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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 last 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.
 Photo of Richnetta Parker. Text reads, " Welcome Richnetta! Focus Areas: housing, economic development, human services, and public safety & criminal justice. Contact info: richnetta.parker@hennepin.us. (612) 685-5489."
Richnetta Parker is an emerging servant leader and community advocate and organizer. She currently serves on Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan's Young Women’s Cabinet. Richnetta is also a 2022 - 2023 Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy Fellow through the African American Leadership Forum (AALF). Additionally, she has served as the Capacity Building and Development Assistant at the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement, as well as the Program Assistant for the International Justice and Women’s Human Rights Program at The Advocates for Human Rights. She is committed to taking a catalytic approach to leadership and utilizing an asset-based approach to community engagement.
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 As Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Co-Chair, I was at the capitol a lot this spring testifying on behalf of Hennepin County. With a record $17 billion surplus, we advocated for investment in infrastructure, light rail (including $50 million towards the METRO Blue Line Extension), alternative energy, public safety (centered around youth intervention) & more. Thanks for a productive session everyone!
 "$1 million was allocated to address the lifeguard shortage so more pools and beaches can stay open.
The funds will be used for:
water safety equipment
to provide lifeguards at 33 sites across the county over the next 3 years."
At a board meeting earlier this month, I said “If the pool doesn’t have enough lifeguards, they don’t open."
**Watch this KSTP-TV news story to learn more.
 Image of kids in a river with nets. Text reads, "Youth Outreach: HC Environment and Energy."
Hennepin County Environment and Energy has many programs for youth. Over 6,500 youth were directly reached by these programs in 2022. Programs include:
- grants tours
- field experiences
- internship programs, & more
 List of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) projects:
Equity Matters, NE Minneapolis Properties LLC, Minneapolis
The LOMA, VY Management LLC, Minneapolis
UNITY Building, Grass Roots LLC, Minneapolis
2843 Building (7-Sigma), Black Mountain Holdings LLC, Minneapolis
Opportunity Site Phase 1, Alatus LLC, Brooklyn Center
325 Blake Road Building A, Alatus LLC, Hopkins
$2.2 million was awarded to six development projects through the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) capital funding program.
**LEARN MORE about the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) program.
Emergency housing resources
Hennepin County Shelter Hotline is a new first-step service for residents who are facing a housing emergency. Trained specialists help residents explore all options before accessing emergency shelter, and will route people to shelter services, if necessary.
**Call the hotline at (612) 204-8200 if you are:
- 18 years or older
- Seeking emergency shelter
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Mississippi Gateway Regional Park - redevelopment
 Upper left: Commissioner Lunde talking at the groundbreaking. Upper right: drawing of the redevelopment. Bottom: Commissioner Lunde and other electeds with shovels.
I had a great time attending Three Rivers Park District's Mississippi Gateway Groundbreaking last week. This $55 million redevelopment project has been many years in the making. I first started working on this project as Mayor of Brooklyn Park back in 2014. It's incredibly satisfying seeing the hard work done by countless people finally reach the construction phase. I'm looking forward to this wonderful park being even more accessible to residents.
**LEARN MORE about the redevelopment.
 Image of Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley at a podium. Text reads, "Brooklyn Park social workers and paramedics are now responding to some 911 calls."
Did you know that Hennepin County is funding a 4th Responder Program? The pilot, which started in December 2022, is in partnership with the Brooklyn Park Police Department.
What is a "4th Responder?:"
Social workers and/or paramedics who are sent on some 911 calls, particularly those involving mental health crises, to help de-escalate the situation and provide the appropriate level and type of care.
**LEARN MORE: MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Leah Kaiser Hennepin County's Behavioral Health's Human Services Director and Brooklyn Park Chief of Police Mark Bruley about how the effort is going and how they may look to expand it in the future.
 Comment on the Blue Line Engagement Framework by June 30. Visit BlueLineExt.org for more details.
Your input is needed! Please review and comment on the Blue Line Extension Community Engagement Framework.
We are always looking for ways to most effectively engage communities on this project. The Community Engagement Framework builds on the existing engagement and communications work.
Contact us
Jeffrey Lunde
Commissioner, 1st District
612-414-3302
Anna Schmiel
Policy and Communications Aide
612-348-5202
Richnetta Parker
Policy Aide
(612) 685-5489
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