Ramsey County, MN Board Meeting

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Like to call 2. And then the Ramsey County Board Commissioners Roll Call, please thing here. McGuire here much excused. Miller here, here, And spending a few minutes behind and Ortega. I United States America and for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with and justice fr all. Then they acknowledge from commission thank you, 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 are brought here against their will. Some are drawn to leave their distant homes in hope of 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 aross all barriers of heritage and difference. We are standing on the ancestral lands of 40 people. want to acknowledge the ojibwe the ho-chunk in the other nations of pople who are 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 not native people t live and work on traditional native lands. Consider the many legacies of violence displacement, migration and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such troops at any and all public events. Thank you. Lynton Taney motion on the agenda or of 11th 2026. second. Seeing no discussion roll call. I Iran? Jevon think McGuire make sure used in Ortega. All right. And to take motion on the minutes of 8/4/2026, and move. Seeing no discussion roll call Miller. I Moran have been saying Aye McGuire. I think my friends, cute. Antarctica. We have the administrative law judge and Yes, thank you, chair. I would

Like to move the following administrative items. Item number 3 appointment to the personal review board item number 4appointments to the capital Region, Watershed District Board of managers item number 5 appointments to the Capital Improvement Program Advisory Committee. Item number 6 park and Parks and Recreation Commission member composition. Item number 7 project budget and financing Plan for Arden Hills, Subsurface Training Restoration Project. And item number 8 appointment of the Ramsey County director of emergency Management Department. I would like to pull that See no further discussion. Roll call. Mueller. I Moran song. All right, Jeff, think McGuire, might use its cues dinner to go. commissioner I would like a move item. Number 8 appointment of the Ramsey County director of emergency Management Department. I just wanted to pull this item to county manager Becker a chance to speak on it. All right. Thank Commissioner Miller and commissioners. I it is my pleasure. I'm going our emergency management director can do both black to come join us on front of the dice and is my pleasure to introduce her.

And has and the appointment is before you today. I brings a strong background in emergency management with experience serving in government. Emergency management roles where she has led emergency preparedness initiatives, coordinated complex incident responses and strengthen partnerships across local regional state and federal agencies through her out her career. She has been committed to building resilient communities through comprehensive planning collaboration and continuous improvement through our interview Kendall demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities her focus will be fostering regional partnerships, improving our preparedness, promoting equitable emergency management practices that should position us well for both day-to-day emergencies as well as large-scale incident. I want to thank her for moving Minnesota to take this position. And while she's been already on the job about a month or so, she is officially, you know, moved here recently. And so we were able to bring it to the board with this official appointment. So it is my honor present to her for your approval this morning and also thank her for jumping in head first.

I know even right when you started, we were managing several the heat emergencies. I virtually with you and you've boots on the ground with our elections team as they've been preparing for today and also the coming weeks ahead. So thank you very much. An thank you, commissioners for your consideration. Welcome. Thank you.

Thank you. Chair commissioners and county manager backer. I'm honored to accept if you'll have me the role of emergency management director Sherry Ramsey County. And I'm grateful for the trust you all have placed in me. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but I've spent my career serving the communities on the East Coast, including 10 years with the state of Connecticut at the criminal justice policy and planning Division Department of Public Health and Division of Emergency Management, Homeland Security. I spent the last year and a half at the city of Boston Office of Emergency Management. But the Twin Cities have always held a special place i my heart. As I graduated with my undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. So it means a great deal to me to return to a place that helped shape my valley. Us. Throughout my career. learned that emergency management and really all of government, as you all know.

It's ultimately about earning trust. Stewardship is one of my core values. And at the end of each day, I want to go to bed knowing that I have been a good steward of presidents time trust in Texas. My goal is that when Ramsey County faces the disasters a disaster, communities, we'll know where to turn. Our partners will know how to work together. And this board can have confidence that the emergency management office i prepared to coordinate and collaborate with an established. Framework and with a well socialized structure. I look forward to working with each of you to keep Ramsey County safe, resilient and ready and also want recognize the incredible team. I've had the privilege of joining. Kristie, Kim Karma, Brian and Iraq's or volunteer Roger, as well as all the county staff. Municipal partners with that community organizations and public safety partners. It's a privilege to serve the residents and visitors. Ramsey County along take each of you. Thank you. Thank you and welcome. Thank you. Local police. Mueller, I, Iran. Second thing acquire I make much cute dinner table. You we now have a policy item.

A presentation on House resolution. One implementation. Operational readiness. with the director, Ali, thank you. of them. Good morning. Chair of commissioner is Connie Monitor. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. before I begin, I would like to recognize financial assistance of this is about to stuff. If a date they navigate well, they held toes. And so them to come to this offense, navigate complex and often challenging situations. did

Okay. Shun and commitment have positioned us well to implementing the changes we are discussing today. I also want to recognize poppers across from county. This has the woman from see come to with support from Information services, human resources, fiscal team. but the minutes approached community services support us. We share that partnership. As we prepare for these changes and continue working together to the county because it is. Today. I would love to talk to you about what someone out. A means for them

To come. What we to be to prepare. Weiwei's to move additional staff and what next. The agenda today is I will cover peace. I will explain the changes coming on edge one. Second. I would show the improvements. We have 40 teammate. And we explain hold. These changes affect on topic. And finally, I will you overcome and issues. And next, the steps. Before U. S. team for additional staff. I would like to highlight what we did

Accomplish through all 100 and initiative. Come to manage a broker challenges. The folks from what we could control. That became unfold this on strategic. First. Could you see involved books? And improving access to services? strengthening quality Krissy. Hello to them. Operational performance. The first goal was to about and improve access to services. Once we made progress there we shift old folks home to improving quality. Chris. We do not trust the code to work faster. We are hopeful. Looks more go

To buy that service. We invested wouldn't know yeas. Nearly 170 staff completed customer service training from November of last to July of this year. We have expended, you training for supervisors and managers. Stuff the rate improved from 21% to 17%. We are also description is to better reflect today's work hold, who crewed, retain employees. The second folks was to acknowledge. We are partnering in Moderna's Ishan industy percent statewide include not cold in X is also noticed them to To reduce the

Amount data entry. His team world and improve efficiency. Since every real more than 2,700 residents have 42 used the online publications that struck her and instead of calling that saves residents time and a low stuff to spend more time for assessing case. We wll also strengthen uphold quality assurance war. Oder folks. It's not just the correct in federalist of to be happen. We identify patterns and divide preventing and working to prevent terrorists before they even have it. We had incredible a case of us just about the new supervisor coaching on walked with information services to build a new digital quality assurance tool that gives me that real-time information. also want to thank protect not chief information officer and his team for their strong about the machine developing this use Flynn, friend of quality assurance that too. Just as important, we have intentional about changing culture. We are creating commuter. petition is the comfortability responsiveness and performance. We are using data to se where we where we're doing well. And where we need to prove. And you shoes These movements have made us stronger. We have invested people. Technology, you

Crossed the seats. But with these improvements. We call it the best city. We do not have the capacity to manage the created by Beloved by don't about that right away. Since one became law in July of last year, we have closely with this state and wrist on what it means for domestic only. continue to fall as of today. So we have been prevented instead of waiting. Minnesota, he says state supervise the county administer the system. This man is the father governments changes the law and this state but of IDA'S

Guidance and counties do the work. Goal is simple. We want to be while continuing to provide timely and upgrade services to residents. The physical impact. The caller monitor. We'll talk about football budget. Today folks who own a pet issues. The biggest challenge. It's look just the cost. It is the additional work he that by the new federal requirements. All the stuff we all it's been good us. cute. And the question commission is saying, yes, I'm before we get too deep into the fiscal impacts.

