Anoka County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Anoka County Board to weigh $2M courtroom remodel, $225K data contract

No final decisions have been made yet in Anoka County this week — all recent meeting agendas are pending, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential item on the table is a $2,037,440 courtroom remodel, which the County Board will consider at its Aug. 25 meeting. That meeting also includes two library construction contracts and food service agreements.

County Board to consider courtroom, library, and food contracts

The Anoka County Board of Commissioners will meet Aug. 25 to vote on several contracts. The largest is a $2,037,440 remodel of the C201/C202 courtroom with Construction Results, plus a $200,000 contingency. Two library projects are also up for approval: a $387,000 Mississippi Library project with CJC Construction (plus $38,000 contingency) and a $360,000 Crooked Lake Library project with KNB Contracting (plus $36,000 contingency). The board will also consider food service contracts with Aramark for the Juvenile Center and Workhouse at per-meal prices of $3.199 and $3.252, respectively. A resolution adopting a PACE special assessment for Landco Investments in the amount of $3,140,000 is also on the agenda.

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the board had considered a $225,000 contract with Deloitte Consulting for an enterprise-wide data assessment, a public hearing on restricting rifles in Cedar Creek and Columbus Lake Conservation Areas, and a resolution extending the Alatus TIF District in Columbia Heights. Also on that agenda was a $448,581.61 contract for Hodgson Road pavement rehabilitation and a license agreement with the City of Lino Lakes for Main Street median landscaping.

Public Safety Committee: school resource officer, law enforcement contracts

The Public Safety Committee met Aug. 11 to review three contracts: a school resource officer agreement with Legacy Christian Academy for $158,439 (Aug. 1, 2026–May 31, 2027), a 2027 law enforcement services contract with the City of Nowthen for $569,879, and a federal urban security grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for $333,417.60 (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2027). The committee also received updates on the Joint Law Enforcement Council and department activities.

Housing and Redevelopment Authority

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority Management Committee considered a contract with the City of Hilltop for environmental review services tied to two HUD Community Project Funding grants. Hilltop would reimburse Anoka County for staff time, benefits, and related costs. The committee also discussed a 2027 legislative proposal on Local and Statewide Affordable Housing Aid programs.

Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee reviewed a resolution to purchase property at 1206 Bunker Lake Boulevard NE in Ham Lake for $384,900 using Transportation funds. It also considered an amendment to a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Blaine for intersection work at 109th Avenue and Radisson Road, including Scheels access improvements, and authorization to negotiate a roundabout project with the City of Lino Lakes at 20th Avenue N (CSAH 54) and Watermark Way.

Community Corrections Advisory Board

The Community Corrections Advisory Board reviewed the 2025 annual report, which had been postponed from its May meeting. The report shows 255 staff, a 240-bed Workhouse, and 1,887 pretrial assessments in 2025. Fentanyl UA tests were positive in 10% of 7,312 tests; methamphetamine was the most common drug. The Alternatives to Incarceration program had 31 participants with a 94% success rate.

Coming up

• **Aug. 25, 9:00 a.m.** – County Board work session to review 2027 budget proposals for seven departments (no final decisions).
• **Aug. 25, 10:00 a.m.** – County Board regular meeting to decide on courtroom remodel, library contracts, food service, and PACE assessment.
• **Aug. 25, 1:00 p.m.** – Housing and Redevelopment Authority board to vote on Hilltop environmental review contract.
• **Aug. 25, 2:00 p.m.** – Regional Railroad Authority to consider a $278,795 budget with a $0 tax levy.
• **Aug. 25, 3:00 p.m.** – Management Committee to review 2027 budgets for five departments and an employment agreement for an Assistant Chief Medical Examiner.
• **Aug. 27, 9:00 a.m.** – Joint Law Enforcement Council Emergency Communications Committee to approve minutes and receive updates.

All meetings are open to the public. Check the county website for agendas and locations.

Anoka County boards to weigh rent increases, road work, and $2M courtroom remodel

Anoka County boards have several significant items on their agendas this week, including proposed rent increases at four senior housing complexes, a $2 million courtroom remodel, and a $448,581 road rehabilitation contract. No final decisions have been published from the county's July 28 and Aug. 4 meetings; minutes are pending. The following items were on those agendas and remain under consideration.

Recent meeting agendas

Housing & Redevelopment Authority (July 28)

• Proposed rent increases: 1.5% at The Willows of Ham Lake, 4.5% at Chauncey Barett Gardens, and 3.0% at Savannah Oaks and The Oaks of Lake George.
• Approval of 2027 budgets for four senior housing complexes, with use of Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) and HRA levy funds for capital improvements.

Management Committee (July 28)

• Proposed five-year contract with Wiley Reber Law for labor relations counsel (Sept. 1, 2026 – Sept. 1, 2031).
• Employment agreement for Gerald Covel as Director, Facilities Management & Construction.
• Presentation of the Q2 2026 Human Resources Review.

