This is a transcription of the Minneapolis City Council’s final 2025-2026 Budget Hearing and Adoption meeting held on December 10, 2024. [0:00] (Silence/Call to Order) [0:57] **Council President Elliott Payne:** Good evening, everyone. My name is Elliott Payne. I'm the president of Minneapolis City Council. I will now call this adjourned meeting of the City Council for December 10th to order, and the clerk will call the roll. [1:10] **City Clerk:** Council Member Koski? **Council Member Katie Koski:** Present. **City Clerk:** Wonsley? **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** Present. **City Clerk:** Jenkins? **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** Present. **City Clerk:** Palmisano? **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** Present. **City Clerk:** Chowdhury? **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** Present. **City Clerk:** Cashman? **Council Member Katie Cashman:** Present. **City Clerk:** Osman? **Council Member Jamal Osman:** Present. **City Clerk:** Rainville? **Council Member Michael Rainville:** Present. **City Clerk:** Chavez? **Council Member Jason Chavez:** Present. **City Clerk:** Vetaw? **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** Present. **City Clerk:** Ellison? **Council Member Jeremiah Ellison:** Here. **City Clerk:** Vice President Chughtai? **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Present. **City Clerk:** President Payne? **Council President Elliott Payne:** Present. There are 13 members present. Let the record reflect that we have a quorum. [1:42] **Council President Elliott Payne:** Before we begin the meeting, I want to offer a friendly reminder to all members and staff that this meeting is broadcast live to enable greater public participation. The broadcast includes real-time captioning as a further method to increase the accessibility of our proceedings to the community. Therefore, all speakers need to be mindful of the rate of their speech so that our captioners can fully capture and transcribe all comments for the broadcast. We ask all speakers to moderate the speed and clarity of their comments. With that, we have the adoption of our agenda. Colleagues, the agenda for today's meeting is before us. I would entertain a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. [2:19] **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** So moved. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Second. [2:23] **Council President Elliott Payne:** The clerk will call the roll. (The Clerk calls the roll; all 13 members vote "Aye") The agenda is adopted. I'll note that we have been joined by the Park Board. I want to welcome President Forney, Vice President Cathy Abene, Commissioner Becky Alper, Commissioner Billy Menz, Stephanie Musich, and Commissioner Tom Olsen, Commissioner Charles Rucker, Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer, and Commissioner Becca Thompson. Also want to welcome Board of Estimate and Taxation President Steve Brandt and Vice President Samantha Pree-Stinson. [3:25] **Council President Elliott Payne:** Tonight's hearing is the third and final opportunity for the community to provide input on the city's 2025-2026 recommended budget. Mayor Frey presented his budget on August 14th, providing a proposed fiscal plan for the city's operations in 2025 totaling $1.88 billion. Since that time, the City Council, through its budget committee under the leadership of Council Vice President Chughtai, has conducted a series of hearings to examine the details of each department's budget requests. [4:30] **Council President Elliott Payne:** Starting last Friday, the budget committee began its markup of the mayor's budget proposal. A total of 75 amendments have been reviewed. Through this markup process, the property tax levy has been lowered from 8.3% down to 6.8%. Additionally, the committee has 27 amendments that it wasn't able to get to; those proposed amendments are now in the hands of the Council to consider once we finish our public hearing. [5:10] **Council President Elliott Payne:** If you plan to address the Council, please note we will be taking speakers in the order they have registered. Each registered speaker will be given 2 minutes. We ask everyone to be respectful of all speakers and opinions. We have arranged for interpretation in Spanish, Somali, Oromo, Hmong, and American Sign Language. With that, we’re ready to open the public hearing. I will call speakers in groups of five. The first five are Martha, Christy Marsden, Slow Down, Mary Slobig, and Lee Samuelson. [7:55] **Speaker 1 (Martha):** Good afternoon, council members. My name is Martha and I live in District 8. I'm here to thank you for the support for the program and the grants for ambulatory street vendors. Currently, it is very difficult to find a job in our communities. This program will benefit both the City of Minneapolis as well as the street vendors. This program will help us a lot because we will be able to be independent and participate in the formal economy without being afraid of the authorities. It will benefit the City because we will bring income. When we finally have the opportunity to sell in public places, we will create a