Elliott Payne began his time in City Hall in 2016 as a member of the Office of Performance and Innovation (OPI) before representing Ward 1 on City Council. In his role as a consultant, he helped his team establish the Behavioral Response Team, designed the Small Business Portal to make it easier for BIPOC and immigrant entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses, and helped amend the Conduct on Licensed Premises ordinance to protect renters from unjust evictions. In addition to his work in City Hall, Elliott has served his community as a volunteer and board member of several non-profit organizations including Art Buddies and Minneapolis College Foundation.
During his first term, Council Member Elliott Payne led the charge on expanding alternative responses to public safety through budget amendments to expand the City’s mental health response through our Behavioral Crisis Response program and to create a Public Safety Ambassador Program along the City’s cultural corridors. He championed workers’ rights by authoring a budget amendment that increased funding for our co enforcement program that helps stop wage theft and by supporting a minimum wage for drivers of Transportation Network Companies (TNC). He’s been an advocate for making public transit by being an author on a directive to make the City a partner in the Transportation Assistance Program that allows residents to access $1 trips and by fighting for Bus Rapid Transit on Como and Lowry Avenue in the Ward.
He supported our environment by authoring an ordinance that reduces toxic air pollutants from autobody shops and by supporting the Climate Equity Plan. He also continuously fights for better infrastructure in Ward 1 with major improvements happening on Johnson Street, Monroe Street, Lowry Avenue, 37th Avenue, 29th Avenue, St Anthony Parkway, and Ridgeway Parkway since he has taken office.
Elliott Payne lives in the Audubon Park neighborhood with his wife Lindsay and is proud to represent his neighbors.