Ramsey County, MN Board Meeting

Ruled call please. Jevon here. Acquired McMurtry year. Moran here, song I couldn't stand for the led of of America and to the Republic for which stands. One nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. moment, o, man. Right. Good Good morning. Every community owes existence and vitality. 2 generations from around the world who contribute their

Hopes, their dreams. And in a 2 to make in the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will, some withdrawn to leave their distant home. In hope of a better life. And some have on this land since time. In Memorial. True from announcement are critical to building mutual respect and connections across all aeas of Herat. Its indifference. We are standing on a sister only of the Dakota people. We want to acknowledge the ojibwe ho-chunk and the other nations of people who also call this place home. We pay respects to elders past and present. So please take a moment to consider treaties made by the tribal nations that entitle Non native people to live and work on traditional native lands. Considered a many legacies of balance displacement migration. And it that bring us together here today and please join us in uncovering such that roof at any and all public events. Thank you. And they contain a motion and the agenda of 1/6/2026, summer. Second. Seeing of the discussion roll call. 7 I a choir. I McMurtry Miller. I undertake. All right. To take motion on the minutes of DECEMBER. 16th Twenty-twenty 6 presented for approval.

Second. Discussion roll call Moran Eye. John. I been saying require I think my I Miller High and Ortega. All right. This move forward to the policy items. Election of the chair. And then to 10 minutes. Stern, a mission. Ok? Thank you, MISTER Chair. I nominate refill take it to the board chair for 2026. Second. And the

Nominations. Any my missions. Seeing no other nominations. We're all in favor polls. Only going to say is thank you I thing I McGuire, I McMurtry I Mueller. I undertake a election of the vice chair of the 2026. MR. Chair and nominate commissioner might on to be vice chair for 2026 There any other

Nominations? Seeing no nominee of the nominations from the floor roll call. Iran. 17, I require I think my tree. I Mueller, I undertake a. And to take them on. And then to take the motion and the rules of procedure for 2026 summit. Second Any discussion. No discussion roll. Call Iran. I it

And think I make my tree Miller. I undertake a. Item. Number 6. Appointments. So was standing committees for 2026. So moved second. Still any discussion. No discussion roll call Iran. All right, haven't I require i my tree. Miller, I Antarctica. Motion to appointment of members that are Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. You know, most at home?

Think different. Is there any committees and to important, ok, come back to If its for the appointments. To the housing and redevelopment it just no magic to the order. I will move that. MISTER Chair Senate. Seeing no discussion roll call Morant Murray. I been saying I McGuire, I think my tree High Mueller, I undertake a item number 7 appointments. So outside boards and committees for 2026 so moved second. Any discussion. Hearing? No discussion roll. Call for an I

Been saying aye. Why? I think my Miller, I and I take a play man. Excuse me to the Ramsey County Regional Re-lit. It she move some of Any discussion. Hearing no discussion roll. Call for an 7 think acquired that tie the eye and Ortega. We now have the administration for agenda. Can imagine. A key

MISTER Chair, like to item, teen cancellation of board meetings in 2026. I like to move administrative item. Number 11, contract press Publication Inc for the 2026 news. I want to call it that. And discussion. Ministry Gender. None roll call. I haven't seen. I acquired. Think my tree. I undertake a so MR. CHAIRMAN, like to hear more about what the contract I would first

Publication with that all entails with 2 entities So commissioner and I can actually answer that question. So good morning board, chair commissioners, country manager Becker so every year per state statute we have taught the county has to select official newspaper for publication. Are the process. And so that I think is managed by the chief clerks office. And so I worked with the property tax main election services also finance and also the county auditor's office to select a kind of get their criteria and I want to purchase and contracting Dame part Division. 2 manage and launch launched a solicitation and soul through the rfp process. We have to go go with the lowest bidder. And so this year there was only one better for our official newspaper wishes past publication and they've been our official newspaper for the past several years. Several. I believe they have been our officials papers since 2022. They the family wanted add that information, get out into the community. goals and followed our procurement process.

And so we do send a solicitation notice to about 900 vendors who are under state fall under a qualified newspaper. So we do center of mass e-mail change to to demand. Start. So let me that you say under state statute that so you go to the state and you look at a row possible, correct. And so by state our official newspaper, we have to do an rfp every single year. And so were unable to do an rfp on because a state statute. So because of that process, we call it the most bitter know I was the Adams and apart. My question is more When you do the rfp and has a list of vendors, for example, did that come from the state will do that come from the county? Where this come from? That you send out information So commissioner, so we have a for vendors who are interested, they sign up to be part of Iran.

