entire
body unanimously agrees with. I
think minneapolis is the
greatest city in the world. We
have seen this site specifically
be used as a prop for ultra
conservative maga republicans
consistently. And I think this
is a version. I know I heard it
on the campaign trail as I've
heard it from many of my
residents that we have to ensure
that to be the greatest city in
the world, we are doing things
that meet that standard.
and I think a version of this
where we have seen this building
sit here as a burned out site of
one of the hardest moments in
history for our city. And I am
deeply grateful for my council
colleague to the left here of
figuring out an opportunity.
figuring out a comprise that
continues to move this project
forward. So we don't have to
continue to relive a version in
our city that doesn't represent
the best of what we can be.
thank you for figuring out an
opportunity and a comprise to
continue moving this forward.
and ensure that there isn't
anymore undue delays on this
project. Thank you.
» Council member chowdhury.
» Thank you, president payne.
I wanted to just get in queue
again to just add a little bit
more context t this process.
when this arrived at the
planning commission, it was
wholly unacceptable. Approach
by not just the hook and ladder,
but several of other businesses.
the business district they had
not been consulted with as I
came to the design of the
democracy center. And the
impacts on that. And not
consulted in that. Not brought
in enough. That was wholly
unacceptable. This is, after
l, the democracy center. It's
iric for us not to do the
engagement necessary that is
moving on this. We have to, in
this moment, take this vote,
make a recommitment as we embark
on the journey of building this
out. That we engage with the
community and the area. And if
we don't, it's just deeply
upsetting for me and you'll be
hearing from me. Everyone will
be hearing frome. And I want
your support in ensuring that we
don't have to do that moving
forward. That we can be
proactive here. And that delay
in the planning commission was
absolutely necessary to forge a
conversation that needed to
happen to move this along. It
just absolute I will not a place
where it needed to be. I think
the other thing to share here is
downwn longfellow, this area
has felt so, so overlooked. And
I've heard comments here and
there where people and folks are
like it's one business speaking
out. I want to clarify it's not
just one. Like, hook and ladder
is an anchor business for this
area. If something happens to
the hook, it impacts everyone.
if something happens to the
coliseum, it impacts everyone.
there's a whole business
dirict behind them. And there
is also a lot of work outside
this that we as a body need to
do. And I'm asking you to show
up for in supporting downtown
longfellow and bringing it to
vibrancy. The business group
there is called longfellow
rising for a reason. They want
to see a future here. That
supports every single community
member, whether they work, play,
or live in the area. To be
supported. And an area that is
deeply diverse and has a lot of
folks who are working people
we as the city need to start
having a new chapter and hoping
up this -- working on this
democracy center and also
supportingowntown longfellow
with the mnitude that we
support other business
districts. Personally from the
engagement we've done in the
area, we're not meeting the
moment in the city in terms of
the support we cano here. And
it goes back to the corner of
the burnt third precinct being
le year after year, barbed
wire left on. Like, it's not
okay. And people have not
forgotten that yet. And I agree
with my constituents. They
haven't been a reason yet.
there's repair that needs to be
done and the pro active work on
the democracy center and how we
support economic development and
vibrancy in this area is how we
do the repair work.
» Council member shaffer.
» Anyone from cped here that I
can ask some questions of? No.
I'd like to know, maybe,
council member chowdhury or
chavez you can step in answer
some of these. I'd like to
understand with this parking.
is this going to be installing
meters then that the businesses
would use in the evening? Can
you speak to the costs around --
or is it just going to be a free
parking?
» Yeah. T looks like we have
andrew here from planning.
maybe you want to speak to that.
it's my understanding there was
always an intention from the
city to have a shared use
agreement for public use on this
site. There hasn't been any
conversations around metering.
» Council member payne.
council member shaffer, andrew
with cped planning. I'm sorry.
can you repeat your question.
» I was wondering if there was
any plan as we look to the
transition and discussion you're
going to be having with the
community. If these were going
to be metered parking lots then
for evening use or if there was
going to be a cost associated
with these spaces to the
business district. Or those
that use the spots.
» Council member shaffer, that
would be entirely up to property
services. So property services
is the property owner and the
applicantere. So they would
need to work with the businesses
to come up with how the shared
use agreement is going to
function. That's not something
that would be regulated by
cped.
» Okay. Because I think most
of our parking in the -- and do
we have other agreements like
this where we allow
organizations to use our parking
lots that are not metered?
» Ah, council member shaffer, I
think that would have to be
directed to property services.
that's not something that cped
would regulate.
» I think it's an important
point in this discussion.
because, obviously, there's --
it's my understanding, you know,
that most of the city and our
city-owned land, we either have
city parking lots that are, you
know, serviced with payments.
or else our parking meters. And
so I'm just trying to get a
sense. Is this, umm, setting
precedent?
» Ah, council member shaffer,
from our perspective, this would
not be setting precedent for any
other type of future
application.
» Okay. That's helpful to
know.
umm, I just think that parking
on our streets and parking lots
throughout the city are an
important part of our revenue
stream. And for us to be
inconsistent in that feels a
little, umm, hard to swallow, I
think. You know, 31st and
lake. We lost all our parking.
uptown we lost a ton on
hennepin. There were no
concerns then. So I appreciate
the needs of parking. I really
do. I've talked about it. So I
appreciate the needs of the
longfellow district. And the
importance of the small
businesses to that.
but I do think there's a
question here around maint
maintenance, and, obviously, the
meters is how we maintain our
parking lots. The cost is how
we maintain some of our street
stuff. So that's my big
question here. Is, umm, maybe
you can give us some more
background on that. But, umm,
I'm not -- I'm -- I don't know
what the answers to that -- it
sounds like you don't know
whether you're going to meter
them or not.
» Thanks for raising those
concerns, council member
shaffer. That would be up to
property services as the
property owner to make those
decisions. And I know they're
listening here. And they should
be able to follow up with you at
a future date.
» Okay. Well, it's hard for me
to cast a vote without knowing
that. Does that make sense?
because I think that's kind of
an important part of the
equation, in some ways. Because
we do want to support our
businesses. I think this is a
valid request. But at the same
time, we have costs, umm, as
well. And we don't want to,
umm, be inconsistent as a city.
thank you.
» Thanks.
» Council member rainville.
» Thank you. I'll be brief. I
just want to give my
appreciation to council members
chowdhury and chavez for working
with the community on this
compri. And at the same time
keeping the long-term goals o
the city in mind. Equallyith
the local business community.
I'll be voting for this.
» Council member chavez.
» Thank you, council president
payne. I think for me, it's
this is a unique circumstance.
this is minnehaha area. It's an
area that was on fire.
buildings throughout lake street
in this area were set on fire.
this is a business area that was
devastated by the uprising in
the summer of 2020. After the
murder of george floyd that
caused a world-ride racial
reckoning. It's a unique
circumstance. It's an area that
has faced so much trauma. And I
think that's something I want to
recognize. And I will say that
there has been other initiatives
about free parking in uptown on
fridays. So this isn't a new
thing. Upton gets free parking
on fridays. I think there was
an announcement made this year
or something. But ha-ha. So I
would say it isn't just on the
lake street part that I
represent. There has been
precedent in the past.
» Council member stevenson.
» Thank you. Umm, I just
wanted to raise that cocil
member u shaffer, you brought up
some excellent points on parking
pocy, in general. And the
valuof our parking lots. And
the public space that we
dedicate to parking, in general.
we dedicate, literally,
hundreds of millions of dollars
of public land to parking. It
has a huge maintenance cost. I
would be interested in exploring
disukses discussions on
parking metering and revenue
across the entire city.
I want to mention the free
parking uptown. As muc as I
personally don't believe the
cityhould be providing as much
free parking a as it is, to
provide it in uptown and not
provide it in longfellow is a
little odd. So I will be
supporting this. But being
genuine, I would love to work
with you on parng policy to
recoup the immense costs that
we're putting out for parking
across the entire city.
» Council member chughtai.
» Thank you, mr. President.
ah, umm, my colleagues took the
words out of my mouth. But,
umm, you know, I want to start,
first start by talking about,
umm, the -- I've heard a
couple -- a few different times,
ah, over the discussion on this
item. Ah, that -- thathis is,
umm, this framing that this
piece of property is just like
any other city-owned piece of
property. And it's -- it's
really important. Because iknon
this, council members, umm, who
directly represent this area all
have a shared understanding,
umm, that -- that really has
been shaped by the impacted
community. Umm, that this is
not just any other piece of
property. And to treat it as
such is a mistake. And one that
just leads to more heart ache
forvery person involved in the
process.
so, umm, I think that we should
stay away from words like
"precedent" we should stay away
from words like "consistency"
because -- because this is --
this is a unique situation.
umm, second, I want to talk
about the parking fund. So,
umm, all revenue that is
generated by parking in the city
goes into the parking fund,
which is an enterprise fund here
at the city. He pking fund,
umm, took a hit. Just like any
other,mm, any other one here
at the city. When covid
happened, umm, a this is, umm,
the revenue that the city
collects from parking has
bounced back in a way that we
haven't seen other aspects. And
the health of the parking fund
is incredibly excellent revenue
generated there. It's able to
be usedn lawful ways in
accordance with state law and
other aspects of our cy. And
so I want to alleviate concerns
here about what this could
possibly do to the health of
parking revenue. I don't think
it's aoncern here. And tn
wanted to lift up that just this
year, in the mayor's annual
ate of the city address, he
nounced an itiative to bring
free parking to uptown. That's
a loss of revenue for the city.
if we can do that for uptown,
because we want the economic
vibrancy of uptn to be
prioritized and, u know, I can
disagree all day and night
about, umm, whether a free
parking pac space is going
to ctribute to economic
activity and development to the
area or not. Buthat's --
that's choice weid make. And
we chose to invest in uptown in
this way. And ask the person
that represents the vast
majority of the uown corrir,
I would find it to be incredibly
disingenuous for us to not
also -- for me to not also be a,
umm, an advocat for making sure
that the longfellow community is
getting its needs met. Given
all that's happening in the
corridor. So, umm, so want
to -- want to encourage all of
my colleagues to join me in --
in, umm, in supportinghis
comprisepath forward.
