[0:21] >> WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR JULY 16,

[0:26] 2025. I AM JASON CHAVEZ AND I AM THE CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE. BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING, I WANT TO OFFER A FRIENDLY

[0:31] REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS, STAFF, AND THE PUBLIC THAT THESE MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE TO

[0:37] ENABLE GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THESE BROADCASTS INCLUDE REALTIME CAPTIONING AS A FURTHER METHOD TO INCREASE THE

[0:43] ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR PROCEEDINGS TO THE COMMUNITY. THEREFORE ALL SPEAKERS NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE RATE OF THEIR

[0:50] SPEECH SO THAT OUR CAPTIONERS CAN FULLY CAPTURE AND TRANSCRIBE ALL COMMENTS FOR THE BROADCAST.

[0:55] WE ASK ALL SPEAKERS TO MODERATE THE SPEED AND CLARITY OF THEIR COMMENTS. AT THIS TIME I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL TO VERIFY

[1:02] THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PAYNE. >> PRESENT.

[1:08] >> RAINVILLE IS ABSENT. ELLISON IS ABSENT.

[1:15] PALMISANO. >> PRESENT. >> VICE CHAIR WONSLEY. >> PRESENT. >> CHAIR CHAVEZ. >> PRESENT.

[1:20] >> WE HAVE FOUR PRESENT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE WILL BE

[1:26] JOINING US SHORTLY AND WE HAVE A QUORUM. BEFORE WE BEGIN, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME MICHAEL AS THE NEW CLERK

[1:34] FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE. THERE ARE MANY ITEMS ON THE CONSENT FOR TODAY'S AGENDA.

[1:40] ITEM ONE IS A GRANT FOR THE MINNESOTA DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR EMERGENCY

[1:47] DISASTERS AND ACCEPTING SAID GRANT. ITEM TWO IS A JOINT POWERS

[1:52] AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BROOKLYN PARK FOR WAGE INVESTIGATIONS. ITEM THREE IS A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF

[1:58] MINNESOTA TO PROVIDE BOMB SQUAD SERVICES TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES OF THE STATE.

[2:05] AND NUMBER NUMBER 4 AND 5 ARE JOINT POWER AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITIES OF MAPLE GROVE AND AND

[2:14] MINNETONKA FOR LEGAL SERVICES. ITEM SIX IS APPOINTMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY

[2:20] COMMITTEE. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE RESIDENTS WHO STEPPED UP TO SERVE. ITEM SEVEN IS A AN AGREEMENT

[2:27] WITH THE CITY OF LAKES COMMUNITY LAND TRUST FOR REAL ESTATE PURCHASE. THE LOTS WILL BE IDENTIFIED VIA

[2:34] A 2025 URBAN FARM COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP RFP. ITEM EIGHT IS SETTING A PUBLIC

[2:40] HEARING ON THE EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME UPDATE. THIS YEAR IT WILL BE JULY 30TH AT 1:30 P.M. RESIDENTS WILL BE

[2:48] INVITED TO TESTIFY. WE WILL BE MEETING IN THIS ROOM LOCATED AT 250 SOUTH 4TH STREET.

[2:53] INFORMATION ABOUT REQUESTING TRANSLATORS OR ACCOMMODATIONS CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE

[2:58] POSTED AGENDA. ITEM NINE IS RELATED TO CIVIL RIGHTS PARTICULARLY ADDING

[3:06] PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS. AND ITEM TEN IS RELATED TO EMPLOYEE AUTHORITY IN

[3:13] IMMIGRATION MATTERS AND CLARIFYING PROTECTIONS. COLLEAGUES, ARE THERE ANY DISCUSSIONS ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS?

[3:22] ALL RIGHT. I'LL MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEMS 1

[3:30] THROUGH 7. SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT AND REFER TO STAFF ITEM NUMBER 9 AND 10.

[3:37] ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? [CHORUS OF AYES]

[3:42] >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THOSE ITEMS CARRY AND THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.

[3:50] OUR NEXT ITEM IS A RECEIVE AND FILE RELATED TO MUNICIPAL GROCERY STORES.

[3:56] THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO A STAFF DIRECTION BY VICE CHAIR WONSLEY AT A NOVEMBER 2024 MEETING.

[4:04] I'LL HAND IT OVER TO OUR POLICY STATE AND RESEARCH TEAM TO GET US STARTED. WELCOME.

[4:16] >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR CHAVEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS ASHLEY JERK WITH THE

[4:21] LEGISLATIVE POLICY AND RESEARCH. I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT ON

[4:26] FOOD ACCESS IN MUNICIPAL GROCERY STORES. THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR A REPORT COVERING FOOD ACCESS, FOOD

[4:34] INSECURITY, COOPERATIVE GROCERY STORES AND NONPROFIT GROCERY STORES IN MINNEAPOLIS AND A NATIONAL LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS OF

[4:41] MUNICIPAL GROCERY STORES AND OTHER SELECT BUSINESSES. THIS REQUEST INCLUDED MANY COMPONENTS AND THE LENGTH OF THE

[4:46] REPORT REFLECTS THAT COMPLEXITY. A NOTE ON LANGUAGE, TO ENSURE

[4:53] THAT REFERENCES TO MATERIALS OR INTERVIEWS ARE PROPERLY REFLECTED, WE SHOW DEFERENCE TO

[4:58] THE TERMINOLOGY BEING USED BY THAT SPECIFIC ENTITY. FOR EXAMPLE, FOOD DESERT OR LOW

[5:05] INCOME AND LOW ACCESS. HOWEVER TO BE CONSISTENT WITH CITY LANGUAGE, THE ORIGINAL

[5:11] LANGUAGE USED IN THE REPORT AND THIS PRESENTATION USES THE TERM

[5:17] FOOD APARTHEID RATHER THAN FOOD DESERT. AS THE MINNEAPOLIS FOOD ACTION PLAN EXPLAINS, FOOD APARTHEID

[5:24] DESCRIBES COMMUNITY AREAS WITH LITTLE TO NO ACCESS TO GROCERY STORES. FOOD DESERT IMPLIES THAT A LACK OF GROCERY STORES IS A NATURALLY

[5:31] OCCURRING CONCEPT. FOOD APARTHEID CALLS ATTENTION TO THE POLICIES, SYSTEMIC

[5:36] RACISM, AND OTHER OPPRESSIVE POWERS THAT HAVE CREATED AND PREVENT CERTAIN AREAS FROM

[5:42] HAVING ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE GROCERY STORES.

