City briefs October 2026

Whiting’s new baby

On Sept. 5 Kelly and Jamison Whiting, Council member for Ward 11, had their first child, Louella Katherine Whiting. All are reportedly healthy. “We are overjoyed, and we could not be more excited to raise Lou here in Ward 11, among you all,” Whiting said in an email following the birth. 

Chowdhury’s marriage

Ward 12 Council Member Aurin Chowdhury got married to Aaron Wagner on Aug. 30, 2026.

2027 Hennepin County Budget

On Sept. 22, Hennepin County Administrator, Jodi Wentland, presented her recommended 2027 county budget of $2.993 billion that is 2.4% lower than the 2026 budget. That includes a proposed $273.4 million capital budget that is 27% lower than last year. She recommended a maximum property tax levy of $1.219 billion, an 8.15% increase from last year’s, to make up for losses in funding from state and federal sources. The county board will set the maximum county levy on Sept. 29. A hearing on the county budget is set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, with final board approval expected on Dec. 15.  See Hennepincounty.gov/budgets for more.

City Budget Levy

On Sept 23 the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation was unable to approve a maximum levy after several votes. The members, that include two at-large elected members, Steve Brandt and Erik, Park Board President Tom Olsne, Mayor Jacob Frey, Council President Elliot Payne, and Ward 10 Council Member Aisah Chightai were set to meet, and try, again on Sept. 29.

Minnehaha Senior Living purchase

The Council has given its consent for the Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority (MHEFA) to help Integrated Senior Foundation (ISF) buy the senior living facility at 3733 23rd Ave S. Integrated Senior Foundation (ISF) is a California-based nonprofit organization aiming to use up to $370 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to finance the purchase of 12 assisted living facilities in the state. Approximately $20 million will be used to buy the facility near 38th St and 23rd Ave. S in the Standish neighborhood.

George Floyd Square

The City renewed its search for a developer of the Peoples’ Way site at George Floyd Square. A request for qualifications (RFQ) is now open to organizations with experience in real estate development. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Oct. 19. Learn more about the Peoples’ Way on the City website.

Special Service District plans

The Council has approved the 2027 operating plans, service charges and budgets for several special service districts including those for Bloomington-Lake, Chicago-Lake, and East Lake Street. The East Lake Advisory board, that includes portions of Minnehaha and 27^th Aves, is appointed by the Mayor and Council and currently has opening for next year. 

NRP Policy Board elections

The Council has amended the ordinance that governs Neighborhood Revitalization Program elections so they no longer require a Community Connections Conference but will be done every two years at a special biennial held for this purpose every even year by Nov. 30.

Pedestrian Advisory Committee

In September the council appointed Eli Harvey, a Ward 2 Seward resident, to serve until June 30, 2027; and Michael Einstein, from Ward 12 until Dec. 2027, to serve on this advisory committee.

Contract to Help MPD Internal Affairs

The Council has approved a contract that could go as high as $2.3 million to Grant Thornton Advisors, LLC, for a two-year term to help the police department complete reviews and investigations in their Internal Affairs Division.

Behavioral Crisis response

The Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee discussed but did not approve a staff recommended new contract with company based in Arizona called Community Bridges Inc to operate the program that was started and operated by Canopy Roots. Staff had also proposed changing the name of the program to "Mobile Crisis Response” and expanding the scope to include a variety of livability issues including unsheltered homelessness. The committee postponed a decision and expect to continue the discussion at their next meeting on Oct. 7. Ward 2 Council Member Robin Wonsley would like the council to consider bringing the service in-house.