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Date:	May 14, 2024
Contact:	Tina Elam, Communications Manager
Phone:	651-430-6004 (office), 651-592-5989 (after hours)
E-mail:	tina.elam@co.washington.mn.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following actions were taken at the May 14, 2024, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota.
County Board makes appointments, reappointments to advisory boards and commissions
The Washington County Board of Commissioners made appointments and reappointments to county advisory boards and commissions May 14. 
The board: 
* Reappointed Erin Kampa to the Workforce Development Board as a vocational rehabilitation services representative for a first full term beginning July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2027.
* Reappointed Paul Richert of Scandia to a third term beginning June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027, as a manager on the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Board of Managers.
* Appointed Fred Rozumalski of Marine on St. Croix to a first term beginning June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027, as a manager on the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Board of Managers.
* Appointed Thomas (Pat) Gleason of May Township to a first term beginning on June 22, 2024, and expiring on June 21, 2027, as a manager on the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Board of Managers.
Contact: Megan Carlson, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6001

County Board accepts $715,016 grant for family homelessness prevention, assistance
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted a $715,016 grant agreement for homelessness prevention for families and for securing housing for families experiencing homelessness May 14. 
The Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) grant was awarded by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MN Housing) to provide supportive services and/or financial assistance to families who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness.
In January, MN Housing announced the availability of up to $27.5 million in a second round of FHPAP funding made possible due to remaining funds from a one-time appropriation of $100 million in FHPAP funding by the State Legislature in 2023. The county submitted a proposal to MN Housing for a second round of FHPAP funding for the June 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, grant cycle and was awarded $715,016.
The county has applied for and received FHPAP grant funding since 2007. It has contracted with community providers to utilize the funds to stabilize families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that families spend in emergency shelters, and assist families with securing transitional or permanent affordable housing. Agencies that will receive funds from the second round of FHPAP funding are Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Solid Ground, and Valley Outreach. 
Contact: Sarah Tripple, Community Services Division Manager, 651-430-6480
County Board approves liquor license applications
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved two liquor license applications May 14. 
The board approved an on-sale and Sunday liquor license renewal application for Cenco Farms Inc., Afton Apple Orchard, in Denmark Township located at 14421 S. 90th St. in Hastings. 
The board also approved an application for a 1-4 day temporary on-sale liquor license from Bayport American Legion Post 491 for the Yellow Ribbon Randy Kopesky Field of Bands on Sept. 21, 2024, at the Washington County Fairgrounds, located at 12300 40th St. N. in Baytown Township.
The county processes all liquor licenses for the townships in the county. The county reviews the liability insurance, and the Sheriff's Office, the County Attorney's Office, and the Public Health and Environment Department complete compliance/verification checks.
Those requirements have all been completed for the applications. The applicants’ license fees pay for the administrative cost of the county's administration, compliance, and verification checks.
Contact: Christine Piskura, Taxpayer Services and Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272
County Board authorizes issuance, sale of up to $30 million in bonds
The Washington County Board of Commissioners authorized the issuance and sale of up to $30 million in county bonds. 
The board passed two parameter resolutions May 14 setting the terms and conditions for the issuance and sale of General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Bonds, Series 2024A, in an amount not to exceed $30 million, and General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Refunding Bonds, Series 2024B.
Washington County is allowed by law to finance certain capital improvements under an approved capital improvement plan by the issuance of general obligation bonds to be repaid through property taxes. The County Board will use the bond sale to fund two projects from the county’s 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan — the Central Service and License Center construction project and the Central Park improvement project in Woodbury. 
The first resolution passed establishes a pricing committee to determine whether it is feasible and in the best interest of the county to issue the bonds to finance the Capital Improvements and take any other appropriate action concerning the bonds. It also authorizes the county’s bond counsel, Kennedy and Graven Chartered, the county’s municipal advisor, PFM Financial Advisors, and the pricing committee to take the steps necessary to negotiate the sale of a new bond.
The second resolution authorizes the pricing committee to refund the General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Refunding Bonds, Series 2014A, if the refunding would result in a lower interest rate than the current bonds and a reduction in service payments.
The bond sale meets all legal limitations, statutes, and county policies. 
The county will have bond rating discussions with Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s this May and the pricing committee will consider bids and award sale of bonds in June. The county expects to receive funds from the bond sale in July. 
Contact: Cat Piepho, Accounting and Finance Director, 651-430-6027
County Board approves contract for Stillwater Boulevard pavement preservation project 
Minnesota Paving & Materials will repave County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 from Trunk Highway 36 to Autumn Way, within the City of Stillwater. 
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract totaling $2,137,733.34 with the company May 14 for the pavement preservation project. 
In addition to repaving the roadway, the contract includes the installation of ADA pedestrian ramps, trail resurfacing, and storm sewer improvements. 
The county selected Minnesota Paving & Materials as the lowest responsible bidder after issuing a request for bids in April. 
The contract will be funded through wheelage tax, Transportation Advancement Account – Repair, Preservation, and Rehabilitation funds, and 2023 wheelage tax carryover funds. 
Contact: Mike Kline, Engineer I, 651-430-4304
County Board approves contract for 2024 crack sealing program
Washington County has selected Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC to provide crack sealing services on county roads in 2024. 
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract totaling $228,075 at its May 14 meeting. 
Crack sealing is performed annually within the county system on various county roads, county highways, and county facilities. Crack sealing is a maintenance process that seals cracks in roads. This reduces the amount of water that can infiltrate the cement and road base, which reduces freeze-thaw damage. Reducing the freeze-thaw damage helps to slow down road degradation. Prolonging the life of the road helps to preserve the financial investment in the road and extends the amount of time until the next reconstruction is needed. 
Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC was selected as the lowest responsible bidder after issuing a request for bids in March. 
The contract will be funded through county wheelage tax and the capital repair fund.
Contact: Erin Clarkowski, Engineer II, 651-430-4384
County Board recognizes National Law Enforcement Week, Law Enforcement Memorial Day
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized National Law Enforcement Week and Law Enforcement Memorial Day May 14.
National Law Enforcement week will be recognized from May 12-18, 2024. The county extends its appreciation to the dedicated law enforcement community for the vital contribution it makes in public safety for the well-being of county residents.
In honor of Law Enforcement Memorial Day, the Washington County Sheriff's Office invites the public to the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater at noon, Wednesday, May 15, for the annual ceremony honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15, and the week in which it falls, as a week for all law enforcement. The week is about honor, gratitude, remembrance, and support.
Contact: Laura Perkins, Law Enforcement Public Information Manager, 651-430-7994
County Board honors traffic engineer for national lifetime achievement award
The Washington County Board of Commissioners honored Traffic Engineer Joe Gustafson May 14 for receiving the David P. Brand Safety lifetime achievement award. 
Gustafson received the award at the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) annual conference in April. The award is given to an individual who has improved safety on the local, regional, state, and national levels and recognizes the individual's efforts to join forces with other organizations to build partnerships with the goal of improving safety performance and eliminating fatalities and serious injuries.
The award is named after the Madison County, Ohio Engineer and Northeast Vice President for NACE, David P. Brand. He was honored in 2013 by FHWA Deputy Administrator Greg Nadeau for his work on the Every Day Counts (ECD) initiative. Throughout his career, Brand was a champion of local road safety on the national level. He dedicated his career as a county engineer to improving road safety across the country. Brand died on December 31, 2015, after a battle with cancer.
The County Board thanked Gustafson for his service to the organization and to the public.
Contact: Wayne Sandberg, Public Works Director, 651-430-4339




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www.co.washington.mn.us

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