December Newsletter

Hennepin County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 12/29/2023 02:47 PM CST

commissioner Jeffrey lunde news from district 1

December 2023

Season's Greetings! This year has proven to be both impactful and engaging in Hennepin County and in District 1. It is a privilege to serve as your County Commissioner and an honor to work tirelessly on your behalf. I am deeply committed to representing your interests with utmost dedication and integrity. I look forward to the work ahead of us in 2024. Check out some of these exciting highlights from 2023:

Expanded Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing Options: Hennepin County continues to expand single room occupancy (SRO) housing into our communities. To date, the County has acquired five properties and assisted a partner in purchasing a sixth. Single room occupancy housing presents an opportunity to provide basic, independent housing that is affordable and accessible to people experiencing homelessness and households with very low incomes who can afford modest rents.
Upheld County Commitment to Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth (BBAY): Amendment 1 to the Joint Powers Agreement A2312020 with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth was approved to increase the annual contribution from Hennepin County by 15% in 2024 and by an additional 15% in 2025, from $57,500 to $66,125 in 2024, and to $76,044 in 2025.
Expansion of the 911 Social Work Program: This year the Hennepin County 911 Embedded Social Worker program expanded to include all cities in the county. The Program initially began in six suburban cities in 2019. The goal of the program is to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health issues and substance abuse disorders who come into contact with law enforcement.
Invested in a Culturally Responsive Mental Health Campaign: Hennepin County executed "See Mental Health" a year-long multimedia campaign designed to advance the importance of mental wellness in our diverse communities. To date the campaign has reached 161 million total impressions across traditional and digital media.
Approved the Funding of Blue Line Extension Project: The Board approved $75M for the Blue Line Extension project to keep work moving ahead on the project through 2024 and the years to come.
Completed First Round of Anti-Displacement Work and Community Engagement for the Blue Line Extension Project: The Anti-Displacement Work Group came up with 17 recommended policies for the Blue Line extension agencies to consider, expand on and implement. Additionally, the County has conducted a 1.5-year engagement process with the communities surrounding the planned Blue Line extension to both inform residence and businesses and take in their concerns and feedback.
Implemented Anti-Racism Initiative: Hennepin County implemented an anti-racism initiative led by Commissioner Conley that dedicated $300,000 to support ongoing community building, healing, and anti-racism work. These workshops have had over 100 participants, with community dinners averaging 40+ participants per dinner, and community outreach team's door-knocking over 400 homes throughout four neighborhoods.
2024 Budget: On December 12th my colleagues and I passed the 2024 Hennepin County budget. The budget process is an incredibly robust five-month process. We receive input and feedback from county employees, community members, and, most significantly, from you. Using this information, we strive to make optimal choices that enable the county to persistently meet your needs and represent your interests as best as possible. This $2.675 billion approved budget would not be what it is without you.

‘Get your health boost’ in time for the holidays

Woman with sleeve up showing Band-Aid on arm, post vaccination shot.

With holiday gathering season upon us, Hennepin County is launching a new campaign to encourage older adults to “get your health boost” with this year’s updated flu and COVID vaccines.

The campaign emphasizes that by getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, older adults can renew their body’s defenses and lower their risks of getting sick.

Both the flu (influenza) and COVID-19 are serious threats to the health of older adults. National data shows that people ages 65 and older have the highest rates of hospitalization and death for both flu and COVID. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to significantly reduce severe illness, hospitalization and deaths.

Kickstart your plastic-free journey: Take the Plastic-Free Challenge

Plastics can be a hassle – they create clutter and can be confusing to recycle – plus they contribute to litter, harm water and wildlife, and have largely unknown health impacts for us. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to help create a plastic-free world, from learning more about plastic waste and recycling to making simple swaps to advocating for changes in your community and sharing your story with others.

Be part of the solution to reduce waste, protect water and wildlife, address climate change, and look after the health of ourselves and future generations by joining the Plastic-Free Challenge (tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org).

About the Plastic-Free Challenge

The Plastic-Free Challenge is a month-long effort starting February 1 to reduce plastic consumption, especially single-use plastics, in ways that fit best in your lifestyle and have the most impact on reducing your footprint. Businesses, organizations, and community groups can also join the challenge as Plastic-Free Challenge partners.

The challenge runs during the month of February 2024. Learn more and get ready to kickstart your plastic-free journey at tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org.

Last chance to apply for a Community Advisory Board! Make a difference in your community.

The Hennepin County Board is recruiting volunteers for 30 advisory board positions.

Each fall, the board accepts applications from residents interested in volunteer service positions on advisory boards, commissions, councils and special task forces. Appointees advise commissioners and help set policy on a variety of topics including mental health, economic support and development, workforce and employment opportunities, racial equity, diversity and inclusion, and so much more.

Deadline to apply is Today, December 29. Appointments will be made in the first quarter of 2024.

Learn more and apply at hennepin.us/advisoryboards