This transcript features the Minneapolis City Council meeting from July 18, 2024. [0:29] **Elliott Payne**: [GAVEL] GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ELLIOTT PAYNE. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL. BEFORE WE BEGIN, I HAVE AN HONORARY RESOLUTION CELEBRATING BLACK BUSINESS WEEK. I WILL INVITE MEMBERS UP AND I WILL JOIN THEM TO READ THIS RESOLUTION. [2:09] **Andrea Jenkins**: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREA JENKINS, WARD EIGHT, AND I AM GOING TO READ THIS RESOLUTION CELEBRATING BLACK BUSINESS WEEK IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. IS THE MICROPHONE ON? GREAT. CELEBRATING BLACK BUSINESS WEEK 2024 IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. [2:28] **Andrea Jenkins**: WHEREAS, SINCE 2004, BLACK BUSINESS MONTH IS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH CELEBRATES THE SUCCESS OF BLACK ENTREPRENEURS AND HONORS THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY FACE PARAGRAPH AND WHEREAS, TO HONOR BLACK BUSINESS MONTH, MINNEAPOLIS IS HOSTING THE WEEK. ANNUAL BLACK BUSINESS AND WHEREAS, THE GOALS OF BLACK BUSINESS WEEK ARE TO HONOR, EMPOWER, INSPIRE AND SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES IN THE CITY AS THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMY AND -- WHEREAS, THE THEME THIS YEAR IS ACCESS TO CAPITAL WITH SEVEN EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ACROSS THE CITY. [3:12] **Council Member (Various)**: AND WHEREAS, THE FOURTH ANNUAL MINNEAPOLIS BLACK BUSINESS WEEK WILL COMMENCE AT THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER WHERE ATTENDEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT ACCESS TO CAPITAL, HEAR THE SUCCESS STORIES AND CHALLENGES OF LOCAL BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS TODAY, AND SUPPORT LOCAL BLACK VENDORS IN THE MARKET ON SITE. [3:35] **Council Member (Various)**: AND -- WHEREAS, BLACK BUSINESS WEEK 2024 COVERS A VARIETY OF EVENTS SUCH AS A BUSINESS CONFERENCE, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, CAREER AND NETWORKING EVENTS BLACK BUSINESS TOUR, EMERGING DEVELOPER PROJECT TOUR, EAST AFRICAN BUSINESS RESOURCE FAIR, STREET MALL, AND SOCIAL NETWORKING MIXERS. [3:55] **Council Member (Various)**: AND WHEREAS, WHILE CURRENT NUMBERS ARE CHALLENGING TO TRACK -- WHILE CURRENT NUMBERS ARE CHALLENGING TO TRACK, DATA IN 2012 AND 2018 SHOWS A 12.3% INCREASE IN BUSINESSES IN MINNESOTA JUMPING FROM 47,000 TO ROUGHLY TO OVER 67,000. [4:17] **Council Member (Various)**: AND WHEREAS, SHOPPING AT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IS THE BEST WAY TO REACH ONE OF US TO SHOW SUPPORT. AND -- WHEREAS, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS STRIVES TO CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND DIVERSE BUSINESS COMMUNITY PRIORITIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP ASSISTANCE, CULTURAL CORRIDOR DESIGNATION, AND DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL TO AREAS OF HISTORIC DISINVESTMENT, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT WORK OF BUSINESS GROUPS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN MINNEAPOLIS LIKE THE WEST BROADWAY BUSINESS AREA COALITION, MINNESOTA BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE METROPOLITAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS REWARDS [5:02] **Council Member (Various)**: CLUB, CENTER FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION, NORTHSIDE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY NETWORK, AND MANY OTHERS. AND WHEREAS -- WHEREAS, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS COMMENDS THE ASTOUNDING EFFORTS OF BLACK BUSINESS LEADERS AND ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES NOT ONLY THIS WEEK BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. [5:24] **Andrea Jenkins**: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY CELEBRATE BLACK BUSINESS WEEK 2024 TO AMPLIFY, CELEBRATE, STRENGTHEN, AND SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AND ENCOURAGE ALL MINNEAPOLIS ENTREPRENEURS AND EVENTS TAKING PLACE FROM JULY 22 TO JULY 28, 2024. [APPLAUSE] [5:45] **Elliott Payne**: I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO JUST RECOGNIZE MY STAFF AND THE STAFF FROM WARD ONE FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS PROJECT, INCLUDING STAFF FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND OUR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM. [6:10] **Elliott Payne**: THANKS TO ALL OF THOSE WHO MADE THIS WEEK HAPPEN AND AS WE MOVE INTO THE MONTH. