Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
State Moratorium on Evictions
Mayor's Veto of Humane Encampment Response Ordinance
Public Health Initiatives Funding
Public Works Infrastructure Improvement Grants
Police Department Grant Extension
Employee Salary Adjustments
Condemnation of Operation Metro Surge
Ordinance for Eviction Moratoria during States of Emergency
Votes (7)
Notice of Ordinance Introduction: Eviction Moratoria during States of Emergency
Moved by Council Member Wansley [11:15]
Council Member Wansley formally noticed an intent to introduce an ordinance at the next regular City Council meeting (February 5th). This ordinance proposes to amend the housing code to authorize eviction moratoria during states of emergency. No action beyond notice was required or taken at this meeting.
Reconsideration of Mayor's Veto of Humane Encampment Response Ordinance
Dissent: Council Member Warren, Council Member Schaefer, Council Member Whiting, Council Member Rainville, Council Member Vita, Council Member Palmisano voted against overriding the veto, thereby sustaining it.
Moved by President Payne [12:44]
The council proceeded with the automatic reconsideration of the Mayor's veto of the Humane Encampment Response Ordinance, which had passed at a previous meeting. The Clerk explained the procedure, requiring at least nine affirmative votes (two-thirds) to override the veto. The debate focused purely on the procedural aspect of the vote, with no discussion on the merits of the ordinance itself.
Acceptance of Public Health Infrastructure Grant and Strong Foundations Grant
Moved by Unknown [16:47] · Seconded by Unknown [16:51]
Louisa Brando, Director of Public Health Initiatives, presented two grant acceptances. The first, a year four Public Health Infrastructure Grant from the CDC, supports foundational public health capabilities. The second, a state-funded Strong Foundations Grant, is for implementing evidence-based home visiting family services. There were no questions from the council members, and the items were moved for approval.
Approval of Public Works Department Met Council Grant Applications
Moved by Unknown [18:50] · Seconded by Unknown [18:52]
Kelly McIntyre, Senior Professional Engineer, introduced two grant applications to the Met Council. These grants are specifically for projects that reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I) into the sanitary sewer system, aiming to increase the capacity of the regional metropolitan council system and treatment plant to accommodate population growth. The council had no questions, and the applications were moved for approval.
Approval of Police Department Grant Extension
Moved by Unknown [20:47] · Seconded by Unknown [20:49]
Melissa Russo, Grant Coordinator for the police department, requested a four-month extension for an existing grant. The need for the extension arose from delivery issues with parts and vehicles at the end of 2025, which prevented the timely completion of vehicle upfitting and the sale of older vehicles. The council approved the extension without questions.
Adjustments to Salary Schedules for Non-Represented and Politically Appointed Employees
Moved by Unknown [23:25] · Seconded by Unknown [23:27]
Dugan Kern, Principal Compensation and Classification Consultant for Human Resources, presented proposed salary increases for non-represented (4%) and politically appointed (2.5%) employees, effective January 4th. These increases, inclusive of step progression and longevity, were based on the approved 2026 budget. Council Member Shugtai inquired for clarification, confirming that appointed officials are not included in the non-represented category.
Consideration of Resolution Calling for State Eviction Moratorium and Public Comment Period
Dissent: Council Member Palmisano (moved to reconsider public comment period), Council Member Warren (expressed skepticism about long-term sustainability), Council Member Vita (clarified resolution's limited scope, warning against tenant confusion), Council Member Schaefer (expressed skepticism about resolution's aims but noted positive aspects of amendments).
Moved by Council member Wanley [29:10] · Seconded by Unknown [29:13]
Council Member Wanley introduced a resolution calling on Governor Walls to enact an eviction moratorium in response to the 'extreme violent siege' occurring in the city due to ICE operations. Prior to debate, the council voted to suspend Rule 7.2.D to allow for a public comment period on this specific item, with Council Member Palmisano's subsequent motion to reconsider this vote failing. Council members Osman, Chowry, and Chavez passionately supported the resolution, emphasizing the fear, economic instability, and the city's role in protecting vulnerable residents. Council Member Warren expressed doubts about its long-term sustainability, while Council Member Vita clarified that the resolution is a request to the Governor, not an action by the City Council to implement a moratorium, urging clear communication to constituents about ongoing rent obligations. Council Member Schaefer, while in solidarity with affected communities, questioned the resolution's efficacy but appreciated amendments ensuring broader cost distribution. The public comment period followed, with numerous residents, community organizers, and advocates speaking in strong support, many urging immediate, unanimous action and stressing the humanitarian crisis. Concerns from property owners (Minnesota Multi-Housing Association) about the negative impacts of a moratorium were also voiced. The transcript concludes with an amendment being offered by Council Member Whiting, but no final vote on the resolution or amendment is provided.
