|
Our country and community have seen many changes in the last month from mask requirements in county facilities as well as the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
I want to thank everyone who has started to mask up again in our facilities and those who have recently gotten COVID-19 vaccinations. These are ways to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant and bring our cases back down.
The county has recently updated its policy to now require elected officials, employees, interns and contractors to have the COVID-19 vaccine or comply with weekly testing. This, along with masking in county-owned facilities, will help to ensure our staff is providing a healthy environment for all they interact with. If you or someone you know still needs to get their vaccine, please remind them to do so. The State of Minnesota and Hennepin County are still offering incentives, so make your appointment today.
As we have seen in recent days, the U.S. has ended its military campaign in Afghanistan, aside from ongoing evacuation efforts for our citizens and allies. I want to express my deepest appreciation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who were wounded in service. I want to thank all active-duty personnel, veterans, and military families who have responded to the mission over the last 20 years. Although the final outcome was different from what we hoped, your work and sacrifices made a lasting impact through the relationships you formed with one another and with those you met while serving. Please remember to take care of yourselves and visit our Veterans Services web page if you need resources during these difficult times. Lastly, our community and nation need to acknowledge the role of Afghan allies during this occupation and with that, I wanted to personally extend my gratitude and thanks to those who assisted, as well as their families for their support. My prayers are with all who were involved.
This month, our team had the opportunity to visit two sites that are a product of the partnership between the Hennepin County Government Resident and Real Estate Services Department and the Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation.
We met members of the work crew participating in the Community Productive Day Program and heard about their excitement for learning new skills and increasing their employability in high-demand, well paying building and construction trades. They learn on the job, through rehabilitating poorly maintained and sometimes unlivable tax forfeited properties in the county, increasing the homes’ safety, accessibility, and aesthetics before they are returned to the real estate market. Clients in the program also receive resume, interviewing, job search, and skills training.
Thank you to the work crew, construction managers, and county staff in RRES and DOCCR who hosted me on this tour.
Read more about the Community Productive Day Program here:
https://www.hennepin.us/residents/public-safety/productive-day-enterprises
|
On August 18th, we hosted our second Town Hall that focused on broadband within Hennepin County. Our panelists included Commissioner Anderson, Phil Essington from the newly created Office of Broadband & Digital Inclusion within the county and Karly Baraga-Werner who is the Senior Director of the Office of Government Affairs from Comcast. Thank you to everyone who watched, sent in feedback, and invited friends and neighbors to attend the Town Hall. We look forward to our next Town Hall and if you have any suggestions for topics you would like to know more about, please connect with Amy Van Schepen (amy.vanschepen@hennepin.us) to share.
Click here to view the recording of our Town Hall: https://fb.watch/7uePSVdbBr/
|
Apply now for the Zero Waste Challenge
Many people are interested in taking steps to prevent waste, declutter, and recycle more but aren’t sure where to start. Joining Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Challenge is a great way to learn more and get hands-on help.
A life-changing experience for past participants
Carolyn Wieland of Eden Prairie said the Zero Waste Challenge was “truly life changing for our family. It made us take an in-depth look at our consumption and waste habits and equipped us with tools and strategies to become better stewards of the environment.”
Join the next round of the challenge
Throughout the eight-month challenge, participating households receive personalized coaching and support, attend virtual educational workshops, receive bi-weekly waste reduction tips, get access to supplies and materials, and connect with other households striving to live lowerwaste lifestyles.
The challenge will run from mid-September 2021 through early May 2022. Interested households should complete the online application by Tuesday, August 31.
|
Three of our cities in District 7 received Business District Initiative and Corridor Planning grants for 2021. Rogers was awarded $20,000 of Business District Initiative funds to assist in a façade restoration. The City of Rogers is going to be using these funds to help with their Downtown Master Plan work that includes updating the Main Street Streetscape Plan (https://www.rogersmn.gov/planning/downtown).
Medina and Corcoran received funding through the Corridor Planning Program. The City of Medina has been awarded grant of $25,000. They intend to use these funds to conduct a study and market analysis for the Uptown Hamel area, a part of the city that is rich in local history. The City of Corcoran was awarded $40,000 to assist with development planning in the Northeast District Plan including infrastructure, street typology and alignment, and parks and trails developments.
We are excited for these cities and cannot wait to see the revitalization and growth that these projects will provide.
|
The 7th District serves the cities of
Champlin, Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Independence, Loretto, Maple Grove, Maple Plain, Medina, Minnetrista, Southern Mound, Rogers,
St. Bonifacius, Hanover, Northwest Plymouth, and Rockford.
|
Contact us
Kevin Anderson
Commissioner, 7th District
Amy Van Schepen
District Director
612-543-1273
Kristy Janigo
Policy Director
612-596-9040
|