[5:49] GETTING INTO MINNEAPOLIS FOOD ACCESS. FOOD ACCESS IS GENERALLY THOUGHT OF AS DISTANCE TO A STORE AND

[5:56] ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION. THE MAP ON THE LEFT HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN SHOWS THE LOW INCOME

[6:01] AND LOW ACCESS DEFINED AS A GROCERY STORE WITHIN A MILE

[6:06] CENSUS TRACKS IN MINNEAPOLIS IN 2019. THE MAP ON THE RIGHT HIGHLIGHTS IN YELLOW THE LOW INCOME AND LOW

[6:12] ACCESS DEFINED AS A GROCERY STORE WITHIN HALF A MILE COMBINED WITH A LACK OF VEHICLE

[6:19] ACCESS CENSUS TRACKS. BUT PROXIMITY TO FOOD IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE AFFECTING FOOD

[6:26] APARTHEID. TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND OTHER ISSUES ALSO PLAY A ROLE. THOUGH ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD AND

[6:33] AFFORDABLE GROCERIES IS CHALLENGING FOR MANY, IT IS FURTHER EXACERBATED BY RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES WITH

[6:40] COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES WITH ABOVE AVERAGE BLACK POPULATIONS TENDING TO HAVE FEWER FRESH FOOD OPTIONS, BUT

[6:46] MORE CONVENIENCE STORES. AND IN DETROIT, ANOTHER STUDY FOUND THAT RESIDENTS WITHIN LOW

[6:51] INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A HIGHER PROPORTION OF AFRICAN

[6:56] AMERICANS HAD TO TRAVEL ON AVERAGE 1.1 MILES FURTHER TO ACCESS THE CLOSEST SUPER MARKET

[7:02] THAN RESIDENTS IN PREDOMINANTLY WHITE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.

[7:08] ACCORDING TO THE FOOD GROUP, IT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT THAT URBAN BLACK AND HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE FEWER GROCERY OPTIONS AND

[7:15] AN ABUNDANCE OF FAST FOOD. WITH GROCERY STORE RED LINING,

[7:21] SUPER MARKETS PRIORITIZE PROFIT OPERATING IN WEALTHY SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS AT THE EXPENSE OF

[7:27] LOWER INCOME CITY SPACES. THE TWIN CITIES MOBILE MARKET HELPS CLOSE SOME OF THAT GAP BY BRINGING AFFORDABLE AND

[7:33] NUTRITIOUS FOODS DIRECTLY TO TWIN CITIES NEIGHBORHOODS INCLUDING NINE SITES IN MINNEAPOLIS THAT DO NOT HAVE

[7:41] ACCESS TO FULL SERVICE SUPER MARKETS OR GROCERY STORES. SOME ARGUE THAT THE ROOT CAUSE

[7:47] OF FOOD APARTHEID IS THE LACK OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE FEDERAL ROBINSON PATMAN ACT.

[7:55] THE LAW WAS MEANT TO ENSURE SUPPLIERS WERE GIVEN THE SAME PRICE TO ALL OF THEIR BUYERS

[8:02] REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF THEIR BUYERS. IT WAS THROWN OUT WITH MOST

[8:08] ANTI-TRUST ENFORCEMENT IN RONALD REAGAN'S DEREGULATORY PUSH. AT THE STATE LEVEL, MAINE,

[8:13] MINNESOTA, AND RHODE ISLAND ARE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD NOT JUST MIRROR ROBINSON-PATMAN, BUT GO FURTHER

[8:19] TO PREVENT BIG GROCERY CHAINS FROM DOMINATING THE MARKET. MINNESOTA'S CONSUMER GROCERY

[8:25] PRICING FAIRNESS ACT CURRENTLY IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD REQUIRE SUPPLIERS TO PROVIDE THE SAME

[8:31] TERMS OF SALE TO GROCERY ITEMS TO ALL RETAILERS AND

[8:36] WHOLESALERS. THIS COULD INCREASE THE VIABILITY OF SMALLER GROCERS OF

[8:43] ALL KIND. THOUGH NOT INTENDED TO BE COMPREHENSIVE, I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF

[8:48] THE GREAT WORK THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS DOING. HOMEGROWN MINNEAPOLIS WORKS ON

[8:54] FOOD SECURITY ISSUES. THEY'RE WORKING AT THE INTERSECTION OF IMPROVING FOOD ACCESS AND REDUCING GREENHOUSE

[8:59] GAS EMISSIONS. PREVIOUS WORK INCLUDES DISTRIBUTING 2.4 MILLION IN

[9:06] COVID-ERA FEDERAL FUNDING. TO FOOD SECURITY PARTNERS

[9:12] INCLUDING FOOD SHELVES, HOT MEAL PROGRAMS AND OTHER TYPES OF DISTRIBUTIONS PROVIDING CULTURALLY RELEVANT NUTRITIOUS

[9:18] FOOD TO 184,694 HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE CITY. THE HOMEGROWN MINNEAPOLIS FOOD

[9:24] COUNCIL HELPS ENACT THE MINNEAPOLIS FOOD VISION AND THE MINNEAPOLIS FOOD ACTION PLAN. BOTH OF WHICH INCLUDE GOALS

[9:30] AROUND EQUITABLE FOOD ACCESS. AND THE HEALTHY LIVING

[9:36] INITIATIVE INCLUDES A FOCUS ON IMPROVING COMMUNITY NUTRITION WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING

[9:41] NUTRITIOUS AND CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOODS THAT ARE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. DETAILS ON THESE PROGRAMS AND

[9:47] SOME ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTED WORK CAN BE FOUND IN THE REPORT. WELATED TO FOOD ACCESS IS FOOD

[9:52] INSECURITY. -- RELATED TO FOOD ACCESS IS FOOD INSECURITY. FOOD INSECURITY OCCURS WHEN A HOUSEHOLD CANNOT ACCESS ENOUGH

[9:58] FOOD DUE TO A LACK OF MONEY OR OTHER ESSENTIAL RESOURCES.

[10:12] IT CAN BE THE AVAILABILITY OF FOOD IN THE COMMUNITY, THE COST OF THE FOOD, AND HOW EASY IT IS TO GET TO BY AVAILABLE

[10:17] TRANSPORTATION. WHILE ACCESSIBILITY DOES MATTER, THE MAIN DRIVER OF FOOD INSECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES IS A LACK OF MONEY.

[10:25] THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ESTIMATED IN 2023 THAT THE U.S. FOOD INSECURITY

[10:31] RATE WAS 13.5%. FEEDING AMERICA ESTIMATED MINNESOTA'S 2023 FOOD INSECURITY

[10:39] RATE AT 10.4%, ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY. HOWEVER, SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND PARTNERING WITH WILDER

[10:46] RESEARCH IN 2024 FOUND 20% OF MINNESOTA HOUSEHOLDS FACED FOOD

[10:51] INSECURITY WHICH INCREASED TO 26% FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN AND HOUSEHOLDS OF COLOR FACED A

[11:01] 40% RATE. THE MAP ON THE LEFT HERE REPRESENTS THE 2023 PROJECTED

[11:07] PROPORTION OF INDIVIDUALS IN EACH CENSUS TRACT THAT MEET THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S

[11:13] DEFINITION FOR FOOD INSECURITY. THE MAP ON THE RIGHT REPRESENTS FOOD INSECURITY RATES PER ZIP

[11:18] CODE IN 2020. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE DARKER RED PORTIONS ON BOTH TELL A SIMILAR

[11:24] STORY. HENNEPIN COUNTY'S ESTIMATED 2023 FOOD INSECURITY RATE WAS 10.3%.

