Below is an update on the budget amendments I brought forward. I'm proud that all 9 of the amendments I was the lead author on passed and that 3 out of the 4 amendments that I co-authored passed.
All 9 of the amendments I was the lead author on passed
Property Tax Levy Reduction - Approved
Co-authors: Council Members Koski and Cashman
Description: This amendment reduces the overall property tax levy by 0.13% ($650,000). This would be done through reducing the budget for certain newly proposed internal projects including conference room modernization, Microsoft programming, and enterprise engagement. We must make informed decisions about new spending, including alleviating tax burdens when it best serves our residents. Additionally 2 other amendments to reduce the levy passed the Council, reducing the proposed levy of and 8.3% increase to a 6.8% increase due to the work of the City Council.
Vote: Passed unanimously on a 12-0 vote.
Supplemental Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) Funding - Approved
Co-authors: Council Member Ellison and Vice President Chughtai
Description: This amendment provides additional funding for our Behavioral Crisis Response team for increased staff pay to market-rate and a supervisor vehicle. BCR serves as an unarmed first responder, providing behavioral crisis services across the City. MPD received historic wage increases and all first responders should feel these benefits, especially those who have not been proportionally invested in.
Vote: Passed unanimously on a 13-0 vote.
Labor Standards Co-Enforcement - Approved
Co-authors: Council Members Koski and Chowdhury
Description: This amendment provides sustained funding our City's Labor Standards co-enforcement program. This program was previously funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, which are set to expire this year. Sustained funding will ensure that workers' rights are enforced across the City, with co-enforcement partners recovering over $3 million in unpaid wages for Minneapolis workers since 2018.
Vote: Passed on an 8-5 vote.
Social Housing Study - Approved
Co-authors: Vice President Chughtai and Council Members Ellison, Chowdhury, Wonsley, Osman, and Chavez
Description: This amendment provides funding for a study by subject matter experts on how the City can support the development of social housing, which is a form of public housing that is permanently and deeply affordable, under community control, and exists outside of the speculative real estate market. We need to utilize every tool we have to address unsheltered homelessness and our affordable housing crisis in a lasting, effective manner.
Vote: Passed on a 9-4 vote.
Office of Community Safety Deputy Commissioner - Approved
Description: This amendment funds a new Deputy Commissioner position within the Office of Community Safety (OCS). With the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) under both a MN Department of Human Rights (MDHR) settlement agreement and impending Department of Justice (DOJ) consent decree, OCS needs staff to assist with the implementation of the settlement agreement and consent decree, supporting MPD oversight efforts and ensuring compliance for the safety of all residents.
Vote: Passed on a 10-2 vote.
Civil Rights Implementation Staff - Approved
Description: This amendment provides funding for two positions within the Civil Rights Department to support the MDHR settlement agreement and DOJ consent decree implementation. The Civil Rights Department is understaffed yet will be one the key departments during the implementation process. It is critical that this department has the necessary staff, capacity, and expertise to ensure we do this right and hold our police accountable to the standard that our community deserves.
Vote: Passed unanimously on a 13-0 vote.
Civil Rights Training & Administrative Support - Approved
Description: This amendment provides additional, necessary funding for the Civil Rights Department to support training of staff, committee members, and board members. This will ensure that staff and members have the pertinent information, certifications, and technical skills to provide quality services and representation for all City residents.
Vote: Passed on a 9-4 vote.
Enterprise Management Policy System - Approved
Co-author: Vice President Chughtai
Description: This amendment supports the purchase and development of an internal, enterprise policy management system. The Office of City Auditor has noted this as a necessary component of good governance to ensure the City does not face any regulatory or legal risk.
Vote: Passed unanimously on a 13-0 vote.
Council Chamber Audiovisual (AV) Equipment - Approved
Co-author: Vice President Chughtai
Description: This amendment provides funding for new audiovisual equipment for the Council Chambers in City Hall. As we prepare to return to City Hall, new AV equipment is necessary to ensure reliable public accessibility to Council meetings and mitigate technology challenges.
Vote: Passed unanimously on a 13-0 vote.
I also co-authored the following amendments, 3 of which passed
Civilian Investigators - Approved
Co-authors: Council Members Wonsley, Ellison, Osman, and Chowdhury
Description: The City recently approved a new contract with MPD that grants the ability to hire more civilian investigators. This new contract cost taxpayers nearly $9 million, with the new staffing flexibility touted as a crucial reform that was worth the cost. Yet, the Mayor's proposed budget only includes two new investigator positions. This amendment takes advantage of this reform by adding an additional five civilian investigators to MPD who can help improve case closure and clearance rates in areas with the largest case backlogs: homicide, domestic, crimes against children, juvenile, and sex crimes.
Vote: Passed on an 11-1 vote.
