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Dear Neighbors and District 6 Residents,
I hope you’re enjoying the peak of fall colors across our district - from Centennial Lakes in Edina to the Wayzata Panoway and along the Minnetonka Regional Trail. It’s a beautiful time to take in our community before winter sets in.
As the federal government shutdown continues, Hennepin County is working to ensure residents receiving SNAP benefits between November 4th and 13th continue to have access to food. Thank you to Governor Walz for releasing emergency funds to support food shelves during this time, and with more than 110,000 county residents relying on SNAP, additional resources will still be needed. Our incident command team is coordinating closely with partners to reduce harm from benefit disruptions, and I remain hopeful that federal funds will be released soon.
We’re also deep in budget season, with daily hearings at the Government Center as staff present thoughtful, data-driven proposals to meet residents’ needs. You can see a detailed breakdown of budgets by line of business here, watch budget hearings here, view meeting agendas here, and watch standard Board and Committee meetings here.
October marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was proud to author a resolution declaring October 2025 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Hennepin County - a deeply personal recognition that passed unanimously.
Finally, I’m excited to share the launch of the 2025–26 Hennepin County Student Art Contest, in partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Students in grades 6–12 are invited to submit artwork inspired by “Belonging Begins Here,” with winning pieces exhibited at MIA this December.
Beyond the boardroom, I’ve loved connecting with our community — from a forestry planting in Hopkins and a breakfast with police and fire chiefs to our latest Coffee with the Commissioner in Excelsior.
As always, my team and I are here to help. Please reach out anytime with questions, invitations, or concerns. It’s an honor to serve District 6.
With gratitude,
Heather Edelson
Hennepin County Commissioner, District 6
 Enjoy this photo from our district (the Nine Mile Creek trail in Edina). We have such beautiful parks in Hennepin County and in District 6 - I hope you get out and enjoy them this fall!
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Meetings
In addition to our many recent budget hearings, actions by the Hennepin County Board include:
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Expanded Social Worker Support: We approved an agreement with the City of Edina to continue and expand the Hennepin County social worker program.
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Boosted Organics Recycling: The Board awarded a grant of up to $6,100 to the City of Hopkins to establish a new organics drop-off site. This helps us reach our zero-waste goal by making it easier for people - especially those in apartments - to recycle food scraps, which currently make up a quarter of our trash.
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Major Roadway Improvement: Approved agreements with Spring Park and MnDOT for the CSAH 51 reconstruction project, which will significantly improve the road in Spring Park.
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Enhanced Public Safety Equipment: We approved a contract with the City of Wayzata to purchase new law enforcement and terrorism prevention equipment.
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Increased Affordable Housing: The Board increased funding by $43,334 for our agreement with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to create more affordable homeownership opportunities in the county.
🎨 Announcing the Hennepin County Student Art Contest!
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Hennepin County Student Art Contest, created in partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)! This is a fantastic chance for young artists to showcase their talent and creativity, and I am proud to have established this contest through a Board Action Request in May.
This year’s theme is "Belonging Begins Here: Our Stories, Our County, and Our Pride." We are inviting students to explore and share what makes their community special, whether it’s their neighborhood, culture, or favorite local spot.
The contest is open to all students in grades 6–12 who either reside or attend school in Hennepin County. The winning art will be given the incredible honor of being exhibited at the Mia, sharing wall space with famous works!
The formal submission period runs from December 1, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Students can submit work in various categories, including Painting, Digital Art, Photography, and Sculpture.
You can view the full rules and find the link to submit artwork here: Hennepin County Student Art Contest. Please share with young people in your network who may be interested in submitting work!
Federal Government
As I mentioned in my opening letter, the ongoing federal government shutdown is creating significant uncertainty and potentially devastating disruptions for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans who rely on essential safety net programs. My top priority is to do everything within my power to ensure our residents are protected from the impacts of these cuts and federal gridlock.
Food Assistance at Risk
The most immediate concern is the SNAP (food assistance) program, which helps about 440,000 Minnesotans put food on the table. Minnesota is one of ten states that utilize counties to administer this program. SNAP benefits - averaging just $6 a day per recipient - are scheduled to be distributed November 4–14, but will be at risk if Congress does not act. This would create a $73 million monthly gap statewide, including $18 million directly impacting Hennepin County families. With Hennepin and other metro counties managing nearly two-thirds of all SNAP cases, the effects here would be particularly severe.
Local Action and Anti-Hunger Efforts
In response, Governor Walz announced $4 million in emergency funding to support 300 food shelves statewide, each receiving at least $5,000. While this is a critical lifeline, it remains a temporary measure to help address the surge in demand expected in the coming weeks.
Hennepin County has activated an Incident Command structure to monitor the situation and coordinate with community organizations addressing hunger. We are also reviewing county financials to identify additional resources to support residents beginning November 4, when food needs are expected to rise.
