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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
October 7, 2017
Guidance on safety-net programs will help people transition from correctional facilities to the community
The board approved an agreement that will help people being
released from Minnesota correctional facilities access basic safety-net
programs upon their release. As part of this program, people will receive
guidance on applying for benefits, such as food and cash assistance, to aid in
their transition back to the community. Hennepin County staff, on an
intergovernmental transfer, will assist the
Minnesota Department of Human Services in implementing this federally-funded
program.
Learn more about this action.
Grant funding will reduce drug supply, prevent drug abuse
The board accepted a $90,000 Office of National Drug Control
Policy grant to reduce drug trafficking and production in Hennepin County. In
addition to lessening the drug supply throughout the county, the Hennepin
County Sheriff's Office will coordinate its efforts with local, state and
federal law enforcement agencies. Grant funding also supports drug prevention
initiatives, including #NOverdose, a campaign that educates the community about
dangers and trends related to the opioid epidemic.
Learn more about this action.
Learn more about #NOverdose.
Funding will guide job-seekers into career pathways in public and private sectors
The board approved a $587,600 contract with HIRED to administer
six Career Pathways training programs. Funding will provide pathways to
employment with Hennepin County and other regional partners in the hospitality,
public sector, construction and public safety sectors. This program is part of
Hennepin County's broader plan to build a stronger workforce and address
persistent economic disparities. Since 2014, these programs have provided training,
work experience and professional support to guide job-seekers onto career
pathways, directly aligning workers' skills with employers' needs.
Learn more about this action.
Learn more about Hennepin County workforce initiatives.
September 26, 2017
Board approves maximum tax levies for 2018
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted to
approve a $796.9 million maximum property tax levy.
State law requires the board to adopt a maximum property tax
levy in September. The 2018 maximum property tax levy represents an increase of
4.95 percent from 2017.
Earlier this month, Hennepin County Administrator David Hough
presented a $2.4 billion proposed budget. The operating portion of this budget
totals $1.9 billion dollars, an increase of $180.9 million from the adjusted 2017
budget. The capital portion totals $433.3 million dollars, an increase of
$99 million or 29.6 percent over the adjusted 2017 amount.
Read the board action.
Next steps
The property tax levy that commissioners ultimately approve in
December may be lower than the approved maximum, but it cannot exceed the
maximum levy adopted. In November, property owners will
receive a notice that shows the impact of the county’s maximum levy on their
properties, as well as the impact of those taxes proposed by other local units
of government, such as cities and school districts.
Board approves maximum rail authority levy
Acting as
the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, the board approved the
authority's proposed maximum property tax levy of $36 million and a proposed
budget of $109.1 million for 2018.
The proposed budget supports advancement of the following
priority projects:
- Southwest Light Rail Transit
- Bottineau Light Rail Transit
- Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit
The budget also supports debt service, maintenance of the 55
miles of corridor, staff support for transitways and oversight of
infrastructure assets and operational needs.
The proposed maximum levy will be discussed at the county's
Truth-in-Taxation hearing, Tuesday, November 28, at 6 p.m. The board will adopt
the levy Tuesday, December 12.
Read more about the Railroad Authority's maximum levy.
Board approves maximum housing and
redevelopment levy
The board, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority,
approved an $8.5 million maximum 2018 property tax levy and an $11.2 million
proposed budget for the authority.
Along with operations and administration, the budget supports
affordable housing, including the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund, and
community and economic development, including the Transit Oriented Development
program.
The proposed maximum levy will be discussed at the county's
Truth-in-Taxation hearing, Tuesday, November 28, at 6 p.m. The board will adopt
the levy Tuesday, December 12.
Learn more about the proposed maximum levy.
Minnetonka added to Sheriff's Office dispatch system
The board approved an agreement to add the City of Minnetonka to
the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office public safety dispatch system beginning in
December. This action will allow the city and county to consolidate services.
Currently, Sheriff's Office telecommunicators provide dispatch services for 24
law enforcement agencies, 23 fire departments and four emergency medical
service providers. The facility handles over 600,000 calls each year, answering
approximately one emergency call every two minutes.
Read more about 911 dispatch in Hennepin County.
Read more about this action.
