As an expert transcriptionist, I have added the speaker names to the townhall transcript based on the context provided and the procedural flow of the meeting. **Transcript:** [1:00] **Council President Elliot Payne:** GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ELLIOT PAYNE, THE PRESIDENT OF MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL. BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR MEETING, WE HAVE THE PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTIONS. I'LL INVITE COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW TO GIVE THE FIRST PRESENTATION RELATED TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY. [1:25] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** GOOD MORNING. I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE TO RECOGNIZE OUR ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS. I THINK IS EVERYONE HERE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER KNOWING YOU ARE BEHIND THE SCENES DOING THE GOOD WORK OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. [1:43] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME AND MY COLLEAGUES TO RECOGNIZE YOU TODAY AND EVERY DAY. SO, RECOGNIZING ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEREAS, ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING PROGRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES, PROGRAM AIDES TO THE DIRECTOR, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF REPRESENT ONE OF THE LARGEST SEGMENTS OF THE WORLD'S WORKFORCE; AND WHEREAS: ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS ARE VITAL CONTRIBUTORS IN TODAY'S TEAM-ORIENTED WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ARE KEY FRONT-LINE PUBLIC AMBASSADORS FOR THE CITY; AND WHEREAS, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS RECOGNIZES THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS IN ENSURING THE EFFICIENT [2:29] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** OPERATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES; AND WHEREAS, ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS IN MINNEAPOLIS DEMONSTRATE DEDICATION, SKILL, AND EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY BY PROCESSING INVOICES, PERMITS, LICENSES, ASSESSMENTS, AND PERFORMING OTHER CRITICAL FUNCTIONS IN THEIR SUPPORT OF LEADERS, STAFF, AND THE PUBLIC, OFTEN GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ENSURE QUALITY OF LIFE; AND WHEREAS, THE WORK OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS ENHANCES COMMUNICATION, ORGANIZATION, AND PRODUCTIVITY, MAKING MINNEAPOLIS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND THRIVE; AND THEY PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP CITY OPERATIONS EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE, AND [3:14] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** CONNECTED; AND THEY COORDINATE TECH RESOURCES, PROVIDE REFERRALS, AND DELIVER TRAINING, HELPING COLLEAGUES NAVIGATE TOOLS AND SYSTEMS WITH PATIENCE AND EXPERTISE; AND WHEREAS, -- THERE WE GO! [3:43] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** WHEREAS, THEIR WORK ENSURES THAT SYSTEMS ARE USED ACCURATELY AND CONSISTENTLY, SUPPORTING INFORMED DECISION MAKING; AND THEY ENABLE SEAMLESS COLLABORATION ACROSS DEPARTMENTS, STRENGTHENING THE OVERALL FUNCTIONING AND SERVICE DELIVERY OF CITY GOVERNMENT; AND WHEREAS, ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS ARE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF OUR ENTERPRISE, ENSURING EFFICIENCY, ORGANIZATION, AND CONTINUITY IN ALL OPERATIONS; AND WHEREAS, ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY OFFERS A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THE VITAL WORK THAT ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DO TO SUPPORT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ITS RESIDENTS; AND THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT OF RESPECT, [4:34] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** APPRECIATION, AND RECOGNITION FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES INCLUDING THOSE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ROLES; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE APRIL 23 AS ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HONOR THE DEDICATION AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE OF ALL ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS IN MINNEAPOLIS WHO ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR CONTINUED SUCCESS AND GROWTH. [5:09] [ APPLAUSE ] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** DOES ANYONE WANT TO SPEAK? NO ONE WANTS -- THIS IS A QUIET GROUP! ALL OF YOU AT WORK -- BUSINESS ONLY! NO TALKING. I LOVE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU DO A PHENOMENAL JOB. YOU DO FANTASTIC WORK. I MEAN THAT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. ON BEHALF OF NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, WE APPRECIATE YOU! WE LOVE THAT YOU ARE DOING THE WORK. THESE LIVABILITY THINGS THAT MEAN SO MUCH TO US. YOU'RE BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING SURE WE HAVE SAFE AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH. [5:47] [ APPLAUSE ] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** I WANT TO ADD MY FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY IS WHEN I SAY "GOOD MORNING" OR "GOOD AFTERNOON." SO GRATEFUL TO WHAT YOU DO TO HELP OUR OFFICE. AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. THE TAXPAYERS. MAKING THEM HAPPY AND YOU DO THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO! **Council President Elliot Payne:** NEXT WELCOME [7:53] **Council President Elliot Payne:** UP COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI TO RECOGNIZE ALLEN HOPPE. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** GOOD MORNING. IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TODAY RECOGNIZING AN INCREDIBLE AND STEADY LEADER IN OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. SO WE'LL START WITH READING THIS RESOLUTION AND, PERHAPS SAY A FEW WORDS. UMM, THIS IS RECOGNIZING ALLEN HOPPE FOR HIS DECADES AND SERVICE FOR THE CITY [8:39] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEREAS, MR. ALLEN HOPPE, A FOUR-YEAR US MARINE VETERAN, COMMENCED EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS ON NOVEMBER 4, 2019, STARTING WITH EIGHTEEN MONTHS AS SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION AND THEN COMPLETING FIVE YEARS AS THE DIRECTOR OF BANKING, INVESTMENTS AND DEBT (BID) UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; AND MR. HOPPE BROUGHT TO THE CITY FOUR DECADES OF STRONG EXPERIENCE, SPECIALIZED [9:28] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** TRAINING, AND REWARDING INSIGHTS IN PUBLIC FINANCE AND TREASURY SERVICES COVERING CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT, BANKING, MERCHANT CARD SERVICES, INVESTMENTS, DEBT, AND TEAM LEADERSHIP; AND MR. HOPPE MOVED THE CITY'S BANKING MANAGEMENT INTO THE INVESTMENTS AND DEBT DIVISION, CREATING VALUABLE SYNERGIES AND A RICHER ENVIRONMENT FOR EXISTING AND FUTURE DIVISION STAFF TO DELIVER MORE COORDINATED FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE ENTERPRISE; AND MR. HOPPE EVALUATED THE TEAM ROLES WITHIN THE DIVISION BY MODERNIZING AND ENHANCING THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT LED TO INCREASED STAFF ENGAGEMENT AND MORALE AND ZERO TURNOVER; AND MR. HOPPE GUIDED THE DIVISION IN $2 BILLION OF [10:13] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** ANNUAL CASH FLOW, ADMINISTERED $1 BILLION OF OUTSTANDING DEBT, OVERSEEN THE ISSUANCE OF OVER $100 MILLION OF BONDS PER YEAR AND, OVERSEEN THE MERCHANT CARD PROGRAM WHICH FACILITATED THE ENTERPRISE-WIDE COLLECTION OF $100 MILLION OF REVENUE PER YEAR; AND MR. HOPPE LED THE DIVISION IN REVIEWING AND PURGING 100 YEARS OF RECORDS FOR DEBT, BANKING AND INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING THE FILLING OF 80 BARRELS WITH RECYCLABLE MATERIAL AND TRASH; AND MR. HOPPE PARTICIPATED IN ENTERPRISE ENDEAVORS INCLUDING ASSISTING WITH VARIOUS STAFF RECRUITING AND HIRING, ACQUISITION OF AN ERP SYSTEM AND SUPPORTING CONSULTING FIRM, ACQUISITION OF A PAYMENT PLATFORM, MULTIPLE OTHER PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES TO KEEP THE CITY COMPETITIVE, AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS TRAINING AT THE [11:00] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** MARYLAND FEMA TRAINING CENTER; MR. HOPPE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED FOR HIS DEEP ANALYTICAL INSIGHTS, PRINCIPLED APPROACH TO BUSINESS PLANNING AND EXECUTION, AND HIS CHALLENGING QUESTIONS; HE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED AS A LEADER, COLLEAGUE, AND FRIEND BY THE FINANCE AND PROPERTY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND STAFF; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PRESENT THIS HONORARY RESOLUTION TO ALLEN HOPPE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SINCERE THANKS AND WELL-WISHES UPON HIS RETIREMENT. THANK YOU, MR. HOPPE. I ASSUME SOMEBODY AS PART OF HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. [11:37] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WHAT A PLEASURE IT'S BEEN WORKING WITH YOU. YOU KNOW, I'VE ASKED QUESTIONS FROM THE DAIS AFTER YOU'VE PRESENTED AND THEY'VE BEEN LIKE, HERE IS A THOUGHT THAT CAME TO ME BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU PRESENTED SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT I READ. AND YOUR THOUGHTFUL ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS ON THE SPOT, RIGHT UP HERE, YOU KNOW, IS REALLY UNMATCHED. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT YOU. I'LL MISS THAT ABOUT YOU. DO YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS? [12:07] **Allen Hoppe:** THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR THE MAYOR'S SUPPORT AND EVERYTHING THAT THE FINANCE GROUP HAS DONE. I APPRECIATE BEING HIRED BY THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AS WELL AS THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION. IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE. A LOT OF GOOD, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE LEADING THE TEAM EFFORT TO DELIVER RESULTS. WE'VE GOT A GREAT CREW TAKING OVER AFTER I LEAVE. SO I'M GOING INTO RETIREMENT AND WISH EVERYONE THE BEST. [12:41] [ APPLAUSE ] **Council President Elliot Payne:** THANK YOU EVERYONE. AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE [13:27] **Council President Elliot Payne:** CITY COUNCIL FOR APRIL 23rd TO ORDER. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [13:43] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** PRESENT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** PRESENT. [13:59] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** 13 MEMBERS PRESENT. **Council President Elliot Payne:** WE HAVE A QUORUM. BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING, I WANT TO LET -- REMIND ALL MEMBERS AND STAFF THAT THIS MEETING IS BROADCAST TO ENABLE GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THE BROADCAST INCLUDES REAL TIME CAPTIONING AS A MEANS TO INCREASE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR PROCEEDINGS TO THE COMMUNITY. THEREFORE ALL SPEAKERS NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE RATE OF OUR SPEECH SO OUR CAPTIONERS CAN TRANSCRIBE ALL. ASK ALL SPEAKERS TO MODERATE THE SPEED AND CLARITY OF THEIR COMMENTS. WITH THAT, THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING IS BEFORE US. I HAVE ONE AMENDMENT BEFORE US, WHICH IS A NOTICE OF ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION RELATED TO ADDRESSING GAPS IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY TO ACT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS [14:45] **Council President Elliot Payne:** DISEASES. ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA? SEEING NONE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [15:00] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. [15:16] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES. AND THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. THE NEXT ITEM IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES FROM OUR ADJOURNED MEETING OF APRIL 8, AND OUR REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 9th. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THOSE MINUTES PLEASE. [15:31] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SO MOVED. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** SECOND. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. [15:47] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES AND THE MINUTES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. FINALLY, THE REFERRAL OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND REPORTS TO THE PROPER COMMITTEES. MAY I HAVE A MOTION. [16:03] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. [16:18] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES. AND THE 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 BUSINESS, HOUSING, AND ZONING COMMITTEE GIVEN BY THE CHAIR, VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. [16:38] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER PRESIDENT. BRINGING FORWARD 12 ITEMS. ONE IS APPROVING HOUSING REVENUE BONDS TO THE BOTTINEAU. TWO IS LAND SALE MINNEAPOLIS HOMES PROPERTY TO PURCHASE PROGRAM. THREE APPROVES LIQUOR LICENSE. FOUR APPROVES 22 LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS. FIVE APPROVES TWO GAMBLING LICENSES. SIX IS STREET RENAMING FROM COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. SEVEN AMENDS A RESOLUTION BY UPDATING LEGAL LANGUAGE. EIGHT AUTHORIZES COOPERATIVE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR FAIR HOUSING PLANNING. NINE [17:24] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AUTHORIZES AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE EASEMENT AND UTILITIES. 10 GRANTS A PARKLAND DEDICATION FEE WAIVER FOR MALCOLM YARDS PROJECT. 11 ACCEPTS THE GRANT FROM MET COUNCIL. AND LASTLY, ITEM 12, APPROVES THE SPRING BROWNFIELD GRANT APPLICATION. WITH THAT, I MOVE ALL ITEMS FOR APPROVAL. THANK YOU. **Council President Elliot Payne:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. IS THERE DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [17:42] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANTED TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS IN REFERENCE TO ITEM 10, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE STAFF TO WORK WITH THE PARK BOARD TO ACCEPT THE LAND EASEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH MALCOLM YARDS. AS IN LIEU OF THE PARK DEDICATION FEES REQUIRED WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT. IT WILL HELP CLOSE THE GRAND ROUNDS MISSING LINK. IT WILL CLOSE THE 3-MILE GAP AND INCORPORATE PARTS OF WARD 2, LIKE BEING CONSIDERED IN THIS ITEM. AND TO OVERALL PROJECT THAT INCLUDES 50 MILES [18:29] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** OF PARKWAY, BICYCLE PATHS, AS WELL AS PEDESTRIAN ACCESS OF THE GRAND ROUNDS. THIS IS AN EXCITING MULTIMODAL PROJECT THAT MANY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE SPENT YEARS ADVANCING. AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE WORK OF THIS COUNCIL AND, ALSO, THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN WARD TWO, PROPERTY OWNERS IN WARD TWO, ALSO IN COLLABORATION WITH MY OFFICE. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING FUNDING TO MAKE SURE WE COULD STUDY WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO CLOSE THIS GAP. AND I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE THE FRUITS OF THAT -- OR THOSE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS YIELD US IN BEING ABLE TO MOVE THIS PIECE FORWARD. [19:12] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** EVEN THOUGH I CAN'T RIDE A BIKE, I LOOK FORWARD TO WALKING OR STROLLING OR WHATEVER ELSE YOU CAN DO. I WANT TO SAY THIS AM HOPEFUL ALL MY COLLEAGUES WILL SUPPORT IT. [19:28] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANTED TO PULL ITEM NUMBER SIX FOR A SEPARATE VOTE AND MAKE SOME COMMENTS, PLEASE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** NOTED. COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** YES. I WANTED TO SAY ONE FURTHER COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 10. THIS IS SO EXCITING! THIS IS HAPPENING! AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING. I WANT TO CLARIFY, IT DOESN'T COMPLETE THE GRAND ROUNDS BUT ONE STEP CLOSER TO THAT OVERALL GOAL. AND AN IMPORTANT STEP. [20:01] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** BUT IT DOES NOT -- IT'S NOT THE FINAL STEP. THANK YOU. **Council President Elliot Payne:** SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE BUSINESS REPORT MINUS ITEM SIX. [20:18] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. [20:33] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES. AND THOSE ITEMS ARE ADOPTED. NEXT ITEM NUMBER SIX, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANTED TO QUICKLY SPEAK TO ITEM NUMBER SIX, THE COMMEMORATIVE STREET RENAMING IN HONOR OF MS. BIRDIELL BEEKS. I THINK IT'S THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MS. BEEKS LOSING HER LIFE TO GUN VIOLENCE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. HER FAMILY IS HERE TODAY WHO ASKED FOR THE STREET RENAMING IN HER HONOR. [21:14] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** COLLEAGUES, THIS IS A -- THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT RENAMING TO THE NORTH SIDE COMMUNITY. THIS WAS A GRANDMOTHER, AN AUNTIE, A MOTHER, JUST AN ALL-AROUND GREAT PERSON IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS WHO WAS GIVEN SINCE SHE LOST HER LIFE DUE TO SENSELESS GUN VIOLENCE. A GRANDMOTHER, A NURSE, A CAREGIVER IN OUR COMMUNITY. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY. IN HONOR OF YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR FAMILY. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT IN NORTH [22:03] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** MINNEAPOLIS, AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD THAT YOUR MOTHER DID IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALL THE KIDS SHE LOVED ON AND WELCOMED IN HER HOME. ALL THE FAMILIES SHE FED AND CLOTHED. HOW IF A CHILD WAS LOCKED OUT OF THE HOME, THEY KNEW WHERE TO GO TO BE SAFE. [22:26] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THANK YOU TO THE BEEKS FAMILY FOR SHARING HER WITH US. I KNOW THIS ISN'T A LOT, BUT IT'S WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COUNCIL TO HONOR YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR MOM. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. [22:44] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AND THANK YOU FOR LIVING IN HER LEGACY. YOU REALLY ARE CONTINUING THE WORK AROUND GUN VIOLENCE AND MAKING SURE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. [23:00] [ APPLAUSE ] **Council President Elliot Payne:** ON THAT, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. [23:16] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. [23:31] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT COMPLETES ALL ITEMS ON THE BIZ REPORT. THE NEXT REPORT IS FROM OUR CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY THAT COMMITTEE'S CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [23:48] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE HAS 12 ITEMS TO BRING FORWARD. THE FIRST IS A PASSAGE RESOLUTION FOR THE PROJECT APPROVAL, ASSESSMENT, AND AREA ABANDONMENT FOR THE LOGAN PARK INDUSTRIAL RESURFACING PROJECT. TWO IS PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION FOR THE PROJECT APPROVAL IN THE ASSESSMENT FOR NORTHOP RESIDENTIAL RESURFACING PROJECT. [24:11] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THREE IS AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE TRIANGLE PARK DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS. FOUR IS AGREEMENT WITH MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE WEST BANK. FIVE IS APPROVING THE ART-A-WHIRL LARGE BLOCK EVENT PERMIT MAY 15 THROUGH 17, 2026. SIX IS APPROVING THE EDINA ART FAIR LARGE BLOCK EVENT PERMIT JUNE 5 THROUGH 7. SEVEN IS APPROVING THE PRINCE CELEBRATION OF LIFE BLOCK EVENT PERMIT JUNE 6 AND 7, 2026. [24:53] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** EIGHT IS PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE MARSHALL STREET NORTHEAST RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. NINE IS A BID FOR DEWATERING GATE SITE IMPROVEMENTS AT 430 MARSHALL AVENUE NORTHEAST. 10 IS ACCEPTING THE LOW BID FOR THE TRAFFIC MARKING FIRST AVENUE SOUTH AND NICOLLET AVENUE PROJECT. 11 IS AUTHORIZING CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH PCI ROADS, LLC FOR THE 2025 CONCRETE PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT. [25:25] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** 12 IS PASSAGE OF RESOLUTIONS FOR THE PROJECT DESIGNATION AND COST ESTIMATE FOR THE 38th STREET AND CHICAGO AVENUE STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THE COMMITTEE ALSO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 4th, 2026. AND WITH THAT, I MOVE ALL ITEMS FOR APPROVAL. [25:42] **Council President Elliot Payne:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ON ITEM FIVE AND NUMBER EIGHT, PLEASE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** GO AHEAD. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THANK YOU. FOR ITEM FIVE THIS IS VERY EXCITING WE HAVE AN ARTS DISTRICT IN MINNEAPOLIS. [26:08] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** IT'S IN COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE'S WARD AND MINE. IT'S A GREAT CELEBRATION OF ARTS AND THE VITALITY THAT HAS HAPPENED IN NORTHEAST TO ALL THOSE EMPTY BUILDINGS. I THANK THE VOLUNTEERS FOR PUTTING IT ON. I ENCOURAGE OUR COLLEAGUES AND THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND. FOR EIGHT, I DID SPEAK AT LENGTH AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING. I THANK YOU, CHAIR WONSLEY, FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO SO. AND I JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, THANK OUR PUBLIC WORKS STAFF FOR THIS MARSHALL STREET RECONSTRUCTION WORK. [26:38] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** IT'S BEEN A LOT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS, A LOT OF BACK-AND-FORTH. I DON'T HAVE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH COUNTY STAFF THAT I DO WITH OUR CITY STAFF. AND THEY HAVE CARRIED THE WISHES OF THE CITIZENS ALONG THIS CORRIDOR AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO ITS FULLEST VIEW. SO, I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR OUR PUBLIC WORKS STAFF LED BY DIRECTOR SEXTON. THANK YOU. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AND I ADDED MYSELF TO QUEUE BOTH TO SPEAK TO ART-A-WHIRL. THANK YOU FOR COVERING THAT. AND ITEM ONE, LOGAN PARK INDUSTRIAL. THIS IS RELATED TO ART-A-WHIRL. THE ORIGINAL DESIGNS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION WAS ALSO INCLUDING QUINCY. [27:19] **Council President Elliot Payne:** WHICH IS KIND OF THE EPICENTER OF A LOT OF ART-A-WHIRL ACTIVITIES. THAT PROJECT HAS BEEN SPLIT IN TWO PARTS. SO THIS PHASE IS NOT ADDRESSING QUINCY. QUINCY STREET IS THE STREET THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS INVESTED IN. I'M GOING TO BE MEETING WITH SOME OF OUR ARTS COMMUNITY LATER THIS AFTERNOON TO TALK ABOUT THE QUINCY STREET RECONSTRUCTION. BUT WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US TODAY IS OUT THE OTHER SIDE OF CENTRAL AVENUE. TYLER AND A LITTLE BIT OF JACKSON ON THAT SIDE OF IT. [27:49] **Council President Elliot Payne:** BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT PROJECT WHILE WE STILL TAKE THE TIME THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF QUINCY STREET. SO, SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE COMMITTEE REPORT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [28:04] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [28:20] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES AND THE REPORT IS ADOPTED. NEXT WE'LL HAVE THE REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [28:36] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FORWARDED EIGHT ITEMS TO APPROVE TODAY. NUMBER ONE PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE RELATED TO TEMPORARY PREEVICTION NOTICE 45 DAY EXTENSION, KNOWN AS PAUSE EVICTION SAVE LIVES. TWO PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION RELATED TO GIFT ACCEPTANCES FROM REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL. THREE PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION RELATED TO GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE. FOUR PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE RELATED TO DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DECRIMINALIZATION ORDINANCE, KNOWN AS CARE OVER CRIMINALIZATION. ITEM FIVE PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR NONTRADITIONAL AND CULTURALLY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING SERVICES AT THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. SIX IS PASSAGE [29:22] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** OF RESOLUTION RELATED TO GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM LOCAL PROGRESS. SEVEN PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION RELATED TO GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS. EIGHT APPROVING A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE RELATED TO MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT SPENDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025. WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE ALL ITEMS FOR APPROVAL AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ITEM NUMBER ONE AND ITEM NUMBER FOUR WILL BE TAKEN UP SEPARATELY FOR DISCUSSION. [29:55] **Council President Elliot Payne:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT MINUS ITEM NUMBER ONE AND FOUR. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE REPORT? COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** SCRATCH THAT. I WAS GOING TO PULL THE ITEMS OUT. **Council President Elliot Payne:** OKAY. SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ALL ITEMS EXCEPT ONE AND FOUR. [30:17] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. [30:32] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES AND THOSE ITEMS ARE ADOPTED. NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS A TEMPORARY EVICTION NOTICE EXTENSION OF 45 DAYS. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE. I'LL ASK ... YEAH. YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SOME QUICK REMARKS ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THAT NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, OUR COMMUNITY, AFTER OPERATION METRO SURGE, HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEVASTATED. UMM, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS ONE THAT WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT HERE. [31:24] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AND OUT IN COMMUNITY. WE HAVE OUR OWN ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT THAT SHARES THAT, AND WE KNOW THAT RENTERS HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED. LOOKING AT $15.7 MILLION OF IMPACT MONTH-FOR-MONTH. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, EVICTION FILINGS ACROSS MINNESOTA REMAIN ALARMINGLY HIGH IN EARLY 2024. [31:48] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THE NUMBERS SHOW THAT WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST FILING YEARS ON RECORD. AND WE ONLY HAVE THE NUMBERS FROM MARCH FILINGS. AND THERE ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO CAME INTO OUR CHAMBERS TWO DAYS AGO WHO HAVE PERSONALLY STRUGGLED TO PAY THEIR RENT. [32:08] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** WHO HAVE PERSONALLY LOST LOVED ONES WHO WERE TAKEN. WHO HAVE PERSONALLY FELT FEAR AND PERSECUTION AT THE HANDS OF I.C.E. THAT SAID THEY NEED THE TIME. IT REALLY ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC, WHAT THIS ORDINANCE IS ASKING FOR IS A MERE ADDITIONAL 15 DAYS. TWO WEEKS. [32:31] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** MOST AMERICANS, IN TWO WEEKS, RECEIVE ANOTHER PAYCHECK. OUR COMMUNITY IS REPAIRING AND MANY OF THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS, WHETHER THEIR JOB STOPPED EXISTING OR THEY WERE TOO FEARFUL TO GO. THEY'RE GETTING IN A PLACE WHERE THEY'RE PICKING THEMSELVES BACK UP AND TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. [32:51] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AND WE'RE SAYING WITH THIS ORDINANCE, JUST GIVE THEM AN ADDITIONAL 15 DAYS AT THE END OF THE MONTH SO THEY CAN GET ANOTHER PAYCHECK. LET'S LOOK AT ALL THE MUTUAL AID ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE CITY. SPECIFIC SHOUT OUT TO THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE IN WARD 12 FROM THE ERICSSON NEIGHBORS WHO ARE IN FUNDRAISERS. THE LONGFELLOW GREATER RELIEF FUND. THE SEVERAL FUNDRAISERS HAPPENING. [33:18] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THEY'RE ALL SHARING THEY'RE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF REQUESTS THEY'VE HAD OVER MONTHS. AND THEY NEED MORE TIME TO FUNDRAISE. THIS IS -- THIS IS NOT A BOLD, RADICAL ORDINANCE. THIS IS THE BARE MINIMUM. WE TRIED TO PASS 60-DAY PREEVICTION NOTICE. IT DID NOT PREVAIL DISAPPOINTINGLY. WE CAME TO THE COMPRISE OF ADDING 15 DAYS. AND IT WOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE SHAME TO SEE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER, MONTH AFTER MONTH, PUT SO MUCH ON THE LINE, AND IN A MOMENT WHERE THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS CAN SHOW UP AND [34:04] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SAY, "HEY, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TIME IN ADDITION TO THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE WE PASSED AND IN ADDITION TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS FOR YOU." AND SO, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS PASSING. I REALLY, REALLY IMPLORE THE MAYOR TO RECONSIDER ANY IDEA OF A VETO. AND TO MOVE THIS THROUGH AND FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER. TO WORK WITH THE HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS THAT MIGHT FEEL WORRIED ABOUT THE EXTRA 15 DAYS TO COME TOGETHER TO CONTINUE TO RAISE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AT THE STATE CAPITOL THAT WE GET A DEAL THROUGH. [34:41] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** IT'S AN EMERGENCY. OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS IT. AND EVICTION FILINGS LEAD TO HOMELESSNESS, IF PEOPLE CAN'T FIND HOUSING. AND HOMELESSNESS IS FAR MORE EXPENSIVE THAN JUST GIVING PEOPLE AN EXTRA 15 DAYS SO THEY CAN PAY THEIR LANDLORD RENT ANYWAYS. THANK YOU. [34:57] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. AND, YOU KNOW, FOR ME, THIS ORDINANCE IS REALLY WILL HELP MANY PEOPLE. ESPECIALLY MANY OF MY RESIDENTS WHO ARE 96% RENTERS. WE HAVEN'T FORGOT WHAT WE WENT THROUGH. OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN TERRORIZED. PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS. THEY COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR DAYS. I WAS DISAPPOINTED NOT TO SEE THE 60 DAYS MOVE FORWARD. THIS IS 45 DAYS. IT'S ONLY TWO WEEKS. [35:41] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AND ANY LANDLORD OR ANYONE, YOU KNOW, -- I JUST DON'T SEE THE POINT. YOUR TENANTS ARE IMMIGRANTS. MINNEAPOLIS IS AN IMMIGRANT CITY. THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO. THE LEAST WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP FOLKS STAY IN THEIR HOMES. I DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE THE MAYOR NOT TO VETO THIS AND THINK ABOUT WARD SIX RESIDENTS. JUST THINK ABOUT THEM. THANK YOU THE IMMIGRANTS. THANK YOU THE FOLKS THAT WENT THROUGH HORRIBLE TIMES. THINK ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND BY DONALD TRUMP. CALLED THEM NAMES. HORRIBLE THINGS. [36:34] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING. I'M GOING TO SAY, AGAIN, LET'S THINK ABOUT ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING INSTEAD OF TALKING. THANK YOU. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. [36:52] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS PUT FORTH EFFORTS AROUND FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I WANT TO THANK OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE PUT FORTH FUNDRAISING FOR FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE CLEAR PATHWAYS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET THEIR RENT PAID. I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY WHO HAVE VOTED FOR US TO BE ABLE TO FUNNEL MONEY DOWN TO THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY PROGRAMS. [37:31] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** BECAUSE WE HAVE PROVIDED THE COUNTY WITH ALMOST 3/4 OF THEIR $10 MILLION BUDGET. THE PROBLEM THAT I'M SEEING HERE, AND THE PROBLEM I'M GETTING IS A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS CALLING ME AND STATING THAT THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO UTILIZE THOSE LINKS THAT, YOU KNOW, ONCE THEY GO SO FAR WITHOUT AN ACTUAL EVICTION NOTICE, THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO THE FUNDING THAT EXISTS OUT THERE. THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN EVICTION NOTICE. [38:03] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** I'M GETTING CALLS FROM LANDLORDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT ARE SAYING THE ONLY WAY PEOPLE CAN RECEIVE THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE PIVOTED DOWN TO THESE DIFFERENT COUNTY PROGRAMS IS THAT THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF NOTICE TO QUIT OR EVICTION NOTICE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THAT FUNDING. IF THERE WAS SOMETHING, AND I THOUGHT WE HAD DISCUSSED IT ON THIS BODY, THAT INDIVIDUALS WOULD NOT NEED AN EVICTION NOTICE, AND THAT THE AMI WAS GOING TO BE INCREASED TO SUPPORT MORE FAMILIES, THEN THAT STUFF NEEDS TO BE MADE CLEAR SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO OBTAIN AN ACTUAL EVICTION NOTICE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THIS FUNDING. SO THE INFORMATION AND [38:48] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** COMMUNICATION THAT CAME DOWN FROM THE CITY THAT MANY OF US HAVE SHARED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND IN OUR NEWSLETTER STATES ON THERE YOU NEED AN EVICTION NOTICE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN FUNNELED DOWN FROM THE CITY. SO I UNDERSTAND INDIVIDUALS NEEDING MORE TIME. [39:12] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THE NOTICE ITSELF IS WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING TOLD THEY NEED TO PERMEATE AN EMERGENCY IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THAT FUNDING. SO, IF THAT INFORMATION IS INACCURATE, OR WHATEVER THE CASE IS, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIX THAT. SO THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET WHAT THEY NEED. THANK YOU. [39:35] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WILL NOTE, IN JUST AS CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE HAVING. THE REASON WHY I'M SUPPORTING IS BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD ORIGINALLY ON THE FIRST ROUND WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING A 60-DAY NOTICE EXTENSION, UMM, TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE TIME THAT WE JUST NEEDED RENTAL ASSISTANCE ONLY. AND BASED OFF OF THE FIGURES AND THE DATA THAT WE MULLED OVER ON TUESDAY, WE KNOW EVICTIONS HAVE INCREASED. AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE ALONE WILL NOT BE THE SOLUTION TOWARDS KEEPING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES AND PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT. AND WE KNOW EVICTIONS COST WAY MORE THAN PREVENTING THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. SO I ALWAYS SAW THIS AS A PREVENTIVE TOOL. THAT'S WHY [40:21] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** I'M SUPPORTING IT. ONCE AGAIN, WE'VE THE 15-DAYS. IN TERMS OF WAYS TO GET ACCESS AND INFORMATION. EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM OUR CPED DIRECTOR. THAT BASICALLY LOOPS IN WHAT YOU NEED IN ORDERED TO ACCESS THESE FUNDS AND THE QUALIFICATIONS. YOU NEED ONE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT IS LISTED IN THERE IN THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT'S ALSO INTEGRATED INTO HELPING OUR RESIDENTS RECEIVE THIS FUNDS. SO I WOULD SAY THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, ONCE AGAIN, TO WORK WITH OUR STAFF WHO HAS BEEN SUPER COMMUNICATIVE TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US OF TRYING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE FEEDBACK THAT MANY OF US HAVE SHARED TO GET THESE DOLLARS INTO THE HANDS OF RESIDENTS. AND, UMM, ALSO [41:06] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** UPDATING IN REAL TIME THE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE TO TRY TO MAKE IT MORE STREAMLINED. UMM, SO IT WOULD LIKELY BE HELPFUL IF WE NEED TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNICATIONS THAT'S BEEN SENT BY CPED, TOO, TO THIS FILE. IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL. BUT IN ADDITION, YOU DO NEED A PREVENTIVE TOOL. AND THIS IS -- I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK OF WE STILL HAVE $1.8 MILLION THAT IS IN FRONT OF THE COUNTY'S BOARD RIGHT NOW OF WHAT IS -- BASICALLY THE TIMELINE IS NOT CLEAR ON WHEN THE DOLLARS ARE GETTING OUT THE DOOR. WE ALREADY HAVE $2 MILLION OF THE $3.8 WE PASSED IN TOTAL THAT IS READY TO GO OUT THE DOOR TO [41:53] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** RESIDENTS. AND THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE -- HAD, WHICH WAS VERY CLEARLY COMMUNICATED, YOU NEEDED THE 30-DAY PREEVICTION NOTICE. YOU NEEDED TO MAKE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF INCOME. ALL THE THINGS OUR STAFF HAS INTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUNICATIONS. IT WAS VERY CLEAR FOR WHAT WAS NEEDED FOR $2 MILLION. AND THIS BODY PASSED SUBSEQUENT RESOLUTIONS SHARING ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ASSIGNED TO THE $1.8 MILLION. I THINK THAT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO CONNECT WITH STAFF TO HEAR WHAT IS THE UPDATE, HOW HAS THE HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD BEEN APPROACHING THAT AND I BELIEVE WE'LL BE RECEIVING SOME INFORMATION ON THE ADDITIONAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE. BUT THAT IS STILL GOING TO TAKE TIME. ALONG WITH THE MONEY AT THE STATE WHICH LIKELY WON'T BE UNLOCKED [42:40] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** UNTIL JULY. SO ALL OF THIS SAID, PEOPLE STILL NEED MORE TIME TO ACCESS THESE DOLLARS WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. JUST REALLY QUICKLY. ONE, I WANTED TO APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN'S ADVOCACY AND CONNECTION TO THE WARD AROUND NEEDS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FACING AND THE QUESTIONS AROUND RENTAL ASSISTANCE. DEFINITELY BEEN GETTING A LOT OF SAME QUESTIONS AS YOU. I THINK MAYBE SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF THERE IS CPED AROUND TO ANSWER THE STATE OF PLAY IN TERMS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE. I'M LOOKING AT THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE FLYER THAT WE WERE SENT BY THE CPED DIRECTOR THAT [43:28] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SAYS YOU CAN RECEIVE ASSISTANCE IF YOU MEET THESE THREE QUALIFICATIONS. IF YOU LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS, YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS AT OR BELOW 30% AMI, AND THAT IF YOU RECEIVE A 30-DAY PREEVICTION NOTICE FROM YOUR LANDLORD. AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO STATE AND SAY THAT, LIKE, YOU DON'T -- IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND YOU'RE APPLYING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY AND QUALIFIED AT INCOME LEVEL. YOU DON'T NEED TO WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE AN EVICTION FILING. YOU CAN USE THAT PREEVICTION NOTICE. AND THAT'S WHY IF WE HAVE THE 45-DAY PREEVICTION NOTICE, AND PEOPLE ARE APPLYING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THEY CAN GET THAT TIME. WE ALSO KNOW IT'S TAKING SOME TIME TO GET OUR RENTAL [44:15] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** ASSISTANCE IMPLEMENTED, AS COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY SHARED. AND SO THAT TIME MIGHT BE PRUDENT, ONCE AGAIN. THE OTHER THING I'LL NOTE, IS AS FAR AS IT COMES WITH MUTUAL AID, AND THEN, ALSO, THERE'S AN ORGANIZATION ALIGN MINNEAPOLIS THAT'S THE CONGREGATION OF DIFFERENT CHURCHES SYNAGOGUES AND MOSQUES THAT DO RENTAL ASSISTANCE. THERE'S NO INCOME LEVEL THAT'S REQUIRED. THERE'S NO EVICTION FILING REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE FUNDS. IT'S NEED BASED. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET THE SUPPORT, IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GO THROUGH THESE RENTAL ASSISTANCE CHANNELS. AND THEN, ONCE AGAIN, LIKE, GIVING PEOPLE SOME TIME TO EITHER GET ANOTHER [45:03] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** PAYCHECK, WORK WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WORK WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, OR WORK OUT A DEAL WITH THEIR LANDLORD WOULD BE WISE. JUST WANTED TO POINT THOSE OUT THERE. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. [45:19] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SO, I'M LOOKING AT THAT SAME FLYER. AND I WENT ONLINE WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS HELPING INDIVIDUALS APPLY FOR THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE YESTERDAY. AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN EVICTION NOTICE OR A COURT DATE, YOU CANNOT MOVE FURTHER IN THAT APPLICATION. IT STOPS YOU. IT TELLS YOU THAT YOU'RE INELIGIBLE FOR THE CURRENT FUNDING, AS IT STANDS, IN EXISTENCE RIGHT NOW. [45:52] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SO I WENT ON THERE. BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THERE'S STILL ALL OF THESE GREAT BARRIERS OF INDIVIDUALS BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE FUNDING THAT IS OUT THERE TO SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, AS IT STANDS. SO THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE THAT PRE-EVICTION NOTICE. SO YOU NEED THAT. AND THEN THEY'RE ASKING WHEN YOUR COURT DATE IS. [46:20] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** IF YOU DON'T PUT THAT INFORMATION INTO THIS ONLINE APPLICATION, YOU CAN'T MOVE FORWARD. I REMEMBER WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THE PROCESS OF DISCUSSING THIS, SEVERAL MONTHS BACK, I WAS VERY DETAILED IN THE WAY THAT THIS IS LINED UP. THE GREATER PROBLEM IS, IS THAT SOME OF THESE HOUSING SERVICE PROVIDERS, BECAUSE FUNDING HAD BEEN CUT BY DHS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. THEIR PORTION OF THE RENT HAS NOT BEEN PAID. [47:00] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** IT'S NOT NECESSARILY OUR NEIGHBORS WHOSE RENT HASN'T BEEN PAID, OR WHO HAVEN'T PAID UP THEIR PORTION OF THAT. WHEN YOU SEE A RENTAL LEDGER, IT HAS WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IT IS TO PAY, YOU KNOW YOUR PORTION. MAYBE 30% OF YOUR INCOME. OUR NEIGHBORS MAY BE BEHIND, YOU KNOW, TWO OR THREE MONTHS WITH THAT. SO THEY MAY ONLY OWE, LIKE, $300. BUT THE ORGANIZATION WHO WAS SUPPORTING THEM IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE MEANS THEY HAVE A LARGER BALANCE THAT IS SITTING THERE. AND BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH PROPERTY OWNERS AND LANDLORDS, THEN THAT PORTION OF FUNDING IS NOT BEING PAID. SO THE EVICTIONS ARE COMING DOWN [47:45] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** BECAUSE OF TIMES, IN THAT RELATIONSHIP. NOT WITH THE ACTUAL TENANT THEMSELVES. SO SOMETHING ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE BACK END OF THINGS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TENANT THEMSELVES. BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION, IF YOU'RE RECEIVING SOME FORM OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE OR WHAT HAVE YOU, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PAY THE OTHER PART OF MONEY THAT IS DUE BY SAID ORGANIZATION. THEY'VE HAD TO SEPARATE THAT. THEY'VE HAD TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND LANDLORDS AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE LIKE THAT. [48:23] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY THAT CONTRACTUAL AMOUNT. AND THEY CAN'T PAY THAT CONTRACTUAL AMOUNT OF THAT RELATIONSHIP ON THE OTHER END. SO THERE'S A LOT OF DISCONNECTS IN THIS. AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH THESE SUBCONTRACTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT PAY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND PAY RENTS AND SHARED RENT CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS WITH RESIDENTS WHO ARE RENTING UNDER RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. WHETHER IT BE SOME FORM OF A GRH PROGRAM OR WHETHER IT'S SOME FORM OF, YOU KNOW, A HOUSING SUBSIDY PROGRAM THAT, YOU KNOW, HELPS INDIVIDUALS TO STABILIZE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. [49:10] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THOSE PORTIONS OF THE RENTS IS WHAT'S NOT BEING PAID, AS WELL. AND YOU CAN'T GO AND GET EMERGENCY OR RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR THAT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN EVICTION NOTICE FOR THE PORTION OF THE RENT THAT YOU HAVE WITH THIS FLYER INFORMATION WE GAVE OUT HERE. THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE SAME STUFF THAT CHAIR CHOWDHURY HAD READ OFF HERE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN EVICTION NOTICE WITH EITHER OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS. IT'LL STOP YOU, TELL YOU YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED. [49:51] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SO, I DON'T -- I MEAN, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS ORDINANCE WILL HELP PEOPLE, IF IT'S -- IF WE KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS, TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THESE FUNDS SO THEY HAVE AN EVICTION NOTICE AND THEY CAN GET THE HELP THEY NEED SOONER THAN LATER. **Council President Elliot Payne:** I'LL NOTE THAT WE'VE BEEN JOINED BY MS. SCHUTT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IF ANYBODY NEEDS CLARIFYING QUESTIONS. VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THE WAY I UNDERSTAND, IF INDIVIDUALS ARE LATE TO PAY THEIR RENT ON THE FIFTH DAY OF THE MONTH, OR THE SIXTH DAY, AND THEY RECEIVE A NOTICE OF EVICTION WITH, SAY, SOMETHING LIKE IF YOU DON'T PAY, WE'LL FILE EVICTION IN 30 DAYS. LIKE THAT NOTICE SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THEM TO APPLY FOR THE GRANTS THAT WE PUT FORWARD; CORRECT? [50:56] **Amy Schutt (City Attorney Representative):** GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS AMY SCHUTT. THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN, YOU ARE CORRECT THAT GENERALLY SPEAKING PRACTICES OF LANDLORDS ARE TO ISSUE A NOTICE OF EVICTION FOLLOWING A LATE PAYMENT. THE TIMING OF THAT MIGHT VARY FROM LANDLORD TO LANDLORD. BUT THAT IS A PRETTY CONSISTENT PRACTICE. [51:18] **Amy Schutt (City Attorney Representative):** AS HAS BEEN NOTED BY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THIS DAIS, PART OF THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS REQUIRING THAT NOTICE OF EVICTION FOR OUR MINNEAPOLIS FUNDS IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROGRAM. AND THAT'S BEEN HIGHLIGHTED ON THE CITY'S -- APOLOGIES, PRE-EVICTION NOTICE -- THAT NOTICE OF EVICTION FROM THE LANDLORD THAT'S BEEN HIGHLIGHTED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITES, THROUGH THE CORRESPONDENCE YOU'VE RECEIVED. ADDITIONALLY, THE HENNEPIN COUNTY FUNDING AND HENNEPIN COUNTY'S MAIN PROGRAM HAS A REQUIREMENT OF AN EVICTION FILING. SO ONE OF THE TWO OF THOSE WILL GET YOU INTO THE PROGRAM, IN GENERAL. BUT YOU NEED ONE OR THE OTHER, IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING UNDER THE PROGRAM IN MINNEAPOLIS. [52:05] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THANK YOU SO MUCH. YEAH. THAT'S EXACTLY HOW I UNDERSTAND IT. IF YOU'RE A RENTER IN MINNEAPOLIS, FIFTH OR SIXTH DAY, MOST LANDLORDS SEND YOU A PRE-EVICTION NOTICE. IT'S AN AUTOMATIC THING THEY SEND. THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THEM. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INCOME GUIDELINES MAKE IT CHALLENGING. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT. THAT'S SOMETHING I TALKED ABOUT IN THE NOTICE 14 DAYS. I THINK EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, IT'S STILL A GOOD THING FOR THE RESIDENTS TO HAVE. [52:44] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THEY CAN GO TO THEIR RELATIVES. THEY CAN GO PICK UP A COUPLE OF SHIFTS TO KIND OF CATCH UP WITH THOSE -- WITH THE PRE-EVICTION BEFORE THE LANDLORD FILES IT. I REALLY SEE IT AS GOOD TO HAVE THE RESOURCES AND GRANTS AVAILABLE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, EVEN BETTER TO HAVE TWO WEEKS EXTRA TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY. [53:10] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** YEAH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. UMM, I THINK I'LL ASK IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. CAN WE INVITE DIRECTOR HANSEN UP TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS? **Council President Elliot Payne:** DIRECTOR HANSEN. GOOD MORNING. [53:33] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** GOOD MORNING. UMM, THANK YOU FOR, AH, SENDING TO THE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS WEEK AN E-MAIL OUTLINING EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND HOW IT IS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED. I KNOW YOU WERE BEFORE THE BODY, AND TALKED ABOUT JUST A COUPLE OF CYCLES AGO. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ESTIMATED IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE IN APRIL, WHICH HAS BEEN MET. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU! SO I JUST -- I WANT TO ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS HERE. I'M SEEING ON THE CITY WEBSITE THAT YOU INCLUDED INFORMATION ABOUT IN YOUR E-MAIL. THAT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PATHS PEOPLE CAN GO THROUGH. SO, DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FACING EVICTION, POTENTIAL EVICTION. [54:21] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** SO, CAN YOU OUTLINE THE PROCESS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS COURT SUMMONS AND HOW THEY MIGHT ACCESS RENTAL ASSISTANCE? **Eric Hansen (City Staff):** COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. ERIC HANSEN. IT'S A DELIGHT TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. UMM, SO, THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES IF YOU NEED RENTAL ASSISTANCE. THERE'S CITY-FUNDED AND COUNTY-FUNDED. IF YOU HAVE A COURT FILING, WITH OUR JPA, OUR JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY, THE COUNTY RENT HELP HENNEPIN WILL USE THEIR FUNDS. [55:26] **Eric Hansen (City Staff):** AND IF YOU HAVE A PRE-EVICTION NOTICE AND YOU LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS, WE USE THE CITY FUNDS FIRST. SO THE BEST THING FOR MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS TO DO IS AS SOON AS YOU KNOW THAT YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE EVICTED, IS TO CONTACT THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE KNOW. SO, WELL BEFORE YOU GET THE COURT SUMMONS. IF YOU'RE AT THE COURT SUMMONS PHASE, THOSE ORGANIZATIONS STILL CAN HELP YOU, BUT YOU CAN ALSO GO TO RENT HELP HENNEPIN DIRECTLY AND THEY CAN PUT YOU INTO THE LIST. BUT WE WANT YOU -- ANYBODY WHO IS FACING EVICTION, TO ASK FOR HELP AS SOON AS YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG. [55:50] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. NOW, IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO ACCESS RENTAL ASSISTANCE, I UNDERSTAND THESE PROCESSES CAN BE CONFUSING. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH A TRAUMATIC PERIOD IN YOUR LIFE WHERE YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT FACING EVICTION. I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW IT MIGHT BE CONFUSING TO -- OR JUST THERE'S JUST A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE. NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHAT THE CORRECT PROCESS IS. IF A PERSON IS FILLING OUT A FORM ONLINE AND, UMM, THEY ARE -- THEY HAVE A PRE-EVICTION NOTICE AND THEY SEE THEY CAN'T ACTUALLY CONTINUE TO COMPLETE THEIR APPLICATION, THEY MIGHT BE COMPLETING AN APPLICATION THROUGH RENT HELP HENNEPIN, WHICH REQUIRES A COURT SUMMONS. [56:36] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** IS THAT ACCURATE? **Eric Hansen (City Staff):** COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IS ACCURATE. IF YOU GO THROUGH RENT HELP HENNEPIN AND DON'T HAVE A COURT SUMMONS, IT'LL STOP YOU. THAT'S WHY WE ASKED MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS TO GO THROUGH THE COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS THAT ARE WORKING WITH US. BECAUSE THEY CAN HELP NAVIGATE WHETHER YOU HAVE A PREEVICTION NOTICE OR A COURT SUMMONS, WHICH IS THE PROPER PATH. THAT'S WHY DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU GET THE COURT SUMMONS. ACT NOW. [57:02] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AND THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, OR SELECTED AS SUBCONTRACTORS FOR DISTRIBUTING OR ASSISTING FOLKS WITH ACCESSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, IN PARTICULAR, FOR PRE-EVICTION NOTICE, ARE THESE ORGANIZATIONS ONES THAT HAVE ANY TYPE OF EXPERIENCE DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THE PAST, PERHAPS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? [57:28] **Eric Hansen (City Staff):** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI, I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN CONTRACTING WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY. BUT THESE HAVE GONE THROUGH A PROCUREMENT PROCESS WITH THE COUNTY. WE THINK THEY'RE TOTALLY CAPABLE TO DO THE WORK THEY'RE BEING ASKED TO DO. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** THAT'S AWESOME. YEAH. AND ALL THREE OF THEM HAVE ARCHIVED INFORMATION ABOUT DISTRIBUTING RENTAL ASSISTANCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WHEN IT BECAME AVAILABLE. SO, I THINK I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO KNOW THERE'S HELP FOR PEOPLE OUT THERE. [58:05] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** REGARDLESS OF THE STAGE OF THE PROCESS THEY'RE IN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OUTLINING THAT AND DILIGENT WORK IN MAKING THIS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS. **Eric Hansen (City Staff):** OKAY. THANK YOU. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** YEAH. THANK YOU, STAFF, FOR COMING FORWARD FOR ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS. I HAVE NO MORE FOR YOU. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC, WE'RE NOT RE-LITIGATING RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN THIS MOMENT. [58:27] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** RIGHT NOW THE ITEM THAT IS BEFORE US IS ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL 15-DAYS TO OUR STANDING 30-DAY REQUIREMENT, BASED OFF OUR ORDINANCE, FOR A PRE-EVICTION FILING NOTICE. AND GIVE PEOPLE AN ADDITIONAL 15 DAYS TO DO EXACTLY WHAT COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN NAMED. BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEIR NETWORKS, REACH OUT TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE STILL DOING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, MUTUAL AID TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET CAUGHT UP ON THEIR RENT BEFORE EVEN HAVING TO GO THROUGH EVICTION PROCESS. AGAIN, THAT PREVENTION PIECE. I WANT TO NAME, THAT'S AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR CONVERSATION TODAY. ARE WE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE TIME? [59:09] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** RENTAL ASSISTANCE -- THAT -- WE TOOK THE LEADERSHIP SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO NOT ONLY SECURE $3.8 BUT GET A MATCH FROM THE WILSON FOUNDATION TO GET US TO NEARLY $7 MILLION TOWARD RENTAL ASSISTANCE. WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK, WHICH ADDS REFLECTED IN OUR OWN STAFF'S COMMENTS RIGHT NOW. A LOT OF US WENT INTO THAT PROCESS BEING VERY CLEAR, AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK FROM OUR FELLOW COLLEAGUES WANTING TO MAKE SURE THESE FUNDS GET TO THE MOST IMPACTED RESIDENTS AND WE HAVE QUALIFIERS THAT ARE CLEAR THAT COULD BE CLEARLY COMMUNICATED TO THE PUBLIC OF WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO ACCESS THOSE FUNDS. THAT IS ALREADY BEEN HASHED OUT. WHAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO TODAY IS THROUGH POLICY MEANS. GIVE PEOPLE MORE TIME. BY THE AMOUNT [59:58] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** OF 15 ADDITIONAL DAYS. SO THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. SO, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE ON THIS, THAT WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DONE PREVIOUSLY. BUT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY HERE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET PEOPLE/OUR RESIDENTS MORE TIME. THAT WE DENIED OF THEM JUST A MONTH AGO WITH THE 60-DAY NOTICE. SO, I JUST WANTED TO REGROUND THAT. I KNOW SOMETIMES IT GETS A LITTLE BIT MESSY WHEN WE GET TO VOTES AND IT'S LIKE WHAT ARE WE DOING. [1:00:31] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AND REFOCUS ON WHAT IS BEFORE US TODAY. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** THANK YOU. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING AN INTERESTING DEBATE OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS ABOUT HOW HAVING MORE EVICTION DAYS IS GOING TO GIVE US LESS EVICTIONS. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE LESS EVICTIONS. I'M THANKFUL TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO AGREE THAT FEWER EVICTIONS MEANS LESS EVICTIONS. [1:00:53] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND, I WENT TO A SINGING EVENT WHERE WE SANG SONGS AND RAISED MONEY FOR RENT RELIEF IN THE BANCROFT NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU TO MY NEIGHBORS WHO ARE CONTINUING TO RAISE MONEY. AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE PLANNING ON SUPPORTING THEM AND SUPPORTING ALL OF US IN GETTING A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME FOR PAYCHECKS, MORE FUNDRAISERS, AND MORE CARE AND LOVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. [1:01:20] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** YEAH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I ALSO, UMM, JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT PROCESSING THE APPLICATIONS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE DOES TAKE APPROXIMATELY 40 DAYS TO PROCESS FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS. THAT'S -- THAT'S, UMM, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL STRAIN OR BURDEN ON THE SYSTEM. WHICH WE KNOW EXISTS RIGHT NOW. WE KNOW THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING EVICTION THAN BEFORE COMPARED TO AT THIS POINT LAST YEAR. [1:02:23] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** SO, UMM, THESE 45-DAY NOTICE IS SO CRITICAL IN ENSURING THAT THOSE WHO HAVE A PRE-EVICTION NOTICE ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THE ASSISTANCE THAT IS AVAILABLE. AND THIS BODY HAS WORKED PRETTY DILIGENTLY, ALONGSIDE STAFF, TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS. SO THESE TWO THINGS ACTUALLY GO HAND AND HAND. AND THAT RESIDENTS' ABILITY TO ACCESS THE ASSISTANCE THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THEM DOES REQUIRE SOME TIME. AND, AGAIN, THAT PROCESS IN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 40 DAYS. THANK YOU. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** PRESIDENT PAYNE, I DON'T THINK THERE'S BEEN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE. I'LL MOVE THAT. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SECOND. **Council President Elliot Payne:** SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [1:02:54] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. [1:03:10] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** 8 AYES AND FIVE NAYS. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT ITEM CARRIES. WE TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER FOUR, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? AS WE WAIT FOR SPEAKER MANAGEMENT. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [1:03:35] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** PRESIDENT PAYNE, LET ME FIRST TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT. THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT ABOUT LEGALIZING DRUG POSSESSION, WHICH HAS BEEN SAID COUNTLESS TIMES. IT'S NOT ABOUT LEGALIZING DRUG USE. IT'S NOT ABOUT COMPLETELY UNRELATED LAWS PASSED IN OTHER CITIES, STATES OR ANYWHERE ELSE. LITERALLY ALL THE ORDINANCE DOES IS DECRIMINALIZE PARAPHERNALIA IN ALLIANCE WITH STATE LAW. AS WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY, THIS ORDINANCE WILL RESULT IN BETTER PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OUTCOMES. IN FACT, IT WAS -- THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO MY OFFICE BY THE PROJECT IN MAY OF 2023. AND ALL WORK ON THIS ORDINANCE BEGAN THIS FALL WITH THE UNSHELTERED HOMELESS [1:04:21] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** WORKERS. THEY SEE FIRSTHAND ON A DAILY BASIS JUST WHAT KIND OF IMPACT OUR EXISTING CODE HAS ON OUR MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US. THEY SAID IF THIS POLICY IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA, SURELY WE CAN FOLLOW SUIT IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHICH HAS LONG BEEN A LEADER IN THIS STATE ON ENACTING POLICIES ROOTED IN EQUITY AND FAIRNESS. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THIS COMMON SENSE POLICY HAS BEEN DISTORTED. IN OPPOSITION TO THE POLICY, WE HEARD INCIDENTS OF RESIDENTS COMING ACROSS DISCARDED PARAPHERNALIA AND THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF, FOR EXAMPLE, USING SHARPS ON SIDEWALKS OR ON BIKE PATHS. I AGREE THAT'S AN ELEMENT THE ORDINANCE IS INTENDED TO DO. [1:04:57] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THE DISCARDED SHARPS AND OTHER PARAPHERNALIA THAT LITTER OUR STREETS IS -- UNDER OUR EXISTING LAWS TODAY. OPPONENTS MADE THE ARGUMENT BETTER THAN I COULD. THAT CRIMINALIZING PARAPHERNALIA DOES NOT WORK. INSTEAD OF TRYING MORE OF THE SAME AND HOPING FOR DIFFERENT RESULTS, WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH STATE LAWMAKERS, ADVOCATES, LEGAL EXPERTS TO BRING FORWARD A POLICY THAT IS ALREADY IN STATE LAW. HARM REDUCTION PRACTITIONERS HAVE SHARED THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE AS TO WHY THIS IS GOOD POLICY. MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS HAVE SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCE ON WHY THIS IS GOOD POLICY. RESEARCHERS HAVE SHARED THAT DATA THAT IS DATA-DRIVEN EVIDENCE ON WHY IT'S GOOD POLICY. I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK IN THE MEDIA ABOUT COUNCIL'S PRIORITIES AND WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON. COUNT ME IN [1:05:43] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THE CAMP THAT IS PROUD OF THE WORK THIS POLICY IS GOING TO DO. BECAUSE IT IS GOOD POLICY THAT WILL HAVE POSITIVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY OUTCOMES, POLICY THAT WILL HAVE TANGIBLE IMPACT ON SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS AMONG US. I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO WORKED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS, EVERYBODY THAT CAME TO TESTIFY, EVERYONE THAT HAS BEEN CALLING COUNCIL TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. AND I WANT TO THANK THE COAUTHORS OF THIS ORDINANCE THAT HELPED BRING IT FORWARD. ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO THANK HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMENTS MADE IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. I WANT TO READ THE LETTER SHE SENT. "I EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL. DRUG USE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, AND DECRIMINALIZING THE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS TREATING IT AS SUCH. THE ORDINANCE WILL ALSO BRING MINNEAPOLIS INTO ALIGNMENT WITH MINNESOTA STATE LAW. I UNDERSTAND THAT A QUESTION WAS RAISED AT A PREVIOUS HEARING REGARDING WHETHER DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CHARGES WERE USED [1:06:51] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AS A NEGOTIATING TOOL TO FELONY DRUG CASES. AS YOU KNOW, MY OFFICE PROSECUTES ALL FELONY DRUG CASES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY. WE DON'T USE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CHARGES AS A NEGOTIATING TOOL IN OUR CASES. THANK YOU FOR PRIORITIZING HARM REDUCTION IN A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO REACH OUT WITH ANY QUESTIONS." WITH THAT, I MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE. AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A DEBATE ON AMENDMENTS. [1:07:19] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SECOND. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. WHAT WE HEARD ON TUESDAY FROM OUR DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY STRUCK ME. AND I BELIEVE IT DESERVES SERIOUS CONSIDERATION BY THIS COUNCIL. FIRST, HE TOLD US THAT METRO TRANSIT POLICE ACTIVELY USE THIS ORDINANCE TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ABOUT OPEN DRUG USE AT BUS SHELTERS AND LIGHT RAIL STATIONS. HE SAID WITHOUT IT, THEIR ABILITY TO RESPOND AND INVESTIGATE WOULD BE LIMITED. THAT IT'S PART OF THE TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THEY NEED TO ACT ON IN A COMPLAINT. SECONDLY, HE TOLD US, THE CITY'S ATTORNEY OFFICE SAID THIS CHARGE WAS USED AS A NEGOTIATION TOOL. WHEN SOMEONE [1:08:04] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** FACING MORE SERIOUS CHARGES, THE PARAPHERNALIA CHARGE GETS DISMISSED AS PART OF A PLEA AGREEMENT ON THOSE CASES. AND IT'S A CONDITION OF THAT RESOLUTION. THE PARAPHERNALIA CHARGE CREATES LEVERAGE IN THE BROADER CASE THAT HELPS GET PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT. FINALLY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO ASKED HIM DIRECTLY WHETHER REMOVING ORDINANCE COULD LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO TARGET DRUG DEALERS, HE SAID, AND I'M QUOTING "I THINK THAT'S A VERY POSSIBLE OUTCOME. YES." HE SAID, "DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS COMMONLY USED TO FIND EVIDENCE OF OTHER CRIMES, INCLUDING SALE OR INTENT TO SELL." THESE ARE NOT MY OPINIONS. THEY COME FROM OUR CITY'S OWN LAWYER ANSWERING DIRECT QUESTIONS ON THE RECORD IN THIS CHAMBER. WE [1:08:52] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** NEED TO GIVE WEIGHT TO HIS WORDS. BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, HE'S NOT ADVOCATING FOR OR AGAINST CHANGING THE ORDINANCE. HE'S LETTING US KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE GO THIS ROUTE. AS IT RELATES TO TRANSIT, TREATMENT, AND TARGETING DRUG DEALERS. WE WILL BE TAKING A TOOL OUT OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOL KIT AND WE'LL BE MAKING OUR COMMUNITY LESS SAFE. WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC HEALTH, WE NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT THIS PHRASE ACTUALLY MEANS. PUBLIC HEALTH IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE BEHAVIOR BEING REGULATED. IT ENCOMPASSES THE WELL BEING OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT USING DRUGS. [1:09:34] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** OR CHOOSE -- DID NOT CHOOSE TO BE APPROXIMATE TO DRUG USE. THAT INCLUDES THE CHILD AT THE BUS STOP. THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WATCHING CUSTOMERS WALK PAST A CORNER WHERE PEOPLE ARE VISIBLY USING. THE RESIDENT WHO WANTS TO TAKE THEIR FAMILY TO THE PARK WITHOUT ENCOUNTERING USED NEEDLES. THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE A PUBLIC ANALYSIS THAT DOESN'T WEIGH THOSE HARMS ALONGSIDE THE HARMS OF CRIMINALIZATION ISN'T REALLY A FULL PUBLIC HEALTH ANALYSIS. IT'S A PARTIAL ONE. AND I'M NOT DISMISSING THE RESEARCH ON HARM REDUCTION. I'M SAYING THAT FRAME HAS TO BE WIDE ENOUGH TO INCLUDE EVERYONE WHO LIVES IN THIS CITY. AND I HAVE TO SAY, ORDINANCE ISN'T ABOUT PUBLIC DRUG USE. YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS ORDINANCE IS ABOUT PUBLIC USE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. THAT SUPPORTERS WANT TO PROTECT HARM REDUCTION WORKERS AND SUPPORT PEOPLE TRYING TO ACCESS CLEAN SUPPLIES. THAT'S NOT IN DISREGARD. I AM NOT A PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT. I AM NOT VERSED [1:10:39] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** IN ACADEMIC LITERATURE AROUND BEST PRACTICES FOR ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. I CAN READ AND WHAT WE'RE STRIKING FROM THE ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN EXPLICITLY IN 222.1. IT'S THE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO KNOWINGLY OR INTENTIONALLY TO USE OR TO POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN A PUBLIC PLACE. [1:11:02] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AND WE'RE STRIKING THAT. SO, WHEN THE CLAIM IS MADE THAT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PUBLIC USE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, THAT'S NOT A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. THAT'S NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE TEXT IN FRONT OF US IN PLAINLY WRITTEN. I'VE HEARD COMMENTS THIS IS AN ORDINANCE THAT DOESN'T GET USED MUCH. MAYBE THE NUMBERS ARE SMALLER THAN WHAT SOME OF US EXPECTED. BUT EVEN A TOOL THAT GETS OCCASIONALLY USED IS STILL A TOOL. AND WHEN IT DOES GET USED, IT'S LARGELY AT TRANSIT STOPS AND STATIONS. SO, I'M A NO ON THIS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CHANGE. UPTOWN NEEDS THIS. [1:11:43] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** NICOLLET AVENUE NEEDS THIS. WE ALL NEED THIS. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** THANK YOU. I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PATH THAT WE'RE ON NOW WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC DRUG USE, OVERDOSES. I BELIEVE I SAW A PICTURE JUST THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE WALKER LIBRARY CUTTING THE BENCH OFF THE FRONT OF THEIR LIBRARY SO THAT PEOPLE WOULDN'T SIT THERE AND WOULDN'T USE. WE'RE IN A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE TO FIGHT OVER WHETHER WE WANT PUBLIC BENCHES PUT ANYWHERE. BUS STOPS, ANYWHERE. BECAUSE WE'RE AFRAID OF HOMELESS PEOPLE. [1:12:20] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** WE'RE AFRAID OF PEOPLE USING. THIS IS THE PATH WE'RE ON NOW. WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS LEADING TO THE ERADICATION OF SITTING IN PUBLIC. WE HAVE THESE TERRIBLE SEMI-BENCHES AT THE LIGHT RAIL STATIONS WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY LEAN AGAINST THEM TO REST. BUT IT'S NOT A REAL BENCH WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY SIT. [1:12:41] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** THIS IS THE WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN NOW. WITH THIS ALREADY CRIMINALIZED. SO, WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS SIMPLY NOT WORKING AT ALL. ALL OF THAT IS BESIDES THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SO MANY OVERDOSES IN OUR CITY. ON OUR STREETS. THE FACT THAT PUBLIC DRUG USE IS HAPPENING NOW. WITH THESE LAWS ON THE BOOKS. SO WE'RE NOT, BY ANY MEANS, MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON THESE THINGS. WHEN WE HAVE ADVOCATES COME TO US AND SAY, HEY, WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA. WE KNOW HOW WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE FROM THE STREETS FROM PUBLIC DRUG USE INTO TREATMENT. [1:13:20] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** I SAY WE GIVE IT A SHOT. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE ACADEMIC LITERATURE DOES SHOW THIS IS GOING TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES, INCLUDING GETTING PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, AGAIN, THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS SAYING HER OFFICE, WHICH PROSECUTES ALL FELONY DRUG CASES, DOES NOT USE THIS AS A NEGOTIATING TOOL. AND IF THEY DID, IF THEY WANTED TO NEGOTIATE WITH SOMETHING, WHEN I WAS A STREET OUTREACH WORKER, WE HAD A CLIENT WHO WAS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED LOITERING. LET'S THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT IS. [1:13:55] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** LOITERING IS STAYING SOMEWHERE TOO LONG. ATTEMPTING TO DO SOMETHING IS TRYING BUT FAILING TO DO IT. ATTEMPTING TO LOITER IS STAYING SOMEWHERE AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME. SO LITERALLY WE CAN CHARGE PEOPLE WITH ANYTHING! ANYTHING PEOPLE CAN BE CHARGED WITH IN THIS COUNTRY. WE HAVE THE WHOLE WAR ON DRUGS. WE HAVE ALL THESE LAWS ON THE BOOKS. WE ARE NOT WANTING FOR TOOLS FOR CRIMINALIZATION IN THIS COUNTRY. OUR MASSIVE PRISON POPULATION IS ONE TESTAMENT TO THAT. SO, PLEASE, LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT ALL OF A SUDDEN POLICE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS WILL NOT HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO FURTHER CRIMINALIZE OR TO FIND LEGAL PATHWAYS TO MOVE PEOPLE INTO FORCED TREATMENT. WE HAVE SO MANY LAWS. DIFFERENT WAYS TO CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE. ATTEMPTING LOITERING CAN BE ONE, IF NEED BE APPARENTLY. [1:14:56] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** LASTLY, I WAS A STREET OUTREACH WORKER. I CARRIED CLEAN NEEDLES. I CARRIED NARCAN. I CARRIED, ON OCCASION, BUBBLES, WHICH IS GLASS PIPES. AND THE REASON I DID THAT IS BECAUSE I HATE SEEING PEOPLE GET HIV AND HEPATITIS C. I HATE IT. I HATE IT SO MUCH. AND WHAT I DO LIKE, IS I LIKE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE ON THE STREETS. I ACTUALLY STILL PASS PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREETS WHO RECOGNIZE ME. AND SAY, "OH, HEY. YEAH. I NEED TO GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH MY CASEWORKER." THAT'S WHAT -- THAT'S WHAT THESE -- THIS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DOES. IT ALLOWS ME TO HAND SOMEONE SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT AND BLESS THEM IN A SMALL WAY SO WE CAN BUILD A RELATIONSHIP THAT WHEN THEY SEE ME, THEY SAY, HEY, [1:15:44] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** THAT'S SOMEBODY WHO CARES ABOUT ME AND THEY KNOW I DON'T WANT THEM ON THE STREETS. THEY KNOW I DON'T WANT THEM TO USE DRUGS. IT'S SO OBVIOUS. SO WHEN THEY SEE ME, THEY SEE SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT THEM AND THEY SEE A PATHWAY TO GETTING OFF THE STREETS AND OFF OF DRUGS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING BY PASSING THIS. WE'RE GIVING OTHER WORKERS THE CHANCE, THE LEGAL PROTECTION TO CREATE THESE BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE THAT ARE SUFFERING ON OUR STREETS. [1:16:15] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** THAT RELATIONSHIP IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY POWERFUL. I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE IN THIS CITY WHO I THOUGHT, IF THERE WAS ANYONE WHO COULD NOT OBTAIN HOUSING OR GET CLEAN, IT'S THIS PERSON. TURN AROUND A FEW MONTHS, THEY'RE IN HOUSING. THERE IS HOPE FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON OUR STREETS. THIS IS A PATHWAY TO HOPE. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PASS THIS FOR MANY, MANY REASONS. BUT, FOR AT LEAST THE HOPE THAT WE CAN GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND INTO TREATMENT AND INTO FULFILLING LIVES THAT THEY WANT AND THAT WE WANT FOR THEM. THANK YOU. [1:16:50] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I REALLY AM SAT AND THOUGHT ABOUT THIS. AND TALKED TO NUMEROUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN MY WARD AND ON THE NORTH SIDE PRIOR TO OUR COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING THAT WE HELD ON TUESDAY. WHICH, UMM, WHICH PROVOKED THE QUESTIONS I ASKED OUR CITY ATTORNEY, WHEN THEY CAME BEFORE OUR CHAMBERS. AND ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT HE SAID, THAT STOOD OUT TO ME, THERE ARE CURRENT PROTECTIONS IN [1:17:37] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THE LAW THAT PREVENT CRIMINALIZATION OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CLEAN UP NEEDLES, WHO DISTRIBUTE NEEDLES, AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CARRY CLEAN NEEDLES OR PARTICIPATE IN NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS. AND THAT REALLY, REALLY MADE ME FEEL GOOD KNOWING AND THE LAW IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, AND THE WAY THAT THE STATUTE CURRENTLY LINES UP, THERE ARE PROTECTIONS. BECAUSE I WOULD BE VIEWED AS CRIMINAL FOR CLEANING UP NEEDLES THAT SOMETIMES FREQUENTLY, YOU KNOW, MORE TIMES THAN NOT, SPILL IN MY [1:18:23] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** ALLEYWAY WHERE I LIVE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. AND I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO DO AN AMAZING JOB OUT HERE CLEANING UP THE NEEDLES, MAKING SURE THEY'RE NOT IN THE PARKS AND OUT ON THE STREETS. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IF THEY WOULD BE CRIMINALIZED BECAUSE AFTER A NEEDLE IS USED, AND IT CONTAINS -- THIS IS, AGAIN, THE PARAPHERNALIA -- IT CONTAINS RESIDUE. IF THE PARAPHERNALIA CONTAINS RESIDUE OF DRUG SUBSTANCE, IT'S CONSIDERED CRIMINAL. WE LEARNED THAT WHEN OUR ATTORNEY SPOKE TO US ON TUESDAY. AND I LOVE HOW WE NEVER LET THE FACTS AND THE [1:19:09] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** LAW GET IN THE WAY OF OUR OPINION. I LOVE THAT, TOO. WE RECEIVED A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROTECTIONS THAT LIVE WITHIN THE CURRENT JURISDICTION. AND I WANT TO SAY PLAINLY TO MY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND NEIGHBORING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO THIS WORK, THANK YOU. I THANK YOU HUMBLY FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO ENSURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED, OUR ELDERS ARE PROTECTED, AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS. BUT I ALSO -- AND I KNOW THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CARRYING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE USERS OR PEOPLE WHO USE. BUT EVEN WITH OUR INDIVIDUALS THAT USE, AND I [1:19:56] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SHARED A STORY ABOUT MY SON AND MY SISTER. I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THAT AGAIN. BUT IT IS -- WE'RE AT A PRECIPICE OF CHANGE. CHANGING THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOTHING ONCE SOMETHING IS NEEDLES. BUT DECRIMINALIZED, IT CHANGES THE CULTURE OF THE BEHAVIOR. SO THAT WILL INCREASE WHAT WE ARE SEEING THAT IS ALREADY EXISTING ON THE STREETS BECAUSE IT IS NOT CRIMINAL. IT TAKES AWAY THAT LEVERAGE OF CONVERSATION THAT I CAN HAVE WITH SOMEONE TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITION. [1:20:41] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** IT PROVOKES AID TO CONSPIRACY AGAINST ONE'S SELF. THAT'S WHAT IT DOES. IT PROVOKES THAT. IT PROVOKES YOU BEING A DANGER TO YOURSELF OR TO OTHERS. AND TO ALL OF MY ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO THIS BEAUTIFUL WORK, CLEANING UP THE STREETS AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU GUYS ARE EXTREMELY VALUABLE. WE ARE WORTH MORE THAN THAT. WE ARE WORTH MORE THAN THAT AND A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF JOB SECURITY. WE DON'T NEED THAT JOB SECURITY. WE NEED REAL SUSTAINABLE JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL SUFFICE US FOR THE LONG-TERM. WE DON'T NEED THAT TYPE OF JOB SECURITY. [1:21:22] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THAT'S NOT THE TYPE OF JOB SECURITY WE NEED. SO I JUST WANT TO PLACE THE VALUE BACK INTO THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY. YES, HEPATITIS IS HORRIBLE. AIDS IS HORRIBLE. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE HORRIBLE. BUT WE NEED MORE CLEAR AND COHESIVE INTERVENTION METHODS IN ORDER TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AMONGST THIS EPIDEMIC OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE USE. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER. I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS. AND IT DOESN'T LINE UP WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STATUTES. WE HEARD THAT FROM THE ATTORNEYS ON TUESDAY. SO, IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT CLARITY, THEY SHOULD RELISTEN TO [1:22:08] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THAT MESSAGE. READ THE STATUTE ITSELF. BECAUSE THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT LINE UP WITH THE STATUTE AND THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN. BECAUSE THERE ARE ALREADY PROTECTIONS WRITTEN AROUND THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE ARE SO GRAVELY CONCERNED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. THOSE PROTECTIONS ALREADY EXIST. THE END. [1:22:30] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. ALL RIGHT. COLLEAGUES, YOU WILL HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU AN AMENDMENT HERE. SPECIFICALLY, I CAN KIND OF TALK TO IT A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THAT. BUT IT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN BROUGHT ON TUESDAY. WITH A FEW ADDITIONAL CHANGES. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SPEAK ABOUT IT. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND THE COAUTHORS OF THIS ORDINANCE FOR BRINGING THIS UP. [1:23:01] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AND I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TOPIC BEFORE US. AND WHILE I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE UNDERLYING MOTION BEFORE THIS ORDINANCE BEFORE US TODAY. I THINK LEGALIZING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD SAFELY, HUMANELY AND EQUITABLY ADDRESSING AN ADDICTION PROBLEM HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS. WHEN CITIES PROFESSIONALIZE TOOLS OF DRUG CONSUMPTION, IT PUTS DRUG USERS -- THIS CAN INCREASE THE SPREAD OF DISEASES LIKE HIV AND HEPATITIS C. ADDITIONALLY WHEN DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS POLICED, IT'S OFTEN IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES EVEN WHEN STUDIES OR RATES OF THE USE ARE HIGHER IN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS. SO, RIGHT. [1:23:45] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OUR MAYOR AT LENGTH ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE. SEVERAL TIMES. IN THE PAST WEEK. AND WHILE WE RESPECTFULLY RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE ON THE ORDINANCE, IT'S KIND OF UNDER MY UNDERSTANDING AND OTHERS SHARED ON THE BODY, I BELIEVE IT'S LIKELY THAT THIS WILL COME BACK TO US. ADDITIONALLY, WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM ADVOCATES OF THIS POLICY, AT THE STATE LEVEL HAVE EXPRESSED A VETO ON AN ORDINANCE LIKE THIS WOULD HARM THE STATE-WIDE PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORTS TO DECRIMINALIZE PARAPHERNALIA. AND I AGREE WITH THEM. AS THE ONES THAT ARE DOING THIS WORK, MINNEAPOLIS, THE LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE, STRIKES DOWN THE ORDINANCE, IT WON'T JUST BE A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS. [1:24:28] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** I THINK IT HELPS CREATE A CHILLING EFFECT FOR EVERY OTHER MUNICIPALITY LOOKING FOR US FOR LEADERSHIP AND SETTING THE BROADER HARM REDUCTION MOVEMENT BACK FOR YEARS TO COME. FOR THAT REASON, I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN'T LET PERFECT BECOME THE ENEMY OF GOOD TODAY. AND IF WE CAN HELP ONE PERSON THROUGH THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA, I THINK WE SHOULD. THAT WILL HELP MORE PEOPLE IN THE OVERALL DECRIMINALIZATION EFFORT THAN PASSING SOMETHING THAT IS IDEAL BUT WILL COME BACK TO US. [1:24:59] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** I SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE AS THE UNDERLYING ORDINANCE IS. I THINK THE COMPRISE IS NECESSARY TO PASSAGE AND BEGIN HELPING OUR RESIDENTS IMMEDIATELY. THAT IS WHY I'M MOVING TO AMEND THIS ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA. FOR THOSE AT HOME, THIS AMENDMENT UNDOES A PORTION OF MY AMENDMENT FROM TUESDAY, KEEPING THE RESTRICTIONS ON PRELIMINARY DRUGS PARAPHERNALIA TO MINORS. [1:25:26] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** BUT EDITS THE PRIOR PARAGRAPHS TO KEEP CURRENT LANGUAGE MINUS MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA. THIS IS NOT MY PREFERRED OUTCOME AND WILL SUPPORT THE UNDERLYING MOTIONS TODAY. I TAKE THE MAYOR AT HIS WORD AND WANT TO DO SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S INCREMENTAL OR NOT TO MOVE IT FORWARD TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS TODAY. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. BUT I THINK WE SPOKE AT THIS AT LENGTH ON TUESDAY. AND SO, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE. COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE DID I MOVE THAT CORRECTLY? [1:26:01] **Council President Elliot Payne:** AH, SURE. IS THERE A SECOND? **Council Member Michael Rainville:** SECOND. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** PRESIDENT PAYNE, WHILE I'M THANKFUL FOR COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING'S WORK AND THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, I'M SPEAKING AGAINST THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT CREATING INCONSISTENCY WITH MINNESOTA'S 2023 PARAPHERNALIA DECRIMINALIZATION LAW. THIS CARVEOUT LEAVES MINNEAPOLIS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH STATE LAW AND CONTINUE TO HAVE MASSIVE EFFECTS ON THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV AND HEPATITIS C AND DISREGARD PUBLIC HEALTH. [1:26:33] **Council President Elliot Payne:** I ADDED MYSELF TO QUEUE. JUST TO SAY I'M GOING TO NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT. I MEAN, THE PURPOSE OF THE UNDERLYING AMENDMENT IS TO BRING BEST PRACTICES -- PUBLIC HEALTH BEST PRACTICES FORWARD AS PART OF OUR OFFICIAL POLICY. WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT STATEWIDE IMPACT, WE ARE A CHARTER CITY. [1:26:55] **Council President Elliot Payne:** OTHER SMALLER CITIES, STATUTORY CITIES, AND MAYBE THE CLERK AND CITY ATTORNEYS CAN CONFIRM THIS, THEY'RE OPERATING UNDER THE STATE LAW. THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO MODIFY, UMM, AH, LOCAL ORDINANCES TO -- TO WORK WITHIN THAT EFFECTIVELY PREEMPTED. WE SHOULDN'T BE WATERING THIS DOWN. THE GOAL HERE IS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. BY LIMITING IT TO CANNABIS PARAPHERNALIA, WHICH IS ALREADY LEGAL STATEWIDE, I DON'T KNOW IT HAS THE STATED EFFECT OF IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH. SO, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE UNDERLYING ORDINANCE AND NOT SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT. AND I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER [1:27:41] **Council President Elliot Payne:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. THROUGH THE PRESIDENT, CAN I ASK A QUESTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING WITH RESPECT TO THIS ORDINANCE? **Council President Elliot Payne:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** PLEASE. [1:27:57] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SO, WOULD THIS ORDINANCE, YOU ARE CHANGING THE DEFINITION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA TO REMOVE ALL -- OR TO STATE THAT ALL DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS CONSIDERED PARAPHERNALIA OTHER THAN ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF MARIJUANA? AM I UNDERSTANDING THIS CORRECTLY? [1:28:22] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THAT'S THE EASIEST WAY, YEAH. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** OKAY. AND SO THE ITEMS ON HERE THAT ARE CROSSED OUT ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING EXCLUDED FROM THIS ORDINANCE? **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** CORRECT. AND THEY ARE ALL RELATED TO MARIJUANA OR CANNABIS PRODUCTS. [1:28:40] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** OKAY. AND SO THAT INCLUDES ITEM NUMBER THREE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT COMPLETELY CROSSED OUT. JUST THE NUMBER IS CROSSED OUT. AND LETTER F, G, I, J, K. BECAUSE THEY'RE FULLY CROSSED OUT. BUT THIS ONE HAS PART OF THE LETTERS CROSSED OUT. I WAS JUST CONFUSED. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** YES. AND MY UNDERSTANDING WITH THAT'S JUST A FORMATTING ISSUE THERE. AND SO, RIGHT, WE CROSSED OUT TWO ABOVE AND SO THREE BECOMES TWO. BECAUSE ALL OF THE PROCEEDING TWO HAS BEEN STRICKEN. AND SO NOW IT BECOMES THE NEW TWO. [1:29:23] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** OKAY. THANK YOU FOR MOVING THIS, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. YOU CAN ADD ME AS A CO-AUTHOR TO THIS. AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS ORDINANCE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE WHITING AMENDMENT. [1:29:42] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. [1:29:58] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE SIX AYES AND SEVEN NAYS. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT FAILS. AND WE WILL RETURN TO THE UNDERLYING AMENDMENT OR ORDINANCE. COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. [1:30:45] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I THINK THE I'VE HEARD SEVERAL TIMES FROM COLLEAGUES ON THIS DAIS A VALUE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US AS A BODY IS LISTENING TO EXPERTS. RIGHT. UMM, BECAUSE, UMM, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT -- AH, I AM NOT A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. [1:31:01] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** WE ACTUALLY ONLY HAVE ONE, UMM, ON THIS BODY. UMM, BUT I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS WHEN THEY COME IN AND TESTIFY TO US AT OUR PUBLIC HEARING IN THE PUBLIC FORUM, UMM, WHO DO THIS WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY. THEY'VE STUDIED IT, THEY PRACTICE THIS WORK EVERY DAY, TELLING US HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. HOW MUCH IT CAN BE A TOOL TO SAVE LIVES FOR US TO DECRIMINALIZE THE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. RIGHT. [1:31:39] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** UMM, I ALSO -- AND I'M NOT A PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT; RIGHT. BUT WE'RE NOT DECRIMINALIZING THE USE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN PUBLIC. WE'RE DECRIMINALIZING THE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. THOSE THINGS ARE DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER. DRUG USE IN PUBLIC CONTINUES TO BE ILLEGAL. EVEN WITH THE PASSAGE OF THIS POLICY. ANOTHER VALUE I HEAR FROM COLLEAGUES ON THIS BODY, AND I THINK WE CAN AGREE, IS SOMETHING THAT, UMM, THAT WE ALL ASPIRE TO, IS, AH, IS BUILDING CONSENSUS. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, YOU KNOW, THINK IS, AH, I THINK IT'S, ACTUALLY, WHAT'S NEEDED IN -- IN THE, UMM, PRESERVATION OF LOCAL DEMOCRACY. [1:32:42] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** UMM, AND WHAT I REALLY APPRECIATE ABOUT THIS POLICY IS THE -- THE TYPE OF CONSENSUS THAT WAS BUILT AT THE STATE LEVEL WHEN THIS EXACT POLICY WAS PASSED AT THE LEGISLATURE. RIGHT. WITH SUPPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVE WALTER HUDSON, WHO REPRESENTS THE FURTHEST RIGHT WING OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND SUPPORT FROM THE SENATOR WHO REPRESENTS THE FURTHEST LEFT WING OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND SUPPORT FROM GOVERNOR WALZ, WHO IS THE LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THIS -- IN THIS STATE. [1:33:24] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** SO, IF ALL THREE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO RARELY AGREE ON -- ON -- ON SOMETHING TOGETHER CAN FIND THAT TYPE OF CONSENSUS, IT ALARMS ME THAT WE CAN'T DO THAT HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. ON THIS BODY, WE VALUE LISTENING TO EXPERTS. ON THIS BODY, WE VALUE BUILDING CONSENSUS. THIS POLICY IS A PRODUCT OF BOTH OF THOSE THINGS. I WOULD HOPE TO SEE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO REFLECT ON WHETHER LISTENING TO EXPERTS AND BUILDING CONSENSUS ARE ACTUAL VALUES WE HOLD OR NOT. THANK [1:34:12] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THANK YOU. I'LL KEEP MY REMARKS REALLY BRIEF. BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE ANXIOUS TO VOTE ON THIS. SOME OF THE THINGS I HEARD AROUND THIS ORDINANCE IS THE CRIMINALIZATION OF PARAPHERNALIA IS NECESSARY TO FIND DRUGS AND DRUG DEALERS AND THESE HIT RATES WHILE SELDOM AREN'T NECESSARY AND FRUITFUL. [1:34:41] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THAT IS THE SAME EXACT LANGUAGE AND ARGUMENTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE USED FOR DECADES TO SAY WHY WE NEED STOP AND FRISK. YOU CAN LITERALLY TAKE DRUG CRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND COMPARE IT TO LANGUAGE THAT WAS USED FOR STOP AND FRISK. AND YOU CAN FIND A ONE-TO-ONE. AND I THINK THAT'S WORTH THINKING ABOUT. AND I ALSO THINK THAT IN THIS COUNTRY, WE HAVE HAD SO MANY MOMENTS IN TIME WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO REFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ADDRESS CRIME THAT HAPPENS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHILE NOT OVERPOLICING AND CRIMINALIZING COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR THINGS THAT SHOULDN'T BE CRIMES. RIGHT. CARRYING A NEEDLE. HAVING AN ADDICTION. [1:35:26] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SO THOSE ARE MY REMARKS. UMM, IT'S CLEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DIVIDED VOTE ON THIS. BUT IT IS ALSO CLEAR THAT THERE IS UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR US TO HELP FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND ADDICTION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE, LET'S NOT COUNT OUT HARM REDUCTION AS A VALUABLE TOOL IN THIS. LET'S NOT RELY ON PUNITIVE MEASURES. WE WON'T GET THE END RESULT WE WANT. [1:35:54] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THANK YOU. BEFORE MY COMMENT, I JUST -- I SEE THE CITY ATTORNEY IS STILL HERE. AND I HAVE A QUESTION OF YOU, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND ANSWERING IT, PLEASE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY BURNSTEIN. [1:36:09] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** IS THERE SUCH A -- A -- RULE OR BOOKS AS ATTEMPTED LOITERING? I THOUGHT IT WAS TAKEN OUT BY THE CITY COUNCIL YEARS AGO. **Assistant City Attorney:** THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, THERE IS AN ORDINANCE FOR LOITERING. THE LURKING ORDINANCE WAS THE ONE REPEALED. [1:36:26] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** LURKING. OKAY. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS. BECAUSE WE TALKED TO OUR EXPERTS. THE EXPERTS THAT INFLUENCES ME THE MOST IS THE CHIEF OF THE METRO TRANSIT POLICE. HE EXPLAINED WHAT A VALUE TOOL THIS IS FOR, YOU KNOW, THE PROBLEM AT THE LAKE STREET LIGHT RAIL STOP, THE UPTOWN BUS STOP. IN MY WARD, AH, THE LARGEST COMPLAINTS I GET ARE FROM PEOPLE USING -- TRYING TO USE MASS TRANSIT BUT BECAUSE OF THE DRUG USE. SO I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THIS TODAY AFTER LISTENING TO THE METRO TRANSIT CHIEF OF POLICE. [1:37:03] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. SO, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS BAD POLICY. AND I'M GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ FOR DELAYING THIS FOR SOME TIME. WHAT I THINK IS HAPPENING, THOUGH, FOR ME, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED ON A LOT OF PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY IS, THIS IS MISSING A COMPONENT OF HAVING COMMUNITY ON BOARD FOR SUCH A POLICY SHIFT THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE. THE FEEDBACK I'M GETTING FROM PEOPLE IS FEAR. PEOPLE ARE AFRAID. AND I CAN'T JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH POLICY. I NEVER HAVE. AND I NEVER WILL. MY ENTIRE 20-YEAR PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY CAREER, I WOULD FREEZE TO STOP POLICY WHEN PEOPLE FELT LIKE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A VOICE IN IT, OR THEY WERE FEARFUL OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN AFTER A POLICY PASSED. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, FOR ME. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE REACHING OUT TO ME, ARE AFRAID. [1:38:01] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S A BAD POLICY. BUT I THINK IT'S BAD TO MOVE POLICY WHEN COMMUNITY DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE POLICY WILL BE FOR THEM. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SOME TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, IN THEIR BUSINESSES, AT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS. AND THEY'RE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE. SO I KNOW SOMEONE SAID EARLIER THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TIMING. TIMING IS EVERYTHING WHEN YOU'RE CHANGING POLICY. [1:38:29] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THAT IS A BIG PART OF THIS WORK. THIS COULD HAVE MAYBE GOT A UNANIMOUS VOTE IN SIX MONTHS. BUT PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN FEAR. PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO RESTORE THEIR BUSINESSES, THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, THEIR COMMUNITIES FROM WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS. AND THEN THEY'RE FACED WITH THIS, AND THEY REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. SO, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS BAD POLICY. I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE WITH PARAPHERNALIA. BUT I THINK IT'S BAD TIMING. I THINK WE HAVE NOT DONE THE WORK AND I DON'T SEE A PATHWAY OF US DOING THE WORK TO EDUCATE AND TO TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING. [1:39:08] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I DON'T BELIEVE WE BUILT A COALITION OF PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP US TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO PEOPLE THAT THIS ISN'T TERRIBLE POLICY. ANOTHER THING THAT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE CHANGING POLICIES LIKE THIS. YOU NEED A COALITION. YOU NEED A BROAD COALITION OF PEOPLE. AND THAT'S WHAT THE STATE HAD THAT WE DON'T HAVE. BECAUSE THIS WORK LOOKS BETTER IF WE HAD BUILT A COALITION WITH METRO TRANSIT, WITH SCHOOL LEADERS, WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, WITH OUR PARK POLICE. I MEAN, THAT IS WHAT I FEEL LIKE IS MISSING HERE. AND IT'S SCARY. IT DOESN'T -- IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE WE'RE INCLUDING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE MOST AFFECTED BY THIS. THE RESIDENTS OF MINNEAPOLIS. THE BUSINESS OWNERS OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND SO, [1:39:53] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I WOULD CHALLENGE US TO THINK ABOUT THAT IN THE FUTURE. IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE DOING SOMETHING THAT'S WRONG OR RIGHT. IT REALLY IS ABOUT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A MECHANISM IN PLACE FOR FOLKS TO UNDERSTAND OR THERE IS NO WAY THAT, UH, WE'LL BE ABLE TO MONITOR, LIKE, IF PEOPLE ARE BEING WALKED UP TO AND BEING -- LIKE, -- THERE'S NOTHING THERE. [1:40:22] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AND IT'S SCARY. PEOPLE -- I JUST WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO KNOW THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING, THE PEOPLE WHO REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS THAT ARE IN FEAR, THEY ARE IN FEAR. THEY HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED IN OUR CITY BY SOME THINGS THAT SOME OF US HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. AND I WOULD NEVER EVER, EVER TAKE AWAY THEIR EXPERIENCES FROM THEM. THEIR VOICES NEED TO BE HEARD, ALSO. [1:40:46] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AND I REALLY DO THINK WHEN WE MAKE BIG LIFE-CHANGING DECISIONS LIKE THIS, WE HAVE TO VALUE THEIR VOICES AND THEIR EXPERIENCES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [1:41:02] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. [1:41:18] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE SEVEN AYES AND SIX NAYS. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES. AND THAT COMPLETES THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. NEXT ENTERPRISE AND LABOR RELATIONS COMMITTEE, PRESENTED BY ITS CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [1:41:44] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** MR. PRESIDENT, THE ELR COMMITTEE HAS EIGHT ITEMS. FIRST IS A CONTRACT WITH CLAIMS MANAGEMENT RESOURCES FOR RELATED SOCIAL SECURITIES IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $350,000 FOR A THREE-YEAR PERIOD. TWO IS A CONTRACT WITH PAYMENTUS FOR AN ENTERPRISE PLATFORM SYSTEM. [1:42:08] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THREE AND FOUR ARE SIMILAR BUT HAVE DIFFERENT VENDORS. CONTRACT AMENDMENTS WITH AUTOMATED LOGIC MINNESOTA FOR BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM SERVICE AND CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH NAC BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE SAME THING. FIVE IS A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH WEST PUBLISHING FOR ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH SERVICES. SIX IS A CONTRACT WITH HDR FOR ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING CONSULTING. SEVEN IS A CONTRACT FOR ADDITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN. EIGHT IS A BID FOR PROSPECT PARK WATER TOWER RESTORATION. I'LL MOVE APPROVAL OF THE FULL REPORT. [1:42:48] **Council President Elliot Payne:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO HAS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT. I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANT TO MAKE DEPENDS REGARDING EIGHT. ACCEPTING A BID FOR CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL HELP SUPPORT THE REOPENING OF THE WITCH'S HAT, A BELOVED NEIGHBORHOOD GEM IN PROSPECT PARK. IT'S ALSO BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION SINCE 2019. [1:43:10] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** SINCE I ENTERED OFFICE BACK IN 2022, RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN PERSISTENT IN ORGANIZING TO GET THE TOWER REPAIRED AND OPENED BACK UP TO THE PUBLIC. THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PATIENCE DEMONSTRATED ON THEIR END, AS THRIVE WORKED WITH MY OFFICE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS NEEDED TO BE DONE AND WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING AND MAINTAINING THE TOWER. WE LEARNED THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE AND THAT LED OF JOINT YEARS OF ONGOING EFFORTS AND COLLABORATION AND ORGANIZING THAT LED TO CITY COUNCIL PASSING A SUCCESSFUL BUDGET AMENDMENT, UMM, IN OUR 2023 BUDGET MARK-UP SESSION TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF THE TOWER SO THAT IT CAN BECOME OPEN AGAIN. [1:43:56] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** UMM, AND WHILE I THINK NO ONE COULD HAVE FORESAW IT WOULD HAVE TOOK TWO YEARS -- A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS TO SEE THE FUNDING BE REALIZED, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT MY APPRECIATION FOR OUR RESIDENTS IN THEIR PERSISTENCE AND PATIENCE FOR US TO GET TO THIS POINT. I'M EAGER TO SEE THOSE REPAIRS BEING COMPLETED, SO THAT IT CAN NOT ONLY BE ENJOYED BY IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS, BUT AS HIGHLIGHTED DURING THE BUDGET DISCUSSION, BUT, UMM, BE HISTORICAL AND APPRECIATED LANDMARK BY RESIDENTS ALL ACROSS MINNEAPOLIS. AND EVEN FAR BEYOND OUR CITY. UMM, AND I'M EXCITED TO ALSO, HOPEFULLY, BE PART OF THE ICE CREAM SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ACTION ITEM. IT DOES BRING US ONE STEP CLOSER TOWARDS THE [1:44:43] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** REOPENING DAY OF THE TOWER. AND NONE OF THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE NEIGHBORS WHO'VE CARED SO MUCH AND HAD VOLUNTEERED THEIR OWN TIME TO MAINTAIN AND ADVOCATE FOR THIS LANDMARK. SO, THAT SAID, UMM, I'M EXCITED TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM. [1:45:01] **Council President Elliot Payne:** SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE COMMITTEE REPORT. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. [1:45:16] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES. AND THE REPORT IS ADOPTED. FINALLY, WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EQUITY COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED BY THAT COMMITTEE'S CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [1:45:39] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE HAS 11 ITEMS TO BRING FORWARD. ONE IS CONSIDERING PASSAGE OF AN ORDER IN ADDITION RELATED TO IMMIGRATION STATUS OF RENTERS. THIS WAS MOVED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. TWO IS PASSAGE OF AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO ENCAMPMENT REPORTING POLICY. [1:46:00] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THREE IS AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE GRANT THROUGH HENNEPIN COUNTY. FOUR IS SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY FOR DRUG NEXUS SUPPLIES. FIVE IS AUTHORIZING GRANT FOR THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER GRANT FOR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM. SIX IS GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FOOD AND DRUG OFFICIALS. SEVEN IS APPROVING A FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF MINNEAPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE. EIGHT IS APPROVING A RENTAL DWELLING LICENSE REINSTATEMENT. NINE IS APPROVING A PUBLIC SAFETY POLICIES AND PRACTICES RELATED [1:46:46] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** TO PUBLIC GATHERINGS AND TRANSPARENCY LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE. 10 IS ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE POLICIES STAFF DIRECTION. 11 IS AMENDING OPERATION METRO SURGE POLICE DEPARTMENT OVERTIME EXPENSES, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE, REPORTING DATE, AND PRESENTATION. I MOVE APPROVAL. [1:47:13] **Council President Elliot Payne:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ MOVED APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT, INCLUDING RECOMMENDING FOR APPROVAL IN ITEM NUMBER ONE. DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AH, THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE RENTER IMMIGRATION STATUS PRIVACY AND ANTI-RETALIATION ORDINANCE THAT WAS ON THERE FOR MYSELF, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, MAJORITY LEADER CHUGHTAI, AND VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. IN RESPONSE TO OPERATION METRO SURGE. WE'RE AUTHORING MEANT TO PROTECT RENTERS. I'VE HEARD FROM OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BEEN THREATENED TO GET I.C.E CALLED ON THEIR LANDLORDS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PAY RENT AND A VARIETY OF HORRIFIC INCIDENTS. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR ALL THE HELP WITH IS ORDINANCE AND THE QUICK TURN AROUND. WE HAVE FOLKS WHO [1:48:06] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** I'M THANKFUL FOR THE CREATIVITY AROUND THIS. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** MR. CHAIR, COULD WE PULL OUT ITEM NUMBER TWO. WE HAVE DIRECTOR VELAZQUEZ COMING IN. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORDINANCE. [1:48:25] **Council President Elliot Payne:** TAKE ITEM TWO AS SEPARATE VOTE. COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT. THAT REALLY SADDENS ME TO HEAR THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WITH ITEM NUMBER ONE. BECAUSE THAT IS DEFINITELY A VIOLATION OF FAIR HOUSING LAWS. SO, IF INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING TARGETED OR WHAT HAVE YOU, WITH THESE LANDLORDS DOING THIS IN VIOLATION OF FAIR HOUSING, I THINK WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF RENTAL LICENSES FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DISCRIMINATING AND TARGETING OR THREATENING ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST COMMUNITY MEMBERS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE OR NATIONALITY. LIKE, THIS [1:49:12] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** IS -- THAT'S REALLY SERIOUS. AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD -- SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO DEEPER CONSIDERATION. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO THE ATTENTION. BECAUSE THAT SPEAKS TO MULTIPLE VOLUMES ON MULTIPLE LEVELS AS IT PERTAINS TO RESIDENTS LIVING IN PLACES AND HAVING THREATS OF -- OF IMMIGRATION OR DEPORTATION OR VIOLENCE INFLICTED UPON THEM FOR LIVING IN A PLACE BECAUSE THAT'S A VIOLATION OF FAIR HOUSING. [1:49:46] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I DO WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND ALL THE CO-AUTHORS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE SEEN -- SINCE THIS ADMINISTRATION DONALD TRUMP, THAT IMMIGRATION OR IMMIGRANTS HAVE BECOME THE FINGER POINT. LIKE, THEY HAVE BECOME THE TABOO THAT SOMEHOW THEY'RE BAD OR THIS AND THIS. THERE'S THIS CAMPAIGN AND THIS ATTACK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND WE HAVE SEEN HATE CRIMES RISING UP BECAUSE OF THIS. AND, YOU KNOW DISCRIMINATION IS WHAT FOLLOW UP. SO I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY THIS IS PREVENTION TO MAKE SURE THOSE THINGS ARE NOT HAPPENING IN OUR CITY. WE HAVE IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE, WHO HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME. AND ASKING SOMEBODY THEIR DOCUMENT STATUS IS WRONG, IN MY OPINION. AND LET ME JUST SAY THIS, IMMIGRATION IS VERY COMPLICATED SYSTEM WE DON'T [1:50:52] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** UNDERSTAND. THERE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE WAITING ASYLUM AND HAVE THEIR CASE HEARD. AND ESCAPING FROM WAR OR FAMINE OR YOU NAME IT. ALL KIND OF HORRIBLE THINGS. FOR SAFETY, YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A STATUS. BUT, GUESS WHAT, THEY HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY. THEY HAVE A WORK PERMIT. THERE'S A PATHWAY FOR THEM TO WORK WHILE THEIR CASE IS PENDING. AND I CAN'T IMAGINE SOMEONE, YOU KNOW, STATING WHAT'S YOUR DOCUMENTATION TO STAY HERE. THAT'S IMMIGRATION'S JOB. IT'S NOT LANDLORDS OR IT'S NOT ANYBODY EVEN EMPLOYERS TO KIND OF MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT DISCRIMINATED. PEOPLE WITH ACCENTS, IMMIGRANTS, LIKE ME HAVE BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ATTACKS THAT HAVE THE PRESIDENT TRUMP AND RIGHT-WING FOLKS CONTINUE TO PICK. SO, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL FOR STANDING THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME AND MANY [1:52:00] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** IMMIGRANTS IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT -- THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANT TO HOLD UP THIS IS A REALLY SUBSTANTIVE ACTION WE'RE TAKING ON THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL. THIS IS GUARANTEEING A LEVEL OF HOUSING SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR OUR IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS. AND THROUGHOUT OPERATION METRO SURGE AND YEARS BEFORE, OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES HAVE FACED INQUIRIES ABOUT THEIR STATUS FROM LANDLORDS. [1:52:39] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AND IT HAS MADE THEM FEEL AFRAID AND AT TIMES HAS LED TO PEOPLE BEING IN A PLACE WHERE THEY'RE DEPORTED OR THEIR FAMILIES ARE TORN AWAY. SO THIS IS A VERY SUBSTANTIVE ACTION THAT THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL IS TAKING AS IT COMES TO HOUSING AND SAFETY. AND WE WORKED ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT. AND I'M REALLY PROUD THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALSO IMMIGRANT JUSTICE. [1:53:12] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT JUST IN CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN'S COMMENTS, ONE THING THAT I THINK THIS CAME OUT OF IN TERMS OF THE ORDINANCE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ IS BRINGING FORWARD WAS ALSO IN RESPONSE TO THE WORK THAT WE DID AROUND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT ACTUALLY COVERS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. AND WE RECOGNIZED THERE WAS A NEED TO UPDATE AND STRENGTHEN IT AND WE DID THAT LAST MAY. SO WE DO HAVE, AS A RESULT OF THAT ORDINANCE, WHERE PEOPLE CAN REACH OUT IF THEY ARE FACING THAT LEVEL OF DISCRIMINATION, WE ADDED ADDITIONAL PROTECTIVE STATUS TO GET SUPPORT FROM OUR CIVIL RIGHTS DEPARTMENT TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION IF NEED BE ON THEIR BEHALF. [1:53:55] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** SO WE DO HAVE THAT, BUT IN OUR EFFORTS TO ALSO TRY TO TACKLE THIS PIECE, WE REALIZED THERE WAS SOME LIMITATIONS AND I'M THANKFUL THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ DIDN'T STOP THE WORK IN LIGHT OF THOSE LIMITATIONS AND EXTEND PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS WHO ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING RETALIATION, ALL DIFFERENT SORTS OF DISCRIMINATION AND ARE DESERVING OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY AS WELL AND THAT'S REFLECTED IN THE ORDINANCE IN FRONT OF US TODAY. [1:54:29] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** DO HAVE A STRENGTHENED CIVIL RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT ALSO I THINK COMPLEMENTS THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE THAT ALSO REACHES AND SUPPORTS A VARIETY OF JUST ISSUES AND MATTERS IN WHICH RESIDENTS CAN BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. SO I WANTED TO UPLIFT THAT WORK TOO. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU FOR COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY FOR UPLIFTING THAT AND FOR THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AROUND THAT. FAIR HOUSING AND SAFE HOUSING IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ME AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING. [1:55:12] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SO I'D LIKE TO BE ADDED AS A CO-AUTHOR TO THIS IN SUPPORT OF ENSURING THAT OUR RESIDENTS THAT RESIDE HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS OR ANYWHERE HERE IN MINNESOTA, FAIR HOUSING LAWS ARE FEDERAL LAWS AND NEED TO BE SUPPORTED AND UPLIFTED. SO IF INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS OR WHATEVER LET US KNOW, LET'S FILE HUD COMPLAINTS. WE WANT TO STAND WITH YOU WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION. BECAUSE THAT'S A REAL PLACE. AND NO ONE SHOULD BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OR THREATENED TO FEEL UNSAFE IN THEIR HOUSING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REGARDLESS TO WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU COME FROM. [1:56:03] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** WHETHER YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE, SUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK IN THAT. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. QUESTION HERE, JUST QUICK QUESTION. I THINK PROBABLY MOST SUITED FOR OUR CITY ATTORNEY HERE. JUST READING THROUGH, I THINK I REMEMBER READING THIS SOMETHING ON HERE. BUT IT'S LOOKING LIKE UNDER THE PROHIBITION ON IMMIGRATION STATUS INQUIRY UNDER EXEMPTIONS, I KNOW SOMETIMES WITH OUR FEDERAL HOUSING PROGRAMS, IT REQUIRES IMMIGRATION STATUS. I'M ASSUMING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S INCLUDED IN THOSE EXEMPTIONS? **Amy Schutt (City Attorney Representative):** COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBER, YES, THAT WOULD BE IF IT'S A REQUIREMENT A CONDITION OF A PARTICULAR BENEFIT, THEN OBVIOUSLY THAT INQUIRY WOULD BE LAWFUL. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THANK YOU, THAT'S ALL. [1:56:53] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** OKAY, GOT IT. SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE COMMITTEE REPORT MINUS ITEM NUMBER TWO. [1:57:08] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. [1:57:23] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES AND THOSE ITEMS ARE ADOPTED. AND WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER TWO AND I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [1:57:41] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I HAD ASKED IF DIRECTOR VELAZQUEZ COULD OFFER SOME CLARITY. I UNDERSTAND THIS SHOULD BE A PRIMARY ORDINANCE UPDATING CODE WITH DEFINITIONS. AND I CAN SEE FOR THE MOST PART IT DOES EXACTLY THAT. BUT I DO HAVE QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PRACTICAL IMPACT OF A COUPLE OF DEFINITION CHANGES. DIRECTOR, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU, THROUGH THE CHAIR. IN THIS ORDINANCE, CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND WHO COMPLETES THIS REPORT IF AN ENCAMPMENT IS CLOSED? IS IT THE HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM? [1:58:32] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** SOMEONE ON YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM? OR DO YOU HAVE THAT FIGURED OUT YET? **Enrique Velazquez (Director of Regulatory Services):** YES, THANK YOU, CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. ENRIQUE VELAZQUEZ, DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY SERVICES. WE WORK WITH PUBLIC WORKS, WE WORK WITH MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM, AND I'M THE FINAL AUTHOR AND CURATOR, PULLER TOGETHER OF ALL OF THE VARIOUS DATA ELEMENTS TO PREPARE THE REPORT AND SUBMIT IT, INCLUDING THE PRESENTATION. [1:59:06] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THERE'S A CHANGE TO THE DEFINITION OF NONSHELTER PLACEMENT FROM A GENERIC STABILIZATION BED TO A MORE SPECIFIC HOSPITAL DETOX OR MENTAL HEALTH HOLD. I THINK THAT'S FINE FOR US TO BE MORE CLEAR, BUT DOES THAT CHANGE OR MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO HOW YOU REPORT OUTCOMES AND WILL IT INCREASE STAFF TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS KIND OF REPORTING? [1:59:32] **Enrique Velazquez (Director of Regulatory Services):** THANK YOU. THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO, WE HAVE TO STILL DO SOME EVALUATION OF WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN. THAT'S CURRENTLY DATA THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO EITHER THROUGH THE COUNTY OR THROUGH ANY OF THEIR PARTNERS IN TERMS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE EXIT HOMELESSNESS OR UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS THROUGH DETOX OR ANY OF THESE OTHER AVENUES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED. AND DUE TO HIPAA AND OTHER PROTECTIONS, THAT'S KIND OF A BARRIER THAT WE AREN'T ABLE TO OVERCOME AT THE MOMENT. SO WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER PARTNERS WITHIN THE COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO SEE HOW CAN WE GET AT THAT INFORMATION. [2:00:11] **Enrique Velazquez (Director of Regulatory Services):** IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO GET AT THE INFORMATION? AND IF NOT, WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO STILL CONTINUE REPORTING ON THOSE OUTCOMES THE WAY WE CURRENTLY DO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** YEAH. ALSO SOMETHING CONCERNING TO ME WAS THE CHANGE OF THE DEFINITION OF ENCAMPMENT. IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE IT'S DEFINED AS A GROUPING OF TENTS OR TENT-LIKE STRUCTURES. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE DEFINES AN ENCAMPMENT AS ONE OR MORE TENT OR TENT-LIKE STRUCTURES. SO IT MOVES BASICALLY A PLURAL TO A SINGULAR. DON'T WE CLEAR SINGLE TENTS PRETTY FREQUENTLY, MAYBE EVEN TRESPASSING SOMEBODY OFF A PROPERTY? [2:00:59] **Enrique Velazquez (Director of Regulatory Services):** THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO, I BELIEVE THAT SPECIFIC CHANGE WAS TO ALIGN THE ORDINANCE DEFINITION WITH WHAT OUR OPERATIONAL DEFINITION HAS BEEN. THOUGH WHEN WE DO HAVE INSTANCES WHERE THERE'S A SINGLE TENT, WE WOULD CONSIDER THAT AN ENCAMPMENT AS WELL AND WE WOULD REPORT ON THOSE SITUATIONS AS WELL. [2:01:19] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** SO WE DO THAT ALREADY? **Enrique Velazquez (Director of Regulatory Services):** YES, MA'AM. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THAT'S HELPFUL. I MEAN, I THINK THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE HAVE TO BE JUST CLEAR EYED AND CONSIDER WHO'S RESPONSIBLE NOW FOR THAT EXTRA REPORTING. AND I DON'T THINK THAT OUR INTENTION WAS TO PUT THIS ONUS ON YOU FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALREADY DO AND THEN MAKE YOU THE AUTHOR OF THIS KIND OF REPORTING. [2:01:42] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THIS ISN'T EARTH SHATTERING OR DEAL BREAKING, BUT I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SPEAK OUT LOUD AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT TO STAFF OF SOME OF THESE CHANGES. THE IMPACT TO STAFF HERE DOESN'T SEEM QUITE AS SUBSTANTIAL AS I HAD BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT. BUT THANK YOU. THANKS FOR HELPING TO CLARIFY. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** YES, THIS IS A QUESTION FOR THE CLERK. WHY IS THIS ITEM ON PHS BUT NOT ON BHZ? [2:02:16] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** I'M KIND OF A LITTLE CONFUSED HERE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, THE QUESTION COME THROUGH THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND EQUITY COMMITTEE AS OPPOSED TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY? MR. WALSH WAS WHISPERING TO ME DILIGENTLY, BECAUSE UNDER OUR COMMITTEE STRUCTURES LICENSING AND INSPECTIONS ARE PART OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY EQUITY COMMITTEE. [2:02:45] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THAT WAS A CHANGE THAT WAS MADE FROM LAST TERM SINCE THERE'S SOME LOOKS AROUND LAST YEAR, THAT WAS SPLIT BETWEEN TWO COMMITTEES. AND THIS YEAR WE CONSOLIDATED, WE THE COUNCIL, CONSOLIDATED THAT ALL OF THAT FUNCTION WOULD BE UNDER ONE COMMITTEE INSTEAD OF SPLIT BETWEEN TWO. [2:03:01] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** YEAH. JUST TO THAT POINT, I KNOW WHAT THE ENCAMPMENT REPORTING ORDINANCE WHEN WE FIRST TOOK THIS UP EVEN LAST TERM, THIS WENT THROUGH PHS, IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH BHZ. BUT I DO HAVE A REQUEST TO THE PRESIDENT, TO REEVALUATE HOW REGULATORY REPORTS TO OUR COMMITTEES. BECAUSE I DO THINK REGULATORY SHOULD GO TO BHZ AND THAT SHOULD BE A CHANGE THAT IS CONSIDERED TO THIS BODY. AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS ALSO INTEREST FROM THE REGULATORY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN CONVERSATION WITH THE DIRECTOR TO DO THAT. SO WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION OFFLINE AFTER THIS, BUT I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES NEED TO GET RESOLVED. [2:03:42] **Council President Elliot Payne:** YEP, HAPPY TO HAVE THAT FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATION. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND IS YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE ORDINANCE AT HAND? **Council Member Jason Chavez:** NO. **Council President Elliot Payne:** OKAY. WITH THAT, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEM NUMBER TWO. [2:04:00] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [2:04:16] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES AND THAT COMPLETES THE PHSE REPORT AND THE COMMITTEES. [2:04:33] **Council President Elliot Payne:** THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS NOTICE OF ORDINANCE INTRODUCTIONS. WE HAVE ONE NOTICE THAT WAS ADDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE AT THE NEXT MEETING THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE HEALTH AND SANITATION CODE TO ADDRESS GAPS IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S AUTHORITY TO ACT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. [2:04:55] **Council President Elliot Payne:** ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS NOTICE? SEEING NONE, THAT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN AND NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS THE INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL CALENDAR. WE HAVE THREE ITEMS TODAY. [2:05:13] **Council President Elliot Payne:** PALMISANO MOVE TO AMEND THE PRIOR INTRODUCTION OF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CODE GIVEN AT THE REGULAR MEETING ON FEBRUARY 19, 2024, BY UPDATING THE DESCRIPTION TO READ AMENDING FENCE REGULATIONS. SECOND, COUNCIL MEMBERS CHOWDHURY AND CHAVEZ GAVE NOTICE AT OUR LAST MEETING OF THEIR INTENT TO INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 21 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 597 PROVIDING FOR A MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT, REESTABLISHMENT, OR EXPANSION OF DATA CENTER USES. [2:05:45] **Council President Elliot Payne:** TODAY THE AUTHORS ARE MOVING TO POSTPONE THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS ITEM TO OUR REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21ST. FINALLY, PURSUANT TO NOTICE, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING MOVES TO INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATION CODE FOR FIRST READING AND REFERRAL TO THE ENTERPRISE & LABOR RELATIONS COMMITTEE AMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF ETHICS EDUCATION. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE ITEMS AS LISTED ON THE AGENDA INCLUDING THE MOTION TO POSTPONE ITEM NUMBER TWO? [2:06:11] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SO MOVED. **Council President Elliot Payne:** IS THERE A SECOND? **Council Member Jason Chavez:** SECOND. **Council President Elliot Payne:** OKAY. LET'S TAKE UP ITEM 1 AND 3 THAT HAVE BEEN MOVED FOR APPROVAL. WE'LL HOLD ON ITEM NUMBER TWO. AND I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON ITEMS 1 AND 3. [2:06:28] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [2:06:43] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES AND THOSE MATTERS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEES LISTED ON THE AGENDA. AND I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER FOR ITEM NUMBER TWO. [2:07:02] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I HAD QUESTION FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY AROUND MORATORIUMS IN GENERAL. I HAVE HEARD THAT LEGALLY ONCE A MORATORIUM IS INTRODUCED, EVEN BEFORE A VOTE, THAT IT GOES INTO EFFECT. IS THAT TRUE? AND CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? **Kristyn Anderson (City Attorney):** COUNCIL MEMBER YES. SO UNDER OUR ZONING CODE, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO ESSENTIALLY PASS AN INTERIM ORDINANCE THAT WOULD PUT A MORATORIUM ON ESSENTIALLY IT WOULD ALLOW US TO PASS AN INTERIM ORDINANCE THAT WOULD REGULATE, RESTRICT, OR PROHIBIT THE ESTABLISHMENT OR EXPANSION OF USE DEVELOPMENT OR PROJECT WITH RESPECT TO OUR ZONING CODE. [2:07:55] **Kristyn Anderson (City Attorney):** AND UNDER OUR CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE MORATORIUM DOES ACTUALLY GET TRIGGERED ONCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERIM ORDINANCE IS PASSED BY THIS BODY. AND ESSENTIALLY, I CAN GIVE YOU CITATIONS AND EVERYTHING. IT'S MINNEAPOLIS CODE OF ORDINANCES 525.830 EFFECTIVE DATE IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PLANNING PROCESS AND THE CITY'S LEGITIMATE PLANNING GOALS, THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF AN INTERIM ORDINANCE SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY UPON INTRODUCTION OF AN INTERIM ORDINANCE TO THE CITY COUNCIL, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. [2:08:33] **Kristyn Anderson (City Attorney):** SO YOU ARE RIGHT THAT ONCE THIS BODY VOTES ON THE ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION, MAJORITY VOTE PASSING THAT INTRODUCTION, THEN IT GOES INTO EFFECT. AND OBVIOUSLY THE BODY HAS A PUBLIC HEARING AND TIME TO ACTUALLY VOTE ON THE ACTUAL INTERIM ORDINANCE. IF THAT FAILS, THEN WE'RE DONE. IF THE INTERIM ORDINANCE IS PASSED, THEN THE MORATORIUM IT'S A TIME-LIMITED MORATORIUM FOR A YEAR. [2:09:09] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** OKAY. SO IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS WHEN IT'S REINTRODUCED ON MAY 21ST, THAT'S WHEN IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT? **Kristyn Anderson (City Attorney):** CORRECT. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** I GUESS, I THINK A BLANKET MORATORIUM IS REALLY NOT THE SOLUTION. IT'S A BLUNT TOOL THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. AND I THINK OVERALL IT IS ALREADY SENDING UNCLEAR SIGNALS TO THE MARKET ABOUT WHAT MINNEAPOLIS IS DOING. [2:09:29] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AND IT REALLY FAILING TO DISTINGUISH ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT ABOUT DATA CENTERS IN AN URBAN SMALL MARKET LIKE MINNEAPOLIS THAT HAS MANY OFFICE CONVERSIONS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN AND BE REPURPOSED EITHER FOR HOUSING OR OTHER BUSINESS USES VERSUS LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT AND CONCERNS THAT WE'RE SEEING WHERE HUGE FACILITIES ARE BEING BUILT IN MONTELLO, ROSEMONT. [2:10:01] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** SO FOR US TO PUT A BLANKET MORATORIUM SEEMS LIKE A VERY BLUNT TOOL AT A CRITICAL TIME. AT A CRITICAL TIME IN OUR ECONOMIC STORY AS A CITY. AND EVEN WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF MENTIONING THIS A FEW WEEKS AGO, I HEARD FROM ADAM DUNICK OF THE DOWNTOWN COUNCIL THAT IT HAS ALREADY CREATED A COOLING EFFECT OF INVESTORS EXPLORING SOME OF OUR SMALLER DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS FOR DATA CENTER POTENTIAL. [2:10:30] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** WE ALL KNOW THAT WE WANT TO REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN ON OUR RESIDENTS. AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE DO THAT IS BY REALLY BUILDING BACK OUR COMMERCIAL TAX BASE. AND IT WAS SO EXCITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SLEEP NUMBER BUILDING JUST IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WHERE IT SOLD FOR $235 MILLION. [2:10:55] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** THIS SAME BUILDING WAS ASSESSED WITHIN OUR CITY JUST A YEAR AGO FOR $30 MILLION. THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CITY COMMERCIAL TAX REVENUE JUST BY THAT ONE BUILDING HAVING A HUGE VALUATION CHANGE. WE NEED THAT. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE MAY BE ORDINANCES THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS ABOUT HOW WE CAN ENCOURAGE THESE DATA CENTERS TO CONNECT WITH MUNICIPAL CLIMATE INITIATIVES LIKE CORDIA, THAT WE SEE THEM ALREADY BEING ABLE TO EXPLORE THAT WOULD LEAD SOME OF OUR CLIMATE INITIATIVES. [2:11:34] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** BUT FOR US TO TAKE A BLANKET MORATORIUM COMMUNICATES AGAIN TO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WE DO NOT SUPPORT THEM. WE DO NOT TAKE THEIR VALUES AND THEIR INTERESTS TO HEART, BUT ARE WILLING TO MOVE AHEAD WITH SOMETHING SO CONSEQUENTIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL VALUE CHANGES IN OUR CITY WITHOUT THEIR INPUT AND WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE BASE TO HELP US THROUGH THIS. [2:12:05] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO REFER THIS BACK TO AUTHOR. CAN I HAVE A SECOND? **Council Member Michael Rainville:** SECOND. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION TO REFER THIS BACK TO AUTHOR AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED. I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. [2:12:41] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT PAYNE. SO I AM THE AUTHOR OF THIS ORDINANCE. HAD I HAD THE ABILITY TO NOT HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA AND BRING IT TO THE MAY 21ST MEETING, I WOULD. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIMS FILE, THERE'S NOT EVEN LANGUAGE THAT'S ATTACHED TO IT. MY INTENTION WAS TO HAVE SOME DELIBERATIVE CONVERSATIONS AND AWAIT FOR THE STATE LEGISLATIVE CYCLE TO CONCLUDE IN WHICH THEY'RE DISCUSSING DATA CENTERS RIGHT NOW AND THEN HAVE AN INTRODUCTION WITH LANGUAGE WITH OUR STAFF TO TALK TO. [2:13:06] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER, WHILE I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY APPRECIATED IF YOU HAD REACHED OUT TO MY OFFICE AND HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ME ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS. A REFER TO STAFF IS ABSOLUTELY NOT SOMETHING THAT I CAN SUPPORT AND WE ARE NOT IN A PLACE WHERE WE EVEN HAVE LANGUAGE TO DEBATE SO I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO A LONG DEBATE ABOUT WHAT THIS ORDINANCE IS. [2:13:29] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** BUT WHAT I DO WANT TO SAY IS DATA CENTERS, THE GROWTH OF THEM, IT IS ONE OF THE FOREMOST ISSUES FOR THE CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE'RE SEEING LARGE EXPANSIONS, CITIES ARE ALL TRYING TO DETERMINE THEIR LAND USE PRACTICES. AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE AND TAKES THE TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT IT MEANS FOR A CITY. AND THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH CITY STAFF AND STATE LEGISLATORS AND TALKING TO MY CO-AUTHOR ABOUT BRINGING THIS FORWARD. [2:14:01] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AGAIN, THERE IS NO LANGUAGE BEFORE US. HAD I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT THIS ONTO THE AGENDA LATER, I WOULD HAVE. BUT HERE WE ARE. SO COLLEAGUES, PLEASE DO NOT REFER THIS BACK TO AUTHOR, ESSENTIALLY DELAYING THE START OF THIS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION BEFORE WE EVEN HAVE LANGUAGE BEFORE US. AND COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH CONCERNS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH ME SO WE CAN HAVE DELIBERATIVE DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU. [2:14:24] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** PRESIDENT PAYNE, I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION TO RETURN TO AUTHOR. I THINK ENDING DEBATE AND A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF DATA CENTERS AND THE WATER USAGE THAT THEY TAKE FROM OUR COMMUNITY AND THE DEVASTATING IMPACT WHEN IT COMES TO ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE THAT DATA CENTERS HAVE, AND TO DECIDE TO NOT HAVE THAT DEBATE ANY FURTHER WOULD JUST BE NOT OKAY. [2:14:59] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** SO I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST THIS MOTION TO RETURN TO AUTHOR. I THINK THIS A CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE. DATA CENTERS ARE KNOWN TO IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY AND IN THIS STATE AND IN THIS COUNTRY. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** YEAH, I'D JUST LIKE TO CLARIFY SOMETHING. I AM RESPONDING TO SPECIFIC LANGUAGE. AND THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE THAT IS HERE THOUGH IT IS NOT ROBUST SAYS MORATORIUM. AND SO THAT MEANS IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS IN MAY, WE HAVE AN INTERIM MORATORIUM ON ANY KIND OF SALES IN THIS AREA FOR THE NEXT YEAR. [2:15:37] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** THAT IS SPECIFIC ENOUGH LANGUAGE FOR ME TO TAKE ACTION. AND I WOULD APPRECIATE WITH ALL OF THESE INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE BEEN COMING THROUGH COUNCIL, REFER TO STAFF, REFER TO STAFF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE, I REALLY APPRECIATE WHEN THERE'S MORE LANGUAGE THERE. BUT TO ME, MORATORIUM IS A STRONG ENOUGH POSITION TO TAKE A STRONG ACTION. I THINK IT WOULD SEND A CLEAR COUNCIL STATEMENT TO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WE CARE ABOUT THE VALUATION PAIN THAT THEY ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW. [2:15:53] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AND WE CARE ABOUT THAT PAIN THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING ON THE REVENUE SIDE OF IT AS CITY LEADERS. AND WE CARE ABOUT HOW WE'VE BEEN HAVING TO PASS THAT REVENUE ONTO THE RESIDENTIAL MARKET. YES, THERE IS SPECIFIC LANGUAGE HERE AND IT'S HEAVY LANGUAGE. IT'S BLUNT LANGUAGE. AND IT'S LANGUAGE THAT I CAN'T SUPPORT. [2:16:28] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER'S CONCERN. I THINK WE DO NEED TO ATTRACT FOLKS TO USE THE BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN. WE HAVE THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A DATA CENTER IN DOWNTOWN. I'M SURE WE ALREADY HAVE A DATA CENTER SOMEWHERE IN DOWNTOWN. RIGHT? WE DON'T? OKAY. SO WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU AND WHAT I WILL TELL THE PUBLIC IS THAT WE NEED A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE DATA CENTER. WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF DATA CENTERS? [2:17:20] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** WE NEED OUR STAFF TO HELP US OUT TO MAKE POLICIES. AT THE SAME TIME, WE WANT INVESTORS TO COME IN AND LOOK AT THESE PLACES AND SEE WHAT WAYS CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOME KIND OF REGULATION. I THINK AS AN EXAMPLE OF OTHER CITIES, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE FARM OF DATA CENTERS EVERYWHERE. BUT WE SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF DEPENDING ON THE FINDING IF THAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTISE, HEALTH EXPERTISE, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE NEED. [2:17:55] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** SO SHORTTIME DELAY GIVES US THE TIME TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. THIS IS NOT PUSHING INVESTORS OUT, IT'S TELLING THEM WE'RE HERE TO WORK WITH THEM IN A MATTER THAT WORKS ON THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE CITY. AS A PRO BUSINESS COUNCILMAN, I SAY LET'S ALL HAVE A CONVERSATION, LET'S TALK TO THE EXPERTS ON THIS AND LET'S MAKE DECISIONS THAT CAN MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER AT THE SAME TIME GIVE OUR STRUGGLING DOWNTOWN AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AND BRING REVENUE. THANK YOU. [2:18:34] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER, FOR EXPLAINING IN GREAT DETAIL WHY THIS IS HARMFUL TO EVERYBODY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. YOU KNOW, TELEPHONES WORK BOTH WAYS. AND HAD THE AUTHORS TALKED TO COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WORK IN DOWNTOWN TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE EFFECT OF THIS AS I TOOK THREE CALLS LAST WEEK FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SELLING THEIR BUILDINGS AND THE VALUE THAT DROPPED. [2:19:07] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** WE SEE THE BEST EXAMPLE IN THE WARD OF THIS $235 MILLION SALE COMPARED TO A $30 MILLION ASSESSED VALUE. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH OUR BUILDINGS. WE HAVE TO BRING OUR DOWNTOWN BACK AND DATA CENTERS ARE GOING TO BE PART OF IT. THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 25 MEGA WATT DATA CENTER WHICH WE HAVE IN DOWNTOWN NOW. WE HAVE DATA CENTERS ALREADY AND THE KIND THAT THE STATE IS PROPOSING TO THROW THE MORATORIUM ON. THOSE ARE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS. THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE. AND WE HAVE TO SEND THE SIGNAL TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT DOWNTOWN IS IMPORTANT AND WE SUPPORT THAT. [2:19:45] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** SO THAT'S THE VOTE WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TODAY. DO WE WANT TO KEEP PUTTING A KNIFE IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS OR DO WE WANT TO NURTURE IT AND BRING IT BACK SO THAT EVERY RENTER AND EVERY HOMEOWNER IN THE CITY PAYS LESS? [2:20:01] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. WHAT I WILL NOTE FOR THIS IS ACTUALLY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DEFINITIVE STANCE ON WHETHER OR NOT DATA CENTERS ARE GOOD AND AN ECONOMIC BUILDER IN ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE WAYS IN WHICH WHATEVER BENEFITS THEY QUOTE UNQUOTE PROVIDE ACTUALLY COME AT THE EXPENSE OF IS IT DISPLACEMENT, IS IT THE ENERGY ABSORPTION, WHICH WE DO HAVE A LOT OF HERE. AND TO SAY THAT OH, WE DON'T HAVE TO CONCERN OURSELVES WITH THAT, THAT IS EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC. AND WHAT THIS ACTUALLY TEES US UP TO DO IS TO DO THE ANALYSIS TO THE DATA GATHERING THAT IS PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. [2:20:40] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THIS IS TO START THAT EARLIER CONVERSATION. AND I'M ALL FOR TALKING ABOUT HOW TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE. THAT IS WHY WE ACTUALLY HAVE FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS IN FRONT OF US THAT COULD GIVE US A PATHWAY FOR BRINGING TENS TO HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WORRY ABOUT EITHER CORPORATE IN FLIGHT OR FLIGHT FROM DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS. AND WE DON'T HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PASS THE BUCK ONTO OUR HOMEOWNERS AND OTHER REGULAR FOLKS. WE HAVE OTHER MEANS OF EXPLORING AND BRINGING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE. THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO ALLOW CORPORATE PLAYERS TO COME IN AND SUCK UP ALL OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ALSO DO OTHER HARMFUL EFFECTS. [2:21:21] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** BUT I'M MORE THAN HAPPY FOR US TO AT LEAST START THE CONVERSATION OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE TO PAIR THAT WITH OTHER REVENUE GENERATORS OUTSIDE OF MAKING THIS SEEM LIKE THIS IS THE END ALL BE ALL FOR ACTUALLY ADDRESSING THE BLEAK ECONOMIC OUTLOOK OF OUR CITY THAT CURRENTLY REGULAR WORKING PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO KEEP US AFLOAT AND ARE ANTICIPATED IN KEEPING US AFLOAT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. SO I WILL JUST YEAH -- I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION TO REFER BACK TO STAFF. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE COLLEAGUES TO REALLY LOOK AT THE FULL PICTURE OF IMPACTS AND ACTUALLY LOOKING AT WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE VISION AROUND ECONOMIC RECOVERY NOT JUST AROUND DOWNTOWN. [2:22:03] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** BUT THAT TAKES INTO THAT BROADER IMPACT OF CONCERNS AND OTHER REVENUE TOOLS THAT WE COULD BE UTILIZING AND WORKING WITH STATE LEADERS TO TRULY BRING IN ADDITIONAL DOLLARS INTO OUR CITY. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. JUST I THINK CLARIFYING AGAIN, SORRY IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M PROBABLY ASKING A SIMILAR QUESTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER DID. BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, RIGHT, THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS ORDINANCE WHEN INTRODUCED AND REFERRED ON THE 21st WOULD THEN START THE MORATORIUM? [2:22:42] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF IN FACT ON THE 21st THIS BODY VOTES IN FAVOR OF THE INTRODUCTION, THEN THAT WOULD TRIGGER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS MORATORIUM. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** LANGUAGE AGAIN, AND THIS IS WHERE I'M A LITTLE MORE CONFUSED, LANGUAGE DOES NEED TO BE ATTACHED TO THAT INTRODUCTION OR REFERRAL ON THE 21st, CORRECT? **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THROUGH THE PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING, THE LANGUAGE OF THE ORDINANCE IS WHAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE REFERRING TO ITS COMMITTEE PROCESS TO DEVELOP. HOWEVER UNDER THE STATE LAW AND UNDER CODE CITED BY CITY ATTORNEY ANDERSON, THE EFFECT OF THE ORDINANCE BEGINS IMMEDIATELY AND THEN WHEN YOU ADOPT YOUR ORDINANCE, YOU WOULD PRESCRIBE UP TO A YEAR FOR THE MORATORIUM TO LAST WHILE STUDY TAKES PLACE. [2:23:36] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SO THERE IS AN INITIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE BASED ON INTRODUCTION. AND THEN WHEN THE COUNCIL ADOPTS THE ORDINANCE, THEY PRESCRIBE FUTURE DETAILS OF THAT MORATORIUM. **Council President Elliot Payne:** MAYBE I'LL ADD TO THAT THE WORDING OF THE INTRODUCTION DOES ACTUALLY MATTER. I MEAN IT CAN BE CRAFTED HOWEVER AND THAT IS THE THING THAT YOU'RE VOTING ON AS THE INTRODUCTION. SO THIS ONE IS SPECIFIC TO DATA CENTERS. OBVIOUSLY IT WOULDN'T HAVE A BROADER EFFECT THAN THAT. SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WORDING OF WHAT YOU'RE VOTING ON AT THE TIME. [2:24:12] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** OKAY, HELPFUL. AND THEN PRESIDENT PAYNE, I THINK IS IT POSSIBLE TO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE AUTHOR? IS THAT HOW THAT WORKS? **Council President Elliot Payne:** IF THE AUTHOR IS INTERESTED. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** COOL. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THE DATE OF THE 21st IS IN REFERENCE TO ENSURING THAT WHEN THE STATE KIND OF PASSES SOME STUDY OR LANGUAGE ON WHAT THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT FROM THE DATA -- ARE YOU ABLE TO SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT? [2:24:37] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** YEAH. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. THAT IS THE INTENTION. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED AT THE STATE LEVEL. DEPENDING ON WHAT PASSES, THAT COULD SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE ON THE SUBSTANTIVE MATTER. SO I FELT THAT IT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO WAIT UNTIL WE HAD DEFINITIVE ACTION FROM THE LEGISLATURE ON THEIR LAST DAY WHICH IS I BELIEVE MAY 18TH. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AND THEN LAST QUESTION HERE FOR COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY IS IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S POSSIBLE TO HAVE MORE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE ONCE WE GET TO THE 21st. [2:25:13] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD BE OPEN TO TALKING THROUGH WHAT THAT LANGUAGE COULD LOOK LIKE? **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING, GREAT QUESTION. THAT WAS ALREADY THE PLAN THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC AND OUR STAFF WILL HAVE THAT. WE'LL WORK TOGETHER. AND THEN WE CAN HAVE A GREAT DISCUSSION HERE AND ULTIMATELY I THINK IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ALSO WEIGH IN AT A PUBLIC HEARING AND THEN WE CAN HAVE A GOOD DEBATE ABOUT IT. [2:25:39] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. I THINK I SHARE SIMILAR CONCERNS THAT MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES SHAFFER AND RAINVILLE DO. I THINK WHAT WE HAVE SEEN DOWNTOWN WITH THE LAST -- I MEAN IF WE LOOK AT THE SLEEP NUMBER BUILDING, AN EVALUATION A YEAR AGO 30 AND THEN SELLING FOR $235 MILLION IS AN INFLUX INTO OUR DOWNTOWN TAX BASE THAT I THINK SHARES THE BURDEN ACROSS THE CITY. AND SO I THINK I AM OPEN TO FIGURING OUT WHAT THIS LANGUAGE COULD BE AND HOW IT COULD BE HELPFUL. SO WHILE I'M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF I THINK REFERRING IT BACK TO THE AUTHOR TODAY, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A FULL IN DEPTH CONVERSATION ON THE 21st TO SEE IF IT'S HELPFUL TO ACTUALLY MOVE ANY OF THIS FORWARD OR NOT. [2:26:24] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** SO I KNOW I WILL BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY AND OTHER OF MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME LANGUAGE THAT IS HELPFUL FOR ALL INTERESTS CONSIDERED. THANK YOU. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** YEAH. I WAS HOPING TO ASK THE CLERK A QUESTION. YOU'VE BEEN AROUND HERE A WHILE. YOU'VE BEEN AROUND OTHER CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR A WHILE. CAN YOU TELL ME THE NORMS AROUND INTRODUCTIONS? IS IT NORMAL OR IS IT COMMON FOR US TO APPROVE INTRODUCTIONS NO MATTER WHAT OR TO HAVE DISCUSSION LIKE THIS ON DIFFERENT INTRODUCTIONS? [2:27:06] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, I'VE SAID THIS IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE COUNCIL. I'LL OFFER IT TO THIS BODY IN THIS CURRENT VERSION WITH THE NEW MEMBERS. THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN MINNEAPOLIS BEGINS WITH AN INTRODUCTION. THAT'S WHY YOU VOTE ON INTRODUCTIONS. A VOTE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PRO FORMA. THEY TEND TO BE TAKEN UNANIMOUSLY, AND THEY TEND TO OPERATE AS A MEANS OF MOVING FORWARD IN THE PROCESS. HOWEVER, IT IS IN FACT THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS WHERE A FORMAL VOTE IS TAKEN. WE RECORD THAT VOTE. [2:27:39] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** IT IS THE FIRST CHANCE THAT THE BODY HAS TO EITHER ADVANCE A PROPOSAL IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OR TO KILL IT OUTRIGHT IF A MAJORITY DEEMS THAT IDEA OR PROPOSAL NOT WORTHY OF THE BODY'S ATTENTION OR WORTHY OF THE STAFF'S RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND FURTHER BRING FORWARD A PROPOSAL. SO IS IT UNIFORMLY A YES VOTE ON INTRODUCTIONS? USUALLY, BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS. AND IT IS, I WILL REMIND THE BODY, THE FIRST CHANCE FOR EITHER A YEAH, WE WANT THE RESOURCES TO BE DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING AN IDEA INTO A FORMAL PROPOSAL, OR IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BODY TO SAY NO, WE DON'T WANT THAT. SO IT IS NOT PRO FORMA. IT SOMETIMES FEELS THAT WAY BECAUSE THE BULK OF ITEMS DO MOVE FORWARD USUALLY UNANIMOUSLY AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS. [2:28:31] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** OKAY, THANK YOU. GIVEN THAT THE BULK OF ITEMS GENERALLY MOVE FORWARD IN THIS WAY AND GIVEN THAT WE HAVE NOW SEEN I THINK THIS IS AT LEAST THE SECOND TIME THAT AN INTRODUCTION JUST TO BEGIN EXPLORING AN IDEA HAS BEEN CHALLENGED AND ATTEMPTED TO VOTE DOWN, I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT MUCH INK HAS BEEN SPILLED IN THIS CITY ABOUT POLARIZATION, ABOUT FIGHTING ON THE CITY COUNCIL, ABOUT NOT GETTING ALONG. AND I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE NORMS OF MOVING THESE THINGS THROUGH SO THAT WE CAN HEAR WHAT THEY'RE ABOUT AND THEN VOTE ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE THING. [2:28:51] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT WE ARE WITNESSING RIGHT NOW THE ESCALATION OF POLARIZATION AND THE ESCALATION OF FIGHTING ON THIS BODY BY TAKING THESE NOTICES AND BEGINNING TO SHOOT THEM DOWN BEFORE THEY'VE EVEN STARTED. SO I JUST WANT TO NOTE THIS POINT IN TIME BECAUSE IN OUR COUNTRY AND IN OUR CITY, WE ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF POLARIZATION. A LOT OF IN FIGHTING, AND IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO NOTE WHEN WE ARE CROSSING NORMS. AND THIS IS CROSSING OF A NORM AS FAR AS I CAN SEE IT. [2:29:45] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** SO I WANT US TO BE AWARE. DO WE WANT TO GO DOWN THE PATH OF YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE SOMETHING JUST SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT, WE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT IT, AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WHO MAYBE USUALLY DISAGREE WITH YOU SHOOT YOUR THING DOWN BEFORE IT GETS STARTED? OR DO WE WANT TO HAVE A CULTURE ON THIS BODY OF LETTING OUR THINGS MOVE FORWARD SO THAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT THEM, WE CAN HAVE LANGUAGE ABOUT THEM, AND THEN WE CAN ASSESS THEM ON THE MERITS RATHER THAN ASSESS THEM FIVE WORD TITLE. [2:30:18] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A CULTURE ON THIS BODY OF LETTING OUR COLLEAGUES BRING POLICIES FORWARD SO THAT WE CAN HEAR WHAT THEY CAN, WE CAN SEE WHAT THEY ARE, WE CAN AMEND THEM, WE CAN DISCUSS THEM. I REALLY DON'T WANT A CULTURE ON THIS BODY OF KILLING EACH OTHER'S IDEAS, KILLING EACH OTHER'S BEGINNING OF EXPLORATION ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US. I THINK THAT'S A BAD NORM FOR US TO TAKE. I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE THE NORM OF INTRODUCING POLICIES AND LETTING THEM MOVE FORWARD. AND THAT WILL MEAN THAT WE ARE GOING TO LET THINGS MOVE FORWARD THAT WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO VOTE DOWN LATER. I, RIGHT NOW SITTING HERE, I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE FENCE REGULATION ORDINANCE. [2:31:02] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** BUT I DON'T KNOW YET BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY SORT OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IT IS. BUT WHEN IT MOVES THROUGH THE PROCESS, PERHAPS I WILL CHANGE MY MIND. BECAUSE WE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW ANYTHING. THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE INFORMATION LATER. I DON'T WANT TO BE ON A BODY WHERE WE KILL EACH OTHER'S THINGS BEFORE THEY GET STARTED. SO PLEASE LET'S NOT PICK UP THAT NORM. LET'S KEEP THE NORM OR MAYBE ESTABLISH AN EVEN STRONGER NORM OF LETTING EACH OTHER'S IDEAS MOVE FORWARD TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN HAVE REAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING. THAT'S A REQUEST TO MY COLLEAGUES. [2:31:39] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SECOND. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY JUST SPEAKING FROM WHY I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD, I HAVE SO MANY CONSTITUENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE CONCERNED. THEY'RE GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACTS THIS WILL HAVE ON OUR ENVIRONMENT. THE IMPACTS THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON OUR ENERGY GRID. THE IMPACTS THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON NATIONAL SECURITY. THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS THAT NEED TO BE HAD. BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE WAY THAT OUR CITY IS SHAPED. [2:32:14] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AND WE NEED MOVE RESPONSIBLY. SURE, THERE'S A DOLLAR TAG ASSOCIATED WITH IT. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS -- THERE'S AND SO I JUST WANT US TO MOVE RESPONSIBLY AND I ALSO SHARE IN LET'S HAVE A CULTURE OF BEING ABLE TO SHARE IDEAS AND MOVE THEM FORWARD AND ACTUALLY GET INTO THE ARENA OF WHERE WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE OVER LANGUAGE AND WE CAN HAVE THE PUBLIC WEIGH IN AND SHARE THEIR COMMENTS AS A I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO CULTURE SHIFT ALOT MORE IN GENERAL. [2:32:44] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THERE NEEDS TO A LOT MORE KINDNESS AND GRACE GIVEN UP HERE. THAT'S JUST A FACT OF THE MATTER. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE OPEN FROM HEARING FROM EACH OTHER AND REACHING OUT TO EACH OTHER. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT. I CARE ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION AND DEBATE AND TO ALLOW FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS TO WEIGH IN. AND NOT JUST THE CONSTITUENTS THAT OWN COMPANIES OR HAVE A FINANCIAL STAKE IN HAVING A DATA CENTER. [2:33:07] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THANK YOU. AND I AGREE SO MUCH WITH YOUR CHANGE OF CULTURE. ABSOLUTELY, HAVE TO DO IT. WE HAVE TO QUIT COMPLAINING. QUIT WHINING. WE HAVE TO RESPECT EACH OTHER. AND WE HAVE THE TOOL TO DO THIS, IT'S CALLED A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE. TO JUST JUMP OUT RIGHT AWAY AND PROPOSE A MORATORIUM IS NOT THE WAY TO CHANGE THE CULTURE. [2:33:37] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THAT'S WHY WE'RE SO DEFENSIVE. THE PROPER WAY TO MOVE THIS DISCUSSION WOULD HAVE BEEN A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE AS WE HAVE DONE FOR SO MANY TIMES. THIS WAS JUST A BLUNT TOOL AS COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER SAID. SO LET'S CHANGE THE CULTURE, LET'S USE OUR LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE. LET'S HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. PHONES WORK TWO WAYS. AUTHORS CAN CALL US ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO BE EFFECTED, WHOSE WARDS ARE GOING TO BE EFFECTED. LET'S USE THAT LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE INSTEAD OF THIS BLUNT TOOL. [2:34:08] **Council President Elliot Payne:** I ADDED MYSELF TO QUEUE JUST TO KIND OF MAYBE ECHO SOME OF THE SAME SENTIMENT AROUND THERE'S THE SUBSTANCE OF THIS AROUND THE WISDOM OF -- THE ACTUAL MOTION IN FRONT OF US IS TO DELAY THIS UNTIL AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THAT'S THE SUBSTANCE OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE HAVING. AND IT DID VEER OFF QUITE OFF TOPIC ABOUT LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, PROCEDURES, OF WHICH I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY A CONVERSATION WE SHOULD HAVE. MAYBE WE CAN FORM A WORKING GROUP ABOUT THAT. [2:33:38] **Council President Elliot Payne:** I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO BE DOING. BUT I DO JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SUBJECT MATTER INTRODUCTION AND CAN COMPARING OUR LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND WHETHER IT'S A NORM OR RULE COMPARED TO FOR INSTANCE SOMEWHERE LIKE THE CAPITOL. I WENT TO THE CAPITOL REVISOR'S OFFICE TO DO A ROUGH COUNT OF HOW MANY REVISOR STAFF THERE ARE. THERE'S 55 STAFF AT THE STATE CAPITOL SUPPORTING DRAFTING THAT LEGISLATION AND THAT'S JUST WITHIN THE REVISOR'S OFFICE. I'M SURE THERE'S STAFF ON TOP OF THAT THAT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE. [2:34:00] **Council President Elliot Payne:** I THINK ONE OF THE NORMS THAT WE HAVE AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS THAT IN THE PAST, THE CITY COUNCIL WAS THE STRONG SOURCE OF POWER OF THE CITY AND ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATION EFFECTIVELY WORKED FOR COUNCIL AND YOU WOULD RELY ON THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF TO HELP YOU DRAFT ORDINANCES. NOW, UNDER THIS SEPARATION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE, WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO THAT PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT WE ONCE HAD. [2:34:40] **Council President Elliot Payne:** IT'S BEEN MY INTENTION AND I'VE DEMONSTRATED THAT THROUGH BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND SINCE MY TIME IN OFFICE TO BUILD OUT OUR LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT SO THAT WE HAVE THAT ROBUST STAFF. BUT ANY TALK OF RULE CHANGE TO SAY YOU HAVE TO HAVE FULLY COMPLETED LANGUAGE BEFORE YOU BRING AN INTRODUCTION SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY STAFF CAPACITY TO DO THAT. [2:35:01] **Council President Elliot Payne:** BUT THAT IS NOT THE TOPIC OF WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US. THE TOPIC OF WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US IS DO WE WANT TO DELAY THIS CONVERSATION SO THAT WE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STATE CAPITOL WHICH I THINK IS THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE CONVERSATION TO HAPPEN. SO WITH THAT SEEING NO ONE ELSE LEFT IN QUEUE, WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE VOTE TO RETURN TO AUTHOR. WHICH JUST AS A REMINDER KILLS THIS AS A CONCEPT AND REMOVES IT FROM OUR AGENDA. [2:35:39] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** NAY. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. [2:35:54] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** NAY. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** NAY. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. [2:36:10] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** NAY. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE FIVE AYES AND EIGHT NAYS. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT MOTION FAILS. WE WILL RETURN TO THE UNDERLYING MOTION WHICH IS TO FORWARD THIS TO OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING FOR MAY 21ST. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT? I SEE FOLKS IN QUEUE IS THAT FROM BEFORE THE OTHER MOTION WAS MADE? COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. [2:36:48] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** I'M SORRY. I ASKED THE CLERK FOR SOME DIRECTION. SINCE WE VOTED DOWN THIS, DO WE STILL HAVE TO VOTE FOR IT? **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THROUGH THE PRESIDENT, YES. THE MATTER REMAINS ON THE TABLE BEFORE YOU. THE MOTION NOW IS THE ONE PRINTED ON THE AGENDA WHICH IS TO DELAY THIS TO THE MEETING ON THE 21st. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THANK YOU. **Council President Elliot Payne:** I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING AND VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN IN QUEUE. I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [2:37:21] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** PRESIDENT PAYNE, CAN I CLARIFY SOMETHING? SO TO SUPPORT THIS VOTE, WE'RE SAYING WE'RE POSTPONING IT TO MAY 21ST? **Council President Elliot Payne:** CORRECT. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** TO VOTE AGAINST THAT, WHAT IS THAT? IS THERE AN EARLIER PROCESS? I'M TRYING TO KNOW WHAT THE VOTE AGAINST IT IS? WHAT THAT DOES. [2:37:37] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, A NO VOTE IS SIMPLY REGISTERING AS A NO VOTE THAT YOU DON'T THINK THIS MATTER SHOULD BE DEFERRED. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THERE'S NO ACTION OF AN EARLIER ACTION? **City Clerk Casey Carl:** NO. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS TO OUR MAY 21ST MEETING. [2:37:55] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [2:38:10] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE EIGHT AYES AND FIVE NAYS. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES. AND THAT ITEM WILL BE POSTPONED TO OUR MAY 21ST MEETING. THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE FOUR RESOLUTIONS ON OUR AGENDA TODAY, TWO OF WHICH RECEIVED PRESENTATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT. [3:08:42] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** SO MOVED. **Council President Elliot Payne:** IS THERE A SECOND? **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** SECOND. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. [3:08:58] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 13 AYES. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES. AND THOSE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED. OUR NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS IS UNFINISHED BUSINESS. [3:09:13] **Council President Elliot Payne:** TODAY WE HAVE ONE ITEM OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND THAT IS THE COUNCIL'S RECONSIDERATION OF THE MAYOR'S VETO OF COUNCIL ACTION 2024A-0236 DENYING CONSENT TO THE MAYOR'S NOMINATION OF TODDRICK BARNETTE TO THE APPOINTED POSITION OF COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY FOR A TERM ENDING JANUARY 2030. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO EXPLAIN OUR NEXT STEPS. [3:09:34] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, AS YOU NOTED THE MAYOR DID VETO COUNCIL'S REJECTION OF THE ACT OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSIONER AND RETURNED THAT ACT AS THIS IS CONTAINED IN LIMS FILE 2024-00261 LINKED TO TODAY'S AGENDA. PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.43C AND UNDER COUNCIL RULE 7.8 AN ACT VETOED BY THE MAYOR IS RETURNED TO COUNCIL FOR AUTOMATIC RECONSIDERATION AT ITS NEXT MEETING. THAT IS NOW BEFORE THE BODY IN ITS EXACT SAME FORM WITHOUT DEBATE, WITHOUT AMENDMENT, AND THE IMMEDIATE QUESTION TO BE DECIDED BY THE COUNCIL IS AS FOLLOWS: [3:10:16] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHALL THE DECISION OF THE CITY COUNCIL STAND NOTWITHSTANDING THE VETO OF THE MAYOR? IF AT LEAST 2/3 OF THE COUNCIL VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE VETO IS OVERRIDDEN. OTHERWISE THE VETO IS SUSTAINED. THAT MEANS IF THERE ARE AT LEAST NINE AFFIRMATIVE OR AYE VOTES ON THIS MOTION, THEN THE VETO IS OVERRIDDEN AND THE COUNCIL'S REJECTION OF THIS NOMINATION STANDS, CONSENT IS NOT GIVEN, AND MR. BARNETTE IS NOT REAPPOINTED TO THAT POSITION OF COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSIONER. WITH THAT, I'M PREPARED TO CALL THE ROLL FOR THE AUTOMATIC RECONSIDERATION. [3:10:46] **Council President Elliot Payne:** ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE FOR THE CLERK AND A REMINDER THERE IS NO DISCUSSION OR DEBATE ON THIS MOTION? COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** I THINK JUST FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY, IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE MAYOR'S VETO BEING SUSTAINED WOULD BE HERE? AND PERHAPS THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, IS A QUESTION, THE CLERK COULD TAKE ON OR PERHAPS THE CITY ATTORNEY COULD TAKE ON. UP TO YOU. [3:11:15] **Council President Elliot Payne:** MR. CLERK, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY, FLIP A COIN. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** I CAN CERTAINLY ADDRESS THE PROCEDURE AND THE ATTORNEY CAN CHIME IN AND CORRECT ME ON ANY PLACE WHERE I AM INCORRECT. AS WITH ANY MATTER THAT'S BEFORE THIS BODY OF COURSE, SOME DISPOSITIVE ACTION IS NEEDED TO BRING FINALITY TO A MAYOR'S VETO. IF THERE ARE NOT NINE AFFIRMATIVE OR AYE VOTES ON THIS MOTION, THAT MEANS THE NOMINATION REMAINS ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF COUNCIL. [3:11:52] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** IT STAYS THERE UNTIL COUNCIL TAKES SOME TYPE OF ACTION WHICH FINALLY DISPOSES OF IT. SO UNTIL THAT TIME, AND AS THE CITY ATTORNEY INDICATED IN HER LEGAL OPINION, THE STATUS QUO REMAINS IN EFFECT. THE NOMINATION WOULD REMAIN PENDING. THE COUNCIL MAY THEN CONSIDER ANY PROPER MOTION TO DEAL WITH THE NOMINATION AFTER TAKING UP THE RECONSIDERATION OF THE VETO. [3:12:17] **Council President Elliot Payne:** CAN YOU REMIND US WHAT A PROPER MOTION WOULD BE IN THIS INSTANCE? **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PURELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF EXAMPLE OF COURSE I WOULD SAY ACTIONS THAT MIGHT BE PROPER AND WITHIN THE COUNCIL'S PURVIEW AT THAT TIME WOULD INCLUDE BUT NOT NECESSARILY BE LIMITED TO A RENEWED MOTION TO REJECT THE NOMINATION, OR AT THE OTHER END YOU COULD HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOMINATION. IT COULD ALSO INCLUDE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS NOMINATION TO A DATE CERTAIN GIVING THE COUNCIL MORE TIME. OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD BE PROPERLY BEFORE THE BODY. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OPTIONS COUNCIL COULD CONSIDER. BUT THE PRIMARY POINT, I'LL REITERATE IS THAT A SUSTAINED VETO DOES NOT MOVE THAT NOMINATION AWAY AS THE LEGAL OPINION FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY STATED AND SHE SHOULD SPEAK TO THIS, IT DOES REQUIRE BOTH THE NOMINATION AND THE CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL TO EFFECTUATE AN APPOINTMENT. [3:13:04] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SO THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER PIECES THAT HAPPEN LEGALLY AND FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE STANDPOINT. BUT BEFORE THE BODY TODAY THE VOTE IS ON THE MAYOR'S VETO OF YOUR PRIOR ACT. AND IT TAKES NINE AFFIRMATIVE VOTES TO OVERTURN THAT. IF THE VETO IS OVERTURNED, THAT IS A FINAL ACTION. THAT WOULD BE, AS I SAID, NINE AFFIRMATIVE VOTES WOULD CONFIRM THE COUNCIL'S PREVIOUS ACTION. IT WOULD DENY THE NOMINATION AND IT WOULD NOT GIVE CONSENT TO THE MAYOR'S NOMINATION AND WOULD RESULT IN AN APPOINTMENT NOT BEING MADE. [3:13:22] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** IF THE VETO IS SUSTAINED IF THE COUNCIL DOES NOT GET NINE VOTES, THEN THE ORIGINAL NOMINATION REMAINS ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF THIS BODY. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AND JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, MR. CLERK, WHEN WOULD SUBSEQUENT MOTIONS BE APPROPRIATE? IS THAT AT FUTURE MEETINGS OF THIS BODY? [3:13:53] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, BECAUSE THIS MATTER IS ON THE AGENDA TODAY, NOTICE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HAS BEEN GIVEN. SO AS SOON AS THE VOTE TAKEN ON THE MAYOR'S VETO IS COMPLETED, IF THAT MATTER IS STILL ON THE TABLE, THEN A MOTION COULD BE BROUGHT AT THAT TIME. IF THE COUNCIL DOESN'T TAKE AN ACTION TODAY, THIS MATTER WILL STAY ON YOUR COUNCIL AGENDA. IT WILL COME BACK AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING AUTOMATICALLY. IF YOU DON'T WISH IT TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING AUTOMATICALLY, THEN A MOTION TO POSTPONE TO SOME DATE CERTAIN WOULD CERTAINLY BE IN ORDER SO THAT THE CLERKS KNOW IT'S NOT TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING, IT'S TO COME BACK AT SOME DETERMINED FUTURE DATE BY THE BODY. [3:14:36] **Council President Elliot Payne:** THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** YES, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE LEGAL EXPERTISE ON THEIR EXPLANATION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CONFUSED THE PUBLIC WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF WE DON'T TAKE ANY ACTION OR WE DON'T APPROVE IT. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AUGUST 2ND? THAT'S WHAT I'M MORE INTERESTED IN. THANK YOU. [3:15:16] **Kristyn Anderson (City Attorney):** COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBER, SO I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT CLERK CARL STATED. HE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING ACCURATELY. IN TERMS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THIS PARTICULAR INCUMBENT, AGAIN TODAY IF THE VOTE IS TO OVERRIDE THE VETO, THIS PARTICULAR INCUMBENT CANNOT BE APPOINTED, REAPPOINTED TO THE NEW TERM. IF THE BODY SUSTAINS THE VETO, THE NOMINATION AGAIN REMAINS OPEN UNTIL THE BODY WERE TO TAKE AN ACTION. [3:15:58] **Kristyn Anderson (City Attorney):** THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROVISIONS IN THE CHARTER THAT ARE AT PLAY HERE SORT OF REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE BODY DOES TODAY. BECAUSE THE INCUMBENT IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS APPOINTED THROUGH CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL FOR LAST TERM, THERE'S A PROVISION IN THE CHARTER, IT'S CALLED HOLDOVER THAT WOULD ALLOW SO LONG AS THE MAYOR WANTS TO CONTINUE, THE INCUMBENT TO STAY IN THEIR PERMANENT ROLE. IT'S AT WILL BUT I'M GOING TO USE THE WORD PERMANENT HERE. IN THIS HOLDOVER UNTIL AUGUST 3RD OR LONGER WITH CONSENT OF COUNCIL, THE INCUMBENT COULD CONTINUE TO HOLD OVER IN THAT PERMANENT ROLE AT THAT POINT. ONCE THE HOLDOVER PERIOD IS OVER, THERE IS A VACANCY THAT'S CREATED. [3:17:05] **Kristyn Anderson (City Attorney):** AND UNDER ORDINANCE ACTUALLY, THE MAYOR IS THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY, ALWAYS HAS THE ABILITY TO APPOINT AN INTERIM WHILE A POSITION IS VACANT. HE COULD DECIDE TO APPOINT THE CURRENT INCUMBENT AS AN INTERIM OR SOMEONE ELSE. WE'RE SORT OF IN A LIMBO PERIOD. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [3:17:28] **Council President Elliot Payne:** SO TO SUMMARIZE, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE VETO OF THE DENIAL OF THE APPOINTMENT OF TODDRICK BARNETTE REQUIRES AT LEAST NINE AFFIRMATIVE VOTES. THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** NO. [3:18:10] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** NO. [3:18:25] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THAT MOTION FAILS AND THE PRESIDENT'S VETO IS SUSTAINED. **Council President Elliot Payne:** DECISION TO DENY THE APPOINTMENT DOESN'T STAND AND A NEW MOTION WOULD BE IN ORDER ACCORDING TO THE DESCRIPTION THAT THE CLERK MADE. COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. [3:18:44] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** COLLEAGUES, I HAVE A PRIORITY MOTION BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THIS GOVERNING BODY PURSUANT TO THIS MATTER. I DO BELIEVE THE RIGHTS OF THIS BODY WERE VIOLATED AFTER THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING ON THIS TOPIC. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CLEAR UP AND OBJECTION. I OBJECT TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S APRIL 15TH RECORD BEING INCLUDED IN THIS MATTER. THE BODY WAS NOT CONSULTED. I WAS NOT CONSULTED. WAS EVERYBODY ELSE? MY OBJECTION IS STRAIGHTFORWARD. [3:19:17] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THAT LETTER PRESENTS ITSELF AS SPEAKING FOR THE BODY. BUT NO AUTHORITY IS DELEGATED BY THIS BODY TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR THAT PURPOSE. ABSENT A VOTE OF AUTHORIZATION THE FILING OF THAT LETTER FALLS OUTSIDE THE LIMITED AND PROCEDURAL ROLE ASSIGNED TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THAT'S IN OUR RULES. AND I THINK THAT THIS ACTION SETS A VERY CONCERNING PRECEDENT. NEITHER OUR CITY CHARTER OR OUR RULES GIVE A COUNCIL PRESIDENT AN INHERENT RIGHT TO SPEAK FOR THIS BODY. [3:19:54] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THE PRESIDENT MAY SPEAK AS A SPOKESPERSON BUT ONLY TO CONVEY ACTIONS FORMALLY ADOPTED BY THIS BODY. THAT'S THE LINE. THE COUNCIL SPEAKS ONLY WHEN IT ACTS COLLECTIVELY. WITHOUT THAT ACTION, THERE IS NO FORMAL POSITION OF COUNCIL TO REPRESENT. THE LETTER IN QUESTION I'M SPEAKING ABOUT DOES SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IT REPRESENTS AND PRESENTS A SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL VIEWPOINTS AND IMPLIES A COLLECTIVE POSITION THAT THIS BODY DID NOT ADOPT. STATEMENTS MADE IN DEBATE DON'T CONSTITUTE ANY FORMAL POSITION OF THIS BODY. [3:20:29] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AND IT DOESES NOT SPEAK FOR ME. EQUALLY CONCERNING, IT DOES NOT REFLECT THE FULL RANGE OF POSITIONS EXPRESSED BY ALL MEMBERS. IT FAVORS SOME VIEWPOINTS OVER OTHERS. AND THAT'S A CONCERNING PATTERN RAISED BEFORE THAT THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT USES A POSITION TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO A PARTICULAR FACTION OF THIS BODY ACTING MORE AS THE LEADER OF A POLITICAL COALITION INSTEAD OF A LEADER OF THE ENTIRE BODY. [3:21:03] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** ALL OF US DEPEND ON THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO BE A FAIR FACILITATOR OF OUR PROCESS. AND THAT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WHEN THE COUNCIL IS CLOSELY DIVIDED, LIKE IT IS TODAY. AT MOMENTS LIKE THIS, THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S LEADERSHIP MATTERS MOST. AND WE ALL EXPECT THAT LEADERSHIP TO BE FAIR, CONSISTENT, AND APPLIED EQUALLY AND WITHOUT FAVOR. [3:21:28] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THE FILING OF THAT LETTER, IF WE ALLOW THAT TO STAND, WE UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR OWN PROCESS AND WE BLUR THE LINE BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY AND INSTITUTIONAL ACTION. FOR THOSE REASONS, I OBJECT TO THE LETTER AND I MOVE THAT IT BE REMOVED FROM THE FILE IN RECOGNITION THAT IT WAS SUBMITTED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION AND I ASK FOR A SECOND TO THAT MOTION. [3:21:52] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** SECOND. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** PRESIDENT PAYNE, YOU CANNOT WRITE A POSITION, PUT IT IN THE PUBLIC RECORD AND CALL IT THE COUNCIL'S POSITION AFTER THE FACT. WHERE WE GO FROM HERE IS UP TO THIS BODY. BUT FOR NOW, LET'S AGREE TO CLEAR OUT THE RECORD. **Council President Elliot Payne:** MR. CLERK, SOME GUIDANCE? I'M ON QUEUE TOO. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. [3:22:23] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, THERE'S A LOT OF ACCUSATIONS FLYING AROUND HERE. THE LETTER CLEARLY STATES IT'S FROM CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ELLIOTT PAYNE. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THE HYPOCRISY. MAYOR FREY ACCUSED THE COUNCIL OF POLITICAL GAINSMANSHIP AND IT IS POSTED ON THE SAME THING. SO I JUST ASK US IF WE'RE GOING OF THE SAME THING, LET'S NOT BE HYPOCRITICAL BECAUSE THE MAYOR DID THE EXACT SAME THING HERE. [3:22:56] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THE MEMO FROM PRESIDENT PAYNE SAYS IT'S FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT ELLIOTT PAYNE, IT DOESN'T SAY OUR NAMES. PEOPLE SHOULD READ LIMS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO READ THE FACTS INSTEAD OF BELIEVING WHAT PEOPLE SAY UP HERE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** MR. CLERK, IS THIS MOTION IN ORDER? [3:23:13] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, I DO BELIEVE THE MOTION IS IN ORDER. THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THE BODY. AND THERE WAS A COMMENT ABOUT SPEAKING, WITH YOUR INDULGENCE, MAYBE I'LL ADDRESS THREE THINGS IN REVERSE ORDER. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ MENTIONED THE MAYOR'S MEMO WHICH IS IN LIMS. AND THAT'S REQUIRED BY THE CHARTER. WHEN THE MAYOR VETOES ANYTHING, HE IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT HIS OBJECTIONS IN WRITING. IT'S PART OF THE VETO. THE MESSAGE GOES WITH THE VETO. SO THAT'S PART OF HIS ACT IN VETOING. THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT -- I'M GOING TO INTERPRET IT AS THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT SPEAKING FOR THE BODY, DOES THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK FOR THE BODY? [3:23:56] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO. THERE IS A LONGER ANSWER, BUT THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO. THE LAW CREATES THE COUNCIL AS A COLLECTIVE BODY. YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY THAT MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE ARE NO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT POWERS PROVIDED TO THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT, ANY OFFICER OR ANY MEMBER. THE COUNCIL HAS TO ACT AS A BODY. IT CAN ONLY DO SO WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF A LEGAL MEETING AND THEN IN THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM WITH A MAJORITY VOTE. THAT'S HOW THE COUNCIL SPEAKS. THAT'S HOW THE COUNCIL ACTS. SO ANY POSITION OR STATEMENT BY THE BODY HAS TO BE TAKEN IN THAT METHOD FOR OFFICIAL ACTION. [3:24:30] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** IT'S UP FOR THE COUNCIL TO DETERMINE WHAT IT SAYS AND WHAT ANY POSITION MIGHT BE. THERE ARE CONTEXTS THAT I THINK HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT NUANCES. THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT DOES SERVE IN A SPOKESPERSON ROLE TO EXPRESS THE WILL OF THE BODY. BUT THAT WILL HAS TO BE EXPRESSED. AND ONCE IT IS EXPRESSED, THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT CAN EXPRESS WHAT THE WILL OF THE BODY IS. SO IN TERMS OF BEING A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE BODY, I THINK THAT'S A LIMITED OR MORE NARROW ROLE. THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS A MEMBER OF THE BODY AND AS AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AS COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ ALLUDED, ANY INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THIS BODY HAS THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR OWN POSITION. [3:25:12] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** BUT NO INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE BODY CAN SPEAK FOR THE BODY UNLESS THE BODY AUTHORIZES THAT. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** YEAH, JUST TAKING A PEEK HERE. AND I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AM SEEING THIS VETO LETTER. AND I THINK FACTS DO MATTER IS WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ IS NOTING. TAKING A PEEK AT THE MAYOR'S VETO LETTER AS KIND OF CLARIFIED BY OUR CLERKS HERE, WE KIND OF HAVE THE HEADING OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AT THE TOP. AND THEN A SIGNATURE BLOCK AT THE BOTTOM. YOURS TRULY, SIGNED MAYOR JACOB FRYE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. LOOKING AT THE -- SORRY, MY COMPUTER IS RUNNING A LITTLE SLOW HERE. [3:26:03] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** LOOKING AT THE PERFECT, SOUNDS LIKE THE LETTER LISTED THAT CITY COUNCIL'S VISION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY AND TODDRICK FAILED TO MEET THAT MISSION. AT THE BOTTOM THERE'S NO SIGNATURE THERE. SO I THINK IT IS CONCERNING TO BE HONEST. WHEN IT SAYS CITY COUNCIL'S I THINK IF IT WAS COMING FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, IT SHOULD SAY COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S VISION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY. BUT I THINK IT SEEMS LIKE THE MOTION HAS SENSE HERE. BUT I WON'T ARGUE THE FACTS UNDER THE LETTER. I THINK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHETHER IT SOUNDS LIKE HAS THE ABILITY TO SPEAK FOR COUNCIL. AND I THINK IT SAYS CLEARLY AT THE TOP COUNCIL'S VISION. THAT IS ALL. THANK YOU. [3:27:03] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL BE VOTING FOR THIS. I THINK IT AGAIN SPEAKS TO THE SESSION THAT WE HAD TO CANCEL WITH THE UNFORTUNATE SHOOTING DURING THE I.C.E. OCCUPATION. THIS IS ALMOST END OF APRIL. THAT HAPPENED JANUARY 7TH. THAT DATE WILL ALWAYS BE SEARED IN MY BRAIN. AND WE NEED TO GET BACK IN THE ROOM AND TALK ABOUT OUR CULTURE AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS AND HOW WE SPEAK. THIS LETTER WAS INAPPROPRIATE. LESSON LEARNED. IT'S BAD FOR THE DEMOCRACY TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN. I DON'T NEED TO GO INTO THE LEADERSHIP ISSUES. BUT WE SHOULD JUST CLEAR THE RECORD AND START ALL OVER AGAIN. THANK YOU. AND GET US IN THE ROOM, CLERK CARL PLEASE. [3:27:52] **Vice President Jamal Osman:** LOOKING AT THE LETTER, THE WAY I SAW IT AND THE WAY I SEE IT IS THAT IT ADDRESSES THE MAJORITY COUNCIL AGREE. THAT'S HOW I SEE IT. CITY CLERK, CAN YOU LOOKING AT THE LANGUAGE OF WHAT'S WRITTEN ON THAT -- IS THAT ASSUMPTION OTHER THAN WHAT I THINK? WHICH IS THIS IS ADDRESSING SPEAKING ON THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL INSTEAD OF JUST ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS? [3:28:32] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT, THAT'S NOT FOR ME TO DECIDE. IT'S FOR THE BODY TO DECIDE. I THINK THE QUESTION IS WHETHER A MAJORITY OF THE BODY FEELS THAT THE INCLUSION OF THAT LETTER IS IN FACT AN ATTEMPT TO SPEAK FOR THE BODY OR NOT. I WILL SIMPLY REITERATE WHAT I SAID EARLIER. [3:28:51] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** BOTH THE CHARTER AND OUR RULES PROVIDE RIGHTS FOR THE BODY AND RIGHTS FOR THE MEMBERS. RIGHTS OF THE BODY OUTRANK RIGHTS OF THE MEMBERS. AND THE ONLY WAY TO AFFIRMATIVELY DECLARATIVELY SAY WHAT THE POSITION OF THE COUNCIL IS IS WHEN THE COUNCIL TAKES ACTION BECAUSE YOU ARE A COLLECTIVE BODY. THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS OFTEN, NOT JUST THIS COUNCIL PRESIDENT, LET ME BE CLEAR, THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT BY THE NATURE OF THE JOB IS OFTEN PUT IN AN AWKWARD UNTENABLE POSITION. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK FOR THE BODY EVEN WHEN THE BODY HAS NOT FORMALLY NECESSARILY ADOPTED A POSITION. [3:29:31] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** AND THE MEDIA, THE PUBLIC, CONSTITUENTS, THE STAFF, LOOK TO THE PRESIDENT TO ARTICULATE WHAT THE COUNCIL'S POSITION OR STATEMENT IS. AND IT IS A GRAY SPACE THAT COUNCIL PRESIDENTS HAVE TO NEGOTIATE CAREFULLY. IT'S ALWAYS EASIEST OF COURSE IF THERE IS A VOTE OF THE COUNCIL TO LOOK TO AND SAY THAT'S THE ACTION OF THE BODY. EVEN WHEN A MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS ON THE RECORD, THAT IS NOT THE POSITION OF THE BODY. THE MEMBERS WHO EXPRESSED IT. [3:30:11] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SO THAT'S WHERE IT CAN BE AWKWARD TO INTERPRET A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS MADE COMMENTS. THOSE ARE THEIR COMMENTS, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY THE COMMENTS OF THE BODY. SO IT'S NOT FOR ME TO MAKE THAT DECISION, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT, THAT'S FOR THE BODY TO DECIDE. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** THANK YOU. JUST AS I SAID, IN MY OPINION THE WAY I SAW THE LETTER, IT'S SPEAKING ON THE BEHALF OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL THAT TOOK THE VOTE THAT DAY. BUT I'LL LEAVE THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO SAY HOW HE THINKS HE WAS INTENDING THIS. THANK YOU. [3:30:33] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO OFFER A FEW CLARIFYING POINTS. ONCE AGAIN, I HEARD IT REFERENCED WITH EVEN JUST THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE PIECE THAT IT WAS OF A PRIOR COUNCIL. I WANTED TO NAME ABSENCE OF US DOING THE CHARTER AMENDMENT, IT'S NOT WHO MADE UP THE LAST TERM. THIS WAS IN 2023 WHEN THE MAKE UP OF THIS COUNCIL LOOKED VERY DIFFERENT. IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO US LEGALLY HAVING TO DO SO AFTER QUESTION 1 PASSED AND IN RESPONSE TO QUESTION 1, WE FORMED VERY CLEAR GUIDELINES OF WHAT THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY WOULD LOOK LIKE AND THE [3:31:04] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** POSITION. THAT WAS NOT DEPENDENT ON A PARTICULAR COUNCIL MEMBER OR COUNCIL ITERATION, THAT WAS LITERALLY IN RESPONSE AND REQUIRED BECAUSE OF QUESTION 1 PASSING, AND THAT'S WHAT IS ON OUR BOOKS THAT ENFORCES ON THE LOCAL SIDE OUR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. SECONDARILY, I WANTED TO SAY I AM VERY SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS INTRODUCED AS A LEGISLATIVE MOTION TO BE VOTED ON. IN REAL-TIME, WITHOUT THE CLERKS INTERVENING, AND IN PRIOR COMMITTEES, I HEARD COUNCIL MEMBERS ASK THE CLERK, WHICH ANYONE CAN DO, TO ADD A CERTAIN MEMO TO A FILE. [3:36:36] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** SO, WHAT I SAW THIS AS, AS A MEMO WAS REFLECTIVE OF THE PREVAILING MAJORITY WHO TOOK A VOTE ON THAT MATTER AND IT REFLECTED THAT IN COORDINATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE ORDINANCE. NOW FOR THOSE WHO TOOK THE OPPOSING SIDE, YOU ARE MORE THAN WILLING AND OPEN TO SO PUT TOGETHER A MEMO, ASK THE CLERKS TO UPLOAD IT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO US OR A BODY FOR A VOTE TO JUSTIFY WHY YOU BELIEVE THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE REAPPOINTED. IN MANY WAYS, MAYOR FREY HAS THE ABILITY TO DO SO WITH A VETO LETTER WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, THESE TYPES OF MANEUVERS. SO, I WOULD SAY THE MINORITY WHO SUPPORTED THE NOMINATION, FEEL FREE TO WORK WITH THE CLERKS TO DO THE SAME. I SEE NO REASON TO TAKE UP THIS MOTION WHEN IN PREVIOUS TERMS, EVERYONE HAS BEEN LIKE LET ME ADD SOMETHING TO THE FILE. THIS IS NOT [3:57:22] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** REFLECTIVE ON THE LEADERSHIP PURVIEW OR PERSPECTIVES. YEAH, THIS IS WILD IN SO MANY WAYS AS OPPOSED TO JUST BEING -- AS OPPOSED TO JUST ACCEPTING THAT THE VOTE DID NOT GO IN THE WAY THAT MANY FOLKS WANT. SO, I JUST WANTED TO NAME THOSE CLARIFYING POINTS. [3:34:14] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** THIS ISN'T THE SUPREME COURT. THIS ISN'T SAYING THAT IT REPRESENTS A MAJORITY VIEWPOINT NOR DOES IT SAY SO. IT ERASES THE DIVERSE VIEWS OF A GOVERNING BODY. AND IT IS NOT A ROLE OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT. NOT COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE AND NOT ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR THIS BODY. WE HAVE JUST NOW BEEN UNABLE TO OVERRIDE AN ACTION THAT NULLIFIES IT. WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT? I'LL TELL YOU, WE'LL JUST SAVE TIME HERE. THE TITLE OF THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT IS "THE CITY COUNCIL'S VISION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY AND TODDRICK BARNETTE'S FAILURE TO MEET THAT VISION." THAT'S THE CITY COUNCIL'S VISION, IT IS NOT SAYING THIS IS SOMETHING COMING FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT. [3:36:11] **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** JUST TO OFFER A BASIC WAY THAT WE SAY THIS, I WANT TO LIFT UP HOW OUR IGR CHAIR COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY GETS BUY IN FROM LETTERS ON THIS COUNCIL. SHE HELPED US DO THIS AFTER THE RASH OF GUN VIOLENCE THAT ROCKED OUR CITY LAST YEAR. AND IT WAS THE TEDIOUS WORK OF SENDING OUT A DRAFT, GETTING INDIVIDUALS TO ENDORSE IT, MAKING SOME SMALL CHANGES THAT GAVE IT BROAD SUPPORT AND DOING ALL OF THAT WITHOUT VIOLATING ANY OPEN MEETING LAWS. TO SEND SOMETHING TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ADOPTED POSITIONS AND HAVE VOTED ON POSITIONS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, YOU ARE VERY AWARE OF HOW THESE KINDS OF LETTERS WORK. [3:36:30] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** YES. I WOULD AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO THAT THE TITLE ITSELF IS REASON FOR IT TO BE PULLED FROM THE RECORD. AND I WILL BE VOTING TO REMOVE IT TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOICE OF EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY AND THE CREDIBILITY OF THE OVERSIGHT ROLE THAT'S BEEN ENTRUSTED TO US AS A BODY AND TO THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT AND TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT. THANK YOU. [3:37:46] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. YEAH, THIS LETTER THAT SAYS THE CITY COUNCIL'S VISION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY IS ALARMING. ONE BECAUSE I WAS NEVER ASKED WHAT MY VISION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY WAS. ESPECIALLY TO WRITE IT OUT IN THE FORM OF A LETTER. IT REALLY IS AN ATTACK ON A PERSON THAT I RESPECT GREATLY. I VOTED FOR TODD BARNETTE. I WOULD NEVER SAY SOME OF THESE THINGS IN THIS LETTER. I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T PUT IT IN THE PUBLIC RECORD TO FURTHER EMBARRASS HIM AND HIS AMAZING -- **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** POINT OF ORDER, ASCRIBING MOTIVE. [3:38:28] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THE LETTER EXISTS. **Council President Elliot Payne:** POINT OF ORDER, THAT'S A PRIORITY MOTION. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** THE LETTER EXISTS. THE LETTER IS IN THE RECORD. THE PUBLIC CAN READ THE LETTER. THE LETTER IS THERE. I GET TO SPEAK UP FOR MYSELF AND SAY THAT I WOULD NOT SAY SOME OF THESE THINGS IN THIS LETTER. THAT IT FURTHER HARMS THE COMMISSIONER BY PUTTING IT IN THE RECORD AND SAYING THAT THIS IS OUR VISION. THIS IS NOT MY VISION. [3:39:07] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I WAS NEVER CONSULTED ABOUT THIS LETTER. A COLLEAGUE SAID LOOK INTO LIMS, YOU WROTE A LETTER. NO, I DID NOT. THERE ARE NO SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER TO SAY. THE VOTE WAS ONE AWAY FROM BEING APPOINTED. SO YEAH, IT WAS A MAJORITY, BUT SIX OF US SAID WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE COMMISSIONER. WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS. AND THEN SOMEONE ELSE SAID WELL THIS IS WHY WE WORKED AGAINST HIM. THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS. I'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE, ABOUT MANY THINGS AROUND YOU BEING THE PRESIDENT BUT THERE BEING 13 INDIVIDUALS. [3:39:45] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I AM HERE TO REPRESENT WARD 4. I HAVE A VOICE AS EQUAL AS ANYONE ELSE UP HERE DOES. I DON'T LIKE THIS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS OKAY. I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THIS GETS TAKEN OUT OF THE RECORD ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL AND EITHER PRESIDENT PAYNE CAN WRITE HIS OWN LETTER AND PUT IT IN OR WHOMEVER WANTS TO JOIN IN CAN. BECAUSE I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE AFFILIATED WITH THIS AT ALL. [3:40:09] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. WHEN MYSELF AS A NEW COUNCIL MEMBER FIRST WAS ELECTED, MYSELF AND SEVERAL OF THE NEW COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, ELIZABETH SHAFFER, JAMISON AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY DRAFTED A LETTER IN SUPPORT AND WE TOGETHER TALKED ABOUT HOW WE WANTED TO KEEP DOWN THE CHAOS AND CONFUSION. SO I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES STATED ON THIS BODY EARLIER TODAY AND THAT IS WHAT DRAFTING A LETTER OF COLLECTIVE EFFICACY LOOKS LIKE. [3:41:08] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** WE WENT BACK AND FORTH, WE FOUND A MEDIUM GROUND THAT REPRESENTED AND REFLECTED EACH ONE OF OUR IDEAS AND VISION FOR WORKING RELATIONSHIPS ON THIS BODY. I WAS NOT CONSULTED ABOUT ANY SAID LETTER. AND I'M A WRITER. I ENJOY WRITING. I KNOW MY LETTERS AND MY NUMBERS. AND I HAVE THE ABILITY TO READ AND COMPREHEND. SO IF ANYONE IS GOING TO SPEAK FOR ME OR WITH ME ON BEHALF OF ANYTHING, IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU WOULD CONSULT MYSELF OR MY STAFF. [3:41:51] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** I'M DISHEARTENED THAT INDIVIDUALS MAY FEEL HOWEVER IT IS THAT THEY FEEL, BUT THOSE ARE YOUR FEELINGS AND YOU SHOULD OWN THEM AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE YOURS. I'M TAKING CARE OF MINE AND MY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS AND IDEOLOGIES AND MY VOTE ON WHERE I STAND AND MY POSITION. AND NOT TO OVERRIDE ANYBODY ELSE'S ANYTHING, BUT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING, COME AND ASK ME. AND I THINK I'VE MADE THAT CLEAR IN SEVERAL PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT I'VE MADE. [3:42:31] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SO I DON'T THINK THAT THIS LETTER HAS TO BE REMOVED, BUT I THINK THAT THE AUTHORS WHO ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS LETTER SHOULD BE SIGNING THIS LETTER SO THAT INDIVIDUALS KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHO IS IN SUPPORT OF WHATEVER THE IDEOLOGIES ARE THAT ARE ATTACHED WITH THIS LETTER. THAT THOSE INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS AND CO-AUTHORS IN SUPPORT OF THE LANGUAGE IN THIS LETTER THEN SIGN OFF WITH THEIR JURISDICTIONAL POWER AND RANGE WHATEVER IT WAS THAT OUR COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAS PUT OUT THERE. [3:43:13] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AND I THINK IN THE FUTURE IT WOULD BE FAIR TO THE COUNCIL IF A LETTER IS GOING TO BE DRAFTED THAT OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'RE SAYING HEY, THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO. I APPRECIATE MINORITY LEADER WONSLEY STATING THAT THIS WAS A DECISION THAT THE COUNCIL HAD CAME UP WITH THESE EXPECTATIONS IN THE LAST TERM. WE'RE IN A NEW SEASON. THERE'S NEW FACES, NEW PEOPLE, NEW REPRESENTATION ON THIS BODY. SO THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE COLLECTIVE THOUGHT AND IDEA THAT WAS VOTED UPON LAST TERM, BUT IT'S NOT COLLECTIVELY WHERE WE ARE NOW. [3:44:05] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** SO IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO REVISIT, THEN LET'S PUT THAT ON THE TABLE FOR REVISITING OUR VIEWS AND IDEAS FOR HOW PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD OPERATE. BUT YOU CAN'T CHARGE ME WITH OLD BUSINESS. I CAN ONLY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR NEW BUSINESS AND I'M A PART OF THE NEW BUSINESS. AND IN MY NEW BUSINESS AND NEW IDEAS, I'M NOT FOR IT. SO LET'S JUST ADJUST AND AUDIT THE LETTER, PASS IT AROUND, LET THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO IT SIGN IT, AND THEN THEY CAN PUT IT BACK IN WHEREER IT WAS AT AND THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. BECAUSE THIS IS A LOT OF TIME SPENT ON THIS AND IT JUST NEEDS TO STOP. THE END. [3:44:28] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** YEAH, THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT. WHAT I'M HEARING FROM SOME MEMBERS ON THIS BODY IS YOU WILL NOT SPEAK, YOU WILL NOT MOVE POLICY. AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. WE ARE IN A MOMENT IN OUR COUNTRY WHERE DEMOCRACY IS DEEPLY UNDER ATTACK. AND WE NEED TO BE SPEAKING. WE NEED TO BE MOVING POLICY. THERE IS THIS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND SOMEWHAT AT THE STATE LEVEL, THIS REPUBLICAN CULTURE OF SCORCHED EARTH POLITICS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING AND CLAW ANYTHING IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING HAPPENS. [3:45:18] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VOICE OF REGULAR PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING THEIR MORTGAGE, WHO ARE PAYING THEIR RENT DOES NOT GET REFLECTED IN THE PUBLIC BODY. AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT LOCAL DEMOCRACY. I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THIS. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT ARE WE SILENCING EACH OTHER? ARE WE ALLOWING EACH OTHER TO MOVE POLICY? ALLOWING DEBATES TO HAPPEN? I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS REALLY CONCERNING I THINK THIS MEETING IS VERY DEMOCRACY STANDPOINT FROM A COUPLE OF LEVELS. [3:46:17] **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** WE'VE GOT TO PULL BACK FROM THIS PRECIPICE THAT WE'RE STANDING ON RIGHT NOW. WE'VE GOT TO PULL BACK AND LET THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT SPEAK WHEN HE SPEAKS. WE'VE GOT TO PULL BACK AND LET PEOPLE INTRODUCE LEGISLATION AND ORDINANCES OR SUBJECT MATTERS OF ORDINANCES WHEN THAT COMES. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TODAY. WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT AND TO SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE, OUR CONSTITUENTS, AND WE NEED TO BE LEANING INTO LOCAL DEMOCRACY, LEANING INTO DISCUSSION RATHER THAN TRYING TO SILENCE, TRYING TO DEMAND PEOPLE DON'T SPEAK, DEMAND PEOPLE DON'T MOVE POLICY. [3:46:38] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** SECOND. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE A VOTE ON PUTTING THIS IN THE RECORD. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR US TO DO. SO WE CAN HAVE CLARITY AND THE BODY CAN DECIDE. AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS IN ORDER. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO ADD THIS TO THE RECORD, AMEND COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO'S AFTER. THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO BRING THAT FORWARD BECAUSE THEN WE CAN TAKE A DISPOSITIVE ACTION AND WE CAN ADD IT TO THE RECORD AND THEN PEOPLE CAN BE NOTED ON IF THEY SUPPORT IT OR THEY DON'T SUPPORT IT. [3:47:31] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** NOW, THIS CONVERSATION HAS A LOT TO DO WITH HOW WE WORK TOGETHER AS A BODY. I AM IN DEEP AGREEMENT WITH A LOT OF WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON SHARED. AND ALSO IN AGREEMENT WITH SOME OF THE SENTIMENTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN SHARED. THERE ARE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE WITHIN THE CULTURE OF THIS BODY AND HOW WE INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND HOW WE SHOW UP. THERE IS A LACK OF RESPECT AND DIGNITY FOR ONE ANOTHER. I THINK US HAVING CAMERAS AND BEING ON AIR ALL OF THE TIME DOESN'T HELP WITH THAT. PERHAPS IT CONTRIBUTES WITH THAT. I WILL SAY, A FEW COUNCIL MEETINGS AGO I FELT A DEEP, DEEP INSULT TO MY DIGNITY AS A MEMBER OF THIS BODY WHICH I SHOULD HAVE CALLED OUT AS A POINT OF ORDER. [3:48:19] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE APPROPRIATE THING TO DO AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MEMBERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO. IS TO CALL OUT WHEN THEIR DIGNITY IS VIOLATED. I WAS CUSSED AT. MOTIVES WERE ASCRIBED ABOUT ME. AND THE THING IS I'M A YOUNG WOMAN OF COLOR WITH A PLATFORM TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUNG WOMEN OF COLOR ACROSS INDUSTRIES AND I'M NOT ABOUT THAT. AND I'M NOT GOING TO NAME CALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT DID THOSE THINGS TO ME AND NEVER APOLOGIZED. THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE. AND WE NEED TO CHANGE COURSE. WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO CHANGE COURSE ON THE CULTURE OF THIS BODY. [3:49:16] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AND IF WE ARE GOING TO SAY THAT CHANGE, WE HAVE TO WALK THE WALK AND ACTUALLY DO IT AND NOT JUST SAY IT AS A WAY TO HAVE A POLITICAL TOOL TO SHOW ONE SIDE IS MORE UNRULY THAN THE OTHER. ULTIMATELY, WE'RE GOING TO DISAGREE. COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING AND I YESTERDAY DISAGREED VEHEMENTLY ON THIS POINT ABOUT DATA. WE DID NOT COME FOR EACH OTHER BY NAME. WE DEBATED THE IDEA. WE SAID THAT WE DISAGREED. AND IT WAS HEATED IN THE MOMENT BUT WE TALKED ABOUT IT AFTER AND WE WERE COOL. THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. AND THIS IS FOR EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THIS BODY. I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT LIKE THIS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND THE PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS. [3:49:52] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** BECAUSE IT GETS IN THE WAY OF THE WORK. I AM FOR SURE NOT GOING TO GET CUSSED AT BECAUSE I CALLED FOR A BATHROOM BREAK. THAT'S RIDICULOUS. I'M ALSO NOT GOING TO STAND FOR MEMBERS TRYING TO FORCE A VOTE WHEN I'M NOT IN THE ROOM BECAUSE I HAVE TO USE THE BATHROOM. I'M NOT GOING TO STAND FOR BEING CALLED WHINEY OR COMPLAINING WHICH IS VERY MISOGYNISTIC TO ME. I'M ALSO NOT GOING TO STAND FOR MEMBERS SAYING I TALK TOO MUCH. I'M GOING TO USE MY VOICE, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE STANDING UP. AND WE NEED CULTURE CHANGE, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT IF IT'S A CHANGE OF OUR COUNCIL RULES, IF WE NEED TO BRING IN A THIRD PARTY. WE HAVE IMPORTANT WORK TO DO. AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW, I'M NOT DOING IT LIKE THIS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, AND WE NEED TO CHANGE IT AND I'M FOR THAT CHANGE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S MANY UP FOR THAT CHANGE AS WELL. [3:50:42] **Council Member Michael Rainville:** I'D LIKE TO THROW OUT AN IDEA, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, ABOUT WALKING THE WALK. WHY DON'T YOU WITHDRAW THE LETTER AND LET'S START OVER WITH SOMETHING WE CAN PUT IN THE PUBLIC RECORD. LET'S END THIS. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** PRESIDENT PAYNE, YEAH, I AGREE. I DON'T EVEN THINK I KNOW THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE IN THE PUBLIC RECORD ON MY BEHALF AT ALL. AND I CERTAINLY FEEL LIKE WE ALL STATED OUR POSITIONS DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING OF COMMISSIONER BARNETTE. I THINK THAT WAS PUBLIC ENOUGH FOR ME AND IT SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE BUT I WANT TO ALSO ADDRESS IS NOT ABOUT YOU HAVING AN OPINION AND WITH THE MAJORITY PRESIDENT PAYNE, FOR ME, THIS IS ABOUT ME HAVING A VOICE ALSO. [3:51:47] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AS A MIDDLE-AGED BLACK WOMAN, I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO USE MY VOICE TO STAND UP FOR MYSELF AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING HERE. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT YEAH, THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS COUNCIL WITH RESPECT AND PEOPLE WORKING WITH ONE ANOTHER BUT CRY BULLYING IS ALSO PERSON ON THIS COUNCIL. PEOPLE DON'T LIKE WHAT SOMEBODY SAID. PEOPLE SAY THINGS TO OTHERS THEN WHEN THEY GET CALLED OUT FOR IT, THEN YOU ARE A BULLY, SOMEONE SAID SOMETHING, SOMEONE DID SOMETHING. WHEN IT'S BEING DONE IN A MANNER WHICH OTHER PEOPLE ARE OKAY WITH, IT'S NOT CALLED OUT. THAT'S MY FRUSTRATION ON THIS COUNCIL FOR FOUR YEARS. [3:52:21] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** TREAT EVERYONE FAIRLY. WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT POSITIONS ON THINGS. WELCOME THAT, BE OKAY WITH THAT. IF I STATE MY POSITION, PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO COME BACK IN AND TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY POSITION OR TELL ME I DON'T CARE ABOUT A CERTAIN POPULATION OF PEOPLE BECAUSE I AM NOT VOTING THE WAY THEY WANT TO. THAT'S THE ISSUE TOO. IF WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON THINGS, LET'S WORK ON EVERYTHING. LET'S NOT BE SELECTIVE LIKE THIS LETTER IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. PEOPLE GET TO HAVE AN OPINION. THOSE WHO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS ARE JUST SAYING THIS DOES NOT REPRESENT US. I REPRESENT 33,000 PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE. I GET TO SPEAK UP FOR THEM AND I GET TO SPEAK UP FOR MYSELF AS A BLACK WOMAN. I DON'T NEED TO BE MAN [3:53:09] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** EXPLAINED ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 50 YEARS. IF YOU ASK MY MOM, I CAME OUT TAKING UP FOR MYSELF. I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO TELL ME WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE OR FEELS LIKE TO ME. I WOULD NOT DISMISS SOMEONE ELSE'S FEELINGS ON THEIR EXPERIENCES AND WHAT THEY HAD AND I DON'T APPRECIATE THE TONE THAT PEOPLE ARE TAKING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING UP AND OUT AGAINST HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THIS LETTER. WHEN YOU PUT THIS IN THE PUBLIC RECORD, YOU TAKE THE CHANCE OF PEOPLE HAVING A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ABOUT IT. THAT'S IT. THIS SHOULDN'T BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION IF PEOPLE JUST SAY THEY DON'T LIKE IT. THEY DON'T LIKE IT. THAT'S IT. [3:53:44] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRESIDENT. I'M GOING TO BE PART OF MAYOR FREY'S LETTER BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RECORDS. "I'M VETOING THIS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS BUT INSTEAD POLITICAL GAINSHIP, OR CONFIRMATION PROCESS AS A BLUNT TOOL." THAT IS AN ACCUSATION AND I EXPECT THAT WHEN ACCUSATIONS ARE MADE LIKE THAT PUBLICLY, THAT THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT RESPONDS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL. HE USED HIS WHOLE MEDIA TOOLS, COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT TO ACCUSE A CITY COUNCIL OF [3:54:30] **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THIS. I EXPECT THAT THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT RESPONDS THE MAJORITY CITY COUNCIL REJECTED THE NOMINATION AND I EXPECT A RESPONSE TO THAT. THAT'S WHAT THIS LETTER DID. I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT. I THINK WE SHOULD WRITE DOWN THIS MOTION BUT WHEN WE COME TO VOTE ON THE UNDERLINE MOTION TO ADD THIS LETTER, WE CAN AMEND THE LANGUAGE TO SAY THE COUNCIL MAJORITY POSITION. I DO BELIEVE PUBLICLY, 7 MEMBERS OF THIS BODY VOTED DOWN THIS CONFIRMATION. AND 7 MEMBERS OF THE BODY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY WHY WE DID THAT AFTER THE MAYOR ACCUSED US OF THINGS. I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR. [3:54:45] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** I JUST WANTED TO NAME THOSE CLARIFYING POINTS THAT I BROUGHT UP EARLIER ABOUT THE FACT THAT ANY COUNCIL MEMBER CAN ADD A MEMO TO THE RECORD. AND IN REGARDS TO WHAT ARE THE WAYS THE COMMISSIONER FELL SHORT. I LOOKED AT THIS MEMO, NONE OF THIS IS NEW INFORMATION BY THE WAY. THIS IS ALL DOCUMENTED ALSO IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT ONE OF THE EXAMPLES RELATED TO BUDGET IN PARTICULAR, WE TOOK THAT UP IN THE FIRST TWO QUARTERS OF LAST TERM IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE. [3:55:49] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** OF HOW CONTRACTORS, PARTICULARLY THE FORMER LEADER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT GAVE A CONTRACT TO THEIR BOYFRIEND AND THAT WAS OKAYED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY. WE LOOKED AT AGAIN ACTUALLY THE MEDIA BROKE THE STORY ON THAT ALSO AROUND OUR RESCUE IN WHICH WE LEARNED THAT A COUNCIL MEMBER AND THE COMMISSIONER WERE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AND COLLABORATE ON HOW TO MOVE A POTENTIAL CONTRACT FORWARD, ANTI-SEX TRAFFICKING SERVICES THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SUPPORTING MPD AT THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER HOW THEY WERE PLANNING TO MOVE THAT OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL STANDARDS PROCUREMENT PROCESS. [3:56:36] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THAT CAME FORWARD AND THE SUBSEQUENT ACTION AND OVERSIGHT ACTION THIS BODY HAD TO TAKE THROUGH A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE THAT ASKED ESSENTIALLY FOR HOW DID THAT HAPPEN. AND ALSO HOW DO WE CORRECT THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY VENDOR WHICH WE ULTIMATELY DID SELECT ONE THROUGH THE CREDIBLE PROCUREMENT PRACTICE, WE HAD TO DO THAT OVERSIGHT WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMISSIONER. THAT TOOK UP AT LEAST SEVEN MONTHS OF OUR COMMITTEE WORK TIME LAST TIME. SO THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOT LET'S SAY MADE UP, THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOTIFIED IN THE PUBLIC COURT OF DOCUMENTS, OF THE MEDIA HAVING TO EXPOSE IT. YOU COULD BE UPSET IT GOT PUT IN A MEMO, BUT IT WAS PUT IN NUMEROUS MEMOS. [3:57:22] **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THERE WAS A MEMO THAT WENT OUT THAT TALKED ABOUT EXTENSIVE GRIEVANCES AND WAYS IN WHICH THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY WAS FALLING SHORT ALL LAST TERM. THIS IS NOT SURPRISING. I JUST WANTED TO NAME THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS TRACKING AND REFERENCED IN THIS AND PRIOR TERMS BY THE MEDIA, ALSO IT'S OUR OWN ORDINANCE LANGUAGE THAT WE SET THIS GOALS OF THIS OFFICE AND THE EXPECTATION OF THE COMMISSIONER THEMSELVES. [3:57:50] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. AGAIN, I AM GOING TO STATE CONGRATULATIONS ON QUESTION 1 AND WHOMEVER, WHATEVER HAPPENED, WHEN IT HAPPENED, THAT'S GREAT. CONGRATULATIONS. NOW WE'RE HERE, WE HAVE A NEW BODY OF INDIVIDUALS. I SAID WHAT I SAID. ASK ME BEFORE YOU INCLUDE ME THINKING SUBJECTIVELY BECAUSE I SIT HERE THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN I AM TAILORING ALONG WITH WHATEVER IT IS THAT SOMEBODY ELSE IS DOING. I HAVE MY OWN MIND, MY OWN VOICE, AND I REPRESENT A COMPLETELY SEPARATE POPULATION. [3:58:32] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** WE SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT ALL OF THESE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICES AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND ALL OF THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT AND WHATEVER ELSE THE CASE IS. DON'T STRIP ME OF MY VOICE. DON'T STRIP ME OF MY RIGHT. HOLD THAT SAME ENERGY. HOLD ON TO IT. MAINTAIN IT. MAKE SURE THAT YOU EMBODY THOSE VERY SAME RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES AND ALL OF THAT DEMOCRACY WHEN IT GOES TO TALKING ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO REMOVE STUFF OUT OF NORTH MINNEAPOLIS THAT IS IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS AFFECTING ENVIRONMENTALLY BLACK FOLKS IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. HOLD THAT SAME ENERGY. MAINTAIN THAT SAME LEVEL OF CHARISMA AND EVERYTHING ELSE. HOLD ON TO THAT AND CARRY THAT MOMENTUM WITH YOU. CARRY IT WITH YOU. ASK ME WHEN YOU THINK, IF YOU THINK YOU MISINTERPRET OR IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT WHAT I SAID AND YOU'RE NOT CLEAR, ASK ME. DON'T JUST AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDE ME WRITTEN [3:59:37] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** INTO SOMETHING. IT'S NOT FAIR. IT'S NOT OKAY. OTHERWISE, IF IT WAS ALL THAT AND EVERYTHING WAS BASED ON LAST SESSION, WHY DID WE VOTE ANY WAY NOW? WHY DIDN'T THE PEOPLE IN LAST SESSION VOTE? THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT VOTED THEN. IT WAS THEIR IDEAS WRITTEN IN STONE AND WHAT WE SAID DIDN'T MATTER. WE WERE GOING TO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS FOUNDATIONALLY LAW. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. WE STILL HAVE VOTE, WE HAVE AN IDEA, WE STILL HAVE AN OPINION. RESPECT MY VOTE, RESPECT MY VOICE, WHEN I SAY SOMETHING, THIS IS WHAT I MEAN. I MOVE TO CALL THE QUESTION. CAN I GET A SECOND? **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** SECOND. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THE QUESTION IS CALLED, THAT'S NOT DEBATABLE. I'LL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. [4:00:29] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. [4:01:02] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 12 AYES AND 1 NAY. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT CARRIES AND UNDER OUR RULES, THE CHAIR HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I WILL USE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO JUST FIRST ADDRESS THE SUBSTANCE OF THE LETTER. WELL, IT'S A MEMO, IT'S NOT A LETTER. IT'S A MEMO. IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THIS MEMO IS ONE WHICH WE SOLICITED FEEDBACK FROM MEMBERS THAT VOTED AGAINST THE NOMINEE, WHY THEY VOTED AGAINST. AS COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ SAID, THERE WERE ALLEGATIONS THAT IT WAS JUST POLITICS OR THERE WAS NO SUBSTANCE TO IT. SO WE SOLICITED DIRECT FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT VOTED AGAINST, SO THAT IS WHAT IS REFLECTED IN THE MEMO. [4:01:49] **Council President Elliot Payne:** ON THE SUBSTANCE OF COUNCIL VISION AND WHETHER OR NOT I'M SPEAKING FOR THE COUNCIL. SO FIRST THING FIRST, THE MAJORITY OF THE BODY DENIED THIS NOMINEE. THAT IS THE COUNCIL'S POSITION. WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE MAJORITY OR THE MINORITY OF THAT VOTE, THAT IS THE POSITION OF THIS BODY, WAS TO DENY THAT NOMINEE. ON THE CONTENT OF THE MEMO I JUST -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE KIND OF TALKING ALL AROUND THE MEMO BUT LET'S ACTUALLY GET INTO THE SUBSTANCE OF IT. COUNCIL VISION: A BALANCED BUDGET. THAT IS NOT A COUNCIL VISION. THAT'S A MANDATED REQUIREMENT BOTH WITHIN OUR CITY CHARTER AND BY STATE STATUTE. SO I HOPE NO ONE DISAGREES WITH THAT. ALL RECEIVE [4:02:35] **Council President Elliot Payne:** HIGH-QUALITY SAFETY SERVICES AND DESERVE ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN THE CITY MISSES THE MARK. SAFETY FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. STRONG, SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CREDITABLE CONTRACTORS AND PARTNERS. COUNCIL VISION: LEADERSHIP WHO IS ACTIVE AND INVOLVED, HAS A CLEAR VISION OF A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM, IS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THEY OVERSEE, TREATS THEIR EMPLOYEES WELL, AND IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC. THESE ARE THE VISIONS THAT WERE OUTLINED IN THE MEMO. WE'RE NOT IN A MOMENT WHERE PEOPLE CAN DEBATE IT, BUT IT WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE IF ANYBODY ACTUALLY DISAGREES WITH ANY OF THOSE VISION STATEMENTS. [4:03:09] **Council President Elliot Payne:** THEN ON THE SUBSTANCE OF LEADERSHIP, I THINK LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO ARTICULATE A VISION AND ACTUALLY HAVE YOUR ACTIONS ALIGN WITH THAT VISION. THE FIRST THING I SAID TO I.C.E. AGENTS WHEN I MET THEM ON THE STREET, THE FIRST THING I WOULD ASK THEM AFTER INTRODUCING MYSELF AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS DID YOU SWEAR AN OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION? BECAUSE I REMEMBERED WHEN I SWORE AN OATH. IT WAS LIKE A WEIRD COMBINATION OF MY EXPERIENCE GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE AND GETTING MARRIED. IT WAS IN THE ETHER OF THOSE LIFE EXPERIENCES. IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ME. IT TRANSFORMED ME. THAT TRANSFORMATION I FELT RUNNING THROUGH MY BLOOD AS I WAS STARING IN THE FACE OF SOMEONE [4:04:40] **Council President Elliot Payne:** CARRYING AN AR-15 THROUGH A GAS MASK. LEADERSHIP IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WORDS WE PUT INTO A MEMO. LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT THE EVERY DAY ACTS THAT WE TAKE. I THINK OUR EVERY DAY ACTS ON THIS BODY CARRY MEANINGFUL WEIGHT BUT I SAW SO MUCH LEADERSHIP IN THE EVERY DAY ACTS OF PEOPLE THAT WERE JUST LIVING THEIR LIVES, BELIEVING IN OUR COUNTRY, BELIEVING IN OUR CITY, BELIEVING IN OUR NEIGHBORS. I THINK THE THING THAT BOTHERED ME THE MOST ON DENYING THE NOMINEE IS THAT IT WAS SOMEHOW PERSONAL, THAT IT WAS ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIPS. AND THE PURPOSE HAVE A VISION THAT WE WANT TO SEE ACTIONS FOLLOWING THROUGH ON. [4:05:25] **Council President Elliot Payne:** WE'RE LOOKING AT THE OUTCOMES OF THOSE ACTIONS AND SEEING THOSE OUTCOMES FALL SHORT OF OUR VISION. I SOLICITED THE FEEDBACK FROM MEMBERS WHO SHARED THAT WE WEREN'T SEEING THE OUTCOMES THAT WE WERE EXPECTING OUT OF THIS ROLE. THERE IS NOTHING PERSONAL ABOUT THAT. AND SO, I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO SUGGEST MAKING A MOTION TO ADOPT THIS AS THE FORMAL POSITION OF THE BODY BECAUSE AS A DEMOCRACY, WE MOVE AS A BODY. IT'S THE MAJORITY VOTE THAT ESTABLISHES WHAT THE POSITION OF THIS BODY IS. SO, IF IT IS THE WILL OF THE BODY FOR THIS TO BE THE POSITION, I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE THAT VOTE. IN A DEMOCRACY, WE ALSO BELIEVE IN PROCEDURES. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW TO REMOVE THIS POSITION OF WHICH I AM GOING TO ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION TO REMOVE, AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE CHOWDHURY MOTION TO MAKE THIS THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF THE BODY. [4:06:56] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, SO THE MOTION IN FRONT OF US IS TO REMOVE THE LETTER THAT IS IN THE FILE CURRENTLY. AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE WOULD AGREE TO THAT, THAT THE LETTER WOULD BE REMOVED. A NEGATIVE VOTE WOULD NOT REMOVE THE LETTER, JUST SO THERE IS CLARITY ON THE BODY BEFORE I CALL THE ROLL. COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** STEVENSON. **Council Member Soren Stevenson:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** RAINVILLE. **Council Member Michael Rainville:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VETAW. **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PALMISANO. **Council Member Linea Palmisano:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WARREN. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** SHAFFER. [4:07:35] **Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WONSLEY. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** NAY. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** NAY. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** WHITING. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** AYE. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. **Vice President Jamal Osman:** NO. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** PRESIDENT PAYNE. **Council President Elliot Payne:** NAY. **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THERE ARE 6 AYES AND 7 NAYS. **Council President Elliot Payne:** THAT MOTION FAILS. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** YEAH, POINT OF ORDER. SO, I APPRECIATED THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD ON THE PREVIOUS MATTER BEFORE US AND I MEAN AT THE RISK OF THIS CONTINUING TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE BELEAGUERED, I WILL SAY THAT SOME OF OUR CONVERSATIONS, ESPECIALLY WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY SHARED ABOUT MEMBERS LONG BEFORE BEING ABLE TO PUT LETTERS INTO THE FILE. LIKE THAT IS A PRINCIPAL WE HELD AS A BODY AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO. I FEAR THAT IF WE TAKE UP A VOTE RIGHT NOW, WE'RE CREATING A NEW RULE [4:08:37] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** WITHOUT HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT COUNCIL RULES AND I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THAT MOTION. I DON'T THINK WE'RE READY TO DO THAT AND IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE. I THINK WE DISPOSED OF THE ITEM ALREADY AND NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT IT. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONVERSATION ABOUT DEMOCRACY BUT I'M NOT MAKING THAT MOTION. **Council Member Pearll Warren:** POINT OF INFORMATION. BECAUSE I WAS CONFUSED ABOUT THAT, THE VOTE THAT WE JUST TOOK NOW SAYS THAT I APPRECIATE THE VISION STATEMENT BUT ALL OF THE ITEMS IN THE LETTER NOW BECOME ADOPTED AS THE IDEA BY THE COUNCIL? THAT'S THE POINT OF INFORMATION I'M ASKING. [4:09:26] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** MR. PRESIDENT, NO, THAT IS NOT THE CONCLUSION. I WOULD JUST SAY THE PRINCIPAL UNDER PARLIAMENTARY LAW IS THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ONE MOTION IN EITHER AFFIRMATIVE OR NEGATIVE WAY DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN THE OPPOSITE, UNLESS THERE IS A LAW THAT SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE COUNCIL VOTES SOMETHING DOWN THE OPPOSITE BECOMES ITS ACT. IN THIS CASE, THE COUNCIL JUST SAID NO WE'RE NOT REMOVING THE LETTER. THE LETTER STAYS IN THE FILE. THE COUNCIL HAS NOT SAID THAT'S ITS POSITION, SO MUCH LIKE THE VETO, UNTIL THERE IS A DISPOSITIVE ACTION BY THE BODY, THE STATUS QUO REMAINS IN PLACE. [4:10:07] **Council President Elliot Payne:** THANK YOU FOR THE CLARITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND CLERK. ALL RIGHT. FINALLY, WE HAVE THE ORDER OF ANNOUNCEMENTS. I FIRST WANTED TO NOTE TO OUR AUDITOR PRODUCED TWO VERY SUBSTANTIAL REPORTS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF RECOMMENDATION THAT OUR BODY WILL WANT TO CONSIDER IN THE NEXT WEEKS AND MONTHS. FIRST, THE WORKFORCE OPTIMIZATION COMPARATIVE BENCHMARKING REPORT. THIS ASSESSES THE SIZE OF THE WORKFORCE ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS AND OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS ON EFFICIENCIES, ALIGN RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM ORGANIZATIONAL STABILITY. I WILL REFER THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE FOR RECOMMENDATION. AND AT A JOINT MEETING AT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, THE AUDIT PRESENTED THE AFTER ACTION REVIEW ABOUT THE SHOOTING AT ALISON. I WILL REFER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OFFERED AS PART OF THESE REVIEWS TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS? COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. [4:11:13] **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** YES, THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. JUST A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT HERE, AFTER WHAT WE WITNESSED ON THE DAIS TODAY. THERE IS ANOTHER TEAM BUILDING EXERCISE THAT THIS BODY WAS KIND OF CUT SHORT ON AND I KNOW WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT IN THE FUTURE. JUST A QUICK QUESTION, DO WE KNOW WHEN THAT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED CLERK CARL OR PRESIDENT PAYNE? **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THROUGH THE PRESIDENT, AS I MENTIONED I BELIEVE AT THE LAST MEETING, STAFF ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO FIND DATES AND TIMES THAT WORK. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MS. LOMA THIS WEEK EARLIER. THIS IS A MATTER OF FINDING DATES AND TIMES THAT WORK FOR 13 COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MAYOR, AND MEMBERS OF CABINET AND OUR CONSULTANTS. WE ARE ENDEAVORING TO FIND DATES AND TIME. IF WE CAN FIND DATES A TIMES IN MAY, THAT WOULD BE PREFERABLE. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT JUNE AND JULY AND WE'RE GOING OUT AND CASTING OUR LOOK TO OCTOBER SO THAT WE CAN, AS WE COMMITTED TO IN THE CONTRACT, HAVE FOUR CHECK INS PER YEAR WITH MS. LOMA AND HER TEAM. WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON [4:12:25] **City Clerk Casey Carl:** THAT. THOSE ARE THE MONTHS WE'RE SPECIFICALLY TARGETING. IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET THAT MANY DIFFERENT SCHEDULES TO COORDINATE. **Council Member Jamison Whiting:** THANK YOU CLERK. IT SOUNDS LIKE TEAM BUILDING TO COME. THAT'S THE ANNOUNCEMENT. **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I WANTED TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO UPLIFT SOME GOOD WORK THAT WAS DONE HERE ON THE CITY COUNCIL. THERE HAS BEEN MUCH CONVERSATION ABOUT THE UPTOWN AMBASSADORS PROGRAM AND REGARDING POLICE, ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI WAS LEFT OUT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WAS ANNOUNCING THIS PROGRAM. SO I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO GIVE HER FLOWERS, AND HER OFFICE FLOWERS, AND FLOWERS TO ALL THE RESIDENTS IN THE 10th WARD. I WATCHED COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI LEAD THE WORK TO BRING SAFETY AMBASSADORS TO UPTOWN. AT THAT TIME, IT WAS A NOVEL IDEA. [4:13:26] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS ARE CUTTING EDGE. THEY ARE UNTESTED BUT THEIR ARE PILOTS THAT INFORM THE CREATION OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ECOSYSTEM. SHE LED THE WAY WITH COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THIS PROGRAM DIDN'T JUST DIE, THAT THIS ACTUALLY CAME TO FRUITION. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, SHE WORKED REALLY HARD IN OUR BUDGET PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THIS HAPPENED. SHE WORKED WITH THREE DIFFERENT COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE ADMINISTRATION, AND HER COMMUNITY TO SEE SAFETY AMBASSADORS IMPLEMENTED IN HER UPTOWN CORRIDOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU DOING THIS WORK AND CARRYING IT OVER. I HOPE THAT THERE IS GREATER COLLABORATION THAT COMES INTO THE FUTURE. I THINK THERE IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO END THIS WORK OR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS WORK ON A NOTE OF COLLABORATION. THAT IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO IMPROVE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY [4:14:28] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** UPTOWN. THANK YOU. **Council Member Robin Wonsley:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE BECAUSE THIS IS OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE MAY DAY. I DO KNOW THAT WE HAD A RESOLUTION BROUGHT FORWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FOR INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS UPCOMING MAY DAY ON MAY 1st. I ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO CHECK OUT I.C.E. OUT NOW, TO CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE LISTING OF EVENTS HAPPENING ALL OVER OUR CITY, TO JUST CELEBRATE THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK AND COURAGE THAT OUR RESIDENTS DEMONSTRATED STILL AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS NEXT ITERATION OF RECOVERY. SO, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING IN COMMUNITY WITH OUR WORKERS, WITH THE FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY MAKE THE CITY VIBRANT AND INSPIRATIONAL, AND I HOPE TO SEE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES AT ONE OF THESE MANY EVENTS THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE TAKING THE TIME TO HOST. I JUST WANTED TO AMPLIFY THAT. [4:15:45] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** SHOUT-OUT TO COUNCIL MEMBER CHUGHTAI. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT SAFETY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM FOR SOME TIME NOW. YOU DESERVE IT. IT NEVER FEELS GOOD TO BE LEFT OUT OR TO HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF. SO, YOU DESERVE A SHOUT-OUT FOR THAT WORK. I JUST WANTED TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AWARDEES OF THE ART GRANTS. THEY WERE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK FOR THE POP-UP ACTIVATIONS AND THE FESTIVALS. THE ONES IN WARD 4 IN PARTICULAR ARE GOING TO BE ON LOWRY AVENUE. IT'S THE DIVIDE OF WARD 4 AND 5. I'M SO PROUD OF THE GROUPS RECEIVING THE FUNDING. THESE ACTIVATIONS ARE CRITICAL TO OUR CULTURAL CORRIDORS AND I AM REALLY, [4:16:31] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS SUMMER AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO ACTIVATE THE GROUPS THAT RECEIVED THE FUNDING. IT'S SUCH A DIVERSE GROUP AND IT'S REFLECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS AND I'M INVITING YOU ALL OVER. KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE CULTURAL CORRIDOR ACTIVATIONS TO POP-UP AND THE FESTIVALS FOR LOWRY AVENUE COLLEAGUES. **Council Member Jason Chavez:** THANK YOU, PRESIDENT PAYNE. THE MINORITY LEADER WAS CORRECT, MAY DAY IS ON THE 1st. I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO TALK OUT THE EVENT AT THE PARK ON MAY 3rd. I WANTED TO APOLOGIZE AND ANNOUNCE THAT I HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE AT THE PARK ON MAY 3rd. [4:17:27] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE MR. PRESIDENT, WHERE WE OWN OUR MISTAKES. THANK YOU. I GOT IN QUEUE BECAUSE WE HAD A REALLY LONG MEETING. I THINK OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING AS WELL. THERE WAS AN ITEM THAT I DIDN'T END UP SPEAKING TO BUT AT OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, WE APPROVED IT AND IT'S BEEN SIGNED BY THE MAYOR FOR THE FIRST PARCEL OF RELLIS DEVELOPMENT AT THE NICOLLET AND FORMER K-MART SITE. THIS IS THE FIRST PIECE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT IS GOING TO GO ON THAT MASSIVE [4:18:12] **Council Member Aisha Chughtai:** SITE AND IS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT THAT IS BRINGING AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF 3 AND 4 BEDROOMS TO THE AREA AND IS THEREFORE IN LINE, TRULY WITH THE PRIORITIES I CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM THE NEIGHBORS I LIVE IN, FROM THE COMMUNITY I REPRESENT, AROUND MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS GREATER AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IN PARTICULAR FOR FAMILIES, FOR LARGER FAMILIES, AND REALLY DEMONSTRATES THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT IN THAT AREA. IT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL. THIS HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN YEARS AND YEARS IN THE MAKING, LONG PRIOR TO MY TENURE HERE. THIS MARKS A REALLY, REALLY EXCITING MOMENT AND I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SHARE THAT OR HONESTLY, TO THANK STAFF WHO WORKED ON IT SO DILIGENTLY OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. [4:19:21] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. SO, WE DON'T HAVE COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK, BUT I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MAY 1st, ALTHOUGH MAY DAY, IS ALSO A NATIONAL DAY OF DECISIONS. I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO ALL OF THE 2024 MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL AND PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. IT'S A BIG DAY FOR THEM. I KNOW WE RECOGNIZED AND DID A RESOLUTION, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING AND I FOR THE SENIORS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, ABLE TO VOTE AND ARE EXERCISING THEIR POWER OF VOTING THIS YEAR, BUT MAY 1st IS ALSO THE NATIONAL DAY OF DECISIONS. SO WHETHER YOU [4:20:07] **Council Member Pearll Warren:** ARE GOING TO COLLEGE, WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO A TRADE SCHOOL, A GAP YEAR, WHATEVER IT IS, IT'S A NATIONAL DAY FOR YOU TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE PUT IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LIFT UP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND TRULY ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. ALSO, APRIL 27TH THROUGH MAY 1st IS TIBETAN COMMUNITY ADVOCACY WEEK. WE HAVE ABOUT 5,000 RESIDENTS WHO ARE PART OF THE TIBETAN COMMUNITY. WE ARE NOT GOING TO MEET NEXT WEEK BUT I WAS ASKED BY MY CONSTITUENTS THAT I ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I WANTED TO GIVE THEM THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DO USE THIS TIME TO MAKE SURE WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT OTHER CULTURES, RECOGNIZING AND SHOWING SUPPORT TO OUR TIBETAN COMMUNITY, AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR CULTURAL VALUES AND WHAT HAVE YOU. THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME. IT'S IMPORTANT TO MY CONSTITUENTS. ALL OF YOU ALL ARE IMPORTANT TO ME. LET'S CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AS WE EXIT OUT OF NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. I WAS GOING TO LEAVE Y'ALL WITH SOME POETRY, BUT I AIN'T GOING TO DO THAT TODAY. THANK YOU. [4:21:26] **Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw:** I'M SORRY, I FORGOT IN MY ANNOUNCEMENTS, THEY WOULD BE SO UPSET. A NECKTIE AND BOW TIE DRIVE FOR CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL. WYATT HAS PUT BUCKETS FOR YOU TO LEAVE YOUR TIES IN AROUND CITY HALL. WE'RE ALSO COLLECTING -- SO WE'RE COLLECTING FOR CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL. OUR STUDENTS ARE ASKING FOR OUR HELP AND THIS IS A PROJECT WE'RE DOING IN COLLABORATION WITH THEM. THESE TIES WILL BE USED FOR PROM. THESE TIES WILL BE USED FOR JOB INTERVIEWS AND INTERNSHIPS, SO PLEASE IF YOU HAVE NECKTIES, BOW TIES, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DONATE THEM TO THE STUDENTS AT CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. [4:22:09] **Council Member Aurin Chowdhury:** WE GOT A LOT OF ANNOUNCEMENTS MR. PRESIDENT. I WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT UPLIFT THAT WE HAVE THE LAKE STREET COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH AT 3:00 P.M. AT THE HOOK AND LADDER. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TUNE INTO ALL THE THINGS THAT LAKE STREET HAS BEEN DOING. OBVIOUSLY LAKE STREET IS ONE OF THE CORRIDORS THAT IS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. NOW THAT WE'RE IN A PLACE WHERE BUSINESSES ARE TRYING TO RECOVER, I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SHOW UP AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT. ADDITIONALLY, HOOK AND LADDER IS AN AMAZING INDEPENDENTLY RUN VENUE AND THEY NEED SUPPORT. [4:23:14] **Council President Elliot Payne:** WELL, WITH THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED ALL BUSINESS BEFORE US AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, I HEREBY DECLARE THIS MEETING ADJOURNED. [GAVEL]