Hennepin County — Transcript
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Workforce Development and Regional Planning
Correctional Healthcare Provision and Costs
Child Well-being Committee Reconstitution
Waste Management and HERC Operations
Affordable Housing Preservation
Climate Change Mitigation and Carbon Sequestration
Library Services and Literacy
Votes (18)
Public Hearing on the updated Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act regional plan
Moved by Unknown [00:03:55] · Seconded by Unknown [00:03:57]
Nola Slaughter Johnson provided background on the updated WIOA regional plan for Workforce Development Area 4, which includes Henipin County and several other counties. The plan provides a shared strategy for the metro labor market, aligning various partners to build economic self-sufficiency. It's an update reflecting current labor market conditions, and public comment will be incorporated before submission to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. No callers or in-person comments were received.
Agreements with City of Weisetta and City of Richfield for Law Enforcement and Terrorism Prevention Equipment
Moved by Unknown [00:04:47] · Seconded by Unknown [00:04:50]
Two similar agreements for purchasing law enforcement and terrorism prevention equipment were moved together. The agreement with Weisetta was for just under $10,000, and with Richfield for a little over $12,000. These were considered routine items with no further discussion requested.
Agreement with Task Unlimited Building Services for Commercial Janitorial Services
Moved by Unknown [00:05:43] · Seconded by Unknown [00:05:46]
A routine agreement with Task Unlimited Building Services to provide commercial janitorial services for the 625 building was presented. The contract spans from November 1st, 2026, to October 31st, 2028, with a not-to-exceed amount of $800,000. No background or questions were requested.
Terminate and Forgive Home Investment Partnership Agreements with Trellis Louisiana Court Acquisitions LLC
Moved by Unknown [00:06:11] · Seconded by Unknown [00:06:17]
Julia Wellie provided background on the 'Perspectives' project, a 56-unit supportive housing project in St. Louis Park that underwent bankruptcy in 2024. Trellis purchased the property, and this action is part of a restructuring to address capital needs. Forgiving these HOME loans will recapitalize the project, enabling the preservation of this affordable asset through 2080. Commissioner Green expressed gratitude for getting the beloved institution back on track.
Negotiate Amendment 4 to a Lease Agreement for the St. Anthony Library
Moved by Unknown [00:09:12] · Seconded by Unknown [00:09:16]
Spencer Agnu from Facility Services presented a routine five-year extension for the St. Anthony Library lease at 2941 Pentagon Drive Northeast St. Anthony. The library has been in this location since 2002, and the rent will remain flat for the first year with reasonable escalations. Commissioner Fernando raised concerns about the library's size (5,000 sq ft) and the broader need for more publicly available community spaces, especially in small communities like St. Anthony Village. It was noted that six county libraries are currently leased.
Direct the County Administrator to Explore Options for Medical Services in Correctional Facilities
Moved by Commissioner Connley [00:13:28] · Seconded by Unknown [00:13:29]
Commissioner Connley introduced a resolution directing the county administrator to evaluate current service delivery models and costs for comprehensive medical services in the Adult Detention Center, Adult Corrections Facility, and Juvenile Detention Center. The objective is to identify cost-effective approaches, potential partnerships, alternative providers, and new technologies, while considering impacts on quality, access, equity, and fiscal sustainability. Commissioners Lundy and Fernando emphasized the need for better facility design for mental health/addiction crises, tele-health options, and noted the significant strain of medical costs on the law, safety, and justice budget.
Establish the Henipin County Committee on Child Well-being (Progressed R1)
Moved by Commissioner Fernando [00:32:00] · Seconded by Unknown [00:32:04]
Commissioners Gotel, Eden, and Fernando co-authored a resolution (R1) to reconstitute the Child Well-being committee. This continues work from a 2019 settlement agreement, aiming to establish a standing committee with internal and external experts by next summer, focusing on upstream prevention and addressing disproportionality. Commissioner Gotel noted Hennepin County's unique success in negotiating a consent decree. Commissioner Connley emphasized incorporating tribal representation and lived experience, especially following the African-American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act. The item was progressed to the next board meeting for further review and potential edits.
Negotiate Agreement for Radiology Suite Equipment (North Point Health and Wellness Center)
Moved by Unknown [00:34:10] · Seconded by Unknown [00:34:12]
Kimberly Spates, CEO of North Point Health and Wellness Center, requested approval to negotiate agreements for new radiology suite equipment. This is a routine replacement for end-of-life X-ray equipment, crucial for continuing integrated care. Funding will come from state federally qualified healthcare center subsidy grants. An additional agreement for ongoing tech support, maintenance, parts, and labor was also included.
Human Services and Public Health Resolution, Including Contracts to Amendments with Providers
Moved by Unknown [00:36:51] · Seconded by Unknown [00:36:53]
A resolution concerning human services and public health, including various contracts and amendments with providers, was presented. It was noted as a routine item with no specific questions or comments from the commissioners.
