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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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 Before the snow arrives, anti-icing measures are used to help prevent the bond between ice and the roadway from forming. Anti-icing is a two-night-long process involving two 2,500-gallon tanker trucks that are deployed when conditions favor the formation of ice.
Making the roadways safe during and after a snow event is another two-step process. First, snow must be plowed off the road; second, the remaining ice must be removed.
The county uses approximately 17,000 tons of salt and 7,500 tons of treated salt annually. It takes approximately one pound of salt to melt 46.3 pounds of ice. Controls calibrated every fall ensure that county snowplows use only the material that is necessary in response to snow and ice-related events.
The county has a total of 65 pre-set snow maintenance routes, covering its 2,100 lane miles and 146 bridges. On average, there are 48 emergency “call outs” each snow season.
Snowplows generally hit the roads at 2 a.m. after snow starts falling the previous evening. The objective is to complete a pass over all lanes and intersections prior to morning rush hour. Approximately 74 pieces of equipment are available to accomplish this work including plows, motor graders, front-end loaders, and snow blowers.
County snowplow operations are based out of five satellite truck stations strategically located throughout the county: Bloomington, Medina, Minnetonka, Orono and Osseo.
Safety Around Snowplows is Essential.
Drivers should not attempt passing a moving snowplow in operation, and should be especially wary of turning movements snowplows make at turn lanes and intersections.
Transportation Department snowplow operators maintain commercial driver’s licenses and regularly complete driver safety courses in evasive maneuvers, plowing and winging equipment, and winter operations training.
The county’s Public Works Facility is located at 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina (seven miles west of Interstate 494 on State Highway 55).
 GreenNotes covers environmental news, programs and events from Hennepin County.
 The arrival of winter means slippery conditions for driving and walking. We typically use salt (sodium chloride) on our roadways, parking lots and sidewalks to help control ice and snow and to travel more safely. However, too much salt is polluting our streams. For the first time, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is considering listing several metro-area lakes, including Calhoun, Medicine, Sweeny, Parkers and Hiawatha, as impaired for excessive chloride.
An increasing number of cities, counties and MnDOT are changing their practices to apply less salt while achieving the same results. There are some simple things that everyone can do to reduce salt use while staying safe:
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Shovel. The more snow and ice you remove manually, the less salt you will have to use and the more effective it can be. Whether you use a shovel, snow blower, snow plow or ice scraper, get out there as early as you can and keep up with the storm. You may even decide that salt isn't needed.
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Don’t apply salt when it’s colder than 15°F as most salts stop working at this temperature. Use sand for traction instead, but remember that sand does not melt ice. See the MPCA’s table to learn which products work at which temperature.
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More salt does not mean more melting. Use less than 4 pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet – an average parking space is about 150 square feet, and 1 pound of salt is approximately a heaping 12-ounce coffee mug. Consider purchasing a hand-held spreader to help you apply a consistent amount.
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Sweep up extra. Visible salt or sand remaining on dry pavement is no longer doing any work and will be washed away.
Learn more about road salt and water quality
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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
December 3, 2013
Natural Resources Grant
The Board approved an agreement with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to receive a Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) to support local government water planning, wetland conservation programs and county Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) programs. The grant will provide $8,094 for promotion of effective local water planning, $57,133 for administration of the 1991 Wetland Conservation Act and $18,600 for the county's SSTS Program.
The County has used these funds for conservation programs including assisting local governments and landowners with best management practices to protect water quality. Funding is also used for the review of site development plans and watershed management plans and volunteer water quality monitoring education programs.
Lowry Avenue Bridge Lighting Policy
The County Board approved a policy for the lighting of the Lowry Avenue Bridge. This policy provides for the bridge to be automatically lit for certain events and holidays on an annual basis. It also creates a process for accepting external requests from the public to light the bridge on other occasions at the discretion of the County Administrator.
Supplemental Appropriations Approved for County Attorney and Sheriff's Offices
The Board approved changes to the 2013 Budget that will allow the use of $500,000 from the County Attorney's Designated Forfeiture Fund to supplement the County Attorney's Office budget. The funds will pay for services related to juveniles, crime prevention, training, consulting and personnel services.
The Board also approved budget changes that will supplement the Sheriff's Office 2013 budget by a total of $1,606,084. The bulk of this funding is from criminal forfeitures and gun permit revenues. It also includes $41,279 from the generous bequest of Frances B. Wyatt’s estate which will pay for purchase and training of dogs for the K-9 Unit.
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.
December 17, 2013
Board Approves 2014 County Budget
The Hennepin County Board approved a 2014 county budget of $1.78 billion - a 0.57 percent decrease from the 2013 budget, and a 0.98 percent increase in the net property tax levy from 2013.
In addition, the Board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), approved an HCRRA budget of $27.7 million, with a proposed property tax levy of $24.0 million – a $3 million increase from 2013. The HCRRA seeks to improve rail modes of transportation to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility.
The Board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), approved a budget of $15.2 million, with a proposed property tax levy of $6.97 million – an increase of approximately $535,000 from 2013 (which is $1 million less than the proposed 2014 maximum levy). The HCHRA authorizes strategic planning and community engagement to serve the housing and economic development and redevelopment of Hennepin County.
Read the news release here. To learn more about Hennepin County’s budget, visit the budget and finance webpage.
Washington Avenue Redesign Approved
The Board approved the advancement of design and construction of Washington Avenue between Hennepin and Fifth avenues and the final conceptual layout from Fifth Avenue to I-35W. The design will provide safer connectivity for pedestrians, bicycles, and cars. Bump outs and the reduction in traffic through lanes will lessen the crossing distance across Washington Avenue. Protected bicycle lanes (cycle tracks) will encourage bicycling within the corridor. And designated right and left turn lanes for vehicles will keep though lanes moving. The reconstructed Washington Avenue will support complete streets, active living, economic vitality and community pride and development. The project will be presented to the Minneapolis City Council for approval before moving into the detail design phase.
Youth Sports Grants Awarded for 2014
The Hennepin Youth Sports Program makes grants to local government units to improve youth athletic and recreation facilities. The program awards capital and small equipment grants to enhance opportunities for youth participation in Hennepin County.
Capital projects receiving funding in District 6 include:
- $250,000 for a multi-purpose sports dome in Edina
Small equipment grants were awarded to the following District 6 communities and school districts:
- Minnetonka will receive $6,000 for two pitching machines, four dugout benches and improvements at Optimist Park;
- Minnetonka Beach will receive $777 for an adaptive swing at Half Moon Park;
- Eden Prairie ISD 272 will receive $10,000 for a wrestling mat hoist at Central Middle School; and
- Hopkins ISD 270 will receive $10,000 for two turf management utility vehicles with groomers for use throughout the district.
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.
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.
There were no Board Briefings in December.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. the Board will hold its first meeting of the new year. Typically the Board will elect its chair and vice-chair as well as chair and vice-chair of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority at this time.
County Administration annually produces Hennepin County Highlights offering residents a glimpse of county deparment operations, including new initiatives and yearly goals.
Access the 2013 Hennepin County Highlights here as well as previous years.
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