The Minneapolis City Council recognized four observances, approved committee business and debated the police chief nomination, behavioral crisis response services and data center regulations. The council rejected the police chief nomination, approved a 10-month procurement waiver for crisis response services and advanced amended data center regulations.
Discussion Points
•A city attorney described a typical termination-for-convenience clause but said the specific contract had not been reviewed.
•A council member asked about the total funding pool for emergency housing vouchers; members referred to an administrative follow-up.
•City officials described the city’s partnership with Native communities and local challenges involving overdoses and homelessness.
•Community speakers described the impact of anti-transgender violence and the importance of remembrance and support.
•Lot A was described as a partnership to build affordable housing and a recreation facility.
•Members debated the contract’s term, annual review and the risk of making extensions more difficult.
•Members debated the provider’s performance, city contract oversight and whether the city or county should lead the service.
•Members discussed a possible in-house model and a partnership with Hennepin County.
•Members offered conflicting assessments of Peterson’s qualifications and the need for an internal or alternative candidate.
•Members questioned Peterson’s recollection of discriminatory conduct, the handling of discipline and promotions, department culture, reform, spending, investigations and domestic violence.
•Palmisano said unpaid utility bills reached $12 million and rose from 3% to 20% of bills over several years.
•Supporters of a ban said more than 1,600 public comments showed strong opposition; opponents argued for regulation and economic development.
•Supporters of the overlay said it would create elected-official review of individual projects; opponents cited legal limits and concerns about inconsistent decisions.
•The city attorney said decisions must be based on legally relevant facts and cannot be based on an applicant’s identity or customers.
•The city attorney said the city faced litigation involving Best Crowd employees, but said it was unrelated to the RFP; the attorney also said Best Crowd was the highest scorer in the competitive process.
•The police response resolution recounted two fatalities, civilian injuries, officer injuries and response times.
Decisions
•The amended contract passed 10-3, with council approval required for each of four optional extensions.
•The ban amendment failed 6-7; the DT1/DT2 overlay passed 7-6; the additional ordinance amendments passed 12-1; the ordinance as amended was recorded as carrying.
•The council adopted all four resolutions with 13 ayes.
•The nomination failed 5-8; a subsequent motion to deny it passed 8-5.
•The referenced committee packages and appropriations passed; individual committee actions are detailed in the actions list.
•The veto override failed 8-5; the mayor’s veto was sustained. The new 10-month waiver passed 10-3.
Directions
•Council Member Chavez said she was working with the administration on a future directive about training and complaint handling.
•Council Member Palmisano said she would work with Finance and Property Services to explore ways to address rising unpaid utility bills.
•Peterson said he would continue spending oversight, work to increase domestic violence investigative resources and commit to school and community engagement.
•Renewable-energy credit documentation and equipment decommissioning requirements were added to the ordinance.
•The administration may negotiate a contract extension of up to 10 months and develop a transition plan; the waiver does not compel an extension.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners discussed small-business support, veterans services, community redevelopment, domestic-violence prevention and other county priorities, and approved several items. The meeting was followed by a Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority meeting that approved an amended Tree Trust maintenance agreement.
Discussion Points
•Anderson described county services for veterans and their families, including housing, Veterans Court mentorship and the county Veterans Service Office.
•Commissioners asked how eligible businesses are included and reported early interest.
•Commissioners discussed where the amendment would fit in the platform and its connection to financial stability, transparency and accountability.
•Conley asked whether STS also performs maintenance; staff confirmed a separate annual contract.
•Conley described the need for rebuilding after the 2020 civil unrest and praised investment in Lake Street and other districts.
•Conley named Stella Nez Perce and described her death and life.
•Conley said survivor experience should inform services and public awareness and raised concerns about the court system's outcomes for survivors.
•Doyle discussed his military experience and the role of veteran advocates in building trust.
•Fernando announced the award and cited Elevate Hennepin support activity and partners.
•Fernando linked the proclamation to the county's support for local businesses and the rewards campaign.
•Fernando said county services intersect with county departments, the county attorney's office, courts and community organizations.
•Fitzgerald described the app, business eligibility, early outreach and anticipated funding duration.
•Green and Martinson described fund financing, results and example projects.
•Lundy said more people may report abuse when services become accessible, so reported numbers could increase as previously hidden cases are captured.
•Staff described the work covered and Tree Trust's youth employment-readiness program.
•The chair offered commissioners an opportunity to identify consent items for discussion; none were raised.
•The proclamation text included statistics about killings and anti-transgender legislation and cited national organizations.
Decisions
•The amendment passed and was added to the platform.
•The authority approved the amended Tree Trust agreement.
•The board approved agenda item 11B R1.
•The board approved items 9A through 9Y as a block.
•The board approved the full 2027 priorities and amended platform.
•The board proclaimed Nov. 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in Hennepin County.