Vendor list. And so that's hopefully secure the list for our our fee. Every k and that will often to be updating this. I had to it. We populated this. I don't have the information yet by can contact our purchasing and contracting division manager Division director I can send information to all the commissioners. I just that question because it been. One of the things that realized as a state rep and I always go bck to when we implemented Affordable Care Act right at the year's not been able to move found with a b to move it. And that the state level, what we did was that we had to hire community navigators and things like that. And there was a list that the use and that this came from many, many other administrators and what the list was really lacking was a diverse group vendors to connect to have. And so what happened was when it came light when it came to come use of color in general.

It was like a week before closing that the all found out about it because they were not a part of that lists. I and so Is that because is? Important that we continue to populate the and not just go with less. Always just a year. Okay. Thank you. I just want to know more about it. Foreign Commission. I'm sure good. This is stay uk. So and that's a good point you raise. So the question how do we make sure is? Think it's reaching Tool. About unity. We always want to state rep. We always want to continue to. They Weiss free and excuse Thank you. Just ahead, we need to every voting and do we are vote on You know, we have ok, I have another question. I have one other question, because partly with the Van Dyke's height.

Press correct. And past publication has to pin locations. One is has pub in Venice Heights and then the second is and why Vipers Lake, I believe. And for it's all Vendor has. So there's 3 different qualifications. The first is all of our official proceedings are minutes that are published every year every week. The scond is what's called a qualified newspaper and financial statements are printed in that one. And then the 3rd category, we call it Option c and that's for all other miscellaneous items that can be printed. And so. Had information, get out to polls. A man county.

So it would be through on demand starts with follows the same process. And so when a vendor applies, they cannot qualify, can choose to just qualify for one of the options. What they can choose all 3. So dispersed without throughout Ramsey County. Correct? I'm just saying I same thing. Not that is not. I don't know where look for it. And I can within we get more information So. I have job. This is on a different issue for get when you take a vote this issue. Yes, related. Go ahead and then thank you, MR. Chair Commissioner Moran, thank you for bringing this up. I think what you're lifting up there are just, you there are many, contracting opportunities throughout the county that as commissioners don't know about many times staff go through traditional procurement process posting it onto demand star. So that's where I've really telling people that if they want to do business with folks to go through man star, when you've got to start to man star, register your business and also select what type of job opportunities are looking to contract with the county west.

That's just one way that I've telling folks. But thank MR. Moran, I think you're left not very good question about how how do people know about the staff and how does know about right? Yeah. As commissioners right. So that we can also be a part getting that information out to our constituencies or businesses within our, you know. Thank I'm good. Jail. Not on this issue, but do we need to vote on this first? You know, we're good. Let's hold on And I'm I'm on a completely different if we this. Second, and Something? I why. McMurtry I Miller, I and I take a

Thank you, MR. Chair restate that. I just wanted to acknowledge something we've already passed when we were doing our outside boards and committees and we were, you know, we've we've got a number of them that we all serve on. As we look at the documents and I just wanted to acknowledge that there's even more tat were on that. We don't even list here. Just to acknowledge the Association of Minnesota counties, a number of us are Van subcommittees and committees of those committees. So I wanted just thank eeryone for their involvement, but these are actually part of the committees that were on because we we all as part of these committees, we all know the work. The work is in the subcommittees and in the and all of those other groups that we that we become involved in as we as we said on these committees, we see the actual work that needs to be done and I just want to acknowledge that there's many more, many more committees and subcommittees that we survived that are not wish.

So thank you to all of all of you for all work. On behalf of our residents. Thank actually can Connections. Yeah. Good morning, MISTER Chair, thank you for the time this morning. I always tell our staff that many of our leaders are not only subject matter experts in their own right within our organization, but they are. I recognize that a statewide level 2, and this is an example of that. Our county assessor, Pat Chapman, has been appointed to the Minnesota State Board of Assessors. This is a unique opportunity for him. There's only 9 members for the state that get to serve on on that board and only 2 county assessor members. They meet several times a year and are responsible for the assessor licensing and the standards and the education for that field, which a great honor for him to be representing himself and also Ramsey County and work. I wanted to just take a minute and acknowledge that there are a staff and probably the public have been tracking as well that there are many federal impacts that are currently looming over our I use that word service.

