 Click on the video to view it on Youtube.
Dear neighbors,
In recent weeks, I have voted for several changes that will directly impact District 6 and have been leading on ongoing efforts to expand county programs to better serve our residents. In the video link above, you'll find updates regarding the Appropriate Response Initiative (ARI).
Video transcript: Ensuring the safety of our communities and preventing violence remains the top priority for us. We've made significant investments in developing our Appropriate Responses Initiative to engage a wider range of options for emergency responses to those in need. That's because not all 911 calls are the same. Sometimes a traditional public safety response is best, while other times, providing a mental health professional, a community responder, or public health worker might be a more appropriate response. We're focused on resident well-being and working closely with community members and agency leaders to transform and co-design our 911 response plan.
With the Board, I look forward to pushing ARI countywide so that all residents, including those in District 6, can experience the transformative approach to emergency responses. Ensuring equitable access to these diversified responses is not only a matter of fairness, but a testament to our commitment to the safety and health of our entire community.
In addition to ARI, in the coming months, you'll see various initiatives rolling out or expanding in District 6, including road improvements, environmental protection, and construction of large projects on the East Side. These incremental changes will come to affect every aspect of our community life, from enhancing public services and infrastructure to creating a stronger economy and a healthier environment.
I want to thank you again for your feedback and presence here in the East Side as we take measured steps and prioritize initiatives together. Please continue to reach out to my office, share your ideas, and keep participating in community discussions. I look forward to working with you and for you to make District 6 a place all can live, work, and play.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
Ramsey County Commissioner (District 6)
The County Board and HRA have recently voted in favor of several programs and funding streams to support county services, capital projects, and transportation improvements. Here are some key highlights:
Board Action: Grant to Support Heading Home Ramsey
We ratified and accepted a $2 million grant award from the United States Department of Justice for the Bryne Discretionary Grants Program. In partnership with City of Saint Paul, the county will use these funds to support Heading Home Ramsey's Familiar Faces program, which serves adults who are homeless and have had frequent interactions with outreach teams, first responders, and hospital emergency rooms. The expected outcomes are as follows:
- 60 people engaged and offered referral
- 45 people signed up for services, using shelter, and completing stability plan
- 20 people stay at the transitional shelter for 60-180 nights
- 15 people placed in long-term housing with supports, qualifying for MA, SSI, and/or Medicaid Housing Support.
Board Action: Accepted $4.3 Million in Grants from the Met Council for Legacy Amendment Parks and Trails Fund Projects
We ratified and accepted $2.3 million for 2024 and $2 million for 2025 to invest in nine legacy-funded projects across our county parks. In 2024, the county will invest in these parks located within District 6:
- Bruce Vento Regional Trail: $325,000 for design phase 2
- Battle Creek Regional Park: $1,035,000 for site infrastructure improvements
District 6 residents may also be excited to learn that Keller Regional Park will receive $675,762 for tuj lub investments! The remaining amounts will be spent countywide to improve trail signs, outreach to low-income or BIPOC families, and playground development.
Board Action: Battle Creek Woodlands Enhancement Project
The Board accepted a $420k grant from the Minnesota DNR for the Battle Creek Woodlands Enhancement Project. In effort to further Parks & Rec's woodland restoration project, some areas have required further enhancement to help further preserve the oak woodlands and boost the native understory. The primary locations that will receive additional care are located within District 6.
The Battle Creek Woodlands Enhancement Project will enhance these different woodland sites through further control of woody invasives species, prescribed burning and stimulating the oak woodlands by opening the canopy and seeding native understory plants in select areas and expand the restoration into the east side of Battle Creek Park in a 30 acre old growth oak area.
HRA Action: Provided Environmental Response Fund Grant Awards
As the chair of the County HRA, I voted in approval of these four projects to receive Environmental Response Funds:
- Gladstone Crossing (Maplewood, $58,765)
- Gladstone Village (Maplewood, $80,058)
- Wire Mill Expansion & Upgrade (Saint Paul, $57,550)
- Fish Hatchery Trail Reconstruction (Saint Paul, $219,070)
These four projects showed the most need for assistance in addressing issues related to soil contamination clean-up, financing, developer capacity, project readiness, and short- and long-term benefits to the community. We believed that these projects also are positioned to strength families and community health, cultivate economic prosperity, and increase access and mobility for all.