[11:30] THE MAJORITY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS AND ARE CONCENTRATED IN URBAN AREAS INCLUDING NORTH AND

[11:35] CENTRAL MINNEAPOLIS, THE PHILLIPS NEIGHBORHOOD AND CEDAR

[11:42] RIVERSIDE. HENNEPIN COUNTY WAS FOUND TO HAVE THE HIGHEST DISPARITY AMONG

[11:50] ZIP CODES RANGING FROM 0% TO 29%. AS OF 2023, THE FIVE MILE RADIUS

[11:56] AROUND ZIP CODE 55454 HAS THE HIGHEST FOOD INSECURITY IN THE NINE-COUNTY REGION.

[12:07] I THINK I PRACTICED TOO MUCH. I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING MY VOICE. ACCORDING TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

[12:13] ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE, IN 2020 IN THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT 23% OF COLLEGE STUDENTS EXPERIENCED

[12:18] FOOD INSECURITY, WITH THE MAJORITY EXPERIENCING VERY LOW

[12:23] FOOD SECURITY, MEANING THEY REPORTED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF

[12:28] EATING LESS THAN THEY SHOULD OR SKIPPING MEALS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD ENOUGH FOOD.

[12:34] IN SPRING 2024, 21.8% OF UMN TWIN CITIES STUDENTS REPORTED WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER THEIR

[12:40] FOOD WOULD RUN OUT BEFORE THEY HAD MONEY TO BUY MORE. AND 12.4% REPORTED EXPERIENCING

[12:46] A FOOD SHORTAGE AND LACKING MONEY TO BUY MORE WITHIN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. TO ADDRESS THIS FOOD INSECURITY,

[12:51] MANY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES DO HAVE SOME TYPE OF FOOD ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS INCLUDING ON CAMPUS FOOD

[12:57] PANTRIES AND PROVIDING HELP TO ENROLL IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

[13:03] BENEFITS. IN MINNEAPOLIS, MOST CAMPUSES HAVE ASSISTANCE INCLUDING AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY FOOD

[13:09] ASSISTANCE, MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE FOOD PANTRY, U OF M FOOD PANTRY, AND UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS FOOD ASSISTANCE.

[13:15] I DID ADD THOUGH THEIR CAMPUS IS LOCATED IN RED LAKE MINNESOTA, RED LAKE NATION COLLEGE DOES

[13:20] HAVE A SITE IN MINNEAPOLIS, SO I WANTED TO MENTION THEIR FOOD

[13:26] PANTRY AS WELL WHICH OFTEN INCLUDES LOCAL INDIGENOUS FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS RED LAKE WALLEYE

[13:31] AND WILD RICE. MOVING INTO SOME EXAMPLE CITIES'

[13:37] GROCERY STORE MODELS. TO START, I WANT TO MAKE A NOTE THAT NO MAJOR U.S. CITY HAS OPENED A PUBLICLY-OWNED AND

[13:45] OPERATED GROCERY STORE. HOWEVER, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES HAVE WITH

[13:50] VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS. THE GROCERY INDUSTRY IS KNOWN TO BE INCREDIBLY SLIM PROFIT

[13:56] MARGINS AVERAGING 1% TO 3%. AND THIS HAS RESULTED IN MANY SMALL GROCERY STORES CLOSING

[14:02] WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF OPENING. SOME CITIES FRAME ACCESS TO FOOD AS A PUBLIC COMMON GOOD, LIKE

[14:08] ACCESS TO WATER AND OTHER UTILITIES. OTHERS MAINTAIN THAT GROCERY STORES ARE BEST LEFT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

[14:14] WHATEVER ROUTE OR STORE MODEL

[14:19] MUNICIPALITIES USE TO ADDRESS FOOD APARTHEID IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, EXPERTS THROUGHOUT THE REPORT STRESS THE IMPORTANCE

[14:26] OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH THE BEGINNING PHASES AS A STORE

[14:31] WILL NOT SUCCEED WITHOUT COMMUNITY BUY IN AND CONTINUED COMMUNITY SUPPORT. ONE FINAL NOTE, IT IS IMPORTANT

[14:37] THAT A COMMON THEME AMONG THE SUBJECTS INTERVIEWED FOR THIS REPORT IS THAT WHEN OPENING A

[14:43] GROCERY STORE, A MUNICIPALITY SHOULD CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE STORE MAY OPERATE IN

[14:48] LOSS IN PERPETUITY, AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED LUCKY TO BREAK EVEN AFTER A FEW YEARS.

[14:55] THIS MEANS THE STORE COULD CONTINUE TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THAT BEING SAID, TULSA, OKLAHOMA

[15:02] IS A REALLY GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC/PRIVATE NONPROFIT

[15:07] PARTNERSHIP. OASIS FRESH MARKET OPENED FOUR YEARS AGO WITH PARTIAL PUBLIC FUNDING AND IS CURRENTLY RUN BY

[15:13] A PRIVATE OPERATOR AND OWNED BY A NONPROFIT. THE COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROJECT WAS LED BY LOCAL NONPROFIT TULSA

[15:22] NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND BLACK ENTREPRENEUR AARON JOHNSON. THE NONPROFIT WAS ABLE TO ATTRACT A BROAD GROUP OF

[15:28] COMMUNITY LEADERS AND FUNDERS TO FINANCE THE PROJECT. AND AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SLIDE,

[15:33] THE TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET WAS $5,452,000.

[15:39] OASIS FRESH MARKET IS MORE THAN A GROCERY STORE. THEY WORK WITH MANY NON-PROFITS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION ON A WEEKLY

[15:46] BASIS INCLUDING RESUME BUILDING, SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAMS AND MEDICAL CLINICS. AS THE OPERATOR STATED, THEIR

[15:52] COMMUNITY IS NOT JUST A FOOD DESERT, IT IS A BROADBAND DESERT, IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL DESERT, IT IS A HOPE DESERT.

[15:59] GROCERY STORES ARE ONLY PART OF THE ISSUE IN AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY. THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT

[16:05] INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THIS PROJECT WAS CREATED, HOW IT'S CONTINUED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND

[16:10] LESSONS LEARNED IN THE REPORT. IF YOU ONLY READ ONE EXAMPLE CITY IN THE REPORT, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS ONE.

