Minneapolis City Council

Minneapolis has been selected as an official host city for the 2028 Olympic torch relay, pending approval by the Minneapolis City Council on August 13. The relay will span three months, featuring one city from each U.S. state, culminating in the Los Angeles opening ceremony on July 14, 2028. The city was chosen for its ties to Olympic athletes, coaches, and sports events, including its hockey history and the University of Minnesota's production of Olympians.

Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette will step down at the end of the year, remaining interim commissioner until a permanent replacement is found. Barnette will assist in the search for the next police chief, oversee the opening of the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center, and manage community safety reforms. His reappointment was denied by the city council but reinstated after Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed the rejection.

The Minneapolis City Council confirmed Reginald Freeman as the next chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department. Freeman, currently the fire and emergency medical services director in Saudi Arabia, will replace Bryan Tyner, who is retiring at the end of 2025. Freeman has previously led fire departments in Oakland, Hartford, and Iraq.

Minneapolis City Council Member Michael Rainville warns that property taxes could increase by 13% next year if city spending remains unchanged, as the city projects a $30 million budget deficit for 2027.

Minneapolis City Council member Michael Rainville warns of a potential 13% property tax increase if the city maintains current services and staffing amid a $30 million budget shortfall. Mayor Jacob Frey is set to present his 2027 budget plan on August 12, with no final decisions confirmed yet.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addresses two mass shootings in the city, calling for increased arrests and new tools like cameras, Shot Spotters, and drones to combat crime. The Minneapolis Police Department is short nearly 100 officers, and a court has ordered the city to hire more police, which Frey supports.

The Minneapolis City Council is reevaluating the liquor license for Reign nightclub in Uptown following a mass shooting that injured nine people. The incident occurred over the weekend, prompting the council's review of the nightclub's license.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed an ordinance repealing the adult bathhouse ban, legalizing public sex venues including prostitution. Advocates frame the policy as supporting LGBTQ+ rights and public health, while critics argue it facilitates sexual exploitation and trafficking risks, particularly for queer youth.

Minneapolis City Council voted 6-6 to reject a 'Drones as First Responders' pilot program, citing concerns over Skydio drones' use by Israel in the Israel-Hamas war. Council member LaTrisha Vetaw argued the program could enhance public safety, while activists emphasized privacy risks. The debate highlights tensions between technological solutions for crime and ethical concerns.

A Minneapolis City Council committee delayed the liquor license renewal for Reign Event Center, the nightclub where a mass shooting injured nine people. The committee will review the venue's compliance with safety requirements, with a decision scheduled for August 4. The nightclub can continue serving alcohol until the renewal is denied or withdrawn.

The Minneapolis City Council rejected a drones-as-first-responder pilot program after Council Vice President Jamal Osman switched his vote, citing Skydio's ties to Israel's military and ICE. The 75-day trial aimed to deploy drones for emergency response but failed on a 6-6 tie, with supporters arguing ethical concerns outweighed potential public safety benefits.

Minneapolis leaders advanced a $2.5 million proposal to relocate up to 685 Heritage Park residents due to unsafe living conditions. Heritage Park, a 440-unit mixed-income apartment complex, has over half its units vacant or unlivable, with 685 residents in 212 units. Council member Pearll Warren highlighted mold and disrepair, questioning why city action was delayed.

Minneapolis City Council will vote on a $24 million Lyndale Avenue reconstruction project next week amid concerns from business owners about a three-year construction timeline and limited parking. Council members, including Soren Stevenson, argue the project is necessary for safety and infrastructure upgrades, despite business owners' fears of financial impact.

Minneapolis residents opposed a proposed police drone program at a City Hall meeting, citing privacy concerns and distrust in law enforcement's use of the technology. The pilot program, set to begin in July, aims to use Skydio drones for faster 911 response times in the Fourth Precinct but faces criticism over potential surveillance and ties to military-grade tech.

Minneapolis City Council members are holding a public hearing on Wednesday to discuss a police program that would use drones as first responders. The hearing focuses on evaluating the proposed use of drones in emergency response scenarios.

The Minneapolis Mounted Patrol Unit, the last remaining in the state, faces funding cuts as its contract with the city expires in August. City Council has reduced funding over recent years, with some members advocating for reallocating resources to crime prevention in the Fifth police precinct. Kevin Rofidal of the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police argues the unit provides a positive presence and crime deterrence, but the council remains divided on its future.

The federal government is suing Minnesota and three other states for not providing data on SNAP beneficiaries to investigate fraud, with Minnesota's DCYF arguing the request violates privacy. Minneapolis City Council Member Aisha Chughtai announced a leave of absence for mental health treatment, while Fosston's legal battle with Essentia Health over hospital control moves to arbitration. Storms damaged northern Minnesota ahead of Bemidji's Water Carnival.

Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai announced plans to take a month-long mental health break, citing stress from an election, mass shootings, and a federal occupation. She attributed her decision to these factors impacting her well-being.

Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai is taking a one-month mental health leave to address clinical depression and anxiety through an outpatient program. She cited stress from mass shootings, the municipal election, and Operation Metro Surge as contributing factors to her decision.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies serving 'undercover' are restricting bodycam footage from public access, with 66 cases since April 2025 where such protections were used. The Minnesota Reformer highlights concerns about accountability and the frequency of this practice.

Minneapolis City Council members emphasize reform, fiscal responsibility, and community trust as key criteria for selecting the next police chief. Council members Jason Chavez and LaTrisha Vetaw highlight the need for a candidate committed to police accountability, transparency, and engaging with the community. Disagreements over the reappointment of Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette are noted but not seen as directly impacting the police chief search.

Minneapolis has imposed a five-month moratorium on most data center projects to address concerns about water consumption, electricity use, noise pollution, and land use impacts. The decision, supported by some council members as a victory for residents and green spaces, faces pushback from the business community, which warns it could deter investments and harm downtown revitalization efforts. An exception allows limited downtown projects, but critics argue the pause risks economic development and may drive businesses away.

The Minneapolis City Council voted 9-2 to lift a 38-year ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues, repealing a 1988 restriction and creating regulatory frameworks for future licenses. The decision aligns with a 'Pride in Policy' package supporting LGBTQ+ rights and now awaits Mayor Jacob Frey's approval.

The Minneapolis City Council has approved a pause on data center development within city limits as Minnesota communities debate potential rules surrounding their development.

The Minneapolis City Council has approved changes to city code that would legalize adult bathhouses, where consenting adults can engage in sexual activity. These establishments were previously outlawed in 1988 as a response to the AIDS epidemic.

St. Paul city council member Nelsie Yang proposes making council positions full-time with a 40% salary increase, aiming to align pay with Minneapolis. The proposal requires a charter amendment study and approval, with potential implementation by 2029.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey outlined a 16-week process to select a new police chief by mid-fall, replacing Brian O’Hara, who resigned after interfering with an investigation into his conduct. The process includes stakeholder engagement, recruitment, and multiple interview rounds before submitting a nomination to the city council in October or November.

Minneapolis faces a $30M budget gap, prompting Mayor Jacob Frey to consider cuts to programs, services, and potential job losses to avoid a property tax spike. Frey emphasizes efficiency and prioritizes public safety, housing, and economic development as he prepares to present his budget to the city council in August.

Minneapolis City Council's Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee approved an ordinance amendment to remove a 1988 bathhouse ban and update language to reduce stigmatization of LGBTQIA+ residents, with a 6-1 vote. The committee also advanced a one-year contract extension with ShotSpotter (now SoundThinking Inc.) for $2.9 million and passed measures supporting gender-inclusive restrooms and welcoming city policies.

The Minneapolis City Council received widespread support for repealing the longstanding ban on venues such as bathhouses, ahead of an upcoming vote on Wednesday. The proposal focuses on legalizing adult bathhouses for the LGBTQ community.

The Minneapolis City Council is considering repealing a 1988 ban on adult bathhouses, with over 30 residents, including LGBTQ activists, advocating for the change. Supporters argue the ban disproportionately targets LGBTQ individuals and people with HIV/AIDS, while Mayor Jacob Frey has indicated he would sign the repeal if passed. Council members are also addressing the legacy of Brian Coyle, who helped pass the original ban.

Minneapolis faces a $28-33 million budget deficit in 2027, requiring cuts to services and jobs or higher property taxes. City leaders, including Council Member Michael Rainville and Deputy CFO Jayne Discenza, highlighted declining downtown commercial values as a key factor and emphasized the need for public input on potential cuts.

Federal charges against 15 anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis have prompted reactions from City Council members and community groups, who criticize the arrests as politically motivated and express concerns about civil liberties. Statements highlight the need for transparency and due process, referencing Operation Metro Surge and the impact on community solidarity efforts.

Minneapolis small businesses, including Sara Wordofa's Katar River Restaurant and Bakery, received refunds for licensing fees through the city's $7 million Small Business Resiliency Fund to offset economic losses from Operation Metro Surge. The refunds, totaling $4,666 for Wordofa, aim to provide immediate relief but are seen as insufficient compared to the $700 million in estimated damages.

Minneapolis Police Department overspent by $21 million, with concerns raised over unclear budget line items including police trailers, take-home cars, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Council member LaTrisha Vetaw criticized the vague ledger and excessive spending, while MPD attributed most costs to overtime due to a depleted police force.

Minneapolis City Council approved a pro-drug policy similar to measures in Portland and San Francisco, which critics claim have contributed to urban decline. The decision has sparked controversy, linking it to negative outcomes in those cities.