District 2 News

Ramsey County District 2 News

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Serving the communities of Lauderdale, Little Canada,
New Brighton, Roseville and the Ramsey County portion of St. Anthony.

March 15, 2024


Mary Jo McGuire

Contact

Mary Jo McGuire
Commissioner, District 2
651-266-8359
Email

Cate Duin
Principal Assistant

Debbie Orth
Administrative Assistant 

 

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Community Newsletters

Lauderdale

Little Canada

New Brighton

Roseville

Saint Anthony


Upcoming Events:

  • Roseville Rotary (3/18, 25, 4/1)
  • Mounds View/New Brighton Business Council (3/21)
  • Ramsey County League of Local Governments Collective Action Committee (3/21)
  • 40 under 40 Awards Reception to celebrate Deputy County Manager Kari Collins
  • Metropolitan Council's State of the Region (3/22)
  • Northland Cup Fundraiser for SPIP (3/24)
  • Roseville Business Council (3/27)
  • Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative Quarterly Meetings (3/27)

Recent Events:

  • Roseville Rotary (2/5, 19, 26, 3/11)
  • Ramsey County League of Local Governments Collective Action Committee (2/14)
  • Association of Minnesota Counties Legislative Conference (2/21-23)
  • Saint Paul Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing Policy Breakfast (2/23)
  • Big Four Meeting (3/1)
  • New Brighton Rotary (3/5)
  • Rice & Larpenteur Alliance Annual Community Gathering (3/5)
  • Association of Minnesota Counties Futures Taskforce (3/7-8)
  • Ramsey County League of Local Governments (3/8)
  • Roseville Area Optimist Club (3/8)
  • Active Living Ramsey Communities (3/11)
  • State Auditor's Office State of Main Street Listening Tour (3/13)
St Patricks Day and Irish blessing written over shamrocks background

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! I have been wearing green all week to celebrate this part of my family's heritage. I hope you will find ways in the coming year to celebrate your own. 

It has been a busy few months at Ramsey County! We have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition as our County Manager Ryan O'Connor moved on to start his work as Regional Transit Administrator for the Metropolitan Council. We are so proud of the great work he did here and look forward to see how he will lead the Met Council in the years come. Thank you, Ryan, for serving Ramsey County residents!

We are grateful for the strong leadership of our Interim County manager, Johanna Berg, as we start the process of searching for a new county manager. County Manager Berg served as our Deputy County Manager of Economic Growth and Community Investment and has served the County since 2011.

I also want to share a sincere thank you to our county election officials for their crucially important work as election season commences. Counties hold safe, trustworthy elections and election officials' public service is the foundation of our democratic system! Thank you, Ramsey County Elections staff, for another well-run presidential primary.

My office is always available to serve constituent needs via phone (651-266-8359) or email (maryjo.mcguire@co.ramsey.mn.us). Please reach out if you have any questions or requests!

Best wishes,

Mary Jo

Board posing with County Manager O'Connor as they present him a goodbye gift

Ramsey County Board of Commissioners celebrates Ryan O'Connor's years of service during his final board meeting as County Manager.

 


Board Acknowledgements/Declarations

Board members pose with employee receiving an award
  • Feb 20 - Ramsey County Employee Achievement Award: Dawn Colliander, Workforce Solutions

 


County Board Workshops

Comm McGuire Chairing a Board workshop

Most weeks, our County Board meets to discuss specific policy issues and receive updates from County Departments and Service Teams in our Board Workshops.

Workshops and discussions are held on Tuesdays and are open to the public. These take place at the Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse in Suite 220 (2nd floor). You can find the schedule for all upcoming board meetings, workshops, and discussions sessions here.

Recent workshops include:

  • 2024 - 2028 Transportation Improvement Program
  • Child Support Program and Budget
  • Adult Detention Center: Inmate Phone Access & Fee Reduction
  • Strategic Priority Update: Climate Change and Community Resilience
  • Adult Mental Health Initiative and Community Support Grant

You can access video recordings of the meetings as well as the materials shared by clicking here.