Notable Quotes (15)
Shall the decision of the city council stand notwithstanding the veto of the mayor. If at least twothirds of the council votes in the affirmative, then the mayor's veto is overridden and the original act as p passed by council will be adopted. That means an override requires a minimum of at least nine affirmative votes. Otherwise, the mayor's veto is sustained and the original act fails.
The first one I believe is the uh year four of the public health infrastructure grant which is for foundational capabilities of public health. So that is funding that comes to us directly from the CDC uh for for that work. And the second grant is a strong foundations grant that's state funded state funds that come to us for implementation of evidence-based home visiting uh family home visiting services.
Uh these grants provide um funding for projects that reduce inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewer system uh which we call INI. Um that is groundwater and storm water that gets into the sewer system. The goal of removing INI is to free up capacity in the regional metropolitan council system and treatment plant uh for growth in the population in in the region and treatment plant capacity.
This is just an extension of an existing grant. We ran into some delivery issues with parts and vehicles at the end of 2025, which was the ending period of the grant. And so we reached out to the state to do a fourmonth extension so that we could finish the upfitting of the vehicles and sale of older vehicles.
The proposed increases are 4% for the non-represented population and 2.5% for the politically appointed population. These would be effective January 4th. And the budget numbers here are inclusive of the salary increases, pro step progression, and longevity.
I'm just wondering if the appointed officials are included in the non-represented section here. Um and if if you are able to speak to that, the appointed officials are not included in the non-representative.
Uh which is the res resolution calling on Governor Waltz to enact a eviction moratorum in response to the extreme violent siege occurring in our city and mean wage all across our state.
This is a resolution that is, excuse me, that is for the governor to consider that the Minneapolis City Council is literally doing nothing but asking the sending the governor a greeting card to say, 'Can you please consider the things we want on this paper.'
Uh the sum the summary that council member Vita just gave is absolutely correct. This is a formal act by the body asking the state government, the state of Minnesota and our governor Tim Walls to consider and take appropriate action in response to this resolution. It is a formalized request adopted by the body but no formal action by this body.
While I am not confident that this resolution will achieve its aims, I appreciate that this resolution as amended doesn't just impose the burden of cost of standing up to ICE on tenants or housing providers exclusively, but assures that the costs will be evenly more evenly distributed regardless of how the governor responds.
An eviction moratorum is not a solution. The damage done far outweighs any perceived benefits. We learned what happens in an eviction moratorum from the CO 19 experience. Renters get so far behind that they cannot catch up despite rental assistance and we currently do not have enough rental assistance available to even support this policy.
What this is is a seventh generation combat application tourniquet, a chest seal, and a a rear seal, which is something that I have to carry because of the world that we now live in. The lack of response to the housing, the lack of response to the unsheltered crisis and all of these other issues are part of what's driving the reactionary accelerationism that is driving our democracy into the ground.
Minneapolis has always led the charge as an example for surrounding communities. And I urge the council and Governor Wals to stand for his constituents when the federal government has abandoned us. As a principal city, we have a lot of influence as the state at on the state. Please keep our families in their homes and safe from homelessness and the terror of ICE.
The academic evidence indicates that an eviction moratorum is an effective and measured tool to foster community safety. So, I'm going to share recent research on the topic that shows how it stabilizes families. It fosters health and it has economic benefits and these are all part of things that we need to be concerned.
I hear a lot of concern for landlords and for business interests and for capital and well what'll happen to the money. I don't really care. I don't think a lot of people really care right now what happens to the money. ... I urge you to put your priorities in a different order. Put the residents of this city above capital. Put the residents of this city above landlords. We need help right now.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Proposed by Council Member Wanley and co-authors (Osman, Chavez, Stevenson) to urge Governor Walls to enact a statewide eviction moratorium.
Proposed by President Payne as a new business item (Item 9) to formally condemn actions by federal agents.
Notice of introduction by Council Member Wansley for a future city council meeting.
Subject of the Mayor's veto and subsequent reconsideration by the City Council.
CDC funding accepted by the Health Department for foundational public health capabilities.
State funding accepted by the Health Department for evidence-based home visiting services.
Grant applications submitted by the Public Works Department for sanitary sewer system improvements.
Approved extension of an existing grant for vehicle upfitting and sales.
Council rule suspended to permit public comments on the eviction moratorium resolution.
City charter section outlining mayoral veto reconsideration procedure.
Council rule outlining mayoral veto reconsideration procedure.