Ramsey County, MN Board Meeting

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Call to order the Ramsey County Board Commissioners Roll please. Second thing here. Why here? McMurtry here, Miller. And we'll take a we stand for the head United States America? just an nation under God. was that it is justice for all.

Acknowledgement night from intense. Admission is saying. Every community owes its existence and vitality. 2 generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams and energy to make the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will. Some were drawn t leave that to homes in hope of a better life. And some have lived on this land since time immemorial. Truth, an acknowledgement are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all their years of heritage and difference. We're standing on the ancestral lands at the Dakota people. We want to acknowledge the chip away. The ho-chunk in 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 treaty's made by the tribal nations that entitle Non native people to live and work on. Traditionally the plants consider the many legacies of violence displacement, migration and settlement bring us together here today.

And please join us in uncovering such truths that any and all public events. Thank you. Huge end of July 28th 2026. And Mr. Chairman like to make a motion to amend the agenda for July 28th 2026. 2 rba 2026 to 84, which is a joint POW. I mean amendment with the city of Saint Paul for emergency shelters to the agenda. Thank you. I also want to add amend the agenda, too, move up calmly connections before the administrative items. We do have a staff for CNN. want recognize doing the kind connections. Local police. 7 thing. I McGuire, I McMurtry I Miller. All right, John, I like and to take the motion now on the amended agenda, move second. Hearing. No discussion. Local, 7 thing.

I McGuire, I McMurtry I Miller. And take a kind connections. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair, thank you for the courtesy this morning. Commissioners to recognize a staff member has said that he needs to. Get back to the office. So today I would love t bring the team. And also Vicki cannot boast a she is a medical investigator. Coming up. I have your family and your team. She's the medical investigator to with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office. I think you received a very prestigious award of the 2026 medical legal death investigator of the Year award from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. This prestigious National Award recognizes investigator who has demonstrated outstanding professional service exceptional public service and significant contributions to the field medical lot legal death investigations. It is one of the profession's highest honors and is awarded by a leading international organ eye. organization dedicated to advancing excellence in the field.

So Vicki has been it working with Ramsey County since 1991, she's dedicated more than 3 decades, serving family supporting law enforcement ad ensuring the highest standards of professionalism during some of the community's most difficult moments. She is the first investigator in the history of the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office to receive this national recognition. So on behalf of myself, Vicky and our board, I would like to just congratulate you on this remarkable achievement. think As we can bring Do you have award that you? I want to hear to be able show hr. sure hardware here everybody is. I know lot of the folks from the medical examining team. So I think you want to it's a couple words. I'll just turn the mic over to Gloria it. Sam Ray has here after you're done so. Well, thank you for acknowledging me. I appreciate that. It is an honor to receive this award. I have given many years of my life to Ramsey County and look forward to giving a little bit again. Thank you. take photo we can I do for with anybody OK? Thank you.

So thank you so Chair board of commissioners for and county manager Becca for acknowledging Vicki. She's a chant, tremendous asset to the medical examiner's office and to receive this award really puts us on the across the country. so we are just really honored. And thank you, Vicki, for all you with Ramsey County and, you know, this is a really tough job, as you know. And so any anything to celebrate and reward our staff is really important. So thank you for this time. Thank you. Thank you. service.

Thank you very much. Falling down paying the motion on the Minutes of July 14th 2026 second. Seeing no discussion. Local. 17, I McGuire, I McMurtry I Miller. take a move now to the administrative agenda. Yes, I move the following administrative items. Number 3 appointments t the workforce. Innovation Board of Ramsey County. Number 4, Ramsey County 2026. Co-operative Deer management plan. Number 5, acceptance of operation and maintenance funding from the Met Council. Number 6 staffing

Study recommendations for the adult detention and requests for personal complement increases like to pull this item. And number 7 adding Joint powers Agreement with the city of Saint Paul for emergency shelters. Thank this. Second second. And discussion. Well, call 17. McMurtry. I Miller. Moran John, I Antarctica. Let's move on to numbers. 6, yes, I'd like to move the staffing city recommendations for the adult detention center requests for the personal compliment increase second.

Discussion. Yes, I'd like to to have a little bit introduction from staff the this proposal and the FT it is being requested missiles here. thank you, Mr. Chair commissioners. Over the past several years, Ramsey County has worked closely with the sheriff's office to address ongoing operational and budget challenges. reliance on overtime at the ng - adult detention center, recognizing that these challenges required an objective long-term solution. The county board approved funding in 2025. for an independent operational staffing study of the sheriff's office. The county Engage Matrix Consulting Group, a nationally recognized public safety consulting firm to evaluate staffing, needs organizational structure, deployment practices and overtime utilization. The purpose of the study was to provide an independent data driven rcommendations that would improve operations strike, strengthen work for sustainability, reduce organizational risk and support responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources iplementing the adult recommendations is one of the first major actions resulting from this work and reflex.

Ramsey County's commitment to operational excellence, using data to improve services, reducing risk, strengthening or workforce, and making informed investments that deliver long-term investments for our residents. Rmsey County has a legal responsibility to operate a safe and secure and compliant adult detention center and independents. Staffing study, not opinion identified the need for additional correctional officers and staffing changes to ensure the facility can operate safely while meeting Minnesota Department of Corrections requirements. This recommendation advances Ramsey counties, operational excellence strategy by using independent analysis to reduce those arrests and to strengthen those with that work for sustainability. The recommendation replace a structural overtime with permanent staffing and improve safety supports rcruitment and retention, reduces operational risk and is expected to significantly reduce overtime costs over time. The recommendation also includes clear wrecked accountability through measurable out over time reductions operational, a fresh efficiencies and regular reporting to county leadership and the county board.

Operating us at the safe and secure compliant adult detention center is one of Ramsey County's most fundamental basic public safety responsibilities. The county has a legal obligation to provide appropriate supervision, maintain safe conditions for staff and individuals in custody and ensure the facility op operates in compliance with constitutional requirements. State law and Minnesota Department of Corrections standards meeting those obligations requires an adequate number of train correctional officers on every shift. Correctional officers are the backbone to a safe jail operation. They provide direct supervision of individuals in custody and at right require security checks respond to emergencies, facilitate medical and behavioral health services, transport individuals to court and maintain a safe secure environment for residents, staff and visitors and service providers without sufficient staffing. The county must rely heavily on overtime to safely perform these essential functions. The Matrix Staffing study confirmed what the county has experienced over the past several years. Current staffing levels are not sufficiently there to sustainably meet operational demands.

The study found the county's continued reliance on overtime reflects a structural staffing shortage, not a temporary staffing challenge. The study also reinforces the Ramsey counties, operational excellence strategy by demonstrating the value of using independent analysis to improve these operations and to make evidence-based decisions rather than relying on continuing costly unsustainable staffing models. The county now has a clear roadmap to building a resilient and safe operation. So what is this recommendation? Do this recommendation implements the highest priority? Findings from a Texas study by adding permanent correctional officers to replace a significant proportion of recurring over time. It includes 32 Fte s 24 fte is our correctional officers it 23, our correctional officers and one is a community service officer. They all work will work within the AC. In addition, the staffing study 8 unfunded Ft ease of correctional officer positions that were recommended as a workforce management. Best practice. These propositions do not increase the 2026 operating budget that provides flexibility to recruit ahead of time dissipated.

Retirements and attrition helping to maintain appropriate staffing over time. So out, what is this increase mean for the county budget? The estimated ongoing costs of these positions is estimated to increase the 2027 property tax levy by approximately 0.7, 5%. The with that I provided also reflecting responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources because included clear performance expectations for the sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office is committed to reducing overtime costs by

An approximate 900,000 to 1 million dollars during the 4th quarter of 2026. with additional reductions anticipated in 2027 and beyond a staffing levels, stabilize. The sheriff's office also committed to deactivating a housing unit, which is called a pod as quickly as possible as to better align with staffing with the current jail population. In addition, sheriff's office agreed to meet regularly with the county did chair and county leadership to review staffing levels, hiring progress over time, usage and personnel forecasts. In we are asking for the ability to gincy to begin the hire of these positions immediately. So that we can get ahead of the need.

