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Hello Ward 3,
This week centered around transportation, more specifically Uber and Lyft. Being 18 and not having my own car, Uber is one of my main sources of transportation when I’m not carpooling with friends. I believe many others can resonate with this. Uber and Lyft are highly convenient for visits to downtown where parking is either impossible or expensive; although just because Uber & Lyft are convenient for riders, they have proven to be quite the disturbance to traffic patterns. This is due to people getting dropped off in the middle of the street, or no areas available to pull over, which is highly unsafe for drivers and pedestrians especially in night hours.
This is a big issue and has been consistent given the great night life of bars, clubs, and theaters in downtown. In response, Council Member Rainville, Henry, and Patrick have been working with city staff and the rideshare companies to develop a new plan to ensure safety for drivers and riders, while also keeping transportation convenient to access the amazing night life downtown offers. This plan will be the creation of TNC zones throughout North Loop. It will include new drop of zones that will be solely for rideshare vehicle from 9pm-3am on Friday and Saturday nights. It will start with two drop off zones created around Washington Ave N, and if it proves to be beneficial, it will be expanded to other popular spots within the North Loop. To ensure that it becomes public knowledge, local bars and restaurants will be promoting it with posters of information, and eventually it will be pushed on Uber & Lyft apps. Afterall transportation should remain accessible without putting others at risk.
Hello to all my 3rd Ward neighbors,
It was another busy and successful week as we all enjoy Summer in Minneapolis. This week I will give you a quick review of my activities and speak to the City Auditor's After Action Report of the federal law enforcement action that occurred on June 3rd at Lake and Bloomington.
- This week Council Member Vetaw and I teamed up to attend the graduation ceremony for 18 new firefighters and a fundraiser for the mounted patrol hosted by Martin Patrick 3 and the Downtown Council. Our public safety eco system is strong as we continue to grow the funding for non-armed public safety.
From left to right: Tony from Martin Patrick, CM Rainville, CM Vetaw, and Christopher from Martin Patrick
- At the Council meeting this week we approved an extension to the contract with Canopy Roots who provide the Behavioral Crisis Response teams for the entire City on a 24/7 basis.
- A warm welcome to the MN Black Chamber of Commerce who have opened in the North Loop. I was honored to be invited to their grand opening on Thursday.
- On Saturday at 10:30 is the public grand re-opening of the Stone Arch Bridge. The event will take place on the Downtown side of the bridge.
- A big thank you to all the organizers of National Night Out block parties. I had a chance to visit 14 events and enjoyed meeting so many of my neighbors.
The full Council received a report by the City Auditor on his findings of fact regarding the federal law enforcement action at Lake St. and Bloomington Ave. on June 3rd. The high risk search warrant was issued to collect records pertaining to money laundering, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. As the raid unfolded, misinformation was spread via social media that it was an immigration raid and a crowd formed and began confronting federal law enforcement and Hennepin County Sheriffs. MPD was called in to assist with crowd control after the raid began. The main takeaways from the Auditor's report are:
- The City did not have prior knowledge of the search warrant or investigation.
- MPD did not violate the City's separation ordinance.
It is unfortunate that it took as long as it did to learn what the federal agencies were doing as they did not notify MPD of the search until they were already on the scene. With the 900lbs of meth seized before the raid on June 3rd, and another 900lbs seized in early July, law enforcement agencies are doing their job to keep our communities safe and I thank them for that.
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
Mayor Jacob Frey will deliver his 2026 budget address at 11 a.m. Aug. 13.
Watch the budget address live on the City of Minneapolis YouTube channel.
Anyone living in, working in or visiting Minneapolis will enjoy new civil rights protections under the City’s expanded civil rights ordinance. It’s now illegal in Minneapolis to discriminate based on height or weight, a criminal history, or housing status. There are also expanded rights around race, family status, disability, pregnancy and religion.
The ordinance protects you from discrimination across the city including in the workplace, at school, where you rent, where you shop, when interacting with City employees and more. Anyone experiencing discrimination in Minneapolis can make a complaint.
Watch a video and read more about the new protections on the City website.
The Minneapolis Police Department Implementation Unit will share police reform progress at a community engagement meeting Aug. 12. This meeting will be held as a follow-up to engagement sessions held in the last year.