[16:18] IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT TULSA'S DOLLAR STORE ORDINANCE MAY HAVE HELPED CREATE A

[16:23] SITUATION WHERE OASIS FRESH MARKET COULD SUCCEED. IT WAS PASSED IN 2018 AND

[16:29] RESTRICTS THE BUILDING OF SMALL BOX DISCOUNT STORES IN THE CITY'S UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

[16:41] WHILE THE CITY OF MADISON DOES NOT OPERATE ANY GROCERY STORES, THEY ARE THE LANDLORD TO TWO SMALLER GROCERS AND HAVE BEEN

[16:48] INVOLVED WITH OPENING A LARGER GROCER STORE IN THE HISTORICALLY

[16:53] DISINVESTED SOUTH MADISON SINCE 2017. IT HAS BEEN A COMPLICATED PROCESS AND AS OF NOW THERE'S NO OPERATING GROCERY STORE AT THE

[17:00] LOCATION. THE PROJECT WAS INSTIGATED WITH THE ANTICIPATION THAT THE ONLY FULL GROCER IN THE AREA WAS

[17:05] GOING TO CLOSE. TO DATE THAT STORE IS STILL OPEN. THE CITY ISSUED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO DEVELOPERS IN 2018

[17:14] AND 2019 FOR AN ALREADY OWNED SITE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT

[17:20] WOULD INCLUDE A GROCERY STORE CONDO. THEY FUNDED THE DEVELOPMENT

[17:25] AGREEMENT IN MAY OF 2021. UNFORTUNATELY THE INITIAL GROCER INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT HAD TO

[17:30] BACK UP WHICH RESULTED IN THE CITY NEEDING TO PURCHASE THE CONDO SO THAT THE DEVELOPER COULD CLOSE.

[17:36] THERE WERE MANY FURTHER CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT WHICH ARE DETAILED IN THE REPORT ALONG WITH ADVICE FROM MADISON CITY STAFF TO OTHER

[17:43] CITIES CONSIDERING SIMILAR PROJECTS. AS OF NOW, THE CITY HAS SPENT A

[17:49] TOTAL OF $10,633,000 INCLUDING THE $4.6 MILLION FOR THE GROCERY STORE CONDO.

[17:54] WHILE THE CURRENT GROCER IS STILL TRYING TO SECURE FINANCING AT LEAST WHEN I SPOKE TO THE

[17:59] STAFF, THEY DID LET ME KNOW IN A FOLLOW-UP EMAIL LAST WEEK THAT THEY ARE ANTICIPATING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON THIS PROJECT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

[18:08] THE CITY OF CHICAGO ALSO RECENTLY CONSIDERED OPENING A CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORE. DESPITE A FEASIBILITY STUDY IN

[18:15] SUMMER 2024, CONCLUDING THAT A CITY-OWNED SUPERMARKET WAS NECESSARY, FEASIBLE, AND

[18:24] IMPLEMENTABLE, THE CITY HAS SINCE PIVOTED IN ITS PLANS AND INSTEAD INTENDS TO PURSUE THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING A PUBLIC

[18:30] MARKET WHICH WOULD BE SIMILAR TO A PERMANENT INDOOR FARMER'S

[18:35] MARKET. PROPONENTS SAY IT COULD SUPPORT LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AND FOOD PRODUCERS AND COULD HELP ADDRESS

[18:40] THE LACK OF SUPER MARKETS IN THE CITY'S SOUTH AND WEST SIDES. HOWEVER SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC MARKETS ARE TYPICALLY LOCATED IN

[18:48] HIGH-DENSITY DOWNTOWN AREAS BECAUSE THEY NEED LOTS OF FOOT TRAFFIC TO REMAIN SUSTAINABLE.

[18:54] THAT BRINGS INTO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT A PUBLIC MARKET WILL ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF FOOD DESERTS OR THE INTERESTS

[19:00] OF LOW INCOME PEOPLE. LAST YEAR, ATLANTA APPROVED JUST UNDER $8.2 MILLION IN FUNDING

[19:07] FOR A PROJECT THAT WILL CREATE TWO GROCERY STORES IN LOW FOOD ACCESS NEIGHBORHOODS. FUNDS WILL BE USED TO HELP BUILD

[19:13] OUT BOTH LOCATIONS, SUPPLY

[19:18] INVENTORY, PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND HELP WITH OTHER OPERATING COSTS. AFTER TRYING FOR YEARS TO

[19:24] INCENTIVIZE NATIONAL GROCERY CHAINS TO OPEN STORES IN THESE PARTS OF THE CITY WITHOUT SUCCESS, THE CITY CHOSE SAVVY

[19:31] PROVISIONS, AN INDEPENDENT CHAIN OF NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETS TO OPERATE THE STORE FOR THEM. THE REPORT ALSO REVIEWS SEVERAL

[19:38] SMALLER CITIES AND TOWN GROCERY STORE MODELS INCLUDING ONE FULLY CITY-OWNED AND OPERATED STORE IN

[19:43] ST. PAUL, KANSAS. THE ST. PAUL SUPERMARKET OPENED IN 2008 WITH THREE FUNDING

[19:49] PARTNERS. PUBLIC DOLLARS FROM THE RESIDENCE OF ST. PAUL BOUGHT THE

[19:55] PROPERTY AND THE PHYSICAL STORE. A GROUP OF ST. PAUL CITIZENS INVESTED THEIR OWN MONEY TO BUY THE BUSINESS, AND A HUSBAND AND

[20:01] WIFE TEAM BOUGHT THE INVENTORY AND MANAGED THE STORE. FIVE YEARS LATER IN 2013, THE

[20:06] CITY COMMISSION ASSUMED OPERATION OF THE STORE AND BOUGHT OUT THE OTHER TWO PARTNERS, SO IT IS NOW A FULLY

[20:14] MUNICIPALLY OWNED BUSINESS. OTHER SMALLER CITIES HAVE CHOSEN OTHER MODELS LISTED ON THE SCREEN THERE, AND YOU CAN

[20:20] EXPLORE THOSE MORE IN THE REPORT.

[20:28] TO COOPERATIVE AND NONPROFIT

[20:33] GROCERY STORES IN MINNEAPOLIS. MOST FOOD CO-OPS ARE CONSUMER COOPERATIVES MEANING THEY'RE OWNED AND GOVERNED BY THE PEOPLE WHO SHOP AT THEM.

[20:39] THE TWIN CITIES HAS ACTUALLY LED THE COUNTRY IN THE INNOVATION AND NUMBER OF FOOD COOPERATIVE.

[20:46] THE BACKDROP OF THE CO-OP WARS IN MINNEAPOLIS IN THE 1970s SURROUNDED TENSIONS CENTERED ON

[20:52] FOOD, RACE, GENDER, AND CLASS. AND THE ISSUE OF HOW TO INCLUDE

[20:58] MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN WHO A CO-OP WILL SERVE IS STILL ESSENTIAL. FLARE UPS AMONG COMPETING CO-OP

[21:05] GROUPS LED TO VIOLENT OUTBURSTS WITH ONE TAKEOVER ATTEMPT IN 1976 RESULTING IN FOUR ARRESTS,

[21:10] THE FIREBOMBING OF A TRUCK, AND ATTEMPTED FIREBOMBING OF A STORE, PLUS A NUMBER OF LAWSUITS AND COUNTER SUITS.

[21:17] AND A COUPLE OF INVOLVED COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT'S AN INTERESTING HISTORY.

[21:26] THERE ARE CURRENTLY FIVE COOPERATIVE GROCERY STORES OPERATING IN MINNEAPOLIS, THEY ARE LISTED ON THE SLIDE THERE.

