Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Monday, January 5, 2026
Council Officer Elections (President and Vice President)
Reinstatement and Election of Majority and Minority Leaders
Establishment of Standing Committees and Leadership Appointments
Review of Past Term Achievements and Future Vision (President Payne's Inaugural Address)
Minority Leader Wansley's Vision for Democratic Socialist Leadership and Future Policy Agenda
Administrative and Procedural Adoptions
Votes (10)
Election of City Council President
Dissent: Council members Rainville, Vetaw, Warren, Shafer, Palmisano voted Nay.
Moved by Council member Chaudry [00:02:45] (nomination) · Seconded by Not explicitly stated for nomination, but election proceeded.
The floor was opened for nominations for City Council President. Council member Chaudry nominated Council member Elliot Payne, citing his leadership in public safety reforms and dedication to community. Council member Warren nominated Council member Palmisano. Both nominees accepted. The election proceeded by roll call vote.
Election of City Council Vice President
Dissent: Council members Rainville, Vita, Warren, Shafer, Whiting, Palmisano voted Nay.
Moved by Council member Chughtai [00:10:48] (nomination) · Seconded by Not explicitly stated for nomination, but election proceeded.
Nominations were opened for Vice President. Council member Chughtai nominated Council member Jamal Osman, and Council member Whiting nominated Council member Palmisano. Council member Whiting emphasized Palmisano's experience and ability to foster balance, arguing against 'factional politics' and gridlock. Both nominees accepted. The election proceeded by roll call vote.
Election of Majority Leader
Dissent: Council members Rainville, Vita, Warren, Shafer, Palmisano voted Nay.
Moved by Council member Chavez [00:30:45] (nomination) · Seconded by Council member Rainville [00:30:52]
President Payne proposed reinstating Majority and Minority Leader roles. Debate ensued over the definition of 'majority' and 'minority' in a non-partisan council, with concerns about whether these roles would perpetuate division or foster collaboration. A motion to postpone the vote to allow for more discussion and definition failed. Council member Chavez nominated Council member Chughtai, emphasizing her ability to work across the body and leadership on issues like public safety aid, budget, and labor policy. Council member Vita raised strong objections to the lack of prior consultation and perceived political nature of the appointments.
Election of Minority Leader
Dissent: Council members Rainville, Vita, Warren, Shafer, Whiting, Palmisano voted Nay.
Moved by President Payne [00:45:50] · Seconded by Council member Stevenson [00:45:57]
President Payne moved to elect Council member Robin Wansley as Minority Leader. Council member Stevenson seconded, emphasizing the need for 'Democratic Socialist leadership' to address systemic issues and fight for people over profits. Council member Wansley explicitly defined the minority leader role as reflecting the 'political diversity' of the body and representing Democratic Socialists, detailing their policy successes and future agenda. Council members Warsame and Vita strongly criticized this, pointing out the contradiction with President Payne's earlier assertion that the roles were non-partisan and expressing feeling 'lied to.' Council member Whiting also sought clarification on how a minority leader would function if their policy positions were against the 'minority of this body' they represent.
Resolution Establishing Lines of Succession (NB1)
Dissent: None
Moved by Not explicitly stated, moved by President Payne for vote · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
This resolution formally established the line of succession for the offices of Mayor and Council President, as required by the City Charter. It designated the President, then Vice President, followed by the newly elected Majority Leader, then Minority Leader, and other council members in a specified order.
Resolution Establishing Standing Committees of the City Council (NB2)
Dissent: Council member Palmisano voted Nay on the final resolution.
Moved by President Payne [01:03:07] (for resolution) · Seconded by Not explicitly stated for initial motion.
President Payne proposed the new committee structure, including 6 standing and 1 special committee, with an increase to 7 members per standing committee. He outlined leadership roles for each committee. Several council members, particularly new ones and those outside the apparent majority, expressed significant frustration about the lack of consultation, perceived imbalance, and a continuation of past divisions. Council member Warren specifically noted she was not consulted about her proposed vice-chair role for Budget. An amendment to switch the Vice Chair of Budget from Council member Warren to Council member Shafer passed, reflecting Shafer's interest and experience and Warren's stated lack of interest in that specific role. A second amendment to switch the Vice Chair of Climate and Infrastructure from Council member Stevenson to Council member Warren failed, after strong debate about representation and mandates from their respective wards.
Adoption of the 2026 Calendar of Regular Meetings (NB3)
Dissent: None
Moved by President Payne [01:27:54] · Seconded by Council member Wansley [01:28:01]
The proposed 2026 calendar for City Council and committee meetings was presented, noting that the first regular cycle would commence the week of January 26th, with two tentative interim cycles in early January for time-sensitive matters. The clerk's office will finalize calendars for future years (2027-2029) later.
