[0:18] » Good morning everyone. My [0:19] name is elliot payne, the [0:21] president of minneapolis city [0:22] council. And at this time, I'm [0:24] going to call this regular [0:25] pleating -- regular meeting [0:30] of the july city council to [0:31] order. [0:31] » Council member warren. [0:33] » Here. [0:33] » Council member shaffer. [0:34] » Present. [0:35] » Council member wonsley is [0:37] absent. Council member chughtai [0:39] is absent. Council member [0:40] whiting. [0:40] » Present. [0:41] » Council member chowdhury. [0:42] » Present. [0:43] » Council member stevenson is [0:44] absent. Council member [0:46] rainville. [0:46] » Present. [0:47] » Council member vetaw. [0:48] » Present. [0:49] » Council member palmisano. [0:50] » Present. [0:51] » Council member chavez. [0:53] » Present. [0:53] » Vice president osman. Is [0:55] absent. President payne. [0:56] » Present. [0:57] » There are nine members [0:58] present. [0:58] » Let the record reflect we [1:01] have a quorum. Before we begin [1:03] the meeting, let me remind all [1:05] the meeting is broadcast to [1:07] enable greater public [1:08] participation. The broadcast [1:09] includes a real time captioning [1:11] as a means to increase the [1:13] accessibility of our proceedings [1:14] to the community. Therefore all [1:15] speakers need to be mindful of [1:18] the rate of our speech so our [1:21] captioners can tribe all [1:22] comments for the broadcast. We [1:24] ask all to moderate the speed [1:25] and clarity of t their [1:28] comments. The agenda for [1:29] today's meeting is before us. [1:30] and before I ask for a motion to [1:32] adopt the agenda, I have one [1:37] additional -- one addition. As [1:38] you know, last meeting, there [1:40] was a vote on the program that [1:44] resulted in a tie. That did not [1:49] dispose of the item. You'll [1:50] note on the public agenda that [1:53] it's before us once again under [1:57] unfinished business. There was [2:00] a question about the previous [2:02] action that tied. We have since [2:04] identified the action. That's [2:05] presented in front of us. That [2:09] is the resolution asking a [2:12] national search for a community [2:13] safety commissioner. At that [2:15] may 21st meeting, that was [2:17] brought forward by council [2:18] member wonsley and also resulte [2:20] in a tie. However, that was not [2:25] brought forward to the next [2:27] meeting under unfinished [2:29] business. That was an omission [2:31] that resulted from a clerical [2:33] error. I'm recommending that [2:35] the resolutions -- oh, the [2:37] resolution is in lims file 20 [2:43] 2026-00653 a printed copy in [2:44] front of everybody on the dais. [2:47] since it resulted in a tie vote, [2:49] and we weren't able to dispose [2:51] this item, it should have been [2:53] returned from council's next [2:54] regular meeting on june 11th. [2:56] since that didn't happen, I am [2:58] suggesting that we add that to [3:01] consideration for today's [3:03] meeting under unfinished [3:04] business. So that we can do a [3:06] final disposition on that [3:07] action. I'm also going to [3:09] recommend, once we get to [3:11] unfinished business, that we to [3:12] a proper motion to dispose of [3:14] those. And maybe I'll seek the [3:17] clerk's advice whether we should [3:19] delete them or whatever the [3:21] appropriate motion is when we [3:22] get there. Any objection to the [3:25] plan? [3:26] seeing none. May I have a [3:28] motion to adopt the agenda, [3:30] including that addition. [3:33] » So moved. [3:35] » Is there a second. [3:37] » Second. [3:38] » The clerk will call the [3:40] roll. [3:40] » Council member warren. [3:41] » Aye. [3:42] » Council member shaffer. [3:43] » Aye. [3:43] » Council member whiting. [3:44] » Aye. [3:44] » Council member chowdhury. [3:46] » Aye. [3:46] » Council member stevens. [3:47] » Aye. [3:48] » Council member rainville. [3:49] » Aye. [3:49] » Council member vetaw. [3:51] » Aye. [3:51] » Council member palmisano. [3:52] » Aye. [3:53] » Council member chavez. [3:54] » Aye. [3:54] » President payne. [3:55] » Aye. [3:56] » 10 ayes. [3:56] » That carries and the agenda [3:58] is adopted as amended. The next [4:00] item is acceptance of the [4:01] minutes from the regular meeting [4:04] july 16th. A motion to accept [4:06] the minutes. [4:07] » So moved. [4:07] » Second. [4:08] » The clerk will call the [4:09] roll. [4:10] » Warren. [4:11] » Aye. [4:11] » Shaffer. [4:12] » Aye. [4:13] » Whiting. [4:14] » Aye. [4:15] » Chowdhury. [4:16] » Aye. [4:16] » Stevenson. [4:17] » Aye. [4:18] » Rainville. [4:18] » Aye. [4:19] » Vetaw. [4:20] » Aye. [4:21] » Palmisano. [4:21] » Aye. [4:22] » Chavez. [4:23] » Aye. [4:23] » President payne. [4:24] » Aye. [4:25] » 10 ayes. [4:26] » That carries. The minutes [4:31] have been accepted. Final, the [4:35] proper committees. The motion, [4:36] please. [4:37] » So so moved. [4:38] » Second. [4:39] » Warren. [4:40] » Aye. [4:40] » Shaffer. [4:41] » Aye. [4:42] » Whiting. [4:43] » Aye. [4:44] » Chowdhury. [4:44] » Aye. [4:45] » Stevenson. [4:46] » Aye. [4:46] » Rainville. [4:47] » Aye. [4:48] » Vetaw. [4:49] » Aye. [4:50] » Palmisano. [4:50] » Aye. [4:51] » Chavez. [4:52] » Aye. [4:52] » President payne. [4:53] » Aye. [4:53] » 10 ayes. [4:54] » That carries. And the [4:56] matters have been referred. The [4:58] next order of business is the [4:59] presentation of reports from our [5:00] standing committees. Which are [5:01] taken in alphabetical order. [5:03] we'll begin with the report of [5:05] the business, housing, and [5:09] zoning committee. I'll call on [5:11] council member chowdhury as vice [5:12] chair of the committee. [5:13] » Thank you. We're bringing [5:16] forward 20 items today. Item [5:17] number one approves the mayor's [5:20] nomination of enrique ha [5:23] velasquez to rector of [5:24] regulatory services. Two [5:26] approves a wine and strong beer [5:27] with general entertainment for [5:30] strange loop laboratory. Item [5:34] three approves an interim use [5:36] permit for people serving people [5:39] at 219 fourth street south. [5:40] item number four is an appeal [5:46] regarding the 300 minnehaha [5:49] avenue democracy center. This [5:51] item was sent forward without [5:53] rights. Item five is a rezoning [5:56] and alley vacation for the [5:58] democracy center at 300 [5:59] minnehaha. This item was send [6:02] forward without recommendation. [6:04] item sixpproves five liquor [6:06] licenses. Seven approves 32 [6:08] liquor license renewals. Eight [6:10] approves a gambling license. [6:12] nine grants business, license [6:15] operating conditions for [6:17] bloomington commercial kitchen. [6:18] 10 amends the 2026 license fee [6:21] schedule for tow truck [6:24] service fees. 11 authorizes [6:26] contract amendment with macphail [6:35] center. 12 is state of [6:36] minnesota grants for employment [6:38] services. 1 authorizes dtap [6:44] funding recommendations. 14 [6:46] accepts a bid for replacing [6:49] floor boxes at the convention [6:51] center. Item 15 delegates [6:52] authority to cped director for [6:56] the owner-occupied rehab [6:59] programs. 16 accepts an [7:03] authorized water efficiency [7:04] grant program from the [7:06] metropolitan council. [7:09] item 17 authorizes a contract [7:11] extinction for the green belt [7:13] development project. 18 [7:14] approves a staff direction [7:15] related to rental properties. [7:18] 19 authorizes pgram changes to [7:20] th affordable housing trust [7:21] fund orhe ahtf. Astly, item [7:27] 20 authorizes program changes to [7:28] the naturally occurring [7:31] affordable housing program. [7:35] with that, I'll move forward all [7:37] items for approval except for [7:41] items four and five. And then [7:43] have a separate request vote on [7:46] item number 1. So that's one, [7:48] four, and five. [7:51] » Council member chowdhury has [7:53] moved approval of the biz report [7:58] minus items one, four, and five, [8:03] I'll recognize we've been joined [8:05] by council member chughtai and [8:06] stevenson. Is there any [8:08] questions or comments on the [8:10] remainder of the report? Seeing [8:13] none. I'll ask the clerk to [8:14] call the roll. [8:17] » Warren. [8:18] » Aye. [8:19] » Shaffer. [8:20] » Aye. [8:20] » Chughtai. [8:22] » Aye. [8:22] » Whiting. [8:23] » Aye. [8:24] » Chowdhury. [8:25] » Aye. [8:26] » Stevenson. [8:27] » Aye. [8:27] » Rainville. [8:28] » Aye. [8:29] » Vetaw. [8:30] » A. [8:31] » Palmisano. [8:32] » Aye. [8:33] » Chavez. [8:34] » Aye. [8:35] » President payne. [8:36] » Aye. [8:36] » There are 11 ayes. [8:37] » That carries. And we'll next [8:43] take up item number one, the [8:45] appointment of enrique velasquez [8:48] for director of regulatory [8:50] services. Is there any comment [8:54] or discussion on this item? [9:00] seeing none, I'll ask the clerk [9:01] to call the roll. Oh, council [9:03] member vetaw. [9:03] » Thank you. Thank you, [9:05] president payne. I really just [9:08] wanted to take a moment to [9:11] recognize director velasquez and [9:14] express my sincere appreciation [9:15] for your leadership to the city [9:17] of minneapolis. Thank you so [9:18] much, director. We spent friday [9:21] afternoon in ward four, and had [9:23] a great time walking around the [9:25] ward, looking at a lot of the [9:28] livability issueshat my [9:30] community faces every day. [9:32] you've always been amazing at [9:36] checkinghings out and [9:40] understanding, talking about, [9:41] and understanding where they are [9:42] and what they want. The city of [9:45] minneapolis to look like for [9:46] them and their families. So I [9:48] really do appreciate the time we [9:50] spent in ward four on friday. [9:53] you're one of the kindest, most [9:55] thoughtful leaders I have the [9:57] privilege of working with. You [10:00] ag genuinely love [10:02] minneapolis. And you know that [10:04] if you spend two seconds with [10:06] you. You care about every [10:08] single person in this city. And [10:09] the love is reflected in how you [10:11] serve every single day. [10:13] you care about the people that [10:15] you work with and that work [10:18] alongside you. You lead with [10:20] respect, compassion, and [10:21] understanding. And you [10:23] understand that strong [10:24] organizations are built by [10:26] investing in the people that [10:28] make them successful. That's [10:29] huge for a leader! [10:31] and I appreciate that about you. [10:35] I ran into somebody who works [10:37] in your department coming out of [10:38] the elevator, and I'm certain we [10:41] spent an hour talking about how [10:42] good it is to work with you, and [10:46] how you treat them as partner [10:48] in the time that you take to [10:50] build them up as an individual. [10:52] but, also, the ente vision for [10:55] their department and the city of [10:57] minneapolis. They see in you [10:59] the care and so that inspires [11:01] them to care. So thank you for [11:04] that, director. [11:07] what's always stood out to me is [11:08] your responsiveness. Ratwhethem [11:12] a council member, a concern from [11:13] a resident, or a challenge [11:15] facing the department. You're [11:16] someone whoistens, you follow [11:19] through, and you work tirelessly [11:21] to find solutions. You never [11:22] shy away from the difficult [11:24] conversations. Hey typically [11:26] are, when it comes to ward four. [11:28] thank you for being able to [11:31] actually make me comprise a lot! [11:34] friday you just had so many [11:36] ideas that I'm so glad that [11:38] after the drones didn't pass, [11:40] you had already started thinking [11:42] about what next steps are for [11:45] getting policy and implementing [11:47] some programs that can help. [11:48] so when challenges arise, you [11:51] seem to have good solutions. [11:54] and I love how you take [11:56] responsibility, tooing with for [11:58] too, for the decisions you [12:00] make. That's what goo leaders [12:01] do. You don't bless -- pass the [12:05] blame or avoid accountability. [12:10] director, you're a visionary. [12:11] and sometimes being a visionary [12:13] is hard. You consistently have [12:15] looked beyond the immediate [12:17] challenges to think about how we [12:18] can build a stronger, more [12:20] effective city for the future. [12:21] your leadership has helped move [12:23] forward minneapolis while [12:24] keeping our residents and [12:25] employees at the center of every [12:28] decision. [12:29] leadership is not just about [12:30] making the easy decisions. It's [12:32] about showing up every day with [12:35] integrity, humanity, and a [12:36] commitment to serving others. [12:39] you embody that, enrique. You [12:41] embody all those qualities. [12:44] minneapos is better because of [12:45] your leadership, and I'm [12:47] grateful for everything you've [12:48] done for this city, for this [12:49] department, and for the people [12:50] that call minneapolis home. [12:52] thank you. Thank you for your [12:54] service. Thank you for your [12:55] dedication, your parership, [12:56] and your unwavering commitment [12:58] to this city. Thank you. [13:01] » Council member stevenson. [13:03] » Thank you, mr. President. [13:05] thank you, director. [13:07] unfortunately I will not be able [13:08] to support your appointment [13:09] today. And I want to let you [13:11] know the reasons why. We got a [13:15] tter from our workers in your [13:16] office. We had a meeting and [13:18] discussed that. And I [13:19] appreciate you coming and [13:21] talking with me directly about [13:23] this. But the facts from the [13:25] letter are just really not [13:32] acceptable. Does this [13:33] individual effectively resolve [13:34] workplace issues? No. We [13:39] talked about this. You told me [13:40] that there are some disciplinary [13:44] issues happening I the partner. [13:45] I have no vision into that. I [13:46] have to take you at your word [13:49] and that that's what's [13:50] happening. And at the same [13:51] time, I don't think that our [13:54] emplees, our staff, are [13:57] vindictive people are making [13:58] things up. So I -- these two [14:01] truths have to be true at the [14:02] same time. And so I urge you to [14:05] do better by the staff. You [14:09] can. I very much appreciate our [14:11] conversations. And I appreciate [14:13] you as a person. And I know you [14:15] can do better. So I urge you to [14:18] please do that. We counted the [14:19] votes. We know you'll get [14:21] appointed. This is me saying [14:24] asking you to step up to a [14:26] higher level than I know you can [14:28] do. On top of that, we have [14:33] encampment recording ordinance. [14:34] it's not a suggestion. It's an [14:36] ordinance. It has to come every [14:37] quarter. And currently haven't [14:39] had one yet this year. We're in [14:42] july. This is not acceptable. [14:45] this is not a choice. Whether [14:48] it gets presented or not. So [14:50] I'm asking you to please level [14:53] up to the level that I know you [14:54] can do. When it comes to [15:01] management and meeting the [15:01] ornance on time, these are [15:03] vital things. These are not [15:06] preferential things. I will not [15:08] be supporting yo ur appointme [15:09] today. I'm asking we work [15:11] together on ways to improve our [15:15] relations. Our staff cannot [15:16] function without them. And [15:18] improve reporting on [15:20] encampments. It's an issue [15:22] deeply affecting our city. [15:23] which you know extremely well. [15:27] and for these reasons, I will [15:29] not be supporting your [15:32] appointment. [15:33] » I will note we've been joined [15:34] by vice president osman. And I [15:37] will recognize council member [15:39] rainville. [15:39] » [15:40] » Thank you. Director, you [15:43] have a very, very hard job. But [15:45] yet your professionalism shines [15:47] through all the time. I feel [15:49] your relations with your staff [15:52] are exrare and I will not be [15:54] second-guessing your management [15:57] desions. I really appreciate [15:58] the dignity that you bring to [16:00] the homeless encampment [16:02] situation. It's horrible. [16:05] there are people who are [16:06] addicted, we have sex [16:07] trafficking, crime, killings, [16:09] shootings, but yet your approach [16:11] to that, I'm very grateful for [16:13] your approach. Your appach is [16:16] dignified. So thank you so much [16:18] for servin the citizens of [16:19] minneapolis. I wl be voting [16:21] with you today. I will support [16:22] you. And, again, thank you so [16:26] much. [16:26] » Council member chowdhury. [16:29] » Thanks, president payne. [16:33] thank y, director, for your [16:34] service to the city of [16:37] minneapolis. We had a good [16:39] conversation in my office I [16:42] thought it was an important one. [16:43] we got to be very candid with [16:45] one another. It's no secret [16:47] that the job of the regulatory [16:50] services director is extremely [16:53] difficult. Tt's why I thank [16:54] you for your work. And for [16:56] deciding to step up to the plate [16:58] again. And come before this [17:01] body for a nomination process. [17:04] which it's no secret that's not [17:06] easy either. Ha. So I just [17:09] wanted to appreciate that. I [17:12] want to give you a lot of props [17:18] in your ability to listen. And, [17:22] also, your ability to see [17:27] through the hrt team and grow [17:29] it. And also kind of wrap your [17:33] arms around the work within the [17:35] regulatory services t [17:37] department. Be it inspections, [17:38] be it animal care and control, [17:42] be it doing constituent cases. [17:45] as council members reach out [17:46] with our job of serving the [17:50] 450,000 plus residents across [17:51] the city of minneapolis. I [17:55] think you know that I'm struggl [18:01] ing in my decision and my [18:03] choice. Because nothing is [18:04] black and white. There's a lot [18:06] of nuance here. I appreciated [18:10] when you came to committee, you [18:13] shared that your charge was to [18:15] communicate transparently, [18:17] collaborate within the city with [18:19] external partners, and do the [18:21] right thing no matter what. And [18:24] I believe you will be the [18:26] relatory services director for [18:27] the nt foreseeable term. And [18:31] I only wish you the best in [18:33] achieving those goals to its [18:37] fullest extent. A support you [18:39] fully in order too that. [18:43] today, however, I'm wrestling [18:45] with some of the places where I [18:47] feel like the charge did fall a [18:50] little bit short. It's hard for [18:51] me to move ahead with an [18:53] affirmative vote. I'll share [18:54] you and I talked about this one. [18:58] it was the -- my office and I [19:00] had reached out about the [19:04] growing number of people who [19:05] were facing homelessness over on [19:10] cedar and 26th. The number of [19:14] phone calls I got from [19:15] constituents within my ward and [19:16] outside my ward that was just, [19:19] like, help. Like, things are [19:21] getting to a boiling point. And [19:24] working on the city council, [19:26] that's a familiar type of phone [19:29] call that gets your cortisol [19:33] levels going. You need to [19:34] connect with department heads [19:35] and trying to figure out what we [19:37] cano. And I reached out. And [19:40] then I felt deeply surprised by [19:44] not knowing what the plan was [19:46] movi forward. And seeing we [19:49] were going to do it this bust of [19:52] open-air drug markets in the [19:53] specific area. And I think that [19:55] was a point of communication and [19:58] place where we could have worked [20:02] together. I will share, like, [20:04] I've had to have a lot of hard [20:06] constituent conversations across [20:07] the board. Again, going back to [20:09] what's the right approach to [20:12] address homelessness and if the [20:14] city is going into a place where [20:16] we're criminalizing people far [20:17] too much and not seeing their [20:19] humanity. If we're going back [20:20] to the era of war on drugs. And [20:23] I believe in you and standing up [20:26] to do what's right. And I will [20:28] support you in doing that in the [20:30] future. I understand the seat [20:32] you sit in. I'll be there for [20:34] you in that regard. Umm, I [20:38] think the other place that we [20:41] also talked about where there's [20:42] an opportunity for growth is [20:45] just, like, the mixed reviews [20:47] within your department. And I [20:50] think, like, you're someo that [20:52] committed to me that's something [20:54] you absolutely step up to the [20:55] plate to do. And so I'm lacking [20:57] forward to doing that. [20:59] and then the last thing is, we [21:01] talked a lot about how the same [21:03] problems keep on coming up year [21:05] after year. And what do we want [21:07] to get done at the end of four [21:09] years. Right. We hear over and [21:11] over again, we need to bring [21:12] people inside. W need to [21:14] triage folks and get them to [21:16] housing. The navigation center [21:17] continues to pop up. The [21:20] question about tiny home [21:21] villages and safe outdoor [21:23] spaces, safe parking. Thinking [21:24] outside the box. Like, actually [21:26] getting to the root. The issues [21:29] with inspections. The way that [21:31] we can serve our constituents. [21:33] I think we can get there and I'm [21:35] willing to work with y to get [21:37] there. So I appreciate you [21:39] stepping up to the plate. I'm [21:41] not able to give you an [21:43] affirmative vote today. That's [21:45] not a reflection of my [21:46] willingness to work with you and [21:48] the growth I think we have [21:50] between the ward 12 office and [21:55] enrique ha velasquez, [21:58] director of regulatory services [21:59] and what we can door the [22:01] city. [22:01] » I'll note we've been joined [22:04] by mayor frey. You may have [22:06] seen council member palmisano [22:07] get in queue and bump out. She [22:09] was in queue for mayor frey. [22:12] I'll recognize mayor frye. [22:13] » Thank you for deviating from [22:18] the sequencing on your screen. [22:20] chair payne, vice chair osman, [22:23] members of the city council. [22:24] it's my pleasure to nominate [22:29] enrique for the director of [22:30] regulatory services. He's [22:32] someone that approaches his job [22:36] with such incredible compassion. [22:38] the issues that he is handling [22:42] are they neither lack complexity [22:45] nor do they lack difficulty. In [22:48] whether we're talking about [22:49] inspections, traffic [22:53] enforcement, or we're talking [22:54] about the very difficult issue [22:57] regarding encampments, open-air [22:59] drug markets, and homelessness. [23:01] these are issues that oftentimes [23:03] don't just touch one department. [23:04] they don't even touch one [23:06] jurisdiction. The vast majority [23:08] of social services lie with the [23:11] county enforcement lies both [23:12] with our city and even lies with [23:14] the state, at times. And so it [23:16] takes a lot of work together. [23:19] enrique is someone who is a [23:21] tried and true collaborator. He [23:24] has shown that time and again. [23:26] and if you look at the stats, [23:28] while we haven't solved these [23:29] issues, we have not. And there [23:32] is room for improvement. The [23:35] progress is unquestionable. [23:38] virtually every one of the data [23:40] signs shows that unsheltered [23:42] homelessness is dropping. In [23:44] some cases, substantially. The [23:49] statistics show that we're [23:51] housing more and more people [23:53] every single month. In many [23:55] cases, than we ever have before. [23:58] that's due to en enrique. [24:00] that's due to other departments [24:01] and due to other jurisdictions [24:03] throughout the state. It's due [24:05] to a partnership. And enrique [24:08] is nothing, if not a true [24:10] partner in this work. He's led [24:13] long-term effort to create [24:15] single consistent rental [24:17] licensing standard. He's worked [24:21] to insist that we were bringing [24:27] mpha into the licensing and [24:28] inspection program. That work [24:30] reflects his belief that [24:31] resident, regardless of age, [24:33] race, gender, ability deserves a [24:35] safe home. His leadership [24:39] expands