Ramsey County, MN Board Meeting

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The Ramsey County Board Commission is please. Sentencing here. McGuire here, a few you Miller here, Moran, new song here and we'll take a I stand for the pledge me. for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and all. an acknowledgement commission in the Thank you. Mister Chair. Every community owes its

Existence and vitality. 2 generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams and energy to making the history that led to this moment some were brought here against their will somewhere, John, to leave that to some homes in hope of a better life. And some have lived on this land since time immemorial. Too thin acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We are standing on the ancestral lands of the Dakota people. We want to acknowledge the ojibwe the Ho-chunk and the other nations of people who also called this place home. We pay respects to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the treaty's made by the tribal nations that entitle Non native people to live and work on traditional native Lance. Consider the many legacies of violence displacement, migration and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such troops at any and public events. Thank you, commissioner. Thank. then to 10 a motion on the agenda August 4th, 2026, some second Seeing no discussion. Ron McGuire, I make my Accused Mueller. Moran. I been saying and were taken. I entertain motion on the minutes of July. 28th 2026. Is presenting so moved second. Seeing no discussion roll

Call. McGuire, I machines have skewed Miller eye for an song. I have been saying I now have proclamation on child support Awareness Month commission of violent past.? And I know I will be best. So we did. We do nobody wants to

Be in the front row. you have place of the center stage. okay. So I guess is national Child Support Awareness Month and annual time to raise awareness about critical income support program that helps millions of children's and families across the nation. The Ramsey County Child Support Division, part of the county attorney's Office partners with the federal and state child support programs to deliver services that hlp families thrive and set children up for success. Ramsey County has been proactive and evolving. The child support program t provide more equitable family, centered services and to engage with the community. We serve to better understand their needs. Child support is a complex program that operates at the intersection of legal work and Human Services working with families on 2 of the most important and sensitive areas of their lives, their children and their families. Today we have an opportunity to highlight the important work of the child support program and the dedicated Ramsey County staff will provide the services. give you U.

S.. And then I will read our proclamation. So whereas the month of August is national Child Support Awareness Month and whereas it is a time to raise awareness of the mission and initiatives of the Child Support Division of the Ramsey County Attorney's office. And whereas child support reduces reliance public assistance, highlighted by the 60% of parents on the Ramsey County caseload who our farm are. Recipients of public assistance. And whereas the goal of child support program, our best achieved through an approach that recognizes the unique needs of the whole family and honors the whole the role of fathers. And whereas Ramsey County child support is a leader and a partner with the Minnesota and Families in recognizing h - the challenges that survivors of domestic violence face and changing practices so they can safely access child support services. And whereas the employees and the child Support Division are committed to public service and the well-being of families and strive for continuous improvement and processes and procedures to better serve families.

And whereas it is also a time to acknowledge and show appreciation for Ramsey County child support employees who serve new who served nearly 20,000 children and their parents by establishing legal parentage locating parents, parents and obtaining and modifying child support orders and collecting over 38 million in child support payments. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners declares August 2026. As Child Support Awareness Month in Ramsey County. And the further proclaimed the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners recognizes the employees of the child support division of the Ramsey County attorney's office who make a difference in the lives of children ad their families. Thank you. Good morning and thank you for having us here today to do this proclamation. I want to give a shout out to the staff in child support. Who does who work so hard to try to get child support orders, timely to families who try to collect on those child support orders to make sure that we're getting money to the kids that need it.

One thing that I couple things that I just want to highlight very, very quickly. One is that chat when we talk about child support evolving over the years, there's about 95% of the child support that is collected. That goes out to the families that we serve. And that's a big change from when the child support program started over 15 years ago when it was primarily a reimbursement program where we are trying to recoup ATC dollars, FTC dollars back in those days. And now it's really a family centered program quite proud of that. One other thing I wanted to mention is we talked a little bit in the in the opening remarks Commissioner Miller did about domestic violence. Survivors. We know that in the child support program, at least 40% of the custodial parents we serve are survivors of domestic violence. So that number is higher than what we see the general population. And we're learning more and more about how we can provide safe access to child support services through a grant that we're a part of.

And I want to give a shout out to 2 of our supervisors have been very, very involved in that mean that human Stephanie Struthers give a leaf. We're right now doing 2 different doing a new pilot were assessing safety concerns for people who come into our program to make sure that they understand how the program works. And then we do could communication with them so they can make that the best choices and how to receive child support services or not so that they can keep their family safe. And in the past, what we would do protect addresses. And we've learned that there's so much more to it. So this is some work that we're very proud of that I wanted to have it. So thank you for your time today. And We will have themselves

And I apologize. I should have introduced myself. First-time Trish. Still Cameron, the director of child Support Services. Rachel see your child support. Specialist. The training traverse assistant director of child support program. Jen Cook Lakum director on the legal side. Jill, thank health which affect. Ben Mowen, child support specialist. Tony Future as supervisor. Aimee Donahue, child support Supervisor. Global

Child Support Specialists. Good Morning, Tony. Able I'm a planning manager in child support. Thank you. To Rita, Tyson, Child support Supervisor. Theresa Child Support Supervisor. Melissa Zeman child support Supervisor. Stephanie Struthers, child support Supervisor. Karin Andersen, senior transport specialists. For Child Supervisor. Marie Peterson, child support specialist. Morning KTXL administrative assistant. Thank you. We was the ad Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to move administrative items numbered. Project, budget and financing plan for teams rooms, technology project. Item number 5, the amendment to the Twin Cities, Army ammunition, plant master plan pull that going pull that. Item. Number 6 is obligation of the 2026 state affordable housing aid for housing development projects. Thank you. Item number 7 obligation of 2026 local affordable housing aid for housing development projects. item number 8 amendment to the agreement with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Family,

Homelessness, Prevention and Assistance Program to pull that plane capable. That item number 9 proposed changes and additions to social services fees. And item number 10. Ramsey County's response to encampment closures in the city of Saint Paul. Well, that second. We'll call acquired. think used Mueller. I. Moran song. I Jeff and saying I Item number 5, Yes, would like to move item number 5 amendment to the Twin Cities, Army ammunition plant Masterplan second.

And only to highlight how how banal that this is after a lot of years of of an activity and all of that, that this is very simply add clarification of what had been ambiguous heights specification on a building and Arden Hills is already a gone ahead and okayed this and we should too. But we're at that point where we're dotting I's and crossing T's and making things happen. So I wanted to give you that update that that's how small of a of a change this is to that plan. Thank you. Mr. Chair. I could just add to that. It's small change, but big big work still being done. I mean, the all the work that's being done to get this safe, just rady for the development it's progressing each other that exciting to see the progression. Thank you. And we have no united number 6 people on top boat. Roll Call, please McGuire. I my Miller. I Moran. anything live the move 67, that kind similar like to get okay. is second. So I'm just looking at the connect to approve an obligation, a state of Florida House recommended projects.

And if someone can. You know, as I was looking at the tragic that we have put forward. And I noticed that some I mean, some fully funded. Others are funded by 4% or 6% and different percentages. So can someone talk about, you know how we come with those type recommendations in numbers next? good morning chair commissions. before you to board actions today, item 6 is a petition of local for the husband ate at 7 Inside Edition of state of Florida

Has done it edition of local for housing. It is kind of biggest source this year. So county received over. 16 million dollars in local affordable housing aid per our Spring Board workshop where we discussed locals with the housing aid and continuum housing continuum. We designated half to progress for double housing projects across the county and then half for housing, stability, work. Here. This is our 2026 obligation of those funds based off of the work that board workshop. So today we have get a 0, 1, 9, 4 million, 8.0, 1, 9, 4 million dollars local affordable housing. Again, this is all applications coming out of the 2026 housing developments decision. This is the 4th. A 5 actions. Bringing forward 5 different funding source we received over 45 applications. And so you see to it before you on the local for the housing aid 10 and then to on SAHA state of Florida. Housing is a much smaller source and we designate that towards occupied an affordable ownership projects whereas local affordable housing, is focused deeply affordable housing and how to press that.

