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Jan Callison
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Allyson Lueneburg
Principal Aide
612-348-6885
Becky Westergren
Administrative Assistant
612-348-3168
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Southwest light rail
Understanding your property tax
Hennepin County has more than 570 miles of county road. It is likely that you travel on them on a daily basis.
Keeping these county roads safe during the winter is our
priority. Plow drivers get regular refreshers in training and do dry runs of
their routes in the fall. When winter weather arrives, our primary goal is to
get lanes passable. We have 66 plow routes to cover all 2,200 lane miles of
county roads (a lane mile is the number of miles multiplied by number of
lanes). During a typical storm we are out clearing and de-icing starting
around 2 a.m. in order to help with a safe morning commute.
Working in shifts, our snow and ice removal team will stay
active until roads are clear. Then comes post-storm clean up, when we work to
clear everything from guardrail to shoulder. All in all, it can be a nearly
continuous effort for several days, and – in some instances – almost daily for
weeks.
You have a role to play too. Give plows room to work. Slow
down. And remember, just because a plow has been through does not mean you
should travel at normal speeds. Learn more at www.hennepin.us/plowing.
Plan for securing remaining local funds by June 2016
The
Metropolitan Council is working with the state and project partners on
transportation funding in the 2016 legislative session for the remaining $135
million state share of the cost to build the proposed Southwest LRT line.
The
Council made significant progress on the project in 2015. Early in the year,
President Obama recommended the project for a Full Funding Grant Agreement in
his 2016 budget. Strong local support was shown throughout the municipal
consent process that ended in September. Project design was 60 percent complete
in fall 2015. Met Council submitted its notice to the Federal Transit
Administration regarding its intent to apply for entry into Engineering in
mid-2016.
Site preparation work to begin
Site work would begin in the fall, after receipt of the environmental Record of
Decision, to prepare for the start of heavy construction in 2017.
Images show how landscape would change with addition of LRT
A series of new images
created by Southwest LRT design and engineering staff shows how the proposed
new LRT line and stations would be integrated into the surrounding landscape.
Below are images impacting District 6. For larger images and additional information on the entire corridor, please see the Metropolitan Council Newsletter.
Eden Prairie
A new bridge would carry light rail vehicles near the Purgatory Creek Park pavilion in Eden Prairie (large image). Top view is looking northeast toward Prairie Center Drive.
Minnetonka
A retaining wall would be constructed along the slope west of
the Claremont Apartments in Minnetonka (large image, bottom). The existing
trail would be preserved.
Hopkins
The Depot is a popular local meeting place south of Excelsior
Boulevard in Hopkins. The existing outdoor patio and outbuilding would remain
next to the LRT tracks.
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Greetings,
I hope you are enjoying my electronic newsletters, and find them interesting and informative about county activities. In addition to my monthly newsletter, the county sends various
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Please feel free to send me your comments through my feedback form on issues that concern you or you would like covered. I value your opinions.
Warm regards,
Jan Callison
December 1, 2015
Solid Waste Enterprise Fund grants
The board awarded eight grants totaling $97,786 to improve
recycling in public spaces. Grants were awarded to the cities of Bloomington,
Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, New Hope, St. Bonifacius, St. Louis Park and Tonka
Bay and the University of Minnesota. The projects will add recycling
receptacles to parks and high-traffic pedestrian routes and expand organics
collections programs. The public space recycling program, established in 2014,
provides a financial incentive to municipalities and public entities to explore
new opportunities to reduce, reuse, recycle or compost waste. Up to $100,000
from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, which is funded by fees that waste
haulers pay to dispose of garbage generated by residents and businesses in the
county, is available annually for these grants.
Learn more about the county’s public space recycling
grants.
Southwest Light Rail trail crossings negotiations
The board authorized negotiations with the Metropolitan Council
to fund three trail grade-separated crossings adjacent to the Southwest LRT
(METRO Green Line Extension) route, in Hopkins and St. Louis Park. Construction
of the three trail grade-separated crossings will be incorporated and move
forward as part of the METRO Green Line Extension project. The county will
contribute up to $2.6 million. Three Rivers Park District will reimburse
Hennepin County $1.1 million for its share of the local construction
costs.
Three Rivers Park District 2016 budget approved
The board reviewed and approved the Three Rivers Park District
superintendent’s proposed $35.9 million operating budget for 2016. The proposed
budget reflects an increase of 3.45 percent from 2015. The total budgeted
property tax levy including debt service is about $41.5 million, an increase of
0.66 percent over last year.
December 16, 2015
Plans moved forward for Hennepin County / Ramsey County joint youth residential treatment facility
The County Board agreed to proceed with plans for a joint
Hennepin-Ramsey County residential youth treatment center. Two existing
residential treatment centers at the Hennepin County Home School and Ramsey
County’s Boys Totem Town are in need of significant ongoing preservation and
maintenance efforts. For the past 18 months the counties have worked toward
creating a joint facility replacement. The next phase will:
- Complete facility pre-design
with an architectural consultant
- Finalize site requirements,
develop site option descriptions and finalize site selection
- Finalize capacity, scope and
staffing needs
- Complete project construction,
project cost estimates and update project schedule
- Draft cooperative agreement and
develop projected operating budget
- Arrange capital funding
The cost for a facility pre-design is expected to exceed
$50,000 to be shared equally between Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Once a
consultant has been identified, further approval will be sought from the
respective county boards. This phase is expected to be accomplished in 12 to 14
months, at which time staff will be ready to seek final Board approval to begin
the construction process of the joint facility.
