This transcript is from the Minneapolis City Council Special Meeting held on **November 17, 2023**. **Note on Context:** The list of officials provided in your prompt appears to be for the 2024-2025 Council session (where Elliott Payne is President). However, this specific meeting took place in late 2023, when **Andrea Jenkins** was still Council President and several members who retired in 2024 (like Lisa Goodman and Andrew Johnson) were still in office. I have used the names corresponding to the officials present in the chamber during this specific session. [0:45] Andrea Jenkins: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANDREA JENKINS I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL AND I'M GOING TO CALL TO ORDER THIS SPECIAL MEETING FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, AND I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL TO VERIFY THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. [1:02] Casey Carl: COUNCILMEMBER OSMAN. >> [Jamal Osman]: HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER CHAVEZ. >> [Jason Chavez]: PRESENCE. >> COUNCILMEMBER ELLISON. >> [Jeremiah Ellison]: HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER VETAW. >> [LaTrisha Vetaw]: HERE. >> COUNCILMEMBER RAINVILLE. >> [Michael Rainville]: PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER WONSLEY. [1:18] Robin Wonsley: PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON IS ABSENT. VICE PRESIDENT PALMISANO. >> Linea Palmisano: PRESENCE PRESENT. >> Casey Carl: PRESIDENT JENKINS. >> Andrea Jenkins: PRESENT. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WE DO HAVE A QUORUM. NEXT WE HAVE THE ADOPTION OF OUR AGENDA. THERE IS ONE ITEM ON OUR AGENDA BEFORE US TODAY AS REFLECTED IN THE MAYORAL CALL FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING AND I MOVE TO ADOPT THE AGENDA. IS THERE A SECOND? [1:42] Michael Rainville: SECOND. >> Andrea Jenkins: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SIGNIFY BY NAY, AND THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. [1:58] Andrea Jenkins: BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE JOINED BY MAYOR FREY, WELCOME, MR. MAYOR, AND COLLEAGUES, WE WILL NOW RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM STAFF TO CONSIDER THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED WITH THE POLICE FEDERATION REGARDING RETENTION INCENTIVES FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. WELCOME, DIRECTOR NIKKI ODOM. [2:21] Nikki Odom: GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT COUNCILMEMBERS MY NAME IS NIKKI ODOM, CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, AND I AM HERE TO PRESENT THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE POLICE FEDERATION AND CITY LABOR RELATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. ALTHOUGH THE PARTIES ARE STILL IN ACTIVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS THEY HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES AS WELL AS A PERMANENT CHANGE TO THE VACANCY BID PROCESS. A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND... [3:08] Nikki Odom: MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS REACHED A CRITICALLY LOW LEVEL OF STAFFING. WE ARE DOWN 359 OFFICERS OUT OF 731 AS OF NOVEMBER 1st, 2023. SINCE 2021, 71% OF THE WORKFORCE HAS LEFT. MPD HAS A VACANCY RATE OF 38% YEAR TO DATE. [3:28] Nikki Odom: UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS MANAGED TO HIRE A FRACTION OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE LEFT THE CITY. THE CITY REMAINS UNDER A COURT ORDER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO