Josh Bassais (Ward 8)
Detailed Responses
If elected, what will be your top three priorities?
Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Economic Growth.
What should the City do to generate missing revenue as downtown building values fall?
Reimagined commercial space not residential because of the tax revenue gap.
What is the appropriate role of the City Council in developing policy and providing services under the 'Executive Mayor' system?
Developing a common vision, collaboration, and finding common ground.
What should the City Government do to support small and local businesses?
Cut red tape, collaborate on street redesigns and construction, get police back walking a beat.
What is an immediate and urgent solution to encampments in Minneapolis?
Address the root cause, drug addiction and mental health.
What role should the City Council have in improving public safety?
More community input at the precinct level. A fully staffed police force that continues to bolster it's diversity within the ranks.
Quick Hits
Property taxes?
Too high and should be reduced.
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 Flexible Open-Street concept that would support development at the People’s Way.
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?
No.
Do you support the removal of I-94 through Minneapolis and replacement with a boulevard and/or public transit?
No.
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?
No.
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?
No.
Are you open to supporting a different version of rent control than a strict 3% cap?
No.
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?
No.
The existence of homeless encampments is:
A public health and safety emergency.
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.