Board appoints members to Nine-Mile Creek Watershed District Board
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners appointed incumbent
Jodi Peterson of Bloomington and Erin Hunker of Edina to the Nine-Mile Creek
Watershed District Board. The five member board is responsible for the
developing and updating a water management plan.
Read more about this action.
Partnership will help men transition from incarceration to self-sufficiency
The board approved an action that will provide services to 80
men transitioning from the corrections system to the community and workforce.
Hennepin County will contract with Network for Better Futures to provide
employment, housing, health and life skills services. Participants will also
receive specific job skills training in a variety of sectors through a partnership
with the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Area.
Read more about this action.
Thrivent Financial building purchase will consolidate operations
The board voted to approve a purchase agreement for the
Thrivent Financial building adjacent to the Hennepin County Government Center
in downtown Minneapolis.
Hennepin County plans to purchase the 18-story,
525,000-square-foot building for $55 million. The county also plans to acquire
332 parking stalls and skyway connections through a $11.5 agreement with
Interstate Parking Company. The future parking lot will be built east of the
Thrivent Building.
These actions will allow the county to address long-term space
needs, consolidate operations and expand connections to other county buildings.
Thrivent Financial's decision to sell the building also aligns with its goal of
developing a new corporate center across 5th Avenue from its current location.
Hennepin County expects to close on the building purchase during
the first quarter of 2018. The county will then lease the building back to
Thrivent for two to three years while the company builds its new corporate
center. After this time, Hennepin County staff will begin moving into the
building.
Read more about these agreements.
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.
September 14, 2017
Bicycle Facilities
Staff provided an overview of existing and emerging challenges and opportunities related to the creation of on-street buffered and protected bikeways on Hennepin County Roads.
September 28, 2017
Energy Update
Staff provided an update on Hennepin County's progress towards achieving our current energy goals, discussed energy options at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) and Hennepin County Energy Center (HCEC), and finally sought board direction on future county energy goals and future capital projects.
Center of Innovation and Excellence
The purpose of this briefing was to provide Commissioners with an update on over 200 projects that have been completed county-wide and to give departmental partners an opportunity to voice their experiences with CIE and the value that it brings to county business.
Absentee voting for 2017 election
Vote early in person
In-person absentee voting began September 22 and will continue through
November 6 at city halls and school district offices across Hennepin County. Each
city location can accommodate voters who live in that particular city.
To check if there is an election in their area or to find
the appropriate polling place, voters can view a sample ballot from the Secretary of State’s
website.
Voters who live anywhere in Hennepin County can pick up an
absentee ballot application or a voter registration form at the Hennepin County
Government Center – 300 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis – skyway level. Hours are
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Learn more about absentee voting in person.
Vote early by mail
Voters must fill out a paper application to receive a ballot. Paper
applications are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese,
Russian, Chinese, Lao, Oromo, Khmer and Amharic.
Voters do not need to be registered to vote to apply to vote
absentee. To make the process easier, voters may want to register or ensure you are registered before applying for
an absentee ballot.
Ballots will be mailed to voters within one to two days of
receiving the application.
Completed ballots must be received on or before Election Day,
November 7. Voters can return ballots by mail or in person
Learn more about absentee voting by mail.
October 12, 2017
Hopkins Community Read
"A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota,"
edited by Sun Yung Shin, has been selected as the 2017 Hopkins Community Read.
The book contains 16 true stories with a call to listen and learn. Come to a
community conversation with contributing authors. Copies of the book or ebook
are available from Hennepin County Library on a first come, first served basis.
Thursday, October 12, 6:30 to 8p.m.
Eisenhower Community Center
1001 MN-7, Hopkins
Read
more about the Hopkins Community Read.
October 17, 2017
Public hearing on name change of Lake Calhoun
During a public hearing, the board will hear public testimony
regarding a petition to change the name of Lake Calhoun to "Bde Maka Ska," and a separate petition seeking to change the name to "Lake Maka Ska."
- Tuesday, October 17, 6 p.m.
- Hennepin County Government
Center Board Room, A-24
- 300 South Sixth Street,
Minneapolis
- Participants can park for free
after 5 p.m. in the Government Center ramp. Enter on 3rd Avenue.
In lieu of public testimony, the board also invites people to
submit written comments to board.clerk@hennepin.us before the end of the
public hearing.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in June approved a
resolution supporting renaming the lake. The petition also needs the approval
of county, state and federal officials.
