Hennepin County News

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OCTOBER 2012

Greetings,
I hope you are enjoying my electronic newsletters, and find them interesting and informative about county activities. Please feel free to send me your comments on issues that concern you, or issues you would like covered. I value your opinions.
If you have questions or concerns, please share them with me through my feedback form.
Warm regards,
Jan Callison

BOARD NEWS

September 11, 2012

County Board

Board Sets Maximum Property Tax Levy for 2013 at 1 Percent over 2012

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved a maximum property-tax levy for 2013 of $675.1 million – 1 percent higher than the 2012 levy – and a proposed 2013 budget of $1.75 billion.
The board is required by state law to adopt a maximum levy in September. They  may approve a levy that is lower than the approved maximum, but they cannot set it higher than the maximum adopted.
The board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), also set a maximum HCHRA property-tax levy of $6.4 million – a 14.6 percent increase over 2012.
The board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), also set the maximum property-tax levy for the HCRRA at $21 million – a 16.7 percent increase over 2012.
Combining the proposed maximum levies – county, HCHRA and HCRRA – the total proposed maximum property-tax levy would be 1.5 percent over 2012.

HCMC Planning to Build Two New

Outpatient Centers

The board approved a resolution directing county staff to work with Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc. (HHS) – the governing body of Hennepin County Medical Center – to establish two new outpatient care centers – one in the western suburbs and one in downtown Minneapolis at sites to be determined.
Currently outpatient and inpatient services are mixed together throughout HCMC’s four-block campus. HHS will move most outpatient care out of the hospital and into the two stand-alone facilities

Vendor Selected for Prescription Drug Discount Program for Uninsured Residents

The board approved an agreement with Financial Marketing Concepts Inc. (Coast2CoastRx) for a prescription drug discount program for uninsured county residents that may enable some people to get medicines they currently cannot afford.
Coast2CoastRx provides this program to counties across the country, and was recently selected by the Association of Minnesota Counties to provide the program to its members. The vendor provides a comprehensive marketing plan for the program with minimal county responsibilities, and there is no charge to the county for the service.

Staff Added to Address Increased Environmental Health Inspections

The board approved the addition of two more staff to the Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD) to address significant increases in workload. Over the last six years, HSPHD has taken on the following environmental health responsibilities for municipalities:
  • Absorbed the inspection of 2,000 septic systems in Corcoran
  • Added approximately 85 more facilities in Crystal to the county's food inspection program.
  • Added inspection of 1,100-1,200 additional septic systems in Rogers and Hassan Township.
  • Added more than 110 facilities (food establishments, public swimming pools and lodging establishments) in Hopkins.
  • Added more than 100 septic systems in Maple Grove.
In addition, St. Louis Park is ending its environmental health program, and the county will need to absorb the several hundred licensed facilities in that city.

Volunteer Appointed to Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board

The board appointed Maressia Twele of Minnetonka to the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board.
For more information on advisory boards and to apply online, go to the Hennepin County website – www.hennepin.us/volunteering
Greater detail on these agenda items from September 11, 2012 is available in the news release.

September 25, 2012

Richard

2013 Hennepin County budget calls for 1.2 percent increase

Hennepin County Administrator Richard P. Johnson proposed to the Board of Commissioners a 2013 budget of $1.75 billion – 1.2 percent more than the 2012 budget – and a .93 percent increase in the net property tax levy.
The operating portion of the proposed budget is $1.4 billion – 1.8 percent more than last year; and the proposed capital budget is $179.5 million – 8.4 percent lower than last year.
“A continuing theme in our budget the last several years has been difficult times in government funding, with challenges that include the nation’s economic downturn, uncertain funding from the state and federal governments, an aging infrastructure and growing needs for county services that every year are more costly to provide,” said Johnson in a letter addressed to the board. “Yet throughout these times, the county has remained financially stable – maintaining our triple-A credit rating while trimming spending and still providing excellent service at the lowest possible cost.”
A copy of Mr. Johnson's remarks is available here. Click here for a schedule of upcoming budget hearings.
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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.

September 10

The public works program was discussed.  Topics presented by the county Transportation Department included the Penn Ave. Community Works Project, the pavement preservation program, the solicitation process for capital budget line items, the Americans with Disabilities Act implementation plan and the safety plan.

September 27

The Board received an update on the Dependency Reduction Project.  This is an initiative that aims to reduce the number of households in North Minneapolis receiving assistance from Hennepin County.  The briefing was provided by the Northside Community Response Team.
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COUNTY CALENDAR


Absentee voting

Absentee Voting

You can apply for an absentee ballot if:
• You’re going to be absent from the precinct on the day of the primary.
• Illness or disability prevents you from going to a polling place.
• Religious discipline or religious holiday prohibits you from going to a polling place.
• You are an election judge in another precinct.
Information about voter registration is available on the Hennepin County Elections webpage

Reminder: Youth Sports Program Grant Applications Due by 4 p.m. October 5

The Hennepin Youth Sports Program is currently accepting applications for the 2013 round of facility and fall capital equipment grants; applications are due by 4 p.m. Friday, October 5.
The Youth Sports Program awards facility grants to municipalities, park districts or school districts to create, expand or improve athletic or recreational facilities to enhance opportunities for youth participation in the county.
Broken Toaster

Have Broken Stuff Lying Around? 

