Hennepin County has declared racism as a public health crisis, and it is against Hennepin’s mission to engage in or encourage racist behavior. We cannot tolerate conduct, especially from employees in leadership, that is in direct violation of those ideas and goals. Hennepin Healthcare management received information on this misconduct weeks ago — it is appalling that no one has faced consequences to date.

Just before 7am on the morning of Wednesday February 2nd, Amir Locke was murdered while still under his blanket. This preventable tragedy occurred while Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers executed a no-knock search warrant, which was authorized for belongings and did not name Locke. After deliberately creating confusion and commotion upon entering, the MPD shot and killed Locke before he had the chance to fully wake up or hear officers’ instructions. In the hours after this death, MPD falsely claimed that Locke was a suspect in a homicide investigation and falsely claimed that he pointed his handgun at officers during the early morning raid.

My office has received numerous communications related to an incident on December 8, 2021, which involved the Sheriff and Hennepin County property.

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle or to carry a firearm with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit, and it is inexcusable to do so while acting in an official capacity or while using County property. Elected officials should act and be held to a high professional standard. The information presented in media reports and the Sheriff’s statement indicate actions far outside of this professional standard.

In recent months, the District 2 Office has received increased advocacy from community members regarding the future plans for reconstructing Lowry Ave NE. In particular, on September 23rd our office received a letter from the Our Streets coalition advocating for safer access to the corridor. This statement outlines the work that has happened to date, the current process, and what Commissioner Fernando is advocating for as the project moves forward.

On March 11th, Hennepin County and Metropolitan Council staff leaders jointly released the alternative route options that have been developed to move the Blue Line Extension Light Rail Project forward. The alternative routes are categorized into three ‘zones’ to be most responsive to the unique needs of each community.

This statement outlines my view on the approach being taken, as well as the limitations on Hennepin County Commissioners’ decision-making authority. There has been an immense emphasis placed on the security of buildings and physical spaces, and no clear emphasis placed on healing or community voices. I believe we must prioritize the safety of residents, especially those who are exercising their legal right for assembly.

I am fully committed to advancing the Blue Line Extension light rail project because it serves racially and economically diverse communities and residents who rely on transit for mobility. While I am disheartened at BNSF’s unwillingness to cooperate on this project, I am also hopeful that we can utilize this opportunity to meaningfully engage residents in the process moving forward.

Over the last few weeks, my office has received communications related to a specific shelter project, located at the Gordon Center in North Minneapolis. In today’s statement, I will:

1. Share the values with which I am approaching shelter conversations

2. Outline the shelter approach approved within Hennepin’s 2020 budget

3. Provide background and timeline on the Gordon Center project

4. Share upcoming actions and why I support the Gordon Center project

Unsheltered homelessness at this scale requires scaled institutional responses that address root causes to homelessness, in a compassionate and resident-centered manner. This statement focuses primarily on the government responses needed at Powderhorn Park in South Minneapolis, and will:

1. Outline relevant policy areas, and respective governing bodies responsible for each.

2. Discuss my perspective on the current situation, and the values I’m rooted in.

3. Offer short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions moving forward.

On Friday June 19, 2020, Commissioner Angela Conley and I announced a Resolution that declares racism a public health crisis in Hennepin County. See the Resolution here (PDF) and our supporting materials here (PDF).

Today, our Resolution passed in Administration, Libraries and Budget Committee (4 in favor, 2 abstain, 1 absent) and will be before the Board for final approval on Tuesday June 30.

To County Attorney Michael Freeman,

As fellow elected leaders, we demand that you immediately arrest and press charges against the officers involved in the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday, May 25th. We have all seen the disturbing video of Mr. Floyd’s final minutes and it is clear he was killed by Minneapolis Police. The community response we are experiencing is directed both at the outrage of this specific killing and the oppressive systems that allowed it to happen.

Like so many of us, I am disgusted and hurt by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police. His family and communities will no longer benefit from his laugh or his words. This tragedy highlights that our system of policing is a method of state violence against black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color, disabled communities, homeless communities, and low-wealth communities.

We are in an unprecedented time with growing concern and uncertainty. Hennepin County has declared a state of emergency, which was initiated by Chair Greene and will be affirmed by the County Board tomorrow (Tuesday March 17th at 1:30pm). Effective immediately, Hennepin County is closing all public-facing services at all of our libraries, human service centers, and licensing service centers through April 6, 2020. We have not taken this decision lightly and understand the hardship this creates for our customers, clients, and residents.

Update: On January 28, 2020, the Hennepin County Board voted and denied this request for financial assistance to cities to assist in their complete count efforts. The final vote was 5-2, with myself and Commissioner Conley voting in favor.

As Chair of Hennepin County’s Complete Count Committee, I’m dedicated to working with our cities and complete count partners to achieve a complete count with the resources we have.

Dear Members of the State Board of Public Defense,

My name is Irene Fernando and I serve as Hennepin County Commissioner for District 2. I write to you on behalf of the residents of Hennepin County to request information regarding the suspension of Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County’s Chief Public Defender. Ms. Moriarty’s clients are my constituents and we share a commitment to serving them to the best of our ability. Public defenders play a vital role in advancing equity, ensuring due process, and engaging with some of our most vulnerable residents.

My first action as Chair of Hennepin County’s Complete Count Committee is publishing this statement that serves the following purposes: 1. Background: Inform residents of what is at stake in the 2020 Census and how over 230,000 of our neighbors are at risk of not being counted 2. Update: Inform residents, local governments, and organizations working toward a complete count about the County’s current investment and efforts 3. Call to Action: Inform residents on what immediate actions can be taken to increase Hennepin’s efforts and Census work

On December 12, Hennepin County Board Chair Marion Greene announced the plan for the Board to vote on a Board Action Request (BAR) for immediate discussion and action at our meeting on January 7, 2020. I am strongly in favor of continuing refugee resettlement in Hennepin, and will be voting yes.

Thank you to everyone who reached out to our office about Callison 1. The overall concern seems to be that this amendment would create a permanent funding stream for roads and bridges from the Transportation Sales & Use Tax—a tax that has been historically used for transit projects. This statement addresses many of the issues you brought forward, and outlines the approach I will take in today’s meeting.