>> GOOD MORNI. WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SUPER COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. MY NE IS AURIN CHOWDHURY, AND I'M THE CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE. THE LAST FEW MONTHS ON THE CITY COUNCIL WE HAVE HAD A TEMPORARY RESTRUCTURED WORK IN A SINGLE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. THAT MEANS ALL OF OUR COMMITTEES ESSENTIALLY HAVE BEEN CONSOLIDATED INTO THIS ONE COMMITTEE. ALL ITEMS CONSIDERED TODAY WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE FULL COUNCIL FOR ITS CONSIDERATION AT THE MEETING THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 9th.
THIS IS OUR FINAL SUPER MEETING THAT WE HAVE SCHEDULED. I KNOW YOU ALL ARE SO SAD. AND YOU WILL REMEMBER THE MEMORIES THAT WE MADE TOGETHER VERY FONDLY. [ LAUGHTER ] AFTER THIS WEEK, WE WILL BE
RETURNING TO THE ADOPTED STRUCTURE AND SCHEDULE BEGINNING ON MONDAY, APRIL 13th. AS USUAL THESE MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMED FROM OUR PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNELS AND THE CITY'S WEBSITE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY. HAVING SAID THAT, I REALLY DO
WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES OWHO WERE PATIENT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND TO STAFF ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, FOR THEIR FLEXIBILITY, TO ADAPTING
TO THIS TEMPORARY STRUCTURE, NOT ONLY FOR THIS MEETING BUT THE MANY AGENDA SETTINGS THAT WE HAVE HAD TOGETHER. FOR SPENDING COUNTLESS HOURS IN THE OVERFLOW, WAITING FOR THE ITEM THAT YOWERE GOING TO SPEAK TO, AND ALSO THANK YOU TOR
REALLY, REALLY TREMENDOUS WORK AND EFFORT. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR POLICY AIDES AS WELL. THIS WAS CERTAINLY NOT THE START OF THE TERM THAT WE EXPECTED, BUT EVERYONE ROSE TO THE OCCASION AND WE HAVE REALLY BEEN ABLE TO CARRY OUT SIGNIFICANT
BUSINESS FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FROM THE START OF THIS YEAR UP UNTIL THIS CYCLE IN OUR FINAL SUPER COW. WITH THAT, I'LL CALLHIS MEETING TO ORDER AND ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL TO VERIFY THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM.
>> COMMISSIONER PAYNE >> PRESENT >> COMMISSIONER WONSLEY >> PRESENT >> RAINVILLE >> PRESENT >> ASSET >> PRESENT >> WARREN >> PRESENT. >> OSMAN IS ABSENT. SCHAFFER. >> PRESENT >> STEVENSON >> PRESENT. >> CHAVEZ. >> PRESENT. >> WHITING >> PRESENT. >> PALMISANO >> PRESENT.
>> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> PRESENT >> CHOWDHURY. >> PRESENT. >> 12 MEMBERS PRESENT. >> LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WEAVE A QUORUM. BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING LET ME OFFER A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO EVERYONE THAT THESE MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE TO ENABLE GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
THE BROADCAST INCLUDE REAL TIME CAPTIONING TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALL SPEAKERS BE MINDFUL OF THE RATE OF THEIR SPEECH SO THAT OUR CAPTIONERS CAN FULLY CAPTURE AND TRANSCRIBE ALL COMMENTS FOR THE BROADCAST.
WE ASK ALL SPEAKERS TO PLEASE MODERATE THE SPEED AND CLARITY OF THEIR COMMES TODAY. COLLEAGUES, YOU SEE FROM THE INTED AGENDA, THAT WE DO HAVE A VERY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ITEMS TO ADDRESS TODAY I. KNOW YOU'RE VERY SURPRISED. I WILL EXPLAIN HOW I PLAN TO
PROCESS THIS AGENDA AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT PROCESS AND TIMELINE FOR THIS MEETING. FIRST, I PLAN TO TAKE UP AND DISPOSE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. I WILL NOTE THAT IF A CONSENT ITEM IS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, THAT ITEM WILL BE ADDRESSED AT
THE END OF THE MEETING TODAY. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DISCUSS THEM BERE THE MEETING ENDS, THEY WILL BE MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING ON THURSDAY. MY INTENT IS TO TAKE UP THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THE FIRST SIX
PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR AGENDA BEFORE BREAKING FOR LUNCH AT NOON. AND SO WE'RE AIMING FOR NOON. IF WE ARE ON THAT LAST ITEM AND IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT AFTER NOON, WE'LL CONTINUE FORWARD UNTIL IT'S FINISHED.
OR IF WE HIT NOON BEFORE WE HIT THAT SIXTH ITEM, ME AND THE CLERKSILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A DISCUSSION, BUT THAT'S THE AIM, THAT WE'RE GOING TO BREAK AT NOON. AND THEN AFTER LUNCH, WE WILL RECONVENE. AND THE REALLY IMPORTANT THING IS THAT AT 130 THAT WE ARE TIME
CERTAIN ON TAKING UP THE APPOINTMENTS OF CITY ATTORNEY, CITY OPERATIONS OFFICER, AND COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY LISTED AS ITEM 7-9 ON OUR AGENDA. AND SO, COLLEAGUES, I'LL ASK FOR
YOUR ASSIST IN THIS IF THERE ARE ANY THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS. BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO START TIME CERTAIN AT 1:30 FOR THOSE APPOINTMENTS. SO IF THERE'S ANOTHER ITEM THAT'S STILL IN THE QUEUE, WE MIGHT JUST NEED TO SWITCH THINGS UP SO WE CAN START TIME CERTAIN AT 1:30.
FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL CONTINUE WITH OR BEGIN THE DISCUSSION ITEMS, AND THEN ANY ITEMS THAT ARE MOVED FROM DISCUSSION FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA... I DID MAKE A REQUEST FOR CAPTIONING TO HAPPEN UNTIL 6
P.M. I AM GOING TO CALL DIFFENT SHORT TEN-MINUTE BREAKS AS NECESSARY FOR MEMBERS ON THE BODY. WE ALL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR NEEDS ARE MET. THESE ARE REALLY LONG MEETINGS, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THAT OPPORTUNITY. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORDER OF THIS MEETING BEFORE
ADOPTING THE AGENDA? GREAT. WITH THAT, MAY I PLEASE HAVE A MOTION TO APT THE AGENDA AS I'VE DESCRIBED IF? >> SO MOVED. >> [ AYES RESPOND ]. MOTION PASSES. COLLEAGUES, WE WILL NOW TAKE UP
THE CONSENT AGENDA. FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE, I'LL NOTE THAT WE WILL BE TAKING COMMENTS DURING THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AFTER THIS. IF YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE DURING ANY OF THESE HEARINGS, AND YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY SIGNED IN, WE INVITE YOU TO REGISTER WITH THE CLERKS AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE LOCATED
IN THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE OF THIS CHAMBER. YOU MAALSO PROVIDE WRITTEN COMMENTS AND MATERIALS FOR THE RECORD TO THE CLERKS AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES NOW TO REGISTER IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO. I'LL NOW SUMMARIZE THEONSENT AGENDA, WHICH INCLUDES ITEMS
NUMBERED 1055 THROUGH -- NUMBER 10-55 ON THE AGENDA. >> ITEM TEN IS A DATION OF PACKER TRUCKS TO OUR SISTER CITY, ELDORET, KENYA. ITEM 11 IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION. ITEM 12 IS A LEGAL SETTLEMENT OF
OPIOID CLAIMS AGAINST SIX DEFENDANTS. ITEM Y ADOPTS FINDIS AND APPROVES SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRE CHIEF POSITION. ITEMS 14 THROUGH 17 ARE LIQUOR AND GAMBLING APPROVALS AND RENEWALS. ITEM 18 AND 19 ARE GRADE STREET
LOAN APPROVALS. ITEM 20 IS ACCEPTING A GRANT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES. ITEM 21 IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION ITEMS 22 AND 23 ARE CONTRACTED BID RELATED TO MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER. ITEMS 24 THROUGH 28 ARE
REFEING TO STAFF, THE SUBJECT MATTER OF VARIOUS ORDINANCES. ITEMS 29 THROUGH 31 ARE AUTHORIZING CONTRACTS FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SERVICEAT VARIOUS EVENTS. ITEMS 32 THROU 34 ARE AUTHORIZING MASTER CONTRACTS.
ITEM 35 IS AUTHOZING A CONTRACT RELATED TO THE 2026 HOMEGROWN COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS ITEM 36 IS A GRANT ACCEPTANCE. ITEM 37 IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE. ITEMS 38 AND 39 ARE REFERRING T STAFF. THE SUBJECT MATTER OF VARIOUS
ORDINANCE. ITEMS 40 AND 41 ARE BOTH SETTING PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR APRIL 15th MEETINGS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY EQUITY COMMITTEE. THE FIRST FOR THE SUBJECT MATTER OF AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO ENCAMPMENT REPORTING POLICY, AND THE SECOND FOR IMMIGRATION
STATUS OF RENTERS. ITEM 42 AUTHORIZES AN AGREEMENT WITH MNDOT RELATED TO 42nd STREET. ITEM 43 IS AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY EASEMENT. ITEMS 44 AND 45 ARE ACCEPTING GRANTS RELATED TO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
ITEM 46 DESIGNATES THEEST FULTON NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, ADOPTS THE REPORT AND RELATED COST ESTIMATE AND SCHEDULES A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 18th 2026. ITEMS 47 THROUGH 50 ARE VARIOUS BIDS FOR PUBLIC WORK PROJECTS
AND PROGRAMS. ITEM 51 IS A MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE OPEN MOBILITY FOUNDATION. ITEMS 52 AND 53 ARE VARIOUS BIDS. ITEM 54 IS A GIFT ACCEPTANCE. AND LASTLY, ITEM 55 IS RECEIVING
AND FILING APPOINTMENTS TO THE NOH SIDE GREEN ZONE TASK FORCE THAT COMPLETES THE SUMMARY OF MY CONSENT AGENDA. BEFORE I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS SUMMARIZED, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR
COMMENT OR DISCUSSION? I WILL NOTE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER SCHAFFER HAS MENTIONED TO ME AHEAD OF THE MEETING THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEMS 24 THROUGH 28 FOR DISCUSSION. AND SO THAT WILL GO AT THE END OF OUR DISCUSSION AGENDA.
AND THEN I'LL ASK IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COUNCI MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO PULL ANY OTHER ITEMS. VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM NUMBER 13, JUST FOR A SEPARATE VOTE. >> A SEPARATE VOTE, NO DISCUSSION, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> EXCELLENT. MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR COMMENT OR DISCUSSION? WITH THAT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA EXCEPT FOR THOSE ITEMS THAT WE LISTED? >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [ AYES RESPOND ] THOSE ON PACED SAY NAY. THE CONSENT AGENDA PASSES. GREAT.
AND THEN WE'RE TAKING A SEPARATE VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER 13. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> AYE. >> WONSLEY. >> AYE. >> RAINVILLE >> AYE. >> ASSET. >> AYE. >> WARREN. >> AYE.
>> SCHAFFER. >>YE. >> STEVENSON. >> AYE. >> CHAVEZ. >> AYE >> WHITING >> AYE. >> PALMISANO >> AYE >> CHUGHTAI. >> NAY. >> CHOWDHURY. >> AYE. >> THAT IS 11 AYES AND ONE NAY. >> THAT PASSES.
NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS REFLECTED IN ITEMS ONE THROUGH SIX ON THE AGENDA. AGAIN, ANYBODY WHO SIGNED UP FOR THES ITEMS WILL GIVE... WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES EACH TO TESTIFY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE SEE OUR CLERKS AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE OUTSIDE IN
THE HALL. FOR EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MAY PARTICIPATE IN OUR HEARINGS OR A COMMENT PERIOD, LET ME OFFER THIS NOTICE TO YOU. THESE HEARINGS ARE BEING RECORDED AND BROADCAST. BOTH THE RECORDING AND BROADCAST ARE CLASSIFIED AS PUBLIC DATA
UNDER THE MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT DATA PRACTICES ACT. BY ATTENDING AND PARTICIPATING IN THESE PROCEEDINGS, YO IMAGE AND ANY TESTIMONY OR INFORMATION THAT YOU PROVIDE WL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE UNDER THAT LAW. THAT INCLUDES BU IS NOT LIMITED TO YOUR ATTENDANCE YOUR NAME, AND OTHER PERSONAL DETAILS YOU
PROVIDE. AS WELL AS ANY TESTIMONY OR COMMENTS YOU PROVIDE, WHICH INCLUDES ANY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS YOU MAY MAKE, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD FOR THIS MEETING. OUR FIRST PUBLIC HEARING IS FOR
A LIQUOR WITH SUNDAY SALES GENERAL ENTERTAINME 2 A.M. LICENSE FOR FORE AVERAGE -- FOR RANCHITO TAQUERIA. LOCATED AT 1821 LAKE STREET. I'LL INVITE LICENSE INSPECTOR AKBAR MUHAMMAD TO GIVE US THE
STAFF BRIEFING ON THIS ITEM. WELCOME, MR. MUHAMMAD. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS. I AM INSPECTOR AKBAR MUHAMMAD WITH LICENSES AND CONSUMER SERVICES. I'M PRESENTING AN APPLICATION FROM EL RANCHITO TAQUERIA, LLC
I, N C DBA AS EL RANCHO TAQUERIA LOCATED AT 1821 LAKE STREET EAST IN WARD NINE. THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED AN ON SALE LIQUOR GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT WITH SUNDAY SALES 2 A.M. LICENSE. IF APPROVED, THEY INTEND TO HELP
THEY INTEND TO PLAN TO SERVE LIQUOR WINE AND BEER TO COMPLEMENT THEIR EXISTING FOOD MENU. THIS WILL BE A FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT SERVING AUTNTIC MEXICAN FOOD. THEY WILL PROVIDE KARAOKE, MARIACHI, DJ AND LIVE MUSICIANS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS THAT WILL
ALLOW FOR PATRONS DANCING. THE PREMISES INCLUDES THE GROUND LEVEL OF 1821 LAKE STREET ST. THERE ARE BOOTHS TABLES, AND SOME BENCH SEATING, AND HAS A TOTAL OF 120 INDOOR SEATS.
HOURS OF OPERATION... MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 9 A.M. TO 10 P.M., AND FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, 9 A.M. TO 1:30 A.M. ON. ON MARCH 13th, 119 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES WERE SENT TO RESIDENTS, PROPERTY OWNERS, AND
POSTED ALL RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH FOUR OR MORE UNITS WITHIN 600 FEET OF THE PREMISES. NOTICES WERE ALSO SENT TO THE POWDERHORN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND LAKE STREET COUNCIL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION,
AND COUNCIL MEMBER JASON CHAVEZ WE RECEIVED ONE COMMENT FROM THE MMUNITY WITH CONCERNS REGARDING NOISE, POTENTIAL FOR PATRON BEHAVIOR AND GENERAL NUISANCES. THIS CONCERN WAS COMMUNICATED TO THE BUSINESS.
THE SECURITY PLAN FOR THIS BUSINESS WAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE THIRD PRECINCT MPD. OUR REVIEW OF 311 CALLS, POLICE CALLS, SHOWED NO PROBLEM AT THIS BUSINESS SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING AT THIS LOCATION SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2025.
THE LICENSING AND CONSUMER SERVICES DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF AN ON SALEIQUOR GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT WITH SUNDAY SALES 2 A.M. LICENSE. THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AT THIS TIME I WILL STAND FOR ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
PRESENTATION. I'LL NOW OPEN THIS PUBLIC HEARING. THE FIRST PERSON THAT IS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS SAUL CRUZ MARTINEZ. >> IS THERE A SAUL CRUZ MARTINEZ?
HERE TO SPEAK? OKAY. WE'LL GIVE IT A SECOND TO SEE IF THEY ARE AROUND. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD
LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM? >> MADAM CHAIR, I WAS ONLY GOING TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE OVERFLOW ROOM AND SO PEOPLE MIGHT BE COMING IN FROM THE... >> HELLO.WELCOME, YOU'RE SAUL? WELCOME.
PLEASE COME UP. YOU WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS SAUL CRUZ MARTINEZ. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF EL RANCHITO TAQUERIA. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS MINNEAPOLIS. WE ARE SEEKING LIQUOR SALES FOR OUR BUSINESS. WE ARE A SMALL BUSINESS AT THE
MOMENT. WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND TO A BIGGER BUSINESS. WE WANT TO BRING ENTERTAINMENT, LIVE MUSIC, JUST GROW FROM A SMALL BUSINESS TO A BIGGER BUSINESS IN OUR CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WE REVISE AND REVIEWED OUR
SAFETY PLAN FOR THIS LIQUOR SALE. WE WOULD LIKE TO ENSURE SAFETY, PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING, COMPLY WITH THE LAWS, AND MAINTAIN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT. WE HAVE A PLAN IN MIND. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SAFETY AS
OUR MAIN CONCERN. WE HAVE SURVEILLANCE, CROWD CONTROL, INCIDENT RESPONSE, AND STAFF WHO WOULD BE CERTIFIED AND ACKNOWLEDGE THESE RULES.
WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS APPROVED JUST SO WE CAN GROW AS A BUSINESS, LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, AND EXPAND FROM THERE. >> GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IS THERE ANY... OH, BEFORE THAT, I'LL ASK ONE MORE TIME, WOULD
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY, I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE ELSE, SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ORQUESTE MEMBERS? COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY.
I'D JUST LIKE TO MOVE THIS FOR APPROVAL AND CONGRATULATE THE OWNERS. >> GREAT. WE HAVE MOVED THAT FOR APPROVAL AND WE HAVE GOTTEN A SECON AND I'LL JUST GET IN DISCUSSION TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TO OUR CHAMBERS TODAY.
AND DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. IT'S REALLY EXCITING TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS EXPANDING, AND I THINK THE ADDITION OF MARIACHI IS GOING TO BE JUST SUPER INCREDIBLE, AND JUST LIFT UP THE EXPIENCE AT THE RESTAURANT. SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS AS WELL TODAY. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD
LIKE TO GET INTO DISCUSSION? OKAY, WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY. AND THEN WE HAVE THE MOTION. SO ALL THOSE IN SAY AYE. >> [ AYES RESPOND ] >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT PASSES. CONGRATULATIONS.
THE SECOND HEARING IS FOR AN EXTENDED HOURSF OPERATION LICENSE FOR RAMADAN'S CAFE LOCATED AT 1813 FOURTH STREET SOUTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS IN WARD THREE. I'LL INVITE BUSINESS LICENSING MANAGER AMY LINGO TO GIVE US A
BRIEFING ON THIS ITEM. WELCOME, MS. LINGO. >> THANK YOU CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS. MY NAME IS AMY LINGO AND I AM THE MANAGER FOR LICENSES AND CONSUMER SERVICES. I'M PRESENTING AN APPLICATION FOR ABDALLA FOOD INCORPORATED DBA AS RAMADAN'S CAFE, WHICH IS
LOCATED AT 813 FOURTH STREET SOUTHEAST IN WARD THREE. THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING AN EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION LICENSE. IF APPROVED, THEY INTEND TO EXTEND THEIR BUSINESS HOURS TO BE OPEN LATER THAN CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED, SPECIFICALLY UNTIL 2 A.M. DAILY. RAMADAN CÉ WILL BE A SIT DOWN
AND GRAB AND GO CAFE AND COFFEE SHOP. THEY WILL BE OFFERING BARY AND DESSERT ITEMS, ALONG WITH HOT AND COLD NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. THEY WILL HAVE 50 INTERIOR SEATS, AND THERE WILL BE NO LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. THEY ARE REQUESTING TO EXTEND THEIR BUSINESS HOURS TO 2 A.M. DAILY. CURRT APPROVED HOURS ARE 6
A.M. TO 10 P.M., SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 6 A.M. TO 11 P.M. FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. ON MARCH 16th, 83 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES WERE SENT TO RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 600FT OF THE PREMISES. NOTICES WERE ALSO SENT TO THE EAST BANK NEIGHBORHOODS
PARTNERSHIP, AND COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. WE HAVE RECEIVED FOUR COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY. TWO WERE IN SUPPORT OF THIS APPLICATION, BUT THEY DID HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE PARKING ISSUES, DRIVER VISIBILITY WITH ADDITIONAL PARKED CARS IN THE AREA, AND CONCERNS FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING LATE. TWO WERE OPPOSED, AND THEIRCONCF
MORE NOISE, DISTURBANCES, CRIME, AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT THE AREA MIGHT BRING. ANY REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS, 311 CALLS, POLICE CALLS, AND ANY OPERATING CONDITIONS, I FOUND NO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES CONCERNING THE BUSINESS AND INSURANCE OF THE LICENS THEY HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED A
SECURITY REVIEW WITH THE SECOND POLICE PRECINCT. THE LICENSES AND CONSUMER SERVICES DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION LICENSE. THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. AT THIS TIME I WILL STAND FORAN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, MS. LINGO. I WILL NOW OPEN THIS PUBLIC
HEARING. WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP, SO I WILL JUST ASK ONCE AGAIN IF THERES ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. OKAY, SEEING NO ONE WISHING TO SPEAK, AND I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE
COME IN FROM THE OVERFLOW, I WILL CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO GET INTO DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER RAINBOW COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IS ANY REPRESENTATIVE FROM THIS ORGANIZATION HERE TODAY BY ANY CHANCE? THANK YOU. SO I'M GOING TO MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS, AND I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO THE THIRD WARD. I BELIEVE THAT YOU'LL RUN A GOOD
BUSINESS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH YOU ONCE ALL THE ADDITIONS AND APPROVALS... >> EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU. >> ... AND THE REMODELING IS APPROVED. >> THANK YOU. JUST... MY NAME IS RAMADAN HUSSEIN, AND I AM THE OWNER OF
RAMADAN'S CAFE. >> SO BEFORE YOU START I'M GOING TO OPEN BACK UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> OKAY, I'M SORRY. >> AND I WILL HAVE YOU SIGN UP WITH THE CLERKS AFTER YOU'RE DONE. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS US. SO PLEASE GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> MY NAME IS RAMADAN HUSSEIN. I'M THE OWNER OF RAMADAN'S CAFE.
AND RAMADAN'S CAFE IS GOING TO BE A SMALL CAFE, SMALL SITDOWN CAFE, NONALCOHOLIC, JUST A SAFE SPACE FOR THE NEIGHBORS AND THE STUDENTS TO ENJOY A LATE NIGHT QUIET GATHERING. AND IT'S GOING TO BE MONITORED.
OUR STAFF ARE GOING TO BE MONITORING THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE. THE PLACES WILL BE VERY WELL LIT. IT WILL BE A VERY GOOD ADDITION TO THE AREA. I OWN THE BUSINESS NEXT DOOR TO IT, TOO, FOR 14 YEARS. AND WE'VE BEEN IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THIS 14 YEARS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES. AND WE'RE JUST ADDING AN
ADDITION TO PEOPLE WHO JUST LIKE TO HANG OUT AT LATE NIGHTS IN A PEACEFUL, SAFE PLACE, AND ENJOY IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS? >> NO QUESTIONS. >> SO I JUST WANT TO FINISH.THAG
TODAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO A PEAFUL, SAFE OPERATION.>> THANK YOU. >> MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COULD I PLEASE HAVE A MOTION FOR THIS ITEM? >> SO MOVED. >> GREAT.
AL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. >> [ AYES RESPOND ]. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION PASSES. CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU. >> MADAM, CHAIR, IF THE CLERK WOULD MAKE THAT I DID MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> YES. NEXT TIME PLEASE CLARIFY THAT YOU'RE MAKING THE MOTION. OUR NEXT HEARING IS A PROJECT APPROVAL AND ASSESSMENT RELATED TO THE FAIRVIEW SOUTH RESIDENTIAL RESURFACING PROJECT. I'LL INVITE HAZEL WOLF FROM
PUBLIC WORKS TO GIVE A QUICK PRESENTATION ON THIS ITEM. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMITTEE CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. MY NAME IS HAZEL WOLF, AND I AM A SUPERVISING ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN WITH PUBLIC WORKS I'M HERE TO PRESENT YOU THE FAIRVIEW
SOUTH RESIDENTIAL RERFACING PROJECT AND RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $389,118.15 FOR THE FAIRVIEW SOUTH RESIDENTIAL RESURFACING PROJECT, AND PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EIMATE AND TAXATION AUTHORIZED THE CITY'S ISSUANCE
AND SALE OF ASSESSMENT BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $389,118.15 FOR THE PROJECT. FAIRVIEW SOUTH RESIDENTIAL RESURFACING PROJECT, SOUTH OUR RESIDENTIAL OUR LOCAL STREETS BOUNDED BY THIRD STREET NORTH TO LYNDALE AVENUE NORTH AND 21st AVENUE NORTH TO 26th AVENUE
NORTH. THIS AREA WAS RECONSTRUCTED IN 1993 AND HAS A PAVEMENT CONDITION INDEX OF 39. PUBLIC WORKS HOSTED A VIRTUAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON MONDAY, MARCH 23rd AT 6 P.M. THERE WERE 208 INVITATIONS MAILED, AND ZERO ATTENDEES CAME
TO THIS MEETING. ON FEBRUARY 17th, 2026, THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATED THE IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED TO THE 2026 STREET RESURFACING PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT RESURFACING PROGRAM IS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF SOME CITY STREETS, WHICH ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR ANY PREVENTATIVE
MAINTENANCE, RENOVATION, OR RECONSUCTION IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THIS RESURFACING PROGRAM IS ADDRESSING CITY STREETS THAT ARE AT A POINT IN THEIR LIFE CYCLE WHERE A NEW SURFACE WILL EXTEND THE STREET'S LIFE, IMPROVE RIDE QUALITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY, AND HELP SLOW THE OVERALL DETERIORATION OF OUR CITY STREET SYSTEM.
THE PROPOSED STREET RESURFACING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS WERE DETERMINED BY APPLYING THE 2026 UNIFORM ASSESSMENT RATES TO THE LAND AREA OF BENEFITED PARCELS LOCATED WITHIN THE SEET INFLUENCE ZONE ALONG THE IMPROVED STREETS. INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN THE NOTICES AS TO HOW PERSONS MAY PREPAY THE SPECIAL
ASSESSMENTS IN FULL WITHOUT INTEREST IF THEY SO CHOOSE. CITY COUNCIL HAS PASSED RESOLUTIONS WHEREBY A DEFERMENT OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED BY SHOWING HARDSHIP FOR ANY HOMESTEAD PROPERTY OWNED BY A PERSON 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, RETIRED BY VIRTUE OF PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY,
OR MILITARY PERSONNEL, ORDERED INTO ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE. THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. AND I AMVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. I'LL NOW OPEN UP THIS PUBLIC HEARING, AND I'LL ALSO NOTE WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE CURRENTLY
SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM. SO I WILL JUST ASK THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT ARE HERE TODAY, IF THERE IS AONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE FAIRVIEW SOUTH RESIDENTIAL RESURFACING PROJECT BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WITH THAT, I WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ORDISCU? COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MOVE THIS FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PGH SECOND. >> AL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [ AYES RESPOND ] THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT PASSES.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, ITEM NUMBER FOUR, OUR NEXT HEARING IS A PROJECT APPROVAL AND ASSESSMENT RELATED TO THE WHITTIER NORTHEAST RESIDENTIAL RESURFACING PROJECT. I'LL INVITE RYAN GOTTLIEB FROM PUBLIC WORKS TO GIVE US A BRIEF
PRESENTATION ON THIS ITEM. WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMITTEE CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. MY NAME IS RYAN GOTTLIEB, AND I'M A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITH PUBLIC WORKS HERE TO PRESENT TO YOU ON THE WHITTIER NORTHEAST RESURFACING PROJECT AND RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION ORDERING THE WORK TO PROCEED AND
ADOPTING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS IN TH AMOUNT OF $590,791.71 FOR THE WHITTIER NORTHEAST RESURFACING PROJECT, AND PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION AUTHORIZE THE CITY'S ISSUANCE AND SALE OF ASSESSMENT BONDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $590,791.71 FOR THIS PROJECT. WHITTIER NORTHEAST RESIDENTIAL, STREETS BOUNDED BY FRANKLIN AVENUE WEST TO 26th STREET WEST, NICOLLET AVENUE SOUTH TO FOURTH AVENUE SOUTH. THIS AREA S RECONSTRUCTED IN
1997 AND HAS A PAVEMENT CONDITION INDEX OF 29. PUBLIC WORKS HOSTED A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING ON MARCH 31st, 2026, AT 6 P.M. THERE WERE 210 INVITATIONS MAILED. ONE ATTENDEE CAME TO THIS MEETING. ON FEBRUARY 5th, 2026, THE
CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATED TH IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED TO THE 2026 ASPHALT PAVEMENT RESURFACING PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT RESURFACING PROGRAM IS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF SOME CITY STREETS, WHICH ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR ANY PREVENTAVE MAINTENANCE, RENOVATION, OR
RECONSTRUCTION IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THIS RESURFACING PROGRAM IS ADDRESSING CITY STREETS THAT ARE AT A POINT IN THEIR LIFE CYCLE WHERE A NEW SURFACE WILL EXTEND THE STREET'S LIFE, IMPROVE RIDE QUALITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY, AND HELP SLOW THE OVERALL DETERIORATION OF OUR
CITY STREET SYSTEM. THE PROPOSED STREET RESURFACING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS WERE DETERMINED BY APPLYING THE 2026 UNIFORM ASSESSMENT RATES TO THE LAND AREA OF BENEFITED PARCELS LOCATED WITHIN THE STREET INFLUENCE ZONE ALONG THE IMPROVED STREETS.
INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TN THE NOTICES MAILED TO THEM AS TO HOW PERSONS MAY PREPAY THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS IN FULL WITHOUT INTEREST, IF THEY SO CHOOSE. CITY COUNCIL HAS PASSED RESOLUTIONS WHEREBY A DEFERMENT OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED BY SHOWING HARDSHIP FOR
ANY HOMESTEAD PROPERTY OWNED BY A PERSON'S 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, RETIRED BY VIRTUE OF PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY ORILITARY PERSONNEL ORDERED INTO ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE. THIS COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION. AND I'M AVAILABLE TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS THE COMMITTEE MIGHT HAVE.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I WILL NOW OPEN THIS PUBLIC HEARING. THE FIRST PERSON THAT WE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS CHARLES BLOCK. WELCOME UP. AND A REMINDER TO ALL
TESTIFIERS, YOU WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES EACH, AND THEN THERE'A CLOCK RIGHT THERE FOR YOUR REFERENCE. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CHARLES BLOCK, AND I LIVE IN OWN PROPERTY AT 2520 STEVENS AVENUE. I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER THE AMOUNT OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, BECAUSE THE
BENEFIT TO ADJACENT HOMEOWNERS IS LIMITED COMPARED WITH THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USE THIS STREET SERVES. THE MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART RECEIVES OVER A HALF MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY. THE CHILDREN'S THEATER, OVER A QUARTER MILLION. AND THE MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN BRINGS HUNDREDS
OF STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND VISITORS DAILY. MANY OF THESE PARK ON SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL STREETS, THUS LIMITING THAT BENEFIT FOR RESIDENTS. STEVENS AVENUE ALSO REGULARLY CARRIES FIRE DELIVERY AND REFUSE TRUCKS, AND DURING THE RECENT MAJOR FIRST AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION, WE SAW FREQUENT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HAULED IN
ON SEMI-TRAILERS, ETC. SOME OF THESE WEIGH OVER 100,000 POUNDS, FOLKS. THE WONDERFUL MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART ALONE RECEIVES OVER $12 MILLION ANNUALLY FROM THE HENNEPIN COUNTY PARK MUSEUM PROPERTY TAX LEVY, SUPPORTING FREE PUBLIC ACCESS FOR THE ENTI REGION.
THAT SHOWS THAT THIS IS A GENERAL PUBLIC BENEFIT, NOT JUST A SPECIAL BENEFIT FOR THE NEIGHBORS. GIVEN THAT, I RESPECTLLY ASK THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER TREATING A LARGER PORTION OF THIS RESURFACING COST AS A GENERAL CITY BENEFIT RATHER THAN A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT. MY QUESTION FOR STAFF, IF YOU'D
BE ABLE TO GIVE THIS QUESTION IS... HOW DOES THE CITY DETERMINE WHEN A STREET SERVING MAJOR PUBLICLY FUNDED INSTITUTIONS AND CARRYING SUBSTANTIAL TRAFFIC SHOULD BE FUNDED MORE AS A GENERAL PUBLIC BEFIT RATHER THAN THROUGH SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS SUCH AS THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? I'M WAITING TO SEE IF ANYONE COMES RUNNING OUT TO THE DOOR
OVER THERE. OKAY, SEEING NO ONE ELSE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS. VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS
ITEM AND ASK FOR A SECOND. >> SECOND. >> GREAT. AWESOME. WE SOMEWHERE A MOTION BEFORE US. AND THEN I DO THINK THAT THE QUESTION THAT THE MEMBER IN THE
AUDIENCE ASKED WAS A FAIR ONE, AND I WANTED TO SEE IF ANYONE FROM PUBLIC WORKS WOULD BE WILLING TO ADDRESS IT AND THEN CONSIDER TALKING TO MR. BLOCK AS WELL AFTER THIS ITEM IS DISPOSED
OF. MR. HANLDLIN. >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, MY NAME IS JEFF HANLON. I'M A PRINCIPAL PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OVERSEEING THE
OFFICE THAT CALCULATES AND ADMINISTERS PUBLIC WORKS SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS. AS MR. BLOCK TESTIFIED, RESURFACING PAVEMENT PROJECTS ARE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC.
THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS POLICY IS TO INCLUDE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AT A UNIFORM RATE FOR ALL STREET RESURFACING PROJECTS IN THE ENTIRE CITY.
SINCE THE PROJECT IS IN INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FUND ONLY A PORTION OF THE PJECT COSTS. THE REST OF THE PROJECT IS FUNDED BY. EXCUSE ME... CITYWIDE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES, SUCH AS PROPERTY TAX SUPPORTED
NET DE BONDS AND NONRESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES THAT ARE ASSESSED AT ABOUT THREE TIMES THE RATE AS RESIDENTIAL PRERTIES, BECAUSE THEY TEND TO GENERATE MORE AND HEAVIER TRAFFIC. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT'S REALLY HELPFUL
INFORMATION. SO WE HAVE THE MOTION BEFORE US AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [ AYES RESPOND ] THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT PASSES. NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER FIVE. A PUBLIC HEARING THAT IS RELATED
TO THE APPOINTMENTS OF VARIOUS APPLICANTS TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. I'LL INVITE BRAD ELLIS FROM THE COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO GIVE US A STAFF BRIEFING. WELCOME, MR. ELLIS. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY,
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. TODAY WE HAVE... OR THIS MORNING THERE IS APPOIMENTS TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. WE HAVE TWO REAPPOINTMENTS, ANNA CALLAHAN AND ANNIE WANG. BOTH WHO HAVE RVED VERY WELL. AND ANNIE WANG IS CURRENTLY THE VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT. AND THEN TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS ISHMAEL ISRAEL, AND GEORGE SHANNON, WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, EXCITED I THINK TO GET STARTED AND START SERVING ON THE BOARD. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL ASK IF ANY OF THE MEMBERS ARE HERE, IF THEY WERE PLANNING
ON COMING AND SPEAKING TODAY. >> I KNOW MR. ISRAELAS GOING TO ATTEMPT TO COME, BUT ALSO WITH THE OVERFLOW, I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SEE, SO I'M NOT SURE. >> NO WORRIES. WITH THAT I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING AND SEE IF THERE
IS ANYONE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK ON THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APPOINTMENTS. OKAY, SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THAT PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANY MEMBERS THAT HAVE
ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION FOR MR. ELLIS? OKAY. GREAT. I'LL JUST SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO APPLIED AND ARE NOW BEING APPOINTED. IT'S REALLY A VERY IMPORTANT
BODY THAT DOES A LOT OF WORK THAT OFTENTIMES WE SEE AS COUNCIL MEMBERS COME BACK TO OUR BUSINESS, HOUSING AND ZONING COMMITTEES, AND INFORMS THE DECISIONS THAT WE END UP MAKING THERE. SO REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS TAKING TIME OUT OF THEIR BUSY LIVES TO SERV THE CITY.
WITH THAT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [ AYES RESPOND ] THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT PASSES. >> THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT, ITEM NUMBER SIX, OUR NEXT PUBLIC HEARING IS AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED THE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DECRIMINALIZATION ORDINANCE, ALSO KNOWN AS CARE OVER CRIMINALIZATION. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND I ARE BOTH THE AUTHORS OF THIS
ORDINANCE. I WILL INVITE COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ TO SPEAK FIRST, AND THEN I WILL ALSO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET THE PRESENTATION IN QUEUE. BUT COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, YOU'RE KICKING US OFF. >> THANK YOU. I'LL JUST WAIT FOR THE SCREEN TO GO UP. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY.
TODAY WE'RE PRESENTING THE CARE OVER CRIMINALIZATION ORDINANCE COAUTHORED BY MYSELF, CHAIR CHOWDHURY, MINORITY LEADER WANSLEY COMMISSIONER WONSLEY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, AND COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. THIS IS ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS MAKING A DELIBERATE POLY CHOICE TO ALIGN OUR CITY CODE WITH THE
STATE'S 2023 DECISION AND AFFIRM THAT WE TREAT DRUG USE AS A HEALTH ISSUE NOT A CRIMINAL ONE. IN 2023, THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE MADE A CLEAR POLICY DECISION THAT REPEALED THE STATE LAW CRIMINALIZING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION, WHICH WAS MADE EFFTIVE AUGUST 1st, 2023.
THIS WAS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR TIM WALZ. THIS ORDINANCE IS ALIGNING THE CODE WITH STATE LAW. THAT MEANS LEANING FOUR SECTIONS, AMENDING A FIFTH, AND ADDING THE WORD "TWO" MEANT TO
CLEAN UP THE REMAINING LANGUAGE. THIS SECTION REPEALS 220 INTRODUCTION IMPLEMENTS WHICH CRIMINALIZES THE POSSESSION OF HYPODERMIC NEEDLES AND SYRINGES WITHOUT YSICIAN CERTIFICATE, WE'RE CHOOSING TO APPEAL IT, BECAUSE IT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM CARRYING CLEAN NEEDLES AND PUSHES THEM TOWARDS SHARING,
WHICH COULD SPREAD INFECTION. SECTION 223.20 WE ARE REPEALING THAT SECTION THE POSSESSION OF OPIUM SMING PARAPHERNALIA, WHICH PROHIBITS POSSESSION OF ITEMS LIKE STEMS AND BOWLS USED FOR OPIUM SMOKING. NEXT SLIDE.
THIS SECTION REPEALS 223.23 THAT CURRENTLY PROHIBITS THE POSSSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, SINCE THE STATE HAS REPEALED THIS LAW ALREADY KEEPING THIS IN OUR CITY CODE MEANS MINNEAPOLIS IS MORE PUNITIVE THAN THE STATE AND IT CURRENTLY MAKES IT A MISDEMEANOR. THAT'S INCONSISTENT AND WRONG.
THIS SECTION REPEALS THE ADDED EXTRA LAYER OF CRIMINALIZATION FOR POSSESSION IN PUBLI THAT MAKES IT A MISDEMEANOR. CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE FOR HAVING PARAPHERNALIA IN PUBLIC IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF ENFORCEMENT THAT DRIVES PEOPLE AWAY FROM SERVICES AND INTO HARM. AND THIS LAST SECTION, WE'RE
AMENDING RATHER THAN FULLY REPEALING. WE'RE STRIKING THE LANGUAGE THAT CRIMINALIZED CASUAL DELIVERY AND NARROWING THE PROHIBITION TO MANUFACTURING PARAPHERNALIA FOR DELIVERY. THIS KEEPS A MEANINGFUL PROHIBITION ON COMMERCIAL SCALE DISTRIBUTION WHILE REMOVING CRIMINALIZATION OF EVERYDAY
POSSESSION AND SHARING. >> ALL RIGHT, I'M UP NEXT. ALL RIGHT, WHY IS THIS POLICY IMPORTANT? SO, FIRST OF ALL, IT ALIGNS WITH
THE VALS OF OUR CITY, IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. VALUES OF EQUITY JUSTICE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES. IN 2023, AS COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ STATED, MINNESOTA MADE HISTORY. IT BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO DECRIMINALIZE THE
POSSESSION OF ALL DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. AND IT WAS ALSO SIGNED BY GOVERNOR TIM WALZ, AND CURIOUS ENOUGH, IT HAD SUPPORT OF REPUBLICANS, WALTER HUDSON, REPRESENTATIVE WALTER HUDSON, SOMEONE THAT'S USUALLY NOT IN
THE SAME, I WOULD SAY SAME SIDE ON VOTES WITH US, WAS IN SUPPORT OF THIS MEASURE. AND SO WE'RE BRINGING THIS FORWARD TO BE IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATE LAW. THIS REFORM DIDN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT.
IT WAS GROUNDED IN DECADES OF EVIDENCE, PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH, AND THE LIVED REALITY OF COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS. FOR, YEARS PARAPHERNALIA LAWS WERE BASED ON A SIMPLE ASSUMPTION. THAT PUNISHING THE TOOLS OF DRUG
USE WOULD REDUCE DRUG USE ITSELF. BUT THE EVIDENCE TELLS A VERY DIFFERENT STORY. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THESE LAWS DO NOT REDUCE DRUG USE. INSTEAD, THEY PUSH PEOPLE AWAY FROM LIFE-SAVING SERVICES. THINK ABOUT THAT IF. SOMEONE FEARS ARRESTS FOR CARRYING A CLEAN SYRINGE,
FENTANYL TESTING STRIP, A PIPE, THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO TAKE STEPS THAT COULD PREVENT OVERDOSE OR DISEASE. THAT'S NOT PREVENTION. THAT'S RISK AMPLIFICATION. MINNESOTA'S REFORMS RECOGNIZES THESE REALITIES.
BY REMOVING CRIMINAL PENALTIES, THE STATE OPENED THE DOOR FOR HARM REDUCTION, SAFER USE PRACTICES, BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES, AND STRONGER CONNECTIONS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAMS, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE PROVEN TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF HIV AND HEPATITIS
BY AS MUCH AS 50%. THAT IS WHAT A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH LOOKS LIKE. IT LOOKS LIKE MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, RATHER THAN PUNISHING THEM FOR BEING THERE... RATHER THAN PUNISHING AND CRIMINALIZING THEM FOR
HAVING AN ADDICTION, WHICH IS A DISEASE. WE ALSO HAVE TO CONFRONT THE BROADER CONTEXT: THE WAR ON DRUGS. FOR DECADES, DRUG POLICY IN THIS COUNTRY HAS RELIED ON CRIMINALIZATION, LEADINGO MASS INCARCERATION, RACIAL
DISPARITIES, AND LIFELONG CONSEQUENCES FOR LOW-LEVEL OFFENSES. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN JAILED DENIED HOUSING CUT OFF FROM EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, NOT FOR HARMING OTHERS BUT FOR POSSESSING TOOLS ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONAL USE. AND EVEN NOW WE SEE THAT LINGERING HARM.
INDIVIDUALS CAN STILL FACE SEVERE PENALTIES TIED TO OUTDATED INTERPRETATIONS OF DRUG LAWS, SHOWING HOW DEEPLY EMBEDDED THESE PUNITIVE APPROACHES REMAIN. MINNESOTA'S REFORM IS A STEP TOWARDS UNDOING THAT HARM. IT SIGLS A SHIFT FROM PUNISHMENT TO PREVENTION, FROM STIGMA TO SUPPORT.
BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM... OUR LOCAL POLICIES IN MINNEAPOLIS HAVEN'T FULLY CAUGHT UP. THE GOOD THING IS WE CAN ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM TOD. DESPITE STATE-LEVEL DECRIMINALIZATION, ELEMENTS OF OUR CITY'S CODE STILL CRIMINALIZPARAPHERNALIA. THIS CREATES CONFUSION FOR
RESIDENTS, INCONSISTENCY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND BARRIERS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ORGAZATIONS, JUST TRYING TO DO THEIR WORK. IF THE STATE HAS RECOGNIZED THESE LAWS AS HARMFUL AND INEFFECTIVE, WHY WOULD WE, THE LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, OFTENTIMES ON THE CUTTING EDGE, MAINTAIN THEM AT
THE LOCAL LEVEL? ALIGNING MINNEAPOLIS POLICY WITH STATE LAW IS NOT JUST ABOUT LEGAL CONSISTENCY. IT IABOUT SAVING LIVES. IT'S ABOUT ENSURING THAT PEOPLE CAN ACCESS CAN SUPPLIES, BUT ALSO, WHEN THEY'RE IN NEED, THEY'RE NOT AFRAID TO ASK FOR
HELP OUT OF FEAR OF CRIMINALIZATION. BECAUSE ADDICTION TAKES TIME TO ADDRESS. AND IT OFTEN ISN'T PRETTY, RIGHT? RELAPSE IS A REALITY. AND SO CREATING CONDITIONS FOR CARE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT OF THAT IS THE BEST
WAY FORWARD TO ADDRESS ADDICTION IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THIS IS ONE REALLY SMALL STEP THAT WE CAN TAKE AS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND THAT IS THE PRESENTATION ON OUR END. BEFORE WE TAKE UP QUESTIONS FROM
MEMBERS,E WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. THE FIRST PERSON THAT WE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING IS ARIELLE MCHENRY. WELCOME.
>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. CHAIR CHOWDHURY, VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, MY NAME IS ARIELLE MCHENRY, AND I'M THE COALITION ADMINISTRATOR FOR IMPACT MN, A STATEWIDE CROSS-SECTOR COALITION PROMOTING HEALTH-BASED APPROACHES TO DRUG USE.
I LIVE IN WARD 13 IN THE FULTON NEIGHBORHOOD, AND LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO, I HAVE A CHILD AT LAKE HARRT COMMUNITY SCHOOL. I'M HERE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF ORDINANCE 00096, CARE OVER CRIMINALIZATION. WHEN PEOPLE DON'T FEAR CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
POSSESSION, POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOLLOW. THEY'RE MORE LIKELY T DISPOSE OF USED SYRINGES PROPERLY, MORE LIKELY TO SEEK OUT HARM REDUCTION SERVICES, AND HARM REDUCTION PROVIDERS CAN REACH MORE RACIALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE POPULATIONS. IMPORTANTLY, THIS REFORM DOES NOT REMOVE PENALTIES ASSOATED WITH POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES THEMSELVES. L OF THIS IS WHY IN 2023, MINNESOTA BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO REMOVE MOST PENALTIES FOR PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION. BUT STATE LAW PERMITS LOCAL JURISDICTIONS TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN ORDINANCES. AS A RESULT, BETWEEN 2023 AND
NOVEMBER 2025, THERE WERE OVER 1000 PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION CHARGES BROUGHT IN MINNEAPOLIS, NOT COUNTING STOPS OR ARRESTS. THESE CHARGES FALL HARDEST ON LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND UNDERMINE THE REAL PROGRESS THE CITY HAS MADE INDDRESSING DRUG USE WITH A PUBLIC HEALTH LENS.
THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR. CRIMINALENALTIES DON'T HELP PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS. THEY PUSH THEM TOWARD UNSAFE PRACTICES IN AWAY FROM SERVICES. BY CONTRAST PEOPLE CONNECTED TO SYRINGE SERVICES PROGRAMS ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ENTER TREATMENT. THIS REFORM HAS BROAD SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE THE
ALIVENESS PROJECT, NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CLINIC, AND SOUTHSIDE HARM REDUCTION SERVICES, TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHICH DID NOT OPPOSE THE 2023 STATE CHANGE, AS WELL AS THE MINNESOTA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. TO FULLY ALIGN WITH STATE LAW, WE RECOMMEND ALSO THAT ALL FORMS
OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ARE DECRIMINALIZED, TO AVOID UNINTENTIONALLY LEAVING LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW. REMOVING... [ ALARM ] >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER TWO, JUSTIN TERRELL.
WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MINNESOTA JUSTICE RESEARCH CENTER, AND WE SERVE INCOALITIOD
SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION COMING BEFORE YOU TODAY. AND I'LL JUST KEEP MY REMARKS SHORT, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT ARI SORT OF SPOKE TO A LOT OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. SO THIS IDEA THAT WE SHOULD FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON
CRIMINALIZING PARAPHERNALIA AND POSSESSION IS HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC WE NEED OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITIES DOING WORK, SOLVING CRIMES, WORKING BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, HELPING PEOPLE WHO HAVE ISSUES WITH DRUG ADDICTION TO GET THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED
AND FIND THE SUPPORT IN OUR NEIGHBORLY COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN ON DISPLAY FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I WILL SHARE THAT, LIKE WHAT ARI HAD SHARED, THAT IN 2023, THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE MOVED IN THIS DIRECTION. BUT IN ADDITION, YOU KNOW, WE
HAVE A PATCHWORK OF CITIES AND LOCALITIES ACROSS THE STATE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT LAWS AND RULES AND WAYS ABOUT APPROACHING THIS ISSUE. SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO DEFINE
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA BROADLY TO MATCH THE STATE LAW, COVERING ALL MATERIALS USED TO MANUFACTURE OR CONSUME SUBSTANCES. THIS HELPS TO CREATING A NARROW LIST THAT LEAVES SOME ITEMS
CRIMINALIZED. SO IF YOU BROADLY DEFINE IT, YOU CAN STILL ADDRESS SOME CONCERNS THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES, MEMBERS MAY HAVE. ALSO, I'D ENCOURAGE YOU TO CLARIFY THAT THE PRESENCE OF RESIDUAL AMOUNT OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITHIN PARAPHERNALIA IS NOT CRIMINALIZED.
SO, ADDRESSING WHAT IS THIS IDEA... SO THIS IDEA OF POSSESON AND WHAT'S IN THE PARAPHNALIA IS... I WOULD ARGUE LESS IMPORTANT THAN SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. [ ALARM ] >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER THREE, JAY OWEN.
WELCOME >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS DR. JAY ORN, AND I OWN A HOME IN THE LONGFELLOW NEIGHBORHOOD IN WARD NINE. I'M ALSO A RESEARCH SCIENTIST AND THE MANAGER OF THE HIV PREVENTION AND HARM REDUCTION DEPARTMENT AT THE ALIVENESS PROJECT HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS. I'M ALSO A PERSON IN LONG-TERM
RECOVERY FROM DRUG ADDICTION. SO EVERY DAY I HELP RUN A MOBILE HARM REDUCTION VAN THAT PROVIDES STERILE SYRINGE SUPPLIES, NALOXONE, WOUND CARE, HIV TESTING, AND DIRECT CONNECTIONS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVIC. WE MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE,
AND ARE OFTEN THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT THEY TRUST. THE CURRENT CITY ORDINANCE CRIMINALIZING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DIRECTLY UNDERMINES HIV PREVENTION, AND I URGE YOU TO ALIGN IT WITH STATE LAW. WE KNOW FROM DECADES OF PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH THAT ACCESS TO STERILE SUPPLIES IS ONE OF THE
MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PREVENT HIV. WHENEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO CARRY OR TAKE THE SUPPLIES THAT WE OFFER, BECAUSE OF CRIMINALIZATION, THEY REUSE AND SHARE EQUIPMENT. AND THIS IS A DIRECT CAUSE OF THE HIV CRISIS HERE IN OUR CITY. YOU KNOW, IT ALSO PUTS OUTREACH
WORKERS IN AN IMPOSSIBLE POSITION. MY TEAM IS FUNDED AND CONTRACTED BY T STATE AND COUNTY TO REDUCE HIV TRANSMISSION, YET UNDER LOCAL LAW, THE SUPPLIES THAT WE CARRY ARE CRIMINALIZED. THAT CONTRADICTION UNDERMINES THE HIV PREVENTION THAT IS FUNDED BY OUR STATE AND COUNTY.
