Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

Thirty, twenty twenty six, as Therapy Animal Day in Hennepin County offered by Commissioners Greene and Conley. So before I hand it over to them and to the presenters, I'll say this is quite an energetic meeting because we have animals with us. And so for those following at home, please know that we will soon receive presentation and have wonderful therapy animals and their caregivers with us. And so now we welcome them. Come on up, however. Let's clap.

Are we doing the thought for this?

I'm sorry.

Hi. Thank you, guys.

I apologize. I meant to hand it off to these two, and then we're going to hand it off to you. But I wanted the animals to gather with their wonderful caretakers. And I think there's some bunnies and rabbits that are still making their way up to somewhere. Yes. This is

nice because we can address.

Exactly. We want to make sure to so I will hand it over to Commissioners Greene Conley who offered this. Thank you.

Thank you. Why don't I move the item? Awesome. So National Therapy Animal Day is April 30, which is a day to recognize the valuable work done by these wonderful animals, as well as their wonderful handlers who volunteer their time to help others. I'm really happy to be bringing this forward again this year with my colleague, Commissioner Conley. I'm going to maybe have the clerk read the commendation, and then we'll both share, and maybe I'll share additional remarks afterwards. Thank you.

Whereas National Therapy Animal Day is an annual event observed on April 30 that recognizes the thousands of therapy animal teams serving in communities across The United States. And whereas therapy animals in Hennepin County play an essential role in improving human health and well-being through the human animal bond. And whereas therapy animal teams make millions of visits per year in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and hospices and interact with a variety of people in our community, including veterans, seniors, patients, and students facing literacy challenges, as well as those approaching the end of their lives. And whereas exceptional therapy animals partner with the human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need. And whereas Hennepin County Libraries regularly host therapy animals to support children during reading education events.

And whereas the Hennepin County Attorney's Office employs their own emotional support dog who provides comfort to victims, witnesses, and employees. And whereas Animal Therapy Day in Hennepin County encourages Hennepin County residents to celebrate our therapy animals and their human handlers. Be it resolved that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners proclaims Thursday, 04/30/2026 as Therapy Animal Day in Hennepin County.

Thank you so much, miss Rose. As we heard in the proclamation, there are a number of areas of the county that benefit from the work of therapy animals, including our libraries, county attorney's office, and health care clinics. I'm really grateful for the work of these animals and their handlers, and I want to acknowledge my anecdotal evidence, which is I think that this is our third year of doing this, and it's remarkable how the tenor of this whole room changes in the presence of these animals and their handlers. So thank you. Commissioner Conley.

Absolutely, I am just really glad, just over the moon, that we have programs in place that allow our residents and staff to benefit from the positive effects of therapy animals. They're just good for our health, our overall well-being. These animals and their handlers are providing truly irreplaceable support to our communities every single day. And we do have some really wonderful people here today from Pet Partners, a leading national therapy animal program, who will share a few words with us.

Hi. Thank you guys for having us. We're really grateful to receive the proclamation. I can speak for myself and probably Kayla that we're both very new to having therapy dogs and volunteering with the community. And it's been so much fun. We've gotten to go to some really great places and meet a lot of really nice people. And it's been so fun to meet all of you today and have everybody get to say hi to the pups and the bunnies and the little kitty. But I just wanted to thank you guys for having us, and thank you so much for the proclamation.

Well, thank you so much for being here. I think we're going to take a photo and maybe have a little time visit. Fantastic.

Yes. So, with that, any further discussion before we vote on the proclamation? Thank you both for

bringing I this wanted to say one last thing, if you don't And mind, Madam I'm surprised Commissioner Conley didn't bring this up, because we have some insider scoop. Do you remember what we learned at the medical examiners?

Oh, yes.

Go ahead, share.

So So, thank you, Commissioner Gottel, because we just came back from visiting and touring the new medical examiners' facility out in Minnetonka, and they get therapy animals regularly because the work they do definitely requires the benefits and well-being and fun and peace that therapy animals bring. So I was really, really happy to hear that they get those great visits out there.

That's

fantastic. And they're getting their first time, one, to live in

a house.

And they say it's a secret. It's not. Everybody knows. Because they went out and pulled together the money themselves as a people and put out the RFP for them and got foundation dollars. So kudos to those medical examiner folks and the staff out there for thinking about themselves and doing something so positive.

I understand the benefits.

