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Thank you for staying connected to Hennepin County! We hope our newsletter can serve as a resource for staying updated on county work, news, and services.
As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or to learn more about how to get involved.
Sincerely,
Sworn in as Chair of the Hennepin County Board
On Jan. 3rd, Commissioner Fernando was sworn in for her second term as Hennepin County Commissioner representing District 2 and unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Hennepin County Board.
At the age of 37 and the daughter of Filipino immigrants, Commish is proud to be the first person of color to be Chair of the Hennepin County Board. For full remarks, visit hennepind2.com.
Advocating for the PRO-Act and Transit Equity
Commissioner Fernando has been at the state capitol numerous times since the start of the 2023 legislative session to advocate for the needs of the county.
On January 12th, Commissioner Fernando testified before committees in both the House and Senate on behalf of the PRO-Act to establish reproductive healthcare and abortion access as a fundamental human right. This bill has since been signed into law.
On February 1st and 2nd, Commissioner Fernando joined organizers for Transit Equity Day to testify before the House and Senate Transportation Committees about the importance of transit investment and equity-based decision-making.
2022 Governing Report
Did you see? Commissioner Fernando's Office released our 2022 Governing Report detailing the work we championed and supported over the last year. Check it out at hennepind2.com/report2022.
Ride with Metro Transit for $1 with the Transit Assistance Program
Metro Transit’s Transit Assistance Program helps make public transit more affordable for people with lower incomes. The program provides a yearlong reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card. Customers can use a bus or train for just $1 per ride – even during rush hour – with a two-and-a-half-hour transfer.
Signing up is easy
- Apply or renew online or at an in-person location.
- Show an identity document with your name and address and an accepted document (see details on the Metro Transit website) to show that you meet the income guidelines.
- Once approved, you’ll get the discount pass added to a new Go-To Card or your existing card – then just add value and go.
Watch a video about how to apply and find more information on the Metro Transit website.
Homes Wanted for Pets, Adoption Fees Waived
With an extremely high number of dogs and cats in its shelter, Minneapolis Animal Care & Control is asking for the public’s help in finding new homes or foster families for its adoptable animals. All adoption fees are waived, and animals will be completely vaccinated, sterilized, microchipped and ready to go.
The City’s animal welfare division is now at capacity, with 98 animals being housed – a 47% increase from this time last year. This number includes animals at the City’s shelter and those being cared for through Animal Care & Control’s foster program, which is also facing capacity issues. In just 11 days recently, 139 animals were brought to Animal Care & Control, which is a 57.5% increase from the same time in 2022.
Of the animals being housed, 36 were brought in as legal cases or protective custody (a 58% increase from 2022). Forty pets have been surrendered by their owners (a 67.5% increase from 2022), with many of those owners citing housing issues as the reason.
Animal Care & Control accepts every animal regardless of health, age, breed or behavior. Staff are committed to providing humane care and always strive to do what is right for each animal in our care. When animals cannot be adopted by the general public, staff calls on the help of partner rescue groups and sanctuaries to help.
Find information on adopting animals, volunteering and supporting Animal Care & Control on the City website
Using the Right Amount of Salt Saves Money and Protects Clean Water
Winter road and sidewalk de-icing salt is a major – and permanent – polluter of local freshwater lakes and streams. Seventy-eight percent of salt applied in the metro area ends up in groundwater or local lakes and rivers. Salt also causes infrastructure damage to things like vehicles and concrete and can hurt pet’s paws. Use the tips below or take the 30 minute Salt Mini Course here.
Salting tips:
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Shovel: Physical removal is always most effective and prevents snow from turning into ice.
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Select: Salt or sand? Salt doesn’t melt ice if the pavement is below 15 degrees, so use sand or grit for traction when it’s too cold or choose a different de-icer.
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Scatter: A 12-ounce coffee cup of salt is enough to cover 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway.
Sweep: Clean up leftover salt and reuse as needed.
TESTIFY Exhibit Returns to Minneapolis Central Library
Building on the success of the original exhibit in 2018, former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and NFL again presenting their exhibit of Americana from slavery to today – with renewed calls to action. Visit the skyway-level galley at Minneapolis Central Library from February 1 through March 29.
Join Hennepin County’s Plastic-Free Challenge
Plastics can be a hassle to us and our environment. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to help create a plastic-free world.
The online Plastic-Free Challenge has 70 actions you can choose from in seven categories. Once you sign up and create your profile, you can browse the categories and actions, check off the actions you already take, and select up to five one-time actions and five daily actions to make progress on during the four-week challenge. This challenge is an opportunity to see the impact of your actions add up and connect with others in your team that share the same goals.