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [6:40] **Elliott Payne**: AND I'LL SAY -- I'LL SAY KNOWING FIRSTHAND HOW HARD IT IS TO RUN A BUSINESS, THAT'S WHAT I WAS DOING BEFORE I RAN FOR OFFICE, IT'S HARD ENOUGH JUST ON YOUR OWN WRITING CONTRACTS, WRITING INVOICES, TRYING TO HIRE FOLKS, TRYING TO GET THE WORK DONE ALL AT THE SAME TIME. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LEARNED AND ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WHEN I WORKED FOR THE CITY BEFORE RUNNING FOR OFFICE WAS LAUNCH A SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM. THE LAST THING YOU NEED IS FOR GOVERNMENT PROCESS TO GET IN THE WAY OF ALL THOSE ALREADY BIG BARRIERS OF HAVING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS, SO THIS WEEK IS TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS AND HOPEFULLY REMOVE SOME OF THEM, SO THANK YOU. [7:52] **Elliott Payne**: THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR JULY 18 TO ORDER. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. [8:00] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Linea Palmisano**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Aurin Chowdhury**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. **Katie Cashman**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN IS ABSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Michael Rainville**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Jason Chavez**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **LaTrisha Vetaw**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON. **Jeremiah Ellison**: HERE. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI. **Emily Koski**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Robin Wonsley**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS. **Andrea Jenkins**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI. **Aisha Chughtai**: PRESENT. **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Elliott Payne**: PRESENT. [8:32] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: THERE ARE 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. [8:32] **Elliott Payne**: LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM. COLLEAGUES THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING IS BEFORE US. ARE THERE ANY AMENDMENTS? VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI. [8:40] **Aisha Chughtai**: I'M SORRY, MY SPEAKER MANAGEMENT IS NOT WORKING, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA TO MOVE FROM THE ORDER OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS, ITEM NUMBER 2, BID FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER MEETING ROOM REMODEL PHASE TWO TO ADD TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ITEM NUMBER ONE, THE PUBLIC SAFETY AID REALLOCATION RESOLUTION. IT IS REFLECTED IN THE PAPER COPIES IN FRONT OF ALL MEMBERS. [9:14] **Elliott Payne**: VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI HAS MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? [9:30] **Council Member**: SECOND. [9:30] **Elliott Payne**: THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE ROLL. [9:30] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: [CALLS THE ROLL] ... THERE ARE 12 AYES. [10:01] **Elliott Payne**: THAT AMENDMENT CARRIES. NEXT MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED? [10:01] **Council Member**: SO MOVED. **Council Member**: SECOND. [10:16] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: [CALLS THE ROLL] ... THERE ARE 12 AYES. [10:31] **Elliott Payne**: THAT CARRIES AND THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. THE NEXT ITEM IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING ON JUNE 27. I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THOSE MINUTES. [10:46] **Council Member**: SO MOVED. **Council Member**: SECOND. [10:46] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: [CALLS THE ROLL] ... THERE ARE 12 AYES. [11:01] **Elliott Payne**: THAT CARRIES AND THE MINUTES ARE ACCEPTED. FINALLY, WE HAVE THE REFERRAL OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS TO PROPER COMMITTEES. MAY I HAVE THAT MOTION? [11:19] **Council Member**: SO MOVED. **Council Member**: SECOND. [11:34] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: [CALLS THE ROLL] ... THERE ARE 12 AYES. [11:34] **Elliott Payne**: THAT CARRIES AND THOSE MATTERS HAVE BEEN REFERRED. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS THE PRESENTATION OF REPORTS FROM OUR STANDING COMMITTEES. THOSE ARE TAKEN IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BEGINNING WITH THE REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY ITS CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [11:54] **Robin Wonsley**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS BRINGING FORWARD 18 ITEMS FOR APPROVAL. [LISTS ITEMS 1-18]. I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS EXCEPT FOR ITEM 17, WHICH I WILL PULL FOR DISCUSSION. [14:48] **Elliott Payne**: COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS EXCEPT ITEM 17, WHICH WE WILL HOLD FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THOSE AGENDA ITEMS? COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [14:48] **Jason Chavez**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON ITEM 8, WHICH IS THE LAKE STREET PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATOR PILOT WITH THE LAKE STREET COUNCIL. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SINCE 2022 ALONG WITH THE LAKE STREET VIEWING PARTNERSHIP. WE WERE ABLE TO AUTHOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET THIS PAST DECEMBER TO GET THIS OFF THE GROUND... AND ITEM 14 WHICH IS 2228 LAKE STREET EAST... I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER KOSKI, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, AND DIRECTOR AMANDA HARRINGTON FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS AS WELL. THANK YOU. [16:49] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WILL KEEP MY REMARKS SHORT... FOR THE CONTRACT WITH LAKE STREET COUNCIL FOR THE LAKE STREET PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATOR PILOT PROGRAM THAT WE WORKED ON, THEY'RE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION. THIS IS A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN BOLSTER OUR COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM AND REALLY PUT SAFETY AT THE HANDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. [18:14] **Elliott Payne**: THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. NOT SEEING ANYONE ELSE IN QUEUE ON THE REMAINDER OF THE REPORT, SO I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE REPORT EXCLUDING ITEM 17. [18:33] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: [CALLS THE ROLL] ... THERE ARE 12 AYES. [19:05] **Elliott Payne**: THAT CARRIES. AND THOSE ITEMS ARE APPROVED. NEXT WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 17, THE POLICE FEDERATION CONTRACT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? DON'T ALL JUMP IN AT ONE TIME. ALL RIGHT. WELL, I WILL START OFF BY SAYING THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST VOTES WE MAY TAKE THIS TERM. I'M GOING TO START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [19:40] **Robin Wonsley**: ALL RIGHT THEN. SO FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN MY COMMENTS BY THANKING ALL THE RESIDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE NUMEROUS ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES... TO GET TO THE POINT, THOUGH, IN SUPPORTING THIS ITEM. THE ADMINISTRATION ASKED COUNCIL LAST TERM TO BASICALLY SHARE WHAT SPECIFIC CHANGES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THIS CONTRACT, AND I KNOW I WAS CLEAR IN MY EXPECTATIONS, AND WAS VERY CONCERNED TO SEE THAT MANY OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE BROUGHT FORWARD IN THIS CONTRACT... THEY'RE ALL TEMPORARY CHANGES. AND TO ME I DON'T SEE TEMPORARY GAINS FOR PERMANENT RAISES AS PROGRESS. [25:13] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I FULLY RESPECT COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY'S INTENTION TO VOTE NO, AND SO SHE DID NOT MOVE THIS ITEM, SO I WILL FIRST MOVE IT FOR APPROVAL AND ASK FOR A SECOND BEFORE I HAVE MY COMMENTS. [25:28] **Council Member**: SECOND. [25:28] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD WITH THIS CONTRACT, BUT I THINK WE'RE FINALLY THERE... THE FACT IS WE'VE BEEN HEARING FEEDBACK ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, BOTH FROM RESIDENTS WHO HAVE TO WAIT HOURS FOR AN AVAILABLE OFFICER... AND OFFICERS WHO HAVE TOLD US THEY SPEND THEIR SHIFTS RUNNING FROM CALL TO CALL. THIS CONTRACT REALLY HAS TO ACHIEVE IT, AND I WILL BE VOTING IN SUPPORT OF IT TODAY. THANK YOU. [27:17] **Emily Koski**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. TO ME THIS IS A GROUND BREAKING CONTRACT, AND IT SYMBOLIZES A NEW ERA... IT OFFERS SIGNIFICANT BASE PAY RAISES THAT MOVE M.P.D. FROM THE BOTTOM 25% IN THE STATE TO THE TOP 5 IN OUR REGION. I WILL TAKE THESE INCREMENTAL CHANGES AS A WIN FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS TODAY. [28:10] **Jason Chavez**: COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, THANK YOU. I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU FOR THE PROCESS THAT THIS BODY UNDERWENT REGARDING THIS CONTRACT... 