I just want to say, you know, we were at our early to sneak a policy convention in and sitting on a number of different committees that the impacts a teacher, one that are happening to counties all across the country. But specifically to counties that are state supervising county administered is is really tremendous. It's not just Ramsey County and one of the things I just wanted to highlight just to undergird what you're about to talk about is that the guidelines haven't even all been finalized. And as recently as June this June meeting weeks ago, decisions are made as far different things about work requirements and eligibility and not just new clarification, new ways of how he had having to get there. And so I just want to say I recognize the challenge that you all and your team are facing are facing already in this last year. We charged ourselves with improving the work that we're doing because that just needed improvement regardless.

And then we had We has the government shutdown in the fall and then Operation Metro surge in a lot of other things. So I just want to say that that while you've made a lot of improvements, it's been during a time of tremendous challenge and stress and I did not want that to go on stated. Thank you, Commissioner. I can see him better use much better than me. And that's exactly what company because Minnesota has one of the 10 states in the nation is one of the state's 2 advisory committees no program. So Kona side of the divide, a rule. That's the way to get the due to something in tuition as these changes continue so that that's exactly what's happening right now. And for us because of that state supervise, the federal guidelines are still coming out to state that has to catch up. And then we have to catch up with them. So the leg is tremendous.

So the idea that we trying to get ahead of this a little bit is are really are only only course to have any thank you I have a question. when you talk about quality assurance, one of the pieces to that, the components. That a good question chair. All so quality assurance and host each program has a quality assurance. In particular. SNAP program has the quality to ensure is that that is the measure. It payment federate that this what you about the close to shift is of kony's. If you have federal rate is more 6%. It. So that is what we're trying to strategize and be more upfront to prevent this from happening. So the quality issues, the team when on this for it be a key meeting that we just a it is going to help us. I know that we've we've provided. past years, we've provided more focus to deal with the financial assistance and so forth.

And it has improved because I've gotten feedback from folks. But I am still I just want to make sure that I worked is. Have enough time. I mean, it doesn't help if we have to repeat steps. Right? We didn't win moving forward in terms of with Well, it's a backlog justice. Normal I just want to make sure that it isn't just about numbers that we an extra 14 people, but it's really about the procedures and the work in and the assistance. How do we make sure that when that repeating things says we also I also have constituents will effect to repeat the steps. And it's really fault, not theirs. chair. That's exactly right. That's why we have been going to since lost a lot of te bottom of the alignment. So to make sure that we don't only the full that's in the structure that we had in the pause. We're exploring different ways to do that.

Isn't all the developments today is much position to be effective in different ways as we creating a different group. Is that make most sense as they do the work soul? I will help due to stated that you're interested to know. But what we have to be doing, all these changes that have to today. It was the investment that that, know, this board made, you know, few years back last with the county wanted to support. That's what you see. All this investment to date. And this is bogus. So this. But this continues. So as talking about the fiscal impact for the Kona monitors, going talk about the overall budget vote. But today my focus is on a patients. It's that additional. The biggest challenge is just the cost to say sit It's that or created by the new for that on quiet, one half morning. Billy to diffuse morale benefit patients. Mort notices on Wilcrest work.

Even with improvements. We have 40 to mate a cotton to stuffing is not enough to handle all of that additional work. Medical assistance has the biggest impact. As you note for it, money once would have been every 6 months instead of once in a year. That means so tough when complete the sweep used was spotted. Money. spoke with case is also required. Additional verification. Is that promote people to meet it? During peak new APD. It we voted did indicate a book with toes 400 stuff. All what each month to this war? That's a Their covenant of full-time The new federal requirements. We have another of war put the boost existing. We'll Excuse me only. And se missing. So I just want to highlight that again. So right now it's every every year, but it's going to go to every 6 months. So that doubles the amount of of work that the county is doing, but also doubles the burden on individuals who are seeking to victory, verify their own their own eligibility.

And to back up the for these new executive orders before these new rules, there had been ongoing momentum to encourage that those eligibility be like every 3 years unless there had been some kind of major change. So, I mean, this is this is really a lot of extra work. That's coming our way that and the impact on families and individuals who are working to make sure people have the continuity of services and impact on them too. So it means that. Not only are you all having to do twice as much work but your hand holding folks who are already struggling to get all of their paperwork in and al of that. So it's going to be extra stressful for the people that you're working with to get them through this process that subsequent great commissioner and this is Is, you know, most work is happening is that coming very starting January? 1st of this is when all these changes are going to be fit.

Mister Moran. So when stating just to go off what we just heard Commission agenda seen, talk about the impact. What do you how do prepare for this? Every 6 months? We know it can be a lot for individual or family. So how we prepare 4 this renewal process every 6 months. forecheck commissioner a run. This is very important. A question. How we prepare is one of the things that I'm hit 2 days U. S. you told us, you know, increase or Stop Inc best. It does a one feet. The second thing is working with the state urges his tool, make sure that community of dissidents that Anderson, this upcoming changes that is only the state. DHS believed look up to people can look up all the changes that are coming and whether the would meet that requirement of the weavers, whether the what what I needed. So this is kind of like 160 Dwight and for a sport. tough for them.

I for the team had the meeting and we have additional housing, all these changes, how we can make or But the position so we do this upcoming changes to this is video. Most that's crucial Jemison was talking about. This is the only front perspective. This is also from perspective, many people who live on this video, vital services to you know, took a took a cattle themselves, their families goal is to make everyone who's eligible look to know to lose that coverage. So head to head with like, what does that look like in practice? All right. Maybe at the 3 month, 4 more months. Time priod. You sending something out to individual to say that and 6 you notice is coming up. So wat does look like in practice? So in practice, this wind is in the coming generate people who would have, you know, we knew was every month. mean, if it's 6 months, they will receive a notice from the state to let them know that you have reviewed us coming to make sure that your time in your paperwork.

So once we to see both able to work, we full up. There is a 3rd the budget vendor that state is working with to hopefully be able navigate to meet eligibility could have to such as you know, community volunteering all working. So they would be a lot of due to That is due in mid June. We don't have those detainees told that prop to COVID look like, but in of stopping all. That's how we So that communication become is very critical. We as a talking points that we shared it with this stuff that they will share with the community when they received a call about this consensus. Mister chair. So just for clarity, state was to not get individuals. Not the county know you state We are prepared for right? We have pay.

