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Date:	July 6, 2021
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 6, 2021, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board approves application for Outing Lodge liquor licenses renewal
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved an application for the renewal of an on-sale and Sunday liquor licenses for Outing Lodge in Stillwater Township July 6.
Washington County processes all liquor licenses for the townships in the county. The county reviews the insurance certification provided by the applicant, and the Sheriff's Office, County Attorney's Office, and Public Health & Environment Department complete compliance/verification checks.  
The requirements are complete, and the license fees paid. The fees pay for the administrative cost of the county.
Contact: Christine Piskura, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-4077

County Board approves plat in May Township
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a plat of Martins Arcola Addition in May Township July 6.
Martins Arcola Addition is an Abstract plat lying west of Arcola Trail North and the St Croix River.
Contact: Nancie Schwintek, Property Records Division Manager, 651-430-6758

County Board proclaims Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week
The Washington County Board of Commissioners proclaimed July 19-23, 2021, as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week.
The proclamation was made July 6.
The American Probation and Parole Association designates a week each year to recognize the work of pretrial, probation, and parole officers around the country. This year's theme is "Recognizing Heroes in the Field," centering on acknowledging front-line workers who have put their lives on the line to keep communities safe.
The board’s resolution noted that Washington County probation and parole officers are an essential part of the public safety system, and are responsible for supervising adult and juvenile probationers in the community. The officers uphold the law with dignity, while recognizing the right of the public to be safe-guarded from criminal activity. The officers are trained professionals who work in partnership with community agencies and groups and intervene with offenders to change behavior.
The probation and parole officers provide cost-effective services in Washington County, and are a force for positive change in communities.
Contact: Terry Thomas, Community Corrections Director, 651-430-6951

County Board approves contract for Highway 36/Lake Elmo Avenue study, preliminary design
Alliant Engineering will conduct a study and do a preliminary design on the intersection of Highway 36 and Lake Elmo Avenue after the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $1.03 million contract with the company July 6.
As intersections along the Highway 36 corridor have been improved and some converted to grade-separated intersections, the intersection at Highway 36 at Lake Elmo Avenue, or County State Aid Highway 17, operates as an at-grade intersection with a wood-pole signal system and inherent safety and operational issues. Growing traffic demands and safety concerns on both roadways justify the need for a grade-separated design, which is consistent with the Minnesota Department of Transportation's goals for the Highway 36 corridor. This intersection, along with Century Avenue, will be the last signalized intersections on Highway 36 west of Stillwater Boulevard.
The overall goal of the project is to perform a comprehensive review of alternatives, culminating with identification of a preferred alternative for the intersection. Improvements will include improvements to safety, pavement, drainage, and pedestrian use, as well as congestion and access management.
Preliminary design, along with public engagement, will determine the final project scope, right-of-way acquisition required, and cost estimates.
Alliant Engineering will be expected to provide community engagement, a concept study report, a layout for the project that will be approved by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as well as resolutions of support from local municipalities and environmental documents.
The contract is funded by highway state aid and local contributions. Project construction is scheduled to begin in 2025. It is estimated that the project will cost $35 million; so far, $10 million has been provided by the federal government. It is anticipated that the county and cities will contribute $10 million to the project, and the state will contribute $15 million to the project.
Contact: Morgan Abbott, Engineer II, 651-430-4359

HGA will provide architectural services to replace Historic Courthouse exterior
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with HGA July 6 for the Washington County Historic Courthouse Exterior Rehabilitation Project.
The contract is for $399,890.
The Washington County Historic Courthouse is one of the oldest standing courthouses in Minnesota, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The courthouse is a two-story brick-faced masonry building. The original courthouse was built in 1870, with subsequent additions  of the jail and what is now the vault exhibit space, which were built in 1900. A ramp and stairs at the west side of the courthouse is of the more recent construction.
Washington County moved the judicial and county services out of the building in 1975. The courthouse is now part of the Washington County Parks system.
In 1979, Washington County installed a new lead coated copper roof. In 2017, an assessment of building and site was performed. In the final report, it was recommended that the county perform a detailed inspection of the exterior of the building. In 2018, that exterior was inspected and the needed restoration project scope was developed.
The contract is for architectural services to replace the roof, restore the cupola, and repair the brick and mortar. The company will do an assessment of the condition of the building, create design documents, get permits and agency approvals, and create documents that will be used to solicit bids.
Funding for the project will be from the Historic Courthouse Restoration Fund.
Contact: Morgan Abbott, Engineer II, 651-430-4359

County Board ends county COVID-19 emergency declaration
The Washington County Board of Commissioners ended the county’s COVID-19 emergency declaration July 6.
The County Board declared a local emergency March 17, 2020, in response to the threat posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The county's declaration followed declarations of emergency in January by the World Health Organization and in March by the federal and state governments. 
Following the local declaration of emergency, the county activated its Emergency Operations Plan, and stood up its Incident Command Structure (ICS). The ICS was led by the county's emergency management staff in the Sheriff's Office. County staff participated in teams, including logistics, planning, operations, communication, and unified command. The County Board provided direction through the adoption of numerous resolutions and motions related to changes in service delivery, hours of operations, and funding of response activities.
Based on the current conditions related to the pandemic, it was recommended to dissolve the local emergency declaration. The ongoing response related to COVID-19 can be handled through normal county operations, processes, and procedures.
The county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was deactivated June 30 to coincide with the sunset of several other COVID-19 related policies.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026




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www.co.washington.mn.us
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