Week of September 14th Weekly Update

Council Member Michael Rainville

September 18th, 2026

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Message from Council Member Rainville

Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,

I’m pleased to welcome Mike Derus to the Ward 3 team as our new Constituent Services Aide. Mike is a lifelong resident of Minneapolis. Mike was born and raised on the Northside where he lives now with his wife and two sons. Mike comes from a long line of Northeast Minneapolis public servants whose service to Minneapolis dates back to before Minnesota became a state.

Mike spent nearly two decades working with community development-focused lenders, including development of a New Markets Tax Credit program that brought federal investment funds to some of the City’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. He also worked for a nonprofit lender helping women and minority-owned small businesses gain access SBA financing and other resources needed to start and grow their businesses. For nearly a decade, Mike served on the City of Minneapolis CPED Development Finance Committee, reviewing requests for City financing for housing and economic development projects throughout the City.

Mike brings to our office a combination of deep Minneapolis roots, community development experience, and a strong understanding of how City government and public resources can help strengthen neighborhoods. Constituent service is one of the most important things we do in the Ward 3 office, and I’m glad to have Mike joining our team. He’ll be working directly with Ward 3 residents, businesses, and neighborhood organizations to solve problems, navigate City services, and make sure people can get the help they need from City Hall.

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

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• Art on the Edge Festival
• Early Vote Center opens Sept. 18
• Family Gathering Concert Series continues Sept. 19 at The Capri
• Come see which Badge makes the best BBQ in the city
• Minneapolis Police Chief search advances with candidate interviews
• Prepare and recover from emergencies with Ready Camp
• Dr. Reginald Freeman sworn in as City’s Fire Chief
• Take the Minneapolis 2050 survey by Sept. 30
• Celebrate Transit to Work Day Sept. 30

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Art on the Edge Festival

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Early Vote Center opens Sept. 18

Minneapolis voters can begin casting ballots for the general election Sept. 18 at the Early Vote Center.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and absentee voting begins 46 days before each election. Voters have several options for how to cast a ballot in elections including voting by mail or in person, voting early or on Election Day.

Find out about different ways to vote and ways to get help on the City of Minneapolis website. Make your plan now.

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Family Gathering Concert Series continues Sept. 19 at The Capri

Bring the kids for a free morning of live music, creative activities and fun.

Family Gathering Concert Series: L.A. Buckner with Monique Blakey 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 The Capri, 2027 W. Broadway 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.

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Come see which Badge makes the best BBQ in the city

Join us this Saturday, Sept. 19 as first responders from the Minneapolis Police Department, Minneapolis Fire Department, Minneapolis Park Police and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office compete in the 9th Annual Battle of the Badges & the People's BBQ.

Officers, deputies and firefighters will participate in a “friendly” competition as they battle for the title of Best Ribs in the City. This free event will also have musical and dance performances, games and prizes.

Battles of the Badges & the People’s BBQ Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 North Commons Park, 1801 James Ave. N.

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Minneapolis Police Chief search advances with candidate interviews

The City of Minneapolis is moving forward with its national search for the next Minneapolis Chief of Police. The City’s executive search firm has conducted its review of candidates, and interviews will begin in the near future.

The search has attracted more than a dozen applicants, including a mix of internal and external candidates. The City’s executive search firm vetted applicants based on the qualifications, experience and leadership characteristics identified through the search process.

The City launched the national search earlier this summer to identify a leader who can continue efforts to reduce crime, support and grow the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) workforce, strengthen community trust, advance critical reforms and lead the department into its next chapter. The process includes input from community members, City leaders, MPD employees and other public safety stakeholders.

Learn more about next steps in the search on the City website.

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Prepare and recover from emergencies with Ready Camp

Do you know what to do in an emergency? Attend a free Ready Camp training to learn how to better prepare and recover from emergencies or disasters.

The free training will help you to:

• Build an emergency kit
• Develop a communication plan
• Notice signs and prepare for severe weather
• Recover from an emergency or disaster
• Learn about homeowner's and renter's insurance

Ready Campaign is a partnership between the City of Minneapolis Emergency Management Department and Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, Sabathani Community Center and the Minneapolis American Indian Center.

Learn more about Ready Camp and sign up for an upcoming session on the City website.

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Dr. Reginald Freeman sworn in as City’s Fire Chief

Last week, Dr. Reginald Freeman was sworn in as the 19th Fire Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department. He previously gained extensive leadership experience in fire and rescue services, emergency management and public safety in Oakland, California, and Hartford, Connecticut, as well as serving in a variety of executive roles across the United States and internationally.

Chief 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.

Watch Chief Freeman’s swearing-in ceremony on YouTube.

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Take the Minneapolis 2050 survey by Sept. 30

What should Minneapolis look like in the future? The City is working on its next comprehensive plan, Minneapolis 2050. Your input can help shape the plan’s goals and vision.

Take the Minneapolis 2050 survey today to share your ideas about the future of Minneapolis. You can take the survey in:

• English
• Hmong
• Somali
• Spanish

The survey is open until Sept. 30. It should take you less than five minutes to complete.

Over the next couple of years, there will be more opportunities to learn about Minneapolis 2050 and share your ideas and feedback.

Learn more at 2050.minneapolismn.gov.

Sign up for Minneapolis 2050 text or email updates.

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Celebrate Transit to Work Day Sept. 30

As regular riders know, commuting with transit is a great way to save money on gas and parking, ease the stress of traffic and get the workday started right. Help mark the occasion this Sept. 30 by taking transit to work.

Join the City of Minneapolis and Metro Transit for a morning commute celebration. Transit commuters can pick up free coffee and donuts, take a selfie with Metro Transit mascot Skip Traffic and weigh in on local transit plans.

Downtown Transit to Work Day celebration 7-9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 Fifth Street South and Nicollet Mall (near the giant wind turbine blade)

Commuters near the University of Minnesota can join in on the day's celebrations from 7-9 a.m. at the bus stop in front of Coffman Memorial Union.

Happy riding!

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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