Therefore, be it resolved that the Henipin County Board of Commissioners recognizes and honors the life and legacy of Speaker Amarita Melissa Hortman. And be it further resolved that the Henipin County Board of Commissioners denounces political violence and the intensifying violent rhetoric that threatens the livelihoods of our public servants at all levels of government.

She did not want to waste that trifecta. She was there when um marriage equality was passed and she knew that there were things that needed to be done during that moment that we had that majority um in 2022 that uh we didn't waste we passed universal school meals and those of us that grew up with um free and reduced lunch know that you used to get a a different color ticket and uh that was me and sometimes I wouldn't eat lunch and that was something that we fought for as a caucus. There was restore the vote where people were were defined where they be on probation in the state of Minnesota for a very long time and they still were not able to vote. It was something that we were able to push through and it was because of Melissa's help that we were able to do that clean energy. When I think about the things that she done, she loved clean energy. It was like her policy passion.

I think now more than ever with the tenor and the conversations that we aren't having because everybody's yelling and you know making up wild things that you know taking a moment to thank people while they're here uh for the work that they do would be a really good step. It doesn't take a tragedy or someone passing for us to be able to acknowledge that someone did something uh out of kindness uh so that people may see the fact that we're all together in this um that we're all striving to help people and that we all are trying to get to the same spot. We just might have different paths.

No one should have to live in fear when they choose public service or choose to run for office. And so I hope the workforce and residents are hearing um us take this seriously. And I hope people still run. I can't quite recommend the job, but I hope people are moved enough to run anyway.

as with all other watershed district appointments, the statute advises you to fairly represent the hydraolog the hydraologic areas of the district as you make your appointments.

I had called him actually before this to thank him for his service and let him know how I would be voting. Um and it's by no means uh equality to what he his service has been very much appreciated. Um and it's just a fundamental belief that I want to make sure that our boards have um different voices represented on them.

This project renovates that space in addition to adding space on the first floor, two more rooms, doubling the capacity for care at the jail. At the same time, this project creates a better space for visitors who are coming to visit their loved ones in the ADC.

So that's determined by the purchasing team based on availability in the market. So if there are a number of drywall um trades available then that number will be higher. If there's a plumbing number and the disparity in the market um or the number of available contractors are smaller then that number will be smaller. So purchasing works really hard to identify where those opportunities to hire small businesses in the market.

Whereas DOCCCR's dedicated staff and volunteers work to enhance community safety by promoting community restoration, reducing the risk of reoffence by delivering correctional supervision services to more than 21,000 juveniles and adult probation and parole clients at any given time.

I just want to highlight that sometimes people who are in our care because of justice related issues sometimes finally receive care for the addiction, mental health and other uh things that have really driven them down a path. And so the our professional probation parole professionals help bridge that because once they get out we need them to continue that success so they become productive citizens because they become whole again.

Patricia has been with the organization 16 years, is currently a director uh in the housing economic development area and has been an innovator in creating uh what you all know as a nationleading program referred to as Elevate Henipin.

I'm honored to accept this position. Um, and I would really like to say thank you first to Kevin Docky for being such an incredible, wonderful mentor all these years.

She has helped transform uh the security division within the facility services area. uh she's reshaped its structure, played a key role in hiring, establishing his priorities and then uh which is I think one of the testaments to her as an individual and her compassion and and uh service to our residents. She reflects uh in the culture and vision of the organization a trauma-informed uh focus and it's customer service centered.

This role is not something that I step alone. I'm fortunate to lead an amazing team of talented individuals. People who bring not just skills and professionalism but lived experience, compassion and deep dedication to this work. They truly the heart of this division and this appointment is as much reflection of their hard work as it is of mine.