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Convention Center Authority Appointments

At a glance

  • What: Five appointments and reappointments to the Convention Center Authority, handled together (Council files 26-156 to 26-160).
  • Where it stands: All five confirmed on September 15, 2026. Three were unanimous or near it; the reappointments of Degrafinreid and Hardin and the appointment of Silvia San Martin drew organized opposition (6 to 7 no votes each).
  • Next: Nothing pending. Other board nominees heard the same night were re-referred to committee.

Appointments and votes (September 15, 2026)

Each was recommended by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee, and Council Member Sepulveda moved confirmation each time.

  • Jim Cooper (term to February 7, 2030): adopted by unanimous vote.
  • Alfred Degrafinreid, reappointment (term to February 7, 2030): after discussion Council Member Taylor called the previous question (voice vote, approved). Roll call 28 yes, 6 no, 0 abstain. No: Parker, Capp, Bradford, Welsch, Vo, Sepulveda.
  • Tracy Hardin, reappointment (term to January 6, 2030): after discussion Council Member Johnston called the previous question (voice vote, approved). Roll call 27 yes, 7 no. No: Parker, Capp, Harrell, Bradford, Welsch, Vo, Sepulveda.
  • Ethan Link (term to September 30, 2027): adopted by unanimous vote.
  • Silvia San Martin (term to January 6, 2030): roll call 27 yes, 7 no. No: Parker, Capp, Harrell, Welsch, Vo, Sepulveda, Ewing.

The minutes record that the sponsor of each motion (Sepulveda) is also among the no votes on three of them. The minutes do not summarize the discussion, so the reasons for opposition are not on record.

Sources

Log

2026-09-15 - Metropolitan Council

All five confirmed (Cooper and Link unanimous; Degrafinreid 28-6; Hardin 27-7; San Martin 27-7).

2026-09-01 - Metropolitan Council

All five appointees had appeared before the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee, which re-referred them to be considered at the next meeting.