Good morning. We need Laura Melam in the room. I see her just outside the chamber here. Arfield, could you help me get Laura in the room? >> Yeah, I'll uh good morning everyone. My name is Elliot Payne. I'm the president of Minneapolis City Council. Uh before we convene our meeting, we have the presentation of honorary resolutions. I'll invite Council member Palmisano to give the first presentation related to our departing Deputy City Operations Officer at Laura Melam. Welcome. >> Good morning, everybody. Um We're We're here with the first resolution. You have an entourage. I know you do. Come on in. Um we're here this morning to honor Laura Melam, who is one of our first DCOO's, and that's a tough job to step into, and it was I mean, it was defined the way that it was [snorts] defined by the administration, but I don't think you really necessarily know how it functions and what you do, and as the first person in it, you sort of define and charge into that territory um and figure it out, and we think you did an especially thoughtful job in figuring it out. Um and so this resolution is for you. Oh my, you have quite the entourage. Here, I'm going to move down a little. >> [laughter] >> Um this is to honor you Laura for um your leadership and service to the City of Minneapolis. I'll read it, and then maybe a few people want to say a few words. That would be great. Whereas Laura Melamed served the city of Minneapolis with distinction as deputy city operations officer providing strategic leadership over communications, 311 services, intergovernmental relations, neighborhood and in community relations and other key functions that have strengthened the city's ability to dis- to deliver responsive public service. >> [snorts] >> And throughout her tenure, Laura advanced the modernization and centralization of city communications helping transform historically disconnected communication functions into a more strategic, coordinated, and resident-centric model designed to better inform, engage, and build trust with the public. And whereas Laura helped strengthen the city's operational capacity by advancing strategic improvements to 311, supporting enhancements and upgrades at the convention center, and guiding complex cross-departmental initiatives that improve coordination, efficiency, and tangible impact for those that we serve. And whereas Laura drove to drove the city to significantly advance our coordinated public information and emergency communications capabilities as demonstrated in the city's effective response during multiple moments of extraordinary consequence in Minneapolis history, including the tragic Annunciation parish shooting and Operation Metro Surge. And whereas Laura's leadership was marked by strategic vision, professionalism, thoughtful collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to public service, leaving a lasting institutional legacy that will continue and strengthen the city of Minneapolis well into the future. And whereas Laura Melamed now departs the city to pursue a new executive leadership opportunity carrying with her the sincere gratitude, admiration, and best wishes of colleagues, partners, and the broader Minneapolis community. Now therefore be it resolved that the mayor and city council hereby honor you for your dedicated service, steadfast leadership, and meaningful contributions to our city enterprise, and we extend our sincere thanks and best wishes for your continued success in your next chapter. That's a lot of words, Laura. But, I think that what um what I find and what others do is you know, you are our thoughtful approach, and a lot of the things that you've done are pretty invisible because it was really more of these directors of departments, but that does not take anything away from your ability to connect the dots behind the scenes and always be helping us and pushing us forward, and we have been stronger at communications because of you in every way, and that is about how we communicate with the public in good times and in bad. So, thank you so very much. Did you want to say a couple words, and then I'll hand it off to a couple others? >> Well, thank you so much, Council Member, and thank you to the entire City Council. Um it has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve in this leadership role had here at the city in what has been really a pivotal moment for Minneapolis. Um in my time here, we have undertaken a tremendous amount of change in just a few short years. From the outset, we established a shared vision for the communications and engagement team, many of whom are here today. Um and that vision included to operate as a coordinated and a unified team to ensure that residents receive critical information that matters the most to them. And to meet people where they are, no matter the platform, and no matter the language. And it took a lot to make that vision into a reality. We restructured departments, we realigned teams, created new processes, uh we recruited new team members and some new leaders, too. We asked residents how they wanted to connect to their city and we took that feedback very seriously. Um we studied the lessons learned from past shortcomings here and in other places and we trained together over and over and over again. Um and because of that preparation, when our city faced the unimaginable uh the day of the Annunciation shooting and and later the horrific actions that the federal government would take against our own people, this team was ready. Um they knew what to do. They had built the muscle memory. They understood their roles. Um and they spoke with one voice and that was really important to make sure that residents and people around the world knew exactly what was happening here in Minneapolis. That's a testament to all of you, to our department heads, to our incredibly dedicated city staff, to the City Council, and to the mayor for believing in this vision and supporting it. And for that, I'm I'm so forever grateful. Um and in closing, I just I want to rec- recognize that city staff and our elected leaders have endured more in recent years than many will ever face in their entire careers and that takes a toll. Uh but Minneapolis is fortunate to have all of you and your experience that you're bringing every day. I'm profoundly grateful to have worked alongside you. I've learned so much from all of you and I would ask that you take care of each other. Um as I step away, I do so with tremendous pride about what we've accomplished together and with hope in my heart for what comes next for this city because of this excellent team. So, thank you and thank you for this. >> We're going to keep it to one speaker if that's okay, everybody, since they have 10 resolutions this morning and there's going to be opportunities to talk about Laura Moore uh in the coming days. I I don't want to look at her because I know I might get weepy at looking at her. Uh Laura is one of those people who bats above the average, for sure. When she came in here, we actually were vying uh with another department for her when OPS uh was able to snatch her up, and I'm glad we did. Uh her ability to have vision, her ability to communicate, her ability to both think about residents and employees is extraordinary. And as the COO of the city, uh one of the things that we talk about all the time is no surprises. Uh and Laura has really helped us, I think, along that path to have no surprises as we move along from day-to-day. I do want to thank the council as well. These positions were new positions, um and figuring it out together of how the structural work it was really important, and I think we've gotten to a very good place. And you are we're just going to we're not going to try to make someone fit into your shoes. Uh we're going to have to find somebody else with some different shoes, because uh I think it would be impossible. I deeply, deeply, and your team uh and your teammates really appreciate the leadership that you have provided all the way through, the steadiness, uh you know, the gentleness and the kindness that you bring to this role. We are excited that you are staying as a resident of Minneapolis, and uh you know, might be able to serve in different ways now that you're not a city employee. So, we really appreciate you, Laura. Thank you. Every best wish for success as you move forward. >> [applause] >> Here, now I I'm going to have we're going to take a quick picture, but I'm going to need all of you to kind of come around and make a double or triple line, just real quickly here. And Laura, we're giving you this resolution to hold. Put you in the middle. All right, come on. Come on. Next up. Council Member Warren. >> Next we will welcome up Council Member Warren to recognize Kirk Washington Jr. >> Good morning. Today, I will have the honor and privilege of presenting a resolution to um honor the life and legacy of Kirk Washington Jr., affectionately known in our poet community as Bro Sun, the brother of sun and light. So, this is beautiful to be standing here with his wife and to present this in his honor. Um whereas Kirk Washington Jr. was a poet of uncommon vision, a painter of truth across walls and pages, an actor of grace, a teacher of fierce love, an author of insight, and an activist whose every step was a work of art. And whereas he walked this world hand-in-hand with his beloved wife, Esther Nebro, and was a devoted father to two radiant daughters, Aziza and Kia, who carry forward forward his fire and tender and his tenderness. And whereas >> And whereas Kirk Washington Jr. was a weaver of people, a thread that bound strangers into community, believing that building bonds was itself a sacred creative act. And whereas he was a bridge between people, between cultures, between generations, guiding others across divides with courage and compassion, always pointing towards justice and possibility. And whereas his gatherings were more than events, they were living, breathing installations of thought, heart, and transformation where dialogue flowered like music and everyone had a place in the circle. >> And And whereas Kirk left his fingerprints on every soul of Minneapolis as a graffiti artist painting the unseen, a spoken word prophet lifting stories from silence, and a storyteller who could turn memory into movement. And whereas he taught not from behind a podium alone, but from the sidewalks and coffee shops, from corners and classrooms, reminding us all that learning is a lifelong unfolding and wisdom lives in community. And whereas Kirk knew his voice and sang with it, he knew its power and shared it. He knew his worth and helped others find theirs. Kirk was a mirror, a beacon, a source of unshakable inspiration. And >> Whereas though the world may long no longer see him in form, Kirk Washington Jr. remains ever present in the rhythm of North Minneapolis, in its murals, in its movements, in the hearts of all who knew him. And his legacy continues to grow like roots beneath our feet. Now there it be resolved that the mayor and the city of Minneapolis do hereby recognize May 9th, 2026 as Kirk Washington Jr. Day in celebration of his enduring contributions to the city he loved, especially his transformative service to the arts and the Northside community he called home. >> [applause] >> I am not going to say >> You don't want to say >> anything? I just thank you. I'm just inviting all of you to come on Northside May 9th, we going to celebrate his 10 years May Kirk's Day anniversary. I'm cooking Ethiopian food and come on and join me. >> Thank you so much. Thank you so much. >> So in December, there was a street naming in his honor and we didn't have the opportunity to properly celebrate it the way that, you know, we wanted to with the family. So we are going to take tomorrow from 11:00 to 3:00. Saturday Saturday from 11:00 to 3:00, May 9th to celebrate and honor our beloved brother, bro, son and celebrate with his family and his wife and his daughters to really uplift his legacy and and all the community is welcome to be there. Does anybody else want to say anything? Oh, 350 Logan Avenue North. Yeah. No? Okay, well, we'll gather for a photo. >> Everyone from council can join us for the mental health one. >> Next, we will welcome up council member Latrisha Vetaw. >> for mental health awareness week month. So, what we'll do first is read this resolution quickly and then we'll pass it on to our incredible health department staff to say some words about the importance of this day. We're all wearing green and our staff will explain why green is really important today. So, today we're honoring 2026 mental health awareness month. Whereas mental health awareness month is observed every May to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and promote well-being for individuals and communities. Whereas using data from the health trends across community, it is estimated that in 2025 Minneapolis had 123 over 123,000 residents living with diagnosed mental health conditions including anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, PTSD, psychotic disorders, and suicide ideation. And these data underscores the ongoing need for accessible, culturally responsive, and mental health supports and >> Whereas regarding children, it is estimated that in 2025, 