April 21, 2020

Contact

Nicole Frethem
Commissioner, District 1
651-266-8362 or 651-425-9580 
Email

Sheena Denny
Principal Aide
651-266-8355
Email

Nancy Larson
Administrative Assistant

Follow on Facebook

Commissioner Frethem is sharing information and access to resources in real time on Facebook. Follow us there for more COVID-19 and other county content.

Virtually meet with Commissioner Frethem on Zoom

We will be holding virtual chats and check ins via Zoom on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.

• April 23 Facebook event
• April 30 Facebook event

Learn more at the Facebook Event Invites or join in by clicking the link https://zoom.us/j/4574765166 and entering the Meeting ID: 457 476 5166 at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 23.

Eliminating and reducing fees and fines

Ramsey County has eliminated nearly a dozen fees levied against people in jail and on probation that officials said disproportionately affected low-income families and communities of color.

Commissioner Frethem said "the move to reduce some of the financial pressures on those entangled in the criminal justice system will help struggling families and children."

Celebrate Earth Day 2020

April 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Everything is a little different right now, and the way we celebrate Earth Day is no exception! You can reduce, reuse, and recycle from home, and explore nature right in your own neighborhood!  Ramsey County is encouraging residents to complete environmental challenges with your family to leave the Earth a better place for future generations, pick up some thrifty habits, and enjoy the spring weather. As you complete the challenges, share photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #ActionQuest2020. Stay safe, follow social distancing guidelines, and happy trails! #ChalkTheTrails is an opportunity to do your part to help keep trails clean and chalk your walk with uplifting messages and drawings. You might even win a prize. This program is hosted in partnership with Shoreview Parks & Recreation.

Public Works and Parks Updates

Road updates

694/Rice Street

Overnight work at the I-694/Rice Street interchange in City of Shoreview, MN (Local Government), Little Canada, Minnesota and City of Vadnais Heights Government will impact I-694 traffic April 20-23.

April 21-22 overnight
Lane reductions and temporary closures will be in place on both east and westbound I-694 beginning at 9 p.m. tonight and again at 9 p.m. tomorrow. Work will be complete by 5 a.m. each night.

Board of Commissioners Virtual Board Meeting

Today's board meeting was a virtual board meeting via Zoom. You can hear our discussion and watch the board meeting on Ramsey County's website.

Property Tax

Today, the board authorized the deferral of the first half of 2020 property tax payments, without penalty, up to July 15, 2020, for:

• Non-escrowed homesteads,
• small businesses with taxes less than or equal to $50,000, and
• residential non-homesteads (1 to 3 units) with taxes less than or equal to $20,000.

Relief is intended for those who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The county encourages anyone who is able to pay their taxes on time to do so to support local government COVID-19 response. 

The Ramsey County Property Tax webpage will be updated soon with new protocols for those seeking relief.

Governor Walz Launches Homemade Mask Drive

Governor Walz launched a campaign to provide homemade masks to essential workers in congregate care settings. On Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear.

Fire Departments in District 1:

• Lake Johanna Fire Department serving Arden Hills, Shoreview, and North Oaks.
• Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Mounds View Fire Department
• Vadnais Heights Fire Department
• White Bear Lake Fire Department serving White Bear Township and Gem Lake.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

Wearing a simple cloth face covering protects you from transmitting COVID-19 to others if you aren’t showing symptoms and don’t know you have it.

For more information, visit ramseycounty.us/coronavirus

Stay up-to-date on COVID 19

Ramsey County continues to provide information and updates via our website at https://www.ramseycounty.us/coronavirus. The best actions to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe are still:

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Stay home when you are sick

Additional resources and information can be found at:

• #StayHomeMN FAQ
• CDC Coronavirus updates
• Domestic violence national helpline or 24/7 domestic abuse crisis hotline call 866-223-1111 or text 612-399-9995
• Hunger solutions has resources for families facing food insecurity or those willing to help
• Mental health crisis services are available 24/7 for all adults and children. In the event of a mental health crisis call:
  •  Adult Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7900.
  • Children’s Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7878.