10-27-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 27, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 32 (6. HENNEPIN COUNTY UPDATE FROM COMMISSIONER JAN CALLISON, Continued) Callison indicated she also brought along two pieces of information the Council might be interested in. The first one is entitled Heading Home, Hennepin County Update; which is a reflection of the plan that was adopted seven years ago to end homelessness. The second item is entitled Hennepin Health, Innovations for Better Health Outcomes. Callison indicated this is one of the attempts Hennepin County is making to help control health care costs. The program serves residents between the ages of 18 and 64. As part of this program, Hennepin County is attempting to combine health services with social services. In addition, Hennepin County is tracking the outcomes and has noted a decline in the use of emergency health care services by 1.9 percent, which means those people are not seeking the most expensive form of care. Hennepin County will continue to watch those health care costs closely. McMillan thanked Commissioner Callison for providing her update. Printup asked how Dave Knuckles is doing. Callison indicated Dave Knuckles has been her aide for the past six years but that he has taken a position with Hennepin County coordinating Hennepin County’s initiative for helping sexually abused children. Callison indicated Hennepin County is taking a new approach to this problem and that they have adopted a no wrong door policy, which means that Hennepin County is following the state’s initiative in declaring that youth who are subject to sexually abusive behavior are victims and that they will be welcomed and not charged with a crime if they choose to seek help. Callison stated as part of this initiative, Hennepin County will endeavor to provide them with the services they need so they do not continue to make that choice. McMillan noted Orono has recently made some improvements in Navarre with the installation of some street lights and new sidewalks. McMillan stated in her view the appearance has been improved and that the City will continue to look at other options for improvements. McMillan stated in her view the intersection of County Roads 19 and 15 needs to be redesigned and that the City has spoken with Jim Grube about that. McMillan stated it is her hope that Hennepin County will look at redesigning that at some point in the future. McMillan noted Hennepin County’s bike plan has come out and that they are seeking public comments regarding it. McMillan stated to her understanding there were some comments about a trail system in Navarre and that there is a lot of push to connect up to the Dakota Rail to Trail. McMillan stated in her view that whole area should be looked at in an overall fashion by Hennepin County. McMillan stated she understands the County has a number of road projects already planned and that she is not sure where that would fall into the scheme of things, but that Orono is here to help out when the County is ready to start discussing and reviewing the project. Callison stated she will check to see when it is listed in the Capital Improvement Program. Callison stated the first step would be to get it listed on that plan.