Week of August 10th
Council Member Michael Rainville
August 14th, 2026
Message from Council Member Rainville
Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week the mayor delivered his proposed budget for 2027 which includes laying off city employees, merging departments and an 11% property tax levy increase. While I appreciate his honesty in admitting to the financial crisis Minneapolis faces, I will be looking at the details of his budget proposal to see where more cuts can be found. As all of us have had to cut our spending, so does the City of Minneapolis. Every renter, home owner and small business is affected by the rising cost of living in Minneapolis. My concern is that increasing property taxes is forcing lower and fixed income residents out of the city. It’s time for city government to tighten its belt.
To watch the Mayor’s budget address: Budget Address
To review the proposed budget: Proposed Budget
Another big issue this week was Scootergate, the scooter takeover downtown. On Saturday night, hundreds of teens converged on downtown, taking over streets, blocking intersection, racing the wrong way on the Hennepin Avenue bridge, and in a crazy and dangerous move, they took scooters on the freeway. I worked with our public works department, the city attorney’s office and the scooter companies (Lime and Spin) to geo-fence the scooters from driving on any freeway and limiting speeds in large sections of downtown and the riverfront. We have established an emergency communication plan with the scooter companies in the event there is another scooter takeover.
This week, Council Member Shaffer and I met with the retail leasing agent for the Dayton’s Project to learn of their plans for ground level retail on Nicollet. Council Member Shaffer and I also participated in a ribbon cutting with Mayor Frey for the newest hotel in Minneapolis. Roami, located in the former Minneapolis Vocational High School across the street from the convention center, is an aparthotel and features a stunning roof top patio. A big thank you to Steve Hark, one of the owners, for investing in downtown.
The Sheridan Neighborhood Community Walk was this week. Second Precinct Inspector, Molly Fisher joined the walk and we spoke with residents and business owners about their needs and encouraged them to get more involved with the neighborhood organization. Next week I will join the St. Anthony East neighborhood on their community walk.
As always, Henry, Patrick, and I are here to serve you. We can be reached at ward3@minneapolismn.gov. Please report all issues to 311 before contacting us so there is a paper trail and staff are already aware of the issue when we speak with them. You can contact 311 by simply dialing 311, email them at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov or by submitting a 311 Contact Form.
Your neighbor,
Michael
Message from Julianna
As some of you know from reading these articles, this is my second year working for Ward 3 and I couldn't be more grateful for my experience in this position. Since the beginning I've been so excited to be able to see and understand the inner workings of local government as it is a complex system that does wonders for our community. This internship has allowed me to gain access to perspectives of not only Council Member Rainville, but all different positions in city hall including researchers in committees, office aids, clerks, and more. One of my favorite things I have learned is the depth of each committee as they take on different rounds of challenges our community meets today. They are constantly adapting and there is always more work to be done but those involved are incredibly diligent with the choices they make to help our community.
I’ve personally got the most experience following the housing, safety, and budget committee and I can assure you that the Minneapolis community is in good hands after seeing all the efforts and research that are explored. This experience has also taught me the importance of connection, communication, and presentation while in a political field, it has been eye opening to me how connected everyone is in our community. I’ve learned this through watching Mr. Rainville as one of the best ways he keeps up with all his residents is by taking the time to connect with everyone in the Ward in and out of work. He does this by creating an open line of communication as he wants to be accessible to the needs of his community and will always take time to listen and understand new perspectives even if they don't always align with his own. I personally think it is one of the best characteristics to hold his position as it's easy to be fixed but he chooses to be open minded so he can learn as much as he teaches. As far as presentation goes, he has taught me the value of authenticity and presenting yourself the same all around as consistency starts with your being not just your actions. In all, this internship has built up greater excitement for me to one day be able to enter a political position myself so thank you Ward 3 for another amazing summer.
- City Council starts process of considering the Mayor’s Recommended Budget
- Voter turnout in Minneapolis primary election
- Minneapolis Mile of Music is Aug. 19
- Fall City Trees sale: Order now
- Minneapolis Fire Department hosts “Firefighter for a Day” experience
- Call for artists: Northside Greenway public art
- Call for poets: Apply to become the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate
City Council starts process of considering the Mayor’s Recommended Budget
The Minneapolis City Council started its process of considering the Mayor’s 2027-28 Recommended Budget at its regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13. City Council sent it to the Budget Committee, who will now comprehensively review the spending plan and priorities over the next several months. A final budget plan must be adopted by at least seven affirmative votes and approved by the mayor before the end of the year.
