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Date:	May 12, 2020
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 May 12, 2020, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting via virtual systems, with staff in person at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County will add land in Stillwater Township to Land & Water Legacy Program
Land in Stillwater Township along Stonebridge Trail will be permanently protected through the Washington County Land & Water Legacy Program after the County Board approved the project May 12.
The county was approached by a landowner willing to place a conservation easement on 47 acres at 9751 Stonebridge Trail in the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District. The land is in the county’s Top Ten High Priority Area called Silver-Twin Lakes Corridor, and ranks high according to the program’s criteria. It is south of Carol and Silver lakes and upstream of Fairy Falls on Silver Creek, a tributary to the St. Croix River. The area is gently rolling and includes a mosaic of habitats with more than 20 acres of trees, eight acres of wetlands, four acres of open water, and 12 acres that will be restored prairie in the future. 
The County Board previously approved a $165,040 Land and Water Legacy Program contribution toward the project. This action formally adopts the conservation easement. The conservation easement will be co-held by the county and the Minnesota Land Trust. The project will be completed in early June.
Contact: June Mathiowetz, Senior Planner, 651-430-6016

County Board approves liquor license application for Afton Apple Orchard
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the application May 12 for the renewal of an on-sale and Sunday liquor licenses for Cenco Farms Inc. which does business as Afton Apple Orchard in Denmark Township.
Washington County processes all liquor licenses for the townships within the county. The county is required by the state to review the establishments’ insurance certification, and the Sheriff's Office and Attorney's Office complete compliance and verification checks. The applicants pay for the cost to the county for administration, compliance, and verification checks.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

County Board approves conveyance, sale of tax-forfeited land
The Washington County Board of Commissioners agreed to the conveyance of one tax-forfeited parcel of land, and the sale of another May 12.
The County Board recommended to the state Department of Revenue that one parcel of land be conveyed to the City of St. Mary’s Point. The city asked for the land to use for a trail in the city, which is allowed under state law.
The County Board also approved the sale of four parcels of land, which total a little more than a third of an acre, in St. Paul Park to the county’s Community Development Agency.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Taxpayer Services & Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272

Traffic Marking Service Inc. will do latex pavement marking on county highways
Traffic Marking Service Inc. will do latex pavement marking striping on county highways and local streets within Washington County this year, after the County Board approved a $118,020 contract with the company May 12.
Lane striping is required on roadways meeting certain width and volume thresholds under state and federal standards. Many Washington County highways meet these thresholds.
Bids for latex striping are requested annually. Funding for this contract is provided via levy and will be paid out of the traffic operating budget. Washington County also partners with local communities throughout the county for roadway pavement marking. Cities and townships will be able to have their roads striped under Washington County's contract and reimburse the county for quantities used.
Contact: Mitch Bartelt, Engineer II, 651-430-4349

County will work with watershed district to fight invasive species
Washington County and the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) will work together to get rid of buckthorn and garlic mustard in the Cottage Grove Regional Park, after the County Board approved an agreement for the work May 12.
The SWWD has a permanent drainage easement through Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park with the Central Draw Overflow water management project. The work has involved clearing common buckthorn and garlic mustard to establish native plants that hold the soil and support wildlife species. Grazing by goats is replacing herbicides, reducing the abundance of garlic mustard by preventing it from going to seed, and to control buckthorn re-growth.
The South Washington Watershed District is covering the cost of $14,087 for the grazing that is occurring in the draw overflow, and the county is paying for grazing costs of $7,678 outside of the draw, but within the park.
Contact: Dan MacSwain, Natural Resources Coordinator, 651-430-4323

County Board recognizes May as Mental Health Month
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized May as Mental Health Month May 12.
For the past several years, the County Board has recognized May as Mental Health Month in the county. This recognition helps to inform the public about the importance of mental health in the community, and it highlights several of the programs and services that are offered by Washington County to address mental health concerns.
Now, more than ever, it is important to celebrate May as Mental Health Month. Living through a public health emergency like COVID-19 can be extremely stressful. Individuals may be experiencing anxiety, frustration, anger, and fear for themselves and their loved ones. The community is experiencing collective trauma and loss. While it is critical during this time to take care of physical health, residents must pay attention to their mental health. Washington County continues to support the mental health and well-being of the community through effective programming, resources, and communication throughout this pandemic.
Contact: Lowell Johnson, Public Health & Environment Director, 651-430-6725

County Board approves new park facility at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park
Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park will get a new Lower Landing Facility after the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved contracts for the building May 12.
The existing shelter at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park was built in 1985 and was about 2,000 square feet. The former shelter had restrooms, a serving counter, and a general outdoor gathering area. The building was closed to the public in 2018 because of the poor condition of the roof and cracks in the masonry. The shelter was demolished earlier this year in preparation for the new facility. 
The new building has been in design since 2019 as part of Phase 2 improvements to the park, after the park’s trails, playground, and other facilities were upgraded two years ago. The new building will be roughly 4,000 square feet and include restrooms, lobby, office support for county staff, storage, a utility room, a multipurpose room, and a picnic shelter. In addition, just more than 1,000 square feet will be an outdoor area, with a covered surface.
Ten contractors will work on the project, and the County Board approved contracts with:
* Ebert Construction for cast-in-place concrete for $188,800;
* Meisinger Construction Company Inc. for carpentry, door, and windows for $747,200;
* Alamco Wood Products LLC, DBA Bell Structural, for glue-laminated structural units for $292,210;
* Central Roofing Company for roofing for $192,750;
* Pinnacle Wall Systems Inc. for drywall for $55,685;
* NAC Mechanical and Electrical Services for plumbing and piping for $277,500;
* Peterson Sheet Metal Inc. for HVAC for $249,000;
* Tru Industries Inc. for electrical, communications, and fire alarm for $290,000;
* Veit and Company Inc. for earthwork, site demolition, and utilities for $390,767; and
* Ebert Construction for asphalt paving, curbs, site concrete, and landscaping for $126,200.
Additional costs will include building fiber cable to the building, permits, design, and construction management and support. The total cost is expected to be $3.895 million. Revenue is $2.46 million from Washington County bond proceeds, $500,000 from state and Metropolitan Council grants, and $933,000 from the Legacy state sales tax.
It is expected that construction will begin this summer, and will be complete in 2021.
Contact: Eden Rogers, Engineer I, 651-430-4352


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