•The board proclaimed Nov. 28, 2026, as Small Business Saturday in Hennepin County.
Directions
•The board directed county administration to carry out the listed strategies, dashboard and advisory committee work.
The Minneapolis City Committee of the Whole heard committee reports and considered emergency housing vouchers and proposed data center regulations. It approved a $1.8 million voucher funding motion and advanced an amended data center ordinance to the full council after rejecting a ban and an overlay amendment.
Discussion Points
•Council members asked about the total contributions from other government partners, early placements, household counts, voucher duration and housing-quality enforcement.
•Council members disputed the mayor’s likely veto position; those statements were members’ accounts during the meeting.
•Council Member Warren raised concerns about housing quality, tenant remedies and accountability.
•CPED said it could not reach the prior target of serving households up to 50% of area median income with the county and that the $1.8 million remained uncontracted.
•Members debated resident participation, predictability for applicants, energy use, renewable energy and concerns about the moratorium expiring without replacement regulations.
•Opponents of the ban argued that residents and city operations depend on data centers and that a mayoral veto could leave the city with less regulation.
•Other members argued that data centers bring energy, water, emissions and neighborhood concerns and that an overlay would enable a council vote on individual proposals.
•Schaffer described potential employment, franchise-fee and property-valuation benefits of smaller facilities.
•Staff recommended conditional-use permits, a 175,000-square-foot white-space limit, DT1 and DT2 locations, existing structures, utility-use disclosures and sound mitigation.
•Supporters cited public opposition, energy and water use, emissions, noise and alternative uses of urban land.
•The City Attorney distinguished quasi-judicial conditional-use review from legislative rezoning and described more flexibility in the latter.
•The first- and second-floor equipment amendment was discussed, but the transcript does not record a motion or vote on it.
•The Planning Commission recommended an overlay district and a 50,000-square-foot maximum; the overlay amendment failed 6-6.
Decisions
•The 150,000-square-foot limit amendment passed 11-0, with one abstention.
•The amended ordinance was forwarded to the full council 12-0; final council adoption was not recorded.
•The committee approved the funding motion by 11-0, with one abstention.
•The green-pricing amendment passed 12-0.
•The overlay amendment failed 6-6.
•The overlay amendment failed 6-6; the committee later forwarded the separately amended ordinance to the full council.
•The proposed citywide data center ban failed 6-6.
Directions
•CPED Director Alfred Port said he would provide the combined funding total to the clerk’s office and council members.
The Minneapolis Planning Commission approved variances and site plan review for the Satori Senior housing project (1823–1839 Bryant Ave. N.), including increased lot coverage and reduced setbacks, while adding conditions for additional EV-ready spaces and three canopy trees; two nearby homeowners urged denial over shadowing and solar impacts. Several consent items passed and 600 Main St. SE was continued to Dec. 14, 2026.
•Commissioners debated whether 2023 practical‑difficulty findings could be applied despite a new zoning code; discussion focused on balconies, shadow impacts, and tree/heat‑island mitigation.
•HUD financing for later phases fell through; applicant returned to commission after prior approvals expired.
•Neighbors alleged the shadow study omitted or inadequately represented garage solar panels and asked for denial of variances.
•Neighbors testified that shadowing could reduce solar generation and harm gardens; staff and applicant argued submitted shadow study showed minimal long‑term impacts on the nearby solar canopy.
•No opposition arose during the consent hearing.
•Public comment in support of renaming described practical issues with mail delivery and business paperwork.
•Staff explained the submitted shadow study and said it shows limited worst‑case morning shadowing on a nearby solar canopy.
•Staff recommended denial of variances and site plan review due to lot coverage and setback noncompliance; staff noted building footprint matches 2023 submission though code changes create new variance needs.
Decisions
•Approve variances and site plan with conditions; continue administrative follow‑up by CPED prior to permits.
•Consent items adopted.
Directions
•If variances approved, applicant must meet staff conditions including additional EV‑ready stalls, increase shrub count per conditions or meet landscape conditions, and provide three canopy trees or equivalent heat‑island mitigation worked out with staff.
The Minneapolis Budget Committee on Nov. 9, 2026 unanimously approved a $200,000 reallocation within the 38th Street Thrive implementation budget, moving funds originally earmarked for a consultant into a land trust and a community development corporation (CDC) after staff said a CDC/strategic development fund could not be started. The action preserves the original $1.2 million commitment while shifting spending to feasible uses.
Discussion Points
•Stevenson and Chavez emphasized preserving the original intent to prevent displacement and support business revitalization in the historic Southside Black community.
•Stevenson explained original $1.2M allocation and breakdown; Director Hanson reported the city cannot start a CDC/strategic development fund, necessitating reallocation.
Decisions
•Motion to approve reallocation carried; amendment passed on voice vote and declared carried by the chair.
