3rd Ward News with Council Member Michael Rainville: Week of August 14
Message from Council Member Rainville
Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
This week the mayor delivered his proposed budget for 2027 which includes laying off city employees, merging departments and an 11% property tax levy increase. While I appreciate his honesty in admitting to the financial crisis Minneapolis faces, I will be looking at the details of his budget proposal to see where more cuts can be found. As all of us have had to cut our spending, so does the City of Minneapolis. Every renter, home owner and small business is affected by the rising cost of living in Minneapolis. My concern is that increasing property taxes is forcing lower and fixed income residents out of the city. It’s time for city government to tighten its belt.
To watch the Mayor’s budget address: Budget Address
To review the proposed budget: Proposed Budget
Another big issue this week was Scootergate, the scooter takeover downtown. On Saturday night, hundreds of teens converged on downtown, taking over streets, blocking intersections, racing the wrong way on the Hennepin Avenue bridge, and in a crazy and dangerous move, they took scooters on the freeway. I worked with our public works department, the city attorney’s office and the scooter companies (Lime and Spin) to geo-fence the scooters from driving on any freeway and limiting speeds in large sections of downtown and the riverfront. We have established an emergency communication plan with the scooter companies in the event there is another scooter takeover.
This week, Council Member Shaffer and I met with the retail leasing agent for the Dayton’s Project to learn of their plans for ground level retail on Nicollet. Council Member Shaffer and I also participated in a ribbon cutting with Mayor Frey for the newest hotel in Minneapolis. Roami, located in the former Minneapolis Vocational High School across the street from the convention center, is an aparthotel and features a stunning roof top patio. A big thank you to Steve Hark, one of the owners, for investing in downtown.
The Sheridan Neighborhood Community Walk was this week. Second Precinct Inspector Molly Fisher joined the walk and we spoke with residents and business owners about their needs and encouraged them to get more involved with the neighborhood organization. Next week I will join the St. Anthony East neighborhood on their community walk.
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
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