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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
County board actions
The board awarded a grant to prevent the spread of AIS, accepted a
grant to fight opioid abuse among people experiencing homelessness and more.
Funding will help prevent spread of AIS
The board awarded 11 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention grants totaling $198,175. Organizations will use funding for early detection of AIS, inspections at public lake accesses, outreach and education, research, watercraft cleaning facilities and more.
Grant recipients include:
- Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission - $20,000 to purchase and install a watercraft cleaning station at the French Regional Park along the north shore of Medicine Lake
- CD3 General Benefit Corporation - $15,000 to build upon a previously funded project that developed a waterless cleaning station at numerous boat launches last year in the county
- Christmas Lake Homeowners Association - $10,000 to assist with watercraft inspections every hour that Christmas Lake public access is open
- City of Eden Prairie - $9,000 to conduct research on Brittle Naiad, an invasive plant about which very little is known
- City of Long Lake - $33,675 to purchase and install a watercraft cleaning station at the public access on Long Lake
- Fortin Consulting Inc. - $18,500 to fund early AIS detection efforts throughout the county, including volunteer assistance and training
- Fortin Consulting Inc. - $18,000 to survey 12 water bodies lacking any boat access for the presence of AIS to evaluate possible unidentified pathways for AIS reaching these waters
- Lake Minnetonka Conservation District - $10,000 to expand public access inspection times at smaller accesses around Lake Minnetonka
- Three Rivers Park District - $20,000 to purchase and install a watercraft cleaning station at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
- Three Rivers Park District - $33,000 to expand inspections at public accesses throughout the county
- Wayzata Sailing Foundation - $11,000 to engage youth in discovery, monitoring and exploration of AIS in Lake Minnetonka
Read more about these grant awards.
Read more about how the county is preventing AIS.
The board accepted $85,200 in additional federal grant funds to provide treatment, prevention and awareness of opioid addiction within the Health Care for the Homeless program. This program provides a variety of health and wellness services at several clinics and shelters in Minneapolis. The Federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant will fund a social worker position to educate, assess and refer patients to substance abuse care and services. This effort aligns with the county's overall response to the opioid crisis.
Learn more about this grant funding.
Learn more about Health Care for the Homeless.
Learn more about Hennepin County's response to the opioid crisis.
The board approved an amendment to the state legislative platform that would add a $5 million bonding request for renovations of the Children's Theatre Company building. Since Hennepin County has an ownership interest in the building due to previous state bonding, it is the most appropriate entity to serve as fiscal agent for this bonding request.
The board authorized a news conference planned for April 2 at the Government Center to raise awareness about child abuse. Local social service partner CornerHouse will host the event in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month and its Blue Kids Campaign, which encourages the community to "stand for kids."
Learn more about this action.
Learn more about the Blue Kids
Campaign.
The board declared April 8 - 14 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, as requested by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. The county, along with community and state partners, strives to best serve victims of crimes by building trust and restoring hope. In 2017, Hennepin County prosecution crime victim advocates provided support and services to 35,049 individuals for cases moving through the criminal justice system.
Read
more about this action.
Read more about this observance.
The board appointed the following candidates:
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board
- Kurt Rogness - incumbent
- Sherry Davis White - incumbent
Human Resources Board
- Ned Rousmaniere
- Robert Powers - incumbent
- Janet Frisch
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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