» Council member shaffer.
» Thank you. Yeah. Just a
couple of thoughts. And I'm
fully supportive of the
democracy center. I will be
supporting this amendment. But
I want to clarify a couple of
things that were said. The
uptown free parking is friday,
saturday nights. It's ending in
a few weeks. It's probably
the -- it's not all of uptown.
it's lagoon and lake street for
maybe a span of three to four
blocks on each side of hennepin.
so this is a targeted area.
for a short a of amount
of time for this summer. That's
a different situation. I am not
concerned about parking revenue
from the democracy center.
that's not, you know, going to
be impactful. What I am
concerned about, though, is the
idea that we have -- we are
consistent. That we have a
process that businesses and
investors in our city can know
that this council will not
willy-nilly change direction on
this for that, depending on a
variety of circumstances. That
if we have a parking policy
throughout our city, we should
follow that. And I was
encouraged to hear that this is
not an unusual use case. I
would like to see where the
other use cases are in the city.
from maybe that's a staff
follow up. But I would like to
grow in my own education of what
is our process for allowing this
kind of arrangement. Because it
should be a process. And it
should be predictable. So that
all of us can stand up here
immediately and not have to have
a discussion around asking
questions about parking. But we
know what is our process and
this is not unusual.
and so, yeah, I'll look forward
to having more information about
that. But it is extremely
important to have a consistent
process, in my mind. When we
make decisions. And so, umm,
I'm excited that this is going
to be moving forward. This is
long overdue. And I'm going to
be, you know, looking forward to
seeing this come to life.
» Seeing no one else left in
queue, and we have ims four
and five with the amended item
number four in front of us.
council member chowdhury, do you
think it would be appropriate to
take it up as a package.
» I do.
» Okay. And with that, the
clerk will call the roll.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Council member shaffer.
» Aye.
» Council member chughtai.
» Aye.
» Council membe whiting.
» Aye.
» Council member chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Council member stevenson.
» Aye.
» Council member rainville.
» Aye.
» Council member vetaw.
» Aye.
» Council member palmisano.
» Aye.
» Council member chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman
it
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» That carries. That completes
the business report. T next
is from the climate and
infrastructure committee,
presented by the council member
stevenson, the vice chair.
» Thank you, mr. President.
the climate and infrastructure
mmittee that is 13 items.
number one dinner du nord
commercial block event. Two
gabbana that ball games block
event permit. Three skyway
easeme from minneapolis park
and recreati board. Four
metro green line extension
subordate funding agreement.
five minneapolis street lighting
plan amendment. Six cedar lake
road bridge project overpass
agreement. Number seven
cooperative agreement with
hennepin county regional
railroad authority f the grand
avenue south bridge. Number
eight metropolitan council
municipal infiltration andinfloe
pipelining. Number ne bid for
2026-2027 public works tree
removal and disposal. Number
10, bid for the installation of
green stormwater infrastructure
for the west fulton neighborhood
improvement project. 11
columbia heights membrane plant
roof replacement. 12 contract
amendment with cs mccrossan
construction, inc. Number 13
bicycle advisory committee
appointments. I'll move
approval of the report.
» Council member stevenson has
moved approval of the
committee's report. Is there
any discussion? Seeing none.
I'll ask the clerk to call the
roll.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Council member shaffer.
» Aye.
» Council member chughtai.
» Aye.
» Council member whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Council member stevenson.
» Aye.
» Council member rainville.>> .
» Council member vetaw.
» Aye.
» Council member palmisano.
» Aye.
» Council member chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» That carry and the report is
adopted. The next we'll have
the report from the committee of
the whole, given by the
committee's chair, council
member chowdhury.
» President payne, thank you.
the committee the whole will
be bringing forward three items
to today's meeting. Item one
approves the special law related
to food hall licenses. Two is a
grant application for national
integrate ballistics information
program from the u.s. Department
of justice. This item was sent
forward without recommendation.
and lastly item three approves a
staff direction that analyzes
information related to
legislative budgets. With that,
I'll move all items for approval
except for item two, which I'll
pull for discussion.
» Council member chowdhury has
moved approval of the committee
report pulling item two for
separate discussion. Any
discussion open the remainder of
the report? Seeing none, I'll
ask the clerk to call the roll
on the report minus item two.
» Warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» That carries. Next we'll
take up item number two and I'll
recognize council member
chavez.
» Thank you, council president
payne. Colleagues, I will not
be the supporting this grant
application today.
the memo sent to us by staff
states there are no alternative
funding sources to maintain the
access. I want to disagree with
the assessment. The city
council has already passed an
offduty work ordinance designed
to recoup fees, in general.
fees that could reduce the
burden on taxpayers. That
ordinance has not been
implemented. So before I can
even accept that we have no
choice here, I want to
understand why a
council-approved tool could
address the problems I terms of
recouping fees and addressing
the tax issues that we're
struggling with as a city, why
it's not being taken seriously
or even implemented.
we could have already been
recouping offduty fees, but the
refusal to implement the
ordinance means our residents
are s subsidizing side gigs
for the minneapolis police
department. Why was it not
included in the proposed budget
last year. If we were to lose
direct access to the network by
the end of 2026, due to the
system incompatibility, why was
it not a priority for the mpd
before the grant application.
why was it not included in the
proposed budget. Why has the
first time the council public
heard of this? What would be
the plan if the grant
application was not made
available to the city? I will
once again mention why I am
against this grant application.
and I want to be clear, it's not
just about words. The notice of
funding opportunity for the
fiscal year 2026 modernization
program explicitly states the
program statutory purpose and
program goals in terms of
investigating crimes committed
by, quote, illegal ail y
aliens
I don't consider the community
I'm proud to represent as
illegal ail aliens. Who
have committed crimes in
addition to being quote,
unlawfully present language I'll
continue to reject and call
dehumanizing and unacceptable.
the duty statute lists notice of
funding opportunity operates
under is a section which is
titled bridge immigration
related deficits nationwide
reimbursement fund. I believe,
as I said this week, we have a
duty to ensure when we're
applying for or accepting
federal funds, we don't use the
city's name, resources, or
partnerships to a funding frame
work that dehumanizes,
stigmatizes our immigrant
residents in minneapolis. And
that it does not make our
community members feel more
targeted.
the notice of funding
opportunity explicitly lists
immigration law enforcement --
around the funding priorities.
as I said last time, I do not
and will not accept the premise
implicit or explicit in this or
funding -- requiring, locating,
and app henting. I will
continue to don dem the hateful
and anti-immigrant rhetoric
included in this program. Most
importantly, I will be very
clear that I do not trust the
purpose of funding outlined by
the federal government. They
came to minneapolis saying they
were going to come after, quote,
criminals, but what they did was
come after mothers, fathers,
children going to school, and I
know that I've had to do over
the past few days, a lot of
education here on the dais and
education outside of the dais.
about why it is unacceptable to
call people aliens. Why it is
unacceptable to call people
illegal. Why it is unacceptable
to, umm, you know, that
considering people that are
immigrants criminals. Because
they're immigrants. That's just
wrong. Additionally, I'll
mention this part. You know,
according to the star tribune
reporting, the occupation of
minneapolis disp
disproportionately impacted the
latino community most. 90% of
those kidnapped by the federal
government in minnesota to march
10. I d't accept that. And I
don't accept the words in this.
I don't like the purpose of
funding stated in this. That
talks about immigration
enforcement. I think it's
wrong. There could have been
different ways to fund this
program. There could have been
conversations happening last
year about how we can fund this
program. And I just didn't
happen. At least with my
office. So I will not be voting
for this.
» Council member shaer.
» I definitely hear the concern
among the harmful language
st contained in the notice
for the $300,000 grant. No one
on this body wants to devalue,
dehumanize, or demonize anyone
because of their immigration
status. We are 13-0 on that.
the question before us is
whether apply for the grant
would make the city complicit in
the current federal
administration's anti-immigrant
rhetoric and policies. Or
violate our separation
ordinance. Our city attorneys
have answered that question
publicly, explicitly, and
clearly. It would not.
I appreciate my colleagues
asking the question. And I
appreciate our attorneys for
giving us a direct answer. Mpd
will use this grant solely to
investigate shootings that occur
in minneapolis. That matters.
because gun violence has become
so common in our city, I fear
we're becoming numb to it. My
question is, where is the same
concern. Same passion, same
urgency and outrage over the
unacceptable numbers of
shootings in our city? Two
weekends ago, two mass shootings
left more than a dozen people
injured, one person dead.
another unable to walk. Those
are shootings that make the
headlines. We rarely hear about
the others. Also, we all
received the report of a local
business being shot at in the
middle of the day about 10 days
ago around the same time as
these others. The restaurantowd
into his business for an
apparently no reason. And a
bullet missed one of his
employees by only a few feet.
imagine the horror and the
trauma that employee carries.
wondering what if I had been
standing over there instead of
right here. Imagine the burden
of the business owner wondering
if he should continue doing
business in our city because now
they have to ask their employees
to come to work when they no
longer feel safe. The shell
casings, we heard, left behind
are like finger points. It can
help mpd connect a gun to a
crime, connect related shootings
to one another, identify the
person responsible, and prevent
the person from doing it again.
mpd needs access to ninibin. We
can accept this grant without
comprising our values. Our
residents' safety is too
important to reject a useful
tool without compelling reason.
we have also heard from
commander brown that we would
lose access to the nibin service
at the end of the year without
the needed upgrade. We are also
facing the prospect of
unprecedented financial pain.
we have heard about the roughly
30 million plus shortfall ahead
of us. We'll face
extraordinarily difficult
choices in the coming months.
we cannot afford to turn up our
noses to $300,000 because we
dislike who occupies the white
house. Or who leads the
department of justice. This is
hard, but we need every
available resource that can make
minneapolis safer. Especially
when accepting it does not
require us to surrender our
values. Thank you.
» Council member vetaw.
» Thank you, president payne.
I just had quick question. I
don't know if commander brown
can answer the question. I
think council member chavez made
a great point about this not
being mpd's previous budget.
just wondering if you can speak
to that. Why wasn't it in the
budget.