ENSURE IT MAINTAINS AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF SWORN OFFICERS TO SERVE CITY RESIDENTS. [5:31] Nikki Odom: 2024 RECOMMENDED BUDGET. ASSUMING MPD IS ABLE TO BE FULLY STAFFED BY 2028, THAT IS 731 OFFICERS, WE ESTIMATE THAT THIS WILL COST THE CITY $15.3 MILLION. PRESENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT IS DOWN BY 359 OFFICERS. COMPETING CITIES ARE OFFERING ENTICING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PACKAGES, PUTTING US AT A DISADVANTAGE AND ATTRACTING AND KEEPING HIGH CALIBER PROFESSIONALS. [6:04] Nikki Odom: INCENTIVES HAVE BECOME AN INDUSTRY IMPERATIVE, RATHER THAN A NICE TO HAVE. RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO RANGE FROM 500 TO $10,000 ANNUALLY. WITH MUCH LARGER INCENTIVES NATIONALLY. FOR INSTANCE, SEATTLE HAS OFFERED $30,000, $25,000 IN PORTLAND, AND $20,000 IN WASHINGTON D.C. [7:12] Nikki Odom: NEXT GEN POLICING WILL REQUIRE THE INPUT OF CURRENT OFFICERS. WE ARE UNLIKELY TO GET INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FROM OFFICERS WHO ARE OVERWORKED AND FEEL UNDERAPPRECIATED. EVERY PERSON WANTS TO FEEL PRIDE IN THEIR WORK, AND THIS IS A WAY TO FOSTER THAT SENTIMENT. [8:28] Nikki Odom: CONSEQUENTLY, MANAGEMENT CAN NOW ENSURE THAT SHIFTS THAT HAVE LOW STAFFING ARE FILLED EXPEDITIOUSLY. FOR EXAMPLE, DOG WATCH MAY HAVE ONLY FOUR PEOPLE ON SHIFT, SO THE PRECINCT IS UNDERSTAFFED. THE CURRENT PRACTICE REQUIRES A 28-DAY BIDDING PROCESS. THIS CHANGE WOULD SHORTEN THAT TIME FRAME TO 10 DAYS. [9:17] Nikki Odom: HERE WE HAVE PROVIDED A TIMELINE OF THE INCENTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE POLICE FEDERATION. THE CITY INTRODUCED THE POSSIBILITY OF HIRING AND RETENTION INCENTIVES IN APRIL. THE PARTIES HAD AN INITIAL DISCUSSION ON THE TOPIC IN JUNE. DISCUSSIONS CONTINUED OVER THE SUMMER, AND IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE PARTIES SAT DOWN FOR THEIR FIRST BARGAINING SESSION IN PUBLIC, THE CITY PROPOSED HIRING AND RETENTION INCENTIVES. [11:15] Nikki Odom: KEEP IN MIND THAT IF WE DO LOSE CANDIDATES DUE TO INCENTIVES, THEY ARE LOCKED IN FOR ONE TO THREE YEARS WHEN THEY MAY OTHERWISE TRANSFER TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND I WANT TO BRIEFLY HAND IT OVER TO THE CHIEF TO DISCUSS THE DOJ REPORT ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IN MODERN LAW ENFORCEMENT. [11:41] Andrea Jenkins: WELCOME, CHIEF O'HARA. [11:41] Brian O'Hara: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. JUST BRIEFLY, THIS IS THE DOJ REPORT THAT CAME OUT TWO MONTHS AGO DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES. IT'S ENTITLED "RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION FOR THE MODERN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY." THIS REPORT WAS ISSUED BY THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR. THE DOJ REPORT, BOTH REPORTS TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE TO TRY AND ADDRESS RECRUITING AND RETENTION BECAUSE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A NATIONAL CRISIS. [13:14] Brian O'Hara: THERE IS A CLEAR RECOMMENDATION FOR RETENTION INCENTIVES TO TRY AND KEEP ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS. SO THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. [13:14] Nikki Odom: THANK YOU, CHIEF. FINALLY, I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS TO DISCUSS THE FUNDING SOURCES. [13:39] Director of Intergovernmental Relations: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILMEMBERS. LAST SESSION THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED DIRECT AID TO CITIES IN THE FORM OF PUBLIC SAFETY AID. MINNEAPOLIS IS RECEIVING $19 MILLION. THE AID WAS DESIGNED TO BE FLEXIBLE SO THAT CITIES AND COUNTIES COULD MEET THEIR OWN UNIQUE NEEDS. IT IS UP TO THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY TO DETERMINE HOW TO SPEND THE FUNDS WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OUTLINED IN THE LEGISLATION. [15:18] Nikki Odom: IN CONCLUSION I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE LOA THAT LABOR RELATIONS AND THE POLICE FEDERATION HAVE DILIGENTLY WORKED ON. THE PARTIES BELIEVE THAT IT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON RECRUITMENT RETENTION POLICE MORALE, AND SCHEDULING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION, AND CONSIDERATION. [15:42] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, MS. ODOM, AND TO ALL THE PRESENTERS. AND SO I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT. IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS MOTION? [15:57] Michael Rainville: SECOND. [15:57] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? AND I SEE FIRST IN QUEUE IS COUNCILMEMBER VETAW. [15:57] LaTrisha Vetaw: IT'S ACTUALLY FOR MAYOR FREY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. [15:57] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU AND WELCOME, MAYOR FREY. [16:13] Jacob Frey: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, AND THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR BEING HERE TODAY. THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT MARKS A DEAL BETWEEN THE POLICE FEDERATION AND THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS INVOLVING BOTH RETENTION PAY AND RECRUITMENT PAY AS WELL AS CLAWING BACK SOME MANAGERIAL AUTHORITY SO THAT OUR CHIEF CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS AROUND WHERE AND WHEN TO PLACE OFFICERS IN A MORE TIMELY FASHION. WE NEED TO ATTEMPT EVERY AVAILABLE OPTION AT THIS POINT TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN POLICE OFFICERS. WE'VE LOST AROUND 40% OF THE OFFICERS WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT. [18:38] Jacob Frey: FURTHERMORE, I HAVE HEARD THAT SOME HAVE FELT THAT THIS IS NEW INFORMATION. IT'S NOT. WE'VE HAD CLOSED SESSIONS ON THIS TOPIC. WE HAD FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS THAT HAVE SAT ON THE WORK GROUP THAT HAS HELPED TO GUIDE SOME OF THE UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES THAT'S HAPPENED IN FULL. WE'VE POSTED THEM ONLINE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST TRANSPARENT NEGOTIATION PROCESS FOR A POLICE FEDERATION THAT I'M AWARE OF. [21:41] Jacob Frey: THE REFORM THAT WE GOT HERE IS NOT THE ONLY REFORM THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE. IT GIVES THE CHIEF THE ABILITY TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CURRENT NEEDS IN THE MOMENT OF THE CITY. IF THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT IS NOT APPROVED, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THIS REFORM WON'T GET DONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. [23:31] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, AND I SEE MY COLLEAGUES IN QUEUE BEGINNING WITH COUNCILMEMBER PAYNE. [23:53] Elliott Payne: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. AND THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR FOR BEING HERE. WE'VE HAD TWO CLOSED SESSIONS AROUND THIS CONTRACT NEGOTIATION. NEITHER OF THOSE WERE CLOSED SESSIONS WHERE WE WERE MAKING DECISIONS. THEY WERE JUST TO INFORM. AND SO THERE WAS NO DECISION THAT WAS MADE IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY THAT BROUGHT US TO THIS DECISION. WE ARE IN ACTIVE LABOR NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW WITH MPD. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS WE NEED TO CONSIDER, NOT JUST RETENTION BONUSES, BUT ALSO BASE PAY. AND WE NEED TO PAIR THAT WITH DEEP TRANSFORMATIONAL REFORMS. [29:22] Elliott Payne: I WOULD LIKE US HAVE A DEEPER CONVERSATION AROUND BASE PAY AS A LONG-TERM, MORE LASTING, AND DURABLE SOURCE OF ATTRACTION AND RETENTION. AND SO WE ARE REALLY RUSHING INTO A DECISION RIGHT NOW THAT IS GOING TO FORECLOSE A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL FUTURES. WE ARE GETTING THE CART AHEAD OF THE HORSE, AND SO THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO BE VERY, VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU. [30:48] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PAYNE. NEXT IN QUEUE IS COUNCILMEMBER KOSKI. [30:48] Emily Koski: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I AM NOT GOING TO SIT ON THIS DAIS TODAY AND LET ANYONE PAINT ME AS ANTI-POLICE. I HAVE LED AND WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD ON RESTORING FAITH IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM. WHEN THE MAYOR AND ADMINISTRATION COME TO ME AS BUDGET CHAIR AND DEMAND WE SPEND $15.3 MILLION ON SIGN-ON AND RETENTION BONUSES OUTSIDE OUR NORMAL BUDGET PROCESS, I HAVE QUESTIONS. DO SIGN-ON AND RETENTION BONUSES WORK? NO, IT TURNS OUT, THEY DO NOT, AND OUR POLICE STAFFING NUMBERS ARE STILL DECREASING IN MINNEAPOLIS. [34:28] Emily Koski: THE $19 MILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY AID FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WAS PART OF THE 2023 OMNIBUS TAX BILL. THERE IS NOT A SPEND-BY REQUIREMENT OR EXPIRATION DATE IN THE LAW. SO THE SENSE OF URGENCY SIMPLY AROUND SPENDING THIS FUNDING TO JUST GET IT SPENT IS A MANUFACTURED SENSE OF URGENCY. NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO THINK HOLISTICALLY AND BROADLY ABOUT A TRANSFORMATIVE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN. [38:01] Andrea Jenkins: I'M SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. [38:01] Emily Koski: THANK YOU. I'LL GET BACK IN QUEUE. [38:01] Andrea Jenkins: COUNCILMEMBER WONSLEY. [38:01] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. HAS ANYONE FROM MPD LEADERSHIP OR HR CONDUCTED AN ANALYSIS FOR OTHER REASONS THE CITY MIGHT BE STRUGGLING WITH RECRUITING OFFICERS? WE LEARNED A LOT FROM OUR VISIT TO HENNEPIN TECH COLLEGE. THEY SHARED A MULTITUDE OF FEEDBACK IN TERMS OF CULTURE. WHAT THEY DID NOT MENTION WAS ANYTHING AROUND BONUSES AND PAY. [40:00] Andrea Jenkins: WELCOME, MS. ODOM. [40:00] Nikki Odom: COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT, COUNCILMEMBERS. WE ARE DOING EXIT INTERVIEWS FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS WHEN THEY LEAVE. WE ARE DOING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW. WE'VE PARTNERED WITH ACCENTURE TO DO A MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT STRATEGY FOR ALL HARD TO FILL SAFETY POSITIONS LIKE 9-1-1. [41:39] Brian O'Hara: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. I BELIEVE MINNESOTA IS PROBABLY THE MOST DIFFICULT PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER TODAY. I HAVE TO SEND CANDIDATES BACK TO HENNEPIN TECH TO TAKE A SKILLS COURSE FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS. THE REALITY IS A LOT OF THESE FOLKS ARE MID-CAREER, SINGLE PARENTS, AND THEY'RE JUST NOT ABLE TO TAKE TIME OFF TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL BEFORE THEY CAN THEN GO TO THE ACADEMY. [45:15] Andrea Jenkins: WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO COUNCILMEMBER -- [45:15] Robin Wonsley: CAN I GET CLARITY ON THAT? I MEAN, GRANTED I DIDN'T PUT A SPEECH. I ASKED QUESTIONS. [45:32] Andrea Jenkins: RIGHT. YEAH. AND I'M TRYING TO BE FAIR IN THAT I HAVE ALMOST EVERY SINGLE COUNCILMEMBER IN QUEUE. [45:50] Robin Wonsley: I JUST WANT TO NAME AGAIN SINCE THIS IS A LONG CONVERSATION MANY OF US WILL HAVE MULTIPLE QUESTIONS, MADAM PRESIDENT. CAN WE AT LEAST PUT A TIME CAP THEN ON THE RESPONSES? [46:21] Andrea Jenkins: COUNCIL, VICE PRESIDENT PALMISANO. [46:21] Linea Palmisano: EXCUSE ME, MADAM PRESIDENT, THERE IS A PRIORITY MOTION IN QUEUE FROM COUNCILMEMBER CHUGHTAI. [46:31] Andrea Jenkins: COUNCILMEMBER CHUGHTAI. [46:31] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M WONDERING IF NOW IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME FOR A MOTION TO EXTEND DEBATE SO WE CAN THOROUGHLY DISCUSS THIS MATTER. [46:50] Robin Wonsley: SECOND. [46:50] Andrea Jenkins: COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE A PRIORITY MOTION IN FRONT OF US TO EXTEND THE TIME FOR DEBATE. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF TIME, COUNCILMEMBER? [46:50] Aisha Chughtai: IS A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED? [47:08] Casey Carl: THE RULES CURRENTLY SAY FIRST SPEECH IS SEVEN MINUTES, A SECOND SPEECH IS FIVE MINUTES. IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE TIMELINE, THEN A MOTION WOULD BE IN ORDER. [48:23] Aisha Chughtai: OKAY. 10 MINUTES EACH. [48:23] Andrea Jenkins: SO COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE A MOTION... AND I SEE COUNCILMEMBER GOODMAN IN QUEUE ON THAT MOTION. [48:55] Lisa Goodman: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I DO AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER WONSLEY THAT WHEN SHE HAS HER SEVEN MINUTES AND THEN STAFF TAKE UP THE ENTIRE SEVEN MINUTES THAT THAT IS UNFAIR. PERHAPS WE COULD AGREE THAT WE WOULD STOP THE CLOCK WHEN STAFF SPEAK, AND THEN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE THEIR REMAINING TIME. [50:33] Andrea Jenkins: PERHAPS THAT COULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD AGREE ON. IS THAT ACCEPTABLE TO THE BODY, MR. CARL? [51:27] Andrea Jenkins: CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE MOTION TO EXTEND DEBATE BUT IT HAS BEEN AMENDED... WE WILL MAINTAIN THE SEVEN-MINUTE FIRST QUESTION AS WELL AS THE FIVE-MINUTES ON THE SECOND QUESTION. [53:32] Casey Carl: COUNCILMEMBER OSMAN. >> [Osman]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER PAYNE. >> [Payne]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER KOSKI. >> [Koski]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER CHUGHTAI. >> [Chughtai]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER VETAW. >> [Vetaw]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER RAINVILLE. >> [Rainville]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER GOODMAN. >> [Goodman]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER WONSLEY. >> [Wonsley]: AYE. >> COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON. >> [Johnson]: AYE. >> VP PALMISANO. >> [Palmisano]: AYE. >> PRESIDENT JENKINS. >> [Jenkins]: AYE. [53:48] Casey Carl: THERE ARE 13 AYES. [54:05] Robin Wonsley: THANK YOU. SO MY FOLLOW-UP QUESTION FOR THE CHIEF: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'RE ASSESSING AROUND CULTURE IN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PRACTICES? WE'VE SEEN OFFICERS BE HIRED WHO HAVE BEEN FIRED FROM PRIOR JOBS. DOES THAT CULTURE IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO RECRUIT PEOPLE? [55:15] Brian