SO FROM BOTH A PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I CAN TELL YOU THAT PEOPLE ENTER RECOVERY FROM THROUGH TRUST, ACCESS, AND CONSISTENT ENGAGEMENT, NOT FEAR AND PUNISHMENT. REPEALING THIS ORDINANCE IS A CRITICAL STEP TO PREVENT HIV, PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, AND
SUPPORT REAL PATHWAYS INTO RECOVERY. SO I THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHOWDHURY, AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER FOUR. MATTHEW EMERSON. WELCOME. COUNCIL MEMBERS, GOOD MORNING.
AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY TO DISCUSS PARAPHERNALIA AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF DECRIMINALIZING MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS THAT PERTAIN TO DRUG USE IN OUR FAIR CITY. I HAVE PERSONALLY WELCOMED HOME OVER 400 PEOPLE FROM JAILS,
INSTITUTIONS ON DEATH'S DOOR IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I DIRECT A RECOVERY COMMUNITY BASED ON SUPPORTING JUSTICE IMPACTED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO OFFER HOUSING TO OFFENDERS WHO GET OUT OF PRISON AND HAVE NOWHERE TO GO BY OFFERING TEMPORARY AND DIGNIFIED HOUSING. THIS WORK HAS BROUGHT ME TO THE
DOORS OF SOME CHALLENGING SITUATIONS.A PERSON WITH 23 CATA SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY, PARAPHERNALIA, OVERDOSE DEATH, AND MANY VARYING SITUATIONS IN BETWEEN. I DO MY BEST AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS' PATHS OF GROWTH, MEETING THEM
WHERE THEY BEGIN, AND BRINGING THEM AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. FOR EXAMPLE, CURRENTLY I'M ADVOCATING FOR A CARRENTAL, WHO WAS CAUGHT WITH A VERY, VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF FENTANYL, DUE TO THEIR DRUG USE, AFTER COMING TO AMERICA AND BEING EXPOSED TO OUR EPIDEMIC. BECAUSE OF THIS INDIVIDUAL'S
GREEN CARD STATUS, THIS MINUSCULE AMOUNT OF FENTANYL THEY POSSESS IN THEIR HAND,WHIL, WILL CAUSE HIM TO LOSE HIS GREEN CARD PERMANENTLY. WE MUST ASSIST IN PROTECTING FOLKS LIKE THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY BY GIVING PROSECUTORS THE ABILITY TO LOWER THIS CHARGED
PARAPHERNALIA, OR TAKE SOME ACTION TO AVOID A DEATH SENTENCE OF RETURNING TO A COMMUNITY WHERE REAL GENOCIDE IS OCCURRING BECAUSE OF PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS HERE IN MINNESOTA. SITUATIONS SUCH AS THIS SHOULD PROVIDE JUSTICE OFFICIALS' DISCRETION.
IT IS OUR HOPE THAT OUR CITY, PUBLIC ROADWAYS, TRAINS AND BUSSES, BE PROTECTED FOR ALL RESIDENTS THROUGH THE USE OF DISCRETION AND TOOLS RELATED TO ACCOUNTABILITY TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMB FIVE. UMBERTO... >> MY NAME IS PEDRO FERNANDEZ. I'M FROM WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE GIVE IT TOO MUCH FREEDOM.
I MEAN, I LIVE IN NICOLLET. FRANKLY, DOWNTOWN YOU SEE POLICE THERE, THEY'RE NOT DOING NOTHING. 73 IN NICOLLET, FULL OF PEOPLE THERE. TOO MUCH FREEDOM. WE GET TOO MUCH CHOICE.
WE GIVE A NEEDLE, THERE'S NO MENTAL HOSPITAL, DR.'S NO HELP FOR THEM. SO WE WASTE TIME TALKING ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS AND DO THAT. THE BEST WAY YET IS GIVE IT TOO MUCH FREEDOM. THAT'S SIMPLE. BECAUSE WE'RE WASTING TIME, AND
MONEY. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GO TO MENTAL HOSPITAL, YOU KNOW, A SCHOOL. WE GIVE TOO MUCH FRDOM. I USED TO WORK AS A PROFESSIONAL COOK. I TRAVEL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
IN MISSOURI, BEFORE YOU GET YOUR EBT YOU DO THAT DRUG TEST. CAROLINA, IT'S CLEAN. I MEAN, EVERYBODY TALKING ABOUT THEY NEED HELP. EVERYBODY NEED HELP. BUT YOU GIVE MORE FREEDOM, AND
NOW YOU CAN BUY IN THE STORE, EVERYTHING YOU NEED CAN, THEY GIVE IT TO THEM. I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I'VE SEEN EVENTUALLY, I DON'T CARE, THEY DON'T CARE TO LOSE TH PLACE, BECAUSE YOU GIVE EVERYTHING. YOU PAY FOR THE HOUSE, AND THEN THEY GO IN EVERY... LIKE RIGHT
NOW, YOU GO INTO MY CORNER IN FRANKLIN NICOLLET, THEY'RE THERE. WE LIVE A HAPPY LIFE. WE GIVE TOO MUCH. TOO MUCH FREEDOM. I MEAN, EVERYTHING IS HANDED TODAY. WE TAKE CARE OF YOU.
AND A GUY FIVE TIMES DUI, AND STILL THEY DIDN' GET HELP. WASTED TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ ALARM ] >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER SIX, ANDRE CORBIN.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT SAVING LIVES, WE DON'T NEED TO LOOK VERY FAR. IN OREGON, VOTERS PASSED MEASURE 110 IN 2020, DECRIMINALIZING POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF DRUGS. BUT IN 2024, AFTER GROWING
CONCERNS AROUND SOARING OVERDOSE RATES, PUBLIC DRUG USE AND LIMITED ENGAGEMENT WITH VOLUNTARY TREATMENT, STATE LEADERS ROLLED BACK KEY PARTS OF THE LAW. OREGON HAS NOW REINTRODUCED CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DRUG POSSSION WHILE ALSO CREATING
DEFLECTION PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ROUTE INDIVIDUALS INTO TREATMENT INSTEAD OF JAIL. REMOVING ACCOUNTABILITY ENTIRELY IS NOT ENOUGH. STRUCTURED INTERVENTION IS
NECESSARY TO DRIVE REAL OUTCOMES. TRUE COMPASSION MEANS HOING TWO IDEAS AT ONCE. PEOPLE DESERVE SUPPORT, TREATMENT, AND DIGNITY. MMUNITIES ALSO DESERVE SAFETY, STABILITY, AND SHARED STANDARDS.
ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF COMPASSION IT IS OFTEN THE PATHWAY TO IT. CREATING A SYSTEM WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE, WHETHER THROUGH COURTS, DIVERSION, OR REFLECTION PROGRAMS, INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL ACCESS SERVICES A BEGIN MAKING
DIFFERENT CHOICES. CONSISTENT ENGAGEMENT, NOT TOTAL DISENGAGEMENT IS WHAT DRIVES RECOVERY. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, AS IT IS WRITTEN, ESSENTIALLY THROWS OUT THE BABY WIT THE BATHWATER, AND DOES NOT CONSIDER THE ALREADY
EXTREMELY CHALLENGING CONDITIONS THIS CITY FACES AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND ADDICTION. WE SUPPORT MORE TARGETED AMENDMENT THAT CLEARLY DISTINGUISHES MARIJUANA AND HEMP-RELATED PARAPHERNALIA REFLECTING CURRENT LAW. HOWEVER, EXTENDING THESE CHANGES
BROADLY TO INCLUDE PARAPHERNALIA ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCES, SUCH AS FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE... [ ALARM ] >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER SEVEN, STEPHANIE P P.
WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM HERE TO RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAIT THE LEGALIZATION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN OUR COMMUNITY.
MY NAME IS STEPHANIE PANAZ, AND I AM A LONGTIME REDENT OF UPTOWN. I HAVE SEEN THE DIRECT EFFECTS OF NOT TAKING PROACTIVE MEASURES TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUFFERING OM MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TO THE SERVICES THEY DESPERATELY NEED.
WE HAVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONNECTING THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE NEEDS AND SERVICES THEY REQUIRE. THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT DO THAT. BECAUSE HARMEDUCTION IS
IMPORTANT, LEGALIZATION ALONE DOES NOT PROVIDE TREATMENT, RECOVERY, OR ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS DID NOT WORK IN OREGON, AND IT WILL NOT WORK HERE. I REPEAT... IT DID NOT WORK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER EIGHT, BOBBY GASS. WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS BOBBY GASS. I'VE BEEN WORKING IN PUBLIC HEALTH HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS FOR 15 YEARS.
AND I STARTED THE HARM REDUION PROGRAM AT THE HENNEPIN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC, JUST NEXT DOOR.THE DISTRIBUTION OF HARM REDUCTION SUPPLIES IS A LONG-PROVEN EFFECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE. I WON'T REITERA EVERYTHING THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, BUT IN ADDITION TO REDUCING
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND VIRUSES, IT ALSO RUCES SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS AMONGST OUR RESIDENTS, EOCARDITIS, AND SEPSIS. THIS HAS A PROFOUND IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE, AND SAVES THIS TY THOUSANDS IN MEDICAL EXPENSES. THIS ORDINANCE WOULD PROMOTE
MORE PEOPLE TO CONSISTENTLY ENGAGE WITH CARE AND SERVICES. PEOPLE COME TO OUR CLINIC FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES THAT REDUCES THE HARMS OF SUBSTANCE USE. THEY ALSO CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, NURSES,Y HEALTH SPECIALISTS FOR SUBOXONE
FOR RECOVERY FROM OPIOIDS, FOR HOUSING, FOR TREATMENT, FOR MENTAL HEALTH, FOR WOUND CARE CAN, ANDOR STI TREATMENT, ANDWED SYRINGES IN RETURN. WE ARE THE ONLY POT OF CONTACT IN THE MEDICAL SYSTEM FOR
THOUSANDS OF PEOE WHO FEEL EXCLUDED FROM IT. WHEN PEOPLE HAVE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO STERILE AND SAFE SUPPLIES, THEY CAN FOCUS ON OTHER CRITICAL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES. THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH WANT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES.
CARE OVER CRIMINALIZATION WOULD SUPPORT THE RESIDENTS IN ACCESSING OUR SERVICES WHEN THEY ARE CRIMINALIZED FOR HAVING THE SULIES THAT WE GIVE THEM, THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO ENGAGE WITH OUR SERVICES. THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN THE MEDICAL SYSTEM. THEY'RLESS LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN TREATMENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER NINE , JULIE K. SPEAKER NUMBER NINE, JULIE K. HI. ARE YOU JULIE?
WELCOME. >> MY NAME IS JULIE KOSINSKI. I AM A LONG-TERM WARD SEN RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER. AND I AM HERE TO OPPOSE THIS MEASURE, SIMPLY BECAUSE 'S BEEN PROVEN TIME AND AGAIN, IT
DOESN'T WORK. AND I THINK WE'RE ALL ALIGNED THAT WE WANT MORE HEALTH AND MORE VITALIT AND MORE SAFETY FOR EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND AS A THEORY, MAYBE IN 2023 THIS SEEMED LIKE A GOOD MEASURE DO SO. BUT WE NOW HAVE EVIDENCE, DATA
AND PROOF THAT IT DOES NOTORK. IT DID NOT WORK IN OREGON. IT DID NOT WORK IN PORTLAND. IT DID NOT WORK IN SAN FRANCISCO. AND ALL OF THESE CITIES ARE CLAWING BACK FROM WELL-MEANING OPLE, LIKE EVERYONE WE'VE HEARD FROM TODAY, AND EVERYONE WHO IS SUPPORTING THIS, BUT THE DATA AND EVIDENCE SHOWS IT
DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE PICKED UP DRUG USE... USED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AT KENWOOD PARK. I HAVE PICKED IT UP BY THE TENNIS COURTS. I HAVE PICKED IT UP ON THE SIDE OF LAKE OF THE ISLES, AND I HAVE PICKED IT UP NEXT TO MAKOWSKA. I DON'T SEE THAT BEING HEALTHY NOR EQUITABLE.
THE COLLECTIVE HEALTH OF ERYONE, OF OUR KIDS, OUR CHILDREN, OUR RESIDENTS, OUR EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO WORK IN UPTOWN, WHO ARE TELLING ME STORIES, STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN THEIR BUSINESSES, THAT IT'S COMPLETELY UNSAFE, AND THEYEE THIS TRASH
EVERYWHERE. THERE IS NOTHING SAFE ABOUT THAT. I HAVE BEEN ACCOSTED BY PEOPLE HIGH AT 7 A.M. ON A SUNDAY MORNING. AND I HAVE A PIT BULL MIX AND A GERMAN SHEPHERD MIX WITH ME. IT IS NOT SAFE. WE CANNOT USE THE BIKE PATHS THAT HAVE TAKEN AWAY OUR
BUSINESSES. SEEING GROWN PEOPLE IN HUGE CLUSTERS DOINGRUGS OPENLY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AT ALL TIMES OF DAY IS NOT SAFE. WE HAVE TURNED THE MOST WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CITY INTO THE MOST DESOLATE, AND HONESTLY FRIGHTENING. THIS DOES NOT WORK.
THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR. WE ALL MEAN WELL. THIS IS NOT THE WAY. LEARN FROM SAN FRANCISCO. LEARN FROM OREGON LEARN FROM THE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS. WE ARE ALIGNED IN THE GOAL. THIS DOESN'T WORK. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER TEN,
CONTESSA. WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CONTESSA. I'M A CITIZEN OF THE STATE, 32 YEARS. I FEEL LIKE THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY IS UNDER ATTACK BAD. AND I BELIEVE IT'S THE MPD DRUG TASK FORCE THAT IS PUTTING DRUGS ON THE STREETS.
REASONING, I SEE THE PICK PEOPLE UP AND THEN IN TURN THEM INTO INFORMANTS, SO THAT PUTS YOUR LIFE AT RISK. AND THEN ALSO I THINK HARM REDUCTION IS IN A GOOD WAY TO HELP THE PEOPLE, BECAUSE IT'S ENABLING THEM TO CONTINUE ON THEIR USE. SO I FEEL LIKE IF THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY WILL ASK PERSON LIKE,
HOW ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH? YOU DON'T GET TO THE COURT AND HELP THEM PROPERLY I THINK IT WOULD HELP PEOPLE THRIVE AND GET THE PROPER HELP. BECAUSE THERE'S HELP IN THE CITY. BUT I FEEL LIKE IT'S BEING MISUSED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. SO IT NEEDS TO BE REORGANIZED A LITTLE BIT. AND THEN I KNOW I'M SUPPOSED TO STAY ON TOPIC, BUT... MY HEART'S
BEATING FAST. >> IT'S OKAY. >> ALSO, HOUSING, BECAUSE I'M A FELON, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO I GET DISCRIMINATED AGAINST DIFFERENT PLACES AND I GET DENIED. AND THERE'S RESOURCES IN CITY,AE RESOURCES, BUT I'M NOT GETTING THE PROPER HELP. SO I'M GETTING DENIED IN A LOT OF AREAS. AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR. BECAUSE I'M A MOTHER TRYING TO
GET BACK CUSTODY OF MY KIDS. SO IT'S REALLY HARD. BUT BECAUSE OF MY BACKGROUND WITH USING DRUGS AND WHATNOT, I'M INECOVERY FOR SEVEN MONTHS. BUT ACCORDING TO MENTAL HEALTH COURT THEY'RE SAYING, I'M DIRTY. BUT WHEN I'M IN TREATMENT, THEY'RE ALL NEGATIVE SO IT'S A LOT OF WISHY WASHY STUFF GOING ON IN THE CITY. AND I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE UNORGANIZED.
AND I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND HELP EACH OTHER GROW AND NOT DESTROY EACH OTHER. SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTERE THEY'RE AT AND UNDERSTAND THEM, HELP THEMHRIVE FOR SUCCESS. AND THANK YOU. I SEE YOU GUYS ARE DOING BETTER
THAN BEFORE. BETTER COMMUNICATION. I SEE THE GROWTH AND THE CHANGE. SLOWLY BUT SURELY. IT WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, BUT IT'S HAPPENING. SO I APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER
11, NICOLE MASON. WELCOME. >> BONJOUR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS NICOLE MASON. I LIVE IN WARD NINE. AND I AM A PROUD ANISHINAABE
WOMAN IN RECOVERY. I SENT WHAT I TYPED UP IN PUBLIC COMMENTS. SO WHAT I'VE HEARDROM ALL THESE LOVELY PEOPLE IS PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH WHAT I HAD TYPED UP. AND I KIND OF WANT TO SAY WHAT I SEE ON THE STREETS, AS AN
ADVOCATE FOR RECOVERY, IN THE ENCAMPMENTS AND ON THE STREETS, I THINK THAT MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT I AM IN LONG-TM RECOVERY. I'M A GRANDMOTHER. AND I DONATE MY TIME OUT IN THE STREETS TO HELP OUR RELATIVES SEE HOPE. I USED TO BE THERE.
I LIVED AT THE WALL OF FORGOTTEN NATIVES, AND I MADE MY WAY OUT. WHAT I SEE IS A LOT OF OU RELATIVES GOING INTO JAIL AND JUST BEING CYCLED IN. I THINK THAT IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY. MONEY THAT WE COULD BE USING FOR
MORE PEER SUPPORT, OUTREACH WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES, SUCH AS TWIN CITIES RECOVERY, JUST HOPE, NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CLINIC SOUTHSIDE HARM REDUCTION, JUST TO NAME A FEW. I SEE WITH THE WORK THAT I DO OUT THERE WITTRYING TO HELP
OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY FIND HOUSING, THEY GET WARRANTS. I HELP THEM TRY TO GET INTO TREATMENT. THEY HAVE WARRANTS FOR NOT SHOWING UP TO COURT FOR JUST HAVING A NEEDLE IN THEIR POCKE OR HAVING A PIPE IN THEIR POCKET.
MAYBE THEY'RE NOT IN POSSESSION OF DRUGS, BUT THEY JUST HAVE THE PIECES ON HAND. THEY GO TO COURT. THEY DON'T MAKE IT. AND THEN THEY HAVE A WARRANT. THEY AREN'T ABLE TO GET INTO TREATMENT. THEY ARE DENIED TREATMENT. THAT'S THE BARRIER THAT I'M
SEEING OUT HERE. AND THEY'RE TOO SCARED TO GO BACK TO JAIL. WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THAT HELP. SO THIS IS BECOMING A BARRIER. IT'S BECOMING A BARRIER FOR HOUSING TOO. MIIGWETCH. [ ALARM ] >> NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER
12, CAROL BECKER. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. CAROL BECKER, WARD 12. SO LET'S CALL THIS POLICY WHAT IT REALLY IS. LET THEM DIE ON THE STREET, RIGHT? RIGHT NOW, NOW THAT'S WHAT HAPPENING. WHAT DO WE HAVE, 35 PEOPLE LA YEAR SHOT IN DRUG CAMPS?
I PULLED THE OVERDOSE NUMBERS, IT WAS WAY HIGHER THAN THAT LAST YEAR. THE POLICY OF THE CITY IS TO JUST LET PEOPLE DIE ON THE STREET. AND I'VE TALKED TO COUNCIL MEMBER, CHOWDHURY, YOU TOLD ME THERE AREN'T DRUG CAMPS THESE ARE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, YOU HAVE
BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST HAVING POLICE GOI INTO THESE CAMPS AND ARRESTING PEOPLE. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMISSIONER WONSLEY, THEY'RE NOT THEY'RE NOT CRIMINALS. THEY'RE JUSTICE IMPACTED.
WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS OPLE DYING IN THE STREETS BECAUSE OF THE POLICIES OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND IT IS WRONG. AND WHERE THIS HAPPENS, THE CITY DIES. WHERE THE DRUG CAMPS GO, WHERE THE DRUG USERS GO, THE CITY DIES. DOWNTOWN IS DYING IN PART BECAUSE YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE USING DRUGS. UPTOWN IS DYING WHY? BECAUSE YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF
PEOP USING DRUGS. HEY, WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER AT LAKE AND HIAWATHA OH HEY, OPEN AIR DRUG CAMP. OPEN AIR DRUG DEALING. YOU GUYS ARE CHOOSING THE POLICIES THAT ARE KILLING THE CITY. AND WHEN YOU SIT AND GO, OH, IT'S SO TERRIBLE FOR THE DRUG USERS. WHAT ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE? WHAT ABOUT THIS WOMAN WHO'S
AFRAID TO GO OUT OF R HOUSE? WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING BEAT UP BY THESE DRUG USERS? WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING SHOT BY DRUG DEALERS? WHERE IS OUR JUSTICE? WHERE'S OUR SIDE OF THI WHY DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT US? BECAUSE YES, THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO IGET THESE PEOPLE OFF THE STREET AND INTO TREATMENT.
ARE THEY DOING IT VTARILY? NOPE! ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS HAVE THEM ARRESTED, AND THEY CAN BE THEY CAN BE SENTENCED TO TREATMENT. THERE'S A DRUG COURT THAT'S SENTENCED PEOPLE TO TREATMENT ALL THE TIME. AND THAT'S A GOOD OUTCOME FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS ADDICTED AND NOT GOING TO GET OFF THE STREETS, D PROBABLY GOING TO DIE. THEY'RE GOING TO DIE FROM HOMICIDE.
THEY'RE GOING TO DIE FROM DRUG USE. IT IS TIME FOR THE CITY TO CHANGE THE POLICY. LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED AT PORTLAND. LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN SAN FRANCISCO. THIS IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE. EVERYBODY'S ABANDONING THIS BAD POLICY. THANK YOU. [ ALARM ] >> NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 13, NAOMI WILSON.
>> HI, GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS NAOMI WILSON. I LIVE IN... I'M A HOMEOWNER IN WARD NINE. I HAVE BEENORKING IN HOMELESSNESS AND HARM REDUCTION FOR OVER SIX YEARS IN BOTH LOS ANGELES AND NOW MINNEAPOLIS. AND I WANT TO PREFACE MY COMMENT
BY SAYIN, MINNEAPOLIS IS NOT OREGON. MINNEAPOLIS IS NOT PORTLAND. MINNEAPOLIS IS NOT SAN FRANCISCO. AND HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS, WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE SITUATED IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, WHO PARTNERS WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED "BUILT FOR ZERO."
AND IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, WE HAVE EFFECTIVELY BROUGHT VETERAN HOMELESSNE TO FUNCTIONAL ZERO. WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO BRING FAMILY HOMELESSNESS TO FUNCTIONAL ZERO. AND WE MAY GET SINGLE ADULT HOMELESSNESS DOWN TO FUNCTIONAL ZERO WITHIN THNEXT TEN YEARS.
SO POLICIES THAT DID NOT WORK IN PORTLAND MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME EFFECT HERE, BECAUSE WE HAVE STRONGER PROGRAMS. NOW, HOUSING FIRST IS PROVEN NATIONWIDE AND INTERNATIONALLY TO BE THE SOLUTION TO
HOMELESSNESS. PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO ENTER INTO TREATMENT IF THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO SEEK HELP IF THEY HAVE A HOME OVER THEIR HEAD. AND I ALSO WANT TO TOUCH ON HARM
REDUCTION IS NOT JUST ABOUT DRUGS. HARM REDUCTION IS ALSO ABOUT PREVENTING DISEASE. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT OVERDOSE. IT'S ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE IN A HOLISTIC WAY. AND SO I HOPE THAT YOU LISTEN TO
MY HARM REDUCTION COLLEAGUES HERE, WHO CAME AND GAVE THEIR TIME TO SPEAK, AS THEY ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 14,
ELI SHERMAN. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO START BY SAYING TH THIS ORDINANCE IN NO WAY DECRIMINALIZES THE POSSESSION OF SUBSTANCES. AND I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY BEING
LOST IN A LOT OF COMMENTS BEING MADE HE TODAY. WHEN WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT OREGON, WHEN WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO, THESE ARE FUNCTIONALLY DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION TH YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND I, FRANKLY, AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE THAT WE ARE SO EASILY PAINTING WITH A BROAD
BRUSH AND SAYING THAT, OH, DECRIMINALIZING PARAPHERNALIA AND DECRIMINALIZING SUBSTANCES ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING AND WILL FUNCTIONALLY HAVE THE SAME RESULT. WHAT WE ARE HEREO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF PARAPHERNALIA. THE SCIENCE AND THE DATA IS BEHIND THIS. THE STATE LAW, AS COUNCIL MEMBER
CHAVEZ POINTED OUT, IS IN LINE WITH THIS. WE WOULD BE ALIGNING OURSELVES WITH THE STATE LAW, AND ALSO ALIGNING OURSELVES WITH KNOWN BEST PRACTICES FROM THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS THAT HAVE COME TO TESTIFY IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY, AND IT IS ROOTED IN YEARS AND YEARS OF DATA AND RESEARCH. THESE THINGS ARE NOT DEBATABLE. WE SHOULD NOT BE USING THE
PLIGHT OF OUR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE FACING ADDICTION AS A FEAR-MONGERING TACTIC TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE EVEN TALKING ABOUT DECRIMINALIZING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN THE SAME WAY THAT OUR STATE ALREADY HAS. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. AND WE HEARD FOR SO LONG, WHEN
IT CAME TO THE EVICTION NOTICE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE, ABOUT THE NEED TO LISTEN TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, AND THE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND DOING THE WORK. AND THAT WAS WHY THAT WAS NOT PASSED IS BECAUSE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING EXPERTS HAD SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS WASN'T SOMETHING THEY WERE IN FAVOR OF.
AND I WOULD URGE YOU TO TAKE THAT SAME APPROACH TODAY WITH THE HARM REDUCTION SPECIALISTS, WHO CAME TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS AS I AM SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF IT AS WELL. I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CLARITY ON THIS ISSUE, AND THAT WE ARE HERE TALKINGBOUT PARAPHERNALIA AND NOT SUBSTANCES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE'LL GO TO SPEAKER NUMBER 15, JUDY LONGBOTTOM. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS JUDY LONGBOTTOM. I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN
UPTOWN WARD TEN. I'D LIKE TO READ A SMALL PORTION OF A RECENT OPINION PIECE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES ABOUT POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED IN SAN FRANCISCO. THE CHANGE WAS WELL-INTENTIONED, GROUNDED IN REASONABLE VIEW THAT
ADDICTNEED HELP, NOT PUNISHMENT. THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE WAS TO MAKE TREATMENT AVAILABLE AND EP PEOPLE ALIVE, BUT NOT FORCE THEM TO STOP. EVENTUALLY PEOPLE WOULD SEEK OUT HELP ON THEIR OWN. THAT WAS THE THEORY. IN PRACTICE, DRUG USERS DIDN'T GET HELP. FREE OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR EVEN PUBLIC DRUG USE, EY TOOK
OVER URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE WEST COAST AND INJECTED, SMOKED, AND SNORTED MORE FREELY THAN EVER BEFORE. THIS YEAR WENT BACK TO FIND SAN FRANCISCO IN THE EARLY STAGES OF RECOVERY. THE TENTS WERE GONE. I SPOTTED PUBLIC DRUG USE MUCH LESS FREQUENTLY. OFFICIALS DIDN'T IGNORE THE
REMAINING ATTICS. COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS, AS THE CITY CALLS THEM CAN, PATROLLED THE STREETS AND TRIED TO PERSUADE USERS TO GET TREATMENT. AT A MINIMUM, THEY MADE SURE THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T TREAT SIDEWALKS AS CAMROUNDS. I COULD MOVE THROUGH THE CITY WITHOUT HAVING TO WALK IN THE ROAD.
SOMETHING MOST OF AMERICA MERCIFULLY TAKES FOR GRANTED. BY 2020, HARM REDUCTION WAS IN EFFECT. THE CITY'S ONLY DRUG POLICY. TREATMENT AND RECOVERY BECAME SECONDARY GOALS, IF THEY WERE GOALS AT ALL. THE APPROACH WAS ALL CARROT, NO STICK. THIS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE REALITIES OF DRUG USE.
ADDICTION IS NOT A DISEASE LIKE DIABETES OR CANCER. DIABETICS AND CANCER PATIENTS TYPICALLY WANT TREATMENT. MANY ADDICTS, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF ADDICTION, DO NOT. THIS IS Y STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION OFTEN NEEDS AN OUTSIDE PUSH FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, A
FRIEND, OR ULTIMATELY THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK HELP. PLEASE CONSIDER THESE OBSERVATIONS. I EMAILED THE ARTICLE TO EACH OF YOU YESTERDAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU. NEXT UP WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 16. YOU HAVE A REALLY GREAT
SIGNATURE, BUT I CANT READ YOUR NAME. >> MY NAME IS MIKE. >> WHENEVER I HEAR THE STUDIES SAY, THE EXPERTS CAN SHOW, I KNOW I'M ABOUT TO HEAR A REAL STORY OF NONSENSE. I GOT A KID FLUSHING HIS LIFE
DOWN THE TOILET, AND WHAT HE DOESN'T NEED IS PERMISSIVENESS. AND I'LL TELL YOU, PROGRESSIVE EMPATHY COMES AT A HIGH COST. A SUPER HIGH COST. TO L AND ORDER. INSTEAD OF BEING A FREE PEOPLE, WE ARE A FREE FOR ALL PEOPLE.
AND IT'S NONSENSE. THERE'S ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT THESE POLICIES ARE GARBAGE. ALL OVER 100% OF YOUR EFFECTIVE CRIME RATE IS DRUG DEALERS AND DRUG ADDICTS, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING AFTER EITHER. SO CONGRATULATIONS THIS CITY DESERVES YOU PEOPLE. THEY DESERVE YOU.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY OTHER THAN YOUR MADNESS. HOW MANY CITIES DO YOU NEED TO SEE FALL? IT ALL STARTED ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO WHEN THEY STARTED GETTING RID OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE LAWS, AND THEN WERE SURPRISED WHEN THE QUALITY OF LIFE DISAPPEARED.
CONGRATULATIONS. >> SPEAKER NUMBER 17, JACK MARTIN. >> HELLO EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, AND ALL OF
US. MY NAME IS JACK MARTIN. I LIVE IN WARD NINE. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECR OF SOUTHSIDE HARM REDUCTION SERVICES. WE STARTED IN 2017. WE WORKED TO REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS, REDUCE TRANSMISSION OF HIV AND HEPATITIS C IN
MINNEAPOLIS. AND LIKE ALL OF OUR HARM REDUCTION PARTNERS, WE WORK REALLY HARD WITH PEOPLE EVERY DAY TO HAVE PEOPLE ACCESS TREATMENT, HAVE PEOPLE ACCESS HOUSING, AND HAVE PEOPLE STAY ALIVE. AND TODAY I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN VOR OF THE PROPOSED BILL, OR
THE PROPOSED CHANGE. WE, EVERY DAY, LEARN THAT THE... OR SEE PEOPLE EVERY DAY, AND THE CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE FACE ARE IMMENSE. E DRUG LANDSCA IS CHANGING,
WITH FENTANYL AND INCREASE IN OVDOSE DEATHS TO INTRODUCE XYLAZINE. THERE'S JUST A REALLY COMPLICATED CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE ARE FACING EVERY DAY, AND PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF IT. THAT'S WHY EVERYONE IS SO UPSET. D WANT SOLUTIONS AND I'M
TELLING YOU THAT THE SOLUTIS ARE MORE SERVICES THEY'RE REDUNG BARRIERS TO CARE AND THEY'RE INCREASING ACCESS TO SERVICES LIKE SOUTHSIDE HARM REDUCTION, AND HARM REDUCTION AND CLINICS AND TREATMENT AND HOUSING. AND HAVING PEOPLE BE FEARFUL TO CARRY AROUND PARAPHERNALIA AND BE CHARGED WITH PARAPHERNALIA
REDUCES PEOPLE'S COMFORT IN ACCESSING SERVICES, IN ACCESSING THE SYSTEM, AND WE NEED TO WORK TO REDUCE THOSE BARRIERS AND SUPPORT PEOPLE IN ACCESSING TREATMENT,OUSING, HEALTHCARE, AND BEING SAFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S WHY'M HERE TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. XT WE WILL GO TO SPEAKER NUMBER 18, ANNA BOSCH. >> HI, Y'ALL. THANKS FOR HAVING ME TODAY. MY NAME IS ANNA BOSCH. I'M THE HARM REDUCTION MANAGER AT NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CLINIC.
I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK THAT MY TEAM IS DOING EVERY DAY. A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE SPOKEN TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EVIDENCE BEHIND DECRIMINALIZATION ORDINANCES LIKE THIS, AND THAT
IT DECREASES STIGMA, ALLOWS PEOPLE TO FEEL SAFER SEEKING SERVICES. I LEAD A TEAM OF OVER 12 FOLKS THAT ARE DOING STREET OUTREACH EVERY DAY. WE'RE A FULL SPECTRUM HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM, WHICH MES WE DO PROVIDE SAFER USE SUPPLIES. BUT I ALSO THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTAN TPOINT OUT THAT IS A
SMALL PART OF THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE DOING THE WORK ON OUR TEAM AT NAC IS THE BUILDING OF TRUST WITH FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN LOOKED UPON WITH DISDAIN, BEEN TREATED WITH DISCRIMINATION, THAT ARE VERY FEARFUL OF SEEKING HEALTH
CARE SERVICES. SO WE SPEND A HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME BUILDING TRUST, MEETING FOLKS WHERE THEY'RE AT, AND PROVIDING THEM WITH FULL SPECTR HEALTH CARE SERVICES. SO THAT COULD LOOK LIKE STERILE SYRINGES. IT COULD ALSO LOOK LIKE MOBILE NURSING CARE. IT LOOKS LIKE LINKING FOLKS IN
THE MOMENT, WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE A SET APPOINTMENT TIME, OR MAY NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION. IT LOOKS LIKE BUILDING TRUST WITH THEM OVER MANY, MANY VISITS IN THE STREETS, AND BRINGING THEM INTO OUR CLINIC WHEN THEY FEEL READY TO GET LINKED TO CARE FOR HIV, LINKED TO CARE FOR
HEPATITIS C, LINKED TO PRENATAL CARE. MY TEAM IS SHOWING UP EVERY SINGLE DAY DOING THIS WORK. CRIMINALIZATION OF POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA DOES NOT IMPROVE PEOPLE'S HEALTH. IN FACT, WE SEE WHEN FOLKS ARE RELEASED FROM INCARCERATION,
THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST RISKY TIMES FOR OVERDOSE. AND WE HAVE PEER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS IN THE JAIL RIGHT NOW, WORKING WITH FOLKS, CONNECTING WITH THEM AFTER INCARCERATION. SO I CAN'T SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF THE WORK MY TEAM DOES IN SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE. [ ALARM ] >> THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 19, MARISSA BONNIE. WELCOME. >> HI. GOOD MORNING. I'M VERY ILL PREPARED, BUT I'LL JUST TRY TO SPEAK FROM THE HEART HERE. MY NAME IS MARISSA BONNIE. I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR
TO VOLUNTEER AND WORK ALONGSIDE DRUG USERS IN EAST PHILLIPS FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. AND WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THROUGH THAT TIME, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO OFFER HIVESTING IN MY PICKUP TRUCK. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE
NURSES IN COMPLICATED WOUND CARE AND ENCAMPMENTS. I'VE REVERSED OVERDOSES. AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO, AGAIN, HOLD THAT PRIVILEGE AND HONOR, TO HOLD STORIES FROM DRUG USERS, AND THE HARDSHIP AND RESILIENCE THAT THEY'RE FORCED TO LIVE THROUGH.
I THINK THE THING THAT I'M NOT HEARING A LOT IN THESE CONVERSATIONS IS THE HUMAN ASPECT OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE, AND THAT'S JUST BEING A HUMAN. SUBSTANCE USE IS A HUMAN DECISION. IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ACTUALLY MORE COMMON THAN I THINK WE ACKNOWLEE AND HAS IMPACTED
MANY PEOPLE DIRECTLY, IF NOT IN A COMMUNAL WAY. I THINK THAT INCARCERATION AND HOSPITALIZATION BECOME THE COMMON CHOICES FOR DRUG USERS, UNFORTUNATELY. AND THAT'S REALLY DISTURBING. I THINK AT WHAT I'VE SEEN AN
INCREASE OF ALSO IS PEOPLE WHO ARE CHOOSING TO OVERDOSE TO AVOID INCARCERATION. AND I THINK THAT IS BEYOND INHUMANE. FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECT, SOMETHING THAT I SEE IS THAT CONTINUATION OF INCARCERATION INTERRUPTS HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND I'VEEARD PEOPLE SAY, DRUG
USERS MIGHT NOT HAVE HEALTH GOALS, BUT I PUSH BACK ON THAT ENTIRELY, AS SOMEBODY WHO MANAGES A SYNDEMIC PROGRAM. PEOPLE HAVE SUCH HUGE DREAMS AND SCHEMES AND HEALTHOALS, AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY QUITE BEAUTIFUL. AND INCARCERATION INTERRUPTS THAT CONSTANTLY.
I'VE SEEN PEOPLE ARRESTED WHEN THEY'RE ABOUT TO GO INTO THEIR FIRST DAY OF HOUSING, AND THEY LOST THAT. I SEE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORSE OUTCOMES WITH THEIR WOUNDS AND HEALTH DUE TO INCARCERATION. AND IT TEARS PEOPLE APART.
[ ALARM ] SO CRIMINALIZATION IS NOT THAT ANSWER. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 20, ALI C. >> HI, THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING US ALL HERE TODAY. I ALSO DID NOT COME PREPARED TO
SPEAK, SO FORGIVE ME IF I AM NOT AS DIRECT AS I COULD BE, BUT I DID FEEL MOVED TO SPEAK TODAY. I FEEL LIKE A LOT HAS BEEN SAID TODAY ABOUT WHAT HAS NOT WORKED ELSEWHERE, BUT I THINK WE'VE ALSO HEARD ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN WORKING HERE, AND I FIND THAT
MUCH MORE COMPELLING. I CAN SAY THAT AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS PERSONALLY LOST PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAV FEARED SEEKING HELP FROM THE SYSTEMS THAT WE ARE TOLD ARE HERE TO PROTECT US, THAT INOT A CHOICE THAT ANYBY SHOULD EVER FE.
AND I THINK THAT THIS PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT TO BETTER ALIGN WITH WHAT WE HAVE DECIDED AS A STATE IS THE RIGHT STEP TO MAKE. IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD FEEL COMPELLED TO MAKE. I CAN ALSO TELL YOU THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE POINTED TO THE FACT THAT CRIMINAL PENALTIES ARE
SOMETHING THAT PUSHES PEOPLE ON A ROAD TO RECOVERY. VERY FEW PEOPLE MAKE THAT DECISION A PERMANENT ONE. I DON'T THINK THACOMPULSORY DECISIONS ARE ONES THAT ARE MADE IN EARNEST. AND I CAN ALSO SAY THAT OFTENTIMES THESE TYPES OF
CRIMINAL PENALTIES ARE ONES THAT PRECLUDE LONG TERM RECOVERY IN A LOT OF MEANINGFUL WS. THEY BAR PEOPLE FROM ENGAGING WITH THE SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES THAT A LOT OF TIMES ARE SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM, IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING, AND EVEN OTHER BROADER SUPPORTS,
LIKE EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS. SO I THINK THAT WE'RE KIND OF UNDERMINING SOME OF THOSE LONG-TERM STABILITIES FOR PEOPLE, WHEN WE INSIST ON KEEPING THESE TYPES OF THINGS IN PLACE. SO I WOULD ALSO ENCOURE US ALL TO THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS AND NOT JUST THE SHORT-TERM
CONSEQUENCES OF COMPULSORY ENGAGEMENT WITH CARE. AND THOSE WOULD BE MY MAJOR POINTS. THANK YOU FOR ALL LISTENING TO US HERE TODAY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT IS ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY SIGNED UP. I WILL ASK IF THERE IS ANYONE
ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE COME UP AND INTRODU YOURSELF, AND THEN AFTER MEET TH THE CLERK SO YOU CAN GIVE THEM YOUR NAME. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS HANNAH SCHMIDT, AND I
USE SHE/HER PRONOUNS. I AM A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WHO WILL BE GRADUANG NEXT MONTH WITH THE MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK. THIS SEMESTER I'VE BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALIVENESS PROJECT AND IMPACT MINNESOTA, AND TODAY I'M HERE TO SUPPORT MY FRIENDS, CLASSMATES, COWORKERS AND FAMILY LIVING AND WORKING IN
MINNEAPOLIS TO PUSH FOR AN ORDINANCE CHANGE, AND TO ASK MINNEAPOLIS TO DECRIMINALIZE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. BY MINNEAPOLIS ORDINANCE BEING IN COMPLETE ALIGNMENT WITH MINNESOTA STATUTE WOULD ENSURE ALL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS USED TO MANUFACTURE AND CONSUME A
SUBSTANCE ARE CONSIDERED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND DECRIMINALIZED WITHIN THE CITY. SUBSTANCE USE, DRUG USE, IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN, NOT A MEANS TO CRIMINALIZE OUR BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS, LATINO SIBLINGS. A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN. BY DECRIMINALIZING DRUG
PARAPHERNALIA, MINNEAPOLIS WOULD REDUCE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE, INCREASE HARM REDUCTION... EXCUSE ME... INCREASE ACCESS TO TREATMENT WHETR THAT BE HARM REDUCTION THROUGH MOBILE SYRINGE PROGRAMS, OR JUST VISITING THE HOSPITAL FOR WOUND CARE AND OVERDOSING,
AND REDUCING HIV INFECTIONS ROUGHOUT THE CITY. HAVING A COOKER, TWIST TIES, OR TESTING STRIPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE SHOULD NOT EARN YOU A ONE-WAY TICKET TAIL. HAVING THREE SYRINGES WITH THE RESIDUAL AMOUNT OF DRUGS IN YOUR SHARPS CONTAINER AND 17 OTHER CLEAN ONES WAITING TO BE SAFELY
USED SHOULD NOT BE A MARK ON SOMEONE'S RECORD. SOMEONE WORKING TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE AND HEALTHY SHOULD NOT BE PUNISHED. DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN THAT HARM REDUCTION CENTERS LIKE ALIVENESS PROJECT,
RED DOOR, AND SOUTHSIDE HARM REDUCTION ARE TIRELESSLY WORKING ON IT'S TIME FOR MINNEAPOLIS TO DO ITS JOB AND ENSURE THE PUBL... EXCUSE ME... AND ENSURE THE HEALTH OF ITS PEOPLE. PLEASE DECRIMINALIZE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. CLERKS, WHERE SHOULD HANNAH GO
TO SIGN UP? RIGHT OVER THERE. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM BEFORE WE CLOSE THPUBLIC HEARING? YES, WHY DON'T YOU JOIN AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> HELLO. MY NAME ISMPERSAND RHODA, AND
I'M A PROUD NORTH MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT IN WARD FIVE. I ALSO DIDN'T COME TODAY PLANNING TO SPEAK BUT AFTER KIND OF HEARING WHAT FOLKS WANTED TO SHARE, I WANTED TO SPEAK AS A SOCIAL WORK STUDENT AT THE U AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL, AS WELL AS A VOLUNTEER WITH SOUTHSIDE HARM
REDUCTION SERVICES. I THINK A LOT OF WHAT WE'VE HEARD HERE TODAY ABOUT, AGAIN, WHAT HASN'T WORKED OTHER PLACES HAS BEEN A LOT OF RESEARCH TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH FOLKS ABOUT THAT. BUT I ALSO JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT AS SOMEBODY WHO VOLUNTEERS
WITH A HARM REDUCTION ORGANIZATION, THAT I THINK ONE THING I HAVEN'T HEARD TALKED ABOUT AS MUCH TODAY IS HOW FOLKS WHO ARE THEN WORKING TO CLEAN UP COMMUNITIES... I KNOW WE HAD ONE INDIVIDUAL TESTIFY OPPOSING THIS
ORDINANCE, WHO THEN, IN CLEANING UP THEIR COMMUNITY IS ... WOULD THEN BEN VIOLATION OF THIS STATUTE CURRENTLY. SO I WOULD PUSH FOR AND I GUESS SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS TO HELP KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND THEN CAN YOU CAN ALSO GO
OVER TO THE CLERKS THERE. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT IS WISHING TO SPEAK THAT WOULD LE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
GREAT. WITH THAT I WILL CLOSE THIS HEARING. MEMBERS, I DO SEE THAT WE HAVE MEMBERS IN QUEUE, AND WE CAN STAY IN THE QUEUE. THERE HAS BEEN A REQUEST MADE TO ME FOR A VERY SHORT BIO BREAK
FOR PELE'S NEEDS. I'M GOING TO RESPECT THAT REQUEST AND ASK THAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS COME BACK HERE BY 11:13. SO COMMITTEE MEMBERS, BE BACK
HERE AT 11:13, SWE CAN START DISCUSSION. NAPOLEON [ BREAK ] >> MEMBERS, WE'RE GOING TO GET START PPPED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED. I WILL HAVE THE CLERK CALL THE
ROLL TO VERIFY A QUORUM. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> LOUDER. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> ABSENT. >> WONSLEY. >> PRESENT. >> RAINVILLE. >> ABSENT.
>> VETAW. >> PRENT. >> WARREN. >> PRESENT. >> OSMAN. >> PRESENT. >> SCHAFFER.>> PRESENT. >> STEVENSON. >> PRESENT. >> CHAVEZ >> PRESENT. >> WHITING. IS ABSENT. PALMISANO. >> PRESENT. VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> PRESENT.
>> CHAIR CHOWDHURY. >> PRESENT. >> RAINVILLE. >> PRESENT. >> THAT'S 11 MEMBERS PRESENT. >> LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT WE HAVE A QUORUM. MEMBERS, WE WILL RESUME INTO OUR DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER 6. THE FIRST MEMBER THAT WE HE UP
IN QUEUE IS VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS. I TEXT OUR HEALTH COMMISSIONER DESMOND CHAPLIN TO GET HERE TO ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS. I THINK YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME
MANY TIMES IN HERE TALKING ABOUT ADDICTION AND RECOVERY IN WARD SIX. I REPRESENT WARD SIX, WHICH IS... I HAVE A LARGE EAST AFRICAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY. IF YOU DRIVE ON THE STREETS
TODAY, ESPECIALLY HIAWATHA, AND SEE THE RIVERSIDE, YOU WILL SEE VISIBLE STREET DRUG USE. DRUG USE IS EPIDEMIC IN OUR COMMUNY. IT'S WHAT REALLY ARE STRUGGLING,
WE CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE SOLUTION. WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT... I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT. WE OPENED A BND-NEW RECOVERY CLINIC, PATHWAY RECOVERY, IN WARD SIX, TRYING TO FIRE OUT A WAY TO REALLY HELP THIS
STRUGGLING SOCIETY. WE HAVE, BUT MY QUESTION ABOUT THIS IS... FOR ME, I'D RATHER TALK ABOUT ACTUAL SOLUTION OF TREATMENTS, AND WHEN I HEAR THIS STORY OF RECOVERY AND HOW PEOPLE HAVE RECOVERED, IT'S REALLY WHAT
I AM DRIVEN INTO, AND I LISTEN TO THEM. I WAS TEXTING DURING THE CONVERSATION WITH DOCTORS, AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ADVOCATE FOR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY TO
THAT WAY. SO MY QUESTION IS... WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CRIMINALIZING PIPES AND DIFFERENT USE OF THAT. DO WE REALLY CRIMINALIZE? ASKING THE CITY ATTORNEY IF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS.
DOES MPD CRIMINALIZE CARRYING A PIPE AND WHAT IS THE PENALTY?BECAUSED ABOUT THAT RECENTLY. >> CITY ATTORNEY ABELSON. >> COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN AND CHAIR CHOWDHURY, WE HAVE HEIDI JOHNSTON, WHO'S A MANAGING ATTORNEY IN THE CRIMINAL
DIVISION HERE WHO WOULD BE BEST POSITIONED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. >> WELCOME UP, MS. JOHNSTON. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. COUNCILMAN OSMAN, YES, IT IS
CURRENTLY ILLEGAL IN THE TY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN A PUBLIC PLACE. THERE IS A PROVISION WHERE IT IS A PETTY MISDEMEANOR, BUT UNDER THE MAIN ORDINANCE BEING DEBATED HERE TODAY, IT IS A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE. THAT'S HOW MOST OF OUR CITY ORDINANCES ARE WRITTEN.
THE GENERAL CODE OF CITY ORDINANCES IS THAT THE PENALTY IS A MISDEMEANOR, WHICH IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS UP TO 90 DAYS AND $1,000 FINE. I WOULD NOTE FROM THE CRIMINAL DIVISION PERSPECTIVE, EVEN PRIOR
TO 2023, WHEN THE STATE REPEALED THEIR STATUTE, IN STATE LAW, IT WAS A PETTY MISDEMEANOR, WHICH IS DEFINED AS A NON-CRIMINAL OFFENSE. SO WE HAVE ALWAYS TREATED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CASES IN LIEU OF KNOWING THAT THE STATE STATUTE MADE IT A PETTY MISDEMEANOR. SO IF YOU LOOK AT OUR CASES AND
OUR PROSECUTIONS, WE WILL USUALLY NOT NEGOTIATE ON THE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CASE. WE WILL OFTENTIMES ALLOW FOR AN OFFER THAT WOULDN'T TOUCH THE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, BUT WE DO LIKE HAVING IT AS AN OPTION FOR A DEFENDANT THAT MAY CHOOSE THAT, INSTEAD OFS OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE MENTIONED PLEADING
TO THE ACTUAL DRUG POSSESSION. >> DOES THAT LEAD TO ARRESTS, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS CARRYING A PIPE, AND SOMEHOW POLICE MADE THE CONTACT? DOES THAT... IS THAT SOMETHING THAT MPD ARREST PEOPLE?
>> SO ANY ARREST IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REQUIRES A RULE SIX BOOKING REASON. SO IN ORDER TO BE BOOKED IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, THE POLICE HAVE TO ESTABLISH THAT YOU'RE LIKELY TO RE-OFFEND. SO THEY'VE HAD CONTACT, OR YOU'RE LIKE I'M JUST GOING TO KEEP SMOKING, OR I'M GOING TO
KEEP DOING ALPD OR UNWILLING TO STOP SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A RULE SIX BOOKING REASON SO JUST POSSESSING A PIPE IS NOT GOING TO GIVE POLICE ENOUGH OF A REASON TO BOOK YOU. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY. SO MPD AND MOST OF THE AGENCIES
PRACTICING WITHIN MINNEAPOLIS CAN TAKE INDIVIDUALS DIRECTLY TO 1800 CHICAGO, SO THAT THEY COULD BE TRANSPORTED TO 1800 CHICAGO, WHERE THEY COULD SEEK VOLUNTARY SERVICES. METRO TRANSIT CAN ALSO TRANSPORT PEOPLE DIRECTLY TO 1800 CHICAGO.
