[0:22] Elliott Payne: GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ELLIOT PAYNE, I'M THE PRESIDENT OF MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL. BEFORE WE CONVENE OUR MEETING, WE HAVE PRESENTATIONS OF HONORARY RESOLUTIONS. WE'RE PLEASED TO WELCOME GUESTS TO THE SPACE TO SHARE IN THESE PRESENTATIONS BEFORE TAKING UP OUR AGENDA. FIRST UP, WE ARE RECOGNIZING HUMAN RIGHTS DAY AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. ALONG WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY AND OSMAN. CELEBRATED ON HUMAN [1:12] Elliott Payne: RIGHTS DAY. AND WHEREAS WORK ON UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS WAS LEAD BY ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, THE WIFE AND WIDOW OF PRESIDENT FDR. THERE'S AN IMPORTANT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ESSENTIAL DOCUMENT. A DOCUMENT THAT EMBODIES A SHARED GOAL OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE RIGHTS WE HOLD AS HUMANS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE CENTRAL TRUTHS THAT ALL HUMANS ARE BORN FREE AND INDEED DESERVE DIGNITY AND RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. [1:36] Elliott Payne: ON DECEMBER 18, 1990, THE U.N. ADOPTED THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES. WHICH EMPHASIZES THE LINK OF MIGRATION TO FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS WE ALL HOLD DEAR. [1:56] Jason Chavez: WHEREAS INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY RECOGNIZES THAT MIGRATION IS A FUNDAMENTAL REALITY FOR HUMANITY AND UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE ACROSS BORDERS. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEIR CITIZENSHIP IS RECOGNIZED IN THEIR PLACE OF BIRTH, OR THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY SETTLED. [2:15] Jason Chavez: AND, WHEREAS, READING THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES ARE WAYS TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THESE RIGHTS. [2:33] Aurin Chowdhury: AND, WHEREAS, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS WORKS TO ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS IN TANGIBLE WAYS. AND, WHEREAS, IN 2025, ACTIONS AND INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS THAT ADVANCED AND UPHOLD THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL RESIDENTS INCLUDE THE UNICEF CHILD-FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE, EXPANDING CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS, ADVANCEMENT OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE INCLUSION GOALS AND STRATEGIES, INCLUDING CONNECTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO IMMIGRATION, LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. SO AS TO OBTAIN SECURE, OR MORE SECURE IMMIGRATION STATUS. AND -- [3:20] Jamal Osman: WHEREAS, THE EFFORTS ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE TANGIBLE WAYS IN WHICH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS WORKED TO ADVANCE THE HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL RIGHTS, THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS, AND THE RIGHTS OF ALL RESIDENTS. ENSURING THAT OUR CITY IS TRULY WELCOME IN NOT JUST A NAME BUT. AND, WHEREAS, UPHOLDING OUR COMMITMENT TO THE RIGHTS OF ALL THAT WE ENSURE AT THE RIGHT OF EACH OF US ARE AND WILL BE UPHELD. AS TAKING RIGHTS AWAY FROM SOMEONE DOES NOT PROMOTE SAFETY BUT ULTIMATELY ENSURES THAT NO ONE IS SAFE AND WHEREAS ADVANCING THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL RESIDENTS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGRATE FROM ABROAD TO MAKE A NEW LIFE IN MINNEAPOLIS. IT'S [4:07] Jamal Osman: ONE WAY TO HONOR THE VALUE EMBEDDED IN THE UN DOCUMENT. AND, WHEREAS -- [4:15] Jason Chavez: WHEREAS, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE COMMITTED TO BECOMING A WELCOME ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. [4:33] Jason Chavez: AND, WHEREAS, WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH AND AS A PART OF MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY THAT IS SUFFERING THE IMPACTS OF THE FAILURE TO UPHOLD THE RIGHTS IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY. SUFFERINGS RESULTING FROM FORCIBLE DISPLACEMENT, INDEFINITE -- SEPARATION FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, RESTRICTION FROM ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, LEGAL LIMBO, AND RESTRICTIONS ON LEGAL IDENTITY LEADING TO HARMS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS, TERROR, TORTURE, AND DEATH. [5:05] Elliott Payne: THESE ARE THE RESULTS OF POLICIES AND ACTIONS WHICH ARE INTENDED TO AND WHICH HAVE THE EFFECT OF STRIPPING HUMANITY FROM OUR FELLOW HUMANS AND NEIGHBORS. AND, WHEREAS, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING THE IDEALS EMBODIED BY THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES. BECAUSE THESE COMMITMENTS ARE OUR NATIONAL OBLIGATIONS. BECAUSE THEY REFLECT OUR OWN CITY VALUES. [5:37] Elliott Payne: AND BECAUSE SUCCESS IN ANY HUMAN ENDEAVOR IS A SHARED SUCCESS. WE NEED AND ARE DEPENDENT UPON ONE ANOTHER. AND OUR COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER IS THE KEY TO PROSPERITY FOR ALL. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE DECEMBER 10, 2025 AS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. AND DECEMBER 18, 2025 AS INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY. [6:04] Elliott Payne: WE INVITE MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THESE TWO OCCASIONS BY READING THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF ALL MIGRANT WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES. SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHERS, AND IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL TANGIBLE WAYS TO HONOR AND UPHOLD RIGHTS IDENTIFIED IN THESE DOCUMENTS. THANK YOU. [6:32] Vivian Salcedo: HI EVERYONE. MY NAME IS VIVIAN SALCEDO. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH A HEART FELT APOLOGY TO THE SOMALI COMMUNITY WHO LIVES IN FEAR. [6:49] Vivian Salcedo: TO LATINO COMMUNITY WHO CONTINUES TO BE TARGETED. AND TO EVERY FAMILY BEING TARGETED BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE OR THEIR IDENTITY. THE MINNEAPOLIS COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS IS HERE FOR YOU. AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. [7:06] Vivian Salcedo: PLEASE KNOW THIS: WE STAND WITH YOU. I CARRY DEEP SORROW FOR THE FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY OUR COMMUNITIES ARE FACING. AND I REMAIN COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE NO ONE WALKS ALONE IN MOMENTS LIKE THESE. THANK YOU. [7:32] Michelle Rivera: THANK YOU. MY NAME IS MICHELLE RIVERA. THE DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS IN MINNEAPOLIS. WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN MINNEAPOLIS TODAY IS A REFLECTION OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO NOT UPHOLD THE HUMAN RIGHTS THAT WE ALL HAVE. WE ALL HAVE RIGHTS. [7:53] Michelle Rivera: EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHERE A PERSON WAS BORN. NO MATTER WHERE A PERSON MOVES TO. THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND IS EQUIPPED TO DEFEND THEM. WE INVITE PEOPLE TO GO TO THE OIR MINNEAPOLIS WEB PAGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS AND HOW TO CONNECT WITH SOMEONE, IF YOUR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU, BECAUSE WE ARE AND WILL REMAIN A WELCOMING CITY. [8:24] Elliott Payne: ONE THAT UPHOLDS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN MINNEAPOLIS AND WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO COME TO MINNEAPOLIS. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? JUST WANT TO THANK OUR CITY STAFF FOR HELPING DRAFT THIS RESOLUTION. FOR ALL THE WORK THAT WENT INTO IT. I THINK IT'S VERY TIMELY. AND SOME DIFFICULT TIMES FOR US SO WE'LL COME HERE TO TAKE A PHOTO. [9:58] Elliott Payne: NEXT UP, WE'LL RECOGNIZE SAMANTHA PREE-STINSON. [10:47] Elliott Payne: TODAY WE'RE HONORING SAMANTHA PREE-STINSON FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO MINNEAPOLIS. WHERE BEFORE RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICE, SAMANTHA WAS A WELL-KNOWN ORGANIZER AND ACTIVIST FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY AND TRANSPARENCY; AND WHEREAS, SAMANTHA WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE & TAXATION IN 2021, SERVING AS PRESIDENT FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF HER TERM AND AS VICE-PRESIDENT FOR THE FINAL TWO YEARS; AND WHEREAS, SAMANTHA MADE HISTORY BY BEING THE FIRST BLACK CHICANA TO THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE & TAXATION AND WHEREAS, SAMANTHA TIRELESSLY SERVED OUR CITY, ENSURING THAT UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, YOUTH, ELDERS AND RESIDENTS OF HISTORICALLY REDLINED AREAS; AND [11:36] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS, SAMANTHA WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY'S FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING LEVY ENSURING SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE, SAFETY UPGRADES, AND REPAIRING UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND WHEREAS, SAMANTHA WORKED TO STREAMLINE INTERNAL PROCESSES TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD WAS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TO THE IMPLEMENTING CLOSED CAPTIONING AND BROADCASTING AND OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EACH MEETING AND WHEREAS, THE WORK DONE BY SAMANTHA TO EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION LED TO NOT ONLY THE HIGHEST TURNOUT TO A BET MEETING EVER BUT ALSO THE RECORD NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMMENTS; AND WHEREAS, SAMANTHA DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO YOUTH BY SUPPORTING THE MINNEAPOLIS PARK & RECREATION BOARD $2.6 MILLION [12:21] Elliott Payne: INVESTMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND WHEREAS, SAMANTHA PARTNERED WITH MPRB TO SUPPORT THE 2025 MPRB LEVY REQUEST TO FUND OUR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT FOR MPRB WORKERS; AND SAMANTHA HONORED THE COMMITMENT MADE TO THE UPPER HARBOR TERMINAL AND GRACO PARKS BY SUPPORTING THE 2026 MPRB LEVY REQUEST TO ACTIVATE THESE SPACES REPRESENTING A HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN THE NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY; AND WHEREAS, SAMANTHA LED ON THE CREATION OF THE CITY'S FIRST-EVER CAPITAL AUDIT DISAGGREGATED BY WARD, PROVIDING CLEAR DATA FOR ACCOUNTABILITY; AND AFTER HER YEARS OF SERVICE, SAMANTHA'S SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT SHE HAD ON OUR CITY WILL CONTINUE WELL INTO THE FUTURE; [13:09] Elliott Payne: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PRESENT THIS HONORARY RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY BOARD OF ESTIMATE & TAXATION VICE-PRESIDENT PREE-STINSON TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR BEST WISHES FOR HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS. [13:32] Samantha Pree-Stinson: I WASN'T GOING TO SAY ANYTHING BUT I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO. WE HAVE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL, DIVERSE COUNCIL WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MINNEAPOLIS. 27 YEARS AGO, I CAME HERE AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH MY HUSBAND. WE HAVE OUR SONS UP HERE WITH US. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I MET WALTER MONDALE WHO GAVE ME ADVICE ABOUT HOW TO GET HERE AND I GET TO STAND UP HERE WITH HIS SON AND DAUGHTER, WHO DATES MY SON. [14:03] Samantha Pree-Stinson: [ LAUGHTER ] AND SO THIS IS THE MINNEAPOLIS I FELL IN LOVE WITH. I'M FROM LOS ANGELES, BUT I CAME HERE MANY YEARS AGO. AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT AND FIGHT FOR IT. I'VE BEEN IN THE STREETS FOR IT. THIS IS WHAT MINNEAPOLIS IS. AND ANYBODY CAN STAND UP HERE AND GET TO BE A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE. I DIDN'T DO IT WITH THE POLITICAL PARTY. [14:25] Samantha Pree-Stinson: [ APPLAUSE ] THEY SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE. I DID IT BY BEING SAMANTHA PREE-STINSON. 10 TOES DOWN. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT IF I'M IN AN ELECTED POSITION, NOT IN AN ELECTED POSITION. IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU FEEL PASSIONATE ABOUT, CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR IT. CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR IT. [14:48] Samantha Pree-Stinson: CONTINUE TO STAND FOR IT! DON'T BACK DOWN. WE'RE LIVING IN TIMES WHERE WE CAN'T. I'M PROUD TO BE UP HERE IN THIS MOMENT AND THINK ABOUT THE INTERSECTIONS I STAND ON. A WOMAN, BLACK WOMAN, A MEXICAN WOMAN, I'M VET, A COMBAT VET, A VICE PRESIDENT BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION. [15:05] Samantha Pree-Stinson: THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT INTERSECTIONS I STAND ON BEING THIS WOMAN IN THIS BODY. AND NOTHING HAS BEEN ABLE TO HOLD ME BACK YET! SO I, ALSO, LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT I'LL DO IN THE FUTURE. BUT I'M SO VERY PROUD, ONE OF THE MOST PROUD THINGS I'VE DONE IS TO HAVE SERVED THIS CITY. THANK YOU. [16:40] Elliott Payne: WE'LL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [17:24] Elliott Payne: HELLO. OKAY. THIS IS AN HONORARY RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEREAS, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN WAS ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE 7TH WARD IN 2023, THE FIRST NEW COUNCIL MEMBER TO REPRESENT WARD 7 IN TWENTY-SIX YEARS, BRINGING A NEW VOICE AND STYLE OF LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF BRYN MAWR, CEDAR-ISLES-DEAN, DOWNTOWN WEST, EAST ISLES, KENWOOD, LORING PARK, LOWRY HILL, STEVENS SQUARE, HEIGHTS, AND WEST MAKA SKA; AND [18:09] Elliott Payne: WARD 7 IS ONE OF THE MOST ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE DISTRICTS IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA, REPRESENTING RESIDENTS IN AFFORDABLE AND SECURE LAKESIDE HOMEOWNERS AND DOWNTOWN OWNERS; COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN WORKED TO EQUITABLY REPRESENT THIS DIVERSE CONSTITUENCY WITH TYPES OF ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE WARD, RANGING FROM COMMUNITY CLEAN UPS IN LORING PARK TO WATER QUALITY ROUNDTABLES IN WEST MAKA SKA, ALWAYS WORKING TO ADDRESS THE VARIED NEEDS OF HER CONSTITUENCY; AND [19:02] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN'S OFFICE HAD THE MOST ADJURE CASES OF ANY OFFICE IN 2024, AND ENDED NOVEMBER 2025 WITH 3,749 CONSTITUENT CASES, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN PERSONALLY RESPONDING TO 1,747 SHOWING HER IMMENSE DEDICATION TO CONSTITUENT SERVICES AND COMMUNICATION; AND [19:40] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS, THE WARD 7 OFFICE ENDED THE TERM WITH A 3-DAY AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME TO CONSTITUENTS, AFFIRMING CONSTITUENT SERVICES AS A TOP PRIORITY IN HER REPRESENTATION OF WARD 7; AND [19:52] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS, COUNCIL MEMBER BROUGHT A HIGH LEVEL OF CONSENSUS BUILDING AND TEAMWORK TO CITY COUNCIL IN HER TWO-YEAR TERM; AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN BROUGHT HER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN URBAN PLANNING AND CLIMATE ADVOCACY TOGETHER BY FORMING THE CLIMATE & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE, FURTHER ADVOCATING FOR CITY SOLUTIONS TO OUR CLIMATE CRISIS; COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN CHAIRED THE CLIMATE & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE, WHILE ALSO SERVING ON TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL; [20:25] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN CHAIRED THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE WHILE AT TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, SERVING ON THE MINNEAPOLIS TREE ADVISORY COMMISSION FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD, SERVING ON THE CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP AND LEAD ON RENEWING THE CITY'S FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS WITH UTILITY COMPANIES DEMONSTRATING A RESOUNDING DEDICATION TO INTERCITY COORDINATION FOR THE SAKE OF OUR PLANET AND ENVIRONMENT. AND -- [21:08] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFETY, USABILITY, AND ENJOYABILITY OF OUR PUBLIC SPACES FROM COAUTHORING THE BOULEVARD GARDEN ORDINANCE TO FIGHTING TO TRIPLE TRAFFIC CALMING. COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC SPACES. COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS BEEN A RELENTLESS ADVOCATE FOR THE VIBRANT STOREFRONTS INITIATIVE, THAT BOTH CREATES COST-EFFECTIVE FOR ARTISTS TO HAVE THEIR OWN STUDIO SPACE AND SHOPS, WHILE ALSO FILLING VACANT STOREFRONTS, BRINGING ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS TO STREET LEVEL AND CONNECTING EMERGING ARTISTS DIRECTLY WITH THE COMMUNITY; AND [21:54] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS: WHEN ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN ALWAYS FOUGHT FOR A NEW CRIMECH; SHE PREVENTION SPECIALIST IN THE FIFTH PRECINCT TO REDUCE CRIME OCCURRENCES, FOUGHT FOR SHOTSPOTTER TECHNOLOGY IN LORING PARK TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES WHEN CRIME DOES OCCUR, AND WAS A CO-AUTHOR ON OUR STRENGTHENED HATE CRIME PREVENTION TECHNICAL RESOLUTION TO BETTER ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME; AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN WAS NEVER AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR RENTERS, AND FOUGHT FOR STRONGER CODE ENFORCEMENT AND EVICTION PROTECTIONS TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAD A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME, WHILE ALSO MEETING WITH RENTERS DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS LIVABILITY CONCERNS IN MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS; AND NEVER SHYING AWAY FROM INNOVATION, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN EASED ZONING FOR DOWNTOWN OFFICE TO BUILDING CONVERSIONS WHICH IS BRINGING AN INFLUX OF NEW RESIDENTS TO [22:40] Elliott Payne: DOWNTOWN; AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CHAMPION FOR DOWNTOWN AND UPTOWN; SHE AUTHORED THE TOURISM IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ORDINANCE AND FOUGHT TO EXPAND SKYWAY ACCESS TO BETTER INVEST IN DOWNTOWN, ITS RESIDENTS, AND ITS VISITORS AND, SHE FUNDED A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PANEL WITH REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS IN UPTOWN, THE UPTOWN FARMERS MARKET, OPEN STREETS HENNEPIN, AND HOLIDAYS ON HENNEPIN, TO BRING ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT TO THE NEW ERA OF UPTOWN; AND DAY AND NIGHT, IN [23:27] Elliott Payne: PERSON, OVER TEXT, IN AN EMAIL, OR IN A SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENT, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN AVAILABLE TO HER CONSTITUENTS, HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT COMMUNICATOR, AND HAS SET A NEW STANDARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IN MINNEAPOLIS; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PRESENT THIS HONORARY RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN TO THE SEVENTH WARD AND TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR BEST WISHES FOR HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS. [24:08] Katie Cashman: ALL RIGHT. HERE WE ARE. I WANT TO SAY A BIG PROFOUND THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO IS UP HERE. ESPECIALLY THE WARD 7 STAFF. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] CLAIRE, JOHN, MOLLY, DAISY, MJ, CHAZ, AND CAYLEE WORKED IN THE WARD 7 OFFICE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. FROM POLICY AIDE TO INTERN. AND ARE TRULY BEHIND ALL THE WORK WE GOT DONE. ALL OF THE 200 PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT WE GOT PASSED, ALL OF THE OVER 3,000 CONSTITUENT CASES WE HELPED WARD 7 WITH. I'M GRATEFUL THEY'RE HERE TO HELP US CELEBRATE THE MOMENT. AND BEING A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE AND A VERY HARD JOB. AS OUR COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT SAYS, WE'RE THE FIRST LINE OF SERVICE AND THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE. SO FOLKS COME [25:11] Katie Cashman: TO US WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE THAT'S HAPPENING TO THEM. AND WE DO OUR DARNEDEST TO HELP. AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE CITY COUNCIL AND WE CAN'T FIX EVERY ECONOMIC AND STRUCTURAL PROBLEM IN THE WORLD. AND SO IT IS HARD. BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH FOR OUR RESIDENTS. BUT THAT'S WHERE THE PASSION REALLY COMES IN TO BELIEVE IN A BETTER WORLD. TO BELIEVE THAT OUR EFFORTS HAVE VALUE. EVEN IF WE CAN'T FIX EVERYTHING. WE CAN ALWAYS DO MORE. AND WE CAN ALWAYS DO SOMETHING TO HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS. SO I'M LEAVING HERE WITH THE SAME RELENTLESS OPTIMISM THAT I HAD WHEN I STARTED. AND I KNOW THAT BY OUR HOPEFUL VISION FOR THE FUTURE WILL COME TRUE IN MINNEAPOLIS. [26:00] Emily Koski: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS HERE. I'M COUNCIL MEMBER EMILY KOSKI IN WARD 11. I HAD THE HONOR TO BE YOUR VICE CHAIR OF WHAT WE CALL THE CLIMATE & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE. IT HAS BEEN -- I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU. AND IT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS HONOR TO BE YOUR CAPACITY BUILDER AND SUPPORTER IN THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH. BRINGING TOPICS THAT WERE ALWAYS SILOED IN THE CITY, AND REALLY LETTING US THINK MORE BROADLY AND MORE DEEPLY ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE DO WITH THE CITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [26:59] Aurin Chowdhury: WE WERE ELECTED AT THE SAME TIME. YOU'RE MY ONE OTHER PERSON COMING INTO THE COUNCIL BRAND NEW. AND JUST REALLY PROUD OF YOU. WE GOT THROWN RIGHT INTO THE DEEP END! NO ORIENTATION. NO TRAINING. NOTHING! IT WAS SINK OR SWIM. IN CONSEQUENTIAL TIMES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE I COULD LEAN ON COMING IN AS A NEW COUNCIL MEMBER. YOU HAVE LED WITH SO MUCH GRACE. WITH SO MUCH PASSION. WITH SO MUCH PATIENCE. BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE A LOT OF PATIENCE FOR THIS JOB. AND YOU HAVE CONTINUOUSLY EXHIBITED IT. YOU HAVE AMAZING FASHION SENSE. [ LAUGHTER ] IT'S, LIKE, THE BEST OUTFITS ONE COULD HAVE. ON TOP OF THAT, JUST BRILLIANT. [28:01] Aurin Chowdhury: ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS YOU'VE BEEN A HUGE VOICE FOR WORKING PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE NOT SHIED AWAY IN SHINING A LIGHT ON THE CLASS DIVISIONS THAT EXIST IN MINNEAPOLIS. BUT ESPECIALLY IN YOUR WARD. YOU STOOD UP FOR RENTERS WHEN IT WASN'T CONVENIENT FOR YOU TO DO SO. WHEN PEOPLE TOLD YOU NOT TO. YOU STOOD UP FOR SERVICE WORKERS. YOU FOUGHT FOR A LABOR STANDARDS BOARD. WHEN EVERYONE TOLD YOU NOT TO. BUT YOU STOOD ON YOUR VALUES AND STOOD FOR WHAT PEOPLE WHO DON'T GET A VOICE IN THIS PLACE NEED. AND I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU. YOU'RE ALWAYS SO PREPARED IN COMMITTEE. YOU'RE JUST SO PREPARED IN COMMITTEE. AND I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE LAST TIME WE'RE GOING TO SEE KATIE CASHMAN IN OFFICE. I'M MANIFESTING THAT. [28:50] Jason Chavez: OKAY. I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING. I JUST REMEMBERED THE FIRST TIME I SAT DOWN WITH YOU AS YOU'RE CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR OFFICE. I MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF YOUR EARLIER FIRST, LIKE, COUNCIL MEMBER CONVERSATIONS. AND I JUST REMEMBERED WALKING AWAY FROM THAT CONVERSATION GOING, "WOW, SHE'S WALKING INTO THIS SO NONCHALANTLY. LIKE IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL." AT THIS MOMENT, I RECOGNIZE YOU WERE WALKING INTO IT WITH JUST SUCH A RELENTLESS FEARLESSNESS ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO. I SEE IT EVERY DAY. AND I KNOW THAT CAN'T BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU. YOU'LL CONTINUE MOVING THROUGH THIS WORLD WITH THAT RELENTLESS FEARLESSNESS. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT. [29:32] Aisha Chughtai: COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, KATIE. I KNOW YOU TO BE A PERSON WHO IS STEADFAST AND BRAVE. SHE WHISPERED, "IT'S MY SECRET WEAPON." SHE'S CORRECT! EXACTLY. THAT'S THE POINT. AND YOU'RE HEARING FROM YOUR OTHER COLLEAGUES AND IT'S TRUE FOR ME, TOO. IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH YOU OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, IN THE TOUGHEST MOMENTS, YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES. YOU UNDERSTAND THE COST INCURRED TO YOU. AND YOU DO THE BRAVE THING ANYWAY. IT'S SOMETHING TO WALK OUT WITH YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH. I'M GOING TO PERSONALLY MISS SITTING NEXT TO YOU ON THE DAIS. I'M GOING TO MISS HAVING YOU BE A PART OF THIS STORY. THIS CHAPTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WAYS YOU HAVE LED. [30:45] Jason Chavez: I'LL KEEP IT QUICK. BUT COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN -- THERE'S GOING TO BE BIG SHOES TO FILL HERE. THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE MISSING IN CITY HALL. AND HERE ON THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL. AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS REALLY PROUD OF AND PROUD TO SEE YOU DO IS ALWAYS STAND BY WORKING PEOPLE. DESPITE THE OPPOSITION THAT WE OFTEN SAW ABOUT, NO, WE SHOULDN'T SUPPORT WORKING PEOPLE. WE SHOULD SUPPORT PEOPLE THAT ARE WEALTHIER. YOU ALWAYS SAID, "NOPE. I'M GOING TO TAKE BOLD AND TAKE POSITIONS THAT WILL PROBABLY GET ME IN TROUBLE. I'M GOING TO DO SO BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS." THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M GOING TO BE SO PROUD OF. STANDING 10 TOES DOWN FOR WORKING PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS. I DON'T CARE WHAT CONSEQUENCE IT'LL TAKE US TO. I WANT TO SAY THAT. I'M PROUD OF YOU. I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU HAVE UPLIFTED THE VALUES OF WORKING PEOPLES HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS. [31:37] William Mondale: HI, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS BILL MONDALE. AND MY DAD, WALTER MONDALE, WOULD HAVE BEEN STANDING RIGHT HERE. PEOPLE THINK OF MINNESOTA AS A STATE THAT'S LARGELY RURAL. AND THIS STATE IS A STORY OF HOW PEOPLE GO FROM PLACES LIKE CEYLON, MINNESOTA, AND ELMORE LIKE MY DAD DID. HE HAD ONE PAIR OF PANTS AND ONE SWEATER THROUGH LAW SCHOOL. HE TOOK THE BUS. HE HITCHED A RIDE. THERE IS A DIRECT LINE FROM THE STORY OF WALTER AND THE WAY HE MADE PUBLIC SERVICE HIS LIFE DIRECTLY TO MINNESOTA AND KATIE CASHMAN. KATIE CASHMAN HAS PICKED UP THE REINS OF THE DFL PARTY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO MOVE INTO A PLACE OF MAXIMUM USEFULNESS FOR OUR FELLOW PERSONS. I MET KATIE AT A HUMAN RIGHTS FUND-RAISER. I CONTINUE TO SEE THAT KATIE CASHMAN EMBODIES THE BEST OF THE STATE. [33:04] William Mondale: SHE DID EVERYTHING SHE POSSIBLY COULD FOR HER WARD, FOR HER WARD'S FUTURE, AND FOR HER WARD'S ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN PROUDER TO CALL YOU A FRIEND. I'M INSPIRED BY YOUR LEADERSHIP AND VISION AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S NEXT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PERSON CASHMAN FOR YOUR SERVICE! WE CANNOT WAIT FOR WHAT'S NEXT. THANK YOU. [34:24] Elliott Payne: RECOGNIZING EMILY KOSKI. [35:05] Elliott Payne: ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP, WE'RE HONORING EMILY KOSKI FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEREAS, EMILY KOSKI WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL IN THE 2021 MUNICIPAL ELECTION, REELECTED IN 2023, AND SERVED THE PEOPLE OF THE ELEVENTH WARD WITH DEDICATION AND INTEGRITY FOR TWO TERMS; AND EMILY KOSKI WAS THE FIRST WOMAN IN 20 YEARS, AND THE THIRD WOMAN IN THE CITY'S 158 YEAR HISTORY, TO REPRESENT THE ELEVENTH WARD ON THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL; AND EMILY KOSKI COMES FROM A FAMILY LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE CITY, AS THE DAUGHTER OF AL HOFSTEDE, WHO SERVED AS COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE THIRD WARD AND AS A TWO-TERM MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS; AND EMILY KOSKI IS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF HER COMMUNITY, RAISING HER TWO CHILDREN IN MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COACHING YOUTH SPORTS AT NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, SERVING ON LOCAL BOARDS, AND VOLUNTEERING FOR A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. EMILY KOSKI RAN FOR MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL OUT OF A DEEP LOVE FOR HER COMMUNITY AND A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE, SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE CITY, ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS' VOICES WERE HEARD, AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT CITY HALL WORKED FOR THE PEOPLE IT REPRESENTS; AND, EMILY KOSKI SET THE HIGHEST STANDARD [36:38] Elliott Payne: FOR CONSTITUENT SERVICE, MAKING CONNECTION WITH RESIDENTS HER TOP PRIORITY, RESPONDING TO EVERY CALL, EMAIL, AND MEETING REQUEST, AND HOSTING WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS, MONTHLY WARD MEETINGS, AND FREQUENT TOWN HALLS; EMILY KOSKI SOUGHT OUT AND ENGAGED DIRECTLY WITH RESIDENTS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO CITY HALL, HOSTING GATHERINGS, CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES, AND CREATING CONSISTENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, SENIORS, BIPOC RESIDENTS AND RENTERS TO SHAPE THE WORK OF CITY HALL; AND EMILY KOSKI BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH ACROSS THE ELEVENTH WARD, SPENDING TIME IN CLASSROOMS, SUPPORTING STUDENT LEADERSHIP THROUGH MEETINGS WITH STUDENT COUNCILS, AND OPENING CITY HALL TO YOUTH THROUGH SHADOW DAYS AND CIVIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES; AND EMILY KOSKI BUILT MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH SENIORS ACROSS THE ELEVENTH WARD, REGULARLY MEETING WITH OLDER RESIDENTS, ORGANIZING ANNUAL SENIORS FAIRS, AND CHAMPIONING PROGRAMS THAT HELP SENIORS REMAIN ROOTED IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES; AND EMILY KOSKI ASSUMED OFFICE DURING ONE OF THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL MOMENTS IN MINNEAPOLIS' HISTORY, DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND IN THE WAKE OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR THE CITY, AND SHE EMBRACED THE WORK OF HER OFFICE ENGAGING FULLY AND FEARLESSLY AND DEMONSTRATING STRENGTH, DETERMINATION, RESILIENCE, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT; AND EMILY KOSKI ESTABLISHED THE CITY'S FIRST-EVER DEDICATED PUBLIC SAFETY AUDITOR WITHIN THE CITY'S AUDITOR OFFICE, TO PROVIDE INDEPENDENT EVALUATION, STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT, ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ENSURE THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN THE CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM. EMILY KOSKI LED RESEARCH TO [38:12] Elliott Payne: STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING ACROSS MINNEAPOLIS, FOCUSING ON RECRUITMENT, HIRING, AND RETENTION IN BOTH THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, USING DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS TO INFORM POLICY DECISIONS, MODERNIZE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES, ADVANCE EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION, AND SUPPORT A SUSTAINABLE AND EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SAFETY WORKFORCE FOR THE CITY; AND EMILY KOSKI WAS AN EARLY -- OH. IT'S A BIG ONE! WE LOVE TO SEE IT. EMILY KOSKI WAS AN EARLY ADVOCATE FOR EXPANDING THE CITY'S BEHAVIORAL CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM, SECURING THE RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO EXTEND ITS SERVICE HOURS, AND STRENGTHEN ITS CITY-WIDE COVERAGE. [39:19] Elliott Payne: WHEREAS, EMILY KOSKI ADDRESSED THE CITY'S CRITICAL GAP IN SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ESTABLISHING AND SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDING THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM, SETTING IT ON A PATH TO SERVICES CITYWIDE AND ENSURING THAT ALL SURVIVORS COULD ACCESS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED; AND EMILY KOSKI SECURED MULTIPLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ELEVENTH WARD, COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL DEVELOPERS TO TRANSFORM UNDERUTILIZED AND PROBLEM PROPERTIES INTO MULTI-USE BUILDINGS WITH A MIX OF AFFORDABLE UNITS, ENSURING GREATER ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR RESIDENTS; EMILY KOSKI ADVOCATED FOR THE CITY'S SHELTERS AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AT A CRITICAL MOMENT, SUPPORTING VILLAGES AND AGATE, SUPPORTING THE EXPANSION OF THE CITY'S SUCCESSFUL HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION SERVICES. RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING HOUSING RECEIVED THE SERVICES AND SUPPORT THEY NEEDED; AND WHEREAS, EMILY KOSKI FOUGHT TO PRESERVE THE CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION PARTNERSHIP WITH TWIN CITIES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, PROTECTING ESSENTIAL HOME-REPAIR PROGRAMS THAT HELP RESIDENTS REMAIN SAFELY AND STABLY IN THEIR HOMES; AND EMILY KOSKI ESTABLISHED THE LABOR STANDARDS INTERVENTION PILOT PROJECT, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION, PROVIDING SMALL BUSINESSES WITH SUBSIDIZED MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LABOR LAWS, LINKING SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE TO THE PROMOTION OF FAIR LABOR PRACTICES; AND [40:49] Aurin Chowdhury: WHEREAS, EMILY KOSKI ADVOCATED FOR THE CONTINUED FUNDING AND EXPANSION OF THE CITY'S LABOR STANDARDS CODE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM, ENSURING THE PROGRAM COULD MAINTAIN ITS CRITICAL WORK IN PROTECTING WORKERS' RIGHTS; AND WHEREAS, EMILY KOSKI LED THE DESIGN OF A MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY, THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, AND THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT, FOSTERING COLLABORATION TO ALIGN PLANNING EFFORTS AND INVEST IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTS WITHIN THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED; AND [41:36] Elliott Payne: EMILY KOSKI ADDRESSED LONG-STANDING TRAFFIC AND SAFETY CONCERNS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF CEDAR AVENUE AND EDGEWATER BOULEVARD AND EAST LAKE NOKOMIS PARKWAY BY SPEARHEADING A MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL EFFORT BETWEEN THE CITY, THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTING MEASURES TO ENHANCE SAFETY FOR ALL USERS; EMILY KOSKI CREATED THE FIRST-EVER COUNCIL COMMITTEE WORK PLANS, LEADING THE COUNCIL'S FIRST STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, DEVELOPING THE FIRST COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT BUDGET PRIORITIES, ESTABLISHING NEW PRACTICES TO ENHANCE COORDINATION AND EFFECTIVENESS, STRENGTHENING THE CITY COUNCIL'S FISCAL AUTHORITY FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURE; AND EMILY KOSKI LED COUNTLESS EFFORTS ACROSS PUBLIC SAFETY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND GOOD GOVERNANCE—TOO MANY TO LIST IN AN HONORARY RESOLUTION—AND FURTHER CONTRIBUTED TO EFFORTS LED BY COLLEAGUES AND THE ADMINISTRATION, ALWAYS PLACING THE BETTERMENT OF THE CITY ABOVE PERSONAL RECOGNITION; AND EMILY KOSKI, AT A MOMENT OF UNPRECEDENTED DIVISION IN LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CONSISTENTLY ROSE ABOVE PARTISAN AND IDEOLOGICAL LINES, BUILDING TRUST, COLLABORATING ACROSS DIFFERENCES, AND BRINGING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY-CENTERED VOICE THAT REMINDED COLLEAGUES THAT PROGRESS COMES FROM WORKING TOGETHER TOWARD THE GREATER GOOD; AND EMILY KOSKI, OFTEN HEARD SAYING TO COLLEAGUES “DON'T TELL ME NO, TELL ME HOW” AND “DREAMS ARE FREE,” EXEMPLIFIED A BELIEF THAT AMBITIOUS GOALS ARE ALWAYS WORTH PURSUING, AND THAT THROUGH CURIOSITY, COLLABORATION, AND CREATIVITY, THEY CAN BE REALIZED. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PRESENT THIS HONORARY RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER EMILY KOSKI TO THE ELEVENTH WARD AND TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR BEST WISHES FOR HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS. [44:30] LMC Representative: I BELIEVE THE LEAGUE IS HERE. GOOD MORNING. I SERVE AS THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATIVE. THE LEAGUE IS A STATEWIDE MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING THE COLLECTIVE INTEREST OF ALL 856 CITIES IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. OUR LARGEST MEMBER, OF COURSE, IS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE MIGHTY CITY OF BARRY, MINNESOTA. A POPULATION OF 14. COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI HAS SERVED ON OUR BOARD FOR THE PAST YEAR. AND HAS DONE SO AMAZINGLY. AND SO IT'S MY HONOR ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO RECOGNIZE HER AND HER BOARD'S SERVICE. AND WITH ME IS OUR PAST PRESIDENT AND CITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY ADMINISTRATOR JUSTIN MILLER. [45:13] Justin Miller: THANK YOU ALL. BEING ON THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES BOARD, I BOIL DOWN TO TWO TERMS. ADVOCACY AND CHEERLEADING. YOU COULDN'T HAVE HAD A BETTER ADVOCATE AND CHEERLEADER FOR MINNEAPOLIS THAN YOU HAD IN COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI ON THE BOARD MEETINGS TALKING ABOUT WHAT MINNEAPOLIS HAS DONE, HOW IT IMPACTS NOT ONLY MINNEAPOLIS BUT IMPACT AND IMPROVE THE ENTIRE STATE. OR BEING AN ADVOCATE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE. OR IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AT OUR NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE. SO COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES. [ APPLAUSE ] WE HAVE THIS LOVELY PLAQUE IN A FAMILIAR SHAPE TO GO ON YOUR -- THE LARGE DESK AT WHATEVER FUTURE ENDEAVOR WHEREEVER YOUR PATH TAKES YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [46:10] Jason Chavez: I'M GOING TO JUMP IN AND SAY WE GOT ELECTED AT THE SAME TIME. AND THE MAJORITY OF US GOT ELECTED IN 2021. IT WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST, MOST DIVISIVE ERAS AND MOMENTS IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY. THAT DIVISION WAS REALLY SEVERELY PUMPED UP BY JUST UNCHECKED AMOUNTS OF MONEY IN OUR POLITICS. AND THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT IS UNIQUE TO MINNEAPOLIS. IT'S A PROBLEM AFFECTING OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW. WE'RE MORE DIVIDED THAN EVER. AND IT'S SCARY RIGHT NOW. AND I JUST REMEMBERED, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GET INTO OUR LITTLE FACTIONS HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS. AND I THOUGHT I WAS IN A DIFFERENT FACTION THAN COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI AS WE WERE COMING IN. WE WERE LEARNING ABOUT EACH OTHER THROUGH THE MEDIATED SPACE THAT IS PUMPED UP BY CORPORATE CASH. I REMEMBER ONE OF THE FIRST ACTIONS I DID WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. EXPANDING OUR BCR. WHICH IS THE REASON I PERSONALLY RAN. AND I REMEMBERED NEVER THINKING HOW COULD COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI POSSIBLY SUPPORT THIS? WE'LL TAKE MONEY FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FUND THE MENTAL HEALTH RESPONDERS. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? IT'S POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU CENTER HUMANITY IN EVERY SINGLE THING THAT YOU DO. AND YOU ARE THE ANTIDOTE TO THIS MOMENT THAT WE'RE IN IN OUR COUNTRY. AND I'M HOPING THAT NOT JUST IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, BUT MORE BROADLY PEOPLE CAN START SEEING THE TYPE OF HUMANITY THAT YOU BRING TO THIS WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY. SO THANK YOU. [47:54] Aurin Chowdhury: YEAH. I WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS. BECAUSE WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, AS TWO YOUNG WOMEN, EMILY KOSKI WAS THE FIRST ONE TO OPEN HER ARMS AND PRESENT ME WITH A LITTLE PIN OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG WITH OUTFIT AND SAY "WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL. I'M HERE FOR YOU. WHATEVER YOU NEED." SHE'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE MENTOR TO ME. SOMEONE I LOOK UP TO. SOMEONE WHO IS ALWAYS A PHONE CALL AWAY AND READY TO JUST TALK THROUGH EVERY SINGLE QUESTION YOU COULD POSSIBLY HAVE. HER PATIENCE AND LEVEL OF SACRIFICE TO HELP PEOPLE SUCCEED AT CITY HALL IS AMAZING. IT'S TRULY AMAZING. AND HAS BEEN SUCH A CHAMPION FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN POLITICS. AND I'VE EXPERIENCED THAT AND BENEFITED FROM THAT FIRSTHAND. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CHAMPIONING YOUNG WOMEN AND BRINGING YOUR FULL SELF TO THE JOB. [48:50] Jason Chavez: UMM, I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT, LIKE, THE RELATIONSHIP ME AND COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI HAD. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT, LIKE, THERE WERE MANY TIMES WHERE MY COMMUNITY WAS CRYING FOR HELP. AND COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI WAS, LIKE, "HOW CAN I HELP?" WHEN IT CAME TO THE ISSUES WHERE I FELT THERE WAS NO HOPE FOR THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT. KOSKI SAID, "HOW CAN I HELP?" AND GAVE THE COMMUNITY I REPRESENT MORE TIME. AND I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN BOLD AND TAKING AN ACTION LIKE THAT, WE WOULD BE IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN WE ARE TODAY. AND I WANT TO BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT WORK YOU DID. AND WHEN IT CAME TO HOMELESSNESS, I THINK FOLKS NEED TO KNOW THAT COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI IS LIKE "HOW CAN WE FUND OUR SHELTER SYSTEM?" I REMEMBER ONE OF THE BIGGEST ACTIONS WE TOOK ON THE COUNCIL THAT UNITED THE ENTIRE COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. YOU UNITE PEOPLE. WHEN WE WORKED ON THE AVIVO VILLAGE FUNDING IN 2023. AND YOU WERE WORKING REALLY HARD FOR THAT. AND I THINK YOU WERE ABLE TO BRING AN ENTIRE COUNCIL TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WE DID THAT UNANIMOUSLY. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE UNANIMOUS PART. THAT'S WHO YOU ARE. YOU BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. AND EVEN AS YOU'RE HEADING OUT, I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE AND FIGURING OUT HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY. WHICH I KNOW REALLY MATTERS TO YOU. I WANT TO BRING THAT ATTENTION TO THIS. BECAUSE WHEN WERE THERE HARD VOTES ON THE CITY COUNCIL, YOU WOULD OFTENTIMES HEAR COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI SAY "I'M CHOOSING JUSTICE." AND THAT'S WHO I'M GOING TO REMEMBER YOU AS ON THE CITY COUNCIL. [50:41] LaTrisha Vetaw: COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI, GIRL! HA-HA HA-HA. YOU ARE A POWERFUL FORCE IN A TINY PACKAGE. AND I KNOW DURING COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN'S PRESENTATION AROUND PEOPLE SEE YOU AND DON'T APPROACH YOU WITH THE SERIOUSNESS THAT YOU CARRY. AND I MOST ADMIRE THE FACT THAT YOU CONSTANTLY PROVE PEOPLE WRONG. YOU REFUSE TO LET OTHER PEOPLE'S PROJECTIONS DIM YOUR LIGHT AND STEP INTO THE SHADOWS WHICH IS VERY CLEAR. YOUR BRILLIANCE, YOUR UNDERSTANDING, ALSO, YOUR BS METER IS, LIKE, TOP-NOTCH! AND FLAWLESS. AND I'M GOING TO MISS CONNECTING WITH YOU ON THAT. I THINK WE'RE TWO PEOPLE WHO, REGARDLESS OF BELIEFS AND IDEOLOGIES, WE SIMPLY WANT TO SEE GOVERNMENT WORK. BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT IS MEANT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE. AND WE CONSTANTLY, ON THIS DAIS, OFTEN GET FED A LOT OF BS AROUND WHY THINGS CAN'T WORK IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. AND YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE WHO, IN THOSE DIVISIVE ERAS WOULD CALL BS. AND THEN PAIR IT WITH "DON'T TELL ME NO, TELL ME HOW." WE WALK AROUND LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO JUST SAYING "I WANT GOVERNMENT TO WORK." WHAT IS NONSENSE, YOU WOULD CALL NONSENSE. YOU WOULD PAIR IT WITH, "LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROBLEM SOLVE." THAT'S DESPERATELY NEEDED HERE. THAT'S GOING TO BE A GAP HERE. AND I THINK I SHARED IT IN THE ONE-TO-ONE MOST RECENTLY. I HOPE YOU TAKE OVER ANOTHER CITY! IF IT'S NOT HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS, UNTIL WE CAN FIGURE OUT THINGS HERE. YOUR BRILLIANCE, YOUR INTELLIGENCE, YOUR UNDERSTANDING. IT'S SO DESERVED IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR STATE. WE'RE LITERALLY IN A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF YOU. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] [52:49] Aurin Chowdhury: COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI, EMILY KOSKI! I JUST -- I'VE SPENT THE LAST FEW MONTHS LOOKING OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI AND BEING LIKE "DO YOU HAVE TO GO? CAN YOU JUST STAY?" AND THAT'S BECAUSE, FOR ME, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I JUST REALLY RECOGNIZE THE SHOULDERS THAT I STAND ON. AND THAT'S YOU. YOU OPENED UP YOUR DOORS SO WIDE FOR ME. NOT JUST WHEN I CAME IN, BUT EVERY TIME THAT IT GOT HARD HERE. EVERY TIME IT JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS SO OVERWHELMING. THE ISSUES IN OUR CITY AND OUR WORLD WERE JUST SO ENTANGLED AND HARD, YOUR DOOR WAS OPEN TO ME. AND YOU ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ME. AND YOU EVEN WENT A STEP FURTHER AND COMMITTED TO ME THAT YOU WOULD MENTOR ME AND BELIEVE IN ME. AND THAT YOU SEE THINGS IN ME THAT I CAN'T EVEN SEE. AND THAT'S HOW YOU APPROACH GOVERNING, TOO. YOU SEE THINGS IN THIS CITY. YOU SEE THINGS IN HOW CITY HALL CAN BE. HOW OUR COUNCIL CAN WORK TOGETHER. THAT NO ONE ELSE IS SEEING. YOU HAVE IT. IT'S VISIONARY. YOU ARE VISION-ORIENTED, AND YOU ARE SOLUTION-ORIENTED. AND YOU JUST CREATE THE MAP AND YOUR RELENTLESSNESS IN GETTING TO THE END GOAL. YOU PUT THE NORTH STAR UP HIGH. THE BIG THING IS, YOU DON'T JUST HOLD IT FOR YOURSELF. YOU'RE LIKE "EVERYBODY GRAB ON TO IT." WE'RE GOING TO DO IT TOGETHER. THIS IS OUR SHARED THING. THAT PART ABOUT YOU SAYING IN THE RESOLUTION SAYING OFTENTIMES WITHOUT RECOGNITION, YOU DIDN'T WANT IT. YOU DIDN'T NEED IT. IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE. AND TODAY YOU DO GET THAT RECOGNITION. BECAUSE YOU ARE SO CONSISTENT. AND YOU WERE SO COMPASSIONATE. I THINK I'LL CONTINUE TO REFLECT ON THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO YOU. BECAUSE WE NEED YOU! AND WE CARE ABOUT YOU. AND I LOVE YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR CITY AND OUR COUNCIL. [55:21] Emily Koski: I'LL KEEP IT SHORT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S BEEN AN HONOR OF MY LIFE TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF MINNEAPOLIS OF WARD 11 AND TO BE UP HERE WITH YOU AMAZING LEADERS. IT'S BEEN AN HONOR. I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH! AND THE PASSION THAT I HAVE AND THE LOVE I HAVE FOR THIS CITY IS NOT GOING AWAY. BUT ALL OF THIS WORK COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT MY FAMILY WHO IS HERE WITH ME. AND, ALSO, MY TEAM. MELISSA, EMILY, KORIN. NONE OF THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT EVERYBODY ON THIS DAIS AND BEHIND THE SCENES. A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE CLERKS. NOTHING WORKS WITHOUT THE CLERKS. AND THEY MAKE ALL OF THIS WORK COME TRUE, TOO. THANK YOU SO MUCH! AND I APPRECIATE ALL THIS SUPPORT. [56:16] Elliott Payne: [ APPLAUSE ] NEXT UP, WE'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON. [58:45] Elliott Payne: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR JOINING US TO CELEBRATE JEREMIAH. I'M GOING TO KICK OFF READING THE HONORARY RESOLUTION. RECOGNIZING COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEREAS JEREMIAH BEY ELLISON, A TRUE NORTHSIDER BORN AND RAISED, HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO UPLIFTING, ADVOCATING FOR, AND CELEBRATING THE VIBRANCY AND RESILIENCE OF NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. HE RAN FOR OFFICE IN 2017 AFTER SEEING A GAP IN REPRESENTATION FOR THE COMMUNITY HE LOVED AND STEPPED FORWARD TO ENSURE THE GENIUS, LIVED EXPERIENCES, AND LEADERSHIP REFLECTED IN CITY HALL; AND HE ENTERED ELECTED OFFICE AS A MURAL PAINTER, COMIC BOOK ARTIST, AND WRITER, AND EVOLVED INTO A RESPECTED HOUSING POLICY EXPERT DEMONSTRATING THAT CREATIVITY CAN TRANSFORM GOVERNANCE, POLICY MAKING, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. WHEREAS, AT ONLY 28 YEARS OLD, WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE, HE HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR NEW GENERATIONS OF YOUNG LEADERS TO RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE. AND NOW AT THE ELDER AGE OF 36 -- [ LAUGHTER ] LEAVES A LEGACY OF EXPANDING HOUSING AFFORDABLE ACCESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND COMMUNITY SAFETY IN WARD 5 AND THROUGHOUT MINNEAPOLIS. [1:00:21] Jason Chavez: WHEREAS, HE BEGAN HIS TENURE WITH A COMMITMENT TO SHIFTING THE POWER AND BALANCE BETWEEN RENTERS AND THE HOUSING SYSTEM. SUCH AS THE RENTER'S FIRST POLICIES, HOUSING POLICY, FAIR NOTICE ORDINANCE, RIGHT TO RETURN, TENANT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE, AND RIGHT TO COUNSEL, ENSURING MINNEAPOLIS RENTERS HAD GREATER DIGNITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND STABILITY. WHEREAS, HE STRENGTHENED THE CITY'S ABILITY TO SAFEGUARD LIVABLE HOUSING CONDITIONS THROUGH THE CREATION OF THE EMERGENCY REPAIR BOARD, AND IMPROVED HABITABILITY ENFORCEMENT. ENSURING THAT FAMILIES WERE NO LONGER FORCED TO ENDURE UNSAFE OR DETERIORATING HOUSING WITHOUT RECOURSE. AND: WHEREAS, HE RECOGNIZED THAT ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS LIKE LEAD POISONING AND MOLD INFESTATION WERE NOT ISOLATED MAINTENANCE ISSUES, BUT SYMPTOMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM. AND HE CHAMPIONED SOME OF THE STRONGEST LEAD AND MOLD REMEDIATION POLICIES IN THE CITY'S HISTORY. REQUIRING LANDLORDS TO ADDRESS HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS QUICKLY, PREVENTS DISPLACEMENT CAUSED BY SAFETY FAILURES, AND ENSURING MINNEAPOLIS HOMES SUPPORT LONG-TERM HEALTH. AND, WHEREAS, HE CONSISTENTLY ADVANCED PATHWAYS TOWARD TENANT OWNERSHIP AND LONG-TERM AFFORDABILITY. BY ESTABLISHING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY FUND, AND LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE TENANT OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ORDINANCE TO BE PICKED UP AND COMPLETED BY FUTURE COUNCIL MEMBERS. CREATING FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY-CONTROLLED HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY. [1:01:55] Aurin Chowdhury: WHEREAS: HE SHOWED STEADFAST COMMITMENT FOR FIGHTING LONG OVERDUE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ISSUES SUCH AS HERC. STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS AGAINST HIGH IMPACT INDUSTRIAL USES, ADVANCING ASH TREATMENT RESOLUTION FOR MORE EQUITABLE REMOVABLES. AND, WHEREAS, HE CHAMPIONED MOBILITY, TRANSPORTATION, AND LAND USE POLICIES THAT IMPROVED SAFETY AND ACCESS. INCLUDING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, MOBILITY HUBS, TRAFFIC CALMING INITIATIVES, MAJOR REZONING REFORMS AND COMMUNITY-CENTERED TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES. SUCH AS THE OLSON MEMORIAL REDESIGN AND BLUE LINE LIGHT RAIL DEVELOPMENT. [1:02:40] Aurin Chowdhury: AND WHEREAS HE CENTERED ECONOMIC JUSTICE BY SUPPORTING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS, LABOR RIGHTS, AND REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS WORKING TO ENSURE THAT IT REDIRECTED THE DREAMS OF WARD 5 RESIDENTS. AND ACROSS EVERY AREA OF WORK, HOUSING, PUBLIC SAFETY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LABOR, ENVIRONMENT, LAND USE, AND COMMUNITY WELL BEING, HE APPROACHED POLICY WITH A LENS OF DIGNITY, EQUITY, AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT. LEAVING BEHIND A LEGACY THAT WILL SHAPE THE NORTH SIDE FOR GENERATIONS. [1:03:20] Aurin Chowdhury: AND, WHEREAS, HE CONSULTED AND EVALUATED DEEP COLLABORATION WITH CITY STAFF, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IN TRUST, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SHARED PURPOSE. AND, WHEREAS, IN HIS OWN WORDS, HE HAS BELIEVED IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS AS A COMMUNITY OF STORY TELLERS, WORKERS, EDUCATORS, AND VISIONARIES. AND HE DEDICATED HIS PUBLIC SERVICE TO PROPPING UP THE GENIUS OF THE COMMUNITY. AND BUILDING A FUTURE AUTHORED BY NORTH SIDE THEMSELVES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL HEREBY PRESENTS THIS HONORARY RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF HIS SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON TO WARD 5 AND CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND EXTENDS ITS BEST WISHES FOR HIS CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FUTURE ENDEAVORS. [1:04:33] Kim Ellison: WE HAVE A FEW REMARKS. WELL JEREMIAH LOVES NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. IT'S WHERE HE WAS BORN. IT'S WHERE HE WAS RAISED. AND WHERE HE LIVES TODAY. HIS WORK ON THE COUNCIL, AS COUNCIL MEMBER HAS COME FROM THE PLACE THAT HE'S ALWAYS CALLED HOME AND HIS LOVE FOR HIS NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORS. WE WATCHED JEREMIAH GROW UP. THE NORTH SIDE HAS WATCHED JEREMIAH GROW UP. AS A TEAM PLAYER IN SPORTS. SAW HIM DEVELOP HIS ARTISTIC TALENT. AND CARRIED THE SPIRIT OF AN ARTIST INTO POLITICS. AND NOW WE'VE SEEN HIM GROW IN OFFICE BECOMING MORE DIPLOMATIC AND MORE OF A TEAM BUILDER. [ LAUGHTER ] JEREMIAH HAS ALWAYS TOLD THE UNCOMPROMISING TRUTH FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE. THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT HIS NEIGHBORHOOD MEANS, WHAT THEY DESERVE, AND HIS FAMILY WILL NOT FORGET HIS "NEW YORK TIMES" OP-ED WHERE HE TALKED ABOUT THE TOLL THE PANDEMIC WAS HAVING ON THE NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORS. AND MENTIONS THE PASSING OF HIS NANA. JEREMIAH OPERATES ON PRINCIPLE AND IT'S BEEN A JOY TO SEE HIM GROW MORE EVERY DAY. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU, JEREMIAH. AND PROUD OF THE WORK YOU'VE DONE FOR THE NORTH SIDE. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] [1:06:11] Mitra Jalali: COUNCIL MEMBERS, COLLEAGUES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I'M GRATEFUL TO BE HERE IN RECOGNITION OF MY COLLEAGUE. UMM, I WAS ASKED TO SPEAK AND HONORED BECAUSE I ENTERED PUBLIC SERVICE IN WHAT FEELS LIKE A LIFETIME AGO WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON. HE FEELS TRULY LIKE MY COUNCIL MEMBER SIBLING. AS WE'VE EXITED AND ARE EXITING, OUR TIME OF SERVICE IN OUR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES, I AM GRATEFUL TO BE HERE FROM THE CITY ACROSS THE RIVER TO GET TO SHARE WHY YOUR LEADERSHIP HAS MATTERED TO ME, WHY IT HAS MATTERED TO OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES AND THINK ABOUT WHY -- WHY IS JEREMIAH'S LEADERSHIP SO IMPORTANT? I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME HEARING HIM TALK ABOUT RUNNING TO REPRESENT HIS COMMUNITY. AND BEFORE HE EVEN DECIDED TO RUN, WE SAW HIM IN A PICTURE WE'LL NEVER FORGET WITH HIS HANDS IN THE AIR. AND WE SAW SOMETHING THAT CAPTURED OUR HEART, OUR ANGER, OUR RAGE, AND OUR COURAGE. AND WE SENT HIM TO CITY HALL TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. AND WHEN WE LEARN FROM HIM ABOUT HOW HE RAN. HE TALKED ABOUT HE WOULD SAY, "PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY ARE OFTEN NOT REACHED BY PEOPLE RUNNING TO REPRESENT THEM." HE TALKED ABOUT DOING THINGS LIKE GETTING OUT TO THE STREETS, LITERALLY TAKING A CAR, PUTTING MUSIC ON A LOUD SPEAKER, AND SLOW-ROLLING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ANYONE WHO CAME OUT, HE SAID, "HEY! MY NAME IS JEREMIAH! TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD." BECAUSE WE'RE ALWAYS ASKING PEOPLE TO COME TO US. WE HAVE TO GO TO THEM! AND HE WENT TO THEM. BECAUSE THAT'S YOUR COMMUNITY, JEREMIAH. AND THERE'S SO MUCH ABOUT TRADITIONAL CAMPAIGNING THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. IF YOUR PHONE IS CUT OFF, IF YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE, HOW IS THE CAMPAIGN SUPPOSED TO REACH YOU? IF YOU DON'T LIVE WHERE YOU PREVIOUSLY LIVED, YOU WERE EVICTED OR LOST ACCESS TO THE HOUSING. WE HAVE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET TO PEOPLE. IF YOU ARE LIVING IN A CAMP IN COMMUNITY, YOU GET TO VOTE. YOU HAVE RIGHTS. HE TALKED TO EVERY RESIDENT. AND THIS IS ALL THINGS THAT I SAW IN JEREMIAH BEFORE I HAD EVEN RUN FOR OFFICE. AND I SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER LISTENING TO HIM TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS AND FEELING PROFOUNDLY INSPIRED AND TRANSFORMED. AND IT MATTERED FOR HOW I EVENTUALLY RAN FOR CITY COUNCIL. IN THAT WORK TOGETHER, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE. WE'VE HAD SOME CRAZY PHONE CALLS! YOU KNOW, NO ONE IN OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO BE AWAKE AT 2:00 A.M. WITH THE MOST PAINFUL, HISTORIC -- IN THE BAD-WAY THINGS UNFOLDING IN OUR WARDS. IN THE DEPTHS OF 2020, JEREMIAH ON THE NORTH SIDE, I WAS WIDE AWAKE AT 2:00 A.M. AND LOOKED AT MY PHONE. I WAS ONLINE IT WAS WORKING. IT SAID "JEREMIAH ELLISON." AND I HAD A MOMENT. I HAD A MOMENT, "OH, MY GOD. WE'RE THE ONES NOW. WE'RE THE ONES IN THE MOMENT. WE'RE THE ONES IN THE HISTORIC, TERRIFYING NATIONAL MEDIA COMMUNITY PAIN. JUST WASHING MACHINE OF THINGS." AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT WAS YOU ON THAT PHONE CALL. I'M SO HAPPY THAT AT 2:00 A.M. IT WAS YOU. AND SO WE WENT THROUGH IT TOGETHER. AND I WANT TO HONOR THAT. BECAUSE THAT HEART, WHEN YOU FIRST RAN, THE WAY YOU SEE PEOPLE. THE WAY THAT YOU STROVE TO REPRESENT THEM. THE FRUITS OF THAT. THAT EVERYONE -- STAFF MEMBERS, COMMUNITY, ALLIES THAT HELPED ROOT THOSE INVESTMENTS IN POLICIES THAT ARE NOW IN THAT RESOLUTION THAT ARE LAWS IN THIS COMMUNITY. THE REASON YOU CAN'T GET KICKED OUT OF YOUR APARTMENT. THE REASON IF YOU GET KICKED OUT, YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR BUILDING BECAUSE YOUR LANDLORD SUCKS, YOU CAN DO THAT NOW! THESE ARE THE ROOTS THAT TURNED INTO FRUITS. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT HEART AND THAT MIND AND YOUR VERACITY. AND PERSONALLY, AND I'M SAYING IT IN THE BEST WAYS, THAT PETTINESS -- SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES YOU ALSO HAVE TO BE THAT WAY IN THIS WORK. DEPLOY IT STRATEGICALLY. FOR THE MOVEMENT. FOR THE CAUSE. BUT I WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU AS A PERSON. SO HONORED TO HAVE SERVED WITH YOU AND ON THE OTHER SIDE IN THIS CHAPTER. I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M ALSO RETIRED AT THE RIPE AGE OF 39! SO HERE IS TO THE LATE 30s EXITING OFFICE. BUT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE STILL HERE WITH YOU. JUST LIKE HOW IT BEGAN. SO BE IT HOW WE GO FORWARD. THANK YOU EVERY SINGLE PERSON HERE. STAFF, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PEOPLE WHO TOOK TIME FOR MAKING THIS COMMUNITY FOR WHAT IT IS AND YOUR SERVICE IN THESE TIMES. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO HONOR YOU TODAY. [1:11:21] DeAnna Cummings: GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DEANNA DODD-CUMMINGS. I'M ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF JUXTAPOSITION ARTS, WHICH FOLKS HAVE REFERENCED. IT'S A VISUAL ART AND DESIGN NONPROFIT ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER LOCATED IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, IN JEREMIAH'S WARD. I'VE KNOWN JEREMIAH SINCE HE WAS 7 YEARS OLD. THE YOUNGEST PERSON EVER ACCEPTED INTO JUXTAPOSITION. MIND YOU, IT'S A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PROGRAM. HE'S COMPETING AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE 16, 17, 18, ALL THE WAY UP TO 21 YEARS OLD. AND HE GOT IT! AND THAT IS WHO JEREMIAH HAS ALWAYS BEEN. IF YOU GIVE HIM 20% ODDS, HE'S LIKE, "I'LL TAKE IT." AND 95% OF THE TIME, HE'S GOING TO WIN. HE HAS BEEN ALWAYS THE YOUNGEST, THE FIRST, THE TRAILBLAZER. THAT ISN'T SOMETHING HE'S SHIED AWAY FROM. THAT'S SOMETHING HE'S EMBRACED. I WANT TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS, JEREMIAH. I WANT TO SAY TO ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHOSE TERMS ARE ENDING TODAY. THANK YOU FOR TAKING A TURN IN THE SEAT. THANK YOU FOR NOT FEELING LIKE YOU NEED TO HOLD THE SEAT FOREVER AND EVER. BECAUSE I THINK TAKING A TURN IN THE SEAT IS WHAT THE REAL DIFFERENCE IS. TAKE A TURN, LEAVE IT BETTER, AND THEN HAND THE BATON. THANK YOU FOR LEAVING THIS COUNCIL BETTER. THANK YOU FOR LEAVING YOUR WARD BETTER. THANK YOU FOR LEAVING OUR CITY BETTER. FOR ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'VE TOUCHED AND THAT YOU'VE IMPACTED. YOU LEFT ME BETTER. YOU LEFT MY PARTNER, ROGER, BETTER. AND YOU DID IT ALL FROM THE LENS OF AN ARTIST. BRINGING YOUR SUPERPOWERS OF AESTHETICS AND STORY TELLING. SOME OF Y'ALL HAVE HEARD JEREMIAH TELL A STORY OR TWO. HE'S A BEAUTIFUL STORY TELLER! AND FROM A LENS OF YOUR CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING. TO THE FOLKS OF MINNEAPOLIS, I HOPE Y'ALL WON'T FORGET WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO HAVE AN ARTIST OR TWO OR THREE RUNNING THE CITY. ARTISTS DO GOOD WORK. I HOPE Y'ALL WILL ELECT ANOTHER ARTIST. I HOPE Y'ALL WON'T FORGET WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO HAVE A 28-YEAR-OLD LEADING THE CITY. YOUNG PEOPLE CAN DO MORE THAN WHAT WE THINK THEY CAN DO! I LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE TO RUN THE CITY. ELECT YOUNG PEOPLE TO RUN THE CITY. CONGRATULATIONS, JEREMIAH. THANK YOU. I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW YOUR GIFTS, TALENTS, AND SUPERPOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO MANIFEST IN THE WORLD. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! [1:14:00] Jeremiah Ellison: ALL RIGHT. I'LL SAY A THING OR TWO. I'VE GOT SOME NOTES. THANK YOU ALL. TO MY STAFF, CAN WE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO MY STAFF. [ APPLAUSE ] I CAN'T EVEN STAND UPRIGHT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY STAFF FROM OVER THE YEARS. THANK YOU GUYS. SO I GOT A FEW BRIEF NOTES. I'LL TRY TO DEPLOY THEM BRIEFLY A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS. TO THE DEGREE THAT I HAVE CONVINCED ANYONE THAT I'M AN EXPERT ON ANYTHING, I HAVE TO THANK THE STAFF THAT I'VE WORKED WITH THROUGHOUT THE CITY DEPARTMENTS. I WOULD LOVE TO THINK OF MYSELF AS AN EXPERT. I WOULD LOVE TO BECOME AN EXPERT BUT I'M NOT. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING WHO I HAVE BROKE BREAD WITH, HAD COFFEE WITH, TALKED WITH, HAVE TAKEN SERIOUS. AND WHO HAVE TAKEN ME SERIOUS IN RETURN. THEY TAUGHT ME SO MUCH. AND I FELT LIKE I WAS ABLE TO BRING THAT KNOWLEDGE TO THE COUNCIL IN A WAY THAT I HAD A FEW MODELS FOR IN, YOU KNOW, MY GOOD FRIEND LISA BENDER, MY GOOD FRIEND LISA GOODMAN, THE TWO LISAS WHO TAUGHT ME HOW TO DO THIS JOB. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT. BECAUSE THIS WORK, THERE'S A LOT OF ME ON THAT PAGE. AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE RECOGNITION. BUT NONE OF THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SUPPORT AND A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HELPING ME STAND UPRIGHT. I WANT TO SAY THAT. [ APPLAUSE ] IF YOU KNOW ME LONG ENOUGH, I THINK I FIGHT IT OFF PRETTY WELL, BUT I CAN BE VULNERABLE TO CYNICISM. IT CAN BE HARD TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD AND FEEL LIKE YOU'RE MEETING SO MUCH RESISTANCE IN TRYING TO SOLVE THEM. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE IN THE ROOM HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT. AND I FEEL LIKE I EXPERIENCED THAT. BEING IN A BUILDING THAT FELT LIKE WAS ANTAGONISTIC TO THE KIND OF CHANGE THAT I WANTED TO SEE. AND YOU WALK INTO OFFICE WITH ALL OF YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS AND YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS. YOU MEET TO DECIDE HOW YOU'RE GOING TO BECOME. ARE YOU GOING TO RETURN CYNICISM IN KIND? OR ARE YOU GOING TO ASPIRE TO A BETTER IMPULSE THAN THAT? AND SO MY TASK AND MY CHALLENGE TO MYSELF WAS TO ASPIRE TO A GREATER IMPULSE THAN CYNICISM. I THINK THAT MY DISPOSITION CAN LEAN TOWARDS ANTAGONISM SOMETIMES. I THINK THAT'S OKAY. I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE NEED TO BE STIRRED. THEIR IMAGINATIONS NEED TO BE JOSTLED OUT OF THEM. SOMETIMES IT CAN BE INVITED OUT OF THEM. SOMETIMES IT HAS TO BE JOSTLED OUT OF THEM. AND MY CREATIVITY IN THIS JOB, AT THIS JOB HAS THREATENED TO MAKE ME LESS CREATIVE. I'VE HAD COMMUNITY MEMBERS JOSTLE MY CREATIVITY BACK OUT OF HERE. SOME OF THE PEOPLE UP HERE HAVE DONE THAT. I'M GRATEFUL. WHEN YOU'RE COMING TO A CLOSE IN, YOU KNOW, EIGHT YEARS IN OFFICE. I FEEL OLD IN THE JOB. LIKE, I KNOW RATIONALLY I'M NOT THAT OLD. AFTER EIGHT YEARS, TWO YEARS OF -- WE DIDN'T KNOW IT THEN, BUT TWO YEARS OF PROSPERITY IN THIS CITY. AND THEN 2020. AND NOT ONLY THE PANDEMIC THAT REALLY ROCKED THE WHOLE COUNTRY, BUT THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD. THAT DEVASTATED OUR CITY. AND I DON'T KNOW WE'VE RECOVERED FROM IT. I KNOW FOR A FACT WE HAVEN'T. AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT WAS SIX YEARS OF THAT WITHIN THOSE EIGHT YEARS. AND SO THE JOB CAN THREATEN TO WEAR YOU DOWN. AND I'M NOT AN INCREDIBLY RELIGIOUS PERSON. BUT I DID FIND THE KORAN. I WAS RAISED MUSLIM. MY DAD RAISED US THAT WAY. I FOUND MYSELF REVISITING A PASSAGE THAT I WANT TO READ TO YOU GUYS. I WON'T READ THE WHOLE THING BUT A PORTION OF IT. HAS TAUGHT YOU, MANKIND, THE KORAN, BY HIS MERCY. HE CREATED MAN. HE TAUGHT HIM ELOQUENT SPEECH. THE SUN AND THE MOON RUN ON THEIR FIXED COURSES. EXACTLY CALCULATED WITH MEASURED OUT STAGES FOR EACH. AND THE HERBS AND THE STARS AND THE TREES BOTH FRUSTRATE. AND THE HEAVEN, HE HAS RAISED HIGH. AND HE HAS SET UP THE BALANCE. IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY NOT TRANSGRESS DUE BALANCE. AND OBSERVE THE WEIGHT WITH EQUITY AND DO NOT MAKE THE BALANCE DEFICIENT. AND THE EARTH, HE HAS PUT FOR THE CREATURES. THEREIN OUR FRUITS. DATE PALMS PRODUCING FRUIT WITH LEAVES AND STALK FORKED FODDER AND SWEET SCENTED PLANTS. AND WHICH OF THE BLESSINGS OF YOUR LORD WILL YOU BOTH DENY? HE CREATED MAN FROM SOUNDING CLAY, LIKE THE CLAY OF POTTERY. AND THE -- FROM THE SMOKELESS FLAME OF FIRE. THEN WHICH OF THE BLESSINGS OF YOUR LORD WILL YOU DENY? HE IS THE LORD OF THE TWO EASTS AND THE TWO WESTS. THEN WHICH OF THE BLESSINGS OF YOUR LORD WILL YOU DENY? HE HAS LET LOOSE THE TWO SEAS MEETING TOGETHER. MEETING THEM IS A BARRIER WHICH NONE OF THEM CAN TRANSGRESS. THEN WHICH OF THE BLESSINGS OF YOUR LORD WILL YOU BOTH DENY? OUT OF THEM BOTH COME PEARL. THEN WHICH OF THE BLESSINGS OF YOUR LORD WILL YOU DENY? AND HIS ARE THE SHIPS GOING AND COMING IN THE SEAS LIKE MOUNTAINS. THEN WHICH OF THE BLESSINGS -- WHICH OF YOUR LORD'S BLESSINGS WILL YOU DENY. WHATSOEVER IT IS ON EARTH WILL PERISH. AND YOUR FACE OF YOUR LORD, YOUR MAJESTY WILL ABIDE FOREVER. I FORCE MYSELF WHEN IT COMES TO SERVICE AND YOU'RE FACING DOWN THE THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT, AND YOU'RE WANTING TO GIVE INTO CYNICISM. AND I ASKED MYSELF -- I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF ABOUT THE BLESSINGS OF SERVICE. ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH. ABOUT THE STAFF WHO HAVE HELPED ME STAND UPRIGHT AND INSPIRED ME. AND I GOT TO ASK MYSELF, WHICH OF THOSE BLESSINGS AM I WILLING TO DENY? AND SO MY CHALLENGE IS TO DENY NONE OF THEM. [ APPLAUSE ] I DID NOT THINK I COULD HOLD IT AT ALL. [ LAUGHTER ] AND I'LL TRY TO WRAP UP. I KNOW WE GOT STUFF TO DO. [ LAUGHTER ] AND SO I GIVE MY GRATITUDE TO THE NORTH SIDE. I LOVE THE NORTH SIDE. MY MOM -- AS MY MOM SAID, I WAS BORN AND RAISED THERE. I DID EVERYTHING VALUABLE I DID SO FAR IN MY LIFE, I'VE DONE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. AND EVEN IF I GO SOMEWHERE FOR AWHILE, I KNOW I'M ALWAYS COMING BACK HOME TO NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. I WANT TO THANK MY RESIDENTS. AND I WANT TO THANK ANYBODY WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO STEP UP AND SERVE THEM. WHETHER I AGREE WITH THEM OR NOT. I THINK THE NORTH SIDE IS CENTRAL. THE NORTH SIDE REQUIRES AN INDEPENDENT VOICE. THE NORTH SIDE REQUIRES SOMEBODY RELENTLESS. SOMEBODY WILLING TO BE A WARRIOR IN THE WORK THAT WE DO. THE WORK FOR JUSTICE. THE WORK IN MAINTAINING THE BALANCE OF JUSTICE. OKAY. LAST COUPLE OF THINGS. LAST THING I'LL JUST WANT TO HAVE A SMALL MESSAGE TO FUTURE COUNCILS. AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF READING BOTH RELATED TO PUBLIC PLANNING AND BEYOND. AND SOMEBODY HAS BEEN INSPIRING TO ME. I RECOMMEND EVERYBODY GO AND READ FRED MOTEN. SO HE HAS A QUOTE. AND I'LL INTERPRET THE QUOTE AFTERWARDS. THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF REVOLUTION IS BOUND TO THE WAY THE INDIVIDUAL EMERGES AS A THEORETICAL POSSIBILITY, AND A PHENOMENOLOGICAL ACTUALITY IN AND OUT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ENSEMBLE. IT MEANS SO MUCH IN SUCH A FEW AMOUNT OF WORDS. ESSENTIALLY YOU CANNOT SAVE THE WORLD ALONE. AND AS MUCH AS PEOPLE THINK THAT BEING AN INDIVIDUAL AND REPRESENTING ONLY THEMSELVES IS SOME KIND OF LIBERTY. IT'S ACTUALLY A CONTRADICTION. REPRESENTING ONLY YOURSELF DENIES YOU LIBERTY. IT'LL DENY YOUR NEIGHBOR LIBERTY. I HOPE PEOPLE CAN SEE THEMSELVES, EVEN IF YOU'RE IN A ELECTED POSITION, ESPECIALLY OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AS I'LL BE IN THE COMMUNITY IN JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS HERE. I HOPE THAT YOU VIEW YOURSELF AS A PART OF A COLLECTIVE. I HOPE YOU VIEW YOURSELF AS PART OF A REVOLUTIONARY ENSEMBLE. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND OUR DESTINIES ARE BOUND UP IN THIS WORK. AND I TAKE THIS WORK VERY SERIOUSLY. BUT IF I DIDN'T, I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE UP HERE SO EMOTIONAL. IT'S MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, AT THE END OF THE DAY. WE'RE NOT RUNNING THE WORLD. BUT I THINK THAT IN A MEDIUM-SIZED CITY IN THE MIDWEST, WE'VE SET ONE HELL OF AN EXAMPLE. I THINK WE'VE SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BETTER. AND I THINK OUR MOMENTS WHERE WE HAVE SET EXAMPLE FOR THE WORSE. AND SO I LEAVE YOU WITH THAT. AND I JUST, AGAIN, CANNOT THANK ENOUGH THE PEOPLE WHO HELD ME UP IN THE WORK. EVERYBODY UP HERE, MY COLLEAGUES, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY YOU KNOW, I GOT TO SAY IT ONE MORE TIME. IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED BEHIND THE SCENES. MAKING SURE THAT WARD FIVE IS WELL REPRESENTED. THANK YOU ALL. [1:27:14] Elliott Payne: ANDREA JENKINS IS OUR NEXT RESOLUTION. [1:29:19] Elliott Payne: WE ARE RECOGNIZING COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS FOR THE YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. ANDREA JENKINS IS A PIONEER IN MANY RESPECTS, AS FIRST OPENLY BLACK TRANSGENDER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND THE FIRST BLACK TRANSGENDER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES, RECORD AND ARCHIVE THE STORIES OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ACROSS THE MIDWEST AND OTHER POCKETS OF THE US, AS THE CURATOR OF THE TRANSGENDER ORAL HISTORY PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S TRETTER COLLECTION; AND COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS IS CURRENTLY THE LONGEST SERVING CITY EMPLOYEE OF MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL, HAVING SERVED 12 YEARS AS POLICY AIDE FOR THE SIXTH AND EIGHTH WARDS LED BY THEN-COUNCIL MEMBERS ROBERT LILLIGREN AND ELIZABETH GLIDDEN RESPECTIVELY, AND ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS AS COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE EIGHTH WARD FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS; AND [ APPLAUSE ] WHEREAS, HER LEGACY INCLUDES LEADING THE COUNCIL THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF THE CITY'S FIRST EVER STRATEGIC AND RACIAL EQUITY ACTION PLAN (S-REAP), THE MINNEAPOLIS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE MINNEAPOLIS 2020 CENSUS COUNT AND REDISTRICTING FEDERAL MANDATE; BUILDING OUT THE CITY'S INAUGURAL OFFICE OF RACE AND EQUITY; DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS; CREATING THE CITY'S TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION PROCESS WHICH WAS FIRST IN THE NATION TO SIMULTANEOUSLY ADDRESS HISTORIC HARMS COMMITTED AGAINST BOTH AMERICAN INDIAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH; AND FURTHERMORE INCLUDES COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING TO TRANSFORM THE LAKE STREET TRANSIT STATION, A PROJECT MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING, AND THE D LINE BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM, COMMEMORATIVE STREET RENAMING'S FOR GEORGE PERRY FLOYD SQUARE AT 38TH STREET AND CHICAGO AVENUE, CLARISSA ROGERS WALKER WAY AT 38TH STREET AND 3RD AVENUE S, AND LAUNA Q. NEWMAN WAY AT 38TH STREET AND 4TH AVENUE S; AND [1:31:36] Jason Chavez: WHEREAS: IN HER EARLIER YEARS ANDREA JENKINS, ALONG WITH SENATOR JEFF HAYDEN, DAVID RUBEDOR, ELFRIC PORTE, TIFFANY GREEN, DEBORAH WATTS, AND LELA HARGETT, CREATED THE MINNEHAHA RE-IMAGINE INITIATIVE TO BEGIN WORK ON REVITALIZING 38TH STREET AND CHICAGO AVENUE, DUBBED “SOUL OF THE CITY,” AND AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS SHE CONTINUED TO LEAD COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO SUSTAIN AND INVEST IN THE AREA THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE ARTS ON CHICAGO, ESTABLISHING CULTURAL DISTRICTS, AUTHORING AND SHEPHERDING CITY AND CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING INVESTMENTS, AND CREATING THE 38TH STREET THRIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN, WHICH WAS ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN COLLABORATION WITH CITY STAFF, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER CRITICAL STAKEHOLDERS; AND [1:32:23] Jason Chavez: WHEREAS: COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS HAS BEEN HONORED WITH THE FLAG RAISING AND FIRE ISLAND PINES COMMEMORATING HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRANSGENDER VISIBILITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS. HAS BEEN NAMED OUT OF "OUT MAGAZINE" 100 AND RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER OF TRANSGENDER EQUALITY, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE, AND COUNTLESS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR HER DEDICATION TO EQUALITY, JUSTICE, AND HUMAN DIGNITY. AND, [1:32:54] Aurin Chowdhury: WHEREAS: HER ARTISTIC CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE PUBLISHED COLLECTIONS AND CHAPTER BOOKS THAT DOCUMENT TRANSGENDER EXPERIENCES IN BLACK QUEER LIFE IN AMERICA WITH HER POETRY SERVING AS HISTORICAL RECORD AND HEALING ART PERFORMED AT VENUES RANGING FROM COMMUNITY CENTERS TO NATIONAL STAGES. EARNING HER RECOGNITION AS NOT ONLY A POLITICAL LEADER BUT AS A VITAL VOICE IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN LITERATURE AND PERFORMANCE ART. AND, WHEREAS: ANDREA JENKINS FOUNDED AND CHAMPIONED SIGNATURE COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT HAVE BECOME PILLARS OF THE EIGHTH WARD AND THE BROADER MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE FIRST EVER COMMUNITY DINNER ON THE BRIDGE OF THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED 38th STREET, WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER HUNDREDS OF NEIGHBORS IN SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS, SENIORS PROVIDING VITAL RESOURCES AND THE CONNECTION FOR OLDER ADULTS. AND THE TRANS EQUITY SUMMIT WHICH REACHED ITS MILESTONE 10th ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR. [1:34:18] Aurin Chowdhury: WHICH REACHED ITS MILESTONE 10T ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, WHERE TRANSGENDER ICON MS. MAJOR GRIFFIN-GRACY DELIVERED A KEYNOTE ADDRESS IN WHAT WOULD BE HER FINAL PUBLIC APPEARANCE, AND ON THAT SAME DAY THE MAYOR DECLARED ANDREA JENKINS DAY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IN RECOGNITION OF HER EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY; COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS IS KNOWN FOR MAKING IT HER PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO HELP OTHERS IN SEARCH OF CAREER AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, OFTEN SERVING AS AN IMPORTANT CONNECTOR AND RESOURCE FOR THEM, FOR BEING A PERSON OF MANY TALENTS AND PAST LIVES, INCLUDING ORAL HISTORIAN, POET, AUTHOR, PERFORMANCE ARTIST, ENTREPRENEUR, CATERER, NEIGHBORHOOD TENNIS STAR, FOR HER LAUGHTER, LOVE OF SPORTS, GLAMOUR, AND OVERALL AS AN EXTROVERT AND SOCIALITE; AND COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREA JENKINS REMAINS A DEDICATED DAUGHTER, PARENT, GRANDPARENT, AND NEIGHBOR OF NEARLY 30 YEARS IN THE BRYANT NEIGHBORHOOD, WHO JOINS THE RANKS OF TRAILBLAZERS FROM THIS HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH HAS NURTURED AND PRODUCED MANY SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS CIVIC LEADERS, LIKE MAYOR SHARON SAYLES BELTON, JUDGE PAMELA ALEXANDER, JUDGE LAJUNE LANGE, JUDGE TANYA BRANSFORD, SENATOR JEFF HAYDEN, DR. RICHARD GREEN, AND HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER ANGELA CONLEY NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZE AND HONOR COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREA JENKINS FOR HER DEDICATED AND TIRELESS WORK ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY, THE EIGHTH WARD OF MINNEAPOLIS, AND OUR COMMUNITIES, WITH DEEP GRATITUDE. [1:35:38] Reverend Billy Russell: I'VE KNOWN THIS TREMENDOUS PERSON FOR SO MANY YEARS. FIRST TIME I REMEMBER MEETING HER WHEN SHE WAS PLAYING BASKETBALL. I'M COMING FROM EAST ST. LOUIS. WE ALL THINK WE CAN PLAY BALL. OKAY. I THOUGHT I COULD. WHEN I SAW HER PLAYING, I REALIZED SHE COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOPHER BASKETBALL TEAM. SHE WAS THAT GOOD! I'M TALKING ABOUT DUNKING AND EVERYTHING ELSE. [ LAUGHTER ] BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY -- WELL, MOST IMPORTANT -- HER COMMITMENT BOTH AS A STAFF PERSON FOR PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE, BUT, ALSO, I KNEW THEM ALL. SHE LEARNED WELL. AND MORE WITH A SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HER COMMUNITY AND HER PEOPLE. THAT'S ALL OF THEM. IT DIDN'T MATTER THAT YOU WEREN'T AFRICAN AMERICAN IF YOU LIVED IN HER WARD. SHE SERVED YOU JUST AS WELL AND WELCOMED EVERYBODY. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, SHE HAS BEEN SUCH A STRONG PARTNER SINCE YOU BECAME COUNCIL PERSON. BUT BEFORE THAT, SHE WAS A PARTICIPANT AT SABBATHANY. SHE KNOWS THE WORK. SEEING MANY, MANY CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE, I'VE SEEN NONE BETTER THAN YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. GOD BLESS YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] [1:38:49] Aurin Chowdhury: I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FOLLOW THAT. BUT, ALSO, ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES I CAME INTO SPACE WITH ANDREA WAS ON A BASKETBALL COURT. AND I DIDN'T KNOW ANDREA AT ALL. BUT I WENT THERE WITH ANOTHER BUDDY AND I WAS LIKE "WHO IS THIS PERSON?" AND THEN THE NEXT TIME I SAW ANDREA, I THINK, REALLY IN THAT SAME KIND OF ARENA WAS AT THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARK TENNIS COURTS. WHERE I SAW HER CREMATE THE PERSON SHE WAS PLAYING AGAINST. [ LAUGHTER ] AND I JUST FEEL REALLY HONORED TO CALL YOU FRIEND. TO BE YOUR NEIGHBOR. AND TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW IN SOME OF THE FOOTSTEPS THAT YOU'VE CREATED FOR US. THERE'S COUNTLESS DOORS YOU'VE NOT ONLY OPENED FOR ME BUT HELD AND WAIVED ME THROUGH. CHEERED ME ON. I DON'T KNOW A BETTER PERSON TO BE IN THE ROLES YOU'VE BEEN IN. FIRST AT THIS AND FIRST AT THAT. AND ALWAYS WITH THE LOVE OF YOUR COMMUNITY IN YOUR HEART. YOU'RE AN AMAZING WOMAN. AND YOU'RE A VERY WONDERFUL FRIEND. AND I'M SO PROUD TO CALL YOU MY FRIEND. I LOVE YOU. WHO'S NEXT? [ APPLAUSE ] [1:39:55] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU. EVERYONE HAS BEEN EMOTIONAL. I'M TRYING REALLY HARD! BECAUSE I WORE UNDERNEATH EYE LINER TODAY. AND I DON'T WANT -- I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THIS THIS MORNING! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, ANDREA. I MEAN, I DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT I CALL YOU ANDREA. I REFER TO YOU AS "MY BOO." I SAY "HEY, BOO!" I LOVE YOU. I ADORE YOU. I'VE ADMIRED YOU FOR -- I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG. IT'S BEEN WELL OVER 20 YEARS. AND I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT I GOT TO SERVE WITH YOU ON THE COUNCIL. IT'S SOMETHING YOU NEVER THINK OF IN YOUR LIFE. AND THEN WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU REALIZE HOW LIFE JUST MAKES THESE REALLY INTERESTING TURNS. BECAUSE YOU AND I WORKED TOGETHER ON TOBACCO ISSUES. WE WORKED TOGETHER ON STUFF IN MINNEAPOLIS. ON THE ADVOCACY SIDE OF THINGS. AND SO TO BE LED BY YOU AS THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAS BEEN A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME! ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALWAYS FEEL GRATEFUL FOR IS THE WONDERFUL SPEECHES YOU GIVE THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTION. I SAY TO PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, "IF YOU'RE EVER IN FEAR OR SCARED AND YOU'RE NERVOUS ABOUT THE NEXT DAY, WHICH IS ELECTION DAY, HOPEFULLY YOU GET A CALL FROM ANDREA JENKINS." BECAUSE SHE MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER! SHE MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO WIN, FOR SURE! AND ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. AND SO I'VE ADORED THE PEP TALKS. THE FUN. WE HAVE SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER! WHETHER IT'S TALKING ABOUT HAIR OR CLOTHES OR SHOES. WE'VE LEFT ON LUNCH BREAK TO GO SHOPPING! WE GO TO BASKETBALL GAMES TOGETHER. WE HANG OUT IN OUR HOODS TOGETHER. WE'RE BOTH CHICAGO GIRLS HERE IN A DIFFERENT CITY. AND, REALLY, JUST BONDING OVER LOVING THIS CITY. IT REALLY HAS BEEN THAT FOR US. ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. AND SO I'M SO SAD TO SEE YOU GO. I REALLY AM. IT WAS NEVER A TIME FOR ME WHEN I THOUGHT YOU SHOULDN'T RUN. BUT I UNDERSTAND IT'S THE TIME FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. AND I RESPECT THAT. AND I APPRECIATE THAT. AND I DO. I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE TIME I GOT TO SPEND HERE UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND THE TIMES THAT I GOT TO SHARE WITH YOU ON THE DAIS. WHETHER IT'S YOU GETTING MY TEXT MESSAGE A WEEK LATE! HA-HA OR YOU BEING SUPER-DUPER CHEERFUL TO ME AND MY STAFF. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I SAY THIS FOR MY STAFF, TOO. BECAUSE THEY'VE ADORED WORKING WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM, ALSO. YOU'RE ONE OF THE KINDEST PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. YOU HAVE A LEVEL OF KINDNESS THAT I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE COULD EVEN BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE. AND SO I WANT YOU TO KNOW, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, YOUR KINDNESS HAS DEFINITELY RUBBED OFF ON ME. I'M NOT AS GOOD AS YOU, BUT I'M WORKING TOWARDS YOUR LEVEL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR SHARING HER WITH US, ALSO! I APPRECIATE THAT. [ APPLAUSE ] [1:43:18] Aurin Chowdhury: I WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS. COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS, ANDREA, I REMEMBERED THE FIRST TIME I MET YOU. I WAS FURIOUSLY TYPING AWAY AT MY LAPTOP AT THE HOSMER LIBRARY. I WAS A STUDENT, I WAS, LIKE, BARELY 19. AND YOU WALKED BY AND, LIKE, I WAS LIKE, I LOOKED UP AND I WAS LIKE "ANDREA JENKINS?" HA-HA. AND YOU ASKED ME WHAT I WAS UP TO. AND I WAS TELLING YOU THAT I WAS KIND OF WORKING THROUGH SOME CAMPAIGN SPREADSHEETS AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A FEW THINGS FOR A FEW DIFFERENT LOCAL ELECTIONS. AND THEN YOU WERE LIKE, "I'M PLANNING ON RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL." AND I WAS LIKE "I KNOW!" AND WE EXCHANGED CONTACTS. THAT'S WHAT YOU DO. YOU MENTOR PEOPLE. YOU EMPOWER PEOPLE. YOU SEE THINGS IN OTHERS. YOU SEE LEADERSHIP IN OTHERS. AND EXACTLY WHAT WAS SAID. YOU LOVE TO HOLD THE DOOR OPEN. YOU LOVE TO BREAK DOWN THE DOOR AND HOLD IT OPEN FOR OTHERS. AND I THINK IT WAS, LIKE, A FEW WEEKS LATER, YOU WERE, LIKE, "DO YOU WANT A JOB?" AND YOU GAVE ME MY FIRST BIG BREAK IN POLITICS. YOU GAVE ME A CHANCE TO MANAGE YOUR FIRST CAMPAIGN. AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCES I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR. I MET SO MANY WONDERFUL COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON THE SOUTH SIDE, IN OUR QUEER COMMUNITY, AND YOU NEVER DOUBTED ME. EVEN THOUGH I WAS 19 YEARS OLD. YOU TRUSTED ME. AND THAT HAS SHOWN UP IN EVERY STEP I'VE TAKEN THUS FAR. THAT'S A BIG REASON WHY I STAND HERE TODAY AS YOUR COLLEAGUE. AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I GOT A CHANCE TO SERVE WITH YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR GRACE, YOUR VISION. I SEE THE WAY THAT YOU WORKED DAY IN AND DAY OUT. ON THINGS FROM ALL THE WAY BACK WHEN YOU WERE A POLICY AIDE UP UNTIL NOW. I'M TREMENDOUSLY PROUD OF YOU! I KNOW YOU'LL KEEP DOING IT FOR OTHERS. I THINK ONE OF THE WORDS THAT EMBODIES WHO YOU ARE AS A WOMAN, A LEADER, IS EMPOWERMENT. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] [1:45:39] Linea Palmisano: GOSH, WHAT HASN'T BEEN SAID? WELL, A LOT WHEN IT'S ABOUT OUR DEAR FRIEND ANDREA. I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF. WILL SAY THIS, AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE SAID: ANDREA JENKINS WILL NOT BE RUSHED! AND SHE HAS TAUGHT ME, IN MY LIFE, AND IN MY TIME HERE, WHETHER IT'S TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, TO COME TO THE RIGHT CONCLUSION, TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION. ANDREA JENKINS WON'T BE RUSHED. AND I HAVE SO MANY AMAZING MEMORIES OF -- WITH YOU. OF SERVING WITH YOU. OF BEFORE YOU WERE MY COLLEAGUE. WE WEREN'T EARLY-MORNING PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE, BUT WE WERE ALWAYS THERE LATE TOGETHER. AND TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT WAS TENNIS OR BASKETBALL. SHE ALWAYS SHOWED SUCH AN INTEREST IN MY CHILDREN, WHICH I GREATLY APPRECIATE. AND BECAME A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. ANDREA, YOU WON'T STOP BEING A PART OF MY LIFE. AND I VALUE THAT. I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF US SITTING IN YOUR FRONT YARD. ON THE FIRST DAY OF -- I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF YOU TAKING THE TIME YOU NEEDED TO SAY WHAT YOU NEEDED TO SAY DURING ALL OF THOSE COVID MEETINGS WHEN WE WERE REMOTE. AND I JUST REMEMBER ALWAYS FEELING SO CLOSE TO YOU PERSONALLY. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU MAKE EVERYBODY FEEL. IT'S NOT JUST ME. AND WE ALL LOVE YOU, ANDREA! I'LL END THERE. DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? NOW IT'S YOUR TURN. [1:47:23] Andrea Jenkins: YOU KNOW, I THINK I COULD JUST SAY THANK YOU. AND THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH BUT, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE MANY, MANY CONSTITUENTS THAT I'VE HAD IN THE EIGHTH WARD AND THOSE WHO HAVE TAUGHT ME ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE AND CONSTITUENT SERVICES. AND THEN, SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO ELECT ME TO REPRESENT THE WARD HERE ON THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL. SERVING ON THIS COUNCIL, AND SERVING JUST IN THIS SPACE, PERIOD, HAS BEEN AN HONOR OF MY LIFE. I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO SHOW UP IN SPACES THAT WERE NOT MEANT FOR A BLACK TRANS WOMAN TO BE IN. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE VISIBLE IN THOSE SPACES. TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER PEOPLE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IN MY TIME HERE IN CITY HALL IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOUNG WOMEN OF COLOR INTO THESE SPACES. HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN AN INCOME. TO BUY A HOME. TO START A FAMILY. YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A VERY SMALL TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED IN THE WARD EIGHT CITY COUNCIL OFFICE. EVEN THROUGHOUT MY TIME SERVING WITH ROBERT LILLIGREN, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ELIZABETH GLIDDEN. THE STAFF HAS PRETTY MUCH REMAINED THE SAME. FROM JENNIFER WHITE, SARAH LOPEZ, AND CHRISTINA MITCHELL. WHERE YOU AT HEY! AND JUST HOLDING IT DOWN FOR THE CONSTITUENTS OF WARD EIGHT THROUGHOUT DECADES, ACTUALLY. I AM HUMBLED BY THIS HONOR TODAY, AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY IN OTHER WAYS. AS AN ARTIST, AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER, AND AS AN ADVOCATE AND ACTIVIST. THANK YOU ALL VERY, VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU. AND I LOVE YOU! [ APPLAUSE ] [1:51:48] Elliott Payne: NEXT, WE ARE RECOGNIZING CHIEF TYNER. [1:52:51] Elliott Payne: WE ARE HONORING FIRE CHIEF BRYAN TYNER TO HIS SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEREAS BRYAN TYNER BEGAN HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IN 1995 WHEN HE JOINED THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT. AND WHEREAS AS A FIREFIGHTER HE DEDICATED THREE DECADES IN SERVING THE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND VISITORS OF MINNEAPOLIS WITH COURAGE, INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP. AND WHEREAS, A NATIVE OF MINNEAPOLIS WITH THREE DECADES OF SERVICE, CHIEF TYNER ADVANCED THROUGH THE RANKS HOLDING NUMEROUS LEADERSHIP ROLES INCLUDING FIRE CAPTAIN, DEPUTY CHIEF, AND ASSISTANT CHIEF PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER. BECOMING THE 18TH FIRE CHIEF IN THE CITY'S HISTORY AND THE SECOND AFRICAN AMERICAN TO HOLD THIS POSITION. AND -- [1:53:48] Aurin Chowdhury: AND WHEREAS CHIEF TYNER ASSUMED LEADERSHIP OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT DURING EXTRAORDINARILY CHALLENGING TIMES MARKED BY THE GLOBAL COVID-19 CIVIL UNREST INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY AND DEMANDS. AND WHEREAS, HE PROVIDED STEADY AND COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP ENSURING FIREFIGHTERS SAFETY, OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY, AND UNWAVERING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY DURING THE TIMES OF CRISIS. AND WHEREAS -- [1:54:33] Jason Chavez: UNDER CHIEF TYNER'S LEADERSHIP, THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT GREW IN SIZE WHILE STRENGTHENED THE COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION, THROUGH ENHANCED RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS. INCLUDING THE EXPANSION OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PATHWAYS PROGRAM, ENSURING THAT THE DEPARTMENT BETTER REFLECTED THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THAT MINNEAPOLIS SERVE. AND WHEREAS CHIEF TYNER CHAMPIONED FIREFIGHTER HEALTH, WELLNESS INITIATIVES, CANCER PREVENTION EFFORTS AND IMPROVED SAFETY STANDARDS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, PERSONAL AND OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEPARTMENT. [1:55:26] Jamal Osman: AND WHEREAS, CHIEF TYNER'S LEADERSHIP WENT BEYOND EMERGENCY RESPONSE, BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, AND PARTNER PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES EMPHASIZING COLLABORATION, TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST AS ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF PUBLIC SERVICE. AND WHEREAS, FIRE CHIEF TYNER INSTITUTED A NOW NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION PROGRAM TO ENSURE BUILDING USE COMPLIANCE AND OCCUPANT SAFETY. AND WHEREAS, CHIEF TYNER OVERSAW THE CONTINUED MODERNIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT'S FLEET AND EQUIPMENT ENSURING THAT THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT REMAINED ONE OF THE MOST CUTTING EDGE AND CAPABLE EMERGENCY RESPONSE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REGION. AND -- [1:56:22] Aurin Chowdhury: AND WHEREAS, FIRE CHIEF TYNER LED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SAFE STATION AT FIRE STATION 14 AND 7 WHERE INDIVIDUALS FACING SUBSTANCE USE CHALLENGES CAN SEEK HELP WITHOUT JUDGMENT OR ANY QUESTIONS ASKED. AND WHEREAS, FIRE CHIEF TYNER ALSO LED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXPANSION OF THE FREE NARCAN VENDING MACHINES AT FIRE STATIONS 14, AND 21 AS AN INNOVATIVE INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO CONFRONT THE FENTANYL EPIDEMIC. [1:57:08] Jason Chavez: WHEREAS UPON HIS RETIREMENT, CHIEF TYNER LEAVES A PROUD LEGACY OF INTEGRITY, PROGRESS, AND COMMUNITY SAFETY THAT WILL CONTINUE TO SHAPE AND INSPIRE THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BROADER COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME. [1:57:27] Elliott Payne: NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IN RECOGNITION OF SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY DO HEREBY COMMEND AND EXPRESS OUR MOST SINCERE THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO MINNEAPOLIS FIRE CHIEF BRYAN TYNER FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE, STEADY LEADERSHIP AND REMARKABLE DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WE EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FOR HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN ALL OF YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. CONGRATULATIONS, CHIEF. [APPLAUSE] SO WHO WOULD LIKE TO START THE ACCOLADES? CONGRATULATIONS, CHIEF, YOU WILL BE MISSED. [1:58:15] Melanie Rucker: SO CONGRATULATIONS TO MY CHIEF AS WELL AS MY MENTOR AS WELL AS MY BIG BROTHER. HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR US. AND PUSHED US AND PUSHED US EVEN FORWARD EVEN WHEN WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO. WE WILL DEFINITELY MISS HIS PERSONALITY, HIS BOOMING VOICE. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HEAR HIM COMING DOWN THE HALL ANYMORE. WE LOVE YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU. AND YOU HAVE DONE THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GREAT SERVICE, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. AND YOU WILL BE SURELY MISSED. [APPLAUSE] [1:59:03] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU, CHIEF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIGANTIC SMILE. YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS CHAIR OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, I LOVED WHENEVER YOU WERE COMING IN TO GIVE A PRESENTATION BECAUSE EVERYONE JUST GOT HAPPY. AS SOON AS YOU WALK IN THE ROOM WITH THAT BIG SMILE. THANK YOU FOR BEING A LEGENDARY NORTHSIDE UNCLE, TOO. WE LOVE YOU ON THE NORTHSIDE. YOU BELONG TO US, AND NORTHSIDE. I KNOW SOMANY KIDS YOU'VE MENTORED INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, INTO EMS, INTO POLICING. SO MANY OF THE JOBS THAT SAVE OUR LIVES EVERY DAY. WE HAVE YOU TO THANK FOR THAT. YOU SHOW UP TO EVERYTHING IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS ALL THE TIME. AND YOU'RE ALWAYS SO POSITIVE AND JUST SO EMPATHETIC TO WHAT WE NEED. IT'S NOT FORCING ANYTHING ON US. IT REALLY IS ABOUT LISTENING. I WANT TO TELL FUNNY STORY ABOUT THE CHIEF. I CALLED THE CHIEF, I SAID, CHIEF, I HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE OUTSIDE. THEY'RE BY A GAS STATION AND THEY HAVE A FIRE. AND I NEED YOU TO GO OVER THERE AND I NEED YOU TO BE MEAN. I NEED YOU TO GET OVER THERE AND TELL THEM THEY HAVE TO LEAVE. AND SO HE SAID, WELL YOU STAY HERE. I'LL GO. I'M GONNA HANDLE IT. AND I WAS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW. HE'S NOT GOING TO DO IT. I RIDE BY, HE'S OUT EATING BARBECUE BY THE PEOPLE. I SAID, CHIEF, YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GO BE MEAN. YOU DIDN'T DO THE JOB. HE SAID, THEY HAD REALLY GOOD BURGERS OVER THERE. I CAN'T DO THAT. WE JUST WERE TALK -- AND SO THEY STAYED OUTSIDE BY THE FIRE AT THE GAS STATION WITH THE FIRE CHIEF. HE TALKS WITH PEOPLE. HE UNDERSTOOD WHY THEY WERE THERE. AND HE SAID TO ME, WE'RE SAFE. WE'RE GOING TO BE FINE. BUT THEY NEED THIS. AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY NEED THIS. AND HE REALLY DID DIFFERENT WAY. AND SO I'M A VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU ALWAYS MADE ME LOOK AT THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY, CHIEF. YOU'VE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH. YOU'VE TAUGHT SO MANY PEOPLE SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU. I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, SO I'LL COME VISIT YOU AT THE NEW ACE. I'LL SEE YOU AROUND, I'M SURE. BUT I REALLY AM FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR YOUR MENTORSHIP AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOU JUST BEING A PHENOMENAL UNCLE TO ALL OF US. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [2:01:28] Andrea Jenkins: CHIEF, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LEADING THE MINNEAPOLIS BLACK EMPLOYEE NETWORK. IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT YOU PLAYED IN ENSURING THAT BLACK EMPLOYEES AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FELT SEEN, FELT HEARD, AND FELT CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER. AND JUST BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER. IT WAS REALLY CRITICAL DURING THOSE MOMENTS DURING COVID AND THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD THAT WE HAD THOSE SPACES TO BE IN COMMUNITY WITH EACH OTHER. WHEN SOME OF OUR OTHER COLLEAGUES FROM THE BROADER COMMUNITY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ONLY WERE WE IMPACTED AS EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, BUT IMPACTED BECAUSE THOSE ISSUES DEEPLY IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITIES. AND SO BRINGING THAT SPACE, CREATING THAT SPACE WILL BE SOMETHING THAT I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH AND REMEMBER YOU FOR. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] [2:02:52] Bryan Tyner: FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT HONOR. YOU KNOW, 30 YEARS HERE, OVER 30 YEARS, ALMOST 31 NOW, SOME OF THE DAYS ARE LONG, BUT THE YEARS REALLY WENT BY FAST. AND IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF A LIFETIME TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY AS A FIREFIGHTER AND FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS AS FIRE CHIEF. BUT I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. I'LL STILL BE AROUND. I'LL STILL BE ON THE NORTHSIDE. I'LL STILL BE AT EVERY EVENT. I'LL STILL BE OUT HERE. I JUST REALLY THANK THE CITY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I DIDN'T GROW UP WANTING TO BE A FIREFIGHTER. IT'S NOT SOMETHING I THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN I WAS YOUNG. BUT THE OPPORTUNITY CAME AND I PURSUED IT. IT TOOK ME TWO YEARS BUT I FINALLY GOT HERE. AND I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. IT REALLY HAS CHANGED THE LIFE OF ME AND MY FAMILY. AND HOPEFULLY I JUST WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE DEPARTMENT FORWARD A LITTLE BIT AND LEAVE IT IN A BETTER PLACE THAN WHEN I FOUND IT. SO THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [2:07:21] Jamal Osman: HELLO, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND BEING PATIENT. ALL MY COLLEAGUES ARE HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE SOMALI COMMUNITY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ THIS RESOLUTION TOGETHER. RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY. WHEREAS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS HOME TO THE LARGEST SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES. WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ENRICHED THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL FABRIC OUR CITY SINCE EARLY 1990s. WHEN MANY REFUGEES ARRIVED FLEEING CIVIL WAR AND SEEKING SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY. AND WHEREAS SOMALI AMERICAN IN MINNEAPOLIS HAVE DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE RESILIENCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ESTABLISHED NUMEROUS BUSINESSES INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS SIGNIFICANT TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY GROWTH AND JOB CREATION. AND WHEREAS -- [2:08:48] Jason Chavez: AND WHEREAS THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS INTEGRATED INTO THE WORKFORCE FILLING ESSENTIAL ROLES IN INDUSTRY, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION AND MANUFACTURING WITH MANY INITIALLY DRAWN TO MINNESOTA FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND NOW COMPRISING A VITAL PART OF THE CITY'S LABOR FORCE. WHEREAS SOMALI AMERICANS HAVE ENHANCED MINNEAPOLIS CULTURAL DIVERSITY THROUGH TRADITIONS, ARTS, FESTIVALS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT PROMOTE CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING AND UNITY. FOSTERING A MORE INCLUSIVE AND VIBRANT CITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS. AND -- [2:09:24] Aurin Chowdhury: WHEREAS MEMBERS OF THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAVE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN CIVIC LIFE ELECTING REPRESENTATIVES TO LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICES, VOLUNTEERING IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND EQUITY AND JUSTICE. SERVICE TO MINNEAPOLIS. AND WHEREAS THE SOMALI AMERICANS EXTEND TO EDUCATION AND PHILANTHROPY WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS ESTABLISHING SCHOOLS, MOSQUES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH SERVICES AND MUTUAL AID BENEFITING NOT only THEIR COMMUNITY BUT THE BROADER POPULATION. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS VALUES DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AS CORE PRINCIPLES AND RECOGNIZES THAT THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY'S PRESENCE HAS MADE OUR CITY A MODEL OF MULTICULTURAL SUCCESS. AND WHEREAS IN LIGHT OF RECENT NATIONAL CHALLENGES AND RHETORIC TARGETING OUR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO REAFFIRM ITS COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING AND CELEBRATING ALL RESIDENTS, ENSURING MINNEAPOLIS REMAINS A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE WITHOUT FEAR OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON NATIONAL ORIGIN, FAITH OR BACKGROUND. [2:10:37] Elliott Payne: NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL HEREBY AFFIRMS ITS UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND ALL IMMIGRANTS, ALL REFUGEES POPULATION IN MINNEAPOLIS. RECOGNIZING THEM AS INTEGRAL AND VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR CITY. THE CITY'S COMMITTED TO FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT OF SAFETY, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY FOR ALL FOR SOMALI AMERICANS, INCLUDING THROUGHOUT THE ACCESS TO THE CITY SERVICES PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS, AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO THE IMMIGRATION STATUS. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS WILL CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT PUBLIC RECOGNITION, CULTURAL PROGRAMMING AND PARTNERSHIP THAT HIGHLIGHTS THEIR POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY. [APPLAUSE] [2:11:47] Jamal Osman: I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES HERE STANDING BESIDE ME. I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK THE CHIEF. I WANT TO THANK ALL CITY STAFF THAT STOOD UP. I WANT TO THANK THE NEIGHBORS THAT CAME WITH THEIR WHISTLES. IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME AND FOR MY COMMUNITY. WE ARE UNDER ATTACK. BEGINNING OF THE COUNCIL, I HAD TO RUSH TO CEDAR RIVERSIDE BECAUSE ICE WAS SPOTTED. ON THE SITE, THEY CONTINUE TO COME BACK AND TERRORIZE FELLOW AMERICANS. LET'S JUST SAY THAT. I REALLY WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS MIGHT NOT BE HAPPENING TO YOU IF YOU ARE NOT SOMALI. YOU COULD BE NEXT. WE'RE GOING TO STAY RESILIENT. WE'RE GOING TO STAY STRONG. AND WHATEVER IS HAPPENING CITIZENS, SOMALI AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY, IT'S UNFAIR, IT'S UNJUST AND IT'S ILLEGAL. THAT'S ABOUT IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] [2:14:48] Elliott Payne: THANK YOU ALL FOR BEARING WITH US IN OUR LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR. OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE RECOGNIZING ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES THAT ARE LEAVING. THAT'S KIND OF TAKEN UP THE ENTIRE MORNING SO FAR. AND WE HAVE A PRETTY BIG AGENDA IN FRONT OF US. I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND WE TAKE ABOUT A 20-MINUTE RECESS SO THAT WE CAN GET SOME FOOD AND BE READY FOR THE LONG HAUL. SO LET'S MEET BACK IN THE CHAMBERS AT 12:15. [2:44:50] Elliott Payne: THANK YOU FOR BEARING WITH US THROUGH THAT RECESS. AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. [2:45:00] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [2:45:02] Linea Palmisano: PRESENT. [2:45:04] Casey Carl: CHOWDHURY. [2:45:04] Aurin Chowdhury: PRESENT. [2:45:06] Casey Carl: CASHMAN. [2:45:06] Katie Cashman: PRESENT. [2:45:08] Casey Carl: OSMAN IS ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. [2:45:10] Michael Rainville: PRESENT. [2:45:12] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:45:12] Jason Chavez: PRESENT. [2:45:14] Casey Carl: VETAW. [2:45:14] LaTrisha Vetaw: PRESENT. [2:45:16] Casey Carl: ELLISON. [2:45:16] Jeremiah Ellison: HERE. [2:45:18] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. [2:45:18] Emily Koski: PRESENT. [2:45:20] Casey Carl: WONSLEY. [2:45:20] Robin Wonsley: PRESENT. [2:45:21] Casey Carl: COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS. [2:45:22] Andrea Jenkins: PRESENT. [2:45:24] Casey Carl: VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI. [2:45:26] Aisha Chughtai: PRESENT. [2:45:28] Casey Carl: PRESIDENT PAYNE. [2:45:28] Elliott Payne: PRESENT. [2:45:30] Casey Carl: THERE ARE 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. [2:45:34] Elliott Payne: LET THE RECORD REFLECT WE HAVE A QUORUM. BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING I WANT TO OFFER A FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT THIS BROADCAST IS LIVE. 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. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:46:04] Jason Chavez: I HAVE THREE DIFFERENT MOTIONS TO BRING FORWARD. ONE IS THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. THE OTHER ONE IS RECOGNIZING HUMAN RIGHTS DAY AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY. THE LAST ONE BRINGING FORWARD WITH A VARIETY OF COLLEAGUES IS EXPRESSING STATEMENTS OF POSITION PERTAINING TO THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY. I WANT TO ADD THESE TO THE AGENDA. [2:46:32] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ HAS MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THOSE AMENDMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ ADDED THE RESOLUTION FOR YOU, I BELIEVE. [2:46:50] Jamal Osman: I WAS JUST SAYING THAT I'M PRESENT. [2:46:50] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I'LL ALSO JUST FOR CLARITY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESOLUTION THAT I'M BRINGING FORWARD UNDER UNFINISHED BUSINESS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED. I COULDN'T DECIPHER IF THAT WAS ALSO PART OF COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ'S MOTION. [2:47:11] Jason Chavez: IT WAS EVERYTHING THAT WAS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD. ALL FOUR OVER ALL THESE ITEMS. [2:47:32] Casey Carl: MR. PRESIDENT, THERE'S A PACKET OF SIX. PERHAPS IT'S EASIER TO SAY IT'S THE ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS. HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY. THERE'S A MOTION FROM OSMAN TO ADD THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY RESOLUTION. THERE'S A MOTION BY THE PRESIDENT TO ADD A LARGE BLOCK EVENT PERMIT FOR THE GREAT NORTHERN WINTER FESTIVAL. THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH Q3, CONTRACT FOR SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENTS. THE MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY AND OTHERS EXPRESSING POSITIONS, STATEMENTS OF POSITION RELATING TO MPD OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY. AND A SIMILAR ONE UNDER COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY UNDER NEW BUSINESS URGING THE MAYOR TO DIRECT MPD ON PROTECTING RESIDENTS. THAT'S ALL SIX. [2:48:23] Elliott Payne: I'M GOING TO MAKE THAT MOTION TO MOVE THOSE TO AMEND THE AGENDA. COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [2:48:29] Katie Cashman: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. I ALSO HAVE A WALK-ON RESOLUTION TO BE ADDED ON TO UNFINISHED BUSINESS WHICH WE DON'T NEED TO ADD TO THE AGENDA. THANK YOU. [2:48:39] Elliott Payne: IS THERE A SECOND TO MY MOTION? [2:48:41] Jason Chavez: SECOND. [2:48:43] Casey Carl: [Roll call for amendment.] PALMISANO? Linea Palmisano: AYE. CHOWDHURY? Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. CASHMAN? Katie Cashman: AYE. OSMAN? Jamal Osman: AYE. RAINVILLE? Michael Rainville: AYE. CHAVEZ? Jason Chavez: AYE. VETAW? LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE. ELLISON? Jeremiah Ellison: AYE. KOSKI? Emily Koski: AYE. WONSLEY? Robin Wonsley: AYE. JENKINS? Andrea Jenkins: AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI? Aisha Chughtai: AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE? Elliott Payne: AYE. THERE ARE 13 AYES. [2:49:11] Elliott Payne: THOSE AMENDMENTS ARE ADOPTED. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. [2:49:11] Jeremiah Ellison: SO MOVED. [2:49:11] Jason Chavez: SECOND. [2:49:13] Casey Carl: [Roll call for agenda.] PALMISANO? Linea Palmisano: AYE. CHOWDHURY? Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. CASHMAN? Katie Cashman: AYE. OSMAN? Jamal Osman: AYE. RAINVILLE? Michael Rainville: AYE. CHAVEZ? Jason Chavez: AYE. VETAW? LaTrisha Vetaw: AYE. ELLISON? Jeremiah Ellison: AYE. KOSKI? Emily Koski: AYE. WONSLEY? Robin Wonsley: AYE. JENKINS? Andrea Jenkins: AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI? Aisha Chughtai: AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE? Elliott Payne: AYE. THERE ARE 13 AYES. [2:49:27] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES AND THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. THE NEXT ITEM IS ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM OUR REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20TH. ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THOSE MINUTES. [2:49:49] Elliott Payne: SO MOVED. [Seconded. Roll call conducted.] THERE ARE 13 AYES. [2:50:04] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES AND THE MINUTES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS PRESENTATIONS FROM OUR STANDING COMMITTEES. THOSE ARE TAKEN IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. ADMINISTRATION AND ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE PRESENTED BY ITS CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [2:50:20] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS BRINGING FORWARD 49 ITEMS. PAYROLL UPDATES ORDINANCE. SECOND IS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT. THREE IS GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM COMMUNITIES FIRST INFRASTRUCTURE ALLIANCE FOR TRAVEL AND LODGING. FOUR IS GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY AND CITY HEALTH OFFICIALS OF REGISTRATION, TRANSPORTATION, LODGING AND APPROPRIATE MEALS AND INCIDENTALS. FIVE IS A BID FOR HAWTHORNE AVENUE SANITARY SEWER RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. SIX BID FOR 16th SEWER IMPROVEMENT. SEVEN IS BID FOR JERRY HAAF. -- NINE IS CONTRACT WITH AMERINATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES. 10 IS CONTRACT WITH FVB ENERGY INC. FOR MINNEAPOLIS THERMAL POTENTIAL STUDY. 11 IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH VERINT AMERICAS INC. FOR THE 311 LAGAN SYSTEM. 12 IS CONTRACT WITH AMY MOSER CONSULTING LLC FOR THE BLUEPRINT APPROVED INSTITUTE. [2:51:41] Robin Wonsley: THIRTEEN IS A CONTRACT WITH PRIMACY STRATEGY GROUP, LLC FOR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SERVICES. 14 IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENTS WITH FREDERICKSON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, LLC AND MOMENTUM ADVOCACY FOR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SERVICES. 15 IS CONTRACT WITH HARRISON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR ANTI-DISPLACEMENT SERVICES TO HARRISON NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS. 16 IS CONTRACT WITH IMPACT MAILING OF MINNESOTA, INC. FOR UTILITY BILLING MAILING SERVICES. 17 IS A CONTRACT WITH SOLUTION GUIDANCE CORPORATION FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE. 18 IS CONTRACT WITH CLAY CONSULTING LLC FOR OCCUPATIONAL WITH TASKS UNLIMITED, INC. TO ADMINISTER THE CITY'S LOW BARRIER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. 20 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH IPT LLC TO COMPLETE PARKING PERMIT PLATFORM MIGRATION. 21 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH TI-ZAK CONCRETE LLC FOR SHINGLE CREEK WEST AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT PEDESTRIAN RAMPS. 22 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LLC FOR THE HILTON RAMP WATERPROOFING PROJECT. 23 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH M AND B SERVICES LLC FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT. [2:52:50] Robin Wonsley: CONSTRUCTION INC. FOR BUILDOUT PROJECT. 25 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH J.L. THEIS INC. FOR BIOCHAR PRODUCTION FACILITY PHASE PROJECT. 26 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH SAFETY SIGNS LLC FOR RENTAL OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. 27 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE STANDARD FOR LIFE INSURANCE, FMLA ADMINISTRATION SERVICES. 28 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH PREMIERE ELECTRICAL CORPORATION. 29 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH MINNESOTA NATIVE LANDSCAPES INC. FOR THE GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE RESTORATION PROJECT. 30 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER OF MINNESOTA OFFERING FREE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES TO CITY RESIDENTS. 31 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH COLLINS BROTHERS TOWING OF ST. CLOUD INC. FOR HEAVY DUTY TOWING SERVICES. 32 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH AXON ENTERPRISE. [2:54:13] Robin Wonsley: 33 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH. YOU HAVE A REVISED COPY OF THE REQUEST FOR COMMITTEE'S ACTION ALSO KNOWN AS RCA. DOLLAR AMOUNT CHANGED TO $302,000. I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AMOUNTS. 34 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH VARIOUS ENTITIES TO PROVIDE COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH AND RELATED MOBILE EQUIPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES. 35 IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH SHORT ELLIOTT HENDRICKSON INC. ON THE LOGAN PARK INDUSTRIAL RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. 36 IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT FUND PROJECTS. 37 IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH KEYSTONE COMPENSATION GROUP LLC FOR COMPENSATION CONSULTING SERVICES. 38 IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH METROPOLITAN SERVICE BOARD. 39 -- 40 IS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. 41 IS LEGAL SETTLEMENT NATALLYIA PAGET. -- 43 IS A LEGAL SETTLEMENT WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM OF WILLIAM PALMER. 44 IS MINNEAPOLIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGING APPOINTMENTS. 45 IS DESIGNATION OF POLLING LOCATIONS FOR 2026. 46 IS A CONTRACT WITH THE LINK FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING ADVOCACY, TRAINING AND SURVIVOR SUPPORT SERVICES. 47 IS A CONTRACT WITH CATALYST CONSULTING GROUP, INC, FOR 311 CITIZENS REQUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 48 IS MASTER CONTRACTS WITH VARIOUS ELIGIBLE AGENCIES FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR 2026 THROUGH 2028. THIS ITEM WAS SENT FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION SO THAT WE COULD RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE CONTRACTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A REVISED COPY OF THE REQUEST FOR COMMITTEE ACTION, ALSO KNOWN AS RCA IN FRONT OF YOU THAT REFLECTS A CHANGE FROM 69 MASTER CONTRACTS TO NOW 53 WITH THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5.7 MILLION. I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE THIS REVISED STAFF REPORT. 49 IS A BID FOR NICOLLET AVENUE BRIDGE. I WILL MOVE FORWARD APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS, INCLUDING THE AMENDED DOLLAR AMOUNTS FOR ITEM 33, AND THE AMENDED CONTRACTS AND NOT TO EXCEED FOR ITEM 48. [2:57:02] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY PROACTIVELY SET ASIDE ITEM 43 FOR A SEPARATE VOTE. SO IF ANYONE IS IN QUEUE TO MAKE THAT REQUEST, I'LL DO THAT UPFRONT. AND LET'S TAKE DISCUSSION ON ANY OTHER ITEMS. I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [2:57:23] Linea Palmisano: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, CHAIR WONSLEY. THAT WAS A BEHEMOTH OF THE COMMITTEE AND SHE JUST READ THE ENTIRE REPORT. WE ARE DISPOSING OF THE REPORT THESE TWO PIECES ON YOUR DESK. 33 IS EXACTLY HOW CHAIR WONSLEY EXPLAINED. I WANT TO JUST GIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT ABOUT ITEM 48. CHAIR WONSLEY AND I WORKED WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO BETTER CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT IS ONE HUGE MASTER CONTRACT. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS TRYING SOMETHING NEW WITH ONE MASTER CONTRACT THAT COVERS SEVERAL OTHER MASTER CONTRACTS. I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND GOOD INTENT THAT WENT INTO THIS. WE HAD SOME DISCUSSION THAT GOT A LITTLE CONFUSING DURING COMMITTEE. AND WE ALL HAD QUESTIONS. I WANT TO THANK THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE EFFORT THAT THIS IS PARTICULARLY CHRIS FOCUS WHO PRESENTED THIS AT COMMITTEE. THIS IS A NEW CONCEPT PROPOSED BY HEALTH. AND CHAIR WONSLEY AND I HAVE MET WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF TWICE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING. WE BELIEVE THIS CONCEPT STILL NEEDS SOME WORK AND WE WERE UNCOMFORTABLE PROCEEDING WITH THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WHICH SAID $90 MILLION. WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT TO PROPOSE A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT IN THIS NUMBER 48 WHITE PACKET OF PAPER IN FRONT OF YOU. THAT NEW AMOUNT IS 5,786 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR 53 CONTRACTS IN A MASTER CONTRACT TO KEEP SERVICES GOING FOR FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR. DURING FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR, THE NEW COUNCIL WILL WORK WITH HEALTH STAFF TO DRAFT AN RCA THAT CAN GARNER COUNCIL'S SUPPORT. THIS IS A TEMPORARY MEASURE ALLOWING THE SERVICES TO NOT BE DISRUPTED. I WILL ALSO POINT OUT THAT ALL HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS ARE REIMBURSABLE. MEANING THE CITY ONLY PAYS AFTER THE FACT. AND IT'S ALL DEPENDENT ON FUNDING. SOME OF WHICH FAIR AMOUNT OF WHICH IS GRANT MONEY THAT WE RECEIVE OR WE DON'T. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PROVIDE CLARITY TO THIS ITEM 48. I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE PULLED OUT FOR A SEPARATE VOTE AT THIS TIME. [2:59:54] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I'LL KEEP IT SHORT. I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 19, THE CONTRACT WITH TASKS UNLIMITED INC. THIS PILOT INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY AVAILABILITY BY PROVIDING IMMEDIATE LOW BARRIER OPPORTUNITY TO ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY. IT WILL BE IN THE SOUTHSIDE GREEN ZONE. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ENGAGED IN IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD TASKS SUCH AS SNOW CLEARING AND ICE REMOVAL. AND THIS IS AN EXCITING PROGRAM. THIS IS A BUDGET THAT MYSELF AUTHORED PREVIOUSLY. I'M VERY EXCITED TO MAKE SURE THIS PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING. SO THANK YOU. [3:00:46] Emily Koski: THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEM 49 REGARDING THE NICOLLET AVENUE BRIDGE WHICH IS IN WARD 11. AND MOSTLY JUST A HUGE THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR TIM SEXTON AND DON ELWOOD AND HIS TEAM WHO HAS BEEN MASTERFULLY GUIDING US THROUGH THIS PROCESS BOTH INTERNALLY AND ALSO WITH THE COMMUNICATION TO THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS GOING TO BE A TWO-YEAR PROJECT LIKELY. AND SO A HUGE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. BUT I'M SO GRATEFUL TO SEE THIS COME THROUGH THE COUNCIL TODAY AND SEE US MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE A NEW BRIDGE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FOR OUR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [3:01:52] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL MINUS 43. [Roll call conducted. All 12 members present vote Aye.] THERE ARE 12 AYES (Chughtai absent). [3:02:07] Elliott Payne: THOSE ITEMS CARRY. NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM 43. AND I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. Palmisano, Chowdhury, Cashman, Osman, Rainville, Koski, Jenkins, Payne vote Aye. Chavez, Vetaw, Chughtai vote No.] 9 AYES AND 3 NAYS. [3:02:45] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. NEXT WE'LL HAVE BUSINESS, HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEE GIVEN BY THIS COMMITTEEING CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. [3:03:00] Jamal Osman: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT. THE BUSINESS, HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEE IS BRINGING FORWARD 25 ITEMS. ITEM 1 IS APPROVING A LIQUOR LICENSE FOR KURIOSO COFFEE BAR. TWO IS CONSIDERING AN AMENDED BUSINESS PLAN FOR LUMI RESTAURANT. THIS ITEM WAS FORWARDED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. AND WE DID RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM THE BUSINESS LICENSE. ITEM 3 IS APPROVING INTERIM USE PERMIT FOR PROPERTY AT 219 4TH STREET SOUTH. ITEM 4 IS APPROVING MODIFICATION TO 59 TIF DISTRICTS. -- CLEAN ENERGY FOR 222 9TH STREET SOUTH. 7 IS AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO THE LAND SALE SIDE YARD PROGRAM RESOLUTION. EIGHT IS APPROVING ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE BUILDING CODE AND ITS REQUIREMENT AND RETURNING TO AUTHOR TITLE 2 CHAPTER 599 OF THE ORDINANCE. ITEM 9 IS DENYING APPEAL WITH CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THOMAS DEVINCKE FOR THE PROPERTY AT 4109 AND 4113 SHERIDAN AVENUE SOUTH. ITEM 10 IS APPROVING SIX LIQUOR LICENSES. 11 IS APPROVING EIGHT LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS. 12 IS APPROVING ONE GAMBLING LICENSE. 13 IS APPROVING A BUILDING PERMIT EXTENSION FOR SILVA ON THE RIVER HOUSING PROJECT. 14 IS APPROVING GREAT STREETS FACADE PROGRAM FUNDING. 15 IS APPROVING A GRANT ACCEPTANCE FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT SOME, FOR THE BLUE LINE EXTENSION. 