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Date:	Jan. 7, 2020
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 Jan. 7, 2020, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board conducts annual organizational meeting
The Washington County Board of Commissioners conducted its annual organizational meeting Jan. 7.
Commissioner Fran Miron, District 1, was elected the board chair for the year. The board has a tradition of rotating the duties of the board chair among the five members, with each commissioner serving as board chair for a year. Lisa Weik, District 5, was elected as board vice chair.
During the meeting, the board recognized Commissioner Stan Karwoski, District 2, who served as board chair during 2019.
The board also set its meeting schedule for the year. The board will meet most Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in the Government Center, with some exceptions. Some of the meetings will be scheduled as workshops only, during which the board will discuss policy issues, but will not take action. Residents may consult the county’s website at www.co.washington.mn.us and see the county calendar to see the full schedule of meetings for the year.
The board also designated an official newspaper for the publication of required notices during the year. The Country Messenger was designated as the official newspaper for the board’s meeting minutes, for all county legal notices, for the notice and list of real estate delinquencies, and the first publication of the county’s financial statement. The Stillwater Gazette will publish the second publication of the county’s financial statement.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026

Residents reappointed to county advisory committees
The Washington County Board of Commissioners reappointed residents to advisory committees Jan. 7, to serve through 2020.
Those reappointed are:
* James Honsvall, Audit Committee;
* John Rheinberger, Board of Adjustment & Appeals;
* Luis R. Pena II, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee;
* Anthony Tedesco, Community Corrections Advisory Board;
* Nathan Sosinski, Community Corrections Advisory Board;
* Andrew D. Fields, Community Corrections Advisory Board;
* Christine VonDelinde, Community Corrections Advisory Board;
* Bill Sullivan, Community Corrections Advisory Board; 
* Anthony Carr, Community Corrections Advisory Board;
* Kellie J. Reynolds, Community Corrections Advisory Board;
* Brian Zeller, Washington County Community Development Agency;
* James Widen, Washington County Community Development Agency;
* Steven J. Ryan, Washington County Community Development Agency;
* Anne T. Maule Miller, Groundwater Advisory Committee;
* Shauna Holt, Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee;
* David Erickson, Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee;
* Margaret A. Carlson, Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee;
* Karlene McComb, Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee;
* Carly J. Johnson, Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee;
* Jennifer Pelletier, Mental Health Advisory Council;
* Jennifer Gervais, Mental Health Advisory Council;
* Katie Pape, Mental Health Advisory Council;
* Michael R. Kraemer, Parks and Open Space Commission;
* James E. Kelly, Parks and Open Space Commission;
* Benjamin Meyer, Parks and Open Space Commission;
* Corcoran Wicker, Parks and Open Space Commission;
* Kevin P. Smith, Parks and Open Space Commission;
* Terry Zoller, Planning Advisory Committee; and
* Tom W. Bishop, Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake.
Contact: Alyssa Soderlund, Administrative Assistance, 651-430-6015

Board approves 2020 Washington County legislative agenda
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2020 legislative agenda Jan 7.
Each year, the Washington County Board of Commissioners adopts position statements on state legislative issues that impact Washington County. The county's legislative agenda includes priority items that are specific to county interests. The platform items provide a position statement, supporting information, likely supporters and potential opposition, and the financial impact.
This year's platform includes positions related to state funding for transportation, transit, license centers, community corrections, and parks; the modernization of voting processes; affordable housing; and next generation 911 services.  
The county legislative agenda will include the adopted platforms from the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Partnership on Waste and Energy, and the Minnesota Inter-County Association. Those position documents will be added after their adoption by those organizations.
Contact: Kevin Corbid, Deputy Administrator, 651-430-6003

Board adopts Washington County 2040 Comprehensive Plan
The Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted the county’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan Jan. 7.
The Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires a regional planning process – including the development of a local comprehensive plan – after each decennial census. Washington County is required to update its comprehensive plan every 10 years and submit it to the Metropolitan Council.

Washington County and the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) staff worked to update the county's comprehensive plan in seven "plan elements" or chapters of the comprehensive plan, including Land Use; Transportation; Water Resources; Parks, Trails, and Open Space; Housing; Economic Competitiveness; and Resilience and Sustainability.
The county contracted with a consulting firm to assist in the development of the plan. In addition to ensuring compliance with Metropolitan Council requirements and producing a final plan on the county's behalf, the consultant was responsible for gathering public input throughout the planning process. A required six-month review period by cities, towns, watershed districts, and school districts was from March 26 to Sept. 26, 2018. The public also had opportunities to review and comment on the plan during that time.
County and CDA staff edited the comprehensive plan to reflect the comments received during the six-month review period. Following the review period, a public hearing on the comprehensive plan was conducted Dec. 4, 2018, prior to the document being submitted to the Metropolitan Council.
The Metropolitan Council approved the Washington County 2040 Comprehensive Plan Feb. 27, 2019. Since that time, staff have worked to update minor technical elements at the recommendation of the Metropolitan Council. The board adopting the plan is the last step in the plan update process.
Contact: Emily Jorgensen, Planner II, 651-430-4338