cozy environment for all our communities. [11:00] **Speaker 1 (Martha - via Interpreter):** To start any business is hard. With this support, we will let people know about food from Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. I love gastronomy and this program will benefit members in diverse communities who will be able to share our culture. Thank you. [11:42] **Speaker 2 (Christie Marsden):** Hello, my name is Christie Marsden. I live in Ward 7. Minneapolis should be a place of dignity for everybody, no matter their income bracket or where they sleep at night. Minneapolis should also be a place that helps its people prepare for extreme weather. The Frey administration talks a lot about climate change but does little to follow through. This leaves people exposed to heat and poor air quality. It is more important now than ever for Minneapolis to be a leader. We need to be more ambitious with our climate work, expanding the Climate Legacy Initiative so everyone, renters and owners, can be prepared with weatherization and electrification. [14:04] **Speaker 3 (Slow Down):** Hello, my name is Slow Down. I'm a local artist in East Phillips. I deliver meals to unhoused folks weekly. When I see how the City treats my unhoused neighbors, I feel furious and brokenhearted because I value care and freedom. I see the City treating people like trash, literally sweeping these encampments. I envision a future where everyone has a home. I'd like to see the money spent sweeping encampments and putting up fences to be documented and tracked, or really, I would like it to stop completely. I would like to see the Avivo Village be funded and a study done on social housing. [15:30] **Speaker 4 (Mary Slobig):** Good evening. My name is Mary Slobig. I live in South Minneapolis. I have a neighbor who lives on the corner of 46th and Nicollet. She’s been there for 3 or 4 years. I don’t know her story, but I know that could be me if circumstances were different. I'm privileged to have a job and health insurance. We live in a place where there's little to no safety net for folks who are not as fortunate as me. As I drive by her every morning, I wonder if she’s going to make it through another cold Minnesota winter night. No one should have to live so precariously. I urge you to fund a study on socially owned housing. [17:50] **Speaker 5 (Lee Samuelson):** President Payne, members of the Council. I agree with Amendment 57 to increase zero waste funding to $500,000 so we can honor the resolution to phase out the HERC incinerator. I really hope our upcoming utility franchise agreements allow the City to follow through on its 2019 social cost of carbon policy. For this year, the Health Department and Sustainability have confirmed they’re happy with where the CLI funding is at, but next year we will need to begin laying the groundwork to increase the Climate Legacy Initiative to match the scale of the crisis, particularly in the absence of federal leadership. [20:09] **Speaker 6 (Milton Gutierrez):** Good evening, council members. My name is Milton and I live in District 8. I'm here to thank you for supporting the scholarships for street vendors. With these scholarships, we are able to support our families and help support other families. This program allows us to have jobs. We have come to this beautiful city and we want to be able to pay our taxes. We want to work; we don’t want to be a burden. [22:52] **Speaker 7 (Monica Atupa):** Good evening. My name is Monica Atupa. I am 35 years old from Ecuador and live in District 6. I am here to say thank you for supporting scholarships for street vendors. This scholarship will benefit me and my family so that we are not hungry. It will allow us to work without fear of local authorities. In Ecuador, I had my own fast food business. I would like to bring my food here and offer Ecuadorian food. This program will help me start my business with autonomy and fulfill all regulations with the support of our city. [26:04] **Speaker 8 (Maria Mora Palomo):** Good evening. My name is Maria Mora Palomo. I am from Ecuador and live in District 10. I am here to thank you for the scholarship for street vendors. In Ecuador, it was very difficult. I have been in Minneapolis for two years. I have children here and I want them to have an education, but it has been hard to find a stable job. I have been selling fruit in local parks. Currently, the City has not offered a path for businesses like mine, causing barriers. I sell fruits, drinks, and pork skin enjoyed by the community. This program will secure our businesses and provide the resources to establish a foundation for our families so I wouldn't have to be afraid. [30:53] **Speaker 9 (Maria Mercedes):** Good afternoon, council members. My name is Maria Mercedes and I live in District 9. Thank you very much for supporting the scholarships for street vendors. I come from Ecuador, I have three children, and I want to help them move forward. With this scholarship, I will be able to sell food from Ecuador and share our culture. I have been here for three years and I want to sell my products. Thank you. [33:56] **Speaker 10 (Maria Palos - via Interpreter):** My name is Maria Palos. I am a single mother