October 15, 2021

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

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The board of commissioners returned to virtual board meetings. Board meetings and workshops can be streamed online on the Ramsey County webpage.

Sign up for weekly COVID-19 emails

Sign up for the County's coronavirus email newsletter.

Ramsey County has launched the new Job Connect online job board to connect residents and employers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. This employment platform is the latest tool integrated within the county’s economic development website, RamseyCountyMeansBusiness.com, which provides business development resources and incentives.

Covid-19 Vaccine

Vaccines are FREE for everyone and widely available. For more information, visit the covid-19 dashboard on the Ramsey County webpage. 

Current vaccination rates (as of October 11, 2021) in District 1 are:

• 55112 - 79%
• 55126 - 86%
• 55127 - 82%
• 55110 - 76%

If you are not sure how to find a vaccine or make an appointment, we can help. Contact our office at district1@co.ramsey.mn.us. 

Advisory Boards & Committees

Serving on a Ramsey County advisory board is a great way to get involved with your local government and make a positive impact on your community. The board of commissioners appoint residents to serve in these important roles that help shape policy, review programs and plans, and represent families and residents in Ramsey County.

Current openings:

• Personnel Review Board
• Four (4) vacancies

• Community Health Services Advisory Committee (CHSAC)

• Four (4) vacancies, all at-large

• Capital Health Improvement Program Citizens Advisory Council (CIPAC)

• Seven (7) vacancies; one in each district (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
• Disabled Veterans Rest Camp

• Two (2) vacancies

• Charter Commission
  • Two (2) vacancies

All interested residents  must apply using the online application.

Property Tax Refunds

Many eligible residents neglect to file for their property tax refund. Do not miss out on money you are entitled to.

• If you are a renter and your total  household income is less than $62,960, you may qualify for a refund of up to $2,210.
• If you are a homeowner and your total household income is less than $116,180, you may qualify for a refund of up to $2,840.
• Special Property Tax Refund: No homeowner income limit; refund limited to $1,000; property tax increased by more than 12% and increase was at least $100.

Filing information can be found here or by calling 1-800-652-9094.

How to file:

• Homeowner refund: online, software provider, or by paper
• Renter refund: software provider or by paper
• Final deadline to claim 2020 refund: 8/15/2022

Happening in the Community

Did you catch the Star Tribune write up of District 1 Resident Mary Jo Hoffman's "Still" blog? Beautiful images and worth a follow for  a daily dose of beauty. Find her on IG @maryjohoffman.

Park Ordinance Office Hours

Many residents have reached out to Commissioner Frethem with questions regarding the process of the proposed ordinance. Please join Commissioner Frethem to learn more and share your feedback, concerns, and suggestions for improvements. 

Links to Park Ordinance Office Hours

For more information prior to office hours, visit Ramsey County's Park Ordinance Project page. 

Lake Johanna Blvd Corridor Study

The Lake Johanna Blvd study is underway. Ramsey County is leading a study to identify trail design concepts for Lake Johanna Boulevard between Snelling Avenue North and County Road D in Arden Hills. Community open houses were held on Oct. 5th and 12th. Visit the project page to provide comments on the map and subscribe to study updates. 

Vadnais Blvd and Victoria Street Corridor Studies

In addition to the Lake Johanna Corridor Study, Ramsey County is also undertaking studies on how to make Vadnais Blvd and Victoria Street safer and more user friendly. Please mark your calendars for upcoming engagement opportunities and follow the study pages for more updates.

Vadnais Boulevard Study Website

• Vadnais Boulevard in-person open house scheduled for Tuesday, October 26^th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Vadnais Heights City Hall
• Vadnais Boulevard virtual open house scheduled for Wednesday, October 27^th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Victoria Street Study Website (website still under development)

• Victoria Street in-person open house scheduled for Thursday, October 28^th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Emmet Williams Elementary School in Shoreview
• Victoria Street virtual open house scheduled for Thursday, November 4^th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Bruce Vento Regional Trail Extension

Additional planning and design are underway for the last section of regional trail from Whitaker Street and County Road J in the cities of White Bear Lake and White Bear Township. 

Join the in-person community meeting to review trail options, learn more about design details and share your feedback. Masks and social distancing are recommended.

Thursday, Oct. 21
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Boatworks Commons Community Room

Masking in Schools

There has been a range of emotions expressed regarding policy adoptions to require masking in schools. Ramsey County is following CDC guidance and looking at local, Ramsey County numbers in developing the guidance that went out to school districts. The CDC recommends universal masking in K-12 schools. While they previously differentiated this for only areas of substantial or high transmission, it appears that in light of widespread delta variant infections, this is recommended for all areas. As of today, Ramsey County is still experiencing HIGH transmission rates of COVID-19.

We understand that this is a tough time for everyone and we look forward to the day that we can finally return to some degree of normalcy. Until then, it is important that we find a way to communicate to our children what is happening in the world around them. Here are a few ways to have meaningful, age appropriate conversations:

• Conversations that Matter: Talking with Children about Big World Issues
• Talking to Young Children about Wearing a Mask
• Benefits of Kids Wearing Masks in School