September 7–13, 2026
A quiet week for new local law, with sewer repairs funded citywide and a busy slate of budget and police oversight votes arriving next week.
Under your streets. The city approved an additional $11.5 million for catch basin and manhole repairs across Minneapolis, now law. If your block has seen sewer backups or street flooding during heavy rain, this contract expansion with Vinco, Inc. is aimed at exactly that. The work covers the full city, not a single neighborhood.
At the Convention Center. Two construction contracts for Minneapolis Convention Center food spaces got budget increases this week, both now law. The Mill City Pizzeria and the Mill City Kitchen Concessions remodel both ran over their original budgets, with the kitchen project's total reaching $701,825 and the pizzeria's reaching $777,506. Neither change affects when you can visit; they reflect costs the city agreed to cover to keep the projects moving.
Public health and boards. The city accepted a $426,540 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health, now law, to run cannabis and substance use prevention programs over two years. Separately, André Robinson was appointed to the Public Health Advisory Committee, filling a seat that runs through June 2028.
Federal footnote. Several federal bills signed into law this week dealt with matters outside Minneapolis: a Paducah, Kentucky, land transfer and several procedural or ceremonial measures. One item worth noting broadly: federal disaster tax rules were extended (HR 5366), now law. If you or someone you know suffered losses in a federally declared disaster between late 2019 and early 2027, the deduction limit on those losses has been expanded and certain wildfire relief payments are tax-free.
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Coming up next week:
Mayor's 2027 budget on the table. The Budget Committee takes up Mayor's 2027 Recommended Budget presentations on Monday, September 14. This is the first public look at the city's spending plan for next year, covering everything from roads and parks to public safety. If you want to shape what gets funded before the council votes, this is the meeting to watch.
Contract transparency rule. Also before the Budget Committee on Monday, September 14 is a directive that would require Minneapolis to track and publicly report how it awards and manages city contracts.
Outside investigators for police internal affairs. The Committee of the Whole takes up a contract with Grant Thornton Advisors on Tuesday, September 15. The two-year deal, worth up to $2.03 million, would bring in an outside firm to help the Minneapolis Police Department's Internal Affairs Division handle supervisory reviews and misconduct investigations through September 2028. Now is the moment to reach out to your council member if you have views on how officer misconduct cases should be handled.
Police reform progress report. Also on Tuesday, September 15 before the Committee of the Whole: city staff from the Office of Community Safety and the Office of Public Service will present an update on how Minneapolis is meeting its obligations under a Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement on police practices.
Federal items clearing committee. A handful of federal bills cleared committee this week with no firm House floor dates set yet. HR 9394 would require the Department of Homeland Security to run a large-scale drill testing the country's readiness for biological attacks on farms and food systems, with agricultural producers and food companies participating. HR 9342 would lock in free public access to federal documents through libraries and online while giving the Government Publishing Office new tools to digitize older records faster. HR 9327, a pilot program directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to adopt shelter dogs for staff mental health support, is also awaiting a floor date.
See what's up for a vote now · Find your representatives