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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, 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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Southwest light rail
Understanding your property tax
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for two positions on the Nine Mile Creek Board due to the expiration of terms of office. The cities of Hopkins, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka have land within the watershed district.
Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2014, with interviews to be held on September 9, 2014 at 1:30 in the Board Room of the Hennepin County Government Center.
For more information about the Nine Mile Creek Watershed district, visit here.
To apply, visit here.
 By Erdahl Aerial Photos
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners' request to be included in a state disaster declaration related to damage from heavy rains in June has been approved by Governor Dayton.
Damage to public and private infrastructure across the county added up to about $14.9 million, more than triple the county’s $4 million threshold for seeking aid. The number may change as local officials continue to assess damage.
Across the county, the highest damage estimates included $6.3 million to repair washed out roads in Eden Prairie; $4 million in response to a mudslide that cut off West River Road below the University of Minnesota's Fairview Medical Center in Minneapolis; and $1.3 million to address damage incurred by a swollen Minnehaha Creek at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Hennepin County also requested aid to address damage to roads, railroad easements and other transportation-related assets.
Taste of Mediation Tuesdays
What: Attend a *free* session at the Conflict Resolution Center (CRC) to get a taste of peaceful conflict resolution methods and to find out how mediation is transforming our communities. For more information visit the CRC website.
When: Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
August 12 or 26
September 9 or 23
October 7 or 21
December 2 or 16 Where: Conflict Resolution Center Conference Room
2101 Hennepin Ave. Suite 100, Minneapolis,
To RSVP, contact director@crcminnesota.org, call 612-822-9883 or regsister here.
 The current Excelsior Library at 343 Third Street, which has served area residents since 1965, will close on Saturday, August 16, at 5 p.m., to facilitate the move to the new location.
During the four-week closure, patrons are encouraged to visit nearby Hennepin County libraries:
Patrons who face a barrier to using a nearby library may contact the library’s At Home Service at 612-543-8850.
Patron requests with Excelsior Library as the pickup location will change to Minnetonka Library automatically. Patrons may choose an alternate pickup location for their requests through “My Account” at www.hclib.org.
The book return at Excelsior Library will also be closed during this time. Books and other library materials may be renewed or returned to any other Hennepin County library. To renew materials by phone, call the library’s renewal line: 612-543-8811.
For help renewing materials or selecting an alternate pickup location, Ask Us online, by phone (612-543-KNOW) or in person at any Hennepin County Library.
 Long Lake Library Remodel
Long Lake Library underwent a facility modification with new carpeting, combined customer service desk, shelving, early literacy collection bins, computer tables, and more soft seating.
 Excelsior Library Grand Opening Preview Night
Come celebrate the grand opening of the new Excelsior Library with Friends of the Hennepin County Library on September 4.
Enjoy fabulous food and drinks from Coalition from 6 to 7:30 p.m., then attend a private tour of the new library from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
At 7,200 square feet, the new library will have nearly double the public space. It will include a refreshed collection, a multi-purpose room for library programs and community meetings, public art from mural artist Greg Preslicka, and comfortable reading areas and spaces for all.
For questions call 612-543-8108 or to purchase Preview Night Tickets. Tickets will go on sale August 1 and $25 of each ticket is non-deductible.
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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. To explore the many opportunities to subscribe or to change your preferences, visit the subscription webpage.
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
July 8, 2014 (Special meeting)
Design plans for Southwest Light Rail Transit project approved
The Hennepin County Board and Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority have approved the preliminary design plans for the suburban segment of the SW LRT project. The cities of Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and St. Louis Park have also given municipal consent to the preliminary design plans.
The votes follow two public hearings held by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority on May 29 and the Hennepin County Board on June 17 to receive public comment, as required by state statute. Read this news release for changes the board requested be made prior to final approval and more information.
July 17, 2014
 Board approves SRF to do redesign work on Wayzata Boulevard
The board gave staff the go ahead to negotiate an agreement with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for phase one of the redesign of Wayzata Boulevard (CSAH 112), from Willow Drive and Wolfe Pointe Trail in Orono and Long Lake.
In 2010, the road was transferred from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to Hennepin County. As part of that agreement, MnDOT agreed to provide funding for the engineering, right of way acquisition and construction improvements. The contract includes the final detail design with a cost not to exceed $1.1 million. The design work should be completed by Fall 2015, with construction estimated to begin in Spring of 2017.
Changes in employee health care coverage brings savings to county and employees
Through a series of changes to employee health care coverage, the county is seeing significant cost savings. In 2014, the savings on health insurance premiums will be $11.7 million.
During the past five years, the county has seen insurance premiums increase by only two percent, after implementing initiatives to control the rising cost of healthcare, including: offering an abundance of year-round activities, classes, coaching and programs designed to help employees and retirees achieve their health goals, resulting in fewer health claims; moving to self-insurance, giving the county more flexibility in plan design and administrative services; offering employees a less expensive health plan choice with a narrower network of health care providers that focuses on quality care and health outcomes – nearly 60 percent of employees chose this plan, almost twice the number the county expected; and working with employees to review dependent eligibility to ensure appropriate coverage.
In light of these savings, the board authorized the county administrator to waive the collection of health insurance premiums for participants and the county for three pay periods.
