Week of August 3rd
Council Member Michael Rainville
August 7th, 2026
Message from Council Member Rainville
Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week I want to honor the memory of John Derus, former Ward 4 Alderman and Hennepin County Commissioner. John was my cousin and very patient mentor.
A true son of Northeast Minneapolis, John's life was shaped by the death of his father, a Minneapolis firefighter, when he was still in high school at DeLaSalle. When John told the school he would have to leave because the family could no longer afford tuition, he was immediately granted a full academic scholarship. This concept of helping those in need became the foundation of his 24 years in public office.
After graduating from St. Cloud State University and serving with the Peace Corps in India during the 1960s, John became involved in politics, volunteering for Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale. They saw the talent in him and encouraged him to run for the 4th Ward council seat. At that time no Democrat had ever held that seat, and both Humphrey and Mondale door knocked for John.
Hubert Humphrey, John Derus, and Walter Mondale
John's desire to increase social services to the least fortunate citizens led him to run for the Hennepin County Board. During his 22 years on the County Board, including 14 as chair, he developed health care, job training, and small business programs. His most visible project was the redevelopment of the central riverfront.
While on the City Council, John was a driving force in supporting the Riverplace and St. Anthony Main residential/office/commercial buildings. When the Archdiocese was going to close and tear down Our Lady of Lourdes church, John and Al Hofstede convinced the Archbishop that the church would become the centerpiece of the renewal of East Hennepin and Main Street.
One day as Hennepin County Board Chair, a demolition permit came across John's desk. The railroad no longer wanted to repair the Stone Arch Bridge and wanted to tear it down. John denied the permit and authored the legislation for the County to purchase the bridge for $1,001 and repair the damage from the 1965 flood.
When the County was replacing the old Broadway Ave. Bridge, John convinced his fellow Commissioners to save the middle span and float it downriver to become the Merriam St. Bridge connecting Nicollet Island to Main Street.
When there were plans to replace the Hennepin Ave. Bridge with a plain, freeway style bridge, John worked tirelessly to find the funding to build the current landmark Hennepin Ave. Bridge.
John was that rare politician that understood the balance government should strike between helping those less fortunate, nurturing the business community, and growing the City/County. He established the Hennepin County Railroad Authority and led the effort to purchase the railroad right of way along Hiawatha and Highway 7, which is now the Green Line LRT.
I spent a lot of time driving John around Minnesota as he advocated for ethanol use in County vehicles, an early attempt at decreasing fossil fuel consumption, and during his campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate. I learned so much from listening to him talk on the phone, watching him speak to voters, and helping countless residents in need of assistance.
His compassion and willingness to help people who had no one else to turn to, and loyalty to his colleagues, friends, and family are all traits that I try very hard to emulate.
John lived a very full 86 years. May his memory be a blessing.
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
Much of my week was spent on committee meetings. The committees I personally attend are the Budget Committee, the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee, and the Public Health and Safety Committee. The one I would like to emphasize today is the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee.
One of the current implementations that is being presented is the Rental License Ordinance. What this entails is that all rental licenses within the Minneapolis area that have been placed at a higher risk tier must go before the city council to get renewed. Now this concept of a tier comes from a 4 tier system created to depict the state of a space being rented with each tier detailing how many complaint based inspections have to occur outside of the regulatory ones. Tier 1 is equal to every 8 years, Tier 1D is the same as first but hasn't had a routine inspection, Tier 2 is equal to every 5 years, and finally Tier 3 is equal to every year (the higher risk). Now although this seems to be straightforward there are some challenges to this concept as its a multi year process so it may not take into account current conditions making the implementation more of a warning than a guaranteed experience. With this being said it must be clarified that city hall granting rental licenses does not mean a city stamp of approval in all areas it simply means that the rent reached minimum requirements and is granted a property relationship with the city to be compromised on. Given this is a multiyear project this implementation won't arise today or tomorrow so for all those in Ward 3 who own properties or are renter residents make sure to stay tuned to all the city council meetings where these conversations are being had.
- Aug. 11 is Election Day
- We’re ready for Election Day
- City Council confirms Dr. Reginald Freeman to be next Minneapolis Fire Chief
- Make a difference: Serve on a board or commission, apply Aug. 1-31
- Save the date: Minneapolis Mile of Music is Aug. 19
- City urges community to stay out of restricted areas
- Fall City Trees sale: Order now
- Meet this month’s Food Forward cohort
Aug. 11 is Election Day
Aug. 11 is Election Day in Minneapolis. While many registered voters in Minneapolis have already cast early ballots, thousands of others will be heading to their polling places to vote.
Voting on Election Day
All polling places are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Aug. 11. Anyone in line to vote by 8 p.m. on Election Day will still have the opportunity to vote.
Check your polling place
If you plan to vote on Election Day, check to see where your polling place is.
Sample ballots available online
State law allows voters to bring materials into the polls to help complete their ballots, and the sample ballot is the single, best tool available for this purpose. By downloading and printing your sample ballot (which is specific to your ward and precinct), you can practice marking your ballot. You can bring your marked-up sample ballot as a reference to the voting booth when completing your official ballot.