Absolutely. And as mentioned, we just want to thank you so much for the work that you do for our communities. And energetically, this board meeting is it's like a meeting before spring break or something because there's animals. And we've gotten cards in the past with the past service animals. So it really is just such a delight to get to have you here. And we will proceed to vote on the proclamation. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.

And April 30 is officially Therapy Animal Day in Hennepin County. Thank you, Sprout and Fred. Those are the dogs joining us. And

tiger and lilac.

Tiger and lilac.

And Duke.

And Duke.

And Duke.

So for those following at home, we just recognize therapy animal day in Hennepin County and we're joined by therapy animals and their caretakers and caregivers. And so we are appreciative. And we will move on to four on the agenda, which is the minutes from the previous meeting, specifically 4A from the 04/07/2026 meeting. May I have a motion, please?

So moved. Second.

Thank you, Commissioners Gottel and Green. Any notes or corrections? Hearing and seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Five is referral of correspondence and department communications. 5A through C our correspondence, and 5D to 5V are department communications. May I a motion to accept and refer as recommended? So moved. Second. Thank you, Commissioners Lundy and Edelson. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Six are commendations for which we have none. Seven is commissioner communications and updates. And we have one verbal one from Commissioner Anderson.

Thank you Madam Chair. I just wanted to take a quick moment and acknowledge Work Zone Awareness Week that happened last week. And just say thank you to all of our men and women who are out working on our roads. And remind everybody that they are our neighbors. They are our family members.

And everybody across Hennepin County, our crews are out there improving our roads, oftentimes right alongside traffic. So raise awareness, slow down, make sure that we are providing a safe environment for everybody who is out there doing that work on our behalf. So I just want to recognize that everybody everybody who is doing that work and that last week was work zone awareness week. Thank you.

Thank you. I believe we are able to move on to eight of the agenda, which are our claims register. 8As for the period ending 04/10/2026, 8B for the period ending April 17, and 8C, the claims register for 04/24/2026. May I have a motion for all three? Move approve.

Move approval.

Thank you, Commissioners Green and Anderson. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Nine are consent items which would have passed unanimously out of committee. May I have a motion for 9A to 9U, please?

So moved. Second.

Thank you, Commissioners Green and Edelson. Colleagues, any items that people would like to highlight prior to voting? Hearing and seeing none, all those in favor of the consent block, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. 10 are non consent items, which we have none, but these would have passed out of committee, but not unanimously. 11 are progress items. These are items that progress from committee to board without a vote. And we have several because we listened to CAB applications at our previous committee meeting.

So we'll just go one at a time. 11A is the twenty twenty six Community Advisory Board Applicants and Appointments Birth Justice Community Advisory Board. We had four applicants for eight at large spots. So colleagues, I would entertain a motion to appoint CalMeet Dennis, Doctor. Arty Prasad, Keisha Shank, and Karina Smith. Second. Great. So I've moved that and seconded with Commissioner Gottel. We'll proceed to vote. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And congratulations to Calmi, Arty, Keisha, and Krita for being appointed. I should have said from the top, apologies.

For those following at home, we have community advisory boards, And we had a wonderful set of applicants. And so if there are fewer applicants than there are available spots, we will vote by voice. And if there are applicants that exceed the number of available spots, we have a very particular way that we vote on this body for which we will receive support from the clerk. So that will apply to 11B to 11E. So apologies for not saying that at the top. 11B is a twenty twenty six Community Advisory Board applicants and appointments for the Community Action Partnership of the Hennepin County CAPHC Board. We had one applicant for two at large spots, so I will move to appoint Kimberly Wilburn. May I have a second? Thank you, Commissioner Edelson. All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And congratulations, and thank you to Kimberly. 11C, our twenty twenty six Community Advisory Board applications and appointments for the Human Resources Board. We had one applicant for one at large spot. I will move to appoint Janet Frisch. I'll second. Thank you, Commissioner Green. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. I'll say for so 11D is a twenty twenty oh, excuse me. Congratulations and thank you to Janet for being appointed.

11D is a 2026 Community Advisory Board Applicants and Appointments for the Race Equity Advisory Council, which we call REAC. We have four applications for two at large spots. And so this is where we will request assistance from the clerk to take a verbal role of the commissioners in order to proceed with voting.

Commissioner Lundy.

Catherine Boy.

Commissioner Green. Catherine Boy.