Directions
•Reallocate $200,000 consultant line into other buckets (committee-approved split: $100,000 to heritage land trust, $100,000 to CDC line).
Hennepin County Budget Briefing Administrator Ammendments 11/09/2026
The Hennepin County committee reviewed 12 administrator amendments to the proposed 2027 budget, approving most of them and returning an opioid-settlement amendment to staff. The committee also scheduled a later hearing for commissioner amendments and outlined how the public could comment.
Discussion Points
•About $4.5 million would come from contingency, approximately $620,000 from additional administrative revenue, and about $171,000 from fund balances.
•A commissioner withdrew comments after recognizing they referred to a different item.
•A committee member raised questions about authority over opioid interventions and the city of Minneapolis' independent health department.
•Commissioner Fernando supported streamlining and said further cohesion could be considered in the future.
•Commissioners Conley and Green expressed support for alignment with health and well-being.
•East Lake Library received funding moved from the 2028 funding element to the 2027 capital budget.
•Franklin Library planning funding would support continued work after the initial feasibility study concludes early the following year.
•Funding would support equipment upgrades at multiple critical county-facility locations and related cable infrastructure.
•The administrator agreed with Capital Budget Task Force recommendations on the two library projects.
•The administrator described the change as an effort to improve contract management and efficiency.
•The chair asked whether the name change would affect the budget; Wendland said it would not, but budget books needed modifications.
•The county agreement with the state requires annual approval for opioid settlement funds in the 2027 budget.
•The election equipment might not be available for a summer special election; the county hoped to use it by fall after procurement, testing and certification.
•The transcript did not describe project activities or spending details.
•Wendland said the amendment modifies the earlier board-approved transition of the disparity elimination line of business into the Human Services Fund.
•Wendland said the amendment recognizes an annual agreement between the county and the hospital.
Decisions
•The committee approved $800,000 in contingency funding.
•The committee approved approximately $202,000 for one full-time equivalent position.
•The committee approved returning the amendment to staff; the proposed use of funds was not approved.
•The committee approved the $5.3 million amendment.
•The committee approved the amendment providing approximately $230,000 in additional state revenue.
•The committee approved the department and contract-management changes and $100,000 in contingency funding.
•The committee approved the department placement and $200,000 in 2027 contingency funding.
•The committee approved the four capital amendments together.
Hennepin County Board met Nov. 10, 2026, approving its 2027 state legislative priorities and taking action to create a domestic-violence victim-survivor advisory process; the board also launched a countywide rewards app to support small businesses and heard a five-year update on the CAP (Community Asset Transition) Fund.
Discussion Points
•Board highlighted recommendation to create a victim‑survivor advisory committee and shift toward a public‑health framework; commissioners warned reported incidents may rise as barriers to reporting fall.
•Chair and commissioners introduced and read each proclamation; Conley highlighted Stella Nez Perce as a person to be remembered.
•Commissioners thanked Edelson and said the language aligns with past briefings calling for transparency and stronger financial stability at Hennepin Healthcare.
•Fitzgerald described Hennepin Rewards and enrollment criteria; commissioners asked about outreach and eligibility.
•Martinson summarized fund performance, dollars invested, projects supported, interest rates, and ongoing revolving activity.
Decisions
•Amendment to platform adopted; full platform approved later in the meeting.
•Both proclamations adopted by voice vote.
•R1 adopted by voice vote; next steps for implementation assigned to county administration.
Directions
•Communications to publicize events and bridge lighting; Economic Development to promote Hennepin Rewards launch.
•County administration to implement the tasks listed in the R1, develop the dashboard, and convene an advisory committee guided by community solutions.
•County to distribute promotional materials and continue outreach to city partners and business districts.
•County to work with state advisory task force and to explore options; county administration to implement follow up and report back.
The Hennepin County Administration, Operation, and Budget Committee considered the county administrator's proposed 2027 operating budget and 12 administrator amendments on Oct. 26, 2026, including technical adjustments, capital projects (elections equipment, library planning, bridge replacement), and program funding changes; one amendment (opioid settlement use) was returned to staff for further work.
Discussion Points
•A commissioner noted complexity of reallocating funds.
•Administrator presented 12 amendments (technical adjustments and resource adds).
•Amendment 11 changes ASIS to Audit, Risk, and Investigation Services; no budget impact.
•Amendment 12 keeps climate and resiliency in general fund and requests $200,000 contingency for community programs; commissioners supported alignment with health objectives.
•Amendment Seven brings $1.5M of state funding for a bridge replacement project.
•CBTF recommended adding funding for two library capital projects to 2027.
•Commissioners expressed support for the library planning funding moves.
•Conley: moved to return to staff and propose as R1 after discussions with administration.
•Dan Rogan (staff): Procurement planned for spring; certification timeline may mean older equipment used for earlier special elections but aim to have new equipment certified for fall/2028.
•Fernando: expressed concerns about authority and overlap with Minneapolis' independent health department.