» Commander brown.
thank you. Thank you,
president. Through the chair,
council member vetaw. So,
excuse me, sti haven't found
my voice yet. We do not know up
until this year that the federal
government who had bee funding
through mpd have their own --
have the nibin system they were
going to remove the funding. So
when we found out that was the
case, understanding that it was
fairly short notice and agencies
across the u.s. Because it's
not just minnesota, it's across
the u.s. Would have to start
funding it fully themselves.
that's when the doj provided
this grant. And the grant is
not for all agencies that have
nibin. This is for a selected
170 different agencies that have
the -- that are eligible to
apply for the noncompetitive
grant. So, we were -- the grant
became available at the 26th
of june, I believe. And so it's
fairly short notice for agencies
to do so. And that is why.
» Thank you. That's it.
» Council member chughtai.
» Thank you, mr. President. I
want to start with talking about
nibin access for the city. And
I asked some questions about
this during committee of the
whole earlier this week. But,
umm, the -- I've since then had
the opportunity to talk with
some folks. And I'm hearing --
I'm hearing that, you know,
perhaps the police department
or, umm, you know, some members
of the police department, as
they're having conversations
with, umm, business owners in my
ward that have been impacted by
recent gun violence. I hear
members of the police department
telling my -- those impacted
community members, my
constituents, that without the
passage of this item, the
violence, umm, they have
experienced will never be
solved. And I think that kind
of misinformation and
disinformation have an impact.
so it feels important to correct
the record up here. While I
have the opportunity. Because
this is my -- one of my few
opportunities to correct the
record. Against some, like,
some pretty significant
disinformation about the
importance of nibin access.
umm, as we -- as commander brown
spoke to us about from the dais
on tuesday, umm, if the city
isn't going to lose nibin access
by applying or not applying to
this grant. Applying or not
applying for the grant that is
no impact on the city's ability
to access this system. The city
can continue to do so by either
finding a different source of
money, and we'll get into that
in a second. To pay for this
modernization work that needs to
be done. Or several of the
partners that we work with on
forensics. Like the bureau of
criminal apprehension, have
nibin access themselves. We can
continue to us utilize the
resource without having to
accept money from the federal
government, from this particular
grant. I'll also note the city
could find a different source of
revenue to, umm, to pay for the
modernization work.
for example, right now the
minneapolis police department
spends approximately, in the
ballpark of $600,000 per one
week on overtime alone. Half of
that, three and a half days of
overtime could pay for this
entire project. You have the
money. Find it somewhere else.
the second piece that -- that I
want to name here in this
discussion is, ah, I think I'm
about to do the minnesotan thing
on the planet. I'm going to
invoke paul wellstone. Prepare
myself. My favorite paul
wellstone quote is about, you
know, if we don't fight hard for
the things we believe in, at
some point, we have to accept
that we don't really believe in
them. Ah, I think it's
incredly powerful and one I
reflect on often.
the residents of this city
believe in protecting our
immigrants, immigrant neighbors
so much that they will put their
bodies on the line. That two of
our residents lost their lives
standing up for the people in
our city. That's how much we
believe in it. But our
government is going to say for a
measly $300,000, we're okay with
the assertion that some people
who live in our city, because of
the color of their skin, are
illegal aliens? That we should
be -- in the purpose of funding,
it talks about the importance.
that the purpose of this funding
is to help local jurisdictions
better cooperate with the
federal government to carry out
immigration enforcement
proceedings. Immigration
enforcement actions. That's the
purpose of this funding, as
well. And so we're going to --
we're going to abandon the
things we believe in for
$300,000? But the people of our
city will give their lives to
stand up for their beliefs?
this seems inconsistent to me.
so, unfortunately, I can't
support this today. And it
feels important to me, also,
then to name that, ah, I think
there's some disinformation
happening, as well. Thank you,
mr. President.
» Ah, seeing no one else left
in queue, I see vp in the queue
but I don't see him in the
chambers. Council member
rainville.
» Thank you. So, commander
brown, I don't want to put you
on the spot here. But it's my
knowledge that this overtime
cost is driven by the lack of
9-1-1 responders that we have to
pay 9-1-1 responders t answer
emergency calls. Is that true?
» Commander brown.
» Thank you, council president.
through the chair, council
member rainville. That is
correct.
» Thank you. Council member
chowdhury.
» Thank you, so much, president
payne. I think for me, the
contention that I have with this
is not with nibin. Right. I
see the value and the resource.
absolutely. I think it's
important to state. Because I
have had residents reach out
that believe, like, if we don't
apply for the grant it's going
to cease to exist. Ihink me
and others on this body, and the
police department can agree
that's not helpful. For
residents to believe that nibin
won't exist if we don't apply
for this. It creates a lot of
alarms for people. I think
others have done a good jobf
laying out, we like, we have a
budget choice before us. Right.
it's $300,000 from our coffers,
city general fund, wherever.
maybe we need to move things
around. We oftentimes move
things around for public safety.
we have a long history of that.
especially as it comes to the
police department. Or it's to
take this potential funding from
the federal government, right,
that hasn't been granted to us.
there's also a chance it won't
be granted to us. We know that
the president of the united
states and the donl doj
is not really a big fan for
minneapolis. Even if we were
invited for this. We know the
administration is purposefully
not giving funding o resources
to its political enemies and
detractors. That's the reality
of 2026.
for me, the purpose of funding
and the biden act, and the
language in which this came
from, is extremely egregious and
deplorable. And I -- the term
"illegal alien" is not just a
legal term of art. It's a slur.
it's an absolutely slur.
calling people illegal aliens is
dehumanizing, degrading, and it
creates a permission structure
for violence against them. It
just does and h and we've seen
over and over again. There's
a policy choice here today, do
we apply for grants for the
purpose of funding has slurs
within them? It's just really
just starkly before us. U don't
think it's just about rhetoric
or ideology. I think it's a
govern innoc
governance approach. If the
purpose of funding looked
different, the grant, if it came
from a different bill. It would
have my support. But it
doesn't. And I can't sit on
this body and give a permission
structure, create a permission
structure here to say that we're
applying for grants with slurs
in them..
» Vice president osman.
» All right. Thank you so
much. I have a comment and then
I have one clarification from
the staff.
colleagues, the way I understand
this language, or this grant is
that, first of all, we apply all
kinds of grants from the federal
government. We apply housing
grants. We apply roads,
highways. There is all kinds of
grants that makes our city keep
moving. And, also, this
administration has used a
language, and I'm sure -- I'm
sure if we look in deep other
grants, we'll find similar
language. So where do we stop?
if we start dismissing grants,
our city will not be operating.
and we're not capable of getting
serving our residents in the
best way we can. We need that
assistance from the federal
government. Even the federal
government has -- they have used
language that is called
democracy. You can wait through
the election process and maybe a
decision will change. Maybe it
will not. One thing I will tell
you, is the way the government,
our local government is set up
we rely on the state and the
federal government suppo to
operate our city.
my concern would have been if
this is somehow attached to
I.c.e. Enforcement, some kind of
immigration enforcement. If it
would have been similar to that,
we have t right to reject
that. This grant specifilly
has not said anying about
immigrant enforcemt. I have
received calls from the
community members this morning
thinking we're voting on
accepting this grant will result
I.c.e. In arresting our
community members. That's
misinformation, the way I
understand it.
and I would like either the city
attorney or the staff to kind of
clarify about that and get the
misinformation out. Will this
result immigrant enforcement?
accepting this grant?
» Good morning, members of the
council. Pleasure to be here
with you. Again this morning.
my name is amy shunt. Lead
assistant city attorney.
through the chair, vice chair
osman, your question was will
our application for the grant
require us to proport on any
kind of I.c.e. Enforcement. I
have legally reviewed the terms
of the grants, and all of the
documents referenced in and the
all the documents referenced
therein for any terms and
conditions for what my office is
calling problematic. Anything
that would require us to violate
the separation ordinance or
anything that would be
anti-theatrical to the values of
the city.
and it is my opinion, upon doing
that review, that there is
nothing in this nofo or nor this
application that would require
us to violate the separation
ordinance to perform any kind of
I.c.e. Enforcement or to
otherwise require staff to act
in a way that is anti-theatrical
to the values of the city.
» Thank you so much. That's
exactly what I thought. Even if
it was the case, you wouldn't
even approach applying that.
that will violate the city
separation ordinance.
so my final comment is that,
colleagues, we can be angry with
the federal government, the way
they treat people, the language
they use. But voting down this
would only hurt us and hurt --
not benefit the work we're
trying to do. Which is to
accept this grant so we can do
better processing on criminal
activity.
so I would say I am an
immigrant. I'm someone who has
been in communities that has
been targeted in the city of
minneapolis. But I think you
have to wait on how things come.
this is coming separate angle.
and it's not nothing to do with
I.c.e. Enforcement. And I think
we should vote on it. And this
is money that will come to our
city to support the work we do
for our citizens. Thank you.
» Council member palmisano.
» Thank you, mr. President. I
think council member osman
already said most of what I was
going to say.
we are not abandoning our values
or beliefs here. Because the
terms of this grant do not
require that. And I would be
happy to entertain a resolution
condemning language in requiring
the city not to be required to
violate a separation ordinance.
I fear the confusion around this
grant is made by rhetoric on
this dais. Not by the
requirements of the grant, and
not by our city attorney. Who
has said, basically the same
thing in committee of the whole,
again for us today. We are
accepting is federal money for a
lot of other things, mostly
money in public works. I don't
think we should stop. So I will
make a motion to approve --
» Second.
» And ask that we move
forward.
. Thank you.
» Council member palmisano has
moved approval. Did I hear a
second?
» Second.
» Okay. Council member warren.
» Thank you, council president
payne.
it pains me to know there's
language that is marginalizing
and disenfranchising members of
our community because of the
simple fact, like I said this at
the committee of the whole
meeting. I don't know any
aliens
I've never seen any my life.
these are residents of our city.
when I think about supporting
the national integrated
ballistic information network,
I'm thinking about how many of
my neighbors and community
members are sitting and waiting
for justice to be served, and
for someone to support the cries
that far too long have gone
unanswered on our community.
