[0:11] Elliott Payne: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. NAME IS ELLIOTT PAYNE, THE PRESIDENT OF CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. I'M GOING TO CALL TO ORDER HIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FEBRUARY 5th. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. [0:26] Casey Carl: WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: WHITING? >> Jamison Whiting: PRESENT >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY >> Aurin Chowdhury: PRESENT >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON >> Soren Stevenson: PRESENT >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE. [0:43] Michael Rainville: PRESENT >> Casey Carl: VETAW >> LaTrisha Vetaw: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ >> Jason Chavez: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN IS ABSENT. PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. [0:51] Elliott Payne: LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM, AND, AGAIN, WELCOME BACK TO OUR CHAMBERS. THIS IS STARTING TO FEEL NORMAL, BUT THIS IS ANYTHING BUT A NORMAL TIME. AS YOU SAW ON TUESDAY, THE COUNCIL HAS ADJUSTED ITS CALENDAR TO REFLECT THE REALITY THAT WE ARE LIVING UNDER, WHICH IS A FEDERAL OCCUPATION OF OUR CITY. THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THE CITY. [1:20] Elliott Payne: WE ARE IN THE NATIONAL NEWS ONCE AGAIN, NOT FOR GOOD REASON, ONCE AGAIN. WE ARE SEEING LEADERS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MAKE CLAIMS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS OCCUPATION. AND THE CLAIMS THAT THEY ARE MAKING IN PUBLIC DON'T MATCH THE REALITY ON THE GROUND OF THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR RESIDENTS. [1:41] Elliott Payne: THEY ARE STILL TERRORIZING OUR COMMUNITIES, KIDNAPING OUR NEIGHBORS, AND CREATING CHAOS ON EVERY CORNER. AND SO WE STILL HAVE BUSINESS TO RUN AT THE CITY. THAT IS WHY WE STILL ARE MAINTAINING THESE MEETINGS, BUT WE KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING UNDER A LOT OF DURESS FOR EVERYONE IN OUR CITY. [2:04] Elliott Payne: SO I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BEFORE WE STARTED OUR MEETING. AND BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WANT TO OFFER A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS AND STAFF THAT THIS MEETING IS BROADCAST LIVE TO ENABLE GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THE BROADCAST INCLUDES REAL TIME CAPTIONING AS A FURTHER METHOD TO INCREASE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR PROCEEDINGS TO THE COMMUNITY. [2:24] Elliott Payne: THEREFORE ALL SPEAKERS NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE RATE OF THEIR SPEECH SO THAT OUR CAPTIONER CAN FULLY CAPTURE AND TRANSCRIBE ALL COMMENTS FOR THE BROADCAST. WE ASK ALL SPEAKERS TO MODERATE THE SPEED AND CLARITY OF THEIR COMMENTS. WITH THAT, THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING IS BEFORE US. ARE THERE ANY AMENDMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [2:43] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE UNDER THE ORDER OF NOTICE ORDINANCE INTRODUCTIONS A NOTICE OF INTENT RELATING TO REGULATIONS REGARDING OWNER ENTRY INTO A RENTED DWELLING UNIT. I WILL MOVE THIS AMENDMENT AND ASK FOR A SECOND. [3:07] Jason Chavez: SECOND. [3:08] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI HAS MOVED THE AMENDMENT; IT'S BEEN SECONDED. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT AMENDMENT? SEEING NONE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [3:22] Casey Carl: CALL THE ROLL ON THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: AYE. >> Casey Carl: SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: AYE. >> Casey Carl: WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE >> Casey Carl: WHITING >> Jamison Whiting: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON >> Soren Stevenson: AYE >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE >> Michael Rainville: AYE >> Casey Carl: VETAW >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO >> Linea Palmisano: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ >> Jason Chavez: AYE. [3:46] Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN IS ABSENT. PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: AYE >> Casey Carl: THAT CARRIES AND AGENDA ADOPTED. [3:55] Elliott Payne: NEXT ITEM IS ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 15th. MAY I HAVE A MOTION. [4:00] Aurin Chowdhury: MOTION. [4:01] Jason Chavez: SECOND. [4:05] Casey Carl: WARREN >> Pearll Warren: AYE >> Casey Carl: SHAFFER >> Elizabeth Shaffer: AYE >> Casey Carl: WONSLEY >> Robin Wonsley: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE >> Casey Carl: WHITING >> Jamison Whiting: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON >> Soren Stevenson: AYE >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE >> Michael Rainville: AYE >> Casey Carl: VETAW >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO >> Linea Palmisano: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ >> Jason Chavez: AYE >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE >> Elliott Payne: AYE. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 12 AYES. [4:22] Elliott Payne: CARRIES AND THE MINUTES ACCEPTED. FINALLY WE HAVE THE REFERRAL OF PETITIONS COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS TO PROPER COMMITTEES. MAY I HAVE THE MOTION PLEASE. THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL. [4:35] Casey Carl: WARREN >> Pearll Warren: AYE >> Casey Carl: SHAFFER >> Elizabeth Shaffer: AYE. IS THIS INCLUDING ALL 1 THROUGH 67? [4:40] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER, THIS MOTION IS ACTUALLY ALLOWING REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES TO BE REFERRED IN THE NEXT CYCLE OF COUNCIL. [4:42] Elizabeth Shaffer: THANK YOU. [4:43] Casey Carl: WONSLEY >> Robin Wonsley: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE >> Casey Carl: WHITING >> Jamison Whiting: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON >> Soren Stevenson: AYE >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE >> Michael Rainville: AYE >> Casey Carl: VETAW >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO >> Linea Palmisano: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ >> Jason Chavez: AYE. [4:58] Casey Carl: PAYNE >> Elliott Payne: AYE >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 12 AYES. [5:02] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES AND MATTERS REFERRED. THOSE MATTERS HAVE BEEN REFERRED. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS THE PRESENTATIONS OF REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES. AS YOU KNOW DUE TO THE UNPRECEDENTED NATURE OF THE ICE OCCUPATION IN OUR CITY, WE'RE OPERATING UNDER A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE THAT HAS CONDENSED ALL OUR STANDING COMMITTEES INTO A SINGLE SUPER COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. [5:19] Elliott Payne: I WANT TO OFFER MY THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY FOR HER ABLE LEADERSHIP OF THAT MEETING THIS PAST TUESDAY. IT WAS A MARATHON MEETING BUT I THINK IT WAS VERY WELL ORGANIZED AND SHE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB IN HELPING US NAVIGATE AN EXTENSIVE AGENDA WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. SO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SUPER CO-CHAIR. COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. WITH THAT I ASK HER TO PRESENT THE REPORT FROM OUR FIRST SUPER COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. [5:41] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THE SUPER COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS BRINGING FORWARD 67 ITEMS. ITEMS ONE THROUGH SIX WERE ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR THE ENTERPRISE LABOR RELATIONS COMMITTEE. ONE AND TWO ARE BOTH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS. THREE THROUGH FIVE ARE WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS AND SIX IS ACCEPTING A GRANT FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS DEMOCRACY CENTER. ITEM 7-16 WERE INTENDED FOR THE BUSINESS HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEE. [6:11] Aurin Chowdhury: SEVEN THROUGH TEN ARE LIQUOR AND GAMBLING LICENSE APPROVALS AND RENEWALS. 11 THROUGH 16 INCLUDE VARIOUS CONTRACTS GRANTS AND APPOINTMENTS AND AN APPROPRIATION FOR DEMOLITION. ITEMS 17-34 WERE INTENDED FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE. [6:30] Aurin Chowdhury: 17-19 ARE GIFT ACCEPTANCES. 20 THROUGH 32 ARE CONTRACT AMENDMENTS FUNDING REDISTRIBUTION GRANT ACCEPTANCES, AND A GRANT EXTENSION. LASTLY, 33 AND 34 ARE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVES. ITEMS 35 THROUGH 58 WERE INTENDED FOR THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE. [6:51] Aurin Chowdhury: 35 THROUGH 38 ARE STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND A RELATED APPROPRIATION. 39 THROUGH 45 ARE VARIOUS GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS FOR SERVICES. 46 THROUGH 51 ARE VARIOUS BIDS FOR PROJECTS AND SERVICES. [7:06] Aurin Chowdhury: AND 52 THROUGH 58 ARE VARIOUS CONTRACT AMENDMENTS AND A GRANT ACCEPTANCE. ITEMS 59 AND 60 ARE BUDGET AMENDMENTS. ITEM 61 IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FOR PRESIDENT PAYNE. ITEM 62 IS A CONTRACT WITH IDEA ANALYTICS FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT TRAINING PER THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. [7:31] Aurin Chowdhury: ITEM 63 IS APPROVING THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND POLICY POSITIONS. ITEM 64 IS A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE U OF M. ITEM 65 IS A BID FOR THE MPD TRAINING ANNEX. ITEM 66 IS A BUDGET AMENDMENT RELATED TO IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES. [7:47] Aurin Chowdhury: AND FINALLY ITEM 67 IS A RENTAL ASSISTANCE RESOLUTION AND WAS BROUGHT FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF ALL THESE ITEMS AND JUST PULL ITEM 67 FOR A SEPARATE VOTE AND DISCUSSION. [8:03] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT MINUS ITEM 67. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THOSE ITEMS? SEEING NONE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [8:20] Casey Carl: WARREN >> Pearll Warren: AYE >> Casey Carl: SHAFFER >> Elizabeth Shaffer: AYE >> Casey Carl: WONSLEY >> Robin Wonsley: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE >> Casey Carl: WHITING >> Jamison Whiting: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON >> Soren Stevenson: AYE >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE >> Michael Rainville: AYE >> Casey Carl: VETAW >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO >> Linea Palmisano: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ >> Jason Chavez: AYE. [8:39] Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE >> Elliott Payne: AYE >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 12 AYES. [8:44] Elliott Payne: THOSE ITEMS CARRY. WE NEXT TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 67. AND I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [8:56] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. COLLEAGUES, IN TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE DISCUSSION AND STATEMENTS MADE RELATED TO THE ITEM ON TUESDAY, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEVEL SET WHAT THE PROPOSAL IS AND LAY OUT WHY IT SHOULD EARN THE SUPPORT OF ALL 13 COUNCIL MEMBERS. [9:15] Robin Wonsley: THE NEED FOR RELIEF IS INDISPUTABLE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST INCOME FROM ICE'S OCCUPATION OF MINNEAPOLIS AND WILL BE EVICTED WITHOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. FAMILIES HAVE HAD THEIR BREADWINNERS DETAINED. WORKERS FEAR LEAVING THE HOUSE DUE TO THE THREAT OF RACIAL PROFILING BY ICE THAT COULD LEAD THEM TO ALSO BEING DETAINED, DEPORTED, OR EVEN KILLED. [9:39] Robin Wonsley: AND THERE ARE ALSO FAMILIES WHO ARE NOT BEING DIRECTLY TARGETED BY ICE, BUT HAVE LOST ACCESS TO CHILD CARE OR THEIR WORKPLACES HAVE CLOSED AND THEY'VE HAD THEIR HOURS REDUCED AS A RESULT OF ICE'S PRESENCE. RESIDENTS ARE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB AT FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER, BUT THAT ISN'T A SUBSTITUTE FOR GOVERNMENTAL ACTION. [9:58] Robin Wonsley: AND YESTERDAY A PARENT LEADER SHARED THAT IT'S ESTIMATED THAT RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDRAISERS BY MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL FAMILIES HAVE RAISED OVER $1 MILLION CUMULATIVELY TO SUPPORT OTHER FAMILIES. MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS HAVE MADE INTERNATIONAL NEWS BECAUSE OF SUPPORTING EACH OTHER DURING THIS OCCUPATION, BUT IT'S INCREDIBLY UNFAIR AND ILLOGICAL TO DEPEND ON THESE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE TO PAY EACH OTHER'S RENT WHEN THE CITY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY IN KEEPING THESE NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE. [10:31] Robin Wonsley: MINNEAPOLIS HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STEP UP TO BE THE FIRST GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY TO TAKE ACTION ON A RESPONSE AND RECOVERY PLAN RELATED TO THE LOOMING EVICTION CRISIS, AND THE CITY CANNOT ADDRESS THE IMPACTS OF THIS FEDERAL OCCUPATION ALONE, WHICH IS WHY I AM WORKING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS TO ADVANCE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AS SOON AS THE STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS IN A FEW WEEKS. [10:55] Robin Wonsley: BUT IN THE INTERIM THE $1 MILLION FROM THE CITY CAN BEGIN GETTING HELP TO RESIDENTS WHO NEED IT. NOT ALL IMPACTED RESIDENTS ARE PLUGGED INTO MUTUAL AID NETWORKS OR ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A NEIGHBOR HOST A GOFUNDME FOR THEM. MANY PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP THEM DURING A CRISIS AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN DEMONSTRATE TO RESIDENTS THAT COUNCIL HEARS THEM, CARES ABOUT THEM, AND IS STEPPING UP TO DO SOMETHING TO SUPPORT THEM. [11:24] Robin Wonsley: THE CITY SETS ASIDE AN UNALLOCATED CONTINGENCY FUND FOR UNANTICIPATED COSTS AND EMERGENCIES. RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES BECAUSE OF ICE'S VIOLENT OCCUPATION OF OUR CITY IS AN UNANTICIPATED COST AND EMERGENCY, MAKING IT AN APPROPRIATE USE OF CONTINGENCY FUNDS. [11:41] Robin Wonsley: AND I KNOW THAT COUNCILMEMBER WHITING HAS A PROPOSAL THAT ESSENTIALLY AIMS TO CUT FUNDING FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST. AND I WILL NOTE WHILE WE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS TOGETHER TO ALSO GET TO A PLACE OF HOW DO WE GET RENTAL ASSISTANCE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, I WANT TO NAME VERY FORWARDLY THAT I CAN'T SUPPORT THE SOURCE ON THAT ITEM. [12:05] Robin Wonsley: CUTTING INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NOT HOW WE ALSO GET THROUGH THIS CRISIS IN AN EQUITABLE WAY. AND IT'S PITTING THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND POPULATIONS AGAINST EACH OTHER. AND THE IMPACTS OF THE CUT WILL BE FELT TWO YEARS, FIVE YEARS, TEN YEARS, EVEN 25 YEARS FROM NOW WHEN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE LESS AFFORDABLE, LESS DIVERSE, AND LESS EQUITABLE. [12:25] Robin Wonsley: AND IT WILL BE FELT MOST BY WORKING CLASS FAMILIES WHO WILL BE GETTING PRICED OUT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. AND WHEN WE TAKE UP MEASURES OF CUTTING SOME OF THE TOOLS THAT HAVE HELPED TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF 30% AMI HOUSING, IT LEAVES US TO LOOK AT WHAT ELSE DO WE HAVE LEFT. [12:49] Robin Wonsley: AND WE DON'T WANT TO BE PUT IN THAT PREDICAMENT. AND THAT SAID, IF FOR SOME REASONS MY COLLEAGUES PREFER TO NOT USE THE CONTINGENCY FUND THAT IS SET ASIDE EXCLUSIVELY FOR SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, I WILL BE ALSO BRINGING AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION THAT DRAWS FUNDS FROM THE CASH BALANCE. [13:08] Robin Wonsley: UNLIKE CONTINGENCY, THIS REQUIRES NO PROGRAMS TO BE CUT, WHICH I THINK IS THE UNDERLYING GOAL OF HOW WE'RE BALANCING THIS APPROPRIATION, AND MAKING SURE THAT COMMUNITIES, SPECIFICALLY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, ARE NOT BEING DIVESTED IN, AND WE'RE NOT ALSO LEADING TO DEPARTMENT OR PROGRAMMATIC CUTS. [13:31] Robin Wonsley: AND CONTINGENCY IS THE STRONGEST WAY TO GET THERE, AND THAT IS WHAT IS FOR CONSIDERATION BEFORE YOU. AND THIS WILL ALLOW THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS TO HAVE HOUSING STABILITY AND TO PROTECT THEM FROM ICE IN THE MOMENT WHERE THAT IS ONE OF OUR CLEAREST OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN WHICH WE COULD BE SHOWING UP FOR. SO WITH THAT I WILL MOVE APPROVAL FOR THIS ITEM. [13:49] Aurin Chowdhury: SECOND. [13:51] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 67. IT HAS BEEN SECONDED. I ALSO NOTE WE HAVE BEEN JOINED BY VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. AND VICE PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR VOTE RECORDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE FOR THE PRIOR ITEMS? [14:14] Jamal Osman: YEP, PLEASE. [14:15] Elliott Payne: MR. CLERK, IF YOU COULD RECOGNIZE THAT. AND I WILL NEXT RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. [14:22] Pearll Warren: THANK YOU. PRESIDENT PAYNE, I'M JUST GOING TO STATE AGAIN IN RESPECT TO THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND THE ASK COMING FROM THE COUNCIL WITH RESPECT TO COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY'S RESOLUTION, WE STILL HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT WITH A LOT OF OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS, THEY ARE IN FEAR OF PROVIDING THEIR INFORMATION TO CITY AND STATE SERVICES. [14:55] Pearll Warren: SO IT IS AN UNFAIR ASK FOR THEM TO THEN GO AND REPORT