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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
GIS Data Sets Now Available
Hennepin County has made GIS (geographic information systems) data sets openly accessible to the public.
“Open access to the GIS data sets shows Hennepin County’s commitment to transparency,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. “I look forward to seeing how the community leverages this data to build apps and find creative solutions.”
The first nine data sets are available for free public use through the County’s website beginning April 28, and include:
- taxable parcels
- address points
- the county boundary
- street centerlines
- street aliases
- aerial imagery
- municipal boundaries
- commissioner district boundaries
- topographic contours
The County Board of Commissioners adopted resolution 14-0036 to make the data available on February 11, 2014.
Visit www.hennepin.us/gisopendata for more information.
Property Taxes Due
Property Taxes are due on May 15 and October 15. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, taxes are due on the next business day.
Make it easy on yourself and pay current or prior year tax payments online! It's much more convenient with our automated online e-check, direct debit, credit or debit card services. We still offer conventional payment methods, too.
Visit the county's webpage for more information.
Assessed Market Value Determines Property Taxes
In response to a question from a constituent (and reader of this newsletter), the County Assessor provided the following relating to market vaules in Hennepin County:
"Your local assessor recently mailed current assessment information to each property owner. While each property is different, property values are generally increasing across the county for single family residential properties. For all residential property, the average county wide increase is 9.1% with extremes on each end.
As an example, residential property owners in the city of Maple Plain will see little or no change in their market values, while residents in the cities of Excelsior and Minnetonka Beach are seeing significant double digit increases. Residential townhome and condominium values are also increasing. The hottest market in Hennepin County continues to be apartments.
Should you have a question on your current assessment, now is the time to contact your local assessor, their contact information is located towards the bottom of your value notice. "
The assessment authority for your property differs depending on where you live in the county.
See who provides property assessments/ valuations for your community here.
 Walk or Bike to School Day
Wednesday, May 7 is a day for students to show that doing one of these activities is fun, is the start of a healthier habit, better for the environment, and more.
 Twin Cities Bike-Walk Week is May 4 thru May 11, 2014
Ride your bike to work on Thursday, May 8. Participate in one of many morning opportunities to commute to work throughout Minneapolis. Visit the Minneapolis Bike Walk webpage for more information.
Commuter Pit Stops
Stop by a Commuter Pit Stop on your way to or from work during Bike Week! Pit Stops make commuting easy with free bicycle repair, lights, maps, information, and more. Most pit stops will be deployed:
- Monday, May 5 , 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 7, 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
- Friday, May 9, 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Check out this map for details about each Commuter Pit Stop location.
There are still more locations to come and we still need volunteers! Check out the volunteer page if you're interested. Thanks!
Businesses at 50th and France Begin Organics Recycling
Four businesses in the 50th and France Business Association have started recycling their organic waste, including food scraps and food-soiled paper, for composting. The association used a $10,000 business recycling grant from Hennepin County to purchase containers and other equipment. In the first few weeks of recycling their organics, the Edina Cinema, Edina Grill, Salut Bar Americain and Cocina Del Barrio have diverted nine tons of waste to composting. The 50th and France Business Association hopes to expand organics recycling to all businesses in the district as part of their effort to recycle 70 percent of all waste produced. Read more in the Sun Current
Funding Available for Businesses, Non-profits to Improve Recycling and Organics Recycling Programs
Hennepin County is offering grants of up to $50,000 to help businesses, non-profit organizations and institutions start or improve programs to divert recyclables and organics (food and non-recyclable paper) from the trash. Most businesses and non-profits in the county—from large office buildings to churches, restaurants and apartment buildings—are eligible to apply. Funding can help with the purchase of recycling containers, equipment and hauling services and minor improvements to loading docks and waste enclosures. Learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Andre Xiong at andre.x.xiong@hennepin.us or call 612-543-1316.
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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
April 8, 2014
 Target Field Station
- Final agreements with the Minnesota Twins, United Properties, and Metro Transit were approved for a multi-modal transportation facility to the west of the ballpark. These agreements relate to a second platform for light rail transit, a public plaza connecting to the ballpark promenade, a "Great Lawn" amphitheater, a 289-stall parking ramp, retail space and a landscaped area sutitable for additonal development. Eventually, Target Field Station will connect approximately 500 trains arriving and departing daily via the METRO Blue Line (Hiawatha), the METRO Green Line (Central Corridor) and the Northstar Commuter Rail. The METRO Green Line (Southwest) and Blue Line (Bottineau) extensions will bring additional rail service and connections to the region. See the news release for more information about the Target Field Station.
Citizen Advisory Board Members Appointed
- Richard Miller of Edina and Pam Blixt of Minneapolis were re-appointed to Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board.
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.
April 22, 2014
Job Fairs Target Racial, Employment Disparities
- The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted to fund at least five industry-specific and geographically-targeted job fairs in 2014. The funds are administered through the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Investment Board (WIB), and the job fairs will be managed by the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training Program (METP). The events will target low income and unemployed residents of Minneapolis and neighboring suburbs, particularly those in geographic areas with concentrated racial and employment disparities. Organizers anticipate 100 employers and 2,000 attendees.
