Good morning everyone.

My name is Elliot Payne.

I'm the president of Minneapolis City Council.

Before we convene our meeting, we have presentations of honorary resolutions.

We are pleased to welcome guests to the space to share in these presentations before taking up our agenda.

First up, we are recognizing Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day with Councilmember Chavez.

Along with Councilmember Chaudhry and Councilmember Osmond and our incredible city staff.

Alright everyone, we are recognizing Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day.

Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, and is the first international document of the 20th century that clearly identifies the rights and freedoms that belong to us all humans and is celebrated on Human Rights Day.

and whereas work on the universal declaration of human rights was led by eleanor roosevelt the

wife and widow of president fdr as such there is an important connection between this essential

document a document that embodies a shared goal of understanding of the rights we all hold as

humans and highlights the essential truth that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and

rights and in the united states of america and whereas on december 18th 1990 the united nations

adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers

and Members of Their Families, which emphasizes the link of migration to fundamental human rights

that we all hold and...

Whereas, International Migrants' Day recognizes that migration is a fundamental reality for humanity

and underscores the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of all people who move across borders,

regardless of whether their citizenship is recognized in their place of birth or the country where they settle.

And whereas reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers

and members of their families are ways to understand and appreciate these rights.

and whereas the city of Minneapolis works to advance human rights and the rights of migrants in tangible ways

and whereas in 2025 actions and initiatives undertaken by the city of Minneapolis that advance and uphold the human rights of all residents include

the UNICEF Child-Friendly Cities Initiative,

expanding civil rights protections,

advancement of immigrant and refugee inclusion goals

and strategies including connecting community members

to immigration legal service providers

so as to obtain secure or more secure immigration status.

And...

Whereas these efforts are only a few of the tangible ways

in which the city of Minneapolis work to advance the human rights, civil rights,

the rights of immigrants, and the rights of all residents,

ensuring that our city is truly welcoming, not just the name, but indeed,

and whereas it's by upholding our commitment to the rights of all

that we ensure that the rights of each of us are and will be upheld,

as taking rights away from someone does not promote safety,

but ultimately ensures that no one is safe.

And whereas advancing the human rights for all residents,

including individuals who migrate from abroad to make new lives in Minneapolis,

is one way to honor the value embedded in the United Nations document and reference.

And whereas.

Whereas the city of Minneapolis is and always will be committed

to being a welcoming environment for all,

regardless of race, ethnicity, place of origin,

gender identity, abilities, and religious affiliation.

And whereas we stand in solidarity with

and as a part of Minneapolis community

that is suffering the impacts of the failure

to uphold these rights in our society today.

Sufferings resulting from forcible displacement, indefinite detention, restriction of movement, separation from family members, restriction from access to essential resources, legal limbo, and restrictions on legal identity leading to harms including mental health impacts, terror, torture, and death.

These are the results of policies and actions which are intended to and which have the effect of stripping humanity from our fellow humans and neighbors.

and whereas the city of Minneapolis is committed to upholding the ideals embodied by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

and the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of all migrant workers and members of their families

because these commitments are our national obligations, because they reflect our own city values,

and because success in any human endeavor is a shared success.

we need and are dependent upon one another and our commitment to each other is the key to

prosperity for all now therefore be it resolved the mayor and the city council do hereby recognize

december 10th 2025 as human rights day and december 18 2025 as international migrants day

we invite minneapolis residents to recognize these two occasions by reading the universal

Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on the Protection of All Migrant

Workers and Members of Their Families, sharing this information with others, and identifying

additional tangible ways to honor and uphold rights identified in these documents.

Thank you.

Hi, everyone.

My name is Viviana Salazar,

Chair of the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights.

I stand before you today with a heartfelt apology

to the Somali community who lives in fear,

to my Latina community who continues to be targeted,

and to every family being targeted because of their race or their identity.

The Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights is here for you,

and we will do our best to protect the interest in our community.

Please know this.

We stand with you.

I carry deep sorrow for the fear and uncertainty our communities are facing,

And I remain committed to making sure no one walks alone in moments like these.

Thank you.

Next, I'll pass it to Director Rivera.

Thank you.

My name is Michelle Rivera.

I'm the Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs for the city of Minneapolis.

What we are seeing in Minneapolis today is a reflection of what happens when we do not uphold the human rights that we all have.

We all have rights.

Everyone, no matter where a person was born, no matter where a person moves to.

The city of Minneapolis is committed to ensuring that everyone is aware of their rights and is equipped to defend them.

We invite people to go to the Oira Minneapolis webpage, OIRA Minneapolis, to learn more about

your rights and understand how you can connect with someone if your rights have been violated

in the city of Minneapolis.

We are here for you because we are and will remain a welcoming city, one that upholds

the human rights of all, including the rights of migrants, including the rights of people

who are in Minneapolis and have chosen to come to Minneapolis.

Thank you.

Anybody else?

I just want to thank our city staff for helping draft this resolution for all the work that

went into it.

I think it's very timely and some very difficult times that our communities are experiencing.

So, we'll just come here and take a photo.

Thank you.

Next up, we will recognize Samantha Priest-Denson.

Thank you.

Today we are honoring BET Vice President Samantha Priest-Tinson for her years of service to the

City of Minneapolis. Whereas before running for elected office, Samantha was a well-known

organizer and activist fighting for equality and transparency and whereas Samantha was first elected

to the Board of Estimate and Taxation in 2021,

serving as the president for the first two years of her term

and as vice president for the final two years.

And whereas Samantha made history

by being the first black Chicana elected

to the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

And whereas Samantha tirelessly served our city,

ensuring that all voices of the community were heard,

including unhoused neighbors, youth, elders,

and residents of historically redlined areas.

And whereas Samantha was instrumental in supporting the implementation of the city's first public housing levy,

ensuring sustained funding for maintenance, safety upgrades, and repairing unsafe conditions.

And whereas Samantha worked to strengthen internal processes to ensure that the board was more accessible and inclusive to the public,

implementing closed captioning and broadcasting and open public comment for each meeting.

Ann. Whereas the work done by Samantha to expand accessibility and public participation led to not only the highest turnout to a BET meeting ever, but also the record number of public comments.

Ann. Whereas Samantha demonstrated her commitment to youth by supporting the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, $2.6 million investment in youth programming.

and whereas Samantha partnered with NPRB to support the 2025 NPRB levy request to fund our collective bargaining agreement for NPRB workers

and whereas Samantha honored the commitment made to the Upper Harbor Terminal and Graco Parks by supporting the 2026 NPRB levy request

to activate these spaces representing a historic investment in the Northside community

and whereas samantha led to the led on the commission of the city's first ever capital

audit disaggregated by ward providing clear data for accountability and whereas after her years of

service samantha's service to the city of minneapolis and the positive impact she had on

our city will continue well into the future now therefore be it resolved that the mayor and city

Council do hereby present this honorary resolution in recognition of their sincere gratitude and

appreciation for the many contributions made by the Board of Estimate and Taxation, Vice President

Priest-Ensen to the City of Minneapolis, together with their best wishes for her future endeavors.

Thank you.

I wasn't going to say anything, but I'm actually going to.

we have such a beautiful diverse council that represents what this city really is what it

really means to be minneapolis 27 years ago i came here and i fell in love with my husband

we have our sons up here with us several years ago i met walter mondale who gave me advice about

how to get here and i'm get to stand up here with his son and his daughter who dates my son

and so and so this this is like this is the minneapolis i fell in love with i'm not from

here. I'm from Los Angeles, but I came here many years ago and I fell in love with it and I fought

for it. I've been in the streets for it. I will continue to be in the streets for it. This is

what Minneapolis is and anybody can stand up here and get to be a woman of the people. I didn't do

it with the political party. They said it couldn't be done. I did it by being Samantha Priestenson,

10 toes down, back straight, head held high. And I will continue to do that whether I'm in an

elected position, not in an elected position. And so if there's something that you feel passionate

about, continue to fight for it. Continue to fight for it. Continue to stand for it.

Don't back down from it. And we're living in the times where we can't.

So I'm very proud to be standing up here in this moment. And think of all the intersections I stand

on. I'm a woman. I'm a black woman. I'm a Mexican woman. I'm a vet. I'm a combat vet. I'm a vice

president of the Board of Estimate Taxation,

there's so many different intersections I stand on

being this woman in this body.

And nothing's been able to hold me back yet.

So I also look forward to what I'll do in the future,

but I'm so very proud, one of the most proud things

I know I'll ever have done is to have served this city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

That's yours.

All right.

With all the notes.

Oh, if we could.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Okay.

All right.

I guess we should do the last sentence.

All right.

we will now recognize councilmember Cashman

you

Hello. Okay. This is an honorary resolution recognizing Councilmember Cashman for her

years of service to the city of Minneapolis. Whereas Councilmember Cashman was elected to

represent the seventh ward in 2023, the first new council member to represent Ward 7 in 26 years,

bringing a new voice and style of leadership and advocacy to the neighborhoods of Bryn Mawr,

Cedar Owls-Dean, Downtown West, East Isles, Kenwood, Loring Park, Lowry Hill,

Stevens Square Loring Heights, and West McCoska.

Ward 7 is one of the most economically diverse districts in the entire state of Minnesota,

representing residents in affordable and Section 8 housing alongside lakeside homeowners and

downtown business owners.

Councilmember Cashman worked to equitably represent this diverse constituency with

various types of engagement throughout the ward, ranging from community cleanups in Loring Park

to water quality roundtables in West Makaskow, always working to address the

very needs of her constituency.

Whereas council member Cashman's office had the most adger cases of any office in 2024

and ended November 2025 with 3,749 constituent cases with council member Cashman personally

responding to 1,747 cases showing her immense dedication to constituent services and communication.

Whereas, the Ward 7 office ended the term with a three-day average response time to constituents,

affirming constituent services as a top priority in her representation of Ward 7.

And?

Whereas, Councilmember Cashman brought her professional experience in urban planning and climate advocacy together

by forming the Climate and Infrastructure Committee,

further advocating for city solutions to our climate crisis,

and whereas Councilmember Cashman brought a tremendous level of consensus building

and teamwork to city council by co-authoring legislation with every member of city council

and authoring over 200 pieces of legislation in her two-year term.

This one?

Okay.

Whereas Councilmember Cashman chaired the Climate and Infrastructure Committee while also serving on the Transportation Advisory Board for the Metropolitan Council,

serving on the Minneapolis Tree Advisory Commission for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board,

serving on the Clean Energy Partnership, and led on renewing the city's franchise agreements with utility companies,

demonstrating a resounding dedication to intercity coordination for the sake of our planet and environment.

And.

Whereas, Councilmember Cashman has been a strong advocate for the safety, usability, and enjoyability of our public spaces,

from co-authoring the Boulevard Gardens Ordinance to fighting to triple traffic calming resources

to finding cost-effective replacement playground for the Loring Greenway,

Councilmember Cashman has been a relentless advocate for public spaces and

whereas Councilmember Cashman has been a relentless advocate for the vibrant

storefronts initiative that both creates cost-effective options for artists to

have their own studio space and shops while also feeling vacant storefronts

bringing artistic endeavors to street level and connecting emerging artists

directly with the community and...

Whereas, when addressing public safety,

Councilmember Cashman always took a holistic approach.

She fought for a new crime prevention specialist

in the 5th Precinct to reduce crime occurrences

fought for shot spotter technology in Loring Park to improve response times when crime does occur,

and was a co-author on our strengthened hate crime prevention technical assistance resolution

to better advocate for victims of crime and...

Whereas Councilmember Cashman was never afraid to stand up for renters

and fought for stronger code enforcement and eviction protections

to ensure everyone had a safe place to call home

while also meeting with renters directly to discuss livability concerns in multi-unit buildings.

And whereas, never shying away from innovation,

Councilmember Cashman eased zoning for downtown office to building conversions,

which is bringing an influx of new residents to downtown.

Whereas, Councilmember Cashman has always been a champion for downtown and uptown,

she authored the Tourism Improvement District Ordinance

and fought to expand Skyway access to better invest in downtown,

its residents, and its visitors.

And she funded a technical assistance panel with real estate professionals

in Uptown and the Uptown Farmer's Market,

open streets, and holidays on Hennepin

to bring energy and excitement to the new era of Uptown.

And...

And whereas day and night, in person, over text, in email, or in social media comment,

Councilman Cashman has always been available to her constituents,

has been a consistent communicator, and has set a new standard for public service in Minneapolis.

Now therefore be it resolved that the mayor and city council do hereby present this honorary

resolution in recognition of their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the many contributions

made by council member Cashman to the 7th Ward and to the city of Minneapolis together with

their best wishes for her future endeavors.

All right.

Here we are.

I just want to say a big profound thanks to everybody who's up here, especially the Ward 7 staff.

Claire, John, Molly, Daisy, MJ, Chaz, and Kaylee all worked in the Ward 7 office in these last couple of years,

from policy aide to intern and are truly behind all of the work that we got done all of the 200

pieces of legislation that we got passed all of the over 3 000 constituent cases that we helped

word 7 residents with is because of them so i'm so so grateful that they're all here today to help

us celebrate this moment and being a city council member is an honor and a privilege but it's also

a very hard job. It's as our council vice president says we're the first line of service and the last

line of defense so folks come to us with everything that you could possibly imagine that's happening

to them and we do our darndest to help but at the same time we're city council and we can't fix

every economic and structural problem in the world and so it is hard because sometimes we feel like

we're not doing enough for our residents,

but that's where the passion really comes in

to believe in a better world,

to believe that our efforts have value.

Even if we can't fix everything, we can always do more.

And we can always do something

to help improve the lives of others.

So I'm leaving here with the same relentless optimism

that I had when I started.

And I know that by working together,

we can make our hopeful vision for the future come true in Minneapolis.

Thank you so much.

Oh, yeah.

All right, let's group together for a picture.

I'm going to say a few words here.

I'm Councilman Emily Kosky in Ward 11, but have had the honor to be your vice chair in

what we now call the Climate Infrastructure Committee, and it has been, I've learned so

much from you and it's been a tremendous honor to be your capacity builder and supporter in the work

that you have been able to accomplish and bringing topics that were always siloed in the city and

really letting us think more broadly and more deeply about the work that we do at the city so

thank you so much we were elected at the same time you're my one other person coming into this council

brand new and I'm just really proud of you because we got thrown right into the deep end

no orientation no training nothing it was sink or swim and I would say one of the most

consequential times in local government and you have always been someone that I could lean on

coming in as a new council member you have led with so much grace with so much passion

with so much patience,

because you need to have a lot of patience for this job,

and you have continuously exhibited it,

you have amazing fashion sense.

It's like the best outfits one could have.

And on top of that, just brilliant.

And one of the things that I want to highlight

is that you've also been a huge voice

for working people in your community.

You have not shied away

in shining a light on the class divisions that exist in Minneapolis,

but especially in your ward.

You stood up for renters when it wasn't convenient for you to do so,

when people told you not to.

You stood up for service workers.

You fought for a labor standards board when everyone told you not to,

but you stood on your values and you stood for what people who don't get a voice in this place

need and I'm so proud of you I've learned so much from you you're always so prepared in committee

you're so prepared in committee and I know that this is not the last time we're going to see

Katie Cashman in office I'm manifesting that

okay i do have to say something i i just remembered the first time i sat down with you

as you were considering running for office i might have been one of your earlier first like

council member conversations and i just remembered walking away from that conversation

going wow she's walking this so nonchalant like it's not a big deal and i now at this moment

recognize you are walking into it with just such a relentless fearlessness about the work

that you do. And I see that every day. And I know that you're like, that can't be taken

away from you. So you're going to continue moving through this world with that relentless

fearlessness and I can't wait to see it.

Council member Cashman, Katie.

Katie.

I know you to be a person who is severely underestimated.

And you know that.

And it's exactly, she whispered, it's my secret weapon.

She's correct.

Exactly.

Exactly.

That's the point.

And you're hearing from your other colleagues, and it's true for me too, in my experience

with you over the last two years, in the toughest moments, you understand the consequence, you

understand the cost incurred to you, and you do the brave thing anyway.

And that's something to be proud of, and it's something to walk out of this place with your

head held high.

and I am personally going to miss sitting next to you on the dais I'm gonna miss having a person

having you be a part of this the story this chapter

thank you for your service and thank you for for all the ways that you have led

I'll keep it quick but Councilman Cashman there's gonna be big shoes to fill right here that is

really gonna be missing at City Hall and here on the Mayapa City Council and I think that's

really important because I think one of the things that I was really proud of and was really proud

to see you do is always stand by working people despite the opposition that we often saw about no

we shouldn't support working people.

We should support people that are wealthier.

And you always said, nope, I'm going to be bold.

I'm going to take positions that are probably going to get me in trouble.

But I'm going to do so because it is the right thing to do

for the people of Minneapolis.

And that is something that I'm always going to be so freaking proud of

that you said I'm standing 10 toes down for working people in Minneapolis.

