The proposed policy framework presentation detailed the city’s official acts, categorizing them into ordinances, resolutions, and actions. Ordinances serve as municipal statutes, resolutions pertain to formal acts regarding priorities and policies, and actions cover other official acts. A metaphor of nested bowls illustrated the hierarchy of laws, with federal and state laws forming the outer layers, mandating compliance by city actions.

At the core of the framework are enterprise policies, which require adoption by both the City Council and the Mayor. These policies are intended to bind all city departments and articulate the city’s mission, vision, and values. They undergo the standard legislative process for adoption and will be accessible in the city’s policy library. The framework then transitions to administration policies, overseen by the Mayor, which address administrative issues and are effective upon filing with the City Clerk. These are also included in the policy library for transparency. Finally, department policies operate at the departmental level, clarifying and amplifying higher-level policies.

A critical point of concern arose over the composition of the PRG, which reviews and recommends changes to these policies. The absence of a City Council seat on the PRG led to debates about oversight and transparency. One council member emphasized the necessity of council involvement, stating that if policies include those passed by the Council, then the Council should participate in shaping their rollout. The PRG was characterized as a staff group, with interests represented by the City Clerk. All enterprise policies would eventually proceed through the Council’s legislative process.

While the PRG’s composition adjusts based on policy subject matter, the Council President expressed apprehension over power dynamics, emphasizing the need to maintain the Council’s authority despite delegating policy development to staff.

The urgency to pass the new framework was underscored by the need to allocate funding for an enterprise-wide system, with a representative indicating that delays could hinder system acquisition. Despite this, a motion to postpone the decision until the next Committee of the Whole meeting was accepted.

In addition to the policy framework discussion, the council addressed other matters, including the acceptance of gifts for lodging and meal expenses from the Cities Today Institute and various bids for public works projects. These included sidewalk snow and ice removal, Target Center steam station improvements, and lime system replacement at the Fridley Softening Plant. Contract amendments for construction and engineering services and legal settlements, such as those involving Jared Moore and Marion Lou Vis v. City of Minneapolis, were also presented.

The Budget Committee introduced a resolution to adjust the 20-year neighborhood park plan due to inflation. The Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee proposed an ordinance for heritage preservation and licenses for businesses, including a sidewalk cafe license for Babii Cajun and an extended hour license for U Tobacco. Appeals regarding property issues, like a denial on Brookwood Terrace and a demolition appeal for the John Cook House, were also discussed.

The Climate and Infrastructure Committee honored the Hennepin Avenue South reconstruction project staff and introduced resolutions for city reconstruction efforts. These included projects on First Avenue South and Cedar Avenue, with resolutions for work orders and special assessments. The committee also authorized agreements with the Met Council for Blue Line extension funding and updated electric vehicle charging rights.

The Public Health and Safety Committee focused on addressing opioid overdoses and naloxone possession, as well as a grant to improve road safety through collaboration with the Crystal Police Department. The consent agenda included setting a public hearing for an ordinance related to employee authority and immigration, an appointment to the Ethical Practices Board, and a referral regarding the city government structure implementation ordinance.