[21:33] CHALLENGES FACING THESE LOCAL COOPS AS WELL AS HOW TO ADDRESS

[21:40] THOSE CHALLENGES ARE FOUND IN THE REPORT. YOU CAN SEE ON THE SLIDE THAT

[21:50] THE -- CO-OP CLOSED LESS THAN A YEAR LATER.

[21:55] AFTER THE CO-OP'S CLOSURE, THE CITY WROTE OFF THAT LOAN AS UNCOLLECTIBLE IN 2020.

[22:05] I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THE DEDICATED FUNDING THROUGH THEIR BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SUPPORTS COOPERATIVES

[22:11] THROUGH CONTRACTS WITH COMMUNITY

[22:16] ORGANIZATIONS WHICH SPECIFICALLY SUPPORT CO-OPS. THEY OFFER ONE ON ONE ADVISORY

[22:23] SERVICES THROUGH COOPERATIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDERS.

[22:29] THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO

[22:35] NONPROFIT GROCERIES OPERATING IN MINNEAPOLIS. NONPROFIT GROCERY STORES ARE VERY UNCOMMON AND FEWER HAVE

[22:40] BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES, NOT JUST HERE BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY. IN THEIR INITIAL CAPITAL

[22:46] CAMPAIGN, NORTH MARKET RECEIVED STATE FUNDING AND HAS SINCE RECEIVED SOME PROGRAMMATIC FUNDS

[22:52] THROUGH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS. THEY CURRENTLY OPERATE ON AROUND 30% PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT.

[22:57] TO DATE GOOD GROCER HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY KNOWN PUBLIC FUNDS. MORE INSIGHTS INTO THEIR SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES CAN

[23:03] ALSO BE FOUND IN THE REPORT.

[23:12] WHILE DIRECTED TO REVIEW

[23:17] MUNICIPALLY OPERATED LIQUOR STORES, CANNABIS DISPENSARIES AND PHARMACIES, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THEY OPERATE

[23:25] DIFFERENTLY THAN MUNICIPAL GROCERY STORES AND EACH OTHER.

[23:31] LIQUOR STORES FACE DRASTICALLY LESS COMPETITION THAN OTHER BUSINESSES. BECAUSE MINNESOTA IS THE ONLY

[23:36] STATE IN WHICH CITY GOVERNMENT IS ALLOWED TO HAVE MONOPOLY OVER RETAIL LIQUOR STORES WITHIN THEIR BOUNDARIES.

[23:44] MINNESOTA'S 1933 ACT ALLOWED CITIES WITH POPULATIONS OF 10,000 OR FEWER TO ESTABLISH A STORE SELLING ALCOHOL BY THE

[23:51] BOTTLE OR CONSUMPTION ON THE PREMISES. CITIES WITH LARGER POPULATIONS CAN ALSO ESTABLISH A MUNICIPAL

[23:57] LIQUOR STORE, BUT THEY DO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE. 176 MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES

[24:03] CURRENTLY OPERATE 210 MUNICIPALLY-OWNED LIQUOR STORES

[24:08] OR MUNI'S AS THEY ARE CALLED SOMETIMES. THERE'S MUCH MORE INFORMATION IN THE REPORT REGARDING THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF ALL OF THOSE

[24:13] LOCATED IN MINNESOTA. AS FOR MUNICIPALLY OWNED AND OPERATED CANNABIS DISPENSARIES,

[24:19] I COULD NOT FIND ANY CURRENTLY OPERATING EXAMPLES. THE ONLY HISTORIC EXAMPLE I COULD FIND WAS NORTH BONNEVILLE,

[24:27] WASHINGTON, WHICH CLOSED DOWN DUE TO LACK OF PROFITABILITY. THOUGH SOME CITIES IN MINNESOTA

[24:34] HAVE CONSIDERED OPENING MUNICIPALLY-RUN STORES, NONE HAVE YET OPENED. AND AGAIN OPERATING A DISPENSARY

[24:40] IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN A GROCERY OR LIQUOR STORE. DISPENSARIES FACE VERY UNIQUE CHALLENGES, THESE INCLUDE THE

[24:45] REALITY THAT CANNABIS REMAINS ILLEGAL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. THERE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS AS WELL AS MANY BANKING AND

[24:52] INSURANCE ISSUES. THE REPORT WALKS THROUGH THESE IN MORE DETAIL.

[24:58] SIMILAR TO GROCERY STORES, ACCESS TO PHARMACIES CAN BE A CHALLENGE FOR MANY MINNESOTANS. THE MAP HERE SHOWS PHARMACY

[25:05] ACCESS GAPS IN THE METRO AREA IN 2024.

[25:10] THE GREEN LOW ACCESS AREAS OUR CENSUS TRACKS IS MORE THAN ONE MILE FROM THE NEAREST PHARMACY.

[25:17] LIMITED CENSUS TRACKS IN YELLOW ARE CURRENTLY ONLY SERVED BY A SINGLE PHARMACY, SO IF THAT

[25:23] PHARMACY WERE TO CLOSE, THEY WOULD LOSE ACCESS. WHILE PHARMACY ACCESS GAPS EXIST IN MINNESOTA AND IN COMMUNITIES

[25:28] ACROSS THE COUNTRY, I CAN FIND NO EXAMPLES OF

[25:33] MUNICIPALLY-OPERATED PHARMACIES. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAMS REVIEWED THEIR DATABASE FOR THE

[25:39] REPORT AND SHARED THAT THEY ONLY HAD FOUR GOVERNMENT PHARMACY CATEGORIES. THOSE WERE DEPARTMENT OF

[25:44] DEFENSE, VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES, AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED

[25:49] HOSPITAL PHARMACIES. A 2022 STUDY IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 61,000 PHARMACIES ACROSS

[25:54] THE U.S. AND ONLY 240 OR .4% WERE GOVERNMENT PHARMACIES IN

[26:01] THOSE CATEGORIES. OKAY, KEY TAKEAWAYS, WHILE THIS

[26:08] REPORT INCLUDED MANY COMPONENTS, ALL OF WHICH OFFERED INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUE AT HAND, I WANTED

[26:14] TO OFFER THESE KEY TAKEAWAYS SO THEY DIDN'T GET LOST IN ALL OF THE INFORMATION I SHARED TODAY. NUMBER ONE, THE GROCERY INDUSTRY

[26:19] IS INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING WITH PROFIT MARGINS TYPICALLY AROUND 1% TO 3%.

[26:26] SPECIFIC EXPERTISE IN THE GROCERY INDUSTRY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS.

[26:32] NUMBER TWO, ANY STORE OR OTHER OPTION TO ADDRESS FOOD APARTHEID NEEDS TO BE COMMUNITY DRIVEN.

[26:37] SOLUTIONS WILL NOT SUCCEED WITHOUT COMMUNITY BUY IN AND SUPPORT. AND FINALLY NUMBER THREE,

[26:44] MINNESOTA'S CONSUMER GROCERY PRICING FAIRNESS ACT MAY INCREASE THE VIABILITY OF INDEPENDENT GROCERS IF IT IS

[26:49] PASSED.

