Kevin Anderson - Hennepin County Commissioner District 7

I closed out the week with some very neat visits across Hennepin County.

First, a bike tour in Richfield. Richfield's recently completed 2023 Active Transportation Action Plan codifies a vision for a system with quiet, low-stress, enjoyable routes for people to get around to their daily stops. I enjoyed getting to understand how the smaller communities can take advantage of their unique attributes to support healthy and safe communities.

After spending some time on the bike, I stopped by the County Veteran Service Officers annual retreat at the Magnus Foundation in Dayton. I had the opportunity to thank them for their work supporting veterans across the county to find housing, navigate the court system, and so much more. Our CVSOs are extraordinary, as are the people they serve.

My office had the opportunity to tour the county's Traffic Management Center in Medina, where we manage the flow of traffic at county road intersections. Thanks State Representative Kristin Bahner and Representative Kristin Robbins for joining us!

Shoutout to the county staff who work at the TMC. They keep our commutes safe and efficient!

To report a traffic signal problem, visit this site: https://formcatalog.hennepin.us/public_works/traffic-signal-reporting/.html

For questions about this project contact [email protected]

Congratulations Emagine Theatres, the I94 Chamber, and the City of Rogers on the remodel of this great community resource! It’s beautiful and will be great for events!

Packed session on fostering civil discourse this morning with county officials across the country.

Today, we are once again shaken. The shooting at President Trump's rally is a stark reminder that gun violence, political violence, and inflammatory rhetoric have become far too common in our society. These actions have no place in our community, nor in any society that values peace and democracy.

I am grateful that President Trump is safe, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families. Let us honor them by recommitting to respectful dialogue and taking meaningful action to prevent further tragedies.

I had a wonderful meeting with Captain Bob Jaskowiak at the Magnus Veterans Foundation this morning. Our community is so incredibly lucky to have this organization in our district!

Today was an exciting day on our Public Works committee! We approved 17 Healthy Tree Canopy Grant agreements totaling just over $433,000. In fact, we were able to accept every single grant application we received this application cycle.

Healthy Tree Canopy Grant funds help Hennepin County communities reach a number of goals:

• Increase capacity of current city forestry efforts and programs related to trees.

• Educate the public about the importance of trees and engage them in taking actions to protect trees.

• Increase the diversity and resiliency of the tree canopy, accommodate new species that are well-adapted to our changing climate, and recognize that trees are assets that require regular maintenance and provide significant benefits.

• Support the local nursery and tree care industry and the use of local, ISA-certified arborists and professional tree workers.

• Align with Hennepin County efforts to reduce persistent disparities in health, income, and employment among its residents. Tree canopy improvements play a role in disparity reduction because trees improve air quality by intercepting particulates and other pollutants, reduce stormwater runoff, provide shade that mitigates excessive heat events and reduces energy consumption, and increases property values.

Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) has opened applications for their Water Assistance Program.

This water program helps residents pay their past-due water bills and related charges. Applications are processed in the order they are received.

Click on the link to learn more about the program and application process: https://caphennepin.org/what-we-do/water-assistance.html

Go Sarah! District 7 and all of Minnesota are rooting for you.

Paris bound!!

Mound resident, Sarah Bacon, has qualified for the Paris Olympics in diving! 🇺🇸

Best wishes in Paris Sarah!

I had a wonderful time touring the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District center in Plymouth with Heather Edelson for Hennepin. They are doing such an amazing job keeping up with all the rain we’ve had these last few weeks.

Did you know that they will come collect tires from your home for disposal to avoid insect breeding grounds? Be sure to check them out for more information!

Attention Residents! As steady rainfall as continued, Hennepin County is preparing to close two areas near the Crow River on the western side of the district.

Please use additional caution while travelling and stay up to date on road closures by following Hennepin County Emergency Management for updates!

Hennepin County to close County Road 92 and County Road 50 in western Hennepin County due to flooding Hennepin County to close County Road 92 and County Road 50 in western Hennepin County due to flooding Hennepin County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 06/21/2024 01:39 PM CDT County Road 50 in Rockford and Delano County Road 92 in Maple Plain and Minnetrista Hennepin County to close County Road 92 a...

Another wonderful community event tonight with City of Maple Grove, MN - Local Government and Maple Grove Parks and Recreation. I got to attend the Lakeview Knoll Pickleball Complex ribbon cutting ceremony.

