May 27, 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 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 28.

Apply now to vote by mail

All eligible voters in Ramsey County can vote by mail in both the Aug. 11 state primary and the Nov. 3 general election.

Voting by mail is safe, easy and convenient. You do not need to provide a reason to vote by mail. You can request your ballot now for both the state primary and general election. Additional information on voting by mail can be found here. 

Census Update

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 – 86.1%
2. Shoreview - 84.3%
3. Gem Lake - 83.5%
4. North Oaks - 83.4%
5. Arden Hills - 82.2%
6. Vadnais Heights - 81.5%
7. Blaine - 80.5%
8. Spring Lake Park - 78%
9. Mounds View - 76.2%

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.

Flooding Meeting Reschedule and comment on feedback

We will be hosting a VIRTUAL community conversation on the flooding issues on Tuesday, June 9 from 5-7 p.m. This will include the presentation we had planned to provide on March 12, 2020 which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. We plan to include a Q&A opportunity, but are still finalizing how that can be done virtually.

Public Works and Parks Updates

Free COVID-19 testing over Labor Day weekend

The State of Minnesota offered free COVID-19 testing at sites across the state over Memorial Day weekend. Commissioner Frethem volunteered for a shift on Sunday afternoon. Working alongside the National Guard service members was an honor. They were calm, kind, and efficient in helping residents get checked in and through the testing process safely. Huge thanks to all of those service members who spent their weekend in service.

Board of Commissioners Virtual Board Meeting

Watch

Tuesday's board meeting was held via zoom and can be viewed on the Ramsey County website.

Mental Health proclamation

Commissioner Frethem presented the board's declaration that May 2020 is mental health awareness month in Ramsey County and renewed the board's commitment to increasing community understanding of the importance of mental health. For more information and resources, visit the Ramsey County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. You are not alone.

CARES funding

Also at Tuesday's board meeting, the board approved a proposal for spending the federal CARES dollars allocated to Ramsey County. Approximately 1/3 of the dollars will be spent to cover the costs of responding to the emergency including increased costs to house our homeless population, increased costs to safely provide direct services in our care facilities and to transition our service delivery model and staff to follow public health guidance.

Additional funds will be used to expand available supports in financial assistance, workforce development and community development.

Information is available online about:

• Small business relief loans
• Emergency Financial Assistance

Stay up-to-date on COVID 19

Ramsey County launches new data dashboards

Data about the COVID-19 outbreak specific to Ramsey County is 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.

Parade at Lake Owasso Residence

On Saturday, May 23rd, Commissioner Frethem and fellow board members participated in a Lake Owasso Residence appreciation drive-thru to show support to the staff and residents.