•Fernando: Praised streamlining and expressed interest in future cohesion of services.
•Lundy: Asked whether equipment will be available for next year's special elections.
•Most amendments approved by voice vote; one amendment (opioid settlement funds) returned to staff.
•Wendland: Amendment 4 establishes elections equipment upgrades with $4,250,000 in 2027 funded by GO bonds.
•Wendland: amendment would authorize use of opioid settlement funds in 2027 as required by state agreement.
•Wendland: Move contracts to HSPHDE and add $100k contingency to reach $200k total in 2027.
•Wendland: R1 totals $5.3M to cover health insurance costs; funding sources include contingency, HSPHDE administrative revenue, and fund balances.
Decisions
•Amendment 10 approved by voice vote.
•Amendment 1 returned to staff (no approval).
•Amendment 4 approved as part of capital block.
•Amendment 9 approved by voice vote.
•Amendments 5–7 approved as part of capital block.
•Approve most administrator amendments by voice vote; return Amendment 1 to staff.
•Both amendments approved by voice vote.
Directions
•Administration to coordinate details and reintroduce as commissioner amendment (R1).
•Finance to allocate funds and update departmental budgets.
•Implement contract transfers and administrative closure of standalone SARS department.
•Item 4A laid over until 2026-11-18 at 1:30 p.m.; administration to continue coordination on returned amendment and commissioners to bring R1 as needed.
•Proceed with planning and integrate state funds into bridge project budget.
•Proceed with procurement and testing; report back on certification schedule.
•Update budget books for name change and allocate contingency funds for climate programs.
November 5, 2026 Business, Housing & Zoning Committee
Minneapolis Business, Housing and Zoning Committee met Nov. 5, 2026; the committee approved a commercial-lease ordinance requiring written leases for many small businesses, cleared multiple consent items, advanced development rights for a Cedar Riverside affordable housing and recreation project, forwarded a data-center zoning package to the committee of the whole for fuller citywide debate, accepted housing bond carryforward authority, and received LRO reports on autonomous vehicles.
Discussion Points
•Applicant described cultural and service goals for the neighborhood.
•Authors argued commercial tenants lack parity with residential tenants and are vulnerable to oral leases shorter than one year.
•Council asked for examples of recent projects using bonds (Grain Exchange, Boughton Oak Commons & Lofts, Snelling Yards).
•Council members asked about external-data use and potential for surveillance; LRO said companies state external-facing data requires subpoena and court order, but cities remain concerned.
•Council members debated overlay vs. primary‑zoning allowance, climate and grid impacts, noise, and community engagement; a green‑pricing amendment would incentivize larger projects to subscribe to renewable energy.
•Council members highlighted the project's collaborative nature and need for funding and swift action.
•Enforcement will be complaint-based with each affected unit counted separately.
•Planning Commission recommended an overlay and a 50,000 sq ft cap.
•Public testimony emphasized immigrant-owned stalls and cultural malls lacking written leases.
•Report outlines SAE level definitions, municipal experiences (Austin, Portland, Seattle), and mixed evidence on labor and transit impacts.
•Staff explained the 50% test federal change reduces the per‑project bond requirement (from 30% to 25% in staff's phrasing), affecting tax credit pricing.
•Staff explained the history of the RFP, prior extensions since 2021, and Sherman's difficulty securing financing for a public market component.
•Staff recommended reuse‑only sites in DT1/DT2, white‑space cap up to 175,000 sq ft, conditional use permits and disclosure of water/electric/generator use.
•Staff sent 138 notices; two written oppositions (traffic, business fit).
Decisions
•Committee authorized the requested extensions.
•License approved by committee voice vote.
•Motion to forward to committee of the whole carried.
•Ordinance approved by roll call (7–0).
•Report filed.
•Resolution approved by committee.
Directions
•Clerk to file the report; departments to consider coordination and data-sharing recommendations.
•CPED to complete federal forms and return with planned uses as projects are identified.
•Refer the full package and amendments to committee of the whole for comprehensive review and potential up‑or‑down vote by the full council.
•Staff to do outreach and education to impacted communities about complaint filing (3-1-1) and available legal resources.
•Staff to obtain updated appraisal and continue coordination with county and park board.
Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee 11/04/2026
The Minneapolis City Council’s Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee heard public testimony and considered a special-assessment levy, nominations for health commissioner and police chief, and several other items. The committee advanced the health commissioner nomination with approval, sent the police chief nomination to the full council without a recommendation, and approved a fire-code ordinance.
Discussion Points
•Al Flowers asked the committee and prospective health commissioner to address reported conditions at Heritage Park.
•Chavez said the ordinance authors were monitoring developments in San Pablo.
•Council members discussed whether field-training restrictions were an existing practice or a written policy.
•Council Member Vita asked about budget reductions, overlapping services with Hennepin County, health disparities and how outcomes would be measured.