And that's all listed in quest for bold action. So if you have additional questions, happy to address them, they want to give an overview of how we got here. What we're asking for and a little bit of where we're going. discussion questions. thank you. Mister Chair. And additional background on comment. Back are a couple questions that I had just to clarify things. On the record. So with the additional FT, so will be hired here just to confirm these will be specifically for their work in the ATC. These will not be additional deputies on the streets that We're proving here. Yeah. Maybe at this time share we could have a sheriff come up to some of these questions or won't he can address. But I certainly know that we are proving a specific job description on the correctional officers and those house of ATC. That is their job right? The other question and I appreciate some of the additional aspects of this that the sheriff has agreed to the meeting regularly with the auditor.

Can you share a little bit more come? The frequency of how often those meetings will be just little on that. Yeah. Sure. Commissioner. So the plan for those meetings is ongoing monthly meetings with the added chair, which is who commissioners up and sing at the current time. And the other 2 more questions that I had. Can you share a little bit I know one of the benefits of adding additional F Jesus. You know that the prospects of us, activating one of the pause, can you share just for general public, the benefits of us being able to deactivate a pot and the ABC. Yeah. With that question, I would like to refer to the sheriff the time right? Good morning. can say it better than Ling as thank you for that great document. Great presentation. Regarding closing. The We always with life to close If the population allows us to. Because it helps us reduce staff and reduce overtime burnout, etc.

But first, our biggest issue is we do not want to have inmates sleeping on the floor and other pods. And that has happened in the past. So we've reviewed our numbers. We believe that this fall, we'll see numbers that allows to close a pod and sometimes like great August looks to a lower number as well. So I'm anticipating we can close a pod first the next 6 months, which will help us reduce the overtime that we're generating as well. Really during the day and afternoon, we want to have 2 bodies in there. And so those there will be a reduction in overtime generated from closing the pot and Linda stress, the importance of that with me and the importance of that to the board to make a partnership here you know, making every effort we can to reduce overtime internally as well. So I think you'll see 6 months worth of closing. I can't commit beyond March of next year because sometimes numbers explode in the sring depending on what's happening but will make every effort it's in our interest, too.

If we can keep a pub closed. That may follow up. So even if March 6, flown, then they you know, it is a cyclical type of ting right? So we'll be able open and close opening close. And by then, you know, it takes a while to bring 32 employees online. We have a fuel vacancies already. So we're doing our best to recruit. Interview higher it. So that's a major operation. But yu know, we'll have several bodies hired in the next month and that it'll take a while to get us up to full capacity. So by March, though, will we will be at full capacity. Thank you. But real quick and I appreciate that. I my son. So one thing that was mentioned is that even with I'm glad share that we won't be able to, you know, rapidly get all 32 up up and running. But even with the amount that you believe that will be able to get.

Hire and train. One thing that that was mentioned in the documents that one thing you've read to us reducing overtime costs by approximately 900,000 to a million for the 4th quarter of 2026. So I guess my question is if if we're able to reduce the overtime by that much, is there still an expectation that will be at the same level of overtime that 0. 25 I think around 2.6 million or do you think that will be reduced? Well, the overtime number is an interesting statistic in and of itself. And by the way, thank you for. Doing the study in general. It's great to have objective data in front of us that we can analyze and use as in our decision making. Last year, as you know. The budget required 3.9 million to rectify Two-thirds of that was overtime generated. From the jail. 2.6 million. So if you were to guesstimate, how much over time would be earned the 2nd half of this year.

It would probably be 1.3 million. And so the figure that you have there actually, I'm hoping that we get up to speed staffing was before October. 1st. So that that says the last quarter. But I'm really talking about the last 3rd one lane. And I first discussed possibility of the 2nd half of the year. So what that actual number will be? I dn't but it will be in the $900,000 range for whatever period of time were able to implement the new Stephen Jones. Final question is, you know, I think we've all been discussing over time for a while now. And I'm really appreciative of the county manager getting this study implemented with the addition of these have to use. How confident are you that you'll be able to? Continuing that? not back next year. with. if amount of overtime. Well, I think of The other parts of the study that we haven't discussed will need to be handled them some workshop fashion as well regarding the jail.

I'm confident that we can reduce the jail over time. Very significantly. There will always be some type of overtime, which is probably consistent with what has been budgeted. The other 3rd of the over time is not on the table here today and we'll need to have some conversations about that. There are other aspects of the report. The Matrix recommended some tweaking as well. Nothing compares to this. And of course, our most important responsibility is to. The people that live in our jail and the people that work So. But, you know, we're not going to have the same conversations that we've had in the past. There's no doubt about that. So you know, let's just continue to look with our audit share as we go forward and we'll have a better estimate here by the end of the year where we're going to be Like, yeah, open up with that and say I know that during the budget season, I asked almost everybody almost every department chair, including our 2 elected offices.

You know this the same questions around how as we are stewards of public dollars making a champion your budget and ask the tough questions as to why sometimes we're falling outside of our projections. And overtime was a big part of it. And I remember a challenging questions around with the adult detention center that their other. 24 7 care ratio models like skilled nursing facilities and other types of staffing models that we could be looking at to make sure that we're responsibly resourcing the ATC so that we wouldn't have these issues time and again ad I really happy that those who are just words that we said seeing here over the last, you know, 6 to 9 months, I've been able to chat with your office about different parts of the budget to get myself up to speed and to build that relationship to say, well, what are some of the issues that are prohibiting you from having the ability to different areas appropriately.

This study really informs some of those pieces that we're all grappling with and that folks have been grappling with for a long time. So I appreciate not only the data that we now have, but also building that relationship with your office so that we can better understand some of the challenges that you're having. So that with these dollars, we not only can resourced responsibly but then hold ourselves accountable to say that the savings will truly be achieved. And if not, why so that we problem solve in real time. So I appreciate the opportunity but for that.

You know, I appreciate those comments our office. Have a good working relationship. I'm confident will continue to get good information for you. I will say this. The adult detention center is unique government function that cannot be compared to anything else. Ramsey County does 20,000. Prisoners arrested coming into our facility every year. A population of to 500 in our jail all the time with 60 of them going to the were coasts little shot out. Thank you to the were calls for helping us with this problem as well. remember, this is the safety of human beings that we're really managing. I could cut overtime tomorrow if I wanted jeopardize the safety of the people in there. Lck them all in. Extended periods of time where they wouldn't be able to come out less staff. not the right thing to do. So, you know, we're going to manage it with. A priority of the people that are both living there and working there.

Well, I'm glad you said that because there's there's another theme that continues to from my district office, which is is just that the folks that are in our care in our custody and kudos again, I remember the first time I I toured the ATC staff members could have been using that opportunity to advocate for themselves for anything that they could have won it with a new commissioner who's impressionable in all of that. Instead, they used every opportunity to advocate for the people who are in their care their custody and coming from the mill to help background and advocacy. Can you just describe some of the changes in in the needs of your individuals in the complex complexity of the folks that you that you're working with every day. Well, it isn't just in our jail. You know, I've been involved with law enforcement for longer than I like to admit. But the mental health issues that have grown in our community over the past 15 to 20 years are significant.

The addiction issues, of course, we've gone through different phases with methamphetamine. We're certainly open know. We're certainly in But no So there many, many challenges to the work that is done and as you point out, our employees deserve a little recognition because it is a tough job tougher, I would say, working the streets of Ramsey County because you're in that facility. 8, 10, 12 hours a day. So, you know, we really appreciate the work that they d, but it is sometimes hard to get. People want that job. So that's been another one of our struggles. So I'm not sure if that answers your question in terms of what we've seen in terms of difficulties. But this is a tough environment out. It is. And to be Frank. facility. Doesn't really lend itself. To addressing mental health. We should talk about that in the future. Some of you will still be here. The reason I say that is there's not outdoor space like there is another facilities.

There is limited view of the external world through windows. There's not a lot recreation space inside its. It's a cost efficient building when it was built. 25 years ago. You know, our superintendent of the jail, Ashleigh Bryant, has made great strides. As you know, the inmates now have some access to the outside world through IPads that can be used academically and educationally, too, to broaden their view. it's not a great facility when comes to treating.

Well, I agree. And those are conversations that I'm eager to continue to have. And one of the things that I wanted to highlight, though, is that this study not only asked for specific additional FT East but called some specific positions that would address the managing of some of these complex needs specifically because of the dish unal issues. And I'm just wondering, are you committed not only to the FT ease in masse but also to 2 take a look at some of the recommendations here and to consider are there some additional ways that your structuring your framing staffing to support staff and for the betterment of the folks are in. And yes, of course. And we support all the recommendations that are in there. But we're also cognizant of the cost of implementing some of those. So as you work through in a workshop. Fashion, ones you like us to implement will be glad to do that.

