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Jan Callison
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Dave Nuckols
Principal Aide
612-348-6885
Cassi Holmstrom Administrative Assistant & Scheduling
612-348-3168
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent part of Chanhassen, 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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Understanding your property tax
 Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Excelsior Library
On Monday, August 12 a ground- breaking ceremony was held for the public and those involved in the decision-making process. The new library should be completed by late July 2014 and will replace the one that has served area residents since 1965. It will nearly double the public space and include a multi-purpose room for library programs and community meetings, a refreshed collection, and comfortable reading areas and spaces for all.
 Youth Sports Grant Applications Due by October 14, 2013
The Hennepin Youth Sports Program makes grants to local government units to improve youth athletic and recreation facilities. State of Minnesota law authorizing the building of Target Field allows Hennepin County to use proceeds from the 0.15% sales tax surcharge to grant over $2 million dollars each year for new or improved sports facilities and equipment. Since 2009, the program has awarded over $11 million to communities throughout Hennepin County.
The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC) is contracted to serve as the grant administrator for the Hennepin Youth Sports Program. MASC evaluates the applications and provides recommendations to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners.
Applications are due by October 14.
The deadline for facility and fall equipment grant applications is October 14, 2013. Three copies of applications should be sent or delivered to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission at 1700 - 105th Avenue NE, Blaine, Minnesota 55449.
 Traffic Signals Retrofitted with Flashing Yellow Left Turn Arrows
Flashing yellow left turn arrows for traffic signals are a new style of permissive left turn operation. Hennepin Count is a regional leader in the area of retro-fitting traffic signals with a flashing yellow arrow (FYA).
New traffic signal design and construction is also now including FYA.
Use of the FYA has been shown to have several benefits including minimizing delays and enhancing driver safety. Traffic engineers have more options to handle variable traffic volumes and drivers find them more understandable than traditional yield-on-green signals.
 New State Law will Require Manufacturers to take Responsibility for Recycling Paint
In 2014, the cost to dispose of unwanted paint will shift from counties to manufacturers due to a recently passed product stewardship law that requires the producers of a product to be responsible for recycling or disposal.
In addition to helping cover the costs of recycling paint collected at county-operated drop-off facilities, additional paint recycling opportunities at retail locations will likely become available.
In 2012, Hennepin County collected 308,900 gallons of paint at drop-off facilities and collection events, which cost the county $742,000 to recycle.
Recommissioning of County Buildings - A Property Services Highlight
Recomissioning is the process of testing and evaluating building mechanical and electrical systems in order to improve efficiency. A basic example of this, which many people do in their own homes, is to turn heating or cooling systems off when the building is unoccupied.
More complex recommissioning includes maximizing the use of outside air for cooling, installing variable speed drives, and using efficient equipment. It isn't glamorous, but it is among the best ways we can control our energy use.
Recommissioning of Hennepin County buildings continues at a brisk pace. Project managers have been working on recommissioning since the fall of 2012. Over half of county space scheduled for recommissioning has been completed, and an additional 35% of space is currently in progress. We hope to have most buildings complete with the initial round of recommissioning by 2015.
Library and non-library recommissioning projects have expended or encumbered over $1.8 million. No additional funds have been requested in 2014 because costs are coming in lower than expected.
Results on completed projects have been impressive. The county has saved an estimated $680,000 a year due to completed projects.
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Greetings,
I hope you are enjoying my electronic newsletters, and find them interesting and informative about county activities. 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
August 13, 2013
Plans for Human Services and Public Health Satellite Offices Receive Approval
The Board approved a $3.2 million plan to remodel two Hennepin County properties to become "satellite" Human Services and Public Health offices. The plan will transform existing space in the Brookdale Regional Center and remodel vacant space in the Eden Prairie Service Center.
When completed, the Eden Prairie Service Center will have a Women, Infants and Children clinic facility and office space for staff.
Washburn Center for Children Receives $5 million Grant
The Board accepted $5 million in grant funds from the State of Minnesota on behalf of the Washburn Center for Children to construct a new larger facility in North Minneapolis to provide mental health services to children.
Director of Housing, Community Works and Transit Department Appointed
The Board appointed John Q. Doan as director of the Housing, Community Works and Transit Department.
Mr. Doan has extensive experience in both the public and private sector, including the MN Department of Transportation. He served as a member of the Metropolitan Council and Vice President of Atkins North America.