Stable Homes Stable Schools Expansion Pilot Program - Approved
Co-authors: Council Members Chavez and Chowdhury
Description: Minneapolis Public Schools has seen a 30 percent increase in homelessness. This amendment provides funding for an expansion of the Stable Homes Stable Schools program with an Early Childhood Prevention Pilot Program and a Middle School Prevention Pilot Program to reduce homelessness. By funding these pilot expansions, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority estimates an additional 180-225 families (representing 440-565 children) could be served the program.
Vote: Passed on an 8-5 vote.
Mni Sota Fund Indigenous Wealth Building Center Development Project - Approved
Co-authors: Council Members Osman and Chavez
Description: This amendment provides funding to support the creation of the Mni Sota Fund Indigenous Wealth Building Center, a facility aimed at advancing economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation for Indigenous communities in Minneapolis.
Vote: Passed on a 9-4 vote
Legislative Department Policy Specialists - Failed
Co-authors: Council Member Wonsley and Vice President Chughtai
Description: This amendment provides funding for three subject-matter expert staff to the Legislative Department's Policy and Research Division to support the Council’s policymaking functions in the areas of public health & safety, climate & infrastructure, and housing & economic development. This will ensure that the legislative body can rise to meet resident needs and priorities with resources to support their work.
Vote: Failed on a 6-7 vote
January Community 1-1s
When: Wednesday January 8th from 9AM-12PM
Where: Cosmic Coffee 3301 Central Ave Ne
Sign up: Sign up link will be included closer to the date
January Office Hours
When: Tuesday January 21st 5:00-7:00 PM
Where: Location TBD
Sidewalks are an important part of Minneapolis’ transportation system, and they should be open for everyone. That’s why Minneapolis ordinance requires property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall for houses and duplexes and four daytime hours for all other properties. It’s the law, and it’s the neighborly thing to do. If your walk’s not cleared, the City could have it cleared and you would be billed.
Don’t forget your garbage, recycling and organics carts. Crews need a 36-inch-wide path from your carts to the street or alley.
If you need help clearing snow, you can call 311 for a list of resources that might be available.
Read more on the City website.
A lot of people have extra recycling this time of year. Here’s how to set out extra recycling on your recycling day:
- For boxes that do not fit in your recycling cart, you can place them next to your recycling cart in another box. Keep boxes set outside of the cart to less than 3' x 3' and under 40 pounds. This is for safety and proper sorting.
- Put any extra bottles and cans next to your recycling cart in cardboard boxes or paper bags. (If you use plastic bags, the entire bag will be disposed of as garbage.)
Remember there's no charge to get another recycling cart. If you regularly have more recycling that will fit in your cart(s), contact our office at 612-673-2917 to request another cart.
Eleven multifamily rental housing projects will receive funding for new construction and rehabilitation from the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and 9% low-income housing tax credits. The City of Minneapolis has committed nearly $18.5 million to support these projects. The City Council approved the awards Dec. 5.
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund was established in 2003 to help produce and stabilize affordable and mixed-income rental housing projects with 10 or more units. Twenty percent of the total units need to be affordable and occupied by people in households at or below 50 percent of the area median income.
Affordable housing video series
Watch a new video series that looks inside The Way Home report at our affordable housing strategies, success stories and ongoing efforts.
Read more about the 11 projects on the City website.
Find free vaccinations to protect your family from COVID-19, flu and mpox, and get the required childhood vaccinations.
Vaccinations are an important way to stay healthy, and staying healthy is one of the best ways we can protect each other.
Find a list of vaccinations and check back for updates on the City website.
Did you know you can get reminders about your recycling day? By signing up you’ll receive an email every other week that includes:
- Holiday collection delay notices.
- Seasonal service reminders like the start and end of yard waste collection.
- Tips to reduce waste and to recycle and compost more.
- Notifications of upcoming waste reduction, reuse, and recycling events.
- Fun facts about what happens to your garbage, recycling, organics recycling, etc.
Sign up by finding your recycling day and clicking “Sign up for Recycling Reminders.”
The Metropolitan Council is simplifying and lowering transit fares starting Jan. 1. Full-price fares on all Metro Transit buses and trains will be $2 any time of day. Young people, seniors and Medicare recipients will be able to ride Metro Transit’s non-express buses and light rail for $1 all day, every day. The cost of all-day and seven-day transit passes will also be reduced.
The changes are expected to make transit easier to use.
Read more about transit fares on the Metropolitan Council website.
Elliott Payne was re-elected in 2023 to represent Ward 1
Elliott serves on the President of the Minneapolis City Council, Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Public Health & Safety Committee, Budget Committee, Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and Committee of the Whole.
Contact the Ward 1 Council Office
Elliott Payne, Council Member - Email
Liam Davis Temple, Policy Aide - Email
Ikram Mohamud, Policy Associate - Email
Brandon Garcia, Policy Aide - Email
Office Phone - (612) 673-2201
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward1
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 asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311.
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