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Summary: The Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee received our first presentation on the outcomes of the city’s $500,000 contract with Zencity for perception surveying with MPD.
Background: In 2023, MPD asked Council to approve a $500,000 three-year contract with an organization called Zencity Technologies to do a community survey about public perceptions of MPD. MPD leadership stated that having data about perceptions of MPD was an important metric for assessing how successful the city has been at implementing the consent decrees and rebuilding credibility and trust.
Council Members including myself had serious concerns about this proposal given MPD and the Frey administration’s pattern of focusing on public perception and rebranding rather than transformative policy changes that are explained to the public. Council Members also had concerns about the technology itself and how it relates to data practices and civil liberties. I voted against the contract along with Council Members Payne, Ellison, Chavez, and Chughtai, but it passed 8-5.
When the contract was being considered for a vote, both MPD and Zencity stated that they would be more than willing to give regular status updates to Council about the contract. To ensure that this commitment was actualized, I reached out to the Office of Community Safety (OCS) leadership and MPD in February of 2024 and in July of 2024 requesting an update on the services rendered so far using Zencity technologies, such as data on how many residents had been surveyed, preliminary results, and how it they are being used to shape MPD’s actions. OCS and MPD did not respond to my requests, so I authored a legislative directive requiring them to present this information.
Staff from MPD responded to the legislative directive with a presentation this week, along with staff from Zencity. The presentation and discussion addressed some of my questions, such as the survey content and methodologies. It also addressed several of the concerns that residents have raised with my office around concerns about surveillance and civil liberties. However, there were several questions that were not addressed, such as why Zencity was selected over a local vendor, how MPD intends to publicize the results from the survey to both Council and the public, and if Zencity is being used to fulfill specific provisions of the MDHR Settlement Agreement. City staff has committed to sharing more context on these questions in a follow-up memo.
Residents have also reached out to my office to express concerns about Zencity’s origins in the Israeli military and their current role in surveillance of Palestinians as part of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. I am incredibly supportive of the international movement for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions as nonviolent economic tools to stop the occupation of Palestine and the genocide in Gaza, but currently the City does not have the tools to participate in boycotts. That being said, the significant organizing around this issue has highlighted a lack of clarity on our financial policies and I plan to look into this issue further and provide an update with more information.
I look forward to receiving more information from staff about the contract’s selection process and role, and to continue hearing resident perspectives.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Summary: Testify in support of my ordinance banning harmful AI technology that is driving up rents in Minneapolis.
Background: Last year, I along with Council Members Ellison and Chavez, introduced an ordinance that would ban the use of rental algorithms that use non-public data to advise landlords on rent or vacancy rates. Algorithmic pricing became a headline last year when the US Department of Justice sued a company called RealPage for what they call an “algorithmic pricing scheme that harms millions of American renters.” A bipartisan coalition of Attorney Generals from ten states has joined the lawsuit, including the Minnesota Attorney General. The lawsuit has now added six of the country’s largest landlords, five of which operate in Minneapolis. One of these landlords, Greystar, is one the nation’s largest property management firms and has several buildings in Ward 2 that house primarily students. Council Members Ellison, Chavez and I organized a presentation by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office about their ongoing lawsuit, which you can watch here.
Minneapolis is 52% renters, and algorithmic pricing is driving up rent by $312/year for the average Twin Cities renter. Around one in seven rental units in the Twin Cities use rental pricing software from the company RealPage, just one of the algorithmic pricing softwares on the market. Nationally, renters spent an extra $3.8 billion last year because of overall pricing algorithms — or an average of about $70 per month. RealPage’s own clients report a 15 percentage point increase in tenant turnover, meaning more renters are being priced out. Banning algorithmic pricing is a way for our city to ensure that this harmful AI technology is not a barrier to our citywide goal of an equitable and affordable housing market.
The ordinance establishing the ban will be having a public hearing where residents can share testimony prior to Council’s vote.
Rent-setting Algorithm Ban public comment
In person
- Thursday, March 20th at 10am
- Public Service Center (250 S 4th S) Room 350
- Speakers have 2 minutes each.