I know Ling has a plan. I think in terms of how some of that other information gets rolled out. So yes, we would like to do more. So I do want to say that the were coasts. As work. Doug, Good for us. But its also worked good for the inmates because they can stabilize them and get access to such certain services. actually help them transition to the next level. Yeah. I just I just want to say finally that I support heartedly on 2 main reasons. One is because I do think that this is important for the the individuals who are working in the ATC for the people who are in our care in our custody and eventually for community because most of the folks to come through your doors, go back to community and we want this to be as positive interruption in their lives as we can and do as little harm as we can during that time.

And also because I anticipated continued relationship as far as the accountability of the weaken champions of of missions and goals and still have to make hard decisions. And I I like the idea of us being able to do that collectively and together and a productive way. So I look forward to that. Thank you. Thank you, Mister Chair. I some just questions around the staffing and the retention plan.

You know, I'm looking at some data from 2019. We're you're over time was in the million at a million. And also the average dily population. There was less than what it is today. And but not by too much rain. But then we just awful. See an exponential girls in overtime where increase by 251% from 2019 to 2025. may you help explain, you know, some of the drivers of that over time and White liked increased by 250%. I think the primary driver that overtime was the Department of Corrections, the State Department of Corrections coming in and well, you're where, of course, reduced capacity for a period of time. At the same time they told us we want you to operate in a safer fashion with additional I think the primary drivers they've told us you really need it. You really need do the job this way. And we've made modifications her credit. Ashleigh Bryant is, you know, said we're going to move in that direction.

And that's one of the reasons we're here. The Matrix people agreed with the deal. See assessment that we should do this. So I think as you look historically at the overtime. We're really we're really running a safer jail than we had previously. And then I'm also looking I went through study, too, and it's really showing that, you know, you're having hire turnover was correctional officers, one and 2. So what is the plan for hiring 30 correctional officers? yeah. Morrow correctional officers and then also the retention. It's a great Before I get to retention, we just posted twice. when we get 200 applicants roughly. We have 200 applicants to work in the jail. have interviewed. Majority of those. We have 77 of applicants that we have forwarded on to background investigations. half-a-dozen, in addition to the 24 that are hired and we hope to hire. Beyond that capacity since a document allows us to hire an additional.

8 in order to. We do see attrition that happens. Some people leave. We're going to end up hiring enough people of this list. Apparently there's a renewed enthusiasm to work for us, which we're happy about. Retention is another issue. I don't have an answer retention. not a fun job. rewarding in ways it can lead to other career opportunities, which many of them go on to be law enforcement throughout our state of Minnesota. But I will tell you this, there are more likely to stay if the staffing is up. Over time is not so prevalent and they don't get burned out from working those long shifts. So. Great. And then for the positions that were off the rising here and adding how many positions will go to fill the overtime versus like just positions that have been just fake and yeah, I think I understood your question. But yes, these positions that were hiring will take the spots that are currently filled with over time. And ten the other question is just around. You know, going back to retention also just seen the turnovers

Highest with the one that, you know, maybe it's not an opportunity that matches to do plan to work with HR you know, work on that. like an orientation or like setting expectations in the hiring about what the experience of this position, really look like day to day. Yeah, we do that. If you really want to help the turnover. Tell HR to help raise the salary. And then have less turnover. Yeah, well, we recently just did the class and comp analysis that was just passed the year gone. So hopefully that will help. Thank you to. Any infinity. This question, Mr. thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Chair Fletcher. I do support this and to everyone who Make sure the study happened. I'm curious when you mentioned that this two-thirds of many there's another 3rd of the study that we still need to deal with. And I just want to maybe ask you county manager, you know what our plans are for for that.

The rest of that in just a little more clarity on what that looks like. Just gets ready respond. The study was commissioned by the county board and the county manager. So it really is up to. As to how the study is rolled out and information is relayed. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Commissioner Wire saw just use this chance to kind summarize a few things that I was just hearing in kind of ground us again after those opening First of all, I know we've been talking a lot about hiring 32, but really we're authorizing the budget for 24 positions with some flexibility around 8, which that distinction important. So I think we kind of use the word. 32 very broadly like that, just recognizing that not all 32 will be filled at any moment. We providing funding for 24 and that there will be some savings as their shifts and retirements and things. This is just that ensure there's some continuity is if that makes sense I do think we did significant work around class and Compean.

I do think that, you know, the board make significant investments in the property tax levy, both last year and what we're going to be looking at this year to start offset that. just want acknowledge that. Ad I would think that is helping with some of your recruitment. As you put the max and min of that position, the fact that you're getting a couple 100 people, I think that's not. You know, obviously there's some opportunity there that and I want to acknowledge that tremendous investment that class in cop. Had on the organization. In addition to the roles at at the jail one other thought about the 32 in your comments and your remark about March. We are authorizing those to be higher today. And I just really want you to, you know, if the board should to do that today. And I think important to not put out this idea. It's going to be march. We're really gonna try to get you to a full complement so we can manage i over time beginning as soon as possible.

So I just need to say that publicly because that's my goal is to ensure the organization supporting that and they help you get there with getting these tires may. And then in terms of the staff and study, it's a it's a large document and there's a lot of components. What I didn't want was to have an incomplete report that kind our ability to deal with the here and now and what is the most critical for the safety and Clark County responsible Services. The county operates. And I also saw the timing as it relates to 2027 budget because we would not want to take on this very critical mandatory sort of function and the hiring that's needed in sort of ongoing one-time money versus kind addressing it. As we look at the property tax levy and our you know what I'm going to be bringing here at the end of August to all of you. S the timing had to be now while the rest of the report is getting completed, what we will commit to and from kind of the last round of drafts that, you know, both myself Are Co dis Reyes and are, you know, HR department have been working through is there are some sections that are going need significant work teams to do a deeper dive because they bring a bit of more questions.

Then they bring answers. I think what the major study does is sort of a Lumen 8, some areas within the sheriff's office that we need to have a better understanding of how the county can help manage the staffing news there. And those areas include related to some of that codes and over time how we use codes within and our systems. And we are obviously getting a new ERP system. And I think that's going to be a significant driver to how we are able to more exposure and risk and be more compliant across the board for the whole organization piece that conversation around over time is not limited to the sheriff's office is something that's going to kind of help us recalibrate across the organization with a little bit of hygiene. I would call it and a good way in terms of other areas of the staffing study. I definitely want to have a conversation and a work team to look more closely at responsibility for our courts.

I think that puts a lot of pressure on on on the county budget. And I think we need to sit down with our court partners and the sheriff's office to understand fully what is needed water we're responsible to do and what the gaps are. And that needs to be a joint conversation. The other one would either. External partners. I will say, you know, I want to better understand. And you and I had conversation about that. A community resource officers like at the schools and I want all those components because they were all brought into the Matrix to Diaz, all part of the sheriff's office. We want to understand all those lanes of work and who's funding them similar to that would be regions hospital. There was a significant investment, obviously by the county and the sheriff's office in supporting some partnerships of region has hospital. We want to understand what those are in full transparency, reasons hospital as well.

And then the last one would be really just defining some roles and responsibilities around managing data and our budgets and our staffing as results and the the federal finance your office and our safety and Justice division and just really being able to work more collaboratively as a team. I've seen it come more together, but I think, yu know, the staffing study just further highlights the importance of this multiple. Lenz management. So that we could we all have the same goal. We want to make sure that you're able to do the job that you are required and supposed to do while are able to be fiscally responsible and support that that responsibility. So I think you and I talked about those kind of 5 areas from study. I don't think those are surprises to you, but it was good for me to articulate publicly that those are at least from the initial next draft of the report, which I anticipate will get finalized here early fall and then we will develop a plan of how to start to create the workgroup survey had the summer think about staffing those workgroups and then we will think about how to appeal those layers of the study back to the board for understanding in partnership with the sheriff's office were not going to bring, you know, parts of that without the courts and the sheriffs and even regions like I mean, I think that involves a lot of Thank you for that.