And I don't care what consequence that is going to take us to.

So I just want to say that I'm fucking proud of you.

I'm going to say it.

And I am so happy that you have uplifted the values of what working people is here in Minneapolis.

It's fine to say it.

Community Gates.

Thank you, everybody.

Hi, everybody.

My name is Bill Mondale.

And my dad, Walter Mondale, would have been standing right here or otherwise.

people think of Minnesota as a state that's largely rural and this state is a story of how people go from places like Salon, Minnesota and Elmore, Minnesota like my dad did.

He had one pair of pants and one sweater through law school. He took the bus. He hitched a ride.

There is a direct line from the story of Walter Mondale and the way that he made public service his life directly to Minnesota and Katie Cashman.

Katie Cashman has picked up the reins of the DFL party to make sure that we give everyone a chance to move into a place of maximum usefulness for our fellow persons.

I met Katie at a human rights fundraiser. I just couldn't believe it. And I came to see that Katie Cashman embodies the best of this state. She did everything she possibly could for her ward, for her ward's future, and for her ward's environment.

I have never been prouder to call you a friend.

I'm inspired by your leadership and by your vision,

and I can't wait to see what's next.

Thank you, Councilperson Cashman, for your service.

We cannot wait for what's next.

Thank you.

Let's get together for a photo.

We have a lot of business to get done on our agenda today.

We want to go behind.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, next up we are honoring Emily Kosky for her years of service to the city of Minneapolis.

Whereas Emily Kosky was first elected to the Minneapolis City Council in 2021 municipal election,

re-elected in 2023, and served the people of the 11th Ward with dedication and integrity for two terms.

And whereas Emily Kosky was the first woman in 20 years and the second woman in the city's 158-year history

to represent the 11th Ward on the Minneapolis City Council.

And whereas Emily Kosky comes from a family legacy of public service to the city

as the daughter of Al Hofstad, who served as council member for the third ward

and is a two-term mayor of Minneapolis.

And whereas Emily Kosky is a lifelong resident of the city of Minneapolis

and has always been an active member of her community,

raising her two children in Minneapolis public schools,

coaching youth sports at neighborhood parks,

serving on local boards, and volunteering

for a variety of community organizations.

And whereas Emily Kosky ran for Minneapolis City Council

out of a deep love for her community

and a commitment to public service,

seeking to strengthen the connection between residents

and the city, ensure that residents' voices were heard,

and make certain that City Hall worked for the people it represents.

And whereas Emily Kosky set the highest standard for constituent service,

making connection with residents her top priority, responding to every call, email, and meeting request,

and hosting weekly office hours, monthly ward meetings, and frequent town hall meetings on local issues.

Whereas Emily Kosky sought out and engaged directly with residents with limited access to City Hall,

hosting gatherings, connecting people with resources, and creating consistent opportunities for youth,

seniors, BIPOC residents, and residents to shape the work of City Hall,

And, whereas, Emily Kosky built meaningful relationships with youth across the 11th Ward, spending time in classrooms, supporting residents, supporting student leadership through meetings with student councils, and opening City Hall to youth through shadow days and civic learning experiences.

And,

Ooh, that's heavy.

Thank you.

Where am I now?

Thank you.

Whereas Emily Kosky assumed office during one of the most consequential moments in Minneapolis history during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, a pivotal moment for the city as she embraced the work of office, engaging fully and fearlessly and demonstrating steadfast determination, resilience and unwavering commitment.

And whereas Emily Kosky established the city's first ever dedicated public safety auditor within the city auditor's office to provide independent evaluation, strengthen oversight, enhance transparency and accountability, and ensure the public's confidence and trust in the city's public safety system.

system. And whereas Emily Kosky led research to strengthen public safety staffing across

Minneapolis, focusing on recruiting, hiring, and retention in both the police and fire departments,

using data-driven analysis to inform policy decisions, modernize practices and procedures,

advance equitable representation, and support a sustainable and effective public safety

workforce for the city.

And whereas...

And whereas Emily Kosky led research...

Oh, it's a big one.

We love to see it.

Whereas Emily Kosky was an early advocate for expanding the city's behavioral crisis response program, securing the resources and infrastructure necessary to extend its service hours and strengthen its citywide coverage.

And whereas Emily Kosky addressed the city's critical gap in support for victims of domestic violence, establishing and significantly expanding the Domestic Violence Navigators Program, setting it on a path to provide services citywide and ensuring that all survivors could access the support they need.

and whereas Emily Kosky secured multiple affordable housing developments in the 11th Ward

collaborating with local developers to transform underutilized and problem properties into multi-use

buildings with a mix of affordable units ensuring greater access to safe and affordable homes for

residents and whereas Emily Kosky advocated for the city's shelters and transitional housing at

critical moment securing emergency funding for avivo village and agate supporting the expansion

of the city's successful homelessness prevention strategies and ensuring that residents experiencing

housing instability received services and the support they needed and whereas emily kosky

fought to preserve the city's affordable housing preservation partnership with twin cities habitat

for Humanity, protecting essential home repair programs that help residents remain safely

and stably in their homes.

Whereas Emily Kosky established the Labor Standards Intervention Pilot Project, the

first of its kind in the nation, providing small businesses with subsidized management

tools and support to achieve compliance with local labor laws linking small business assistance

to the promotion of fair labor practices.

Whereas Emily Kosky advocated for the continued funding and expansion of the city's labor

standards co-enforcement program, ensuring the program could maintain its critical work

in protecting workers' rights.

And whereas Emily Kosky led the development of a multi-jurisdictional partnership between

the city, the Parks and Recreation Board, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District,

fostering collaboration to align planning efforts and invest in capital improvements

that enhance both the natural and built environments within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed.

And whereas Emily Kosky addressed longstanding traffic and safety concerns at the intersection

of Cedar Avenue and Edgewater Boulevard and East Lake Nokomis Parkway by spearheading a multi-jurisdictional

effort between the city, the Parks and Recreation Board, and Hennepin County, successfully implementing

street and sidewalk improvements to enhance safety for all users. And whereas Emily Kosky created the

first ever council committee work plans, leading the council's first strategic planning efforts in

the Budget Committee, developing the first council and legislative department budget

priorities, establishing new practices to enhance coordination and effectiveness, and

strengthening the city council's fiscal authority following the government restructure.

And whereas Emily Kosky led countless efforts across public safety, affordable housing,

homelessness, economic development, transportation and infrastructure, and good governance, too many

to list in a single honorary resolution, and further contributed to efforts led by colleagues,

the administration always placing the betterment of the city above personal recognition, and whereas

Emily Kosky, at a moment of unprecedented division in local, state, and federal government consistently

rose above partisan and ideological lines,

building trust, collaborating across differences,

bringing an independent, community-centered voice

that reminded colleagues that progress comes

from working together toward a greater good.

And whereas Emily Kosky often heard saying to colleagues,

don't tell me no, tell me how,

and dreams are free.

Dreams are free.

exemplified a belief that ambitious goals are always worth pursuing and that through curiosity, collaboration, and creativity, even the boldest ambitions can be realized.

now therefore be it resolved that the mayor and city council do hereby present this honorary

resolution in recognition of their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the many many

contributions made by council member emily kosky to the 11th ward and to the city of minneapolis

together with their best wishes for her future endeavors

I believe the league is also here today.

Sure.

Good morning, everybody.

My name is Daniel Lightfoot,

and I serve as one of the Intergovernmental Relations

representatives at the League of Minnesota Cities. The League is a

statewide membership organization representing the collective interests of

all 856 cities in the state of Minnesota. Our largest member of course is the

city of Minneapolis, but all the way down to the mighty city of Barrie, Minnesota

with a population of 14. Councilmember Koski has served on our board for the

for the past year and has done so amazingly and so it's my honor on behalf

of our board of directors to recognize her and her board service and with me is

our past presidents and City of Lakeville City Administrator Justin Miller.

Thank you all. Being on the League of Minnesota City's board I boil down to

two terms advocacy and cheerleading and you could not have had a better advocate

and cheerleader for Minneapolis than you have in Councilmember Kosky. Whether it

was at our board meetings cheering on talking about what Minneapolis has done

how it impacts not only Minneapolis but can impact and improve the entire state

or being an advocate at the state legislature or at in Washington DC at

our National League of Cities conference so Councilmember Kosky thank you for

your service to the League of Minnesota cities we have this lovely plaque in the

in the in a familiar shape to go on your large desk at whatever future

endeavor wherever your path takes you thank you so much for your service

okay well i'm i'm just going to jump in and just say um we got elected at the same time

and the majority of us up here got elected in 2021 and it was one of the hardest most

divisive eras and moments in our city's history and that division was really

severely pumped up by just unchecked amounts of money and our in our politics

and this is not a problem that's unique to Minneapolis this is a problem that

is infecting our entire country right now we are more divided than ever and it

is scary right now and I just remembered you know we can get into our little

factions here in Minneapolis and I thought I was in a different faction than

Councilmember Koski as we were coming in because we were only learning about

each other through this mediated space that's pumped up by corporate cash and I

remember one of the very first actions I ever did with Councilmember Koski and

that was expanding our BCR which was the reason I personally ran and I just

remembered never thinking how could council member Koski possibly support

this we're gonna take money from the police department and fund the mental

health responders how is that possible and it's possible because you center

humanity in every single thing that you do and you are the antidote antidote to

this moment that we're in in our country and I'm really hoping that not

Not just in the city of Minneapolis, but more broadly people can start seeing the type of

humanity that you bring to this work every single day.

So thank you.

Yeah, I wanted to say a few words because when I came into office with Council Member

Chowdhury as two young women, Emily Kosky was the first one to just open her arms and

present me with a little descent pin that had Ruth Bader Ginsburg's outfit on it and say,

you know, welcome to the city council. I'm here for you, you know, whatever you need.

And she's been an incredible mentor to me, someone that I really look up to, someone who is always a

phone call away and ready to just talk through every single question you could possibly have.

I mean, her patience and just level of sacrifice to help people succeed at City Hall.

is amazing. It's truly amazing and has been such a champion for young women in politics.

And I've experienced that and benefited from that firsthand.

So thank you so much for championing young women and for always bringing your full self to the job.

I just want to talk a little bit about the relationship me and Councilman Koski had.

I think it's really important to know that there were many times where my community was crying for help

and Councilman Kossi was just like, how can I help?

When it came to the Roof Depot issue

that you all know has been really big and hard for my community,

and when it felt like there was no hope for the people that I represent,

Kossi said, how can I help?

And gave the community I represent more time.

And I know if you wouldn't have been bold

and taken an action like that,

we would be in a different situation than we are today.

And I want to be thankful for all that work that you did.

And when it came to homelessness, I think folks need to know that Councilor Murkowski is always like, how can we fund our shelter system?

How can we address unsheltered homelessness?

What can we do?

And I remember one of the biggest actions we took on the council that actually united the entire council, which is who you are as a councilor, Councilor Murkowski.

You unite people.

You bring people together was when we worked on the VUO Village funding in 2023.

And you were working really hard for that.

and I think you were able to bring the entire council together to make sure that we did that

unanimously which I really want to highlight the unanimous part because that is who you are

you bring people together and even as you're heading out I know that we're going to be here

and figuring out how can we continue to work with you to make sure that we are addressing

homelessness in our city which I know really matters to you so I just wanted to bring that

attention to this because when there were hard votes on the city council you would oftentimes

hear councilman rikoski say i'm choosing justice and that's who i'm gonna remember you as

on the city council so i appreciate you

councilmember rikoski girl

you are a powerful force in a tiny package and i know during council member cashman's presentation

around you people see you and and and don't approach you with the seriousness that you carry

and I'm most admire the fact that you constantly um prove people wrong you refuse to let other

people's projections dim your light and step into the shadows of what is very clear your your

brilliance your understanding also your bs meter is like top notch and flawless and I'm going to

connecting with you on that because I think we are two people who regardless of beliefs and

ideologies we simply want to see government work because we care about people and government is

meant to serve the people and we constantly on this dais often get fed a lot of bs around why

things can't work in order to meet the needs of the people and you are one of the few people

who in those divisive errors who would call bs and then pair it with don't tell me no tell

me how i literally wore two walks around to the city attorney's office all the time being like

don't tell me no tell me how because of you um so i i appreciate your dedication to just saying

i want government to work i i what is nonsense you will call out nonsense and you will always

pair it with well let's figure out how to problem solve and that is so desperately needed here

that's going to be a gap here and i think i shared in our one-to-one most recently i really

hope you go take over another city um if it's not here in minneapolis until we can figure out things

here um it's like you your brilliance your intelligence your understanding it's so deserved

in our city in our state and we're literally in a better place because of you thank you

Councilmember Koski, Emily Koski.

I just, I've spent the last few months just looking over to Councilmember Koski and just being like,

do you have to go?

you just stay and that's because for me as a council member that's going to continue

into the next few years I I just really recognize the shoulders that I stand on

and that's you you opened up your door so wide for me not just when I came in but every time

that it got hard here. Every time it just felt like it was so overwhelming. The issues in our

city and our world were just so entangled and hard to solve. You always had your door open to me,

and you always encouraged me, and you even went a step further, and you like committed

to me that you would mentor me, and that you would believe in me, and that you see things

in me that I can't even see and that's how you approach governing too you see things in this

city you see things in how city hall can be how our council can work together that no that no one

else is seeing but you have it that's visionary like you are vision oriented and you are solution

oriented and you just create the map and your relentless and getting to that end goal you put

that North Star up high and the big thing about that is you don't just hold

it for yourself you're like everybody hold on to it everybody grab on to it

we're all gonna do this together this is our shared thing that part about you

saying in the resolution saying oftentimes without recognition you you

didn't want it you didn't need it it was always about the bigger picture and

today you do get that recognition because you were so consistent and you

were so compassionate and I think I will just continue to reflect on the things

that I've learned from you and it will continue to reach out to you because we

need you and we care about you and I love you and thank you for everything

that you've done for our city and our council

I'll keep this short but I just want to say thank you so much it has been a

an honor of my life to serve the residents of Minneapolis,

but we're 11 and to be up here with all of you amazing leaders.

It's been an incredible journey. I've learned so much.

And the passion that I have and the love I have for this city is not going

away.

But all of this work could not have been done without my family who's here with

me and also my, my team, Melissa, Emily, and Corinne.

None of this happens without everybody on this dais and everybody behind the

scenes. Another huge shout out to the clerks because nothing works without the clerks and

they make all of this work come true too. So thank you so much and I appreciate all

this support.

Thank you.

up we will recognize councilmember Ellison

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Well, thank you everyone for joining us to celebrate Jeremiah.

I'm going to kick off reading the honorary resolution.

So, recognizing Councilmember Ellison for his years of service to the city of Minneapolis,

Whereas, Jeremiah Bay Ellison, a true Northsider born and raised, has dedicated his life to uplifting, advocating for, and celebrating the vibrancy, resilience, and brilliance of North Minneapolis.

Whereas, he ran for office in 2017 after seeing a gap in representation for the community he loved and stepped forward to ensure the genius, lived experience, and leadership of Northside was reflected in City Hall.

Whereas he entered elected office as a mural painter, comic book artist, and writer, and evolved into a respected housing policy expert, demonstrating that creativity can transform governance, policymaking, and community building.

whereas at only 28 years old when he took office he helped pave the way for

new generations of young leaders to run for elected office and now at the elder

age of 36 leaves a legacy of expanding housing access economic development

environmental justice and community safety in Ward 5 and throughout

Minneapolis.

Whereas he began his tenure with a commitment to shifting the power imbalance

between renters and the housing system, championing landmark policies such as the

renters first housing policy, fair notice ordinance, right to return, tenant

relocation assistance and right to counsel, ensuring Minneapolis renters had greater

dignity, transparency and stability.

Whereas he strengthened the city's ability to safeguard livable housing conditions through

the creation of the Emergency Repair Board and improved habitability enforcement, ensuring

that families were no longer forced to endure unsafe or deteriorating housing without recourse.

Whereas he recognized that environmental hazards like lead poisoning and mold infestation were not isolated maintenance issues, but symptoms of environmental racism.

And he championed some of the strongest lead and mold remediation policies in the city's history, requiring landlords to address hazardous conditions quickly, preventing displacement caused by safety failures and ensuring Minneapolis homes support long term health.

and whereas he consistently advanced pathways toward tenant ownership and long-term affordability

by establishing the ownership and opportunity fund and laying the groundwork for the tenant

opportunity to purchase ordinance to be picked up and completed by future council members,

creating future opportunities for community-controlled housing and neighborhood stability, and...

Whereas he showed steadfast commitment to environmental justice by fighting for long-overdue accountability on issues such as northern metals and Herc,

strengthening protections against high-impact industrial uses, advancing ash treatment resolution for more equitable removals,

and elevating the environmental health of North Minneapolis residents who have borne a disproportionate harm,

and whereas he championed mobility, transportation, and land-use policies that improved safety and access,

including safe routes to school, mobility hubs, traffic calming initiatives, major rezoning reforms,

and community-centered transportation priorities, such as the Olsen Memorial Highway redesign

and Blue Line light rail extension development.