In writing
- Written comment can be submitted any time via email to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov
Key votes: The Business Housing and Zoning Committee will vote on the ban on March 20th after the public hearing. The full Council will vote on March 27th at 9:30am.
Summary: The Public Health and Safety Committee received an update on the city’s implementation of comprehensive community safety programs.
Background: Council has championed the Safe and Thriving Communities Report and Plan, a detailed vision and 10-year plan for building out a public safety system that goes beyond policing to include preventative, responsive and restorative services. Council has held the line on the importance of comprehensive public safety for the last three years, during which time Mayor Frey failed to direct his staff to implement a new system for public safety, proposed defunding programs like hate crime prevention, and opposed Council’s attempts to add public safety program staff. Despite the Mayor’s resistance, the public has been clear with Council that they still want to see the City realize the vision of a comprehensive public safety system that actually meets the needs of our communities, and doesn’t simply rely on the failed model of status quo policing.
By working in partnership with the community, Council has had significant success in leading in public safety work. This week, the Public Health and Safety Committee received an update on the Office of Community Safety’s work on developing a public safety ecosystem. This work now includes:
- A pilot program funded by Council to embed social workers in 911 to triage and transfer certain crisis calls.
- A pilot program funded by Council to have Traffic Control agents respond to car crashes without injuries.
- A pilot program funded by Council to reach at-risk youth with mentorship, mental health support, and other preventative programs.
- Community Safety Ambassadors, a Council-led initiative to have outreach workers on Lake Street and Franklin Ave, similar to the outreach workers in the Downtown Improvement District.
- The Lake Street Safety Center, a public community safety office that is not a police precinct.
- A public online dashboard for residents to track the City’s progress on implementing the Safe and Thriving Communities Report and Plan.
This update provided helpful reassurance that Council’s efforts to improve public safety for residents is advancing. I look forward to continuing this work.
Key votes: No votes taken.
Summary: At the request of residents, I have published a statement reaffirming my position regarding Glendale Townhomes.
Glendales Townhomes is the only townhome-style housing in the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority portfolio and it is a treasured part of the Prospect Park community. I nominated Glendale for local historic designation last year at the request of residents, resulting in a unanimous vote by the Heritage Preservation Commission to place Glendale under interim protection for one year.
Residents have recently reached out to my office to request that I clarify and reaffirm my position regarding demolition of Glendale, historic designation of Glendale, and addressing concerns that residents are being intimidated by MPHA with threats of demolition or displacement. I have written a statement that is available in English, Somali and Oromo. I will be distributing these at Glendale so that residents are aware of the City Council office’s role as it relates to Glendale, and know how to reach my office with any thoughts, questions or concerns.
Here is the most updated timeline regarding local historic designation at Glendale that staff provided this week. Note that all dates are tentative and subject to change. I will provide updates to the public on any changes as soon as I am made aware of them.
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June 4, 2024: Nomination application was approved by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) at a public hearing and interim protection was commenced. Interim protection ends on June 4, 2025.
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February 3, 2025: Staff sent the designation study to the MN State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for 60-day review and comment. This is required by state law. We expect their comments back by April 4, 2025.
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March 27, 2025: Staff bring the designation study to Minneapolis City Planning Commission-Committee of the Whole for discussion. This is not a public hearing, but at this point staff documents for the designation become public on the agenda.
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April 8, 2025: Staff are currently planning to bring the designation study to this HPC meeting for a public hearing. This would be the last point staff could take written public comment to send to the HPC. At their meeting, the HPC will recommend for or against designation of the district to the City Council.
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April 22, 2025: Business, Housing and Zoning (BHZ) Committee of City Council evaluate HPC’s recommendation on designation and will recommend for or against designation at their meeting. This is done through a resolution.
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May 1, 2025: The recommendation from BHZ is placed on a City Council agenda and Council makes a decision on the designation resolution.
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May 2025: Council’s decision on the designation resolution is presented to the mayor for a signature. The signed resolution on the designation decision is published in Finance and Commerce. At this point, the designation for the district would be formally approved or denied.
Key votes: The Heritage Preservation Commission and City Council will vote on the historic preservation of Glendale this spring. The tentative dates are outlined above.
