In a series of moves aimed at maintaining and improving the quality of life in Washington County, the Board of Commissioners has approved several agreements and amendments. On December 3, a notable decision made was the approval of an updated memorandum of understanding between the county and the Minnesota Land Trust, which cements their cooperative role in managing conservation easements, as seen on the county's website.
Addressing the necessities of its residents, Washington County has extended a contract with a local hotel through the end of 2025 to ensure availability of emergency housing for those experiencing homelessness. This extension represents an additional investment of $660,000 in 2025 to maintain operations that began in the early days of the pandemic. Stephanie Souter, Program Manager, highlighted the consistent efforts in marine conservation, mentioning the $134,041 grant for battling aquatic invasive species. This funding was allocated after a resolution from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and partly goes to the Washington Conservation District for countywide activities related to inspections, awareness, and monitoring.
The county's infrastructural footprint is set to expand with the acquisition of an 80-acre property for the Big Marine Park Reserve, aligning with the park's master plan and supported financially through the Land and Water Legacy Program. In contrast, jurisdiction over Red Rock Crossing is transferring to the City of Newport, marking a shift in local governance that Kevin Peterson, Design Engineer at the county, described as beneficial for both the county and the city.
On the legislative front, a public hearing that involved no participants underlined the process to adopt Washington County Cannabis Ordinance #219, which aims to ensure responsible cannabis retailing within the jurisdiction. Caleb Johnson, Senior Community/Environmental Health Program Manager, noted the ordinance's focus on preventing the marketing and distribution of cannabis to individuals under 21 years of age. Coinciding with administrative tasks is a speedy development, as the County Board requests MnDOT to perform speed studies on nine county roads, reflecting the evolution of roadways' profiles, and Alliant Engineering, Inc., has been tagged for the final design of Lake Elmo Avenue and Highway 36's improvements, looking to alleviate rising traffic and safety concerns.
On a note of operational excellence, the Sheriff's Office K9 Unit brought home two consecutive National Championships from the United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Field Trials, with Deputy Yetter and K9 Huck achieving the title of Individual National Champion for a second year running. In an outpouring of public support, various county departments received donations, including those in memory of a local council member and contributions directed towards environmental initiatives like the Milkweed for Monarchs campaign. According to Tina Elam, Communications Manager, these donations reflect the community's commitment to sustaining and enhancing the county's public resources.
