 Commissioner McGuire at the recent meeting with members of the Ramsey County State Legislative Delegation.
Before Legislators returned to the Capitol for the start of session this week, Commissioner McGuire and her colleagues had a productive meeting with the Representatives and Senators that represent parts of Ramsey County to go over our legislative priorities. The priorities for this session includes a number of bonding proposals, which will hopefully bring state investment to a number of key projects in our communities.
To learn more about the Ramsey County Platforms, you can access PDF versions below:
 Ramsey County offices and facilities will be closed in observation of President's Day on Monday, February 17
United States Census Bureau to hold hiring events
A representative from the United States Census Bureau will be at several locations around the county recruiting for census takers. Census taker jobs are temporary, flexible, part-time and pay $22.00 per hour in Ramsey County.
Visit 2020census.gov/jobs to view application and for more information. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2020.
|
Revamped library website launches with new features
The Ramsey County Library website - rclreads.org - has a new modern look! The redesigned site seamlessly integrates with the Library catalog and calendar of events for a better user experience.
With the new design and mobile-friendly features, our digital library spaces are now more accessible. New features include:
- Smarter searching: Search now works like the rest of the web. Simply type what you're looking for, like “new kids books."
- Better browsing: Quickly discover new titles, resources and events through shared lists, filters and more.
- Personalized accounts: Easily customize your online account to track and share interest.
Learn more about the new Library website's features and how to start an account
Ramsey County Library named Star Library for the seventh consecutive year
Ramsey County Library has been recognized as a Library Journal Star Library for the seventh consecutive year - one of four in Minnesota for 2019.
The Library Journal Index is a measurement tool that compares annual data reported to state library agencies and compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Libraries are rated on five measures: circulation, visits per capita, program attendance, public internet usage and circulation of electronic materials.
View all the Star Libraries.
 Commissioner McGuire with Representatives John Lesch and Alice Hausman, Roseville Council Member Wayne Groff, and Senator John Marty at the recent Senate District 66 Town Hall.
It's not too late to get a flu shot!
Although flu peaks between December and February most years, it can last as late as May. Influenza is a serious viral disease that can lead to hospitalization and 80,000 deaths last year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Flu shots are widely available, check this HealthMap Vaccine Finder to search by ZIP code below for locations offering vaccine near you. Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health’s Immunization Clinic also has low-cost flu vaccine available for anyone age six months or older who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccine. Public Health offers flu shots by appointment only, call 651-266-1234 for more information.
Flu viruses are spread by droplets when people infected with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. Flu also is spread by touching a surface or object that has flu viruses on it. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a seasonal flu shot every year and practice good health habits:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Wash your hands.
- Stay home if you become sick.
|
 7th Annual Northland Cup Charity Hockey Game on February 23
This event brings together city and county officials, employees and volunteers to benefit victims of domestic violence in our community. Due to the generous support of last year’s sponsors, participants, and attendees, we raised $24,500 for the Saint Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (SPIP).
Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse used by a person to control and oppress another. Its victims are from all races, sexual orientations and identities, spiritual beliefs, ages, educational backgrounds and economic conditions. It involves physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, intimidation and isolation.
The Saint Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (SPIP) offers critical services and access to safety to victims during a time of greatest need. This past year, over 5,800 domestic assault victims and their children received crucial protection and transitional support from SPIP. An additional 8,000 people affected by domestic abuse received assistance on their 24-hour crisis line. SPIP’s broad-continuum of critical, comprehensive programs and services increase domestic abuse victims’ long-term protection and offer families multiple options to move forward to stable futures, free from violence. All services are free, confidential and accessible.
The Saint Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (SPIP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your charitable gift is tax deductible.
The game is promoted by the City and County as a charitable community event, and has proven to be a lot of fun for everyone involved. It will take place on Sunday, February 23rd, 2019, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at the TRIA Rink, located at 400 Wabasha St N, St Paul, MN 55101.
We hope you, your colleagues, and your families and friends will attend and support this fun, family-friendly, community-building event.
We will have other exciting activities as well:
- Chuck-a-Puck
- Silent Auction & Raffle, with a wide variety of gift certificates and merchandise
- TST Catering
- Photo Booth
PARKING INFORMATION:
Street parking is free on Sunday, and the Treasure Island Center ramp is $4.00, which is attached to the TRIA Rink. Please refer to the map below for more information.
Saint Paul and Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project: https://www.stpaulintervention.org/
Let's Hygge!
Hygge is a defining characteristic of Danish culture and refers to a quality of coziness and comfortable friendliness that brings about a feeling of contentment.