way beyond housing. [24:40] under his direction, you may [24:42] know that animal care and [24:43] control has become a model [24:46] nationwide for compassionate [24:47] community-centered service. The [24:49] division has expanded access to [24:50] low and no-cost veterinary care, [24:53] strengthened partnerships. He's [24:55] also helped a whole lot with [24:57] public safety innovation. [24:59] through initiatives like traffic [25:01] safety camera pilot and civilian [25:05] crash investigative pilot. He's [25:07] embraced new ideas to make sure [25:08] we're delivering services more [25:10] efficiently. And more [25:13] responsibly. [25:13] he's also created something [25:15] called a true one regulatory [25:16] services team. Where people [25:19] work across divisions to solve [25:21] problems like they never have [25:22] before. He's strengthened [25:25] partnerships with ser city [25:28] departments, hennepin county, [25:29] and state agencies. We haven't [25:31] had that partnership in the [25:32] past. He's brought it. And [25:34] those who worked with him, [25:35] understand he's a thoughtful and [25:37] caring person. I have heard [25:41] from staff, indeed, who [25:43] adamantly disagree with the [25:44] letter that you got about the [25:46] work he's done. And how [25:49] committed they are to working [25:50] with him and for him. [25:53] unprompted. And so I am certain [25:55] that the experiences you've had [25:58] with him, if nothing else, [26:01] they're kind. He's diligent, [26:03] he's urgent in the work, and [26:05] he's willing to approach these [26:07] very difficult issues. When we [26:08] talk about homelessness and [26:10] unsheltered homelessness, I've [26:12] talked to mayors around the [26:13] country. The policies among [26:16] democratic mayors across the [26:17] country from san francisco to [26:19] new york city are virtually the [26:22] same. Every city does hard work [26:26] to put people in housing and [26:28] offer care and protection. [26:31] every city clears homeless [26:33] encampments. Every one. And so [26:37] this is not just a position from [26:40] enrique. This is my position. [26:42] this is a position of virtually [26:44] every single mayor out there. [26:46] you know, and I understand the [26:49] frustration. Because you all, [26:50] council members, you're hearing [26:52] directly from your constituents. [26:53] you're in deep touch with the [26:55] grassroots of your wards. And [26:56] thank you. Thank you for [26:58] providing the additional [26:59] urgency. Genuinely. I can tell [27:02] you it's felt. It's felt and [27:03] we're doing everything possible. [27:05] and I know that director ha [27:07] have a has questions is doing [27:08] that, as well. Thank you so [27:09] much for your time. Simply put, [27:11] he's a person who demonstrated [27:13] vision, experience, and a lot of [27:15] leadership. He has my full [27:17] support. Council members, thank [27:18] you so much for your time. I [27:19] ask for yours, as well. My [27:22] apologies I'm going to jump [27:22] here. I didn't expect you to [27:24] have zero resolutions before the [27:26] council meeting. And so we have [27:28] another meeting I'm [27:29] simultaneously at. Thank you so [27:30] much, council members. [27:32] » Council member warren. [27:34] » Thank you, council president [27:38] payne. I want to say thank you, [27:42] director velasquez for your [27:44] unwavering support in everything [27:46] that I have been embarking upon [27:50] in ward five. Specifically [27:52] around heritage park and your, [27:57] you know, -- [28:01] [ comments off mic ] [28:02] we okay? Okay. Just your [28:14] solutions. Coming on tours and [28:15] showing up for all of the [28:17] meetings that we've been holding [28:19] there with community. I look [28:29] forward to the work we're doing [28:30] at the city and doing. I [28:33] appreciate you and want to say [28:34] thank you. [28:34] » Vice president osman. [28:35] » Thank you. I made my comment [28:39] on last biz meeting. But I want [28:43] to make one. Just kind of [28:45] mention one more time I fully [28:47] support you, enrique. I like [28:49] your leadership. And I say it [28:51] was unfair what we decided as a [28:55] city to, you know, give you the [28:57] homeless outreach team from the [29:01] health department to services [29:02] with less resources. Your team [29:04] has demonstrated very humane way [29:07] to reach to the folks that are [29:08] there. To really connect with [29:10] them. To, you know, make the [29:15] connection. And help as much as [29:18] they can to minimize homeless [29:25] folks out on the seet. And [29:28] give them the help they need. I [29:31] think this is one of the [29:34] challenge and issue in our city. [29:37] we need more resources, [29:38] speaking on the budget. We [29:41] cannot, you know, we're not the [29:42] county. But we have to play [29:43] thisole. Because these folks [29:48] are struggling with addiction [29:50] and thr drug dealers are, [29:53] you know, doing all kind of [29:55] horrible things to put these [29:57] people through these kind of [30:00] conditions. We are dealing with [30:03] under the bridge situation. [30:04] where people lost their lives. [30:07] there's overdoses, there's [30:08] traffic accidents. This is [30:12] other agencies, other government [30:14] need to involve more. You have [30:18] the -- coming to the community [30:20] meeting. Having that [30:22] conversation. Also, you know, [30:25] pling that city spokesperson [30:27] to go talk to the county, metro [30:30] transit, and others to address [30:32] this issue. I think what you [30:36] need is more resources to tackle [30:40] this issue. It means we're [30:42] going to help our residents that [30:45] are struggling and keep our [30:47] community, you know, less open [30:52] thr drug use. Less needles. [30:58] we need to put all the [31:00] resources, as much resources as [31:02] we can in this issue. You have [31:05] heard me many times talking [31:06] about this specific issue. St [31:10] that some neighbors are [31:11] struggling. Not every city is [31:13] dealing with, you know, [31:16] so-called open drug use. Right [31:20] now go ahead, you know, walk two [31:23] or six on franklin and see -- [31:25] you'll see that. But those are [31:28] victims themselves. Those are [31:30] victs. They are being taken [31:31] advantage of. Being drugged. [31:37] and it's not acceptable for [31:42] society to have that kind of [31:44] addition for human beings. I [31:48] encourage you to continue doing [31:49] what uryo you're doing. [31:53] to reach out to colleagues, to [31:55] ask resources. And I'm hoping [31:58] that in other positions of [31:59] leadership, especially [32:02] leadership and mayor's [32:03] leadership could help you [32:07] address this unhoused shelters [32:11] in a humane way. In a [32:13] respectful way. I look forward [32:20] to working with you the next [32:21] four years. [32:21] » Council member chughtai. [32:22] » Thank you, mr. President. [32:28] I'm going to be supporting [32:31] mr. -- I'm sorry, director [32:33] velazquez's nomination today. [32:36] so that he will, hopefully, [32:38] continue serving over the course [32:41] the next four years. Over the [32:42] course of the term. As the [32:44] direct of the regulatory [32:46] rvices department. So I want [32:48] to join my colleagues in sharing [32:50] so flowers about the work in [32:51] the regulatory services [32:52] department that is going really [32:55] well. [32:57] in particular, I want to thank [33:01] the inspections team and you, [33:06] director, for your work with my [33:08] office. In best serving the [33:10] less de dent -- residents of [33:13] ward 10. As you know, we're the [33:14] second most renter-dense ward in [33:16] the city. Home to the some of [33:21] the city's larger concentration [33:27] of naturally occurring [33:28] affordable housing. And that [33:31] tenants across our city live in [33:34] conditions that we would [33:36] describe as undignified and [33:38] inhumane. Inside of their [33:39] properties. Living in [33:41] conditions that we ourselves [33:44] would never choose for ourselvee [33:50] partnership and the urge side [33:55] urgency that matches my [33:56] office and the residents that [33:58] we're seeking to serve together [34:01] is deeply appreciated it is [34:05] transformative I the work we're [34:07] able to do to ensure that [34:11] dignity of the people of our [34:14] city. I really appreciate that [34:17] partnership. [34:20] my big concern about some of the [34:21] work that's moving in the [34:22] department and I've had the [34:23] opportunity to share this with [34:25] you, and I believe that we're [34:28] going to continue to partner [34:32] through difference and find the [34:35] best path forward that serves [34:39] the people of our city. That [34:43] gets to better outcomes for some [34:45] of the most vulnerable people in [34:46] our city. [34:49] but the way -- the direction I [34:51] see our city moving now, as it [34:54] pertains to responding to [34:57] unsheltered homelessness breaks [34:59] my heart. If we believe that [35:01] every person is worthy of [35:03] dignity. If we really, really [35:05] truly believe that, if we truly [35:09] believe -- and I do and I know [35:10] you do, that substance use [35:14] disorder is a mental health [35:17] disorder, just like anxiety and [35:19] depression. If we believe that [35:22] no person in the richest country [35:24] in the history of the world [35:27] should live I worse conditions [35:30] than refe refugee camps, [35:33] in war-torn regions, if we [35:34] really, really believe that [35:37] every person is worthy of [35:40] dignity just because they're [35:42] alive. Just because they exist. [35:46] then the way we are approaching [35:51] homelessness is -- is [35:53] inconsistent with those beliefs. [35:55] it's inconsistent. If we [35:57] believe that human trafficking [35:58] is happening, and I know it is, [35:59] I know you know it is. Then the [36:01] waye're approaching this issue [36:05] is unconscionable. We're not [36:06] protecting anybody. Moving [36:09] people into the shadows, moving [36:13] vulnerable people into the [36:16] shadows does not ensure safety. [36:19] it does not house people. It [36:22] does not address substance use [36:24] disorder. It does not address [36:26] the core problems as to w [36:27] they're living outside in the [36:28] first place. I appreciate [36:32] knowing that every city, every [36:35] majority, every major [36:36] democratic mayor in the country [36:38] approaches homelessness the [36:39] same. And yet that approach [36:46] , because it's consistent across [36:48] the country, we know is one that [36:50] continues to fail. [36:52] criminalizing homelessness is a [36:55] failure everywhere we try it. [36:59] the only thing that helps house [37:01] people, the only thing that [37:03] contributes to a reduction in [37:06] homelessness isore housing, is [37:09] more services, is more upstream [37:12] solutions that prevent [37:13] homelessness in the first place. [37:16] criminalizing people does not [37:19] get us to a better solution! I [37:22] know you know that. And we see [37:25] that everywhere in the country. [37:32] so this war on homeless people [37:34] has to end. Because stripping [37:39] people of their dignity, [37:42] stripping people of their [37:47] humanity by saying, oh, they [37:51] just don't want help. It's [37:55] unconscionable. And it's not [37:58] working. And we have to do [38:01] better. Thank you. [38:04] » Council member palmisano. [38:06] » Thank you, mr. President. [38:09] I'd like to echo what my [38:11] coeague council member vetaw [38:12] said. And I cannot say it [38:13] better than that. I won't try [38:15] and restate what she said. As a [38:18] leader and a person, we couldn't [38:20] ask for anything more than the [38:23] consideration, the thoughtful [38:25] approach, the intelligence [38:27] paired with the compassion. And [38:29] oh, by the way, the lived [38:30] experiences of enrique have a [38:33] velazquez. You have a hard [38:35] job. It's such a necessary and [38:38] important one to keep our city [38:40] functioning. And your employees [38:41] are on the very front lines of [38:43] this work. I see you support [38:46] them, help them to handle tough [38:49] situations, and days they're all [38:52] tough situations. Director web [38:53] you , you knew this [38:57] already but you have my support. [39:01] . [39:01] » >>: I'm adding myself to [39:03] queue. I will be supporting you [39:06] today. I want to uplift some of [39:07] the sentiments of my colleagues. [39:09] it was good to be able to speak [39:11] with you one-on-one about the [39:15] asfme letter that gave more [39:17] nuance to the letter. I agree [39:19] with council member stevenson. [39:22] that's something to work on. [39:23] one of the bigger topics I have [39:24] in the role of how do we create [39:27] a culture of accountability. So [39:28] much of that conversation is [39:29] centered on the police [39:30] department. Everybody knows the [39:31] challenges in the police [39:32] department and accountability. [39:33] but that doesn't only exist in [39:35] our police department. They're [39:37] the ones with the guns. Right. [39:38] and so as wthink about [39:41] accountability and discipline [39:43] and seven tests of jt cause [39:45] and making sure we're consistent [39:46] in how we're delivering that. [39:49] that's true in the police [39:50] department as it is in every [39:51] other department. And we should [39:54] be partnering to make sure that [39:55] we have a strong and accountable [39:59] accountability system throughout [40:00] the entirenterprise. [40:01] especially in regulatory [40:02] services. You're in the [40:03] community, in a way, on the [40:05] frontlines. Similar to mpd. [40:08] just without the guns. There [40:10] are consequences to your body of [40:11] work, as well. Especially as we [40:13] think about the living [40:14] conditions. Whether they're in [40:16] an apartment that doesn't have [40:17] heat or water. Or whether [40:20] they're unsheltered neighbors. [40:22] that's the other piece, too. [40:24] I'm actually going to give up [40:26] words of the mayor. This is a [40:28] bigger problem than one [40:30] department. And I don't think [40:31] the city is being successful at [40:34] addressing this. I'm not going [40:36] to be able to say it better than [40:38] council member chughtai. She's [40:40] expressed my sentiments [40:42] perfectly. We're failing this [40:43] community. Profoundly. I don't [40:47] see that as your personal [40:48] failure. I see it as our [40:51] institutional failure. And why [40:54] the regulatory services [40:56] department has been appointed [40:58] the lead for something that is [41:00] as challenging and complex as [41:03] unsheltered homelessness, with [41:05] the intersectionality of mental [41:06] health disorders, the [41:07] intersectionality of substance [41:09] use disorders, the [41:12] intersectionality of unequal [41:15] society that, you know, has [41:16] wealth inequality never seen in [41:18] the history of humanity. We're [41:21] the wealthiest nation that has [41:23] existed in the history of [41:25] humanity and we have the big [41:31] biggest. Why is that a [41:32] regulatory services challenge to [41:33] solve? That's completely insane [41:36] to me. I think it's a failure [41:37] of this institution. And what I [41:39] would like to see beyond this [41:41] conversation in your appointment [41:45] is this something that should [41:46] live at a deputy coo level? So [41:48] that we can have that [41:50] cross-department collaboration. [41:51] should this live in the mayor's [41:53] office? Because this isn't [41:56] just, you know, there's debate [41:57] here. Was it a mistake to move [41:58] it from public health to [42:03] regulatory services. It's [42:04] bigger than the public health [42:06] department. Right. Maybe it [42:08] ought to live at a deputy mayor [42:10] level. As we see in other [42:11] jurisdictions. So that we have [42:15] that enterprise-wide approach. [42:17] what we're doing right now is [42:18] working. You have been set up [42:20] to fail in what we're doing. [42:22] I'm not going to use that as a [42:24] reason to vote against you. But [42:25] it is a reason to say that what [42:28] we have right now is [42:30] unacceptable. We need to change [42:31] that. So that is my sentiment [42:33] on that. And I'm hoping you'll [42:35] be a great governing partner in [42:37] figuring out the better path. [42:39] and I see council member sha [42:45] shaffer. [42:45] » I just want to state, again, [42:47] your work and your department [42:49] has been invaluable to ward [42:52] seven in these last few months. [42:54] we have tackled a lot of [42:55] resident issues within our ward. [42:57] that have been very [42:59] significant. [43:00] and I just want to public ly I [43:04] wili will you're making [43:08] a difference. I am thrilled to [43:10] work with you and will be [43:12] continually supporting you in [43:13] the years ahead and hope our [43:14] partnership will continue to [43:15] grow even closer. I can tell [43:17] you, your work in the last six [43:19] months has had and will continue [43:21] to have really great impact in [43:23] the next few weeks. You know. [43:26] as we head into some of these [43:28] things. And I want to tell you [43:30] loud and clear that, umm, you [43:32] have been really a key partner [43:34] and have been very effective in [43:36] trying to strategize around [43:38] issues my residents have been [43:39] having. [43:40] so thank you. And I look [43:41] forward to the next few years. [43:46] » Seeing no one else left in [43:47] queue, il ask the clerk to [43:48] call theoll. [43:50] » Counc member warren. [43:51] » Aye. [43:52] » Council member shaffer. [43:53] » Aye. [43:53] » Council member chughtai. [43:54] » Aye. [43:55] » Council member whiting. [43:56] » Aye. [43:57] » Council member chowdhury. [43:58] » Nay. [43:59] » Council member stevenson. [44:00] » No. [44:00] » Council member rainville. [44:01] » Aye. [44:02] » Council member vetaw. [44:03] » Aye. [44:04] » Council member palmisano [44:05] » Aye. [44:06] » Council member chavez. [44:07] » No. [44:08] » Vice president osman. [44:09] » Aye. [44:09] » President payne. [44:10] » Aye. [44:11] » There are nine ayes and three [44:13] nays. [44:13] » That carries. Next we'll [44:18] take up -- before we take up [44:19] item fowrp, I want to recognize [44:21] vice president osman to share [44:24] how he would like to vote on the [44:26] consent agenda. [44:27] » Oh. Thank you. Clerk. The [44:31] consent agenda all aye except no [44:35] for nine, please. Thank you. [44:43] » Next we'll take up item [44:46] number four. Council member [44:48] chowdhury, should we take four [44:49] and five together or as separate [44:53] items? [44:53] » We can takehem together. [44:58] if the body wants to split it [45:00] down the line, that's all right, [45:01] too. [45:01] » Okay. I will recognize [45:03] council member chowdhury. [45:07] » Thank you so much, president [45:09] payne. And I just want to start [45:14] off looking at the item. This [45:16] is the conditional use permit [45:20] preliminary plat site plan [45:22] appeal. And, first, I want to [45:25] start off by ging a bighank [45:31] you to the folks at the hook and [45:33] ladder. And in downtown [45:35] longfellow. The businesses and [45:36] the community members in the [45:38] area that have reached out to my [45:40] office. That have reached out [45:42] to council member chavez. He [45:45] represents the area in the ninth [45:46] ward. I say that all my [45:49] constituents are always over [45:51] there. And I'm always over [45:52] there. So it's a huge part of [45:54] our community! I want to thank [45:57] them not just for coming to [45:59] speak to these items, but, also, [46:02] the number of years they've put [46:04] into this city. The care [46:07] they've put into our community. [46:10] hook and ladder has consistently [46:12] been an inclusive place for all [46:13] people. And our lgbtqia [46:17] community, in our immigrant [46:20] community, in our community of [46:24] artis. It's become an [46:26] important hub. And I would s [46:28] the same for all of the other [46:30] businesses in the area, be it [46:34] moon palace books, the coliseum. [46:39] and I think it's been -- it's [46:42] been important to ground us in [46:43] the fact that you can't just [46:45] talk about 300 minnehaha and the [46:48] democracy center without talking [46:50] out the immense pain that came [46:52] from the murder of george floyd [46:54] at the hands of minneapolis [46:57] police officers and the vionce [46:59] of those officers on to [47:01] community members throughout our [47:04] city follong protests of that [47:08] police murder. And leading to [47:09] the uprising, leading to the [47:11] burning of the third precincts. [47:14] I'll never sanitize that [47:15] history. I think it's always [47:17] important to speak to it. And [47:19] the hook and ladder and the [47:20] businesses in the area have [47:21] deeply struggled over the years. [47:25] due to impact and just the [47:28] trauma. The trauma of a [47:30] community experiencing this. [47:31] and I also want to highlight [47:33] some pitives. The community [47:34] has been really coming together [47:36] in downtown longfellow to ce [47:39] back, to be strong, to be [47:43] vibrant, and create spaces and [47:45] places f people. It was [47:46] amazing during the world cup [47:47] this year! Seeing the area that [47:53] had a building that was burnt [47:54] down. It was a gassy field [47:56] turned into a pla where [47:58] community members can gather. [47:59] have a place to sit, watch the [48:02] world cup, and then visit the [48:03] businesses in the area. Soul of [48:05] the south side in the area. Nd [48:06] I say all this to say there have [48:09] been so many concerns about the [48:12] design of 3,000 minnehaha [48:14] democracy center. Especially [48:16] the alley vacation. The site [48:19] plan. And concerns it's going [48:21] to further be a negative impact. [48:23] and I just want to say to the [48:25] council members that are here [48:27] listening. When y have not [48:28] only one business reaching out [48:29] to you, but you have several [48:33] businesses, an entire corridor [48:34] reaching out to you, sharing [48:35] their concerns, and community [48:38] members that are your residents [48:40] saying we're worried about the [48:41] future of this area. And how [48:43] this project might impact it. [48:44] you can't take it light. And [48:47] that's why in committee council [48:49] member chavez and I tried to get [48:51] some extra time to work out some [48:54] more details to see what we can [48:56] do in regards to the planning [48:59] and, unfortunately, it was voted [49:00] down. And I want to the just [49:03] share to thoseho are tuning in [49:06] either here or listeni. It's [49:08] clear that the way that the [49:10] design is, is moving forward [49:12] that's just based off of where [49:15] the will this council body is. [49:20] I believe in the democracy [49:22] center. I believe it's a great [49:24] activation for the area. I [49:25] think the way that engagement [49:26] with you all and other local [49:29] businesses and community members [49:30] has not been great. I haven't [49:33] been quiet about that. I'm [49:35] disappointed we aren't able to [49:36] make more of a difference here [49:39] for you. Hour, I want to share [49:43] with the body and those [49:44] listening, I do have a motion [49:46] that does create a condition [49:48] that I think could provide some [49:50] more chance for us to bring some [49:52] things together. It's not [49:54] everything that the community [49:56] has asked for. But it is [49:58] something. I'll read it out to [50:00] my colleagues here. [50:02] with the denial of the appeal, [50:05] we're I'm moving to put a [50:06] condition that says that the [50:08] applicant, which is the city, [50:09] shall within one month of the [50:11] date of the certificate of [50:13] occupancy being issued consult [50:15] with the businesses in downtown [50:17] longfellow, and the business [50:18] district, and finalize and [50:23] implement a plan for public use [50:24] of the redeveloped surface [50:25] parking lots on the 3,000 [50:28] minnehaha avenue and 3033 [50:31] smelling avenue parcels, [50:32] including ada accessible parking [50:35] spaces, at a minimum during the [50:37] times when they're not being [50:38] used by a city occupant. This [50:40] puts in writing that there will [50:42] be a shared use agreement for [50:49] parking. There will be a [50:51] definitive and transparent time [50:52] in which it will b implemented. [50:54] it does also say that the [50:57] business district must be [50:59] consted in planning ts out. [51:01] creating a place for engagement [51:03] and for stakeholders to b [51:04] consulted. Because that's just [51:06] been an issue at the top. We're [51:07] just not bringing enough people [51:09] in the neiborhood together, as [51:12] we're making these choices and [51:13] decisions. We have to change [51:15] that moving forrd. And I hope [51:17] this condition isn't the only [51:18] place it's going to be. I'll [51:19] continue to advocate for that. [51:21] and, colleagues, I ask for your [51:23] support in this today. [51:26] » Council member chavez. [51:28] » Thank you, council president [51:31] payne. Ah, first, I want to [51:34] talk a little bit about the [51:35] democracy center. The voter [51:38] services center. It was a [51:39] project that I initially did not [51:41] support. I did not vote in [51:42] favor of it for a variety of [51:46] concerns that I had. Part of it [51:48] was my opinion that there still [51:50] isn't enough community space. [51:51] all though I'm excited for the [51:53] community space component. I [51:54] think that's a good community [51:56] asset. The component of [52:00] windowless, components of the [52:01] democracy center, the license [52:02] and voter service center, [52:04] whatever we want to call it. [52:06] and I had been expressing those [52:07] concerns for a very long time. [52:09] I do think that staff could hear [52:12] some of the concerns I had. And [52:13] they were able to address those [52:16] particular concerns. So I was [52:18] happy to see them make those [52:20] changes to the windowless stuff [52:22] that it was happening. I did [52:23] not want to have a location on [52:26] lake street that would not be [52:28] helpful to the community. And I [52:30] think they've been working hard [52:31] to address some of the concerns [52:32] I've had. I want to thank staff [52:34] for that component. [52:36] I really am looking forward to [52:38] the community component. Like I [52:39] said earlier, I think that's [52:41] something that will be a big [52:42] asset to the community that I [52:44] represent in the ninth ward. [52:46] and I also want to talk about [52:47] the history of 3,000 minnehaha. [52:51] I think as we take this vote [52:52] today, and as we hear from [52:55] neighbors and business owners in [52:56] the area, I think the last thing [52:58] that I want is a project in the [53:01] community that I represent that [53:02] is going to cause more [53:04] frustration, more opposition, [53:06] when it's a project that I hope [53:07] brings everybody together. [53:10] so I guess what my ask is, I [53:13] hope my colleagues will support [53:14] this motion. I think it's a [53:16] middle ground to address the [53:17] concerns that some of the folks [53:18] in the community are asking for. [53:19] and I want to be clear. It's [53:22] not going to make everybody [53:23] happy. It won't be. It won't [53:25] be everything everyone is asking [53:26] for. I think it tries to do [53:28] this approach of not stopping a [53:32] project that needs to happen to [53:35] activate the lake street [53:36] corridor but addressing some of [53:37] the concerns that even folks [53:38] that want it to happen. Are [53:40] showing the frustrations. [53:42] so I guess what I will ask my [53:44] colleagues is to please support [53:45] this motion. So then we can [53:47] approve the rest of the project. [53:48] thank you. [53:50] » Thank you. Council member [53:53] chavez, I am in queue here. So [53:55] my comment is the council [53:57] members -- there was a [54:00] background conversation thanks [54:00] to council member chowdhury's [54:03] leadership. Able to talk to the [54:04] staff and go through this [54:09] motion. And they have not shown [54:14] any, you know, resistance on [54:16] this. So I think this is [54:19] something that will show that we [54:20] are supporting the small [54:22] businesses. At the same time. [54:23] just making the community a lot, [54:27] you know, comfortable. The [54:30] community should be trusting us [54:32] and should be trusting the [54:34] government. And, you know, as a [54:38] council I think this language [54:42] makes it working. It makes the [54:44] relationship work better. Maybe [54:55] not having ada parking. I can't [54:57] imagine that. We enforce the [54:59] ada policy. We' the city. [55:00] but to put it in letter, let the [55:03] community know we're there to [55:04] work with you. We' supporting [55:06] the small businesses and we want [55:07] to make sure that we're good [55:09] neighbors and we are a great [55:11] community that is moving forward [55:12] and progressing. And I would [55:15] encourage the colleagues to work [55:19] with us. This has been a [55:22] collaboration from council [55:23] member chowdhury and my office. [55:25] and to speak to the staff about [55:28] this. Thank you.. [55:38] thank you. Next in line is [55:40] council member palmisano. [55:42] » Thank you. Colleagues, two [55:45] things can be true here at the [55:46] same time. We can absolutely [55:49] support the downtown longfellow [55:50] business district and do [55:52] whatever we can to support their [55:54] success. Given the history of [55:56] 3,000 minnehaha and its impact [55:59] on their livelihoods. [56:01] I give all that due deference to [56:04] the council members who [56:05] represent the community in this [56:07] vicinity. [56:08] and we can also build a [56:10] democracy center that meets our [56:11] needs of our city and brings an [56:14] incredibly valuable and [56:15] important asset to this area. [56:17] and that is something to [56:19] celebrate today. [56:23] we would, I need to point out, [56:24] we would never put a condition [56:26] like this on any other [56:28] applicant. It's only because [56:31] the applicant here is the city. [56:33] we would never do this to any [56:34] other applicant. [56:37] but these two things supporting [56:39] the downtown longfellow business [56:41] district and building a [56:42] democracy center are not [56:45] mutually exclusive. We're going [56:46] to do both of these things at [56:47] the same time today. Which is [56:51] good. We he this condition to [56:54] allow for shared use of the [56:55] public parking areas of the [56:57] democracy center that we will [56:58] figure out after it opens. [57:01] we have been good partners here. [57:03] listening to community concerns [57:05] and responding with [57:06] modifications to our plan. To [57:08] our own detriment. We've made [57:10] modifications to our plan. My [57:13] biggest worry is that any [57:16] further delay would have a [57:18] cumulative effect. It would [57:19] mean that the democracy center [57:21] wouldn't be ready for the next [57:22] presidential election. We need [57:24] to have full occupancy ahead of [57:26] that election in order to [57:28] accommodate things like early [57:30] voting, et. Cetera. [57:32] we are finally in a place to [57:36] meaningfully move this space [57:38] forward. From being a [57:40] fire-damaged building to [57:41] something that is important for [57:42] us and for the community. I [57:45] wanted to thank our architecture [57:47] group and all of the time [57:48] they've spent on this. And all [57:51] the time they've spent in [57:52] community working out issues for [57:54] this. It's been a long road. [57:56] there have been a lot of votes. [57:59] it's been delayed for even more [58:02] conversations of planning [58:03] commission. It's involved one [58:04] of the largest community [58:06] conversations about a building [58:08] in my time here. All over the [58:14] city. This building is not what [58:17] it was. [58:18] thank you to council member [58:18] chowdhury for developing this [58:21] plan. I see it as a comprise [58:23] that I can support. [58:24] » Council member whiting. [58:25] » Thank you, president payne. [58:27] and u I'm going to say [58:29] something. I think the entire [58:30] body unanimously agrees with. I [58:32] think minneapolis is the [58:33] greatest city in the world. We [58:37] have seen this site specifically [58:39] be used as a prop for ultra [58:42] conservative maga republicans [58:44] consistently. And I think this [58:45] is a version. I know I heard it [58:47] on the campaign trail as I've [58:48] heard it from many of my [58:51] residents that we have to ensure [58:53] that to be the greatest city in [58:55] the world, we are doing things [58:57] that meet that standard. [58:59] and I think a version of this [59:01] where we have seen this building [59:05] sit here as a burned out site of [59:08] one of the hardest moments in [59:10] history for our city. And I am [59:13] deeply grateful for my council [59:15] colleague to the left here of [59:17] figuring out an opportunity. [59:20] figuring out a comprise that [59:21] continues to move this project [59:23] forward. So we don't have to [59:25] continue to relive a version in [59:28] our city that doesn't represent [59:30] the best of what we can be. [59:32] thank you for figuring out an [59:34] opportunity and a comprise to [59:35] continue moving this forward. [59:37] and ensure that there isn't [59:39] anymore undue delays on this [59:40] project. Thank you. [59:42] » Council member chowdhury. [59:44] » Thank you, president payne. [59:46] I wanted to just get in queue [59:50] again to just add a little bit [59:52] more context t this process. [59:57] when this arrived at the [59:58] planning commission, it was [1:00:01] wholly unacceptable. Approach [1:00:04] by not just the hook and ladder, [1:00:06] but several of other businesses. [1:00:07] the business district they had [1:00:08] not been consulted with as I [1:00:11] came to the design of the [1:00:16] democracy center. And the [1:00:18] impacts on that. And not [1:00:22] consulted in that. Not brought [1:00:24] in enough. That was wholly [1:00:25] unacceptable. This is, after [1:00:26] l, the democracy center. It's [1:00:30] iric for us not to do the [1:00:32] engagement necessary that is [1:00:33] moving on this. We have to, in [1:00:35] this moment, take this vote, [1:00:37] make a recommitment as we embark [1:00:39] on the journey of building this [1:00:40] out. That we engage with the [1:00:42] community and the area. And if [1:00:48] we don't, it's just deeply [1:00:49] upsetting for me and you'll be [1:00:51] hearing from me. Everyone will [1:00:53] be hearing frome. And I want [1:00:55] your support in ensuring that we [1:00:56] don't have to do that moving [1:00:58] forward. That we can be [1:01:00] proactive here. And that delay [1:01:01] in the planning commission was [1:01:03] absolutely necessary to forge a [1:01:05] conversation that needed to [1:01:06] happen to move this along. It [1:01:10] just absolute I will not a place [1:01:11] where it needed to be. I think [1:01:12] the other thing to share here is [1:01:19] downwn longfellow, this area [1:01:20] has felt so, so overlooked. And [1:01:23] I've heard comments here and [1:01:25] there where people and folks are [1:01:31] like it's one business speaking [1:01:32] out. I want to clarify it's not [1:01:37] just one. Like, hook and ladder [1:01:40] is an anchor business for this [1:01:41] area. If something happens to [1:01:43] the hook, it impacts everyone. [1:01:46] if something happens to the [1:01:47] coliseum, it impacts everyone. [1:01:52] there's a whole business [1:01:54] dirict behind them. And there [1:01:57] is also a lot of work outside [1:01:59] this that we as a body need to [1:02:00] do. And I'm asking you to show [1:02:03] up for in supporting downtown [1:02:04] longfellow and bringing it to [1:02:08] vibrancy. The business group [1:02:10] there is called longfellow [1:02:11] rising for a reason. They want [1:02:13] to see a future here. That [1:02:16] supports every single community [1:02:17] member, whether they work, play, [1:02:19] or live in the area. To be [1:02:21] supported. And an area that is [1:02:23] deeply diverse and has a lot of [1:02:25] folks who are working people [1:02:27] we as the city need to start [1:02:29] having a new chapter and hoping [1:02:30] up this -- working on this [1:02:31] democracy center and also [1:02:34] supportingowntown longfellow [1:02:35] with the mnitude that we [1:02:40] support other business [1:02:41] districts. Personally from the [1:02:43] engagement we've done in the [1:02:44] area, we're not meeting the [1:02:45] moment in the city in terms of [1:02:46] the support we cano here. And [1:02:48] it goes back to the corner of [1:02:51] the burnt third precinct being [1:02:54] le year after year, barbed [1:02:56] wire left on. Like, it's not [1:02:58] okay. And people have not [1:02:59] forgotten that yet. And I agree [1:03:01] with my constituents. They [1:03:04] haven't been a reason yet. [1:03:06] there's repair that needs to be [1:03:07] done and the pro active work on [1:03:09] the democracy center and how we [1:03:11] support economic development and [1:03:12] vibrancy in this area is how we [1:03:16] do the repair work. [1:03:18] » Council member shaffer. [1:03:19] » Anyone from cped here that I [1:03:22] can ask some questions of? No. [1:03:28] I'd like to know, maybe, [1:03:30] council member chowdhury or [1:03:31] chavez you can step in answer [1:03:33] some of these. I'd like to [1:03:34] understand with this parking. [1:03:35] is this going to be installing [1:03:37] meters then that the businesses [1:03:39] would use in the evening? Can [1:03:40] you speak to the costs around -- [1:03:43] or is it just going to be a free [1:03:47] parking? [1:03:51] » Yeah. T looks like we have [1:03:55] andrew here from planning. [1:03:56] maybe you want to speak to that. [1:03:59] it's my understanding there was [1:04:00] always an intention from the [1:04:02] city to have a shared use [1:04:04] agreement for public use on this [1:04:07] site. There hasn't been any [1:04:09] conversations around metering. [1:04:16] » Council member payne. [1:04:18] council member shaffer, andrew [1:04:20] with cped planning. I'm sorry. [1:04:22] can you repeat your question. [1:04:24] » I was wondering if there was [1:04:25] any plan as we look to the [1:04:27] transition and discussion you're [1:04:28] going to be having with the [1:04:29] community. If these were going [1:04:31] to be metered parking lots then [1:04:33] for evening use or if there was [1:04:35] going to be a cost associated [1:04:37] with these spaces to the [1:04:39] business district. Or those [1:04:40] that use the spots. [1:04:41] » Council member shaffer, that [1:04:42] would be entirely up to property [1:04:45] services. So property services [1:04:47] is the property owner and the [1:04:48] applicantere. So they would [1:04:50] need to work with the businesses [1:04:53] to come up with how the shared [1:04:55] use agreement is going to [1:04:56] function. That's not something [1:04:57] that would be regulated by [1:04:59] cped. [1:04:59] » Okay. Because I think most [1:05:01] of our parking in the -- and do [1:05:04] we have other agreements like [1:05:05] this where we allow [1:05:07] organizations to use our parking [1:05:09] lots that are not metered? [1:05:12] » Ah, council member shaffer, I [1:05:14] think that would have to be [1:05:15] directed to property services. [1:05:16] that's not something that cped [1:05:19] would regulate. [1:05:19] » I think it's an important [1:05:21] point in this discussion. [1:05:23] because, obviously, there's -- [1:05:25] it's my understanding, you know, [1:05:26] that most of the city and our [1:05:29] city-owned land, we either have [1:05:31] city parking lots that are, you [1:05:33] know, serviced with payments. [1:05:35] or else our parking meters. And [1:05:37] so I'm just trying to get a [1:05:39] sense. Is this, umm, setting [1:05:43] precedent? [1:05:44] » Ah, council member shaffer, [1:05:45] from our perspective, this would [1:05:47] not be setting precedent for any [1:05:49] other type of future [1:05:50] application. [1:05:51] » Okay. That's helpful to [1:05:54] know. [1:05:54] umm, I just think that parking [1:05:56] on our streets and parking lots [1:05:58] throughout the city are an [1:05:59] important part of our revenue [1:06:00] stream. And for us to be [1:06:03] inconsistent in that feels a [1:06:07] little, umm, hard to swallow, I [1:06:09] think. You know, 31st and [1:06:10] lake. We lost all our parking. [1:06:13] uptown we lost a ton on [1:06:14] hennepin. There were no [1:06:16] concerns then. So I appreciate [1:06:19] the needs of parking. I really [1:06:21] do. I've talked about it. So I [1:06:24] appreciate the needs of the [1:06:27] longfellow district. And the [1:06:29] importance of the small [1:06:30] businesses to that. [1:06:31] but I do think there's a [1:06:32] question here around maint [1:06:37] maintenance, and, obviously, the [1:06:37] meters is how we maintain our [1:06:39] parking lots. The cost is how [1:06:42] we maintain some of our street [1:06:43] stuff. So that's my big [1:06:46] question here. Is, umm, maybe [1:06:48] you can give us some more [1:06:50] background on that. But, umm, [1:06:56] I'm not -- I'm -- I don't know [1:06:57] what the answers to that -- it [1:06:58] sounds like you don't know [1:06:59] whether you're going to meter [1:07:00] them or not. [1:07:02] » Thanks for raising those [1:07:04] concerns, council member [1:07:05] shaffer. That would be up to [1:07:06] property services as the [1:07:08] property owner to make those [1:07:09] decisions. And I know they're [1:07:11] listening here. And they should [1:07:12] be able to follow up with you at [1:07:13] a future date. [1:07:14] » Okay. Well, it's hard for me [1:07:16] to cast a vote without knowing [1:07:18] that. Does that make sense? [1:07:19] because I think that's kind of [1:07:21] an important part of the [1:07:22] equation, in some ways. Because [1:07:23] we do want to support our [1:07:24] businesses. I think this is a [1:07:25] valid request. But at the same [1:07:27] time, we have costs, umm, as [1:07:30] well. And we don't want to, [1:07:34] umm, be inconsistent as a city. [1:07:36] thank you. [1:07:37] » Thanks. [1:07:37] » Council member rainville. [1:07:40] » Thank you. I'll be brief. I [1:07:43] just want to give my [1:07:45] appreciation to council members [1:07:46] chowdhury and chavez for working [1:07:48] with the community on this [1:07:50] compri. And at the same time [1:07:52] keeping the long-term goals o [1:07:54] the city in mind. Equallyith [1:07:57] the local business community. [1:07:59] I'll be voting for this. [1:08:02] » Council member chavez. [1:08:04] » Thank you, council president [1:08:05] payne. I think for me, it's [1:08:07] this is a unique circumstance. [1:08:10] this is minnehaha area. It's an [1:08:11] area that was on fire. [1:08:13] buildings throughout lake street [1:08:14] in this area were set on fire. [1:08:16] this is a business area that was [1:08:19] devastated by the uprising in [1:08:21] the summer of 2020. After the [1:08:23] murder of george floyd that [1:08:24] caused a world-ride racial [1:08:27] reckoning. It's a unique [1:08:28] circumstance. It's an area that [1:08:31] has faced so much trauma. And I [1:08:34] think that's something I want to [1:08:35] recognize. And I will say that [1:08:36] there has been other initiatives [1:08:38] about free parking in uptown on [1:08:40] fridays. So this isn't a new [1:08:42] thing. Upton gets free parking [1:08:45] on fridays. I think there was [1:08:47] an announcement made this year [1:08:48] or something. But ha-ha. So I [1:08:50] would say it isn't just on the [1:08:53] lake street part that I [1:08:54] represent. There has been [1:08:55] precedent in the past. [1:08:58] » Council member stevenson. [1:09:00] » Thank you. Umm, I just [1:09:04] wanted to raise that cocil [1:09:05] member u shaffer, you brought up [1:09:07] some excellent points on parking [1:09:09] pocy, in general. And the [1:09:12] valuof our parking lots. And [1:09:15] the public space that we [1:09:16] dedicate to parking, in general. [1:09:24] we dedicate, literally, [1:09:25] hundreds of millions of dollars [1:09:27] of public land to parking. It [1:09:28] has a huge maintenance cost. I [1:09:30] would be interested in exploring [1:09:36] disukses discussions on [1:09:40] parking metering and revenue [1:09:42] across the entire city. [1:09:43] I want to mention the free [1:09:44] parking uptown. As muc as I [1:09:47] personally don't believe the [1:09:49] cityhould be providing as much [1:09:51] free parking a as it is, to [1:09:53] provide it in uptown and not [1:09:54] provide it in longfellow is a [1:09:57] little odd. So I will be [1:09:59] supporting this. But being [1:10:03] genuine, I would love to work [1:10:04] with you on parng policy to [1:10:08] recoup the immense costs that [1:10:10] we're putting out for parking [1:10:11] across the entire city. [1:10:14] » Council member chughtai. [1:10:15] » Thank you, mr. President. [1:10:17] ah, umm, my colleagues took the [1:10:19] words out of my mouth. But, [1:10:22] umm, you know, I want to start, [1:10:23] first start by talking about, [1:10:28] umm, the -- I've heard a [1:10:30] couple -- a few different times, [1:10:31] ah, over the discussion on this [1:10:33] item. Ah, that -- thathis is, [1:10:36] umm, this framing that this [1:10:38] piece of property is just like [1:10:40] any other city-owned piece of [1:10:43] property. And it's -- it's [1:10:44] really important. Because iknon [1:10:48] this, council members, umm, who [1:10:51] directly represent this area all [1:10:54] have a shared understanding, [1:10:57] umm, that -- that really has [1:10:58] been shaped by the impacted [1:11:01] community. Umm, that this is [1:11:04] not just any other piece of [1:11:05] property. And to treat it as [1:11:06] such is a mistake. And one that [1:11:09] just leads to more heart ache [1:11:11] forvery person involved in the [1:11:13] process. [1:11:14] so, umm, I think that we should [1:11:16] stay away from words like [1:11:18] "precedent" we should stay away [1:11:19] from words like "consistency" [1:11:23] because -- because this is -- [1:11:25] this is a unique situation. [1:11:29] umm, second, I want to talk [1:11:31] about the parking fund. So, [1:11:34] umm, all revenue that is [1:11:36] generated by parking in the city [1:11:38] goes into the parking fund, [1:11:40] which is an enterprise fund here [1:11:43] at the city. He pking fund, [1:11:47] umm, took a hit. Just like any [1:11:51] other,mm, any other one here [1:11:52] at the city. When covid [1:11:57] happened, umm, a this is, umm, [1:11:59] the revenue that the city [1:12:00] collects from parking has [1:12:04] bounced back in a way that we [1:12:08] haven't seen other aspects. And [1:12:11] the health of the parking fund [1:12:13] is incredibly excellent revenue [1:12:16] generated there. It's able to [1:12:19] be usedn lawful ways in [1:12:20] accordance with state law and [1:12:22] other aspects of our cy. And [1:12:25] so I want to alleviate concerns [1:12:28] here about what this could [1:12:30] possibly do to the health of [1:12:31] parking revenue. I don't think [1:12:32] it's aoncern here. And tn [1:12:35] wanted to lift up that just this [1:12:37] year, in the mayor's annual [1:12:39] ate of the city address, he [1:12:42] nounced an itiative to bring [1:12:46] free parking to uptown. That's [1:12:48] a loss of revenue for the city. [1:12:51] if we can do that for uptown, [1:12:53] because we want the economic [1:12:54] vibrancy of uptn to be [1:12:58] prioritized and, u know, I can [1:13:00] disagree all day and night [1:13:02] about, umm, whether a free [1:13:04] parking pac space is going [1:13:06] to ctribute to economic [1:13:08] activity and development to the [1:13:09] area or not. Buthat's -- [1:13:11] that's choice weid make. And [1:13:13] we chose to invest in uptown in [1:13:15] this way. And ask the person [1:13:17] that represents the vast [1:13:19] majority of the uown corrir, [1:13:21] I would find it to be incredibly [1:13:25] disingenuous for us to not [1:13:28] also -- for me to not also be a, [1:13:31] umm, an advocat for making sure [1:13:33] that the longfellow community is [1:13:35] getting its needs met. Given [1:13:38] all that's happening in the [1:13:39] corridor. So, umm, so want [1:13:42] to -- want to encourage all of [1:13:44] my colleagues to join me in -- [1:13:47] in, umm, in supportinghis [1:13:49] comprisepath forward. [1:13:51] » Council member shaffer. [1:13:53] » Thank you. Yeah. Just a [1:13:55] couple of thoughts. And I'm [1:13:58] fully supportive of the [1:13:59] democracy center. I will be [1:14:00] supporting this amendment. But [1:14:02] I want to clarify a couple of [1:14:03] things that were said. The [1:14:05] uptown free parking is friday, [1:14:08] saturday nights. It's ending in [1:14:09] a few weeks. It's probably [1:14:11] the -- it's not all of uptown. [1:14:14] it's lagoon and lake street for [1:14:16] maybe a span of three to four [1:14:18] blocks on each side of hennepin. [1:14:20] so this is a targeted area. [1:14:22] for a short a of amount [1:14:25] of time for this summer. That's [1:14:27] a different situation. I am not [1:14:29] concerned about parking revenue [1:14:31] from the democracy center. [1:14:36] that's not, you know, going to [1:14:40] be impactful. What I am [1:14:41] concerned about, though, is the [1:14:43] idea that we have -- we are [1:14:46] consistent. That we have a [1:14:48] process that businesses and [1:14:50] investors in our city can know [1:14:54] that this council will not [1:14:58] willy-nilly change direction on [1:14:59] this for that, depending on a [1:15:02] variety of circumstances. That [1:15:03] if we have a parking policy [1:15:05] throughout our city, we should [1:15:07] follow that. And I was [1:15:09] encouraged to hear that this is [1:15:11] not an unusual use case. I [1:15:13] would like to see where the [1:15:15] other use cases are in the city. [1:15:17] from maybe that's a staff [1:15:19] follow up. But I would like to [1:15:21] grow in my own education of what [1:15:23] is our process for allowing this [1:15:26] kind of arrangement. Because it [1:15:27] should be a process. And it [1:15:29] should be predictable. So that [1:15:30] all of us can stand up here [1:15:33] immediately and not have to have [1:15:34] a discussion around asking [1:15:35] questions about parking. But we [1:15:37] know what is our process and [1:15:39] this is not unusual. [1:15:41] and so, yeah, I'll look forward [1:15:43] to having more information about [1:15:44] that. But it is extremely [1:15:47] important to have a consistent [1:15:49] process, in my mind. When we [1:15:50] make decisions. And so, umm, [1:15:53] I'm excited that this is going [1:15:54] to be moving forward. This is [1:15:57] long overdue. And I'm going to [1:16:01] be, you know, looking forward to [1:16:03] seeing this come to life. [1:16:09] » Seeing no one else left in [1:16:11] queue, and we have ims four [1:16:16] and five with the amended item [1:16:19] number four in front of us. [1:16:22] council member chowdhury, do you [1:16:25] think it would be appropriate to [1:16:26] take it up as a package. [1:16:27] » I do. [1:16:29] » Okay. And with that, the [1:16:30] clerk will call the roll. [1:16:33] » Council member warren. [1:16:34] » Aye. [1:16:34] » Council member shaffer. [1:16:35] » Aye. [1:16:36] » Council member chughtai. [1:16:37] » Aye. [1:16:38] » Council membe whiting. [1:16:40] » Aye. [1:16:40] » Council member chowdhury. [1:16:41] » Aye. [1:16:42] » Council member stevenson. [1:16:43] » Aye. [1:16:44] » Council member rainville. [1:16:45] » Aye. [1:16:45] » Council member vetaw. [1:16:46] » Aye. [1:16:47] » Council member palmisano. [1:16:48] » Aye. [1:16:48] » Council member chavez. [1:16:49] » Aye. [1:16:50] » Vice president osman [1:16:50] it [1:16:51] » Aye. [1:16:51] » President payne. [1:16:52] » Aye. [1:16:52] » There are 12 ayes. [1:16:54] » That carries. That completes [1:17:00] the business report. T next [1:17:02] is from the climate and [1:17:03] infrastructure committee, [1:17:04] presented by the council member [1:17:06] stevenson, the vice chair. [1:17:07] » Thank you, mr. President. [1:17:08] the climate and infrastructure [1:17:13] mmittee that is 13 items. [1:17:14] number one dinner du nord [1:17:17] commercial block event. Two [1:17:19] gabbana that ball games block [1:17:21] event permit. Three skyway [1:17:23] easeme from minneapolis park [1:17:24] and recreati board. Four [1:17:25] metro green line extension [1:17:28] subordate funding agreement. [1:17:31] five minneapolis street lighting [1:17:32] plan amendment. Six cedar lake [1:17:37] road bridge project overpass [1:17:39] agreement. Number seven [1:17:40] cooperative agreement with [1:17:41] hennepin county regional [1:17:43] railroad authority f the grand [1:17:44] avenue south bridge. Number [1:17:49] eight metropolitan council [1:17:51] municipal infiltration andinfloe [1:17:57] pipelining. Number ne bid for [1:17:59] 2026-2027 public works tree [1:18:00] removal and disposal. Number [1:18:04] 10, bid for the installation of [1:18:06] green stormwater infrastructure [1:18:07] for the west fulton neighborhood [1:18:09] improvement project. 11 [1:18:10] columbia heights membrane plant [1:18:13] roof replacement. 12 contract [1:18:18] amendment with cs mccrossan [1:18:24] construction, inc. Number 13 [1:18:26] bicycle advisory committee [1:18:27] appointments. I'll move [1:18:28] approval of the report. [1:18:29] » Council member stevenson has [1:18:31] moved approval of the [1:18:32] committee's report. Is there [1:18:33] any discussion? Seeing none. [1:18:37] I'll ask the clerk to call the [1:18:40] roll. [1:18:40] » Council member warren. [1:18:41] » Aye. [1:18:42] » Council member shaffer. [1:18:44] » Aye. [1:18:44] » Council member chughtai. [1:18:45] » Aye. [1:18:45] » Council member whiting. [1:18:47] » Aye. [1:18:48] » Chowdhury. [1:18:48] » Aye. [1:18:48] » Council member stevenson. [1:18:50] » Aye. [1:18:50] » Council member rainville.>> . [1:18:51] » Council member vetaw. [1:18:52] » Aye. [1:18:52] » Council member palmisano. [1:18:54] » Aye. [1:18:54] » Council member chavez. [1:18:55] » Aye. [1:18:55] » Vice president osman. [1:18:56] » Aye. [1:18:57] » President payne. [1:18:58] » Aye. [1:18:58] » There are 12 ayes. [1:18:59] » That carry and the report is [1:19:01] adopted. The next we'll have [1:19:02] the report from the committee of [1:19:04] the whole, given by the [1:19:05] committee's chair, council [1:19:08] member chowdhury. [1:19:10] » President payne, thank you. [1:19:22] the committee the whole will [1:19:24] be bringing forward three items [1:19:26] to today's meeting. Item one [1:19:28] approves the special law related [1:19:30] to food hall licenses. Two is a [1:19:32] grant application for national [1:19:35] integrate ballistics information [1:19:37] program from the u.s. Department [1:19:38] of justice. This item was sent [1:19:41] forward without recommendation. [1:19:43] and lastly item three approves a [1:19:45] staff direction that analyzes [1:19:47] information related to [1:19:48] legislative budgets. With that, [1:19:50] I'll move all items for approval [1:19:52] except for item two, which I'll [1:19:54] pull for discussion. [1:19:57] » Council member chowdhury has [1:19:58] moved approval of the committee [1:19:59] report pulling item two for [1:20:03] separate discussion. Any [1:20:05] discussion open the remainder of [1:20:07] the report? Seeing none, I'll [1:20:08] ask the clerk to call the roll [1:20:12] on the report minus item two. [1:20:15] » Warren. [1:20:15] » Aye. [1:20:15] » Shaffer. [1:20:16] » Aye. [1:20:17] » Chughtai. [1:20:18] » Aye. [1:20:18] » Whiting. [1:20:19] » Aye. [1:20:20] » Chowdhury. [1:20:21] » Aye. [1:20:21] » Stevenson. [1:20:22] » Aye. [1:20:23] » Rainville. [1:20:24] » Aye. [1:20:24] » Vetaw. [1:20:25] » Aye. [1:20:26] » Palmisano. [1:20:27] » Aye. [1:20:27] » Chavez. [1:20:28] » Aye. [1:20:28] » Vice president osman. [1:20:29] » Aye. [1:20:29] » President payne. [1:20:30] » Aye. [1:20:31] » There are 12 ayes. [1:20:32] » That carries. Next we'll [1:20:35] take up item number two and I'll [1:20:38] recognize council member [1:20:39] chavez. [1:20:39] » Thank you, council president [1:20:42] payne. Colleagues, I will not [1:20:44] be the supporting this grant [1:20:48] application today. [1:20:48] the memo sent to us by staff [1:20:50] states there are no alternative [1:20:52] funding sources to maintain the [1:20:56] access. I want to disagree with [1:20:57] the assessment. The city [1:20:58] council has already passed an [1:21:00] offduty work ordinance designed [1:21:01] to recoup fees, in general. [1:21:03] fees that could reduce the [1:21:04] burden on taxpayers. That [1:21:06] ordinance has not been [1:21:08] implemented. So before I can [1:21:10] even accept that we have no [1:21:12] choice here, I want to [1:21:14] understand why a [1:21:16] council-approved tool could [1:21:17] address the problems I terms of [1:21:18] recouping fees and addressing [1:21:20] the tax issues that we're [1:21:21] struggling with as a city, why [1:21:22] it's not being taken seriously [1:21:24] or even implemented. [1:21:25] we could have already been [1:21:28] recouping offduty fees, but the [1:21:30] refusal to implement the [1:21:32] ordinance means our residents [1:21:34] are s subsidizing side gigs [1:21:38] for the minneapolis police [1:21:38] department. Why was it not [1:21:39] included in the proposed budget [1:21:41] last year. If we were to lose [1:21:42] direct access to the network by [1:21:45] the end of 2026, due to the [1:21:47] system incompatibility, why was [1:21:49] it not a priority for the mpd [1:21:51] before the grant application. [1:21:53] why was it not included in the [1:21:56] proposed budget. Why has the [1:21:57] first time the council public [1:21:59] heard of this? What would be [1:22:00] the plan if the grant [1:22:01] application was not made [1:22:01] available to the city? I will [1:22:04] once again mention why I am [1:22:06] against this grant application. [1:22:07] and I want to be clear, it's not [1:22:09] just about words. The notice of [1:22:12] funding opportunity for the [1:22:14] fiscal year 2026 modernization [1:22:16] program explicitly states the [1:22:18] program statutory purpose and [1:22:19] program goals in terms of [1:22:21] investigating crimes committed [1:22:25] by, quote, illegal ail y [1:22:28] aliens [1:22:29] I don't consider the community [1:22:31] I'm proud to represent as [1:22:33] illegal ail aliens. Who [1:22:38] have committed crimes in [1:22:39] addition to being quote, [1:22:41] unlawfully present language I'll [1:22:42] continue to reject and call [1:22:45] dehumanizing and unacceptable. [1:22:48] the duty statute lists notice of [1:22:50] funding opportunity operates [1:22:51] under is a section which is [1:22:53] titled bridge immigration [1:22:56] related deficits nationwide [1:22:58] reimbursement fund. I believe, [1:23:00] as I said this week, we have a [1:23:02] duty to ensure when we're [1:23:03] applying for or accepting [1:23:04] federal funds, we don't use the [1:23:07] city's name, resources, or [1:23:08] partnerships to a funding frame [1:23:10] work that dehumanizes, [1:23:12] stigmatizes our immigrant [1:23:13] residents in minneapolis. And [1:23:15] that it does not make our [1:23:16] community members feel more [1:23:18] targeted. [1:23:18] the notice of funding [1:23:20] opportunity explicitly lists [1:23:24] immigration law enforcement -- [1:23:25] around the funding priorities. [1:23:26] as I said last time, I do not [1:23:28] and will not accept the premise [1:23:31] implicit or explicit in this or [1:23:35] funding -- requiring, locating, [1:23:37] and app henting. I will [1:23:39] continue to don dem the hateful [1:23:42] and anti-immigrant rhetoric [1:23:44] included in this program. Most [1:23:45] importantly, I will be very [1:23:46] clear that I do not trust the [1:23:48] purpose of funding outlined by [1:23:51] the federal government. They [1:23:52] came to minneapolis saying they [1:23:54] were going to come after, quote, [1:23:56] criminals, but what they did was [1:23:57] come after mothers, fathers, [1:24:00] children going to school, and I [1:24:03] know that I've had to do over [1:24:04] the past few days, a lot of [1:24:06] education here on the dais and [1:24:08] education outside of the dais. [1:24:09] about why it is unacceptable to [1:24:12] call people aliens. Why it is [1:24:14] unacceptable to call people [1:24:15] illegal. Why it is unacceptable [1:24:20] to, umm, you know, that [1:24:23] considering people that are [1:24:25] immigrants criminals. Because [1:24:26] they're immigrants. That's just [1:24:28] wrong. Additionally, I'll [1:24:30] mention this part. You know, [1:24:32] according to the star tribune [1:24:34] reporting, the occupation of [1:24:36] minneapolis disp [1:24:39] disproportionately impacted the [1:24:41] latino community most. 90% of [1:24:43] those kidnapped by the federal [1:24:44] government in minnesota to march [1:24:49] 10. I d't accept that. And I [1:24:51] don't accept the words in this. [1:24:54] I don't like the purpose of [1:24:55] funding stated in this. That [1:24:57] talks about immigration [1:24:58] enforcement. I think it's [1:25:01] wrong. There could have been [1:25:02] different ways to fund this [1:25:03] program. There could have been [1:25:04] conversations happening last [1:25:05] year about how we can fund this [1:25:07] program. And I just didn't [1:25:09] happen. At least with my [1:25:10] office. So I will not be voting [1:25:13] for this. [1:25:13] » Council member shaer. [1:25:16] » I definitely hear the concern [1:25:19] among the harmful language [1:25:20] st contained in the notice [1:25:22] for the $300,000 grant. No one [1:25:25] on this body wants to devalue, [1:25:28] dehumanize, or demonize anyone [1:25:30] because of their immigration [1:25:32] status. We are 13-0 on that. [1:25:35] the question before us is [1:25:38] whether apply for the grant [1:25:39] would make the city complicit in [1:25:41] the current federal [1:25:44] administration's anti-immigrant [1:25:44] rhetoric and policies. Or [1:25:48] violate our separation [1:25:49] ordinance. Our city attorneys [1:25:51] have answered that question [1:25:54] publicly, explicitly, and [1:25:56] clearly. It would not. [1:25:59] I appreciate my colleagues [1:26:02] asking the question. And I [1:26:04] appreciate our attorneys for [1:26:07] giving us a direct answer. Mpd [1:26:09] will use this grant solely to [1:26:12] investigate shootings that occur [1:26:14] in minneapolis. That matters. [1:26:16] because gun violence has become [1:26:17] so common in our city, I fear [1:26:19] we're becoming numb to it. My [1:26:22] question is, where is the same [1:26:23] concern. Same passion, same [1:26:26] urgency and outrage over the [1:26:27] unacceptable numbers of [1:26:28] shootings in our city? Two [1:26:30] weekends ago, two mass shootings [1:26:33] left more than a dozen people [1:26:35] injured, one person dead. [1:26:37] another unable to walk. Those [1:26:39] are shootings that make the [1:26:41] headlines. We rarely hear about [1:26:43] the others. Also, we all [1:26:46] received the report of a local [1:26:48] business being shot at in the [1:26:50] middle of the day about 10 days [1:26:51] ago around the same time as [1:26:52] these others. The restaurantowd [1:26:57] into his business for an [1:26:59] apparently no reason. And a [1:27:01] bullet missed one of his [1:27:02] employees by only a few feet. [1:27:05] imagine the horror and the [1:27:07] trauma that employee carries. [1:27:09] wondering what if I had been [1:27:11] standing over there instead of [1:27:13] right here. Imagine the burden [1:27:16] of the business owner wondering [1:27:19] if he should continue doing [1:27:20] business in our city because now [1:27:21] they have to ask their employees [1:27:25] to come to work when they no [1:27:27] longer feel safe. The shell [1:27:30] casings, we heard, left behind [1:27:31] are like finger points. It can [1:27:33] help mpd connect a gun to a [1:27:36] crime, connect related shootings [1:27:38] to one another, identify the [1:27:39] person responsible, and prevent [1:27:40] the person from doing it again. [1:27:42] mpd needs access to ninibin. We [1:27:51] can accept this grant without [1:27:52] comprising our values. Our [1:27:55] residents' safety is too [1:27:56] important to reject a useful [1:27:58] tool without compelling reason. [1:28:00] we have also heard from [1:28:01] commander brown that we would [1:28:02] lose access to the nibin service [1:28:05] at the end of the year without [1:28:07] the needed upgrade. We are also [1:28:11] facing the prospect of [1:28:13] unprecedented financial pain. [1:28:16] we have heard about the roughly [1:28:20] 30 million plus shortfall ahead [1:28:21] of us. We'll face [1:28:23] extraordinarily difficult [1:28:24] choices in the coming months. [1:28:27] we cannot afford to turn up our [1:28:29] noses to $300,000 because we [1:28:32] dislike who occupies the white [1:28:33] house. Or who leads the [1:28:34] department of justice. This is [1:28:39] hard, but we need every [1:28:40] available resource that can make [1:28:43] minneapolis safer. Especially [1:28:45] when accepting it does not [1:28:47] require us to surrender our [1:28:50] values. Thank you. [1:28:52] » Council member vetaw. [1:28:54] » Thank you, president payne. [1:28:56] I just had quick question. I [1:28:57] don't know if commander brown [1:28:59] can answer the question. I [1:29:02] think council member chavez made [1:29:04] a great point about this not [1:29:07] being mpd's previous budget. [1:29:09] just wondering if you can speak [1:29:10] to that. Why wasn't it in the [1:29:12] budget. [1:29:13] » Commander brown. [1:29:14] thank you. Thank you, [1:29:17] president. Through the chair, [1:29:19] council member vetaw. So, [1:29:21] excuse me, sti haven't found [1:29:23] my voice yet. We do not know up [1:29:26] until this year that the federal [1:29:27] government who had bee funding [1:29:29] through mpd have their own -- [1:29:31] have the nibin system they were [1:29:33] going to remove the funding. So [1:29:35] when we found out that was the [1:29:37] case, understanding that it was [1:29:39] fairly short notice and agencies [1:29:42] across the u.s. Because it's [1:29:43] not just minnesota, it's across [1:29:44] the u.s. Would have to start [1:29:46] funding it fully themselves. [1:29:48] that's when the doj provided [1:29:49] this grant. And the grant is [1:29:50] not for all agencies that have [1:29:53] nibin. This is for a selected [1:29:55] 170 different agencies that have [1:29:57] the -- that are eligible to [1:29:58] apply for the noncompetitive [1:30:01] grant. So, we were -- the grant [1:30:04] became available at the 26th [1:30:05] of june, I believe. And so it's [1:30:08] fairly short notice for agencies [1:30:10] to do so. And that is why. [1:30:12] » Thank you. That's it. [1:30:15] » Council member chughtai. [1:30:17] » Thank you, mr. President. I [1:30:25] want to start with talking about [1:30:28] nibin access for the city. And [1:30:32] I asked some questions about [1:30:34] this during committee of the [1:30:35] whole earlier this week. But, [1:30:40] umm, the -- I've since then had [1:30:41] the opportunity to talk with [1:30:42] some folks. And I'm hearing -- [1:30:45] I'm hearing that, you know, [1:30:48] perhaps the police department [1:30:49] or, umm, you know, some members [1:30:52] of the police department, as [1:30:54] they're having conversations [1:30:56] with, umm, business owners in my [1:30:59] ward that have been impacted by [1:31:02] recent gun violence. I hear [1:31:06] members of the police department [1:31:10] telling my -- those impacted [1:31:12] community members, my [1:31:14] constituents, that without the [1:31:16] passage of this item, the [1:31:21] violence, umm, they have [1:31:23] experienced will never be [1:31:23] solved. And I think that kind [1:31:26] of misinformation and [1:31:28] disinformation have an impact. [1:31:29] so it feels important to correct [1:31:31] the record up here. While I [1:31:32] have the opportunity. Because [1:31:34] this is my -- one of my few [1:31:36] opportunities to correct the [1:31:40] record. Against some, like, [1:31:42] some pretty significant [1:31:45] disinformation about the [1:31:46] importance of nibin access. [1:31:49] umm, as we -- as commander brown [1:31:51] spoke to us about from the dais [1:31:59] on tuesday, umm, if the city [1:32:03] isn't going to lose nibin access [1:32:07] by applying or not applying to [1:32:09] this grant. Applying or not [1:32:13] applying for the grant that is [1:32:14] no impact on the city's ability [1:32:17] to access this system. The city [1:32:20] can continue to do so by either [1:32:23] finding a different source of [1:32:25] money, and we'll get into that [1:32:26] in a second. To pay for this [1:32:30] modernization work that needs to [1:32:32] be done. Or several of the [1:32:35] partners that we work with on [1:32:37] forensics. Like the bureau of [1:32:39] criminal apprehension, have [1:32:42] nibin access themselves. We can [1:32:44] continue to us utilize the [1:32:49] resource without having to [1:32:52] accept money from the federal [1:32:54] government, from this particular [1:32:57] grant. I'll also note the city [1:33:01] could find a different source of [1:33:02] revenue to, umm, to pay for the [1:33:06] modernization work. [1:33:06] for example, right now the [1:33:10] minneapolis police department [1:33:11] spends approximately, in the [1:33:12] ballpark of $600,000 per one [1:33:16] week on overtime alone. Half of [1:33:22] that, three and a half days of [1:33:24] overtime could pay for this [1:33:28] entire project. You have the [1:33:30] money. Find it somewhere else. [1:33:36] the second piece that -- that I [1:33:39] want to name here in this [1:33:42] discussion is, ah, I think I'm [1:33:46] about to do the minnesotan thing [1:33:49] on the planet. I'm going to [1:33:52] invoke paul wellstone. Prepare [1:33:54] myself. My favorite paul [1:33:56] wellstone quote is about, you [1:33:57] know, if we don't fight hard for [1:33:59] the things we believe in, at [1:34:01] some point, we have to accept [1:34:03] that we don't really believe in [1:34:06] them. Ah, I think it's [1:34:09] incredly powerful and one I [1:34:11] reflect on often. [1:34:12] the residents of this city [1:34:14] believe in protecting our [1:34:17] immigrants, immigrant neighbors [1:34:18] so much that they will put their [1:34:20] bodies on the line. That two of [1:34:24] our residents lost their lives [1:34:27] standing up for the people in [1:34:29] our city. That's how much we [1:34:31] believe in it. But our [1:34:33] government is going to say for a [1:34:37] measly $300,000, we're okay with [1:34:41] the assertion that some people [1:34:44] who live in our city, because of [1:34:46] the color of their skin, are [1:34:49] illegal aliens? That we should [1:34:51] be -- in the purpose of funding, [1:34:53] it talks about the importance. [1:34:56] that the purpose of this funding [1:34:59] is to help local jurisdictions [1:35:03] better cooperate with the [1:35:05] federal government to carry out [1:35:08] immigration enforcement [1:35:10] proceedings. Immigration [1:35:12] enforcement actions. That's the [1:35:13] purpose of this funding, as [1:35:16] well. And so we're going to -- [1:35:19] we're going to abandon the [1:35:20] things we believe in for [1:35:26] $300,000? But the people of our [1:35:28] city will give their lives to [1:35:31] stand up for their beliefs? [1:35:34] this seems inconsistent to me. [1:35:37] so, unfortunately, I can't [1:35:38] support this today. And it [1:35:40] feels important to me, also, [1:35:43] then to name that, ah, I think [1:35:47] there's some disinformation [1:35:47] happening, as well. Thank you, [1:35:48] mr. President. [1:35:51] » Ah, seeing