Together, the projects will create 105 new units of affordable housing, 24 new permanent jobs, and 1.4 miles of paved recreational trail!
 In March, the Board of Commissioners submitted a letter of support to fund a District Geothermal System at the Heights redevelopment project. This request was made by the Saint Paul Port Authority's to the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority. I am happy to report that the Port Authority has successfully obtained the funding necessary to begin building the geothermal system!
Homeownership and housing are critical issues for District 6. For many residents, the barriers do not end at obtaining a home. Costs add up quickly when it comes to paying utility bills, mortgages, and regular maintenance. The geothermal system will drastically decrease utility bills and provide affordable electricity for individuals and families living at The Heights.
Our office is currently planning a housing forum to share information to renters interested in buying a home. We are partnering with Twin Cities Habitat, Minnesota Housing, Ramsey County's Community and Economic Development team, Saint Paul's Planning and Economic Development team, and local and state electeds to push this event forward. We hope to also provide more information about what housing opportunities will be available for renters to become homeowners at The Heights.
For more information or to be included in this event, please reach out to my office's Principal Assistant Winona Yang at winona.yang@co.ramsey.mn.us.
Minnehaha Avenue Construction
Starting in April, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will be making improvements to Hwy 5 / Minnehaha Avenue in Saint Paul, including road resurfacing, sidewalk repairs, pedestrian lighting, bus stop improvements and more.
During construction, crews will work from west to east, starting at North Mendota St. and moving toward McKnight Rd. Construction is anticipated to be complete in fall 2024.
Starting in 2025, MnDOT will replant 390 trees along the road. 246 trees were removed before construction because they were diseased, in poor health or would otherwise not survive construction.
Purple Line BRT
Metro Transit are still evaluating Maryland and White Bear avenues as a route alternative to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail between Maryland and Beam avenues. Currently, they are in Phase II of the Route Modification Study, which includes evaluations of roadway and transit options, community engagement, refinement of concept designs, and targeted engagement with residential and commercial property owners that will be directly impacted by construction.
Metro Transit will be hosting community meetings that you are invited to be a part of:
- Virtual Teams Meeting on Thursday March 28, 12–1:30 PM
- St. Paul Ames Lake on Tuesday April 2, 5–7 PM
As a member of the Purple Line Corridor Management Committee, my office receives regular updates with county and project staff. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the project.
Sign up for email updates to be notified by Metro Transit about future opportunities to engage with the Purple Line project. If you would like Purple Line project staff to come to your event or meeting, contact us at purpleline@metrotransit.org
 The Black civil rights movement and ongoing anti-racist efforts are directly responsible for the expansion of our country’s legal protections, access to education, economic opportunities, arts and culture, and modern discourse of gender and identity.
In February, we remembered Black history that made these rights and privileges possible, grounding us in the resounding truth that racial equity must be at the center of policymaking.
Read: Ramsey County Proclaims February as Black History Month, Celebrating African American Contributions to the Arts
 Harding High School renamed its auditorium to the JoAnn Clark Auditorium in recognition of Ms. Clark's profound impact on the lives of thousands of students. She has guided over 1,000 students, many of whom are Black and live in Saint Paul, to enroll in HBCUs and higher education. Additionally, she has raised over $1.2 million in funds to offset the cost of tours and create pathways for students to attend their school of choice.
My office prepared this proclamation to declare February 17, 2024 as JoAnn Clark day. Together, with Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran and former Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter, we read the proclamation in honor of Ms. Clark's legacy.
 Ramsey County is proud to support cultural organizations with ARPA investments. The Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA) has kicked off the new Your Business, Your Money learn & earn program. This program will support up to 45 young adults, ages 18-30, over the next two years.
It will provide business training, financial education, digital literacy, life skills education and technical assistance to artists, makers and entrepreneurs in Ramsey County. Program participants will earn a $1000 stipend and have the opportunity to apply for start-up funds.
Joined by Commissioner Moran and Ramsey County Director of Workforce Solutions, we attended their launch and celebrated the emerging artists and entrepreneurs.
