June 29, 2022

Contact

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

Mayumi Morgan
Principal Aide/Student Intern
651-266-9990
Email

Nancy Larson
Administrative Assistant

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The Board of Commissioners have returned to in-person meetings. Board meetings and workshops continue to be available 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.

Join us at the Vadnais Boulevard Trail Design Study Open House!

The open house is from 5-7pm on Thursday June 30th at Vadnais Heights City Hall (800 County Rd E East). Initial design concepts for the potential trail along Vadnais Blvd will be presented and we would love to hear your feedback and answer questions!

Get involved!

Ramsey County is recruiting residents to serve on several advisory boards and committees. 

Advisory board applications are now open for the following advisory boards:

• Capital Improvement Program Advisory Committee (CIPAC) - Nine Vacancies 
• Capitol Region Watershed District - Two Vacancies 
• Community Health Services Advisory Committee (Joint) -Three Vacancies 
• Corrections Advisory Board - One Vacancy 
• Disabled Veteran Rest Camp Board - One Vacancy

To learn more and apply online, visit the Ramsey County Advisory Boards and Committees landing page.

Paper applications available upon request.

Applications are due July 17, 2022.

Claiming the Property Tax Refund

Homeowners have until 8/15/2023 to claim a 2021 tax refund.

You may qualify if:

• You are a renter and your total household income is less than $64,920, or
• You are a homeowner and your total household income is less
  than $119,790.

For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue website. 

Happy Independence Day

We hope you all have a happy and safe holiday weekend. If you're looking for fireworks, there are no official fireworks in District 1, but there will be fireworks in White Bear Lake on July 4 and in Saint Paul, after the St. Paul Saints Games July 1-3. Find more fireworks on Explore MN.

Smoking and Commercial Tobacco Use Ordinance

Ramsey County Public Health is sponsoring the Smoking and Commercial Tobacco Use Ordinance. This Ordinance would prohibit smoking, vaping, and all commercial tobacco product use on property owned and leased by Ramsey County. The commercial tobacco ban would apply to indoor and outdoor spaces, including parks, and to private vehicles parked on Ramsey County property. The ordinance is designed to

• Protect public health from the effects of tobacco use in public areas
• Reduce commercial tobacco use and exposure in children, youth and young adults.
• Protect the health of vulnerable and disproportionately impacted populations.
• Reduce waste from commercial tobacco products that can harm human and animal health and the environment.
• Preserve the right to tobacco as part of an American Indian cultural practice or a lawfully recognized religious, spiritual or cultural ceremony or practice, while focusing on commercial tobacco prevention.

On Tuesday June 28th, a public hearing was held by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners where the public was able to testify in regards to the ordinance. The Board of Commissioners will vote on the Smoking and Commercial Tobacco Use Ordinance on Tuesday, July 5th at their weekly board meeting. 

Lexington Avenue Construction

Lexington Avenue continues to undergo construction between County Rd E and I-694. As of right now, work is continuing to be done on the northbound lanes of the road. A northbound lane is tentatively scheduled to be added July 11, dependent on weather and coordination with the railroad. This would restore travel in both directions with one lane until the remainder of construction is complete.

For more information on the project or to read up on other alternatives, please visit the Ramsey County webpage.

While construction is happening, remember to keep supporting our Lexington Ave businesses. Checkout our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for a list of businesses that we recommend!

Remember to #ShopLex!

Congratulations Nicole and Sheena!

D1 commissioner Nicole Frethem and Principal aide Sheena Denny at commencement

On June 18th, Commissioner Nicole Frethem and principal aide Sheena Denny graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. In addition to her Juris Doctor degree, Commissioner Frethem received a certificate in conflict resolution. During her time at Mitchell Hamline, principal aide Denny participated in law review and co-wrote a tax column for Bench & Bar. Congratulations!