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Record of Proceedings

Minneapolis Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee Meeting Summary - October 20, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, October 20, 2026
BodyMinneapolis, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 20, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:56:25

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:17

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:19

Welcome to the regular business housing and zoning committee.

0:22

For October 20, 2026, my name is Jamal Osman, and I'm the chair of this committee.

0:27

I will call this meeting in order.

0:30

We'll be using speaker management.

0:32

Colleagues, please uh make sure you uh sign

Unassigned speaker

0:35

up.

Speaker 1

0:36

At this time, I'll ask clerk to call the roll so we can verify a quorum.

Speaker 2

0:41

Councilmember Rainbow.

0:44

Warren, present.

0:46

Schaefer, present.

0:48

Chavez.

Speaker 3

0:49

Present.

Speaker 2

0:49

Chip Tai is absent.

0:51

Vice Chair Chowdhury.

0:52

Present.

0:53

And Chair Osman.

0:54

Present.

0:55

There are six members present.

Speaker 1

0:58

We have a quorum.

0:59

Our agenda is front of us.

1:01

We will begin with the consent agenda.

1:04

Agenda is item five through twelve.

1:06

Item five approves liquor seven liquor license.

1:10

Item six approves 31 liquor license renewals.

1:13

Items seven.

1:16

Approved seven gambling license.

1:19

Item eight approves fifteen gambling license renewals.

1:23

Item nine, authorized financial agreement with twin cities habitat for humanity.

1:28

Item 10 accepts the legacy grant for Minneapolis.

1:32

Settlement housing project.

1:34

Item 11 approves the certification of Batunwa TIFF district.

1:40

And lastly, item 12 sets a public hearing for November 5th, 2026 to consider ordinance related to the commercial leasing.

1:49

With that, do any of my colleagues have any motion or any discussion on this?

1:56

See none.

1:57

I'll move all items for approval on set item 12 for a public hearing on November 5th.

2:03

All those in favor say aye.

2:05

Aye.

2:06

And those opposed say nay.

2:08

The ayes have it, and the motion carries.

2:11

Now we will be moving to our public testimony portion of the agenda.

2:16

Item one through four.

2:18

For everyone watching, those who might participate in public hearing.

2:22

Let me offer this notice.

2:23

This hearing are being recorded and broadcasted, both recording and broadcast, are classified as a public data under Minnesota government data practice.

2:34

By attending and participating in this proceeding, your image and any testimony or information that you provide will be subject to disclosure under the law.

2:43

That includes, but not limited to your attendance, your name, and other personal details.

2:52

Um with that.

3:00

We have been joined by Councilmember Chowri.

3:05

Oh my god, I made a mistake too.

3:08

Councilmember Chuktai, welcome.

3:11

Apologies.

3:14

Our first public hearing is an on-sale tap room and off-sale growless license for mixed culture.

3:24

Priori.

Unassigned speaker

3:31

Thank

Speaker 4

3:31

you, Chair Osman and committee members.

3:32

I am district supervisor Max Cervantes for Licenses and Consumer Services.

3:37

I'm presenting an application from Mixed Culture LLC, doing business as mixed culture brewery located at 4461 Minnehaha Avenue, located in Ward 12.

Unassigned speaker

3:48

The

Speaker 4

3:49

applicant is requesting an on-sale tap room limited entertainment Sunday sales license as well as an off-sale growler license.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness███████████████████████████████████████39%
Public Health██████████10%
Land Use and Zoning██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Procedural███████7%
Liquor Licensing█████5%
Public Housing█████5%
Public Works████4%
Public Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Minneapolis Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee Meeting Summary - October 20, 2026

The Minneapolis Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee convened on October 20, 2026, chaired by Councilmember Jamal Osman. The committee addressed a consent calendar, four public hearings, and several discussion items, including a major policy vote on the Safe Outdoor Parking ordinance, a site plan review appeal, and updates on Heritage Park and the 38th & Chicago Thrive Plan.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 5 through 12 were approved en bloc, including liquor and gambling license approvals, a financial agreement with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, a legacy grant, TIF district certification, and setting a public hearing for November 5, 2026.

Public Hearings & Testimony

1. Mixed Culture Brewery License

  • Staff: Max Cervantes presented the application. Community feedback: 6 of 7 comments in support. Applicant requested on-sale tap room and off-sale growler licenses.
  • Applicants: Co-owners Chusha and Kevin Welch stated their goal was to create a welcoming, community-anchored gathering space. Kevin Welch stated the business would be "responsible to the neighborhood."
  • Council: Councilmember Chowdhury praised the investment and moved approval. The motion carried unanimously.

2. Wheelhouse Studio Extended Hours License

  • Staff: Inspector Beth Dominguez presented the application for a 24-hour pottery studio access license. Zero community comments were received.
  • Applicant: Owner Michelle Garens expressed excitement about the project.
  • Outcome: Approved unanimously.

