Two Anoka County Departments win AMC Awards
Anoka County received two Association of Minnesota Counties Awards during AMC’s annual conference Dec. 7, which this year was held virtually due to COVID-19. The board recognized both departments during the chair’s remarks portion of the meeting. The County Achievement Award was presented to Anoka County for its “Absentee Ballot: Behind the Scenes” video. This video, made available on the county website before the primary election, gave an in-depth look at the absentee ballot process. The AMC-County Conservation Award was presented to Anoka County for the Rum River Restoration Initiative. This project, which utilized various state and local grant dollars, focused on riverbank stabilization, water quality enhancements and fish and wildlife habitat improvements along 26 miles of the Rum River in Anoka County. To watch the presentation, click HERE.
Several Road Projects approved
The board approved nine action items related to various road projects around the county, including right-of-way acquisition for the reconstruction of 125th Avenue between Harpers Street NE and Lexington Avenue in Blaine and the replacement of ramp terminal traffic signal systems and construction of new pedestrian accommodations along the east side of Round Lake Boulevard, over U.S. Highway 10, in the City of Coon Rapids. For more information on these items, click HERE.
Support Letter Issued to MPCA Regarding Landfills
The board approved the issuance of a support letter to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regarding potential options for landfill expansion. Due to the closure of the Great River Energy Resource Recovery plant in 2019, the metro region has reached waste processing capacity and the MPCA has issued an intent to review and possibly allow expansion of metro area landfills. As part of this process, the landfills which intend to expand are required to submit letters of support from the metro counties. For more information on this item, click HERE.
Gifts Accepted for Parks
The board accepted $500 for Anoka County Parks from the Centerville Lions Club, $25,000 from Connexus Energy to fund natural and cultural history programming at Wargo Nature Center, and $10,000 from Nick Roberts to fund improvements at the Riedel Farmhouse. For more information on this item, click HERE.
Parks Grant Agreements Approved
The board approved five Metropolitan Council Capital Improvement Program grant agreements for projects within the regional parks system. The county will be receiving $823,972 for these projects, which center on reimbursements to cities for trail construction and for the design, engineering and reconstruction of the roof at the Bunker Hills Activity Center. For more information on this item, click HERE.
COVID-19 Relief Grant Criteria Expanded to Include More Home Businesses
The board expanded grant criteria to include more home-based businesses. The Minnesota Legislature last month voted to pass a relief package aimed at helping businesses and workers that were most adversely affected by the recent executive order pause on many in-person services. Anoka County was allocated just under $7 million for grants, and this funding is now available to home-based businesses with no W-2 employees. To read the news release, click HERE.
To watch the full meeting, click HERE.