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Signs of spring are appearing. Green plants are poking through the leaves. Birds were making a racket as I walked to the garage this morning. Bicyclists and motorcycles are on the streets and roads. And it's sunny and warm today.
Be sure to check out all the great upcoming events this month, and think about subscribing to other interesting topics offered by Hennepin County.
Regards,
With the launch of the Small Business Home Rehabilitation Pilot
Program, I’m excited to report that the county’s use of several new and
innovative contracting methods has created accessible contracting opportunities
for more than 20 businesses.
Hennepin County, like all governmental agencies in the Twin
Cities metro area, has been historically challenged in creating accessible
contracting opportunities for small businesses which tend
to be primarily women-owned and minority-owned companies.
Among the practical barriers these companies face in doing
business with government agencies is the size of a typical government
construction project. They often exceed the capacity of a smaller
contractor. The Hennepin County Purchasing Department worked with women
and minority owned contracting experts to develop procedures scaled to smaller contractors.
These small businesses are currently rehabilitating nine
tax-forfeited homes in Minneapolis, Golden Valley and Crystal, which upon
completion this spring, will be sold at auction.
Hennepin County received some great media coverage on this program:
KSTP: Hennepin
County Program Renovates Vacant Homes, Revitalizes Businesses and Neighborhoods.
CCX Media: http://ccxmedia.org/news/newsitem.aspx?newsid=324&newsitemid=34759
StarTribune:http://www.startribune.com/hennepin-county-launches-new-pilot-program-using-small-businesses-to-renovate-tax-forfeited-homes/414763453/#1
 Effective May 1, 2017, Medica will no longer be a health plan option for Hennepin County residents with Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare (MNCare), which means Hennepin Health will likely see a significant increase in its Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP) and MNCare membership as of this date.
The state has created a special enrollment period from February 21 to April 14 for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare enrollees who will need a new health plan effective May 1. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is working with those affected by this change to ensure their transition to a new plan goes smoothly. If you have questions, please call the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 800-657-3739. You may also see Frequently Asked Questions at the Minnesota Department of Human Services page.
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Spring home buying season is
here. Hennepin County has resources for house hunters to enhance, inform and
supplement the home buying process.
This information is more
accurate, comprehensive and reliable than home buying aggregate websites, and
features unique historical information and records not found anywhere else.
Property information interactive map
Look up specific properties to find out exact property taxes, parcel size and
the previous sale price.
Home history research from Hennepin County libraries
Find out homebuilder, construction date and history of
owners. View historic maps, atlases, photos and news clippings about the
house or neighborhood.
Online homestead application
File online for homestead status to lower taxes and qualify for property tax
refunds, after purchasing the home.
Hennepin County bike map
See what bike trails and lanes exist near potential homes for safe commuting
and recreational biking.
Hennepin County parks map
Find nearby parks that offer preferred amenities. Links provided to Three
Rivers System and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
All 87 Minnesota counties use the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) Minnesota Poison Center.
Minnesotans call the Minnesota
Poison Center around 48,000 times a year. 91% of the time, the Poison Control
Center can advise treatment in the home. For every dollar spent on poison
control, there is $13 saved in health care costs.
See how the Minnesota
Poison Center helped a dad (photo above) after his daughter drank toxic liquid.
youtu.be/FsYXP9gp29M
Visit the
Minnesota Poison Center page at mnpoison.org
or post the number of 1-800-222-1222 on your refrigerator.
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Job-seekers can connect with actively recruiting companies at a
career fair Monday, April 3, sponsored by Hennepin County Work and Economic
Resource Center. The event is free and open to the public.
Event details
- Monday, April 3, 9 am to 2 pm
- Minneapolis Central Library,
second floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Job-seekers are encouraged to dress professionally and take copies of their resume.
This career fair is part of a series of events to pair employers
looking for workers with employees looking for job opportunities. All
participating businesses are aiming to fill multiple openings. For more
information about recruiters and job fairs, see hennepin.us/jobs/job-fairs-recruiters.
Recruiters from nearly 40 organizations will attend the career
fair, including:
- City of Minneapolis
- CobornsDelivers
- Comcast
- Delta Global Services
- DoubleTree by Hilton -
Minneapolis North
- First Student
- First Transit
- Hennepin County
- Hilton Minneapolis
- Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
- Mall of America
- Options Family and Behavior
Services
- Select Comfort
- Sojos pet food
- SUPERVALU Distribution Center
- Target (downtown)
- United States Postal Service
- YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities
This location is served by several bus routes. For more
information, visit metrotransit.org or call 612-373-3333.