Don't Trash It - Fix-It!


  • What:  Hennepin County is now holding Fix-It Clinics. At these events, residents bring in an item that needs fixing and partner with a volunteer with repair skills. Fix-It Clinics reduce the amount of stuff that gets thrown in the trash, teach valuable troubleshooting and basic repair skills, and build community connections. More information and a list of examples is available here http://www.hennepin.us/fixitclinic.
  • When:  Sunday, October 7, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
        Where:  Southdale Library,
        Map it and RSVP on Facebook
  • When:  Sunday, November 4, 1 - 5 p.m.
        Where:  Minnetonka Community Center
        Map it and RSVP on Facebook
Volunteer "Fix-It Coaches" are needed to offer free guided assistance and make this initiative a success.  
Please email Nancy Lo at nancy.lo@co.hennepin.mn.us or call 612-348-9195 for more details or to volunteer.

CONTACT US

Jan Callison
Commissioner, 6th District
612-348-7886

Dave Nuckols
Principal Aide
612-348-6885

Cassi Holmstrom
Administrative Assistant &
Scheduling
612-348-3168

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ABOUT THE 6th DISTRICT

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of the seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, northern Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.

Click on map to enlarge

6th district map
    
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MORE COUNTY INFO

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Hyperbaric Chamber

New State-of-the-Art Center for Hyperbaric Medicine 


The new center, which opened this past spring at Hennepin County Medical Center, is easily accessed by outpatients and critically ill patients transported from the emergency department, ICU and operating suites.

Visit HCMC's newsroom for a fascinating history of this facility.
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Hennepin County Vehicle Auction Scheduled for Saturday, October 13


Hennepin County Purchasing and Contract Services and partnering municipalities are holding a vehicle auction on Saturday, Oct. 13, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Manheim Minneapolis location at 8001 Jefferson Highway in Maple Grove. 

Registration for bidders is from 8 to 10 a.m.  Specifics about the auction are available at www.manheim.com.

For more information about all Hennepin auctions, go to www.hennepin.us/auctions or contact Hennepin County Purchasing at 612-348-3181.
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Heading Home

  

In 2006, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County adopted a 10-year plan to end homelessness by 2016, entitled Heading Home Hennepin. This plan was developed by a commission of business and civic leaders, human service support agencies, advocates, and individuals who have experienced homelessness. It has since garnered community-wide support and become a model for similar initiatives nationwide.

Heading Home Hennepin Director Cathy ten Broeke recently shared a new report highlighting some of the work completed in the past 5 years.
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Report Highlights Impact of Economic Stimulus funding in Hennepin County


A new Hennepin County report highlights the impact the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act  funding has had in the county.

As of the end of December 2011, businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools and governmental agencies in Hennepin County have received more than 1,350 awards totaling almost $1.17 billion.

According to the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, stimulus funding resulted in 61,000 more jobs in Minnesota during the fourth quarter of 2010 than otherwise would have existed.

During interviews conducted for the report, stimulus funding project managers reported ways in which the act made a real difference for county residents.

The report also includes “lessons learned” from the Recovery Act:
  • There were few truly “shovel ready” projects. While economic benefits did materialize, it took 12 to 18 months for plans to gear up.
  • The modest proportion of funds (about 10 percent of the federal outlay) allocated to transportation and other infrastructure improvements limited opportunities for long-deferred, job-rich construction projects, and consequently diminished public evidence of success from what might otherwise have been achieved.
  • More private-sector companies participated in stimulus projects in Hennepin County than governmental agencies, community nonprofits or educational institutions. Only about 10 percent of Hennepin recipients were governmental.
  • Given the enormity and complexity of the program, spending three-quarters of a trillion dollars promptly, accurately and transparently was no small undertaking, Hennepin County followed all requirements without major errors, but it took time to organize and execute according to federal standards.
The entire report is available at www.hennepin.us/rpd
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SW LRT

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Available for Comment on October 12; Public Hearings Set for November 


The Southwest LRT DEIS will be available online as a searchable document at www.southwesttransitway.org. Hard copies will be available at the Hennepin County 701 Building; Hennepin County Library locations; the city halls along the proposed route and the Southwest LRT Project Office.

Comments can be submitted three different ways: 
  • Email: Written comments can be submitted to swcorridor@co.hennepin.mn.us.
  • U.S. Mail: 701 North Fifth Street, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55415
  • Public Hearings: Formal testimony at one of the three public hearings.
The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) has scheduled three public hearings in November to formally gather public comments on the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
The public hearings will each be preceded by an open house, where people can learn more about the Southwest LRT project and the DEIS.

For immediate notification of DEIS publication, please sign up for the project email list.