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Hennepin Happening
Welcome to the District 5 August newsletter! Scroll down to read more about
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In an increasingly digital world, residents without reliable access to high-speed internet and low-cost technology are left behind. Hennepin County is creating a path to greater digital equity through the Office of Broadband and Digital Inclusion. On July 20, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners allocated up to $10M in federal funding to continue its support of the Connecting Hennepin initiative. Read the full news release.
 NaCo President Gary Gary Moore presenting Commissioner Goettel, and District 4 Commissioner Angela Conley with the "Best in Category" award in personnel management and employment training.
Last month was the National Association of Counties or NaCo annual conference in Prince Georges County Maryland near Washington DC. County leaders from around the country came together to share knowledge, experience, and build relationships. Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also spoke at the conference sharing the importance of voting rights, how the bipartisan infrastructure bill and other federal legislation will help the work that the county is doing, and the importance of broadband internet and what the federal government is doing to support the work of counties around the country. I look forward to bringing what I learned back to the work that Hennepin County is doing.
The National Association of Counties also presented Hennepin County with its “Best in Category” award in personnel management and employment training for the Racial Equity Impact Tool Champions Academy. This is an ambitious, four-week training and development program that prepares selected employees to serve their department as subject matter experts in the application of a racial equity impact tool. The county earned 16 additional awards for its efforts to serve residents during the pandemic.
The state of Minnesota has announced an end to the eviction moratorium. You will still be protected from eviction for past due rent if you have applied for COVID-19 rent assistance.
Renters in Hennepin County have two options to apply for rent help:
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Zero Balance Project: Your landlord starts and leads the application process on your behalf
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RentHelpMN: You or your landlord start the application process
Until October 12, 2021, landlords must give renters a 15-day notice before they file an eviction for not paying rent. Visit Renters Help (211unitedway.org) for legal information and resources for renters.
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June 30: You could be evicted for violating your lease, or if you qualify for COVID-19 rent assistance but refuse to apply.
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July 14: You could be evicted for violating your lease, but not for not paying rent
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August 13: Your lease could be terminated if you have not paid rent and are not eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance
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September 12: You could be evicted if you have not paid rent and are not eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance
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October 12: Your could be terminated or you could be evicted for not paying rent unless you are eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance and have a pending application
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June 1, 2022: All lease termination and eviction protections are lifted
Renters in Hennepin County can be protected from eviction for past due rent if they have applied for rent assistance through RentHelpMN or the Zero Balance Project and are waiting for a decision on their application.
We all play a role in protecting our land and water, and we need to hear from you. We are seeking input from the community as we update the Hennepin County Natural Resources Strategic Plan, which will define our natural resources goals and strategies for the next 10 years.
The updated plan will seek to better align with new county initiatives, shifting demographics, and changing landscapes. This is the first opportunity to incorporate the county’s climate and racial equity priorities into the foundation of the plan.
Take our survey to help shape priorities and let us know how you would like to be engaged in the update of the plan.
With many returning to in person work and school starting soon here is a reminder of Hennepin County's child care assistance programs.
Families can get help paying for child care so parents can work, look for a job or attend school.
While there is typically a waiting list for basic sliding fee child care assistance, families can apply immediately with no waiting list this summer. Families on MFIP or families that left MFIP in the last year can also apply.
Call child care assistance at 612-348-5937 to be sent an application, or apply online at mnbenefits.org.
More about child care assistance programs
 Representative Mike Howard, Commissioner Goettel, Council member Simon Trautmann, and Richfield Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez at the 77th Street underpass groundbreaking.
This month was the groundbreaking of the 77th street underpass. The underpass travels under I-494 in Richfield and will make the area easier to navigate. Metro Transit plans to use the underpass to provide increased public transit access to the area. The project is planned to be completed during the second half of 2023.
 Richfield Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez and Commissioner Goettel at the opening of the Augsburg Adventure Park in Richfield.
In July the inclusive Augsburg Adventure Park was opened in Richfield at 7000 Nicollet Ave. The park was in part funded through the Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant. To learn more about the park visit Augsburg Adventure Park (richfieldmn.gov).
Your library is here for summer learning, with great books, online events, and more ways to connect and have fun. To learn more about summer learning at the library visit Summer learning | Hennepin County (hclib.org).
"Winning the Vote" Walking Tours
Looking to learn more about Minnesota suffragists and enjoy the Summer weather? Join Hennepin History museum for a "Winning the Vote" walking tour in August.
Follow the footsteps of Minnesota suffragists as they organized, marched, and demonstrated for the right to vote. Join Augsburg history professor and HHM Board President Jacqueline deVries as she puts the local movement in context with national and international movements leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment. She’ll also reflect on what types of activism are effective during ongoing struggles for citizenship today. This 1.5-mile, 90-minute tour departs from the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Ave. Learn more about the tour here “Winning The Vote” Walking Tour – Hennepin History Museum.
August 26th 5:30-7:00pm. Register in advance here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winning-the-vote-walking-tour-tickets-161781100627
August 28th 1:00-2:30pm. Register in advance here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winning-the-vote-walking-tour-tickets-161781112663.
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Become a supporter
Skip the traffic jams and sign up for updates on the projects impacting your commute.
You can also visit the Hennepin County website for updates on road maintenance projects and all other road construction.
Housing crises, energy assistance, child protection, emergency situations; we are here to advocate for you when it comes to navigating local and county services, and we want to help. Please call our office at 612-348-7885 with any questions or for assistance.
Contact
Commissioner Debbie Goettel
Hennepin County District 5
Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield
612-348-7885 | debbie.goettel@hennepin.us
Madeline Niziolek
Constituent Outreach Specialist
612-596-7078 | madeline.niziolek@hennepin.us
Michael Ohama
Policy director
612-348-7885 | michael.ohama@hennepin.us
Casey Meinhardt
Principal aide
casey.meinhardt@hennepin.us
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