Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In this newsletter I’m excited to take you on a Earth Week Climate Action Touracross District 6 to offer a closer look at some of the ways Hennepin County is taking bold and resilient action. Join the tour below!
The county board took several actions this week to address the accelerating impacts of climate change:
- Adopted a new Net Zero 2050 emissions goal, positioning Hennepin as a national climate leader
- Established a new director position of Climate and Resiliency, which will be critical to implementing and integrating the countywide framework laid out in the Climate Action Plan.
- Approved joining the U.S. Plastics Pact to build on county efforts to transition to zero waste and support residents and businesses taking action on plastic waste and pollution
We’ve also released a revised draft of the Hennepin County Climate Action Plan now open for public comment.
Updates you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:
✍🏻 My Statement on the Conviction of Derek Chauvin
🏛 Hennepin County Board Actions this Week
🌳 ERF Grant Applications Due May 3 at 3:00 PM: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.
♻ Earth Week Climate Action Tour: This Earth Week I visited various locations within District 6 tp highlight some of the foundational strategies in Hennepin County’s Climate Action Plan as part of a long-term response to climate change.
🌎 Join the Zero Waste Challenge: One action that residents can take right now to reduce waste and the impacts of the goods we buy and use is to join the Zero Waste Challenge.
💼 Certified Access Academy Information Session: Hennepin County is partnering with The Activate Network and Fearless Commerce to present the Certified Access Academy, a cohort to support women of color business owners.
🏡 Hennepin County seeks feedback on the housing and development draft annual action plan: The 2021 housing and development draft annual action planshows how Hennepin County and cities plan to use approximately $5.2 million in federal funding from HUD over the coming year.
🏡 Update on Covid-19 rental assistance: Hennepin County is in the final stages of dispensing about $15 million in Federal Emergency Rent Assistance funding it received in January 2021 for direct rent relief for tenants.
🏛 Eden Prairie City Council Meeting: This week I joined the Eden Prairie City Council to provide an update on the work Hennepin County is doing for our community. I am especially grateful for their dedication to serving our residents and to Mayor Ron Case for his leadership.
☕ Coffee with Chris – Saturday, May 1 at 10:00am: Join me for an informal virtual conversation over coffee. You can click here to join the virtual meeting on May 1.
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
✍🏻 My Statement on the Conviction of Derek Chauvin
On Tuesday, the county board updated the county’s goals to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030. These emission reduction goals apply to both the geographic area of the county and county operations. These goals are more ambitious than the State of Minnesota’s goals and position Hennepin County as a leader on addressing climate change in the upper Midwest.
The board also established a new director position of Climate and Resiliency in recognition of the board’s commitment to climate action. A director level position is critical to implement and integrate the countywide framework laid out in the Climate Action Plan. Paired with prioritizing disparity reduction, this individual will operationalize the plan. The Climate and Resiliency director will work across Hennepin County departments and with external partners to develop and monitor metrics to ensure mutual accountability. This position will also convene partners to further pursue collaborations for greater impact and raise a collective voice for climate policy to drive behavior and systems change.
The board approved joining the U.S. Plastics Pact to build on county efforts to support residents and businesses who want to take action on plastic waste and pollution. The collaboration of corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government will bring the necessary stakeholders together to develop solutions and implement coordinated initiatives.
The goal of this work is to ensure that plastics never become waste by eliminating the plastics we do not need, innovating to ensure that the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and circulating all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment.
In recognition of Earth Day 2021, the board adopted a resolution recognizing that environmental education, community engagement, and partnerships are critical to meeting the county’s goals and fulfilling its mission. The county also recognizes that the impacts of the climate crisis, like other environmental justice issues, are not experienced equally, with those who contribute least to the problem being the most impacted. The county resolves to foster community-centered partnerships, support community-based solutions, and engage the public in how we design and deliver our programs to empower residents to individually and collectively take action to protect the environment and create healthier and stronger communities. The county is also committed to prioritizing environmental education and engagement with youth, Black, Indigenous, communities of color and other underserved and historically marginalized communities in order to reduce disparities and advance environmental justice.
🌳 ERF Grant Applications Due May 3 at 3:00 PM
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.
Prior to applying for an ERF grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.
Application materials will be available through the Supplier Portal.
Questions? Visit Hennepin.us/brownfields
To date, Hennepin County has awarded 406 ERF grants totaling more than $57 million.
Learn more about the Environmental Response Fund online.
♻ Earth Week Climate Action Tour
This Earth Week I visited various locations within District 6 to highlight some of the foundational strategies in Hennepin County’s Climate Action Plan as part of a long-term response to climate change.
One of the strategies is strengthening community resilience to protect natural resources. The Minnehaha Creek Methodist Hospital Re-meander is a great example of this work. It restored wetlands, increased capacity for floodwater, and has slowed flow to filter pollutants.
The Cottageville Park expansion treats 22 acres of polluted stormwater, keeps 26 pounds of phosphorous and 2.8 tons of sediment from entering the creek per year. Vegetation restored 400 feet of streambank reducing erosion and catching stormwater before it enters the creek. This creates community resilience and protects natural resources.
