Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Liquor Licensing and Public Safety
Rental Property Oversight and Enforcement
Regulatory Services Department Leadership and Operations
Arts and Culture Venue Licensing
Emergency Shelter Expansion
Land Use Appeal for Minneapolis Democracy Center
Votes (8)
Consent Agenda Items (Excluding Pulled Items)
Dissent: None
Moved by Jamal Osman/Chair [00:12:00] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
The committee reviewed and approved the consent agenda, which included several liquor license approvals and renewals, a gambling license, a business license condition, amendments to the license fee schedule, various contract authorizations, and grant acceptances. Items 6.21, 16, and 18 were pulled for separate discussion.
Liquor License Renewal for Rain Event Center (Item 6.21)
Dissent: None
Moved by Jamal Osman/Chair [00:12:00] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
This item was pulled due to recent violent crimes at the Rain Event Center. Council members expressed serious concerns about public safety and the business's responsibility. Staff clarified that while 911 calls had tripled, a deep dive analysis was needed to ascertain direct business relation. The committee decided to postpone the renewal to allow for further review and conversation about safety requirements.
Rental License Dwelling Reinstatement at 2113 Illyn Avenue North (Item 16)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Warren [00:15:30] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
Council Member Warren pulled this item to clarify property ownership and occupancy. It was revealed the listed owner was a former owner whose license was revoked, and the current owner, Sigundo Chimberazzo, does not own other properties. Concerns were raised about current occupancy without an issued license. The item was postponed to verify if the property is owner-occupied or illegally rented.
Staff Direction: Problem Rental Properties (Item 18)
Dissent: None
Moved by Jamal Osman/Chair [00:17:30] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
Council Member Warren presented a legislative directive instructing staff to research and analyze steps the city could take to strengthen enforcement of rental licensing standards, maintenance, and building code compliance. The goal is to ensure resident health and safety and create more upfront and ongoing oversight of rental properties.
Nomination of Enrique Velasquez as Director of Regulatory Services
Dissent: Council Member Chavez, Vice Chair Chowry
Moved by Vice Chair Chowry [00:41:50] (to move without recommendation), Jamal Osman/Chair [00:44:08] (to move with recommendation) · Seconded by Council Member Chavez [00:42:20] (for motion without recommendation)
Mayor Fry's nomination of Enrique Velasquez for reappointment as Director of Regulatory Services was considered. Supporters praised his leadership in innovation, collaboration, and measurable results across various departmental functions, including homelessness response and animal care. Concerns were raised by some council members, citing a letter from Ask Me Local 9 regarding his leadership style and workplace issues, as well as questions about the department's 'new approach' to unsheltered homelessness and open drug markets.
Liquor and General Entertainment License for Strange Loop Laboratory
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Schaefer [01:17:40] · Seconded by Jamal Osman/Chair [01:17:50] (implied)
The Strange Loop Laboratory applied for an on-sale wine and strong beer with general entertainment license for their performing arts and cultural venue. The applicant emphasized that the revenue from the license would significantly contribute to their financial sustainability and allow them to keep ticket prices lower, increasing accessibility. No community objections were received.
Interim Use Permit for Emergency Shelter at 219 4th Street South (People Serving People)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Schaefer [01:29:40] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
People Serving People sought an Interim Use Permit to operate a family emergency shelter at 219 4th Street South, anticipating to serve up to 52 families or 280 people nightly. The plan includes 24/7 staffing, security, and wraparound services, with an average stay of 119 days. A waiver for long-term bicycle parking standards was requested due to space limitations, which the committee granted. The permit is for just under three years, with an aim to find a more suitable long-term site.
Appeal of Minneapolis Democracy Center Project Land Use Applications (3000 Minihaha Ave)
Dissent: null
Moved by null · Seconded by null
An appeal was filed by FGNC (Hook and Ladder Theater owner) against the Planning Commission's approval of land use applications for the Minneapolis Democracy Center project. Key concerns revolved around the proposed alley reconfiguration, its impact on large vehicle access for businesses, reduction in available parking, and potential negative economic effects on the nascent arts and entertainment district. The applicant presented changes made to address initial concerns, including a widened alley and relocated garage. The discussion was ongoing at the transcript's end.