•Larry Johnson requested relief from a vacant-property fee while he repaired a fire-damaged property.
•Magrino described the levy and the administrative appeal process.
•Payne said recent fires were not particularly connected but described solid fuels as a possible source of a restaurant fire.
•Peterson denied membership in the Metro Gang Strike Force but said he may have participated in a related search warrant as a tactical-team officer.
•Peterson said department staff reviewed about 40 internal-affairs cases affecting approximately 86 officers, but he lacked discipline and grievance figures.
•Peterson said two complaints had been made against him and he had only recently learned of them.
•Residents disputed sidewalk snow-and-ice assessments and raised concerns about notice, photographs, property identification and charges associated with prior owners.
•Ritchie described her experience, three priorities and use of data and community input.
•Supporters praised Peterson’s service and collaboration; opponents questioned his record, the selection process and his ability to lead reform.
•The listed package items were moved without discussion on the motion.
•The ordinance was described as increasing inspection and cleaning attention according to cooking volume and fuel type.
Decisions
•The committee approved the ordinance item by voice vote.
•The committee voted to advance Ritchie’s nomination with approval; the final appointment was not made at this committee meeting.
•The committee voted to forward the levy with a recommendation.
•The committee voted to forward the nomination to the full council without a recommendation.
•The committee voted to forward the package with approval.
•The committee voted to postpone the law-enforcement concealment-of-identity ordinance.
Directions
•A follow-up on Peterson’s work history relating to the Metro Gang Strike Force was requested.
•A staff memo was requested about procedures when the police chief is the subject of an internal-affairs complaint.
•Peterson and Mayor Frey committed to answer questions at full council.
•Ritchie said she would follow up with Al Flowers about a Heritage Park tour.
•Staff were asked to follow up on testimony and provide an update for full council.
•The concealment-of-identity ordinance was scheduled for Dec. 9.
•The Healthy Homes annual report and neighborhood safety contract management response were scheduled for Nov. 18.
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission convened, approved its agenda and minutes, passed a consent preservation application for 1324 Mount Curve Avenue (Ward 7), and heard staff announcements including a legacy grant for settlement-house research and a planned HPC retreat.
Discussion Points
•All three items were presented without discussion and passed by voice vote.
•Chair opened public hearing and invited testimony; no public speakers.
•Grant focuses on settlement houses and aims to tie historical research to present-day community mutual aid practices.
•Retreat scheduled for Nov. 12 at 3 p.m., location: conference room near chambers.
•State Review Board scheduled for Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. to consider nominations including those tied to the African American multiple property document.
The Minneapolis City Budget Committee met on 2026-11-02 to review the mayor’s recommended 2027 budget staffing reductions; HR outlined a job-bank placement process and said the recommendation identifies 94 positions for elimination.
Discussion Points
•Budget dollar amounts remain binding
•Council requested follow‑up summarizing union feedback
•Early-retirement incentives generally do not yield immediate savings and can unevenly affect departmental knowledge
•Furloughs were considered but are not preferred due to limited long-term savings and past negative experiences
•High share of union‑identified positions (68 positions, ~72%)
•Hiring freeze applies to covered vacancies excluding sworn/appointed employees
•HR outlined displacement, bumping and job bank processes
•Job bank individual decision window is 45 days; job bank runs 60 days
•Labor relations outreach includes direct calls and meetings with business agents
•Laid-off eligible employees retain recall rights for up to 3 years
•MPD: 17 proposed eliminations are vacant civilian positions
•Slide FTE discrepancies due to earlier placeholders
•Staff will provide a written reconciliation
•Vacant positions may be used to place employees before displacement
Directions
•Budget director will provide written follow-up on FTE vs. dollar reconciliation
November 2, 2026 Enterprise & Labor Relations Committee
The Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee voted to move delinquent utility charges (about $12,000,000) to Hennepin County for collection as property tax assessments after a staff presentation and committee questions about cash flow, notice to taxpayers and potential additional fees.
Discussion Points
•Committee discussed cash-flow impacts on enterprise funds, the one-time 5% late fee allowed by ordinance, and the possibility of adding an administrative fee.
•Council members described constituent confusion and the limits of mailed/email notices.
•Enterprise funds experience a roughly one-year lag when accounts are moved to county tax collection, creating potential cash-flow implications.
•Members pressed for more prominent notice to affected taxpayers and for options to help low-income residents; staff described phone outreach and payment arrangements.
•Ordinance allows a one-time 5% late fee; staff is reviewing whether an administrative fee should be added.
•Staff described existing monthly emails/bills, automated calls and courtesy letters, plus outbound calls and payment arrangements.
•Staff presented the annual list (about 900 pages) of delinquent utility accounts and described process.
Decisions
•Committee approved forwarding delinquent utility charges to Hennepin County for collection via property tax assessments.