Part of the housing continue. As we review score underwrite and then discuss with other governmental partners on all applications that receive a high score. We and up funding projects in a variety of ways. One of those ways that you'll see here many of these are partial words where the developer may have asked for a greater put a greater amount of funding. But after underwriting conversations. We believe that a developer kid a he wanted less or find that funding from a different source. And so that's twice. That's how we're able to progress. More projects forward fall. And what is that based on that process so that the coming days? Yeah, chair commissioners as part of the application process, developers must submit a multifamily workbook. That is a very detailed spreadsheet of all of financial financial and projections for the specific building that includes there. proposed number of units and how much rent they would get from those units as well as all their expenses that isn't reviewed per Minnesota housing standards.

We use the review stands as the other governmental sources as well. Mister Chair. So when we are finding some 100% OK it is 100% of the X and I and that based on all the documents. uvc stating how are going to utilize the dollar us to complete the project. camera, she is a few in the attached that the narrative project dscriptions. That's where we discuss the percentage of total development costs. Usually if we see 100% total development costs, it's usually a acquisition rehab project of an existing apartment building. Where were the only governmental funder? And so we'd be 100% of day. Off of that will go to rehab of existing units and in many cases in this board action, many of those are actually faking units that are hoping to get back online. So it's additional supplies. Well. So that's when you see 100%. If you see him much smaller percentage of total development cst 4% or 6%.

That's because we're just one funder amongst many. Sometimes they're 7 or 8 different funders in one development. So the less support, the more we support. Chair commissioners, I think if we have a smaller percentage of just means that there is more funders involved so that other their type of project was able to other sources for mothers, whereas some of those acquisition, we have one of the only funders really focuses on And so that's when you might see a higher total development costs. 1, quick follow-up question. What is the timeline for these projects? So if kind of piggy backing commissioner and soul. When they ask when they see that their 8% funded or have percent funded. Are these projects ready to go and ready to break ground? Are they still have some fundraising parts on their own? And what is our timelines sded? C? In one of board actions that some llars where given back because one developer from previous years.

Chair commissioner projects is on a different timeline, OK? So some of these especially an acquisition or rehab or preservation project, they're ready to go. They're excited to close in the next couple months. Others are still collecting sources from other funding partners, for example, on the Board Action Crane or great Renaissance Boxer, 2 buildings in lower town and they need to collect additional sources from the state today. They will be ready to close, probably for about a year, but this helps our ward helps position get funding from other governmental partners. every year we see a few projects that for a variety of reasons say him not move forward and were able to reallocate those awards in the future. So station process. So I think in 2026 which obligated it refunds projects in this 20 26,012 and suspicion. We went through our old years of Funds, Inc. To get out, which projects to not before drifting reallocate those projects.

Great. Thank you. Max to east. So follow the practice last dollar in. Chair due to the amount of funding that we to get into housing. We can both participate a first in funding to help project in 2 Housing as well as last and funding to help get that project over the finish line. So we're function in both spaces. Write check. And you for the questions. Chair. I just want talk about the incredible amount of work and the projects that we are allocating today, especially in our conversation later about the encampments. We are actively putting millions literally into preserving a deeply affordable housing units as well as moving units that are so that it can be used and utilized and I'm sure director look INS made mention this little bit more about just the challenges moving people into housing is really because there are not units that are affordable, that folks can get into. So this is just one part our ecosystem our housing.

Continue on that. We are investing in and I just want to highlight that, you know, these millions of dollars that pouring into eco system here. And then finally just want to thank staff again for the incredible amount of work and time that they have put in here. We only see a few of these projects here, but I know that multiple applications. May you remind us how applications came in again this year? Yeah, chair commissioners. We received 45 applications with over 72 million dollars up. Request in this year's housing development. Suspicion or we through these 4 board actions? We over 16 million dollars recommended to advance affordable housing projects. Just quickly on our unit impact. In this round, 897. Multifamily units have been impacted, whether that's preservation and reconstruction. And 22 on keypad units of those 457 of those multifamily units will be at 30%. Am I and that's 546 of those almost 900 units. We have a renovations of units in 115 of those buildings that are mostly vacant right now.

So there's untapped potential existing buildings as well. So that's one of those pieces project scoring higher. And then we bring to you. Commissioner, thank. Thank you, M. Jacques, can you just remind me and I'm sorry, if you said this. Do this to some cities, get and they get? The local and state funds are Saint Paul has. That's what we did last lst week, right? Saint Paul gave us some of their funds. 2 help with closures. I am I correct in thinking those kind of funds that these funds go to some of our bigger cities and us and we try to coordinate these funds. chair commissioner requires. Cities of a sheet of a certain size receive local for the housing. And so most now rose Bill Maplewood White Bear Lake Dennis overseen a little bit of a local football has and they use that on their priorities, whether that's multi-family building in their jurisdiction or single-family program or if they want to participate across the housing continuum and housing stability, work like simple chose to Obviously state of for the housing it for every county and state, Minnesota.

And a state. Minnesota cities as well. local affordable housing only for the 7 county metro area. Thank you. thank you, Mr. Chair. And projects can ask county dollars as well as their city dollars. Right? there's a project done. One of our cities. They can. They can come by combined. These tragic end and that my car 88 are hre dollars. We know which we've committed to doing it all. You know county. Well, I think really want to be county wide with our dollars. But we're you know, we're really are hoping that the projects are as much in the suburban areas in the city of Saint Paul these dollars. I'm sure you try to spread them out as Right? But there's they can go anywhere in the county, right? These dollars? Yeah. Chair commissioners, all the different funding sources have different geographic home and cdbg or suburban only for us. And so August 18th will bring home projects forward.

And those are only Inc for the Ramsey County. All right. You're we and to a 50, 50 split every year. June 23rd board, Nature and achieve that 50, 50 split lawhon Sotheby's County wide. And I think and this list lean towards the city. But those geographic, but try to balance the noticing that these are mostly sunny. But we put in, you know, in the big in the long term. try even a nationals. The county wide and thank you for all your work with all of these different grant dollars. And I know you're trying to maximize the money that get to help our communities that so thank you. Just quick. I know that we've getting we've been voting on these to move the actions along and each of the 5 pockets, you know, independently and soon will have the final of the 5. You rattle off the actual impact as far as housing units and some of that at the end, it would be lovely to get a nice tight Yeah, because it's it's it's wonderful to be able to see the actual impact and what that's going to be for housing stock and where and when opportunities that will be for families technicians are last put off action will be o August 18th and encapsulate the whole housing developments.

The station at that time. Fantastic So as I was reading through the different funding streams, I want to say thank you. And I'm glad the board put a priority around investing in more deeply affordable housing at 50% of the am. I you know, there's so many families who are being challenged and port of Tyne. We really need a pathway to be stabilized and to be in a place where they can afford to grant because we have the cycle of homelessness. It is happening. Rapid me. So really, really good to see that we investing more deeply affordable housing. So going say thank you for that. And chair commissioners, thank you for your support of folks. Thank you,??

Hearing no discussion on call McGuire. The country excused. Miller, Moran. All John, I haven't seen I undertake Item number 10, Ramsey County in response Well that I issue. Okay. You can? Item. Number 8, Thank you, Mister Chair. I'd like to move item number 8, the amendment to the agreement with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Family, homelessness, Prevention and Assistance Program. Second. Thank you. March, I just had a question conditions of dollar. This more than doubles our budget of what we have put

Into too, dollars from the state. So I wanted Director Watkins just give her an opportunity to Scheer about that. The investments we are, it's going so that we make it clear, too. The public and our partners about how we have been responding to homelessness as well. Good morning. Chair Commissioners County manager Becker. I'd also like to introduce Renee East who is our FHP 8. planning specialist and I will have her speak to some of your questions and also Puerto as well. Thank you so much for

Letting me speak today. so family, homeless prevention and assistance program or FHP AP. Get this funding is being committed to 6 of some persistence. We're also keeping a portion of the funding in-house to support internal projects that particularly support. Families and shelter and also sngle adults that come through our shelter in tree line the majority of our funding supporting prevention projects. So the Legislature committed funding unit primarily in response to Metro search. And they want the funding spent by the end of the year, which is a really ambitious. Yeah. And so we a are mindful of that. And at the same time, the funds are added to our existing agreement with Minnesota housing. goal is to Cumber 30th of 2027. So we have a little bit of flexibility to spend beyond the end of the year. What we're committing largely of the funding to prevention, to support households at risk eviction host. What can be at risk of hosing loss not just from receiving an eviction notice they can be at risk because of their housing conditions.

