Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
BET Work Plan Goals and Staff Independence
George Floyd Square Assessments
Hiawatha Public Works Maintenance Facility Expansion Bonding
2026 General Obligation Bonding Resolutions
Charter Amendment for BET Quorum
Executive Secretary Performance Review
Votes (6)
Discussion of BET Work Plan Goals
Dissent: None recorded for the final vote.
Moved by Commissioner Olsson [1:21:44] · Seconded by Commissioner Bernstein [1:21:50]
The Board discussed the proposed BET work plan, considering suggestions for research into municipal income tax impacts and geo debt load, as well as the scope of public participation initiatives. There was a significant debate about maintaining the independence of the BET staff position, ensuring coordination with all relevant city entities (LRO, Finance, Park Board) without exclusive directives from any single body. The work plan was clarified as a living document outlining term-long goals, with flexibility for specific project assignments.
Receiving projects from City Council for General Obligation Bonds (George Floyd Square)
Dissent: None
Moved by Not specified · Seconded by Not specified
President Brandt inquired about the status of assessments for George Floyd Square. Council President and Mayor confirmed that an alternative funding source was found due to extraordinary circumstances, and thus, a formal assessment action was denied by the council, precluding the need for BET involvement.
Reauthorizing Bonding for Hiawatha Public Works Maintenance Facility Expansion Project PSD33
Dissent: President Brandt (stated opposition, though no vote was taken for this specific item).
Moved by Not specified · Seconded by Not specified
President Brandt strongly voiced his opposition to the project, stating it counteracts a long-standing master plan for public works consolidation and efficiency. He argued it would derail the relocation of East Yards and the establishment of a recruitment center, suggesting alternative vacant polluted sites (Smith Foundry, batuminous roadway property) that could have been considered.
Discussion on the 2026 Bonding Resolutions
Dissent: President Brandt (abstained).
Moved by Commissioner Payne [1:50:47] · Seconded by Commissioner Olsson [1:50:50]
David Wheeler presented the authorizing and awarding resolutions for the city's 2026 general obligation bond issuance, totaling $251 million, comprising assessment, utility revenue, and levy-funded bonds. He explained the issuance process, market conditions, and that the increased volume is due to a larger number of 'shovel-ready' capital improvement projects aligning with city planning and budgeting for increased bond revenue.
Charter Change Discussion (Quorum)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Payne [1:54:14] · Seconded by Commissioner Olsson [1:54:40]
Commissioner Payne proposed a staff direction to draft a resolution. This resolution would request the Charter Commission to explore a charter amendment to ensure a quorum for BET meetings and ask the City Council to implement it via ordinance. This aims to address past issues with achieving a quorum.
Executive Secretary Performance Review
Dissent: None recorded.
Moved by Not specified · Seconded by Not specified
The Board moved into a closed session for the performance evaluation of Executive Secretary Christina Kiterling. The attorney, Mr. Hammer, provided the legal basis for the closed session under the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, confirming that the individual (Ms. Kiterling) had the option to request an open meeting, which she did not. Upon reconvening in open session, President Brandt stated that no action was taken during the closed session.
Notable Quotes (13)
One is cooperating with the city council and the LRO's investigation of uh alternative revenues, providing some research capacity to evaluate the potential impacts of a possible municipal income tax...
I I I just I I don't see the value in it as opposed to, you know, policy driven issue areas where, you know, it's kind of affecting folks's day-to-day lives.
I am trying to provide as much to the enterprise as I possibly can because as much as I support the BET, if you look at the percentage of our meetings that were canceled last year, there were a good number that we didn't have BET meetings.
I think that the real opportunity is to have someone with your type of expertise that can independently vet that recommended levy.
I think it's really important to get that clearly on the record. Um, and any work that should be assigned should not be focused on one entity versus another. It should be work focused on the work of the board.
My recollection is that uh staff was able to identify an alternative source for that. Uh and so the formal action that the council took was to deny that assessment.
I just can't support something that undoes a long-term master plan designed to make a department operate more efficiently. um in favor of uh a group that somehow has the political ear of both the city and the legislature.
our actual issuance size, we expect will be about 5% lower than that. So, uh, when we get to market, we'll probably, uh, h have an issue size around 240 to $245 million this year.
The city has been budgeting, planning and programming for uh more bonding revenue to pay the cost of construction for its capital infrastructure.
What [snorts] explains the gap between the authorization and the issuance? It's just when the projects are ready to roll essentially.
uh that the uh Board of Estimate and Taxation hereby directs staff to draft a resolution for the board to consider that. Number one, requests the Charter Commission to consider an amendment to the charter that allows for a mechanism to assure a quot a quorum can be achieved for conducting business of the BET. And number two, request the city council to consider implementing the proposed amendment via ordinance.
The Minnesota open meeting law permits but does not require the closure of the meeting for such a performance review unless the individual who is subject to the meeting requests that it remain open.
I will uh summarize the board's uh close session for an evaluation of our executive secretary Christina Kiteling as having taken no action.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Long-standing plan to consolidate public works facilities, cited as being undermined by the Hiawatha project.
Resolution from the previous year specifying parameters for LRO collaboration with the BET secretary.
Authorizing resolution for the city's general obligation various purpose bond issuance.
Awarding resolution for the city's general obligation various purpose bond issuance.
City bonds that financed the Public Service Building, currently being monitored for refunding opportunities.
Regulations requiring bond proceeds to be spent within a certain timeframe for tax-exempt status.
Governing document of the city, proposed for amendment regarding BET quorum.