HennepinHennepin Report

from

Peter McLaughlin

October 2009

In this issue:
* Energy meters available for check out at Hennepin County libraries
* Northstar Commuter Rail service begins Monday, November 16
* Hennepin County launches initiative to transform solid waste management
* Riparian Restoration and Stream Bank Stabilization Program established
* Funding available for youth sports facilities in Hennepin County; proposals due Nov. 2
* Volunteer opportunity: Rake, Rattle & Roll helps seniors with autumn yardwork
* Get a free Choose to ReUse coupon book this month
* Upcoming events: Cool County Expos, Fort Snelling LRT Station Area Plan Meeting
* Free Hennepin County bike and road maps available

* * * * * * * * * * *

Energy meters available for check out at Hennepin County libraries

Fifty easy-to-use Power Check energy meters are available to borrow at Hennepin County libraries beginning October 1. The meters will identify high energy use appliances in the home; determine how much it costs to use appliances; predict savings from reducing appliance use; calculate the cost-savings of replacing older equipment with newer energy-efficient models; and identify "energy vampires" -- appliances that use energy when switched off. The meters work on any standard 120-volt electric appliance. They come with home-energy assessment instructions, worksheets, and information about rebates, money-saving energy tips and incentive programs.

Requests may be placed for the energy meters either online (at www.hclib.org -- search the catalog under “Power Check Energy Meter”) or in person at any of 39 Hennepin County libraries. The meters may be picked up at 31 Hennepin County libraries, and can be borrowed for up to three weeks.

Additional resources for living green are available in the “Subject Guides” section on Hennepin County Library’s website. Search under “Home & Garden” for “Green Living.”

Reducing energy consumption is making Hennepin a Cool County. Learn more at www.hennepin.us/coolcounty

* * * * * * * * * * *

Northstar Commuter Rail service begins Monday, November 16; public celebration planned for Saturday, November 14

I was honored to represent the Counties Transit Improvement Board at the recent event announcing that Northstar Commuter Rail will begin service on Monday, November 16.

CTIB provided $9.9 million for the Fridley station, which will be open when service begins, and will provide 50 percent of the line’s annual operating funding. Additionally, the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority allocated $8 million towards the line’s capital costs.

Northstar will offer service between Big Lake and the downtown Minneapolis Transportation Interchange. Efforts to expand the line to St. Cloud have strong support from partners in local, state and federal government.

November 16 also marks the start of service at the new extension of the Hiawatha Light Rail line to the Transportation Interchange, allowing a seamless connection between Northstar and Hiawatha, and eventually to additional light rail lines including Central Corridor.

Northstar partners will host celebrations at each of the six stations on Saturday, November 14. Watch for more details in our next newsletter.

For more information about Northstar service, fares, and tips for riders, visit Metro Transit’s website. For more information about the Counties Transit Improvement Board, visit our website.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hennepin County launches initiative to transform solid waste management

At its August 18 meeting, the County Board unanimously approved a resolution I introduced directing staff to develop a strategy to transform the county’s solid waste management system and reallocate resources, with the goal of significantly increasing recycling and composting rates of county residents and businesses.

Expiring contracts, changes in technology, growing interest in organics composting, recent court decisions and other changes provide an ideal opportunity for the county to review the current solid waste management program and, in conjunction with the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, implement new strategies and programs. The resolution directs county staff to:

* Develop new strategies for waste collection and management.
* Review current waste abatement goals and recommend new increased 10-year targets for waste reduction, recycling and composting.
* Evaluate the feasibility, benefits and costs of new programs.
* Pursue opportunities to create new green jobs.
* Review solid waste fees imposed by the county.
* Proceed with the engineering design needed to further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center.
* Review options to control the management of collected waste.
* Make other recommendations for changes consistent with the county's new solid waste goals.
* Identify ways to finance the new targets, strategies and programs without the use of property tax dollars.

Hennepin County will consult with communities and other stakeholders as the plan is developed to solicit input and feedback.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Riparian Restoration and Stream Bank Stabilization Program established

The County Board recently established the Riparian Restoration and Stream Bank Stabilization Program, designed to fund projects that will reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks throughout the county.

During the 2009 legislative session, with tremendous advocacy by Senator Patricia Torres Ray, the Minnesota Legislature appropriated $500,000 in fiscal year 2010 from the Clean Water Fund for a grant to be used for riparian restoration and stream bank stabilization. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is responsible for disbursement and administration of the grant to the county. Watershed management organizations and cities will be the principal recipients of funding from the program.

Due to urbanization, the more than 160 miles of streams in the county are being negatively impacted by changes in runoff volume and intensity. Bank erosion is significantly degrading the quality of these streams and downstream receiving waters.

The county’s Environmental Services Department is currently soliciting applications from local governments in September and will recommend projects to the board for approval in late 2009 or early 2010. The grant agreements with local governments will, when feasible and practicable, use Minnesota Conservation Corps and the Tree Trust to perform the restoration work. In this way the projects will provide much needed job opportunities for young people in Hennepin County.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Funding available for youth sports facilities in Hennepin County

We are delighted to announce that the Hennepin Youth Sports Program will begin awarding capital grants this fall. Awards will range from $10,000 to $400,000.

