Minneapolis City Council — Transcript

Monday, February 2, 2026

Story

Minneapolis Council Approves 2026 Agenda Amid Federal Immigration Crisis

2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions (State)

Federal Budget Update and Department of Homeland Security Policies

Fourth Quarter Encampment Closure Report (2025)

Votes (1)

2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions; Federal Issues Update (Items 65 & 66)

11-0 Approved

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Wansley [01:02:40] · Seconded by Council Member Payne [01:02:41]

The discussion opened with an overview of the temporary council restructuring due to the federal ICE occupation, setting an urgent tone for state and federal advocacy. The IGR team presented the city's state legislative priorities, covering critical areas such as seeking state aid for economic impacts of ICE, gun violence prevention, public official safety, economic development tools, affordable housing funding (fiscal cliff), and infrastructure improvements. The federal update detailed the partial government shutdown, proposed DHS reforms (e.g., body cameras, mask bans for agents), and federal funding for various programs, noting both flat appropriations and significant one-time infusions to border agencies. Council members engaged in detailed questions, with particular concern for the fiscal cliff related to homelessness and the perceived inadequacy of federal reform proposals.

Notable Quotes (8)

Under this ICE occupation, each part of our city is gripped in the daily hardship faced by people in our neighborhoods. We must be able to show up for them.

Chair Chowry [00:03:00]
2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions; Federal Issues Update (Items 65 & 66)

We anticipate that businesses may be losing as much as 10 to 20 million in revenue a week as this has been going on.

Katie Topinka (Intergovernmental Relations Director) [00:20:00]
2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions; Federal Issues Update (Items 65 & 66)

This fiscal cliff I think last legislative session it was like 13 million and on heading home Henipin where the mayor is a co-chair I serve served we still have to select um who's going to be on our upcoming boards and commissions. This has been a really pressing issue for us as a county because if we hit this fiscal cliff and if we don't fill these services, we lose critical services that are available um for our communities, especially shelters.

Chair Chowry [00:35:10]
2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions; Federal Issues Update (Items 65 & 66)

I just have to say these proposals truly set the bar below hell of what should be expected and demanded of regarding immigration affairs in our country right now. I do not believe how you could live through multiple moments related to policing after hundreds of black people lost their lives and saw these same proposals, similar proposals be used as a response and see the lack of effectiveness in saving black lives from law enforcement at the local level and say, 'Let's apply that to this agency under the Trump administration and be like, that's a good idea.'

Council Member Wansley [00:54:10]
2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions; Federal Issues Update (Items 65 & 66)

The impediment to identifying them is they literally come in as mass thugs and harm our communities. And we don't allow that standard for any other law enforcement agency. the reform efforts has really prried itself on we need to identify the officers. Yeah, you can wear a body cam and possibly still shoot people, but at least we have a body cam to trace that saying you should not be going into communities as a law enforcement agency in full disguise and then evade consequences when you brutalize residents.

Council Member Wansley [00:56:50]
2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy Positions; Federal Issues Update (Items 65 & 66)

So our definition is simple. It's a structure. So one person, one structure, that's an encampment.

Enrique Velasquez (Director of Regulatory Services) [01:07:00]
Fourth Quarter Encampment Closure Report (Item 67)

The first bad news I have to give is that our staff, our homeless response team are seen in the community as snitches... because MPD and because the administration have been ruthless, honestly ruthless at sweeping people out of where they are.

Council Member Stevenson [01:10:00]
Fourth Quarter Encampment Closure Report (Item 67)

We have changed and just try to be mindful of how we come across in community. So, they're cold, our staff are cold. There will be no neck gators, nothing covering your face. wear plain clothes, wear street clothes, wear something that shows that you are not part of any of those federal actions happening...

Enrique Velasquez (Director of Regulatory Services) [01:23:40]
Fourth Quarter Encampment Closure Report (Item 67)

Ordinances & Resolutions (6)

2026 Legislative Agenda and Policy PositionsOther

Comprehensive document outlining the city's priorities for the upcoming state legislative session, including new recommendations.

One Big Beautiful Bill ActOther

Federal legislation mentioned as having infused significant one-time funds into various federal agencies, including CBP and ICE.

Reconciliation Bill (July)Other

Federal legislation that provided significant funding to CBP and ICE.

Bridge to Shelter legislationOther

State legislation providing funding for homeless services, which did not receive funding in the previous session.

Encampment Closure Reporting OrdinanceOrdinance

City ordinance requiring regular reports on encampment closures.

Police Chief's Special OrderOther

Internal police directive on responding to encampments, influencing the decrease in visible encampments.

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