Shelley Madore (Ward 2)

Detailed Responses

If elected, what will be your top three priorities?

Public Safety, Housing, Economic Development.

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

The City should pursue a multi-pronged approach to solving the revenue shortfall. A mix of several taxes, investments, and incentives must be on the table. Expansion of our advertising efforts to encourage more leisure travel to the city - great restaurants, entertainment, and parks are waiting for you! This would bring new tourism dollars to the city. Offer temporary tax programs to building owners to promote increased occupancy. Evaluate permitting and zoning to ensure that we have removed potential barriers to new investments in the community. Increase funding for public/private partnerships that would evaluate property potential for new mixed-use developments which would kick-start the Downtown Council 10-year plan. These are just a few of the opportunities that we could evaluate. The time is now to be creative and embrace this as a challenge. Minneapolis has always been a driver of innovation and energy, we can bring business, community, state government, and city leaders together to help solve this problem.

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

The City Council acts in the capacity of a legislative body, enacting city ordinances, adopting a city budget, and reviewing and implementing policy. The City Council is also tasked with delivering services to the residents, reviewing state and federal legislation and the impacts of such legislation, and the review and acceptance of city contracts. The council ensures transparency and accountability through audits or oversight committees. The Mayor retains the right to veto council decisions. However, the Council may override the Mayor on issues they deem necessary for the city's well-being.

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

Recently, the Downtown Council submitted a 10-year plan that provides a guidebook to rebuilding and supporting the revitalization of our downtown. The plan highlights areas in need of City Council support. This includes foundational work on the functional aspects of the work environment (skyways, transit, and public safety), increasing housing options for workers for their businesses, and new private/public partnerships. But, the most critical aspect is removing barriers to public perception of an unsafe city. Local vendors rely on Main Street shopping and dining opportunities for their livelihood. The City Council should engage regularly with these new projects and ensure that businesses are engaged early on with new projects, street improvements, and zoning.

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

If the encampment situation was a one-issue problem, it could be solved. However, we know that many factors contribute to homelessness. Mental illness, addiction, and a lack of affordable permanent housing are factors that drive encampment occupation. Despite commitments to work together, the city and the county have a vague, coordinated plan but lack concrete details. Some services are delivered by the county, some by the city, and some by nonprofits. All groups must be compelled to develop a plan that focuses on the services needed to support encampment residents, protect them from harassment, and help to garner the services they need through a social services lens. Property owners and businesses need the support of a strong public safety first mandate, with police and social services staff working collaboratively. Homelessness can’t be solved overnight, but with a coordinated effort from our local government, nonprofit organizations, and the community, our city can take steps to reduce encampments and help individuals transition to more stable lives. These efforts must prioritize human dignity and long-term solutions, not just short-term fixes.

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

Our system is broken but shows signs of repair. New officers are stepping forward to serve this community; they have strong values and know our challenges. New initiatives have been implemented, including increased training, engagement of supportive services, and more significant community support. The MDHR settlement required greater transparency and accountability; we have seen improvement in these areas. However, there is still much work to do.

The City Council must oversee and require reporting metrics that show progress is being made. However, we are stuck in a cycle of little measurable and meaningful improvement. We continue to punish progress because we are seeking speedy remedies. Our community deserves to be safe, and our policing must adapt to new techniques to address our public safety concerns.

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 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?
Yes.

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.

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

Do you think we need additional renter protections? If yes, what protections would you support?
Yes. Strict enforcement should be levied against landlords and property managers who break existing rules. Poor property management affects all property owners. Tenants who pay property taxes through their rent deserve housing that meets current regulations.

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.