September 8, 2026 Business, Housing & Zoning Committee

The September 8, 2026 meeting of the Minneapolis Business, Housing & Zoning Committee included several procurement-related actions and policy discussions. The committee approved multiple liquor and gambling license renewals and new licenses, including a notable on-sale liquor license for Tropico Colombian Street Food. Contract amendments were authorized for city projects such as the Mil City Pizzeria and Convention Center kitchen remodel. The committee also approved financing for a property at 3631 Penn Avenue North and granted master contracts to various vendors for a 2026-2029 planning consulting pool. A public hearing was set for an ordinance regulating autonomous vehicles. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the 2027 recommended license fee schedule, where staff presented the rationale for holding fees flat pending a comprehensive fee study. Council members debated the need to increase rental license fees to improve cost recovery and avoid layoffs in regulatory services, ultimately voting to delay fee schedule approval to the next meeting to review the final fee study report. Additionally, the committee approved an ordinance establishing a new event center license to streamline public and private event hosting, enhancing community access to venues without requiring alcohol licenses. Finally, proposed amendments to fence regulations were presented to allow more flexibility in fence height and placement, aiming to reduce enforcement burdens and improve equity. The meeting featured several votes advancing these procurement and policy items.