Our Mission:  Providing quality services through responsible leadership, innovation and
the cooperation of dedicated people

Date:	April 5, 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 April 5, 2022, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

Kampa appointed to Workforce Development Board
Erin Kampa was appointed to the Washington County Workforce Development Board by the County Board April 5.
Kampa will serve as the vocational rehabilitation services representative on the board during a partial first term expiring June 30, 2024.
Contact: Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6015

R.H. Stafford Library drive-up book drop will be replaced
The drive-up book drop at the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury will be replaced, after the Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed to use $64,400 from the county Library’s fund balance to do the work.
This funding will pay Bibliotheca for the book return, warranty, and installation. It will also cover the $8,000 estimated cost for the additional work on the building for the installation.
The library’s drive-up book return has not been updated since it was installed 20 years ago. The equipment requires frequent service calls resulting in the closure of this heavily-used book return.
Contact: Aubrey Fonfara, Library Communications Specialist, 651-275-8504

County Board approves liquor license applications
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved liquor license applications for Outing Lodge and The Keystone Wedding and Events April 5.
The first was for an approval of an application for renewal of an on-sale and Sunday liquor license for the Outing Lodge at Pine Point in Stillwater Township. The second was approval of an application for renewal of an on-sale and Sunday liquor license for The Keystone Weddings and Events LLC in Hugo.
Washington County processes all liquor licenses for townships within the county. The county reviews the necessary information for the licenses, and the Sheriff's Office, Attorney's Office, and the Department of Public Health & Environment complete compliance/verification checks.
All requirements for the application have been completed, and the appropriate fees were paid by the applicants. The license fees pay for the cost of the county for administration, compliance, and verification checks.
Contact: Christine Piskura, Taxpayer Services ? Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

Northwest Asphalt and Maintenance will do crack sealing for county this year
Northwest Asphalt and Maintenance will perform crack sealing across Washington County roads this summer after the County Board approved a $130,000 contract with the company April 5.
The crack sealing will be done as preventative maintenance across county roads. The contract will be paid from proceeds from the wheelage tax.
Contact: Eden Rogers, Engineer I, 651-430-4352

County will continue to provide yard waste collection in Hugo
Washington County residents may continue to deposit yard waste at the yard waste collection site in Hugo, after the County Board extended an agreement to use the site with the City of Hugo April 5.
In 2019, Washington County took over operation of the City of Hugo's yard waste collection site under an agreement with the city. That was part of a larger initiative to have a county-operated yard debris site and an environmental center in the northern portion of the county.
To accommodate the needs of all residents of Washington County, and not only Hugo residents, the site was expanded under a lease agreement between the county and city.
In February 2022, Washington County exercised its one-year option on the lease agreement to extend it through 2023, which both the adjacent landowner and the County Board approved. This was necessary to keep the yard waste collection site in operation until the opening of a new site. Similarly, this extends the agreement through 2023 with the City of Hugo, which the city approved Feb. 8.
Washington County is seeking to secure a new permanent location that will accommodate both the yard debris collection site and a northern environmental center.
Contact: Sharon Price, Senior Right of Way Specialist, 651-430-4391

Sheriff’s Office will receive grant to protect against terrorism
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will receive a 2021 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant of $183,750 from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, after the County Board accepted the grant April 5.
The UASI grant program assists high-threat, high-density urban areas in efforts to build and sustain the capabilities necessary to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.
The grant will fund planning, equipment, training, and exercises, and runs through June 30, 2023. It does not require a local match.
Contact: Laura Perkins, Public Information Manager, 651-430-7994

All-way stop signs will be installed in Woodbury
Three intersections on county highways within Woodbury will be converted to all-way stops, after the Washington County Board of Commissioners authorized the installation of appropriate signs April 5.
The new all-way stop signs will be installed at the following intersections:
* County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13 (Radio Drive) at Dale Road;
* CSAH 16 (Valley Creek Road) at Dancing Waters Parkway/Woodcrest Drive; and
* CSAH 18 (Bailey Road) at Settlers Ridge Parkway/Cottage Grove Drive.
The new signing is planned to be installed in spring 2022 and will include advance warning signs and pavement messages. These intersections will evaluated for future changes, such as traffic signals or roundabouts as conditions warrant, and in conjunction with future roadway construction projects.
The City of Woodbury supports the installations.
Contact: Mitch Bartelt, Engineer II. 651-430-4349

County Board recognizes Public Safety Telecommunicators
The County Board recognized the Public Safety Telecommunicators in Washington County during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week April 10-16.
The County Board thanked and honored the men and women who serve every day as public safety telecommunicators by adopting a resolution proclaiming the week of April 10-16 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Washington County April 5.
In 1994, a presidential proclamation was made to designate the second full week in April as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. The week recognizes and celebrates the work of telecommunicators who help to save millions of lives each day. These individuals are a critical first contact that residents have with emergency services. The public safety telecommunicators of the Washington County Emergency Communications Response Center have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, and treatment of patients.
Contact: Laura Perkins, Public Information Manager, 651-430-7994

County Board recognizes National County Government Month
The Washington County Board of recognized April as National County Government Month April 5.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) proclaimed April 2022 as National County Government Month in appreciation of county government employees who provide services for residents in Washington County. This year's theme is "Counties THRIVE" and focuses on six areas that fortify what the county does and allows staff to best serve its residents:
* Technology – equipping counties to expand broadband access to ensure all residents can learn, do business, and communicate effectively
* Health – improving overall health and well-being
* Readiness – preparing the county workforce to gain the skills they need
* Infrastructure – strengthening resilience and the backbone of communities
* Vulnerable communities – advancing equity, strengthening the safety net, and ensuring that residents have the help they need
* Economic opportunities – creating conditions for all to compete in the 21st century economy.
Employees of Washington County provide services of county government to more than 260,000 residents each day. County services range from public health and environmental services to law enforcement and prosecution, from probation to community services that support those with mental illness, disabilities, or the elderly, from elections to roads and parks, and from libraries to all the internal services needed to deliver county services.
Now, more than ever, the public is seeing firsthand the essential functions counties perform. Through tireless efforts and critical services provided to residents, county employees have played a key role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and saving lives and livelihoods. Counties provide meals to the hungry; help small businesses that are struggling; provide vital care, testing and vaccinations; and protect the safety, health, and vitality of its communities. County employees have demonstrated bold, inspirational leadership, driving recovery, and helping residents and communities “THRIVE.”
The County Board recognized, congratulated, and thanked all Washington County employees who fulfill the county's mission by providing quality services through responsible leadership, innovation, and the cooperation of dedicated people.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026




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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