Youth Sports Program grants awarded
The County Board awarded 39 Youth Sports Grants for projects
ranging from a $225,000 baseball field complex in Minneapolis to a $1,000
disc golf course in Champlin. The board approved 14 large facilities projects
in the amount of $1,815,000, and 25 small equipment grants totaling
$125,000. The Hennepin Youth Sports Grant program provides substantial
support to local communities throughout the county.
District 6 awards include:
Shorewood: $200,000 for synthetic turf on the Badger Park multipurpose field
Eden Prairie: $5,000 for toddler equipment and pool features at Eden Prairie Community Center
Minnetonka: $10,000 for outfield fencing at Bennet Family Park
Spring Park: $923 for two soccer goals at Thor Thompson Park
Wayzata: $10,000 for a J22 sailboat
Search the list of 2016 Youth Sports Grant projects.
Study to assess contracted food support programs
The
board agreed to support a study of currently contracted food support programs, to
look for opportunities for increased efficiency, effectiveness and maximum
accessibility. Currently, the county works with six providers that provide
emergency food support; in all, 80 programs provide food support in the county.
The Human Services Department will report back to the board with
recommendations by July 1, 2016.
2016 county budget approved
The Hennepin County Board approved the county’s
2016 budget of $1.9 billion. The budget includes a property tax levy of $726.8
million, an increase of 4.48 percent over 2015. The budget reflects increasing
service demands across the county.
Some elements of the 2016 budget include:
Child protection
A plan to improve the safety of children in the county includes
increasing critical staff and reexamining current work practices.
Elections
The county is updating existing voting equipment in preparation
for national and local elections in 2016.
Self-sufficiency and workforce initiatives
As baby boomer-age employees retire, the Career Connections
program identifies, trains and hires qualified candidates for gateway county
positions with opportunities for additional education and advancement. County
officials are committed to sharing best practices with other employers in the
region.
Workforce competitiveness
The county and AFSCME, its largest union, have agreed on a series
of contracts, reflected in the budget, continues to incorporate competitive
compensation and benefits. They include an enhanced tuition reimbursement
program, paid parental leave, progressive health and life insurance and a new
salary minimum of at least $15 per hour. The measures are part of a larger
effort to maintain Hennepin County’s status as an employer of choice in the
region, and to maintain a high level of customer service to taxpayers.
Property tax levy
The increase in this year’s property tax levy follows several
years of nearly flat increases. With this budget, Hennepin County’s property
tax levy has increased by an average of 1.67 percent per year over the past
five years.
The budget adoption follows more than six months of budget
preparation and hearings focused on the county’s continued commitment to help
residents to be healthy, protected and safe, self-reliant, assured due process
and mobile.
Regional Railroad Authority budget approved
The county approved a $63 million budget for the Regional
Railroad Authority. The budget supports the following priority projects:
- The Southwest Light Rail
Transit requires $33.1 million – as the project completes engineering and
moves to construction
- The Bottineau Light Rail
Transit requires $12.33 million as the project completes the
project development phase and moves toward engineering
- The Orange Line Bus Rapid
Transit requires $2.67 million for project development and
property acquisition purposes
- The Hiawatha Light Rail
requires $2.89 million for debt service
- The 2016 HCRRA budget includes
$11.96 million for maintenance of the 55 miles of corridor and
staff support for transitways and oversight of HCRRA's infrastructure
assets and operational needs.
Agendas and minutes of action taken by the Hennepin County Board are posted under Hennepin County meetings and agendas. For greater detail on the above agenda items and additional board actions, visit county news releases.
January 1, 2016
Business recycling grant funding and assistance
Most commercial buildings in the seven-county metro area must be
recycling at least three materials by January 1, 2016, according to state law. To help businesses, nonprofit
organizations and institutions start or improve recycling programs, Hennepin
County provides funding, technical assistance and guidance on best practices.
The following grant options are available:
- Option
1: Receive up to $10,000. Applications accepted and reviewed beginning January
1 on an ongoing basis
- Option
2: Receive $10,000 to $50,000. Applications accepted and reviewed three times
per year on February 15, June 15 and October 15.
Learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Andre Xiong at andre.x.xiong@hennepin.us
or 612-543-1316.
January 5, 2016
Hennepin County Board organizational meeting
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will be meeting off-site for the first board meeting of the year. This meeting is held to determine the 2016 Hennepin County Board organizational structure, as well as the Regional Railroad Authority organizational structure.
The meeting will take place at 1:30 PM at the Minneapolis Central Library 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401. The meeting will be held in Pohlad Hall.
January 12, 2016
Hennepin County Committees and HRA meeting
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will be meeting off-site for the first committee meetings of the year. The normal committee meeting process will stay in place for the off-site meeting and the House and Redevelopment Authority will hold its organizational meeting immediately following committees.
The meeting will take place at 1:30 PM at the St. Louis Park City Hall in their City Council chambers 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
March 2, 2016
Central-Northeast Minneapolis Human Services Center
Mark
your calendars for the
grand opening of the Central-Northeast Minneapolis Human Services Center on Wednesday,
March 2, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Health Services Building, 525
Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, 6th floor.
Learn more about Hennepin County's regional human service
centers.
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