Dear District 6 Residents,

Last night we received about 7 inches of snow! The good news is that it's temporary, and we will soon spring forward with warmer weather, with temperatures increasing to the fifties by this weekend. This is one of my favorite times of the year – the countdown to Spring. The daylight is longer, flowers and tree buds will start to bloom any day now, and the air feels fresh! Spring is almost here, so start breaking out your summer clothes! Friendly reminder that daylight savings is this Sunday, so mark your calendars to move your clocks up an hour.

Over the past several weeks, the Hennepin County Board approved key initiatives, including:

• Opioid Response Services funding
• Training, funding, and distribution for Naloxone kits
• Legal Aid to provide Fair Housing Testing in suburban Hennepin County
• Pavement Preservation, safety and accessibility street funding
• 911 Alternative Response Team funding for the City of Hopkins

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of women throughout history and in our communities today. From trailblazers in government, business, and science to women making everyday differences in our local neighborhoods, I am grateful for the strong women in our community leading the way!

Recent Meetings and Events

Last week, the County Board met with the Downtown Council, Hennepin Arts, Meet Minneapolis, commercial developers, the Sheriff, County Attorney, Vikings, and other stakeholders to ensure collaboration as we work together to bring vitality back to downtown Minneapolis. If you have not yet done so, please consider buying theater tickets, seeing a concert, or grabbing dinner in downtown Minneapolis. Check out Hennepin Arts for Broadway shows or Meet Minneapolis for events to attend this Spring or Summer. Downtown has so much to offer in terms of entertainment and fun!

I also attended the Minnesota Association of Counties (AMC) Day on the Hill, where we met with House and Senate lawmakers to emphasize the importance of balanced policies on housing, health and human services, public safety, and infrastructure—key areas that directly impact our county. The Legislature had a full week of hearings that directly impact counties, including:  

• County-supported EMS grants
• Childcare staffing ratios
• The Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA) expansion of non-eligible individuals
• VOTER fund appropriations
• Child protection paperwork reduction studies and mandated reporter training 
• Presentation of Task Force on Long Term Sustainability of Affordable Housing
• Informational hearings on budgeting with inflation
• Presentation and testimony on the Priority Admissions Review Panel (the 48-hour rule) recommendation

Additionally, at the State Capitol, we are partnering with other metro counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, Ramsey, Washington, Olmsted, St. Louis, and Stearns) on important legislation for County-connected youth with complex behavioral health needs. This work builds on the progress of the Working Group on Youth Interventions 2024 Final Report to develop a regional plan to enhance and improve the continuum of care, servicing county-connected youth with a whole-person, cross-system approach. Our staff continues working with the Revisor’s Office to finalize draft bill language. 

This past week, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with my fellow County Board members for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Conference, where we heard from experts across the country on issues of immigration, water preservation, trade, health and human services, and more. Working groups and panels convened to explore innovative solutions for counties to improve the systems that serve our residents. I also had the pleasure of meeting with Congresswoman Kelly Morrison at her office in D.C.

I have heard from many residents who have concerns about the uncertainty with federal funding of critical services. We are closely monitoring potential impacts. It is my strong belief that we ensure any shifts in federal policy or budget allocations do not disrupt essential services for Hennepin County residents. My office will continue advocating for stable funding and responsible policies that support Minnesotans. 

The work continues – it is an honor to represent you on the Hennepin County Board. If you have any questions or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out! 

Please check out District 6 highlights and highlighted county resources below.

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Highlights from District 6

Excelsior Fire District Ceremony for New Engine 11 

I had a great time at the Push-In Ceremony for Excelsior Fire District’s new Engine 11! It was an honor to be there and celebrate this exciting addition to our community’s fire service. Even more special—my sons, who are Fire Explorers, joined me for the event! They had the opportunity to meet Chief Curt Mackey and experience firsthand the traditions and dedication of our local firefighters. Thank you to Excelsior Fire District for hosting such a meaningful event and your continued service to our community!

