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Welcome to the April District 5 newsletter!
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Next week, I will be meeting with community members at Hennepin County Public Libraries in the Richfield and Bloomington. Bring your ideas and questions on county business and services. If we haven't met yet, I look forward to it!
We are always open to receiving your feedback and input on what's working, where we are succeeding, and where we need to make targeted changes and improvements in order to improve service delivery for Hennepin County residents.
RSVP on Facebook by clicking on the link:
• Augsburg Park Library, April 11, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
• Penn Lake Library, Wednesday, April 12, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Your feedback matters, so I hope you can join us for a coffee and conversation.
What's happening at the County and across the district:
Follow me on Twitter: @HennepinDebbie
Last month, Hennepin County approved a joint powers agreement with the City of Richfield to add an additional Police Embedded Social Worker. We thought this provided a good opportunity to receive a staff update on the PSEW program across the entirety of the Fifth District.
Some background…
In 2019, Hennepin County's Behavioral Health Department partnered with six suburbs to embed social workers within municipal police departments, where they receive referrals for individuals who are experiencing mental health, substance use or other issues (Bloomington, MN was one of these early partners).
Social workers offer support, assessments, and connections to community services for their referrals. The integration of social workers into emergency response reduces unnecessary law enforcement contacts and raises quality of life for individuals through ongoing stability in their community.
See District 5 data below:
*Note: ODMAP stands for Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program. It links first responders on scene to a mapping tool. Hennepin County can then track suspected overdoses geographically to inform a strategic response.
Edwina García is truly the matriarch of Richfield. She is one of those people that binds together the community like glue, making us more resilient to face the present, and better prepared to take on the future, in all its successes and challenges.
Edwina is a trailblazer. She moved to Richfield in 1971 with her family, relocating from New Mexico. After serving on the Richfield City Council and various local municipal councils and boards, she became the first woman of color to be elected to the MN Legislature, where she served from 1991-99. She took office at a time when the breaking of this glass ceiling was scarcely recognized by the establishment and her peers. This didn't faze her. She quickly went to work with little fanfare, doing the "people's business" for Richfield residents for four terms. She ended her career of service in 2020, after serving yet again on the Richfield City Council.
Edwina served in elected office during a time when Richfield was changing drastically, becoming the more welcoming, wonderfully diverse, and vibrant city we know today: the "urban hometown" that makes us so unique in the metro area. The character of our city would not be what it is today without her leadership, advocacy for local issues, political guidance, and selfless drive to mentor and grow new local leaders. I would not be here in my role serving the residents of Hennepin County if it was not for her friendship, mentorship, insight, and sense of humor.
Thank you, Edwina.
"If you're privileged to be elected, it's still not your seat. That seat always belongs to the people. And if you keep that in mind, if you serve at their pleasure, that's always going to keep you focused on who your boss really is."
I had an amazing time last week joining the Young Democrats of America, National Democratic County Officials, the National Federation of Democratic Women, and the High School Democrats of America for a virtual roundtable for Women's History Month to discuss environmental advocacy, how it relates to women's issues, and how we can organize to grow new women leaders from communities on the front lines first impacted by climate change. Thank you!
For Earth Day 2023, the Earth Day Network is calling on everyone to invest in a partnership for the planet by acting boldly, innovating broadly, and implementing equitably.
In recognition of Earth Day, Hennepin County is highlighting recent climate action successes and offering ideas on how we can all get involved as individuals and in our communities to be part of the solution to protect our local environment.
Advancing a zero-waste future
The county recently developed a Zero Waste Plan that will make it easier for residents to live a low-waste lifestyle.
Be part of the solution by learning repair skills at Fix-It Clinics, joining the Zero Waste Challenge, signing up for organics recycling, and incorporating used building materials and home furnishings.
Conserving energy and switching to renewable energy
The county has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from county buildings by 6% since 2019, has a goal of generating 10% of energy from onsite renewable energy, and follows sustainable building guidelines for new construction and remodels.
Be part of the solution by exploring energy efficiency actions you can take, learning about rebates and incentives available for solar and other renewable and energy efficient systems, and upgrading to finding options for energy efficient appliances.
Being a good steward of our natural resources
Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems, planting trees and native plants, and leveraging the ability of soil to store carbon are among the most effective ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since 2018, Hennepin County has worked with landowners and partners to permanently protect 296 acres of habitat and restore 201 acres of prairies, oak savannas, forests, and wetlands.
Be a part of the solution by providing habitat for pollinators, planting and caring for trees, learning how you can permanently protect your property if you own a larger piece of land.
Educating and connecting in your network
To advance an impactful climate change response, the county is engaging residents, listening to how climate change is impacting them, and collectively building support for solutions. This includes increasing funding Green Partners environmental education grants to support community-led environmental action, youth education, and youth green jobs projects.