Thank you, Director One of the questions I have is just about how you arrived at the recommendation. For eligibility East Specialist Fte is as well as eligibility. Specialist supervisor. my question around. This is just how did you arrive at this? And is this adequate to meet the moment that we are under? Commissioner John, that's a important question. Saw it one in engender out to for programs, which is, you know, health care indicated for the Minnesota. in medical assistant. In addition to that, it posed him about this, you know, snow program that is also requirements in new changes on the program. And this is like I'm talking about in a medical assistant, edition of stuff that we asking for medical assistance for those like talk about the dishes that we have a question for SNAP program, how we choose them. But numbers, you know, it has been a lot of assessment internally, excluding any potential work that can be done by state to Fit Party.

All could be automated. This is 7 this to home. actual work that comes the county's going to do for students. You know that to continue their health. So it has been, you know, a lot of that went into this to come in with this number. And we believe he's a reasonable number that that we think that we this work know that to make sure that people of the coverage. And what will you be using to just measure if this is the right amount staffing or if you need to scale up s'more, too, because my understanding also is that some of the backend infrastructure from the state is still being planned as well. so we do not have the reliability technology or even the state infrastructure in the back end as well. So how what what steps are we using to like measure and assess and evaluate whether we are? Getting Staff members are not to to complete this can on that. important question.

Again. All this, you know, assessment and planning for additional is based on what is and what best of what what's going to come to can control 2 to limit. You know, the to the impact of this, you know, a child. What is going times to come to this? you have credit status, not you know, yet, you know, read in terms of systems that we use, as you may have read many times. The state of Minnesota uses system that's about 40 years old. even more. And he's going to be a bit of it, right. And you to do this, additional step because today is a little best information that we have of today. And yes, of course, it would be better way to assist if we see more improvement system is one of the starting stages. Need it. this is about with the below what's needed. But this is the best information that we have today that we can askew.

Go ahead, commissioner. I was gonna say, too, is that w are states supervise county administered. And so the state has some responsibility in supporting the county says they administer these changes. And so I would hope that this also is tied to our request to our state and federal partners to to to have some support to to the county says the implement these changes that are out of our hands because ultimately number of letters we had to support these kind of changes are limited and so on. I think we have to to to recognize that too. Thank Thank you. Mister So tomorrow, the metro County administrators and managers are I'm meeting along Julie Ring to talk and that he'll guard from EMC to talk about just Metro Live. Just some of the list of things of unfunded mandates and county minister. You now things that are costing us some funds here and think about how we can come up with an approach as to how we would bring that forward to our commissioners likely through, you know, either district rendered 10 or through our own boards at some point so that that's happening this week to have some coordination on this.

I appreciate that. Because while we're talking about this particular change, there are multiple changes that are compounding in our in our department's. Yeah. The list was about like 15 things to focus on so rather than have us all work on different 15 things. I think the goal tomorrow is to get strategic and say, OK, these are our top 5 things among all of us. And then, you know, how do we strategize and who's going to take the lead on different parts and really worked closely with AMC? Obviously. Thank you. County manager, also plan to meet in partnership with the state DHS. I would think so. I mean, I think commissioner and I think that would be something we've traditionally lean on AMC do because that is a statewide conversation. I think as a Metro, we just want to make sure we have our large entities who serve so many residents. We just want to make we're not all picking different things on that 15 of things to focus on.

And then I think the goal then is to bring that boader to the statewide effort and then have those conversations either with a new governor nw legislators. Obviously and be able to speak of voice for all counties. So thank you. So that this is talk about novel little to no changes to swell because no one wants to see a significant increase workload about seven-thousand them come to the students would be affected by the new eligibility and walk requirement. could lead more damage. But to diffuse. Communicate with more distant us prosus more notices and Honda Motor a new and the implications. To conditions based on amount of water involved. Look, just the number people affected. We are commending foreign have 50's for him. special position is adults not increased, will come out. This is like somebody by the stuff into the conditions. Voting to go But we ought to come and 17, one, half 50 E positions.

This includes hall Legibility special. This is one ability, especially supervisor. This is a folk circuit We are asking to expend of the services that we do today. Yeah, asking for that staff needed to could of the new federal requirements while continuing to provide timely crude services to them county residents. Hiding timeline. Emissions saying?

Yeah, I on the last slide. I know this is a little wordsmith. The but I think it's important that it's the bullet. The second bullet on the bottom the first bullet on the bottom says this will enable Ramsey County to implement H or one policy changes while maintaining timely resident access. And it goes on. I just want to say that that that this is one of many changes that are happening in a very dynamic policy changing and fat tech, not all of the things are happening and swirling all at once. I just want to just give a little bit of a lifeline to sue your department to say what we have high expectations. We have high accountability. We have all of this because we have mission to serve our residents regardless of the swirl, but also that the idea that anticipate that there will have some program implications that there will be some stresses on the people that we're serving.

And even if we are as timely and even if we're able to work like clockwork, the very fact that folks have to go through this process twice a year itself will be an impact on them. So I just I want to expectations that that policy changes have ramifications and this will be felt on our community, even if we can keep up with the changes and and to to just say to that as much as we can. You know, we keep impacting expectations on our teams and some of its external paddling as fast as we can. But also there are there are limits right? So I just you know, I think I'm measuring a measuring for bailing faster than the training because it's been raining a really long time.

Up to the Crypt Commissioner, Japan is saying one thing that I would to the point that teammate. Roughly we have te ball. We said 15160,000 people come. Financial Assistance Services has about 465 employees, including the other to Trump stuff. Including vacancies, including people that we and everyone if you just with this number is to the people that we every member, But an F a economy said this about the end people to come. In addition to that, we have seen this, you know, and you pull us is that we've conditional will, quote, addition, complexities additional instruction with presidents. So this is if this is huge, this is a very beautful. If you're going to sit, you know, yes, if we could go back one slide. I just want to mention that last bullet that adding the 17.5 fte well 0.2 5% of the property tax levy. And then I just have one question. After says after the anticipated federal reimbursement rate is at their current reimbursement rate us at expected rduction of the neck of the federal reimbursement rate. We really very question. Connie. Want to with discussed above, pulled into but the budget in back to. But is to me, did you know, call. So we put in here is the new anticipate of investment that expect that will be reduced from what we currently restrict, OK, if.

Thank you. you had there was 7,000. Ramsey County folks sitting the impact that. I thought once threat and so in what we climb into the to the snap, correct. Te views the work week. Is that your Yes. So OK, so is with complete. Find to that. It is. And it's. I'm not just another. You got the complete cycle this.

So credit chair a take out one. So we get that the tennis. Oh, this is supported in the program. Started last Right is Steve obedience. It and it is that, know, still kids still, you know, we've all being but generally speaking, but a few cations fallen image that especially his duties, you have to verify if someone eligible and they need that requirement to be fully agree case. So, yes, this is fast and lose. That would be do this So if they don't meet that, that employment, if they can't provide that documentation, for example, then they're all snapped. Automatically. Then they will be eligible only 14 months in years. This is that something called this opinion that to be into this. We used to call him, if you don't meet those requirements to extend up to 2 foot each month that he got benefit was what end of the months. She I may be conflating the 2 between the work requirements for medical assistance.

