The Washington County Board of Commissioners addressed a wide range of community, infrastructure, environmental, and governance matters during its June 2 meeting, including accepting donations for Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, recognizing community initiatives, making appointments and reappointments, and advancing several county projects and policy initiatives.

Among the first actions taken by the board was the acceptance of a $2,500 donation from Cottage Grove resident Kelly Kuester and her family for a cedar bench and commemorative plaque to be placed in Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. The donation honors Kuester's son, Cameron. The family has lived in Cottage Grove for nearly two decades and considers the park a special place for fishing, walking, reflection, and family gatherings.

Continuing its support for the regional park, the board also accepted the donation of a SaveStation Tower from Teddy's Heart Foundation. The outdoor automated external defibrillator station will provide park visitors with round-the-clock access to life-saving equipment and will become the first publicly accessible outdoor AED located in a Washington County regional park. The Cottage Grove-based foundation was established by Craig and Emily Dowdle in memory of their son, Teddy, who died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball at a local park where no AED was immediately available. The organization has placed 22 AED stations throughout Washington County and hopes to reach 30 installations by the end of the year.

The board next turned its attention to a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month in Washington County. The resolution acknowledges the significance of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and affirms the county's commitment to fostering an inclusive community while recognizing the contributions of LGBTQIA2S+ residents. The proclamation also highlights the work of Washington County's Pride Employee Resource Group, which promotes a welcoming workplace for employees of all identities and orientations.

Another proclamation June 3 focused on education and lifelong learning as commissioners declared June 1 through Aug. 15 as Summer at Your Library. The resolution supports Washington County Library's annual summer learning program, which offers educational and recreational activities for residents of all ages. Events scheduled throughout the summer will feature artists, musicians, scientists, entertainers, and other presenters while helping students maintain academic skills during the school break.

The board also handled several personnel and leadership matters. Commissioners reappointed John Burcaw to a second term as a labor representative and Susan Evans to a sixth term as an adult basic education representative on the Workforce Development Board. Both terms begin July 1 and continue through Dec. 31, 2029.

Recognition was also given to Washington County Transportation Planner Andrea Rehm, who recently received the 2026 WTS Minnesota Woman to Watch Award. Commissioners celebrated Rehm's achievement, noting her contributions to transportation planning, grant writing, parks and trail projects, and county facility initiatives. Rehm also serves as co-chair of the American Planning Association Minnesota Chapter's Women in Planning Committee.

In business related to local licensing, the board scheduled a public hearing for July 7 regarding an application for a new off-sale intoxicating liquor license submitted by Cenco Farms, operating as Afton Apple Orchard in Denmark Township. The orchard currently holds on-sale and Sunday on-sale liquor licenses. State law requires a public hearing before a county can act on a new off-sale license application.

Commissioners also approved appointments to the county's Opioid Settlement Council. Five new members will join the advisory body, which was created in 2024 to help guide decisions involving opioid settlement funding and community response strategies. County officials said the appointments maintain balanced representation across commissioner districts, professional sectors, and individuals with lived experience.

Additional appointments were made to the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District Board. Mark Doneux of Stillwater Township, Kimberly Hough of Scandia, and Sam DiVita of Scandia were each appointed to three-year terms beginning June 22. The appointments followed a competitive selection process that drew applications from 10 eligible candidates.

One of the most significant actions of the meeting involved future conservation efforts. Commissioners approved a resolution placing a proposed 20-year, $40 million bond referendum on the November general election ballot. Washington County will ask voters whether to approve a bond referendum this fall to continue funding the county’s Land and Water Legacy Program (LWLP).

The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution June 2 authorizing it to add the bond referendum question to the general election ballot this November.

The LWLP conserves critical habitat for plants and animals, protects the county’s drinking water resources, improves the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, and preserves woodlands and green spaces. If approved, the county will issue and sell up to $40 million in general obligation bonds over 20 years to continue funding the program and protect more land and water in the county.

Annually, this proposal would cost approximately:

• $24.60 per year for 20 years on a median-valued residential homestead.
• $3 per $100,000 of taxable market value for agricultural homestead land (excluding the home).
• $6 per $100,000 of taxable market value for non-homestead agricultural land.

Voters approved a $20 million bond referendum in 2006, which led to the start of the LWLP. The program works with willing landowners to purchase land for its regional parks and conservation easements on properties to preserve their natural condition. The county has spent $19 million of the original referendum and garnered over $34 million in contributions from partners to complete more than 53 projects through 29 conservation easements and 24 park acquisitions, which protect over 1,900 acres of high-quality natural lands.

The County Board reviewed the proposed referendum ballot language at its meeting. The wording mirrors the structure and intent of the 2006 ballot measure and meets the legal standards for bond questions. It is as follows:

PRESERVATION OF WATER QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND NATURAL AREAS

To continue to improve the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, including the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, protect drinking water sources, preserve wetlands and woodlands, protect land along water bodies from development and preserve natural areas, purchase parklands, and protect wildlife habitat, shall Washington County be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40,000,000 to acquire and improve land under the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program with the use of funds limited to these purposes only, full public disclosure of all project spending, and subject to an annual public audit?

____ Yes

____ No

BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

This proposal would cost approximately $24.60 per year for twenty years on a residential homestead with the median estimated market value of $420,900.

Commissioners meanwhile also received the results of a multi-year effort examining discriminatory language in historic property records. Representatives from the University of Minnesota's Mapping Prejudice Project presented findings identifying 741 properties in Washington County that contain racial covenants in deeds dating from 1910 through 1968. The county has fewer racial covenants compared to other counties. This is largely because major residential development took place after the Fair Housing Act was enacted. The research findings show that many of the racial covenants in the county are clustered in waterfront properties. They also show that developers continued inserting racial covenants in Washington County after Minnesota banned new covenants.

Property owners whose deeds contain a racial covenant will receive a letter explaining how they can discharge the covenant for free. For more information about racial covenants and to view a map of covenants identified in Washington County, visit the Mapping Prejudice Project website.

Following the presentation, the board approved a resolution condemning the historical practice, informing residents of its existence, and supporting property owners who wish to remove such covenants from their deeds.

Transportation infrastructure was another major topic. The board approved a $446,583 contract with Stonebrooke Engineering Inc. for preliminary design work on improvements to County State Aid Highway 11, also known as Fairy Falls Road, in Stillwater Township. The project will address safety concerns associated with steep grades, erosion, stormwater management issues, and challenging roadway geometry near Boom Road. Preliminary design and public outreach are planned for this year, with construction anticipated in 2028.

Finally, commissioners approved a $294,780 amendment to an existing contract with MSA Professional Services for the Valley Creek Road pavement preservation project in Woodbury. Additional engineering work became necessary after preliminary design revealed the need for more extensive roadway reconstruction, replacement of stormwater infrastructure, upgrades to traffic signals, and additional coordination with utilities and partner agencies. The expanded project scope will also include public engagement efforts to help residents and businesses prepare for the longer construction timeline and corridor impacts.