Sat, February 29, 2020
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Roseville Cedarholm Community Building
2323 Hamline Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113
Join us as we spend a cozy afternoon including:
- Snowshoeing
- Kicksledding
- Shelter Building
-
Meg Erke - Artist and Educator, author of Minnealphabet picture book, will be on site leading a Suminagashi (Japanese paper marbling) art activity. Books will be available for purchase.
-
Christopher Straub, contestant on the sixth season of Project Runway, will be reading his children's book and selling his line of stuffed animals.
- Complimentary Hot Chocolate Bar with toppings
- Concessions available for purchase
*Activities subject to availability and cooperation of weather. All activities (excluding concessions) included in admission price.
Admission: $5. Kids 3 & under free
Click here to buy tickets.
Better Safe than Spoiled
Manufacturers put dates on food products for a reason. Sometimes the reason is for safety, in which case the product might say “Expires On”, “Use By”, or “Use Before.” In most cases, the dates on shelf stable foods are mostly for quality and are there to let customers know the food might not be as good as it could be after a certain date. Quality dates might say “Best By”, “Sell By”, or “Best if Used Before.”
There are national efforts to make date marking on products consistent, so customers know if the date is for safety or quality. Generally, if a product is perishable and requires refrigeration, it’s safest to use it by the expiration date. If a product is packaged and shelf-stable, the date is probably specific to quality instead of safety. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, powdered infant formula should never be sold or used after the expiration date listed on the container.
The USDA has created a useful database of suggested time frames in which foods should be consumed. Visit the FoodKeeper website or download the app on your phone for guidance on expiration dates, product recalls and other helpful information to help you get the most out of the food you buy.
|
Early voting available for presidential primary now through March 3
2020-2023 WIOA State Plan Open for Public Comment
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) submit a State Plan every four years to the U.S. Department of Labor. While the State Plan largely serves as a compliance document for Minnesota’s federally funded workforce development programs through WIOA, this draft state plan also outlines the One Minnesota vision, mission, and goals for our state’s workforce development activities. The State Plan is developed by state staff under the oversight of the Operations Committee of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) and must be approved by the full GWDB before it is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor for review.
State Plan Goals
Minnesota’s current operating WIOA State Plan was last revised in 2018 (as required by federal law on a bi-annual basis) to update the state’s very first four-year WIOA State Plan that was also submitted and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for federal program years 2016-2019. This 2020 draft four-year plan builds on the work of the 2018 revised plan but includes updates in the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the system, developments related to coordination and alignment efforts, program updates, and an executive summary that provides an overview of the work ahead under the leadership of a new administration (pages 4-9).
The proposed 2020 WIOA State Plan primary two goals for meeting the skilled workforce needs of our state are found on page 48 of the draft document. These proposed goals are based on goals previously established in the 2018 Revised Plan, which revised the 2016 goals to be inclusive of gender. In this draft plan, “age” has been added to the second goal. With this change, Minnesota’s draft 2020-2023 WIOA Plan proposes the following two primary goals in order to realize a stronger workforce development system:
- Reduce educational, skills training, and employment disparities based on race, disability, gender, or disconnected youth.
- Build employer-led industry sector partnerships that expand the talent pipeline to be inclusive of race, disability, gender, and age to meet industry demands for a skilled workforce.
Public Comment
If you would like to provide public comments on the Draft 2020-2023 WIOA State Plan, please share your comments on the State Plan draft via email to WIOA.comments@state.mn.us. Please also be aware that a supplemental posting will be uploaded for public comment in February that will include small portions that could not be included at the time of this initial posting because data was not yet available.
Questions
If you have questions about the 2020-2023 WIOA State Plan or the public comment process, please contact Ben Baglio, Director of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, at Ben.Baglio@state.mn.us.
County Board
Workshop/Discussion Session
Recap
Workshops and discussions are informative presentations by the county departments and/or service teams to the board of commissioners that are often tied to the county’s strategic priorities. The presentations serve the following purposes:
- To provide in-depth informational session to educate county board on topics of a strategic nature to the county.
- To establish a foundation for policy/programmatic direction and/or future county board action.
- To seek input on and/or guidance for future direction.
Workshops and discussions and held on Tuesdays and are open to the public. These take place at the Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse in Suite 220 (2nd floor). You can find the schedule for all upcoming board meetings, workshops, and discussions sessions at https://www.ramseycounty.us/your-government/leadership/board-commissioners/board-meetings-information.
Upcoming Events Around District 2
|
