Johnnie Burns

This session was convened to allow finalist candidates for the Independent Evaluator role to provide public presentations. The Independent Evaluator is a required third party responsible for overseeing transformational changes mandated by a court-enforceable settlement agreement concerning police reform. The session involved presentations from the candidate teams, followed by a community question-and-answer period. The focus of the evaluation includes developing metrics to assess the city's progress, reporting on compliance with the settlement agreement, engaging with the community to evaluate the effectiveness of reforms, and providing technical assistance.

The community session focused on the solicitation of feedback regarding potential candidates for the Independent Evaluator role, as required by the court-enforceable settlement agreement for police reform in the City of Minneapolis. Key discussion topics included the roles and responsibilities of the independent monitor, which involve assessing progress, reporting on compliance, engaging with the community, and providing technical assistance. Presentations were delivered by various candidate teams outlining their experience with consent decrees, their approaches to community collaboration, and their methodologies for measuring compliance and achieving transformational policing reforms.

The committee held a regular meeting to address several infrastructure and policy initiatives. Key topics included a review of Central Avenue improvements, an overview of the Vision Zero Action Plan, and the formal approval of committee comments regarding the 20th Avenue Bridge replacement, the 2025 Transportation Action Plan update, and grant applications for the Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation. Additionally, the committee engaged in coordination for resolution drafting and received administrative announcements.

The committee discussed and acted on several initiatives, including referring a Right to Counsel ordinance for tenants to staff. They accepted a $4,292,679 CDC grant for COVID-19 response and authorized an extension for a Minnesota Department of Health grant concerning influenza vaccinations. Additionally, the committee received updates on community safety, implementation plans for the Racism as a Public Health Emergency resolution, the creation of an unarmed Traffic Safety Division, and various pilots for alternatives to police response.

The council received a report from the Mayor regarding the local public health emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the council approved numerous land sale resolutions under the Minneapolis Homes Program, involving various developers for the acquisition and rehabilitation of city-owned properties across multiple city addresses. The council also approved an application for a liquor license for The Market at Malcolm Yards.