[26:54] THIS IS SORT OF THE MINNESOTA STAND IN FOR THE LACK OF ENFORCEMENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OF THAT ROBINSON-PATMAN ACT.

[27:01] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TODAY. BUT I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRESENTATION OR THE REPORT.

[27:06] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK BEHIND THIS AND FOR THE PRESENTATION.

[27:12] FIRST, I'LL CALL ON VICE CHAIR WONSLEY. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHAVEZ. >> SORRY, VICE CHAIR WONSLEY, IF

[27:18] YOU DON'T MIND. I DID WANT TO REFLECT THAT COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE IS ALSO PRESENT.

[27:23] THANK YOU. >> JUST HAD A COUPLE OF COMMENTS

[27:29] AND SOME QUESTIONS. BUT FIRST JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF FOR COMPLETING WHAT WAS A VERY THOROUGH REPORT.

[27:36] THANK YOU FOR ALSO PUTTING IT ON ALL OF OUR DESKS.

[27:51] I ENJOYED IT ACTUALLY. SINCE BRINGING THIS DIRECTIVE FORWARD LAST NOVEMBER, I KNOW

[27:57] I'VE RECEIVED FEEDBACK AND RESPONSES OUT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MUNICIPAL GROCERY STORES

[28:04] WAS THIS PIE IN THE SKY IDEA, BUT HERE WE ARE A YEAR LATER SINCE PASSING THE DIRECTIVE AND

[28:16] IT'S BEEN FASCINATING TO WATCH THIS ISSUE OR DISCUSSION BECOME A NATIONAL DISCUSSION POINT.

[28:21] WE'RE HEARING COMMUNITY LEADERS EVEN RAISE THE ISSUE ACROSS THE RIVER IN ST. PAUL AND MUNICIPAL

[28:28] GROCERY STORES ARE ALSO BEING A KEY TOPIC OF ONGOING DISCUSSION FOR THE NEW YORK MAYORAL RACE.

[28:36] IT ALSO DOVETAILS WITH CONVERSATIONS, MANY CITIES AS YOU OUTLINED IN THIS REPORT

[28:43] ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HAVING AROUND HOW TO CREATE MORE RESILIENT AND SELF-RELIANT

[28:48] SYSTEMS TO MEET THEIR RESIDENTS' NEEDS. ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THIS

[28:54] INCREASINGLY HOSTILE AND VOLATILE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAT'S CUTTING FUNDING FOR MANY

[28:59] OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SERVICES PROGRAMS THAT MANY COMMUNITIES RELY ON.

[29:05] SO I KNOW IN RESPONSE TO THOSE

[29:11] DEVELOPMENTS, THERE'S BEEN A SENTIMENT FROM WORKING CLASS PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO ARE LOOKING TO THEIR LOCAL

[29:16] GOVERNMENTS TO STEP UP AND FIND WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD THEIR BASIC NEEDS LIKE GROCERIES.

[29:21] AND ALL THAT SAID, THERE'S NO BETTER TIME, I THINK, TO BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION AND ONCE AGAIN GRATEFUL THAT WE HAD

[29:28] A TEAM ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE

[29:33] THAT COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO REALLY DIVE INTO THIS WITH

[29:39] ATTENTION AND GREAT DETAIL. ONE THING THAT DID STAND OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS REPORT WAS THE

[29:45] VARIETY OF MODELS THAT DIFFERENT CITIES HAVE USED TO CREATE

[29:51] EITHER MUNICIPAL GROCERY STORES OR THESE PUBLIC/PRIVATE MIXED

[29:58] MODELS. THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF A VARIETY OF FINANCIAL TOOLS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MODELS THAT WERE USED TO EITHER FUND OR SUSTAIN

[30:04] THESE GROCERY PROJECTS. ONE KEY THING THAT I'VE OFTEN

[30:09] SEEN AS YOU HIGHLIGHTED, IT TOOK SIGNIFICANT UP FRONT COSTS OR

[30:16] INVESTMENT TO EVEN ATTRACT PRIVATE GROCERS. AND A LOT OF THAT CAPITAL

[30:21] INVESTMENT CAME FROM THE CITY'S TAKING THE INITIATIVE. SO I THINK THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IF WE ARE ADDRESSING

[30:29] FOOD INSECURITIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES, GOVERNMENT DO HAVE A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN

[30:34] INITIATING AND GETTING MOVEMENT AROUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANY TYPE OF GROCERY OPTION.

[30:41] AND I FEEL VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT LEADERS HERE AT THE CITY CAN GET CREATIVE WITH THE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE HERE TO ALSO ADDRESS THIS

[30:48] ISSUE. BUT ALSO, THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING WHICH I THINK IT'S ALSO LOST IN OUR CONVERSATIONS

[30:55] AROUND FOOD DESERT AND HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT THAT FOOD INSECURITY IS EXTREMELY A MAJOR

[31:04] ISSUE FOR COLLEGE CAMPUSES AND STUDENTS. I KNOW AS THE WARD THAT HAS TWO

[31:09] COLLEGE CAMPUSES WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND AUGSBERG UNIVERSITY, I OFTEN HEAR THIS FROM MY STUDENTS WHO

[31:17] ALSO AS YOU HIGHLIGHTED IN YOUR COMMENTS IN THE REPORT, SOME ARE SKIPPING OUT ON MEALS OR HAVE TO

[31:24] SUBSIDIZE THEIR FOOD COSTS THROUGH TAKING OUT ADDITIONAL LOANS OR WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS. ALL THINGS THAT TAKE AWAY FROM

[31:31] THEIR AVAILABILITY TO REALLY HONE IN AND FOCUS ON COMPLETING THEIR COLLEGE DEGREE. AND THIS REPORT ALSO STATES THAT

[31:37] NEARLY A QUARTER OF UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING THAT VERY REALITY, AND I THINK THAT'S JUST

[31:45] COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE IN OUR CURRENT CITY WHERE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE A REALITY

[31:50] THAT IS CONFRONTING A NUMBER OF OUR STUDENT RESIDENTS.

