The Stable Homes, Stable Schools Pilot Program was a focal point of the meeting, with the council considering an amendment to allocate $830,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This amendment aimed to expand early childhood and middle school homelessness prevention initiatives in response to a reported 30% increase in homelessness among Minneapolis Public Schools students. The proposal intended to assist families with children aged 0 to 5 and to extend housing stability services to middle school students. The funding breakdown included $755,000 for program expenses and $75,000 for administrative costs, with an estimated 180 to 225 families expected to benefit.

However, the proposed amendment met with apprehension from some council members, who voiced concerns about the long-term sustainability of using funds from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. One council member expressed unease about the cumulative impact of reallocating approximately $1.6 million from the fund, which could potentially hinder the creation and preservation of affordable housing units.

Another topic was the introduction of the Taser-10 model as part of a contract amendment related to police training equipment. A representative from the Police Academy outlined the differences between the current Taser-7 and the new Taser-10, which included an enhanced range and other technical improvements aimed at improving accuracy and de-escalation tactics. The amendment also proposed the implementation of virtual reality (VR) training to enhance officer training while reducing costs associated with traditional methods. This aspect of the discussion focused on the potential for the new equipment and training methods to improve police-community relations through increased transparency and understanding of police practices.

Council members also addressed a fiscal note related to a proposed increase in funding for the police department, debating a $1.2 million increase sourced from the M.P.D. general fund. Questions were raised about the specifics of the increase, with a representative explaining that the costs were associated with upgrading current taser devices and incorporating VR training components. The council ultimately decided to advance the funding item to the full council for further consideration.

The meeting also included discussions on various housing programs, notably the Senior Housing Code Abatement Amendment, which proposed small grants and loans to support senior residents with home renovations. This initiative aimed to revive a program under the Minneapolis Lifetime-Age-Friendly Action Plan, which operated from 2014 to 2016. Council members debated the potential impact of a significant cut from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to finance this proposal, raising questions about the city’s capacity to effectively manage and implement the program.

Tensions emerged as council members weighed the benefits of new initiatives against the risk of diminishing resources for existing affordable housing programs. Some council members advocated for immediate action to improve the quality of life for seniors, while others cautioned against reallocating funds without a plan to sustain ongoing programs.

The council also deliberated on the Social Housing Study Amendment, which intended to explore the development of sustainably affordable housing using financial tools similar to those in the private market. This amendment sparked a broader dialogue about leveraging existing resources and community expertise to address housing disparities, with council members considering the implications of using in-house versus contracted services for policy and research work.

Finally, the meeting touched on cultural and economic development initiatives, including a proposal to fund a strategic economic plan for the Latino community in Uptown. This proposal faced opposition from some council members who argued that resources should be focused on broader citywide revitalization efforts rather than specific community plans.