Board of Commissioners (July 28)

• Public hearing on Ordinance 2026-1 (Solid Waste Ordinance).
• Contract SCON26-00001188 for Mississippi Library Rooftop Unit Replacement: $492,888.
• Contract SCON26-00001182 with Deloitte Consulting LLC for data assessment: not to exceed $225,000.
• Employment agreement for Gerald Covel.
• Master contracts for window cleaning and hazardous materials professional services/abatement.

Transportation Committee (Aug. 4)

• Proposed $448,581.61 contract to Park Construction Company for pavement rehabilitation of Hodgson Road in Lino Lakes.
• Proposed license agreement with City of Lino Lakes for streetscape plantings along Main Street.
• Informational update on an $80,625 change order for the Historic Banfill Locke House rehabilitation.
• Report of $1.5 million in appropriation for Bunker Beach Water Park improvements.
• Report of $2.414 million for Metropolitan Regional Parks System Land Acquisition – Phase 9.

Upcoming meetings (Aug. 11)

Public Safety Committee

• Contract CCON26-000563: School resource services for Legacy Christian Academy, $158,439 (Aug. 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027).
• Contract CCON26-000559: 2027 law enforcement services for City of Nowthen, $569,879 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2027).
• Contract GR_00840: 2025 UASI grant from MN Dept of Public Safety, $333,417.60 (Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027).
• JLEC update and department updates.

Board of Commissioners

• Contract SCON26-00001182 with Deloitte Consulting LLC for enterprise-wide data assessment, not to exceed $225,000.
• Public hearing on Ordinance 2026-2 to restrict rifles in Cedar Creek and Columbus Lake Conservation Areas.
• Resolution 2026-55 approving extension of Alatus TIF District in Columbia Heights.
• Contract SCON26-00001218 with Park Construction Company for Hodgson Road pavement rehabilitation, $448,581.61.
• License agreement with City of Lino Lakes for Main Street median landscaping.

Housing & Redevelopment Authority Management Committee

• Contract with City of Hilltop for environmental review services related to two HUD Community Project Funding grants for an emergency tornado shelter.
• Hilltop to reimburse Anoka County for staff time, benefits, publications, and related costs.
• Discussion of 2027 legislative proposal on Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) and Statewide Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA).

Government Operations Committee

• Contract SCON26-00001234 with Construction Results for C202 High Profile Courtroom remodel, not to exceed $2,037,440 plus $200,000 contingency.
• Contract SCON26-00001235 with CJC Construction LLC for Mississippi Library Grant Project, not to exceed $387,000 plus $38,000 contingency.
• Contract SCON26-00001237 with KNB Contracting LLC for Crooked Lake Library Grant Project, not to exceed $360,000 plus $36,000 contingency.
• Resolution 2026-GO4 accepting library donations.
• Resolution 2026-GO5 adopting a special assessment under the PACE program.

Coming up

All four meetings listed above are scheduled for Aug. 11 and are open to the public. The Public Safety Committee, Board of Commissioners, Housing & Redevelopment Authority Management Committee, and Government Operations Committee will each consider the items noted. Public comments are welcome at the start of the Public Safety Committee meeting.

Anoka County boards weigh naloxone campaign, library repairs, and senior housing rent increases

Anoka County residents should note that the meetings covered this week were agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so the items below reflect what county bodies were scheduled to consider, not finalized decisions. No votes or outcomes are confirmed in the available records.

Human Services Committee — July 23

The committee was set to review a proposed $250,000 contract with Luceo CMG for a naloxone awareness media campaign. Other proposed items included Resolution 2026-HS-9 to accept Minnesota Housing funding for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, and proposed contract #SCON-00001152, a boarding agreement with Chisago County. The committee also had a proposed appointment of one new member to the Community Corrections Advisory Board and a proposed amendment to the Solid Waste Ordinance, with a public hearing scheduled for July 28, 2026.

County Board of Commissioners — July 28

The Board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-1, the updated Solid Waste Ordinance. Proposed contracts on the agenda included Contract SCON26-00001188 for the Mississippi Library Rooftop Unit Replacement at $492,888, and Contract SCON26-00001182 with Deloitte Consulting LLC for data assessment, not to exceed $225,000. The Board also was to consider an employment agreement for Gerald Covel as Director, Facilities Management & Construction, along with master contracts for window cleaning and hazardous materials professional services and abatement.

Housing & Redevelopment Authority — July 28

The Anoka County Housing & Redevelopment Authority was set to review 2027 operating and capital improvement budgets for four senior apartment buildings. Proposed rent increases on the agenda ranged from 1.5% at The Willows of Ham Lake to 4.5% at Chauncey Barett Gardens, with 3.0% increases proposed at Savannah Oaks and The Oaks of Lake George. The agenda also included use of Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) and HRA levy funds for capital improvements.

Management Committee — July 28

The committee was scheduled to review proposed Contract SCON26-00001215 with Wiley Reber Law for labor relations counsel, running Sept. 1, 2026 through Sept. 1, 2031. The agenda also included the employment agreement for Gerald Covel as Director, Facilities Management & Construction, and a presentation of the Q2 2026 Human Resources Review.

