Week of October 19th
Council Member Michael Rainville
October 23rd, 2026
Message from Council Member Rainville
Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
Last week I wrote about the debate at the council meeting concerning the approval of a contract with a new vendor for Behavioral Crisis Response. This program started in 2020 and has been successful in moving 911 calls for people in crisis from the police to trained social workers. Our professional staff released an RFP for the BCR program which included the request to cover more livability issues and greater accountability from the vendor.
The more detailed RFP was in response to staff concerns about oversight with this new program including billing issues and concerns from the fire department who oversees the program. Unfortunately, the council voted 7-5 to not authorize a contract with the new vendor recommended by staff. I am in favor of the new vendor and understand the problems we have with the current vendor. Please read this article about the findings from the city auditor. This audit reaffirms my decision to keep the Behavioral Crisis Program but with a new vendor. Article: Audit Critical of Mpls Crisis Program
This week we continued with department budget presentations as well as a public hearing on Monday night. As I listen to the department presentations I see where budget cuts have been made but my concern still remains that the proposed tax increase of 12% is too high. Please know I will be joining the effort to reduce the property tax increase. This will be done through the budget amendment process which will begin in late November. I believe we are doing a disservice to every renter, homeowner and small business in Minneapolis by not realizing the city is in a down cycle of revenue and we must adjust the city’s spending. Large property tax increases are impacting the affordability of living in Minneapolis, especially for our low income and fixed income neighbors.
Below are links to the department presentations we received this week.
- Intergovernmental Relations Presentation
- Neighborhood and Community Relations Presentation
- 311 Service Center Presentation
- Racial Equity and Inclusion Department Presentation
- Finance and Property Services Presentation
- Communications Department Presentation
- Assessing Department Presentation
- Youth Coordinating Board Presentation
- Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Presentation
- Convention Center and Downtown Assets Presentation
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
- Expanding access to polls with additional hours, early vote locations
- Family Gathering Concert Series continues Oct. 24 at Green Room
- Animal shelter open house Oct. 25
- City Council announces community listening sessions for 2027 budget
- Hennepin County continues upgrading outdoor warning sirens
- Know where to turn: Minneapolis Civil Rights Department helps residents understand and protect their rights
- No-cost consulting services available for small businesses in Minneapolis
Expanding access to polls with additional hours, early vote locations
With two weeks to go until Election Day, Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services (EVS) is expanding access for voters by offering extended hours and multiple ways for you to cast your vote.
Starting Monday, Oct. 19, Minneapolis residents have access to expanded hours at the city's main Early Vote Center at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. Monday also marked the beginning of 12 one-day pop-up early vote locations across the City. Then starting Tuesday, Oct. 20, a new North and South Early Vote center will provide two additional locations to cast your vote or drop off your ballot ahead of Election Day.
Early Vote Center
The main Early Vote Center at 980 E. Hennepin Ave. is open extended hours, including weekends, now through 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.
Additional Early Vote Centers
Elections & Voter Services will be opening two additional Early Vote Centers with the same hours as the main location, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 20. These locations are:
- Urban League Twin Cities, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N.
- Bethel Lutheran Church, 4120 17th Ave. S.
Pop-up voting sites
Changes made during the 2023 legislative session allow EVS to host one day pop-up style voting events. These pop-up sites feature the same security measures, rules and processes as any other polling location in Minneapolis.
Find a pop-up voting site near you on the City website.
How to help
Every election year, Minneapolis sees strong voter turnout and residents who want to step up — whether by serving at a polling place or helping a neighbor request a ballot. This year is no exception.
Visit the City website to learn about simple, nonpartisan ways to support voters and help ensure a smooth and accessible election for all. These include sharing accurate election information, making a plan for how you’ll vote and helping others reach the polls when they’re ready to cast their ballot.
The Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services Division is responsible for administering elections in the City of Minneapolis. For information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, go to vote.minneapolismn.gov.
Family Gathering Concert Series continues Oct. 24 at Green Room
Bring the kids for a free morning of live music, creative activities and fun.
Family Gathering Concert Series: Koo Koo with DJ Hampster Dance 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 Green Room, 2923 Girard Ave. S
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.
Animal shelter open house Oct. 25
The Minneapolis Animal Care & Control shelter is opening its doors this Sunday. Meet the animal control officers and shelter staff who respond to calls for service, keep people and pets safe, and provide daily care for the animals at the Minneapolis shelter.