Find sample ballots for all Minneapolis precincts on the City website.
Time off from work to vote
All voters have a right to take time off work to vote without losing pay, personal leave or vacation time. Any employer found in violation of this law is guilty of a misdemeanor. Find more information on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.
If you mailed a ballot
If you completed and mailed back your early ballot, check the online ballot tracking tool in the morning of Aug. 11. If the tracking tool shows that your ballot has not yet been accepted, you should look up your polling place and go vote in person.
Voters can vote in person as long as election officials have not yet received and counted their mail ballots. Elections staff at polling places check to see if they’ve received and counted mail ballots from voters who want to vote in person. Voters are given ballots as long as the City has not received and counted mail ballots from them. Any uncounted mail ballots from people who have voted in person will be cancelled and not counted (even if election officials receive it later).
Mail ballot drop-off ends 5 p.m. Aug. 11
Any Minneapolis voter who has a completed mail ballot but has not mailed it yet should not mail it in at this point. Instead, mail ballots can be dropped off 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Election Day at Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., or at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 Sixth St. S.
Completed mail ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places on Election Day.
For more information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, visit the City website.
We’re ready for Election Day
We’re ready for Election Day
The City of Minneapolis plans year-round to have a safe, secure election and Election Day.
Our election judges are trained and prepared to handle emergencies that may arise. If you have a concern, ask an election judge for help.
Voter rights
As a voter, you have rights guaranteed by Minnesota state law, including time off from work to vote. Know your voting rights.
How can community help?
We can all support our community around the election, from sharing accurate information to helping others explore their voting options, to giving a neighbor a ride to their polling place. Find ideas on the City website and share them with your neighbors.
City Council confirms Dr. Reginald Freeman to be next Minneapolis Fire Chief
The Minneapolis City Council voted last week to confirm Mayor Jacob Frey’s nomination of Dr. Reginald Freeman as the 19th Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department, the third African American leader to hold this office.
Freeman will focus on firefighter wellness, recruitment and retention, and continue the modernization of the department to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Freeman’s extensive leadership experience in fire and rescue services, emergency management and public safety is evidenced by his leadership of major departments in Oakland, Calif., and Hartford, Conn., as well as serving in a variety of executive roles across the United States and internationally. Throughout his career, he has focused on advancing organizational excellence, supporting and developing firefighters, strengthening partnerships with the communities served and ensuring departments are prepared to address emerging public safety challenges.
Freeman replaces former Chief Bryan Tyner, who retired at the end of 2025 after 30 years of service. Melanie Rucker has served as interim chief since Jan. 1, 2026.
Freeman will be sworn into office in the coming weeks.
Learn more about Dr. Reginald Freeman and the Minneapolis Fire Department on the City website.
Make a difference: Serve on a board or commission, apply Aug. 1-31
Serving on a City board or commission is your chance to directly shape policies that affect daily life, like local property values, housing, land development, historic districts and landmarks, civil rights, zoning and good financial stewardship. Your voice brings fresh perspective and drives transparency in City decisions. Whether you have experience as an attorney, have worked in the field or have an interest in shaping your community, we encourage you to consider an open position.
Most boards meet monthly, and it’s a great way to gain valuable skills, build relationships with community leaders and grow your understanding of local government.
Right now, Minneapolis is accepting applications for several boards.
Ready to get involved? Explore current openings, and apply Aug. 1-31.
Save the date: 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.
Save the date:
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.
City urges community to stay out of restricted areas
Following a recent incident in which a teenager fell 20 stories from a restricted mill building, the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Fire Department are reminding the public to avoid abandoned structures, underground tunnels, sewer systems, caves and all restricted areas in and around Minnehaha Falls.
Urban exploring and trespassing continue to be serious concerns in Minneapolis. These locations often contain significant hazards, including unstable or collapsing floors, broken glass, exposed electrical wiring and dangerous substances. Entering these areas can result in individuals becoming trapped, injured or killed, and further endangers firefighters, police officers and rescue personnel who may be called to respond.
We ask the community to help prevent future tragedies:
- Talk with your children about the dangers of entering abandoned or restricted sites.
- Speak up if a friend or family member is considering exploring a dangerous location.
- Call 911 immediately if you see someone entering a hazardous area or live‑streaming from a restricted space.
Public safety is a shared responsibility. Please help us keep Minneapolis safe by staying out of these areas and encouraging others to do the same.
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.
Meet this month’s Food Forward cohort
Homegrown Minneapolis’ Food Forward program helps restaurants reduce wasted food, save money and make a lasting impact. The program is kicking off its August cohort with six local restaurants. Meet the August 2026 Food Forward Cohort:
These businesses are partnering with Food Forward coaches over the next six weeks to implement smarter, more efficient kitchen strategies and become leaders in saving food, one plate at a time.
Learn more about the Food Forward program.
Food Forward is currently accepting restaurants for its Fall 2026 cohorts. Fill out an interest form on our website and our coaches will reach out to you.
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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