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Sheriff’s Office Deputy Recognized as ‘Officer of the Year’

Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tanner Shipman was recently recognized by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association as its officer of the year, for the heroic actions he performed while off duty at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota last year. Shipman aided a South Dakota state trooper, who was being shot at by a suspect. Shipman retrieved a family member’s handgun and helped the trooper, who had fallen to the ground. The suspect got into the trooper’s vehicle, and a shootout ensued. The suspect was injured, and Shipman provided medical care. The suspect was then taken into custody, and later pled guilty to charges related to the incident. Shipman has worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 18 years. The board commended him on his bravery and congratulated him on receiving the Officer of the Year Award. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. 

Anoka County Fair is July 23-28

Mike Gamache, chair, Anoka County Board of Commissioners, noted the Anoka County Fair will run July 23 to 28 this year. Mike Ahlers, president of the Anoka County Fair, and Michaela Liebl, Anoka County Fair manager, talked to the board about this year’s events. Commissioner Julie Jeppson noted on Senior Day, Wednesday, July 24, there will be a Momentum Refresh trailer available to visitors, which was funded by an Anoka County Statewide Health Improvement Program grant. The trailers are clean, safe, and comfortable adaptive restrooms designed for individuals (and their caregivers) who struggle with or are unable to use standard public restrooms. For more information about the Anoka County Fair, click HERE. For more information about Momentum Refresh trailers, click HERE. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. 

Bridge Over Seelye Brook to be Replaced 

The board adopted a resolution authorizing Anoka County to enter into a contract with MnDOT for the replacement of the Highway 28 bridge over Seelye Brook, in Saint Francis. Construction is scheduled to occur in fall of this year. For more information on this item, click HERE. 

Several Trucks Purchased for County Use

The board authorized the county engineer to place an order for three tandem-axel plow trucks, two sign trucks, two foreman trucks, one parks truck and one John Deere tractor. These vehicles are part of the Highway Department’s fleet replacement program. For more information on this item, click HERE. 

Resolution Adopted Regarding Veterans Death Certificates

The board adopted a resolution of support and a request for action to enact a policy authorizing medical examiners/coroners to issue death certificates and seek reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the issuance of these certificates. For more information, click HERE. To watch the video on this item, click HERE. 

Grant Awarded for Replacement of Forensic Laboratory Equipment

The Midwest Regional Laboratory applied for and will receive a grant of $71,388 to replace its 14-year-old GC-FID instrument within the lab’s toxicology section. This new instrument is more sensitive than the lab’s current equipment and is able to detect samples at lower concentrations. For more information on this item, click HERE. 

County Moving Forward with New Jail

The board adopted a resolution to move forward with the new Anoka County Jail facilities. The proposed site of the new jail is between Third and Fourth avenues in Anoka. For more information on this item, click HERE. To watch the video, click HERE. 

To watch the full board meeting, click HERE.

Public Hearing for Amended Petition of Viking Meadows, Inc. 

The board agreed to petition for partial abandonment for Branch 4 of County Ditch 28 associated with the proposed Viking Meadows development in East Bethel. The board, as the drainage authority for Anoka County, received a petition in March from Capstone Homes-MN, which was amended in May, requesting a partial abandonment of County Ditch 28, Branch 4. The property is currently the Viking Meadows Golf Course. The petitioner is redeveloping the site for residential use as single-family homes. The site of the boundary is 130 acres. To watch the video, click HERE. For more information, click HERE. 

Additional Right-of-Way Acquired in Fridley 

The board agreed to authorize acquisition of additional right-of-way for improvements at the intersection of Mississippi Street NE and 7th Street NW in Fridley. Improvements include the construction of a single lane mini-roundabout, concrete curb and gutter, grading, aggregate base, bituminous surfacing, drainage, signage, and associated improvements to address safety concerns and improve traffic operations for the traveling public. To facilitate the associated roadway improvements, the acquisition of additional right-of-way, permanent easements, and temporary easements are required. To watch the video, click HERE.

