City briefs - May 2026

Hazardous Waste Drop off
Hennepin County is holding two hazardous waste collection events in Minneapolis this summer where people can dispose of garden and household materials that they aren’t allowed to throw away in the regular city trash containers. These materials will be collected from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on July 10 and 11 at Jenny Lind School at 5025 N Bryant Ave, and on Aug. 7 at Sullivan School at 3100 E 28th St.

Gun control ordinance
The Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed a city gun control ordinance that would be enforced if state law changes. The ordinance prohibits assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, ghost guns, and guns in some public spaces. Because state law does not allow cities or counties to pass gun regulations beyond what state law approves, it is unenforceable at this time.

Data Centers
The City Council has begun discussions about data centers in the city. Ward 12 Council Member Aurin Chowdhury has announced her plan to introduce an ordinance on May 21 that, if passed, would establish a data center moratorium in the city.

Police chief renominated
Mayor Jacob Frey has nominated Brian O’Hara for another term as the Police Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department that would end January 2030. The City Council set a public hearing to consider the nomination for June 3 at the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee meeting that begins at 1:30 p.m.

Drones as First Responders
In May, the City Council reviewed a proposal by the Office of Community Safety to conduct a free 75-day trial period pilot program in the 4th Precinct with a drone manufacturer company, Skydio, to test the use of drones in response to emergency 911 calls. The Council asked for more information and has not approved the program at this time.

Money for business support
On April 30, the City announced $1 million in awards to support local businesses through its Great Streets Program. Grant recipients are expected to use the money to help activate storefronts, promote neighborhood businesses and host community events. The goal is to bring more people into commercial areas, boost visibility and help the local economy build more social capital. Southwest awardees include the Lake Street Council with $25,000, the Lowry Hill Neighborhood Association with $40,000, Lyndale Neighborhood Association with $31,900, Southwest Business Association with $30,000, Steven Square Community Organization with $43,570, Uptown Association with $40,000, and the Whittier Alliance with $17,000.

Oliver Ave Storm Sewer
The City Council has accepted a bid from Geislinger and Sons, of $5,106,503.41 to help complete the Oliver Ave S Storm Sewer Improvements Project, to address flooding in the area of 50th St and Penn Ave S in the Lynnhurst neighborhood. It is expected to increase the capacity of pipes and improve the quality of the water that drains into Lake Harriet. Geislinger and Sons will upgrade the sewer and city workers will restore pavement for an overall estimated cost of $10,106,503.41.

Whittier Pedestrian Safety Project
The city council has accepted the low bid from Meyer Contracting Inc. of $2,733,905.66, to complete the Whittier Safe to Routes to School Phase 2 project that will add pedestrian ramps, curb extensions, traffic circles, medians, raised crossings, bikeway curbs, and utility improvements along 26th, 27th, and 28th Streets between Lyndale and Stevens aves.

William Berry Intersection
The City of Minneapolis has entered into an agreement with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to sponsor the $1,000,000 state-funded project that will design and reconstruct the intersection of W Lake Harriet Pkwy and William Berry Pkwy. The project is expected to be completed this year.

Special Service District appointments
The City Council has waived the residency requirement and appointed Paul Wu, co-owner of the Jade Dynasty at 600 West Lake St to the Lyndale-Lake Special Service District Advisory Board, and Jason Kramber, owner of Ballast Properties, to the Uptown Special Service District Advisory Board. Ballast owns a commercial property management, brokerage and construction company that manages the Uptown Row project at 1221 W Lake Street, among other properties.