LWV Upper Mississippi River Region ILO Annual Meeting and Conference

The LWV Upper Mississippi River Region Inter-League Organization (LWV UMRR) is a regional organization formally recognized by LWV of the U.S. consisting of the state leagues in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. It will host its annual meeting and conference on Saturday, June 1, at Spring Lake Park Reserve near Hastings within the Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center.

The event begins with a business meeting at 10 a.m. After lunch there will be an educational program and discussion regarding climate change and its effects on the upper Mississippi River. The discussion will include John Linc Stine, Executive Director of the Freshwater Society and former Commissioner of the MPCA, and Matt Gladue, a Program Director at the Nature Conservancy's Our Mississippi Our Future.

Registration costs $45 and includes lunch, snacks, and beverages. Find more info including the agenda and register here.

Observer Corps Report - 4/16/2019 Dakota County Community Services Committee Meeting

Observer Corps reports are submitted by LWV Dakota County members that volunteer their time to observe and take notes at government meetings of interest to Dakota County residents. While we strive for accuracy, these observations may be incomplete or inaccurate in some respects.

Agenda

Meeting Materials

Minutes (not available yet) Meeting Summary: New Employees were introduced.

Agenda item 6.1 consisted of a presentation related to the Jail to Release Transportation Pilot study from July 2018 to March 2019, which analyzed trends in usage, the cost to the county, goals of self sufficiency, and awareness of those in need of safe transportation. Direction to continue and report back workable times and options were addressed.

Agenda item 6.2 consisted of an update on Emergency Shelter and Pohlad Family Foundation Grants. The need for safe shelter and eviction court issues were discussed.

Agenda item 6.3 consisted of a discussion regarding the Adult Protection Program and related trends. The county is well aware of state performance guidelines to protect adults who are at rick of safety and fraud issues.

Agenda item 6.4 consisted of discussion regarding community engagement initiatives with the support of the Kresge Foundation Grant. The grant allows the County to be supportive and cutting edge on optimizing the response to social issues. The County is aware of housing challenges and the need for a proactive policy in the event that homeless encampments appear in the future. All responses are to be handled with respect.

Observer Corps Report - 4/16/2019 Dakota County General Government & Policy Committee Meeting

Observer Corps reports are submitted by LWV Dakota County members that volunteer their time to observe and take notes at government meetings of interest to Dakota County residents. While we strive for accuracy, these observations may be incomplete or inaccurate in some respects.

Agenda

Meeting Materials

Minutes (not available yet) Meeting Summary: There was an update regarding the County's legislative priorities concerning transportation, natural resources stewardship, environmental protection, and housing and economic stability.

Transportation: The House and Senate are taking significantly different approaches. Bills to follow are HF1555 / SF1093.

Natural Resources Stewardship: It appears that both the House and Senate will approve the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommendations which provide grant funds Dakota County is seeking. Bills to watch are HF653 / SF836 and HF2209 / SF2314.

Environmental Protection: The House bill provides for an increase in SCORE funding if a proposed solid waste tax is approved. Bills to watch are HF2209 / SF2314.

Housing and Economic Stability: Dakota County staff continues to review the various omnibus bills to determine their impact on the County's legislative priorities.

Other items of interest include the proposed sales tax exemption for the SMART Center (HF2125 / SF5), regional park grants (HF2209 / SF2314), and the Legacy Parks and Trails Fund and metro parks land acquisition (HF653 / SF836).