[0:18] Elliott Payne: [GAVEL] >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ELLIOTT PAYNE. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL, AND I'M GOING TO CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FEBRUARY 13 TO ORDER. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. [0:50] Casey Carl: [ROLL CALL] >> THERE ARE 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. [0:58] Elliott Payne: >> LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM. BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING, 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. THEREFORE, ALL SPEAKERS NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE RATE OF THEIR SPEECH SO THAT OUR CAPTIONERS CAN FULLY CAPTURE AND TRANSCRIBE ALL COMMENTS FOR THE BROADCAST. WE ASK ALL SPEAKERS TO MODERATE THE SPEED AND CLARITY OF THEIR COMMENTS. [1:30] ADDITIONALLY, I WILL NOTE AS A GENERAL ADVISORY THAT THE RULES OF THE CITY COUNCIL DO NOT PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TO BE MADE AT MEETINGS OF THE FULL COUNCIL. THE PURPOSE OF COUNCIL MEETINGS IS TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY. IT IS NOT A PUBLIC FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR OBSERVANCE ONLY AS REQUIRED UNDER THE MINNESOTA OPEN MEETINGS LAW. [1:50] CONSISTENT WITH COUNCIL RULES, THOSE WHO DISTURB THESE PROCEEDINGS AND INTERFERE WITH THE ABILITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONDUCT THE CITY'S BUSINESS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE. THOSE WHO REFUSE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CHAMBER. I ESPECIALLY WANT TO STRESS THAT WE HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ANY COMMENTS DIRECTED AT ANY SPECIFIC RELIGION, RACE, GENDER OR SEXUAL IDENTITY. [2:09] WITH THAT, THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING IS BEFORE US. ARE THERE ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA? MR. CLERK? [2:14] Casey Carl: >> MR. PRESIDENT, HOPEFULLY MEMBER WILLS FIND AT THEIR DESK ON YOUR BEHALF THE CLERK'S OFFICE HAS PUT FORWARD A MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE UNDER THE ORDER OF NEW BUSINESS -- I'M SORRY, NOTICE OF ORDINANCES AN INTRODUCTION OF A SUBJECT MATTER RELATED TO THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION ON POLICE IN OVERSIGHT, SPECIFICALLY TO THE REVIEW MEMBERSHIP OF THE REVIEW PANELS. APOLOGIES THIS WAS AN ERROR TO NOT GET THIS ON THE AGENDA. IT IS NOT ON THE PRINTED AGENDA, BUT A NOTICE OF THE ORDINANCE TO ADDRESS THE REVIEW PANELS THAT ARE STAFFED BY OR -- ARE USED BY THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION ON POLICE OVERSIGHT FOR CONDUCT REVIEW FOR POLICE MISCONDUCT CASES. AND I CAN SPEAK MORE TO THAT WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM, MR. PRESIDENT. [2:58] Elliott Payne: >> THANK YOU, MR. CLERK. COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT. [3:14] Aisha Chughtai: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. ON YOUR BEHALF, I WANTED TO MOVE TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE IN THE ORDER OF NOTICE OF INTRODUCTIONS AND NOTICE OF INTENT RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION ON POLICE OVERSIGHT REVIEW PANEL TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS AS OUTLINED BY THE CLERK. [3:24] Elliott Payne: >> IS THERE A SECOND? [3:26] Unidentified Speaker: >> SECOND. [3:32] Casey Carl: >> THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. VETAW AYE. ELLISON IS ABSENT. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. [3:39] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 12 YAYS. >> THAT CARRIES AND THAT MOTION IS ADDED TO THE AGENDA. NEXT I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [3:59] Council Member Cashman: >> I'VE JUST BEEN TOLD BY THE CLERK THAT I CAN ADD THIS TO ITEM 9 AND I DON'T NEED TO AMEND THE AGENDA. [4:14] Elliott Payne: >> SOUND GOOD. >> I WILL THEN ASK FOR A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. [4:19] Casey Carl: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN, YA I YAY. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. VETAW AYE. ELLISON IS ABSENT. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. CHUGHTAI AYE. PRESIDEN PAYNE, AYE. [4:34] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 12 AYE YAYS. >> THAT CARRIES AND THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. THE NEXT ITEM IS ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 30. I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES. [4:47] Unidentified Speaker: >> SO MOVED. [4:48] Unidentified Speaker: >> A SECOND. [4:50] Casey Carl: >> CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. VETAW AYE. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. [5:06] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 12 YAY YAYS. >> THAT CARRIES AND THE MINUTES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. FINALLY WE HAVE THE REFERRAL OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS TO THE PROPER COMMITTEES. MAY I HAVE THAT MOTION PLEASE. [5:15] Unidentified Speaker: >> SO MOVED. [5:16] Unidentified Speaker: >> SECOND. [5:18] Casey Carl: >> CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. >> CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. VETAW AYE. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. [5:38] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 12 AYES. >> THAT CARRIES AND THE MATTER HAS BEEN REFERRED. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS PRESENTATION OF REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES TAKEN IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BEGINNING W ADMINISTRATION AND ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT BY PRESIDENT WONSLEY. [5:59] Robin Wonsley: >> WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD 16 ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION. THE FIRST IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE SECOND IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM THE NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION. THIRD IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM HELLO HEART OF TRAVEL AND LODGING. NUMBER FOUR IS A BID FOR BRIDGE 9 IMPROVEMENTS. FIVE IS CONTRACT AMENDMENTS WITH SENIOR SERVICES PROVIDERS. SIX IS CONTRACT AMENDMENTS WITH CORNERSTONE ADVOCACY SERVICE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE ADVOCACY SERVICES. SEVEN IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH HULS BROKERAGE INN INC.. AND EIGHT IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH FAMILY TREE CLINIC FOR SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUTH. NINE IS A CONTRACT WITH ADVOCATES FOR BETTER HEALTH AS FISCAL AGENT FOR MINNEAPOLIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY SUBSTITUTE. 10 IS A LEGAL SETTLEMENT WITH MOHAMMED SHAHIDULLAH. 11 IS A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER IN MINNEAPOLIS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. 12 IS A LEGAL SETTLEMENT WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM. 13 IS A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM OF JONATHAN PETRON. 14 IS A LEGAL SETTLEMENT WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIM OF MICHAEL GRIFFIN. 15 IS A WORKERS COMPANIATION CLAIM OF LEWIS PORRAS. AND 16 IS A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE RELATED TO FIRE DEPARTMENT RECRUITMENT. WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE ALL ITE FOR APPROVAL. AND STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS. [7:41] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [7:47] Jason Chavez: >> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST LIKE TO MOVE ITEMS 12 THROUGH 15 FOR A SEPARATE VOTE. [7:53] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ HAD MOVED ITEMS 12 THROUGH 15 FOR A SEPARATE VOTE. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE ITEMS? COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. [8:06] Council Member Koski: >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. AND I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEM NUMBER 16 REGARDING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECRUITMENT. SO COLLEAGUES, BEFORE YOU IS A STAFF DIRECTION THAT WILL GUIDE OUR POLICY AND RESEARCH DIVISION IN CONDUCTING A LANDSCAPE REVIEW OF MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PRACTICES. THIS REVIEW WILL FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON THE HIRING AND RECRUITMENT OF FEMALE CANDIDATES, EXAMINING THE CHALLENGES IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES, AND COMPARING OUR PRACTICES TO NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES. WOMEN REMAIN SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN EMERGENCY SERVICES, BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. AS THE DEMANDS ON THE FIELD CONTINUE TO GROW AND CHANGE, IT IS IMPERATIVE WE REMAIN PROACTIVE ENSURING OUR WORK FORCE IS NOT JUST CAPABLE AND WELL EQUIPPED BUT ALSO DIVERSE AND REFLECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE. IN 2022 WE MARKED THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST ALL-WOMEN CREW IN THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS WOMEN'S FIREFIGHTER ASSOCIATION ABOUT THE DECLINE IN FEMALE REPRESENTATION. IT'S AN ISSUE WE SEE AS EARLY AS THE APPLICATION PROCESS, THROUGH TO HIRING. WE MUST CHANGE THESE OUTCOMES. TO DO THAT, WE NEED TO CRITICALLY EXAMINE THE BARRIERS THAT EXIST, IDENTIFYING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO SUPPORT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. REPRESENTATION IS NOT JUST A NUMBERS GAME. IT IS ABOUT INSURING THAT EVERY PERSON IN OUR COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF GENDER HAS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE A CAREER IN FIRE SERVICES AND CAN SEE THEMSELVES IN THEIR ROLE. ACROSS THE COUNTRY FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES TO STRENGTHEN RECRUITMENT, REDUCE TURNOVER, AND BUILD MORE INCLUSIVE WORKFORCES. BY STUDYING THESE APPROACHES AND ASSESSING HOW AND BUILD THE WAY AND THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO INSURE THAT THE WORK WE DO TODAY AND INCLUDES A STRONGER, INCLUSIVE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE. [10:24] Elliott Payne: >> THANK YOU. I ADDED MYSELF TO QUEUE. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON ITEM 11, THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THE EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER IN 911. THIS IS SOMETHING BEFORE I RAN FOR CITY COUNCIL, I WAS WORKING ON THE TEAM THAT ULTIMATELY LAUNCHED THE BEHAVIORAL CRISIS RESPONSE WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST NEW PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC SAFETY THAT HAS EMERGED FROM THAT BODY OF WORK, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE BROUGHT FORWARD RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND B.C.R., WE HAD ALSO BROUGHT FORWARD RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT EMBEDDING A SOCIAL WORKER IN 911, AND IT IS REALLY GREAT TO START SEEING SOME OF THOSE IDEAS COME TO FRUITION AND GET IMPLEMENTED. WE WILL BE SEEING THIS AGAIN UNDER OUR BUDGET COMMITTEE REPORT FOR THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FOR THAT, BUT IT'S JUST REALLY EXCITING TO SEE HOW SOMETHING THAT STARTED IN 2019 IS BECOMING A REALITY TODAY. WITH THAT, SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE, CALL THE ROLL ON COMMITTEE REPORT EXCEPT FOR ITEMS 12-15. [11:27] Casey Carl: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. TAW AYE. ELLISON AYE. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. [11:43] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 13 AYES. >> THAT CARRIES AND THOSE ITEMS ARE ADOPTED. NEXT WE WILL TAKE UP ITEMS 12-15. AND SEEING NO one IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [12:00] Casey Carl: >> CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ NO. VETAW AYE. ELLISON AYE. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. -- SORRY, NAY. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. OH NAY. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. [12:22] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 10 AYES AND THREE NAYS. >> THAT CARRIES AND THOSE RYE ITEMS ARE ADOPTED. I ALSO NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT WE HAVE BEEN JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON. THE NEXT REPORT IS FROM THE BUDGET COMMITTEE PRESENTED BY THE CHAIR, VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI. [12:38] Aisha Chughtai: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THE BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL BE BRINGING FOUR ITEMS TO TODAY'S COUNCIL MEETING. ITEM ONE IS APPROVING AN APPOINT TONIGHT THE CAP L THAT LONG-RANGE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE FOR SEAT SIX. ITEM TWO IS PASSAGE OF A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY HALL PROJECT FOR AUDIO-VISUAL, BROADCAST, AND CAPTIONING EQUIPMENT FOR THE COUNCIL CHAMBER. AND ITEM THREE IS PASSAGE OF A RESOLUTION MOVING FUNDS TO THE MINNEAPOLIS EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER OR 911 TO SUPPORT THE JOINT POWER AGREEMENT FOR AN EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER. AND FINALLY, ITEM FOUR IS CONSIDERING RESOLUTION APPROVING VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUNDING FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY. THIS ITEM WAS FORWARDED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION, SO I WILL MOVE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 3 FOR APPROVAL. AND SET ASIDE ITEM FOUR FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND VOTE. I AM HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION SO WE CAN BEGIN DISCUSSION ON ITEM FOUR WHEN THAT IS APPROPRIATE. [13:39] Elliott Payne: >> VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI HAS MOVED ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE. AND WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM FOUR SEPARATELY. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE? SEEING NONE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [13:55] Casey Carl: >> CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. VETAW AYE. ELLISON AYE. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. [14:10] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 13 AYES. >> THAT CARRIES AND THOSE ITEMS ARE ADOPTED. NEXT I WILL RECOGNIZE VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR. [14:19] Aisha Chughtai: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WILL MOVE ITEM NUMBER FOUR FOR APPROVAL. [14:26] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER -- COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI HAS MOVED ITEM FOUR FOR APPROVAL. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? IS THERE A SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. [14:41] LaTrisha Vetaw: >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. A FEW THINGS. FIRST, I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ITEM ITSELF. I SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK I AM NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THIS ITEM FIRST BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS OUR WORK TO DO AS THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL, AND WE SHOULD NOT BE MOVING THIS WORK TO THE COUNTY. SECONDLY, I THINK WHAT WE -- BY MOVING THIS TO THE COUNTY WE'RE DOING THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I AM HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE. THEY WANT TO SEE US DOING OUR WORK AND THIS IS THE SECOND THING ON THIS AGENDA TODAY WHERE I FEEL LIKE WE'RE WORKING AGAINST WHAT THE PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS HAVE ASKED US TO DO. FIRST THING BEING GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE. PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN TO WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE HAPPEN AND WAY TOO MUCH CONVERSATION IN MY OPINION AGAINST WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR. THAT IS THE SAME THING WITH THIS. I HAVE HAD AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SAY THEY WANT US TO DO THIS WORK. THEY ELECTED US TO DO THIS WORK, NOT TO BASS THIS TO ANOTHER GOVERNMENT BODY. I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN DO IT. I'M CONFIDENT IN OUR ABILITIES OF LEADERSHIP. WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT IS TASKED WITH DOING THIS WORK. IF SOMETHING IS HAPPENING, THEN I THINK THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT. I LOOKED AT THE PRESENTATION AGAIN. I READ COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY'S MEMO. THERE IS NOTHING IN THERE AND WHAT I READ IS COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY'S PERSONAL OPINION ABOUT WHAT SHE THINKS IS HAPPENING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND SAFETY N PARTICULAR WITH THIS WORK AND WHY SHE THINKS THIS WORK SHOULD BE MOVED TO THE COUNTY. THERE IS NO DATA TO SUPPORT IT. NOTHING THAT SAYS THAT THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS DEPARTMENT HAS DONE ANYTHING WRONG, SO I CAN'T MOVE INTO THAT. AND IPPED TO ADD THE OTHER DAY, THE CONVERSATION GOT EX-- I WANT TO ADD THE OTHER DAY, THE CONVERSATION GOT EXTREMELY HEATED. WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE, BUT I UNDERSTAND HIS PASSION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND APPROACHING THE COMMUNITY. IT IS NOT ALWAYS OKAY, BUT I GET IT. I CALLED HIM AFTER AND A LOT OF TIMES I TALKED TO HIM BEFORE AND I TOLD HIM LAST WEEK HE SHOULD SPEAK TO THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY WITH SOME OF THE CONCERNS HE HAD. WHEN HE SHOWED UP HERE T FIRST THING HE SAID WAS PEOPLE WEREN'T RETURNING HIS CALLS. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK WE WILL SEE PEOPLE INFUR YATED A LOT MORE WHEN PEOPLE DON'T RETURN CALLS AND THEY SHOW UP AT MEETINGS AND EXPRESS FEELINGS AND THAT IS WHAT I BELIEVE HAPPENED EARLIER MONDAY AND EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH WHAT WAS REVEREND McAFFEY. I PERSONALLY DID NOT FEEL THREATENED BY HIM, BUT I HAVE A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP. I KNOW FOR A FACT REVEREND DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT CERTAIN PEOPLE'S SEXUALITY BECAUSE HE TOLD ME THAT. SO TO CALL HIM HOMOPHOBIC OR USE WORDS THAT I DON'T BELIEVE IS TRUE IS NOT OKAY. IT'S HAPPENED TO ME ON THIS COUNCIL. LEADERSHIP ON THIS COUNCIL HAS LET THINGS GET OUT OF HAND BECAUSE THEY WON'T CALL OUT EVERYBODY FOR WRONG DOING. LEADERSHIP ON THIS COUNCIL PICKS AND CHOOSE. I SAT HERE ON THE DAIS AND ACTUALLY IN CITY HALL AND WAS CALLED THE N-WORD AND I WATCHED MY COLLEAGUES GET UP AND GO TAKE PHOTOS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CALLED ME OUT OF MY NAME. I WAS PERSONALLY ATTACKED BY PEOPLE AND THE MAJORITY OF MY XHEB COUNCIL MEMBERS WHEN I ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL SECURITY TOLD ME THAT I WAS TRYING TO STOP PEOPLE FROM USING THE FIRST AMENDMENT. THE MAJORITY DIDN'T CHECK ON ME. COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON ASKED ME HOW I WAS DOING. WE HAD A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, BUT HE CARED MORE ABOUT MY SAFETY THAN ANYTHING. THE MAJORITY OF MY COLLEAGUES DIDN'T CARE, DIDN'T ADDRESS IT TO THIS DAY HASN'T ADDRESSED IT. LITERALLY TOLD ME THAT I WAS TRYING TO STOP PEOPLE FROM TALKING BY ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL SECURITY. I HAVE SOMEONE STALKING ME RIGHT NOW. WALKED UP BEHIND ME TUESDAY WITH A PAIR OF SCISSORS. AND PEOPLE ARE IN HERE MAKING A BIG DEAL ABOUT SOMEONE COMING HERE VOCALLY EXPRESSING THEMSELVES WHEN THEY'VE TOLD ME IT'S OKAY FOR PEOPLE TO COME INTO THESE CHAMBERS AND SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY. IF ME, IT IS OKAY. THAT IS WHAT I MEAN BY HOLD EVERYBODY ACCOUNTABLE. REVEREND McAFFEY WAS INFURIATED BECAUSE SOMEONE SAT HERE AND ATE AN APPLE IN HIS FACE. I HAVE BEEN CHECKED ON MY BODY LANGUAGE, ON MY TONE BY CONSTITUENTS SINCE I WAS ELECTED. AND GUESS WHAT I HAVE HAD TO DO? APOLOGIZE AND FIX IT. PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT THE THINGS THAT I'VE DONE WRONG SITTING ON THE DAIS AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY FELT DISRESPECTED BY MY ACTIONS AND I HAVE APOLOGIZED TO THEM BECAUSE THAT IS HOW THEY FEEL. I DIDN'T DOUBLE DOWN ON THEM AND TELL THEM, NO, NOW YOU TRYING TO DO SOMETHING -- I NEVER HEARD HIM SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A GUN OR HARMING SOMEBODY. THAT NEVER HAPPENED. IT'S NOT OKAY FOR PEOPLE TO IMPLY AND EMBELLISH THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE. IT IS ENOUGH STUFF GOING ON IN THIS CITY FOR US TO BE DOING THE WORK PEOPLE TASKED US T DO. I DON'T WANT US TO LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE. THE ISSUE BEFORE US WAS ABOUT MONEY BEING MOVED TO THE COUNTY. THE COUNCIL NOT DOING OUR WORK AND RELYING ON THE COUNTY TO DO SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DOING. PEOPLE SHOULD BE RETURNING REVEREND McAFFEY'S CALLS AND ANYBODY ELSE REACHING OUT TO VOICE THEIR OPINION AND THE CRIME GOING ON IN THE CITY ABOUT THE WORK AND THE THINGS THEY ARE SEEING EVERYDAY IN THIS CITY, IN ALL PARTS OF THE CITY. BELIEVE ME, IT IS NOT A NORTH SIDE THING ANYMORE. IT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE IN THIS CITY. WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT IS ABOUT EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY AND SEES IT AND SO MANY MORE PEOPLE WHO SEE IT. SO WE SHOULDN'T LOSE SIGHT OF THAT. YOU CAN'T TAKE THE BLAME OFF WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING HERE AND USING THE INCIDENT AND POLICING EVERYBODY'S WORDS. THERE ARE CULTURAL THINGS THAT HAPPEN. THERE ARE THINGS WE SAY CULTURALLY THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T SAY. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND I WAS THINKING ABOUT HOW IF SOMEBODY BLACK CALLED YOU A BAD MAMA JAMA, YOU'RE NOT BAD. YOU'RE FINE. YOU LOOK GOOD. BUT TO SOME PEOPLE BAD MEANS BAD. THAT'S NOW HOW IT WORK. THERE ARE SOME THINGS AND LANGUAGE THAT WE USE, A WHOLE TIKTOK THING ABOUT HOW WHITE SLANG IS THE OPPOSITE OF BLACK SLANG. WE USE WORDS DIFFERENTLY. AND WE GOT TO GIVE PEOPLE ROOM TO MAKE MISTAKES. THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING. IF SOMEBODY MAKES A MISTAKE, GIVE THEM ROOM TO FIX IT. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE TODAY THAT THE CONVERSATION IS NOT LOST IN WHAT'S BEFORE US AND THAT IS THAT IT IS OUR JOB TO DO THE WORK OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, NOT JUST TO PASS IT ON TO ANOTHER AGENCY. [APPLAUSE] [21:55] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I'M GOING TO SPEAK DIRECTLY ON THE ITEM THAT'S BEFORE US. THE CONSIDERING THE RESOLUTION TO I A PROVE FUNDING FOR -- TO I A PROVE HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR GBI SERVICES AND I JUST WANT TO SAY AS A MEMBER OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, IT IS RIGHT THAT WE ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE JUST LOST THE NEW DIRECTOR. WE DO NOT HAVE A POSITION FILLED FOR G.V.I. AND YGVI. ALMOST AFTER OF THE POSITIONS IN THIS DEPARTMENT ARE VACANT RIGHT NOW. AND SO IT IS OUR JOB AS COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND SAY, HEY, SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING. AND WHEN WE LOOK TO THE COUNTY WE SEE EXPERTS IN THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT THE GVI AND YGVI DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY ARE WORKING OVER THERE. IT IS WORTH SOUNDING THE ALARM AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE WORK FROM THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WITH COUNCIL AND WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP THIS DEPARTMENT AND TO MAKE SURE IT IS SUCCESSFUL. ALL THAT BEING SAID, I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK AGAIN WITH THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF N.S.D., AND A PROCUREMENT LEADER FROM THE DEPARTMENT. I SEE ALL THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAVE AT THE CITY AND IT WORKS TOGETHER AND IS PART OF INTEGRATED STRATEGIES. I AM WORRIED IF WE JUST TRY AND TAKE OUT ONE JENGA PIECE WHICH IS GVI AND YGVI AND PASS THAT OVER TO THE COUNTY THAT THE PUZZLE MIGHT ALL FALL. I CAN'T SUPPORT TAKING OUT THAT PIECE. I AM NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD HERE TODAY. AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND WORKING ON WITH THE STAFF AT THE CITY AND REBUILDING THE CAPACITY OF N.S.D. [23:38] Aisha Chughtai: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. AS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS ITEM, I THINK A LOT HAS UNFOLDED, ESPECIALLY SINCE OUR BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. I WOULD IMAGINE THIS IS TRUE FOR COLLEAGUES, BUT I KNOW I HAVE RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF FORM GENERATED EMAILS, YOU KNOW, REPEATING ALLEGATIONS OF WRONG DOING AND QUESTIONING THE INTEGRITY AND MOTIVATIONS OF OUR MEMBERS AS IT RELATES TO THIS ITEM. I HOPE WE CAN ALL AGREE THIS IS A REALLY SERIOUS MATTER, SO TO MAKE SURE I HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION I NEED TO TAKE A VOTE ON THIS ITEM TODAY. I JUST HAD A FEW QUESTIONS FOR COMMISSIONER BARNETTE IF THAT IS AMENABLE. [24:27] Elliott Payne: >> COMMISSIONER BARNETTE? [24:34] Todderick Barnette: >> GOOD MORNING. [24:36] Aisha Chughtai: >> WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY, COMMISSIONER. BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING ON MONDAY, AND AGAIN, I AM JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND -- I BELIEVE THIS IS A REALLY SERIOUS MATTER, SO JUST TRYING TO GET MORE INFORMATION SO THAT I HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION I NEED AND THE BODY HAS ALL THE INFORMATION WE NEED. THE PUBLIC HAS ALL THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO CONTINUE DISCUSSING THIS MATTER. SO BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING ON MONDAY, I UNDERSTAND YOU HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE HERE AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER REGARDING THIS ITEM AND DURING THAT PRESS CONFERENCE, YOU STATED THAT -- AND I AM QUOTING HERE, UNFORTUNATELY, SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS CHOSE ONLY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT THEM OR THEIR FAVORITE NONPROFIT. THE SELECTIVE AND SELF-SERVING APPROACH NOT ONLY HAMPERS THE INTEGRITY OF THE WORK, BUT ALSO UNDERMINES THE IMPORTANT PROGRESS BEING MADE BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT. AND THEN WHEN ASKED BY A REPORTER IF YOU WERE IMPLYING THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS OR PARTICULARLY COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY WERE TRYING TO -- WERE TRYING TO MOVE THIS MONEY TO BENEFIT THE FAVORITE NONPROFITS, YOU SAY LOOK AT THE FACTS. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE FACTS AND WHICH COUNCIL MEMBERS THIS MIGHT BE ABOUT. I AM WONDERING IF YOU CAN JUST BRIEFLY NAME WHICH COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO, COMMISSIONER. [26:09] Todderick Barnette: >> GOOD MORNING. CHAIR CHUGHTAI, HERE IS WHAT I WILL START WITH. I GOT HERE IN OCTOBER OF 2023. AT THAT TIME I STARTED WORKING WITH DIRECTOR NELSON-BROWN. ABOUT NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER OF 2023 DURING THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS, I WAS BEFORE COUNCIL. AND AT THAT TIME MONEY WAS BEING MOVED TO NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY. AND I SAID AT THAT TIME, LET NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY BUILD CAPACITY. WE GOT TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE. AND AS WE MOVED ALONG, WE IMPROVED THE INVOICING PROCESS. AS WE MOVED ALONG, WE IMPROVED THE R.F.P. PROCESS, TOOK OUT BIAS. AS WE MOVED ALONG, WE IMPROVED THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. [27:22] Aisha Chughtai: >> COMMISSIONER, I REALLY APOLOGIZE. I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU. [27:26] Todderick Barnette: >> YES. [27:27] Aisha Chughtai: >> MY QUESTION WAS, CAN YOU TELL ME WHICH COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU WERE REFERRING TO IN THE COMMENTS? [27:32] Todderick Barnette: >> CHAIR CHUGHTAI, I AM GETTING TO THAT. AND I AM EXPLAINING -- [27:35] Aisha Chughtai: >> JUST ON THE CLOCK. [27:39] Todderick Barnette: >> I AM EXPLAINING THE FACTS. [27:42] Aisha Chughtai: >> I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHICH COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT IS OKAY IF YOU DON'T WANT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. I CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE. [27:55] Todderick Barnette: >> I AM TRYING TO LAY OUT THE FACTS OF WHERE WE ARE. AS WE MOVED ALONG, SEVERAL OF US, MEANING COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MAYOR, MYSELF WERE GETTING CONTACTED BY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND THEY WERE FRUSTRATED AND THEY WERE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY WERE SAYING THEY WEREN'T GETTING PAID. AND EVERY TIME SOMEONE ASKS ME ABOUT IT AND AN INDIVIDUAL GROUP, YOU LOOK AT IT AND WE WENT BACK TO HERE ARE THE CRITERIA THAT WE USE FOR INVOICING. IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DOCUMENTATION, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY YOU. THAT WAS WHERE WE WERE. WE WERE SETTING EXPECTATIONS. WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT, COUNCIL MEMBERS CONTINUED TO SAY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AS WE'RE BUILDING IT. WHEN WE GOT TO GETTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE, RECLASSIFYING POSITIONS -- [29:43] Aisha Chughtai: >> COMMISSIONER, I AM NEARLY OUT OF TIME. I JUST WANT TO MOVE ON. I SUPPOSE TO THE NEXT QUESTION. [29:48] Todderick Barnette: >> I'M GOING TO LAY OUT ALL THE FACTS. I SAID FOLLOW THE FACTS. I AM LAYING OUT THE FACTS. [30:04] Aisha Chughtai: >> THAT WASN'T THE QUESTION I ASKED YOU FOR. I ASKED FOR SPECIFIC COUNCIL MEMBERS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER I AM GOING TO RECEIVE HERE TODAY OR THIS BODY WILL RECEIVE HERE TODAY. SO IN THE INTERVIEW WITH KSTP PUBLISHED ON TV THIS WEEK AND QUOTING THE ARTICLE, YOU SAID UNFORTUNATELY, SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS CHOSE ONLY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT THEM OR THEIR FAVORITE NONPROFIT. IN A STRAR TRIBUNE OP-ED, YOU STATED AND AGAIN, I AM QUOTING DIRECTLY, IT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT TO SAY THAT OFF LOADING AN ENTIRE LINE OF BUSINESS TO THE COUNTY SIMPLY BECAUSE SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS DON'T LIKE WHO WAS SELECTED UNDERMINES ALL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE CITY. SO I AM WONDERING, CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE OR SHARE WITH US WHAT INFORMATION THAT YOU DON'T HAVE OR THIS BODY DOESN'T HAVE CLEARLY THAT LED YOU TO MAKE THIS SERIOUS ALLEGATION OF UNNAMED MEMBERS? [30:58] Elliott Payne: >> I'M SORRY, YOU ARE AT TIME. WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE ON TO COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. YOU CAN GET BACK -- LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE BACK IN QUEUE. [31:02] Linea Palmisano: >> MR. CHAIR, I DIDN'T WANT TO INTERRUPT IN THE MIDDLE THERE, BUT POINT OF ORDER, MR. CHAIR. IS THE CROSS-EXAMINATION OF THE COMMISSIONER HERE TO MAKE A POLITICAL POINT? IS THE POINT TO ATTEMPT TO DEMEAN OR HARASS PROFESSIONAL STAFF HERE TODAY? THERE IS NO PURPOSE BEHIND THE LINE OF QUESTIONING EXCEPT TO PUT THE COMMISSIONER IN A DIFFICULT POSITION. I SUGGEST THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT PUT ON THE FLOOR FOR US. THIS ISN'T DEBATE. SHE DOESN'T GET EVEN -- DOESN'T SEEM TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONER TIME TO RESPOND. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE MOVE OF THE FUNDS FROM THE CITY TO THE COUNTY TO OVERSEE CERTAIN PROGRAMMING. SO LET ME CONTINUE. I WILL FIRST NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT I SAID AT COMMITTEE AND N A SUMMARIZED WAY. WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT IN A PREVIOUS DEPARTMENT LEADER, LUANA NELSON-BROWN, WHO STOOD HER GROUND AND REFUSED TO PAY INVOICES WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION. THAT SHOULD BE COMMENDED, NOT VILLAINIZED. UPON SETTLEMENT OF THE COPPOLA LAWSUIT, THEY WORKED HARD TO MEET OR EXCEED ALL REQUIREMENTS OF RIGOR, REMOVAL OF BIAS AND CREATION OF SYSTEM TO SUPPORT VENDORS AND THE CREATION OF A NEW REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL WITH BLIND REVIEW OF THE PROPOSALS AND FURTHER MANAGEMENT OF THE CONTRACTS THE. TO ME THAT IS COMMENDABLE AND READY TO MOVE FORWARD. EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE WE NEED MORE TIME FOR REFORM, EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE WE HAVE OVERWHELMED LEADERSHIP AND NO ADDITIONAL COSTS TO RECREATE THIS EFFORT ACROSS THE STREET AT THE COUNTY. YOU MUST KNOW THIS WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT ALL GVI AND THERE WOULD BE A LARGE CAP IN SERVICE AT LEAST. IN FACT, IT WOULD GUARANTEE THE CRITICAL GVI AND YGVI WORK CANNOT CONTINUE. [33:40] Aurin Chowdhury: >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I APPRECIATE THE TIME. HONESTLY, I AM A LITTLE AT LOSS OF WORDS AT THE MOMENT. I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF DISINFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION THAT IS SWIRLING AROUND IN OUR CHAMBERS AND THE MEDIA HAS BEEN UNTENABLE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PUBLIC IS GETTING THE ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. I DO BELIEVE IF WE'RE HAVING A DISCUSSION ABOUT FUNDING A DEBATABLE POLICY ITEM, A POLICY DISCUSSION ABOUT MOVING GVI AND YGVI FUNDING TO THE COUNTY, WHICH IS A REPUTABLE ORGANIZATION THAT DOES THIS WORK, AND HAS ROBUST CONTRACTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY TOOLS AND MECHANISMS, IT'S A POLICY DISCUSSION WE SHOULD BE HAVING. BUT HOWEVER, IF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS GOING TO MAKE STATEMENTS ACCUSING COUNCIL MEMBERS OF ENRICHING THEMSELVES OR PICKING NONPROFITS OR MOVING THINGS OUT OF THEIR OWN INTEREST, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE QUESTIONED AND WE SHOULD DISCUSS BECAUSE AS A MEMBER, I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S SPEAKING ABOUT ME OR NOT. I CAN SAY FOR A FACT I SPENT TIME WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND MEMBERS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT AT THE BUDGET PROCESS TALKING ABOUT WHY SAFETY IN THE HIAWATHA NEIGHBORHOOD WAS IMPORTANT, AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW TO WORK TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH FUNDING WOULD BE NEEDED TO MOVE THROUGH THEM. WE WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS. I AM AGHAST AT THE FACT THAT ALL OF THESE ACCUSATIONS ARE GOING OUT AND WE CAN'T EVEN HAVE A PUBLIC FORUM TO ASK, OKAY, WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM SO WE CAN GET THE FACTS BUT ALSO EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY CAN HEAR IT. I THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE REMAINED A POLICY DEBATE, BUT IT HAS GONE FAR AND BEYOND, BEYOND THIS AT THIS POINT. I THINK ALSO IT IS REVISIONIST HISTORY TO SAY THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT HAVING TWO COMMISSIONERS OVER TIME, MAJOR STAFF TURNOVER, NOT BEING ABLE TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS, GOING INTO A LAWSUIT, AND SOMEHOW THE COUNCIL NOT DOING THEIR WORK. NO, THE COUNCIL DOESN'T GET TO DETERMINE THE OPERATIONS OF A CITY DEPARTMENT. THAT FALLS SCARY UNDER THE COMMISSIONER AND MAYOR OF THE CITY. OUR JOB IS OVERSIGHT AND BUDGETING, AND CURRENTLY WE ARE IN THE OVERSIGHT PROCESS BECAUSE THE LAWSUIT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO FULFILL INVOICES CORRECTLY OR HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES IS SERIOUS. OKAY, THE COUNTY IS NOT IN A LAWSUIT. DIDN'T HAVE TO DO A SETTLEMENT. THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS HAD TO. AND SO I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY A DISCUSSION THAT WE SHOULD BE HAVING ABOUT MOVING TO A DIFFERENT AGENCY. AND EVEN IF, EVEN IF THERE IS NO MALINTENT IN NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY NOT BEING ABLE TO DO THE WORK THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO, BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT WORK, THERE MIGHT BE A CAPACITY ISSUE. THERE MIGHT BE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT WITH ALL THE WORK THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO TAKE ON, ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING 2020, ESPECIALLY SHIFTING FROM THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION TO NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT. AND WE SHOULD QUESTION, OKAY, MAYBE WE CAN JUST TAKE THIS SET OF PROGRAMMING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN THAT SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT THE COUNTY CONTRACTS WITH AND THE CITY CONTRACTS WITH NEED TO SERVE OUR YOUTH. THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND MAYBE WE JUST TAKE IT OUT OF OUR HANDS AS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND BRING IT OVER TO THE COUNTY TEMPORARILY SO OUR HOUSE AND THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS CAN BE IN ORDER, SO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT CAN BE IN ORDER. I THINK THAT IS A FAIR DISCUSSION TO HAVE AND THAT IS WHERE IT'S STARTED. WHAT IT'S TURNED TO IS INFLAMED STATEMENTS, MEDIA PRESS CONFERENCES, MISINFORMATION THAT I WOULD SAY IS SQUARELY PUT OUT BY THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY, COMMISSIONER TODD BARNETTE, AND WE ARE -- [INTERRUPTED] MISINFORMATION IS GOING ON AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF. IT HAS INFLAMED THIS COMMUNITY AND IT HAS LED THREATS THAT WERE PUSHED AT COUNCIL MEMBERS. WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE A THREAT IF SOMEONE SAYS I'M NOT GOING TO -- I'M NOT -- I'M NOT -- I DIDN'T HURT ANYBODY. I DIDN'T SHOOT ANYBODY. HOWEVER, I WILL IF I HAVE TO. WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID IN A LIVE VIDEO. AND WE HAVE TO RECKON WITH THAT FACT. THAT IS A PERCEIVABLE THREAT. I AM NOT ONLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF BUT THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S CHAMBER. AND PEOPLE DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY COME TO CITY HALL. THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED ON MONDAY. THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY. I DON'T SEE US COMING TOGETHER AS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, THE CITY COUNCIL, AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY STANDING UP TO THAT BECAUSE THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THIS IS A POLICY DISCUSSION. MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION PUSHED OUT INTO THE PRESS THAT INFLAMES PEOPLE ENCOURAGES VIOLENCE. WE HAVE SEEN THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN OUR COUNTRY. I'M NOT GOING TO STAND FOR IT AND ALLOW FOR IT TO HAPPEN HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND I APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS THAT THIS IS EVEN OCCURRING. I LOOK TO THE MAYOR AND THE LEADERSHIP AND THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PACIFIC NORTHWESTY TO TAKE LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND FIND A WAY TO RESET BA THIS HAS GOTTEN WAY OUT OF HAND. [40:02] Jamal Osman: >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THE CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING IS MOVING MONEY TO THE COUNTY, AND HERE'S HOW WE GOT HERE. WE REPRESENT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND RESIDENTS OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND NOT GETTING THE SERVICES THEY DESERVE, YES, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO THINK ABOUT WHERE TO TAKE THE SERVICES TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE. IN MY EXPERIENCE, NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY HAS NOT BEEN GREAT. I HAVE BEEN THEY ARE INACTIVE AND THEY SAID FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THEY DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO DO IT. THEY ARE SHORT STAFFED. THERE IS A QUOTE THAT SAYS ONE STAFF PER 100 CONTRACTORS, SO YES, WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY AS LEADERS TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND USE OUR RESOURCES AND RESIDENTS' TAXES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING THE SERVICES THE RESIDENTS DESERVE. WE HAVE PASSED MANY AMOUNTS AND BUDGET MARKUPS FOR SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION AND HOMELESSNESS AND SAFETY. AND THOSE ITEMS ARE THE BUDGET ITEMS LEFT BEHIND AND WAITING UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR. THEY GO BACK ON THE GENERAL BUDGET FUNDING. SO YES, I DO WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND SPENDING A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIND EFFECTIVE WAY TO USE RESIDENT TAXES. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DEBATING. I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT. BUT PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT WE HAVE NOT WITHIN THREATENED -- I GOT THREATENED. I GOT THREATENED. I HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP, NO IDEA REVEREND McAFFEY GOT HERE, HE SPOKE. I LISTENED TO HIM. I HAD THE RIGHT TO TALK TO HIM, TO CALL, TO MAKE HIS CALLS, RETURN HIS CALLS. BUT HE HAS -- I HAVE NO -- NOBODY HAS NO RIGHTS TO THREATEN ME OR THREATEN MY COMMUNITY. YES, COME OUT FROM BEHIND THAT CAMERA AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENED. I WILL DO YOU KNOW WHAT. SOMALI COUNCIL MEMBER HATES BLACKS. I CAN'T HATE MY OWN. THIS DIVISION BETWEEN AFRICAN-AMERICAN OR SOMALI OR ANY OTHER COMMUNITY, IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I WANTED TO SAY THAT WE'RE HERE TO DO THE COMMUNITY WORK AND WE SHOULD BE PROTECTED. AND WE SHOULD NOT BE THREATENED. RIGHT NOW THE ITEM IN FRONT OF US, I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT. THE ITEM IN FRONT OF US IS TO MOVE THAT MONEY, AND I HAD A SIDE CONVERSATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER, AND I APPRECIATE HIM GETTING BACK TO ME. I WAS LOOKING FOR THE ANSWER TO SAY IF WE move THIS $1.3 MILLION TO THE COUNTY, HOW WILL THAT AFFECT OTHER PROGRAMS THAT CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS PROVIDING TO THE RESIDENTS? THAT QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED. AND SO IF THIS MONEY WILL AFFECT OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE MINNEAPOLIS PROGRAMS THAT EXIST RIGHT NOW, IT WILL BE HARD FOR ME TO VOTE ON THIS ITEM. BUT IF WE CAN GET THE NUMBER TO HOW MUCH MONEY WE CAN MOVE THAT IT WILL NOT EFFECT THE SERVICES WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW, THEN I WOULD BE WILLING TO VOTE ON THAT. BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT ANSWER. AND WE DID ASK PUBLICLY LAST MEETING IF THAT QUESTION COULD BE ANSWERED. BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT IT'S NOT PUBLIC INFORMATION, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO ESTIMATE THAT. SO YES, THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THAT IS ALL FOR ME TODAY. [44:45] Michael Rainville: >> I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THIS TODAY. THIS FLIES IN THE FACE OF WHAT OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF HAS DONE TO ADD ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TO THIS UNARMED SAFETY PROGRAM. THE SAME ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY THAT WE HOLD OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO. UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THE VENDORS THAT HAVE GOTTEN MONEY IN THE PAST WERE NO LONGER TO SELECTED TO GO FORWARD AND THAT IS WHY THIS IS COMING FORWARD TODAY. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW THIS IS COMING FORWARD TODAY BECAUSE THERE ARE VENDORS THAT WERE NOT CHOSEN THAT HAVE GOT IN THE PAST. THEY DESERVE BETTER. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY WORD TO THE REVEREND McAFFEY THAT I WILL DO WHAT I CAN TO WORK WITH THE PUBLIC CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR AND COME SPEAK IN THE PROPER FORMAT AT THE PROPER TIME. COUNT ON THAT. IN REMARKS TO SOMEONE MENTIONED THE LAWSUIT. THAT LAWSUIT BEGAN BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN TRANSPARENCY SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION. THAT'S THE TRUTH. FOR MY FINAL REMARK, IT IS IMPORTANT WE TALK ABOUT SAFETY FOR STAFF AND FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS. FOR COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, THE SAME MEETING SHE WAS THREATENED AT, I WAS THREATENED AND FAMILY WAS THREATENED AND PEOPLE WERE WILL BE TO COME OVER THE DAIS AND NOT A WORD WAS SPOKEN BY ANY OF YOU IN SYMPATHY TO US. SO I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU'RE FINALLY REALIZE THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD BE SAFE IN THE CHAMBERS IN THE PEOPLE'S CHAMBERS AND SO LET'S GO FORWARD AND TREAT EVERYBODY THE SAME AND TO MYSELF AND COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW AND MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. [46:58] Elliott Payne: >> I WILL JUST SAY THIS. LEADERSHIP DOES TAKE YOUR SAFETY SERIOUSLY. AND WE'VE MADE SURE THAT THERE'S PRECAUTIONS. AND UNFORTUNATELY, I WASN'T IN LEADERSHIP AT THAT TIME. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [47:05] Jason Chavez: >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I KIND OF WANT TO GO BACK TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE SAID BECAUSE I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT MY COMMUNITY HEARS THAT THEY MATTER. AND THAT IN ANY INSTANCES, ESPECIALLY IN THE CLIMATE WHERE THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY IS UNDER ATTACK AND ANY FORM OF PHOBIA IS UNACCEPTABLE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. HETEROPHOBIC LITTLE GIRL, I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. THAT'S A PROMISE. I HAVE NOT HIT NOBODY. I AIN'T SHOT NOBODY. HOWEVER, I WILL IF I HAVE TO. FOR THE LONGEST TIME I NEVER WANTED TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET AND IT TOOK ME UNTIL AFTER COLLEGE TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET, AND I DID -- [INTERRUPTED] I'M GOING TO FINISH SPEAKING. I NEVER WANTED TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET. I TOLD MYSELF I WAS GOING TO BE STRAIGHT MY WHOLE LIFE. BECAUSE OF THE ATTACKS FOR GETTING BULLIED GROWING UP AND SPEAKING LIKE A LITTLE GIRL. WHEN SOMEBODY CALLS ME A LITTLE GIRL AND YOU ARE GAY, THAT IS HOMOPHOBIC PERIOD. WHEN SOMEONE USES THE WORD HETEROPHOBIC IS NOT A THING. HETEROPHOBIC IS NOT A THING, TO BE VERY CLEAR. IT IS NOT A THING. I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN. THAT'S A PROMISE. THAT'S A THREAT. I AIN'T SHOT NOBODY. HOWEVER, I WILL IF I HAVE TO. THAT IS A THREAT. AND I'M GOING TO SAY IT BECAUSE FOR THE PAST TWO MEETINGS THIS HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AND NOT TALKED ABOUT. IT IS WRONG. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE. ENED AND I AM PROUD TO BE GAY. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE GAY AND I WILL KEEP ON SAYING THAT BECAUSE I AM PROUD TO BE GAY. I'M GOING TO FINISH. I'M GOING TO FINISH. THAT NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED. THE MOVE TODAY SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN TO THIS POINT. THE MOVE TODAY WAS ADDRESSING MISMANAGEMENT IN A DEPARTMENT. IT IS ABOUT ADDRESSING THE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS UTTERLY FAILED TO KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE. THIS DEPARTMENT HAS FAILED OUR RESIDENTS AND NOT EXCEPT THEM SAFE. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINTS WHERE HOMOPHOBIC LANGUAGE AND THREATS ARE BEING USED. THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS ITEM WAS ABOUT. IT IS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND ADDRESSING THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS' NEEDS. PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND THIS DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO GET ITS ACT TOGETHER. THANK YOU. [50:33] Andrea Jenkins: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I -- I JUST WANTED TO STATE, I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS ITEM TODAY. WHEN WE FIRST STOOD THIS PROGRAM UP IN 2018, I, ALONG WITH MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, SAID, BEFORE WE START POURING ALL THIS MONEY INTO THIS DEPARTMENT, LET'S BUILD THE DEPARTMENT SO THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THIS WORK. WE ARE SEEING THE CHALLENGES OF TRYING TO FLY AN AIRPLANE WHILE WE'RE BUILDING IT. IT IS CREATING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. AND SO FROM WHAT I AM UNDERSTANDING FROM THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS SERVING AS THE INTERIM DIRECTOR AT THIS POINT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO INSURE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS PROGRAM AND I AM WILLING TO TRUST OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO DO THAT WORK. SO I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS ITEM TODAY. [52:11] Elliott Payne: >> BEFORE I CALL ON COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS, THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. PLEASE KEEP THE PEACE IN THE CROWD. LET US HAVE THIS DEBATE ABOUT AN IMPORTANT POLICY ISSUE BEFORE US. PLEASE. COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT. [52:26] Aisha Chughtai: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. EARLIER AFTER MY COMMENTS, THERE WAS A QUESTION ASKED ABOUT WHETHER THE FACTS THAT I WAS STATING REPEATING WORDS WERE SOMEHOW POLITICALLY MOTIVATED. SO I WANT TO START BY SAYING THAT I KNOW IT IS, ONE, A VIOLATION OF THE ETHICS CODE FOR A LOCAL OFFICIAL TO ENGAGE IN THE CONDUCT THAT HAS BEEN ALLEGED IN THE PUBLIC AND BIAS, FAVORITISM OF THOSE WHO RECEIVE CITY CONTRACTS. AND THAT TWO, IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE ETHICS CODE TO NOT PROMPTLY REPORT THAT CONDUCT. AND I BELIEVE IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THIS BODY TO HAVE A COMMITTEE UNDERSTANDING OF WHETHER THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY EVIDENCE BEING PROVIDED TO CORROBORATE THAT THIS ACTION BEFORE THE BODY IS MOTIVATED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH SPECIFIC VENDORS THAT WERE CHOSEN OR NOT CHOSEN. NO EVIDENCE TO CORROBORATE SUCH A THING, BUT IF THAT WERE TRUE, IT NEEDS TO BE -- THERE NEEDS TO BE EVIDENCE PROVIDED TO US BECAUSE WE CAN TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION HERE. SO A MEMBER THAT HAS ENGAGED IN THAT TYPE OF CONDUCT RECUSES THEMSELVES FROM THE VOTE TODAY. AND I CONTINUE TO JUST SEAR HIGH LENS OR NO ANSWERS IN THE -- SILENCE OR NO ANSWERS IN THE FACE OF THESE QUESTIONS. I WILL SAY THAT WHEN I AM RECEIVING EMAILS FROM CONSTITUENTS, ASKING ME TO INVESTIGATION A MEMBER OF THE BODY, WHICH TO BE CLEAR, I DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO, I DO FEEL, THOUGH, AS AN OBLIGATION, THAT I HAVE AN OBLIGATION AS A MEMBER AND AS AN EMPLOYEE TO BE WELL INFORMED TO MAKE DECISIONS AND TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF SUCH A SERIOUS ALLEGATION. SO IF I CONTINUE TO SEE THE COMMISSIONER NOT PRESENT ANY EVIDENCE THAT HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY MADE, I THINK THAT SHOULD BE STATED PUBLICLY. I AM -- I AM -- I AM GOING TO JUST END BY SAYING THAT THIS IS LIKE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT WORK. WE HAVE SO MANY RESIDENTS THAT RELY ON GVI AND YGVI SERVICES. THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES AND THAT IS AT ITS CORE THE PRESERVATION OF THAT WORK IS WHAT WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT HERE. AND I WILL SAY I CONTINUE TO BE REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT WE HAVE ALLEGATIONS BEING MADE ABOUT UNNAMED COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH ENGAGING IN INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE BEING PROVIDED. THAT ON MONDAY THIS BODY WHILE IN COMMITTEE ASKED SEVERAL TIMES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS WHETHER WE COULD GET AN ACCURATE NUMBER OF THE CONTRACTS FOR GVI AND YGVI AND ACCURATE BUDGET AND WERE REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THESE CONTRACTS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING NEGOTIATED. WE COME TO FIND OUT LATER IN THE WEEK THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE COMPLETE, THE CONTRACTS WERE READY. AND THAT THEY HAD BEEN ACTUALLY SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL EARLIER IN THAT DAY FOR A COMMITTEE MEETING THAT IS COMING UP. SO THOSE QUESTIONS THAT HAD CLEAR ANSWERS WERE JUST -- WERE NOT -- WERE UNANSWERED. AND I THINK THAT'S INCREDIBLY TROUBLING FOR A DEPARTMENT THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO A LOT OF SCRUTINY, AND RIGHTFULLY SO BECAUSE OF SYSTEMIC MISMANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURAL ISSUES IN DELIVERING ITS CRITICAL LINES OF SERVICE. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [57:12] Robin Wonsley: >> FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO RESET THE CONVERSATION AROUND MY VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUNDING RESOLUTION THAT'S BEFORE THIS BODY BECAUSE SINCE THE BUDGET MEETING THIS PAST MONDAY, THE CONVERSATION HAS DEVOLVED INTO EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS ATTEMPTING TO ADDRESS. THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. AND THAT DYSFUNCTION HAS SIMPLY PUT RESIDENTS' SAFETY AT RISK. IN 2024 HOMICIDES DECREASED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHY THEY INCREASED HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS. AND I WISH THAT WEREN'T THE CASE, BUT THAT IS THE REALITY. AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT HAS NOT PRODUCED ANY DATA ON THEIR OUTCOMES FOR TWO YEARS, AND THAT SHOULD ALARM EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ROOM, EVERY SINGLE RESIDENT IN OUR CITY AND ANYONE LISTENING. VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS LIKE GVI HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE HOMICIDES BY BUDGET MARGINS IN CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND IT ACTUALLY USED TO DO THAT HERE, TOO. UNDER MAYOR BETSY HODGES, AND MINNEAPOLIS VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM RECEIVED NATIONAL AWARDS. AND FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS THROUGH TWO DIRECTTORS AND TWO COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE RECEIVED ZERO DATA ON THE EFFICACY OF THESE PROGRAMS AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND HAVE SCORED 139-100 FOR OUR WORK. THIS HAS BEEN RAISED DOZENS OF TIMES WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT IN THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY LEADERSHIP AND WITH THE MAYOR. AND THESE CONVERSATIONS HAVE HAPPENED IN PUBLIC IN VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND WITH SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH LEADERSHIP ALL OF LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR. AND COMMISSIONER BARNETTE COULD HAVE ADDRESSED THE CONCERNS AT ANY TIME BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE THAT HIS DEPARTMENT COULD ADMINISTER THESE JOBS AND I WOULD NOT PROPOSE THAT EVIDENCE TO THE COUNTY IF THERE WAS EVIDENCE THEY WERE WORKING WELL AT THE CITY. I ASK THE COUNTY FOR HELP IN THE SHARED INTEREST AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND KEEPING RESIDENTS SAFE AND RATHER THAN SEE THIS AS A POSITIVE OPPORTUNITY IN EXPRESSION OF OUR CONTINUED COLLABORATION AROUND THIS WORK BECAUSE THIS IS NOT NEW, THE ADMINISTRATION CHOSE TO SPREAD MISINFORMATION IN THE ALLEGATION THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS. AND THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS WAS ECHOED BY RESIDENTS TO ANGER, CONFUSION AND I FEEL VERY UNSETTLED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION CHOSE FALSE ACCUSATIONS AND THAT THE ACCUSATIONS ESCALATED TO A POINT WHERE DEATH THREATS WERE MADE AND THAT THIS CONVERSATION HAS GOTTEN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AND IS SIMPLY DISTRACTING FROM THE CURRENT ISSUE AT HAND WHICH IS THE CONTINUED FAILURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT TO CORRECTLY ADMINISTER PROGRAMS THAT KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE. AND THIS CONVERSATION HAS ALSO LED TO AND MANY MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS. AND SEVERAL STATES MADE BY STAFF AS ILLUSTRATED WITH A CONTINUED LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND MISINFORMATION AS COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT NOTED ON MONDAY, THE CONTRACTOR WERE IN NEGOTIATION AND SUBMITTED THE R.C.A. TO PUT THE AGENDA TO BE TAKEN UP ON MONDAY. AND THEY HAD TO PUT THE AMOUNT IN THE R.C.A. BY 11:00 A.M. THEY COULD HAVE DISCLOSED THAT TO US AND THEY DID NOT. ALSO, THERE WERE OBVIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT BUDGET TRANSPARENCY RELATED TO THAT. AND STAFF SHARED FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR MANY OF US THAT N.S.A.'S ENTIRE BUDGET IS NOT BROKEN DOWN BY PROGRAM. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NO DATA TO SUPPORT HOW RESOURCES FOR PROGRAMMING SHOULD BE CONTRIBUTED. AND HAVE NOT EXPLAINED HOW TO TRANSITION CLIENTS AND OVER TO NEW CONTRACTORS AND ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT THEY ARE AT LIMITED STAFF CAPACITY. THERE IS NINE VACANCIES WITHIN THIS DEPARTMENT AND ONE OF THOSE POSITIONS IS THE GVI AND YGVI PROGRAM MANAGER. AND MOST SIGNIFICANT OF ALL NSC HAS NOT ARTICULATED ANY METRICS FOR THEIR GOALS FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN CONTRACTS. AND HOW MANY CLIENTS ARE THEY ANTICIPATING TO SERVE? INDIANAPOLIS HAD A 34% REDUCTION IN HOMICIDES. I'M SORRY, I AM SPEAKING. IS OUR GOAL THE SAME PERCENTAGE? LOWER OR HIGHER? THOSE ARE THE METRICS THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IN THE DATA AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN THAT. AND SO I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH MY COLLEAGUES EXPRESSING THE DEBATE AND WHILE SOME HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE WITH THE GENERAL DEPARTMENT, SOME ARE CATCHING UP IN REAL TIME. THE PUBLIC, SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE CATCHING UP IN REAL TIME. AND I DO WANT TO MOVE AT THE SPEED OF MY COLLEAGUES, SO WITH THAT, I AM GOING TO MOTION OR ASK THE COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT TO WITHDRAW HER MOTION FOR APPROVAL. AND THEN I AM GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION, IF YOU ACCEPT, TO POSTPONE INDEFINITELY. [1:02:49] Aisha Chughtai: >> MR. PRESIDENT, I AM HAPPY TO WITHDRAW THE MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM TODAY. [1:02:54] Elliott Payne: >> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT? COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS MOVED TO POSTPONE INDEFINITELY. IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT FURTHER? [1:03:20] Robin Wonsley: >> YES. THIS PROPOSAL IN THE CURRENT FORM IS NO LONGER ON THE TABLE. BUT I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE VENDOR WHO IS RECEIVE THESE CONTRACTS THAT WE WERE NOT TOLD ABOUT, EVEN THOUGH THE ADMINISTRATION HAD THAT INFORMATION AS OF 11:00 A.M. OF THIS MONDAY, AND DID NOT PROVIDE THAT TO US, AND I AM PRETTY SURE THAT WAS INTENTIONAL, WE WANT TO ENSURE THOSE VENDORS WHO HAVE RECEIVED THOSE CONTRACTS HAVE AS MUCH STABILITY AS POSSIBLE TO DO THEIR WORK EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT FEAR OF ANYTHING CHANGING WITH THE CONTRACTS. THAT SAID, Z I WILL CONTINUE TO USE MY AUTHORITY TO BRING MUCH-NEEDED SCRUTINY TO THE GVI AND YGVI PROGRAMS. AND THE WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAM AND MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. AND WHEN THE YGVI AND GVI CONTRACTS COME TO AO THIS SUZUKI, I AM WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND COUNCIL LEADERSHIP TO HAVE THOSE BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SO THAT THE ENTIRE BODY CAN GET ANSWERS TO THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT HAVE SURFACED DURING THIS INFORMATION AND HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT DO YOU TRULY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS CITY AND DEPARTMENT WITH EFFECTIVELY RUN THE PROGRAMS AND KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE. ALSO IN C.O.W., I WILL EXPECT LEADERSHIP TO MAKE THE PRESENTATIONS ON THE PLANS TO RUN THE PROGRAMS AND TO BASICALLY TO YOUR WORK. DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND SHOW WHAT METRICS OF SUCCESS LOOK LIKE AND THERE IS NO DATA TO AFFIRM THAT. SO TO BE VERY CLEAR, THERE IS NO ROBUST, ONCE AGAIN, SPECIFIC DATA, RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT NSD HAS SHOWN THAT THE PROGRAMS ARE KEEPING OUR RESIDENTS SAFE. BY MAKING THIS PARTICULAR MOTION, IT ALLOWS ME AND ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER TO EXPLORE OUR OPTIONS FOR ADDRESSING THIS FAILURE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE AND ADDRESS ANY POTENTIAL ONGOING MISMANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAMS. SO WITH THAT, I WILL CONCLUDE. [1:05:48] Jeremiah Ellison: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WILL START BY SAYING THAT I WILL OBVIOUSLY SUPPORT THE MOTION. I HOPE WE ALL WILL. I DID WANT TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WHY I THINK THIS DISCUSSION IS A VALID DISCUSSION, NOT NECESSARILY THE WAY IT'S TRANSPIRED ON THE DAIS, BUT WHY I THINK THIS DISCUSSION IS A VALID ONE. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THAT CONTRARY TO SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO I RESPECT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, THIS IS NOT ABOUT VENDOR WHO IS DIDN'T GET PAID. THIS IS NOT ABOUT SPECIFIC VENDORS. IT HAS TO BE CEDE. FOLKS MIGHT NOT WANT TO HEAR THAT, BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT. IT HAS TO BE SAID. THIS DOESN'T FLY IN THE FACE OF ANYTHING, RIGHT? THERE IS NO EXPLICIT ACCUSATIONS OF FORMER DIRECTOR NELSON-BROWN OF CORRUPTION, BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS A RECOGNITION THAT THINGS WERE NOT GOING WELL. THERE WERE QUESTIONS. THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SERVICE DELIVERY. THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT PAYMENTS TO VENDORS THAT ARE NEVER FULLY ADDRESSED. AND IF THERE WERE VALID REASONS FOR THEM, THEY WERE CERTAINLY ELUSIVE TO COUNCIL. THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FIDELITY TO A MODEL, ANY MODEL, WHEN IT COMES TO DELIVERING THESE SERVICES AND THE QUESTIONS WERE NEVER FULLY ADDRESSED. I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO STATE THAT. SO IF THERE WERE ANSWERS, IF THERE WERE VALID ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS, THEN COMMUNICATION NEEDED TO BE MUCH MORE THOROUGH THAN IT WAS. AND BECAUSE IT WASN'T, YOU'VE GOT COUNCIL MEMBERS STRIE TRYING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT ARE REALLY APPARENT AND WITH NO, SEEMINGLY NO ANSWER. I THINK IT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS A FEW OTHER THINGS. THIS MOVE AND THE REASON I SUPPORTED IT WOULD BE A TEMPORARY MOVE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS EVER MENTIONED IN THIS DISCUSSION. BUT IT WOULD BE A TEMPORARY MOVE. AND SO I THINK THAT THAT'S JUST REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SET CONTEXT AS WE ENGAGE IN, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, A LOT OF HYPERBOLE UP HERE P IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN VIEW WHAT THIS MOTION WAS AND WHAT IT WASN'T. AND THIS WAS NOT A PERMANENT DISCARDING OF THE SERVICE TO THE COUNTY. IT NEVER WAS I THINK THAT WE HAVE A VACANCY IN THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS DEPARTMENT, RIGHT? ALL THE OUTSTANDING QUESTIONS THAT MAYBE HAD GOOD ANSWERS THAT WE NEVER HAD ACCESS TO. BUT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY DID OR DIDN'T, WE THEN HAD THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT SEEK ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, RIGHT? IT IS NOT AN ISSUE TO GO SEEK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, BUT IT IS WHEN YOU HAVE A DEPARTMENT IN AN UNCERTAIN STATE OF THINGS. AND SO WE HAVE EMERGING LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, RIGHT, THAT ARE NEW. I HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE NEW AND EMERGING LEADERSHIP IN NSD. I HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR LAKES AND OTHERS THAT WE HAVE SEEN GIVE PRESENTATIONS IN FRONT OF US. BUT WE'VE JUST GOT SO MANY MOVING PIECES AND WE HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS, AND WE DON'T SEE A LOT OF COMMUNICATION. IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE FOR THE COUNCIL TO SAY LET'S TAKE A LITTLE OFF YOUR PLATE FOR A LITTLE WHILE. THAT IS MY VIEW. A FEW THINGS THAT I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT I KIND OF DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT, BUT I FEEL LIKE IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, REVEREND McAFFEY IS A NORTH SIDE LEADER. HE IS GOING TO SPEAK HIS MIND. WE ALL KNOW THAT. I HOPE WE UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THAT. I AM SOMEBODY WHO IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE COMFORTABLE BEING YELLED AT REVEREND McAFFEY SO I HAD TO CATCH MINE IN THE HALL BECAUSE I CAME LATE TO THAT COMMITTEE, BUT I WILL SAY THAT, LIKE, I TRUST REVEREND McAFFEY'S WORDS, AND NONE OF US CAN DENY TIM PACT YOUR WORDS HAD -- THE IMPACT THAT YOUR WORDS HAD. I TRUST YOUR HEART, BUT MY COLLEAGUES DON'T KNOW YOU, SO THE IMPACT OF OUR WORDS REGARDLESS OF OUR INTENTION ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AND TAKEN UP. IF FOLKS DO NOT WANT TO LEVEL SET, I RESPECT IT, RIGHT? IF FOLKS DON'T WANT TO MAKE AMENDS, I RESPECT IT. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT FOLKS ARE SAYING THEY FEEL ARE VERY REAL. BUT I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET TO A TO WORK TOGETHER AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AGREE WITH THEM OR NOT, AND I DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH OUR GOOD REVEREND, BUT WE CAN'T GET TO THE STATE WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN'T COME AND ADDRESS US. THIS IS NOT A POINT WHERE ONLY TALK TO US NICE BUT DON'T TALK TO US AT ALL. ON THE NORTH SIDE, WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE TALKED TO NICE. AT THE SAME TIME WHEN YOU MAKE THREATS AND PEOPLE FEEL THE IMPACT OF YOUR WORDS WERE HOMO PHOBIC, SEXIST, AN ATTACK, I THINK THAT ME KNOWING YOUR HEART, I THINK YOU ARE A BIG ENOUGH MAN TO ADDRESS THAT AND LEAN INTO THE CRITICISM AND WE HAVE TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO LEAN INTO ANY CRITICISMS WE RECEIVE AS WELL. WITH THAT THERE IS A MOTION BEFORE US. I AM GOING TO SUPPORT IT, BUT I ALSO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO STATE THAT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE TOOK THE VOTE OR NOT, THERE ARE VALID REASONS TO SUPPORT A MOVE TO THE COUNTY AND VALID REASONS TO OPPOSE A MOVE TO THE COUNTY. ER AND I THINK THAT THE WAY THE DISCUSSION HAS PLAYED OUT HASN'T BEEN THE MOST PRODUCTIVE. FOLKS MIGHT GET MAD AT ME FOR PLAYING PEACEMAKER, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVEN'T ALWAYS PLAYED THAT ROLE ON THIS COUNCIL, BUT I THINK IF IT'S IMPORTANT IF THERE IS ANYTHING GOING TO GET DONE, THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE COMMUNICATION. PEOPLE CAN'T DIG THEIR HEELS IN AND SAY I AM SICK OF THAT PERSON AND THAT COUNCIL MEMBER AND THAT STAFF, BECAUSE WHO THE HELL DOES THAT SERVE? IT DOESN'T SERVE ANYONE FOR EITHER SIDE OF THE ADMIN OR COUNCIL TO DIG IN IN THAT WAY. COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY RIGHTFULLY RECOGNIZED PROBLEMS IN THIS DEPARTMENT AND UTILIZED HER LEADERSHIP TO SEEK A RESOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM. I THINK THAT THAT SHOULD BE COMMENDED. IT SHOULDN'T BE DISPARAGED. FIT'S NOT THE FIX, FAIR ENOUGH. BUT THE ANSWER CANNOT BE THE STATUS QUO EITHER. WITH THAT I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION AND I HOPE THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL AS WELL. [1:13:17] Elliott Payne: >> I ACTUALLY PUT MYSELF IN QUEUE AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON ADDRESSED A LOT OF THE STATEMENTS IN HIS STATEMENTS, BUT EVEN AT THE MOST COMMENT, WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL FAILURE OF A COMMUNICATION. I WAS ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH REVEREND McAFFEY ON FRIDAY NIGHT DURING A RIDE ALONG WHERE WE WERE WALKING THROUGH THE ACTUAL WORK ON THE GROUND. AND EVEN JUST IN THAT BRIEF INTERACTION, IT WAS VERY CLEAR WHAT HE IS HEARING FROM THE CITY IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM THE CITY AS LEADERS OF THE CITY. AND THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL BREAKDOWN IN HOW COMMUNICATION IS HAPPENING. THAT CAN'T WORK IN AN AREA WHERE WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IS DYNAMIC. WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND, WE HAVE SOME PROVEN MODELS HERE, BUT IT IS NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE A TEMPLATE THAT WORKS IN COMMUNITY, RIGHT? THIS IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. THIS IS ABOUT TRUST. THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNICATION. THIS ENTIRE DEBATE HAS DEMONSTRATED A LACK OF TRUST, A LACK OF COMMUNICATION, A LACK OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TRANSFORM SAFETY IN OUR CITY IN THE ABSENCE OF TRUST, COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTION WITH COMMUNITY. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. THING ALSO ELEVATES A BROADER CONVERSATION AS WELL AROUND HOW WE NEED TO BE MOVING FORWARD WITH A CULTURAL OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS CONVERSATION, NOT ALWAYS IN THE BEST LIGHT. BUT WE HAVE TREATED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT LIKE THEY ARE ON SOME ISLAND WITH A UNIQUE FAILURE. NO, THEY ARE THE DEPARTMENT THAT CARRIES THE GUNS. THEIR FAILURE HAS LIFE AND DEATH CONSEQUENCES. BUT THAT BREAKDOWN IN TRUST AND COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY PERSISTS THROUGHOUT THIS INSTITUTION. IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE FAILURE OF GOVERNMENT BROADLY, AND SURE, M.P.D. IS EASY TO PUT UP ON THE WRONG PEDESTAL, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK DEEPLY AND NOW IT IS COMING N.S.D. AND WE CANNOT HAVE THE RESPONSE THAT DEFENSIVENESS AND ACCUSATIONS AND HAD WE HAD DEEPER COMMUNICATION THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR ON THIS TOPIC, WE WOULD BE IN A DIFFERENT PLACE RIGHT NOW. IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE WHY THIS CHAMBER IS PACKED WITH A BUNCH OF FRUSTRATED PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD THE TRUTH IN THE SAME WAY WE HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD THE TRUTH BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN COMMUNITY WITH EACH OTHER THE WAY WE NEED TO BE. SO I AM GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY FOR STARTING THE DEBATE THROUGH THE ACTION OF MOVING MONEY TO THE COUNTY BUT THROUGH THE FORESIGHT OF SAYING THERE IS WORK THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO REPAIR, AND WE'RE GOING TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM TO DO THAT REPAIR. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WORK ON THAT. [1:16:21] Aurin Chowdhury: >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO FOLLOW YOU, BUT THIS IS THE ONE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE ITEM. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I THINK -- I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT A LACK OF INFORMATION GIVEN TO EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, AND I ALSO THINK THERE IS A SHARED FRUSTRATION. THERE'S JUST GENUINELY A SHARED FRUSTRATION. WHAT I HEARD ON MONDAY IS THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE DYING. AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT AND IT BREAKS MY HEART. IN MY OWN WARD, YESTERDAY MORNING, SOMEONE IN MY WARD GOT SHOT IN THE FACE AND THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. LOOKING INTO THE ALLY AND THEY GOT SHOT IN THE FACE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION THAT WAS THERE. WE SHOULD NOT SEE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NOT HAVING PLACES TO GO AND STEALING CARS AND THESE YOUNG KIDS THAT I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ALONGSIDE COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE ON MY RIDE ALONG, I SEE MY YOUNGER BROTHER IN THEM, RIGHT? THEY ARE AT THE START OF THEIR LIFE AND THERE IS NO PLACE AND SEE THEMSELVES IN THE FUTURE CAREER. AND IT IS VERY POSSIBLE FOR US AS A CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO HELP THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, RIGHT? I KNOW THAT FOLKS HERE IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, IN THE COMMUNITY, AT THE COUNTY, KNOW THE KIDS BY NAME. THEY KNOW NARNTS, GRANDMOTHERS, AND WHERE THEY LIVE AND HANG OUT AND YGVI AS A MODEL AS COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE NAMED HAS BEEN REALLY, REALLY SUCCESSFUL IF EXECUTED WELL. AND THAT IS WHAT THIS ITEM IS ABOUT. IT IS A FEAR THAT IN OUR CURRENT SYSTEM AS A CITY WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXECUTE IT WELL ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY. THAT IS WHAT THIS IS SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT AND MOVING TO HENNEPIN COUNTY. IT WAS STATED THAT NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO GIVE US TWO YEARS WORTH OF DATA. YOU SHOULDN'T ACCEPT THAT. NONE OF US SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THAT AND GIVE US THE DATA AND INFORMATION TO PROVE THINGS ARE SUCCESSFUL. A "STAR TRIBUNE" HEADLINE IN AUGUST 2024, AMID ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGAL PRACTICES, MINNEAPOLIS WILL START AUDITING VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS. THAT WAS AUGUST OF 2024. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN THAT LONG. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE US FOR CALLING THAT OUT TO SAY WE WANT TO HAND OVER A MILLION DOLLARS TO ANOTHER ENTITY, BUT THAT IS WHERE WE'RE AT, RIGHT? BECAUSE WE WANT GVI AND YGVI TO WORK AND THAT IS WHY I WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND THAT RIDE ALONG SHOWS TO ME WHEN I LOOK AT A CASE FILE OF A KID WITH 40 INCIDENTS THAT DIDN'T NEED TO HAPPEN, WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT THIS WITH THE URGENCY THAT WE NEED TO AND THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE ISN'T WORKING. AND THAT'S NOT A REFLECTION OF ANY OF THE HARD WORK I KNOW THAT THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT ARE TRYING TO DO. I THINK THEY'RE CONSTANTLY WORKING HARD TO CATCH UP AND BUILD THE PLANE AS THEY'RE FLYING IT. THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE LEADERSHIP IS TO DIRECT OPERATIONS AND TO HOLD ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACTIONS AND INACTIONS. THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO SEE HERE. MY JOB, I DON'T GET TO CONTROL THE OPERATIONS. IT IS TO LEGISLATE, BUDGET, AND DO OVERSIGHT AND DISCUSS AND COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AS A PUBLIC AND MAKE SURE THAT SERVICE DELIVERY HAPPENS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS AMS ME TO DO THE RIDE ALONGS AND SHOW UP ON THE BLOCK AND UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT IS GOING ON. I WANT KIDS IN OUR CITY TO HAVE A FUTURE. I REALLY, REALLY DO. I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN CHANGE COURSE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE HERE, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE CONFIDENCE BASED OFF TWO YEARS OF EVIDENCE THAT THE CURRENT STRUCTURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO CHANGE BECAUSE A SETTLEMENT HAPPENED AND NOW THERE IS A PINKY PROMISE THAT THE CONTRACTS WILL PUT IN IT PLACE. AND MOVE IT TO THE COUNTY THAT HAS ROBUST AUDITING AND MUCH MORE STAFF AND RELATIONSHIPS BUILT WITH A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT THAT COMMUNITY IS FAMILIAR WITH. I AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT POSTPONING TODAY. I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE T. S THAT NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT HAS SELECTED COME BEFORE A COMMITTEE. I WILL CONTINUE TO ASK QUESTIONS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO EXECUTE IT WELL. AND AGAIN, IT IS NOT ASCRIBING ANY DISBELIEF THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STAFFED CURRENTLY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WORK. I JUST THINK THEY ARE FAR TOO UNDERSTAFFED AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE TOP OF LEADERSHIP HASN'T BEEN THERE TO REPLAYER THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE SEEN THUS FAR. THAT IS THE END OF MY COMMENTS. I AM WILLING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE RESOLVE ISSUES TOGETHER AND FIND PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER. THAT IS ALWAYS MY GOAL. AND I HOPE WE AS A BODY CAN LEARN A LESSON FROM THIS AND FIGURE OUT HOW THIS RESHAPES AND RESETS OUR WORK. AGAIN, I THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY FOR CALLING THIS FORWARD AND BRINGING THIS A NECESSARY DISCUSSION THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE. [1:22:25] Linea Palmisano: >> MR. CHAIR, COUNCIL CAN'T HOLD ITSELF ABOVE OR OUTSIDE THE LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRUST THAT IT EXPECTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION. I, TOO, APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON'S WORDS. WE SHOULD HAVE AN EQUAL AND LEF PLAYING FEEL AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND OUR CONSTITUENTS. IT IS FRUSTRATING AND EVEN HAS BEEN ANGERING TO ME AND OTHERS THAT FINALLY NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT IS READY TO move FORWARD. FINALLY READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS NEW LEVEL OF RIGOR AND MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WANT TO MOVE BACKWARD INTO THE PAST, GO CALL UP THINGS FROM THE PAST WHEN THEY ARE FINALLY READY TO MOVE FORWARD. HOW HARD AND DEMORALIZING IS THAT FOR OUR ADMINISTRATION TO TRY AND PUSH FORWARD CHANGE? SO YES, WE HAVE SEVERAL NEW MEMBERS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT. SOME REALLY COMMITTED ONES IF YOU HAVE SEEN THEIR PRESENTATIONS AND THOSE THAT ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT THE FORMER DIRECTOR DID WELL. FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T GO AND LISTEN TO THE PRESENTATION AT THE LAST A.E.O. MEETING, LISTEN TO THEIR PRESENTATION. OR LISTEN TO THE PRESENTATION FROM LAST FALL WHERE THEY SAID LAST FALL THERE WOULD BE NO CONTRACTS IN PLACE STARTING APRIL OF 2025. IT'S ON A SLIDE FROM LAST FALL WE TALKED ABOUT THIS. POSTPONE TO WHEN? LET'S JUST DELETE THIS FROM THE AGENDA. I WILL AGREE TO POSTPONE INDEFINITELY TODAY, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU ARE JUST REMOVING THIS. IT WAS PRESENTED AGAIN EVEN LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND THE A.E.O. MEETING AND NEXT TIME WILL HAVE THE APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS AND AS CHAIR WONSLEY OF THAT COMMITTEE SAID SHE WILL MOVE TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, BUT I HOPE WE WILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE AND DEMONSTRATES THE RIGOR AND WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU. [1:24:35] Casey Carl: >> SEEING NO ONE LEFT IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE POSTPONE OF ITEM FOUR. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. VETAW AYE. ELLISON AYE. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. THERE ARE 13 AYES. AND THAT CARRIES. [1:25:13] Elliott Payne: [GAVEL] >> AND BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT COMMITTEE, I THINK WE HAVE ALL DESERVED A LITTLE BIT OF A RECESS HERE. LET'S RESET AND COME BACK IN 10 MINUTES. THANK YOU. THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL IS IN RECESS. [GAVEL] [1:42:11] Elliott Payne: [GAVEL] COLLEAGUES, WE ARE READY TO RETURN FROM RECESS. AND MR. CLERK, I WILL ASK YOU TO CALL THE ROLL TO VERIFY THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM. [1:42:28] Casey Carl: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, PRESENT. >> OSMAN, PRESENT. RAINVILLE PRESENT. CHAVEZ PRESENT. VETAW PRESENT. ELLISON IS ABSENT. KOSKI PRESENT. WONSLEY PRESENT. JENKINS PRESENT. PALMISANO PRESENT. CHOWDHURY PRESENT. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, PRESENT. PRESIDENT PAYNE, PRESENT. >> THERE ARE 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. LET THE RECORD REFLECT WE HAVE A QUORUM. [1:43:03] Elliott Payne: OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS WILL BE REPORT FROM THE BUSINESS, HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN BY THAT COMMITTEE'S CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. [1:43:08] Jamal Osman: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. BUSINESS, HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEE IS BRINGING FORWARD 12 ITEMS. ITEM ONE IS LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION FOR BAR HARMONY. THIS WAS SENT WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. ITEM TWO IS APPROVING A RENTAL HALL AND EXTENDED HOURS LICENSE FOR 1893 AT THE HISTORIC GRAIN BELT OFFICE. ITEM 3 IS GRANTING A DEMOLITION APPEAL TO RICHARD HUTSELL. AND ITEM FOUR IS GRANTING AN APPEAL FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE PROPERTY AT 204 5th AVENUE SOUTHEAST. ITEM FIVE IS APPROVING LIQUOR LICENSE APPROVALS. ITEM SIX IS LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS. ITEM 7 IS RENTAL DWELLING LICENSE REINSTATEMENT FOR THE PROPERTY AT 2008 21st AVENUE NORTH. ITEM 18 IS APPROVING THE DISTRICT GRANT. ITEM NINE IS APPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION FOR FORGIVENESS LOAN TO MERCADO CENTRAL LLC. ITEM 10 IS ADDITIONAL 2025 HOUSING TAX CREDIT FOR HOUSING PROJECT AT 2016 NICOLLET AVENUE SOUTH. ITEM 11 IS THE RESOLUTION APPROVING A HATE CRIME PREVENTION GUIDELINES. AND LASTLY, ITEM 12 WE HAVE AN EXTENDED HOURS LICENSE FOR LOWRY HANDY STOP. THIS ITEM WAS SENT FORWARD WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION AT THE MEETING. I WILL MOVE APPROVAL FOR ALL OF THESE ITEMS EXCEPT THE LAST ITEM, ITEM 12. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. [1:45:08] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE REPORT MINUS ITEM 12. IS THERE DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE ITEMS? COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. [1:45:14] Michael Rainville: >> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO ITEM ONE AND 12 WHEN APPROPRIATE. JUST FOR ITEM ONE, I DID WORK OUT THE SITUATION ON WHEN THE ENTERTAINMENT WOULD STOP. AND SO I AM GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS. THANK YOU. [1:45:28] LaTrisha Vetaw: >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SEPARATE VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER THREE. PLEASE. [1:45:42] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW HAS ASKED FOR A SEPARATE VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER THREE. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE ITEMS? COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [1:45:51] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I JUST WANTED TO UPLIFT ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, THE GREAT STREETS BUSINESS DISTRICT SUPPORT GRANT AGREEMENTS. SUPER EXCITED TO SEE A COUPLE OF NEW PROJECTS BEING FUNDED IN THE UPTOWN COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR IN THIS ROUND INCLUDING THE FARMERS MARKET LED BY NEIGHBORS AS WELL AS UPTOWN ASSOCIATION'S ARTS AND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS CENTERED AT LAKE AND HENNEPIN. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORK WITH THE ASSOCIATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS ON THE PROMISING AND UPTOWN REVITALIZATION STRATEGIES THIS YEAR. [1:46:28] Jeremiah Ellison: >> JUST FOR CLARITY, ITEM ONE WAS MOVED WITHOUT APPROVAL. DO WE HAVE AN AFFIRMATIVE MOTION? [1:46:33] Elliott Payne: >> YOU MOVED TO APPROVE IT. [1:46:34] Jeremiah Ellison: >> JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ALL -- COOL. [1:46:50] Casey Carl: >> SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEMS EXCEPT THREE AND 12. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, AYE. OSMAN AYE. RAINVILLE AYE. CHAVEZ AYE. VETAW AYE. ELLISON AYE. KOSKI AYE. WONSLEY AYE. JENKINS AYE. PALMISANO AYE. CHOWDHURY AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE, AYE. [1:47:05] Elliott Payne: >> THERE ARE 13 YAY YAYS. >> THOSE ITEMS CARRY AND NEXT WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER THREE. COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT? [1:47:19] LaTrisha Vetaw: >> YES. YES. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I'M NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE I AGREE WITH THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION'S RULING TO STUDY THIS PROPERTY A LITTLE BIT MORE. THIS IS AN OLD CHURCH IN MY WARD THAT IS GOING TO BE DEMOED IF THIS PASSES TODAY, AND THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION HAD VOTED TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THIS CHURCH'S HISTORY AND I AGREE WITH THAT. I THINK THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE SURE THIS PARTICULAR BUILDING, WHICH IT'S ACTUALLY THE BEGINNING OF VICTORY MEMORIAL DRIVE, A VERY HISTORIC PART OF MY WARD. I JUST HEARD BACK FROM A LOT OF RESIDENTS WHO BELIEVE THIS BUILDING IS THE BEGINNING OF REALLY SHOWCASING ALL OF VICTORY MEMORIAL DRIVE. I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS TODAY, AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WOULD ALSO JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND HAVING A LITTLE MORE TIME FOR STAFF TO LOOK INTO THE HISTORY OF THIS PROPERTY. [1:48:34] Jeremiah Ellison: >> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM. IT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT ITEM FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT TYPICALLY I WOULD WELCOME TO LEAVE UP TO ALDERMANIC PRIVILEGE AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, BUT I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS PROJECT OR DEMO THAT IS -- THAT I WANTED TO DISCUSS. FIRST OF ALL, WE DO HAVE SUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR THE DEMOLITION, SO I AM NOT GOING TO SPEAK TO THAT. WE'RE WELL WITHIN OUR RIGHT TO GRANT THIS. AND SOME THINGS THAT ARE NOT MAYBE GERMANE TO THE TOPIC AT HAND BUT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT IS THAT THE CHURCH ITSELF, WHO LEFT THIS THIS BUILDING THIS, FACILITY, FELT THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAS IN LINE WITH THE MISSION OF -- [INTERRUPTED] AM I OUT OF BOUNDS TO SPEAK ON THE INTENT OF THE CHURCH? I WILL ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY. [1:49:51] Joe Fussy: >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBERS ELLISON AND VETAW, WHILE THE SPECIFIC ISSUE IS NOT GERMANE TO THE -- WHILE THOSE CONSIDERATIONS ARE NOT GERMANE TO THE SPECIFIC ISSUE BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY, WHICH IS A DEMO OF HISTORIC RESOURCE AND THERE IS A VERY CLEAR STANDARD IN THE CODE SET OUT TO EVALUATE THAT, I -- ASSUMING YOU ARE WITH THE APPROPRIATE CAVEAT THAT IT IS NOT RELEVANT TO THE DECISION AT HAND, I THINK IT IS OKAY TO REFERENCE. [1:50:23] Jeremiah Ellison: >> WELL, OUT OF RESPECT FOR COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, I WON'T TALK ABOUT THE GRANDER CONTEXT OF THIS BUILDING AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT I WILL SAY THAT WE DO HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS DEMO, AND I DO THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THIS COUNCIL AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS DEMO. AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. [1:50:41] Jamal Osman: >> YEAH, JUST WANT TO ADD ONE -- COUPLE VERY IMPORTANT NOTES THAT THIS PROJECT HAS RECEIVED THE PUBLIC FUNDING AND $3,200 -- JUST HIGHLIGHTING WHAT IS IN THE DOCUMENT. [1:51:14] Joe Fussy: >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBERS, TO TIE THIS ONE UP WITH A BOW, THE STANDARD IS A DEMO OF HISTORIC RESOURCE, HISTORIC RESOURCE IN THE PRESERVATION REGULATIONS IS A PROPERTY THAT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE HISTORIC MERIT AND MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE CRITERIA. STAFF EVALUATED THIS WITH IN-DEPTH RESEARCH AND DETERMINED THIS PROPERTY DOES NOT MEET ANY OF THE CRITERIA FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION, HENCE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO GRANT THE DEMO. AND SO COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON IS CORRECT, THE COUNCIL IS WELL WITHIN ITS LEGAL BOUNDS BASED ON THE EVIDENCE OR THE RESEARCH AND THE FACTS IN THE RECORD TO I A PROVE THE DEMO AS IT IS TEED UP TODAY BEFORE YOU. HISTORIC RESOURCE DESIGNATION OR THAT TERM AS IT IS APPLIED TO BUILDINGS IN THE CITY IS REALLY A TERM THAT IS USED TO DICTATE PROCESS. IT IS WHETHER A DEMO GETS APPROVED ADMINISTRATIVELY OR IT HAS TO GO TO THE H.P.C. FOR A PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS. SO WHAT IT IS IS WHEN ANYONE APPLIES FOR A DEMO PERMIT IN THE CITY T PLANNING DIRECTOR REVIEWS ALL DEMO PERMITS AND DETERMINES WHETHER THE BUILDING AT ISSUE IS AN HISTORIC RESOURCE. AND AGAIN, IT IS A VERY CURSORY LOOK BY STAFF INITIALLY TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY BELIEVE IT HAS HISTORIC MERIT. AND SO IT'S A REAL JUST INITIAL GLIMPSE. AND SO IF THEY DO THAT AND BELIEVE IT DOES, THEY SEND IT TO THE H.P.C. TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT IT. THAT IS WHAT WAS DONE HERE. SO OTHERWISE THEY CAN APPROVE IT ADMINISTRATIVELY OVER THE COUNTER. SO THEY SENT IT TO THE H.P.C. AND THAT GAVE STAFF THE TIME TO DO THE RESEARCH ON ALL OF THE CRITERIA, THE POTENTIAL CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION. AND TO ENGAGE IN THAT CLOSER LOOK, WHICH THEY THEN PUT INTO THE STAFF REPORT THAT WAS PRESENTED AT THE H.P.C., SO THE STAFF RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE DEMO, THAT THIS PROPERTY DOES NOT MEET ANY OF THOSE CRITERIA. AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. IF THE OUTCOME WHEN THE H.P.C. DENIES A DEMO OF HISTORIC RESOURCE AND THEN ASSUMING THERE IS NO APPEAL, THE COUNCIL WITH SUSTAIN -- SUSTAINS THE DENIAL OF THE DEMO AND SEND IT INTO A FULL-BLOWN HISTORIC STUDY THAT CAN TAKE UP TO A YEAR AND THE PROPERTY IS PLACED UNDER WHAT IS CALLED INTERIM PROTECTION AND IS BEING STUDIED AND FREEZES IT ESSENTIALLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THE CODE ACTUALLY WORDS IT AND USES "SHALL" NOT "MAY" AND IT DETERMINES, IT SAYS IF THE -- IF THE COMMISSION OR THE COUNCIL BECAUSE WE'RE ON APPEAL, DETERMINES THAT A PROPERTY IS NOT AN HISTORIC RESOURCE, THE DEMO SHALL BE APPROVED. THERE ISN'T EVEN DISCRETION. NOW, AGAIN, YOU HAVE A STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON THE ONE HAND HERE TO APPROVE THE DEMO AT THE H.P.C. THAT DID. [1:52:05] Council Member Koski: >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WONDERING IF I COULD ASK A FEW MORE QUESTIONS. I HEARD WHAT THE CITY ATTORNEY JUST STATED AROUND WHAT IS IN OUR AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW, BUT I ALSO WANT TO HONOR AND JUST LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT WOULD BE THE -- IF THIS WEREN'T TO BE APPROVED TODAY AND SHE IS REQUESTING A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO MAYBE GATHER THESE FINDINGS OR CAN YOU JUST HELP WALK THROUGH WHAT WOULD THE PROCESS BE IF THIS WEREN'T TO PASS TODAY? AND -- WOULD THEY GO THROUGH ANOTHER APPEAL PROCESS? [1:55:05] Casey Carl: >> SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM NUMBER 3. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN -- JUST TO AFFIRM, IT'S TO GRANT THE APPEAL AND SUPPORT THE DEMOLITION. >> CORRECT. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> NAY. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> NO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS. >> NAY. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> NO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> AYES. >> VICE PRESIDENT CHUGTAI. >> AYE. >> PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> AYE. THERE ARE 9 AYES AND 4 NAYS. THAT ITEM APPROVES. [1:55:40] Elliott Payne: NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER 12. I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 12, I WAS ABLE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THE BUSINESS OWNER, GO MORE IN DEPTH WITH M.P.D. AND INTERACT WITH THE CONSTITUENTS THAT BROUGHT THEIR CONCERNS FORWARD. THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN COMMUNITY, M.P.D., AND OWNER. WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO HERE IS REALLY SOLIDIFY WHAT ARE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND THE OWNER HAD AGREED TO. THE OWNER WAS VERY OPEN AND ACCEPTING OF THIS, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY -- I WANT TO THANK MR. FUSSY FOR HELPING US GET THIS INTO A FORMAL DOCUMENT. WHAT THE COMMITTEE WAS CONSIDERING WAS APPROVAL OF A 24/7 LICENSE FOR -- THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN OPERATING PRIOR TO THE NEED OF THE LICENSE AND THIS OWNER IS TRYING TO GET -- TO MAKE SURE THAT HE'S OPERATING IN A CONFORMED WAY TO THE CURRENT LICENSING REGIME. RENEWAL WILL BE UP IN MAY AND THEY WILL WORK TO HAVE A MORE HEIGHTENED INTERACTION TO ENSURE THERE ARE NOT THE ISSUES RAISED BY COMMUNITY AND IF THEY SAW ISSUES, THEY WILL WORK WITH THE OWNER TO GET ADDITIONAL SECURITY. THIS AMENDMENT ESSENTIALLY REFLECTS THAT. I DON'T WANT TO READ IT BECAUSE IT'S TECHNICAL BUT IF THERE WAS THE USE OF A DANGEROUS WEAPON OR A SHOOTING HAPPENED, IT WOULD GIVE THE PRECINCT INSPECTOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THAT OWNER TO BRING ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES. THE OWNER AGREED TO THAT CONDITION AND THIS HELPS BALANCE OUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAD RAISED ON THE BIZ COMMITTEE WHO WANTED TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD WITH APPROVAL. WITH THAT, I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [1:57:50] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I HAD SUPPORTED A MOTION TO REQUIRE SECURITY FROM 12:00 TO 5:00 A.M. AT THIS BUSINESS AND IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING AT THE TIME THAT THE BUSINESS, THE GAS STATION ONLY WANTED TO LEAVE THEIR WINDOW OPEN, SO THEY WERE ONLY SELLING GAS DURING THOSE HOURS, BUT TO CLOSE THEIR SHOP. SO, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THE 24/7 LICENSE, IF THAT'S ALLOWING THE FULL SHOP TO BE OPEN OR THE WINDOW FOR GAS SALE? [1:58:22] Elliott Payne: >> THE AMENDMENT I'M BRINGING IS NOT MAKING ANY REQUIREMENTS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ON THAT. I THINK WHAT THE BIG CONCERN THAT THE OWNER HAD WAS THE ADDITIONAL COST OF SECURITY WOULD CHANGE HOW HE MIGHT NEED TO OPERATE DURING THOSE HOURS. SO WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES IS, IT SAYS, YOU KNOW, IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN, WE WOULD WANT TO PUT CONDITIONS OF HAVING THOSE SECURITY COSTS ON THE BUSINESS OWNER, BUT TO GIVE ROOM AND SPACE FOR THAT TO NOT HAVE TO BE THE CASE. IF THERE IS A PROVEN INVESTIGATION OF UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON ONSITE, THEN WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE SECURITY? THAT'S RIGHT, I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE PRECINCT INSPECTOR AROUND GIVING HIM THE DISCRETION AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON SAID THAT COULD LEAD TO NOT THE BEST OUTCOMES IF WE COULDN'T VERIFY WHAT HAPPENED. SO THIS IS A MORE DATA DRIVEN APPROACH IF THERE IS A VERIFIED INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE OF NUISANCE, THEN WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PUT THOSE TYPES OF CONDITIONS ON AND NOT HAVE IT OPEN TO INTERPRETATION. [1:59:44] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT IS A LITTLE -- BUT IT SAYS IT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY MUNICIPAL HEARING OFFICER. WHO WOULD BE THAT MUNICIPAL HEARING OFFICE? [2:00:03] Joe Fussy: >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, JOE FUSSY FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. OUR ORDINANCE ALREADY HAS IN PLACE A PROCESS WHICH IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES CAN ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON A BUSINESS LICENSE, HOWEVER THAT RESPECTS DUE PROCESS AND IT PROVIDES OUR MUNICIPAL HEARING OFFICER. SO THE HEARING OFFICERS THAT WE CONTRACT WITH TO CONDUCT MOST OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION AND RENTAL LICENSING APPEALS ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP A RECORD ON A QUESTION, A LICENSING QUESTION SUCH AS THIS. IT'S SIMPLY A RECOMMENDATION THAT COMES TO THE COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL HAS THE FULL AUTHORITY TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION. IN THIS CASE, IT PROVIDES -- IT WOULD PROVIDE, IF THE SECURITY MEASURES WERE DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE AND TRIGGERED BY A QUALIFYING INCIDENT, IT WOULD STILL GRANT THE LICENSEE DUE PROCESS RIGHTS TO APPEAL THAT AND SAY THAT WHETHER IT'S NECESSARY OR WHETHER IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE MOTION, COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S MOTION TENDS TO BALANCE A COUPLE ASPECTS AND PROVIDE DUE PROCESS TO THE APPLICANT, BUT ALSO GIVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO THE CITY TO IMPOSE SOME SECURITY CONDITIONS IF THEY ARE WARRANTED. THE MUNICIPAL HEARING OFFICER IS THE DESIGNATED HEARING OFFICER THAT WE CONTRACT WITH. THEIR ATTORNEYS RESPONDED TO AN R.F.P. AND THAT ARE IN PLACE TO HEAR VARIOUS APPEALS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. SO IT'S JUST A FORM IN WHICH A RECORD CAN BE MADE AND RECOMMENDATION CAN BE DELIVERED TO THIS COUNCIL WITH REGARDS TO WHETHER CONTINUED OR ANY CONDITIONS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, IF THEY WERE TRIGGERED. [2:01:20] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, I WOULD EXPECT THAT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF I WAS TRYING TO IMPOSE SOME CONDITIONS ON 24/7 GAS STATIONS IN MY WARD, WHICH I HAVE DONE IN THE BIZ COMMITTEE AS WELL, THAT THEY WOULD RESPECT MY PROCESS WITH THE BUSINESS OWNER AND THE POLICE INSPECTOR TO CRAFT THAT. I WILL GRANT COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE THE SAME WORK IN MANAGING THIS COMPLICATED ISSUE AND SUPPORT THIS MOTION. [2:02:40] Michael Rainville: >> THANK YOU, I ALSO RESPECT WHAT YOU TRIED TO DO HERE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GONE FAR ENOUGH. I THINK IT'S TOO BROAD AND TOO GENERAL. I HAVE MANY OF THE SAME FRIENDS -- I DON'T HAVE THE SAME CONSTITUENTS BECAUSE THEY'RE DIFFERENT WARDS, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT AREA. THIS PLACE HAS BEEN RAISING HELL FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I THINK YOU'RE BEING TOO SOFT ON THEM ELLIOTT. THEY'RE A SOURCE OF LIVABILITY PROBLEMS AND THEY SHOULD BE DEALT WITH FIRMLY. I RESPECT YOUR EFFORT TO TRY BUT I VOTE NO. [2:03:15] Jeremiah Ellison: >> THANK YOU, FIRST I WANTED TO SAY YOU FIELDED A LOT OF MY TEXT MESSAGES AND CALLS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND I WANT TO RESPECT THAT. SIMILARLY, I TRY NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN ISSUES -- I'M DOING IT TWICE TODAY, BUT I TRY NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN WARD-BASED ISSUES. WE ALL KNOW OUR WARDS BEST, WE OUR WARDS BEST, BUT THIS IS A IN SITUATION IN WHICH STAFF, EVEN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR LICENSING STAFF DID NOT AGREE THAT THE CONDITIONS THAT WERE BEING IMPOSED WERE REASONABLE. SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE GOT TO BE ABLE TO LEAN IN AND I DON'T THINK IT'S SOFT TO SAY, YOU KNOW THAT THE BUSINESSES HAS A RCMP WITH M.P.D. AND M.P.D. FEELS CONFIDENT THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT IMPOSING A PRICEY SOLUTION THAT ULTIMATELY WON'T RESULT IN MY OPINION INCREASED SAFETY, BUT WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN THE BUSINESS HAVING TO LIKELY SHUT DOWN OR KEEP ITS OPERATIONS EVEN MORE INTRUSIVELY OPEN OVERNIGHT AS OPPOSED TO JUST HAVING THE WINDOW, WHICH IS THEIR INTENTION, NOT A LICENSED CONDITION, BUT INSTEAD OF HAVING THEIR WINDOW, THEY WOULD HAVE TO OPEN FULLY POSSIBLY. $80 AN HOUR, $100 AN HOUR, $120 AN HOUR, FIVE HOURS A NIGHT, 365 DAYS, THAT IS NOT A REASONABLE EXPENSE TO IMPOSE ON ANY BUSINESS. SO, WHEN STAFF SORT OF RAISED THEIR CONCERNS, BECAUSE I WAS CONTENT TO SAY NOT MY WARD. WHEN STAFF RAISED THEIR CONCERNS, IT REALLY DID GET ME THINKING ON THIS ISSUE A LITTLE BIT MORE AND I THINK MOVING FORWARD, WE SHOULD BE MORE DILIGENT AND THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WHAT KIND OF EXPENSES WE ARE IMPOSING ON BUSINESSES AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE WORKABLE SOLUTIONS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE REASONABLE OR WE'RE JUST GOING TO MAKE GOODS AND SERVICES MORE EXPENSIVE AT THAT BUSINESS OR POTENTIALLY DESTROY THAT BUSINESS. I THINK WE SHOULD BE MINDFUL OF THAT. THAT'S ALL. [2:05:32] Jamal Osman: >> THANK YOU, I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON MENTIONED EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED TO MENTION. JUST TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE ITEM TO GRANT, BUT THE CONDITION WAS BROUGHT BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DISTRICT TO DISCUSS THE DATA WAS NOT SUPPORTING. THE INSPECTOR FROM THE DISTRICT WAS OKAY WITH HOW IT WAS SET UP. WHAT IS IN FRONT OF US IS SOMETHING THAT ALL PARTIES AGREE THAT THE OWNER, INSPECTOR, THE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, SO I THINK IT'S A NO-BRAINER TO VOTE ON THIS AND MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU. [2:06:01] Andrea Jenkins: >> THANK YOU PRESIDENT PAYNE. I AM ALSO CHALLENGED BY THE MOTION BEING BROUGHT FORTH TODAY BY YOURSELF. YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT -- THERE HAS BEEN CHALLENGES THERE. THIS MOTION SAYS THAT IF ANOTHER CHALLENGE HAPPENS THEN WE CAN GO IN AND TALK TO THE OWNER, THEY CAN APPEAL THAT AGAIN, DRAGGING OUT THIS PROCESS FOREVER. TO COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON'S POINT, IT'S ABOUT THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS BUT THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION. THEY CAN CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT LIKE MOST OF THE GAS STATIONS IN THE CITY DO AS WELL. THERE IS NO RIGHT TO STAY OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY. YOU HAVE TO EARN THAT RIGHT. UP TO THIS POINT, THIS BUSINESS HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED THEY CAN DO THAT WITHOUT ADDITIONAL SECURITY. SO I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION TODAY. [2:07:25] Jeremiah Ellison: >> YES, SORRY. I DIDN'T MAKE IT CLEAR ENOUGH, I WOULD BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION TODAY. I WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. THE LAST MOTION, WHICH WAS THE 5-HOUR IMPOSING OF SECURITY WAS SOMETHING THAT I FELT THAT WE COULDN'T SUPPORT. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A GREAT MEET IN THE MIDDLE. THE BUSINESS OWNERS WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE LAST ONE, STAFF WAS INFORMED. LOOK, WITH ALL DUE RESPECTS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT BRIEFINGS YOU ARE READING FROM STAFF. M.P.D. AND LICENSING ARE NOT AFFIRMING SOME OF THE STORIES I'M HEARING ABOUT THIS BUSINESS. SO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR, IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE BEING INFORMED BY OUR STAFF THAT THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS SHUTTING THIS BUSINESS DOWN. SURELY NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO BE A 24-HOUR BUSINESS, BUT I DO THINK THAT BOTH OUR STAFF AND M.P.D. THINK IT'S PERFECTLY REASONABLE FOR THIS BUSINESS TO BE 24 HOURS. YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS BUSINESS BEING SHUT DOWN OVERNIGHT REALLY DOES. YOU KNOW, IF WE GET A DIFFERENT OPINION FROM LICENSING, THESE CONDITIONS SORT OF MAKE IT REALLY POSSIBLE FOR US TO TRACK WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT BUSINESS THAT IS MORE THAN JUST HEARSAY, BUT GIVES US HARD DATA FROM OUR STAFF. I THINK THAT IS A REASONABLE COMPROMISE AND YOU KNOW, ADDING AN EXTRA, YOU KNOW, $130,000 TO $200,000 OPERATING COST ANNUALLY, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS. THAT SOUNDS EXORBITANT TO ME, FOR ANYBODY. WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION AND I AM GOING TO BE CHALLENGING MYSELF TO BE MORE IN TUNE WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR REASONING FOR THE CONDITIONS OR NOT SO WE DON'T FIND OURSELVES JUST FEELING LIKE IT'S APPROPRIATE TO IMPOSE WHATEVER STRICT CONDITIONS WE WANT, JUST BECAUSE WE SORT OF FEEL LIKE IT. IT HAS TO BE DATA DRIVEN. OUR M.P.D., THEY HAVE DONE TREMENDOUS WORK TO GIVE US THEIR RECOMMENDATION. I THINK THAT OBVIOUSLY THE COUNCIL MEMBER IN THE AREA KNOWS THEIR CONSTITUENTS BEST. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY REASONABLE MEETING IN THE MIDDLE, AND THIS PUTS THE BALL IN THE COURT OF THE BUSINESS OWNER TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT. THIS PUTS THE BALL IN HIS COURT TO PROVE THAT, AS OPPOSED TO US ASSUMING IT OR BASING OUR RESTRICTIONS ON HEARSAY. [2:10:15] Aurin Chowdhury: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, JUST SO I UNDERSTAND EVEN WITHOUT THIS MOTION BEFORE US, IT WOULD BE A VOTE ON AN EXTENDED HOURS OPERATION LICENSE. I WAS IN THE BIZ COMMITTEE BUT THE WAY THE DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE AND THE VOTES TOOK PLACE, IT JUST KIND OF SHIFTED WHERE WE WERE AT. SO THAT IS A GOOD CLARIFICATION. FOR ME TODAY, I THINK IT FEELS PRETTY CLEAR JUST BASED OFF OF MY BEST GUESS AND THE DISCUSSION WE'RE HAVING HERE THAT THE EXTENDED HOURS OPERATION LICENSE IS VERY MUCH LIKELY TO PASS TODAY. I TOO WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAD BROUGHT FORWARD AND THE DISCUSSION WE HAD, SO I SUPPORTED THIS WITHOUT FORWARDING RECOMMENDATION. I THINK THIS IS A MOTION THAT WOULD CREATE A STOPGAP TO ADDRESS THOSE SAFETY ISSUES. WITHOUT THIS MOTION, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THAT AND AN EXTENDED HOURS LICENSE WOULD LIKELY PASS. FOR THAT REASON, I THINK IT'S VERY PRUDENT THAT WE SUPPORT THIS HERE TODAY IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE AN INTERVENTION POINT AND PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY IN THE BUSINESS. I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK THIS IS TOO SOFT. I THINK THIS IS HOW YOU BROUGHT TOGETHER ALL OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS TO COME UP WITH THE SOLUTION TO GET OUT WHAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS NEED. SO I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS TODAY. [2:12:15] Casey Carl: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> NAY. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> AYE. >> ELLISON OOVMENT AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> AYE. >> VICE PRESIDENT CHUGTAI. >> AYE. >> PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> AYE. THERE ARE 11 AYES AND 2 NAYS. [2:12:54] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE WILL BE BRINGING -- THEY HAVE EIGHT ITEMS THAT WERE BROUGHT TO TODAY'S MEETING -- ACTUALLY 9 ITEMS. SO NUMBER ONE IS PASSAGE OF AN ORDINANCE FOR THE GAS FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. NUMBER TWO IS AN ORDINANCE FOR THE ELECTRIC FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. NUMBER THREE IS M.O.U. WITH CENTER POINT ENERGY AND XCEL ENERGY FOR THE CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP. FOUR IS OFFERING AN AGREEMENT RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL STAFF CAUSED ON THE BLUE LINE LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION PROJECT. ITEM 5, ACQUISITION OF A PERMANENT EASEMENT RELATED TO THE UPPER HARBOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. 6, AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT FUND FOR GEE JOE THERMAL PLANNING. 7, LANDSCAPE REVIEW OF POLICIES DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PROPERTY OWNERS ON EXPENSES RELATED TO LATERAL WATER AND SEWER LINES. 8, DIRECTING STAFF TO RESEARCH AND ANALYZE SPECIAL ASSISTMENT ASSISTANT PROGRAMS. 