O'Hara: THE CHANGES THAT WE HAVE MADE ARE SPECIFIC TO THE BACKGROUNDS INVESTIGATION PROCESS. ALL OF THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS ARE NOW REVIEWED UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND THROUGH INTERNAL AFFAIRS, INSTEAD OF JUST BY A SERGEANT. [57:02] Robin Wonsley: CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE CURRENT PROCESS FOR ASSIGNING SHIFTS? WHAT ARE WE GETTING IN EXCHANGE FOR THE $15.3 MILLION? [57:20] Brian O'Hara: THE WAY THE CURRENT CONTRACT IS WRITTEN, YOU CAN ONLY POST A VACANCY WHEN IT OCCURS AT THE START OF THE 28-DAY PAY PERIOD. NOW IT'S ONLY 10 DAYS AND YOU CAN POST IT ANYTIME. IT ALLOWS US TO MAKE PERMANENT REPLACEMENTS EXPEDITIOUSLY. [58:43] Robin Wonsley: SO FOR THE PUBLIC, WE'RE ESSENTIALLY GETTING TWO WEEKS' WORTH OF FLEXIBILITY IN EXCHANGE FOR $15.3 MILLION. IS THIS TYPICAL IN OUR LABOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WHERE WE HAVE SETTLED ECONOMIC INCENTIVES SEPARATE FROM THE REST OF THE CONTRACTS? [59:46] Nikki Odom: THIS IS CERTAINLY ATYPICAL. USUALLY IT'S ATTACHED TO AN ENTIRE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, BUT IT MADE SENSE TO BRING IT FORWARD ONCE THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT INSTEAD OF WAITING TILL THE VERY END BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT MIGHT TAKE. [1:03:36] Andrea Jenkins: BEFORE I RECOGNIZE COUNCILMEMBER PALMISANO I WILL RECOGNIZE CITY ATTORNEY ANDERSON. [1:03:36] Kristyn Anderson: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. LETTERS OF AGREEMENT ARE PRETTY TYPICAL TOOLS TO BE USED TO ADDRESS EMERGENT ISSUES THAT OCCUR DURING THE TERM OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. THE FACT THAT IT CAME UP WHILE WE'RE IN NEGOTIATIONS IS NOT THAT UNUSUAL. [1:04:21] Linea Palmisano: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I APPRECIATE THE POLICE UNION BEING AT THE TABLE. POLICE MANAGEMENT NEED TO BE ABLE TO ASSIGN OFFICERS TO CRITICAL SHIFTS. IT IS INSANE THAT IT'S NOT IN OUR POWER TODAY. THE COST OF THAT REFORM IS THESE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION INCENTIVES. I DO THINK THIS IS A GOOD DEAL. AND I NEED TO NAME THAT LETTERS OF AGREEMENT HAVE NEVER BEEN TIED TO THE COUNCIL'S FORMAL BUDGET PROCESS. MY COLLEAGUES ARE WRONG ABOUT THAT. [1:09:05] Andrea Jenkins: THANK YOU, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT. AND NEXT IN QUEUE IS COUNCILMEMBER ELLISON. [1:09:05] Jeremiah Ellison: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I THINK THE QUESTION IS: IS IT WORTH $15.3 MILLION? WE'VE GOT $19 MILLION FROM THE STATE TO SPEND ON A MENU OF POTENTIAL PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS. AND WE'RE GOING TO SPEND $15.3 MILLION OF IT THIS WAY? I THINK IT'S A MISTAKE. I'LL ASK THE ATTORNEYS: IS THERE THE POSSIBILITY TO VOTE BY LINE ITEM? [1:11:21] Kristyn Anderson: COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILMEMBER ELLISON, NO. IT'S A NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT. IT'S A PACKAGE. IT'S AN UP OR A DOWN. [1:11:59] Jeremiah Ellison: IF THIS IS VOTED DOWN TODAY, COULD ANOTHER MODIFIED AGREEMENT BE MADE AND BROUGHT BACK LATER? [1:12:25] Kristyn Anderson: THERE'S NOTHING THAT WOULD LEGALLY PRECLUDE THE PARTIES FROM GOING BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE. [1:14:01] Jeremiah Ellison: IF WE ALLOCATE THE $15.3 MILLION, BUT WE'RE ONLY ABLE TO SPEND $6 MILLION ON ACTUAL RETENTIONS, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DIFFERENCE? DOES IT COME BACK TO COUNCIL? [1:15:40] Andrea Jenkins: COUNCILMEMBER OSMAN. [1:15:40] Jamal