Minneapolis City Council Convenes Policy Roundtables as Mayor Weighs Veto on Eviction Ordinance

Policy Roundtables and Committee Sessions Headline Wednesday Agenda

The Minneapolis City Council is scheduled for a full day of legislative activity today, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with a series of high-level meetings at City Hall and the Public Service Center. The day begins with a dual session of the City Council Policy Roundtable, scheduled for 10:00 AM and again at 1:30 PM in Room 392 of City Hall. These roundtable sessions are designed for in-depth discussion on complex municipal policies before they reach formal committee votes.

Concurrent with the afternoon roundtable, the Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee will meet at 1:30 PM in Room 380. This committee session comes at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding community safety and the city’s response to recent federal immigration enforcement activities. Earlier this week, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara addressed the Community Commission on Police Oversight to answer questions regarding the department's role during "Operation Metro Surge," a topic that continues to influence safety and equity discussions within the council chambers.

Veto Deadline Looms for 60-Day Eviction Ordinance

While the council meets for policy discussions, the political spotlight remains fixed on the Mayor’s office. Mayor Jacob Frey has until tomorrow, March 12, to decide whether to sign or veto the recently passed 60-day pre-eviction notice ordinance. The measure, which passed the City Council on March 5 with a narrow 7-5 vote, seeks to double the current 30-day notice period required before landlords can file for eviction. Proponents, including Council Members Robin Wonsley and Jason Chavez, argue the extension is a critical safety net for families facing financial hardship following recent federal enforcement surges.

Mayor Frey has expressed reservations about the ordinance, describing it as a "blunt measure" that could potentially hinder rather than help the city’s housing stability by allowing tenants to fall further behind on rent. The outcome of the Mayor's decision is expected to have significant implications for the city's ongoing efforts to manage a looming eviction crisis and the allocation of emergency rental assistance funds.

Financial and Community Oversight Meetings

The city's financial oversight also continues today with the Board of Estimate and Taxation meeting at 4:00 PM in Room 350 of the Public Service Center. This session is part of the ongoing calibration of the 2026 fiscal budget, which includes a proposed 7.8% property tax levy increase aimed at maintaining core services despite declining commercial property values.

Finally, the Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council will meet this evening at 5:30 PM at the Powderhorn Recreation Center. This community-focused meeting will address local food systems and access, ensuring that neighborhood-level equity remains on the official agenda even as the city grapples with broader legislative and financial challenges.