AND BY DOING THAT, THE PERSON WOULD NOT BE CHARGED. THEY WOULD BE DROPPED AT 1800 CHICAGO. >> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT IS VERY HELPFUL. SO THAT COULD LEAD A PATHWAY TO RECOVERY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, OR
GETTING THAT TREATMENT. ALSO, THE IDEA OF ALIGNING WITH THE STATE, IF I CAN MAYBE ASK THE CITY ATTORY TO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, DEFINE THAT, WHAT IS ALIGNING WITH THE STATE MEANS. AND IF YOU CAN KIND OF TALK
ABOUT WHAT THE STATE LAW IS. >> ATTORNEY ABELSON. >> YEAH, CHAIR CHOWDHURY, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN, I THINK AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED THE STATE LAW CRIMINALIZING PARAPHERNALIA WAS REPEALED. SO IF THE CITY WERE TO REPEAL THE ORDINANCE, IT WOULD BE
ALIGNED WITH THE CURRENT STATE LAW. THE STATE IS STILL PERMITTED UNDER STATE LAW TO REGULATE... I MEAN, SORRY, THE CITY IS STILL PERMITD UNDER STATE LAW TO REGULATE PARAPHERNALIA. SO THIS IS REALLY A POLICY CHOICE. THE STATE IS NOT... THE CITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE A CHANGE,
BUT IT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO KEEP THE ORDINANCES AS THEY ARE, OR TO CHANGE THEM AND TO ALIGN WITH THE STATE DECRIMINALIZATION. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. I'LL CLOSE IT DOWN BY SAYING THAT THE ALIGNMENT WITH THE STATE LAW IS ACTUALLY A WEAK
ARGUMENT, IN MY OPINION. WE'RE NOT IN BLMINGTON OR BLAINE. WE'RE DIFFERENT. CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS STRUGGLING WITH DRUG USE. I GET A LOT OF RESIDENTS WHO CALL ME, WHEN THEY ARE PICKING UP THEIR KIDS FROM THE BUS STOP, OR THE KIDS AREEALING WITH
NEEDLES EVERYWHERE WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT ON THIS FLOOR, PASSED MONEY TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS, YOU KNOW, HIGHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN PICK UP SALY WITH THAT MAJORITY OF MY CALLS IN WARD SIX, IT A LOT
OF DRUG USE. SO I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO FIND ANY SOLUTION, BUT I'M HERE TO LISTEN, AND TO LISTEN WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAY, AND LISTEN TO THE EXPERSE. >> NEXT I'LL RECOGZE COUNCIL MEMBER SCHAFFER. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR.
THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. ACCEPTING THIS ORDINANCE OR VOTING FOR THIS ORDINANCE TODAY AS IT IS WRITTEN WOULD BE HARMFUL TO MANY PARTS OF MY WARD. OPEN DRUG USE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. ON NICOLLE AVENUE, FROM 14th,
15th, DOWN TO 14th AVENUEN FRANKLIN, AS WAS MENTIONED TODAY BY ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS. AND THROUGHOUT UPTOWN. THIS IS A STORY I HAVE HEARD FROM A CONSTITUENT. I TRIED TO TAKE MY CHILD TO THE LIBRARY, THE WALKER LIBRARY,
LAST WEEK, AND WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THERE WERE PEOPLE USING DRUGS ON THE BENCH OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY, AND I FELT ALSO UNCOMFORTABLE BY THE ACTIVITY INDE THE LIBRARY. W, IMAGINE YOU WERE THAT SAME PARENT. THIS PART WAS NOT PART OF THE
STORY. THAT THERE WAS A POLICE OFFICER ON THE SIDEWALK AS YOU WENT BY THE BENCH, WHERE THERE S MAYBE SOME... IN HER CASE, IT WAS USINDRUGS. IN THIS CASE, IT WAS A PIPE OR A PIECE OF STRAW OR A PIECE OF FOIL. THE OFFICER WOULD SAY, "I CAN DO
NOTHING." OPEN USE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS LEGAL IN OUR CITY. I CANNOT INQUIRE TO SEE IF EY POSSESS ANYTHING MORE. THIS IS NOT A DOOMSDAY SCENARIO. THIS SCENE PLAYS OUT EVERY DAY
ON THE STREETS OF OUR CITY. BY THIS ACTION, WE ARE STRIKING THIS PHRASE FROM THE ORDINANCE.
WE ARE STRIKING FROM THE LAW IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO USE OR POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN A PUBLIC PLACE. SO BY APPLYING THIS ORDINANCE CHANGES, WE WILL BE ALLOWING TO LET PEOPLE USE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA THROUGHOUT OUR CITY IN ANY PUBLIC PLACE.
THIS WOULD NOT HELP NICOLLET AVENUE AND THE STRUGGLE OF THE BUSINESSES AND THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE TRYING TO BRING CHAOS... I MEAN, ORDER OUT OF CHAOSOR TO UPTOWN. THAT IS NOT THE VISION OF MANY PEOPLE ON THIS CITY COUNCIL.
FOR SOME, THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE TO USE DRUGS IN A PUBLIC... IN PUBLIC, TRUMP THOSE OF A PARENT OR CHILD. A GROWING CHORUS OF RESIDENTS ARE D UP WITH THIS FAILURE OF THE COUNCIL TO TAKE A COMMON SENSE APPROACH, ONE THAT UNDERSTANDS TRUE COMPASSION
COMES WITH BOUNDARIES. AND WE CANNOT LET THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS INFRINGE ON THE ABILITY OF A COMMUNITY TO DO BUSINESS, TO LIVE AND TO WORK. THESE ARE NOT PPLE WHO WANT TO REENACT THE FAILED POLICIES AND
PRACTICES OF THE ILLATED WAR ON DRUGS. THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO LACK SYMPATHY F THOSE WHO ARE IN THE THROES OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. WE ARE NOTPPOSED TO HARM REDUCTION POLICIES ALREADY IN PLACE IN OUR CITY AND COUNTY LEVEL THAT DO SO MUCH GOOD FOR OUR PEOPLE.
BUT WE NEED COMPASSION WITH BOUNDARIES. WE ARE WORKING HARD RIGHT NOW TO RESTORE SANITY TO UPTOWN. SO THAT WE CAN EMBRACE EVERYONE FROM BOTH SIDES. WE CAN USE LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES AND THE LOVE AND COMPASSION OF THE MOBILE MEDICAL
UNIT. WE'RE TRYING TO ATTACK THIS FROM EVERY TOOL IN THE TOOLKIT. AND RIGHT NOW THE WORST THING FOR US TO DO IN UPTOWN AND NICOLLET AVENUE WOULD BE TO BECOME MORE PERMISSIVE. TAKE AWAY TOOLS THAT THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT MAY HAVE RIGHT NOW IN THEIR TOOLKIT. EY MAY NOT USE THEM VERY FREQUENTLY, BUT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS. AND I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I HOPE THAT WE SERIOUSLY REMEMBER THAT THIS STATUTE
ALLOWS FOR COMPLETE MUNICIPAL CONTROL. WE HAVE A DECISION AS LAWMAKERS AT THE CITY COUNCIL LEVEL TO DECIDE WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR CITY, IRREGARDLESS OF BEING THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO MAKE THIS CHANGE. WE DO NOT WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE
PENDULUM THAT SAN FRANCISCO AND OTHERS MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED, AS THEY HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS THE HORRIFIC PROBLEMS OF DRUG ADDICTION IN OUR CULTURE, AND HAVING TO SWING BACK TO CREATE BOTH COMPASSION AND BOUNDARIES.
SO FOR ME, TODAY, I NEED TO STAND WITH UPTOWN. I NEED TO STAND WITH NICOLLET AVENUE. I NEED TO STAND FOR ALL THE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE IN THE TOOLKIT TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY THAT IS IN CRISIS THAT WE SEE IN THE STREE. AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE
HARM REDUCTION PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE TODAY SPEAKING. I STAND WITH YOU. THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF GOOD ARGUMENTS HERE ON KIND OF BOTH SIDES OF THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE AND ISSUE AND I THINK YOU KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER SCHAEFER AND CNCIL MEMBER OSMAN BRING UP GOOD POINTS PARTICULARLY AROUND THE ISSUES, AND I THINK A LOT OF OUR CONSTITUENTS HERE THAT HAVE
RAISED POINTS PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE DRUG USE IN OUR CITY. BUT I THINK WHAT WE ARE MISSING IN THAT CONVERSATION THAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING WITH THIS ORDINANCE ON THE BOOK ESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING AS THESE THINGS CURRENTLY EXIST IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, WITH THESE
TOOLS, AT THE HANDS AND ABILITY FOR MPD TO USE THEM. AND SO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE'VE REIVED A FEW EMAILS, PARTICULARLY ABOUT OREGON SAN FRANCISCO, PTLAND, THAT HAVE CRIMINALIZED DRUG USE, IN PARTICULAR TO DRUG USE.
AND I THINK THAT IS A DIFFERENT ARGUNT THAN WHAT WE ARE HAVING TODAY RIGHT NOW. THIS IS PARTICULAR TO DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. THESE ARE DIFFERENT ISSUES. AND SO I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IS HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND THAT I THINK BOTH ARE CORRECT AND BOTH THINGS THAT YOU KNOW I THINK IF THIS
WAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT DECRIMINALIZING DRUG USE, I THINK A LOT OF US ARE PROBABLY IN A DIFFERENT SPOT. BUT THAT IS NOT THE CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING TODAY. IT IS PARTICULAR TO, AGAIN, AND I WILL REITERATE, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. AND SO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, TALKING THROUGH AND TALKING WITH
SOME OF MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, I DO THINK WE ARE MISSING A FEW OF THE ACTUAL DEFINITIONS THAT HAVE THE STATE HAS BROUGHT UP AND I KNOW WITH CONVERSATIONS WITH A COUPLE COUNCIL MEMBERS, I THINK WE'RE HOPING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT. JUST SO THE PUBLIC CAN KNOW, I THINK... WHILE I DO SUPPORT
ADDRESSING OUR ORDINANCE TO MEET THAT OF WHAT THE STATE HAS ALREADY DONE, I THINK WE ARE MISSING A FEW DEFINITIONS THAT THE STATE ACTUALLY WENT AHEAD AND MOVED THROUGH. AND SO CHAPTER 152-01, IN OUR
DEFINITIONS THIS IS KIND OF WHERE THIS FALLS UNDER FOR THE STATE, SUBDIVISION 18, UNDER B, WHAT THEY I WILL KIND OF JUST READ ITERE... "SO DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ES NOT INCLUDE THE POSSESSION MANUFACTURE, DELIVERY OR SALE OF HYPODERMIC SYRINGES... HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THOSE ARE... OR NEEDLES OR ANY INSTRUMENT OR IMPLEMENT OR
IMPLEMENT WHICH CAN BE ADAPTED FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTIONS OR TWO PRODUCTS THAT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF FENTANYL OR FENTANYL
EPIDEMIC HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS AND ACROSS THE STATE. I THINK W SHOULD BE IN CONJUNCTION OF WHAT THE STATE IS DOING. THAT'S AN AMENDMENT I HOPE TO BRING IN CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER COLLEAGUES ON THURSDAY. AND PARTICULAR, TOO, I KNOW WE HAVET COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN IS HOPING TO MOVE AST RELATES TO OUR
MINORS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND, AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE MISSING HERE, WHICH OUR CHAPTER -- I'LL READ EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS THERE. SO WE CAN ADD THAT, IS MY HOPE.
SO, FOR THE DELIVERY O DRUG PARAPHERNALIA TO A MINOR PROHIBITED BY MINNESOTA STATE STATUTE. ANY PERSON 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER WHO VIOLATES THAT SECTION UNDER 18 OF YEARS, AT LEAST THREE YEARS YOUNGER IS
GUILTY OF A GROSS MISDEMEANOR. I THINK THESE NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR ORDINANCE AND DEFINITION SO WE ALIGN WITH WHAT THE STATE DOES. BUT, AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS AN AREA WE HAVE SEEN. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS IS BRINGING THE WAR ON DRUGS, I THINK, TO COUNCIL
MEMBER SHAFFER'S POINT. THE DEFINITIONS OF THIS IS KIND OF A FIGHT AGAINST THAT. OR BRINGING THIS BACK UP. I THINK WE'VE SEEN OVER GENERATIONS OF HOW DRUG PARAPHERNALIA HAS -- WE'VE SEEN AN OVERCRIMINALIZATION,
PARTICULARLY IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, BASED ON DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. AND SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T USE KIND OF THIS VERSION VERY MUCH. BUT IT IS STILL A TOOL. AND SO IS WHY I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS MIRRORING WHAT THE STATE GOVERNMENTAS
ALREADY DONE. AND, SO, HAPPY TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATNS BEFORE THURSDAY, AS WELL. SO APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ITING, FOR OFFERING SOME GROUNDING ON WHAT ACTUALLY IS INCLUDED IN THIS ORDINANCE AND
WHAT IS NOT. BUT I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT WITH THE EFFORTS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING TODAY WITH THIS BODY AND THE STATE CHANGES IS BECAUSE WE ARE IN RESPONSE TO THE REALITY THAT THE WAR ON DRUGS AND THE WAR ON DGS IS ESSENTIALLY GROUNDED IN THE WAY
IN WHICH YOU RESPOND TO PEOPLE NAVIGATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. ALL SORTS OF A VARIETY OF ADDICTIONS IS TO MEET THAT HEAD ON WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INCARCERATION. AND WE HAVE AT LEAST 30 PLUS YEARS OF EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS
JUST OUTCOMES OF OUR PRISONS GROWING AT THE SEAMS. AS COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING HIGHLIGHTED. DISPROPORTIONATE INCARCERATIONS OF BLACK AND BROWN AND INDIGENOUS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS, ALSO YOUNG PEOPLE. YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR. AFTER 30 PLUS
YEARS OFHAT DATA, THAT IS NOT THE REALITY WE WANT TO GO BACK INTO. IT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE, WHEN YOU ONLY SEE, AS YOUR MOST VALUAB OPTION TOWARDS MEETING THE OPIOID CRISIS WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS HAVING A PATCH
TO BE -- WE'VE TRIED THAT. SO WE'RE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT GIVING RESIDENTS, GIVING OUR COMMUNITIES MORE TOOLS IN THE TOOL KIT. AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE WOULD SEE FURTHER COLLABORATION AMONGST OUR BODYOE
BEEN PUTTING IN THE WORK TO DO WE'VE HEARD IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. RESIDENTS ARE ASKING US TO PORE INTO THE SOLUTIONS THAT WORKS. TREATMENT WORKS AND IT'S EFFECTIVE. I LL NOTE, WHEN THE BODY TOOK UP THE CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A
CARE FACILITY IN MINNEAPOLIS LAST TERM, THAT FACILITY AND THAT PROVIDER WAS MET WITH TONS OF OPPOSITION. AND WE WERE ALSO LOBBIED TO VOTE DOWN THAT VERY CONTRACT. THIS WOULD HAVE GIVEN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, BEDS, RECOVERY SAYS WE SAID WE
RECOGNIZED AS A GREAT NEED FOR FOLKS, YOU KNOW, STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. WE WERE STILL LOBBIED TO SAY NO, "THAT'S NOT EVEN THE CONCRETE SOLUTION." BUT DATA SHOWS THAT IS. JOIN US I OUR EFFORT TO GET MORE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITIES. RIGHT NOW MINNEAPOLIS, AT THE REQUEST OF
THIS BODY, WORKED WITH OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO CRAFT AN OPIOID RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE CITY. I'M MORE THANAPPY TO WORK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PLANS ARE RE-IGNITED IN TERMS OF
CONVERSATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS IN THE COMMITTEE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS THE CITY ACTUALLY DOING WITH THE MULTIMILLION DOLLARS THAT WE GET IN OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO ACTUALLY GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT PPLE, NOT ONLY WITH THEIR SUBSTANCE USE STOREDDERS, BUT GETTING THEM INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND ALL
SORTS OF THINGS. SO I ASK THAT YOU JOIN US IN THOS THEFORTS. JOIN US IN EFFO STATE LOBBYING THE FOR FUNDINGOCATIONF TOWA TREATMENTND FACI IS NOT WHAT HIGH OREGON MODEL, THE OF -- I'M SORRY. NOT
THE REPEAL BUT THE MEASURE ITSELF ALLOCATED ABOUT $200 MILLION. TOWARDS COUNTIES TO CREA ANDEFLECTIONROGRAMS USE ANNABIS REVENUE AS DEDICATED SOURCE FOR THAT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GENERATING NEW REVENUE ON WEDNESDAY. WEWAO COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY TO STABILIZE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. LET'S ADVOCATE FOR A DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM TO ACTUALLY MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THOSE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT'S GOINGO BE
IN FRONT OF US JUST THIS WEEK. I THINK THERE IS A NUMBER OF US WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY EXCITED AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON WHAT ARE THE CONCRETE SOLUTIONSO MAKE SURE THAT, YES, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE IN A CONSTANT CYCLE OF ADDICTION. AND WE KNOW THAT IMPACTS OUR WHOLE
COMMUNITY. BUT WE ALSO KNOW INCARCERATION IS NOT THE TOOL THAT'S GOINGO ELIMINATE THAT. IT'LL REMOVE IT FROM YOUR EYE. IT'LL REMOVE IT FROM THE PLIC EYE. THAT MAY MAKE SENSIBILITIES OF COMFORT FOR PALPABLE FOR SOME FOLKS. IT
WILL NOT GET RID OF THE ISSUE. AND I THINK THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. AND THAT'S THE CONTINUED WK AND THIS ORDINANCE ALLOWS US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. THIS IS ONE OF THE PIECES OF BEING MORE RESPONSIVE, AS OUR STATE LEADERS HAVE DONE. I AT LEAST WANTED TO GROUND THAT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL
VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN, FOR ASKING STAFF TO CLARIFY THERE ARE PENALTIES, STILL CRIMINAL PENALTIES THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THIS DYNAMIC. WE'RE NOT JUST GIVING A FREE PASS. BUT WE DO WANT TO COMPLEMENT THAT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN THE THOROUGH CHANCE IT NEEDS WHICH IS COMPREHENSIVE
CARE AND TREATMENT PROGRS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THAT'S THE NEXT WORK THAT I HOPE THIS BODY IS READY TO TAKE SERIOUS. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. UMM, I CERTAINLY SEE BOTH SIDES OF THIS. SO, I KNOW WHY THE
CONVERSATION IS GOING THE WAY IT IS. BUT I GUESS I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT WE DIDN'T INVOLVE OUR OWN HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN THIS CONVERSATION. I MEAN, WE HAVE THE PHENOMENAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHO IS REALLY DOING THIS WORK, OR AT LEAST SOME OF IT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE, WITH THE COUNTY, AND
THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONES, I BELIEVE, TO PRESENT TO US HOW WE CAN BEST SERVE THE COMMUNITY. I SEE THE COMMISSIONER HAS COME IN. WELCOME, COMMISSIONER. SO, I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE, BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
SHOULD HAVE MAYBE PRESENTED TO US. COMMISSIONER, COULD YOU PLEASE COME UP. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. THE MAIN ONE BEING JUST KIND OF WHAT ARE YOU ALL SEEING WITH THE RESOURCES YOU'VE PUT OUT? I KNOW YOU DO NEEDLE CLEAN UP. YOU HAVE SOME GRANTS
FOR NEEDLE CLEAN-UP IN THE COMMUNITY. YOU ALSO ARE DOING SOME WORK WITH THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS. KIND OF WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AS A DEPARTMENT, AND WHAT ACTION HAVE YOU TAKENO FAR? >> YEAH, COUNCIL CHAIR CHOW
CHOWDHURY. COMMISSIONER OF THE MINNEAPOLIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT. WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH THE MMU AND GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY. ALL OF OUR ACTIVITIES ARE GOING TOWARDS GETTING FOLKS INTO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME RIGHT NOW. AND IT'S NOT JUST GIFTING FOLKS INTO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY, IT'S GETTING THEM REENTERED INTO
COMMUNITY. THAT'S THE REAL PAR OF HEALING. WE HAVE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. WE ARE PROVIDING NARCAN. WE ARE IN THE COMMUNITY, THE MMU IS PROVIDING SERVICES AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS WHO WE'RE TRYING
TO WORK WITH TO BE THE MEDICAL HOME AND CREATING THAT PATHWAY FROM USE TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. ANY OF THE TOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED HERE THAT WE CAN GIVE FOLKS THAT WE CAN USE TO GET FOLKS INTO TREATMENT, THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME. WE HAVE
EXPLORED MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS, AND WE ARE WORKING THROUGH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. AND WE ARE WORKING WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, WE'RE WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET. THERE'S NO SILVER BULLET. WE
CANNOT ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THIS SITUATION. THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER TO THI I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SEPARATE THE DEALERS FROM THE USERS. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A, UMM, PREDATORY ENVIRONMENT. WHEN YOU GO OUT -- I DON'T KNOW
IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT TO THE AREAS. WHEN YOU GO OUT TO THE AREAS, YOU CAN'T TELL ONE FROM THE OTHER. IT' ANOTHER DIFFICULT FOR US TO CENTRALIZE OUR SERVICES, AND SO THIS HAS BECOME CHALLENGING ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LEVELS. SO, I HEAR BOTH SIDES OF THIS. I DO. BUT
WE NEED ALL THE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US TO GIVE FOLKS -- GET FOLKS INT TREATMENT AND RECOVERY. I HAVE TO REITERATE THIS BEFORE, I'VE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. THESE ARE NOT THE SAME DRUGS I GREW UP ON. THIS
IS A MUCH STRONGER BATCH OF DRUGS, AND IT CAUSES MORE HARM QUKLY TO THE FOLKS. SO THIS IS DIFFERENT. THIS IS A DIFFERENT DRUG ENVIRONMENT THAT I GREW UP IN. AND I HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND SAY THAT FOLKS NEED DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT AND THEY NEED
DIFFERENT TYPES OF INTERVENTION. SFROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENGAGE FOLKS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT, COMMISSIONER. I THINK -- THANK YOU. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. NOT FROM YOU, COMMISSIONER, BUT, LIKE, W MANY ARRESTS WERE
MADE? HOW MANY PEOPLE GOT TREATMENT AFTER THEY WERE ARRESTED? UMM, BECAUSE I'VE HAD PEOPLE WALK UP TO ME IN ENVIRONMENTS AND SAY, "YOU KNOW, PEOPLE I SAW IN A BAD WAY AND THEN I SAW THEM FANTASTIC, HOUSED, BEEN THROUGH GREAT
PROGRAMS." THEY'VE SAID YOU KNOW, I HATE TO ADMIT IT. I GOT ARRESTED AND I GOT TREATMENT. I GOT EXPOSED TO SERVICES I NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE ARREST. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME MORE DATA AROUND HOW MANY ARRESTS ARE
BEING MADE RELATED TO PARAPHERNALIA AND WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES OF THOSE ARRESTS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW JUST, LIKE, HOW PEOPLE ARE ACCESSING TREATMENT SERVICES OVERALL. I THINK EVERYONE HERE KNOWS I BELIEVE IN TREATMENT. AND SO
HOW ARE PEOPLE GETTING ACCESS TO TREATMENT? AND ARE WE GOING TO, ALONG WITH THIS SORT OF A POLICY, IS THE INTENT TO THEN UP OUR APPROACH TO PEOPLE GETTING TREATMENT SERVICES? BECAUSEE NEED MORE OF THAT. WE NEED MORE
OPPORTUNITY FOR TREATMENT. WE NEED, YOU KNOW, MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE PEOPLE TO HAVE SOMEONE INTERVENE AND HELP. IT'S NOT JUST THE SIMPLE, LIKE, WE CAN'T LET PEOPLE NOT BE SEEN. YOU CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE
SOMEWHERE AND THEY'RE NOT BEING EXPOSED TO MEDICAL SERVICES. THE MOBILE MEDICALNIT, AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID. LIKE, WE NEED THESE PEOPLE TO GET HELP. AND THE COMMISSIONER ALSO SAID THESE ARE DIFFERENT DRUGS. I THINK YOU KIND OF DATED US WITH SAYING, LIKE, IT'S VERY DIFFERENT. THAT'S RIGHT. WE
COME FROM A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EPIDEMIC, WHICH WAS CRACK. AND PEOPLE WERE NOT DYING AT THE RATES THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING NOW. YOU DIDN'T SEE PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREETS OVERDOSING AND, I MEAN, NOW YOU CAN JUST WALK UP AND SEE THINGS HAPPENI. ON MY RIDE TO WORK A COUPLE OF YEARS
AGO, BROADWAY. IT WAS JUST SO SAD TO SEE. I MEAN, IT WAS TERRIBLE TO SEE PEOPLE JUST OUT ON BROADWAY NEEDING HELP. AT THAT TIME, I DID A LOT OF WORK TO GET TURNING POINT A TREATMENT CENTER IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS.
THE RESOURCES THEY NDED, ALONG WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THE MAYOR. AND IT'S DIFFERENT. YOU DON'T SEE THAT WHEN YOU WALK ON BROADWAY NOW. SO I KNOW TREATMENT MATTERS. AND I ALSO KNOW THAT MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T EXCHANGING CARETY
NEED -- DIRTY NEEDLES MATTER AND HARM REDUCTION A MATTERS, ALSO. I THINK THERE'S A MIDDLE PLACE WITH THIS. I JUST DON'T KNOW THIS POLICY IS THE MIDDLE PLACE. AND SO, I REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN BE CREATIVE IN THINKING OF HOW WE MAKE THIS BETTER FOR THE
PEOPLE IN OUR CITY AND NOT MAKE IT -- IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ONE OR THE OTHER. I THINK THERE'S STEPS WE CAN TAKE THAT MIGHT NOT ALL HAPPEN RIGHT NOW TO GET PEOPLE THE HELP THEY NEED. BUT, ALSO, THINK ABOUT THE LIVABILITY OF OUR ENTIRE CITY. BECAUSE IT
REALLY IS ABOUT THE ENTIRE CITY AND HOW WE LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY IN THE CITY. AND WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT EVERYONE, AND NOT SEE IT AS, YOU KNOW, JUST HARM TO -- >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> THANK YOU. UMM, THIS -- I FIRST WANT TO THANK THE SOUTH SIDE HARM REDUCTION PROJECT FOR COMING AND PRESENTING. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AND HERE
ABOUTHE WORK YOU'RE DOING IN A WAY IT WOULD SUPPORT WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I SUPPORT US MOVING IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATE LAW. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT STEP FORWARD FOR US. CURRENTLY CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING IS NOT THE
ANSWER. IT'S NOT HELPING PEOPLE. IT'S NOT GETTING PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT. I, AS A STREET OUTREACH WORKER, SAW THIS FIRSTHAND. AND, AS A STREET OUTREACH WORKER, I CARRIED THESE HARM REDUCTION SUPPLIES. AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I WENT
ALL OVER THIS CITY CARRYING PIPES, SYRINGES, WHATNOT. I WAS NEVER TARGETED OR PROSECUTED. BUT THE POOR, BLACK, AND BROWN PEOPLE ARE TARGETED AND PROSECUTED. AND I THINK A LOT THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS THATIS
NOT A LAW WE SHOULD HAVE. AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD DEFINITELY GET RID OF. LAST MONTH A FRIEND OF MINE DIED O AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE. AND I
TRULY, TRULY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE FENTANYL. IT'S THE WORST DRUG EVER INVENTED. THISS NOT ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE USE DRUGS MORE. THIS IS ABOUT LETTING THE PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE
SEEK HELP. THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE FROM BEING BLOCKED FROM CRIMINALIZATION. THIS POLICY IS IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY BY GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS. BY LETTING THOSE WHO ARE GIVING
HELP, GIVING AID, AND THOSE NEEDING HELP AND AID. BRINGING THEM CLOSER TOGETHER. ALLOWING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS TO GROW AND FOSTER. PEOPLE BEING READY AND WILLING TO MOVE INTO TREATMENT. UMM, YEAH. ALL THAT ASIDE, THIS
IS ALSO A GREAT WAY TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF HIV USE. THE SPREAD OF HEPATITIS. THESE ARE TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE DISEASES THAT NOT ONLY KILL PEOPLE, LAY WASTE TO PEOPLE'S BODIES, PEOPLE'S HEALTH, BUT THEY'RE PREVENTABLE. THEY'RE ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE.
AND WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH THIS POLICY. UMM, AND LASTLY, I WANT TO NOTE. I HAVE FRIEND WHOSE A PROSECUTOR IN OREGON. AND WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT OREGON TODAY. I TEXTED HIM WHILE WE WERE UP HERE AND ASKED HIM "WHAT DO YOU
THINK ABOUT THIS? AND WHAT IS THE LAW IN OREGON?" HE SAID, "WELL, PARAPHERNALIA IS DECRIMINALIZED AND POSSESSION IS CRIMINALIZED." HE TOLD HIM IT'S A GOOD BALANCE. IT LETS HIM BUILD STRONG CASES AGAINST DRUG
DEALERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP GET THE HELP THEY NEED. AND DO THE HARM REDUCTION SERVICES. SO, NOT ON HIS WORD ALONE, BUT PRIMARILY ON THE WORD SIDE OF SOUTH SIDE HARM REDUCTION, ON THE PROJECT, ON THE WORD OF NICOLE HERE WHO HAS
BEEN OUT HELPING HER RELATIVES, OUR RELATIVES GET OFF THE STREET, GET OFF DRUGS. I THINK WE SHOULD DEFINITELY MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. AND IT WOULD BE POSITIVE STEP FOR OUR CITY. THANK YOU..
>> THANK YOU. SO, I THINK IF ANYTHING, I'M GTEFUL TO BE COAUTHORING THIS ORDINANCE TODAY. BECAUSE WE REALLY NEEDED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AS A COMMUNITY. AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION. RIGHT. LIKE, IF
THERE'S A SINGULAR THROUGH LINE THROUGH EVERY PERSON THAT TESTIFIED AND ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TODAY, IS THAT WE REALLY WANT TO SEE REDUCTION AND ADDRESS ADDICTION. AND MAKE
SURE IT'S A CARING CITY FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. I AGREE. HIS IS NOT THE ONLY POLICY WE SHOULD BE TAKING UP. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE WORK DONE TO HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT
ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION. DEFLECTION PROGRAMS, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT IT. LET'S FIGURE OUT THE PLAN. LET'S STRUCTURE SOMETHING. I THINK SOMEONE SAID "STRUCTURED INTERVENTION." LET'S MAKE IT MEAN SOMETHING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL EXPERTS, UMM, COME AND TESTIFY
BEFORE US TODAY. COMMUNITY MEMBERS I'VE KNOWN FOR LONG TIME WHO ARE OUT IN THE STREETS WORKING WITH OUR BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT STRUGGLE ERY SINGLE DAY.
THAT SHARED AN IMPORTANT POINT THAT CRIMINALIZATION AND PARAPHERNALIA IS NOT HELPING THE ISSUE. THIS IS THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH FOR SOME. BUT IT'S THE TRUTH. THE CRIMINALIZATION OF DG PARAPHERNALIA, FOR SOMEONE TO
HAVE A NEEDLE, AND FOR THEM TO GET A MISDEMEANOR OR CITATION OR TO BE POLICED. THAT IS AN ADDAGE OF THE WAR ON DRUGS. IT IS. AND IT'S NOT OKAY. AND IT LEADS TO DISPROPORTIONATE
SURVEILLANCE OF BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND CRIMINALIZATION. THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY FORWARD, RATHER THAN POLICING. POLICING PEOPLE FOR HAVING A SYRINGE. AND THEN MAKING THEM FEEL SCARED TO ACTUALLY SEEK OUT SUPPORT SERVICES. OR EVEN WORSE YET,
REUSING SYRINGES THAT LEAD TO SPREAD OF DISEASE. THOSE ARE REAL REALITIES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. AND I ALSO WANT TO UPLIFT, AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE UPLIFTED, LIKE, I LOOKED INTO WHAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE
NOTED IN OREGON AND PORTLAND AS, LIKE, THE BIG HEADLINE STORY THAT'S CAUSED ISSUES OVER THERE. AND THAT IS ABOUT DRUG POSSESSION AND NOT PARAPHERNALIA. THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS IN THE NEWS REPORTS. AND THEN, AS FAR AS SAN FRANCISCO
GOES, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT PARAPHERNALIA HAS NOT BEEN DECRIMINALIZED THERE. SO, I THINK THAT POINT IS MOOT. I THINK IT'S POLITICALLY CONVENIENT TO LIFT UP THESE
CITIES THAT ARE RAVAGED BY THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND DRUG USE AND SAY, "HERE IS THE BOOGIEMAN WE NEED TO AVOID." BUT IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT THE REALITY OF THIS CITY. THOSE THINGS DON'T MATCH
AND ADD UP. THE REALITY OF THIS CITY IS, THIS IS AN OUTDATED POLICY THAT LEADS TO CRIMINALIZATION. AND THERE ARE BETTER STEPS FORWARD. AND, ALSO, I THINK ANOTHER THING TT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT AS RESPONSIBLE ELECTED LEADERS IN
THIS LOCALITY IS THE INCONSISTENTTIES ACROSS JURISDICTIONS. I THINK WE'RE PUTTING PEOPLE IN A TOUGH POSITION, THE SERVICE PROVIDERS OUT THERE, THAT ARE THE ONES GETTING PEOPLE TO TREATMENT AT THE HIGHER RATE THAN ANY POLICE OFFICER WOULD. AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL SAY THAT. UMM,
BECAUSE THAT -- THEY'RE NOT TRAINED TO DO THAT. PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAINED IN HARM REDUCTION ARE. I THINK WE'RE PUTTING THEM IN A DIFFICULT POSITION WHEN THE STATE HAS SAID, OH, THIS IS DECRIMINALIZED. BUT IT'S CRIMINALIZED IN THIS CITY AND
THIS JURISDICTION. WE'REPUTTINT POSITION. WHERE THEY HAVE THESE CONTRACTS TO DO THEIR WORK, BUT THEY'RE INHERENTLY BREAKING OUR LOCAL LAW. AND I THINK THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF GOOD PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE. I DID HAVE A
QUESTION FOR THE CITY ATTORNEYS THAT ARE HERE. I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DAY-TO-DAY APPLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE'S A PRETTY LOW LEVEL OF CITATIONS
IN THE YEAR TO DATE THAT OCCURS. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND SHARING. I HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AND 20 SECONDS LEFT IN MY TIME. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. WHEN I RAN THROUGH THE CASE DATA BASE,
THERE WERE 231 CASES IN 2025 THAT HAD A DRUG PARAPHERNALIA COUNT. OF ALL OF THOSE CASES, THERE WAS ONLY 15 IN WHICH THE CASE RESOLVED ON THE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA COUNT. 106 THOSE THOSE -- 10 REFERRED TO
RJCA, ONE OF THE DIVERSION PROGRAMS. I DON'T WAN TO SAY IT PROVIDES ANY TREATMENT. THE OTHER FIVE WERE SCREENED FOR DIVERSION BUT NOT ELIGIBLE. SOME OF THEM PARTICIPATED IN A RESTORATIVE COURT, ANOTHER COURT WHERE WE ALLOW A SOCIAL WORKER TO CONNECT. AND THEN THE OTHERS
CHOSE THAT COUNT. IN 97 OF THE OTHER CASES, THE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA COUNT WAS DISMISS. >> WOULD YOU SAY YOUR NAME ON THE RECORD. >> YES. HEIDI JOHNSTON FM THE MINNEAPOLIS ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. I THINK IT JUST KINDF
SHOWCASES THAT LOW LEVEL OF NUMBERS THAT END UP RESOLVING. AND ALSO HEARING FROM OUR INSPECTOR THAT THIS ISN'T A TOOL THAT IS USED OFTEN. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD CONTEMPLATE AS A BODY IS, LIKE,
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR LAW ENFORCENT TO HAVE SOME SORT OF CO-RESPONSE MODEL. INSTEAD OF GIVING SOMEONE A MISDEMEANOR CITATION, MAYBEE'RE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND WHOEVER TO
HELP THOSE IN NEED RIGHT AWAY. A MORE CARING FIGURE, PEER-TO-PEER RECOVERY IS VERY, VERY SUCCESSFUL. TO ACTUALLY STEP INTO TREATMENT. RIGHT. IT'S PRETTY SCARY TO BE OFFERED TO GO INTO POLICE CAR AND BE
TAKEN TO 1800 CHICAGO. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU MIGHT -- YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO SAY NO VERSUS SOMEONE THAT'S ACTUALLY FACED ADDICTION. WHO CAN BE A CARING FIGURE AND ALSO OFFER YOU
CULTURALLY-COMPETENT RESOURCES. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIME, MEMBERS. AND I HOPE TO EARN YOUR SUPPORT. COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANKS FOR YOUR WORDS. UMM, WE
HAVE HEARD TODAY FROM PEOPLE IN LONG-TERM RECOVERY. WE'VE HEARD FROM PARENTS OF PEOPLE SUFFERING IN ADDICTION. WE'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO WORK VERY HARD TO PROVIDE HARM REDUCTION IN OUR CITY. AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT. UMM, I'M ALSO MINDFUL THAT FOR YEARS NOW,
WE'VE AUTHORIZED CONTRACTS FOR HARM REDUCTION, AND AS MORE ELOQUENTLY STATED THAN I CAN, THAT MEANS A LOT OF THINGS. BUT IT ALSO MEANS CLEAN SYRINGES AND THE SUBJECT MATTER IN THIS ORDINANCE.. OUR PROGRESSIVE APPROACH TO THIS GOES WELL
BEYOND LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND MOSTLY GETS PROGRAMMED THROUGH OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOES. MY OWN UNDERSTANDING IS THAT A LOT OF OUR INTERACTIONS OF FIRST RESPONDERS IS THEY UTILIZE OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS TEAM IN
THESE KINDS OF INTERACTIONS. WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A -- A DRUGGED STATE, FOR LACK OF BEING ABLE TO SAYHAT BETTER. AS COMMISSIONER CHAPLAIN SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF PARTNERS IN THIS WORK. AND THIS IS A MORE AND MORE POTENT DRUG
ENVIRONMENT. MEANING THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TIME TO MAKE INTERVENTIONS ANYMORE. THIS LANGUAGE CHANGE, AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED A LOT, IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER STATE LAW. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IN CONVERSATION WITH
COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN ON THE DAIS, COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ CHARACTERIZED THIS AS ACOMPLIANY ATTORNEY IN THIS CASE, MR. ABLESON, CLEARLY STATED THIS IS A POLICY DECISION. THOSE ARE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS. SO, THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE
CHOOSING TO DO. IS THERE A DOWNSIDE TO THIS IN TERMS OF THE TOOLS OUR PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS ARE USI IN DRUG CASES FROM THE DATA, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MIGHT BE. ONE OF OUR BEST, SMARTEST
CRIMINAL ATTORNEYS ON THIS MATTER, MS. JOHNSTON SAID WE HAVE USED PARAPHERNALIA TO ALLOW IN SOME INSTANCES A PERSON TO PLEAD DOWN AN ACTL DRUG CHARGE. I DON'T THINK I HEARD THAT WRONG. IF WE TAKE THIS AWAY, WE COULD BE PUSHING MORE
DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES TO BE CHARGED AT A HIGHER LEVEL;RIGHT? A GROSS MISDEMEANOR OR FELONY, SINCE WE NO LONGER HAVE THE MISDEMEANOR-LEVEL CHARGE TO EVEN CONSIDER. SO, I'M CONCERNED THAT BY REMOVING THIS POSSESSN LANGUAGE IN OUR CODE, WE ARE
DEINCENTIVIZING SOMEONE TO SEEK TREATMENT AND ADDRESS THEIR PHYSICAL AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS. THIS TAKES AWAY ANY CONSEQUENCES FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET HELP. AND, I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ ALSO SAID THE OPSITE OF THIS. THAT IT WOULD
DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY FROM ENFORCEMENT AND CAUSE HARM. WE'VE HAD PEOPLE HERE TODAY THAT HAVE TESTIFIED TO BOTH OF THESE IDEAS. ONE CHALLENGE TO THIS, AND THIS LANGUAGE IN FRONT OF US, IN OTHER CITIES THAT FEELS
SIMILAHERE IS THAT REPEAL, LIKE IT SAYS IN THE LANGUAGE IN FRONT OF THE US, FAILS TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS WITH CHEMICA USE AND FEINT DEPENDENCY. SO INSTEAD, MAYBE WE SHOULD SPEND SOME TIME ON HOW WILL WE DO THIS DIFFERENTLY IN
MINNEAPOLIS? I'M NOT LOOKING TO CREATE OR LIFT UP BOOGIE MEN HERE. I'M INTERESTED IN HOW WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS. I'M INTERESTED IN CHANGES HERE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. AND MEMBERS OF THIS BODY. UMM, LAUREN NUMEROFF IS ONE OF MY
FAVORITE CHILDREN AUTHORS. SHE WROTE A BOOK CALLED "TO GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE." TO GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE, HE'S GOING TO WANT A GLASS OF MILK TO GO ALONG WITH IT. HE HAS A MUS TACH, H WANTS
TO SHAVE. THE MOUSE GOES ON THE WHOLE ADVENTURE BECAUSE HE WAS GIVEN A COOKIE. I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I ABSOLUTELY SUPRT TREATING ADDICTION AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. IT'S A
PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. PEOPLE NEED HELP AND NOT HANDCUFFS. AND I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH SERVICES THAT CAN ACTUALLY CHANGE THEIR LIVES. BUT THIS ORDINANCE IS US
TRYING TO SPRINT BEFORE WE HAVE EVEN TIED OUR SHOES. WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN? WHO ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO THE COOKIE? WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE COOKIE? YOU GOT THIS COOKIE.
WITH THIS COOKIE IN YOUR HAND, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO ACCOMPANY THIS COOKIE. AND IT LEADS YOU DOWN A WHOLE RABBIT HOLE OF BEHAVIORS THAT ALL STARTED WITH THE
INSTRUMENT ITSELF. THE COOKIE. RIGHT NOW WE'RE MOVING FAST ON REMOVING PENALTIES WITHOUT BUILDING SYSTEMS AROUND IT THAT ACTUALLY SUPPORT THE RECOVERY, AND THAT'S NOT COMPASSION.
THAT'S WISHFUL THINKING ON A POLICY LABEL. DECRIMINALIZING STRUG PARAPHERNALIA MIGHT SOUND LIKE PROGRESS. BUT IT ALSO REMOVES ONE OF THE FEW MOMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO INTERVENE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE. NOT TO PUNISH
BUT TO PAUSE. AND SAY, "HEY, HERE'S A BETTER PATH. LET US HELP YOU FIND IT. LET US HELP YOU REDISCOVER YOU. LET US REMOVEHIS SMALL SNACK SO THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE A GREATER IMPACT." IF WE ELIMINATE THAT POINT OF
CONTACT ENTIRELY, WE ARE NOT REPLACING IT WITH ANYTHING STRONGER. WE'RE JUSTOPING THAT PEOPLE FIND HELP ON THEIR OWN. AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THIS, AS A MOTHER OF A CHILD WHO WAS VERY SEVERY ADDICTED TO
OPIOIDS, AND AS A SISTER OF A SISTER WHO WAS VERY HEAVILY ADDICTED TO OPIDS, ADDICTION IS NOT EXACTLY KNOWN FOR ITS GREAT DECISION-MAKING PRINCIPLES AND SAYING, "Y, RIGHT NOW I'M
DROWNING. CAN YOU SAVE ME?" LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MESSAGE THAT IT SENDS. BECAUSE POLICY DOESN'T JUST CHANGE RULES. IT SHAPES CULTURE. AND IDENTITY. IT SHAPES BEHAVIOR PRACTICES. WE MUST BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES
ABOUT REAL-WORLD COMPLEXITIES. UNDER MINNESOTA LAW, SOMEONE WHO IS INTOXICATED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANYTHING CAN'T CONSENT TO SEXUAL ACTIVITY. HERE WE GO WITH THAT COOKIE AGAIN. THE COOKIE PRESENTS
ITSELF. WE'RE MAKING DECISNS THAT LEAD TO OTHER CHOICES THAT BRING IN MORE HARM THAN WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO EVEN DEAL WITH. IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE PUBLIC. IT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR CHILDREN.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO US. HAVING THAT MOMENT OF INTERVENTION AND HAVING PEOPLE HAVE TO DISCLOSE THE THINGSN THEIR PERSON THAT COULD LEAD TO ADDITIONAL PERSONAL CHOICES THAT MAKE THEM
A DANGER TO THEMSELVES AND TO OTHERS IS THE MOST PIVOTAL MOMENT THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER OUT HERE ON THE STREETS. AND IF YOU ROB US OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, THEN WE ARE MAKING A DIVESTMENT
IN ALL OF THE INVESTMENTS WE'VE MADE AROUND INTERVENTION SERVICES THAT WE'VE PUT INTO PLACE OUT HERE ON THE STREETS TO WORK WITH THESE PEOPLE. BECAUSE IF IT'S DECRIMINALIZED, WHY DO I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT?
IT'S AID TO CONSPIRACY AGAINST MY OWN SELF DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU. I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT'S IN MY PURSE AND ON MY PERSON. I DON'T HAVE TO DISCUSS THOSE THINGS WITH YOU. IT'S NOT TROUBLE. IT DOESN'T SPELL OUT
ANYTHING. WE DON'T HAVE TO DISCUSS IT. IT'S LEGAL FOR ME TO HAVE IT. IT'S NOT CRIMINAL FOR ME TO HAVE IT. SO I CAN LISTEN TO YOUR 20 OR 30 MINUTES OF LIP SERVICE, AND WHEN I'M DONE HEARING THAT, NOW RECEIVE
MY GIFT CARD, I'LL GO BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL. BECAUSE WE NEVER TALKED ABOUT ANYTHING. I CAME WITH EVERYTHING I HAD, AND THAT WAS MY COOKIE. I'M GOING TO CARRY OUT MY BUSINESS. THE END. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND THANKS TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR COMMENTS. ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAME DOWN TO TESTIFY. IT'S NOT EASY TO COME DOWN TO CITY HALL DURING THE DAY AND FIND A PLACE TO PAR AND WAIT. Y'ALL HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT. IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT WE'RE ALL
UNITED ON HELPING ADDICTION. WE ALL WANT TO DO THAT. IT'S CLEAR THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS ON HOW TO DO THAT HELP. MYSELF, I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE EFFECTS ON THE BUSINESSES
AND THE AVERAGE CITIZEN WHO IS NOT ADDICTED. I THINK THEY HAVE SAY IN THIS, AS WELL. AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD ON OUR LIVABILITY. BUT DO LOOK FORWARD -- SOMEONE HAD PROMISED THIS WAS JUST A START OF THE
CONVERSATION. ABOUT HOW WE DEAL WITH ADDICTION. AND, IN PARTICULAR, LIVABILITY. SO I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THIS TODAY. BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO KEEPING -- WORKING TOGETHER, AND HOPEFULLY WE HAVE SOME GOOD CONVERSATIONS OUTSIDE OF THIS
DAIS AND HOW WE TRULY HELP OUR CITIZENSES WHO ARE ADDICTED, BUT ALSO HELP WITH THIS LIVABILITY ISSUE, WHICH IS JUST TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL. IN PARTS OF OUR CITY. AND THAT IS JUST UNFAIR TO THOSE WHO LIVE THERE AND TRY TO DO BUSINESS THERE.
>> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. JUST REFLECTING ON THE PUBLIC HEARING AND SOME OF THE DISCUSSION HERE TODAY. AND WANTED TO, UMM, SPEAK TO THREE DIFFERENT THINGS.
THE FIRST BEING THAT, UMM, YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN ASSERTED, UMM, EXPLICITLY AND HEAVILY IMPED, UMM, TODAY THAT ADDICTION IS, UMM, IS NOT A DISEASE.
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER ABSOLUTELY IS A DISEASE. JUST LIKE DIABETES AND CANCER, UMM, AND THE CRIMINALIZATION OF, UMM, OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, UMM,
IS -- IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF PARAPHERNALIA IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF, UMM, OF DRUGS THEMSELVES. SECOND THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, IS BACK IN
2023, JULY 21st, MAYOR FREY ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DEPRIORITIZING THE ENFORCEMENT OF, AH, OF -- OF HALLUCINOGEN
CONSIDERED A SCHEDULE I DRUG. AND, TO ME, THAT IS -- NOT TO ME. QUITE LITERALLY, THAT IS CLOSER TO THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUGS THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY. SOMETHING I WOULD -- I THOUGHT WAS AN
EXCELLENT EXECUTIVE ORDER AT THE TIME. I STILL CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT. UMM, AND GRATEFUL FOR THE MAYOR'S LEADERSHIP IN THIS WAY. UMM, AND -- AND, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO, UMM, LIFT IT UP AS AN EXAMPLE. BECAUSE I DON'T
REALLY QUITE REMEMBER SUCH PASSIONATE PUSHBACK TO THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER AS WHAT I'M HEARING TODAY. IT'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT. AND, U, AH, A HEALTHY REFRAME. UMM, I WANT TO
TALK ABOUT THE EXAMPLE, FINALLY, OF, UMM, THE OREGON STATE LAW. SO BACK IN 2020, ABOUT 60% OF VOTERS IN OREGON. SO, LIKE, AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF PEOPLE, UMM, VOTED TO, UMM, PASS MEASURE
110, WHICH, UMM, DECRIMINALIZED, AH, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DRUGS THEMSELVES. THAT, AGAIN, IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN OREGON. , UMM, AS A FAILED POLICY. UMM,
THAT DIDN'T WORK. SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT. UMM, WHEN THIS WAS PASSED, AND SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS IMPLEMENTED, RIGHT. KEEP IN MIND WE'RE, AH, WE'RE ACTIVEL IN THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. AS IT'S BEING
IMPLEMENTED WESTB, WE ALSO KNOW DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE SAW THE ENORMOUS RISE IN ADDICTION OF ALL SORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY. AND HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS, T. SO, OREGON AT THE TIME, IS ALSO EXPERIENCING A
SURGE OF OPIATES IN THEIR DRUG MARKET. OPIATE ADDICTION AND OVERDOSES ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON. AND SOME OF THAT IS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. SOME IS RELATED TO THE LOCAL DRUG MARKET. AND THE ECONOMY IN OREGON. LATER THAT
YEAR, OREGON EXPERIENC A STRING OF RECORD-BREAKING WILD FIRES. THERE'S A LOT GOING ON. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHEN MEASURE 110 WAS PASSED IN OREGON, TRE WAS, LIKE, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESOURCES THAT WAS ALLOCATED TOWARDS HELPING PEOPLE NAVIGATE
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND RECEIVE HELP. KIND OF LIKE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY AND WHAT I HEARD OTH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TESTIFIERS SPEAK TO, AS WELL. THEIR STATEUDITOR FOUND THERE WAS SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH GETTING THAT MONEY OUT AS FAST AS IT NEEDED TO GET OUT. AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE
DIDN'T SEE PEOPLE GET THE HELP EY NEEDED BECAUSE THE VERY RESOURCES THEY WOULD HAVE RELIED ON HAD THIS MASSIVE SLOWDOWN IN BEING ABLE TO GET THIS MONEY OUT. SOME COULD HAVE BEEN, AGAIN, RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES SHUTNG DOWN. UMM, IN 2024, THIS LAW WAS REPEALED. MEASURE 110 WAS REPEALED, AND THAT CAME AS A RESULT OF A COORDINATED AND
WELL-MONEYED MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNER TRAIT -- PERPEATED BY CONSERVATIVE MEDIA OUTLETS AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS. IN AN ELECTION YEAR. THIS LAW WAS REPEALED. SO, LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT -- TO CHARACTERIZE WHAT
HAPPENED IN OREGON AS SOME SORT OF QUOTE, UNQUOTE, "FAILURE OF DECRIMINALIZATION" LIKE. THAT'S A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN TALKING POINT. THAT'S A FACT. UMM, THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED IN OREGON. THERE'S A SERIES OF
THINGS THAT WERE OUTSIDE OF PEOPLE'S CONTROL THAT RESULTED IN THIS DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THE REPEAL. SO, ALL THAT TO SAY, I AM REALLY EXCITED TO BE SUPPORTING THIS
TODAY. AND AM GRATEFUL TO THE AUTHORS FOR THEIR WORK. THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBE WHITING. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. JUST HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS FOR OUR CITY ATTORNEY JOHNSTON HERE. UMM, I HEAR THE ARGUMT. I THINK ABOUT PARTICULARLY AS IT
RELATES TO USING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AS KIND OF A CHARGING MEASURE/NEGOTIATING MEASURE. UMM, JUST TRYING TO -- I KNOW YOU PROBABLY MIGHT OUT NOT HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS ON HAND. I GUESS WHEN WE CHARGE HIGHER. MY ASSUMPTION PROBABLY
DRUG POSSESSIONHARGES THAT ARE PLED DOWN TO THESE LOWER OR LESSER PARAPHERNALIA CHARGES. DO YOU HAVE NUMBERS ONOW MANY TIMES THE CITY HAS DONE THAT? UMM, USED IT AS KIND OF A LOWER PORTION OR A LOWER AVAILABILITY
OF A CHARGE. >> SO, UMM, THANK YOU, CHAIR. HEIDI JOHNSTON SPEAKING ON BEHALF O THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I DID PULL EVERY CASE WHERE WE HAD DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AS A COUNT. AND ONE THING I DO WANT TO CLEAR UP,
IT WAS SURPRISING TO ME AS I THOUGHT WE WOULD SEE IT MOSTLY WITH DRUG POSSESSION, FIFTH DEGREE DRUG POSSESSION OR OTHER DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES. BUT THE REALITY IS, IT WAS KIND OF USED ACROSS THE BOARD IN A LOT OF
DIFFERENT AREAS. A LOT OF TRANSIT SMOKING OFFENSES, WHICH MAKES SENSE. BUT FALSE INFORMATION CASES OR OTH CHARGES. IT COMES UP IN OTHER CONTEXTS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VAST NUMBER OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CASES, LE I
SAID, IF IT'S A STAND-ALONE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CASE. MOST OF THEM ENDED UP BEING DISMISSED. THIS IS THE STATS WITH JUST THE 25 CASES WHERE WE HAD A DIRECT RESOLUTION WAS A DRUG PARAPHERNALIAOUNT. 10 OF THEM WENT TO DIVERSION. THE FIVE THAT RESULTED IN CONVICTION
LOOKS LIKE IT WAS A CHOICE OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY. IT WAS BASICALLY PLEAD TO ANY COUNT, AND SOME OF THEM WERE FIFTH DEGREE. >> OKA >> I WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THE
CL COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES ARE HARD TO MEASURE. ON ITS CE, POSSESSION IS CLEARLY WORSE OF A CONVICTION ON A RECORD THAN AAPHERNALIA CONVICTION. AS FAR AS SOME CLOT REALLY A CONSEQUENCES GO.
