County Board approves Bayport American Legion Post 491 off-site gambling application
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved an off-site gambling application for Bayport American Legion Post 491 June 4.
The Bayport American Legion Post 491 submitted the application to conduct pull tab activities at the Washington County Fair for the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Food Truck Extravaganza event on June 15. The Washington County Fairgrounds is located at 12300 N. 40th St. in Baytown Township.
Minnesota state law requires County Board approval by resolution of permits for organizations to conduct off-site gambling within townships. The County Auditor reviewed the applications and Bayport American Legion Post 491 meets the requirements to conduct pull tab activities. The approved application will now be sent to the State Gambling Board for consideration.
Contact: Christine Piskura, Taxpayer Services and Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272
County Board approves Emergency Preparedness and Response grant agreement
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $208,175 Emergency Preparedness and Response Grant June 4.
The grant is for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029, and the funds will continue to allow Washington County’s Department of Public Health and Environment to plan, train and exercise so that the county is ready and able to respond in the event of a public health emergency. These activities are also extended to our community partners, such as local medical providers, school districts, police, fire and emergency medical services, and non-profit organizations.
Washington County has received emergency preparedness and response grant funds for several years through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's federal program administered by the State of Minnesota's Department of Health. The grants assist in the county’s preparation to respond to health emergencies in our community as required by the Local Public Health Act, including outbreaks of infectious disease, whether naturally occurring or caused by terroristic acts.
The revenue from this grant is included in the 2024 budget and will also be submitted as part of the proposed 2025 budget. The first budget period of this grant equals $208,175.
Contact: David Brummel, Public Health and Environment Director, 651-430-6662
Kimley-Horn and Associates to provide design services on Stonebridge Trail improvement project
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract amendment for $266,594 June 4 with Kimley-Horn and Associates to provide additional design services on the County State Aid Highway (CSAH 5), also known as Stonebridge Trail, improvement project.
The improvement project on CSAH will span from Sycamore St. to CSAH 96, located within the City of Stillwater and Stillwater Township. As part of this project, improvements will be made to the existing highway bridge that spans over Brown’s Creek. The bridge was constructed in 1966, received minor rehabilitations in 1984, and was repainted in 2000.
The bridge’s current condition makes it eligible for State Bridge Funds. Due to this funding source and opportunities to widen shoulders and add multi-modal trails, county staff have recommended replacing the bridge. The estimated cost to replace the bridge is $2,900,000.
Kimley-Horn and Associates is the consulting firm awarded to provide engineering services on this project. The approved contract amendment with the firm covers the estimated fees to have Kimley-Horn provide design services to replace this bridge. Previously budgeted, unspent State Aid funds will be used to fund this contract amendment.
Contact: Andrew Giesen, Engineer III, 651-430-4336
County Board proclaims June 1 through August 17 as Summer at Your Library
The Washington County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution June 4 proclaiming this summer as the Summer at Your Library.
The proclamation is in support of Washington County Library’s summer learning program for children, teens, and adults, Summer at Your Library, which runs from June 1 through August 17.
This program includes events and activities to encourage kids, teens, and adults to make reading and learning part of their summer plans. The programs and activities also seek to help neutralize summer learning loss for students.
Participants complete activities on a game card for each program and return it to the library to collect a reward. Each person who completes a game card is also entered in a drawing for the chance to win grand prizes.
Summer at Your Library is sponsored by Washington County Library, Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA), and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
For additional information, including a complete schedule of summer events, visit a Washington County Library branch, or connect online at www.WashCoLib.org.
Contact: Aubrey Fonfara, Communications Specialist, 651-275-8504
Law Library fee increases approved by County Board
The Washington County Law Library will increase its fees assessed for civil and criminal matters after the County Board passed a resolution June 4.
The Law Library is primarily funded by fees assessed for civil and criminal cases. The fees will be raised from $12 to $15. Over the past four years, the Law Library has experienced revenue deficits due, in part, to the effects of the pandemic, the waiving of fees, and the reduced collection of assessed fees. The County Board of Commissioners approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cover the deficit from 2022 through 2024. Fees were last raised in 2016 from $10 to $12.
Last November, the Law Library Board of Trustees met in a special meeting to discuss the budget shortfall and potential solutions. At its annual meeting on May 14, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved increasing fees from $12 to $15 to address the revenue deficit.
The fee increase will help the Law Library maintain its current services and access to current resources, cover the rising cost of personnel, and increase materials for self-represented litigants and members of the Bar Association.
