Documenters report: Minneapolis City Council to vote Thursday on bathhouse ban, ShotSpotter contract

MinnPost’s Twin Cities Documenters program trains and pays community members to take notes at local government meetings. Below are Documenter Travonta Nance’s summary and observations from the June 17 meeting of the Minneapolis City Council’s Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee. You can find Travonta’s full notes here, which include links to the agenda and video.

Summary:  

• In a 6-1 vote, the committee approved an ordinance amendment that would remove a 1988 city-wide ban on bathhouses. This change wouldn’t immediately allow new bathhouses, but would open a pathway to the city considering regulated ones. The amendment also removes “outdated and stigmatizing” language toward LGBTQIA+ residents. 
  • More than 30 people spoke during public comment, all in support of the amendment.  
  • Council member Michael Rainville was the only “nay” vote on this item.

• The council approved Welcoming City Ordinances, affirming and codifying the city as a welcoming place for all genders and sexualities. 10 speakers voiced their support during public comment.

• The committee approved a staff directive asking the city clerk and city attorney to develop a plan that would remove gender-specific references in the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances.

• The committee approved a resolution asking the state Legislature to amend statutes to ensure equal access to public restrooms regardless of gender identity. They also requested a report from the Mayor’s Office on access to gender-neutral restrooms in the city. 

• The committee sent forward without recommendation a one-year contract extension with SoundThinking Inc. (previously known as ShotSpotter). 
  • If approved by the full council, this would authorize continued work with SoundThinking through March 2027, with costs not to exceed $2.9 million.  
  • The contract is currently expired as of March; ShotSpotter is maintaining service in anticipation of a renewed contract.
  • Originally, the city’s public safety team had requested the committee to sign off on a three-year extension. With differing views on the tool, the committee ultimately moved to consider a one-year extension instead, allowing the city to maintain the service while gathering more data on the tool’s impact. A report from the City Auditor’s office is expected in August. 

• The committee received a presentation on the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, which has spent 40 years working with the county, parks, and schools on behalf of youth.

• The committee approved the nomination of Rachel Sayre to Emergency Management Department Director. Five speakers, including the nominee and the mayor, spoke in support of the nomination. 

Observations and follow up questions: 

Accessibility: Did you face any challenges that made it harder to document the meeting or that may have made it difficult for others to attend?

•  The speakers were not identified by name on screen.

Scene: About how many members of the public attended the meeting? If watching virtually, what was the livestream count (if applicable)? Was anyone protesting outside? 

• There were about 40 members of the public present, most of whom were there for the public comment period. 824 people have viewed the livestream as of 6/18/26.

Notable: Do you have any follow up questions or other observations to share?

• I’d like to know what happens next with the bathhouse ordinance, as well as see the discussion regarding the EMSI contract.
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community showed up in droves to speak in support of the amendment for the bathhouse ordinance.
• Reporters should look further into the history of this ordinance, as well as the ShotSpotter contract and its related audit.

How to get involved:

When is the next meeting for this board/committee? Any upcoming public hearings? Online surveys? 

• The City Council will meet as a “Committee of the Whole,” where they review all items before taking a final vote, on Tuesday. The City Council meeting, where they’re scheduled to take a final vote on all these items, is Thursday.
• The next PHSE meeting will be on July 8. It will include public hearings on a proposed contract with Skydio for piloting drones in emergency response, and on the mayor’s recommendation for who should be the next Civil Rights Director.

Related: Minneapolis City Council committee weighs ShotSpotter contract extension

More context:

Read Documenter Travonta Nance’s full notes here, which include links to the agenda and video recording. View our full database of notes here.

Want to become a Documenter? You can start by making an account here.

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