Summary: The new City Auditor has confirmed that he will be undertaking independent investigations in the cases involving Davis Moturi and Allison Lussier.
Background: In October, a Black resident named Davis Moturi was shot by his next door neighbor John Sawchak, who is white and had made racist threats towards Mr. Moturi. Mr. Moturi had been reaching out to MPD for nine months and made dozens of reports via 911 and 311 about the specific threats and actions taken by his neighbor. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) issued an arrest warrant for John Sawchak in July, but the Minneapolis Police Department did not execute the warrant. Even after Mr. Sawchak shot Mr. Moturi, MPD did not arrest Mr. Sawchak for several days. I and my colleagues wrote a letter to Mayor Frey and Chief O’Hara asking for an immediate arrest of Mr. Sawchak and accountability for the failure to protect Mr. Moturi. We then authored a motion requesting an independent review by the City Auditor. You can read more about the case here.
Allison Lussier was a 47 year old Indigenous woman who was found dead in her North Loop apartment in February 2024. Since her death, family members, community members, and domestic violence advocates have been demanding officials to look into the circumstances of her death and the role of the Minneapolis Police Department. Community and family members have shared that Ms. Lussier was a victim of domestic violence and raised concerns as to whether actions or inactions of the Minneapolis Police Department contributed to her death or have negatively impacted her family’s ability to receive justice. I and my colleagues authored a motion requesting an independent review by the City Auditor.
Council had not received a formal answer from the Office of the City Auditor as to whether or not they were moving forward with these requests for independent reviews. Last week, Robert Timmerman started as the new City Auditor. This week, Mr. Timmerman sent Council a public memo that the Office of the City Auditor has decided to conduct a special review of the circumstances around the events leading up to and after the October 2024 shooting of Davis Moturi by his neighbor, John Sawchak, and of the events leading up to and after the February 2024 death of Allison Lussier.
The memo states: “We have opened internal special reviews and will be posting a request for proposal (RFP) to seek collaborative expertise from an independent evaluator to assist the Office of the City Auditor in its work. These special reviews will evaluate whether there are gaps in adherence to various procedures and regulations. It is important to note that the Office of the City Auditor does not perform criminal investigations. Once the independent evaluator and Office of the City Auditor complete this work, we will issue a report that will be made available to the public through the Legislative Information Management System and the City website, to the extent permitted by law.”
Key votes: No votes taken.
Prospect Park residents and community members: save the date for a community meeting on March 18th from 6-7:30pm at Luxton Park. The meeting will be co-hosted by a variety of local elected officials and community groups. There will be updates by each co-host, plus lots of time for residents to share your thoughts and ask questions.
Confirmed co-hosts include:
- County Commissioner Angela Conley
- 2nd Precinct Inspector Nick Torborg
- Park Board Commissioner Billy Menz
- State Senator Doron Clark
- Prospect Park Association
- Friends of Tower Hill Committee
Flyer for the Prospect Park Community Meeting on March 18, 2025
Earlier this month, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) shared new proposed designs for a project that will fill a longstanding gap in the Grand Rounds system!
A project open house event is scheduled Monday, March 10, 2025, 4-8 pm in The Blueprint Room at The Market at Malcolm Yards, 501 30th Ave. SE. Anyone interested in the Grand Rounds Missing Link project is encouraged to come view the designs in person and discuss the project with staff.
Grand Rounds Missing Link Open House
Monday, March 10, 2025, 4-8 pmThe Market at Malcolm Yards, The Blueprint Room501 30th Ave. SE, Minneapolis MN 55414
Good to Know
No registration required, anyone interested in the project can drop in. Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be provided. There are also a variety of vendors with food and drinks available for purchase. When you arrive at The Market, you can bypass the Host Stand and go directly to The Blueprint Room.
Getting There
Biking: The Market is located off of the University of Minnesota Transitway. Take a left on 30th Avenue SE.
Transit: The closest Light Rail Transit stop is Prospect Park Station on the Green Line. If you are taking the bus, the 6 and 33 lines have stops nearby.
