Briefs: Washington County seeks public comment on library plans

Washington County seeks the public's participation in two forums on the future of county libraries. Forums will be held from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the Cottage Grove Service Center, Room 149/150; and 7-9 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at the Washington County Government Center, Lower Level Room 14.

"The idea of what a library is and the services it may provide is changing dramatically," said Commissioner Gary Kriesel. "The county wants to make sure it is designing its library system and services to best meet community needs, ensure everyone has access to the resources needed for early literacy, lifelong learning, civic engagement and workforce training, and remain attractive to newcomers."

The Cottage Grove Service Center is at 13000 Ravine Pkwy. S. in Cottage Grove; the Washington County Government Center is at 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater.

The county has resource libraries in Woodbury, Cottage Grove and Forest Lake, and branches in Oakdale, Lakeland and Mahtomedi. It has express services for return and pickup of library materials in Hugo, Marine on St. Croix, and Newport.

For further information, go to www.co.washington.mn.us/libraryplanning.

The Cottage Grove Police Department is offering residents an eight-week Citizens Academy to experience a variety of topics — including lectures, demonstrations, ride-alongs, tours and hands-on exercises — taught by police officers or experts in various fields.

Classes, limited to 20 participants, will be held Wednesdays from July 8 to Aug. 26 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion from the city.

Participants must be at least 21 years of age and live, work or own a business in Cottage Grove, and must pass a background investigation check.

The police department said the program isn't open to law enforcement students.

Applications are available at www.cottage-grove.org/index.php/police/tours-a- events/citizens-academy in PDF format or at the front desk of the police department. They should be returned by close of business Friday, June 5.

Michael Howard, Cottage Grove, will serve as the District 4 representative to the Washington County Mental Health Advisory Council, after the County Board made the appointment May 5.

Howard will serve a first term expiring Dec. 31, 2016.

In another County Board appointment, Aaron Erdes of Stillwater will serve on the Washington County Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program Citizen Advisory Committee.

The Washington County Board will conduct a public hearing May 26 regarding a proposed bond issue to finance the Piccadilly Square senior housing project in Mahtomedi.

The hearing will be held during the regular board meeting at 9 a.m. in the boardroom of the Government Center, 14949 N. 62nd St., Stillwater.

Not more than $12 million in bonding will be used for the project, the county said.

The project will provide affordable, independent living options for seniors in a 79-unit, three-story building over underground parking, the county said. It will include 60 one-bedroom units and 19 two-bedroom units.

Rents will be affordable to seniors with incomes from 50 percent of the area median income to 60 percent of the area median income. That's about $30,000 for a one-person household and $34,000 for a two-person household.

This year marks the fifth anniversary for Washington County's Fresh Green Buck$ program, which has provided three local food shelves with money to buy fruit and vegetables.

A survey found that in 2014, more than $17,000 was collected from three participating stores, and 14,122 pounds of produce was distributed to more than 6,500 families.

For more information about Fresh Green Buck$, contact Patricia Galligher at 651-430-6675 or patricia.galligher@co.washington.mn.us

Joel Stedman, Marine on St. Croix, will serve on the Carnelian-Marine Watershed District after the Washington County Board made the appointment May 12. He will serve a three-year term expiring June 21, 2018.

Watershed district governance helps to control floods, improve stream channels for drainage or navigation, and conserve water.

Kevin Giles