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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
April 10, 2018
Hennepin Youth Sports grants awarded
The board awarded $215,043 of Hennepin Youth Sports grants for
playground and small equipment projects across the county.
Hennepin County awarded $25,000 to each of these cities for
playground projects:
- New Hope – Sunnyside Park
- Loretto – Ponds Park
- Shorewood – Badger Park
Since it began in 2009, Hennepin Youth Sports has awarded $22
million for facility, small equipment and playground projects, along with water
safety lessons. Proceeds from the Twins ballpark sales tax support this
program.
Read more about Hennepin Youth Sports.
Member appointed to the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District Board
The board appointed incumbent David Raby to the position.
Read more about this action.
Juvenile probation offices to be centralized at Penn and Plymouth avenues
The board approved the initial design for an office space in
North Minneapolis that will combine and centralize three Department of
Community Corrections and Rehabilitation offices serving juveniles. This office
will occupy a portion of the future Thor Construction headquarters at Penn and
Plymouth avenues. The consolidation will locate offices near other social
services and public transportation and save on leasing costs.
Read more about this action.
April 24, 2018
Grants awarded to improve recycling in public spaces
The board awarded nearly $100,000 to improve recycling at parks,
along business districts and in sports facilities. Cities will use funding to
add more than 150 recycling containers throughout the county.
Hennepin County awarded grants to cities to purchase recycling
containers for the following locations:
- Bloomington Ice Garden
- Brooklyn Park – eight park
locations
- Maple Grove Community Center
- Minneapolis – Eat Street
(Nicollet Avenue) and Stadium Village business districts
- Richfield – Wood Lake
Nature Center
- Rogers – North Community
Park and Veterans’ Memorial Park
- Shorewood Community Center
These grant awards will help meet the county’s goal of recycling
75 percent of waste by 2030.
Read more about these funding awards.
Expanded program aims to reduce contracting disparities
The board approved an action to supplement and enhance a program
that promotes inclusion of minority- and women-owned businesses in contracts.
In 2016, the county participated in a joint disparity study led
by the state, along with eight other state and local entities. The study
documented that, despite the long-term use of a race- and gender-neutral
contracting program, substantial disparities continue to exist in contracting
dollars awarded to minority-owned and women-owned firms.
The county will take several measures to supplement and enhance
its Small Business Enterprise program, its primary method of including local
small firms in contracts. Tactics include:
- Supplement and enhance the
county’s Small Business Enterprise Program with narrowly-tailored race
and/or gender-conscious contracting opportunities
- Renew its participation in a
collaborative that provides business development services and resources to
local small businesses
- Streamline affirmative
action/equal employment opportunity contract compliance for
non-construction vendors
- Coordinate department-level
contract inclusion goals
Grant will continue Sheriff's Office terrorism prevention efforts
The board accepted a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety to build resiliency in communities that are at risk
for recruitment into extremist organizations. The Sheriff's Office will use
funding for engagement with the community, including workshops with local
partners.
Read more about this action.
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.
April 12, 2018
Public Safety Update
Staff provided Commissioners with an update on the public safety system-wide stressors, system drivers, caseload data, and then outlined current and future strategies. We heard from county staff, the Sheriff's office, the County Attorney's office, and the Chief Judge. System drivers include drug addiction, mental illness, increases in more serious felonies, and child protection referrals. The system is currently seeing an increase in felony jail bookings and court filings, and an increase in case volume and complexity.
April 19, 2018
Met Council - Transportation Policy Plan
Metropolitan Council Staff presented the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP) Update to the County Board. The TPP is a long-range transportation plan for the region that is required under state and federal law, and is prepared by the Met Council in coordination with layers of government. There is a public participation and review process. Information about the plan can be found on their webpage.
May 4, 2018
Plan a smart summer
It’s almost
time for summer learning at your local library. Find events and registration
after Friday, May 4, on the Hennepin County Library website, www.hclib.org.
May 9, 2018
Communities hosting Earth Day, Arbor Day events across the county
While the wintry weather may have changed some springtime plans,
many Earth Day and Arbor Day events are happening this May across the
county.
