DEPARTMENT: Veterans Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Enter Into A Joint Powers Agreement With State Of Minnesota, Acting Through Its Commissioner Of Minnesota Department Of Veterans Affairs, For Transportation Services To Veteran Affairs Medical Center In Minneapolis
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and Dakota County Veterans Services Office to provide free transportation services for veterans of Dakota County from the Hastings Veterans Home to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC).
SUMMARY
The Hastings Veterans Home, owned and operated by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), is a 179-bed domiciliary care facility for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses, located in Hastings, Minnesota. This facility provides a full continuum of care and service to residents of the home. The Hastings Veterans Home provides residents twice daily round-trip van rides from the Hastings Veterans Home to the VAMC for those who need additional medical and dental care at the VAMC. While residents often utilize the van service, there is capacity on the van to take additional passengers.
The relationship and respective responsibilities between the Dakota County Veteran Services Office and the MDVA have been positive and long-standing through a JPA arrangement. The execution of the JPA allows Dakota County veterans who are not residents of the Hastings Veterans Home to utilize the van transportation service, free of charge. The agreement also provides that Dakota County Veteran Services staff will provide ride scheduling services for the veterans who are not residents of the Hastings Veterans Home who request transportation (Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement).
OUTCOMES
• From January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025, 51 van rides were scheduled.
• Provide Dakota County veterans greater access to receive medical care at the Minneapolis VAMC
• Increase transportation options for veterans of Dakota County
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a JPA between the MDVA and Dakota County Veterans Services Office for the purpose of providing free transportation services for Dakota County veterans who do not reside at the Hastings Veterans Home, and to allow increased access for veterans utilizing the VAMC for the period of execution of the JPA through November 27, 2030.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There are no anticipated additional costs to the County as a result of this action.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Hastings Veterans Home, owned and operated by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), is a 179-bed domiciliary care facility for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses, located in Hastings, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, this facility provides a full continuum of care and service to residents of the home; and
WHEREAS, the Hastings Veterans Home provides residents twice daily round-trip van rides from the Hastings Veterans Home to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC) for those who need additional medical and dental care at the VAMC; and
WHEREAS, while residents often utilize the van service, there is capacity on the van to take additional passengers; and
WHEREAS, the relationship and respective responsibilities between the Dakota County Veteran Services Office and the MDVA have been positive and long-standing through a JPA arrangement; and
WHEREAS, the execution of the JPA allows Dakota County veterans who are not residents of the Hastings Veterans Home to utilize the van transportation service, free of charge; and
WHEREAS, the agreement also provides that Dakota County Veteran Services staff will provide ride scheduling services for the veterans who are not residents of the Hastings Veterans Home who request transportation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a joint powers agreement with the MDVA to provide free transportation services for veterans of Dakota County from the Hastings Veterans Home to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center for the period of date of execution of the joint powers agreement through November 27, 2030, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend said agreement to extend the term up to one year after initial expiration date, consistent with County contracting policies, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
end
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Lisa Thomas
Author: Lisa Thomas