For example, hoarding conditions, which are house calls, project helps with immensely. Also want to note that when household access services, they are being connected to a variety of supports. So it's not just a onetime one and done and getting help to pay my back. Rent or clean up my home or pay a utility bill. It's really about accessing and network of support County services services embedded in the agencies that we find educational program and child care, food access. And so for. So when people access our services and they might get some financial assistance, it doesn't stop there. They're able to continue working and not working with the folks at they. Connected to. just a fllow-up question the eligible use as they are too, it isn't able to go parts of coordinated entry or is this entirely just for family homeless assistance as a great So. Minnesota housing and FHP up funds coordinated entry along with.

Prevention and rapid rehousing. We also do a little bit of street outreach through that as well are funding because it's one of the only sources that funds prevention in the state. We use it primarily for prevention, but we do have a coordinated entry project that we've historically funded through FHP. That's our Catholic Charities, coordinated access to housing services. So that project was actually fully fund it for the entire grant period. So put the ASCO to Oliver said the city. And they said we are good. Thank you for the funding and, you know, will support these other projects. And for the alleys, for the prevention side The rent assistance, do they call the county or do they go through some of these organizations that that our grantees? Such a great question. This is a question I get every single day. So right now we utilize what's called the no wrong door approach so households can go to any agency to get support.

This does bring up a coordination issue, which we've been actively working on. And one of the things that are heading Home, Ramsey board supports is centralizing access to help and as housing stability continues to build in leverage the funding that we received other supports. We're looking at long-term centralizing that access so that. When household Anders, whether through our county door to access emergency assistance or they go to, for example, neighborhood house. We can actually streamlined that one door so that they don't have to sort of hop around to find help. Thank thank you that. So it's good to hear we're all doing in dollars that we have until the end of the year. Ad maybe even after the interview to support families. preventing homelessness, you know, and this is I think about this work to holistic, comprehensive, you know, maybe even a regenerative type of approach. You know, and many facets of ways that we are supporting.

Individuals and families, I think about a story that I just heard yesterday late last night and I received a call. And and I know we do also work and I think hitting home Ramsey County, the tomb of Care. Well, we're working together with the city and the county and nonprofit organizations and you know, just array of into teams come together to stop huge issue. What the young lady who seen on sitting on the curb in Saint Paul with her 4 year-old sign in and was pregnant. And was just crying with many people walking past city. One of the housing advocates stopped to say how can we help you? And she shared her story that she had been put out and see it and where to call. She had no assistance she needed help.

And call to 1, 1, to find out where she could enter to get the support. That needed. It. know, fortunately, I was told that Ramsey County didn't pop up at all. So they over to Minneapolis to to 2 overnight. Stay, I believe in a hotel. I wear. They pay for the night in just one night. Herself before she's pregnant. so the next day found herself in the same situation. Right the young lady called this community advocate who took the call and was Cranley to figure out how could they supporting what resources were

Available for grant Ramsey County to help this one. A. And ended up sending her to gun. To get help. Does she need it? And I they put down. I a deposit and waive the fee so that you cn say to for a few more days. So my question to you is what are we doing? States? Everyone has not into to a court coordinated process. They just need help now and where they are and what are we doing? What moments like that with dollars that extra dot these dollars that we have, that we opening up have availability to help people, not just for one day or for one night in a lot of people want to go to a shelter right? What are we doing to support individuals who need maybe a week or 2 3 or much just to get himself together. what are we put in place for moments like this? Good question, commissioner and I appreciate that nuance.

I don't know if this story specifically. One thing I can say is that statewide, we meet with all the for Nathan Entries we all are trying to piece together a situation like that. So if Ramsey County does not have a bed available are funds available, we do often reach out to other counties to say do you have openings? Could you help this individual? So it's a shared effort when resources were in thin, which also some other counties might reach out to us. If they have somebody depending on. fiscal financial county at the time where that resident was when they became homeless there different funding streams that we have to do for eligibility criteria. But I Renee spoke to that coordination, peace and the brave enough ends and that constant heading home, Randy and other coordinated entry entities that's really important. We have a network built in meeting regularly with other providers in most of the providers, even on our shelter teams know each other.

They can pick up and get an advocate and we do work very closely with United. Way to 1, to that surprises me that Ramsey County didn't pack up. So I will follow up and that to make sure that that is not the case. But we are listed and 2, 1, 1, and like I said, often times behind the scenes, workers are talking to each other. So the show intake in Dakota County know it's a shelter intake and Ramsey County and Hennepin County vice versa. So we're working really together when resources rent than to make sure that families need that. unfortunately there is not a lot of money for htel stays. You mentioned that families don't want to go to shelter. Sometimes that might be the only action of safety. And we do try to assess again that situation as to why that would be be creative and innovative. But there is nt a lot of money for shelter capacity in any county right now.

It's mostly shelter beds, but if you ever see that issue coming up please contact myself or that, you know, family intake line and we could help tree as some of those individual calls without knowing all of the circumstances. But thank chair. Thank you for for that. And it was like 9, 30 at night. I'm getting this phone call 11 o'clock. It's warrant for right with all good information because I know we're doing good work. And and it's good to hear that we have strong partnership so that if a kid is not available Manatee County, but we're able to reach out to other neighboring counties and cities to provide the services because this is not just a Ramsey county issue is really a statewide issue and concern and having strong partners in partnership. really key and important to the work that doing to keep especially for me, women into unsafe in off the street. You know, could you share why we don't have shoulder?

All right. Be to utilize hotels. More. Commissioner and the right of the reasons as hotels are expensive, they don't often come with services are people are are scattered. And so it's not the best practice or the best model that people have for people getting the care that they need. Long-term. It is reserved for some of those emergency situations. For maybe the situation that you just described, maybe somebody who fleeing domestic violence may be so we we tree as some of those emergency things that maybe somebody health needs. That can't go. Maybe there is some safety in the shelter. So it's really reserved. we triage them on an emergency basis and we do have a fun for that. But when we have shelter beds available, we really want to utilize that because best practices says that's where they can get the wrap around services where they can get connected to our shelters and we're funding those shelters.

And so we really want to be able to refer people there in the bottom line is it's expensive. Hotel management for shelter is expensive and is reserved for a very specific emergency stuations. So I hope as we move forward that we can be creative and innovative in to negotiate with hotel to get a block to something, you know, and when it comes county you know, we can make those type of deals that we can negotiate a block of rooms. The FDA for emergency purposes right? And you know, I I. I hear you say Shelton. They often you're coordinating. have to recognize services. But often that doesn't happen either often people or not, and they leave my and not to say this.

Never every all and never ever those things doesn't is a form of a cavalier, right? But that we on. I like the fact of looking at this practice is we this is a moment in time that we have to be innovative and creative because really even for people who working, you know, it's being called the working poor, what wages that are not aligning with the cost living. Right and indefinitely. You know, when we hear we are creating more developers who creating space at 30% of the MIT is exactly what we need moment in time by even course within that is more. It's a loss of the areas at though federal level. And, you know, we've got to be cautious at the state level and county level because sometimes we keep people in party, we did not able without being for office. Something right. But again, you know, we can only do what we can do here in at the county level, but and I know these conversations that we're having a hit, a home to county within a steering committees and no 4 groups.

That's why we're thinking about bringing in more landlords to be partners with more landlords, who can create spaces for moments like this. is also shared with me that in Minneapolis, I see a column and north does another name tag. Now property owners is something I. Where they happen. in abundance I think this is 64. Building. All right, community-based organizations have been able to work with Property owner. 2. With It may be the she said there was like 5 or 6 beers rooms where they are and allow individuals to rent out a bit room. With still part of a community where they can cook they can. You know, we're still close with part a community with in that house itself, right? You could be 64 or a house 6 bedrooms where that winning out room. I think he was a little bit. Skandia King says that there is in for $1000 a month per room, but that encompass everything.

