Council approves Velasquez as regulatory chief despite staff concerns
The Minneapolis City Council voted 9-3 on July 30 to confirm Enrique Velasquez as Director of Regulatory Services, despite objections from three council members who cited workplace issues and concerns about how the department handles homelessness.
Velasquez's nomination sparked debate about his leadership style and the department's responsibilities. Supporters, including Council Member Vita, praised him as "one of the kindest, most thoughtful leaders" dedicated to serving Minneapolis residents. Mayor Fry emphasized his compassion in handling complex issues. However, Council Members Stevenson, Chowry, and Chavez opposed the nomination. Stevenson cited a letter from workers in Velasquez's office describing unacceptable workplace conditions. Council President Payne framed the concerns more broadly, calling the situation an "institutional failure" rather than a personal one—questioning why the Regulatory Services Department was tasked with leading the city's response to unsheltered homelessness, a challenge he described as "complex and difficult."
The council also unanimously approved a rezoning and development plan for the Democracy Center at 3000 Minihaha Avenue on Lake Street, with a 12-0 vote. The approval included a new requirement that the city consult with Downtown Longfellow businesses to develop a shared public parking plan. Council members acknowledged the site's unique history—the Lake Street corridor was devastated during the 2020 uprising following George Floyd's murder. Council Member Chavez noted that "buildings throughout Lake Street in this area were set on fire," making this project part of the area's recovery.
In a more contentious vote, the council approved a federal grant application for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Program (NIBIN) by a narrow 7-5 margin. The grant, which helps law enforcement analyze ballistics evidence to solve gun crimes, drew sharp criticism from five council members who objected to the federal funding document's use of the term "illegal aliens." Council Member Chavez stated: "I don't consider the community I am proud to represent as quote illegal aliens." Supporters, including Council Member Palmsano, argued the grant doesn't mandate immigration enforcement and is crucial for addressing gun violence. The city attorney's legal review concluded the grant doesn't conflict with Minneapolis's sanctuary city policies.
The council also discussed the mayor's nomination of Dr. Reginald Freeman as Fire Chief, though the final vote was not recorded in the meeting transcript. Some council members expressed concerns about a lawsuit filed during his tenure at a previous department, while others highlighted his qualifications and the fire union's support.
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▸Research briefAug 27, 2026
Background
In June 2026, the Mayor of Minneapolis nominated Enrique Velasquez to the position of Director of Regulatory Services. The nomination was referred to the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee for review. Velasquez had previously served in the department, appearing in council records as early as 2025 regarding budget and staffing presentations.
Key Findings
- Nomination Process: The nomination was formally introduced to the City Council on June 25, 2026, alongside the nomination for a new Fire Chief.
- Staff Concerns: Throughout the committee process, council members explicitly referenced receiving feedback from Regulatory Services staff. During a July 22, 2026, meeting, a council member noted receiving a letter from staff that raised concerns, emphasizing the importance of listening to departmental employees.
- Confirmation: The Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee moved the nomination forward, and the full City Council approved the appointment in late July 2026.
Officials & Votes
- Nominee: Enrique Velasquez, appointed as Director of Regulatory Services.
- Relevant Body: Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee (responsible for vetting the nomination).
- Council Engagement: Council members acknowledged the internal feedback loop, with specific mentions of ensuring staff feel heard during the leadership transition.
Open Questions
- What were the specific contents of the letter sent by Regulatory Services staff to the council members?
- How has the department's internal culture or operational policy changed following the confirmation of the new director in response to the documented staff concerns?
Full analysis
Votes (4)
Mayor's nomination of Enrique Velasquez to Director of Regulatory Services
Dissent: Council member Chowry, Council member Stevenson, Council member Chavez
Moved by Council member Chowry [1:29:48] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
The nomination of Enrique Velasquez generated significant debate. Supporters praised his compassion, collaborative spirit, and dedication to Minneapolis, particularly in addressing complex issues like homelessness and livability. Opponents voiced concerns stemming from an ASME workers' letter regarding workplace issues and noted the lack of an encampment reporting ordinance presentation. The broader discussion also questioned the institutional structure that places the burden of addressing unsheltered homelessness on the Regulatory Services Department.
Appeal from FGNC regarding the 3000 Minihaha Avenue Democracy Center & Rezoning and alley vacation for the Democracy Center at 3000 Minihaha (Items 4 & 5)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Chowry [1:51:25] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
The council addressed community and business concerns regarding the Democracy Center project. A motion was introduced and passed to add a condition requiring the city to consult with Downtown Longfellow businesses and implement a plan for shared public use of the parking lots, including ADA accessible spaces. The discussion highlighted the historical trauma of the Lake Street area following the 2020 unrest and the importance of community engagement. Questions were raised about parking metering and consistency in city parking policy, with staff deferring details to property services.
Grant application for national integrated ballistics information program (NIBIN) from US Department of Justice
Dissent: Council member Shug Tai, Council member Chowry, Council member Stevenson, Council member Chavez, President Payne
Moved by Council member Palmsano [2:24:26] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
This item prompted a heated debate. Opponents expressed strong disapproval of the grant's Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) language, specifically the term 'illegal aliens,' and worried about the grant's potential to facilitate immigration enforcement, contradicting city values. They also questioned the police department's budget planning and suggested alternative local funding. Supporters, referencing the city attorney's legal review, argued that the grant does not mandate immigration enforcement or violate city ordinances, and that the funding is crucial for combating gun violence, especially given the city's financial constraints.
