September 29, 2026 Committee of the Whole

The Minneapolis City Council Committee of the Whole met September 29, 2026. It continued a public hearing on the proposed autonomous-vehicle ordinance, with testimony and council discussion focused on potential effects on rideshare jobs, traffic and winter safety, disability access, and transportation choices. The ordinance’s authors described it as an initial regulatory framework, including a human-monitor requirement, with an effective date in October 2027 if adopted. No vote on the ordinance appears in the transcript. The council also debated a police-budget item; a motion to end debate passed 6–3, and a motion to refer the item to the Budget Committee on October 5 was called, but the transcript cuts off before its vote result. Standing committee reports were skipped before adjournment.

Council members considered acceptance of seven awarded brownfield grants totaling $3,789,602 for five projects, including remediation tied to housing and redevelopment. Staff cited projects at 250 Fremont Avenue, a Sherman redevelopment, and 7 Points at Lake and Hennepin; the latter was described as a $311 million redevelopment. The transcript does not capture a vote on accepting the grants. The committee also discussed the Villa Nova portfolio, where staff proposed accepting $100,000 and releasing the City’s $4.5 million loan and affordability restrictions to facilitate an orderly sale and avoid foreclosure. The proposal would extend certain renter notice and relocation protections from three months to six months. A motion to approve was made and seconded, but no final vote is shown.