You can check out our specially equipped vehicles and tour the shelter. Learn what makes MACC special and get your questions answered.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control open house 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 Animal Care & Control, 212 17th Ave. N.
The City provides daily care, shelter and adoption services for animals in Minneapolis. Every adoption creates space for another animal in need. We’re open six days a week for adoptions and have a constantly changing selection of pets rescued in your community, cared for by your City.
Learn more about what we do and find adoptable pets on the City website.
City Council announces community listening sessions for 2027 budget
The Minneapolis City Council is adding another way for community members to make their voices heard during the budget process. The City Council will host two informal listening sessions for residents to provide feedback on the Mayor’s 2027 recommended budget.
The dates for the upcoming sessions are:
Thursday, Oct. 29 Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Listening session from 6-7:30 p.m. University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N.
Thursday, Nov. 5 Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Listening session from 6-7:30 p.m. Whittier Elementary School Cafeteria, 315 W. 26th St.
Listening session format
The listening sessions will begin with a brief budget overview. Residents will then have an opportunity to ask questions or give their opinions to City Council Members. Community members wishing to address the City Council are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the session begins to sign up to speak, similar to public hearings held in City Hall. Space will be limited. All City Council members are invited to attend these listening sessions; however, since these are not official City Council meetings, quorum is not required. There will be audio recordings of these sessions for the public record.
Other ways to participate
Residents who can’t make it to one of these listening sessions can participate in other ways, including:
Contact your Council Member directly.
Hennepin County continues upgrading outdoor warning sirens
In August, Hennepin County began upgrading the control system that operates outdoor warning sirens across Minneapolis. The upgraded system will reduce alarms that reach areas not directly at risk and will give technicians better real-time data about system performance. These improvements help ensure the sirens are ready when residents need them most.
As this work continues, you may hear short, 10- to 15-second “growl tests” from these outdoor warning sirens. These tests help confirm that individual sirens are working. You may also notice small differences in how the monthly sirens sound or the timing of the alerts. These changes are normal parts of the testing process.
Learn more about the work to upgrade the sirens on the Hennepin County website.
Know where to turn: Minneapolis Civil Rights Department helps residents understand and protect their rights
Many people know their rights matter, but they may not know where to turn when they believe those rights have been violated. The City of Minneapolis Civil Rights Department is here to help residents understand their rights, navigate their options and, when appropriate, submit a complaint.
The Department provides free and accessible services related to a range of civil rights and workplace issues. This includes discrimination based on a protected class, wage theft and other labor standards violations, misconduct by Minneapolis police officers, and worker protections on City construction projects.
The need for help can arise in everyday situations. A renter may believe they were treated differently because of a protected characteristic. A worker may not have been paid for all the hours they worked. Someone may experience or witness misconduct by a Minneapolis police officer and be unsure how to report it. Workers on City construction projects may have questions about whether they received the appropriate wage or were properly classified.
In each of these situations, residents may not know whether what happened violated their rights or what to do next. They don't have to figure it out alone.
The Civil Rights Department can help residents understand whether City protections may apply to their situation and explain their options. Residents can connect with the Department by phone, by appointment or online. Services are provided at no cost.
The City is launching a public awareness campaign this fall to make these protections more visible and help more Minneapolis residents know where to turn when they need assistance. The campaign will run across social media and out-of-home advertising, using familiar, everyday situations to connect residents with the Civil Rights Department.
Know where to turn. Learn more about your rights, the protections available in Minneapolis and how to get help at minneapolismn.gov/civil-rights.
No-cost consulting services available for small businesses in Minneapolis
Artist Martha Bird was struggling with her business. A consultant at Springboard for the Arts helped her keep moving towards her goals. She met with that consultant free of charge, thanks the City of Minneapolis Small Business Team’s Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP).
Watch a video on YouTube about how Martha got help.
Through BTAP, small businesses in Minneapolis can get up to 50 hours of no-cost help from expert advisors. BTAP consultants can help you in areas such as:
- Developing business, financial and marketing plans
- Meeting business licensing requirements
- Preparing legal documents
- Conducting day-to-day business operations
If you are starting or growing your business, you can get support through BTAP. More than 25 experienced service providers are part of the BTAP network. They speak different languages and have different kinds of expertise.
Visit the City website to find out if BTAP is right for 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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