Ramsey County, MN Board Meeting

Economy commission is local the. Kevin saying? McGuire McMurtry here. Mueller here, Moran here, take a E staff of week. It's the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Taney, all an acknowledgement Commissioner Thank you, chair. Everyone. Every community owes its existence and vitality. 2 generations from around the world competed their hopes, their dreams and

Energy to making the history that led to this moment. Some are brought here against their will. Some are drawn to leave their distant homes in hopes of a better life. And some have lived on this time land since time immemorial truth, an acknowledgement are critical to building metro respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We are standing on the ancestral lands of the Dakota people. We want to acknowledge, though, chip away the ho-chunk and the other nations of people who also called this place home. We pay respects to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the trees made by the tribal nations that entitle non native people to live and work on traditional native lands. Consider the many legacies of violence displacement, migration and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such shirts at any and all public events. going to that and the motion on the agenda to 23rd 2026. So moved. Seeing no discussion roll. Call Miller. Jevon thing. McGuire. McMurtry. I owe it to tame the motion on the minutes of June. 16th 2026. so second. Any discussion no discussion roll call Miller. I. been saying. McMurtry, and we have a you stated for gender gap.

Thank you, chair. I move to following administrative items. Item number 3 lase agreement with Meridian, Behavioral Health LLC, dba iOS. I asked for lease space at 402, University Avenue east in Saint Paul, Minnesota, home. Item number. Minnesota, consul on local results and innovations performance measurement program. you and item number 5 salary schedule in great for new classified job classifications, occupational safety and compliance administrator and safety officer. know this question local. been saying I acquired I

Think my tree. used rent. Mister Chair just for administrative. I don't like to move in straight item 3, because just want to hear and more about we doing with the lease agreement move it from nation's second. this someone that can give us? Mister Chair commissioner. And we'd be happy to give an update. I think we're talking about item. 3, right? yet. So. I know Doctor Thompson's here, but I'm going to try to cover a little bit of it as well. So so what you have before you is the least a couple weeks ago.

Doctor Thompson came and shared an update on the attacks with Mitt without management transition and how we ended to today and ice. And so the least is tied very closely to a capacity building. Grant. And it's the grant itself that have outlines many of provisions that we are hoping to achieve in terms of that being able leverage the opportunity of using the building to have a local providers. So Dr Thompson to have any clarifications are things you'd like to share. Commissioner. And know if you have a specific question or would you like us to cover this morning? A Good morning. Good morning. Chair county commissioners county manager Becker. This collaboration really has been with property management and property management together. We have constructed a lease that will coincide with the Grant award for better who will be occupying the space. very closely made sure that the information in the grant agreement are that the lease routed back to the grant agreement. And again, the grant agreement will be for a two-year period. If there's specific questions. It's great. Thank you for the update. information. In just making the 2 together. yeah, I just want to and maybe this is a broader on the services coming in and just

Quit wondering. So this is for the detox services. And I just wanted just to make sure people know what still of it will be available and how this will look to to residents. Can individual still self refer. To to the services? commissioner, that is correct. That individuals will be able to self refer as a part of the grant agreement and the lease agreement, entity that has been awarded will really be able to operate as they have in their provider in the community that's been operating for some time. And te provisions in the grant indicated that so for with excuse me, self referral is going to be oe of their processes. being able to walk in also phone and there are also provisions in the agreement regarding ensuring that the individuals that we served in Ramsey County when we owned and operated the facility would be similar to the population and so that anyone who needs the service can be seat.

And that would funny. But so nobody would be turned away if the for lack of isurance or failure to pay. That's correct. Commissioner is there is a provision that indicates there's a sliding scale fee starting at 0. So individuals may be asked to provide some information about their income and if they don't have income, they will not be turned away. Excellent. I just wanted to make sure the folks were reassured that with this new provider coming in that it is that a ctton, unity of service to our community. Thank you. Yes, correct. Any other questions discussion? been sying Aye acquired. McMurtry take a I item number. Hewson. Thank you, Mister Chair. also like item 4. And just have someone just give us some update update. Yeah, I can. I'd like to Madam Mr. Chair Deputy chief of Staff Andrew Greeley to share about this effort to submit performance measures to the office of the State Auditor. Good morning. chair Commissioners, County manager, record. Yeah. We're excited to present the the set of

Performance measures that are submitted to the office of State auditor. It is a part of an annual process that the state auditor does to encourage county's and city's to report performance measures statewide. In a format that allows for comparison across different cities and counties and so participants in that process get a financial incentive. $25,000 for participating. And the report is due to the state auditor on July first. So coming for you to ask for you to ratify the report that we plan to submit to the state auditor, which includes 10 different measures, selected from measures that the office of the state auditor allows us to report. So one of the attachments on the rba is a list of 27 measures that te state auditor provides for counties and cities are for counties to select from. And and we chose we've chosen 10 of those to report as a part of this performance measurement process. So table that you see in the attachment with 27 measures as the kind of list of options that we can choose from as Ramsey County and other counties have to choose from that same list.

