Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Mayoral Review and Budget Refinements for FY2026
Amendments to the FY2026 General Appropriation Resolution
Funding for Emergency Housing Vouchers and Potential Layoffs
Integrity of the Budget Process and Council-Mayor Relations
Votes (3)
Reconsideration and Amendment of the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriation Resolution
Dissent: Council member Osman, Council member Kofsky, Council member Wansley voiced strong opposition and voted Nay on reconsideration. Council member Palmisano also voiced strong opposition to the changes despite voting Aye on the reconsideration.
Moved by Vice President Shaktai [0-05-18] · Seconded by Unidentified [0-05-36]
The meeting commenced with a procedural explanation for reconsidering already adopted budget resolutions. Vice President Shaktai moved to reconsider the general appropriation resolution for 2026, outlining three amendments negotiated with the Mayor's administration. Key points of contention included the shift in funding for Emergency Housing Vouchers from ongoing to one-time with a mayoral commitment, the ethical implications of 'closed-door negotiations' for a previously unanimously passed budget, and the concern over potential layoffs if the amendments were not passed. Council member Cashman proposed a recess to await the signing of crucial franchise fee ordinances by the Mayor, linking their approval to budget funding. Despite strong disagreements over process and policy, the motion to reconsider ultimately passed, paving the way for the amendments.
Motion to Recess Meeting
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Chavez [0-19-07] · Seconded by Unidentified [0-19-12]
Following a motion to reconsider the budget and prior to voting on the specific amendments, Council Member Cashman expressed concern that two critical ordinances (franchise fees for gas and electric) necessary for budget funding remained unsigned by the Mayor. She moved for a recess to allow time for these ordinances to be signed, highlighting their importance for the budget's fiscal integrity.
Adoption of Budget Amendments
Dissent: Council member Wansley was absent during this roll call but had previously voiced strong opposition to the changes, particularly regarding Emergency Housing Vouchers.
Moved by Vice President Shaktai [0-06-19] (Implied, as she introduced the amendments) · Seconded by Unidentified (Implied)
After the successful motion to reconsider the budget and a brief recess, the Council proceeded to vote on the three proposed amendments to the General Appropriation Resolution for 2026. These amendments, previously outlined by Vice President Shaktai, included refinements to the Non-Fatal Shooting Task Force language, a re-appropriation of funds for Emergency Housing Vouchers, and language clarification for Civilian Investigators. The amendments were presented as a package and voted on collectively.
Notable Quotes (4)
This is a product of extensive uh discussion and negotiation with the administration um and the mayor which ultimately did result in a um in a a budget a signed budget that was returned to us today as outlined by the clerk.
I am incredibly disappointed that council vice president Chuck Tai and council member Ellison chose to spend the past 48 hours in closed door negotiations where Mayor Fry to undermine that very budget that council unanimously adopted.
I think what particularly makes this hard is the emergency housing voucher component that is being moved from ongoing funding to a oneyear commitment or one year with ongoing with one-time funding and then a three-year commitment via a letter that I would consider a pinky promise which makes me really stressed of what that would mean for the program in the following years after the three-year fiscal cliff that will this program will face.
And if people on this dis feel comfortable calling the mayor's bluff and waking up tomorrow to a story about three, four Aspie members getting their walking papers, packing their box. I'm not comfortable with that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
The city's financial plan for the 2026 fiscal year, previously adopted by the council.
City charter section governing the budget adoption process and mayoral review.
The primary resolution allocating and appropriating funds to all operating departments for FY2026.
An amendment related to the Non-Fatal Shooting Task Force, undergoing a language change.
An amendment related to Emergency Housing Vouchers, seeing a change in funding source.
An amendment related to Civilian Investigators, undergoing language clarification.
An ordinance providing funding for the budget, awaiting mayoral signature.
An ordinance providing funding for the budget, awaiting mayoral signature.
The Legislative Information Management System file where official commitments and documents are stored.