Directions
•Item to proceed to full Council next week for final approval before county collection.
•Staff to analyze administrative fee options and regional comparators and report back to Council.
•Staff to continue analysis on administrative fee possibilities and to work with communications on outreach options.
•Staff to continue internal analysis on policy vs. Council-required changes.
•Staff to coordinate with communications for a targeted outreach push and to review possible more prominent notice methods ahead of future assessments.
November 5, 2026 Climate & Infrastructure Committee
Vice Chair Soren Stevenson convened the Minneapolis Climate and Infrastructure Committee on Nov. 5, 2026. The committee held a required public hearing and approved a series of public-works contracts, grant applications and resolutions, including levying a $584,371.03 special assessment for removal of an airway tunnel and actions on Bee City USA affiliation, EV charging infrastructure for precinct fleets, and updates to the Transportation Action Plan and racial equity framework.
Discussion Points
•City negotiated with property owner 18 o 1 Nicollet LLC to pay removal cost via assessment.
•Craft described the purpose of the grant and the private sewer lateral insurance program; no substantive questions were raised before a motion to approve.
•Folley described scope and rationale for taking on Move Minneapolis work; Palmasano asked whether Public Works would perform the work directly or hire others; Folley said Public Works staff would lead with consultant support as needed.
•Folley noted Met Council’s travel behavior inventory (delayed to 2026) limits 2025 mode-share data availability.
•Folley noted the Met Council survey was delayed to 2026 and that TAP is not fiscally constrained.
•Folley summarized TAP context, progress metrics, and equity-tracking highlights; committee members asked about timing for 2025 mode-share data and scope of TAP actions that rely on partners.
•Mollman explained the program’s commitments and resources; Selak Nias described alignment with green stormwater infrastructure projects and community planting events.
•No public commenters signed up; staff summarized legal history, ownership, and project conflict with reconstruction.
•Royston described scope and explained chargers would be non-public-facing; council asked about timing and selection criteria for charger locations and whether precinct chargers would be public.
•Royston said charger siting is based on where vehicles are parked and operational needs; squad-car EV testing will inform further adoption.
Decisions
•Clerk to receive and file the report; committee voted to file.
•Committee approved accepting funding and authorizing the agreement.
•Committee approved contract authorization to Xcel Energy by voice vote.
•Committee approved the authorization to submit the grant application.
•Committee voted to adopt assessments and authorize sale of assessment bonds totaling $584,371.03.
•Resolution to affiliate passed by voice vote.
Directions
•Proceed with Xcel Energy infrastructure installation for fleet chargers at designated precincts.
•Public Works to proceed with TDM program implementation and employer outreach in 2027.
•Return program updates to committee as appropriate.
•Staff authorized to submit the grant application and return for acceptance if awarded.
•Staff to continue updating public dashboard and provide future reports as new data arrive.
•Staff to submit application and organize Bee City working group.
The Minneapolis City Council met Oct. 29, 2026. Members approved a government-structure ordinance that eliminates the Office of Community Safety, passed safe-parking licensing and zoning rules, advanced budget directions tying restructuring savings to levy reduction, approved a new high-risk rental-license fee, and debated extensions and vetoes related to behavioral crisis response contracts.
Discussion Points
•Audit report identified shortcomings in city oversight and contract management rather than definitive vendor wrongdoing; council and audit recommended a documented oversight structure before long‑term contracting.
•Balancing levy reduction with program restorations; need to prioritize services that serve working residents.
•Budgetary impacts and planned restorations to programs under the amended budget resolution.
•Concerns over funding and whether nonprofits can shoulder operational costs.
•Design rules and operating requirements to reduce harm and connect residents to services.
•Health risks and livability impacts (vehicle idling, carbon monoxide).
•IT and tiering redesign work, scheduled for 2028, means some processes will be manual in 2027 and the number of properties in the high‑risk subset could change.
•Role of the mayor versus council oversight and alignment with the city charter.
•Speakers called for investment in prevention, training and violence-prevention programs.
•Staff explained the navigator program and existing resource constraints.
•Survivors urged transparency and accountability in investigations; family members described system failures in prior cases.
•The council sought to maintain continuity of services and to obtain a legal and financial plan for bringing BCR in‑house.
•The fee is designed for cost‑recovery to support four FTEs to enforce the highest‑risk rental properties.
•There was disagreement over vendor performance, procurement practice and whether a shorter or longer extension was prudent.
•Use of restructuring savings as a signal to residents about fiscal priorities.
•Whether OCS had become a costly, ineffective coordinating office and whether elimination would harm alternatives to policing.
Decisions
•12‑month extension/waiver approved to maintain services while staff prepare transition materials.
•Adopt resolution as nonbinding guidance.
•Fee adopted as part of 2027 fee schedule amendment.
•Ordinance adopted to eliminate OCS and reassign oversight.
