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Dear Friends and Community Members,
I hope you are well and looking forward to spring, as I am. March brings a welcome shift in seasons. Here in Minnesota, we gain about three minutes of daylight each day, adding up to nearly an hour and a half more light by the end of the month. It’s a small but meaningful reminder that brighter days are ahead.
Spring is a time for reflection, recognition, and renewal - a chance to celebrate the people and values that strengthen our community. This month, we recognize Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, honoring the leadership, resilience, and contributions of women across Hennepin County and beyond. I’m especially grateful for the women in public service, in our communities, and in our families who lead with compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to others.
At the county board, we continue to hold monthly budget discussions to address rising costs and cost shifts. Our goal is to be thoughtful and responsible in how we manage these financial pressures so that the burden is not placed entirely on property taxpayers. This remains a central focus of our work. You can find a copy of the recent update HERE.
The County Board approved several measures this month to support residents and small businesses impacted by recent federal immigration enforcement. These include $2 million in small business grants, a one-time property tax penalty relief option for eligible residents experiencing hardship, and the waiver of certain 2026 public health licensing late fees. Together, these actions are part of our ongoing effort to respond to community needs and support stability during a challenging time.
At the beginning of the month, I joined colleagues from across Minnesota for Counties Day at the Capitol, where we advocated for modernizing the technology systems counties use to administer services like waivers, SNAP, and Medicaid. Hennepin County partners closely with the state to connect residents to these essential supports, and for too long, we have faced challenges due to outdated systems. Improving this technology is critical to better serving our residents.
Two weeks ago, we hosted our first Hennepin County Student Art Contest reception at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and it was truly an inspiring event. I was proud to author the resolution to make this possible and to help lead the effort alongside remarkable county staff. This initiative showcases the incredible talent of middle and high school students from across Hennepin County. Their artwork is now on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art through April 26 - if you have the chance, I encourage you to visit the first-floor exhibit, Belonging Begins Here.
At the Minnesota State Capitol, the legislative session is in full swing, with key policy deadlines approaching. At the County, we remain focused on one of our top priorities: working with lawmakers to extend and expand the ballpark sales tax to support Hennepin Healthcare. This proposal would help sustain this critical Level I trauma center and ensure it can continue serving residents across our region.
Many families enjoyed spring break this month, with others heading into April - it’s hard to believe summer is just a few months away.
I am wishing everyone who observed Ramadan a meaningful and peaceful month, and to those celebrating Passover and Easter in April, joy in gathering with family and friends.
It is truly a privilege to represent you on the Hennepin County Board. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you have questions or would like to connect.
Warmly,
 Heather Edelson
Hennepin County Commissioner, District 6
Coffee with the Commissioner on April 3rd!
I am hosting another “Coffee with the Commissioner” session on Friday, April 3rd, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at the Hopkins Public Library.
Please join us to learn more about current county government initiatives, ask questions, and share your feedback directly with my office. These informal conversations are a wonderful opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to our community.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Meetings
I am pleased to share several updates from the Hennepin County Board that directly impact our district - from supporting small businesses to the approval of funding for road improvements. Recent items before the Hennepin County Board include:
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$2 Million in Grants for Small Businesses: As I mentioned in an email earlier this week, the Hennepin County Board recently approved $2 million in grants for small businesses impacted by recent immigration enforcement. Grants ranged in amount from $3,000–$10,000, and the deadline was March 25th. I am proud of this action taken by our board to combat the lasting effects of Operation Metro Surge.
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Property Tax Penalty Relief for 2026: Residents facing financial hardship due to recent federal immigration enforcement may apply for a one-time waiver of 2026 property tax penalties, provided their total annual property taxes are under $250,000 and the base tax is paid in full.
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Small Business Relief Late Fee Waiver: To support local businesses, the county is waiving all late penalty fees for 2026 Public Health Environmental Health license renewals.