In the end, the work requirements for snap of one of the things that I recall is the changes in the disability requirements. And the idea that it used to be that there is a list of of disabilities that if you were verified by a doctor, your medical team that you had one of these lists, the men that automatically allowed to be seen as somebody who has who waived from eating those. Those engagement eligibility But now one of the changes that has happened is not only do you need to say, yes, I have this disability, but specifically for you, your disability in this moment of time prevents you from working and one of the concerns that I have is when I was in one of these pals discussions was the idea that nobody actually specifically does that, meaning you. So how how are we training our staff to not only say yes, your doctor has says you have stage 4 cancer, so you are whatever the list, maybe I'm not.

I don't have the list in front of me. But something of that kind of built. And then to say yes, but but you're having a good day. So you're good or know your and air defense into treatment right now. And you can't even get off the couch, though. Know so. Who is able to then take that next level to determine that because that's a new piece of this puzzle. But a good question. Can the up in a singsong that 2 different things said there is still but few months ago, I don't remember except to do something me to continue to cause services that you should guidance about. What those who know medical been a ticket is going to look like. Iknow that is some, you know, you've got to be a double that with that. That's going to be they're not. But in been a issues to India. You know, there's someone to qualify based on in it.

Somebody can best dish an Audi note ability inability to war. We d have a former school in medical that beautiful. To be able phones to the Was that would that would provide We just take that information. There's been that provide that information. While we're on Paint What do you mean that manual knows this? What do night? So members could be like, you so each coming in from of them, it could. You know, from that I just talking it's not something that you can automatically send it You know, this isn't just wants to be So you have to talk to people ask the question why you kind of wat you need to G 8 and then the walk rescinded. simple we may use a note with kids it up to speed to the details, but new kids work system. But that is a lot of multiple things that we have to do. And then another man to include me in.

You have to override the system. to old slip consistent with the current policy so sometimes you have to go to deep dive to the system so you could hope that I can do. This is an employee mission that is sending 2 people. To avoid any confusion, sidebar. When are we going to get our our we want to update because so tedious. And I systems currently outdated. Are we working our So it because is very tedious. It's a question about the system's it's about. The manual notification in the system. That we using that you have to call in defeat opt questions versus sent out. Maybe a survey some type of documentation and they respond to So or notices that, you know, all send advice the ball center by Coney most of the time could be confusing. people always have a question about 2. Some clarification about it is that the 2 So this is something that, you know, we do with this system and that all set up to be complicated.

And we have time to simplify its own ability. Would we have it? So I a don't know exactly when you head into into midst of notices yet. But what I can see is the event of a to confuse invaded, communicated and we intend to make it simple to all of to believe we can do that. Yeah, I'm just concerned about the menu and notice is when you have to individually call Everyone to have a conversation with It had time consuming that. just slows down process and we're not able at this point in time able to just sent something out. And I get to some people may have questions about this.

Yes. Part of the work. people need to better understand, you know what you're asking. But could that be a part of the process? Is the priority is to make the phone calls. So commissioner open up cruise ship contenders determining eligibility very tedious and complex process. And it differs one person to another so the world can be made with the best and asking all 5 requirements and they talk with the best and be honest in both 20 different fortifications. So that is what I mean. Like when it comes manual interaction. So it's like, you know, I don't okay give it a case. So every situation is different. Every household composition different so that is a multiple shooting. Get into a says those cases all the time. I okay. thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Commissioner. just want to. Now I read a question to my mind about we know that the state has it's an antiquated system as well as we try to interact with the state with these programs are is and other programs that we try to interact with the state on.

And I know we're trying to get. You know, the state to have better. You Better technology and better and these programs. Wrapped up to that or of those other programs. acquired, Fs to Connie says a set of us and I'm stuck on 2 men age, but 10 different programs. Almost all of them that state system interruption. So that so there's a need. And I know the legislature gave him some money to help with that. And it's not enough. And so how COVID COVID coming on that. And that is full of hope this, you know, that is a statewide initiative going as you all know, that last year, nature, you know, took a did some fund is to a system of position. And that is what we're hoping to come up with some thick. But changes to have been, you know, Vegas my PDA. think. Yeah. Thank you, Mister Chair question. Why I did want to just let you know that the state is setting up that modernization work group.

We have our chief information officer who is going to be a part of that. We think that's a really strategic move. You have AMC to request his participation because of his past work at the state as well. And then also Commissioner Miller will be joining that. And then kind of under that. We have deputy director heavy, none other people who are more subject matter. Experts of the system supporting them. So we felt it was important that there's plenty of people out that work group. Now that I understand the max the system and understand the mechanics, we actually just want to put some strategic folks, both the commissioner level and I all right, our actually to put time in there, I will say the other thing that we've briefly talked about, I know I've talked to our deputy commander, friends, wind 100 rally about this is continuing some of the movie UN Richard Taylor would maybe have the most history here.

But, you know, Hennepin County has built over time. Some workarounds and we have not as a county and we are going to start some of those conversations, too figure out. Is there partnership that's possible? Because at some point we been waiting for the state to fix something. And at some point you have to take some control of your own destiny. And I think there's an openness on behalf of a couple other counties to consider. You know what that would look like. And obviously that would include a fair amount of collaboration and maybe even resources. But we want to at least explore. Are there are there some Bridget efforts that help us accelerate the work while they're building a new system because, you know, thing things are continuing to happen while we are waiting and it has for a long time. And for those of you been in this conversation for a decade, you know, a decade has passed.

So I think we need to keep thinking about how the thought fully aligned with what the state's doing, but sometimes do our own thing as we need to because no one else is coming to save us this point. Right? So yeah, I that health insurance said of us instead of us trying to catch up with them, they can catch up with us. Get moving that way. thank you for Yes, a lot happening on a modern nation at a thank But I do think I do want just thank Ali and the staff for. We have done everything we can to control the things that we can to improve. What we're bringing forth to you today.

Are the things that are out of our control, both that the hiring timeline, which is why I'm having them accelerate, bringing this to you because that is out of our control as well as you know, the actual requirements themselves where we've been able to create better retention with our staff, better training, better customer service, improved processees wherever we can. I mean, really, this work was kind of the catalyst for starting operational excellence 2 years ago as a kind of became organizational. I think there was just a lot of opportunities to improve and we need to continue. And I know they've continued to share how we are improving with the community and what I know. Commissioner Kvin sing as part of the had Brown a partnership. You know, I'm a meeting are convening and we continue to continue to inform those folks because where when you guys are getting all those emails, this is probably what, 2 years ago where it was coming so hard and heavy.

