Minneapolis City Council Meeting - October 9, 2025: Honorary Resolutions, Stop Slumlords Ordinance, Franchise Fee Debate, and Public Safety Oversight
Minneapolis City Council Meeting - October 9, 2025
The Minneapolis City Council convened on October 9, 2025, for a regular meeting that began with three honorary resolutions recognizing Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Month, National Community Planning Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The council then proceeded to adopt the agenda, approve minutes, and receive reports from standing committees. Key actions included the adoption of an ordinance to strengthen rental housing enforcement (the "Stop Slumlords" ordinance), the introduction of franchise fee increases for gas and electric utilities, the failure to override the mayor's veto of commercial property sale notification ordinances, and the approval of a legislative directive to establish an independent function for reviewing high-impact public safety cases. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss litigation strategy and the approval of a $90,000 settlement in a civil rights case.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Several members of the public spoke in support of the resolution. Riona Berry, president of the African American Breast Cancer Alliance, highlighted the organization's 35-year history and virtual support groups. Margaret, a representative from Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, described the foundation's financial assistance for patients. Betty Sanders, a two-time breast cancer survivor, was honored with a proclamation declaring October 9, 2025, as "Betty Sanders Day" in Minneapolis, and she thanked attendees and urged regular screenings.
- Rental Housing Ordinance (Item #4): Councilmembers referenced powerful testimony from tenants during the prior week's committee hearing, but no additional public comment was taken during the full council meeting.
Discussion Items
- Honorary Resolutions: Three resolutions were presented and adopted unanimously. Councilmember Vita recognized Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Month, highlighting the work of code enforcement, traffic control, and animal control officers. Councilmember Chowdhury recognized National Community Planning Month, celebrating the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan and planning staff efforts. Councilmembers Koske, Vita, and Payne recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including statistics on incidence (e.g., 1 in 8 women, 316,950 new cases in 2025), disparities (Black women 40% more likely to die), and the impact of federal research cuts.
- Business, Housing & Zoning Committee Report – Rental License Ordinance (Item #4): The council debated and ultimately passed an amended ordinance that requires high-risk rental properties (tier three) to have their license renewals subject to council approval, rather than automatic renewal. The amendment changed the appeals process to give a hearing officer final decision authority. Councilmember Wandsley, Chowdhury, Cashman, and Osman spoke in support, emphasizing accountability for slumlords and the need to protect tenants. Councilmember Palmasano raised concerns about the tiering system potentially changing, but the authors committed to a future legislative directive to align with regulatory services updates. The ordinance passed 12-0.
- Franchise Fee Increases (Introduction and Referral): Councilmember Cashman introduced ordinances to increase gas and electric franchise fee percentages and restructure customer categories from three to seven, aiming to generate an additional $5 million annually for climate programs (weatherization and retrofitting, especially in green zones). The residential increase would be under $10 per year. The motion to refer to the Climate & Infrastructure Committee was passed 11-1 (Palmasano dissenting). Councilmember Palmasano opposed, arguing the fee is regressive and burdens residents, and that weatherization programs have low uptake. Councilmember Vita echoed concerns about affordability and lack of trust in free programs. Councilmembers Cashman, Chavez, Osman, and Vice President Chugtai defended the increase as necessary for climate action and noted it is less than a dollar per month.
- New Business – Audit Committee Request on High-Impact Public Safety Cases: Councilmember Wandsley and Vice President Chugtai presented a motion requesting the audit committee to develop recommendations for an independent function within the city to review patterns and processes in high-impact public safety cases (e.g., domestic violence, hate crimes). This was prompted by failures in cases involving Mariah Samuels, Alison Lucier, and Davis Motori. The motion passed 12-0.
- Unfinished Business – Mayor’s Veto of Commercial Property Sale Ordinances: The council considered overriding the mayor’s veto of two ordinances requiring advance notice of commercial property sales. The motion to override failed with 5 ayes and 7 nays, sustaining the veto.
Key Outcomes
- Honorary Resolutions Adopted (12-0) for Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Month, National Community Planning Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including a proclamation for Betty Sanders.
