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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
 Eighteen judges from the Fourth Judicial District Court and a deputy court administrator united 38 couples in matrimony. The ceremonies were performed for free on Valentine’s Day in the Hennepin County Government Center atrium over the noon hour.
The second annual event is a collaborative effort between the Fourth Judicial District and Hennepin County Taxpayer Services, with the support of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners.
 Hennepin County re-opened the Lowry Avenue Bridge, located at the Lowry Avenue crossing of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in October 2012. The new bridge is equipped with multi‐color L.E.D. lighting options to illuminate the arches.
The county lights up the bridge with different colors for certain holidays and events, and the public can request lighting for special events through an application process. The default color is blue.
For more information and the application form visit the Lowry Avenue Bridge lighting policy webpage.
This guideline is to address external requests for special lighting.
Study reveals pathways to improve education outcomes
The “Cohort Study of County-Involved Youth” (Cohort Study) recently presented to the Board answers the question, ‘How are our county-served kids doing academically?’ Its goal is to help Hennepin County tailor its services to ensure youth have the support necessary to be successful in school and in life.
“Poverty is the common denominator,” said Commissioner Jan Callison. “County-involved youth come disproportionately from disadvantaged families and communities. The cohort study will be the foundation of a coherent, strategic response. We will use it to shape strategies so that county workers can realistically make a difference.”
The Cohort Study, a research project commissioned by the county’s initiative to increase high school graduation rates– Accelerating Graduation by Reducing Achievement Disparities (A-GRAD)--used millions of data points to follow the educational trajectory of 3,557 youth who are on supervised probation, in foster care for six months or longer, or who were a teen parent in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).
In 2012 Hennepin County had an overall high school graduation rate of 68%, with large disparities between white youth and youth of color. The study found that for youth involved in these programs, only 31% ever graduate from high school.
This news release has more information about the cohort study and this link has more information about A-GRAD.
 ARRP Foundation Tax-Aide
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, an AARP Foundation program, helps low- to moderate-income taxpayers have more discretionary income for everyday essentials, such as food and housing, by assisting with tax services and ensuring they receive applicable tax credits and deductions.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older.
In the 6th Distrtict, locations with services are available on ths ARRP webpage.
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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
February 11, 2014
Board approves creating process to provide GIS data free to the public
The board gave the green light for county staff to develop a process to make public geographic information systems (GIS) data free and accessible to the public. The county maintains and develops public GIS data to support various business purposes and currently shares it, but for a fee. The county is looking to follow local and national open data trends to make this data free and open to the public. New technology makes it possible for government to provide this information to the public more freely through the web. The county would retain the ability to charge and collect fees for GIS data provided in other formats and when certain special requests are received.
County withdraws proposal to process additional waste at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, plans to focus on increasing organics recycling
In an effort to meet state waste management goals of increasing recycling and minimizing the landfilling of waste, the board approved new strategies that focus on expanding curbside organics recycling and securing more funding from the state solid waste management tax to support local recycling efforts.
As a result of this change in strategy, the county will withdraw its request for a permit modification from the City of Minneapolis and for approval from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to increase the amount of waste processed at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC).
Horst Rechelbacher honored
The board recognized Mr. Rechelbacher for his commitment and generosity after donating $50,000 in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to students of Epsilon High School for post-high school education. Epsilon High School is located at the County Home School.
Mr. Rechelbacher actively reached out to students at Epsilon and shared his insights and experiences in overcoming barriers. As an innovative business leader and valued community member, his encouragement helped many students create positive futures.
Note: Mr. Rechelbacher passed away shortly after this recognition.
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 board actions.
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 open to the public in February.
Public hearing
What: Public comment will be accepted on behalf of Golden Valley, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Plymouth, Hopkins, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Maple Grove, and Brooklyn Park regarding housing developments and the issuance of revenue obligations by the City of New Hope for the benefit of Homeward Bound, Inc.
When: March 18, 2014 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Government Center
24th Floor Boardroom
300 S. 6th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55487
More information regarding this public hearing is available in the County Board Actions news release.
Volunteers needed to monitor wetlands
 Explore your community’s wetlands through a unique volunteer opportunity, Hennepin County’s Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP). Partnering cities use the data that are collected to determine the health of water resources and assist with natural resource management.
Adult volunteers do not need a science background or previous experience — just an interest in wetlands, bugs and/or plants. Hennepin County provides all of the training, equipment, and leadership. Teams will be formed in Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. Anyone in these cities and neighboring communities is welcome to join a team.
The total time commitment is 15 hours a month from May to September 2014.
Volunteer applications will be accepted through June 15, 2014.
For more information or to become a volunteer, call Mary Karius at 612-596-9129 or visit the county's volunteer webpage.
Violent crime remains low
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is releasing statistics that provide an estimate of the county’s violent crime in 2013. The statistics show violent crime has decreased countywide by 36% from year-end 2006 to 2013; one of the lowest levels in two decades.
Violent crime is defined as: murder and manslaughter--non negligent, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The definition is from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. From 2012 to 2013, there was an estimated 2% increase in violent crime countywide. Despite the slight increase, last year’s overall violent crime numbers remain significantly low.
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