Metro briefs: Dakota County survey rates quality of life high, notes crime as biggest issue

Dakota County residents rate the county high as a place to live and and said its biggest issues are crime and public safety, according to the results of its 2022 resident survey.

The survey, conducted every three years, asks residents to rate different areas on a 100-point scale. About 15% of the 4,200 surveys mailed out were returned.

On average, residents rated their overall quality of life at 78, slightly lower than 80 in 2019 and 79 in 2016. The county received its highest scores as a place to live (79) and raise a family (78) and for its outdoor recreational opportunities (77).

Nineteen percent of respondents said crime was the most serious issue facing the county, up from 9% in 2019 and 12% in 2016.

Residents on average rated county services at 69 on the 100-point scale. County parks and recreation (86) and county libraries (85) were the highest-rated services.

Erin Adler

City Council updates food truck rules

The Arden Hills City Council has updated its food truck ordinance in response to residents who began hosting food truck nights during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rules went into effect on July 1.

Residents now must obtain a no-fee permit to host a food truck on their property, allowing them to hold two events per year. Food trucks must be parked on private property and not on the street. Vendors must obtain a separate license from the city.

The City Council considered updating its food truck ordinance last year, but tabled the measure when some residents called it government overreach. City leaders countered that others didn't like the noise and crowds created by the food trucks at the height of the pandemic.

Shannon Prather

MnDOT seeks input on highway safety

The Minnesota Department of Transportation, looking to devise safety improvements for Hwys. 47 and 65 in Anoka County, is seeking public input at two upcoming community sessions.

The agency will host an in-person meeting from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Av. NE., and a virtual meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. Additional meetings will be held through July 28.

MnDOT wants to improve safety for people who walk, bike, and drive along Hwy. 47 — also known as University Avenue — and Hwy. 65, also known as Central Avenue, between 37th Avenue NE. in Minneapolis and Hwy. 10 in Anoka County.

"There are more crashes than average on segments of Hwy. 47 and Hwy. 65, and crashes that involve pedestrians and bicyclists are far more likely to result in death or serious injuries," according to a news release from MnDOT.

Tim Harlow

County Board declares July parks month

The Washington County Board has named July as County Park and Recreation Month, adding that it will continue to waive county park fees on the first non-holiday Tuesday of each month.

The county parks system includes eight parks, two regional trails, a conservation area and the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater. Together the properties span 4,773 acres of public land. Some 2 million visits were made to the county's parks in 2021.

Matt McKinney