The East Side is on track to undergo rapid changes in all sectors of development, and I want our families to be ready to take on the rise of infrastructure jobs. In partnership with Workforce Solutions, City Councilmember Nelsie Yang, and Carpenters Local Union 322, we hosted the first-ever East Side Summit. Dozens of community members attended to learn more about apprenticeships, apply for job training opportunities, and tour the training facilities.
 The Board of Commissioners attended the NACo Conference in Washington DC. With national leaders, we discussed policies affecting our aging population, youth and families. Board Chair Trista Martinson presented several resolutions, and the health and human services committee we served passed a number of interim policy resolutions to the NACo legislative platform:
1. Combating predatory practices in veterans services
2. Improving care and access to benefits for military sexual trauma
3. Supporting the Major Richard Star Act
4. Supporting federal funding for social media safety education and training
5. Supporting improvements to federal child welfare program, and
6. Support of codifying the shelter and services program
Together, we can push local progress in our counties and create transformative change.
 My staff, Winona Yang, joined other Ramsey County Commissioners to lobby issues to Congresswoman Betty McCollum, US Senator Tina Smith, and US Senator Amy Klobuchar. We pushed for federal funding to support major projects and initiatives, including our capital improvement projects: Rice Creek Commons and the Park at RiversEdge.
Read all about the county's 2024 legislative priorities here.
Two Critical Corridors solicitations are now open for applications:
- The Planning program assists local communities in preparing for equitable redevelopment and public realm improvements along transit, economic, and cultural corridors. Eligible applicants include public entities and nonprofits.
- The Commercial Corridor Initiative strengthens suburban small business districts by supporting thriving main streets and investing in pathways to entrepreneurship for racially and ethnically diverse communities. Eligible applicants include suburban cities, associated development authorities, business coalitions, chambers of commerce and nonprofits. Projects must be located in suburban Ramsey County.
Applications are due Wednesday, April 3rd. CED hosted a webinar for interested applicants. The video is posted. See attached program guidelines and webpage for more details: www.ramseycounty.us/criticalcorridors
The Environmental Response Fund is now open for applications and closes on Wednesday, May 1st. This program helps offset the costs of environmental cleanup of contaminated sites in preparation for redevelopment. More details available at ramseycounty.us/ERF
Applications are now being accepted for CEO Now. Similar to the CEO Next program, CEO Now is a regional collaboration with Hennepin County and expands Ramsey County’s business programing offerings to businesses at different growth stages. CEO Now offers growth-minded small business owners an opportunity to learn amongst their peers. Completion of the program will result in an expanded professional network, a three-year strategic road map and the confidence to take their next steps forward.
Eligible businesses can join this cohort at no cost. Learn more about CEO Now, see eligibility guidelines and submit an interest form today! Applications are open until April 25.
Ramsey County provides a large range of services.
Service Centers
Ramsey County has several Service Center locations and five community partner sites that provide Navigator services. A Navigator is a county staff member that helps residents access a wide range of services and programs including financial assistance services, social services, employment assistance, and voter registration.
For more information about the service centers, click here: Service Centers | Ramsey County
To submit a Service Center Navigator Referral Form for yourself or for another person, click here: Service Center Navigators Referral Form | Ramsey County
Winter Warming Spaces
Additionally, our Winter Warming Spaces will be open every night through March 31, 2024. Free transportation is provided. If you are in need of or would like to refer someone to a place to warm-up overnight, call 651-266-1050 or email ColdWeatherReferrals@ramseycounty.us.
Ramsey County staff are available from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. to help refer people to the nearest warming space or extra available shelter beds. Additional warming space locations will be added as needed.
Did you know that we have a site solely dedicated to helping Ramsey County residents in business? Ramsey County Community & Economic Development has a useful Incentives Dashboard that serves as a one-stop spot for grants and funding opportunities across Saint Paul and other Ramsey County cities.
My office has directed several constituents to our Open to Business program, which provides technical assistance and other forms of support to small business owners and entrepreneurs for FREE. At no cost, you can receive help in business plan development, financing projections, city and state licenses, loan packaging, and more! These services are provided in partnership with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, which also offers capital loan services for qualifying businesses. |