I'm thinking about how
specifically in north
minneapolis, we have buried so
many sons and daughters,
brothers and sisters, mothers
and fathers who are still
waiting for a phone call that
says somebody has been arrested
with respect to what has
happened to their loved one.
right.
they're waiting for those
answers. They're waiting for a
response to be given to them.
and this is not about increasing
arrest for the sake of just
arresting people. It's about
connecting evidence that is left
behind at crime scenes and
linking it to shootings that
involve firearms and giving the
investigators the tools they
need to be solution driven more
quickly. Before people get
away.
so I think about these things.
I think about families that are
still searching for justice,
like the family of aniya allen,
trinity smith, la daveon
garrett. I'm thinking about
those babies whose murders have
not been solved recently. And
people are just running around
here free. You know, and that
people need to have a piece of
mind knowing that someone is
being held accountable for the
wrongdoing and the pain they
have inflicted upon our
community.
and it doesn't make a difference
what race you are, what sex you
are, what any of the -- none of
that stuff makes any difference
at all. If you have harmed
someone and ten a life, or
inflicted pain upon the
community, then you need some
time to sit down and
self-reflect. And that's just
where I sit with it. This is
not about picking out or picking
apart anything. This is really
about bringing answers to
families who have cried out for
far too long about wanting
justice for their loved ones who
have lost their lives due to
acts of gun violence. That's
where I have to sit with it at.
I don't know any aliens. Never
met any in any life. But I know
that it is my fiduciary
responsibility to protect all of
my community members and to use
every tool that I have to ensure
the safety, love, care, and
compassion that is extended to
my community members is the same
I will want for my own family.
the end.
» Council member whiting.
» Thank you, president payne.
just have one question for our
city attorney.
thank you, city attorney schutt.
in your legal analysis, is
there language contained in
either the nofo or the grant
application that violates or
that would have our city
violated separation ordinance?
» Through the chair, council
member whiting, no. There is
not. We review the grant and
the application for concerns
like that. Frankly, it wouldn't
get to you if it had a
requirement to violate the
separation ordinance.
» Okay. That's all. Thank
you.
» Council member chavez.
» Thank you, council president
payne.
I keep hearing the point being
made about not violating a
separation ordinance. I think
it means I need to do another
notice of intent in
strengthening the separation
ordinance. That's one. To be
clear, if it doesn't violate the
separation ordinance. We have
to make it stronger again. I
think we're asking the wrong
questions. If we would
interpret us not having to
enforce federal immigration law.
what I want to work on, because
the reason I didn't bring it
forward the resolution on, like,
attaching it to this. Is
because I -- it needs to be
workshopped more. And I'm happy
to bring it back next time.
what we're not asking for what
the federal government expects
of us if we accept the money.
that's what my concern is. If
the federal government is going
to expect us to do federal
immigration enforcement. That's
a concern. If we accept the
grant, I bet. That's what I'm
concerned about us applying and
accepting this funding. And,
you know, if we want to make it
about rhetoric, it's not about
rhetoric. I'm happy to bring
the resolution forward so we can
get answers.
» Council member stevenson.
» Yeah. Thank you.
I want to go back to what
council member chughtai said
earlier about if we really
believe the thing that we say
that we believe.
we are in a historic time. A
time when our actions are under
different scrutiny and have
different meaning than they
would in another time. And I
hesitate to use the word
unprecedented times. You can't
have an entirely unprecedentedt.
but we are in
» That ice invaded our city and
took our neighbors and killed
some of our neighbors. We are in
a time when our actions have
different ramifications. And we
have to do things a little
differently in response to the
fact that we are not in normal
times. We are not in a time when
you c overlook certain things.
where putting up yourose at
different moral issues is
acceptable. We are in a time
when we need to stand for what
we believe. We need to actually
in ways that are meaningful and
in ways that sometimes cause us
discomfort stand up for what we
believe. And in thi case, we
believe that all of our
neighbors have the right to be
here and we love them and
they're important members of our
community. And we don't want to
go alongith this evil federal
government in even the rhetoric
that they say about them. Yeah,
it's just a different time.
we're not in -- this isn't 2012,
you know. We're here in 2026 in
minneapolis after the invasion
of the federal government and
it's just time for us to say,
hey, we're not even going to
accept this rhetoric. And I
understand that, you know, on a
balance sheet rhetoric doesn't
show up. Rhetoric doesn't matter
on a balance sheet. But you know
what? We're not balance sheets,
we're people. And rhetoric
matters to people. We can and we
will find other money to keep
this nibin access going. We
don't need this money. There is
$300,000 in the couch cushion in
this city. The harley davidson's
alone, let's sell those guys and
then we could have this fully
funded. It really is that
simple and so let's stand up
for what we believe and let's
find money, particularly the
harley davidson's to fund nibin
access. We are not interested in
lowering our public safety.
we're just interested in
standing up for what we believe
in.
» I added myself to queue
because I shared some remarks
related to this on tuesday. But
just zooming out, again, I'm not
questioning the legal analysis
of our city attorney's office.
I'm profoundly concerned about
how the federalovernment will
assess this. And just to p it
in the context, the new york
times did some recent reporting
on some of the charges that were
brought forward for ice
observers. And they were
comparing and contrasting how
the doj has operated in the past
compared to how they're
conducting themselves now.
historically, they don't bring
criminal cases forward unless
they know they have the evidence
to win in court. That's led to
more than 90% of defendants
pleading guilty or being
convicted at trial. In this new
york times reporting, they
assessed 558 charges against
legal observers. They've only
gotten 246 that pled guilty, and
four convictions. This is a very
divergent tract record fm how
the doj operates. And it's a
representation of the fact that
they bring spurious chaes and
they conduct themselves not
grounded in the rule of law, but
early through political
motivation and retaliation. As
best evidenced by the mass
resignation of our u.s.
attorney's office earlier this
year, particularly after the
murder of renee good and when
the trump administration was
trying to pressure the
attorney's office to actually
investigate ms. Good's wife
rather than the agents that
murdered her. Mass resignation
because some u.s. Attorneys that
I don't agree with actually,
they actually hold themselves to
some integrity. And so what
we're left with in our current
attorney's office is whoever the
back-benchers are who want to
sign on to this administration's
agenda. And this agenda is
overtly authoritarian, it's
overtly racist. They are pushing
rhetoric around white genocide.
it's disgusting. And all you
have to do is look at the white
house twitter feed or the
department of homend
security's twitter feed to see
what kind of country they want
to see for the rest of us. And
I'm notven going to entertain
attaching my name to that
project. That's why I'm not
supporting this. And so with
that I see council member
whiting in queue.
» Thank you, president payne.
just have a question for our
city attorney here. City
attorney abelson. I have a
question broadly about your kind
of legal understanding. I know
this is probably a cold call
kind of question, so if you
don't have the answer, I
apologize for putting you on the
spot here. Do you know of any
federal law, any state law, any
city law that requires a city
jurisdiction to be comandeered
by the federal government to
engage in federal law
enforcement action?
» Chair, council member whitin
answer to any law because there
certainly are states where they
require their law enforcement to
assist the federal government.
that is not the case in
miesota. We recently also got
a very good decision from the
district court here rejecting
the federal government's
challenge to our separation
ordinance because the federal
government does not have the
right to comandeer our police
force for immigtion
enforcement.
» Thank you. I appreciate it.
» Seeing no one else left in
queue, I will ask the clerk to
call the roll.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Council member shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Nay.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» No.
» Stevenson.
» No.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye. No!
no.
[laughter]
» Osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Nay.
» There are seven ayes and five
noes.
» Tt item carries. Next, is
the report of our enterprise and
labor relations committee which
will be presented by its chair,
council member palmisano.
» Thank you, mr. President. The
enterprise and labor relations
committee has 10 items to bring
forward today. I think all are
non-controversial here. First is
a legislative process reform
research and recommendations
request. Item 2 is a bid for the
fire department training
apparatus expansion project.
item 3 is what we think is the
last small contract amendment
with shaw lundquist for the city
hall restack phase 3 project.
item 4 is contract with saba
software for enterprise wide
performance management system
support and maintenance. Item
five is a legal settlement with
cameron cecchini. Item 6 is a
legal settlement that is a
workers' comp claim of terrence
floyd. 7 is a claim settlement
minneapolis convention center
claim against northern states
power company. We are receiving
money in that situation. Eight
is indebtedness and bond
issuance authorization related
to capital improvement bonds. We
had a short conversation about
that in committee. Nine is an
appointed position in the health
department for the director of
environmental health. That is
just taking an old position and
refreshing it. Item 10 is an
enterprise and labor relations
committee work plan. I'm happy
to answer any questions. Oh
wait. But I move all of these
forward for approval.
» Council member palmisano has
moved approval of the
committee's report. Is there any
discussion? Seeing none, I'll
ask the clerk to call the roll.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Council member shaffer. >> a
» Council member chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» That carries and the report
is adopd. Finally, we have the
public health safety and equity
committee which will be
presented by that committee's
chair, council member chavez.
» Thank you, mr. President,
public health, safety and equity
committee is bringing seven
items. One is appointing dr.
freeman to the appointed
position for fire chief. I will
move that for a separate vote.
two is contract with hennepin
technical college for the police
cadet program. Three is contract
amendment with govworx inc.
item 4 authorizes a contract
amendment with the center for
multicultural mediation for
community trauma services. Item
5 authorizes a contract
amendment with a mother's love
initiative for community trauma
response services. Six accepts a
grant for the minnesota
department of health to provide
a family home visiting services
and authorizing an agreement
with the state of minnesota for
the grant. Item 7 approves a
legislative directive related to
the neighborhood safety
department contract audit. I
move item number one for a
separate vote and discussion.
» Council member chavez has
moved approval of the committee
report minus item one. Is there
any discussion on the remainder
of the report? Seeing none, I'll
ask the clerk to call the roll
on all items except item number
one.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» Those items carry. Next, we
will take up item number one. I
there a motion for item number
one?
» I will make a motion to move
approval.