I am proud to have aided in securing $300,000 from the Hennepin County Youth Activities Grant to help open this amazing facility. Thank you Pints & Paddle for sponsoring the tournaments later this summer! Be sure to visit the new complex and join in for a match!

Senator Warren Limmer and I even got a chance to try out the courts!

The City of Maple Grove, MN - Local Government hosted another wonderful Juneteenth celebration! Lots of performances, food, and small businesses to enjoy on this sunny night. Thank you Maple Grove Parks and Recreation for hosting such an impactful community night!

The Hennepin County Fair is open through tomorrow! Stop by for the bounce houses, connections to Hennepin County staff, beautiful art of all kinds, animals, rides and more.

And of course we handed out American flags in honor of Flag Day!

Join us tomorrow morning for another installment of Coffee with Kevin!

The District 7 team had an amazing outing today! Hennepin County put on an awesome 5K at the Medina Public Works facility, and even the weather cooperated.

Thank you to all who helped put this event on - what a great way to kick off summer!

Thank you to all of our women veterans!

In observance of Women Veterans Day, we commemorate the historic day in 1948 when women were granted the opportunity to serve in the military. Thank you to all women who have served. Explore services and resources for women veterans. hennepin.us/veterans

I woke up to a rain-soaked Tuesday, and will be attending the memorial for Officer Mitchell, senselessly killed in the line of duty. My heart aches for the loss felt within our community. Instead of looking forward to the joys of summer, we find ourselves saying goodbye to a hero who should still be with his family and friends.

The frequency and severity of attacks against those sworn to protect us are increasing, and this must end. I am committed to building a future where law enforcement has the tools they need to keep our communities safe, and where they, too, can be safe while performing their duties.

Be on the lookout for this and other ticks as you enjoy the outdoors. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I became allergic to red meat!

We have found our first Lone Star Tick of the year! This one was found during a tick drag in Hennepin County, just west of Rogers.

This tick is rare in Minnesota and is known for causing alpha-gal syndrome which can make the human host allergic to red meat. Be on the lookout for this and other species of ticks as we remain in a high activity time of year!

📷 Shawn P., Maple Grove facility

Yesterday I brought in treats from Paris Baguette, newly opened Maple Grove. I would share a picture of the amazing pastries, but they went too fast!
I also had to stop on my way home to bring something home for the kids 😂

What an exciting day for Hennepin County’s 6th District as Heather Edelson was sworn in! From her work on mental health, education, and so much more at the State Legislature, she continuously keeps residents at the forefront of her work. I am so excited to be serving alongside her!

This evening, South Minneapolis was struck by a horrific act of violence that claimed the lives of a dedicated police officer, two civilians, and the suspected shooter. This devastating event leaves a profound scar on our community, shattering families and instilling fear. My deepest condolences go out to the victims' families, and our prayers are with the critically wounded officer.

In this time of great sorrow, we must stand together, committed to supporting each other and ensuring the safety and healing of everyone impacted by this senseless situation. We cannot rest until we have thoroughly understood this tragedy and taken steps to prevent such violence in the future.

Thanks to our Forestry team at Hennepin County Government and the Minnesota Land Trust for having me out to Independence today! Teams are planting over 400 trees as a reforestation effort on a conservation easement.

If you're interested in turning part of your property into a conservation easement, check out this link:

https://www.hennepin.us/en/residents/conservation/land-protection-restoration

As we gathered under the rain and clouds this Memorial Day, we remembered the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their dedication and valor have secured the freedoms we cherish today. May their legacy inspire us to strive for a better, more peaceful world.

I had the honor of attending four services in District 7 - Plymouth, Rogers, Maple Grove and Maple Plain. I am incredibly grateful and humbled to live in a district that stands united in remembrance and appreciation for those who have given their lives to protect our nation's values.

What an exciting day. This facility is such a wonderful community asset!

Thanks Champlin Police Department - Minnesota for hosting Coffee with a Cop this morning. It was great to chat and see how much you care about your community. Happy National Police Week!

Congratulations on your retirement, Sergeant Denneson! I am so grateful for your 35 years of service to the residents of Maple Plain and Independence.

I am so incredibly thankful for the brave men and women in uniform who tirelessly serve our communities. Their dedication, courage, and commitment to keeping us safe is truly commendable. Thank you for being our everyday heroes.

Today, is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and we would like to express our gratitude for all law enforcement professionals, not only serving our community, but serving communities across the nation. THANK YOU! YOU ARE APPRECIATED!