Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee Regular Meeting - June 1, 2026
Minneapolis Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee Regular Meeting - June 1, 2026
The Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee met on June 1, 2026, at 5:31 PM CT under Chair Linnae Palmasano. The committee approved a consent agenda (minus one item), heard a public hearing for a Civil Service Commission appointment, discussed a bond reauthorization project, approved open streets events, and received the 2026 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization report.
Consent Calendar (Items 2–11)
- Approved items 2–11, including gift acceptance, grant application, contracts, and workers' compensation settlements for Stephen Morris and Tracy Turble, with item 4 (Hiawatha Public Works Maintenance Facility Expansion bond reauthorization) pulled for discussion.
- Vote: All ayes, motion carried.
Discussion Items
Item 4: Hiawatha Public Works Maintenance Facility Expansion Bond Reauthorization
- Councilmember Shugtai pulled this consent item for questions. Dave Wheeler (Senior Manager, Banking Investments and Debt) explained that the reauthorization allows bond issuance for project costs, as prior authorization had expired after four years. Paul Miller (Senior Project Manager, Property Services) added that the project scope has been reduced (cutting the Roof Depot site) and that remaining work (office addition, central stores improvements, indoor storage) fits within the original budget. Councilmember Shugtai expressed concern about seeking the same authorization for a project nearly a decade old without completed rescoping, but staff affirmed confidence in cost estimates. The item was approved with a voice vote, all ayes.
Public Hearing: Appointment of William Walker to the Civil Service Commission
- No public testimony was offered. William Walker, an attorney with 30 years of experience, introduced himself and described the commission's role (hearing employee appeals on discharge, suspension, etc.). Councilmember Whiting read a statement supporting reappointment. Councilmember Stevenson (noted as absent during roll call) asked about Walker’s approach to due process and the commission’s independence from HR. The appointment was approved unanimously.
Resolution: 2026 Open Streets Events
- Andrew Ballard (Enterprise Events Manager) presented three proposed events for 2026: West Broadway, Nicollet Avenue, and Hennepin Avenue, each receiving $40,000 from the city plus in-kind services. The Hennepin Avenue event has been expanded to Franklin Avenue to highlight areas after construction. Councilmember Schaefer and Councilmember Stevenson expressed support. Approved.
Resolution: Equalization of Assessed Valuations – 2026 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Report
- Director Malmquist (City Assessor) presented the results: of 125,000 value notices mailed, 1,564 inquiries were received, 1,253 resolved before the board. The board heard 311 appeals, resulting in 166 reductions. Total market value reduced by 0.0209% (far below the 1% statutory cap). Appeal counts were highest in Wards 11 and 13, while Ward 2 had the highest appealed value. The report was received and the resolution approved.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Items (excluding #4): Approved.
- Item 4: Approved with additional discussion.
- William Walker Reappointment: Approved to the Civil Service Commission.
- Open Streets 2026: Three events approved.
- Assessment Equalization: Resolution approving the Local Board's actions and receiving the report was approved.
Note: The roll call recorded Councilmember Stevenson as absent, but a speaker using that name participated later in the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome. My name is Linnae Palmasano, and I'm chair of the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee, and I'll call this meeting to order for our regular meeting here on June 1st, 2026. As we begin, I'll offer the regular friendly reminder that these meetings are broadcast live to enable greater public participation. These include real-time captioning as a further method to increase accessibility. Therefore, all speakers need to be mindful of the rate of their speech so our captioners can capture and transcribe the comments for the broadcast. Please moderate the speed and clarity of your comments. I'll ask the clerk to please call the roll. Councilmember Vita is absent. Schaefer. Here Stevenson is absent. Chavez? Present. Shugtai. Present. Vice Chair Whiting. Present. Chair Palmasano. Present. We have five present. Thank you. Let the record reflect that we have a quorum. Colleagues, I am just getting my computer booted up, so if we could use our flags for just a couple minutes here, that would be great. For members of the public that are here for one of the public hearings, if you wish to address the committee, please register with the clerks to my right. You can also provide any written comments or materials that you would like in the public record. Let's start with our consent items reflected as items two through 11 on our agenda, which I can read now for the record. Item two is approving a gift acceptance from local progress. That's for council member Robin Wandsley. Item number three is authorizing a grant application to host five VISTA members for 2026 through 2031. That's with AmeriCorps. Item number four is passage of resolution approving project authorizations, appropriations, and bond issuances for Hiawatha Public Works Maintenance Facility Expansion. Item five is authorizing a contract with Deloitte Consulting for benefit consulting and actuarial services. Item six is authorizing contracts with multiple vendors to provide temporary staffing services. Item seven is authorizing a contract amendment with principal financial group for custodial banking services. Item eight is authorizing a contract event amendment with environmental systems research for the support and maintenance of the city's geographic information system. Item nine is authorizing a contract amendment with Shaw Lundquist Associates for the City Hall Restack Phase Three Project. Items 10 and 11 are both legal settlements related to workers' compensation claims. That of Stephen Morris and that of Tracy Turble. Is there any discussion on these items? And please use your flags. Councilmember Chuktai. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am hoping to pull item number four on the printed agenda and three on the on the digital agenda related to the Hiawaka Public Works maintain maintenance facility expansion project and reappropriating project authorizations and appropriations and bond issuances. Happy to. Anyone else, Councilmember Whiting? No. Okay. I'll move approval of the consent agenda. And I'm sorry, I think is there one additional item clerk on this consent agenda that we have. Madam Chair, that is a clerical error. There are no additions to the agenda.
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