Hennepin County — Transcript
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Veteran Support and Services
Youth Arts and Community Belonging
Waste Management Policy and City Agreements
Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Funding
Native American Heritage Recognition
Building Utilities and Infrastructure
Housing Stability and Eviction Prevention
Food Security and Federal Government Shutdown Response
Votes (10)
Commissioner Communications: Veterans Day
Commissioner Anderson delivered a communication acknowledging Veterans Day on November 11th. He emphasized Henipin County's extensive support for veterans, including programs for housing, overcoming homelessness, and navigating VA benefits, citing benchmarks met for ending veteran homelessness last year.
Commissioner Communications: Henipin County Student Art Contest
Commissioner Eden announced the first Henipin County student art contest in partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The contest targets students in grades 6-12 residing or attending school in the county, with the theme 'belonging begins here.' Winning artwork will be displayed at the museum.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Angela Connley [During Discussion] · Seconded by Commissioner Heather Eden [During Discussion]
The consent agenda, comprising items that passed unanimously out of committee, was approved. Commissioner Anderson specifically acknowledged and uplifted the 'embedded social workers' program, highlighting its demonstrable positive effect on residents and the collaborative hard work with cities. Commissioner Green echoed these sentiments, noting the program's appreciation in St. Louis Park and its expansion.
Negotiate Waste Delivery Agreements with Licensed Waste Haulers and Identify Market Price
Moved by Chair Irene Fernando [During Discussion] · Seconded by Commissioner Kevin Anderson [During Discussion]
The item authorized negotiation of waste hauler agreements and set a market price of $85 per ton. Chair Fernando proposed and passed an amendment requiring the waste delivery agreement with cities of the first class (specifically referencing Minneapolis and its zero-waste goals) to be brought back to the county board for final approval prior to signature. This was to ensure 'lock step' collaboration with Minneapolis amidst correspondence regarding the HERC facility and zero waste vision.
Approve Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Funding Policy, Negotiate SCORE Grant Agreements
Dissent: One commissioner opposed the amendment to change the improvement plan submission deadline from 90 to 60 days, though the final item passed unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Kevin Anderson [During Discussion] · Seconded by Commissioner Marian Green [During Discussion]
The board approved an updated policy and authorized negotiation of SCORE grant agreements. Commissioner Connley introduced two amendments: changing reporting frequency for cities of the first class to twice per year, and reducing the deadline for submitting waste improvement plans from 90 to 60 days. The amendments were driven by an expressed urgency to accelerate zero waste efforts, particularly aligning with the City of Minneapolis's stated goals. Commissioner Eden questioned the impact of the 60-day change on Minneapolis's $1.7 million SCORE funding, but proponents argued it signifies urgency, not an intent to withhold funds.
Recognizing Native American Heritage Month in Henipin County
Moved by Commissioner Angela Connley [During Discussion] · Seconded by Chair Irene Fernando [During Discussion]
Commissioner Connley moved a proclamation recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month. The resolution acknowledges the Dakota Oate as the indigenous homeland, celebrates Native American culture, and reaffirms Henipin County's commitment to eliminating systemic racism, honoring indigenous roots, and fostering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations. Commissioner Connley highlighted existing county partnerships and actions supporting indigenous communities.
Agreement with Energy Center Minneapolis LLC for 701 Building Utilities
Moved by Commissioner Kevin Anderson [During Discussion] · Seconded by Commissioner Heather Eden [During Discussion]
The board approved a 5-year agreement, with options for three additional 5-year extensions, with Energy Center Minneapolis LLC to provide steam and chilled water utilities to the 701 building. This agreement replaces a month-to-month extension that followed the expiration of a previous 20-year contract assumed when the county acquired the building.
Agreement with Alimac Group for 625 Building Roof Crane Project
Moved by Commissioner Marian Green [During Discussion] · Seconded by Commissioner Jeff Lundy [During Discussion]
An agreement with Alimac Group for up to $4.5 million was approved for the design, manufacturing, and installation of a new exterior building maintenance unit for the 625 building. The existing 42-year-old unit is beyond repair. This specialized, custom-designed equipment is essential for maintaining the building's unique shape and supports future window replacement. The selection was sole-source due to the custom and complex nature of the equipment.
Authorize $1.5 Million Fund Transfer for Rental Assistance
Moved by Commissioner Angela Connley [During Discussion] · Seconded by Commissioner Marian Green [During Discussion]
The board authorized a $1.5 million fund transfer from local affordable housing aid to the Public Health Department budget to provide eviction prevention assistance. This funding targets families, seniors, and people with disabilities facing very low incomes and high eviction rates in Henipin County, addressing immediate housing stability needs.
