Minneapolis City Council Meeting - October 29, 2026

The Minneapolis City Council convened at 9:39 AM on October 29, 2026, with President Elliot Payne presiding. The meeting featured three honorary resolutions, a controversial government restructuring ordinance eliminating the Office of Community Safety, debate on a safe outdoor parking program, and reconsideration of mayoral vetoes related to behavioral crisis response contracts. Multiple votes and discussions highlighted deep divisions over public safety priorities, fiscal responsibility, and homelessness policy.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda (as amended to take up Budget Item 4 and COW Item 1 first) 13-0.
• Accepted minutes from October 15, 2026, meeting 13-0.
• Referred petitions, communications, and reports from proper committees 13-0.
• Passed multiple routine items from standing committees, including Budget items 2 and 3 (community domestic violence navigator funding), Business Housing and Zoning items 1-2, 5-13, 16-19, Climate and Infrastructure items 1-15, Enterprise and Labor Relations items 1-2, Intergovernmental Relations item 1 (resolution on Haiti TPS), and Public Health Safety and Equity items 1-10.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the Domestic Violence Awareness Month resolution, family members and advocates spoke. Janna Williams (aunt of Allison Lucia) criticized systemic failures and demanded accountability. Simone Samuels (sister of Mariah Samuels) shared her grief and called for justice. Cece, a domestic violence navigator with MPD, offered condolences and noted ongoing reform efforts.

Discussion Items

Budget Item 4: Resolution on Government Restructure Savings for Property Tax Relief

Councilmember Vitaw introduced a non-binding resolution (amended) to use potential savings from government restructuring for levy reduction and restoration of proposed budget cuts. The amendment reflected a compromise between levy reduction and restoring services. Councilmembers Wansley, Chugtai, Chowdhury, Vitaw, and others spoke in favor, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and collaboration. The resolution passed 13-0.

Committee of the Whole Item 1: Ordinance to Eliminate the Office of Community Safety (OCS)

Councilmember Chowdhury moved the ordinance, which dissolved OCS and shifted oversight of police, fire, 911, emergency management, and neighborhood safety to the mayor’s office. Supporters (Wansley, Stevenson, Chavez, Chowdhury, Vitaw, Warren, Osman, Payne) argued OCS was a costly bureaucratic layer that hindered public safety reform and lacked accountability. Opponents (Palmasano, Schaefer, Whiting, Rainville) warned it would set back progress on alternatives to policing and centralize too much power. The ordinance passed 9-4 (Palmasano, Schaefer, Whiting, Rainville voting no).

Business Housing and Zoning Items 3 & 4: Safe Outdoor Parking Ordinance

Councilmembers Chavez, Chugtai, Chowdhury, and Stevenson authored an ordinance to create regulated safe parking sites for people living in their vehicles. Supporters stressed it provides safety, dignity, and a pathway to housing, citing models in Duluth. Opponents raised concerns about financial viability, safety enforcement, and livability issues (idling, waste). After debate, the ordinance passed 9-4 (Rainville, Vitaw, Palmasano, Warren voting no; Schaefer also no).

Public Health Safety and Equity Item 11 & Unfinished Business: Behavioral Crisis Response Contracts

Two mayor vetos were reconsidered. First, denial of a contract with Community Bridges Inc. failed to override (7-5), sustaining the veto. Councilmembers then referred the contract back to staff (12-0). Second, a waiver of procurement policies for Canopy Roots LLC (BCR) also failed to override (8-4). Councilmember Chavez then introduced a new motion to amend the original denial to a 12-month extension (down from 18 months). After debate, the amendment passed 8-4 (Stevenson, Chavez, Wandsley, Chugtai, Whiting, Chowdhury, Osman, Payne in favor; Rainville, Vitaw, Palmasano, Schaefer opposed). The underlying motion (the 12-month extension) then carried 8-4.

Budget Committee Item 1: Contracting Authority for Overspending Departments

Councilmember Whiting proposed rescinding procurement contracting authority for departments exceeding annual budget appropriations. An amendment shifted implementation of part of the rule to 2027 and exempted snow emergencies. Passed 11-2 (Vitaw and Warren no).

Business Housing and Zoning Item 15: 2027 License Fee Schedule and High-Risk Rental Fee

Councilmember Wansley successfully amended the fee schedule to add a high-risk rental dwelling license fee of $8,158 (90% cost recovery) to fund enforcement against repeat violators. The fee applies to the highest-risk tier-3 properties. Passed 12-0.

Committee of the Whole Items 3 & 4: Legislative Directives on Community Engagement and Duplicative Services

Councilmember Chowdhury moved to approve the directives and refer them to the Legislative Research Oversight team for further work with administration. Passed 11-0.

Key Outcomes

• Elimination of Office of Community Safety (ordinance passed 9-4) : OCS dissolved; mayor becomes direct authority over all public safety departments effective upon enactment.
• Safe Outdoor Parking legalized (ordinance passed 9-4): Nonprofits, religious organizations, or government entities may operate managed overnight parking sites with security and services.
• 12-month extension of Canopy Roots BCR contract (passed 8-4): Allows continuity while city explores in-house crisis response.
• Mayor’s veto of Community Bridges contract sustained (7-5 to override): Contract remains denied; staff to reconsider.
• New high-risk rental license fee ($8,158) adopted as part of 2027 fee schedule (12-0).
• Budget resolution (non-binding) commits to using restructuring savings for levy reduction and restoration of cuts (13-0).
• Introductory ordinances referred to committees: stormwater program, MPD vehicle purchase accountability, license streamlining, autonomous vehicles, and data center licensing.