living in Ward 8. I work two restaurant jobs in Ward 7. Workers like me frequently experience rights violations as low-wage workers. We have the least access to information about our labor rights. Employers often hide informational graphics or only provide them in English. Worker centers like CTUL help bridge that gap. I'm glad to know there are council members willing to make sure there is permanent funding to make sure this work can continue. [37:08] **Speaker 11 (James Reinhardt):** Good evening. My name is James. I’ve worked as a barista and bartender in Ward 7 since 2021. I have witnessed workplace injustices and the size of the business makes no difference—whether it’s Target or a small coffee shop. It's easy to feel alone without the resources needed to fight for sick time or stolen wages. Organizations like CTUL give workers hope. Sustained funding will ensure workers like me have access to vital information so we don't have to put up with injustices. [38:39] **Speaker 12 (Emmett Dart):** My name is Emmett Dart and I am part of Ward 7. As a formerly homeless person, these issues are dear to my heart. I have an aunt right now living in the encampments. It’s disheartening. The way the City handles encampments is ridiculous. The City has turned so ugly because of the fences, gates, and cement barriers. How can anyone grow up in their neighborhood and expect to thrive seeing those things? I propose we reallocate all spending on encampment sweeps to restorative justice, healing circles, and food justice initiatives like Sisters' Camelot. You are not doing enough to ensure the most vulnerable are thriving. [40:58] **Speaker 13 (John Tribbett):** My name is John Tribbett. I work at Avivo as a service area director. I’m here to thank you for the support for Avivo Village. It is a solution that’s working for people with the highest barriers. To date, we've housed over 250 people; 40% identify as Native American. Your support in creating a space where every human being is treated with dignity, regardless of what they have going on, is deeply appreciated. [43:16] **Speaker 14 (Sheila Delaney):** Good evening. I came out tonight to say I see your grit and collaboration. You have fought good fights to protect taxpayers and people who are not protected. I’d like to echo Emmett; I’d love to see us not allow our communities to look the way they are looking with fences. We can do better than that. Thank you for your bravery and addressing what is actually needed to keep people safe and healthy. [44:20] **Speaker 15 (Angeles Robles):** Hello, my name is Angeles Robles. When I first learned about workers' rights, my family was dealing with wage theft that my husband had suffered. I didn’t know where to go until I heard about CTUL. I learned about labor rights, wage theft, and sick hours. We were able to file a case with the Department of Labor. I realized how powerful this knowledge is. Before I was quiet and scared, but now I am an outspoken leader. Workers of color who do not speak English are more likely to suffer abuses. This co-enforcement program is a vital resource. Thank you for prioritizing this sustained funding. [48:47] **Speaker 16 (Sue Goodstar):** My name is Sue Goodstar. I am an indigenous elder and resident of Ward 9. It is well-documented that communities of color are more likely to suffer unjust workplace practices. My own son has faced challenges accessing his earned sick and safe time. Workers are struggling for basic information. Thanks to the City's co-enforcement program and CTUL, my community has had a major shift. We help them seek justice for a dignified workplace. It’s not enough to pass this legislation, but to protect the workers. [51:15] **Speaker 17 (Beth Papalis):** My name is Beth Papalis. I live in South Minneapolis. According to the levy impact estimator, my property taxes are going up 14%, or $700. I am on a fixed income set to increase only 1.2%. I was a department chair for a school district; we had to fund "must-haves" first. To me, must-haves are streets, fire, police, and basic services. I see $6.5 million in new spending—that astounds me. I appreciate efforts to lower the levy, but I'm concerned it's on the back of 161 non-union city workers who carry the institutional knowledge. I urge you to fund city services before outside agencies. [53:48] **Speaker 18 (Estella Talero):** Good afternoon, my name is Estella. Next to me is my son Freddy. I have been working in Minneapolis for many years and have suffered discrimination. I stand here in my third trimester of pregnancy because I do not want my children to have the same experiences. Without the co-enforcement program and CTUL, I wouldn’t have known how to fight against these injustices. My son has seen his mother grow into an advocate. Knowledge is power. Sustained funding is necessary. [58:27] **Speaker 19 (Jose Benjamin Garcia Barrera):** My name is Jose Benjamin. I work in food service in Ward 6. I have seen the work done by CTUL. Many people have suffered abuses. Organizations in this co-enforcement program invest in people and empower us to fight for our rights. This has a ripple effect on our families. Knowing the City Council supports workers makes me