16 IS APPROVING GRANT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS. 17 IS APPROVING AN OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY LOAN AND GREAT STREET GAP LOAN TO MARTISOAR HOSPITALITY GROUP. -- 19 IS APPROVING APPLICATION FOR LAKE STREET EAST. 20 APPROVING A SETTLEMENT FOR THE CITY LOAN FROM TLC PREVISION TECHNOLOGY. EM 21 IS APPROVING A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH SERTUS FINANCIAL FOR HERITAGE PARK REHABILITATION. 22 IS APPROVING BRUCE BRUNNER. -- TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT AT UPPER HARBOR TERMINAL. -- AND LASTLY, ITEM 25 IS APPROVING A GREAT STREETS GAP LOAN FOR NEWBY 314 PROPERTY HOLDING. WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE ALL ITEMS FOR APPROVAL EXCEPT ITEM 8.2 AND 11. I'LL MOVE 8.2 TO RETURN TO THE AUTHOR, AND MOVE TO DENY CONDITION 11 -- ITEM 11. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [3:06:40] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT WITH THE RETURN OF ITEM 8.2, AND THE DENIAL OF ITEM 8.11. I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [3:06:57] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I ALSO WANTED TO PULL ITEM 4 FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND VOTE. [3:07:07] Elliott Payne: OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS REQUESTED TO PULL ITEM 4. DISCUSSION ON ANY OF THE ITEMS. COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. [3:07:13] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEM 25. GO AHEAD? OKAY. SO ITEM 25 IS A GREAT STREETS GAP FINANCING LOAN FOR A BUSINESS THAT IS GOING TO BE IN WARD 4. I WANT TO FIRST THANK ANTHONY NEWBY WHO IS HERE TODAY, AND BILL ENGLISH. THEY'VE BEEN HERE WAITING ON THIS ITEM. I AM REALLY ROOTING FOR A UNANIMOUS VOTE. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WARD 4. UPON COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT, THERE'S GOING TO BE 100 JOBS IN WARD 4. AND I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THIS IS EXACTLY HOW -- THIS PROJECT IS EXACTLY HOW WE WANT THE CANNABIS BUSINESS TO SHOW UP IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND THE BENEFITS TO PEOPLE WHO WERE FAILED BY TERRIBLE LAWS AND JUST SO MANY THINGS THAT HOPEFULLY WILL BE FIXED. I KNOW 100 JOBS IS A REALLY GOOD THING FOR THIS COMMUNITY. THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH I'M GLAD FOLKS ARE GIVING BACK TO NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. SO THANK YOU, ANTHONY NEWBY. THANK YOU, MR. BILL ENGLISH. ANY TIME I HEAR OF MORE THAN TWO JOBS IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS I KNOW BILL ENGLISH HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. HE'S BEEN PIONEER FOR JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR DECADES. I HOPE THAT WILL CONTINUE. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS STAFF WHO PARTNERED WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THIS HAPPENS. AND ESPECIALLY TO TABITHA FISHER WHO REALLY GETS IT DONE FOR THE NORTHSIDE. WHEN I THINK OF WHO I CAN DO A FRIENDLY HANDOFF TO FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE NORTHSIDE, IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS TABITHA FISHER. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE NOT ONLY THE NORTHSIDE IS SEEN BUT WARD 4 IS SEEN. I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE THIS BUSINESS IN WARD 4, AND SO PROUD TO WORK WITH YOU ALL ON THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND LOOKING FOR THE VIBRANCY. THIS IS VISIONARY WORK FOR OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I'M PROUD TO VOTE FOR THIS TODAY. [3:09:28] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WILL ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW'S COMMENTS. AND JUST SAY CONGRATULATIONS. AND YOU KNOW, IT REALLY IS GOOD TO SEE THAT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IS ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THIS EMERGING CANNABIS BUSINESS IN MINNEAPOLIS. AND SO CONGRATULATIONS, MR. NEWBY. I HOPE AS COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW SUGGESTED THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS VOTE AND I WILL CERTAINLY BE SUPPORTING IT. I WANTED TO SPEAK, THOUGH, TO ITEMS 14.1, THE CANDO CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ORGANIZATION GREAT STREETS FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WHICH WILL HELP BUSINESSES ALONG THE 38th STREET CORRIDOR AND ALSO GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE. AND 17 WHERE WE'RE PROVIDING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY FUND TO CREATE ENTREPRENEUR SERVICES IN THE NEW 3030 NICOLLET HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. 100 UNITS OF DEEPLY SPACES FOR SMALL BUSINESS SO HAS ENTREPRENEURS TO OWN THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND THEIR TWO SOMALI-OWNED BUSINESS THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THAT DEVELOPMENT. SO JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THIS OPPORTUNITY FUND FUNDING. THANK YOU. [3:11:23] Linea Palmisano: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I DO THE STABLE HOMES STABLE SCHOOLS PROGRAM. I THOUGHT THIS WAS ABOUT TAKING THE PILOT MONEY FROM LAST YEAR, $850,000, AND PUTTING IT BACK INTO THE BASE PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS RATHER THAN STARTING THE PILOT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS. IS THAT TRUE? [3:12:02] Eric Hanson: PRESIDENT PAYNE, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, ERIC HANSON, CPED DIRECTOR. IT IS INTO THE BASE PROGRAM. IT'S MOVING THE POT PROGRAM INTO THE BASE PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. [3:12:38] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT ITEM. 8.1, WE'RE MOVING FOR APPROVAL. 8.2 IS BEING SENT BACK TO AUTHOR. IN 2025 THERE WAS A PERMIT THAT WAS ISSUE FOR SMITH FOUNDRY, THEIR NEARBY RESIDENTS WERE NOT AWARE OF PRIOR TO THE DEMOLITION OF THE WORK COMMENCING. SOME OF THE PARTICULAR SITE HAD SOME TYPE OF CONTAMINATION AND BECAME A GREAT CONCERN FOR A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORS AROUND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. AS A RESULT, OUR CITY STAFF COMMITTED TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH MY OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY I REPRESENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MAKE CHANGES IN THE FUTURE SHOULD THIS OCCUR AGAIN. THIS CREATED AN INTERNAL WORK GROUP WITH MY OFFICE, THE CITY ADMINISTRATION, CITY STAFF, AND THE COMMUNITY THAT I REPRESENT WHICH I THINK IS A GOOD WAY TO MOVE POLICY FORWARD. WE MET VERY OFTEN. AND WE CAME UP WITH AN ORDINANCE THAT HOPEFULLY RECTIFIES THIS IN THE FUTURE. SO SPECIFICALLY THERE WERE CONCERNS FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT I REPRESENT THAT THE PROPERTY SURROUNDING THE DEMOLITION SITES WERE NOT GIVING ENOUGH PRIOR NOTICE BEFORE THE WORK COMMENCED. AND NO INFORMATION INVOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION WAS SHARED. WE FORMED THIS WORK GROUP TO REVISE THE ORDINANCE THAT ALREADY EXISTS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN PUT EXTRA PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. SO THIS ORDINANCE IS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD HAS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT ARE AIMED AT BROADENING THE NOTICE OF WRECKING PERMIT APPLICATIONS BEING SUBMITTED FROM ONLY NOTICING THE IMMEDIATE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 350 FEET. SUBJECT BY THE PROPERTY. AND WE ALSO HAVE AMENDMENTS THAT ENABLE STAFF TO REQUIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION PLAN WHEN THE SITE THE BUILDING IS LOCATED ON MEETS CERTAIN CRITERIA FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OR WASTE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBJECT PROPERTY. THERE WILL ALSO BE MORE MODIFICATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ALSO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS WITH THESE CONCERNS. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT HAPPENED TO GET TO THIS POINT. WHICH I WILL SAY AGAIN WAS WORK CLOSELY WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THOSE IMPACTED BY THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION THIS YEAR, AND ALSO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH STAFF TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE CAME TO AN AGREEMENT. JUST VERY HAPPY ABOUT HOW THIS ORDINANCE CAME TO BE AND ASK FOR APPROVAL. [3:14:51] Katie Cashman: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ITEM 3, INTERIM USE PERMIT ON SHELTER JUST ACROSS THE STREET FROM CITY HALL. I'VE BEEN REALLY HAPPY WITH THE HENNEPIN COUNTY STAFF ANSWERING LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND EXPLAINING THE SERVICES THAT WILL BE ON SITE FOR THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. AND SEEING, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSES COMING AND GOING FROM THAT BUILDING ACROSS FROM CITY HALL IN THAT SPACE IS GREAT. I'M SUPER HAPPY WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WINTER EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS. THANK YOU. [3:15:53] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'M GOING TO ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE BHZ REPORT MINUS ITEM 4, RETURNING ITEM 8.2 TO AUTHOR. AND THEN JUST MAKING SURE I'M CORRECTING THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DENYING ITEM 9. [Roll call conducted. All vote Aye except Rainville on Item 2]. THERE ARE 12 AYES EXCEPT FOR ITEM 2, WHICH HAS 11 AYES AND ONE NAY (Chughtai absent). [3:16:42] Robin Wonsley: YES, THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. COLLEAGUES, WE RECEIVED AN EMAIL URGING US TO OPPOSE THIS ACTION. I DO WANT TO THANK CHAIR FERNANDO FOR RAISING A NUMBER OF CONCERNS BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY SLIPPED THROUGH AND UNDER OUR RADAR AS JUST BEING SOMETHING RELATED TO TECHNICAL CHANGES WITHOUT FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS THAT THIS ACTION WILL HAVE ON OUR PARTNERS BOTH AT HENNEPIN COUNTY AND THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. DIRECTING THESE FUNDS TO THE CITY RATHER THAN DISPERSING THEM ACROSS THE THREE DISTRICTS MAY HELP THE CITY'S BOTTOM LINE IN THE SHORT-TERM. BUT IT DOES HAVE CASCADING IMPACTS ON THE PROPERTY TAX LEVIES OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT ULTIMATELY DO COME BACK TO TAXPAYERS. THE ACTION BEFORE US COVERS ABOUT 80% OF THE CITY'S TOTAL TIF DISTRICTS WITH A TOTAL POTENTIAL IMPACT OF ALMOST $500 MILLION. THIS IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY WITH HUGE IMPACT AGAIN, ON THE CITY, ON THE COUNTY, MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WELL AS TAXPAYERS. AND I STILL HAVE SOME OUTSTANDING QUESTIONS. I KNOW WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DIVE INTO THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE BUDGET AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS. BUT I DO BELIEVE IT REQUIRES SOME MORE TIME TO TALK THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR ACTION WITH CITY STAFF. AND THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT TIME AND MAKE THE MOTION TO -- CAN'T REALLY RETURN THIS BACK TO THE COMMITTEE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COMMITTEE ITERATIONS WILL BE NEXT TERM. BUT RETURN IT BACK TO STAFF SO WE COULD HAVE THE TIME WE NEED. HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THOSE IMPACTS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION. CAN I HAVE A SECOND? [3:18:29] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WON'T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT MOTION. I SUPPORT CAN SPEAK TO A LITTLE BIT OF WHY. AND WE ALSO DO HAVE CITY STAFF AVAILABLE HERE TODAY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY HAVE. THEY'RE THE EXPERTS IN THIS. THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS. AND THEY'VE BEEN REALLY HELPFUL IN JUST KIND OF ANSWERING A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS ABOUT IT TOO. AS WE ALL KNOW TIF IS AN IMPORTANT FUNDING TOOL FOR THE CITY. WE PRIMARILY USE IT THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ESPECIALLY DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND THIS ACTION THAT'S BEFORE US TODAY IS IN RESPONSE TO THE GUIDANCE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR TO CLARIFY A TECHNICAL QUESTION RELATED TO ANNUAL REPORTING FOR 2021 SPECIAL LEGISLATION -- COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY MAY RECALL THAT THE COUNCIL TRANSFERRED $17 MILLION INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. WITH THE $17 MILLION TRANSFERRED UNDER THE 2021 SPECIAL LEGISLATION, THE CITY HAS HELPED FUND AND FINANCE 11 PROJECTS WITH 927 AFFORDABLE UNITS. WITH 35% OF THOSE BEING DEEPLY AFFORDABLE UNITS. WITH THE 17 MILLION TRANSFERRED UNDER THE 2021 SPECIAL LEGISLATION, APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE MODIFICATIONS CONSIDERED TODAY ARE RELATED TO THAT SPECIAL LEGISLATION. AND THOSE MODIFICATIONS DO NOT DECREASE THE AMOUNT TRANSFERRED UNDER THE ORIGINAL SPENDING PLAN, NOR DO THEY EXTEND THE TIMEFRAME OF THE PLAN. THEY SIMPLY CLARIFY THE INVESTMENTS ALREADY MADE AS ALLOWED BY STATE STATUTE TO INCREASE THE TOTAL BUDGET OF EACH DISTRICTS. THE OTHER HALF OF MODIFICATIONS DO ALLOW FOR POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL POOLING OF EXCESS INCREMENT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN THE LIMITS OF EXISTING STATE STATUTES. AND THE CITY NEEDS TO LEVERAGE EVERY TOOL WE CAN TO MEET THIS CRITICAL NEED. PERSONALLY, I THINK THE CITY HAS A GOOD TRACK RECORD OF BALANCING THE TWO PRIORITIES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INVESTMENTS AND TAX BASE PRESERVATION. AND THIS COUNCIL HAS ALWAYS BEEN REALLY THOUGHTFUL IN AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF NEW DISTRICTS. AND ON ONE HAND, WE HAVE SUPPORTED HUNDREDS OF NEW APARTMENTS FOR RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE NOT HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP. ON THE OTHER, LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF OUR TAX BASE TIF DISTRICTS NOW THAT WE HAVE IN DECADES. 15% OF OUR TAX BASE WAS IN TIF DISTRICTS. 10 YEARS AGO, 7% OF OUR TAX BASE WAS IN TIF DISTRICTS. TODAY, LESS THAN 3% OF OUR TAX SPACE IS IN TIF DISTRICTS. -- AND THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN DECLINING FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. THE NATURE OF THIS ACTION AS A BULK ACTION ADDRESSES 59 OF THEM ALL AT ONCE. DOESN'T REDUCE TRANSPARENCY OF THE ACTION. OUR STAFF HAS FOLLOWED ALL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS BY NOTIFYING STAKEHOLDERS 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE BHZ COMMITTEE, AND THE FULL MODIFICATION DOCUMENTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW THAT ENTIRE PERIOD OF TIME. THE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, AND I'LL JUST CLOSE ON THIS, FOR EVERY DISTRICT WAS CONDUCTED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. GOING FORWARD, EACH DISTRICT WILL BE INDIVIDUALLY REVIEWED FOR WHETHER THE CAPACITY TO PULL FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED OR WHETHER RETURNING EXCESS OR SURPLUS INCREMENT TO HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR REDISTRIBUTION TO THE INDIVIDUAL TAXING JURISDICTION SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED. TODAY'S ACTION DOESN'T COMMIT A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AS IN THE PAST, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO BALANCE OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING INVESTMENTS AND TAX SPACE. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS TO BE IN LINE WITH THE GUIDANCE OF THE STATE AUDITOR. AND I ALSO THINK THIS IS A GREAT STARTING POINT FOR US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION MORE DIRECTLY WITH THE COUNTY TO GET OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, CITY STAFF OR ANY STAFF IN THE COUNTY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FUTURE OF TIF DISTRICTS LOOK AHEAD. SO WITH THAT, IF IT'S HELPFUL TO COLLEAGUES, I CAN INVITE UP STAFF FOR ANY QUESTIONS FOLKS MAY HAVE. I KNOW WE HAVE ANGIE AND MATTHEW HERE TODAY WITH CPED. [3:23:48] Jeremiah Ellison: YEAH, THANK YOU FOR LAYING OUT SORT OF THE GROUND WORK FOR US. TIF POLICY CAN GET REALLY DENSE REALLY FAST. AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, YOU LAYING THAT OUT FOR US. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT CONTEXT FOR US TO HAVE. I WOULD LOVE STAFF TO COME ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS FOR US. BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND SORT OF IMPACT HERE. YOU KNOW. THE QUESTIONS I ALWAYS ASK, OKAY, IF WE DELAY THIS, WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES? AND YOU KNOW, QUESTION. WHICH I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY AN INCREDIBLE CASE FOR WHY NOW. I WAS WONDERING IF STAFF COULD LAY IT OUT FOR US IN MORE LAY TERMS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. [3:25:29] Angie Skeldom: ABSOLUTELY. THANKS FOR THE INVITATION. COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, ANGIE SKELDOM. TO YOUR QUESTION, THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON, THERE ARE SORT OF TWO BUCKETS OF MODIFICATIONS BEING MADE OUT OF THESE 59 PLANS. THE FIRST BUCKET IS MODIFYING THE TIF PLAN BUDGETS. AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO NOT GET INTO THE TECHNICAL WEEDS HERE. BUT THIS IS SORT OF A TECHNICAL WEEDS TOPIC. TO MODIFY THE BUDGETS OF ALL OF THE DISTRICTS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THAT 2021 SPECIAL LEGISLATION, WHEN THE STATE AUTHORIZED US DURING THE PANDEMIC TO TRANSFER EXCESS FUNDS IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT WE DID THROUGH ALL OF THE REQUIRED PROCESS, INCLUDING THIS COUNCIL PASSING A SPENDING PLAN FOR THOSE DOCUMENTS. THERE'S AN OUTSTANDING QUESTION AS TO FORWARD-LOOKING REPORTING RELATED TO ALL OF THOSE DISTRICTS. SO EVERY TIF DISTRICT THAT THE CITY CREATES, WE HAVE TO REPORT ON ANNUALLY TO THE STATE AUDITOR. WHAT THAT FIRST BUCKET OF MODIFICATIONS DOES IS CLARIFY THAT THE INTENT OF IMPLEMENTING THAT SPENDING PLAN WAS TO MODIFY THE BUDGETS OF EACH OF THOSE PLANS TO AUTHORIZE TO INCREASE THE BUDGET TO INCLUDE THAT TRANSFER. SO IF WE DON'T TAKE THIS ACTION NOW, THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT OUR ANNUAL REPORTING ON THOSE DISTRICTS AND CREATE ONGOING UNCERTAINTY AS TO THE INTERPRETATION OF HOW THAT SPECIAL LEGISLATION RELATES TECHNICALLY TO THIS ANNUAL REPORTING. SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US TO KEEP THAT MOVING ON A SMOOTH PATH. THE SECOND BUCKET MODIFICATIONS IS RELATED TO THE REST OF THE CITY'S EXISTING TIF PLANS THAT ARE ACTIVE. THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO POTENTIALLY PULL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUT OF THOSE DISTRICTS WHEN THAT PARTICULAR LINE ITEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE ORIGINAL TIF PLAN'S BUDGET. AS YOU KNOW FROM PAST DEALS THAT YOU'VE LOOKED AT, SOMETIMES WE INCLUDE POOLING, SOMETIMES WE DON'T. SOMETIMES DISTRICTS CAN GENERATE EXTRA FOR POOLING AND SOMETIMES CAN'T. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T PLAY OUT THE WAY WE EXPECTED. WHILE WE WERE DOING ALL OF THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR CREATING MODIFICATIONS FOR BUCKET ONE, WE DO BUCKET TWO. AND POTENTIALLY CREATE THE ABILITY TO GET EXTRA POOLING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE LOOKING FOR EVERY POSSIBLE TOOL TO SUPPORT THE CITY'S GOALS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING CREATION. THIS IS ONE WE THINK COULD POTENTIALLY PLAY OUT. THE COUNTY IS REACTING I THINK A LITTLE BIT TO THE BUDGET INCREASE AMOUNT THAT THEY'RE SEEING. WHICH REALLY THE COUNCIL SHOULD THINK OF AS MORE OF A PLACEHOLDER THAN A REAL NUMBER. AS WE DO NOW ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, WE'LL BE ANALYZING EACH OF THOSE DISTRICTS. WE WILL BE MAKING A DECISION AT THE END OF EACH OF THOSE DISTRICTS LIFE WHICH IS TYPICALLY ABOUT 26 YEARS WHETHER THERE'S ADDITIONAL EXCESS TIF OR NOT AVAILABLE TO POOL. IF THERE IS, THIS ACTION TODAY WOULD AUTHORIZE US TO KEEP THAT MONEY RATHER THAN RETURN IT TO THE COUNTY, AND SPEND IT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE FUTURE. NOT IN A WAY THAT'S DIRECTED TODAY, BUT THAT THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT. SO IT WILL BE AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION IN THE FUTURE AS TO WHETHER WE DECERTIFY THAT DISTRICT EARLY OR CONTINUE TO POOL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THOSE DISTRICTS AS WITHIN THE CONFINES IN THE STATE STATUTE AROUND TIF. [3:29:22] Jeremiah Ellison: THANK YOU, THAT'S HELPFUL. I KNOW IT'S DENSE AND HARD TO STRIP DOWN INTO PLAIN TERMS. BUT I THINK IT'S HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND. I'M GOING TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. DO WE FEEL LIKE AT A STAFF LEVEL, ARE WE IMPEDING ON THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO PERFORM HERE? YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S, IN THE SIMPLEST POSSIBLE TERMS, THAT'S THE CONCERN OF THE LETTER. DO WE AGREE WITH THAT ASSESSMENT? HOW DO WE FEEL ABOUT THAT? [3:29:55] Angie Skeldom: THROUGH THE CHAIR, I THINK I WOULD SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS HAS BEEN AND PROBABLY ALWAYS WILL BE A TENSION BETWEEN MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES AS IT RELATES TO THE UTILIZATION OF TIF. BECAUSE IT DOES AFFECT EVERYBODY'S COLLECTIONS. THAT IS WHY I THINK THIS COUNCIL HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN REALLY DELIBERATIVE ABOUT THE CREATION OF NEW DISTRICTS. THE SECOND THING I WOULD SAY, AS COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY POINTED OUT, IS THAT THE CITY RIGHT NOW IS AT THE LOWEST LEVEL OF UTILIZATION RELATIVE TO OUR TAX BASE THAT IT HAS BEEN IN DECADES BEFORE. WHILE I DO THINK THERE'S A NATURAL TENSION AROUND THAT ISSUE, I THINK THE NOTION THAT WE ARE OVER UTILIZING IT OR SUPPORTED BY THE DETAIL ON HOW MUCH OF OUR TAX BASE IS REALLY LOCKED UP IN TIF DISTRICTS, WHICH RIGHT NOW IS LESS THAN 3%. [3:31:03] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, CHAIR PAYNE. AND ACTUALLY, I WAS GOING TO ASK STAFF TO COME UP AND HELP US KINDA UNDERSTAND THIS AS WELL. SO MS. SKELDOM, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND, YOU CAN TAKE A COUPLE MINUTES TO DO THAT OR NOT. BUT I DID WANT TO JUST POINT OUT TO MY COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, I READ COMMISSIONER FERNANDO'S LETTER AND HAD SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. AND I WILL POINT OUT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS, WHICH WAS DECEMBER 1ST, AND WE RECEIVED HER LETTER ON DECEMBER 8TH. WHICH I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS A NON-ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT SENT US A LETTER IN OPPOSITION THAT WE WOULD BE HAVING THE SAME CONSIDERATION. SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. THANK YOU. [3:32:28] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WILL NAME, FOR ME, AS SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT SIT ON THE BHZ COMMITTEE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER -- SEVERAL OF MY LETTERS ARE TIED IN THIS PROPOSAL. COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, ONE OF MY BIGGEST FLAGS THAT IT'S OKAY TO WARN, NO ONE IS DISMISSING. BUT YOU NAMED THERE'S NOT COMMITMENTS PLACED WITHIN THIS. I THINK EVERYONE HAS A GOAL TO SEE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE SPENT SEVERAL YEARS ALSO SAYING WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THERE'S BEEN A DEBATE AROUND HOW MUCH RESOURCES WE DIRECT AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS GOING TO THE GREATEST NEED. LIKE 30% AMI. AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ON IF OTHER PEOPLE FEEL OKAY IN FORSAKING THAT. FOR THE PROJECTS IN MY WARD WHERE THERE'S A NEED FOR 30% AMI, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND SAY, CAN WE TIE THOSE CONDITIONS INTO THIS RESOLUTION EARLY NEXT YEAR. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THOSE TYPES OF THINGS IN THIS PAST CYCLE. SO FOR ME, IT IS. HAVE MORE OF THOSE COMMITMENTS BE ARTICULATED IN THIS RESOLUTION. IT'S NOT A DISPUTE OR DISMISSAL FOR PULLING OUR RESOURCES TOGETHER. I AT LEAST WANT TO HAVE THOSE COMMITMENTS SOLIDIFIED AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING THE BUCKET OF NUMBER TWO. THAT IS LITERALLY MY RATIONALE WHY I WANTED TO NAME THAT. FURTHER CONVERSATIONS TO LOOK AT WHAT THOSE OPTIONS ARE. THAT IS LITERALLY MY RATIONALE I WANTED TO NAME THAT. [3:34:29] Jeremiah Ellison: THANK YOU. I THINK AT A HIGH LEVEL I DON'T OPPOSE COUNCIL MEMBERS BEING ABLE TO HAVE BETTER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TIF. FOLKS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A BETTER WORKING UNDERSTANDING OF TIF IN THE FUTURE AS A BODY. AND SO I WHOLEHEARTEDLY INVITE THAT. I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ONCE AN ITEM GETS ALL THE WAY BEFORE US AND STAFF HAS A TIMELINE IN WHICH THEY'VE WORKED ON AN ITEM, THE MESSAGE IT SENDS TO RETURN THE ITEM. SO THAT'S WHY I ASKED ABOUT THE TIMELINE. LOOK, IF THIS PASSES, YOU KNOW, FIRST MEETING OF JANUARY, IS IT ALL THE SAME OR IS IT AN ISSUE? I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IT. ESPECIALLY SINCE I WON'T BE HERE. SO I'M INCLINED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PASS THIS NOW BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE DISPOSE OF TIF. BUT I DO HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION FOR STAFF. BEFORE I ASK THAT QUESTION, I GUESS I'LL JUST -- I'VE HARPED ON THIS BEFORE. THIS IS NOT DIRECTED AT STAFF OR COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM. THIS IS A MICROCOSM FOR THE FACT I THINK WE DO NEED BETTER ONGOING COMMUNICATION ON ITEMS SO WE'RE NOT REACHING AHEAD WHEN THINGS ARE COMING UP ON THE DAIS BECAUSE I THINK THAT COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY IS ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS. I THINK STAFF HAS GOOD RESPONSES. BUT I ALSO THINK THIS IS A CONVERSATION THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED A WEEK AGO IN A CONFERENCE ROOM. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE CLASH SOMETIMES. THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS WHAT FUTURE CHECKS AND BALANCES COUNCILS HAVE, IF FUTURE COUNCILS BECOME CONCERNED WE'RE LEANING TOO HEAVILY ON THIS TOOL? [3:36:02] Angie Skeldom: PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. SO WHAT THIS ACTION DOES IS SET UP ESSENTIALLY A PLACEHOLDER IN THE BUDGET OF THE TIF PLAN. BUT THAT'S NOT THE SAME AS SETTING UP A BUDGET TO SPEND THE MONEY THROUGH THE CITY'S BUDGETING PROCESS. THAT SECOND PIECE ALSO HAS TO HAPPEN. AND SO THE SAFEGUARD FROM THE COUNCIL'S PERSPECTIVE IS THAT WHEN THAT TIME COMES AND STAFF COMES AND SAYS WE BELIEVE IN THIS TIF DISTRICT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO POOL X-AMOUNT OF MONEY TOWARDS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. AT THAT MOMENT THE COUNCIL COULD SAY THAT'S ONLY SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO IF THE UNITS ARE AFFORDABLE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL. THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE COUNCIL AT THAT POINT TO DIRECT WHERE THOSE FUNDS GO. OR THE COUNCIL COULD ALSO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, TODAY THE TAX BASE IS THE HIGHER PRIORITY. TODAY, WE DON'T WANT TO POOL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BOTH ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME. [3:37:05] Jeremiah Ellison: SO TODAY, WE'RE ESSENTIALLY PASSING -- IF THIS WERE ALGEBRA, WE'RE PASSING X AMOUNT. IN THE FUTURE WE WOULD HAVE TO SAY X EQUALS AMOUNT CERTAIN. [3:37:12] Angie Skeldom: THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. [3:37:15] Jeremiah Ellison: I THINK WE SHOULD PASS THIS TODAY. I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD. I ALSO THINK THAT STAFF AND COUNCIL, YOU KNOW, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, AS YOU KNOW, AS EMERGING LEADERS IN HOUSING ON THIS BENCH HERE, I THINK SHOULD LEAN IN QUICKLY TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, TIF A LITTLE BIT BETTER BEFORE WE'RE DECIDING WHAT X IS IN THE FUTURE. AND SO FOR THAT REASON, AND I THINK THAT COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY'S QUESTIONS ARE EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT SUPPORTING THIS MOTION RIGHT NOW, I THINK ARE 100% VALID AND I think NEED TO BE SORT OF ADDRESSED. AND SO YEAH, JUST WANTED TO LAY THAT OUT FOR THE BODY TO THE EXTENT THAT THAT'S USEFUL TO MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU ALL. [3:38:06] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I'LL BE VERY BRIEF. I JUST WANTED TO OFFER UP IF WE NEED MORE TIF DISTRICTS, 38TH AND CHICAGO, GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE CERTAINLY MEETS THE CRITERIA. THANK YOU. [3:38:21] Elliott Payne: WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO REFER THIS ITEM BACK TO STAFF. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. Chavez, Wonsley, Payne vote Aye. Others vote No.] 3 AYES AND 9 NAYS. [3:38:53] Elliott Payne: THAT MOTION FAILS. WE HAVE THE UNDERLYING MOTION BEFORE US TO APPROVE ITEM 4. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. Wonsley votes No. All others present vote Aye.] 11 AYES AND 1 NAY (Chughtai absent). [3:39:31] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES, AND THAT COMPLETES ALL ITEMS ON THE BHZ REPORT. THE NEXT REPORT IS FROM OUR CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [3:39:48] Katie Cashman: THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE HAS 14 ITEMS TODAY. ONE IS A PASSAGE OF A RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE WEST RIVER PARKWAY PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. TWO IS 7th STREET NORTH RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THREE IS AMENDING A RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE VARIANCE REQUEST FOR MUNICIPAL STATE AID STANDARDS FOR THE BRIDGE PROJECT. FOUR RELATED VARIANCE REQUEST. 5 IS A CONTRACT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICES. THIS ITEM CAME FROM COMMITTEE WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. AND STAFF HAS SINCE PREPARED A REVISED RCA FOR A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT INSTEAD OF A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT. IT ALSO REDUCES THE $15 MILLION DOWN TO $7 MILLION. SO I WILL BE MOVING THE REVISED STAFF VERSION, WHICH IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE. SIX IS A OPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE MET COUNCIL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE METRO BLUE LINE EXTENSION LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT. 7 IS A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY FOR STORMWATER RESILIENCE PLANNING. EIGHT IS WATER DISTRIBUTION IMPROVEMENTS APPROPRIATION AND BONDS. NINE IS SOUTH LYNDALE CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN DIRECTIVE. 