no one else left [1:35:55] in queue, I see vp in the queue [1:35:57] but I don't see him in the [1:36:00] chambers. Council member [1:36:02] rainville. [1:36:03] » Thank you. So, commander [1:36:05] brown, I don't want to put you [1:36:07] on the spot here. But it's my [1:36:09] knowledge that this overtime [1:36:11] cost is driven by the lack of [1:36:13] 9-1-1 responders that we have to [1:36:16] pay 9-1-1 responders t answer [1:36:18] emergency calls. Is that true? [1:36:22] » Commander brown. [1:36:24] » Thank you, council president. [1:36:25] through the chair, council [1:36:27] member rainville. That is [1:36:28] correct. [1:36:28] » Thank you. Council member [1:36:33] chowdhury. [1:36:34] » Thank you, so much, president [1:36:37] payne. I think for me, the [1:36:42] contention that I have with this [1:36:44] is not with nibin. Right. I [1:36:47] see the value and the resource. [1:36:50] absolutely. I think it's [1:36:52] important to state. Because I [1:36:53] have had residents reach out [1:36:55] that believe, like, if we don't [1:36:56] apply for the grant it's going [1:36:59] to cease to exist. Ihink me [1:37:02] and others on this body, and the [1:37:03] police department can agree [1:37:04] that's not helpful. For [1:37:08] residents to believe that nibin [1:37:11] won't exist if we don't apply [1:37:13] for this. It creates a lot of [1:37:14] alarms for people. I think [1:37:16] others have done a good jobf [1:37:19] laying out, we like, we have a [1:37:21] budget choice before us. Right. [1:37:23] it's $300,000 from our coffers, [1:37:28] city general fund, wherever. [1:37:29] maybe we need to move things [1:37:30] around. We oftentimes move [1:37:32] things around for public safety. [1:37:33] we have a long history of that. [1:37:36] especially as it comes to the [1:37:37] police department. Or it's to [1:37:40] take this potential funding from [1:37:42] the federal government, right, [1:37:43] that hasn't been granted to us. [1:37:46] there's also a chance it won't [1:37:47] be granted to us. We know that [1:37:49] the president of the united [1:37:51] states and the donl doj [1:37:53] is not really a big fan for [1:37:55] minneapolis. Even if we were [1:37:57] invited for this. We know the [1:37:58] administration is purposefully [1:38:01] not giving funding o resources [1:38:05] to its political enemies and [1:38:07] detractors. That's the reality [1:38:11] of 2026. [1:38:13] for me, the purpose of funding [1:38:17] and the biden act, and the [1:38:21] language in which this came [1:38:23] from, is extremely egregious and [1:38:28] deplorable. And I -- the term [1:38:33] "illegal alien" is not just a [1:38:38] legal term of art. It's a slur. [1:38:40] it's an absolutely slur. [1:38:43] calling people illegal aliens is [1:38:48] dehumanizing, degrading, and it [1:38:49] creates a permission structure [1:38:51] for violence against them. It [1:38:56] just does and h and we've seen [1:38:57] over and over again. There's [1:38:59] a policy choice here today, do [1:39:01] we apply for grants for the [1:39:02] purpose of funding has slurs [1:39:04] within them? It's just really [1:39:09] just starkly before us. U don't [1:39:15] think it's just about rhetoric [1:39:18] or ideology. I think it's a [1:39:20] govern innoc [1:39:24] governance approach. If the [1:39:25] purpose of funding looked [1:39:28] different, the grant, if it came [1:39:30] from a different bill. It would [1:39:33] have my support. But it [1:39:36] doesn't. And I can't sit on [1:39:38] this body and give a permission [1:39:42] structure, create a permission [1:39:43] structure here to say that we're [1:39:44] applying for grants with slurs [1:39:47] in them.. [1:39:50] » Vice president osman. [1:39:51] » All right. Thank you so [1:39:53] much. I have a comment and then [1:39:56] I have one clarification from [1:39:59] the staff. [1:40:01] colleagues, the way I understand [1:40:02] this language, or this grant is [1:40:05] that, first of all, we apply all [1:40:10] kinds of grants from the federal [1:40:11] government. We apply housing [1:40:12] grants. We apply roads, [1:40:16] highways. There is all kinds of [1:40:18] grants that makes our city keep [1:40:21] moving. And, also, this [1:40:27] administration has used a [1:40:28] language, and I'm sure -- I'm [1:40:30] sure if we look in deep other [1:40:32] grants, we'll find similar [1:40:34] language. So where do we stop? [1:40:41] if we start dismissing grants, [1:40:43] our city will not be operating. [1:40:45] and we're not capable of getting [1:40:47] serving our residents in the [1:40:48] best way we can. We need that [1:40:52] assistance from the federal [1:40:54] government. Even the federal [1:40:58] government has -- they have used [1:41:01] language that is called [1:41:02] democracy. You can wait through [1:41:05] the election process and maybe a [1:41:07] decision will change. Maybe it [1:41:09] will not. One thing I will tell [1:41:10] you, is the way the government, [1:41:14] our local government is set up [1:41:16] we rely on the state and the [1:41:17] federal government suppo to [1:41:18] operate our city. [1:41:23] my concern would have been if [1:41:25] this is somehow attached to [1:41:32] I.c.e. Enforcement, some kind of [1:41:35] immigration enforcement. If it [1:41:36] would have been similar to that, [1:41:39] we have t right to reject [1:41:41] that. This grant specifilly [1:41:42] has not said anying about [1:41:47] immigrant enforcemt. I have [1:41:49] received calls from the [1:41:50] community members this morning [1:41:52] thinking we're voting on [1:41:56] accepting this grant will result [1:41:57] I.c.e. In arresting our [1:41:59] community members. That's [1:42:01] misinformation, the way I [1:42:02] understand it. [1:42:03] and I would like either the city [1:42:08] attorney or the staff to kind of [1:42:11] clarify about that and get the [1:42:15] misinformation out. Will this [1:42:19] result immigrant enforcement? [1:42:20] accepting this grant? [1:42:23] » Good morning, members of the [1:42:24] council. Pleasure to be here [1:42:25] with you. Again this morning. [1:42:27] my name is amy shunt. Lead [1:42:30] assistant city attorney. [1:42:31] through the chair, vice chair [1:42:33] osman, your question was will [1:42:36] our application for the grant [1:42:37] require us to proport on any [1:42:40] kind of I.c.e. Enforcement. I [1:42:42] have legally reviewed the terms [1:42:43] of the grants, and all of the [1:42:46] documents referenced in and the [1:42:49] all the documents referenced [1:42:51] therein for any terms and [1:42:52] conditions for what my office is [1:42:55] calling problematic. Anything [1:42:56] that would require us to violate [1:42:58] the separation ordinance or [1:43:00] anything that would be [1:43:01] anti-theatrical to the values of [1:43:02] the city. [1:43:03] and it is my opinion, upon doing [1:43:05] that review, that there is [1:43:07] nothing in this nofo or nor this [1:43:11] application that would require [1:43:12] us to violate the separation [1:43:14] ordinance to perform any kind of [1:43:16] I.c.e. Enforcement or to [1:43:19] otherwise require staff to act [1:43:20] in a way that is anti-theatrical [1:43:22] to the values of the city. [1:43:23] » Thank you so much. That's [1:43:26] exactly what I thought. Even if [1:43:28] it was the case, you wouldn't [1:43:30] even approach applying that. [1:43:31] that will violate the city [1:43:33] separation ordinance. [1:43:35] so my final comment is that, [1:43:37] colleagues, we can be angry with [1:43:39] the federal government, the way [1:43:41] they treat people, the language [1:43:43] they use. But voting down this [1:43:45] would only hurt us and hurt -- [1:43:48] not benefit the work we're [1:43:50] trying to do. Which is to [1:43:52] accept this grant so we can do [1:43:54] better processing on criminal [1:43:56] activity. [1:43:57] so I would say I am an [1:44:02] immigrant. I'm someone who has [1:44:06] been in communities that has [1:44:07] been targeted in the city of [1:44:08] minneapolis. But I think you [1:44:10] have to wait on how things come. [1:44:12] this is coming separate angle. [1:44:17] and it's not nothing to do with [1:44:19] I.c.e. Enforcement. And I think [1:44:20] we should vote on it. And this [1:44:23] is money that will come to our [1:44:24] city to support the work we do [1:44:26] for our citizens. Thank you. [1:44:29] » Council member palmisano. [1:44:32] » Thank you, mr. President. I [1:44:34] think council member osman [1:44:36] already said most of what I was [1:44:37] going to say. [1:44:39] we are not abandoning our values [1:44:42] or beliefs here. Because the [1:44:44] terms of this grant do not [1:44:46] require that. And I would be [1:44:49] happy to entertain a resolution [1:44:52] condemning language in requiring [1:44:53] the city not to be required to [1:44:57] violate a separation ordinance. [1:44:58] I fear the confusion around this [1:45:00] grant is made by rhetoric on [1:45:02] this dais. Not by the [1:45:04] requirements of the grant, and [1:45:06] not by our city attorney. Who [1:45:08] has said, basically the same [1:45:10] thing in committee of the whole, [1:45:11] again for us today. We are [1:45:13] accepting is federal money for a [1:45:15] lot of other things, mostly [1:45:17] money in public works. I don't [1:45:19] think we should stop. So I will [1:45:21] make a motion to approve -- [1:45:24] » Second. [1:45:24] » And ask that we move [1:45:26] forward. [1:45:26] . Thank you. [1:45:30] » Council member palmisano has [1:45:32] moved approval. Did I hear a [1:45:33] second? [1:45:33] » Second. [1:45:35] » Okay. Council member warren. [1:45:39] » Thank you, council president [1:45:43] payne. [1:45:44] it pains me to know there's [1:45:46] language that is marginalizing [1:45:51] and disenfranchising members of [1:45:52] our community because of the [1:45:54] simple fact, like I said this at [1:45:57] the committee of the whole [1:46:00] meeting. I don't know any [1:46:01] aliens [1:46:02] I've never seen any my life. [1:46:04] these are residents of our city. [1:46:07] when I think about supporting [1:46:09] the national integrated [1:46:11] ballistic information network, [1:46:15] I'm thinking about how many of [1:46:17] my neighbors and community [1:46:20] members are sitting and waiting [1:46:22] for justice to be served, and [1:46:25] for someone to support the cries [1:46:31] that far too long have gone [1:46:34] unanswered on our community. [1:46:35] I'm thinking about how [1:46:37] specifically in north [1:46:39] minneapolis, we have buried so [1:46:40] many sons and daughters, [1:46:41] brothers and sisters, mothers [1:46:43] and fathers who are still [1:46:45] waiting for a phone call that [1:46:48] says somebody has been arrested [1:46:53] with respect to what has [1:46:54] happened to their loved one. [1:46:56] right. [1:46:56] they're waiting for those [1:46:58] answers. They're waiting for a [1:47:00] response to be given to them. [1:47:03] and this is not about increasing [1:47:06] arrest for the sake of just [1:47:07] arresting people. It's about [1:47:10] connecting evidence that is left [1:47:12] behind at crime scenes and [1:47:14] linking it to shootings that [1:47:18] involve firearms and giving the [1:47:20] investigators the tools they [1:47:21] need to be solution driven more [1:47:25] quickly. Before people get [1:47:27] away. [1:47:29] so I think about these things. [1:47:30] I think about families that are [1:47:32] still searching for justice, [1:47:33] like the family of aniya allen, [1:47:38] trinity smith, la daveon [1:47:42] garrett. I'm thinking about [1:47:43] those babies whose murders have [1:47:45] not been solved recently. And [1:47:46] people are just running around [1:47:48] here free. You know, and that [1:47:51] people need to have a piece of [1:47:54] mind knowing that someone is [1:47:57] being held accountable for the [1:48:00] wrongdoing and the pain they [1:48:01] have inflicted upon our [1:48:02] community. [1:48:03] and it doesn't make a difference [1:48:05] what race you are, what sex you [1:48:07] are, what any of the -- none of [1:48:09] that stuff makes any difference [1:48:11] at all. If you have harmed [1:48:14] someone and ten a life, or [1:48:16] inflicted pain upon the [1:48:18] community, then you need some [1:48:19] time to sit down and [1:48:21] self-reflect. And that's just [1:48:22] where I sit with it. This is [1:48:25] not about picking out or picking [1:48:27] apart anything. This is really [1:48:29] about bringing answers to [1:48:32] families who have cried out for [1:48:35] far too long about wanting [1:48:37] justice for their loved ones who [1:48:38] have lost their lives due to [1:48:41] acts of gun violence. That's [1:48:42] where I have to sit with it at. [1:48:44] I don't know any aliens. Never [1:48:46] met any in any life. But I know [1:48:48] that it is my fiduciary [1:48:52] responsibility to protect all of [1:48:53] my community members and to use [1:48:55] every tool that I have to ensure [1:48:57] the safety, love, care, and [1:49:00] compassion that is extended to [1:49:01] my community members is the same [1:49:03] I will want for my own family. [1:49:05] the end. [1:49:06] » Council member whiting. [1:49:07] » Thank you, president payne. [1:49:09] just have one question for our [1:49:10] city attorney. [1:49:16] thank you, city attorney schutt. [1:49:19] in your legal analysis, is [1:49:25] there language contained in [1:49:26] either the nofo or the grant [1:49:29] application that violates or [1:49:31] that would have our city [1:49:33] violated separation ordinance? [1:49:34] » Through the chair, council [1:49:36] member whiting, no. There is [1:49:38] not. We review the grant and [1:49:42] the application for concerns [1:49:43] like that. Frankly, it wouldn't [1:49:45] get to you if it had a [1:49:47] requirement to violate the [1:49:49] separation ordinance. [1:49:49] » Okay. That's all. Thank [1:49:52] you. [1:49:53] » Council member chavez. [1:49:54] » Thank you, council president [1:49:55] payne. [1:49:56] I keep hearing the point being [1:49:58] made about not violating a [1:50:00] separation ordinance. I think [1:50:01] it means I need to do another [1:50:03] notice of intent in [1:50:06] strengthening the separation [1:50:06] ordinance. That's one. To be [1:50:08] clear, if it doesn't violate the [1:50:12] separation ordinance. We have [1:50:12] to make it stronger again. I [1:50:14] think we're asking the wrong [1:50:16] questions. If we would [1:50:17] interpret us not having to [1:50:19] enforce federal immigration law. [1:50:20] what I want to work on, because [1:50:22] the reason I didn't bring it [1:50:23] forward the resolution on, like, [1:50:25] attaching it to this. Is [1:50:27] because I -- it needs to be [1:50:28] workshopped more. And I'm happy [1:50:30] to bring it back next time. [1:50:32] what we're not asking for what [1:50:35] the federal government expects [1:50:36] of us if we accept the money. [1:50:38] that's what my concern is. If [1:50:39] the federal government is going [1:50:40] to expect us to do federal [1:50:44] immigration enforcement. That's [1:50:45] a concern. If we accept the [1:50:48] grant, I bet. That's what I'm [1:50:49] concerned about us applying and [1:50:51] accepting this funding. And, [1:50:52] you know, if we want to make it [1:50:54] about rhetoric, it's not about [1:50:55] rhetoric. I'm happy to bring [1:50:57] the resolution forward so we can [1:50:59] get answers. [1:51:00] » Council member stevenson. [1:51:02] » Yeah. Thank you. [1:51:05] I want to go back to what [1:51:08] council member chughtai said [1:51:09] earlier about if we really [1:51:11] believe the thing that we say [1:51:14] that we believe. [1:51:17] we are in a historic time. A [1:51:19] time when our actions are under [1:51:21] different scrutiny and have [1:51:23] different meaning than they [1:51:25] would in another time. And I [1:51:29] hesitate to use the word [1:51:31] unprecedented times. You can't [1:51:33] have an entirely unprecedentedt. [1:51:36] but we are in [1:51:43] » That ice invaded our city and [1:51:46] took our neighbors and killed [1:51:47] some of our neighbors. We are in [1:51:49] a time when our actions have [1:51:51] different ramifications. And we [1:51:52] have to do things a little [1:51:54] differently in response to the [1:51:55] fact that we are not in normal [1:51:58] times. We are not in a time when [1:52:02] you c overlook certain things. [1:52:05] where putting up yourose at [1:52:08] different moral issues is [1:52:09] acceptable. We are in a time [1:52:11] when we need to stand for what [1:52:14] we believe. We need to actually [1:52:15] in ways that are meaningful and [1:52:18] in ways that sometimes cause us [1:52:21] discomfort stand up for what we [1:52:23] believe. And in thi case, we [1:52:25] believe that all of our [1:52:26] neighbors have the right to be [1:52:27] here and we love them and [1:52:29] they're important members of our [1:52:31] community. And we don't want to [1:52:33] go alongith this evil federal [1:52:36] government in even the rhetoric [1:52:37] that they say about them. Yeah, [1:52:42] it's just a different time. [1:52:44] we're not in -- this isn't 2012, [1:52:48] you know. We're here in 2026 in [1:52:51] minneapolis after the invasion [1:52:52] of the federal government and [1:52:53] it's just time for us to say, [1:52:55] hey, we're not even going to [1:52:57] accept this rhetoric. And I [1:52:58] understand that, you know, on a [1:53:01] balance sheet rhetoric doesn't [1:53:03] show up. Rhetoric doesn't matter [1:53:06] on a balance sheet. But you know [1:53:08] what? We're not balance sheets, [1:53:11] we're people. And rhetoric [1:53:13] matters to people. We can and we [1:53:15] will find other money to keep [1:53:19] this nibin access going. We [1:53:21] don't need this money. There is [1:53:23] $300,000 in the couch cushion in [1:53:26] this city. The harley davidson's [1:53:31] alone, let's sell those guys and [1:53:32] then we could have this fully [1:53:34] funded. It really is that [1:53:36] simple and so let's stand up [1:53:37] for what we believe and let's [1:53:39] find money, particularly the [1:53:42] harley davidson's to fund nibin [1:53:45] access. We are not interested in [1:53:47] lowering our public safety. [1:53:49] we're just interested in [1:53:50] standing up for what we believe [1:53:50] in. [1:53:52] » I added myself to queue [1:53:56] because I shared some remarks [1:53:57] related to this on tuesday. But [1:54:00] just zooming out, again, I'm not [1:54:04] questioning the legal analysis [1:54:06] of our city attorney's office. [1:54:09] I'm profoundly concerned about [1:54:12] how the federalovernment will [1:54:13] assess this. And just to p it [1:54:17] in the context, the new york [1:54:19] times did some recent reporting [1:54:23] on some of the charges that were [1:54:26] brought forward for ice [1:54:27] observers. And they were [1:54:28] comparing and contrasting how [1:54:30] the doj has operated in the past [1:54:33] compared to how they're [1:54:34] conducting themselves now. [1:54:37] historically, they don't bring [1:54:39] criminal cases forward unless [1:54:40] they know they have the evidence [1:54:42] to win in court. That's led to [1:54:44] more than 90% of defendants [1:54:48] pleading guilty or being [1:54:49] convicted at trial. In this new [1:54:50] york times reporting, they [1:54:53] assessed 558 charges against [1:54:56] legal observers. They've only [1:55:00] gotten 246 that pled guilty, and [1:55:03] four convictions. This is a very [1:55:08] divergent tract record fm how [1:55:10] the doj operates. And it's a [1:55:14] representation of the fact that [1:55:16] they bring spurious chaes and [1:55:18] they conduct themselves not [1:55:20] grounded in the rule of law, but [1:55:23] early through political [1:55:23] motivation and retaliation. As [1:55:28] best evidenced by the mass [1:55:30] resignation of our u.s. [1:55:32] attorney's office earlier this [1:55:34] year, particularly after the [1:55:36] murder of renee good and when [1:55:38] the trump administration was [1:55:39] trying to pressure the [1:55:42] attorney's office to actually [1:55:43] investigate ms. Good's wife [1:55:45] rather than the agents that [1:55:46] murdered her. Mass resignation [1:55:51] because some u.s. Attorneys that [1:55:55] I don't agree with actually, [1:55:56] they actually hold themselves to [1:55:58] some integrity. And so what [1:56:00] we're left with in our current [1:56:03] attorney's office is whoever the [1:56:06] back-benchers are who want to [1:56:07] sign on to this administration's [1:56:11] agenda. And this agenda is [1:56:13] overtly authoritarian, it's [1:56:15] overtly racist. They are pushing [1:56:18] rhetoric around white genocide. [1:56:20] it's disgusting. And all you [1:56:22] have to do is look at the white [1:56:26] house twitter feed or the [1:56:29] department of homend [1:56:30] security's twitter feed to see [1:56:33] what kind of country they want [1:56:36] to see for the rest of us. And [1:56:39] I'm notven going to entertain [1:56:43] attaching my name to that [1:56:44] project. That's why I'm not [1:56:46] supporting this. And so with [1:56:54] that I see council member [1:56:55] whiting in queue. [1:56:56] » Thank you, president payne. [1:56:57] just have a question for our [1:57:00] city attorney here. City [1:57:02] attorney abelson. I have a [1:57:03] question broadly about your kind [1:57:05] of legal understanding. I know [1:57:06] this is probably a cold call [1:57:08] kind of question, so if you [1:57:09] don't have the answer, I [1:57:11] apologize for putting you on the [1:57:12] spot here. Do you know of any [1:57:16] federal law, any state law, any [1:57:19] city law that requires a city [1:57:24] jurisdiction to be comandeered [1:57:27] by the federal government to [1:57:29] engage in federal law [1:57:30] enforcement action? [1:57:31] » Chair, council member whitin [1:57:33] answer to any law because there [1:57:36] certainly are states where they [1:57:37] require their law enforcement to [1:57:40] assist the federal government. [1:57:41] that is not the case in [1:57:45] miesota. We recently also got [1:57:47] a very good decision from the [1:57:51] district court here rejecting [1:57:52] the federal government's [1:57:54] challenge to our separation [1:57:56] ordinance because the federal [1:57:57] government does not have the [1:58:00] right to comandeer our police [1:58:02] force for immigtion [1:58:04] enforcement. [1:58:04] » Thank you. I appreciate it. [1:58:08] » Seeing no one else left in [1:58:09] queue, I will ask the clerk to [1:58:13] call the roll. [1:58:15] » Council member warren. [1:58:16] » Aye. [1:58:17] » Council member shaffer. [1:58:18] » Aye. [1:58:19] » Chughtai. [1:58:20] » Nay. [1:58:21] » Whiting. [1:58:21] » Aye. [1:58:23] » Chowdhury. [1:58:23] » No. [1:58:24] » Stevenson. [1:58:25] » No. [1:58:26] » Rainville. [1:58:27] » Aye. [1:58:28] » Vetaw. [1:58:29] » Aye. [1:58:31] » Palmisano. [1:58:32] » Aye. [1:58:32] » Chavez. [1:58:33] » Aye. No! [1:58:37] no. [1:58:37] [laughter] [1:58:38] » Osman. [1:58:39] » Aye. [1:58:40] » President payne. [1:58:41] » Nay. [1:58:43] » There are seven ayes and five [1:58:45] noes. [1:58:46] » Tt item carries. Next, is [1:58:51] the report of our enterprise and [1:58:53] labor relations committee which [1:58:54] will be presented by its chair, [1:58:55] council member palmisano. [1:58:57] » Thank you, mr. President. The [1:58:59] enterprise and labor relations [1:59:00] committee has 10 items to bring [1:59:02] forward today. I think all are [1:59:03] non-controversial here. First is [1:59:08] a legislative process reform [1:59:11] research and recommendations [1:59:12] request. Item 2 is a bid for the [1:59:16] fire department training [1:59:16] apparatus expansion project. [1:59:18] item 3 is what we think is the [1:59:21] last small contract amendment [1:59:22] with shaw lundquist for the city [1:59:24] hall restack phase 3 project. [1:59:26] item 4 is contract with saba [1:59:30] software for enterprise wide [1:59:31] performance management system [1:59:32] support and maintenance. Item [1:59:34] five is a legal settlement with [1:59:37] cameron cecchini. Item 6 is a [1:59:40] legal settlement that is a [1:59:44] workers' comp claim of terrence [1:59:46] floyd. 