 As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together and to express my gratitude for your continued support and engagement. December is a time of celebration, reflection, and connection—a season to cherish our families, strengthen our communities, and prepare for the opportunities of the year ahead.
In District 4, we’ve worked hard to address challenges, uplift our neighbors, and lay the groundwork for a brighter future. This month, let’s commit to fostering kindness, compassion, and understanding in all that we do. As always, your voices and partnership make our work stronger and more impactful.
To everyone celebrating this season: Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Joyful Kwanzaa, Feliz Navidad, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, and warm greetings for every cherished holiday and tradition observed around the world. May this season bring you peace, love, and hope.
Blessings to All,
~Rena
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 below.
Look up all workshops and place here:
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.
  I had the opportunity to attend the Ramsey County Pretrial Justice Council’s recent community event, where I engaged with residents to discuss ways to improve our county’s pretrial system. It was inspiring to see community members share their thoughts and ideas on addressing the key issues that impact justice and fairness in our system. Working in eight breakout groups, participants brainstormed meaningful solutions, which will now be reviewed by Ramsey County leadership to guide the next steps. I deeply value these conversations and the input shared by our community.
Together, we can create a more equitable and effective pretrial system that truly serves everyone in Ramsey County.
"To the residents of Midway -Hamline area, I want you to know I heard your concerns loud and clear. My office is committed to continue to work with Hamline-Midway coalition and neighbors to ensure Ramsey County continues to work in partnership with the City of St. Paul, Community based organizations, Kimball Court and all interested parties to ensure we are creating safe streets and support for residents." ...Rena
Ramsey County provides a large range of services.
 I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from residents during the Truth in Taxation hearing. Listening to public testimonies provided valuable insight into the concerns and questions people have about the taxation process and the impact of tax increases. I understand the importance of transparency and clarity in how decisions are made, and I am committed to ensuring that our processes are fair and equitable. The voices of our community are essential in guiding us as we work to address these concerns and provide greater understanding.
I will continue to advocate for open communication and accountability in all aspects of Ramsey County’s work.
I was honored to attend the Association of Minnesota Counties annual conference and spend three days engaging in meaningful discussions with leaders from across the state. The highlight for me was having the opportunity to share the history and importance of the African American Family Preservation Act and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, I shared insights on critical issues impacting families in our communities. As the original author of the bill that took 10 years to become law I emphasized, while the African American Family Preservation Act and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act provides a legal framework, true change requires a shift in the culture and mindset of practitioners. Recognizing the strength of kinship and prioritizing family resolution over removal is essential to fostering stability and long-term success for African American families.
I was also proud to witness the incredible work of the Ramsey County team, who represented our county with excellence and commitment throughout the conference. The conversations we had were insightful and inspiring, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges and finding solutions. I look forward to bringing the ideas and energy from this conference back to District 4 as we continue to lead with purpose and innovation.
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African American Family Preservation Act and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act establishes a social services agency and court requirements for African Americans and other disproportionately represented children in the child protection system. The legislation seeks to promote family stability by establishing minimum standards to prevent the arbitrary removal of children from their families and improve permanency outcomes, including family reunification. The law would be implemented in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties first, to gather valuable feedback before expanding it statewide.
**Victoria Reinhardt**
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Ramsey County Board of Commissioners declares December 17, 2024, as Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt Day in Ramsey County.
Victoria Ann Reinhardt, born to Florence and LeRoy Reinhardt in Hastings, MN, married to James Patrick Barone, mother to Michael and Erich, has served the people of her community and all of Ramsey County tirelessly, selflessly, and with distinction and dedication through 28 years of public service.
Commissioner Reinhardt was elected to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners in 1996 and was reelected to seven consecutive terms, representing the cities of White Bear Lake, Maplewood and North Saint Paul. Commissioner Reinhardt has been recognized as a national leader in the areas of renewable energy, transportation, housing, public health and safety, libraries, and regional governance, advocating on a local, state, and national level for support of projects within Ramsey County and across the state and region.
Commissioner Reinhardt has been a brave and loud voice for survivors of domestic violence, and through her own example and advocacy has helped countless survivors find the peace and justice that they deserve. Commissioner Reinhardt has served with her colleagues on the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners as Chair, mentor, cheerleader and friend.
 The unsheltered roundtable at Ecolab headquarters brought together business leaders, government officials, community-based organizations, and community members to address the ongoing challenges of homelessness. Participants highlighted the successes achieved so far in providing resources and support to the unsheltered, while also acknowledging the continued obstacles that remain.
