At a sometimes heated meeting Thursday, Hennepin County commissioners debated a measured rollout of services, including restarting in-person court hearings.
The board is expected to vote next week on key policy issues related to reopening services, and also whether to permanently close any of the county's 121 buildings.
"We are … drinking from the fire hose," said County Administrator David Hough.
Thursday's briefing was the second time the board has discussed ways the county might start to offer some services in person. Subjects at the meeting ranged from absentee ballots to ensuring internet access to all communities for educational needs.
Commissioner Irene Fernando said the board is feeling tension over reopening "because there is no playbook for this."
On Monday, the county will schedule some court hearings in its four largest courtrooms to facilitate social distancing. Several commissioners expressed concern about long lines snaking through the Hennepin County Government Center as people wait to go through security screening.
As a pilot project, the county plans to open service centers at Brookdale and Ridgedale by appointment only for driver's licenses, vital records and Department of Natural Resources licenses. Centers would then open in south Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Southdale and the downtown Government Center.
The county briefing followed Gov. Tim Walz's announcement this week to allow some businesses to reopen. Hough said the county should consider requiring masks for all employees and people going to service centers, and added that the county would limit elevators to two people at a time.