>> THAT'S HELPFUL. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T USE OUR -- THIS VERSION, THI ORDINANCE THAT MUCH COMPARATIVELY TO OUR KIND OF OTHER LARGER CHARGING CAPACITIES. >> WE DON'T USE IT AS MUCH. AND, HONESTLY, OUR FIRST, LIKE,
IF YOU WERE TO ASK ME IN THE D OF A LIFE OF A DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CHARGE, OUR FIRST OFR IS GOING TO BE DEFLECTION. HOPEFULLY THE PERSON AGREES TO GO TO 1800. B IN THE CASES WHERE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, WE HAVE OUR DIVERSION PROGRAMS OF RJCA,
WE HAVE A PETTY OFFER DEFINED IN MINNESOTA NOT CRIMINAL. YOU'LL ONLY SEE A DRUG PARAPHERNALIA OFFER IF IT'S A CHOICE THROUGH THE DEFEND AND THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY. OR IF IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS HAD MULTIPLE PRIORS ON THEIR CRIMINAL RECORD. >> AND THE LAST PIECE O THIS,
AND I'VE HEARD, AS WELL. IS OFFICERS USING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AS EVIDENCE TO KIND OF ESTABLISH PROBABLE CAUSE FOR OTHER LARGER OFFENSES. WHETHER IT CAN BE RELATED TO DRUG POSSESSION OR LARGER DRUG
POSSESSION, AS WELL. IF WE DECRIMINALIZE DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, ARE OFFICERS ABLE TO USE THE POSSESSION OR THE VIEW THAT THIS -- THE SEEING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AS RELATED TO
TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES TO ESTABLISH PROBABLE CAUSE. >> IT'S -- THERE IS ESTABLISHED CASE LAW WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANDING BASED ON PRESENCE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. IN THE ABSENCE OF A SUPPORTING CRIMINAL STATUTE FOR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, IT'S HARD TO SEE WHAT EXPANSION
WOULD BE. THE O ISSUE, HYPOTHETICAL-TYPE OF LAW SCHOOL EXAM IS, IN A LOT OF THESE SITUATIONS IF SOMEONE HAS A SMALL AMOUNT. THE DRUGS WILL BE GONE BY THE TIME POLICE ARE ON SCENE. IF YOU LITERALLY COME UP ON SOMEONE THAT HAS PARAPHERNALIA AND THERE IS NO
CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR PARAPHERNALIA, THAT WOULD GREATLY CHALLENGE ANY EXPANSION OR ANY INVESTIGATION INTO ANY OTHER ASPECTS OF FINDING OUT IF THEY'RE A USER, A DEALER, CONNECTED TO A DEALER, OR VICEVT
DEFINITIVELY BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE IT EXISTS RIGHT NOW. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. 20 SECONDS LEFT. I THINK THIS IS HELPFUL. I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS COUNCIL MEMBER SAID. WE'RE TRYG TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO ADDRESS THE DRUG ISSUES GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND SO I THINK
WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT. LET'S USE THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS TO DO THAT. I KNOW I'M JUST ENDING UP -- I'M EXCITED TO -- I KNOW A FEW COUNCIL MEMBERS NOTED A CORRESPONDENCE MODEL. I WOULD LOVE TO LOOK AT THAT, TOO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW.
>> SO, AS I'M THINKG ABOUT THIS, I WONDER IF ANYONE TALKED TO METRO TRANSIT. I MEAN, THEIR CHIEF -- ONE OF THE ISSUES I'VE HAD IN WARD 4 IS LOWRY AND PENN. A LOT OF DRUG USE. AND IT'S
PRIMARILY IN BUS SHELTERS AND AROUND BUS STOPS. SO, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, I TYPICALLY GET A LARGE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS FROM PARENTS SAYING, "HEY, MY KID CAN'T ACCESS THEIR BUS STOP. OR ION'T FEEL SAFE HAVING MY CHILD GO OUT TO THE
METRO TRANSIT STATION." S THE CHIEF HAD -- NOW THE CHIEF HAS INTERVENED AND DONE SOME WORK ON SPECIFICALLY AT METRO TRANSIT STATIONS IS WHERE I SEE THINGS HAPPENING ON THE NORTH SIDE. I'M WONDERING IF ANY COLLEAGUES
WHO HAVE AUTHORED THIS HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH THE CHIEF OF METRO TRANSIT AT ALL. AND, LIKE, WHAT IS THE GOAL FOR EDUCATING THEM ON THIS? HOW DO WE FIND OUT WHAT THE IMPACT IS GOING TO BE ON METRO TRANSIT IF
SOMETHING LIKE THIS PASSES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> THANK Y, CHAIR CHOWDHURY AND TO COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW'S QUESTION. WE HAVEN'T TALKED TO METRO TRANSIT, BUT MORE THAN HAPPY TO AHEAD OF THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM ABOUT IT. >> YEAH. I THINK THAT SOMETHING
LIKE THIS WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON HOW THEY'RE ABLE TO OPERATE. I'M SURE IF ANY OF YOU HAVE WARDS WHERE TRE'S CONGESTED ISSUES THAT METRO TRANSIT PLAYS A BIG ROLE. IT'S USUALLY BUS STOPS, BUS SHELTERS,
TRANSIT STATIONS. AND SO, I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO BE TALKING TO METRO TRANSIT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY HELP FOLKS OR IF THEY'RE MAKING ARRESTS. IF THEY'RE CHARGING, ALSO, WITH PARAPHERNALIA CHARGES. IF
THEY'RE PLEADING DOWN. YEAH, I'LL REACH OUT. BUT I REALLY DO THINK THAT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THE AUTHORS WOULD ALSO REACH OUT TO METRO TRANSIT AND SE I CHOWDHURY H PUT MONEY INTO SOME OF THE TRANSIT STATIONS IN
HER WARD. AND SO IF THIS IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, I MEAN, THAT DOESN'T -- THAT'S NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. IF THEY'RE USING THIS TO CLEAN UP THE ACTUAL TRANSIT STATION, THEN WE'RE BEING COUNTERPRODUCTIVE HERE. SO, I WOULD AT LEAST WANT TO KNOW THAT
WE'RE HELPING METRO TRANSIT DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. AND NOT HARMING. AND I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL I'M CERTAINLY, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, HAVE GOTTEN ON THE LIGHT RAIL TO GO TO A BASEBALL GAME OR TO THE AIRPORT OR SOMETHING WITH MY NIECES AND N NEPHEWS AND HAD PEOPLE USING DRUGS AND
GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE METRO TRANSIT OFFICER ON THE PLATFORM AND SAY "HEY, THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE TRANSIT." BECAUSE I MEAN, I'M APP PHENOMENAL AUNTIE, BUT I DON'T WANT TOP HAVE CERTAIN CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS PRESENT. SO I, YOU KNOW, I REALLY DO WANT TO
MAKE SURE THAT METRO TRANSIT IS A PARTNER IN THIS. AND WE'RE NOT PUTTING THEM OUT THERE TO HARM WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO ON THEIRND, ALSO. WITH MAKING SURE THAT BUS STOPS AND -- THAT TRANSIT IS CLEAN AND OPERATIONAL
AND PEOPLE FEEL SE TO USE IT, ALSO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. AND I APPRECIATE THE DEBATE THAT WE ALL HAD HERE AND THIS LENGTHY DISCUSSION I WOULD ASSUME WE'LL HAVE MORE DISCUSSION AT THURSDAY'S FULL COUNCIL MEETING.
I'LL MOVE THIS FORWARD WITH APPROVAL AND WANT TO THANK THE FOLKS THAT TESTIFIED WI REGARDING THIS ORDINANCE. I WANT TOP THANK OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS, IN PARTICULAR, WHO THIS ORDINANCE WOULD ALSO SUPPORT THEM IN DOING THEIR JOBS. AND I APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION. AND HAPPY TO MEET
WITH ANYBODY AHEAD OF THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING. >> SECOND. >> I KNOW THERE WILL BE MORE DISCUSSION AND AMENDMENTS LATER. >> COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, JUST CARRYING A COUPLE OF THINGS OVER HERE ON THIS SIDE OF THE DAIS.
IT MIGHT BE GOOD IF WE MOVE IT WITHOUT RECOMMDATION. WOULD YOU BE AMENABLE TO THAT. >> THAT'S FINE. >> OKAY. EXCELLENT. ALL RIGHT. SO THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE DEBATE. JUST LET ME MAKE SURE NO ONE ELSE IS IN QUEUE. GREAT. WE'LL GET O TO LUNCH AT A
REASONABLE TIME! WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE IN THE PUBLIC THAT CAME TO OUR CHAMBERS AND TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO TESTIFY AND LISTEN TO OUR CONVERSATION. THE MOTION IS BEFORE USES TO MOVE IT FORWARD TO THE FULL COUNCIL ON THURSDAY WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES. SO, MEMBERS, BEFORE WE BREAK FOR LUNCH, YOU NEED TO GET BACK HERE A ABOUT 1:20. BECAUSE WE ARE STARTING AT 1:30 WITH OUR APPOINTMENTS. WE WANT
TO BE ABLE TO START ON TIME. SO, 1:20 IS WHEN YOU SHOULD AIM TO START GETTING OVER HERE. SO WE'LL BE BACK THEN. [ MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL IS IN
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[ THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS IN RECESS UNTIL 1:30 P.M. ] . >> COLLEAGUES, THE TIME IS NOW 1:34 AND THE COMMITTEE HAS
RECONVENED FOLLOWING ITS BREAK. AT THIS ME, I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL TO VERIFY THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> PRESENT. >> WONSLEY. >> PRESENT. >> VETAW. >> PRESENT. >> WARREN. >> PRESENT.
>> OSMAN ABSENT. SHAFFER. >> PRESENT. >> STEVENSON. >> PRESENT. >> CHAVEZ. >> PRESENT. >> WHITING. >> PRESENT. >> PALMISANO. >> PRESENT. >> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI, ABSENT. CHAIR CHOWDHURY. >> PRESENT. LET THE RECORD REFLECT WE HAVE A QUORUM. AND WE
HAVE ALSO BEEN JOINED BY OUR MAYOR, MAYOR FREY. WE' NOW TAKE UP THE SECOND HALF OF YOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS REFLECTED AS ITEMS 7 THROUGH 9 ON THE AGENDA. ANYONE WHO HAS SIGNED UP FOR THESE ITEMS WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES EACH TO TESTIFY. IF YOU
HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE SEE OUR CLERKS AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE OUTSIDE IN THE HALL. ITEM 7 IS THE MAYOR'S NOMINATION OF KRISTYN ANDERSON FOR THE APPOINTED POSITION OF CITY
ATTORNEY. INTRODUCE THIS ITEM, WE HAVE BEEN JOINED, AGAIN, BY MR. MAYOR FREY, WHOM I'LL NOW INVITE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE NOMINATION. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. I WANT TO GET RIGHT TO IT. MINNEAPOLIS IS GETTING STRONGER. YOU CAN SEE IT IN FASTER 911 TIMES.
NEIGHBORHOODS SEEING REAL INVESTMENT, AGAIN, AFTER A NUMBER OF VERY TUMULTUOUS YEARS. WHEN THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL SHOOTING HAPPENED, OUR TEAMS
RESPONDED WITHIN MINUTES. COMMUNICATION WAS CLEAR. SUPPORT WAS IN PLACE JUST AS FAST. WHEN OPERATION METRO SURGE INVADED OUR STREETS, WE DIDN'T JUST RESPOND, WE LED. WE STOOD UP.
NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTERS STRENGTHENED, SHOWED UP FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. OTHER CITIES DIDN'T JUST WATCH, THEY'RE CITY CALLING USND THEY'RE PRESENTLY ASKING US HOW WE DID IT. HOW WE PERFORMED DURING THAT CRITICAL TIME FOR OUR CITY. AND THROUGH
ALL THAT, MONTHS OF SUSTAINED CRISIS RESPONSE, WE NEVER LOST SIGHT OF THE BASICS. 911 KEPT ANSWERING. BY THE WAY, THE CKLOG IS NOW COMPLETE. WE BROUGHT HEALTHCARE TO COMMUNITIES THAT NEEDED IT. A CITY THAT CAN GO THROUGH IMMENSE CRISIS AND DO ALL THAT IS A CITY
THAT IS WORKING, AND IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE LEADING IT. THE THREE LEADERS BEFORE YOU TODAY DIDN'T JUST MANAGE THROUGH THESE MOMENTS, THEY DELIVERED. THEY LED. AND THEY MADE SURE THAT THEIR TEAMS WERE READY EVERY SINGLE DAY WHETHER ON THE STREETS OR INSIDE CITY HALL. AND
THAT'S WHY I AM PROUD TO RENOMINATE THEM. LET ME START WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY, KRISTYN ANDERSON. I FIRST NOMINATED KRISTYN IN 2022, AND SHE HAS PROVEN EVERY SINGLE DAY SINCE
THEN THAT SHE'S THE RIGHT CHOICE. SHE'S ONE OF THE TOP ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. SHE HAS HAD AN EXCEPTIONAL 30-YEAR CAREER HANDLING MINNESOTA'S MOST COMPLEX CASES WHILE SHAPING STATE AND LOCAL LEGAL POLICY, AND SERVING AS A MENTOR TO GENERATIONS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO
FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS. SHE'S WIDELY RESPECTED NOT JUST IN THESE HALLS, BUT ACROSS THE WHOLE STATE. HOW SHE'S LED OVER THE LAST SEVERA MONTHS BECAUSE THIS HAS NOT BEEN A NORMAL TIME, AS YOU KNOW, FOR CITY GOVERNMENT. WE'VE SEEN FEDERAL
OVERREACH, ATTEMPTS TO UNDERMINE LOCAL AUTHORITY, AND REAL CHALLENGES TO THE UNDERLYING RULE OF LAW. OUR CITY HAS BEEN FIGHTING BACK, AND KRISTYN HAS BEEN LEADI THE FIGHT EVERY STEP OF THE WAIT. SHE HAS BEEN LEADING THAT FIGHT, DEPENDING OUR ABILITY TO GOVERN OURSELVES
AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR VALUES AREN'T JUST WORDS BUT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN STAND BY IN COURT AND THAT WE CAN WIN.HAT INCLUDES DIRECT LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY HAVE COME AFTER MINNEAPOLIS FOR WHO WE ARE. WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT WE'RE GOING TO BACK OUT OF
OUR CONSENT DECREE, KRISTYN SAID NOT SO FAST. TURNING REFORMS INTO POLICY SO THAT MINNEAPOLIS CAN KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND BUILDING A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF. EVERY DAY HER OFFICE IS THE
LEGAL BACKBONE, REPRESENTING US IN COURT AND MAKING SURE WHEN WE DECIDE TO FIGHT IN COURT, WE CAN WIN. DURING ALL THAT WITH THE BACKDROP OF DOING A VERY DIFFICULT JOB, WHICH UNDERSTANDING BOTH THE LAW AND FINDING WAYS TO GET TO YES AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY DEFENSE AND GUIDANCE TO A DIVERSE SET OF OPINIONS. WHEN WE ALL TOU AN ORDINANCE THAT GOT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, WE HAVE KRISTYN AND HER TEAM TO
THANK. WHE WE CELEBRATE A VIKT IN COURT THAT IS ON THE BACKS OF KRISTYN AND HER TEAM. SHE'S STEADY UNDER PREURE, DEEPLY RESPECTED AND 100% COMMITTED TO MINNEAPOLIS. THERE'S NO BETTER LEADER TO HEAD THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND WITH
THAT, I WANT T WELCOME CITY ATTORNEY KRISTYN ANDERSON WITH YOUR DICTION, MS. MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WE'LL INVITE THE NOMINEE NOW TO PROVIDE HER INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I'M GOING TO START THIS OFF THE W EVERY LAWYER STARTS OFF AN ORAL ARGUMENT. MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT, MY NAME IS KRISTYN ANDERSON AND I REPRESENT THE TY OF MINNEAPOLIS. NOW I DON'T
GET INTO COURT VERY MUCH THESE DAYS, BUT I AM SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SAY THOSE WORDS. THIS NOMINATION COMES AT A TIME FOR ME OF GREAT REFLECTION. THIS YEAR I WILL BE CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF BEING LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATOF
MINNESOTA. I GRADUATED FROM LAW SCHOOL AT AGE 24, READY TO CONQUER THE LEGAL WORLD. AT MY FIRST LEGAL JOB AT A MID-SIZED MINNEAPOLIS LAW FIRM PRACTICING LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW, I WAS SO FORTUNATE TO BE MENTORED BY
THREE AMAZING WOMEN PARTNERS, INCLUDING ONE OF MY PREDECESSORS IN THIS JOB. I JOINED THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CIVIL LITIGATION DIVISION IN 2000 AND LITIGATED AN AMAZING VARIETY OF CASES DURING MY
ALMOST 14 YEARS THERE. I REPRESENTED STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND OFFICIALS, AND A HUGE DIVERSITY OF MATTERS IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURT. I WAS INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MOST HIGH PROFILE MATTERS THE OFFICE HANDLED AT
THAT TIME. FROM MAKING NEW LAW AT THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT ON THE STATE'S ABILITY TO RECOVER FOR THE 35W BRIDGE COLLAPSE TO STATE REDISTRICTING LITIGATION TO THE 2011 STATE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN TO PROTECTING T STATE'S CAMPAIGN
FINANCE LAWS FROM FIRST AMENDMENT CHALLENGE. I LEARNED HOW TO ANALYZE THE MOST COMPLEX NOVEL LEGAL ISSUES, COMNICATE EFFECTIVELY, ORALLY, AND IN WRITING, AND TO SUCCESSFULLY FIGHT TO PROTECT THE STATE'S LEGAL INTERESTS. IN 2014, I
JOINED MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MMB IS, IT IS A TINY STATE AGENCY THAT IS THE HEARTBEAT OF STATE GOVERNMENT. IN MY ROLE THERE AS ENTERPRISE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW COUNSEL, I GAVE LEGAL ADVICE NOT ONLY TO THE
DECISION MAKERS ATS MMB, BUT TO HIGH LEVEL ACROSS THE STATE ENTERPRISE COMMONLY WORKINGITH COMMISSIONERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. I CREATED ENTERPRISE POLICY, INCLUDING REVAMPING THE STATE'S ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
AND ETHICS POLICY. TRAINING FOR ALL MANAGERS AT THE ENTIRE ENTERPRISE AND EVEN SERVED AS THE VOICE TALENT. LONG AFTER PEOPLE SAID I HEARD YOUR VOICE IN MY TRAINING. I ALSO TOOK ON
THE ROLES OF STATE ETHICS OFFICER AND GENERAL COUNSEL. AS GENERAL COUNSEL, I ADVISE MMB AND THE ENTIRE ENTERPRISE ON ANYTHING FALLING WITHIN JURISDICTION INCLUDING BUDGET MATTERS AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS. AND THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, I
HELPED ADVISE THE ENTERPRISE, CREATE ENTERPRISE POLICY AND PARTICIPATED IN ENTERPRISE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE STATE GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY SERVED ITS RESIDENTS IN THE FACE
OF A GLOBAL CRISIS. WITHIN A WEEK, I WAS AT THE TABLE FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS THAT I WAS ACTUALLY VERY FAMILIAR WITH AS THEY WERE MY COLLEAGUES BACK AT THE STATE. IN MY TIME HERE, I CONCLUDED NEGOTIATIONS WITH MDHR. I NEGOTIATED A
CONSENT DECREE WITH THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND ALTHOUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WALKED AWAY FROM THE AGREEMENT, I WORKED TO TRANSITION THE DECREE INTO A MAYORAL EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ENSURE THE FORMS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. MY OFFICE HAS AYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN
IMPLEMENTING THE REFORMS. IN REFLECTING, I REALIZED THAT MUCH OF MY CAREER HAS BEEN BOLDLY RESPONDING TO CRISIS SITUATIONS. WHETHER IT WAS BRIDGE COLLAPSE, STATE SHUTDOWN OR PANDEMIC. BUT ONE CRISIS I COULD NEVER HAVE
FORESEEN AS A YOUNG LAWYER WAS THE CRISIS IMPOSED ON OUR CITY BY OUR OWN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I CAME TO THE COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY OF LAS YEAR SEEKING DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY FROM YOU TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SO THAT WE COULD BRING SUIT AGAINST THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IF NECESSARY, TO PROTECT THE CITY'S LEGAL INTERESTS AND VALUES. AND IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY. MY OFFICE HAS BROUGHT THREE DIFFERENT LAWSUITS AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT US AGAINST UNLAWFUL GRANT CONDITIONS AND ENSURE FEDERAL FUNDS KEEP
FLOWING TO THE CITY. AND THEN IN JANUARYF THIS YEAR, MY OFFICE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE CITY OF ST. PAUL BROUGHT SUIT AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGAINST
OPERATION METRO SURGE. THE WORK HAS SEEN PARTICIPATION THROUGHOUT MANY EMPLOYEES ACROSS MY ENTIRE OFFICE FROM BOTH THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL DIVISIONS. MY OFFICE HAS DONE THIS WORK ON TOP OF THEIR NORMAL WORK WITH COMMITMENT DEDICATION AND A IRST FOR JUSTICE. AND I COULD
NOT BE PROUDER OF THE OFFICE. AND WE PARTNERED WITH YOU TO UPDATE THE SEPARION ORDINANCE SO THAT IT FITS WHERE WE ARE IN 2026, NOT WHERE WE WERE IN 2023 WHEN IT FIRST PASSED. IT IS A STRONG AND UNWAVERING STATEMENT
OF THE CITY'S COMMITMENT THAT CITY RESOURCES ARE TO BE USED FOR ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS AN NOT TO ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW. AND IT IS STRONG LEGAL BECAUSE OF THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP THAT EXISTED BETWEEN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICEND THE CITY COUNCIL.
FINALLY, I WANT TO TOUCH ON THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. DURING MY TENURE, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BECOME A STABLE, FORMIDABLE GEM. TRULY ONE OF THE BEST LAW OFFICES PUBLIC OR PRIVATE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA. TURNOVER RATES ARE
THEIR LOWEST SINCE AT LEAST 2018. EMPLOYEES REPORT HIGH LEVELS OF JOB SATISFACTION ON E CONSIDERABLE TIME AS CITY ATRNEY FOCUSING ON THE WELLBEING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MY EMPLOYEES. I'VE WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS A PLACE WHERE MY EMPLOYEES FEEL RESPECTED AND SUPPORTED KNOWING THAT I VIEW THEM AND TREAT THEM AS TALENTED COLLEAGUES. THEY DESERVE NOTHING LESS. THEY ARE AMAZING AND AS A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF MINNEA
MINNEAPOLI I CAN SAY UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT THE TALENTED STAFF IN MY OFFICE HAVE CHOSEN PUBLIC SERVICE. I HOPE TO GET YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE M WORK AS CITY ATTORNEY. I BELIEVE THAT I AM THE RIGHT PERSON TO LEAD THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INTO THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. I BRING MY
ALMOST 30-YEARS OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE, ALL BUT FOUR OF THEM IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, TO SERVE THE CITY AND TO HELP SHEPHERD THE CITY WITH A STEADY HAND AND A LEGAL FIGHT AS WE FACE THE UPCOMING CHALLENGES TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO PROCEED TO OP THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE APPOINTMENT. THE FIRST PERSON THAT IS SIGNED UP IS ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SO NICE TO SEE YOU AND ALL MEMBERS. APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. MY NAME IS KEITH ELLISON AND I'M THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. AND IT IS MY DISTINCT HONOR TO URGE YOU TO
SUPPORT THE NOMINATION OF KRISTYN ANDERSON T CONTINUE SERVING AS CITY ATTORNEY, CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. LET ME LET YOU OW THAT I KNEW OF AND WORKED WITH KRISTYN ANDERSON BEFORE SHE ARRIVED AT MMB. SHE HAD AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION AT THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. SHE WAS A PARTNER OF OURS AND WE WORKED COOPERATIVELY THERE AND EVERYONE IN OUR OFFICE RESPECTED HER WORK A LOT. THEN SHE WENT TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND DISTINGUISHED HERSELF THERE. BUT I HAVE TO BE VERY CANDID, THE
BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT MAYBE ANY LAWYER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HASVER FACED IS WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO TURN ITS NEGATIVE ATTENTION ON US. AND KRISTYN ANDERSON DID NOT BLINK, DIDN'T WAIVER,TOOD UP
STRONG AND WAS A FANTASTIC PARTNER FOR US AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. SO I'M NOT GOING TO BELABOR THE POINT. I'LL JUST SAY PLEASE DON'T TAKE OUR GREAT PARTNER FROM US. SUPPORT KRISTYN ANDERSON TO CONTINUE AS
A CITY ATTORNEY. THANK YOU. >> NEXT, WE HAVE SPEAK NUMBER TWO, ERIC NEILSON. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT'S GOOD TO SEE FAMILIAR FACES AND ALSO THE NEW FACES AS WELL. IT'S NICE
TO BEACK IN CHAMBERS. I CAN SPEAK FROM DIRECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I SERVED AS KRISTYN ANDERSON'S CIVIL DUTY FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS. I AM A CITY RESIDENT, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN AND WAYS WILL BE. AND FOR THAT REASON AND MANY MORE, I URGE YOU
TO SUPPORT HER REAPPOINTMENT. KRISTYN FROM THE JUMP WAS ALL IN ON MINNEAPOLIS. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THIS JOB THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TIME THAT I WORKED WITH HER. AND LET'S TALK ABOUT LEGAL ADVICE FOR A BIT BECAUSE I THINK IT RAISES AN INTERESTING POINT.
IN MY MIND, THE HALLMARK OF GOOD CIVIL, MUNICIPAL LEGAL ADVICE IS THAT IT'S WELL REASONED AND INSIGHTFUL, IT'S PROACTIVE WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AND CONSISTENT REGARDLESS OF THE RECIENT. AND KRISTYN IS ON
THAT LAST INT, IS NOT JUST THE MAYOR'S ATTORNEY, SHE'S NOT JUST THE COUNCIL'S ATTORNEY, S IS THE CITY'S ATTORNEY AND SHE HAS ALWAYS HAD THE CITY'S BEST INTERE IN MIND WITH THE LEGAL ADVICE AND THE DIRECTION THAT SHE GIVES. I WOULD HOPE THAT EACH OF YOU AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER HAVE HEARD NO FROM THE
ATTORNEYS. BECAUSE I YOU HAVEN'T, THEY AREN'T DOING THEIR JOB. AND THAT'S THE SAME ANSWER THAT SHE WOULD GIVE ANY OF YOU AS SHE WOULD GIVE THE MAYOR. INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS BEGETS TEAM SUCCESS, AND VICEVERSA. THIS IS A TALENTED, HIGHLY TALENTED
LEGAL OFFICE. ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE. AT THIS POINT I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY CONSIDERING THE IMMENSE CHALLENGES THEY FACE. THE TEAM HAS RISEN TO THE CHALLENGE. AND IT'S MAYBE A BIT CLICHÉD BUT THAT'S NO ACCIDENT. IT STARTS AT THE TOP. IT'S A TEAM OF 120 PLUS
GIVE OR TAKE FTEs. SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED ATTORNEYS, PARALELS, SUPPORT STAFF, INVESTIGATORS, VICTIM RIGHTS LIAISONS THERE ARE. WITH THAT, I URGE YOU TO SUPPORTRISTYN
ANDERSON FOR REAPPOINTMENT. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER THREE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M AN ATTORNEY AT THE ROBINS KAPLAN LAW FIRM, FORMER
DEPUTY CHIEF HERE IN MINNESOTA. MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS. I'M HERE IN MY INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY TO WHOLE HEARTEDLY SUPPORT KRISTYN ANDERSON FOR CITY ATTORNEY FOR
MINNEAPOLIS. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH KRISTYN ANDERSON AND CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION INTO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND AS WELL AS ANY ENSUING NEGOTIATIONS. I MET MS.
ANDERSON FOUR YEARS AGO. I HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES. THESE IN-PERSON SESSIONS SPANNED THE
ENTIRE DAY. THE ISSUES VOLUMINOUS. THE DIALOG WAS OFTEN TENSE AND USUALLY VERY SPITED. BUT ALSO COLLABORATIVE AND PRODUCTIVE. MS. ANDERSON AND HER TEAM WERE CONSISTENTLY WELL
PREPARED. SHE ZEALOUSLY ADVOCATED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS WHILE CONSIDERING OUR CONCERNS AND PROPOSALS. IN HER ABILITY TO JUGGLE OUR NEGOTIATIONS ALONGSIDE THIS CITY'S BUDGETING PROCESS WAS TRULY REMARKABLE. MS. ANDERSON'S
HARD WORK AND THAT OF HER TEAM ALLOWED US TO CREATE A FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE LAWFUL AND EFFECTIVE POLICING IN THE CITY. SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH MS. ANDERSON'S COMPETENCE AND WORK ETHIC, I BELIEVE SHE'S THE RIGHT PERSON TO SERVE AS MINNEAPOLIS' CITY
ATTORNEY. DILIGENT, FLEXIBLE, ETHICAL AND COMPASSIONATE PERS. THESE TRAITS EPITOMIZE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT. THE COUNCIL SHOULD CONFIRM HER REAPPOINTMENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE
SPEAKER 4, MYRON FRANCE. >> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, MY NAME IS MYRON FRANZ. I'M A LO-TIME RESIDENT OF KINWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNI YOU
ARE TAKING NOW TO FOCUS ON THE REAPPOINTMENT OF KRISTYN ANDERSON. AND MY RECOMMENDATION TO YOU AS A COMMITTEE IS TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL LATER THIS WEEK THAT SHE BE REAPPOINTMENTED FOR A TERM OF FOUR YEARS. I'VE KNOWN WHE
KRISTYN ANDERSON SAID SHE STARTED 30 YEARS AGO, I WAS THERE WHEN SHE STARTED AT THE LAW FIRM. ONE OF THOSE MENTORS SHE MENTIONED WAS MY TALENTED WIFE. I WON'T GO INTO THAT. I CAN'T SPEAK ON HER BEHALF OR I COULD GET IN TROUBLE QUICKLY. I'VE SEEN KRISTYN THROUGHOUT HER
ENTIRE LEGAL CAREER. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY I2014 TO GET TO WORK WITH HER WHEN SHE BECAME THE EMPLOYMENT COUNSEL FOR THE STATE WHEN I WAS THE COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE. BUT THEN IN 2015 HAD THE OPPORTUNITY WHEN I BECAME THE COMMISSIONER OF MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT BUDGET TO WORWITH KRISTYN AND VERY
QUICKLY APPOINTED HER AS GENERAL COUNSEL. SHE HAD STATEWIDE AUTHORY AND RESPONSIBILITY. AND SHE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES THROWN HER WAY CONSTANTLY BY THE GOVERNOR. SHE WORKED WITH MYSELF AND FOR GOVERNOR DAYTON FROM
2015 TO 2018. AND THEN WITH GOVERNOR WALZ BEGINNING IN 2019. I MAY HAVE TAUGHT HER HOW TO SAY NO TO YOU ALL BECAUSE I CAME TO HER WITH MANY, MANY BRILLIANT IDEAS OF WHICH SHE HAD THE WISDOM TO SAY WELL WAIT A MINUTE, MAYBE THERE'S A BETTER
WAY TO DO THAT OR MAYBE WE SHOULD DO I THIS WAY. BUT SHOULD IS A CAN-DO SORT OF AN ATTORNEY THAT IS PRACTICAL, UNDERSTANDS THAT THINGS HAVE TO HAPPEN. THEY HAVE TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE LEGAL STRUCTURE, OF COURSE. BUT THERE ARE PRESSURES, THERE ARE REAL PRESSURES IN OUR COMMUNITIES T GET THINGS DONE.
SHE UNDERSTANDS THE NEED TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY. SHE WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM THAT WE HAD AT MMB. I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT BUZZE BECAUSE I COULD GO ON ALL AFTERNOON. LET ME END BY SAYING THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND I URGE YOU TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR HER CTINUED REAPPOINTMENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE SPEAKER 5, TIM O'MALLEY.
>> MADAM MAYOR CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS TIM O'MALLEY AND I'M HERE TO OFFER SUPPORT FOR KRISTYN ANDERSON'S REAPPOINTMENT. I A FORMER BC AGENT, FBI AGENT, ADMINISTRATIVE
LAW JUDGE. I WAS THE DIRECTOR OF SAFE ENVIRONMENT AT THE ARCHDIOCESE AFTER THE SEX ABUSE HIT. AFTER IT HIT, I CAME IN. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.
CURRENTLY I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM INTEGRITY UNDER GOVERNOR WALZ. I'VE KNOWN MS. ANDERSON FOR OVER 20 YEARS. WE'VE WORKED CLOSELY ON LEGAL MAERS. PARTICULARLY WHEN SHE WAS AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE REPRESENTING THE STATE. I
SUSPECT THAT YOU KNOW WORKING WITH HER HOW SMART SHE IS. HOW PRACTICAL SHE IS. SHE FINDS SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS. I WANT TO MENTION ONE OTHER THING. I WA TO COMMENT ON HER COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHEN I WAS AT THE ARCHDIOCESE, RECONSTITUTING WHAT WE CALL THE MINISTER REVIEW BOARD. LAY CITIZENS THAT CAME IN AND REVIE RECOMMENDED WHETHER A PERSON WAS FIT TO ENGAGE IN MINIST. MS.
ANDERSON SAT ON THAT BOARD. NO PAY. IT WASN'T EASY. CHANGE OF CULTURE SO THAT CHILDREN ARE SAFER TODAY BECAUSE OF HER AND OTHERS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.
SHE'S A PROBLEM SOLVER. SHE HAS UNQUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY. SHE MAKES OUR WORLD AND FRKLY, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, A BETTER PLACE TO BE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE
SPEAKER, MARY FEE. >> MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, MY NAME IS MARY FEE. I AM GENERAL COUNSEL AND DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO GOVERNOR WALZ AND LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN. I HAVE KNOWN KSTYN ANDERSON FOR FIVE YEARS NOW. SHE WAS THE CHIEF ETHICS OFFICER AT MMB. SHE IS WHO I WOULD GO TO FOR THORNY
ETHICS PROBLEMS, WHICH COME UP ALL THE TIME I STATE GOVERNMENT. I THINK THE THING THAT STANDS OUT TO ME FROM MY TIME AS DEPUTY AND HER TIME AS GENERAL COUNSEL IS KRISTYN IS A LAWYER'S LAWYER. WHEN YOU'RE THE GOVERNOR'S LAWYER, HE'S GOT QUESTIONS AND HE EXPECTS ANSWERS
LIKE RIGHT NOW. KRISTYN IS THE PERSON YOU CAN GO TO WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AS THE LAWYER. SHE MAKES YOU LOOK GOOD. SHE MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. AND THAT RELATIONSHIP HAS HELD TRUE NOW WHEN I'M GENERAL COUNSEL AND SHE'S BEEN AT THE CITY. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLEX
LEGAL COORDINATION THAT GOES ON BETWEEN THE STATE, BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE A PARTNER LIKE KRISTYN ANDERSON TO WORK WITH, ESPECIALLY AS WE WORK THROUGH THE VER COMPLICATED AND
DIFFICULT TIMES IN METRO SURGE THAT MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE TALKED ABOUT. SHE IS A ZEALOUS ADVOCATE FOR HER CLIENT, PREVIOUS MMB, NOW THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND I AM PROUD TO COUNT HER AS A COLLEAGUE AND A
FRIEND AND I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE HER REAPPOINTMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE SPEAKER 7, BRIAN ELLIOTT.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS BRIAN ELLIOTT. I'M WARD 11 RESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL. AND I SERV NOT JUST BY VIRTUE OF MY EMPLOYMENT BUT ALSO A LEADING
EXPERT ON THE STATE ON WORKPLACE POLICIES HAVING PLIED A KEY ROLE IN CRAFTING THE CITY AND STATE'S EARNED SICK AND SAVE TIME AND WAGE THEFT LAWS. THE CITY'S MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE AND THE CITY'S NURSING HOMEWORKFORCE
STANDARDS BOARD, AMONG OTHERS. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRANTS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE MEMBERS LIVING IN AND/OR WKING IN THIS CITY. AND THE TENS OF THOUSANDS TO SPEAK AGAINST THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THIS CITY
ATTORNEY WHO HAS WORKED DIRECTLY AGAINST THEIR INTERESTS. NOW I'VE WORKED WITH MULTIPLE PREVIOUS CITY ATTORNEYS. AND WHILE I WOULD LOVE TO SAY THAT I WORKED WITH MS. ANDERSON, I CAN'T BECAUSE SHE AND HER OFFICE REFUSED TO MEET WITH ME AND
OTHER MEMBERS ABOUT THE PROPOSED LABOR STANDARDS BOARD DESPITE BEING THE -- MY EXPERIENCE IS 180 DEGREES DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU'VE BEEN HEARING FROM THE
PREVIOUS SPEAKERS. I'M NOT HERE BECAUSE SHE REFUSED TO MEET WITH ME, THOUGH. I AM HERE BECAUSE THIS CITY ATTORNEY HAS FAILED IN HER DUTY TO YOU WHEN IT COMES TO WOKPLACE POLICY. AS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE CITY,
HER UNWILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO LET ALONE SOLICIT EXPERT ADVICE INCLUDING DISMISSING LEGAL MEMOS FROM NATIONAL EXPERTS OUTS OF HAND. DELAYED YOU LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BY MORE THAN SIX MONTHS. MORE IMPORTANTLY, RATHER THAN DO
WHAT HER PREDECESSORS DID, COUNSEL YOU ON THE RISK -- ASK YOURSELF, DOES THE CITY ATTORNEY WORK FOR YOU OR DOES SHE BELIEVE THAT HER OFFICE SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON YOUR POLICIES? >> THANK YOU. >> IT'S SHAMEFUL AND SHOULD NOT
BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANYONE THAT WHES TO SPEAK FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING THAT HAS NOT SIGNED UP YET? BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL ASK ONE MORE TIME
IN CASE THERE'S SOMEONE IN THE ATRIUM. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY. I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. SO
NOW MEMBERS, WE WILL G INTO DISCUSSIONS OR QUESTIONS. THE FIRST PERSON WE HAVE UP IN QUEUE ISICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IN THE INTEREST OF MANAGING THE VERY LENGTHY AGENDA WE STILL HAVE AHEAD, I WILL MOVE TO
FORWARD THIS NOMINION WITHOUT CONSIDERATION TO THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING AND ASK FOR A SECOND. >> SECOND. >> SECOND. >> SO THIS IS TO MOVE IT FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY. SO THAT'S THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE FLOOR. WE'LL GO TO
COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS SEEN THE DIRECT IMPACT, EFFORTS FROM OUR CITY ATTORNEY, AS I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES KNOW, I WAS UNDER THE
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS. PREVIOUS TO THAT WAS AT A LARGE LAW FIRM AND ENTERED INTO A SPACE THAT CLEARLY AND DIRECTLY ENGAGES IN THE PROACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND
ELEVATION OF NOT JUST OUR CAREER ATTORNEYS, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT JUST GET THERE. AND I THINK THAT IS RARE TO FIND IN A LEADER AT ONE OF THE LARGEST, MOST POWERFUL LAW FIRMS IN THIS STATE. SO DIRECTLY, THA YOU
FOR THAT, KRISTYN, CITY ATTORNEY ANDERSON. BUT ALSO, I THINK EVEN MORE SO, RIGHT, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE PERSON THAT SHE IS. THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE WITHIN T CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BOTH MOST RECENTLY IN THE LAST CPLE OF MONTHS, BUT
PREVIOUSLY AS WELL. AND IT HAS ALWAYS MET A STANDARD OF LEGAL EXCELLENCE. WHAT I HAVE SEEN I THINK IN MY SHORT LEGAL CAREER THUS FAR, I THINK WE HAD AN INDIVIDUAL SPEAK TO IT. BUT A LAWYER'S LAWYER. I REMEMBER
COMING INTO YOUR OFFICE AS A FIRST, SECOND-YEAR ATTORNEY WITH ALL THESE IDEAS THAT WERE PROBABLY NOT GOOD IDEAS. BUT I THINK THE JOB OF A GOOD ATTORNEY IS TO ACTUALLY BE COMMITTED TO THE LAW. AND WHAT WE SEE I THINK
THAT IS ACTUALLY REALLY HARD IN THE LEGAL SPACE AS WE ARE HUMAN. WE ARE FALLIBLE. AND THE CLEAREST THING W CAN DO IS BE COMMITTED TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW. THE LEGAL NATURE OF THAT IS ONE THING THAT I FULLY FOUND DEEP RESPECT BY OUR CITY
ATTORNEY IS NOT JUST A COMMITMENT TO A CITY, NOT A COMMITMENT TO AN INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBER, A MAYOR, A BODY, BU THE ACTUAL LAW. AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DIRECTLYVIDENCE OF YOUR CHARACTER. AND SO AGAIN, I THANK
YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE. I CAN'T SPEAK HIGHLY OF YOUR APPOINTMEN THIS BODY. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES ALSO SEE IT AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> THANK YOU. CAN I ASK SOME
QUESTIONS TO THE CITY ATTORNEY? THANK YOU. I ORIGINALLY STRUCTURED MY QUESTIONS GOING FROM HARDEST TO EASIEST, BUT THINGS HAVE SHUFFLED THAT A LITTLE BIT. IN THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENT, THE CITY COUNCIL
AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SHARE THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY. THIS IS LIKELY NOT AN ISSUE IN MANY INSTANCES BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ADVISED COUNCIL MEMBERS ON POLICY THA THE MAYOR IS OPPOSED TO STRUCTURALLY, THERE ARE COMPETING INTERESTS HERE. DO YOU SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE IN YOUR
WORK? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILMEMBER, I DO NOT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S THE CITY THAT IS ACTUALLY MY CLIENT. NOT THE MAYOR, NOT THE CITY COUNCIL, NOT ANY SINGLE COUNCIL MEMBER, IT IS THE CITY. AND SO MY LEGAL OPINIONS ARE
BASED ON MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE. THE LEGAL OPINIONS THAT I COME TO ARE OPINIONS THAT I DISCUSS WITH MANY OF THE EXPERT LAWYERS IN MY OFFICE. SO THESE ARE WELL FOUNDED LEGAL OPINIONS. WE'VE KICKED THE TIRES AND WE COME WITH THE LEGAL
OPINIONS, AGAIN, BASED ON THAT EXPERTISE, NOT BASED ON THE POLITICS. YEAH. YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE OUR POLITICS LIE, AND YOU SHOULDN'T KNOW WHERE OUR POLITICS LIE. WE GIVE YOU THE LEGAL ADVICE THAT WE GIVE YOU BASED OUR INTERPRETATION OF THE
LAW, BASED ON OUR EXPERTISE AND OUR LONG EXPERIENCE. WEIVE THE SAME ANSWERS NO MATTER WHO ASKS IT OF US, WHETHER IT'S THE MAYOR ASKING A QUESTION OR A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ASKING THE QUESTION. THE ANSWERS ARE ALWAYS THE SAME. >> OKAY. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THERE'S A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE
IN THE PROCESS. DIRECTING THE GISLATIVE DEPARTMENT TO RESEARCH AND PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON INDEPENDENT LEGA WOULD YOU SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNCIL FOR THE CITY COUNCIL? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER, SO I'M NOT GOING TO REALLY SPEAK
TO -- I MEAN, THE CHARTER WOULD VE TO CHANGE, RIGHT? WE HAVE A CHARTER THAT HAS THE CITY ATTORNEY BEING THE LAWYER FOR THE ENTIRE CITY. I THINK THAT IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE FOR ALL CONCERNED. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE CANE ONLY ONE CITY
ATTORNEY WHO'S ACTUALLY REPRESENTING THE CITY IN COURT. IT'S THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. AND BY HAVING THE SAME OFFICE THAT REPRESENTS THE CITY IN COURT ALSODVISING ALL OF THE OFFICIALS, THE BOARDS, COUNCILS, COMMISSION, MAYOR, ET
CETERA, WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GIVING THE LEGAL ADVICE THAT WE ARE ASSURED WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEFEND IN COURT. THAT'S A MASSIVE ADVANTAGE. ALSO, AS A MASSIVE ADVANTAGE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE REALLY WORKED HARD AT THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OVER MY TIME HERE IS REALLY GETTING RID OF THE SILOS. THERE USED TOE A TIME WHERE THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS WE'RE CRIMINAL AND WE'RE CIVIL, AND WE'RE THE CIVIL CLIENT ADVISORS AND WE'RE THE
CIVIL LITIGATORS I'VE WORKED HARD TO TAKE THOSE BARRIERS DOWN SO THAT WHEN WE HAVE AN ISSUE THAT COMES BEFORE US -- SAY IT'S A NOVEL ORDINANCE, A NOVEL POLICY THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO PURSUE. I'M BRINGING IN THE EXPERTISE ACROSS THE OFFICE.
SO NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE CLIENT SERVICES ATTORNEYS WHO ARE WELL SCHOOLED IN THE LAW, TY HAVE THEIR OWN SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE, THEY'RE ALSO ASSIGNED TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT SO THEY NOT ONLY UNDERSTAND THAT LAW DEEPLY, BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND
THE PRACTICALITY OF HOW THINGS WORK. THEY COME TO THE PROBLEM FOR YOU WITH THAT EXPERTISE. AND THEN ALSO, WE'RE ASSIGNING LITIGATORS TO THOSE ORDINANCES SO THAT WE'VE GOT SOMETHING IN THE MIX THAT UNDERSTANDS HOW 'RE GOING TO DEFEND THIS
POLICY IF IT BECOMES LAW. SO WE'VE GOT ALL OF THIS EXPERTISE THAT IS REALLY BRINGING TO BEAR ON ALL OF THE CITY PROBLE. WHETHER IT'S AN ADMINISTRATION PROBLEM, WHETHER IT'S A CITY COUNCIL PROBLEM, ALL OF THIS EXPERTISE IS COMING TOGETHER TO
GIVE THE BEST SERVICE TO THE CITY AT LARGE SO THAT AGAIN, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH BOLD POLICY THAT WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND IN COURT. >> OKAY. THIS COMES A LITTLE BIT OUT OF MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. THE QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU
APPROACH LEGAL CASES OF MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS VERSUS THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS? IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THIS WAS PRIOR TO YOUR TIME, THE ATTORNEY WHO WAS DEFENDING THE CITY IN MY CASE SAID TO MY ATTORNEY, WELL, WE'RE JUST WAITING HIM OUT SO
THAT HE'LL RUN OUT OF MONEY AND HE'LL HAVE TO TAKE A BAD DEAL. WHICH IS NOT ONLY AN IMMORAL THING TO SAY BUT AN ABSOLUTE ASININE THING TO TELL YOUR OPPOSITION. I THINK A LOT OF
MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS THINK YOU ARE THEIR ATTORNEY WHEN IN FACT YOU ARE THE CITY'S ATTORNEY. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT DYNAMIC? >> YEAH, MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER. I AM THE CITY'S ATTORNEY. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS THE CITY ATTORNEY. UNDER THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT LAWYERS HANDLE ALL OF THE TIME. THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE CITY. THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO EVEN PUBLIC SECTOR. THERE IS SUCH A THING AS THE ORGANIZATION AS THE CLIENT, AND RULES AND PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY AROUND WHAT THAT MEANS. WE A RESPONSIBLE AS THE CITY'S LAWYERS TO ACT IN THE BEST FIDUCIARY INTEREST OF THE CITY. OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR CASE. BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS WE REPRESENT THE CITY'S LEGAL INTEREST TO THE BEST OF OUR
ABILITY. IF THERE ARE CASES THAT WE KNOW NEED TO BE SETTLED, THEN WE SETTLE THEM. IF WE HAVE CASES THAT WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE STRONG LEGAL CLAIMS, WE DEFEND THEM. THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE CITY. YOU KNOW, WE DO, HOWEVER, HAVE
UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE WE, YOU KNOW, THE LEGALNTEREST OF THE CITY AND THE LEGAL INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY REALLY ALIGN. AND I THINK THE OPERATION METRO SURGE LITIGATION IS REALLY ONE OF THOSE. NOW WE COULDN'T HAVE THAT LAWSUIT IF THE CITY'S LEGAL
INTERESTS WERE NOT AT STAKE BECAUSE THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE STANDING, RIGHT? THE CITY NEEDS TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SHOW AN INJURY TO ITSELF AND ITS AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO BE A PARTY IN COURT. BUT THAT IS A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW WE DO HAVE STANDING TO BE ABLE TO
ASSERT OUR LEGAL INTERESTS BECAUSE OUR LEGAL INTERESTS AND THE COMMUNITY'S INTERESTS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN REALLY PUSH ALL OF THOSE INTERESTS TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY ARE -- >> I HAVE 10 SECONDS LEFT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY I BROUGHT THAT UP TO SAY THAT I'M
REQUESTING THAT WHEN MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS SUE THE CITY THAT THERE IS A VERY HIGH EXPECTION THAT THEY'RE TREATED WITH RESPECT. >> I AGREE. >> AND THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE DIDN'T MEET THAT BAR. AND I WILL SAY MY NICE THINGS WHEN I COME BACK BECAUSE I'M OUT OF TIME.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY; KRISTYN ANDERSON, JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. THE FIRST ONE STARTING WITH WHEN YOU FIRST CAME ON. I KNOW MY OFFICE COMMUNICATED
PRETTY REGULARLY. AND I THINK ACTUALLY ASKED YOU IN THIS SAME FORMAT DURING A PUBLIC HEARING OF HOW YOU WILL WORK WITH THIS BODY ON ADDRESSING OFF-DUTY FEES AND ADVANCING OFF-DUTY REFORM MORE SPECIFICALLY. I BELIEVE AT THAT TIME IT WAS YOUR COMMITMEN
OF AMPLIFYING WE NEED TO REVISIT THAT INJUNCTION. THAT WAS SOMETHING I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. I'VE SPENT MY TIME, ALMOST FOUR YEARS WORKING ON OFF-DUTY REFORM. AND HOPED THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A COMPONENT WE COULD HAVE COLLABORATED AROUND
ADDRESSING NOT ONLY THE REGULATION PIECE BUT ALSO COMBATING THE NEED TO HAVE OUR RESIDENTS, TAXPAYERS DOLLARS BE LEGALLY HELD HOSTAGE TO SUBSIDIZING MPD'S SIDE GIGS. I
WILL SAY LAST YEAR THAT BECAME CLEAR THAT THAT NO LONGER BECAME A PRIORITY IN THE OFFICE IN TERMS OF CHALLENGING THAT INJUNCTION, AND THAT WAS NEWS TO MY OFFICE. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT APPROVING THE $20 MILLION THAT MAYOR FREY WAS REQUESTING FOR THE POLICE
CONTRACT. WE THOUGHT IS THAT A COMPONENT WE COULD TIE INTO THIS. TO LEARN THAT THAT WAS NO LONGER A PRIORITY AND YOUR OFFICE WAS WAITING FOR DIRECTION FROM THE FREY ADMINISTRATION ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH THAT WAS LIKE WAIT, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? THAT'S BEEN AN EXAMPLE OF
COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT ACTUAL MAJOR ISSUES THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR RESIDENTS. WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BEING THE CITY'S ATTORNEY. THERE WAS I WOULD SAY NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION OF ADVANCEMENT ON THE CITY-WIDE PRIORITY. THAT SAID, I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW AS YOU'RE TRYING TO COME BACK INTO
THIS POSITION, IF YOU'RE REAPPOINTED, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING IN YOUR APPROACH OF THE CHALLENGE OF THAT INJUNCTION OR ADVANCING THE OFF-DUTY REFORM WORK? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER, SO I DO WANT TO BE CAREFUL IN WHAT I SAY BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE AWAY PRIVILEGED
INFORMATION. I WOULD SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS. NUMBER ONE, IT WAS A HIGH PRIORITY TO INCLUDE OFF-DUTY REFORMS IN THE CONSENT DECREE, WHICH ARE NOW PART OF THE MAYORAL EXECUTIVE ORDER AND WILL HAPPEN. SO THAT IS ONE THING I KNOW THAT WE WORKED WITH
YOU CLOSELY ON THE OFF-DUTY FEE ORDINANCE. IN TERMS OF CHALLENGING THE INJUNCTION, IT'S A COMPLICATED LEGAL ISSUE. AND YOU KNOW, WE ARE ABSOLUTELY STILL INTERESTED IN MAKING THAT LEGAL CHALLENGE. BUT WE'VE GOTTA
MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL OF OUR DUCKS IN A ROW BEFORE WE GO FORWARD WITH THAT. AND AGAIN, I'M NOT GOING TO DISCLOSE, YOU KNOW, WORK PRODUCT OR STRATEGY IN A PUBLIC FORUM. BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH YOU OFFLINE.
