 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/28/2014
Contact: Carolyn Marinan, public affairs, 612-348-5969
News release
County to recover 400 additional tons of metal from HERC ash
The board approved a contract to recycle ferrous metals from the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), increasing metal recycling by 400 tons per year and reducing costs for ash disposal. Recycling these additional materials will provide $250,000 in annual revenue and save $150,000 per year in ash disposal. SKB Environmental, Inc. will install new equipment to recover more metal from the ash. More than 11,000 tons of scrap metal is recovered from HERC ash each year – more than double the amount of metal collected in curbside recycling programs in the county.
Board approves salary increases for 2015 and 2016
In a 5-2 vote, the board approved salary adjustments for the Hennepin County Board for 2015 and 2016. The adjusted commissioner salary follows adjustments to employee salaries and would be an increase of 2.5 percent to $8,788 per month in 2015 and $9,008 per month in 2016. Commissioners must file notice with the county administrator by December 17, 2014 for the 2015 adjustment and by December 16, 2015 for the 2016 adjustment. If a commissioner does not file a notice his/her salary will remain at his/her current salary level. Minnesota state statute requires adjustments in commissioner’s salaries to be adopted by the county board by resolution prior to a general election.
Board calls on
Washington NFL team to change its name
The board passed a resolution calling on the owner of the National Football
League (NFL) team from Washington, D.C. to change the name of the team to one
that is not offensive to American Indians or any other ethnic group. The use of
the term “redskins” is objectionable to many American who consider it to be
racist and derogatory. The Washington, D.C. council, many American Indian
tribes in Minnesota and across the country, and other groups and individuals have
called for the team to change its name.
The resolution was adopted by the board with the pending
game between the Minnesota Vikings and the team from Washington, D.C. on
Sunday, November 2 at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of
Minnesota.
Board appoints new
chair of Minnesota Ballpark Authority
The board appointed Margaret Anderson Kelliher to serve as chair of the
Minnesota Ballpark Authority, effective January 1, 2015. Kelliher is the
president and CEO of the Minnesota High Tech Association and served in the
Minnesota legislature, including two terms as Speaker of the House of
Representatives. She will replace Steve Cramer, who has served as chair of the
authority since its inception in 2006. Cramer saw the ballpark project through
design and construction, presided over current operations, and made pivotal
contributions to the vitality of Hennepin County through his role leading the
authority.
County receives grant
funding to help homeless families find permanent housing
The county will receive $503,868 from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care Program in 2015 for rapid rehousing
services for homeless families. In 2013, 915 households consisting of 1,135
adults with 1,639 children were served by a previous grant in this program, and
71 percent of households served that year successfully transitioned into
permanent housing. The grant funds will be used to assist families locate and
access housing while they are in shelter. Once in housing, families receive
supportive services to help maintain housing stability, increase their incomes,
and access community-based resources.
The county will contract with St. Stephen’s Human Services
to provide these services. There is a 25 percent cash match for this grant that
will be provided through Minnesota Housing’s Housing Trust Fund subsidies, Minnesota
Family Investment Program funds, state group residential housing funding, and
chemical dependency and other services.
Board declares
October domestic violence awareness month
The board declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month – a time to
reflect on abuse in area homes, its implications, and positive ways to assist
victims. The board also recognizes members of the community devoted to making
homes safe havens. The board joins U.S. and world leaders in recognizing
domestic violence as a human rights concern, and declares that freedom from
domestic violence is a human right toward which state and local governments
should aspire on behalf of all the citizens they serve.
Board declares November pancreatic cancer awareness month
The board declared November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in Hennepin
County. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and is the fourth
leading cause of cancer death in the United States. African Americans have the
highest incidence rate of pancreatic cancer – between 34 and 70 percent higher
than other racial or ethnic groups. Increased awareness and research into early
detection, causes, and effective treatments will enhance the health and
well-being of Hennepin County residents. Hennepin County will also light the
Lowry Bridge purple on November 13 for "Purple for a Purpose Day."
For more information on the November 13 awareness day visit www.pancan.org/purpleforapurpose.
Budget public
hearings and meetings
The board launched a series of hearings to discuss the budget
and gather public input. Meetings can be viewed live on Metro Cable
Network/Channel 6 or online at www.hennepin.us/boardmeetings.
All budget meetings are held in the Board Room on the
24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St. in
downtown Minneapolis and are open to the public.
Upcoming meetings:
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Public hearing on Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy and
budget beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 13
Public hearing on human services and public health budget from
10 a.m. to noon
Friday, Nov. 14
Public hearing on public safety budget from 10 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Public meeting on the proposed budget and levies at 6 p.m. (Truth in
Taxation meeting)
Tuesday, Dec. 16
The final county, Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment
Authority and Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority budgets and tax
levies will be adopted beginning at 1:30 p.m.
For more information, see the budget news
release.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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