|
Jan Callison
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Dave Nuckols
Principal Aide
612-348-6885
Cassi Holmstrom Administrative Assistant & Scheduling
612-348-3168
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.
 View map enlargement
Find past issues of my monthly newsletter.
County departments, agencies & other entities
Elected & appointed officials
Hennepin County libraries
Hennepin County Medical Center
Hennepin volunteers
Online services
Phone directory
Service Center information
Southwest light rail
Understanding your property tax
Phil Eckhert has retired after 40+ years of service to Hennepin County. Phil began his career as a Senior Management Analyst in the county welfare department in 1972 and joined the Office of Planning and Development in 1974 becoming its Director in 1977. Twenty-one years later he became Director of Environmental Services and spent his last seven years as Director of Housing, Community Works and Transit.
The Board of Commissioners is thankful for his vision, positive and nurturing influence on staff, and his many accomplishments on behalf of Hennepin County.
HUD Formula Program Funding to be Lower Due to Sequestration
In early March 2013, Board Chairman Opat received a letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informing him Hennepin County should prepare itself for a possible five-percent reduction in formula program funding.
This reduction will affect Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME, Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids (HOPWA), and Emergency Solutions Grants for the homeless (ESG).
 Celebrate Children's Day-Book Day
|
This year, Library staff is collaborating with several community partners to extend the Library’s outreach to all families. Partners include the Friends of the Augsburg Park, Oxboro, and Penn Lake libraries; Bloomington Theatre and Art Center; La Oportunidad and Bloomington Public Schools.
The 2013 national theme is “Many Children, Many Cultures, Many Books.” Hennepin County Library will offer exhibits of children’s book art projects, book-making for families, a workshop creating art that resembles textiles from Panama, a puppet show, Mexican folk dancing and multilingual storytelling.
More information about planned activities beginning in April is available in this Hennepin County Library news release.
Historical Directories Accessible Online
Minneapolis City Directories from 1859 to 1917 can now be accessed through Hennepin County Library's website.
The directories include historical information about former city residents and their occupations, plus local businesses, and are one of the most heavily-used resources of Hennepin County Library’s James K. Hosmer Special Collections, according to Ted Hathaway,Special collections librarian at Hennepin County Library - Minneapolis, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
Greater detail is available in this Hennepin County Library news release.
 Sheriff's Office Will Hold Open House
What: Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will hold an open house.
When: Friday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Sheriff's Enforcement Services Division at 9401 83rd Avenue N. in Brooklyn Park.
There will be K-9 and dive team underwater demonstrations, crime scene investigators available, a fingerprinting booth, mounted patrol horses, vehicles, boats and equipment available for tours, drug abuse prevention education and a helicopter (weather permitting).
 Spring's New Spectator Sport: the Interchange Construction
There’s going to be more than baseball to watch at Target Field this year as construction continues on the county’s Interchange project.
Please keep in mind the following tips as you plan your trip to Target Field:
- Fifth Street is only open one way in the westbound lane; the eastbound lane is closed.
- Traffic signals are flashing red at the intersection of Fifth Street North and Fifth Avenue North for pedestrian safety.
- Please be mindful of signage surrounding the construction site and follow the instructions of Metro Transit staff wearing yellow vests and city traffic control agents during events.
- Make sure to take a look as bridge beam installation progresses on the light rail bridge that will carry the Blue Line (Hiawatha) and future Green Line (Central Corridor).
Scheduled to open in 2014, the Interchange will serve as a central, multi-modal transportation hub and community gathering space in downtown Minneapolis.
The Interchange embodies the principles of Open Transit, which integrates all modes of transit, is development oriented, focuses on architecture that can create iconic indoor and outdoor spaces, appeals to passengers, residents, office workers and visitors alike, as well as integrating culture with transit.
|
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
March 12, 2013
 RethinkRecycling
Paul Kroening of Hennepin County Environmental Services, presented a video about building stronger recycling efforts with the business community. KARE 11 news is participating in a 11-week recycling effort called "The Great Green Challenge." Learn more about this program at RethinkRecycling.
|
Hennepin County Adult Mental Health Programs
An agreement with the MN Department of Human Services was approved. The agreement will provide $12,650,709 in grant funding for Hennepin County Adult Mental Health programs serving people with serious or acute mental health illnesses from January 1, 2013 to December 31,2013.
 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood
Home Visiting Program
The Board approved an agreement with the MN Department of Health to receive $533,000 in grant funding for the period of November 15, 2012 to March 31, 2015.
The Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program is dedicated to identifying women during prenatal visits or in the hospital after their babies are born who will need help with depression and other issues that affect their ability to bond with their babies.
The funding is made available through the Afffordable Care Act and will help further develop a partnership with Hennepin County Medical Center Pediatric and OB clinics for home visits to pregnant and new mothers.
|
Citizen Advisory Board Appointments
The Board made appointments to the following Citizen Advisory Boards:
- Oduwa Aganmwonyi, Nancy Dillon, Lauire Eibensteiner, Eric Haddenhorst, Romola Madsen, Tim O'Brien, Rozenia Fuller, Lorene McWaters, Neil Elavsky, Kamaludin Hassan, and Kathie Prieve to the Hennepin County Adult Mental Health Loca Advisory Council (LAC).
- Caitlin Cahill and Gary Thaden were re-appointed to the Hennepin County Library Board.
- Steve Antolak was appointed to the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners.
The actions of the Hennepin County Board, including a record of how individual commissioners voted are posted under Hennepin County Meetings and agendas. Visit here for County Board Action news.
March 26, 2013
 Spring 2013 Hennepin Youth Sports Program Equipment and Small Capital Asset Grants Awarded
The Hennepin Youth Sports Program awards grants to municipalities, park districts or school districts to create, expand or improve athletic or recreational facilities to enhance opportunities for youth participation in Hennepin County.
$250,000 is set aside for equipment grants ranging from $1,000 - $10,000 to purchase capital equipment related to youth sports activities and recreation. These equipment grants are awarded in the fall and spring ($125,000 per cycle).
Recipients from the 6th District:
- Minnetonka Middle School East will receive $4750 for multi-purpose goal posts;
- Excelsior Elementary School will receive $7500 for playground equipment;
- Orono will receive $7500 for playground equipment at Bederwood Park.
Volunteers Appointed to Advisory Boards
The Board made appointments to following Citizen Advisory Boards:
Volunteers are currently sought for four vacancies on the Workforce Investment Board.
For more information about advisory boards, task forces and committees or to apply, visit this county webpage.
The actions of the Hennepin County Board, including a record of how individual commissioners voted are posted under Hennepin County Meetings and Agendas. Visit here for County Board Action news.
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.
March 14, 2013
-
Solid Waste Recycling Progress Report—Staff reported on progress in implementing the Solid Waste Management Plan, including a 3% increase in curbside recycling by residents in 2012 and a 63% increase in the first six weeks of one-sort collection in Minneapolis. Strategies in 2013 to boost recycling include (a) assist cities with recycling bids and contracts, (b) focus assistance on lowest performing cities, (c) assist 10,000 more multifamily housing units, (d) provide an additional $200,000 in grants for schools and (e) develop the next phase of the Recycle Half campaign and expand outreach efforts.
-
County Internet Presence—Hennepin County is redesigning its website. Staff reported on interviews with residents and stakeholders regarding their expectations for the county website, as well as on hosting options.
March 28, 2013
-
Thrive MSP 2040—Metropolitan Council Chair Sue Haigh presented information regarding Thrive MSP 2040, the Metropolitan Council’s 30 year vision for the seven-county metro region. This plan identifies priorities for the region as well as fulfills the Metropolitan Council’s statutory responsibility for guiding comprehensive development. It is expected to be finalized in April 2014
Public Hearing
What: Hennepin County Consortium Consolidated Action Plan
When: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: County Board Room - 24th floor, 300 S. 6th St.
SW LRT Transitional Station Area Action Planning (TSAAP)
Open Houses
What: TSAAP Open House for Hopkins and Minnetonka
When: Tuesday, April 23 from 5 - 7 p.m.
Where: Hopkins Center for the Arts - 1111 Mainstreet,
Hopkins
What: TSAAP Open House for Eden Prairie
When: Monday, May 13 from 5 - 7 p.m.
Where: Eden Prairie City Hall - 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie
The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the County to prepare and submit a Consolidated Plan in order to qualify for annual entitlement funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program and the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program funds.
Project Homeless Connect
What: Project Homeless Connect is a one-stop-shop of comprehensive support services for people experiencing homelessness. Services include housing, employment, medical care, mental health care, benefits and legal assistance, eye doctors, haircuts, chiropractic, and dental care.
When: May 20, 2013 - 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center - 250 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
Volunteers Are Needed
Project Homeless Connect is in need of volunteers to act as guides, partnering with guests to help them find the resources they want.
|