And whereas he centered economic justice and community wealth building by supporting collective bargaining agreements,

labor rights, and redevelopment efforts, always working to ensure that economic development

reflected the dreams and ingenuity of Ward 5 residents. And whereas across every area of work,

housing, public safety, economic development, labor, environment, land use, and community

well-being, he approached policy with the lens of dignity, equity, and community empowerment,

leaving behind a legacy that will shape the North Side for generations. And

And whereas he cultivated deep collaboration with city staff, community leaders, and advocates,

grounding the decision-making and lived experience and building relationships rooted in trust,

accountability, and shared purpose.

And whereas in his own words, he has always believed North Minneapolis is a community of storytellers,

workers, educators, and visionaries.

and he dedicated his public service to propping up the genius of the community

and building a future authored by Northside themselves.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Minneapolis City Council

hereby presents this honorary resolution in recognition of its sincere gratitude

and appreciation for the many contributions made by Councilmember Ellison

to Ward 5 and the City of Minneapolis

and extends its very best wishes for his continued success and future endeavors.

So we have a few remarks.

We'll pass it to Kim.

I didn't know I was going to go first, so sorry.

No, you're good.

Hello.

Jeremiah loves North Minneapolis.

It's where he was born, it's where he was raised, and it's where he lives today.

His work on the council as council member has come from the place that he's always called

home and his love for his north side neighbors.

We've watched Jeremiah grow up.

The north side has watched Jeremiah grow up.

We watched him grow as a team player in sports on Hobbs Field, saw him develop his artistic

talent at juxtaposition arts and he has carried the spirit of an artist into politics and now

we've seen him grow in the office becoming more diplomatic and more of a team builder

jeremiah has always told the uncompromising truth with from his perspective the truth about

what his neighborhood needs what they deserve and his family will not forget his new york times op-ed

where he talked about the toll the pandemic was having on his north side neighbors and mentioned

the passing of his Nana. Jeremiah operates on principle and it's been a joy to see him grow

more every day. We are very proud of you, Jeremiah, and proud of the work that you've done for the

north side thank you okay this is working okay it is council member council

members colleagues community members I'm so grateful to be here in recognition

of my colleague I was asked to speak and was really honored because I entered

public service in what feels like a lifetime ago with councilmember Ellison

he feels truly like my councilmember sibling and as we've exited and are

exiting our time of service at our respective communities I am grateful to

be here from the city across the river to get to share why your leadership has

mattered to me why it has mattered to our communities and when I really close

my eyes and think about why is Jeremiah's leadership so important? I just really remember

the first time hearing him talk about running to represent his community. And before he even

decided to run, we saw him in a picture we'll never forget with his hands in the air. And we

saw something that captured our hurt, our anger, our rage, and our courage. And we sent him to City

hall to do something about that. And when we learned from him about how he ran, he talked about,

he would say, people in my community are often not reached by people running to represent them.

He talked about doing things like getting out into the streets, literally taking a car,

putting music on a loudspeaker, and slow rolling through the neighborhood. And anyone who came out,

he said, hey, my name is Jeremiah. Tell me about your experience in the neighborhood. And he was

like he because because we're always asking people to come to us and we have to go to them and he

went to them because that's your community jeremiah and there's so much about traditional

campaigning that doesn't work for so many people if your phone is cut off if your cell phone number

doesn't work anymore how's the campaign supposed to call you and reach you you need to go where

they are if you don't live where you previously lived at your voter address because you were

evicted or you lost access to your housing we have to find out how to get through to people

If you are living in a camp in this community, you're a constituent, you get to vote, you have rights.

He went and talked to every resident.

And this is all things that I saw in Jeremiah before I had even run for office.

And I specifically remember listening to him talk about these things and feeling profoundly inspired and transformed.

And it mattered for how I eventually ran for city council.

And so in that work together, I'm so grateful for you for all we worked on.

We've had some crazy phone calls.

you know you don't want to be like no one in our community wants to be awake at two in the morning

with just just the most painful historic in the bad way things unfolding but that's what happened

in our wards me in the midway St. Paul in the in the depths of 2020 Jeremiah on the north side and

I was wide awake at two in the morning and looked at my phone because it was ringing and I was up

and I was online I was working and it just said Jeremiah Ellison and I had this moment I had this

moment of, oh my God, we're the ones now. We are the ones in this moment. We are the ones in this

historic, terrifying national media, community pain, just washing machine of things. And

I'm so happy that was you on that phone call. I'm so happy that at two in the morning, that was you.

And so we went through that together. And I want to honor that because that heart, when you first

ran, the way you see people, the way that you strove to represent them, the fruits of that,

that everyone, staff, members, community, allies that helped root those investments and policies

that are now in that resolution, that are laws in this community, that are the reason you can't get

kicked out of your apartment, that are the reason that if you do get kicked out, you get relocation

assistance, that if you want to buy your building because your landlord sucks, you can do that now.

these are the roots that turned into fruits. So as you go to your next chapter, I want to say thank you for bringing that heart and that mind and that ferocity. And personally, and I'm saying this in the best ways, that pettiness sometimes, because sometimes you also have to be that way in this work, deploy it strategically for the movement, for the cause. But I want to celebrate you as a person, right? And so honored to have served with you and on the other side in this

chapter. I'm here because I'm also retired at the right page of 39. So here's to the late 30s

exiting office, but our communities are still here with you just like how it began. So be it how we

go forward. Thank you every single person here, staff, council members, community members, people

who took time for making this community what it is and for your service in these times. And thank

for the chance to honor you today.

Good morning.

My name is Deanna Dodds Cummings.

I am a lifelong Minnesotan and I'm one of the founders

of Juxtaposition Arts, which folks have referenced.

Juxta's visual art and design

Nonprofit Arts and Culture Center located in North Minneapolis for 30 years in Jeremiah's ward.

I've known Jeremiah since he was seven years old. He was the youngest person ever accepted into

Juxta. Mind you, it's a highly competitive program. He's competing against people who are 16, 17, 18,

all the way up to 21 years old, and he got it. And that is who Jeremiah has always been, right?

If you give him 20% odds, he's like, I'll take it.

And 95% of the time, he's going to win.

He has been always the youngest, the first, the trailblazer.

And that isn't something that he's shied away from.

That's something that he's embraced.

So I want to say congratulations, Jeremiah.

I want to say to all the council members whose terms are ending today, thank you for taking

a turn in the seat.

Thank you for not feeling like you needed to hold the seat forever and ever, right?

Because I think taking a turn in the seat is what the real difference is.

Take a turn, leave it better, and then hand the baton.

Thank you for leaving this council better.

Thank you for leaving your ward better.

Thank you for leaving our city better.

For all the organizations and the people that you've touched and that you've impacted,

it. You left me better. You left my partner Roger better. And you did it all from the lens of an

artist, bringing your superpowers of aesthetics and storytelling. Some of y'all have heard Jeremiah

tell a story or two. He is a beautiful storyteller. And from the lens of your creative problem solving

to the to the folks in Minneapolis, I hope y'all won't forget what it was like to have an artist

or two or three running the city.

Artists do good work and they bring something special

that nobody else brings.

I hope y'all will elect another artist.

I hope y'all won't forget what it was like

to have a 28-year-old leading the city.

Young people can do everything.

Young people can do more than what we think they can do.

Elect young people to run the city.

Congratulations, Jeremiah, and thank you.

I'm excited to see how your gifts and talents

and superpowers are going to continue to manifest in the world.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Um, I'll say a thing or two.

I've got some notes.

Um, thank you all.

Well, to my staff, can we can we give a round of applause to my staff?

I can't even stand upright without the support of my staff from over the years.

So thank you, guys.

So I got a few brief notes, and I'll try to deploy them briefly.

A couple of quick things.

To the degree that I have convinced anyone that I'm an expert on anything,

I have to thank the staff that I've worked with throughout the city departments.

I would love to think of myself as an expert.

I would love to become an expert, but I'm not.

There are people in this building who I have broke bread with, who I've grabbed coffee with,

who I've talked with, who I've taken serious, and who have taken me serious in return.

And they taught me so much.

And I felt like I was able to bring that knowledge to the council in a way that I had a few models for in, you know, my good friend Lisa Bender, my good friend Lisa Goodman, the two Lisas who taught me how to do this job.

And so I just wanted to say that because this work, there's a lot of me on that page, and I'm grateful for it.

I'm grateful for the recognition.

But none of this stuff gets done without a tremendous amount of support and a tremendous amount of people holding me upright.

So I just wanted to say that.

If you know me long enough, and I think I fight it off pretty well, but if you know me long

enough, you know that I can be vulnerable to cynicism.

It can be hard to look at the problems of the world and feel like you're meeting so

much resistance in trying to solve them.

I know some people in this room who have experienced that.

And I feel like I experienced that.

Being in a building that I felt like was antagonistic to the kind of change that I wanted to see.

And you walk into office with all of your good intentions and all of your hopes and

your dreams and you meet this system.

And then you've got to decide how you're going to become.

Are you going to return cynicism in kind?

Or are you going to aspire to a better impulse than that?

And so my, you know, not that I was always successful, but my task and my challenge to

myself was to aspire to a greater impulse than cynicism.

I think that my, you know, my disposition can lean towards antagonism sometimes.

And I think that that's okay.

I think sometimes people need to be stirred.

Their imaginations need to be sort of jostled out of them.

Sometimes it can be invited out of them, but sometimes it really has to be jostled out

of them and my creativity in this job as this job has threatened to make me less creative.

I've had community members jostle my creativity back out of me.

Some of the people up here have done that.

And so I'm grateful for that.

When you're coming to a close in eight years in office, I feel old in the job.

I know rationally that I'm not that old.

But after eight years, two years of prosperity in this city and then 2020.

and not only the pandemic that really rocked the whole country,

but the murder of George Floyd that devastated our city.

And I don't know that we've recovered from it.

I know for a fact that we haven't.

And so, you know, it was six years of that within those eight years.

And so the job can threaten to wear you down.

And I'm not an incredibly religious person, but I did find the Quran.

You know, I was raised Muslim. You guys know my dad's Muslim.

You know, he raised us that way.

I found myself revisiting a passage that I want to read to you guys.

It's the Surah Rachman 55. I won't read the whole thing, but I wanted to read a portion of it.

The most beneficent has taught you, mankind, the Quran by his mercy.

He created man. He taught him eloquent speech.

The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses exactly exactly calculated with measured out stages for each and

the herbs and the or the stars and the trees both prostrate and

the heaven he has raised high and he has set up the balance in

order that you may not transgress due balance and

observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient and

and the earth he has put for the creatures.

Therein are fruits, date palms producing sheathed fruit stalks,

and also corn with leaves and stalk for fodder and sweet scented plants.

Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny?

He created man from sounding clay, like the clay of pottery,

and the gin did he create from a smokeless flame of fire.

then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny?

He is the Lord of the two east and the two west,

then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny?

He has let loose the two seas, meeting together.

Meeting them is a barrier which none of them can transgress,

then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny?

Out of them both come one pearl, come out pearl and coral.

then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny?

And his are the ships going and coming in the seas like mountains.

Then which of your Lord's blessings will you deny?

Whatsoever it is on earth will perish,

and the face of your Lord full of majesty and honor will abide forever.

And so I forced myself, when it comes to service,

and you're facing down the things that are difficult

and you're wanting to give in to cynicism.

And I ask myself, I have to remind myself

about the blessings of service,

about the people who have taught me so much,

about the staff who have held me upright and inspired me.

And I got to ask myself,

which of those blessings am I willing to deny?

And so my challenge is to deny none of them.

I did not think I'd get emotional up here at all.

And I'll try to wrap up because I know we got stuff to do.

And so I give my gratitude to the North Side.

I love the North Side.

My mom, as my mom said, I was born there. I was raised there. I did every everything valuable that I did so far in my life I've done in North Minneapolis. And and even if I go somewhere for a while, I know that I'm always coming back home to North Minneapolis. And so I just want to thank my residents. And I want to thank anybody who would be willing to step up and serve them because whether I agree with them or not, because I think this North side is central. The North side requires an independent voice. The North side requires North side requires somebody relentless.

Somebody willing to be a warrior in the work that we do, the work for justice, the work in maintaining the balance of justice.

Okay.

Last couple things.

Last thing, I just want to have a small message to future councils.

And, you know, I've been doing a lot of reading.

and both related to public planning and and and beyond and Fred Moten is somebody who's always

been very inspiring to me I recommend that everybody go and and read him and so he has this

quote and I'll interpret the quote afterwards but he says the theory and practice of revolution

is bound to have the way is bound to the way the individual emerges as a theoretical possibility

and a phenomenological actuality in and out of the revolutionary ensemble.

It means so much in such a few amount of words,

but essentially you cannot save the world alone.

And as much as people think that being an individual and representing only themselves

is some kind of liberty, it's actually a contradiction.

Representing only yourself denies you liberty.

It'll deny your neighbor liberty.

And so I hope people can see themselves, even if you're in an elected position, and especially if you're out in the community, as I'm going to be out in the community in just a couple of days here.

I hope that you view yourself as a part of a collective.

I hope you view yourself as a part of a revolutionary ensemble.

And I hope that you understand that our destinies are bound up in this work.

And I take this work very seriously.

If I didn't, I don't think I'd be up here so emotional.

And so it's municipal government at the end of the day, right?

We're not running the world.

But I do think that in a medium-sized city in the Midwest, we've set one hell of an example.

I think we've set an example for the better.

And I think there are moments where we have set an example for the worse.

And so I leave you with that.

And I just, again, cannot thank enough the people who have held me up in this work.

That's everybody up here.

That's my colleagues.

And most importantly, you know, I got to say it one more time.

It is the people who have served behind the scenes, making sure that Ward 5 is well represented.

So thank you all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Andrea Jenkins is our next resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, we are recognizing Councilmember Jenkins for her years of service to the city of Minneapolis.

Whereas Andrea Jenkins is a pioneer in many respects, as the first openly black transgender

city council member and the first black transgender city council president in the United States,

is the first oral historian to record and archive the stories of transgender people

across the Midwest and other pockets of the U.S. as the curator of the Transgender Oral

History Project at the University of Minnesota's Jean Nicholas Trutter Collection, and whereas

Councilmember Jenkins is currently the longest serving city employee on the Minneapolis City

Council, having served 12 years as policy aide for the 6th and 8th wards led by then

Councilmembers Robert Lilligren and Elizabeth Glidden, respectively, and another eight years

as Councilmember of the Eighth Ward for a combined total of 20 years of service at the

City of Minneapolis.

Whereas her legacy includes leading the Council through the adoption of the City's first-ever

Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan, SREEP, the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan,

the Minneapolis 2020 Census Count and Redistricting Federal Mandate,

building out the city's inaugural Office of Race and Equity,

declaring racism a public health crisis at the city of Minneapolis,

creating the city's truth and reconciliation process,

which was first in the nation to simultaneously address historic harms

committed against both American Indian and African American communities in Minneapolis

through a collaborative approach,

and furthermore includes comprehensive planning to transform the Lake Street Transit Station,

a project many years in the making, and the D-line bus rapid transit system,

commemorative street renamings for George Perry Floyd Square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue,

Clarissa Rogers Walker Way at 38th Street and 3rd Avenue,

and Launa Q. Newman Way at 38th Street and 4th Avenue South.

And whereas in her earlier years, Andrea Jenkins, along with Senator Jeff Hayden, Dave Rubidor, David Rubidor, Elfrick Port, Tiffany Green, Deborah Watts and Leah Hargett created the Minnesota Renaissance Initiative to begin work on revitalizing 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, dubbed Soul of the City.

And at the City of Minneapolis, she continued to lead community efforts to sustain and invest in the area through initiatives like Arts on Chicago, establishing cultural districts, authoring and shepherding city and congressional funding investments, and creating the 38th Street Thrive Strategic Development Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in partnership with city staff, community members, organizations, and other critical stakeholders.

stakeholders and. Whereas Councilmember Jenkins has been honored with the flag

raising at Fire Island Pines commemorating her contributions to

transgender visibility and civil rights has been named one of Out Magazine's

Out 100 and has received recognition from the National Center for

Transgender Equality, the Anti-Defamation League and countless other

organizations for her dedication to equality, justice, and human dignity.

And...

Whereas her artistic contributions include published collections and chapter books

that document transgender experiences and black queer life in America, with her

poetry serving as both historical record and healing art, performed at venues

ranging from community centers to national stages, earning her recognition as not only a political

leader, but also as a vital voice in contemporary American literature and performance art.