I appreciate. The partnership. And yeah, taking other questions, but that's what I had. May feel you just well, I just can actually different topic. let my then yeah, I want to go back to the timeline of closing down one of the pods are giving a six-month timeline. County manager backers saying sooner than later. And also on top of that, the board are BA says that you'll reduce overtime costs by approximately $900,000 to 1 million in the 4th quarter of 2026, what is that plan to be able to reduce that overtime costs than regarding the pod closure? I'm hoping to close part in August. So and that would be the beginning of the 6 month period for I guess of this year. Yes, okay. then just about reducing overtime costs. Is that the plan then too cold calls the possible that you do closure of the the overtime by 9 hundred-million. Well, the closure of the pod will result in some savings of praying over time.

We're hoping to hire quickly. It takes us well to try to train people and probably a 3 week academy and then. Time working as a just we call it an FTO. Basically, Erin, they're showing another person. So there's probably a six-week window before the people can be fraught. Online and that six-week window probably be over by Tobar. First. That's why the last quarter. And once we have those 24 bodies online, they will all significantly result. reductions with overtime because they will take the place of the people that are currently working those positions. over time. And so I'm hoping we can actually expedited to get this done by September. 15th. Soon as the state fairs over like to be up to full complement. And so we're hoping the combination of closing a pot August, September, October, November, December. The staffing, savings that are repair. Plus, bringing 24 bodies on by September. 15th result in a $900,000 reduction in our overtime.

For the staffing study, does it assume that all the pods are being utilized? Or that they need to be yes, so and they might they may need to go all the utilize. If there's a surge in population. So doll. Assume that we can run with pod close all the Ken. Which is one was the

Question I raised before. And he's going to cyclical. And so the point is that. Then we close wen we Well, right now, I believe we can. Yeah, but I will tell you that every time Saint Paul puts a new class of 35 new police officers on the street. Our numbers go last spike because during a training period, they're making more arrests than they are after they have 5 years on. I think what's even more important. mean, these are all good questions and this is the first time might Tanya, that the sows and the boy working to address. The overtime. The vacancy issues we've labeled various ways and this was not only the show's department. This was across every department. shows I think is a little more difficult than some other departments. But don't forget that we had 40 employees in financial assistance because in the back was 40. Taking ad for Ly OK, so it was 80.

So I mean, these questions we that going to be constant to address. You know, this is the art you just see does and fakes and the same thing with the with the with shows. I think the important thing is the fact that the sheriff will not participate with committee to look forward to see how we address these things. Lines of communications open. That's going to be a critical piece. All this and hopefully we it's a constant management of these issues right? Mr. calls on center. just seemed because you're asking a lot of. Yeah you know, the and also the board report. It says that over accounts for approximately 65% of the U. S.. Of the overtime and the ATC. So I I would say I do look forward to continue those conversations about the other portions that are resulting in the overtime. In addition to some of the concerns and reservations I continue to have is just all so the fact you know, even in Hennepin County, what they increase of 2 east, they're still seeing a lot of overtime as well.

And then addition to that, you know, the closest example I would give is our correctional facility that community corrections, they have also experienced over time as well. However, they made other changes and adjustments wthin the budget to be able to fill those over time well didn't have to come back as well. So I I think it's a part of a larger conversation. And I just want to set the expectation clear that us authorizing these additional positions does not necessarily mean that we're not going to have over time that we're not going to see the sheriff come back to us with budget amendment and or asks. Well, let me respond to I don't think the work a good comparison. Their population of the work coast was way down. That's why they were able to take some of our bodies. They really had no need for overtime because their staffing was more than enough to come to take care of the problem.

But you did raise another issue that's worth discussing briefly and putting all this in context. I you take out the 2.6 million in overtime for the jail and you're left with the 1.3 million for law enforcement related services. That 1.3 million that we were over last year pales in comparison. The Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Saint Paul Police Department. They are all over millions and millions in ertime over what we were. So this isn't just unique to Ramsey County. This is an ongoing problem throughout the industry because the workload has increased in law enforcement. York's expand more about that workload and the increase. Well, there's more and more. Mental illness on the streets and officers in Saint Paul and Minneapolis and Hennepin County Patrol districts are experiencing a high volume of calls with things that take time to resolve and, you know, after COVID. Crime went up as well. Minneapolis is homicide rate right now is is spiking. my point is law enforcement needs overtime to do its job. tough

To put a price on public safety. And so law enforcement needs job to get done, they use over time when necessary. My point is on of overtime far, far smaller that any of the other 3 agencies that are generating over time. At some point you need to look at this problem in the context of what's happening. Other places. Oh, I I definitely understand that, too. And I'm also just paying attention to the trends of of our of the county's ATC that I'm also comparing against as well. So I definitely agree that, you know, the reliance on the overtime. may have contributed a lot to the burnout and to the turnover there's also the peaceable, a kind of the expectation where I'm seeing more turnover between correctional officers one into right. So it may just not be a match in the work environment. So they're cultural things, too. So I I want to say that, you know, I I I agree with report and I also want to set the expectation to the public that doesn't mean that we're not going to see any more over time.

Yeah. So I just want to make that clear. let's go. Many children Thank you, Mister Chair and thank Questions because it's helping me understand this morning and because we're heading into the state fair and and I just want to set expectations. When can we the safer hires are are sheriff's deputies to help patrol the fair, which we need. And with very say fair. And we appreciate that. And so we know that that your deputies do a lot of work and they pay us for that, right? The state fair actually pays for that that. I sometimes I thought I was under the impression that sheriff use over time. Then when they came back. But do they take vacation or how do we how do we actually handle the extra burden of the state fair? We charged the state for $120 an hour for every deputy that's on their grounds. Providing service. Okay. So of. That money is either applied to cover the body that's missing from other functions.

But either way it covers all of our cost. Okay. You just recently up that from one 10 to one, 20. Okay. So they they don't. They don't. We don't. They don't pay for officers and they come back in and get over time from from the county. even if overtime was generated the $120 finance them out that they I will tell you this. You can think about this for next year is we plowed ahead. The troopers charged the state Fair $135 an hour. And the city of Saint Paul other in our area of one 20, they're going to raise their rate oe. 34 here in the near future. So you know, Ling and I talked about other costs like tort liability that need to be included. But you may want to consider raising our figure. some point in the future as well. I appreciate that. And I do appreciate that. We have the largest event which I learned how cement in in the country for that for that 10 days in county, you know, this.

Of our size and and people are feel safe. an amazing event as long as you brought it up. I know you love that ferry it's an amazing event. 2 million people coming in there over a 12 day period of tme. The Texas State Fair has 2.5 million, but they run a 24 day state. Fair. So ours is the largest in the country. And it's something really be proud of as a state. But it does require law enforcement services and the fair could not conduct a safe pair without our participation.

Exactly. And I appreciate that. Yeah, I just wanted to to say given the concerns and the engagement and the positive place that we're at with our board being engaged in working productively with the sheriff's office and that I'll be as on a chair meeting regularly. But that doesn't mean that our extended board will b getting updated reports. And I'm just wondering, we the chair brought up the ATF to ease. We were getting regular reports from that department letting us know how te hiring was going. Houck, how the training was going, how cases were being cleared and it was nice to see the progress along the way. And I would I would request if if if we could be getting those kind of high-level, it was 5 or 6 bullet points. But it kept us abreast of that. We knew that these investments that the progress is being made. It was a way for us to be able share with community when they said, okay, just my property taxes by almost a point for the sheriff.

How's it going for us to be able to say, well, we've already hired most. He's already hired most of the folks there training on board. We're already seeing reductions or if they're if things are going smoothly then at least we know are there things that we could be doing to facilitate the success? we have a commitment to a written report back to the board on a regular basis. So my colleagues also have a chance to engage in And, you know, we'll provide that to you. Your assistant county excellence.

I appreciate that. And I and I asked the my colleagues too, you know, to continue to feed these questions to keep this conversation going, even when we're not here in this formal setting. Because this is this is a significant investment. And we do want the best for our staff for our community. And that requires all of us to stay on task. So thank Thank Any further discussion? Seeing none call 7 think. I the choir IMcMurtry I Miller. John. I I.

I believe we will learn to love one. We got 7 The 7, 8 and then. Okay, Chair. And just looking my notes here. Around just need some clarity on some things. thank that I get emotional like this isn't. Motion to move second. And maybe just maybe for you lane or someone I don't know. I'm just looking here. Like according the city estimates that we have 140 individuals turning resign if P Guy Park encampment. And so we have

Gone into with enter into a contract Catholic charity to expand the capacity for I-49 emergency, Shep. Today is that higher ground? Everything. The county emergency step to grant solicitation out not to seat nice. 69. 1500. the investment is coming from Ramsey County. Commissioner commissioners. Let me just give a little context of the whole PA because a lot of things are. Kind of happening at once and what your citing there is some of the context for that kind surrounds encampment response but is not directly related to to the jpa per se, except for a small little portion. So let me just kind of gives overview. So what considering today reflects our commitment to helping the city, you know, make an immediate response while we're all so very much as a county focus on large long-term strategy to prevent and end homelessness. You know, along with our partners, this joint powers agreement with the city of Saint Paul.

