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Marion Greene Commissioner, 3rd District 612-348-7883
Elie Farhat Principal Aide 612-348-7125
Nancy Asan Administrative Assistant 612-348-0863
The 3rd District serves
the city of St.
Louis Park, and parts of west and downtown Minneapolis.
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Dear Friends,
Our country is in turmoil. Our president, who did not win
with a majority, has used the ten days since his inauguration to undermine the
very core of what has made this country great. However, as I’ve watched
friends, neighbors and complete strangers come out of the woodwork to resist
the actions of the new administration and to stand arm in arm in support of one
another, this I know: Together we are powerful. Together we will continue
building a community and world in which everyone is cherished, everyone
thrives.
As you read below, particularly about the county board’s
organization in 2017, our legislative priorities, and your District 3 team, know that your county
government continues to welcome all those who need its services.
My best,
Board Organization
Commissioners sworn in; Callison reappointed
as chair, Higgins as vice chair
Four Hennepin County Commissioners took office and the
Hennepin County Board reappointed Jan Callison, District 6, to serve as
its chair for 2017.
Mike Opat, District 1; Jan Callison, District 6; and Jeff
Johnson, District 7, who were all re-elected this term, were sworn into office
before the board meeting. Debbie Goettel, former mayor of Richfield, also was
sworn in as District 5 commissioner. With the addition of Goettel, the
board will have a female majority for the first time.
Callison will lead the seven-member board. Callison, who has
served on the board since 2009, has been chair since 2015.
In addition, the board reappointed Commissioner Linda Higgins,
District 2, to serve as vice chair of the board. Higgins, who has served on the
board since 2012, has served as vice chair since 2015.
The board changed names of its committees to better reflect the
county's administrative structure and appointed chairs:
- Public
Works: Mike Opat, District 1
- Health:
Marion Greene, District 3
- Human
Services: Debbie Goettel, District 5
- Public
Safety: Jeff Johnson, District 7
- Operations:
Linda Higgins, District 2
- County
Administration: Peter McLaughlin, District 4
Other Hennepin County leadership
Acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority
(HCRRA), the board re-elected Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, District 4, as
chair and Commissioner Jan Callison, District 6, as vice chair of the HCRRA.
Acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment
Authority (HRA), the board re-elected Commissioner Linda Higgins,
District 2, as chair and elected Commissioners Debbie Goettel, District 5 and
Marion Greene, District 3, as vice chair and secretary of the HRA
respectively (January 10).
The county board normally meets at 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the
Hennepin County Government Center. Find a complete schedule, meeting minutes
and agendas at hennepin.us/boardmeetings.
I'm excited to welcome two new members to the District 3 office here at the County Board: Nancy Asan as my Administrative Aide, and Elie Farhat as my Principal Aide. Both bring diverse personal and professional experience to the team, and share a strong commitment to serving our community! The two will also be featured in upcoming Hennepin County Profiles.
County Board Legislative Priorities
Child Protection/ Foster Care
Promote child well-being and achieve positive outcomes for county-involved youth by investing in both the child protection system—for example child protection, county attorneys, the courts—and the foster care system.
Mental/ Chemical Health
Seek reforms to the state’s mental and chemical health systems in ways that
support accessible, community-based and preventative services. Reform the
funding systems for chemical and mental health to reduce the over reliance on
county property taxes. More clearly define the state’s role and the county’s
role in service delivery along the continuum.
MNsure/ METS System
Support funding necessary for the Minnesota Eligibility Technology System
(METS) to function properly and reliably, alleviate current burdens on county
workers and improve services provided to customers.
Safety-Net Health Services
Promote funding models that protect county tax payers from a disproportionate
financial burden of uncompensated care. Seek enhanced revenue opportunities to
support the state’s largest safety-net hospital and key provider of medical
education.
Transportation
Invest in a robust and multi-modal system to move people and goods equitably
and efficiently. Strengthen the long-term value of neighborhoods and
communities through strategic public investments in infrastructure. Enhance
Minnesota’s competitiveness as a global center of commerce and attractiveness
as a place to live, work and play.
For more information
about these or any other Hennepin County priorities, please reach out
to me or my office. We are happy to answer any questions.
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Humboldt Ave S at the Greenway, looking east towards the Uptown transit hub.
The Federal Highway Safety Improvement
Program (HSIP) recently approved a grant submitted by Hennepin County to
improve seven crossings on the Midtown Greenway.
The grant includes major improvements to
the crossing at Hiawatha Avenue, which is one of the most dangerous crossings
on the greenway. The Hiawatha improvements were identified in the Minnehaha-Hiawatha Community Works strategic
framework. The other crossing improvements are Midtown connections recommendations, and
include:
- James Avenue
- Irving Avenue
- Humboldt Avenue
- 5th Avenue
- 28th Street East
- Minnehaha Avenue
Proposed improvements range from installing
new durable high-visibility crosswalk markings and enhanced traffic signal
technology, to connecting sidewalk gaps and installing raised medians and curb
extensions. These improvements will be implemented over the next several years.
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 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.
Thursday, February 9: Education Advocacy
Thursday, February 23: Facility Services & Space Planning // Health and Human Services
2/11/2017
Crafty Minnesota: Embroidered Art Valentines
- For adults. Show a loved one how much you care with a
hand-embroidered card. Learn basic embroidery stitches to create a card they
will never forget. Collaborator: Textile Center. Funded by Minnesota's Arts and
Cultural Heritage Fund. Learn
more about this Crafty Minnesota event. February 11, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Hennepin County Library – Washburn, 5244 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis
2/25/2017
Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum: Education by Democracy
- Join us for this research-based lecture series founded by the Minnesota Humanities Commission. February's topic is Education by Democracy, presented by Evelyn Klein. Collaborator: Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum. Learn more about this Scholars Forum event. February 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Hennepin County Library Washburn, 5244 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis
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