Minneapolis City Council Regular Meeting – July 30, 2026

The Minneapolis City Council met on July 30, 2026, with President Elliot Payne presiding. The meeting covered routine approvals, two major mayoral appointments (Director of Regulatory Services and Fire Chief), a contentious grant application for ballistic evidence technology, and unfinished business including the SkyDio drone program and a prior tie vote. Nine members were present at the start; quorum was maintained throughout.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted the agenda as amended (adding an unfinished business item from May 21) – unanimous 10-0.
• Accepted minutes from July 16, 2026 – unanimous 10-0.
• Referred petitions, communications, and reports to proper committees – unanimous 10-0.
• Approved the Business Housing and Zoning (BHZ) committee report minus items 1, 4, and 5 (see below) – unanimous 11-0.
• Approved the Climate and Infrastructure committee report (13 items) – unanimous 12-0.
• Approved the Committee of the Whole report minus item 2 (NIBIN grant) – unanimous 12-0.
• Approved the Enterprise and Labor Relations committee report (10 items) – unanimous 12-0.
• Approved the Public Health, Safety and Equity (PHSE) committee report minus item 1 (Fire Chief nomination) – unanimous 12-0.
• Adopted a resolution recognizing the 2026 Minneapolis Aquatennial – unanimous 12-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment period was held; all discussion was among council members, the mayor, and city staff.

Discussion Items

1. Appointment of Enrique Velazquez as Director of Regulatory Services

Councilmember Chowdhury moved approval of the BHZ report minus items 1, 4, and 5. Item 1 (Velazquez nomination) was considered separately. Mayor Frey spoke in support, citing Velazquez’s compassion, collaboration, and progress on homelessness metrics. Several council members praised his leadership, responsiveness, and humane approach to encampments. Councilmember Stevenson opposed, citing a letter from AFSCME workers about unresolved workplace issues and failure to submit a required encampment reporting ordinance. Councilmember Chowdhury expressed concerns about communication gaps and the criminalization approach to homelessness, voting no. Councilmember Chavez also voted no. Other members (Warren, Rainville, Vita, Palmisano, Schaefer) supported, with some noting the difficulty of the role. Vote: 9 ayes, 3 nays (Stevenson, Chowdhury, Chavez).

2. Democracy Center at 3000 Minnehaha (Items 4 & 5)

Councilmember Chowdhury proposed an amendment to require the city (applicant) to consult with downtown Longfellow businesses and finalize a plan for public use of surface parking lots within one month of certificate of occupancy, including ADA accessible spaces. Councilmember Chavez supported the compromise, noting community concerns about design and engagement. Councilmember Palmisano noted that the city would not impose such conditions on private applicants but supported the compromise. Councilmember Schaefer questioned parking revenue implications; staff clarified that decisions on metering rest with property services. Councilmember Stevenson and Chughtai defended the uniqueness of the site due to the trauma of the 2020 uprising. The amendment passed, and the items were approved as a package. Vote: 12 ayes.

3. NIBIN Grant Application (Committee of the Whole Item 2)

Councilmember Chavez opposed the $300,000 grant for the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, citing the statutory purpose language referring to “illegal aliens” and immigration enforcement. She argued the city could fund the upgrade elsewhere and that the grant’s rhetoric dehumanizes immigrants. Councilmember Schaefer supported, noting the grant does not violate the separation ordinance and that MPD needs the tool to solve shootings. Councilmember Chughtai emphasized that the timing (after ICE raids in Minneapolis) demands stronger action against anti-immigrant language. Councilmember Chowdhury opposed, calling “illegal alien” a slur. Vice President Osman supported, stating the grant does not require ICE enforcement and rejecting the grant would harm public safety. Councilmember Warren supported, citing unsolved gun violence in North Minneapolis. City Attorney Shutt confirmed the grant does not require ICE enforcement. Vote: 7 ayes, 5 nays (Chughtai, Chowdhury, Stevenson, Chavez, Payne).

4. Appointment of Dr. Reginald Freeman as Fire Chief

Mayor Frey introduced the nominee, highlighting his experience as chief in Oakland and Hartford, strong support from unions and leaders, and commitment to Minneapolis. Councilmember Vita expressed hesitation due to a lawsuit in his previous department but voted yes based on union support and expectations of accountability. Councilmember Chughtai opposed, citing concerns about Dr. Freeman’s international experience with a project that displaced indigenous peoples and his absence from the meeting (he was in Saudi Arabia). Councilmember Rainville noted that he preferred an internal candidate but voted yes based on union endorsement. Councilmember Stevenson initially concerned about his absence but voted yes, citing strong union support and need for stability. Councilmember Chowdhury supported based on a positive conversation and Dr. Freeman’s track record on diversity and change management. Vote: 10 ayes, 2 nays (Chughtai, Chavez).

5. Unfinished Business: SkyDio Drone Program

Councilmember Vita moved to refer the proposed contract for a drones-as-first-responder pilot program back to staff, citing unanswered questions about the vendor and implications. The motion passed. Vote: 12 ayes.

6. Unfinished Business: May 21 Tie Vote (Resolution for National Search for Community Safety Commissioner)

Councilmember Chavez moved to delete the item from the agenda, correcting a clerical error that had prevented it from being brought forward earlier. The motion passed. Vote: 12 ayes.

Key Outcomes

• Enrique Velazquez confirmed as Director of Regulatory Services (9-3).
• Democracy Center at 3000 Minnehaha approved with an amendment requiring a parking plan (12-0).
• NIBIN grant application approved (7-5), despite opposition over anti-immigrant language.
• Dr. Reginald Freeman confirmed as Fire Chief (10-2).
• SkyDio drone program referred back to staff for further study.
• May 21 resolution (tie vote) deleted from the agenda.
• The council then entered a closed session for litigation briefing (Assad Awajani et al. v. Patel et al.).
• The meeting adjourned with no further business.