And I don't know what we are investing to negate whether that's too much that about what we are spending for. Individual to stay at a shelter. I would like numbers. very curious what is to me and I going and what we're getting for what we pan in a shelter in a because that's very transit type. you know, both. not going to want to be Shelter if you don't come in at 8 o'clock, you just give it to somebody else and use this rolling thing. So I would like to really know what that looks like. What are we? this recycling look like once And I think I talk a little bit more about this as we talk about the encampment in the work that doing around encampment, but been innovative creative fan, you know, doing what was done in 1990, does that work in Twenty-twenty 6? What was done in 2002 that work in 2026. You know, how do we continue to recreate the work that we because I knew Ramsey County innovators we lead week, we're doing the hard work we well, we're supporting the families.

We to the connect. The key is we looking at adult me. It's to win it right. But keep in holistic, comprehensive regenerative type of mindset that we looking at the moment that we can that creates future. Thank you. Thank Thank you.? During I sure cute. Miller. I ran. I jump in sync. I I. And the number I God for that. Chair. I had like 3 agenda. So different. like what is that? And I need to find it. Chair. I get a updating first and then okay. Thank you. Mister Chair

Commissioner I really appreciate that. We're able to put this item in the context of this particular meeting. I think hearing none of those 3, items and that yu were able to have some discussion with staff. I think it's good for our community to know this is the normal work of the county. Those were not special items as a result of encampment. These are strategic investments that the county has been working on everyday, grinding along the continuum of housing that we across our departments and business as usual in many ways of just the work that we're about. So in terms encampment response, I want to just give us high-level summary since we're on the eve of the planned closure. So on July, 8th of 2026, the city of Saint Paul announced plans to close encampments across the city citing growing concerns of health safety and well-being of the people living in them. The first closure pigs I park is scheduled for tomorrow with additional encampment closures.

A not occurring on a rolling basis that we not have dates in response. Ramsey County quickly mobilized one Ramsey County effort by launching a community wellness and Response Resources Initiative on July 14th was the first day that we went out to the encampment as part of that and coordinated response. We've been going out previously as different departments. But this was our first coordinated response bringing together financial assistance, social services, public health, housing, stability, and the office of the chief of staff and working in close partnership the city community organizations and contracted outreach providers. The shouldn't this initiative delivered a coordinated Person-centered response. Focus on building trust, understanding a person's unique circumstances ad connecting Ramsey County residents county services. Since the city announced the closure county Seth had made more than 5,000 individual contacts with encampment residents in these past few weeks. These interactions have included meeting immediate basic needs assisting with public benefits, conducting housing assessments, coordinating shelter, referrals, connecting individuals to physical or behavioral health services and helping residents access financial assistance and other county programs.

This coordinated response has involved more than 90 employees across our organization. Ramsey County has invested more than one point in 1.1 million dollars in emergency shelter and intensive case management toward the effort. We've also spent $33,000 on outreach supplies in these past few weeks. preliminary calculation and estimate spending repurposing about $150,000 of county staff. Time over the past few weeks on this effort. So yesterday as part of the transition county outreach teams began distributing outreach bags to residents and preparation. 2, they include closure. Each bag included rush on Shelter and services

Resource guide. Not own electrolyte packets. Bottled water, body wipes granola bars to help them immediate needs during the transition. Ramsey County also is planning to provide temporary tracfone. See individuals who have been identified as one who was actively engaging in housing, shelter or treatment as part of their coordinated plan to stay connected, providing the throne phones to scheduled appointments will help residents maintain contact with case managers and housing navigators and health care providers as they work toward more stable housing. Has the encampment in closes tomorrow. Ramsey counties work will continue beginning Thursday and continuing for at least 2 weeks. Ramsey County will operate a temporary resource site at 5, 5, 5, seater from Monday through Friday from 10:00AM to 02:00PM to provide ongoing case management housing, navigation connections to shelter health care and other community resources. We felt it was important to have a singular place that people could refer back to as we were not no longer going to be at the Penn encampment with those things.

I it's county and city saff will continue to coordinate through a shared residents lists priority planning and weekly case coordination meetings to align our effort to monitor progress. While the encampment closures represent an important transition, they do not resent represent the solution to homeless homelessness. Homelessness is driven by a complex combination of housing, affordability, economic pressures, behavioral and physical health needs and other systemic factors. This rva that's before from some of that on behalf of this county board to the community. And we recognize that addressing these challenges requires both an immediate response to support the people experiencing this today and a sustained commitment to expanding hot the housing continue on into the future, which is reflected in some of the work that we referenced earlier in this meeting. As part of this rba, we're asking the board to reaffirm your commitment to treating every person experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect while recognizing the meaningful progress will require a coordinated action.

It will require strong partnership and ongoing long-term investments. As the county manager, I'm fully committed to leading this work along with our teams. Our priorities are extremely clear. We will continue to strengthen, are coordinated response in partnership with the city by expanding our outreach and work. But the work doesn't sop at the encampment. A stop. That's part of the full continuum. So at the same time, while we need to stay focused on the heading home. Ramsey Strategic plan, which I plan to as our teams to share more in depth with you at an upcoming board workshop. In addition on the work aligns with our economic competitiveness, inclusion plan, that means expanding access to housing, increasing supportive housing capacity, strengthening homeless prevention, housing survey, stabilization efforts, preserving developing affordable housing and championing policies and systems changes that will improve housing. All comes across the county. You heard some of that today. As I appreciated commissioners have been seeing your last question too.

Max and the team. So in the next couple weeks, the county will be making an official announcement. But a call to mind today that will be bringing together a summary of a lot of the investments that we've made. And since December of 2021, which has been about 5 years, Ramsey County has invested approximately 106 million dollars of affordable housing renovation, preservation and construction. And this investment has touched over 7,000 units. And so we look forward to sharing a lot of details about that in the next couple of weeks. And as part of this, you know, broader conversation. So the work of continuum, as you see is not accomplished to a single initiative, organization requires is a substantial amount to sustain leadership, accountability, collaboration and investment. We have staff are extremely grateful to all of both to this current board. But the board that preceded you to ensuring that Ramsey County continues to lead with its investments with a sense of compassion, definitely urgency, but with a lot of purpose while working toward a future where fewer people are experiencing homelessness and more residents have the opportunity to achieve stable and safe housing in our community.

The sport action that I have before you provides a reaffirmation of our path. One that reflects our values and strengthens our coordinated response today and advances the long term work that is before us. I look forward to doing that with all of you in with our with our teams. Thank you. Is there anyone else would like to speak Thank you and thank you, Matt Joe. Thank Mister Chair. thank you. I'm County Manager this was really helpful background and outline all the things that we are doing and have been doing for this work I just getting at. questions from the communities that I represent because we've had issues with encampments in the suburban area and they've been, you know, we've been really dealing with them in a positive wy. And they're a little worried that as say, Paul closes their encampments, that, you know, if we push the, you know, the stop these and then move over to oher encampment.

So we know that could happen. and it could happen, obviously can happen within symbolic can happen in any area that fees this would transfer them to other areas. And so and just curious how are thinking about dealing with that even how do how we going prevent people from going right back to the encampment after we moved them out. And just just if you can get some that because I've been getting questions in the community and I know we we're going to dealing with these issues as as we have always done, which is work with people that are and experiencing homelessness wherever they are to try to find them to try to get get them into the coordinated effort and and help them. So I don't if there's anything extra, I mean, I think we'll just keep doing all this work. Yeah. Thank you for sure why I'm happy to address that will first and foremost, I want to make sure folks know that the heading home Ramsey can team of care represents all Rams And so for sure, we have had substantial.