» For approval. Is there a
second?
» Second.
» Item number one has been
moved for approval and seconded.
is there any discussion? Oh. I
see mayor frey has joined us. H
want to jump in?
» Mr. Chair, yes. And just
assumedly we are talking about
the renomination for fire chief.
thank you. Thank you. Good
afternoon, council president,
vice president, and council
members. Thanks again for having
me here today to discuss the
nomination of our next fire
chief. So when we started the
search for this fire chief in
the minneapolis fire department,
my top goal was to get someone
into this role who could lead a
team that has been known for its
excellence but also lead a team
into the future that's
recognizing innovation and
technology, that's understanding
the managerial expertise for
this department, and is someone
who understands the importance
of integration of this fire
department into a broader safety
ecosystem. During that search,
we found a really strong field
of impressive candidates. And
there was an individual who rose
to the top, and that's why we've
nominated dr. Reginald freeman
to the position of fire chief.
dr. Freeman's impressive resume
is one that speaks for itself.
former chief of both the oakland
and hartford fire departments.
dr. Freeman has demonstrated an
ability to lead organizations
and leave them better than when
he started. But even more
impressive than his resume, dr.
freeman has demonstrated and
leaves an impression with those
he works with. I believe you all
have access to the over 20
letters of support for dr.
freeman's confirmation. These
letters come from fire chiefs,
firefighters, labor leaders,
elected officials. I've spoke
with mayors he had worked with
and for. Educators as well as
community leaders throughout the
united states. They speak to his
integrity, his consistency, his
servant leadership and
compassion for this work and
people who he works with.
something that also struck me as
important is this is not the
first time that the doctor has
interviewed for this position. I
want people that want to be in
minneapolis. The first go around
when he interviewed, he also did
an impressive job. But he wasn't
selected. And someone who steps
up, fails to get the nomination,
and steps up again signals
someone that has commitment to
this city and really wants to be
here. If you talk to him, he
wants to be here. If you talk to
him, he wants to have his family
here. He understands the
importance of the work that
we're doing. And like I did,
understands minneapolis is a
place where he wants to be. And
so I want to thank our whole
fire department. I want to thank
our commissioner who has done
really a great job leading this
search as well as managing the
office. I want to thank chief
melanie rucker for stepping up
over the last several months
leading this team especially
through the very difficult times
of january and february of 2026.
that guidance will always be
deeply appreciated. And with
that, it is with great privilege
that I recommend dr. Reginald
freeman for confirmation of fire
chief of the minneapolis fire
department. And I ask for your
support. Thank you for your
time, council members.
» Council member vetaw.
» Thank you, president payne.
colleagues, I want to briefly
explain my vote on the
appointment of dr. Reginald
freeman. This has been a
difficult decision for me. I
took this appointment very
serious like I do all of them.
because the leadership of our
fire department directly impacts
e safety of our firefighters
and our residents. I had the
opportunity to meet one on one
with dr. Freeman, and I want to
be honest that I came away with
concerns. Some of those concerns
relate to his professional
experience, and others stem from
our conversation about his
vision and leadership. I believe
it is my responsibility to
thoroughly evaluate every
nominee and ask the hard
questions. During our
conversation, we also discussed
the lawsuit involving his
previous department. Dr. Freeman
shared he was not personally
named in the lawsuit, and that
was not about him directly.
while I appreciate the
clarification, I also share my
concern that as the leader of
the department, these events
occurred under hisleadership.
my concern is not simply rather
he was personally named, but
rather the women who were
involved were adequately
protected and supported. We have
deep respect for the women who
serve in our fire department,
and I want to ensure they are
working in an environment where
they are safe, respected and
treated with dignity. I also met
with representatives from the
minneapolis firefighters union
to hear directly from the men
and women who served in this
department every day. Their
pport for dr. Freeman weighed
heavily in my decision. While I
still ve reservations, I
respect the confidence they have
in his ability to lead. I would
also encourage dr. Freeman to
take the time to learn from the
people already serving in this
department. In my experience,
firefighters have been among the
most loyal public servants. They
share unbreakable bonds with one
another, and have built a
culture rooted in service,
trust, and teamwork. I also want
to recognize that minneapolis is
fortune to have exceptional
talent within our own fire
department. We have dedicated
leaders who know our city,
understand our neighbhoods,
have built relationships wit
our communities, and know how to
work within the systems and
partnerships that already exist.
we are fortunate to have the
talent, and I hope we will
lean -- I hope dr. Freeman will
lean onhe knowledge and
experience of those already
serving in this department.
going into this process, I
believe the next fire chief
could come from within
minneapolifire department. We
have a highly qualified internal
candidate who stepped forward
becausehey have dedicated
their careers to serving this
city and have earned the respect
of their colleagues. They
understand the department's
culture, the unique challenges
facing minneapolis, and the
relationship they have built
with our communities. I want to
acknowledge those interl
candidates and thank tm for
their willingness to lead, their
experience, their commitment and
institutional knowledge remain
tremendous assets to this
department. Over many years,
this department has made
meaningful progress in
recruiting, retaining and
promoting black, indigenous, and
other people of color, as well
as women. The pathways program
has been instrumental in
building and sustaining the
diversity that the minneapolis
fire department is known for
today. It has created
opportunities for people who may
not have otherwise seen
themselves in this profession
and it has helped build a
department that better reflects
the community it serves. Without
the pathway program, we will
not have seen the growth in
number of women serving in this
department. As we move forward,
I believe it's critical we
continue building on that
process, not start forward.
women already serving in
leadership positions in this
department have played an
important role in advancing this
work. And their experience and
persctive should continue to
be valued as we strengthen and
grow the department. Because of
that, I will be voting yes to
dr. Freeman today, but with
hesitation. My vote comes with
the expectation that dr. Freeman
will work to earn the trust of
the firefighters he will lead,
demonstrate, with strong
transparent leadership, improve
morale, protect the progress
this department has made, and
ways put the safety and
wellbeing of both our
firefighters and our residents
fit. I also expect fairness
from leaders. Every firefighter
deserves to be treated with
respect, professionalism and
equity regardless of their
background or rank. Those
expectations are not optional.
they are fundamental to good
leadership. Sincerely hope dr.
freeman is successful because
the success of our fire chief
means a stronger fire department
and a safer minneapolis. Dr.
freeman, I know you're not here,
but I hope you're listening.
monitoring the department
progress and holding its
leadership accountable. I will
be paying close attention to how
you lead, how you treat the men
and women o this department and
whether you follow through on
the commitments you have made. I
hope you earn the trust of this
council and the firefighters you
lead and the people of
minneapolis. Thank you.
» Vice president osman.
» Thank you, council president.
I had a brief conversation with
dr. Freeman. Really impressed me
hisresume, his international
and national experience.
we are attracting one of the
best and brightest people in the
nation. And I think were lucky
to hav him. I lk forward
working with him. We talked
about, you know staffing, the
old equipment challenges that
how we need to upgrade fire
department. And also, I talked
to the, you know, the fire union
that are here to represent. And
they really had great things to
say and they're excited to work
with him. So I would say we're
lucky to have you. Welcome, and
we look forward, you know, in
your leadership to lead us safer
city, a better city, and a
wonderful fire department city
of minneapolis. So thank you,
council president.
» Council member warren.
» Thank you, council president
payne. I want to echo a lot of
what my council colleague stated
latrisha vetaw. It was a chef's
kiss. That was great. I also had
a sit down conversation with mr.
freeman, dr. Freeman. And I also
spoke with our fire's union. One
of the things that really stood
out to me was hearing this. And
this wasn't the first time that
I heard that, you know, it's
difficult to attract people to
want to come here to minneapolis
because they hear whatever
hoopdala about the internal
climate here in our city. So
what that says to me is we have
to tighten up our ship. Because
how we treat each other in our
city and interdepartmentally is
how other people will come. And
they believe that it is
acceptable that you are to be
treating other people
interoffice or
interdepartmentally that way.
that that's accepted. You know.
my parents used to tell me, me
and my siblings, we would
quarrel or what have you. They
said when you go out into
community or whatever else the
case is or you have company to
come over, how you treat each
other is how other people
believe it is acceptable to
treat people when they come into
your home. So now we've got to
tighten up how we look at home.
and we have to make sure we're
making those concrete
investments. If we are saying
our internal candidates --
because looking across this
dais, I think minnesota has some
nice homegrown talent. What I'm
saying is if we're saying
interdepartmentally, when it
comes to investing in
individuals that are in our fire
department, police department,
services department, if we don't
have what it takes, that's our
fault. So we have to make those
concrete investments to ensure
that we're investing in our
homegrown talent and we are
promoting them and elevating
them and pushing them up so that
they are able to reach the next
pinnacle of success. That's what
we have to do. It's nice to have
other people come and we want to
show off our city and what have
you. But we also have to be
proud of what it is that we
create and we feed right here at
home. And I'm going to say that
with my whole chest, and that we
take care of each other and make
those really quality investments
in one another. I know that dr.
freeman is not here. And it
saddens me that he's not here
because I like for people to be
here so I can see the whites of
their eyes and talk to them when
we're talking about appointments
and reappointments and things
like that. Because it's
important that you are able to
stand in the presence of
individuals who are elevating
you and asking questions. And
again, those difficult
questions. And I did talk to him
about those accusations and
things like that because those
are important things to discuss.
and I believe that any time
there's something that's going
on when you're talking to other
individuals in leadership that
you should be able to have those
type of conversations and gain
clarity and understanding or
agree to even disagree. However,
I value every service worker,
everyone who works in law
enforcement, everyone who works
in our fire department here. Any
service to our community, I
value them. And I value our
residents. And I want to make
sure that whoever it is that
comes into our city holds that
same value and treats everyone
with that same dignity and
respect that they deserve
because it is necessary. It is
not an option, it's a
requirement and an expectation.
and so I'm going to be leaning
in to my fire union to make sure
that we're holding individuals
accountable. And if you see
something and you don't say
something, I'm pulling up. The
end. Thank you.
» Council member chughtai.