Well, help us facilitate additional emergency beds on behalf of the city of Saint Paul's And if that makes sense, so what we have already done is that we had a around one of a solicitation for emergency shelter beds that happened. That was basically targeted toward current emergency service grant providers. That was the way by which we could reach out to those partners. And see if they had additional capacity. The county already executed against that solicitation and we were able to get 49 beds through that effort. And so that is the that is the 969,000 that you spoke out. The goal was that same public contribute $200,000 toward that amount and the jpa will facilitate the transfer the money to do that. In addition, the Jpa will also then allow for another $880,000 to be put in a brand new solicitation for emergency shelter beds. And that will be released shortly after this meeting on a Web, a solicitation for providers to provide those that the Jpa allows us to basically be the in a straighter of the solicitation.

I'm behalf of the city of Saint Paul. They asked us to do that for them. And that is something that we have more, I guess, muscle to do. And so we are acting on their kind of executing against their funds. We are not putting any additional Moore County funds into emergency shelter beds than what we've already put in on the Catholic Charities contract less than 200 K that they will also contribute. If that does that make sense? Because just yeah. It it's done. I-69 500. It's kind of fun. County -200 K minus minus up. So 769 because the county and the one we're some 2025 lot have funds that were and are programmed. And then also a bit of opioid money to make that. Not just on the classified, anything love is she is very confusing people giving So we're doing here is the city's give me a is providing 200,000. We're Ramsey County is them providing a non 2000 and then makes up. The helped us now me go over to get. There 3 solicitations that are happening right now. The first one. Already completed. contributed it cost the county $969,000. But we anticipate applying 200 K of the

1 Million 80 thousand. That is part of this JPSO subtract 200 from The JPS for million, 80 k that make sense. The remaining of out 880 K will be for a new solicitation that we're going to do today. The 3rd solicitation is the county is actually putting case management. finds into own solicitation. So there's 3 things were by around one dose emergency shelter, round 2 of emergency shelter and case management. Ultimately the county is facilitating a million and 80,000 of the city's money toward the shelter bets. Makes sense. And the city's Ferdinand. 1 Million, 80,000 dollars.

Thank you, Yeah, it's confusing, right, because the city is putting 4 Million. I think the confusion is that the Catholic charity beds is above same price is currently in dollars. But that is like that was just the context and background for you. They're basically pivoting a 1 Million 80 thousand. So we've all the best for high got Gaham that for the 7.60, not yet gotten. Yes, 49 end as another sophistication Yes, that is going to be that 2, 81 million net, right? Jeff? And out of that. We're going to. Hi. So it's 2, 1, 200,000 toys to higher ground expansion contracts. Which is that additional bay. It's now if that goes with the 49. That goes towards to 40, reduces our costs of the 49 and then we still have a traditional balance of 80 from the million, 80 to buy a new beds for them. I think that makes sense. Hopefully that. And then 180 k for Rahm to count to administer the new soliciting.

Yes, yes. Okay. So that's a total For the new solicitation in combination with the bats that were by. As so it would 7 69,000 plus a million 80 know, however that math or examine closer to to almost 2 million dollars between county. That makes sense. I'm happy to provide like a little grander. Something I Commissioner John last night. So I'm happy to do that aain for have a firm. Yeah. the county to be more the into the clothes understanding of what we do in here because in part issue with the housing stability group that comes out of hitting already getting will be. And would be definitely good clarity. So y'all. So you - do don't want to add a little bit more so we can add a little more clarity. I think part of riots a little order is because we were trying actually respond to the situation of trying to get those. Some of those first stood up faster than we could bring this agreement over to you and because you didn't have a meeting last week, if that makes out of kind of the necessity of sort keeping the work moving.

We went ahead and sign the Catholic Charities knowing that the Jpa was coming and that was a risk I was willing to take knowing that we wanted to get these beds online to ensure that they to the community that's very concerned about the residents. I want to kind of put the whole thing back to the purpose of the work that we're doing right now that those folks need to this, understand that there were some beds available, should they decide that they want shelter? So that was the first thing that we're trying to do was manage the emergency while also going through some of governance and this due diligence, the city council took action last Tuesday. Our last Wednesday. You didn't have a meeting. So this is why we're here today. But wat I did want to say, if there are no more can questions about the actual funding situation of this jpa, I did want to use this moment to just say that emergency shelters are really essential part of the continuum of care, but it is only one component of the overall homeless response system while this investment addresses, the immediate and operational Ramsey County has to remain committed to strengthening the entire continuum from prevention and diversion to the behavioral health services, too permanent, supportive housing, affordable housing and long-term housing stability.

This REIT agreement reflects, you know, our our regional partnership with the city and others, but homelessness cannot be addressed by one jurisdiction alone by working collaboratively with the city service providers, health care providers, community arts, you know, we respond. We can respond effectively to these challenges. Now, Ramsey County, we recognize one thing. This is a very important reality. Our financial, operational and human resources are finite. Every investment represents a choice and our long-term success depends on ensuring that urgent operational demands do not come at the expense of long-term strategy. So I think this is what you're getting at Commissioner Moran by wanting to get to this number of one point. Approximately 1.8 million dollars between the city and county. However, you add this up in that in the little more confusing order of operations, we just tried to describe ultimately, I think what you're and I'm guessing what you're trying to get to is that is commitment that has been made around eergency shelter beds at this point and for the county. La have resources are very precious.

And we are very strategic about them, especially as it relates to heading home. Ramsey Strategic plan. It is funds that are going to help us to build out and strengthen that continuum. And we need to be mindful well, there's a very current situation that we Lucite of the overall work that we have before us. So at the commissioner and that hopeful that was held for today just in unite right to question to So JTA was we motivated by took transferring of funds from city to the county. Correct? Correct. This city is could if I understood you correctly is really transferring the 200,000. No, no, full ha. That's I think that's so to see is transferring a million 8. Yes 1 million, over 2 million solicitations for emergency show. Kate. hit. So on that note thank you for it. Highlighting the overall goal. We'll be trying to do here that we don't have on them dollars just for emergency shelter.

So do you expect that just what is that? Our capacity right now? Ryan were to sell to it had to do that. How would tis impact, you know, looking at permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, stable housing, homeownership, the whole continuum of care that we have to invest thank you, Commissioner. I appreciate the questions. you know, I believe I usually get the shelter reports couple there night off because you hear about the previous night. If that makes sense. a couple of nights there let's say there the Russ 16 men's beds and 13 woman's beds available now. That's a little high compared to what I've seen as the pttern. Over the last 2 or 3 weeks that I've been taking a closer look. I would say numbers are closer in single digits for men's and women's shelters overall each night. But tere is current emergency shelter capacity generally think that's a safe thing to say. In terms of overall shelter capacity.

You know, we I I believe this is part of the continuum of cares, sort general framework is does need to be a bit more capacity. And so to means investment of 49 here by the county seems like a good investment not only for an encampment response, but overall for sort of a short-term sort of buffering of that part of the continual as we move into winter and other things, you know, regardless of who uses them, obviously with their created for the encampment response. First and foremost. But I do see that they add capacity to up a spot that needs some capacity in terms of the other parts of the continuum. We have the significant work to continue to do. And that's not work that only the county to do a We have to do it in partnership with that heading home. Ramsey to do it in partnership with the city. The city has a lot of things that they do around zoning around neighborhood planning.

You know, so this is a I think that, you know, we're all kind of in it together and many ways and the heading home Ramsey is really that the perfect place that we do a lot of that. And then let's not forget the further end of the continuum, which is of the significant work that CD has done in creating more for how affordable housing uits. You know that the investments of the HRA and other mechanisms of law have money and that part of the continuum is very significant. So one thing I would like to bring dollar view as sort of a a look at the whole continuum, the work that we're ding across that. I don't want the current situation to get us so fixated on the front end where basically as I kind ofed to share the city Council, all we create sort of up a clog in the pipe where than than what?