I think part of the situation with people that understand what we were doing and we've done both and we've been more transparent about where we are improving, what things we can and can't control as well as having made improvements. And so both of those can be At the same time and both are equally important. We have to admit are limitations to our community. But I just want to think, Ali, for and him and his leadership and his team, they have really leaned then I've seen a tremendous amount change in that department and to the point we've been receiving some kudos, you know, from from the state as to how are you guys, you know, making those improvements. And part of it is, you know, really just said this is a huge priority for us and we need to put resources and the bandwidth you know, and give the department some opportunity to leverage resources from throughout the county when when Ali was talking about being able to have access to the highest department making that a huge priority.

I mean, that's that's really critical because they have a lot of work that they're doing. But they need to understand what most critical. I, you know, on behalf of the commissioners and myself right now to sell. Thank you so much. I know you have some next steps, but, you know, this is very similar to when the sheriff came with ATC request. It's a two-parter and the sense that we need to do some Ft additions and get some contingency funding to get it started. So we don't miss this window while also knowing that it is committing to something in that 27 or 28 27 budget. They're 3 components of HR. One impacts to that 2 budget. I will talk about all 3 of them in a couple of weeks when I present the budget. This is just one the parts that make sense. So. Thank, you know, let me just that. One of the things we have to do this way asked for the quality assurance questions to the extent that we could. They made the movie applications. I know that that it's not at all due to our environment, but those with benign environment.

Makes it whole lot easier because the legislature jst because have located money to whatever it doesn't mean quite frankly, anything if we learn that because they've been giving money over last several sessions and we still in a quiet my quite frankly, it's up to counties to figure out how to do this. And if we can come up with better ways of quality shows is one of the big keys internally for us because we could avoid duplication internally. That makes it a whole lot easier. just trying to support saying that we at continue helping our employees do a better job and also providing them with the tools to do a better job. So I think that's key. More than worrying about.

The Dawa per se. I mean, we need the resources. We also need to be innovative internally and that wait for the state could start coming Thank Think you could imagine for comments? Yes, so I will talk about the next to know the heart of timeline. One thing that I want to point out. All it is home is very important. been it's been special that we trained overnight that they hide their hide it. It takes about 6 to 9 months before unable to independently manage a kiss. Move on that hole. One thing that I also want to point one of the, you know, they're alignment with quality control and quality assurance. We also believe we need to work and to know to tune Quebec City to a program called the train that we are approach. We have intent certified trainer is would allow us to training capacity as adding additional staff. This is something that I should have with you Ian Times before that, you know, we wanted a mess of this state when we people, you cannot even as soon as we want because we have to go to the state in coordination with the time slots.

Now state has worked with us. We thank them. We have set the fight you know, that would be fully a viable coming up over which isn't a good alignment with this. A note, of course, that making today. So moving position gives us time do it. 2.80, and the beef. All these changes take effect. This is particularly important. National just sorry, I didn't mean to slow your older, but just the idea of their 87 counties are going to be facing this. So the idea of getting ahead o recruiting. Folks they've able to do this work is no small feat. This i initiative that comes county let and we appreciate partnership that we One of the first companies that get this, you know, 2 nervous. This is particularly important because we are already operating in a high value environment to many if you Did you notice it and these new for require ments additional work and waiting on to the new work put I've is we to be behind and we do want So the timeline Today of a line at the operational impacts and additional staffing need to prepared for these changes.

When was the 18th, when return with a request board of Louisville. If approved, would begin hiring and training right short, we are going to be for the new for the requirements. Take effect. In closing. I would like to close with symbol points. We have been preparing since with a low pass last year. Second, we all need to make major improvements or additions technology you that she'd been quiet issues. Finally was the France have made us stronger. Yeah, look that additional will commuted by Fitch on one. This is stuff in his folks practical and based on the work that we know that's coming. You could help us continue timely and a crew and ally of was said this is them come to dissidents. whole new for that? requirements or dispose of to us. Thank you. Most young thing. Director you know, based

Off on our work on the AMC Snap Subcommittee, you know, there have been a lot of conversations around the request of delaying implementation of some of this. My question if we are successful in giving it a delay some of requirements, what we still need this many fte us. Who I would say yes for number reasons. And the one this delays the you know, as you know, that funding was nt voted on. second chance will be in September. And we don't know if this believed to have been in the delay that's on the table is one year and other one is 2 for 2 years. COVID is a risk that I to that date. So. That shift from that penalty from 15 percentage to 20%, it increase the fiscal responsibility the county's. If that's going to be the way. But what we don't know yet how we're good to overcome with a payment every that we have today because this is systemic issues. That i in my humble to be do this. If you to hold that all that system would help us to achieve that goal to be under 6%. So I would say that, you know, delaying putting his position is it be very strategic move because that uncertainty from the farm bill is still in The discussion us.

Commissioners, I I would like to justice as well. I appreciate what saying on the staffing side. I will just say that similar to what Commissioner Devin Singh started with when we were around. When we first started introduce this item this morning. There's a lot of unknowns in what's going to be implemented. We continually are trying to still advocate. I know obviously the workgroup you're working on. But also you know, our government relations has been tracking along with AMC, you know, the farm bill, other things to try to continue to delays. I think on all our state and federal mandates and challenges and I'll talk him this morning. The budget as we're trying to be very thoughtful about where we sit on a risk in terms of how much we need to plan for versus how much we don't want to over plan for and levy for on something that may not happen, right? And so this is a moment where we can be grateful that we've had a strong board and who over many years has been good fiscal stewards of resources in the county.

This is going to be a moment where counties who have more basically fund balance are going be able to manage a little bit better because we need make good choices when it comes to what we're going to love you for versus what we're going to bridge for. If that makes sense, you're going to start hearing about some counties that because of their fiscal situation, they might have to put into their kind of some of the big scary things that are coming. The while the state really still has ability to have a conversation or the federal government might still be able to make a delay. We're going to be in a good spot, at least thinking very thoughtfully about where we need to start investing and make those decisions and where we might not want to as one of the larger counties in the state of Minnesota, there are things that the state can still fix that.

I'm not gonna put in our Levy. I'm gonna tell you that it's a risk and we are going to work on But I think but I am gonna bring some things that I think are imminent and w need to acknowledge those and be prepared for the also. It's at a delicate balance of of managing some of the risk. But when you are in solid financial position, you're able to manage that risk a little more strategically. If that makes sense. I think because of difficulty in the hiring timeline, this in particular was something that I felt needed to come to sooner than later because We'e don't want to get caught where we are completely, you know, not because it's what commissioner talking said. This isn't going to be issue of resources. At the they were going to fine. Hopefully the funds to hire these people. It's that we don't have control over when they can be hired and how quickly they can be trained.

And that's the part that we can't control with. No amount of money can buy us faster training and onboarding if that makes sense. So we need to just be strategic air. But this is the real challenge at all. 87 counties are talking about and you're going to see some discrepancies across the counties. Some are going to say we're loving for these 6, 7 things and others are going to say we're only going to do in these couple of things right now because you have to be really thoughtful. I have some of the advice of our co. He's been sitting at some of the table statewide, you know, in looking at some of the big shifts, we want to not signal to the state that we are going to levy for some of these things that we still feel they can help us. What's so we're going to be thoughtful and strategic and still be very honest with our legislators that we have a we have a major problem of an unsustainable property tax here and we're not gonna just assume that the county is going take that full burden.