82% OF THE RESIDENTS WHO REACHED OUT TO MY OFFICE ASKED ME TO REJECT THIS CONTRACT. WHILE THERE ARE PAY HIKES, MY MAIN CONCERN IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS CONTRACT NOR IN THE POLICY MANUAL TODAY. I BELIEVE IN HISTORIC PAY RAISES BUT I BELIEVE THAT THOSE HISTORIC PAY INCREASES SHOULD COME WITH HISTORIC AND PERMANENT REFORMS. [30:21] **Elliott Payne**: I ADDED MYSELF TO QUEUE TO TELL A LITTLE BIT OF A STORY OF HOW I GOT HERE... BEFORE I RAN FOR CITY COUNCIL, I WAS RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS AND I WAS A CONTRACTOR HERE AT THE CITY CONSULTING WITH THE INNOVATION TEAM... WE WERE EXPERIENCING SO MUCH PUSHBACK AND EVEN SABOTAGE WHEN IT CAME TO TRYING TO WORK ON PROGRAMS TO HELP KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE. I LEARNED THAT IT WAS TOO BIG OF A BARRIER TO HAVE THIS ADMINISTRATION LEADING THIS CHARGE WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, SO I STEPPED UP AND RAN FOR OFFICE. THIS CONTRACT DOES NOT GO NEARLY FAR ENOUGH. IT REALLY DOESN'T. BUT WHAT WE LEARNED THROUGH THIS PROCESS IS THAT TRANSFORMATION IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN SOLELY IN THE TEXT OF THE DOCUMENT. IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FROM CONTINUOUS PRESSURE. [35:16] **Michael Rainville**: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. AND I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE THAT WE NEED MANY, MANY ASPECTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY... THIS LABOR AGREEMENT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED IN GOOD FAITH BY THE CITY STAFF AND AGREED TO BY THE POLICE FEDERATION. IT GIVES THE CHIEF UNPRECEDENTED AUTHORITY TO PERFORM AND TO PROMOTE AND TO SCHEDULE, AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. THIS RAISE IS NEEDED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO COMPETE WITH OTHER AREA POLICE AGENCIES. I WILL BE VOTING YES. THANK YOU. [37:41] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANT TO BEGIN MY COMMENTS BY THANKING ALL THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN WARD 12 AND ACROSS THE CITY WHO REACHED OUT TO ME... I SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WEIGHING THE PROS, CONS, THE COMMUNITY VOICES, AND THE HARD REALITIES OF OUR CITY... THIS IS HARD. THIS IS NOT A CLEAR CUT CHOICE. [44:30] **LaTrisha Vetaw**: THANK YOU, CHAIR PAYNE. I'M EXCITED TO VOTE FOR THIS TODAY. THIS MORNING WHEN I WOKE UP AND THOUGHT, OKAY, TODAY'S THE DAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS, IT MADE ME THINK BACK TO 1994 WHEN I GOT MY FIRST JOB... THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR, TOO, BECAUSE THE MAYOR HAS DEFINITELY PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO LEARN NOT ONLY IN THIS BUT THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT. [48:53] **Jeremiah Ellison**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I'M GOING TO BE VOTING NO TODAY, AND LIKE MY COLLEAGUES SAID, IT WAS A DECISION I CAME TO WITH A LOT OF DIFFICULTY... I HAVE BEEN ON THIS COUNCIL LONG ENOUGH TO FEEL THAT THIS KIND OF INCREMENTALISM GIVEN WHAT OUR CITY HAS BEEN THROUGH WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT... IS NOT WHAT WE CAN ACCEPT. WE NEED BIGGER SWINGS THAN THIS. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT, AND THAT IS WHY I WON'T BE SUPPORTING IT. [54:11] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. GOING BACK TO WHERE I LEFT OFF... THE PROVISIONS, THE REFORMS THAT I THINK ARE GOOD WITHIN THIS CONTRACT... THESE REFORMS ARE GOOD YET MINIMAL. I DO THINK WHAT IS, FRANKLY, BAD ABOUT THIS CONTRACT THAT OTHERS HAVE NAMED IS HIGH AND HISTORIC WAGES... TO THE TUNE OF $15 MILLION. THAT IS UNBALANCED. [59:33] **Katie Cashman**: IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO YIELD A MINUTE OF MY TIME SO COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY CAN FINISH HER REMARKS? [59:55] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. SO THIS IS A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE... I'VE DECIDED TO VOTE YES, AND IT WAS VERY TOUGH TO MAKE THAT DECISION. I FEEL LIKE AT THIS POINT THIS IS THE BEST OPTION EVEN THOUGH THIS CONTRACT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH. [1:01:07] **Katie Cashman**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. MY COMMUNITY