Minneapolis Residents Demand Termination of Zen City Contract Over Privacy Concerns

Overview: During the latest meeting of the Minneapolis City Council Budget Committee, significant public attention centered on the city’s contract with Zen City, an Israeli company involved in community data collection through social media-driven surveys. This contract, valued at $500,000, faced intense scrutiny from residents who expressed concerns over privacy, ethical considerations, and financial priorities. The meeting, chaired by Aisha Chughtai, provided a platform for residents to voice these concerns and demand changes to the proposed 2026 budget.

Minneapolis City Council Tackles Legislative Proposals and Federal Budget Updates

Overview: The Minneapolis City Council meeting on November 18, 2025, addressed several topics, including proposals for legislative policy positions to be considered in the upcoming year, a proposed statewide food disposal ban, and updates on federal budget developments impacting the city.

Minneapolis Police Oversight Commission Moves Towards Greater Transparency with New Policy Recommendations

Overview: In a recent meeting of the Minneapolis Police Oversight Commission, the commission took steps to enhance transparency and accountability within the Minneapolis Police Department. Notably, they unanimously supported a move to create a standalone sexual misconduct policy and passed a motion requesting the Internal Affairs Division to provide synopses of closed cases. These measures aim to address public trust and streamline oversight processes amid staffing and workload challenges.

Minneapolis City Council Delays New Policy Framework Amid Concerns Over Council Representation

Overview: The Minneapolis City Council meeting saw a significant delay in the adoption of a new enterprise policy framework following concerns about council representation in the Policy Review Group (PRG). This framework aims to establish a uniform process for city policies, providing clarity on legal and operational standards, and addressing previous inconsistencies. The council decided to defer the decision to allow for further discussion.

Minneapolis Planning Commission Increases Canopy Tree Requirement Amidst Landscaping Deliberations

Overview: The Minneapolis Planning Commission convened on November 17, 2025, to deliberate on several agenda items, most notably increasing the required number of canopy trees for a proposed project at 315 27th Avenue Northeast. The commission unanimously agreed to raise the mandate from 26 to 50 canopy trees, emphasizing the importance of tree coverage for ecological benefits and urban heat reduction. The meeting also addressed modifications to TIF districts and the adoption of the 2026 transition calendar.