Osman: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. HOW WE GOT HERE IS NOT BECAUSE OF LACK OF INCENTIVES. WE GOT HERE FOR SO MANY REASONS. LAST YEAR WE PASSED INCENTIVES FOR $7 MILLION, AND THAT HASN'T INCREASED MORE OFFICERS. I DISAGREE HAVING $15.3 MILLION FOR THIS. WE CAN USE THIS MONEY FOR BETTER USE, LIKE A COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER OR VICTIMS SERVICES. I WILL NOT SUPPORT THIS. [1:20:45] Andrea Jenkins: COUNCILMEMBER CHAVEZ. I'M SORRY, MY APOLOGIES. PLEASE, MR. FLOWERS. MR. FLOWERS, PLEASE. [1:21:12] Al Flowers: [Inaudible shouting] WE CAN'T RECRUIT AFRICAN AMERICANS BECAUSE OF WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING RIGHT HERE. WE'RE DYING. [1:21:33] Andrea Jenkins: MR. FLOWERS, PLEASE. COUNCILMEMBER VETAW. [1:21:33] LaTrisha Vetaw: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. AND I'M SORRY. I FEEL WHAT AL FEELS. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS FOR ME TO HAVE. WHEN YOU GO TO A CRIME SCENE AND A PARENT IS STANDING THERE WITH THEIR CHILD LAYING ON THE GROUND WITH A SHEET OVER THEM... YOU CAN'T UNFEEL THAT. PEOPLE ARE DYING. IT'S NOT A FEAR MONGERING SCARE TACTIC. I GET CALLS SAYING "CAN YOU GET EXTRA PATROLS IN THIS AREA?" AND THE CHIEF HAS TO SAY "COUNCILMEMBER, WE'RE DOWN FIVE PEOPLE ON THIS SHIFT." LET'S DO IT ALL. FIND THE MONEY. WE HAVE TO. CHIEF, SPEAK TO THESE STAFFING LEVELS. [1:27:47] Brian O'Hara: I STOOD ON GLENWOOD AVENUE TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE A MOM WAS WAITING BEHIND THE CRIME SCENE TAPE TO SEE IF THAT WAS HER BOY. WE HAVE SIX INVESTIGATORS FOR SHOOTINGS AND EIGHT FOR HOMICIDE. WE HAVE NOT STOPPED GETTING SMALLER. WE ARE STUCK IN A VERY VICIOUS CYCLE. [1:30:00] Jason Chavez: WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING THESE BONUSES BUT WE ARE STILL LOSING OFFICERS. OUR RESIDENTS NEED NEW AND INNOVATIVE PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGIES TO PREVENT VIOLENCE RIGHT NOW. TODAY'S VOTE CAN STRIP AWAY FUNDING FROM PRIORITIES LIKE THE LAKE STREET COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER, A HATE CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM, AND CULTURAL AMBASSADORS. OUR COMMUNITIES KNOW HOW TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE. [1:32:34] Michael Rainville: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. AS LEADERS, WE MUST LISTEN TO OUR STAFF AND THE EXPERTS. OUR OFFICERS ARE THE LOWEST PAID IN THE METRO AREA. IF WE WANT THE BEST POLICING, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST PAY. I RESPECT THE DANGEROUS JOB THAT POLICE HAVE. I'M ASKING MY COLLEAGUES TO TAKE A SMALL STEP TODAY TO BE A LEADER AND SOLVE THE STAFF SHORTAGE. [1:37:20] Todderick Barnette: COUNCIL PRESIDENT JENKINS, VICE PRESIDENT PALMISANO, COUNCILMEMBERS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET CAPACITY, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAD A SPECIFIC CONVERSATION ABOUT THE $19 MILLION. I'VE TALKED TO EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD ASSESSING WHAT IT IS THAT THEY NEED. [1:40:05] Robin Wonsley: NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY FOR 2024 HAS A BUDGET OF $17.9 MILLION. MPD HAS OVER $217 MILLION. THERE IS NO PARITY WHATSOEVER. WE SHOULD BE USING EVERY ADDITIONAL FUND TO INVEST IN THE COMPREHENSIVE SIDE. STOP ALLOWING OFFICERS TO WORK EXTENSIVE OFF-DUTY HOURS. THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN. [1:44:33] Andrea Jenkins: COUNCILMEMBER CHUGHTAI. [1:44:33] Aisha Chughtai: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. CHIEF, HOW MANY OFFICERS ARE