Think that's the best word I can come up with many of these things are sort of change every day. They are in motion. Some of them are different parts of government ecosystem, whether it's in the courts or sitting for some state primarily for us because many much of the funding comes to the state. We are oftentimes working closely with our state agencies to understand what the impacts are. I will say as much as possible most of those things have not impacted the services that we deliver every day at this point, we continue to serve residents and all the programs that we have that are state and federally funded. What I will say is we are monitoring possible sort changes that could be coming. Our the challenges that are before us. We are in touch with our sate agencies and certainly we are working the advocacy front. Directly with state delegation, but also with our federal delegation as well.

So that's kind of the general update. I have I will say they are in the areas of snap housing urban development, continuum of care. They are in Department of Children, Youth and families around child care and they are in emergency You know, under fema. So those are the very broad things that we are looking at. And we continue to just be tracking and give you updates as we have something definitive to share. And then my last thing the first and I want to thank federal Response. Action consists of art are chief staff's office. The county Attorneys Office Communications and Public Records and many subject matter. Experts who continue to sort of a cascade information up down and across so that we stay in touch with what's going on and then to close on a more celebratory know this is. I thought this was kind of a fun thing to lift up. So as of midnight DECEMBER 31st in 2015, so some of you might remember this if the Ramsey, Washington, Recycling and Energy Board was established that we are moving into a 10 year anniversary celebrating 10 years of highlighting the impact of that, the vision and the foresight of commissioners are 10 years ago to really think about a new way of doing I covered our trash and decreasing are reliant on landfills and also, I really do want to call out the deficiency coordination that has brought to our region as a result of that works.

I know some of you have. We're here at the time when it was created. But I'm just really want to think Martinson the first executive director. It took 9 years to get to that. So, you know, like we're excited for a 10 year. I actually was texting with her this morning that now this is going to be year of many opportunities to lift up that 10 years of history. So we're excited to do that in partnership with Army. Let's move on to outside board and committee when the here. And since we met, I was a bit too intent part skate of control District. Commission meeting to fund tax nation was able to pass budget. Really look at the the great work that is really happening within the mosquito control. This trick and they're doing under the new leadership. Executive director. And one other that I had a great opportunity in 2025, as we're fine, volunteering Catholic charity with myself and Commissioner

Miller along county manager backer. So the thing to go to Catholic Charity Opportunity Center feed the homeless. So it's really, really great opportunity to to be able to see that participate in that in really engage with the staff and the folks who come to the a funny. I have no update. If you enjoyed Christmas thank feel to be back in that school is weeks of my kids is one under couple of things I want to

Highlight. meant to some right before going on break. I had a chance to meet with some of our 2025 feet or a solicitation awardees. Some those who are having projects in my district. And so it was just great to to hear more about their stories and the work that they're doing and how they're trying to build more affordable housing within our community and get a better sense from them on of the hre solicitation process. From the county perspective and how we can, you know, improving and aspects of it that they really appreciate it. Thank you to those 2 award. Recipients for taking the time to share more about they're working. What's the what's to come of that? I also had a chance to do a little volunteering with Commissioner Jeff think we had a chance to do nami holiday gift drop off right before holidays. Just a great organization. But I'm looking forward to building more of a partnership with as a county, especially as they bring on new leadership for the organization.

And then finally, I know many of us were at the inauguration ceremony for Merrick Li That happened a couple of days ago, such a and inspiring and historic moment for for our city and for the state and for the country of having now Mair her in this role. And I think it's one of the also an opportunity for us to continue to build that relationship with the city of Saint Paul as enter this new phase under this administration. So excited to see everyone attended and excited for what's to come with that partnership. Yes, so well out to say it's great to be back and it's great to have had a couple of weeks of a calm and quiet with family to to rest I ws able to also attend the inauguration of new Saint Paul mayor. And I've had a chance to sit down with some of my local elected officials municipality's just informally to be able to catch up, see what's on their talk it in.

I just appreciate that at the local level and times of divisiveness, the local level that their sons to be a lot of cross collaboration and mutual respect for the work of building strong communities together. So I also just want to acknowledge, although these are fairly administrative items real acting our chair in your as a capstone, two-year period here like and the commission that just for just want to say congratulations there and excited to see the incoming leadership of our vice chair with Commissioner Sean and also that today we're going to be having a lunch with the Ramsey County electives. Again, it's a way of making sure that our board, you know, we we only get to be together all together like this. An official capacities that's nice to be able to, again have a chance to meet again with or county sheriff and also the county attorney has a way building those - relationships making sure that we continue to do the good work here Ramsey counties.