We encourage any resident facing food insecurity to access the following resources:
In addition, if you have the resources to donate funds to food shelves in Minnesota, they would greatly benefit from your generosity. Money directly allows the food shelves to address the specific food demands residents need, and funding cuts are having the most detrimental impacts on food shelves right now. If you aren’t able to contribute monetarily, please consider donating your time and/or food items.
Commissioner Edelson in the Community
Mental Health Summit
It was great to attend the Mayors’ Mental Health & Well-Being Summit, hosted by Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield Public Health.
The panels tackled the growing mental health crisis with honest discussion of both challenges and solutions. The lineup of speakers was outstanding, featuring experts from Hennepin Healthcare, Sue Abderholden of NAMI, Edina Fire Chief Andrew Slama, Senator Dr. Alice Mann, Hennepin County’s Leah Kaiser, and many more.
Their insights highlighted the urgency of this issue and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. I am grateful to our local leaders for bringing us together to prioritize community well-being. I enjoyed seeing a strong Hennepin County Public Health Team presence there as well, including Public Health Director Sara Hollie!
Point of France Presentation + Conversation
The most meaningful part of my job is connecting with our community. Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Edina residents in their community for my 4th visit in 7 years. We talked about county issues, the unique challenges we are facing today, and ways to make France Avenue safer. I am grateful for these moments - coming together and knowing one another is how we create real change!
Fresh Energy Breakfast
It was wonderful to attend the Fresh Energy Breakfast - thank you to Federico Rossi for hosting and being a steadfast champion for clean energy! I am always inspired by local businesses working to build a clean energy future. I especially loved this video featuring District 6’s own Kathy Iverson - a climate star highlighting great advice and students from our district, too!
Police and Fire Chiefs Breakfast
Thank you to our District 6 Fire & Police Chiefs, County Administrator Jodi Wentland, and Deputy Administrator Dan Rogan for joining my 2nd Annual Police and Fire Chiefs Breakfast! Our discussion was helpful and productive - I am grateful for your partnership as we work together to better serve residents.
Groundbreaking on New Southdale and Westonka Libraries
In October, we broke ground on two new libraries in District 6: Westonka Library in Mound and Southdale Library in Edina! This marks an exciting new chapter; the new Southdale Library contains a reimagined community space filled with books, natural light, and beautiful outdoor green areas. It is scheduled for completion in 2027.
The new Westonka Library will feature a sustainable, net-zero energy design, improved accessibility and amenities, covered porches, a boardwalk path, and much more. The Westonka project is expected to take a year and a half to complete.
To stay updated on the Southdale project, visit this page.
To stay updated on the Westonka project, visit this page.
Meeting with Representative Cheryl Youakim
It was great to meet with Representative Cheryl Youakim, who represents Hopkins and Edina in the State House! We had a productive conversation about recent federal and state legislation and the impacts on our shared communities. Looking forward to continued dialogue about how we can best serve our constituents!
Diwali Festival at 50th & France in Edina
It was so fun to attend the Diwali Festival at 50th & France!
Diwali, known as the Festival of Light, is a celebration of light triumphing over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. It’s a time for families and communities to come together, share food, music, and joy, and reflect on renewal and gratitude.
It was wonderful to see so many neighbors celebrating this beautiful tradition! Well done to Kelly, Ramla, and so many others with the Edina Asian American Alliance on organizing the event!
EMS Ride Along
My staff recently joined HCMC paramedics for an EMS ride-along. It was very educational and provided important insight into our community and hospital system, which is especially relevant with the county board's current role in governing HCMC. We are very grateful to the dedicated paramedics who accompanied Raina and Clara on their ride-alongs, as well as the many other paramedics who work so hard to keep our communities safe every day.
AIS Research Showcase
Earlier this month, my team and I joined the University of Minnesota’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC).
We heard fascinating research updates on how science is moving from lab to lake - from studies on common carp and wake boats stirring up sediment to innovative community engagement programs like the AIS Detector Network and Starry Trek. These programs empower residents to monitor and protect Minnesota’s waters while connecting them with AIS research staff.
A few takeaways:
- Carp removal dramatically improves lake clarity and sediment quality.
- Wake boats in shallow water can mimic the effects of invasive carp by stirring up sediment.
- Restoring native aquatic plants is key to long-term lake health and resilience.
- And last but not least, science and education are powerful tools in fighting invasive species!
It was great to connect with so many passionate researchers, local leaders, and environmental advocates. It was also fun to run into Hennepin County employees Kris and Tony!
Forestry Planting in Hopkins
Our District 6 office joined the Hennepin County Forestry Team in Minnetonka and Hopkins to plant trees and learn from the amazing crew: Dustin, Jack, Charlie, Leslie, and Carole!
A few fun facts:
- In spring, they plant 5,000–20,000 seedlings.
- In the fall, they tend to 25–30 sites with 50+ tree species, all the way up to the first freeze!
- They partner with DOCCR to support sentencing to service and restorative justice programs.
Thank you to the Hennepin Forestry Team for your hard work keeping Hennepin County green and growing!
