Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week I toured the Brooklyn Park Recycling and Transfer Station which will be the site of the future Anaerobic Digestion Facility. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners recently approved a new Anaerobic Digestion Facility. The New Anaerobic Digestion Facility will help in diverting more organics from trash and developing infrastructure to adequately manage the increased diversion of organics. This is critical as organics decomposing in landfills produce methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of trapping solar radiation and exacerbating climate change.
In the meantime, residents can dispose of household hazardous waste and problem materials such as appliances, mattresses, electronics, paint, and more at the Brooklyn Park Recycling and Transfer Station.
Updates you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:
♻ Brooklyn Park Recycling and Transfer Station – Site of future Anaerobic Digestion Facility
💵 The Zero Balance Project – Emergency Rent Assistance: In The Zero Balance Project, landlords start and lead the application on behalf of their renters.
🛍️ Juneteenth Jubilee – A MN Black Box Bazaar at the Hopkins Center for the Arts: MN Black Box is holding its first bazaar at the Hopkins Center for the Arts this Juneteenth.
💼 Elevate Business HC webinar series kicks off June 23: Get valuable insight from expert business advisors on a range of relevant topics.
❄️Hennepin County Cooling Sites: Check out this interactive map of places that can provide relief from the summer heat.
📚 Hennepin County Library Service Updates: Visitors are welcome to sit, read, study, or use Wi-Fi without time limits.
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
♻ Brooklyn Park Recycling and Transfer Station – Site of future Anaerobic Digestion Facility
I toured the Brooklyn Park Recycling and Transfer Station where the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners recently approved a new Anaerobic Digestion Facility. The New Anaerobic Digestion Facility will address key aspects as laid out in both the Climate Action Plan and the Solid Waste Management Master Plan such as diverting more organics from trash and developing infrastructure to adequately manage the increased diversion of organics, respectively. Organics are a problem in landfills, where decomposition produces methane, a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of trapping solar radiation and exacerbating climate change. Approximately 30% of county trash is organic waste, and there are thousands of tons available for recycling.
This project will serve as a demonstration project for the Upper Mid-west. As such, the project is a great candidate for state bond funding. Of the estimated $43,500,000 total project cost, the county intends to pursue $21,000,000 in state general obligation bonding support.
Hennepin County residents can dispose of household hazardous waste and problem materials such as appliances, mattresses, electronics, paint, and more at the Brooklyn Park Transfer Station and Recycling Center and the Bloomington Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-off Center.
These facilities are open from 9 am-5 pm Tuesday-Saturday.
The Brooklyn Park Transfer Station and Recycling Center, as well as the Bloomington Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-off Center, have free product centers where residents can pick up to 10 free products that can be reused to take home.
Find the best way to recycle, reuse or dispose of items from your home:
hennepin.us/greendisposalguide
💵 The Zero Balance Project – Emergency Rent Assistance
The counties of Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey, and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are offering emergency rental assistance through a program called The Zero Balance Project. In The Zero Balance Project, landlords start and lead the application on behalf of their renters.
What is the difference between RentHelpMN and The Zero Balance Project?
RentHelpMN and The Zero Balance Project are both emergency rental assistance programs, funded through the same federal grant program.
RentHelpMN is a statewide program where the renter leads the application process.
The Zero Balance Project serves Dakota, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties where the property owners and managers lead the application process.
- Statewide
- Both tenants and property owners/managers can start applications
- Renters provide income and demographic information, past-due rent and/or utility bills, and lease agreements and demonstrate impact by COVID.
- Property owners/managers provide property and payment information and verify the amount owed.
- Income limits: 80% AMI
- Maximum assistance: up to 15 months
- Eligible expenses include rent, rental fees, utilities, and tenant-paid utilities
- Applications accepted on an open pipeline basis through at least December 2021
- Total funding $518 million
- For more information, call 211
- Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties, including Minneapolis and St. Paul
- Property owners/managers start applications
- Property owners/managers provide lease, property information, the amount owed, and payment information.
- Renters provide income and demographic information and demonstrate impact by COVID.
- Income limits: 80% AMI
- Maximum assistance: up to 15 months
- Eligible expenses include rent, rental fees, and utilities that are included in the lease. Utilities in the renter’s name are not eligible under this program.
- Applications accepted June 7 to June 20, 2021 or until funding runs out
- Total funding $34 million, with potential to add funds as needed
- For more information, email zerobalanceproject@housinglink.org
Applications are being accepted through June 20th at 11:59 pm (or until funding runs out).
Find more eligibility information and apply here.
🛍️ Juneteenth Jubilee – A MN Black Box Bazaar at the Hopkins Center for the Arts
MN Black Box is holding its first bazaar at the Hopkins Center for the Arts this Juneteenth. Get tickets online to connect, shop, and network with over 30 Black-owned businesses. The first 50 registered attendees will receive a complimentary MN Black Box bag and there will be a performance by DAC Queens.
💼 Elevate Business HC webinar series kicks off June 23
Elevate Business HC webinars are a great free resource to get your business on track and ready for growth. Get valuable insight from expert business advisors on a range of relevant topics. Check back often as more will be added throughout the summer and fall.
Upcoming webinars:
- Sesión isobre la condonación de los préstamos de PPP para pequeños negocios (PPP forgiveness, session is in Spanish) Latino Economic Development Center, June 23, 6:00 – 6:30 p.m., learn more and RSVP
- Business Planning Post-Pandemic, Davis Law Firm, June 30, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., learn more and RSVP
- Reopening and Rehiring Do’s and Don’ts, Davis Law Firm, July 7, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., learn more and RSVP
❄️Hennepin County Cooling Sites
Cooling options
Check out this interactive map of places that can provide relief from the summer heat.
In a normal year, more than 600 Americans die of complications from overheating.
Young children, senior citizens, and people who are sick or overweight are most vulnerable. Start by being informed about heat alerts, issued by the National Weather Service and publicized by local news media. When the weather gets hot, it’s important to stay cool by staying indoors in air-conditioned buildings.
Movie theaters along with some pools, community and recreation centers may have a cost for use. Please inquire at each site for ticket price or possible fees, as well as restricted use and/or limited hours.
If you visit county buildings
All visitors to Hennepin County buildings are required to wear face coverings that cover both mouth and nose. A face shield alone is not sufficient. Visitors who wear a face shield are required to wear a face covering underneath it.
If you are sick:
- Do not enter the building if you are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Maintain 6 feet or 2 meters of physical distance.
📰 News
Hennepin County facility will turn organic waste into biogas
Sun Current
District 6 Commissioner Chris LaTondresse, of Hopkins, noted his appreciation for the county’s leadership role in taking on the project. County staff traveled to other parts of the country to learn about the technology. LaTondresse expects Hennepin County to attract visitors for the same reason.
Access the full story, here.
📚 Hennepin County Library Service Updates
Visitors are welcome to sit, read, study, or use Wi-Fi without time limits. You can browse or check out materials, pick up holds, get a library card, and more.
Most furniture should be reinstalled at libraries across Hennepin County as of June 8. Meeting rooms will be available to reserve starting June 21.
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