Hennepin County — Transcript
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Story
Hennepin County declares gun violence a public health crisis
Gun Violence as a Public Health Priority
Denouncing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Actions
Community Advisory Board Appointment Process
Votes (6)
Negotiate Agreements with Ignite Contracts
Moved by Chair Gotel [01:53] · Seconded by Unknown [01:53]
This was a routine administrative item to negotiate various agreements with Ignite contracts for services during 2026, not to exceed $51,600. No specific discussion beyond basic introduction.
Agreement with Three Rivers Park District for Law Enforcement Equipment
Moved by Chair Gotel [01:53] · Seconded by Unknown [01:53]
The agreement is for the Three Rivers Park District to purchase law enforcement and terrorism prevention equipment, specifically a Polaris Ranger UTV, for search and rescue operations. It's funded through a pass-through grant. Concerns were initially raised about the 'terrorism prevention' aspect but were alleviated once clarified as for search and rescue.
Designating Gun Violence as a Public Health Priority (R1)
Moved by Commissioner Eden [01:57] · Seconded by Unknown [01:57]
This resolution formally recognizes gun violence as a public health priority, aiming for coordinated action across county departments and partners like Hennepin Healthcare and the Sheriff's Office. It was noted that firearm-related deaths have significantly increased, with suicides accounting for two-thirds of these deaths. The resolution emphasizes a prevention, early intervention, and mental health support approach, aligning with how the county addresses other public health crises. It commits to annual reporting and transparency.
HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Funding Agreement
Moved by Chair Gotel [02:03] · Seconded by Unknown [02:03]
This item involved negotiating an agreement with HUD to accept $7.75 million in lead hazard reduction grant funding. The funding spans from February 1, 2026, through December 31, 2031, continuing an existing program without significant new discussion.
Denouncing Violent and Unlawful Actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Moved by Commissioner Fernando [02:04] · Seconded by Unknown [02:04]
This resolution addresses grave concerns regarding recent ICE activities in Hennepin County, including alleged racial profiling, physical assaults, and a fatal shooting. Commissioners emphasized the 'horrifying' impact on residents, leading to fear, disruption of essential services, and 'retraumatization' in affected neighborhoods. The resolution condemns these actions, calls for an independent investigation into the death of Renee Nicole Good, demands a suspension of harmful enforcement tactics, and mandates county administration to develop a comprehensive response plan to protect residents and address operational disruptions.
Progressing Applications for Community Advisory Board Appointments
Moved by Unknown [01:50] · Seconded by Unknown [01:50]
Following the playing of 70 minutes of recorded statements from applicants for various community advisory boards (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Capital Budgeting Task Force, County Extension Committee, Human Resources Board, Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council, Library Board, Race Equity Advisory Council), the committee moved to forward these applications to the January 27th meeting of the county board for final appointment decisions. It was noted that some vacancies might require further advertising if there were insufficient qualified applicants.
Notable Quotes (9)
This is an agreement with the Three Rivers Park District to purchase some law enforcement and terrorism prevention equipment. And it's a pass through grant that we have. And the agreement with Three Rivers is for them to purchase a Polaris Ranger UTV for search and rescue.
I just wanted to make a comment that I also had caught on um terrorism prevention equipment and just was like, oh my god, militarization of the Three Rivers Park District. Um, but then was glad to see that it was for search and rescue.
Today the resolution asks us to do something both practical and responsible to formally recognize gun violence as a public health priority in Henipin County to align the work we already are doing across departments in a more coordinated and accountable way.
Over the past decade, firearm related deaths in our county have increased nearly 70% from 79 deaths in 2014 to 133 in 2023. Statewide data show that gun deaths continue to climb in 2024.
70% of gun deaths are suicides. And I think that's an important part of the the conversation in looking at how we can keep people alive um with the landscape that we have in guns in our societies.
As we know, what's happening in our county and region right now with ICE is horrifying. Here in Minnesota, here in Henipin County and across Minnesota, people and minors have been racially profiled, intimidated, physically assaulted, and unlawfully removed from homes and private property.
My neighborhood did not have a chance to heal within the last 5 years. And so now my neighborhood is experiencing retraumatization. We witnessed murder twice in five years. State sanctioned violence. So, I want to be very clear that what I that I learned several years ago to take my anger and my frustration and my emotion and turn it into policy.
You have residents afraid to go to their doctor's appointments, afraid to go to the post office, afraid to show up to court, right? Afraid to just live or leave their homes. And when you have a situation like that, when you have an occupation of a federal regime in your backyard, lots of them, thousands of them, and you're afraid to leave. What does that say to us as policymakers in terms of our responsibility to say it's okay to go to your to your OB appointment? It's okay to go pick up your prenatal vitamins. It's safe for you to go to your regularly established appointments. But the reality is it's not because you don't know who's going to rip you out of your car.
The final resolving clause is the longest and has the greatest operational direction for county administration, directing the county administrator to establish a structured response with weekly updates to commissioners.
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
$8 million reduction in administrative revenue for the SNAP program due to federal legislative change
Upcoming plan for Minnehaha Creek Watershed District addressing climate change, flood mitigation, and water quality
Designating gun violence as a public health priority in Hennepin County