Leadership and members of the Implementation Unit community engagement team will update the community on how resident feedback has been used to shape this work. The event will feature an overview of progress made under the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) settlement agreement and updates related to the federal consent decree. Attendees will also learn about the overall goals of the Implementation Unit, how the team is structured, and the ongoing policy review and development process.
We’ll highlight key accomplishments, new initiatives, and how community input continues to guide us. This is a chance for residents to hear directly from the team leading this effort and to ask questions, share feedback, and stay connected as we move forward together.
Public engagement meeting 5:30-6 p.m. Food and refreshments 6-8 p.m. Meeting Public Service Building, First Floor, Rooms A and B 505 Fourth Ave. S.
If you have questions about the meeting, please contact the police policy team.
The City Council and mayor have adopted a resolution honoring the sold-out 10th Trans Equity Summit. The resolution dedicates the day to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness, education and collaboration around the work that is still needed to save trans lives.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, iconic transgender activist and veteran of the 1969 Stonewall riots, will headline the summit as the keynote speaker. Miss Major’s career has centered on activism to uplift transgender women of color, particularly those who have been incarcerated.
The Trans Equity Summit is a community gathering that brings together resources, healing and learning opportunities for our trans and gender-nonconforming residents. It includes workshops on name changes and rights, and career and resource fairs. This year’s theme is Trans Equity and Intergenerational Power: Strengthening the Future by Honoring Our Past.
Minneapolis banned discrimination based on transgender identity in 1975, the first city in the U.S. to do so. Read the full resolution.
Read more about the sold-out summit on the City website.
The City is evaluating a pedestrian mall concept layout along Chicago Avenue between 37th and 38th streets. A new concept would restrict through traffic and create a cul-de-sac and public plaza near 3744 Chicago Ave. (also known as The Peoples’ Way). Public Works will present the findings around the pedestrian mall alternative at a community open house on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Community members are invited to learn about the planning and evaluation of street design concepts, ask questions and be heard.
38th and Chicago concept open house 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 Chicago Ave Shops, 3736 Chicago Ave. S.
Light snacks will be served.
Next steps
The engagement feedback and findings of this evaluation will be presented to the City Council’s Climate and Infrastructure Committee to consider Dec. 4.
Learn more about the re-envisioned project on the City website.
A public comment period is open Aug. 11-25 for a report to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development with a public hearing Aug. 12.
The Minneapolis Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report reviews how the City used its HUD entitlement grant funds. These funds support the City’s housing and community development strategies for residents with low and moderate incomes. The City will submit the final report to HUD at the end of August.
Programs, projects and strategies supported by these funds helped with these goals:
- Provide decent affordable housing.
- Develop housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Provide special needs housing.
- Expand economic opportunities.
- Improve neighborhood conditions.
Discover how this funding was used in our community. What are your thoughts on how funds were used? What strategies should the City consider to support the goals as it develops its budget later this fall?
Public hearing 1:30 p.m. before the Business, Housing and Zoning Committee Tuesday, Aug. 12 Council Chamber, Public Service Center, Room 350 250 Fourth St. S.
Find out how to take part in the public hearing.
You can also submit written comments at the public hearing or to Matthew Bower through Aug. 25.
Find the full report on the City website.
The Minneapolis Fire Department welcomed the newest class of firefighters at a ceremony Aug. 4. The 18 new cadets completed the intense, three-month training program to learn the cutting-edge skills essential to keep Minneapolis, themselves, and their fellow firefighters safe. They will now join the ranks of others who are thoroughly trained and ready to serve by rapidly responding – with skill, courage and compassion – to emergencies and hazardous conditions, while also working across the community to reduce risks before disasters happen.
The diverse class includes children of current or former Minneapolis firefighters, U.S. military veterans, and former wildland firefighters. The rest had a variety of careers ranging from teachers to carpenters to engineers. All have said that they joined the Fire Department for a higher calling and to serve their community.
Hennepin County is hosting community collection events for county residents to safely and properly dispose of unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes.
Upcoming Minneapolis event
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9 South High School, 3131 19th Ave. S. (enter off 21st Avenue South)
Visit the Hennepin County website to learn what items will be accepted, to review safety guidelines, and to see all 2025 events. |