The county has created a map with up-to-date listings of more
than 50 community events. View the map at hennepin.us/earth-day.
District 6 event:
May 21, 2018
Southdale Library community meeting
When: Monday, May
21, 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: 7001 York
Avenue South, Edina
Join library
staff and architects to learn more about the project.
Read more about the meeting and plans
for the new library.
Minneapolis Farmers Market returns Tuesdays to the Government Center
The Minneapolis Farmers Market will return to the Hennepin
County Government Center South Plaza from May – October.
A variety of vendors will sell fresh produce, flowers and more,
Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Farmers Market was previously held on Thursdays at the
Government Center. The Thursday market will be located on Nicollet Mall this
year.
Other events beginning in June
People living, working and visiting downtown can also enjoy the
following activities June – August on the South Plaza:
- Yard games, meditation area and
more, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Piano performances, Thursdays,
noon – 1 p.m.
Events will also begin in June at Target Field Station,
including movie nights and trivia nights.
Go Outside with Hennepin County
The county and mpls downtown council host these activities as
part of Go Outside with Hennepin County, a free, family-friendly event
series.
View full event details at mplsdowntown.com/gooutside/.
People can share their experiences at Go Outside events on
social media using #GoOutside.
Request a speaker from Hennepin County
Use the
Hennepin County speakers bureau to request presentations on a variety of
topics, from libraries and road maintenance to restaurant inspections and
services for people with disabilities. There is no charge for this service.
Learn more or submit a request at
hennepin.us/speakersbureau.
Contact speakersbureau@hennepin.us
with questions.
The 2018 Construction Season has officially kicked
off. Below is a breakdown of upcoming projects in District 6.
Maintenance and operations
Roadway pavement program
Overlays
Edina
- Gleason Road (County Road 158) –
from Highway 62 East ramp to Gleason Court
Excelsior
- Oak Street (County Road 19) – from
Highway 7 to Water Street
Excelsior/Shorewood
- Mill Street (County Road 82) – from
Lilac Lane to 2nd Street
Minnetonka/Hopkins
- Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)
– from Church Lane/Frontage Road to 11th Avenue South
Orono
- Watertown Road/6th Avenue North
(County Road 6) – from Townline Road to Orchard Park Road
Wayzata
- Shoreline Drive (County Road 15) –
shoulders only from Hillside Drive East to railroad bridge
- Wayzata Boulevard East (County Road
101) – from Gleason Lake Boulevard (County Road 15)/Bushaway Road (County
Road 101) to Central Avenue (County Road 101)
Crack
sealing
Edina/Minneapolis
- Xerxes Avenue South (County Road
31) – from 66th Street West (County Road 53) to Highway 62
Minnetonka
- Shady Oak Road (County Road 61) –
from Red Circle Drive to Sanibel Drive
Wayzata/Plymouth
- Central Avenue (County Road 101) –
from the bridge over Highway12 to 12th Avenue North
Pavement
striping
Minnetonka
- Baker Road (County Road 60) – from
Minnetonka Boulevard (County Road 5) to Highway 212
Orono
- North Shore Drive (County Road 19)
-
from North Arm Drive (County Road 151) to Bayside Road (County Road
84)
- from North
Arm Drive (County Road 151) to North Shore Drive (County Road 51)
Traffic
LED conversions
Eden Prairie
- Eden Prairie Road (County Road 4)
-
at Valley View Road
-
at Edenwood Drive
- Townline Road/62nd Street West
(County Road 62) at Scenic Heights Drive/Chatham Way
-
at Woodland Road/Ginger Drive
-
at Glen Lake Boulevard
Minnetonka
- County Road 101
-
at Seven Hi Drive
-
at Hutchins Drive
-
at Ridgewood Road
-
at Lake Street Extension
- Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)
