Board Hears Update from Opioid Prevention Manager
Patti Constant, senior program manager-opioid prevention, attended the board meeting to give commissioners an update on the prevention efforts of the Anoka County Opioid Solutions Initiative (ACOSI). She also noted there will be a free screening of the Faces of Hope documentary, which is a deeply personal and locally produced documentary featuring the real-life journeys of Anoka County individuals impacted by opioid misuse. The screening will take place Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, 420 E. Main St., Anoka. Doors open at 6 p.m. for refreshments and resource tables. The film will be shown at 6:30 p.m. A presentation and panel discussion will follow at 7 p.m., giving attendees the opportunity to hear directly from those working on the front lines of the opioid crisis — and those who have lived it. Several prizes will be given away to attendees, including an Anoka County Parks season pass, Target gift cards, a Kwik Trip gift card, a Caribou Coffee gift card, and body care gift baskets.
Medicolegal Death Investigation Week Recognized
The board adopted a resolution recognizing all the county’s death investigators as part of Medicolegal Death Investigation Week Jan. 25-31. The medicolegal death investigation community is composed of a diverse and highly skilled group of experts, including medical examiners, coroners, medicolegal death investigators, forensic pathologists, forensic autopsy technicians, and administrative support staff. These professionals play an essential role in the administration of justice and public health by investigating sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths to determine the cause and manner of death with accuracy, scientific rigor, and integrity.
New Medical Examiner Contracts Approved
The board approved medical examiner services contracts with Roseau County and Lake of the Woods County and authorized tentative agreements with Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Red Lake and Polk counties.
Federal Lobbying Contract Approved
The board approved a contract with Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies to provide federal lobbying services to accomplish county policy objectives.
Master Data Privacy Policy Approved
The board approved updates to the County Master Data Privacy Policy. Anoka County has a new platform for managing public records request that went live last year. The updated policy reflects changes to this data-request process and consolidates the former private and public request policies into a single document.
Gifts Accepted for Human Services
The board accepted donations from several organizations to support the county’s Human Services division. These donations came from Bundles of Love, Medica, HealthPartners, CarePortal, and Safe Haven Foster Shoppe.
Contract Approved with BCA Violent Crime Reduction Unit
The board approved a three-year contract with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Violent Crime Reduction Unit (VCRU). The VCRU aids in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of violent crimes, including murder and assaults, the trafficking of illicit drugs and firearms, carjacking, and other violent crimes.
County Seeking BUILD Funding for Highway 65
The board adopted a resolution seeking $25 million in Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Program funding to construct an interchange at the intersection of Highway 65 and Bunker Lake Boulevard NE and associated improvements.
Roundabout to be Constructed at Crosstown Blvd./161st Ave., Constance Blvd.
The board approved a contract with the City of Andover for plans to improve the intersection of Crosstown Boulevard and 161st Avenue/Constance Boulevard. The proposed improvements include construction of a roundabout, pedestrian accommodations, and drainage improvements. This project is scheduled for construction this summer.
Jessica Leth Hired as Deputy Director of Human Services
The board approved an employment contract with Jessica Leth to hire her as the deputy director of Human Services. Leth brings more than 20 years of Human Services experience to the position and was most recently the director of Economic Assistance for Anoka County.
The full County Board meeting is available for viewing.