Introduction
Minneapolis City Council Member Michael Rainville (Ward 3) joined me this week to discuss a few of the recent issues to come before the council: drones, the Heritage Park housing emergency, the upcoming budget battles, and the current dynamics of the council itself.
The prevalence of last-minute amendments that sometimes overwhelm city staff and council members reflects the relative inexperience of leadership. He talks about why the Lyndale Avenue project stalled for five years despite broad agreement on goals. He explains what happened at Heritage Park, where 636 residents lost their homes when a developer abandoned the property and the city’s oversight systems failed. And he makes the case for the drone pilot program, which he believes could save lives.
Rainville also describes the harder truths: downtown property tax revenue has collapsed by $54 million since 2022. Police are drastically understaffed. Every household in Minneapolis is about to see property taxes jump unless the city makes tough cuts. And some of the loudest voices in these debates don’t always represent the people most affected.
What emerges is a picture of a city trying to solve big problems with broken processes and divided leadership.
Interview Summary:
Process Issues
We begin with a discussion of some of the routine process challenges, such as multiple amendments with last-minute changes, confusion over what’s being voted on, and inconsistent adherence to established decorum.
Lyndale Avenue & Road Redesign
The controversial Hennepin County road project has dragged on for five years and seen tens of thousands of public comments. While the goal of walkable, safer communities is admirable, Rainville expresses concern that small business owners, who have real money at stake, feel unheard and disrespected. He cites advocates booing a business owner during meetings and notes that if these businesses fail, large chains will consolidate control of neighborhoods, ultimately reducing walkability. The county should provide business support similar to what it’s offering Blue Line extension businesses.
Drone Pilot Program
Rainville strongly supported a 75-day drone pilot for emergency response (no cost to the city). He argues drones are already used successfully in major cities (New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver) and provide faster response times (60 seconds vs. 7 minutes for police). The pilot could have gathered crucial data on effectiveness, but it was rejected due to what he calls “governing on fear” rather than facts—opposition focused on distrust of police and government rather than on drone technology itself.
Heritage Park Housing Crisis
A for-profit developer (McCormack Baron Salazar) allowed this housing project to become mold-infested and unlivable. Multiple city entities and the developer failed to address the deteriorating conditions. Rainville praises Council Member Pearl Warren for taking responsibility and pushing accountability. The new Emergency Services Director has expertise managing major crises.
HERC Incinerator & Waste Management
City staff analysis shows that while burning trash creates some air pollutants, transporting trash to distant landfills via truck is a costlier alternative and may create more pollution. Methane from landfills is seven times worse than carbon emissions from burning. The facility closes in 2030; the city must develop a recycling plan with county and state coordination before then. Increased recycling was identified as key to reducing pollution.
Public Safety Concerns
Crime remains elevated, with weekend shootings now normalized. Minneapolis police are critically understaffed (600 officers vs. 900 in 2020), with 80 officers having under 18 months of experience. Behavioral Crisis Response and violence interrupters show promise but need better data on effectiveness. Rainville supports the mayor’s new enforcement approach against open-air drug markets, noting that community leaders, especially Native American elders, oppose encampments. He emphasizes that public drug use and transit safety issues are deterring residents from using public transportation.
Budget Crisis
The city faces serious fiscal strain. Downtown property tax revenue has dropped $54 million since its 2022 peak, driving property tax increases on residents. A business-as-usual budget would require a 13% increase, which Rainville calls unacceptable. In two previous cycles, he advocated for across-the-board cuts of 2% to 5% rather than department-by-department negotiation. Just as every household is tightening its budget during economic hardship, he feels the city should do the same.
Council Collaboration
An external Wisconsin firm is facilitating council cohesion efforts. Rainville notes that divisions stem largely from experience levels—some members bring significant professional background, while others lack business or management experience. Recent coaching sessions have shown modest progress, with agreements to communicate privately and avoid public disparagement, though several members seem disinclined to participate.