7 is a claim settlement [1:59:48] minneapolis convention center [1:59:50] claim against northern states [1:59:51] power company. We are receiving [1:59:54] money in that situation. Eight [1:59:57] is indebtedness and bond [1:59:59] issuance authorization related [2:00:01] to capital improvement bonds. We [2:00:02] had a short conversation about [2:00:03] that in committee. Nine is an [2:00:06] appointed position in the health [2:00:07] department for the director of [2:00:08] environmental health. That is [2:00:10] just taking an old position and [2:00:12] refreshing it. Item 10 is an [2:00:14] enterprise and labor relations [2:00:15] committee work plan. I'm happy [2:00:17] to answer any questions. Oh [2:00:20] wait. But I move all of these [2:00:21] forward for approval. [2:00:24] » Council member palmisano has [2:00:26] moved approval of the [2:00:27] committee's report. Is there any [2:00:27] discussion? Seeing none, I'll [2:00:31] ask the clerk to call the roll. [2:00:35] » Council member warren. [2:00:36] » Aye. [2:00:37] » Council member shaffer. >> a [2:00:39] » Council member chughtai. [2:00:40] » Aye. [2:00:41] » Whiting. [2:00:42] » Aye. [2:00:43] » Chowdhury. [2:00:43] » Aye. [2:00:44] » Stevenson. [2:00:45] » Aye. [2:00:46] » Rainville. [2:00:47] » Aye. [2:00:48] » Vetaw. [2:00:48] » Aye. [2:00:50] » Palmisano. [2:00:51] » Aye. [2:00:52] » Chavez. [2:00:53] » Aye. [2:00:53] » Vice president osman. [2:00:55] » Aye. [2:00:55] » President payne. [2:00:56] » Aye. [2:00:57] » There are 12 ayes. [2:00:58] » That carries and the report [2:00:59] is adopd. Finally, we have the [2:01:02] public health safety and equity [2:01:03] committee which will be [2:01:05] presented by that committee's [2:01:07] chair, council member chavez. [2:01:12] » Thank you, mr. President, [2:01:14] public health, safety and equity [2:01:15] committee is bringing seven [2:01:16] items. One is appointing dr. [2:01:21] freeman to the appointed [2:01:23] position for fire chief. I will [2:01:25] move that for a separate vote. [2:01:27] two is contract with hennepin [2:01:29] technical college for the police [2:01:31] cadet program. Three is contract [2:01:34] amendment with govworx inc. [2:01:36] item 4 authorizes a contract [2:01:38] amendment with the center for [2:01:40] multicultural mediation for [2:01:42] community trauma services. Item [2:01:46] 5 authorizes a contract [2:01:46] amendment with a mother's love [2:01:48] initiative for community trauma [2:01:49] response services. Six accepts a [2:01:51] grant for the minnesota [2:01:52] department of health to provide [2:01:53] a family home visiting services [2:01:55] and authorizing an agreement [2:01:56] with the state of minnesota for [2:01:58] the grant. Item 7 approves a [2:02:01] legislative directive related to [2:02:05] the neighborhood safety [2:02:07] department contract audit. I [2:02:08] move item number one for a [2:02:12] separate vote and discussion. [2:02:14] » Council member chavez has [2:02:14] moved approval of the committee [2:02:16] report minus item one. Is there [2:02:17] any discussion on the remainder [2:02:21] of the report? Seeing none, I'll [2:02:23] ask the clerk to call the roll [2:02:26] on all items except item number [2:02:29] one. [2:02:30] » Council member warren. [2:02:31] » Aye. [2:02:32] » Shaffer. [2:02:32] » Aye. [2:02:33] » Chughtai. [2:02:34] » Aye. [2:02:35] » Whiting. [2:02:35] » Aye. [2:02:36] » Chowdhury. [2:02:37] » Aye. [2:02:38] » Stevenson. [2:02:38] » Aye. [2:02:39] » Rainville. [2:02:40] » Aye. [2:02:41] » Vetaw. [2:02:41] » Aye. [2:02:42] » Palmisano. [2:02:43] » Aye. [2:02:44] » Chavez. [2:02:44] » Aye. [2:02:45] » Vice president osman. [2:02:46] » Aye. [2:02:46] » President payne. [2:02:47] » Aye. [2:02:47] » There are 12 ayes. [2:02:49] » Those items carry. Next, we [2:02:52] will take up item number one. I [2:02:53] there a motion for item number [2:02:57] one? [2:02:57] » I will make a motion to move [2:03:01] approval. [2:03:01] » For approval. Is there a [2:03:03] second? [2:03:03] » Second. [2:03:04] » Item number one has been [2:03:06] moved for approval and seconded. [2:03:07] is there any discussion? Oh. I [2:03:12] see mayor frey has joined us. H [2:03:16] want to jump in? [2:03:20] » Mr. Chair, yes. And just [2:03:24] assumedly we are talking about [2:03:27] the renomination for fire chief. [2:03:29] thank you. Thank you. Good [2:03:31] afternoon, council president, [2:03:33] vice president, and council [2:03:34] members. Thanks again for having [2:03:36] me here today to discuss the [2:03:38] nomination of our next fire [2:03:40] chief. So when we started the [2:03:42] search for this fire chief in [2:03:44] the minneapolis fire department, [2:03:45] my top goal was to get someone [2:03:48] into this role who could lead a [2:03:51] team that has been known for its [2:03:53] excellence but also lead a team [2:03:55] into the future that's [2:03:57] recognizing innovation and [2:03:58] technology, that's understanding [2:04:01] the managerial expertise for [2:04:02] this department, and is someone [2:04:03] who understands the importance [2:04:05] of integration of this fire [2:04:06] department into a broader safety [2:04:07] ecosystem. During that search, [2:04:11] we found a really strong field [2:04:14] of impressive candidates. And [2:04:15] there was an individual who rose [2:04:17] to the top, and that's why we've [2:04:21] nominated dr. Reginald freeman [2:04:22] to the position of fire chief. [2:04:25] dr. Freeman's impressive resume [2:04:27] is one that speaks for itself. [2:04:29] former chief of both the oakland [2:04:31] and hartford fire departments. [2:04:33] dr. Freeman has demonstrated an [2:04:35] ability to lead organizations [2:04:37] and leave them better than when [2:04:39] he started. But even more [2:04:40] impressive than his resume, dr. [2:04:45] freeman has demonstrated and [2:04:46] leaves an impression with those [2:04:48] he works with. I believe you all [2:04:50] have access to the over 20 [2:04:52] letters of support for dr. [2:04:54] freeman's confirmation. These [2:04:55] letters come from fire chiefs, [2:04:57] firefighters, labor leaders, [2:05:00] elected officials. I've spoke [2:05:03] with mayors he had worked with [2:05:04] and for. Educators as well as [2:05:07] community leaders throughout the [2:05:07] united states. They speak to his [2:05:10] integrity, his consistency, his [2:05:16] servant leadership and [2:05:17] compassion for this work and [2:05:18] people who he works with. [2:05:22] something that also struck me as [2:05:23] important is this is not the [2:05:25] first time that the doctor has [2:05:26] interviewed for this position. I [2:05:29] want people that want to be in [2:05:32] minneapolis. The first go around [2:05:33] when he interviewed, he also did [2:05:35] an impressive job. But he wasn't [2:05:37] selected. And someone who steps [2:05:42] up, fails to get the nomination, [2:05:45] and steps up again signals [2:05:47] someone that has commitment to [2:05:49] this city and really wants to be [2:05:50] here. If you talk to him, he [2:05:53] wants to be here. If you talk to [2:05:55] him, he wants to have his family [2:05:57] here. He understands the [2:05:57] importance of the work that [2:06:00] we're doing. And like I did, [2:06:04] understands minneapolis is a [2:06:04] place where he wants to be. And [2:06:09] so I want to thank our whole [2:06:11] fire department. I want to thank [2:06:13] our commissioner who has done [2:06:14] really a great job leading this [2:06:17] search as well as managing the [2:06:20] office. I want to thank chief [2:06:23] melanie rucker for stepping up [2:06:25] over the last several months [2:06:26] leading this team especially [2:06:28] through the very difficult times [2:06:30] of january and february of 2026. [2:06:34] that guidance will always be [2:06:38] deeply appreciated. And with [2:06:42] that, it is with great privilege [2:06:44] that I recommend dr. Reginald [2:06:46] freeman for confirmation of fire [2:06:48] chief of the minneapolis fire [2:06:49] department. And I ask for your [2:06:51] support. Thank you for your [2:06:54] time, council members. [2:06:55] » Council member vetaw. [2:06:56] » Thank you, president payne. [2:06:57] colleagues, I want to briefly [2:07:00] explain my vote on the [2:07:02] appointment of dr. Reginald [2:07:04] freeman. This has been a [2:07:06] difficult decision for me. I [2:07:08] took this appointment very [2:07:09] serious like I do all of them. [2:07:11] because the leadership of our [2:07:13] fire department directly impacts [2:07:14] e safety of our firefighters [2:07:15] and our residents. I had the [2:07:16] opportunity to meet one on one [2:07:18] with dr. Freeman, and I want to [2:07:20] be honest that I came away with [2:07:22] concerns. Some of those concerns [2:07:25] relate to his professional [2:07:27] experience, and others stem from [2:07:29] our conversation about his [2:07:30] vision and leadership. I believe [2:07:32] it is my responsibility to [2:07:35] thoroughly evaluate every [2:07:36] nominee and ask the hard [2:07:38] questions. During our [2:07:40] conversation, we also discussed [2:07:41] the lawsuit involving his [2:07:43] previous department. Dr. Freeman [2:07:46] shared he was not personally [2:07:47] named in the lawsuit, and that [2:07:48] was not about him directly. [2:07:51] while I appreciate the [2:07:53] clarification, I also share my [2:07:54] concern that as the leader of [2:07:55] the department, these events [2:07:57] occurred under hisleadership. [2:07:59] my concern is not simply rather [2:08:01] he was personally named, but [2:08:03] rather the women who were [2:08:07] involved were adequately [2:08:08] protected and supported. We have [2:08:09] deep respect for the women who [2:08:11] serve in our fire department, [2:08:12] and I want to ensure they are [2:08:14] working in an environment where [2:08:15] they are safe, respected and [2:08:17] treated with dignity. I also met [2:08:20] with representatives from the [2:08:22] minneapolis firefighters union [2:08:23] to hear directly from the men [2:08:25] and women who served in this [2:08:27] department every day. Their [2:08:29] pport for dr. Freeman weighed [2:08:33] heavily in my decision. While I [2:08:34] still ve reservations, I [2:08:36] respect the confidence they have [2:08:37] in his ability to lead. I would [2:08:40] also encourage dr. Freeman to [2:08:42] take the time to learn from the [2:08:43] people already serving in this [2:08:45] department. In my experience, [2:08:46] firefighters have been among the [2:08:48] most loyal public servants. They [2:08:51] share unbreakable bonds with one [2:08:53] another, and have built a [2:08:55] culture rooted in service, [2:08:56] trust, and teamwork. I also want [2:08:59] to recognize that minneapolis is [2:09:01] fortune to have exceptional [2:09:03] talent within our own fire [2:09:04] department. We have dedicated [2:09:06] leaders who know our city, [2:09:09] understand our neighbhoods, [2:09:10] have built relationships wit [2:09:12] our communities, and know how to [2:09:14] work within the systems and [2:09:15] partnerships that already exist. [2:09:17] we are fortunate to have the [2:09:18] talent, and I hope we will [2:09:21] lean -- I hope dr. Freeman will [2:09:24] lean onhe knowledge and [2:09:25] experience of those already [2:09:25] serving in this department. [2:09:27] going into this process, I [2:09:29] believe the next fire chief [2:09:31] could come from within [2:09:33] minneapolifire department. We [2:09:34] have a highly qualified internal [2:09:36] candidate who stepped forward [2:09:38] becausehey have dedicated [2:09:40] their careers to serving this [2:09:42] city and have earned the respect [2:09:44] of their colleagues. They [2:09:45] understand the department's [2:09:47] culture, the unique challenges [2:09:48] facing minneapolis, and the [2:09:49] relationship they have built [2:09:50] with our communities. I want to [2:09:53] acknowledge those interl [2:09:54] candidates and thank tm for [2:09:57] their willingness to lead, their [2:09:58] experience, their commitment and [2:10:00] institutional knowledge remain [2:10:01] tremendous assets to this [2:10:02] department. Over many years, [2:10:05] this department has made [2:10:07] meaningful progress in [2:10:09] recruiting, retaining and [2:10:10] promoting black, indigenous, and [2:10:12] other people of color, as well [2:10:14] as women. The pathways program [2:10:16] has been instrumental in [2:10:18] building and sustaining the [2:10:20] diversity that the minneapolis [2:10:21] fire department is known for [2:10:22] today. It has created [2:10:25] opportunities for people who may [2:10:27] not have otherwise seen [2:10:28] themselves in this profession [2:10:30] and it has helped build a [2:10:31] department that better reflects [2:10:33] the community it serves. Without [2:10:34] the pathway program, we will [2:10:37] not have seen the growth in [2:10:40] number of women serving in this [2:10:41] department. As we move forward, [2:10:43] I believe it's critical we [2:10:45] continue building on that [2:10:48] process, not start forward. [2:10:49] women already serving in [2:10:51] leadership positions in this [2:10:52] department have played an [2:10:54] important role in advancing this [2:10:56] work. And their experience and [2:10:58] persctive should continue to [2:10:59] be valued as we strengthen and [2:11:01] grow the department. Because of [2:11:02] that, I will be voting yes to [2:11:05] dr. Freeman today, but with [2:11:07] hesitation. My vote comes with [2:11:09] the expectation that dr. Freeman [2:11:10] will work to earn the trust of [2:11:14] the firefighters he will lead, [2:11:17] demonstrate, with strong [2:11:21] transparent leadership, improve [2:11:23] morale, protect the progress [2:11:24] this department has made, and [2:11:26] ways put the safety and [2:11:28] wellbeing of both our [2:11:29] firefighters and our residents [2:11:29] fit. I also expect fairness [2:11:35] from leaders. Every firefighter [2:11:36] deserves to be treated with [2:11:38] respect, professionalism and [2:11:39] equity regardless of their [2:11:41] background or rank. Those [2:11:42] expectations are not optional. [2:11:44] they are fundamental to good [2:11:48] leadership. Sincerely hope dr. [2:11:50] freeman is successful because [2:11:51] the success of our fire chief [2:11:54] means a stronger fire department [2:11:57] and a safer minneapolis. Dr. [2:11:59] freeman, I know you're not here, [2:12:02] but I hope you're listening. [2:12:04] monitoring the department [2:12:05] progress and holding its [2:12:09] leadership accountable. I will [2:12:11] be paying close attention to how [2:12:12] you lead, how you treat the men [2:12:14] and women o this department and [2:12:16] whether you follow through on [2:12:17] the commitments you have made. I [2:12:18] hope you earn the trust of this [2:12:20] council and the firefighters you [2:12:21] lead and the people of [2:12:22] minneapolis. Thank you. [2:12:25] » Vice president osman. [2:12:26] » Thank you, council president. [2:12:28] I had a brief conversation with [2:12:29] dr. Freeman. Really impressed me [2:12:34] hisresume, his international [2:12:36] and national experience. [2:12:37] we are attracting one of the [2:12:39] best and brightest people in the [2:12:41] nation. And I think were lucky [2:12:43] to hav him. I lk forward [2:12:45] working with him. We talked [2:12:48] about, you know staffing, the [2:12:52] old equipment challenges that [2:12:53] how we need to upgrade fire [2:12:56] department. And also, I talked [2:12:57] to the, you know, the fire union [2:13:00] that are here to represent. And [2:13:02] they really had great things to [2:13:04] say and they're excited to work [2:13:05] with him. So I would say we're [2:13:09] lucky to have you. Welcome, and [2:13:11] we look forward, you know, in [2:13:13] your leadership to lead us safer [2:13:17] city, a better city, and a [2:13:21] wonderful fire department city [2:13:23] of minneapolis. So thank you, [2:13:24] council president. [2:13:27] » Council member warren. [2:13:28] » Thank you, council president [2:13:29] payne. I want to echo a lot of [2:13:32] what my council colleague stated [2:13:43] latrisha vetaw. It was a chef's [2:13:46] kiss. That was great. I also had [2:13:49] a sit down conversation with mr. [2:13:51] freeman, dr. Freeman. And I also [2:13:54] spoke with our fire's union. One [2:13:56] of the things that really stood [2:13:57] out to me was hearing this. And [2:14:00] this wasn't the first time that [2:14:01] I heard that, you know, it's [2:14:03] difficult to attract people to [2:14:07] want to come here to minneapolis [2:14:11] because they hear whatever [2:14:14] hoopdala about the internal [2:14:15] climate here in our city. So [2:14:18] what that says to me is we have [2:14:20] to tighten up our ship. Because [2:14:22] how we treat each other in our [2:14:25] city and interdepartmentally is [2:14:27] how other people will come. And [2:14:28] they believe that it is [2:14:29] acceptable that you are to be [2:14:32] treating other people [2:14:34] interoffice or [2:14:35] interdepartmentally that way. [2:14:36] that that's accepted. You know. [2:14:38] my parents used to tell me, me [2:14:41] and my siblings, we would [2:14:44] quarrel or what have you. They [2:14:45] said when you go out into [2:14:48] community or whatever else the [2:14:50] case is or you have company to [2:14:51] come over, how you treat each [2:14:53] other is how other people [2:14:55] believe it is acceptable to [2:14:57] treat people when they come into [2:15:00] your home. So now we've got to [2:15:02] tighten up how we look at home. [2:15:05] and we have to make sure we're [2:15:08] making those concrete [2:15:09] investments. If we are saying [2:15:12] our internal candidates -- [2:15:12] because looking across this [2:15:15] dais, I think minnesota has some [2:15:18] nice homegrown talent. What I'm [2:15:20] saying is if we're saying [2:15:23] interdepartmentally, when it [2:15:24] comes to investing in [2:15:27] individuals that are in our fire [2:15:30] department, police department, [2:15:31] services department, if we don't [2:15:32] have what it takes, that's our [2:15:35] fault. So we have to make those [2:15:37] concrete investments to ensure [2:15:39] that we're investing in our [2:15:41] homegrown talent and we are [2:15:43] promoting them and elevating [2:15:45] them and pushing them up so that [2:15:47] they are able to reach the next [2:15:50] pinnacle of success. That's what [2:15:51] we have to do. It's nice to have [2:15:54] other people come and we want to [2:15:55] show off our city and what have [2:15:57] you. But we also have to be [2:15:58] proud of what it is that we [2:16:00] create and we feed right here at [2:16:01] home. And I'm going to say that [2:16:03] with my whole chest, and that we [2:16:05] take care of each other and make [2:16:10] those really quality investments [2:16:11] in one another. I know that dr. [2:16:15] freeman is not here. And it [2:16:17] saddens me that he's not here [2:16:18] because I like for people to be [2:16:20] here so I can see the whites of [2:16:22] their eyes and talk to them when [2:16:23] we're talking about appointments [2:16:25] and reappointments and things [2:16:26] like that. Because it's [2:16:28] important that you are able to [2:16:30] stand in the presence of [2:16:32] individuals who are elevating [2:16:34] you and asking questions. And [2:16:36] again, those difficult [2:16:38] questions. And I did talk to him [2:16:41] about those accusations and [2:16:42] things like that because those [2:16:44] are important things to discuss. [2:16:46] and I believe that any time [2:16:48] there's something that's going [2:16:49] on when you're talking to other [2:16:51] individuals in leadership that [2:16:52] you should be able to have those [2:16:54] type of conversations and gain [2:16:57] clarity and understanding or [2:16:59] agree to even disagree. However, [2:17:04] I value every service worker, [2:17:08] everyone who works in law [2:17:11] enforcement, everyone who works [2:17:13] in our fire department here. Any [2:17:14] service to our community, I [2:17:16] value them. And I value our [2:17:18] residents. And I want to make [2:17:20] sure that whoever it is that [2:17:22] comes into our city holds that [2:17:23] same value and treats everyone [2:17:25] with that same dignity and [2:17:27] respect that they deserve [2:17:28] because it is necessary. It is [2:17:32] not an option, it's a [2:17:34] requirement and an expectation. [2:17:35] and so I'm going to be leaning [2:17:37] in to my fire union to make sure [2:17:40] that we're holding individuals [2:17:42] accountable. And if you see [2:17:43] something and you don't say [2:17:45] something, I'm pulling up. The [2:17:47] end. Thank you. [2:17:49] » Council member chughtai. [2:17:52] » Thank you, mr. President. I [2:18:00] really appreciate the discussion [2:18:01] here today. I had the [2:18:04] opportunity to meet with dr. [2:18:08] freeman yesterday and I found [2:18:11] the conversation to be really [2:18:12] wonderful. Very insightful. And [2:18:15] I think there are some really [2:18:17] incredible strengths that dr. [2:18:19] freeman is bringing to [2:18:22] minneapolis. That the mayor [2:18:26] discussed here and council [2:18:27] members have brought up in [2:18:28] discussion here today. And I [2:18:32] think that makes me excited [2:18:34] about the future of this [2:18:35] department and the direction it [2:18:36] can go in. I want us to have the [2:18:39] very best fire department in the [2:18:40] world because I believe we have [2:18:42] the best firefighters in the [2:18:45] world. And I don't think that [2:18:48] the growth in this department [2:18:50] that really needs to happen to [2:18:52] leveup is going to happen [2:18:57] without excellent leadership. [2:19:00] that matches the tenacity and [2:19:02] the grit of the firefighters [2:19:03] that work in our department. I [2:19:10] always heard a couple of things [2:19:12] that raised some concerns for me [2:19:14] and further solidified my [2:19:17] concerns about dr. Freeman and [2:19:19] understanding that I think this [2:19:20] nomination is going to be [2:19:22] approved here today. I will not [2:19:28] be, unfortunately, able to [2:19:29] support dr. Freeman here today. [2:19:31] and it is in part because of his [2:19:37] experience. I think that this [2:19:41] department is needing of [2:19:43] stability and someone who is [2:19:44] going to be here for the long [2:19:47] haul. And I think that lots of [2:19:52] the majority of the leaders of [2:19:54] the fire department as well as [2:19:56] firefighters are people who come [2:19:57] to this department and stay here [2:19:59] for a long time. Spend their [2:20:01] entire careers here. And I'm [2:20:05] worried about having who is [2:20:11] going to come into this [2:20:12] department and perhaps not serve [2:20:14] out the entirety of the term. [2:20:20] and that just raises some [2:20:22] concern for me. More [2:20:23] importantly, I think it's his [2:20:27] professional experience in [2:20:29] particular his professional [2:20:34] international experience that I [2:20:37] just want look past. In our [2:20:39] conversation, I felt as though [2:20:41] the nominee dismissed the [2:20:44] legitimate concerns that I [2:20:46] brought up about some pretty [2:20:49] severe human rights abuses that [2:20:53] happened in the organization he [2:20:56] was a leader in internationally [2:20:58] that forced the displacement of [2:21:03] 20,000 indigenous peoples from [2:21:04] their homeland to build a [2:21:11] climate catastrophe indoor city [2:21:14] for the criminally wealthy. I [2:21:18] don't think that that's [2:21:19] consistent with my values. And [2:21:21] so unfortunately, I'm not able [2:21:25] to support this nomination. But [2:21:29] I wish dr. Freeman the very best [2:21:33] of luck as he embarks on this [2:21:36] journey and offer myself as a [2:21:38] partner always. The fire [2:21:39] department is one that's very [2:21:40] near and dear to me and I want [2:21:43] to make sure it's successful and [2:21:45] set up