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Date:	July 16, 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 July 16, 2019, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board makes appointments to Historic Courthouse Advisory Council
Carly Johnson and Shana Haraldson Morse will serve on the Washington County Historic Courthouse Advisory Council, after the County Board made the appointments July 16.
Johnson, who lives in commissioner District 3, will serve a partial term through Dec. 31, and Morse, who is from commissioner District 5, will serve a partial term through Dec. 31, 2021.
The purpose of the Historic Courthouse Advisory Council is to review current operation and long-range plans of the Historic Courthouse building use and restoration within the context of the mission statement adopted by the County Board for the Historic Courthouse.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026

County contracts with YMCA to help youth experiencing homelessness
The YMCA will receive $164,698 from Washington County’s allocation from the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance program to assist families experiencing homelessness, after the County Board approved an agreement with the organization July 16.
The program was established by the Legislature in 1993 to assist families with children, youth/unaccompanied youth, and single adults who are experiencing barriers to housing. The program is conducted through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency with funds awarded on a biennial basis.
The money will be used to serve 17 households (youth experiencing homelessness) with support services and rent payment assistance. The outcomes of the program are to ensure households will be permanently housed and not re-enter shelter or become homeless within six months of being part of the program.
Contact: Dana Dumbacher, Policy Analyst, 651-430-8363

County will seek money to fund mobility management services
Washington County will submit an application to the Minnesota Department of Transportations for money to provide mobility management services.
The County Board approved the application July 16.
The services will include the development of a one-stop transportation information resource to serve older adults and persons with disabilities, including veterans, in Washington County for 2020 and 2021. The two-year project budget is $400,000, with the county responsible for $80,000 over the two-year period.
The transportation programs that Washington County has identified would grow existing services and deploy new services. Transportation options would emphasize access to health and wellness programs, employment, county services, and access to other key destinations within the community.
The goal would be to create “one-stop” for travel information and referral services, compile and keep current a list of available transportation resources, and provide personalized travel information, and services that link residents to their destinations. This would require adding human navigators to assist with linking residents to transportation resources.
Contact: Sheila Holbrook-White, Policy Analyst, 651-430-6609, cell: 512-699-8136

County will seek funds from Legacy Amendment for Historic Courthouse repairs
Washington County will request funds from the state Legacy Amendment proceeds to pay for repairs to the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater, after the County Board approved an application July 16.
The county will request $159,000 from the Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program, to be used to design the roof and dome replacement and exterior brick and mortar repairs for the building. The county recently completed a building assessment and exterior building survey of the Historic Courthouse by Oertel Architects to provide the county with information on the condition, system shortcomings, and potential operational issues so that the county can anticipate and budget for the building’s future needs.
The exterior building survey was completed by Inspec. The roof, dome, and bricks and mortar were noted as high-need areas for the courthouse with recommendations for repair or replacement in the next two to five years.
Contact: Alex McKinney, Parks Manager, 651-430-4364

County Board recognizes Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized July 21 - 27, 2019, as national Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week during its meeting July 16.
The American Probation and Parole Association designates this week each year to recognize the work of pretrial, probation, and parole officers around the country. This year, the theme is “Restoring Trust – Creating Hope.” Working together makes for stronger bonds between colleagues, community partners, and with those under supervision. To be successful, officers need skills from law enforcement, counseling, and teaching disciplines. In their work, they touch all aspects of the justice system. Their unique ability to hold clients accountable and give them hope for their future is a testament to their dedication and service.
The County Board approved a resolution recognizing the work of Washington County probation and parole officers, and all Community Corrections Department staff. Their work with clients leads to a safer community for all residents of Washington County. The resolution recognized the essential part of the public safety system that the employees play, their role in upholding the law with dignity, and the cost-effective services that they provide to county residents.
Contact: Tom Adkins, Community Corrections Director, 651-430-6902

County will apply for funds for career pathway program
Washington County will apply for funds from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for the Pathways to Prosperity career training program.
The County Board approved the application July 16. The money would be used in 2020 and 2021.
The county has been a recipient of the DEED Pathways to Prosperity Grant for the past six years. In the past, the county worked with the South Washington County Adult Basic Education and Century College to prepare participants for office occupations. In addition to training courses at Century College, the program provides pre-employment support and education to ensure success in the workplace upon program completion. 
The program has evolved over time. The first grant cycle in 2013 provided successful participants with six college credits. Now, in its current grant cycle awarded through June 2020, students earn 10 college credits that can be transferred into the Minnesota State College system’s business pathway. This grant has been used to train more than 60 participants, with 41 being employed or getting internships, and at least 35 students continuing with post-secondary education.
The next grants would be used to enroll students in an 80-hour Manufacturing Skills Course at Century College with the goal of providing students with skills to work as machine operators and make them more valuable to their current or future employer. Completion of the training will prepare students for an entry-level position or complete additional specialized training in areas such as welding, soldering, mechatronics, or panel building.
Contact: Rick Roy, Workforce Center Division Manager, 651-275-8660

For photo attached of the Washington County Board of Commissioners and Keith Carlson

Board honors Carlson
The Washington County Board of Commissioners wished Keith Carlson, executive director of the Minnesota Inter-County Association, a happy retirement at the board’s July 16 meeting. Carlson is retiring from his position in August, and delivered his final legislative update to the board. The organization is a voluntary organization of 14 Minnesota counties, including Washington, that works to influence regional and state programs to solve problems common to the members, share high-quality information about those concerns, and increase public understanding of county government. Commissioners Fran Miron, District 1, and Lisa Weik, District 5, wished Carlson, center, well, along with commissioners Stan Karwoski, District 2, and Gary Kriesel, District 3. Commissioner Wayne Johnson, District 4, is attending a conference related to county business.


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www.co.washington.mn.us
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