Delegate Authority for Food Security Contracts ($2 Million Supplemental Appropriation)
Moved by Commissioner Marian Green [During Discussion] · Seconded by Commissioner Angela Connley [During Discussion]
The board approved a $2 million supplemental appropriation to the Public Health Department budget, delegating authority to the County Administrator to negotiate contracts with food banks, food shelves, and food rescue organizations. This was an immediate approval due to the federal government's partial defunding of SNAP benefits, creating an urgent need for food assistance. Commissioners expressed deep frustration with federal political gridlock, highlighting the severe impact on vulnerable families, children, and seniors. Discussion emphasized the need for culturally relevant foods and potential future funding for programs like WIC if the shutdown persists.
Notable Quotes (15)
Henipin County is committed to serving our veterans and supporting our veterans in a multitude of ways. Together with our partners, we're helping veterans find safe, stable housing and overcome homelessness. Last year, we met the benchmarks for effectively ending veteran homelessness among veterans in our county.
The theme this year's theme belonging begins here. Our stories, our county, and our pride invites students to explore the meaning of belonging through their own personal and local lens. The program encourages participants to reflect on their identities, communities, and shared spaces that foster inclusion and connections.
I just want to acknowledge the the body of work in this for the embedded social workers. Uh all of the contracts uh that are being renewed and extended um represent so many years of hard work and collaboration with our cities that are really having a demonstrable effect on improving the lives of our residents.
My intention is resolving clause one that the county administrators authorized to negotiate waste delivery agreements for everybody basically. And then resolving resolving clause two says that um for final approval of that one contract has to come back here. So um in effect the work that the that administration has proposed can can be pursued in whole comprehensively with one additional approval.
I also want to add that we did receive an email from the city of Minneapolis. That's kind of the conversation that occurred a couple weeks ago. Now um from the city of Minneapolis chief operating officer stating their commitment to taking action towards meeting our shared zero vision zero vision for zero waste, excuse me, and recognizing that the actions that they described in their email are required before herk can be closed and have discussions about new and different uses of that space.
The reason for these two changes is I think that it represents the urgency around zero waste in Henipin County and the city of Minneapolis and the movement that would need to be made to meet not only our goals but the goals of the city as stated through the correspondence that we received from the city.
My take on your amendment going from 60 going from 90 to 60 is to express urgency. I mean, I don't think any of us want to withhold money. It is it is attempting to ensure that the city's performance matches its own goals.
This is a proclamation that we offer every year and it is just really important that we continue to celebrate the diverse American Indian cultures within our community while we also promote practices and policies that deepen our partnership and connection to the indigenous communities within our county. And with acknowledgement comes action.
This request is for a contract to provide steam and chilled water to the 701 building located here in downtown Minneapolis. This is a 5-year agreement with the option to extend for three additional 5-year periods. When the county acquired the building, we assumed the existing 20-year contract with Cordia.
This project will replace the 42year-old exterior roof mounted building maintenance unit, which has reached the end of its useful life and can no longer be repaired or serviced. This access equipment is critical to safely maintain the building exterior, including window repair and maintenance. This system will be specifically designed for the building's unique shape and provide access to areas not reachable by other systems.
This board action request allocates additional funding to provide eviction prevention assistance, including financial assistance to families, seniors, and people with disability who have very low incomes. In Henipin County, we consistently see high rates of eviction filings among these groups and additional strains on lowincome household budgets. Require that we allocate additional funding to be able to maintain coverage for these populations through 2025.
This infusion of resources will provide needed assistance in this time of increasing need for community organizations that were stretched thin before the federal shutdown.
The US Department of Agriculture uh enacted a uh devised a formula to reduce household benefits uh as part of as I understand it the court uh actions uh late last night. They actually revised that formula again so that um so that families would get slightly more but they will not get a full payment.
The fact is that we will have working families and children that will not have access to food this month. Um they will be hungry and we don't even know how much longer that will be. That just disgusts me that we are in a situation where beyond our control um there has been a choice to not feed babies and children and families.
I'm absolutely disgusted and I didn't felt like using a swear word um with both parties, Republicans and Democrats. I'm going to call them out by name in the federal government who have used people. So, look at that. $180 per month. That's their bargaining chip. I'm talking to you. It's not your fault. I But I'll take look at Jody. That's their bargaining chip is $180. I hope they're proud of themselves.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Agreements with licensed waste haulers for waste management services, particularly those with cities of the first class.
Updated policy guiding funding for waste reduction and recycling initiatives.
Agreements related to state programs for recycling and waste reduction.
Official recognition of November as Native American Heritage Month in Henipin County.
Five-year agreement for steam and chilled water utilities to the 701 building.
Contract for design, manufacturing, and installation of a roof crane for the 625 building.
Source of $1.5 million for rental assistance and eviction prevention.
Federal food assistance program facing funding cuts and payment reductions/delays due to government shutdown.
Federal nutrition program at risk of funding impacts due to government shutdown.
Supplemental appropriation of $2 million to support food security initiatives.