- Rental License Ordinance (Stop Slumlords) passed 12-0 as amended, requiring council approval for tier three rental license renewals and establishing a neutral appeals process.
- Franchise Fee Increases referred to the Climate & Infrastructure Committee on a 11-1 vote (Palmasano opposed); a legislative directive was also introduced to study the impact.
- Mayor’s Veto Sustained: The commercial property sale notification ordinances failed due to insufficient votes to override (5-7).
- Audit Directive on Public Safety Cases passed 12-0, requesting a consultative engagement to develop an independent review function.
- Closed Session Settlement Approved: Following a closed session, the council approved a $90,000 settlement in the case of Ruddick v. Severance et al. with a vote of 9 members present (no roll call provided but motion carried).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. My name is Elliot Payne. I'm the president of Minneapolis City Council. And before we convene our meeting, we have presentations of honorary resolutions. We are pleased to welcome guests to the space and sharing these presentations before taking up our agenda. First up is a resolution recognizing Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Month presented by Councilmember Vita. All right, good morning. Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for being here. Good morning. It's our first resolution of the day. And the first one is recognizing Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Month. Thank you all so much for being here. Um, whereas Code Enforcement Officers secure the safety, health, and welfare of Minneapolis community members in nearly every area of life, be it renting a home, running a business, putting on a special event, and more. And whereas, assisted by support and program staff, they strive for the betterment of the community, providing quality customer care and excellence in public service, and whereas their behind the scenes efforts often go unrecognized, even when their expertise and persistence culminate in a safer, healthier city through code compliance. And whereas code enforcement officers are dedicated, well-trained professionals who responsibly and proudly serve their city. And whereas traffic control agents strive to provide community safety and efficient traffic flow by enforcing parking regulations, managing intersection control, and educating the public. And whereas animal control officers navigate challenging work every day, protecting public safety, promoting responsible pet ownership, and ensuring animal welfare with professionalism and care. And whereas the month, the American Association of Code Enforcement recognizes these devo this month, the American Association of Code Enforcement recognizes these devoted professionals in honor of their tireless work across the nation. Now, therefore, be a resolve that the mayor and the city council do hereby recognize the month of October 2025 as Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Month in the City of Minneapolis in accordance with the nationwide observance of the same and encourage all of Minneapolis to join in expressing our appreciation for the dedication and outstanding service provided by those who serve as our code enforcement officers. Thank you. Thank you. Now I'm not sure if either of my colleagues want to speak, but you're welcome to do so. I'll just start off by saying a few words. You know, I see I recognize so many people up here, and sometimes I'm talking to you through email or a phone call, and it's always what we hear first, right? It's always what we hear from a complaint or a uh or a resident and we have to work with you, and I apologize in advance if some of these are tense situations. You know who I'm looking at right here. Um but uh it it really is the on-the-ground enforcement, whether it's an aunt uh a pet, people feel really strongly about their pets, obviously, people love their homes. Um we are all here trying to work it out um to be even and fair and ensure um you know equality across the city, and so thank you for what you do. You handle some of the hardest things um that that we do in the city and local government. And I just want to thank everybody too. I I think about the Warehouse District Live and how successful that is with all all the departments helping out. Uh the new uh the pilot project we have with the Uber and Lyft uh drop-off zones in the North Loop, couldn't do it without you. And is is Ahmed here? Um am I missing? Oh, there you go. Okay, and Ahmed, uh I don't want to single anybody up, but your your team really really helps a lot in my ward, and I just appreciate it so much. So thank you very much. And I too want to just say thank you. I know I say it every year, but you all are the backbone of this city, all of your departments, the work you do is what I hear most from residents. Things are mostly livability issues in my ward, and you all show up day after day, and you do that work no matter what the situation is. You know, sometimes it's dangerous, sometimes it's fun and nice, and you all show up all the time and you get that work done. We appreciate you greatly on the north side. So thank you for your service. Thank you. Director, you want to say something? I'd love to. Thank you. Thank you so much for this resolution. It means a lot to not only the individuals here, but the many more who aren't here who are out on the streets working or who are sleeping because they work this evening.
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