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Date:	Jan. 18, 2022
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. 18, 2022, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

Kelly appointed to Board of Adjustment & Appeals, Planning Advisory Commission
Kevin Kelly, Oakdale, was appointed to the Washington County Board of Adjustment & Appeals and the Planning Advisory Commission by the County Board Jan. 18.
Kelly will serve as the District 2 representative to a partial term expiring Dec. 31, 2023.
Alyssa Soderlund, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6015

Library will remove existing processing fees on library patron accounts
The Washington County Library will remove existing processing fees on library patrons accounts, after the County Board approved the move Jan. 18.
Effective Jan. 1, the County Board revised the county fee schedule to eliminate library processing fees. In light of that, the Library will remove processing fees that accrued on library patron accounts prior to Jan. 1 and remain unpaid. Library patrons with overdue materials will still owe the cost of the replacement materials unless they are returned.
Removing the existing processing fees on patron accounts will further reduce barriers for residents and make accessing library resources more equitable. With the removal of the processing fees, more than 3,000 Washington County residents will have the use of their library cards back – more than 1,000 of whom are minors who could be accessing free educational resources and assistance from the library. Overall, more than 7,000 residents will have processing fees removed from their library accounts.
Contact: Kim Ukura, Library Social Media Specialist, 651-275-8511

County will use $1 million Met Council grant to update swim pond
Washington County will use a $1 million grant from the Metropolitan Council to improve the filtration system of the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Swim Pond after the County Board approved the project Jan. 18.
The swim pond, which was constructed in 1985, had its filtration system replaced in 2000. The pond underwent a major rehabilitation in 2016, with new pipes, drains, and liner, and it was regraded to reduce its depth for safety. Amenities around the pond were updated. The filtration system was not rehabilitated at that time.
The current project will update the filtration equipment, pumps and motors, and the pipes and electrical equipment around the pond.
Design for the project will occur this summer, with construction occurring from fall 2022 to spring 2023, so that the pond will be operational for the swim season in 2023.
The Metropolitan Council grant is for $1,032,892. Additional funds for the project will be $250,000 from state bonds and $150,000 from County Program Aid.
Contact: Andrew Giesen, Engineer II, 651-430-4336






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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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