Be part of the solution by attending an Earth Day event, talking about climate change with your family, friends and neighbors, and encouraging a community organization or school to apply for a Green Partners grant.
Learn more
Learn more about the county’s climate solutions and discover programs and resources available to help you take action at hennepin.us/earth-day.
Hennepin County Library is searching for Minnesota musicians to feature on MNspin, the library’s free music streaming service. The annual submission period is open now through April 17, 2023.
Submit a song
Minnesota musicians and bands of all genres are invited to visit the MNspin submission page and upload one song for consideration. A panel of local music experts and library staff will review all submissions and invite selected artists to make one album available through the online platform. Selected artists will be offered a license agreement and receive $200.
Hennepin County employees and children under 15 are ineligible to participate.
About MNspin
MNspin connects Minnesota artists with new audiences and offers listeners an ad-free exploration of our rich, diverse local music scene. Anyone can stream from the platform, and library cardholders can download songs for free. MNspin launched in 2017 and receives generous financial support from the Friends of the Hennepin County Library.
Organizations can apply for Hennepin County lifeguarding services grants through April 7.
This grant program aims to expand and improve lifeguard services in Hennepin County and provide creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions to the lifeguarding shortage.
Funding up to $165,000 is available for a 3-year period. These grants are a part of the Hennepin County Youth Grants program supported by the Twins ballpark sales tax.
To apply visit the Hennepin Youth Grants website.
Hennepin County is selling trees to property owners to restore and improve woodland areas and increase wildlife habitat.
About the trees available
Bareroot trees ranging in size from 18 to 24 inches will be sold in bundles of 25 unless otherwise noted. Due to their small size, the trees being sold are best used for restoration and conservation projects.
Why plant trees?
Trees can create shelterbelts, provide visual screens, and offer shade that increases home energy efficiency. Trees also protect water quality, prevent soil erosion, and improve wildlife habitat.
See what's available and place an order.
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The City's annual Park Clean-Up Day takes place April 15 and 16. The event is suitable for kids and adults, and it's a great outdoor activity for families, neighbors and service groups.
This year, volunteer groups will have even more flexibility to participate over two days. With the ability to conduct the park clean-up anytime during the weekend, groups will be able to determine the schedule that best suits their availability.
View the interactive map to locate an area that is accessible for cleaning and sign up by Thursday, April 13. Some larger parks can have more than one group work the area, and groups will be spaced out accordingly.
The City provides trash bags and cans, dumpsters and a variety of glove sizes for youth and adults.
Groups meet at their respective parks using the map to guide their cleanup and find trash drop-off locations, where City employees will pick up bags at the end of the event.
View Available Parks
Sign Up
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Informational open house
April 13, 2023, 5:00-6:00pm
Bloomington Civic Plaza, outside of the City Council Chambers
Background
In 2016, the Bloomington City Council implemented the use of Franchise Fees to preserve and expand its Pavement Management Program.
What is a Franchise Fee?
Minnesota State Statutes allow for the city to impose a fee on a utility company for its use of publicly owned right-of-way. These funds are collected from all commercial and industrial businesses, tax exempt properties and residents in Bloomington and are used to fund the street and trail systems.
What have Franchise Fees been used for since implementation in 2016?
City of Bloomington website for maps where improvements have been made.
Click on flyer to learn more.
Click on flyer to learn more.
Throughout 2022, visitors to the exhibit Human Toll: A Public History of 35W at Hennepin History Museum were asked to provide their perspective on the impact of freeways, how they have experienced or learned from this history, and what reparations might be appropriate to repair damages to individuals and community. Join in an online conversation with local historians and community advocates to reflect on these responses and continue the conversation about how a deeper understanding of this history can guide our future development.
Panelists include Dr. Yohuru Williams, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas; José Antonio Zayas Cabán, advocacy director of Our Streets Minneapolis; Dr. Ernest Lloyd, adjunct instructor at the University of Minnesota’s Heritage Studies and Public History (HSPH) program; and Dr. Greg Donofrio, director of HSPH. Drs. Lloyd and Donofrio, leaders of the Human Toll exhibit development team, will reflect on the success of the exhibit and the future of the Public History of 35W project.
Hennepin County Library has updated its strategic plan. By revisiting our mission and clarifying our priorities, we are working to ensure that library services remain a vital and valuable resource for every Hennepin County resident for years to come.
Read the full 2023-2027 Strategic Plan to learn more.
Check out events happening at a library near you. Filter for specific areas, age groups, and different types of event to find something unique and specific to you and your family!
Learn more at Hennepin County Library events.
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Whether it's a housing crisis, energy assistance question, or child protection concern, we are here to help you navigate these and other issues.
Please call our office at 612-348-7885 to seek assistance or ask a question.
Contact
Commissioner Debbie Goettel
Hennepin County District 5
Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield
612-348-7885
Michael Ohama
Policy Director
612-348-7885
Graham Faulkner
Communications Director
612-348-7885
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