happy. [1:01:20] **Speaker 20 (Karen Vetch):** My name is Karen Vetch. I live in Ward 11. I'm concerned for the unhoused humans I see. I feel City resources are being wasted on sweeps. Everyone should live with dignity. Sweeps are not solving problems. The City should study what is working in other communities. Data shows that once a person has a safe, stable environment, they can focus on other areas of their lives. Please consider funding studies on encampments and community living. [1:02:46] **Speaker 21 (Jeff Williams):** My name is Jeff Williams. I live in Ward 11. The proposed tax statement indicated an 8.3% levy increase, which translates to a 15.6% increase in my property tax. Even if lowered to 6.9%, I’m seeing a 14% increase. My wife and I are retired. Clearly, the message is the City does not want us here. The fact that the statement shows up after election day indicates the City doesn't want voter input. The City needs to run like a business and cut expenses. There are many programs that could be eliminated or made self-funding. [1:04:46] **Speaker 22 (Carmen):** My name is Carmen and I am a resident of Ward 9. I am here in support of the workers and entrepreneurs. Thank you for including the entrepreneur grant and compliance program. Many families do this work because they are barred from formal employment. Instead of a response to ensure safety, we’ve seen punitive responses through fines. This pilot program would build a pathway to certifying businesses. Street food is part of the culture of major cities; it’s time for Minneapolis to catch up. [1:06:17] **Speaker 23 (Kate Joanne):** My name is Kate. I live in Ward 8. I support the Stable Homes Stable Schools pilot program. I am a youth worker. Families I work with earn less than $3,000 a month with rent at $1,300. It’s easy to see how they fall behind. Rent percentages go up while wages barely increase. As city staff, I want you to reflect on your income compared to these families and push for more programs that support youth. [1:07:51] **Speaker 24 (Jonathan Harms):** My name is Jonathan Harms. I’m a homeowner in Ward 1. My house is 120 years old and leaks heat. Every time the furnace turns on, I think about my family’s future and the dangers they will face. The house needs improvements to be energy efficient; we don't have the ability to pay on our own. I ask that climate funding for building decarbonization is preserved in full. [1:09:23] **Speaker 25 (Russ Adams):** Members of the committee, Mayor Frey. I have a list of amendments that I think are good for BIPOC businesses, commercial corridors, and workers. I want to thank all of you for your efforts—for the Mayor for his budget and for the Council members having respectful conversations. This process shows you aspire to tackle tough challenges. For those of us needing leadership on places like Lake Street, we appreciate the effort. [1:10:59] **Speaker 26 (Joey Rosa):** My name is Joey Rosa. I live in Northeast Minneapolis. No one should be left behind in the clean energy transition. We see fossil fuel corporations profiting while harming the planet. I’m grateful for raising the Climate Legacy Initiative to $10 million. Ultimately, I would love to see a block-by-block program to perform energy efficiency upgrades, which would require scaling the fund to $100 million per year. Ongoing franchise fee negotiations are a great opportunity to make sure big polluters are paying their fair share. [1:13:21] **Speaker 27 (Eric Nelson):** My name is Eric Nelson and I live in Ward 13. My property taxes are going up 17.5% without making any improvements. I don’t envy your jobs finding the balance between taxes and these programs, but I hope to stay in Minneapolis. That will depend on the level of taxes we pay. We need that tax base to continue these programs. I hope you will find a more balanced approach. [1:14:51] **Speaker 28 (Gary Peterson):** My name is Gary Peterson. I’m a resident homeowner in Ward 6 and a retired arts administrator. I want to thank you for your support for the City arts budget, particularly for the Capri Center. Your support is critical for maintaining equity investments. Thank you for the creation of the City's Department of Arts and Culture. [1:16:23] **Speaker 31 (Crystal Porter):** My name is Crystal Porter. I'm the executive director of the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC). I’m speaking against the plans to redistribute funds within CPED by cutting technical assistance and business district support (B-TAP and BDS). North Minneapolis businesses depend on this. In 2024, WBC saw a 50% decrease in B-TAP funding. Defunding this when we are facing a massive light rail construction project is off the table. Our businesses need support now more than ever. [1:18:41] **Speaker 32 (Mike Johnson):** My name is Mike. It was a great catch by Council Member Jenkins on the daycare thing—Minnesota is already doing something, we don't need another $500,000 spent there. Regarding the unhoused: it’s not compassionate to leave them in a pup tent. The cause is usually mental illness or drug addiction, but we do nothing about the drugs. Drug dealers deal life-ending drugs and are more in charge of this city than you guys are. I