And whereas Andrea Jenkins founded and championed signature community events that have become

pillars of the 8th Ward and the broader Minneapolis community, including the city's first ever

community dinner on the bridge of the newly constructed 38th Street, which brought together

hundreds of neighbors at the South Minneapolis Seniors Fair, providing vital resources and the

connection for older adults, and the Trans Equity Summit, which reached its milestone 10th anniversary

this year, where transgender icon Miss Major Griffin Gracie delivered a keynote address in

what would be her final public appearance. And on that same day, the mayor declared Andrea Jenkins

Day in the city of Minneapolis in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the community

and whereas councilmember Jenkins is known for making it her personal commitment to help others

in search of career and training opportunities often serving as an important connector and

resource for them for being a person of many talents and past lives including oral historian

poet author performance artist entrepreneur caterer neighborhood tennis star for her laughter

love of sports glamour and overall an extrovert and socialite and I'm going to add bringing back

the word love and whereas councilmember Andrea Jenkins remains a dedicated daughter parent

grandparent and neighbor of nearly 30 years in the Bryant neighborhood who joins the ranks of

trailblazers from this historic black neighborhood which has nurtured and produced many South

Minneapolis civic leaders like Mayor Sharon Sells Belton, Judge Pamela Alexander, Judge LeJune Lang,

Judge Tanya Bransford, Senator Jeff Hayden, Dr. Richard Green, and Hennepin County Commissioner

Angela Conley. Now therefore be it resolved that the Mayor and City Council recognize and honor

Councilmember Andrea Jenkins for her dedication and tireless work on behalf of our city,

the 8th Ward of Minneapolis and our communities with deep gratitude.

I was invited up here by a council member, but I'm reflecting now, so bear with me.

I've known this tremendous person for so many years.

the first time I remember meeting her was when she was playing basketball.

And I'm talking about, now coming from East St. Louis,

we all think we can play ball.

Okay.

I thought I could hoop.

When I saw her play, I realized she could have been on the Washington

Minnesota, University of Minnesota Gopher basketball team.

She was that good.

I'm talking about dunking and everything else.

But most important, her commitment, both as a staff person for previous city council people, Belton, Glidden, I knew them all.

She learned well.

And more importantly, she did her job with a sense of commitment to her community and her people, and that's all of them.

It didn't matter that you weren't African American if you lived in the Eighth War.

She served you just as well and welcomed everybody.

And more importantly, for my baby, the baby that I helped bring in the world,

Subathne Community Center, she has been such a strong partner since she became councilperson.

But before that, she was a participant at Subathne.

so she knows the work.

So I just come here to say

after 90-some years on the planet

and seeing many, many city council people,

I've seen none better than you.

Thank you for your service.

God bless you, we keep you, and we love you.

Oh, I don't even know how to follow that.

But also, one of the first times I came into space with Andrea was on a basketball court.

And I didn't know Andrea at all, but I went there with another buddy, and I was like, who is this person?

And then the next time I saw Andrea, I think, really in that same kind of arena was at the Martin Luther King Park tennis courts where I saw her cremate, the person she was playing against.

and I just feel really honored to be in this work with Andrea

to call you friend, to be your neighbor

and to be able to follow in some of the footsteps

that you've created for us.

There's countless doors that you've not only opened for me

but held and waved me through and shared me on.

I don't know a better person

to be in the roles that you've been in

first at this and first at that

and always with

the love of your community in your heart

you're an amazing woman

and you're a very

wonderful friend and I'm so proud

to call you my friend

I love you

who's next

thank you

everyone's been emotional

I'm trying really hard because I wore

underneath eyeliner today

and I don't want

I forgot all about this this morning

I love you so much

Andrea I mean I

don't even know that I call you Andrea

I refer to you as my boo

when I see you I say hey boo

that's my boo

I love you. I adore you. I've admired you for I don't even know how long. It's been well over 20

years. And I'm so grateful that I got to serve with you on the council. It's something you never

think of in your life. And then when it happens, you realize how magical it is and how life just

makes these really interesting turns. Because you and I work together on tobacco issues. We work

together on stuff just in Minneapolis, on the advocacy side of things. And so to be led by you

as the city council president has been a dream come true for me. One of the things that I always

feel grateful for is the wonderful speeches you give the night before election. I say to people

all the time, if you're ever in fear or scared and you're nervous about the next day, which is

election day hopefully you get a call from andrea jenkins because she makes you feel better she makes

you feel like you're gonna win for sure and anything other than that is not possible and so

i i've adored the pep talks i've adored the fun we have so much fun together rather it's talking

about hair or clothes or shoes we've left on lunch break to go shopping we go to basketball

games together. We hang out in our hoods together. We're both Chicago girls here in a different city

and really just bonding over loving this city. It really has been that for us about the communities

we serve. And so I'm so sad to see you go. I really am. It was never a time for me when I

thought you shouldn't run, but I understand it's the time for you and your family. And I respect

that and I appreciate that and I and I do I'm forever grateful for the time I got to spend here

under your leadership and the times that I got to share here with you on the dais rather it's you

getting my text message a week late or or or you just being super duper duper cheerful to me and

my staff I want to make sure I say this for my staff too because they've adored working with you

and your team also. You're one of the kindest people I've ever met in my entire life. You have

a level of kindness that I don't think most people could even begin to experience. And so

I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, your kindness has definitely rubbed on me. I'm

not as good as you, but I'm working towards your level of kindness. So thank you. Thank you for

sharing her with us also marae i really appreciate that

i wanted to say a few words council member jenkins andrea i remember the first time i met you

i was furiously typing away at my laptop at the elmer anderson library i was a student i was like

barely 19 and you walked by and like I think you said hi to me and I was like

I looked up and I was like Andrea Jenkins

and you asked me what I was up to and I was telling you that I was

kind of working through some campaign spreadsheets and trying to figure out a

few things for a few different local elections and then you're like well I'm

planning on running for city council and I was like I know

and we exchange contact because that's what you do

you you mentor people you empower people you see things

in others you see leadership in others and exactly what Rock said

you you love to hold the door open you love to break down the door and hold it

open for others and I think it was like a few weeks later

where you were like do you want a job and you gave me my first big break

in politics. You gave me a chance to manage your first campaign. And that was one of the most

amazing experiences I could have asked for. I met so many wonderful community members on the South

Side, in our queer community. And you never doubted me, even though I was 19 years old,

you trusted me. And that has shown up in every step I've taken thus far. And that's a big reason

why I stand here today as your colleague and I can't believe that I got a chance to serve with

you and thank you for all of your leadership your grace your vision I see the way that you work day

in day out on things from all the way back to when you were a policy aide up until now and I'm just

tremendously proud of you and I know you're just going to keep on doing that for others I think

one of the words that embodies who you are as a person, as a woman, as a leader, is empowerment.

Thank you.

Gosh, what hasn't been said? Well, a lot when it's about our dear friend, Andrea. I'll try and be

brief. I will say this in something that should be said. Andrea Jenkins will not be rushed.

and she has taught me in my life and in my time here that it is okay to take your time whether

it's to make the right decision to come to the right conclusion to have the conversation

Andrea Jenkins won't be rushed and I have so many amazing memories with you of serving with you of

before you were my colleague we we weren't early morning people in the office but we were always

there late together and talking about, you know, whether it was tennis or basketball. She always

showed such an interest in my children, which I greatly appreciate, and just became a big part of

my life. Andrea, you won't stop being a part of my life, and I really value that. I have so many

memories of us sitting in your front yard on the first day of a police trial. I have so many

memories of you taking the time you needed to say what you needed to say during all of those

COVID meetings when we were remote. And I just remember always feeling so close to you,

just personally. And that's something that you make everybody feel. It's not just me.

And we all love you, Andrea. I'll end there. Does anybody else have something to say?

now it's your turn

I think I can just say thank you

and that would be enough

but I want to just really

take a moment to say thank you

to all of the many many constituents

that I've had in the 8th Ward and those who have taught me about public service and constituent

services, and then subsequently those who have continued to elect me to represent the

ward here on the Minneapolis City Council.

Serving on this council and serving just in this space, period, has been an honor of my life.

I've always tried to show up in spaces that were not meant for a black trans woman to be in.

and I think it's important to be visible in those spaces to create opportunities for other people.

One of the things that I am most proud of in my time working here in City Hall

is the opportunity to bring young women of color into these spaces,

have an opportunity to earn an income, to buy a home, to start a family.

You know, it's been a very small team of people that have worked in the Ward 8 City Council office.

even throughout my time serving with Robert Lilligrad

and then subsequently Elizabeth Glidden,

the staff has pretty much remained the same,

from Jennifer White to Diva Sadar,

Sarah Lopez, Zoe Bougere,

and our latest addition to the team, Christina Mitchell.

Where you at, Christina?

Hey.

And just holding it down for the constituents of Ward 8

throughout decades, actually.

I am humbled by this honor.

today and look forward to continuing to serve my community in other ways as an artist, as a

community member, and as an advocate and an activist. Thank you all very, very much.

I appreciate you and I love you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Up next, we are recognizing Chief Tyner.

Thank you.

Oh, oh, am I sorry?

Oh, the chief gave it to me.

Here you go.

Okay, we are honoring Fire Chief Brian Tyner for his service and dedication to the city

of Minneapolis.

Whereas Brian Tyner, executive fire officer, began his distinguished career with the city

of Minneapolis in 1995 when he joined the Minneapolis Fire Department, and whereas as

a firefighter, he dedicated the next three decades of his professional life to protecting

and serving the residents, businesses, and visitors of Minneapolis with courage, integrity,

and leadership, and whereas a native of the Minneapolis Northside during his three decades

of service, Chief Tyner advanced through the department's ranks, holding numerous leadership

roles including fire captain, battalion chief, deputy chief, and assistant chief, public

information officer, before being appointed fire chief on December 5th, 2020, becoming

the 18th fire chief in the city's history and the second African American to hold this

esteemed position, and...

And whereas Chief Tyner assumed leadership of the city of Minneapolis Fire Department

during an externally challenging time marked by the global COVID-19,

civil unrest, increasing public safety, and demands.

And whereas, he provided steady and compassionate leadership,

ensuring firefighter safety, operational continuity,

and unwavering service to the community during the times of crisis.

And whereas.

Under Chief Tyner's leadership, the Minneapolis Fire Department grew in size while it strengthened the commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion through enhanced recruitment, training, and mentorship programs,

including the expansion of the Minneapolis Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Pathways Program, ensuring that the department better reflected the diverse communities of Minneapolis to serve.

and whereas Chief Tyner championed firefighter health and wellness initiatives prioritizing mental health awareness,

cancer prevention efforts, and improved safety standards for all members of the department,

thereby enhancing both the well-being of personal and overall effectiveness of the apartment.

and whereas Chief Tyner's leadership went beyond emergency response,

building strong relationships with community organizations, neighborhood groups,

and partner public safety agencies, emphasizing collaboration, transparency,

and trust as essential elements of public service,

and whereas Fire Chief Tyner instituted a now nationally recognized commercial building inspection and registration program

to ensure building use compliance and occupant safety,

and whereas Chief Tyner oversaw the continued modernization of the department's facilities,

fleet and equipment, ensuring that the Minneapolis Fire Department remained one of the most cutting-edge

and capable emergency response organizations in the region.

And.

And, whereas Fire Chief Tyner led the implementation of a safe station at Fire Station 14 and 7,

where individuals facing substance abuse, substance use challenges can seek help without judgment or any questions asked.

And whereas Fire Chief Tyner also led the implementation of the expansion of the free Narcan vending machines at fire stations 5, 14 and 21

as an innovative initiative designed to confront the fentanyl epidemic and reduce deadly overdoses and

whereas upon his retirement on december 31st 2025 chief tyner leaves a proud legacy of integrity

progress and a commitment to community safety that will continue to shape and inspire the

minneapolis fire department and our broader community for years to come

now therefore be it resolved that the mayor and city council in recognition of significant

contributions to the city do hereby commend and express our most sincere thanks and appreciation

to Minneapolis Fire Chief Brian Tyner for his outstanding service, steady leadership,

and remarkable dedication to the city of Minneapolis. We extend our heartfelt congratulations

and best wishes for happiness and success in all of your future endeavors to you and to your family.

Congratulations, Chief.

So who would like to start the accolades? Congratulations, Chief. You will be missed.

So congratulations to my chief, as well as my mentor, as well as my big brother.

He has always been there for us and pushed us even forward, even when we didn't want to go.

We will definitely miss his personality, his booming voice.

You're not going to be able to hear him coming down the hall anymore.

We love you.

We appreciate you.

And you have done the city of Minneapolis and the fire

department great service.

And we really appreciate you.

And you will not be forgotten.

And you will be surely missed.

Thank you, Chief.

Thank you.

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for your gigantic smile.

You know, when I was chair of public health and safety,

I loved whenever you were coming in to give a

give a presentation because everyone just got happy. As soon as you walk in the room with that

big smile, thank you for being a legendary Northside uncle too. We love you on the Northside.

You belong to us and all of the children of the Northside. I know so many kids you've mentored

into the fire department, into EMS, into policing, so many of the jobs that save our lives every day.

we have you to thank for that um you show up to everything in north minneapolis all the time

and you're always so positive and just so empathetic to what we need it's not forcing

anything on us it really is about listening i want to tell a um a funny story about the chief

so i called the chief i said chief i have some people that are outside they're by a gas station

and they have a fire. And I need you to go over there and I need you to be mean. I need you to

get over there and tell them they have to leave. And so he said, well, you stay here. I'll go. I'm

going to handle it. And I was like, I don't know. He's not going to do it. I ride by. He's out

eating barbecue with the people. And then I go find him. I say, chief, you were supposed to go

be mean. You didn't do the job. He said, they have really good burgers over there.

I couldn't do that we just were talking and so they stayed outside with the fire by the gas station

with the fire chief no but that's who he is right he went there he talked to the people he understood

why they were there and he said to me we're safe we're gonna be fine but you know they they need

this and we have to understand that they need this and he really did make me look at things in a in a

very different way. And so I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that you always made me look at

things in a different way, Chief. You've taught me so much. You've taught so many people so much.

I appreciate you. I know you're not gone anywhere, so I'll come visit you at the new place.

And I'll see you around, I'm sure. But I really am forever grateful for your mentorship and your

leadership and for you just being a phenomenal uncle to all of us. Thank you.

Chief, I just want to say thank you for leading the Minneapolis Black Employee Network.

It's a really important role that you played in ensuring that black employees at the city of Minneapolis felt seen, felt heard, and felt connected to each other.

and just bringing people together to support each other.

It was really critical during those moments of COVID

and the murder of George Floyd

that we had those spaces to be in community with each other.

when some of our other colleagues from the broader community

didn't understand that not only were we impacted

as employees of the city of Minneapolis,

but impacted because those issues deeply impacted our communities.

And so bringing that space, creating that space will be something that I will always cherish and remember you for.

And thank you very much.

First of all, I want to thank you for this great honor.

You know, 30 years here, over 30 years, almost 31 now.

Some of the days were long, but the years really went by fast.

And it has been the honor of a lifetime to be able to serve this community as a firefighter and for the last five years as its fire chief.

But I'm not going anywhere. I'll still be around. I'll still be on the north side.

I'll still be at every event. So I'll still be out here.

but I just really thank the city for this opportunity.

I didn't grow up wanting to be a firefighter.

You know, it's not something I thought about when I was young,

but the opportunity came and I pursued it.

It took me two years, but I finally got here,

and I'm really thankful for that opportunity.

It really has changed the life of me and my family,

and hopefully I just was able to move the department forward a little bit

and leave it in a better place than when I found it.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Chief.

You made it.

You made it.

Thank you.

I love what you said about the data.

Our final resolution is recognizing our Somali community.

Thank you.

Oh, those are German irons, yeah.

It'll slow the process.

Hello everyone.

Thank you so much for being here and being patient.

All my colleagues are here in support of the Somali community.

And I would like to read this resolution together.

recognizing and supporting the Somali-American community and their contribution to the city.

Whereas the city of Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali-American community in the United

States with tens of thousands of residents who have enriched the social, economic, and cultural

fabric to our city since early 1990s. When many refugees arrived, as refugees arrived,

fleeing civil war and seeking safety and opportunity.

And whereas, Somali-Americans in Minneapolis have demonstrated remarkable resilience

and entrepreneurship, establishing numerous businesses, including restaurants, shops,

service providers in the neighborhood like Cedar Riverside,

contributing significant to the local economy growth and job creation.

And whereas the Somali-American community has integrated into the workforce,

filling essential roles in industries such as health care, education, transportation, and manufacturing,

with many initially drawn to Minnesota for employment opportunities

and now comprising a vital part of the city's labor force,

Whereas Somali Americans have enhanced Minneapolis cultural diversity through traditions, arts, festivals, and community events that promote cross-cultural understanding and unity, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant city for all residents and...

and whereas members of the Somali American community have actively participated in civic

life electing representatives to local state and federal offices volunteering in community

organizations and advocating for equity and justice thereby strengthening democracy and

public service in Minneapolis and whereas the contributions of Somali Americans extend

to education and philanthropy with community leaders establishing schools, mosques, and

nonprofit organizations that support youth development, health services, and mutual aid,

benefiting not only their community but the broader population.