So thank you all for for going, you know, continuing to build that tissue that those connections across the different offices that are working together, district our community. Thank ys, thank in and saying are my colleagues. I appreciate you calling out the connections and the importance of are continuing to. Build on our relationships all of our cities are are nonprofits, are business communities and the importance of really working together. So thank you for setting up opportunities for us to do that. And and just all of us for continued to do that work. This was a time of that is that few weeks of really connecting with community. Iwas out there community a Give a shout out to the Roseville Oval who has hundreds of people skating there. We it's a it's a statewide at regional asset. Actually, it's both. They U. S. News and World Report reports the oval as the best ice skating in the country.

But it's definitely the best in the in Midwest. And I was lucky to work on that. When I was in the legislature and it was just so so great to see it being used. And I love Minnesotans who are out and about and all whether you know skating and just being appreciating the outdoors. I also I honored to attend the inauguration Merrick Ali. Her and just to see just the amazing diversity of people that she brought into honor that event and shout out to my alma mater, Catherine University did a great job in the PRESIDENT. Gave a great welcome as being the first African-American PRESIDENT We've had there and I was so proud to be graduate of Saint Kates and other remarks that were made. And just in hosting such such an amazing event do want shout out to to outgoing mayor Melvin Carter, who did you We did great job in Saint Paul and honor his work and all the work that he did and looking forward to working with our new Mayor, Kelly, hr as she's but hit the ground running as we've seen with all the work that she doing and the partnership that we will have a Saint Paul.

And as I noted in my community yesterday and all of our cities in the in the county that we want to continue those partnerships. And regard we have the Ramsey County, local governments, which is all of our cities, school districts and nonprofits in our area. We have a collective action work group meeting this Thursday, which is on. Focusing this year on the issue of ice, salt, when we saw to roads that we needed this morning and the and the icy roads. But and that's all too much. And so I proud of our county that when we talked when I talk to our public works, director. Add that. Director Isaacson said that they really try to limit it. Do it for as much as they can for safety reasons. But then don't put too much on. And that really helps our water. Our watersheds just the environment. So we're working on that as an awareness at the Ramsey County, local governments, the league of local government is also touring are respecting an energy center this Friday.

So if anyone would like to join us on that and they are excited to be touring a n actually between the Environmental Center in Roseville. Sorry, I thought already 2 of the recycling Energy Center. Now we're turning the Environmental Center in Roseville. So is story about that favorite. We are excited, though, to share the Ramsey County Environmental Center with that with the league. Also, I'm a Roseville area League of Women Voters is due process and the Constitution and you attending this Sunday, a meeting at our library in Rose and not in Maplewood and just shout out to that good work what they're doing there. That MISTER Chair just forward to the year and congratulations to you and to everyone here for all of our roles in a and I and our committees and with organizations. Thank you.

MR. Chair. I also attended myor hers inoculation. And I just want to note of really stuck out to me in her Of saying that no, her parents came here and that you know, left a war-torn country and that they worked really hard and that her parents did everything that they could you know yet make them achieve the American dream. And I just want to weave that into today's work and where social safety nets are being destroyed, essentially and how this Trump regime essentially is tried to undermine everything that has really built up the American treatment. The middle class to say that, you know, it's a distraction every I see that the county and our social services are being threatened and attacked and that's not ok, especially you know, how can a government just take the lead one YouTuber and say that, you know, that's happening all across the entire state of Minnesota. And so we are a target.

But I just want to reaffirm and share with our community members that there are more more of us. Who believe that the collective good and who believe that Minnesota leadership so supported invested in its people. And that's why we have consistently been such a great place to live. So I'm proud of that. And I am reminded in the of that every each and every single day, especially in my conversations with the people who are trying to do good locally. For example, I met with Scott Cole with collect to the He's new administrator of Saint Paul Children's Collaborative. Ad he also shared the same vision that i have been shared to about what we know that our resources are very fragmented and it's set up to make people feel like they're alone and isolated and make people jump through hoops just to get the help that they need. And I was pleased to to hear about, you know, his experience polls as school administrator and not being able to help people are families navigate services that they need.