So it's that's a little bit of I not layers of the onion approach, but I appreciate the question. And I think this is a I would highly recommend that yu consider this this higher for all the reasons that director Ali said, but also because we have to control the things we have move on, the things we can't control. And this is one of them. If you Yes, so county manager you. You alluded to the what we saw on slide. 43, which is that they're still programmatic and financial impacts SNAP administration and benefit costs shifts. I know that that's not what we're talking about But just to put this investment in context of broader impacts, of us, can you give us a little hint as to the kind of program financial impacts? You anticipate that the snap administrative and benefit costs are going to that sure I can give are some early estimates, you without going in that. big specifics.

You know what we're anticipating of Brown. The federal HR one impacts would probably be in the range of 13 million dollars potentially. Daniels has a rough range. what we're looking at in terms of the long-term support services, which is something we'll talk more about in the budget. Again, this is not this is something that we definitely want the state to solve and work on. But for us, it's you know, we're it's and it's about 6 million dollars closure for him companies. and those are all going to come in for Jen 2028. So. So that would be the 13 million plus, an additional

And looking at dipping into our contingency acount. And so I don't remember whether it is a noble county Dakota County will both of them who have no contingency dollars left in talking about also laying off employees. Right. And so I would say with with that we have seen Ramsey County born in very Putin her 5. Dallas and spending. We triple a ratings. So you've laid a good foundation for us that we can. We can do this at this moment in time. In just thinking that. The impact that HR one that the federal

Government is having on state and counties right cities across this country. And it's true that type of policies and practices that were seen here with that. What shifting? These cost down to local too. Local governments and the impact that. It is truly have an online real people's lives and the work that we can do and not do. And so on, you know, as look at, you know, always looking in this moment time. Can we harm or but te question is, can we not hire more so that we can say is efficient and effective as we need to be him prepare for What's coming? Because it's coming issue as we sit here today, we're going to go back into recession with the state to see if we can afford And the ship is going to come down to the county is going to happen, right? And I'm just grateful that we have the dollar's that we can invest now.

You laid out a really good process and that's we can only train now in October to look into 2027 and it takes 6 to 9 months to that. And this is the moment that we Whether we like it or not, you know, how do we continue to be good stewards of our dollars also be efficient and effective and accountable to our taxpayers, but also to the residents people that want to do a good job to continue to do that. the strains that we have been placed and not because this is something that we're holding back. because you've been? More this for us. To add to do this hard work in Cso. And so. It's a hard decision. Fact, I think you make a really good case for why we need to move forward. Mr. Chance. I just want to add to this conversation. I know that we're doing the best that we can to control what we can hear te situation.

I would also add that, you know, not knowing what the other counties are planning it is. very concerning to me that other counties would consider under-investing and this moment in time because what the federal government is doing is they're tying payment your rates, too many of for the entire state. So it does not matter whether you know, Ramsey County does everything rtd peace or payment your rate. They're fighting us by how we're doing collectively as a state. So it is I would just mention this and also really urge all of us as we are having those conversations at AMC at Nagel about the importance of how formula or what they're tying this to us. Deeply, deeply flawed. It does not measure fraud. Payment. Your rates are typical and

They are standard in. What you do is you are actually correcting them every time that still gets counted against So I just wanted to name how deeply flawed this as and the intention of this is to remove people off of public benefits and mke it harder for working class people who are working multiple jobs, disabled people and kids and seniors from getting food and health care and getting the care that they need. took if I just made a comment about this home. This addition of Stefon requested that we question today. Just a little, but in no time come t take and cost fix on it's about to closed, that's going to which could many people to use that coverage. If you're going be put up to. And I just want highlight that you know, with commissioner going to say that that's exactly would we if we that's what we're trying to prevent that. We want to make sure that everyone who was trouble to receive the services.

They don't use it. Because could best that we don't have it continue that coverage. So I just want to target. Yeah, the only thing I just add chair and I appreciated what your your reflection commissioner ran at the end of that is one of the things I mentioned in the biennial budget and it'll be theme as we go through the next couple of years is, you know a budget of responsible choices. We are not in a moment where. Just cutting things is the best option to managing abudget. It thinking really thoughtfully about what are the things that need be looked improved but also where we have to make additional investments. And so that's a that's a nuanced conversation when it comes to You know, a lot of times one way you can do deal wth adifficult budget is to across the board. Just have all your department's take some percentage of a cut and just deal with it.

And I think that is not a responsible budgeting technique. Alright, besteman technique in our community needs it is. takes much more of U. S. Capitol approach to think about what are things where we potentially like a lot of. But we are there things that we absolutely should not let And we actually things that we actually need to do better. And and the way we're do better and he's put more money into it because it's so critically important to what the county does. And so we're gonna have a lot of those conversations in the coming weeks. But I thank so much for really haven't a good early conversation ahead of the bigger budget. This Ben, a good couple of meetings with the things you have invest in early that hit against the levee both on, you know, making sure we're in compliance in our for the people who are in our care and custody, recognizing that other ways we end up paying for that anyway.

That investment a couple weeks ago. And then what you're going to decide today. Ithink both of those I wanted to bring to you out of the contingency fund because I think they cannot wait. So thank you very much. You also voter There's no Sorry. I was thinking how to vote, OK? apologize. OK? I do have a couple not more exciting. Know. I want to thank our HR department and our team. I know many of the commissioners are familiar with our employee achievement awards they are been how we've been doing them has been for a couple of decades, honestly, and we've decided to give it a little refreshed. excited to share about it today. A lot of people put a lot of time into this. So human resources is rolling out. A newly redesigned employee recognition program to celebrate our employees whose work makes a meaningful difference in our to our county residents and our organization.

So this redesign program creates more opportunities to recognize employees at every level of the organization with an emphasis on our values. Many of see our values wheel every day. When you turn on your computer and really wanted to set side recognition that really focuses on those values. And so the program's going to actually have elements of recognition. One of them is a values in action award. Those are sets of award and they're going to replace the former employee achievement awards. These awards will recognize employees and teams who exemplify people integrity, community equity in leadership and any employee may nominate a colleague, their team for those value awards. We also what's going to be shining Star Awards. That was our quarterly department level recognition for employees to distinguish temselves to their commitment to operational excellence in the county values. We wanted to make sure that well, very limited number of people get maybe county wide awards.

There's more recognition that could be happening at the department level. And then we also are going refresh our high 5 program, which is an informal pick up your opportunity. We just want to thank someone for doing a good job. You want something bigger lead all and then I'm really excited about a one Ramsey County award. This is going to be a county manager award that recognizes employees are teams that demonstrated exceptional commitment to work across their areas and disciplines to advance our shared goals and improve outcomes. And what I'm really excited to tell you, is your role in some of that? So as part of all these awards, we are now going to set aside April as part of county government month 2, when we do the actual on formal recognition of all these employees. So they'll be an event that the board will be invited to every April where we will honor the teams who have are people who received awards throughout the previous year.

