Our Mission: Providing quality services through responsible leadership, innovation and the cooperation of dedicated people Date: March 9, 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 March 9, 2021, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota County Board approves 2 liquor license applications The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved two liquor license applications for businesses in townships March 9. The applications are: * an on-sale and Sunday liquor license from Keystone Weddings and Events LLC in May Township, at 12169 Keystone Ave. N.; and * an application for renewal of an on-sale and Sunday liquor license for Stoneridge Golf Club Inc. at 13600 N. Hudson Blvd., West Lakeland Township. Washington County processes all liquor licenses for the townships in the county. The county Sheriff's Office, County Attorney's Office, and the Public Health & Environment Department complete compliance/verification checks. Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272 County Board considers coordination of advisory boards The Washington County Board of Commissioners March 9 directed the Planning Advisory Commission to review and consider amendments to the Washington County Development Code to enable coordination of membership between the Planning Advisory Commission (PAC) and the Board of Adjustment and Appeals (BAA). In 2018, a significant amount of land use authority was assumed by the townships, resulting in a reduction in the volume of work for the Planning Advisory Commission (PAC) and the Board of Adjustments and Appeals (BAA), and less frequent meetings of the two committees. This has created practical challenges for the efficient functioning of the committees and for making effective use of residents’ time who serve as members. The County Board discussed alternatives to address these circumstances last summer, and the board expressed support for seeking options for the committees. To implement any changes, an amendment to the Washington County Development Code is needed. The PAC will need to study, report, and recommend a change. The PAC will meet March 30, when it could make a recommendation to the County Board to adopt an amendment to the Development Code. A public hearing and its notice is required for the board to adopt an amendment to the Development Code, which could happen as soon as the County Board meeting of May 4. The transition to any new arrangement would occur as individual appointments expire or resignations occur, and no current member will be asked to relinquish an appointment. It is believed the transition could be completed by June 2021, and result in improved efficiency and better use of the time and effort of residents who volunteer to serve on these committees. Contact: Kurt Howard, Planner, 651-430-4307 A-1 Excavating Inc. will replace box culvert on St. Croix Trail A-1 Excavating Inc. will replace a box culvert under St. Croix Trail, or County State Aid Highway 21, after the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $214,926 contract with the company March 9. The project consists of replacing a 10-foot by 7-foot concrete box culvert with a 12-foot by 7-foot concrete box culvert. Additional work will replace the driving surface, widen the shoulders, and replace the guardrail to meet current safety standards. The project is on St. Croix Trail, just south of St. Croix Trail Lane, and is funded by County Program Aid. Contact: Allan Brandt, Engineer, 651-430-4348 Fahrner Asphalt Sealers LLC will do 2021 crack seal work in county Fahrner Asphalt Sealers LLC will do crack seal work on Washington County roads during the summer, after the County Board approved a $168,886 contract with the company March 9. Crack sealing maintains county roads by sealing cracks in roads, which reduces the amount of water that can infiltrate the cement and road base, which reduces freeze-thaw damage. Reducing the freeze-thaw damage helps to slow road degradation. Prolonging the life of the road helps to preserve the financial investment in the road and extends the time until the next reconstruction is needed. Crack sealing is done annually on various roadways, county park roads, and parking lots throughout the county. Contact: Eden Rogers, Engineer, 651-430-4352 Commissioner will be part of new Lake Elmo Airport Advisory Commission The Washington County Board of Commissioners appointed Commissioner Gary Kriesel, District 3, to the Lake Elmo Airport Advisory Commission March 9. Public Works Director Don Theisen will serve as an alternate to the commission. The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) invited Washington County to participate as a member of a newly-formed Lake Elmo Airport Advisory Commission. This commission will support the ongoing efforts to engage the stakeholders of the Lake Elmo Airport community. The commission will provide an open forum for strengthening relationships between MAC, airport users, stakeholders, and the community. The proposed membership consists of representatives from surrounding cities and townships, Washington County, airport businesses, pilots, and the Experimental Aircraft Association. The role of the commission members will be to participate in discussions about matters concerning the Lake Elmo Airport, as well as share information with their respective communities about the airport. The first meeting is anticipated to be during the second quarter of 2021, with quarterly meetings the remainder of the year. Contact: Alyssa Soderlund, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6015 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