Olmsted County and the City of Rochester have been and are continuing to work collaboratively, using best practices to address housing needs and homelessness in the community. In recent years the city and the county have invested funds to provide emergency shelter and long-term housing stability for community members experiencing homelessness. In addition, the partnership, which includes community partners, has plans to maintain and improve services and systems to support residents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health have recently issued a new classification system for when face coverings are recommended indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Olmsted County has now reached the threshold for when these recommendations go into effect.
In an effort to help eliminate barriers such as transportation and increase access to Olmsted County services, the county is placing 11 kiosks in various locations across the community.
A large group gathered on the Olmsted County government campus on Monday, July 26, 2021, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the planned opening this week of the Southeast Regional Crisis Center (SERCC).
The Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District and Olmsted County Public Health Services are providing free water testing for households that rely on private systems for their drinking water. Free nitrate testing will be available at the Olmsted County Fair from 3 - 7 p.m. on both Thursday, July 29, 2021 and Friday, July 30, 2021 in the Conservation Building.
Through an unprecedented collaboration between 10 southeast Minnesota counties, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, the southeast Minnesota NAMI chapter, health plan partners, and law enforcement, the Southeast Regional Crisis Center (SERCC) is slated to open its doors at 8 a.m. on July 28, 2021 in Rochester.
Olmsted County was announced a recipient of one of the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) 2021 Achievement Awards in the category of Criminal Justice and Public Safety for the Olmsted County Pretrial Release Program. These NACo awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) will close its Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for its Mainstream Voucher Program at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The OCHRA does not anticipate accepting applications again for another 2-3 years.
On August 16, 2021, Sidney Frye II will officially assume the role of program manager for Olmsted County’s Diversity, Equity, and Community Outreach (DECO) Team. Frye will fill the role previously held by Nikki Niles who was recently named director of Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted (DFO) Community Corrections.
Volunteer drivers provide needed transportation for clients to and from appointments as requested by social workers, probation officers, and other county staff serving the public.
Olmsted County hosted an invitation only event on July 6, 2021 in Floral Hall at Graham Park to recognize individuals, teams, and organizations that were instrumental in the COVID-19 response in our community.
Olmsted County offices will be closed Monday, July 5, 2021 in observation of Independence Day. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
Help sexual assault victims – Become a Victim Services crisis line volunteer
The Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted Victim Services team is looking for volunteers to help staff its 24/7 crisis line. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer application by July 5, 2021.
Every June, Olmsted County recognizes Vulnerable Adult Abuse Awareness Month to increase awareness and prevention of abuse of elderly and other vulnerable populations. This proclamation coincides with the international World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which is recognized by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization on June 15.
In the past year, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease led to a global pandemic that changed our lives. Our public health and health care staff worked diligently to launch COVID-19 testing sites, disease surveillance systems, case investigation and contact tracing teams, small and large vaccine clinics, communications and outreach, and an information hotline while continuing to provide the regular care and services needed in new and creative ways.
Please note that Olmsted County offices will be closed on Monday, May 31, 2021 in observation of Memorial Day. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, June 1.
Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Minnesotans have worked together by following safety guidelines and state mandates to ensure the health and safety of our residents remain a top priority.
Olmsted County is pleased to share results of the search for a new Public Works department director/county engineer. Ben Johnson has accepted the position and has begun transitioning into his new role.
The new nature center will nearly triple in size, providing more exhibits and interactive learning areas as well as a larger programming and event space. It is expected to open in the fall of 2022.
The search for a new Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted (DFO) Community Corrections director is complete and Nikki Niles has accepted the position. Her effective start date in this new role is May 24, 2021.
“Relationships can be disrupted through divorce, domestic violence, child maltreatment, and other conflicts. It is essential for children to maintain relationships with parents and other significant adults,” stated Director of Child Welfare Services at Family Service Rochester Kelli DeCook. “Olmsted County supports supervised parenting times for families to maintain vital relationships and prevent children from being placed in the middle of adult conflict.”
Survey results provide insight into disparities that were exacerbated by the pandemic and the overall effects of those disparities on our community. The data also clearly shows connections between our community’s three health priorities of financial stress, mental health, and substance use.
