Clasen elected Regional Railroad Authority chair for 2024
Commissioner Michelle Clasen, District 5, was elected the Washington County Regional Railroad Authority chair for 2024 at the authority’s organizational meeting April 2.
Commissioner Karla Bigham, District 4, was elected vice chair.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners sits as the regional railroad authority to conduct business for that governmental entity.
Contact: Jennifer Ochocki, Coordinator to the County Administrator, 651-430-6010
County approves contract for Newport stormwater pond project
The Washington County Board of Commissioners, sitting as the Regional Railroad Authority April 2, approved a contract to construct a stormwater pond at the Red Rock Crossing Outlot A site.
The board awarded the contract totaling $414,964.10 to Nadeau Companies April 2. The company submitted the lowest responsible bid during a request for bids process opened March 12. The project will be funded through the Regional Rail Fund.
The county collaborated with the City of Newport, the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD), the Washington County Community Development Agency, and the developer of a new housing development on the design of the stormwater pond. Due to shallow bedrock, the pond design is smaller than initially planned and the county will contribute $26,940 to the SWWD for additional stormwater treatment to be done at a different SWWD location. This type of agreement is referred to as "alternative compliance sequencing.”
Contact: Kevin Peterson, Design Engineer, 651-430-4330
County receives $580,000 grant for homelessness services, assistance
Washington County received $580,000 in HOME American Rescue Plan funds to provide supportive services and direct assistance for homelessness prevention resources.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the grant agreement April 2.
The grant issued by the Washington County Community Development Agency includes $150,000 to be spent over three years on direct assistance, such as rental arrears, damage deposits, application fees, and moving costs. The grant will also be used to pay salary and benefits for two existing full-time equivalent Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) staff members who focus on eviction prevention services through the court system and connecting individuals and families to resources and housing programs to reduce time spent experiencing homelessness.
Contact: Sarah Tripple, Community Services Division Manager, 651-430-6480
County accepts anonymous $30,000 donation for libraries
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted a $30,000 donation to the Library Department from an anonymous donor April 2.
The funds will be used to support library strategic plan initiatives, such as improvements to youth programming infrastructure at branches to enhance early literacy and learning, furniture updates to make spaces more welcoming and comfortable for library users, and items that support the organization of the library's physical collections to increase accessibility and convenience for patrons.
This donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has provided donations to the library for several years.
Contact: Aubrey Fonfara, Senior Communications Specialist, 651-275-8504
County approves cooperative agreements, contract for County Highway 12 improvements
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved three cooperative agreements with the City of Mahtomedi and a construction contract for the County State Aid Highway (75th St. N.) improvement project April 2.
This project is the third phase of the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 12 corridor improvement project. This project includes new pavement for all roadways and trails from East Ave/Hallam Ave. to Kimbro Ave. on CSAH 12, as well as a new signal at CSAH 12 and East Ave./Hallam Ave., and replacing the signal at CSAH 12 and CSAH 29.
The County Board approved a cooperative cost agreement for the improvements, a cooperative maintenance agreement to cover maintenance responsibilities for constructed infrastructure, and a signal agreement for the two signals to be installed with the City of Mahtomedi.
The County Board also approved a contract totaling $7,374,385.02 with Valley Paving Inc to complete the improvements. The project will be paid for through highway state aid funds, Transportation Advancement Account (TAA) funds, and local contributions.
Contact: Kevin Peterson, Design Engineer, 651-430-4330