 Greetings District 2!
I hope your year is starting off well. At our first board meeting of the year, I was honored to be sworn in as your District 2 County Commissioner. I look forward to continuing to represent all of you in the cities of Lauderdale, Little Canada, New Brighton, Roseville and the Ramsey County portion of St. Anthony Village.
We also welcomed two new Commissioners to the Ramsey County Board, Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh (District 1) and Commissioner Kelly Miller (District 7). I am looking forward to working with our new board!
For 2025, I was honored to be elected as Vice Chair of the Board, other assignments include:
Ramsey County Standing Committees
- Audit Committee (Vice Chair)
- Budget (Vice Chair)
- Economic Growth and Community Investment Service Team Committee (Vice Chair)
- Health and Wellness Service Team Committee
- Housing and Redevelopment Authority
- Information and Public Records Service Team Committee (Chair)
- Legislative Committee (Chair)
- Regional Rail Authority (Vice Chair)
- Safety and Justice Service Team Committee
- Strategic Team Committee
Outside Boards, Committees and Commissions
- Active Living Ramsey Communities
- Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC)
- District X Committee
- Board of Directors (Past President)
- County-Court Joint Committee
- Metropolitan Conservation Districts Joint Powers Board (Alternate)
- Metropolitan Council Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) (Alternate)
- Metropolitan Library Services Agency Board of Trustees (Alternate)
- National Association of Counties (NACo)
- Immediate Past President
- Arts & Culture Commission
- Healthy Counties Initiative Advisory Board
- Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC)
- Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Steering Committee
- Programs and Services Standing Committee
- Partnership on Waste and Energy
- Ramsey County Extension Committee
- Ramsey County League of Local Governments
- Ramsey / Washington Recycling & Energy Board
- Regional Haulers Licensing Board (alternate)
- Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative Joint Powers Board (Alternate)
- TCAAP / Rice Creek Commons Joint Development Authority
Together, we will continue to make a positive impact and ensure that our district remains a wonderful place to live, work, and thrive. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve as your County Commissioner.
I wish you a prosperous and joyful year.
Warm regards,
 Mary Jo McGuire
Ramsey County Commissioner, District 2
 The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners declares January 14, 2025, as Mary Sue Hansen Day in Ramsey County. Mary Sue Hansen has served as the Executive Director of the Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative (SRFC) for over 26 years, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the well-being of children, youth and families in Ramsey County. Mary Sue has been a pivotal link in our community throughout her time with SRFC, always leading with an equity centered approached and embodying the mission of SRFC to, “connect individuals, families and community resources to create relationships which enhance the well-being of our kids; cradle to career”. Many thanks to Mary Sue for her remarkable service to our community!
Read and watch the proclamation: Board of Commissioners Board Meeting and Proclamation
 The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners recognizes and honors Meg Lloyd Robertson for her remarkable career, invaluable contributions to the community and her unwavering dedication to public service, and wish her a fulfilling retirement filled with joy, growth and new adventures.
Read and watch the proclamation: Board of Commissioners Board Meeting and Proclamation
 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:
You can access video recordings of the County Board meetings as well as the materials shared by clicking here.
 If you or someone you know needs a safe, warm place to stay, Ramsey County's Winter Warming Spaces are here to help. Open every night from 9 p.m.-7 a.m. through March 31, these spaces welcome everyone.
Learn more at ramseycounty.us/WarmingSpaces or call 651-266-1035.
 Since fall of 2023, the county has been building a new Environmental Service Center that is now opening on April 1, 2025 to make it easier for residents to reduce waste, reuse and recycle. The site, 1700 Kent Street, Roseville, is centrally located to increase accessibility. Services at the center will include:
- Household hazardous waste drop off.
- Electronics recycling drop off.
- A free product reuse room.
- Space for Fix-It Clinics and other environmental education and activities.
- Household recycling drop off.
- Food Scraps drop off.
The center is part of Enhancing Environmental Health Services, a county initiative to redesign and add recycling and waste disposal services to better meet community needs.
Note: There will be no mobile sites in 2025. Ramsey County’s household hazardous waste program will move to the new Environmental Service Center on April 1, 2025. Read more here.
 Are you interested in trying out cross-country skiing? Ramsey County Parks and Recreation offers engaging classes where you can learn and connect with other new skiers at the Winter Recreation Area in Battle Creek.
