May 13, 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.

• May 14 Facebook event
• May 21 Facebook event
• May 28 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, May 7.

Census Reminder

District 1 cities are doing great at completing their census forms - well above the state and national average. Take a look at these response rates:

1. White Bear Township – 83.2%
2. Shoreview - 81.6%
3. North Oaks - 80.2%
4. Arden Hills - 79.5%
5. Gem Lake - 79.3%
6. Vadnais Heights - 78.2%
7. Blaine - 77.5%
8. Spring Lake Park - 74.8%
9. Mounds View - 73.9%

If you haven't completed your census yet, you can do it online at my2020census.gov to report who is living in your home. The census helps define our representation and funding allocations at the national level so a high response rate is critical. Your information is confidential and cannot be shared for any other purposes.

For more information about the census, check out ramseycounty.us/census.

Sanitary Sewer updates in Shoreview and North Oaks

Met Council will be relocating and making improvements to a section of the regional sanitary sewer facilities that is being inundated with rising lake water. In addition, they will address condition issues to structures along the interceptor in Wetland A. The project is in the early stages of the Design Phase. Met Council is still gathering data about the site, and the impacts of their work on the area, including the relocation of a portion of the interceptor in the Grass Lake area, and repairing manholes in the Snail Lake area. Met Council will ensure they stay in involved with the City of Shoreview and with Ramsey County as they move forward with the project. The Project Manager is working to develop a virtual town hall for Shoreview residents to solicit their input on the project.

The goal is to begin construction in the summer of 2021.  Construction is anticipated to last for approximately 18 months.

The District 1 office has reached out the Met Council representatives to advocate for more public transparency and engagement around this project. 

Public Works and Parks Updates

Water issues meeting - UPDATE

As you may know, the community meeting on flooding originally scheduled for March 12 was postponed due to concerns about large gatherings at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, we had hoped we would be able to reschedule in person, it is now apparent that we will not be able to do that anytime soon. Because we recognize that this work cannot be put on hold indefinitely, we are working towards a virtual meeting that will share similar content despite the different format. Once we’ve had the opportunity to confirm with all our partners, we will let everyone know of the new date and participation methods.

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.

Ramsey County partners with Twin Cities Hospitality Event Workers' Relief Efforts

On Tuesday's board meeting, the board supported efforts from Workforce Development to partner with the Twin Cities Hospitality and Event Workers' Relief Effort to support workers who have lost their income due to business closures and event cancellations related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Workers are eligible for funds if they physically work in:

• Stadium/event centers
• Hotels
• Live theater, music, or other live entertainment establishments
• Restaurants, bars, coffee shops and take-out food delivery

The fund helps workers access direct financial supports as well as navigation to address challenges accessing other programs and services.

CDC announces new symptoms of COVID-19

The Center for Disease Control has announced new symptoms that may indicate COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Stay up-to-date on COVID 19

Ramsey County launches new data dashboards

Data about the COVID-19 outbreak specific to Ramsey County is now available in a public health dashboard on the Ramsey County website. This data dashboard includes city-specific case data and is updated daily. 

A separate data dashboard shares data about usage of modified service delivery sites and activity.

Resources

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:

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
• Wear a mask or face covering in public
• Stay 6 feet apart from people when in public
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Stay home when you are sick

Additional resources and information can be found at:

• Ramsey County Community Resources page
• #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.