WHEN WE HAVE ISSUES AROUND TRUSTED DATA PRIVACY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, TO BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME ALLOCATION OF FUNDING THAT IS SPECIFIED JUST TO THEM. [15:12] Pearll Warren: BECAUSE THAT SMELLS LIKE DISCRIMINATION. THE COUNTY'S RAMIFICATIONS THAT IT HAS AROUND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ALSO SPEAK TO SUSTAINABILITY FOR FAMILIES. SO IF YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO SUSTAIN YOURSELF BEYOND THAT SITUATION, AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR TO UPLIFT, BECAUSE WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT WE DO HAVE A CRISIS WITHIN OUR CITY, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND, NOR DO I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY WILL SOFTEN THEIR GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS AROUND THIS SPECIFIC SITUATION JUST TO CATER TO A CERTAIN CLASS OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS. [15:54] Pearll Warren: WE ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED THROUGH THE CLOSURE OF DHS WHO HAVE BEEN PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS PCA SERVICES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN PAID SINCE DECEMBER; THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ICE. [16:16] Pearll Warren: IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FRAUDULENT IMPACT THAT IS CURRENTLY REIGNING OVER OUR STATE. AND WITH PUTTING A DISCRIMINATORY TYPE OF RESOLUTION AS THIS WHERE WE'RE SAYING WE'RE ONLY CATERING TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY ICE, THAT IS GOING TO ALSO SMELL AND SPELL OUT SOME TYPE OF FRAUDULENT DISCRIMINATION THAT IS GOING TO FURTHER IMPACT MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK IN ANY WAY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT. [16:39] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [16:42] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST REALLY WANT TO TAKE A SECOND TO PAINT THE PICTURE THAT WE ARE IN, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO STATE THAT WE ARE IN AN ALL HANDS ON DECK SITUATION, RIGHT? THE PAST FEW MONTHS, ALL WE HAVE IS OUR COMMUNITY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THE MATERIAL CONDITIONS OF THOSE WHOSE LIVES ARE ACTIVELY FALLING APART, WHILE KNOWING THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WERE ALREADY BEFORE THIS CRISIS STRUGGLING. [17:19] Aurin Chowdhury: AND WHAT WE KNOW IS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF THOSE RESOURCES. AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THIS $1 MILLION IS ABOUT TO BE A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT WE NEED, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A LIFELINE. IT'S GOING TO HELP MANY, MANY FAMILIES IN THIS MOMENT. [17:36] Aurin Chowdhury: US ALLOCATING FUNDING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS NOT FRAUDULENT. IT'S PRIORITIZING IN THIS MOMENT A MILLION DOLLARS, A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HARM IN THIS CRISIS. [17:58] Aurin Chowdhury: AND WE NEED TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR EVERYONE TO RECOVER, WHETHER IT'S DUE TO THE IMPACTS OF ICE OR BECAUSE YOU HAD A PREDATORY SITUATION IN YOUR PART OF TOWN, AND YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, AND YOU'RE A SINGLE MOTHER, AND YOU'VE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR SOME TIME, AND YOU ARE TRYING TO AVOID AN EVICTION, RIGHT? AND IN THIS MOMENT THE PHONE CALLS THAT I'VE BEEN GETTING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE LOOKED LIKE THIS. [18:36] Aurin Chowdhury: I TALKED TO ONE GENTLEMAN, WHO LIVED IN THIS COUNTRY FOR 17 YEARS AND SAID "I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR HELP. I HAVE NEVER WANTED TO ASK FOR HELP. BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE NOW. BECAUSE I AM SCARED. I AM SCARED THAT I AM GOING TO BE KICKED OUT OF MY HOME AND I NEED TO STAY HERE." [18:55] Aurin Chowdhury: I HAVE TALKED TO MANY WOMEN, ESPECIALLY... IT'S A LOT OF WOMEN. AND I KNOW A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN MINNEAPOLIS RESONATE WITH THIS; MANY WOMEN ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING FOR THEIR FAMILY. [19:10] Aurin Chowdhury: WOMEN WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PARTNER BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND ABDUCTED AND THAT INCOME IS NOW GONE. WOMEN WHO WERE ALREADY SINGLE PARENTS AND WERE GOING TO WORK AND NOW ARE FEARFUL OF GOING TO WORK BECAUSE THEY ARE THE LIFELINE TO THEIR CHILD. [19:26] Aurin Chowdhury: THEY HAVE NO OPTION, AGAIN, TO JUST ASK FOR HELP SO THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR HOME. WOMEN WHO ARE WORKING, BUT BECAUSE THEIR WORKPLACE HAS BEEN SO IMPACTED BY THIS ICE OCCUPATION, ARE NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE THEIR PAYCHECK ON TIME, SO THEY'RE LATE ON RENT. [19:42] Aurin Chowdhury: SO I JUST WANT TO SAY, LIKE, THIS $1 MILLION IS CERTAINLY NOT FRAUDULENT. IT IS A MEASURE THAT WE CAN TAKE TO LIFT SOME BOATS AND ALSO LEVERAGE FUTURE RENTAL ASSISTANCE. [19:58] Aurin Chowdhury: AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE RISKS THAT PEOPLE TAKE WHEN IT COMES TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR DATA, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE PEOPLE THE AGENCY TO DECIDE TO TAKE THAT RISK AND NOT DECIDE THAT FOR THEM. I DON'T THINK THAT'S OUR JOB AS GOVERNMENT. [20:16] Aurin Chowdhury: AND WHEN YOU GET AN EVICTION LETTER, WHEN YOU GET A LETTER YOU'RE GOING TO PROCEEDINGS, SOMETIMES THE ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE IN THAT MOMENT IS TO APPLY FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE. AND I THINK THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE WE AS A CITY CAN STEP UP AND ALSO BE A MODEL FOR GETTING MORE ASSISTANCE AND MORE RESOURCES FOR THE BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE LONG SUFFERED IN THE WAY IN WHICH OUR HOUSING SYSTEM IS SET UP PRECARIOUSLY FOR PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOME. [20:47] Aurin Chowdhury: AND SO I THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE FOR US TO VOTE FOR CONTINGENCY. I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS THAT SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE. I JUST IMPLORE YOU... I THINK THIS IS THE BEST SOURCE FOR US TO DO IT IN. I THINK IT HAS A LOT LESS RISK THAN US GOING INTO OUR CASH FUND. [21:05] Aurin Chowdhury: AND I THINK IT MATCHES THE EMERGENCY TYPE OF SITUATION THAT CONTINGENCY REQUIRES. SO I JUST REALLY IMPLORE YOU AND ASK FOR YOUR VOTE ON THIS ONE TODAY. [21:10] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [21:12] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. COLLEAGUES, I AM REALLY EXCITED TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM TODAY, AND I WANT TO URGE ALL OF YOU SINCERELY TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THREE DIFFERENT LENSES. [21:42] Aisha Chughtai: THE FIRST IS AROUND PROGRAMMING, AND WHAT HAPPENS SHOULD WE APPROVE THIS MONEY, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ON THE SIDE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY. SO THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH RENT HELP HENNEPIN IS APPROXIMATELY $10 MILLION AT THE COUNTY. [22:07] Aisha Chughtai: EACH YEAR THAT ENTIRE POT OF MONEY GETS USED FULLY. LAST YEAR ADDITIONAL MONEY HAD TO BE ADDED DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER, BECAUSE THE RESOURCES WERE ALL ENTIRELY TAPPED OUT. [22:26] Aisha Chughtai: THERE IS NO WAY FOR A PERSON TO RECEIVE THIS FORM OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE UNLESS THEY EARN APPROXIMATELY MINIMUM WAGE, ABOUT 30% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME, AND THEY HAVE RECEIVED COURT SUMMONS TO SHOW UP AT EVICTION COURT. [22:59] Aisha Chughtai: MEANING THEIR NAMES ARE ON THAT, THEIR ADDRESS IS ON THAT, RIGHT? LIKE THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAS THE INFORMATION, THE PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION THAT WE MAY HAVE CONCERNS PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO ACCESS. THAT'S THE NATURE OF HOW PEOPLE GET HERE. [23:16] Aisha Chughtai: I THINK THERE ARE SOME REALLY INCREDIBLE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW. COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HIGHLIGHTED $1 MILLION RAISED THROUGH OUR SCHOOL FAMILIES THROUGH MUTUAL AID FUNDS AND GOFUNDMES. [23:32] Aisha Chughtai: THERE'S BEEN APPROXIMATELY $10 MILLION RAISED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT IS ALMOST ENTIRELY GOING TOWARDS RENTAL ASSISTANCE DIRECTLY, PAYING PEOPLE'S RENTS. SO OUR COMMUNITY IS DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CATCH PEOPLE ON THE FRONT END BEFORE THEY GET SERVED THEIR EVICTION—BEFORE THEIR EVICTION GETS FILED, BEFORE THEY RECEIVE THEIR SUMMONS. [23:56] Aisha Chughtai: THIS POT OF MONEY IS ABOUT CATCHING THE PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T FIND, THAT DON'T GET CONNECTED TO A MUTUAL AID NETWORK, THAT AREN'T ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS AND GET THEIR NEED MET. THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS. [24:15] Aisha Chughtai: THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY... SO IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO IS EITHER A SENIOR, HAVE CHILDREN, OR HAVE A DISABILITY, YOUR ENTIRE BACKLOG OF RENT IS COMPLETELY PAID FOR. [24:33] Aisha Chughtai: $1 MILLION WOULD ALLOW FOR 250 FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM THIS ASSISTANCE. THAT IS THE SCALE OF NEED, RIGHT? AND 250 FAMILIES... I DON'T KNOW IF THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OR A LITTLE TO YOU, I THINK IT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO THE NEED I PERSONALLY SEE. [24:52] Aisha Chughtai: AND I'M JUST ONE PERSON IN THE CITY FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, RIGHT? SO I WANT TO JUST TALK VERY BRIEFLY ABOUT DISCRIMINATION. THIS WAS BROUGHT UP DURING COMMITTEE AS WELL, AND AGAIN HERE TODAY. AND I WOULD URGE US TO REFLECT BACK ON THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE OF THE RESOLUTION, WHICH HAS NO MENTION OF THESE RESOURCES BEING CATERED TO ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THE PRESENCE AND OCCUPATION THAT ICE IS CONDUCTING IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW. [25:31] Aisha Chughtai: THE EXACT LANGUAGE IS "ONE-TIME RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR RESIDENTS IN NEED." SO LET'S PLEASE STICK TO THE FACTS AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH THESE CONVERSATIONS. [25:47] Aisha Chughtai: AS THE BUDGET CHAIR, I REALLY WANT TO IMPLORE US TO USE CONTINGENCY AS THE MECHANISM TO FUND THIS, RIGHT? CONTINGENCY IS 1% OF OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES; IT IS MONEY THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR EMERGENCIES EVERY SINGLE YEAR. [26:04] Aisha Chughtai: YOU KNOW, IN THAT COUPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES YESTERDAY, I DID HEAR THERE WAS A CONCERN THAT CONTINGENCY NEEDED TO BE BACKFILLED WITHIN A CALENDAR YEAR. THAT IS NOT TRUE. AND THIS IS THE BEST WAY FOR US TO GET AN URGENT NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY MET WHILE ALSO PREVENTING ANY CUTS TO SERVICES OR FRONTLINE PROGRAMS OR TAKING MONEY OUT OF OUR CASH BALANCE WHEN WE KNOW THE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME FOR POLICE AND FIRE THAT ALREADY HAS BEEN SPENT THIS YEAR. [26:37] Aisha Chughtai: WE SHOULDN'T BE PUTTING OUR FINANCIAL POSITION AS A CITY IN A WORSE CONDITION, AND THAT IS THE BEST WAY WE WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH TO MAKE THAT A REALITY AT THE PACE IT NEEDS TO. AND THEN THE LAST THING I JUST WANT TO LIFT UP IS, YOU KNOW, SINCE MONDAY NIGHT, I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH SO MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS AND JUST PEOPLE ACROSS THE SOUTH SIDE WHO HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY TO ME THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH. [27:11] Aisha Chughtai: SINCE MONDAY NIGHT, THE AMOUNT OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT JUST THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH NEED IS NEARLY $76,000. THAT IS THE SCALE OF NEED. EVERY PERSON WHO WE ARE NOT ABLE TO CROWDFUND THEIR RENT IS SOMEONE WHO IS LIKELY TO FACE AN EVICTION. [27:33] Aisha Chughtai: EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE PARENTS. YOU KNOW, I SPOKE TO A MOM WHO IS DISABLED. HER HUSBAND IS IN DETENTION. SHE NOW SUDDENLY HAS BECOME A SINGLE PARENT. [27:48] Aisha Chughtai: SHE'S BEHIND ON RENT. EVERY STORY IS TRAGIC. IT IS HEARTBREAKING. THIS IS ONE SMALL PIECE OF THE PUZZLE, AND I THINK THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE WE CAN BE UNITED IN SAYING WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERY LAST THING WE CAN TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS. PLEASE, I URGE YOU ALL TO SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [28:13] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. [28:15] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI FOR YOUR COMMENTS. YOU'RE RIGHT, I THINK WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT THIS. I THINK WHERE THE ISSUE IS, IS THAT WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON WHERE THE MONEY SHOULD COME FROM. [28:31] LaTrisha Vetaw: AND I FIND IT TO BE CHALLENGING TO LISTEN TO A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE WE KNOW THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO PASS VERSUS WHERE WE KNOW WE HAVE THE VOTES FOR SOMETHING TO PASS. [28:47] LaTrisha Vetaw: BECAUSE THAT'S ALL GOT TO PLAY OUT UP HERE. I THINK IT'S SMART FOR US TO VOTE HOW WE KNOW THERE WILL BE SUCCESS FROM THIS COUNCIL TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND I THINK ALL 13 OF US KNOWS WHAT THAT IS, RIGHT? SO, LIKE, ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THAT TO ME FEELS PERFORMATIVE AND FEELS LIKE A FORCED VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU KNOW IS NOT GOING TO PASS. [29:09] LaTrisha Vetaw: WE CAN ACT LIKE WE DON'T KNOW, BUT WE KNOW. SO I THINK THERE IS A POT OF MONEY THAT ALL OF US MAY NOT AGREE ON, BUT WE KNOW... THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO AND COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN FOR TALKING THROUGH THIS. I HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THESE PROGRAMS ACTUALLY WORK. YOU ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD TWO DAYS AGO, WHEN I WASN'T EVEN AT A PLACE OF BEING CERTAIN IF I COULD VOTE FOR THIS. [29:43] LaTrisha Vetaw: SO I APPRECIATE YOU ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM ITSELF, AND THEN ABOUT HOW WE FUND IT, HOW WE GET TO A PLACE WHERE ALL OF US CAN VOTE ON MAKING SURE THIS MONEY GOES TO HENNEPIN COUNTY. BECAUSE ONE THING... WE HAD A GREAT PRESENTATION YESTERDAY FROM DIRECTOR SAYERS, WHO IS THE HEAD OF OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THERE WE GO. [30:08] LaTrisha Vetaw: AND SHE SAID SOMETHING THAT I HAVE HEARD A LOT IN THE LAST MONTH: THAT FAMILIES WHO REALLY NEED THESE SERVICES ARE NOT GOING TO USE THE COUNTY. THEY'RE TOO AFRAID TO GIVE THEIR INFORMATION. AND THE MOST TELLING THING SHE SAID WAS, IF WE ARE SUPPORTING FAMILIES, NOT AS A COUNCIL, BUT JUST AS PEOPLE, WE SHOULDN'T TELL PEOPLE THAT SOMETHING IS SPECIFICALLY FOR RENT. [30:34] LaTrisha Vetaw: WE SHOULD JUST GIVE PEOPLE A DOLLAR AMOUNT PER HOUSEHOLD AND LET THEM CHOOSE THEIR NEEDS IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD. BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE MAY NEED RENT. SOME PEOPLE MAY NEED FOOD. SOME PEOPLE MAY NEED UTILITIES. SOME PEOPLE MAY NEED TO GET THEIR CAR FIXED. THERE IS A LOT OF EXPENSES THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD AT THIS TIME. [30:49] LaTrisha Vetaw: SO IN MY MIND, I WOULD LIKE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET PEOPLE JUST A DOLLAR AMOUNT AND THEY'RE ABLE TO USE IT. AND I HAVE SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH PHILANTHROPY THIS WEEK WHERE I THINK WE'LL MAKE SOME PROGRESS IN THAT AREA. WHAT I'M AFRAID OF IS THIS IS A ONE-TIME THING FOR FAMILIES. [31:05] LaTrisha Vetaw: FROM MY UNDERSTANDING FROM SPEAKING TO COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN, YOU CAN APPLY FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY ASSISTANCE LIKE ONCE A YEAR. AND SO THESE FAMILIES HAVE A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THIS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT OF THIS IS GOING TO BE IN THREE MONTHS. [31:21] LaTrisha Vetaw: SO WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO APPLY THIS MONTH, HOPEFULLY THEY GET IT... I DON'T WANT ANYBODY WHO IS NOT GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET THIS MONEY AGAIN IN THREE MONTHS OR EVEN THIS YEAR AT ALL. SO I HAVE DEEP CONCERNS ABOUT THAT. [31:36] LaTrisha Vetaw: ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT THIS CAN GET WORSE. 250 FAMILIES, YOU KNOW, THAT'S FANTASTIC. WE WANT TO HELP 250 FAMILIES. WE WANT TO KEEP FUNDRAISING. WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED, BUT I JUST... I KNOW THE LANGUAGE. I HAVE READ IT. I UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT TO TARGET A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE; IT'S NOT DISCRIMINATORY. BUT I KNOW HOW THIS CONVERSATION STARTED, AND I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT THE PEOPLE THAT WE NEED IT TO IMPACT. IF THEY ARE GOING TO ACCESS IT, IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE. [32:10] LaTrisha Vetaw: AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOT ANSWERS ON THE COUNTY'S BACKLOG, BECAUSE THIS DOESN'T GET EXPEDITED IN THEIR SYSTEM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF APPLICATIONS THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH NOW. [32:26] LaTrisha Vetaw: AND THIS GETS PUT IN AS PEOPLE APPLY. SO I DON'T KNOW... I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO SAID, "I APPLIED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND I DIDN'T GET IT. I WAS DENIED. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW I DIDN'T GET IT OR WHY I DIDN'T GET IT." SOME PEOPLE SAID "I TRIED TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND IT JUST REJECTED IT RIGHT AWAY." [32:43] LaTrisha Vetaw: SOME PEOPLE SAID, "I GOT AN INTERVIEW AND I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING IT, AND THEY DENIED ME." AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THIS CITY WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T EVEN GET IT. AND SO I'M FEARFUL THAT WE'RE GIVING IT TO THE COUNTY, BUT WE'RE NOT GIVING IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT. [33:03] LaTrisha Vetaw: AND SO I SUPPORT -- I THINK IT'S COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING'S RESOLUTION. I'M ON BOARD FOR THAT. BUT I REALLY DO THINK THE LARGER CONVERSATION FOR US AS A COUNCIL IS TO LOOK AT HOW WE ACTUALLY SUPPORT FAMILIES AND HOW WE ACTUALLY GET THE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS, SO THEY CAN MAKE A DECISION FOR THEIR HOUSEHOLD. THAT COULD BE US INDIVIDUALLY FUNDRAISING, CALLING ON COMMUNITY PARTNERS—WE JUST HAD A WONDERFUL WARD FOUR RESIDENT HERE TODAY FOR THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION, DESTINY PROSPER, WHO'S RAISED $30,000 FOR LUCY LANEY FAMILIES HERSELF. [33:45] LaTrisha Vetaw: SHE SINGLE HANDEDLY DID THAT. SHE'S HELPING WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE. I MEAN, I KNOW WE CAN'T FUNDRAISE TO GET OURSELVES OUT OF THIS, BUT I DO THINK FOR NOW WE COULD. WE CAN TAKE OUR TIME AS A CITY TO FIGURE OUT A STRATEGY AND PLAN TO MAKE SURE THREE MONTHS FROM NOW, FIVE MONTHS FROM NOW, AND A YEAR FROM NOW THAT WE ARE STILL ABLE TO SUPPORT THOSE FAMILIES WHEN THE WORST OF THE WORST IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU. [34:12] Elliott Payne: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. [34:14] Jamal Osman: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT PAYNE. AS AN IMMIGRANT COUNCIL MEMBER WHO IS HERE, A MEMBER OF THIS BODY, AND SOMEONE WHOSE COMMUNITY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ATTACKED, I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR IMMIGRANTS. [34:44] Jamal Osman: WHAT HAVE WE DONE SINCE THIS CRISIS HAS HAPPENED? OTHER THAN GO TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND JUST TALK AND TELL PEOPLE THEY HAVE RIGHTS, WHICH I DON'T EVEN KNOW WE DO ANYMORE. [34:59] Jamal Osman: WHAT IS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS DOING? WHAT IS MORE OF A CRISIS THAN WHAT WE ARE FACING TODAY ON THE STREETS OF CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS? LOOK BACK TO THE HISTORY. WE'VE GOT FAMILIES THAT ARE GETTING KIDNAPPED... MAYBE THE AVERAGE PERSON IN MINNEAPOLIS IS NOT THINKING ABOUT, "OH, I DON'T KNOW WHO IS GOING TO PICK UP MY KIDS TODAY FROM SCHOOL WHEN I'M NO LONGER THERE, AND I HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY ICE, AND IN A FEW HOURS BACK TO TEXAS." [35:33] Jamal Osman: IT'S ABOUT THE CHILDREN. IT'S ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS BEING ATTACKED IN SO MANY WAYS. IT'S NOT ABOUT CHOOSING ONE GROUP OR ANOTHER. IT'S ABOUT RESPONDING TO SPECIFIC HARM THAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE, IMMIGRANTS, WHO ARE BEING TARGETED. MAYBE IT'S NOT HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY TODAY, BUT HISTORY TEACHES, IT HAPPENS TO ALL COMMUNITIES. [36:03] Jamal Osman: WE'RE BEING TARGETED... I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WATCH THE NATIONAL NEWS. WE'RE BEING CALLED GARBAGE. WE'RE BEING OTHERED. WE'RE BEING DISCRIMINATED. WE'RE BEING KILLED IN MINNEAPOLIS. ON THE STREETS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS MORE OF AN EMERGENCY THAN GOING TO THE CONTINGENT FUNDING. [36:21] Jamal Osman: THIS IS WHAT THE CITY IS SUPPOSED TO DO. IT'S SUPPOSED TO LOOK OUT FOR ITS CITIZENS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE RAISING MONEY, THAT'S GREAT. BUT WE CAN'T SIT HERE AND SAY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING. [36:38] Jamal Osman: WE CAN'T EVEN TOUCH SPECIFIC MONEY THAT WE PUT ASIDE FOR THIS KIND OF SITUATION WHEN THEY ARISE. SO, I DON'T KNOW, IT'S KIND OF REALLY SAD TO HEAR THAT WE CAN'T HAVE THIS MONEY BECAUSE IT'S NOT "EMERGENCY ENOUGH" OR FOR WHATEVER REASON. [36:58] Jamal Osman: IT IS MORE OF AN EMERGENCY THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I AM LOOKING AT THE CITY LEADERSHIP. I AM LOOKING AT THE ADMINISTRATION. ENOUGH WITH THE PRESS CONFERENCES AND PROMISES THAT ARE NOT REALLY... ICE IS HERE. THEY WERE HERE YESTERDAY. THEY WILL BE HERE. THEY'RE NOT LEAVING. [37:14] Jamal Osman: I'M LOOKING AT THE GOVERNOR, I'M LOOKING AT THE MAYOR, I'M LOOKING AT ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THIS IS NEEDED. THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE LEAST THINGS WE CAN DO. WE'RE NOT PROTECTING OUR RESIDENTS OUT THERE THAT ARE BEING KIDNAPPED AND HARASSED. WE CAN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING, BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID OF BEING INVADED BY THE MILITARY. [37:29] Jamal Osman: IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT AND EMOTIONAL FOR EVERYONE, AND WE CAN THROW ALL KINDS OF THINGS OUT THERE AND SAY, "OH, PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO GO SEEK MONEY FROM THE GOVERNMENT." NO, IF I CAN'T PAY THE RENT, I'M GOING TO GO GET THE MONEY FROM ANYWHERE THERE IS. [38:05] Jamal Osman: BECAUSE MINNEAPOLIS HAS A SEPARATION ORDINANCE. PEOPLE UNDERSTAND... PEOPLE TRUST ME. THEY TRUST PEOPLE LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, WHO CAN COMMUNICATE THAT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS SAFE, A PLACE YOU CAN GO GET HELP. IF THIS FAILS, I WILL BE SO DISAPPOINTED; THE MOST DISAPPOINTED I HAVE BEEN THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE BEEN HERE. [38:25] Jamal Osman: THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MORE OF AN EMERGENCY THAN WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE LAST FOUR WEEKS. IT'S NOT HAPPENING TO ALL GROUPS. IT IS HAPPENING TO SPECIFIC GROUPS THAT ARE BEING TARGETED, THAT HAVE IT THE HARDEST. THE STORIES ARE HORRIFYING. [38:40] Jamal Osman: A MOM WHO JUST GAVE BIRTH WAS SNATCHED FROM HER BABY. IN A FEW HOURS, SHE WAS PUT IN AN AIRPLANE. SHE WOULD NEVER SEE THAT BABY AGAIN. IS THAT A STORY THAT ANY HUMAN BEING CAN RELATE TO? SO LET'S SAVE THAT BABY'S HOUSE TODAY. THAT'S WHAT IT IS ABOUT. AND THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR SPEAKING OUT, FOR CONTINUING TO STAND FOR THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, FOR TARGETED COMMUNITIES, BY THE STRONG FORCE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THANK YOU. [39:15] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [39:17] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT HENNEPIN COUNTY'S ABILITY OR EFFICACY IN BEING ABLE TO ADMINISTER THESE FUNDS. [39:31] Robin Wonsley: AND SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HEARD RAISED DURING OUR CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW, AND EVEN ON TUESDAY, WERE ROOTED IN PERCEPTIONS AROUND FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES. AND I JUST FIRST WANT TO IMPLORE US TO USE CAUTION WHEN USING "FRAUD" AS A BASIS OF CREATING DISTRUST WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THAT SAME TYPE OF RHETORIC BEING WEAPONIZED BY RIGHT WING AND MAGA PUNDITS AND OFFICIALS WHO USED IT AND WEAPONIZED IT TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR OPERATION METRO SURGE, WHICH HAS CREATED THE CONDITIONS FOR US TO EVEN HAVE TO CONSIDER RENT ASSISTANCE IN THE FIRST PLACE TO PROTECT RESIDENTS WHO ARE HAVING TO SHELTER IN PLACE AS A DEFENSE MECHANISM AGAINST ICE. [40:17] Robin Wonsley: SO I WOULD JUST IMPLORE US TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT USING THAT AND ALSO TO FURTHER DOUBLE DOWN ON THE FACT THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY IS A REPUTABLE AGENCY. OUR OWN STAFF HIGHLIGHTED THIS ON TUESDAY, BUT THEY HAVE ATTORNEYS WHO ADVISE THEM ON HOW TO COMPLY WITH ALL RELEVANT RULES AND REGULATIONS AND THEY HAVE BEEN DISBURSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR YEARS, IN A LEGALLY COMPLIANT AND LEGITIMATE WAY. [40:47] Robin Wonsley: AND THEY ACTUALLY WON NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THIS WORK. AND I WOULD IMPLORE ALSO IF ANY MEMBER OF THIS BODY HAS EVIDENCE THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY IS COMMITTING FRAUD IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THEN PLEASE GO SUBMIT EVIDENCE TO THE AUTHORITIES LOCATED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, OR CONSIDER JOINING THE MAGA MOVEMENT, BECAUSE THOSE ARE KIND OF THE TWO AVENUES THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW. [41:08] Robin Wonsley: BUT I WANT TO NOTE ALSO, I SHARED THIS ON TUESDAY, THE COUNTY ALSO SENT A LETTER OVER THIS BODY WHERE THEY HIGHLIGHTED ONCE AGAIN THEIR ABILITY TO MEET THIS NEED. SPECIFICALLY IN THE LETTER SENT BY DAVID HEWITT, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING STABILITY, THE LETTER STATES: "IN 2025 ALONE, HENNEPIN COUNTY ADMINISTERED APPROXIMATELY $11 MILLION IN EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO 3000 HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION. AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DO SO EFFECTIVELY BY BRAIDING A VARIETY OF STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA WHILE ENSURING PAYMENTS WERE DELIVERED IN A TIMELY MANNER FOR APPLICANTS, AVERAGING 14 DAYS FROM THE INITIAL REQUEST IN 2025." [41:56] Robin Wonsley: AND THEN WITH THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DEPLOY THESE RESOURCES, USING THE CITY'S APPROPRIATION THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING TODAY, AT THE END OF THE LETTER THEY NAMED, "HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS THE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE ITS VARIOUS FUNDING STREAMS AND RENT HELP HENNEPIN RENTAL ASSISTANCE REACHES RESIDENTS QUICKLY, ONCE A FUNDING AGREEMENT IS CODIFIED." [42:21] Robin Wonsley: SO THERE ARE PARAMETERS AND PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DOLLARS GET OUT THE DOOR ONCE THEY ARE APPROVED AND SENT OVER TO HENNEPIN COUNTY UPON THE COMPLETION OF THAT JOINT AGREEMENT OR A FUNDING AGREEMENT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY AND THAT STAFF MENTIONED IS A REQUIREMENT OF THIS PROCESS. [42:40] Robin Wonsley: SO I AT LEAST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO. AND ONCE AGAIN, TO REITERATE, THERE IS NO WAY YOU ARE GOING TO GOFUNDME OUR WAY OUT OF AN EVICTION CRISIS. GOVERNMENTAL FUNDING IS LITERALLY THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE, AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI HIGHLIGHTED THIS. [43:00] Robin Wonsley: FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A MUTUAL AID NETWORK, OR IS NOT ABLE TO HAVE A NEIGHBOR FUNDRAISE FOR THEM, THIS IS A RESOURCE FOR THEM. BECAUSE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT NETWORK. [43:16] Robin Wonsley: AND AS COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN HIGHLIGHTED, THEY WILL BE SEEKING OUT SUPPORT FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT PARTNERS. AND STATE LEGISLATORS KNOW THAT. BECAUSE WHEN THEY MOVE THEIR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PACKAGE, WHICH IS BEING LED BY SENATOR PORT, GUESS WHERE THEY ARE SENDING THAT MONEY TO? [43:33] Robin Wonsley: THEY'RE NOT SENDING IT TO YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBORS. THEY'RE SENDING IT TO COUNTIES. THEY'RE SENDING IT TO FELLOW ALIGNED GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO DISBURSE EMERGENCY RELIEF, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO STAY HOUSED. SO THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN PREVENT EVICTION AS OPPOSED TO WAITING FOR IT TO HAPPEN, AND STILL BEING IN THE SAME CONUNDRUM OF PEOPLE BEING AT OUR DOOR SAYING, "WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAD A MECHANISM TO PREVENT IT?" [44:02] Robin Wonsley: AND THIS GIVES US THAT PREVENTATIVE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW UP FOR OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE DOING TEN TIMES MORE THAN ANY OF US ARE DOING IN THIS MOMENT, AND HAVE BEEN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. WE'RE GOING TO DO OTHER GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS TO GIVE AND MOBILIZE RESOURCES WITH THE EXPEDIENCY THAT IT DESERVES. [44:30] Elliott Payne: YOU'RE AT TIME. [44:31] Pearll Warren: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE AND COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. AND WE WON'T USE THE WORD "FRAUD," BUT WHAT WE WILL SAY, IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY THAT, I DON'T WANT TO OFFEND YOU IN THAT RESPECT, BUT IT DEFINITELY IS A VERY REAL AND PRESENT INSTANCE THAT WE ARE FACING HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. [45:00] Pearll Warren: MY UNCLE DROVE FOR METROPOLITAN TRANSIT FOR OVER FIVE, SIX YEARS, ENDED UP WITH STAGE FOUR CANCER, LIVING IN HIS APARTMENT, RIGHT IN SOUTHSIDE MINNEAPOLIS, IN THE CITY VIEW RIGHT OFF OF HIAWATHA. [45:16] Pearll Warren: HE ALSO DID PART TIME PROPERTY MANAGEMENT THERE SO HIS APARTMENT WAS DISCOUNTED BECAUSE OF HIS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. WHEN HE ENDED UP WITH STAGE FOUR CANCER, JUST THIS PAST YEAR, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET AN EXPEDITED CADY WAIVER. WAS NOT ABLE TO GET EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, WAS NOT ABLE TO GET ANY OF HIS ESSENTIAL NEEDS MET BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A PLAN FOR SUSTAINABILITY. [45:40] Pearll Warren: AGAIN, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN A WELFARE RECIPIENT. I RECEIVED 437. I STOOD IN THE FOOD STAMP LINE ON FRANKLIN. I KNOW HOW THESE PROGRAMS WORK. SO WHEN YOU GO DOWN THERE AND YOU APPLY, WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO ASK YOU IS "DO YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY GOING FORWARD?" IF WE PROVIDE YOU WITH $2,000, $2,500, IF WE ACTIVATE AN APPLICATION BECAUSE YOUR LIGHTS ARE GETTING CUT OFF OR YOUR GAS IS GETTING DISCONNECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR SUSTAINABILITY GOING FORWARD? [46:17] Pearll Warren: IF WE HAVE FAMILIES WHO ARE UNFORTUNATELY BEING KIDNAPED AND ROBBED AND TAKEN AWAY FROM WHOMEVER, AND THEY DO NOT HAVE SUSTAINABLE INCOME IN THE HOUSEHOLD, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE TARGETED FUNDS. [46:33] Pearll Warren: AGAIN, THE INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED IT WILL NOT BE THE ONES WHO RECEIVE IT. AND WE HAVE TO ALSO KEEP IN MIND, EVEN PIVOTING THESE FUNDS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS—WHO, AGAIN, THE COUNTY IS REPUTABLE, THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE REPUTABLE—BUT ANY TIME THEY GIVE OUT A DOLLAR, BE IT PETTY CASH OR WHAT HAVE YOU, THERE HAS TO BE AN ACCOUNTING OF A NAME, PLACE, WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY, WHEN, HOW, WHAT THIS LOOKED LIKE, AND WHAT IT WAS FOR, OF WHERE THESE FUNDS WENT TO. [47:07] Pearll Warren: I AM LICENSED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. WHEN YOU FILL OUT A 9902 FORM TO REPORT TO HUD OF WHAT YOU DO WHAT, WHERE, WHY, WHEN AND HOW. [47:24] Pearll Warren: ANYTHING WITH RESPECT TO HOUSING. SO I WANT US TO BE CAUTIOUS AND EDUCATED ON WHAT IT IS WE ARE DOING. I'M NOT SAYING I DON'T WANT TO HELP OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AND FAMILIES IN NEED. WE NOT ONLY HAVE PEOPLE WHO NEED RENTAL ASSISTANCE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE FAMILIES THAT ARE HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE DROWNING IN THEIR HOMEOWNER DEBT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THEIR MORTGAGES BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED AND DISENFRANCHIZED IN THIS SITUATION. [47:49] Pearll Warren: WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP THEM TOO. BUT IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COME FROM A CITY OR A COUNTY OR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. IT IS GOING TO TAKE INDIVIDUAL COLLECTIVE EFFICACY. AND IF PEOPLE ARE IN FEAR OF DATA BREACH, DATA PRIVACY, DISRUPTION, PEOPLE FOLLOWING UBER DRIVERS, FOOD DELIVERY PEOPLE, AND ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS AND VERY CAREFUL OF WHAT PROTECTION LOOKS LIKE AND HOW WE PROTECT THOSE INDIVIDUALS, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED ON A DAIS. [48:33] Pearll Warren: I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE A NOTE DURING THIS GREAT BLACK HISTORY MONTH, OUT OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, DO NOT BE BLASTING PEOPLE'S BUSINESS ALL OVER THE CITY, BECAUSE THAT IS NOT HOW WE PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE. THAT IS NOT HOW THAT WORKS. AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME CONSIDERATION. I LOVE YOU ALL. THE END. [48:52] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. [48:54] Soren Stevenson: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, CAN ANSWER THESE FOR ME. I AM NEW, AS WELL AS SOME OTHERS HERE. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT FUNDS. WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF WHAT AN ELIGIBLE USE IS FOR THE CONTINGENCY FUND? [49:20] Elliott Payne: MR. ATTORNEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT? [49:25] Kristyn Anderson: UNFORTUNATELY, I AM NOT THE APPROPRIATE PERSON TO SPEAK TO THAT. IS ANYONE FROM FINANCE HERE TO SPEAK TO HOW THE FUND BALANCES WORK? ARE THEY IN THE BACK? OKAY. [49:40] Elliott Payne: DO WE HAVE ANY STAFF IN THE BACK THAT COULD COME TO THE CHAMBERS TO SPEAK TO COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON'S QUESTION? [50:45] Elliott Payne: WELCOME. DID YOU CATCH THE QUESTION FROM... [50:47] Jane Discenza: I DID NOT. [50:48] Soren Stevenson: YEAH. SO MY QUESTION IS: WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF ALLOWABLE USES FOR A CONTINGENCY FUND? [50:53] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CONTINGENCY IS DEFINED ONLY IN THE FINANCIAL POLICIES. I BELIEVE THE LANGUAGE, AND PERHAPS THE BUDGET CHAIR HAS IT PULLED UP, BUT IT IS AROUND UNANTICIPATED EXPENSES. [51:12] Aisha Chughtai: YEAH. THANK YOU. CONTINGENCY IN OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES IS DEFINED AS THE BUDGET THAT WE SET ASIDE FOR UNDESIGNATED EXPENDITURES. THESE EXPENDITURES CANNOT BE PLACED IN DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS, PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE LEVEL AND TIMING OF EXPENDITURES ARE UNCERTAIN WHEN THE BUDGET IS ADOPTED. THESE FUNDS ARE EARMARKED FOR EMERGENCY OR UNANTICIPATED EXPENSES, SPECIAL PROJECTS, AND REVENUE SHORTFALLS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS AN ELIGIBLE USE IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE PLANNED FOR WHEN WE ADOPTED THE BUDGET IN DECEMBER OF 2025. [51:47] Soren Stevenson: IS THAT ACCURATE, CFO? [51:48] Jane Discenza: DEPUTY CHAIR, YES, I THINK IT IS LARGELY. THE LANGUAGE IS NOT MORE SPECIFIC THAN THAT. AND I BELIEVE I FORGOT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, SO JANE DICENZA, I'M THE DEPUTY CFO. [52:05] Soren Stevenson: THANK YOU. WE HAVEN'T MET, SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SITTING DOWN SOMETIME. THIS CRISIS WE'RE IN SEEMS UNANTICIPATED. I DON'T THINK ANY OF US THOUGHT WE WOULD BE STARTING THIS TERM WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KIDNAPPING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS. SO THIS SEEMS PRETTY UNANTICIPATED AND URGENT TO ME. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE SHARE WHAT THE LAST USE OF CONTINGENCY FUNDS WAS? [52:35] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, THE COUNCIL HAS VOTED AFFIRMATIVELY A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS; I BELIEVE AGATE WAS ONE OF THE LAST. I KNOW THERE WAS POTENTIALLY VIVO SOUTH, WHEN THAT WAS UNDER DELIBERATIONS. AND JUST GENERALLY IN OPERATIONS, WHEN WE OVERSPEND OUR EXPENDITURE BUDGET, THAT IS ALSO A REASON FOR THE CONTINGENCY TO BE THERE. THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT WE HAVE A CONTINGENCY BUDGET EVERY YEAR, SO WHEN WE HAVE COST OVERRUNS AND REVENUE SHORTFALLS AS WE HAD LAST YEAR, THE CONTINGENCY IS A VALUABLE CUSHION FOR THAT AS WELL. [53:14] Soren Stevenson: ARE WE EXPECTING OVERRUNS CURRENTLY? [53:16] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER, YES, ABSOLUTELY. DEPARTMENTS ARE INCURRING MAJOR COSTS IN RESPONDING TO THIS CRISIS. AND SO WE HAVE A VERY SMALL CUSHION OF GENERAL FUND BALANCE BEFORE WE HIT OUR MINIMUM FUND BALANCE. AND THE CONTINGENCY IS PART OF THAT. [53:30] Soren Stevenson: SO ARE THERE CURRENT PLANS TO USE THIS CONTINGENCY FOR CERTAIN USES? [53:35] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, THERE ARE NOT SPECIFIC PLANS TO USE IT, BUT IT'S EARLY IN THE YEAR. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE MAY BEFALL US BESIDES THIS CRISIS, AND SO I THINK FINANCE WOULD URGE CAUTION IN DEPLOYING FURTHER RESOURCES AT THE MOMENT. [53:54] Soren Stevenson: HOW OFTEN WERE CONTINGENCY FUNDS USED LAST YEAR? [53:58] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE WAS A COUNCIL VOTE ON CONTINGENCY FUNDS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH TO CONFIRM THAT. [54:09] Soren Stevenson: OKAY. FROM WHAT I SEE... [54:12] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, I THINK OUR BUDGET CHAIR MAY HAVE AN ANSWER TO THAT. [54:14] Aisha Chughtai: YEAH. SO THERE WERE... THE AGATE EXAMPLE THAT DEPUTY CFO DISCENZA HIGHLIGHTED, THAT WAS A USE OF CONTINGENCY THAT WAS APPROVED CONTINGENT ON MATCHING FUNDS. AND SO IT NEVER ACTUALLY WENT OUT THE DOOR, EVEN THOUGH THE USE WAS APPROVED. ANOTHER EXAMPLE THAT COMES TO MIND IS THE MIWRC, THE MINNESOTA INDIAN WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER, WHERE WE AUTHORIZED $100,000 FOR THEM TO EXPAND THEIR WARMING SHELTERS AND HAVE THE CAPACITY TO KEEP THOSE OPEN LONGER. THAT WAS A USE OF CONTINGENCY THAT WAS BOTH APPROVED AND ACTUALLY WENT OUT THE DOOR. [55:23] Soren Stevenson: I DIDN'T REALIZE WHEN I STARTED THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING THAT I WAS PERSONALLY INVOLVED WITH BOTH USES OF THE CONTINGENCY. THAT IS INTERESTING. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE HOUSING ISSUES HAVE BEEN A FREQUENT USE OF CONTINGENCY FUNDS, AT LEAST RECENTLY. I DO WANT TO MENTION AGAIN THAT THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST UNANTICIPATED AND MOST URGENT SITUATION WE POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE IMAGINED. [55:43] Soren Stevenson: SO THIS REALLY FITS THE DEFINITION OF WHAT CONTINGENCY COULD BE USED FOR, AS FAR AS I AM SEEING IT. AND I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THIS AS WELL. IF WE TAKE THIS MONEY FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND, WE WILL BE GOING AGAINST STATED PRIORITIES OF THIS BODY, INCLUDING THE MAYOR—IN HIS INAUGURATION SPEECH, HE SPOKE VERY ELOQUENTLY AND POWERFULLY ABOUT BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY. [56:17] Soren Stevenson: CUTTING THESE FUNDS WILL GO DIRECTLY AGAINST THAT. I SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S PRIORITY OF BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. PRIOR TO THE INVASION, HOUSING ISSUES WERE THE BIGGEST ISSUES; DEALING WITH UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS, DEALING WITH EVICTIONS, RENTS BEING TOO HIGH. SO I'M LOATHE TO TAKE FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ORDER TO DO THIS, AND I SEE THIS AS THE MOST URGENT AND UNANTICIPATED EXPENSE, AND SO I WOULD URGE US TO USE CONTINGENCY FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE. [56:54] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [56:56] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. SO I WANT TO START ACTUALLY BY ADDRESSING A QUESTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW ASKED QUITE A WHILE AGO DURING DISCUSSION, WHICH IS AROUND WHAT IS THE BACKLOG OF THE RESOURCES FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AT HENNEPIN. [57:10] Aisha Chughtai: IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED YESTERDAY THROUGH THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING STABILITY AT HENNEPIN COUNTY THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO BACKLOG FOR THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUND AT HENNEPIN COUNTY. [57:25] Aisha Chughtai: I THINK AS WE WERE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION ON TUESDAY, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE SEVERAL SETS OF NUMBERS THROWN AROUND AND IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO DIG A LITTLE DEEPER, DOUBLE CHECK, TRIPLE CHECK WHAT IS HAPPENING. SO OF THE $10 MILLION THEY HAVE ALLOCATED, APPROXIMATELY AT THIS POINT, ABOUT 1 MILLION OF THAT HAS BEEN DISBURSED TO EVERY PERSON WHO HAS APPLIED AND HAS BEEN ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THESE FUNDS. [58:02] Aisha Chughtai: THE $1 MILLION AT THIS POINT IN THE YEAR IS COMPARABLE TO LAST YEAR. THE SEVERITY OF THE CRISIS HAS NOT YET HIT WHERE EVICTIONS ARE BEING FILED. A PART OF THAT IS ALSO THAT WE HAVE EXTENDED PRE-EVICTION NOTICE HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS, WHICH MEANS THAT IF YOU ARE A PERSON THAT DIDN'T PAY YOUR RENT IN JANUARY, YOU'RE LIKELY GETTING YOUR PRE-EVICTION NOTICE, AND YOU HAD AN ADDITIONAL CUSHION. [58:35] Aisha Chughtai: AND I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR. I APPRECIATE THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HOW OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR HAS BROUGHT UP THE ROADMAP AHEAD, THAT RECOVERY FROM THIS MOMENT THAT WE ARE LIVING THROUGH, THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO END, RIGHT? [59:00] Aisha Chughtai: IT IS GOING TO TAKE YEARS AND YEARS. I THINK AN IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT BOTH OUR DEPUTY CFO AND OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF HAVE BROUGHT UP IS WHAT HAPPENS AS HALF OF ALL IMMIGRANT OWNED BUSINESSES IN OUR CITY ARE SHUT DOWN. [59:22] Aisha Chughtai: WHAT HAPPENS AS PEOPLE'S HOURS ARE CUT, THEY'RE LOSING THEIR JOBS, THEY'RE SHELTERING IN PLACE, THEIR FAMILIES ARE BEING IMPACTED BY FAMILY SEPARATION THROUGH DEPORTATIONS. THERE IS MORE ECONOMIC INSTABILITY WITHIN INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES, THE RISK OF PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY HAVING AN EVICTION THAT FOLLOWS THEM ON THEIR RECORD PERMANENTLY, MAKING IT HARDER FOR THEM TO ACCESS HOUSING FOR THE NEXT DECADE OF THAT FAMILY'S LIFE, RIGHT? [59:55] Aisha Chughtai: WHAT HAPPENS AS PEOPLE THEN ARE PUSHED OUT OF OUR CITY AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT HAS ON PROPERTY VALUES HERE? THE BEST TOOLS WE HAVE REALLY RIGHT NOW ARE ONES THAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITY STABLE. THIS IS THE LAST SAFETY NET THAT CATCHES PEOPLE BEFORE THEY END UP UNSTABLE, OUT OF A HOME, UNABLE TO RENT AGAIN, FORCED TO LEAVE THE CITY AND BE DISPLACED OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND I THINK THAT IS JUST WORTH CONTINUING TO UPLIFT. [1:00:38] Aisha Chughtai: AND I WANT TO END WITH TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THIS ASSISTANCE AND WHETHER THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE IT. I JUST AM... I REALLY FEEL LIKE I NEED TO STRONGLY ASSERT THAT IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO IS MAKING MINIMUM WAGE AND YOU COULDN'T PAY YOUR RENT FOR WHATEVER REASON, AND YOU HAVE BEEN SERVED EVICTION PAPERS, YOU ARE A PERSON IN NEED OBJECTIVELY. AND WE'VE GOT TO MOVE PAST SAYING THAT THE WRONG GROUP OF PEOPLE, OR PEOPLE WHO DON'T REALLY NEED IT, ARE GOING TO END UP WITH THIS ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU. [1:01:23] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. [1:01:25] Elizabeth Shaffer: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. AND THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES FOR BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC FORWARD. I HEAR ALL OF OUR HEARTS AROUND THIS ISSUE, AND IT IS TIME TO BRING THIS FORWARD FOR A DISCUSSION. I HAD A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR DISCENZA. [1:01:54] Elizabeth Shaffer: FIRST OF ALL, COULD YOU GIVE ME AN OVERVIEW OF WHERE WE ARE APPROXIMATELY AT OVER BUDGET ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS IN RELATION TO THE ICE SCOURGE ON OUR CITY? [1:02:08] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER, WE'VE SEEN AT LEAST $5 MILLION OF SPENDING FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS JUST ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE COUPLE WEEKS IN JANUARY. SO FOR JUST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I THINK WE'RE AT $4.3 MILLION IN OVERTIME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RESPONSE. SO IF YOU PROJECT THAT OUT, WE'RE CERTAINLY OVER BUDGET. [1:02:35] Elizabeth Shaffer: AND THEN THERE IS MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, WOULD THOSE BE THE MAIN TWO OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN GREATLY AFFECTED? [1:02:40] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, I THINK EVERY CITY DEPARTMENT HAS CONTRIBUTED STAFF TIME AND ENERGY TO OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. I KNOW FINANCE, CPED, HEALTH, WE COULD GO THROUGH ALL 26 DEPARTMENTS. THEY ARE ALL CONTRIBUTING HOURS TO THAT RESPONSE. [1:02:52] Elizabeth Shaffer: THANK YOU. AND DO YOU FORESEE THAT ANY OF THESE IMPACTS AS WE CONTINUE THIS YEAR COULD AFFECT OUR LONG-TERM HEALTH, OUR BUDGETARY HEALTH, OR OUR BOND RATING? COULD YOU KIND OF SPEAK JUST FROM YOUR 50,000-FOOT PERSPECTIVE ON THAT IMPACT? [1:03:08] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CERTAINLY ZOOMING OUT, THE CITY HAS MANY OBLIGATIONS AND WE SERVE ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS, AND WE NEED TO MEET THOSE OBLIGATIONS. AS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, WE HAVE THE SMALL CUSHION BETWEEN WHERE OUR GENERAL FUND BALANCE IS PROJECTED TO SIT AT THE END OF 2026, ASSUMING DEPARTMENTS DON'T OVERSPEND THEIR BUDGETS THIS YEAR. [1:03:35] Jane Discenza: AND, AGAIN, THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT GIVEN WHAT THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO DO BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL INCURSION. THE RISK LONG TERM FOR THE CITY, IF WE ARE TO DEPLETE OUR RESOURCES, THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEEN PUT ON NOTICE BY BOND RATING AGENCIES; THEY ARE WATCHING OUR USE OF FUND BALANCE. [1:03:53] Jane Discenza: WE HAVE A AAA RATING, AND THAT MATTERS FOR CONSTITUENTS, BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US TO BORROW AT A LOWER RATE TO DO OUR CAPITAL WORK. SO I THINK THE CONCERN LONG TERM WOULD BE THAT WITHOUT RAISING PROPERTY TAXES, WE WOULD RISK DIPPING BELOW THAT MINIMUM FUND BALANCE, AND RESIDENTS WOULD FEEL THE IMPACTS OF THAT. [1:04:12] Elizabeth Shaffer: THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. I APPRECIATE THAT. THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD. I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR THIS POTENTIAL THIRD PROPOSAL THAT MAY COME FORWARD. I AM HAPPY TO ASK THOSE NOW OF DIRECTOR HANSON, OR IF WE SHOULD WAIT. PRESIDENT PAYNE, DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE. [1:04:31] Elliott Payne: YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES. [1:04:32] Elizabeth Shaffer: ALL RIGHT. DIRECTOR HANSON, I HAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS AROUND THIS. I NOTICED IN THE LANGUAGE... I DIDN'T FORESEE ANY SPECIFICS AROUND A JOINT COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED IN THE RESOLUTION. [1:04:48] Elizabeth Shaffer: CAN YOU SPEAK TO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THIS PARTNERSHIP WOULD WORK, AND WHAT AUTHORITY WE WOULD HAVE OR ABILITY TO PUT BOUNDARIES ON THE DIRECTION OF THE USE OF THOSE FUNDS? IN PARTICULAR OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T GO TO SUBURBAN COUNTY RESIDENTS BUT WOULD STAY IN MINNEAPOLIS. [1:05:06] Elizabeth Shaffer: SECONDLY, ARE THERE OPTIONS FOR CONDO OWNERS OR HOMEOWNERS IN THIS HOUSING ASSISTANCE AREA, OR IS THIS SPECIFIC RENTAL? IS THERE FLEXIBILITY WITHIN HENNEPIN COUNTY TO LOOK AT BOTH OF THOSE? [1:05:23] Eric Hanson: GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS ERIC HANSON. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF CPED. TO ANSWER COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER'S QUESTIONS, THE FIRST QUESTION, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT RESOLUTION YOU'RE LOOKING AT, BUT IF IT'S THE ONE PUBLISHED IN LIMS UNDER COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY'S NAME, THIS IS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE COUNTY THROUGH A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY OPERATION METRO SURGE, IS THAT CORRECT? WE WOULD WORK ON AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY. THAT AGREEMENT WOULD COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING IT WOULD BE THEIR CURRENT PROGRAM. [1:06:09] Eric Hanson: WE WOULD BE ADDING FUNDING TO THEIR CURRENT PROGRAM UNDER THE CURRENT GUIDELINES. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY ASSISTANCE THROUGH RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT WOULD AFFECT HOMEOWNERS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS IN THE CARDS, IN THE PROGRAMS. IT IS A QUESTION I CAN CONFIRM, BUT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT JUST RENTERS IN THIS PROGRAM. [1:06:28] Elizabeth Shaffer: OKAY. BUT THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN CONFIRM WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY? [1:06:33] Eric Hanson: PRETTY SURE. [1:06:35] Elizabeth Shaffer: I KNOW DURING COVID THERE WAS SOME FOR HOMEOWNERS BUT I COULD BE INCORRECT. [1:06:38] Eric Hanson: THROUGH THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER, THERE WERE SOME FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. THAT IS NOT ONE OF THOSE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. [1:06:47] Elizabeth Shaffer: THANK YOU. THAT'S VERY HELPFUL. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR HANSON, THAT'S THE QUESTIONS I HAD FOR YOU. SO, YES, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT ADDED TO THIS LANGUAGE, UNLESS I AM MISSING SOMETHING HERE IN THE THIRD RESOLUTION, THAT WE WILL GET TO EVENTUALLY, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY, I CANNOT SUPPORT TAKING THIS MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE CONTINGENCY OR THE GENERAL FUND. [1:07:13] Elizabeth Shaffer: WHEN I HEAR THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCES OF OUR CITY DESCRIBE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE GOTTEN QUESTION MARKS ABOUT OUR BOND RATING AND $5 MILLION OF OVERTIME SPENT THAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF TO TAKE CARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY, THAT GIVES ME PAUSE. SO I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT USE OF CONTINGENCY FUNDS. THANK YOU. [1:07:44] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [1:07:46] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. DIRECTOR, CAN YOU LET US KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE $1 MILLION THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IS FOR THE ENTIRE BUDGET? [1:07:56] Jane Discenza: TO THE CHAIR, COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION, PLEASE? [1:07:58] Jason Chavez: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE $1 MILLION COMPARED TO THE ENTIRE CITY BUDGET? [1:08:09] Jane Discenza: THE ENTIRE CITY BUDGET IS ON THE ORDER OF $2 BILLION. OUR GENERAL FUND IS AROUND 700 MILLION. SO THE CONTINGENCY IS REQUIRED TO BE 1% OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. [1:08:25] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, I HOPE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ACTUALLY WATCHING THIS MEETING UNFOLD AND THAT THEY REWATCH THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, BECAUSE I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. I DID NOT HEAR CONCERNS ABOUT A SOURCE UNTIL TODAY. [1:08:40] Jason Chavez: IN FACT, WHAT WE HEARD TODAY IS THAT THIS VOTE IS SOMEHOW FRAUDULENT, AND WE ARE CHERRY PICKING, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. THAT RHETORIC IS VERY DANGEROUS. IN FACT IT IS THE SAME RHETORIC THAT DONALD TRUMP USED TO KIDNAP OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS IN THIS COUNTRY. [1:08:58] Jason Chavez: IT IS NOT FRAUDULENT TO WANT TO PREVENT THE EVICTION OF OUR NEIGHBORS. IT IS NOT FRAUDULENT TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE. IT IS NOT FRAUDULENT TO LIFT THE VOICES OF OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS WHO ARE IN NEED. IT IS NOT FRAUDULENT TO WANT TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORS WHO NEED HELP WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE, DESPITE THEIR IMMIGRATION BACKGROUND. [1:09:15] Jason Chavez: AND I WILL SAY THAT OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORS WHO ARE IN NEED, WHICH CAN BE TWO SEPARATE COMMUNITIES, LIVE IN EVERY SINGLE WARD IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY, THIS 13 MEMBER BODY THAT I'M DISAPPOINTED TO BE A PART OF TODAY, TO TALK TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS. [1:09:35] Jason Chavez: NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE CITY ARE SCARED RIGHT NOW. THEY ARE LATE IN PAYING RENT. FEBRUARY 1st JUST PASSED. RENTAL EVICTION NOTICES ARE ON THE RISE. AND I'M JUST EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION TODAY. IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS THAT WE ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH AND THAT WE NEED TO DO MORE. [1:09:58] Jason Chavez: AND WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT WE CANNOT RELY ON THE BACKS OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO KEEP EVERYONE AFLOAT. WE SHOULD NOT BE ASKING THE COMMUNITY TO FUNDRAISE, IF WE AREN'T WILLING TO FUND THOSE SAME INITIATIVES. I ALSO NEED TO BRING US BACK TO WHAT MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CENTER WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY. [1:10:22] Jason Chavez: I WILL SAY THAT MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY OPERATION METRO SURGE, AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE ALSO OUR NEIGHBORS. PEOPLE IMPACTED BY OPERATION METRO SURGE ARE OUR RESIDENTS. THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE SOMETIMES, BUT THEY ARE OUR RESIDENTS, DESPITE THEIR IMMIGRATION BACKGROUND. [1:10:43] Jason Chavez: I HAVE NEVER FELT MORE UNWELCOME ON THE CITY COUNCIL UNTIL TODAY. I WILL SAY THAT OUT LOUD. I AM HEARTBROKEN. THERE WAS A TWO-YEAR-OLD IN WARD 9 THAT WAS KIDNAPPED BY ICE. IS THAT NOT AN EMERGENCY TO PEOPLE IN THIS BODY? DOES THAT NOT RAISE ALARMS? TWO RESIDENTS MURDERED BY FEDERAL AGENTS. A LATINO RESIDENT WAS SHOT IN THE LEG IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. A LATINO RESIDENT WAS KIDNAPED IN MINNESOTA BY ICE AND THEN DIED UNDER CUSTODY IN TEXAS. [1:11:17] Jason Chavez: OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE BEING KIDNAPED ON BUS STOPS ON THE WAY TO WORK. AND THOSE WHO CAME TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM ARE NOW FACING THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE. THIS IS ONLY $1 MILLION. IT IS NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO MEET THE NEED OF OUR ACTUAL NEIGHBORS WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN MINNEAPOLIS. [1:11:33] Jason Chavez: I AM SO PROUD OF MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS. THEY ARE DEFINITELY MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THEIR OWN WAYS. AND OUR NEIGHBORS IN MINNEAPOLIS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT OUR NEIGHBORS ARE EXPERIENCING. BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO SAY THAT THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND TODAY IS NOT MATCHING WHAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING ON THE GROUND. [1:11:56] Jason Chavez: I ASK THAT FOLKS TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS AND HEAR ABOUT THE SENTIMENTS THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING BECAUSE WHEN THEY WATCH THIS MEETING THEY'RE GOING TO BE SO DISAPPOINTED. I HOPE EVERYBODY IN THIS BODY AGREES THAT AN OCCUPATION OF A CITY IS AN EMERGENCY. IF THAT DOESN'T PASS, THEN I WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION FOR CASH FUND. BECAUSE WE CAN'T EXACERBATE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AT THE SAME TIME EITHER. THANK YOU. [1:12:28] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [1:12:30] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS IN MY COMMENTS. I HAD QUESTIONS, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO STATE A FEW DIFFERENT FACTS. FIRST, 50% OF THE AWARDS OF RENT HELP HENNEPIN GO TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS ALREADY. [1:12:47] Aurin Chowdhury: SO THAT GOES TO STATE THE EXISTING NEED OF OUR CITY WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND HOW IT'S COMPOUNDING RIGHT NOW. AND THEN $1 MILLION IS 0.05% OF OUR CITY'S TOTAL BUDGET. I'M REALLY GLAD TO HEAR THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY IS WILLING TO WORK WITH OUR CITY TO MAKE THIS WORK HOWEVER THEY WANT AND DEDICATE IT TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, IF THAT IS WHAT WE ARE CHOOSING TO DO, WHICH I AM SUPPORTIVE OF. [1:13:14] Aurin Chowdhury: AND IF WE DEDICATED ENTIRELY TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, THAT WOULD INCREASE THE AVAILABLE RENT HELP MONEY FOR MINNEAPOLIS BY 20%. I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR HANSON, IF THAT IS ALL RIGHT. [1:13:35] Aurin Chowdhury: I SPECIFICALLY WANTED TO GET A PICTURE FROM YOU ABOUT THE FISCAL CLIFF OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. YOU AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS LAST BUDGET SEASON. I KNOW IT SAYS LAHA, BUT IT IS SEVERELY OVERPRESCRIBED BY THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WE FACED CRISIS AROUND SHELTER OPERATIONS AND AGREED AS A BODY TOGETHER THAT IN OUR CITY BUDGET PROCESS WE WOULD MOVE IT THERE. [1:14:08] Aurin Chowdhury: BUT IT WAS ALSO A CONVERSATION WITH A LOT OF CAUTION, THAT IF WE CONTINUED TO TAKE FROM LAHA, IT WOULD IMPACT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND DIRECTLY OR PERHAPS EVEN THE MINNEAPOLIS HOMES PROGRAM, WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I JUST WANTED TO GET THE PICTURE FROM YOU ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND FISCAL CLIFF. [1:14:39] Eric Hanson: COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, YES. THE WAY WE HAVE SET UP OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND CONNOTES A THING OF LIKE "THERE'S THIS FUNDING IN IT," BUT THE CITY FUNDS IT EVERY YEAR THROUGH ITS ANNUAL BUDGET. [1:14:52] Eric Hanson: IT'S WHAT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ALL THROUGH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THAT HAD BEEN FUNDED BY SOME DISCRETIONARY FUNDS THAT WERE TARGETED TOWARDS THIS TYPE OF USE, MAINLY THROUGH TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICTS THAT ARE COMING OFF OF TIF AND GOING BACK TO THE TAX ROLLS, WHICH IS A POSITIVE THING FOR THE OVERALL TAX BASE, BUT IT TAKES AWAY FROM THAT SOURCE. [1:15:29] Eric Hanson: AND SO EVERY TIME WE TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND, IT GETS US CLOSER TO THE END OF THAT FISCAL CLIFF. AND I'M LOOKING AT MY STATS, AND IT REALLY BASICALLY IMPACTS HOW MANY UNITS WE CAN SUPPORT. TYPICALLY THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR HAVE SET THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND AT ABOUT $18 MILLION A YEAR. [1:15:46] Eric Hanson: THAT WILL PRECIPITOUSLY DECLINE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS, BECAUSE WE WILL LOSE THAT TIF FUNDING IN ABOUT 2027. SO IN '28-'29 IS WHERE WE START TO SEE THAT DIP WITHOUT OTHER FINANCING SOURCES. [1:16:05] Eric Hanson: WE'LL JUST HAVE FEWER DOLLARS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION. SO IF YOU TAKE MONEY TODAY FROM THE TRUST FUND, IT JUST MEANS THIS YEAR WE HAVE FEWER HOUSING UNITS THAT WE CAN INVEST IN. AND NEXT YEAR, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE ONE TIME, WE WILL STILL BE IN THE SAME SITUATION. BUT FEWER HOUSES TODAY... WHEN WE HELP PRODUCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, THAT IS FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS. THEY COMPOUND AND ARE CUMULATIVE IN THE HOUSING ECOSYSTEM IN THE CITY. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? [1:16:40] Aurin Chowdhury: IT DOES. AND JUST A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT: IS IT TRUE TO STATE THAT BY THE TIME WE GET TO 2027 AND ONWARDS, WE WILL BE USING MOST OF THAT ALLOCATION AS PROJECTED FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO ADDRESS THE FISCAL CLIFF AND SOME FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS HOMES PROGRAM? [1:16:59] Eric Hanson: THROUGH THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, PERHAPS. THOSE DECISIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE, BUT THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE MAIN FUNDING SOURCES. [1:17:15] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU. I'LL JUST CLOSE BY SAYING THE WATCHDOG OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND IS NO LONGER ON THE COUNCIL; SOME OF US HAVE TO TAKE THAT MANTLE UP. AND IT'S OVERPRESCRIBED. WE NEED THIS FOR AFFORDABLE PROJECTS TO HAPPEN LONG INTO THE FUTURE. AND THAT'S WHY I'M SUPPORTING CONTINGENCY FUNDING. I THINK WE CAN GET VOTES FOR THIS. I THINK IT'S A BETTER OPTION THAN OUR CASH FUND, BUT IF WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR A CASH FUND TODAY THAT'S WHAT I'LL ULTIMATELY END UP DOING. [1:17:52] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. [1:17:54] Jamison Whiting: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK ALL OF US ARE SEEING AS AN EMERGENCY. I THINK ALL 13 OF US SIT HERE AND AGREE THAT THIS VERSION OF ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED AND IS AN EMERGENCY IN THIS MOMENT. [1:18:08] Jamison Whiting: AND IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, I THINK IT IS ON ALL OF US TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD. I BELIEVE THIS EMERGENCY DOES FIT WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCY FUNDS. BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IF THIS DOES NOT GO FORWARD, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO ACTUALLY GET THESE FUNDS INTO PEOPLE'S HANDS AS SOON AS WE CAN. [1:18:28] Jamison Whiting: THAT BEING THE CASE, I BELIEVE LAHA FUNDING AND OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND IS THE BEST VERSION FOR THAT. AS ALL OF YOU SAT THROUGH OUR MEETING DISCUSSING OUR FINANCIAL PICTURE, WE JUST HAD OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR DISCENZA WITH US AND TELL US IN A LOT OF FLOWERY WORDS THAT WE'RE BROKE. [1:18:49] Jamison Whiting: I THINK WE ALL KNOW THIS IS WHERE OUR CITY IS AT, AND I THINK CONTINUING TO PULL FROM GENERAL FUNDS WILL EXACERBATE THE ISSUES THAT OUR CITY HAS, NOT JUST FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND THIS BODY, BUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND THE SAME EXACT RESIDENTS THAT WE HOPE TO SERVE WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY. [1:19:10] Jamison Whiting: WITH THAT SAID, I JUST WANT TO READ THE FIRST ELIGIBLE USE FOR LAHA FUNDING (LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING AID) AS PRESCRIBED BY THE STATE: "QUALIFYING PROJECTS INCLUDE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSEHOLDS EARNING LESS THAN 80% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME." [1:19:28] Jamison Whiting: IF WE ARE LOOKING AT THE DEFINITION OF HOW FUNDS SHOULD BE USED, LAHA FUNDING IS PARTICULARLY PRESCRIBING AN ELIGIBLE USE FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS A BETTER DEFINITION FOR THAT ACROSS OUR CITY. [1:19:47] Jamison Whiting: WE ARE SEEING GOOD WORK ACROSS THIS CITY, NOT JUST BY OUR RESIDENTS AS THEY ARE STANDING UP AND DOING THE WORK, BUT OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL. WE ARE SEEING IT LARGELY BY THE LARGE OVERRUN BOTH BY MPD, FIRE, AND PUBLIC WORKS AND ACROSS OUR CITY PEOPLE PUTTING IN THE WORK TO ACTUALLY SHOW UP FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. [1:20:10] Jamison Whiting: WHILE I WILL BE SUPPORTING OUR CONTINGENCY FUNDS, I CANNOT SUPPORT ANY LEVEL OF PULL FROM OUR GENERAL FUNDS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WILL ONLY EXACERBATE THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE. I HOPE AND URGE ALL OF YOU TO CONSIDER OUR LAHA FUNDING AS WELL. [1:20:30] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. [1:20:32] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU, CHAIR. JUST A FEW THINGS. COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN, I'M SORRY THAT YOU ARE BEING COMPARED TO MAGA, BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT HENNEPIN COUNTY, ITS FUNDING, ITS PROGRAMS, ITS PROCEDURES. [1:20:52] LaTrisha Vetaw: YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, OR MAYBE THE YEAR BEFORE, A COUNCIL MEMBER SITTING ON THIS BODY ACCUSED THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS OF WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, AND THAT IN NO WAY WAS COMPARED TO MAGA. SO I DON'T THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN OPINION AND YOU STATED IT THAT MEANS YOU'RE MAGA. [1:21:12] LaTrisha Vetaw: YOU TALKED ABOUT NOT ONLY USING THE SERVICES YOURSELF, BUT ALSO HELPING OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO USE THE SERVICE. I RELIED HEAVILY ON YOU, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE. SO YOU SPENT HOURS TALKING TO ME ABOUT HOW THESE PROGRAMS WORK, FROM A PLACE OF KNOWING YOURSELF AND ALSO HELPING HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES USE THESE PROGRAMS AND GAIN ACCESS. [1:21:36] LaTrisha Vetaw: SO I WOULD SAY YOU ARE THE OPPOSITE OF MAGA, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD EVER HELP ANYBODY GET ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE, ESPECIALLY SOMEONE ON WELFARE. THEY ACTUALLY THINK THE OPPOSITE OF IT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR USING YOUR EXPERTISE. I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU SITTING ON THIS DAIS. I DON'T EVEN HAVE THAT EXPERTISE. AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU BEING HERE. YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT. [1:22:15] LaTrisha Vetaw: WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS JOB IS WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH, THAT IS WHAT I HAVE OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN, AND I GET TO TALK ABOUT IT. I HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND ALSO PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE. SO, I'M SORRY. I'M APOLOGIZING FOR YOU GETTING TREATED THIS WAY IN THIS MEETING FOR HAVING AN OPINION AND HAVING EXPERTISE. [1:22:40] LaTrisha Vetaw: TO THE COMMENT ABOUT THERE NOT BEING A WAITING LIST, THERE IS SOMEBODY IN THIS AUDIENCE THAT TEXTED ME AND SAID THEY WERE TOLD BY HENNEPIN COUNTY THAT THEY'RE ON THE WAITING LIST. SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS INFORMATION ABOUT A WAITING LIST OR NOT IS COMING FROM, BUT I KNOW I HAVE HEARD FROM LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE ON THE WAITING LIST. [1:23:09] LaTrisha Vetaw: SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A WAITING LIST OR NOT, I WASN'T ABLE TO FIND OUT, BUT I KNOW MANY PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO ME SINCE WE HAD THE CONVERSATION ON TUESDAY ABOUT THE WAITING LIST, AND HOW THEY ARE ON IT, AND IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR IT. AND I DO AGREE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR IT. [1:23:37] LaTrisha Vetaw: MY QUESTION, THOUGH, IS FOR DIRECTOR HANSON. THERE WAS A COMMENT ABOUT THE CITY'S BUDGET BEING $2 BILLION. IT IS $2 BILLION, BUT IT IS NOT $2 BILLION IN THE BANK WAITING. A LOT OF MONEY ALREADY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO BASIC CITY SERVICES. SO WE DON'T JUST HAVE $2 BILLION THAT WE CAN CALL ON. [1:24:10] LaTrisha Vetaw: WE DID A BUDGET THAT SPENT A LOT OF MONEY. THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET, ALONG WITH ALL THE THINGS WE WANTED FOR OUR WARD, COSTS MONEY. THEY'RE NOT FREE. SO WE DON'T HAVE $2 BILLION. THIS MILLION DOLLARS IS A LITTLE BIT IN THE BIGGER SCHEME OF THINGS, BUT IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE FORESEEN, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE A WAY TO FIGURE IT OUT. [1:24:34] LaTrisha Vetaw: I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK. THE COUNTY HAS $10 MILLION IN THEIR HOUSING BUDGET, IS MY UNDERSTANDING. IF WE GIVE THEM $1 MILLION, SO NOW THEY'LL HAVE $11 MILLION. WILL WE GET OUR MILLION DOLLARS BACK IF THEY DON'T USE OUR MILLION DOLLARS? HOW SOON WILL THEY USE $10 MILLION? [1:25:16] Eric Hanson: COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, WE ADD IT TO THE $10 MILLION AND LAST YEAR THEY TOLD US THEY SPENT ABOUT $11 MILLION IN THEIR PROGRAM, AND IT WOULD BE AN AGREEMENT THAT WE WOULD BRING BACK TO YOU WITH ALL OF THE DETAILS ON HOW THE MONEY WOULD BE USED. [1:25:33] LaTrisha Vetaw: ALL RIGHT. [1:25:34] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. [1:25:36] Soren Stevenson: YEAH, THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. A FEW THINGS... ONE, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BOND RATING. LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE IN MUCH LESS CRISIS, MPD OVERSPENT ITS BUDGET BY $20 MILLION. HOW DID THAT AFFECT OUR BOND RATING? [1:26:01] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, THE CFO, ALONG WITH OUR BANKING INVESTMENT AND DEBT TEAM, MEET WITH THE BOND RATING AGENCIES ANNUALLY. THEY HAVE AN ANNUAL REPORT, AND THAT COMES OUT I BELIEVE IN THE SUMMER. YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THEY ARE ON THE CITY WEBSITE, SO WE HAVE NOT HAD THOSE PROCESSES SINCE THAT TIME. [1:26:27] Soren Stevenson: OKAY, THANK YOU. WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THAT DEPARTMENT AND IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO SPEND ACCORDING TO THEIR BUDGET? [1:26:36] Jane Discenza: THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER, IT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THE COUNCIL MEMBER IS REFERRING TO OUR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS OVERSPENT THEIR BUDGETS IN 2025. YOU ALL WILL GET A PRESENTATION FROM THE COMPTROLLER UPON YEAR END ACCOUNTING OF 2025 WITH THE SPECIFIC FIGURES. DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BROUGHT FORWARD BUDGET REDUCTION SCENARIOS THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS LAST YEAR. ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS CHANGED IS BACKING OFF THE CRITICAL STAFFING OVERTIME, WHICH WAS AN ELEVATED OVERTIME RATE THAT THEY HAD BEEN IN WHILE THEY WERE UNDERSTAFFED. THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE, SO THEY HAVE A STANDARD OVERTIME RATE GOING FORWARD. AND WE ANTICIPATE SAVINGS FROM THAT. I BELIEVE THE CHIEF HAS ALSO ISSUED STRICTER POLICIES AROUND OVERTIME USAGE. [1:27:33] Soren Stevenson: GREAT. THANK YOU. GIVEN THE FINANCIAL STATE OF THE CITY, WE SHOULD HAVE A LOT OF MONITORING DONE TO LIMIT DEPARTMENT SPENDING. I HAVE HEARD FROM FOLKS BOTH IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND ON THIS COUNCIL THAT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY NOW IS BEING USED FOR GRAFFITI REMOVAL, AND THAT THAT IS HAVING PUBLIC WORKS GO OVER. IS THAT REALLY WHERE OUR MONEY NEEDS TO GO RIGHT NOW? I THINK RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS VASTLY MORE IMPORTANT. I THINK OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED IT. MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE BEEN CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DEMANDING THIS OF ME. SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE SOME THINGS GO, AND I THINK RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS NOT ONE OF THOSE. [1:28:10] Soren Stevenson: WE NEED THIS RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND WE NEED TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS NOT STEALING FROM PETER IN ORDER TO PAY PAUL. LASTLY LAHA IS ALREADY ALLOCATED. WE WOULD BE DOLING OUT LETHAL CUTS TO VITAL PROJECTS AND SERVICES THAT I SIMPLY DON'T WANT TO DO. [1:28:31] Soren Stevenson: YESTERDAY I MET WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES, WHICH RUNS HOMELESS SHELTERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS. HOMELESS SHELTERS ARE AN ELIGIBLE USE OF LAHA, AND WE ARE STILL IN A HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. TAKING LAHA AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOLLARS, IT'S MUCH WORSE THAN STEALING FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL. [1:28:52] Soren Stevenson: IT'S RELEGATING FUTURE EVICTIONS, FUTURE HOMELESSNESS AND CRUSHING FINANCIAL STRESS AND DEBT ON OUR RESIDENTS UNDER THE CURRENT HOUSING CRISIS. SO WE CAN AND WE SHOULD USE CONTINGENCY FUNDS, BECAUSE THIS IS A THING THAT IS UNANTICIPATED, AND WE DESPERATELY NEED IT. AND WE ALSO DESPERATELY NEED OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS AND OTHER HOUSING SERVICES TO BE FULLY FUNDED. AND WITH THAT I GIVE IT BACK TO THE PRESIDENT. [1:29:21] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [1:29:23] Linea Palmisano: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THE FACTS GIVEN TO US BY DEPUTY CFO DISCENZA HAVE BEEN FRONT OF MIND TO ME THIS PAST WEEK. I DO RECOGNIZE THAT OTHER THAN COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW'S PARK COMMISSIONER, OTHERS ON THIS DAIS WERE NOT AROUND WHEN WE HAD TO REDO THE BUDGET SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE COVID CRISIS AND PANDEMIC. [1:29:54] Linea Palmisano: WE ALL HAVE BEEN EXPLORING HOW TO BEST SHOW UP WITH WHAT WE CAN POSSIBLY AFFORD WITH CITY DOLLARS IN THIS MOMENT. WE ALL GET DEEPLY PERSONAL STORIES OF NEED, IMMEDIATE AND DIRE NEED. THESE DAYS MORE THAN EVER FOR THE CRISIS THAT WE ARE IN. [1:30:15] Linea Palmisano: AT THE SAME TIME MINNESOTA MULTI-HOUSING ASSOCIATION REPORTS TO ME THAT RENT COLLECTIONS ARE TRACKING WITH NORMAL RENT COLLECTIONS RIGHT NOW. THAT'S THE MACRO VIEW. AND THAT'S AS OF TODAY. BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS ROAD IS VERY LONG, AND THAT PHILANTHROPY IS FILLING KNOWN NEEDS RIGHT NOW, BUT LIKELY NOT INTO THE FUTURE. [1:30:41] Linea Palmisano: SO, OF COURSE, I SEE A HUGE NEED FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME. AND I SUPPORT THE INTENT OF THIS RESOLUTION, BUT I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS FUNDING SOURCE. USING CONTINGENCY FUNDS HAS A VERY HIGH BAR, AND USING THEM FOR THIS PURPOSE WOULD BE SHORTSIGHTED. [1:31:00] Linea Palmisano: I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR GENERAL AND CONTINGENCY FUND BALANCES RIGHT NOW. WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE THE ENTERPRISE COST OF RESPONDING TO OPERATION METRO SURGE. THIS WOULD BE FOR THINGS LIKE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF STAFF TIME AND IN EMERGENCY OPERATIONS THAT INCLUDES EVERY DEPARTMENT, POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND ON. [1:31:25] Linea Palmisano: THESE INCREASED COSTS WERE NOT FORECAST IN OUR 2026 BUDGET, AND THE STRAIN ON OUR GENERAL FUND IS GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT. BUT EARLIER MY COLLEAGUE SAID, "WHAT ARE WE REALLY DOING?" AND I THINK THAT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO EVERY SINGLE CITY WORKER WHO HAS BEEN SHOWING UP IN THIS MOMENT. [1:31:44] Linea Palmisano: THIS ISN'T BUSINESS AS USUAL. CITY WORKERS ARE NOT GOING ABOUT OUR DAYS AS THOUGH NOTHING IS WRONG. EVERY DEPARTMENT OF OUR CITY IS SHOWING UP DIFFERENTLY. IN THE EOC OVERNIGHT, ON TENTATIVE WEEKENDS. [1:31:59] Linea Palmisano: THAT IS IN ADDITION TO THEIR REGULAR DAY-TO-DAY JOB. SO THIS IS NOT MEANT -- THIS MONEY, IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE A PUBLIC PHILANTHROPY FUND. YES, THE AGATE IDEA WAS SUCCESSFUL. I THINK IT WAS A COUPLE YEARS AGO. IT WAS UNPRECEDENTED AT THE TIME. AND IT WAS AN UNSUCCESSFUL ULTIMATE ATTEMPT AT USING IT FOR PHILANTHROPY. [1:32:15] Linea Palmisano: BUT THANK YOU TO EVERY WORKER IN THE CITY ENTERPRISE FOR WORKING SO VERY HARD THIS PAST MONTH IN RESPONDING TO THIS UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS, AND ALSO THEY ARE GETTING TO EVERYTHING THAT WE ALSO NEED EVERY DAY TO HAVE A CITY THAT WORKS. PEOPLE ALL OVER OUR CITY HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT. RESIDENTS, PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT OUR CITY FROM OVERSEAS EVEN. [1:33:09] Linea Palmisano: OUR ROLE HERE IS ABOUT COORDINATION IN THIS MOMENT, NOT ABOUT BEING ABLE TO FILL THE NEED WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS, BECAUSE WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FULFILL THAT NEED. $1 MILLION IS A SIGNIFICANT AND MONUMENTALLY DIFFICULT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIND IN THIS MOMENT. [1:33:28] Linea Palmisano: AND IT SHOULD COME FROM DECISIONS WE MADE LAST YEAR ON HOW MUCH WE CAN POSSIBLY PUT IN OUR BUDGET TOWARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. LAST BUDGET SEASON WE MADE A DECISION NOT KNOWING THE URGENCY OF THIS MOMENT. SO LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENT ONE. I AM ALSO, LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON SAID, LOATHE TO MAKE THIS CHANGE. [1:33:46] Linea Palmisano: LONG TERM, IT'S NOT A GOOD ONE. LONG TERM IT MEANS THAT WE WILL GET HELP TO FINANCE LESS 20 TO 30 YEAR AFFORDABLE NEW HOUSING UNITS, FOR EXAMPLE. BUT IN THIS MOMENT WE NEED TO FIND SOMETHING, AND WE CANNOT STOP RESPONDING AS A CITY AND DELVE INTO A TERRIBLE FINANCIAL POSITION. [1:34:07] Linea Palmisano: SO I THINK WE NEED TO GROUND OURSELVES IN ONE ANOTHER ON WHAT OUR BRIEFINGS HAVE SAID: THAT GOVERNMENT DOLLARS IS NOT WHAT PEOPLE NEED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE RIGHT NOW. THAT PEOPLE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW NEED CASH AND LET THEM DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO USE FOR THEIR DIFFERENT NEEDS OF THE MOMENT. AND THAT EQUITABLE ASSISTANCE HAS TO BE EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED, AND THAT IS A REALLY HARD THING TO DO. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. [1:34:52] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. [1:34:54] Elizabeth Shaffer: YES. I WOULD JUST ADD THIS FOR A THOUGHT PROCESS. I THINK THERE IS GENERAL SUPPORT ACROSS OUR BODY FOR THIS IDEA. WE ARE GETTING HUNG UP ON HOW AND WHAT WE SHOULD USE TO FUND THIS IDEA. [1:35:15] Elizabeth Shaffer: I BELIEVE THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS SOME WIGGLE ROOM STILL WITH THE FUNDING THAT THEY HAVE. ONE OPTION ON THE TABLE WOULD BE FOR US TO REVISIT THIS IN A COUPLE WEEKS, IN A MONTH, ONCE HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS DRAWN DOWN THEIR FUNDS, AND REASSESS WHAT IS OUR BUDGET AT THAT POINT. [1:35:35] Elizabeth Shaffer: ARE WE $10 MILLION OVER BUDGET AT THAT POINT? I'M JUST SAYING, IS THAT A MORE MEASURED APPROACH FOR US ALL TO SAY WE KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, WE KNOW IT'S IMMEDIATE, WE KNOW THE GOFUNDMES HAVE STEPPED UP ABOVE AND BEYOND. WE ALL HAVE CONTRIBUTED, RIGHT? AND THERE IS A ROLE FOR THE CITY TO CONTRIBUTE. BUT IS NOW THE RIGHT TIMING, IF WE HAVE DISAGREEMENT, TO MAKE A DECISION THAT COULD IMPACT OUR BUDGET PROCESS THIS WHOLE YEAR? [1:36:07] Elizabeth Shaffer: THAT IS MY QUESTION. MAYBE SOME OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE A MOTION TO HEAD US IN THAT DIRECTION BETTER THAN I CAN. SO WHAT... I MEAN, MAYBE I CAN... CAN I MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE ALL OF THESE RESOLUTIONS UNTIL... CHAVEZ, HELP ME. WHAT DO WE WANT TO POSTPONE THIS TO? [1:36:39] Jason Chavez: TODAY. LET'S VOTE TODAY FOR THE ACTUAL MONEY. LET'S HELP PEOPLE GET RENTAL ASSISTANCE, BECAUSE THEY NEED IT. [1:36:44] Elizabeth Shaffer: I GUESS I WILL POSTPONE TO REVISIT ON, LET'S SAY, END OF MARCH AND SEE WHERE HENNEPIN COUNTY FUNDS SIT. I'M ABLE AND WILLING TO CHANGE THAT DATE IF THAT HELPS PEOPLE COME THIS DIRECTION. BUT I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THE RESOLUTIONS AND REVISIT ALL OF THEM WITH ALL THE FUNDING SOURCES THE END OF MARCH. IS THERE A SECOND? [1:37:12] Aurin Chowdhury: SECOND. [1:37:16] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER MADE A MOTION TO POSTPONE UNTIL THE END OF MARCH. I THINK WE NEED A DATE CERTAIN. I WOULD SAY THE 19th WOULD BE THE NEXT END-ISH MARCH COUNCIL MEETING. THAT HAS BEEN SECONDED. WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER IN THE QUEUE, BUT MAYBE YOU HAVE SAID YOUR PIECE. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [1:37:40] Jason Chavez: I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST THE DELAY OF THESE MOTIONS. WE ARE IN AN EMERGENCY. PEOPLE ARE FACING EVICTIONS. RENT WAS DUE ON FEBRUARY 1st. WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO ASK OUR COMMUNITY TO FUNDRAISE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IF WE ARE UNWILLING AS A GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THEM. I THINK IT'S TIME TO VOTE. IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT PEOPLE HAVE MADE DECISIONS ON HOW THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE. I THINK WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. CALL THE QUESTION ON COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER'S MOTION TO DELAY THESE ITEMS, WHICH I DISAGREE WITH. [1:38:12] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ CALLED THE QUESTION. IS THERE A SECOND? [1:38:16] Aisha Chughtai: SECOND. [1:38:17] Elliott Payne: IT'S BEEN SECONDED. MR. CLERK, CALL THE ROLL ON CALLING THE QUESTION. [1:38:22] Casey Carl: WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: NAY. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: NAY. >> Casey Carl: WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE. >> Casey Carl: WHITING >> Jamison Whiting: AYE. >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: AYE. >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: NAY. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: NO >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO >> Linea Palmisano: NO. >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: AYE. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: AYE. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE >> Elliott Payne: AYE. >> Casey Carl: EIGHT AYES AND FIVE NAYS. [1:39:01] Elliott Payne: THAT REQUIRES NINE. SO THAT MOTION FAILS. IS THERE ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO DISCUSS THE MOTION TO DELAY THIS ITEM UNTIL THE 19th? THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL ON THE MOTION. COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. [1:39:23] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU. I FEEL LIKE EVERY TIME I'M IN THE QUEUE, SOMEBODY CALLS THE QUESTION. IT FEELS TARGETED. BUT MY QUESTION WAS ABOUT WHAT IMPACT THIS WOULD MAKE FOR DELAY. I HAD NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT. SO THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF DELAY? DIRECTOR HANSON, YOU SAID THAT THE COUNTY USES $10 MILLION A YEAR. AND SO IF WE GAVE THEM A MILLION DOLLARS IN THREE WEEKS OR PLUS WHATEVER TIME IT TAKES TO PROCESS, HOW COULD THIS AFFECT THE ABILITY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE RIGHT NOW? [1:40:02] Eric Hanson: COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A DEAL AND AGREEMENT AND BRING BACK TO COUNCIL BEFORE THE MONEY WOULD BE READY FOR THEIR FUND. SO THIS WOULD DELAY THAT CONVERSATION AS WELL. [1:40:11] LaTrisha Vetaw: SO JUST THE AGREEMENT CONVERSATION, NOT LIKE... I GUESS I'M ASKING MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES OF THE COUNTY, REGARDLESS OF HOW THIS GOES, THEY ARE STILL GOING TO BE PROCESSING APPLICATIONS. [1:40:22] Eric Hanson: COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, YES, THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO TAKE IN APPLICATIONS. [1:40:28] LaTrisha Vetaw: AND AT IN POINT IN THIS PROCESS, OUR MILLION DOLLARS COULD COME IN AND HELP, BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT LIKE... THE TIMING ISN'T SPECIFIC TO RIGHT NOW. [1:40:40] Eric Hanson: PRESIDENT PAYNE AND COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, IT'S UP TO THE BODY TO TELL US THAT THEY HAVE THE MONEY AND THEN WE WOULD NEGOTIATE THAT WITH THE COUNTY AND THEN THOSE FUNDS WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE COUNTY, AFTER AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR. BUT THEIR PROGRAM IS STILL INTACT. THEIR PROGRAM IS STILL TAKING APPLICATIONS AS OF TODAY. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO IS LISTENING TO SAY THEY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE COUNCIL ACTS, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL MONEY AT THE COUNTY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. [1:41:09] LaTrisha Vetaw: OKAY. YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION. THANK YOU. [1:41:12] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [1:41:14] Linea Palmisano: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. ONE ADDITIONAL COMPLICATION WOULD BE ABOUT IF PEOPLE WILL THEN STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE RENTERS CREDIT. IT SHOULDN'T MATTER WHO IS PAYING THE RENT, WHETHER IT'S THE COUNTY OR THE PERSON WITH THE LEASE. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THEIR RENTERS CREDIT. THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT HOW THAT WILL WORK AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND SO WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT. I THINK THIS IS... I POINT THIS OUT BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF LIKE A BRAND-NEW WRINKLE, JUST IN MY QUEUE, BUT MAYBE SOMETHING THAT SHOWS THAT WE SHOULD SUPPORT A DELAY TO IRON OUT ALL THESE DETAILS. I DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE TO FORGO THEIR RENTERS CREDIT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU. [1:41:59] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO FURTHER FOLKS IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM TO MARCH 19th. [1:42:15] Casey Carl: WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: YES. >> Casey Carl: SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: AYE >> Casey Carl: WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: NAY. >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI >> Aisha Chughtai: NAY. >> Casey Carl: WHITING >> Jamison Whiting: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: NAY. >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: NAY >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: AYE. >> Casey Carl: VETAW >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: AYE. >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: NO. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: NO >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: NAY. >> Casey Carl: SIX AYES AND SEVEN NAYS. [1:43:02] Elliott Payne: THAT MOTION FAILS. WE ARE RETURNING TO THE UNDERLYING MOTION. I AM GOING TO ADD MYSELF TO QUEUE. A LOT OF DISCUSSION HERE IS ON SOURCE AND TIMING. ON TIMING THERE'S NOTHING MORE URGENT THAN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW. [1:43:19] Elliott Payne: WE GOT A REALLY ROBUST BRIEFING ON THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY FROM OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN EMERGENCY OPERATIONS. PART OF THAT BRIEFING WAS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE FASTEST MONEY IS PRIVATE MONEY. AND I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT THE OTHER HALF OF THAT BRIEFING WAS THAT RECOVERY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN ONE MONTH. [1:43:40] Elliott Payne: RECOVERY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN ONE YEAR. THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR CITY FOR YEARS TO COME. THERE ARE CERTAINLY PEOPLE ON THE BRINK OF EVICTION RIGHT NOW TODAY, AND MANY, MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE STEPPING UP TO FILL THOSE GAPS TO SAVE THOSE PEOPLE FROM THE BRINK, BUT THEY'RE NOT SAVING EVERYBODY FROM THE BRINK. [1:44:09] Elliott Payne: AND THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED INDEFINITELY, WHICH MEANS THEY MAY OPEN, MAYBE THEY'RE DONE FOREVER. THEY MAY CONTINUE PAYING PAYROLL. I HAVE TALKED TO SOME OF THE BUSINESSES IN MY COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT CUTTING HOURS, THEY'RE NOT CUTTING PAYROLL, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR EMPLOYEES, BUT THOSE BUSINESSES MAY NOT HAVE THE RESERVES TO CONTINUE DOING THAT FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS, ANOTHER YEAR. [1:44:35] Elliott Payne: AND WE'RE ALSO NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND TARGETED AS IMMIGRANTS. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CITIZENS THAT HAVE JUST BEEN STRUGGLING LONG BEFORE THIS CRISIS. AND NOW THIS IS YET ANOTHER THING THAT IS PUTTING THEM DEEPER INTO CRISIS. [1:44:53] Elliott Payne: AND SO THE SOURCE... I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THIS BODY TO SUPPORT CONTINGENCY, BECAUSE I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE PRIVATE DOLLARS THAT ARE ALREADY GETTING OUT THE DOOR RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE RENT HAS ALREADY BEEN DUE. BUT WE'RE GOING TO NEED IT NEXT MONTH AND THE MONTH AFTER THAT. [1:45:24] Elliott Payne: AND DELAYING THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY DOES NOT HELP US. WAITING UNTIL WE FIND OUT THE COUNTY RUNS OUT OF MONEY DOESN'T HELP US, BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY. $1 MILLION IS NOT ENOUGH. [1:45:39] Elliott Payne: WE'RE GOING TO NEED NOT JUST RELIEF FOR THIS FROM THE STATE FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WE'RE GOING TO NEED RELIEF FOR A WHOLE HOST OF ECONOMIC IMPACTS. THE OTHER PART OF THAT BRIEFING WAS THE RECOGNITION THAT THIS IS AT THE SCALE OF COVID OR WORSE. AND THAT REQUIRED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN WITH $300 MILLION OF STIMULUS JUST FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THIS MOMENT TO STEP IN WITH THAT KIND OF STIMULUS TO BACKFILL THESE DOLLARS. [1:46:12] Elliott Payne: BUT WE ARE IN CRISIS. THIS IS NOT ABOUT OUR BOND RATING FOR THE NEXT YEAR. THIS IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY. THIS IS THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. OUR BOND RATING WILL BE IRRELEVANT IF WE ARE IN AN OUTRIGHT CIVIL WAR. IT HAS FELT LIKE WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF CIVIL WAR, AS I'M OUT ON THE STREETS, PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED BY MY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THERE IS NO MORE URGENT CRISIS THAN WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. [1:46:41] Elliott Payne: AND THE OTHER PIECE TO THIS IS THE DISCUSSION OF THE BACKLOG AT THE COUNTY. I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI SPOKE TO THIS, BUT DIRECTOR HANSEN, CAN YOU CONFIRM IF THEY HAVE A BACKLOG? BECAUSE I HEARD ALSO COMMENTS ABOUT THE WAITING LIST. [1:47:08] Eric Hanson: COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, UNDER REQUEST FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI, I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH DAVID HEWITT, WHO OVERSEES THIS PROGRAM AT THE COUNTY, AND I WILL READ: "NO WAITING LIST. ELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED WITHIN 14 DAYS, QUICKER WHEN NEEDED TO PREVENT LOSS OF HOUSING." SO THERE IS NO WAITING LIST. [1:47:32] Elliott Payne: THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO THERE IS AN URGENT NEED RIGHT NOW. PEOPLE NEEDED TO PAY RENT YESTERDAY. THERE IS GOING TO BE A NEED NEXT MONTH AND THE MONTH AFTER THAT, AND THE HOUSING CRISIS IS GOING TO BE WITH US FOR DECADES. SO WE CANNOT RAID OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND AND EXACERBATE THE HOUSING CRISIS. WE CAN'T JUST RELY ON PRIVATE DONORS, BECAUSE THE NEED IS GOING TO GO LONG BEYOND THAT PERIOD OF TIME. THE CITY NEEDS TO STEP UP RIGHT NOW IN THIS MOMENT. [1:48:02] Elliott Payne: I WOULD PREFER US TO USE CONTINGENCY, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT CONTINGENCY IS FOR. ANOTHER ISSUE, USE OF CONTINGENCY THAT WASN'T DISCUSSED IS THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY BECAUSE A CONVENTION THAT WE WERE HOSTING RAN OUT OF MONEY FOR THE PLANNER. THAT WAS RAISED TO A LEVEL OF URGENCY THAT GOT UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM THIS BODY, BECAUSE OF A CONVENTION. IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY TO PAY THEIR VENDORS. THIS IS MORE OF AN EMERGENCY THAN THAT. WE SHOULD BE USING CONTINGENCY. I DON'T WANT TO USE CASH BALANCE BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT OUR BOND RATING, BUT THAT WILL HAVE TO BE OUR NEXT BEST CHOICE. SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM NUMBER 67. [1:48:58] Casey Carl: ON THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL OFFERED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY, STEVENSON, CHAVEZ AND CHOWDHURY. WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: NO >> Casey Carl: SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: NO >> Casey Carl: WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: AYE >> Casey Carl: CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE. >> Casey Carl: WHITING >> Jamison Whiting: AYE. >> Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE >> Casey Carl: STEVENSON >> Soren Stevenson: AYE. >> Casey Carl: RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: NO. >> Casey Carl: VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: NO. >> Casey Carl: PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: NO. >> Casey Carl: CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: AYE. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: AYE. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: AYE. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE EIGHT AYES AND 5 NAYS. [1:49:44] Elliott Payne: THAT MOTION REQUIRED 10 VOTES, SO THEREFORE THAT FAILS. I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. [1:49:50] Jamison Whiting: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IN FRONT OF ALL OF YOU, PULLING THE SOURCE FROM LAHA FUNDS. HAPPY TO TALK TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU. [1:50:11] Aurin Chowdhury: SECOND. [1:50:23] Elliott Payne: WE HAVE A PROPER MOTION BY WHITING SOURCING $1 MILLION FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [1:50:25] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO BRING A SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT WILL STILL KEEP BASICALLY THE ORIGINAL CONTENT OF THE CONTINGENCY MOTION THAT JUST FAILED BUT WOULD ESSENTIALLY CHANGE THE FUNDING SOURCE TO CASH BALANCE. THE INTENT IS STILL THERE. THIS IS NOT THE SOURCE THAT WE IDEALLY WANTED TO GO FOR. WE BROUGHT FORWARD THE ONE MOST APPROPRIATE. UNFORTUNATELY SUPERMAJORITY OF MY COLLEAGUES DID NOT AGREE WITH THAT. SO THIS IS THE NEXT BEST RESORT THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AREN'T CUTTING PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENT LEVEL ACTIVITIES. SO WITH THAT SAID, I AM MOVING THIS FORWARD AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI IS CO-AUTHOR OF THIS. [1:51:11] Elliott Payne: MR. CLERK, WE HAVE TWO SUBSTITUTES. CAN YOU GIVE GUIDANCE ON HOW TO APPROACH THIS? [1:51:18] Casey Carl: MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING WAS IN ORDER AND MADE A MOTION. THAT IS THE MOTION BEFORE THE BODY. THEN THE BODY COULD TAKE UP THE SUBSTITUTE THAT WAS OFFERED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY AND SEVERAL CO-AUTHORS. [1:51:39] Elliott Payne: OKAY. SO THE MOTION CURRENTLY IS FOR THE WHITING RESOLUTION. COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. [1:51:58] Jamal Osman: THANK YOU. I THINK THIS IS THE BEST FUNDING. I DIDN'T HEAR ANY OTHER ARGUMENTS. LET ME JUST SAY COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR MOTION. IT'S TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION. I LIKE YOU BRINGING IT FORWARD BUT I... EVERYTHING COMES THROUGH RELATED TO HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAS A "NO GO" ZONE. STAY AWAY FROM IT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALWAYS PROTECTED. [1:53:10] Jamal Osman: I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT IT, BUT AS CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE, I CANNOT SUPPORT IT NOW. WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE IMMIGRANTS. WE'RE TRYING TO DO VERY LIMITED, PEOPLE WILL BE DISPLACED, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED. THIS IS RESIDENTS' MONEY. WE'RE MAKING THAT DECISION AND AS A COUNCIL BODY, OUR ONLY POWER IS ABOUT THE BUDGET. I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT NOW; I WISH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CASH BALANCE OPTION FIRST. [1:54:20] Soren Stevenson: I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION. [1:54:27] Casey Carl: NOT A PRIORITY MOTION. MR. PRESIDENT, CALLING THE QUESTION IS A STANDARD MOTION. YOU WOULD GET AN ORDER IN THE QUEUE FOR IT. [1:54:55] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [1:54:57] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. SO, I REALLY APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING BRINGING THIS PATH AS AN OPTION FORWARD TODAY. YOU ARE THE PERSON I PROBABLY TALKED TO THE MOST ABOUT THIS TOPIC OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE DAYS AND I SAW A CONTINUOUS DESIRE FROM YOU TO FIND A PLACE OF AGREEMENT AND I SAW HOW DEEPLY MOVED YOU WERE BY THE TREMENDOUS NEED THAT WE ARE SEEING IN OUR COMMUNITY. I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THAT. I SEE THAT NEED TOO AND AGREE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE SOME ACTION NOW. [1:56:03] Aisha Chughtai: THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND WAS CREATED IN 2003 BY THE MAYOR. ITS PURPOSE WAS TO HAVE THE GENERAL FUND PROPERTY TAXES SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS. TODAY, NONE OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND IS GENERAL FUND SUPPORTED. TODAY, WE ARE INVESTING LESS MONEY IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND THAN WE WERE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT HAS REAL LIFE IMPACTS. [1:57:35] Aisha Chughtai: WE CANNOT PIT TWO HOUSING CRITICAL NEEDS AGAINST EACH OTHER. I MADE A COMMITMENT THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A FUND WE'RE GOING TO USE AS THE THING THAT BAILS US OUT EVERY TIME SOMETHING GOES WRONG. I WANT TO HONOR THAT COMMITMENT. WHY ARE WE UNDERMINING THAT AND PITTING PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING EVICTIONS AGAINST PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS IN 3, 5, AND 10 YEARS? THAT IS THE REASON I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS AS A SOURCE AND I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION TODAY. [1:58:45] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [1:58:47] Aurin Chowdhury: THANKS PRESIDENT PAYNE. YEAH, I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I HAVE APPRECIATED OUR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT. YOU AND I COMPLETELY DISAGREE ON IT BUT YOUR DISAGREEMENT WITH ME HAS BEEN KIND. I THINK THAT SHOWS THAT WHEN WE'RE SITTING HERE AND WE'RE HAVING TOUGH DEBATES, WE CAN DO THAT. I JUST WANT TO STATE REALLY CLEARLY THAT $1 MILLION EQUALS A SET OF UNITS THAT WILL BE AFFORDABLE FOR 30 YEARS. [2:01:02] Aurin Chowdhury: I SIMPLY CANNOT VOTE FOR THIS BECAUSE IT IS DEATH BY A THOUSAND PAPER CUTS. WE CAN'T CANNIBALIZE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. IT IS OVERPRESCRIBED BY THE STATE. WE ARE GOING TO NEED A SYSTEM-WIDE SHIFT ON HOW WE DO HOUSING. I COMMEND THE EFFORT TO BRING THIS FORWARD THOUGH. [2:01:48] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. [2:01:50] Soren Stevenson: YEAH, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I WOULD ALSO PREFER TO VOTE ON CASH. I ALSO THINK $1 MILLION FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND IS TOO STEEP. IF I AM STILL ABLE, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION. [2:02:13] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON HAS CALLED THE QUESTION, IS THERE A SECOND? [2:02:18] Aisha Chughtai: SECOND. [2:02:22] Elliott Payne: THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. [2:02:28] Casey Carl: ON THE MOTION TO CALL TO QUESTION, COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: AYE >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> Jamison Whiting: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: AYE. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: AYE. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: NAY. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 7 AYES AND 5 NAYS. [2:03:08] Elliott Payne: THAT FAILS. COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. [2:03:13] Jamison Whiting: THANK YOU PRESIDENT PAYNE. I DO APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD FOR THE PAST WEEKS ON THIS MOTION. I THINK ALL OF US AGAIN AGREE THAT THIS IS AN EMERGENT NEED. NO ONE WANTS TO PUT FORWARD A MOTION THAT TAKES DOLLARS FROM ANY OF OUR FUNDS. TO REITERATE, I FULLY BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST MIDDLE PORTION AND MOVEMENT THAT WE CAN MOVE THIS FORWARD ON. MY WORRY IS THAT I AM NOT SURE THE POLITICAL REALITIES OF THE GENERAL FUND PIECE. I THINK ANY DELAY CONTINUES TO PUT PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES. SO AGAIN, I URGE YOU ALL TO CONSIDER THIS AGAIN. THANK YOU. [2:05:30] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. [2:05:32] Pearll Warren: THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT. MY QUESTION IS FOR COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. IF I AM READING THIS CORRECTLY, IT SAYS THAT THE MILLION DOLLARS ONE TIME RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED FUNDS TO HENNEPIN COUNTY ARE UNSPENT WITHIN A MONTH AND A DAY AT THE END OF OPERATION METRO SURGE, ALL REMAINING FUNDS WILL BE RETURNED BACK TO CPED. SO, THEY WILL GET THE MONEY BACK. IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE? [2:06:08] Jamison Whiting: CORRECT. [2:06:09] Pearll Warren: BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY MONEY FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THAT'S THE PART I'M STRUGGLING WITH, OKAY? I WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO UNDERSTAND I AM NOT ANTI-SUPPORTING ANYONE. THE RED TAPE THAT YOU GO THROUGH JUST TO ASK FOR A CRUMB OF SOME BREAD, I MEAN SERIOUSLY. IT IS A LOT. I URGE YOU TO PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAPS. I WILL SUPPORT THIS, JAMISON, FOR THIS ONE TIME. I WANT US TO VOTE AND BE DONE WITH THIS. [2:08:15] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [2:08:17] Aurin Chowdhury: YEAH, THANK YOU. I JUST FEEL LIKE ONE, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE SURGE IS GOING TO END. WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MUTUAL AID FUNDING THAT WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SEE THE MILLION DOLLARS BACK. IF THIS IS TO PASS OR IF IT'S VETOED, I WILL 100% BRING A GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION IN THE BUDGET CYCLE TO REFILL THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. [2:08:58] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:09:00] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I CANNOT SUPPORT IT. I THINK IT WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR HOUSING STOCK ACROSS THE CITY. THE OTHER OPTION IS THAT WE'RE GOING FOR THE CASH FUND. EVEN IF OPERATION METRO SURGE ENDS, ICE WILL STILL BE IN OUR CITY AND STATE AND KIDNAPPING OUR NEIGHBORS. I CANNOT SUPPORT IT. I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT OF TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. [2:10:18] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING FROM THE SOURCE OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. [2:10:34] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: NAY. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: NAY. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> Jamison Whiting: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: NAY. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: NAY. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: NO. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: NO. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: NAY. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 6 AYES AND 7 NAYS. [2:11:06] Elliott Payne: THAT MOTION FAILS AND NOW I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [2:11:15] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WILL MOVE THE MOTION FORWARD USING THE CASH BALANCE AS A FUNDING SOURCE TO GO TO HENNEPIN COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1 MILLION AND YOU HAVE THE TECHNICAL MINUTES IN FRONT OF YOU TO THE REVISED MOTION AND I WILL ASK FOR A SECOND. [2:11:29] Aurin Chowdhury: SECOND. [2:11:31] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS MOVED THE RESOLUTION, IT'S BEEN PROPERLY SECONDED, I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [2:11:43] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I JUST FEEL SO INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS THE LAST OPTION. WE'RE NOW PULLING MONEY OUT OF OUR FUND BALANCE. OUR FINANCIAL POSITION IS IN AN INCREDIBLY TOUGH PLACE. I REALLY DISLIKE THAT THIS IS WHERE WE ARE PULLING FROM. WE DON'T HAVE CUSHIONS; WE DON'T HAVE MAGIC MONEY HIDDEN PLACES ANYMORE. THIS IS A REFLECTION OF HOW SIGNIFICANT THE NEED IS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MOST OF THE AUTHORS HERE DID NOT PREFER THIS SOURCE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HOPE SINCERELY THIS CAN BE A MOTION THAT THIS BODY CAN APPROVE SO THAT WE CAN DO OUR SMALL LITTLE PART IN KEEPING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES. THANK YOU. [2:14:31] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [2:14:33] Aurin Chowdhury: THANKS PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A QUICK REMARK THAT MEMBERS, WE DO HAVE A PROCEDURAL ABILITY TO RECONSIDER OUR VOTE ON THE CONTINGENCY MOTION. WE CAN DO THAT IF THE BODY SO CHOOSES. THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A WILL AND IF THERE IS A CHANGE OF HEART, IT'S NOT OVER FOR US TO RECONSIDER CONTINGENCY. [2:15:11] Elliott Payne: MR. CLERK, DO YOU WANT TO REMIND THE BODY HOW RECONSIDERATION WORKS? [2:15:15] Casey Carl: MR. PRESIDENT, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER REQUIRES SOMEONE WHO VOTED ON THE PREVAILING SIDE TO MAKE THAT MOTION. THE PREVAILING SIDE WERE COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, AND COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. ANY OF THOSE 5 COULD BRING FORWARD A MOTION TO RECONSIDER. [2:17:02] Elliott Payne: I WILL ADD MYSELF TO QUEUE, JUST TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. YOU HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT YOUR SPIRIT OF PROBLEM-SOLVING. ALTHOUGH YOUR MOTION DIDN'T PREVAIL, I APPRECIATED THE EFFORT YOU PUT INTO THAT. I WILL BE SUPPORTING OUR MOTION THAT IS IN FRONT OF US RIGHT NOW AND SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [2:17:32] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> Jamison Whiting: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: AYE. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: AYE. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: AYE. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 8 AYES AND 4 NAYS. [2:18:20] Elliott Payne: THAT MOTION PASSES AND THAT COMPLETES ALL ITEMS ON THE ENTIRE SUPER COMMITTEE REPORT. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS NOTICE OF ORDINANCE INTRODUCTIONS. WE HAVE THREE NOTICES TODAY, ONE OF WHICH WAS ADDED TO OUR AGENDA AT THE TOP OF THE MEETING. FIRST, COUNCIL MEMBERS CHAVEZ, WONSLEY, PAYNE, AND STEVENSON WANT TO INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE HEALTH AND SANITATION CODE. SECOND, COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ GIVES NOTICE TO INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LICENSES AND BUSINESS REGULATION CODE TO AMEND THE REGULATION OF ALCOHOL ON UNLICENSED PARKING LOT PREMISES. THIRD, COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI GIVES NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 12, CHAPTER 244, RELATED TO HOUSING MAINTENANCE CODE SECTION 244.285 TO ADD REGULATIONS REGARDING OWNER ENTRY INTO A RENTED DWELLING UNIT. THOSE NOTICES ARE HERE BY GIVEN AND NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. [2:19:40] Elliott Payne: THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR. WE HAVE TWO INTRODUCTIONS TODAY. FIRST, PURSUANT TO NOTICE, COUNCIL MEMBERS WONSLEY, OSMAN, CHAVEZ, AND STEVENSON WANT TO AMEND THE HOUSING CODE, GIVE FIRST READING AND REFER TO THE HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEE FOR ITS CONSIDERATION, PROPOSAL TO MORATORIUM DURING STATES OF EMERGENCY. I MOVE TO INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE HOUSING CODE, GIVEN FIRST READING, AND REFER TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE INSTEAD OF PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD AT THAT COMMITTEE'S MEETING ON FEBRUARY 17TH. A PROPOSAL TO TEMPORARILY EXTEND THE PRE-EVICTION NOTICES. THIS INTRODUCTION SEEKS TO BYPASS THE FIRST STEP, WHICH IS NOTICED, SO WE WILL REQUIRE UNANIMOUS CONSENT. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE INTRODUCTIONS? [2:20:30] Robin Wonsley: MOVED. [2:20:31] Jason Chavez: SECOND. [2:20:35] Elliott Payne: THAT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [2:20:41] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU PRESIDENT PAYNE. COLLEAGUES I AM ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THE ORDINANCE TITLED "PAUSE EVICTIONS, SAVES LIVES," WHICH IS A TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGE WHICH WILL PROTECT RENTERS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE ICE OCCUPATION. IF A LANDLORD WANTS TO FILE AN EVICTION, THEY MUST GIVE THE RENTER A 30 DAYS NOTICE. THIS WILL INCREASE IT TO 60 DAYS. THIS GIVES FAMILIES AN EXTRA MONTH TO ACQUIRE THE FUNDS NEEDED FOR THE MISSED RENT. [2:21:52] Robin Wonsley: THE EXPEDITED TIMELINE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAMILIES BEING PROTECTED ON MARCH 1st OR MARCH 9th. THIS WILL LITERALLY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES. I AM NOT BEING DRAMATIC WHEN I SAY THIS, BUT THIS COULD ABSOLUTELY SAVE LIVES. THAT IS A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS. IT'S THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT RESIDENTS THAT I ASK FOR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM COUNCIL ON TODAY'S ACTION TO WAIVE NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE, GIVE A FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE, REFER TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON FEBRUARY 17TH. [2:23:24] Robin Wonsley: IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME OR MOMENT TO EXPEDITE A PROCESS, THIS IS IT. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER PROTECTIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND HOPE THIS IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY IN WHICH WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PAUSE EVICTIONS AND SAVE LIVES. SO WITH THAT, I WILL MOTION THE ITEM FOR APPROVAL. [2:23:44] Jason Chavez: SECOND. [2:23:46] Elliott Payne: IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND SECONDED AND SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [2:23:55] Casey Carl: NOT GUIDANCE, BUT I WANTED TO OFFER SOME EXPLANATIONS BOTH FOR RETURNING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS. COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY AND HER ASSOCIATES ON THE SECOND ONE HAVE DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND THERE IS ACTUALLY A FULL ORDINANCE, IT'S IN LIMS. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WHERE COUNCIL COULD VOTE TO KILL AN ORDINANCE. THIS IS THE FIRST FORMAL VOTE ON AN ORDINANCE. I'M HAPPY TO CALL THE ROLL. [2:25:25] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> Jamison Whiting: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: NO. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: AYE. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: AYE. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: AYE. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 8 AYES AND 5 NAYS. [2:26:07] Elliott Payne: THAT MOTION FAILS, AS UNANIMOUS CONSENT WAS REQUIRED. [2:26:12] Casey Carl: MR. PRESIDENT, THE FIRST ITEM PASSES. IT ONLY NEEDED A SIMPLE MAJORITY. ON ITEM 2, IT FAILED TO GET UNANIMOUS CONSENT. SO COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY WILL GIVE NOTICE TODAY AND MOVE FORWARD AND THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE A VOTE BECAUSE IT BECAME A NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION. [2:26:26] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [2:26:28] Robin Wonsley: YEP, THAT'S IT. THANK YOU CLERK CARL. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE AND SHOW UNITY TO EXPEDITE A LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WHEN THE WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. UNFORTUNATELY, A SUPER MAJORITY OF OUR COLLEAGUES DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. I AM GIVING OFFICIAL NOTICE TO MOVE FORWARD. UNFORTUNATELY AT LEAST AFTER MARCH 1st, THIS WOULD, IF ADOPTED BY THIS BODY, GIVE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THAT ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS TEMPORARILY TO SEEK OUT RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND STAY HOUSED. I LOOK FORWARD TO GAINING A MAJORITY OF MY COLLEAGUES' SUPPORT. [2:27:54] Elliott Payne: THAT NOTICE IS GIVEN AND NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE ONE RESOLUTION TODAY AND THAT IS AN HONORARY RESOLUTION FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WE WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ROTUNDA TODAY, THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH. I WANTED TO EXPRESS THE COUNCIL'S THANKS TO THE CITY'S BLACK EMPLOYEE NETWORK AND THE PLANNING COMMITTEE WHO ORGANIZED TODAY'S BREAKFAST CELEBRATION. DO COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ANY COMMENTS TO ADD? COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. [2:28:40] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU PRESIDENT PAYNE. WE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS ATTEND. IT WAS A SUPER FUN WAY TO START THE DAY IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH. I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A WOMAN THAT WAS THERE AND WE MISSED HER. HER NAME IS DESTINY PROSPER. SHE HAS BEEN A HERO. SHE FUNDRAISED $40,000 FOR JENNY LYNN SCHOOL FAMILIES HERSELF. YOU MAY CATCH HER ON THE NEWS TALKING ABOUT THE AMAZING WORK SHE HAS DONE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. THANK YOU DESTINY, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD WHEN YOU GATHER BLACK PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOOD. THAT WAS A GOOD ADDITION. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND TO BUILDING COMMISSION AND SECURITY FOR MAKING SURE WE WERE SAFE AND WE HAD A GOOD FUN TIME THIS MORNING. [2:30:31] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. [2:30:33] Pearll Warren: THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL. IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO HAVE A MOMENT DURING THIS TIME OF UNCERTAINTY THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO RECOGNIZE THE INSTRUMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE THAT WE HAVE EMBODIED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS HERE IN AMERICA. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE CITY TOOK TIME TO UPLIFT THIS TIME AND MOMENT. THE WORK IS NOT DONE. I JUST WANT TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE EVERYONE THAT WE RECOGNIZED TODAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY. IT WAS WONDERFUL. [2:31:40] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [2:31:42] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU SO MUCH PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXTREME HARDSHIPS THAT OUR BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS, AND IMMIGRANT BUSINESSES PARTICULARLY ARE FACING. WE'RE SEEING FROM OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT THEY ARE IN SOME CASES SEEING AN 80% DECREASE IN THE REGULAR CUSTOMER BASE THEY HAVE. I AM ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO GO TO A BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS, TIP EXTRA IF YOU CAN, AND SHARE IT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA. [2:33:07] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. [2:33:53] Pearll Warren: THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS TRULY AN HONOR AS A NEW COUNCIL MEMBER TO SIT AMONGST A BODY OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL ACROSS THE DIASPORA. DON'T EVER DISRESPECT ME BY EQUATING ME OR COMPARING ME TO MAGA IN ANY WAY. I'M BLACK, BLACK, BLACK. I'VE BEEN HERE. THERE WAS NEVER A TIME WHEN I WAS NOT AND I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE. THE END. [2:34:57] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:35:26] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO CONFER WITH THE CLERKS THAT ALL THE AUTHORS FOR THE TEMPORARY EVICTION NOTICE EXTENSION ARE REFLECTED ON THE NOTICE OF INTENT. I REALLY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE ITEM AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT. NEIGHBORS ARE GOING TO FACE DISPLACEMENT. $1 MILLION IS NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH. I'M DISAPPOINTED WE DIDN'T TAKE EXPEDITED ACTION TODAY BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN STOP. NEIGHBORS CAN ADVOCATE AND ASK FOR THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTION. THANK YOU. [2:36:53] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [2:36:55] Aurin Chowdhury: YEAH, THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE AN APOLOGY TO MY COLLEAGUES. I DID NOT MEAN TO MAKE MY STATEMENT DURING THE RESOLUTION; I MISTOOK THAT FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS. I APOLOGIZE I MADE THAT STATEMENT DURING THE RESOLUTION PORTION. [2:37:14] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY, WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR VOTE REFLECTED FOR THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH RESOLUTION? [2:37:21] Robin Wonsley: YES, AS AFFIRMATIVE. [2:37:25] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [2:37:27] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS MORNING AS EARLY AS 6:00, JUST LESS THAN A DAY AFTER TOM HOMAN ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WOULD BE AN END TO ROVING PATROLS, THAT'S NOT BEEN THE CASE. THIS MORNING NEIGHBORS WERE WOKEN UP BECAUSE ICE AGENTS BROKE DOWN AN APARTMENT BUILDING'S DOOR AND TWO DOZEN AGENTS WENT IN AND ARRESTED A WOMAN THAT WAS OUR NEIGHBOR. WE'RE ALL LIVING THROUGH THIS TOGETHER. THANK YOU. [2:39:24] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, WITH THAT, WE COMPLETED ALL OF THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA. I WILL RECOGNIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE THE LEGAL SESSION AS NOTED ON OUR AGENDA. [2:39:29] Kristyn Anderson: THANK YOU PRESIDENT PAYNE. AS YOU JUST NOTED, THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS A DISCUSSION OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA ET AL VERSUS GNOME ET AL. YOUR LAWYERS WISH TO PROVIDE A BRIEFING TO THE COUNCIL UNDER THIS MATTER. SECTION 13D.05, SUBDIVISION 3B, THE COUNCIL MAY UPON A PROPER MOTION CLOSE THE MEETING FOR THE PURPOSES OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION AS PERMITTED BY THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE. [2:40:11] Elliott Payne: THANK YOU MR. ATTORNEY. I MOVE TO CLOSE OUR PUBLIC MEETING UNDER SECTION 13D.05 FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING A BRIEFING ON THE LITIGATION. MAY I HAVE A SECOND. [2:40:27] Aurin Chowdhury: SECOND. [2:40:28] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. >> Aisha Chughtai: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> Jamison Whiting: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: AYE. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: AYE. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN IS GONE. PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: AYE. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 12 AYES. [2:40:55] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, I WILL NOTE THE BROADCAST OF THIS MEETING WILL CONTINUE AND THE COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE IN PUBLIC AFTER WE CONCLUDED THE CLOSED SESSION. [2:41:01] [CLOSED SESSION BEGINS] [3:40:58] Elliott Payne: THE TIME IS NOW 1:19 AND THE CITY COUNCIL HAS RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION FOLLOWING OUR CLOSED SESSION. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL TO PROVE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. [3:41:07] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> Pearll Warren: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> Elizabeth Shaffer: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> Robin Wonsley: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI IS ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> Jamison Whiting: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> Aurin Chowdhury: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> Soren Stevenson: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> Michael Rainville: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> LaTrisha Vetaw: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> Jason Chavez: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> Jamal Osman: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> Elliott Payne: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: THERE ARE 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. [3:41:40] Elliott Payne: LET THE RECORD REFLECT WE HAVE A QUORUM. WITH THAT, WE COMPLETED OUR BUSINESS TODAY WITH NOTHING FURTHER TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THIS MEETING IS HERE BY ADJOURNED.