You know, like we're not moving people through that, the continuum. And so that's why I think it's really important for us is the county to stay in our respective role the administrative lead of heading home Ramsey and state completely focused on the work that that body supposed to do strategically learn from some best practices nationwide. But don't. Don't have the immediate say that the work that the the bigger picture, you know, and aigns with economic competitors, inclusion plan as well on the other side. So we have very strong framework by which work from its not like we're going to be drawing the stuff up from a blank piece of paper. It's that there's been so much and and also data data. Exactly. So, you know, you've been in those rooms. We look forward to more of your leadership in that in. So I just think it's really important that at this moment of meeting, you know, kind of we did talk a lot about meeting the moment during Operation Metro Search on kind do I want to say it like that?

But, you know, we're kind of meeting the moment while also not losing sight of of the bigger work the county has to be about. doesn't want to reiterate that too, that we are meeting the moment isn't is a moment of emergencies. But there are a bunch other people have been housing waiting to get in supportive housing, afford housing right? And we to escape. Stay in the moment and just reaction to this moment. That was. Dressed up on us. Because there are so many others who are also waiting. I want to talk about the 49th that we're spending 769 case for some people like myself to be like, wow, that's a lot of money for 49 What are we doing? What do that encompasses to have 49 bets? Yeah, I so. Your investment is more than just feds over Catholic Charities. You know, we had significant conversations and sort of working with them. On all these things.

And so, you know, obviously every time that they increased capacity over there, there are security concerns. So part of that budget is put toward additional security. I think we all have to acknowledge that that's a really important component for the safety and well-being of both community and residents and all the people in those operations. So we talked about that. But more significantly, there are shelter advocates and they provide direct support to those individuals experiencing homelessness. They're kind of like a soft case management to help people have a conversation about what else you need, what you need next. And so while not like a full-on case manager, I would call them kind of a soft management role that is, you know, advocating for that person working through how to help them navigate for some resources, you know, working on ensuring that the the environment that they're living in is welcoming an organized and kind of holding some of the policies and things of that.

The situation, there's also some occupancy expense. Obviously they've got to deal with, you know, having 49 more people basically and providing laundry services. And you know what they have a Catholic charities is offering meals ad laundry services and they they are very low barrier, which I think is some meet a need here. People can bring pets. They will do some storage. I think we're trying to. I find an emergency shelter while there's not many of available that meets some of the low barrier needs that particularly an encampment population might find most attractive and helpful. We recognize that many people choose to. wuld not choose shelter, emergency shelter and that they have some individual choice. But for, you know, the people who are interested in making that transition, we want to make sure there is at least more capacity. For the 49 that we buying. I've been at it for one individual for year. It open to ever come to have that be it?

Would look so I might have to a doctor. What can do you get in deeper than maybe in my knowledge. But I'll take a first-time nominee. So the better for a year. Jamie 5 come on up. Maybe can help reiterate. But I do. But it is. They go through what's called our shed program and those beds at Catholic Charities are not hold for a particular individual every night. They don't get the same. That they're available for, like as people go trough the shut system is, am I correct? There? Good morning. Kind of manager Becker. Yes, you are correct. These are emergency shelter beds and it also determines on how we are prioritizing that hsd is working on interim policy too. To your point, commissioner and make sure that the people that are already utilizing the beds are not displace based on urgent need that were seen from the encampment enclosure. There is I was right to reserve a bed depending on which way you enter through the shed, which could reserve your bed for 30 days.

You do have to come every night at 8.30, to continue that reservation. If you don't show up here, 30 days is displaced. These and 49 beds that are coming online. We are looking at them or an emergency basis so they wuld not be reserve rubble for the 30 days, which is our current shelter policy. So there are some interim policy changes that we have to change due to the encampment. Closure. That is tat helpful. I'm. And think it's really important to have some clarity around that. You know what look like. I think anybody number 49 7, a 6, $9,000 is lot of money and they're all services will be provided to these individuals and state utilized. Catholic charity, an end to in the spaces that needed because complicated. You know, they have multiple to get through this process. And so thank you for that. And I'm just wondering, you know, as we think about, you maybe just me when I think of Catholic charity and why some one point is conversation about utilizing Gospel mission.

As I was able to walk to encampment. I know there's an abundance of women out there where we handing out women feeling that many products. So my question you is there in Tucson only around because sure that we have enough beds for females who also homeless what looked like. What does that process look like? Commissioner, and that's a great question. And it is something that we have really raised out. And I know county manager Becker talked about a solicitation. That forthcoming. One of the populations that is we are calling out into finding is people in the encampments to your point have said there's not enough beds for women. There's not enough beds for people that are gender neutral are places where couples can go in the 3 P's that people are really concerned about right now are their pets, their property and their partners. And so we are really, Colleen, on individuals for more innovative, creative ways to raise that beds.

Whatever that might look like. Some of our current places. You mentioned union gospel mission that is for single adult males until that is unique population. Catholic charities has opened up. But in those 49 beds on the 8 of those are for women. And so that still remains a need. And so we do have safe space model cities which does also have single men and single women. So we're looking at all of those unique populations individually, and we're really making the NASCAR community to be creative about how they think about raising up emergency shelter space for those populations because that's important. So there's some planning and all this going to go into this whole process is solicit of other organizations that you thinking about the capacity of the homeless population as a whole and how we can make sure that we sheltering. A dverse group of individuals in. Not just He's focused With all that intent, the male population, but we're making sure we take care to women taken care partners who want to stay together.

Otherwise there on the street. And we're looking to make sure that we, you know, people love past to make sure that we places for Pats commissioner, just want to interject that, you know, you said that we would think about those things. The team is already thought about those things. And that solicitation opening in a matter of couple hours. You know, we've been walking and chewing gum at the same time as a way like the college doing things concurrently and we are ready because of the stuation, right? We can't wait till you guys approved and then start the work. So the work is already kind of been done through late last week and into yesterday so that we can just turn on the switch basically after, know, your anticipated approval. And that gives me a chance just to thank the team. I just really publicly want to just thank everybody who's been part of a coordinated response and it's been a lot.

And that is not only been the people who've gone out to the encampments while that is a huge left to do that in addition to their other working toward a bridge, some of that with our cannot increasing the work we've also behind the scenes, the t - people mean, county attorney's office, our procurement office like having everybody drop a little bit of what they were doing to reprioritize so that we walking and chewing gum at the same time. It is. It is big ask and I just really want to publicly thank all the teams who touched this project. We've touched this work. It's important. We we are grateful. and there's a lot of people. hoping that the county can really be I leading in the things that we can do and you're make show up in a really, big way. S thank you and thank you, Jamie, for your leadership. Also, Francois on, you know, a lot folks in here.

So thank you. One last Ines, about the organizations as we meet needs as we in this emergency in as you are doing a solicitation. This is do you think this is a moment? I mean, you've been very organizations who have a history of doing this that you are partnering with, are you open to like somebody new never done this before. Who make step forward and say, well, I have I have building that I I mean, what would look like what we do training needs to look like if you do that, commissioner and that's a really great question. And as you mentioned, there's a lot of community partners, organizations that are already involved at the encampment that people have been in communication with. We're working really hard to get the solicitation out, too. All of those platforms to make sure that this is accessible. The Web, a solicitation hopefully will be easy for people to access respond.

And we're hoping and looking for any innovative way that people could raise that up with technical assistance and community partnership. So it may organizations that already do shelter and have that great expertise and it might be some new ones that we haven't seen at the table with the uniqueness of the encampment enclosure. But the ranking set up to accept all of those solicitations and think creatively and strategically about how we can create more emergency beds for all of those populations who identified. Okay. I do want to thank you, too, for your leadership the work that you do it in partnership with all the other apart is that we do kudos Ramsey County who has showed up in like large numbers at the ecampment to do this work to DC to individuals and then to been really awesome to see happen in real time. Thank you, Commissioner. Joe and thank Thank you so much for all the work that you and your team are doing. really appreciate it.

Just a couple questions can you just an emergency shelter, but it is not necessarily temporary or it is temporary. and how temporary and where, you know, if we don't have affordable housing with services and where are they going And we don't want this to just be a temporary solution. And then they go back on the streets and some other place. So can you just help me understand? We say emergency shelter beds which are putting the RFP out. That's definition of that. Commissioner Blair County manager Becker did a really good job of outlining that. We need to invest in the whole can Tim, one of the biggest things that we need to do is there's a lack of affordable housing and there's a lack of a permanent supportive housing units. We're feeling that we are seeing that gap with the change of the no fall in the federal dollars. Something that we need to change. So to your question about emergency beds, they are emergency shelter beds.

