[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6056079,"mediaKeyId","3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f","parentId",3312343,"title","Anoka County committee discusses Transit Link contract, coordination with Met Council and Metro Mobility expansion","audioSeconds",207,"startMs",1241000,"endMs",1448000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f&start=1241&end=1448","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f/thumbnail_1241000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6056079/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Anoka-County-committee-discusses-Transit-Link-contract-coordination-with-Met-Council-and-Metro-Mobility-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056079-6e2a63aef8cb6c157c45bcb763e29952/orig.mp4?Expires=1776402317&Signature=QEk5t0rOjhpNvr82gRR2d4YplIYfSf9JitHcTMCP5Clecj~S-Q1s731fVMP-BidJuQGBiGuzSPEjOxv~8Mau0xlftPQqnf14bYk7J5WYkXu-GmL-yCfP135TIZ8T07JXAu22h-5ilvEqfVKlnac6~1CKaqMD46dtgcOZwfD3UxOGR7D1EZojIYatQbksyAVDJCMQHZQcwr4Ic-PkTHz2TZHerXTrnnSSuNvpu2UCZrq80w7gcFeV5iegr1kqTe5KJrq7Bf5ngcoGBVN2zQaGRh8zhdY1j0Gr9FmOwJTlgQTt5yltkP7JkgcoES8Ihmokp7ozwCc829Qyp8EgrfJkdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Anoka County, MN","date","2025-05-14T03:05:15Z","article","Anoka County commissioners discussed the future of Transit Link service management and how best to coordinate with Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council (Met Council) as the current arrangement nears its April 2026 expiration.

The county’s transportation committee reviewed the option to continue local oversight of the Transit Link contract in partnership with Metro Transit or to transition full contract management and oversight back to Met Council. Commissioners said the discussion was prompted by an employee retirement that coincides with the contract’s expiration and provides an opportunity to weigh pros and cons.

Why it matters: Transit Link provides dial-a-ride and demand-response transit that many county residents rely on. The committee emphasized limiting disruption for riders and ensuring clear, timely communications about any transition.

Key details: Committee members said they unanimously determined that Anoka County staff provide a high level of customer service many residents rely on, but they acknowledged that final decisions about service delivery rest with Metro Transit and Met Council. County leaders said they will communicate a transition timeline well in advance so Transit Link users are fully informed.

Discussion points included reviewing Anoka County Transportation Management Organization commute solutions activities and first-quarter financial reports, a design-services contract amendment for Lexington Avenue reconstruction, and consideration of enrollment in a nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for the monarch butterfly on energy and transportation lands. Commissioners said the conservation agreement offers environmental and financial benefits by protecting monarch habitat while providing regulatory assurances to landowners.

Separate but related: Commissioner Heinrich said he plans to raise conversations with staff and other commissioners about expanding Metro Mobility services into growing communities such as the city of Ramsey, which he noted has a rising population and currently may not be served by Metro Mobility. Commissioner Meissner emphasized that the committee discussed impacts on residents and aimed for a seamless experience regardless of which entity manages the contract.

Next steps and outlook: County staff will continue detailed discussions with Met Council and Metro Transit about the timeline and operational responsibilities. Commissioners signaled they will pursue further conversations on Metro Mobility expansion during transition talks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Anoka County transportation leaders debated whether to continue local oversight of Transit Link beyond the contract’s April 2026 expiration or to transfer full contract oversight to the Met Council, stressing that any change must be seamless for riders.","taxTitle","Anoka County, Minnesota","taxId",8864,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056084,"Anoka County board unanimously approves multiple transportation contracts and parking change",275,853000,1128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f&start=853&end=1128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f/thumbnail_853000.jpg","/articles/6056084/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Anoka-County-board-unanimously-approves-multiple-transportation-contracts-and-parking-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056084-1691e36747923e8b1cda187213b3a724/orig.mp4?Expires=1776402317&Signature=jEjlo4qJscqPd8zdZPs2zUOWcYZOwZ6oDOK4TB-n-pi6N3KPmTi2hqIz5o8Zdu68K-5HiVHy~5aw5Eo-VYfJ9Qcg4i75V7sXpJJqk7ycndJDsLTnKi1yVBSdLirmMa5Q3A8poLefKn-ue~4d97nkQ8Y7WmiuWhNq54AUqU1M6creloBYTHr70Kn~AeU-oay7j9aOTGYQUxefm6~YS5jc9nqZt4007GwkQFh6Qt2aFpzgblWM~XZrISAkPTYtXvORsSjLTgJ3P2yWisDqIp1sZa7rGqrlGHnPhHUiKx6sib9h39bl9ZIu-YiMkTwXAUEqVfrsiF8fah6yn1gFwPkNXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anoka County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a transportation consent agenda that included a regulated parking change on Lovell Road and several design and construction contracts for road and railroad projects.