IN WARD 7 ALREADY KNOWS THAT I'M SUPPORTING THIS CONTRACT TODAY... THE POLICE CONTRACT IS FUNDED. COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY IS FUNDED. THIS CONTRACT ALSO HAS SOME IMPORTANT REFORMS WITH REGARD TO STAFFING FLEXIBILITY AND CIVILIAN INVESTIGATORS. [1:02:58] **Aisha Chughtai**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT FROM SEVERAL COLLEAGUES HERE TODAY THAT THIS VOTE AND THIS CONTRACT IS -- IT REPRESENTS A HISTORIC AND CONSEQUENTIAL CHOICE... HONESTLY, WHAT GOT ME TO A NO WAS THAT I ACTUALLY DO BUY THE ARGUMENT THAT MANAGEMENT SHOULD WANT TO RETAIN AUTHORITY... BUT I ALSO THINK THAT HAVING AUTHORITY IS DIFFERENT FROM USING AUTHORITY. [1:08:17] **Andrea Jenkins**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I HAVE SAT HERE AND LISTENED TO ALMOST ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES OPINE ON THIS CONTRACT, AND I AGREE WITH ALMOST ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID... WE ARE HERE TO MAKE REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS. SUPPORTING THIS CONTRACT TODAY MOVES OUR CITY FORWARD. [1:10:41] **Elliott Payne**: I PUT MYSELF LAST IN QUEUE BECAUSE I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP LAST TERM. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOT ME TO A YES WAS THAT OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY ARTICULATE THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO SEE IN THE CONTRACT... I AM READY TO VOTE YES. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [1:13:42] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: [CALLS THE ROLL] ... THERE ARE EIGHT AYES AND FOUR NAYS. [1:14:41] **Elliott Payne**: THAT CARRIES AND THE FULL REPORT IS ADOPTED. NEXT, WE WILL MOVE TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE REPORT PRESENTED BY ITS CHAIR, VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI. [1:14:41] **Aisha Chughtai**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT... THIS ITEM ITSELF, FIRST APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, AND AS IT IS IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY. WE JUST APPROVED THE POLICE FEDERATION CONTRACT, AND NOW WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR IT... THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS THE PRODUCT OF A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF CREATIVITY, AND A LOT OF COMPROMISE. [1:21:18] **Katie Cashman**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I DO BELIEVE IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO PASS THE POLICE CONTRACT WITHOUT A METHOD TO FUND IT. THIS IS THE METHOD TO FUND IT THAT IS IN FRONT OF US. [1:22:23] **LaTrisha Vetaw**: THIS FEELS LIKE A SHELL GAME TO ME. LIKE WE'RE JUST MOVING STUFF AROUND AND I MEAN, I REALLY CANNOT KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING... WHERE IS THIS SENSE OF URGENCY COMING FROM? [1:27:30] **Jeremiah Ellison**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE... I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I WAS UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NORTH COMMONS PARK AND OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FUND ARE MAINTAINED AS WHOLE AS THEY WERE PRIOR TO THIS AMENDMENT? [1:29:34] **Robin Wonsley**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANT TO DO A LEVEL SET OF THE REALITY THAT WE'RE ALSO WALKING INTO... I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT AT LEAST COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI TOOK THE INITIATIVE AND WORKS INCREDIBLY HARD TO PROVIDE US A DIFFERENT PATHWAY THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO PROTECT ALL THE PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING AS WELL AS NOT INCREASE THE TAX LEVY. [1:33:40] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I AM EXCITED TO BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION BY COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT. OFTEN TIMES WE NEED TO BE CREATIVE IN THE WAY WE MAKE BUDGET DECISIONS... I THINK THIS IS A WIN-WIN-WIN. [1:37:04] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I'M LISTENING TO THIS CONVERSATION, AND BASED ON WHAT WAS JUST SAID, LET'S SPLIT THIS VOTE. THAT IS WHAT WE DO WHEN PEOPLE ASK TO SPLIT THIS VOTE IN TWO. CLEARLY THE POTENTIAL TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE CONVENTION CONTRACT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS PART. [1:38:21] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: MR. PRESIDENT, IF I CAN CLARIFY... A MEMBER HAS ASKED FOR IT TO