Our Mission:  Providing quality services throug2h responsible leadership, innovation and
the cooperation of dedicated people

Date:	April 23, 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 April 23, 2019, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board approves liquor license applications
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the applications for off-sale, on-sale, and Sunday liquor licenses April 23.
The liquor license applications were:
* an off-sale license for Holiday Station Stores, doing business as Point Liquors, in Denmark Township;
* a one- to four-day temporary on-sale liquor license for VFW Post 323 for a special event planned at the Washington County Fairgrounds May 31 through June 2;
* a one- to four-day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce for a special event at the Washington County Fairgrounds June 15; and
* the renewal of on-sale and Sunday liquor licenses for the Outing Lodge in May Township.
Washington County processes all liquor licenses for the townships within the county. The county is required by the state to review the establishments’ insurance certification, and the Sheriff's Office and Attorney's Office complete compliance and verification checks. The applicants pay for the administrative cost of the county for administration, compliance, and verification checks.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

County Board accepts grant to help pay for land for future Grey Cloud Island park
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted a grant from the Metropolitan Council April 23 that will pay for 75 percent of the cost of land purchased to add to a future Grey Cloud Island Regional Park.
The board agreed to purchase property at 11701 Grey Cloud Trail S. last October for $524,725.20. The Metropolitan Council grant of up to $393,543.90 will reimburse the county’s Land and Water Legacy Program funds used to purchase the property.
Contact: Sharon Price, Right-of-Way Specialist/Property Manager, 651-430-4391 

County Board approves plan for housing, agrees to submit grant request
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the 2019 county action plan for the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program April 23, and agreed to submit a grant request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs on behalf of the county. Each year, the county must prepare an Annual Action Plan detailing its intended use of the CDBG and HOME funds granted by HUD. The funded activities must address the priorities identified in the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan, which are:
* home ownership;
* rental housing;
* transitional and permanent supportive housing; 
* services and housing for special populations; 
* public improvements;
* public services; and 
* economic development.
The CDBG/HOME program year runs from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020. The CDA solicited applications for the 2019 Program Year in December 2018. The CDA staff and CDBG Citizen Advisory Committee reviewed six applications. The 2019 Annual Action Plan contains those programs and projects that are eligible for funding, consistent with the funding priorities of the Consolidated Plan, and scored competitively. 
Those projects chosen for inclusion in the CDGB program are:
* Two Rivers Community Land Trust, scattered site acquisition and rehabilitation, $10,206 for two owner-occupied single-family homes;
* Washington County CDA for the Raymie Johnson capital improvements, $151,841 for 24 rental units;
* Home Improvement Loan Program, $115,621 for four-owner occupied single-family homes;
* Accessible Space, Inc., Hillcrest Capital Improvements, $98,500 for 22 rental units;
* City of Landfall to make infrastructure improvements for $117,500;
* Washington County Community Services Family Service Worker and Crisis Assistance, $113,141, which will be used to assist 540 households.
The grant will also pay $147,465 for administration.
Those projects chosen for inclusion in the HOME program are:
* Two Rivers Community Land Trust scattered site acquisition and rehabilitation, $140,829 to be used for two owner-occupied single-family homes;
* Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Generation Acres, $110,000 for four owner-occupied single-family homes;
* Consortium Community Housing Development Organization Set-Aside, $44,766.
The grant will also pay $32,844 for administration.
The HOME program requires matches for the grants, and Washington County exceeds the requirements by leveraging $6 for every $1 it receives from the grants.
A public comment period for the projects was conducted from March 15 to April 16. No comments were received.
Contact: Melissa Taphorn, Washington County Community Development Agency Deputy Executive Director, 651-202-2821

County Board recognizes Public Health Achievement Award recipients
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized the Public Health Achievement Award recipients April 23.
The awards recognize and honor residents who devote their time, energy, and talents to improve the public health of individuals, families, communities, and environments in Washington County. The 
2019 winners are:
* Paul Ryberg in the Individual Category Award. Ryberg is a certified Tai Ji Quan instructor who has voluntarily organized and led free Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance® classes at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stillwater and Arbor Glen Senior Living in Lake Elmo. Tai Ji Quan is a research-based practice to improve strength, balance, mobility, and daily functioning. After experiencing health issues himself, Ryberg recognized the need for Tai Ji Quan in the community. Over the past six years, class sizes have grown from just a few students to 20 to 30 students on any given day. Ryberg has also created several YouTube videos so participants may access instruction from their home. Ryberg’s dedication has made it possible for people of all ages and abilities to incorporate more low-impact activity into their lives. His classes include conversation and laughter. In Paul’s own words, “People who do Tai Chi smile more, and hurt less.”
* Stillwater Area ACT on Alzheimer’s Action Team - Group Category Award. More than 1,100 Stillwater area residents live with dementia. As the population ages, this number is estimated to grow to 1,500 by 2022. The Stillwater Area ACT on Alzheimer’s Action Team is comprised of volunteers representing the community, government entities, health care providers, businesses, and nonprofits. Together, these team members are working to make the community dementia friendly: more informed, safe, and respectful of people living with dementia, their families, and supporters. Through Dementia Friendly @ Work training, Stillwater Area ACT on Alzheimer’s educates area employees to be more responsive to their customers. Since 2016, 460 employees at 22 area businesses and organizations have attended training. Each participating business receives a window cling to publicly acknowledge that they strive to be sensitive and helpful to persons with dementia and their caregivers. Stillwater Area ACT on Alzheimer’s is also working to raise awareness and destigmatize dementia through outreach at community events, resource fairs, neighborhood gatherings, and more. 
* Woodbury High School Environmental Club - Youth Category Award. The Woodbury High School Environmental Club meets every week to plan projects, events, and education to promote environmental stewardship and advocacy. The club leads a variety of initiatives to celebrate Earth Week, including selling succulents to fundraise for environmental organizations. Last year’s Earth Week fundraiser raised more than $300, which was donated to the National Forest Foundation to plant trees. The Environmental Club advocated for a new district-wide recycling system for milk cartons, cans, and bottles. Once implemented, the club created a video to educate students and staff about the changes and recycling best practices. Members of the Environmental Club are leading efforts beyond school walls. The club recently adopted a park through the City of Woodbury, for which the members will provide ongoing upkeep throughout the year. Future plans include creating a garden and composting system.
A video of the award winners may be seen at https://youtu.be/u6R7gPeWrZ8
Contact: Shannon Eisentrager, Communications Specialist, 651-430-6672

