Week of September 28th
Council Member Michael Rainville
October 2nd, 2026
Message from Council Member Rainville
Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week the City Council was in full swing with budget committee presentations. We received a very interesting staff report on the idea of tax-exempt property owners paying a fee in lieu of property tax. Most tax-exempt property in Minneapolis is owned by the University of Minnesota or hospitals. The report raises important questions and suggests next steps if Minneapolis would choose to institute a program similar to those done in Boston and Providence. Minneapolis' Tax-Exempt Landscape Overview
The Police Budget presentation was given by the new administration who made a point of presenting a 2027 budget with realistic overtime amounts. While the proposed budget is 9% higher than the 2026 budget, the 2027 budget has reductions in several key areas to accommodate for a projected overtime budget of $13 Million.
The overtime budget for 2026 was only projected to be $4 Million despite the 2025 and 2024 overtime costs in the $20 Million range. The Chief committed to holding spending his department to this budget. Please remember that due to the shortage of officers (643 vs 942 in 2020) overtime is necessary to fill the 911 response officer shifts. On every shift half of the officers answering 911 calls are on overtime. With the continued success of recruiting new officers, the need for overtime will become less necessary.
Click here to view the Police Budget Presentation.
Other Budget Presentations were given by
- Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED)
- Minneapolis Public Housing Authority
- Regulatory Services
- Homeless Response Team
A big thank you to the leadership of the St. Anthony West and Sheridan neighbors groups who organized a large group of volunteers to hold the 22nd annual 5K run/walk from Boom Island Park to the Stone Arch Bridge, across the river and back to Boom Island. This year’s joint fundraiser featured 350 runners/walkers and all were treated to Fletcher’s Ice Cream, Kramarczuk’s Brats and delicious breakfast treats by Chow Girls Catering. This model of community fundraising for neighborhood activities is a perfect example of the power of neighborhood groups to organize for the good of the community.
As always Mike, 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
- See your options for voting early
- City Council announces 2027 budget public hearing dates, encourages public participation
- Family Gathering Concert Series continues Oct. 3 at the Parkway Theater
- Third annual Latino Business Week starts Saturday
- Fourth Minneapolis NARCAN® vending machine installed to broaden access to life-saving medication
- Join us at the Eliminating Health Disparities Summit
See your options for voting early
Any Minneapolis voter can vote before Election Day in person or by mail. This is your city, and it’s your vote.
Voting early in person
Minneapolis has a main Early Vote Center open now at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. We’ll also have one on the North Side and one on the South Side opening Oct. 20, with the same hours as the main site.
We’re also opening 12 special one-day voting sites all across the city Oct. 19-30. These pop-up sites have the same security measures, rules and processes as the main sites.
Find the voting sites and their open times on the City website.
Voting by mail
There’s still time to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Make sure to put it back in the mail by Oct. 27 or drop it off in person. Check the City website for more details.
City Council announces 2027 budget public hearing dates, encourages public participation
The Minneapolis City Council will hold three public hearings as part of its work on the Mayor’s 2027 Recommended Budget. The City Council encourages residents to participate in the decision-making process by attending a public hearing.
The dates for the upcoming hearings are:
Budget Committee meeting 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 350 Fifth St. S
Budget Committee meeting 6:05 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 350 Fifth St. S
City Council meeting 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 City Council chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 350 Fifth St. S
Participating in a public hearing
Residents who want to make their voices heard at a public hearing must attend in person and sign up to speak. Speakers are typically limited to two minutes, but the length of speaking time and the number of speakers allowed is at the discretion of the Committee Chair. Comments unrelated to the budget will not be heard.
Testimony submitted as part of a public meeting is considered public data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This means that anyone can access information you choose to share. Only include information that you are comfortable making public.
Learn more about how to participate in a public hearing.
Other ways to participate
Residents who can’t attend one of these meetings may be able to attend an upcoming listening session or submit written comments in the following ways:
Learn more about the City Council's budget process.
Family Gathering Concert Series continues Oct. 3 at the Parkway Theater
Bring the kids for a free morning of live music, creative activities and fun.
Family Gathering Concert Series: Jeremy Messersmith with Sarah Morris 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 The Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave.
The series is produced in collaboration with the Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance and funded by the City of Minneapolis through Minneapolis Forward to support community and economic resilience.
Get event details and see who's performing.
Third annual Latino Business Week starts Saturday
The third annual Latino Business Week will be taking place Saturday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 11. The City’s Small Business Team has partnered with community organizations to plan events across Minneapolis, from legal workshops to marketing mixers.
This year’s Latino Business Week events will:
- Connect businesses with information and resources
- Create opportunities to learn from experts and network with peers
- Celebrate and support our City’s vibrant Latino business community
Learn more and register for events on the City website.
Fourth Minneapolis NARCAN® vending machine installed to broaden access to life-saving medication
The City of Minneapolis has installed its fourth NARCAN® vending machine at Fire Station 12, expanding free, anonymous and 24-hour access to the life-saving medication.
Minneapolis’ four NARCAN vending machines are installed at fire stations across the city. The NARCAN is free and accessible 24 hours per day. The NARCAN vending machines are located at:
- Fire Station 5, 2700 Bloomington Ave. S.
- Fire Station 12, 5401 33rd Ave S.
- Fire Station 14, 2002 Lowry Ave. N.
- Fire Station 21, 3209 38th St. E.
Watch our video on YouTube to learn how to use a NARCAN vending machine.
Additional resources
- Opioids and substance use programs and resources
- Opioid resources for youth
- Syringe cleanup and free NARCAN
- Mobile Medical Unit
- City’s Safe Stations
Watch the CDC’s video on YouTube to learn how to use NARCAN
Join us at the Eliminating Health Disparities Summit
The Minneapolis Health Department is hosting a new community event. Beyond the Diagnosis 2026: Eliminating Health Disparities Summit is a free event that will bring together community members, healthcare providers, public health professionals and partners to discuss health disparities and lived experiences within Minneapolis’ Black/African American communities.
Beyond the Diagnosis 2026: Eliminating Health Disparities Summit 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 Sanctuary Covenant Church, 2018 Aldrich Ave. N.
Attendees can expect to:
- Learn about sickle cell disease, heart disease, breast cancer and prostate cancer
- Learn now to advocate for yourself, family and community members living with these conditions
- Learn about the common lived experiences and policies that may lead to health inequities
Refreshments and free childcare will be provided. Register for the event.
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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