The Washington County Board of Commissioners met May 6, undertaking much business.
Chief among these, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a $783,982 contract with Kraus-Anderson for construction management services on the Park Grove Library renovation project.
The Park Grove Library renovation project in Cottage Grove has completed programming and feasibility and is now in the project's design phase with Alliiance Architects, with construction starting in early 2026. The county released a request for proposals for construction management in January and received seven proposals. Kraus-Anderson was selected as the preferred contractor.
Kraus-Anderson’s proposal highlighted its experience in construction management as advisor services and a specialty knowledge of renovation projects focusing on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. This is important to the Park Grove Library project because a significant focus on remodeling the building will be moving these systems to a second-floor mezzanine to provide more usable space on the main floor. Kraus-Anderson also presented a well-researched and thoughtful plan for site setup and project phasing.
Also from May 6, the County Board of Commissioners approved two committee appointments. The board appointed Brian McCoy to a partial term on the Board of Adjustment and Appeals/Planning Advisory Committee as a District 5 Representative starting May 7, 2025, and expiring Dec. 31, 2025. The board also appointed Jeanie Strohfus to a partial term on the Washington County Extension Committee as a District 4 Representative starting May 7, 2025, and expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
For those facing crisis and hardship, meanwhile, the County Board of Commissioners approved the Emergency Services Program (ESP) grant through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The ESP grant funds, awarded for the term of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, will support the county’s interim hotel emergency housing program and Emergency Housing Services Building when it opens. The grant amount is the same as the previous two-year period.
Since 2020, the county has received ESP grant funds to provide emergency housing services through contracts with local hotels and a contract with Stepping Stone Emergency Housing. The new grant will continue to pay for one full-time equivalent (FTE) Senior Social Worker to coordinate services and resources for individuals in the program.
In library news, the Washington County Library Department received an anonymous $30,000 donation. The County Board accepted the donation May 6.
The donor has made donations to the Library Department for several years. The county plans to use the funds for library branch audio/visual upgrades, supporting community outreach efforts, and funding strategic plan initiatives that will enhance in-branch services.
Additionally, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved two off-site gambling applications.
The board approved Bayport American Legion Post 491’s off-site gambling application to conduct pull tab activities Sep. 20 for the Yellow Ribbon Randy Kopesky Field of Bands. The event will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds located at 12300 N. 40th St., Stillwater, Minnesota, in Baytown Township.
The board also approved the Afton Bayport Lakeland Lions Club’s off-site gambling application to conduct bingo during the Washington County Fair from July 30, 2025, through August 3, 2025.
Minnesota state law requires County Board approval by resolution of permits for organizations to conduct off-site gambling within townships. The County Auditor reviewed the applications and applicants meet the requirements to conduct pull tab activities. The approved applications will now be sent to the State Gambling Board for consideration.
Also on May 6, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved several liquor license applications, as well as approving an on-sale and Sunday liquor license renewal application for the Outing Lodge in Stillwater Township.
The board also approved temporary on-sale liquor license applications for:
• The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce for the Annual Food Truck Extravaganza on June 14, 2025, at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 N. 40th St., in Baytown Township.
• The Washington County Agricultural Society during the Washington County Fair, July 30, 2025, through Aug. 3, 2025, at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
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 & Environment Department complete compliance/verification checks.
Those requirements have all been completed for the applications. The applicants’ license fees pay for the administrative costs of the county's administration, compliance, and verification checks.
As for the environment, the County receives Clean Water Partnership funds for septic system loan program
Washington County received a $750,000 Clean Water Partnership (CWP) loan from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to expand the county’s low-interest loan program for septic and well replacements.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the loan agreement May 6.
In 1987, the CWP was established to protect and improve surface water and groundwater in Minnesota through financial and technical assistance to counties, cities, and townships.
Information about the county’s financial assistance programs for septic and well replacements is available at www.WashingtonCountyMN.gov/Septic.
As for news related to parks and recreation, the County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the Parks and Open Space Commission Ordinance #220 May 6.
No members of the public made comments at the public hearing on the ordinance, which establishes the Parks and Open Space Commission in Washington County.
Proposed updates to the ordinance would bring it into alignment with County Policy #6006 on Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees, increase the membership structure to 13 members, and update the duties and functions of the board.
The County Board will consider approval of the ordinance at an upcoming board meeting.
As for proclamations, the county made two May 6. The first proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Washington County, the board passing a resolution this this effect. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a month-long commemoration of the history and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month takes place each year in May, which was permanently designated for the commemoration in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with festivals, educational programs, and other activities that center on cultural history. The county’s Asian and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group is organizing a staff event in May in recognition of the month.
The second proclamation recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the county.
Mental health challenges affect all people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or economic status. The county’s 2025 theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is "Mental Health in Motion" and explores the vital connection between movement and mental well-being – both physical and emotional.
The approved resolution encourages the public to educate themselves and others about mental health conditions, challenge stigma by speaking respectfully and inclusively about mental health, and seek help if they are struggling with their mental health. In the resolution, the County Board affirms its commitment to partner with the community to ensure that all mental health services are accessible, person-centered, and culturally appropriate for all residents.
Washington County Community Services, Public Health and Environment, Libraries, Public Works, and Parks departments are hosting community events to start conversations about mental health. Events will include a mental decluttering workshop, forest bathing walk, equine therapy open house, programs in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota, and more.
There will be mental health resources and services available in Washington County libraries throughout May, as well as mental health awareness book lists for adults, teens, and youth. More information can be found on the county’s website at www.WashingtonCountyMN.gov/MayMentalHealthMonth.
Closing out with road construction news, the Board of Commissioners approved a construction contract with Bituminous Roadways and a cooperative cost agreement with the City of Hugo May 6.
The contract totaling $1,045,293.95 and the cooperative cost agreement are for an improvement project in Hugo along Trunk Highway 61 between two county highways. The project spans a segment of TH 61 connecting County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 8 (Frenchman Road) and CSAH 8 (Egg Lake Road).
The improvements include lengthening the northbound and southbound left turn lanes, adding a new southbound left turn lane at 141st Street North, making pedestrian improvements at Egg Lake Road, and installing a flashing yellow arrow signal at Frenchman Road. In addition, the project will rehabilitate pavement and replace culverts.
Bids on the project were opened in April, and Bituminous Roadways was the lowest bidder. The Cooperative Cost Share Agreement with the City of Hugo covers agreed-upon costs to the City of Hugo for construction and design engineering.
Construction began this spring and is expected to be completed this fall.