County Board approves reappointment of South Washington Watershed District manager
Emily Stevens of Cottage Grove was reappointed as the manager of the South Washington Watershed District for a full term beginning May 1 and expiring April 30, 2027. The Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution approving the reappointment at its March 18 meeting.
Watershed district managers must be voting residents of the watershed district, who are not a public officer of the county, state, or federal government, except that a soil and water conservation supervisor may be appointed a watershed district manager. In making the appointment, the county has provided the required notices to the townships and municipalities that are within the watershed and confirmed that Stevens meets all the necessary requirements.
Contact: Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6015
Sheriff’s Office receives $11,000 from Operation Underground Railroad
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will receive an $11,000 donation from Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) after the Board of Commissioners approved the donation at its March 19 meeting.
O.U.R. is a nonprofit organization that works with law enforcement agencies to protect children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. O.U.R. is committed to empowering domestic LEAs by providing tools, training, and technology to enhance their abilities to combat child exploitation.
The $11,000 donated to the Sheriff’s Office is to purchase Graykey software, a forensic access tool designed for same-day, lawful access, and extraction of encrypted data from mobile devices. This powerful tool unlocks actionable intelligence to solve cases faster, reduce crime within the community, and maximize investment in mobile forensic technology.
Contact: Laura Perkins, Law Enforcement Public Information Manager, 651-430-7994
Valley Paving, Inc. to complete County Highway 29 pavement preservation
Valley Paving, Inc. will repave County State Aid Highway 29 (Hilton Trail) from 62nd Street North to Hallam Ave. South, within the cities of Mahtomedi and Pine Springs.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the contract totaling $233,417.24 with Valley Paving, Inc. March 19.
In addition to the new pavement surface that will improve ride quality and improve safety along the roadway, the project includes fog sealing of the shoulders and lane striping.
Valley Paving, Inc. was selected as the lowest of four bids received during a request for bid period that opened in February. The project will be paid for with Transportation Advancement Account – Repair, Preservation, and Rehabilitation funding. Construction will commence this summer.
Contact: Mike Kline, Engineer I, 651-430-4304
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. to design Cottage Grove intersection project
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH Inc.) will provide preliminary and final design services for the County State Aid Highway 19 (Keats Avenue South) and 80th Street intersection improvement project in Cottage Grove.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with SEH Inc. totaling $499,377.57 at its March 19 meeting.
The intersection is currently controlled by all-way stop signs. The latest Intersection Control Ranking System (ICRS) indicates the intersection meets the warrants for additional intersection control.
In January, the county received nine proposals from qualified firms to perform design services for this intersection improvement project. The county and the City of Cottage Grove evaluated the proposals using the qualification-based selection process and SEH Inc. was selected as the preferred consultant.
SEH Inc. will provide the following services:
- Public engagement.
- Geotechnical evaluation.
- Wetland delineation.
- Environmental documentation.
- Drainage analysis and design.
- Intersection analysis and design.
- Permit applications.
- Cost estimating.
- Creation of a preferred alternative project layout and final construction plans.
County State Aid Highway Funds and local contributions from the City of Cottage Grove will be used to fund this contract.
Contact: Erin Clarkowski, Engineer II, 651-430-4384
County supervisor receives award for outstanding leadership
Washington County Community Corrections Supervisor Molly Hakko received the 2024 Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act Counties (MACCAC) Outstanding Supervisor Award.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized Hakko’s achievement at its March 19 meeting.
The Outstanding Supervisor Award was established in 2017 and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills as supervisors in community corrections agencies. The award seeks to recognize high-quality work as supervisors of probation agents and other staff and leadership and commitment to developing staff competency and skills in evidence-based practices. Hakko is the first Washington County supervisor to receive this honor.
Contact: Terry Thomas, Community Corrections Director, 651-430-6951
County surveyor named 2023 Surveyor of the Year
Washington County Surveyor Sam Gibson was named “Surveyor of the Year” for 2023 by the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS) at its annual meeting in Rochester.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized Gibson’s achievement at its March 19 meeting.
The award recognizes Gibson for his dedicated service to the land surveying profession and MSPS.
Contact: Wayne Sandberg, Public Works Director, 651-430-6878
Public hearing on revised Parks rules and regulations set for April 23
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved an April 23 public hearing date to review proposed changes to Parks Ordinance #213, which provides the rules and regulations for county parks, at its March 19 meeting.
County staff will share the revised ordinance (Park Ordinance #218) with the public at the hearing before it goes to the County Board for a vote.
Park Ordinance #213 was adopted on September 15, 2020, and provides the current rules and regulations necessary to provide for the safe and peaceful use of park lands by everyone. County staff, including representatives from Public Works, the County Attorney's Office, and the County Sheriff's Office, reviewed Park Ordinance #213. This review considered recent state legislative changes impacting public spaces and included an evaluation of certain park rules and regulations needing updates or modifications based on park user and staff feedback. This review process recommended changes to the current ordinance, including:
- Prohibiting cannabis use in county parks.
- Allowing e-bikes on approved bike trails.
- Updates to foraging in county parks.
- Updates to winter trail uses.
A revised Park Ordinance (#218) that includes these recommended changes was reviewed and passed with a motion of support by the Washington County Parks and Open Space Commission.
Contact: Alex McKinney, Parks Director, 651-430-4364