Minneapolis Business Housing and Zoning Committee Meeting – September 22, 2026

The Business Housing and Zoning Committee met on September 22, 2026, chaired by Councilmember Jamal Osman. The meeting included a consent agenda, public hearings, and extended discussions on autonomous vehicle regulation, rental license fees, and several development items. A major theme was the absence of city staff due to a mayoral directive, which drew criticism from multiple council members and affected the committee's ability to obtain information on pulled consent items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4 through 19 were approved as a block after items 7, 10, 12, and 13 were pulled for discussion. The approved items included liquor license approvals, gambling licenses, brownfield grant acceptance, contract authorizations, and referrals to staff.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Autonomous Vehicle Ordinance (“Workers Drive Minneapolis”): A large number of public speakers testified over a two-hour period. Key testimony included:
  • Kevin Driscoll (computer systems architect): Raised the “trolley car dilemma” and argued that a safety driver is needed until independent verification of ethical AI decisions is possible.
  • Abdirahman (SEIU Local 26) expressed concern that AVs cannot replace human drivers’ ability to provide care and that 15,000–20,000 driver jobs could be lost.
  • Afron Abdo (blind, with service dog) requested that the ordinance include consequences for AV companies that discriminate against people with disabilities, citing frequent ride denials by human drivers.
  • Matthew McGlory (North Minneapolis resident, 12-year rideshare driver) emphasized his role in the local economy and questioned AV reliability in winter and construction conditions.
  • Sean Stevenson (Downtown East resident) opposed the ordinance as a barrier to innovation and urged statewide rather than local regulation.
  • Jason Milner (speaker) argued that AVs could expand the market and that drivers could benefit by owning autonomous vehicles.
  • Marties Washington (driver) pleaded for workers not to be left behind.
  • Jeff Stromberg criticized the ordinance as lacking data, citing Waymo’s safety record (94% reduction in serious injury/death over 300 million miles) and argued the council was forcing higher costs on consumers.
  • Adam (drivers for 8 years) and others highlighted that human drivers assist elderly and disabled passengers, help with luggage, and provide community support that AVs cannot.
  • Said Mohammed (SEIU Local 26) noted that drivers have invested heavily in vehicles and cannot afford to lose their livelihoods.
  • Abdur Shad Mohammed (driver) stated that money earned by local drivers stays in Minneapolis, unlike AV profits sent to Silicon Valley.
  • Ezra Lee (President of Minnesota Uber Lyft Drivers Association, MULDA) said drivers are not against innovation but asked the council to consider human impact.
  • Justin Salisbury (blind person) expressed hope that AVs could reduce ride denials for people with disabilities, noting that some human drivers deny service due to bias.
  • Rachel Steiner cited a Reuters article about Waymo’s use of remote assistance workers in the Philippines, raising safety and privacy concerns.
  • Phoenix Tremsky (driver, owns a semi-autonomous Tesla) reported that autonomous features attempted to drive into a ditch during construction season, and questioned liability and insurance issues.
  • Forhan Badell (driver, father of three) called the ordinance a “baseline shield” and urged the council to protect immigrant workers over corporate profits.
  • Andrew Sparts (Marcy Holmes resident) argued that autonomous vehicles can be safer than human drivers, gave anecdotes of human driver errors, and cited the long-term inevitability of automation.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – Dissolution of Minneapolis Development Finance Committee: Councilmember Chowdhury requested clarity on the committee’s dissolution and its effect on public transparency. Staff were absent. Councilmember Travis expressed concern that voting without understanding was wrong. The item was delayed to the next cycle by voice vote.
• Item 13 – Release of Mortgage and Restrictive Covenants for Villa Nova Project (Aon): Councilmember Chavez pulled it for information. Rachel Robinson from Aon (nonprofit affordable housing provider) explained that Aon faces foreclosure and needs the city’s release to sell properties to avoid bank takeover. Aon manages 4,912 units total, including 1,902 affordable units in Minneapolis. Councilmembers criticized the mayor’s directive for leaving the council without staff to answer questions. After debate, the item was moved to Committee of the Whole (September 29) by a vote with a second.
• Item 12 – Metro Blue Line Extension Contract: Councilmember Warren expressed opposition without staff input, noting the line’s potential tax increase impact on her ward (Ward 5). She moved to delay; the motion passed.
• Item 7 – 2026 Spring Brownfield Grants: Councilmember ChukTai pulled it to discuss projects. Councilmember Schaefer argued for approval because the grants are already awarded and delay would disrespect applicants. Councilmember Warren supported approval. After back-and-forth, the item was moved to Committee of the Whole (September 29) on a revised motion.
• Autonomous Vehicle Regulation Ordinance (Workers Drive Minneapolis): Presented by Councilmember Robin Wansley and co-authors (Osman, Chowdhury, Chavez). The ordinance requires AV companies to obtain a license, mandates a human safety monitor in the driver’s seat (with Minnesota driver’s license and minimum wage), and prohibits remote-only operation. It would take effect October 2027 to allow time for a city staff study and state legislative action. Key positions:
  • Supporters (Co-authors, many public speakers) argued the ordinance protects 10,000+ rideshare jobs, mainly held by low-income immigrant workers, and prevents exploitation by big tech. They emphasized a proactive approach to regulation.
  • Opponents (e.g., Sean Stevenson, Jeff Stromberg, Andrew Sparts) argued the ordinance is a de facto ban, ignores AV safety records, limits consumer choice, and should be addressed at the state level.
  • Councilmember Schaefer questioned why the ordinance was being brought to a vote before a Legislative Reference Officer (LRO) report was completed. Co-authors stated briefings had been offered to all council members. Councilmember Warren said she was not invited to a briefing. The public hearing was continued to Committee of the Whole on September 29.
• 2027 License Fee Schedule: Councilmember Chavez proposed an amendment to increase rental license fees (tiers 1, 2, 3, including short-term) by 10% over 2026 amounts to move toward cost recovery (from 64% to an estimated 70%). Councilmember Schaefer preferred to wait for a comprehensive study and noted that rental properties already bear a large share of property tax increases. Councilmember Warren supported the increase but asked about inspection frequency. The amendment passed (7-0). Then a motion to delay the item to October 6 business housing and zoning committee passed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved except items 7, 10, 12, 13 (pulled).
• Item 10 (Dissolution MDFC): Delayed to next cycle.
• Item 13 (Villa Nova/Aon mortgage release): Moved to Committee of the Whole (September 29) with a second.
• Item 12 (Blue Line contract): Delayed.
• Item 7 (Brownfield grants): Moved to Committee of the Whole (September 29).
• Public Hearing – Cliff & Norms Bar entertainment license: Approved.
• Public Hearing – 1029 Bar liquor license: Approved.
• Autonomous Vehicle Ordinance: Public hearing continued to Committee of the Whole on September 29, 2026; full council vote scheduled for October 1 if passed from committee.
• 2027 License Fee Schedule: Amendment to increase rental license fees by 10% passed; item delayed to October 6, 2026, for further staff input.

Other Notable Themes

• Multiple council members criticized Mayor Jacob Frey’s directive that city staff would not attend committee meetings for consent items unless pulled. Councilmembers Chavez, ChukTai, Chowdhury, and Travis argued it hindered transparency and governance. Councilmember Rainville called for finding a middle ground on time management.
• Councilmember Osman, as chair, noted he would delay items when staff were absent, as occurred with several items.