Jamal Osman (Ward 6)

Detailed Responses

If elected, what will be your top three priorities?

My top priorities for Ward 6 - Cedar-Riverside, Seward, Phillips West, Ventura Village, Stevens Square, and Elliot Park - are pretty simple. First, affordable rents and homes, so folks can stay in the neighborhoods they love - I’ve voted for tax breaks and eviction protections to make that happen. Second, safer streets with strong, accountable public safety that actually works and is fully funded. And third, supporting workers and small businesses so our local economy grows - I’ve fought for grants and fair wages to keep local businesses open and thriving. I’ve been fighting for these, and I’ll keep doing the work to make Ward 6 stronger for everyone.

What should the City do to generate missing revenue as downtown building values fall?

Downtown’s taken a hit - building values are down 13% since 2023 - and that puts pressure on our tax base. But we can bounce back - we’ve done it before in Minneapolis. The key is bringing more people downtown - residents, businesses, and visitors. That’s why I’ve backed housing, like the 330 new downtown units in 2024, and I’ll keep pushing for small business support to fill storefronts and create jobs.

We also need to make downtown a place where people want to be - with good food, arts, music. That’s how Denver’s LoDo saw a 25% boost in value. And we need smart revenue solutions too - public-private partnerships, tax diversification - so we’re not just leaning on property taxes.

Bottom line: we can fix downtown and lift up the whole city. And I’ll work with anyone who’s ready to push for bold, community-driven solutions to make that happen.

What is the appropriate role of the City Council in developing policy and providing services under the 'Executive Mayor' system?

Under our Executive Mayor system, the City Council isn’t just here to rubber-stamp - we lead on policy. We shape the future of Minneapolis by setting the vision on housing, public safety, and economic growth. I’ve pushed for renter protections and business growth because Ward 6 needs affordable homes, safer streets, and thriving neighborhoods. The mayor runs day-to-day operations, but the Council makes sure city services actually work for people, holds leadership accountable, passes budgets, and drives policy that meets community needs.

That doesn’t mean we can’t collaborate - Minneapolis isn’t that big, and when we work together, we get better results. I think the Council should push hard where it matters and partner where it makes sense to build a stronger city.

What should the City Government do to support small and local businesses?

The city has to be a champion for small businesses. I’ve secured 2023 Main Street grants and helped ease zoning rules so Ward 6 shops can thrive - let’s build on that. We need to offer low-interest loans, cut red tape on permits, and invest in arts and culture to bring people in - Cleveland’s Playhouse Square turned culture into a $1 billion economic boost in their city. I’ll keep pushing for housing and smart incentives so local businesses don’t just survive - they grow, lifting up all of Minneapolis.

What is an immediate and urgent solution to encampments in Minneapolis?

Encampments are a crisis - fires killed two people in 2025, shootings took at least four lives in 2024, and over 496 were unsheltered. Living in a tent is unsafe and unhealthy. That’s why I’ve worked to close camps quickly, ensuring people move into housing - not just another tent.

We need more emergency shelter beds, expanded outreach to connect people with services, and faster housing solutions now. Hennepin County received over $17.9 million for homelessness in 2024, up from $15.9 million in 2022. They must lead, and the city must be a strong partner in getting people housed. We can’t wait - people need safe, stable housing now.

What role should the City Council have in improving public safety?

The City Council plays a critical role in public safety by setting policies and budgets that reflect what our communities need. That’s why I supported a 21% MPD pay raise in 2024 - to recruit and retain good officers and strengthen staffing. Minneapolis has changed in recent years, and MPD is evolving too. I believe in Chief O’Hara’s leadership and our officers’ ability to implement new approaches that build safety through both enforcement and community engagement.

But public safety isn’t just policing. The Council must listen to neighborhoods, invest in violence prevention, and expand alternatives like unarmed patrols and crisis response teams. Our goal should be a city where everyone feels safe - no matter where they live or who they are.

Quick Hits

Property taxes?
At the right level.

The City has committed to transforming George Floyd Square in a way that honors community values and vision for the future. What option do you support for this transformation?
A Pedestrian Plaza permanently closing the area to all vehicles and transit.

What concept do you support for 3000 Minnehaha Ave, the site of the former Third Police Precinct?Election and Voter Services/Democracy center plus community space.

Do you support the City of Minneapolis moving forward a Boycott, Divestment and Sanction policy against Israel where possible?
Yes.

Do you support the removal of I-94 through Minneapolis and replacement with a boulevard and/or public transit?
Yes.

The City of Minneapolis has a Separation Ordinance in place preventing city employees from asking about immigration status. Do you support this ordinance?
Yes.

What would you prioritize in immediate future city budgets?
Focus more on core functions for which the city is currently primarily responsible like police, fire, and road maintenance.

Should a Labor Standards Board be revisited, its composition should be:
Business and Labor have equal representation.

Increased vibrancy and activity downtown is important for:
Everyone in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis small and local business owners receive:
Too little support from the City Council.

How important is economic health and the business environment in Minneapolis?
One of the top three most important issues facing our city.

Do you believe that Minneapolis currently has a hospitable business climate?
Yes.

I believe that perception of crime:
Has a real impact on local businesses and should be taken seriously by city policymakers

Would you support the implementation of a strict rent control policy with rents capped at 3% annual increases, such as was passed in Saint Paul in 2021?
Yes.

If yes, do you support exemptions for new construction?
Yes.

Are you open to supporting a different version of rent control than a strict 3% cap?
Yes.

In general, what effect do you believe the production of market-rate housing have on other units in the area?
Decreases rent through increasing supply.

Do you support the Revised Affordable Housing Right of First Refusal Ordinance?
No.

Do you think we need additional renter protections? If yes, what protections would you support?
Yes. I support renter protections that keep people in their homes without making it harder to build more housing. That’s why I’ve backed just-cause eviction rules - so landlords need a fair reason to remove tenants - and the 4d Affordable Housing program, which lowers property taxes for landlords who keep rents affordable. But I voted against the 2024 Right of First Refusal Ordinance because it would have slowed down housing supply when we need more, not less. We need stronger enforcement against neglectful landlords, better legal support for renters, and policies that add housing so rents stay affordable in the first place.

The existence of homeless encampments is:
A public health and safety emergency. Harmful to those living in and near encampments.

Should encampment closures be halted?
No.

Do you support the minimum police officer mandate of 1.7 per 1,000 residents?
Yes, and I believe the City should continue working to fulfill it.

As a city council member, would you support increasing funding for recruitment, hiring, and retention of officers as the mayor proposed and City Council majority rejected in their 2024 and 2025 budgets?
Yes.

Do you support the Office of Community Safety Department of Neighborhood Safety’s (DNS) RFP process awarding contracts to organizations through a basic competitive bidding process with expert-informed “best practices” proposal evaluations?
Yes.

Do you support the Department of Neighborhood Safety requiring data-driven accountability and reporting by violence interruption/prevention groups?
Yes.

With regard to public safety do you feel like the city's more pressing issue currently is police accountability or staffing levels?
Staffing levels.

The City reached a federal consent decree with President Biden’s Department of Justice. Despite President Trump’s administration indicating it may abandon efforts to finalize the decree, Mayor Frey has stated he will support the city and the MPD complying with the agreement even if it’s not enforced by the federal courts. Do you agree?
Yes.

Do you believe Shotspotter is a valuable tool?
Yes.

Should ShotSpotter be expanded to include additional high-crime areas?
Yes.