at Shady Oak Road (County Road 61)
- Minnetonka Boulevard (County Road
5)
-
at McGinty Road West (County Road 16)
-
at I-494 East ramp
-
at Baker Road (County Road 60)
-
at Plymouth Road (County Road 61)
-
at Shady Oak Road (County Road 61)
-
at County Road 101
-
at Williston Road
- Plymouth Road (County Road 61) at
Cedar Lake Road
- Shady Oak Road (County Road 61)
-
at Red Circle Drive
-
at Bren Road
-
at Dominic Drive/Smetana Road
-
at K-tel Drive
- Townline Road/62nd Street West
(County Road 62) at Dell Road (County Road 101)
Signal
painting
Edina
- 66th Street (County Road 53)
- at Drew
Avenue/Southdale entrance
-
at Southdale exit
Hopkins
- Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)
-
at 5th Avenue South
-
at Jackson Avenue
North/Milwaukee Street
-
at Highway 169 West ramp
Minnetonka
- Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)
-
at Baker Road (County Road 60)
-
at Shady Oak Road (County Road 61)
Flashing
yellow arrows
Minnetonka
- County Road 101
- at Lake Street
Extension
-
at Ridgewood Road
-
at Hutchins Drive
- Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)
at Shady Oak Road (County Road 61)
- Minnetonka Boulevard (County Road
5)
-
at County Road 101
-
at Williston Road
- Shady Oak Road (County Road 61)
- at Highway 62
North ramp
-
at Bren Road
-
at Dominic Drive/Smetana Road
-
at K-tel Drive
- Townline Road/62nd Street West
(County Road 62)
- at Dell
Road (County Road 101)
Signal
cabinet replacement
Minnetonka
- Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)
at Shady Oak Road (County Road 61)
- Minnetonka Boulevard (County Road
5) at County Road 101
- Townline Road/62nd Street West
(County Road 62) at Dell Road (County Road 101)
Wayzata
- Central Avenue (County Road 101) at Wayzata
Boulevard
Signal video
detection
Edina
- Gleason Road (County Road 158) at
Vernon Avenue South
- Vernon Avenue South (County Road
158) at Interlachen Boulevard
- York Avenue (County Road 31) at
Southdale exit
Hopkins
- Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3)
-
at Highway 169 West ramp
-
at Highway 169 East ramp
-
at Jackson Avenue North/Milwaukee Street
Spring Park
- Shoreline Drive (County Road 15)
-
at Interlachen Road (County Road 125)
-
at Sunset Drive (County Road 51)
Roadside
Guardrail
repairs
Long Lake
- Wayzata Boulevard (County Road 112)
at Wolf Pointe Trail
Mound
- Shoreline Drive (County Road 15)
- at Bartlett
Boulevard
-
at West Arm Road
Orono
- Brown Road South (County Road 146)
at Fox Ridge Road
- Northshore Drive (County Road 19)
at Tonkaview Lane
- Wayzata Boulevard (County Road 112)
-
at Old Crystal Bay Road
-
at Industrial Boulevard North
- Weaver Lake Road (County Road 112)
at Wayzata Boulevard West (County Road 112) and 6th Avenue North (County
Road 6)
Ongoing maintenance activities
Transportation Operations leads our ongoing maintenance
activities. They will continue with various as-needed work, including:
• patching potholes
• street sweeping
• mowing
• maintaining signs
• restriping roadways
• repairing drainage structures
• repairing guardrails
• removing diseased trees
Residents identifying needs for any of the above activities are
encouraged to call Transportation Dispatch at 612-596-0299.
Residents looking for the most current information about
major operations and maintenance activities should visit www.hennepin.us/roadmaintenance.
Construction progresses on Wayzata Boulevard
Heavy
snow in mid-April created challenges for crews and delayed some of the planned
construction activities. However, crews are making progress where they can.
Concrete work begins at
Lake Street
Yesterday, crews began curb, apron and sidewalk work along Lake
Street.
First,
we will remove existing concrete. Then, the surface will be graded to prepare
for the new concrete. Forms will be constructed to outline the new curbs,
apron and sidewalks. Finally, crews will pour the concrete and let it cure.