>> YEAH, I THINK WE HAD A LOT OF OFFLINE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS. GOING TWO YEARS IN, IT WAS THE HOPE THAT FROM THE VERY CONFIDENT WAY IN WHICH YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE PRIORITIZATION FOR THIS MATTER FROM YOUR OFFICE HAVEN'T BEEN APPOINTED AT THIS
TIME. TWO YEARS AND SEEING NOTHING MOVING FORWARD. THAT'S BEEN A CONCERN. ANOTHER THING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AS AN EXAMPLE TO REAFFIRM SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON BROUGHT UP IS THIS DYNAMIC WHERE IT HAS FELT THAT THERE'S BEEN A
CHALLENGE WITH YOUR OFFICE IMBALANCING IN BOTH THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION. I'M GOING TO CITE SPECIFICALLY THE PCAR POLICY WHERE LAST YEAR AS PART OF THE CITY'S CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN -- AGAIN, THE CITY'S PRIORITY. WE NAMED THAT WE WOULD
AGGRESSIVELY GO AFTER CARBON POLLUTERS AND ACTUALLY USE EXISTING LEGAL MECHANISMS LIKE FEES TO CHARGE THEM TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS. FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS WORKING WITH THE OFFICE AS THE LEAD AUTHOR OF
THAT POLICY RECEIVED CONFLICTING INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO MOVE THAT FORWARD LEGALLY. AND THEN AT THE LAST HOUR WHEN WE NEEDED LEGAL ASSISTANCE, THE DEPUTY CAO AT THAT TIME SAID I AM NOT GOING
TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE ON THIS WHEN THE MAYOR'S POLICY CAME CLEAR. THERE'S EMAILS FOR THIS, AS ALWAYS. THAT CREATED DELAYS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT POLICY. IT REQUIRED A LOT OF LAST-MINUTE MEETINGS THAT DID
NOT NEED TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WE SPENT YEARS ABOUT THIS IS WORK THAT WE'RE DOING THAT'S ALREADY BAKED INTO THE CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN. THAT IS ONE. YOU MENTIONED OFF DUTY WHERE WE RECEIVED CONFLICTING ADVICE AND
PARTICULARLY WHEN THE MAYOR'S OPPOSITION. DELAYS IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR LEGISLATIVE DELAYS. I HAVE SEEN THIS TENSION OF THAT BALANCING. AND THAT IS WHY I AUTHOR AND WHY COUNCIL APPROVED THE LEGISLATIVE
DIRECTIVE FOR A 6-4 LEGAL INDEPENDENT COUNSEL. AND I THINK THAT IS ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WE NEED TO HAVE WITH THE CHARTER COMMISSION. I WILL NAME THERE HAS BEEN SOME EXAMPLES THAT WARRANT WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON SAYS. JUST TO SHIFT GEARS WITH MY REMAINING BIT OF TIME. I DO WANT TO ALSO DIVE
INTO THIS PIECE OF RISK ASSESSMENT. WE KNOW THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN SUED AND THERE'S LOT OF RISKS THAT HAS BEEN FACING THE CITY, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO POLICING. AND I THINK OFTENTIMES ONE OF SOMEONE WHO SPOKE IN YOUR FAVOR
MENTIONED YOU SAY NO. WE OFTEN ARE USED TO HEARING THE CAO LEAD WITH RISK AVERSION. THAT'S ON THE COUNCIL SIDE WHEN WE'RE MOVING FORWARD. BEING MATCHED TO SOME OF THE REALLY RISKY ACTIONS
BEING TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION. BUT WITH THAT IN MIND, WE HAVE GOT IN REPORTS NOW FROM OUR CITY AUDITOR SAYING WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT HOW WE STRENGTHEN OUR RISK ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS MORE AND HAVING THAT BE PART OF THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION. I WANT TO KNOW
IF YOU ARE APPOINTED, CAN YOUR OFFICE WORK TO COMMITTING WITH THE CITY AUDITOR AND THIS COUNCIL IN ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT? WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CITY-WIDE PRIORITY, THIS COULD HELP US MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS AREN'T FOOTING THE
BILL FOR LIABILITIES AND LEGAL ASSESSMENTS WHEN WE'RE DOING THAT PROACTIVE DETECTION OF LEGAL OR RISKY BEHAVIOR. SO I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU COULD GIVE THAT COMMITMENT IF YOU ARE REAPPOINTED TO THIS POSITION? >> COUNCIL CHAIR, COUNCIL
MEMBER, OF COURSE I GIVE YOU THAT COMMITMENT. YOU KNOW, I HAVE WORKED REALLY, REALLY CLOSELY WITH THE AUDITOR, YOU KNOW. IN FACT, I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY COME UP WITH POTENTIAL LANGUAGE FOR THAT SORT OF RISK --
>> THAT IS COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY'S TIME. HOWEVER, IT'S MY TIME NEXT SO YOU MAY FINISH. >> I WOULD ALSO CHALLENGE, YOU KNOW, SORT OF THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE DON'T GIVE ADVICE ABOUT RISK TO THE ADMINISTRATION. I'M NOT GOING TO DISCLOSE PRIVILEGED
INFORMATION. BUT OF COURSE WE GIVE THAT KIND OF ADVICE. AND IT'S FOLLOWED. WE, AGAIN, WE GIVE THE SAME KIND OF ADVICE TO THE ADMINISTRATION AS WE GIVE TO YOU ALL. WE ALWAYS IDENTIFY
RISKS. WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE CARE OF SAID RISKS. BUT WE DO. I MEAN, THAT IS ALWAYS PART OF OUR JOB. AND I HOPE THAT THE FOLKS OF YOU WHO HAVE WORKED VERY, VERY CLOSELY WITH MY OFFICE PARTICULARLY ON ORDINANCES KNOW THAT WE WORK
REALLY HARD WITH YOU TO TRY TO GET TO A PATH WHERE MAYBE YOU CAN'T DO THIS THING THAT YOU WANTED TO DO, BUT WE WORK REALLY, REALLY HARD TO GET YOU AS CLOSE TO THERE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. AGAIN, SO WE CAN PUT THE CITY IN A POSITION WHERE WE KNOW
WE CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND A CHALLENGE. >> I'LL START MY COMMENTS, ATTORNEY ANDERSON, BY SAYING THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS SINCE YOU CAME ON IN 2022, IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY SET OF YEARS. IT'S BEEN QUITE
THE OPPOSITE WITH MANY, MANY CHALLENGES. ANYONE THAT WORKS WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS KNS THAT IT IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CITY. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE FOR
YOU IS IN REFLECTION OF THE WORK THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO BE A PART OF ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON THE LABOR STANDARDS BOARD POLICY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT FELT REALLY
DIFFICULT IS THAT THERE WERE ADVOCATES THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH DIRECTLY SO WE COULD FIGURE OUT THE BEST POLICY POSSIBLE. AND THEY WERE OUR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. AND THEY ALSO HAD A PRETTY STRONG LEGAL PERSPECTIVE THAT AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE'RE
GENERALISTS. WE'RE NOT TRAINED ATTORNEYS. EXCEPT FOR ONE COUNCIL MEMBER UP HERE. SO IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT TO PLAY THE GAME OF TELEPHONE BETWEEN THE ADVOCATES THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH, THEIR ATTORNEYS, AND THEN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I
FELT VERY IN THE MIDDLE AND STRUGGLED TO BRIDGE THAT COMMUNICATION GAP, AND I FEEL LIKE THAT WAS A PART OF THE DELAY IN WORK THAT WE EXPERIENCED. AND IT WAS WHAT WE HEARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN WAS THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
CAN'T MEET WITH THESE ADVOCATES. SO I WANTED TO ASK YOU IS THERE A WAY THAT WE CAN RESOLVE THIS FOR THE FUTURE SO WE'RE NOT PUT IN THE SAME POSITION AS YOUR CLIENTS BEING ABLE TO COME IN WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY REFLECTIONS ON THAT IN GENERAL? I KNOW WE'VE SPENT SOME TIME TALKING ABOUT IT. >> YEAH. COUNCIL, COUNCIL CHAIR. SO IT'S JUST NOT A NORMAL SITUATION FOR MOST OF US LAWYERS TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH ADVOCATES. WE WORK WITH LAWYERS ON THE
OTHER SIDE. IT IS MY REAL HOPE TO NOT POLITICIZIZE MY OFFICE IN HAVING THOSE DIRECT MEETINGS WITH ADVOCATES, I WORRY VERY MUCH ABOUT MAKING IT SEEM LIKE OUR OFFICE IS BASICALLY BEING
POLITICKED TO. I WANT TO MAINTAIN OUR INDEPENDENCE, ALWAYS. AND WE ARE YOUR LAWYERS. AND SO WHEN WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE WE ARE DEALING WITH YOU AND WITH AN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, WE CAN'T DISCLOSE PRIVILEGED INFORMATION TO THEM. WE ARE YOUR LAWYERS. YOU KNOW,
WE HAVE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT IF THERE IS A LEGAL IDEA FROM AN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION AND THEY HAVE A LAWYER THAT WANTS TO TALK TO US, THAT FEELS MORE COMFORTSABLE TO ME. BUT HAVING DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WITH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS IS JUST
NOT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE, YOU KNOW, IS A NORMAL PART OF MY PRACTICE, AND I THINK THAT'S TRUE WITH A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL. YOU AND I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS. I DID TELL YOU THAT I WILL CONSULT WITH THE LAWYERS BOARD AND FIND OUT WHAT MY PARAMETERS ARE. AND
I WILL DO THAT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS FOR NOW. VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. I
THINK WE ALL ACKNOWLEDGE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS HAS BEEN VERY TOUGH. WE CAN'T CATCH A BREAK. IT'S JUST ONE THING TO ANOTHER. AND I REALLY WANT TO PRAISE YOU THE WAY YOU HANDLED THAT TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION VIOLENCE WITH OUR RESIDENTS. WE HAVE BEEN MANY CLOSED SESSIONS YOU ADVISED US THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE FOR US TO DO OUR JOB. I THINK ONE OF THE THING THAT KEEP COMING UP FROM MY COLLEAGUES IS WHEN WE HAVE
COMPETING IDEAS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATORS, THERE'S THAT ADVICE THAT WE GET. I THINK WHAT MAKES IT A LITTLE DIFFICULT IS THAT WHEN YOU GIVE ADVICE ON THE COUNCIL IT'S PUBLIC. BUT WHEN YOU GIVE THE MAYOR'S, IT'S MORE LIKE PRIVATE. SO THAT KIND OF MAKES IT A
LITTLE DIFFICULT. AND I THINK IF THERE'S A WAY WE CAN IMPROVE THE TIME OF THAT ADVICE. ONE OF THE EXAMPLE I WOULD USE IS WHEN TOM HOLMES CAME IN THIS BUILDING AND
MEET WITH THE MAYOR, RIGHT AWAY, YOUR OFFICE SENT OUT AN EMAIL SAYING THAT MAYOR DID NOT VIOLATE THE OPERATION ORDINANCE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S -- I DIDN'T HEAR THAT ALLEGATION. YOUR OFFICE SAID THAT WAS ALLEGATION. THE MAYOR WAS
ALLEGATION, THE MEETING WITH THE MAYOR WAS VIOLATED WITH SEPARATION ORDINANCE. SO THAT KIND OF SEEMS LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE IT THERE. BUT IF THERE'S A WAY TO IMPROVE THAT COMMUNICATION, THAT
ADVICE, I THINK THAT WILL BE HELPFUL. AND I'LL REMIND ONE MORE TIME MY COLLEAGUES THAT OUR ADVICE IS PUBLIC, BUT ALSO MAYOR'S ADVICE IS PRIVATE. I WILL SUPPORT YOU. I THINK YOU HAVE DONE PHENOMENAL JOB TO OUR CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WE HAVE TO
BE ABLE TO -- SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TESTED. YOU KNOW. SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ON THIS ROAD HAS BEEN DOING WORK FOR LAST FOUR YEARS. IT'S THE BEST DECISION FOR US TO APPOINT THAT PERSON THAN STARTING FROM SCRATCH. WE
ARE CONTINUING TO DEAL WITH DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE FEDERAL. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S NEXT. SO WITH THAT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
WHITING, YOU HAVE A POINT OF ORDER IN QUEUE. DO YOU WANT TO MAKE IT? I'M NOT -- WE'LL SEE IF IT IS A POINT OF ORDER THAT WILL WORK IN THE RULES. OUR CLERKS WILL HELP US OUT. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. AND CLERK CARL, IF YOU COULD
HELP WITH LOGISTICS, TOO, THAT WILL BE HELPFUL. I KNOW WE HAVE A PENDING MOTION TO REFER WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. THE DEBATE SEEMS TO BE TIED TO MATTERS NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO THAT MOTION IN FRONT OF US. I KNOW WE HAVE SOME TIME SENSITIVE SPEAKERS AT HAND. I KNOW THE AG
PROBABLY HAS FUTURE BUSINESS TO TEND TO, WHICH IS TO TESTIFY TO THE TWO OTHER APPOINTEES AHEAD OF US. IF THE BODY WANTS TO FORWARD THIS NOMINATION WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION, I SUGGEST WE TAKE THAT ACTION TO MOVE
FORWARD. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT'S NOT A POINT OF ORDER. YOU HAVE TO GET INTO QUEUE TO CALL THE QUESTION TO END DEBATE, CORRECT? >> MADAM CHAIR, A POINT OF ORDER
INTERRUPTS BUSINESS AND MUST BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING HAS POINTED OUT THAT THE MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED. THE MOTION AS I CAPTURED IT WAS TO -- IT FEELS
THAT WE'VE MOVED BEYOND. WE'RE INTO DEBATE ABOUT THE POSITION, THE APPOINTMENT, THE NOMINATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND SERVICE DURING PRIOR TERM. THAT IS NOT GERMANE TO FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. I THINK WHAT COUNCIL WHITING RAISED IS A GOOD
POINT. IT'S AT THE BODY'S DISCRETION. BUT THE POINT OF ORDER DOES INTERRUPT AND HAVE PRIORITY STATUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER. >> I MEAN, I WILL LOOK TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE. BUT
WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS SOME TIME SENSITIVITY HERE, WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY GOOD DISCUSSION AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY'RE ASKING QUESTIONS AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND THEY'VE GOTTEN BACK INTO QUEUE. SO I WOULDN'T WANT TO DISRUPT THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYO GETS
THAT TIME. YEAH. SO I'M GOING TO MOVE FORWARD IN QUEUE. COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> I WILL CEDE MY TIME TO COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING.
>> YEAH. I JUST WANT TO CALL THE QUESTION. I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL THAT WE DO HAVE PEOPLE HERE WHO WANT TO SPEAK. WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS LATER OR ON THURSDAY. TOTALLY NE. >> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. >> SO I'M STILL IN MY TIME
BEFORE YOU CALL THE QUESTION. [LAUGHTER] >> NO, THE TIME'S EXPIRED. THE QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED. AL RIGHT. [LAUGHTER] >> ALL RIGHT. CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLLO CALL THE QUESTION.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> AYE. >> WONSLEY. >> NAY. >> RAINVILLE. >> AYE. >> VETAW. >> AYE. >> WARREN. >> AYE. >> OSMAN. >> AYE. >> SHAFFER. >> AYE.
>> STEVENSON. >> NAY. >> CHAVEZ. AYE. >> WHITING. >> AYE. >> PALMISANO. >> AYE. >> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> AYE. >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY. >> ABSTAIN. >> THAT IS 10 AYES, TWO NAYS,
AND ONE ABSTENTION. >> SO THAT PREVAILS AND THE QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED. THANK YOU, CITY ATTORNEY ANDERSON. WE'RE GOINGO MOVE FORWARD IN THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARING. >> MADAM.
>> OH. THANK YOU, MEMBERS. ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE THE MOTION BEFORE US. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL COUNCIL SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES. NOW WE MOVE FORWARD ON TO THE NEXT
APPOINTMENT. THE NEXT HEARING IS CONSIDERING THE MAYOR'S NOMITION OF MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER TO THE APPOINTED POSITION OF CITY OPERATIONS OFFICER. I'LL NOW INVITE MAYOR FREY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE MINATION. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK
YOU, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I'M PROUD TO INTRODUCE CITY OPERATIONS OFFICER, MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER. MARGARET KNOWS HOW TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT. IN FACT, SHE COULD PROBABLY RUN THE WHITE HOUSE BETTER THAN MOST OF THE PEOPLE
THERE. SHE'S BROUGHT PROVEN LEADERSHIP TO CITY HALL. AS COO, MARGARET OVERSEES 17 DEPARTMENTS ACROSS CITY HALL. HER JOB IS WHERE RESIDENTS FEEL GOVERNMT THE MOST. WHEN A SNOWSTORM HITS,
THAT'S HER TEAM. WN A WATER MAIN BREAK HAPPENS, THAT'S HER TEAM. WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS BASIC CI SERVICES TO JUST WORK, THAT'S THE CORE OF HER TEAM. UNDER HER LEADERSHIP, THEY ARE WORKING BETTER. SHE HAS UNIFIED THE OFFICE, BREAKING DOWN SILOS
AND MAKING SURE CITY HALL IS OPERATING AS ONE TEAM, NOT A COLLECTION OF DISCONNECTED PARTS. THAT MIGHT SOUND INTERNAL, BUT THE IMPACT IS VERY REAL. IT MEANS FASTER RESPONSE TIMES, BETTER COORDINATION AND SERVICES THAT ACTUALLY REACH PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEED THEM THE
MOST. AT THE SAME TIME, SHE'S DELIVERING ON THE BASICS. PLOWING THE STREETS, MAINTAINING WATER SYSTEMS, KEEPING UP OUR NATION-LEADING AFFORDABLE HOUSING. EVEN WHILE THE CITY HAS BEEN IN SUSTAINED CRISIS
RESPONSE. SHE'S NEVER SATISFIED IN JUST MAINTAINING THE WORK. SHE'S ALWAYS LOOKING HOW TO DO IT BTER AND BUILD ON IT. THE SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER, DEMOCRACY CENTER, AND CONTINUED PROGRESS AT GEORGE FLOYD UARE, REAL INVESTMENTS THAT ARE CHANGING HOW WE SERVE
COMMUNITIES. INSIDE CITY HALL, SHE'S GETTING REAL RESULTS. CLEARLY LONG-STANDING POLICE MISCONDUCT BACKLOGS. MODERNIZING HIRING AND CONTRACTING. MAKING COMMUNICATION CLEAR AND MORE CONSISTENT ACROSS A MULTITUDE OF
DEPARTMENTS. THIS IS WHAT EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT LOOKS LIKE. IT HOLDS STEADY DURING TOUGHEST MOMES. MARGARET DELIVERS ON BOTH. HER PROVEN TRACK RECORD IS EXACTLY WHY OUR CITY IS RUNNING BETTER TODAY AND WHY WE NEED HER CONTINUING TO LEAD THIS WORK.
WITH THAT, I'M PROUD TO WELCOME, AGAIN, WITH YOUR AUTHORIZATION, MADAM CHAIR, CO OMAR -- MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR FREY. >> TNK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I AM GOING TO MAYBE SPEED THIS UP A BIT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS A BIT OF A TIME LIMIT. SO I'M NOT GOING TO
DO AUCTIONEER SPEED BUT I WILL DO MY ST. I AM MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER. I'VE SERVED AS CITY OFFICER FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND PERFECT THAT, THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. I WANT TO THANK COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS FOR BEING HERE TODAY. PARTICULARLY
THE SPEAKERSHO ARE GOING TO SPEAK ON MY BEHALF. THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, THERE'S A DISTINCT THROUGHLINE IN WHAT I HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE AND THAT IS DELIVERING FOR PEOPLE. THAT IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT
I DO. I REALLY AM PROUD OF -- SORRY, I'M GOING TO GET A LITTLE WEEPY. THE DEDICATED PEOPLE WE HAVE HERE AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. IT IS HONESTLY ONE OF THE VERY BEST TEAMS I HAVE EVER SERVED WITH. AND I MEAN THAT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. WHETHER
IT'S PEOPLE OUT FILLING THE POT HOLES TODAY, OR WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF THE ANIMALS IN ANIMAL CONTROL. OR WHETHER IT'S SOME OF THE COLLEAGUES YOU S HERE IN THE ROOM. THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SERVICE OVERSEES 17 DEPARTMENTS. BY FAR THE LARGEST NUMBER FROM
FINANCE TO I.T. TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TO PUBLIC WORKS TO REGULATORY SERVICES ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO CIVIL RIGHTS AND EVEN MORE AS YOU WELL KNOW. TOGETHER, THESE TEAMS CARRYUT THE DAY-TO-DAY RUNNING OF THE CITY.
ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS SXH AND VISITORS OF THE CITY. THEIR DEDICATION IS WHAT MAKES PROGRESS HAPPEN. I AM THE PERSON WHO SETS THE TONE, WHO HELPS SET THE TENOR, AND ALSO CAN HELP WITH ADVISEMENT AND DISION
MAKING. I BRING THAT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE OF MY PAST SERVICE IN THE LEGISLATURE. I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU SIT. I KNOW THERE ARE PRESRES. I FEEL YOUR PRESSURES. AND I HAVE WORKED HARD WHETHER IT'S NEGOTIATING A BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT
OR WORKING THROUGH AN ORDINANCE OR GETTING DIRECT SERVICE TO RESIDENTS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE A REAL PASSION FOR. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS I'M PROUD OF T WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE. WHETHER IT'S THE COMBINATION OF POLICY INVTMENT TO LEAD THE COUNTRY IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOUSING
PRODUCTION. WHETHER IT'S ADAPTING PROGRAMS TO BE THE PROGRAMS THAT SMALL BUSINESSES NEED TODAY. AND YOU KNOW, THOSE MAJOR MILESTONES THAT ARE COMING OUR WAY. UPPER HARBOR TERMINAL. THE NEW NICOLLET. THE WORK THAT
WE'RE DOI. THESE ARE CROSS-COLLABORATIVE TEAMS THAT ARE WORKING TOGETHER. IN PLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, WE HAVE DONE A LOT. THE NEW HENNEPIN AVENU THAT'S UP AND WORKING. IT PROVIDES A CANVAS FOR WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN UPTOWN AS A
REGENERATION AND REBIRTH. THE WORK THAT'S GOING TO BEGIN THIS SPRING ON GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE PROVIDING BOTH PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR CONTINUED HEALING. THE DESIGN WORK FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS DEMOCRACY CENTER. TAKING A PLACE THAT'S BEEN
COMPLEX AND TRANSFORMING IT INTO AN IDEA AND A PLACE OF CIVIC PURPOSE AND HOPE. AND MOST IMPORTANT, THAT THESE IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS SHOW UP FOR OUR RESIDENTS. I'M ALSO REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE IN CIVIL
RIGHTS. WHEN I STEPPED INTO THIS ROLE, THERE WAS A VERY SERIOUS BACKLOG IN THE OFFICE OF POLICE CONDUCT REVIEW. WITH STRONG DEPARTMENTAL LEADERSHIP, NOW TWO LEADERS HEADING THE DEPARTMENT OVER TIME AS WELL AS THE WORK OF
THE OFFICE, ITSELF, WE HAVE CLEARED THAT BACKLOG. WE HAVE PROVIDED CLEAR AND IMPORTANT MEASURES THAT HAVE REALLY MADE PROGRESS ON THE MDHR SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION THE DOJ CONSENT
DECREE. MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS, EVEN THOUGH POLICE REFORM ISN'T MY MAJOR ISSUE IN TERMS OF MY DEPARTMENT'S, IT IS A MAJOR DRIVING FORCE OF WHY I'M HERE. IT IS THE GENERATIONAL ISSUE OF OUR TIME. WE NEED TO GET THIS RIGHT. FOR OUR
RESIDENTS AND OUR FUTURE RESIDENTS. I WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT THE THINGS YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY THAT WE ARE DOING THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND TO RESIDENTS. AND THAT INCLUDES
THE MODERNIZATION OF SYSTEMS THAT AFFECT EVERY EMPLOYEE AND EVERY RESIDENT, INCLUDING ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM THAT WILL HELP WITH BOTH FINANCE AND HR PLATFORMS, AS WELL AS THE 311 UPGRADE. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE YEARS AHEAD AND
WORKING WITH YOU. I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR THE NOMINATION AND THE KIND WORDS. AND I'M GOING TO CLOSE WITH THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. COCOO AN
COO ANDERSON KELLIHER. AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO OPEN FOR THE APPOIN APPOINTMENT. WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS, I'M GOING TO BE BRIEF BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT
MY SUPPORT FOR MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER IS IN ANY WAY BRIEF. WHEN WAS ELECTED TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 2002, THE FIRST PERSON WHO I ENGAGED TO ORIENT ALL OF US FRESHMAN WAS MARGARET
ANDERSON KELLIHER. SHE WAS PROFESSIONAL, EXCELLENT, KIND THEN. SHE IS NOW. IN MY VIEW, SHE'S DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT, AND WE WOULD BE VERY, VERY BLESSED TO HAVE HER TO CONTINUE IN THAT ROLE. WE HAVE BOTH
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL CONTACT BECAUSE MY CHILDREN AND HERS WERE FRIENDS. WENT TO LEARNING WARDS TOGETHER. AND I JUST HAVE THE GREATEST ESTEEM
FOR MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER. WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I WILL ALSO SAY THAT I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE NOMINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY LEADER TODD BARNETTE. JUDGE TODD BARNETTE. I MET HIM WHEN HE WENT
TO THE BASKET ON ME IN INTERMURAL BASKET WHEN WE WENT TO LAW SCHOOL TOGETHER. HE MAY NOT LOOK LIKE IT. BUT THE MAN HAS A GREAT CROSSOVER DRIBBLE. HE WENT ON TO BE A PUBLIC DEFENDER, A PROSECUTOR, A JUDGE. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY
ALREADY HIGH ESTEEM FOR HIM REALLY JUST WENT THROUGH THE ROOF WHEN THE TRAGEDY INVOLVING GEORGE FLOYD OCCURRED. BECAUSE WE HAD TO PROSECUTE THAT CASE. EVERYBODY REMEMBERS HOW TENSE THE SITUATION WAS. CHIEF JUDGE
TODD BARNETTE MANAGED AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION. GOT EVERYBODY THROUGH IT. AND MANAGED THE SITUATION. I MET WITH HIM ON A REGULAR BASIS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CASE WAS PROSECUTED IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY. IT WAS. PROTESTORS WERE
ABLE TO PROTEST. THE CASE WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE WERE ABLE TO SAY TO THE WORLD TRAGIC INCIDENTS HAPPEN, BUT WE HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT. AND IT ALL HAPPENED BECAUSE OF HIS LEADERSHIP. AND I THINK I'M OVER TIME. AND THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING
TODAY. NEXT IS SPEAKER 2, DAN McCONNELL.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR FREY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER'S NOMINATION. YOU KNOW, I'M THE BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE MINNEAPOLIS BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES
COUNCIL AND WARD 12. I'M HERE TO PRESENT MY SUPPORT FOR MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER FOR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER IN MANY DIFFERENT ROLES. NO MATTER WHAT SHE'S DOING, I'VE ALWAYS APPRECIATED HER COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AND
HER ABILITIES TO SOLVE PROBLEMS TOGETHER. SINCE HER INITIAL APPOINTMENT AT THE CITY AS COO, WE'VE WORKED CLOSELY TOGETHER TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT, RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CITY. THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE TENSION IN THAT RELATIONSHIP. HOWEVER, HAVING SOMEONE IN THAT
ROLE WITH A KNOWN QUANTITY, ACCESSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE, AND WHOSE WORD YOU CAN TRUST IS KEY TO BUILDING A RELGS RELATIONSHIP. I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT MARGARET EMBODIES AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THOSE QUALITIES COMBINED WITH HER
KNOWLEDGE OF THE CITY I BELIEVE MAKE HER THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR REAPPOINTMENT AND A NO-BRAINER. I STRONGLY URGE APPROVAL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. THEN WE HAVE SPEAKER 3, ROBERT LILLIGREN.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. COUNCIL MEMBERS, MR. MAYOR. I WANT TO START BY INTRODUCING MYSELF IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S FIRST LANGUAGE, OJIBWE. ( SPEAKING OJIBWE )
I'M ROBERT LILLIGREN. I'M A THIRD GENERATION MINNEAPOLIS URBAN INDIAN, A RESIDENT OF THE LORING HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE 7th WARD AND I'M REALLY THRILLED TO BE HERE IN SUPPORT OF MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER'S REAPPOINTMENT. THANKS FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY. I'VE KNOWN MARGARET FOR A MINUTE. WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A WHILE. WE BOTH ARE 4H GRADUATES. THROUGH 4H, MARGARET TOOK ON LEADERSHIP ROLES. I WAS VERY AWARE OF HER
WORK AS AN ORGANIZER GOING BACK TO THE WALLSTONE DAYS. AND WHILE I WAS ON THIS COUNCIL, BY THE WAY, I LOVED WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH THE CHAMBERS HERE. LOOKS NICE. SHE WAS A HUGE ADVOCATE FOR OUR CITY IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND AS SPEAKER OF THE
HOUSE. IT WAS AMAZING TO WATCH HOW FIERCELY SHE WOULD DEFEND THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. I WORKED CLOSELY WITH MARGARET DURING HER TIME AS THE COMMISSIONER OF MNDOT. THIS WAS FOLLOWING THE WALL OF FORGOTTEN NATIVES ON MNDOT PROPERTY. I WAS
ALWAYS VERY IMPRESSED WITH HER CARING ABOUT THE SPACE AND WHAT HAPPENED THERE, AND CONSIDERATE HANDLING. I WAS THRILLED WHEN I FIRST LEARNED OF HER APPOINTMENT AS CITY OPERATIONS OFFICER, AND CONTINUED TO WORK FOR HER ON MANY ISSUES WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER IN THE NATIVE AND
BROADER COMMUNITIES. THE AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL CORRIDOR ON FRANKLIN AVENUE ON HOUSING, ON DEVELOPMENT. MARGARET HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY A GREAT PARTNER AND DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT. AND I STRONGLY
URGE YOU TO REAPPOINT HER. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE SPEAKER 4, SHARON SALES-BELTON. WELCOME.
>> MADAM CHAIR, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, MY NAME IS SHARON SALES-BELTON, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THIS CHAMBER BEFORE. IT WAS ACROSS THE HALL AT THE TIME. SO IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE IN THIS NEW SPACE. NOT ONLY DID I SERVE AS THE 8TH WARD CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, BUT I HAD
THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND LATER ELECTED MAYOR. SO I WANTED TO SAY ALL OF THAT BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT MY COMMENT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR THE CITY IS A LEARNED EXPERIENCE. AND I WILL
TELL YOU THAT IN THE CITY COORDINATOR, YOU HAVE THAT PERSON WHO IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR. AND THEIR PRIMARY JOB IS TO TURN THE COLLECTIVE VISION OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THIS CITY INTO RESULTS. AND I HAVE HAD THE
PRIVILEGE, AS HAVE MANY IN THIS AUDIENCE TO WATCH MARGARET'S WORK DURING HER FIRST APPOINTMENT. AND BELIEVE THAT SHE IS ON TRACK TO GET THE RESULTS THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS WANT AND NEED. THE SECOND THING THAT I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT THE COO IS
THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE POLICY AND THE OUTCOME. AND THAT MEANS THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO ALL OF YOU AND HAS TO HAVE THE TRUST OF EVERYONE THAT IS ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE CONSTITUENTS. I BELIEVE THAT MARGARET HAS PROVEN THAT ABILITY
TO BUILD THE TRUST AMONGST THE ELECTS OFFICIALS THAT GOVERN OUR CITY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MARGARET TALKED ABOUT IN HER COMMENTS WAS THE FACT THAT SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER. YOU ALL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT.
I HAVE HEARD YOUR DEBATES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TALKING ABOUT THE SILOED APPROACH THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE WHEN THEY ARE OPERATING THEIR DEPARTMENTS. THERE'S NO ROOM FOR THAT IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. PEOPLE ALL HAVE TO BE WORKING TOGETHER. I BELIEVE UNDER
MARGARET'S LEADERSHIP, WE ARE SHOWING PROMISE AND I HOPE THAT SHE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE IN THAT AREA. LASTLY, I WOULD SAY STRATEGY AND EXECUTION. I KNOW IT'S TELLING ME THE TIME'S UP BUT I'M GOING TO TAKE MY LEAVE IF YOU DON'T MIND, MADAM CHAIR. JUST TO SHARE
THAT THE STRATEGY IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL. LET ME JUST TALK ABOUT STRATEGY. BECAUSE THERE'S SEVERAL STRATEGIES THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW THAT I LIVE WITH AND MY CONSTITUENTS LIVE WITH IN THE 12th WARD. THE SAFETY CENTER. THE DEMOCRACY CENTER. JUST LAKE
STREET IN GENERAL. AND THE PROMISE THAT I'M EXPECTING IS THAT WITH MARGARET'S LEADERSHIP AND THE SUPPORT OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS, WE'RE GOING TO SEE A REVITALIZATION OF OUR LAKE STREET CORRIDOR AND MORE JOBS IN OUR CITY TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS. BECAUSE AT THE END
OF THE DAY, THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. SO I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON JUST TO SAY THAT MARGARET KELLIHER HAS DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB AS A CITY COORDINATOR. IT IS A DIFFICULT
JOB. IT IS A DIFFICULT JOB BECAUSE WE ALL NEED TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE TO GET IT DONE. AND I BELIEVE THAT SHE HAS THE SKILLS AND THE ABILITY AND THE DRIVE AND THE COMMITMENT TO DO THAT FOR THE CITY. AND I URGE, I URGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR HER REAPPOINTMENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT IS WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS NOMINATION? BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WELL THEN SEEING NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO
SPEAK, I WILL NOW CLOSE THIS HEARING. AND OPEN DISCUSSION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY, I'M JUST MAKING SURE. I CAN SEE MY QUEUE. VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> AS I DID WITH THE PREVIOUS
ITEM, I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO FORWARD THIS NOMINATION WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION TO THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR THE LENGTHY AGENDA WE YET HAVE TO GET THROUGH. AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MANAGE TIME TODAY.
>> AND I'LL SECOND THAT. COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> I MOVE TO CALL THE QUESTION. >> SECOND. >> SECOND. >> SEE. >> ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A MOVE
TO CALL THE QUESTION. >> YOU HAVE A FIRST MOTION, WHICH IS TO REFER WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. THAT WAS ALSO SECONDED. THAT'S THE FIRST MOTION. >> OKAY. SO THAT HAS BEEN SECONDED ALREADY. AND SO NOW WE'RE CALLING THE QUESTION? >> NO. CALLING THE ROLL.
>> WE'RE JUST CALLING THE ROLL. >> WAIT, WHY AREN'T WE CALLING THE QUESTION? >> WE GOTTA VOTE ON THE RECOMMENDATION. >> THERE'S STILL MEMBERS IN DEBATE, RIGHT? SO DON'T WE HAVE TO VOTE TO CALL THE QUESTION? >> MADAM CHAIR, A MOTION WAS FIRST MADE. YOUR MAIN MOTION WAS
TO REFER WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. SECONDED. THAT MOTION IS BEFORE YOU. THE MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION IS IMPROPERLY IN FRONT OF YOU. IT WAS MADE VERY QUICKLY, BUT A MOTION WAS MADE. THAT'S THE MOTION YOU NEED TO BE VOTING ON WHICH IS TO FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. AND IF
YOU CALL THE ROLL, THE CALL OF THE QUESTION IS NONE. >> YES, I JUST SAID YES THERE IS. SO I'M GOING TO CONTINUE WITH DISCUSSION THEN. >> IF THERE'S SOMEBODY IN MOTION, THEN THE NEXT MOTION WAS TO CALL THE QUESTION, THAT
BECOMES YOUR PRIORITY MOTION. IF THERE'S ANYONE IN QUEUE, THEN YOU'VE GOT A MOTION ALSO THAT WAS SECONDED TO CALL THE QUESTION. SO YOU NEED TO VOTE ON CALL THE QUESTION. THAT ENDS DEBATE IF IT PASSES. THEN YOU VOTE ON THE UNDERLYING MOTION. >> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU,
CLERK CARL. >> YOU BET. [LAUGHTER] >> ALL RIGHT. SO THEN WE'RE TAKING THE VOTE ON THE CALL OF THE QUESTION. EXCELLENT. MAY THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> NAY. >> WONSLEY. >> NAY. >> RAINVILLE. >> AYE. >> VETAW. >> AYE.
>> WARREN. >> AYE. >> OSMAN. >> AYE. >> SHAFFER. >> AYE. >> STEVENSON. >> NAY. >> CHAVEZ. >> NO. >> WHITING. >> AYE. >> PALMISANO. >> AYE.
>> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> AYE. >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY. >> NAY. >> THAT IS 8 AYES AND FIVE NAYS. >> SO THAT DOES NOT CARRY AND WE CONTINUE ON WITH DISCUSSION. COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY.
I'VE GOT A FEW QUESTIONS FOR COO ANDERSON KELLIHER. WILL YOU MIND GIVING US AN UPDATE ON THE FUTURE OF THE ROOF DEPOT PROJECT, AND THE STATUS OF THAT? >> YES. MADAM CHAIR, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
CHAVEZ. WE HAVE BEEN IN A WORKING GROUP SITUATION WITH THE COMMUNITY WITH THE HELP OF MR. DAVID WHEELER HELPING US MEDIATE. AND I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO FAR IN ADVANCE OF THE MAYOR. BUT I THINK WE ARE VERY, VERY
CLOSE TO A NEW AGREEMENT. TO HAVE FIRST A LETTER OF INTENT TO SELL A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY TO THE COMMUNITY, WHICH ALSO HAS A PORTION OF IT THAT WILL ALLOW
FOR SOME USE THIS GROWING SEASON. >> THANK YOU. IS IT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHAT'S BEEN OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY WOULDN'T BE CHANGING? I GUESS YOU DON'T WANT TO ANSWER EXACTLY WHAT THAT IS. I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO ANSWER IT PUBLICLY. BUT I
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY ISN'T CHANGING. >> MADAM CHAIR AND COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, IT IS NOT CHANGING. WE HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT BACK AND FORTH ABOUT I THINK SOME WORDING OF THINGS. BUT
GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHERE WE LANDED ABOUT A MONTH AGO IS WHERE WE HAVE SAT. AND I THINK EVERYONE IS QUITE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT HOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD. >> THANK YOU. THE NEXT QUESTION I HAVE IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF
GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE. MAYOR FREY'S ADMINISTRATION, YOUR DEPARTMENTS THAT YOU HELP LEAD ON SAID THERE WAS GOING TO BE A DECISION MADE IN MAY OF 2025 ON WHO THE OPERATOR WAS. CAN YOU LET US KNOW WHY IT'S TAKEN ALMOST A YEAR TO COME TO A
DECISION WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE LITERALLY ALMOST A YEAR AGO TO BE DECIDED ON. IS THERE A DECISION? IS THERE A DECISION ANY TIME SOON? WHO IS THE OPERATOR? I THINK I'LL SPEAK FOR MY COMMUNITY, IS FRUSTRATED ABOUT THIS. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER
CHAVEZ, IT IS A FRUSTRATING SITUATION, I WOULD SAY. THERE WAS A QUITE LENGTHY PUBLIC PROCESS WITH FIRST THREE APPLICANTS, NOW TWO APPLICANTS. I THINK IT'S VERY CLOSE. THE
CITY IS STILL THE OWNER OF THE PEOPLE'S WAY PROPERTY, AND IS WORKING VERY CLOSELY TO HAVE WHAT I WOULD SAY I THINK THE WHOLE POINT OF THE RFP IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A GROUP OR
GROUPS TO MOVE FORWARD. AND I THINK WE ARE GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THAT. >> I HOPE TO GET AN ANSWER THAT'S MORE IN DEPTH BEFORE THURSDAY JUST BECAUSE I THINK FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS WE'VE BEEN HEARING WE'RE GETTING CLOSE, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE. ANY
TIME WE HEAR A DECISION THAT'S GETTING CLOSE AND I STILL DON'T FEEL LIKE IT'S GETTING ANY CLOSER. THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS WHAT DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE IN ENFORCING THE CITY'S SEPARATION ORDINANCE? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER
CHAVEZ, THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SERVICE WHO HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH RESIDENTS. AND OF COURSE, THAT MEANS IN SEPARATION ORDINANCE NEVER ASKING, NEVER ASKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION STATUS.
WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO EVERYONE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND IF SOMEONE WOULD VIOLATE THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ACTIONS THAT COULD K TAKEN, INCLUDING A COMPLAINT, AN
INVESTIGATION, DISCIPLINARY ACTION. SO FAR AS FAR AS I KNOW IN MY TIME HERE AT THE CITY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST ANYONE IN THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SERVICE ON THAT ISSUE.
>> THANK YOU. I GUESS I'LL REPHRASE THE QUESTION. DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE, DO YOU SEE YOUR POSITION HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS OF MAKING SURE THAT THE CITY UPHOLDS THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE? DO YOU SEE THAT AS YOUR JOB OR NOT? >> SO MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL
MEMBER CHAVEZ, ABSOLUTELY. UPHOLDING THE ORDINANCE. IN FACT, GOING AS FAR AS PRODUCING AND WORKING WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. IT'S NOW REQUIRED TRAINING UNDER THE ORDINANCE. THAT WORK WAS
UNDERWAY AHEAD OF THE ORDINANCE PASSING. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT EMPLOYEES NEED TO BE INFORMED. THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE IS AND THEY NEED TO UPHOLD THAT ORDINANCE. >> THANK YOU. I GUESS I JUST POINT YOU TO ONE OF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE THAT I
THINK YOU COULD HELP US GET SOME ANSWERS TO. I THINK WHEN WE PASSED THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE BACK IN DECEMBER, PART OF IT TALKED ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION MUST REPORT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AT THE CITY COUNCIL'S NEXT SCHEDULED REGULAR
MEETING AND PUBLIC'S WEBSITE WHEN IF CAME TO REPORTING OF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE. I HOPE I GET THE ANSWER ON IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO PLAN ON EVER GIVING US AN UPDATE ON THAT BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PART OF THE SEPARATION AT ALL SINCE IT'S
BEEN ENACTED AND IT'S A REQUIREMENT OF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE. SO I WANTED TO SEE WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOUR ROLE WAS IN THIS AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING INFORMATION BACK. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER CHAVEZ, WE WILL CONVENE A GROUP
WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE DOING THAT. MY GUESS IS THERE IS WORK UNDERWAY. BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO MY ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE A FEW
QUESTIONS HERE FOR YOU. THE RST ONE IS THE ONE I'M MOST INTERESTED IN. OBVIOUSLY, I'M NEW HERE ON THIS DAIS. I WASN'T HERE LAST YEAR. SO I REALLY AM ASKING TO UNDERSTAND. LAST YEAR, THE CITY WENT WAY OVER BUDGET TO
THE POINT WHERE NOW THERE'S BUDGET SHORTFALLS IN MANY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND THINGS ARE BEING CUT. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, SO I THINK YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THE MPD, $20 MILLION
OVERAGE. I AM JUST GOING TO POINT OUT MPD IS NOT UNDER MY ASSIGNMENT. HOWEVER, FINANCE IS. WE HAVE PUT NOW IN PLACE A
NUMBER OF MEASURES THAT WILL ALERT SOMEONE LIKE ME MUCH MORE QUICKLY IF THERE IS A DEPARTMENT THAT IS GOING SEVERELY OVER BUDGET. AND THERE'S A REPORTING PROCESS THAT ALSO IS IN PLACE THAT I BELIEVE THE CITY COUNCIL
ASKED FOR, FOR ANY DEPARTMENT THAT WAS OVER BUDGET. WHETHER THAT WAS $1 OVER BUDGET LAST YEAR OR IF THAT WAS $20 MILLION OVER BUDGET. WE ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER CONTROLS GOING INTO PLACE THAT ARE GOING TO HELP US WITH THAT. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT
OVERAGE UNTIL BASICALLY YOU ALL LEARNED OF THE OVERAGE AS WELL. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I CAN'T PROMISE THAT NO ONE WILL GO OVER BUDGET. WHAT I CAN PROMISE YOU IS WE
WILL ALL KNOW TOGETHER IN REAL TIME ABOUT THAT. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT WE WEREN'T AWARE. AND HEARING THAT YOU WEREN'T AWARE IS EXTREMELY ALARMING GIVEN HOW OVER BUDGET
THEY WERE. SECOND QUESTION. YOU SAID I AM THE PERSON WHO SETS THE TONE OF THE CITY HERE. AND WE RECEIVED LETTERS FROM AFSCME LOCAL 9 EARLIER THIS WEEK. AND WHEN THEY WERE ASKING QUESTIONS
ABOUT YOUR REAPPOINTMENT. DOES THIS INDIVIDUAL TREAT EMPLOYEES FAIRLY AND CONSISTENTLY. NO. PERIOD. DOES THIS INDIVIDUAL FOSTER A RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT? MEMBERS RESPONDED NO. DOES THIS INDIVIDUAL EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE
WORKPLACE ISSUES? NO. DOES THIS INDIVIDUAL COMMUNICATE WORKPLACE UPDATES AND ISSUES TO YOU IN A CLEAR AND TIMELY MANNER? THE MEMBERS RESPONSE TO THIS QUESTION WERE MIXED. MEMBERS RESPONDED THEY DO RECEIVE
COMMUNICATIONS BUT NOTE IT LACKS TRANSPARENCY. THIS IS AROUND 2,000 EMPLOYEES HERE AT THE CITY. THESE ARE PRETTY DAMNING RESPONSES. CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THIS? >> SO MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ANSWERED THAT
QUESTIONNAIRE. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS IN OUR MINNEAPOLIS EMPLOYEE SURVEY WHERE ENGAGEMENT AND MEANING HOW MANY PEOPLE TAKE THE SURVEY HAS BEEN GOING UP OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND WHAT PEOPLE SAY IN EVERY SINGLE
DEPARTMENT, WE ARE ON AN UPWARD TREND. WE'VE BEEN POLLED BY AFSCME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. WHEN EMPLOYEES ANSWERED THAT SCIENTIFIC SURVEY, THEY SAID THEY ARE ENJOYING THEIR WORK. THEY BELIEVE WE'RE DOING A GOOD
JOB. THEY'RE PROUD OF WHERE THEY WORK. I DON'T KNOW. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ASK COUNCIL 9 ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE RESPONDED TO THAT. I WOULD SAY THAT THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER POINTS OF VIEW HERE. MR. McCONNELL BEING HERE TODAY, WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY
WI OUR LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. WE MEET MONTHLY. AND WE OFTEN TAKE UP ISSUES IN BETWEEN, NOT NEGOTIATIONS, BUT ISSUES THAT COME UP. THERE ARE 17 DEPARTMENT HEADS IN MY AREA
WHO I EXPECT AND I KNOW ARE COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE DO A EVERY OTHER WEEK NEWSLETTER AS THE CITY. MY FACE AND MY MUG MAY NOT BE ON THAT. BUT THAT IS
OUR WORK OF COMMUNICATING OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING. I DON'T NEED TO BE FRONT AND CENTER IN THIS WORK. I AM SORRY THAT SOME PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL THAT WAY. I STARTED AS A SECRETARY IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. AND I MADE MY
WAY TO BE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. I HAVE ALWAYS, ALWAYS VALUED LINE WORKERS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. I HOPE THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ANSWERED THOSE QUESTIONS WILL COME AND REACH OUT AND HAVE A
MEETING WITH ME. WE HAVE HAD LABOR PEACE HERE AT THE CITY FOR THE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THE COO ROLE. WE HAVE SETTLED EVERY CONTRACT IN A TIMELY MANNER WITH A FAIR WAGE. THAT IS
VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I STEPPED INTO THE 2% ISSUE THAT'S MENTIONED IN THAT. I BECAME THE COO AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL PASSED THAT ISSUE. AND THE MAYOR AND I WORK TOGETHER TO THE BONE TO GET THAT DONE. SOMETHING THAT
HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. FOR ANY OTHER UNION HERE. SO I WANT PEOPLE TO REACH OUT TO ME. I OFTEN MEET WITH EMPLOYEES WHO ARE EITHER CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SUPERVISOR, WHO ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE CITY. MY DOOR IS OPEN. AND I'M HAPPY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION. >> YEAH. THAT'S GREAT. I WISH MR. McCONNELL WAS STILL HERE BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO ASK HIM SOME
QUESTIONS AS WELL. WHEN I'VE MET WITH THE UNIONS REPRESENTING PEOPLE HERE AT THE CITY, THEY'VE SAID TO ME, THESE ARE THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE, THAT LABOR RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNIONS AND THE CITY ARE AT THE WORST THEY'VE EVER BEEN. THOSE ARE
THEIR WORDS TO ME. WHY IS THAT AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO FIX THAT? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT. I MEAN, AGAIN, WE HAVE HAD EVERY SINGLE -- WE
HAVE 23 UNIONS. WE HAVE SETTLED EVERY CONTRACT. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN SCHEDULE SO THAT WE'RE NOT BEHIND ON ANY OF THOSE CONTRACTS. PEOPLE HAVE HAD FAIR WAGE INCREASES IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE CONTRACTS.
