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Date:	Oct. 26, 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 Oct. 26, 2021, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board reviews Highway 36 transit feasibility study
The Washington County Board of Commissioners, sitting as the Regional Railroad Authority Oct. 26, reviewed the Highway 36 Corridor Transit Feasibility study.
The study explores transit opportunities in the corridor through analysis of existing and emerging mobility needs within the corridor. The study examines the feasibility of east-west, high-frequency transit service along the corridor from the point it reaches Interstate 35W in Minneapolis to the cities of Oak Park Heights and Stillwater. It also identifies opportunities to further study or develop enhanced transit service operating along the corridor, as well as improve connections to the regional transit system.
Contact: Emily Jorgensen, Planner II, 651-430-4338

McKim appointed to Browns Creek Watershed board
Robert McKim, Stillwater, was appointed to the Browns Creek Watershed board of managers by the Washington County Board of Commissioners Oct. 26.
McKim will serve a partial first term expiring Oct. 21, 2022.
Contact: Alyssa Soderlund, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6015

County Board accepts donations made to county in third quarter
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted donations made to the county during the third quarter of 2021 at its meeting Oct. 26.
The donations included $652 that the library received in cash donations, and $52 that the Parks received through exhibit donations at the Historic Courthouse. Community Corrections received gift cards valued at $50 for its Offender Recovery Program.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026

County Board will conduct public hearings Nov. 30
The Washington County Board of Commissioners set public hearings Oct. 26 to be conducted during its Nov. 30 meeting.
The public hearings will be conducted at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, in the Board Room of the Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater.
One public hearing will be to gather comment on the county’s fee schedule. The fee schedule is updated annually. All fee changes are brought to the County Board for approval. By law, the fee schedule can only be adopted after conducting a public hearing.
Another public hearing will be to review comments on the 2022-2026 Washington County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). During the public hearing, the County Board will hear public comments and consider any recommended changes to the draft CIP.
The draft CIP is published on the county website at www.co.washington.mn.us and may be found by searching “CIP.” Comments may also be left on the website.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6062, or Wayne Sandberg, Deputy Public Works Director/County Engineer, 651-430-4339

Washington County will work with YMCA of the North, Solid Ground to prevent homelessness
Washington County will work with YMCA of the North and Solid Ground to prevent homelessness, after the County Board approved agreements with the agencies Oct. 26 to use Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) funds for programs.
In 1993, the Minnesota Legislature established the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) to assist families with children, youth/unaccompanied youth, and single adults who are experiencing barriers to housing stability. This program is conducted through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency with funds awarded on a biennial basis. Washington County will serve as the fiscal agent and will also compile reports to Minnesota Housing.
The YMCA of the North will use the $114,074 over the next two years to serve 14 households with youth experiencing homelessness with support services and rent payment assistance. The outcomes of the program are to ensure households will be permanently housed at exit and not re-enter shelter or become homeless within six months of leaving the program.
Solid Ground will use $180,000 of FHPAP funds to serve 26 households with families experiencing homelessness with support services and rent payment assistance through the Home Again program. The outcomes of the program are to ensure households will be permanently housed and not re-enter a shelter or become homeless within six months of leaving the program.
Contact: Sarah Tripple, Community Services Division Manager, 651-430-6480

County conveys tax-forfeited land to cities, sets values for other parcels
The Washington County Board of Commissioners authorized the conveyance of tax-forfeited properties to cities Oct. 26, and set values and sale amounts for private sale of other tax-forfeited parcels.
One parcel of land is recommended for conveyance to the City of Afton with a conditional use deed, and three parcels will be conveyed to the City of White Bear Lake through a sale. The land in Afton will be used for road right-of-way and White Bear Lake will use the three parcels for stormwater management.
The County Board also approved the values and sale amounts on several tax-forfeited land parcels for private sale. The cities in which the parcels exist determined that the parcels cannot be improved and the county determined that the highest and best use of the land can be achieved by adding it to the adjoining property.
Thirty days before the sale, a written notice of the date, time, location, and conditions of the sealed bid auction will be mailed to all adjacent landowners. Parcels will be sold to the highest bidder, but not for less than the basic sale price. The terms of the sale shall be for cash only. Parcels that are not sold will be available for sale over the counter to adjacent landowners only.
Contact: Christine Piskura, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

Portion of Military Road now belongs to City of Cottage Grove
A portion of Military Road, or County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 20, in Cottage Grove now belongs to that city, after the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the jurisdictional transfer of the road Oct. 26.
The portion of the roadway transferred is between Jamaica Avenue and Keats Avenue.
Washington County entered into a jurisdictional transfer agreement with the City of Cottage Grove in 2018, to transfer a portion of the roadway to the City of Cottage Grove, under a provision in state law. There is no money involved in the transfer.
Contact: Sharon Price, Right of Way Specialist, 651-430-4391

Sheriff’s Office will continue to serve county cities
The Washington County Sheriff's Office will continue to provide law enforcement services to the cities of Mahtomedi, Dellwood, Willernie, and Birchwood Village, after the County Board approved agreements with those cities Oct. 26 that will renew Jan. 1, 2022.
The county will provide all necessary labor, supervision, equipment, communication facilities, dispatching, and supplies necessary for the needed services. The cities will pay the county on a semi-annual basis for the direct costs and expenses from the services of five full-time deputies, which includes salaries and fringe benefits that will be known no later than Aug. 1 of each year.
Contact: Sheriff Dan Starry, 651-430-6071



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Phone:  651-430-6001  •  Fax:  651-430-6017  •  TTY:  651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
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