New Access Set for I-35W North at 3rd and 4th Streets South
- The Board approved agreements and cost sharing with MnDOT and the City of Minneapolis to award a contract and oversee construction of access to northbound I-35W at 3rd and 4th Streets South. The access will help reduce afternoon traffic congestion along Washington Avenue in the vicinity of I-35W and the University of Minnesota West Bank.
Support for Prohibiting E-cigarettes under the Clean Indoor Air Act
- The Board voted to support legislation that would change the definition of "smoke" and its delivery to include electronic delivery systems under the Clean Indoor Air Act (Senate File 2087). If adopted by the Legislature, this would prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in schools, permit municipalities to regulate the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco in the same manner as cigarettes, ban the self-sale/vending machine sale of e-cigarettes, and allow for fines for e-cigarette sales to minors.
Citizen Advisory Board Member Appointed
- Clifford Buikema of Wayzata was appointed to the Capital Budgeting Task Force.
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.
April 10, 2014
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Small Business Enterprise/Equal Employment Opportunity/Workforce Entry Programs—Staff provided background and specifics around these three Hennepin County programs intended to promote diversity and inclusion in county contracting. The Small Business Enterprise program creates race and gender-neutral goals for certain county contracts. The Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Program requires vendors to “submit detailed annual workforce reports and maintain an Affirmative Action Plan on file.” The Workforce Entry Program seeks to “provide employment opportunities in the construction trades for graduates of local job training programs.” The briefing also focused on strategies to increase participation in these programs.
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Hennepin History Museum—This briefing updated county board members on recent developments and actions at the Hennepin History Museum. Information was provided by County staff (reviewing the legislative basis for providing financial support to a “county historical society”) and by members of the board of directors of the Hennepin History Museum and Hennepin History Museum staff.
April 17, 2014
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Early Childhood Investments—The 2014 county budget allocated additional resources to three early childhood initiatives. Staff reported on progress to date in the areas of (1) early screening (screen more children earlier to connect them with resources that give them access to appropriate early childhood programs), (2) provider supports (assist daycare facilities in taking the steps they need in order to provide high quality programs) and (3) early childhood scholarships (improve access for some of our most vulnerable children to high quality early childhood programs).
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Thrive MSP 2040—Met Council staff presented an overview of the content of this new (and still in draft form) regional plan. County staff shared their perspective and initial comments on the draft.
Public Hearings
 Bassett Creek Watershed Plan Amendment
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What: The County Board will accept public comment on a major plan amendment proposed by the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission. The project will restore approximately 1.8 miles of Bassett Creek removing problem trees and vegetation, repairing eroded streambanks and more. The preliminary estimated cost for the project ranges from $1,319,000 to $1,659,000.
When: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. during the Public Works, Energy and Environment Committee
Where: Board Room, 24th floor of the Government Center - 300 S. 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN
Information is on file with the Clerk of the County Board.
 Joint Public Hearing on the Green Line Extension
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What: A joint public hearing between the Metropolitan Council and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority on the physical design component of the preliminary design plans of the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project (Green Line Extension) as part of the municipal consent process set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 473.3994.
When: 6 p.m., Thursday, May 29, 2014
Where: Board Room, 24th floor of the Government Center - 300 S. 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN
Written comments may be submitted to:
Southwest LRT Project Office
6465 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 500
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Attn: Daren Nyquist
TTY: 651-291-0904
E-mail comments to: swlrt@metrotransit.org
Fax comments to: 612-373-3899
An open house will be held at 5 p.m. on the Public Service Level of the Hennepin County Government Center prior to the Public Hearing at 6 p.m.
Green Line Municipal Consent Hearings
- The cities of Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Minnetonka and St. Louis Park will hold separate public hearings in May and June 2014, before the city councils vote on the plans.
Additional information on these hearings will be posted on this page as they are scheduled. The hearings will be preceded by open houses, when members of the Southwest LRT Project staff will be available to answer questions.
These hearings will deal only with the content of the municipal consent plans. Future decisions regarding issues such as station design and streetscape will be the focus of later meetings.
City of Eden Prairie
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
6:00 p.m. Open House
7:00 p.m. Hearing
Eden Prairie City Center
8080 Mitchell Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
More information on the City of Eden Prairie's website
 Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Open House
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What: National Law Enforcement Week Open House - this will be a great opportunity for citizens to learn more about the work of the Sheriff's Office
When: Friday, May 16, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Enforcement Services Division
9401 83rd Avenue N.
Brooklyn Park, MN
More: Bring your unwanted/expired medicine to this event for proper disposal. Free gun locks will be provided, while supplies last.
 Bike Plan Open Houses
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What: Join Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District to provide input and get an update on the county-wide bike plan.
When: Wednesday, May 7, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Minnetonka Community Center (at City Hall)
When: Thursday, May 8, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Central Library (Doty Board Room)
The city is working with the Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee to develop a protected bikeway master plan update. Find more information about the Hennepin County bike plan at www.hennepin.us/bikeplan. Find more information about the City of Minneapolis projected bikeway plan on the city website.
For a list of bike trails, suggested routes in Hennepin County, visit here.
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