WE HAVE A RIGOROUS PROCESS FOR SETTLING OUT ANY COMPLAINTS THAT COME FORWARD. >> COO, THAT'S COUNCIL MEMBER'S TIME. >> OKAY. >> SORRY. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU,
COO ANDERSON KELLIHER FOR ACCEPTING THE NOMINATION. IT IS A REALLY CHALLENGING TIME IN OUR CITY. I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS THOUGH. ONE OF THE THINGS I HEAR A LOT FROM PEOPLE IN MINNEAPOLIS, ESPECIALLY THIS WEEK BECAUSE WE'VE ALL RECEIVED OUR TAX BILLS, IS THAT BASIC
CITY SERVICES ARE JUST NOT MEETING FOLKS' NEEDS. AND SO I'M WONDERING, DO YOU HAVE A VISION AND WHAT'S YOUR PLAN FOR MAKING SURE WE NOT ONLY GET BASIC CITY SERVICE BUT THEY FEEL VALUABLE. WHEN YOU SEE THE BILL GO UP, YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE PAYING
FOR GOOD SERVICE. SO DO YOU HAVE A VISION AND WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THAT IN THIS NEXT TERM IF YOU'RE REAPPOINTED? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, I THINK IT'S NATURAL RIGHT NOW WITH WHAT HAS BEEN
HAPPENING IN OUR TAX BASE WHERE WE SEE THERE ARE SHIFTS GOING ON FROM THE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL TO THE RESIDENTIAL THAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING THAT PINCH FOR SURE.
I DO THINK, THOUGH, I WILL SAY, I TALK TO FRIENDS IN SUBURBS ALL THE TIME WHO SAY, WHAT? YOU HAVE MATTRESS PICKUP? YOU HAVE COMPOST THAT YOU DON'T PAY EXTRA FOR? YOU HAVE THIS SERVICE OR THAT SERVICE IN THE CITY. I'M
NOT SAYING PEOPLE ARE WRONG TO WANT MORE SERVICE. BUT MY FOCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON PROVIDING THE SERVICES WE DO PROVIDE IN THE HIGHEST QUALITY POSSIBLE. AND SO MAKING SURE THAT ON LIKE THE LIGHTING
PROJECT THAT YOU AND I HAVE WORKED ON TOGETHER THAT DIRECTOR SEXTON AND HIS TEAM PICKED UP FROM WHERE WE LEFT OFF AND WE ARE NOW COMPLETING THE BACKLOG OF LIGHTING THAT I THINK AT ONE TIME WAS JUST OUTRAGEOUS IN THE
CITY. THE NUMBER OF LIGHTS THAT WE DID NOT HAVE LIT. I THINK YOUR THEME WAS GET LIT. >> YOU GOT IT. >> AND SO WE HAVE DONE THAT. WE HAVE DONE THAT. CAN WE PROVIDE MORE SERVICES? THERE'S TALK OF
WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE EVERY WEEK RECYCLING SERVICES. I THINK WE'D NEED TO CONTINUE TO SURVEY OUR CONSTITUENTS, OUR RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT IS IT THAT THEY THINK THAT LOOKS LIKE. I WOULD HATE TO GUESS THAT. I HAVE LIVED IN THE
CITY FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS NOW. I DON'T KNOW THAT THE THING I WOULD CHOOSE WOULD BE THE THING THAT ALL THE REST OF THE RESIDENTS WOULD CHOOSE. I THINK WE NEED TO DO THAT CONTINUAL CHECKING IN WITH OUR RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT IS IT THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES THAT THEY EXPECT OF HIGH QUALITY. MY MAIN CONCERN IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE DO HAVE AT A HIGH QUALITY LEVEL IN A TIMELY WAY, AND THAT EVERY SINGLE AREA OF THE CITY IS GETTING THOSE
SERVICES. >> THANK YOU. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT ANSWER. ONE OF THE THINGS I WISH COULD HAPPEN IS THAT OUR COO COULD TALK TO SOME CITY MANAGERS IN FIRST TIER SUBURBS SO THEY CAN STOP DUMPING
TRASH IN MINNEAPOLIS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. AND I'VE WORKED VERY HARD WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND REGULATORY SERVICES AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE NOT GETTING WHAT WE NEED. SO MY EXPECTATION MOVING FORWARD IS THAT WE TAKE IT TO THAT LEVEL. THAT WE START HAVING SOME HARDER CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE YOU JUST
MADE THE POINT. YOU KNOW, THESE OTHER SUBURBS, THEY DON'T PICK UP MATTRESSES AND REFRIGERATORS AND THINGS FOR FREE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE GET THE BAD END OF THAT. IT GETS DUMPED IN OUR CITY AND PEOPLE FEEL LIKE MINNEAPOLIS IS GIVING BAD CITY
SERVICES BECAUSE YOU MIGHT HAVE JUST MISSED RECYCLING DAY. SO YOU HAVE THESE MATERIALS OUT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS FOR WEEKS ON END OR UNTIL WE CAN COME BACK AND CLEAN UP THE WORK SOMEONE ELSE HAS DONE IN OUR COMMUNITY. MY EXPECTATION IS WE'RE GOING TO
DEAL WITH THE DUMPING PROBLEM. I THOUGHT WE WOULD KIND OF START AT THE BOTTOM IN MY OFFICE AND WORK OUR WAY UP. BUT IT FEELS NOW WE HAVE TO START WITH THE COO'S OFFICE AND REALLY GET YOU INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE THIS ENDS IMMEDIATELY. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS ABOUT
REVITALIZATION OF THE CITY. I'M REALLY INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO MOVING FORWARD AROUND REVITALIZATION BECAUSE THAT DOES -- YOU BROUGHT UP THE POINT ABOUT THE TAX BURDEN. REVITALIZING THE CITY IS GOING TO TAKE BACK SOME OF THE BURDEN,
ESPECIALLY IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, WHERE PEOPLE ARE BARELY LIVING IN THEIR HOMES.IVING ON FIXED INDEX AND NOW THEY'RE SEEING THESE TAXES GO UP. SO WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THAT? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, I WANT TO JUST SNEAK IN ONE OTHER PART OF THE ANSWER.
FIRST OF ALL, I DO HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP I'VE BUILT WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND SHE DOES BRING TOGETHER ALL OF THE CITY MANAGERS. PLUS WE'RE GETTING A NORTHSIDE TRANSFER STATION AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE. WE
WON A FEDERAL GRANT THAT WILL HELP. ON REVITALIZATION, IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH. FIRST OF ALL, I THINK IT STARTS WITH
HOUSING. AND IT STARTS WITH HAVING STABLE HOMES FOR EVERYONE IN THE CITY. THE SECON IS BUSINESS SUPPORTS. YOU ALL PROVIDED EXCELLENT RESOURCES HERE. WE'RE WORKING WITH CPED TO GET THOSE DOLLARS OUT. THAT'S
VERY IMPORTANT. THE THIRD THING I THINK IT IS THOSE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES THAT YOU JUST SPOKE TO. A CLEAN CITY. A GREEN CITY. A CITY WE EMBRACE OUR PARK BOARD
IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE LIVEABILITY AND WANTING PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE. AND SOME OF THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE. THECTIVE DISCUSSION THAT IS GOING ON ABOUT THE NORTHERN RIVER FRONT IN TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE STAR TRIBUNE SITE AS WELL AS THE
GRECO SITE AND WHAT CAN HAPPEN THERE, AS WELL AS DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. >> THANK YOU. AND MY LAST QUESTION IS JUST KIND OF A BASIC ONE. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT THIS TERM AND WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO
ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT TERM? >> YEAH, THANK YOU. MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I THINK BUILDING A STABLE TEAM OF EXPERTS WHO ARE LEADING DEPARTMENTS AND THE NEXT LEVEL DOWN. HAVING THAT PIPELINE OF PEOPLE WHO CAN CONTINUE TO
MOVE UP THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION. PARTICULARLY, I A RIGHTS AND OPCR. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW IS OUT OF TIME. >> I STILL GOT 12 SECONDS. >> I'M LETTING YOU GO INTO M TIME. >> OH, OKAY. >> GO AHEAD. >> THE WORK WITH OPCR. THE
BACKLOG OF CASES, THAT'S DIRECT SERVICE TO RESIDENTS. BECAUSE THOSE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY WHO ARE MAKING COMPLAINTS WHO NEED TO GET THAT ANSWER ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED. I THINK GETTING THAT SYSTEM IN SHAPE WITH BOTH
THE TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTORS OF CIVIL RIGHTS WE'VE HAD, AND THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF POLICE CONDUCT REVIEW IS ONE OF MY HIGHLIGHTS. >> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE MYSELF IN QUEUE NEXT.
MY COMMENTS ARE VERY BRIEF BECAUSE WE HAVE A LONG MEETING AHEAD. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AGAIN, IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY SET OF YEARS. VERY DIFFICULT SET OF YEARS IN WHICH YOU HAVE SERVED AND DECIDED TO
SERVE AS COO. AND THAT DESERVES ITS FLOWERS. ABSOLUTELY, IT DESERVES ITS FLOWERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR COMING BEFORE US AGAIN TODAY. VICE PRESIDENT OSN. >> HELLO, I'LL BE QUICK. AND
JUST PUT IT OUT THERE. I WILL SUPPORT YOU. I THINK YOU AND ME WORK TOGETHER FOR A LONG TIME. WE WORK PUBLIC WORKS. AND NOW AS COO. THE JOB IS VERY CHALLENGING. AND IN YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND YOUR RESUME, IT'S JUST AMAZING. AND I THINK THAT BRINGS A LOT OF -- WE GOTTA ATTRACT BEST OF THE BEST. AND KEEPING YOU I BELIEVE IS THE BEST OPTION. BUT I DO WANT TO REAL KIND OF HIGHLIGHT YOU AND
THE MAYOR ARE THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. ESPECIALLY THE MAYOR. AND YOU ENGAGE CROSS-GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS OR MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATIONS. LIKE IF THAT'S
FED, COUNTY, STATE. ONE OF THE CHALLENGING PART, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS OVER COFFEE. ONE OF THE CHALLENGING PART THAT I HAVE IN MY WARD IS LAND THAT'S OWNED BY THE COUNTY, BY THE STATE, BY THE MET COUNCIL, BY YOU NAME IT.
LIKE THIS LITTLE SECTIONS. AND EVERYBODY IS LOOKING AT THE OTHER ONE, WELL I'M GOING TO TAKE MY LITTLE SECTION AND LEAVE THIS PLACE ALONE. I'LL GIVE YOU A VERYOOD EXAMPLE WHICH IS NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW. IT'S UNDER THE BRIDGE HIAWATHA AND CEDAR-RIVERSIDE. IT'S THREE
DIFFEREN GOVERNMENT: STATE, THE COUNTY, AND THE CITY. THE TWO BRIDGES WERE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF ADDICTIONS ARE REALLY GATHERING AND SAFETY FOR THEMSELVES, SAFETY FOR THE PUBLIC. AND ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT ONE OF THE BRIDGE IS OWNED BY METRO
TRANSIT. FIND OUT LATER ON THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS, AND ALSO ONE IS OWNED BY THE ATE. WELL THE STE CAME AND FENCED THEIRS. THE CITY FENCED IT ON 17th AVENUE. AND METRO TRANSIT WAS LEFT BEHIND. SO IF THERE WAS
A 50 PEOPLE HERE, 50 PEOPLE THERE, WHERE DO YOU THINK OTHER 50 ARE GOING TO GO? THEY WENT TO OTHER BRGE. NOW YOU HAVE 100 PEOPLE. THAT CREATES MORE CHALLENGING TO THAT. AND THEN WE HAD PEOPLE THAT HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE THAT I KNOW PERSONALLY,
THAT I KNOW THEIR MOM. THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS FROM CEDAR-RIVERSIDE WAS HIT AND DIED BY A CAR. AND THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN UNDER YOUR WATCH, AND THE MAYOR'S WATCH. I CANNOT PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THE MET COUNCIL. I CANNOT PICK UP THE
PHONE AND CALL THE MNDOT STATE. TH IS YOUR JOB AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING FOR ME WHEN IT COMES TO THIS JOB. IS LIKE HOW DO I GET LEADERS WITH CITY MANAGER AND MAYORS TO REALLY SPEAKND SAY, HEY, TAKE
CARE OF THIS. HOW DO YOU BUILD A PARTNERSHIP AND COORDINATION AND TASKFORCE TO DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF STUFF? BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT. I'VE SEEN THE COUNTY ABANDON RESPONDING TO OUR REQUESTS. AND NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR PART OF THE LAND THAT WE OWN. BUT THE
PEOPLE IN WARD 6 AND THE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE BY LOOK AT ME AND GOES, LIKE, JAMAL IS DOING A BAD JOB. BUT IS IT REALLY ME OR IS IT REALLY YOU GUYS? O OF THE THINGS THAT I LOOK FORWARD AND I HOPE YOU AND THE MAYOR ARE LISTENIN TODAY IS TRY TO
TIGHTEN THAT COORDINATION, MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION, AND DO BETTER FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THANK YOU, MADAM. >> MADAM CHAIR, DO I HAVE A MOMENT TO RESPOND JUST TO SAY COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN, THANK YOU FOR BRINGI THIS UP. I THINK THERE ARE A FEW THINGS. FIRST OF
ALL, WE NEED TO CENTER AT THE CENTER OF THIS, THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH VERY SERIOUS ADDICTION ISSUES AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS ALREADY ABOUT THIS. I THINK WE CAN DO SOME MODELING OUT OF
THINGS THAT WE CAN THEN USE IN OTHER WARDS AS WELL TOEEP ON TOP OF THESE AREAS. BUT IN THIS SPECIFIC AREA, I HAVE BEEN AWARE THAT THE COUNTY HAS RECENTLY ENGAGED WITH USN THIS. WATCHING WHAT'S HAPPENING. WHICH IS IMPORTANT. BECAUSE THIS IS
MULTI-PRONGED AT THE AREA. AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE GO ABOUT REALLY HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM BEING ADDICTED AND OFTEN UNHOUSED WITH
THE VERY GOOD HELP PEOPLE HAVE. PEOPLE HAVE AN INSTINCT TO HELP. BUT WHAT THEY MAY B DOING AT THIS LOCATION MAY NOT BE HELPING AS MUCH AS WE COULD DO IF WE DO COORDINATE OUR RESPONSE. >> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> THANK YOU. SO I WILL BE VOTING TO MOVE THIS FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION TODAY. BUT I WILL BE VOTING FOR YOU, FOR YOUR NOMINATION ON THURSDAY. I WANT TO TAKE A LITTLE DETOUR BEFORE I ASK THE QUESTIONINCE
WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE MET COCIL HERE. IANT TO PASS ON -- >> [ OFF-MIC COMMENTS ]. >> IT'S A COMPLIMENT. BECAUSE MY WARD IS AT THE CENTER, TRAINS,
BUSES. I WANT TO CALL UP ADAM HARRINGTON. HE'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL WITH THE CRISIS. AS IS CHIEF DOTSON. I PASS ON MY THANKS TO BOTH OF THEM. JUST REAL QUICKLY, WHAT IS YOUR VISION, COO, TO REVITALIZE THE
TAX BASE? DO YOU HAVE SOME STEPS I MIGHT LOOK FORWARD TO? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF CPEDND HIS TE AS WELL AS OTHER PARTNERS. I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE CAN B DOING. FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO GET
BUILDINGS FILLED AGAIN. WE NEED TO GET BUILDINGS FILLED IN SOME CASES WITH SERVICES THAT WOULD BENEFIT FOLKS WHO AREORKING DOWNTOWN AND COMING DOWNTOWN. WHETHER IT'S FOR WORK OR WHAT WE SEE MORE OF NOW, WHICH IS THE
AFTER WORK. A THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE GOOD THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN COME AND DO. ALSO, WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS WHO ARE PRODUCING THINGS THAT CAN ENLIVEN DOWNTOWN THAT MAKE
PEOPLE SAY I WANT TO GO TO DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS ON A THURSDAY NIGHT. OR I WANT TO GO TO DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS OR BACK TO UPTOWN OR, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD.E NEED TO DO THIS. THE OTHER PIECE IS THIS BUILDING ISSUE. AND I THINK THAT
THERE ARE SOME MODELS THAT WE C YOU'RE ALL GOING TO CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE ISSUE OF DATA CENTERS. I THINK THEY MIGHT PLAY A ROLE. I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE TO PLAY A ROLE LIKE THEY'RE PLAYING IN HERMANTOWN OR
SOMEWHERE LIKE THAT. BUT WE DO SEE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR SMLER FACILITIES. AND THEY CAN HELP REVITALIZE OUR DOWNTOWN. SHOULD THEY TAKE UP ALL OF A BUILDING? PROBABLY NOT. BUT WORKING TOGETHER, I THINK WE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT
WORKS AS A POLICY. >> THANK YOU. AND THE LAST QUESTION, AND THIS WILL TAKE A LITTLE RESEARCH SO MAYBE WE CAN MEET IN TWO OR THREE WEEKS WHENEVER YOU COME UP WITH THE NUMBER. I'M VERY CURIOUS. THE TAXPAYERS BOUGHT THE ROOF DEPOT
SITE I TNK IN 2015. I'M CURIOUS HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT HOLDING THAT? THANK YOU. >> MADAM CHAIR. >> WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT. I THINK WE HAVE DISCUSSED THAT SEVERAL TES AND WE CAN GIVE AN UPDATE ON THAT. >> CLERKS, IF WE'LL NOTE THAT
FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE FOLLOW-UP, THE COST OF HOLDING THE ROOF DEPOT SITE, WHICH I BELIEVE IS SOMETHING LIKE $250,000 A MONTH BUT -- MR. RAINVILLE, ANY MORE QUESTIONS? >> NO. I'M DONE. THANK YOU. >> SOUNDS GOOD. COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THE FIRST TIME I HAD QUESTIONS. THIS TIME I JUST HAVE SOME COMMENTS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I SAY THIS BECAUSE I APPRECIATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP. ESPECIALLY YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NORTHSIDE SO MUCH. I SAY THIS A LOT TO MY
COLLEAGUES. IT'S REALLY HARD FOR ME SOMETIMES DOWN HERE BECAUSE I REPRESENT WARD 4, NOT WARD 5. AND I HAVE TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO WARD 4. WE'RE VERY DIFFERENT. AND WHERE YOU ALWAYS SHINE BRIGHT FOR ME IS YOU GET THE
DIFFERENCE. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WARD 4 IS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE AND IT'S NOT WEST BROADWAY. BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE, THEY ALWAYS TALK ABOUT WEST BROADWAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE NORTHSIDE. AND WE HAVE SOME AMAZING AND VIBRANT CORRIDORS THAT WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR LIFE
TO BE PUT IN THEM. AND YOU GET THAT. AND THAT'S WHAT I APPRECIATE ABOUT YOU. EVEN IF YOU HAD TO GET IN YOUR CAR AND DRIVE OVER TO SOMETHING I'M TALKING ABOUT, YOU'LL DO IT AND LET ME KNOW YOU'RE OVER THERE BY EITHER TEXTING ME PHOTOS OR JUST CALLING. YOU'RE EXTREMELY
ACCESSIBLE. YOU LOVE THIS CITY. YOU'RE A CANCER SURVIVORUST LIKE I AM. YOU VOLUNTEER AS ASCENSION CHURCH IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS SO YOU CAN KEEP YOURSELF CONNECTED TO THAT COMMUNITY. IT JUST REALLY IS REFRESHING TO HAVE SOMEONE SERVE IN THIS WAY WHO GETS THE CITY
THE WAY THAT YOU DO. I THINK I FIGHT THE MOST WITH YOU OF EVERYONE AT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. BUT THAT IS A REALLY GOOD THING. IT'S OKAY TO FIGHT. I ALWAYS SAY TO YOU TOO, YOU HAVE THE UNIQUE WAY OF SAYING NO LIKE MY FATHER
USED TO. YOU DON'T SAY NO, YOU SAY WE'LL SEE. THAT WAY HE WAS TH SAME WAY. THAT WAY IF THERE'S ROOM FOR A YES, YOU CAN DO IT WITHOUT JUST SHUTTING IT DOWN RIGHT AWAY. I THINK A LOT MORE PEOPLE COULD LEARN HOW TO SAY NO FROM YOUR WAY OF SAYING
NO WITHOUT JUST CLOSING THE DOOR TO CONVERSATIONS. RIGHTS. AND YOU FIGURED THAT OUT TO PEOPLE. YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN SAY NO TO AND WE'LL SEE TO. I APPRECIATE THAT. YOU'RE A LOVER OF THE CITY. A LOVER OF PEOPLE. A LOVER OF GOVERNMENT. A LOVER OF
PROCESS. A LOVER OF COMPROMISE, OF CHANGE. JUST SO MANY THINGS, COO, THAT I VALUE IN THE PERSON WHO IS SEEN AS THE FACE OF THIS CITY. AND I KNOW THAT IT'S TOUGH, BUT YOU KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE. AND I KNOW THAT'S
BECAUSE YOU'RE A CANCER SURVIVOR. I SAY TO PEOPLE IF YOU CAN POISON YOUR BODY SO THAT IT WILL BE BETTER, YOU COME OUT OF THAT IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY THAN IT'S EVER BEEN IN YOUR LIFE. WHEN YOU BATTLE CANCER,
THAT IS A BATTLE LIKE NONE OTHER. SO THE THINGS THAT WE FACE EVERY DAY, IT'S SMALL COMPARED TO FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE. SO I APPRECIATE YOU. I SUPPORT YOU. I LOVE WHAT YOU BRING TO THIS CITY AND WHAT YOU BRING TO NORTH MINNEAPOLIS MORE THAN ANYTHING. THANK YOU.
>> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, AND I WILL CONFESS I PROBABLY SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME IN WARD 4. I WAS JUST AT SUMNER PICKING UP MY LIBRARY BOOKS. AND I GO TO CHURCH. BUT I LOVE SEEING HOW BIG THIS CITY
IS. AND THAIS TRUE ABOUT ME. HOW FROM TOPO BOTTOM, WHAT WE HAVE, WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. BY THE WAY, I DON'T LIKE YOU THROWING DOWN THAT WE FIGHT THE MOST BECAUSE I'M WORRIED SOMEBODY ELSE MIGHT WANT TO TAKE THAT UP
WITH ME. [LAUGHTER] >> I'M SURE THERE'S OTHERS. [LAUGHTER] >> WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE LEFT IN DISCUSSION. SO THANK YOU. AND SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, AND WITH THE MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT
RECOMMENDATION, ALL THOSE IN VOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES. AND I'LL ALSO LET MEMBERS KNOW THAT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THREE NOMINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR
THE THURSDAY MEETING SHOULD THERE BE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS. NEXT, WE WILL TAKE UP -- GIVE ME A SECOND HERE. YES. NEXT, WE WILL TAKE UP OUR
LAST APPOINTMENT TODAY. CONSIDERING THE MAYOR'S NOMINAT TO THE APPOINTED POSITION OF COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY. I'LL NOW INVITE MAYOR FREY. >> THANK YOU. TO ROUND OUR
EXTRAORDINARY CABINET, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY, TODDRICK BARNETTE. BEFORE COMING TO CITY HALL, TODD BUILT AN EXTINGUISHED CAREER. HELPED SHAPE THE LARGEST
COURT SYSTEM IN MINNESOTA. HE UNDERSTANDS THE SYSTEM FROM EVERY ANGLE: COURTS, POLICING, AND PUBLIC SAFETY. AND THAT EXPERIENCE SHOWS IN HOW HE LEADS TODAY. SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT, AS COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN
2023, TODD IS FOCUSED ON WHAT EVERY RESIDENT IN MINNEAPOLIS CARES ABOUT MOST, SAFE STREETS AND A PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM PEOPLE CAN TRUST. HE TOOK ON THIS ROLE WHEN BOTH WE WERE UNDERSTAND REAL STRAIN AND HE GOT TO WORK AND HE DELIVERED. HE'S REBUILDG A POLICE
DEPARTMENT THAT RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR. ONE THAT HIS STAFF RESPONDS TO ACCOUNTABLE. AT THE SAME TIME, HE'S LEADING THE CITY'S WORK UNDER THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, AND THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE NOT
JUST CHECKING BOXES BUT LASTING REFORM. EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATION HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROD AND THAT PREPARATION HAS BEEN TESTED IN THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS. I WANT TO NOTE THAT SO MUCH OF OUR
EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH CRISIS IS ALSO HANDLED AHEAD OF TIME. THAT WAS THE CASE WHEN WE DID EXTENSIVE PREPARATION AROUND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE CULMINATING IN A TRIP TO MARYLAND. TODD WAS THE LEADER OF THAT WORK AND MAKING SURE
THAT WE DIDN'T JUST HAVE A DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT THAT WAS EQUPED TO LEAD DURING TRYING TIMES, BUT ALSO A WHOLE TEAM THAT KNEW EXACT WHAT THEIR ROLES WERE DURING THE MOST CRITICAL OF CIRCUMSTANCES. HE DID THAT. AND SO WHEN THE
ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL SHOOTING HAPPENED, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM WAS ABLE TO RESPOND IMMEDI IMMEDIATELY. THAT WOULDN'T HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN THE CASE. FIRST RESPONDERS WERE ON THE SCENE WITHIN MINUTES. AND THE SYSTEM PERFORMED THE WAY IT NEEDED TO.
TODD WAS ON THE SCENE MAKING SURE MINNEAPOLIS RESPONDED THE VERY BEST WE COULD. AND WE CONTINUE TO LEAD OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOWED. DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE,HAT SAME LEVEL OF COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP WAS ON DISPLAY ALIGNING WITH DEPARTMENTS, IMPROVING RESPONSE
AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR STREETS WERE SAFE. OTHER CITIES HAVE NOTICED. THEY'RE STILL REACHING OUT TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT WE DID IN MINNEAPOLIS TO GET THROUGH THAT. TODD UNDERSTANDS SOMETHING FUNDAMENTAL, WHICH IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN ACCOUNTABILITY AND POLICING. YOU
CAN AND MUST HAVE BOTH. BECAUSE OF HIS LEADERSHIP, WE'RE SEEING REAL PROGRESS IN STAFFING, IN THE WORK OF GROWING A SENSE OF TRUST AMONG RESIDENTS THAT MINNEAPOLIS IS SAFER TODAY THAN IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO. THE WORK OF BRINGING MULTIPLE PUBLIC
SAFETY SYSTEMS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF IS REALLY COMPLEX. IT'S HARD. AND SO MUCH OF THAT WORK HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES. AND TO DO IT RIGHT, YOU NEED A PERSON WITH A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS, WHICH HE HAS. WITH DECADES OF
RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY LEADERS, WHICH HE HAS. AND SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO TAKE THAT WIDE VIEW TO MAKE SURE MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS ARE GETTING THE COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM THAT THEY DESERVE. IN CONCLUSION, I'LL JUST NOTE THAT WHEN YOU PUT
TOGETHER A CABINET, YOU WANT TO HAVE NOT JUST DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, BUT ALSO DIFFERENT APPROACHES. COMMISSIONER BARNETTE IS CALM. HE IS STEADY.D
IS SWIRLING AROUND US, IT'S THAT KIND OF MENTALITY THAT DOES INDEED HELP US GET THROUGH. IT'S HELPED US BEFORE. IT WILL HELP US AGAIN. THAT PERSON IS TODD BARNETTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. MAYOR. AT THIS TIME, I WILL NOW INVITE UP THE NOMINEE TO PROVIDE HIS INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT. WELCOME, COMMISSIONER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT, COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE, AND VICE COUNCIL PRESIDENT OSMAN, AND ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR FREY, FOR THAT WARM
INTRODUCTION. ONE THING HE WOULD PROBABLY ALSO TELL YOU IS THAT MY CALMNESS DRIVES HIM CRAZY. I WANT TO THANK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR BEING HERE AND
REPEATING STORIES ABOUT MANY, MANY YEARS AGO ABOUT PLAYING BASKETBALL. THOSE DAYS ARE WAY GONE FOR ME. AND SO, AND APPARENTLY, HE MADE THOSE COMMENTS IN A BOOK HE WROTE ABOUT THE SHAMAN TRIAL AS WELL.
FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE TO SUPPORT ME AND SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE TO SUPPORT ME, I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR PATIENCE TODAY. I'M HONORED TO BE HERE. I STAND BEFORE YOU NOT JUST TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN MY
REAPPOINTMENT, BUT ALSO TO RECONFIRM MY COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AS REGARDS TO SAFETY, JUSTICE, AND THE WELLBEING FOR EVERYONE THAT LIVES HERE, WORKS HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND VISITS HERE. I BELIEVE MY NOMINATION,
ALONG WITH THE NOMINATIONS OF MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER, AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY, KRISTYN ANDERSON, REPRESENTS THE MAYOR'S COMMITMENT TO THE CONTINUITY OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, AND TO THE WORK THAT WE DO FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEN I TRANSITIONED
MY CAREER FROM THE HENNEPIN COUNTY COURTS AS CHIEF JUDGE TO THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY, I DID SO WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE HEAVY WEIGHT THAT THIS ROLE CARRIES. I RECOGNIZE THAT SAFETY IS MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF CRIME. IT IS
THE PRESENCE OF WELLBEING. I UNDERSTOOD THE COMPLEXITIES OF BUILDING A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY SETY ECOSYSTEM BEYOND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, AND THE PROVISIONS OF
THE CONSENT DECREE IS A LONG JOURNEY. BUT WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH. MY CAREER HAS BEEN DEFINED BY A DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE. I WAS DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN THE HENNEPIN COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FOR 15 YEARS.
I WAS A PROSECUTOR IN THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR TWO YEARS. AND THEN A JUDGE IN HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR 17 YEARS. AND THEN THE LAST TWO YEARS, OF COURSE, AS THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY. AND EACH OF THESE ROLES,
MY COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE HAS COME WITH A COST IN MY PERSONAL LIFE. PARTICULARLY TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. SO I WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT AND THANK MY WIFE, MY KIDS, MY FAMILY, AND MY FRIENDS FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT. THEY HAVE ALLOWED ME TO
SERVE ALL OF YOU. THE CITY HAS BEEN MOVING FORWARD WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY SYSTEM IN WHICH OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS FEEL SAFE. THEY RECEIVE THE RIGHTESPONSE AT THE RIGHT TIME. AND WE HAVE DONE THIS
THROUGH FOCUS, COORDINATION, AND COLLABORATION. WE ARE BREAKING DOWN SILOS, NOT JUST WITH POLICE AND FIRE AND 911, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, BUT WE'RE DOING THIS WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS. BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT COMMUNITY
SAFETY IS BEYOND THE FIVE DEPARTMENTS UNDER ME. WE'RE STRENGTHENING OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR COUNTY AND STATE PARTNERS. THIS HAS ALLOWED US TO HAVE UNIFIED RESPONSES TO CRISES
LIKE ANNUNCIATION AND OPERATION METRO SURGE WHERE OCS DEPARTMENTS WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS LIKE PUBLIC WORKS, LIKE OUR CITY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, OUR COUNTY PARTNERS, STE PARTNERS,
AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. WE'RE IMPLEMENTING RIGOROUS STANDARDS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING TO ENSURE OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT BECAUSE WE KNOW THESE THINGS LEAD TO BETTER RESPONSES AND
COMMUNITY TRUST. ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST PROUD OF, AND GIVING YOU AN EXAMPLE, IS UPLIFTING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTOR RACHEL SAYER. SHE'S
PUT THE CITY IN THE BEST POSITION FOR PLAED AND UNPLANNED EVENTS. WE REALLY CARE THE MOTTO THAT SHE HAS AND THAT IS WE PREPARE, WE RESPOND, WE RECOVER, AND WE LEARN. WE
PREPARED THROUGH NUMEROUS TABLE TOPS, EXERCISES FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, WHICH IS NIMS. AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK THAT PROVIDES STANDARD VOCABULARY STANDARDIZED STRUCTURES, AND PROCESSES FOR MANAGING
EMERGENCIES OF ANY SIZE, CAUSE, OR COMPLEXITY. BY FOLLOWING NIMS, THIS HAS ENSURED AN EFFEC AT ALL GOVERNMENT LEVELS. THEN WE RECOVER. WE KNOW THAT
RECOVERY IS USUALLY A LONG-TERM PROCESS. ONE IN WHICH IT REALLY CAUSES US TO LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY THAT IS MOST IMPACTED. LASTLY, WE LEARNED FROM EACH OTHER TO BETTE BE PREPARED AND TO PROVIDE THE BEST RESPONSE TO
OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS AT THE RIGHT TIME. WHEN IT COMES TO OUR WORKFORCE, WE ARE ADDRESSING STAFFING SHORTAGES BY FOSTERING A CULTURE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPECT AND COMMUNITY ORIENTED SERVICE. WE CONTINUE TO WORK
WITH HUMAN RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY THE BEST CANDIDATES, AND THE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THEIR LIKELIHOOD THAT THE APPLICANT WILL CHOOSE US FOR EMPLOYMENT AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR ROLES. WE CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY THOSE FACTORS THAT ARE LIKELY TO
RETAIN PEOPLE WE HIRE. AND WE AIM TO PROVIDE THE BEST TRAINING AND BEST SUPPORTED EMPLOYEES FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WHILE WE IMPLEMENT AND COMPLY WITH THE
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSENT DECREE, WE STAY EQUALLY LASER FOCUSED ON THE WORK THAT'S REQUIRED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITY REPO. ALL OF YOU KNOW THIS REPORT IS A
ROADMAP FOR COMPREHENSIVE ECOSYSTEM. SAFETY ECOSYSTEM. THE CHLENGES THAT THE CITY FACED ARE COMPLEX. THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS TO BUILDING A CITY WHERE EVERYONE FEELS SAFE REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE.
MY BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE PROVIDES A UNIQUE LENS. ONE THAT BALANCES THE NECESSITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THE VITAL SYSTEMATIC REFORM AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN DEMANDING.
I'LL CLOSE MY REMARKS WITH A STORYBOUT COMING TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEN I WAS EXPLORING THIS JOB, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO SAID YOU DON'T WANT TO GO WORK FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. WHEN I GOT HERE, I QUICKLY FOUND OUT THEY WERE WRONG. I FOUND JUST LIKE I
THINK OUR OTHER TWO NOMINEES TALKED ABOUT. OUR EMPLOYEES ARE DEDICATED. THEY WANT TO DO RIGHT FOR THE CI AND ITS RESIDENTS. LIKE THEM, I WANT THE CITY TO BE ONE WHERE BUSINESSES ARE THRIVING, WHERE PEOPLE FEEL
SAFE. LIKE THEM, I WANT TO BE A PART OF CHANGE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY REFORM. OUR EMPLOYEES ARE AWESOME. THEY DO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK FOR THE CITY. AND I'M PROUD TO WORK WITH THEM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU SO MUC FOR YOUR STATEMENT. AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO PROCEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE APPOINTMENT. THE FIRST PERSON THAT IS SIGNED UP IS JACKIE
CHERRY HOLMES. WELCOME. >> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, MR. MAYOR, LIKE MAYOR SALES-BELTON SAID, I'VE SPENT
TIME IN THIS CHAMBER TOO. BUT I'VE NEVER COME TO ACTUALLY SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ANYBODY. AND TELLS YA HOW EXTRAORDINARY IT IS THAT I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER BARNETTE TODAY. HE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN. AND
WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM. A PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCE AS A PROSECUTOR, AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER, A JUDGE AND A CHIEF JUDGE. IT IS RARE THAT WE GET THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT COMBINATION OF SKILLS TO LEAD IN OUR CITY. AND WE ARE VERY, VERY LUCKY TO HAVE HIM. HE TOOK A
DEPARTMENT THAT WAS FRANKLY, A LITTLE ON THE FRITS AND WAS OFTEN NOT THE BEST START. AND HE PUT IT IN GOOD SHAPE. HE GAVE IT STRUCTURE. HE COMMUNICATED WITH COMMUNITY. HE COMES TO COMMUNITY. HE'S BEEN PRESENT IN
COMMUNITY. HE HAS LED WITH STRENGTH. AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IN THIS TIME. I WANT TO SAY I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRAUMA THAT EACH OF YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH AND WORK YOU GUYS
NUMBER OF MONTHS. I SIMPLY HAVING EVEN SAT I YOUR SEATS CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DEALING WITH. YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB HOLDING OUR CITY TOGETHER AND KEEPINGESIDENTS SAFE AND STRONG. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO START OVER WITH NEW
LEADERSHIP. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT BEGINNING AGAIN WITH SOMEONE NEW. THIS IS THE TIME TO EMBRACE WHAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE A LEADER IN COMMISSIONER BARNETTE WHO LDS WITH WISDOM, WITH COMPASSION, AND EXPERIENCE.
WE WANT TO KEEP THAT IN PLACE TO GROW OUR CITY EVEN STRONGER. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REAFFIRM COMMISSIONER BARNETTE. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE SPEAKER 2, BRIAN TYNER. WELCOME UP, CHIEF.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS BRIAN TYNER, I AM THE FORMER FIRE CHIEF FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE, AND CURRENTLY, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF T PHYLLIS
WHEATLY COMMUNITY CENTER. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OR IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER BARNETTE BEING REAPPOINTED. WHEN I WAS A FIRE CHIEF, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SEE THAT MY TIME AS FIRE CHIEF PREDATED THE CREATION OF THE
COMMISSIONER'S POSITION OR THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY. AND SO WHEN WE FIRST KINDAROOCHD THE SUBJECT, I MET IT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF SKEPTICISM AS TO WHETHER ITOULD WORK OR HOW IT WOULD WORK, OR WHETHER IT WOULD
JUST BE ANOTHER LEVEL OF BUREAUCRACY IN THE SYSTEM. BUT TO MY GREAT PLEASURE, I FOUND THAT UNDER COMMISSIONER BARNETTE, WE HAD A GREAT INCREASE IN COMMUNICATION AMONGST THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS. WE HAD A GREAT
INCREASE IN COLLABORATION AMONGST THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS. AND JUST A MEETING OF THE MINDS THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. OFTENTIMES WE WERE IN OUR OWN SILOS AND, YOU KNOW, NOT UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE
WITH EACH OTHER, BUT THE COMMUNICATION WASN'T GOOD. I'LL JUST SAY THAT. COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION ARE THE THINGS I NOTICED. AND LASTLY, WE'VE PROBABLY BEEN DOING THIS WORK OF
A HOLISTIC COMMUNITY SAFETY SYSTEM FOR LESS THAN FIVE YEARS NOW. AND THE PROGRESS THAT WE MADE HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO LOOK AT AND POINT AT WHAT HASN'T
HAPPENED YET. I THINK THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE IS OUTSTANDING AND I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT WORK. AND I THINK THE RIGHT PERSON TO LEAD THAT WORK IS COMMISSIONER BARNETTE. SO I ASK THAT YOU REAPPOINT COMMISSIONER BARNETTE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE
SPEAKER 3, JUSTIN TERRELL. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MR. MAYOR, MY NAME IS JUSTIN TERRELL. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
MINNESOTA JUSTICE RESEARCH CENTER. RELEVANT TO THIS CONVERSATION BECAUSE COMMISSION AN ALLY TO THAT CONVERSATION AND THAT STRATEGY. BUT LET ME NOT GIVE HIM ALL THE CREDIT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS ARE
AMAZING. THE PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS WANTED A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS WAND INTERVENTION FROM THE STATE AND FROM THE FEDS. AND COMMISSIONER BARNETTE HAS STEPPED INTO THAT ROLE AND HAS COORDINATED THOSE THINGS. AND WE CAN BE HONEST ABOUT THE
MESS THAT IT WAS WHEN HE GOT THERE. AND SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE CANNOT REFORM SOME THINGS IN PUBLIC SAFETY. WE HAVE TO REIMAGINE AND WE HAVE TO BUILD PATHWAYS AND STRATEGIES TO TRANSFORM THINGS. AND MY
EXPERIENCE WITH COMMISSIONER BARNETTE HAS BEEN THAT HE HAS BEEN AN ALLY IN ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGIES THAT I'VE LEARNED FROM MY MENTOR, JOHN POWELL, FORMER PROFESSOR. IF YOU
WANT TO BE A BRIDGE BUILDER, YOU'VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO BE WALKED ON. THAT'S THE ATTITUDE I BRING TO MY JOB EVERY DAY. WHEN THE CITY IS INVADED, WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ACTG A FOOL OR DOING THINGS
LIKE RESPONDING TO ANNUNCIATION, THE REALITY IS COMMISSIONER BARNETTE IS THAT BRIDGE BUILDER I CAN CALL TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY OUT, OUR CITY OUT. HERE'S WHAT I'LL CLOSE WITH. THE PPLE OF
THIS CITY DAMN NEAR EARNED THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE. WE DESERVE THE BEST SYSTEM FOR ADMINISTERING JUSTICE IN THE COUNTRY. A LEADER LIKE BARNETTE I KNOW WILL WORK WITH ME AND WITH Y'ALL TO HELP US GET THERE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THEN WE HAVE ONE FINAL SPEAKER SIGNED UP. SPEAKER 4, MIKE JOHNSON. >> HI, MY NAME'S MIKE. JUST TO TAKE YOU BACK TO THE SUPER BOWL.
HOW MUCH CRIME WAS THERE IN THE CITY? ZERO. OTHER THAN SOME PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS. WHY? BECAUSE THE COPS WERE DOING THEIR MISSION. THE COPS WERE -- AND WHEN CAN WE GET SOME FORM IN THAT DIRECTION. COPS WERE ACTING
A FOOL. GIVE ME A BREAK. I TELL YOU, IT WASN'T THE COPS O STOLE MY SON'S CAR AND USED IT IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME. IT WASN'T THE COPS WHO STOLE A MINIVAN WITH A BABY IN IT. YOU CAN KEEP CRAPPING ON THE COPS ALL YOU WANT. BUT YOU'RE -- AND
I HOPE THE CITY GETS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IT SO RICHLY DESERVES. SO YOU CAN KEEP REFORMING. OH, AND I'M AGAINST ALL THREE. BECAUSE RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE IS NOTHING MORE THAN VIL IT IS. I'M ABOUT SICK OF THAT. AND I GUARANTEE YOU ANOTHER THING, THE WAS I THINK THIS YEAR OR LAST YEAR YOU HAD THIS MEMORIAL FOR SOME KIDS WHO WERE
SHOT. SOME LITTLE KIDS. I GUARANTEE YOU THE PEOPLE THAT SHOT THOSE KIDS GOT SE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND WERE OUT ON THE STREET WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE 10, 15, 20 FELONIES AND ARE OUT THERE HURTING PEOPLE. AND IT'S BULL. LITTLE
KIDS CAN'T EVEN PLAY OUTSIDE. NEEDLES. BUT IT'S A GOOD THING YOU EVER A CITY COUNCIL THAT'S DECRIMINALIZING CRIME. CONGRATULATIONS. YOU PEOPLE ARE UNBELIEVABLE. AND HIGHLY PROGRAMMED.
>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR THIS NOMINATION BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? ANYONE ELSE THAT'S WISHING TO SPEAK? OKAY. WITH THAT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND WE WILL GO RIGHT
INTO DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS. VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WILL MOVE TO FORWARD THIS NOMINATION TO THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION AND ASK FOR A SECOND. >> SECOND. >> SECOND. >> GREAT. THE MOTION HAS BEEN
MADE AND SECONDED TO FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. WE'LL NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS FOR YOU, COMMISSIONER
BARNETTE. AGAIN, I AM NEW ON THIS COUNCIL. I WASN'T HERE LAST YEAR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL HAPPENED. BUT LAST YEAR, THE CITY WENT WAY OVER BUDGET. I ALREADY ASKED THIS QUESTION, AND
WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I BELIEVE IT'S UNDER YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. SO LAST YEAR, MPD WENT $20 MILLION OVER BUDGET. AND THE COO WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS EVEN
UNTIL LATE IN THE YEAR. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT OCCURRED. BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY ISN'T
IMPORTANT WITH WHAT'S BEEN IN PLACE. SO EARLY IN I THINK IT WAS JANUARY OR SO, I REACHED OUT TO THE BUDGET CHAIR CHUGHTAI, ALSO TO THE BUDGET VICE CHAIR SHAFFER. AND ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT WE DID WAS THAT WE MET. WE DECIDED THAT WE WOULD MEET MONTHLY. ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF MEETING MONTHLY IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL HAVE A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUDGETS
UNDER MY DEPARTMENTS. BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THAT LAST YEAR. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THAT. WE DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE SOME
NUMBERS AFTER THE FIRST QUARTER. I BELIEVE, I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I BELIEVE IT'S SOME TIME THIS MONTH THAT WE WILL MEET AND WE WILL GO THROUGH ALL OF THE
DEPARTMENTS AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BUDGET SITUATION IS FOR ALL FIVE DEPARTMENTS. LOOKING BACK ON WHAT HAS OCCURRED. I THINK CHIEF O'HARA'S TALKED ABOUT THIS. I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW,
IT'S BEEN SAID BY SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT OVERTIME AMOUNT WAS SIGNIFICANT. WE HAD NOT PLANNED FOR THE NUMBER OF EVENTS THAT WE
HAD. I THINK IN APRIL R, WE HAD TRIPLE HOMICIDE. IN JUNE, WE HAD THE ASSASSINATION OF SPEAKER HORTMAN AND HER HUSBAND AND THE SHOOTING OF LEGISLATOR JOHN
HUFFMAN AND HIS WIFE. AND THEN IN AUGUST, WE HAD THE ANNUNCIATION SHOOTING. AND NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, STARTED METRO SURGE. ALL OF THOSE INCIDENTS
REQUIRED US TO HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK TO COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAD SCHEDULED TIME OFF COME IN. THAT WE REALLY APPROACHED THE SITUATION WITH
ALL HANDS ON DECK. THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH OUR OVERTIME. BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE SOME THINGS IN PLACE NOW TO ADDRESS IT WITH MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF BUDGET. WE PAY CLOSER ATTENTION,
AND YOU HEARD OUR COO MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER TALK ABOUT AT THE CABINET LEVEL, WE'RE PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO IT. AND WITH MY DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION IN
OUR OFFICE IS WITH EACH DEPARTMENT AT THEIR MONTHLY BUDGET AND FINANCE MEETINGS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AWARE OF ANY SITUATIONS AS THEY OCCUR. I THINK WE'LL KNOW ABOUT THINGS EARLIER. I HAVE TO TOTALLY AGREE
WITH THE COO. WE WILL BE OVER BUDGET WHEN IT COMES TO OVERTIME. METRO SURGE HAS DEFINITELY BEEN VERY TAXING NOT ONLY ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT -- >> EXCUSE ME. I ONLY HAVE LIMITED TIME. SO I WANT TO GET TO MY NEXT QUESTION. BUT I
APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWER THERE. I WANT TO DRILL DOWN ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED LAST YEAR AS TO WHY MEMBERS OF THIS BODY AND OTHERS WEREN'T AWARE OF THE MAJOR OVERTIME UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR?
>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, I THINK THAT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I THINK THAT ALL OF US -- WELL ONE, I THINK WITH THE WAY THAT WE RECEIVE INFORMATION, IT REALLY
WASN'T UNTIL MIDDLE OF THIRD QUARTER THAT WE REALLY STARTED NOTICING THE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME THAT WAS THERE. AND LIKE I SAID EARLIER, I THINK WE'RE IN A BETTER PLACE GOING FORWARD THIS YEAR. >> OKAY. I ONLY HAVE A LITTLE
BIT OF TIME LEFT. ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS IN WARD 8, DAVIS WAS SHOT IN 2024. THIS COMING AFTER MONTHS OF REPORTING RACIST THREATS. AND UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION, MPD AND OCS FAILED
TO KEEP HIM SAFE AND IT NEARLY COST HIM HIS LIFE. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, WHAT HAPPENED WITH MR. MATORI IS, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT IS VERY
UNFORTUNATE. I THINK THAT SINCE THEN, OUR MPD LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN LOOKING AT THAT ISSUE. I THINK WHEN THE AUDIT REPORT COMES OUT, YOU'LL FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION WITH THE PROCESSES
THAT WERE IN PLACE THEN AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD HERE. SO YOU NEVER EVER WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE ON YOUR WATCH THAT SOMEONE GETS HURT. AND SO
IT'S VERY UNFORTUNATE. LIKE I SAID EARLIER, WE LEARN WHEN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN. AND WE PREPARE TO BE BETTER TO RESPOND LATER. YES. >> AND I ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT SO I'M JUST GOING TO READ
THIS FROM THIS LETTER WE GOT FROM AFSCME LOCAL 9. HOW DOES THIS INDIVIDUAL FOSTER A RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT? WHILE THE MEMBER -- >> COUNCIL MEMBER, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S YOUR TIME.
IF YOU WANT TO COME BACK INTO QUEUE TO READ THE REST OF IT. COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. CHAIR, I THINK YOUR CLOCK MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN OURS BECAUSE IT SHOWED, LIKE, WHEN YOU CALLED TIME, THERE'S STILL SECONDS IN THERE. >> OKAY. WELL, I THINK IT MIGHT
BE DIFFERENT TOO BECAUSE JAMISON AND I HAVE THE SAME CLOCK. >> IF I MAY, MY CLOCK IS THE SAME AS CHAIR CHOWDHURY'S AS WELL. I CAN LOOK AT YOUR COMPUTER AFTER. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BARNETTE. TO YOU TOO, THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THE
NOMINATION. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE IN YOUR TIME HERE. I WILL ADMIT THOUGH I WAS VERY CONFUSED ABOUT THIS DEPARTMENT AND THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF COULD TAKE ON BECAUSE IT'S NEW. IT'S ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. AND I
THINK SOMEONE ELSE SAID WE GOT A ROUGH START IN THIS DEPARTMENT. YOU'RE NOT THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY, YOU'RE THE SECOND. AND I AM PROUD OF SOME OF THE WORK YOU'VE DONE IN THIS DEPARTMENT THAT MEANT A LOT TO ME. ONE BEING 911. WHEN YOU GOT HERE, THAT IS
WHAT WE HAD THE MOST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WAS THE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE. HOW PEOPLE FELT ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT. HOW THE DEPARTMENT WAS OPERATING. THE SUPPORT WE COULD GIVE THEM FROM THE COUNCIL LEVEL. AND I THINK YOU'VE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB AT NAVIGATING THROUGH THE 911 DEPARTMENT AND
FIGURING OUT HOW I COULD HELP AS A COUNCIL MEMBER AND HOW MY COLLEAGUES COULD HELP. JUST BOOSTING MORALE. IF I EVER SEE SOMEONE IN 911, THEY ALWAYS TALK HIGHLY ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU DROP IN TO VISIT. BOOSTING
MORALE IN THE DEPARTMENT. YOU ARE ALSO A PERSON WHO WILL MEET ME OUT ON THE STREETS TO TALK. I WOULDN'T ADVISE THAT WITH ANYBODY BECAUSE HE KNOWS EVERYONE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS.
I'VE NEVER SEEN A JUDGE SO LOVED. PEOPLE WANT TO STOP HIM AND THANK HIM FOR CHANGING THEIR LIVES AROUND. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU MEET WITH HIM IN A ROOM BY YOURSELF IF YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE BECAUSE IF YOU GO OUTSIDE,
IT WON'T HAPPEN. SO I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU ON THE NORTHSIDE AND RESPECTS YOU. EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE WITH THEM AT THE TOUGHEST POINTS IN THEIR LIFE, THEY STILL RESPECT YOU AND THEY APPRECIATE YOU BEING DOWN HERE AT THE CITY
OF MINNEAPOLIS IN THIS CAPACITY. I CERTAINLY SHARE THE SAME CONCERNS ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT GOING OVER BUDGET AND JUST BEING BLINDSIDED BY THAT. I FELT THAT JUST CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. AND I'M HOPING THAT WE'LL HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON WHAT PROTECTIONS HAVE BEEN PUT
IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THAT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. AND IF WE ARE $1 MILLION OVER BUDGET THAT WE KNOW THAT. WE'RE COMING FROM A PLACE OF NOT SPENDING THE BUDGET AND YET HAVING THE HIGHEST BUDGET TO BEING $20 MILLION OVER BUDGET. NOT ONLY DO I THINK WE DESERVE
ANSWERS, I THINK THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS DESERVES ANSWERS AND WE DESERVE THEM SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. WHATEVER PROTECTIONS YOU AND YOUR TEAM PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THAT. I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS
AROUND RESPONSIBILITIES. I WANT TO KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPRIMANDING THE POLICE CHIEF, THE FIRE CHIEF, THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DIRECTOR, THE DEPARTMENTS UNDER YOU, WHO
IS THAT RESPONSIBILITY BELONG TO? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS AS FAR AS PERFORMANCE IS
UNDER ME. THE CHIEF OF POLICE IS SORT OF DIFFERENT IN THIS RESPECT. ONLY REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A HIGH
PROFILE POSITION. NONE OF MY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE A DASHBOARD WITH COMPLAINTS. NONE OF MY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE AS RECOGNIZABLE AS THE CHIEF.
