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- calendar_today October 15, 2026
Dispute Over City Staff Attendance at Council Meetings
Members of the Minneapolis City Council are considering whether they have the authority to subpoena Mayor Jacob Frey and other city officials to appear before them. The move follows Mayor Frey's recent decision to limit the amount of time his staff spends attending council meetings. This dispute marks the latest escalation in a power struggle between the city’s executive and legislative branches as they continue to navigate the changes brought about by the adoption of a strong mayor system.
Background: Mayor's Edict on Staff Participation
On September 4, Mayor Jacob Frey informed the council that city department heads and staffers would no longer spend extensive periods in the council chambers. Under the new policy, staffers would provide written answers or speak by phone, instead of being present during meetings for prolonged periods to address any questions. Frey justified the change by noting that some high-paid city employees were spending "hours on end" at meetings, often without providing answers on urgent matters.
Council's Response and Power Struggle
The Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne met with Mayor Frey to seek a resolution, but a compromise was not reached. Frey contended that the council could address questions for specific meetings during pre-meeting agenda-setting, while Payne argued for continued in-person staff attendance in case of follow-up queries. According to Frey, "Staff has routinely presented for roughly a dozen hours each cycle and never has a question gone unanswered. Serving residents will continue to be our focus."
Pursuit of Subpoena Power
As tensions grew, the city council tasked city attorneys with researching whether they could legally compel the mayor and city staff to appear. Although some other Minnesota home rule cities may have subpoena power, the Minneapolis city charter currently does not explicitly grant such authority. Deputy City Attorney Dan Abelson explained that while the charter requires the executive branch to provide requested information, it does not dictate the manner of its delivery.
Council Vote and Diverging Views
A council committee voted 10-1 to move forward with the process of pursuing subpoena power, with the full council scheduled to vote on the matter. Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer was the lone dissenter, arguing the executive branch has not refused information and emphasizing the debate centers on the method of sharing. She suggested that if the council attempts to subpoena the mayor unsuccessfully, “then we’ll all be treated to the spectacle of watching the city sue itself.” Council Member Linea Palmisano also doubted the council’s authority to subpoena the executive branch but supported asking the city attorney’s office for clarification.
Impact on Council Procedure and City Business
In response to Frey's directive, some council members have been pulling items from the consent agenda to require staff presence, sometimes delaying decisions due to lack of immediate answers. A notable example involved the council nearly postponing action on forgiving a $4.5 million loan to Aeon, a major housing provider, as staff were not present to answer questions. Aeon President Rachel Robinson warned that any delay could threaten numerous Minneapolis rental units managed by their Villa Nova Preservation Joint Venture LLC. The council eventually approved the loan forgiveness after a city staffer provided further details at a subsequent meeting.
Ongoing Governance Disputes
This episode is the latest in a series of disagreements since Minneapolis voters adopted a strong mayor system in 2021. According to Council Member Aisha Chughtai, disputes over the implementation of the new government structure have been frequent. Council Member Robin Wonsley stated, “I think a functioning democracy is messy; it does involve disagreement, debate, scrutiny and sometimes uncomfortable conversations, but that’s not a flaw in democracy; it’s an essential part of how democracy works.”
Looking Ahead
The Minneapolis City Council will soon vote on whether to seek subpoena power for questioning the mayor and city officials directly in council meetings. The outcome may set a new precedent in city governance and reflects ongoing challenges in balancing transparency and efficiency under the strong mayor system.
Source: startribune.com.
