Dear Friends and Neighbors,
“Warmer and wetter.” These two words not only describe Minnesota’s climate future. They represent the current reality experienced by many Hennepin County residents, as we all learn to adapt new realities brought on by climate change. A recent report lists Minnesota as second in the nation for extreme weather events and another Federal analysis shows that we are warming faster than many other states.
That’s why I am proud to share that this week Hennepin County officially adopted our Climate Action Plan, building on our new Net-Zero by 2050 emissions goal and the creation of a new director-level role responsible for operationalizing this work across our organization. On Tuesday I spotlighted two important themes of the plan—Resilience and Partnerships—at Arden Park in Edina, where improvements led by the City of Edina and Minnehaha Watershed District in partnership with County offer a model for the future.
Learn more about the Climate Action Plan and the event (covered by WCCO and the Star Tribune) below.
Updates in this week’s newsletter:
🌱 Climate Action: Resilience and Partnerships at Edina’s Arden Park: This week I joined leaders from the City of Edina and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District at Arden Park in Edina to talk about our climate action plan and how local governments can lead on climate and resiliency policy.
🌳 Climate Action Plan Adopted: On Tuesday the Climate Action Plan was officially adopted by the county board. More information about the plan and how Hennepin County will work towards implementing it can be found at our new climate action homepage.
🏛️ Wayzata City Council Meeting: This week I joined the Wayzata City Council to provide an update on the work Hennepin County is doing in our community. I’m grateful to Wayzata’s leadership, and to Mayor Johanna Mouton for welcoming me to the meeting.
🏢 Small Business Week: It’s Small Business Week – and Hennepin County is celebrating our work to help small businesses throughout the pandemic.
🗑️ Hazardous Waste Collection in Minnetonka: Tomorrow, Minnetonka
is hosting a household hazardous waste disposal free of charge at their Public Works Department from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
I encourage you to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns using the contact information at the bottom of this newsletter.
In service,
Chris
🌱 Climate Action: Resilience and Partnerships at Edina’s Arden Park
This Wednesday, I joined Mayor Jim Hovland and leaders from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed district at Arden Park in Edina to discuss the way local governments can lead on climate. With the passage of our Climate Action Plan this week (more on that below), we toured Arden Park as a prime example of the kind of resiliency work that will be necessary in our changing climate.
Improvements to the park, completed in 2020, include:
- Stormwater infrastructure
- New streambanks and creek re-meaner
- New boardwalk, bridges, and trails
- Woodland restoration made possible through a Hennepin County grant
Theses changes have all been made with an eye towards making the park more resilient to warmer and wetter weather we have been experiencing in Minnesota and around the world.
Read coverage of our event, and the Climate Action Plan, in the Star Tribune.
🌳 Climate Action Plan Adopted
Hennepin County has adopted its first Climate Action Plan that outlines how the county will act boldly on climate change. The plan prioritizes disparity reduction and serves as a strong foundation for a coordinated approach to planning, policy development, and response to climate change. Pursuing the strategies laid out in the plan will enable us to create a better future for ourselves and future generations.
The plan includes strategies to:
- Prioritize disparity reduction
- Achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
- Adapt to a warmer and wetter climate
- Create a more equitable and resilient Hennepin County
Learn more at hennepin.us/climate-action. The website includes information about the Climate Action Plan’s goals and strategies, climate change impacts in Hennepin County, examples of how the county is leading on climate action, and tips and resources for taking action at home and in your community. You can also sign up to receive emails updates about the county’s climate action work and resources to help you get involved.
🏛️ Wayzata City Council Meeting
This week I joined the Wayzata City Council to provide an update on the work Hennepin County is doing in our community. I’m grateful to Wayzata’s leadership, and to Mayor Johanna Mouton for welcoming me to the meeting.
🏢 Small Business Week
It’s Small Business Week and Hennepin County is committed to helping our vibrant small biz community recover & thrive. Watch this short video about Miriam Aguilar, owner of El Callejon in Minneapolis, who says that receiving Hennepin’s Small Business Relief grant helped her recover from the pandemic.
Find additional resources for small business impacted by COVID-19 here.
🗑️ Hazardous Waste Collection in Minnetonka
Tomorrow, Minnetonka Public Works is hosting a county wide household hazardous waste disposal free of charge at their public works facility from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Minnetonka Public Works Department
11522 Minnetonka Blvd.
Minnetonka, MN 55305
📰 News: County confronts climate change
by Brian Johnson, Finance and Commerce
As we mark the passage of the Climate Action Plan, Finance and Commerce takes a look at how the plan is likely to impact infrastructure and Hennepin County buildings. Access the full story, here.
Improvements at Edina park showcase climate change protection
by Katy Read, Star Tribune
Read coverage of our event at Arden Park in Edina in the Star Tribune, where climate resiliency work has already begun, and which could guide future thinking on how to design for our warmer and wetter climate future. Access the full story, here.
About 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.
County information
- Elected officials
- Hennepin County libraries
- Hennepin County Medical Center
- Hennepin volunteers
- Online services
- Phone directory
- Service Center information
- Southwest light rail
- Understanding your property tax
Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168