When
concrete pouring begins, curbs and gutters will be done first, followed by
driveway aprons, and then sidewalks. With new concrete, curing time
is needed to get it up to the strength needed to support traffic.
Weather
permitting, we anticipate work on Lake Street to take around a month to
complete
Preliminary construction
activities continue in phase 2 area
By
the end of this week, tree and shrub clearing inside the county right-of-way
will be completed on Wayzata Boulevard (County Road 112) between Wolf Pointe
Trail and Luce Line Trail underpass.
Next
week, we are continuing preliminary work on Wayzata Boulevard between Wolf
Pointe Trail and Wayzata Boulevard West in preparation for staging traffic
when reconstruction begins. Work will include:
- removing concrete medians along
the eastern end of Wayzata Boulevard
- removing road signs, lane
stripes and guardrails to realign the roadway for construction
- patching up the roadway along
the southern half
You
will see crews staging the area with signage, equipment and
barriers. Please use caution and slow down as you travel through the area.
Reconstruction begins week
of May 7
Starting
the week of May 7, reconstruction work will begin between Wolf Pointe Trail and
Wayzata Boulevard West.
For
the first few weeks, we will be removing pavement and improving the soil where
the road is expected to be temporarily widened to accommodate
traffic. Soil improvements work will include leveling out the soil to
create a solid and supportive road base during construction.
Like
last year, we will be reconstructing the road one half at a time in order to
allow people driving to get through during construction.
Getting around and staying
safe
Wayzata
Boulevard will remain open for local access. This means you will still be
able to travel to get to your home, place of work or favorite business in the
construction area, but be prepared for changes in pavement surfaces like gravel
and traffic configurations. In addition, at least one pedestrian access route
will be maintained at all times.
Speed limit enforcement
changes and construction signs along phase 2
Throughout
the phase 2 work area, a 35 mile per hour construction zone speed limit will be
enforced starting the end of this week. New speed limit signage will
be posted between Wolf Pointe Trail and Highway 12 ramps.
The
change is being made to ensure the safety of people at all times, and will
remain in place until reconstruction is completed.
It
is important to follow posted speed limits and construction signs in this area,
including during the evenings and weekends.
Traffic
changes, construction crews, equipment and work areas near the roadway can
demand extra attention from road users.
Construction hours in Long
Lake and Orono
With
reconstruction work begins in Long Lake and Orono, area residents and
businesses will notice different end times to construction due to noise
ordinances of each city.
In
Orono, the construction hours are:
Monday
- Friday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In
Long Lake, the construction hours are:
Monday
- Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There
will be times throughout the project where work will end later than
construction hours or will continue on overnight. Any construction work
scheduled for after-hours or overnight will go through the proper approval
process.
Black Road (County Road 20) in Hopkins closure
On
Monday, April 9, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES)
began utility work that required the closure of the intersection of
Blake Road (County Road 20) and Lake Street.
Closure timing
This
work in the intersection will take about six weeks to complete. After the
work is complete, the City of Hopkins will start work on the Blake Road
reconstruction project, which will keep the intersection closed for
several more months.
Detours and access
The
detour for all traffic will be Excelsior Boulevard (County Road 3) to Highway
169 to Highway 7. There will be local access to businesses and residences, but
a full intersection closure at Lake Street will prohibit any through
traffic.
On Tuesday, April 10, I
had the pleasure of giving the State of the County Address to staff, partners
and friends at Brookview Community Center in Golden Valley. At the last address
in 2016, I described a strong county blessed with gifted leadership, talented
staff and committed community partners. This description still remains true
today and those building blocks for success are still
in place. By working together, we have responded to challenges and celebrated
successes.
We
must continue to work together to overcome ongoing challenges. We need to seize opportunities to expand community engagement efforts with more
people in our communities.
Expectations
around public participation have evolved and we as an organization must
continue to grow in this area as well. As outlined in my speech, I will be
asking my colleagues to support a plan for strategic community engagement. I look forward to taking on this challenge with our staff,
leadership and partners.
The
2018 State of the County Address can be found at www.hennepin.us/stateofthecounty.
 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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