Adoption of the 2026 Council Rules of Order (NB4)
Dissent: Council member Whiting voted Nay.
Moved by President Payne [01:30:30] · Seconded by Council member Wansley [01:30:33]
The updated 2026 version of the Council Rules of Order, which incorporates the newly established Majority and Minority Leader positions and the revised committee structure, was presented for adoption.
Designation of Council Members to the Audit Committee (NB5)
Dissent: None
Moved by President Payne [01:32:38] (Presidential designation) · Seconded by N/A
Pursuant to the City Code, Council President Payne designated himself as the chair of the Audit Committee and Council member Chughtai (referred to as 'Shugart' in transcript) as the second member.
Introduction and Referral of Ordinances
Dissent: None
Moved by President Payne [01:35:46] · Seconded by Council member Wansley [01:35:50]
Two routine ordinance introductions were made and referred to appropriate committees to expedite future actions: amendments to Title Two Chapter 20 (related to wages and salaries) to the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee, and amendments to Title 20 Chapter 530 (related to rezonings) to the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee.
Notable Quotes (13)
He has served steadfastly as the president of the council over the last 2 years, and I have really grown to appreciate his leadership because he does not take credit for himself. He really tries to open up this body to be a place where all council members can find their leadership.
As provided under city charter section 4.3 C1, an election requires the affirmative vote of the absolute majority of the body. That is, there must be the affirmative vote of at least seven members to be elected to the office.
I think we have all seen every single person, whether in this chamber but across our city, have heard a familiar message from our constituents that they are tired of factional politics at City Hall. And we have to come to that moment to move progress.
She has spent her time sweating the details and ensuring that our government is responsive to the people that we serve. Um and for that and for her her experience and service, um I I am proud to support um Council Member Palmisano in that role.
I'm seeing the same old same old here happening today. And I think it's really going to play out with these committee assignments, but I'm I'm definitely not going to be supporting this. It feels like a trade for votes for me.
I want to nominate Council Member I want to nominate Council Member Chughtai as the majority leader of this Council because I know that she can work with everybody to get stuff done for our communities.
Just because an idea maybe doesn't by default have seven votes, doesn't mean that it's not that that is not a worthy idea. And I would like to make sure that we are putting just as much legislative effort behind those ideas as those broad consensus ideas.
We need, uh, Democratic Socialist leadership, uh, to fight for this. We need Democratic Socialist leadership to fight for people over profits, uh, we need it at the national level and we need it on, uh, the Minneapolis City Council as well.
My intention, and I believe in conversations with you and a number of colleagues has been for this role as it did in its prior iteration is to reflect the leadership of the political diversity that does exist amongst this body.
I am I am just I don't even I the word it's just escaping me on how I feel that we've been lied to. It is clear that these are this is about parties.
Unfortunately, I do not see the proposal in front of us honoring the charge we were given this morning. Council President Payne, in your email to us last evening, which was the first time several of us saw this structure, you stated, 'We have spent the last few days and weeks in conversation about the council of the structure of the council for the next term.' And you said, 'I have tried to incorporate all member feedback to the best of my ability and this is a reflection of that effort.' So, who is we? I certainly wasn't invited to participate in council in conversations about changes to the structure of the council this term.
My spirit in joining this board was to serve public service... I would love to be vice chair of budget if this body so chose... I have been uh chair of the Admin Finance of the Park Board at various times, vice chair various times, um have always participated in great detail in the Park Board budget, bringing forward amendments almost every year...
My community is just as marginalized disenfranchised if not more than whatever's happening in Ward 8. And these things are very important to my ward, they're very important to me. I was an environmental justice fellow with the City of Minneapolis EJCC for over um, for two terms and still do other work with environmental justice and and the public works and the service the service that has happened in my ward needs some change and it needs to be effective and we need sustainability for our communities across the board but definitely in the Fifth Ward.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Governing document for the city, dictating election procedures, council terms, and lines of succession.
Rules governing the conduct of City Council meetings and operations, including leadership roles.
Official speech by Mayor Frey, received and filed by the clerk.
Establishes the order for assuming the offices of mayor and council president.
City's compilation of laws and regulations.
Defines the structure, leadership, and membership of the Council's committees.
Official schedule for Council and committee meetings.
Updated rules governing council proceedings, incorporating new leadership positions.
Identifies Council members appointed to the Audit Committee.
Postponed item for external appointments.
Ordinance related to wage and salary amendments, referred to Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee.
Ordinance related to rezonings, referred to Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee.
Agreements for MPD accountability, mentioned in President Payne's speech.
Expanded to include height, weight, justice-impacted, and housing status as protected classes.
Mentioned by Council member Chaudry as an example of a 'minority item' that needed effort to pass.