And that facilitate some semi standardize reporting across different counties. So and then in the report itself, which is another attachment you'll see. The Ramsey County data, which we've collected from both internal and external, for instance, state sources. So happy to answer any other questions you have about. The report. So I'm just wondering Can this report also be shared with the board? So that we can also be informed about what he's been submitted to the state. Its included as an attachment in Iran in the agenda. So looks like this. If you see in agenda packet as an attachment, it's this contains the data that we're proposing to to submit to the state office. A state auditor. Mr. commissioner and maybe I cn elaborate a little bit. It is on page. 39 to 41 in your packet. It is. I think report is that generous word? It's really just a couple pages of metrics, but I do want share with you a little bit of a conversation I did have with with Andrew this morning as we continue to think about performance measures.

We there's kind of 3 ways the performance measures kind of are showing up in front of the board and community before every performance here. We bing community indicators to the board. Is sort of reaffirmed the strategic priorities there a couple measures here that line up with those community indicators. In we are in this. We are moving into the second year of our biennial budget, which is a performance here. And there dpartments will be focused on performance metrics and some of these performance measures actually align with ones that will be shared at home at budget hearings as well. So there's some opportunity for some intersection. Those community indicators that I first mentioned were informed by community engagement of things that community was interested in. And I'll just remind you, community indicators are measures that we are not the only ones that influence those outcomes and similar to some of these. I mean, some of these we don't have full control of whether or not, you know, they go up or down.

We are contributing and to to how well or how poorly they d. But I do think we should look at kind of an approach of thinking through how all 3 of these work together and as we go into the future as to what they say about, you know, are are we investing in particular with our budget in a way that advancing something that we want to measure and know the impact for our community and we'll need to take a little bit of a deeper look. I think it would and are trying to say is it's a little bit of a restrictive exercise because we have to work with the 27 indicators that Cave added what what I appreciated that our our team has done, though, is whenever there's been able to put a little nuance for example, racial disparities. They've tried to call those out as well. So might be it's a good thing for the state to be doing.

I will say the county is a little more advanced. Maybe an R performance metric work because of our biennial budget. And we could we could also do more integration. Well, we're we're a little bit better at maybe than some entities that may not be doing performance metrics at all, which is why I think the auditors asking cities and counties to do this. And children telling Thank you, Mr. Chair, appreciate your work on this. Do you get to pick the same measures every year you have to pick different ones or do we? Be nice to pick the same one. So we would get some sense, but also good to pick different one. So we get a sense of the different measures. So talk to me about what the auditor requires and what we tend to do for these measures chair. Take a commissioner wire. You can select the same measures every year and over the I guess, 12 years or so that we've been reporting.

It's my understanding that we've generally stuck to the same set of measures with minor I think one was added in 2024, I don't know all the history, but I think we've been pretty consistent and reporting. Roughly the same set of measures over the years since 2013, when we started participating in this process. And just to comment on that, I think it's as I said, good so we can get to see some, you know, comparison between years and I'm I'm guessing of the state auditor lets people pick and choose if someone's going to have a bad year. They just pick a different measure. So I'm not sure that, you know, I am glad that we're actually staying with the Just so we can get an honest. You know, review and a measure of what what we're doing. So thank you for that. thank you. thank you for this information. I just wanted to, I guess, clarify urges.

The measures that are chosen, we choose which is great and a lot of them are already kind of. We are tracking on our own, which is fabulous. And we are working towards bettering to Mary just point that each county can pick their own measures. So you don't. It doesn't really paint a large picture o what is really happening across the whole state. I think this is great. But what happens after Does the legislator then like also they also see this because I'm sure that they also receive it and can they think of maybe legislation or what does our team think of that as well? Like as like, hey, this is an area that's continued to have continued. Low participation or we need more improvement in this area. Maybe this is a legislative ask you. Maybe this is a bigger picture. We need to be looking at. Chair, take a Commissioner. Miller. Great question. The state Auditor does Post reports online so they're available for people to see.

I'm not entirely sure what else at the state level with that data can look into that. At the county level as commissioner, I mean, as county manager Becker mentioned, I think there opportunities for more alignment between all of our different performance reporting processes. And we can think strategically about that going forward. Ithink with this we are aware policy team takes a close look at the and these data and thinks about how they can be incorporated in. You know, te county wide in issues related strategic priorities and other is we are in a good position in the county manager's office to infuse different county wide initiatives with the state use it to inform our priorities. So we will be doing that and and thinking about the best ways to incorporate this in some of the strategic discussions that we lead. And if you have ideas, if use serving the data, you've got ideas about program areas where we should be taking a close look at that.

