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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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Southwest light rail
Understanding your property tax
 Unneeded 2014 Calendars Wanted
The Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department is in need of 2014 calendars for clients. Donating those extra calendars that arrive in the mail will be put to good use.
Pocket sized calendars in particular work best.
If you have calendars to share, mail them to:
Toni WIlburn
A1400 Government Center
300 S. 6th St., Mpls., 55487
or
Jackie Connolly
1800 Chicago Ave. S.,
Mpls., 55404.
Drop them off at:
Child Protection Reception Desk
Health Services Bldg, 7th floor
525 Portland Ave. S.
Mpls, 55487
Hennepin County scored near the top based on energy use in many of our buildings. Access to the full report is available on the City of Minneapolis website.
The City of Minneapolis approved Ordinance 47.190, a benchmarking and disclosure reporting ordinance. Energy use disclosure is intended to increase energy performance awareness. Hennepin County, Mpls Parks and Rrecreation Board, Mpls. Public Schools all voluntariily participated in the survey. The results of the report will provide insight into which of our public buildings need energy efficiency updates and recognition of the success we are seeing from past efforts to consume less energy.
Help Update the Hennepin County Bike Plan
Hennepin County and the Three Rivers Park District are working on revamping the Hennepin County Bike Plan, which will direct the future of biking in the county. The county is gathering feedback on the vision and priorities for biking in the county, preferences for bikeway types and barriers to biking.
You can provide feedback by completing the Hennepin County Bike Plan survey or by making comments on routes or destinations using the bike plan interactive map.
For more information, email Rose Ryan or call 612-348-3009.
 County Libraries Increase Open Hours
Hennepin County Library will add 249 open hours per week across its 41-library system beginning January 5, 2014.
Use this link to view a map of library locations and proposed new hours.
Later this month a complete chart of all library hours will be availabe on the Hennepin County Library website. Check back here.
 Become a Master Water Steward and Volunteer Your Time to Protect Our Water Sources
Learn how to solve environmental problems in your neighborhood, volunteer to educate community members about protecting water, and connect with a local network of energized leaders by becoming a Master Water Steward. Participants receive intensive training on how to protect lakes and streams from pollution, and then implement water-protection projects such as rain gardens, rain barrels and permeable paver systems.
The Master Water Stewards program is a partnership between the Freshwater Society and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District with funding provided by the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment. Hennepin County is supporting the program through a Green Partners Environmental Education Grant.
The program is recruiting volunteers for the 2014 class. If you are interested in becoming a Master Water Steward, please visit the website at www.masterwaterstewards.org and attend an informational session:
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Tuesday, Dec. 3
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. MCWD Office 15320 Minnetonka Blvd. Minnetonka
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Tuesday, Dec. 17
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. MCWD Office 15320 Minnetonka Blvd. Minnetonka
The 2014 training course is available at no charge and is limited to 30 residents of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Applications are due by December 15.
For more information, attend an upcoming information session, email Peggy Knapp or call 763-219-1252.
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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
November 5, 2013
Schematic Design for New Brooklyn Park Library
A schematic design for the new Brooklyn Park Library was approved. The new facility will replace one built in 1976 and will be located at the intersection of 85th Avenue N. and W. Broadway Avenue.
Requests for proposals will be advertised and contracts will be offered to the contractor offering the best value.
Ferndale Road Bridge Replacement Project Requires Hennepin County Sponsorship
The Board approved an agreement with the City of Wayzata that establishes the terms for the county to sponsor the replacement of the Ferndale Road Bridge at Peavey Channel. The $1.2 million project will receive state aid, however, the City of Wayzata is ineligible to accept the funds due to a population of less than 5000. In this situation the county becomes the responsibe party to advertise for bids and award contracts for construction. When finished, the City of Wayzata will own, maintain, and repair the bridge when needed.