Mayor's nomination of Dr. Freeman to Fire Chief
Dissent: Council member Vita (expressed hesitation), Council member Warren (expressed strong critiques), Council member Chuck Tai (stated intention not to support)
Moved by Council member Chavez [2:43:08] · Seconded by Not explicitly stated
Mayor Fry presented Dr. Reginald Freeman as the nominee, highlighting his strong resume, leadership experience in other cities, and commitment to Minneapolis. Council members expressed mixed views. Some acknowledged his qualifications and the fire union's support but voiced reservations about past leadership issues, particularly a lawsuit under his command, and emphasized the importance of supporting and promoting internal talent, as well as maintaining the department's progress in diversity through programs like Pathways. The discussion concluded before the vote was officially recorded in the provided transcript.
Notable Quotes (17)
You're one of the kindest, most thoughtful leaders I have the privilege of um working with. You genuinely love Minneapolis and you know that if you spend two seconds with you, that you care about every single person in this city and the love is reflected in how you serve every single day.
we got um a letter from our ASME workers in your office and and we had a meeting and discussed that and I I appreciate uh you coming and talking with me directly about this, but the facts from from this letter are just really not acceptable.
He is someone that approaches his job with such incredible compassion. uh the issues that he is handling are they neither lack complexity nor do they lack difficulty.
We are failing this community profoundly. Um, I don't see that as your personal failure. I see it as our institutional failure and why the regulatory services department has been appointed the lead for something that is as challenging and complex as unsheltered homelessness...
when you when you have not only one business reaching out to you, but you have several businesses, an entire corridor reaching out to you, sharing their concerns and community members that are your residents saying, "We're worried about the future of this area and how this project might impact it. You can't take it lightly.
This is an area that was on fire. Buildings throughout Lake Street in this area were set on fire. This is a business area that was devastated by the uprising in the summer of 2020 after the murder of George Floyd that caused a worldwide racial reckoning. This is a unique circumstance.
I think that parking on our streets and parking lots throughout the city are really an important part of our revenue stream. And for us to be inconsistent in that feels a little um hard to swallow...
this framing that this this piece of property is just like any other city-owned piece of property. And it's it's really important because I know the the staff team working on this, council members um who directly represent this area all have a shared understanding um that that this is not just any other piece of property.
The notice of funding opportunity for the fiscal year 2026 NIBN modernization program explicitly states the program statutory purpose and program goals in terms of investigating quote crimes committed by quote illegal aliens. I don't consider the community I am proud to represent as quote illegal aliens.
Our city attorneys have answered that question publicly, explicitly, and clearly. It would not. I appreciate my colleagues asking the question and I appreciate our attorneys for giving us a direct answer. MPD will use this grant solely to investigate shootings that occur in Minneapolis.
the city isn't going to lose Nibben access by applying or not applying to this grant. Applying or not applying for this grant has no impact on the city's ability to access this system. the city can continue to do so by either finding a different source of money...
the term illegal alien is not just a legal term of art. It's a slur. It is an absolute slur. Calling people illegal illegal aliens is dehumanizing, degrading, and it creates a permission structure for violence against them.
My concern would have been if this is somehow attached to uh ICE enforcement or like some kind of immigration enforcement if it would have been something similar to that we had the right to reject that. Uh but this grant specifically have not said anything about immigrant enforcement.
I'm profoundly concerned about how the federal government will assess this. ... this agenda is overtly authoritarian. It's overtly racist. They are pushing rhetoric around white genocide. It's disgusting. And all you have to do is look at the White House Twitter feed or the Department of Homeland Security's Twitter feed to see their Aryan propaganda around what kind of country they want to see for our for for for the rest of us. and I'm not even going to entertain attaching my name to that project.
During that search we found a really strong uh field of impressive candidates. Um and there was an individual who rose to the top uh and that's why we've nominated Dr. Reginald Freeman to the position of fire chief.
While I still have reservations, I respect the confidence they have in his ability to lead. I would also encourage Dr. Freeman to take the time to learn from the people already serving in this department.
if we're saying that interdep departmentally when it comes to investing in individuals that are in our fire department in our police department in our emergency services department. If they don't have what it takes, that's our fault. That's not anybody else's fault but our own. So, we have to make those concrete investments to ensure that we're investing in our homegrown talent...
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
An item that resulted in a tie vote at a previous meeting, brought up for unfinished business.
A resolution from a May 21st meeting that tied and was omitted from a subsequent agenda due to a clerical error.
The file number for the resolution requesting a national search for community safety commissioner.
An item to amend for tow truck service fees.
An ordinance referenced by Council Member Stevenson as not being complied with regarding quarterly reports.
A program for which a federal grant was sought by the Minneapolis Police Department.
The federal document for the NIBIN grant application, containing controversial language.
The statutory program under which the NIBIN grant's authorizing statute operates.
The city ordinance governing cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referenced in the NIBIN grant debate.
An item on the Climate and Infrastructure committee report.
A Minneapolis Fire Department program for recruiting, retaining, and promoting diversity.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Democracy Center Project Development
NIBIN Grant Application for MPD
Fire Chief Appointment
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