The Washington County Board of Commissioners made appointments to county citizen advisory groups April 27.

The appointments are:

• Gary Severson, Oakdale, as the District 2 representative on the Parks and Open Space Commission, for a partial first term expiring Dec. 31, 2022; and

• Thomas Dunlap, May Township, as a business representative on the Workforce Development Board, for a partial first term expiring Dec. 31, 2023.

Contact: Alyssa Soderlund, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6015 County Board approves housing program for 2021 The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a program April 27 for 2021 to assist affordable housing programs in the county.

The Washington County Community Development Agency manages programs under the federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Programs. All funds assist low- and moderate-income households.

The programs approved will be undertaken between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. They include:

• $300,000 for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to build four units of affordable housing;

• $76,288 for Two Rivers Community Land Trust to rehabilitate three units of affordable housing;

• $380,099 for home improvement loans to rehabilitate 10 units of affordable housing; and

• $105,320 for Washington County Community Services for homeless prevention, to assist 540 people.

The program opened for resident comment from March 19, and comment was accepted through April 20; no comments were received.

Contact: Karly Schoeman, Washington County Community Development Agency Deputy Executive Director, 651-458-6556 County Board approves applications for events at 2021 Washington County Fair The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved two applications April 27 for events set for the 2021 Washington County Fair, which is in Baytown Township.

The applications were:

• from the VFW Post 323 Auxiliary to conduct off-site gambling at the Washington County Fair, Aug. 4 – 8; and

• from Afton Bayport Lakeland Lions Club to conduct bingo at the Washington County Fair, Aug. 4 – 8.

An application to conduct off-site gambling can be made by organizations that meet the state law requirements. After approval by the County Board, the applications are sent to the State Gambling Board for consideration.

Contact: Christine Piskura, Taxpayer Services and Elections Division Manager, 651-430-8272

Sir Lines-A-Lot will do roadway striping in county this summer

Sir-Lines-A-Lot perform the latex pavement marking striping on county highways and local streets within Washington County in 2021 after the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $130,500 contract with the company April 27.

Lane striping is required on roadways meeting certain width and volume thresholds, which many Washington County highways meet. This contract is specifically to refresh markings that have reached the end of their service life, and does not cover striping that is to be done in connection with planned construction projects. Funding is provided by levy dollars.

Contact: Mitch Bartelt, Engineer II, 651-430-4349 Washington County will receive compensation for detour The State of Minnesota will pay Washington County for the use of its roadways as a detour of traffic while the state is reconstructing Highway 95 on the border of Afton and Woodbury this summer.

The county will receive $10,140 to provide road life compensation for detours that will follow Keats Avenue South, Bailey Road, and Valley Creek Road, all county roads, during work on Highway 95. The County Board approved the compensation April 27.

The project, to be done this summer, will be along Highway 95, or Manning Avenue South, between Bailey Road and Hudson Road. The improvements include resurfacing the roadway, improving drainage, and updating accessibility features to meet current standards.

Contact: Joe Gustafson, Traffic Engineer, 651-430-4351 County Board recognizes National Work Zone Awareness Week

The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized April 26-30 at Work Zone Safety Awareness Week April 27.

The event takes place across the United States, with partnerships between state departments of transportation, national road safety organizations, government agencies, private companies, and individuals.

Washington County recognizes the importance of Work Zone Safety and regularly works with stakeholders across the county to educate and strive for the safest work zones possible. Declaring April 26-30 as Work Zone Awareness Week in Washington County allows for increased communications and visibility of efforts to have “Safe Work Zones for All: Protect workers. Protect road users.”

Contact: Wayne Sandberg, County Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director, 651-430-4339