Photo Credit: City of Minneapolis / Pearll Warren waits to welcome Dozens representatives
*Some content has been edited for clarity without removing original context
(MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.) – The regular meeting of the Minneapolis City Council took place on August 27. It started in good spirits, with the entire Council on board with resolutions for The Dozens and Welcoming Week celebrations, but the camaraderie didn’t last long.
Procedural challenges and underlying strain within the Council led to a debate about a proposed noise ordinance regulating motion-sensor devices on private property. The changes would ultimately ensure these devices aren’t audible to surrounding properties. All motion-sensor devices (e.g., Ring Cameras, lights with sound, alarm sensors, etc.) are included. The regulations would not apply to any security, car alarms, or emergency service devices.
Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw discussed a recent onslaught of questions and concerns from residents in North Minneapolis regarding the proposed changes. She then gave the floor to Kelly Muellman for further explanation of how the ordinance would be enforced.
“If the issue involves an adjacent neighbor, they will reach out via 311. Then, [enforcement] will go out and determine whether they can hear the adjacent neighbors' [device], or I guess it could be across the street or anyone on the block,” Muellman explained, “if they can hear the motion-sensor device or Ring camera-like devices from the adjacent residential property, that would be considered a violation.”
Photo Credit: City of Minneapolis / Kelly Muellman
Approximately 12 residents from six areas in North Minneapolis have complained that requiring volume limits on the devices could create a public safety trade-off, and that the changes could disproportionately affect densely populated areas. Some residents noted that they rely on the devices to alert them to visitors and intruders, and others use them as an accessibility tool to aid with mobility issues or disabilities.
Between the amendments' ambiguous wording and backlash regarding a lack of community engagement before proposing changes, the Council moved to delay action on the noise ordinance until its next regular meeting on September 17. Still, the proposed noise ordinance changes weren’t the only bone of contention at the meeting.
Capital Long Range Improvement Committee (CLICK) reform discussions were also marked by confusion, with naysayers once again citing a lack of engagement in the process. Council President Elliot Payne cited the City’s lack of strategic planning, which dates back to 2019.
"We haven’t done strategic planning in many, many years. That is the basis for why I prioritized us making investments into that process.” Payne said, “I’m disheartened by how that process is getting characterized within the media.”
Payne went on to discuss how itemizing and prioritizing via strategic planning would help ensure everyone is “marching in the same direction towards those priorities”. He further said that attempting to resolve any issues in plans between parties (e.g., the board, council, commissions, Mayor's Office) during council meetings will continue to cause chaos.
Photo Credit: City of Minneapolis / Elliot Payne
“We need to bring all of our work into alignment around a set of shared priorities that I have every faith in the world that we can get to,” Payne continued, “Meaningful policy, work, operations, legislation, and administration…the entire institution working together.”
The statement was poignant, as the Council has been under constant media scrutiny recently. Many outlets point to a considerable divide in the council and express concern about political power struggles. Ultimately, the amended notice for CLICK to remain a Tier 2 body was approved unanimously.
Other key points of the meeting included the adoption of all items from the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee and the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee. In addition, the council approved an ordinance amending pet order restrictions to remove barriers for justice-impacted individuals and strengthen restrictions for animal cruelty convictions.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at kristin.h@lead4earth.org.
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