January 29, 2024

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 6th at 9:00 am. Links to board meetings, workshops, and related documents can be found on the Ramsey County webpage.

Resources

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.

Northeast Youth & Family Services (NYFS) is a nonprofit, community-based and trauma-informed mental health and community services organization that has been serving people in the northeastern suburbs since 1976.

NYFS services include clinic-based and telehealth counseling for all ages, school-based services, day treatment services for middle and high school youth, diversion programming for youth, Community Connections programming for isolated youth, and Community Advocate services.

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. 

In the Community

CAPRW Executive Director Sonia Gass (left), CAPRW Board Secretary Jillian McAdams (right), and I at the CAPRW all staff celebration

I stopped by the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties' all staff celebration last week! As chair of the CAPRW board, I always enjoy celebrating the amazing staff who do such important work helping people in our community. 

Recycling & Energy Center Tours

Last chance to sign up to join me for a tour of the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center in Newport!

Tours will take place at 3:00 and 6:00 pm on January 31st. Please RSVP via the Google form so we know how many people to expect.

Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation

I'm excited to share that the Partnership on Waste and Energy (PWE), a collaborative effort of Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties, collaborated with the Product Stewardship Institute to develop an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill for packaging and paper products in Minnesota. 

EPR policies hold producers (mainly consumer brands) responsible for their products and packaging throughout the entire lifecycle – from product design all the way through to reuse, recycling, or safe disposal.  

The EPR system would build on Minnesota’s existing recycling infrastructure to increase recycling. And it would ensure sustainable funding to offset the cost of collection, expand end-markets, and shift producers to more reusable and sustainable packaging – without taxpayer funds.  

You can learn more about these efforts at https://reducepackagingmn.org/

Absentee Voting for Presidential Primary

Absentee voting for the presidential primary began on January 19th. Residents can cast their ballot in person or vote by mail through March 4th. 

In-person absentee voting will take place at a few different locations in Ramsey County. For more information about locations and hours please visit this webpage.

Make a month-long effort to reduce plastic consumption in ways that best fit your lifestyle and have the most impact. Help reduce waste, protect water and wildlife, and look after the health of ourselves and future generations. Sign up now to join the Plastic-Free Challenge, which begins on February 1st. Learn more and sign up at tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org. 

To view more upcoming Ramsey County events check out the County's event calendar.