County working on challenge to connect youth with housing and employment
On any given night in Minnesota, an estimated 6,000
unaccompanied youth experience homelessness. Hennepin County is in the midst of
a 100-day challenge to combat this issue.
Steady progress on challenge goals
The challenge goals are to assist 150 youth between the ages
of 16 - 24 to exit homelessness into safe and stable housing, and that 75
percent of this group will secure employment. As of September 18, challenge
champions and partners have helped connect 103 youth with housing and 39 youth
with employment opportunities.
Challenge hosts resource fair
More than 65 young people connected with employment, housing
and other resources at an event hosted by the challenge team September 13.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn about employment and job training
opportunities in a variety of sectors, from customer service to 911 dispatch.
The fair also included housing assessments and culturally specific mental,
emotional and physical health resources.
Get involved and learn more
The challenge team is recruiting people interested in the
cause, including those with connections to housing and employment.
Find out more by visiting www.hennepin.us/100-day-challenge
or following the challenge’s Twitter
and Instagram pages.
Engaging young learners
Hennepin
County Library is encouraging play to engage our youngest residents in learning
and early literacy activities. All 41 Hennepin County Libraries have spaces for children and families
to play and learn together.
Learn
more about Play and Learn areas at our libraries.
The board scheduled public hearings for adoption of the 2018
budget and levy, and set a schedule for the Budget and Capital Investment
Committee to consider the proposed 2018 budget.
The meetings will proceed as follows:
Health
Thursday, October 5, 1 - 4 p.m.
Human Services
Tuesday, October 24, 9 a.m. - noon
Public Works
Tuesday, October 31, 1 - 4 p.m.
Capital Budgeting Task Force and fees
Thursday, November 2, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Truth-in-Taxation public meeting
Tuesday, November 28, 6 p.m. Participants can park for free
after 5 p.m. in the Government Center ramp. Enter on 3rd Avenue.
Commissioner amendments
Thursday, November 30, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Commissioner amendments
Wednesday, December 6, 1 - 4 p.m.
County Board vote on 2017 budget and levy
Tuesday, December 12, 1:30 p.m.
Read the related board action.
Draft Solid Waste Management Master Plan
available for public comment
Hennepin County is encouraging people to complete a survey and give
their feedback on proposed strategies in its draft Solid Waste Management
Master Plan. This survey is intended for various stakeholders, including
residents and representatives from businesses, cities, haulers and community
groups.
The survey, plan and supporting materials are available at www.hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning through
October 9. It is anticipated that the county board will consider the plan for
approval in November.
Focusing on organics recycling
A primary focus of the plan is diverting organics from the
trash. Organics, which include food, food-soiled paper and compostable
products, is the biggest opportunity to reduce waste. Waste sort studies
continue to show that organics make up the largest proportion of trash: 25
percent.
The county is proposing four key strategies to increase organics
diversion:
- Require cities to provide
residents the opportunity to recycle organics by 2022, with a possible
exemption for cities with 10,000 residents or fewer.
- Require businesses that
generate large quantities of food waste to implement organics recycling by
2020.
- Support the expansion of
organics recycling in a cost-effective way by increasing local capacity to
process organics. Tactics include expanding the county's transfer station
in Brooklyn Park to accept more organics; working with private transfer
stations to accept organics; and developing additional processing capacity
through methods, such as anaerobic digestion, that can produce renewable
energy, compost, and fertilizer from organic materials.
- Expand efforts to prevent
wasted food by providing assistance to businesses and schools and
educating residents.
Developing the strategies
Earlier this year, the county gathered input on the plan from
1,500 participants through public engagement.
Overall, the county found that people are willing to do their
part to expand organics recycling if it is part of a broader effort to make
organics available more widely. Many residents consider organics recycling to
be important, with 62 percent of residents indicating they would be very likely
to participate in organics recycling programs.
Representatives from businesses and business associations found
that the approach to the requirements made sense. The requirements were also
palatable to representatives from cities and businesses if they were
implemented with county guidance and support.
About the master plan
State statute requires metropolitan counties to prepare master
plans every six years that identify strategies to meet the state’s goal of 75
percent of waste recycled and zero waste landfilled by 2030. The county
has made steady progress towards this goal and diverted 82 percent of waste
from landfills in 2016, a rate on par with national leaders.
 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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