» Thank you, mr. President. I
really appreciate the discussion
here today. I had the
opportunity to meet with dr.
freeman yesterday and I found
the conversation to be really
wonderful. Very insightful. And
I think there are some really
incredible strengths that dr.
freeman is bringing to
minneapolis. That the mayor
discussed here and council
members have brought up in
discussion here today. And I
think that makes me excited
about the future of this
department and the direction it
can go in. I want us to have the
very best fire department in the
world because I believe we have
the best firefighters in the
world. And I don't think that
the growth in this department
that really needs to happen to
leveup is going to happen
without excellent leadership.
that matches the tenacity and
the grit of the firefighters
that work in our department. I
always heard a couple of things
that raised some concerns for me
and further solidified my
concerns about dr. Freeman and
understanding that I think this
nomination is going to be
approved here today. I will not
be, unfortunately, able to
support dr. Freeman here today.
and it is in part because of his
experience. I think that this
department is needing of
stability and someone who is
going to be here for the long
haul. And I think that lots of
the majority of the leaders of
the fire department as well as
firefighters are people who come
to this department and stay here
for a long time. Spend their
entire careers here. And I'm
worried about having who is
going to come into this
department and perhaps not serve
out the entirety of the term.
and that just raises some
concern for me. More
importantly, I think it's his
professional experience in
particular his professional
international experience that I
just want look past. In our
conversation, I felt as though
the nominee dismissed the
legitimate concerns that I
brought up about some pretty
severe human rights abuses that
happened in the organization he
was a leader in internationally
that forced the displacement of
20,000 indigenous peoples from
their homeland to build a
climate catastrophe indoor city
for the criminally wealthy. I
don't think that that's
consistent with my values. And
so unfortunately, I'm not able
to support this nomination. But
I wish dr. Freeman the very best
of luck as he embarks on this
journey and offer myself as a
partner always. The fire
department is one that's very
near and dear to me and I want
to make sure it's successful and
set up to ensure the safety of
our firefighters as they carry
out the important work on behalf
of our residents. Thank you, mr.
president.
» Council member whiting.
» Thank you, council president
payne. I am not a firefighter. I
don't purport to be a
firefighter and do not want to
be a firefighter. It is a tough
job and I only tip a hat to what
you all do. And so when making
decisions of this, I think
gravity that we all are kind of
weighing here. I've gotta lean
on the experts. I've gotta lean
on the people that do this job
day in and day out. We've heard
quite loudly from our union,
local 82 here, but firefighters
across the city of minneapolis.
I have yet to hear a negative
word about dr. Freeman. And so
when we kind of, again, look to
these appointments, especially
in areas that I have no level of
expertise, I lean on those that
do. And so I am basing the large
majority of this decision based
on the advice that I've received
from the people that do this job
every single day. I appreciate
the work that you all do and the
work of being behind this chief
and ensuring that we have a fire
department that meets the
professional standards of what
this city deserves. I know you
all are doing it day in and day
out. I'm excited to see how we
can best support you all in the
work that you do. Thank you.
» Council member rainville.
» Thank you. And I appreciate
the presence here today from the
firefighters union. And I want
to explain my vote. When I first
met with the chief, I was very
leery because this is the first
outside chief that this
department has had.nd I have
to admit, he did not impress he
at all. Especially his resume
where he goes from department to
department. That's troubling to
me. Because I truly believe a
fire chief should come from
within the department. I think
that you come on the job
together, you work together, you
grow together. The chief should
come internally. But after many
conversations with the
firefighters union and with
commissioner barnett, and I
appreciate your patience with
me, commissioner. You brought me
wrong. And I do hope the chief
is listening today because very
unusual to not have someone
present here today. That's also
something I look forward to
having him explain why he
couldn't take time off his busy
schedule to come and listen to
us in person. That to me is
troubling. But I just hope that
the new chief understands and
values the bravery of the
minneapolis fire department. How
smart and wise you are. You're a
great, great group of people. My
expectation for him while he's
here is to provide the training
and expertise as needed so that
as t next chief comes
internally, comes from within,
has ridden the rigs with you,
slept with you, ate with you,
fought firesith you. That is
so important. I hope that can be
overcome with this outside
chief. But I will be voting for
him because I'm relying on your
expertise that you know what's
best for your department. Thank
you.
» Couil member stevenson.
» Thank you, council president.
I want to echo it's really weird
that he's not here. What's more
important than being here right
now? This is -- ie never
applied for a job that I didn't
want to sit on in the
discussions about whether I got
it or not. Yeah. I came inhere,
you know, knowing I was going to
vote yes. And now him not being
here is something that's really
disturbing to me. And kind of
making me want to change my vote
a litt bit. Yeah. I have
questions that I wanted to ask
him. Does he plan on moving here
full-time with his family? We h
really here full-time and he
didn't work out really well. So
I wanted to know that. Yeah, I
wanted to make cle to him in
person that gender
discriminaon in a department
is unacceptable and he needs to
be on the lookout for that and
needs to be laser focused on
that and learn from his previous
experience. I never thought we
shouldave gone outside of the
department personally. I didn't
think we needed to spend money
to go look for somebody. Outside
of the department. I think we've
got great firefighters. Yeah. So
those are my concerns. Things
that I really like about him.
his work in oakland with mental
health response I think is super
valuable. Super important for
our context here. I think the
fact that he has such strong
union support is really
incredible. And it's good and
that has swayed my decisionery
significantly. Yeah. I was
impressed with him personally.
so yeah, I guess all this being
said is that he will get my vote
today. But I have some serious
concerns given today in
particular, and I will want to
speak with him in person and
communicate those concerns. But
we need leadership in public
safety in this city. We don't
have a permanent police chief.
we don't have a permanent
commissioner of public safety.
we currently don't have a
permanent fire chief. And so we
need some permanence in our
public safety apparatus. And I
was personally previously
impressed with mr. Freeman, and
I was really impressed by the
support that he got from the
union. So I will be voting yes.
» Council member chowdhury.
council member shaffer.
» I enjoyed also my time with
dr. Freeman. One thing that
stands out to me when I asked
him to describe what kind of
leadership that he holds, he
really used two words. He said I
am a servant leader. That's my
style of leadership. And the
word servant has a negative
connotation sometimes. But it's
the basis of service, right? I
don't just look out for my own
needs, but I'm working. You
know, my mission is to look out
through the members that are
around me. The needs of my team.
not just my own. And so to me
this is one of the most
effective kinds of leaders that
you can have. Who is willing to
lay down their perspective and
listen to somebody else. Who is
willing to consider all options
and the importance of a team's
perspective. And then the second
word, though, is leadership.
every team needs a leader. Fire
crews know that day in and day
out. You don't have a leader,
you're in trouble. Right? And so
I feel like dr. Freeman is ready
to lead. And bringing in
somebody from the outside, you
know, a leader is unafraid to
address issues within the team
that need to be addressed. And
just be able to really whatever
they may be, right? And I think
I'm really excited -- not I
think, I know. I'm excited that
he will be and chose those words
in his description of his
leadership to me. So I trust
him. I'm going to be watching
for that. I'm going to be
cheering him on. Because I also
communicated the importance of
time right now in our city
around trust in our public
safety leadership. You know,
it's a critical time. And I
tried to impose on him that, you
know, you really might have a
little extra pressure on you,
right? Because of what we've
gone through. And that's not --
shouldn't be taken as a
negative, it's just we care. We
care about our residents. We
care about our team members. We
care our leaders are
demonstrating what it means to
be at the top spot what
everybody else on the bottom is
doing. So I'm excited to support
him today. And I also want to
publicly thank you. The
leadership of the union for
being here and your leadership
throughout this process. It
matters. And it mattered to our
council in our decisionmaking.
thanks.
» Council member chowdhury.
» Thanks, president payne. I
had a good opportunity to speak
with dr. Freeman. We spoke for
over an hour. It was really,
really helpful to kind of just
get to know him and then also
take a look at the letters of
recommendation that are pretty
broad. We kind of just got right
to the heart of issues facing
the fire department in the city
of minneapolis. We talked about
how we have been fighting each
year to try to get the fire
alerting system and have not
been able to get it, and how
that's something that I need him
to commit to working on. We
talked about how our fire
department for yearsas faced
$5 million to $6 million overage
year after year because we are
just not investing enough in
this department. I want to see
more investment within the fire
department and that he's going
to need to fight for that and
fight really, really hard.
because there were opportunities
the last five years when we were
in a better financial position
to get that and it didn't
happen. And we can't keep on
avoiding making these
investments, especially in a
time where our firefighters are
expected to go to even more
calls, an unprecedented amount
of calls that just keep growing
amount of staff. And I also
chatted with him about the
capital investment budget. I was
like yeah we need to see some
capital investment requests to
improve the fire stations. This
is where the firefighters live.
so we got right into the heart
of it. I really appreciated a
lot of his responses and h
he's thinking about it. He seems
like a very strong change agent
as it comes to big organizations
and local government and has a
track record of it. Every time I
asked him a question about how
he would think through some of
these issues, he was able to
cite different instances that
came to mind. And that was
really, really valuable. I also
care a lot about what the people
who do the work within the
department have to say. And
there's been resounding support
for him from there. And then he
also highlighted to me when he
was becoming the fire chief I
believe in oakland. The union
there at the time did not
support him. And he highlighted
that same leader now is a city
council member in oakland and w
so I think that just speaks a
lot to the work and the trust
building that happened. I also
shared how important it is for
us to recruit women, people of
color, people from our
community, and also show deep
care for our lgbtqia community
and gender expansive community.
and he shared about his work
that he's led nationally around
ib, and the fact that he
co-founded a group I believe in
oakland fire for women and
non-binary firefighters, which I
was like, wow. This is the type
of inclusivity we need. And he
had measurable ways of also h
he was able to change standards
so it was eier for
firefighters t come into the
department and g started. So
appreciated that conversation.
with him. And we have a lot of
work to do. And so I will be
supporting him tay and excited
to do so.
» Council member chughtai.
