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Date:	Feb. 5, 2019
Contact:	Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager
Phone:	651-430-6026, after hours 952-807-3723
E-mail:	yvonne.klinnert@co.washington.mn.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following actions were taken at the Feb. 5, 2019, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County will receive grant money to help older workers find employment
Washington County will receive a $135,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), to assist unemployed, low-income individuals 55 years and older.
The County Board accepted the grant Feb. 5.
DEED is implementing a pilot project called "Minnesota's Legacy Career Force." DEED decided to subcontract with four Workforce Development Areas for the project, the Washington County Workforce
Development Division, Anoka County Job Training Center, Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, and the City of Duluth Workforce Development. The project focuses on targeted services and employer engagement to improve and expand the capacity of the state's public workforce system. The model uses Career Navigators to provide intensive one-on-one case management and support. Career Navigators create customized plans based on the unique needs for each person.
The grant runs from Feb. 7 to Oct. 22, 2020. The funds will cover the costs of program administration and provide participants with career navigation, training, and support services.
Contact: Rick Roy, Careerforce Center Division Manager, 651-275-8660

County Board approves application for off-site gambling
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved an application Feb. 5 from the American Legion Post 491 to conduct off-site gambling at the Withrow Ballroom in May Township Feb. 14.
The application would allow the Legion to conduct bingo.
After the County Board approves the application, it is sent to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board for its consideration.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

County Board accepts donation from Washington County Library Partners
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted an $8,800 donation from the Washington County Library Partners Feb. 5.
Washington County Library Partners is a non-profit foundation created by community residents in 2010 to raise money and manage resources to enhance library programs and services.
Contact: Kim Ukura, Social Media Specialist, 651-275-8511

County Board proclaims February as American Heart Month in Washington County
The Washington County Board of Commissioners proclaimed February as American Heart Month in Washington County Feb. 5.
Each February is designated as American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and increase knowledge about prevention. Sharing information with the community throughout Heart Month is important because about 80 percent of cardiovascular disease can be prevented by:
• not using tobacco;
• being physically active;
• eating a healthy diet;
• maintaining a healthy weight; and
• scheduling regular health screenings or physical exams.
In Washington County, heart disease is the second leading cause of death behind cancer. Overall chronic disease prevention is a top health priority for the county health department.
Contact: Lowell Johnson, Public Health and Environment Director, 651-430-6725
County Board declares no need for further environmental studies of Bailey Road Project
The Washington County Board of Commissioners determined Feb. 5 that there is no need for further environmental studies on the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, or Bailey Road project.
The project has had a study completed, an Environmental Assessment Worksheet, which determined that the more detailed Environmental Impact Statement is not needed.
The project is along a five-mile corridor from Maxwell Avenue to Woodbury Drive. The roadway has access to Interstate 494, schools, churches, businesses, and neighborhoods, and is frequently used by pedestrians and bicyclists.
The project will be done in three segments:
* from Woodbury Drive to Pioneer Drive, to widen the roadway to the south and restripe the roadway to include left turn lanes;
* from Radio Drive to just west of Woodlane Drive, to reconstruct a four-lane divided roadway with trails on both sides; and
* a traffic signal and turn lanes at Military Road.
The first segment will be done in 2019; the second two are planned for 2020.
A mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was prepared for the corridor, according to state laws to evaluate the project’s potential social, environmental, and economic impacts, and mitigation measures.
The EAW was distributed to appropriate agencies, and to the public. No comments were received from the public, and no requests were made to have the more detailed Environmental Impact Statement completed.
Contact: Nathan Arnold, Engineer II, 651-430-4384



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Government Center  •  14949 62nd Street North — P.O. Box 6, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-0006
Phone:  651-430-6001  •  Fax:  651-430-6017  •  TTY:  651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
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