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 News

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.

District 3 Team

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.

Legislative Priorities

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.

$530K Approved for Greenway Crossings

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.

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 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

County calendar

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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