BOARD NEWS
October 16, 2012
 Plans Move Ahead For New Excelsior Library
The new Excelsior Library received schematic design approval to proceed with design development, construction documents, advertisement and receipt of proposals, and awarding of contracts (if within approved budget) for the proposed new Excelsior Library.
The current 3,750-square-foot library at 343 Third St. – built in 1965 – has served the community for more than 46 years, and needs have outgrown the current space. The final design was developed in partnership with the library advisory council in April, and approved by the Excelsior City Council in August.
The new 7,200-gross-square-foot library will include specific areas designed for teens, children and families. A multi-purpose room will provide space for library programs and community meetings. The library will have a 24-7 exterior book return, off-street paved parking, outdoor sitting areas and many energy-efficient features.
The new library will continue to serve the South Lake communities of Excelsior, Shorewood, Greenwood, Tonka Bay and Deephaven.
 Revenue Bonds Approved For
A-Mill Lofts
The board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), gave preliminary approval to issue up to $55 million in tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds to assist in the construction of a residential rental development – the A-Mill Artist Lofts – in the historic Pillsbury A-Mill at 301 Main St. S.E. in Minneapolis.
The $138-million project will include 251 units of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income people. Anticipated opening is in the fall of 2014.
Debt service on the bonds will be paid from project revenues and other assets pledged by the developer.
File photo by Bill Klotz
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County Contributes To Affordable Senior Housing Project In Crystal
The board approved an agreement with the City of Crystal to participate in the redevelopment of the former Cavanagh School into a 124-unit affordable senior apartment building. The county is contributing $216,200 for demolition and site clearing of the former school.
The city has an agreement with Independent School District 281 to acquire the eight-acre site and is working with Dominium Development to construct a 124-unit senior apartment building on the western half of the parcel. The eastern half will be retained by the city and used as a park and open space.
 PPL Partnership Is Renewed
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The board has renewed a partnership with Project for Pride in Living Enterprises, Inc. (PPL), including up to $250,000 in funding, to support the expansion of their mattress recycling program. In addition to diverting waste, the agreement provides for training and employment for people who might otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.
With this new funding, PPL will expand and improve the efficiency of its mattress recycling program by redesigning the mattress dismantling process, making capital improvements, increasing program outreach, and exploring new markets. PPL will purchase a spring baler and replace an elevator used to move mattresses within its building. Some 45,000 mattresses will be recycled and six new full-time jobs will be created at PPL during the 2012-2013 funding period.
 Transit-Oriented Development Projects Approved
The board, acting as the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, approved funding for two Transit-oriented development (TOD) projects:
- $208,000 to the City of Bloomington for street improvements, sidewalks, stormwater management, utilities, landscaping and pedestrian lighting in conjunction with a new 300-unit hotel. The project is part of the phased buildout of Bloomington Central Station on the Hiawatha LRT Corridor.
- Amendment to an agreement with Currie Park Developments, LLC, for the Currie Park Lofts project at the Cedar-Riverside Hiawatha LRT Station in Minneapolis, revising eligible uses of funding to include site acquisition, extending the contract, and increasing the contract amount by $390,000, to a new total of $760,000.
These two projects will leverage $119 million in private and public funding, and create 208 affordable housing units and approximately 100 jobs.
Hennepin’s TOD program supports multi-jurisdictional housing and redevelopment along transit corridors in the county.
Photo by Andrew Tucker
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Greater detail about these items and other board action taken on October 16, 2012 can be found in this news release or by watching the video.
October 30, 2012
Resolution Opposing Voter ID Amendment Approved
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners gave final approval to a resolution, offered by Board Chair Mike Opat, opposing the Photo Identification Constitutional Amendment (commonly called voter ID).
The resolution highlights several issues with voter ID:
- The language on the ballot is significantly different than the language in the actual amendment, and there are many unresolved details – including what kinds of valid “government-issued” photographic identification will be required.
- In Hennepin County, there has been no evidence – proven or anecdotal – of voter impersonation – the only type of fraud that could be addressed by voter ID.
- The amendment raises many serious questions about Election Day registration – a hallmark of the Minnesota voting system – and leaves many unanswered questions surrounding the proposed provisional voting system.
- The amendment will likely cost millions in taxpayer dollars to operate, and could result in unfunded state mandates that would have a permanent impact on Hennepin and its cities – potentially resulting in higher property taxes or the elimination of services.
- Constitutional amendments should not be used to stifle, prevent or restrict voting in any way, but should expand and guarantee voting rights and encourage voter participation
- The board is responsible for the conduct of elections in Hennepin and is uniquely positioned to speak to the integrity of the elections system – including the quality of county and city elections staff; the safeguards that are in place to ensure that elections are fair and that only qualified voters vote; and the training of election judges that takes place.
