Public Hearing on the updated Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act regional plan
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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)
Motion carries (Progressed)
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)
Passed (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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)
Motion carries (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
Approved (Unanimous)
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
Approved (Unanimous)
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
Approved (Unanimous)
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
Approved (Unanimous)
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)
Approved (Unanimous)
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
Motion carries (Unanimous)
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)
Passed (Unanimous)
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.