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Greetings! We hope our newsletter serves as a resource for
staying connected to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county
news and services.
As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or to
learn more about how to get involved.
Happy Labor Day Weekend,
The board established a public hearing on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office implementation and use of a portable recording (body camera) system.
- Tuesday, September 12, 1:30 p.m.
- Hennepin County Government Center Board Room (A-2400)
- 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis
Read more about the public hearing.
 The board appointed Chet Cooper as assistant county administrator, effective September 3. This position oversees management of the county's Operations line of business and proposes direction to other county leaders.
Cooper, who most recently served as director of the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, has been with the county since 1985. He has many years of leadership experience with the Hennepin County Sherriff’s Office and the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Cooper succeeds Judy Regenscheid in this position, who will retire in December. Regenscheid is a long-term Hennepin County employee with roles in Human Services, Information Technology and County Administration. She served as the county’s chief information officer and is the current chief operating officer. She has held many leadership roles in and outside the organization and has mentored many staff throughout her career.
Read more about this appointment.
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 Ali DeCamillis, of St. Louis Park, with her children at a Zero Waste workshop.
Hennepin County is looking for households to participate in its Zero Waste Challenge beginning this fall, an opportunity to get hands-on help to make low-waste lifestyle changes.
The county seeks up to 50 households to participate in the eight-month-long challenge that takes an in-depth look at the goods they buy and waste they create to uncover opportunities and challenges to increase recycling and reduce waste.
The challenge will build on the success of the Zero Waste Challenge pilot that began in September 2016. The 35 households – 133 adults and children – who completed the first challenge decreased the amount of waste they produced by 20 percent.
The challenge will go from September 11, 2017, to April 30, 2018. The application deadline is Sunday, August 20, 2017.
Read Star Tribune coverage here.
Learn more and apply online at hennepin.us/zerowastechallenge.
 To my left, Financial Inclusion Fellow Tricia Wright, to my right is Step- Up Summer Staff Bryce Maples.
A big thank you to the amazing summer staff that joined my office this year. Their work on financial inclusion and healthcare payment reform will continue to guide the work in my office.
Tricia will return to the University of Minnesota to complete her MBA, and will continue to share her research and recommendations on expanding financial inclusion in Hennepin County. Bryce is headed into his senior year at South High School, and applying to college.
 The board poses with Minnesota Alliance With Youth Policy Coordinator, Bailey Boelter, and summer staffer, Bryce Maples, who brought the resolution forward.
The board recognized August 12 as International Youth Day in Hennepin County, an observance celebrating contributions of young people across the world. This event also acknowledges that communities must make every effort to promote and support programs that help young people and their families. The board recognized Hennepin County staff across all business lines who make the county a better place for youth.
Read more about this action.
Read more about International Youth Day.
August 8
Environmental Education Grants Awarded to 11 Organizations
The board approved 11 Green Partners environmental education grants for projects that empower residents to take actions to improve the environment. The grant agreements include:
- Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, Minneapolis, Edina, Hopkins, Eden Prairie - $20,000
- Freshwater Society, northern and western Hennepin County - $20,000
- Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota, Minneapolis and suburbs - $19,900
- Minneapolis Public Schools - $7,100
- Move Minneapolis - $7,800
- Spark Youth, Minneapolis - $18,000
- Twin Cities Public Television, Minneapolis - $8,000
Since 2012, the Green Partners program has awarded 122 grants totaling more than $1.1 million.
Learn more about the Green Partners environmental education program.
Read the board action.
August 22
The board accepted $3.4 million of renewed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funding to reduce lead paint hazards in homes. As a result of this round of grant funding, at least 350 households will receive lead paint testing and at least 300 households will get help to make their homes lead safe. Grant resources also include outreach and education; training on lead-safe work practices; and $400,000 to reduce other health hazards in homes, such as radon and mold. Hennepin County has received HUD lead-based paint grant funding since 2003, which has helped nearly 4,600 households keep their homes healthy and lead safe.
Learn more about this board action.
Learn about Hennepin County assistance for lead paint hazards.
 Casey Krolczyk
Whittier, Minneapolis
Principal Aide
Office of Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel
Read below to see how Casey makes Hennepin County tick.
Describe your work.
I manage a large policy portfolio, research issue areas, draft and publish office communications, pick out the best donuts and muffins for morning meetings, and I manage our constituent services.
What part of your job do you find most challenging?
The span of policy we cover is immense. One day we're touring the Medical Examiner's facility, the next we're meeting with Bloomington public works engineers, and later we're discussing how to expand curbside organics pick-up programs in Eden Prairie.
What do you find most enjoyable?
The people shaping our country are some of the smartest and most passionate people you'll ever meet. Working with them to create affordable housing, slow the opioid epidemic, build the next light rail, and prepare for the next disaster is exciting and inspiring.
What is one thing everyone should know about the work you do.
It's a unique privilege to see the exciting things that are happening in Hennepin County... you can get the inside view too! Sign up for Citizen's Academy, and you'll get to meet the people who are keeping things happening in Hennepin.
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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, August 14:
- 9:30am -11:30am: Center of Innovation and Excellence
Thursday, August 28:
- 9:30am -11:30am: Energy Update
Washburn Library to close for roofing project
Hennepin County Library – Washburn, 5244 Lyndale Ave. S.,
Minneapolis, will close Saturday, September 2 at 5 p.m. and is scheduled to
reopen in early November. The project includes roof replacement and lighting
upgrades. During the closure, holds with Washburn Library as the pickup
location will change to Augsburg Park Library automatically. To select a
different pickup location, patrons can Ask Us online, by phone at 612-543-KNOW
(5669) or in person at any Hennepin County library. Library materials may be
returned to any other Hennepin County library.
Shake, Rattle and Read at the Library
Selected Saturdays this fall, 3 to 4 p.m at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Join Mom and Dad’s favorite local musicians for stories and
songs. Each month will feature a different performer. Families can stay for
local music-inspired activities for kids and social time for their grown-ups.
- September 9: John Munson (Trip Shakespeare, Semisonic, the
Twilight Hours and the New Standards)
- October 14: Adam Levy (The Honeydogs)
- November 4: Chris Koza (Rogue Valley)
- December 9: Performer to be announced.
Learn
more about this family music and stories event.
Get Homework Help at the Library
Hennepin County Library has the cure for writer’s block,
long division and irregular verbs. Students in elementary through high school
can work with our tutors at 12 library locations for help starting the year out
strong, or with any assignment that ails you. On those days when you can’t make
it to the library, students also can chat online with a tutor, using their
library cards.
Learn
more about Homework Help at the libraries and on our website.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Nancy
Asan
Administrative Assistant
612-348-0863
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