MINNEAPOLIS — You may remember the Safe and Thriving Communities plan Mayor Jacob Frey presented a year ago.
The 10-year plan on how to improve services got folks excited about the direction Minneapolis is heading. The plan discussed collaboration with nonprofits, embedding social workers with police, reforming emergency response and investment in reentry services — just to name a few.
Council Member Robin Wonsley says the progress on that plan hasn’t been trackable, and they never officially adopted it. Now, the Public Health and Safety Committee is trying to solidify plans.
“We don't want to have this conversation again next summer,” said Wonsley, who is also the vice chair of the committee. “It is so critical that the mayor and his administration, as well as City Council and the public, is crucial for us to be aligned on how we move forward on public safety.”
During the committee meeting Wednesday council members discussed implementation, a process in which they weren't all in agreement. At times, Wonsley and committee member Linea Palmisano argued over the intention of the bill. Wonsley discussed the council’s weakness for not officially adopting the plan a year ago. When Palmisano asked whether that was the intention, Wonsley said it wasn’t.
“This essentially allows council to use our oversight and budgetary authority and alignment with the administration implementation goals are as it pertains to the Safe and Thriving Communities Report and Plan.”
Challenges facing the plan include funding, which members acknowledge will be a battle.
“We want to make the commitment today that City Council is ready to fund these initiatives, to fund this plan, to make sure that it is implemented correctly and that the public has time to weigh in on how we're going to keep all residents in the city of Minneapolis safe,” said Chair Jason Chavez.
The public will have 45 days to comment on the plan. The hope for some council members is that once feedback is incorporated, the full council could consider a legislative directive in the fall.