The discussion underscored the collective commitment to finding sustainable solutions that move unsheltered individuals toward stability and security. This collaborative effort is a testament to the shared dedication of all involved to create lasting change and improve the lives of those most vulnerable in the community.
Subject: MHC OPEN GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), by virtue of funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature, is accepting applications on a rolling basis to individuals and organizations for the following grant opportunity:
- $450,000 Community Identity & Heritage - Festival grants for individuals and humanities organizations, to create programming and educational opportunities, specifically for community events, music and jazz festivals, cultural festivals for art installations, and other performances and activities that support festivals and events.
Applicants may request up to $50,000. Funding is available through June 30, 2025, or all funds have been spent, whichever occurs first.
Please visit MHC’s website for more information or learn how to sign up for an upcoming informational session regarding this grant opportunity!
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Ramsey County, Minnesota
Just Now
Annually, the Twin Cities metro area recycles an average of 900,000 tons of paper and cardboard, metal, glass and plastic – that's the weight of about four large cruise ships!
But we have opportunities to collect even more, including at holiday gatherings. It matters to our environment and our economy. So don't forget to set out that recycling bin before guests arrive.
Learn more at RecyclingExists.com.
 Ramsey County, Minnesota
We have been working with our communities to update the Ramsey County Hazard Mitigation Plan. We're updating the plan to find ways to protect our communities from hazards like flooding and severe winter storms. A draft is now ready for you to review and share your thoughts.
Review the plan at ramseycounty.us/HazardMitigationPlan
Share your feedback: https://bit.ly/4iwZdDo
Comments will be accepted through December 22. For more information about the hazard mitigation process, contact Ramsey County Emergency Management & Homeland Security (RCEMHS) at 651-266-1017 or bryan.mayer@ramseycounty.us.
Last week, after months of searching, Model Cities announced Central Baptist Church in Saint Paul will be the new location for the Safe Space Shelter for women.
https://ramseynet.us/content/new-county-supported-safe-space-shelter-location-open-saint-paul
Bridge to Benefits
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
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
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.
Sign up to contract with Ramsey County!
The county acquires goods and services through a cost-effective, competitive and fair process accessible to all businesses. The county seeks vendors who share its commitment to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusiveness. Vendors interested in providing goods and/or services to the county and its residents must first register to use DemandStar, an internet purchasing network. DemandStar offers immediate and automatic notification of purchasing opportunities with the county, solicitation documents and results, and prior solicitation information. Subscribing to DemandStar is free.
Bids and RFPs are provided online via DemandStar. View what procurement opportunities are available by visiting our Ramsey County Procurement site.
Questions or comments about doing business with Ramsey County? Contractors, business owners and community members can email or call the Purchasing and Contracting Service Desk and connect directly with our staff.
· Phone: 651-266-PACT (7228) from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
· Email: pachelp@co.ramsey.mn.us
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 Are you or someone you know experiencing homelessness or need emergency shelter? Call 651-266-1050 to receive help finding shelter resources.
Mental Health & Crisis
In a crisis? Get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Ramsey County’s mobile crisis team provides stabilization services, de-escalation, crisis intervention, mental health assessments and initial crisis plans.
Walk-in crisis services are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Mental Health Urgent Care.
Under 18 years old? Call the Children's Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7878.
Over 18 years old? Call the Adult Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7900.
Tobacco, Alcohol & Substance Abuse
 Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States, yet more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined. (ref) Substance abuse—involving drugs, alcohol, or both—is associated with a range of destructive social conditions, including family disruptions, financial problems, lost productivity, failure in school, domestic violence, child abuse, and crime.
Available in PDF format:
All Tobacco, Alcohol and Substance Abuse fact sheets
Contact Us
Public Health
651-266-2400
Contact form
Department information
Identifying green energy goals
The Energy Advisory Committee (EAC), chaired by JDA Commissioner and Arden Hills City Councilmember Tena Monson, is currently defining goals to support the energy vision set by the JDA last year, which outlines a climate-forward development creating sustainable benefits for the community.
LHB and Ever-Green Energy serve as consultants to the project team. They’re currently working with the committee to review greenhouse gas emission analyses and potential site certification programs.
Adopting actionable green energy goals also reflects the Climate Equity Action Plan adopted by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners in April of this year.
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