And whereas the city of Minneapolis values diversity, equity, and inclusion as core principles

and recognizes that the Somali-American community's presence has made our city a model of multicultural

success promoting innovation tolerance and shared prosperity and whereas in light of recent national

challenges and rhetoric targeting our immigrant and refugee communities it is essential for the

city council to reaffirm its commitment to protecting and celebrating all residents

ensuring minneapolis remains a welcoming place where everyone can thrive without

fear of discrimination based on national origin faith or background

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and the city council hereby affirms its unwavering support for the Somali-American community and all immigrants, all refugees population in Minneapolis, recognizing them as an integral and value members of our city.

The city is committed to fostering an environment of safety, respect, and dignity for all Somali Americans, including throughout the access to the city services, protecting civil rights, and encouraging community engagement without regard to the immigration status.

be it further resolved that the city of Minneapolis will continue to celebrate the contribution of the Somali-American community

through our public recognition, cultural programming, and partnership that highlights their positive impact on the local economy, culture, and society.

I want to take the time to thank my colleagues here standing beside me.

I want to thank the mayor.

I want to thank the chief.

I want to thank all city staffs that stood up.

I want to thank the neighbors that came with their whistles.

It's been very difficult for me and for my community.

We are under attack.

The beginning of the council, I had to rush to see the riverside because ice was spotted.

On the site, they continue to come back and terrorize fellow Americans.

Let's just say that.

I really want you to think about it.

This might not be happening to you if you are non-Somali.

You could be next.

We're going to stay resilient.

We're going to stay strong.

and whatever is happening right now to American citizens,

Somali-American citizens,

in the community, it's unfair, it's unjust, and it's illegal.

That's about it. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you all for bearing with us in our last meeting of the year.

Obviously, we want to make sure that we're recognizing all of our colleagues that are

leaving and that's kind of taken up the entire morning so far and we have a pretty big agenda

in front of us. So I'm going to recommend that we take about a 20 minute recess so that we can

get some food and be ready for the long haul. So let's meet back in the chamber at 1215.

Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tech team are ready.

Thank you for bearing with us through that recess. At this time I'm going to call this

regular meeting of the City Council for December 11th to order. The Clerk will call the roll.

Councilmember Palmasano. Present. Councilmember Chowdhury. Present. Councilmember Cashman.

Present. Councilmember Osman. Is absent. Councilmember Rainville. Present. Councilmember

Chavez. Present. Councilmember Vita. Present. Councilmember Ellison. Here. Councilmember Kofsky.

Present. Councilmember Wansley. Present. Councilmember Jenkins. Present. Vice President

Chugtay. Present. President Payne. Present. There are 12 members present. Let the record reflect we

have a quorum. Before we begin the meeting I want to offer a friendly reminder to all members and

staff that this meeting is broadcast live to enable greater public participation. The broadcast

includes real-time captioning as a further method to increase the

accessibility of our proceedings to the community. Therefore all speakers need to

be mindful of the rate of their speech so that our captioners can fully capture

and transcribe all comments for the broadcast. We ask all speakers to

moderate the speed and clarity of their comments. With that the agenda for

today's meeting is before us. Are there any amendments? Councilmember Chavez.

Thank you Council President Payne. I have three different motions to bring

forward one is a resolution recognizing and supporting the Somali American

community and their contributions the other one is recognizing Human Rights

Day and International Migrants Day and the last time I'm we're bringing forward

with a variety of colleagues is expressing statements of position

pertain to the Minneapolis Police Department oversight and

accountability I'd want to add these to the agenda

Councilmember Chavez has moved to amend the agenda.

Is there any discussion on those amendments?

Councilmember Chavez added the resolution for you, I believe.

No, I was just saying that I'm present.

Yes, also we'll recognize that Councilmember Osmond has joined us.

Is there any discussion on the...

Okay, Councilmember Wansley.

Thank you, President Payne.

Also, just for clarity, wanted to make sure that the resolution that I'm bringing forward under unfinished business will also be included.

I couldn't decipher if that was also part of Council Member Chavez's motion.

Is that correct, Council Member Chavez?

It was everything that was being brought forward.

Okay.

All four, over all these items.

Got it.

I see one I see something from Councilmember Chowdhury it was that also represented in the motion

whatever's easiest just making sure that every item that are these walk-ons that they get reflected in our agenda

Mr. President there's a packet of six in front of you and perhaps it's easier to say it's the

under order of resolutions the two one on human rights day one on international migrants day

there's a motion from Osman to add the Somali American community uh resolution there's a motion

by the president to add under new business a large block event permit for the great

northern winter festival the motion by the president to include under new business the

contract amendment with q3 contracting for lead service line replacements the motion by council

member chowdhury and others expressing positions uh statements of position relating to mpd oversight

and accountability and a similar one by council member wansley under new business urging the

mayor to direct mpd on protecting residents and immigrant communities that's all six i am going to

going to make that motion to move those to amend the agenda? Councilmember Cashman? Thank you,

President Payton. I also have a walk-on resolution to be added under unfinished business,

which we don't need to add to the agenda. Thank you. Okay. All right. Is there a second to my

motion? Second. The clerk will call the roll. Councilmember Pamasano? Aye. Councilmember Chowdhury?

Aye. Councilmember Cashman? Aye. Councilmember Osmond? Aye. Councilmember Rainsow? Aye.

Council Member Chavez.

Aye.

Council Member Vita.

Aye.

Council Member Ellison.

Aye.

Council Member Kosky.

Aye.

Council Member Wansley.

Aye.

Council Member Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chugtay.

Aye.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are 13 ayes.

Those amendments are adopted. May I have a motion to adopt the agenda as amended?

So moved.

Second.

The clerk will call the roll.

Council Member Palmisano.

Aye.

Council Member Chowdhury.

Aye.

Council Member Cashman.

Aye.

Council Member Osmond.

Aye.

Council Member Rainville.

Aye.

Councilmember Chavez.

Aye.

Councilmember Vita.

Aye.

Councilmember Ellison.

Aye.

Councilmember Kosky.

Aye.

Councilmember Wonsley.

Aye.

Councilmember Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chaghtay.

Aye.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are 13 ayes.

That carries and the agenda is adopted.

The next item is acceptance of minutes from our regular meeting of November 20th.

I would entertain a motion to accept those minutes.

So moved.

Second.

The clerk will call the roll.

Councilmember Pumasano.

Aye.

Councilmember Chowdhury.

Aye.

Council Member Rainville.

Aye.

Council Member Chavez.

Aye.

Council Member Vita.

Aye.

Council Member Ellison.

Aye.

Council Member Kosky.

Aye.

Council Member Wansley.

Aye.

Council Member Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chugtai.

Aye.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are 13 ayes.

That carries, and the minutes have been accepted.

The next order of business is presentations from our standing committees.

Those are taken in alphabetical order, beginning with our report from our Administration and

Enterprise Oversight Committee, which will be presented by its chair, Council Member Wansley.

Thank you, President Payne.

The Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee is bringing forward 49 items.

The first is payroll updates ordinance.

Second is civil service commission appointment.

Three is gift acceptance from Communities First Infrastructure Alliance for Travel and Lodging.

Four is gift acceptance from the National Association of County and City Health Officials

of Registration, Transportation, Lodging, and Appropriate Meals and Incidentals.

Five is a bid for Harthorn Avenue Sanitary Sewer Reconstruction Project.

Six is a bid for 16th Avenue South Sewer Improvement Project.

Seven is a bid for Jerry Hoff Parking Ramp Roof Replacement Project.

Eight is bid for the Fridley and Columbian Heights Water Plant Landscape Restoration Projects.

Nine is contract with AmeriNational Community Services LLC for Loan Portfolio Management and Loan Development Services.

10 is contract with FVB Energy Inc. for Minneapolis Thermal Potential Study.

11 is a contract amendment with Variant Americas Inc. for the 311 Lagoon System.

12 is a contract with Amy Moser Consulting LLC for training and technical assistance for the Blueprint Approved Institute.

13 is a contract with Primacy Strategy Group LLC for Legislative Representation Services.

14 is a contract amendment with Fredrickson Government Relations LLC and Momentum Advocacy for Legislative Representation Services.

15 is contract with Harrison Neighborhood Association for anti-displacement services to Harrison Neighborhood Residents.

16 is contract with Impact Mailing of Minnesota Inc. for utility billing mailing services.

17 is a contract with Solution Guidance Corporation for Project Management Software.

18 is contract with Clay Consulting LLC for Occupational Health Services.

19 is contract with TAS Unlimited Inc. to administer the city's low barrier employment program.

20 is contract amendment with IPT LLC to complete parking permit platform migration.

21 is contract amendment with Tysac Concrete LLC for upgrades of Shingle Creek West Americans with Disabilities Act pedestrian ramps.

22 is contract amendment with Restoration and Construction Services LLC for the Hilton Ramp Waterproofing Project.

23 is contract amendment with M&B Services LLC for a lead service line replacement project.

project. 24 is a contract amendment with Morcon Construction, Inc. for Hartthorne office build-out

project. 25 is contract amendment with J.L. Theus, Inc. for biochar production facility phase one

project. 26 is contract amendment with Safety Science, LLC for rental of traffic control devices.

27 is contract amendment with the standard for life insurance, long-term disability insurance,

and FMLA Administration Services.

28 is contract amendment with Premier Electrical Corporation for Electrical Services.

29 is contract amendment with Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc.

for the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Restoration Project.

30 is contract amendment with Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota

offering free immigration legal services to city residents.

31 is contract amendment with Collins Brothers Towing of St. Cloud, Inc.

for heavy-duty towing services.

22 is contract amendment with Axon Enterprise, Inc.

for cloud-based patrol car evidence capture

and digital evidence management system.

33 is contract amendment with Sean Lundquist Associates, Inc.

for the City Hall Restack Phase 3 project.

Per staff's request, you have a revised copy

of the request for a committee's action,

also known as the RCA, in front of you

that reflects the dollar amount being changed

from $203,302 to $302,000 and $302.

No, sorry, $382.

I will move to approve the amended amounts.

34 is contract amendment with various entities

to provide computer-aided dispatch

and related mobile equipment support services.

25 is a contract amendment

with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc.

for engineering and design services

on the Logan Park Industrial Reconstruction Project.

36 is a contract amendment with various organizations

for partnership engagement fund projects.

37 is a contract amendment with Keystone Compensation Group, LLC,

for classification and compensation consulting services.

38 is contract amendment with Metropolitan Emergency Services Board.

39 is a collective bargaining agreement,

International Union of Operating Engineers,

Local 70 AFL-CIO.

40 is a Memorandum of Understanding with Greater Twin Cities United Way 211.

41 is Legal Settlement Natalia Padgett v. City of Minneapolis and Mitchell Erickson.

42 is a Legal Settlement State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. City of Minneapolis.

43 is a Legal Settlement Workers' Compensation Claim of William Palmer.

44 is Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging Appointments.

35 is designation of polling locations for 2026.

46 is a contract with the LINC for human trafficking advocacy training and survivor support services.

47 is a contract with Catalyst Consulting Group, Inc. for a 311 Citizens Request Management System.

48 is master contracts with various eligible agencies for the Minneapolis Health Department for 2026 through 2028.

This item was sent forward without recommendation so that we could receive more information on the contracts.

And you also have a revised copy of the request for committee action, also known as RCA, in front of you that reflects a change from 69 master contracts to now 53 with the amount not to exceed 5.7 million.

and I will move to approve this revised staff report.

And 49 is a bid for Nicolette F. Bridge

over Minnehaha Creek Rehabilitation Project.

And with that, I will move forward approval of all items,

including the amended dollar amounts for item number 33

and the amended contracts and not to exceed amount for item 48.

Council Member Wansley has moved approval of the committee's report.

I'm going to actually proactively set aside item number 43 for a separate vote.

So if anybody's in queue to make that request, I'll do that up front.

And let's take discussion on any other items.

I'll recognize Council Member Palmisano.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Chair Wansley.

That was a behemoth of a committee, and she just read the entire report.

I want to bring to your attention that we are disposing with this committee report

these two pieces of paper on your desk the one that says aeo 48 and aeo 33 33 is exactly how

chair wansley explained i wanted just to give a little bit more context about item number 48.

chair wansley and i have worked with the health department to better clarify exactly what is

happening under the umbrella of one huge master contract the health department is trying something

new with one master contract that covers several other master contracts. I don't want to minimize

the amount of work and good intent that went into this. We had some discussion that got a little

confusing during committee, and we all had questions. I want to thank the health department

and the effort that this is, particularly Chris Focus, who presented this at committee.

This is a new concept proposed by health, and Chair Wansley and I have met with the health

department staff twice to better understand what they're proposing. We believe this concept still

needs some work, and we were uncomfortable proceeding with the original proposal, which

said $90 million in it. We have reached agreement to propose a not-to-exceed amount in this number

48 white piece of paper, packet of paper in front of you. That new amount is $5,786,000

for 53 contracts in a master contract to keep services going for first quarter of next year.

During first quarter of next year, the new council will work with health staff to draft an RCA

that can garner council support. This is a temporary measure allowing the services to not

be disrupted. I will also point out that all health department contracts are reimbursable,

meaning the city only pays after the fact and it's all dependent on funding some of which

fair amount of which is grant money that we receive or we don't so thank you for allowing

me to provide clarity to this item number 48 i don't think it needs to be pulled out for a

separate vote at this time thank you for that additional context councilmember chavez

Thank you, President Payne. I'll keep it short. I just wanted to talk about item number 19, the contract with Task Unlimited Inc. to administer the city's low barrier employment program.

This pilot initiative is designed to improve public safety and community livability by providing immediate low-barrier employment opportunities to adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

And this program will be focused on the Southside Green Zone, which includes the Greater Phillips and Cedar Riverside neighborhoods.

Participants will be engaged in day employment tasks that improve neighborhood cleanliness and safety, such as trash collection, graffiti removal, snow clearing, and ice control.

and this is an exciting program.

This is a budget amendment that Council Member Osmond, Council Member Wansley, and myself

authored previously and very excited to make sure that this program is up and running.

So thank you.

Council Member Kosky.

Thank you, President Payne.

I just wanted to speak to item number 49 regarding the Nicollet Avenue Bridge, which is in Ward 11.

And mostly just a huge thank you to Director Don Elwood and his team who has been masterfully guiding us through this process, both internally and then also with the communication to the community.

This is going to be a two-year project, likely, and so a huge impact on the community.

But I'm so grateful to see this comes through the council today and see us move forward and have a new bridge

In the city of Minneapolis for our residents. Thank you so much

Seeing up councilmember Wansley

Sorry, I want to make sure oh you already say you pull for you. Thank you. Awesome

Seeing no one else left in queue. I'll ask the clerk to call the roll in the community on the committee report minus item 43

Councilmember Palmasano.

Aye.

Councilmember Chowdhury.

Aye.

Councilmember Osmond.

Aye.

Councilmember Rainville.

Aye.

Councilmember Chavez.

Aye.

Councilmember Ellison.

Aye.

Councilmember Kosky.

Aye.

Councilmember Wansley.

Aye.

Councilmember Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chudka.

Aye.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are 13 ayes.

Those items carried.

Next we'll take up item number 43 and I will ask the clerk to call the roll.

Council member Palmasanam.

Aye.

Council member Chowdhury.

Aye.

Council member Cashman.

Aye.

Council member Osmond.

Aye.

Council member Rainville.

Aye.

Council member Chavez.

No.

Council member Vita.

Aye.

Council member Ellison.

Aye.

Council member Kosky.

Aye.

Council member Wamsley.

No.

Council member Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chugtai.

Nay.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are ten ayes and three naves.

That item carries and that completes the committee report.

Next we'll have the report from our business housing and zoning committee given by that committee's chair councilmember Osman

Thank you chair

Thank you. Thank you president

The business housing and zoning committee is bringing forward

25 items item one is approving a liquor license for

For Corruzio Cafe Bar, item two is considering an amended business plan for Lumi Restaurant.

This item was forwarded without recommendation and we did receive an email from the business license.

Item three is approving an interim use permit for property at 219 4th Street South.

Item 4 is approving modification to 59 TIF District.

Item 5 is approving three appointments to the City Planning Commission.

Item 6 is approving the property assessment for clean energy for 2229th Street South.

Item 7 is authorizing amendment to the Land Sale and Side Yard Program Resolution.

Item 8 is approving ordinance related to the building code and its requirement and returning to author Title 2, Chapter 5, 9-9 of the ordinance.

Item 9 is denying appeal with condition submitted by Thomas DeVinke for the property at 4109 and 4113 Sheridan Avenue South.

Item 10 is approving six liquor license.

Item 11 is approving eight liquor license renewals.

Item 12 is approving one gambling license.

Item 13 is approving a building permit extension for Silva on the road, sorry, on the river house project.

Item 14 is approving a Great Street Facade Program funding.

