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Dear neighbors,
Happy December! We made it to the end of the year! My team and I couldn’t be more grateful to have spent this past year with you in close partnership. It is your voice, your perspectives and your ideas that allow us to have what we need to advocate on your behalf in the County’s administration of vital services. On Thursday, December 12th, we passed a budget totaling $3.1 billion. We heard your complaints about unacceptable phone wait times and processing of documents needed for financial assistance, we fought to ensure that economic supports has the funding it needs to meet a higher standard of timeliness. We know that programing across the county rooted in our public health and domestic abuse service departments need to continue, we advocated for more funding to be added to these areas of work. We heard from you that more assistance is needed to stay in our homes as the cost of living continues to increase, we fought to ensure cuts were not made in housing supports. I see firsthand too many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness in the district. Humane and effective encampment response remains one of the main priorities of our office.
Thank you for your continued partnership. As we look ahead to a year with significant changes at the Federal level and within the State Legislature, we will not waiver in our commitment to improving county services no matter the new landscape.
Please reach out to me to connect on what you would like to see from the county in service to the residents of District 4. I look forward to hearing from you.
With wellness,
Angela Conley
Hennepin County now accepting applications for community advisory boards
The Hennepin County Board is recruiting volunteers for 43 advisory and watershed district board positions through its annual open appointment process.
Each fall, the board accepts applications from residents interested in volunteer service positions on advisory boards, commissions, councils and special task forces. Board members will advise commissioners and help set policy on a variety of topics important to the county.
Community advisory board openings:
- Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council
- County Extension Committee, U of M Extension
- Racial Equity Advisory Council
- Special Board of Appeal and Equalization
- Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Board
Watershed board openings:
- Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
Application process
- Starting January 2025 – the county board will conduct interviews.
- First quarter of 2025 – the county board will appoint volunteers to the positions.
Native American Heritage Month
On October 29, I brought forward a proclamation to designate November as Native American Heritage Month in Hennepin County. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted to approve this proclamation unanimously. This observance honors the history, accomplishments and rich heritage of indigenous people.
From the proclamation:
Hennepin County strives to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination towards Indigenous Peoples. We seek to promote practices and policies that honor the county’s Indigenous roots, history, and contributions. We recognize Indigenous People as contemporary peoples; and are committed to meaningful and genuine government-to-government relationships with the Tribal Nations that share the State’s geography
During Native American Heritage Month and beyond, Hennepin County honors the vibrant and diverse Native American cultures in our community today. We renew our commitment to our government-to-government relationships, and promote appreciation, equity and anti-racism, reconciliation, understanding, friendship, and continued partnerships among all Minnesotans and the Native Peoples of this land.
Veterans Day
 In October, Hennepin County celebrated ending veteran homelessness. Last month, on Monday, November 11th, our country was able to celebrate our Veterans. I come from a long line of veterans and am so proud of that. Thank you to our veterans and to all who have served this country, and to my dad specifically.
Hennepin County Veterans Services staff are veterans themselves who work year-round to help service members, veterans, survivors and family members navigate the Veterans Administration benefits system. Learn more and subscribe to the newsletter. https://hennepin.us/veterans/
National Awards Reception
 In late November, county employees and leaders celebrated 34 awards Hennepin County teams won from various national associations this year. The event was an opportunity to connect and celebrate the hard work county employee’s dedicate to creating better programs and services for our residents. These projects encompass the work of nearly 350 staff members, from 20 different departments, and all lines of business.
At Hennepin County, we strive to provide the best possible outcomes for the people that we serve and to prove values-driven work can achieve remarkable outcomes. We achieve those outcomes by striving for innovation in our policies, services and programs and that is evident in the award-winning projects. This recognition highlighted the county’s dedication to essential programs and services, community engagement, technology advancements, public health, environmental initiatives and more.
Transgender Remembrance Day
 Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando brought forward proclamation to recognize Wednesday November 20th as Transgender Day of Remembrance. That proclamation additionally declared Hennepin a Safe County for the transgender, gender nonconforming, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, intersex, and allied community.
This annual observance provides a platform for transgender communities and allies to raise awareness of the threat of violence faced by transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people, as well as the persistence of anti-transgender prejudice that permeates our society;
On Wednesday, November 20th, Hennepin County’s Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Employee Resource Group (ERG) and the City of Minneapolis Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Group hosted a public vigil to honor those lost in the last year due to anti-transgender and anti-nonbinary violence. There will be open word poetry by local transgender and nonbinary artists, spiritual remarks, recitation of names of those who have lost their lives.
Love Local businesses this Holiday season!
 Hennepin County works to support the local business community with no-cost consulting and group-learning in Elevate Hennepin. It also invests in business districts in cities and towns across the county by supporting affordable commercial real estate, beautification, and access via transit, bike, and walking.
Check out a video of Hennepin County’s wholistic approach to supporting local businesses.
As some of our passionate Hennepin County staff and partners noted, this holiday shopping season is the ideal time to celebrate all the local business community gives back to us as residents.
November 30, 2024 was declared Small Business Saturday and we celebrated everything local business owners do with the annual Love Local campaign.