Rideshare: If you are taking a rideshare, please note that they should drop you off/pick you up in the South Parking Lot by the main entrance.
Parking: There is parking on the north side of the Building. If you enter in the door from the North Side, the Blueprint room will be to the right when you walk in. After 3:00pm the parking ramp at 390 29th Avenue SE (entry/exit on 29th Avenue SE only) is available for $1/hour.
About the Grand Rounds Missing Link
The Grand Rounds is a 51-mile connected system of parks, trails, and parkways in Minneapolis that encircles most of the city. It’s recognized as both a State and National Scenic Byway and includes trails and roadway along the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Creek, the Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth Park, Victory Memorial and St. Anthony Parkways, and many more parks and natural features. However, there’s a gap in Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis that has existed for 140+ years. This gap is known as the “Missing Link.”
New concepts for the Grand Rounds Missing Link focus on the development of a regional trail and new parkland opportunities throughout the corridor, including the city of Saint Anthony Village and the Mid-City Industrial, Como, and Prospect Park neighborhoods. The trail route is based on the regional trail plan, which was adopted in 2019 by the MPRB and Met Council.
Use this link to explore the proposed design concepts through a virtual tour or interactive map and share your thoughts using a public comment map.
Minneapolis renters have rights that help them know what to expect from good property management and protect them in difficult situations. March 1 marked the first day that two new renter rights went into effect.
Changes to the pre-eviction filing notice for unpaid rent
Renters who are at risk of being evicted for not paying their rent will now have a greater “heads up.” Before property owners start the eviction process, they must now give renters 30 days’ notice. Previously, the notice period was 14 days. The period begins once the notice is mailed or the day it is hand-delivered to the renter.
Renter rights mandatory disclosures
In 2024, the City passed an ordinance that set a new standard for transparency in renting. The ordinance helps new renters learn more about the places they call home and their protections and resources—just in case they need them. Property owners must share some information before new renters sign a lease, and other pieces within 90 days after the lease starts.
Make sure to visit the City website to see the full explanation of what property owners must share and when.
Property owners: Know what you must share and find resources
Renters: Learn more about your rights
If you’re a City Solid Waste & Recycling customer, watch your mailbox in the coming weeks for your annual service guide. Your guide will include a collection schedule for the year; ways you can create less trash and reuse what you already have; and a catalog of what belongs in the black garbage cart, blue recycling cart and green organics cart. The guide also has instructions for setting out large items and for managing household hazardous waste.
More resources
Choose your best ways to use recycling and trash services:
- A searchable disposal guide on the City website shows the best way to dispose of specific household items.
- The Minneapolis Solid Waste, Recycling and Organics Facebook group answers questions about how to get rid of an item.
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Recycling reminder emails go out every other week with:
- A reminder for recycling day.
- Holiday notices with any collection day changes.
- Seasonal notices such as the start and end of yard waste pickup for the year.
- Upcoming events to reduce waste, reuse what people already have and drop off household hazardous waste.
- Fun facts about recycling and composting.
Learn more about recycling and organics on the City website.
Help us understand how you use tap water. This survey will guide us as we plan for a sustainable future that meets human needs and protects the environment.
When you take the quick survey, you'll get the chance to enter into a raffle to win an iPad. Your answers will stay anonymous and will only be used to help with planning.
Take the five-minute tap water survey from the City of Minneapolis and the Water Research Foundation.
Starting in the Summer of 2022, residents of Avivo Village began a multi-year project in collaboration with zAmya Theater Project and the North Loop Neighborhood Association. This project resulted in a series of events and short theater productions created through workshops held at Avivo Village where residents shared their stories and acting skills. The culmination of this project is a four-day run at Luminary Arts Center in the North Loop from March 13 thru 16 for a production called "Dis Place." Current Avivo Village residents will be acting in the play. Please consider coming out for this Family Friendly event.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/displace-a-north-loop-fantasy-quest-tickets-1215539674889
About the Project & zAmya: https://zamyatheater.org/northloop
Contact Ward 2
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward2
Email: ward2@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2202
We've moved while work is being done in City Hall. Our office is in:
Room 100, Public Service Center
250 South 4th St.
Get directions
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311. |