Commissioner Conley.

Catherine Bowie.

Commissioner Gottel.

Catherine Bowie.

Commissioner Edelson.

Catherine Bui.

Commissioner Anderson.

Catherine Bui.

Commissioner Fernando.

Catherine Bouie. And we congratulate and thank Catherine Bouie for her service and reappointment as well as for serving as chair of REAC. We have one available spot still and so we'll receive your support. Thank you.

Commissioner Green? I would

like to pass and hear if, some unanimity emerges amongst my colleagues.

Commissioner Conley?

Erica Ryan?

Commissioner Gottel.

Erica Ryan.

Commissioner Edelson.

Erica Ryan.

Commissioner Anderson.

Erica Ryan.

Commissioner Lundy.

Erica Ryan.

Commissioner Green.

Erica.

Erica Ryan.

Commissioner Fernando.

Erica Ryan and congratulations and thank you to Erica for your service and reappointment. Colleagues will move to 11E which is the twenty twenty six Community Advisory Board applicants and appointments for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Board, WIOA. There are two subsections to this. So first, we'll take up the community based organization appointment where we have one vacancy and one applicant. Therefore, I'll move to appoint Mary Nedermeyer. May I have a second, please? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Lundy. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. Congratulations and thanks to Mary. Next and last for this section, we will take up the private sector business appointment for which we have two vacancies and two applicants. I'll move to appoint Andrea Erickson and Melissa Wingi. May I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Charlson. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And congratulations to Andrea and Melissa. And I'll just close off this kind of section with gratitude, of course, to the committee work and to all of the applicants and staff who support these important bodies. Next on the agenda is old business.

These are items that would have been seen by this board previously and laid over to today, for which we have none. And the last section is immediate approvals and we have several items that we will be considering. 13A is declaring May as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS Awareness Month offered by Commissioner Edelson. Would you like to move it?

Yes, I'd like to move it.

I'll second it, and go ahead Commissioner.

Thank you. Before us as a commendation declaring May as ALS Awareness Month, A constituent reached out, I want to thank them for sharing their personal story, as well as the importance of recognizing this national day or national month, excuse me, of May. ALS is a devastating disease that impacts not only diagnosed, but also their families, caregivers, and communities. Known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS causes the loss of muscle control while leaving a person's mind and awareness, often fully intact. Each year, thousands of Americans are diagnosed facing this disease and it moves far too quickly and without a cure. I would like to ask Maria to read this into the record.

Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease in which the brain loses its ability to control muscle movement, gradually impacting a person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and breathe. And whereas thousands of new ALS cases are diagnosed each year, and on average, every ninety minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and another person loses their life to the disease. And whereas individuals diagnosed with ALS typically face a life expectancy of only two to five years from diagnosis. And whereas the causes of ALS remain largely unknown, and there is currently no cure. And whereas military veterans are at a higher risk of developing ALS and dying from the disease than those who have not served.

And whereas access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is critical to improving quality of life for people living with ALS. And whereas clinical trials are essential to advancing treatment options, enhancing care, and supporting innovation in assistive technologies. And whereas organizations such as the ALS Association play a vital role in funding research, supporting individuals and families, and working toward a future without ALS. And whereas ALS awareness month provides an opportunity to increase public understanding, support those affected, and advance efforts to find a cure. Be it resolved that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims the month of May 2026 as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis awareness month in Hennepin County and encourages all residents to raise awareness, support research, and stand in solidarity solidarity with individuals and families impacted by ALS.

And and with that, Madam Chair, I just wanna again thank my constituents. And I also know I wanna acknowledge my staff member Reyna, has a a family member that was impacted by ALS. And I think there's a lot of people that are residents in Hennepin County. So I just hopefully we can maybe even consider I don't know how we light up the bridge, but if that's a possibility I think red is ALS.

It is. On April 30, it'll be lit red in honor of ALS Awareness Month.

Good.

So that was a nice handoff.

Thank you.

Good. So any further comments before we proceed to vote on this? All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And we have officially proclaimed May as ALS awareness month, it will be lit red on April 30 in honor of this. And we also appreciate your resident for bringing this forward. Next is 13B, which is declaring May as foster care month in Hennepin County, offered by Commissioner Conley. Would you like to move it? I will move it, Madam Go

ahead. Thank you. So, in May, Hennepin County will join in observance of National Foster Care Month. In addition to the thanks extended by the Department to our foster care providers and staff, I offer this resolution for awareness and gratitude on behalf of the board. I'll ask the clerk to read the proclamation.

