 For release: June 10, 2014
Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Public Affairs, 612-348-5969
News release
Public hearing June
17 for Southwest Light Rail Transit project
The board scheduled a public hearing for June 17 at 2 p.m. regarding the Southwest
Light Rail Transit project during the Public Works, Energy and Environment
Committee. The board will hear testimony on the physical design component of
the preliminary design plans and related matters for the project. The hearing
is part of the process for municipal approval. The deadline for approval or
disapproval is July 14.
Commissioners Callison and Greene to lead the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority
Commissioner Jan Callison was unanimously appointed chair of the Hennepin
County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Commissioner Callison has been
serving as interim chair since February. Commissioner Marion Greene was
appointed vice-chair.
Board appoints
assistant county administrator for public safety
Mark S. Thompson was appointed assistant county administrator for public
safety. Mr. Thompson brings more than 26 years of experience in criminal
justice work, most recently as the administrator for the Fourth Judicial District
Court. In his new role, he will work closely with the county partners in the Community
Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, County Attorney’s Office, Emergency
Management Department, the Public Defender’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office.
Creation of Hennepin
County Housing and Redevelopment Authority opportunity fund
The board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment
Authority, approved a pilot program that will target acquisition of strategic
development sites on or near transit corridors to provide affordable housing,
create jobs, provide access to employment or enhance the tax base.
County to provide 911
dispatch services for Golden Valley
The board approved an agreement that would add Golden Valley to the county’s dispatch services. The county will
begin services for Golden Valley after the county’s new 911 Emergency Communications Facility opens. The city will pay a one-time set-up fee of $54,000 and transfer annual
payments it receives from the state to the county (currently $38,364). The city
currently contracts with the City of Edina for 911 services.
Board approves neighborhood
revitalization funding
The board approved $44,000 in funding for the Heritage Park/Sumner-Glenwood
Neighborhood in Minneapolis to supplement community engagement efforts for the Van
White Station stop on the proposed Bottineau transit line at Van White
Boulevard and Olson Memorial Highway.
Commissioner Callison
appointed vice-chair of Regional Railroad Authority
Appointment of Commissioner Callison as vice-chair. Commissioner Peter
McLaughlin serves as the chair of the Regional Railroad Authority. Commissioner
Marion Greene will serve as treasurer.
County to assume role of Hennepin Conservation District
The board authorized the county administrator to implement all duties and
authorities transferred from the Hennepin Conservation District. Those duties
include approving and submitting reports required by the Minnesota Board of
Soil and Water Resources and approving contracts for state cost-share funds.
This is the final step in a legislative and administrative
process to discontinue the Hennepin Conservation District and transfer all
responsibilities to Hennepin County. The Minnesota Board of Soil and Water
Resources approved a petition from the county and issued a discontinuance of
the Hennepin Conservation District in December 2013. The county board
discontinued funding for the Hennepin Conservation District in 2003, and the
county has provided conservation services, including enforcement of the Wetland
Conservation Act, administering state cost-share grants and inspecting
conservation easements, on behalf of the district through a cooperative
agreement since 2007.
These duties are in addition to a variety of conservation
services the county already provides, such as offering technical and financial
assistance to landowners and local governments regarding natural resource
management and protection, placing buoys, maintaining public access and
implementing protection projects on several lakes, managing wetland and stream
volunteer monitoring programs, and delivering environmental education and
outreach. This change streamlines the delivery of conservation services in the
county and improves the efficiency of government.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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