City Council Briefs: Coon Rapids Brings Street Maintenance In-House, Greenlights Spooktacular Zoo, and Finalizes School Resource Officer Funding

City Council Briefs: Coon Rapids Brings Street Maintenance In-House, Greenlights Spooktacular Zoo, and Finalizes School Resource Officer Funding

By MinneapoliMedia Staff | Coon Rapids, MN

The Coon Rapids City Council meeting this week tackled a wide range of issues affecting both city operations and community engagement — from reshaping how the city maintains its streets to ensuring public safety in local schools and approving entertainment for one of the community’s most beloved fall events.

City Ends Longstanding Regional Street Maintenance Partnership

In a notable shift, the Coon Rapids City Council voted to dissolve its participation in the North Metro Regional Street Maintenance Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) — a cooperative pact with neighboring municipalities designed to collectively contract services such as crack sealing, seal coating, and street striping.

For years, the regional partnership helped member cities save an estimated 10 to 15 percent annually through shared bidding power and economies of scale. However, city officials say that while the cost savings were valuable, the growing need for flexibility, control, and efficiency in scheduling and service delivery has taken precedence.

“By bringing these operations in-house or managing them through our own contracts, we’ll have more direct oversight of quality and timelines,” said city staff in their recommendation to the Council. “This change allows us to tailor our approach to Coon Rapids’ specific infrastructure priorities rather than coordinating with multiple jurisdictions.”

The move marks a significant operational shift for the city’s Public Works Department, which will now independently manage road maintenance responsibilities that had long been shared regionally. While the financial implications are still being assessed, officials emphasized that the decision aligns with the city’s long-term goal of strengthening service reliability and responsiveness for residents.

‘Spooktacular’ Welcomes Little Blues Traveling Zoo

In a lighter moment, the Council unanimously approved an operating permit for Little Blues Traveling Zoo, paving the way for one of the highlights of the city’s annual “Spooktacular” celebration.

The Spooktacular, a much-anticipated family event hosted each fall, draws hundreds of residents to Coon Rapids for a day of festive community fun. Attendees can expect a variety of seasonal activities — including trick-or-treating, games, and interactive attractions — with the petting zoo set to delight children and families once again this year.

City officials noted that the event plays a vital role in community engagement, providing a safe and festive way for residents to connect as the autumn season takes hold.

Council Finalizes School Resource Officer Funding Agreement

The Council also voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Anoka-Hennepin School District 11, securing the funding framework for the continuation of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.

The agreement reaffirms the partnership between the Coon Rapids Police Department and the district, ensuring that trained officers remain stationed in schools within city limits. The program, which has evolved over the years, aims to enhance student safety while fostering positive relationships between youth and law enforcement.

City officials described the finalized MOU as a crucial step in maintaining consistent communication and accountability between the city and the district — particularly amid statewide discussions about the role of SROs in educational environments.

“This agreement helps ensure our schools remain safe learning spaces while maintaining the trust and cooperation that make the program successful,” officials said.

In Summary
From strategic shifts in city operations to continued investments in community events and school safety, the Coon Rapids City Council’s latest actions reflect a balancing act between fiscal prudence, local control, and community connection — hallmarks of a city working to meet the needs of its residents on multiple fronts.

MinneapoliMedia