So instead of coming to this board meeting, they'll get more knowledge meant at the department level and then the board will have a mre formal larger award ceremony as part of county government one month every year south of exciting. So I want to thank our state patients Ferguson the team refreshing, given that a great, great refreshed. think your patients. All right. And then today, I just want to. I acknowledge that today voters from across the state of Minnesota will be able to vote in our state primary. Ramsey County residents will be able to vote for various offices such as the U. S. Senate. U. S. representative the governor and other constitutional offices as well as local offices, such as their county commissioner, mayors and city Council seats during a primary. No candidates are elected to office. Instead the primary reduces the number of candidates will proceed to the general election, which will be November. 3rd, 2026.

It is important to remember that in Minnesota, 4 offices that have partisan primaries, voters can only vote for candidates of one major political party. Polling paint places will be open in Ramsey County from 07:00AM this morning. They are open until 08:00PM tonight. Voters must vote at their precincts polling place. Any voter in line at the close of polls will be able to vote. Minnesota law does not require a registered voters to show ID when voting. If you are not currently registered, you will be required to show an approved identification in order to vote. Minnesota allows voters to register on Election Day at polling places. This is one of the reasons Minnesota consistently leads the nation in high voter turnout to confirm your read station satisfy your Election Day polling place, sample ballot or to find other election information go and votes dot Gov. State law requires employers to allow employees time off to vote without loss of pay or use a vacation or sick time.

So I like to encourage everybody to go vote today. If you haven't already. I want to especially thank our elections and volunteers that make this all possible. We have over 100 polling places throughout the county also, I want thank yous to communications and public relations. They have done a lot of communications about all the iterations of how people can come vote over the past few weeks. for many people, I know we point you just appointed a new emergency homeland director. But we have a very robust team of folks that are that helped to prepare and plan for elections. And that includes folks on the election staff, the team that can the leads our Sheriff's property our information security team and also communications, obviously, and the county attorney's office. So lots of people have been working for many weeks and many months and will continue to do so. This is just one of the milestones as we Election Day in November.

But just thank you so many people for their commitment to doing work that really is that, you know, the the foundation of our democracy. So thanks everyone for their work today and will be excited to just don't see the results. And then at the end the night here. thanks. Thank you. Its move on to So I say and I think employee recognition also something to do. So it's going coupons highlighting that moving it forward. A C. see last week and this week I this recognized national night out. That was going to fall in. I was a beautiful day. So happy was a hot and sunny. But it's just great to get onto community connect you know, different than you may David. Yes. So they just 2 able to do that. I I tended family, shipped to work group. Meeting. which comes out of

Haiti, home Ramsey County. So we and they as family shelter Workgroup the focus on family in a meeting to continue conversations about the needs of families experiencing housing, instability. I do see it remain committed to strengthening core nations across systems families can access shelter services and halfway towards stable housing with greater dignity, inconsistency. So it was really. Good, too. It was my first meeting with the family. Shell to work group and I told them stay was grateful to me there. But I'd be there for the rest of the meetings going forward. Really good group. Diverse group departments in leaders stress in that space. families. What really come down as we think about the number of cadets still awaiting this open. 97 families who have not we don't have stable housing in just need to look at the impact that that has one as are about to go into a new schools season. Where kids are not stable. impacts learning packs attendance. has a huge impacts for the parents and have they can.

Meet the needs of their families and stabilize kids and want the best for It's really difficult when you're not stable. So I look forward to the continued work working group. Thousands attended the Snelling University Partner Workgroup yesterday. Which included update on the pig's Eye encampment. Closure. was a bit to 10 last night. The math, community meeting, which is a group of community members from the African-American community coming together to look at this new LOL. That would be that would paint in Ramsey County is a pallet off. Where is going to be statewide come 2027. But just want to say thank you. 2 elder who's with the culture wellness center for her leadership. Want to thank Giovanni for from had that cat is means that development, that network for the development of African descent. I want to thank the

Community members and cane together to really bring teir insight with them that experience too. Helping us the county help in this state to identify what is culture right? So when you get out of home placement, what we have seen within the child welfare system is that coach a piece missing. You know, remember as a little girl. live in in my community where when the family was struggling. was in a system that came in to support them. It was the family members and community that showed up to support him. And we have over years. child were system that he's negated that piece family in the foundation, then the strength of the community in te street that the family and that from others at teases to all matter and not 1, outs. Ice wasn't putting P s. With strangers. And so had it was really good to too, to see this work happening real time. The meeting I have to explain the process, have community members can be involved and why this is an important opportunity for community voices to be at the table.

I was really proud to be in a room with Ramsey County departments will show that to be doing this work in partnership wealth, community members that came together genuine collaboration around future children and families. So work that will continue And also can be helpful. Wealth. We look the intake process. It is that intake work. He is our keys are families are these the screen and screen out what we want to go up front and be a part of what that looks. get decision making process to happen. State really? screening in families. bill least that family's Native American families disproportionately and really bring and what do that Co 2 pieces look like and why does it matter in how we can help states social work are making decision to make though she says to a more. Comprehensive for millions. That's it for me. All Let's see here last week I attended the wall that heals with Commissioner Kevin saying at Polar Lakes Park and wait for township, the traveling memorial.

It was a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC and it honors more than 3 million Americans who served in Vietnam. I and the 58,281 service members whose names are on the wall there where 7 assists 7, not believe that were from the white Bear Lake that were specifically. They have their names and their pictures. It was really great to be there. Just thank you to a purely historical society. Woodbridge Township, our local VFW and American Legion Post in the many volunteers and partners who helped bring this experience. So the community. That I attended that and why Fs annual Pork Picnic? That is Ford pickup that the board post for the staff members we had it at Hanson Park, New Brighton. I just want to shout out this park, which is really neat. It re-opened following improvements that included upgrade to an inclusive playground and injure or your cile challenge course. And even little.

Timers. Second time you. I lost a against my daughter trailing hands Bins and a new park building with accessible restrooms. So that was really great to spend some time with the staff and the NY fast forward. And then I attended a career for storing and the with was held at the Ramsey County Government Center. We received updates on federal and state work first program allocations for 2026. 2027.

Heard from the one-stop operator course. And I say Conto con consortiums can store storm. There we go how the partner sure case and resource fair, which is pretty neat to see our partners there. then we also have the opportunity to visit Career Force Base located at the Ramsey County Government Center. And I got to see the wind, the with members for Workforce development team where they are. How is that as well? So it's pretty cool to see that. And finally ended the night at the Montessori American Indian Child Care Center graduation event. I have the honor of speaking and built a really special place in my heart just from the time when I was working at WA also sat on their board. They're one of our closest partners. And we also that to welcome back their alumni from their first graduate Montessori graduation class of 2015. So seeing those children are those young adults nw going into high school is really need.

