Minneapolis City Council Regular Meeting – June 25, 2026

The Minneapolis City Council convened on June 25, 2026 at 2:34 PM under President Elliot Payne. The meeting opened with three honorary resolutions recognizing a Day of Compassion (July 6, Dalai Lama's 91st birthday), Power to the People Stage Day (June 28), and Somali Week Festival 2026 (Somali Cultural Day July 1). After adoption of the agenda and minutes, the council conducted committee reports covering business licensing, housing, infrastructure, public safety, and labor. The three‑hour public session included extensive debate on adult bathhouse ordinances, a five‑month data center moratorium, the reappointment of the CPED director, a substitute nomination to the Ballpark Authority, a one‑year extension of ShotSpotter (and denial of its expansion), a new audit request regarding MPHA, and the landmark Pride & Policy package.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of June 11, 2026 (12-0).
• Referred petitions, communications, and reports to proper committees (12-0).
• Adopted the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report (12‑0), which included 27 items such as: appointments to the Minneapolis Workforce Development Board, Art Commission, Housing Advisory Committee, and Ballpark Authority (item 16 taken separately); liquor license renewals (42); land sale at 3726 Logan Ave N; tailgating ordinance; moratorium on data centers (item 7 separate); workforce grant acceptance; and a 20‑year contract extension with Guthrie Theater. Item 1 (CPED Director reappointment) was voted separately (10‑2).
• Adopted the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report (11‑0), which included 20 items such as: Van White Memorial Boulevard resurfacing; West Fulton Neighborhood Improvements; appointment of Public Works Director (12‑0, separate vote); various construction and engineering contracts. Item 3 (Public Works Director) was unanimous.
• Adopted the Committee of the Whole report (11‑0) – three items: legislative directive on MPD changes; return of a staff resolution to author; and World Cup events permit for Minnesota United and Brits Pub.
• Adopted the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee report (10‑0) – six items: two legal settlements; election judge appointments (Aug. 11, 2026 primary); gift acceptance; workplace advisory committee appointments; ERP system implementation contract.
• Adopted the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee report (11‑0) minus items 1, 3, and 23. This included 14 items: acceptance of grants (Bloomberg Philanthropies for youth climate leadership, NACCHO conference attendance, GARE learning exchange); appointments to advisory committees (disabilities, public health, aging, food council, police oversight, safe and thriving communities); MOU with University of Minnesota; four legislative directives (off‑duty police regulation, alternative gun range, public safety organizational analysis, gender‑neutral restroom access and code updates); and a contract for after‑action review services.
• Adopted honorary resolutions (10‑0): Day of Compassion, Power to the People Stage Day, Somali Week Festival.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tibetan community members (including the U.S. National Coordinator for the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group and the Vice President of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota) expressed gratitude for the Day of Compassion resolution and highlighted the contributions of over 5,000 Tibetans in Minnesota.
• Rox Anderson and Nick Metcalf (Rare Productions) thanked the council for recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Power to the People Stage and emphasized the stage's role in centering BIPOC, transgender, non‑binary, and marginalized 2S LGBTQIA+ voices.
• Somali community representatives (including Da'ud, president of the organizing committee) thanked the council for recognizing Somali Week Festival, noting its 23‑year history and significance during the nation's 250th anniversary.
• Community members testified at the Business Housing and Zoning Committee on the data center moratorium, expressing concerns about environmental impacts and the need for regulation.

Discussion Items

1. Adult Bathhouse Ordinances (Biz Item 6 & PHSE Item 2)

Councilmember Chavez, primary author, explained that the two ordinances remove stigmatizing language from health code and relocate regulations to business licensing and health code to allow future regulation of adult bathhouses and sex venues. She detailed the history of the 1988 ban, the 1979 police raid at a downtown bathhouse, and the targeting of gay men. Councilmember Chowdhury noted the outpouring of queer community support in committee. Councilmember Schaefer opposed, citing constituent concerns from Loring Park and public health/neighborhood implications. Councilmember Palmasano supported the move while seeking continued involvement on worker safety. Councilmember Wandsley argued the ban was rooted in fear and stigmatization. The ordinances passed 9‑2‑1 (Osman abstained).

2. CPED Director Reappointment (Biz Item 1)

Councilmember Warren and Councilmember Vita opposed the reappointment of Director Eric Hansen, citing concerns about neglect of North Minneapolis (vacant lots, livability, food and pharmacy deserts). Other councilmembers praised Hansen's leadership and commitment. The reappointment carried 10‑2.