We'd be more than happy to hear those ideas and bring them to the departments involved. Thank Follow up on that. Really quick. The data that we pull from this, too, is this from our own records or do we go and serve a community? I just want to us always be cautious of extracting data from our community. I just know when worked in the community sector, it was like, you know, we need to do a survey for this. We did a survey for that. It was kind of like, well, what is this for? And where is the goings that really paints a picture as well of how communities operate? Caretaker commissioner. Yes, largely we draw this data from iternal sources and from state sources and some other sources that are suggested by the state auditor. If you look at the list of 27 measures, they do recommend some data sources. It's largely from existing datasets were not going out and doing new data collection for this performance reporting process.

It's it's drawn from existing program data on rent rooms. Ramsey County, data that does the state makes available and some other Web sites like project that from the university, Wisconsin Cobb County County Health rankings. So we're not doing any intensive data extraction activity for this specifically and the data sources are listed in the notes section in the report. So if you see under each data table, there's a little note about where we got the data. Perfect. Thank you. Appreciate that. to say that a couple of things which is, you know, that given that these are specific data points that we provide to the state annually. But they're part of broader performance measure and community indicators and other kind of things that we are collecting to be data driven in the work that we do. I just in case somebody was looking at the specific areas I know we internally use these for certain things. Like, for instance, the where it's the public health, social services, low birth weight, it is concerning that that percentage isn't where we want it to be.

And I I recollect that that some of our efforts along this way were included in a in a workshop that we had around some of the If if folks are reading this data and thinking, well, how do you have these numbers and not then have an immediate discussion about them? This is incorporated into our work ongoing. And so I do appreciate that. This data doesn't form what comes before a board and what we do deeper dives on and I would be remiss not also to highlight things like the election. Accuracy of our post-election audit is 100% of our ballots are counted accurately in our post-election review. So these are the kind of things where our rsidents want to have a better indication of where they could access this information. these kind of measures o of how their community is doing and the counties role in that along with these indicators in any of the other performance indicators, where would we direct residents who want to be able to see this kind of information on on their own in their own time.

So this is submitted as a report. But one thing that I thought that we could take as a takeaway, Andrew, is that the report itself could be put on open data portal as like a story of sorts. So maybe we can follow up to make sure that there's some transparency to being able to see the right onto our open data portal. So. Chair, take a commissioner's jevan seeing any major backer. It actually is going. It's a requirement from the state auditor post this online. So we do have a Web site right now. Okay. Are a part of the Open data where this were reporting data. Thank you for all this information. I plan to do a deeper One is really busy weekend, but to do a deeper dive on tat report, just wondering, was I do like idea of being very strategic about the report that we submit impact or cheesman of whatever we may see out of that that's happening in Ramsey County.

What's your like in high moments? 4? fw he was going to just report. Chair take a commissioner. in reviewing that these data, I think the low birth weight data does stand out as according to. You know, the community health assessment from our public health a department which I believe uses data from the State Department of Health. We do have a relatively high low birth weight rate in Ramsey County compared other Metro counties, which is troubling. And, you there's concerted efforts taking place too work on that as commissioner Jevan seeing mentioned. But the racial disparities persist in that and I obviously birth outcomes. We have major nationwide major and racial brace face disparities in birth outcomes in general. And that's just deeply troubling. And so that's something we want to keep monitoring closely. I think for me when I look at these data, one thing that jumps out is the assessment ratios that generally speaking, when you look at those lows are falling.

Well within te range that's required of 90% to 105% indicating that are assessed values across different property types are pretty accurate in terms of how they compared to what properties actually sell for. So that's nice. Counterbalance to the instances we hear where people's field you know, assessed value is not commensurate with their market value and that these data show that i general are assessed values are pretty accurate. Obviously, I'm not the subject matter expert on that. it was one take away that You know, thought of when I reviewed the data. So I thank you for that. And you know, this is a report in a requirement that comes in a request to come from the state that we submit. What I'm hoping that it would help to inform the direction that we need to go and to the future. Right in looking at the low birth weights. What are we doing about that? Ramsey County?

You know, so at that time, those concerning issues become part of or platform as we move forward. So we're going to begin to shrink those disparities that we have sen yeah, I think, you know, we we want to something now that does help to be the best that we can be. And so hoping that can be sme of our next steps yet, commissioner. And I think we're we'll get kind of our part. 2 of some of this is the department's to there. Supplemental budget a couple of these are actually measures that departments will be sharing directly and then reflecting on the ones that aren't all just make sure we talked to became managers and make sure they get you know why they might not be the measures they're using. That stories can be kind of woven into how they're talking about things. And I want especially specifically call that low birth rate. One of the measures that public health is measuring against has to do the percentage eligible Ramsey County babies that are receiving WIC services.