» Thank you, mr. President. And
I would be remiss if I didn't
make mention of this here today.
but you know, I think words are
really, really important. And I
appreciate the answer that dr.
freeman gave me about his
commitment to being re in
minneapolis. But actions matter
so much more. And I see three
actions here today that stand
out to me. First, actions matter
and I see several members of the
firefighters local 82 here today
representing the members of the
department. Because it's
important. That's why you made
the time to be here today. And I
really appreciate that. Thank
you. Second, I see the
commissioner in the room. I
really appreciate as someone who
is going to be overseeing -- who
currently oversees the
department and will continue to.
and the new fire chief is going
to be a part of your leadership
team. It means a lot to me that
you are here in the chambers and
you are demonstrating that this
is importantnd you're taking
it seriously. That means a lot
to me. Thank you to local 82 and
to the commissioner for making
the time to be here because it's
consequential. And jus as
importantly, the third action
that stands out to me is that
dr. Freeman himself is not here.
in fact, he's not in the city.
he's not in the state. He's not
in the country. He's in saudi
abia. That is just -- that is
important to me. It stands out
to me about what matters, what's
prioritized and what isn't. I
hope in the actions that he will
demonstrate as a new leader of
the departmenthat it will show
me a different version of dr.
freeman. And I sincerely hope
that for the sake of the
department and the sake of our
residents. Thank you, mr.
president.
» Council member vetaw.
» Thank you, president payne.
colleagues, I just wanted us to
take a moment to thank our
assistant chiefs, melanie rucker
and wes van vickel for the
service they stepped up after
chief tyner left. They have
really been holding down the
fire department doing a
fantastic job. They have both
been in here before us many
times giving us presentations
and walking us through a lot of
the things going on behind the
scenes. Chief rucker reached out
about the equipment. We got
$500,000 worth of new equipment
for the fire department. A bunch
of new jaws of life. And I got
to go a test out some. Council
member shaffer was there also.
some of the new equipment. And I
just think it's important for us
to just shout out the folks who
stepped up during this search
period and who've done a great
job leading the fire department
during this time while we have
been recruiting a new chief. So
thank you to those two chiefs
for their immense service and
the work that they've done and
continue to do. And I certainly
hope to see them continue in
those roles and working on
behalf of our fire department
and the people of minneapos.
» I second that.
» Seeing no one else left in
queue, I'll ask the clerk to
call the roll.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Nay.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez. >> no.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 10 ayes and two
nays.
» Hat carries and that
completes the phse report and
all the reports of our standing
committees. The next order of
business is notice of ordinance
introductions. We have three
today. Amending provisions
related to the commercial hood
and exhaust cleaning program.
second, council member warren
give notice of intent to
introduce at the next regular
meetin the subject matter of an
ordinance amending the planning
and development code relating to
ensuring the accountability of
the minneapolis public housing
authority. Finally, council
member warren gives notice of
intent to introduce at the next
regular meeting -- conducting
elections to the neighborhood
revitalization program policy
board. These nices are hereby
given and no further action is
required at thisime. The next
order of business is the
introduction a referral
calendar. We have fr items
today. First pursuant to notice,
council members chavez, myself,
wonsley and warren move to
introduce an ordinance amending
the liquor and beer code for
first reading and referral to
business, housing and zoning
committee. Requires a dress
code. Second, pursuant to
notice, council member chavez
and stevenson introduce
ordinance amending provisions of
the code related to noise
regulations to remove irrelevant
content, organize structure in a
more logical format, add a
clause relating to sound motion
sensors on private property.
third, pursuant to notice,
council members shaffer and
rainville move to introduce the
subject matter of an ordinance
amending the license and busy
regulations code for first
reading and referral to the
business, housing and zong
committee. Amending repealing
and adding provisions related to
rental hallsnd places of
entertainment to create eve
center license allowing for the
hosting of both public and
private events. And finally,
pursuant to notice council
members wonsley, chavez,
whiting, and chowdhury move to
introduce the subject matter of
an ordinance amending thenimal
care and conol code for first r
public health, safety and equity
committee removing conditions
and restrictions on pet
ownership solely due to a prior
conviction for certain felonies.
may I have a motion to approve
these introductions?
» So moved.
» Second.
» Seeing no one else in queue,
I'll ask the clerk to call the
roll.
» Council memr warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Osman.
» Aye.
» Payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» That motion carries and those
are referred to the appropriate
committees. We have one
resolution on our agenda today
really to recognizing the 2026
minneapolis aquatennial. Do
council members have any
comments to add? Seeing none,
may I have a motion to adopt
this resolution?
» So moved.
» Second.
» The clerk will call the roll.
» Warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There a 12 ayes.
» That carries and that
resolution is adopted. Our next
order of business is unfinished
business. As I said at the top
we have two items today. Item 1
relates to a proposed contract
with skydio inc. At our last
meeting we considered a couple
of different motions both of
which failed. This remains
before us for action mr. Clerk,
do you have any guidance on what
a proper motion would be to
dispose of this item?
» Mr. President, with your
indulgence ait I thought I'd
talk about what a tie ve does.
there's been some confusion
about that.
I wanted to explain that a tie
vote for council has both
procedural and legal effect.
under -- it doesn't determine
the outcome of the underlying
oposition that's before you.
the city charter, our
constitution, provides that a
council must act by a defined
majority vote combined with a
official record to be presented
to the mayor for his
consideratio a tie vote does
not achieve those outcomes or
requirements of the arter, and
therefore I not dispositive. It
defeats the motion but it
doesn't dispose of the
proposition. When there is a tie
vote, the council may make a
different vote. So you asked,
mr. President, what would be a
proper course of action. A
proper course o action would be
a motion to achieve the opposite
of the motion that failed
because of a tie vote. A motion
to refer to postpone, to
continue, any of those
procedural motions would keep
the motion alive. The underlying
proposition alive subject to a
final dispositive vote or if the
motion to approve ils, a
motion to disapprove. Often
you'll hear the clerk say when
there's a tie vote, move to
delete from the agenda. The
standard is the motion that
would be dispositive because it
would elimina the matter from
the uncil's further
consideration. A motion to
delete fm the agenda or a
motion to deny if the motion to
approve is tied or if a motion
to deny fails -- I hope that's
helpful to the body.
» We have a few people in
queue. Not sure if it's for
questions or motions. I will
recognize council member vetaw.
» Thank u, president payne. I
actual wouldlike to make a
motion. Consideration of
proposed contract with skydio
back to staff.
» Second.
» During lengthy discussions at
both meetings of the public
health, safety and equity
committeend the city council
meeting, council members raised
several serious questions about
both skydio as the vender and
implications of using drones as
first responders. I hope the
motion gives time and
potentially moves aath
forward.
» Council member vetaw has
moved to refer this item back to
staff. It has been second. I
will recognize council member
chavez.
» Thank you, council president
payne. So we're just speaking on
numberne of the motions or
both?
» Numbe one at the moment.
» Which is the skydio one?
» Correct.
» Iill save my energy.
» With that, we have a motion
to refer item number 1, skydio
back to staff. Seeing no one
else left in queue, I will ask
the clerk to call the roll.
» Warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye. Sorry.
» Girl, you seconded it.
» I know. I'm sorry.
» Ouncil member whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» That carries. Next, as we
discussed at the top, item two
resulted in a tie vote. It
should have ended on our agenda
for the following meeting which
would have been june 11th and it
was not on our agenda. And so
that's why we are taking it up
here. And we did have a
discussion with the clerk around
what happened to make that not
happen. I believe it was
partially an error as a result
of the clerk doesn't get to take
vacations anymore because he
wasn't there for that meeting.
but that's a joke.
[laughter]
» This item, we brought back to
unfinished business for this
meeting to make sure we have
consisncy around how these
motions are dealt with when
there are a tie. So we do have
to dispose of this and to make a
motion to do as much. So I will
recognize council member chavez
to either make a motion or ask a
question.
» Well I'm going to make a
motion to return this item back
to author. And if the author
wants to work on it further,
that would be great as well. But
I also want to make comments on
process because I pointed this
out last cycle and I brought
this up. And last cycle we were
told this item was dead. The
previous one was dead. I watched
a recording yesterday. So I just
want to make it clear that we
were told that last item was
dead and it was still on the
agenda. So I brought up the
concern that this item wasn't
automatically put on the agenda.
so council member payne, was it
your -- because you're not
explaining what happened.
» Thank you, council member
chavez, for being able to
instead of jokingly explain it.
mr. Carl was not at the meeting
where this resulted in a tie. As
a result -- and I don't remember
if it wams. Geyserhat was
working or mr. Dailior. There
was a disconnect within the
clerk's office.
» Thank you. Next time I just
ask that you explain what
happened because the public
maybe didn't think you added it
to the agenda. I don't want to
be a clerk myself. I want to be
able to have it on the agenda
and make sure procedures
followed equitably.
» Thank you for that
clarification and question. And
actually, that brings another
question, mr. Clerk. We have
some very small number of items
that require a nine-vote
majority to pass. And if they
failed,s that similar to what
we're dealing with here?
» Mr. President, no. In that
case, there's a define majority
threshold that has to be
achieved and it failed. So the
item itself fails. The fact that
motion ends in a tie, means it
didn't achieve a majority. A m
majority is always required to
takeaction. If you don't
achieve that majority, the item
mean the opposite outcome is
achieved. So if a motion is made
to approve a contract, as an
example, and the result of 6-6,
the council didn't by a majority
achieve the motion to approve.
but the outcome didn't
automatically become a failure.
you'd need to introduce a motion
to deny the contract and then
vote on that motion. Because the
motion in fnt of the body was
to approve. We act on the mion
in front of the body. If tie
vote doesn't achieve the
opposite outcome.
» Thank you for that
clarification. Council member
chavez made a motion to return
to author. And I feel like I saw
you wanting to make a comment
about that.
» Just to clarify, return to
author is specific and only tied
to returning ordinances. That's
why I said earlier delete from
agenda is return to everything
else. Return to author is only
for ordinances.
» Council member chavez, would
you like to modify your motion?
» Yeah. That's fine.
» Delete.
» Is there a second for the
moon to delete from the
agenda?
» Second.
» The clerk will call the roll.
» Council member vetaw is on
queue.
