The Washington County Board of Commissioners has been ticking off some major agenda items as spring swings into full bloom. First up, the Board has set a public hearing for May 6 on the Parks and Open Space Commission Ordinance #220. This ordinance aims to roll out a 13-member board focused on parks and open spaces in the county. The changes are designed to align with the existing County Policy #6006, and residents are slated to have their say during the hearing, as indicated in the Board's announcement.
With charitable winds blowing in their sails, the Sheriff’s Office got a financial boost with $10,600 in donations, awarded on April 1. The funds were split between two noble causes - OUR Rescue slipped in $5,600 to underwrite human trafficking training for detectives, and Walmart chipped in $5,000 in support of the community-building ‘Shop with a Cop’ initiative. The former looks to build the arsenal of law enforcement against the scourge of trafficking, while the latter pairs kids with cops for a shopping spree - a festive synergy of sorts between enforcement and empathy.
Spreading awareness, the Board has also spotlighted the plight of crime victims, declaring April 6-12 as National Crime Victims’ Week. Amplifying this year's theme, 'KINSHIP - Connecting & Healing,' the resolution passed calls on the community to build peer networks and community alliances to support crime victims. A sentiment in the statement from the Board's announcement captures the ethos perfectly: “recognizes kinship is the foundation of victim advocacy, inspiring trauma-informed care that meets survivors where they are."
The Commissioners didn't forget the community's health either, marking April 7-11 as National Public Health Week. Cemented by the American Public Health Association's long-standing tradition, this week spotlights the endeavors and the importance of public health. Like the dedicated staff of Washington County's Department of Public Health and Environment, numbering 95, tirelessly working to safeguard and elevate the community's wellbeing. This acknowledgment, as per the announcement, offers thanks and recognition to these unsung heroes.
Beyond gratitude, the Board declared April 13-19 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, honoring those lifesaving voices on the other end of emergency calls. These telecommunicators, often the first link in the chain of survival, were given a tip of the hat for their unwavering service in guiding emergency services, as noted by Commander Andrew Ellickson in the release.
Finally, tending to the environmental concerns, the Board is moving to manage the rising tide of wood waste. In response to space running out and the ash borer peak on the horizon, Washington County will bolster its wood waste management with a swath of contracts amounting to $435,000 annually, plus an extra $800,000 for one-time equipment splurges. These contracts with Toft’s Outdoor Supply, Titan Machinery, Ruffridge Johnson, Clear Water Nitrate Reduction, Sylva Corporation, and Davey Tree Expert Company are aimed to process wood into biochar, greening the state and potentially influencing the battle against climate change.
Infrastructure isn't being neglected either. The Board is setting wheels in motion for the CSAH 10/CSAH 17/CR 17B intersection project, contracting Apex Engineering Group to handle the preliminaries to the tune of $364,667. This project will eventually smooth traffic, incorporate bike paths and sidewalks, and connect a new school to the surrounding area, as per the county's partnership with Lake Elmo and the Stillwater Public School District. It's part of the county's broader commitment to a comprehensively nurtured community—from leisure spots and trees to roads and schools—all pushing towards a future where convenience aligns with conscientiousness.