The consent package—approved by roll call—covers Resolution 2025TR15 to change the north side of Lovell Road in Lexington from a two-hour parking limit to four hours, a joint powers agreement with the city of Andover for a roundabout at Crosstown Boulevard and Nightingale Street (Contract C0010688), a professional services contract with WSB for the Bridgestone Road bridge replacement (Contract C0011540), two BNSF Railway crossing repair contracts (C0011599 and C0011600), and reconstruction contracts for 109th Avenue in Blaine (C0011543, Dressel Construct Contracting, $1,232,013.96) and Viking Boulevard in Oak Grove (C0011544, Park Construction, $3,257,893.55).

Why it matters: the projects authorize near-term construction and design work that county staff say will address traffic flow, bridge condition and railroad crossing safety across multiple communities in Anoka County.

Most important details first: county staff told the board that for the Bridgestone Road design contract, the lowest bidder was disqualified because its proposal was incomplete; the board therefore awarded the work to WSB after the evaluation committee eliminated the incomplete bid. For the 109th Avenue and Viking Boulevard reconstruction projects, the winning bids were substantially below the county engineer’s estimates (Dressel’s bid was about $600,000 below estimate; Park Construction’s was more than $1.2 million below estimate), a point county leaders said they welcomed.

Supporting details: the BNSF crossing repairs are scheduled this summer, with the crossing near 220 Ninth Avenue Northwest (about 500 feet east of Flintwood Street NW, Oak Grove/Saint Francis) set for the week of June 9 and the Cedar Drive NW crossing (about 600 feet southeast of 200 First Avenue NW, Oak Grove) scheduled for the week of June 2. Construction for the Andover roundabout and the Blaine and Oak Grove road reconstructions was described as planned to begin this summer.

Board action and vote: the transportation consent agenda was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by a unanimous roll-call vote in which Commissioners Jepsen, Meissner, Heinrich, Brasstead, Reinert, Gamache and Schulte recorded “Aye.”

Background and next steps: the contracts authorize county staff and their contractors to move forward with design, environmental documentation, and construction scheduling. Project timelines and community notifications will be handled by the county and, where applicable, the affected cities (Andover, Lexington, Saint Francis, Oak Grove, Blaine).","The Anoka County Board approved a transportation consent package that includes a parking regulation change on Lovell Road, design and construction contracts for bridges and road reconstructions, and two BNSF railroad crossing repairs; all items passed in a unanimous roll-call vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056069,"Anoka County board appoints Josh Beck as assistant director of community and government relations",50,1818000,1868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f&start=1818&end=1868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f/thumbnail_1818000.jpg","/articles/6056069/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Anoka-County-board-appoints-Josh-Beck-as-assistant-director-of-community-and-government-relations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056069-a995098a749796c399196ca97041701d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776402317&Signature=m73zSR18bvDHpVsPBBBDixaDIfiJhXsb-Bx2gVAdC3bKVtlCCj6vny~zo8wl-xUjMVxZZKsNHz63eCAKhiG699k7N~OJomQseZv-OsHIqtIMogvMqNiRNf3ImVSuwwEPGQQlVvRVaSF2XTf3z-DKqBc2Q3QpT8i8vayiIlf794l-EYEgWzzJCfRad-OocsC~Mul3gE2A38bzF53zayPsERYJolJi3x0TUe2n5dzPl2pgtQz7bHGTamQ3GeRIQUwvYXASbKmeO3ZDpID2ukvzfaNShtozXf7DOOYXXuEsWJrlA6dPdOw6OCKfj79rGB53E1dZlcAoJ06Wa6uMzbYApg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anoka County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an employment agreement appointing Josh Beck as assistant director of community and government relations, with the appointment effective June 16, 2025.

Why it matters: the assistant director role will help lead implementation of community programs, manage team members and maintain partnerships that support county community development and housing efforts.

Details: the board noted that Josh Beck holds a Bachelor of Science in geography and graduate coursework in public administration from the University of North Dakota and brings about 20 years of community development and housing experience, including 15 years in leadership and management positions. The appointment was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by roll call; Commissioners Heinrich, Brasstad, Reinert, Gamache, Schulte, Jepsen and Meissner recorded “Aye.”

Next steps: the employment agreement takes effect June 16, 2025. Department staff will integrate Beck into ongoing program and partnership responsibilities.","The Anoka County Board approved an employment agreement appointing Josh Beck as assistant director of community and government relations, effective June 16, 2025; the motion passed unanimously by roll call.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056074,"Parks committee OKs donations, hears updates on Kodiak Park overhaul and CenterPoint Energy work near Islands of Peace",158,1537000,1695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f&start=1537&end=1695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312343-df787617950dfde7729b0bb4b41bff4f/thumbnail_1537000.jpg","/articles/6056074/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Parks-committee-OKs-donations-hears-updates-on-Kodiak-Park-overhaul-and-CenterPoint-Energy-work-near-Islands-of-Peace","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056074-41207e7a99b60554eb40f4f1b3ff9252/orig.mp4?Expires=1776402317&Signature=laZBJ~l0tB~IRn8I7Yac7ly-bmKt5Ugbjqdw-DAxsmYtNK4TA2ULbwxbcEZmsPtN4QUD9pJlmKzkCOKJRzfmaMShnFUar7Owi8PjY~XObBx53yV2TXNEoWM4zS6QgXknp4trmMvYghnwXnT7ZxlnwEHINQNamE1UAXOsCuYa2WT-Uq8GjNy2GQuwqSH~hZeyTHyZVGBCpYBQkRn7V0F1rWJXONqyTK5vuA1dvY3Z0wMWL9N3MJ4394VunWjyx5Tb~2HXOgoXuXt8~UPztHOe6fF4m5eHITUNfdNtzUoPgN1QIlTWDGXiCCf-xqYhvMQ2dywLjGaydjGsmOQBktAREA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anoka County Board accepted several park-related donations and received multiple informational updates from the parks committee, which discussed a utility relocation request from CenterPoint Energy, major improvements at Kodiak Park, recent river cleanups and repairs at Bunker Beach.

The board voted unanimously to accept donations totaling several hundred dollars and smaller gifts to park facilities. Commissioners also reviewed CenterPoint Energy’s prior request to move a utility line across the river and through Islands of Peace Regional Park; the parks committee said CenterPoint subsequently proposed an alternative alignment and asked for rights to construct a small building on county land on the east side of the river, and the county indicated it is agreeable to that request.

Why it matters: utility work, trail and bridge reconstruction, and facility repairs affect park users, wildlife habitat and community recreation access across Anoka County.

Key parks updates: Kodiak Park (Columbia Heights) will receive a suite of improvements including a new picnic pavilion, reconstructed parking, trail reconstruction (planned at 8 feet wide; a 10-foot option was considered but would remove trees), and replacement of the south bridge with a box culvert; plans and community meetings will continue with major construction slated for 2026. The parks committee also reported that 31 volunteers collected 108 bags of trash and 27 bags of recyclable material during recent Mississippi River cleanup events at the Rapids Dam, Mississippi Park, and Riverfront sites.

Bunker Beach repairs were described as under way with a targeted opening in early June. Park staff also highlighted Chamonix Golf Course’s improved performance after officials declined to close the course several years ago. Philanthropic support cited in the meeting included a recurring $500 donation from the Centerville Lions Club and smaller gifts to specific facilities.

CenterPoint Energy matter: about a year earlier the company proposed clearing a corridor across the island at Islands of Peace Regional Park to relocate a line; county parks officials said that approach was rejected because it would have required extensive clearing on what commissioners described as a lightly used wildlife sanctuary island. CenterPoint later proposed an alternative and asked for rights to build a small structure on county land on the river’s east side; the parks committee said it is willing to grant rights for the small building while avoiding the earlier island route. For security reasons, the committee did not publish the alternative alignment details during the meeting.

Board action and vote: the parks consent item to accept miscellaneous donations was moved and seconded and approved by unanimous roll call (resolution number 2025TR14).","The board accepted miscellaneous park donations and heard updates on multiple parks projects, including Kodiak Park improvements, a Mississippi River cleanup, repairs at Bunker Beach, and a CenterPoint Energy request for utility work and a small building on county land near Islands of Peace Regional Park.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Anoka County committee discusses Transit Link contract, coordination with Met Council and Metro Mobility expansion

Anoka County board unanimously approves multiple transportation contracts and parking change

Anoka County board appoints Josh Beck as assistant director of community and government relations

Parks committee OKs donations, hears updates on Kodiak Park overhaul and CenterPoint Energy work near Islands of Peace