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Dear neighbors,
Happy August District 6 residents - the beautiful Summer is flying by! I hope you are all enjoying time out in nature, biking the trails, and getting out on one of the many lakes in our district!
Like most of you, I’ve been enjoying watching Team USA compete and bring home the gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. I’d like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to our gymnastics team and our hometown hero Suni Lee for the amazing performance and gold medals won this week, and to all the other remarkable athletes competing in the games – especially to Edina resident Jordan Thompson on the Women’s Volleyball Team and Mound resident Sarah Bacon in Women’s Diving!
 Here at the County, the last couple of weeks have been busy as my office continues to learn more about the county and our large, vibrant district. I’ve continued to meet with District 6 Mayors and City Managers, Hennepin County Assistant County Administrators, other County officials, and constituents to tackle the most pressing issues facing our communities.
It is truly an honor to represent our community on the Hennepin County Board!
Here is what our District 6 office has been up to:
We met with with Spring Park Mayor Jeff Hoffman and City Administrator Mike Anderson where I affirmed my and the County’s commitment to working together in the coming weeks, months, and years!
Thank you to Minnetonka Beach Mayor Joe Pagano and City Manager Heidi Honey for meeting with me to talk about ways we can support your City and residents!
I loved touring Vail Communities and hearing about their partnership with the County! Vail Communities creates spaces that value humanity and people of all abilities by providing a loving community, friendship, support, and purpose! You can learn more about what they do here.
I also had the opportunity last week to tour the Excelsior library. I am grateful to have such a beautiful and essential library in our District. Summer is a great time to catch up on reading, so make sure you stop by the Excelsior Library if you haven’t been!
I had a great early-morning meeting last week with Mound Mayor Jason Holt and City Manager Jesse Dickson where we discussed ways we can continue to work together for the benefit of Mound!
And thank you to the NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center CEO Kimberly Spates and Clinical Services Director Dr. Rahshana Price-Isuk for giving me a tour this past week! I was very impressed by the services and care that went into creating this invaluable community center.
This week, the County Board Committee on Administration, Operations, and Budget voted to increase Commissioner salaries from $122,225 to $182,141. I voted against this unprecedented 49% increase along with my colleague Commissioner Kevin Anderson.
The proposal ties commissioner compensation to the salary range of our Assistant County Administrators (ACA’s). Our ACA’s are among the best in their field, with specialized expertise and demanding job requirements that warrant their own classification and compensation.
It is important to recognize and respect the unique qualifications and responsibilities that these positions entail. We believe that the role of Commissioner is separate from the responsibility of County administration. While we understand the intentions behind this proposal, we believe that such a significant increase does not reflect the experience of Hennepin County residents.
I plan to vote against the increase again when it is before the full Board on August 6th.
Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
One of my roles as County Commissioner is to sit on the Board of the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. The Star Tribune recently published a story about the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District and how they do surveillance for mosquitoes to determine the biggest problem areas and the most effective methods of treatment. One of these methods involves a staff member standing outside during peak mosquito feeding hours and using a net to capture any mosquitoes that swoop in for a meal.
Read the full article at the Star Tribune’s website
Got SNAP? Get more fresh food for less at participating farmers markets
Residents can triple their SNAP/EBT at farmers markets with Market Bucks!
How it works:
- Visit the information booth at the farmers market
- Swipe your EBT card for the amount you want to spend. Market Bucks will match your purchase dollar for dollar up to $10. You can get up to $10 in Market Bucks and $10 in Produce Market Bucks each visit.
- Spend your Market Bucks with eligible vendors at the market.
Find your local market by using this interactive map: 2024 Summer Market Bucks Locations - Google My Maps or call Minnesota Food HelpLine at 888-711-1151.
What is SNAP?
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. SNAP helps eligible households purchase foods at grocery stories, convenience stores and markets.
SNAP eligibility is based on household size and income. You can check to see if you likely are eligible for SNAP online by calling the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 888-711-1151 or at hungersolutions.org/snap-screener.
Apply for SNAP online MNBenefits.gov. Need a paper application? Call 888-711-1151.
Create Meals, Not Waste
Join Hennepin County in the Stop Food Waste Challenge and learn practical steps to prevent food waste and discover resources to enhance your meal preparation.
Take the challenge
Hennepin Health is improving outcomes for Muslim patients at Hennepin Healthcare
Hennepin Health is a health plan owned by Hennepin County that provides coverage to county residents who are eligible for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare. Each year Hennepin Health funds innovative initiatives that help reduce disparities and increase health equity. Check out this article published by Sahan Journal that highlights one of their reinvestment initiatives, “Culturally responsive model of psychiatric care for Somali, East African, and other Muslim patients,” that has seen impressive outcomes for patients and has been an important step in supporting Muslim communities in Hennepin County.
Muslim spiritual care offers comfort — and improves patient outcomes — at HCMC
Muslim spiritual care providers improve outcomes at HCMC (sahanjournal.com)
More about Hennepin Health reinvestment initiatives: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNHENNE/bulletins/392d125
HCSO Annual School Supply Donation Drive
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office’s annual school supply donation drive has begun. We’re collecting school supplies to distribute to high-needs families to help them start the school year off right. Look for these donation boxes to support students in our community! Donate school supplies now through Friday, August 2nd at the following locations.
- V3 Sports (701 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis)
- Minneapolis City Hall lobby near room 6 (350 South 5th Street, Minneapolis)
- Water Patrol Headquarters (4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN 55384)
- Enforcement Services Division (9401 83rd Avenue North, Brooklyn Park)
- Government Center near A Side weapons screening (300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis)
- Public Safety Facility (401 South 4th Avenue, Minneapolis)
You can also shop our Amazon wish list 'Back to School Jamboree 2024' at this link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/171ZDFLJY1O3D?ref_=wl_share
Still some time to Go Outside with Hennepin County
There is just over a month left to enjoy Go Outside with Hennepin County events at the Government Center and Target Field Station. Free activities include live music, giveaways, movies, fitness classes and more.
Learn more and see a full schedule of events on the Go Outside website.
Summer at Target Field Station
Outdoor movie nights: Select Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Bring along a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy free family-friendly movies on the big screen at Target Field Station.
Outdoor fitness classes: Select Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m.
Get active with free outdoor workout and yoga classes led by local fitness organizations.
Most Epic Family Day
This annual event has fun for all ages! Visit Target Field Station to enjoy games, crafts, giveaways and more.
August 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Stay Connected!
In any elected job, the best part is hearing from the people you represent. I encourage you to reach out to me with any questions or feedback you’d like to share at heather.edelson@hennepin.us or 612-248-6885. You can also follow me on my official Facebook page for updates.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
County Commissioner - District 6
Do you have a District 6 Community event you would like us to include in our newsletter? Please email daniel.dodge@hennepin.us.
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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Heather Edelson
Commissioner
6th District
Daniel Dodge
Sr. Policy Aide
612-348-3168
Cole Roepke
Jr. Policy Aide & Scheduler
612-248-6885
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