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Hennepin County Library’s Teen Tech Squad is hiring teens to
research, design and lead interactive workshops for and with youth, and teach
STEAM skills through tinkering and making. STEAM includes science, technology,
engineering, art and mathematics.
Teen leaders work with adult mentors to create
innovative programming for school-aged participants in programs
held afternoons and on weekends. Teen Tech Squad employees work
approximately 25 hours per month on nights and weekends and earn
$15/hour. Teens ages 16 to 18 can apply online at hclib.org/about/jobs. The
library system will accept applications March 17 to April 7.
The program gets financial support from Friends of the
Hennepin County Library.
Teens lead workshops
at seven library locations
In its fourth year, Hennepin County Library’s Teen Tech
Squad program has employed 71 teens; currently, 30 teens work at Brookdale,
Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Franklin, Hosmer, North Regional and Best Buy Teen
Tech Center at Minneapolis Central Library downtown.
Are you
thinking about pet ownership? Adoption is easy. Adoption staff at the Golden
Valley Humane Society will work with you to find the right dog, cat or critter
for your home. Spend time getting to know prospective pets. Stop by 845 Meadow Ln., N. between 12-8 p.m.
If you
have questions or wish to visit with an animal, just ask for assistance. Once you’ve made a decision, they will sit down for
an informal consultation to ensure that you and the pet you’ve selected are a
good match. Staff will guide you through the process and review the animal’s medical and
behavioral records and explain policies. An online
welcome kit for adopters is provided.
Adoption of animals is available 7
days week. Plan to allow one to two hours to complete the adoption process. For information call 763-489-2201 or visit FindYourPet.
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Full board meeting agendas, actions
and background material may be found at hennepin.us/your-government/leadership/board-meeting-materials.
February 23
Funding
will expand community policing to Crystal
The board approved $120,000 of funding to extend a partnership
to the City of Crystal that builds ties between law enforcement and local
cultural communities.
Crystal will join six Hennepin County cities already belonging
to the Joint Community Police Partnership. Each partnering city employs a
community liaison, recruits and trains cadets and community service officers,
provides cultural awareness training for officers, hosts community meetings and
meets with diverse groups of community leaders to discuss community policing.
Federal
legislative platform approved
The board approved the 2017 federal legislative platform asking
Minnesota members of Congress to support the county’s safety-net health
services, health and human services, transportation, criminal justice and
housing and economic development requests.
Read
the summary of Hennepin County's federal legislative platform.
Candidates
appointed to citizen advisory boards
The board appointed the following residents to citizen advisory
boards.
County Extension Committee Board
Human Resources Board
Library Board
- Katherine Blauvelt
- Christopher Damsgard
- Timothy Dolan
Three Rivers Park District Board
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Board
- Gwen Janes
- Pete Parris
- Vonnie Phillips
- Khadija Zeig
- Jeffry Wosje
- James Dow
- Jessica Bachaus
- Oksana O'Neill
- Christy Kierstead
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board
Learn
about Hennepin County's citizen advisory boards.
County
to save thousands on affordable housing legal costs
The board approved county participation in MinnDocs, a system
that will save money and staff time by consolidating legal documents for
affordable housing projects.
By offering one set of loan documents to developers receiving
loans from multiple public funding sources, MinnDocs could reduce affordable
housing legal costs by approximately $10,000 per lender, per project. Hennepin
County will work with local housing finance agencies to develop this system.
Read
more about MinnDocs.
March 14
Public
hearing set for new transportation and transit sales tax
The board approved a public hearing to gather public comment on
the imposition of a new sales tax of up to one-half cent and the potential uses
of that revenue for transportation and transit projects.
This tax would replace the current sales tax of one-quarter cent
imposed by Hennepin County for the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB). Public
hearings were held March 21 and March 28 at the Hennepin County Board meetings.
UPDATE FROM MARCH 28 MEETING: This item did not progress
today and will be held in abeyance until the time comes to address it
again. There are five counties in CTIB, and the one county – Dakota –
that originally moved to exit from CTIB will not now cooperate in dissolving
the organization. (All five counties must vote affirmatively to disband CTIB.)
Therefore, Hennepin’s move to dissolve CTIB and the motion to enact the other
quarter-cent sales tax are not timely until other things get resolved.
Read
more about the action.
Learn
more about how Hennepin County is connecting people to places.