would have no problem with an amendment for treatment to get these people productive. [1:20:53] **Speaker 33 (Donna Sanders):** My name is Donna Sanders and I am the business specialist for WBC. I’ve seen existing businesses victimized by predatory landlords. Half of my salary is from B-TAP funds. We need these funds to continue to help our West Broadway businesses. Do not reduce them. [1:22:15] **Speaker 35 (Track Trachtenberg):** My name is Track Trachtenberg. I was the City’s first Trans Equity Project Coordinator. I am here to support budget amendments 68 and 69, transferring the Trans Equity FTE and summit budget to NCR. Since REIB (Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) has become more internally focused, we have lost the staff who did LGBTQ equity work. The U.S. has elected a president who intends to target trans residents. This work is essential. [1:24:38] **Speaker 36 (Maren Mosco):** I am a Minneapolis public school teacher and represent small businesses on East Lake Street. I bought a property in 2023 and was crushed to get a letter saying property taxes would raise by 34% this year. My house went up 18%. I don't know how to take another job. Please consider the budget you’re raising on people trying to revive East Lake Street. [1:25:52] **Speaker 37 (Sean Greski):** I support B-TAP funding for the Northside and Southside, and the behavioral crisis response team. Regarding the Climate Legacy Fund: we have 50,000 houses to weatherize. We should have sub-work teams for every goal area of the climate action plan. We need a dashboard for every ward. The City can't do it by itself; let's fund two-way cooperation with block clubs. [1:27:47] **Speaker 39 (Jeffrey):** I'm just here to express my disappointment at the tax levy. I’ve lived in Minneapolis my whole life and haven't been happy with the last five years. There seems to be a huge lack of research on what is being spent. You look at East Lake Street, it's a disaster. There are days where there are only three police officers from downtown to Richfield. You’re killing the people that are funding these programs. Find a better way to make things work for the people paying for it. [1:29:51] **Council President Elliott Payne:** That completes the list of registered speakers. I will be closing this hearing. I want to thank everyone who showed up. The Park Board will be convening in Room 1A. The Board of Estimate and Taxation will meet tomorrow at 4:00 PM. It is 7:43 PM; we will take a brief recess and come back no later than 8:00 PM. [1:49:33] **Council President Elliott Payne:** Welcome back from recess. I will ask the clerk to call the roll to verify the presence of a quorum. (The Clerk calls the roll; 10 members present). The first item is a series of resolutions relating to the 2025 City budget. First is the proposed 2024 property tax levies payable in 2025. [1:50:38] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** On behalf of the budget committee, I move adoption of a resolution approving the 2024 property tax levies to be paid in 2025, as amended by the budget committee to reduce the taxes payable to $497,378,465. **Council President Elliott Payne:** Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the clerk will call the roll. (The Clerk calls the roll; all 13 members vote "Aye"). The resolution is adopted. [1:53:26] **Council President Elliott Payne:** The next item is the proposed 2025 General Appropriation Resolution. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** On behalf of the budget committee, I move adoption of a resolution establishing operating budgets for City departments. **Council President Elliott Payne:** I will now turn the chair over to Vice President Chughtai to chair this portion of the meeting. [1:54:11] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Colleagues, we will pick up with Amendment 49, the revised Financial Policy Director position. I had a chance to talk with Council Member Chowdhury. This amendment was never about an individual person; it was about staffing the legislative department more operationally. However, what we heard from staff—specifically COO Anderson Kelliher—is that this was received as a blow to morale. That’s the last thing we wanted. With that in mind, I’m pulling this amendment. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** I want to echo that. It is a fact that this Council is undersupported in budgeting, but the present source for this amendment is not worth the impact on our staff. I hope we can find a way to execute the intent collaboratively in the future. [2:00:15] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 49 has been withdrawn. Council Member Cashman, I believe you would like to adjust your vote on Amendment 41? **Council Member Katie Cashman:** Yes, I want to change my vote to "Yes" on the small business support for construction hardship amendment. It doesn't impact the outcome, but I wanted that on the record. [2:01:40] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Next is Amendment 50, the Bloomington Avenue facade improvements. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** I'm going to withdraw that amendment for now and refine it in the future. [2:02:22] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 51, ownership and opportunity fund. **Council Member Jeremiah Ellison:** This proposal puts $1 million into the ownership and opportunity fund using downtown assets. This is a successful program that drives local ownership of commercial space, but it’s often on the chopping block. This million dollars would prioritize anti-displacement along the Blue Line corridor in North Minneapolis, though it remains citywide. I move approval. (Seconded) [2:04:51] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** A question for Director Hansen. Does this currently have a zero balance for next year? **Director Eric Hansen (CPED):** There is $500,000 annually ongoing, but there was not an additional fund proposed by the Mayor for 2025. This million would advance projects along the Blue Line. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** I’m concerned about the use of downtown assets, but I understand this is a one-time thing. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** Is this a forgivable loan program? **Director Eric Hansen:** Yes, it’s a 40-year no-payment, no-interest forgivable loan for for-profit businesses to buy their real estate. (Amendment 51 passes, 13-0) [2:13:27] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 52, Latino Center for Community Engagement. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** This supports COPAL’s center on East Lake Street. It’s about safety, inclusion, and economic development in a building damaged during the 2020 unrest. It’s a return of land ownership to residents. I move approval. (Seconded) [2:16:34] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** This feels like part of a series of amendments to completely defund a new spending proposal meant for a competitive nonprofit gap financing initiative. This circumvents a competitive RFP to target specific projects. Director Hansen, what does it mean to lose the open process? **Director Eric Hansen:** The Mayor’s proposal was to respond to nonprofit developers who were not allowed to participate in the Ownership and Opportunity fund. If these pass, we would work directly with these organizations instead of a notice of funding availability. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** I can’t support this. We have hundreds of nonprofits that have been denied support. We have to have a competitive process. (Amendment 52 passes, 9-4) [2:23:34] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 53, Mercado Central. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** This addresses disparities for Latino entrepreneurs. Minneapolis ranked near the bottom for Hispanic entrepreneurs in a recent study. This helps with the renovation of a marketplace of over 25 businesses. I move for approval. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** Same objection. We are deciding which nonprofits get money without an open process. (Amendment 53 passes, 9-4) [2:27:24] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 53a, Rise Up Center. **Council Member Katie Cashman:** This is a $100,000 allocation for the Rise Up Center at 2808 Hennepin. It recruits and trains low-income workers for green jobs and community safety. It renovates a former YWCA with geothermal and solar. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** How many dollars has the City contributed already? **Director Eric Hansen:** We put in $250,000 in pre-development in 2023 and 2024. The State gave them $9 million. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** Again, these organizations do great work, but there are hundreds of others who don't even get to apply. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** There are no Northside groups in this slate. How do I get in on this action for my nonprofits? **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** To clarify, Amendment 51 was for Northside concentration. (Amendment 53a passes, 9-4) [2:42:03] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 54, One Southside Clinic. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** This helps with an integrated health clinic in South Minneapolis. Nearly 100% of their patients are publicly insured or uninsured. I move for approval. (Amendment 54 passes, 9-4) [2:45:10] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 55, Miigwech Fund Indigenous Wealth Building Center. **Council Member Jamal Osman:** This supports an indigenous wealth building center to provide small business support and financial literacy in the American Indian cultural corridor. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** Are we re-appropriating the money we just put into the Ownership and Opportunity fund? **Director Eric Hansen:** We would have to repurpose programming funding, likely from the $500,000 ongoing annual appropriation. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** How were these groups selected? Was it just because they met with you? This is favoritism. **Council Member Jamal Osman:** If you want to vote against the Native American community, go ahead. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I’m not voting against the community; I’m voting against the precedent of picking groups because you liked a meeting. (Amendment 55 passes, 9-4) [3:01:47] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 56, Carbon Fees. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** This funds one FTE to administer the Pollution Control Annual Registration (PCAR) program for carbon dioxide. It recoups 95% of its cost by collecting fees from polluters. **Deputy Commissioner Patrick Hanlon:** This dedicates resources away from other climate work, but we worked with Council Member Wonsley to refine how we move this forward. (Amendment 56 passes, 13-0) [3:06:45] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 57, Zero Waste Planning. **Council Member Katie Cashman:** This moves $200,000 within the Climate Legacy Initiative toward zero waste efforts, specifically for innovative waste reduction programs. This follows our resolution to close the HERC incinerator. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** What does this do to EV charging infrastructure? **Director Tim Sexton (Public Works):** The $200,000 would come from off-street parking EV charging and a federal grant match we haven't received yet. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** I hate taking away from one climate initiative to fund another, especially since we’re trying to build out an equitable EV network. (Amendment 57 passes, 13-0) [3:17:22] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 58, Neighborhood Traffic Calming. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** The Mayor only allocated enough funding for 5 to 10 projects citywide. Adding $1.5 million allows for an additional 75 to 150 projects. This is a top priority for residents. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** I’ll support this, but people hate traffic calming as much as they ask for it. They hate the bollards and roundabouts. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** I was iced out of this process. I would have liked to work on a funding source that didn't raise our budget by using the general fund cash balance. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** I got not one email in my inbox from you. Let's stop putting out false information. (Amendment 58 passes, 13-0) [3:34:23] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 59, Mobility Aid Charging Stations Study. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** This is a $15,000 study to see how we can implement electric wheelchair and phone charging stations. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** I’d like to be a co-author. I’ve had my battery die and had to drag my scooter, which was painful. (Amendment 59 passes, 13-0) [3:39:03] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 60, Reconnecting Communities. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** This earmarks funding as a local match for federal grants to repair the harm of I-94. If the community organization is successful in getting federal funds, this provides the match. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** This cuts Transportation Maintenance and Repair (TMR)—potholes, snow plowing, street sweeping. **Director Tim Sexton:** Correct. If the grant were successful, this money would come from those core services. (Amendment 60 passes, 11-2) [3:53:48] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 60a, Blue Line Anti-displacement. **Council Member Jeremiah Ellison:** This leverages $200,000 for anti-displacement along the former Olson Highway route of the Blue Line. It could turn into $800,000 with matches from the county and state. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** What financial guardrails do we have for NCR giving this to outside agencies? **Director Karen Moe (NCR):** It would be the same oversight we have for neighborhood organizations. (Amendment 60a passes, 13-0) [4:09:14] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** I will not be moving approval for Amendment 61 (Cooper Playground). I wasn't able to find a pathway forward with financial policies, but I will continue to advocate for saving this playground. [4:14:43] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 62, Senior Services. **Council Member Katie Koski:** This increases funding by $50,000 for senior services, sourced from HR capacity building. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** We put so much pressure on HR and now we're taking away from them again. (Amendment 62 passes, 12-1) [4:25:38] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 63, Seniors Transportation. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** This allocates $25,000 for senior transportation, sourced from the Mounted Patrol (Police Horses). **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I cannot vote against Haven, Max, Buster, Blue, Trooper, Goliath, and Cabo. Those are the horses. They are therapy animals for the community and they are loved. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** Thank you, Council Member Vetaw, for sticking up for the police horses. (Amendment 63 passes, 10-3) [4:36:26] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 64, Senior Community Navigators. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** This sustains a program initially funded by ARPA, connecting low-income seniors with resources. It is sourced from the REIB race equity framework. (Amendment 64 passes, 12-1) [4:42:37] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 65 & 65b, Immigration Legal Services. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** This increases funding for free immigration legal services, prioritizing unaccompanied minors. 65b replenishes the City Attorney’s budget from unspent neighborhood safety dollars so we aren't pitting programs against each other. **Council Member Jamal Osman:** The fear of immigrants under a Trump administration is real. This says Minneapolis is a welcoming place. (Amendment 65/65b passes, 12-0) [4:53:32] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 66, Urban Farm Ownership. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** This provides $50,000 for an organization to purchase land for urban farming to address food insecurity. (Amendment 66 passes, 9-4) [5:00:16] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 67, Drivers Education. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** This provides $50,000 for driver's education for community members to obtain licenses under the new state legislation. (Amendment 67 passes, 11-2) [5:03:24] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 68, LGBTQIA+ FTE. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** This moves two LGBTQ equity positions from REIB to NCR to ensure they stay connected to the community. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** I am supportive. Trans people are being targeted; we need this in NCR. (Amendment 68 passes, 13-0) [5:07:16] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 69, Trans Equity Summit. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** This ensures the summit has ongoing funding as it moves to NCR. (Amendment 69 passes, 13-0) [5:11:11] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 70, Policy Specialists. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** This adds three FTEs to the Policy and Research division to support Council committees. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** If we’re concerned about workload, maybe we can slow down on passing so many ordinances. I can't support. (Amendment 70 fails, 6-7) [5:15:58] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 71, Enterprise Policy Management. **Council President Elliott Payne:** This creates a centralized location for all city policies, which is a need highlighted by the settlement agreement. (Amendment 71 passes, 13-0) [5:18:19] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 72, Chamber AV Equipment. **Council President Elliott Payne:** This funds new microphones and video for the new chamber to ensure accessibility and avoid delays in moving back to City Hall. **Council Member Andrea Jenkins:** Thank you to Santa Claus for making it rain on City Council. (Amendment 72 passes, 13-0) [5:22:15] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 73, Technical Amendments. (Amendment 73 passes, 13-0) [5:23:01] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Amendment 74, Voter Outreach. **Council Member Jamal Osman:** This targets outreach to East African immigrant communities for the democratic process. (Amendment 74 passes, 12-0) [5:26:50] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Motion 13A, BCR Legislative Directive. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** This adds rigor to the auditing of the Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) program as it moves to the Fire Department. (Motion 13A passes, 8-2, with 3 abstentions) [5:31:52] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** Motion 31 & 32. **Council Member Jeremiah Ellison:** This is a technical swap of sources to make the Affordable Housing Trust Fund whole by using CPED general fund dollars instead of NOAA funds. (Motion 31/32 passes, 13-0) [5:34:30] **Council President Elliott Payne:** We are now ready to adopt the budget. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** I move adoption of the resolution establishing operating budgets for City departments. **Council President Elliott Payne:** The clerk will call the roll on the adoption of the resolution as amended. (The Clerk calls the roll; 10 Aye, 3 Nay [Palmisano, Rainville, Vetaw]). The 2025 General Appropriation Resolution is adopted. [5:36:03] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** I move adoption of the six-year Capital Improvement Program. (Passes, 13-0) [5:37:34] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** I move approval of the bonding resolutions totaling $170 million. (Passes, 13-0) [5:39:07] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** I move adoption of the resolution setting utility rates. (Passes, 13-0) [5:40:41] **Council Member Katie Koski:** I want to give a tremendous thank you to our budget chair, Council Vice President Chughtai, and her entire team. **Council Member Jeremiah Ellison:** Big thank you to the clerks and the captioner who stayed late. [5:42:12] **Council President Elliott Payne:** Seeing no further business, I declare this meeting adjourned. Have a great night.