Learn the basics of skiing in 4 classes! Equipment is provided, but you're welcome to bring your own.
Cost: $75 for all 4 classes. Register today: https://bit.ly/3OFIlw8
At the January 28, 2025, Board Meeting, Director of Social Services Sophia Thompson, presented an update on services that the department is continuing to build out for mental health needs in Ramsey County.
Services provided includes:
- Mental Health Urgent Care - The Downtown Clinic opened its doors on August 5, 2024, to provide culturally appropriate, comprehensive, and affordable mental health crisis services for the Ramsey County community, including:
- Mental health crisis assessment.
- Access to crisis psychiatry as eligible.
- Chemical health screening.
- Peer support.
- Crisis stabilization services.
- Family education and support.
- Referral to community resources.
- Mental Health Mobile Vehicle - Ramsey County used grant funding to purchase a van to as a way to promote the mental health spectrum of services offered within the county system. This vehicle will be used to attend community events, raise awareness and provide valuable resources to community members.
- The outreach vehicle is expected to be fully completed by early February!
If you want to learn more: Mental Health & Crisis Services | Ramsey County
Click here to watch the Presentation
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 Commissonier McGuire (far left) with Legislative Officials at R&E Center Tour
Recently, The Ramsey/Washington Recyling & Energy Center hosted a group of Legislators. This tour provided an insightful look into how waste is managed and processed in our counties.
We observed the recycling recovery lines, refuse-derived fuel processing lines, and food scrap sortation areas. The tour highlighted the facility's efforts to recover recyclables and produce fuel for electricity generation, emphasizing the importance of waste reduction and recycling. It was an excellent opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of the facility's operations and its crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability in our community!
 Participants of the MHP planning meeting shown collaborating.
RCLLG's Collective Action Workgroup, dubbed as the "CLAW," has been busy planning after being awarded a $49,900 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency last fall. The purpose of this grant is to build RCLLG's capacity to increase resilience and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the 15 manufactured home parks/MHPs in suburban Ramsey County.
CLAW members and community partners met on Thursday, January 16 for a strategic planning session, setting the stage for the CLAW's grant work this year, specifically the outreach events. Another strategic planning will be held in February or March. Thank you for those who participated!
Capital Region Watershed District (CRWD) Annual Recognition and Awards Ceremony
 Mary Jo McGuire alongside CRWD Board of Managers Shawn Mazane and his wife Melissa, Joe Collins, Rick Sanders and his wife Sherry, and Administrator Anna Eleria
It was heartening to see the community come together to celebrate achievements and reflect on the progress made in 2024 for the CRWD. This event honored individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to protecting, managing, and improving our lakes and the Mississippi River.
The ceremony recognized outstanding achievements in various categories, celebrating the dedication and hard work of those who have made significant contributions to our watershed. The event also marked the anniversaries of the CRWD Board, staff, and Community Advisory Committee, highlighting their continued efforts and leadership.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to the recipients for their unwavering commitment to our environment.
Roseville Business Council: "Ramsey County Means Business"
 Commissioner McGuire with John Connelly, Fabio Tenorio, and Karyn Berg at Roseville Business Council Meeting.
At the Roseville Business Council, we had the pleasure of listening to some excellent presentations. Fabio Tenorio, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Manager for Ramsey County, provided valuable insights into the objectives and resources of CEO Next.
Furthermore, Karyn Berg from Ramsey County Workforce Solutions presented the Inclusive Employer Toolkit. This resource provides actionable practices aimed at fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces, focusing on staff recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention. The guide's content was largely gathered from employers and experts dedicated to achieving equitable outcomes.
Learn more about Ramsey County Means Business
Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) Open House!
 Commissioner McGuire standing with Luis Mendoza, MCCD Business Advisor for Ramsey County
Shout out to Luis Mendoza for his contributions to The Open to Business program, which offers direct technical assistance and various forms of support to small business owners and entrepreneurs in collaboration with The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers.
The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) is a collective of nonprofit organizations focused on affordable housing and economic development throughout the state. They unite to enhance wealth-building opportunities and provide free business advising services, along with access to valuable resources for entrepreneurs and business owners.
Learn more about the services provided by MCCD
Learn more about the "Open to Business" Program
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