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$2.1 Million in Youth Sports Grants Awarded
The board awarded $2.1 million in 2013 Hennepin Youth Sports Program grants to 14 facility and 22 small equipment/asset projects.
In the 6th District, facility and equipment grants were awarded as follows:
- Hopkins' Eisenhower Elementary will receive $200,000 to replace and expand the playground, including an inclusive play structure.
- Minnetonka's Glen Lake Park will receive $45,000 for softball field lights.
- Minnetonka High School will receive $75,000 for a synthetic turf multi-purpose field.
- Ray Peters Park in Minnetonka Beach will receive $2,310 for outdoor ice rink boards.
- Bryant Lake Regional Park in Eden Prairie will recieve $8,815 for two boat motors and 10 oars.
Since 2009, more than $11 million in Youth Sports grants has been distributed to 69 facility projects and 60 small equipment/asset projects.
The Twins ballpark sales tax, approved in 2006, funds the Hennepin Youth Sports Program and additional hours at 15 Hennepin County Library locations, including Sunday hours, Maple Grove's Thursday hours, and Minneapolis Central's Sunday and Monday hours. Up to $4 million annually is dedicated between the programs.
Shady Oak Road Community Works Project Begins
The board approved transferring $3 million in Shady Oak Road Community Works Project funds to the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to execute a cooperative agreement with the Minnetonka Economic Development Authority and the Hopkins Housing and Redevelopment Authority for redevelopment activities within the Shady Oak Road Community Works Project area.
The Community Works Project area is west of Shady Oak Road between Bradford Road and Oak Drive in the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka. The project will create a new commercial development site and support business retention with new shared vehicle parking and improvements to existing parking lots. These redevelopment activities will begin in December, allowing community works improvements to be coordinated with the Shady Oak Road reconstruction (from Excelsior Boulevard to Trunk Highway 7) scheduled to begin in the spring of 2014.
For more detail on this project and project contacts, click here. Subscribe to e-mail updates on this project.
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Greater detail about these items and other board action taken on October 30, 2012 can be found in this news release or by watching the video.
No Salary Increase For Commissioners In 2013
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, on a vote of five in favor and one opposed, approved a resolution providing a zero-percent increase in their salaries for 2013, and a 2.5-percent increase in 2014.
State law requires that any adjustments in commissioners’ salaries must be adopted before the general election to take effect Jan. 1 of the following year.
In 2014, commissioners’ salaries will increase 2.5 percent, continuing the practice of board salaries lagging behind staff increases by a year.
Hennepin commissioners have not received any salary increases since 2009.
Look for more news at www.hennepin.us/news.
BOARD BRIEFINGS
In addition to our regularly scheduled board meetings, the board often meets on Thursday mornings to receive "Board Briefings." These are informal opportunities to discuss emerging issues. No decisions are made. Board Briefings occur in the Boardroom on the 24th floor of the Hennepin County Government Center and are open to the public.
October 11, 2012
The purpose of this briefing was to review the final report on the “Regional Emergency Communications Integration Study,” or dispatch. Information was presented by the consultant, Scott Wilson of Winbourne and Associates, by Sheriff Rich Stanek and, on behalf of the dispatch workgroup, by Commissioners Peter McLaughin and Jeff Johnson. The report identified potential advantages of integrating (but not consolidating) dispatch services in Hennepin County, including cost efficiencies and operational efficiencies. Next steps would be to continue to explore possible integration opportunities between Hennepin County and those municipalities that operate their own dispatch systems.
COUNTY CALENDAR
 'History Day Hullabaloos' Provide Assistance For National History Day Projects
What: National History Day is an inter-disciplinary research project for students in grades 6-12.
Experts will offer their assistance at free “History Day Hullabaloos” to students needing help with their projects.
Librarians, Minnesota Historical Society staff and mentors from the University of Minnesota will help students narrow their topics, develop their projects, find the best resources, and strategize how to complete their projects in workable phases.
This school year’s theme is “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events.” Students choose a topic related to the annual theme, develop a thesis, research the topic using primary and secondary resources, and develop a research paper, exhibit, documentary, performance, or website. Students are advanced from their school to the regional, state and national competitions.
When: Saturdays, Dec. 1, Jan. 26, and Feb. 16; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Library -Minneapolis Central, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Where: Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale, 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka
History Day Hullabaloo is sponsored by Hennepin County Library, in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society. More information is available in the news release.
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