9 IS THE GEORGE FLOYD CONCEPT LAYOUT, WHICH THEY REFERRED TO THE CITY CLERK TO BE REPLACED ON FILE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS AND ALSO ASK TO PULL OUT 9 FOR A SEPARATE VOTE SO I CAN INTRODUCE THE ACCOMPANYING LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE. [2:14:33] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE REPORT AND ASKED TO SEPARATE OUT NUMBER 9 AS A SEPARATE VOTE AND DISCUSSION. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE ITEMS? Council Member Koski. [2:14:42] Council Member Koski: >> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COLLEAGUES. BEFORE YOU, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEM NUMBER 7 QUICKLY HERE, WHICH IS A STAFF DIRECTION THAT GUIDES OUR POLICY AND RESEARCH DIVISION TO EXPLORE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND MITIGATE THE COSTS RELATED TO ASSESSMENT REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF LATERAL SEWER AND WATER LINES ACROSS THE NATION. CITIES ARE GRAPPLING WITH THE ESCALATING COSTS AND LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES OF MAINTAINING THESE CRITICAL UNDERGROUND PIPES. HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS, MANY PIPES WERE INSTALLED DECADES AGO AND ARE NEARING THE END OF THEIR LIFE SPAN. CLIMATE IS INTENSIFYING THE PRESSURES. MANY OF US HAVE FELT THAT TODAY. WE HAVE MORE STORMS, HEAVIER RAINFALL, AND INCREASED FLOODING STRESSING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, LEADING TO BACK UPS, OVERFLOWS, AND FAILURES. HOMEOWNERS BARE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING THESE PIPES, WHICH CONNECT THEIR HOMES TO OUR PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS. WHEN A LINE FAILS, REPAIRS CAN COST THOUSANDS, SOMETIMES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT CAN BE OVERWHELMING, EVEN CATASTROPHIC, ESPECIALLY FOR LOWER INCOME FAMILIES. THE FREQUENCY OF LATERAL LINE FAILURES HAS SURGED IN RECENT YEARS AND COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE. THIS IS A GROWING ISSUE THAT WON'T RESOLVE ITSELF. IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS AND THEIR FINANCIAL SECURITY, AS WELL AS OUR CITY AND ITS CLIMATE ADAPTABILITY AND RESILIENCE. I'M GOING TO SKIP OVER IT, IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE. ACTING NOW, WE CAN REDUCE THE BURDEN OF AGING OVERSTRESSED SYSTEMS ON INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS, SAFEGUARDING THEIR CAPACITY AND OUR ABILITY TO THRIVE IN AN EVOLVING CLIMATE. THIS ENSURES THAT MINNEAPOLIS REMAINS A PLACE WHERE CITIZENS ARE FINANCIALLY PREPARED, LAYING A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. I WANTED TO SAY A QUICK THANK YOU. I'M IMAGINING OTHERS ARE IN QUEUE FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2 HERE, WITH THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS AND I JUST QUICKLY WANT TO COMMEND OUR STAFF, THE COMMUNITY, AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WERE PARTICIPATING IN THIS WORK AND I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT WE WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THIS TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT HARD WORK. [2:18:05] Andrea Jenkins: >> THANK YOU CHAIR PAYNE. I WAS IN QUEUE TO SPEAK TO ITEM NUMBER 9, BUT I'LL WAIT UNTIL THAT ITEM IS UP FOR DISCUSSION. I DO JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK OUR STAFF, ALL OF THE ADVOCATES THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO BRING FORWARD THESE FRANCHISE AGRE AGREEMENTS. IT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK AND EFFORT AND REALLY APPRECIATE WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN TO, UP TO THIS POINT. [2:18:41] Aisha Chughtai: >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEMS 1, 2, AND 3, WHICH ARE THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS WITH EXCEL AND CENTER POINT, ALONG WITH THE MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING RELATED TO THE CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP. THIS IS MY -- I'M STARTING MY FOURTH YEAR REPRESENTING THIS BODY ON THE CITY'S CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP AND WORKING WITH OUR UTILITIES IN THE LONG-TERM EFFORT THAT WE ARE UNDERTAKING AS A CITY, AS A COMMUNITY TO BUILD MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT CITY, TO MEET OUR CITY'S STATED AND APPROVED CLIMATE GOALS, AND THE WORK IN THE LEAD UP TO AND THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING THESE AGREEMENTS, WHICH ARE A ONCE IN A DECADE OPPORTUNITY, HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. I WANTED TO ESPECIALLY THANK RESIDENTS IN OUR CITY THAT ARE UNIQUELY FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE AND ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH THEIR ELECTED LEADERS HERE AT THE CITY TO INVEST IN AND BUILD A CLIMATE RESILIENT CITY AND WANTED TO THANK OUR STAFF IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IN SUSTAINABILITY. I SEE LUKE HOTTENCAMP HERE. I HAD THE TREMENDOUS JOY OF HAVING TO WORK WITH YOU THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT HOW WE ARE, AS A CITY, DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND TO BUILD A CITY THAT OUR RESIDENTS CAN LIVE IN AND BE SAFE IN AND BREATHE CLEAN AIR IN FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. IT IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT AND EXISTENTIAL WORK AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR MENTORSHIP AND ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU TAUGHT ME AND WILL CONTINUE TO IN THE COMING Y YEAR, YEARS HOPEFULLY, WHO KNOWS. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK JOCELYN FROM OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHO HAS DONE THE DETAILED WORK OF ACTUALLY GETTING TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE THESE AGREEMENTS. COLLEAGUES, YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT WE EXTENDED THE EXPIRATION OF THESE AGREEMENTS BY SEVERAL MONTHS SO WE COULD CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER AS A CITY TO ENSURE THESE AGREEMENTS WERE MORE IN LINE WITH OUR STATED POLICIES THAN WE WERE READY FOR AT THAT TIME. I THINK JOCELYN IS SOMEONE THAT REALLY LISTENED TO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN OUR ENTERPRISE AND WORKED TO ENSURE THAT OUR PRIORITIES WERE REFLECTED IN THESE DOCUMENTS. I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE INDUSTRY AND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR ANY BODY OF GOVERNMENT, BUT IN PARTICULAR, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE ON THAT WORK OF BUILDING A RESILIENT CITY, OF HOLDING OUR UTI UTILITY PROVIDERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR RESIDENTS' EXPECTATIONS AND NEEDS. SO YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO UPLIFT THE WORK OF ALL OF OUR TEAMS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED, BUT THE DTWO OF YO IN PARTICULAR, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. [2:22:42] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. YEAH, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPEAK ON THESE AGREEMENTS, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST, I THINK TIME CONSUMING, AND REALLY INTEGRATED POLICY EFFORTS I HAVE MADE IN MY FIRST YEAR ON THE COUNCIL. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE CHANCE TO LEAD ON THIS COMMITTEE AND AUTHOR AND CO-AUTHOR THE WORK THAT IS BEFORE US TODAY. SHE TRAINED ME A LOT AND HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE ON THE CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. YOU KNOW, I JUST WANTED TO SAY we HAD A CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP FOR 10 YEARS AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT FROM 2023, 5 OUT OF 7 METRICS ARE STILL NOT BEING MET. WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO AND THE CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP SHOULD BE MORE THAN A FEEL GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY AND CENTER POINT AND EXCEL, TO PAT EACH OTHER ON THE BACK FOR THE WORK WE'RE DOING. WE'RE NOT MEETING OUR CLIMATE GOALS. WE'RE NOT ON TRACK. THE PURPOSE OF RENEGOTIATING THESE AGREEMENTS WAS TO GET US BACK ON TRACK AND PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY AND METRICS THAT WE COULD MEASURE AND HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE TO IN THE COMING YEARS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT GAS EMISSIONS IN THE CITY HAVE NOT DROPPED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. SO THAT'S A REALLY BIG FOCUS FOR ME. CENTER POINT NEEDS TO FIND A CLEAN HEAT SOURCE. WE CANNOT KEEP HEATING OUR BUILDINGS WITH GAS. THE FUTURE DOES NOT INCLUDE FOSSIL FUELS SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE? HOW DO WE ASSESS OUR STEPS THAT WE ARE GETTING TO A FOSSIL FUEL-FREE FUTURE IN MINNEAPOLIS. THAT'S THE WORK OF THE CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP AND THAT'S WHY THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS ARE SO IMPORTANT AND THE COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT AND I HAVE MADE OUR POSITIONS CLEAR A YEAR AGO. I'M PROUD OF HOW FAR WE CAME AND HOW FAR WE GOT. I'M APPRECIATIVE OF ATTORNEY BREMER FOR LISTENING TO US, FOR WORKING WITH US, FOR JUST SETTING THE BAR EXTREMELY HIGH AND THANK YOU LUKE FOR REALLY BEING A CHAMPION FOR THIS WORK. THANK YOU TO M.J. FROM MY OFFICE WHO BECAME A CLEAN ENERGY LAWYER IN THE PAST YEAR TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TO DO THIS WORK BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY OVER TWO HUGE COMPANIES THAT DO USE OUR PUBLIC RIGHT AWAY TO PROVIDE ENERGY TO OUR RESIDENTS, BUT WHO RESIDENTS ARE ASKING MORE FROM. WE'RE ASKING THEM TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO US THE RATE PAYERS, THE TAXPAYERS, AND TO OUR FUTURE SO THAT OUR KIDS HAVE SOMEWHERE TO LIVE AND THAT MINNEAPOLIS CAN BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN MOVE FROM AND CONTINUE TO BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE MOVE TO FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO HAVE A SAFE FUTURE. I'M HAPPY TO HAVE A PIECE OF GOOD NEWS BEFORE US BUT I WANTED TO GROUND US IN THE WORK THAT WILL BE COMING AHEAD. [2:25:22] Michael Rainville: >> THANK YOU, I SEE WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH THE ELECTRIC COMPANY AND GAS COMPANY HERE. I HOPE YOU DON'T WALK AWAY WITH THINKING THAT WE'RE TREATING YOU LIKE VILLAINS. YOU ARE A PARTNER IN OUR ENERGY SUPPLY. IT IS NICE OR WAKE UP TODAY TO A WARM HOUSE AND TO TURN MY LIGHT SWITCH ON WHEN I GOT DRESSED. SO WE'RE GOING TO WORK OUT THESE ISSUES WITH YOU, BUT PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE REMARKS UP HERE TO -- DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DISPARAGE YOU. THANK YOU. [2:26:11] Casey Carl: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> AYE. >> ELLISON OOVMENT. >> AYE. >> WONSZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> AYE. >> VICE PRESIDENT CHUGTAI. >> AYE. >> PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> AYE. THERE ARE 13 AYES. [2:26:40] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, IN OUR COMMITTEE MEETING LAST WEEK, WE VOTED TO REFER THE GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE OPEN CONCEPT TO THE CLERK, TO KEEP IT ON FILE SO THAT NONE OF THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO DATE GETS LOST AND TODAY I AM PRESENTING A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE TO ACTUALLY FULLY EXPLORE THE PEDESTRIAN CONCEPT THAT WAS PRESENTED BY PUBLIC WORKS AS WELL. SO THIS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE IS BEFORE YOU AND YOU WILL SEE IN THE BACK OF THE PACKET THE BACKGROUND AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PREPARED BY PUBLIC WORKS, WHICH OUTLINES THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, AGENCY, AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION CONCEPT, FACT REPORT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PROPERTY OWNER COORDINATION, AND SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ON OTHER PEDESTRIAN MALLS THAT THEY WILL BE CONDUCTING OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. SO, THE DIRECTIVE SEEKS TO EVALUATE THE PEDESTRIAN MALL LAYOUT PER STATE STATUTE AND DEVELOP THAT LANGUAGE, WHICH WOULD RUN ALONG CHICAGO AVENUE, JUST AJASON TO THE PEOPLE'S WAY. THIS IS RELATED TO THE GEORGE FLOYD ORDINANCE, WHICH I GAVE LAST COUNCIL CYCLE AND WE WILL TAKE UP THE ORDINANCE WHEN THIS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE IS BROUGHT FORWARD AS PER STATE STATUTE. I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S WAY IS NOT IMPACTED BY THIS AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. I KNOW FOUR APPLICANTS ARE BEING EVALUATED TO BE GRANTED SALE OF THE BUILDING AND WILL BE GIVING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS TWO WEEKS FROM NOW FROM 5:00 # TO 8:30 P.M. AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. BY DOING THIS TODAY, WE'RE LISTENING TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CONTINUE TO REACH OUT ABOUT TRYING PEDESTRIANISATION TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. THIS GIVES US FAIR CHANCES AND ENSURES THE CONCEPT LAYOUT WE APPROVE IS ONE THAT IS THOROUGHLY EXPLORED AND CONSIDERED. THANK YOU. I WILL MOVE THEM BOTH, YES. [2:29:26] Elliott Payne: >> A SECOND? [2:29:27] Unidentified Speaker: >> SECOND. [2:29:28] Andrea Jenkins: >> THANK YOU PRESIDENT PAYNE. I AM NOT QUITE SURE WHERE TO BEGIN MY COMMENTS OTHER THAN TO SAY I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS. I SEE THIS AS A DELAY IN PROGRESS AT GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVER THE PAST 4.5 YEARS. SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT OF STAFF TIME TO COME FORWARD WITH A CONCEPT LAYOUT THAT WAS CREATED IN COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT A NUMBER OF ISSUES TODAY LIKE THE UNDE UNDERLINING PIPES IN OUR CITY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT WOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THIS INFRASTRUCTURE REDEVELOPMENT. NOT ONLY WOULD IT RESTORE THOSE POTENTIALLY FAILING PIPES, WE WOULD REPLACE LEAD-BASED PIPES THAT ARE HARMING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MORE APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PIPES THAT WOULD NOT LEAD TO FURTHER UNDER DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. IT ALSO JUST APPEARS TO ME -- AND IT'S KIND OF HUMOROUS. I MEAN WE'VE SEEN ON TWO OCCASIONS TODAY, PEOPLE DEFERRING TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE AREA. HOWEVER, I AM NOT BEING AFFORDED THAT COURTESY IN THIS MATTER THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OVER THE PAST 4.5 YEARS ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT INTERSECTION FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS REDEVELOPING THIS INTERSECTION. I CAN TELL YOU FLAT OUT THAT NO ONE IS DESIRES OF A PEDESTRIAN MALL OR A PEDESTRIAN -- I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE OTHER NOMENCLATURE IS FOR THIS MALL, BUT THOSE CONCEPTS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED. PEOPLE HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY SAID WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CITY'S LAYOUT. SO I CAN'T SUPPORT THESE MOTIONS TODAY AND I WILL BE VOTING NO, THANK YOU. [2:33:07] Council Member Koski: >> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COLLEAGUES. TODAY WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A MEANINGFUL STEP FORWARD BY APPROVING THE RECOMMENDED CONCEPT LAYOUT FOR GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE, A PLAN THAT SETS THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE GROWTH AND COLLABORATION. I SEE THIS LAYOUT AS A CANVAS, A FOUNDATION THAT OFFERS BOTH STRUCTURE AND FLEXIBILITY, WITH ROOM TO SHAPE AND REFINE AS OUR VISION EVOLVES. LIKE ANY GREAT WORK IN PROGRESS, IT BEGINS WITH A FOUNDATIONAL LAYER, BUT ISN'T FINISHED. IT LEAVES SPACE FOR US TO ADD LAYERS, DETAILS, AND DEPTH, GRADUALLY PAINTING A COMPLETE PICTURE. THIS PLAN STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN PROGRESS AND FLEXIBILITY, BETWEEN TAKING DECISIVE ACTION AND LEAVING ROOM FOR FUTURE ADJUSTMENTS. IT PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE OUR WORK WHILE CONTINUING THE CRITICAL PROCESS OF ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND BUILDING SUPPORT FOR PEDESTRIAN PLAZA OR MALL. THIS PROVIDES A FLEXIBLE FOUNDATION FOR US TO BUILD UPON, I RECOGNIZE THE PATH OF THIS LAYOUT TO A PEDESTRIAN PLAZA OR MALL IS NOT A GUARANTEE. I UNDERSTAND TT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THAT PATH. MANY DON'T BELIEVE THE MAYOR WOULD FOLLOW THROUGH ON A PEDESTRIAN PLAZA OR MALL. GIVEN THE MIXED SIGNALS, CALLING THIS FLEXIBLE AND INSISTING THE PLAZA OR MALL WON'T HAPPEN, I CAN SEE WHY THEY FEEL THAT WAY. THIS DEBATE ISN'T JUST ABOUT A LAYOUT, IT'S ABOUT TRUST, TRUST THAT WAS BROKEN, NEVER REBUILT, AND REMAINS ABSENT FROM THIS PROCESS. TODAY, I WILL VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDED CONCEPT LAYOUT AND AGAINST PUTTING IT ON HOLD BECAUSE I SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD. THIS CONCEPT LAYOUT ALLOWS US TO TAKE A MEANINGFUL STEP WHILE ALSO REFINING AND SHAPING THE FUTURE. TO BE CLEAR, IF THIS IS PUT ON HOLD, I WON'T STEP AWAY OR DISENGAGE BECAUSE THE OUTCOME IS NOT WHAT I WANTED. I WILL LEAN IN AND STAY COMMITTED TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS OUR SHARED VISION. I WILL ENSURE THIS SPACE REACHES ITS FULL POTENTIAL AND COMMIT TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER, EMBRACING THE WORK AHEAD. THIS REMAINS A SPACE FOR ALL OF US TO SHAPE AND ADVOCACY WILL CONTINUE AS WE BUILD A FUTURE THAT REFLECTS OUR COLLECTIVE VALUES AND VISION. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATION TO WALK ON TO THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE NEXT CYCLE. THIS DIRECTIVE WILL ASK THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR PILOTING THE MODEL, GIVING BUSINESS OWNERS, NEIGHBORS, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE COMMUNITY AT-LARGE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THEM FIRSTHAND BEFORE MAKING THE FINAL DECISION ON THE POTENTIAL PEDESTRIAN MALL ORDINANCE. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW VISIBLY AND TANGIBLY THE TRUE POTENTIAL OF THIS SPACE. RIGHT NOW, MANY BUSINESS OWNERS AND NEIGHBORS LIKELY PICTURE THE AUTONOMOUS ZONE WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT A PEDESTRIAN PLAZA OR MALL. THAT PERCEPTION HAS UNDOUBTEDLY SHAPED SURVEY RESPONSES. A PEDESTRIAN PLAZA OR MALL WOULD BE SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT, AN INTENTIONAL WELL DESIGNED SPACE THAT SERVES THE COMMUNE DID AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. WE HAVE TO BRIDGE THAT GAP, DEMONSTRATING WHAT IS POSSIBLE SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THE BENEFITS FIRSTHAND. THIS IS MORE OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, ONE THAT NEEDS A VISION THAT HONORS ITS MEETING. GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE CAN AND WILL BE SHAPED BY OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE A FUTURE THAT REFLECTS THE ASPIRATIONS AND HISTORIES OF THIS COMMUNITY. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR SOMETHING TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE. LET'S TAKE THAT STEP. [2:37:26] Casey Carl: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> NO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> NO. >> ELLISON. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. >> NO, AND CAN I SPLIT MY VOTE? AYE ON THE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS. >> NAY. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> NO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> AYE. >> VICE PRESIDENT CHUGTAI. >> AYE. >> PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> AYE. THERE ARE 8 AYES ON THE SECOND PIECE, THERE ARE 9 AYES AND 3 NAYS. [2:38:15] Elliott Payne: >> THAT ITEM CARRIES. BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT COMMITTEE REPORT, I WANTED TO CHECK IN WITH COLLEAGUES, IT'S NOON. DO WE WANT TO POWER THROUGH OR DO PEOPLE WANT A LUNCH BREAK? POWER THROUGH. ALL RIGHT, THE NEXT REPORT WILL BE FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE COMMITTEE'S CHAIR. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:38:36] Jason Chavez: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. ITEM NUMBER 1 IS A RESOLUTION FOR ERIC NELSON. 2, IS AN APPROVING A REQUEST FROM THE AFTER ACTION REVIEW RELATED TO THE DEATH OF ALISON. ITEM 3, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LITIGATION AUTHORITY TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE RELATED TO FEDERAL ACTIONS. 4 IS AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR TRAINING SERVICES FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS. AND 5 IS A CONTRACT AGREEMENT FOR THEIR TRAINING OFFICES WITH POLICE DEPARTMENT ACADEMY RECRUITS. I MOVE THE APPROVAL FOR ALL THESE ITEMS. [2:39:16] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ MOVED THE REPORT. ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN? [2:39:23] Jamal Osman: >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I WAS NOT AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING BUT I DO WANT TO REALLY TAKE THE TIME TO THANK OUR WONDERFUL CITY ATTORNEY FOR HIS WORK AND HIS COMMITMENT FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. HE HAS BEEN HELPFUL TO MY OFFICE AND SINCE COMING IN 2020. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ENJOY YOUR TIME THERE AND HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS A BUSY PLACE AND ALL OF OUR STAFF ARE. THANK YOU. [2:40:15] Casey Carl: >> SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> AYE. >> ELLISON. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. >> AYE. >> WONSZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> AYE. >> KOUD. >> AYE. >>th VICE PRESIDENT CHUGTAI. >> AYE. >> PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> AYE. [2:40:41] Casey Carl: I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, ON THE GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE ITEM, I MISPRONOUNCED THE VOTE SO I WANTED TO CORRECT THAT. THE FIRST PIECE, WHICH WAS THE REFERRAL WAS 8 TO 5, BUT THE SECOND PIECE IN THE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE WAS 9 TO 4. [2:40:59] Jason Chavez: >> THANK YOU MR. CLERK FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR FINAL REPORT WHICH IS OFFERED BY OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE, PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, WE WILL BE BRINGING 7 ITEMS TO THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING. ITEM 1 IS PASSAGE OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDS FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FROM THE SUSTAINABILITY GRANT. ITEM NUMBER 2 IS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. ITEM 3 ASK AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. ITEM 4 IS AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH THE MINNESOTA RECOVERY CONNECTION TO IMPLEMENT THE PUBLIC HEALTH REGENERATIVE LEADERSHIP SYNERGY GRANT. ITEM 5 IS THE PASS SANG OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CONTRACT ON THE HEALTHY FAMILIES COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH INITIATIVE. ITEM 6, ADDRESSING STAFF TO THE IMPACT ON WORKERS. ITEM 7 IS APPROVING A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE RELATED TO INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S 2025 SUMMER SAFETY PLAN. I MOVE APPROVAL FOR ALL THESE ITEMS. [2:42:10] Elliott Payne: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ HAS MOVED APPROVAL. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [2:42:15] Council Member Cashman: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I WANTED TO THANK THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR BRINGING ITEM 7, A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE RELATED TO INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2025 SUMMER SAFETY PLAN AND THAT WILL BE COMING BACK BY APRIL OF THIS YEAR. SO, THIS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE REALLY ASKS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY'S PLAN AND GEOGRAPHIC BREAK DOWN OF STAFFING FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT LAYERS OF SERVICE IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND LOCATIONS OF CAN CAN -- CANVASSING HOTSPOTS, MEDIATIONS, ALL WITH DATA ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER. I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET PREPARED FOR THE SUMMER OF 2025 BECAUSE YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE SEE CRIME LEVELS REALLY SPIKE IN CERTAIN PLACES IN OUR CITY. WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT THAT. SO HAVING THIS INFORMATION COME BACK IN APRIL WILL HELP US MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO DO THAT. THANK YOU FOR THE L.D. [2:43:20] Casey Carl: >> SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE. I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> AYE. >> ELLISON OOVMENT AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY OOVMENT EYE. >> THERE ARE 13 AYES, THAT CARRIES AND THE REPORT IS ADOPTED. [2:43:44] Elliott Payne: THANK YOU COLLEAGUES, THAT COMPLETES THE REPORTS OF ALL OF OUR STANDING COMMITTEES. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS NOTICE OF ORDINANCE INTRODUCTIONS. FIRST COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN GIVES NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THREE ORDINANCES AMENDING THE BUILDING HOUSING AND STORM WATER AND SEWER CODES, AMENDING PROVISIONS RELATED TO WATER SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE. NEXT, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN GIVES NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CODE, CORRECTING ZONING MAP ERRORS AND INCONSISTENCY. COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN ALSO GIVES NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE ORDINANCE, CORRECTING THE ZONING CODE, CITATIONS, AND INCONSISTENCIES. COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN ALSO GIVES NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CODE, ESTABLISHING FLEXIBILITY FOR MINIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND CERTAIN BUILT FORM DISTRICTS TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GOALS, AND FINALLY I AM GIVING NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, 172 OF THE MINNEAPOLIS CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATED TO FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION, POLICE CONDUCT OVERSIGHT, AMENDING REVIEW PANELS TO PROVIDE FOR TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT OF TRAINING MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION. ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THESE NOTICES? I WILL RECOGNIZE THE CLERK, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE FINAL NOTICE? [2:45:41] Casey Carl: >> HAPPY TO MR. PRESIDENT. AS YOU INDICATED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, YOU HAD INTRODUCED EARLIER THIS YEAR THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO MAKE MANY AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE CREATION OF THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION ON POLICE OVERSIGHT. AS THIS BODY IS AWARE, THE CITY IS DEALING WITH A FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL BACKLOG OF CASES THAT NEED REVIEW PANELS FORMED IN ORDER TO CONSIDER THOSE CASES OF ALLEGED POLICE MISCONDUCT THAT IS BROUGHT FORWARD. UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EACH OF THOSE CONSISTS OF FIVE MEMBERS, THREE ARE CIVILIANS SELECTED IN THE MEMBERSHIP ON THE COMMISSION ON POLICE OVERSIGHT, WITH TWO MEMBERS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT SERVED AT THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT OR HIGHER. HOWEVER, WE HAVE SOME VACANCIES ON THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION ON POLICE OVERSIGHT AS THIS BODY IS AWARE. WE WILL BE WORKING TO FILL THOSE VACANCIES IN OUR OPEN APPOINTMENTS PROCESS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH, PENDING THAT IN ORDER TO KEEP THOSE REVIEW PANELS GOING, A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD BY OUR NEW DIRECTOR MICHELLE PHILLIPS WAS TO CONSIDER USING MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION, WHO COULD BE TRAINED AND QUALIFIED TO SERVE ON THOSE REVIEW PANELS FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME. SO THIS VERY SPECIFIC ORDINANCE AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW FOR MEMBERS WHO ARE TRAINED AND MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE ON THOSE REVIEW PANELS, TO BE DESIGNATED AS MEMBERS OF THE REVIEW PANELS, IN ADDITION TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CCPO, THE EXTENSION IS THROUGH THE END OF THIS YEAR, DECEMBER 31, 2025, AND THEN IT WOULD END AND WE WOULD GO BACK TO THE MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE COMMUNITY COMMISSION ON POLICE OVERSIGHT. [2:47:09] Audience Member: >> TO COME HERE AND TO FIND THIS OUT IS OUTRAGEOUS. OUTRAGEOUS. [2:47:18] Elliott Payne: [GAVEL]. >> PLEASE, THANK YOU. THOSE NOTICES ARE HERE BY GIVEN AND NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR. WE HAVE ONE INTRODUCTION TODAY, WHICH IS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN INTRODUCING THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE STREETS AND SIDEWALK CODE, AMENDING PROVISIONS TO ALLOW FOR THE CREATION OF A GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE PEDESTRIAN MALL AS PART OF THE 38th STREET IN CHICAGO RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. A STATE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT FINDINGS OF FACT IS REQUIRED TO THE FIRST READING OF THE ORDINANCE. I WILL MOVE TO POSTPONE IT TO OUR MEETING SCHEDULED FEBRUARY 27TH. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE? SEEING NONE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [2:48:10] Casey Carl: >> COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> AYE. >> ELLISON. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. >> AYE. >> VICE PRESIDENT CHUGTAI. >> AYE. >> PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> AYE. THAT IS 13 EYES. [2:48:42] Elliott Payne: >> THAT CARRIES, THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS MOTIONS. COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS GAVE NOTICE AT OUR LAST MEETING OF HER INTENT TO DISCHARGE FROM THE COMMITTEE, LAYOUT APPROVAL, THE GEORGE SQUARE PROJECT. SINCE HER NOTICE, THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REFERRED OUT OF THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE AND IT WAS DEALT WITH EARLIER IN THE AGENDA UNDER THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. AS A RESULT, FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THIS ITEM IS UNNECESSARY AND IT WILL BE DELETED FROM THE AGENDA. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS ANNOUNCEMENTS. ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [2:49:15] Linea Palmisano: >> MR. CHAIR, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAD A LARGE WATER MAIN BREAK IN WARD 13 THIS MORNING AT 50th AND PENN. IN A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR, IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION OF OUR CITY. I RECEIVED WORD OF THIS JUST AFTER 6:00 A.M. AFTER SO MANY DEPARTMENTS HAD ALREADY SWOOPED INTO ACTION. IN SPEAKING WITH BUSINESS OWNERS, THIS COMES AT A WORSE TIME OF TEMPERATURE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR BUT SEEING THE CITY'S COORDINATED RESPONSE HAS BEEN IMPRESSIVE. BY THAT, THEY MEAN FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRST, THEN THE WATER DEPARTMENT, THEN POLICE, AND THEN CPED. OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR WAS OUT THERE IMMEDIATELY WALKING INTO THE BUILDING, WITH THE BUSINESS OWNERS, A COUPLE OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS, FLOWER SHOP, AND SOME RESTAURANTS HAVE VALENTINE'S DAY AS THEIR BUSIEST REVENUE NIGHT DAY OF THE YEAR. SO I JUST WANTED TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONALLY THANK CITY STAFF FOR THEIR RESPONSE. FIRE CREWS WERE ON THE SCENE WITH PUBLIC WORKS THERE SHORTLY AFTER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS TRYING TO HELP A SENIOR CITIZEN REMOVE HER CAR AT 4:00 A.M. FROM THE ADJACENT ALLEY. NOT SUCCESSFULLY, BUT WITH AN HONEST ATTEMPT, AND THAT IS THE SAME PERSON THAT OWNED THE BOOKSTORE THAT WAS CLEAR UNDER WATER IN THE BUILDING DOWN THE STREET. A FEW RESIDENTS HAVE NEEDED EVACUATION. THERE ARE 10 VALVES TO SHUT OFF THIS LARGE MAIN, ONE OF THEM PAVED OVER. DUE TO THE FROST LINE, THE WATER AS IT DOES MOVED IN STRANGE WAYS AND IS DEEPLY IMPACTED THIS OLD BUILDING. IT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE AMOUNT OF ICE OVER MANY BLOCKS AND THE WATER DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE KEEPING DRAINS OPEN AND MOVING IT SO IT DOESN'T CAUSE MORE DAMAGE. PUBLIC WORKS HAD TO CANCEL ALL THEIR OTHER JOBS TODAY AND SENT EVERY POSSIBLE CREW MEMBER TO THE SCENE TO HELP, TO KEEP DRAINS OPEN AND ET CETERA, WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF THIS SPECIFIC WATER BREAK FOR A LONG TIME AND OUR LOCALLY OWNED STORES LIKE THE BOOKSTORE, THE COFFEE SHOP, AND I'M SURE THAT OUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WOULD BE TO HELP MITIGATE THE SEVERITY OF THOSE IMPACTS TO THOSE STORES AND THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVED ABOVE IT. THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. [2:52:11] Casey Carl: >> THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, I WANTED TO NOTE THE PASSING OF LYLE, A TRUE LOCAL LEGEND WHO SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE SERVING THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. HE DIED JANUARY 30TH AT JUST 94 YEARS YOUNG. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING AND WORKING WITH HIM OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO. MEMBERS WILL REMEMBER THAT IN MAY OF 2023, THIS COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING LYLE AS CITY CLERK EMERITUS, RECOGNIZING HIS LONG AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AMONG OTHER THINGS, HE REPRESENTED THE CITY AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE BEING APPOINTED CITY CLERK IN 1972. HE WAS THE 16th PERSON TO SERVE IN THAT OFFICE AND HE SERVED AS CITY CLERK FOR 15 YEARS. DURING THAT TIME, HE IS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CITY'S HISTORY WHO CONSECUTIVELY OR CONCURRENTLY HELD THE OFFICE OF CITY CLERK, CITY COORDINATOR, AND DIRECTOR OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOLDING ALL THREE OF THOSE JOBS TODAY. HE WENT ON TO BE CITY COORDINATOR, WHICH IS HOW HE CAPPED HIS CAREER HERE AT THE CITY, WHICH WAS THE PRINCIPAL STAFF OFFICER FOR THE ENTIRE CITY ENTERPRISE. IN RETIREMENT, HE SERVED ON THE CHARTER COMMISSION FOR MULTIPLE TERMS, DURING WHICH TIME THE CHARTER COMMISSION ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR REDISTRICTING THE CITY EASTWARDS AND PARK DISTRICTS AND WAS PART OF TWO REDISTRICTING EFFORTS. HE WAS PART OF THAT BODY WHEN THEY BROUGHT FORWARD AND PASSED THE PLAIN LANGUAGE REVISION OF THE ENTIRE CHARTER, A 15-YEAR EFFORT IN TOTAL, AND THE 2021 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AMENDMENT. HE SERVED AS AN ELECTION JUDGE, AND THE HEAD JUDGE OF HIS HOME PRE PRECINCT. HE WAS A GENTLEMAN AND A SCHOLAR, A FRIEND TO MANY, A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT, AND DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT THAT SPENT HIS LIFE AND SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY. HE WAS A MILITARY OFFICER, HIS COMMUNITY, AND HIS FAMILY. GOD SPEED LYLE, THANK YOU. [2:54:19] Council Member Koski: >> THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO NOTE FOR COLLEAGUES THERE IS AN EVENT THIS WEEKEND AT LAKE THAT CO MUS. IT'S A SNOW SHOE SHUFFLE FOR OUR MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR WEALTH AND WELLNESS. IT'S FROM 9:00 TO 1:00 P.M. ON LAKE THAT CO MUS. THANKS. [2:54:41] Elliott Payne: >> SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE, THAT COMPLETES ALL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND SEEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE US, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. [GAVEL]