Police contract public engagement -- schedule changes

Dear community,

The city and the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis (POFM) reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement for the Minneapolis police contract. I chair the Administration and Enterprise Oversight (AEO) Committee, which includes oversight and approval of all the city's labor contracts.

I know that the police contract is extremely important to many residents because of its impacts on the city’s overall public safety system, police recruitment and retention efforts, police accountability, and budgetary impacts.  My goal was to ensure that the AEO Committee meetings created ample time for Council Members to discuss the contract with city staff and experts in public, as well as provide accessible opportunities for community members to learn about the contract and share their thoughts. 

Unfortunately, earlier this afternoon I was alerted that  the AEO Committee would not have enough members to meet quorum tomorrow morning, where we were scheduled to receive presentations on the contract and hear public comment. This means the AEO Committee meeting tomorrow will not have enough members to conduct committee business and the meeting must be canceled. 

To accommodate this last-minute news, the schedule for the contract will move forward as follows:

• AEO Meeting June 18th at 10am: Canceled due to the lack of a quorum
• Adjourned AEO Meeting on June 25th at 5pm will have the full agenda. This will include: 
• Presentation by city staff on the police contract
• Presentation by Minneapolis for a Better Police Contract 
• Public comment. Each testifier will be given two minutes each to share their comments about the police contract with the Committee. Testimony will likely begin closer to 6pm and members of the public are welcome to arrive at any time to listen and/or testify. 
• Public comment can be submitted in writing at any time to CouncilComment@minneapolismn.gov

I am also working to provide an additional public comment period before the contract appears on the Council agenda for final approval on June 27th, and will share updates. 

I hope to see many of you on June 25th at 5pm at the Temporary Council Chambers in the Public Service Center (250 S 4th St. Room 350)

Sincerely, 

Council Member Robin Wonsley