Roads to be Reconstructed in Nowthen 

The board agreed to enter into a contact with WSB for design services associated with a full depth concrete reconstruction project of Baugh Street, 181st Avenue NW to 201st Avenue NW in Nowthen. The improvements will include full depth concrete surface, including wider paved shoulders, drainage improvements, and right turn lanes or bypass lanes at all county and city street intersections. To watch the video, click HERE.

Intersection Improvements Planned in Fridley 

The board agreed to enter into a joint powers agreement with Fridley for intersection improvements at Mississippi Street and Central Avenue NE in Fridley that will include a mini roundabout to improve traffic safety and reduce delay. Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) federal funding in the amount of $1.1 million will be used for the project. To watch the video, click HERE.

Resurfacing Projects Planned in Coon Rapids 

The board agreed to enter into a joint Powers Agreement with Coon Rapids for the resurfacing of Egret Boulevard. The board agreed to also award a contract in the amount of $1.2 million to North Valley, Inc. for the resurfacing of Sunrise Road NE from Viking Boulevard to Ryan Lake Drive. For more information, click HERE. 

Shelter Funding Grant Renewal Approved 

The board agreed to renew a cost-neutral Shelter Funding Grant for a contract of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Support allocation began in 2019 aiming to better support people who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, click HERE. 

Grant Contracts Approved 

The board agreed to approve a grant contract from the Minnesota Department of Health for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Cities Readiness Initiative Grant (CRI). The award for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025 is $177,581 for PHEP and $97,673 for CRI. This year’s grant responsibilities are anticipated to continue to focus on improvement plans on gaps identified during the COVID-19 response and recovery from the pandemic. For more information, click HERE. 

3M Open Parking Agreement Approved 

The board agreed to enter into a Temporary Use Agreement between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Lynx FBO Anoka, LLC, and Atlantic Aviation for parking for the 3M Open event to be held July 22-28, 2024.

Special Assessment Approved for Property Assessed Clean Energy Program 

In December 2019, Anoka County entered into a joint powers agreement with the Port Authority of Saint Paul to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE) in the county for commercial property owners to finance energy efficiency and conservation improvements to their properties. The board adopted a resolution for an eligible property located in Anoka County, which was approved for financing under the PACE program. Vista Prairie at Eagle Pointe, LLC, was approved for $7.1 million for 20 years at 8.82 percent interest. For more information, click HERE. 

Bunker Beach Facility to be Improved

The board agreed to award a contract to Morcon Construction of Fridley in the amount of $161,303 for facility improvements at Bunker Beach Water Park in Andover. The project will include refurbishing the splash cove slides and tower. The county previously contracted TKDA to conduct a structural assessment on the slide tower and a few other structures. Most of the facilities are structurally sound, but there are improvements needed to ensure the structural integrity and improve the aesthetics of various facilities. Construction will occur in fall and be complete before the 2025 season. For more information, click HERE. 

Parks Department Accepts Donations 

The Centerville Lions Club donated $500 to the Anoka County Parks Department to support park operations and natural resources conservation efforts in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve.

2024 Deer Management Program Approved  

The board adopted a resolution for the issuance of hunting permits for the 2024 deer management program. Based on an aerial survey indices and other deer management variables, Anoka County has determined the deer density to be greater than 39 deer per square mile in Bunker Hills Regional Park; greater than 21 deer per square mile in Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park; and greater than 22 deer per square mile in Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve during the last survey. The management goal of Anoka County is to sustain a deer population density of 15 to 20 deer per square mile within the park system. The Parks Department will conduct controlled archery deer hunts Bunker Hills Regional Park, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve during scheduled time periods in October, November, and December. Applications for permits are available online and drawn at random. For more information, click HERE. To watch the video, click HERE. 

Centerville Tax Increment Financing 

The City of Centerville is considering the establishment of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) (Redevelopment) District in the area of Centerville Road, Main Street, and Westview Street. A TIF District is value capture revenue tool that uses taxes on future gains in real estate values to pay for new infrastructure improvements. TIF is primarily used to encourage development in blighted areas. A private developer is proposing redevelopment within the TIF district to include the construction of an approximate 104-unit market rate apartment building with underground parking, among other redevelopment plans. Plans about the proposed TIF district were presented to the County Board for review. For more information, click HERE.