Our climate is changing, and we all need to be part of the solution
Climate change is solvable, we know the solutions, and we’re in this together. Even in Minnesota, we are noticing the effects of climate change, from warming winter temperatures to more extreme precipitation events. Thankfully, most people are interested in creating a climate-friendly future. To create that future, we need to be willing to take significant action on the most impactful changes.
The most impactful ways to take climate action are:
- Drive less and get around in a sustainable way
- Switch to renewable energy and conserve energy
- Avoid wasting food and eat a more plant-based diet
- Live a low-waste lifestyle and practice thoughtful consumption
- Be a good steward of our natural resources
- Talk about climate change and get involved in your community
Take action this Earth Day and be part of the solution to climate change.
Commissioner briefing on progress implementing the Climate Action Plan
On Thursday, April 14, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners received a briefing on the progress of implementing the Climate Action Plan. The briefing included:
Updates on the ongoing efforts currently implemented as part of our foundational strategies.
- Strengthen individual and community resilience by supporting the redevelopment of underutilized urban parcels into productive community gardens, developing a GIS hub to assess climate vulnerability, and working to site a new automated weather station in North Minneapolis to improve weather forecasting. The weather station will also study the urban heat island effect, engaging youth in climate action and meteorology.
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions in transportation by electrifying the county’s fleet and expanding charging stations.
- Prevent food waste and divert organics from the trash by conducting research to identify ways the county can better support organizations that rescue food, provide waste prevention grants, and expand residential organics recycling programs.
- Transition to renewable energy and reduce energy use overall by updating the plans for county buildings to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and continuing to reduce energy use by 3% annually, completing a building decarbonization study, and installing a solar array at the Adult Corrections Facility.
- Decreasing the heat island effect by enhancing the community forest, developing a road map to plant one million trees equitably, and developing a pilot program for a tree green job training opportunity for youth in probation to plant trees on tax-forfeited properties.
Building key partnerships across systems
Staff provided an update on the county’s participation in key statewide partnerships, including the Minnesota Climate Action Framework, Minnesota’s Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council, and the GreenStep Climate Program Advisory Committee. The county is also coordinating with municipalities, government agencies and community organizations at the county level. With the support of the Great Plains Institute, the county is coordinating a cohort of 21 cities to focus on tree canopy and electric vehicle infrastructure to leverage resources and center disparity reduction.
Upcoming future updates
Staff previewed future board briefings in 2022, including a goal and plan to reduce vehicle miles traveled, a Complete Streets policy update, and the Zero-Waste Plan.
Share opportunities for community engagement
The board also learned about efforts to expand engagement with residents, hire community liaisons, and develop a Climate and Resiliency community engagement strategy.
To learn more, review the PowerPoint and watch the recording of the briefing.
Board of Commissioners officially recognize Earth Day in Hennepin County
On April 19, 2022, Hennepin County's Board of Commissioners passed a resolution officially recognizing Earth Day in Hennepin County. The resolution recognizes the importance of climate action, green infrastructure, environmental education, community engagement, and partnerships in meeting our goals and fulfilling our mission. Read the full resolution here.
Hennepin County recently received a Department of Energy Communities LEAP award
Hennepin County recently received a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Communities LEAP technical assistance award. This project will support engagement with residents in areas of environmental justice concern to assess awareness, barriers, and community interest in transportation electrification.
As electric vehicles and electric charging infrastructure deployment efforts are coordinated across systems, the county wants to ensure that low-income communities with limited access to public transit are included. The engagement efforts will seek to understand how transportation electrification technology, including electric vehicle charging stations, can best serve these community members.
Current project partners include the cities of Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis, and African Career, Education, & Resources Inc. (ACER). Project results will inform efforts to facilitate a coordinated external transportation decarbonization strategy with municipalities across Hennepin County.
To learn more, visit the Department of Energy's LEAP communities website.
$5M to convert hotels into affordable housing
Hennepin County will convert two hotels into permanent affordable housing. The board allocated $5 million on Tuesday to acquire the properties and rehabilitate them.
It’s anticipated that the new housing will open in late 2022 or early 2023. The units will be affordable to households earning under 30% area median income.
This is part of the county’s larger $46 million affordable housing investment to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Hennepin County is focusing on housing in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
$3M for healthy, culturally appropriate food distribution
Hennepin County is designating an additional $3 million to organizations that distribute perishable, nonperishable, and culturally appropriate food.
Families and community partners continue to face hardships due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 and inflation.
In 2020 and 2021, Hennepin County directed $5.8 million to support food security.
Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.
ERF grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Priority is given to the following:
- Significantly contaminated sites
- Demonstrated project readiness
- Municipal and other public development projects
- Affordable housing projects where contamination issues preclude redevelopment
- Projects that promote economic development
- Infill brownfield properties or orphan sites that contribute to blight
- Other criteria include projects that incorporate sustainable features and activities in the project design, construction, and operation
Eligible applicants for ERF include municipalities, economic development agencies, housing and redevelopment authorities, other local public entities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.
Prior to applying for an ERF grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.
Application materials will be available through the Supplier Portal. Questions? Visit Hennepin.us/brownfields
About the Environmental Response Fund
The Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund provides funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites where the added environmental costs hinder site improvements or redevelopment.
To date, Hennepin County has awarded 425 ERF grants totaling more than $60 million.
Learn more about the Environmental Response Fund online
With the declaration of 'Ice Out' for Lake Minnetonka occurring last week, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office warns people to be careful on the water. Below are some specific tips from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol:
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Be extra vigilant in operating a boat. Many navigational buoys on Lake Minnetonka are not in place yet.
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Wear a life jacket. Currently, water temperatures are very cold on all bodies of water. If you were to fall in, hypothermia could set in quickly in these conditions.
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Let someone know where you are and where you plan to go. When boating or spending time near water, make sure a family member or friend knows your whereabouts and when you plan to return.
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Always supervise children. Parents and caregivers are urged to keep a close eye on children when they are in a boat or simply near the water.
In addition, Sophia’s Law requires that all recreational boats with an enclosed accommodation compartment, including sailboats with motors, must be equipped with a watercraft carbon monoxide detector.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol Unit, in partnership with Freshwater, has jointly declared 'Ice Out' for Lake Minnetonka for over a decade.
Last week, water patrol deputies, along with members of Freshwater, were able to safely pilot a patrol boat through all the lake’s channels and 37 bays without obstruction by ice. The tradition of declaring 'Ice Out' on Lake Minnetonka, which is just over 14,500 acres, is the official start to the boating season.
I am grateful for the opportunity to co-present a Hennepin County update to the Eden Prairie City Council with my colleague, Commissioner Debbie Goettel.
We are stronger when we have strong partnerships with our cities, from Hennepin’s small business relief, and climate action, to investments in local public works projects.
I want to thank Mayor Ron Case and the entire city council for their continued leadership and the invitation to present.
Access the city council meeting and our update here.
By David Griswold, KARE 11
It's officially boating season on one of the metro's most popular lakes.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office officially declared an ice-out on Lake Minnetonka at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 15.
The official declaration was accompanied by photos of a plaque commemorating the official 2022 ice-out.
Access the full story here.
This week, I attended the City of Minnetonka's State of the City breakfast. Community is about caring for each other. It was great to hear all the ways Mayor Wiersum, the Minnetonka Rotary Club, and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber are working to care for our community.
I'm thankful for all the ways they continue to lead and the ways we will continue to partner together.
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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Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168
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