We hope our newsletter serves as a resource for connecting to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county news and services. 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.

Best regards,

News

Library Board Members Commended For Their Service

With deep gratitude, the board commended three retiring members who have combined for 38 years of service on both the Hennepin County Library Board, and the Minneapolis Library Board.

Jane Shanard, April 2011 - February 2017
Kathleen Lamb, January 2008 - February 2017
Jill Joseph, January 2009 - February 2017

MN Department of Health Information on Immunization

Some people call them immunizations. Others call them vaccinations or shots. Whatever you know them as, immunizations are an important step in preventing diseases. Want to learn more about vaccinations? Check out the Minnesota Department of Health resource page.

Public Hearing on Financing Capital Improvements

The board is hosting a public hearing to gather feedback on the issuance of up to $200 million of financing for 2017 – 2021 capital improvements.

Tuesday, May 16, 1:30 p.m.
Hennepin County Government Center Board Room (A-2400)
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis

Board meeting highlights

April 10

$1.2 million will aid transit-oriented development along Blue Line Extension

The board accepted $1.2 million of federal and local funding to advance transit-oriented development along the future Metro Blue Line Extension (Bottineau Transitway).

Hennepin County will receive $1.1 million from the Federal Transit Administration, with Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Robbinsdale and Golden Valley contributing additional funding.

Using grant funding, Hennepin County Community Works will complete the following activities:

Help cities update land use policies and zoning ordinances
Improve bicycle and pedestrian connections and wayfinding
Analyze housing gaps
Engage with the community and small businesses
Explore financing strategies

The Metro Blue Line Extension will extend 13 miles from Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park and include 11 stations.

Learn more about the funding.

Learn more about Bottineau LRT Community Works.

Funding Will Continue Preparing Youth for College and Careers

The board approved $164,000 of funding to expand the reach of a college and career readiness program for local youth experiencing employment barriers. Throughout the next two years, 100 Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center youth will complete $15 an hour internships with public and private employer partners. This summer, Hennepin County will host 10 interns.

April 24

County Promotes Using Medicine Drop Boxes

The board declared Saturday, April 29, Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in Hennepin County. The board encourages residents to use the 11 medicine drop boxes located throughout the county. Properly disposing of medication prevents abuse and poisoning while protecting the environment. Since 2012, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and Environment and Energy have worked together to collect and destroy 45 tons of medication.

Learn more about medicine drop boxes in Hennepin County.

Learn more about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Spring and Summer Road Maintenance Projects

This spring and summer, Hennepin County Public Works will be doing a number of maintenance projects to keep District 3 roads in safe repair. The activity is highlighted yellow in maps linked here for Minneapolis and St. Louis Park.

Across the district, roads will be receiving cracksealing services, which involves routing and sealing cracks in the road. These projects typically last only a few days and do not require closures or detours:

Minneapolis

Xerxes Avenue (County Road 31) – from 60th Street West to 59th Street West

Excelsior Road (County Road 3) – from Lake Street (County Road 25) to Knox Avenue South

St. Louis Park

Excelsior Road (County Road 3) – from the bridge over Highway 100 to Monterey Avenue

In St. Louis Park, there will also be count down time conversions. Existing flashing pedestrian cross walk signals are being converted to the pedestrian cross walk signals that countdown the time remaining to cross safely:

Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)

at Quentin Avenue
at Grand
at Jackson

In addition to these larger planned projects, the county will be doing the following routine maintenance:

patching potholes
street sweeping
mowing
maintaining signs
restriping roadways
repairing drainage structures
repairing guardrails
removing diseased trees

Residents identifying needs for any of the above activities are encouraged to call Transportation Dispatch at 612-596-0299.

District 3 Profile

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.

Human Services Representative and Trainer, Amorette Robeck

Click here to see how Amorette makes Hennepin County tick.

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, May 4:

9:30am -11:30am: Crime Lab Update

Thursday, May 18:

9:30am -11:30am: Technology Update; Human Services Systems Modernization

County Calendar

5/1/2017

Walker Library Uptown Chess Club

Open to adult and teen chess players of all abilities, from complete beginners to the more advanced. Play for fun or friendly match play where you can even earn a Walker Library chess club rating! Teaching new players is offered and all chess equipment provided.
Walker Library, 2880 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about the Uptown Chess Club.

5/4/2017

Job Search Assistance

Get one-to-one assistance with your job search. If you need help filling out job applications, writing your résumé, or finding job leads this is your opportunity to speak with a job counselor and get some help with your job search, connections to community resources and training programs. No appointment necessary.
Walker Library, 2880 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 55408; 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Learn more about Job Search Assistance.

5/6/2017

25 years of Tibetan Americans in the Twin Cities

May 6, 2017, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Learn how Tibetans from India and Nepal first settled around the Twin Cities in the early 1990s. Experience a Tibetan cultural display and traditional dances by Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota's children's dance group performing "Tibet: Roof of the World."
Walker Library, 2880 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 55408; 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Learn more about this and other Celebrate Asia events.

5/16/2017

Book Club

Join our discussion of new and interesting titles. Bring along your recommendations for future meetings. Linden Hills Library, 2900 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis
May 16: Land of Dreams by Vidar Sundstol
June 20: Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Learn more about Linden Hills Library Book Club

5/18/2017

20-Minute Résumé Assistance

In your 20-minute appointment, a certified professional résumé writer will work with you to make your résumé the best it can be. The appointment will also include an overview of interview questions. Bring a printed copy of your résumé. To register, participants should 1 Complete online registration be sure to include a phone number and 2 Contact Walker Library staff to schedule your specific 20-minute time slot.
St. Louis Park Library, 3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park; 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Learn more and register here for 20-Minute Résumé Assistance

5/20/2017

Read With an Animal

Volunteers will help put young readers at ease so they can cuddle up with a certified therapy animal and practice reading aloud. Most libraries host dogs and you can call ahead to see if other animals will be visiting. Time slots are 15 minutes. Sign up when you arrive at the library. Collaborator: PAWS to READ is a program of North Star Therapy Animals NSTA. All handlers are trained in an additional children's reading program that focuses on utilizing registered therapy animals.

Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Learn more about Read With an Animal.

5/21/2017

Read With an Animal

St. Louis Park Library, 3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Learn more about Read With an Animal.

5/27/2017

Poetry Event

Join us for this research-based lecture series founded by the Minnesota Humanities Commission. A different topic is presented each month. The Ginny Hansen Poetry Event will feature the distinct voices of Morgan Grace Willow, River Maria Urke and John Thornton, moderated by Evelyn Klein. An open mike will follow. Collaborator: Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum.
Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Learn more about Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum: The Ginny Hansen Poetry Event

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