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Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Funding: Hennepin County will receive over $1.6 million in federal funding to provide essential medical and support services for residents living with HIV/AIDS across the 13-county metro area.
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Shorewood Stormwater & Ravine Repair: The County is partnering with the City of Shorewood to invest up to $186,000 for ravine stabilization and improved stormwater management at the intersection of Smithtown Road (CSAH 19) and Shorewood Lane.
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Minnetonka Boulevard Upgrades: The County is partnering with the City of Minnetonka to invest up to $500,000 for infrastructure maintenance and cost-sharing on Minnetonka Boulevard (CSAH 5).
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Commissioner Edelson in the Community
City Council Presentations
It has been great connecting with city councils across District 6 and sharing updates on the state of the county - 5 councils visited, 11 more to go! Thank you to Deephaven, Greenwood, Long Lake, Woodland, and Tonka Bay for the thoughtful conversations and strong partnership.
Visit to Helping Paws in Eden Prairie
It was so meaningful to visit Helping Paws in Eden Prairie and see their incredible work firsthand. Since 1988, this remarkable nonprofit has trained and placed service dogs that increase independence for people with disabilities, veterans, and first responders with PTSD, helping with daily tasks and providing comfort and stability.
It was especially powerful to visit the organization where our friends Melissa and Mark Hortman received their sweet golden retriever Gilbert. Seeing how Helping Paws is honoring the Hortman family was deeply moving and a reminder of the compassion and hope that strengthen our community.
Tour of Waste Management Landfill in Burnsville
Thank you to Waste Management for hosting Commissioner Anderson’s office and mine for a tour of the Burnsville landfill.
A few key takeaways:
- The site spans 26 million cubic yards
- New technology, including robotic sorting, could help pull food waste out of the trash and into composting
- Strong safeguards such as bedrock, clay, and liners protect groundwater
One thing that stood out: a large portion of our trash is food waste, which increases emissions in landfills. Expanding composting is key.
We also have a real opportunity to boost recycling, making it easier to do it right and investing in better sorting so more materials stay out of the landfill.
Now is an opportune time to rethink waste, expand composting, and increase recycling in our communities. Thank you to the WM team for the important work you do every day.
Reception for the Hennepin County Student Art Contest
On March 14th, we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 35 remarkably talented student artist winners of the first-ever Hennepin County Student Art Contest, in partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art!
It was such a heartwarming day, honoring the creativity of young artists who brought this year’s theme, 'Belonging Begins Here' to life through their powerful artwork.
Congratulations to these talented students! If you can, stop by Minneapolis Institute of Art to see their work on display in the first floor gallery through April 26. It’s truly inspiring!
Tour of Target Field
Earlier this month, my office joined county leaders for a tour of Target Field with leaders from the Minnesota Twins and members of the Ballpark Authority to learn more about the ongoing capital maintenance and investments that keep the stadium in top shape for fans and players alike.
It takes year-round work to keep this community asset ready for Opening Day - baseball season officially kicks off on April 3rd! I hope residents are able to make it downtown this year to enjoy a game and some good food.
Advocating for Counties at the State and Federal Levels
It has been a busy time for county advocacy, from our nation's capital to St. Paul. In late February, my office attended the National Association of Counties Conference in Washington D.C. County leaders from across the country came together to share innovative ideas, pass resolutions, and discuss how federal laws including HR 1 will impact counties and the residents we serve in the next year. I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with other county commissioners and federal officials!
Earlier this month, I also participated in the Association of Minnesota Counties’ Day at the Capitol in St. Paul, meeting with several lawmakers to discuss our 2026 legislative priorities, including tax repurposement to sustain HCMC and the importance of IT modernization for social programs.
I was especially grateful to see Senator Hoffman, whom I had not seen since he and his wife were senselessly shot multiple times last summer. His resilience is truly inspiring. He also delivered a powerful speech at the AMC conference about the dangers of losing sight of one another’s humanity - something I could not agree with more.
