The Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee on Dec. 1 authorized the city to enter a contract with the Link for human‑trafficking prevention, intervention and survivor support services tied to the planned South Minneapolis Community Safety Center.

Neighborhood Safety Director Amanda Harrington described the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center as a hub combining community services and police functions and said the Office of Community Safety (OCS) garnered community input through more than 2,000 engagements to shape Phase‑1 services. She told the committee that $4,000,000 in public safety aid had been set aside for pilots during the 2023 budget process and that approximately $2,350,000 remains available; Harrington said the item asks the council to authorize $500,000 of that remaining funding for a three‑year contract with the Link, to ensure services are available when the center opens.

Harrington said the contract would fund onsite staff at the safety center as well as outreach and training for professionals and community members. "We're asking your permission to enter into a contract with the Link for these services with a not to exceed amount of $500,000," she said, adding the office expects collaboration with other providers at the center. Staff identified human‑trafficking services as part of Phase 1 alongside culturally specific navigators, mental‑health and domestic‑violence services.

Several council members asked for procurement clarity after earlier debate over a different vendor that had been considered. Harrington said there were two RFPs in the process, that the first remains confidential until contracts are executed, and that a legislative directive will require staff to detail the procurement once a contract is fully executed. Chair Wansley and other members also asked where services would be physically located inside the center; staff said organizations would generally use shared landing spaces and private conference rooms rather than a permanent private office, and committed to follow up with property services on architectural details.

Chair Wansley moved approval of the contract and a voice vote carried. Clerks will publish follow‑up materials requested by members, including details from property services and the legislative directive regarding procurement.