Whereas more than 1,000 children and young people are currently in foster care in Hennepin County, demonstrating the need in our community for foster homes that affirm and reflect each unique child, including racial, cultural, and LGBTQ plus identities. And whereas foster care is temporary, and our goal is to safely reunify families whenever possible. Both relative and nonrelative foster parents support Hennepin County's mission to promote the safety, stability, healthy development, and well-being of our youngest residents. And whereas Hennepin County children, parents, and foster providers benefit from supportive relationships and collaborative parenting in the child welfare system. And whereas National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children's Bureau each May.

And whereas it may it takes many people to surround kids with love and stability during childhood. And foster providers, youth organizations, professionals, volunteers, and partners are instrumental in supporting children's well-being. Therefore, be it resolved that the Hennepin County Board Of Commissioners hereby proclaims May 2026 as National Foster Care Month with special gratitude to the relative and non relative foster providers who give so much to care for children and families in our community.

Thank you so much. It absolutely takes a village. In a few weeks, our children and family services staff will also be hosting an appreciation event for foster families, including a picnic and resource fair. As it was stated in the resolution, it takes many people working together to provide these children, our foster children, with love, support, care, stability, all the things they need to thrive. I want to once again extend our sincerest thank you to our staff, volunteers, and community partners, and especially to our foster care providers.

Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Any other comments on also extend our gratitude, of course. All those in favor of 13 B, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries and May is also declared as Foster Care Month in Hennepin County. 13C is declaring May as American Indian Month in Hennepin County offered by Commissioner Kotel. Would you like to move it?

Yes, I'll move

it. I'll second it and go ahead, Commissioner.

Thank you. Another May date. This is lovely. While November is usually recognized as Native American Heritage Month, indigenous communities in Minnesota have also celebrated and recognized May as American Indian Month for now more than fifty years. I will have the clerk read the proclamation. I'll have some additional comments afterwards. Please, miss Rose.

Whereas American Indian month was first recognized in Minnesota in 1969 as a way to highlight the contributions of indigenous peoples and to strengthen relationships between tribal nations and government institutions. And whereas the land known at today as the state of Minnesota is home to American Indian people since time immemorial, and the Anish Anishinaabe and Dakota who resided on this land prior to the arrival of European settlers played an important role in shaping the state's history and culture and continue to be a vital part of the community. And whereas the county recognizes the painful history American Indians experienced during starting with the earliest interactions with Europeans and European American settle settlers that were met with broken promises, violence, and deprivation. And whereas we must reconcile this history while striving to establish and maintain strong relationships with tribal nations through their tribal governments and recognize and honor tribal sovereignty. And whereas Minnesota includes a vibrant and diverse American Indian community comprised of 11 tribal nations and members of many other tribal nations from across The United States.

In Hennepin County, there is a resilient and robust urban American Indian community. And whereas Hennepin County recognizes American Indians have made an essential contributions to the history, culture, and economy of the county and beyond and is committed to reducing racial disparities in the American Indian community. We seek to promote practices and policies that honors the state's indigenous roots, history, contributions, and sovereignty. Be it resolved that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims May as American Indian month honoring and acknowledging the vital role American Indians have made in shaping the state and the countless contributions to our communities. Mitakuye Oyasin.

Thank you. Celebrating American Indian Month in Hennepin County is so important. We have a unique and strong connection to our American Indian communities in Hennepin. And there are many ways to celebrate. And I want to thank the board and the staff for nurturing that relationship. Much needed. And we need to keep moving further on that. Our indigenous ERG will be participating in the American Indian Month Parade Kickoff. That's May 1 from 10AM to noon. National Awareness Day of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives is also May 5.

This month, Hennepin County is outreach and community supports is hosting two MMIR Honoring Our Relatives Healing Circles on May 21 and May 22. Couldn't be more grateful for that. Hennepin County partners are also supporting the Sacred Waters, the Shared Future campaign supporting the Mississippi River. This is going to be the year of the river from Three Rivers Park District. Everyone is welcome to join the planting of seeds protecting our water event on June 3 at the 4 Sisters Farmers Market. I'm sure there's going to be a great turnout. Thank you.

