Minneapolis council urges Gov. Tim Walz to enact statewide eviction moratorium after large public comment period

The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to send Governor Tim Walz a resolution urging a statewide eviction moratorium, passing the measure as amended 13–0 after an extended public comment period and a council amendment.

Council Member Wansley, a lead author of the resolution, said the request responds to what she described as a surge of federal enforcement that has left many residents too afraid to leave home. "We are in an emergency," Wansley said during her introduction, asking the governor to act so "residents can shelter in place to survive this attack." (Council member Wansley spoke in support of the resolution.)

The resolution was debated in committee-style procedure after the council suspended Rule 7.2.d to permit public comments on the item. The clerk clarified that the council's action is a formal request to state government, not a city-level moratorium: "This is a formal act by the body asking the state government, the state of Minnesota, and our governor, Tim Walz, to consider and take appropriate action in response to this resolution," the clerk said.

Forty registered speakers addressed the council. Testimony included first‑person accounts of fear, descriptions of neighborhood patrols and mutual aid, appeals from educators and public-health professionals for stability, and calls from tenant organizers for protections that also cover encampments. Natalie Cherney, vice chair of the Minneapolis DFL, told the council, "I love this city ... We need to do everything we can to protect our neighbors." Seamus McNamara of Twin Cities Tenants urged the council to expand protections to cover encampments as well.

Council members considered an amendment offered from the dais; copies were distributed before debate and the council agreed to take the package as amended. A procedural vote to end debate ("calling the question") passed on a roll call and the amended resolution then passed unanimously by roll call, 13 ayes.

Council members who supported the resolution also said the council will work on additional local steps. Council Member Chavez said the body will continue work on a possible city ordinance and on rental-assistance measures in coming weeks, calling passage of the resolution an important step but not a substitute for further local action.

The resolution will be transmitted to Gov. Walz and state leaders. The council record shows members and public speakers seeking rapid state action to prevent evictions while residents face safety risks tied to federal enforcement operations.