Metro briefs: Marion Greene to lead Hennepin County Board

Greene, who has served on the board since 2014, represents St. Louis Park, most of southwest Minneapolis and much of downtown. She ran unopposed in 2018.

"I'm humbled by your trust and ... energized to embark on the new year of service to Hennepin County residents," Greene said.

Commissioner Mike Opat, who has served on the board for 26 years, will serve as vice chairman. The board elected Callison as chairwoman of the Regional Railroad Authority, replacing Peter McLaughlin, who lost his re-election bid in November.

David Chanen

Brooklyn Center may soon join a growing number of suburbs giving displaced low-income tenants more time and resources to find new housing.

The City Council approved the first reading of a new tenant protection ordinance last month and expects to hold a public hearing and vote on the subject Monday. Officials said the ordinance would ensure that renters have enough time to relocate should their affordable housing switch owners and leave them displaced.

It would require new buyers to alert tenants within 30 days of notable lease changes, while also freezing the terms of the existing lease for three months after the sale of a property. It also would require new owners of affordable housing properties to pay relocation costs under certain circumstances.

The Minnesota Department of Health took the unusual step of revoking the license of Burnsville's Norwood Inn and Suites in mid-December after "continuing and ongoing violations," said Mark Peloquin, enforcement coordinator for the department's food, pools and lodging services section.

The license was revoked Dec. 18, Peloquin said. When officials returned 10 days later, the hotel was empty in compliance with the order. Most violations related to cleanliness and maintenance issues, such as nonfunctioning smoke detectors, dirty and ripped bedding and torn carpet.

Burnsville City Council members previously have brought up poor conditions and crime at the hotel, 12920 Aldrich Av. S. It is owned by Burnsville Hospitality Inc.

Erin Adler

After 15 years in the job, Mark Vierling has stepped down as Woodbury's city attorney.

"I'm just looking forward to throttling back," he said.

The Eckberg Lammers firm will continue to handle the city's prosecuting tasks. Scott Riggs and Mary Tietjen of Kennedy and Graven, Minneapolis, will be the city's civil attorneys.

Before Vierling became Woodbury's city attorney in 2003, James Lammers of Eckberg Lammers had held the job for 37 years. Vierling said the city and firm have had "a wonderful relationship."