Item 15 is approving a grant acceptance for Federal Transit Administration for the Blue Line Extension.

Item 16 is approving 2025 emergency solution grant funding recommendations.

Item 17 is approving an ownership opportunity loan and Great Street Gap loan to Martisor Hospitality Group.

Item 18 is approving reappropriation of the stable homes school program.

Item 19 is approving a streetification for the property at 4301 Lake Street East.

Item 20 is approving a settlement for the city loan from TLC Precision Technology.

Item 21 is approving a grant agreement with CERTUS Financial for Heritage Park Rehabilitation.

Item 22 is approving a pruner to the appointment on Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Housing.

Item 23 is approving a temporary construction easement at Upper Harbor Terminal.

item 24 is approving ordinance related to the flexibility in minimum height in

the zoning code and lastly item 25 is approving a great street gap loan for

new by 314 property holding with that I'll move all items for approval except

item 8.2 and 11 I'll move 8.2 to return to its author and move to deny

the condition at 8 11 item 11 thank you so much

councilmember Osmond has moved approval of the committee's report with the

return of item 8.2 and the denial of item 8.11. I will recognize Council Member Wansley.

Thank you, President Payne. I also wanted to pull item number four for a separate discussion and vote.

Okay, Council Member Wansley has requested to pull item four, so we will take up the remainder of the items.

Council Member Vita.

Thank you, President Payne. I just wanted to speak to item 25.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

Okay.

So item 25 is a Great Streets Gap financing loan for a business that is going to be in Ward 4.

I want to first thank Anthony Newby, who's here with us today, and Bill English.

They've been here since 930, probably 9 o'clock this morning, and waiting on this item.

So I am really rooting for a unanimous vote.

This is an opportunity for Ward 4.

Upon completion of this project, there's going to be 100 jobs in Ward 4, and I couldn't be more excited about that.

This project is exactly how we want the cannabis business to show up in this community

and the benefits to people who were failed by terrible laws and just so many things that hopefully will be fixed.

I know 100 jobs is a really good thing for this community.

This is one of the ways in which I'm glad folks are giving back to North Minneapolis.

So thank you, Anthony Newby.

Thank you, Mr. Bill English.

Anytime I hear of more than two jobs in North Minneapolis, I know Bill English has something to do with it.

He's been a pioneer for jobs in our community for decades, and I hope that work continues.

Thank you so much to all the City of Minneapolis staff who partnered with them to make sure this happens,

and especially to Tabitha Fisher, who really gets it done for the Northside.

I'm sure she helps lots of people out, but when I think of who I can do a friendly handoff to for business

and economic development on the Northside, it's almost always Tabitha Fisher.

And so I appreciate your commitment to making sure not only the north side is seen, but Ward 4 is seen.

And I'm so proud to have this business in Ward 4 and so proud to work with you all on this opportunity and looking for the vibrancy.

And this is visionary work for our community.

So thank you all so much.

And I'm proud to vote for this today.

Council Member Jenkins.

Thank you, President Payne. I will echo Councilmember Vitao's comments and just say congratulations.

And, you know, it really is good to see that the African-American community is able to take part in this emerging cannabis business in Minneapolis.

And so congratulations, Mr. Newby.

I hope, as Councilmember Vitao suggested, that this is a unanimous vote, and I will certainly be supporting it.

I wanted to speak, though, to items number 14.1, the CANDU or Central Area Neighborhood Association organization,

Great Streets facade improvement grant, which will help support businesses along the 38th Street corridor

and specifically in George Floyd Square, and also speak to item number 17,

where we're providing the ownership and opportunity fund to create entrepreneur services

in the new 30-30 Nicollet housing development

that is 100 units of deeply affordable housing

and also has four spaces for small business entrepreneurs

to own their own business.

And there are two Somali women-owned businesses

that will be included in that development.

and so just really grateful for the opportunity to support this opportunity fund funding.

Thank you.

Council Member Palmisano.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I do have a question about item number 18, the Stable Homes Stable Schools Program.

I thought this was about taking the pilot money from last year, $850,000,

and putting it back into the base program for elementary schools rather than starting the pilot for middle schools. Is that true?

Director Hanson.

President Payne, members of the council, Eric Hanson, CPED director.

Through the president, Councilmember Paul Mazzano, it is into the base program.

It's moving the pilot program into the base program for elementary students. Okay. Thank you very much for that clarification and thank you for all the work of the people on this council to get there.

Council member Chavez. Thank you, President Payne. I just want to talk about item number 8.8.1. We're moving for approval. 8.2 is just being sent back to author. Just want to make sure folks know that. So in 2025, there was a wrecking permit that was issued for Smith boundary.

that nearby residents were not aware of prior to the demolition of the work commencing.

Some of these particular sites had a history of some type of contamination,

and the demolition process became a great concern for a lot of the neighbors around the surrounding community.

As a result, our city staff committed to working closely with my office and the community I represent

to make sure that we can make changes in the future should this occur again.

this created an internal work group with my office the city administration city

staff and the community that I represent which I think is a good way to

move policy forward we met very often and we came up with an ordinance that

hopefully rectifies this in the future so specifically there was concerns from

the community that I represent that the property surrounding the demolition

sites were not giving enough prior notice before the work commenced and that no

information regarding environmental mitigation was available to share and in

response to those concerns we formed this workgroup to revise the ordinance

that already exists to make sure we can put extra protections in place for the

community at large so this ordinance is being brought forward has proposed

amendments that are aimed at broadening the notice of wrecking permit

applications being submitted from only noticing the immediate adjacent property

owners to the property owners within 350 feet,

subjected by the property.

And we also have amendments that enable staff

to require an environmental mitigation plan

when a structure or the site the building is located on,

meet certain criteria for hazardous materials

or hazardous waste associated with a subject property.

There will also be more notification

to the council members and policymakers

to make sure that we can also communicate with our constituents

with these concerns.

I wanted to highlight this ordinance

because of the amount of work that happened to get to this point,

which I will say again was work and closely working with the community at large,

those who were impacted by the lack of notification this year,

and also the neighborhood associations,

and working closely with staff to get to the point where we came to an agreement.

So just very happy about how this ordinance came to be and asked for approval.

Council Member Cashman.

Thank you, President Payne.

And I just wanted to speak on behalf of item number three, an interim use permit for a shelter just across the street from City Hall.

I've been really happy with the Hennepin County staff answering lots of questions and explaining the services that will be on site for the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

And seeing, you know, the public school buses coming and going from that building across from City Hall and seeing the families that are able to have shelter in that space is really great.

and i'm happy that we're going to be able to provide additional winter emergency shelter beds

thank you seeing no one else left in queue i'm going to ask the clerk to call the roll

on the biz report minus item number four returning item 8.2 to author and then

just making sure i'm correcting that we are going to be denying item number nine

Council member pommasano I council member chowdhury I

council member Cashman I council member Osman I council member rainbow I and all

except number two no one to council number Chavez I council member Vita I

council member Ellison I council member Kosky I council member Lonson I council

member Jenkins Vice President Chokin is absent President Payne I there are

12 eyes in the report except for item number two which has 11 eyes and one nay.

Those items carry. Next we will take up item number four.

Council Member Wansley did you want to speak to that item? Yes. Thank you

President Payne. Colleagues we received an

email from the chair of the Hennepin County Commissioners urging us to oppose

this action to modify all 59 TIF districts and I do want

to thank Chair Fernando for raising a number of concerns

because this could have easily slipped through and under our radar as just being something related to technical changes

without fully understanding the financial impacts that this action will have on our partners,

both at Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Public Schools.

Directing these funds to the city rather than dispersing them across the three districts may help the city's bottom line in the short term,

but it does have cascading impacts on the property tax levies of other jurisdictions that ultimately do come back to taxpayers.

The action before us covers about 95 percent of the city's total TIF districts with a total potential impact of almost 500 million dollars.

This is a massive amount of money with huge impacts, again, on the city, on the county, Minneapolis public schools, as well as taxpayers.

And I still have some outstanding questions.

And I know we haven't been able to dive into them because we have budget and all sorts of things.

But I do believe it requires some more time to talk through this particular action with city staff.

And that said, I would like to take that time and make the motion to can't really return this back to the committee because we don't know what the committee iterations will be next term.

but to at least return it back to staff so that we can have the time we need,

be it with both staff and in the committee that this will be taken up in,

to have discussions about those impacts and act accordingly.

So with that, I would like to make that motion.

Can I have a second?

Is there a second?

It's been seconded by Vice President Chuck Tai.

Councilmember Chaudhry.

Thank you so much, President Payne.

I won't be able to support that motion.

I support this item going forward, and I can speak to a little bit of why, and we also do have city staff available here today to answer any questions that council members may have.

They're the experts in this.

They've been working on this, and they have been really helpful in just kind of answering a lot of my questions about it, too.

So as we all know, TIF is an important funding tool for the city.

We primarily use it for the construction of affordable housing, especially deeply affordable housing.

And this action that's before us today is in response to the guidance from the Office of the State Auditor

to clarify a technical question related to annual reporting for 2021 special legislation

that authorize the transfer of tax increment to support construction projects under defined circumstances.

Council members and community may recall that the council transferred $17 million into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund

as allowed by the statute, and this money will be expended by the end of the year to support 11 projects.

With the $17 million transferred under the 2021 special legislation, the city has helped fund and finance 11 projects with 927 affordable units, with 35% of those being deeply affordable units.

with the $17 million transferred under the 2021 special legislation.

Approximately half of the modifications considered today are related to that special legislation,

and those modifications do not decrease the amount transferred under the original spending plan,

nor do they enable any future new spending under that plan, nor do they extend the time frame of the plan.

They simply clarify the investments already made as allowed by state statute to increase the total budget of each district.

The other half of modifications do allow for potential additional pooling of excess increment for affordable housing

within the limits of existing state statutes.

And the city needs to leverage every tool we can to meet this critical need.

and we have a lot of different ways to do that.

We have a lot of different ways to do that.

Personally, I think the city has a good track record

of balancing the two priorities of affordable housing investments

and tax-based preservation,

and this council has always been really thoughtful

in authorizing the creation of new districts.

And on one hand, we have supported hundreds of new apartments

for residents who might otherwise have no place to sleep.

our tax base in tiff districts now that now that we have in decades 20 years ago approximately 50

15 percent of our tax base was in tiff districts 10 years ago 7 percent of our tax space was in

tiff districts today less than 3 percent of our tax base is in tiff districts the city of minneapolis

is decertifying the tiff districts faster than we are creating new ones and the number of active

districts have been declining for the last 15 years the nature of this action as a bulk action

addresses 59 of them all at once and is for administrative efficiency and doesn't reduce

transparency of the action our staff has followed all statute statute statutory requirements by

notifying stakeholders 45 days prior to the biz committee and the full modification documents

were available for public review that entire period of time.

The financial analysis, and I'll just close on this,

for every district was conducted on an individual basis.

Going forward, each district will be individually reviewed

for whether the capacity to pool funds for affordable housing

should be prioritized or whether returning excess or surplus

increment to the Hennepin County for redistribution

to the individual taxing jurisdiction should be prioritized.

today's action doesn't commit a specific future dollar amount to affordable housing as in the past

the city council will continue to balance our affordable housing investments and tax-based

considerations i think it's just really important for us to move forward on this

to be in line with the guidance of the state auditor and i also think this is a great starting

point for us to have a conversation more directly with the county to get our department heads,

city staff, with Board Chair Fernando or any of the staff in the county to just figure out what

the future of TIF districts look ahead. So with that, I mean, if it's helpful to colleagues,

I can invite up staff for any questions folks may have. I know we have Angie Skildom and Matthew

Hendricks here today from CPED.

Councilmember Ellison.

Yeah, I'd thank you for laying out sort of the groundwork for us.

TIF policy can get really dense really fast.

And so I really appreciate Councilmember Chajar you laying that out for us.

I think that's important context for us to have.

I would love staff to come answer a few questions for us.

for us because I just want to be able to understand sort of impact here.

The questions I always ask is, okay, if we delay this, what are the consequences?

And kind of like the why now question, which I think that's probably an incredible case

for why now, but I was wondering if staff could kind of lay it out for us in more late

terms.

As best as possible.

Absolutely.

Thanks for the invitation.

Council President Payne, Angie Skildom.

I'm the Director of the Development and Finance Department.

This is my colleague, Matthew Hendricks.

To your question, through the Chair, Council Member Ellison,

there are sort of two buckets of modifications being made out of these 59 plans.

The first bucket is modifying the TIF plan budgets.

I'm going to try to not get into the technical weeds here, but this is sort of a technical weeds topic.

To modify the budgets of all of the districts that were involved in that 2021 special legislation.

when the state authorized us during the pandemic to transfer excess funds in certain districts

for construction projects, which we did through all of the required process,

including this council passing a spending plan for those documents.

There's an outstanding question as to forward-looking reporting related to all of those districts.

So every TIF district that the city creates, we have to report on annually to the Office of the State Auditor.

And what that first bucket of modifications does is clarify that the intent of implementing that spending plan

was to modify the budgets of each of those plans to authorize, to increase the budget to include that transfer.

So if we don't take this action now, that's going to affect our annual reporting on those

districts and create ongoing uncertainty as to the interpretation of how that special

legislation relates technically to this annual reporting.

So it's really important to us to keep that moving on a smooth path.

The second bucket of modifications is related to the rest of the city's existing TIF plans

that are active that gives us the opportunity to potentially pool for affordable housing

out of those districts when that particular line item may not have been in the original

TIF plans budget.

So as you know from past deals that you've looked at, sometimes we include pooling, sometimes

we don't.

Sometimes districts can generate extra for pooling and sometimes it can't.

Sometimes our estimates don't play out the way that we expected.

So while we were doing all of the heavy lifting of creating modifications for kind of bucket

one, we thought while we're at it, let's do bucket two and potentially create the ability

to get extra pooling for affordable housing in the city.

As you know, we are looking for every possible tool to support the city's goals in affordable

housing creation and this is one that we think could potentially play out the

county is reacting I think a little bit to the budget increase amount that

they're seeing which really the council should think of as more of a placeholder

than a real number and as we do now on an annual basis we'll be analyzing each

of those districts we will be making a decision at the end of each of those

districts life which is typically about 26 years whether there's additional

excess TIF or not available to pool if there is this action today would

authorize us to keep that money rather than return it to the county and spend

it for affordable housing development in the future not in a way that's directed

today but that the council at that time will have the opportunity to look at so it will be an

individual decision in the future as to whether we decertify that district early or continue to

pull for affordable housing on those districts as within the confines of the state statute around

TIF thank you that is helpful I know it's dense so that's hard to like kind of strip down in the

in the plain terms, but I do think it is helpful for us to kind of understand.

I'm going to ask you a question.

You don't have to answer it if it's not a question that should be answered in public.

But, like, do we feel like we're, like, at a staff level,

are we impeding on the county's ability to perform here?

You know, I think that that's, you know, in the simplest possible terms,

I think that's the concern of the letter.

Do we agree with that assessment?

You know, how do we feel about that?

Through the chair.

I think I would say a couple things about that.

One, there is always, has been and probably always will be a tension between municipalities

and counties as it relates to the utilization of TIF because it does affect everybody's collections.

That is why I think this council has historically been really deliberative about the creation

of new districts.

The second thing I would say, as Council Member Chowdhury pointed out, is that the city right

now is at the lowest level of utilization relative to our tax base that it has been

in decades before.

So while I do think there's a natural tension around that issue, I think that the notion

that we are over utilizing it or expanding its use is not supported by the detail on

how much of our tax base is really locked up in TIF districts, which right now is less than 3%.

We are at time.

Sorry.

Can I ask one more question?

Do you want to just jump back in queue?

I'll jump back in queue, but I just had one more question.

Okay.

Council Member Jenkins.

Thank you, Chair Payne. And actually, I was going to ask staff to come up and help us kind of understand this as well.

So, Ms. Gilden, if you would like to continue with your response, you can take a couple of minutes and do that or not.

But I did want to just point out to my colleagues, you know, I read Commissioner Fernando's letter and had some of the same concerns that were identified by Councilmember Chowdhury.

And I will point out that, you know, we had a deadline for comments, which was December 1st, and we received her letter on December 8th, which I'm not sure if it was a non-elected official that sent us a letter in opposition that we would be having the same concerns.

consideration. So I just wanted to point that out. Thank you. Councilmember Wanzi. Thank you,

President Payne. I will name for me as someone who does not sit on the Beds Committee, regardless

of elected officials sending a letter or not, it is so significant and several of my awards are also

tied into this proposal. And I think actually Councilmember Chowdhury, one of my biggest flags

why I think it's okay to warrant, no one's dismissing, there's not an effort to say let's

not do this, but you name, there's not commitments also placed within us. I think everyone has a goal

to see affordable housing, but we've spent also several years also saying when we're talking about

developing affordable housing, there's been a debate around how much of the resources that we

actually direct towards the development of housing are actually going to where it's of greatest need,

like 30% AMI. And I would love to be able to have those conversations on if other people feel okay

with forsaking that and not having commitments,

like for the projects that's in my ward

where there is a need for 30% AMI,

like I would love to be able to have those conversations

and work with staff to say, okay,

can we tighten those conditions

into this resolution early next year?