One of the things that are different to she also mentioned the solicitation for case management services. So we are really starting to strategically think about coordinated entry and assessments might not necessarily be where somebody needs to land because that list is long. So what we are Colleen Moore's housing problem solving, which means maybe we can get you directly into a private market rate. Maybe we could pair you up with somebody and be roommate so that you guys could afford it together. So not necessarily the answer isn't just encampments trick to shelter. It could be encampment straight to housing. It could be encampment straight to treatment. There's different pathways that are really exploring. So tey are emergency shelter beds. But there's different layers of those beds depending on each individual circumstance and their assessment. Some of them that I mentioned could be reserved for 30 days. Some of them are emergency in on a nightly basis.

When warming spaces come that what's different? That's just a drop in space. So there's just different layers of how the continuum look and on just putting it all into emergency shelter beds is not going to solve our bigger issue of 2. What is my next path after that? And so that case management peaceful, really help identify some of those needs and get people moving from shelter to that next step. The other thing that we are also focusing on is when you are in permanent supportive housing, you could also be moving on to something that's less restrictive. So moving that continuing forward also create more spaces for people from emergency shelter to go and so on. So we have to keep people moving across the continuum. And one of the things as case management is really going to help us do that. And that's somethign on since my 10 year. We haven't really focused intensively on. And that's a change that is needed. And so that case management solicitation will help us do some of that as well. And really appreciate that clarification. Thank you. And so just why. My last question so what?

What percentage of need are we actually resolving? That is how many there Not only 4 people in in the in in the encampment, right? So. I think they're going different places and going to take care 49 of them. How many more? All right there to be, you know, to be with. Commissioner, where there's around, we think approximately 120 residents that sleep at the encampment that might need shelter space with that. 49 beds and the forthcoming solicitation. You're hoping we can get closer to that number to think about that. And again, that's not just in saying that emergency shelters are only solution that could also be looking at treatment or behavioral health or some other places for people are diverting. Some people have wanted to be residents of other counties are they are residents of other counties. Some people have taken buses to go back to family members. So even though emergency shelter is just a piece of that puzzle, it doesn't mean that we're gonna have a bed for bd count because that's not what every individual needs and appreciate that.

Thank you for that. Yes. I just want to say. This is a tough job. You've done an excellent. Excellent job explaining. The current situation. I's very difficult people realize that this is such a big picture. This has to do little House. This has to do it. First-time homeowners that could afford to move to day when the great lots situation and housing right now, you've done very good job by just one thing. He take comments of a explaining the situation. I have got a son. Thank Sharing. This may be a question for the county manager. As we discuss the funding towards the continuum and what that looks like. We see that the city of Saint Paul Ince is providing 1 million, 84. The emergency shelter. Puppies through their lot dollars system. Has there been conversations with the with the city as we start looking more broadly of the full continuum of what they're dollars will continue to be used for and where we could see there were we would would appreciate their assistance on maybe shift in where their priorities are so that we are really meeting the need for the entire country woman, not just in these emergency moments.

Yeah, thank you, commissioner. I have not had those conversations. I don't know, Jamie, if you've had any conversations across. Good commissioner. kind of measure, I think we continuously have those conversations at heading from Ramsey prior to encampment enclosures. We do have several investments even with our federal funding and some state dollars that we have, it is obviously not enough to meet the need to. the city does contribute their lot. Half of his to prevention, eviction prevention. They do have some of that. But there needs to be more conversations as we continue this about where we can strengthen it in areas that we have gaps. One of the things I've been higher that we've really been wanting to concentrated on is system redesign as far as our coordinated entry. So identifying and quantitative how much that spport of housing gaffe is and what that would cost to close that and also know that the CDC has been doing a good job of helping affordable housing stock as well.

And so those cover to happen. So we've been having those conversations and will more robustly continue to have those as well and putting some dollar signs as to what that could look like in some investments that need to be made. I appreciate that definitely want encourage us to continue most conversations because this is not just on the county's want to take the effort of a number of entities, including the city to make sure that we are fully supporting the entire country mile. The question is, you know, we are addressing the 49 beds and been few additional beds this is just some regards to this one. A campus. We have other encampment hoses that are coming. Has there been any discussions at all with the city on te timing of when those other encampment closures will be happening. What work haven't been doing on hour and we likely see another requests come in like of those a lot of questions.

But I'm just on this thinking through, you know, we're specifically looking at this August 5th closure, but also know that there are closures are coming. So commissioner, I can answer couple questions. answers to one There are no definitive gates on the future in Kaplan closures. They're keeping it flexible as far as we've been communicated with in terms of the under other encampments and our response. Our coordinated team has started to make some touch points into the other encampments just to sort of, you know, deep in some of that. And understanding of what those situations are. However, we are more urgently focus on the pig's eye encampment in our Well, like John and thank you. Mister Chair. I just want to just the amount of work and acknowledged the amount of time staff of both in leadership from county manager factor France law. Gray peanut butter all just all hands on And then also the staff on foot basically to assemble an outreach team.

And I just want to say that, you know, I think this is a moment in time where we've had the heading home Ramsey for a while now. And it's been a place where we have worked very closely with the city around addressing homelessness. with this pressure and the time that's been placed on us now, it is exactly that where we now have to bump up a Like when you think about weight lifting and fitness race, we've been doing the same amount of reps and same amount of week for a while. And now added weight. And so we are learning how to work together and using muscles strengthen ourselves. And our response. And so I really hope that this is you know, do not. And the Beach and homelessness response that we have feed it across multiple departments and then finally also, you know, that this is really important, an important step from the city of Saint Paul.

2 move these dollars to the county to focus and prioritize. We will only be able to address this together if we get these more coordinated efforts and another partner that is super crucial is also the state. And I know that there are many of our legislators who have been asking and also are asking us about how are we using the homelessness dollars that have been allocated to? So I just want to make sure that I named that and that we are responsive to our partners all across whether that be the city and or the state. And finally, County manager Becker has also lake shared with us of all that heading home. Ramsey has a strategic plan and that strategic plan names all specifically like kind of the path forward, multiple different strategy is and these are points that we can draw on and really focus in on this moment in time. And so I look forward to having more conversations about the plan having it presented to Arbor.

But also I think it's a great time to bring along our partners from the city, from the city council members to the mayor about strategic plan that has already created. You know, I'm a big proponent of having studies and not putting it on the shelf right? That is actually about mobilizing people together to put resources agree on plan, a strategy together. Thank you. Yeah, I have I have one question that couple may be calls for us for future actions. Us. If the one of the questions I have throughout all of this conversation, Ramsey County is bigger than Saint Paul. And I'm just curious, there are resources and greater Ramsey County and also problems and issues and challenges and concerns. And I'm just wondering as a broader eco system, how much coordination has been happening between Saint Paul, Ramsey County and all of the other municipalities to to help address these needs. I can start commissioner and then Jamie can fill in. just to be clear, the heading home Ramsey actually has ever been elected leaders on on that governing board.

So I think for the bigger ecosystems can certainly. We've been connecting different city administrators, law enforcement, you know, like the city's just a keep them apprised. Certainly we've had some outreach from other counties and cities about what is happening there and sort of can you let us know how it might impact, you know, our community. And so we've I think, Chris, the villains here, she's kind of as part of our Courtney team. our partnerships percent. S she's been kind of our conduit to sort of keeping others updated and keeping the lines communication open if that makes sense. And then then my other to kind of calls to this is collectively is, as we're thinking about her today, talked about some challenges at the ATC, the complexity of individuals that were facing that have some high needs and whether that is being a victim themselves in dealing with trauma, whether that is substance use disorder, complex, mental health issues or economic disparities, all the different kinds of things that are impacting people who are bumping up against our systems.

I think that we've seen some through our almost daily reports from the county manager on our activities reacting to the decision to close encampments is been a ramping up not beginning. We've been working with people on but a ramping up of our outreach activities. And one of the things that I would just say, wether it's public health, whether it's mental health, whether it is any other, our housing coordination, navigation, how we can be increasing our our time where people are at in community to get out from behind desks center computers and make sure that doing outreach. Where community is at. So that goes across continuum really has issues beyond this particular thanks. I just want to throw throw that out. Is an expectation to address many complex needs that are impacting many things that come before us all the time. And then the other piece is just the complexity of supportive housing with the evidence based and long-term direction of housing.