Photo cutline: Paul Ryberg, forefront, recipient of a Public Health Achievement Award in the individual category, with, from left, David Brummel, Public Health and Environment deputy director, and Washington County commissioners Lisa Weik, District 5, Wayne Johnson, District 4, Fran Miron, District 1, Gary Kriesel, District 3, and Stan Karwoski, District 2.

Photo cutline: Members of the Stillwater Area ACT on Alzheimer’s Action Team, which was awarded the Public Health Achievement Award in the group category, with board members at the Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting. Pictured are Commissioner Lisa Weik, District 5, David Brummel, Public Health and Environment deputy director, action team member Aimee Stanton, Commissioner Wayne Johnson, District 4, action team member Jenny West, Commissioner Fran Miron, District 1, action team member Susan Savolainen, and commissioners Gary Kriesel, District 3, and Stan Karwoski, District 2.

County Board approves contracts for elevator repair, parking structure in LEC
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved contracts to repair the elevators and the parking structure for the county Law Enforcement Center (LEC) April 23.
Minnesota Elevator Incorporated will renovate the elevators in the Washington County LEC that serve the jail, after the County Board approved a $536,704 contract with the company April 23.
The elevators are critical to the operations of the jail and are used for inmate transportation, staff movement throughout the jail, and public movement for jail visitors. The elevators are original to the building, which is more than 25 years old and are reaching the end of their useful lives. The project will update the elevator equipment, including controllers and up-to-date safety features.
The project is expected to take seven months, and the bids included reduced schedules for each elevator, which should reduce the impact on jail operations.
Paragon Restoration II, Inc., will repair the parking structure next to the LEC, after the County Board approved a $577,850 contract with the company. The parking structure was built in 1993 and has had no major renovation in its lifetime. Many aspects of the structure are showing their age and are in need of rehabilitation. The project will be done in two phases to accommodate continued use of the facility while the work is being completed. Phase one of the project will address water seepage into the adjacent buildings, replacement of front entry sidewalks, replacement of an aging metal gate used for snow removal, and replacement of inefficient lighting.
Contact: Erik Jalowitz, Building Services Capital Projects Manager, 651-430-6227, and Joe Welter, Project Manager, 651-430-6226

S.M. Hentges & Sons will do Bailey Road project, after County Board approves contract
S.M. Hentges & Sons will do construction on the Bailey Road (County State Aid Highway 18) roadway project in Woodbury, after the Washington County Board approved a $3.56 million contract with the company April 23.
The project will realign the Bailey frontage road accesses, provide turn lanes at intersections, and refresh existing pedestrian facilities, along with constructing storm water treatment facilities for future road work.
The project is the first of three that will make improvements along Bailey Road, which carries 8,100 vehicles a day.
Almost two-thirds of the cost will be paid for with proceeds from the wheelage tax, which is paid by vehicle owners when they renew their vehicle licenses, with a third coming from local funding. A small portion of the project will be paid for with state aid funding.
The County Board also approved a cooperative agreement with the City of Woodbury that outlines the city’s cost-share agreement for the project, and a cooperative maintenance agreement.
Contact: Nathan Arnold, Engineer II, 651-430-4384

County receives award for Third Street paving project in Stillwater
Washington County received an award for a paving project from the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota for its rehabilitation of Third Street in Stillwater, completed in 2018.
The County Board accepted the award April 23.
The project was on what is also known as County State Aid Highway 23, and reached from Walnut Street to Chestnut Street in the City of Stillwater. The improvements included full replacement of the concrete pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk, and relocation of storm sewers. A retaining wall adjacent to the Armory and a retaining wall adjacent to the Historic Courthouse were also rehabilitated.
The project team was Allan Brandt, project manager; Gerritt Bangma, construction engineer; the City of Stillwater; Alliant Engineering, design consultant; Kimley-Horn, project inspectors; Meyer Contracting, general contractor; and Doyle-Connor, concrete sub-contractor.
The project received a merit award from the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Transportation March 14, and was rated as best of its type completed in Minnesota in 2018.
Contact: Cory Slagle, Assistant County Engineer, 651-430-4337

County Board recognizes Correctional Officers, Law Enforcement Memorial weeks
The Washington County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May 5-11 as Correctional Officers Week and May 12-18 as Law Enforcement Memorial Week in Washington County.
Law Enforcement Memorial Day is commemorated May 15, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office will conduct its annual memorial ceremony recognizing fallen correctional and law enforcement officers at the county’s Historic Courthouse in Stillwater at noon.
The resolution approved by the board April 23 noted that peace officers of the United States have worked devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of this nation, regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves; and they safeguard the lives and property of their fellow citizens. The officers provide the country internal freedom from fear of violence and civil disorder. Their patriotic service and their dedicated efforts have earned the gratitude of the residents of Washington County.
Contact: Sheriff Dan Starry, 651-430-7601




A great place to live, work and play…today and tomorrow

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
Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action