BUT HE'S HELD AT THE SAME STANDARD AS THE OTHER FOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS WHEN IT COMES TO EXPECTATIONS. WE MEET AS A
GROUP WEEKLY WITH ALL FIVE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND MY STAFF. EACH DEPARTMENT REPORTS OUT. WE TALK AS A GROUP ABOUT DIFFERENT
SITUATIONS. HOW WE CAN ADDRESS ISSUES. WHETHER IT'S US GIVING SUGGESTIONS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS. BUT ALSO I MEET WITH EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS. AND THERE, WE CAN HAVE INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PERFORMANCE
WHEN NECESSARY. BUT I DON'T WANT TO FORGET ONE THING. AND YOU DIDN'T ASK THIS QUESTION, BUT
911 WAS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WAS NOT AT A POSITION THEY SHOULD BE WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT SAFETY. I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THAT 911 STAFF TO BE IN THE SAME CONVERSATION AS FIRST RESPONDERS
BECAUSE THEY'RE THE FORGOTTEN ONES BECAUSE THEY GET THE CALLS AND DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS LATER. AND SO WHETHER DIRECTOR HODNE LIKES IT OR NOT, I'VE BEEN DOWN THERE TO VISIT. AND THE
GROUP HAS JUST BEEN WONDERFUL. THEY KNOW HOW MUCH THEIR SERVICE MEANS. IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT AS FIRE OR POLICE. AND SO I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU'VE HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MY NEXT QUESTION
IS -- I'M GOING TO ASK THIS OF EVERYONE WHO GETS NOMINATED. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS TERM AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE TO ACCOMPLISH? >> YEAH, I THINK MY BIGGEST
ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS THE ANNUNCIATION RESPONSE. AND THIS IS WHY. YOU DO ALL OF THIS WORK AND TRAINING TO PREPARE FOR BIG EVENTS. ESPECIALLY FOR THE CITY
SINCE 2020. AND WHEN THE RESPONSE TO ANNUNCIATION HAPPENED, BECAUSE WE HAD TRAINED IN THIS NIMS PROTOCOLS FOR
SAFETY, EVERYONE REALLY STUCK TO THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ALLOWED OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO DO THEIR JOBS IN A WAY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN 2020. AND SO SEEING ALL OF THAT COME TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU
JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU TRAIN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN REALITY. AND TO SEE IT COME TOGETHER AND UNFOLD IN THAT SITUATION, FOR ME, WAS A SENSE OF PRIDE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW'S TIME IS EXPIRED. BUT COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING WILL ALLOW YOU TO
CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IT COME TOGETHER. BUT THE -- THE
HARD PART -- EXCUSE ME. IS THE IMPACT. TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND TO
THE COMMUNITY. IT'S HARD TO HEAR THOSE STORIES. AND SO AS WE LOOK LONG-TERM, ESPECIALLY SINCE OPERATION METRO SURGE, WE REALLY
HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS. AND SO REALLY LONG-TERM BIG PICTURE IS NOW THAT BEHAVIORAL CRISIS RESPONSE IS UNDER FIRE, HOW DO
WE KEEP AND SUSTAIN THAT SERVICE LONG TERM WHEN WE KNOW THAT THAT COST WILL NEVER GO DOWN? SO HOW DO WE DEFRAY THAT COST LONG TERM? AND SO THAT'S IMPORTANT. BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE, HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE
MEDICARE OR MEDICAID, I'M NOT SURE WHICH ONE BECAUSE THEY CAN BE REIMBURSED BY STATUTE. SORRY TO TAKE UP YOUR TIME, COUNCIL MEMBER WHITING. >> NO WORRIES AT ALL. THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. AND I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR YOU. WHAT I DO FIRST, I WANT TO
TAKE SOME TIME TO KIND OF FRAME WHERE WE'RE AT PARTICULARLY WITH THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY. AS MR. TERRELL NOTED, RIGHT, THIS WAS AN ASK OF OUR COMMUNITY, OF OUR RESIDENTS. AND ACTUALLY, IF WE LOOK BACK EVEN BEFORE THAT, IT WAS SOMETHING
THAT WAS VOTED DOWN. THAT THIS CITY DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH. AND SO WE ARE KIND OF ON THIS FIRST FRONTIER OF SOMETHING NEW. AND WHEN YOU BUILD OUT NEW THINGS, THERE ARE GOING TO BE HICCUPS. THERE ARE GOING TO BE PLACES WHERE YOU NEED
FLEXIBILITY. I THINK THOSE AT THE TOP, THOSE THAT ARE LEADING THOSE DEPARTMENTS, IS WHERE WE SHOULD LOOK INTO THEIR CHARACTER AND THEIR ABILITY TO LEAD. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT IS
PARTICULARLY COMMISSIONER BARNETTE'S CHARACTER. I THINK SOME KNOW OUR RELATIONSHIP. I THINK IT IS HELPFUL TO KIND OF PAINT THAT PICTURE AS WELL. AND SO YOU KNOW, I WAS AN 18-YEAR OLD KID HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. I THINK AS A LOT OF
US KNOW UP HERE THROUGH THE MEN OF COLOR IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS A MIXED RACE BLACK KID IN THIS COMMUNITY, SEEING SOMEBODY IN A POSITION THAT I WANTED TO BE WAS EXTREMELY POWERFUL. REACHED OUT
TO THE ONLY CHIEF, BLACK CHIEF JUSTICE IN THE HISTORY OF THIS CITY, OF THIS COUNTY, WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS I RECEIVED AN EMAIL BACK. COME ON DOWN AND GET SOME LUNCH. THAT WAS AS AN 18-YEAR OLD. THAT RELATIONSHIP HAS
STAYED STRONG AND TRUE AND TESTED FOR DECADES, RIGHT? AND FOR ME, I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE POSITIONS, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PEOPLE IN THIS, MY FIRST QUESTION GOES TO THAT INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR CHARACTER. AND I
CANNOT SPEAK MORE HIGHLY OF THE CHARACTER AND THE PERSON THAT YOU ARE NOT JUST FOR MYSELF, BUT THIS COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY. AND PARTICULARLY, THE OTHER QUESTION I ASK OF MY COLLEAGUES AND OTHERS IS WHO
ELSE? WHO ELSE WOULD WE WANT THAT HAS THE CHARACTER THAT EMBODIES WHAT WE BELIEVE IS IN THIS JOB AND I THINK THAT'S COMMISSIONER BARNETTE. WHO ELSE WOULD WE WANT IN THIS POSITION THAT HAS A COMMITMENT TO THE CITY THAT IS DIRECTLY COMMITTED
17 YEARS AT THE BENCH TO HENNEPIN COUNTY, THAT HAS RAISED HIS FAMILY IN THIS COMMUNITY? WHO ELSE? I COME UP WITH BLANK ANSWERS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE LEADER THAT I THINK IS DIRECTLY REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE HERE IN THIS CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND THE LAST KIND
OF PIECE I'LL ADD HERE, AND IT WAS, AGAIN, WHEN I WAS CONSIDERING COMING TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR REACHED OUT AND I THOUGHT OH, HE'S TRYING TO TRICK ME TO COME WORK FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AS HE LOOKED LIKE
HE TRIED TO TRICK YOU TO COME HERE AS WELL. THE FIRST PERSON I ASKED FOR ADVICE WAS COMMISSIONER BARNETTE. AS YOU KNOW HE'S NOT THE MOST TIGHT-LIPPED INDIVIDUAL. THE FIRST THING HE SAID WAS GO DO
IT. HE WAS COMING TO THE CITY TOO. I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS STATE AND IN THIS CITY THAT ARE DIRECTLY COMMITTED TO THE EFFORTS OF MOVING OUR REFORMS, OUR CITY FORWARD IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION. AND I THINK WE HAVE
THAT. WHAT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE IS WITH OUR OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY, THIS IS WHERE THE FOUNDATIONAL REFORMS FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ECOSYSTEM WILL HAPPEN, IN THIS DEPARTMENT. AS MUCH AS I BELIEVE THAT THESE
REFORMS WILL HAPPEN BROADLY IN THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, SORRY, CHIEF O'HARA, BUT I THINK THERE WILL BE OTHER AREAS IN THIS AVENUE THAT THIS REFORM WILL TAKE SHAPE. WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE AT THE MPD LEVEL BUT ALTERNATIVES AS WELL. I KNOW
FROM YOUR CAREER ON THE BENCH HAS BEEN DIRECTLY RELATED TO FIGURING OUT WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE BEST TO REDUCE HARM FOR OUR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY. WITH ALL OF THAT SAID, I COULD NOT BE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC FOR YOUR
ACCEPTING OF THE REAPPOINTMENT AND SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR REAPPOINTMENT AS WELL. LOOK FORWARD HOPEFULLY TO ANOTHER FOUR-YEAR TERM OR WHATEVER IT IS, AS LONG AS WE GET THERE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT WE'LL GO TO
COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BARNETTE, I'LL BE VOTING TODAY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION. AND I'LL BE VOTING FOR YOU TO BE CONFIRMED AT THE MEETING ON THURSDAY. I'M DOING SO BECAUSE I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE TOUGHEST JOB OF ALL THE
PEOPLE THAT WE'VE TALKED TO TODAY, YOU HAVE THE TOUGHEST JOB. IT'S NEW. THIS WHOLE CONCEPT OF NON-ARMED PUBLIC SAFETY IS SO NEW. WE'VE HAD A POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 100 YEARS. WE'VE HAD A FIRE DEPARTMENT. 911 SINCE TELEPHONES WERE INVENTED. BUT WHAT YOU'RE
DOING IS GROUNDBREAKING AND IT'S TOUGH. AND MISTAKES ARE MADE. YOU HAVE THE COURAGE AND THE INTEGRITY TO FIX THOSE MISTAKES. I ALSO WANT TO COMPLEMENT YOU ON THE BACKGROUND THAT YOU BRING. SO AS A PROSECUTOR, AS A DEFENSE
ATTORNEY, AS A CHIEF JUDGE. THOSE SKILLS ARE WHAT MAKING YOU SUCCEED. SO YOU'VE PREPARED YOURSELF VERY WELL FOR THIS JOB. AND I WANT TO END WITH SOMETHING CHIEF TYLER HAD SAID THAT --
RETIRED CHIEF TYLER, EXCUSE ME. NO OFFENSE CURRENT INTERIM CHIEF. WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAS WORKED NOT WHAT HAS NOT WORKED. THOSE ARE VERY WISE WORDS. AND IN PARTICULAR, I AM SO PROUD THAT YOU TALKED
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUR STAFF AND YOUR WORKERS. AS SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY GREW UP IN THIS CITY, I HAVE SO MANY NEIGHBORS THAT BECAME FIREMEN, POLICE. IT'S A TERRIBLE JOB. WE PAY THEM TO SEE THINGS THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE. AND THAT HAS
A TOLL. THE THANK GOODNESS TODAY IN MODERN TIMES WE'RE RECOGNIZING THAT AND WE'RE OFFERING SERVICES FOR WELLNESS. BUT FOR YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME TODAY. AND ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS THAT I GREW UP WITH AND WENT TO HIGH
SCHOOL WITH THAT ARE FIRST RESPONDERS. SO THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, I CAN TELL YOU FROM MEETINGS FROM THE CABINET WITH OUR COO AND COUNTY
ATTORNEY, I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WOULD CHANGE JOBS. WE'RE GOOD WHERE WE ARE. I THINK WE LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND GO, YOU GOT A TOUGH JOB. NO, YOU HAVE A TOUGH JOB. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEEN GREAT AND MAYBE NOT TALKED ABOUT IS JUST HOW WELL
THE THREE OF US WORK TOGETHER. AND SO WHEN I TALK ABOUT SAFETY, IT'S SAFETY FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS BEYOND THE FIVE DEPARTMENTS, IT TRULY IS WORKING
WITH THE COO AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ACROSS DEPARTMENTS TO DELIVER A SERVICE. IT TRULY IS A TEAM OF PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER AND NOT JUST ME. IT'S JUST A
GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ALL HAVE A COMMON INTEREST AND A COMMON GOAL FOR SAFETY. I JUST THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY TO KNOW. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL. >> I HAVE MYSELF IN QUEUE. I'LL
KEEP MY REMARKS BRIEF BECAUSE WE HAVE QUITE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN QUEUE. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. AND I REALLY MEAN IT BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO STEP UP INTO THIS ROLE, ESPECIALLY YOUR ROLE, A NEWER ROLE COMPARED TO
THE OTHERS. AND AS YOU SAID IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT FEW YEARS. VERY DIFFICULT. THINGS THAT WE HAVE NEVER IMAGINED WE'VE EXPERIENCED TOGETHER AS A CITY. AND SO TAKING UP THAT POSITION AND STANDING BEFORE US TODAY IS NOT
A LIGHT THING. IT'S A HEAVY THING. AND SO I JUST GIVE YOU MY GRATITUDE FOR STEPPING UP AND SERVING IN THE TIME THAT YOU'VE SERVED. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER. >> YEAH, I'LL ECHO MY THANKS AS WELL FOR YOUR TIME, ENERGY,
SACRIFICE ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY. I WANT TO BUILD ON A FEW QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW TOUCHED ON. I REALLY APPRECIATED YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE. AND HOW YOU KNOW REALLY TAKING CARE OF THE EMPLOYEES. WE CAN HEAR YOUR HEART. AND THAT
MEANS A LOT TO ME AS SITTING IN THIS POSITION KNOWING THAT SOME OF OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS KNOW YOU HAVE A HEART FOR THEIR SITUATION. AND THAT YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING OF OUR EMPLOYEES. BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WILL HELP WITH OUR STAFFING SHORTAGES FOR THE LONG RUN WHEN
WE CAN COMMIT TO THAT AND DEMONSTRATE THAT AS LEADERSHIP. SECONDLY, YOU MENTIONED HOW HELP TO FRAME THE COST. BUDGET ISSUES FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT VIEWPOINT. BUT
IN ALL DO RESPECT, THOSE ARE MAYBE AN INTERNAL FOCUS. AND I THINK THE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY RIGHT NOW ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES IS THE PRACTICAL IMPACT ON THE GROUND IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY. >> YES. >> AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT BY
BUILDING UP OUR STAFFING SOURCES BY CARING FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, AND LOOKING AT THE BUDGET. BUT IS THERE ANYTHING TOP OF MIND TO YOU AS YOU THINK ABOUT BLDING YOUR LEGACY HOPEFULLY FOR THIS NEXT TERM, THAT WHEN YOU -- IN THIS ROLE, YOU KNOW, BIG VISION,
TO THE RESIDENTS OFMINNEAPOLIS, HOW ARE WE GOING TO REALLY TACKLE PUBLIC SATY? BECAUSE WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR THAT WE WANT TO SEE LIVEABILITY CHANGES. THAT WE WANT TO SEE SAFETY CHANGES THAT MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR OUR BUSINESSES AND FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER, I TNK THE CREDIT WON'T COME PROBABLY TO
THE OFFICE COMMUNITY SAFETY BECAUSE THE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS ARE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO
CRIME, WHEN IT COMES TO LIVEABILITY, THAT REALLY INVOLV US AS A CITY NOT -- WE'RE NOT THE SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER. AND SO IT'S THE
PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND BRINGING ALL OF THIS TOGETHER AT THE END OF THE DAY. NO MATTER WHERE A
PERSON HAS AN INTERACTION WITH THE CITY OR THE COUNTY OR THE STATE, THAT THAT PROCESS TO GET THEM THE SERVICE WOULD BE SEAMLESS. THE REASON I BRING
THAT UP IS BECAUSE WE ASK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CRISIS TO DO THINGS LIKE CALL THIS NUMBER, GO TO THIS DEPARTMENT, STAND IN LINE. WE TELL THEM THIS IS NOT A CITY ISSUE, IT'S A COUNTY ISSUE. IT'S
NOT A COUNTY ISSUE, IT'S A STATE ISSUE. AS WE MOVE ALONG WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, IF WE'RE ABLE TO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE MAKE THAT SEAMLESS FOR PEOPLE, I THINK WE'LL BE IN A BETTER PLACE. AND I DON'T THINK THE OFFICE OF
COMMUNITY SAFETY WILL GET THAT CREDIT. I JUST THINK THAT AS A SYSTEM IF WE DO THOSE THINGS WE'LL BE BETTER OFF. AND TO BE IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO SAY I WAS A PART OF THAT, I WOULD BE HAPPY WITH THAT. >> THANK YOU. >> YEAH.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> THANK YOU. YEAH, I HAVE NOT TOO MUCH MORE TO GO OVER. BUT ONE IS I'M NEW HERE ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND IN MY BRIEF TIME HERE, I FOUND YOUR OFFICE VERY
DIFFICULT TO REACH AND CONSISTENTLY MISSING FROM AGENDA SETTINGS, AS VICE CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY. WHY IS THAT? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. I'M SORRY TO
HEAR THAT. BUT THE EXPECTATION IS TT IF THERE IS AN ISSUE IN WHICH THERE'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSION AT AGENDA SETTING, THE EXPECTATION IS THAT SOMEONE
FROM EITHER THAT DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY WILL BE PRESENT OR THAT THE CHIEF OF STAFF WILL HAVE INFORMATION TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT. SO I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT AND I WILL GO BACK AND ADDRESS THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.YEAH. AND I JUST WANT TO READ TWO THINGS FROM
THIS LETTER THAT WE GOT FROM AFSCMEORKERS. THESE ARE THEIR WORDS, NOT MY WORDS. AGAIN, SO THE QUESTION WAS DOES THIS INDIVIDUAL FOSTER A RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT? AND THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE YING. WHILE MEMBERS SPOKE POSITIVELY
OF TODDRICK'S COMMUNICATIONS WITH EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE PUBLIC, MEMBERS WERE VERY CRITICAL OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT OF TODDRICK'S CONTL. TODDRICK'S GREATEST FLAW IS HE
DOES NOT HOLD THE POLICE CHIEF -- AT QUESTION IS DOES THIS INDIVIDUAL FOLLOW THE TERMS OF YOUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT? MEMBERS GET THE SENSE THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND DOES NOT CARE. THESE ARE TROUBLING.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO EITHER OF THESE FOR ME? >> YES. THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON, I DID GET A COPY OF THA LETTER YESTERDAY. SURPRISED IS THE FIRST TIME AN EXECUTIVE ROLE I
REALLY HEARD THAT. I REALLY THINK THAT IT'S ON ME IF PEOPLE HAVE THAT PERCEPTION TO CHANGE IT. I DO, LIKE OUR COO MARGARET
ANDERSONELLIHER, I DO EXPECT DEPARTMENT HEADS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR STAFF. I KNOW IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO REACH 1400 OR SO STAFF UNDER ALL OF MY DEPARTMENTS. BUT WE DO ISSUE A NEWSLETTER. YOU HEARD ME TALK EARLIER. WE HAVE MONTHLY EXECUTIVE MEETINGS. I MEET WITH
THE DEPARTMENT HEADS INDIVIDUALLY. SO I REALLY DO THINK AFTER HEARING THAT YESTERDAY THAT IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ME TO REALLY TRY TO GET TO THE ROOT OF SOME OF THOSE COMMENTS AND UNDERSTAND THOSE PERCEPONS. YES.
>> OKAY. I HOPE YOU DO BECAUSE YOU HAVE VERY IMPORTANT WORK TO DO, AND THESE, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, WHEN IT COMES TO SPECTFUL, INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT, THAT'S CRITICAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ACROSS THE CITY. I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION ON
THOSE THINGS. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. COMMISSIONER, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS. YOU BROUGHT UP THAT YOU MEET WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS REGULARLY WHETHE THEY'RE WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY MEETINGS.
I'M WONDERING IF IN THOSE ME MEET MEETINGS, DO YOU DISCUSS THE BUDGET IN THOSE MEETINGS. >> YOU KNOW THAT WE DO NOW. >> ALL RIGHT. >> IT'S A REGULAR TOPIC FORS.
AND WE'VE MET EITHER ME -- WELL I KNOW I'VE MET WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT BUDGET. I KNOW THAT THE CHIEF OF STAFF HAS BEEN ON TOP OF IT. OUR DIRECTOR OF
ADMINISTRATION ALSO HAS BEEN INVOLVED. I THINK WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE OF NO SURPRISES. I THINK OUR MONTHLY MEETING WITH THE BUDGE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR WOULD BE HELPFUL THAT WE HAVE A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF ERE THE BUDGET IS. AND WHAT'S
HAPPENING IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS. I'LL SAY HERE, I KNOW THAT OVERTIME IS ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH OUR BUDGETS. BUT ALSO WE
RE HAVING TO LOOK AT THE NEW PFMLA AND OTHER THINGS WITH TIME OFF, AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE STAFFED AT OUR DEPARTMENTS WHEN A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE OUT ON THOSE LEAVES.
>> ANOTHER THING YOU TALKED ABOUT WAS STAFF DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR LEADERS IN THESE FIVE DEPARTMENTS. AND I'M JUST WONDERING IF YOU HAVE A REGULAR OCCURRENCE OF PERFORMANCE REVIEWS? DO THEY HAPPEN? WHEN
WERE THE LAST ONES AND HOW OFTEN DO THEY HAPPEN? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW,'LL HAVE TO GET
BACK. I'M NOT SURE. I KNOW THAT EACH DEPARTMENT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT PERFORMANCES AS WE'VE GONE ALONG. ION'T REMEMBER WHEN EACH ONE'S HAD A REVIEW. >> OKAY. THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO KNOW. JUST A COUPLE MORE THINGS.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS SPECIFIC TO THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD OVER THE FEW YEARS AND THAT'S REALLY AROUND HOT SPOTS. >> YES. >> HOW DO YOU DEVELOP SAFETY PLANS FOR THESE AREAS? WE'VE
TALKED ABOUT LOWRY AND PENN, 35th AND LOWR 95th AND NICOLLET. I'M JUST WONDERING HAVE YOU DEVELOPED SOME TE OF PLANS FOR HOW YOU WORK WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S A LOT MORE
PROACTIVE THAN REACTIVE. >> YES, THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW, THAT IS A CHALLENGE FOR US AS WE -- AS OUR INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS ADDRESS
THOSE HOTSPOTS AND HOW WESE OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION CONTRACTS TO HELP. AND SO WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS, AND YOU CALLED ME OUT I THINK OVER THE SUMMER AND YOU SAID, GET HERE AT -- I
CAN'T REMEMBER. I THINK MAYBE IT WAS LOWRY. AND I SAID I'M AWARE. I DROVE BY THERE. YOU'RE LIKE, NO, COME DOWN HERE. AND THE ISSUE IS BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS A
SPECIFIC AREA KNOWING THAT IT'S GOING TO MOVE. AND HOW DO WE MOVE WITH THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE WHERE WE HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY OFFER SERVICES AS THEY MOVE. AND
SO WE'RE REALLY TALKING INTERNALLY HOW DO WE PROVIDE THAT SERVICE FORTHE ENTIRE CITY. BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE IT IN
CERTAIN AREAS WHEN WE HAVE THE RESOURCES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH HOTSPOTS THEY CAN. BUT THEY CAN'T DEAL WITH ALL IN THEIR PRECINCT. RIGHT. SO I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER SHAFFER TALKED ABOUT INCREASING STAFF FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEN YOU HAVE
INCREASED STAFF, YOU'RE ABLE TO DEAL WITH MULTIPLE HOTSPOTS AND WHEN THEY HAPPEN. BUT ALSO, THAT CHALLENGE WITH THAT IS WE WANT TO USE OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP ENGAGE FOLKS BECAUSE THEY'RE TRUSTED
MESSENGERS IN HOPEFULLY MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT WHEN THEY'RE READY TO ACCEPT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. MY TIME'S UP. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> THANK YOU. COUPLE QUICK THINGS THAT CAME UP. AND I DON'T
EXPECT YOU TO HAVE THE ANSWER FOR THIS QUESTION NOW. IT WILL TAKE SOME RESEARCH. BUT I'M CURIOUS HOW THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE IS AFFECTING ALL FIVE AREAS. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT NOW? AND DO YOU HAVE ANY INKLING OR ANTICIPATION OF HOW THAT WILL
AFFECT YOUR DEPARTMENTS GOING FORWARD INTO THE YEAR? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT. THAT IS I GUESS A DATA
POINT THAT WE WANT TO USE IN OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. I DON'T REMEMBER ALL OF THEM OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT
FOR I BELIEVE EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS, MAINLY 911, FIRE, AND POLICE, THERE ARE CONCERNS AS WE MOVE FORWARD HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE OUT ON LEAVE. I DON'T KNOW THAT NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. BUT ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN OUR EXECUTIVE MEETINGS IS MAKING SURE WE ALL ARE USING THE SAME NUMBER. BECAUSE I THINK THAT NUMBER SHOULD COME FROM OUR HR DEPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH, AN
INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT MIGHT KNOW SOMETHING IS COMING UP OR PENDING, BUT THAT WE ALL USE THE SAME OFFICIAL NUMBER I THINK IS IMPORTANT AS WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW THESE LEAVES WILL AFFECT. BUT IT IS A CONCERN GOING FORWARD OF JUST DO
WE HAVE ENOUGH STAFF. >> AND MY CONCERN IS THAT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH STAFF, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN UP THE OVERTIME FOR FIRE, POLICE, AND 911. EVERYBODY'S HEARD ABOUT THE BUDGET. AND I JUST WANT TO HAVE AN IDEA ON HOW THIS NEW FAMILY
LEAVE MEDICAL LAW AFFECTS THE STAFFING. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, I THINK WE'LL HAVE SOME IDEAS ON THOSE NUMBERS BY THE TIME WE MEET WITH THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. SO WE CAN SHARE THAT WITH YOU. >> GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND MY LAST JUST KIND OF A COMMENT. I REALLY AGREE WITH YOU HOW YOU SAY THAT PEOPLE OR THE TROUBLE MOVE FROM ONE HOTSPOT TO ANOTHER. WHAT'S REAL NEW THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS BEEN OUR PARKS SYSTEM. IT'S VERY
IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH THE PARK POLICE AND PARK MANAGEMENT BECAUSE THOSE BIG GREEN OPEN SPACES, WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN, THERE'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT CLIENTELE THAT USE THEM. YOU'RE VERY WISE TO SAY THAT THE TROUBLE REALLY DOESN'T GO AWAY. IT JUST MOVES AND MOVES FROM ONE PART OF THE CITY TO THE OTHER.
IT MOVES A LOT TO THE PARKS. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THAT LOOKS LIKE THE END OF DISCUSSION. UNLESS ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE GETTING IN QUEUE, WHICH I AM NOT SEEING. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER. >> APPRECIATE IT.
>> WE NO LONGER HAVE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. SO WE HAVE THE MOTION TO FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION TO FULL COUNCIL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES. AND NOW COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WE HAVE OUR
DISCUSSION AGENDA. BUT PRIOR TO THAT, WE DO HAVE TO LET STAFF LEAVE AND HAVE NEW STAFF COME IN. AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME WE'VE SAT THROUGH THIS, SO LET'S TAKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK AND COME BACK AT 4:42. [ COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS IN A
10-MINUTE BREAK ] RECESS ]
[ COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS IN A
10-MINUTE RECESS ]
TECH TEAM, WE'RE READY TO
BEGIN. >> COLLEAGUES, WELCOME BACK TO OUR LAST SUPERCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING. WE'RE GOING TO
CONTINUE WITH OUR DISCUSSION AGENDA. AND WE'LL START WITH ITEM NUMBER 56, THE AGREEMENT WITH MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS. I WILL INVITE STAFF TO GIVE A PRESENTATION ON THIS ITEM. AND I'LL TURN THE CHAIR
BACK OVER TO CHAIR CHOWDHURY. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY AND COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. MY NAME IS JAMIE RADEL. I'M BEFORE YOU TODAY TO REQUEST AUTHORZATION FOR THE CITY TO
ENTER INTO A FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY TO OPERATE AND MANAGE THE MINNEAPOLIS EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM. MINNEAPOLIS EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM WILL HELP PROVIDE TO 36 MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES TO UP TO 100 HOUSE HOLDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE GOAL OF THIS ASSISTANCE IS TO PROVIDE 50 INDIVIDUALS AND -- PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO 50 INDIVIDUALS AND 50 FAMILY HOUSEHOLD TYPES. INITIALLY FUNDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AS AN ONGOING PROGRAM IN THE 2025
BUDGET PROCESS, DUE TO REAPPROPRIATIONS IN 2026 BUDGET PROCESS, THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN REENVISIONED AS A 36-MONTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EXPECTED TO OPERATE OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. THE CITY'S PROGRAM IS MODELED
OFF A COVID-ERA FEDERAL. PROVIDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. UNDER THE MINNEAPOLIS EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM, THE CITY WILL FUND THE PROGRAM SHARE OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES, HOUSING COORDINATION SERVICES, AND HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED THROUGH THE EXISTING HENNEPIN COUNTY PROGRAMS AND/OR THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. REFERRALS TO THE PROGRAM WILL COME FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY'S COORDINATED ENTRY
PROGRAM PRIORITY LIST. FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE LESS FAMILIAR WITH THE SYSTEM, I'LL PROVIDE A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYSTEM. COORDINATED ENTRY IS A PROCESS OPERATED BY HENNEPIN COUNTY THAT ASSESSES AND MATCHES ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS TO HOMELESS
DEDICATED HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. BASED ON THE ASSESSMENT BY THE COUNTY, THEY PRIORITIZE PLACES IN HOUSING -- BY HOUSING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH THE HIGHEST VULNERABILITY, SERVICE NEEDS, AND LENGTH OF HOMELESSNESS. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR COORDINATED ENTRY, ONE MUST
MEET THE FOLLOWING: BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD, CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SOME FORM, WHICH MAY INCLUDE SLEEPING IN A HOMELESS SHELTER, SLEEPING OUTSIDE, OR IN A VEHICLE;OR FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO FLEE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
SITUATION;ONE MUST BE A RESIDENT OF HENNEPIN COUNTY OR STRONG TIES TO HENNEPIN COUNTY;AN INCOME AT OR BELOW 30% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM, HOUSEHOLDS NEED TO BE ASSESSED
AND REFERRED BY THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ENTRY PLANNING SYSTEM AND PLANNING TO RESIDE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THE CITY'S VOUCHER WILL PROVIDE UP TO 36 MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE, PROVIDED IN AMOUNTS CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHING PAYMENT STANDARDS.
UNDER FEDERAL HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PAIM STANDARD, A HOUSEHOLD TYPICALLY PAYS 30% OF THEIR INCOME TOWARDS THEIR HOUSING COSTS. BUT IN SOME LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS SELECTION OF A UNIT THAT EXCEEDS RENT ALLOWANCE, THEY MAY CONTRIBUTE UP TO 50% OF THEIR
INCOME TOWARDS RENT. SHOULD THERE BE AN INTERRUPTION IN THE HOUSING SUCH AS BEING REQUIRED TO MOVE FROM THEIR UNIT PRIOR TO HAVING A NEW UNIT SECURED, THE VOUCHER WOULD BE PAUSED UNTIL A NEW UNIT IS SECURED. SO THE 36 MONTHS DON'T NEED TO BE
CONSECUTIVE 36 MONTHS. THE VOUCHER MUST BE PLACED AT A RENTAL UNIT IN MINNEAPOLIS. AND THE VOUCHER MAY BE REPLACED AT A NEW UNIT, SHOULD THE VOUCHER HOLDER MOVE WITHIN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. MPHA WILL BE RESPONSLE FOR OPERATING AND MANAGING THIS PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
THIS ENTAILS DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING A PROGRAM MANUAL, WHICH IS THE DOCUMENTATION OF PROGRAM'S OPERATING PRACTICES, ENTERING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY THAT MEMORIALIZES THE COUNTY'S OFFER TO PROVIDE REFERRALS AND SERVICES THROUGH THEIR EXISTING PROGRAMS,
UNDERTAKING ALL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PROGRAM OPERATIONS, PARTICIPATING IN QUARTERLY CHECK INS WITH CITY STAFF, AND COMPLETING PROGRAM OUTCOMES REPORTING. TO ALLOW MPHA TO TAKE ON OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM, THE CITY WILL REIMBURSE
THE AGENCY FOR THE PROGRAM'S SHARE OF THE RENT PAYMENTS, CONTRIBUTE $50,000 TO MPA FOR PROGRAM START-UP COSTS, AND OFFSET THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS BY CONTRIBUTING AN ENROLLMENT FEE OF $3500 PER
HOUSEHOLD UP TO $350,000 TO JUS OFFSET THE COSTS TO ENROLL HOUSEHOLDS ENROLLED IN THE PAYMENT. AND PAY A FEE INDEX ON THE FEDERAL MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE RATE. THE ESTABLISHED FEE FOR 2026 IS
$117.33 PER HOUSEHOLD PER MONTH. BASED ON MPHA'S EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER VOUCHER PROGRAMS, THEY EXPECT THE TOTAL DURATION OF THE PROGRAM TO BE APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS. THEY PROJECT IT WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO PLACE ALL 18 VOUCHERS WITH A PACING OF 10
REFERRALS PER MONTH. IT OFTEN TAMES UP TO SIX MONTHS FOR SOMEONE ENROLLED IN THEIR PROGRAMS TO FIND ADEQUATE HOUSING. IN ADDITION TO THE REFERRAL PACE, THE 36 MONTHS OF ASSISTANCE WILL NEED NOT BE USED IN 36 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS WITH, AS I DESCRIBED BEFORE. IT'S NOT
UNUSUAL FOR A VOWPER HOLDER TO NEED TO MOVE PRIOR TO SECURING A NEW UNIT. AND THAT CASE, THEY WOULD NOT LOSE THEIR VOUCHER, BUT IT WOULD BE PAUSED UNTIL SUCH TIME A NEW UNIT IS SECURED. MPHA MAY CONTINUE TO ISSUE VOUCHERS UP TO A CUMULATIVE
LEASED VOUCHER NUMBER OF 100, SUBJECT AVAILABILITY FOR UP TO 18 MONTHS AFTER PROGRAM START. AFTER THAT TIME, ANY VOUCHERS THAT ARE TURNED BACK WOULD BE TERMINATED UPON TURNOVER. AND WITH THAT, I CONCLUDE MY PRESENTATION. HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS? WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I SAID I WASN'T GOING TO SAY ANYTHING AND GOING TO BE QUIET FOR THE REST
OF THE MEETING. I HAVE TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS OF YOU WITH RESPECT TO COORDINATED ENTRY. AS IT RESPECTS TO MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION I RECEIVED AS OF LATE, 2024 THE
MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY WAIT LIST CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 4,368 FAMILIES WITH 2,122 FAMILIES BEING ADDED AFTER A LOTTERY. AND THE AGENCY
CURRENTLY ADMINISTERS ABOUT 7500 VOUCHERS, WHICH ARE ALSO HEAVILY WAIT LISTED. WAIT LISTING TIMES WITH MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES AND SECTION 8 PROGRAMS IN THE TWIN CITIES HAVE HISTORICALLY SPANNED ANYWHERE
BETWEEN 3 TO 5 PLUS YEARS. IN 2026, THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALWAYS PRIORITIZED SPECIALIZED HOUSING SUCH AS FOR VETERANS, YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, AND
HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS BEEN ON THE BACK BURNER. WITH RESPECT TO THAT BECAUSE IT USED TO BE A THING HERE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IF YOU WENT TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER, THEN YOU GOT INTO A SECTION 8 CERTIFICATE AND THEY WOULD PLACE YOU, SO IT WOULD KEEP YOU FROM
GOING BACK TO YOUR ABUSER. THEY STOPPED DOING THAT MANY YEARS AGO. AND I'M GOING TO SAY THIS, HOUSING MATTERS. BUT COORDINATED ENTRY AND THE WAY IT'S SET UP THROUGH GRH AND FAMILY GRH FAMILY HOUSING PROGRAM IS A HENNEPIN COUNTY
ISSUE. NOT THE CITY ISSUE. I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS CAVEAT OF THINGS GOES RIGHT NOW. IF YOU'RE SAYING -- YOU SAID IT WAS LIKE $1,300 PER FAMILY? WHAT DID YOU SAY? >> $3500 FOR THE ENROLLMENT
FEE. >> $3500 FOR THE ENROLLMENT FEE PER FAMILY? OH. IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAD A FAMILY OF FIVE WHO WAS USING A VOUCHER GRANT FOR A THREE-BEDROOM UNIT THAT
CURRENTLY RENTS FOR APPROXIMATELY $2400 A MONTH, THAT $2 MILLION WOULD ONLY SUPPORT 74 FAMILIES IN A YEAR. AND THIS IS A BAND AID ON THE BULLET WOUND WE'VE BEEN PUTTING ON INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT IS NOT A
SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESSNESS. AND THEN WE WOULD BE CHERRY PICKING INDIVIDUALS BASED ON THEIR COORDINATED ENTRY ASSESSMENTS, LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS IS TYPICALLY MEASURED BY ANYWHERE BETWEEN 12 TO 24 MONTH STAY WITHIN SHELTER.
IT WE'RE MEASURING LTH THROUGH COORDINATED ENTRY ASSESSMENT, SIX MONTHS -- NO ONE IS GETTING PLACED IN HOUSING WITH BEING SIX MONTHS LTH. LTH HOUSING PLACEMENT THROUGH COORDINATED ENTRY ASSESSMENT TYPICALLY TAKES A LONGER TIME THAN THAT. AND THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH ALL
THE REST OF THESE 6,000 PLUS INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING ON A MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY WAIT LIST FOR OVER FIVE PLUS YEARS? WHERE DO THOSE PEOPLE GO? I KNOW THAT'S
A LOT. >> HA-HA. THROUGH CHAIR CHOWDHURY, COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN, I CAN ONLY SPEAK TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS' VOUCHER PROGRAM, WHICH IS LIMITED TO 100 VOUCHERS FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE COMING THROUGH THE COORDINATED ENTRY PROGRAM. THAT WAS THE PROGRAM THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL IN 2025. AND THEN REAFFIRMED IN 2026. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE HUGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR PUBLIC HOUSING THROUGH THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING WAITING LIST PROGRAM. I HAVE ALYSSA HERE FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY WHO MAY
BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO SOME OF THAT. BUT, AGAIN, MY ASSIGNMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WAS, WAS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM AROUND SPECIFICALLY 100 VOUCHERS GOING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE PRIORITIZED THROUGH THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM
PROGRAM. >> WHAT MAKES THESE INDIVIDUALS PRIORITY AND LEVEL OF EMERGENCY ANY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER PERSON THAT IS SHELTERED HOPPING, LIVING ON TRAINS, GOING THROUGH ALL THE OTHER DIFFERENT ISSUES EACH AND EVERY PERSON WHO
IS NOT EVEN MAKING HOMELESSNESS AN OPTION. THEY'RE NOT CHOOSING THAT. WHAT IS SETTING THEM APART SO GRAVELY? >> WELL IT LOOKS LIKE MY -- >> HOW YOU DOING, BROTHER
ALDRED? >> GOOD AFTERNOON. ALFRED. HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN, WE AREN'T -- THE PURPOSE OF THIS
PROGRAM ISN'T TO CLARIFY OR PRIORITIZE ONE GROUP FROM ANOTHER. WHAT CPED WAS CHARGED TO DO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, THE COUNCIL SELECTED -- ELECTED TO PUT IN THESE DOLLARS
TO SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY THI POPULATION. SO WHEN THE PROGRAM DESIGN WAS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE WORK OF STAFF, WE'RE COMING IN TO SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING ON THE INTENDED GOAL, WHICH IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO 100
HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. SO YOU ARE RIGHT THAT THERE IS A LONG WAITING LIST ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING SIDE. >> BUT DO YOU UNDERSTAND MY MATHEMATICS? NO DISRESPECT TO YOU, BROTHER. I RESPECT YOUR WORK AND EVERYTHING YOU DO. BUT
DO YOU SEE MY MATH IN THAT? IF A FAMILY OF FIVE IS RENTING A THREE-BEDROOM UNIT AT $2400 A MONTH. YOU ARE ONLY HELPING APPROXIMATELY 74 PEOPLE. UNLESS YOU'RE PAYING FOR INDIVIDUALS SUPPORT OUT OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS OR HENNEPIN COUNTY. BECAUSE WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO
BE ABLE TO HELP THIS 100 OF PEOPLE OR HOWEVER MANY PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO HELP WITH THE AMOUNT THAT RENTS CURRENTLY ARE FOR A THREE TO FIVE-YEAR TIME PERIOD, IF THEY HAVE ZERO OR VERY LIMITED INCOME THAT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THAT GRANT TO
EXPAND FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. AND THAT'S ONLY FOR A ONE-YEAR TIME PERIOD THAT THAT WOULD EXCEED THE AMOUNT THAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY BEING PUT ON THE TABLE FOR THAT $2 MILLION. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN -- >> AND I GOT 16 SECONDS.
>> YEAH. THESE NUMBERS WERE DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE'RE TRUSTING WE'LL BE ABLE TO GENERATE ASSISTANCE TO THE00 HOUSEHOLDS WE'VE IDENTIFIED. >> OKAY. I THINK WE SHOULD PUT
OUR TRUST ELSEWHE WITH OVER SIGHT. THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS PRE PRESENTATION. ONE OF MY QUESTIONS GOING IN THAT YOU'VE ALREADY ANSWERED, IS THAT WE'RE
DOING HENNEPIN COUNTY COORDINATED ENTRY DOES REFER TO MPHA, WHICH WAS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS. I'M CURIOUS HOW MPHA'S POLICY OF SCREENING FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS MIGHT IMPACT THIS PROGRAM OR NOT. DOES IT JUST MEAN THAT NONE OF THESE
VOUCHERS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY OF OUR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO. THESE WILL BE LOCAL FUNDS. AND THEY WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE WAYS THAT LOCAL FUNDS MAY BE IMPLEMENTED. AND ONE OF THE SCREENING CRITERIA FOR LOCAL FUNDS IS NOT
IMMIGRATION STATUS. SO THESE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO WHOMEVER IS COMING THROUGH THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM. COORDINATED ENTRY DOES NOT SCREEN FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS. >> CORRECT. AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION, THINK, BETWEEN REGULAR MPHA FUNDS.
BECAUSE THEY ARE ALWAYS SCREENING FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS. SO WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT RENTAL ASSISTANCE UP HERE. AND EVEN HEARD FROM THE AUDIENCE TODAY HOW PEOPLE ARE ACCESSING THAT ARE FAILING TO BE ABLE TO
SUCCESSFULLY ACCESS IT. AND SO, THANK YOU. THAT ACTUALLY DOES ADDRESS ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAD GOING INTO THIS. THAT'S IT. >> THANK YOU. I'M NEXT IN QUEUE. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY, I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE THAT
THIS IS BEFORE US. I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT CPED AND MA DID TOGETHER ON THIS. AND I'M GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY FOR LEADING THIS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS. AND THEN THE
ENTIRETY OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR WORKING ON THIS AND BNG THOUGHTFUL IN OUR QUESTIONS. I THINK THIS IS A PART OF THE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS IN THE HOUSING CRISIS. AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT IN THE FUTURE, WE'LL HAVE, LIKE, A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE RESULTS
AND THE METRICS ABOUT WHO WAS IMPACTED. I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING, AND ESPECIALLY HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE REACH OUT TO. SO THEY CAN ACCESS THIS PROGRAM. OR EVEN THGH WE HAVE COORDINATED ENTRY
AS THE PROCESS, I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN HOW IT GETS INTO THE HANDS OF COMMUNITY AND HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE SELECTED. AND INOW THAT MPHA HAS A STRONG RECORD OF TRACKING THAT INFORMATION. BEING ABLE TO SHARE IT OUT IN A VERY EASILY
UNDERSTOOD, REPORTABLE FORMAT. I WANTED TO MAKE THOSE SHORT REMARKS. AND NEXT IN QUEUE, WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> YEA THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. I JUST WANTED TO OFFER SOME CLARIFICATION AROUN UMM, THE INTENTION OF THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM. THE EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUER
PROGRAM. WHICH THIS BODY, YOU MENTIONED MY OFFICE SPENT TWO AND A HALF YEARS WORKING IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, HENNEPIN COUY, AND ADDRESSING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS. WHICH WE DECLARE AS A CITY COUNCIL TO BE A PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. WE ALSO RELIED ON DATA, WHICH SHOWS
HENNEPIN COUNTY'S POINT IN TIME THAT WHICH THEY HAVE REPORT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT TRACKS HOW MANY UNSHELTERED SIDENTS WE HAVE IN THE CITY BETWEEN 600 TO 800 AT A GIVEN TIME. SO WE WERE LOOKING AT WHAT SOME DATA-TRACD HOUSING
FIRST INITIATIVES. AND EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER IS NOT JUST ISOLATED TO HENNEPIN COUNTY OR MINNEAPOLIS. THIS IS A U.S.-RECOGNIZED PROGRAM. AND YOU SEE, THIS WAS FUNDED AS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE STIMULUS DURING COVID. IT WAS SHOWN TO REDUCE HOMELESSNS POPULATIONS
BY SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL ACROSSTS TO PLACES IN OTH PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY. AND WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE SAME EFFECTS AND BENEFITS HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS WHERE WE'RE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO OFFER
PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO PEOPLE NAVIGATING HOUSING INSECURITY. AND THIS IS SHOWN TO BE ONE OF THE DATA-BACKED INITIATIVES. WHERE I WILL HAVE AGREEMENT WITH COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN IS, WE DID ORIGINALLY HAVE THE INTENT TO FUND THIS ONGOING. YOU MENTIONED THAT. THAT WAS MY ORIGINAL BUDGET
AMENDMENT. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS PROGRAM BE PUT IN A SAME PREDICAMENT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH, WITH, FOR INSTANCE, STABLE HOMES AND STABLE SCHOOLS. WHERE IT MET A FINANCIAL CLIFF AND LAST YEAR WE HAD TO RAPIDLY
RESPOND WITH FIGURING OUT A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOLUTION FOR THAT PROGRAM. ESSENTIALLY WE'RE SETTING UP EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS IN THE NEXT MONTHS TO EXPERIENCE THAT SAME FISCAL CLIFF. THAT WAS NOT MY INTENT. THAT WAS THE WILL OF THIS BODY. I KNOW OUR BUDGET CHAIR CHUGHTAI REALLY LED WITH PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE MAYOR TO GET TO THIS PARTICULAR ITERATION OF THIS PROGRAM. AND I TRUST THEIR LEADERSHIP TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FIGURE OUT SUSTAINABLE FUNDING POST THE 36-MONTH DURATION OF THIS PROGRAM. BUT THAT SAID, UMM, THIS PROGRAM HAS SHOWN TO WORK.
IT HAS SHOWN TO REDUCE NUMBERS THROUGH A COORDINATED ENTRY. D IT'S NOT ABOUT PINNING POPULATIONS AGAINST EACH OTHER. THIS BODY HAS COMPLEMENTED OUR EFFORTS IN SHORING UP MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS THE WAIT LIST BY REINSTATING A PUBLIC
HOUSING LEVY THAT IS GOING TOWARDS BUILDING AND CREATING NEW PUBLIC HOUSING TO ADDRESS THAT BACKLOG OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS SO THEY CAN SPEND MORE RESOURCES GOING ANDCREATINS THAT 3,000-PLUS FOLKS CURRENT ON THE WAIT LIST. SO WE HAVE
TACKLED THIS IN A MULTITUDE O WAYS OF HOW TO MAKE SURE WE'RE EXPANDING THE NETWORK OF OUR PUBLIC HOUSINGTOCK. BUT, ALSO, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE RESPONSIVE TO WHAT HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR IS A CRISIS IN OUR COMMUNITY OF ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS. AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT EARLIER. HOW THAT RELATES TO OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH
ISSUES. AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE DO HAVE, AGAIN, PERMANENT HOUSG WITH ACCESS TO WRAP AROUND SERVICES SO THEY CAN BE, YOU KNOW, ENTERED INTO A PHASE OF RECOVERY. BE ABLE TO REUNITE WITH THEIR CHILDREN. BE ABLE TO HAVE A SAF PLACE, WHICH
IS WHAT WE ALL DESERVE. AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL TT WE FINALLY, AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS OF WORK, ACTUALLY HAVE A LEGAL AGREEMENT AND PROGRAM TO GET THIS PROGRAM OUT AND RUNNING. AND ACTUALLY GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS
AND INTO HOMES. SO THANK YOU CPED STAFF FOR YOUR CONTINUATION. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MY COLLEAGUES' FURTHER CONVERSATIONS HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS A PERMANENT ASPECT OF OUR CITY'S BUDGET. >> DO YOU WANTO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS? I'LL MOTION TO APPROVE
THIS. >> SECOND. >> GOING TO COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. UMM, AND ALL OF THE COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, CPED, YOU WONDERFUL FOLKS THERE. IN 2016, WHEN THE
H HENNEPIN COUNTY IMPLEMENTED THE HOMELESS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND COORDINATED ENIN ORDER TO BETTER MANAGE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AMONGST OUR HOMELESS POPULATION THROUGH GRH HOUSING, AND WHAT HAVE YOU. INDIVIDUALS WERE ABLE TO SIGN UP FOR THOSE SERVICES
THROUGH WHAT WAS CALLED A PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT OF NEED. NOW I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WITH THIS PSN AND INDIVIDUALS BASICALLY SAYING EITHER I'M STRUGGLING WITH CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY, OR THESE ARE THINGS GOING ON, MENTAL HEALTH, AND MEASURING LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS
THAT WAY. THEN AM I BEING TOLD THAT THAT PROGRAM NOW IS NOT EFFECTIVE. IT'S NOT AN EFFECTIVE MEASURE. WE'RE UTILIZING THIS INSTEAD. OR THIS IS THE SAME AS THAT. IT'S DUPE CAYTIVE SERVICES. EITHER WAY IT GOES, IT FEELS LIKE, TO ME, PEOPLE ARE SKIPPING THE LINE.
