BOARD NEWS
JANUARY BOARD ACTIONS
January 3, 2012
The first meeting of 2012 was the Board's organizational meeting. Commissioner Mike Opat was re-elected as our board chair and Commissioner Mark Stenglein was re-elected board vice chair.
The Board also established the following committees and committee chairs:
- Mark Stenglein will chair Budget and Capital Investment;
- Peter McLaughlin will chair Public Works, Energy and Environment;
- Gail Dorfman will chair Health and Human Services;
- Randy Johnson will chair Libraries, Technoloby and General Government;
- Jeff Johnson will chair Public Safety and Judiciary.
The Board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), re-elected Commissioner McLaughlin as chair and Commissioner Dorfman as vice chair.
I will continue in my role as Vice-Chair of the Public Works, Energy and Environment Committee as well as serve on the Hennepin Healthcare System Board of Directors that governs operations at Hennepin County Medical Center, the Information Technology Advisory Committee, the Audit Committee, the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Advisory Board, the Twin Cities Community Land Bank, the Association of MN Counties Human Services Redesign Group, The Interchange Working group, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (Vice-Chair), the Southwest LRT Corridor Management Committee and the Southwest LRT Community Works Committee.
January 24, 2012
- The Board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), re-elected me as chair and Commissioner Dorfman as vice-chair;
- The Board approved the appointment of a study group to review county service centers. The review is needed to determine the "long-term viability of the centers";
- County legislative priorities and bonding requests for the 2012 Legislative Session were approved;
- The Board authorized the negotiation of several Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants. The current ERF grants will provide for soil and groundwater evaluation, asbestos and lead-based paint assessment and abatement, and contaminated soil cleanup;
- The Board approved the funding of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) along the Bottineau Transitway which will be done concurrently with the Bottineau Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
JANUARY 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 Boardroom on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center and are open to the public.
January 19, 2012
- The Board received an update on The Interchange, the area adjacent to the Twins Ballpark that will serve as a hub for existing and future light rail lines including Hiawatha, Central Corridor and Southwest. In early April, the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority is expected to vote on whether the project goes forward. Currently, four private sector teams are preparing responses to the design-build request for proposals. In addition, requests for proposals relating to development opportunties at The Interchange are due in early February. The project is estimated to cost $67.7 M. To-date, $37.7 M has been committed from federal, state, county and other resources.
COUNTY CALENDAR
HENNEPIN COUNTY CITIZENS ACADEMY REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
- Have you ever wondered how county property taxes are assessed, and how your tax money is spent? The Hennepin County Citizens Academy helps residents better understand the scope of county government by giving them the opportunity to interact with the commissioners, county administrator, sheriff, county attorney and department directors. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays beginning April 4 through May 23 (no class April 11) from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at facilities throughout the county. Each session will cover a variety of topics, including: developing the county budget; the elections process; transportation and road safety; human services and public health; the county's role in public safety; Hennepin County Medical Center; environmental services; transit and economic development.
WANTED: EMPLOYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN TEEN JOB FAIR, SATURDAY, MARCH 24
- Metro area employers who are looking for teenage employees for summer and beyond and would like to participate in the annual Teen Job Fair at the Hennepin County Central Minneapolis Library must register by February 24. The fair welcomes anyone offering part-time, full-time, seasonal paid positions, or volunteer positions and internships, as well as organizations that offer job training and job search assistance. Details about the teen job fair. Employers who would like to register: call Cynthia Matthias at 612-543-8044.
HENNEPIN COUNTY SERVICE CENTERS NO LONGER ACCEPT VISA CREDIT CARDS
- In accordance with a MN Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division's mandate regarding credit card procedures, Hennepin County's service centers will no longer accept Visa credit cards. The new policy began January 9. Discover and Mastercard will still be accepted and a convenience fee will be charged for each credit card transaction.
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