BE DIVIDED. THERE IS NOT A NEED FOR A MOTION. YOU WOULD WANT A MOTION IF THEY CAN'T BE DIVIDED AND ONE PART IS DEPENDENT ON THE OTHER... BUT THE REQUEST TO DIVIDE THAT QUESTION IS A MEMBER'S RIGHT. [1:39:02] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CLERK... I APPRECIATE THE CREATIVITY IN TRYING TO MOVE MONEY AROUND IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT THIS GOES AGAINST OUR FINANCIAL PRACTICES. MOVING DOWNTOWN ASSETS FUND FOR OTHER ITEMS IS NOT APPROPRIATE. [1:44:28] **Michael Rainville**: THANK YOU. I AM NOT ABLE TO VOTE FOR THIS TODAY... ANY DECISION TO RAID THE DOWNTOWN ASSETS FUND IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE. ONCE YOU TAKE ONE PENNY, YOU START TO DESTROY THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. [1:45:43] **Jason Chavez**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I BELIEVE IF WE TAKE THESE VOTES AND MOTIONS SEPARATELY, THE CONVENTION CENTER REMODEL WILL FAIL ENTIRELY... I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS THAT COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI BROUGHT US FORWARD GOES THROUGH. [1:47:16] **LaTrisha Vetaw**: IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GO THROUGH AND HAVE OUR CONSTITUENTS WEIGH IN WITH THE REGULAR PROCESS, OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE TODAY? SURE, C.O.O. ANDERSON KELLIHER, IF THAT IS A QUESTION YOU CAN ANSWER. [1:47:58] **Margaret Anderson Kelliher**: PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, THERE IS NOTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TODAY. THERE IS NO DEFICIT IN 2024. THERE WAS A NEGOTIATION THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY... AND THERE IS NO NEED TO DO THIS TODAY. [1:48:54] **Katie Cashman**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO TAKE THIS UP TODAY BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, THE CONVENTION CENTER REMODEL WILL BE SENT BACK TO STAFF... THAT'S THE RISK THAT WE'RE UP AGAINST. [1:49:39] **Andrea Jenkins**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANTED TO ASK COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPLICATIONS OR ARE THERE FURTHER IMPLICATIONS BEYOND WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN JUST INDICATED? [1:51:50] **Aisha Chughtai**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. COUNCIL MEMBER JENKINS... I WOULD MOVE TO RETURN THIS REMODEL BACK TO STAFF FOR FURTHER WORK. THAT WOULD DELAY FINAL ACTION ON THE REMODEL IN CASE WE END UP NEEDING TO USE THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR THE RESOLUTION BELOW. [1:53:34] **Elliott Payne**: I PUT MYSELF IN QUEUE BECAUSE I WANTED TO SPEAK... AT SOME POINT HE HAS TO MAKE A DECISION HERE. I AM READY TO SUPPORT THIS AS A PACKAGE TODAY. IF WE'RE SEPARATING THIS OUT, MY CURRENT POSITION IS I AM READY TO VOTE THIS CONTRACT DOWN. [1:55:37] **Emily Koski**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. PERHAPS, I AM NOT SURE IF THE C.O.O. CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION... WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES ON OUR BUDGET PROCESS IF WE WERE TO DO THOSE? [2:03:04] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I NEED TO ASSERT THESE TWO THINGS ARE COMPLETELY SEPARATE. I URGE YOU TO COMPLETE THIS VOTE HOWEVER IT IS YOU SEE ON THE CONVENTION CENTER REMODEL... AND LET'S ARGUE ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AID TOMORROW. [2:04:56] **Robin Wonsley**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE. THE CONSTANT PRACTICE OF THIS BAIT AND SWITCH IS ASTOUNDING... WE FINALLY TOOK A MONTH TO ACTUALLY DO SOME GREAT HOMEWORK. I REALLY HOPE NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT CHUGHTAI, THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST TO SEPARATE THESE TWO ITEMS. [2:08:37] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: I CERTAINLY CAN CLARIFY... ONE MOTION IS ONE ACTION. BUT ONE MOTION COULD HAVE SEVERAL ACTIONS BUNDLED INTO IT. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW THAT'S DONE. [2:13:25] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THIS RIGHT... I'M GOING TO KEEP ON MAKING THAT POINT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THIS IS A VALUABLE POT OF MONEY... I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOTION. [2:18:38] **Elliott Payne**: NEXT, WE HAVE OUR BUSINESS, HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEE. COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON. [2:18:38] **Jeremiah Ellison**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THE BHZ COMMITTEE BRINGS 14 ITEMS FOR APPROVAL. [LISTS ITEMS 1-14]. I WILL MOVE ALL OF THOSE ITEMS FOR APPROVAL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 9. [2:22:51] **Robin Wonsley**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SOME BRIEF COMMENTS IN REGARDS TO ITEM NUMBER 9, WHICH IS THE VACANCY BUILDING REGISTRATION... I AM PLEASED THAT THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU IS A FINAL PRODUCT OF ONE OF MANY STEPS THAT MY OFFICE INTENDS TO TAKE TO ADDRESS THE VACANCY ISSUE. [2:25:38] **Katie Cashman**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. FIRST, I WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NUMBER 8, THE VACANT BUILDING REGISTRATION ORDINANCE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT ALL MY COLLEAGUES PUT IN ON THIS ISSUE. [2:27:30] **Jason Chavez**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY AND COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON. THIS IS GOING TO HELP THE NORTH SIDE... THIS IS SOMETHING OUR RESIDENTS WILL BE BENEFITING FROM. [2:28:02] **Elliott Payne**: I PUT MYSELF IN QUEUE TO ALSO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I HAVE AN ELDER CARE HOME WHOSE LICENSE WAS REVOKED... I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO GO A LONG WAY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. [2:29:04] **LaTrisha Vetaw**: NORTH SIDE SOLIDARITY HERE. I DON'T HAVE MY COMPUTER HERE. JUST WANTED TO THANK THE LEAD AUTHOR AND CO-AUTHOR ON THIS ORDINANCE AS WELL. [2:31:03] **Elliott Payne**: NEXT, WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 10, AND I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON. [2:31:03] **Jeremiah Ellison**: THANK YOU. I WANTED TO FURTHER AMEND ITEM 10... THE ONLY ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE AT DISCUSSION HERE IS CONDITION NUMBER 3... I'LL MOVE THAT. [2:33:10] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THIS RIGHT... I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE REMOVAL OF THIS CONDITION. [2:34:42] **Frank Nelson**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE, TO COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY'S QUESTION... THE PLANNING COMMISSION WHERE THE LAND USE MATTERS ORIGINATE GRANTED THE CUP WITH SEVERAL CONDITIONS. THE ONLY ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE AT DISCUSSION HERE IS CONDITION NUMBER 3, WHICH WAS AMENDED AT BHZ. [2:38:10] **Jeremiah Ellison**: YEAH, I THINK REMOVING THE EXCEPTION FOR JUST 10:15 AS PREVIOUS, I THINK IS WHAT I WANT THE MOTION TO BE. [2:38:46] **Michael Rainville**: THANK YOU. I WANT MAKE SURE THAT HIS MOTION WAS SECONDED. SO I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. [2:41:06] **Elliott Payne**: NEXT, WE WILL TAKE UP OUR CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASHMAN. [2:41:06] **Katie Cashman**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [LISTS ITEMS 1-6]. I MOVE APPROVAL FOR ALL ITEMS. [2:42:55] **Elliott Payne**: NEXT IS THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT, PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:42:55] **Jason Chavez**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT... I MOVE TO DELETE ITEM NUMBER ONE FROM THE AGENDA... AND APPROVE ITEMS 2 AND 3 ON THE REPORT. [2:43:55] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I WANT TO SPEAK TO ITEM NUMBER 3. I JUST WANT TO ECHO MUCH OF WHAT I SAID ON COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON TUESDAY. I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE BEST PARKS IN THE COUNTRY. I WILL NO BE VOTING IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT BRINGS TWO INDEPENDENT SIDES CLOSER TOGETHER. [2:45:29] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AUTHORING THIS. I JUST WANTED TO NOTE AND BRING FORWARD THE COMMENTS THAT WERE ASKED ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF US BEING ABLE TO DO THIS. ESSENTIALLY, WHILE IT IS VERY MEANINGFUL, IT IS A GREETING CARD THAT SAYS I SUPPORT PARK WORKERS. [2:47:06] **Robin Wonsley**: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE CLARIFICATION TO THE PUBLIC... THIS BODY TOOK UP NOT ONLY THE POLICE CONTRACT, BUT HOW TO FUND IT. THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR AUTHORING THIS RESOLUTION. [2:48:44] **Jason Chavez**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. VOTING ON THIS RESOLUTION IS SUPPORTING THE BEST PARKS IN THIS COUNTRY. [2:49:21] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I DO SUPPORT PARK BOARD WORKERS. THIS IS NOT A GREETING CARD. [2:51:12] **Elliott