6,240 young people under the age of 18 in Minneapolis were living with a diagnosed mental health condition highlighting the importance of early intervention and school-based support. And whereas recent national and local events such as Operation Metro Surge and subsequent community stressors have contributed to increased anxiety, disrupted care, and potential long-term trauma for Minneapolis residents. And >> Whereas the Minneapolis Health Department acknowledges that May is Mental Health Awareness Month with the theme it's to it's time to check in with your mental health. No judgement, just support. And whereas the Minneapolis Health Department seeks to reach all community members with this message with intentional focus on youth and communities disproportionately impacted by mental health inequities including immigrant communities, black, indigenous, and communities of color, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ youth. And >> And whereas the city of Minneapolis is committed to supporting initiatives such as the Minneapolis School Based Clinic Program, which provides in school therapy to thousands of Minneapolis high school students, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which prioritizes mental health services, education, and outreach to ensure all residents have access to the resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. >> And whereas community partnerships, including those with local organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and government agencies are vital in creating a comprehensive system of care that address the mental health needs of all Minneapolis residents. >> Whereas city employees are provided resources to improve their mental well-being, such as the employee assistance program, 10 mental health visits covered by insurance at 100%, access to group and private sessions in a variety on a variety of topics that impact mental well-being, online support, and various mental health resources in the My Health Rewards by Medica program, reinforcing the city's commitment to employee well-being as a core component of organizational health and service delivery. >> Now Now for there would be resolved that the mayor and city council do hereby recognize May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month, and calls upon all residents and employees to join in promoting mental health awareness, understanding, and compassion, while also supporting efforts to expand equitable access to mental health services and resources across our city. >> And Ward 3. >> [applause] >> I'll pass it to our commissioner. If you want to say a few words, then maybe some staff as well. >> Uh thank you, Council Member Chavez. Thank you, City Council. And on behalf of the mayor, uh thank you for recognition and support. Uh all of you know, um from Um, list of of um data that was listed in the resolution. Uh, mental health is um one of the um major components of the work that we do uh both uh within the health department and within the city. Um, this stretches across our kids, uh our communities, um from old to young. And so, we appreciate this time that you've taken to recognize the work that we've done. And I'd be remiss without saying congratulations and thank you to uh my outstanding team here for the support that they give us through our school-based clinics and our medical mobile unit. So, thank you. >> Would you all like to say a few words? You all really helped us draft this. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Well, just thank you all. We'll pose for a photo and then we'll get going. Next, we will recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Councilmember Chaudhry and Councilmember Chucktai. >> Hey. Hey, Tates. See you. in the green >> Good morning. See you again this year. So sorry. So sorry. >> All right. Good morning. This is honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the City of Minneapolis. Whereas Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a month-long celebration in May that celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. And whereas AANHPI communities consist of approximately 15 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages with connections among people in Minneapolis, including but not limited to Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Pakistani, Thai, Vietnamese ancestries. And whereas over the past five decades, thousands of refugees and asylum seekers from Asian countries and cultures have resettled in Minnesota, including Hmong refugees since the 1970s, Vietnamese refugees since the 1980s, and the Karen refugees since the early 2000s, as well as Lao, Cambodian, Burmese, and other Asian communities who have contributed to the state's cultural fabric. And whereas May reminds us to celebrate and honor our AANHPI community members, past and present, and the beautiful ways that they contribute to and enrich our daily lives in Minneapolis. Whereas May commemorates two important early dates in AANHPI history. The arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7th, 1843. That's today. And the completion of the transcontinental railroad largely built by Chinese immigrants on May 10th, 1869. And whereas May provides a time to reflect on the challenging history of the AANHPI communities across different ethnicities. During the past nearly two centuries, AANHPI community members have faced countless acts of discrimination and endured traumatic events, including but not limited to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871, the invasion of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, the 1917 and 1924 immigration laws that effectively ended immigration from Asia until 1965, the British-led partition of India, US military aid in the Bangladeshi genocide of 1971, and then incarceration over of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War World War upheld in Korematsu versus the United States, the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982, and the spike of anti-Asian hate and violence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. And whereas most recently members of the AANHPI community were negatively impacted and targeted by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge, undermining their safety, well-being, and the ability to feel secure in their lives. And whereas throughout history the AANHPI community have often been subjected to the perception of being perpetual foreigners, disregarding their deep roots and enduring contributions to American society. And whereas the pervasive myth of the AANHPI community being the model minority, especially individuals of East Asian and South Asian descent, which has inaccurately portrayed this community as being universally successful, masking the significant socioeconomic disparities and challenges faced by many within the diverse AANHPI community, minimizing the reality of racism and discrimination. And whereas the rise of anti-Asian sentiment and rhetoric has resulted in a surge of hate crimes and discrimination targeting the AANHPI community, perpetuating fear in these communities. And whereas despite these challenges, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have persevered and made significant contributions to the American social, economic, and cultural fabric of the United States. And whereas AANHPI communities have contributed greatly to the arts, music, literature, business, science, technology, government, and social movements enriching the cultural and civic life of Minneapolis and beyond. And whereas organizations such as the Coalition again the Coalition of Asian American Leaders or CAAL, Future for Us, Serving Asian Indian Family Wellness or SEWA, and the SEED Project nurtures civic leadership, creative expression, and social justice for AANHPI communities across Minneapolis and Minnesota. And whereas AANHPI entrepreneurs have strengthened Minneapolis' economy, opening businesses that serve diverse neighborhoods and contribute to the vibrancy of the city's markets and cultural corridors. And whereas artists, educators, and leaders from AANHPI communities have expanded the understanding of shared histories and built intergenerational bridges in Minneapolis and across Minnesota. And whereas Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders are among the fastest growing racial groups in the United States and account for about 7.5% of the city of Minneapolis population when considering individuals who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander either alone or as part of their multicultural identity. >> Amazing. Oh, you left the last part for me, Council Member. Thank you. Okay. I was like, why isn't anyone clapping? Hello. >> [laughter] >> Now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and City Council do hereby recognize the month of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and celebrate the rich cultural diversity and contributions of these communities. There we go. I just want to extend a deep gratitude to our amazing city employees here with us who lead the ERG for our AA and HPI community in Minneapolis and helped with this resolution and I just wanted to offer to one of you to give some remarks to close us out if you would like. Thank you, Jimmy. >> Hi there. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Council Member Chughtai and Council Member Chowdhury. Uh today is a wonderful day. Um I I'd also like to mention that we have uh another event later this month on May 28th uh starting at 1:00. We'll have our uh uh AA and HPI Heritage Month potluck. Everybody is welcome to join. Uh come by, say hi, and get some uh really delicious food. Thank you, everyone. >> Thank you. Awesome. Let's stand for a picture. >> Next, we will recognize Older Adults Month, and I will be presenting that. Thank you. Good morning. Oh, hi. Good morning. Okay. >> [laughter] >> We are recognizing May 2026 as Older Adults Month in the City of Minneapolis. Whereas, the City of Minneapolis is home to a diverse community of older adults who deserve recognition for their lifetime contributions to ensure a better life for future generations. And whereas, the City of Minneapolis is committed to being a premier location for older adults, helping all individuals thrive in the communities of their choice for as long as possible. And whereas, in 2015, the City of Minneapolis was the first city in in state of Minnesota to receive the age friendly community designation from AARP in partnership with the World Health Organization. And whereas more than 100,000 people in Minneapolis are over the age of 50 or 30% of the city's population. The projection from the state of Minnesota's demographers office predicts this population segment will continue to grow and >> whereas to praise to raise awareness of the problems facing seniors and to honor them then President Kennedy proclaimed May as Senior Citizen Month. Two years later in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Older Americans Act of 1965 and formally declared May as Older Americans Month. Currently, the nation continues to observe Older Americans Month OAM and whereas the city of Minneapolis continues to celebrate voices and contributions of our deserved community of older adults together in May 2026 and beyond. And whereas the city created the Minneapolis Senior Citizen Advisory Committee in December of 1981 to ensure our older adults have a voice in our city government. In 2015, the committee was reestablished as the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on aging and is the lead committee for our city of Minneapolis for a lifetime age friendly action plan and >> whereas the city will continue to provide opportunities to enrich the lives of individuals for all ages by promoting the and engaging in an activity, wellness, and social inclusion emphasizing home and community-based services that support independent living and ensuring community members of all ages benefit from the contributions and experiences of older adults. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and city council do hereby recognize May 2026 as older adults month in the city of Minneapolis. We urge every resident to take this uh to take time this month to celebrate older adults and the people who serve and support them as powerful and vital individuals who greatly contribute to the community. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Go ahead. >> Is it working? Okay, great. Well, thank you so much to the council um for honoring elders in Minneapolis. Like I always remind folks, we're all aging, so what we're doing here is going to be around for generations. So, I'm just so honored. My name is Bill Zeedman. I'm with Trellis, your metropolitan area agency on aging. Um what we do Is it not on? Thank you. What we do is actually uh it was mentioned about the OAA funds. What we do is we administer the OAA funds for the seven-county region, uh fund about 35 agencies, $14 million uh to ensure that there is food out there, transportation, housing, and support for all our aging folks. Um and uh I'm going to pass it on to Diana. >> Hi, I'm Diana Schleisman. I'm the executive director of Southeast Seniors. I'm a lifelong Minneapolitan as was my dad and I'm proud to be a Minneapolitan and looking forward to staying here for the rest of my life. So, thank you so much for this resolution and uh I'll pass it to Maya. >> Hi, my name is Maya Bremer and I'm the chair of the Advisory Committee on Aging. And I was a young person in Minneapolis. I've been a lifelong Northeast Minneapolis resident and I am so happy to be able to age in the city that thinks this way about their seniors. So, thank you. >> [applause] >> Shall we take a photo? What's next? >> Next we will recognize Community Action Month with Council member Vita, Warren, and Whiting. >> Well, good morning everyone. Myself and my colleagues are going to recognize May 2026 as Community Action Month in Minneapolis. We're joined by Dr. Clarence Hightower who is the executive director of Cap HC and this is a regular thing for us. We love to talk about the great work that Dr. Hightower and his team over at Cap are doing. I'm fortunate that I get to sit on the board of Cap HC and so does Council member Whiting. So, I'm going to start off and then we can share. Um, so today we're recognizing May 26th as Community Action Month in Minneapolis. Whereas Community Action creates pathways to prosperity by helping hardworking families achieve economic independence rather than keeping them reliant on government assistance. And whereas Community Action is built on innovation, responsive and efficient program that are uniquely tailored to meet local needs. >> Whereas Community Action delivers high-impact, cost-effective results that generate a significant return on investment for local communities. And whereas Community Action prepares and connects individuals to private sector jobs to support the local economy. And >> Whereas Community Action agencies are trusted pillars of the community that engage volunteers who donate their time to advance local progress, support working families, and contribute to lasting community success. And whereas Community Action programs deliver effective high-quality assistance that strengthens community resilience and fosters local prosperity. And >> And whereas 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County's founding in 1986. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and city council do hereby recognize May 2026 as Community Action Month in recognition of the hard work and dedication of all Community Action organizations, including CAP-HC. You want to say something? >> Thank thank you so much for this proclamation and recognition. Uh, on behalf of our board and our staff and those that we serve, we are we're just humbled for this opportunity to receive this. We're so appreciative of you and Council member Whiting and serving on the board and providing that leadership. Thank you so much for that. One of the things that I just want to quickly mention is that each year we serve about 11,000 Minneapolis residents in our various services. So, thank you again so very much. >> Thank you. And I just want to give a plug for those various services, Dr. Hightower. That is rental assistance, assistance with car repairs, assistance with finding jobs, a utility assistance. Dr. Hightower is very humble, but they do a lot of work at CAP-HC to make sure that our families have what they need. They were on the front lines of making sure people were housed during the ice surge. And so, thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your fast response. I know those applications went up tremendously and you and your team did a fantastic job of making sure that our families were served in a timely manner. Thank you, Dr. Hightower. >> [laughter] >> And finally, we will recognize Cinco de Mayo with Council member Chavez. >> Hello. Awesome. So, we're today we're recognizing the historical significance of Dia de la Batalla de Puebla, the Mexican holiday known as Cinco de Mayo. Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5th, 1862, which was the day the Mexicans were victorious over the French at the Batalla de Puebla. And whereas the victory of Mexico over France at Puebla represented the strength, resiliency, and courage of Mexicans to defend their own community. And whereas sacrifices made by Mexican spending European forces were instrumental in keeping Mexico from falling under European domination. And >> Whereas the Battle of Puebla Puebla Puebla was fought by indigenous people who fought against one of the most powerful nations in the world. Whereas Cinco de Mayo represents the victory and the survival of the Mexican population. And whereas 1/3 of the United States belonged to Mexico. But before that acquisition, our ancestors freely crossed the Rio Grande when there was no border. And whereas the foundation of the United States was created by individuals from diverse countries and cultures willing to sacrifice their lives for freedom, and >> whereas the celebration of Cinco de Mayo provides an opportunity to celebrate and experience Mexican culture in the United States, to demonstrate cultural pride, and to highlight the contributions and influence of language, culture, and traditions by Mexicans and individuals of Mexican ancestry, and whereas Mexican Minnesotans make up the third largest cultural group in Minnesota with 213,800 residents, and whereas Mexican culture, ingenuity, and traditions, including those that originated from Puebla, Mexico, are part of the social fabric of the city of Minneapolis, and whereas Plaza Mexico will be hosting its fifth Sorry, hosting its Cinco de Mayo festival on Lake Street and Portland Ave South to Lake Street and Second Ave South on May 10th, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> Now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and city council of the city of Minneapolis do hereby recognize the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo and the importance of Mexican community in Minneapolis and Minnesota, and encourage residents of the city of Minneapolis to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and learn more about the rich history and culture of the Mexican community in here in our city and our state. And we really want to make sure that folks are able to come to uh the events this weekend of Cinco de Mayo on Lake Street. It's really important, hosted by folks at Plaza Mexico. These are our small business owners who have really been struggling from Operation Metro Surge, who have been struggling for a couple years, who we really want to show up and support. Uh as someone my parents are from Puebla, Mexico, so it's an important holiday for us to celebrate about how a small little town like Puebla was able to prevent our land from being stolen. So just really want to acknowledge the importance of this holiday for us. And we have folks from Plaza Mexico here today, folks from our community where I really want to acknowledge and if they would like to say a few words as well. Yeah, my name is Ghi. I have a flower shop at Plaza Mexico. Oh, at Plaza Mexico and I own a shop there. We are more than 53 business owner. Sorry, my English is a little Okay. We are more than 53 businesses, small business there and we are here to support and trying to we can you can show up and go to our business to support us. Everything is a struggling but I know we are community we can be better and stronger and a strong economy. We are so happy to be here and We have a lot some of my colleagues and they can share some to you guys too. Thank you. We share everything. >> [laughter] >> No money for rent. >> Plaza Mexico Plaza Mexico Plaza Mexico compone Plaza Mexico negocios comunidad variedad consumo Sin embargo año afectado perdida 90% ventas en 90% negocios Metro vino miedo en nuestra comunidad sino vino romper la economía que se tenía formada totalmente negocios las ayudas ofrecido no ha sido suficiente negocios recibido absolutamente nada para poder los gastos acumulados generaron en estos dificultad nos gustaría nuestro negocios para ustedes ya que parte consejo la ciudad y tener importancia que nuestra siguiera y estable como considera la ciudad Minneapolis sino en general Gracias esperamos escuchados apoyados >> I'm going to try to read this to interpret what she said. Uh, good morning everyone. Uh, Operation Metro Surge impacted the city and our small businesses at Plaza Mexico who have been impacted drastically. And the economy of our small businesses have been impacted. At Plaza Mexico, we are more than 53 small businesses, many of whom have been here for over 20 years. And knowing that Plaza Mexico, this building, has many small businesses and services for our community, we would like to see a variety of options for our communities. In fact, uh, this year we have lost over 90% of our revenue and 90% of our small businesses have been impacted from Operation Metro Surge because of the fear that our community has been through. Uh, the help that has been offered has not really been going to all of our small businesses in uh, our Plaza Mexico. And we would like for us to get more support to address the support for our small businesses. We would like to hear We would like for our community members to feel like we are being heard and for the City Council to hear us as well. Uh, we also wanted to read the resolution in Spanish because obviously our community is is hearing this, but uh, we have folks that want to read the resolution in Spanish, too, so. >> Reconocimiento reconocimiento la importancia del historia de Día de la Batalla de Puebla. La festividad mexicana del 5 de mayo. Considerando que la festividad del 5 de mayo conmemora el 5 de mayo de 19 de 1862, fecha en la que los mexicanos resultaron victoriosos sobre los franceses en la Batalla de Puebla. Y considerando que la victoria de México sobre Francia en Puebla representaba la fortaleza, la resiliencia y el valor de los mexicanos para defender a su propia comunidad. Y considerando que los sacrificios realizados por los mexicanos al combatir a la Europeas Fueron fundamentales para evitar que México Dominación Europea Y considerando que la batalla de Puebla Que lucharon contra una de las naciones más poderosas del mundo Y considerando que el 5 de mayo representa la victoria y la supervivencia de la población mexicana Y considerando que una tercera parte de los Estados Unidos pertenecía a México Pero antes de la de dicha de Adquisición Nuestros antepasados cruzaban libremente el Río Grande Cuando aún no existía una frontera Y considerando que los cimientos de los Estados Unidos fueron establecidos por individuos Provenientes de diversos países y culturas Dispuestos a sacrificar sus vidas En aras de la libertad Y considerando que la celebración del 5 de mayo Brinda la oportunidad de celebrar y reconocer la cultura mexicana en los Estados Unidos De demostrar orgullo Cultura y destacar las contribuciones y la influencia del idioma La cultura y las tradiciones aportadas por mexicanos y por las personas De ausencia mexicana de ascendencia mexicana Y considerando que los habitantes de Minnesota De origen mexicano con constituyen el tercer grupo cultural más Numeroso del estado Con una población de 213,800 residentes Y considerando que la cultura El ingenio y las tradiciones mexicanas incluidas aquellas originadas de Puebla México Forman parte parte del tejido social de la ciudad de Minneapolis Y considerando que Plaza México será anfitriona de su festival 5 de mayo El cual se llevará a cabo a lo >> [applause] >> We're going to take a quick photo over here. And thanks so much. Okay. >> Thank you, everyone. At this time, I'm going to call our regular meeting of the City Council for May 7th to order. The clerk will call the roll. >> Council member Stevenson. >> Present. >> Council member Rainville. >> Present. >> Council member Vita. >> Present. >> Council member Mosana. >> Present. >> Council member Chavez. >> Present. >> Council member Warren. >> Present. >> Council member Schafer. >> Present. >> Council member Wansley. >> Present. >> Council member Shugart. Is absent. Council member Whiting. >> Present. >> Council member Chaudhry. >> Present. >> Vice President Osman. >> Present. >> President Payne. >> Present. There are 12 members present. >> Let the record reflect that we have a quorum. Before we begin the meeting, let me remind all members and staff that this meeting is broadcast to enable greater public participation. The broadcast includes real-time captioning as a means to increase the accessibility of our proceedings to the community. Therefore, all speakers need to be mindful of the rate of their speech so our capturers can fully capture and transcribe all comments for the broadcast. We ask all speakers to moderate the speed and clarity of their comments. With that, the agenda for today's meeting is before us. Are there any amendments to the agenda? Uh >> Wait. >> Council member Chaudhry. >> Thank you, President Payne. I have an amendment to the agenda. It should be before you. I'm grabbing it so I can present it to you all. So, I move to amend the agenda to include uh gift acceptance um under the new order of new business from Local Progress for myself to attend um Local Progress's Federal Deployment Convening in Los Angeles from May 18th to 20th and I will ask for a second. >> Second. >> Uh, Councilmember Chaudhry has moved to amend the agenda. That's been seconded. Uh, are there any other amendments? Also recognize uh, note we've been Note we've been joined by um, Councilmember Chuck Thai. Any other amendments? Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on the agenda as amended. >> Councilmember Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Vita. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Pamanasana. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chavez. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warren. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Schaefer. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Wansley. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shug Thai. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Whiting. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chaudhry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and the agenda is adopted. The next item is acceptance of the minutes from our adjourned meeting of April 22nd and our regular meeting of April 23rd. May I have a motion to accept those minutes? >> So moved, second. >> The clerk will call the roll. >> Councilmember Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Vita. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Pamanasana. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chavez. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warren. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Schaefer. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Wansley. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shug Thai. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Whiting. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chaudhry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and the minutes of the accepted Finally, we have the referral of petitions, communications, and reports to proper committees. May I have that motion, please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> The clerk will call the roll. >> Councilmember Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Vita. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Pamanasana. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chavez. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warren. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Schaefer. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Wansley. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shug Thai. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Whiting. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chaudhry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 eyes. >> That carries and those matters have been referred. Uh I'll note that the mics are a little bit hard to pick up, so make sure you get them close and speak very loudly into them. Uh the next order of business is the presentation of reports from our standing committees. Those are taken in alphabetical order beginning with the report of our budget committee given by that committee's chair, Council Member Chughtai. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The Budget Committee is bringing forward two items for the body's consideration today. Item number one approves the 2026 Consolidated Action Plan Budget Adjustments, and item number two amends the 2026 General Appropriations Resolution to roll over unspent 2025 appropriations largely um in the uh in the uh funds outside of the general fund. I will move approval of these items and um happy to answer any questions. >> Council Member Chughtai has moved approval of the committee's report. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I will ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Council Member Stevenson. >> I. >> Council Member Rainville. >> I. >> Council Member Vita. >> I. >> Council Member Palmisano. >> I. >> Council Member Chavez. >> I. >> Council Member Warren. >> I. >> Council Member Scheffer. >> I. >> Council Member Wansley. >> I. >> Council Member Chughtai. >> I. >> Council Member Whiting. >> I. >> Council Member Chaudhry. >> I. >> Vice President Osman. >> I. >> President Payne. >> I. >> There are 13 eyes. >> That carries and the report is adopted. Next, the report of Business, Housing, and Zoning given by that committee's chair, Vice President Osman. >> Thank you, Council President. Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee will be bringing is bringing 12 items forward today. Item one is approves three liquor license. Item two approves 26 liquor license renewals. Item three approves two gambling license. Item four approves two gambling license renewals. Item five approves amended guideline for the fire prevention storefront initiative. Item six authorized master contract for public arts. Managers item seven accepts a bid for carpet replacement for Minneapolis Convention Center. Item eight authorized a contract amendment for the Minneapolis Convention Center um pizza project. Item nine is a contract amendment with Meet Minneapolis. I want to note staff has been working with the council for revised staff report which is printed and also there will there is also a a motion to amend that. Item 10 approves street renaming in honor of officer Jamal Mitchell for Blaisdell to Blaisdell Avenue. Item 11 authorized an updated agreement with Cowles Center. And lastly item 12 is the Young Cook House appeal. This item was forwarded without recommendation. And with that I'll move all I items for approval except nine, 10, and 12. And thank you so much for separate vote as well. Thank you so much. >> Uh Vice President Osman has moved approval of the committee report minus items nine, 10, and 12. Is there any discussion on the remainder of the report? Uh Council member Rainville. >> Thank you President. I'd like to speak to number 20. I don't think we need a separate vote but I would like to speak to that. >> Uh we'll take that up right after we finish the rest of the consent. Um Council member Chughtai. >> [snorts] >> Uh thank you Mr. President. I am hoping to I'm in queue to speak on item number 10 so we can wait till we dispose of the remainder of the consent agenda. >> Okay. Uh seeing no one else left in queue, I will ask the clerk to call the roll on all items except 9, 10, and 12. >> Council member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council member Vitale. >> Aye. >> Council member Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Council member Chavez. >> Aye on all except seven, sorry. >> Council member Warren. >> Aye. >> Council member Schaefer. >> Aye. >> Council member Wansley. >> Aye on all except seven. >> Council member Shugart. >> Um aye on all items except number seven. >> Council member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council member Chaudry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes on the report except for item number seven, which has 10 ayes and three nays. >> Uh those items carry. Uh colleagues, I am going to recommend that we take up item number 10 first as we have the family in the audience. Um and I will recognize uh Vice President Osman. >> Thank you so much, Council President. I am uh here to speak on item 10. I want to honor Officer Jamal Mitchell and deep sacrifice he made for this city. Officer Jamal Mitchell gave his life while protecting our community. His actions show the courage, dedication, and compassion he carried every day. To his family who are here with us today, I want to say our community sees you. We share in your grief. The loss you carry is something no family should ever have to bear. And we are grateful for the service and bravery that Officer Mitchell shared with all of us. Recognizing his life in a public and lasting way is meaningful way for us to remind us the value he embeds he embedded services and commitments and love for the people of Minneapolis. It gives me our it gives our city a last a place to pause, reflect, and remember the man who gave so much to our city. Thank you so much for being here. I will approve this item for approval. I'm before that before my colleagues speak on this item also if with no objection if there's I would like to give uh suspend the rules and give our chief Arradondo an opportunity to speak and I'll let hand it to you Council President. >> If if there's no objection, Chief. Council President, Council Vice President, members, thank you. Um Tory, um there is not a day that goes by that Jamal is forgotten. He's remembered literally every single day. I know um for all of us um every time I go past Blaisdell Avenue and Franklin Avenue, I say a prayer. Um and I hope that today because of the action of this City Council it will provide some solace to you. This this city for years and years and years, for everyone who goes past that intersection, will know that the name Jamal Mitchell represents a hero. That is a man who stepped forward when everyone else was fleeing to do a difficult job. And he lived his life every single day for the people of this community uh in a way that lives up to the very highest expectations that we could possibly have for a public servant right to the minute of his death. And so thank you so much Council member Chughtai, all the members of the council who who have brought this forward so that everyone will know for years and years and years that the name Jamal Mitchell represents a true hero. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Council member Chughtai. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um want to thank uh Chief O'Hara for his work in bringing forward this commemorative street renaming for this this section of Blaisdell Avenue that um that that has really truly redefined the the history of uh and the story of this part of our community. Um and I think it's a really important thing to uh be commemorating the loss of of a city employee, of a young city employee, someone who um who who saw public service in the way that that Officer Mitchell did. Um and and really meant it. Um I want to share some words uh from a few of the folks that have helped pull together uh this uh this commemorative renaming. Um and so I have I'm going to just share a a statement from uh Ms. Johnson who is the founder and president of the Minneapolis Honor Guard and Color Guard Foundation. Uh their mission is to honor the departed and comfort the bereaved um and it is uh it's work that I know is deeply personal to them as well and um can can share in the experience uh the tragic experience of losing um losing your loved one in this way. So with us today is uh Tory Miss LaCheck, the life partner of Officer Jamal Mitchell, whose memory will be honoring by the renaming of a portion of Blaisdell Avenue. Also with us are Tory and Jamal's children, Jaylen, Kayden, and Mason. And Tory's mom, Terry. Thank you for being here. We are so proud of Jamal for his heroism, his decency, and his kindness. Jamal was a well-respected officer and he was much loved by his family, his friends, and his colleagues. He was a friendly and caring person whom the children of the Fifth Precinct trusted and looked up to. And of course, Tory and their children to Tory and their children, Jamal was the whole world. We're grateful to Mayor Frey, to Chief O'Hara, and to members of the City Council for helping us to honor the life and sacrifice of Officer Jamal Mitchell, badge 4819, end of watch May 30th, 2024. Thank you very much. Um and we're grateful to have you with us today. >> Councilmember Ringel. >> Uh thank you. Just briefly, I wanted to express my gratitude for the family coming here today and uh I agree so much with the chief. Jamal was a hero and uh whether it was uh reaching out to help an unknown victim, uh driving into that unknown dangerous circumstance, and being assassinated. Uh even as he started his career, he entered a a very dangerous situation of fire and saved two lives. This just is a uh an unfortunate example of what our police officers face every day. Uh Jamal rose to the occasion and this very appropriate for us to rename that street so everybody knows going into the future what a true hero he was. Thank you. >> Councilmember Schafer. >> I'll just say May 30th is forever in my calendar as a reminder of what Jamal Mitchell gave to all of us. And the greatest sacrifice that he gave. I believe his life will continue to motivate us all. To reflect on how we daily are giving back. How we daily are sacrificing for the needs of those around us. So thank you to his family. Um his memory will forever live on. >> Council member Whiting. >> Thank you, Chair Payne. Um it just want to a note to to you, Tory. I got to know Officer Mitchell about a few months prior to May 30th. And in in my job previously to this job was finding those that embodied what it was to be to to be a good officer. And Jamal was one of those folks. I was like, "Hey, this is this is a guy that we need to make sure is what a Minneapolis police officer should embody." And and getting to know him right here, I had just gotten engaged at the time. He was similar in that way. And I was asking him, "Hey, what what am I supposed to do? How do I plan a wedding?" >> [laughter] >> He gave me a lot of really good advice. But just know there are a lot a lot of people that are very lucky to have have encountered your fiance, your partner. A lot of us are better for it. So thank you for for sharing him with us. >> Council member Chughtai. >> Thank you, President Payne. Um I'll keep my remarks brief. I think my council colleagues have just put it very very well today. I just want to thank Officer Jamal Mitchell for his service and thank his family for being such a big support system to him. Um and I am so deeply sorry for your loss, Tory. And to Jaylen, Caden, and Mason. Um it's really good to just chat with you before this meeting. Um thank you so much for sharing about the things that you're excited about right now, the Timberwolves, the necklace that you got from your best friend. Um and I just want to say I know it's really, really tough to lose a parent and a loved one, and I just want to say to you you have a whole community of people that have your back. You are some amazing kiddos and we're super invested in your future. And I just want to encourage you to never give up and just keep on fighting for that bright future ahead. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Uh I must abstain. >> On the motion by Vice President Osmund to approve this item, I want to make sure there's a second. >> Second. >> The clerk will call the roll. >> Councilmember Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Vita. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chavez. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warren. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shaffer. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warsame. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shabazz Tay. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Whiting. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chughtai. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osmund. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries. And we will now take up item number nine. Is there any discussion on this item? Councilmember Warsame. >> Thank you, President Payne. Um I know this prompted some conversation in the uh business committee in regards um to the stipulations of um the unearned incentives attached to Meet Minneapolis. Um and in terms of uh which I think Councilmember Chavez will speak to it in his resolution, uh the delegation of of decision-making regarding how those funds get expended by the COO and also through a follow-up staff meeting or memo that we receive from Jeff Johnson who helps oversee the convention center and made it very clear that that type of delegation would be in place around where this funding goes for the next 3 years. So, in really productive conversations with both COO Margaret Anderson Kalerher as well as Jeff Johnson, we were able to modify this agreement so that the COO will be able to work with Minneapolis to give them the $400,000 in unearned incentives with 200,000 of that going to Taste Minnesota and then I'll again let Council Member Chavez speak to the intent of the other remaining 200,000, but that will make sure that operations can proceed forward for the rest of this year and then we'll revisit the other aspects in subsequent meetings because that would mean $3 million would be decided just unilaterally by the COO if we had approved the original amendments and those dollars in the proposals with them would not have necessarily come back for Council review. So, I'm glad that we were able to get to place of agreement on this and this amendment reflects that. So, I will move this item forward for approval as for a second. >> Second. >> Council Member Warsame has moved this item for approval as amended, correct? Okay. And that's been properly seconded. Council Member Chavez. >> Thank you, President Payne. I have a motion. I'm trying to figure out the best process here if we want to move it together or separately. Together? Okay. I can speak to it if if I'm if I may. There's a motion I'm attaching and after conversations with our COO as well, this motion I'll just read it for the public. It says the administration must report to the City Council on the potential use of any remaining incentive funds beyond those specifically permitted as activities promoting Minneapolis as a tourist or event destination pursuant to the contract amendment with Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association. So basically, you know, I think um we want to make sure that there's a report to the council on how the money would be used. Oh, and I forgot to read the last part before any such funds are spent. And I think that's important. I think in the Business Housing and Zoning Committee, we talked about uh how that money is going to be used. Council Member Warsame and myself, you know, have talked about like what about cultural events, other events, you know, even in downtown, how it could benefit our communities. So, really wanted to just bring this forward so there can still be conversations and a report to the City Council. Uh the COO has committed to talking to us on how the money could be used, but wanted to put this into writing. >> Council Member Chavez has moved to amend the underlying motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Uh and with that objection, we'll just take it up as a full package. And I'll recognize Vice President Osman. >> Yeah, uh thank you. As the chair of Biz, I uh want to speak about what what my colleagues say, uh which is um they did the work and talked to COO and Director Jeff Johnson, and they did give the go-ahead on this. And also, I think they're just promoting um uh businesses to come here and making sure that the state of Minnesota uh is coming and we we're getting the traffic in our city is very, very important. So, uh I'm committed to um really supporting that vision uh the CEO has uh so thanks a lot. >> Council Member Warsame. >> Thank you, Council President. Um I just wanted um support the things that my colleagues are saying, and then for everyone to keep in mind that these are um remaining incentive funds, and that we're hoping that we don't have remaining incentive funds in the future, that those are able to really go to support the hard work that um that our our activities and and you know, the tourist events and things like that really ramp up in the city and downtown comes alive the way that we've known for it to be in previous, but we do want to make sure that we have, you know, while we have this this change, that we can and reflect multiple changes in the downtown and supporting a multitude of different cultural events and activities to really meet Minneapolis where it's at um with all of the beautiful resolutions that we put forth today. We have a multitude of community that, you know, deserves to be celebrated in so many ways and so I would just really love to to see that and highlight that while we got while we got this little change that we got. So, and that's it. Thank you. The end. >> With that, uh we I see no one else have to queue and I'll ask the clerk to call the roll on item number nine as amended. >> Council member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council member Vita. >> Aye. >> Council member Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Council member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council member Warren. >> Aye. >> Council member Sheafe. >> Aye. >> Council member Wonsley. >> Aye. >> Council member Chughtai. >> Aye. >> Council member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council member Chaudhary. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 eyes. >> That item carries. Finally, we will take up item number 12, which is the certificate of appropriateness appeal for 1717 Developers LLC, 948 18th Avenue Northeast, also known as the Cook House. Um I am actually going to make a motion that we hold this for a cycle. There's been a lot of conversations between the parties. I've been working with the chair of Biz to try to get to a resolution that works for both the current owner and prospective owners within the community and we just need a little bit more time. Sounds like there's a lot of agreement. I see a lot of head nodding. So my my motion is to um hold this for one more cycle and may I get a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion on this? Seeing none, I will ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Council member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council member Vetaw. >> Aye. >> Council member Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Council member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council member Warren. >> Aye. >> Council member Sheafe. >> Aye. >> Council member Warsame. >> Aye. >> Council member Shugart. >> Aye. >> Council member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council member Ellison. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Bender. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and we will take up that item at our next regularly scheduled council meeting. The next report is from our climate and infrastructure committee which will be presented by that committee's chair, Council member Warsame. >> Thank you, President Bender. The C and I committee has eight items to bring forward. The first is resolutions related to the project approval and assessment, the 27th Avenue Northeast resurfacing project. Number two is resolutions related for the project approval assessment and area way abandonment for the University Avenue Southeast and Fourth Street Southeast reconstruction project. Three is accepting a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency planning grant for North Minneapolis flood mitigation projects feasibility evaluation. Number four is accepting a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency planning grant for East Minneapolis flood mitigation projects feasibility evaluation. Number five is resolution related to gift acceptance from the National Association of city transportation officials. Number six is accepting a low bid for 26th Street East and Hiawatha Avenue safety improvement project. Number seven is accepting a low bid for Whittier safe routes to school phase two project. And number eight is accepting a low bid for the construction of Nicollet Avenue irrigation system. And I'll move the full report for approval. >> Councilmember Warsame has moved approval of the committee's report. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I will ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Councilmember Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Vita. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chavez. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warren. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Sheaf. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warsame. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shukhtari. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Wedding. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chughtai. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and the report is adopted. Next we'll have the report from our committee of the whole given by that committee's chair, Councilmember Chughtai. >> Thank Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee of the Whole will be bringing forward four items today. Item number one approves a firearms regulation ordinance. Item number two approves a resolution supporting the study for new passenger rail corridors. Item number three approves a gift acceptance resolution for President Payne. And lastly, item number four approves a resolution honoring Cinco de Mayo. With that, I will move all items for approval. >> Councilmember Chughtai has moved the committee report for approval. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Councilmember Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Vetaw. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chavez. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warren. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Scheafer. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warsame. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shugart. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Whiting. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Ellison. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Bender. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and the report is adopted. Next is the report of our Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee, which will be presented by its chair, Councilmember Palmisano. >> Mr. President, I'm going to ask Councilmember Whiting to read this report as he conducted the meeting. >> Councilmember Whiting. >> Thank you, President Bender. Um the ELR Committee has four items to bring forward today. Number one is the passage of a resolution amending the designation of polling locations for 2026. Number two is a contract amendment with Guidehouse Inc. to conduct comparable jurisdiction research. Number three is a legal settlement for workers' compensation claim of Rita Duran. Number four is a gift gift acceptance from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Project on Municipal Innovation. I will move to approve the full report. >> Councilmember Whiting has moved approval of the committee's report. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Councilmember Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Rainville. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Vetaw. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Chavez. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warren. >> Aye on all except one. >> Councilmember Scheafer. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Warsame. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Shugart. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Whiting. >> Aye. >> Councilmember Ellison. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes on the report except for number one, which has 12 ayes and one nay. >> That carries and that completes the committee report. Finally, we have the Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee, which will be presented by that committee's chair, Council Member Chavez. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee will be bringing forward seven items. Item number one authorizes a contract amendment with various vendors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Item number two approves a high-density drug trafficking areas program grant for regional drug threats. Item number three is a gift acceptance from Big Cities Health Coalition. Item number four is a gift acceptance from Pennsylvania Career Law School. Item number five approves a first responder pilot legislative directive. Item number six authorizes a contract with Restorative Justice Community Action for restorative justice program services. Item number seven authorizes a joint powers agreement with Hennepin County for provision of social worker services. I'm moving approval of these items. >> Council Member Chavez has moved approval of the committee report. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. >> [snorts] >> Council Member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council Member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council Member Vito. >> Aye. >> Council Member Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council Member Warren. >> Aye. >> Council Member Scheffer. >> Aye. >> Council Member Lawson. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chughtai. >> Aye. >> Council Member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chaudry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and the report is adopted and that completes the reports of our standing committees. The next order of business is notice of ordinance introductions. We have two notices today. First, Council Members Chaudry, Chavez, and Chughtai give notice of intent to introduce at the next regular meeting of the City Council the subject matter of an ordinance amending the housing code removing provisions mandating regular reporting related to encampment removals. Second, Council members Chavez, Osmond, Shakhtour, and Chowdry give notice of intent to introduce at the next regular meeting of the City Council the subject matter of an ordinance amending the administration code adding a section 18.210 relating to law enforcement agency agree- agreements concealment of identity. Are there any questions about these notices? >> Mr. Council member Chowdry. >> Yes, Mr. President. It is to go over to the clerks to talk about um the first notice of intent. So, I'll pass it over to Clerk Karl. >> Mr. President, um and with apologies to the Council, this notice is unnecessary. The underlying issue is intended to address a scrivener's error that was caught uh when the encampment reporting ordinance was enacted. Very briefly, there was an entire subsection under section 244.60 of title 12, which is our housing code, that was removed from housing and it was placed under or created a new chapter 237 in title 11, which is our health and sanitation code. Um and because the ordinance addresses separate titles, this was a technical change to the code. I consulted the City Attorney this morning prior to the meeting. We concur it's a scrivener's error that wasn't addressed during the drafting process. The clear intent of the body was to move those provisions from the housing code to the health and sanitation code, and that was accomplished. We merely failed to strike out the duplicate language that then was left behind in the housing code. So, we don't require formal action to make that technical correction. We believe the record's clear that the intent was to place those existing provisions of the ordinance in the health and sanitation code. So, my recommendation is to have this item deleted from the agenda. I will note for the record that we will make the clerical correction both to the enacting ordinance and to the codified act in the code. >> Yes, and I will make the motion to delete it from the agenda. Super excited to learn that we won't have to do any additional work. It's already done. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Uh on the motion to delete item number one under the notice of ordinance introductions from the agenda, the clerk will call the roll. >> Council Member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council Member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council Member Vita. >> Aye. >> Council Member Palmisano. >> No. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council Member Warsame. >> Aye. >> Council Member Sheaf. >> Aye. >> Council Member Wansley. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chughtai. >> Aye. >> Council Member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council Member Ellison. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and that item will be removed from our agenda and the item number two has been noticed and no further action is required at this time. The next order of business is the introduction and referral calendar. We have one item today. Pursuant to notice, I, along with Council Members Wansley, Stevenson, Chavez, Chughtai, and Ellison move to introduce the subject matter of an ordinance amending the health and sanitation code for first reading and referral to the Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee addressing gaps in the health department's authority to act to reduce spread of infectious diseases. May have a motion to approve this introduction. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Council Member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council Member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council Member Vita. >> Aye. >> Council Member Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council Member Warsame. >> Aye. >> Council Member Sheaf. >> Aye. >> Council Member Wansley. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chughtai. >> Aye. >> Council Member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council Member Ellison. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries and the item will be referred to the Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee. The next order of business is resolutions. Uh we had seven resolutions on our agenda today, although I'll note that one of those was approved in the Committee of the Whole. Uh do Council members have any comments to add? Seeing none, may I have a motion to adopt the resolutions. >> So moved. >> Second. >> The clerk will call the roll. >> Council member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council member Vita. >> Aye. >> Council member Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Council member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council member Warren. >> Aye. >> Council member Scheifer. >> Aye. >> Council member Wansley. >> Aye. >> Council member Shaktai. >> Aye. >> Council member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council member Chaudry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries, and those resolutions are adopted. Our next [snorts] order of business is unfinished business. We have three items today. The first item is the automatic reconsideration of the mayor's mayor's veto of ordinance 2026-006, which was the Care Over Criminalization Ordinance that sought to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia. I'll ask the clerk to explain our next steps. >> Thank you, Mr. President. As you noted, the mayor did veto this act, and he returned it together with his objections in writing as required by city charter. That matter is contained in LIMs file number 2026-00096. It's linked from today's agenda. Uh pursuant to section 4.4C3 of the city charter and under Council Rule 7.8, an act that's vetoed by the mayor is returned to the Council for automatic reconsideration at its next meeting. That matter is now before the body in the exact same form without debate and without amendment, and the immediate question to be decided by Council is as follows. Shall the decision of the City Council stand notwithstanding the veto of the mayor? If at least 2/3 of the body votes in the affirmative, then the mayor's veto is overridden, and the original act is adopted. Otherwise, the veto is sustained. That means if there are at least nine affirmative or I votes, then the veto is overridden and the ordinance is adopted. Otherwise, the the ordinance is defeated. Uh with that, Mr. President, I'm prepared to call the roll on the automatic reconsideration. >> Members, are there any questions about the procedure? Seeing none, uh I will summarize that the motion to reconsider the veto of the drug paraphernalia ordinance uh to override this requires at least nine affirmative votes, that's I votes. The clerk will call the roll. >> Council member Stevenson. >> I. >> Council member Rainville. >> No. >> Council member Vito. >> No. >> Council member Palmisano. >> No. >> Council member Chavez. >> I. >> Council member Warren. >> No. >> Council member Schaefer. >> No. >> Council member Wansley. >> I. >> Council member Shakhtai. >> I. >> Council member Whiting. >> I. >> Council member Chaudry. >> I. >> Vice President Osmond. >> No. >> President Payne. >> I. >> There are seven I's and six nays. >> That motion fails and the mayor's veto is sustained. The order the ordinance is not adopted. The next [snorts] item is the automatic reconsideration of the mayor's veto of ordinance 2026-005, which sought to temporarily extend the length of the required pre-eviction notice. I will again ask the clerk to explain our next steps. >> Mr. President, again, the mayor did veto this ordinance and returned that together with his objections in writing as required by charter. The matter is contained in LIMBS file number 2026-00352 and is linked from today's agenda. And again, pursuant to section 4.4 C3 of the city charter and under council rule 7.8, an act that's vetoed by the mayor is returned to the council for automatic reconsideration at its next meeting without debate, without amendment. The question then to be decided by council is as follows. Shall the decision of city council stand notwithstanding the veto of the mayor? And if at least 2/3 of council votes in the affirmative, then the mayor's veto is overridden and the original act is adopted. Otherwise, the veto is sustained. That means if there are at least nine affirmative or I votes, the veto is overridden. With that, Mr. President, I'm prepared to call the roll on automatic reconsideration. >> Okay, again, to override this veto, it would requires at least nine affirmative I votes. The clerk will call the roll. >> Council member Stevenson. >> I. >> Council member Rainville. >> No. >> Council member Vita. >> No. >> Council member Palmisano. >> No. >> Council member Chavez. >> I. >> Council member Warren. >> No. >> Council member Scheafer. >> No. >> Council member Warsame. >> I. >> Council member Chughtai. >> I. >> Council member Whiting. >> No. >> Council member Chaudhry. >> I. >> Vice President Osman. >> I. >> President Payne. >> I. >> There are seven I's and six nays. >> That motion fails and the mayor's veto is sustained. The ordinance is not adopted. Finally, we have the mayor's nomination of Toddrick Barnette to the appointed position of Commissioner of Community Safety. I'm going to first ask the clerk to explain why this matter remains on the agenda. >> Thank you, Mr. President. As the body is aware, the mayor vetoed council's rejection of the nomination of Mr. Barnette to the appointed position of Community Safety Commissioner. At the last regular meeting, council was able to override that veto, meaning that the veto was sustained. The city attorney provided a very thorough legal analysis of the matter in light of the Minneapolis City Charter. The conclusion in summary is that the effect of a sustained veto nullifies council's prior vote. That means this nomination remains pending before the body until council takes some dispositive action. Procedurally then, the mayor's nomination is on the table and a proper motion on that nomination would be in order at this time. If council takes no action, the nomination remains on the council's agenda and would continue to be brought forward each cycle until final action is taken. Purely for the purposes of example, actions which would be considered um dispositive or appropriate to make would be a renewed motion to reject the nomination or at the other end of that spectrum, a motion to approve the nomination or as an alternative, a motion to postpone this nomination to a future date so that the council might have time to consider its options. Um again, the primary point is that the nomination remains on the table. Thank you. >> So, colleagues, our constitution, the