AND WE HAVE A MULTITUDE OF FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SHELTER, MAY NOT BE ON THE STREET, BUT IN SHELTER, COUCH HOPPING, LAYING HEREND THERE, AND SITTING ON THESE WAITING LISTS. AND I DON'T THINK IT'S -- I JUST I'M HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHERE YOU'RE
GATHERING THESE INDIVIDUALS FROM AND SAYING THEY ARE SEPARATE OR SET APART FROM OTHER FOLKS THAT THEY NOW GET TO SKIP THE LINE AND VE FORWARD. AND THEN HOW LONG AS THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, THIS
IS LONG-TERM HOUSING. AND THIS VOUCHER LASTS FOR THREE YEARS. OR WHAT HAVE YOU, IT SOMETIMES TAKES LONGER THAN THAT IT FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET OUT OF WHATEVER THEIR SITUATION IS. IS THAT GNG TO BE ENOUGH TIME? ARE WE GOING TO COME BACK IN A THREE-YEAR TIME PERIOD AND SAY
WE TRIED AND IT DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, WE DID THE BEST WE COULD DURING THAT TIME. LIKE, WHAT IS THIS? I'M CONFUSED AT WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE HERE. CAN Y GIVE ME SOME CLARITY ON THIS. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL
MEMBER WARREN. THIS IS A COLLABORATED EFFORT. OUR HOPE IS, ONCE WE GO THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROGRAM OR COMMENCE THE IMPLEMENTATION, WE COME BACK TO YOU ALL AND PROVIDE UPDAT. PROVIDE YOU REGULAR UPDATES HOW THE PROGRAM
IS OPERATING, AND WE'LL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE ARE AREAS TO TWEAK AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I THINK THE STRUCTURE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN PLACE IS WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THE BEST SYSTEM TO GET USES TO
THAT NEXT PHASE. WE'RE TRUSTING IN THE COORDINATED -- THAT THE COORDINATED ENTRY PROCESS THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE WITH THE COUNTY. AND IT'S HOPED THATE WILL MEET SOME OF THE GOALS YOU'RE IDENTIFYING, COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN. >> OKAY. BECAUSE I'M JUST
SAYING, I MEAN, WE'RE HANDING OVER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. AND PUBLIC TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE LIMITED CLARITY AND OVERSIGHT IN THIS. WHERE I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, LIKE, WHAT MAKES THIS SO DIFFERENT THAN THAT? YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? WHY IS
THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO IS HOUSING INDIVIDUALS IN AND OUT OF SHELTER, PULLING THEIR NAMES AND THEIR INFORMATION FROM THE HOMELESS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, GOING TO GO GET THEM FROM THERE, GOING TO GO AND HELP THEM FIND HOUSING AND STABILIZING THEMSELVES THROUGH
GRH HOUSING OR WHATEVER SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM. WHATEVER HOWEVER INDIVIDUA ARE BEING PIVOTED OFF TO THE AGENCIES NOW. BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THEY DON'T CALL IT GRH ANYMORE. WHATEVER. THAT'S WHAT IT WAS. WHAT MAKES THEM SO SEPARATE WHEN EVERYONE'S NEED IS
STILL THE SAME. >> YES. THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN, THE DIRECTIVE THAT WAS GIVEN TO STAFF WAS THIS PROGRAM WAS INTENDED OR IS INTENDED TO SERVE FAMILIES OU EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS. THAT'S THE TARGET AUDIENCE THAT WE'RE -- WE HAVE. WE HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS WE IMPLEMENT THAT MEET SOME OF THE NEEDS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. SWEMS GETTING FAMILIES INTO HOME
OWNERSHIP. SO THERE'S AN ARRAY OF -- >> THEY SERVE FAMILIES WITH THIS PROGRAM TO MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN, THE WHOLE NINE YARD. EVERYBODY GETS A FAIR SHOT THROUGH LTH AND LONG-TERM HOUSELESSNESS. I'M NOT GETTING
THE CLARIFICATION THAT I'M LOOKING FOR. BUT THANKOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE A WONDERFUL TUESDAY. I GOT 13 SECONDS LEFT. SO ... I'M GOING TO LET THAT SIT THERE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN ON THURSDAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
WARREN, DO YOU WANT TO USE SOME OF MY TE? >> I -- NO. I'M OKAY. >> YOU CAN'T GIVE YOUR TIME TO OTHERS. >> SHARING IS CARING. >> NOT -- SO, I'LL JUST PROVIDE SOME CLARITY. WHEN WE'VE HAD MEMBERS GO OVER TIME, AND
THERE'S ANOTHER MEMBER IN THE RIGHT AFTER THEM, AS SOMEONE IS SPEAKING, FINISHING THEIR ANSWER, THAT'S WHEN A MEMBER CAN -- THAT'S WHEN MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, LIKE,ET THAT ANSWER BE FINISHED. BUT, LIKE, OFFERING YOUR TIME FOR OER
MEMBERS TO ASK ANOTHER QUESTION IS NOT TYPICAL. AND, HONESTLY, I AN, PERHAPS I SHOULDN'T HAVE EVEN ALLOWED PEOPLE TO GO INTO EACH OTHER'S TIME. I WANTED TO BE COURTEOUS TO OUR APPOINTMENTS TODAY WHEN THEY WERE SPEAKING. SO THEY CAN GO AND FINISH THEIRF
INTEREST TO THE ENTIRE BODY. >> OKAY. SO, DIRECTOR PORTER, I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS A DIFFERENT WAY THAN WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN IS SAYING. I THINK WHAT SHE'S ASKING FOR AND
I'M ASKING FOR. BECAUSE WE'RE PICKING OUT A CERTAIN POPULATION TO HELP, IS THERE ANOTHER POPULATION THAT WILL BE DELAYED GETTING THAT HELP? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL
MEMBER RAINVILLE. I'M GOING TO RESPOND THIS WAY. THAT THE NEED IS GREAT. THE RESOURCES ARE LIMITED. YOU, AS A BODY, MADE
THE DECISION IN PUTTING DOLLARS ASIDFOR THIS ACTIVITY. AND WE, AS STAFF, WAS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT WHAT YOUR DESIRES WERE. AND WHAT WE'RE COMING BEFORE YOU
TODAY IS THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE OR MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONTRACTING OF THESE RESOURCES. FOR AS IT WAS INTENDED. >> OKAY. CAN YOU SEE THE
CONCERN PERHAPS BEING RAISED. AN ANALYSIS OF WHAT THE EFFECTS IT WOULD BE WOULD HELP US UNDERSTAND THE EECTS. >> YES, I UNDERSTAND. THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS BEING RAISED. AND WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO MEET WITH
YOU ALL INDIVIDUALLY OR AT LEAST TO PROVIDE YOU -- APPRISE OF YOU HOW WE GOT HERE. AND THEN ON A REGULAR BASIS, WE'LL BE COMING BACK TO YOU AS A BODY TO TELL YOU HOW THE PROGRAM IS OPERATIN >> THANK YOU. IF I COULD GIVE
ADVICE, I WOULD APPRECIATE CONNECTING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER WARREN AS TIME GOES ON AND GIVE- KEEPING HER COMFORTABLE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS TO SAY. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH
COORDINATED ENTRY IS THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH FUNDS TO GET PEOPLE INTO HOMES. IF THERE WAS MORE MONEY IN COORDINATED ENTRY, THERE WOULD BE ME PEOPLE IN HOMES. COORDINATED ENTRY HAS OTHER PROBLEMS, BUT THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING. MANY PEOPLE
ON COORDINATED ENTRY, THEY MIGHT FIND THE SYSTEM CRUEL. AND THE REASON IT'S CRUEL IS BECAUSE THEY ARE WAITING FOR MONEY TO BECOME AVAABLE FOR THEM TO GET A HOME. WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS WE'RE MAKING MONEY AVAILABLE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO GET INTO HOMES THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE IN HOMES. THIS I INCREDIBLE
WORK. IT HAS INCREDIBLE RESULTS, AND IS SUCH A MASSIVE BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY. NO ONE IS SKIPPING THE LINE. COORDINATED ENTRY HAS A VERY, VERY WELL-THOUGHT OUT PATH OF
WHO GETS CHOSEN FOR WHICH HOMES. AND I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN HENNEPIN COUNTY. THEY DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB. AND WE NEED TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE IS SAYING HOMELESSNESS IS OUR PROBLEM. NOT IN A PLACE OF HOMELESSNESS IS THEIR PROBLEM.
SO THIS IS THE CITY SAYING HOMELESSNESS IS ALSO OUR PROBLEM. NOT JUST THE COUNTY'S PROBLEM. AND LAST THING, I THINK THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO OF THIS POLICY IS THAT WE PROVIDE STABLE HOMES FOR FAMILIES FOR THREE
YEARS. AND I THINK THAT'S PRTY GOOD AS FAR AS WORST-CASE SCENARIOS GO. SO WHETHER THREE YEARS GOES BY ANDE DON'T RENEW THE FUNDING, THAT WOULD BE A TRAGEDY. IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE. BUT, ALSO, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME FAMILIES HAVE STABLE HOM
FOR THREE YEARS. I THINK THAT'S REALLY WORTH. AND IF THAT IS THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO, THEN WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE. THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> YEAH. THANK YOU. I WANTED TO UFER A SOME CLARITY, TOO. THANK YOU FOR REITERATING THIS,
COUNCIL MEMBER STEVENSON. THAT THIS IS, AGAIN, NOT ABOUT PITTING DIFFERENT POPULATIONS IN DESPERATE NEED OF PUBLIC AND PERMANENT HOUSING AGAINST EACH OTHER. THIS TBG TARGETED WITH OUR RESOURCES AND USING DATA TO INFORM HOW WE TGET THE RESOURCES. ESPECIALLY WITH
ADDRESSING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS. I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE GIVING A TOOL AND PROVIDING THIS AS ONE OF THOSE EFFORTS. AGAIN, I ENCOURAGE ALL MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN US IN FINDING OTHER WAYS TO MOVE MONEY, AS WE'VE BEEN DOING, TOWARDS OUR PUBLIC HOUSING AUORITY TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS,
AGAIN, THE $200ILLION BACKLOG THEY HAD. AND THE WAIT LIST THAT'S BEEN EXTENSIVE AND BUILDING UP BECAUSE THERE AREN'T A NUMBER OF INCREASED UNITS BEING ADDED TO THE PORTFOLIO NEEDED TO GET THOSE OFF THE WAIT LIST. I THINK THAT'S A SHARED IMITATION FOR EVERYONE. THIS
BODY HAS MOVED FUNDING BY 500%, I BELIEVE, AS AN INCREASE OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS INTO A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE ARE BARELY MEETING THE NEED. SO IT'S GOING TO BE A GROUP PROJECT. AND I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT THERE IS THE INTEREST AMONGST NEWER MEMBERS TO SEE MORE RESOURCES GO TOWARDS THAT.
BUT THIS IS NOT ABOUT PITTING GROUPS AGAINST EACH OTHER. AND I ALSO WANTED TO, UMM, PROVIDE, ACTUALLY, CLARITY ABOUT THE REPORTING GUIDELINES. AND JUST, ACTUALLY, THIS WILL BE HELPFUL FOR STAFF. WE BROUGHT FORTH A LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE TO ACCOMPANY THIS BUDGET APPROPRIATION TO HAVE QUARTERLY
UPDATES. BECAUSE, AGAIN, AFTER TWO YEARS, WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO COME TO THE BODY AND CONSTANTLY HAVE THIS ONGOING DATA BE SHARED AROUND HOW THIS PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVELY HELPING US REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY. SO I WANTED CLARITY, IS AT CORRECT? WE'LL HAVE
QUARTERLY UPDATES. WILL THE NEXT ONE BE IN JUNE, LIKELY? DON'T RUSH. HA-HA. [ LAUGHTER ] >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY, THE PROGRAM IS
EXPECTED TO ROLL OUT SOMETIME IN EARLY JUNE. SO WE COULD COME BACK IN JUNE WITH AN UPDATE ON HOW PROGRAM ROLLOUT HAS OCCURRED. BUT THERE WOULD NOT BE MANY STATISTICS OR INFORMATION LIKE THAT, PROBABLY, TO SHARE AT THAT POINT IN TIME. >> JUST, AGAIN, WITH PEOPLE'S NEWISH ENCOUNTERS WITH THIS WORK, I KNOW WE'VE BEEN AT IT
FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. IT MIGHT BE GOOD TO STILL COME BACK IN JUNE WITH UPDATES. BECAUSE THE WHOLE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE IS AROUND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS AND GIVING THIS BODY AND NEWER MEMBERS INFORMATION AROUND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE NEXT SC UPDATE. ENGAGE SOME OF OF THE DATA YOU
COLLECTED SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION. I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT STAFF IS GOING TO BE DOING THAT REGULAR REPORTING. NOT ONLY JUST FOR THIS BODY. BUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE THE BENEFITS OF US ACTUALLY TAKING A TANGIBLE HOUSING-FIRST SOLUTION AND DOING SO IN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
TO ADDRESS WHAT WE HAVE COLLECTIVELY RECOGNIZED IS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. SO SOUNDS GREAT. WE CAN WORK WITH, I BELIEVE, THAT'S COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN AND COUNCIL MEMBER OR CHAIR CHOWDHURY OVER BIZ AROUND WHAT THOSE FOLLOW UPS
WILL BE. BUT AT LEASTANT TO NAME WE DON'T HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH. THERE'S A REPORTING DIRECTIVE TT ACCOMPANIES THIS. AND WE'LL BE GETTING THOSE UPDATES. >> THANK YOU. SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO
FORWARD WITH REPRESENTATION. COULD I PLEASE HAVE THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL. >> CLERK: COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> AYE. >> WONSLEY. >> AYE. >> RAINVILLE. >> AYE. >> VETAW. >> AYE. >> WARREN. >> ABSTAIN. >> OSMAN. >> AYE. >> SHAFFER. >> AYE. >> STEVENSON. >> AYE. >> CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> WHITING.
>> AYE. >> PALMISANO. >> AYE. >> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> AYE. >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY. >> AYE. >> THAT IS 12 AYES AND ONE ABSTENTION. >> THAT MOTION CARRIES. NEXT WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM 57, WHICH IS A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2026
APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING SERVICES AT THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. I'LL ASK APRIL GRAVES AND WILL CH CHRISTIANSON TO PRESENT ON THE
IT. WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE TODAY. >> GOOD EVENING. WILL CH CHRISTIANSON. APRIL GRAVES IS
CO-PRESENTING THIS ITEM WITH ME. TODAY WE'RE REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER $500,000 OF PUBLIC SAFETY AID FUNDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTME. FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. WE'RE ALSO SHARING AN
UPDATE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PILOT AND THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. INCLUDING KEY MILESTONES AND PROGRESS TO DATE. THIS WORK, AS YOU KNOW, IS PART OF A BROADER SAFETY STRATEGY. BRINGING COMMUNITY-CENTERED
SERVICES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS. BUILDING AN ECOSYSTEM THAT ADDRESSES BOTH IMMEDIATE SAFETY NEEDS AND THE UNDERLYING FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO CRIME AND VIOLENCE. WE RECOGNIZE THIS HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS. AND WE
APPRECIATE THAT IT REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS. SO, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE'RE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING UPDATES ON CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS AND OPERATIONAL PLANNING.
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE TIMELINE AND BACKGROUND FOR THE PROJECT. THE CITY AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE 2633 MINNEHAHA AVENUE IN NOVEMBER OF 2023, ALONG WITH A RESOLUTION THAT THE CENTER WOULD INCLUDE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND POLICE FUNCTIONS. AS PART OF
THAT PROCESS, A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TOOK PLACE IN THE SPRING OF 2024. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK DIRECTLY INFORMED THE DESIGN AND PRIORITIZATION OF SERVICES IN THE CENTER. THE INCLUDING CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, WHICH WE'LL DISCUSS TODAY. THE DESIGN PHASE
RAN FROM NOVEMBER '24 THROUGH DECEMBER 2025. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT APPROVAL OCCURRED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. MARCH 24, 2026. WE ANTICIPATE CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING IN MAY 2026 WITH A GOAL TO OPEN THE CENTER AT THE END OF 2026.
THE CENTER BRINGS TOGETHER MULTIPLE SAFETY-RELATED CONNECTIONS TO SERVICES. THE MPD THIRD PRECINCT, THE 3-1-1 IS A CONNECTION POINT TO SERVICES, THE YOUTH CONNECTION CENTER, COMMUNITY SAFETY AMBASSADORS
WILL BE HOUSED AT THE CENTER'S HOME BASE. THEY WILL ALSO BE MULTIPLE SAFETY PILOTS WITHIN THE CENTER. HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND PREVENTION, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CULTURALLY-SPECIFIC
NAVIGATORS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NAVIGATORS, AND ALL THE SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WALK IN. OR THROUGH DIRECT OUTREACH AT THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE 2023 BUDGET PROCESS,
THE CITY SET ASIDE $4 MILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY AID FUNDING FOR PILOT PROGRAMS IN THE CENTER. FOR 2026, THE CITY HAS JUST OVER $2 MILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY AID FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER PILOT PROGRAMMING.
FROM THIS AMOUNT, WE'RE REQUESTING TRANSFER OF $500,000 TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THAT SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. OTHER PSA ALLOCATIONS, AS YOU'LL SEE ON THE SLIDE, INCLUDE
$500,000 THAT WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION INTERVENTION. AND TWO OTHER PLANNED PROGRAMS OR SERVICE AREAS WE HAVE ON THERE C CULTURALLY SPECIFIC NAVIGATORS THROUGH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NAVIGATORS THROUGH MPD.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE JUST OVER $1 MILLION REMAINING IN PUBLIC SAFETY AID FUNDING AFTER THIS TRANSFER OF FUNDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. AT THIS TIME, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO APRIL GRAVES WHO WILL GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THAT PROGRAM. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, CHAIR, COUNCIL MEM MEMBERS. UMM, MY NAME IS APRIL GRAVES, SENIOR PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I RECENTLY ACTUALLY STEPPED INTO THIS ROLE TO FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND WELL BEING. AND
ONE ASPECT OF THAT WORK WILL BE LEADING THE CONTRACTS FOR THE NONTRADITIONAL AND CULTURALLY SPECIFIC MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES OUT OF THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. UMM, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE SLIDE, ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS INCLUDE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS,
COMMUNITY-BASED, TRIABLE, FAITH ENTITIES, BUT THE MAIN FOCUS, REALLY, WILL BE NONTRADITIONAL AND C CULTURALLY SPECIFIC PROVIDERS. I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE RFP. IT WAS PRETTY MUCH READY TO GO, AND THEN I FOUND OUT I HAD TO COME AND ASK PERMISSION TO MOVE THE FUNDING
FIRST. IT WON'T BE TOO LONG BEFORE YOU'LL SEE ME BACK IN FRONT OF YOU TO TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE RFP THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON. I WILL, IN THE LONG RUN, IT ENDED UP BEING A POSITIVE. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO A DEEPER CONVERSATION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF REIB ABOUT
WHAT CULTURALLY SPECIFIC IS AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT HE DID IN RAMSEY COUNTY, AS WELL AS WORK DONE AT MULTIKNOW MA COUNTY AROUND SPECIFICALLY DEFINING WHAT CULTURALLY SPECIFIC MEANS. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TBEEK A LITTLE
BIT OF THE LANGUAGE AND MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR IN THE RFP. THE PLAN IS REALLY TO RELEASE THE RFP ON JUNE 2nd. TENTATIVELY HAVE A PREPROPOSAL CONFERENCE ON JUNE 24th. AND THEN HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND
TO THOSE QUESTIONS. AND, HOPEFULLY, WILL BE ABLE TO CLOSE THE PROPOSALS OR THE RFP AND ACCEPT ALL THE PROPOSALS BY JULY 15th. MY HOPE IS TO REVIEW IN AUGUS AND MAKE A DECISION NO LATER THAN THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER FOR
SERVICES TO START IN DECEMBER. SO HERE IS JUST A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF DFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES THAT CULTURALLY SPECIFIC AND NONTRADITIONAL COULD LOOK LIKE. I PULLED MOST OF THIS INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
I'VE BEEN DEVELOPING. I ALSO WAS INVOLVED WITH SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS BEFORE TAKING THE ROLE THAT WERE HAPPENING BETWEEN HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF AND STAFFITHIN THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND HAVE REVIEWED THENFORMATION THAT WAS GAINED FROM THE ENGAGEMENT SERIES THAT WAS DONE OVER THE
COURSE OF TWO YEARS PRIOR. I THINK THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE TO SHARE. BUT IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO STAND FOR THAT. >> THA YOU. I'M SEEING ONE MEMBER IN QUEUE.
COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> THANK YOU. SO I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A COMPLIMENT TO YOUR ELIGIBLE AL APPLICANT LIST. IMPRESSIVE. I THINK YOU COVERED ALL T BASES ON HOW TO HELP PEOPLE. AND I NOTICED THAT THE SERVICES ARE TOE DELIVERED
AT THE SAFETY CENTER. SO, DO YOU ANTICIPA THAT THE CENTER WILL BE DONE WHEN THE SERVICES ARE BEING OFFERED? OR DO YOU HAVE A BACKP PLAN IN CASE THE BUILDING IS NOT DONE? >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, WE ANTICIPATE
WE HOPE TO HAVE THE CENTER OPEN BY THE END OF 2026. OUR PLANS TO HAVE SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE CENTER WHEN IT OPENS. BUT WE'D ALSO LIKEO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RFP PROCESS UNDERWAY, SO WHEN THE BLDING OPENS, THE SERVICES ARE READY TO GO. ESSENTIALLY WHEN THE BUILDING OPENS, THE SERVICES
WILL ALSO BEGIN. >> OKAY. SO -- HA-HA. HOW ABOUT A DIRECT ANSWER. DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE BUILDING WILL BE OP -- I MEAN, IS THAT A HOPE? DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN SHARE THAT IT WILL BE DONE? >> WE CURRENTLY THE PROCESS IS
WE'RE -- PROPERTY SERVICES IS HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CONTRACTOR THAT WAS SELECTED. THEY WILL DETERMINE A TIMELINE FOR CONSTRUCTION. THEN WE CAN GET YOU A BETTER ANSWER ON EXACTLY WHAT THAT TIMELINE LOOKS LIKE. YEAH. >> THANK YOU. >> A RIGHT. >> OUR GOAL IS THE END OF '26. BUT THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> YEAH. THANK YOU I ADD MYSELF NEXT IN QUEUE. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESEATION AND THE UPDATE. IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE, LIKE, THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT YOU'RE MAKING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES! I REALLY APPRECIATE
IT. THE LGBTQIA GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE, C CULTURALLY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, THE COMMUNITY IN THE AREA REALLY NEEDS THAT TYPE OF SUPPORT. AND, JUST, THANK YOU FOR STEPPING INTO THIS WORK AND JUST BEING SO INTENTIONAL ABOUT IT.
MANY PEOPLE THROUGH THE DIFFERENT ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS SAID THAT THIS WAS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR THEM. ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUTH. REALLY. ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUTH. I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROCESS IS MOVING. I KNOW THAT THE FINANCE
AND OPERTY SERVICES SIDE OF THINGS, THAT'S OUT OF YOUR CONTROL, AND, UMM, I THINK WE WILL SEE WHEN THE OPENING IS. THAT WAS KIND OF MY QUESTION, TOO. WAS IF, UMM, IF THE
BUILDING IS NOT OPEN ON SCHEDULE, THE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE SELECTED, WILL THEY JUST WAIT UNTIL -ARE THEY ABLE TO WAIT UNTIL CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETED BEFORE IT'S OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY? >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY, I CAN TAKE
THAT ONE, TOO. I KNOW IT'S RELATED TO THEREVIOUS QUESTION. SO, I THINK ONCE WE HAVE THAT TIMELINE, THAT ESTIMATED TIMELINE, THAT'LL GIVE US A SENSE OF WHEN THE OPENING DATE WILL BE. WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OPERATIONALLY FOR SERVICESN THE CENTER. AND
IF THEY NEED TO -- IF SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE CENTER IS OPEN. WE'LL MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. >> OKAY. GREAT. I'LL BE EXCITED TO REPORT THIS BACK TO ANY CONSTITUENTS. I GET AN E-MAIL AND TEXT MESSAGE EVERY SINGLE WEEK ABOUT THE SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. SO I
REALLY APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION! COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> YEAH. THANK YOU, CHAIR CHOWDHURY. I ACTUALLY, MY QUESTION BUILDS ON YOURS AND COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE'S PRIOR QUESTION. FOR SEVERAL MEETINGS NOW, WE' BEEN AFFIRMED THERE'S NO DEFINITIVE OPENING FOR THE COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. NO
MATTER HOW YOU TRY TO FRAME THE QUESTION DIFFERENTLY. WE'RE MET WITH TBD. BUT THAT SAID, WE DO HAVE THE LAKE STREET SAFETY CENTER THAT IS AN INTERIM SPACE THAT SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT THEY'RE PROVIDING TO THE COMMUNITY NOW, IT'S ANTICIPATESSED THAT THOSE WILL
BE TRANSITIONED OVER TO THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS SAFETY CENTER WHENEVER THAT OPENS. SO COULD THAT NOT BE A BACK UP? IT SOUNDS LIKE THESE ARE SERVICES THAT COULD GET OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY THAT ALIGNS WITH EXISTING SPACE THAT WE ALREADY VE. THAT IS ACTING AS A CARRYOVER ANYWAY UNTIL THE
OPENING OF THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY CENTER. WHY WAIT TO DELAY THE ADMINISTRATION OF THESE SVICES WHEN WE ACTUALLY DO STILL HAVE A SPACE. IF THAT COULD BE A POTENTIAL BACKUP OPTION. >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY, COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. I THINK IT COULD BE. YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL
EXAMINING WHAT THE FUTURE O THAT LAKE STREET SAFETY CENTER SPACE LOOKS LIKE. AND SO, UMM, I THINK AS WE DO SOME OF OUR OPERATIONAL PLANNING AND THAT ESTIMATED TIMELINE, IT WILL GIVE US MORE INFORMATION TO MAKE THE DECISION >> YEAH. AND I WOULD SAY MORE SPECIFICALLY. IT'S NOT LIKE WE
CAN DO AN RFP IN JUNE THESE SERVICES -- A VENDOR FOR THE SERVICES COU BE SELECTED. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, WE'VE MADE AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE LAKE STREET SAFETY CTER TO GO THREE YEARS. IT STILL WILL BE IN OPERATION THIS YEAR. SO, IF THERE'S WAY TO GET A VENDER
TO START THIS YEAR. AND WE HAVE THE LAKE STREET SAFETY CENTER THIS YEAR, I THINK IT DOES WARRANT CONCRETE CONSIDERATION. WHILE YOU'RE FIGURING OUT WHAT THE VENDER CONSTRUCTION TIMELINES AND ALL THAT JAZZ FOR THE SOUTH MINAPOLIS SAFETY CENTER. I DON'T WANT TO SEE
THESE SERVICES PUSH COUNCIL. IS WAS A TESTAMENT OF US MOVING THE PILOT DOLLARS TO GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THESE COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY SERVICES. I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT BE HELD BACK BECAUSE OF QUESTIONABLE PLANNING AROUND THR
WHEN WE HAVE TANGIBLE BACK UPS NOW. OR EVEN THROUGH THE DEMOCRACY CENTER THAT WILL HAVE COMMUNITY SPACE, AS WELL. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DEFINITIVE IF WE CAN ADMINISTRATOR TH -- ADMINISTER THESE SERVICES THIS YEAR, HOW CAN WE MAKE IT HAPPEN AS OPPOSED TO HOLDING THE BACK.
>> CHAIR WONSLEY, -- CHAIR CHOWDHURY, THROUGH COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. I ACTUALLY HAD SOME OF THOSE SAME QUESTIONS WHEN TASKED WITH, YOU KNOW, COMINGP WITH THE RFP LANGUAGE AND FIGURING 0 OUT THE TIMELINE, WHICH CONTINUES TO SHIFT. BUT I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN BEING ABLE TO LIFT UP SOME
PROGRAMMING OUT IN COMMUNITY SPACES. SO I'M NOT -- IF THERE'S FLEXILITY THERE AND THE PROVIDERS ARE IN PLACE, AND THEY'RE ANXIOUS TO MOVE FORRD, THEN I DON'T SEE WHY WE COULDN'T START SOME OF THE WORK PRIOR TO -- SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD. IN
FACT, WE CAN START TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TRUST IS BEING BUILT AND CONTINUED TO DO OUTREACH TO RECRT PEOPLE TO THE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS SAFETY CENTER. I ALSO WANT TO ADD THIS IS JUST ONE ASPECT OF SOME OF THE COMMUNITY WORK THAT I'LL BE DOING AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELL BEING. SO, UMM, THERE'S GOOD STUFF GOING TO BE
HAPPENING ANY SOONER! THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> YH. I'LL BE QUICK. FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRAT I REMEMBER SITTING HERE YEARS AGO DEBATING LEAVING TRADITIONAL, UMM, PRECINCT AWAY
AND GETTING THIS. THIS WAS SOMETHING WE NEGOTIATED. THERE WAS A RESOLUTION HAVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS VERY IMPORTANT. I SEE YOU LISTED HERE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, MENTAL
HEALTH, CULTURALLY-SPECIFIC NAVIGATORS, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NAVIGATORS. ARE THEY OUT OF THE RFP OR ALL OUT? OR JUST T MENTAL HEALTH YOU'RE FOCUSING ON TODAY? >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT OSMAN, THE STATUS RIGHT NOW IS I KNOW THAT THE
FUNDING HAS BEEN TNSFERRED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY DEPARTMENT FOR THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING INTERVENTION. THAT WAS DONE, I BELIEVE, IN FEBRUARY FOR A CONTRACT THEY HAVE IN PLACE. AGAIN, THE RFP, I THINK, THE ANTICIPATED START DATE FOR THAT
RFP I'LL DEFER TO APRIL ON THAT. THE TWO OTHER ONC ONCE --ONES, C NAVIGATORS HASN'T GONE FOR RFP. IT WOULD BE ANOTHER REQUEST. AND THE SAME FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NAVIGATORS. SURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. >> I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY FOR CONNECTING TH DOTS THAT THERE IS A BACK UP FACILITY TO WORK OUT OF. YOU KNOW, CLEARLY I COULDN'T GET A DATE OUT OF YOU WHEN THE REAL
CENTER COULD BE DONE. YOU KIND OF DODGED ME ON THAT. BUT UNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY OFFERED A GOOD SOLUTION. DO YOU AGREE WITH THE SOLUTION? >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. I THINK IT'S
A GREAT IDEA. AND I THINK WE'LL CERTAINLY CONSIDER IT AS PART OF THE OPERATIONAL PLANNING. YES, I AGREE IT'S A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. >> OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU CONSIDER IT IN A DEE MANNER. BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO GET THESE SERVICES OUT ONCE THE RFPS HAVE
BEEN ANSWERED. SO LET'S NOT OPERATE AT THE SPE OF GOVERNMENT ON THIS. >> UNDERSTOOD. >> THANKOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER WONSLEY. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE. ACTUALLY, I WILL -- AND THIS IS NOT A REFLECTION ON THE MOTION ITSELF. BUT MOTION FOR THIS TO BE MOVED WITHOUT
RECOMMENDATION TO THURSDAY. ONLY BECAUSE I DO THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE EVEN WITH THE RCA OR THE RFP, LIKE, THE ADMINISTRATION CAN MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY ON IDENTIFYING WE ALREADY HAVE A LEASING SPACE AT LAKE STREET SAFETY CENTER TO SAY IF THIS OPTION COMES AVAILABLE, AND WE'LL SEE IT, WE'LL HAVE IT
BE REFLECTED IN THE RCA TO ACCOMPANY THIS MION BEFORE WE VOTE ON THURSDAY. >> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. >> OKAY. SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN DISCUSSION, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF MOVING THIS FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION SAY AYE.
POSED SAY NAY. THIS CARRIES. NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMR 58, EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO JOHN AISH, INC. 3212-3226 PENN
AVENUE. WE'LL WELCOME UP OUR TEAM AT CPET FOR THE PRESENTATION..
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS JAMIE RA RADEL. I'M BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO GRANT EXUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR JOHN AISH TO 2112-3226 PENN
AVENUE. I'LL MOVE ON TO DESCRIBING THE SELECTED PROJECT AND ANTICIPATED NEXT STEPS. THE CITY ANDENNEPIN COUNTY COORDINATED TO ISSUE A BEYOND LAND SELL RFP FOR THE PROPERTIES
THE COUNTY OWNS ON THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE LOWRY AND PENN TERSECTION. THIS RFP WAS ISSUED IN LATE NOVEMBER, 2024 AND PROPOSALS ULTIMATELY DUE ON MARCH 24th, AFTER AN EXTENSION WAS ISSUED. THE RFP DIDOT REQUIRE A SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT TYPES, BUT PROVIDED GENERAL
PRIORITY TIETIES ON CONFIGURATION OF USES, DESIGN, AND SITE AMENITIES. THESE WERE BASED ON PREVIOUS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS FOR THE PENN AVENUE COMMUNITY WORKS PROJECT, AS WELL AS POLICY GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY THE CITY'S UNIFIED HOUSING POLICY AND THE
2040 PLAN. WE RECEIVED NINE PROPOSALS FROM SEVEN DEVELOPMENT TEAMS. THESE SUBMISSIONS WERE REVIEWED BY A STAFF TEAM THAT INCLUDES SPECIALISTS IN PLANNING, HOUSING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AND FINANCE FROM THE CITY AND HENNEPIN COUNTY. THIS TEAM LOOKED AT HOWHE PROPOSALS ALIGNED WITH THE STATED PRIORITIES, DEMONSTRATED
CONSISTENCY WITH THE 2040 PLANNING ZONING, FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY, AND EXPERIENCE OF THE PROJECT TEAMS. BASED ON INPUT FROM A JOI TEAM, STAFF HELD INTERVIEWS WITH EACH OF THE PROPOSERS. USINGOUL REVIEW AND LEARNING FROM THE
INTERVIEW, FINALISTS WERE SELECTED AND INVITED TO PART IN A COMMUNITY OPEN HSE. IT WAS HELD ON OCTOBER THEth. IT WAS WELL ATTENDED WITH THE APPROXIMATELY 70 PEOPLE SIGNED INTO THE EVENT. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THANK THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, CLEAVE
LABD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATES, AND JORDAN AREA COMMUNITY .COM COUNCIL FOR HELPING PUBLICIZE THE EVENT. WITH A COMMUNITY SURVEY DEVELOPED FOR THE OPEN HOUSE AND ADAPTED TO AN ONLINE SURVEY ON THE ONLINE SURVEY WAS POSTED ON OCTOBER 24th. AND CLOSED ON
THE 31st. WE REIVED A TOTAL OF 552 SURVEYS. THAT ANSWERED AT LEAST ONE QUESTION. THIS WINTER THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON TO SELECT THE FINALIST PROJECT. IT INCLUDED PROPERTIES ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDE OF PENN AVENUES, PENN
AVENUE. THIS RECOMMENDATION, THE CITY'S RECOMMENDATION IS LIMITED TO THE PENN EAST SIDE AS A CITY DOESOT OWN PROPERTY INCLUDED ON THE RFP ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE STREET. BUT WE HEARD AT THE OPEN HOUSE AND ROUGH RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY
SURVEY IS THAT THE COMMUNITY IS INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE DEVELOPMENT ON THE CITY AND COUNTY OED PROPERTIES. THE SURVEY FOCUSED ON THE TYPES OF USES AND DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT WERE PART OF THE FINALIST PROJECTS WITH THE SURVEY SHOWED AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS HIGHLY SUPPORTED. THERE WAS
MORE SUPPORT FOR NONAGE RESTRICTED HOUSING AND FOR HOUSING THAT HAD SERVICES FOR AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS AND YOUTH. I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THOSE LIVING IN THE AREA, EXPRESSED INTEREST IN OWNERSHIP HOUSING. THE SELECTED PROJECT DOES NOT INCLUDE OWNERSHIP HOUSING. THIS INFORMATION HAS
BEEN SHARED WITH CPED TO HELP OTHER PROCESSES. SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT -THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY SERVING LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES WITH STRONG SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC GROCERY OR CONVENIENCE STORE. RESPONDEES WANTED TO SEE
SUSTAINABLY SIGNED BUILDING ON SITESES THAT INCLUDED TREES AND GREENLAND SCAPING. PARKING RECEIVED SUPPORT. THE JOINT CITY ANDOUNTY RECOMMENDATION IS TO GRANT EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO THE PENN
EAST SITE TO JOHNISH, INC. FOR ITS PENN AND LOWRY PROPOSAL. THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS LED BY JOHN AND STEVEN. THEY HAVE WORKED DEVELOPING SMALLER SCALE WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS HOMES
PROGRAM. AND THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE EERIENCE IN FINANCE AND CURRENTLY IN LEADERSHIP ROLE AT A NORTH SIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SCALE FOR THIS TEAM. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE ASSEMBLED A TEAM WITH SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING FINANCI, AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MIXED USE PROJECTS. THE PROJECT HASFEASIY PROJECT HAS A FEASIBLE FUNDING PATHWAY WHILE INCLUDING THE ELEMENTS THAT RECEIVED STRONG SUPPORT THROUGH THE SURVEY. AS
PROPOSED, THIS IS A 48 UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSI PROJECT THAT OFFERS A RANGE OF AFFORDABILITY FROM 30 TO 60% OF AMI. AH, THIS INCLUDES 14 UNITS OF SUPPORTED HOUSE, 35 FAMILY-SIZED UNITS, AND PROJECT AMENITI LIKE A
COMMUNITY ROOM FOR RESIDENTS TO HOST GATHERINGS, OUTDO SPACES SUCH AS PLAY AREAS AND PUBLIC PLAZAS, UNDERGROUND PARKING, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR UP TO 5,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE PROJECT ELEMENTS ARE PRELIMINARY, AND MAY EVOLVE DURING THE PREDEVELOPMENT A
DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS. GRANTING EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO A DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE, BUT JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS. NOW THE HARD WORK OF BNGING THE PROJECT FROM AN IDEA TO REALITY STARTS. THE DEVELOPER
WILL WEAKEN THEIR WORK INCLUDING ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMEN REFINING PROJECT DESIGN AND BUILDING PROGRAM, AND SECURING PROJECT FUNDING TO NAME A FEW THINGS ON THEIR TO-DO LIST. HOWEVER, THEY WON'T BE DOING THIS ALONE. CITYND COUNTY STAFF WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP THE DEVELOPER ACHIEVE THE PROJECT. WE WILL BE
NEGOTIATING TERMS OF THE LAND SALE, WHICH WILL BE INCORPORATE WHEN THE PROJECT HAS SECURED A FUNDING PATH FORWARD, WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND COUNTY BOARD FOR LAND SALE APPROVAL. AND WITH
THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE STAFF WHO'VE BEEN INVOLVED I THIS PROCESS. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. I
KNOW WHEN I GOT HERE, THISAS A PRIORITY FOR ME FOUR YEARS AGO. TO ACTIVATE THESE LOTSN PENN AND LOWRY AVENUE. AND YOU HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB OF N JUST ENGAGING ME AND MY OFFICE, BUT THE COMMUNITY. YOU'VE DONE A
GOOD JOB AT HOSTING COMMUNITY IN COMMUNITY. REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE ONLINE, DOOR KNOCKING, AND I MEAN, JUST REALLY GATHERING THE IDEAS OF THIS SPACE. I KNOW YOUCKNOWLEDGED PEOPLE WANTED HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES HERE. THIS I THE NEXT BEST THING THAT COULD
HAPPEN HERE. AND I'M CERTAIN THAT WITH THE NUMBER OF VACANT LOTS WE HAVE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, IN PARTICULAR, INWY CORRIDOR, THERE COULD BE OTHER OPPORTUNIES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP. SO THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT. OVERALL, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR
STAYING THE COURSE. WE'VE HIT A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD ON THIS PROJECT. AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE DEVELOPERS ARE GOING TO SEE TH THROUGH. AND I'M EXCITED TO DRIVE PAST HERE IN A FEW YEARS AND ACTUALLY SEE THIS DEVELOPMENT ON THE CORNER OF PENN AND LOWERY. THANKOU!
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEA MAKE A MOTION. >> I'D LIKE TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> THIRD. [ LAUGHTER ] >> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> AH, THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IN THE INTEREST OF MAKING SURE THAT WITH THE 15 MINUTES WE HAVE LEFT WE'RE ABLE TO GET TO THE
NEXT CPED PRESENTATION. I'LL MOVE TO CALL THE QUESTION. >> UNLESS WE'RE -- UNLESS THE BODY IS WILLING -- >> AYE. >> OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION. COULD I HAVE
THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL. [ OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS ] >> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> AYE. >> WONSLEY. >> AYE. >> RAINVILLE. >> NO. IT'S THE SECOND TIME TODAY I'VE BEEN CUT OFF, FOR THE RECORD. >> VETAW. >> NO. >> WARREN. >> AYE.
>> OSMAN. >> AYE. >> SHAFFER. >> AYE. >> STEVENSON. >> AYE. >> CHAVEZ. >> AYE. >> WHITING. >> AYE. >> PALSANO. >> AYE. >> VICE CHAIR CHUGHTAI. >> AYE. >> CHAIR CHOWDHURY. >> AYE. >> 11 AYES AND TWO NAYS. >> OKAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO MOVE THIS FORWARD WITH RECOMMENDATION SAY AYE. >> OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 59. EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO TRELLIS
2901 NICOLLET AVENUE. WELCOME. WE'LL TAKE YOUR PRESENTATION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR CHOWDHURY AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I' LINEA GR GRAFF GRAFF WE REACHED AN EITING
MILESTONE. TODAY I'M HERE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION TO GRANT EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO TRELLIS COMPANY FOR THE PHASE ONE DEVELOPMENT AREA AT NEW NICOLLET. M PRESENTATION TODAY, I'LL START WITH A BRIEF
OVERVIEW OF THE RFP PROCESS THAT LED TO THIS POINT. THEN I'LL SHARE A SUMMARY OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT'S OCCURRED IN THIS PHASE OF THE PROJECT. BEFORE DESCRIBING THE PROPOSAL MADE BY THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM. AND I'LL WRAP UP WITH A LOOK AT NEXT STEPS.
STARTING WITH THE QUICK LOOK AT THE PROCESS THAT LED US HERE. LAST FALL, CPED RELEASED A REQUEST FOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, ALSO KNOWN AS RFP FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT AT NEW NICOLLET. PHASE 1 IS FOCUSED ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER THE SITE SHOWN IN BLUE HERE.
AND COVERS ABOUT 1.6 ACRES. IT'S LOCATED DIRECTLY SOUTH OF THE FUTURE NEW NICOLLET PARK. THE PHASE I AREA IS ONE PART OF THE 10-ACRE-CITOWNED SITE THAT INCLUDES ALL THE LAND BETWEEN LAKE STREET AND THE MIDTOWN GREENWAY. AND BETWEEN BLAZEDALE
AVENUE AND FIRST AVENUE. THE FULL SITE WAS THE FOCUS OF A THREE-YEAR PLANNING PROCESS TO IDENTIFY THE COMMUNITY'S VISION FOR REDEVELOPMENT HERE. THE IMAGE ON THE SCREEN IS THE CONCEPT SITE PLAN FROM T DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK THAT WAS APPROVED IN MAY 2025. THE
FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED OUR PHASED APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT AND DESCRIBES THE LAND USE CHARACTERISTICS THE CITY WILL PURSUE. IT WAS ALIGNED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND ASKED PROPOSALS TO INCLUDE ONE OR MORE MIXED USE BUILDINGS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GROUNDFLD
NONPROFIT SERVICES. PROPOSALS WERE DUE ON JANUARY 6th. AND THE CITY RECEIVED TWO PROPOSALS. ONE FROM TRELLIS AND ONE FROM AMI. HERE IS A TIMELINE TO PROVIDE A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT FOR TODAY'S MILESTONE. THE RFP WAS
PUBLISHED IN EARLY OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. AFTER A PROPOSAL DUE IN EARLY JANUARY, A STAFF COMMITTEE DID TECHNICAL ANALYS OF THE PROPOSALS AND COLLECTED COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, AS WELL. AFTER CONSIDERING THE ANALYSIS AND FEEDBACK, STAFF DEVELOPED THE RECOMMENDATION BEFORE YOU
TODAY. PENDING APPROVAL, THE SELECTED DEVELOPER WILL BEGIN APPLYING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING THIS SPRING. ASSUMING A TYPICAL THREE TO FIVE YEAR TIME FRAME FOR WORK, THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION START DATE COULD BE SOMETIME IN 2028. MEANG THE FIRST BUILDING AT
NEW NICOLLET COULD COMPLETE AS LATE AS 2029 OR 2030, IF ALL GOES WELL. I MENTIONED THAT COMMUNITY FEEDBACK INFORMED THE REPRESENTATION BEFORE YOU TODAY. IN MARCH, CPED PUBLISHED SUMMARIES OF THE PROPOSALS FOR COMMUNITY REVIEW. THOSE
PROPOSAL SUMMARIES WERE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND SOMALI. COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK VIA AN ONLINE SURVEY AVAILABLE IN THREE LANGUAGES. STAFF GAVE THREE PRESENTATIONS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, INCLUDING WHITTIER
ALLIANCE, LYNDALE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND HORNTOWER RESIDENCE. A FULL SUMMARY IS INCLUDED AS AN ATTACHMENT IN LIMS. THE FEEDBACK SURVEY WAS OPEN FOR 20 DAYS. FROM FEBRUARY 13th TO MARCH 5th. THE SURVEY ASKED PEOPLE WHAT
THEY LIKED AND DISLIKED ABOUT EACH PROPOSAL. WITH SPECIFIC PROMPTS REMITTED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACES, RETAIL SPACES, COMMUNITY-SERVING NONPROFITS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ILDING AND SITE DESIGN. THE SURVEY RECEIVED 1,168. 90% OF
RESPONDENTS SAID THEY LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS. 48% SAID THEY LIVE IN THE AREA AROUND THE PROJECT. 35% SAID THEY LIVE IN ONE OF OUR PROJECT-FOCUSED AREA NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH ARE WHITTIER, LYNDALE, CENTRAL, AND PHILLIPS WEST. THE PRIMARY HIGHLIGHT FROM THE SURVEY IS THAT MORE PEOPLE LIKED
EACH OF TRELLIS' PROPOS ELEMENTS. THE CHARTS SHOW THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSES TO THE QUESTION "WHAT DOOU LIKE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL" FOR TRELLIS AND AON. THENLY ELEMENT LIKED IN FAIRLY EQUAL NUMBERS BETWEEN THE TWO PROPOSALS WAS COMMUNITY-SERVING NONPROFITS.
OTHERWISE MORE PEOPLE LIKED THE TRELLIS PROPOSAL, IN GENERAL. A STAFF REVIEW COMMITTEE REVIEWED BOTH OF THE PROPOSALS, DID TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, AND REVIEWED COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON BOTH PROPOSA. HOWEVER, AEON
SUBMITTED FORMAL NOTICE TO THE CITY ON MARCH 9th T WITHDRAWAL ITS PROPOSAL. NOTWITHSTANDING THAT WITHDRAWAL, STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY AWARD EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR THE PHASE ONE AREA TO TRELLIS COMPANY. STAFF FOUND THAT THE TRELLIS PROPOSAL IS
EXCEPTIONALLY RESPONSIVE TO THE RFP. AND WAS FAVORED IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE PROPOSAL TEAM INCLUDES TRELLIS, AS THE LEAD DEVELOPER AND OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. FIRST-CLASS RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND EMERGING DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
WILL BEO-DEVELOPER AND CO-OWNER OF THE HOUSING. NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ALSO KNOWN AS NDC, WILL BE THE DEVELOPER AND OWNER OF THE COMMERCIAL PORTION OF THE PROJECTS, AND WILL PROVIDE BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THEIR RETAIL TENANTS TO SUPPORT SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES. THE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE TWIN CITIES WILL ESTABLISH SPACE HERE THEY'LL OWN. IT WOULD INCLUDE RELOCATING THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AS WELL AS THEIR SOUTH SIDE CLUB SPACE TO PROVIDE YOUTH-SERVING PROGRAMS ON SITE. AND, FINALLY, BUILD WEALTH
MINNESOTA WILL LEASE SPACE AT NICOLLET AND LAKE TO ESTABLISH A FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER. DELIVENG THEIR PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON WEALTH BUILDING AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. I'LL GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT. TREIS
PLANS TO DEVELOP A SIX-STORY BUILDING ON 1.6 ACRES WITH 1189 RENTAL UNITS IN A RANGE OF AFFORDABLABILITY FROM 30 TO 60% OF AREA MEDIAN IOME. 24 OF THOSE UNITS ARE PROPOSED TO BE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WITH SVICES FROM SIMPSON HOUSING.
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALSO INCLUDES 32 THREE AND FOUR-BEDROOM UNITS SUITABLE FOR FAMILI. THE BUILDING WILL INCLUDE ABOUT 40,000 SQUARE FEET OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM SPACE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, INCLUDING A GYM. AND SPACES FOR STUDY, HEALTH, AND JOB TRAINING.
THE CLUBS WILL OCCUPY SPACE ON FLOORS 1, 2, AND 3 OF THE BUILDING. ANCHORED NEXT TO THE FUTURE PARK. THE BUILDING ALSO INCLUDES UP TO 15,000 SQUARE FEET OF GROUND-FLOOR COMMERCIAL SPACE ALONG LAKE STREET AND NICOLLET AVENUE. ABOUT 5,000
SQUARE FEET OF THAT WILL BE FOR BUILD WEALTH MINNESOTA. AND THE REST WILL BE SUPPORTED BYDC'S BUSINESS INCUBATION PROGRAMS. NEXT TO THE FUTURE PARK, WILL BE SPACE RENTED BY THE PARK BOARD FOR A SMALL REC CENTER WITH PARK PROGRAMMING. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
OF THE PROPOSAL INCLUDE A CREATIVE BUILDING AND SITE DESIGN THAT CREATES CONNECTIONS THROUGH THE SITE. THE BUILDING IS DESIGNED IN A U-SHAPE FOR FLOORS 2 THROUGH 6, AND THAT U-SHAPE SITS ATOP FOUR GROUND
FLOOR PEDESTALS. THE YELLOW, ORANGE, AND RED AREAS ILLUSTRATE THE OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACES. INCLUDING A PEDESTRIAN PROMISE NAD THROUGH THE SITE CONNECTING TO THE PARK. THE PLAN INCLUDES SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND PARKING AND TRELLIS WILL GEOTHERMAL AND
SOLAR PANELS. THESE PROPOSAL ELEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO SOME CHANGE, AS THE PROJECT GETS ARE FURTHER REFINED. B THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS THAT NEED TO ENDURE ARE DESCRIBED IN THE STAFF REPORT. I'LL WRAP UP WITH A LOOK AT NEXT STEPS. FOR THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
AND R THE CITY. IF AWARDED EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS, THE TRELLIS TEAM WILL HAVE A TERM OF 24 MONTHS, PLUS TWO OPT OPTIONAL 12-MONTH EXTENSIONS TO COMPLETE THE PREDEVELOPMENT WORK. INCLUDING SECURING THE FINANCES REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE THE BUILDING, FURTHER REFINING THE
PROJECT DESIGN, CONTINUING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO INCLUDE NEIGHBORS AND THE PROCESS OF DESIGN REFINEMENT, AND ULTIMATELY NEGOTIATING THE TERMS OF THE LAND SALE AND REDEVELOPMENT CONTRACT NEEDED TO ACQUIRE THE LAND. AND THOSE TERMS WILL NEED TO BE APPROVED BUT E GOVERNING BODY. WHILE
TRELLIS WORKS ON THOSE MILESTONES, THE CITY WILL CONTINUE TO PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW PARK TO BE LOCATED NORTH OF THE PHASE ONE DEVELOPMENT. THE GOAL IS FOR THE NEW PARK AND THE NEW BUILDING TO BE READY TO OPEN AROUND THE SAME TIME. CITY STAFF AND PARK BOARD STAFF ARE WORKING IN CLOSE COORDINATION TO
SUPPORT THAT GOAL. AND I'LL CONCLUDE HERE. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND I'M HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> THANK YOU. VICE CHAIR CHUG DHUG. CHUGHTAI CHUG. . .
. >> I'LL HOLD MY COMMENTS FOR THURSDAY. TODAY IT'S A GIFT TO MOVE THIS ITEM FORWARD FOR THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING. >> >>: SECOND. >> MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAV SAY AYE. OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES.
MEMBERS, WE HAVE FOUR MINUTES LEFT AND WE'RE ON TRACK! SO I AM GOING TO PACKAGE THAT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 60, THE HCMC FUNDING RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT ITEMS 24
THROUGH 27 REFERRAL TO STAFF AROUND THE ADULT BATHHOUSE ORDER NATION AND 28 COMMERCIAL PREEVICTION NOTICE. WE MOVE IT FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING. MAY I HAVE A SECOND. >> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN
FAVOR MOVING THAT FORWARD WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION SAY AYE. OPPOSED SAY NAY. >> NAY. >> AND WITHOUT -- HA-HA. WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE ARE ADJOURNED!