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Greetings,
I hope you are enjoying my electronic newsletters, and find them interesting and informative about county activities. In addition to my monthly newsletter, the county sends various newsletters and notifications available by email or text message. To explore the many opportunities to subscribe or to change your preferences, visit the subscription webpage.
Please feel free to send me your comments through my feedback form on issues that concern you or you would like covered. I value your opinions.
Warm regards,
Jan Callison
August 8, 2017
Candidates appointed to Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District
The following candidates were appointed to the board:
- Dorothy Pederson of Shorewood
- Richard Ward of Eden Prairie
Read more about this action.
Read more about Hennepin County citizen advisory boards.
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. District 6 projects include:
- Climate Generation: A Will
Steger Legacy, Minneapolis, Edina, Hopkins, Eden Prairie - $20,000
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Freshwater Society, northern and
western Hennepin County - $20,000
-
Minnesota Interfaith Power and
Light, Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Osseo -
$20,000
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.
Grants will improve water quality of lakes Ardmore and Independence
The board awarded $79,500 of Natural Resources Opportunity
grants to protect water quality and enhance natural resources. Grants were
awarded to:
- City of Medina: $20,000 to
implement five stormwater best management projects that will reduce
sediment and phosphorous that reach Lake Ardmore
- Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed
Management Commission: $59,500 to stabilize eroding ravine in the
Baker Park Reserve draining into Lake Independence
To date, Natural Resources grant programs have provided more
$1.2 million in county cost-share grants to landowners and local governments
for 79 projects.
Read more about Hennepin County Natural Resources grants.
Read more about this action.
August 22, 2017
Funding will reduce lead paint hazards in at least 300 homes
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.
Member appointed to Human Resources Board
The board appointed Osman Ahmed to the Human Resources Board.
This board establishes rules for classified positions, makes investigations,
hears and decides appeals, and submits an annual report to the county board on
the county's Human Resources Department.
Learn more about this action.
Learn more about Hennepin County citizen advisory boards.
Funding reform will connect housing to more experiencing homelessness and disabilities
The board approved a funding reform that will streamline the
county's homeless response system for people with disabilities. The reform
secures $2.1 million a year for emergency shelter and tenancy supports for
people with disabilities. More important, the county will manage an
outcome-based allocation of funds, instead of receiving funds on a per-person,
per-night basis. This funding reform will remove barriers for people with
disabilities to access shelter and housing and free up county resources to
support people’s long-term stability.
Read more about this board action.
Read more about Hennepin County's efforts to combat
homelessness.
Hennepin County to reconstruct 46 pedestrian ramps along Penn Ave.
The board approved an agreement to improve pedestrian
accessibility by reconstructing pedestrian curb ramps along Penn Avenue in
Minneapolis between Hawthorne and 23rd avenues. Work is scheduled to begin this
fall to conform the ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Learn more about this project.
Learn more the county's plan to make sidewalks more
accessible.
In addition to our regularly scheduled board meetings, the board
often meets on Thursday mornings to receive board briefings. These are
informal opportunities to discuss emerging issues. No decisions are
made. Board briefings occur in the board room on the 24th floor of the
Hennepin County Government Center and are open to the public.
August 10, 2017
Super Bowl LII
The Minneapolis Police Department gave Commissioners an update on public safety goals, objectives, plans, and challenges involving the preparation for and execution of a successful Super Bowl event hosted in Minneapolis. Hennepin County staff then presented the county's planning efforts to ensure that Hennepin County maintains business continuity throughout the entirety of the Super Bowl events.
August 26, 2017
Edina Library reopens after renovation
Hennepin County Library—Edina opened August 26, after a four-month renovation. My grandson Max and I had a sneak peak a few days before the opening. Updates include a more open configuration, new carpeting and furniture. Visit to check out new spaces for quiet study and collaboration, as well as dedicated areas for kids and teens. Learn more about the Edina Library renovation.
September 12, 2017
Public hearing on county's report to HUD
The county will host a public hearing to gather comments on its report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development relating to housing and community development grants.
When: Tuesday, September 12, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Government Center Board Room (A-2400)
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis
Read more about the public hearing.
September 12, 2017
Public hearing on sheriff's office body cameras
The board established a public hearing on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office implementation and use of a portable recording (body camera) system.
