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December 2015
Historic Minnesota Theater Gets a Boost from Admin Grant
 Photo Credit: Jeff Ferguson, via City of Canby
Like countless others across the world, the residents of the small south central Minnesota city of Canby rushed to their local movie theater last week to be among the first to see the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Indeed, the force is strong with the historic Canby Theater thanks to a legacy grant administered by Admin's Office of Grants Management, which is enabling the theater to make essential upgrades and continue as a viable film and entertainment destination well into the future.
Admin manages the state's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy) Small Theater Grants, which provide money for historic, small town theaters in Minnesota to purchase and install digital projection technology. Canby was recently named the latest grant recipient, receiving about $23,000 in grant funding.
Canby will be using the grant to purchase a digital projection and audio system to replace the 35 millimeter projection system currently in use by one of its two screens. The city will also purchase accessibility upgrades that ensure people with hearing disabilities can enjoy the shows. The theater recently celebrated its 75th anniversary and has been undergoing a number of renovations in recent years with support from state grants, local funding, and community donations.
These legacy grants enable continued access to films in small communities. Priority is given to communities with few available theaters, those with only one screen, or operating exclusively with 35 millimeter projection systems. A theater in Morris previously benefited from this grant funding.
Admin administers similar grants for public and community radio stations across the state and for many other community resources. More information is available on the Admin website.
New Accommodation Fund Supports State Employment of People with Disabilities
In support of Governor Dayton's call to increase the employment of individuals with disabilities in state government, Admin is excited to announce the launch of Minnesota's Accommodation Fund. The fund reimburses money spent by state agencies to make reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Agencies are invited to submit applications for reimbursement now through January 31, 2016, for eligible spending from the first half of fiscal year 2016 (July 1 to December 31, 2015).
Complete instructions for seeking reimbursement were shared with agencies last week. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator for your agency is the designated point-of-contact for Accommodation Fund applications and information.
If you would like to designate a different point of contact, have questions, or need help, please email fund staff at AccommodationFund@state.mn.us. All the details and application materials can be found at mn.gov/admin/accommodation-fund.
Moving Toward Zero-Waste in the Capitol Complex
Legislation passed in 2014 increased recycling goals for the metro area to 75 percent by 2030. Today, Admin estimates that the recycling rate for state agencies in the metro area is about 70 percent.
How can we increase our recycling rate and meet the legislature's goal?
Admin worked with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's Waste Wise Foundation to conduct an audit of waste disposal and identify best practices implemented by other organizations to increase recycling. In 2016, Admin will be rolling out a series of improvements to recycling programs in Capitol Complex buildings. These improvements will be designed to help reach state recycling goals, but will also position the state to be a zero-waste workplace.
We'll need your help to get there too. Stay tuned for more information in the days ahead. Training sessions and informational materials will be made available to agencies as the rollout of the new program approaches.
Admin Recognized Nationally for Fleet Sustainability
 Admin's statewide fleet was recently recognized as a Sustainable Fleet by the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). In its first ever accreditation of sustainable fleets, NAFA recognized 13 public sector entities from across the United State and Canada.
The NAFA Fleet Accreditation Program recognizes fleets for having a credible sustainability plan and for making meaningful progress toward reducing total emissions and negative environmental impacts of excessive carbon fuel usage.
To receive the accreditation, a fleet must demonstrate it is doing three things to manage and reduce net environment impacts:
- improving air quality through emission reduction;
- increasing fuel efficiency; and
- reducing fuel usage.
Since 2013, Admin has reduced fleet fuel consumption by more than 16 percent. The department has increased overall fuel efficiency by adding 78 hybrid and six electric vehicles. Today, 94 percent of the fleet is capable of operating with cleaner fuels. Contact Holly Gustner at 651-201-2514 or holly.gustner@state.mn.us to learn more about how Admin can increase the fuel efficiency of your fleet.
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The Latest MnSAFE Results are In
 Earlier this month, the first MnSAFE performance metrics for fiscal year
2016 (FY16) were shared with agencies and the Governor's Office. While the injury rate for state government did climb fourteen percent during the first quarter of FY16, the state can still reach its annual goal -- a reduced rate of 2.86 injuries per 100 employees -- but only with your continued engagement.
Ensure that all your agency's employees remain safe and healthy in their work by:
- reviewing your agency's results at mn.gov/mnsafe/results.html;
- sharing the information within your agency; and
- taking action to continuously improve workplace safety.
If you have questions or need help, please contact the Safety & Loss Control team in Admin's Risk Management Division.
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