Input and involvement from suburban organizations as well as suburban mayors. And so we definitely don't see this as a Saint Paul issue And beyond I think the suburban community, several of them have been very proactive in terms of connecting to their own community resources connecting through are housing stability, but also their own collaboration that they have and actually betting some housing folks, advocates within say several the larger cities have done that and they work in close partnership with us in terms of enforcement. That is the role not the county in terms of enforcement. I just want to make sure that you understand that while certainly we do have some role when it's on a county property or if it is in one of our contracted cities. But it's a little bit indirect. And I can you know, we could talk about that more at some point. If you want. And then lastly, the most important thing is this is not same It's not a remake county issue.

This is a statewide challenge. you know, there's there's people living everywhere that struggle. And if they tend to you know, proximity around where there's more services, certainly. But this is this is something that the state legislature and the governor going to have to take up in partnership with us as we look to the future and we would welcome, although suburban communities also advocate for resources because it's not just in one person's backyard, you know, it's and it's it's a systemic Thank everybody. Thank you, Madam and thank you. County Manager Becker, thank you for those for that. Those reminders and that's good words. And I know that some of my cities do have the housing advocates in Benton and they doing amazing work. And I just want you know, give a shout out all the people throughout our entire county and are doing this great work. So thank you for that. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to lift that.

You thank you to the work of so many of our advocates are faith leaders are partners all around heading home. Ramsey who has lifted up the fact that, you know, closing the encampments of basically just versus the issue and that there are really major challenges was connecting them to resources again. So one I just want thank county manager for being responsive for listening and thinking through about the actions that the county take because we we are not the enforcement authority him. In addition to that, I just want to lift up some tangible and real stories and experiences folks are unhoused from wild or they have people who have been at the encampment for several years now and that the fact is that, you know, we have been under attack with Operation Metro Surge and immigration is a barrier to actually getting house and to actually proper document document Haitians. In addition to that, they ae also folks have lost housing because they were in unsafe conditions and were forced out.

Those are just some of the stories that were shared and then addition to that, I just want to lift up work of the district councils in my district and the Southeast community organization where kids I is located directly. They have asked for an extension so groups and providers can respond and they ask for at least a 60 day extension on top of that Payne failing District Council supported no sweets indefinitely. And they they said to me that it comes from a place of what we have experienced with Operation Metro Surge where flks showed up for their community members. And so that, you they were not going to sparate They did not want to separate community members from their communities here. So with many of those asked, I just have a question as a provider for us. What 30 days like get us what a 60 day is. What is 90 days. get us as a provider.

I can just give some overview here pressures on invite director, welcome join me as well. if you don't mind, director just come on up and we can adjust this one together. But we've talked a lot about this right internally as a certainly on a very practical level one. Regardless of whether shelter is the answer for many people are not. We believe that with 30 more days we would be able to secure at least the additional shelter beds from the money that we received from Saint Paul with that recent jpa, we are currently under procurement process right now. Those beds are not secured. I would assume that in within 30 or 45 days, we would be able secure that additional those additional. But again, no additional money from the county, but we would be able to kind of fit finalize that expenditure for the cities, money that you guys on the jpa for last week. In addition, we have a solicitation right now that's being reviewed for case management within 30 days.

I would assume we would be able to have more case managers available to support some of the folks that are transitioning out of the encampment. Those 2 things in mind. I'm going to turn it over to Dr Wilkins to see if she has any at other things that she'd like to are possible in 30 or 45 or 60 days. Chair commissioners and county manager Becker. I think those 2 are the main thing that would really help would be increasing shelter capacity. The case management services. Creating services to connect people to basic resources and other pathways. If shelters, not the action. I think the other thing that 30 day pause could also help with would be coordinating some efforts with other service providers that are doing the work and really looking at maybe more tree as of identifying folks that need more services. If shelters, not the action. Unfortunately, I was talking to county manager Becker about this.

If there is increased units, I don't think that 30 days is going to solve that to move people into actual housing, instability in getting the application fees. The damage has it and moving. It could maybe give us the ability to identify where those places were in start that movement. But I don't think that 30 days pause would make that tangible. I think the biggest with thing would be the case management and the in fees in emergency shelter beds and the conversations to have people to talk about what that would look like. I would also say by 10 for people we were out A lot of people are saying we think there's a pause. We think tere's a way to we're not going to move until we find out what happens. So if they don't want to move because they're waiting to find out, we're out there saying, okay, we can take you to shelter now there's beds, but they're saying we don't want to go until we find out what happens on Wednesday.

So I don't know if the Caswell also sort of address help with that issue. But I think the biggest things that county manager Becker would really to get those solicitations fnded begin that work. me just say, you know, moving forward at this point, I'm assuming that was say going to go to cities moving forward from everything we've we communicated with them. I think the appropriate place. What I would like to see moving forward with the don't rollouts of the other 2. Because point Mission League lie to what extent do we is spreading issue county and the other these years. Time heading home of Ramsey has is where we have the nonprofit sector of city. The county. And that's where we should forward. You know, come together and have a plan. So I'm hopeful we we need schedule that would shop on heading home Ramsey. What this strategic plan is so we can provide as we see it on the ground.

And at the same time, hopefully we've learned from the experience of what we're going through this camp. And we could move forward. hoping that the city does not roll out one these have that discussion. I'm heading home and see. To look at and address some of the issues you're bringing up, which right on Thank you for wife. Commissioner Light on this issue. I just want t thank for all your you and your team. Your amazing work time. Encouraged when you come before us and let us know all the work that you're doing. Just thank you all of that. Chair commissioners, the county record. I also just want to raise a big thank you to Ramsey County. It's not just housing stability that's doing this work. It's all hands deck. Really at this point. And we've had some really passionate staff come up in late son, really good initiatives. we've been doing work every day. But to sort of bring everybody collectively in this for this purpose has really welcomed and I appreciate it.

As a new employee, it was really great to feel the support rally around this effort. And so it's not just hsd or myself. It's really it's all everybody that's really worked really, hard these past 28 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I definitely agree with your statement that, you know, Cultures are inevitable. I've had conversations you in that meeting that last week state legislators as well as with the mayor's office and, you know, they're using the levers that the city has right. They only have the tool of the enforcement. And so they enforcing ordinance. Is tere. You know, however, as a partner, you know, disappointed in in that tpe of response when we have been doing the work. And today we're moving millions and into this well. And I know that our state partners also care very deeply about this. So I would say I'm disappointed by even just 30, 60, 70, 80, 90 days would actually reduce the harm and I think it's using a moment where you can activate so many of those providers and so many of our faith-based communities who have stepped up to say that they're willing to bring people. going to bring resources to the table, too. So it's it's a big missed opportunity. Thank you so much. Thank Chair might need I let you go.

I think the first thing want listen for as we. In our support at the encampment because they're going disperse people tomorrow. And you say to move into 5, How are we getting information out to community members community partners and those who get impacted? commissioner, and that's a really good question. So we have put together flyers and also to go bags to those residents. We have also we'll be updating to your point earlier, 2 united to 2, 1, at with that information as to where they could find us. We've shared that heading Ramsay. We share that with all the service providers and the faith-based organizations that are out there that if people dispersed and would like to reconnect and shelter all other resources, we set up that location where they would be able to find this. We've also having some cell phones again restrict strategically deciding who would get those phones. That would be an appointment with an intake worker.

This would be for somebody that has a treatment that that they're waiting for or maybe they have an apartment. But it's like 7 or 10 days away. We are providing them with a phone so that they would be able to contact our staff or their case manager to make sure that that opportunity doesn't slip away. So those are strategic efforts and will continue to do. The outreach will continue to work with their service providers. But the main thing is getting information out that if they need to get reconnected or they would still like resources that we will be at the same location every day at the same time until August, 20th and extend that time if needed. So this county manager members. Commissioners. really torn here. Having to be so reactionary. To what is happening. That was not a part of the plan. Our strategic plan of how we that's going utilize on money spent money and be very strategic on having I impact.