Special Levy for Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission Approved
The Board approved a special levy of $895,000 requested by the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission for three water-quality improvement projects. The projects are located in Golden Valley. The Schaper Pond project will reduce phosphorus headed to Sweeney Lake by increasing retention time, construction of a retention pond will filter runoff prior to discharge into Bassett Creek and the last is treating Twin Lake with alum. Twin Lake has experienced a marked decline in water quality.
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 action, visit County Board Action.
November 19, 2013
Fair Housing Services Partnership Approved
Hennepin County, together with the cities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Plymouth, will partner with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid to provide high priority fair housing services.
The funding will provide for intake and resolution for 60 housing discrimination complaints, outreach services to six organizations serving recent immigrants and hour-long fair housing training for three of the organizations, and fair housing training to one organization serving persons with disabilities.
The project demonstrates Hennepin County’s commitment to fair housing in order to qualify for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement funds including the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).
County to Update Lowry Avenue Corridor Plan
The County Board approved a $300,000 contract with Stantec to update the 2002 Lowry Avenue Corridor Plan for the portion of the corridor in Northeast Minneapolis.
Stantec will study the Lowry Avenue corridor segment east of the Mississippi River to learn where opportunities exist to:
- Improve the pedestrian and bicycle environment
- Make intersection improvements to enhance safety for all users of the road
- Redevelop property at major intersections to support business growth and offer more housing choices
- Improve the natural environment by providing for stormwater storage, retention and treatment
- Enhance the street environment with artist-inspired lighting, bike racks, benches and banners
The study will begin this fall and last until fall 2014. This work is being done as part of the Lowry Avenue Community Works project, which aims to improve transportation options, offer housing choices and support business growth along Lowy Avenue in North Minneapolis.
Agendas and action taken by the Hennepin County Board are posted under Hennepin County Meetings and Agendas.
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.
November 2013
There were no Board Briefings in November.
New Hennepin County Website Makes Its Debut
December 4
A newly revamped Hennepin.us launches December 4. The innovative new site departs from the usual in a number of exciting ways. It is accessible on any device – desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile. Information is written in plain language, and is organized with the user in mind.
For the short term, some of the links you have used to find information on our site will change. We apologize for any inconvenience this might initially create.
Moving forward, our goal is to continue to ensure that important information is easily accessible to residents and partner organizations. We invite you to explore the new site. Our new search engine should help you find the information you need, but if not send an email to webteam@hennepin.us.
Hennepin County is committed to delivering services to audiences how and when they want them. This is how the county expects to do business in the future and is the first of many steps.
View the new design Dec. 4 at http://www.hennepin.us.
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to Host Drug Abuse Prevention Event
December 4
The presentation is geared toward parents but teens and pre-teens are welcome to attend.
What: Learn about current drug abuse trends in your local community. Experts will provide parents with simple, practical techniques to help kids make healthy choices and avoid substance abuse.
When: Wednesday, December 4 from 6:30 - 8:00pm
Where: Fellowship Hall, Lord of Life Lutheran Church (7401 CR 101, Maple Grove)
Who: All members of the public are invited to attend. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office & the Partnership for Change will provide informative speakers. We are honored that the Scheig family of Maple Grove will also share their story. They recently lost their son, Andrew, to a drug overdose.
Contact: For more information: Lisa Kiava at Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (O) 612-543-0443 or lisa.kiava@hennepin.us
Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission Will Adopt Property Tax Levy
December 18
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) is comprised of the seven-county metopolitan area. Each county appoints two or more commmissioners to serve on the commission.
The MMCD is responsible for controlling the mosquito population, black flies and ticks in an environmentally responsible way. Protecting the public's health from mosquito-borne diseases through surveillance and control is the primary job of the MMCD. The MMCD also educates the public about ways to reduce the risk of contracting disease and making our summers more enjoyable.
A copy of the 2014 budget brief is available on their website. The budget brief provides information on MMCD’s funding sources, expenditures, capital plan and strategic planning process.
This will be Jim Stark's last meeting as Executive Director of the MMCD. Jim has led the organization admirably and is wished great success in his new position with in Florida.
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