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified property management companies to provide full property management and maintenance services for several multi-family properties.
To continue to get COVID-19 under control, it is important to continue to follow public health guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 even after you have been vaccinated.
With warmer temperatures now reaching Minnesota, it is the perfect time to get outdoors! By participating in outdoor activities instead of indoor activities, you can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Olmsted County recognizes the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our nation. If you are experiencing mental health issues, know that you are not alone, and that help is available. One in five Minnesotans face mental illness each year. One in 10 young people have experienced a period of major depression. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call Crisis Response of Southeast Minnesota at 1-844-274-7472.
If you have a change to your name, address, signature, or card number, or if you require a REAL ID or enhanced ID, these driver’s license applications still need to be processed in person. The Olmsted County Property Records and Licensing department is able to assist with these requests at the Government Center at 151 4th Street SE in Rochester; however, to make an appointment, use the Olmsted County Online Check-in System.
May is National Foster Care Appreciation Month and Olmsted County would like to take the time to acknowledge all our foster care providers in the community. Olmsted County Child and Family Services reports that there are currently 121 licensed child foster care homes in our area. Olmsted County Adult and Family Services reports 90 family foster homes with 273 beds and 147 corporate foster homes with about 550 beds.
A coalition of 60 top hospitals and health care institutions have joined forces in a nationwide campaign to encourage adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Drinking water is a growing concern, especially for private well owners in southeast Minnesota. As part of the “We Are Water MN” campaign, free water testing for nitrates will be available at 125 Live in Rochester on May 6, 2021 for those living in households that rely on private or shared well systems and the water quality at their kitchen sink.
Olmsted County property owners continue to deal with the many effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, some taxpayers may have difficulty meeting the May 17, 2021 deadline for the first half payment of 2021 property taxes. To provide some property tax relief during this difficult time, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners approved a one-time temporary abatement of the penalty and interest for late property tax payments. This will extend the date that late payment penalties begin to accrue from May 17 to July 15, 2021.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) is closely monitoring variants of concern (VOC). These variants have mutations that alter the characteristics and cause the virus to act differently in ways that are significant to public health (e.g., causes more severe disease, spreads more easily between humans, requires different treatments, changes the effectiveness of current vaccines).
Local MRC volunteers have worked 95 shifts equaling nearly 450 hours at the Graham Park Collaborative Testing Site and our vaccination clinics. The number of shifts and hours contributed continues to grow each week.
While this past year has involved pain, stress, and loss, we’ve also demonstrated community resilience. It’s that resilience that will help us build this community into something stronger.
All vaccine providers in Olmsted County will pause use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine starting immediately, following guidance from the FDA/CDC. Use of the J&J vaccine will be put on hold until we receive further recommendations from state and federal partners about how best to move forward. Safety is the highest priority when it comes to all COVID-19 vaccines.
Johnson & Johnson vaccine discarded at Baltimore facility
Last week, we learned that about 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were ruined at a manufacturing facility in Baltimore, Maryland. This does not affect any doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine currently being used or doses being allocated. The problem was quickly identified, and the doses were discarded – this is exactly what should happen during quality checks. There’s no reason to avoid getting a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
April 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a movement to end sexual violence in the United States and around the world. This movement relies on people and communities who’ve chosen to do something about it. Olmsted County and the City of Rochester are committed to bringing awareness to this issue and we stand with all individuals who have been impacted by sexual assault.
Each year, the important and critical work of Public Health is recognized during National Public Health Week, sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA). National Public Health Week provides opportunities for the public to learn more about the many contributions made by public health professionals throughout our nation, state, and here in Olmsted County. This year's campaign theme is "Building Bridges to Better Health."
In an effort to help protect property owners in Olmsted County against fraud, the Olmsted County Property Records and Licensing team has launched a new Land Notification Alerts service. Land Notification Alerts warn property owners when documents are recorded with their personal name, business name, or property ID number. Each time an alert is triggered, an email is sent to the property owner to provide an update of any activity.
Effective immediately, Olmsted County is using a new software system for agendas, agenda packets, and minutes for Olmsted County’s public meetings. As a result, there is a new web address to use to access this information moving forward: https://olmstedcounty.primegov.com/public/portal.