Thank you. Any discussion on this item before we vote? Okay. Let's proceed to vote for 13C. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And May is also American Indian, month in Hennepin County. Well, it is going to be May, so I'm glad that we're going to have this fourth one. 13D is also declaring May as Asian American, native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Hennepin County offered by myself. I'll move it. May I have a second?

Second.

Thank you, Commissioner Lundy. May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander, or AANHPI Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the history and culture of Asian American, native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, and to recognize and draw attention to the challenges they still face. I'll ask the clerk to read the proclamation and have some comments after.

Whereas May has been nationally recognized as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month since 1992, And the month of May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants and mark the anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad where a majority of workers were Chinese laborers. And whereas Hennepin County is proud to celebrate the cultural traditions and languages among the vibrant more than 40 ethnic groups in our community from Asia, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands. And whereas according to the state, there are more than 320,000 Asian Pacific Minnesotans, and the US Census Bureau reports more than 7.5% are Hennepin County residents. And whereas the AA and HPI community has contributed to not only Hennepin County, but to our state and country enriching our culture and society. And whereas acts of heat and violence persist against AA and HPI residents, Hennepin County will continue to stand with our AANHPI community condemning and denouncing all forms of hate.

And whereas inequities faced today by these communities stem from our nation's history of exclusion, discrimination, racism, and xenophobia against Asian Americans. And whereas Hennepin County commits to creating an equitable community for AA and HPI residents and recognizes that challenges persist as it relates to economic and health inequities and personal safety. Be it resolved that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and honor and celebrate the rich experience shared by Asian American Pacific Islanders in the Hennepin County organization and in the community.

Thank you. I am very excited to bring this in as the first and only commissioner who is a part of this community and very excited because I know with my full heart that I will certainly not be the last. I want to express gratitude to this community and all immigrants who help to ensure that our systems function, particularly in health care and a lot of caregiving roles. Our community truly, truly is integrated with the AA and HPI communities and Hennepin is much stronger thanks to the very broad diversity and love from all of our immigrant neighbors. On May 5, the Lowry Avenue and I-35W bridges will be illuminated in red, gold, green, and blue as a visible tribute to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

And I want to thank and acknowledge the Annapent County Asian Connections Employee Research Group members and leadership who are here today. We'd love to take a picture with you if you'd like after we vote on it. The Asian Connections ERG aims to promote diversity, embrace all Asian heritage, and connect the county with the diverse Asian community. Let's take a picture if you like. Any comments prior to voting on the proclamation, colleagues? Hearing and seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And May is also a NHPI month heritage month.

We are now to the last couple items on our published agenda. 13E is the renewal of lease and use agreement for St. David's Nicolette Center. May I have a motion, please? So moved. Second. Thank you, Commissioners Lundy and Edelson. We for sure want background on this one because it's an immediate approval. So Mr. Rogan, please.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioners, the county administrator sent up a memo yesterday about this, and Sarah Brown is here from the Office of Budget and Finance to provide a brief introduction to this item.

Thank you. Welcome.

Thank you. Madam Chair, County Commissioners, the Board action request before you request your approval to negotiate and finalize documents necessary to amend and assign the current lease use agreement for St. David's Nicolette Center. They do have two centers. This is the downtown one. St. David's Center is in the middle of a $35,000,000 renovation of the building they purchased in July 2024 from the YWCA to expand early childhood services available for children struggling with trauma or behavioral and developmental issues. Phase one of the renovation was completed in December 2025. And in order to fund phase two of the renovation, St. David's has commenced a fundraising campaign and is also eligible for a federal program called New Market Tax Credits.

The New Market Tax Credit program is a federal initiative that essentially allows lenders to make below market rate loans to projects in distressed communities. The program is designed to spur economic growth, job creation, and community development in areas that traditionally lack access to capital. Thus, in order for St. David's to complete this new market tax credit finance transaction with its lenders, specifically Old National and BMO Harris, St. David's needs to amend, renew, and assign its lease use agreement. So fairly straightforward.

Thank you. Colleagues, any questions or comments? I appreciate the background. This was, of course, big community news when YW had made its announcement a few years ago. And so this seems like a very missional conclusion to that effort. So thank you. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Last item on our agenda is 13F, was the authorization to amend budget and award contract to S. M. Hentges and Sons for a capital project on Casa 82. This is $675,000 received from Shorewood with an overall county cost of just over $4,100,000 May I have a motion, please?