County Board approves contract with Youth Service Bureau for 2020
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract Jan. 7 with Youth Service Bureau for services in 2020.
The contract is for $259,192.
The Youth Service Bureau offers diversion services for juveniles that would otherwise be brought to juvenile court in Washington County. These services may be accessed by referral from a variety of sources, including the county programs, law enforcement agencies, and schools. While on diversion, a juvenile may participate in community work service, an educational program, and/or early intervention services through the program. Juveniles are required to make restitution to the victim and complete the diversion conditions to avoid a formal court record.

In 2019, the program served 499 youth at a cost per youth of $513. 
While the state rate of juvenile probation clients is 455 per 100,000 population, Washington County’s rate of juvenile probation clients is 253 per 100,000 population. Of the youth who receive services from the agency, 87% do not have further involvement in the Washington County Justice System in the next 12 months.
The program collected $5,938 in restitution, and 1,799 hours of community service work were completed by 138 youth.
Contact: Terry Thomas, Interim Community Corrections Director, 651-430-6951

County Board approves contracts for county services for 2020
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a number of contracts and agreements Jan. 7 with agencies to provide services to the county during 2020 and 2021.
The agreements include:
* a contract with Satellite Tracking of People, LLC, (STOP) for electronic monitoring services. The purchased services will include electronic monitoring for juvenile and adult clients under supervision at an annual cost of up to $150,000.
* a contract with Country Services, Inc., to provide case management services for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Washington County is responsible for providing case management services to more than 1,500 children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The case management for these individuals is performed by county social workers or contracted through private agencies, such as Country Services, Inc. The contract, which runs through Dec. 31, 2021, is not to exceed $550,000.
* a contract with Thomas Allen, Inc., to provide home services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The county contracts with several agencies to provide services for persons with disabilities, which provide services both in the family home and in the community. Thomas Allen provides Semi-Independent Living Services (SILS) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in the community. The SILS program is based on client choice. The contract is through Dec. 31, 2021, and is not to exceed $350,000.
The board also approved an agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis Veterans Administration Health Care Services, to provide one parking stall at the Hardwood Creek Regional Transit Center for a five-passenger vehicle to support medical trips provided by authorized Disabled American Veterans volunteers in Forest Lake.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026

County Board receives update from East Metro Strong executive director
Will Schroeer, executive director of East Metro Strong, provided the Washington County Board of Commissioners with an update of the organization’s recent work and planned activities for 2020 Jan. 7.
East Metro Strong is a public-private partnership of businesses, cities, and counties working together to bring more and better transit investment to the East Metro to be a catalyst for job growth and economic development. Washington and Ramsey counties are members, as are the cities of Cottage Grove, Landfall, Oakdale, St. Paul, West St. Paul, and White Bear Lake, and private organizations, including 3M. Washington County Commissioner Stan Karwoski serves on the East Metro Strong board.
The organization was created to support the growth of transit in the east metro, as jobs accessible by transit are seen as critical to the region’s economic growth. While about 50,000 jobs are accessible by transit in both Hennepin County and Ramsey County, far fewer are accessible by transit in Washington County. It is expected that more economic development will follow more investment in transit.
East Metro Strong works with stakeholders to implement the vision of increased transit, as well as ongoing education and advocacy for transit. In that capacity, a representative from the organization served on the Steering Committee for the Washington County Transportation Consortium and helped win a $400,000 Minnesota Department of Transportation grant to develop and launch a Washington County transportation one-stop shop.
East Metro Strong has also done a study on how to improve transit in the East Metro until major transit lines are built. Recommendations from the study include implementing short-run transit improvements for downtown St. Paul, based on the premise that if buses from Washington County are to be efficient, then the bus lanes in downtown St. Paul must be well planned and managed. The organization also played a critical role in launching a $10 million electric vehicle car-share system for the region to serve commuters who will now not need to bring their own cars to St. Paul or Minneapolis. East Metro Strong is working with Washington County to identify opportunities to expand the network to Washington County. The organization also led a “Return on Investment” study to explore the benefits of transit.
In 2020, East Metro Strong will work toward full state funding for bus rapid transit systems in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as bus transit lines along Century Avenue and other east metro thoroughfares. Also in 2020, East Metro Strong will assist with the Highway 36 transit study, explore opportunities for including shared mobility, including possible electric car sharing in the Red Rock Corridor, and work with major Washington County employers to understand their needs and move toward transit service.
Contact: Jan Lucke, Public Works Planning Director, 651-430-4316

