I hope the District 3 newsletter serves as a resource for connecting to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county news and services. Visit our website to find more ways to connect with the county.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I value your opinions.

Best regards,

Marion

News

Board declares October domestic violence awareness month

The board declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month – a time to reflect on abuse in area homes, its implications, and positive ways to assist victims. The board joined U.S. and world leaders in recognizing domestic violence as a human rights concern. The board also recognized members of the community devoted to making homes safe havens - in particular Carol Arthur, executive director of the Domestic Abuse Project (DAP).

New 911 Emergency Communications Center Opens in Plymouth

Hennepin County and the Sheriff’s Office hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 3 to celebrate the construction of the new Hennepin County Sheriff’ s Office 911 Emergency Communications Facility (911 ECF) in Plymouth.

The 911 ECF is one of the largest consolidated dispatch centers in the Upper Midwest. It will handle approximately 600,000 telephone calls annually, which includes calls from 911, law enforcement information requests, and other calls. It will provide dispatch services in 37 communities, 23 law enforcement agencies, 21 fire departments, and four EMS providers.

The 911 ECF replaces the current 911 facility in Golden Valley which was built in 1948 and lacked the capacity to keep pace with future call volume.

Hennepin County releases draft 2040 bicycle transportation plan

Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District have worked together on updating a county-wide plan that reflects the growing use of bicycling in the region. The Hennepin County 2040 Bicycle Transportation Plan emphasizes a safe and comfortable system that encourages “interested but concerned” bicyclists to bike for everyday trips. The draft plan would add 536 miles of bike lanes, protected bike lanes, cycle tracks, trails and shoulders to the existing 651-mile system. It reflects input gathered from more than 2,700 people, as well as cities and other stakeholders.

The county and park district are seeking public comments on the plan before a revised version is brought before the county board for approval early next year. Public comment runs through Friday, December 5.

Washburn Library reopens after building upgrades

After remodeling, the Washburn Library reopened on Saturday, October 18. Improvements to the library include a more open floor plan; expanded early literacy and teen areas; new furniture and shelving; technology tables with additional public computers; and more casual seating and study tables with access to power for mobile devices. New automated materials handling equipment has improved the library behind the scenes.

Set near scenic Minnehaha Creek, Washburn Library serves the neighborhoods of southwest Minneapolis. It opened in its current location in 1970.

Child Protection Services

Hennepin County child protection services met with the county board for a board briefing to discuss how the county ensures the safety of all children and reduces the risk of maltreatment. This was in response to recent child protection cases in the news, and dovetails with Governor Dayton's creation of a task force examining Minnesota’s child protection system.

The county has made a number of programatic changes to increase our rate of engagement and reduce reports of repeat maltreatment after services. The county's proposed 2015 budget includes 20 new child protection social workers and 2 new supervisors. If approved, this increase in staffing will drastically reduce the number of investigations per social worker.

For more information on child protection services in Hennepin County, click here.

HERC improvements aim to cut smog-causing nitrogen oxides, efforts to reduce waste continue

Hennepin County is installing new pollution control equipment at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC, a.k.a. the garbage burner) that will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 25 percent. NOx contributes to the formation of smog, which can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions.

The ultimate goal is to redirect waste away from the HERC, and I am pleased that the county continues to reduce waste generation per capita. I look forward to supporting Minneapolis as the city rolls out household organics composting. The county offers grants, educational materials and professional staff assistance to improve recycling at businesses, schools, apartment buildings, events and public spaces.

Hennepin County profile

To learn more about the work of Hennepin County, we've started a profile series with county employees who live in District 3. Each month will spotlight a person from varying departments and occupations.

Joni Kreuser

Joni is a youth services librarian at the St. Louis Park branch of the Hennepin County library system. She is a resident of St. Louis Park, and is celebrating 18 years at Hennepin County. Click here to find out more about how Joni helps make Hennepin County tick.

Board meeting highlights

October 14

County to provide outreach to victims of domestic abuse in East African communities

The board approved a contract with the Voice of East African Women to provide culturally specific advocacy to victims of domestic abuse and harassment in East African communities. These services will be part of the Hennepin County Domestic Abuse Service Center, which provides centrally located services to victims of domestic abuse and harassment, including advocacy at order for protection hearings and criminal hearings as appropriate. They will also provide information, referrals, safety planning, financial planning, coordination with other community agencies and information about the criminal justice system. This is a program of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Support of funding commitment for Orange Line BRT

The board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, voted in support of the Metropolitan Council’s request for project development funding from the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) for the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Approval of CTIB funding will move the project forward in order to be granted entry into Federal Transit Administration Small Starts project development phase.

CTIB requires formal support from host counties (Hennepin and Dakota) prior to granting a funding commitment.

The funding commitment request from CTIB is for $6 million -- $3 million for 2015 and $3 million for 2016. It represents 60 percent of estimated project development costs and will be matched by previously-awarded state bond and Metropolitan Council funds (40 percent or $4 million) for a total estimated project development cost of $10 million.

October 28

Board calls on Washington DC NFL team to change its name

The board passed a resolution calling on the owner of the National Football League (NFL) team from Washington, D.C. to change the name of the team to one that is not offensive to American Indians or any other ethnic group. The use of the term “redskins” is objectionable to many Americans, including me, who consider it to be racist and derogatory. The Washington, D.C. city council, many American Indian tribes in Minnesota and across the country, and other groups and individuals have called for the team to change its name.

I voted in support of this resolution, stating that the county is committed to multiculturalism, which "is part of our work every day and is part of what defines the greatest hopes we have for our county."

The resolution was adopted by the board prior to the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the team from Washington, D.C. on Sunday, November 2 at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

County to recover 400 additional tons of metal from HERC ash

The board approved a contract with SKB Environmental, Inc., to reclaim additional ferrous metals from ash from the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC, a.k.a. the garbage burner), increasing metal "recycling" by 400 tons per year and reducing costs for ash disposal. The ultimate goal is to redirect waste away from the HERC, and I am pleased that the county continues to reduce waste generation per capita.

Board appoints new chair of Minnesota Ballpark Authority

The board appointed Margaret Anderson Kelliher to serve as chair of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, effective January 1, 2015. Kelliher is the president and CEO of the Minnesota High Tech Association and served in the Minnesota legislature, including two terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives. She will replace Steve Cramer, who has served as chair of the authority since its inception in 2006. Cramer saw the ballpark project through design and construction, presided over current operations, and made pivotal contributions to the vitality of Hennepin County through his role leading the authority.

County receives grant funding to help homeless families find permanent housing

The county will receive funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care Program in 2015 for rapid rehousing services for homeless families. The grant funds will be used to assist families locate and access housing while they are in shelter. Once in housing, families receive supportive services to help maintain housing stability, increase their incomes, and access community-based resources.

The county will contract with St. Stephen’s Human Services to provide these services.

Board declares November pancreatic cancer awareness month

The board declared November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in Hennepin County. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. African Americans have the highest incidence rate of pancreatic cancer – between 34 and 70 percent higher than other racial or ethnic groups. Increased awareness and research into early detection, causes, and effective treatments will enhance the health and well-being of Hennepin County residents. Hennepin County will also light the Lowry Bridge purple on November 13 for "Purple for a Purpose Day." For more information on the November 13 awareness day visit www.pancan.org/purpleforapurpose

Board briefings

November 6th

Ambulatory Outpatient Specialty Care Clinic

November 20th

E-cigarettes
Natural Resource update

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