Share your favorite local business, business district with Hennepin County and inspire your neighbors to shop local by using the hashtag #LoveLocalHC all from Small Business Saturday through this season.
George Floyd Square Town Hall
 George Floyd Square Town Hall hosted by neighbors occurred on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, ahead of a November 12th presentation to the City Council for a street reconstruction plan. The meeting was held at the wonderful Belfry Community Space, across the street from Phelps Park. The evening commenced with the musical welcome of Brass Solidarity.
With a full house, the community gathered to discuss options for investing in people resources and street infrastructure. There was an overview of the 38th Street Thrive plan, the 24 Demands for Justice, and the GFS Community Survey administered by CURA at the U of M.
BCR/Canopy Roots visit
 We had the amazing opportunity to stop by Canopy Roots. The Behavioral Crisis Response is a first responder system that responds to well-being needs in situations where police presence is unnecessary. Residents can call 911 and specifically request BCR. This work is an alternative we need in our city.
Southside Summit
This year, the Southside Summit was dedicated to the emerging initiative One South – A Project of Southside United Neighborhoods. It was a packed house at the 5th annual Southside Summit! Eight neighborhoods came together out of necessity and love for our communities. This initiative seeks to unlock a new era of collaboration that furthers efficacy, efficiency, and sustainability in how community-centered civic engagement helps enliven South Minneapolis over the next few decades. This event was organized by PPNA and sponsored by SENA, Corcoran Neighborhood Assoc. and the Longfellow Community Council.
MIWRC Groundbreaking
 Last month, I joined stakeholders and partners for a ceremonial groundbreaking for renovations that will expand supportive housing at Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center! Stability, health and cultural connection is in the core of this new endeavor. Hennepin County is a proud partner and it is a true joy to see this project begin to come into fruition.
Pillsbury Creative Commons
 It was a good day at Pillsbury House + Theatre! We joined Pillsbury’s team to celebrate construction of the Pillsbury Creative Commons project. Hennepin has been a funder of this beautiful space to come that for years, was a dream. PCC will also be the new home of KRSM - 98.9 FM!
Birth Justice Collaborative
 My dream! A $10 million investment that I authored to break structural inequities that result in egregious maternal mortality and morbidity rates for Black and Indigenous people created the Birth Justice Collaborative. It was a gift to start the week at the winter convening.
This dream is made possible by the community partners who are apart of the Birth Justice Collaborative through their respective sphere of life. As Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan said they are there not solely because of their occupation, but their vocation too.
Heading Home Hennepin
 At this months Heading Home Hennepin committee meeting, youth advisory board members presented their findings and recommendations on youth homelessness to the committee. I was so proud to witness them there! Youth leadership cannot be absent in efforts to eliminate youth homelessness.
Women's Heart Health
 At the beginning of November, I joined community clinic partners in brainstorming how we could support our Black and African American women who have experienced issues with heart health.
This week, the Women’s Hearth Health support group met for their first gathering. This support group will:
- Learn about different heart health topics from University of Minnesota M Health Fairview Providers
- Build community with others facing similar conditions
Meetings for the support group will occur in the third Tuesday of every month from noon to 1pm virtually.
Learn more here.
Commendation for Jonathan Hanft
 Last month, I had the great pleasure of presenting a commendation for Jonathan Hanft, who retired after 22 years of dedicated service to Hennepin County.
Jonathan Hanft, began his career with Hennepin County more than 22 years ago and has been working in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and care for over three decades.
Rethinking I-94
Hennepin County to committed a grant match to Our Streets Minnesota’s application for the Twin Cities Boulevard Reconnecting Communities grant. On November 21st, Hennepin County approved the first step by approving its match.
This is the final year of the Reconnecting Communities program. The grant represents an unprecedented chance to address the lasting harms caused by urban freeway construction, which disproportionately affected Black and Brown communities in Minneapolis. This funding will allow us to prioritize community engagement and feasibility studies that explore how a boulevard conversion can advance equity, climate goals, and economic growth for the benefit of our city and region.
HERC Ash Tour
 I spent some time at the SKB Rosemount disposal facility. This landfill site is where all of the ash from the HERC goes to be sorted and buried. What I found fascinating is how much metal is recovered from the ash. SKB led the state in sorting this metal in order to recycle it. As a policymaker rethinking the solid waste ecosystem, we need to see every step of it.
White House visit
 I had the exciting honor of being invited to the Classroom to Career summit hosted at The White House on behalf of Hennepin County Government and the National Association of Counties as Chair of the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Committee. We learned more about this Administration’s $80 billion investment into a diversified workforce in critical industries.
U.S. Department of Labor’s Julie Su, US Sec. of U.S. Department of Education Dr. Cardona, US Sec. of U.S. Department of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, US Sec. of U.S. Department of Commerce Gina Raimondo and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden all added to a needed conversation on what we can do to ensure people regardless of education access work that supports their well-being.
Thank you, President Joe Biden, for supporting critical and long awaited investments into workforce development and leading the Classroom to Career convening with over 200 of our colleagues from around the country.
