Hennepin County — Transcript
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Story
Hennepin County debates pushing Minneapolis on zero waste goals
Hennepin Health System Emergency Services Social Worker Program
AmeriCorps Green Corps Programs
State General Obligation Bonding Appropriations
Watershed Board Appointments
Right-of-Way Acquisitions for Transportation Projects
Software and Services Agreement Amendment
Votes (9)
Amendment to host an Americaore member from Minnesota Green Corps Climate and Resiliency
Dissent: Commissioner Fernando
Moved by Unknown [0m31s] · Seconded by Unknown [0m31s]
The committee considered an amendment to host an AmeriCorps member. While the partnership and staff efforts were appreciated, Commissioner Fernando expressed opposition to the AmeriCorps wage levels, stating discomfort with them despite the item being routine and federally funded. Other commissioners also noted the challenge of the federally set wages.
Authorize county staff to pursue 2026 state general obligation bonding appropriations
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1m10s] · Seconded by Unknown [1m10s]
This item was presented as routine and passed without further discussion.
2025 watershed board applicants and appointments to 9M Creek WHED district board
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1m35s] · Seconded by Unknown [1m36s]
The committee considered the appointment to the watershed board. With only one applicant, Larry Olsen, the item was routinely progressed to the full board.
Accelerating zero waste implementation in Minneapolis (Resolution R2)
Dissent: Strong concerns and potential opposition to the resolution's content were voiced by Commissioners Fernando, Connley, Lundy, and Anderson, though the motion to progress passed.
Moved by Commissioner Connley [37m54s] · Seconded by Unknown [37m58s]
An extensive debate ensued regarding Resolution R2, which aims to push Minneapolis to accelerate its zero-waste goals and improve data reporting and compliance. Assistant County Administrator Lisa Cerny outlined the resolution's requirements, which include establishing baselines for recycling rates, reporting on ordinance compliance, setting future targets, and identifying resources, with a deadline of October 20, 2025. Commissioners raised various concerns, including Minneapolis's perceived lack of progress despite their own Herk closure resolution, the narrow focus on Minneapolis at the expense of a broader county-wide waste management plan, the need for increased accountability for large waste producers, and the financial implications for residents and other cities. The resolution seeks to update county funding policies to include performance standards for cities like Minneapolis to receive SCORE funds. The item was ultimately moved to be progressed to the next board meeting.
Human services and public health resolution (Report 2512)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [40m54s] · Seconded by Unknown [40m55s]
This item included various contracts and amendments with providers for human services and public health, which were approved as a routine matter.
Service level agreement with Henipin Health System supporting the Henipin Emergency Medical Services Program
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [41m54s] · Seconded by Unknown [41m55s]
The committee approved a supplemental appropriation to fund two limited full-time social workers at the Hennepin Healthcare System's emergency medical services program. These positions are intended to support high utilizers of the emergency department who often have complex mental health and substance use disorder needs. The initiative, fully funded by Hennepin Healthcare System with federal support, was praised as a logical and data-supported solution that aligns with public safety's embedded social worker programs.
Agreement with the MPCA to host Americanore members from the Minnesota Green Corps Environment and Energy, Land and Water Unit
Dissent: Unspecified (consistent with prior AmeriCorps vote).
Moved by Unknown [46m40s] · Seconded by Unknown [46m40s]
This item was noted as being similar to a previous action regarding AmeriCorps members, but for a different unit. It passed with one dissenting vote, likely for the same reasons expressed earlier regarding AmeriCorps wages.
Authorization to acquire right of way by direct purchase or condemnation for various transportation projects
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [47m40s] · Seconded by Unknown [47m41s]
This was a routine authorization to advance public works projects by acquiring necessary right-of-way.
Amendment to an agreement with QMatic Corporation for Software and Services
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [49m40s] · Seconded by Unknown [49m41s]
The committee approved an amendment to an agreement with QMatic Corporation, extending the service period to December 31, 2026, and increasing the total contract amount by $32,000 to a new total of $449,000. This was a routine operational adjustment.
Notable Quotes (9)
Yes. Thank you. Thank you. I know it's a routine item and for those who have been following along are aware that I oppose the Americanore wages. So I appreciate the work and the partnership and I also appreciate uh county staff's efforts for engaging with Americanore green corps and in this case MPCA um and the the wages are at levels that I am not comfortable with. So I'll be voting no. Thank you.
To achieve our mutual goal with Minneapolis, there's a need for shared responsibility and accountability who to reduce waste and repurpose the herk facility. This resolution is compliant with state statutes and our solid waste management plan.
I live about a mile or so from the Herk. Um, I believe in a facility that the county owns and assists in operating to receive solid waste. That is my individual belief. Henipin County is the largest county and Minneapolis is the largest single city generator in the state of Minnesota.
The city's resolution states that the city will implement diversion and reduction measures as quickly as possible and develop methods to track progress towards zero waste goals. In the past year, limited progress has been made on their strategies. The purpose of this resolution is to ex to continue to push to accelerate zerowaste implementation in Minneapolis.
I think this even though it's really focused on Minneapolis, the effects of whatever the outcome of Minneapolis includes twothirds of the county that is not at the table uh not reflected in this. Um and that's just kind of where I'm at is there are so much things I think if we're going to talk about waste and all this that we have to have a countywide plan.
I want to clarify that this this is about the city because of how much of what's in the herk uh um comes from the city and all 45 cities are a part of the overall plan, the solid waste plan that we approve to close this thing um as early as 2028.
Now, if they mean what they say, then they need to do it. All the score dollars that come in through the county, every single penny goes back out the door to all the cities that work on this stuff. We don't take any of those dollars.
The positions would support residents who are high utilizers of the emergency department at Henipin Healthcare System. Uh those who often have complex needs for mental health and substance use disorder.
Yeah, just a quick comment. They do save lives. There's a social worker up here. So, just wanted to mention that. Um, what's really favorable about this is it is not dissimilar from what we're doing with public safety. noting that a health response and a public safety response really intersect at these um complex needs for our residents. And so we've known for a long time that people will show up at 911 either on the criminal legal side, the public safety side, or in our emergency rooms. And so this mirroring of our embedded social worker program is a really logical and data supported um solution, and I'm excited to support it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
County's plan to reinvent the solid waste system and achieve zero waste goals.
County's comprehensive plan for solid waste management across all 45 cities.
City's plan outlining seven strategies to advance zero waste and a circular economy.
City of Minneapolis resolution supporting the closure of the Herk facility by December 31, 2027.
County ordinance strengthened to include recycling and organics requirements for both residential and commercial sectors.
Existing City of Minneapolis ordinance for which compliance rates are to be reported.
Existing City of Minneapolis ordinances for which compliance rates are to be reported.
County policy to be updated to include measurable performance standards for cities of the first class receiving SCORE funds.
Human Services and Public Health resolution including contracts and amendments.
Agreement with Hennepin Health System supporting Emergency Medical Services Program.