•Ordinances adopted; sites to be licensed and permitted under new rules.
Directions
•City Attorney to deliver memo on state‑law changes and staff to provide an in‑house transition plan by Nov. 24, 2026.
•CPED and MPD to vet site safety plans as part of licensing process.
•Finance staff to consider the direction during budget drafting.
•Mayor or designee will coordinate public-safety departments under new structure.
•Refer Community Bridges contract back to staff for revision.
•Regulatory Services to identify properties and staff; report on IT/integration progress.
The committee advanced an ordinance to restructure city government that would eliminate the Office of Community Safety and move several departments; the item was forwarded to the full City Council after a 9–3–1 vote following a lengthy public hearing and council debate. The committee also approved a state traffic-safety grant for a city prosecutor focused on impaired driving and heard reports from standing committees about items for Thursday's council meeting.
Discussion Points
•Authors argued ordinance aligns code with charter and eliminates a problematic layer of management in OCS; supporters said details on FTEs and funding will be handled in budget process.
•Deputy City Attorney outlined the prosecutor's statewide training and litigation work on DWI and drug-impaired cases; council members expressed support and moved the item for approval.
•Directors emphasized OCS's role convening multiple departments to coordinate planned events, emergency response, and program implementation.
•Opponents argued elimination risks reducing coordination for alternatives to policing and cited letters from subject-matter experts and the state attorney general urging caution.
•Speakers emphasized the need for centralized operational accountability and the risk to alternatives-to-policing programs if coordination is lost.
•They urged the committee to preserve operational coordination even if the office's structure changes.
Decisions
•Committee recommended forwarding the amended ordinance to the full Council (9 ayes, 3 nays, 1 abstention).
•Grant acceptance approved in committee; to appear on Thursday's council agenda.
Directions
•City Attorney's Office to submit final acceptance paperwork for the council packet.
•Forward amended ordinance to full City Council for final deliberation on Thursday; authors to provide coordination with LRO and the administration as needed.
October 27, 2026 Intergovernmental Relations Committee
The Intergovernmental Relations Committee met Oct. 27, 2026, to review the draft 2027 legislative policy positions (11 recommendations from city departments), receive a federal update, and approve a walk-on resolution urging DHS to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status.
Discussion Points
•Federal continuing resolution through Dec. 11 and appropriations timing.
•Four potential city earmarks; one House-backed pedestrian safety ask listed at $850,000.
•IGR flagged possible minor tweaks before full council.
•IGR will prepare an elevated agenda for items to actively draft legislation on and pursue with coalitions.
•IGR would support narrowly tailored legislative fixes to preserve necessary records.
•Local request: funding for two geothermal heating systems at Minneapolis facilities (Democracy Center and water distribution facility).
•PLT process will be used to amend the 2026 policy document and produce a draft 2027 legislative agenda.
•Proposal targets venue relief (not direct payments to bands) but could be expanded during drafting.
•Reimbursement rates for publicly funded insurance are insufficient to cover provider costs in school-based clinics.
•Resolution asks DHS to designate Haiti for TPS and urges the Senate to pass HR 1689 before year-end.
•Rising youth mental-health needs increase demand for school-based therapists.
•Staff estimated a state funding ask of approximately $2–5 million to ensure continuity.
•State building performance standard aimed at 90% GHG reduction by 2045 with fees for noncompliance.
•State-level grant program proposal: $10M over eight years administered by Climate Innovation Authority using RDA funds.
•Study finding: ~80% of independent music venues operating without profit.
•The Health trends across communities program supports granular population-health analysis but lacks consistent funding.
•Unintended consequence: expungement can remove records survivors need for protective orders.
Decisions
•The committee approved the walk-on resolution by voice vote.
Directions
•IGR to circulate draft legislative agenda prior to Dec. 1 hearing and schedule follow-ups with members as requested.
•IGR to finalize resolution language and circulate to members before full council.
•IGR to include an advocacy position to increase medical assistance reimbursement rates in the draft agenda.
•IGR to include the funding request in the draft 2027 legislative agenda and pursue coalition partners and bill authors.
•IGR to include these positions in the draft agenda and seek coalition partners and bill authors.
•IGR to incorporate the arts proposal into the draft agenda and pursue coalition/bill authorship engagements.
•IGR to monitor appropriations committee action and keep council informed.
•IGR to review current policy document language and propose amendments for the Dec. 1 hearing.
Hennepin County board committees met Oct. 27 for a series of presentations and routine business. Highlights included a presentation by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed on a new watershed-scale flood model, votes to advance workforce and investment items, and a board action to progress a domestic-violence strategy to the Nov. 10 meeting.
Discussion Points
•Action is grounded in a previously completed inventory report and aims to operationalize its recommendations.
•ATIMS was replaced to update legacy system; ATIMS went live June 2023 and was acquired by ARMS Purchasico in 2026.
