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Council approves committee package and key items including I‑94 language, training study and police wellness director
Summary
The council adopted a 58‑item committee package (with some deletions/pulls) and separately voted to grant a variance, approve amended language on Rethinking I‑94 (9–4), adopt a study on training facilities, and create a police health and wellness director position. Several votes were unanimous; others were contested.
The Minneapolis City Council approved the Committee of the Whole’s package of items after committee chair Choudhury presented 58 items and listed a series of deletions and pulls. The full package (minus specified deletions/pulls) passed on a roll call.
Among separately considered items, the council granted a variance appeal for 4155 41st Avenue after staff and attorneys explained unique building code and Americans with Disabilities Act‑related circumstances; the motion to grant the appeal (with conditions such as reduced lot‑coverage and rain‑garden requirements) passed unanimously.
Council member Wansley moved amended language on a Rethinking I‑94 resolution that would oppose MnDOT alternatives maintaining the highway’s current status. Council member Schafer praised wording changes but said she would vote against the measure based on recent public‑works documents; the amendment was approved 9–4.
The council also approved a staff‑direction amendment to study public safety training facilities — including emerging training technology, space utilization, renovation versus new construction, funding and cross‑departmental training options — and asked for that analysis to return as soon as possible; the amendment passed unanimously.
On a personnel matter, the council considered creating a director of police health and wellness position and debated whether funding should be found through the regular budget process or by repurposing vacant positions. MPD finance director Vicky Troszwick told council the department does not intend to return for the forensic scientist position and would evaluate vacancies going forward. A motion to return the item to staff was defeated (3–10), and the underlying motion to approve the position passed with 13 ayes.
Taken together, the votes advanced multiple policy and administrative items across housing, transportation, public safety and personnel; several items were framed as urgent while council members urged additional oversight and follow‑up through the budget process.
