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Coon Rapids Council Ends Regional Street Maintenance Pact, Approves Zoo Permit, and Finalizes SRO Funding
Coon Rapids Council Ends Regional Street Maintenance Pact, Approves Zoo Permit, and Finalizes SRO Funding
COON RAPIDS, Minn. — October 2025 — The Coon Rapids City Council this week addressed several key city and community matters, led by a major decision to end the city’s participation in the North Metro Regional Street Maintenance Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). The move signals a shift in strategy toward more localized control of street maintenance operations.
Street Maintenance Shift to Local Management
By formal resolution, the Council voted to terminate Coon Rapids’ involvement in the North Metro Regional Street Maintenance JPA, a cooperative agreement that had enabled participating cities to jointly contract for street services such as crack sealing, seal coating, and striping.
For years, the regional partnership provided modest cost savings through shared bidding and pooled resources. However, city officials concluded that greater operational flexibility, efficiency, and direct oversight of scheduling and service quality outweighed those benefits. City staff recommended that Coon Rapids now handle maintenance independently—either through its own Public Works Department or through direct service contracts—allowing the city to tailor operations more precisely to its infrastructure needs.
The change marks a notable operational transition for the Public Works Department and reflects the city’s broader commitment to streamlining essential services under local management.
Other Council Actions: Zoo Permit and SRO Agreement
In addition to the street maintenance decision, the Council also approved two other community-focused measures:
- Spooktacular Event Permit: A permit was approved for Little Blues Traveling Zoo to appear at the city’s upcoming Spooktacular event, a family-friendly fall celebration hosted at Riverdale Village. The approval clears the way for the popular petting zoo to participate as one of the event’s main attractions.
- School Resource Officer Funding: The Council also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Anoka-Hennepin School District 11 regarding school resource and prevention program officer services. The agreement reaffirms funding and roles for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, ensuring continued police presence and safety collaboration across Coon Rapids schools.
Broader Focus on Local Priorities
Together, the Council’s actions reflect Coon Rapids’ continued emphasis on local control, operational efficiency, and community engagement—from maintaining critical infrastructure to supporting safe and vibrant public spaces.
