Hennepin County doubles Minneapolis rental assistance funding to $2 million
Hennepin County commissioners unanimously approved increased emergency rental assistance funding from the City of Minneapolis on Wednesday, raising the city's contribution from $1 million to $2 million. The move expands a critical program that helps residents struggling to pay rent.
The board voted unanimously to revise a joint powers agreement with Minneapolis, doubling the city's financial commitment to the emergency rental assistance program that Hennepin County administers. Commissioner Irene Fernando explained the change for residents following along: "The main difference is going from 1 million to 2 million. So, this is for just for those following at home, Hennepin County administers a program and the city of Minneapolis last week had allocated 1 million and now that a number has increased to 2 million."
The meeting also featured unanimous approval of several other initiatives. The board awarded a contract worth over $1 million to Concrete Idea Inc. for accessibility improvements along county roads, primarily focusing on ADA-compliant ramps at intersections on Franklin Avenue, Cedar Avenue, and France Avenue. Commissioners clarified that these projects would not involve widening sidewalks, which are reserved for larger reconstruction efforts.
The county also formalized its participation in the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigator Task Force through a joint powers agreement with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The partnership allows the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to work as an affiliate member, optimizing resource deployment for victim rescue and offender apprehension. Commissioner Fernando addressed resident concerns about surveillance technology, noting that such aspects were not included in this agreement while committing to further review of other sheriff agreements.
The board honored two retiring employees with commendations. Betsy David, Interim Assistant County Administrator for Human Services, was recognized for eight years of service, including her work establishing the Health Care for the Homeless program as a federally qualified health center. Katherine Cardell, the county's first Debt Management Officer, was lauded for over 15 years managing more than $2.5 billion in debt and mentoring women in public finance.
Additionally, commissioners declared March as GRI Awareness Month to highlight rare neurogenetic disorders and proclaimed March 31st as Transgender Day of Visibility in Hennepin County, with planned celebrations including bridge lighting at Lowry Avenue and I-35W. A public hearing on the county's 2026-2030 capital improvement program debt issuance was scheduled for April 21, 2026.
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Votes (8)
Commendation of Interim Assistant County Administrator for Human Services, Betsy David, upon her retirement
Dissent: None
Moved by Irene Fernando [00:02:40] · Seconded by Angela Conley [00:02:56]
Commissioners recognized Ms. David's eight years of service, highlighting her expertise in financial management, her role in strengthening partnerships between Human Services and healthcare systems, and her innovative approach to finance, including making it 'fun.' Her work in establishing the Health Care for the Homeless program as a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and fostering a culture of continuous improvement were particularly noted.
Commendation of Debt Management Officer Katherine Cardell upon her retirement
Dissent: None
Moved by Angela Conley [00:16:04] · Seconded by Kevin Anderson [00:16:15]
The Board honored Ms. Cardell for over 15 years of service, recognizing her as the county's first Debt Management Officer. Her extensive experience, modernization of debt issuance policies, management of over $2.5 billion in debt, and instrumental role in improving state grant processes for nonprofits were lauded. Her commitment to mentoring women in public finance was also a significant point of praise.
Referral of Consent Item 9R R1: JPA with the city of Minneapolis for emergency rental assistance
Dissent: None
Moved by Marion Greene [00:33:47] · Seconded by Kevin Anderson [00:33:51]
This item, initially part of the consent agenda, was revised to reflect an increase in the City of Minneapolis's contribution to the emergency rental assistance program administered by Hennepin County. The allocation from the city increased from $1 million to $2 million.
JPA between Hennepin County and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigator Task Force
Dissent: None
Moved by Irene Fernando [00:36:19] · Seconded by Marion Greene [00:36:27]
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office sought to join the BCA's Human Trafficking Investigator Task Force as an affiliate member. Major Magnuson explained that this formalizes their collaboration, allowing for optimized deployment of resources, victim rescue, and offender apprehension. Commissioner Fernando also addressed resident concerns regarding surveillance and technology use, noting assurances that those specific aspects were not present in this agreement, while committing to further review of other Sheriff's JPAs.
Declaring March as GRI Awareness Month in Hennepin County
Dissent: None
Moved by Kevin Anderson [00:43:56] · Seconded by Unknown [00:44:03]
Commissioner Anderson introduced a proclamation to recognize March as GRI Awareness Month, highlighting GRI disorders as rare neurogenetic conditions. The discussion emphasized the challenges faced by affected families, the importance of early detection, and the hope generated by ongoing biomedical research. The proclamation aimed to raise awareness and affirm support for these families.
Proclamation recognizing March 31st, 2026 as Transgender Day of Visibility in Hennepin County
Dissent: None
Moved by Irene Fernando [00:51:39] · Seconded by Marion Greene [00:51:50]
Chair Fernando offered a proclamation recognizing March 31st as Transgender Day of Visibility, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and supporting transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals. The discussion underscored the ongoing discrimination and violence faced by the community, particularly people of color and Black transgender women, and highlighted county initiatives and events planned to celebrate and affirm their presence.
