Hennepin County — Transcript
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Story
Hennepin County commissioners proclaim April awareness months unanimously
Youth Engagement in Arts
Volunteerism and Community Service
Black Maternal Health and Birth Justice
Healthcare Funding and County Sales Tax
Public Health Initiatives and Proclamation
Fair Housing Advocacy and Proclamation
Sexual Assault Awareness and Support for Survivors
Votes (9)
Hennepin Highlights: Celebrating Earth Day
Dissent: None
Alyssa Reckinger from the Environment and Energy Department presented Earth Day (April 22nd) activities. Key initiatives include the Mighty Mississippi Cleanup Challenge (part of the Sacred Water Shared Future Campaign), tree planting towards a goal of 1 million by 2030, natural area protection, and zero-waste programs like swap events and Fix-It Clinics. The presentation emphasized community involvement and the connection to environmental stewardship and equity.
Commissioner Communication: Student Art Contest Celebration
Dissent: None
Commissioner Edelson reported on the successful first-ever Hennepin County Student Art Contest for grades 6-12, themed 'Belonging Begins Here,' with 35 finalists displaying art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Other commissioners praised the talent and the positive impact of art for healing and community reflection during challenging times.
Commissioner Communication: National Volunteer Week
Dissent: None
Commissioner Goettel honored National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), recognizing the crucial role of volunteers in extending county services and building strong communities. She highlighted that 4,081 community volunteers contributed over 80,000 hours of service last year, and employees also participated in numerous donation drives.
Commissioner Communication: Black Maternal Health Month
Dissent: None
Commissioner Conley addressed Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), an initiative by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. She detailed Hennepin County's Maternal Health Initiative, launched in 2021, and the new Birth Justice Community Advisory Board. The county's efforts include providing perinatal visits, trauma-informed training for health professionals, and investing in community-initiated solutions to reduce maternal health disparities.
Consent Agenda Highlight: Support for County Sales Tax for Healthcare System
Dissent: None, item passed as part of the unanimously approved consent agenda block.
Moved by Commissioner Debbie Goettel [0:21:18] · Seconded by Commissioner Kevin Anderson [0:21:19]
Commissioner Anderson highlighted an item within the consent agenda expressing support for a county sales tax to fund Hennepin County's healthcare system. He underscored the critical need for stable funding from the legislature to prevent hospital closure, acknowledging that while a sales tax might not be the first option, it is being considered given the urgency and severity of the situation.
Application for Temporary On-Sale Liquor License by Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Irene Fernando [0:23:55] · Seconded by Commissioner Marion Greene [0:23:56]
The item involved an application for a temporary on-sale liquor license. Stan Rogan clarified that this is a routine matter for the Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center because it is located on unincorporated property, making Hennepin County the relevant licensing authority.
National Public Health Week Proclamation
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Angela Conley [0:25:35] · Seconded by Commissioner Heather Edelson [0:25:35]
Commissioner Conley moved for a proclamation declaring April 6th-12th, 2026, as National Public Health Week. The proclamation outlined significant public health successes in Hennepin County, including investments in food support, childhood immunization clinics, cardiovascular disease prevention, harm reduction through the Red Door Exchange, and climate change health mitigation. It also recognized racism as a public health crisis.
Declaring April 2026 as Fair Housing Month in Hennepin County
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Irene Fernando [0:31:37] · Seconded by Commissioner Debbie Goettel [0:31:38]
Chair Fernando moved for a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Fair Housing Month, commemorating the 58th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act and referencing the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The discussion reaffirmed the county's dedication to ensuring fair, accessible, and equitable housing for all residents, free from discrimination based on various protected classes.
Declaring April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Irene Fernando [0:34:25] · Seconded by Commissioner Angela Conley [0:34:26]
Chair Fernando moved for a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The proclamation and subsequent discussion highlighted the pervasive nature of sexual violence and the county's commitment to supporting victims and survivors, especially youth and those with intersecting identities. Commissioner Edelson brought up contemporary challenges, such as online blackmail of young people, emphasizing the need to address evolving forms of sexual violence and promote consent.
Notable Quotes (18)
Every Earth Day, our community is inspired to act together to protect the natural resources that make Hennepin County a special place to call home.
We are over halfway to our climate action goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030 along with cities, park districts, partners, and residents.
students in in Hennepin County in grades 6 through 12 were invited to submit their art around the theme of Belonging Begins Here and that theme couldn't have been more important in the moment.
And as you expressed, this being rooted in such positivity, expression, and art truly does heal.
At Hennepin County, our volunteers have helped extend the reach and impact of our services for more than 50 years.
Volunteerism is truly a part of who we are in Hennepin County. Volunteers don't just support our work, they expand the possibilities of our work.
Black Maternal Health Week is an annual campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to build awareness, activism, and community building to amplify the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.
I want to express my gratitude to all of our Hennepin County staff and community partners for doing this important work to reduce and ultimately eliminate maternal health disparities.
I just wanted to highlight um first the um support for the county sales tax to support our health care system in Hennepin County.
where we are right now is we need stable funding passed by the legislature this year or the hospital will close.
The Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center is on unincorporated property, and the county is the licensing authority for a liquor license in unincorporated areas, and that's why it's before you.
Hennepin County Public Health is reducing barriers to accessing childhood immunizations by providing a community-based vaccination clinics across the county including clinics hosted in libraries and in partnership with local schools providing 855 people with a total of 2,484 immunizations in 2025.
This year's theme of of National Public Health Week celebration is ready, set, action. A powerful reminder of the energy, dedication and teamwork that's required to improve our communities' health, our own health.
Whereas the month of April 2026 marks the 58th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act which enunciates a national policy of fair housing for all who live in the United States.
Ensuring equal access to housing is foundational to building healthy, stable and thriving communities.
Whereas sexual violence is any type of non-consensual physical sexual act including sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
I'm very, very proud of how we have bolstered a centeredness on victims and survivors with special attention towards youth and those with intersecting identities, and the ways in which circumstances and resources and economics intertwine with the risk of sexual violence as well as the livelihood and safety of those families.
There's young people now that are being coaxed into sending new pictures of themselves and then being blackmailed where they're having to send them money. And so I think the more we talk about sexual assault and sexual violence and what that actually could mean and just the different forms that it's taking as we progress in society, it's looking very different than once was, and it's still not okay.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Legislation, celebrating its 58th anniversary, ensuring fair housing for all.
State legislation guaranteeing housing availability without discrimination based on additional protected classes.