Say in the Levi on one the strongest advocate for around this issue. One. Of the strongest advocate on the issues for around moving people from homelessness to. Housing to homeownership, behalf into home ownership. But want to read here what document that

We talked about that we have directed the county manager advanced. Is this strategies and develop additional strategies to strengthen the housing continue on, including following actions in alignment with the hitting home. Grandpa Strategic plan me. continue to work on expanding housing, access through building partnership with landlords to increase supportive housing capacity through strategic investment in coordinated system, planning to transport for access to housing redesigning and modernizing the coin made entry system 2 straight and systems that improve housing, stability by testing addressing complex behavior, health, medical and housing need. asked the community Wellness and response initiative, 3, 1, Ramsey County approach that coordinate and integrate their work. The financial Services. Public health community, Corrections, social Services, veteran service workforce solution and other departments to champion regional policies and system change through advocacy at local, state and federal level to dta driven system's performance to feel that adrift in system performance by and vine investment and systems and With data from the Ramsey County community's assessment of the resource.

And I'm going repeat that because I think this is really important that we are building a data driven system performance by line investments and system improvements with the data from the Ramsey County community's assessment and other sources preserving assistant affordable housing by supporting to that position. The renovation in the preservation of naturally occurring housing, affordable housing to increase supply of affordable housing through competitive housing development, finding expand opportunities for home ownership through down payment assistance and support for home. We haven't repair to strenghten home when this prevents and housing. Stabilization efforts to help. remain stable. The house and reduce inflow into homelessness to repeat, to strengthen homelessness prevention and housing stabilization effort to help remain stable. The house and reduce inflow into homelessness to strenghten partnerships across cities, health care, housing for draft. It local government and

Community organizations to improve coordinated responses to housing, stability and homelessness. And so I do you deny repeat that and I read it and repeat it because we have been thrown into action to a population that is very, very hard to stabilize. And to wrap around all the services they need and what system thing, what data and what's research and what practice was show that this is a circle of them being homeless. I would like to know how we are investing night dollars to get to dissolve what we want to see happen in stabilizing people in families. In us. This is very, very difficult population. That we are spending. Cause. We are we being reactionary almost 2 million dollars. Analysts say a really want to know what we get for that. And what is impact and outcome that we're looking for with the dollars that are spending? To me that is really, really important. Right? Because I don't think this just fall Ramsey County in the Ramsey County.

Residents that we taxing to do this work. Yes, call stands associated with this. going to what we try to get to and does it online. Well, what I just read it here, right? Because we have put in put into this position. That we are reacting to a crisis. And yes, they will move to another county. Yes, they will hit Roseville for sure, Maple cities and townships Ramsey County. But coming from those places too. In the coming from Hennepin County. It coming from coming from other counties. And so I want open. And for their help. While we was the burden falling us, Ramsey County and Ramsey County, along with our community partners that we're funding. And then ran really appreciate your your arm. You know your contacts you and I've had a lot of conversations in the last few weeks. I will say that. You know, that is the reason why last week. And I think I before I said it at the board, I shared a meme on with you about the importance of, you know, that the resources are not and we have to stay focused on on the kind of a long game.

I've tried to continue to reinforce that our county commitment thus far has been the 1.1 million dollars is not 2 Million. I understand that there's frustration of reactionary buying with additional shelter beds. I will say after consulting with our housing, civility, director and others, we understood that one. We were responding to the encampment which we did not choose make the decision to close, but we are responsible so much for health and well-being of our residents to mitigate some of the harm. As Commissioner John talked about, we won't be able to mitigate all the harm, but there was an existing a gap in shelter capacity even the encampment closure was announced. I will say I've been tracking the beds each night and while on one hand, I have said there is some capacity. There is, but it is not a funded and certainly not for some of the target populations that we are now trying to buy some beds for whether for different gender identities are for families.

You know. So there's and women, especially there's very few women bed every night. I will say, I've noticed that. So there is a gap and shelter capacity with so while it was reactionary to spend those around the mayors and the city's decision, I do think it is something for the next year. I'm having that extra capacity in our community will not do more harm, but actually hopefully do some good. I do think it was a good investment with that said have also been very clear of telling our team that and the city that we've kind of John R Lines in the sand here and we cannot we're not gonna by any more shelter beds on behalf of the city. If you want more beds, we're they asked us to for facility, solicitation on their behalf. What I did want to purchase and I did spend county we allocated la funds on is additional funds from the county on is case management.

And I do think that is our responsibility to make sure that pople have who are in those beds are actually have the support they need. And the wraparound services. So I talked very strategically with the Francois and with Doctor Wilkins to make sure we wear the money we were going to spend at the outset was going hopefully get a good return for reaction to somebody else's decision. But now we have to take a moment and step back and I've continued to encourage all of you as I've written to you and called you and talk to you and said to the city and others, we have to get back to the continual care work and heading home. so we have to get back to that table and work on top of the parts. You know, and I even would go further. I I shared in a memo to all of you. I will be excited that we can.

I had thought about putting it publicly so we could share. But on our county Web page, we have housing continuum. You'll see an excellent graphic that goes all the way from prevention, shelter all the way to home ownership and that covers the things that Cs working on an hst is working That is our responsibility to do that work. There's lots of ways we do that. But we are not the only ones that do that work either. We need a lot of partners and you are absolutely right. I was at a meeting with Minnesota housing last week, Dr Wilkins and I Hennepin County was at the city Minneapolis was at the table. The state is interested in facilitating some of those conversations. And as part of my other county connections around snap, but actually meet monthly with The other metro administrators and county managers and housing has come up as well. And we all know this is a regional situation, but I will say it's also a statewide issue that we have to I think all things you said are true, but I will say that I as a media, it measure.

I think we had a very measured and appropriate response in terms of what we could do at this moment. sorry, kind of major backer and cmmissioner. And if I could also add in budget works in our board workshop that we this with our law had dollars. We already did use the strategic plan that we had. And we did have earmarked money for shelter and emergency shelter operations prior to encampment closures. So part of this money was already earmarked for that initiative. It did get to what we are in right now. But it was earmarked before in the budget workshop and it is included in the needs assessment as well as a strategic plan. So it's been something that we've had our eyes on for a long time. We've always known that w've had the data that shows we have a limited shelter capacity, especially for those priority populations at County manager Becker mentioned. So I just want to sy that even though it seemed expedited, it has been in the works with our strategic plan and community needs assessment that heading home.

Ramsey has had and we completing the needs assessment for 2026, which is almost finalized and it continues to be an issue on that whole continuum. So I'm not saying it's great. I know. we was just a team and that includes shelters, right? And I'm not saying we shouldn't to an end. That's not point here that I'm saying that we shouldn't. But what I would like to see come out of this. I know we didn't want one that is coming from the city. What I would like to see come out of this is a report. Tests. So impact of this and that, I mean, what are we getting? What what's end goal here it? You know, were we able to see how many individual so that for the additional services do we have a steady flow? You know, teen and 100 individual that stay with us so that we can track that they not going from having a to having the services provided for them where the back in the nothing can get in.

And I guess if they don't show up, we make some assumptions that I think things are happening that life because this is a callenge population. I just want to have some data, something that we can go back and say this is what we sent in this was a visa. And maybe OK, right, that, you know, they I think we can be prepared to know that often they become invisible again some time. They don't follow through because they dealing with some really it is not substance use disorder is mental health is so a lot of things, you know, but for those, you know, the working poor who are working every day want to shell today. It how we elevate him to the next level, too. You know. What's end goal? Right? That we can say that, you know. 3 years, 5 just say that. We can we didn't make a dent in homelessness at all. Right.

How we more intense and just to sow that those individuals who because we make this assumption that everyone who is in encampment, take that or they are have mental illness and that is not the case. That is not the case. And so how do track that? That we have some outcomes that we can look at and say we cheat? Yu know, was 10 out of 100, whatever. But we can show it halfway. I think we need that. I'm just going to end with this which is a story. You probably heard the story before. I'm going to any way here again about group young people who were well, Ken, to for us. And I just walking people just like could have great time. And it came to a stream. And is state looked at the Stream Day. Notice that it works. Babies industry. all started say with the younger the star running to the strain right to start removing the babies and they all just ran.