So while there's a measure that broad, we're also looking at what what can we control in terms of advancing that measure? Because the measure in itself could be a lot of things that could contribute to that. Some have to do with the overall health care system they have to do with. lots of things right to where we can have some control is our quick access and programming. And so that's how those things will show September after it. Thank Thanks. Any discussion. been saying acquired. McMurtry and take a and option of the proposed Ramsey County commissioner's salary ordinance with 20 27 on to 10, the motion. Discussion. Hearing none. Roll please. No, I I John. been saying Aye McGuire. I but much tree. I county connections. Good

Morning commissioners. I have couple things here. The first is that on the 30th next week we are hosting the 6th annual Midway job fair at Field. This is a partnership of work for solutions that work for Sport and Minnesota United last year, there were 700 attendees. And so this is our county's largest job fair that we host annually and there will be 40 employers on site along with community organizations. So please, to encourage people to come on. The event is free, open to the public in job seekers of all ages. In addition are heading home. Ramsey has the youth advisory board that some of you are aware of and they are going to be at Twin Cities, pride. So the youth advisory board will be participating in the Twin Cities Pride Festival, which will be the weekend of June 27th and 28th at Loring Park. This is the second year that they've had a presence there.

This provides an opportunity for youth leaders to connect with community members, share resources, raise awareness about youth, homelessness and housing stability and elevate the voices of young people in Ramsey County. And you know, if you get a chance, please check that out. And then we have some special guests here today. So the county participates extensively in the city's right track program. The program provides a career readiness opportunities and work experience for young people within our community and we as an employer, we host interns as well. So this year we are hosting 31 interns County wide. We also as part of that group, others, the right track scholars program. This is the second year that program and they support young adults as they enter the workforce while building public sector work skills. So scholars are a little bit different than Laura track program, but very similar to that. They're just a different level of We are really happy to participate and helps generate and build interest in being an employer in or community and share about public sector jobs.

We create talent pipelines and we get to have our employees. I get really excited about their work as they get to explain. Many of the neat things they to our young scholars and right track participants. So if I can have you guys come up while I list te departments, you well, have you introduce yourself and and tell us maybe where you're working. We have people working and the county manager's office and public works at the medical examiner's office at the Library, Human Resources, Communications Parks and Rec County Attorney Property management, the Juvenile Detention Center and public health. So no, we do want to click introduce yourself before get them gone. Good morning. Good morning. Hey, everyone. I am no longer. Gates are no. We I know many of you so so happy to be here on the public pathways cordinator here out of the workforce Solutions department. I've been excited to collaborate with a lot of our leadership and other staff that are preparing to provide an amazing experience and the really excited that are in turn, sold up and sold out was ready today at 8.30, So they are ready to also share.

A little bit about themselves. So what's the goal for So my name is tech wylam. But you can come to take you. The. District. is 6 and this is what have for for is for property and maintenance management. But like the insists. I want learn or something I want learn and encourage them and Scheneman too, is. building man-made, our managers ad project managers. thank you. Hello, my name is Silas. and then going to be in parks and rec. I clearly pathway that interests me is like. Education because I do like him get around people and night time. kids and think bonds. And my commission is District Thank you. Thank I graduates of high

School ready college or where are they in different places? I'd love to where the could you say where you go if you are in school go school, go to school graduated and school run on currently go to community college. And then I a in Hardin, High School I'm just I have been paired with the Ramsey County Library. And of pathway that I plan pursue is science and I am district 3. I go to college

Park school. my name Matthew. to Shuck 6. crew pathway and look for and the trade business. Have a lot of family who don't attrition and from my scene days for inspiring me to be like them. And I graduate and I am currently going to essentially college. I come say to district 6 and I'm going to be an intern for Ramsey County. Public works and I'm interested in becoming outreach specialist Metro Transit. It said the Graduate Hardin High School. Hello, my name My. But to working with the Ramsey County

And parts one thing I want to learn about my like internship. It's just like a learning, I guess late. I don't know. You said leadership stuff. And I recently graduated from high school as well. Hi, my name I was paired with 10 acne to center. I go great Second day, the school could be pathway and interested in is like Keenan and morgues and working with nature.