Welcoming Anna Jost, District 6 Intern

I am excited to welcome Anna Jost to the District 6 team! Anna will be interning with our office until the end of March, where she will assist with research and constituent services, learning about county, federal, and state public policy in the process. We are lucky to have her on the team to help serve our community!

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Hennepin County Resources

Valentine’s Day Weddings Return to the Government Center  

Every Valentine’s Day, couples gather at the Hennepin County Government Center to say, “I do.” This year, 18 couples celebrated their love by exchanging vows while live music played softly. 

Since 2013, the County has teamed up with the Fourth Judicial District to offer free weddings on Valentine’s Day. More than 300 couples have tied the knot during the special wedding event. The ceremonies are held in the sun-filled atrium and on the scenic bridges of the Government Center and are officiated by district court judges. 

Healthy Tree Canopy Grants Available 

Hennepin County’s healthy tree canopy grants will open for applications on Tuesday, February 25. Grant projects can include tree plantings, ash tree removals, tree inventories, outreach and more. Nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, and affordable housing properties are eligible to apply. 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). 

Application timeline:

• Application documents are available now so you can start preparing your application.
• Applications may be submitted beginning February 25 and are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. Registration on the Hennepin County Supplier Portal is required.  
• Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. Learn more about healthy tree canopy grants. 

For more information, feedback on your project ideas, or help with your application, contact Leslie Alcantar Mejia at leslie.alcantarmejia@hennepin.us.  

REAL ID Deadline Approaching 

A Real ID or passport will be required for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025. If you need to renew your license, take a few minutes to compare the standard license and Real ID. Learn more here.

Hennepin County Seeking Proposals for Contracted Community-based Opioid Services 

Hennepin County will be accepting proposals for contracts with community-based organizations for prevention, response, and treatment/recovery of opioid use disorder. The proposals should emphasize disparity reduction with a focus on the most impacted, including the African American and American Indian communities.  

• Request for Proposals (RFP) application is anticipated to open in March 2025. 
• Contracts will be for two years (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027).  

There are three upcoming informational meetings to learn more about the RFP process. These meetings are open to all interested organizations and registration is not required. 

• Monday, March 3, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Virtual and recorded. Click here to join the meeting.
• Wednesday, March 5, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, light refreshments provided. Held at the Minneapolis American Indian Center: Grandparents Conference Room, 1530 East Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, 55404.
• Friday, March 7, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, light refreshments provided. Held at the NorthPoint Conference Center: 1256 Penn Ave North Suite 5200, Minneapolis, 55411.

Additionally, all interested applicants are asked to register in the Hennepin County Supplier Portal as soon as possible.  

For questions, contact:  

- Lolita Ulloa, Director of System Design Lolita.Ulloa@hennepin.us 

- Julie Bauch, Opioid Response Coordinator Julie.Bauch@hennepin.us

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County Fun Fact!

Hennepin County (and District 6) is home to Lake Minnetonka, one of Minnesota’s largest and most famous lakes, covering 14,500 acres with 125 miles of shoreline. In the late 1800s, the lake was a popular destination for steamboats and grand hotels! Today it remains beloved, and it is estimated that the lake attracts several hundred thousand visitors annually.  

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Stay Connected

We want to ensure that our residents are as informed as they can be with County business. To that end, you can view our County Board and Committee meetings here, as well as view past meetings. Please reach out if you have any questions about viewing meetings online or in-person. As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with any other 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,

Commissioner Heather Edelson
County Commissioner - District 6

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About District 6

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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County Information

• Elected officials
• Hennepin County libraries
• Hennepin County Medical Center
• Hennepin volunteers
• Online services
• Phone directory
• Service Center information
• Southwest light rail
• Understanding your property tax

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Commissioner Heather Edelson
Hennepin County Commissioner
6th District

Raina Meyer
Policy Director
612-348-3168

Clara Wicklund
Assistant to the Commissioner
612-248-6885