Upcoming meetings
The Budget Committee consists of all 13 City Council members. This committee leads the City Council's review of the Mayor’s Recommended Budget and receives department performance reports. The next Budget Committee meeting is Aug. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
Public hearings
The public will have the opportunity to make their voices heard throughout the City Council’s budget process.
Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) sets the maximum levies for certain tax funds in the City including Municipal Building Commission, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). A public hearing on the levy is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m. BET is expected to adopt the maximum levy at its meeting on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m.
Approximately three public hearings will take place as part of the Budget Committee. Dates and times will be announced at a later date.
The final public hearing of the budget process is known as the Truth in Taxation Hearing. It is expected to take place on Dec. 15. City Council then votes to adopt the budget after the conclusion of the public hearing.
Voter turnout in Minneapolis primary election
More than 112,000 people voted in the 2026 primary election in Minneapolis, the second highest turnout in any state primary since 1968. That’s more than 40% of our registered voters weighing in.
Minneapolis has 263,562 registered voters, about 60.5% of the city’s estimated population.
Thank you to our elections staff and election judges for once again ensuring free, impartial and fair access to the ballot box. And most of all, thank you, voters, for voting.
Minneapolis Mile of Music is Aug. 19
Get ready for an afternoon of free live music across Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Mile of Music will bring local artists and performers to more than 25 cafés, restaurants, patios and public spaces on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
From jazz and folk to rock, Latin, pop, soul and hip hop, the event will showcase a wide range of music across three areas of the city: Saint Anthony Main, Nicollet Mall and Eat Street.
Minneapolis Mile of Music 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19 More than 25 venues All performances are free
The Minneapolis Mile of Music is part of Minneapolis Forward and is funded through the City's Small Business Resiliency Fund, which supports efforts to bring people back to local businesses and strengthen Minneapolis' arts, culture and entertainment economy.
A full artist lineup, venue map and event schedule will be available soon. Visit the Facebook event for the latest event details.
Fall City Trees sale: Order now
The Minneapolis City Trees program offers low-cost, $30 trees for residents. Trees offer many benefits, including:
- Lower utility bills
- Shade for your property
- Habitat for wildlife
- Increased property values
Visit the City Trees Sale ordering page to order up to three $30 trees.
Minneapolis Fire Department hosts “Firefighter for a Day” experience
The Minneapolis Fire Department hosted the second “Firefighter for a Day Experience” for The Arc Minnesota, an organization that supports community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Participants had the opportunity to suit up in traditional firefighter gear, learn about fire safety, use rescue tools and even help put out a fire.
Watch the “Firefighter for a Day Experience” highlight video on Facebook.
Learn more about the experience through these stories from local media:
CBS Minnesota: “Minneapolis Fire Department invites special guests to be crew members for a day”
Call for artists: Northside Greenway public art
The City of Minneapolis invites artists and/or artist teams to apply to create new public artworks for the Northside Greenway project. The four-mile Greenway route is from 44th Avenue N. to Fourth Avenue N. on Humboldt Avenue N. and Irving Avenue N. The Greenway will:
- Go through six distinct neighborhoods
- Connect to or be near five public schools
- Pass through or be near nine parks
- Cross several major roads and transportation corridors in North Minneapolis
Artists may apply for one or all six public art opportunities along the Greenway.
Informational meeting: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18
Application deadline: 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14
Contact Dudley Voigt for more information or a link to the informational meeting.
Call for poets: Apply to become the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate
The City of Minneapolis and The Loft Literary Center are seeking applications for the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate. The two-year term runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2028.
The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for Minneapolis’ literary culture, using poetry to connect and engage our community. During their term, the Poet Laureate will participate in civic events, lead public poetry programming, teach classes through The Loft and develop a community-focused poetry project.
The call for poets opens Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Learn more about the Minneapolis Poet Laureate program and how to apply.
Contact Ward 3
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward3
Email: michael.rainville@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2203
City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.
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