A new contract has been approved for design of the Jamaica Avenue improvement project. Approved June 3 by the Washington County Board of Commissioners for $319,316, LHB, Inc. will provide preliminary design services for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 20 (Jamaica Avenue) improvement project, extending from CSAH 22 (70th Street) to Military Road in Cottage Grove.
With recent development on the east side of CSAH 20 and the future Lochridge development on the west side of CSAH 20, the project seeks to make improvements to the stretch of county highway involved, including the Military Road intersection. The contract with LHB, Inc. includes project coordination, preliminary engineering, and stakeholder and public engagement services. The county posted a request for proposals in January and received six proposals. LHB, Inc. was selected as the preferred consultant. Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in 2028.
Also in transportation related news from June 3, Washington County and its staff were the recipients of two transportation awards from WTS Minnesota at the organization’s Scholarships & Recognitions reception this spring.
The Washington County Board recognized staff for the following awards June 3:
• Woman to Watch Award – Erin Clarkowski, Washington County
• Innovative Transportation Solutions Award – METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Clarkowski is an engineering project manager at Washington County. Clarkwoski began her career at Kimley-Horn, where she worked on the Gold Line BRT design project. She joined Washington County as a project manager in 2022 and continued working on the Gold Line project and leading many other county construction projects. Clarkowski is recognized by her peers for her strong communication skills and reliable follow-through. She is also the co-chair of the Washington County Women’s Empowerment Employee Resource Group.
The Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit, Minnesota's first BRT line that operates primarily within bus-only lanes, began service on March 22, 2025. It provides fast and frequent service along the 10-mile route between St. Paul and Woodbury. Funding was made possible by the Federal Transit Administration, Ramsey and Washington Counties, and the State of Minnesota. Not only did Gold Line open on schedule, but it did so under budget. Women held key leadership roles in almost every phase of this project. Senior Planner Sara Allen, Engineer II Erin Clarkowski, Deputy County Administrator Jan Lucke, Deputy County Administrator Jennifer Wagenius, and Public Works Planning Director Lyssa Leitner were instrumental in the delivery of this project, leading to recognition.
In law enforcement news, meanwhile, the County Board approved a donation of camera and forensic equipment valued at $13,592 from OUR Rescue to the Sheriff’s Office.
The donation will support the Sheriff’s Office’s investigative efforts to protect children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The cameras will be used by the East Metro Human Trafficking Task Force to conduct various operations. The forensic equipment will be used to acquire evidence and data from cell phones and other digital devices in real-time.
The County Board also approved a memorandum of understanding that will govern the donation June 3.
OUR Rescue is a nonprofit that collaborates with law enforcement agencies both in the U.S. and abroad to protect children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The donation from OUR Rescue is part of its commitment to empowering domestic law enforcement agencies by providing tools, training, and technology to enhance their abilities to combat child exploitation.
Also from June 3, the County Board approved a contract with Pinnacle Services, Inc. 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 Pinnacle Services, Inc. begins on the date of signature and extends through Dec. 31, 2026. It is for an amount not to exceed $40,000 in county-paid funds for the term of the contract.
As for County Board proclamations from June 3, there were two. The first resolution declared June as Pride Month in Washington County, while the second proclaimed June 1 through August 16 as “Summer at the Library.”
June is nationally designated as Pride Month in recognition of the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, widely considered the start of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement. Numerous events have been organized around the country to commemorate that event.
At the county, Washington County’s Pride Employee Resource Group works to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive workplace where people of all identities and orientations can be their authentic selves.
The resolution affirms the county’s commitment to fostering acceptance of all residents and preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. It also recognizes the vital contributions that LGBTQIA+ community members make in Washington County.
Regarding the second proclamation, Summer at the Library is in support of Washington County Library’s summer learning program for children, teens, and adults, Summer at Your Library, which runs from June 1 through Aug. 16.
The program includes an array of events and activities to encourage community and lifelong learning. These events and activities will bring artists, scientists, musicians, and entertainers to library branches throughout Washington County. Summer at Your Library also seeks to help neutralize summer learning loss for students.
For additional information, including a complete schedule of summer events, visit a Washington County Library branch or connect online at www.WashCoLib.org.
Closing out the county board update with appointments, the County Board made appointments to the Community Development Block Grant Citizen Advisory Committee and the Workforce Development Board June 3.
The County Board appointed Tracy Maki to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Council as a nonprofit representative for a partial term starting June 4, 2025, and expiring Dec. 31, 2027.
The County Board also appointed Nicklaus Petrucelle to the Workforce Development Board as a labor representative for a partial term starting June 4, 2025, and expiring Dec. 31, 2027.