Business Recycling Incentive Program, Bicycle Plan: Hennepin County Board Actions

The following was provided by Hennepin County. Includes summaries of a portion of the actions from the June 11 Hennepin County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Board approves agreement with state for auto-theft prosecution

The board approved an agreement between the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) and the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce for more than $440,000 in grant money for enhanced prosecution of auto theft. HCAO has received grants for auto theft prosecution from the state since 1997. The grant provides resources for the prosecution of adult and juvenile auto-theft cases.

Business Recycling Incentive Program will help businesses, institutions improve recycling

The board approved the establishment of the Business Recycling Incentive Program that will provide funds to for-profit and nonprofit businesses and institutions to establish, enhance and expand recycling and organics recycling programs. The program will provide funding for upfront costs such as recycling containers, supplies and equipment purchase and installation.

This program will help the county meet its new recycling goal of 45 percent by 2015. County staff will develop program guidelines and application materials, with plans to roll out the program in the fall.

County to update bicycle plan

Significant growth in bicycle use in Hennepin County called for an update to the 2002 bicycle plan. A full update of the plan will reflect new roles for the county in policies, practices, design guidelines and responsibilities. Planning is slated to begin June 17 and will take approximately one year with extensive engagement in urban, suburban and rural communities in the county.

The final plan will include an updated bikeway system plan, maps of gap studies, regional trails and underserved areas, a short-term implementation plan for bikeway projects, and recommended policies, practices, design guidelines and programs. The current bike system has about 540 miles of on- and off-road facilities throughout the county.

2014 state bonding requests for Bottineau and Southwest light rail approved

The board, acting as the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, approved submitting an $18 million 2014 state capital bonding request for the Bottineau Transitway. It also approved supporting the Metropolitan Council’s $81 million 2014 state capital bonding request for the Southwest LRT line. The state has requested all 2014 bonding requests be submitted by June 21.

Funding awarded to improve school recycling programs

The board awarded funding totaling $87,894 through the School Recycling Assistance Program to six public school districts, two public charter schools and two non-public schools for projects that will improve recycling. These projects will engage a total of 13,900 students and additional parents and staff.

The following projects were awarded:

• Benilde-St. Margaret School, St. Louis Park: $2,795
• Hopkins Public Schools: $8,880
• Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School, Rogers: $865
• Noble Academy, Minneapolis: $3,307.50
• Partnership Academy, Richfield: $5,906.39
• Richfield Public Schools: $6,734.25
• Rockford Area Schools: $18,077.30
• South Education Center, ISD 287, Richfield: $1,548.50
• St. Louis Park Public Schools: $4,316
• Wayzata Public Schools: $35,463.72