Those Layla, I interning Ramsey County at a lake Tucson are currently. I go to Great River school. I think a career. I'm looking for something in public speaking. I was thinking about being an actor or maybe an ASL interpreter. I've also considered some stuff and lost quite a few options on me. But I'm very excited to be here. thank you for having me. Hi, my name is passion. I am a resident of district 6. I am a student at the University of Minnesota currently interning at the Benzie County Hyman is no ad district I'm currently attending. Ramsey

County or get educated attorney's office. I got him in just a university in a really looking forward to seeing how the cases are made and how the court system works. Hi, everybody. My name is mahogany. My pronouns. Are she her hers? I'm from district 4 front bill. I go to University of Minnesota. I major in business marketing education and my minor is in the sociology of analogy, injustice. I'm interested in family law. And if not that, I would want to do research and educational psychology. Hello, my name is Parker Sisler. I go to the University Minnesota. The loose and interning with Ramsey County Parks and Rec. And soil Water Conservation Division of a passionate and excited about conservation. And I'm very happy to be here. Thank you guys very much. Hi and Mention. I recently graduated from Hardin High School ad I am intending at Ramsey County Attorney's Office plan on majoring in management. Information systems at the University of Minnesota. Hi, good morning. from born and raised. I recently graduated from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. And I'm going to Belgium for my master's in diplomacy global governance.

But currently I'm interning for the county manager's office with the policy team. So those community indicators and the performance measures that you guys are the previously, I'll be working on Thank you. I I mean, money the Internet. The Ramsey County attorney office go to school down in Nashville, Tennessee, the Fish University. And I do plan to be FDA is yet. Good morning. My name is Leah and in turn interning with racial health inequities department county manager's office. She I'm at the University of Minnesota setting economics. I'm interested in economic development on. Interested in at economic

Development and public It's nice meet you. Hello, my name is you need towel. I am going to be entering for Ramsey County public health. Currently. I'm going to see people college majoring in initiation and I'm in district 3 Hello, my name is a working through Ramsey County Property man that I go school Saint John's University of Minnesota. I look forward to doing something in a business. Hi, my name is saving. I watched and currently interning for Ramsey County

Property Management. I graduated from SoFi. And my goal at end of this is to learn how property manager works that one day I can manage my own properties. Thank you. anymore. Good morning. name is get just Meadows. say them pronouns and I'm with workforce solutions as these programs specialist. And so I support right track and then also te primary support for adult Career Academy, which is coming up. Thank you. you have an income take a picture,

Just 7 feel like the commission. My next jin Sheila take that hard if you would like

??? cycling community point It's a I had a and then African American family for the nation. our fitness personality at meetings at the of the statewide working group meeting in the policy and Accountability. Compliance Action team. And still working on that just to make sure that we are

Improving outcomes in working on the implementation process could before go statewide. 2027. There's a lot of work. happening there. I was able to meet with the Y and YWCA the CEO and couple of the other team members to discuss how the stability workforce development. Pathways and strategies to support economic mobility and long-term success for resident family. And I really do that to continue to work on the in the cats. A continuation of the work we do here at Manatee County in partnership with community-based organizations and how we can. ways to Collaborate in-form. Really educate each other on work that's been done. And wasn't really good meeting. They a system that they're working on right now, really inform the work that they're doing to a very strategic process that I am. to continuing to learn more about. That's happening this weekend for I was able to 18 and a few a few Juneteenth celebrations this weekend.

One being the de Jean de Juneteenth, black Excellence celebration of Ramsey County staff wear myself along with commission member is in Africa for isn't it and read the proclamation. recognizing the significance of Juneteenth and celebrate achievement and contribution of actually does. And community members also a bid to a 10. The rhondda cynon for diverse expression, Juneteenth celebration. Where I was able to join state and local leaders along with Governor Tim Walz, who present. Congresswoman Amy Klobuchar and Tina along Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Saint Paul Mayor Councilmember Bowie in myself really just highlighted. Commemorating Juneteenth and honoring resilience and achievement and contributions. The black community. There was also a

Juneteenth celebration at the Minnesota State Capitol. I also presented proclamation to Indian Nneka Foundation Juneteenth celebration. Do any of you know, was fry she with me with community to euro awards and recognition. I leadership ever seen commitment to community service. Also extended the 30,000 feet Juneteenth celebration alone myself. mission owned and Commissioner McMurtry along with sanitary for they they continue to just listening to one of the things, one of moments

Really from Gathering at 30,000 people and that I continue to Lauren to remember is to know your audience because we all pay me and to introduce ourselves in who we were as elected officials and one of the basic questions from that came from community members. Mike, what do you do right? And so it's about going back and really informing community of the work that we do do introducing to some of the basic stuff that sometime we just assumed that people know we I. and that's it for me long week. And just so much the celebrations I try to control myself. Mister chair, and that become political. Sometimes can help it because you know, we know that June team came about when. I say showed up. And Galveston, Texas to say that 2 years ago he was freeze you did. It have not been free. And I in this conversation yesterday from Superintendent of public schools, it families in Texas. So it's a generation. The families from Texas, wasn't just Galveston, Texas. That was not notified. It was all it takes that did not know that the enslaved black residents there had been free

To use early in my political peace comes up because I think it's important for us to remember that. power you know, can see it. A lot of folks want to stay with free black individuals who went on to find as state representatives and Senate terms. Cain, governors of a local community just really get into this political process because knew the value representation. They knew value of the power government and having their voices and inciting know with him being a part of government decisions. And it was just a reminder today and where we are in this process that the value of participating, you know, the 12, process really elevate your voice. Through a vote. And it is still important that we are connected to what's happening politically. Even though we hate it, we get tired of it. Some people really discussed. It. What government doesn't do not do need to do better. But I want to remind them that why we need you.