Amendment to Agreement with Centurion Detention Health Services LLC for Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare
Dissent: Commissioners Fernando, Green, Connley, Eden, and Gotel voiced strong concerns and discomfort with the significant cost increase and the terms of the contract, despite ultimately voting in favor due to the critical need for continued services.
Moved by Unknown [00:38:09] · Seconded by Unknown [00:38:10]
Marielle Ellen Hang, Director of DOCCCR, presented a one-year extension with Centurion for correctional healthcare, increasing the NTE by $13.6 million, reaching $56.7 million. Key drivers for the increase include a significant rise in resident acuity (due to annexing jail residents and DOC parolees) and a nearly $5 million increase in insurance costs for Centurion following a $300 million federal jury verdict in Michigan. Commissioners expressed discomfort with the substantial increase, with Commissioner Fernando noting the disproportionate rise in costs. Commissioner Connley deemed the amount unsustainable and highlighted Centurion as a non-local, for-profit entity, reiterating the need for the AOB committee's directed exploration of alternative models. Commissioner Eden, while feeling 'price gouged,' urged approval for continuity of care. The vote passed despite widespread concerns.
Amendment to Agreement with Minneapolis for Waste Delivery (Progressed)
Dissent: Commissioners Lundy, Connley, Fernando, and Gotel voiced significant frustrations and concerns about Minneapolis's waste management policies and plans.
Moved by Chair Anderson [00:56:22] · Seconded by Unknown [00:56:32]
Dave McNary presented a request from Minneapolis for a one-year extension of their waste delivery agreement through December 31st, 2027, at the current rate of $88 per ton. Commissioner Anderson moved to progress the item to allow the Minneapolis City Council to vote on it first. Commissioners Lundy, Connley, Fernando, and Gotel expressed significant frustration over Minneapolis's policy conflict of wanting to close the HERC by 2027 while still relying on its services, questioning their zero-waste plan's realism (only residential waste studied, not commercial/multi-family), data accuracy, and suggesting higher tipping fees for cities contributing the most waste without robust waste reduction strategies.
Amendment to Agreement with ACES to Expand the Scope of Services
Moved by Unknown [01:09:44] · Seconded by Unknown [01:09:47]
This item involved a routine amendment to an existing agreement with ACES, an energy sale or broker for the county, to expand the scope of services. There were no changes to the contract period or the not-to-exceed amount. No questions or comments were raised by the colleagues.
Work Order for Land-based Carbon Sequestration Measurement and Modeling with the University of Minnesota
Moved by Unknown [01:11:07] · Seconded by Unknown [01:11:09]
Carolyn Colip presented a two-year work order with the University of Minnesota to continue measuring and modeling carbon stored in natural areas across the county. This project, which began in 2024, is vital for including land-based carbon emissions and offsets in the greenhouse gas inventory, tracking progress towards the county's net-zero emissions goal by 2050, and making data-driven investment decisions for nature-based climate solutions. Funding is derived from HERC energy sales, and the work aims to position Hennepin as a leader in nature-based climate efforts.
Negotiate Agreements with Hagen Trucking and Niti Contracting for Waste Transportation Services
Moved by Unknown [01:15:23] · Seconded by Unknown [01:15:25]
The committee authorized negotiating agreements with Hagen Trucking and Niti Contracting for trucking services related to waste transportation. The contracts cover the period from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2033, with a combined estimated annual amount of $3 million. This was a routine item with no questions or comments.
Authorization to Acquire Right-of-Way for Various Transportation Projects
Moved by Unknown [01:16:16] · Seconded by Unknown [01:16:18]
This item sought authorization for the direct purchase or condemnation to acquire right-of-way for various transportation projects. It was presented as a fairly routine matter, and no questions or comments were raised by the committee members.
Convey Surplus Property to the Henipin County Regional Rail Authority (Maple Brook Estates)
Moved by Unknown [01:17:09] · Seconded by Unknown [01:17:11]
The committee considered and approved the conveyance of surplus property, specifically the Maple Brook Estates in Brooklyn Park, to the Henipin County Regional Rail Authority. This was a routine item with no discussion.
Agreements with Bartlesmen Publishing Group, Inc. and Libraries IDEA Ideas LLC for Children's Read-Along Books
Moved by Unknown [01:18:59] · Seconded by Unknown [01:19:01]
Two agreements were moved together for the provision of hardcover children's read-along books with embedded audio players. Commissioner Fernando noted the resources are beneficial not only for children but also for the elderly and those in memory care. Commissioner Gotel highlighted their value in the 'ready-to-read' program for hooking children into a love for books. Commissioner Lundy added that these books assist parents or older siblings who may lack confidence in reading aloud, providing a dual learning benefit. The contracts extend from October 20, 2026, to October 19, 2029, with combined NTEs of $750,000.