city charter, provides that the mayor nominates and appoints certain charter officers with council's consent, but the city charter does not dictate our process for granting consent. I believe that the consent of this body is a critical component of the checks and balances built into our system of shared power with the mayor. And I believe we have a responsibility to exercise oversight in a manner that is fair, transparent, and oriented towards achieving a clear outcome. Therefore, I'd like to propose that we step back and define our process for considering mayoral appointments. Specifically, I think we should identify any concerns, opportunities, and other points of shared interest for each of the charter department head nominations. We should frame those issues in the form of questions that can be submitted in advance to each nominee so that they have a chance to prepare and to respond to those issues as part of our public hearing process. This approach ensures a clear, structured, and consistent approach for handling these nominations. It provides the nominees with a fair process, similar to how the city would approach interviewing prospective candidates for employment in a formal job interview. I've consulted with the city clerk on my proposal and what I'd like to do with the body's support is to bring forward a formal proposal that builds on that basic concept in a in the next cycle for the council's consideration. Um before I make any motions, I do see some folks in queue, so I will first recognize uh Council Member Stevenson. >> Thank you. Um this body uh did not confirm the appointment of T'Chaka Barnett for um for substantive reasons, for job issues. So, I move that uh we delete this item from the agenda, so there's more time for the mayor to speak with the council about uh those job performance issues and about getting an appointment that can fulfill the needs of this very important job. >> Council Member Stevenson has moved to delete this item from the agenda. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Uh Mr. Clerk. >> Mr. President, a motion to delete from the agenda would be inappropriate. The mayor has done his job under the charter, which is submitting a nomination to this body. Deleting from the agenda removes it from from the agenda. It removes it, period. A motion to postpone to a certain date to take it off of the agenda every cycle would certainly be in order, but a motion to delete is inappropriate because the council has not made a dispositive motion on the mayor's nomination. The council's job is to make a dispositive motion on that nomination. >> Council Council Member Sawant. >> Well, thank you, Mr. President. Um I will make a motion to deny this item uh second at this time and ask for a second. I believe that uh no means no, and the council has said no, and um we stand by the choices that we make around here. And uh it is it is time for the mayor to come to us and uh uh, figure out a different path forward with a different nominee that the council has not said no to. Thank you. >> Council member Chuck Thai has made a motion to deny this nominee. It's been seconded. Uh, is there any discussion? Uh, Council member Palmisano? >> I would be in queue for what's next after this. >> Okay. Council member Chaudry? >> I just have a quick question. So, I've tried to understand why we wouldn't be able to delete it from the agenda. If wouldn't that just create a process in which the mayor would submit the nomination again? >> Mr. Clerk? >> Uh, a motion to delete from the agenda is something that's within the council control and ends it terminates the item. The mayor has submitted his nomination which the charter requires. You're required to take some dispositive action on that either to approve it or to deny it. Uh, deleting it from the agenda is not the equivalent of denial. The proper motion which is before you now is to either reject or the alternative to approve it. >> Great. I think it's helpful just for the public's clarity for us to have that conversation. Another question that I have is what what conditions must happen in order for the mayor to submit another nomination? >> Mr. Clerk? >> Mr. President, this nomination continues to sit in front of the council until it disposes of it. So, either the council needs to achieve the vote to deny that confirmation to to not give consent as the words of the charter to consent to or not consent or to consent to the appointment. So, those are the two options or the mayor could withdraw his nomination. Mr. Barnett could withdraw from consideration. Those are essentially the four major options in order to dispose of that item in a definitive way. >> And then it's also my understanding if the council continues its denial of the appointment of Commissioner Barnett and it's not vetoed, the mayor would Would the mayor be able to bring the commissioner back as a appointment to second appointment? Would he be able to bring Barnett Commissioner Barnett back for the total of three times or is it a unique set of three individuals? >> Mr. Chair, to answer Councilmember Chaudhary's question, uh the mayor has the option under the charter to submit up to three nominations. Those are three distinct individuals. It's not the same person three times. It's three separate nominations. So, this is one nomination by the mayor, which is a reappointment proposed for uh Mr. Barnett to the position of Community Safety Commissioner. Until this one nomination is disposed of in a final manner, it remains pending. And then a second nomination could be made. >> Thank you for the clarification. One more final clarification question. When does the uh When does the term for the commissioner end? In which then the mayor will have to select an interim officer? >> I can call on the clerk, but I also see that the city attorney is in queue. >> Um Council President, council members, um so the the holdover period ends August 3rd. Um so, to answer your most recent question, and I I just want to I guess reiterate reiterate and clarify that whatever action this council take takes still does go to the mayor. Uh if it's a denial, the mayor could again veto and you know, back back and forth like that. But, just for for clarification. >> Ex- Excellent. I really appreciate the clarity. I see that I I was hoping my time would still remain. Um I'm not done with my comments. So, I will just say that I will be supporting this motion to deny. I do think that it is important that the mayor have a conversation with the council about how we are going to work together as it comes to the future of the Office of Community Safety. Um since our vote to deny, there hasn't been what I believe to be a substantive conversation around a path forward on how we will work together. And that is why I support denying. I do not want to see an never-ending loop of vetoes, but that is a choice that has a potential to be made by the mayor. And I think it also showcases an opportunity for us to have discussions about the future of OCS and this appointment. And I will also reiterate what my colleague Council Member Stevenson said. For me, there were very, very substantive reasons as to why I did not support the nominee. Um for me, it was not what what was the political gamesmanship. It was about um specific contracts that had come before us that shouldn't have come before us, budgeting issues, um work with this body, um the way in which there have been certain needs and asks that have been um asked by the Public Safety Committee for the last couple of years that haven't been fulfilled. And those are my comments, and I will be taking that denial vote today. >> Council Member Sheffer. >> Yes, um per Council Member Chaudry's comments, um I do believe that it's great for our council to continue to have discussions with the mayor about where what is happening on this item. And for that reason, um I believe we I would like to make a substitute motion to postpone this until June 11th for the purposes for the exact purposes of starting this discussion. For us to send a motion of deny at this point in time, I believe is too strong of a signal to send at this point in time to the mayor that we want to discuss. I believe a better option would be to postpone. So, can I have a second to postpone >> Second. >> this item until June 11th. Thank you. >> Uh we have to dispense with the underlying motion first. So, we can return to that depending on the outcome of this motion. Uh Councilmember Palmisano. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will then speak against this motion. Um this motion feels at best unproductive to the points that Councilmember Schaefer made. Um but Mr. President, you had an idea uh about how to move forward and we had an opportunity to briefly discuss it earlier this week. Um I do agree with this idea and I look forward to seeing it further built out. I do think that's the right um way for us as a body to move forward with all appointments and maybe something that we should have done first. So, um I do look forward to seeing more about that and in order to do that, I will speak against this motion because I think that if this were to fail, um then I don't think the converse becomes true, does it? I think we can then have a motion to postpone and maybe it's June 11th or maybe it's June 25th, but I would be open to editing on that date um based on what you have in your uh uh on your mind, Mr. President, but I would ask us to take that path instead. This other one feels at best unproductive. >> Councilmember Sawant. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I I really um appreciate the the comments I've heard from some of my colleagues so far and and I'm trying to wrap my head around uh this um this uh conversation of of what is productive and unproductive as it relates to um this uh consideration of of uh >> [snorts] >> the mayor's nomination. I It is a It is an unprecedented and and and historic thing that this body uh made a affirmative decision to deny an appointment. That that doesn't come around every day. Um and what feels unproductive to me is that uh following following the denial by the council, um the immediate response uh from the mayor was his commitment to vetoing this action. I feel that that that that is what's unproductive. Um to to disregard the council rejecting an appointee in in a manner that is historic, that has not happened before. Um I think that that really speaks to the gravity of of failures within um within this nomination, and I think that um the council reiterating its previous position of saying no um is is the best path forward right now. Um I um really excited to engage in conversations. My line's open, and I'm willing to work with um anyone and and hopefully everyone here to to find a path forward, but um you know, I I think the the the council's uh the council's power to give consent is undermined when when the council says no and and what is heard in a no as a yes. That's not what's happening here and so I think it's I would ask that we maintain our position of no on this appointee. >> Council member Chavez. >> Uh thank you President Payne. I'll be supporting the motion to deny. I guess I'm just kind of confused about what we're doing here. We took a vote on this appointment already. We voted to deny this appointment 7 to 6. It's still on our agenda. We gave the mayor clear a clear decision that there is not seven votes to approve this nomination. And we're here again. So there's just the public is probably confused about what's happening here. I want to be clear that a no is a no. I'm not sure what the point of continuing to not have the mayor create a work group or not have the mayor begin the process of finding a new commissioner. I'm not sure why we're delaying public safety in that way. It's kind of frustrating for many of our community members that are dealing with gun violence public safety issues of not having leadership willing to say it's time to find a new commissioner. It's time to work with this body and find a new commissioner that's going to work with all of us to address the issues facing our communities. And I'm kind of frustrated that when we say no it's being it's I'm I'm confused. A no is a no. Let's move on. Let's deal with safety issues. Let's work on public safety. Let's work on community safety issues that our neighbors are dealing with. Folks on Lake Street are struggling with community safety issues and instead we're going to continue to just not work with the council in finding a new commissioner. It's kind of disappointing. I think it's time to work with the city council, all 13 of us, to find a new commissioner and to show some leadership in how we are going to move forward because not taking any action is only going to delay uh the impact of our neighborhood. So, thank you. >> Uh Vice President Osman. >> Uh thank you. This is the second denial we're taking. Um like Council member Chavez said, we do want to move on. And as as a council leadership, we have said publicly and uh privately that we want to speak to the mayor to move on and and make a decision so our city is protected and has a commissioner of public safety. The mayor has not reached out to us yet. He has not moved in that conversation. So, we're just going to be busy with this