You can watch upcoming workshops live by clicking here.

 


Icon of people speaking

Proposed Lake Name Change in Little Canada

Community members including the Little Canada Historical Society brought a petition to change the name of Lake 62000800 in Little Canada. The new name proposed by the petitioners is Lake Metis. 

The Board held a public hearing to solicit public feedback on January 23. The Board continues to seek public feedback to the change and to the proposed new name. 

All community feedback is encouraged. You can share your feedback through written comment, email, or through calling the Chief Clerk's office. This will ensure it is added to the public record. 

  • Provide written comment through email (chiefclerk@ramseycounty.us) or with a letter that can be mailed to the Chief Clerk (15 W. Kellogg Blvd, Suite 250, Saint Paul, MN 55102)
    • Calling the Chief Clerk’s Office to provide verbal comment over the phone: (651) 266-9200.

The County Board is considering all community feedback. The County Board has not made any commitments regarding the proposed new name at this time.

 


Advisory Council Group

Share your Voice! Apply to Serve on Ramsey County's Community Advisory Boards and Commissions 

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. 

We are looking for residents who'd like to serve on a number of different boards and commissions including:

  • Community Health Services Advisory Board – 8 vacancies
  • Parks and Recreation – 3 vacancies
  • Personnel Review Board – 3 vacancies
  • Ramsey County Library Board – 2 vacancies

Learn more about Advisory Boards and Commissions here.

To apply, click here!

 


Icon of a house

Watch your Mailbox! Spring Tax and Value Statements are on the way

Property tax statements and valuation notices will be mailed to Ramsey County property owners in mid-March. 

Tax statements show the amount of taxes and when they are due. The mailing also includes information about refund programs through the state.

Valuation notices include your property classification, estimated market value and taxable market value, which is used to determine property taxes payable in 2025.

Please review your valuation notice carefully. If you believe there is an error, now is the time to appeal or question your classification or valuation.

Learn about property values and contact the Assessor’s Office with your questions.

 


Person using a sewing machine

Fix It Clinic at St. Anthony Park Library on March 23

At Fix-It Clinics, residents bring in small household appliances, clothing, electronics and more to receive free guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot and fix items.

Fix-It Clinics build community connections and reduce the number of repairable objects that are thrown in the trash.

The clinic will be open from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Last items accepted at 1 p.m.

More information can be found here.

 


District Connections

Optimist Club members pose with Dick Leider

The Roseville Area Optimist Club heard from Richard Leider, author of "The Power of Purpose" and founder of Inventure - the Purpose Company. Pictured here with Richard Leider and fellow Optimist Club members.

Commissioner McGuire with Bill LeiderRice Larpenteur Alliance Board of Directors Group Photo

What a wonderful time celebrating the work of the Rice Larpenteur Alliance at our Annual Gathering! 

Parks Delegation with Commissioner McGuire

At the Metro Parks Delegation meeting about regional parks and trails at the State Legislature, along with Ramsey County Government Relations Director Jenn O'Rourke, Parks Director Mark McCabe, Rep. Leon Lillie and Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins.

 

Comm McGuire with local Roseville Area High School student

As Association of Minnesota Counties Past President, I had the honor of presenting a college scholarship to a deserving local student. All Roseville Area High School former or current students, Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong, myself, Naima Sheikh-Mohamed and her sister were all present for the ceremony at the AMC Legislative Conference.

Commissioner McGuire posing with President Biden
Handwritten note to Comm McGuire from POTUS

As president of the National Association of Counties, it was my honor to introduce the President of the United States, Joe Biden, at the NACo Legislative Conference last month in DC. 

Ramsey County Legislators and Ramsey County Commissioners at St Paul Welcome Event

Ramsey County legislators and Ramsey County Board members got together at the Saint Paul Welcome Back Event in late February!


Upcoming Events in the District: