October 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole

The Minneapolis City Council Committee of the Whole met on October 13, 2026. Standing committee chairs reported items scheduled for Thursday’s Council meeting; the chair noted that these were committee reports and were not being voted on at this meeting. Procurement-related items included low bids for concrete rubble crushing and the Hilton Ramp sanitary plumbing replacement, plus contract amendments for lead service-line replacements with Avan Sewer and Water Inc., the 26th Street East and Hiawatha Avenue safety project with Thomas and Sons Construction Inc., and waste disposal services with Hennepin County. Other reported items included amendments for compensation consulting, change-management, steam service, and architectural and engineering design for the Minneapolis Democracy Center. The Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee also reported a proposed contract for mobile-device forensic services, a grant-funded contract to purchase Meridian vehicle-intrusion mitigation barricades, and a proposed contract with Community Bridges Inc. for mobile crisis response services that was recommended for denial. The Business, Housing and Zoning Committee reported a proposed gift contract for the Metro Blue Line Extension and authorization to apply for the fall 2026 brownfield grant round.

The Council considered a walk-on Minneapolis Police Department gift acceptance from the Minneapolis Police Foundation to cover the full cost of conferences in Florida, after an original $16,000 gift; a motion to approve was made, but the transcript does not capture a final vote. An informational staff presentation reviewed Minneapolis business licensing and permitting processes, including an ongoing enterprise reform effort and a planned online portal pilot for six health permits. The report discussed other cities’ approaches, including Tyler Technologies’ permitting platform in St. Paul, but the Council made no procurement decision on a Minneapolis platform. The Budget Committee reported continued review of the mayor’s recommended 2027 budget and public hearings, with no items forwarded. A staff direction requesting legal analysis of Council subpoena authority passed; it did not concern purchasing or contracts.