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Anoka County is moving to the second phase of design for a new jail and 911 call center. Phase 2 will cost over $17 million. In April the board approved a $44,500 contract with Wold Architects for site plan design services for a new jail, 911 call center, workhouse and parking structure. The board reviewed a site plan at an Oct. 1 work session.

Board Hears Veteran Service Office Report

John Kriesel, Anoka County veteran services officer, presented the board with the annual Anoka County Veteran Services Office report, noting that Anoka County is home to more than 21,000 veterans, which is the fourth highest population of veterans in the state. The office works to provide veterans with disability compensation, veterans pension, survivor benefits, and more. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. 

Fees to be Increased at Bunker Beach

Anoka County Parks Director Jeff Perry said his department recently completed a market analysis of water park fees for parks in the metro area, and the recommendation following that analysis was to increase the price of seasonal passes by $10. The last time Anoka County Parks did a fee increase was in 2016. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. 

Design Service Contract Approved for Public Safety, Correctional Facilities 

The board approved an amendment to a contract with Wold Architects and Engineers for phase 2 site plan and design services related to the construction of various public safety and correctional facilities, including a new jail, new parking ramp, new emergency communications facility and workhouse improvements. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. For more information, click HERE. 

ARPA Money Designated as Matching Funds for Broadband Projects

The board amended a policy for the allocation of $3.15 million of American Rescue Plan Act dollars to be used as matching funds towards community broadband projects. The amendment allows for up to $150,000 of ARPA funds per community to be used towards broadband projects completed on or before Dec. 31, 2023. For more information on this item, click HERE.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The board adopted a resolution naming October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Anoka County and noted Anoka County is working hard to raise awareness about this important issue. In the U.S., on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner, and partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime. Tina Bronson, director of Mission Advancement for Alexandra House, spoke to the board about her organization’s services for domestic violence victims and their children; Lenae Williamson, executive director of the Dwelling Place, also offered the board information about her organization’s services. To watch the presentation, click HERE.

Compliance and Civil Rights Plan Adopted

The board adopted a resolution regarding a Civil Rights Plan. The American Rescue Plan Act requires that the county meet legal requirements relating to Title Vl of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As part of establishing proper compliance, the county needed to adopt a Title VI Compliance and Civil Right Plan. Under this plan, the deputy county administrator is listed as the Title Vl & civil rights coordinator and the American Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator for the county. For more information on this item, click HERE. 

Contact Approved for Office Support

The board approved a contract with Achieve Services for program participants who will perform various office support duties in Anoka County. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, participants in this program were sent home for health and safety reasons, and the contract was not renewed due to the uncertainty of the pandemic. This contract will give departments the opportunity to have Achieve participants assist with office work, as long as there is no federal funding or grants used for their services. For more information on this item, click HERE. 

Contract Approved for COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Administration

The board approved the extension of a contract with Bluestone Physician Services for COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration. This agreement extends the contract to Dec. 31, 2022. Bluestone has been used to address COVID-19 testing within the county’s long-term care and congregate care settings and vaccination in residential and community settings. For more information on this item, click HERE. To watch the video on this item, click HERE.

Grant Accepted for COVID-19 Training, Support of Local Public Health

The board accepted a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health in the amount of $271,773 to establish, train and sustain the local public health workforce to support COVID-19 prevention, preparedness, response and recovery initiatives. For more information on this item, click HERE. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. 

Budget Amended for American Rescue Plan Act Funds

On Aug. 24, the County Board approved a resolution adopting a budget for Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFRF) received through the American Rescue Plan Act. That resolution included $12 million under the public health category related to reimbursement of public health and safety staff as well as to reimburse the county for medical expenses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, county staff have worked to further refine potential budgets under the CLFRF required expense categories and have identified potential projects under those categories. Subsequently, the board approved an amendment to increase the public health category budget from $12 million to $19.3 million based on these new projects. For more information on this item, click HERE. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. 

2022 Preliminary Property Tax Levy Approved

The board unanimously approved a flat preliminary property tax levy for 2022. The county’s Truth in Taxation meeting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Details about that meeting will be posted on the county’s website, anokacounty.us. The Board of Commissioners will approve the final levy and budget during their 9:30 a.m. Dec. 3 regular meeting. To read the full news release, click HERE.