Week of August 24th Weekly Update

Council Member Michael Rainville

August 28th, 2026

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Message from Council Member Rainville

Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,

My office has received a lot of correspondence pertaining to the proposed data center on the Star Tribune site and the community has repeatedly asked (and in some cases demanded) me to come out against this project. I want to take a moment to explain the difference between the city council’s votes on legislative policy versus a land use item such as the Star Tribune data center application which is considered a quasi-judicial vote.

A proposed policy item, like the proposed citywide data center ordinance, is legislative in nature and I am free to express my policy views, however, pending land use applications are like a court proceeding and are classified as quasi-judicial. Our City Attorney reminds us that in quasi-judicial matters we must avoid any prejudgment and if we express our position prior to the council voting on the item, we will be disqualified from voting on it and will be forced to recuse ourselves from that vote.

I also want to share that there have been several threats made towards me and my family by people opposed to this project and this is not acceptable!  I do my best to be out in community and to engage constructively with my constituents but when my personal safety and the safety of my family come into question, I must take that into consideration when determining my community interactions. Please stop the threats against me and my family.

In other news, The League of Women Voters is hosting a session on the pros and cons of the Hennepin County Garbage Burner, the panel will cover the history, benefits, risks, science, and the environmental justice perspective behind the HERC. This information session will be held at the Minneapolis Downtown Library on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:30pm.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting, the council received the second quarter financial report for the City of Minneapolis. This is very helpful information as the council begins a very tight budget process for the 2027 budget.

Next week there are no committee or council meetings, so we will not be sending out a newsletter next Friday.

As always 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

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• September Civic Buzz: The HERC: Should we trash it?
• On this Day of Remembrance, the City of Minneapolis stands with the Annunciation community
• Minneapolis Mobile Medical Unit celebrates one year of bringing low-barrier health care directly to the community
• Free music series brings families together at Minneapolis venues
• Stay up to date on recommended childhood vaccines

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September Civic Buzz: The HERC: Should we trash it?

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On this Day of Remembrance, the City of Minneapolis stands with the Annunciation community

To honor the community, Annunciation wants to be a beacon of light by serving, just as so many neighbors have served them over the last year. The school started its healing, moving toward "a future filled with hope." This year’s theme is "Guide Our Feet Into the Way of Peace." It’s the community’s way of healing through service. They encourage everyone to serve others in their own communities or to perform an act of kindness on Remembrance Day. Suggestions include:

• Catholic Charities
• Bridging
• Every Meal
• Second Harvest Heartland
• Memorial Blood Centers

The community also requests that the public not send stuffed animals, flowers, food or other physical donations. Instead, anyone wishing to support the community is encouraged to contribute to the Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund - Catholic Community Foundation.

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Minneapolis Mobile Medical Unit celebrates one year of bringing low-barrier health care directly to the community

The City of Minneapolis Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) is celebrating one year of meeting people where they are and connecting community members with health care, substance use treatment and other critical services. The mobile clinic, funded by opioid settlement dollars, was established to address the opioid crisis and gaps in access to health care, particularly for individuals affected by the opioid crisis, experiencing homelessness and those who are uninsured or underinsured.

During its first year of service, the mobile clinic has established connections across the city with community partners, community members and healthcare providers. The clinic staff has had 4,100 interactions with community members at more than 150 events across the city, including eight emergency deployments.

As the MMU begins its second year, the City and its partners will build on the success of this first year and focus on expanding the number of opportunities to connect people with treatment and recovery services.

Learn more about the MMU and its services on the City website.

Request that the MMU comes to your event or neighborhood.

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Free music series brings families together at Minneapolis venues

Minneapolis’ independent music venues are opening their doors for a new nine-part concert series designed to bring young people and their families together through live music, dance and creative arts. The series kicks off Saturday, Sept. 12 and continues for nine weekends at venues across the city.

The Family Gathering Concert Series is part of the City’s work to build community by bringing families together and supporting independent music venues. Funded through the $7 million Small Business Resiliency Fund, the series is produced in partnership with the Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance. Most concerts will be held Saturday mornings with a special Sunday finale at First Avenue.

Family Gathering Concert Series:

• Sept. 12: The Hook and Ladder

• Sept. 19: The Capri

• Sept. 26: Dakota

• Oct. 3: The Parkway Theater

• Oct. 10: Animales Barbeque Co.

• Oct. 17: PILLLAR Forum

• Oct. 24: Green Room

• Oct. 31: The Cedar Cultural Center

• Nov. 8 (Sunday): First Avenue

More details, including performers and concert information, will be shared soon on the MNIVA website.

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Stay up to date on recommended childhood vaccines

It’s back to school time for many families in Minneapolis. One of the most important items on your back-to-school list is making sure your child is caught up with their vaccinations.

Vaccinations keep kids healthy and protect against missing school when they are exposed to certain diseases. When more kids have immunity, it’s harder for contagious diseases to spread in childcare settings and at school.

The State of Minnesota:

• Requires certain vaccinations for children in daycare programs and K-12 school

• Follows the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Immunization Schedule

Learn about vaccine requirements for childcare and K-12 school in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Learn about the AAP Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule for birth through 18 years.

Talk with your healthcare provider to find out information about vaccines and develop a plan to keep you and your family healthy.

Learn more about vaccinations and find vaccine clinics on the City website.

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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