Agendas and 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 Board Action.
August 27, 2013
Environmental Education Funding Approved
The Board awarded funding to eight organizations to implement projects to protect the environment. The orgnizations, which include early childhood family education programs, schools, park districts and non-profit orgazations, will engage their communities in learning to reduce waste, increase recycyling, reduce toxicity, conserve energy and protect water. Among these projects:
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Eden Prairie Early Childhood Education will receive $5500 to engage about 380 children and families to learn about ways to reduce toxicity, increase recycling, protect water quality and ways to conserve energy.
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Minnetonka Early Childhood and Family Education will receive $2000 to educate 400 families about recycling, worm and at-home composting, and toxicity reduction. They will also expand the Earth Day program and develop an outdoor classroom.
Surly Brewing Receives Environmental Cleanup Loan
The Board approved a $500,000 loan for Surly Brewing Company to cleanup petroleum-contaminated soil at the site of its planned brewery, restaurant, beer garden and event center in Minneapolis. Funding comes from the Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund, which the county administers for the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The redevelopment project will result in as much as $200,000 in property taxes and 122 new jobs.
Supportive Housing Grant for Families Approved
The Board received a $506,868 Supportive Housing Grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, matched by the State of Minnesota, to continue moving familes from homelessness to housing. The program's primary goal is familes served will be stabilized in permanent, decent, affordable housing. Seventy-four percent of familes served in 2012 successfully transitioned into permanent housing.
Agendas and 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 Board Action.
In addition to our regularly scheduled board meetings, the Board often meets on Thursday mornings to receive "Board Briefings." These are informal opportunities to discuss emerging issues. No decisions are made. Board Briefings occur in the Boardroom on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center and are open to the public.
August 8, 2013
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Washington Ave. and Minnehaha redesign projects—Staff reported on potential plans for redesign of these two Minneapolis streets including accommodation of bicyclists and pedestrians. Four possible layouts for Washington Ave. were presented, all of which would include either buffered bicycle lanes or “cycle tracks.” Two potential designs were presented for Minnehaha, one with bicycle lanes and one with a cycle track.
- Vikings Stadium/Downtown East development updates—Staff and representatives of Ryan Construction, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Association presented information relating to the Vikings project and associated redevelopment. Discussion focused largely on the proposal to sever Park and Portland Streets to accommodate an urban park.
August 22, 2013
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Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation update—Staff from the Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation reviewed major changes in these services since 2008. These changes include redesign of out-of-home placement, closure of the work release building at the Adult Correctional Facility, implementation of AnyTrax voice recognition reporting for low-risk offenders, movement of correctional health care services to a vendor, and others. They also reported on state funding levels for Community Corrections which have generally declined.
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Maximum levy presentation—The County Administrator will be presenting his budget recommendations on Sept. 10 and the Board will be adopting the maximum levy on September 12. At this briefing, staff reported on preliminary budget numbers which are still under development.
Dates Set for Presentation and Approval of Proposed 2014 Budget
By state law, all counties must approve a proposed budget and set a maximum property tax levy for 2014 by September 15, 2103.
Budget Presentation
What: The County Administrator will present a proposed operating and capital budget and a maximum property tax levy for 2014.
When: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Government Center Map it
County Board Room - 24th floor
300 S. 6th St
Minneapolis, MN 55487
A schedule of Budget and Capital Investment Committee hearings to discuss department budgets, capital improvements and fee changes will be approved.
Dates for the Truth-in-Taxation hearing and adoption of the 2014 operating and capital budgets also will be set.
Budget Approval
What: The County Board will approve for discussion the proposed 2014 budget and set a maximum property tax levy for 2014.
When: Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Government Center Map it
County Board Room - 24th floor
300 S. 6th St
Minneapolis, MN 55487
Past operating and capital budgets may be seen here.
For more information contact the Office of Budget and Finance (OBF) Email.
Public Hearing for Issuance of Revenue Bonds
What: The Board will hold a public hearing regarding the issuance of revenue bonds by the Dakota County Community Development Agency to refinance debt on properties owned by Dakota Communities, Inc.
Living Well Disability Services (f/k/a Dakota Communities, Inc.) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that operates residences and provides services for people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.
Eight properties are located within Hennepin County.
When: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Government Center
County Board Room - 24th floor
300 S. 6th Street
MInneapolis, MN 55487
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