[31:55] ALSO ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES FROM THIS REPORT WAS, I THINK IT

[32:00] WAS FROM THE MAYOR OF KANSAS CITY WHERE HE DOES SAY ACCESS TO WATER AND CLEAN AIR ARE

[32:06] ESSENTIALLY PUBLIC GOODS. AND PUTTING THAT LINE IN THE SAND OF THIS IS NOT -- IT SHOULD

[32:16] NOT BE PUBLICLY TRADED OF ACCESS TO FOOD. AND I THINK WHEN RESIDENTS LACK ACCESS TO BASIC NECESSITIES LIKE

[32:23] FOOD, OUR CITY HAS A ROLE AND CIVIC OBLIGATION TO ACT AND THAT

[32:30] REALLY SUMS UP MY INTENTION WHY I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THE CITY EXPLORE THIS FURTHER, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KNOW THE PRIVATE MARKET

[32:36] IS NOT MEETING THE NEEDS FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY. SO WITH THAT, I DO LOOK FORWARD

[32:42] AGAIN TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND MARINATING ON A LOT OF THE EXAMPLES, A LOT OF

[32:48] THE MATERIAL AND CONTENT THAT YOU PUT INTO THIS REPORT IN

[32:53] PRESENTATION, REALLY GIVING A THOROUGH OVERVIEW OF THE TYPE OF FINANCIAL TOOLS THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO CITIES LIKE THE

[33:00] CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, HOW WE CAN APPROACH EVEN OUR CITY STAFF WHO YOU ALSO INCORPORATED THEIR

[33:06] THOUGHTS AND FEEDBACK INTO THIS REPORT ON HOW WE CAN FURTHER BRING SOLUTIONS TO THIS ISSUE

[33:12] AROUND FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR CITY. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

[33:17] >> THANK YOU. NEXT UP WE HAVE COUNCIL PRESIDENT PAYNE. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHAVEZ.

[33:24] I'LL ECHO VICE CHAIR WONSLEY'S APPRECIATION FOR THE THOROUGHNESS OF THIS REPORT. AND I KNOW THAT WE DIDN'T

[33:30] EXPLICITLY ASK FOR THIS INFORMATION, BUT I'M SURE YOU CAME ACROSS JUST THE KIND OF

[33:37] BROADER MARKET CONDITIONS THAT THESE GROCERS ARE OPERATING IN. YOU SPOKE TO HOW LOW THE MARGIN

[33:43] IS, BUT I THINK THAT ALSO IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOU HAVE WALMART AS A PRETTY DOMINANT MARKET

[33:51] SHARE IN THE GROCERY INDUSTRY. WE KNOW HOW WALMART GENERALLY OPERATES ITS BUSINESS, IT UNDERCUTS LOCAL BUSINESSES UNTIL

[33:57] THEY GO OUT OF BUSINESS AND THEN IT CAN JACK THE PRICES UP. BUT I'M WONDERING IF THROUGH

[34:03] YOUR MORE DIRECT SEARCH ON MUNICIPAL GROCERY, YOU SAW ANY INSIGHTS AROUND THOSE LARGER MARKET FORCES THAT SHOULD BE

[34:12] THINGS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING? >> SO THE 1% TO 3% AVERAGE

[34:17] PROFIT MARGINS IS INCLUDED WITH THOSE REALLY LARGE RETAILERS

[34:22] OFTEN BECAUSE THEIR VOLUME IS SO MASSIVE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO MAKE ONE PENNY OUT OF EVERY

[34:29] DOLLAR THAT THEY SELL.

[34:34] ALSO, I MENTIONED IN THE -- OH MY GOSH, NOW I'M BLANKING -- TULSA, THE DOLLAR STORE

[34:41] ORDINANCE. I THINK I INCLUDED A COUPLE OF OTHER EXAMPLES THROUGHOUT THE REPORT AGAIN ABOUT THAT.

[34:46] THEIR MARKET SHARE IS SO LARGE AND THEIR VOLUME IS SO MUCH THAT THEY CAN COME INTO A COMMUNITY,

[34:54] THEY SELL SHELF STABLE ITEMS, YOU KNOW NO FRESH FOOD OF ANY KIND IN GENERAL, I SHOULDN'T SAY

[35:01] NEVER, BUT IN GENERAL. AND THEN THEY DO PUT OUT OF BUSINESS LOCAL STORES AND PEOPLE

[35:07] ARE LEFT WITH ONLY THOSE FEW SHELF STABLE ITEMS AND AREN'T NECESSARILY SUPER NUTRITIOUS OR

[35:14] CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE. SO THERE ARE SOME ISSUES OF THAT

[35:21] AT PLAY AS WELL. AND I POINTED OUT THE FEDERAL

[35:27] ROBINSON-PATMAN ACT, THE LACK OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE ANTITRUST IS DEFINITELY IMPACTFUL.

[35:32] IT'S HAD A GREAT, NOT GREAT AS IN POSITIVE, BUT LARGE IMPACT ON THE GROCERY STORE SCENE SINCE

[35:37] THAT HAS NOT REALLY BEEN ENFORCED THAT MUCH. AS I STATED, ALSO MINNESOTA HAS

[35:43] ITS OWN VERSION CURRENTLY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ITS

[35:48] PROBABILITY IS, BUT THAT'S WORTH TALKING MORE TO IGR, BUT SEEING WHERE THAT IS AT AS WELL.

[35:55] THOSE ARE THE LARGEST MARKET FORCES THAT I UNCOVERED. I DIDN'T GO TOO MUCH IN DEPTH IN ALL OF THE MARKET FORCES AROUND

[36:02] THIS BUSINESS. BUT THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHTS. >> THANK YOU.

[36:11] >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I PERSONALLY LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS. THANKS. >> THANK YOU.

[36:18] >> SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL DIRECT THE CLERK TO RECEIVE AND FILE THAT UPDATE.

[36:25] AND COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE NOTED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE OTHER VOTES?

[36:33] >> YES, PLEASE, I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, COUNCIL MEMBER RAINVILLE VOTES IN THE

[36:39] AFFIRMATIVE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. NEXT ITEM IS THE POSTPONEMENT OF A SAVE AND THRIVING COMMUNITY

[36:47] SUPPORT PLAN FOR PUBLIC SAFETY BEYOND POLICING. I'LL PASS IT TO VICE CHAIR WONSLEY TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM TO

[36:53] THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2025, MEETING. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CHAVEZ. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BRIEF

[36:59] CONTEXT TO THIS. SO THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT FORWARD BY MY OFFICE LAST YEAR WITH THE

[37:05] GOAL OF SOLIDIFYING ADOPTION OF THE SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES REPORT AND PLAN

[37:11] WHICH GIVES THE CITY A TEN-YEAR ACTION PLAN ON HOW WE CAN BUILD OUT A PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM THAT

[37:18] EXPANDS BEYOND TRADITIONAL POLICING. AND THIS HAS BEEN TOUTED AS THE BLUEPRINT FOR HOW THE CITY WILL

[37:25] BE CREATING A NEW SAFETY ECOSYSTEM THAT WILL GUIDE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES AND

[37:30] PROGRAM CREATION FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, AT LEAST THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

[37:36] IN THE PAST, THE CITY WILL FORMALLY ADOPT PLANS ADDRESSING KEY ISSUES IN OUR CITY THROUGH

[37:42] THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE CLIMATE EQUITY ACTION

[37:48] PLAN. AND HOWEVER LAST DECEMBER WE RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM OUR CITY

[37:54] ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT GAVE THE OPINION THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD NOT DO A FORMAL

[38:00] LEGISLATIVE ADOPTION PROCESS FOR THE SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES ACTION PLAN. IT ALSO SAID THAT FUTURE ACTION

[38:07] PLANS SHOULD NO LONGER ALSO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WHICH IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

[38:13] PRECEDENT. SO WE TOOK THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS TO HAVE FURTHER CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CITY

[38:19] ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND STAFF TO GET MORE CLARITY ON THE FUTURE OF ACTION PLANS AS WELL AS

[38:24] FIGURE OUT COUNCIL'S OPTIONS AS IT RELATES TO STRATEGIC PLANNING AND HOW WE CAN DEMONSTRATE A

[38:30] FORMAL SUPPORT FOR THE SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES REPORT AND PLAN. SO THAT SAID, WE LANDED ON A

[38:38] PRESENTATION FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO COME FORWARD ON SEPTEMBER 17TH.

