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Commissioner Chris LaTondresse (Dist. 6) Update: July 23, 2021






Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners doubled down on the vaccine incentive program Hennepin created last month through a board action request I authored. I’m very pleased this strategy will now reach even more residents, and expand out County’s ability to increase trust, decrease vaccine hesitancy and reduce disparities. I spoke with KARE 11 about the expansion of our incentive program. Watch the interview >>

Updates in this week’s newsletter:

💉 Hennepin Approves Additional $250,000 for Vaccine Incentive Programs: At the current rate, with no additional funding, that initial inventory would only have lasted another week.

💻 Hennepin County Approves $10,000,000 toward eliminating the digital divide

🏛 Additional Hennepin County Board Actions: This week, the Board of Commissioners approved funds for employment enriched rehousing services for homeless families, a Hopkins Library Preservation Refurbishment project, and more.

🏠 The eviction moratorium is ending. Apply for rent help now: The state of Minnesota has announced an end to the eviction moratorium. You will still be protected from eviction for past due rent if you have applied for COVID-19 rent assistance.

🏛 Long Lake City Council Meeting

🤝 Hopkins Rotary Meeting

💧 Beach Water Sampling at Deephaven Beach

💼 Upcoming Elevate Business HC webinars and Support Opportunities

☕️ Coffee with Chris: I’m excited to announce the August ‘Coffee with Chris’ will include special guest State Senator Ann Johnson Stewart. RSVP here.

In service,

Chris


💉 Hennepin Approves Additional $250,000 for Vaccine Incentive Programs

The Hennepin County vaccine incentive program has succeeded in putting more shots in arms and rewards in residents’ pockets. Due to the overwhelming response, the County has received to grant offerings for trusted community groups hosting vaccine events and the distribution of gift cards receiving vaccines, the Board of Commissioners has doubled down on this promising strategy by allocating an additional $250,000 for the program. The vaccine incentive program was first established through a unanimous vote by the Board of Commissioners earlier this summer when I brought forth an action to approve $100,000, in federal funding from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, for vaccine incentive programs.

With the initial $100,000 for the program, the County purchased 2,235 $50 Visa gift cards. As of Monday, July 19, the County has given away 775 gift cards, mainly at Hennepin County Public Health events.  There have been nearly 50 community organizations that have applied for incentive grants. At the current rate, with no additional funding, that initial inventory would only have lasted another week.

This incentive program has always been about taking vaccine disparities head on by increasing public trust and decreasing vaccine hesitancy. We still have a long way to go in eliminating these disparities. still, the overwhelming public demand for these incentives shows that our efforts are paying off.

Organizations interested in receiving these grants should apply at: https://bit.ly/2TfPxpQ


💻 Hennepin County Approves $10,000,000 toward eliminating the digital divide

This week, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved $10,000,000in federal funds for the ‘Connecting Hennepin’ initiative to eliminate the digital divide in Hennepin County. Eliminating the digital divide is a top priority for our region in order to build a future where all residents can fully participate in the digital world and have universal access to affordable broadband, personal technology, and the digital skills needed to thrive. This funding will continue the most successful parts of the ‘Connecting Hennepin’ program to scale other aspects and leverage the County’s fiber-optic infrastructure to resolve broadband gaps on behalf of the community.

“Hennepin County residents behind in the digital age can receive an educational and financial boost.”

Read the full Star Tribune story here.


🏛 Additional Hennepin County Board Actions

This week, the Board of Commissioners approved:

  • $1,545,000 in grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the Projects for Assistance in Transition for Homelessness. These grant funds make it possible to provide outreach, case management, and other supportive services for persons with serious mental illness (SMI) or with SMI and co­occurring substance use disorder. This funding supports the County’s disparity reduction efforts by providing housing stability. Eligible individuals receive services that focus on recovery. Services are culturally competent and based on evidence-­based practices; they build on existing strengths and the person’s life goals.
  • $975,754, from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, in grant funds for employment enriched rapid rehousing services for homeless families. Once in housing, unemployed or under-employed participants are referred for employment services.  Families continue to receive supportive services to help maintain housing stability and access community-based resources. The program’s primary goal is to stabilize 80% of the people served in permanent, decent, affordable housing and not return to homelessness for at least 12 months after housing placement services end. The employment goal is that 41% of adults will retain or increase their employment income. All school-aged children served in the program are connected with their school’s McKinney-Vento homeless liaison while in shelter to ensure they can attend school regularly while in shelter and once the family moves into housing. 
  • $503,868, from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, in grant funds for rapid rehousing services for homeless families. This request reduces disparities in the housing domain by funding assistance and services that quickly move people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing. Most often, these are people who are members of groups disparately impacted by homelessness and housing instability.
  • $580,997 for the Hopkins Library Preservation Refurbishment project. The Hopkins Library is a busy, well-used library serving residents in the Hopkins area. However, the County has identified several significant asset preservation needs, including:
    • Replacement of the existing built-up asphalt roof, which is nearing the end of its useful life. The 12,500 square foot roof will be replaced with a new 30 year warranted fully adhered rubber membrane roof.
    • Replacement of an existing roof-top condensing unit and associated coils and piping, also nearing the end of its useful life. The replacement cooling unit will be a like and kind replacement and will include replacing the cooling coils within the building’s air handling system.
    • Reconstruction of the existing parking lot. The work will modify the existing entry drive, replace broken and damaged curbs, replace the asphalt surface and subgrade, improve the accessible parking stalls, replace the trash enclosure, and replace the existing light fixtures with new LED fixtures.

