I'm so excited to host the first Coffee with Kevin series of 2024! I hope you'll stop by and share what's on your mind.
Friday, March 1st @ 12pm
Daily Dose
15517 Grove Cir N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Friday, March 8th @ 9am
Caribou Coffee
3692 Pinto Dr, Medina, MN 55340
Friday, March 15th @ 9am
Mocha Monkey
4080 Tower St, St Bonifacius, MN 55375
Friday, March 29th @ 9am
Caribou Coffee
13635 Northdale Boulevard, Rogers, MN 55374
 National Association of Counties Legislative Conference
This month has been a busy one as I traveled to Washington DC for the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference. The purpose of the conference is for Commissioners from across the country to meet with each other to hear about various priorities and resources at the federal level, enhance the NACo platform, and learn about federal programs for which counties are eligible.
A few highlights from the conference were when I served as parliamentarian of the Health Policy Steering Committee meeting, took a tour of the Capitol building with our Minnesota Delegation, and spent a day with the County Technology Advisory Council at Microsoft's Virginia location.
Stressing the important role of counties in taking care of our communities, the conference heard from President Biden, Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, and U.S. Representative Mark Molinar during the general session.
Association of Minnesota Counties Legislative Conference
Following the NACo Conference, I attended the Association of Minnesota Counties Legislative Conference that coincides with the start of the Minnesota legislative session. My staff and I attended a number of information sessions and policy meetings, including General Government, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
As a member of the AMC Board of Directors, it was great to connect with the other members of the board as we made 2024 plans for the association.
Meetings with Minnesota House and Senate Members
Alongside attending the state and national legislative conferences, Hennepin County plans its own advocacy at the Minnesota Capitol. We advocate for legislation about safe and stable housing, healthcare access, data privacy, and more.
One of our top priorities in 2024 is advocating for a zero-waste and clean energy future, and our office has been clear that that future can't include adding more to landfills. We're also talking with state and city leaders and waste haulers about the new organic waste charges that residents are seeing on their garbage bills.
 West Hennepin Public Safety has a new police officer! Welcome to the force, Officer Elred. Officer Eldred completed his one-year probationary period and is now a fully-fledged police officer. We honor the service he has given and has yet to give.
Hennepin County has healthy tree canopy grants available beginning February 27 for tree plantings, ash tree removals, tree inventories, outreach and more. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, and affordable housing properties.
The grants aim to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and disease, educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees, and increase the diversity and resiliency of the tree canopy. Review the grant flyer (PDF).
Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26.
Virtual information meeting
The virtual information meeting is a chance to find out more about the grant program, hear about and share project ideas, understand the application process, and get questions answered.
The information meeting will be held virtually via Zoom from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5. Register for the meeting.
Contact us
For more information, feedback on your project ideas, or help with your application, contact Shane DeGroy at shane.degroy@hennepin.us.
Applications for spring Youth Activities Grants are available January 18 – April 1, 2024. Details and application materials are available on the Hennepin County Supplier Portal.
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Equipment Grants: awards up $10,000 for youth sports equipment.
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Art and Music Grants: awards up to $25,000 for youth art activities with additional funding available for music instruments.
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Play Spaces Grants: awards up to $100,000 with funding available for playgrounds and small-scale play space projects.
These grants are a part of the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants program supported by the Twins ballpark sales tax. For questions and technical assistance, please reach out to the Grants Coordinator at Youth.grants@hennepin.us or call 612-348-8263.
If you receive Medical Assistance (MA), it must be renewed annually. Here are some steps you can take to renew your health care assistance:
Make sure we have your current contact information.
Update your contact information and upload documents at InfoKeep, a safe, secure website.
Watch your mail.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services will mail time-sensitive information to the most recent address on file. Watch for an envelope with a blue circle marked “Important information enclosed.”
Learn when your renewal packet will arrive.
Renew your way and on time.
Complete your renewal and return it right away. There are many options to submit your renewal. Digital options, such as InfoKeep and MNbenefits, are available to connect with us, submit documents and update information.
MNsure-certified navigators are available to help you complete your renewal.
Contact us with questions about your renewal at 612-596-1300. Get the latest information at hennepin.us/health-care-assistance.
Recent stories featuring Hennepin County leaders and programs.
The 7th District serves the cities of
Champlin, Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Independence, Loretto, Maple Grove, Maple Plain, Medina, Minnetrista, Southern Mound, Rogers,
St. Bonifacius, Hanover, Northwest Plymouth, and Rockford.
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Contact us
Kevin Anderson
Commissioner, 7th District
Amy Van Schepen
Policy Director
612-543-1273
Clara Severson
District Director
612-596-9040
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