[38:45] THAT WILL HAPPEN HERE IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE. I ALSO ANTICIPATE THAT WE'LL BE

[38:52] ACCOMPANYING ANOTHER ITEM WITH THAT PRESENTATION TO ADDRESS THE ORIGINAL INTENT WHICH IS AGAIN

[38:58] SHOWING FORMAL SUPPORT FOR THE SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES REPORT AND PLAN.

[39:04] AND WITH THAT, I ALSO WILL NOTE WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH CHAIR CHAVEZ IN HIS OTHER CHAIR

[39:11] CAPACITY TO GET A PRESENTATION FROM STAFF AS IT PERTAINS TO THE FUTURE AND STATUS OF ACTION

[39:16] PLANS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING TO BE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BECAUSE THIS IS

[39:22] INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE SHARED WITH A 13 MEMBER BODY AS OPPOSED TO JUST HERE IN PHS.

[39:27] SO WITH THAT, WE'LL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED ON WHEN WE GET THAT

[39:33] SCHEDULED. BUT THIS WILL BE POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 17TH.

[39:38] AND I WILL ASK FOR A SECOND FOR THAT MOTION. >> SECOND. >> THANKS.

[39:44] >> SEEING NO ONE ON QUEUE AND NO DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM TO THE

[39:51] SEPTEMBER 17, 2025, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE, ALL

[39:57] THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [CHORUS OF AYES]

[40:02] THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTION? AND THAT CARRIES. ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES, SEEING NO

[40:12] FURTHER BUSINESS -- YEAH? OKAY, VICE CHAIR WONSLEY. >> THANK YOU.

[40:20] THANK YOU, CHAIR CHAVEZ. I DID JUST WANT TO BRIEFLY COMMENT ON A MATTER THAT I KNOW

[40:26] A NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THAT'S RELEVANT TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS

[40:33] COMMITTEE REGARDING HOW WE WILL BE RESPONDING TO THE NEWS AROUND SERGEANT MARK HENNEMAN BEING THE

[40:42] LEAD TRAINER FOR OUR USE OF FORCE TRAINING FOR MPD REGARDING

[40:47] THE MDHR SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WHICH MANDATES THIS. AND JUST FOR FOLKS WHO AREN'T

[40:53] AWARE, SERGEANT HENNEMAN SHOT AND KILLED AMIR LOCKE IN 2023

[40:59] WHO WAS A 22-YEAR-OLD BLACK MAN WHO WAS SLEEPING AND WAS KILLED WITHIN NINE SECONDS AFTER MPD

[41:06] HAD ENTERED HIS APARTMENT WHERE HE WAS SLEEPING. AND THIS HAPPENED THROUGH THE

[41:12] EXECUTION OF A NO KNOCK WARRANT WHICH MANY OF THE PUBLIC HAD BELIEVED WAS BANNED AS MAYOR FRY

[41:19] HAD SHARED IN A PREVIOUS YEAR THAT THAT ACTION HAD BEEN TAKEN. OF COURSE THERE HAS BEEN

[41:25] CONCERNS AROUND WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP PROMOTION PROCESS FOR OFFICERS WHO ENGAGE IN THESE TYPES OF ACTIONS THAT LEAD TO

[41:31] THE LOSS OF LIFE FROM RESIDENTS. I THINK THERE'S MORE SENSITIVITY AROUND THIS WAS ANOTHER BLACK

[41:37] RESIDENT WHO LOST THEIR LIFE AND THERE WAS NO TRADITIONAL JUSTICE DELIVERED IN THAT MATTER.

[41:44] AND I AT LEAST WANTED TO REITERATE IN RESPONSE TO THAT

[41:49] OUTREACH FROM THE PUBLIC IS ONCE AGAIN MPD FALLS WITHIN THE SOLE AUTHORITY OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

[41:58] AND I THINK OF COURSE IT SHOWS TO SOME LEVEL OF JUST BEING TONE

[42:03] DEAF, BUT IT DOES RAISE CONCERNS AS TO HOW DID WE GET TO THIS

[42:08] PROMOTION? THIS BELIEF WAS ALSO REITERATED IN THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE THAT WAS JUST RECENTLY DISMISSED

[42:14] WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION THAT PROHIBITED OFFICERS WITH QUESTIONABLE CONDUCT FROM ALSO

[42:19] ATTAINING LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. AND I THINK WITH THE GUISE OF UNDERSTANDING THAT HAVING

[42:24] OFFICERS THAT DO ASCEND WITHIN MPD THAT HAVE SHOT AND KILLED BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS DOES

[42:31] SEND A VERY TROUBLING MESSAGE TO OUR RESIDENTS THAT YOU CAN DO THAT AND NOT FACE ANY

[42:40] REPERCUSSIONS WHATSOEVER AND ALSO HURTS TRUST THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD. I KNOW I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT I KNOW MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES

[42:47] WERE REMAINING COMMITTED TO FIGURING OUT HOW TO HOLD ACCOUNTABILITY IN THIS MATTER.

[42:53] WE TOOK UP A LENGTHY CONVERSATION DEBATE LAST COUNCIL

[43:00] CYCLE ON HOW WE COULD PURSUE INCORPORATING THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE TERMS IN THE MDHR

[43:07] SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BECAUSE OF THINGS LIKE THIS BECAUSE WE NEED LEGALLY BINDING POLICE REFORM

[43:13] BECAUSE PROMISES ARE ALWAYS BROKEN AROUND HERE. SO I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE, I KNOW ME AND MANY OF MY

[43:19] COLLEAGUES STAND IN SUPPORT OF OUR RESIDENTS IN FINDING OUR PATHWAY FORWARD FROM THIS AND

[43:25] THAT IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND IT CONTINUES TO DOUBLE DOWN ON HARM AND TRAUMA

[43:30] THAT MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AND HAD TO

[43:36] ENDURE FROM THE CONDITION OF POLICING IN OUR CITY. SO I JUST WANTED TO NAME THAT BECAUSE WE GOT LOTS OF OUTREACH

[43:43] AND MEDIA REGARDING THIS. >> THANKS FOR SHARING THAT, VICE CHAIR WONSLEY. ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES, SEEING NO

[43:49] FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE US, AND SEEING NO ONE IN QUEUE, I WILL

[43:55] DECLARE THIS MEETING ADJOURNED.