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Minneapolis City Council authorizes lawsuit against private property owner over encampment near school; vote 6‑4
Summary
After hours of debate about shelter capacity and housing‑first alternatives, the Minneapolis City Council voted 6‑4 to authorize the city attorney to sue property owner Hamoudi Sabri to abate a public‑health nuisance at 2716 East Lake Street and 2932 28th Avenue South.
The Minneapolis City Council on Monday authorized city attorneys to begin litigation against property owner Hamoudi Sabri over an encampment at 2716 East Lake Street and 2932 28th Avenue South, approving the request 6‑4 after more than an hour of debate.
Council member Vita moved the measure, which authorizes the city attorney's office to pursue legal and equitable remedies — including monetary damages and injunctive relief — against Sabri and any necessary related or responsible parties. Council member Palmisano seconded the motion. The roll call produced six ayes (Rainville, Vita, Koski, Jenkins, Palmisano, Osman) and four nays (Chavez, Chowdhury, Vice President Chugtai, President Payne).
City Attorney Anderson told the council the office had researched remedies under state statutes and municipal code, pointing to the state public‑health nuisance authority as well as traditional and common‑law nuisance claims. Anderson also cited Minnesota Statute section 13D.05 in support of closing portions of the meeting for attorney‑client briefing.
Director Velazquez said Hennepin County operates a publicly facing shelter dashboard and reported that, based on the county's data from the prior day, "there are 17 shelter spaces available," noting small discrepancies in the gender breakdown. Council member Chavez, who opposed the lawsuit, said "there are 60 people sleeping on the encampment right now" and argued the council should instead expand navigation centers and housing options rather than pursue litigation that would displace people without guaranteed shelter.
Several members who supported the motion framed it as an available enforcement tool when other measures have failed. Council member Jenkins described the situation as a public‑health and public‑safety crisis and said the statute authorizes the city to act; other supporters said the owner had refused reasonable steps and the city must use legal remedies when necessary.
Opponents warned of uneven enforcement and the risk of moving encampments rather than resolving homelessness. Council members including Osman and Chowdhury cited prior city responses to encampments on city‑owned land, questioned whether the city had applied the same standards there, and urged coordinated long‑term solutions with Hennepin County and service providers. Council members also noted past navigation‑center efforts and expressed frustration that alternatives had not been consistently funded or implemented.
The ordinance request does not specify the exact legal filings or the timeline for suit; city attorneys said those details would be determined after authorization. The council closed its meeting after the vote.
The motion authorized today will allow the city attorney's office to file suit seeking abatement and other relief; officials said the city will continue to coordinate with county partners and service providers but did not give a timetable for court filings or specific remedies that will be sought.
