Michael Rainville (Ward 3)

Detailed Responses

If elected, what will be your top three priorities?

My top three priorities are to to improve the public safety ecosphere, to lower property taxes, and to revitalize downtown.

What should the City do to generate missing revenue as downtown building values fall?

Years of experience has shown me that the economic vitality of any city is a cyclical and Minneapolis is currently in a down cycle. Despite the rebounding we have seen since the Covid lockdown, the end of the Federal Funding for Covid Recovery and the loss of property tax values in downtown office buildings, the city is short $21 million in revenue for 2025. Until we get our economic house in order every homeowner and renter in Minneapolis will experience increased housing costs. This loss of revenue means the City Council must be very wise about new spending. Until we fill up the empty office buildings and build new housing to increase the tax base and property tax revenue, we must scrutinize every department budget. We cannot sugar coat the fact that the loss of revenue will impact every renter and homeowner in Minneapolis. With the lack of growth in new construction and the continued drop in value of downtown buildings, every renter and homeowner is facing increases in property tax for years to come. As a City, we have to tighten our belt, just as residents have had to do.

What is the appropriate role of the City Council in developing policy and providing services under the 'Executive Mayor' system?

The Mayor and City Council share power. The Mayor has an executive function and the City Council has a legislative function. Under an “Executive Mayor” system, the Mayor has substantial control over the operations of the municipal government and the City Council does not. For example, the Mayor implements, enforces, and monitors policies while the City Council adopts, evaluates, and amends policies. For another example, the Mayor directs public safety services and programs, including the police, fire, and emergency management while the City Council evaluates the performance of these City services and programs. The appropriate role of the City Council is to enact the city’s policies through the adoption of ordinances and/or resolutions and to evaluate the services performed by the City’s various functional departments.

What should the City Government do to support small and local businesses?

I have been working to simplify the City’s procurement processes to expand participation of BIPOC and women-owned businesses. I am encouraging public, private, and non-profit partners to do the same. As Council Member for Ward 3 I am also encouraging City departments to find opportunities to streamline the permitting and licensing processes. My efforts in Ward 3 have helped all small businesses including small BIPOC and women-owned businesses such as Diane’s Place, Oro by Nixta, and Vinai. Additionally, I approved exclusive development rights on West Broadway to N.E.O.N. to build a commercial kitchen/food incubator. This enables up to 400 small businesses - many BIPOC or women-owned - to have a base for healthy food startups. I am also working to expand pathways for emerging developers, including BIPOC and women-owned businesses, to gain experience. In 2024, I co-authored an office to residential conversion ordinance which was unanimously passed by the City Council. It makes changes to the City's development standards and off-street parking and loading rules that will make it less expensive for developers to convert empty commercial buildings into housing and will make it easier for smaller developers to enter this market.

What is an immediate and urgent solution to encampments in Minneapolis?

I support a Housing First policy which places no judgement on the people it serves but meets them where they are. These are our brothers and sisters and we must care for them. We need a comprehensive strategy revolving around policy changes, investment in low-cost housing, and a broad support system to help with the transition out of homelessness. We must find a legal way to bring those who are suffering addiction and mental illness into treatment.

What role should the City Council have in improving public safety?

The City Council has responsibility for the funding of a healthy and thriving public safety ecosphere. The City Council must ensure that adequate budget is approved to execute the remediation and reforms laid out in the MDHR Settlement and Federal Consent Decree. It should ensure that, in these times of great scarcity and high competition, adequate funding exists for the recruitment and retention of First Responders - Police, Fire and EMT. The City Council should also allocate appropriate funding to expand non-armed public safety resources and elevate the number of Behavioral Crisis Response teams.

Quick Hits

Property taxes?
Too high and should be reduced.

The City has committed to transforming George Floyd Square in a way that honors community values and vision for the future. What option do you support for this transformation?
A Flexible Open-Street concept that would support development at the People’s Way.

What concept do you support for 3000 Minnehaha Ave, the site of the former Third Police Precinct?
Election and Voter Services/Democracy center plus community space

Do you support the removal of I-94 through Minneapolis and replacement with a boulevard and/or public transit?
No.

Do you support the City of Minneapolis moving forward a Boycott, Divestment and Sanction policy against Israel where possible?
No.

The City of Minneapolis has a Separation Ordinance in place preventing city employees from asking about immigration status. Do you support this ordinance?
Yes.

What would you prioritize in immediate future city budgets?
Focus more on core functions for which the city is currently primarily responsible like police, fire, and road maintenance.

Should a Labor Standards Board be revisited, its composition should be:
Business and Labor have equal representation

Increased vibrancy and activity downtown is important for:
Everyone in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis small and local business owners receive:
Too little support from the City Council.

How important is economic health and the business environment in Minneapolis?
One of the top three most important issues facing our city.

Do you believe that Minneapolis currently has a hospitable business climate?
No.

I believe that perception of crime:
Has a real impact on local businesses and should be taken seriously by city policymakers.

Would you support the implementation of a strict rent control policy with rents capped at 3% annual increases, such as was passed in Saint Paul in 2021?
No.

Are you open to supporting a different version of rent control than a strict 3% cap?
No.

In general, what effect do you believe the production of market-rate housing have on other units in the area?
Decreases rent through increasing supply.

Do you support the Revised Affordable Housing Right of First Refusal Ordinance?
No.

Do you think we need additional renter protections?
No.

The existence of homeless encampments is:
A public health and safety emergency. Harmful to those living in and near encampments.

Should encampment closures be halted?
No.

Do you support the minimum police officer mandate of 1.7 per 1,000 residents?
Yes, and I believe the City should continue working to fulfill it.

As a city council member, would you support increasing funding for recruitment, hiring, and retention of officers as the mayor proposed and City Council majority rejected in their 2024 and 2025 budgets?
Yes.

Do you support the Office of Community Safety Department of Neighborhood Safety’s (DNS) RFP process awarding contracts to organizations through a basic competitive bidding process with expert-informed “best practices” proposal evaluations?
Yes.

Do you support the Department of Neighborhood Safety requiring data-driven accountability and reporting by violence interruption/prevention groups?
Yes.

With regard to public safety do you feel like the city's more pressing issue currently is police accountability or staffing levels?
Staffing levels.

The City reached a federal consent decree with President Biden’s Department of Justice. Despite President Trump’s administration indicating it may abandon efforts to finalize the decree, Mayor Frey has stated he will support the city and the MPD complying with the agreement even if it’s not enforced by the federal courts. Do you agree?
Yes.

Do you believe Shotspotter is a valuable tool?
Yes.

Should ShotSpotter be expanded to include additional high-crime areas?
Yes.