So moved.

Second. Thank you Commissioners Anderson and Edelson. Mr. Rogan.

Madam Chair, Jessa Trebojevich from Public Works is here to present this item.

Welcome.

Thank you, madam chair and commissioners. I'm Jessa Treboyevich with Transportation Project Delivery. Today, I'm requesting contract award and budget adjustments for multimodal safety improvements on Mill Street in the cities of Shorewood, Excelsior, and Chanhassen. Staff is recommending a contract award to SM Henches and Sons who is the lowest bidder. A budget increase of $675,000 is needed to include the installation of new water main with the project.

These improvements will support the counties towards zero death action plan, Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan, climate action plan, and this disparity elimination efforts by improving accessibility, mobility, and safety for all people using the corridor. Thank you. I'm happy to answer any questions you have.

Thank you. Discussion on this item? Very straightforward. Thank you so much. Hearing is seeing none. All those in favor of 13F, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. That concludes our agenda. So I will take a motion to adjourn.

So moved. Second.

Thank you, Commissioners Anderson and Conley. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed? We are adjourned. Don't go too far. We have a brief meeting of the real authority.

Good afternoon, everybody. I'm gonna call to order this meeting of the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority. Today is Tuesday, 04/28/2026. The first item on our agenda is to approve the agenda. Is there a motion to approve?

So moved. Second.

A motion from commissioner Lundy and a second from commissioner Fernando. All those in favor, aye. Aye. All those opposed? The agenda is approved. The next item on our agenda, item two a, is the minutes from the 04/07/2026 meeting. I will move approval. Is there a second? Second. The second from commissioner Gattel. Any notes or edits? Hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed, our minutes from our previous meeting are approved. Item three on our agenda is item 3A, the claims register for the period ending 03/31/2026. Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Move by commissioner Anderson, seconded by commissioner Conley. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed? Claims register has been approved. And under new business, item four a is to negotiate an amendment to the lease agreement with the Native American Community Development Institute, also known as NACD, for rental of rail authority property in Minneapolis. The period is from 05/01/2026 to 04/30/2031, with a receivable of $1 per year. I will move approval. Is there a second?

Second.

Second from Commissioner Anderson. Ms. Cerny, if we could just hear the highlights. Chair Green, Jessica Galatz is here to present the highlights today. Welcome, Ms. Galatz.

Thank you. Sorry. In 2021, the Hennepin County Midtown Community Works Program partnered with the Native American Community Development Institute, NACD, to transform three vacant lots on the rail authority's Midtown corridor into an urban farm and community gathering place. NACD has successfully operated the 4 Sisters Urban Farm on these lots since then, providing access to healthy foods and serving as a learning environment for indigenous farming, medicine, and life ways. The request before you today will extend the lease with NACTI for a second five year term and reduce the leased area to accommodate the new 18th Avenue South Bridge over the Midtown corridor.

I'm able now to answer questions you may have.

Thank you, Ms. Gillette. Any questions? Commissioner Conley.

Just one question, but mostly fangirling because I am such a fan of what Four Sisters Farm and NACD are doing along this corridor. It is fantastic. And I love the way that Hennepin County has partnered with them to extend this surplus land into actual fresh food and spiritual necessities for the indigenous community in the area. And I've been out there, they're growing sage. I helped plant a tree, it's amazing.

So those are my, really excited comments about that. Just a question though about the work that's being done to the bridge. And so, sounds like that the least area that NACD has is gonna shrink a little bit. And I wondered how long will they go back to their normal footprint after the bridge is complete? And then while they're operating under reduced size, how does it impact the farm?

Madam Chair, Commissioner Conley, thank you for that question. There will be two phases of impacts. There's a very small reduction needed for the permanent bridge easement. It's about 10 feet wide by 20 feet deep. And we're working with Four Sisters Farm and NACTI on these impacts. And the temporary easement will have a slightly larger impact. The construction project will relocate their water service temporarily. So, we've been in contact with NACTI, and they're aware of these temporary changes.

Yes, please.

Thank you. And do we assist with the water? Since they know it has to be, it'll impact that, do we kind of help assist how they can get water in the meantime?

Madam Chair, Commissioner, that'll be part of the project costs. So the city of Minneapolis will be leading that as part of their project. Great.

Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions? Hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed, that item is approved. And we have nothing to add to the agenda. We are adjourned. Thank you.