The following actions were taken at the Nov. 17, 2020, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County will receive money to shelter those who are homeless during pandemic

Washington County will receive $330,000 from the state Department of Human Services to provide emergency services for those who are experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.

The County Board accepted the grant Nov. 17.

The money will be used to pay for emergency COVID hotel shelter through about September 2021. Funds will be used to pay for direct hotel costs, as well as services contracted through Stepping Stone Emergency Housing.

County Board will conduct public hearing Dec. 15 to consider selling parkland

The Washington County Board of Commissioners set a Dec. 15 public hearing to consider selling almost 21⁄2 acres of land that the county owns within the Big Marine Park Reserve and is no longer needed for park use.

The board set the hearing to accept comments from residents on the sale at its Nov. 17 meeting.

The hearing will be conducted in the Board Room at the Government Center at 14949 N. 62nd St. in Stillwater. The meeting will also be webstreamed on Webex. For those who wish to join electronically, call the Office of Administration at 651-430-6001 for assistance. Comments will also be received via email at [email protected]

SRF will do final design, project coordination for Manning/36 overpass

SRF Consulting Inc. will do final design, project coordin ation, and construction support for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15 and Highway Interchange Project for $338,838.

The planned overpass is where Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Grant, and Oak Park Heights meet.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the contract Nov. 17.

The signalized intersection of Manning Avenue and Highway 36 needs be rebuilt with a modern interchange to improve safety and movement of all transportation modes – from cars to pedestrians. The need for this interchange escalated with the opening of the St. Croix River Crossing bridge.

In 2019, a preliminary design was completed and the layout has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. A recent legislative special session provided the final piece of state funding needed for project final design and construction.

The construction of the grade-separated interchange will be during 2021 and 2022. The contract will be funded though state grants.

Washington County, Suburban Metro Area Continuum of Care recognized for efforts to end veterans homelessness

Washington County and the Suburban Metro Area Continuum of Care (CoC) have been recognized for their efforts toward ending veterans homelessness.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners received the recognition Nov. 17.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Oct. 29 that the Dakota, Anoka, Washington, Scott, and Carver counties’ Suburban Metro Area Continuum of Care (CoC) has effectively ended homelessness among veterans.

Effectively ending homelessness means that there is no waitlist for veterans who may lose housing, also referred to as “functional zero.” The infrastructure and systems the region has built will ensure that any veteran experiencing homelessness in the region will get the support needed to quickly obtain a permanent home.

The Washington County Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) and the Veteran Services Division has been an instrumental part of achieving this designation.