Honorary Resolution Honoring the life and memory of Fletcher Alexander Merkel
Adopted (unanimously)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Paul Misano [0:23] · Seconded by Council Member Whiting [0:23]
The Minneapolis City Council presented a resolution honoring Fletcher Alexander Merkel, a child who tragically passed away in a mass shooting at Annunciation School. Council members, Principal Dbor of Annunciation School, and Fletcher's first-grade teacher, Sarah Slack, shared heartfelt memories of his joyful and inquisitive nature. The resolution expressed the city's condolences and recognized Fletcher's lasting impact.
Committee of the Whole Report (Consent Agenda Items)
13-0 Approved
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Chowry [26:10] · Seconded by Unknown [33:30]
Council Member Chowry, chair of the Super Committee of the Whole, presented 64 items for consideration. Several items were explicitly pulled for separate discussion or vote, including a variance appeal, specific liquor license renewals, council appointments, and a resolution to suspend procurement requirements. Item 48.1, an appointment, was deleted from the agenda. The remaining items were approved en masse as part of the consent agenda.
Item 3: Variance Appeal
13-0 Approved
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Shugtai [35:50] · Seconded by Vice President Osman [36:30]
The council addressed a quasi-judicial variance appeal concerning fence heights, which had been forwarded without a committee recommendation. Staff provided an update, and council members discussed the necessity of adhering to existing ordinances and legal findings from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The consensus was that legislative fixes for zoning issues should be pursued separately from quasi-judicial appeals.
Items 5 and 6: Workers Compensation Claims Settlements
9-4 Approved
Dissent: Council Member Shugtai, Council Member Stevenson, Council Member Chavez, Council Member Wansley
Moved by Unknown [41:50] · Seconded by Unknown [41:50]
These two items, related to workers' compensation claims settlements, were pulled from the consent agenda for a separate vote. No discussion was recorded for these items during the council meeting.
Item 53: Appointments to Outside Boards and Commissions
7-6 Approved (on amendment)
Dissent: Council Member Wansley, Council Member Shugtai, Council Member Chowry, Council Member Stevenson, Council Member Chavez, President Payne voted against the amendment. The final resolution for all appointments as amended passed 13-0.
Moved by Council Member Schaefer [46:00] · Seconded by Unknown [47:50]
This item involved significant debate over proposed council member appointments, particularly for the Meet Minneapolis Executive Committee. Council Member Schaefer moved an amendment to be appointed to the Executive Committee, citing Ward 7's historical representation and its downtown assets. Council Member Wansley countered by advocating for broader city-wide representation, including cultural corridors, to ensure diverse voices and equitable resource allocation. Other council members raised concerns about the lack of communication from leadership regarding appointments and the need for interest-driven selections. The amendment to appoint Council Member Schaefer passed, and the overall list of appointments was then adopted.
Item 54: Liquor License Renewals for Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District and The Depot Minneapolis a Renaissance Hotel
8-5 Approved
Dissent: Council Member Shugtai, Council Member Chavez, Council Member Wansley, Council Member Chowry, President Payne
Moved by Vice President Osman [33:40] · Seconded by Unknown [33:40]
The council engaged in extensive discussion regarding the renewal of liquor licenses for two hotels amid allegations of housing ICE agents and concerns about worker safety. Amy Lingo from CPED presented findings from an investigation, stating that no 'good cause' under liquor code was found to deny or condition the licenses, and that worker concerns primarily related to hotel occupancy. Council members expressed strong disapproval of ICE operations and emphasized the need for worker protection, while acknowledging the legal constraints on denying liquor licenses based on federal actions or hotel-specific issues.
Item 55: Suspending Procurement Requirements for Operation Metro Surge
7-6 Approved (motion to delete passes)
Dissent: Council Member Schaefer, Council Member Whiting, Council Member Rainville, Council Member Vita, Council Member Warren, Vice President Osman
Moved by Council Member Shugtai [41:00] · Seconded by Unknown [41:20]
Council Member Shugtai moved to deny and delete this item from the agenda, which proposed suspending procurement requirements during 'Operation Metro Surge.' She cited lessons from past crises, such as 2020, and the implications of delegating such authority. President Payne supported the motion, suggesting that existing emergency management mechanisms, like declaring a state of emergency, are already in place for urgent situations, and proposed a broader review of emergency management protocols.
Item 57: Resolution Calling for Support for Small Businesses
13-0 Approved
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [55:00] · Seconded by Unknown [55:00]
This resolution, which called on various levels of government to secure funding for small businesses impacted by immigration enforcement, was initially pulled for a separate vote. However, no specific discussion on the item was recorded during the meeting.
Introduction and Referral Calendar (35 Items)
13-0 Approved
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:18:00] · Seconded by Unknown [1:18:00]
The council moved to approve the introduction and referral of 35 items, including new ordinances and reintroduction of items from the previous term. New ordinances included decriminalizing drug paraphernalia, extending pre-eviction notice, regulating alcohol on parking lots, and owner entry into rented dwelling units. Discussions involved clarifying the process for adding co-authors to legislative items and Council Member Wansley expressing disappointment that the pre-eviction notice ordinance was not expedited for an earlier effective date.
New Business: Gift Acceptance (for Council Member Shugtai)
13-0 Approved
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:25:00] · Seconded by Unknown [1:25:00]
The council considered and approved the acceptance of a gift from the Partnership for Participatory International Policy. This donation was intended to support Council Member Shugtai's attendance at a conference. No further discussion was held on this item.
New Business: Legislative Directive - Small Business Resiliency Fund
13-0 Approved
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:31:00] · Seconded by Unknown [1:31:00]
This legislative directive, authored by Council Members Chowry, Shugtai, Whiting, and Chavez, accompanied the Small Business Resiliency Fund. It aimed to memorialize council conversations and provide CPED with clear parameters and considerations for developing the fund's programming. Speakers emphasized the directive's role in offering flexibility while setting guide rails for the fund's implementation and utilizing staff expertise.