Payne**: NEXT REPORT IS FROM OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY THAT COMMITTEE'S CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [2:51:12] **Aurin Chowdhury**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT... APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED BLUE LINE LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION SDEIS COMMENTS. I MOVE APPROVAL OF THESE COMMENTS. [2:52:17] **Michael Rainville**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. AND THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. I DO WANT TO JUST NOTE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON AND COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW AND I HAD SEVERAL COMMENTS... THOSE ARE REFLECTED IN THIS REPORT. [2:52:54] **Elliott Payne**: I PUT MYSELF IN QUEUE BECAUSE I WANTED TO THANK STAFF. I THOUGHT THAT THEIR COMMENTS WERE EXTRAORDINARILY COMPREHENSIVE. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. [2:54:04] **Elliott Payne**: THE NEXT REPORT IS FROM OUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE, PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:54:04] **Jason Chavez**: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT... I'LL MOVE APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS INCLUDING A RESIDENCY WAIVER FOR BRIDGETTE STUART. [2:57:16] **LaTrisha Vetaw**: THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO WARD 4 RESIDENT MELISSA NEWMAN FOR HER WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ON THE CCPO. [2:57:40] **Andrea Jenkins**: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO MY COLLEAGUES AND TO MS. STEWART... I THINK THAT MS. STEWART WILL BRING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND PERSPECTIVE AS A PERSON WHO IS FORMERLY INCARCERATED. [2:58:27] **Elliott Payne**: THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [CALLS ROLL] THE REPORT IS ADOPTED. [3:01:40] **Elliott Payne**: I'LL ALSO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK LIAM DAVIS TEMPLE AND MY OFFICE FOR PUTTING IN EXTRA WORK ON THAT AS WELL. IS THERE A SECOND TO THE ADOPTION? [3:02:16] **Elliott Payne**: WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS PORTION OF THE AGENDA. FIRST WE HAVE AN APPEAL... I WILL MOVE TO FORMALLY WITHDRAW THIS APPEAL. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? [3:02:52] **Jeremiah Ellison**: STAFF HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB... BUT THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REMOVED. AND SO YEAH, I THINK IT'S FOR THE BETTER. [3:03:21] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST CURIOUS, IS THIS GOING TO RESULT IN A CHANGE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS A WAY FORWARD, OR IS THIS A CHANGE TO THE PERSON'S OPERATING MODEL OF THEIR BUSINESS? [3:05:08] **Andrea Jenkins**: THANK YOU, CHAIR PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT JULY IS DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH. [3:05:50] **Linea Palmisano**: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD MENTION THAT TONIGHT IS THE CITY'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN BASEBALL FOR KIDS THAT ARE AROUND 13-YEARS OLD. [3:06:48] **Michael Rainville**: THANK YOU. JUST A BRIEF REMINDER THAT WE HAVE THE MINNEAPOLIS AQUATENNIAL EVENT WHICH IS ALWAYS A GREAT CELEBRATION. [3:07:16] **Kristyn Anderson**: THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE CASE OF COPPOLA VERSUS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS... YOUR LAWYERS WISH TO PROVIDE A BRIEFING ON THIS CASE. ACCORDINGLY, UNDER THE MINNESOTA OPEN MEETING LAW... THE COUNCIL MAY UPON A MOTION DISCUSS THIS IN CLOSED SESSION. [3:08:28] **Elliott Payne**: THANK YOU, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY. I MOVE TO CLOSE OUR PUBLIC MEETING AS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE OPEN MEETING LAW... THE BROADCAST OF THIS MEETING WILL CONTINUE, AND THE COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE IN PUBLIC AFTER WE'VE CONCLUDED THE CLOSED SESSION. [4:18:40] **Elliott Payne**: THE TIME IS NOW 1:51. AND THE CITY COUNCIL HAS RECONVENED IN OPEN SESSION FOLLOWING OUR CLOSED SESSION. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL TO PROVE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. [4:18:54] **City Clerk (Casey Carl)**: [CALLS ROLL] ... THERE ARE 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. [4:19:17] **Elliott Payne**: THE MEETING HAS COME TO -- WITHOUT FURTHER OBJECTION, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.