🏠 The eviction moratorium is ending. Apply for rent help now

The state of Minnesota has announced an end to the eviction moratorium. You will still be protected from eviction for past due rent if you have applied for COVID-19 rent assistance.

Renters in Hennepin County have two options to apply for rent help:

  • Zero Balance Project: Ask your landlord to start and lead the application process on your behalf
  • RentHelpMN: You or your landlord can start the application process

Until October 12, 2021, landlords must give renters a 15-day notice before filing an eviction for not paying rent. Visit Renters Help (211unitedway.org) for legal information and resources for renters.

Key dates

  • June 30: You could be evicted for violating your lease or if you qualify for COVID-19 rent assistance but refuse to apply.
  • July 14: You could be evicted for violating your lease, but not for not paying rent
  • August 13: Your lease could be terminated if you have not paid rent and are not eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance
  • September 12: You could be evicted if you have not paid rent and are not eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance
  • October 12: Your could be terminated or you could be evicted for not paying rent unless you are eligible for COVID-19 rent assistance and have a pending application
  • June 1, 2022: All lease termination and eviction protections are lifted

Renters in Hennepin County can be protected from eviction for past due rent if they have applied for rent assistance through RentHelpMN or the Zero Balance Project and are waiting for a decision on their application.

Please go to http://www.hennepin.us/rent-help for more details on these programs.


🏛 Long Lake City Council Meeting

This week I attended the Long Lake City Council. We talked about the ways Hennepin County is investing in residents and how we can partner in the future. A special thank you to Mayor Miner and the city council members for having me and for their leadership.


🤝 Hopkins Rotary Meeting

I joined the Hopkins Rotary Club at their weekly meeting to share how Hennepin is serving our residents. I am incredibly grateful for all the ways our Hopkins Rotary serves our community.


💧 Beach Water Sampling at Deephaven Beach

A healthy beach is a happy beach. I joined Hennepin County Public Health for a beach water sampling of Deephaven Beach. Beaches across the County are tested regularly by our public health department to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses and keep residents safe.

You can check out this interactive map with the status of the monitored beaches.


📰 News

Hennepin County ‘doubles down’ on vaccine incentive program

Photo Credit: Christine T. Nguyen, MPR News

By the Associated Press

Commissioner Chris LaTondresse said the program has increased the number of shots and Tuesday’s action “doubles down on this promising strategy” to help fight the coronavirus.

“This incentive program has always been about taking vaccine disparities head on by increasing public trust and decreasing vaccine hesitancy,” LaTondresse said. “We still have a long way to go in eliminating these disparities, but the overwhelming public demand for these incentives shows that our efforts are paying off.”

Access the full story here.


Hennepin County continues to sweeten coronavirus vaccine deal

By Sharon Yoo

“For your first shot you’ll receive a $50 gift card, for your second shot you’ll receive another $50 gift card, so a hundred dollars,” Hennepin County District Six commissioner Chris LaTondresse said. 

That’s $100 worth of VISA gift cards, which are basically as good as cash.

The incentive is the brain child of LaTondresse.

“The first round of this incentive program started in early July, with a $100,000 allocation,” LaTondresse said. “We bought a bunch of gift cards, encouraged a bunch of community organizations to apply for these grants, and within a couple of weeks the demand was so high we went through all of those. So just yesterday, the Hennepin County board approved an additional quarter million dollars to make sure that we can reach more residents, increase trust and reduce disparity.”

Access the full story here.


💼 Upcoming Elevate Business HC webinars and Support Opportunities

What to consider when deciding how your LLC will be taxed / Cómo decidir la categoría de impuestos que va a pagar su LLC

  • Hortensia Law
  • July 28, 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
  • RSVP

Partner events

  • Marketing 101: Learn the basics, by Minneapolis Business Mentors, July 29, 9-10 a.m.

Partner Resources

  • American Rescue Plan Grants for Arts Organizations, National Endowment for the Arts
  • Fix-It Friday, The Coven and Lunar Startups 
  • Minnesota State Trade and Export Promotion program (STEP),  MNDEED

Explore these and other events and resources.


☕️ Coffee with Chris

I’m excited to announce that the August ‘Coffee with Chris’ will include special guest State Senator Ann Johnson Stewart from 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m at the Ridgedale Library.

RSVP here.


About District 6

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephavennorth Eden PrairieEdinaExcelsiorGreenwoodHopkinsLong LakeMinnetonkaMinnetonka Beachnorthern MoundOronoShorewoodSpring ParkTonka BayWayzata and Woodland.


County information


Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886 

Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885

Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168

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