It was also wonderufl to reconnect with many of my former colleagues. I remain deeply grateful for the work they are doing during such a challenging time in government. I thought of Melissa Hortman many times walking the hallways, and I know other lawmakers, staff, lobbyists and visitors do as well.
 We were lucky to have a large group of Minnesotans in D.C. for the National Association of Counties Conference. Many are pictured here!
 Grateful to Senator Hoffman for taking the time to meet with us and his tireless advocacy for human services.
Striving for Resilience: Earth Day Fair at Ridgedale Library
As part of their “Striving for Resilience” climate series, Ridgedale Library is hosting an Earth Day Fair, which I am honored to be giving opening remarks at. Join me at Ridgedale Library on April 18th from 11am to 2pm for a day full of activities for everyone, from crafting and medicine pouch making to planting seedlings, there are many exciting things to choose from. Learn more here, and I hope to see you there!
Open Trails to the Rails on May 9th
Please join us for the Open Trails to the Rails event on Saturday, May 9, from 10am to noon! This event is being coordinated between the Green Line Extension LRT Project and local partners. See below for more information, and additional details will be available in early April at metrotransit.org/open-trails.
Supporting Communities Impacted by the Federal Immigration Enforcement Surge
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved actions to support small businesses and residents facing financial hardship after the recent federal immigration enforcement surge.
Share Your Voice and Help Shape Local Government Policies
Apply to a Hennepin County community advisory board!
The Hennepin County Board is recruiting volunteers for open positions on 5 advisory boards. Board members will advise commissioners and help set policy on a variety of topics important to the county.
Community advisory board openings:
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Birth Justice Community Advisory Board
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Community Action Partnership Board
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Race Equity Advisory Council
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Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Board
ERF Applications are Open Now for the Spring 2026 Grant Round
Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 1
The Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund provides funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites where the added environmental costs hinder site improvements or redevelopment.
In February 2026, Hennepin County awarded nine grants totaling $2.25 million. The grants will fund soil cleanup, vapor mitigation and sampling, abatement activities, and assessment. The recommended grants will also provide for the renovation or construction of 180 affordable housing units.
 3030 Nicollet Apartments received a spring 2022 ERF grant to install a soil-gas vapor mitigation system.
These grants were received by these grantees in our District:
Beltline Boulevard Station Apartments, St. Louis Park
$153,525 requested for installation of a soil vapor mitigation system into a new mixed-used commercial and residential building with affordable and market-rate units. (Grantee: St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority on behalf of Sherman Associates)
Central Park Improvements & Pavillion Expansion, Hopkins
$800,000 for soil cleanup associated with completion of park and stormwater management improvements. (Grantee: City of Hopkins)
Landmark Wayzata, Wayzata
$200,000 for soil cleanup, management of contaminated groundwater during dewatering, and installation of a soil-vapor mitigation system in new residential condominiums with street level shops. (Grantee: 200 Lake Street LLC)
Minnetonka Boulevard Twin Homes, St. Louis Park
$440,000 for soil cleanup associated with the development of four new duplexes for first-time homeowners. (Grantee: St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority on behalf of Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation)
Learn Where County Road Work Will Be Happening in Your Community
Road construction season is about to begin. Check out how Hennepin County is improving our roads to make your travel safer, better and more reliably with our 2026 transportation activities map.
Starting this spring, you will see us across the county as we put our plans into action to improve crossings for people walking and rolling, repave roadways to make them smoother, update pavement markings to make them easier to see, replace signs that are no longer reflective and signal poles that are at the end of their service life, take care of our bridges, and more.
You will also see us working on major reconstruction projects. We implement new designs to help everyone travel better and ensure connections. These projects also give us an opportunity to coordinate with utilities and cities to replace, update and enhance what’s under the roadway and around the area.
Once you find a project you are interested in, click on the map to get more details and link directly to the project page on HennepinCounty.gov. There you will find the latest information and how to stay updated.
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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