Citizen reappointments made to Workforce Development Board
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved several citizen reappointments to the Washington County Workforce Development Board June 24. The terms of the reappointments begin July 1, 2025, and expire Dec. 31, 2028. The following individuals were reappointed:
- Chris Eng as an Economic Development Representative.
- Monica Brown as a (Post Secondary) Education Representative.
- Holly Jackson as a Business Representative.
- Laurie Levine, as a Business Representative.
Contact: Megan Carlson, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6001
County Board approves contract for adult and child case management services
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract June 24 with Minnesota Care Counseling Services to provide case management services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Case management for these individuals is performed by county social workers or contracted through private agencies. The county completed a request for proposals process to expand contracted case management services, and the county received 17 proposals.
The contract with Minnesota Care Counseling Services begins on the date of signature and extends through Dec. 31, 2026. It shall not exceed $40,000 in county-paid funds for the term of the contract.
Contact: Denise Landry, Community Services Division Manager, 651-275-7754
County Board approves comment letter on 3M Oakdale Surface Water Diversion Project EAW
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a comment letter June 24 on an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for a stormwater diversion project proposed by 3M.
3M Chemical Operations, LLC (3M) is proposing a project to collect surface water upstream of the Abresch Disposal Site to reduce polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in stormwater discharge from the site. The proposed project would collect surface water upstream of the site and divert it in a water pipe to a three-acre flood retention basin. The water would then be reintroduced into the natural flow of the watershed. Bypassing the Abresch Disposal Site would reduce the discharge of PFAS in surface water and improve downstream surface water quality in the Twin Cities East Metropolitan area.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for regulating water appropriation. As part of its review process, it has prepared an EAW to outline the project and its potential impacts. The Washington County Public Health and Environment and the Public Works departments reviewed the EAW and prepared comments, which will now be submitted to the DNR.
The county’s comments address a range of topics, including soil testing and remediation, impacts on county infrastructure and right-of-way, ongoing maintenance responsibilities, and transparent communications with the public, among others.
The Abresch Disposal Site is the largest of three former disposal sites that comprise the Oakdale Disposal Site, a state and federal Superfund site. 3M is working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to remediate soil and groundwater at the site.
Contact: Stephanie Souter, Public Health and Environment Senior Community/Environmental Health Program Manager, 651-430-6701
County Board approves design contract for Olive Street improvement project
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $199,725 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (Olive Street) improvement Project June 24.
Under the contract, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Kimley-Horn) will provide final design services on the project, which spans from Pine Tree Trail to Owens Street on CSAH 5 in Stillwater. The improvement project goals are to add pedestrian accommodations, resurface the roadway, replace curb and gutter, replace storm and sewer infrastructure, and replace road signs.
On April 23, 2024, the County Board approved a contract with Kimley-Horn to cover preliminary design services. In March 2025, county staff issued a request for proposal (RFP) to provide project coordination, final engineering, stakeholder and public engagement, utility coordination, permitting, environmental documentation, and construction services. Due to Kimley-Horn’s extensive background on the project, it was the only firm that submitted a proposal for this final design contract.
This contract will take the project through the final design phase and provide design support during the construction phase, scheduled in 2026.
Contact: Andrew Giesen, Public Works Engineer III, 651-430-4336
County to make LED-lighting upgrades at Government Center campus in Stillwater
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with B & B Electric Inc. to update light fixtures at the county’s Government Center campus in Stillwater.
The $250,000 contract will fund the conversion of over 1,200 light fixtures from fluorescent tubes to energy-efficient LED technology. Washington County set a goal to transition all lighting to energy-efficient LED technology as part of the 2020 Law Enforcement Center Long Range Facility Plan. This May, county staff issued a Request for Bids for the strategic LED lighting conversion project, with B & B Electric Inc. selected as the lowest responsible bidder.
The shift from fluorescent tubes to LED lighting is a crucial element of this initiative, providing substantial energy savings and improved durability. LED design allows up to 50% less energy consumption compared to fluorescent lighting, significantly reducing electricity costs. Beyond energy savings, LEDs offer superior longevity, lasting up to five times longer than traditional fluorescent tubes, minimizing replacement costs and maintenance efforts. They also contain no mercury or toxic chemicals, making them safer for the environment and easier to dispose of. The reduction in heat output further enhances efficiency, keeping indoor spaces cooler compared to the heat-producing nature of fluorescent lighting.
The scope of work for the contract includes lighting upgrades in the Law Enforcement Center and Government Center buildings on the Government Center campus. This marks the first in a series of contracts designed to modernize the Government Center campus and enhance sustainability efforts.
Contact: Greg Miller, Public Works Building Services Project Manager, 651-430-6249