Joint Law Enforcement Council — July 22

This meeting was agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. Scheduled items included approval of April meeting minutes, the Treasurer's Report, a Budget Committee report, a contracts discussion, and a jail update under old business.

Coming up

The Transportation Committee meets Aug. 4, 2026. The agenda includes a proposed $448,581.61 contract with Park Construction Company for pavement rehabilitation of Hodgson Road in Lino Lakes, and a proposed license agreement with the City of Lino Lakes for streetscape plantings along Main Street. Informational items include an $80,625 change order for the Historic Banfill Locke House rehabilitation, a reported $1.5 million appropriation for Bunker Beach Water Park improvements, and a reported $2.414 million for Metropolitan Regional Parks System Land Acquisition – Phase 9.

Anoka County committees weigh $817K signal project, $511K trail contract, and senior housing budgets

Anoka County boards and committees spent the week of July 7–14 reviewing contracts totaling more than $2 million for road signals, trail improvements, library repairs, and data consulting — though minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings, meaning no final actions are confirmed.

Transportation: Signal reconstruction and trail improvements

The Transportation Committee on July 7 and the County Board of Commissioners on July 14 both reviewed two major contracts:

• **Contract SCON26-00001144** — $817,161.81 with SEH for design, permitting, and final design of signal reconstruction at nine intersections on 5th Avenue and East River Road, spanning Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Fridley.
• **Contract SCON26-00001177** — $511,700.00 to Bituminous Roadways, Inc. for Rice Creek West Regional Trail improvements at Locke Park in Fridley.

The Board also considered authorizing the County Engineer to order four tandem-axle plow trucks, a Freightliner Patch Truck, a Cat 938M Loader, a Cat 317 Excavator with Grapple, a Larue Snowblower, a DM 360 Mower, and a John Deere 6130M under the draft 2027 Transportation budget.

A temporary use agreement with Lynx FBO Anoka, LLC (Contract CCON-000569) for 3M Open parking at no cost to the county was also on the Board agenda, along with the proposed City of Ramsey Tax Increment Financing District No. 20 (Trident).

Housing: 2027 senior housing budgets and rent proposals

The Anoka County Housing & Redevelopment Authority met July 14 to consider 2027 operating budgets for four senior apartment complexes: The Willows of Ham Lake, Savannah Oaks, Chauncey Barett Gardens, and The Oaks of Lake George.

Proposed rent increases range from 1.5% at The Willows to 4.5% at Chauncey Barett Gardens, with 3.0% increases proposed at Savannah Oaks and The Oaks of Lake George. The budgets would draw on Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) for capital improvements at three properties. Chauncey Barett Gardens is projected to have the weakest financial position among the four.

Government operations: Library roof, data assessment, and service contracts

The Government Operations Committee on July 14 reviewed several contracts, including:

• **$492,888** to Construction Results (Plymouth) for the Mississippi Library rooftop unit replacement, plus a 10% contingency.
• **$225,000** with Deloitte Consulting LLC for an enterprise-wide data assessment.
• Master window cleaning contracts with Brightview Window Cleaning (Maple Grove), Clean and Clear Inc (Plymouth), and Starbrite Window Cleaning (Blaine).
• Hazardous materials professional services contracts with Bay West (St. Paul), Braun Intertec (Bloomington), and Pinnacle Engineering (Maple Grove), plus abatement/remediation contracts with Envirobate (Minneapolis), Mavo Systems (White Bear Lake), and Sheltertech (North St. Paul).
• Renewal of Contract SCON26-00000179 with Lake Superior Transport Services for medical examiner transport for St. Louis County, with rates unchanged: $950/single and $1,425/double for northern county; $600/single and $900/double for southern county.

Public safety: $20K donation for K9 program

The Public Safety Committee on July 14 considered Resolution 2026-PS07 to accept a $20,000 donation from the Anoka County Crime Prevention Coalition for the Sheriff's Office K9 Program, designated for training and equipment.

Law enforcement governance

The Joint Law Enforcement Council Governance Committee met July 8 to receive subcommittee reports on budget, data standards, and critical infrastructure. The agenda included a Capital Improvement Plan discussion, a PSDS update covering the Tyler Implementation Project (George Jensen), an Emergency Communications Center update (Kari Morrissey), and a status update on ARMER 800 MHz radios.

Coming up

• **July 22 — Joint Law Enforcement Council**: Regular meeting including approval of April minutes, Treasurer's Report, Budget Committee report, contracts discussion, and a jail update.
• **July 23 — Human Services Committee**: Review of a proposed $250,000 contract with Luceo CMG for a naloxone awareness media campaign, a proposed Solid Waste Ordinance amendment with a public hearing set for July 28, and Resolution 2026-HS-9 to accept MN Housing funding for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program.

All recent meeting agendas are available through the Anoka County website. Minutes for the July 7–14 meetings have not yet been published.