County Board approves additional costs of renovating Law Enforcement Center ramp
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved additional costs Jan. 7 needed to complete a renovation of the parking ramp that is attached to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) next to the Government Center in Stillwater.
In April 2019, Washington County contracted with Paragon Restoration II to do repairs on the LEC parking ramp. The project involves replacing expansion joints and the entry plaza, and waterproofing the underground tunnel to the courthouse. During construction, demolition uncovered conditions that would not support the planned improvements. In addition, design improvements were implemented to increase the reliability and life span of the waterproofing system. Some work scheduled for later was also moved up to increase efficiency and eliminate rework.  
The cost of this additional work is $141,502. The changes include an additional $35,913 for precast wall reinforcement, and an additional $141,502 for the addition of curb and expansion joint improvements, stoop and door replacements, stair enclosure improvements, and structural column repairs.
The original contract for the project was $577,850; the budget changes will bring the cost of the project to $755,265.
Contact: Joe Welter, Building Services Project Manager, 651-430-6226

County Board adopts committees, commission, joint powers boards assignments
The Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted assignments Jan. 7 for 2020 for the committees, commissions, and joint powers boards on which commissioners serve.
As part of their duties as commissioners, the commissioners serve on groups that oversee governance and functions throughout the metropolitan area, and throughout the state. The 2020 assignments are:
Commissioner Fran Miron, District 1:
* Washington County:
o Community Development Agency
o Groundwater Advisory Committee
o Personnel Committee
o Planning Advisory Commission (Alternate)
o Plat Commission (Alternate)
o Regional Railroad Authority
o University of Minnesota Extension Advisory Committee
* Association of Minnesota Counties
o Environment and Natural Resources Advisory Committee
o Extension Committee
o Local Government Water Roundtable Advisory Committee
o Rural and Development Advisory Committee
* East Central Regional Juvenile Center (Alternate)
* Lower St. Croix Watershed Policy Committee, Chair
* Metropolitan Emergency Services Board
* Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (Alternate)
* Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA) (Alternate)
* Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board
o Executive Committee
o Partnership on Waste and Energy Board
* Rush Line Corridor Task Force.
Commissioner Stan Karwoski, District 2:
* Washington County
o Community Development Agency (Alternate)
o Parks and Open Space Commission
o Regional Railroad Authority
o Workforce Development Board
* Oversight Action Committee
* Association of Minnesota Counties
o Board of Directors as District X Representative
o Economic Development, Workforce, and Housing Policy Subcommittee
o Transportation Policy Committee
* East Metro Strong Board
* GOLD Line Management Committee
* GOLD Joint Powers Board, Chair
* Greater Metropolitan Workforce Council, Vice Chair
* Metropolitan Emergency Services Board (Alternate)
* Metropolitan Transportation Advisory Board
o Executive Committee
o Regional Solicitation Policy Workgroup
* Minnesota Inter-County Association, Vice Chair
* National Association of Counties (NACo)
o Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee
* Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board (Alternate)
* Yellow Ribbon Network of Washington County
Commissioner Gary Kriesel, District 3:
* Washington County
o Audit Advisory Committee
o Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee
o Law Library Board
o Personnel Committee
o Planning Advisory Commission
o Plat Commission
o Regional Railroad Authority
o University of Minnesota Extension Committee
* Andersen Community Advisory Committee
* Lower St. Croix Watershed Policy Committee (Alternate)
* Metropolitan Library Services Agency (MELSA)
o Executive Committee
* Metropolitan Mosquito Control
o Executive Committee
* Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA) (Alternate)
* National Association of Counties (NACo)
o Veterans and Military Service
* Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board
o Budget and Facility Committee
o Regional Haulers Licensing Board
* Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake
Commissioner Wayne Johnson, District 4:
* Washington County
o Community Corrections Advisory Board
o Finance Committee
o Groundwater Advisory Committee (Alternate)
o Library Board
o Regional Railroad Authority
o Workforce Development Board (Alternate)
* Association of Minnesota Counties
o Public Safety Policy Committee
* Great River Rail Commission
* Metropolitan Emergency Services Board
* Metropolitan Transportation Advisory Board (Alternate)
* Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA)
* National Association of Counties (NACo)
o Telecommunications and Technology Steering Committee
* Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board
* Red Rock Corridor Commission
* Unsheltered Homeless Public Sector Leadership Meeting Committee
Commissioner Lisa Weik, District 5:
* Washington County
o Finance Committee, Chair
o Library Park Association, Chair 
o Mental Health Advisory Council
o Regional Rail Authority
* Association of Minnesota Counties
o Futures Committee
o General Government Policy Committee
* Gold Line Corridor Management Committee
* Gold Line Joint Powers Board
* Greater MSP
* Great River Rail Commission (Alternate)
* Metropolitan Alliance for Healthy Families
* Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (Alternate)
* National Association of Counties (NACo)
o International Economic Development Task Force
o Rural Action Caucus Steering Committee
o Transportation Policy Steering Committee
o Women of NACo Leadership Network
* Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board
o Regional Hauler Licensing Board (Alternate)





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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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