Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord addressed excited library patrons at the new re-opening of the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley on September 25. There were more than 1.7 million in person visits to Dakota County libraries last year and 2.3 million online visits to the library website. Commissioner Gaylord noted the popularity of libraries in her remarks and highlighted the expanded book collections, new cutting edge technology such as 3D printers, video and audio production equipment and creative design software as well as special areas for children’s play and quiet study.  The library interior design features include large galaxy/solar system graphics to reflect the Galaxie Library name, new lighting and seating, and a window view into the automated book sorting room.

Dakota County operates a system of nine libraries located across the county.  Residents consistently rate county libraries among the highest rated county services.  In addition to millions of in person and online visits, over 95,000 people attended library programs and events last year and nearly 6,500 hours were volunteered in the libraries.

Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord and the County Board met with our Dakota County Legislative delegation in June to discuss our successes during the 2018 legislative session. With bipartisan support, Dakota County received requested funding for our public safety training facility, the Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response (SMART) Center. The Legislature and Governor Mark Dayton approved $6.2 million in funding for the project.

We have worked to find common ground with our delegation and the result has been a great working relationship and success on our County priorities which helps move Dakota County ahead for all of us.

[Read more…]

Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord works on county transportation issues as a member of the County Board, and as a member of the National Association of Counties Transportation Steering Committee and the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Advisory Board (TAB).  In 2014, she participated in a historic meeting on transportation policy for the Twin Cities Region. Commissioners from five suburban counties presented 17 concerns with the Met Council’s 2040 Transportation Policy Plan and continue to ask the Met Council to address these and similar concerns with regional transportation policy. The forum took place at Thompson Park in West St. Paul.

A news story by Elizabeth Mohn of the Pioneer Press reports:  In a rare move, five suburban counties held a joint meeting Monday to air their concerns about the Metropolitan Council’s latest regional planning document.

The 2040 Transportation Policy Plan does not include enough input from suburban counties, it does not represent a fair regional vision, it focuses too much on urban-core transit instead of highway maintenance, and it does not adequately show funding gaps.  Click here to read the full article.

Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord was re-elected President of the Minnesota Inter-County Association for 2018. Her leadership at the regional, state, and national levels of government, business and non-profit organizations benefits all of us and all of Dakota County.

The MICA organization works on planning and implementing projects and promoting legislation of interest to its 13 member counties, including Dakota County.

MICA members include Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Crow Wing, Dakota, Olmstead, Rice, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington and Winona counties.

The Dakota County Aging Initiative and the Living Longer and Stronger Project lead by Commissioner Gaylord helped our county start planning for the aging wave. 

Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord cares about our seniors and has worked to provide housing and senior services to allow our seniors to age with dignity.

Dakota County through the Community Development Agency is providing housing options for seniors in South St. Paul, West St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights. Kathleen serves on the Board of Directors. The CDA has built affordable senior housing across Dakota County, including Cahill Commons, Carmen Court, Dakota Heights, River Heights Terrace, Thompson Heights, Haskell Court and The Dakotah which are all in District 2.

In addition, Commissioner Gaylord is the recent past Chair of the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging which provides federal funding under the Older Americans Act for senior programs across the seven county metropolitan area and information and assistance services through the SENIOR LINKAGE LINE at 1-800-333-2433.  Kathleen has also worked with DARTS and with the Living Longer and Stronger in West St. Paul and serves as the Chair of the Facility Operations Advisory Committee for the Thompson Park Center which oversees the West St. Paul Senior Center facilities.

Are there other topics you want to talk about?  Post a comment.