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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
Welcome to Michelle Koffa, a senior from Robinsdale High School participating in the Honors Mentor Connection Program offered through Intermediate District 287. She began her mentorship in our office in early January, attending County Board meetings and accompanying me to a variety of meetings. Michelle plans to study political science after graduation this spring.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent part of Chanhassen, 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
Veteran Homelessness
Cut By Half
The 2012 annual count of homeless people in Hennepin County found the number of homeless veterans has decreased by nearly 53 percent from 2009. That number has fallen steadily over three years, due to a focus on collaboration – between county departments, among government jurisdictions and with private outreach organizations – to address a spectrum of factors that can create barriers to housing.
This news release has more detail.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board Vacancies
Two board seats are open as of March 8 when terms expire for board members James Calkins and Brian Shekleton.
The deadline for applications is February 22, with interviews to be held at the following board committee meeting.
The district includes all or part of Deephaven, Edina, Excelsior, Golden Valley, Greenwood, Hopkins, Independence, Long Lake, Maple Plain, Medina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Plymouth, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Shorewood and Woodland, St. Bonifacius, Spring Park, Tonka Bay and Wayzata.
More information is available in this news release.
Apply online at www.hennepin.us/advisoryboards
 Library Services to At Home Patrons
The library provides books and other materials to patrons who have barriers in getting to the library. The service is provided to residents who cannot visit a library due to illness, disability, or visual impairment. At Home is a free service to residents of Hennepin County.
Sign up or learn more about At Home service online or call 612-543-8850.
 Metropolitan Council Taking Public Comment on Amending the Region's Long-range Transportation Policy Plan
The Met Council intends to amend the long-range plan to include light rail transit for the Bottineau Transitway and additional arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors throughout the metro area.
The Council approved a public meeting date and a public hearing date for these two issues.
What: Public meeting
When: Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Robbinsdale City Hall - 4100 Lakeview Ave. N., Robbinsdale, MN
What: Public hearing
When: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Metro Transit F.T. Heywood Office Building Chambers - 570 6th Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN
To comment on the TPP amendments:
Write to Public Information at 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN 55101
Email to Public Information at public.info@metc.state.mn.us
Record a comment on the Public Comment Line at 651-602-1500 (TTY 651-291-0904
Fax to Public Information at 651-602-1464.
The public comment period closes at the end of the day on March 21.
Additional information can be found in this news release.
 Master Gardener Programs Begin in February
Hennepin County Library is offering 10 free Master Gardener programs in February to improve your gardening success.
February topics are Best Plants for Tough Sites, Care of Houseplants, Small Space Vegetable Gardening, Landscape Plants for Winter Interest, Edible Landscapes, Annual Flowers for Minnesota and Dry Soil. Nine Master Gardener events on additional topics are scheduled in March and 12 in April.
Some classes require registration in advance.
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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 through my feedback form on issues that concern you or you would like covered. I value your opinions.
Warm regards,
Jan Callison
January 8, 2013
 After taking the Oath-of- Office, the Hennepin County Board held its first organizational meeting. Mike Opat was re-elected chair and I was re-elected vice chair.
The Board also selected committee chairs.
The Board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), re-elected Commissioner Peter McLaughlin as chair and elected Commissioner Gail Dorfman as vice chair of the HCRRA.
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January 29, 2013
Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Chair and Vice Chair Elected
The Board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), unanimously elected 3rd District Commissioner Gail Dorfman as HRA chair and me as HRA vice chair.
Board Appoints Human Services Assistant County Administrator and HSPHD Director
The Board appointed Rex Holzemer as assistant county administrator, Human Services, and department director of the Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD). His appointment will fill the vacancy left by Dan Engstrom, who retired on January 31.
In his new role, Holzemer is responsible for daily operations and strategic direction for a department that employs approximately 3000 full- and part-time people, and serves 200,000 Hennepin County residents.
Valentine's Day Weddings Scheduled by Courts
 A resolution was approved allowing Hennepin County 4th Judicial District Court judges to conduct marriage ceremonies on Valentine’s Day on the Hennepin County Government Center Public Service Level.
Priority will be given to military and first responder couples – and if time and space permit, county “civilian” couples as well.
