February 22, 2023

Nicole Frethem
Commissioner, District 1
651-266-8362 or 651-425-9580 
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Ami Wazlawik
Principal Assistant
651-266-8355
Email

Nancy Larson
Administrative Assistant

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Board Meetings

The next Board of Commissioners meeting is February 28, 2023. Links to board meetings, workshops, and related documents can be found on the Ramsey County webpage.

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Resources

Do you know someone who needs a warm place to sleep during cold winter nights? Ramsey County operates three warming spaces in Saint Paul from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night, with transportation included. More information is available at ramseycounty.us/WarmingSpaces

The International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 82 is hiring for trade show positions. Ramsey County residents who are 18 or older and looking for a job working with your hands will be hired on the spot, no experience necessary. You will work with a team to set up large scale events such as the Minnesota Golf Show, Minneapolis Home & Garden show and more.

More information about this opportunity is available here.

Are you or someone you know struggling to pay for housing, food or childcare? Apply for financial assistance via MNbenefits.mn.gov, a new, mobile-friendly benefits application for Minnesotans.

Learn more about eligibility, programs you can apply for, and more at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/faq.

Ramsey Connected is an initiative designed to ensure all Ramsey County residents have access to low-cost internet and computers and the skills to use them.

Ramsey County believes internet access is a basic need and low-cost internet should be available to all residents. While Ramsey County is not an internet service provider, we serve as a promoter, connector and partner through our Ramsey Connected program. 

For more information on internet resources, please visit Ramsey County's webpage. 

***Ramsey County Service Centers and libraries will be closed 2/22 and 2/23 due to snow event ***

NACo Legislative Conference Recap

Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham and I at NACo's Super Bowl party

I attended the National Association of Counties' Legislative Conference in Washington, DC last week.

I had the opportunity to share information about both Ramsey County’s early care and learning workforce investments (which the President himself called out in his remarks to the conference!) and how the arts contribute to making Ramsey County a vibrant community where all are valued and thrived.

I attended meetings of the Arts and Culture Commission and Large Urban County Caucus, my two NaCo appointments; and participated in joint events as a member of those boards in partnership with the Resilient Counties Initiative, the Rural Action Caucus, and the NaCo Board of Directors.

I enjoyed hearing from Secretary Pete Buttigieg on transportation investments, Secretary Janet Yellen on ARPA investments and the fiscal outlook for the nation, and, of course, President Biden.

I met with Senator Klobuchar and staff from Senator Smith’s office to talk about important issues such as the Inflation Reduction Act, so that Ramsey County can maximize available federal investment in climate-friendly initiatives, especially at Rice Creek Commons; digital equity; and the importance of ensuring broadband companies work with local governments to expand coverage and maintain shared infrastructure cost-effectively to prevent delays in public projects like we experienced in Ramsey County at Lexington Ave.

Commissioner Xiong and I meeting with Senator Klobuchar

Water Gremlin Draft Permit Public Meeting

In July 2022, the MPCA released an initial draft permit for Water Gremlin. Based on the comments received, the MPCA revised the draft permit and released a new permit for public comment. There was a virtual public meeting sharing information about the permit earlier this month - the recording is available here.

The draft permit is open for public comments until March 3, 2023. You can leave a comment on the draft permit here.

Apply for the Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council aims to advise Ramsey County leadership on and transform Youth Justice Transformation policies, programs, and initiatives that impact youth and young adults (13-26 years old) throughout Ramsey County. 

YAC develops and recommends policies, strategies, approaches and programming that transform the youth justice system and foster growth and development by: 

• Ensure that policies and procedures balance public wellness and support youth and young adults impacted by the youth justice system. 
• Develop, recommend, and support community-based juvenile detention alternative programs and diversions that center on the healing, restoration, and empowerment of impacted youth and young adults. 
• Co-design strategies and methods that dismantle intergovernmental silos improve cross-system collaboration and implement shared decision-making models centered on youth-led action.

 There are six spots available on the Council for youth ages 18-24 who live in Ramsey County. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2023, and the application can be found here.