Photo Credit: YouTube / City of Minneapolis / Councilmember Robin Wonsley
(MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.) – The Minneapolis City Council fell two votes short of the nine needed to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of an ordinance that would have regulated commercial-use autonomous vehicles (AVs) at its regular meeting on October 15.
After the vote, Councilmember Aisha Chughtai said she planned to introduce a new ordinance at the next regular meeting to amend Title 13 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances. The new Chapter (342) would regulate the commercial operation of AVs.
Councilmember Robin Wonsley echoed the need for regulation, emphasizing that the Council would continue to fight for regulation of driverless taxis and other commercial-use AVs. She referenced an upcoming report that could inform further deliberations on regulating commercial AVs.
Wonsley then criticized Frey’s administration for not taking enough action to protect workers and residents from the potentially negative impacts of AV’s. She reiterated that approving the action before thoroughly considering these items may be detrimental to public safety.
“So far, Mayor Frey hasn’t, by change of policy or the notwithstanding veto, supported the safety of our workers and residents regarding the negative impacts that may come with autonomous vehicles,” Wonsley stated, “But with that inaction from the administration side, we, as representatives of 400,000 residents, can’t afford to act.”
The Council unanimously voted to reject a proposed settlement involving Los Andes Latin Bistro, following discussion of two felony sexual assault convictions associated with the establishment and other licensing violations. This rejection sends the case to a contested administrative hearing, where a judge will review facts and recommend further action. There is no indication the Bistro will need to close during the administrative process.
Photo Credit: J Henning/ Stock Photo / Garbage collection
Discussion about approval of a one-year contract amendment with Hennepin County for waste disposal services at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) was brief. Council unanimously approved the amendment, but Wonsley asked for additional actions and funding to meet the City’s incinerator-closure commitment.
After parents, educators, school board members, and community advocates challenged the current Minneapolis Public School closure proposal, the council unanimously withdrew a resolution on the proposed closure of several Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS).
“We have, on the ballot this year, a constitutional amendment to support our amazing public schools across the state.” Council member Jamison Whiting said, “In this moment, this kind of political showing up for our students, we [must remember we] have a continued responsibility to those students to show up every day.”
Council cited strong support for community engagement and ongoing collaboration with the school district as key factors in withdrawing the original resolution. Concerns about enrollment decline, instability for students and families, impacts on specific communities, and loss of essential services were also factors.
A request was approved for the City Attorney’s Office to determine whether Minneapolis has the legal authority to subpoena members of City Administration. The question and request were made after Mayor Jacob Frey issued guidance restricting staff time before the council.
Despite what Council President Elliot Payne noted as sometimes insufficient cooperation with the Mayor’s administration, two mayoral nomination referrals passed through to the Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee (PHSEC) for public hearings. The nominees were Heidi Ritchie for Health Commissioner and Bill Petersen for Police Chief.
Both nominees received a unanimous vote. The PHSEC brought forth other items, including concerns about health department master contracts, health programming, food-access initiatives, police audits, and mobile-device forensic services. The most significant debate was over a package involving nearly 80 contracts and a $15+ million increase to contractual services. Some present felt such a large package warrants a detailed public presentation.
Councilmember Elizabeth Shaffer requested a delay so contracts could be examined by service category. Council ultimately unanimously approved PHSEC items 2-10, and requested historical spending information be made available before approving other items.
Toward the end of the meeting, Business, Housing, and Zoning, Climate and Infrastructure, and Enterprise and Labor Relations reports passed without issue.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at kristin.h@lead4earth.org.
Some text was edited for clarity without removing the original context.
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