Anoka County Government: County Board Briefs –– 3-23-21

Press release from the Anoka County Government:

April 8, 2021

County Board Briefs –– 3-23-21

Board Hears County Website Annual Report 

Barb Young, Anoka County digital communications coordinator, presented the board with the Anoka County website annual report. Young noted, due to COVID-19, activity on the website increased over the past year, and the website was used to stream more county government meetings, information was posted on COVID-19’s impact on services, and the site housed Public Health’s COVID-19 page. In total, the site recorded 3.9 million visits in 2020, which was up from 3.3 million the previous year. To watch the presentation, click HERE.

April Proclaimed National County Government Month

The board proclaimed April as National County Government Month in Anoka County. This celebration, held each April for the past 30 years, encourages counties to promote the services and programs they offer by highlighting effective county programs and by raising awareness and understanding about the role county government plays in people’s lives. To watch the presentation, click HERE. 

Anoka County COVID-19 Vaccination Waitlist Expanded 

Anoka County has expanded its COVID-19 vaccination waitlist to residents 16 and older with high risk underlying conditions and targeted essential workers. Residents ages 65-plus are still encouraged to sign up, as well. Sign up at anokacounty.us/CovidVaccWaitlist. To watch the presentation, click HERE.

Update Given on Human Resources Management System

Employee Relations Director Steph Beito-Ziemer gave an update on the implementation of the county’s new human resources management system, which will include a suite of software for human resources and related processes. To watch the presentation, click HERE.

Signal Modification, Frontage Road Extension Approved

The board awarded a contract to Egan Companies, Inc. for a traffic signal modification project at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 38th Lane, in the City of Anoka. This project is to extend the useful life of the signal system. The board also approved entering into a joint powers agreement with the city of East Bethel for the construction of a new frontage road extension along the east side of Highway 65, from 87th Lane NW to Viking Boulevard. For more information on these items, click HERE.

Board Accepts Funding for Transportation Assistance

The board approved a contract with the Anoka County Community Action Program for transportation services, in the amount of $165,000 from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2023. This money will be allocated to the county’s Job Training Center for residents at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline, to help with car repairs, insurance, and licensing assistance, as these are critical supports to Anoka County Community members for their success in participating in training, job search, employment, medical appointments and family activities, while supporting overall economic prosperity. For more information on this item, click HERE.

Grants Sought for Social Services Programs

The board applied for an Emergency Solutions grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Resources for street outreach and emergency shelter (hotel/motel) services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and the board also applied for a Community Living Infrastructure grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Resources for housing and navigation support services to individuals and families. For more information on these items, click HERE.

Two PACE Agreements Approved 

The board adopted two resolutions in regard to the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. This program allows property owners to finance energy and conservation improvements through the use of special assessments under PACE. The properties are Westgate of Anoka, LLC, and Westgate of Columbia Heights, LLC. For more information on these items, click HERE. To watch the video on these items, click HERE.

 To watch the full board meeting, click HERE.

This press release was produced by the Anoka County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.