Board appoints new member to citizen advisory board
The board appointed Jim Unterseher of Plymouth to a two-year term on the Mental Commitment Attorney Panel Advisory Board. Unterseher retired in 2008 from United Defense and served in the U.S. Army for 28 years. The advisory board meets annually to review activities of the attorneys panel and appoint members. This panel of attorneys provides legal representation for individuals petitioned for mental commitment. There are five members on the advisory board, one attorney recommended by the Hennepin County Bar Association, two members from among those recommended by mental health advisory groups and two citizens – one of whom should be an attorney.
July 29, 2014
 Members appointed to Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board
The board re-appointed Mary Bisek of Minnetonka and John Perry Forster of Eden Prairie to the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board. They will serve three-year terms on the board. Four of the board’s five members are appointed by Hennepin County and the fifth by Carver County. The board serves an area that includes the cities of Chanhassen, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Deephaven and Shorewood.
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 Board approves school recycling grants
The board approved a $25,979 school recycling grant for Wayzata Public Schools and another for St. Louis Park Public Schools for $11,950. The grants are used to grow recycling and organics recycling in schools, and help the county move toward its goals of recycling 45 percent of waste and six percent of organics by 2015. The county awarded seven other grants for school recycling and organics recycling programs. For more information visit the county website.
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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 the county's news release webpage.
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.
July 10, 2014
Center for Innovation and Excellence — County Administrator David Hough has created this Hennepin County department in order to build “. . . a culture of excellence and innovation demonstrated by operational efficiency and service excellence”. Objectives include improving current performance, reducing variability through standardization, and utilizing best practices. Examples of process changes being led by the Center include reform of the tax court petition refund process in the Assessor’s Office (reducing processing time by 90% and saving $500,000 annually in interest payments), reform of out-of-home eligibility and payments process in HSPHD (reducing wait time from 57 days to 6 days) and reform of the contract site visit process used by Internal Audit and HSPHD (reducing tasks by 49% and wait times by 88%).
Public Works Continuous Improvement Update — Public Works shared the work it is doing to improve project delivery, promote the effectiveness and efficiency of delivery of services, enhance transparency and make communications more consistent. At its Kaizen event relating to project delivery, the focus was on creating a consistent process with flexibility for different project types. Public Works staff has developed a number of tools in order to improve communication about projects. Work in the area of process improvement continues.
July 24, 2014
Sobering Center – Staff reviewed issues around detoxification services being provided in Hennepin County, including their high costs and relatively poor outcomes, the challenges of making sure people receive the appropriate level of care and community supports, and the impact on the HCMC Emergency Department and HCMC in general. They also reviewed changes being considered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services which would move funding for these services from a social service responsibility to a health care/plan responsibility. In response to these issues, staff has been considering the creation of a sobering center. This would involve providing withdrawal management services in certain circumstances and would be a lower cost alternative to using the detox center and/or hospital services.
Community Works – Staff reported on their evaluation of Hennepin County’s 20 year old Community Works program, describing outcomes and recommending changes. Outcomes include impacts to quality of life/livability (such as the creation of 13+ acres of green space and 19.5 miles of upgraded trails, bikeways and sidewalks) and changes in economic and partnership investment (property values in community works areas are on average 17% higher than adjoining areas, for example). Recommended changes relate to program initiation, program goals, and the closeout process. In the Sixth District, Community Works projects include Shady Oak Road and Southwest LRT.
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2014 State Primary Election is Tuesday, August 12 |
What: A primary election gives voters a chance to decide which candidates will represent their political party in the November general election.
When: Tuesday, August 12. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Where: Find where you vote on the Secretary of State's website.
Visit Henepin County's elections division for election results.
Public Hearing
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Public hearing on revised Minneapolis plans set for August 13 |
What: The Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County Board and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) will hold a joint public hearing on the revised Minneapolis portion of the SW LRT municipal consent plans. This is an opportunity for the public to comment on the revised plans
When: Wednesday, August 13 at 5:30. An Open House prior to the public hearing will begin at 4:30 at Central Library where the public can review the revised plans.
Where: Minneapolis Central Library's Pohlad Hall - 300 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.
Additional opportunities to comment:
- Written comments
SW LRT Project Office
6465 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 500
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Attn: Daren Nyquist
- E-mail
swlrt@metrotransit.org
- Fax
612-373-3899
The Council will accept public comments until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25, 2014. Electronic copies of the plans can be found on the Municipal Consent section of the Project website.
 Grants available for business and non-profit recycling and organic recycling programs
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to help businesses, non-profit organizations and institutions start or improve programs to reduce waste and 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. These grants can be used to help businesses get recycling programs in place before the new Minnesota state law requiring businesses to recycle goes into effect.
Funding can help with the purchase of recycling containers, equipment and hauling services and minor improvements to loading docks and waste enclosures. Proposals are due by October 15. This is the final funding round for 2014. Learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Andre Xiong at andre.x.xiong@hennepin.us or call 612543-1316.
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Register now for Citizens Academy
What: Are you interested in learning how county roads are plowed every winter? How Hennepin County is involved in light-rail transit? What about how county taxes are assessed and where your tax money goes? The Hennepin County Citizens Academy will address these questions and more.
When: The seven weekly sessions start September 11 (Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.)
Where: Meet at various locations throughout the county. You also receive a rare opportunity to tour county facilities.
Get more information and register now for the Fall 2014 sessions.
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