First that has been gutted by this administration and funding changes in expectations. They're I mean, regardless of this current situation, those services are already under some shaky ground. And in our things that we as a county are going to have to address. So I just encourage us to continue to stay up to date and have input from heading home. Ramsey County and our departments that are dealing with supportive housing so that that we are keeping up with this ever changing landscape as the needs are increasing and the funding is shifting. commissioner Jeff and say I appreciate that. And the one thing I will just add to your comments is that even though Ramsey County also intentially has outreach services and we are also. Grantees for several organizations that are out on the ground. So sometimes you might not hear the word. Ramsey County is out there, but we do find over 6 organization outreach is that look at the encampment a daily basis, including radius health.

Just to mention, I don't want to mention all of them, but that just gives you an example of also it's not just us. It's on the ground. Yes grantees and overseen compliance for those that are out there doing that wonderful work. And to your point, heading home, Ramsey talks about daily about how do we continue that mission of housing first? Because we know that's what works. Even though there are cutbacks from federal government and we have a really strong community that's standing down. And about being creative in those solutions. And so those are constantly agenda items on the heading home Ramsey agenda that we talk about seek to. Thank you for those comments. Thank you. Thank you for your work. you, you know, you have one more question. may be a statement I just want to pick up. want to piggyback Commissioners talked about the work that we need to do in partnership with including.

You know, the city county and state insists a good idea to PC phone call yesterday from. Our chair of our rented county delegation. Representative Hussein. said that the Saint Paul delegation were they have many, many questions to write about this process and what we doing in had probably needs to be done. But working to get a meeting and pull us all together, including the mayor insisting mayors and the counties our delegation to look at how we move forward because of one thing we know this is not just a city or county problems, all of our problems that goes beyond just city county state is off traffic communities. business department, not business sector. It is looking at our community-based organization. it is that all hands on deck? And we all have to come together collectively to see how we can solve this problem. And it's not really just a Ramsey county, in my opinion. Ramsey County issue.

I would look at our 7 Mitchell counties in probably state pot counties across the state because there are many who are coming from other places into Ramsey County to get the services that we are providing and then lit and we never turn anyone away. All right. We do some questions about whether they come from, you know, where's your mask? Face of residency. But I would like to say that it is. The burden is falling on Ramsey Cunty residents. Rght? And so as we look into and now into 2027 with what we see may be coming down from the federal government. makes really hard decisions about how we going do our work and support everyone from across the state of Minnesota because it is really have impact on the tax base that comes from Ramsey County. And so I think it's important to say that. Because you know, emergency like this where we're stepping into feel these gaps particular is mercy has an impact. impact on Even though I didn't read that some of the work me.

Are you doing now with not impact our Levy? At this moment? And so we have to be very strategic, too poor parties into this And I know at hitting home run to county with the many partners that we have with the governing board and those to come. Target new board meeting, which would have walked into this much. this is going to be some of the questions you want to address put forward. And so. I really look for it hitting home runs a county. Look for it to the many partnership that we can continue to create. is is that I share burden. If it were going to leadership. It's shared. d - Proposal. Now, how do we all come to the table? Take care to people in Minnesota because for sure we know that this is not just Ramsey County, the issue populations of people whose committee for us. So I just look forward at these to be in partnership with the city county and state because they need to go back to the Capitol.

I think aout have supporting Saint Paul. And what that looks like for Ramsey County in general and the work we need to do going forward. So look forward to that. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. just a last comment. I just want to uplift the work that Commissioner Moran has been to a chair of home Ramsey and also vice chair of the legislative team here to Seoul. Thank you for navigating and having so many of those conversations. Commissioner, thank you. You know Seeing no further dscussion will think. Commissioner Miller has her hand up. like see that. Go ahead. That's okay. Thank chair. Thank you. Other commissioners you guys have as fabulous questions and I'm like checked, on my list. I just have a couple of clarifying ones are just a couple of quick ones. One, when we talk about our coordinated response or coordinated entry system and the people on the waitlist, are we looking at are the people in these encampments also already on the waitlist?

And so we do we have an accurate picture of that data because once you get on that waitlist you not how you get off of it unless you're being offered a they continuously checking up on people. I guess I'm not really familiar with that process. And then too, I just wanted to go back to a comment that that our housing stability director mention on. You know, some people will go right into housing and some people go here. So we do have a wait list. So what happens to those residents that are already on our waitlist for shelter for other services? And now we're because we have a crisis or immediate attention in front of us with the closing of encampments. What are we telling those other residents? Commissioner Miller, it excellent question. And there's been a lot of questions around this. So I would like to try to explain a little bit in about this amount of time that the coordinated entry waitlist and in order to get a coordinated entry assessment, one has to be an house are living in a place not meant for human habitation right now in Ramsey County, the policy to get assessment on coordinated entry is that you have to be long-term homeless, which means a year are more or you have to have a disability are in other identifying factors even to get on that waitlist.

When you're on the waitlist does not mean that your unhoused unsheltered you could be emergency shelter or that 30 day shelter that we mentioned in still be on the court unaided entry, waitlist, what that waitlist feds is permanent supportive housing stock that we have federal or state fnds that give us permanent supportive actions where these people are assessed to individuals or incest ago. That so when 2 are on the list, we contact you when somebody has an opening and their permanent supportive housing, some of them that you might have heard. Our Campbell Court, another one might be single room occupancy at higher ground. There's several organizations and I can provide a list if that's helpful of all of the permanent supportive housing and that Ramsey County funds either through the state or federal dollars. Once you put that into the coordinated assistant entry list, you then move into that opening when you are available. So the encampment residents would not proceed.

Anybody on that list. Everybody is assessed. There are some priorities such as veterans. Some different things for how long you've been homeless or your disability status. And that is how the list is prioritized. When I mentioned to you system design, we do need to do a redesign of that list and what that was looks like right now, there is approximately 100 people on that list. But again, some of those people might have already had fallen housing. Some of them might not be able to be reached. Some of them, unfortunately, may have passed away. So we are doing our best as where I like, what commissioner, what kind of manager Becker said walking and chewing gum. We are also trying to really look into week that list to make sure that everybody who's on that list is eligible in needs to remain on it. The wait for permanent supportive housing is long. And so now we are also using that case management and housing navigation that while you on that list, somebody will work with you and say maybe you don't want to wait for permanent supportive housing.

Maybe we need to find another alternative for you because that weight is too low. And so that's increasing that affordable housing stack that increase increasing our partnerships with community landlords. That's including helping people apply for housing stability, formally Dr H funding. So we have to really do a better job of navigating that list in real time. And that is something we are dedicated to do. But the real answer is an honest answer is there's not enough permanent supportive housing unit for the amount of people that are currently on the court and entry list. So sometimes it's another rematch for the community as well. That just because you get out of the coordinated entry list is not your magic ticket out of the system until we're having to create more creative pathways for people just instead of waiting for permanent to have supportive housing that's to open up. So I hope that answers. It's a very complex system explain in brief You to fabulous. Thank you.

Thank. Thank you. Any other questions coming? No, I have no You know, Fred, in discussion haven't it McGuire at McMurtry. I Miller. Moran. I we way behind schedule that. So if you need to speak and you know, was keeping one man other ways to cut into the workshop. Which we already have I'm good. Thank you, and keep a job a child. I there some of my comments for next time. But I just want to say thanks to our community for all the great community

Festivals village Fest for Saint Anthony Village is this weekend. And so is. Canadian dys for the Canada. So lots of activities going and we're looking forward to that. Thank you. But just quickly to say that many of us are at the NCO Policy Convention. And I'll just say summing up, almost every one of panels that we are at talked about how regardless, if you county, that's large or small, urban or rural blue or red. All of the changes that are coming in this massive shift from federal to county governments is a world of hurt. It's coming our way. And in this is just one of many tough decisions that's coming. So just wanted to say this to leaning in on the experts that we have here, colleagues. But bearing down for what we know is going to be another difficult season. I will think you.? Passes. Well, yeah. I thought you wish having 9. we have a board workshop Wake Forest's attraction, retention and promotion chaired by commission is saying. We'll do that in about 5 though, says and then at one board community Health assessment in Community Health Improvement plan a chair by Commissioner John. now with

That.