Amendment to Agreement with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund for Acquisition of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH)
Moved by Unknown [01:24:26] · Seconded by Unknown [01:24:28]
Abby Lucen presented an amendment to extend the term of an agreement with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund for the acquisition of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) through December 31, 2042. This extension allows more time for the Noah Impact Fund LLC to identify properties and close acquisitions, utilizing the remaining $3.4 million in Pool 2 (which leveraged an additional $26.8 million from other funders and has already preserved over 360 units). There is no change to the overall not-to-exceed amount, ensuring continued preservation of affordable housing.
Notable Quotes (24)
Today we are seeking public comment regarding the updated uh workforce innovation and opportunity act WA uh region 4 regional plan for a metropolitan region. Henipin County is part of workforce development area 4 which includes six local workforce development areas.
forgiving these batch of home loans um as part of the recapitalization will enable the preservation for this affordable asset through 2080.
this project is just or perspectives was such a beloved institution in St. Louis Park and I I remember being so glad that there was sort of this this plan had developed and I appreciate sort of every step of the way that um we're looking to sort of get it back on track.
I have a renewed understanding as to how vital uh, certain libraries are, especially when they're the only public space available. So the feedback that I received is um, even with the satisfaction, uh, folks are wondering, can things be um, open for longer for communities that don't have a lot of publicly available space?
the cost of providing comprehensive medical care in three spaces. The adult detention center, adult corrections facility, and juvenile detention center have just been increasing. And that just places additional strain on county resources and budgets.
I always talk about the the need for better space whether it's in our facilities that's designed for people who who may be really suffering mental health or addiction crisis as part of it.
We appreciate the 5 years and the two years and there's too much important and good work for the well-being of the children of Henipin and um across Minnesota for us to slow down or conclude that work.
We were the only one the only one that got a consent decree otherwise everybody had to pay up and I mean it was millions and millions of dollars... But what I'm most excited about is that there was a people around that table and our child well-being that said we need to continue on.
We have a big opportunity in Henipin County to get this right by families, black families and native families. and we we shifted focus um once uh the law was passed, which will go into effect in January, um to really hone in on on native families and bringing in tribal representation.
Our X-ray equipment has come to the end of life. Um and we need to uh purchase um new equipment so we can continue to provide a whole person integrated care over at North Point.
Two primary factors contributed to the increase in this contract. Um and it is a one-year extension. Um the first is the increase in the acutity level of the residents that we are seeing come into both the adult corrections facility and the juvenile detention center and some significant shifts that have occurred in the correctional healthc care insurance market.
Colleagues I'm not super comfortable voting on this today personally because I'm interested in more math but I understand if this needs to proceed today.
I think that that one has administration coming back to us March 31st of 2027 because these type this type of dollar amount is not sustainable going forward.
I don't like this contract. I don't um I don't I don't like I feel like we're being price gouged. I want to be very honest with you. And and I don't like that.
The conclusion was the 80,000 tons that are currently going to Herk would ultimately end up at one of three landfills. Burnsville, Elk River, or Pine Ben. In order to get it to those landfills, they would use one of three transfer stations.
I feel like their tipping fee should be $10 higher... if you don't have a plan to accelerate zero waste in your city, but you still want to dump in a place where you said you want closed, to me, that that doesn't make sense.
The city of Minneapolis is the only community that uses the herk that has a very direct policy conflict with the herk... They're the only entity that has passed such a date. And then they're also asking us to use that same facility on that same date.
Where is their zero? You're right. Where is their zero waste program? Where is their stuff? And I have talked to council members and I have pointed this out to them and I said there are dollars, there are grants. The county is here to help you.
This work allows us to include landbased carbon emissions and offsets in our greenhouse gas inventory, which is necessary for accurately tracking progress towards the county's goal of a net zero emissions by 2050.
making good use of dollars that are coming out of uh facilities like it is it is the sale of energy that allows us to study and find better ways of uh capturing and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
These are uh wonderful resources and just as a um point of you know kind of expression really great for like elderly and those in memory care and children.
This is such a great tool for these kiddos to have too because once we get them hooked into loving books and everything like this, I mean sometimes it takes the right book, but if a kid can figure it out and all of a sudden the light bulb goes on, then they're they're a reader for a lifetime.
sometimes these books are very very helpful for people who may not feel confident enough to read and therefore feel embarrassed to help their kids read.
Pool 2 still has $3.4 million available, which could support the acquisition of approximately 80 more units of naturally occurring affordable housing. Um, the action request before you today would allow Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and Noah Impact Fund LLC more time to identify naturally occurring properties, Affordable Housing Partners, um, and close on the acquisition. So, to be clear, request an extension of time with no change to the not to exceed.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Updated regional plan for metropolitan regional workforce development area number four.
Resolution to establish the Henipin County Committee on Child Well-being.
Contains more information on the Human Services and Public Health Resolution.
Origin of the previous child well-being committee's mandate.
Legislation impacting child welfare practices, particularly concerning black and native families.
Agreements terminated and forgiven for the 'Perspectives' housing project.
Amendment 4 to extend the lease for the St. Anthony Library.
Evaluated options for Minneapolis's waste if the HERC were shut down.
Inventory that will include land-based carbon emissions and offsets.