So it was pretty great. And with that, I will I'm Commissioners I'll just say Last week I was able to attend the East Metro Mental health Round Temple and I had some fits and starts and connecting with the group just because of schedule oerlays. But it was lovely to be in that space. This was the that encampment closure and mayor her was giving a on the ground in real-time update. where the county was able to report on the supports and investments that we we were to kind of meet that moment. I will say we also got updates on a line U. S. mental health and addiction services and capital Parks facility. I am really hopeful about being part of this group because it was a constructive conversation where people were holding each other accountable and also providing dedicated support to say that, you know, we all are in this together. These are community issues to solve that.

We have to have a place where we can. We can share our concerns over things that are going on, whether it's a staffing issues that are still going on Capitol Park, whether it's the timing of future of encampments and how we can make sure to be there to to surround community. But that that we do have the spaces and we continue to meet in these types of spaces like heading home, Ramsey County, like all these other places that that only intention we have is that we collectively support community and the needs that they have. So how do we continue to meet in a pot and positive space itself? It was nice to be in there and also not just to have it be a isn't this great for all here, but to be able to say, hey, this will make us better next time. This is what we need. So I I applaud the the leaders who continue to show up in those spaces.

I actually then I also had a chance to be at the League of Women Voters for Way for leak areas. Annual picnic. I've been part of the League of Women voters since I my entire adult life. But during this time, I appreciate them even more. They are trusted advocates for democracy. Nonpartisan. They provide election forums. They provide help with registering new voters and advocating for safe, effective and accessible. I'll actions and they've been really trusted messengers in community and have really been great partners and then last night I had held my quarterly community connections group. This is community organizations that are grassroots and and and individually led across district one and excited because this group continues to grow. We had representatives from many faces from the White Bear Lake area do could Roseville north from North Venice Heights, Community Action Network, the Spring Lake Park forward together group representatives from the shore of Human Rights Committee in the Mountain Community Engagement Committee.

And while they are also using that time to build their own networks and learn from each other and collaborate on where to to making more inclusive and welcoming communities. They also were expressing concerns over the elections. The the concerns over potential disenfranchisement, people being afraid and staying at home making sure that they were getting information. And so I'll continue to provide them that information. I'll shout out to our communications team. Many of them have copying and forwarding and social media. The post that Ramsey County is putting out they they express their appreciation for that clear information. And so I appreciate that. And I've encouraged and courage individuals who are concerned to continue to watch our our workshops on our elections and to continue to look to our our elections website page for accurate and up-to-date information. So just letting folks know that this is a concern that folks have and that community members are providing each other education.

They're sharing positive, accurate information and they're helping each other get to the polls and to exercise their rights. So thank you to everybody in community along with all of our election staff volunteers for for continuing to make sure that everyone's voices are heard. Thank you Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. lot going on last week. just want to give a shout out to the people that apply for our community advisory councils and that get appointed in today. We appointed people to 3 of our boards in a win and give a shout to my colleagues. Commissioner as Jon and Commissioner Moran who serve in that interview team. This time we all take turns. So every your 3 of us do the interviews for these boards and we get great, great response from our public and just encourage people to keep applying for these boards. shout out to Samantha, which was appointed to the personal review board. Want to Sullivan Jansen Joseph P Collins and Rick Sanders appointed to the Capital Region Watershed Board.

And you Clarins Patterson and Mays McCoy, Anderson, who were pointed to the Capital Improvement program Advisory Committee. These are people that give their time to the county and to our residents. And just thank you to them. I want to give them a shout out and it's in the board act. We don't say their names. I just want to give them a shot at. I also I want to just add my thanks to everyone who participated in national night out all the community neighborhood meetings, all of our law enforcement that what made it to so many of them, it was it's just a great night for community to get together also and are as community festivals are continuing to brighten had their stock your days this past weekend with a great parade. And making this, you know, there's so many people the antique car show and then just an amazing community day at at Ramsey Counties Park along Lake Regional Park.

They filled the park up with hundreds 100's of people. sure that we're probably 1000 at one point for all of the activities that they had. So shout out to our community festivals, Rose hd a do good Rose Hills, founder and director Kathy Redmond looked and loked was help is helping with our collaborative work. And she's just talked about how she started this amazing organization. And most that, every every community wants. Eerybody wants to get it removed and their community because she's just finds work that needs to get done and she does it. we're just I just want to shout out to her and and thank her for all the work that she's done in our communities. You can do work faster than government can't some time with the group of people that she brings together. So I showed up to do good Roseville, League of Women, Voters of New Brighton had their summer social last night.

So shout out to the Likud as my colleague Commissioner Devin Singh said they are just really that there are the they do the forms for our elections and their election judges and they are keeping our democracy in check here. And so we really appreciate their work. This weekend is the van race. Our punter summer Block party from 11 to 2 at Chrysler, punter. And they always put on an amazing with food and music and community coming together.

So I encourage people to to go to the right start in Germany party this Saturday. And with that complete. Thank you. Yes, thank you, Mister Chair. I just want to highlight in addition to national night out, I had an opportunity to meet with so many of the folks care very deeply about some of the issues that we were working on, including the encampment issues as well as supporting permanent supportive housing projects. So they thanked us for supporting weekend face project on the east side and that mission to that. were also able to share south of of Maryland on Wayfair Avenue.

The county is doing a study of the road so we were able to pass out flyers about about that, that the county has public works. Team is sharing that getting input from community members right now. I also want to add for this week there is East Side Appreciation Day. The Salvation Army that's on Payne Avenue tomorrow from 12:00PM to 05:00PM Youth and families can expect get access to backpacks. School supplies get here, cut And then, of course, additional bouncy house for the kids and also music to. So there's just a lot of connection with community members there. it also includes businesses who are on their a contributing here, cuts the music and also the Bounty house. Us. I shouldn't go in for him I. And then of And let's this. Saturday is a pathways to wellness. It's a community health initiative the impact is across Ramsey County, of course. However, it was intentional of being at Arlington Hills community or to Connect East Side residence West health screenings, wellness resources, school supplies and trusted community services.

We are also able to work with them to put together a community proclamation to recognize community health Workers awareness Week for August, 25th through the 31st. So folks are invited to join us. Thank you. I just want to make a comment national night out the weather was it's a long time. The weather has been that use in hot and it was a great night to be out. The other thing spending for the lighting of the first bank sign on the roof of first bank building. symbolic about that. I think it's it's a building that that, of course, was closed and has been bored by it. Jamie Van. Jamie ran from

He also both the greatness often they believe. Ad 2 buildings that foreclosed. And it's just a symbolic Saint Paul and downtown. Is coming back to life and people interested in investing in in the city. So that was very positive following the board meeting. We have a closed to the public. executive meeting regarding the sale of 97, more street Saint Paul, Minnesota. We adjourned. We can take like 5 minutes. See you guys Tke a personal business. Thank??

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