And they just began to just begin to pour babies out the river for debate is up one by one by one And finally, one of young people just ran away. He just ran away. If someone yell say, what are you We need to help right here. said I am going to find out why baby's keep coming down. The stream. In fact is we need to go upstream to find out. I think he coming to are we doing? do we need to do had to be need to be more innovative, more creative. How do we stop the flow? Of so many families? Because it's not just about individuals. And the water. Giannone. Had we. Intervene. It's tough to babies from coming down the river. So whole concept here.

How do we do this and be more effective strategic around what we spending these dollars? There are places dollar us to get. Income that we can say we had a dent in homelessness hre. And I hear people say to us he's gotten worse. I just am with Again. Thank you. Feed the way. a trying time. Thank I need a motion in a second. no further discussion. Local. McGuire, it makes you think few Miller. I Moran. been saying I all right. to an action. Yeah. Thank

Mr. Child had to be quick Last night I had the opportunity meet with the Ramsey County Charter Commission and provide an update on several of issues kind of shaping our organization right now. I really appreciated the chance to engage with them. Typically I would go there only once a year to talk about the budget and so I decide at another checkpoint. The staff give some contractual station of the kind of the state of the county of those really appreciated. I know they'll be reaching out to clarify probably because there's a couple vacancies that they declared last night in a couple of year. want some help in getting that word out. And I as I alluded to you, I continue to meet regularly with the other metro County administrators and managers and most we spend our time talking about the fiscal impacts of HR one. Obviously, there's some things that are going to be showing up in budgets across counties in Minnesota here in the next year.

But we've been primarily engaging with the Association of Minnesota counties right now in particular, monitoring the farm There is some discussion about some tradeoffs being discussed when it comes the error rate and that possibly a delay of implementation. But it might mean a higher charged. The counties based on rate schedule, things like that. So there's some risk either way with that work. But we continue to add tack and try plan our advocacy around a statewide Metro wide effort, rather than just ongoing alone. Obviously. So we'll keep you updated I will say that it continues to put pressure on to our both in the supplemental of the 2027 budget that I'll be presenting soon as well as we look ahead into 28 29. I've asked our Financial Assistance Services team to present a presentation to you next week as to some real am impacts are going to show up in the supplemental 2027 budget. So I wanted to have a chance for you to engage in that conversation before approving are considering an rba on on the 18th of August.

Lastly, I just want to make a mention about elections on. We are currently in the midst of primaries, as you know, we have revamped our elections website. It is really great. I want to thank both elections team and our communications department. There are a lot of frequently asked questions there that are very simple, too follow. And I really appreciate that.

Getting out flyers and the website out to a lot community partners to help share that information. We are also going to have a board workshop about elections on August 18th at 10, 30. So I just wanted to make sure that that was known because I know were a lot of community members here today before the board meeting interested in our elections works. I want to make sure that that's like for them. So thank you. Also, committee wants my son thank you, Mr. Chair. I Last week I was joined by Deputy director next hole, Tucson from community and Economic Development Team Paul Public Housing Agency and the City of Saint Paul assistant mayor next linger to do a ribbon cutting for the town homes. I'm going to the name and and ending what he And a warning that we with their building Putin installations and no home one year ago, of but I just wanted to lift up the important work of the Saint Paul Public Housing Authority as a partner and continuum for deeply affordable housing units.

These are public housing units that folks not just 30% of their income to be able to live in the air. And these are for families there also accessible, which is also a need in the community for those. So it was just really good speaks volumes to the partnership in the foresight of our staff started making investments in this areas with public housing authority in because as federal funds are diminishing how i is also always on the chopping blocks, you know, they're going to be a big partner for us our conversations around supporting and preserving deeply affordable housing units in our communities. Next of I also want to share something from my from my district and also announcement that the Mpca released in their announcement. Unfortunately, northern I is the foundry and my district. They have been operating and have been in costly legal litigation with at the mpca around permits and have decided to close.

So they are winding down I believe this is just a very unfortunate situation because it's very rare a any business to lose their permits or not department. But then not be able to request the regular that entities and the MPC we really ever takes that movie to revocation. So this is directly to respond. You know, it's it's what northern Iron has done, you know, to itself and to our communities essentially. So it is very unfortunate. However, I will say that, you know, community members in my district are, you know, they they feel a sigh of relief that, you know, the pollution that they've been experiencing from the soil to the air to the set that has been landing on their homes. They you know, just relieved that it's what what's happening. And then other than that, Mister Chair I just wanted to say today's national night out. So after this, still a long day for us.

So we'll be going to block party Thank you. Commission may Thank you, Mister Chair. And yes, everyone go to your 9 to unite to. Events today and thanks to all community members that are hosting those and to all of our law enforcement agencies that are making the rounds tonight. So much gratitude to everyone. Last week, a bright star punter Alliance had a great member luncheon learned. We talked about issues impacting neighborhood safety, health and well-being of our community residents. We had merits of our 3 cities were Mayor Mayor Dan Rowe was there from Roseville and Mary, the events from Maplewood and they're clean. they're from Saint Paul. It was a great conversation. We had law enforcement president, of course, businesses and it was just a great event hosted by and came a bind over separate airlines and they do such great work there. So thank you for that great meeting. And then rent Ramsey, Washington, Recycling and Energy Board did meet.

We had auditor joined us to finalize the 20 2 audit and have talked about the 2025 audit. And we get updates on the budget reduction programming. All right. center facility received a safety update. regarding our unease, strong safety performance. This is very exciting. We recently got an insurance rating. That's what that where we have below average safety related incidents. So it really helps with or with our workers comp and things. So we have safety person that's really been on top of things, really reducing the incidence unsafe incidents. And so it's just it's geat finding that we are able that we have such low. Incidents of non safety and we it helps our insurance rates. So kudos to the irony center for that. We have grants going through the state including funding for solar panels being so that the facility and will digestion, construction and the purchase of an electric director. So kudos to them for getting grants that are helping with our work there.

And we get to award from the Minnesota Association, government Communications, for the work that they're doing. All of our programming. So they're just moving forward and in great ways, if you win, you get a cance to Shun subscribe to the podcast trash. Talk with Trista, which is a resident. You're back as it discusses waste that weighs practices and policy and innovation. So, Ed, that's a great podcast. And the food trucks program is progressing through our communities and we have now almost all of our residents and we just have a few more communities that are left to go. And we're just grateful for all of that work. Then just want to give a shout out all of our communities for their great festivals. We had Saint Anthony had their village fest over the weekend this past weekend and the Canada had Canadian days. I was actually they gave me a little recognition plaque because they've got critical corridors grants for there their corridors and they had great signage and they can make you little plaque, thanking Ramsey County for their partnership working with the community and working with our cities.

And I do want to just give kudos do all of our come in economic development and our public works for the work they do in our communities. And yes, these are really great, great signage. In our cities. So thank you for that, Mister Wait one thing, sir. new bright days coming up this weekend. So tonight tonight tonight and start their days this weekend. So thank you. Commission is saying, yes, I just want to say that to to all of our discussions today, we indicated how much of the work that the county does and how much your partner's do and how much community does. And in the end, I think that this work is just how we choose as a community to take care of each other whether you are an advocate who says I refuse to not look away and I will bear witness to what's happening in my community or you're somebody who picks up some water.

Some food or make in your home and if for whatever, whether it's it's a, you know, reacting to something happening with encampments, whether that it's happening with making sure that our elections are safe and everybody has the opportunity avoid vote. If that is there, they're right. All of the different ways It is inspiring because it is easy to criticize and it is easy to say that these things are hard and it is easy to say that the world is full of suffering in problems and then decide just to keep to yourself. And so I just really want to thank everybody who stays in the game and continues to want to be part of taking care of each other. One of the opportunities for that was that the didn't well place. In Mounds view, opened up a program center. polling place serves women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. And the new program center allows them to fix.