3. Safe Outdoor Parking Ordinance

  • Sponsors: Councilmembers Chavez, Chowdhury, and Chuk Tai presented the ordinance package, combining zoning and business licensing to allow managed overnight parking for people experiencing homelessness.
  • Public Testimony:
    • Support: Tyler Simmerman called it a "proven bridge back into housing stability." Grace Gerhardt, a previously unhoused resident, stressed the importance of safety and dignity. Mike Hoffman, a shelter operator, urged the committee to "move away from fear."
    • Concerns/Opposition: MyTech T. Tooth Hill expressed skepticism about regulation. Robin Russell argued the timing was wrong and a 300-foot notification radius was insufficient. Councilmember Schaefer explicitly opposed the ordinance, calling it "premature" without a clear financial model for nonprofits and given current city budget cuts.
    • Critical: Nat Paul Pula and Reese Kendall characterized the ordinance as a "band-aid" that neglects people without vehicles and fails to address root causes.
  • Council Debate:
    • Councilmember Warren shared a deeply personal story of her cousin's death and her own experience, expressing significant conflict over safety concerns (drugs, trafficking, liability) but voting to move the policy forward for further discussion.
    • Councilmember Chavez introduced an amendment for an annual public outcomes report. The amendment was adopted.
    • Vice Chair Chowdhury cited successful data from Duluth's Safe Bay program: 164 individuals served, 17 transitioned to permanent housing, and only 8 police calls over six months.
    • Councilmember Osman voiced strong support, stating the city is in an emergency situation and asking opponents for their alternative solutions.
  • Vote: The motion to approve the ordinance package and forward it to the full City Council carried.

4. Site Plan Review Appeal (44th St W & Chowen Ave S)

  • Appellant: Property owner Chris Murphy argued the approved plan did not ensure public health and safety regarding a shared driveway easement and a proposed pad transformer location.
  • Applicant & Staff: Architect Jessica Harner stated the project complies with the zoning code and drainage or transformer issues will be resolved during the PDR process. Planning staff recommended upholding the Planning Commission's decision.
  • Outcome: The committee voted to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's approval.

Discussion Items

Heritage Park Relocation & Rehabilitation (Items 13 & 14)

  • Presentation: CPED staff presented a contract amendment with North Point Health and Wellness ($175,000 for relocation services) and an update on the legislative directive. 31 of 81 eligible households opted into relocation by the October 15 deadline.
  • Controversy: Councilmember Warren sharply criticized a $500,000 plan to replace furnaces in unoccupied units, calling it "wasting money" and "hustling backwards" since the buildings require complete gutting. Councilmember Chuk Tai expressed frustration that Regulatory Services staff were not present to answer questions about inspection processes.
  • Outcome: The committee sent the items to the full Council without recommendation.

Trio Development (Item 21)

  • The committee approved a revised recommendation to modify affordability limits on six of ten units from 60% to 80% AMI and to waive the subsidy land requirement.

2027 License Fee Schedule (Item 17)

  • An amendment was approved to set a 90% cost recovery rate for rental license fees.

Colfax Avenue Rental License Reinstatement (Item 18)

  • The committee approved reinstatement for 3016/3018 Colfax Ave S after the owner paid over $4,000 in back fees and met all compliance requirements.

Sabathany Community Center Loan Subordination (Item 19)

  • Approved a request to subordinate a city loan, allowing the center to secure $4.9 million for a geothermal system installation.

Upper Harbor Performing Arts Center (Item 20)

  • Approved a $2 million loan at 7% interest to Port of Minneapolis for construction cost overruns, and approved revised lease terms for a rideshare lot and billboards.

38th & Chicago Thrive Plan (Item 22)

  • The legislative directive response was received and filed. Councilmember Chavez raised concerns about the allocation of $1.2 million in funds, specifically regarding the use of a "carve-out" model from existing programs.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar approved.
  • Mixed Culture Brewery and Wheelhouse Studio licenses approved.
  • Safe Outdoor Parking Ordinance approved in committee and sent to full City Council for final consideration.
  • Site Plan Appeal denied; development project upheld.
  • Heritage Park items forwarded without recommendation.
  • Trio Development, License Fee Schedule, Colfax Reinstatement, Sabathany Subordination, and Upper Harbor PAC all received committee approval.
  • 38th & Chicago Thrive Plan report filed.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the regular business housing and zoning committee. For October 20, 2026, my name is Jamal Osman, and I'm the chair of this committee. I will call this meeting in order. We'll be using speaker management. Colleagues, please uh make sure you uh sign up. At this time, I'll ask clerk to call the roll so we can verify a quorum. Councilmember Rainbow. Warren, present. Schaefer, present. Chavez. Present. Chip Tai is absent. Vice Chair Chowdhury. Present. And Chair Osman. Present. There are six members present. We have a quorum. Our agenda is front of us. We will begin with the consent agenda. Agenda is item five through twelve. Item five approves liquor seven liquor license. Item six approves 31 liquor license renewals. Items seven. Approved seven gambling license. Item eight approves fifteen gambling license renewals. Item nine, authorized financial agreement with twin cities habitat for humanity. Item 10 accepts the legacy grant for Minneapolis. Settlement housing project. Item 11 approves the certification of Batunwa TIFF district. And lastly, item 12 sets a public hearing for November 5th, 2026 to consider ordinance related to the commercial leasing. With that, do any of my colleagues have any motion or any discussion on this? See none. I'll move all items for approval on set item 12 for a public hearing on November 5th. All those in favor say aye. Aye. And those opposed say nay. The ayes have it, and the motion carries. Now we will be moving to our public testimony portion of the agenda. Item one through four. For everyone watching, those who might participate in public hearing. Let me offer this notice. This hearing are being recorded and broadcasted, both recording and broadcast, are classified as a public data under Minnesota government data practice. By attending and participating in this proceeding, your image and any testimony or information that you provide will be subject to disclosure under the law. That includes, but not limited to your attendance, your name, and other personal details. Um with that. We have been joined by Councilmember Chowri. Oh my god, I made a mistake too.

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