That's why we need to to stand up and run and be a part the system. makes it more fair and equitable and that is about all of us. And I there. Thank you. Thank you, yes, I hosted my and district hours last week, all in one day. With my son and we tell yeah. Thank goodness. Summer school started this week. The parents probably feel my My pain U. S.. urge Annual board meeting was a

Pretty strange grant for an annual board meeting. We selected new officers we were. I presented the quarterly. Deliverables and then also presented with the new fiscal budget. Let's see here. I attended the way for Lake Tuesday's parade. That was fun to walk in with my family in the rain. It did rain. that was great. Yesterday attended the training for a mic, your potential understanding roles, responsibilities and opportunities. And we'll for workforce board members. So that was really a nice way to spend my lunch hour. And then we finish off by going to the Twins game. It was a Native American heritage night and we play the Dodgers. So it was really cool to see Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts play. We are baseball softball family. My son was everything really love for the Dodgers. I was really happy. They

But otherwise, that's Coming up on Saturday, we do have the grand reopening of the Manitou Ridge golf course. That I will be and then it's followed by community classic course showcase which I am signed up to planned. So watch Not going on me and like watch out just in watch. good. Yeah. And with that, I'm the update you next Thank you, Mister a couple of events from this past weekend. Of course, I had a chance to attend a number of Juneteenth celebrations with my colleagues. So as Rahn mentioned, we had a chance to go to black excellence Juneteenth celebration, which was great to be with Ramsey and the staff and to just have a moment to just relax. I'm being community celebrate one another. Rally great event that will host the fair also had a chance attend it make a foundation Juneteenth celebration at the Capitol 30,000 feet celebration at their facility. absolute beautiful facility off our Katie and then the Black Memphis and volume at our at 9.65 awful to have. so just a beautiful weekend chance to celebrate what Juneteenth all about to celebrate.

You know, the continued resistance that we know that so many of these communities, so many in the black community are still fighting today. And and to continue that fight for for freedom that that we continue to to have to protect and hopefully expand and in doing so, pass it off to to future generations. So really, really great weekend. I also had a chance to with Commissioner Moran with members of Beacon, Interfaith, different neighbors and housing advocates talk about of their work supportive housing in particular and the work of the county has been doing in realm, animal that they've had a number requests to hopefully get the county to continue to prioritize that work, knowing that we have such a huge need in our community for that type of So it's great to meet with them. Ad then yesterday we had a chance to meet as jump tech, a committee myself, Commissioner Moore and commissioner song.

Our members of the Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee along with the city of Saint Paul Saint Paul School district to just discuss a number of things, including legislative recaps from this last session, but also preparing of what the next iteration of group will look like. How we can her craving a framework to ensure that all 3 entities are working better and collaboration to determine different efficiencies that we can identify and hopefully in doing so, bring down property taxes for so many folks in our community. So looking forward to the next phase of just tack as the county will be taking over as the leader of to protect the September and thing to really expand that work. 2 events I want to highlight for this weekend. One in my district one Saturday and Sunday will be the Hmong International Freedom Festival McMurry This year's theme is arrived with stories rooted as Americans. And it's it's if you haven't among Freedom Fest amazing 2 days great food, sports and just being community with them community and celebrating their rich culture.

Usually they see around 50,000 people at this event over 200 vendors. That was just last They're adding sports, including volleyball for 18 and under along with some of the other one. So they do, including soccer, volleyball, flag football. And this year. They will also be there is an entry fee of $10.

So make sure the folks are aware that. When you go, but I really encourage people to to attend this on either Saturday or Sunday then on Sunday of the Como neighborhood is hosting its annual Como pride a There'll be number of activities, including pageants for best costumes, including Private Ryan. With you coming, your protests outfit drive down, drag the house down. think a family with different family of fumbles and of course, pet It's as a resident of como. It is a fun of family events each year just to celebrate pride and celebrate those and in our community. So for those who are in coma outside of como, please make sure the stop by on Sunday. Commission is saying. Yes, all right. busy week last was able to attend the Twin Cities, North Chamber of Commerce updates on the Arden Hills. I'm sure we'll economic development also evil to continue conversations with local business owners and just wanted to say that, you know, a lot of folks are still really feeling the pain of our local economy.

