Hennepin County — Transcript
Monday, September 14, 2026
Food Security Initiatives and Waste Prevention
National Workforce Development Month
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Regional Plan Public Hearing
County Road Accessibility Improvements
Legal Services Agreement
Employee Health Insurance Benefits and Premium Rates
Opioid Awareness Day Proclamation
National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
Votes (9)
Food Security Update (Henipin Highlight)
Dissent: None
Abby Zaylor presented on the county's food security efforts, highlighting data on insecurity rates (9.5% fear running out, 6.8% didn't have enough food), disproportionate impacts on specific communities, and factors like HR1 and SNAP shutdown. She detailed the Community-informed Henipin County Food Security Initiative, its two-year plan, and significant investments ($4M in 2025-2026, $2M for SNAP response). The update also covered food rescue, waste prevention, and the successful Super Shelf program in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension. Commissioners praised the work, emphasizing dignity, waste reduction, and the county's vision, while acknowledging the ongoing challenge.
Commissioner Communication: National Workforce Development Month
Dissent: None
Chair Fernando delivered a communication recognizing September as National Workforce Development Month. She detailed the Henipin County Department of Workforce Development's 'Develop, Support, Employ' framework, presenting key impact numbers from January 2025 to June 2026, including serving over 12,000 residents, $22.6 million in contract spending, and placing 849 residents in high-demand jobs with significant wage gains. The communication also highlighted upcoming events and the county's commitment to reducing income and employment disparities.
Establish Public Hearing on Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Regional Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Irene Fernando [~2:15 PM] · Seconded by Commissioner Lundy [~2:15 PM]
The board considered and approved a motion to establish a public hearing for the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) regional plan for metropolitan regional workforce development area number four. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22nd, at 1:30 p.m. at the Administration Operations and Budget Committee to gather feedback on the plan.
Award Contract to Concrete Idea Inc. for Accessibility Improvements along County Roads
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Anderson [~2:18 PM] · Seconded by Commissioner Green [~2:18 PM]
The board approved awarding a contract worth just over $125,000 to Concrete Idea Inc. for accessibility improvements on various county roads. Commissioner Gotel praised Public Works for their prompt and responsive action in addressing accessibility issues for residents with disabilities, improving access to local amenities.
Negotiate Agreement for Legal Services with Messerly and Kramer, PA
Dissent: None
Moved by Irene Fernando [~2:25 PM] · Seconded by Commissioner Gotel [~2:25 PM]
The board authorized county administration to negotiate an agreement with Messerly and Kramer, PA, Attorneys at Law, for legal services, with a 'not to exceed' amount of $100,000. This action allows the county to secure specialized legal expertise as needed.
Amend Labor Agreements for 2027 Health Insurance Premium Distribution
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Connley [~2:28 PM] · Seconded by Commissioner Eden [~2:28 PM]
The board approved amending 16 labor agreements concerning the 2027 health insurance benefit premium distribution. Miss Wetland provided background, noting a projected $40 million increase in total health insurance costs and explaining that the county worked collaboratively with labor unions and the Labor Management Health Care Committee to achieve a consensus-based plan design saving $8.5 million. This adjustment in premium splits, ratified by all 16 unions, ensures the plan remains sustainable within budget constraints. Commissioners Green and Anderson expressed gratitude for the collaboration and mutual trust with labor partners during this challenging process.
Establish 2027 Health Plan and Premium Rates
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Gotel [~2:40 PM] · Seconded by Commissioner Lundy [~2:40 PM]
The board approved the establishment of the 2027 health plan and premium rates for the county's self-insured healthcare program, applicable to employees, eligible dependents, and retirees. This plan was developed in consensus with the Labor Management Health Care Committee.
Recognizing Opioid Awareness Day in Henipin County
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Connley [~2:45 PM] · Seconded by Commissioner Green [~2:45 PM]
Commissioner Connley introduced a motion to proclaim September 21st as Opioid Awareness Day. The commendation detailed the impact of the opioid crisis, noting over 2,100 non-fatal overdoses and 246 lives lost in 2025, with disproportionate effects on American Indian and African-American residents. The proclamation aligns with the county's 2020 declaration of racism as a public health crisis and commits the county to raising awareness, connecting residents to resources like naloxone, and reducing stigma. Commissioner Connley also mentioned associated county events for Recovery Month.