“Our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of Olmsted County. We must work together to promote the social and emotional well-being of children so they can grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment,” said Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair Stephanie Podulke. “I urge all citizens to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month by helping to improve the quality of life for all children and families.”
Governor Tim Walz announced that all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination beginning Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The final eligibility expansion comes as the federal government has promised an increased supply of vaccine by April. By expanding eligibility to all Minnesotans, providers across the state will have the flexibility they need to fill appointments and support the state’s most critical goal – to get as many Minnesotans vaccinated as quickly as possible.
The State of Minnesota and the CDC are relaxing some of the restrictions put in place nearly a year ago, but this doesn’t mean we can or should abandon the health and safety practices and behaviors we’ve all been doing that has helped us reduce COVID-19 transmissions, morbidity, and mortality.
Gransee will oversee Health, Housing, and Human Services division
News
Mar 18, 2021
Olmsted County is pleased to share the results of the search for a new deputy administrator overseeing the county’s Health, Housing, and Human Services (HHH) division.
Our comeback story can’t be written without you. Olmsted County Public Health, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center have teamed up to provide up to date and important information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Our best hope to come back together as family, friends, and a community is the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance on March 8, 2021 for fully vaccinated people. The new guidance relaxes some of the precautions that have been in place for nearly a year.
We know that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick and evidence now shows that people who have been fully vaccinated can return to doing some of the things that they stopped doing last year because of the pandemic.
Construction is coming along nicely on the Southeast Regional Crisis Center (SERCC), the 24/7 mental health services facility being developed in Rochester, Minnesota. The SERCC is expected to open in June 2021.
With the recent news of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use, vaccine supply in Olmsted County and the state is expected to increase.
All three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved for use are safe and effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness, related hospitalizations, and death. When it’s your turn, it’s recommended that you get any of the three vaccines.
Olmsted County is helping celebrate this year’s Social Work Month in March with the theme “Social Workers are Essential” to highlight the invaluable contributions social workers make in our community.
One year ago, tomorrow, on February 26, 2020, Olmsted County Public Health activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a small team of public health and county staff to start discussions regarding the global pandemic, COVID-19. At that time, nobody could have predicted the lasting impact the global pandemic was going to have on our world, country, state and county.
Take the first opportunity to get vaccinated that is offered to you
Navigating when you or a loved one is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can be challenging. Several locations in Olmsted County are offering the vaccine in alignment with state guidelines as vaccine supply becomes available. Minnesota is currently vaccinating remaining health care professionals, persons 65 and over, E-12 educators and support staff, and daycare workers. You may have the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at multiple locations.
The Public Health Services Advisory Board acts as a community based advisory board for both Public Health and the County Health Board on emerging and ongoing public health topics. To apply for a volunteer position on the Public Health Services Advisory Board, please fill out the Volunteer Application Form. If you have any questions, email AdministrationClerical@co.olmsted.mn.us.
Last week, the State of Minnesota expanded the E-12 definition to include all staff, not just student-facing staff. This change adds roughly another 1,800 people in Olmsted County who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination. Olmsted County Public Health Services is working with school districts and child care providers directly to get E-12 staff vaccinated when vaccine becomes available.
Olmsted County was awarded a $154,679 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to aid in the rapid administration of COVID-19 vaccinations in our area. In total, MDH is allocating $6.9 million to local public health agencies across the state to help with vaccine implementation.
Last week, we communicated that the Olmsted County Community Health Assessment and Planning (CHAP) COVID-19 Impact Survey was being mailed randomly to 2,000 households in Olmsted County. For those who did not receive the paper version of the CHAP COVID-19 Impact Survey by mail who would still like to participate in it, an online version of the survey is now available. The online survey is being offered in three languages: English, Somali, and Spanish. Surveys must be completed by 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2021.
P-EBT benefits for 2020-2021 school year available starting in late March
More help is on the way for hundreds of thousands of hungry Minnesota children for the 2020-2021 school year. To ensure children receive the food benefits known as Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), families should make sure they are approved for free or reduced-price meals at their school through the National School Lunch Program as soon as possible.