When: Tuesday, September 12, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Government Center Board Room (A-2400)
300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis
Read more about the public hearing.
Tuesdays in September
Visit Ridgedale Library at the Farmer's Market
With the closure of Ridgedale Library earlier this summer,
youth services staff have taken their services on the road. You can visit with
them, check out and return books and see all the ways we work to create our
youngest readers. The pop-up library will continue to visit the Minnetonka
Farmer’s Market, at 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Tuesdays, 3 to 7 p.m.,
until September 26. Learn more
about this work we do to support our youngest readers.
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.
September pre-ordered compost bin events
Hennepin County sells compost bins to help you start composting in your backyard and recycle your food and yard waste.
There are two options for purchasing a compost bin:
- Pick up a pre-ordered bin for pickup at a distribution event
- Purchase at the Hennepin County Drop-off Facility in Brooklyn Park
The District 6 event is held in Edina:
When Saturday, September 30, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Valley View Middle School
6750 Valley View Road
Edina, MN 55439
More information can be found here.
New cleaning stations help prevent spread of AIS
 On August 21, at the Spring Park public boat access on Lake Minnetonka, Hennepin County unveiled
a new solar-powered, user-operated watercraft cleaning station
that gives boaters the tools needed to help prevent the spread of aquatic
invasive species (AIS).
This station is one in a pilot project of five created in
partnership with Wildlife Forever, CD3, Initiative Foundation, National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation and Three Rivers Park District. The other stations will be
located at North Arm on Lake Minnetonka, Bryant Lake and Riley Lake in Eden
Prairie and Pike Lake in Saint Louis County.
Tools and education for boaters
Although boaters are generally aware of AIS, they often lack the
tools and specific knowledge to prevent their spread.
Boaters can use the CD3 cleaning stations to learn the best
management practices of cleaning, draining, drying and disposing of bait (CD3).
The stations include compressed air, a wet/dry vacuum, marine lights and a
series of low-tech, cable-tethered tools.
The cleaning stations will provide boaters with 24/7 education
and tools at a cost similar to staffing an access with an inspector for limited
hours. The waterless and solar-powered stations are cost-effective to install
and maintain, meaning more local governments could soon begin taking advantage
of this resource.
A multifaceted approach to preventing
AIS
Hennepin County receives about $300,000 a year from the State of
Minnesota for AIS prevention efforts, including:
- Early detection efforts, such
as training volunteers to identify AIS found in nearby regions
- Analyzing other pathways of
spread through pet stores, garden centers and private accesses
- Building awareness and
providing hands-on education opportunities
- Enhancing existing inspections
and decontamination efforts
- Funding research and management
of AIS
Learn more about these efforts.
About the partners
Wildlife Forever’s Clean Drain Dry Initiative is a leading
invasive species prevention campaign. Using consistent best management
practices to guide marketing and outreach services, the initiative leverages
many unique tools for on-the-ground outreach and education.
CD3, a Minnesota-based company, developed the watercraft cleaning station. The company
strives to develop innovative technologies that empower people to reduce the
spread of AIS.
Additional project partners include the Initiative Foundation
with funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation and Three Rivers Park District.
Ayan Osman
A team of Hennepin County case management
assistants and community health workers won the Minnesota Department of
Health’s G. Scott Giebink Excellence in Immunization Award for their response
to the 2017 measles outbreak in Minnesota.
The 2017 measles outbreak sickened 79 Minnesotans
and was largely concentrated in the Somali-Minnesotan community, which has
lower vaccination rates than the general population due to misinformation about
the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The Hennepin County team, led by Community Health
Worker Ayan Osman and Office of Multicultural Services Program Manager Jillian
Kyles, used innovative outreach methods to facilitate immunizations within the
Twin Cities’ Somali community.
Over
three months, the team conducted approximately 150 visits to culturally appropriate
sites, including schools, businesses, and mosques. During these visits, they listened
to concerned residents, handed out flyers, and encouraged people to seek care
and MMR vaccines at their primary care provider.
“I learned that people want to know, they want to learn … about
why vaccines are important,” Osman says. “When we gave people the number of
Somalis who were affected … that really clicked.”