Declaring National Hispanic Heritage Month in Henipin County
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Connley [~2:50 PM] · Seconded by Commissioner Gotel [~2:50 PM]
Commissioner Connley introduced a motion to proclaim September 15th to October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month. The commendation highlighted the achievements, history, and culture of the Latino community, its indigenous roots, and descent from Spain, noting its coincidence with Independence Day celebrations in many Latin American countries. It recognized the contributions of employees and residents of Latin American and Hispanic heritage and the work of the Unidos Employee Resource Group. Commissioner Connley encouraged supporting local Hispanic/Latino businesses and attending community celebrations, including events by the Unidos ERG.
Notable Quotes (12)
9.5% of households lived in fear of running out of food because of financial hardship according to the shape shape data from 2022... And 6.8% experienced times when they didn't have enough food available and there was no money to buy more. As with so many other health outcomes and disparities, this disproportionately impacts black, African-American, Latin, Southeast Asian, indigenous, LGBTQI plus, immigrant, and older adult communities.
This initiative is rooted in disparity elimination and follows a two-year plan that includes eight strategies and 19 activities to prevent food insecurity, identify and act when it happens, and to mitigate and eliminate the impacts of long-term food insecurity.
Henipin Countyy's vision statement is that we have communities where all people are healthy, our people, all people are valued, and all people thrive. So, when I think of healthy and thriving, I think of fresh food and access to it.
While we're here in a moment of celebration, uh we do have to increase our resolve to ensure that our families and residents are receiving the nutritious food that every single person deserves.
Workforce development serves as a catalyst for connecting people to meaningful careers, cultivating a vibrant and diverse talent ecosystem and accelerating statewide opportunity and economic prosperity.
This workforce development month, I'm happy to reaffirm Henipin's commitment to advancing workforce development efforts in Henipin County as we all celebrate. Let's be vocal about this programming, why it matters, and the county is committed to reducing and eliminating income and employment disparities through this and other strategies.
I just want to say how much I appreciate this because I know that I have called the the public works because I've had people with disabilities who needed who had accessibility issues in their neighborhood to parks and local drugstores and such and they have been like so responsive within weeks not months they have made accessible routes accessible.
With a projected increase of approximately $40 million in the total cost of our health insurance plan, the county worked closely with our labor unions to develop a strategy that maintains both the short and long-term stability of the plan. ... Negotiation was successful and because all 16 unions ratified the tenative agreement, we can move forward with the consensus plan design.
I want to thank the um ad team from admin who are uh deep at work on this and also our labor partners for the collaboration and mutual trust that this represents. I'm really pleased that something came out of that those long hours of work and also pleased at what it indicates about the relationship and conversation that's happening with our labor partners.
This is hard work and really really grateful for everybody who came to the table to work collaboratively to get this done because uh as we all know, we are facing some pretty severe headwinds uh moving into the next year. And knowing that we have uh the full complement of Henipin County working together to address the challenges that are before us is like it gives me confidence that we are going to weather this storm uh together.
Whereas in 2025, more than 2100 residents were seen in hospital for non-fatal overdoses and 246 lives were lost due to overdoses involving o opioids. And whereas the opioid crisis disproportionately affects American Indian and African-American residents and expanding access to treatment and recovery services aligns with Henipin County's 2020 declaration of racism as a public health crisis.
Whereas Henipin County benefits from the many contributions of employees and residents with Latin American and Hispanic heritage that make our county a better and more vibrant place to live and work. And whereas employees of Latin American and Spanish heritage communities and their allies created the Unidito's employee resource group, which seeks to foster community visibility and professional development for members and allies and promote a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Federal legislation exacerbating food insecurity issues.
Federal program for food assistance, impacted by federal shutdown, leading to county response.
Survey data on household food insecurity in Henipin County.
A two-year plan with eight strategies and 19 activities to prevent, identify, and mitigate food insecurity.
County plan where food waste prevention is a foundational strategy.
Federal workforce development plan, topic of a public hearing for regional area number four.
Annual day recognized by the county to raise awareness about the opioid crisis and reduce stigma.
Annual period recognized by the county to honor the achievements, history, and culture of the Latino community.