Field, Regina, Northrop Holiday Lights Tour
 Enjoy neighborhood light displays again this holiday season with our second annual Holiday Lights Tour! Whether you prefer a minimalist look or going all out, nothing brightens up dark winter nights like holiday lights.
The tour is self-guided and runs each night.
When: Saturday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 22; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
New this year: visitors will be able to vote for their favorite displays! The top displays in each neighborhood (Regina, Field, North Northrop and South Northrop) will win a $50 gift card to one of our fabulous local businesses! Don't miss the fun kick-off Hot Cocoa Bar on Dec. 14.
Learn more at www.frnng.org/holiday-lights.
Holidazzle
 The Minneapolis 2024 Holidazzle festival is coming to the heart of downtown! We are transforming Nicollet Mall into a winter playground complete with twinkling lights, colorful shows, tasty bites from local food trucks, holiday shopping pop-ups and more.
When: Wednesday, December 18th - Sunday, December 22nd
Where: Nicollet Mall (between 6th Street and 11th Street)
Mark your calendars and experience the magic of the holiday season with us!
Learn more here!
Niimiwin Artist Market
 Join us for an art market celebration art, movement, and the artist of "Niimiwin: Bijiinag igo ingii-azhegiiwe gaa-niimi'iding."
When: Friday, December 20th: 3:00pm- 7:00pm
Where: 1530 East Franklin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN (Minneapolis American Indian Center)
About the exhibit:
"Niimiwin: Bijiinag igo ingii-azhegiiwe gaa-niimi'iding" curated by 2023-2024 Emerging Curators Fellow Josie Hoffman. This dynamic multimedia exhibition explores the profound relationship between movement and identity within contemporary Indigenous art. Now on view at All My Relations Arts through January 18th, 2025.
Winter Solstice Theatre Production
 Celebrate the Solstice with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre!
When: Friday, December 20th at 6:30pm
Where: 1500 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 5407
Library Resources
 City of Minneapolis Small Business Support
When: Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 10:30am – 12:30pm
Where: East Lake Library; 2727 E. Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Community Resource Tabling. Meet with a representative from City of Minneapolis Small Business Team to learn about their resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs. No appointment necessary.
 Childhood Immunization Clinic
When: Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Hosmer Library; 347 E. 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Hennepin County Public Health is hosting a free childhood immunization clinic for children birth-18 years old. Childhood immunizations protect kids from serious diseases like measles, mumps, pertussis, and diphtheria.
Many children, teens, and young adults have fallen behind on immunizations. Now is a good time to get caught up for school, sports, daycare, and more.
Hennepin County has programs that can help your child get immunized, even if you’re uninsured, underinsured, or don’t have a primary care clinic.
Behavioral Health Center
Get walk-in support for mental health and substance use at the Behavioral Health Center. The team will take time to get to know you, address your immediate needs, and work alongside you until you’re connected to meaningful resources and supports.
Located: 1800 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405.
Hours: Open daily from 9a.m. to 9p.m. (After 5p.m., use the buzzer at the Columbus Avenue entrance.
Get Ready for Snow Emergency Season – Sign up for snow alerts
Avoid the hassle and expense of getting towed during a snow emergency this winter. Don't let unpredictable weather catch you off guard. Sign up for Minneapolis alerts to stay ahead of the snow and know about parking rules.
Sign up for alerts today: text "MPLSAlerts" to 77295 or create a full Smart911 profile online to stay informed this winter.
Weigh in on Metro Transit Network Updates
 Does Metro Transit offer services when and where you or community needs to travel? How likely would you be to use transit if proposed changes are implemented? Metro Transit's Network Now plan hopes to expand service, grow ridership, expand job access, and better meet the region’s changing mobility needs.
Metro Transit want to hear from you about these proposed changes! Your feedback will help ensure the plan is on the right track and determine what to focus on first.
You can also learn more about the concept plan and ask questions at an in-person or virtual event this fall. See upcoming community meetings here.
Maternal Health Matters
 Maternal Health Matters is designed to guide Black women through the perinatal journey, from conception to one year postpartum. Register now and take the first step to bettering your perinatal health.
Where: Sabathani Community Center (310 E 38th St Suite 120, Minneapolis, MN 55409)
Services:
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Personalized home visits
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One-on-one care planning
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Network and resource referrals
Program activities officially begin in January 2025. You can sign up now for a free 30-minute consultation. To view services and sign-up for a consultation, click here.
Order Free COVID Test
 COVID is definitely circulating around our community. You can order free rapid at-home tests at www.covidtests.gov
- If you need help placing an order for your at-home tests, call the MDH COVID-19 Public hotline at 1-833-431-2053.
- Health insurance is not required to order your free at-home tests.
Many COVID-19 tests have extended expiration dates, so you may be able to use your COVID-19 tests after the expiration date that is printed on the box. To find out if your test has an extended expiration date, check the FDA’s list of extended expiration dates.
MinnesotaCare
 You may now be eligible for MinnesotaCare.
Hennepin County in the news:
Contact us
Angela Conley
Commissioner, 4th District
Binta Kanteh
Policy Director
612-348-5204
Natasha Rice
District Director
612-348-3204
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