to ensure the safety of [2:21:47] our firefighters as they carry [2:21:49] out the important work on behalf [2:21:51] of our residents. Thank you, mr. [2:21:52] president. [2:21:54] » Council member whiting. [2:21:56] » Thank you, council president [2:21:59] payne. I am not a firefighter. I [2:22:02] don't purport to be a [2:22:02] firefighter and do not want to [2:22:04] be a firefighter. It is a tough [2:22:08] job and I only tip a hat to what [2:22:10] you all do. And so when making [2:22:12] decisions of this, I think [2:22:14] gravity that we all are kind of [2:22:16] weighing here. I've gotta lean [2:22:19] on the experts. I've gotta lean [2:22:21] on the people that do this job [2:22:24] day in and day out. We've heard [2:22:27] quite loudly from our union, [2:22:29] local 82 here, but firefighters [2:22:31] across the city of minneapolis. [2:22:32] I have yet to hear a negative [2:22:34] word about dr. Freeman. And so [2:22:38] when we kind of, again, look to [2:22:41] these appointments, especially [2:22:42] in areas that I have no level of [2:22:45] expertise, I lean on those that [2:22:47] do. And so I am basing the large [2:22:49] majority of this decision based [2:22:52] on the advice that I've received [2:22:56] from the people that do this job [2:22:57] every single day. I appreciate [2:22:58] the work that you all do and the [2:23:00] work of being behind this chief [2:23:01] and ensuring that we have a fire [2:23:05] department that meets the [2:23:05] professional standards of what [2:23:06] this city deserves. I know you [2:23:08] all are doing it day in and day [2:23:11] out. I'm excited to see how we [2:23:13] can best support you all in the [2:23:14] work that you do. Thank you. [2:23:16] » Council member rainville. [2:23:20] » Thank you. And I appreciate [2:23:22] the presence here today from the [2:23:23] firefighters union. And I want [2:23:27] to explain my vote. When I first [2:23:28] met with the chief, I was very [2:23:30] leery because this is the first [2:23:33] outside chief that this [2:23:34] department has had.nd I have [2:23:37] to admit, he did not impress he [2:23:39] at all. Especially his resume [2:23:41] where he goes from department to [2:23:42] department. That's troubling to [2:23:44] me. Because I truly believe a [2:23:47] fire chief should come from [2:23:48] within the department. I think [2:23:50] that you come on the job [2:23:51] together, you work together, you [2:23:54] grow together. The chief should [2:23:56] come internally. But after many [2:23:59] conversations with the [2:24:00] firefighters union and with [2:24:01] commissioner barnett, and I [2:24:03] appreciate your patience with [2:24:05] me, commissioner. You brought me [2:24:07] wrong. And I do hope the chief [2:24:10] is listening today because very [2:24:11] unusual to not have someone [2:24:13] present here today. That's also [2:24:14] something I look forward to [2:24:16] having him explain why he [2:24:18] couldn't take time off his busy [2:24:20] schedule to come and listen to [2:24:22] us in person. That to me is [2:24:25] troubling. But I just hope that [2:24:28] the new chief understands and [2:24:30] values the bravery of the [2:24:33] minneapolis fire department. How [2:24:35] smart and wise you are. You're a [2:24:37] great, great group of people. My [2:24:43] expectation for him while he's [2:24:44] here is to provide the training [2:24:46] and expertise as needed so that [2:24:49] as t next chief comes [2:24:51] internally, comes from within, [2:24:53] has ridden the rigs with you, [2:24:54] slept with you, ate with you, [2:24:56] fought firesith you. That is [2:24:58] so important. I hope that can be [2:25:00] overcome with this outside [2:25:00] chief. But I will be voting for [2:25:04] him because I'm relying on your [2:25:06] expertise that you know what's [2:25:08] best for your department. Thank [2:25:08] you. [2:25:13] » Couil member stevenson. [2:25:14] » Thank you, council president. [2:25:15] I want to echo it's really weird [2:25:18] that he's not here. What's more [2:25:21] important than being here right [2:25:22] now? This is -- ie never [2:25:25] applied for a job that I didn't [2:25:26] want to sit on in the [2:25:27] discussions about whether I got [2:25:28] it or not. Yeah. I came inhere, [2:25:32] you know, knowing I was going to [2:25:34] vote yes. And now him not being [2:25:37] here is something that's really [2:25:38] disturbing to me. And kind of [2:25:40] making me want to change my vote [2:25:41] a litt bit. Yeah. I have [2:25:45] questions that I wanted to ask [2:25:47] him. Does he plan on moving here [2:25:49] full-time with his family? We h [2:25:53] really here full-time and he [2:25:56] didn't work out really well. So [2:25:57] I wanted to know that. Yeah, I [2:26:06] wanted to make cle to him in [2:26:07] person that gender [2:26:11] discriminaon in a department [2:26:12] is unacceptable and he needs to [2:26:13] be on the lookout for that and [2:26:16] needs to be laser focused on [2:26:18] that and learn from his previous [2:26:21] experience. I never thought we [2:26:24] shouldave gone outside of the [2:26:25] department personally. I didn't [2:26:26] think we needed to spend money [2:26:28] to go look for somebody. Outside [2:26:32] of the department. I think we've [2:26:33] got great firefighters. Yeah. So [2:26:38] those are my concerns. Things [2:26:40] that I really like about him. [2:26:42] his work in oakland with mental [2:26:44] health response I think is super [2:26:47] valuable. Super important for [2:26:48] our context here. I think the [2:26:50] fact that he has such strong [2:26:52] union support is really [2:26:53] incredible. And it's good and [2:26:58] that has swayed my decisionery [2:26:58] significantly. Yeah. I was [2:27:03] impressed with him personally. [2:27:05] so yeah, I guess all this being [2:27:07] said is that he will get my vote [2:27:11] today. But I have some serious [2:27:13] concerns given today in [2:27:15] particular, and I will want to [2:27:16] speak with him in person and [2:27:19] communicate those concerns. But [2:27:23] we need leadership in public [2:27:24] safety in this city. We don't [2:27:26] have a permanent police chief. [2:27:28] we don't have a permanent [2:27:29] commissioner of public safety. [2:27:33] we currently don't have a [2:27:34] permanent fire chief. And so we [2:27:38] need some permanence in our [2:27:40] public safety apparatus. And I [2:27:42] was personally previously [2:27:47] impressed with mr. Freeman, and [2:27:49] I was really impressed by the [2:27:51] support that he got from the [2:27:53] union. So I will be voting yes. [2:27:57] » Council member chowdhury. [2:28:04] council member shaffer. [2:28:09] » I enjoyed also my time with [2:28:10] dr. Freeman. One thing that [2:28:13] stands out to me when I asked [2:28:14] him to describe what kind of [2:28:16] leadership that he holds, he [2:28:19] really used two words. He said I [2:28:22] am a servant leader. That's my [2:28:23] style of leadership. And the [2:28:26] word servant has a negative [2:28:28] connotation sometimes. But it's [2:28:29] the basis of service, right? I [2:28:31] don't just look out for my own [2:28:33] needs, but I'm working. You [2:28:35] know, my mission is to look out [2:28:38] through the members that are [2:28:39] around me. The needs of my team. [2:28:41] not just my own. And so to me [2:28:44] this is one of the most [2:28:46] effective kinds of leaders that [2:28:47] you can have. Who is willing to [2:28:50] lay down their perspective and [2:28:52] listen to somebody else. Who is [2:28:55] willing to consider all options [2:28:58] and the importance of a team's [2:29:00] perspective. And then the second [2:29:01] word, though, is leadership. [2:29:03] every team needs a leader. Fire [2:29:07] crews know that day in and day [2:29:09] out. You don't have a leader, [2:29:10] you're in trouble. Right? And so [2:29:14] I feel like dr. Freeman is ready [2:29:16] to lead. And bringing in [2:29:20] somebody from the outside, you [2:29:22] know, a leader is unafraid to [2:29:24] address issues within the team [2:29:25] that need to be addressed. And [2:29:28] just be able to really whatever [2:29:30] they may be, right? And I think [2:29:33] I'm really excited -- not I [2:29:36] think, I know. I'm excited that [2:29:38] he will be and chose those words [2:29:42] in his description of his [2:29:43] leadership to me. So I trust [2:29:45] him. I'm going to be watching [2:29:46] for that. I'm going to be [2:29:48] cheering him on. Because I also [2:29:50] communicated the importance of [2:29:51] time right now in our city [2:29:53] around trust in our public [2:29:54] safety leadership. You know, [2:29:56] it's a critical time. And I [2:29:58] tried to impose on him that, you [2:30:01] know, you really might have a [2:30:03] little extra pressure on you, [2:30:04] right? Because of what we've [2:30:06] gone through. And that's not -- [2:30:08] shouldn't be taken as a [2:30:10] negative, it's just we care. We [2:30:12] care about our residents. We [2:30:14] care about our team members. We [2:30:16] care our leaders are [2:30:17] demonstrating what it means to [2:30:20] be at the top spot what [2:30:21] everybody else on the bottom is [2:30:23] doing. So I'm excited to support [2:30:25] him today. And I also want to [2:30:27] publicly thank you. The [2:30:28] leadership of the union for [2:30:30] being here and your leadership [2:30:31] throughout this process. It [2:30:33] matters. And it mattered to our [2:30:35] council in our decisionmaking. [2:30:36] thanks. [2:30:38] » Council member chowdhury. [2:30:41] » Thanks, president payne. I [2:30:46] had a good opportunity to speak [2:30:50] with dr. Freeman. We spoke for [2:30:52] over an hour. It was really, [2:30:54] really helpful to kind of just [2:30:55] get to know him and then also [2:30:57] take a look at the letters of [2:31:01] recommendation that are pretty [2:31:04] broad. We kind of just got right [2:31:06] to the heart of issues facing [2:31:09] the fire department in the city [2:31:11] of minneapolis. We talked about [2:31:13] how we have been fighting each [2:31:14] year to try to get the fire [2:31:17] alerting system and have not [2:31:18] been able to get it, and how [2:31:19] that's something that I need him [2:31:21] to commit to working on. We [2:31:24] talked about how our fire [2:31:26] department for yearsas faced [2:31:31] $5 million to $6 million overage [2:31:33] year after year because we are [2:31:35] just not investing enough in [2:31:37] this department. I want to see [2:31:40] more investment within the fire [2:31:41] department and that he's going [2:31:41] to need to fight for that and [2:31:43] fight really, really hard. [2:31:46] because there were opportunities [2:31:48] the last five years when we were [2:31:50] in a better financial position [2:31:51] to get that and it didn't [2:31:51] happen. And we can't keep on [2:31:57] avoiding making these [2:32:00] investments, especially in a [2:32:02] time where our firefighters are [2:32:04] expected to go to even more [2:32:08] calls, an unprecedented amount [2:32:10] of calls that just keep growing [2:32:14] amount of staff. And I also [2:32:15] chatted with him about the [2:32:17] capital investment budget. I was [2:32:19] like yeah we need to see some [2:32:22] capital investment requests to [2:32:24] improve the fire stations. This [2:32:25] is where the firefighters live. [2:32:27] so we got right into the heart [2:32:27] of it. I really appreciated a [2:32:30] lot of his responses and h [2:32:31] he's thinking about it. He seems [2:32:34] like a very strong change agent [2:32:43] as it comes to big organizations [2:32:45] and local government and has a [2:32:46] track record of it. Every time I [2:32:48] asked him a question about how [2:32:50] he would think through some of [2:32:51] these issues, he was able to [2:32:53] cite different instances that [2:32:54] came to mind. And that was [2:32:56] really, really valuable. I also [2:33:02] care a lot about what the people [2:33:04] who do the work within the [2:33:06] department have to say. And [2:33:08] there's been resounding support [2:33:09] for him from there. And then he [2:33:13] also highlighted to me when he [2:33:15] was becoming the fire chief I [2:33:18] believe in oakland. The union [2:33:23] there at the time did not [2:33:25] support him. And he highlighted [2:33:30] that same leader now is a city [2:33:33] council member in oakland and w [2:33:38] so I think that just speaks a [2:33:39] lot to the work and the trust [2:33:41] building that happened. I also [2:33:43] shared how important it is for [2:33:47] us to recruit women, people of [2:33:50] color, people from our [2:33:52] community, and also show deep [2:33:56] care for our lgbtqia community [2:33:59] and gender expansive community. [2:34:01] and he shared about his work [2:34:02] that he's led nationally around [2:34:08] ib, and the fact that he [2:34:11] co-founded a group I believe in [2:34:14] oakland fire for women and [2:34:17] non-binary firefighters, which I [2:34:17] was like, wow. This is the type [2:34:22] of inclusivity we need. And he [2:34:25] had measurable ways of also h [2:34:30] he was able to change standards [2:34:31] so it was eier for [2:34:33] firefighters t come into the [2:34:37] department and g started. So [2:34:37] appreciated that conversation. [2:34:40] with him. And we have a lot of [2:34:42] work to do. And so I will be [2:34:45] supporting him tay and excited [2:34:45] to do so. [2:34:48] » Council member chughtai. [2:34:50] » Thank you, mr. President. And [2:34:54] I would be remiss if I didn't [2:34:57] make mention of this here today. [2:35:00] but you know, I think words are [2:35:01] really, really important. And I [2:35:07] appreciate the answer that dr. [2:35:11] freeman gave me about his [2:35:13] commitment to being re in [2:35:13] minneapolis. But actions matter [2:35:18] so much more. And I see three [2:35:22] actions here today that stand [2:35:23] out to me. First, actions matter [2:35:31] and I see several members of the [2:35:38] firefighters local 82 here today [2:35:41] representing the members of the [2:35:43] department. Because it's [2:35:44] important. That's why you made [2:35:46] the time to be here today. And I [2:35:47] really appreciate that. Thank [2:35:48] you. Second, I see the [2:35:51] commissioner in the room. I [2:35:55] really appreciate as someone who [2:35:57] is going to be overseeing -- who [2:36:01] currently oversees the [2:36:02] department and will continue to. [2:36:04] and the new fire chief is going [2:36:05] to be a part of your leadership [2:36:07] team. It means a lot to me that [2:36:09] you are here in the chambers and [2:36:11] you are demonstrating that this [2:36:12] is importantnd you're taking [2:36:14] it seriously. That means a lot [2:36:18] to me. Thank you to local 82 and [2:36:21] to the commissioner for making [2:36:24] the time to be here because it's [2:36:26] consequential. And jus as [2:36:30] importantly, the third action [2:36:33] that stands out to me is that [2:36:35] dr. Freeman himself is not here. [2:36:37] in fact, he's not in the city. [2:36:39] he's not in the state. He's not [2:36:40] in the country. He's in saudi [2:36:42] abia. That is just -- that is [2:36:48] important to me. It stands out [2:36:50] to me about what matters, what's [2:36:55] prioritized and what isn't. I [2:36:56] hope in the actions that he will [2:36:58] demonstrate as a new leader of [2:37:01] the departmenthat it will show [2:37:03] me a different version of dr. [2:37:05] freeman. And I sincerely hope [2:37:08] that for the sake of the [2:37:09] department and the sake of our [2:37:12] residents. Thank you, mr. [2:37:13] president. [2:37:14] » Council member vetaw. [2:37:15] » Thank you, president payne. [2:37:17] colleagues, I just wanted us to [2:37:19] take a moment to thank our [2:37:22] assistant chiefs, melanie rucker [2:37:28] and wes van vickel for the [2:37:31] service they stepped up after [2:37:33] chief tyner left. They have [2:37:35] really been holding down the [2:37:37] fire department doing a [2:37:38] fantastic job. They have both [2:37:40] been in here before us many [2:37:42] times giving us presentations [2:37:43] and walking us through a lot of [2:37:45] the things going on behind the [2:37:47] scenes. Chief rucker reached out [2:37:48] about the equipment. We got [2:37:51] $500,000 worth of new equipment [2:37:52] for the fire department. A bunch [2:37:56] of new jaws of life. And I got [2:37:58] to go a test out some. Council [2:38:00] member shaffer was there also. [2:38:01] some of the new equipment. And I [2:38:04] just think it's important for us [2:38:06] to just shout out the folks who [2:38:08] stepped up during this search [2:38:10] period and who've done a great [2:38:12] job leading the fire department [2:38:14] during this time while we have [2:38:16] been recruiting a new chief. So [2:38:19] thank you to those two chiefs [2:38:21] for their immense service and [2:38:23] the work that they've done and [2:38:24] continue to do. And I certainly [2:38:30] hope to see them continue in [2:38:31] those roles and working on [2:38:32] behalf of our fire department [2:38:34] and the people of minneapos. [2:38:36] » I second that. [2:38:40] » Seeing no one else left in [2:38:43] queue, I'll ask the clerk to [2:38:46] call the roll. [2:38:47] » Council member warren. [2:38:48] » Aye. [2:38:48] » Shaffer. [2:38:49] » Aye. [2:38:50] » Chughtai. [2:38:51] » Nay. [2:38:51] » Whiting. [2:38:52] » Aye. [2:38:53] » Chowdhury. [2:38:54] » Aye. [2:38:55] » Stevenson. [2:38:56] » Aye. [2:38:57] » Rainville. [2:38:57] » Aye. [2:38:58] » Vetaw. [2:38:59] » Aye. [2:39:00] » Palmisano. [2:39:01] » Aye. [2:39:02] » Chavez. >> no. [2:39:03] » Vice president osman. [2:39:05] » Aye. [2:39:06] » President payne. [2:39:06] » Aye. [2:39:07] » There are 10 ayes and two [2:39:09] nays. [2:39:10] » Hat carries and that [2:39:13] completes the phse report and [2:39:15] all the reports of our standing [2:39:17] committees. The next order of [2:39:21] business is notice of ordinance [2:39:27] introductions. We have three [2:39:29] today. Amending provisions [2:39:31] related to the commercial hood [2:39:32] and exhaust cleaning program. [2:39:35] second, council member warren [2:39:36] give notice of intent to [2:39:37] introduce at the next regular [2:39:39] meetin the subject matter of an [2:39:40] ordinance amending the planning [2:39:42] and development code relating to [2:39:44] ensuring the accountability of [2:39:46] the minneapolis public housing [2:39:48] authority. Finally, council [2:39:51] member warren gives notice of [2:39:53] intent to introduce at the next [2:39:57] regular meeting -- conducting [2:39:58] elections to the neighborhood [2:40:00] revitalization program policy [2:40:01] board. These nices are hereby [2:40:04] given and no further action is [2:40:05] required at thisime. The next [2:40:08] order of business is the [2:40:09] introduction a referral [2:40:10] calendar. We have fr items [2:40:10] today. First pursuant to notice, [2:40:15] council members chavez, myself, [2:40:17] wonsley and warren move to [2:40:19] introduce an ordinance amending [2:40:20] the liquor and beer code for [2:40:22] first reading and referral to [2:40:27] business, housing and zoning [2:40:27] committee. Requires a dress [2:40:32] code. Second, pursuant to [2:40:36] notice, council member chavez [2:40:38] and stevenson introduce [2:40:38] ordinance amending provisions of [2:40:40] the code related to noise [2:40:43] regulations to remove irrelevant [2:40:45] content, organize structure in a [2:40:47] more logical format, add a [2:40:51] clause relating to sound motion [2:40:54] sensors on private property. [2:40:57] third, pursuant to notice, [2:40:58] council members shaffer and [2:40:59] rainville move to introduce the [2:41:01] subject matter of an ordinance [2:41:03] amending the license and busy [2:41:04] regulations code for first [2:41:06] reading and referral to the [2:41:08] business, housing and zong [2:41:09] committee. Amending repealing [2:41:10] and adding provisions related to [2:41:13] rental hallsnd places of [2:41:15] entertainment to create eve [2:41:16] center license allowing for the [2:41:18] hosting of both public and [2:41:19] private events. And finally, [2:41:23] pursuant to notice council [2:41:24] members wonsley, chavez, [2:41:26] whiting, and chowdhury move to [2:41:27] introduce the subject matter of [2:41:28] an ordinance amending thenimal [2:41:30] care and conol code for first r [2:41:34] public health, safety and equity [2:41:35] committee removing conditions [2:41:36] and restrictions on pet [2:41:38] ownership solely due to a prior [2:41:40] conviction for certain felonies. [2:41:40] may I have a motion to approve [2:41:42] these introductions? [2:41:43] » So moved. [2:41:44] » Second. [2:41:45] » Seeing no one else in queue, [2:41:47] I'll ask the clerk to call the [2:41:50] roll. [2:41:50] » Council memr warren. [2:41:51] » Aye. [2:41:52] » Shaffer. [2:41:52] » Aye. [2:41:54] » Chughtai. [2:41:54] » Aye. [2:41:55] » Whiting. [2:41:57] » Aye. [2:41:57] » Chowdhury. [2:41:58] » Aye. [2:41:59] » Stevenson. [2:41:59] » Aye. [2:42:01] » Rainville. [2:42:01] » Aye. [2:42:02] » Vetaw. [2:42:02] » Aye. [2:42:04] » Palmisano. [2:42:04] » Aye. [2:42:05] » Chavez. [2:42:06] » Aye. [2:42:06] » Osman. [2:42:07] » Aye. [2:42:09] » Payne. [2:42:09] » Aye. [2:42:10] » There are 12 ayes. [2:42:12] » That motion carries and those [2:42:14] are referred to the appropriate [2:42:16] committees. We have one [2:42:17] resolution on our agenda today [2:42:18] really to recognizing the 2026 [2:42:21] minneapolis aquatennial. Do [2:42:22] council members have any [2:42:23] comments to add? Seeing none, [2:42:26] may I have a motion to adopt [2:42:28] this resolution? [2:42:29] » So moved. [2:42:29] » Second. [2:42:30] » The clerk will call the roll. [2:42:32] » Warren. [2:42:33] » Aye. [2:42:34] » Shaffer. [2:42:34] » Aye. [2:42:35] » Chughtai. [2:42:35] » Aye. [2:42:36] » Whiting. [2:42:37] » Aye. [2:42:37] » Chowdhury. [2:42:38] » Aye. [2:42:38] » Stevenson. [2:42:39] » Aye. [2:42:40] » Rainville. [2:42:40] » Aye. [2:42:41] » Vetaw. [2:42:42] » Aye. [2:42:43] » Palmisano. [2:42:43] » Aye. [2:42:45] » Chavez. [2:42:45] » Aye. [2:42:45] » Vice president osman. [2:42:46] » Aye. [2:42:47] » President payne. [2:42:47] » Aye. [2:42:48] » There a 12 ayes. [2:42:49] » That carries and that [2:42:50] resolution is adopted. Our next [2:42:53] order of business is unfinished [2:42:55] business. As I said at the top [2:42:58] we have two items today. Item 1 [2:43:02] relates to a proposed contract [2:43:05] with skydio inc. At our last [2:43:09] meeting we considered a couple [2:43:11] of different motions both of [2:43:13] which failed. This remains [2:43:14] before us for action mr. Clerk, [2:43:16] do you have any guidance on what [2:43:18] a proper motion would be to [2:43:20] dispose of this item? [2:43:23] » Mr. President, with your [2:43:26] indulgence ait I thought I'd [2:43:27] talk about what a tie ve does. [2:43:29] there's been some confusion [2:43:31] about that. [2:43:31] I wanted to explain that a tie [2:43:34] vote for council has both [2:43:36] procedural and legal effect. [2:43:40] under -- it doesn't determine [2:43:45] the outcome of the underlying [2:43:48] oposition that's before you. [2:43:50] the city charter, our [2:43:52] constitution, provides that a [2:43:53] council must act by a defined [2:43:56] majority vote combined with a [2:43:58] official record to be presented [2:44:00] to the mayor for his [2:44:01] consideratio a tie vote does [2:44:02] not achieve those outcomes or [2:44:04] requirements of the arter, and [2:44:06] therefore I not dispositive. It [2:44:09] defeats the motion but it [2:44:10] doesn't dispose of the [2:44:13] proposition. When there is a tie [2:44:15] vote, the council may make a [2:44:18] different vote. So you asked, [2:44:19] mr. President, what would be a [2:44:21] proper course of action. A [2:44:23] proper course o action would be [2:44:25] a motion to achieve the opposite [2:44:27] of the motion that failed [2:44:28] because of a tie vote. A motion [2:44:31] to refer to postpone, to [2:44:33] continue, any of those [2:44:35] procedural motions would keep [2:44:35] the motion alive. The underlying [2:44:39] proposition alive subject to a [2:44:40] final dispositive vote or if the [2:44:43] motion to approve ils, a [2:44:45] motion to disapprove. Often [2:44:48] you'll hear the clerk say when [2:44:50] there's a tie vote, move to [2:44:51] delete from the agenda. The [2:44:53] standard is the motion that [2:44:55] would be dispositive because it [2:44:56] would elimina the matter from [2:44:59] the uncil's further [2:45:01] consideration. A motion to [2:45:02] delete fm the agenda or a [2:45:04] motion to deny if the motion to [2:45:07] approve is tied or if a motion [2:45:10] to deny fails -- I hope that's [2:45:12] helpful to the body. [2:45:15] » We have a few people in [2:45:17] queue. Not sure if it's for [2:45:19] questions or motions. I will [2:45:22] recognize council member vetaw. [2:45:23] » Thank u, president payne. I [2:45:25] actual wouldlike to make a [2:45:29] motion. Consideration of [2:45:31] proposed contract with skydio [2:45:31] back to staff. [2:45:33] » Second. [2:45:33] » During lengthy discussions at [2:45:35] both meetings of the public [2:45:38] health, safety and equity [2:45:38] committeend the city council [2:45:40] meeting, council members raised [2:45:43] several serious questions about [2:45:44] both skydio as the vender and [2:45:47] implications of using drones as [2:45:53] first responders. I hope the [2:45:55] motion gives time and [2:45:58] potentially moves aath [2:46:00] forward. [2:46:00] » Council member vetaw has [2:46:02] moved to refer this item back to [2:46:06] staff. It has been second. I [2:46:08] will recognize council member [2:46:09] chavez. [2:46:10] » Thank you, council president [2:46:10] payne. So we're just speaking on [2:46:13] numberne of the motions or [2:46:15] both? [2:46:15] » Numbe one at the moment. [2:46:21] » Which is the skydio one? [2:46:23] » Correct. [2:46:24] » Iill save my energy. [2:46:25] » With that, we have a motion [2:46:28] to refer item number 1, skydio [2:46:30] back to staff. Seeing no one [2:46:32] else left in queue, I will ask [2:46:35] the clerk to call the roll. [2:46:37] » Warren. [2:46:38] » Aye. [2:46:38] » Shaffer. [2:46:40] » Aye. [2:46:41] » Chughtai. [2:46:41] » Aye. Sorry. [2:46:43] » Girl, you seconded it. [2:46:44] » I know. I'm sorry. [2:46:48] » Ouncil member whiting. [2:46:49] » Aye. [2:46:50] » Chowdhury. [2:46:50] » Aye. [2:46:51] » Stevenson. [2:46:51] » Aye. [2:46:52] » Rainville. [2:46:53] » Aye. [2:46:54] » Vetaw. [2:46:55] » Aye. [2:46:55] » Palmisano. [2:46:56] » Aye. [2:46:57] » Chavez. [2:46:58] » Aye. [2:46:58] » Vice president osman. [2:47:00] » Aye. [2:47:00] » President payne. [2:47:01] » Aye. [2:47:01] » There are 12 ayes. [2:47:03] » That carries. Next, as we [2:47:09] discussed at the top, item two [2:47:12] resulted in a tie vote. It [2:47:13] should have ended on our agenda [2:47:15] for the following meeting which [2:47:17] would have been june 11th and it [2:47:19] was not on our agenda. And so [2:47:21] that's why we are taking it up [2:47:23] here. And we did have a [2:47:25] discussion with the clerk around [2:47:26] what happened to make that not [2:47:29] happen. I believe it was [2:47:31] partially an error as a result [2:47:33] of the clerk doesn't get to take [2:47:35] vacations anymore because he [2:47:36] wasn't there for that meeting. [2:47:38] but that's a joke. [2:47:40] [laughter] [2:47:43] » This item, we brought back to [2:47:46] unfinished business for this [2:47:47] meeting to make sure we have [2:47:50] consisncy around how these [2:47:51] motions are dealt with when [2:47:52] there are a tie. So we do have [2:47:56] to dispose of this and to make a [2:47:57] motion to do as much. So I will [2:48:01] recognize council member chavez [2:48:02] to either make a motion or ask a [2:48:03] question. [2:48:04] » Well I'm going to make a [2:48:05] motion to return this item back [2:48:08] to author. And if the author [2:48:09] wants to work on it further, [2:48:11] that would be great as well. But [2:48:13] I also want to make comments on [2:48:15] process because I pointed this [2:48:16] out last cycle and I brought [2:48:17] this up. And last cycle we were [2:48:19] told this item was dead. The [2:48:21] previous one was dead. I watched [2:48:24] a recording yesterday. So I just [2:48:25] want to make it clear that we [2:48:27] were told that last item was [2:48:29] dead and it was still on the [2:48:31] agenda. So I brought up the [2:48:33] concern that this item wasn't [2:48:35] automatically put on the agenda. [2:48:38] so council member payne, was it [2:48:40] your -- because you're not [2:48:41] explaining what happened. [2:48:43] » Thank you, council member [2:48:45] chavez, for being able to [2:48:46] instead of jokingly explain it. [2:48:50] mr. Carl was not at the meeting [2:48:52] where this resulted in a tie. As [2:48:55] a result -- and I don't remember [2:48:58] if it wams. Geyserhat was [2:49:02] working or mr. Dailior. There [2:49:07] was a disconnect within the [2:49:09] clerk's office. [2:49:10] » Thank you. Next time I just [2:49:12] ask that you explain what [2:49:14] happened because the public [2:49:15] maybe didn't think you added it [2:49:17] to the agenda. I don't want to [2:49:19] be a clerk myself. I want to be [2:49:20] able to have it on the agenda [2:49:23] and make sure procedures [2:49:24] followed equitably. [2:49:25] » Thank you for that [2:49:26] clarification and question. And [2:49:28] actually, that brings another [2:49:29] question, mr. Clerk. We have [2:49:33] some very small number of items [2:49:35] that require a nine-vote [2:49:37] majority to pass. And if they [2:49:39] failed,s that similar to what [2:49:42] we're dealing with here? [2:49:45] » Mr. President, no. In that [2:49:47] case, there's a define majority [2:49:49] threshold that has to be [2:49:51] achieved and it failed. So the [2:49:53] item itself fails. The fact that [2:49:55] motion ends in a tie, means it [2:49:57] didn't achieve a majority. A m [2:50:01] majority is always required to [2:50:03] takeaction. If you don't [2:50:05] achieve that majority, the item [2:50:11] mean the opposite outcome is [2:50:13] achieved. So if a motion is made [2:50:16] to approve a contract, as an [2:50:18] example, and the result of 6-6, [2:50:23] the council didn't by a majority [2:50:24] achieve the motion to approve. [2:50:25] but the outcome didn't [2:50:27] automatically become a failure. [2:50:28] you'd need to introduce a motion [2:50:30] to deny the contract and then [2:50:31] vote on that motion. Because the [2:50:33] motion in fnt of the body was [2:50:35] to approve. We act on the mion [2:50:36] in front of the body. If tie [2:50:40] vote doesn't achieve the [2:50:42] opposite outcome. [2:50:43] » Thank you for that [2:50:44] clarification. Council member [2:50:45] chavez made a motion to return [2:50:46] to author. And I feel like I saw [2:50:48] you wanting to make a comment [2:50:50] about that. [2:50:51] » Just to clarify, return to [2:50:53] author is specific and only tied [2:50:55] to returning ordinances. That's [2:50:57] why I said earlier delete from [2:50:59] agenda is return to everything [2:51:01] else. Return to author is only [2:51:03] for ordinances. [2:51:05] » Council member chavez, would [2:51:05] you like to modify your motion? [2:51:08] » Yeah. That's fine. [2:51:10] » Delete. [2:51:11] » Is there a second for the [2:51:12] moon to delete from the [2:51:13] agenda? [2:51:14] » Second. [2:51:14] » Second. [2:51:15] » The clerk will call the roll. [2:51:18] » Council member vetaw is on [2:51:19] queue. [2:51:20] » No, I'm not. He answered it. [2:51:23] » Council member warren. [2:51:23] » Aye. [2:51:24] » Shaffer. [2:51:25] » Aye. [2:51:27] » Chughtai. [2:51:27] » Aye. [2:51:28] » Whiting. [2:51:29] » Aye. [2:51:30] » Chowdhury. [2:51:30] » Aye. [2:51:32] » Stevenson. [2:51:32] » Aye. [2:51:33] » Rainville. [2:51:34] » Aye. [2:51:35] » Vetaw. [2:51:35] » Aye. [2:51:36] » Palmisano. [2:51:37] » Aye. [2:51:39] » Chavez. [2:51:39] » Aye. [2:51:40] » Vice president osman. [2:51:41] » Aye. [2:51:41] » President payne. [2:51:42] » Aye. [2:51:43] » There are 12 ayes. [2:51:46] » Hat carries. And that [2:51:48] completes all of the business on [2:51:51] our agenda. Except we do have a [2:51:53] closed session. Before I [2:51:54] recognize the attorney and we [2:51:56] recess for closed session. And [2:51:58] actually what I will do is take [2:52:00] a little pulse. Do we want to [2:52:01] have a lunch recess or power [2:52:04] through? [2:52:05] » Yes. [2:52:05] » Power through. [2:52:06] » I'm hearing people want [2:52:08] lunch. [2:52:08] » Yes, lunch. [2:52:09] » Eah. [2:52:09] » Yeah. [2:52:17] » So before recognize the [2:52:19] attorney and we recess for [2:52:20] closed session, I will ask if [2:52:21] there are any announcements from [2:52:24] council members. Are there any [2:52:25] annocements? Council member [2:52:27] whiting. [2:52:29] » Thank you, president payne. [2:52:31] as you all, I'm going to say it [2:52:33] every single time until [2:52:34] august 8th. Southside be [2:52:36] outside. We are having a [2:52:38] community barbecue. I hope all [2:52:40] of you to be there. 12:00 to [2:52:45] 4 p.m., washington high school, [2:52:48] august 8th. Thank you. [2:52:49] » Council member vetaw. [2:52:49] » Thank you, president payne. I [2:52:51] just wanted to thank the [2:52:54] organizers of the very first [2:52:57] northse jazz and culture [2:52:58] festival. It was literally the [2:53:00] hottest day of the summer. But [2:53:02] it was packed. The northside [2:53:04] showed up, had a great time. We [2:53:07] got to listen to some amazing [2:53:09] local artists, including council [2:53:13] member warren's daughter, anaya. [2:53:15] she got to sing a song that she [2:53:17] doesn't normally get to sing. [2:53:19] and she was so proud of herself [2:53:21] and I was proud of her also. She [2:53:23] was fantastic and so were the [2:53:27] other artists. I also thank the [2:53:34] park board. They let us use [2:53:36] their building and parking lot [2:53:38] in a way I've not seen on the [2:53:40] northside. It was a great [2:53:42] festival. A great turnout. [2:53:44] wonderful energy. Just people [2:53:45] out enjoying the northside. We [2:53:47] were by the river. By the old [2:53:50] river view theater. Lots of [2:53:53] memories shared with folks. It [2:53:55] was the first annual. And I'm [2:53:56] already looking forward to the [2:53:58] second annual. [2:53:58] » Couil member chowdhury. [2:54:00] » Thank you, president payne. [2:54:05] july 31st, august 1st, and [2:54:08] august 2nd, is nokomis days [2:54:11] 2026. Be sure to come out and [2:54:14] support our local businesses and [2:54:15] community in the 12th and 11th [2:54:19] ward. There are events for [2:54:22] families and people of all ages. [2:54:25] there's wonderful sales. [2:54:30] competitions, prizes, parking [2:54:33] lo parties, free concerts, you [2:54:35] name it. Doing what minnesotans [2:54:39] love to do which is go outside, [2:54:42] eat good food, listen to good [2:54:45] music. There's a lot of [2:54:47] southside we outside moments [2:54:49] happening in the upcoming [2:54:51] weekend. [2:54:52] » Council member chavez. [2:54:53] » Thank you, council president [2:54:55] payne. I want to invite the [2:54:57] community to the park art fair [2:54:59] from august 1st to august 2nd. [2:55:01] each day from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. [2:55:05] » Council member warren. [2:55:07] » Thank you, council president [2:55:10] payne. I so much enjoyed myself [2:55:12] at the northside's first annual [2:55:14] jazz festival. It was an amazing [2:55:16] time. So if you missed it, we'll [2:55:20] be back again next year. I do [2:55:24] want to also shout out that this [2:55:27] is black business week, which is [2:55:29] the kickoff to black business [2:55:30] month. So go out and shop with [2:55:35] your black businesses. And yeah, [2:55:37] support the businesses. I think [2:55:39] we were at the coliseum, myself [2:55:42] and council member chavez the [2:55:43] other day. And our mayor learned [2:55:46] how to braid. So I am excited to [2:55:50] see what is to come from that [2:55:51] experience. So he was excited to [2:55:53] learn how to do it because he's [2:55:55] like I got two daughters, I want [2:55:56] to learn how to braid. Go out, [2:55:59] shop, support black businesses. [2:56:02] enjoy some of this good weather. [2:56:04] national night out is [2:56:04] approaching us. So I know a lot [2:56:07] of those festivals and [2:56:09] activities are going on next [2:56:10] week. Get out, connect with your [2:56:12] community members. You know, [2:56:15] laugh, talk, eat some good food. [2:56:17] some people do big cookings for [2:56:19] national night out. And [2:56:20] sometimes you just get hotdogs [2:56:22] and a bag of chips. Either way [2:56:24] it goes, it's all in love. Be [2:56:27] grateful. Be thankful. Celebrate [2:56:28] each other. And stay plenty [2:56:31] hydrated. That's all I got to [2:56:34] say. The end. >> mr. Carl. [2:56:37] » I put on my sparkly tie for [2:56:39] this. I wanted to offer a brief [2:56:43] comment about today's vote on [2:56:44] the democracy center. As the [2:56:46] city's chief elections official, [2:56:48] I'm very excited to see that [2:56:50] project move forward. I'm [2:56:52] anticipating to be in that new [2:56:55] facility to welcome voters for [2:56:59] the 2028 presidential election. [2:57:01] it's going to improve our [2:57:03] service to the entire community [2:57:06] and increase accessibility to [2:57:08] the ballot box to all voters. I [2:57:11] know they're eager to join the [2:57:14] longfellow neighborhood and we [2:57:16] want to be good neighbors. I do [2:57:20] appreciate sincerely council [2:57:21] pushing that project forward. [2:57:23] the city and this council have [2:57:25] always invested in elections so [2:57:27] that every minneapolis voter has [2:57:29] the equal, free, and fair right [2:57:31] to cast their ballot in every [2:57:34] election, and that matters. As [2:57:38] council member palmisano said, I [2:57:40] would like to think this is a [2:57:42] reason for the entire cit to [2:57:43] celebrate. Thank you for that [2:57:45] vote. [2:57:46] » Council member palmisano. [2:57:47] » Thank you. I'll echo clerk [2:57:50] carl's comments. I cannot wait [2:57:53] to move into the new democracy [2:57:54] center and cast my vote there in [2:57:57] the next presidential election. [2:57:58] but meantime, I had a terrific [2:58:01] experience at the early vote [2:58:03] center at 908 east hennepin this [2:58:07] week. I see other stickers here [2:58:08] that showed that others have [2:58:10] also gone to east hennepin to [2:58:13] cast their ballot early for the [2:58:15] primary that is august 11th. [2:58:18] there are few excuses to not be [2:58:19] able to find a way to vote. [2:58:21] there are pop-up locations [2:58:25] happening before the primary. I [2:58:28] had a wonderful voter forum. A [2:58:32] forum in my ward last week with [2:58:34] the director of election [2:58:35] services, catie smith and her [2:58:38] deputy john martin. And it was [2:58:40] really great to see and get [2:58:46] assurance I think for residents [2:58:47] across the city that were there [2:58:49] on our election security and all [2:58:50] of the different checks and [2:58:52] balances that go into voting in [2:58:53] our city. So a plug for voting [2:58:57] early in the primary. It was a [2:58:59] wonderful, easy experience. I [2:59:01] was in and out in five minutes. [2:59:04] but for wanting to smile to [2:59:08] everybody in that center, and I [2:59:10] look forward to what's next. [2:59:14] » Council member shaffer. [2:59:14] » Yeah, just wanted to [2:59:16] highlight two events. One [2:59:19] downtown is the savannah bananas [2:59:22] this weekend. Sold out event. [2:59:23] there's going to be a lot of [2:59:25] street activities. Blocks [2:59:27] closed. You can participate in [2:59:28] the fun even if you didn't get [2:59:30] tickets. And secondly, we all [2:59:31] had a hand in bringing back the [2:59:34] uptown art festival and that is [2:59:36] this weekend starting friday [2:59:38] from 1:00 to 7:00. Saturday, [2:59:40] 10:00 to 6:00. And sunday, 10:00 [2:59:44] to 4:00. I encourage you if you [2:59:46] have time, come back and see it. [2:59:49] it's good to see it bk in the [2:59:52] community. It's going to be kind [2:59:55] of the same footprint for those [2:59:57] of you who may have attended [2:59:58] some of the lopit events in the [3:00:01] mall and kind of the southern [3:00:07] lake of the isles parkway. [3:00:09] entertainment, concerts and food [3:00:11] trucks. So lots of fun. [3:00:13] » Council member rainville. [3:00:15] » Thank you. I have two [3:00:18] announcements. The first one, it [3:00:21] donned on me this last week I've [3:00:23] been doing a lot of community [3:00:25] outreach with our police [3:00:26] department. As we all know [3:00:28] public safety is an important [3:00:30] issue. For the first time ever [3:00:31] in ward 3, and perhaps in the [3:00:34] city of minneapolis, the [3:00:35] inspectors are both women. So [3:00:37] both the first precinct and the [3:00:41] second precinc inspectors, the [3:00:42] top cops, are women. So that [3:00:45] just shows how far we've [3:00:47] advanced in public safety. And [3:00:49] the second announcement is I'll [3:00:51] let latrisha vew carry forth [3:00:54] on it. But I did want to [3:00:56] announce the passing of past [3:01:00] city council member, john. [3:01:03] » I was just going to say the [3:01:06] same thing. North minneapolis [3:01:07] lost a resident, a previous ward [3:01:12] 4 council member, john served in [3:01:13] the 70s on the minneapolis city [3:01:15] council and then went on to be [3:01:18] the county commissioner. And we [3:01:20] will miss john. John was a [3:01:24] gigantic man with gigantic [3:01:26] hands. I don't even know how [3:01:28] tall he was. Maybe 6'5", 6'6". [3:01:36] jon was very gentle. Very smart. [3:01:38] head so many projects. We went [3:01:40] to dinner last week and we were [3:01:42] talking about some of the work [3:01:43] he's done in minneapolis and in [3:01:45] hennepin county. John will be [3:01:46] truly missed. His family still [3:01:48] lives in ward 4. I just wanted [3:01:51] to haves all take a brief [3:01:54] moment of silence for john [3:01:57] darrus, former city council and [3:01:58] count commissioner. [3:02:06] » Thank you. [3:02:08] » Council member warren. [3:02:08] » I'm sorry. I forgot an event. [3:02:12] this today, we're going to miss [3:02:14] it because it's at 1:00. The vip [3:02:17] showing. But this weekend, [3:02:19] friday, saturday, and sunday, [3:02:22] sister act 2 will be at [3:02:25] lundstrom performing arts. And [3:02:27] my daughter is starring in that [3:02:30] play. It is her last musical [3:02:32] before she goes off to school in [3:02:34] new york. They're doing it. This [3:02:37] is lundstrom's big productions. [3:02:39] they're so much fun. If you [3:02:41] haven't been to a production at [3:02:44] lundstrum, you are missing out. [3:02:46] they're in the ward, in the 5th [3:02:48] ward. I know council member [3:02:50] vetaw has got some family [3:02:51] members who performed at [3:02:53] lundstrom. Lots of the kids [3:02:54] there are absolutely amazing and [3:02:56] the staff is great. They do a [3:02:58] lot of great work with those [3:03:00] kids so I wanted to shout them [3:03:02] out and that sister act 2 is [3:03:04] showing this weekend there. [3:03:05] » Council member shaffer. [3:03:06] » One clarification. It's not [3:03:08] starting tomorrow. But it's next [3:03:09] friday. One weekend out if I [3:03:13] wasn't clear for both events. [3:03:15] » All right. Tt is all of our [3:03:20] announcements. With that, we've [3:03:21] completed all of the items on [3:03:22] our agenda and will now consider [3:03:24] the request for a closed session [3:03:25] which is to receive a briefing [3:03:28] on the litigation matter listed [3:03:30] on the agenda. Before I move to [3:03:31] close the meeting, I'll [3:03:33] recognize the city attorney to [3:03:34] provide the legal basis for the [3:03:36] requested closed session. [3:03:37] » President payne, the next [3:03:39] item on the agenda is a [3:03:41] litigation matter of assad [3:03:45] awaijane et al versus bittell et [3:03:47] al. You lawyers wish to provide [3:03:50] a briefing on this matter. [3:03:53] minnesota statute section 13d.05 [3:03:57] subdision 3b. The couil may [3:03:59] upon a proper motion close the [3:04:01] meeting for purposes of [3:04:05] attorney-client information. In [3:04:06] considering the motion, the [3:04:07] council should weigh the right [3:04:08] of the public to know what its [3:04:11] gornment is doinggainst the [3:04:13] need of confidentiality of [3:04:15] discussions with its attorneys. [3:04:16] » Thank you, mr. City attorney [3:04:20] meeting as authorized under the [3:04:22] open meeting law, specifically [3:04:25] minnesota state statute section [3:04:27] 13d.05 for the purpose of [3:04:28] receiving a briefing on the [3:04:30] litigation matter ofssad [3:04:33] awaijane et al versus bittell et [3:04:35] al. May I have a second to that [3:04:36] motion? [3:04:36] » Second. [3:04:37] » The clerk will call the roll. [3:04:39] » Council member warren. [3:04:40] » Aye. [3:04:41] » Shaffer. [3:04:41] » Aye. [3:04:43] » Chughtai. [3:04:43] » Aye. [3:04:44] » Whiting. [3:04:45] » Aye. [3:04:46] » Chowdhury. [3:04:46] » Aye. [3:04:47] » Stevenson. [3:04:48] » Aye. [3:04:49] » Rainville. [3:04:49] » Aye. [3:04:50] » Vetaw. [3:04:51] » Aye. [3:04:52] » Palmisano. [3:04:53] » Aye. [3:04:54] » Chavez. [3:04:54] » Aye. [3:04:55] » Vice president osman. [3:04:56] » Aye. [3:04:57] » President payne. [3:04:57] » Aye. [3:04:58] » There are 12 ayes. [3:04:59] » That carries. For the viewing [3:05:02] public, I will note that t [3:05:04] broadcast for this meeting will [3:05:06] continue. And reconvene after [3:05:08] we've concluded the closed [3:05:10] session. We will start the [3:05:11] closed session at 1:30. [3:08:16] [ the minneapolis city council [3:08:17] is in recess ] [3:32:00] [ the minneapolis city council [3:32:02] is in recess ] [3:49:38] [ the minneapolis city council [3:49:39] is in recess ] [4:00:44] [ the minneapolis city council [4:00:45] is in a closed session, this [4:00:47] meeting will resume when the [4:00:49] closed session ends ] [4:12:29] [ the minneapolis city council [4:12:30] is in a closed session, this [4:12:32] meeting will resume when the [4:12:36] closed session ends ] [4:32:20] [ the minneapolis city council [4:32:22] is in a closed session, this [4:32:24] meeting will resume when the [4:32:28] closed session ends ] [4:44:00] [ the minneapolis city council [4:44:01] is in a closed session, this [4:44:03] meeting will resume when the [4:44:06] closed session ends ] [5:07:35] [ the minneapolis city council [5:07:36] is in a closed session, this [5:07:38] meeting will resume when the [5:07:40] closed session ends ] [5:18:48] [ the minneapolis city council [5:18:49] is in a closed session, this [5:18:55] meeting will resume when the [5:18:57] closed session ends ] [5:29:36] [ gavel ]. [5:29:37] » The time is now 3:08 and the [5:29:42] city council has reconvened [5:29:45] following our closed session. [5:29:50] » Council member warren. [5:29:51] » Aye. Present. [5:29:52] » Shaffer. [5:29:53] » Present. [5:29:53] » Council member wonsley is [5:29:55] absent. Council member chughtai. [5:29:57] » Present. [5:29:57] » Whiting. [5:29:58] » Present. [5:29:59] » Chowdhury. [5:29:59] » Present. [5:30:00] » Stevenson. [5:30:01] » Present. [5:30:01] » Council member rainville is [5:30:03] absent. Vetaw. [5:30:03] » Present. [5:30:04] » Palmisano. [5:30:05] » Present. [5:30:05] » Council member chavez. [5:30:06] » Present. [5:30:07] » Vice president osman is [5:30:08] absent. President payne. [5:30:09] » Present. [5:30:09] » There are 10 members present. [5:30:11] » Let the record reflect we [5:30:13] have a quorum. With that, we've [5:30:18] completed our business today. [5:30:22] with nothing to come before the [5:30:24] council, without objection, this [5:30:26] meeting is adjourned.