•Commissioners asked about exposure to equities and market risk; staff said the portfolio is fixed‑income and short duration.
•Commissioners asked about interoperability with city jail systems and potential efficiencies.
•Commissioners requested disaggregated city‑level data, clarity on staffing needs, and attention to public‑health framing.
•OBF presented the request as part of prudent cash and liquidity management.
•Plan represents collaboration across seven counties; aims to improve workforce access and equity.
•The district described a short‑term flood response system based on NWS forecasts, the county mesonet, and 23 ResNet sensors.
•The watershed presented a 2‑D model integrating lidar, groundwater mesh and storm‑sewer datasets covering 178 sq. miles and 29 cities.
Decisions
•Board approved submission to DEED.
•Board approved the annual authorization with an internal limit.
•Extension and funding increase approved.
•Progressed to Nov. 10 for final consideration.
Directions
•Progress item to Nov. 10 board meeting for final vote and staff revisions.
•Staff to investigate interoperability and report back where feasible.
The Minneapolis Planning Commission on Oct. 26 reviewed a staff proposal to amend Title 20 to update development standards for 1–3-unit dwellings, heard two public commenters, debated several commissioner amendments (height, FAR, setbacks) and adopted staff findings with some commissioner changes.
Discussion Points
•Chair Meyer argued the change prevents incentivizing garages solely to obtain points and supports vehicle‑trip reduction.
•Commissioners raised concerns about comp‑plan scope, stormwater/impervious surface impacts, building code barriers (sprinklers/IBC), and housing accessibility (basements, setbacks).
•Commissioners raised impervious surface and stormwater concerns and argued larger changes may require additional public engagement.
•Hagen raised accessibility concerns linked to basements, garage point incentives and building‑code costs.
•Opponents raised shadowing, impervious surface, and the need for broader public engagement via the comp‑plan process.
•Roberts asserted Saint Paul's zoning is more permissive and has led to more duplex/triplex projects; he asked Minneapolis to consider similar flexibilities.
•Staff clarified the equivalence in points and the still‑required minimum total points for approval.
•Staff explained the 0.6/0.7 recommendation based on built examples and comprehensive‑plan alignment.
•Staff presented Title 20 amendments to align 1–3 unit rules with Minneapolis 2040 plan and to adjust site‑plan review points and FAR limits.
•Wagner argued higher ceilings make projects more marketable and financially viable.
Decisions
•Adopt an amendment to award 3 points for projects that provide no on‑site parking.
•Adopted the 3‑point credit for zero parking (4–1).
•Adopt staff findings as amended (4–1).
•Amendment to include single‑family homes passed 3–2; the underlying height amendment failed 2–3.
•Commissioners noted comments; staff said larger policy changes may require comp‑plan amendments and broader engagement.
•The FAR increase amendment to 0.7/0.8 failed; staff recommended FARs remain the basis forwarded to council.
Directions
•Commissioners may provide additional amendment language for staff drafting if they wish to revisit items at future meetings.
•Staff to prepare ordinance text reflecting adopted amendments and submit to council/BIZ.
•Staff to update ordinance language and tables to include the new 3‑point no‑parking credit.
Minneapolis Budget Committee heard two presentations on the mayor's recommended 2027 budget: Performance Management & Innovation (PMI) and Public Works. Presenters outlined organizational changes, proposed divestments and staffing reductions, key department budgets (Public Works: $516.5M), and details about the traffic safety camera pilot and contract oversight; committee members asked detailed questions about capacity, contracts, and program sustainability.
Discussion Points
•2027 proposal includes $600,000 special revenue transfer to run the program; staff said they expect increased citation revenue as courts process more payments.
•A voluntary seasonal snow/ice layoff pilot would place staff on reserve with on-call pay between Thanksgiving and end of March; volunteers would be restored to full pay during snow emergencies.
•Council member raised contractual services total and asked about oversight.
•Court timing has created a short-term revenue deficit that the 2027 transfer aims to cover.
•Department proposes 4.75 FTE reductions across divisions including frontline maintenance roles.
•Less than $77M of the budget is general fund; most of the budget is fee-funded or offset by revenues.
•Major cost drivers include wages/fringes, contractual services and Met Council charges.
•PMI reported recent workload increases of ~25% (2024), 22% (2025), and 39% (through Q3 2026).
•PMI will move administratively into OPS in 2027 and divest 2 FTEs.
•Public Works explained controls including engineer's estimates, graduated funding release, on-site verification, and audits for state/federal funded projects.
•Public Works is the largest city department with a $516.5M proposed budget for 2027.
•Staff will need to prioritize projects based on impact and capacity constraints.
•Traffic safety camera pilot credited with reducing speeding and logging >91,000 violations in year one.
Directions
•Presentation filed by the clerk; no formal direction recorded.
•Staff to continue working with courts to resolve citation payment timing and report progress if requested by council.