» No, I'm not. He answered it.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» Hat carries. And that
completes all of the business on
our agenda. Except we do have a
closed session. Before I
recognize the attorney and we
recess for closed session. And
actually what I will do is take
a little pulse. Do we want to
have a lunch recess or power
through?
» Yes.
» Power through.
» I'm hearing people want
lunch.
» Yes, lunch.
» Eah.
» Yeah.
» So before recognize the
attorney and we recess for
closed session, I will ask if
there are any announcements from
council members. Are there any
annocements? Council member
whiting.
» Thank you, president payne.
as you all, I'm going to say it
every single time until
august 8th. Southside be
outside. We are having a
community barbecue. I hope all
of you to be there. 12:00 to
4 p.m., washington high school,
august 8th. Thank you.
» Council member vetaw.
» Thank you, president payne. I
just wanted to thank the
organizers of the very first
northse jazz and culture
festival. It was literally the
hottest day of the summer. But
it was packed. The northside
showed up, had a great time. We
got to listen to some amazing
local artists, including council
member warren's daughter, anaya.
she got to sing a song that she
doesn't normally get to sing.
and she was so proud of herself
and I was proud of her also. She
was fantastic and so were the
other artists. I also thank the
park board. They let us use
their building and parking lot
in a way I've not seen on the
northside. It was a great
festival. A great turnout.
wonderful energy. Just people
out enjoying the northside. We
were by the river. By the old
river view theater. Lots of
memories shared with folks. It
was the first annual. And I'm
already looking forward to the
second annual.
» Couil member chowdhury.
» Thank you, president payne.
july 31st, august 1st, and
august 2nd, is nokomis days
2026. Be sure to come out and
support our local businesses and
community in the 12th and 11th
ward. There are events for
families and people of all ages.
there's wonderful sales.
competitions, prizes, parking
lo parties, free concerts, you
name it. Doing what minnesotans
love to do which is go outside,
eat good food, listen to good
music. There's a lot of
southside we outside moments
happening in the upcoming
weekend.
» Council member chavez.
» Thank you, council president
payne. I want to invite the
community to the park art fair
from august 1st to august 2nd.
each day from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m.
» Council member warren.
» Thank you, council president
payne. I so much enjoyed myself
at the northside's first annual
jazz festival. It was an amazing
time. So if you missed it, we'll
be back again next year. I do
want to also shout out that this
is black business week, which is
the kickoff to black business
month. So go out and shop with
your black businesses. And yeah,
support the businesses. I think
we were at the coliseum, myself
and council member chavez the
other day. And our mayor learned
how to braid. So I am excited to
see what is to come from that
experience. So he was excited to
learn how to do it because he's
like I got two daughters, I want
to learn how to braid. Go out,
shop, support black businesses.
enjoy some of this good weather.
national night out is
approaching us. So I know a lot
of those festivals and
activities are going on next
week. Get out, connect with your
community members. You know,
laugh, talk, eat some good food.
some people do big cookings for
national night out. And
sometimes you just get hotdogs
and a bag of chips. Either way
it goes, it's all in love. Be
grateful. Be thankful. Celebrate
each other. And stay plenty
hydrated. That's all I got to
say. The end. >> mr. Carl.
» I put on my sparkly tie for
this. I wanted to offer a brief
comment about today's vote on
the democracy center. As the
city's chief elections official,
I'm very excited to see that
project move forward. I'm
anticipating to be in that new
facility to welcome voters for
the 2028 presidential election.
it's going to improve our
service to the entire community
and increase accessibility to
the ballot box to all voters. I
know they're eager to join the
longfellow neighborhood and we
want to be good neighbors. I do
appreciate sincerely council
pushing that project forward.
the city and this council have
always invested in elections so
that every minneapolis voter has
the equal, free, and fair right
to cast their ballot in every
election, and that matters. As
council member palmisano said, I
would like to think this is a
reason for the entire cit to
celebrate. Thank you for that
vote.
» Council member palmisano.
» Thank you. I'll echo clerk
carl's comments. I cannot wait
to move into the new democracy
center and cast my vote there in
the next presidential election.
but meantime, I had a terrific
experience at the early vote
center at 908 east hennepin this
week. I see other stickers here
that showed that others have
also gone to east hennepin to
cast their ballot early for the
primary that is august 11th.
there are few excuses to not be
able to find a way to vote.
there are pop-up locations
happening before the primary. I
had a wonderful voter forum. A
forum in my ward last week with
the director of election
services, catie smith and her
deputy john martin. And it was
really great to see and get
assurance I think for residents
across the city that were there
on our election security and all
of the different checks and
balances that go into voting in
our city. So a plug for voting
early in the primary. It was a
wonderful, easy experience. I
was in and out in five minutes.
but for wanting to smile to
everybody in that center, and I
look forward to what's next.
» Council member shaffer.
» Yeah, just wanted to
highlight two events. One
downtown is the savannah bananas
this weekend. Sold out event.
there's going to be a lot of
street activities. Blocks
closed. You can participate in
the fun even if you didn't get
tickets. And secondly, we all
had a hand in bringing back the
uptown art festival and that is
this weekend starting friday
from 1:00 to 7:00. Saturday,
10:00 to 6:00. And sunday, 10:00
to 4:00. I encourage you if you
have time, come back and see it.
it's good to see it bk in the
community. It's going to be kind
of the same footprint for those
of you who may have attended
some of the lopit events in the
mall and kind of the southern
lake of the isles parkway.
entertainment, concerts and food
trucks. So lots of fun.
» Council member rainville.
» Thank you. I have two
announcements. The first one, it
donned on me this last week I've
been doing a lot of community
outreach with our police
department. As we all know
public safety is an important
issue. For the first time ever
in ward 3, and perhaps in the
city of minneapolis, the
inspectors are both women. So
both the first precinct and the
second precinc inspectors, the
top cops, are women. So that
just shows how far we've
advanced in public safety. And
the second announcement is I'll
let latrisha vew carry forth
on it. But I did want to
announce the passing of past
city council member, john.
» I was just going to say the
same thing. North minneapolis
lost a resident, a previous ward
4 council member, john served in
the 70s on the minneapolis city
council and then went on to be
the county commissioner. And we
will miss john. John was a
gigantic man with gigantic
hands. I don't even know how
tall he was. Maybe 6'5", 6'6".
jon was very gentle. Very smart.
head so many projects. We went
to dinner last week and we were
talking about some of the work
he's done in minneapolis and in
hennepin county. John will be
truly missed. His family still
lives in ward 4. I just wanted
to haves all take a brief
moment of silence for john
darrus, former city council and
count commissioner.
» Thank you.
» Council member warren.
» I'm sorry. I forgot an event.
this today, we're going to miss
it because it's at 1:00. The vip
showing. But this weekend,
friday, saturday, and sunday,
sister act 2 will be at
lundstrom performing arts. And
my daughter is starring in that
play. It is her last musical
before she goes off to school in
new york. They're doing it. This
is lundstrom's big productions.
they're so much fun. If you
haven't been to a production at
lundstrum, you are missing out.
they're in the ward, in the 5th
ward. I know council member
vetaw has got some family
members who performed at
lundstrom. Lots of the kids
there are absolutely amazing and
the staff is great. They do a
lot of great work with those
kids so I wanted to shout them
out and that sister act 2 is
showing this weekend there.
» Council member shaffer.
» One clarification. It's not
starting tomorrow. But it's next
friday. One weekend out if I
wasn't clear for both events.
» All right. Tt is all of our
announcements. With that, we've
completed all of the items on
our agenda and will now consider
the request for a closed session
which is to receive a briefing
on the litigation matter listed
on the agenda. Before I move to
close the meeting, I'll
recognize the city attorney to
provide the legal basis for the
requested closed session.
» President payne, the next
item on the agenda is a
litigation matter of assad
awaijane et al versus bittell et
al. You lawyers wish to provide
a briefing on this matter.
minnesota statute section 13d.05
subdision 3b. The couil may
upon a proper motion close the
meeting for purposes of
attorney-client information. In
considering the motion, the
council should weigh the right
of the public to know what its
gornment is doinggainst the
need of confidentiality of
discussions with its attorneys.
» Thank you, mr. City attorney
meeting as authorized under the
open meeting law, specifically
minnesota state statute section
13d.05 for the purpose of
receiving a briefing on the
litigation matter ofssad
awaijane et al versus bittell et
al. May I have a second to that
motion?
» Second.
» The clerk will call the roll.
» Council member warren.
» Aye.
» Shaffer.
» Aye.
» Chughtai.
» Aye.
» Whiting.
» Aye.
» Chowdhury.
» Aye.
» Stevenson.
» Aye.
» Rainville.
» Aye.
» Vetaw.
» Aye.
» Palmisano.
» Aye.
» Chavez.
» Aye.
» Vice president osman.
» Aye.
» President payne.
» Aye.
» There are 12 ayes.
» That carries. For the viewing
public, I will note that t
broadcast for this meeting will
continue. And reconvene after
we've concluded the closed
session. We will start the
closed session at 1:30.
[ the minneapolis city council
is in recess ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in recess ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in recess ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in a closed session, this
meeting will resume when the
closed session ends ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in a closed session, this
meeting will resume when the
closed session ends ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in a closed session, this
meeting will resume when the
closed session ends ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in a closed session, this
meeting will resume when the
closed session ends ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in a closed session, this
meeting will resume when the
closed session ends ]
[ the minneapolis city council
is in a closed session, this
meeting will resume when the
closed session ends ]
[ gavel ].
» The time is now 3:08 and the
city council has reconvened
following our closed session.
» Council member warren.
» Aye. Present.
» Shaffer.
» Present.
» Council member wonsley is
absent. Council member chughtai.
» Present.
» Whiting.
» Present.
» Chowdhury.
» Present.
» Stevenson.
» Present.
» Council member rainville is
absent. Vetaw.
» Present.
» Palmisano.
» Present.
» Council member chavez.
» Present.
» Vice president osman is
absent. President payne.
» Present.
» There are 10 members present.
» Let the record reflect we
have a quorum. With that, we've
completed our business today.
with nothing to come before the
council, without objection, this
meeting is adjourned.