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Greetings! We hope our newsletter serves as a resource for staying connected to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county news and services. Our newsletter comes out the first Monday of each month.
We are always looking for resident feedback on ways to improve Hennepin County's service offerings. If you have an idea, please don't hesitate to reach out. As an elected official, I answer to you.
What is redistricting?: the process of redrawing the boundaries of election districts to ensure that all citizens receive equal elected representation. This is done every 10 years at all levels of government following the census.
Board updates: last month, the Hennepin County Board approved $2 million for upgrades that will continue to safeguard in-person voting and absentee ballot voting, including:
- $1.1 million for electronic poll book upgrades
- $912,000 to replace central ballot scanners
**The Hennepin County Board will adopt a redistricting plan in April 2022.
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 Earlier this month, the board approved an additional $5 million in funding for violence prevention efforts, including: 1. Continue existing gun violence interruption programs 2. Coordinate with other county programming focused on violence prevention and reducing disparities 3. Identify partnership opportunities with cities on this issue 4. Evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts
HCHRA's Home Accessibility Ramps and Steps Program
 Last month, the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) Board approved Resolution 22-HCHRA-0009 accepting funds from Minnesota Housing for the HCHRA’s Home Accessibility Ramps and Steps Program. This includes:
$138,125 to assist in the construction of 17 modular ramps
Access modifications through Access, Aging, and Disabilities using state and federal funding
Spot a pothole you can swim in? Crews are actively patching potholes on county roads, but with more than 2,200 lane miles to monitor, they can’t catch them all.
If you see a pothole, let the county know:
dispatch@hennepin.us
612-596-0299
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 Join the Engagement Roster Program
Hennepin County is building a roster program for possible community engagement contract opportunities. The goal is to improve access to all organizations, allow for an easier contracting process, and less time negotiating legal terms and reduced insurance requirements.
Timeline:
- March and April 2022: Training sessions
- Starting April 2022: Departments can request services
**Get on the roster: Community Engagement Roster Program (hennepin.us)
**Questions? Contact engagementroster@hennepin.us or Julie Megli-Wotzka at 612-348-7930
Green Disposal Guide
Spring cleaning means it’s time to declutter. But what are you going to do with all that stuff?
Find information on the best way to recycle, reuse or dispose of items in your home through Hennepin County's Green Disposal Guide.
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Property Taxes
 Property Value Factors: Housing market, Renovations, Similar properties, Improvements, Bedrooms, Neighborhood, Bathrooms, Other factors.
This spring, taxpayers will receive property valuation notices in the mail and may see a noticeable increase in property value.
How is this determined?: the real estate market influences the assessed value of all types of property, and Hennepin County determines a value for each property by analyzing sales and market conditions. Improvements to the property also impact the value.
**Disagree with your assessment? Learn more about the appeal process.
 Two adults in front of a car and child in back of a car. Windows are open.
Vehicle Repair Assistance Program (VRP)
Have an unexpected car billing? Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County's Vehicle Repair Assistance Program (VRP) can help! It provides income-eligible clients (at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level Income) with financial assistance toward auto repairs.
 Commissioner Lunde visiting the Hennepin County Library - Osseo.
I had a great visit at the newly reopened Hennepin County Library - Osseo. It was so wonderful to see this vital community resource being used by residents again!
Hours are:
- Tuesdays from 9am - 5pm
- Wednesday from 9am - 5pm
- Thursday from 9am - 5pm
 Brooklyn Park residents, register your garage sale to be included in the official garage sale map and interactive app! You will also receive a lawn sign so shoppers know they’re in the right place.
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Amount: $1,000 - $10,000 loans with a 2% interest rate and maximum 5 year term
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Requirements:
- Be in business for at least 6 months
- 10 of fewer full-time employees
- Located in Brooklyn Park and owner must be a resident of the 7-County Metro area
- Eligible expenses: Capital improvements, Inventory, Employee-related expenses, Marketing assistance, Technology updates
**Questions? More info is available here. You can also email MBLoans@brooklynpark.org
Recommended Route Release - April 18th
 Share Your Thoughts And Ideas: www.BlueLineExt.org
**IMPORTANT UPDATE
The METRO Blue Line Extension Modification Report, which will list the recommended route, will be released Monday, April 18th on the project website.
 Sub-Committee Chairs. Gun Violence: Hennepin County District Court Judge Kappelhoff, Minneapolis Deputy Attorney Mary Ellen Heng. Car Jackings: Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Chief Deputy Martin. Violent Crimes - Pretrial Status: Hennepin County Commissioner Lunde.
At last month's CJCC meeting, we organized into sub-committees based on topics we will be prioritizing (see above).
Past Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Initiative accomplishments include:
- Launched Integrated Access Team (IAT) inside the Hennepin County Jail
- Trained Minneapolis Police Department in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
- Developed Forensic Intensive Assertive Community Treatment Team
- Launched Co-Responder Model
- Expanded withdrawal management
- Embedded social workers in various system touchpoints
- Launched Restorative Court
- Opened Mental Health Crisis & Triage Center at 1800 Chicago Behavioral Health Center
- Launched embedded social worker program in police departments
- Provided medically assisted treatment in two residential facilities
- Pilot 911 Mental Health Dispatch Program within the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center
 Community Investment Initiative: Using a place-based approach to accelerate economic recovery
The Community Investment Initiative (CII) is intended to accelerate economic recovery and address disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic funding that create/preserve affordable commercial spaces and cultural/community assets.
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Amount available: up to $10 million
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Eligibility: projects must benefit small businesses, nonprofits and communities negatively impacted by COVID-19 and meet federal criteria
**Apply by: Thursday, May 26 at 3pm on the Supplier Portal.
 Hennepin County's TOD Program supports redevelopment projects that create more efficient land use, including more walkable, mixed-use, human-centered communities around high-quality transit service.
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Amount available: up to $2.2 million
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Timeline: RFA opens on March 24, applications due April 21, awards anticipated in July
**Application process: submit via a link on the TOD program webpage
Green Partners Grants
Hennepin County's Green Partners grants fund and support to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and take environmentally friendly actions.
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Info sessions:
- Wednesday, April 6 11am - 12pm
- Tuesday, April 12 3 - 4pm
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Contact us
Jeffrey Lunde
Commissioner, 1st District
612-414-3302
Vicky Soukaseum
Policy Aide
612-414-4747
Anna Schmiel
Policy and Communications Aide
612-384-0759
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