Agreement
will help secure funding to help residents experiencing long-term homelessness
The board approved an agreement that will better position
Hennepin County and six other metro counties to receive future grant funding to
combat long-term homelessness. The agreement will allow the counties to expand
coordination on housing issues, reduce administrative costs and submit regional
applications for grant funding.
Renewed funding will continue to help teen
parents and their children
The board accepted $66,667 of grant funding from the Minnesota
Department of Human Services for a program that helps teen parents attend
school, deliver healthy babies, delay subsequent pregnancies, develop
responsive parenting skills and achieve self-sufficiency. Funding will allow
the program to retain a social worker to connect eligible teen parents with
services.
Highway 55 intersection improvements moving
forward in Medina
The board approved a series of contracts and amendments relating
to reconstruction at the intersection of Pinto Drive (County Roads 115 and 116)
and Highway 55. Hennepin County is working with the City of Medina and the
Minnesota Department of Transportation to address safety, capacity and mobility
issues at the intersection.
Candidates appointed to citizen advisory
boards
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board
- Richard Miller
- Jessica Loftus
Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council Board
- Rosalin Chrest
- Kristin McGrath
- Marjorie Schaffer
- Rozeria Fuller
- Rachel Dwyer
- Christine Johnson
- Leonard Freeman
- Shelia Wiegman
- Shannon Williams
- Kelly Wysong
Library Board
- Erin Vrieze Daniels
- Margaret Ligon
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
Northeast
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Thursday, April 13, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Spring Bake and Easter Basket Sale. Homemade baked goods and Easter baskets
all in one place. Bywood East Health Care, 3427 Central Ave. NE Springbake_Easterbasketsale.
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Friday, April 14, 10
a.m.-12 p.m.
Tiny Tot Spring Party. Kids ages 1 to 6 years old can ring in spring with open
gym, face painting, art projects, treats and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Logan
Park, 680 13th Ave NE. Pre-register at
612-370-4927. Tiny Tot Spring Party
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Saturday, April 15, 12-2 p.m.
Bunny Party and Egg Hunt. For ages
7-12 with games, a bounce house, children’s egg hunt and more. Windom Park, 2251 Hayes Street NE. Bunny Party and Egg Hunt.
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Saturday, April 15,
9:30-11 a.m.
Audubon Park Egg Hunt. $6/child. Bunny Party for kids ages 6 and under.
Enjoy a hunt, craft and light breakfast. Pre-register to receive a treat bag at
612-370-4910. Audubon Park, 1320
29th Ave. NE Audubon
Park Egg Hunt.
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Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m.-1
p.m.
Mill
City Church Annual Northeast Easter Egg Hunt. Logan Park, Minneapolis. Kids
up to 12 are invited to take part in egg hunts, a bounce house and obstacle
course, crafts, games, face painting and more.
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Through April 15
File Your
Taxes for Free. Tax preparation and other financial
services. Tuesday and Thursday. Sign-in at 5:30
p.m., Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Eastside Neighborhood Services. 1700 2nd St. NE. Call 651-287-0187 or visit Free Tax Filing.
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Saturday,
April 22, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Great River Coalition 5k Bee Run/ Walk/River Cleanup.
Celebrate Earth Day 2017 with a walk or jog along the Mississippi. Cost $35.
Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley St. NE. greatrivercoalition.
North Loop
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Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
7th C’est Chic Boutique Anniversary. Drawings, gift cards, promotions and
complimentary treats and beverages. Boutique
Anniversary.
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Saturday, April 8 and 22, 10
a.m.-1 p.m.
Mill City Indoor Winter Farmers Market. Local produce, meat, cheeses,
artisan foods, and unique gifts. Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2nd St. Indoor Winter Market.
North
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Thursday, March 30, 4-7 p.m.
Poetry for People: Poet and artist Molly Van Avery will create customized
poems for willing participants. Van Avery will chat with you, ruminate on what
you said and create an original poem using her antique typewriter. North
Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis. Learn
more
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Friday, March 31, 6-8 p.m.
Hopewell
Music Cooperative, Fifth anniversary concert and open house. Includes
informal tours of the school, sample class lessons. 4350 Fremont Ave. N. www.hopewellmusic.com.
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Friday, April 7,
8:30-9:30 p.m.
Flashlight Egg Hunt. Bring your flashlight! No need to register but you
must be present by 8:30 p.m. to hunt. Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave. No. Flashlight Egg Hunt.
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Saturday, April 8, 1-4 p.m.