We have not been able to do those type of things

in this past cycle.

So for me, it is.

It's around being able to have more of those commitments

be articulated in this resolution.

It's not a dispute or a dismissal of the work

or the need for pulling our resources together,

but I at least wanted to have those commitments solidify

as we're talking about how we're doing the bucket of number two.

So that is where my intention is coming from with this.

This is not to try to stall this out.

It literally is having greater clarity that in the RCA

and your comments, Councilmember Chowdhury,

and in the staff's comments mentioned those things are not there.

It's something being left to a future council to decide.

when we have the ability to do that now because we're approving these things.

So I don't see what is the issue with taking a pause to have those further conversations

to look at what those options are.

That is literally my rationale, so I wanted to name that.

Council Member Ellison.

Thank you.

I think at a high level, I don't oppose Council Members being able to have better conversations about TIF.

Folks, we're going to have to have a better working understanding of TIF in the future as a body.

And so I wholeheartedly invite that.

I do have concerns about once an item, like, gets all the way before us and staff has a timeline in which they've worked on an item,

the message it sends to return the item.

So, you know, that's why I asked about the timeline.

Look, if this passes, you know, first meeting of January, is it all the same or is it an issue?

you know I'm concerned about it especially since I won't be here so I

I'm inclined to make sure that we pass this now because you know because I'm

concerned about how we dispose of TIF but I do have one last question for staff

before I ask that question I guess I'll just I've harped on this before and this

is this is not directed at staff or at council on this item this is just a

microcosm for the fact that I do think we do need better just like ongoing

communication on items so that we're not sort of reaching ahead when things are coming up on the

dais because I think that Council Member Wansley is asking good questions. I think that staff has

good responses. But I also think this is a conversation that could happen maybe a week ago

in a conference room. And so that's, you know, so that's, you know, that's where we kind of

clash sometimes. Last question I have is what future checks and balances do councils have

to, you know, if future councils feel that, become concerned that we're leaning a little

too heavily on this tool.

Do you want to take that one?

Sure.

Uh, President Payne, Council Member Ellison, uh, thank you for the question.

So what this action does is set up essentially a placeholder in the budget of the TIF plan,

but that's not the same as setting up a budget to spend the money through the city's budgeting

process.

That second piece also has to happen.

And so the safeguard from the council's perspective is that when that time comes and staff comes

and says, we believe in this TIF district, we might be able to pool X amount of money

towards the affordable housing trust fund.

At that moment, the council could say, that's only something we want to do if the units

are affordable at a certain level.

That would be up to the council at that point to direct where those funds go.

Or the council could also say, you know what, today the tax base is the higher priority.

Today we don't want to pool for affordable housing.

Both of those are at the discretion of the council at that time.

So today we're essentially passing, if this were algebra, it would be like we're passing X amount.

In the future we will have to say X equals amount certain.

That's exactly right.

For that reason, I think we should pass this today.

I think we should move forward.

I also think that staff and council, you know, Council Member Osmond, Council Member Chowdhury, as emerging leaders in housing on this bench here, I think should lean in quickly to make sure that we understand, you know, TIF a little bit better before we're deciding what X is in the future.

And so for that reason, and I think that Council Member Wansley's questions are, even though I'm not supporting this motion right now, I think are 100% valid and I think need to be sort of addressed.

And so, you know, just wanted to lay that out for the body to the extent that that's useful to my colleagues.

Thank you all.

Council Member Jenkins.

Thank you, President Payne.

I'll be very brief. I just want to offer up if we need more TIF districts 38th and Chicago,

George Floyd Square certainly meets the criteria. Thank you.

With that, we have a motion to refer this item back to staff. The clerk will call the roll.

Council Member Pomisano. No. Council Member Chowdhury. Nay. Council Member Cashman. Nay.

Council Member Osmond.

No.

Council Member Rainville.

No.

Council Member Chavez.

Aye.

Council Member Vita.

No.

Council Member Ellison.

No.

Council Member Kosky.

No.

Council Member Wonsley.

Aye.

Council Member Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chug Tice Absent.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are two ayes and ten, I'm sorry, there are three ayes and nine nays.

That motion fails.

We have the underlying motion before us to approve item number four.

I'll ask the clerk to call the roll.

Council Member Palmisano.

Aye.

Council Member Chowdhury.

Aye.

Council Member Cashman.

Aye.

Council Member Osmond.

Aye.

Council Member Ringo.

Aye.

Council Member Chavez.

Aye.

Council Member Vita.

Aye.

Council Member Ellison.

Aye.

Council Member Tosky.

Aye.

Council Member Wansley.

No.

Council Member Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Shaghtay is absent.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are 11 ayes and one nay.

That carries and that completes all items on the BIS report.

The next report is from our Climate and Infrastructure Committee,

which will be presented by that committee's chair.

Council Member Cashman.

Thank you, President Payne.

So the Climate and Infrastructure Committee has 14 items today.

Number one is a passage of a resolution related to the West River Parkway Phase 2 construction project.

Two is 7th Street North reconstruction project.

3 is amending a resolution related to the variance request from municipal state aid standards for the Cedar Lake Road Bridge Project.

Item 4, amending a resolution related to the variance request from municipal state aid standards for the Cedar Lake Road Bridge Project.

5 is a contract with Hennepin County for waste disposal services.

services. This item came from committee without recommendation and staff have since prepared

a revised RCA for a one year contract instead of a two year contract and that also reduces

the cost in half from around 15 million down to 7 million. So I will be moving the revised

staff version which is also available online. Six is a cooperative agreement with the Met

Council for the construction of the Metro Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit Project.

Seven is a grant application to the Pollution Control Agency for Stormwater Resilience Planning.

Eight is water distribution improvements, appropriations, and bonds.

Item nine is South Lindale Corridor Master Plan Legislative Directive.

Ten is Winterapolis Curling Plaza Block Event Permit from February 13th to 22nd along Nicollet Mall.

item 11 is 35th and 36th street reconstruction project concept layout approval and variance

request and 12 is the legislative directive related to the proposed closure of the hennepin

energy recovery center i'll note that we have moved this without recommendation as well and

we have a revised version by the author council moraineville so i'll i'll see if he wants to move

that revised version and then lastly 13 and 14. 13 is the gas franchise fees ordinance and 14 is

the electric franchise fees ordinance so i'll move all items including the revised staff version of

the herc contract and pull out item 12 the legislative directive on herc as well as 13

and 14 gas and electric for a separate vote

council member cashman has moved the report including a revision to item

five and pulling out 12 13 and 14 for separate votes okay and then i know

that we had a couple public works walk-ons were those represented in your

committee report oh that's going to be a new business

that's right um okay so on the remainder of the items including the revision to number five is

there any discussion councilmember koski thank you president pain i just wanted to speak to item

number nine the south lindale quarter master plan and this legislative directive um mostly just want

to thank the city staff that have been working on this with me many of them for even close to four

years but meg mcmahon kathleen mail and then to eric hansen and tim sexton i appreciate the

partnership many of you on this dais have gone on right alongs in this area to see the potential of

what we could do in this corridor to really reconnect wards 11 and 13 together and excited

to see the work that will continue to come from this so thank you so much for the partnership i

really appreciate it. Councilmember Rainville. Thank you so this this

revived legislative directive I we talked about this in committee and I

believe Councilmember Cashing had offered about seven maybe eight. I'm talking about 12.

We'll take 12 up after we vote on the remainder of the items.

Thank you.

Yep.

On items 1 through 11, including the revision to number 5, I will ask the clerk to call the roll.

Council Member Palmisan.

Aye.

Council Member Chowdhury.

Aye.

Council Member Cashman.

Aye.

Council Member Osmond.

Aye.

Council Member Rainbow.

Aye.

Council Member Chavez.

Aye.

Council Member Vita.

Aye.

Council Member Ellison.

Aye.

Council Member Kosky.

Aye.

Council Member Wansley.

Is absent council member Jenkins hi

Vice President Chuck tie is absent president pain. Hi there are 11 eyes

Those items carry next we will take up item number 12. I'll recognize council member rainville

Thank you

Thank you president pain

This new legislative directive we've modified it since committee councilmember cash and I believe you had seven maybe eight

suggestions and all these are included with exception one and what everyone

should know is the staff has requested to come back in about the June timeframe

that'll take that long to get all these answers I believe at that point we could

have a public hearing and then answer any further questions and comments from

the community so I think if we are really serious about closing down the

Herc we have to have answers and we have to gently push this forward because it

is very very complex and the only way we can solve that complexity is through legislative

directives such as this so thank you so council member rainville you've moved that for approval

is there a second second any further discussion council member trapez uh thank you council president

pain i'll be supporting this item just because it's asking us for more information on these

with more questions but i do want to be clear that this council did vote to say we want to close

down the HIRC. So I don't want that to be misconstrued by supporting this legislative

directive that's just asking for more questions. It's been amended. I want to let my constituents

know that I still support closing down the HIRC. So I don't want that to be misconstrued

with supporting this directive that's just asking for info.

Council Member Chaudry.

Thank you so much, President Payne.

I echo the comments that Council Member Chavez made.

we passed a resolution in shutting down the Herc

and that is something that we need to make significant strides

towards including getting more information but also in our budget

also in zero waste, also in lobbying the state legislature

also in having a plan with Hennepin County

and then working with our community. This is a very very

heavy lift and so I want to acknowledge that.

I would like this to have a public hearing in whatever configuration we will organize again.

I think that's really important that our community gets to weigh in.

And I hope members that are on this body, especially the author of this resolution, will help make sure that happens.

I also will plan on, whenever we figure out what our organization is, reaching out to staff to ask maybe a few questions ahead of this legislative directive

coming back to see if it could be incorporated in what they present to us.

So if all of that works and if we can really lean in on zero waste in this next term, I'm

happy to support this and get this information because I do think these are just reasonable

questions for us to get answers to.

Seeing no one else left in queue, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on item number 12.

Councilmember Palmasano.

Aye.

Council Member Chowdhury.

Aye.

Council Member Cashman.

Aye.

Council Member Osmond.

Aye.

Council Member Rainbow.

Aye.

Council Member Chavez.

Aye.

Council Member Vita.

Aye.

Council Member Ellison.

Aye.

Council Member Kosky.

Aye.

Council Member Wansley is absent.

Council Member Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chugtay is absent.

President Payne.

Aye.

Mayor Levin-Eyes.

That item carries.

Next we have item 13 and 14.

Should we take those up at the same time, Council Member Cashman?

These are related to the gas and electric franchise fees.

And I will recognize Councilmember Cashman.

Thank you so much, President Payne.

We've worked a lot on this, actually, with city staff, who did some incredible modeling on our climate funding

and the cost to the ratepayers throughout the city to fund the clean energy work and weatherization and retrofitting

that our city is doing a really great job delivering to our residents.

However, the funding that we brought in last year was $2 million short, and we were not able to get as many homes, weatherized and retrofitted throughout the city as we intended to.

It's clear that in order to address climate change, the climate crisis, we need more funding dedicated to this.

And I think that it is expensive to address climate change, but the cost of not doing anything is much, much greater.

And at the same time, I really appreciate that the programs that the city is administering have an incredible return on investment for those who participate.

So those who do weatherize and retrofit their homes are able to lower their energy bills and really get their money back many times over.

So I appreciate the work that city staff has done.

I appreciate the Energy Vision Advisory Committee and their letter of support in favor of these ordinances.

Also, the Community Environmental Advisory Committee, the SEAC, also passed a resolution in support of this ordinance.

I appreciate the 60-plus people who came to our public hearing and committee in support.

Every single resident who spoke spoke in support of this increase.

And I'll ask my colleagues to vote for climate today and vote in support of these two ordinances, which I'll move for approval.

Councilmember Cashman has moved these ordinances for approval. Is there a second?

Second.

It's been seconded. I'll recognize Councilmember Jenkins.

Thank you, Chair Payne.

And, you know, I will be, I think I got to say, reluctantly supporting this ordinance today.

You know, we just set our tax levy at 8%, which is going to create significant challenges for many of the residents in the city of Minneapolis.

Electric and heating bills are skyrocketing throughout the entire country, and Minneapolis is no exception.

I think last winter was a relatively mild winter as it relates to Minneapolis and Minnesota.

So consequently, we saw less revenue from the franchise fee.

Given the onset of winter this year, I don't think that's going to be the same kind of challenge.

But what I am really concerned about, and certainly this is going to be a cost burden for low-income people, another tax, if you will, but I'm mainly concerned about how the program is being distributed and who is actually benefiting.

You know, we talked about really directing these funds initially to green zones, south and north side green zones, and ensuring that low-income people were going to be receiving this help.

And I think I've heard figures of like 11% to 13% of those areas have been able to access these funds.

And I'm happy to stand corrected if that is not the case.

But going forward, I just hope that we can prioritize those who are most cost burdened by these additional fees.

I think the misconception has been addressed that somehow the utility companies actually pay these fees.

But the reality is they pass them along to us as consumers.

And so we really have to balance how much burden that we are continuously placing on our very low-income, working-class residents that we talk so much about on this council.

And yet we continuously create more burdens for the community.

Thank you.

Council Member Retal.

Thank you, President Payne.

So I supported this in committee, and after doing that,

I just got an overwhelming amount of folks from the north side reaching out about this.

And it is all about the financial hardship that this is causing on residents and could cause on residents.

I know there's been a lot of conversations around, yeah, once we weatherize their house, there'll be the benefit to them.

But I think the fear that they have is when is that going to happen and how that happens.

I've had conversations with the health department about really refining what the green zones are.

I know a lot of the parts of Ward 4 that people might think is a green zone is not a green zone.

And so that's the work that I would like to see us do before increasing the franchise fee.

And, you know, there's always these conversations around, you know, a few dollars here or there.

And, I mean, it's just a lot to folks, especially with these tax burdens that people are feeling on the north side.

In particular, in Ward 4, I had a lot of people reach out that talked about a 22% increase,

an 18% increase.

I think we had someone that was, I mean, the number was over 50, and I just couldn't believe

how much increases folks are having.

So I do appreciate what you're doing here, Council Member Cashman, but I'm not going

to be able to support it because two years, well, yeah, a year ago when we did this, I

made a commitment to folks that they would see a huge difference before we adopted another

franchise fee, and it's been a little bit over a year. I haven't had residents reach out to me

that have really seen the impact of the original franchise fee, and so, I mean, I know we've gotten

a presentation that talks about how this has worked in North Minneapolis, and I appreciate that,

but I think something is happening here where we're missing the folks who need it the most.

where it's really impacting these folks who a $10 utility bill from two different utility companies really make a difference.

And so I can't support this today, but do appreciate the work that's went into the franchise fee increases over the last couple years.

Council Member Palmisano.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We've had a lot of discussion about this, and I've thoroughly taken into account what I've heard from the author,

as well as the advocacy groups that have reached out and contacted me.

As electeds, we all spend a lot of time listening.

I've also spoken with our utility partners and CLI staff, and I've tried to get to a point of support, but I just can't.

And Council Member Cashman is the main author.

You've tried to tailor this as best possible.

Thank you for that.

But there are just too many drawbacks in this proposal to earn my support.

Although this franchise fee would increase, the increase for the franchise fee for small and residential customers would be fairly small, we can't take that in isolation.

Early next year, residents of Minneapolis will be incurring this on top of a payroll tax of 0.44% for the new state-mandated paid family leave, increased health care premiums sometimes doubled or tripled, increased property taxes or raised rents, increased costs of living due to inflationary costs in food, prescriptions, clothing, and everyday necessities.

Let's be mindful that this is a significant burden to residents,

especially those with lower or fixed incomes.

Pass-through fees impact them disproportionately.

Because this fee is passed through, the utility companies don't lose any funding.

The cost is paid entirely by the residents of Minneapolis.

All we are doing is increasing the economic burden on our residents.

I don't want to raise those fees until more homes are weatherized.

And we know from staff data that about 13% of the projects in the CLI were in the green zones.

And that leaves the vast majority of those homes unweatherized.

So making sure that the benefits intentionally reach the neighborhoods that need it the most,

that bear the highest energy burdens and potential harm from historic inequities is important.

businesses in commercial and industrial properties will see a much larger increase in their franchise

fees, some as high as nearly 8% for electric and over 9% for gas. This is unsustainable.

We need policies that support businesses, not drive them out. There were some budget amendments

for city money to try and support businesses, and this flies in the face of that. Our city

franchise fees are already the largest in the state and they are way out of proportion in

comparison to any other city. For example, they are $41 million for gas and electric combined

today. Compare that to St. Paul at about half of that at $22 million and everybody else drops off

significantly from there. Franchise fees are set at a percentage of revenue rather than a flat fee.