State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program (CVP)
The State of Minnesota will be opening a new community vaccination site this week in Rochester for a one-day vaccination clinic. The large-scale, semi-permanent site will be the third of its kind, joining vaccination sites in Minneapolis and Duluth that launched last week. The Rochester site will be able to serve approximately 1,500 people. This week’s vaccination clinic will be for people 65 years of age and older.
Local COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue to be scheduled for designated Olmsted County businesses, organizations, and employees following CDC guidelines for prioritization of those most at risk of exposure or complications from COVID-19.
The Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) team within Olmsted County’s Adult and Family Services department has recently been recognized as a nationally certified program by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. Olmsted County joins only two other programs in the state of Minnesota to have received this high honor.
Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) is collaborating with Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, several additional Olmsted County Departments, City of Rochester, Rochester Police Department, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, and Rochester Community and Technical College to vaccinate up to 2,200 individuals in the last priority group, Phase 1A-3. Clinics will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 5 and 6, 2021. This is the first mass vaccination COVID-19 clinic offered by OCPHS.
The Olmsted County Community Health Assessment and Planning (CHAP) COVID-19 Impact Survey will be mailed to 2,000 randomly selected households throughout Olmsted County beginning the week of February 1, 2021. Information gathered from the survey will provide valuable evidence which will help community leaders understand the greater impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Olmsted County residents.
The week of January 25, 2021, Olmsted County Public Health, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) began vaccinating populations in Phase 1a priority 3 groups, including all remaining community health care personnel who cannot work remotely. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals such as dental office staff, hospice staff, optometrists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, morticians, orthopedics and rehabilitation staff, laboratory services staff, and funeral directors.
Olmsted County Public Health continues to prepare for vaccinations to expand into community healthcare organizations and critical infrastructure workers. We encourage businesses, organizations, and agencies in Olmsted County to complete the business vaccination planning form. This form will help identify all the businesses in the county and determine where the business falls within the phases and priorities.
We are excited to announce that there is a new history exhibit at Graham Park thanks to the generosity of Mayo Clinic. The exhibit features the history of the park which originated from a donation made by Dr. Christopher Graham, a Mayo Clinic founding partner, and his wife, Blanche Brackenridge Graham. We encourage you to view the exhibit at Graham Park during scheduled activities.
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners announced on January 19, 2021 that it is allocating funds to small business relief as part of the State of Minnesota County Relief Funding Program. A total of $3,388,968 in economic support to businesses and non-profit organizations affected by COVID-19 will be distributed.
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners announced on January 19, 2021 that it is allocating funds to small business relief as part of the State of Minnesota County Relief Funding Program. A total of $3,388,968 in economic support to businesses and non-profit organizations affected by COVID-19 will be distributed.
The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is receiving a $1.1 million COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Office of Economic Opportunity. This grant will fully fund operations and staffing from January 2021 through January 2022 at both the Rochester Community Warming Center and The Creek, a short-term shelter in Rochester for people experiencing homelessness.
Effective Monday, January 4, 2021, the Government Center Rotunda doors (Door C) will only be unlocked for meetings after 5 p.m. when public meetings are scheduled or expected to occur after business hours. Specifically, Rotunda doors will be open 15 minutes prior to a scheduled meeting and locked 15 minutes after the meeting’s scheduled start time.
Effective December 29, 2020, anyone needing help from Olmsted County related to vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses), notary, or ministry credential (ordination) services, should use the Olmsted County Online Check-in System to schedule an arrival time.
After launching a new logo earlier this year, Olmsted County has now unveiled a redesigned website with a new URL that’s easier to remember – www.olmstedcounty.gov.
Earlier this year, Olmsted County received $19.1 million in funds as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Other jurisdictions in the county had approximately $290,000 in unused CARES Act funds that were turned over to the county to be spent on COVID-19-related initiatives. Over the past several months, Olmsted County has used these funds to adapt to providing services in a COVID-19 environment and help individuals and families in our communities facing hardships due to the pandemic.
On December 15, 2020, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners approved a temporary COVID-19 property tax hardship abatement policy for commercial/industrial property owners. The policy is intended to provide some relief to business owners having difficulty paying their 2020 property taxes due to COVID-19 impacts on their businesses. This will defer payment of some of the taxes and abate some of the penalties and interest to help those businesses recover.
