Mosquito Control District Presents Annual Report
Alex Carlson, Metropolitan Mosquito Control District public affairs manager, and Dave Dirkswager, MMCD regional operational manager, attended the board meeting to present MMCD’s annual report. Carlson noted mosquitoes, beyond being a nuisance, are also disease spreaders, so that’s why MMCD works to reduce their numbers in the metro area. Mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, La Crosse Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and dog heartworm. In addition to the mitigation efforts performed by MMCD staff, they offer education about how to decrease the number of mosquitoes at residences –– this information can be found HERE. Carlson and Dirkswager also said MMCD is currently hiring for seasonal employees. Click HERE to visit the MMCD employment page. To watch the presentation, click HERE.
County Land Conveyed to Andover for Development Purposes
The board adopted a resolution for the conveyance of county-owned land along Crosstown Drive NW to the City of Andover. The county’s Highway Department does not have a use for the land, and the City of Andover has stated it has a public need to use the property for economic development purposes. For more information on this item, click HERE. To watch the video, click HERE.
Safety Improvements to be Made Near Coon Rapids High School
The board approved entering into a joint powers agreement with the City of Coon Rapids for proposed safety improvements along Northdale Boulevard, in front of Coon Rapids High School. Anoka County, in partnership with the City of Coon Rapids, applied for and received a Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant, administered by MnDOT. The grant, in the amount of $458,000, will pay for the improvements, which include replacing existing antiquated flashers with pedestrian-activated LED school crosswalk flashers, installation of dynamic speed display signs, curb bump-outs, enhanced lighting, pedestrian ramps, along with sidewalk additions and upgrades. Construction on this project is scheduled to begin in June 2023. For more information on this item, click HERE. To watch the video, click HERE.
Armstrong Blvd. NW, Alpine Dr. to be Improved
The board awarded a contract to North Pine Aggregate for improvements at Armstrong Boulevard NW and Alpine Drive, in the City of Ramsey. The improvements include the construction of a new roundabout to address safety concerns and improve traffic operations. The intersection improvements will include pedestrian improvements and sidewalk connections to improve safety and mobility for all roadway users. Construction is expected to begin in spring/summer 2023 and be completed in fall 2023. For more information on this item, click HERE. To watch the video, click HERE.
Pavilions at Bunker Hills Regional Park to be Torn Down
Commissioner Mike Gamache, chair of the Parks Committee, noted that at the last committee meeting engineering firm TKDA presented information about their assessment of pavilions 1, 2 and 3 in Bunker Hills Regional Park. Due to structural deficiencies, which includes substantial rotting to areas integral for support, all three pavilions will be torn down at some point this year. Gamache said the county will seeking funding through state bonding and possibly the Metropolitan Council to rebuild pavilions 1 and 3 with materials that should last several decades. Pavilion 2 will likely remain a concrete pad after teardown of the structure, until funding can be identified to possibly rebuild that pavilion. To watch the presentation on this item, click HERE.
Board Agrees to New Settlement Documents Related to Opioid Crisis
The board signed onto a new settlement agreement through the Minnesota Attorney General related to opioid crisis litigation. According to the original settlement between the state and several large manufacturers and distributors of opioid pharmaceuticals, Minnesota was set to receive about $300 million. The updated agreement could yield up to another $235 million over 15 years. To read the resolution, click HERE. To read a news release on this matter from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, click HERE.
To watch the full meeting, click HERE.