3. Data Center Moratorium (Biz Item 7)

Councilmember Chowdhury, lead author, argued for a five‑month pause to study impacts of new‑generation AI data centers on water, energy, and land use, with a carve‑out for downtown developments up to 350,000 sq ft. Councilmember Palmasano and Rainville opposed, saying it signals hostility to business and that existing regulations suffice. Councilmember Schaefer contrasted rhetoric vs. reality, noting downtown data centers use water comparable to a medium apartment building and support union jobs. Councilmember Chavez voiced concerns about environmental injustice in Wards 9 and 10. Councilmember Wandsley highlighted state tax breaks for data centers and argued for revenue alternatives. Councilmember Stevenson noted strong constituent opposition to any data centers. The moratorium passed 7‑5.

4. Ballpark Authority Appointment (Biz Item 16)

President Payne nominated Jim Davney (former state representative) for the vacant seat, citing his legislative knowledge to advocate for sustainable HCMC funding. Councilmember Vita offered a substitute nomination to retain Justin Baylor, the incumbent and only person of color on the authority, noting his community ties and support from the Minneapolis NAACP. After debate, the substitute failed 5‑7, and Davney's appointment carried 8‑4.

5. ShotSpotter Contract Extension (PHSE Item 23)

The council split the item. 23.1 (one‑year extension of current coverage) passed 12‑0 after Councilmember Chavez committed to a compromise while awaiting an auditor's report in August. 23.2 (expansion into Wards 9 and 10) was denied 8‑4, with Chavez and other members citing lack of data and the pending audit. Councilmember Palmasano supported expansion as a preventive tool; Councilmember Wandsley noted the non‑fatal shooting task force is showing better results at lower cost.

6. MPHA Audit Request (New Business Item 3)

Councilmember Warren introduced a resolution requesting the Audit Committee to direct the City Auditor to conduct an independent audit of Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's use of city funds, focusing on Heritage Park conditions (mold, safety, accountability). Multiple councilmembers co‑authored and voiced strong support. The resolution passed 10‑0.

7. Pride & Policy Package (PHSE Item 3)

The final two items of the six‑part package were adopted. 3.1 (Welcome City Ordinance) enshrines a statement of belonging for 2S LGBTQIA+ residents, establishes safe‑haven protections for gender‑affirming and intersex care, prohibits interference with such care, restricts data sharing, mandates inclusive city employee health plans, requires all‑gender restrooms, and creates a complaint process. Carried 11‑0. 3.2 (Gender‑Inclusive Language Ordinance) updates the rules of construction to remove binary gendered language from the city code. Carried 11‑0.

8. Other Notable Items

• Fugitive Recovery (Bounty Hunter) Licensing – Vice President Osman gave notice of intent to introduce an ordinance requiring licensing for bounty hunters, citing incidents targeting Somali residents.
• Autonomous Vehicles – Introduction of an ordinance to regulate commercial autonomous vehicles was referred to Business Housing and Zoning (10‑0).
• Closed Session – The council entered closed session (roll call) for a briefing on a discrimination charge (MDHR Charge No. 24‑0524). After reconvening, they approved a settlement of $18,000 plus a $750 administrative fee (vote not individually recorded, but noted as passed).

Key Outcomes

• Adult bathhouse regulations – Two ordinances adopted (9‑2‑1) to remove stigmatizing language and create a foundation for future regulation.
• Data center moratorium – Approved (7‑5) for five months, exempting downtown developments up to 350,000 sq ft.
• CPED Director – Eric Hansen reappointed (10‑2).
• Ballpark Authority – Jim Davney appointed (8‑4), rejecting substitute nominee Justin Baylor.
• ShotSpotter – One‑year extension of current coverage passed (12‑0); expansion denied (8‑4).
• MPHA audit – Resolution requesting audit of city funds used by MPHA adopted (10‑0).
• Pride & Policy Package – Full package adopted, including the Welcome City Ordinance and Gender‑Inclusive Language Ordinance (both 11‑0).
• Fugitive recovery licensing – Notice of intent given; ordinance to be introduced at next meeting.
• Autonomous vehicle ordinance – Introduced and referred to committee (10‑0).
• Settlement – $18,000 plus fee approved for discrimination charge settlement.
• Public Works Director – Tim Sexton reappointed unanimously (12‑0).
• Emergency Management Director – Rachel Sayer appointed (11‑0).