10 IS BLOCK EVENT PERMIT FROM FEBRUARY 13TH TO -- 12 IS THE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE RELATED TO THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE HENNEPIN ENERGY RECOVERY CENTER. I'LL NOTE THAT WE MOVE THIS WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION AS WELL. AND WE HAVE A REVISED VERSION BY AUTHOR COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. I'LL SEE IF HE WANTS TO MOVE THAT REVISED VERSION. LASTLY, 13 AND 14. 13 IS THE GAS FRANCHISE FEES ORDINANCE. AND 14 IS THE ELECTRIC FRANCHISE FEES ORDINANCE. I'LL PULL OUT ITEM 12, THE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE ON HERC, AS WELL AS 13 AND 14 GAS AND ELECTRIC FOR SEPARATE VOTE. [3:42:08] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS MOVED THE REPORT, INCLUDING THE REVISION TO ITEM 5, AND PULLING OUT 12, 13, AND 14 FOR SEPARATE VOTES. ON THE REMAINDER OF THE ITEMS, INCLUDING THE REVISION TO NUMBER 5, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. [3:42:40] Emily Koski: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEM 9, THE SOUTH LYNDALE QUARTER MASTER PLAN IN THIS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE. MOSTLY JUST WANT TO THANK THE CITY STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WITH ME. MANY OF THEM FOR EVEN CLOSE TO FOUR YEARS. BUT ERIC MCMAHAN AND TIM SEXTON, I APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP. MANY OF YOU ON THIS DAIS HAVE GONE ON RIDE-ALONGS IN THIS AREA TO SEE THE POTENTIAL OF WHAT WE COULD DO IN THIS CORRIDOR TO REALLY RECONNECT WARDS 11 AND 13 TOGETHER. AND EXCITED TO SEE THE WORK THAT WILL CONTINUE TO COME FROM THIS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PARTNERSHIP. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. [3:43:18] Michael Rainville: THANK YOU. SO THIS REVISED LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN COMMITTEE. WE'LL TAKE 12 UP AFTER WE VOTE ON THE REMAINDER OF THE ITEMS. [3:43:53] Elliott Payne: ON ITEMS 1-11, INCLUDING THE REVISION TO NUMBER 5, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All 11 members present vote Aye.] 11 AYES (Osman, Chughtai absent). [3:44:31] Elliott Payne: THOSE ITEMS CARRY. NEXT, WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM 12. I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. [3:44:37] Michael Rainville: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THIS NEW LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE WE'VE MODIFIED THIS IN COMMITTEE. COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, YOU HAD SEVEN MAYBE EIGHT SUGGESTIONS. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS THE STAFF HAS REQUESTED TO COME BACK AT ABOUT THE JUNE TIMEFRAME. THAT WILL TAKE THAT LONG TO GET ALL THESE ANSWERS. I BELIEVE AT THAT POINT WE COULD HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING AND ANSWER ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY. I THINK IF WE ARE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT CLOSING DOWN, WE HAVE TO HAVE ANSWERS AND GENTLY PUSH THIS FORTH. ITS VERY, VERY COMPLEX. THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SOLVE THAT COMPLEXITY IS THROUGH LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVES SUCH AS THIS. SO THANK YOU. [3:54:20] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, YOU'VE MOVED THAT FOR APPROVAL. IS THERE A SECOND? [Seconded.] ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [3:45:20] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I'LL BE SUPPORTING THIS ITEM JUST BECAUSE IT'S ASKING US FOR MORE INFORMATION. WITH MORE QUESTIONS. I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS COUNCIL DID VOTE TO SAY WE WANT TO CLOSE DOWN THE HERC. I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE MISCONSTRUED. IT'S JUST ASKING FOR MORE QUESTIONS. IT'S BEEN AMENDED. I WANT MY CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW I STILL SUPPORT SHUTTING DOWN THE HERC. [3:46:06] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I ECHO THE COMMENTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ MADE. WE PASSED A RESOLUTION IN SHUTTING DOWN THE HERC. AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TOWARDS, INCLUDING GETTING MORE INFORMATION, BUT ALSO IN OUR BUDGET. ALSO IN ZERO WASTE. ALSO IN LOBBYING THE STATE LEGISLATURE. ALSO IN HAVING A PLAN WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY. AND THEN WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS A VERY, VERY HEAVY LIFT. AND SO I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I WOULD LIKE THIS TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING IN WHATEVER CONFIGURATION WE WILL ORGANIZE AGAIN. I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR COMMUNITY GETS TO WEIGH IN. I HOPE MEMBERS THAT ARE ON THIS BODY, ESPECIALLY THE AUTHOR OF THIS RESOLUTION WILL HELP MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS. I ALSO WILL PLAN ON WHENEVER WE FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION IS, REACHING OUT TO STAFF TO ASK MAYBE A FEW QUESTIONS AHEAD OF THIS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE COMING BACK TO SEE IF IT COULD BE INCORPORATED IN WHAT THEY PRESENT TO US. SO IF ALL OF THAT WORKS AND IF WE CAN REALLY LEAN IN ON ZERO WASTE IN THIS NEXT TERM, I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS AND GET THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE I DO THINK THESE ARE JUST REASONABLE QUESTIONS FOR US TO GET ANSWERS TO. [3:47:30] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM 12. [Roll call conducted. All 10 present vote Aye.] 10 AYES (Osman, Wonsley, Chughtai absent). [3:47:56] Elliott Payne: SHOULD WE TAKE THOSE UP AT THE SAME TIME, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN? THESE ARE RELATED TO THE GAS AND ELECTRIC FRANCHISE FEES. I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [3:48:06] Katie Cashman: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT PAYNE. WE'VE WORKED A LOT ON THIS. ACTUALLY, WITH CITY STAFF WHO DID SOME INCREDIBLE MODELING ON OUR CLIMATE FUNDING AND THE COST TO THE RATE PAYERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO FUND THE CLEAN ENERGY WORK, WEATHERIZATION AND RETROFITTING THAT OUR CITY IS DOING A REALLY GREAT JOB DELIVERING TO OUR RESIDENTS. HOWEVER, THE FUNDING THAT WE BROUGHT IN LAST YEAR WAS $2 MILLION SHORT. AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET AS MANY HOMES WEATHERIZED AND RETROFITTED THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS WE INTENDED TO. IT'S CLEAR THAT IN ORDER TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE, THE CLIMATE CRISIS, WE NEED MORE FUNDING DEDICATED TO THIS. AND I THINK THAT IT IS EXPENSIVE TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. BUT THE COST OF NOT DOING ANYTHING IS MUCH, MUCH GREATER. AND AT THE SAME TIME, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THE PROGRAMS THAT THE CITY IS ADMINISTERING HAVE AN INCREDIBLE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE. SO THOSE WHO DO WEATHERIZE AND RETROFIT THEIR HOMES ARE ABLE TO LOWER THEIR ENERGY BILLS AND REALLY GET THEIR MONEY BACK MANY TIMES OVER. SO I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT CITY STAFF HAS DONE. I APPRECIATE THE ENERGY VISION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THEIR LETTER OF SUPPORT IN FAVOR OF THESE ORDINANCES. ALSO THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, EVERY SINGLE RESIDENT WHO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THIS INCREASE. AND I'LL ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR CLIMATE TODAY AND VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THESE TWO ORDINANCES, WHICH I'LL MOVE FOR APPROVAL. [3:49:57] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, CHAIR PAYNE. I WILL BE I THINK I GOT TO SAY, RELUCTANTLY SUPPORTING THIS ORDINANCE TODAY. WE JUST SET OUR TAX LEVY AT 8%, WHICH IS GOING TO CREATE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR MANY OF THE MINNEAPOLIS. ELECTRIC AND HEATING BILLS ARE SKYROCKETING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, MINNEAPOLIS IS NO EXCEPTION. I THINK LAST WINTER WAS A RELATIVELY MILD WINTER, AS IT RELATES TO MINNEAPOLIS AND MINNESOTA. SO SUBSEQUENTLY, WE SAW LESS REVENUE FROM THE FRANCHISE FEE. GIVEN THE ONSET OF WINTER THIS YEAR, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME KIND OF CHALLENGE. BUT WHAT I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT, AND CERTAINLY THIS IS GOING TO BE A COST BURDEN FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE. ANOTHER TAX, IF YOU WILL. BUT MAINLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE PROGRAM IS BEING DISTRIBUTED. AND WHO IS ACTUALLY BENEFITING. YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT, REALLY, DIRECTING THESE FUNDS INITIALLY TO GREEN ZONES, NORTH SIDE GREEN ZONES, AND ENSURING THAT LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BE RECEIVING THIS HELP. AND I THINK I'VE HEARD FIGURES OF 11 TO 13% OF THOSE AREAS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THESE FUNDS. AND I'M HAPPY TO STAND -- BE STOOD CORRECTED, IF THAT'S NOT THE CASE. BUT GOING FORWARD, I HOPE WE CAN PRIORITIZE THOSE WHO ARE MOST COST BURDENED BY THESE ADDITIONAL FEES. I THINK THE MISCONCEPTION HAS BEEN ADDRESSED THAT SOMEHOW THE UTILITY COMPANIES ACTUALLY PAY THESE FEES. BUT THE REALITY IS, THEY PASS THEM ALONG TO US AS CONSUMERS. AND SO WE REALLY HAVE TO BALANCE HOW MUCH BURDEN WE'RE PLACING ON VERY LOW-INCOME WORKING-CLASS RESIDENTS THAT WE TALK SO MUCH ABOUT ON THIS COUNCIL. AND YET WE CONTINUOUSLY CREATE MORE BURDENS FOR THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. [3:53:10] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. SO I SUPPORTED THIS IN COMMITTEE. AND AFTER DOING THAT, I JUST GOT AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF FOLKS FROM THE NORTH SIDE REACHING OUT ABOUT THIS. AND IT IS -- IT IS ALL ABOUT THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP THIS IS CAUSING ON RESIDENTS AND COULD CAUSE ON RESIDENTS. AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AROUND, ONCE WE WEATHERIZE THEIR HOUSE, IT'LL BE A BENEFIT TO THEM. I THINK THE FEAR THEY HAVE IS WHEN IS IT GOING TO HAPPEN? AND HOW THAT HAPPENS. I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ABOUT, REALLY, REFINING WHAT THE GREEN ZONES ARE. I KNOW A LOT OF PARTS OF WARD FOUR PEOPLE MIGHT THINK IS A GREEN ZONE IS NOT A GREEN ZONE. THAT'S THE WORK I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO BEFORE INCREASING THE FRANCHISE FEE. AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS THESE CONVERSATIONS AROUND, YOU KNOW, A FEW DOLLARS HERE OR THERE. AND I MEAN IT'S A LOT TO FOLKS. ESPECIALLY WITH THESE TAX BURDENS THAT PEOPLE ARE IN PARTICULAR, IN WARD FOUR. I HAD A LOT PEOPLE REACH OUT THAT TALKED ABOUT A 22% INCREASE. 18% INCREASE. I THINK WE HAD SOMEONE THAT WAS -- I MEAN, THE NUMBER WAS OVER 50. AND I JUST THE INCREASES FOLKS ARE HAVING. SO I DO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT. BECAUSE -- WELL, YEAH. A YEAR AGO, WHEN WE DID THIS, I MADE A COMMITMENT TO FOLKS THAT THEY WOULD SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE BEFORE WE ADOPTED ANOTHER FRANCHISE FEE. AND IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT OVER A YEAR. I HAVEN'T HAD RESIDENTS REACH OUT TO ME THAT HAVE REALLY SEEN THE IMPACT OF THE ORIGINAL FRANCHISE FEE. AND SO I MEAN, I KNOW we've GOTTEN A PRESENTATION THAT TALKS ABOUT HOW THIS IS WORKED IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. AND I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT I THINK SOMETHING IS HAPPENING HERE WHERE WE'RE MISSING THE FOLKS WHO NEED IT THE MOST. WHERE IT'S REALLY IMPACTING THESE FOLKS WHO A $10 UTILITY BILL FROM TWO DIFFERENT UTILITY COMPANIES REALLY MAKE DIFFERENCE. AND SO I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS TODAY. BUT DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT'S WENT INTO THE FRANCHISE FEE INCREASES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. [3:55:33] Linea Palmisano: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS. I'VE THOROUGHLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE AUTHOR AS WELL AS THE ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT REACHED OUT AND CONTACTED ME. AS ELECTED, WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME LISTENING. I'VE ALSO SPOKEN WITH OUR UTILITY PARTNERS AND CITY STAFF. I'VE TRIED TO GET TO A POINT OF SUPPORT BUT I CAN'T. COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN AS THE MAIN AUTHOR, YOU'VE TRIED TO TAILOR AS BEST POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR THAT. THERE ARE TOO MANY DRAWBACKS IN THIS PROPOSAL TO EARN MY SUPPORT. ALTHOUGH THIS FRANCHISE FEE WOULD INCREASE THE INCREASE FOR THE FRANCHISE FEE FOR SMALL AND RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS WOULD BE FAIRLY SMALL WE CAN'T TAKE THAT IN ISOLATION. EARLY NEXT YEAR, RESIDENTS OF MINNEAPOLIS WILL BE INCURRING THIS ON TOP OF A PAYROLL TAX OF .44% FOR THE NEW STATE-MANDATED PAID FAMILY LEAVE. INCREASED HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS TRIPLED. INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES OR RAISED RENTS. INCREASED COSTS OF LIVING DUE TO INFLATIONARY COSTS IN FOOD, PRESCRIPTIONS, CLOTHING AND EVERYDAY NECESSITIES. LET'S BE MINDFUL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT BURDEN TO RESIDENTS. ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LOWER OR FIXED INCOMES. PASS THROUGH FEES IMPACT THEM DISPROPORTIONATELY. BECAUSE THE FEE IS PASSED THROUGH, THE UTILITY COMPANIES DON'T LOSE ANY FUNDING. THE COST IS PAID ENTIRELY BY THE RESIDENTS OF MINNEAPOLIS. ALL WE ARE DOING IS INCREASING THE ECONOMIC BURDEN ON OUR RESIDENTS. I DON'T WANT TO RAISE THOSE FEES UNTIL MORE HOMES ARE WEATHERIZED. AND WE KNOW FROM STAFF DATA ABOUT 13% OF THE PROJECTS IN THE CLI WERE IN THE GREEN ZONES. AND THAT LEAVES THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE HOMES UNWEATHERIZED. SO MAKING SURE THAT THE BENEFITS INTENTIONALLY REACH THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED IT THE MOST, THAT BEAR THE HIGHEST ENERGY BURDENS, AND POTENTIAL HARM FROM HISTORIC INEQUITIES IS IMPORTANT. BUSINESSES AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES WILL SEE A MUCH LARGER INCREASE IN THEIR FRANCHISE FEES. SOME AS HIGH AS NEARLY 8% FOR ELECTRIC AND OVER 9% FOR GAS. THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE. WE NEED POLICIES THAT SUPPORT BUSINESSES. NOT DRIVE THEM OUT. THERE WERE SOME BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR CITY MONEY TO TRY AND SUPPORT BUSINESSES. THIS FLIES IN THE FACE OF THAT. OUR CITY FRANCHISE FEES ARE ALREADY THE LARGEST IN THE STATE, AND THEY ARE WAY OUT OF PROPORTION IN COMPARISON TO ANY OTHER CITY. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY ARE $41 MILLION FOR GAS AND ELECTRIC COMBINED TODAY. COMPARE THAT TO SAINT PAUL, AT ABOUT HALF OF THAT. $22 MILLION AND EVERYBODY ELSE DROPS OFF SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THERE. FRANCHISE FEES ARE SET AT A PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE RATHER THAN A FLAT FEE. THAT MEANS WE DO GOOD THINGS, LIKE EV CHARGING AND HEAT PUMPS THAT GO TO PLACES THAT HAVE INCREASED DENSITY, OUR TOTAL FEES WILL RISE NATURALLY AND OVER TIME. FRANCHISE FEES ARE CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY ROUTE TO GETTING WEATHERIZATION WORK DONE. OUR CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP, HAVE OUR UTILITIES AND THE CITY MAKING IT A PRIORITY IN THE WORK PLAN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. THROUGH THOSE COORDINATED RESOURCES, THROUGH THAT PLANNING, WE CAN WEATHERIZE WITHOUT PUTTING MORE AND MORE ENERGY BURDEN ON RESIDENTS. [3:59:16] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR PAYNE. I WANTED TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS. AND THANK COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN AND COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI FOR ALL THEIR WORK ON THIS. I KNOW YOU SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO GET SOMETHING BEFORE US THAT CONSIDERED ALL OF THE DIFFERENT VOICES THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS. I WANT TO THANK OUR COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FOR ADVOCATING TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT IS JUST SO CLEAR THAT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY ACTION TAKEN. SO IT REALLY IS UP TO CITIES LIKE THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO TAKE MEANINGFUL CLIMATE ACTION. AND THE THING THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WE WORKED ON IN OUR BUDGET IS DEDICATING THIS FUNDING SPECIFICALLY TO WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY. THAT'S GETTING AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS AND IN MINNESOTA TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES WITH EMISSIONS AND FOSSIL FUELS AND TO REALLY, REALLY ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. AND I'LL STATE, LIKE, THAT -- NOT ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, THEY'RE HERE RIGHT NOW IN OUR CITIES. THEY'RE A THREAT. THEY'RE A THREAT TO THE LIVELIHOODS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND, ALSO, OUR ECONOMY. THESE WEATHER EVENTS THAT OCCUR, THAT ARE RELATED OR DIRECTLY TIED TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPACT OUR ROADS, OUR BRIDGES, WATER MANAGEMENT, AND WE HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ADDRESS THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR. WILD FIRE SMOKE, HEAT STROKE, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT OCCUR FROM DIFFERENT CLIMATE EVENTS THAT ARE EXTREME IMPACT OUR RESIDENTS' HEALTH. AND IMPACT THEM IN THEIR POCKETBOOK, TOO, AS IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE. YOU CAN NAME IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AND YOU CAN EVEN LOOK PLAINLY AT, LIKE, THE COST THAT RESIDENTS ARE INCURRING RIGHT NOW WITHOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WEATHERIZATION OCCURRING IN THE LOWEST INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS FOR RESIDENTS, FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, AND IMMIGRANTS WHO AREN'T AS READILY ABLE TO ACCESS LOCAL GOVERNMENT. I THINK THIS IS A MEANINGFUL DEDICATION. AND WE ALSO KNOW THE FINANCIAL STRAIN ON OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTRY IS ONLY GOING TO CONTINUE. AND I FEEL LIKE IN THIS MOMENT, THIS IS WHEN WE HAVE THE MOMENT TO MAKE A DECISION LIKE THIS. TO DEDICATE THIS FUNDING AND I WORRY THAT IN THE FUTURE, WE WILL NOT HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO. SO I'M PROUD THAT WE'RE TAKING THIS UP. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO US ONLY FURTHER EXTENDING THE WORK WE'RE DOING TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. I HOPE WE CAN SEE RESULTS THAT WILL BE NATION LEADING SO OTHER CITIES CAN TAKE IT UP AND WE CAN COLLECTIVELY ADDRESS IT TOGETHER. [4:02:02] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANT TO THANK THE AUTHORS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. AS SOMEONE THAT REPRESENTS PART OF THE PHILLIPS NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE SOUTH SIDE GREEN ZONE, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY THAT STRUGGLES TO PAY ITS BILLS AND A COMMUNITY THAT IS COST BURDENED BY THE AMOUNT OF WORK THEY HAVE TO DO TO JUST PAY THEIR BILLS AND THE UTILITIES WHILE THE UTILITY COMPANIES CONTINUE TO INCREASE THEIR BILLS, I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT ACTION WE NEED TO TAKE TODAY. I WANT TO SPEAK ON WHY. BECAUSE I WANT TO SPEAK ON WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T PASS THIS. IT MEANS WE HAVE MORE RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTH SIDE GREEN ZONE, IN THE GREEN ZONES, AND IN MINNEAPOLIS AND AREAS IN MINNEAPOLIS THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY. IT MEANS MORE OF THOSE HOMES ARE NOT GOING TO BE WEATHERIZED. IT MEANS MORE IN THE UTILITY BILLS. I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION. BY NOT TAKING THE ACTIONS, IT MEANS LESS FUNDING TO WEATHERIZE HOMES IN MINNEAPOLIS RESULTING IN INCREASED BILLS FOR MANY RESIDENTS STRUGGLING TO BARELY MAKE BY. AT A TIME WHEN LANDLORDS CONTINUE TO JACK UP RENT ON RESIDENTS. AT A TIME WHEN THE MINIMUM WAGE IS STILL NOT ENOUGH TO BARELY MAKE IT BY. WE NEED TO HAVE PROGRAMS IN OUR CITY THAT ARE GOING TO HELP WEATHERIZE OUR HOMES TO REDUCE THE COST BURDEN SO RESIDENTS ARE NOT GOING BY WITHOUT ACTION THEY CAN HAVE IN THEIR HOMES TO MAKE SURE THEIR UTILITY BILLS DECREASE. AND THAT IS WHY I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ACTION. I THINK IT'S A VERY PRO SOUTH SIDE GREEN ZONE, PRO GREEN ZONE, IN GENERAL. AND I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON. JUST, LIKE, WHAT I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS ALL THE TIME IS, "I CAN'T PAY RENT. UTILITY BILLS ARE SKYROCKETING. THE UTILITY COMPANIES ARE MAKING IT HARD TO BE IN MY HOME. THIS IS ONE OF THE ACTIONS WE CAN TAKE TO REDUCE THAT COST BURDEN." AND IT IS GOING TO BE FOCUSING A LOT ON THE GREEN ZONES. I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR. WE'RE TACKLING NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE STRUGGLING. AND THAT WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING WITH OUR FULL EFFORT. I WANT UP TO THE SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS AND THANK THE AUTHOR. [4:04:22] Katie Cashman: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANTED TO RESPOND TO A COUPLE OF THINGS. SO JUST NOTING THAT IN 2025, 62% OF THE PROJECTS COMPLETED THROUGH THE GREEN COST SHARE PROGRAM WERE IN GREEN ZONES OR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE DOING BOTH. BECAUSE SOME OF THE MOST ENERGY BURDENED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY, LIKE THE JORDAN NEIGHBORHOOD, ARE NOT IN THE GREEN ZONE. IF WE WERE ONLY DOING THE GREEN ZONES, WE WOULD BE MISSING LARGE PORTIONS OF THE POPULATION WHO REALLY NEED THESE PROGRAMS. WHICH IS WHY THEY USE MULTIPLE INCOME AND DELINEATE WHERE THE MONEY GOES. TO BE CLEAR, IN 2025, 62% OF THE PROJECTS WERE BROUGHT TO THE GREEN ZONES OR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS OF THE CITY. I WANT TO POINT OUT, ALSO, IN OUR PUBLIC HEARING WITH MORE THAN 60 PEOPLE -- RESIDENTS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT, A LARGE MAJORITY DID COME FROM THE SOUTH SIDE AND THE NORTH SIDE. AND THOSE WHO SPOKE AGAINST WERE THE DOWNTOWN COUNCIL AND BIG BUSINESS GROUPS. THIS IS A VERY PEOPLE-FIRST PROPOSAL. IT'S INCREDIBLY SHORTSIGHTED NOT TO THE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS TODAY. [4:05:27] Elliott Payne: I ADDED MYSELF TO QUEUE. I WANT TO JUST ECHO THE SENTIMENT THAT WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE TO DO NOTHING. THE CAVALRY IS NOT COMING TO SAVE US. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT MAKE THE TYPE OF INVESTMENTS AT THE SCALE NECESSARY TO MEET THIS MOMENT. AND THE REALITY IS, THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS NOT ENOUGH. AND, FRANKLY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T IN THE RIGHT POSITION TO BE AT THE SCALE NECESSARY TO MAKE THE TYPES OF INVESTMENTS WE NEED TO MEET THIS MOMENT. BUT WE CAN BE A BRIDGE TO A WORLD OF SANITY WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN SCIENCE. AND I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK TO THE RISING COSTS OF ALL OF OUR -- PARTICULARLY ENERGY BILLS. THIS ISN'T JUST, LIKE, THE MYTHICAL INFLATION. THIS IS RUN AWAY BUILD OUT OF DATA CENTERS BUILT ON THE HYPE OF AI. AND THAT JUST COMPLETELY SUCKING UP EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY THAT OUR GRID CAN GENERATE. AND THESE UTILITY COMPANIES ARE CRUMBLING UNDER THE DEMAND. A DEMAND THAT STILL HAS NOT MET A BUSINESS MODEL THAT IS PROFITABLE. SO THIS IS STILL QUITE SOUNDLY IN THE BUBBLE TERRITORY, AS ITS BRINGING OUR UTILITY GRID TO ITS KNEES. AND SO IF WE JUST SIT BY AND WATCH IT HAPPEN, COLLAPSE IS ALREADY ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW, EVEN WITH US VOTING YES ON THIS. WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CATCH UP. SO I REALLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SUPPORT THIS. [4:07:09] Jamal Osman: COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE WORK WITH. WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER O'HALLORAN CAME TO THE MEETING. IT WAS EYE OPENING TO HOST IT IN MY WARD. TO HAVE PEOPLE COME AND TALK TO AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THINGS 50 YEARS OLD. IT IS PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THAT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE MONEY TO CHANGE THIS. THAT CREATED THIS ISSUE IN OUR CITY AND ENVIRONMENT. SO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, IT CAN GO A LONG WAY. SO COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. AND I'LL ASK IF I CAN BE A COAUTHOR. [4:08:29] Katie Cashman: YES, PLEASE. THANK YOU. [4:08:32] Casey Carl: [Roll call for Items 13 and 14.] PALMISANO? Linea Palmisano: NO. CHOWDHURY? Aurin Chowdhury: AYE. CASHMAN? Katie Cashman: AYE. OSMAN? Jamal Osman: AYE. RAINVILLE? Michael Rainville: NO. CHAVEZ? Jason Chavez: AYE. VETAW? LaTrisha Vetaw: NO. ELLISON? Jeremiah Ellison: AYE. KOSKI? Emily Koski: AYE. WONSLEY? Robin Wonsley: AYE. JENKINS? Andrea Jenkins: AYE. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI? Aisha Chughtai: AYE. PRESIDENT PAYNE? Elliott Payne: AYE. 10 AYES AND 3 NAYS. [4:09:05] Elliott Payne: THAT ITEM CARRIES. AND THAT COMPLETES THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT. NOW THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. [4:09:08] Jason Chavez: THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS BRINGING FORWARD EIGHT ITEMS. ONE IS SEPARATION ORDINANCE AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO START DISCUSS SENT FORWARD TO COUNCIL TODAY. TWO IS HUMANE ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE POLICY. SAME AS ONE. THREE IS KUNY AND NYU. FOUR IS AUTHORIZING CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH DANNY MURPHY FOR CONSULTING A BID FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON 10th AVENUE SOUTH BRIDGE OVER MIDTOWN BETWEENWAY. SIX IS CONSIDERING AN ENTERPRISE POLICY FRAMEWORK. SEVEN IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE. AND LASTLY, ITEM EIGHT IS ANOTHER TRAVEL GIFT ACCEPTANCE FOR PUBLIC DIRECTOR SEXTON TO ATTEND AN EVENT JANUARY 8 TO 9, 2026. I'LL PULL ITEMS ONE AND TWO FOR A SEPARATE VOTE AND DISCUSSION AND MOVE ALL OTHER ITEMS. [4:10:05] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ MOVED APPROVAL OF THE REPORT PULLING ITEMS ONE AND TWO FOR DISCUSSION. I'LL PULL SIX FOR A DISCUSSION. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE REPORT? SEEING NONE. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All vote Aye.] THERE ARE 13 AYES. [4:10:56] Elliott Payne: THOSE ITEMS CARRY. NEXT, WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER ONE. AND I WILL CALL ON ONE OF THE AUTHORS TO SPEAK TO THIS. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [4:10:56] Jason Chavez: THANKS, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE FOR COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY AND COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI. I'D LIKE TO MOVE THE REVISED VERSION OF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE THAT WE DISCUSSED ON TUESDAY AT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. AND ADDITIONALLY SMALL CHANGES WE HAVE MADE REGARDING TRAINING AND DATA. I ALSO KNOW LATER ON COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY IS GOING TO BE BRINGING FORWARD AN AMENDMENT, AS WELL. OVERALL, THIS ORDINANCE UPLIFTS THE CITY'S VALUES WHILE STRENGTHEN THE SEPARATION BETWEEN CITY ACTIVITIES AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE IN OUR POWER TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. NOT ONLY THROUGH A POLICY LIKE THIS, BUT THROUGH OUR BUDGET, THE ACTION FROM THE TOP, RESOURCES, AND COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. WHAT WE'RE SEEING ACROSS MINNEAPOLIS AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS DISHEARTENING. SOMALI CITIZEN BEING DETAINED AND DISCRIMINATED. LATINO CITIZEN BEING STOPPED AND QUESTIONED. AND WHAT IS MOST DISHEARTENING FROM THIS IS THAT OUR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, AS A WHOLE, ARE BEING ARRESTED, DETAINED, DEPORTED. AND NOT BEING ABLE TO COME HOME. SINCE DECEMBER 1st, IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOM ENFORCEMENT AGENTS HAVE ARRESTED MORE THAN 400 PEOPLES IN THE TWIN CITIES. A MAJORITY OF THEM WITH NO CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS. I ALSO WANT TO TALK -- TAKE SOME TIME TODAY TO SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY I'M PROUD TO BE A PART OF. THE LATINO COMMUNITY IS ALSO HURTING RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO THE LET YOU KNOW THAT I SEE YOU. I SEE THE WAY OUR FAMILIES ARE BEING SEPARATED. THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE BEING TORN APART. AND HOW OUR COMMUNITY, ONCE AGAIN, HAS TO HIDE IN THE SHADOWS. NOT BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE STORE ANYMORE. STAYING HOME SCARED. NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE YOUR CAR, WHICH EVEN MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT DURING SNOW EMERGENCIES. IF YOU HAVE IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS, PLEASE OFFER THEM ABILITY TO MOVE THEIR CARS. THEY CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY'RE SCARED OF BEING SNATCHED, WHICH WE'RE SEEING. HAVING TO STAY IN YOUR HOME TRAPPED, NOT BEING ABLE TO LEAVE AT ALL. PRAYING FOR SAFETY WHILE YOU'RE GOING TO WORK. AND PRAYING THAT YOU'LL MAKE IT BACK HOME TO YOUR FAMILY. TO BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR PARENTS, YOUR LOVED ONES, YOUR COUSINS, UNCLES, AUNTIES. I'LL SAY THIS WORLD IS CRUEL. IT DISREGARDS THE HUMANITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND I'LL SAY THAT WORKING IS NOT A CRIME. PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY IS NOT A CRIME. BEING IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT A CRIME. THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN IS NOT A CRIME. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, BEING AN IMMIGRANT IS NOT A CRIME! IT'S ACTUALLY AN ASSET. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. IT'S INCREDIBLE. IT'S A GREAT THING. AND WHILE OUR AUTHOR IS VERY LIMITED HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, I WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN UNDER OUR AUTHORITY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND LETTING THEM KNOW WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RESIST THIS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. AND WHILE I KNOW THIS IS JUST ONE LITTLE THING THAT WE CAN DO TODAY, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK THAT WE CAN DO. BECAUSE WHEN WE HAVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WE CANNOT TRUST, IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO BE THE FIRST AND LAST LINE OF DEFENSE. WE HAVE TO WORK TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER. CHANGE DIRECTIONS IN THE COMING ELECTIONS. AND WE NEED THE FULL FORCE OF THIS CITY ENTERPRISE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY WITH LEGAL SERVICES. WHICH IS ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER. I KNOW THIS ORDINANCE IS A PIECE OF SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES. BUT I WILL REITERATE WHAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES FOR THE LONGEST TIME. EVEN BEFORE WHAT WE'RE SEEING THIS YEAR. IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO DO MORE. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN. IT ALWAYS WILL BE. AND I JUST WANT TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING FOR US TO UPDATE THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE. AND THE COMMUNITY RESPONDERS THAT ARE PATROLLING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER. BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING IT REALLY HARD FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES -- THEY'RE MAKING OTHER PEOPLE'S JOBS HARDER TO SEPARATE OUR FAMILIES. SO I WANT TO LEAVE AT THAT. I KNOW THERE'S OTHER DISCUSSIONS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES HERE. BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, THE WORK OF COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, OUR CITY STAFF, IN WARD NINE, WARD 12, AND WARD 10 WHO HAVE WORKED DAY AND NIGHT TO GET THIS ORDINANCE TO THIS PLACE. WITHOUT OUR OWN CITY STAFF'S WORK. AND OUR POLICY AND POLICY ASSOCIATE'S WORK, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS POLICY. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT'S ONE PIECE. THERE'S A LOT MORE TO DO. [4:16:01] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. OF COURSE, THANK YOU TO THE COAUTHORS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. AS COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ JUST HIGHLIGHTED, MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS TREASURE THE FACT THAT OUR CITY IS HOME TO JUST SO MANY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. AND PEOPLE OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, RACES, RELIGIONS, AND CULTURES. AND THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, BUT, ALSO, MANY YEARS, MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBORS AND THEY HAVE A COMMITMENT TO TAKE THE REAL RISK THAT ARE OFTENTIMES VERY NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE STANDING UP FOR ONE ANOTHER AND KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORS SAFE AND PROTECTED AND, ALSO, MAKING SURE THEY KNOW THEIR LIVES HAVE VALUE AND MEANING. AND I'M SO INSPIRED TO SEE THE COURAGEOUS ACTIONS THAT MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS, AND MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES. I THINK OF COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN WHO HAS BEEN FIELDING A LOT OF REQUESTS FROM CONSTITUENTS ACROSS THE CITY TO SHOW UP AND BE OF SUPPORT TO THEM WHEN I.C.E. HAS LITERALLY BEEN AT THEIR DOORS. SO I'M JUST VERY THANKFUL TO BE IN A CITY THAT IS DEMONSTRATING PROACTIVE AND ACTIVE RESISTANCE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S CAMPAIGN AND WAR OF FEAR THEY'RE WAGING ON OUR CITY AT THIS TIME. I'M ALSO, AGAIN, JUST THANKFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, CHUGHTAI, AND CHOWDHURY FOR BRINGING THIS LEGISLATIVE ORDINANCE FORWARD TODAY TO SET A POLICY STANDARD FOR HOW THE CITY SHOULD RELATE TO I.C.E. AGENTS. WE LEARNED THIS PAST SUMMER THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS MORE THAN 20 YEARS OUTDATED. SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME AND SPENDING THE LABOR TO GET US IN ALIGNMENT WITH BEST PRACTICES ON HOW TO BE BEST RESPONSIVE IN THIS MOMENT. AS YOU MENTIONED, COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, WE KNOW IT'S NOT ALL ENCOMPASSING. BUT IT IS ONE PIECE. AND PAIRED WITH SOME OF THE BUDGETARY INVESTMENTS, WE'RE MAKING OUR WAY TOWARDS DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS CITY LEADERS TO ALSO USE OUR FULLEST AUTHORITY TO SHOW UP FOR OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND CONSTITUENTS. THAT SAID, I MENTIONED THAT I ORIGINALLY HAD PLANNED TO BRING SEVERAL AMENDMENTS. AFTER SEEING THE REVISIONS MADE TO THE ORDINANCE FROM YOU ALL, AS CO-AUTHORS, I DECIDED THAT MANY OF THE LEGISLATIVE INTENTIONS I WAS LOOKING FOR HAPPENS WITHIN YOUR DRAFTS. I'M NOT BRINGING THOSE AMENDMENTS FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP TO GET US HERE. [4:18:51] Aurin Chowdhury: THANKS, CHAIR. I WANT TO THE, FIRST, START OFF BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE MOMENT WE'RE IN. OUR CITY, A WEEK AND SOME CHANGE, SLIPPED INTO A COMPLETE CRISIS. IT'S ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW WHILE I'M SITTING HERE ON THIS DAIS, I'M GETTING MESSAGES FROM MY NEIGHBORS TALKING ABOUT I.C.E. KIDNAPPING PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT'S BEEN THE CONVERSATION DAY IN AND DAY OUT. AS SOON AS I WAKE UP AND AS BEING RIPPED AWAY FROM THEIR ARE COMMUNITIES. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I.C.E. I.C.E. IS ROUTINELY VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION, THE LAW OF THE LAND. THEY ARE DETAINING CITIZENS. THEY ARE NOT PRESENTING PROPER WARRANTS. THEY ARE TARGETING COMMUNITY MEMBERS BASED OFF OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN AND THE LANGUAGE THEY SPEAK. THEY ARE SPRAYING CHEMICAL IRRITANTS INTO THE FACES OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE USING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. AND THEY ARE TRYING TO INTIMIDATE ALL OF US, AND, ALSO, DIVIDE US TO SAY ONE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY IS GARBAGE OR DANGEROUS. WHEN THAT'S ABSOLUTELY WRONG. OUR SOMALI COMMUNITY MAKES US STRONG. OUR LATINO COMMUNITY MAKES US STRONG. OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES MAKE US STRONG AND BETTER AS A CITY. IT'S THE VERY HEART BEAT OF WHO WE ARE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE CULTURAL CORRIDORS. THAT'S WHY WE CELEBRATE EVERY YEAR LATINO HERITAGE MONTH, SOMALI HERITAGE MONTH, JUNETEENTH. ALL OF THESE CELEBRATIONS BECAUSE WE'RE INTERCONNECTED. BECAUSE IF SOME OF US ARE NOT FREE, THEN NONE OF US ARE FREE. AND WE ARE SEEING THAT HERE IN THIS MOMENT COMPLETELY. ABSOLUTELY COMPLETELY. AND WHILE I.C.E. AND THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING FANCAM VIDEOS OF THEIR "AGENTS" CUFFING AND ARRESTING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, MAKING TIKTOKS AND ENJOYING THE CRUELTY THEY'RE EXPELLING, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE SHOWING AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF LOVE. WHETHER THEY'RE ON THE STREETS DOING LEGAL OBSERVATION, WHETHER THEY'RE DOING MUTUAL AID AND COLLECTING FUNDS FOR RESIDENTS TO MAKE SURE THEIR FAMILIES CAN STAY AFLOAT. WHETHER THEY'RE PROVIDING TRAININGS, OR EVEN JUST SETTING UP COMMUNITY MEALS. AND CHECKING IN ON ONE ANOTHER. OR TAKING TIME TO GO ON TO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SHARING WHY OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE SO AMAZING AND MAKE US GREAT. AND SO I'M REALLY, REALLY HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO BE A CO-AUTHOR ON THIS ORDINANCE. THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT STEP. IT IS A PART OF ENSURING THAT WE, AS A CITY, IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM ARE DOING THE WORK OF ENFORCING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS. IT IS SAYING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IF YOU WANT INFORMATION FROM US, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT -- THAT IT IS THROUGH A JUDICIAL PROCESS OR THERE'S A COMPULSORY PROCESS WHERE WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO SO. IT'S SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE OUR CITY FACILITIES, OUR RESOURCES, ANY OF IT, OUR TECHNOLOGY, OUR DATA TO ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS. IT'S SAYING WE'RE GOING TO TRAIN OUR EMPLOYEES AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF US HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS THAT PROVIDE FRONTLINE SERVICES KNOW ABOUT THIS SEPARATION ORDINANCE AND ARE READY IN THIS MOMENT. IT'S MAKING SURE THAT THERE ARE PUBLIC AND CLEAR REPORTS BACK TO THIS COUNCIL SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING AND WE CAN HAVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, AS NEEDED. AND I JUST WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO THANK EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY MEMBER THAT GAVE SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL TESTIMONY I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY TIME AT CITY HALL. THAT WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT DAY FOR US AS A CITY. IT WAS SHOWING THE BEST OF US AND HOW WE SHOW UP IN THESE MOMENTS. AND WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT JUST IN THIS LAST DECADE. I THANK MY CO-AUTHORS. I THANK THIS BODY FOR THEIR SUPPORT, AS WE WERE WORKING ON THIS. I THANK THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THEY DID WITH US. AND I THANK OUR CITY STAFF IN THE WARD NINE, WARD 12, AND WARD 10 OFFICES PARTICULARLY ROBERT, AMY, DAVID, MAGGIE THAT HAS PUT IN THE LONG HOURS. I'M GLAD THAT WE CAN, IN OUR JURISDICTION, TAKE THIS STEP. [4:24:16] Michael Rainville: THANK YOU. I'LL BE BRIEF. CITY ATTORNEY ANDERSON, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF. IT IS COMPLEX. YOU SHOWED US THROUGH AS WE LEARNED IN CLOSED DOOR SESSION THAT THIS IS COMPLEX. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND YOUR ENTIRE STAFF. [4:24:33] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I GOT BACK IN QUEUE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN THANK THE STAFF AT WORKED ON THIS, AS WELL. AND, ALSO, IF YOU CAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE WITHOUT OBJECTION, ADD COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN AS AN AUTHOR, AS WELL. [4:24:55] Elliott Payne: WITHOUT OBJECTION. OKAY. SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM NUMBER ONE SEPARATION ORDINANCE. [Roll call conducted. All 13 vote Aye.] 13 AYES. [4:25:31] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER TWO. I'LL CALL ON ONE OF THE AUTHORS. VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI. [4:25:31] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. UMM, THIS IS THE HUMANE ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE ORDINANCE. I KNOW WE HAD A DISCUSSION -- OR WE -- THE AUTHORS PRESENTED THIS ITEM AND WE CONDUCTED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON TUESDAY. BUT HAVEN'T HAD MUCH DISCUSSION, AS A BODY. I'M GOING TO JUST SHARE A SYNTHESIZED VERSION OF OUR PRESENTATION FROM TUESDAY. JUST TO WALK THROUGH THE CORE COMPONENTS OF THIS POLICY, MOVE APPROVAL, AND THEN WE CAN GO FROM THERE. THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE INTRODUCED BY MYSELF, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ SEEKS TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION OF A HUMANE AND PUBLIC HEALTH-CENTERED RESPONSE TO ENCAMPMENTS THAT INFORM WITHIN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THIS ORDINANCE SEEKS TO, IN PART, ADDRESS THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES THAT ARISE IN COMMUNITIES WHEN INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN ENCAMPMENTS LACK ACCESS TO ADEQUATE SANITATION, BATHROOMS, AND OTHER RESOURCES WHILE LIVING IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF BOTH UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS WITHIN ENFORCEMENT ENCAMPMENT, AND ALSO, THE NEIGHBORING RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY MORE BROADLY. THIS ORDINANCE PROVIDES A FOUNDATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR A STANDARD AND HUMANE PROCEDURE FOR ENCAMPMENT REMOVALS AND CLOSURES. THIS ADDRESSES PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS FOR UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS BY ESTABLISHING A STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR PRECLOSURE NOTICE THAT INCLUDES EXPLICIT COMMUNICATION ON THE DATE AND TIME OF A PLANNED ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL, CONTACT INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO CAN ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN FINDING THEIR NEXT PLACE TO GO. FINDING TEMPORARY OR MORE PERMANENT SHELTER. AND INFORMATION ON WARMING AND COOLING CENTERS DURING THE SEVERE WEATHER THAT WE SEE HERE IN MINNESOTA, BOTH IN THE SUMMERS AND IN THE WINTERS. IT ALSO ENSURES THAT UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS ARE GIVEN THE BASIC DIGNITY OF TIME TO MAKE PLANS BEFORE A CLOSURE TO GATHER BELONGINGS, TO SEEK OUT RESOURCES, AND TO HAVE TRANSPARENT COMMUNITIES AS THEY ARE OUR RESIDENTS AND CONSTITUENTS, TOO. THE PRECLOSURE NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN RESPONDING TO AN ENCAMPMENT TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN CITY OPERATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A TIME TO CREATE RESPONSIVE PLANS WHENEVER NECESSARY TO WORK WITH CLIENTS THAT THEY ARE ALREADY WORKING WITH. KEY PROVISIONS INCLUDE DETAILED CITY PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE WITHIN 10 DAYS COORDINATION WITH JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERS. THAT THE CITY PROVIDES A PRECLOSURE NOTICE WITH NOTIFICATION OF AN ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL TO BOTH UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE ENCAMPMENT AND TO SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE BROADER ECOSYSTEM. AND THEN, THIRD, THAT THE CITY PROVIDES FOR STORAGE FOR UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING AN ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL, AS MAJOR TOOL OF REMOVING A BARRIER TO PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO GO INTO SHELTER. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE. AND ASK FOR A SECOND. [4:29:38] Jason Chavez: SECOND. [4:29:40] Elliott Payne: VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI HAS MOVED APPROVAL. THAT'S BEEN SECONDED. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [4:29:40] Linea Palmisano: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I'LL NEED TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS REPORTING ORDINANCE. THE PUBLIC MADE IT CLEAR IN THE PUBLIC HEARING THEY DON'T SUPPORT THE ORDINANCE. NEITHER DO I. THERE OPPORTUNITY SEEM TO BE ANY PROVISIONS FOR EMERGENCY, DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY, CRIME, TRAFFICKING, OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. THESE HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCES WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. I ASSUME THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THOSE ARRANGEMENTS TO COVER THAT IN OUR BUDGET. THAT WOULD BE NEW. IT FEELS LIKE THE AUTHORS WANT TO MAKE IT HOUSING OF SOME SORT. OR AT LEAST ALLOWABLE HOUSING, BUT IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE HOUSING. I AGREE WITH NICOLE MASON ON THIS ONE. THERE DOES NOT HELP IN THESE CHANGES TO HELP CHANGE SOMEBODY'S CIRCUMSTANCES. THAT ISN'T AN ENCAMPMENT. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE COULD SUGGEST THAT WE KEEP PEOPLE IN A SITUATION WHERE ADDICTION, VIOLENCE, TRAFFICKING, DRUG AND SEX TRAFFICKING AND CHILD TRAFFICKING HOW THAT CAN BE HUMANE RESPONSE TO ENCAMPMENTS. THAT WILL NEVER BE SOMETHING THAT THIS CITY SHOULD ENDORSE. AND I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS TODAY. [4:31:06] Jamal Osman: YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT ON THIS ORDINANCE. AND SOMEONE WHO HAS MANY, MANY YEARS TALKED ABOUT ENCAMPMENTS IN MY WARD, IN WARD SIX, WHICH HAVE LARGE ENCAMPMENTS. AND PEOPLE GATHERING AND ENCAMPMENTS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL. THE CITY IS NOT ABLE TO HANDLE ANYMORE. I TALKED TO THE AUTHORS. I HAVE SAT DOWN WITH THEM. ENCAMPMENTS ARE NOT A SUITABLE PLACE FOR ANYBODY TO LIVE. I THINK WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PREVENT ENCAMPMENTS STARTING. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO NOT ALLOW ENCAMPMENTS TO GROW BIGGER AND BIGGER AND HELP THOSE FOLKS THAT NEED THE HELP THE MOST. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ENCAMPMENTS IN OUR CITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS GET OUT OF CONTROL. YOU HAVE 100 PEOPLE THERE. AS A CITY, AS LEADERS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE BASIC THINGS. WHERE DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE BATHROOM? I SAT DOWN WITH THE AUTHORS. I WENT THROUGH LINE-BY-LINE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RESPONDING TO THE BEST HUMAN WAY. RIGHT NOW THERE'S ABSOLUTELY ZERO POLICY THAT WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO ENCAMPMENTS. THE MAYOR DECIDES. I HAVE TO CALL THE MAYOR. BEG HIM TO RESPOND AND FIGURE OUT A WAY. THEN WHATEVER HE MAKES THE DECISION, THAT'S THE DECISION WE GO BY. IF THAT ENCAMPMENT IS NOT CREATING A FUSS ABOUT THE NEWS, IF IT'S NOT CREATING FOLKS CALLING, IF IT'S NOT CREATING PUBLIC SAFETY, SHOOTING, DEATH, THAT'S WHEN ACTIONS ARE TAKEN. THAT'S NOT A WAY TO RUN THE CITY. THE WAY TO RUN THE CITY IS HAVE A POLICY AND FOLLOW THE POLICY. WE TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF HOW MANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ENCAMPMENTS HAVE UNTIL WE SAY, "HEY, THESE PEOPLE, THEY'RE HERE." WELL, LET'S HELP THEM OUT. LET'S FIGURE OUT -- WE'RE NOT SAYING LET'S KEEP THE ENCAMPMENTS. WE'RE SAYING FOR YOU HAVE 25, 30, OR 40 PEOPLE, OR EVEN 100 PEOPLE, AS WE DID, YOU CANNOT HOLD BACK POTTIES. YOU CANNOT HOLD BACK TRASH PICKUP. YOU'RE ALLOWING WARD SIX RESIDENTS TO SUFFER THAT. AND I DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE MAYOR EVERY TIME AND BEG FOR SERVICES THAT WE DESERVE IN WARD SIX. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO TELL THEM, HEY, THIS IS THE POLICY YOU NEED TO FOLLOW AS THE LEADER OF THIS CITY. WHEN WE HAVE 30 PEOPLE OR 40 PEOPLE, WHATEVER NUMBER IT IS, WE'RE OBLIGATED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS AND THE SAFETY CONCERN THAT CAN CREATE THERE. AND THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT SAYING LET'S NOT EVICT ENCAMPMENT. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS WHERE -- I THINK IT'S CLEAR. EVERY RESIDENT SHOULD READ THIS POLICY. I DON'T SEE ANY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE AT ALL IN THIS. IT'S STATING LET'S FIND A GUIDELINE THAT WE CAN ALL FOLLOW. WE CAN ALL EXPECT. RESIDENTS HAVE EXPECTATIONS BUT NOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE MAYOR SAYS. I RESPECT THE MAYOR. HE'S THE LEADER OF OUR CITY AND THE ONE WHO CALLS THE SHOTS. I WOULD LIKE HIM TO FOLLOW THIS POLICY THAT WE WILL CREATE. AND HOPE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE COME BACK FOR A VETO. I'M HOPING THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP RUN THE CITY BETTER. HELP HIM FIND A WAY TO ADDRESS ENCAMPMENTS. I THINK THIS IS THE STARTING POINT. THAT WHEN WE DECIDE AS LEADERS, LET'S TAKE ACTION. LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DEAL WITH ENCAMPMENTS. I'M SORRY THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN ENCAMPMENTS. THEY DESERVE BETTER. WE HAVE TO HELP THEM AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO HELP THEM, AT LEAST. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH! I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK, AUTHORS. AND I APPRECIATE YOU MEETING WITH ME. AND SOME OF THE LANGUAGE AND YOU REVISED IT. AND YOU BROUGHT SOMETHING I CAN DEFINITELY WORK AROUND. SO THANK YOU. [4:35:46] Katie Cashman: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THERE ARE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE POLICY. OTHER THINGS I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT. AND, ULTIMATELY, WON'T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT TODAY. SOUNDS LIKE AN INTERNAL POLICY ON ENCAMPMENT CLOSURES. IT'S NOT PUBLICLY CODIFIED OR AVAILABLE. BUT THERE ARE BIG DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IT. THEY SAID THEY HAVE A THREE-DAYS NOTICE. THIS ORDINANCE GIVES SEVEN DAY NOTICE. AND, I GUESS, THAT'S ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS. HAVING A SEVEN-DAY WINDOW BEFORE CITY STAFF CAN TAKE AN ACTION ON ENCAMPMENT AND IT GROWS LARGER. IT CAN LEAD TO PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES. I'VE SEEN IT IN MY WARD. MORE ON PRIVATE PROPERTIES THAN PUBLIC PROPERTIES. THAT WOULD BE A BIG CONCERN FOR ME. I'LL SHARE WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE ORDINANCE. I LIKE THAT IT REQUIRES THE CITY PROVIDE PERSONAL PROPERTY STORAGE AND FIGURE THAT OUT. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY GETS BETTER AT THAT AND FINDS MORE COMMUNITY PROVIDERS IN WAYS TO DO A GOOD JOB WITH THAT. I LIKE IT AIMS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF POLICE HOURS AND RESOURCES SPENT ON ENCAMPMENTS AND GETTING TO A PLACE WHERE MORE BEHAVIORAL CRISIS RESPONSE STAFF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE THERE INSTEAD OF POLICE. AND MORE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACHES TO THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN ENCAMPMENTS, INCLUDING DEPLOYING THE MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT FOR WOUND CARE AND OTHERS. SO I, ULTIMATELY, WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS TODAY. I WANTED TO THANK THE AUTHORS FOR PUTTING IN A LOT OF EFFORT HERE. [4:37:35] Jamal Osman: YEAH, SORRY. I WANT TO MAYBE ASK THE AUTHORS, CAN RESPOND WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN SAID. THE CITY CAN ALWAYS GO AND CLOSE ENCAMPMENTS, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND. BUT WHEN IT REACHES A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE OCCUPYING IN ONE PLACE, THEN THE CITY HAS TO TAKE THE STEPS, WHICH IS PROVIDING BASIC BATHROOMS. IF THE AUTHORS CAN ANSWER THAT. THE CITY IS STILL ABLE TO CLOSE DOWN TWO TENTS. THEY CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO HELP THOSE FOLKS AND LOW THAT ENCAMPMENT. I DON'T THINK IT IS NORMALIZING OR SETTING UP WHERE CITY ARE NOT ABLE TO INTERFERE. IT'S JUST THAT WHEN ENCAMPMENTS GROW, WHAT DO WE DO? THAT'S THE WAY I UNDERSTAND THIS. THANK YOU. [4:38:13] Aurin Chowdhury: THANKS, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. IF MY CO-AUTHORS WANT TO JUMP IN, AT ALL. YOU'RE CORRECT WITH PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE. THERE'S A CERTAIN THRESHOLD THAT HAS TO BE REACHED. I BELIEVE 20 PEOPLE BEFORE THE RESPONSE CAN BEGIN. IN TERMS OF PRECLOSURE NOTICE, WE'RE SAYING IF THERE'S AN ENCAMPMENT, THE CITY SHOULD GIVE A SEVEN-DAY PRECLOSURE NOTICE. WE KNOW THAT WHILE INTERNALLY THERE MIGHT BE A THREE-DAY NOTICE, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE THE CITY HAS WAITED OVER 100 DAYS TO TAKE AN ACTION. THAT'S ALSO A FACT OF THE MATTER AND A REALITY OF THE SITUATION. WE DECIDED THAT PEOPLE DESERVE THE SEVEN-DAY NOTICE BEFORE CLOSURES SO THEY HAD TIME TO MAKE PLANS. SO SERVICE PROVIDERS WERE MADE AWARE, SO THEY COULD MAKE PLANS ABOUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WOULD BE ENTERING INTO THE SHELTER SYSTEM, WOULD BE GOING TO 1800 CHICAGO FOR DETOX. OFTENTIMES WE SEE SERVICE PROVIDERS JUST RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO PIECE TOGETHER THROUGH IS GOING TO CLOSE. IT DOES NOT STOP CITY STAFF, ANY CITY STAFF FROM GOING AND INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE IN ENCAMPMENTS, ASKING THEM TO MAKE PLANS TO MOVE FORWARD, OFFERING THEM SERVICES, ADDRESSING SAFETY CONCERNS, AND THEN, OF COURSE, IF THERE'S AN IMMINENT THREAT TO LIFE OR A DISASTER, AN ENCAMPMENT CAN BE IMMEDIATELY CLOSED AND THE PRECLOSURE NOTICE IS FOREGO. [4:39:49] Aisha Chughtai: ADD TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY OUTLINED ABOUT WHAT IS THIS POLICY. WE UNDERSTAND THE AUTHORS HAVE A REALLY CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THERE ARE INTERNAL POLICIES THAT GUIDE SOME BEST PRACTICES OPERATING PROCEDURES AROUND HOW THE CITY APPROACHES ENCAMPMENTS. THE REALITY, THOUGH, IS THAT BECAUSE THIS IS NOT -- BECAUSE THAT OPERATING PROCEDURE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS CODIFIED ANYWHERE DIFFERENTLY, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF SITUATION, DEPENDING ON THE ENCAMPMENT. THERE ARE ENCAMPMENTS THAT HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A FORMAL, LIKE, POSTED NOTICE OF CLOSURE. THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE GOTTEN A NOTICE THAT DAY. THERE ARE OTHERS ON WHERE, YOU KNOW, ALL TYPES OF DIFFERENT -- THERE'S A LACK OF UNIFORMITY TO THIS APPROACH. A PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH SUCH A LACK OF UNIFORMITY IS PEOPLE LIVING IN ENCAMPMENTS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS CAN'T RELY ON OUR WORD WHEN WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE AN ENCAMPMENT, WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY DO. LIKE, THE CITY IS GOING TO DO IT. OR, WHEN THE CITY HAS BEEN PLANNING A CLOSURE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, THAT THE SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE NOT AWARE, AND SO AREN'T ABLE TO THEN TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS WITH THEIR CLIENTS TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FIND THEIR CLIENTS OR TO MAKE LAST-MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS TO PLAN FOR SHELTER CAPACITY. THESE ARE ALL THING THAT, ALSO, THEN, HARM SERVICE PROVIDERS. NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY AN ENCAMPMENT. EVICTION AS THEY'RE EXPERIENCING IT. RIGHT. SO THAT'S A PART OF THE LEVEL OF IMPORTANCE THAT COMES WITH BEING TRANSPARENT, COMMUNICATING CLEARLY, AND BEING CONSISTENT WITH EVERYONE AND HOLDING EVERYONE TO THE SAME STANDARD. HOPEFULLY THAT PROVIDES SOME HELPFUL CONTEXT. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [4:42:07] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I GUESS I'M CURIOUS. IS THERE ANY -- ARE THERE ANY PROVISIONS FOR THE NEIGHBORS, THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ENCAMPMENTS, WHOSE HOUSES HAVE BEEN BURNED DOWN, WHOSE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN STOLEN, DAMAGED, DESTROYED? ARE WE GIVING ANY CONSIDERATION TO THAT AT ALL? [4:42:47] Aisha Chughtai: YEAH. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS, THAT'S AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT QUESTION. A BIG PART OF HOW, YOU KNOW, I'VE KNOW WE'VE SEEN EXAMPLES THAT ARE -- THAT REACH A LEVEL OF SEVERITY THAT IS DIFFERENT, LIKE WHAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING, SOMEONE'S HOUSE WAS BURNED DOWN. THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT REGARDLESS OF -- BUT WHAT IS -- WHAT I THINK IS OFTEN UNTOLD STORY ABOUT THE IMPACT TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY IS REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE ENCAMPMENT IS OR ITS SIZE, WHEN AN ENCAMPMENT EXISTS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY AN IMPACT WITH ACCUMULATED LITTER, AND THE LACK OF PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE, AND THAT LEADS TO, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE USING SOMEONE'S PORCH AS A BATHROOM. THAT TYPE OF IMPACT TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY, OR THE IMMEDIATELY-SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS IS ADDRESSED THROUGH THE PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS. SO THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE THERE'S A WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN ESTABLISHED. THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE'S PORCHES ARE NOT BEING USED AS RESTROOMS BECAUSE WE HAVE ADEQUATE RESTROOMS AVAILABLE THAT WE HAVE OTHER ASPECTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, LIKE MEAL DISPOSAL ADDRESSED IN THIS, TOO. THAT'S ONE OF THE MAJOR CONCERNS WE'VE HEARD FROM SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE I'M MISSING SOMETHING. MAYBE COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY CAN HELP ME WITH THIS. [4:44:27] Aurin Chowdhury: THERE'S ALSO, IN THE ENCAMPMENT, ONE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSES IS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, NALOXONE. WE'VE HEARD IT'S TRAUMATIZING TO SEE SOMEONE OVERDOSE. OR IF THEY SEE A FIRE GOING ON IN THE ENCAMPMENT, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO BE RESOLVED. AND THEN, ALSO, WITH THE NOTICE THERE'S REALLY IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION THAT'S PROVIDED THERE THAT ISN'T A STANDARD THAT WE PROVIDE WITH AN ENCAMPMENT. ONE THING I'LL ADD IS, I REALLY -- I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LIFTING UP CARING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD TO BE NEAR AN ENCAMPMENT. THAT'S WHY WE WERE INTENTIONAL WHEN WE STARTED DOING THIS ORDINANCE THAT WE ENGAGE NOT ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE ADVOCATES A SERVICE PROVIDERS, BUT THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE NEAR ENCAMPMENTS. THEY CAME TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS OF OURS. THEY ASKED US SOME OF THE TOUGHEST QUESTIONS WE COULD HAVE EXPECTED TO GET. WE ALSO CHANGED THE ORDINANCE A LOT. THERE WERE OTHER PROVISIONS IN HERE THAT WE REMOVED TO MAKE SURE OF WHAT WE WERE ASKING FOR AND, ALSO, A STARTING POINT TO ADDRESS A NUMBER OF CONCERNS THEY BROUGHT. WHICH IS THE CHAOS OF NOT KNOWING WHEN AN ENCAMPMENT IS GOING TO BE CLOSED. AND THEN SEEING CAUTION TAPE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. AND A CLOSURE AT 6:00 A.M. AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS. AND, ALSO, SEEING AN ENCAMPMENT MOVE JUST A BLOCK AWAY. GIVING TIME FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE A PLAN AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO SUPPORT THAT PLAN. IT'S ONE STEP, I THINK, WE CAN TAKE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE CAN MAKE A NEXT STEP RATHER THAN FORMING ANOTHER ENCAMPMENT EVERY SINGLE TIME. [4:46:17] Andrea Jenkins: YEAH. THANK YOU. [4:46:21] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM TWO. [Roll call conducted. Chowdhury, Osman, Chavez, Ellison, Koski, Wonsley, Chughtai, Payne vote Aye. Palmisano, Cashman, Rainville, Vetaw, Jenkins vote No.] 8 AYES AND 5 NAYS. [4:46:53] Elliott Payne: THAT ITEM CARRIES. AND, FINALLY, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER SIX. THE ENTERPRISE POLICY FRAMEWORK. I JUST PULLED THIS FOR DISCUSSION BECAUSE I WANTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WHEN IT FIRST BROUGHT FORWARD. I GOT CONFIRMATION FROM THE CLERK THAT WE WILL BE INCLUDING THE WORK OF THIS BODY AND OUR REGULAR QUARTERLY REPORTING THAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING FOR COUNCIL ACTIONS. THAT WAS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS. AND THEN MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS GOING -- IS -- THE COO, THE CAO, AND THE CLERK, OR THEIR DESIGNEES. WE'RE MAKING SURE BRANCHES OF OUR GOVERNMENT HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AS IT RELATES TO THE POLICY REVIEW GROUP. WE'RE NOT DELEGATING OUR AUTHORITY TO MAKE POLICY. AS AN EXAMPLE, IN ADOPTING OUR BUDGET, WE REFINED OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES BECAUSE THE CITY COUNCIL HAS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER THAT TYPE OF POLICY MAKING. THE PRG WOULD NEVER, IN THIS POLICY FRAMEWORK, WOULD NEVER PREVENT THE COUNCIL FROM AUTHORING, AMENDING, OR RESCINDING POLICY. IS THAT CORRECT, CITY ATTORNEY? [4:48:13] Kristyn Anderson: COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS. THAT'S RIGHT. SO THE PRG WILL BE SORT OF TASKED WITH THE WORK OF FIGURING OUT WHICH POLICIES ARE ENTERPRISE POLICIES FOR ADOPTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OR NOT. I MEAN, THERE ARE SOME UNDER THE FRAMEWORK THAT JUST ARE NOT AND THEY'RE ADMINISTRATION POLICIES. BUT THE ONES ACTUALLY ENTERPRISE POLICIES, THE WORKING GROUP WILL HELP TO REVIEW, REVISE, UPDATE, CREATE. BUT ALWAYS, FOR AN ENTERPRISE POLICY TO BE PASSED, ULTIMATELY IT COMES BACK TO THIS CITY COUNCIL BOTH FOR REVIEW, AMENDMENT, AND ADOPTION. SO THAT THIS GROUP IS REALLY JUST THE WORK GROUP. THE WORKER BEES TO GET THE WORK DONE. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AN ENTERPRISE POLICY IS SOMETHING THAT IS PASSED BY THE COUNCIL. [4:48:59] Elliott Payne: AND ADDITIONALLY THE COUNCIL MEMBER WHO WANTS TO AUTHOR A NEW POLICY OR REVISE A POLICY COULD COMPLETELY SKIP THE PRG, AS A STEP. BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A TOPIC THAT WAS OF IMPORTANCE TO THEM, CORRECT? [4:49:17] Kristyn Anderson: CORRECT. I ALWAYS RECOMMEND LEGAL REVIEW HOWEVER. [4:49:22] Elliott Payne: YES. CORRECT. THROUGH THE STANDARD LEGISLATIVE PROCESS INDEPENDENT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PRG. [4:49:30] Kristyn Anderson: CORRECT. [4:49:32] Elliott Payne: THAT LARGELY COVERED A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M HOPING THAT THOSE ANSWERS HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS. AND I'LL ALSO SAY THERE ISN'T A REAL DEFINITIVE NEED FOR THIS. BUT I REALLY ENCOURAGE COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE IN THE ABSENCE OF A FORMAL ADOPTION OF A FRAMEWORK, RIGHT NOW THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF POLICIES THAT EXIST THAT MAYBE AREN'T RELEVANT TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. AND RIGHT NOW A POLICY THAT IS CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS MAY DEEM TO NOT BE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE NEW GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. AND THE ADMINISTRATION COULD JUST IGNORE THAT POLICY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER CONSIDERATION OR REVIEW. THIS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE INSERTING OURSELVES AS POLICY MAKERS AT THE TABLE WHEN THOSE POLICIES DO COME UP FOR REVIEW. SO WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT, IN FACT, WE ARE CAPTURING OUR AUTHORITY WHERE IT LIES WITHIN WHATEVER THE CATALOG OF POLICIES EXIST WITHIN THE INSTITUTION. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYMORE DISCUSSION ON THIS. AND I'M NOT SEEING ANYBODY ELSE IN QUEUE. SO I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All 11 present vote Aye.] 11 AYES (Jenkins, Chughtai absent). [4:50:53] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES AND THAT COMPLETES THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT. FINALLY, WE HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY THAT COMMITTEE'S CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [4:51:13] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THE COMMITTEE WILL BE BRINGING FORWARD SIX ITEMS. ITEM ONE IS OFF-DUTY USE OF CITY RESOURCES REPORTING ORDINANCE. TWO IS LEAD PAINT ORDINANCE. THREE IS A SMALL AND UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM UPDATES ORDINANCE. FOUR IS A MINNEAPOLIS COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS APPOINTMENTS. FIVE IS FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF LAKES COMMUNITY LAND TRUST FOR THE REAL ESTATE PURCHASES. SIX IS CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY TO PROVIDE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES TO POLICE DEPARTMENT. I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE ITEMS. [4:51:39] Elliott Payne: APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT MOVED. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All 11 present vote Aye.] THERE ARE 11 AYES (Jenkins, Chughtai absent). [4:52:11] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. AND THE REPORT IS ADOPTED. THAT COMPLETES THE REPORT OF OUR STANDINGS COMMITTEES. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS RESOLUTIONS. THOSE RESOLUTIONS RECEIVED PRESENTATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTIONS? [Motion made and seconded. Roll call conducted. All 12 present vote Aye.] 12 AYES. [5:53:17] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS UNFINISHED BUSINESS. WE HAVE TWO ITEMS TODAY WHICH ARE BOTH RELATED TO GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE. ITEM ONE IS THE 38th STREET AND CHICAGO GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE CONCEPT LAYOUT APPROVAL. AND ITEM TWO IS GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE PEDESTRIAN MALL ORDINANCE. I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [5:53:51] Katie Cashman: THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE OPEN FLEXIBLE STREET CONCEPT LAYOUT. THE SECOND MOTION IS TO MOVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORED BY MYSELF AND JENKINS AS AMENDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY WHICH IS BEFORE US. AND THEN THIRD MOTION TO RETURN TO AUTHOR THE PEDESTRIAN MALL ORDINANCE NOTICE I GAVE, WHICH IS BELOW IT. [4:54:18] Elliott Payne: COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONCEPT LAYOUT. MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAYOUT, AND TO RETURN TO AUTHOR THE PEDESTRIAN MALL ORDINANCE. IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? [Seconded.] [4:54:35] Jason Chavez: AH, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SPLITTING UP THE VOTES. I CANNOT SUPPORT ITEM NUMBER ONE. I'LL BE SUPPORTING ITEM NUMBER TWO. I KNOW THE PLAN IS GOING TO BE APPROVED. I WON'T SPEAK MUCH TO THAT EXCEPT FOR THAT AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEXT YEAR, MY HOPE IT ISN'T JUST LIKE THE LETTER OR IT ISN'T JUST A RESOLUTION THAT IS BEING APPROVED THAT SAYS WE'RE GOING TO HOPEFULLY ADOPT PART OF THE CBC PLAN. BECAUSE THAT ISN'T ENOUGH FOR ME. I HAVE TRUST ISSUES WITH THAT, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS HOW THEY TREATED THE PEOPLE'S WAY PROCESS. THEY HAVE TO RELEASE THE RFP. AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TOWARD THAT SAME DIRECTION. I WON'T SUPPORT THE OPEN FLEXIBLE PLAN. I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION. I HOPE THE CITY TAKES THAT RESOLUTION VERY SERIOUSLY AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO ADDRESSING THE ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE. I KNOW WHERE IT'S LANDING. I WON'T FIGHT THAT. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT RESOLUTION IS NONBINDING. BUT I HOPE THAT WHEN IT COMES BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS, THAT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TAKES THAT RESOLUTION VERY SERIOUSLY AND WORKS TO ADOPT WHAT THE CBC HAS FOUND. I WANT TO AT LEAST PUT MY TWO CENTS IN THAT. AND I HOPE AS WE MOVE FORWARD NEXT YEAR, THAT WE ARE TO HEED THE VOICES OF THE CBC WHO CAME TOGETHER AS A WHOLE COMMUNITY AND GAVE UP DIFFERENT COMPROMISES TO BUILD A PROJECT I WAS WILLING TO SUPPORT. SO AT LEAST I WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. I OBVIOUSLY KNOW WHERE THE VOTES ARE LANDING. I WANT TO SAY IT OUT LOUD. [4:56:14] Elliott Payne: THANK YOU, CHAIR CHAVEZ. I PUT MYSELF IN QUEUE. I WANTED TO JUST -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO START. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS JUST THE JOURNEY THAT WE'VE BEEN ON. I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE CVC VISION. I WAS MOVED BY THE MEETING THAT BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER. I HAD BEEN TO A NUMBER OF CVC MEETINGS A YEAR AGO WHEN WE WERE ORIGINALLY HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS. AND THOSE ARE VERY DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEETINGS. HA-HA. AND SO I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE COMMUNITY AS UNITED AS I SAW TWO WEEKS AGO, OR SO. AND I WANT TO GIVE MY FULL THROATED SUPPORT TO THE CVC AND THE VISION THEY'RE BRINGING FORWARD. MY VOTE IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT NUANCED. IF WE'RE PROFOUNDLY SINCERE ABOUT IMPLEMENTING THE VISION OF THE COMMUNITY, I THINK PROCEDURALLY THERE'S SOME TECHNICAL THINGS WE HAVE TO DO. THAT VISION IS NOT THE SAME AS AN OPEN COMPLEX PLAN. IT'S TECHNICALLY DIFFERENT. WE AS AN INSTITUTION ARE ALIGNED AROUND THE VISION OF THE CVC. WE'RE COMMITTED TO SEEING THAT VISION THROUGH. NOW THE MOTION THAT IS IN FRONT OF US IS TO APPROVE THE OPEN CONCEPT LAYOUT AND APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THE RESOLUTION AND REFER THIS BACK TO STAFF, AND I THINK STAFF SHOULD WORK EXTREMELY DILIGELY TO GET IT DONE. RIGHT. ON TIME. THAT'S NOT THE MOTION THAT'S IN FRONT OF US. I THINK THAT I'M HESITANT, ALSO, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ ABOUT WHAT THE RESOLUTION MEANS AS FAR AS THE COMMITMENT OF THIS INSTITUTION. I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION. I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THE OPEN CONCEPT PLAN. I WANT TO BE ABUNDANTLY HONEST WITH PEOPLE THAT THE OPEN CONCEPT PLAN IS NOT THE SAME THING AS THE CVC RESOLUTION. IT IS A DIFFERENT PLAN AND WHICH REQUIRES A NEW DESIGN. AND I THINK THAT WE ARE SO CLOSE. WE'RE SO CLOSE. THAT I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD DELAY TO ACTUALLY GO BACK TO THE TABLE, MAKE THE REFINEMENTS. AND SO I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION. I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THE OPEN CONCEPT PLAN. I THINK THAT'S THE ONLY HONEST VOTE I CAN FOR MYSELF AROUND MY COMMITMENT TO SEEING THAT VISION THROUGH. AND THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [4:58:40] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU, CHAIR PAYNE. I WOULD LIKE THE CLERKS TO PUT IN THE RECORD THE LETTER SENT BY TIM SEXTON AND ATTACH IT TO THE LIMS FILE REGARDING THIS. THERE HE SHARES PUBLIC WORK'S COMMITMENTS TO TAKE UP AND EVALUATE THE PROPOSALS FROM THE CVC. AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THIS COUNCIL NEEDS TO HOLD THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO. THAT'S A STEP I WANT TO CONTINUE TO TAKE. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THE TREMENDOUS WORK THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ DID ON THE PEDESTRIAN MALL LAY OUT. THAT'S THE LAYOUT THAT I SUPPORT. AND I THINK WE COULD HAVE HAD SOMETHING REALLY BEAUTIFUL WITH THAT. I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS MEMORIAL MALL WHERE THE PEOPLE'S WAY COULD HAVE CONNECTED TO THE MEMORIAL. AND I THINK EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY. I GENUINELY THINK EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY. AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT TRANSIT. AND REJECT ALL THOSE COMMENTS AND REMARKS CALLING THIS GERRYMANDERING. AND I FELT THAT WAS REALLY DISRESPECTFUL TO THE AMOUNT OF CARE THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE BRINGING AND THINKING ABOUT THIS AND TRYING TO UPLIFT VOICES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IN A DISCUSSION ABOUT A CONCEPT PLAN WHERE THERE WASN'T A MAJORITY CONSENSUS ON. CONSENSUS IS THAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN HIGHLY DISRESPECTED BY THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. HIGHLY DISRESPECTED BY THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND THEN IN 2025, WE'RE FINALLY FUNDING THE 38th STREET THRIVE PLAN. AND, ALSO, REALLY DISRESPECTFUL IN THE WAY THE SQUARE WAS OPENED UP ALL THE WAY BACK IN 2021. THAT WAS REALLY DISRESPECTFUL. I WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO SAY THAT, LIKE, THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN PUT IN A POSITION WHERE THERE'S NO WILL OR ABILITY FOR THE MAYOR AND THIS ADMINISTRATION TO MOVE ON ANY OTHER PLAN. THAT'S JUST A FACT OF THE MATTER. THERE'S NO WILL TO DO A PEDESTRIAN MALL FROM THEM. THAT'S DISAPPOINTING. I FELT IT WAS SOMETHING WE COULD LEAN IN ON. AND THAT'S REALLY PAINFUL. IT'S PAINFUL FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. I THINK THERE'S SOME MOVEMENT TODAY. AND, LIKE, ONE OF THE THINGS I STATED IN MY COMMENTS AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING WAS LEANING IN AND TAKING SOME LEADERSHIP. FOR ME, I WANT TO BE ABLE FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN SHAPE AND THEY CAN HOLD THIS ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE TO AND NOT JUST GIVE OUTSIDE POWER ONLY TO LOCAL BUSINESSES. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE EVERYONE. AND I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN LEVERAGE WITH THE OPEN CONCEPT PLAN, SHOULD THESE RECOMMENDATIONS BE TAKEN. AND THEY SHOULD. AND IT'S WRITTEN IN THIS LETTER. AND I KNOW THAT A LETTER IS NOT ENOUGH. IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY. SO THAT'S WHY RELUCTANTLY TODAY I'LL BE SUPPORTING MOVING THIS FORWARD. BUT IT ISN'T WITHOUT A LOT OF HEARTBREAK AND, ALSO, A LOT OF DISTRUST CREATED TO SAY I SENT E-MAILS ASKING PERSONALLY QUESTIONS IN GOOD FAITH. I DIDN'T HAVE THE E-MAILS WITHOUT A RESPONSE BE READ OUT IN A PRESS CONFERENCE. THAT'S NOT THE TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP I WANT TO GO INTO GOING INTO 2025. AND I HAVE TO SAY, LIKE, THAT'S PART OF WHY IT'S BEEN SO HARD TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS. IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY COUNCIL. IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT. IN THE RESOLUTION, I WANTED TO READ OUT THE ADDITIONS THAT I'M BRINGING FORWARD TODAY BECAUSE I THINK IT'S RELATED TO HOW WE MOVE FORWARD ON THIS CONCEPT PLAN. I'D LIKE MY COLLEAGUE'S RESPECT, AS I READ IT OUT. IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT AND URGE THE ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO FURTHER THE COMPLETION OF THE 24 DEMANDS CREATED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER WHO HAVE CONSISTENTLY DEMANDED JUSTICE AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE BEFORE THE REOPENING OF THE INTERSECTION. HUGE PART OF OUR HISTORY. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS REQUESTING THAT THERE BE AN INTENTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY ON THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURE OF HOW THIS INTERSECTION WILL BE CLOSED. THAT'S UNCLEAR. GATING AND THE CLOSE AND WHO GETS TO SAY WHEN AND HOW AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST. SO WE SHOULD MAKE THAT A COMMUNITY PROCESS. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS REQUESTING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION MAKE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CLOSE THE INTERSECTION, INCREASE BARRIERS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PERMITTING AND OTHER INTERSECTIONS WITH THE CITY OF LIKE TO SEE NO PERMIT FEES EVER REQUIRED OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CLOSE DOWN THIS INTERSECTION. AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE JUST A STANDING PRACTICE EVERY YEAR WHEN WE REMEMBER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD. WHEN WE DO RISE AND REMEMBER THAT IT IS CLOSED DOWN. AND THERE SHOULD BE OTHER DATES THAT ARE ON THE CALENDAR ROUTINELY THAT ARE PLANNED FOR WHERE THERE WILL BE CLOSURES. AND THAT THE CITY SHOULD WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY ON WHAT THE DATES ARE SO THERE'S NO QUESTION AND WE CAN PLAN FOR IT EVERY SINGLE YEAR. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS REQUESTING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION GIVE SUPPORT, FUNDING, AND ASSISTANCE TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE MEMORIAL SPACE AT GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO GET FUNDING OR SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE THAT MEMORIAL STAYS BEAUTIFUL AND PRESERVED. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS HAVING TO PULL OUTSIDE MONEY WITHOUT ANY SUPPORT OF THE CITY TO MAINTAIN THE MEMORIAL OF GEORGE FLOYD. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO GET THE ATTENTION OF PUBLIC WORKS. I WANT IT TO BE ON SITE, ON DEMAND. AND I WANT THERE TO BE A DEDICATED PERSON THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS KNOW WHO THEY SHOULD TALK TO SO THE MEMORIAL CAN BE MAINTAINED. I WANT IT REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET. THAT'S THE AMENDMENT I HAVE WITHIN THE RESOLUTION, AS IT IS RELATED TO MY VOTE TODAY. [5:05:29] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, CHAIR PAYNE. AND, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS CHOWDHURY AND CASHMAN FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD AS WELL AS THE AMENDMENTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY IS BRINGING FORWARD. I REALLY THINK, YOU KNOW, WE CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THE CHALLENGES OF THE PAST. OR WE CAN LISTEN TO THIS COMMUNITY, AS DEMONSTRATED IN THE COMMUNITY MEETING THAT WAS REFERENCED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO HAS INDICATED THAT THEY'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CHALLENGE WITH THE PEDESTRIAN PLAN IS NOT, IN MY OPINION, THE, QUOTE, ADMINISTRATION'S DESIRE, BUT IT'S THE COMMUNITY THAT IS SAYING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THERE, THE PROPERTY OWNERS THERE THAT ARE SAYING WE CAN'T SUPPORT THAT, WHICH IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE STATE LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS US TO CREATE PEDESTRIAN MALLS. AND SO THIS SEEMS LIKE THE MOST PRUDENT WAY TO MOVE FORWARD. IT INCORPORATES SOME OF THE VISIONS OF THE COMMUNITY VISION COUNCIL. IT INCORPORATES SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY HAS BROUGHT FORWARD. I THINK we OWE IT TO THE COMMUNITY TO LISTEN AND SAY IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU. [5:07:32] Elliott Payne: WITH THAT, WE'VE FINISHED DISCUSSION. I'M GOING TO SPLIT THESE OUT INTO THREE SEPARATE VOTES. ON UNFINISHED ITEM NUMBER ONE, THE OPEN CONCEPT PLAN. I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. Chavez, Chughtai, Payne vote No. All others present vote Aye.] 10 AYES AND 3 NOES. [5:08:26] Elliott Payne: THAT ITEM CARRIES. [5:08:31] Robin Wonsley: I THOUGHT WE WERE ON A DIFFERENT ONE. I WOULD LIKE TO RECONSIDER AND CHANGE TO A NO. [5:08:35] Elliott Payne: WITHOUT OBJECTION. WE'LL NOTE IT AS A NAY. THE FINAL VOTE IS 9 AYES AND 4 NOES. NOW ITEM NUMBER TWO, THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CVC. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All present vote Aye.] 13 AYES ON THE RESOLUTION. [5:10:14] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. THE THIRD VOTE IS TO RETURN THE PED MALL ORDINANCE TO AUTHOR. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All present vote Aye.] 13 AYES. [5:10:46] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. NEXT IS NEW BUSINESS. WE HAVE FOUR ITEMS OF NEW BUSINESS. LET'S TAKE THESE UP ONE AT A TIME. ITEM NUMBER ONE, THE BLOCK EVENT PERMIT FOR THE GREAT NORTHERN WINTER FESTIVAL. IF THERE'S NO DISCUSSION, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All vote Aye.] 13 AYES. [5:12:24] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER TWO, CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH Q3 CONTRACTING FOR LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [Roll call conducted. All vote Aye.] 13 AYES. [5:13:02] Elliott Payne: THAT CARRIES. NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP THE RESOLUTIONS. COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [5:13:17] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, UMM, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE BRIEF CONTEXT ON WHAT ITEM FOUR IS. ESSENTIALLY RESIDENTS DESERVE TO KNOW THAT THE POLICE ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO DIFFERENTIATE WHETHER A SITUATION IS FEDERAL AGENTS CARRYING OUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OR KIDNAPPINGS, WHICH HAVE BEEN CITED AS MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY COMMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS IMPERSONATING LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE ENFORCEMENT, THE MPD SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO AS WE AUTHORIZED. IF IT IS NOT A VERIFIED ACT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, THEN MPD SHOULD ASSUME IT IS A KIDNAPPING AND INTERVENE TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BEING SUBJECTED TO THAT. AND THAT'S NOT TOO MUCH TO EXPECT. THE MAYOR COULD PUBLISH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY TO ESTABLISH THAT KIDNAPPING OR ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING AND PERSONATING LAW ENFORCEMENT SHALL BE THE HIGHEST LAW ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY FOR MPD. HE COULD ALSO USE HIS SOLE AUTHORITY TO MANDATE THAT OFFICERS THAT RESPOND TO POTENTIAL INSTANCES OF KIDNAPPINGS AS SUCH, UNLESS THEY RECEIVE AFFIRMATIVE CONFIRMATION THAT SITUATION IS LEGAL ENFORCEMENT, THEY COULD TAKE ACTION. THIS RESOLUTION URGES THE MAYOR THAT THE POLICE IS RESPONDING TO ALL RESIDENTS' REQUESTS. I'VE SEEN THROUGH COLLEAGUES RECEIVING CALLS, ALSO HERE IN MY OFFICE I'VE GOTTEN CALLS ASKING IF MPD CAN COME AND VERIFY FOR ONE NEIGHBOR OR ONE RESIDENT. THEY HAD SOMEONE OUTSIDE THEIR DOOR WHO ORIGINALLY SAID THEY WERE CANVASSING WORKERS AND THEN SAID, "NO, YOU NEED TO LET US IN. WE'RE I.C.E. AGENTS." THEY STOOD OUTSIDE THEIR DOOR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THEY WANT TO KNOW MPD CAN BE A RESOURCE IN HELPING DIFFERENTIATE SO THEY CAN AT LEAST LEAVE THEIR HOUSES FOR SOME REPRIEVE AND NOT BE INTIMIDATED. THIS ESSENTIALLY ENCOURAGES THE MAYOR TO DO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT MPD CAN DO THOSE DIFFERENTIATIONS THROUGH THE VERIFICATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS KNOW IF THERE ARE RANDOM PEOPLE AT THEIR DOORS SAYING YOU NEED TO COME OUT AND WE NEED TO EXECUTE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, THAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING BY I.C.E. AGENTS AND NOT THOSE IMPERSONATING. SO JUST WANTED TO GIVE SOME CONTEXT ON THAT. [5:15:46] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM FOUR. [Roll call conducted. Palmisano, Vetaw, Jenkins vote No. Others vote Aye.] 8 AYES AND 3 NAYS (Chughtai absent). [5:16:36] Elliott Payne: THAT ITEM CARRIES. NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM THREE, THE RESOLUTION AUTHORED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [5:16:58] Aurin Chowdhury: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. SO THIS IS A RESOLUTION THAT BASICALLY IS ADDRESSING STATEMENT, A POSITION PERTAINING TO OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY OVER THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT IN RELATIONSHIP TO OUR CITY'S SEPARATION ORDINANCE. IT SHARES THIS RESOLUTION STATES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS INCLUDING LANGUAGE IN THE UPCOMING POLICE CONTRACT OR IN AN UPDATED CORRECTIVE ACTION MATRIX TO ESTABLISH CONSEQUENCES FOR POLICE OFFICERS WHO VIOLATE ANY CURRENT OR FUTURE SEPARATION ORDINANCES. I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO GET AN UPDATED DISCIPLINE MATRIX. WE GET CLARITY ON A TIMELINE IN WRITING AND IN WHICH THAT WILL BE ENACTED TO HAVE DISCIPLINE EXPRESSLY WRITTEN OUT FOR VIOLATING OUR SEPARATION ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRES NO CITY POLICE OFFICER'S TO ENGAGE IN FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. THIS ALSO REQUESTS THAT THIS DISCIPLINE, IF IS IS IN THE DISCIPLINE MATRIX, BE PLACED IN CATEGORY D, INCLUDING 160 TO 300 HOURS OF SUSPENSION, DEMOTION, AND CATEGORY E, TERMINATION AS VIOLATING THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE IS DIRECTLY OPPOSED TO THE VALUES OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND THEN THE LAST RESOLVED CLAUSE ON THE BACK THAT I'LL TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO. THIS SHARES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OPPOSES ANY USE OF SO-CALLED LESS LETHAL WEAPONS FOR CROWD CONTROL AGAINST PEOPLE IN MINNEAPOLIS. CALLS THOSE OVER POSITION OF AUTHORITY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO END THESE OF THESE WEAPONS FOR CROWD CONTROL IN MINNEAPOLIS. [5:19:00] Elliott Payne: IS THERE A SECOND. [Seconded.] COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [5:19:10] Linea Palmisano: MR. CHAIR, I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST THIS. THOUGH I AGREE WITH THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID IN PUBLIC. BUT DUE TO STATEMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS EXPLAINED TO US IN THE CLOSED SESSION, I NEED TO POINT OUT FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD, THERE ARE OTHER REASONS WHY THE THINGS THAT WERE JUST MENTIONED DON'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO BE IN A LABOR CONTRACT. THAT VIOLATIONS TO THIS ARE ALREADY CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE DISCIPLINE MATRIX AND DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SPECIFICALLY AND EXPLICITLY CALLED OUT. IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THE LAST TIME THERE WAS ANY SORT OF VIOLATION OF THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT BY MPD WAS OVER 20 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS CONFUSION OVER WHERE SOMEBODY'S IMMIGRATION CARD WENT. I'LL BE VOTING NO ON THESE AND I WANTED TO EXPLAIN WHY. THANK YOU. [5:19:54] Jason Chavez: THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION DOES STATE WE'RE ASKING FOR IT TO BE EITHER ON THE POLICE UNION CONTRACT OR ON THE DISCIPLINE MATRIX, EITHER/OR. I WANTED TO CORRECT THE PUBLIC RECORD BECAUSE OF THE COMMENT MADE. AND I'LL GO BACK TO THE MOST IMPORTANT PART HERE, WHICH -- THERE'S TWO OF THEM. UPDATE THE DISCIPLINE MATRIX. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE IS VIOLATED, THERE IS STRONG DISCIPLINE FOR SUCH VIOLATIONS BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE EGREGIOUS FOR ANYBODY TO JUST VIOLATE THE CITY SEPARATION ORDINANCE. BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT TO THE BACK END WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AFTER WE'RE SEEING I.C.E. AGENTS USE CHEMICAL IRRITANTS ON PROTESTERS, OBSERVERS, AND RESIDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OPPOSES ANY USE OF SO-CALLED LESS LETHAL WEAPONS FOR CROWD CONTROL AGAINST PEOPLE IN MINNEAPOLIS AND CALLS ON THE MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF TO END THE USE OF WEAPONS FOR CROWD CONTROL. WE'RE SEEING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO THAT SAME TACTIC IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AND THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS SHOULD NOT BE ADOPTING OR CONTINUE DOING WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES TO ITS RESIDENTS. AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR. [5:21:16] Aurin Chowdhury: YEAH. THANK YOU. I WANTED TO JUST SAY FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS DISCIPLINE. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXPRESS IT CLEARLY AND DEFINED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A DRAFT THAT SHARES THAT. WE'RE ASKING TO ENSURE THAT DRAFT SAYS DISCIPLINE IS GOING TO BE A CATEGORY D AND E. NOTHING LOWER THAN THAT BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE FOR WHAT THAT LEVEL MEANS. IF YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING THAT GOES AGAINST OUR CITY POLICY AND PRACTICES, IT'S GOT TO BE D AND E. I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT I'VE HEARD IS, LIKE, WE HAVEN'T HAD A VIOLATION OF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE IN 20 YEARS. I PRAY TO GOD WE NEVER HAVE A VIOLATION OF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE. HOWEVER, JUST BY THE SHEER PROBABILITY OF THE FACT THAT WE'RE HAVING SO MANY INCIDENTS WITH I.C.E. CURRENTLY RAVAGING OUR COMMUNITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, FROM OUR CITY, FIGURING OUT HOW THEY'RE RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY, THERE'S A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD THAT IT COULD BE. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO BE VIOLATING THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE. BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO THINK THERE WOULDN'T BE A SCENARIO IN WHICH WE HAVE SEEN. THERE'S BEEN PLENTY OF INSTANCES IN THE PAST WHERE OFFICERS HAVE GONE AGAINST THE POLICY MANUALS AND PRACTICES. AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION WHO IS SENDING OUT I.C.E. AGENTS THAT ARE COMPLETELY VIOLATING THE RULE OF LAW AND ARE HERE. AS COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ STATED EARLIER, OVER 400 ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THEY'VE BEEN HERE. OR DEPORTATIONS AND ABDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE I.C.E. HAS BEEN HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. JUST A WEEK AND SOME DAYS AGO. [5:23:19] Elliott Payne: SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM THREE. [Roll call conducted. Palmisano, Vetaw, Jenkins vote No. Others vote Aye.] THERE ARE SEVEN AYES AND THREE NAYS (Chughtai, Rainville, Wonsley absent). [5:24:10] Elliott Payne: THAT ITEM CARRIES. AND THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. THAT COMPLETES OUR NEW BUSINESS. COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE TAKEN A MASSIVE AGENDA TODAY WITH A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE UNDER MAYORAL REVIEW. AS WE DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR, I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY ADJOURN THIS MEETING TO DECEMBER 16th AT 5:00 P.M. WE MAY NOT NEED IT. WE MAY BE DONE. IF WE NEED TO RECONVENE TO CONSIDER ANY MAYORAL ACTION AS A RESULT OF OUR FINAL MEETING TODAY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AT LEAST HAVE A PLACE HOLDER ON THE CALENDAR. SO I'M GOING TO -- [5:28:40] Jason Chavez: I GOT A COMMENT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WOULD ASK THE MAYOR TO MAKE SURE IF HE'S GOING TO BE -- DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN ALL PLAN OUR WEEK, IF HE'S GOING TO BE SENDING US BACK HERE. SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR. [5:29:05] Elliott Payne: ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. ALL RIGHT. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED TO DECEMBER 16th AT 5:00 P.M.