Weddings will be performed from noon to 1 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, Feb. 14. There is a service charge for processing marriage licenses.
Pre-registration is required.
For Information and to register online go to www.mncourts.gov/hennepin
For more information on applying for a marriage license at the service centers, go to www.hennepin.us/servicecenters
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Board Awards Pedestrian and Biking Funds
 Every year, the county awards various funds through its Pedestrian and Bicycle Capital Improvement Program, which includes three programs: Bikeway Development Participation, Bike Program Discretionary (Bicycle Gap Program), and Sidewalk Participation. These programs support local plans and implementation of the county’s overall transportation system plan, including its Complete Streets policy.
From the Bikeway Development Participation Program:
Excelsior and Shorewood: $20,000 toward a feasibility study related to an off-road trail along Mill Street (CSAH 82).
From the Sidewalk Participation Program:
Eden Prairie: $48,750 for a new sidewalk on the west side of Mitchell Road (CSAH 60) between Martin Drive and Roberts Drive.
Excelsior: $50,000 for a new sidewalk on the southwest side of the east side of Oak Street (CSAH 19) between Water Street and William Street and between William Street and Excelsior Studer Park.
Minnetonka: $50,000 for a new sidewalk on the west side of Eden Prairie Road (CSAH 4) between Glen Lake Boulevard and Excelsior Boulevard.
Shorewood: $18,000 for a new sidewalk on the east side of Manitou Road (CSAH 19) between Smithtown Road and the Lake Minnetonka LRT Trail.
For a complete list of recipients receiving funding read this news release.
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Environmental Response Fund Grants Approved
 The Board authorized negotiation of agreements awarding $1.2 million in Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants for 10 projects.
The City of Hopkins, on behalf of Klodt Development LLC, will receive $96,000 for the former Park Nicollet/Lutheran Digest redevelopment, which will remove several vacant structures and replace them with affordable apartments.
The current grants will provide for soil and groundwater evaluation, asbestos and lead-based paint assessment and abatement, contaminated soil cleanup, and renovation or construction of 143 affordable housing units.
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To read about all County Board Actions on January 29, 2013, click here or contact Public Affairs Director, Carolyn Marinan at 612-348-5969.
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 31, 2013
Voting Systems—Staff presented information relating to the purchase of new voting systems in 2013. (Voting machines and services are purchased by Hennepin County (ensuring standardization throughout the County); municipalities lease the machines from the County and pay for maintenance.) The current system was purchased in 1999 and is nearing the end of its useful life. Among the challenges of acquiring new systems are: the uncertainties of when the state will certify available voting systems, the need to have systems in place for elections in some municipalities this fall, and issues related to rank choice voting in Minneapolis. The 2013 Hennepin County budget includes $5,000,000 for these purchases including almost $1,000,000 in federal funds.
Spring Citizens Academy Registration Open
 Have you ever wondered how county taxes are assessed, and where your tax money goes? Would you like to learn what goes into plowing county roads every winter?
The Hennepin County Citizens Academy helps residents better understand the scope of county government by giving attendees the chance to interact face-to-face with county leaders and elected officials, including the commissioners, county administrator, sheriff, county attorney and department directors. Behind-the-scenes tours also give residents the chance to see their county government in action.
Sessions will be held weekly at facilities throughout the county on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 9 p.m. April 3 – May 15.
Please register online if you are interested in attending. There are 50 seats available that will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are unable to attend, but would like to learn more about the county, information from previous sessions of the Citizens Academy is available online.
Hennepin County Youth Sports Equipment Grants Available
 Consider applying for the spring round of the Hennepin County Youth Sports capital equipment grants if your school, city or organization needs things like field maintenance equipment, nets or backboards.
Hennepin County has operated the Hennepin Youth Sports Program since 2009, awarding up to $2 million annually in capital grants to build, repair, renovate or expand youth sports facilities in the county. Since 2011, $250,000 has been set aside out of the total $2 million available for capital equipment grants relating to youth and amateur sports activities in the county.
Please note, grants will not be awarded for the purchase of uniforms, scrimmage vests, helmets or other personal equipment of participants. For more information, visit www.hennepin.us/youthsports or the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission’s grant program page
Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 11.
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