Notable Quotes (20)
The thing with 911 calls is it's very often attributed to an entire block or to the first section. So, we need to do a deep dive analysis to see how much is related to the business itself and not just that area where they named the business because that's the easiest thing that they see.
The violence in our streets to this magnitude is outrageous, is unacceptable, and I am thankful for all of the first responders who responded in the moment and who have been responding since then to other areas on the border of my ward.
Licensing is one of the tools that I I feel is underutilized and I look forward to ongoing conversations about how we can best use that.
Well, when I drove past there and I have pictures of there, there is people living in that property currently as it stands. So, if the rental license hasn't been issued, how are people renting from that property? Or is it owner occupied? Is it homestead at this time?
I don't believe so. I'd have to double check my records. I can definitely look into that and get back to you.
In this legislative directive is the instruction to undertake and research analysis to identify the steps the city of Minneapolis could potentially take to strengthen the enforcement of rental licensing standards, maintenance and building code compliance. Um just to better health ensure the health and safety and well-being of our residents here in the city of Minneapolis.
Under Enrique's leadership, uh, the department has embraced a culture of innovation, collaboration, constant and continuous improvement, and learning. And that h comes with measurable results that we can see and feel.
Mayor Fry gave me a charge in three parts when he nominated me. Communicate transparently. collaborate effectively across city enterprise and with external parties and do the right thing no matter what it costs.
I'm I'm kind of concerned if the focus is just targeting those who are homeless and have addiction and I guess I want to hear your approach as you want to have a four more years as a director of regulatory services.
You're the person who will look to working with not just yourself but others on how to correct things or how to at least start a conversation around what needs to be corrected.
Does this individual treat employees fairly and consistently? Responses were mixed. Members noted that his approach to discipline is not fair or proportional to the situation.
This license is about a lot more than just offering an amenity for our guests. The revenue will be a really important sustainable thing for us financially as a small arts organization. Will also allow us to help keep our ticket prices lower, making our programming more accessible for our community.
I'm just thrilled this is finally coming before us and am thrilled to vote on this. As council members may or may not know, this was one of our vibrant storefront um investments and so we are thrilled to be able to support you in um making a sustainable business model in this way.
This new shelter will serve up to 52 families nightly in their own hotel style rooms. Just as with our other shelters, families will never be asked to share rooms and may come and go as they would from any of our other shelters. There will be no daily queuing for entry.
Due to space limitations, we're seeking a waiver of the city's requirement for long-term bicycle parking. We will provide families and staff with accessible bicycle storage, but strict compliance with the requirement would cause us to sacrifice capacity in our planned firstf flooror dining room and guest gathering space.
This is a great opportunity um for for people and a good way to serve um our population in in the city that are seeking housing and are in transition.
This allows large vehicles, semitrs, metroomobility vehicles, etc. to drive straight through the alley in either direction... That just would not be possible under uh the revised uh alley configuration...
I don't want the democracy center to be the reason that kills everything.
The biggest issue that no one appears to have completed an economic impact study evaluating how the current design affects neighboring businesses and the future growth of this emerging entertainment district.
We widened the alley which um um Andrew friends mentioned it was it's a the I think the regulation width is 15 feet. We have gone to a 32 foot wide um dimensioned which is more than double what is required.
Ordinances & Resolutions (22)
Approval of five new liquor licenses.
Approval of 33 liquor license renewals, with sub-item 21 (Rain Event Center) pulled for discussion.
Approval of one gambling license.
Granted for Bloomington commercial kitchen.
Amended to relate to the tow truck service fee.
Contract authorization.
Acceptance and authorization for training.
Authorization for recommendation.
Acceptance for replacement.
Delegation of authority for programs like Home Improvement Program and Minnesota Housing.
Acceptance and authorization.
For property at 2113 Illon Avenue North, pulled for discussion and postponed.
Authorization.
Authorization, pulled for discussion.
Sets public hearing for Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District.
Referred to staff, Council Member Chavez added as co-author.
Application for an emergency shelter at 219 4th Street South and appeal for Minneapolis Democracy Center.
Required for a public safety and welfare use (Democracy Center), part of the appeal.
For the building addition of the Democracy Center, part of the appeal.
For the rearrangement of the Democracy Center property and new alley dedication, part of the appeal.
Two requests to resolve conflicts between existing zoning districts for the Democracy Center project (Item 23).
For the existing east-west alley segment related to the Democracy Center project (Item 23).