 Spring is here! Flowers and trees are blooming and it's time to get those gardens planted. The photo above is from a beautiful tulip garden in Roseville. I encourage you to take a stroll, ride your bike, or have a picnic in our wonderful county parks. The photo below is from Long Lake Regional Park, where the great horned owls have nested for years and the babies are making their ventures out of the nest. Here is a list of our parks to help you plan your next excursion!
Last newsletter, I shared information about the County Board's approval of the Climate Equity Action Plan. This plan is already moving forward as we take action to preserve and protect our environment. Click here to see the Plan and learn more!
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Just as the seasons change, our District 2 Office is experiencing some changes as well! After several years of great work in this office, Cate Duin, my Principal Aide was offered and accepted a job with the Association of Minnesota Counties as their Economic Development, Housing, and Workforce Policy Analyst. This is an area of passion for Cate and I am so glad she will be able to dig into this work, though it is bittersweet for all of us! We wish Cate well and know that she'll do a great job. We are happy that she will still be doing county work!
I am delighted to announce that the District 2 Principal Aide role will be filled by the wonderful Selena Rosario-Myles. Selena comes to this role from Ramsey County's Information Services Department where she serves as a Liaison to a number of Ramsey County departments. She has a breadth of county knowledge and so many skills to share as our Interim Principal Aide. Please join me in welcoming her to this role!
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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 Acknowledgements/Declarations
    
County Board Workshops
 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:
- Residents First
- Child Protection
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.
Applications Open for Community Innovation Grants for Racial and Health Equity
 Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health is offering grants to support activities, programs and initiatives that improve public health in the community. Grants must be related to building capacity, planning, developing, implementing or evaluating work designed to address Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) priorities:
- Racial and health equity.
- Healthy eating, active living and tobacco-free living.
- Access to health care services.
- Mental health and well-being.
- Violence prevention.
Public Health anticipates awarding up to eight grants of up to $30,000, approximately $240,000 in total, to support 12 months of activities. The department encourages new and innovative programs to apply including those who have never contracted with the county before.
All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on May 24, 2024. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Two information sessions are scheduled for May 7 and May 8 for organizations interested in applying for the grants.
First half of 2024 property tax payments due May 15
The first half of 2024 property tax payments are due Wednesday, May 15. If your tax is $100 or less for real property or $50 or less for personal property, it must be paid in full by May 15.
Payment options
Payments must be postmarked on or before May 15 to avoid penalty. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Ramsey County.
A one-time late payment penalty waiver program is available to taxpayers. It may used one time every ten years. It applies even if a property owner has used the one-time waiver in the past, and it will not impact the ability to use the waiver in the future.
More information on property tax payments.
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Volunteers Needed for SOS Sexual Violence Services
Help victims and survivors of sexual violence in your community. SOS Sexual Violence Services of Saint Paul, a program of Ramsey County Public Health, is seeking volunteers to staff the 24-hour crisis line on nights and weekends, provide medical support at local hospitals and co-facilitate support groups.
The next volunteer training session begins on June 3.
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Help Us with our Urban Heat Island Study!
May 6-10 is National Air Quality Awareness Week. Changes in air quality can make periods of extreme heat more dangerous for people with asthma or heart disease. To better understand the connection between air quality and extreme heat locally, Ramsey County will be conducting an urban heat island study.
You can help us collect data by attaching a heat sensor to your vehicle and driving a specific route. Volunteers will receive a $25 gift card as compensation.
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 With Roseville Police Department staff, Roseville City Manager Pat Trudgeon, Visit Roseville CEO Julie Wearn at the April Roseville Business Council meeting.
 At the Roseville Optimist Club's Celebration of Optimism event with fellow members.
 The Ramsey County Board toured our Emergency Communications Center. Shout out to the amazing staff that work there!
 At the TSE Inc. Annual Style Show fundraiser. TSE is a non-profit organization that services people with developmental disabilities in employment opportunities and meaningful community connections. This year's style show had a Barbie theme!
Upcoming Events in the District:
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