December 2014 E-Newsletter

Serving Deephaven, northern Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.


December 2014


CONTACT INFO

Jan Callison
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886 

Allyson Lueneburg
Principal Aide
612-348-6885 


ABOUT THE 6th DISTRICT

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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Callison 2013 district map

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

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MORE COUNTY INFO

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Service Center information

Southwest light rail

Understanding your property tax


Grand Opening for Human Services Office in Downtown Hopkins

Hopkins Hub Opening

Commissioner Jan Callison, Rex Holzemer, and Mayor Gene Maxwell

Hennepin County celebrated the grand opening of its fourth regional human services center, in downtown Hopkins on November 13, 2014.

Hennepin County human services staff members have been working at the site since mid-October, acclimating to a new address and a new way of business that allows clients to complete a broader needs assessment, apply for assistance  and get referrals to other services, including those of local community agencies and faith groups.

The new site is only one part of a larger plan to expand human services access from a concentration of offices in downtown Minneapolis, to six sites, spread across the county and closer to where residents live, work and attend school.

View the full news release.


Safety Advisory: Thin Ice

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office issued a thin ice advisory reminding residents about the dangers of thin ice on partially frozen ponds, lakes, and bodies of water.

The recommended minimum thickness for ice is four inches for walking and small group activities.

For more information about ice safety, visit the DNR website.


Allyson Lueneburg Joins Commissioner Callison's Staff

Lueneburg Headshot

I am pleased to announce that Allyson Lueneburg has come on board as my principal aide.  Previously, Allyson worked with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota House of Representatives.

You can reach Allyson at 612.348.6885 or Allyson Lueneburg.

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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 sends various newsletters and notifications available by email 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


Board Meetings

November 18, 2014

County Recycles More than 554,000 Gallons of Household Hazardous Wastes

Through the County's household hazardous waste collection program residents can drop off household hazardous wastes (HHW) such as chemicals and paint, as well as problem materials such as appliances, electronics, and tires.  Residents can bring these materials to two facilities, located in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park or at special collection events held in various municipalities.  BFI Waste Systems provides staffing and supplies and materials to prepare and package waste for shipment to recycling or disposal facilities.  The board renewed the agreement with BFI Waste Systems of North America to provide these services through 2019 at a cost not to exceed $11 million.  The board also amended a contract with Materials Processing Corporation to recycle electronics with an estimated annual cost of $500,000. In 2013, BFI served 113,000 residents at the facilities and event collections.  The HHW and problem materials programs have been very successful, collecting 554,000 gallons of HHW and over 4,700 tons of problem materials since 2013.

Click here for information regarding Hennepin County drop off facilities.

Development Planned at Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street East in Minneapolis

The board approved the transfer of $54.5 million to the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) for the acquisition, development, and construction of the South Minneapolis Regional Human Services Center at Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street East.  The majority of the property is currently owned by Minneapolis Public Schools.  The construction of the building and parking facility is part of a plan to strategically place human services centers thereby improving access to services for county residents.  An additional request for land acquisition, land sales, and leasing of property was approved by the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

Appointment to Southwest Light Rail Transit Executive Change Control Board

The board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, appointed me to serve on the Southwest Light Rail Transit Executive Change Control Board and Commissioner Marion Greene as an alternate.  As a member of this board, I will be responsible for approving all change orders, project requirements, contracts, and contract cost increases of $250,000 or more, as well as changes to the project schedule that will delay the revenue service date.  They will also approve the use of contingency funds for all scope deferrals and Locally Requested Capital Investments costing $75,000 or more and review, at regular intervals, all change orders less than $250,000.


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 news release webpage.


Board Briefings

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 board room on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center and are open to the public.

November 6, 2014

Natural Resources Strategic Plan

Environmental Services staff presented the draft Natural Resources Plan.  They emphasized several key focus areas where they were seeking direction from the board:  (1) banking wetlands, (2) designating natural areas and corridors, (3) establishing a conservation easement program, (4) protecting the tree canopy and (5) protecting groundwater.  They also reviewed opportunities as well as what might define success in the year 2020.  The Plan will return to the Board for final consideration.

November 20, 2014

Tobacco - Youth Smoking and E-Cigarettes

Staff has been working on proposed changes to Hennepin County ordinances related to youth smoking and e-cigarettes.  The briefing focused on those possible changes and included information about e-cigarettes (including risks and benefits), data about youth access to tobacco, and information about regulatory actions in other jurisdictions.  Changes proposed by staff would, in general, treat e-cigarettes as though they are cigarettes, set minimum pack sizes and minimum prices for cigars, and limit the sale of flavored conventional tobacco products.

County Calendar


December 16, 2014

Public Hearing

The board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m. regarding the issuance of bonds on behalf of Ebenezer York Assisted Living, LLC and Ebenezer Society.  The bond request is to refinance original revenue obligations from 2009 for the York Gardens Assisted Living Facility.  Reissuing the bonds would allow York Gardens Assisted Living Facility to refinance at a lower interest rate.  York Gardens Assisted Living Facility has 47 assisted living units, 15 memory-care units and 14 "assisted living plus" units all restricted to people aged 55 and over.


2015 Budget Hearings Open to the Public

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, 200 S. Sixth St. in downtown Minneapolis and are open to the public.

Upcoming meetings:

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.


Hennepin County Seeks Comments on Pedestrian Accessibility Plan

Public comment period runs through December 31

Hennepin County is seeking input on its draft plan to support accessibility for pedestrians on its road network. The document, called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan, presents current practices and policies that relate to accessibility, and identifies an inventory of existing county road network facilities supporting accessibility at intersections. 

After the comment period ends on December 31, a revised plan will be presented to the county board of commissioners for consideration early in 2015. 

For more information, see the news release.


Hennepin County Announces Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Plan

Public comment period runs through December 31

Hennepin County has developed a plan to make highways and roads more accessible, as outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The plan includes two main components:

  • Self-evaluation of the county's current policies and practices for accessibility and ADA compliance
  • Self-evaluation of the county's pedestrian ramps, sidewalks, and accessible pedestrian signals

For more information please view the plan on the Hennepin County website.


Grants Available for Aquative Invasive Species Preventions Projects

Applications are due by January 9, 2015

Hennepin County has up to $100,000 of grant funds available to help local units of government and organizations implement projects that prevent the spread of aquative invasive species.  Eligible project activities include:

  • Assessing the risk of AIS introduction and the resources available to respond.
  • Managing existing AIS populations.
  • Researching and addressing specific pathways of introduction.
  • Increasing enforcement resources.
  • Increasing public awareness and participation in prevention.

Learn more and apply.