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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 Deephaven, northern 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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Vacancies on the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board
 What: Due to expiration of terms of office the Board will accept applications for two positions on the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Water-shed District Board.
When: Applications are due by Thursday,July 10, 2014, with interviews to be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2014.
New Commissioner Takes Oath of Office
 Newly elected to the Hennepin County Board, Marion Greene was sworn in during a private ceremony at the Government Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 21. Fourth District Judge Elizabeth Cutter administered the oath of office before a small gathering of friends and co-workers.
Voters in the 3rd District chose Greene in a special election May 13. She is filling the seat vacated in March by former Commissioner Gail Dorfman, who left the board to become executive director at St. Stephens Human Services.
The 3rd District includes parts of southwest Minneapolis and St. Louis Park.
Business Recycling Incentive Program Accepting Applications for Funding
 Last June, the Board approved a business Recycling Incentive Program Policy to encourage for-profit and non-profit businesses to establish new or to improve existing recycling and organics recycling programs.
For more information about the program contact Paul Kroenig at 612-348-6358 or paul.kroenig@hennepin.us or visit the Hennepin County webpage here.
The next deadline to submit grant proposals is June 15, 2014
Compost Bins for Sale
 Hennepin County is selling compost bins to help you start composting in your backyard and recycle your food and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost.
Bins are made of cedar and wire mesh. Bins are sold as a kit with all materials, hardware, and assembly and composting instructions included; some assembly required.
Kits are about 3' x 3' x 1'. Assembled bins are 3’ x 3’ x 3’.
To purchase a composting bin, visit the Hennepin County webpage here.
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Greetings,
I hope you are enjoying my electronic newsletters, and find them interesting and informative about county activities. In addition to my monthly newsletter, the County makes various newsletters and notifications available by e-mail or text message. Click here to explore the many opportunities to subscribe or to change your preferences.
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
May 6, 2014
Scholarships for Early Childhood Education
The Board approved $1 million to be added to the 2014 Human Services and Public Health department budget to support placement of county-involved children birth to 5 in quality child care and education programs. The funding will supplement a statewide early learning scholarship program that was created in 2013. Scholarships will be used to send children to high quality early care and education programs. These programs, evaluated by the Parent Aware Quality Rating System, help to ensure increased school readiness for low-income young children. The scholarships will benefit young children at developmental risk, including those in foster care, who have reunified with their parents, who have open Child Protection cases, who have teen mothers attending school, and who are children of a disabled parent who has an open case. It is anticipated that this program will serve up to 125 children each year.
 School Recycling Grants Awarded
The Board voted to grant 18 schools a total of $118,753 in recycling grants, engaging over 20,000 students in waste reduction and recycling activities.
Schools receiving recycling grants in the 6th District are:
- Orono Schools, Long Lake, MN ($8,500)
- St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Excelsior, MN ($5,670)
- Wayzata Public Schools, Plymouth, MN ($14,678)
- West Education Center, District 287 ($11,438)
Grants will be used to implement new or improve existing recycling and organics recycling programs. Some projects will expand collection of recyclables to the school grounds and athletic events. Other projects will reduce waste by purchasing reusable materials for the cafeteria, including bulk milk equipment, reusable trays, utensils and dishware.
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Workforce Investment Act Funding
The Board approved an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for workforce development services for adults and youth. The grant is projected to serve 967 adults and 565 youth.
Adult and dislocated worker programs provide assessment, case management and referral to training programs to help residents return to the workforce. The adult programs serve those who have been out of the workforce for a substantial period of time and may need significant skill upgrades, and those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own (layoff or downsizing) and have current job skills that may need refreshing to return to the workforce. Youth programs provide work experience, employment, and training to economically-disadvantage youth and disabled youth.
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.
May 20, 2014
Affordable Housing and Public Service Grants
The Board approved a 2014 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) action plan that will authorize negotiation for federal entitlement awards for the Community Development Block Grant program, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, and the Emergency Solutions Grant program totaling $4,099,409 from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2019.
Proposed activities are:
• Affordable rental housing - $1,123,359
• Single family home rehabilitation - $859,361
• Affordable homeownership - $679,966
• Ending homeless - $203,197
• Special needs housing - $615,229
• Family services - $129,187
• Senior services - $84,006
• Youth services - $62,810
• Neighborhood revitalization - $339,664
• Fair housing - $25,000
• Administration - $440,980
• Community housing development organization operations - $50,000
Together the grants would make 481 housing units affordable and provide public services assistance to over 21,000 low income people.
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.
May 15, 2014
“No Excuse” Absentee Voting – The Board heard from Hennepin County Elections staff about implementing a new state law which provides for “No Excuse” Absentee Voting. Beginning with the 2014 State Primary, a registered voter won’t need a state-approved excuse to vote by absentee ballot. In anticipation of the likely increase of absentee voting, Hennepin County Elections staff is working with city and school district clerks to explore the best options for processing ballots. Alternatives under consideration are centralized absentee ballot counting by Hennepin County and the use of electronic poll books (e-poll books) for better Election Day communications.
Public Hearing
What: A public hearing on a proposed minor amendment to the 2004 Shingle Creek Watershed Management Plan. The proposed amendment revises the Plymouth Bass Lake Pond Project to include pond maintenance, enhancement projects, and a lake water withdrawal and treatment system to reduce pollutant loads to Bass Lake.
When: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. during the Public Works, Energy, and Environment Committee.
Where: Room A-2400 Board Room, Hennepin County Government Center - 300 S. 6th St., Mpls, MN
 Excelsior Library Community Survey
Early this spring, an Art Selection Committee selected mural artist Greg Preslicka to design and fabricate artwork for the new Excelsior Library being built now at 337 Water Street.
Preslicka is a mural artist, and his art concept for the library, called “Gathering Together,” consists of four mural panels filled with historical and present-day images of the area.
Starting June 1, area residents can provide input on the images to be included in the mural panels by completing a community survey. The survey is available here.
Copies of the survey will be available at the current Excelsior Library, at 343 Third Street, from June 1–14. For more information about the survey, contact the Excelsior Library at 612-543-6350.
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 Hennepin County Fair
What: The Hennepin County Fair offers a variety of fun opportunities for people of all ages. Pony rides, 4-H exhibits, master gardner displays, a farm animal petting zoo, main stage entertainment, fireworks and opportunities to compete.
When: Opens Thursday, June 19 at 4:00 p.m. and closes Sunday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Corcoran Lion's Park - 7205 CR 101 at the intersection of CR 101 and 10, Corcoran, MN.
For a calendar of acitivities and more information visit the website here.
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