August District 3 News

Commissioner_Marion_Greene

August 2016

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IN THIS ISSUE


CONTACT US

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

Pam Fahlstrom

Administrative Assistant
612-348-0863


ABOUT THE DISTRICT

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

3rd District map

View larger map


GET INVOLVED

Budget hearings and other dates set

The board scheduled public hearings for adoption of the 2017 budget and levy, and set a schedule for the Budget and Capital Investment Committee to consider the proposed 2017 budget. The meetings will proceed as follows:

County administrator presents proposed 2017 budget to County Board

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 1:30 p.m.

County Board vote on 2017 maximum tax levy and budget

Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 1:30 p.m.

Public safety

Thursday, September 22, 2016, 1 – 4 p.m.

Library/Operations

Monday, September 26, 2016, 1 – 4 p.m.

Health

Tuesday, September 27, 2016, 9 a.m. – noon

Human Services and Public Health

Thursday, September 29, 2016, 1 – 4 p.m.

Public Works

Friday, September 30, 2016, 1 – 4 p.m..

Human Services and Public Health

Thursday, October 6, 2016, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (follow-up, if needed)

Capital Budgeting Task Force and fees

Thursday, October 20, 2016, 9 a.m. – noon

Truth-in-Taxation public meeting

Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 6 p.m. Participants can park for free after 5 p.m. in the Government Center ramp. Enter on 3rd Avenue.

Administrator amendments

Wednesday, December 7, 2016, during Budget and Capital Investment Committee meeting

Commissioner amendments

Monday, December 12, 2016, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

County Board vote on 2017 budget and levy

Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 1:30 p.m.


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

Here's a quick look at the last 6 months. To see more, check my website under "Stay Connected."

2016
July

June
May
April
March

February
January

Greetings!

I hope you enjoy this month's District 3 newsletter. Visit our website to find more ways to connect with the county.  
As ever, please get in touch any time.

My best,

Marion

News

Grant to fund swimming lessons for underserved youth

The board approved a pilot to provide swimming lessons for underserved youth and communities in Hennepin County. The pilot will be funded with $35,000 from the Hennepin Youth Sports Program and will partner with the USA Swimming Foundation, a philanthropic branch of the national governing body for competitive swimming. USA Swimming Foundation’s “Make A Splash” initiative aims to give every child the opportunity to learn to swim, and has already taught swim lessons to 4 million children by working with more than 750 qualified lesson providers across the nation.  


Register to vote in the general election, November 8

Eligible Hennepin County voters have until Tuesday, October 18, to preregister for the 2016 general election. If you’ve recently moved or are a new voter, save time on Election Day. Register to vote or check your voter registration status at www.mnvotes.org.  

Voters may also register in person on Election Day, which is November 8, or vote absentee for any reason. 

For information about voting and elections in Hennepin County, visit www.hennepin.us/elections


Free gun locks available to Hennepin County residents

Gun lock

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, offers free gun locks to Hennepin County residents.

The lock is a cable-style device and it is intended to discourage unauthorized access to a firearm, particularly by young children.  Cable locks require that many types of firearms be unloaded before the cable lock is installed, providing an extra level of safety. 

The free gun locks are available at:

  • Hennepin County Sheriff’s Enforcement Services Headquarters at 9401 83rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park
  • Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Gun Permit Office at 350 S. 5th Street, Room 22, Minneapolis

Find out more information here about gun safety in your home.


Hennepin County profile

Todd Monson

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.

Todd Monson

Todd Monson is a resident of the CARAG neighborhood in south Minneapolis, and is the Department Administrator in the Human Services and Public Health department.

Click here to find out how Todd makes Hennepin County tick


Board meeting highlights

Funding approved for bicycle and pedestrian projects

  • Bikeway Program discretionary funding to support closing gaps between existing bicycle trails. (Since 2002, the county has participated in 32 bicycle gap projects at a total cost of $2.6 million.)
  • Bikeway Development Participation funding to build new bikeways. (Since 1998, the county has participated in 48 bikeway development projects at a total cost of $3.08 million.)
  • Sidewalk Participation Program funding for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. (Since 2012, the county has participated in 20 sidewalk participation projects at a total cost of $902,389.)

Read more about the Bikeway Program discretionary fund

Read more about the Sidewalk Participation Program

Read more about the Bikeway Development Participation Program


Environmental Response Fund projects approved for funding

On July 19, the county agreed to fund nine Environmental Response Fund projects that will total more than $1 million. The funding will increase the tax base, enhance green space, and create permanent jobs, public recreation space, and affordable and market-rate housing. Newly funded projects in Hennepin County District 3 include:

Minneapolis

  • City of Minneapolis assistance with asbestos and lead-based paint abatement at single and multi-family affordable rental homes in multiple locations.

St. Louis Park

  • Morrie’s Dealership cleanup of contaminated soil associated with replacement of vacant commercial buildings with a new automobile dealership.
  • Parkway 25 contaminated soil cleanup associated with development of new multi-family, market-rate housing units and ground-level commercial space. 

Countywide

  • Hennepin County Lead Hazard Reduction Program lead-based paint assessment and removal at affordable housing units throughout Hennepin County.


    County will be work-study employer for MCTC students

    The board approved a plan to work with Minneapolis Community and Technical College to employ students on a work-study basis at Hennepin County. Students will be made available by MCTC for performance of specific work assignments which will be determined based on the needs of Hennepin County departments. The partnership is a strategy to address current and future workforce needs. Students will receive pay through the work-study program and Hennepin County will be responsible for 25 percent of the students’ salary. 


    County to participate in contract disparity study

    The board approved a joint contract with the State of Minnesota to complete a contract compliance disparity study. The study will examine utilization and availability of minority- and women-owned firms among a consortium of Minnesota public agencies to assess current measures to address potential discrimination. The state and other agencies are sharing in the cost. The county will receive a draft study in September 2017.

    Read more about the contract disparity study.


    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. Call my office to confirm briefing time and location.

    August 25, Infant Team, budget, and property tax update


    Upcoming events

    Citizens Academy

    Get an insider’s view of Hennepin County government, and take advantage of behind the scenes tours at several county facilities. Learn more about how the state's largest county serves residents every day. Visit www.hennepin.us/citizensacademy to find session dates and topics, or to register. The fall session is full, however, inquiries are accepted year-round and people can add their name to a list to be notified the next time registration opens (spring 2017). 

    Congratulations to the 14 District 3 registrants for the Fall Hennepin County Citizens Academy.