Frey vetoes council actions tied to Minneapolis crisis response program, setting up next round of debate

Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed two Minneapolis City Council actions related to the future of the city’s crisis response program, arguing the city should move forward with an expanded Mobile Crisis Response model rather than extend the current Behavioral Crisis Response approach.

The dispute centers on how the city should respond to people experiencing behavioral health crises and other nonviolent situations, and whether Minneapolis should move forward with a new provider that Frey says was selected through a competitive, “full and fair process” or continue with its current model while considering other options.

On Oct. 15, the City Council voted to deny a contract with Community Bridges, Inc. for Mobile Crisis Response services. The proposed contract, valued at up to $5.9 million annually, would have run from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2028.

The council also approved a separate action allowing th...