 This week I had the pleasure of attending the 2023 Minnetonka State of the City event. I look forward to these events every year, as they offer a vital insights into how cities across District 6 are working to build stronger, more vibrant communities.
We heard from City of Minnetonka staff, entrepreneurs who are investing in Minnetonka, and great interview with Mayor Brad Wiersum. It’s clear Minnetonka continues to be a leader on affordable housing, innovative public safety partnerships (including Hennepin’s embedded social worker program), and supporting our small business community.
As always, I'm grateful to Mayor Wiersum in particular for his leadership, and dedication to the Minnetonka residents. Thanks to the City of Minnetonka for putting on a great event.
Each year, the NorthPoint Community Food Shelf dedicates the month of March to raise awareness about food access, to enhance our efforts to distribute healthy food and necessities, and to partner with local organizations to create a healthier community! NorthPoint is an integral part of Hennepin County's approach to serving residents through an integrated approach to health and human services.
Here are a few ways you can participate:
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Make a financial gift! Financial gifts are the most effective way to support the Food Shelf. Because the NorthPoint buys wholesale, they can stretch your dollar to buy perishable items like meat and dairy products.
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Make an Amazon gift using NorthPoint’s wish list.
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Volunteer as an individual or with a group! If you’re interested in volunteering, visit the Volunteer page to learn more.
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You can also host a nonperishable food drive at your workplace, worship center, neighborhood organization etc.! If you are interested in hosting a nonperishable food drive, please visit NorthPoint’s Donate page for more information and guidelines.
Last month, Hennepin County awarded 10 Environmental Response Fund grants totaling $2 million. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup.
Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County. Since funding began in 2001, 448 grants totaling $66.6 million have been awarded.
Important District 6 projects which have received these grants in the past include the 325 Blake Road project and the Vista 44 development in Hopkins, a child care center in Excelsior, among others.
The improved properties benefit us all by:
- Increasing the tax base
- Enhancing green space
- Keeping the community in place to enjoy the improvements
- Creating permanent jobs
- Creating affordable and moderately priced market-rate housing
Learn more about grants awarded, and read more about the Environmental Response Fund in the Star Tribune. Hennepin County Board committee approves $2 million to clean up contaminated sites
Apply for spring 2023 grants
Applications for the spring 2023 Environmental Response Fund grant round are due by 3 p.m. on Monday, May 1.
Prior to applying for a grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs. Application materials will be available through the Supplier Portal.
 A collaboration with columnist Myron Medcalf, the Mary Ann Key Book Club uses reading as a catalyst for conversation as we attempt to better understand past and current injustices – including systemic racism, other forms of discrimination, and bias that affects marginalized communities.
Hennepin County Library’s flagship book club has announced its latest title selection. Join the Library in reading “Solito: A memoir” by Javier Zamora. Learn more about upcoming events and download an always-available copy of the eBook or eAudiobook by visiting hclib.org/MaryAnnKey. Don’t have a free library card? You can get one online with just a few clicks.
Explore Women’s History at the Library
Hennepin County Library also offers Women’s History Month reading recommendations for all ages with in-building book displays at your local library and a series of featured lists.
By: Matt McKinney, Star Tribune
March 5, 2023
"There's too much trash, too little recycling and not enough composting going on. And Hennepin County wants to change that.
Unveiling a Zero Waste plan for public comment this month, the county wants to map out how it will meet ambitious goals to empty the trash can for good."
Access the full story at the here.
By: Cinnamon Janzer, Next City
March 8, 2023
"Hennepin County, where Minneapolis is located, offers property owners and developers up to $5,000 in funding to incentivize building projects that use deconstruction techniques to salvage materials from the destruction, alteration or renovation of a building. These building reuse grants, the county explains, are meant to “help offset the additional time and labor costs associated with deconstruction.”'
Access the full story here.
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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