That means as we do good things like EV charging and heat pumps that go to places that have increased density, our total fees will rise naturally and over time.

Franchise fees are certainly not the only route to getting weatherization work done.

Our clean energy partnership have our utilities and the city making this a priority in our work plan for the next two years.

Through those coordinated resources, through that planning, we can weatherize without putting more and more energy burden on residents.

Council Member Chowdhury.

Thank you so much, Chair Payne.

I just wanted to speak in favor of this and thank Council Member Cashman and Council Member Kosky for all their work on this.

I know you spent a significant amount of time trying to get something before us.

that considered all of the different voices that have participated in this.

I want to thank our community throughout the city of Minneapolis for advocating to address climate change at the local level.

It is just so clear that at the federal level, there's not going to be any action taken.

So it really is up to cities like the city of Minneapolis to take meaningful climate action.

And the thing that I really appreciate that we worked on in our budget is dedicating this funding specifically to weatherization and energy efficiency.

That's getting at the heart of what we need to do here in Minneapolis and in Minnesota to address our issues with emissions and fossil fuels and to really, really tangibly address climate change.

And I'll just state, like, that not addressing climate change and the impacts of climate change, they're here right now in our cities, and they're an existential threat.

They are a threat to the livelihoods of our residents and also our economy, right?

These weather events that occur that are related or directly tied to climate change impact our infrastructure, impact our roads, our bridges, water management.

And we have to pay thousands and millions of dollars to address that year after year.

wildfire, smoke, heat stroke, a number of different things that occur from different climate events

that are extreme, impact our residents' health and impact them in their pocketbook too as it

comes to health care. And you can name it over and over again. And you can even look plainly at like

the costs that residents are incurring right now without energy efficiency and weatherization

occurring in the lowest income neighborhoods for residents, for communities of color and

immigrants who aren't as readily able to access local government. And so I think this is a really

meaningful dedication. And we also know the financial strain in our city and our country

is only going to continue. And I feel like in this moment, this is when we have the moment to

make a decision like this, to dedicate this funding. And I worry that in the future, we will

not have the political will to. So I'm proud that we're taking this up and I look forward to us

only further extending the work that we're doing to address climate change. And I hope we can

see results that will be nation leading so other cities can take it up and we can collectively

address it together. Councilmember Chavez. Thank you, Council President Payne. I want to thank

the authors for bringing this forward as someone that represents part of the Phillips neighborhoods

and the Southside Green Zone, which is a community that struggles to pay its bills.

And it's a community that is cost burdened by the amount of work they have to do

to just pay their bills and their utilities while the utility companies just continue to increase their bills.

I think this is an important action that we need to take today.

I want to speak on why, because I want to speak on what happens if we don't pass this.

It means that we have more residents in the Southside Green Zone, in the green zones, and in Minneapolis,

in areas in Minneapolis that are struggling to get by.

It only means that more of those homes are not going to be weatherized,

which means those residents are only going to pay more in their utility bills.

And I think that needs to be a part of this conversation.

By not taking these actions, that means we have less funding to weatherized homes in Minneapolis,

which will result in increased bills for many of our residents that are struggling to barely make it by.

At a time when landlords continue to jack up rent on residents, at a time when the minimum wage is still not enough to barely make it by, we need to have programs in our city that are going to help weatherize our homes to reduce that cost burden, to make sure that residents are not going by without action that they can have in their homes to make sure that their utility bills decrease.

And that is why I am supportive of this action.

I think it's a very pro-south side green zone, pro-green zone in general.

And I think that is something that we need to take action on because I'm just like what

I hear from my constituents all the time is I can't pay rent.

Utility bills are skyrocketing.

These utility companies are making it very hard for me to even be and stay in my home.

And this is one of the actions we can actually take to reduce that cost burden.

And it is going to be focusing a lot on the green zones.

I want to be very clear.

We're tackling neighborhoods that are struggling and that we should be supporting with our full-throated effort.

So I just want to speak in favor of this and thank the author.

Council Member Cashman.

Thank you, President Payne.

I just wanted to respond to a couple of things.

So just noting that in 2025, 62% of the projects completed through the Green Cost Share Program were in green zones or environmental justice areas.

And I think it's important that we're doing both because some of the most energy burdened neighborhoods in the city, like the Jordan neighborhood, are not in the green zone.

So if we were only doing the green zones, we would be missing large portions of the population who really need these programs, which is why they use multiple income and environmental justice metrics to delineate where that money goes.

But just to be clear, in 2025, 62% of the projects were brought to the green zones or environmental justice areas of the city.

I also just want to point out that in our public hearing with more than 60 people, residents speaking in support, a large majority did come from the south side and the north side.

And those who spoke against were the downtown council and BOMA and big business groups.

And this is a very people first proposal.

it's incredibly short-sighted not to vote in favor of this today.

I added myself to Q because I want to just echo the sentiment that we don't have a choice to do

nothing. The Calvary is not coming to save us. The federal government is not going to make the

type of investments at the scale necessary to actually meet this moment. And the reality is

that what we're doing is not enough. And frankly, local government isn't in the right position to

be at the scale necessary to make the types of investments that we need to meet this moment.

But we can be a bridge to a world of sanity where people actually believe in science.

And I also want to speak to the rising costs of all of our particularly energy bills.

this isn't just like the mythical inflation this is runaway build out of data centers built on the

hype of ai and that just completely sucking up every ounce of energy that our grid can generate

and these utility companies are crumbling under that demand a demand that still has not met a

business model that is actually profitable. So this is still quite soundly in the bubble territory

as it's bringing our utility, a grid, to its knees. And so if we just sit by and watch that happen,

collapse is already on the table right now, even with us voting yes on this.

We're just running out of time to actually take action, and we can't wait for the federal

government to catch up so i really encourage everyone to support this councilmember osman

council president thank you so much i just want to talk about

really how important this is i was able had the opportunity to attend

the organizations that we work with with the health department uh commissioner um deputy

commissioner patrick helen and came to that meeting that was really eye-opening for me to

Hosted in my ward to have people come in and talk to and we're talking about you know

That's like 50 years old replacing that that is just

programs that can help

low-income families and and that might not be able to you know

Have the money to to change this

machines that are

creating health and how this

issue in our city and our environment. So programs like this, city being behind it, it can go a long

way. So Council Member Cashman, thank you so much for bringing this forward and I'll ask if I can

be a co-author on this. Yes, please. Thank you. Seeing no one else left in queue, I'll ask the

clerk to call the roll on items 13 and 14, the franchise fees. Council Member Palmisano? No.

Council Member Chowdhury.

Aye.

Council Member Cashman.

Aye.

Council Member Osmond.

Aye.

Council Member Rainville.

No.

Council Member Chavez.

Aye.

Council Member Vita.

No.

Council Member Ellison.

Aye.

Council Member Kosky.

Aye.

Council Member Wansley.

Aye.

Council Member Jenkins.

Aye.

Vice President Chuck Tye.

Aye.

President Payne.

Aye.

There are 10 ayes and 3 nays.

That item carries and that completes the Climate and Infrastructure Report.

Next, we'll have the report from our Committee of the Whole, given by that committee's chair, Councilmember Chavez.

Thank you, President Payne.

The Committee of the Whole is bringing forward eight items.

Item number one is a separation ordinance, and we were not able to start discussion on Tuesday, so this is sent forward to Council today.

Item number two is an ordinance establishing a humane encampment response policy, same situation as number one.

Item number three is approving two agreements with CUNY and NYU for their services, both contingent on federal approval.

Item number four is authorizing a contract extension with Danny Murphy for consulting services.

Item number five is accepting a bid for the reconstruction project on 10th Avenue Southbridge over Midtown Greenway.

Item number six is considering an enterprise policy framework.

Item number seven is a travel gift acceptance for the health commissioner to attend an event from January 14th to the 17th, 2026.

And lastly, item number eight is another travel gift acceptance for public director Sexton to attend an event from January 8th to 9th, 2026.

With that, I will move approval of all items and pull item number one and two for a separate vote and discussion.

Council Member Chavez has moved approval of the report, pulling items one and two for a separate discussion.

I'll also pull item six for discussion as well.

Is there any discussion on the remainder of the report?

Seeing none, I will ask the clerk to call the roll.

Council Member Pomisano.

Aye.

Council Member Chowdhury.

Councilmember Cashman.

Councilmember Osmond.

Councilmember Rainville.

Councilmember Chavez.

Councilmember Vita.

Councilmember Ellison.

Councilmember Kosky.

Councilmember Wonsley.

Councilmember Jenkins.

Vice President Chugtay.

President Payne.

There are 13 ayes.

Those items carry.

Next we will take up item number 1.

I will call on one of the authors to speak to this, Councilmember Chavez.

Thanks, Council President Payne. I'm excited to bring forward the separation ordinance forward with Council Member Chowdhury and Council Vice President Chukhtai.

I'd also like to move the revised version of the separation ordinance that we discussed on Tuesday at the Committee of the Whole,

and additionally small changes we have made since then regarding training and data.

I also know later on Council Member Bwanzi is going to be bringing forward an amendment as well.

Overall, this ordinance uplifts the city's values while strengthening the separation

between city activities and immigration enforcement activities.

I also want to talk about our responsibility to do everything that we can in our power

to protect our community, not only through a policy like this, but through our budget,

direction from the top, resources, and commitment to protecting our immigrant community.

What we are seeing across Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota is disheartening.

We're seeing Somali citizens being detained and discriminated, Latino citizens being stopped

and questioned.

And what's most disheartening from all of this is our undocumented immigrants as a whole

are being arrested, detained, deported, and not being able to come home.

Since December 1st, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested more than

400 people in the Twin Cities, a majority of them with no criminal convictions.

I also want to talk, take some time today to speak to the community that I'm proud to be a part of.

The Latino community is also hurting right now.

I want to let you know that I see you.

I see the way our families are being separated, that our communities are being torn apart,

and how our community once again has to hide in the shadows.

Not being able to go to the store anymore, staying home scared,

not being able to move your car, which even makes it more difficult during snow emergencies.

So if you have immigrant neighbors, please offer them your ability to move their cars

because they can't do that anymore because they're scared of being snatched, which we are seeing.

Having to stay in your home trapped, not being able to leave at all,

praying for safety while you're going to work and praying that you'll make it back home to your

family to be able to see your children your parents your loved ones your cousins your uncles

your aunties I'll say that this world is cruel it disregards the humanity of our community

and I'll say that working is not a crime providing for your family is not a crime

being in this country is not a crime the color of your skin is not a crime and

most importantly being an immigrant is not a crime it's actually an asset it's

beautiful it's incredible it is a great thing and while our authority is very

limited here in the city of Minneapolis I want our community to know that we are

going to do everything that we can under our authority to protect our community

and letting them know that we are going to continue to resist this Trump

administration and while I know this is just one little thing that we can do

today I know that we have a lot more work that we can do because when we have

a federal government that we cannot trust it is a responsibility of the city

of Minneapolis to be the first and last line of defense we have to work to keep

families together voting to change a new direction in the coming elections and we

We need the full force of this city enterprise to support our community with legal services,

which is one of the last remaining things that we can do to keep families together.

I know this ordinance is a piece of supporting our communities, but I will reiterate what

I have been talking with my communities for the longest time, even before what we are seeing

this year.

It is a responsibility of the City of Minneapolis to do more.

It always has been, it always will be.

And I just want to give a big shout out to the communities, members who have been organizing

for us to update the separation ordinance and the community responders that are patrolling

our neighborhoods and keeping families together because they are making it really hard for

our communities and families.

They're making other people's jobs harder to separate our families.

So I just wanted to leave it at that.

I know there's other discussions from our colleagues here, but I want to make sure that we are very thankful for all the work of the organizations, the work of Council Member Chaudhary, Council Vice President Chukhtai, our city staff in Ward 9 and Ward 12 and Ward 10, who have worked day and night to get this ordinance to this place.

without our own city staff's work and our policy as a policy associates work we

would not be able to be moving forward with this policy and we also need to

understand that this is just one piece there is a lot more to do

Councilman Ronzi Thank You President Payne of course thank you to the co-authors

for bringing this forward as Councilmember Chavez is highlighted

Minneapolis residents treasure the fact that our city is home to just so many

diverse communities and people of diverse backgrounds, races, religions, and cultures.

And the past couple of weeks, but also for many years, Minneapolis residents continue

to demonstrate that they care about their neighbors and they have a commitment to take

the real risks that are oftentimes very necessary to make sure that they're standing up for

one another and keeping our neighbors safe and protected and also making sure that they

know their lives have value and meaning.

And I'm so inspired to see the courageous actions that many of our neighbors and even many of my colleagues, I think of Councilmember Osmond, who's been fielding a lot of requests from constituents across the city to show up and be of support to them when ICE has literally been at their doors.

So I'm just very thankful to be in a city that is demonstrating proactive and active resistance to the Trump administration's campaign and warfare that they're waging on our city at this time.

I'm also, again, just thankful to Councilmember Chavez, again, Chuck Tai, and Chowdhury for bringing this legislative ordinance forward today to set a policy standard for how the city should relate to ICE agents.

We learned just this past summer that this ordinance was more than 20 years outdated.

So I'm very grateful to you all for taking the time and spending the labor to get us in alignment with best practices on how to be best responsive in this moment.

And as you mentioned, Councilmember Chavez, we know this isn't all encompassing, but it is one piece.

and pair with some of the budgetary investments,

we're making our way towards doing what we need to do as city leaders

to also use our fullest authority to show up for our immigrant communities and constituents.

That said, Council Member Chavez, you did mention that I originally had planned to bring several amendments.

After seeing the revisions made to the ordinance from you all as co-authors,

I decided that many of the legislative intentions that I was looking to accomplish actually happens within your draft.

So I'm not bringing those amendments forward.

And again, just thank you all for your leadership to get us here.

Council Member Chaudry.

Thanks, Chair.

I first want to just start off by acknowledging the moment that we're in.

our city just in a matter of a week and some change slipped into a complete crisis

and it is absolutely heartbreaking what's happening right now right now while i'm sitting

here on this dais i'm getting messages from my neighbors talking about ice kidnapping people in

our neighborhoods known areas and that has been what the conversation has been day in day out

as soon as I wake up and as soon as I go to bed.

People are being ripped away from their communities.

The federal government, the Trump administration,

Immigration Customs Enforcement is routinely violating the Constitution,

the law of the land.

They are detaining citizens.

They are not presenting proper warrants.

They are targeting community members based off of the color of their skin

and the language that they speak.

They are spraying chemical irritants into the faces of our community members

who are using their First Amendment rights,

and they are trying to intimidate all of us and also divide us.

And to say that one part of our community is garbage or dangerous,

when that is absolutely wrong.

Our Somali community makes us strong.

Our Latino community makes us strong.

Our immigrant communities make us strong and better as a city.

It's the very heartbeat of who we are in the city of Minneapolis.

That's why we have cultural corridors.

That's why we celebrate every year Latino Heritage Month, Somali Heritage Month, Juneteenth, all of these celebrations because we're interconnected.

Because if some of us are not free, then none of us are free.

And we are seeing that here in this moment completely.

Absolutely completely.

And while ICE and the federal administration is making fan cam videos of their agents cuffing and arresting our community members,

making TikToks and enjoying the cruelty that they're expelling,

our community members are showing an extraordinary amount of love.

Whether they're on the streets doing legal observation,

whether they're doing mutual aid and collecting funds for residents

to make sure that their families can stay afloat,

whether they're providing trainings or even just setting up community meals

and checking in on one another or taking time to go onto social media

for the first time and sharing why our immigrant communities are so amazing and make us great.

And so I'm really, really honored and grateful to be a co-author on this ordinance.

this is a really important step it is a part of ensuring that we as a city

in no way shape or form are doing the work of enforcing federal immigration laws it is saying

to the federal government if you want information from us you need to make sure that it that is

that it is through a judicial process or there's a compulsory process where we are required to do so

is saying we're not going to use our city facilities, our resources, any of it, our technology, our data,

to enforce federal immigration laws.

It is saying that we're going to train our employees and make sure that all of us here in the city of Minneapolis

that provide frontline services know about the separation ordinance and are ready in this moment.

is making sure that there are public and clear reports back to this council

so we can understand what's happening and we can have transparency and accountability as needed.

And I just, I want to take some time to thank every single community member that gave some

of the most powerful testimony that I have ever seen in my time at City Hall.

That was a really important day for us as a city and it was showing the best of us

and how we show up in these moments, and we have been through a lot just in this last decade.

I thank my co-authors. I thank this body for their support as we were working on this.

I thank the city attorney's office for their tireless work that they did hand-in-hand with us,

and I thank our city staff in the Ward 9, Ward 12, and Ward 10 offices, particularly Yvonne, Robert, Amy, David,

Maggie that's really put in the long hours and I'm glad that we can in our jurisdiction take this step

Councilmember rainville

Thank you. I'll be brief City Attorney Anderson