They had expanded and had room for more housing as people are getting back on their feet that they had reached the capacity for their children's programming, their day care and education program that allowed them to really receive families. And so this new program center allows not only for the stabilization of the adults in the room that for the children as well, which is part of our future upstream. And how do we keep people out of the river? And and these are our community partners who are doing this work. I also have the of of attending heart beats for home run for the White Bear Lake Area, Food shelf and seeing community members. And the thing that was wonderful for me, there was not only seing community members enjoying Ramsey County Park. There are people who are swimming into in cook outs as well as the event. But then also seeing so many of the volunteers who work with that food show from do so much more in community and this young woman from Blaine who is there with the music.

We just happened to share high-top because you're having a the edible cookie dough, which I highly recommend. But but she but she was spending her summer working as an intern doing this kind of community work as well. And again, the folks who choose to continue to be engaged, was able to go to to tour the Lake, Johanna Fire Department Open House. This is a combined firehouse that serving the city's art Hill Shoreview in North Oaks. Lovely to see the combined effort to keep our community safe and to to provide first responder training and then living in and functional facilities for those communities. And then I just want to highlight that, though, wipe your historical society is hosting the wall that heals a three-quarters scale replica the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and it will be exhibited at Lake Park and that later this week. And I know Commissioner Miller 9 will be they didn't taking the tour.

And and I encourage folks, if you haven't had the chance to go to DC and experience. that the the wall and to honor everybody who has served in our service in arms services, but particularly the individuals who in the whole generation that was impacted by the Vietnam War. 2 to take a mment reminds us again, that ultimate act of community service. That's m head. Thank Commission. Yeah, I'm gonna go back a couple weeks because I know so want to touch on the mosquito. 7.22 attended a mosquito metropolitan Mosquito Control District. The commission approved the 2027 maximum Levy and preliminary budget directions. So they approve. Max Levy reflects a proposed 10.7 5 increase to support implementations of and CDs. Strategic plan, including expanding mosquito control services, infrastructure investments and additional staff. And so with that in the final budget, the estimated impact would be around a $1.19 per year year for the median value home. and then attending Naco, I was - a member of a Nikolas the E O Ur Environment, Energy and Land use Steering Committee.

We reviewed and approved 20's for policy resolutions that help guide Nikos federal advocacy on issues including water, quality, solid waste, energy infrastructure, environmental stewardship and local government authority. was a great conference down in New Orleans. And then last week I was I attended that we win conference. It's women empowering women for Indian Nations National Conference where the theme was Warrior Woman creating balance mind body heart and spirit. So all the sessions really focus on trauma leadership, resilient, whole person, wellness and healthy boundaries gratitude. And then our indigenous leadership values. That was just a consistent message. We kept hearing throughout. I only missed one session and that was wile I was in the board meeting online last week. But was also quick say I attend that conference every year with my daughter. So my daughter gets also learned from other strong native leaders across the nation and people. So it's really great. And this I'm just going to say one fun thing.

If that's okay, we attended SummerSlam last weekend on Saturday by were big WWE fans by kids are and then the convention center had some free things. And I got to jump off the top rope and being named Kelly, the conqueror we didn't use superstar names. I have a trading card in a photo and anybody wants to see. pretty cool. I did just that It's just so, you know, and we hosting national night out tonight at for our community and our blocks. I'm pretty excited to not be roundabout in 3 different communities and the of the hosts and be in my neighborhood. the and just going I only 4 weeks ago we took a to my 2 granddaughters camping overnight. Everybody is commenting that they will mosquitoes. And this, you know, want to send thank you to you hey, a few things I

Attended grand opening up 30 social services, new center changing lives. That's located at 709, University Avenue West in district. This is the new site that expand access to housing, stability, financial counseling, family support in other essential services strengthen our community that for residents and families. You get a beautiful place with to service to social services building. He's also housing, including and that really, really nice job. I also participated in a couple that and meetings I get that was 7 meeting on the planned closure Peak Park encampment and its cousin was focused on coordinating outreach house and the source S and all the other things around. What's next with individuals? It was really just good to be there and hear from our community partners and those who are. When the hard work supporting. Those individuals that peaks, I park and of course they would definitely. And so 4 paws. C. I Friday, Commissioner Jeff, the scene and I participated in the twin City Habitat for humanity's day. So it's really fun to do that again this year. is I second participating in in that it was good to to be in the room to President Chris

Coleman, who is the former mayor of Saint Paul, is leading Habitat humanity, was able to lay flowing in one of their homes in north Minneapolis. It was a great partner with colleague over there and in Hickman County. So this is a partnership. Well, sometimes with trying to be competitive because we want more people from around the county to show up in Hampton County. But kudos to Heather Medicine. Along with Commissioner Kevin Anderson and Chair Irene Fernando, who all showed up and participated. Thank you, Commissioner Fernando's Fortnight. We appreciate that. And it just reminded me that when we come together across county, we increase and build stronger relationships. Be definitely be a more homes. And so communities and more opportunities for families to achieve the dream of home ownership. on Sunday. participated. I showed at START House. don't know if you heard a star So asked which is a crisis nursery 406, you It was opportunity to me the the director of Star House and the partners and supporters in communities who are helping to expand services, opportunities for youth and families to the Star House mission. I mean, it was I mean, did beautiful job.

I think there with 6 bedrooms in House it is done. I have good notes here me. Well, Because I was just really, really impress. But their work. star House is the only nonprofit crisis nursery in Ramsey County and ddicated to serving most vulnerable constituents run 0 to 6 and their families. says when parents face a sudden overwhelming emergency such as a medical crisis, housing instability. Well, extreme stress start house provide a free, safe and nurturing environment for the young children to stay wide of family, stabilize us. And that is true. When I first came to Minnesota and individuals, Sam do and I don't my kids off at risk what wrist care. Just as a place where you can take your children when you need time to go, Stephanie, you over land and they do it free. like, as it was a sentiment. Where was when I needed it right? We all need some type of support.

Sometimes we all some help. Some time. But it's beautiful place. This is a private owner. greeting the house to them so they pay rent. But he's very, very supportive of the work him and his wife there and they have several other buildings that they have So I definitely took his car say, you know, we tried to and heading home the county. We are creating the property owner Workgroup. And we need to voices at the table, right? Who are willing to, you know, property owners are not. Or I'm the every of taking a risk. Richie says someone who have a duty and off a detainer or who have history. happy to for Iran to county to say we working with these families. These individuals and because of that, they can open up their doors to in enrich one. So great week and I love that. And I went to on Friday, mentioning. Rondo Days, which one Saturday.

So they want to participate in Rondo Block party was one of 4 games to be around neighbors and families and friends. just come together celebrate. Get to know your neighbors, some some basic things right. Get to know your neighbors, full music, local vendors dancing community energy off the chart. really, really inspiring to there and participates And last, you know, hitting home Ramsey County Governing board. We met week. Also at Catholic Charities. So thank you, Catholic charity your doors and allow this to me in a space into Get a feel for the work to see the work that's happening over Catholic charity. And we would just continue to work on into vans are collaborative strategies that we have for the poor in partnership with so many others. means thank you. I'd like share with you Tuesday. I was with president on the panel with city. system and homeless folks and other nonprofit Panel that was about 6 of us. It was about it too discussion. It was a Q and a community asking questions a lot of homeless puts us a painting. It was a good action as you can. Well, imagine Fultz Concerns. the camp and

Closures, but discussion was ago when and I think it was necessary just to let folks event and let you know what there. wishes were. The other is say was on the panel last Thursday at the landmark Center for the 3 meals all but a 45 minute film on the. journey of migrants from Latin America to the United States from various countries. on the panel of air with folks and that 2 Well, so I want to just give clues to both lemon scent of good job. The oher was packed and with some Street Federation District Council for a sponsor that community. Event to 2 here, folks, us know what they think. So thank you very Also had meetings with Chris Coleman and the executive team Habitat for Humanity. Just a Brainstorm how they should move forward light of and the various projects they have certainly the heights being a major, major concern. Moving forward here today. We have a workshop wage. We have behind but I was discussion this morning was necessary. So I wanted to just better.

Happy 30th anniversary. The. We have a workshop that's going to be. Shared by But Maguire, yeah. Yeah. We'll think if may, Joe soon as we can. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Because we have staff waiting for