Waste Management Recycling Facility Tour
This past week, the District 6 office joined Commissioner Kevin Anderson for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Waste Management recycling center to see how your curbside recycling gets a second life!
Here are a few fun facts we learned:
- Aluminum cans can be recycled infinitely and often return to store shelves in just 60 days!
- Plastic bottles (PET) are cleaned and turned into pellets for new bottles, clothes, or packaging. They can be recycled 2–3 times before losing strength.
- Cardboard is pulped into new boxes or paper and can be recycled 5–7 times before fibers wear out.
Every clean, dry, and empty item you recycle helps reduce waste and keep materials in use!
Speaking to Edina Girls United at Edina High School
I had such a great time talking with Edina Girls United today! We talked about running for office and what it’s really like to serve in government. So inspired by this bright group of young women leaders - the future is bright! 
Coffee with the Commissioner in Excelsior
We had a great turnout and discussion at my Coffee with the Commissioner event at the Excelsior Library yesterday!
Thank you to everyone who joined us to talk about the important work happening at Hennepin County; I also appreciated hearing your perspectives on key community issues. Your input helps shape our work every day!
Hennepin County News and Resources
Election Day is Coming Up!
Make a plan to vote if your city has a location election next Tuesday, November 4th!
On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across Minnesota.
You can find your polling place and view a sample here: https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov
All voters have the right to cast their ballot free from intimidation or interference. If you need help at the polls - such as language support, curbside voting, or assistance marking your ballot - you can find details on voting accessibility and assistance options on our Hennepin County website.
MNSure Open Enrollment Period
Open enrollment is the annual opportunity to enroll in a private health insurance plan or renew or make changes to a current plan. Learn more here.
2026 Open Enrollment Dates and Deadlines:
- Open enrollment for 2026 is November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026.
- Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1, 2026.
- Enroll December 16 through January 15 for coverage starting February 1, 2026.
Autumn AIS Prevention for Boats and Docks
This fall season, be sure to check your boats and equipment - such as docks, boat lifts, swim rafts, and anchors - for zebra mussels. This is an easy time to see if zebra mussels have attached to the dock pipes and lifts, and the underside of boats and rafts. Remember, any boat lift, dock, swim raft, or associated equipment may not be placed in another water body until a minimum of 21 days have passed after removal from a water body to make sure no living zebra mussels or other potential AIS are spread. Additionally, a 5-day dry time is recommended to dry any living plant material on watercraft and equipment before transporting to another water body. If you have had your boat in a lake with zebra mussels, protect your home lake or other lakes by using a courtesy decontamination station.
Contact an area DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if you think you have discovered an invasive species that has not already been confirmed in your lake.
Yard Sign Recycling Drop-off: November 12-26
Hennepin County is offering yard sign recycling drop-off!
Check with the campaign or organizations first to see if they are collecting yard signs for reuse.
If the yard sign can’t be reused, drop-off for recycling yard signs will be available at five locations from November 12-26, 2025.
The signs will then be brought to Choice Plastics, where they will be turned into pellets and then recycled into new material.
Hennepin County drop-off facilities include:
- Bloomington (1400 West 96th Street) and Brooklyn Park (8100 Jefferson Highway), open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill, is required
- Minneapolis North Transfer Station (2710 Pacific Street North). Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the collection container will be outside the gate
- Minnetonka/Hopkins Recycling Center (11522 Minnetonka Blvd.), open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- St. Louis Park Recreation Outdoor Center (3700 Monterey Drive), open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the collection container will be inside the front entrance by the service counter
Recycling Exists: "Explore the epic journey of recyclables to become something new"
Creatures like dragons, unicorns, and merpeople are used to being called myths. But recycling? That’s for real.
Your recyclables go on an epic journey after they leave your home. This year, for America Recycles Day on November 15, Hennepin County is teaming up with six other metro counties to spread the word about this quest to become something new.
Milk jugs and detergent bottles are recycled in Paynesville, Minnesota, and get turned into decking and landscaping products. Glass bottles become new food and beverage bottles and jars in Shakopee.
Your paper and cardboard? They get made into new boxes and packaging in Becker, Minnesota! And the metal cans you recycle go on a grand adventure – some become new cans while others become parts for cars and appliances.
Order free resources, including a recycling guide flyer (PDF) or magnet and container labels, to make sure you are recycling the right things in the right way.
Recycling exists! Learn more about the journey at RecyclingExists.com.
“What Do You Think?” Monthly District 6 Check-in
Our office is starting a monthly check-in series entitled “What Do You Think?” to ensure that the District 6 community has an opportunity to make its voice heard at the County Board. Please take a moment and share your thoughts on what issues you care most about! It will only take a minute–we want to hear from you!
Fill out the form here.
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 612-348-6885. You can also follow me on my official Facebook page for updates.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
County Commissioner, Hennepin County 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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Heather Edelson
Commissioner
6th District
Raina Meyer
Policy Director
Clara Wicklund
Assistant to the Commissioner
Office Phone Number: 612-348-6885
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