The Law Library’s mission is to provide quality legal information services in a cost-effective manner for the judiciary, members of the bar, government employees, and members of the public. In 2023, the Law Library provided legal reference assistance to over 4,000 patrons, free legal advice via legal clinics to nearly 400 patrons, and free continuing legal education to 892 attorneys.
Contact: Robert Trousdale, Law Librarian, 651-430-6954
Valley Paving, Inc. to complete 50th Street pavement preservation project
Valley Paving, Inc. will resurface County State Aid Highway 13 (50th St.) and the adjacent multi-purpose trail from 55th St. N. to Olson Lake Trail N., within Oakdale and Lake Elmo.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the contract totaling $2,138,495.10 with Valley Paving, Inc. June 4.
Construction on the 1.2-mile stretch is slated to begin this summer. In addition to the new pavement surface that will improve ride quality and improve safety along the roadway and trail, the project includes curb and gutter replacement, guardrail replacement, and traffic sign and lane striping replacement.
Valley Paving, Inc. was selected as the lowest of three bids received during a request-for-bid period that opened in May. The contract will be paid for with County Wheelage Tax funds.
The County Board approved a limited-use permit with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to allow the county to resurface and operate the trail in MnDOT right-of-way along County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13. The board also approved a cooperative maintenance agreement with the City of Oakdale for maintenance responsibilities of the trail along CSAH 13.
Contact: Erin Clarkowski, Engineer II, 651-430-4384
TKDA to provide design services for Inwood Avenue pavement preservation project
TKDA will provide preliminary and final design services for the County State Aid Highway 13 (Inwood Ave. N.) pavement preservation project.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the contract totaling $297,700 with TKDA June 4.
The project area will span from County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10, also known as 10th St. N., to CSAH 6, also known as Stillwater Blvd. N., within Lake Elmo. Preliminary design will begin upon approval of the contract. The final design will begin this fall and be completed this winter. Bidding and public engagement for construction of the project will occur in the spring of 2025.
TKDA was selected as the most qualified consultant from six proposals from qualified firms received in March. The contract will be paid for using County State Aid Highway funds.
Contact: Erin Clarkowski, Engineer II, 651-430-4384
Alliant Engineering, Inc. to complete Highway 96 corridor study
Alliant Engineering, Inc. will complete a corridor study of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 96 from Highway 61 in White Bear Lake to Highway 95 in Stillwater.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the contract totaling $396,140 June 4.
In 2023, the board approved a jurisdictional transfer of Trunk Highway (TH) 96 between TH 95 in Stillwater and approximately 380 feet east of TH 244 in Dellwood from the State of Minnesota to Washington County. The roadway was renamed as County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 96. The Washington County 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan identifies funds in 2024 for a corridor study to identify and prioritize improvements to be constructed in 2028. This study will look at future needs regarding highway capacity, intersections, access, right-of-way, drainage, pedestrian/bicycle facilities, shoulders, utilities, etc.
As part of ongoing coordination with Ramsey County, it was determined to extend study limits to include the entirety of Highway 96 – from Trunk Highway (TH) 95 in Stillwater to US Highway 61 in White Bear Lake — to explore comprehensive corridor needs and potential improvements. Specifically, discussions centered around the jointly developed 2001 Lake Links Trail Network Long Range Plan and the identified regional trail alignment along the western half of Highway 96. Both counties recognize the opportunity a corridor study presents to explore trail feasibility in greater detail, identify implementation strategies, and engage area stakeholders and property owners. Through these ongoing discussions, Ramsey County agreed to participate in the study through a Cooperative Agreement.
In January 2024, county staff issued a request for proposals (RFP) to provide project coordination, data collection and existing conditions review, identification and evaluation of potential corridor improvements, and stakeholder engagement. Submitted proposals were evaluated in partnership with Ramsey County using qualifications-based selection criteria that utilized the following evaluation criteria:
- Understanding of Project Objectives.
- Completeness, quality, and overall technical competence of the proposal, project approach, and methodology.
- Experience and qualifications of the project manager and team members and their work in similar studies.
- Work plan, schedule, and availability of personnel and other resources to perform the work within the specified study schedule.
Alliant Engineering, Inc. was selected based on their qualifications to perform the tasks necessary for this study.
The contract will be funded through Washington County’s Turnback – Fund Balance for $346,140 and a Cooperative Agreement with Ramsey County for $50,000. The study is planned over a 13-month schedule following the award of the contract.
Madeline Dahlheimer, Senior Planner, 651-430-4338