Commissioners say the practice of conversion therapy is unethical and harmful
News
Dec 15, 2020
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution today stating that conversion therapy is a discredited practice that is unethical and harmful. The board also indicated support of a statewide ban on the controversial practice.
Olmsted County is excited to share the plans for proposed improvements to county road (CR) 101 (45th St. SE) from the junction of St. Bridget Rd SE to the junction of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 1 (Simpson Rd SE).
Collaboration, innovation, and protecting environmental resources are integral to delivering on Olmsted County’s mission of providing the foundation of a vibrant community. An example of that spirit in action is a new partnership with Cenergy Power (Cenergy) and People’s Energy Cooperative (PEC).
After an extensive search, Vice President of Strategy and Service Development for Nexus Family Healing Margaret Vimont has announced that Nicole Mucheck has been named executive director of the new Southeast Regional Crisis Center (SERCC) in Rochester, Minnesota, opening in the spring of 2021.
It has been more than nine months since leaders in Olmsted County started meeting and discussing plans about COVID-19 response in our community. Much has happened since then, but the one thing that has remained constant is the collaborative planning and implementation amongst community partners including Olmsted County Public Health, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, the City of Rochester, and others. The arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine in our community is another example of the amazing collaboration happening in Olmsted County.
Looking to get more involved in your community? The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners is currently accepting applications for the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission.
Once numbering in the tens of millions before being hunted to near extinction, the American plains bison is making a promising recovery. In Minnesota, this recovery is supported by a long-standing partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Zoological Garden (MZG), which actively manage Minnesota’s Bison Conservation Herd. This year, Olmsted County joined the partnership by establishing a bison population at the county park’s Zollman Zoo.
At yesterday’s Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting, the Olmsted County 2020 Census Complete Count Committee (CCC) presented the results of the local community engagement and awareness campaign.
Olmsted County is giving property owners another two weeks to pay their property taxes before receiving any late payment penalties. The deadline by which to pay your full property tax payment for 2020 is now December 31, 2020.
For mental and physical well-being of the community
News
Dec 3, 2020
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners voted today to temporarily suspend entrance fees at Olmsted County parks from December 4, 2020 until April 30, 2021. This means that visitors can enjoy any Olmsted County park – including Chester Woods – free of charge during this timeframe. The county board made this decision to help benefit the mental and physical well-being of residents in Olmsted County.
The Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Awards Committee has selected Olmsted County Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden as a recipient of its 2020 AMC Outstanding Service Award.
Park's master plan shared with board of commissioners
News
Nov 17, 2020
Today the Olmsted County Parks department shared its master plan for Lake Zumbro Park, the new name of the park formerly known as White Bridge Pier and White Bridge Fishing Access.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has selected the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) as one of the recipients of its Circle of Excellence awards. The Circle of Excellence award recognizes organizations that have partnered with DHS and done an exemplary job of providing food, shelter, and other assistance to Minnesotans in need.
Olmsted County is pleased to announce the recipients of the second round of the Olmsted County Small Business Relief Grant Program. The CARES Act funded grant program was administered by Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI), as was the first round.
Over the past two weeks, Olmsted County has witnessed a rapid increase in our local COVID-19 transmission. We’ve also seen an increased need for testing. Graham Park Collaborative Testing site continues to process 800-1300 vehicles/tests daily. As a result, the lines are longer and waiting times have increased significantly. Please be patient; our staff are working as fast they can, but need to do so safely and effectively. Please plan for additional time when seeking testing.
At today’s Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board voted to proceed with Rachel Contracting to handle the demolition of the Seneca Foods canning facility at 1217 3rd Avenue Southeast in Rochester, Minnesota.
Olmsted County 2020 state legislative priorities are faring well with the passage of a statewide bonding bill during the fifth special session. Last week, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate passed the bill in bipartisan fashion and Governor Walz signed it this week.
Despite economic uncertainties and other challenges due to the pandemic, in 2020, Olmsted County once again received a Aaa/AAA credit rating (with a stable outlook) – the highest possible rating – from both Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.