Hennepin’s climate action plan strategies include preventing food waste and diverting organic material from trash by increasing the use of compost and helping businesses and organizations implement best practices. A great resource for residents looking to support reducing food waste and diverting organic material from trash is organic waste drop off centers in Hennepin County like the Minnetonka-Hopkins Recycling Center which has a drop off site that is open 24/7.
The plan seeks to reach net zero by 2050 and cut greenhouse gases from transportation by reducing vehicle miles traveled through the region and expanding transit-oriented development.
With 6 SWLRT stations in District 6 has the most stations than any other district. Several SWLRT stations are being constructed and will be critical in helping us reach those goals as well in increasing connectivity and accessibility.
Another strategy prioritizes designing infrastructure, buildings, and property for future climate conditions. We will also develop and implement a sustainable purchasing policy as well select climate-friendly building materials and furnishings.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office being built in Minnetonka will follow the state’s sustainable building guidelines and contribute to our net zero-emissions goal.
🌎 Join the Zero Waste Challenge
One action that residents can take right now to reduce waste and the impacts of the goods we buy and use is to join the Zero Waste Challenge. The online Zero Waste Challenge runs May 1 to 31, and participants can start or join a team to take the challenge along with their family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues.
Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Challenge will help you learn more, connect you with resources to help you reduce the waste and clutter in your life, and provide support and motivation along the way.
Join the challenge now, and see the resources section for tips on getting started and creating a team as well as promotional materials to help you spread the word.
💼 Certified Access Academy Information Session
Hennepin County is partnering with The Activate Network and Fearless Commerce to present the Certified Access Academy, a cohort to support women of color business owners. The Certified Access Academy will provide 8 weeks of strategic consulting designed to advance certification and increase opportunities to do business with government and corporate entities.
Info session:
- Thursday, April 29, 3-4:30 p.m.
Sign up for the info session now
The Certified Access Academy will kick off on May 12, 2021. All Hennepin County businesses are welcome to apply. If you or anyone you know would benefit from the cohort, please contact economic.development@hennepin.us.
📰 News
A tool that prioritizes people for homeless services favored white people. So Hennepin Co. stopped using it.
by Tom Crann and Megan Burks, Minnesota Public Radio
Hennepin County homeless service providers have found a relatively simple fix to reduce racial inequities in who receives housing. It has to do with an intake questionnaire that’s been found to favor white people for permanent housing and to funnel people of color into less intensive options.
Hennepin County changed that process last year — and is already seeing results.
Access the full story, here.
📻 Real Talk with Roshini: Roshini talks with Hennepin County Commissioner Chris LaTondresse and gets his reaction to the Derek Chauvin verdict
Roshini talks with Hennepin County Commissioner Chris LaTondresse and gets his reaction to the Derek Chauvin verdict, the statement that was put out after the verdict, why messaging is important and more.
Listen to the full interview here.
Hennepin County Board approves latest climate action plan
By David Chanen, Star Tribune
Other initiatives in the 59-page report address racial inequities, green jobs, climate resilience, protecting building sites, roads, infrastructure, and natural resources and green infrastructure.
Access the full story, here.
🏡 Hennepin County seeks feedback on the housing and development draft annual action plan
The 2021 housing and development draft annual action plan shows how Hennepin County and cities plan to use approximately $5.2 million in federal funding from HUD over the coming year.
The plan identifies 2021 funding priorities, projects, activities and outcomes through three federal programs managed by Hennepin County:
- Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is soliciting public comment on the Hennepin County Consortium Draft 2021 Action Plan, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in May 2021.
Provide feedback by Friday, April 30 and learn more here.
🏡 Update on Covid-19 rental assistance
Hennepin County is in the final stages of dispensing about $15 million in Federal Emergency Rent Assistance funding it received in January 2021 for direct rent relief for tenants. An additional $10 million will be dispensed through a landlord program. Another allocation directly to Hennepin County of about $21 million in rent assistance from the American Rescue Plan is expected in the next few months.
The average amount paid has been $4,000, but some people have been eligible for as much as $20,000. Hennepin County rolled out a two week March rental assistance “sprint” leading up to the statewide system launch. That two-week round closed March 19, resulting in 3,739 applications.
For the next round of rental assistance, Hennepin County will join a new statewide platform for people applying. County staff will continue to determine eligibility and process payments.
Where to refer people who need rent help
If you need help navigating options, call 612-348-6442 to speak to a Hennepin County representative.
The Tenant Resource Center, 612-767-9737, is an option for clients when their situation is complex – for example, needing legal advice or help negotiating with a landlord.
The statewide COVID-19 rent assistance program website, renthelpmn.org, is now taking applications.
The rent assistance program is prioritized for people who:
- Have an annual household income less than 50% of the area median income (AMI) and who have had a decrease in income or increase in expenses due to COVID-19, or
- Have an income between 50% and 80% of AMI and had someone in the household receiving unemployment for 90 days or more.
🏛 Eden Prairie City Council Meeting
This week I joined the Eden Prairie City Council to provide an update on the work Hennepin County is doing for our community. I am especially grateful for their dedication to serving our residents and to Mayor Ron Case for his leadership.
☕ Coffee with Chris – Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 am
Join me next Saturday, May 1st for an informal virtual conversation over coffee. Starting at 10:00am you can click here to join the virtual meeting.
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
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Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168