Learn more, sign up by January 31, and get ready to go plastic-free at hennepinplasticfree.ecochallenge.org.
Become a Community Recycling Ambassador
If you are looking for ways to volunteer in your community, consider becoming a Community Recycling Ambassador (formerly known as Master Recycler/Composter)!
Community Recycling Ambassadors learn effective communication skills through a six-week course taught by industry experts and community leaders. This training program is free to participants.
The spring 2023 class will be held every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. from February 15 through March 22. This is a hybrid class with the option to join virtually via Zoom or in-person at the Northeast Recreation Center, 1530 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.
The application for the spring class will open on Monday, January 23 and close on Sunday, February 5.
Visit the website to learn more and apply.
Grants are Available to Multifamily Properties
Hennepin County is offering two types of grants to multifamily properties. Applications for both grant programs will be accepted on an ongoing basis until November 13, 2023, or until the annual program budget is exhausted.
Bin and compostable bag grants
Hennepin County offers grants for bins and compostable bags to start or improve recycling and/or organics recycling at multifamily properties. Applicants may select up to $3,000 worth of bins and compostable bags from the county's product list. Review the 2023 Multifamily bin and compostable bag grant guidelines (PDF) and the grant flyer (PDF) to learn more.
Recycling grants
Hennepin County offers grants for multifamily properties to improve recycling and reduce contamination, prevent waste or start organics recycling for composting. Areas of focus can include organics hauling service, construction of waste enclosures or chutes, bulky waste and waste prevention. Applicants may apply for up to $20,000 in funding. Review the 2023 Multifamily recycling grant guidelines (PDF) and the grant flyer (PDF) to learn more.
Learn more
Visit the apartment recycling web page to learn more and apply.
Community-led Wellbeing and Trauma Informed Project Funding Opportunity
Hennepin County Public Health and their nonprofit partner Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative are partnering to offer community health and mental well-being funding.
How much
They are awarding a maximum of $240,000 to facilitate up to six project; each project will receive up to $40,000. Funds will provide resources for programs, projects, ideas, and/or events.
Who can apply
Community, faith, school-based organizations and school districts, and other non-profit and for-profit organizations that prioritize Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) people in cultural, spiritual, faith-based and/or geographic communities within Hennepin County. This initiative prioritizes communities that are working to become trauma-informed, improve mental well-being, prevent youth violence, and address housing stability.
Learn more
Requests for proposal are due Thursday, February 16, 2023, by 2 p.m. For details, questions, or to submit a proposal visit the Hennepin County supplier portal.
Reduce Waste and Improve Recycling at Your School - Apply Now for a School Recycling Grant
Grants are available for K-12 schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials, including food and non-recyclable paper, out of the trash. Grant flyer with program overview (PDF). Grant funding can be used to fund staff time for project implementation as well as to purchase equipment and supplies including recycling and organics recycling containers, sorting stations, reusable food service ware, and bulk condiment dispensers.
In 2022, county staff evaluated the school recycling grant program. These changes include funding for staff time, updates to eligibility, and organics program changes. Details about grant program evaluation and changes.
Schools with at least 50% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch may apply for grants of up to $25,000 until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15. All schools within the county (regardless of free and reduced lunch percentage) may apply for grants of up to $15,000 beginning Monday, April 3. Visit the school recycling web page to learn more and apply.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is coming to Hennepin County. NHANES is a national survey that monitors the health and nutritional status of adults and children across the United States conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Residents will have an invitation-only opportunity to participate in NHANES. Addresses are randomly sampled within the county. By selecting participants this way NHANES data can more accurately represent the U.S. population.
Since 1960, NHANES data has helped address critical health concerns, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Public health officials, legislators, and physicians use this information to develop health policies, design health programs, and expand the nation’s health knowledge.
Beginning February 9, randomly selected households in the county will be sent one or more letters inviting them to be part of NHANES by completing a brief online questionnaire.
Learn more:
Grants Available for Sports Equipment and Playgrounds
Local government units can apply for youth sports equipment and playground grants now through March 17. This grant program aims to increase youth access to sports and recreational opportunities in Hennepin County. These grants are a part of the Hennepin County Youth Grants program supported by the Twins ballpark sales tax.
Grants up to $10,000 are available for equipment. Grants up to $50,000 are available for playgrounds. Program information and application instructions can be found here: https://www.mnsports.org/hennepin-county-youth-sports-grant/.
Contact us
Irene Fernando
Commissioner, 2nd District
612-348-7882
Akhilesh Menawat
Communications and Policy Aide
612-348-5335
Bill Emory
Constituent Services and Policy Aide
612-348-3526
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