Please help us circulate this information to organizations that may be interested in partnering on applications for the first round of funding. Proposals are due Monday, November 2, 2009 by 4:00 pm.

The application process will be administered by the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commissioner (MASC), with the county board making final decisions on funding. The complete application form and a two-page summary of the program and Request For Proposals (RFP) process are available online.

Please note that among the application requirements is a resolution of support by the local unit of government (i.e., park board, city, school district) to file the application and, if selected for funding, to execute required agreements.

As an additional resource to prospective applicants and other interested in the program and RFP process, information sessions will be held in October at several locations throughout Hennepin County. The sessions will include a short presentation and a question-and-answer period with attendees. Staff will also be available for individual questions. The schedule for these meetings is:

Monday, October 5, 3:00 pm at Brookdale Library
Tuesday, October 6, 3:00 pm at Eden Prairie Library
Wednesday, October 7, 2:00 pm at Golden Valley Library
Thursday, October 8, 5:00 pm at Hosmer Library

* * * * * * * * * * *

Rake, Rattle & Roll helps seniors ready yards for winter

Get together with neighbors, family and friends to help seniors in our community get ready for winter. Organized by HandyWorks, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, Rake Rattle and Roll is recruiting volunteers to assist seniors in south and northeast Minneapolis with raking and bagging leaves beginning very late October through early November. Volunteer groups will need to provide their own rakes and the owner of the home will supply the bags if possible, but volunteers are encouraged to bring extra bags for the occasional homeowner who is homebound and unable to get their own. For more info, contact Molly at 612-721-8687 ext. 335 or mchandler@gmcc.org.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Choose to Reuse Today runs Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 – coupon books available

Hennepin County has partnered with 80 reuse retailers to offer Choose to Reuse coupons that can be redeemed for discounts from Oct. 1 - Nov. 30. Pick up a coupon book at participating retail locations, Hennepin County Service Centers, Hennepin County libraries and all Three Rivers Park District locations. Copies are available for download at www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse.

Reuse retailers include businesses and organizations that rent, repair, resell, consign, trade and exchange used goods. Participating retailers include Architectural Antiques, Broadway Rental, Encore Consignment Boutique, Goodwill Stores, Once Upon a Child, Paperback Exchange, Plato’s Closet, The Hub Bike Co-op, Unique Thrift Store and more.

There has never been a better time to shop ‘reuse.’ Reuse is good for the environment, stimulates the local economy, and saves you money. Renting, repairing or purchasing used items reduces the energy consumed to create new products. This prevents greenhouse gas emissions and reduces the impact of climate change.

Reusing contributes to making Hennepin a Cool County. Learn more at www.hennepin.us/coolcounty

* * * * * * * * * * *

Cool County Expos come to Hennepin County Libraries

* Saturday, Oct. 3 at Southdale Library (7001 York Ave. S., Edina)
* Saturday, Oct. 17 at East Lake Library (2727 East Lake St., Minneapolis)
* Saturday, Nov. 14 at Brookdale Library (6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center)

Learn about easy, inexpensive ways to save energy that are good for the environment and your wallet at three "Cool County Green Expos" presented by Hennepin County Library in collaboration with Hennepin County Environmental Services and Property Services, and Xcel Energy. All expos are Noon to 3 p.m.

Each of the expos will feature tips on easy ways to save energy in your home, and information on free lighting audits for area businesses. All sessions also will include a talk on organic composting by a Hennepin County Master Gardener as well as activities for children.

Visit www.hennepin.us/coolcounty and www.hclib.org for more information.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Fort Snelling Light Rail Transit and Upper Post Master Plan Information Meeting
Wednesday, October 7
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Historic Fort Snelling Visitor Center
(at the historic fort, not the state park; for detailed directions, visit www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hfs/)

This meeting is sponsored by Hennepin County to seek ideas and identify opportunities created by LRT service as well as preservation, reuse, and redevelopment at Fort Snelling’s Upper Post.

Hennepin County recently received a 2009 Preservation Award from the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota for our efforts to preserve and stabilize the historic Upper Post in partnership with a broad coalition of partners. To read the related news story, visit www.hennepin.us

* * * * * * * * * * *

Free Hennepin County bike and road maps available

This free full-color map produced by Hennepin County is a great resources to learn about the extensive network of bike paths and trails throughout Hennepin County and enjoy the changing colors of the fall landscape.

To request a map, please send an e-mail with your mailing address to Commissioner.McLaughlin@co.hennepin.mn.us with “Bike Map” in the subject line, or call my office at (612) 348-7884.

Bike maps are also available at the skyway level information desk at Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street, in downtown Minneapolis.

* * * * * * * * * * *

I am honored to serve the residents and businesses of District 4 as your County Commissioner. If you have any questions or comments, please contact my office at (612) 348-7884 and Dorothy Rucker or Katie Hatt can assist you.

If you no longer wish to receive Hennepin Report, please reply to this e-mail and type “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.

Thank you.

Peter

www.hennepin.us/petermclaughlin