News from Hennepin County

Commissioner_Marion_Greene

November

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IN THIS ISSUE


CONTACT US

Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
@MarionGreene

Ray Hoover
Principal Aide
612-348-7125

Pam Fahlstrom
Administrative Assistant
612-348-0863


OFFICE HOURS

Join me in my effort to expand awareness of and involvement with Hennepin County! I'm holding office hours across the district each month. Come with questions, come with opinions, or just come to say hi.

This month's I'll be at Dunn Brothers in Loring Park on November 20th from 2-4 PM. 329 W 15th St. Minneapolis.


ABOUT THE DISTRICT

The 3rd District serves the city of St. Louis Park, and southwest and parts of downtown Minneapolis.

3rd District map

View larger map


GET INVOLVED

2016 Budget Hearing Schedule

In September, the board held a series of public hearings on the proposed 2016 budget. The process continues in November.

Click here to see the Schedule.

All meetings happen in the County Board Room of the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. 


COUNTY RESOURCES

County departments, agencies & other entities

Hennepin County libraries

Hennepin County Medical Center

Hennepin volunteers

Online services

Phone directory

Service Center information

Southwest Light Rail

Understanding your property tax

City of Minneapolis

City of St. Louis Park


E-NEWS ARCHIVE

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Greetings!

I hope you enjoy this month's District 3 newsletter. Visit our website to find more ways to connect with the county.  
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I value your opinions. 

My best,

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News

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

At the October 6th meeting, I brought a resolution to the Hennepin County Board to declare October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to reflect on abuse in area homes, its implications and positive ways to assist victims and to recognize those members of our community devoted to making homes safe havens. The Board joins other U.S. and world leaders in recognizing that freedom from domestic violence is a human right towards which state and local governments should aspire on behalf of all of the citizens they serve. This photo shows the board with Sarah Clyne, Executive Director of the Domestic Abuse Project (DAP).

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Mental Illness Awareness Week

At the October 6th meeting, I brought a resolution forward to declare October 4-10, 2015, as Mental Illness Awareness Week in Hennepin County. Hennepin County urges all residents to learn about mental health and what it means to live with a mental illness, to be there for those in need, and to raise awareness of mental health issues to improve the chance of recovery for people who have a mental illness. This photo shows the board with Kathie Prieve, who co-chairs the Hennepin County Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council.

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Human Services Center breaks ground at Lake and Hiawatha

Yesterday morning Hennepin County broke ground for its newest Human Services Center.

The services center will be part of a remarkable place to work, live and play in south Minneapolis’ vibrant Midtown district. The transit-oriented development will feature a range of residential options with more than 500 housing units, as well as retail space and parking. Additional elements include a transit plaza connecting to a public gathering space — the permanent home for the Midtown Farmers Market. 

The groundbreaking marks the start of construction for the Human Services Center and street-level retail space. The transit plaza, 114 rental housing units and parking facility round out this initial phase, which opens in 2017.

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New Green Disposal Guide tells you the best way to get rid of your stuff

Fall clean up can be frustrating unless you know how to get rid of your unwanted stuff. Hennepin County has done the heavy lifting with the new online resource, Green Disposal Guide.

Yard waste, mattresses, paint or fluorescent light bulbs—the Green Disposal Guide offers a range of disposal options while also giving tips on shopping smarter, living greener and creating less waste.

For more information, click here.

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New electronic balloting check-in coming in 2016

In 2014, the state legislature authorized the use of e-poll books, electronic versions of paper poll books which have been in use up to now. Starting in 2016, secured tablets or laptop computers will replace the current paper voter check-in process.The technology will help speed up lines at the polls, help election judges through registration, provide cities data on polling place activity and more. 

Next year, Hennepin County will train cities and provide training materials for election judges. Cities will store the devices, prepare them for Election Day and train election judges to use them properly.

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Hennepin County Profile

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To share more about the work of Hennepin County, we profile a county employee who lives in District 3. Each month spotlights a person from varying departments and occupations.

Kay Pitkin

Kay Pitkin is a resident of the Kingfield neighborhood, and is the Administrative Manager in Emergency Mental Health Services in the Public Health Department.

Click here to find out how Kay makes Hennepin County tick.

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Board meeting highlights

Federal grant expands successful lead abatement program

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a 27-month, federal grant to continue residential lead hazard mitigation in Hennepin County. Over the past 10 years, Hennepin County and partners have carried out lead abatement projects in about 4,100 homes. The current grant will fund 400 lead inspections and create about 350 lead-safe homes. This grant will also address home health and safety hazards in the enrolled homes such as trips/falls, radon, and moisture.

Federal grant, state match will help homeless families transition from shelter to stable housing

The Hennepin County board voted to accept a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Department grant to provide a rapid rehousing program for families during 2016. The Continuum of Care grant will be supplemented by a 25 percent match from Minnesota Housing’s Housing Trust Fund and a variety of state-funded human services programs. Rapid rehousing helps families to find, secure and transition into housing from shelter. Once in housing, families receive supportive services to increase their incomes and access community-based resources. The program's goal is to keep 70 percent of families in stable, permanent, decent, affordable housing for at least 12 months. 

  • In 2013, the program served 915 households – 1,135 adults and 1,639. Of those households, 71 percent successfully transitioned into permanent housing. 
  • In 2014, the program served 702 households – 880 adults and 1,266 children. Of those households, 67 percent successfully transitioned into permanent housing.

Read more about the resolution

Plan could shape the future of Lowry Avenue northeast corridor

The board voted to approve an updated Lowry Avenue Northeast Corridor Plan and Implementation Framework. The current plan grew out of a program the board established to improve transportation options, offer housing choice, and support business growth along the 5-mile Lowry Avenue corridor in North and Northeast Minneapolis. The planning process evaluated opportunities for bicycle and pedestrian improvements along the Northeast corridor, with a focus on infrastructure improvements and redevelopment opportunities at six intersections, at Marshall Street Northeast, 2nd Street Northeast, University Avenue Northeast, Washington Street Northeast, Monroe Street Northeast and Central Avenue Northeast. Funding for any approved projects will be considered at a later date.

Read more about the resolution

Program will promote hiring opportunities in areas where projects are located

The County Board directed the county administrator to develop a joint application with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to participate in the Local Labor Hiring Program. Through the federal Department of Transportation, this program promotes hiring opportunities and offers limited hiring preferences for residents of the communities where infrastructure projects will be located, residents of economically challenged communities, county-resident veterans and people in training to become skilled workers. Projects proposed for the program in 2016 include Bottineau Boulevard, 66th Street and Highway 169.

Read more about the resolution

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Board briefings

You're invited! In addition to our regularly scheduled board meetings, the County Board often meets for updates on Thursday mornings. These are informal opportunities to discuss emerging issues. No decisions are made, and the topics are subject to change. Board briefings occur in the board room on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center and are open to the public.

November 5
Communications update
EWS infrastructure

November 19
Sheriff's staffing review
Child Protection redesign

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