EggStravaganza Helicopter Egg Drop. Hop on over to the park
to view spectacular scenes of thousands eggs being dropped from a helicopter.
Bring your own egg basket to collect eggs. Includes music, face painting,
bounce houses, and food. Take a non-perishable food item or gently used clothing
for food and clothes drive. North Commons Park,1801 James Ave. N. EggStravaganzaEggDrop.
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Through April 13, 10
a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday
Winter Art Exhibit! Paintings,
collage, drawings and new mixed-media works by young contemporary artists. Juxtaposition
Arts, 2007 Emerson Ave. N. juxtaposition.org
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Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, 7
p.m. Sunday, April 23, 6 p.m.
Shrek the Musical.
North Community Theatre, North Community High
School. shrekthemusical.com.
Golden Valley
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April 5, 12-8 p.m.
Humane Society Pet Adoptions. Golden Valley Adoption Center/Humane Society. Give a new home to a pet. Plan to allow one to two hours to complete the adoption process. 845 Meadow Ln. N. PetAdoptions.com.
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Saturday, April 29, 7:45 a.m.
23rd Annual Run the Valley. T-shirts, water stops and post-race complimentary snacks will be provided. Runners’ times are posted at onlineraceresults.com. Davis Community Center at Meadowbrook School, 5430 Glenwood Ave. RuntheValley.com.
St. Anthony
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Tuesday,
March 28, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Preschool Drop-off: Doodlebugs - Spring Mornings. Drop
off the kids for a whirlwind of art activities and exploring
the natural wonders of the park. Reservations required by the previous Monday. Silverwood
Park, 2500 Co. Rd E., St. Anthony. preschooldoodlebugs.com.
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Saturday, April 8, 1-4 p.m.
Silverwood Park Egg Hunt. Activities grouped by age. $5/child pre-registered or
$6 at the door.Take an art-inspired egg hunt, photos with the bunny, collect
treats, and enjoy live music and art activities. Silverwood Park, 2500
County Rd E. Silverwood
Park Egg Hunt.
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Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m-1 p.m.
Earth Day
Activities. Citizens for Sustainability
and local organizations partner. Cleanup at Trillium Park and Salo Park. Bus
ride to the March for Science from Nativity Church (email ddoerrer@nativitychurch.org to reserve a seat).Trillium Park, 2800 Highway 88. EarthDayActivities.
Plymouth
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Tuesday, April 4, 7 to 8 p.m.
PlymouthREADS: This kickoff celebration will expand
on themes in the 2017 PlymouthREADS book selection, "The Life We
Bury" by Allen Eskens. Representatives of the Innocence Project of Minnesota
will discuss its mission and share stories of people who were wrongfully
convicted for crimes they did not commit. Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Avenue
North. Learn
more.
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Friday, April 7, 6-9 p.m., Saturday, April 8, 9a.m.-1 p.m.
Plymouth Home Expo. Get
ready for the growing season, visit exhibitors, attend presentations and shop
for unique gardening tools and furnishings at the Plymouth Home Expo. Plymouth
Fieldhouse,14800 34th Ave. N. PlymouthHomeExpo.com.
Multiple communities
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Friday, April 7-9, 10a.m.-6p.m.
American Craft Show. More than 225 top contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home décor artists from across the country will gather under one roof. It’s your chance to touch, feel, and explore high-quality American craft and meet the makers behind the fabulous work. The American Craft Council’s only Midwest show. St. Paul River Centreamericancraftshow.com
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Wednesday, April 12, 7 p.m.
2017 Talk of the Stacks. Writer series talk featuring Andrew McCarthy, Hollywood actor, director and travel writer will discuss his debut young adult novel, Just Fly Away. Pohlad Hall at Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Free. Doors open at 6 p.m. andrew-mccarthywriterstalk.
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Tuesday, April 18, 7-9 p.m.
Somalis in the Twin Cities: A Discussion of Immigration and Politics in Uncertain Times. Dialog exploring how the Twin Cities are seeking to create an immigrant friendly community as well as areas where improvement is needed. Reception to follow. Free event. Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S.,Target Performance Hall, Minneapolis. somalis-in-the-twin-cities.com.
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Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m
2017 Minneapolis Teen Job Fair. Teen Prep Rally on-site, Interactive Workshop: Top Tips for Teens. Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. MinneapolisTeenJobFair.com.
Linda Higgins
Commissioner, District 2
612-348-7882
www.hennepin.us/higgins
Tina Sanz
Principal Aide
612-348-5335
Beverly Hammond
Administrative Secretary
612-348-3526
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