Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Firearms Regulations Ordinance
Independent Legal Counsel for City Council
2026 Gubernatorial Election Plans
Committee Reports Overview
Votes (4)
Consent Agenda
Moved by Chair Choudry [00:12:44] · Seconded by Unknown [00:12:45]
The consent agenda included a resolution supporting a study for new passenger rail services, a gift acceptance for Council President Payne's travel to a federal deployment convening in Los Angeles, and a resolution recognizing Cinco de Mayo. No explicit discussion was recorded, as per standard consent agenda procedure.
Ordinance related to firearms regulations (rewrite of Chapter 393)
Moved by Chair Choudry [01:41:59] · Seconded by The entire Council (13 Ayes) [01:42:04]
The committee held a public hearing for an ordinance to rewrite Chapter 393, aiming to reduce gun violence. Speakers shared emotional, personal testimonies about the impact of mass shootings and gun violence, advocating for stronger regulations. The ordinance proposes banning assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, binary triggers, and ghost guns, with many provisions contingent on state law changes. Amendments were adopted to define large-capacity magazines as 10 rounds, and to add definitions and provisions for safe firearm storage. Council members expressed strong support, sharing personal experiences with gun violence, and emphasized the city's united stance in pushing for legislative change at the state level. One public speaker voiced opposition, questioning the effectiveness of gun control and advocating for punishment of criminals.
Report regarding independent legal counsel for City Council
Dwight Miller from the legislative research and oversight team presented a report on the feasibility of independent legal counsel for the city council. The report outlined that Minneapolis's city charter would require an amendment to establish such a role, as the city attorney currently serves as the sole legal authority. It reviewed models from other cities, noting both benefits and potential drawbacks. Council members discussed the balance between ensuring independent legislative advice and maintaining a unified legal voice for the city.
Initial plans for the 2026 gubernatorial election
Katie Smith and John Martin from Election and Voter Services presented the preliminary plans for the 2026 gubernatorial election. This included an overview of federal, state, county, school, and judicial races, key dates for primary and general elections, and the new early voting process. The team detailed their safety and security workgroup and extensive outreach plans, including satellite and pop-up voting locations. A council member raised concerns about the number and distribution of early voting sites in North Minneapolis, advocating for more equitable access.
Notable Quotes (10)
It is a true public health epidemic.
these sections of the ordinance will not go into effect right away. They will only go into effect if there is a state law that changes allowing us to pass them.
Gun violence, as we've heard noted, is the leading cause of death for children in this country. And it's like any other causes of death to those children, we know the cause. We we see the cancer, and we know the cure.
This isn't gun violence, it's people violence. And you got to do something about people. Prison is a good start.
Minneapolis has particular constraints regarding um implementing independent legal counsel. According to the city's charter, the city attorney is the sole authority um and attorney for the city as a single legal entity, and the charter does not bifurcate um the city from the city council. The establishment of a independent legal counsel would require a charter amendment requiring significant political will.
the intent behind it was due to my own experiences with the city attorney's office regarding policy issues that I was advancing where the mayor was openly opposed... and that opposition impacted the legal support that my office received or the lack thereof and ultimately led to um the unnecessary legislative delay of critical policy measures.
I don't see it as something we could ever pursue without a charter change and I don't see a path or a will to accomplish that. Um even when cities say they have independent counsel, it's narrowly focused on what I would bucket as kind of administrative stuff. Um in this report, I believe you said that the city attorney's office serves both the executive and legislative branches providing a unified legal voice for the city. And I would argue that's really important.
This year obviously it's very front and center in front of mind of what would happen if there was a threatening actor, whether that is someone who's upset at the process, upset at the system or someone from a different level of government. And we have created a coordinated response team...
I'm just wondering why is there only two locations in all of North Minneapolis, one in Ward 4 and one in Ward 5, but you have multiple locations on the South side... I'd like to see more opportunities present themselves for individuals to be able to get out and vote in North Minneapolis.
The best way to ensure that someone's going to vote is to have a plan in place. Helping a neighbor register or fill out the form to request an absentee ballot. Helping someone to return their ballot that they've received by the mail. Helping others to explore their different voting options. Supporting various non-partisan voter outreach efforts...
Ordinances & Resolutions (36)
An item from the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee report.
An item from the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee report.
An item from the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee report.
An item from the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report.
An item from the Business Housing and Zoning Committee report, sent forward without recommendation.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report regarding project approval and assessment.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report regarding project approval, assessment, and area way abandonment.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report.
An item from the Climate and Infrastructure Committee report.
An item from the Public Health and Safety Equity Committee report.
An item from the Public Health and Safety Equity Committee report.
An item from the Public Health and Safety Equity Committee report.
An item from the Public Health and Safety Equity Committee report.
An item from the Public Health and Safety Equity Committee report.
An item from the Public Health and Safety Equity Committee report.
An item from the Public Health and Safety Equity Committee report.
An item from the Budget Committee report.
An item from the Budget Committee report.
An item added to the agenda by Council President Payne.
An item added to the agenda by Councilmember Chavez.
An item on the consent agenda.
A full rewrite of Chapter 393 of the city code addressing gun violence.
State Senate Bill addressing a ban on assault weapons, binary triggers, ghost guns, and safe storage, mentioned as a victory by advocates.
A report presenting research and analysis on the establishment of independent legal counsel for the City Council.
A presentation outlining the upcoming election processes, key dates, and outreach efforts.