ON THE FORCE TODAY? [1:47:34] Brian O'Hara: 529 TOTAL SWORN. [1:47:34] Aisha Chughtai: IT IS FACTUAL TO SAY THAT RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT BONUSES DO NOT WORK. THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FOUND THAT BONUSES ARE BECOMING AN OBSOLETE METHOD. SINCE APRIL OF 2022, WE PAID OUT RETENTION BONUSES AND WE STILL SAW 107 OFFICERS LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT. INSANITY IS TRYING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND HOPING FOR A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. [1:57:34] Lisa Goodman: THE SUPREME COURT USED THE WORDS "THE CITY COUNCIL HAS THE CLEAR LEGAL DUTY TO FUND IT." THAT'S JUST THE TRUTH. 87% OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE RETENTION BONUS STAYED. I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE INSISTING ON PARITY BETWEEN VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE TO ME. [2:04:30] Emily Koski: TODAY'S VOTE IS NOT ABOUT WHO DOES SUPPORT POLICE AND WHO DOES NOT. A YES VOTE TODAY FOR THIS LETTER OF AGREEMENT IS SAYING YOU'RE OKAY WITH ONLY HAVING ROUGHLY $3 MILLION LEFT OF THE $19 MILLION FOR ALL OTHER SAFETY INITIATIVES—FIRE, 911, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. [2:07:32] Andrew Johnson: THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT. I CAME IN HERE TODAY THINKING I WOULD LIKELY VOTE YES, BUT I WAS FRUSTRATED AGREEING IT WAS NOT A GREAT PROCESS. WE SHOULD NOT MAKE POLICY DECISIONS BASED ON THE HEADLINES. I HEARD MY COLLEAGUES SAY THEY CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT THAT THIS MOVE TODAY WOULD BLOW UP THEIR BUDGET AMENDMENTS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COMPREHENSIVELY MOVE SOMETHING FORWARD THIS YEAR THAT NOT ONLY INCLUDES ALTERNATIVES, BUT ALSO ADDRESSES COMPENSATION. [2:12:31] Jacob Frey: I DID A LOT TO WORK WITH COUNCILMEMBERS THROUGH THIS NEGOTIATION PROCESS. I COULDN'T GIVE YOU THE FINAL DOLLAR FIGURE UNTIL THE DEAL WAS STRUCK A WEEK AND A HALF AGO. IT IS NECESSARY TO DISPOSE OF THE ISSUE SO WE CAN CONTINUE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH A CLEAR LAY OF THE LAND. [2:15:09] Andrea Jenkins: I CAME IN HERE THINKING THAT I WAS GOING TO VOTE ONE WAY AND I HAVE BEEN SWAYED BY MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY WHO BROUGHT A LAWSUIT FORWARD SAYING WE NEED MORE POLICE IN THIS CITY. AND THEY WON. THE JUDGE SAID WE MUST ATTEMPT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS THAT OUR CHARTER STATES. THE REALITY IS, THERE IS THIS $19.3 MILLION ALLOCATION, AS WELL AS A $70 MILLION ALLOCATION FROM THE STATE. WE HAVE TO DO BOTH. I WILL BE VOTING YES. [2:19:50] Jeremiah Ellison: I STILL WANT TO PUSH BACK ON THE NOTION THAT THIS HAS BEEN COLLABORATIVE. WE INVESTIGATE WHETHER WE HAVE THE POWER OF THE PURSE OR WE DON'T. THE QUESTION IS: WHAT EQUALS MORE SAFE? I HAVE SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THIS EQUALS MORE SAFE. [2:26:29] Casey Carl: [Calling the roll] OSMAN. >> [Osman]: NAY. >> PAYNE. >> [Payne]: NO. >> ELLISON. >> [Ellison]: NO. >> VETAW. >> [Vetaw]: AYE. >> CHUGHTAI. >> [Chughtai]: NAY. >> RAINVILLE. >> [Rainville]: AYE. >> WONSLEY. >> [Wonsley]: NO. >> GOODMAN. >> [Goodman]: AYE. >> CHAVEZ. >> [Chavez]: NO. >> KOSKI. >> [Koski]: NO. >> JOHNSON. >> [Johnson]: NO. >> PALMISANO. >> [Palmisano]: AYE. >> JENKINS. >> [Jenkins]: AYE. [2:26:53] Andrea Jenkins: FIVE AYE, AND 8 NAY, AND THE ITEM FAILS. WITH THAT, WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR BUSINESS FOR TODAY. WITHOUT OBJECTION THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.