Award a contract to Concrete Idea Inc. for accessibility improvements along various county roads
Dissent: None
Moved by Irene Fernando [00:56:17] · Seconded by Kevin Anderson [00:56:22], Angela Conley [00:56:29]
The Board approved a contract for over $1 million for accessibility improvements, primarily focusing on ADA-compliant ramps at intersections along roads like Franklin Avenue, Cedar Avenue, and France Avenue. Discussions clarified that these projects would not involve widening sidewalks, which are reserved for larger reconstruction efforts. Commissioner Conley also inquired about the contractor's diversity status, which could not be confirmed immediately but was noted as a lowest-bid small business.
Establish a public hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. during the county's administration, operations, and budget committee for the purpose of issuing debt under the county's 2026 to 2030 capital improvement program
Dissent: None
Moved by Irene Fernando [01:00:46] · Seconded by Marion Greene [01:00:51]
This item established a future public hearing to discuss the issuance of debt as part of the county's 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program. The motion was self-explanatory and passed without additional discussion.
Notable Quotes (13)
Your service is so meaningful for all of the residents of Hennepin County, and making finance fun, I think should be on a T-shirt.
Our leadership holds resident services and well-being as our North Star, and it is easy to keep that direction. I've been privileged to work with incredibly dedicated, talented staff at Hennepin County.
40 years in public finance. I mean so within 10 or 15 years of women's ability to apply for a credit card. I just want to be just want to cite this and maybe just a couple decades after black women were permitted the the opportunity to vote. Like let's just really situate what it takes the risk taking that you must have embodied.
I'm proud to say that we work with an all female team in debt management including my wonderful new successor Sarah Brown here. And bond counsel and our municipal advisors. So we're going to keep it going and keep it strong because I think we just do great work.
The main difference is going from 1 million to 2 million. So, this is for just for those following at home, Hennepin County administers a program and the the city of Minneapolis last week had allocated 1 million and now that a number has increased to 2 million.
HCSO seeks to join the BCA as an affiliate member in the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigator Task Force. This will allow HCSO to optimize deployment of its personnel and resources while continuing to meet and exceed the objectives of the task force.
I'm very comfortable remaining in partnership with the BCA and I'll just express in transparency there is a lot of concern from residents around surveillance, around what technology is being used. And so, receiving clarity from the Sheriff that that is not an aspect that is present in this in this action was assuring.
For many families affected by GRI disorders, the journey often begins with a quiet realization that something just isn't quite right. Uh when a child begins missing important important developmental milestones or showing signs of regression. What can follow can be unbearable time searching for answers, navigating complex diagnoses, and advocating every day for the care and understanding that their loved ones deserves.
It is always important to raise awareness for rare health conditions because better awareness, of course, reaches uh can increase earlier detection, care, support, and most importantly, just reminds the broader community that we must be nurturing the compassion in one another, and really seeking to understand what a family is going through.
It is crucial that in light of continuing and escalating anti-trans sentiments and legislation throughout this country, that we take the opportunity to acknowledge and show our support for our transgender, gender [snorts] non-conforming, and non-binary employees, residents, and community members.
Hennepin County remains unwavering in our love and support and care for everyone who finds themselves in our geography. And especially our trans youth, we will remain fighting for you.
With our ADA upgrade projects, we're generally focused to our intersections and making sure that those ramps that go from the sidewalk into the street are accessible for those that are walking or biking or in um wheelchairs. Um and we are unfortunately not widening the sidewalks on those corridors. Um usually that's reserved for our major reconstruction projects.
I'm really, really excited about these improvements on Franklin from Milwaukee to 30th, and I also see the Cedar Avenue improvements from 52nd Lake Lake Nokomis Parkway and 19th Avenue and Riverside. And having walked those corridors, I know that the sidewalks are this big. So, when I see Concrete Inc., I'm wondering if part of the ADA accessibility work will be widening or making the sidewalks a little bit wider in those areas.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Agreement with the City of Minneapolis for Emergency Rental Assistance, increased from $1M to $2M.
Agreement between Hennepin County and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Developed by Katherine Cardell for state bond-funded grants to community nonprofits.
Recognizing dedicated service and retirement.
Recognizing dedicated service and retirement.
Raising awareness for rare neurogenetic disorders.
Celebrating and supporting the transgender community.
Subject of a public hearing for issuing debt.
For accessibility improvements along various county roads.
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Other Topics from This Document
Public Safety and Human Trafficking
Health and Disability Awareness
LGBTQIA+ Community Support and Visibility
Infrastructure and Accessibility Improvements
Emergency Rental Assistance Funding
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