Washington County — Transcript
Monday, July 6, 2026
Administrative Policy for Government Data Practices
Pre-trial Probation and Parole Supervision Week Proclamation
County Highway 12 Safe Routes to School Trail Improvement Project
Library Strategic Facility Plan Development
County Financial Reporting and Budget Process
Board Meeting Schedule Adjustment
Commissioner Updates and Inter-Agency Engagement
Votes (9)
Approval of Administrative Policy Number 1300, Washington County Guidelines and Procedures for Minnesota Government Data Practices Act
Dissent: None on the postponement, but Commissioner Clausen voiced strong opposition to the original policy changes.
Moved by Commissioner Miron [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Bigham [00:00:00]
Commissioner Clausen voiced significant concerns about the proposed changes, specifically the requirement for government-issued photo ID for non-public data requests and the shift of authority to the County Attorney's office. She highlighted potential negative impacts on vulnerable populations, increased costs, and burdens on departments. County Administrator Corbid and County Attorney Renstad clarified the rationale for the ID requirement as a data protection measure. The lack of prior staff notice for specific questions also contributed to the decision to postpone.
Adopt Resolution Proclaiming July 19th through July 25th, 2026 as Pre-trial Probation and Parole Supervision Week
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Cox [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Clausen [00:00:00]
Community Corrections Director Terry Thomas presented the resolution, emphasizing the vital role of staff in public safety, client support, and reducing recidivism through evidence-based supervision, community work service, and cognitive behavioral sessions. Commissioners praised the staff's professionalism, compassion, and resilience in a challenging field, acknowledging their significant impact on individuals and the community.
Approval of Construction Contract 18448 with Dressel Contracting Incorporated for County Highway 12 Safe Routes to School Trail Improvement Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Miron [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Karwoski [00:00:00]
Engineer Becky Hayden presented the project, outlining its scope along CSAH 12 in the City of Grant, which received Safe Routes to School funds. Dressel Contracting submitted the favorable low bid, coming in below the engineer's estimate. The project's financials, including grant funding and local contributions, were reviewed, demonstrating a substantial fund balance. Commissioners lauded the project for enhancing youth safety and fostering inter-agency partnerships.
Approval of Cooperative Agreement 18-281 with the City of Grant for construction costs and maintenance of the County Highway 12 Trail
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Miron [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Karwoski [00:00:00]
This agreement defines the City of Grant's local cost participation and long-term maintenance responsibilities for the County Highway 12 Trail. Commissioner Miron specifically commended Mayor Geer of the City of Grant for his strong leadership and cooperative efforts with Washington County on various joint projects.
Approval of Cooperative Agreement 18-282 with Independent School District 832 for construction costs and maintenance of the County Highway 12 Trail
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Miron [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Cox [00:00:00]
This agreement stipulates that Independent School District 832 will fully fund and maintain the portion of the County Highway 12 Trail along the Mahtomedi school access road. Commissioners acknowledged the Mahtomedi School District's excellent reputation for education and expressed appreciation for their ongoing cooperation with the county.
Approval of Grant Agreement 1063552 / Washington County Agreement 18-415 with the State of Minnesota
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Miron [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Cox [00:00:00]
This item involved the formal approval of a grant agreement with the State of Minnesota, defining the project costs, maintenance responsibilities, and terms for accepting Safe Routes to School funds for the County Highway 12 Trail project. The approval was part of the procedural steps to secure the state funding.
Adoption of Resolution Approving Grant Agreement with Minnesota Department of Transportation for funding under the Safe Routes to Schools Infrastructure Program
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Miron [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Cox [00:00:00]
The Board adopted a resolution to formally approve the grant agreement with MnDOT, securing funding for the Safe Routes to Schools infrastructure program. Commissioner Miron underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of youth traveling to and from school and expressed gratitude for the State of Minnesota's partnership in making such projects cost-effective.
Approval of Consultant Contract for the Library Strategic Facility Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Cox [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Karwoski [00:00:00]
Andrea Raim presented the plan to guide library facility investment over 15 years, covering existing conditions, demographic analysis, and gap identification. MSR Design was selected for the $180,000 contract, with an additional $20,000 for targeted community engagement. Commissioners expressed enthusiasm for the plan's potential to modernize library services, integrate community resources, and utilize data from ongoing projects like R.H. Stafford and Park Grove. Commissioner Clausen raised concerns about potential delays to other library projects and the clarity of messaging, which was addressed by Administrator Corbid who affirmed the independence of project timelines.
Change July 28th Board Workshop-Only Meeting to a Regular County Board Meeting
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Bigham [00:00:00] · Seconded by Commissioner Karwoski [00:00:00]
County Administrator Corbid requested this change to alleviate the anticipated length of the August 4th agenda by moving several items forward. The motion was quickly seconded and approved, indicating board consensus on the need for schedule flexibility to manage workload effectively.
