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Date:	May 7, 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 May 7, 2019, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board approves gambling license application
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the application for an off-site gambling permit for an event from the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce May 7 to conduct bingo at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
According to state law, a licensed organization may conduct lawful gambling on a premise other than its own if it submits an application and lease agreements to the board. The board may permit up to 12 events in a calendar year in connection with a county fair, the state fair, a church festival, or a civic celebration, not to exceed three days per event.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

Roadway in Woodbury gets new county identity, ownership
Valley Creek Road in Woodbury east of Woodbury Drive and west of Manning Avenue will also be known as County State Aid Highway 16, with approval of the state commissioner of transportation.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the designation May 7.
The county's 2030 Comprehensive Plan identified this two-mile segment of Valley Creek Road east of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 19 (Woodbury Drive) and west of Highway 95 (Manning Avenue) as a candidate for jurisdictional transfer from the City of Woodbury to Washington County.

The jurisdictional transfer from the City of Woodbury to Washington County was approved by the Woodbury City Council and by the County Board in 2018.
Contact: Andrew Giesen, Engineer I, 651-430-4336

Redstone Construction will build pedestrian, biking path over I-94 between Woodbury, Oakdale
Redstone Construction will build a pedestrian and biking path over Interstate 94 on County State Aid 13, after the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $3.3 million contract with the company May 7.
The roadway, which has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour, has 36,000 vehicles pass through it each day. The project will ensure that the path adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and improves pedestrian accessibility and safety, while limiting the impact on the natural environment. Thus far, the project’s environmental documentation, public involvement, and preliminary design are complete. Construction is expected to begin this spring, and should be complete by late fall 2019.
Three-quarters of the money to pay for the project will come from a federal grant, with the rest coming from state aid and contributions from the cities of Oakdale and Woodbury. In addition to the contract, the board also approved cooperative cost-share and maintenance agreements with the cities.
Contact: Kevin Peterson, Engineer II, 651-430-4330

Valley Paving will replace pavement on Manning Avenue north of 75th Street
Valley Paving will replace the pavement on Manning Avenue, after the Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed to a $1.3 million contract with the company May 7.
The 4.2-mile project is on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15, or Manning Avenue, between CSAH 12 (75th Street) and 100 feet north of 115th Street in the City of Grant and Stillwater Township. The project replaces the entire pavement surface from approximately 1,000 feet north of the roundabout at Highway 96 to 115th Street. The new pavement will improve the ride quality over that achieved with a standard mill and overlay. In addition, a right turn lane will be constructed at 102nd Street and the pavement markings from CSAH 12 to 115th Street will be replaced.
This is the first of several projects that will improve the roadway from CSAH 12 to the Chisago County line. Funding will come from county program aid and the proceeds of the wheelage tax paid by residents when they renew their license tabs.
Contact: Allan Brandt, Engineer II, 651-430-4348

County Board agrees to transfer of Highway 244 to Washington County
The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed May 7 to the transfer of 1.3 miles of Highway 244 from the state to Washington County.
The roadway goes through the cities of Mahtomedi, Willernie, and Birchwood.
Along with the roadway, Washington County will receive $4 million from the state to maintain the roadway.
Road turnbacks allow for the jurisdiction which can most efficiently manage the roadway to own and maintain it. The turnback of the highway has been planned, and is noted in the county’s comprehensive plan.
The highway is a natural east-west extension of County State Aid Highway 12. The roadway is in need of rehabilitation, which is what the $4 million will be used for in coming years. The county will also maintain the roadway with annual snow and ice removal, and pothole patching, in addition to capital improvements along the roadway. With the change in jurisdiction, the highway will be added to the county state aid system, which means that the county will receive an additional $70,433 a year from the state to maintain the roadway.
Contact: Wayne Sandberg, Deputy Public Works Director/County Engineer, 651-430-4339

K9 Xander will retire, go to trainer’s home
Washington County Sheriff’s Office K9 Xander retired April 28, after seven years of service.
The Sheriff's Office asked May 7 that the County Board transfer ownership of the dog to Deputy Bradley Volk, who has been Xander’s trainer. Volk agreed to accept ownership of Xander at no cost to the county, and agrees to accept full responsibility for the cost and care of Xander, and accepts liability and responsibility for him.
Xander had many successes at Washington County and the Sheriff's Office thanked Xander and Deputy Volk for their dedicated service to the K9 division.
Contact: Sheriff Dan Starry, 651-430-7601

Cutline: The Washington County Board of Commissioners marked the retirement of K9 Xander at its May 7 board meeting. Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry, commissioners Lisa Weik, District 5, and Gary Kriesel, District 3, with Deputy Bradley Volk, Xander’s handler, Xander, and commissioners Wayne Johnson, District 4, Stan Karwoski, District 2, and Fran Miron, District 1.

County Board accepts gifts to county for first quarter 2019
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted gifts May 7 given to the county received during the first quarter of 2019.
The gifts included donations to the Sheriff’s Office of $100 for community engagement, and donations to the county’s libraries of $500. Donation boxes for books at the Environmental Center and at the libraries totaled more than $350.
Donations left at exhibits at the Historic Courthouse totaled $77.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026


 



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