conversation and be in this loop. I think residents deserve better leadership on the mayor's side. And I expect that next cycle, we will have a we will move on about this conversation. Uh this is the second denial we're continuing to do. Council leadership and council members that I spoke to are already to have a conversation with administration and make a decision instead of just this loop. So, my message to the mayor is reach out to us. My phone is open and my communication my office is open and we're here to have a conversation for uh for better for our for for the better of our city. Thank you, Council President. >> Seeing no one else left in queue, I will ask the clerk to call the roll on the motion to deny the mayor's nominee for the Commissioner of Community Safety. >> Mr. President, can you remind me what an I and a no vote means in this? >> Uh Mr. Clerk, I can go for it. An I vote would be to deny >> Okay. >> the nomination. >> Let's go back to Franklin and then go >> Mr. Wark. >> Council member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council member Rainville. >> No. >> Council member Vita. >> No. >> Council member Palmisano. >> No. >> Council member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council member Warren. >> No. >> Council member Schaefer. >> No. >> Council member Wansley. >> Aye. >> Council member Shaktai. >> Aye. >> Council member Whiting. >> No. >> Council member Chaudhry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are seven ayes and six nays. >> That motion carries and the appointment is denied. That'll be sent forward to the mayor for consideration. Um I'll also note that we that Mayor Frey submitted his nomination for police chief of Brian O'Hara. Um we will also want to handle that uh as well today. Uh I do intend to have the chief go through a more formal process that I'm currently developing that again should be a process that will work no matter who the nominee is uh for chief or any other charter department. Uh and I will move to refer that nomination to the Public Health Safety and Equity Committee. Can I get a second to that? >> Mr. President. >> Uh Mr. Clerk. >> You don't need a motion to make a referral. The council rules empower you to make referrals on behalf of the body. >> Well, then I will just make that referral >> if you wish, but it is your authority. >> I will make that referral without objection. Um and I think seeing as we don't need to call the roll on that that disposes of that item. Uh our next [clears throat] order of business is new business. We have four items today including the gift acceptance we added at the beginning. Item number one is an amendment to our appointments to various boards, commissions, and committees. Uh Uh today I'm bringing an amendment to update the transport transportation advisory board appointment removing Council Member Stevenson, upgrading Council Member Wanzalae to be primary appointee, and adding Council Member Chughtai as the alternate. I'll move approval of this item and ask for a second. >> Um Mr. President, that was not the intention of what I reached out to you about. >> Ah, can you uh re-describe it? >> Um well, the the issue is that there's a repeated conflict with the public safety committee and the TAB committee, and both I and Council Member Wanzalae are on the public safety committee, and we are both the I am the the person on the board, and then Council Member Wanzalae is the alternate. I spoke with Council Member Wanzalae, and uh she was open to having Council Member Chughtai replace her as the alternate. I would remain on the board. >> Gotcha. >> Uh and Council Member Chughtai would become the new alternate for when I have to be at the public safety committee. >> Okay, so we just have it reversed here. >> Yes. >> Correct. Okay. So, I will make the motion to remove Council Member Wanzalae uh and make Council Member Chughtai the alternate. >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> And Council Member Stevenson would remain the primary. >> Yes. >> Is there a second to that motion? >> Second. >> Uh seeing no one in queue, I will ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Council Member Stevenson. >> Aye. >> Council Member Rainville. >> Aye. >> Council Member Vita. >> Aye. >> Council Member Palmisano. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chavez. >> Aye. >> Council Member Warren. >> Aye. >> Council Member Schafer. >> Aye. >> Council Member Wanzalae. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chughtai. >> Aye. >> Council Member Whiting. >> Aye. >> Council Member Chaudry. >> Aye. >> Vice President Osman. >> Aye. >> President Payne. >> Aye. >> There are 13 ayes. >> That carries, and the item is adopted. The next order of business uh is Earlier this week, Mayor Frey presented his State of the City address, and we will officially receive his remarks today for inclusion in the public record. Are there any comments from my colleagues? Seeing none, I will direct the clerk to file that address. Item number three is the receipt of the mayor's nomination of William Walker to the appointed position of Civil Service Commissioner. I move to refer this nomination to the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee for the setting of a public hearing and ask for a second. >> Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. >> Council member Stevenson. >> I. >> Council member Rainville. >> I. >> Council member Vita. >> I. >> Council member Palmisano. >> I. >> Council member Chavez. >> I. >> Council member Warren. >> I. >> Council member Sheafe. >> I. >> Council member Warsame. >> I. >> Council member Shugart. >> I. >> Council member Whiting. >> I. >> Council member Childrey. >> I. >> [clears throat] >> Vice President Osman. >> I. >> President Bender. >> I. >> There are 13 eyes. That carries, and the item is referred to the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee. Finally, item number four is the gift acceptance of travel and lodging from Local Progress for Council member Childrey. Is there a motion to approve this item? >> Second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> The clerk will call the roll. >> Council member Stevenson. >> I. >> Council member Rainville. >> I. >> Council member Vita. >> I. >> Council member Palmisano. >> I. >> Council member Chavez. >> I. >> Council member Warren. >> I. >> Council member Sheafe. >> I. >> Council member Warsame. >> I. >> Council member Shugart. >> I. >> Council member Whiting. >> I. >> Council member Childrey. >> I. >> Vice President Osman. >> I. >> President Bender. >> I. >> There are 13 eyes. That item is adopted. Finally, we have the order of announcements. Are there any announcements from council members? Council member Rainville. >> Thank you. I want to wish all the mothers in Minneapolis and on the council dais here in the city enterprise a happy Mother's Day. >> Council member Whiting. >> Thank you, President Payne. As you will see, colleagues, there was a resolution that was not presented today. This week honors Teacher Appreciation Week. And so, I know all of you are are products of of fantastic teachers. And so, I know I will be going to the the schools in my district to present this resolution and urge some of you to to do the same. And so, I'm happy to get out some some of those copies to all of you, but it's a it's a good week to to be a teacher. Thank you. >> Council member Chavez. >> Thank you, President Payne. Just want to remind folks about the Cinco de Mayo Festival this weekend. It's on Sunday from Lake Street and Portland Avenue South to Lake Street and Second Avenue South. It's on May 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> Council member Warren. >> Thank you, Council President. I I would like one of those teacher appreciation resolutions to submit to the the schools in my ward, too. That's what all I really wanted to say and just reminding individuals to to get out and celebrate community, celebrate your loved ones, your mothers, your community mothers, community elders, whomever it is and and really celebrating uplift them this weekend and just let's put some love out in the air in this cold weather cuz I don't know what's going on, but we I think if we love on a bunch of folks this weekend, it'll warm up outside, okay? So, let's try to to that put something good to eat on the grill. Just be good to yourselves and other people. >> Mr. Carl. >> Um Mr. President, with the council's indulgence, I sent an email earlier but the first full week of May every year is designated as Public Service Recognition Week. We didn't have a resolution this year, but that week is intended to recognize the contributions of government workers and employees at all levels from federal to local, but especially here at the local level where our results can be seen and felt by your constituents every day. The city of Minneapolis, I think, is blessed to have 4,000 full-time employees. They're the professionals who deliver city services, who manage our municipal programs, and who make the city work. Uh those 4,000 professionals work in 27 different departments. They cover everything from public safety, public health, public infrastructure, economic development, parks and recreation, licensing and permitting, zoning and land use, civil rights, neighborhood community relations, and a lot more. Um from entry-level stock clerks all the way up to our city's chief operations officer and everything in between. Uh we are blessed with an incredible workforce who are truly committed to the success of the city, and I think the vast majority of them who work behind the scenes without recognition and without fanfare uh make a big impact on the city. So, for this year's Public Service Recognition Week, although we failed to bring that ordinance the resolution forward, and I apologize for not uh being proactive in that, obviously a big thanks um and appreciation to all of our employees for all they have done and continue to do every day. >> Thank you for that. I added myself to queue cuz of course Artery Walls coming up May 15th through the 17th, one of the uh biggest uh arts festivals in the nation uh and one of the best arts district in the nation, if not the best arts district in the nation. Uh and just for other awareness in the spirit of Artery Walls, our goal is to keep Quincy weird, uh and it is uh we have some proposals for reconstruction and I am in deep conversation with my community, with the public works department, with the city attorney's office, with the CPED, planning and zoning team around how we can achieve that shared goal of keeping Quincy weird. So, stay tuned as uh that project unfolds. Uh I'll recognize Council Member Chaudry. >> Thank you so much, President Payne. Um I just wanted to take a second uh to recognize that there was a ceremonial groundbreak of the development of the Rise Up Center in the former YWCA building in Uptown Minneapolis. Um this is a center that is going to have workforce development play space for union jobs, a site for entrepreneur incubation, and a co-working space for local and state power-building organizations. And I want to give um Council Member Chavez his flowers for his work on the budget amendment and believing in this project from the beginning. Um because of his leadership, the city of Minneapolis was able to contribute to this project becoming a reality and seeing through its groundbreaking. And it's going to be a very important place for the work of our communities in building worker power and growing our workforce and ensuring there is good union paying jobs. And I just really wanted to give you your credit where it was due. Um because sometimes we don't get the credit and I wanted to make sure you got it today. >> Council Member Scheafer. >> Um I just I'm going to read this. This is still in process. Um my colleagues and I have written this and we'd like to this is a rough draft and we will be forwarding this to all of you and including in the record. This is a council members letter in support of the reappointment of the honorable Todrick Barnett as a commissioner of the office of community safety. This letter is a response to the recently published public memorandum City Council's vision for community safety and Todrick Barnett's failure to meet that vision. Entered into the record by the council president on April 15th. It purports to speak for the whole body. >> I don't know if this is germane to the announcement section. >> It's an announcement. >> Clerk Clerk Carl. >> Mr. President. Are you asking me that question or are you stating that? >> I just seems a little out of order. >> Yeah, I I agree. The announcements portion under the council rules say that this is for general announcements of community-wide interest. A letter as council member Schaefer began to read describes an item on the agenda that we've dispensed with and so certainly there are other formats for that to be brought forward but announcements would be an inappropriate use of that order on the agenda. >> Thank you President Payne and Clerk Carl. >> Uh, seeing no one else left in queue, we've completed our business today with nothing further to come before the council and without objection this here this meeting is hereby adjourned. Thank you everyone. >> [laughter] >> Mhm.