Notable Quotes (14)
The way that I'm reading this, it says that, "The request of a non-public data form shall be completed for all requests by the public for government data that is classified as other than public. A requester seeking non-public data shall, in addition to completing the request for non-public data form, shall be required to identify themselves with government-issued photo ID or another responsible means in order to verify that the requester has the right to view the non-public data requested.
At least as it relates to showing ID for making a non-public data request, we typically do that to make sure that we protect people's non-public data, so that any one of us could request data on ourselves that the rest of the public can't access. So, for example, I could set up a fake Gmail account that's commissionerbingham@gmail.com, pretend to be the chair, and try to request your private data. This is a safeguard that we have in place to make sure that sort of thing doesn't happen.
As a certified municipal city clerk, I've handled a lot of data requests, and it's not required to give your name. It's not required to give that type of information. And so this today, I have a lot of questions because we're also changing the authority to your office. And so I ask the question about what's the budget? Are we moving items then? Are you going to take over the fee schedule? And I don't see the changes of the fee schedule that would be needed to make this change today, because it does say that we're going to be utilizing IT hourly rates and possibly the attorney's rates then.
Each day, they make meaningful differences in our community by advancing public safety through evidence-based supervision, accountability, and client engagement. Their professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to this work are the foundations of our success.
It's a tough job because you're in this pause of somebody's life. You're in a holding, I call it a sitting period. Nobody wants to sit and really just be talked to about the things and the actions and take accountability, and that's what they're doing. And so, I really am grateful.
Contractors typically bid standalone trail projects as side work. Therefore, we have added this contract incentive to this project to not only comply with school district timelines, but to also streamline construction staff and efficiency.
Working with Commissioner Miron as we developed many years of reconstruction of County 12, we knew it would culminate with this vital trail to the schools. It was always a thought that it would be a Safe Routes to School type grant, and so I'm glad this came to fruition.
Mayor Geer came into office. He's really impressed me as a strong leader. He's been working with us through scheduled regular meetings with Public Works, and myself. We're in good contact. I just so much appreciate his leadership at this time when so many of these projects are coming forward.
Mahtomedi School District is just well known for its educational system, its care, and for students within the district. It's just an outstanding school, and we appreciate the cooperative work that we've been doing with the school district as well.
Making sure that they're safe on their way to and from school each and every day. And certainly, we've got some neighborhoods within this area that kids are taking their own transportation systems, whether that's their feet or their bikes or what, to get to the school. And I'm just excited that we're able to work with the State of Minnesota on the Safe Routes to School program, and that the funding was provided here to help us make sure that this is a cost-effective project.
Objectives of this study include inventorying and assessing existing facilities operated by Washington County, identifying current and projected geographical and population-based gaps in library service, and developing recommendations to advance countywide and library strategic plan goals.
Libraries have been pivotal community centers and are very important in our community, but I feel like libraries are changing, and so I'm just kind of excited to see what comes out of this, what they're suggesting for size and use of space and some of those different things.
I agree that engagement is the most important, but I also feel like this plan prolongs and pauses the current R.H. Stafford construction plans, and I'm worried about what that means for our bond.
I think the general timing is late spring, early summer, if I remember right. We do have ability to spend bond proceeds prior to issuance of the bond by passing a resolution. And there are some timelines in which the bond proceeds must be spent by, so we will certainly keep those in mind. But I don't think that bond schedule will impact either the R.H. Stafford library schedule or the strategic plan schedule.
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
Washington County guidelines and procedures for the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, proposed for changes.
A formal declaration recognizing the work of Community Corrections staff.
County document outlining capital projects, referenced with IDs RB2824 and BSDLIB2601.
Construction contract with Dressel Contracting Incorporated for the County Highway 12 Safe Routes to School Trail Improvement project.
Agreement with the City of Grant for construction costs and maintenance related to the County Highway 12 Trail.
Agreement with Independent School District 832 for construction costs and maintenance related to the County Highway 12 Trail.
Grant agreement with the State of Minnesota (MnDOT) for Safe Routes to School funds.
Formal approval for funding under the Safe Routes to Schools infrastructure program.
Consultant contract with MSR Design to develop the library's strategic facility plan.
A 15-year plan to guide decision-making and investment in Washington County Library facilities.
Financial report for budget and calendar year 2025, provided to the board.
A streamlined version of the annual comprehensive financial report for general public understanding.
Letter issued by external auditor CliftonLarsonAllen.
Upcoming presentation of the Community Development Agency's budget.
First introduction of the county's recommended budget for 2027.
Document prepared by office administration and public works to be emailed to commissioners.
Agreements for counties participating in the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board.
Approved by the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board to set maximum levy.