Meaning that, you kow, it does shared interests and vision that, you know, w actually need to continue on the path that we have been on, which is to continue to support whole families and making sure that, you know, they don't have to jump through so many hoops just to get the help that they need. I also attended Eastside Funders Group, a learning opportunity. This is where a few of our Eastside, Oregon, nonprofit organizations had experience doing capital projects just within the last few years. A big piece of it was just about, you know, the challenges of navigating permitting processes througho the city. And I suggested and recommended that this would be a great start in the conversation our new administration at the current administration you know, just ways in which we can make sure that permitting processees go by faster so that we can help support the growth and development in our community here. And then and the choir you mentioned about are joining other boards and committees to that is true.

So i and next next month or later this month on tab, I will be looking for to be joining the executive committee so we'll have we'll finally have an East Metro commissioner representation on the executive committee and this year. I'm also the chair of our rain to county children's mental health, collaborative and these are just, you just very important as you have said, that a lot of the work happens in our committee ready to so proud to continue carry that move work Thank you. And that's true for all of us. Especially just what he's always done. Good work with it. What happens is you're

Rewarded with wall so MAY. So expect you know, I usually talk from that top of my head, but I I do again, right? Some notes this being my last year, I had so many thoughts and I wanted you know, I want to make sure there was somehow I got to what I thought was the spirit and the meaning what I was want to want to say. So if you bear with me I am one that is a critic of folks. Ted talk too much us.

But the time time the But otherwise, I'm going to say, oh, think. Let's avoid know this. Really enjoyed working with you guys and and I think it's important that. That that we look as we we look So this year and all the issues we face. But and anyway, the me I'm starting to talk now without my nose. You know, I am honored once again serve as the chair. The Ramsey County avoided Commission is this my go around. A chance for some 7, 8 years out of 32 years in office. And it's always an and I just want to say when I was share, a sotry is in a row and they want to elect in full force here and IBecause I thought it was important that we share me to ship. And I want to I want to take credit that that's been the practice. If you look the boards that doesn't happen. There is not one boy in the state of Minnesota that does.

They're starting to emulate us now. But maybe a decade after we have to practice going. And that's because what basically was right. My then the function of the chair is is really more Todd denies helped organize the work. This is all hold dearly as we continue to share vision, grounded in values that be fine, who we are as a community excellence in public service, equitable opportunity for the residents in a Deep committee commitment to strengthen quality of life across Owen County. Ramsey counties mission to ensure all residents of the al huge and drive continues to guide a warning and it remains the foundation of decisions we make together. We're leading uniquely challenging times. We have just come to one of the most difficult budget processes recent memory while extremely difficult. It was a responsible budget. One reflects careful stewardship of public resources and now work is as we move forward. We must continue to thoughtfully assess the evolving needs of our community.

Meet those needs head-on reducing the property tax for earnings, follow homeowners and business At the same time, these challenges present opportunity as we respond to the moment before us, we have a real chance to strengthen systems and set sights on building stronger future together for community. Not just for the year Even one budget cycle

Ahead. But with a long-term vision that will extend well beyond all of us. As we do this it is essential that remain focused delivering responsible high quality county soon we must continue working closely with departments across use sanctions and sect us. The county is a unique level of government. We get things done. People rely on and I will staff critical work each and every day that often goes unseen. But never unfold. But the residents we serve. That is why we must not lose sight.

Also, heart of all values. I am grateful that county manager we'll be placing a strong focus operational excellence in the year ahead and beyond. The shooting. We are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. Will be critical as we face significant federal and state budget. Precious. Has already been publicly should. After thoughtful reflection. I have decided that I will not seek reelection in 2026. This was not an easy decision. Serving on the has in one of the greatest honors of my life. And I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. I also believe leadership means knowing when to make space for new voices and perspectives. Looking into 2026, I remain committed to the work ahead in committing to using this year of transition to support each of my colleagues. County manager and I will dedicate his staff as we never navigate what lies before us. There is important work still to be done.

And I look forward to continuing that with focus here and collaboration. I want to thank you. My fellow commissions for the ball forward. You do to make a successful. And of course, I want to thank all of the dedicated hard-working staff for literally life-saving work. Throughout these tough times. Thank you for your leadership. Your partnership and the privilege of serving alongside of you. Thank you. I feel like My last comment is has to do Kelly's comments. My my you gotten your kids? My daughter Amanda. my son in law my 2 grandkids stream 5 where in Florida for the holidays and they call me every couple of

Days and so far when they got back before New Year's. My daughter and husband says take the grandkids for a couple of days because they needed a break today's ready to give him And the infant okay. Where are we adjustment. Okay. Following this meeting, we have a regional rail authority meeting. And the housing Redevelopment Authority meeting. And then we have the luncheon commission is saying

Has put together. Thank you