Increased fuel costs supply issues, building costs, labor costs and property tax as well as the issues around paid family medical leave act in and how that is impacting costs within our community. And so just kind of making sure the keep tabs on. And our role in making things easier or or better for business community and was able to remind the people there about our economic are the new ETA and how that might be bringing sme local dollars that Ramsey counties open for business are CEO next. And now learning cohorts had a number of people reaching out to follow up on some of those supports that we have for the business community. I was able to take a tour of Tubman East and learned about the many programs serving individuals experiencing itimate partner and other familiar vews and supporting folks on their journey from fear to freedom really remain remembering to tie that facilities and that program that is reflective of the work of Harriet Tubman, which is really apropos giving our our Juneteenth celebrations and that again, that journey from from fear to freedom and that that inspires many works throughout our community had my order to compliance and ethics.

Check him. learning more about our internal processes for employee investigations. And this is part of our broader, ongoing internal operational excellence. To make sure that we are doing all that we can professionally to to be as tight as we can with policies and procedures to support our staff, make sure that they doing the best they can and support of sport of our residents. I joined a couple of my colleagues on the 2 are of the TT and with some neighbors and advocates just to learn a little bit more about that property and we're at Scituate system within the neighborhood and other environmental and other kind of development concerns of the area. I was honored to speak at the USA Games. Torch run at CHS Field in anticipation is the part of the launch of the Special Olympics games that are ogoing in our community. And I just want to say it was it was just so wonderful to be there and knowing that it's it's beautiful to have so many people coming into our community, but also the idea of sport being a way of inclusion and belonging and purpose.

It's just good for all of us all the way around. I did. I was able to attend the Juneteenth is a event at the Capitol as well as Freedom Day in Venice Heights. I thank you to my colleague, Commissioner Moran for forwarding need the proclamation that we had as a foreign and community to share with folks. In fact, the sites and and people really liked knowing in community to hear where we stand on some of these events and how they are important to the work that we do. So thank you for that. I also was in the rainy day parade and want to to think everybody who came out and just said, you kow, community so community, even when it's raining, even when it's storming and we know that better than ever in Minnesota thanks to the folks who came out then I also had a chance with my colleague commissioner required to check in with our representatives from the Rice Creek Watershed District.

They have received some bonding dollars to deal with some flooding mitigation and as all things there are processes in place to to see that project come to fruition. Just keeping us up to date. I look forward to the Twin Cities Pride Festival this weekend that and just want to say this is a wonderful time to stand by all of our friends and neighbors letting them know that show up as you are. You're part of our community and we're here to serve. And then one last thing just, you know, not a big statement on news of the criminal subpoenas that were quashed about that had been presented. The federal government. Again, some of our local elected. Now that that subpoena has been quashed in, seen to be basically there not to investigate any wrongdoing by local officials, but to harass course and retaliate that that should free up some time because we are still waiting for a transparent and independent investigations for the killing of Renee Good.

And Alex Pretti. We're still waiting for investigation and harm Centre to other people while they've been detained and other crimes unconstitutional infringements by federal agents in our community. So. Thank you, Mister Chair. Yes, a lot going Lts o celebrations and Juneteenth and just thanks to everyone who put all the work and effort into doing all those great celebrations cheddar to city's north to a busy they were doing meeting in Mount U N New Brighton as well. I was great connecting have at the Mountain Community and event And so just kudos to it. The chambers who being keep pulling our businesses together and great work that they're doing. Also now, some that which is the Twin Cities public, a metro Public Libraries Association, which is all this 7 county metro commissioners that sit on that and representatives of those boards. And we culinary 20 preliminary budget for the coming year. And also our audit and we had nice long discussion on e-book legislation.

Their pricing fairness legislation where you book a distributors are really a charging exorbitant fees to libraries to keep the books in circulation and and they do it because they can. And so states are passing legislation and we have legislation in Minnesota that are one of our senators in Manatee County, Mary clinician chairs. The Education Committee who supports this, but they couldn't quite get it across the finish line this year. But they're going to keep working not next year, but it is so that all of our residents can continue to get e-books, which are very popular at a reasonable rate to our libraries. So we had good discussion on that. it is time for celebrations and and community celebrations and the rast best my city. Want cities of Roseville started last night with their parade and just all the work and the community organizations that participate in that it is me it is a sight to behold all people that gather for that.