Through their efforts, the team helped increase the county’s
MMR vaccination rate. During the 13-week period (4/2/17 to 7/1/17) over 25,000
vaccines were given to Hennepin county residents, compared with about 8,000
during the preceding 13 weeks.
Below is the currently set budget hearing schedule for Hennepin County's 2018 budget. All hearings take place in the Hennepin County Board Room (A-2400) Government Center.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 1:30 p.m.
County Administrator presents proposed 2018 budget to County Board.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017, 1:30 p.m.
County Board adopts 2018 maximum tax levy and budget
Thursday, September 28, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Operations/Library
Thursday, October 5, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Health
Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Human Services
Tuesday, October 31, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Public Works
Thursday, November 2, 2017, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Capital Budgeting Task Force (CBTF)/Capital Presentation/Fees
Tuesday, November 21, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Public Safety
Tuesday, November 28, 2017, 6:00 p.m.
Board holds Truth-in-Taxation public meeting
Thursday, November 30, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Commissioner Amendments
Wednesday, December 6, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Commissioner Amendments
Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 1:30 p.m.
County Board approves 2018 budget and levy at regularly scheduled board
meeting
Traffic shifts
Crews will now be moving to the next stage of the Wayzata
Boulevard reconstruction project on the southern half between Willow Drive
and the creek crossing near Brown Road (County Road 146).
To
accommodate work, both directions of traffic will transition onto the northern half
of Wayzata Boulevard. The shared pedestrian and bicycle trails on the northern
side of the road will also be open.
Remaining construction activities
There are
some activities that must be completed before traffic changes can
begin. Weather permitting, by the end of this week, crews are
expected to finish:
- Pouring concrete curb and
pedestrian ramps
- Paving trails
- Placing sod along the
boulevards
Overnight preparations
Crews
will also be doing some overnight work to prepare the roadway prior to
the traffic change. Traffic control equipment will be repositioned and old
road lines removed. Then, new temporary lines will be striped to move
both directions of traffic to the northern half.
During
that time, traffic signals will go to flashing red lights at the
Willow Drive and Brown Road intersections, effectively turning the
intersections into a four-way stop.
It
is important to stay alert during this time and to follow posted speed
limits. Traffic changes, construction crews, equipment and work areas
near the roadway will demand extra attention from road users.
Expect more traffic shifts
Over
the next month, you will see additional traffic shifts along other
segments of the Wayzata Boulevard project
corridor as construction in those areas move onto the next
stage.
More
information will be provided prior to changes.
Upcoming construction activities
For
the next few weeks, crews will complete numerous roadway and utility
activities.
The
following is a brief overview for the next few weeks.
Willow Drive to creek
crossing
- Removing old pavement and
sidewalks
- Grading side street and
driveway entrances
- Installing sanitary, watermain
and storm sewers
Creek crossing to Mill
Street
- Grading and paving driveways
and parking lots
- Paving the roadway
- Pouring the remainder
of sidewalks
Mill Street to Wolf
Pointe Trail
- Grading at the east of
the temporary sheeting area
- Continuing private utility work
(CenturyLink)
Private utility work
In
addition to the county’s reconstruction efforts, private utility companies are
also active in the area. They are splicing, relocating and placing
new service lines along Wayzata Boulevard in Long Lake and
Orono.
As
a result, intermittent service interruptions can occur. When interruptions or
outages happen, we recommend those impacted contact their service
provider directly. This will allow the private utility companies to locate
and resolve the issue. Below are contact information of the private utility
companies working in the area.
Contact information:
- CenturyLink: 1-877-837-5738
- Xcel Energy:
1-800-895-4999/1999
- Mediacom: 1-855-633-4226
- CenterPoint Energy: project
hotline - 612-321-5369 / restoration department - 612-321-5042
Getting around
Access to businesses
As
activities continue near business areas, we remind people that access is
being maintained to all local businesses.
Staying safe
It is important to
follow posted speed limits and construction signs to help you navigate
through work zone, including evenings and weekends. Please allow yourself some
extra time to reach destinations in the area.
Contact
Hennepin.us/countyroad112
612-543-4275
countyroad112@hennepin.us
 The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Jan Callison
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Allyson Sellwood
Policy Aide
612-348-6885
Christine Hoyles
Administrative Assistant
612-348-3168
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