Public hearing could sway confirmation vote for Minneapolis community safety commissioner

The Minneapolis City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday afternoon with Mayor Jacob Frey’s nominee for the newly created job of commissioner of community safety.

Frey announced the nomination of Dr. Cedric Alexander four weeks ago.

City Hall sources have told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS there are some of the 13 City Council members who firmly support Alexander’s nomination, others who oppose it, and some who are undecided right now. That’s why Tuesday’s hearing is a critical step toward Alexander’s confirmation.

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Frey says he is “very confident” Alexander will be approved by the full City Council.

“I think council members understand the need for a very coordinated response,” Frey told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. “This has been something that many City Council members campaigned on throughout all of 2021.”

City Council Public Safety Committee Chairwoman LaTrisha Vetaw said the public hearing could be a make-or-break meeting for Alexander before the full City Council takes a final vote during its Thursday morning meeting.

“It could be. It could be, yeah. We’ll see. I’ll be here,” Vetaw said.

The hearing starts at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 317 at City Hall.