I want to just give a shout out to the Veterans of Foreign Wars who were the grand marshals of the parade Arden Hansen of the Roast on American Legion and Jim Hartman of the Roseville. VFW were grand marshals and just to recognize work that our veterans have done and continue to do in our communities. Also, Rose Fest will continue on all week and this Thursday will be the Taste of Rose Fest, which is sponsored by our military, which I'm a member of. And also we've been listed other organizations that says the Roseville Area Optimist Club other organizations. one of the great community events in our area and it is went Thursday night at the Roseville Central Park at the arboretum there near Central Park. And i's at starts from 5 close to 8. You can still you can get tickets. There. You can go online to get tickets. But I just encourage people to really participated, fundraiser for the community, all the money that's raised at this goes right back into the community. it's a great, a great event that gets a lot lot of participation and then throughout the week, you know, there's family fun day on Saturday and all week there's events going on and was felt. we are starting add another round of advisory board interviews with my colleagues and we are always excited about those because we get talk to a lot of amazing people I for boards.

And I will say that we will be interviewing for the capital region watershed these are really important positions. These are and and we're doing and the personal review board, these really important boards that have an impact on the work that we do as a county. And so thank you to the people that apply for them. And my colleagues who sit on this advisory board, I will say that my colleague Commissioner Jeff Dunn saying mentioned that we had a meeting with our watershed appointees yesterday and get really mad at us gets appointed to parents because there can be issues with the work that they need to do. just who was struck just 2 talk about how important it is will be connecting with our and no can Washington County colleagues about they're pointing as well. we have a lot of have work to do in that area. But thank you. Thank you. To the people that put themselves out and serve on those boards and many thanks to the U.

S. could the appointees on those ports also, little candidates have own construction, virtual information session, which will be Wednesday night. You can do that virtually. So look, I'm a little Canada website for that. And they are also doing there monthly community connection meetings, which I love that communities do these and they're going to be connecting with the Metropolitan Mosquito control People little Canada are able to go and learn about different things that are happening in the community. And that's on. Thursday, June 25th at the Schooner for Shelter at 9 in the morning at 9 in in the morning. So it's all day actually. you? with that? we have. And EMC board of directors media Friday. So I know that commissioner for tree. What is our representative on that? I will also also be attending. And with that, everyone has great have a great week. Great weekend in in the community. Thank you. Thank you, Mister I first want to start out, but just thank you, Commissioner Jeff, anything for remarks and comments about the judges, you know, response what the motion to quash that case.

I just want to mention that what we are seeing exactly hre today is the experience of so many black and brown community members who have been targeted. and have died basically at the hands of not just like law enforcement felt like just all overall our systems that do not recognize the full being. And that's why it's so critical that for Juneteenth that I was in community to in space. Is there too. Both celebrate and also to remind us about why the work both racial equity and true liberation for all communities is so important because as Aransas like, you know, we don't want to be political. What we actually do not have the privilege of not being political. The system not for the people or the people in our time society with that of its ideals that it claims to be in because we recently just celebrated a trillion here and the U. S. and are country where we have plenty of wealth to go around that we have trillion year. So I just want to name that in about why it's so important. I was also invited to deficit. This gallery and art gallery pain during June 10th. When we're talking about

Freedom. Also yet economic justice. There was a professor at of history at McAllister College who also spoke in addition to Ron Ron Brown, who is the artist who talked about you that there are great when black Americans were granted freedom, freedom to not come with economic support justice and health. That is and deeply we didn't to what it is in the United States are today. So I just wanted to lift that off and to also name that what we are seeing today is not different that we are truly on that for And then just pivoting other additional work that we are doing. I also really wish that interns who also here, too, because if they only got sniff of the the rate that do every day I also joined boys town tour this was hosted by a constituent who convene both city council members. Senator, her was able to join us. In addition to one of his committee administrators, senator after touring it, this was his first time the or his district. And he was yu know, a lot of ideas were going And I also have to my temple that parks maintenance isn't fully funded. Yes, my next meetings that

Have meeting, we approved the release of the draft when 50 transportation policy Plan amendment. It includes county's bronze line and also the Jaylon thought is on West 7th. And then we also received presentation about EV public charging needs analysis. We received earlier this year, but that they came back final recommendations on what they will do when this is in part to the regional solicitation of the rollout of public charging they are going to a way and put more percentage points to areas where there's multi multi family housing. Also low income households. And I thought that Met Council staff actually did a really good job in responding to board members who asked at that, you know, it's a privilege to a that. It's not a privilege, but it's it's individual person responsibility that if you buy car, you need to buy the charger right? And they actually provided a really good response to it falls within the lineup like both our climate goals in our equity equity goals of the Met Council.

So I was I didn't need to add further to that conversation because that was able to respond. And I think that just reflects the work and the comments that has helped to create the my council's plan. And then finally with Chip Tech, I just also want to add come manager, thank you so much for all your work and steering of the work of. I I see it as a group a project in school we're you know you need. You need someone to the group together and for everyone to be able to pull to pull their weight. So I just want acknowledge that. And just thank 2. Following the Ramsey County Board meeting, though, housing and redevelopment, though the median shipped by commission.