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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
County board actions
The board approved a name change of Lake Calhoun to Bde Maka Ska, accepted a plan focusing on partnerships with corrections clients and the community, adopted a plan to reach the state's goal of zero waste to landfills, continued a partnership that connects kids to water safety lessons and more.
Board votes to change name of Lake Calhoun to
Bde Maka
Ska
The board voted 4 - 3 to change the name of Lake Calhoun to Bde Maka Ska, a Dakota name, which means White Earth Lake.
This action follows a public engagement process and unanimous vote by the Minneapolis Park Board in May to rename the landmark. In order to become official, the name change needs approval from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and then the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Registered voters in Hennepin County brought forth to the county board three different petitions to rename the lake to Bde Maka Ska, Lake Maka Ska and Lake Wellstone.
The board received extensive public comment on this topic and hosted a public hearing Tuesday, October 17, to discuss and receive testimony on the petitions.
The board approved the Department
of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation's two-year comprehensive plan,
which outlines the department’s core services, as well as the way those
services are delivered, balancing accountability and treatment. The department’s
upcoming work will rely on evidence-based practices and partnerships with the
community and elevate a focus on racial disparity. These strategies align with
Hennepin County's focus on reducing disparities among all residents.
Learn more about this action.
The board adopted the Hennepin
County Solid Waste Management Master Plan for 2018 - 2023. State statute
requires metro counties to prepare master plans every six years that identify
strategies to meet the state’s goal of zero waste landfilled by 2030. The
county has made steady progress toward these goals and diverted 82 percent of
waste from landfills in 2016, a rate on par with national leaders. A primary
focus of the plan is diverting organics from the trash by proposing
requirements for cities and certain businesses, increasing local capacity to
manage organics and working to prevent food waste.
Read more about this action.
Read
more about solid waste planning in Hennepin County.
The board voted
to continue a partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation to connect
underserved youth with water safety lessons. During its first grant cycle in
April, the partnership awarded $35,000 to eight swimming lesson providers.
These organizations will serve about 1,000 youth through the end of 2017.
Tuesday's action will fund an additional $35,000 grant cycle in 2018. Hennepin County's Youth Sports Program, funded with proceeds from the Twins ballpark
sales tax, provides financial support for this project.
Read more about this
action.
Learn
more about this partnership.
Learn
more about the Youth Sports Program.
The
board approved the initial design for major renovations to the Hennepin County
Library - Oxboro. Improvements will include more open areas and a modern floor plan offering a variety of reading and meeting spaces. The library will undergo improvements beginning summer 2018 and reopen in winter 2019.
Read more about this action.
Read more about the renovation project.
The board accepted a
$428,456 U.S. Department of Justice grant to improve workflow at the Hennepin
County Sheriff's Office Crime Lab. Funding will allow forensic scientists to
begin a new method of pre-screening multiple types of evidence at the same time,
including DNA, fingerprints and firearms.
Read more about this
action.
The board approved
an action that will advance a program working to revitalize neighborhoods and
support small businesses. While Hennepin County traditionally sells
tax-forfeited properties through public auctions, the board authorized the
county to sell these properties through a real estate broker or other
means. Hennepin County is currently working with local small businesses to
renovate nine tax-forfeited homes. This action will allow the county to return
the properties to the tax roll by selling them directly to homeowners.
Learn more about this action.
The board also took the following actions:
The board is recruiting volunteers for 24 citizen advisory board positions through its annual open appointment process. The county will accept applications through December 29.
Interested citizens can apply online.
Current and archival board meetings, agendas and minutes are available online. View at www.hennepin.us/boardmeetings.
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Look for more news on
the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at www.hennepin.us/stories.
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