| Greetings District 1,
The past two weeks have been a time of deep sorrow for Minnesota. The tragic loss of Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark has shaken our entire public service community. In these challenging times, we must resist responding with fear or anger and instead lead with grace, recognizing the larger impact this tragedy has on our society. We must keep striving for a political environment grounded in respect, open dialogue, and shared humanity.
In that spirit, please see the invitations below as my office invites you to engage with me in community.
Sincerely,
Tara Jebens-Singh
Ramsey County District One Community Picnic
Join Commissioner Jebens-Singh for an evening at the District One Community Picnic! This family-friendly event is your chance to connect with neighbors, share ideas, have some fun, and enjoy delicious food.
County Attorney John Choi and Commander Jeremy Bolen from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office will also be joining to give an update on county initiatives relevant to District One.
Ramsey County District One Office Hours
Join Commissioner Jebens-Singh at her newly established District One office hours! Whether you have a specific topic you wish to address or you want to learn more about ongoing initiatives, the Commissioner and her staff are eager to engage with you.
Once you sign up via Calendly, office staff will follow up with you to confirm the meeting time, meeting location, and gather any additional details necessary for the discussion.
Meetings of the Ramsey County Board, Regional Railroad Authority, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Committees are held on Tuesdays in the Chambers of Saint Paul City Hall - Ramsey County Courthouse. Meeting proceedings are video recorded and archived. Minutes, agendas and related documents are available online.
June Board Meetings
This June, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners held productive meetings addressing key community priorities. The Board reviewed the All Abilities Transportation Plan, focusing on expanding accessible and equitable transit options to better serve residents of all mobility levels. Commissioner Jebens-Singh supported the Ramsey County Transportation Improvement Plan as it provides a solid and adaptable framework for the county’s future growth.
A presentation centered on transforming the justice system by prioritizing well-being and community involvement emphasized strategies to create a more supportive, equitable system that fosters healing and reduces recidivism. Later in the month, the board then approved two grant agreements totaling $750,000 aimed at supporting youth and families involved with the justice and child welfare systems.
The Board also reviewed the latest legislative and federal response updates, discussing ongoing advocacy efforts and policy changes that will affect county operations and community support services.
All Hands on Deck: Financial Assistance Services Update
As part of the All Hands on Deck Initiative, Ramsey County has recently concluded their second 90-day sprint in an effort to continually address the backlogs the county is experiencing in our Financial Assistance Service departments.
Within this period, the county focused on employee retention, training, cultural support, process improvements, innovation, and improving collaboration with county partners and advocacy groups.
Since November, 81 FTEs have joined the Financial Assistance Services Department and 80 new FTEs have recently been approved for the MNChoices program and should be hired, trained, and fully online by early 2026.
Technology solutions are also being designed to reduce wait times and enhance overall resident experience including voicemail transcription, email-to-case file conversion tools, improved phone systems and live translation services.
For Commissioner Jebens-Singh a key focus has been improving coordination with contracted partners and advocacy groups who regularly engage with Financial Assistance and MNChoice teams. As part of this effort, she recently hosted the first Cross Sharing Partner Group meeting to build and leverage relationships across community organizations and county programs through identifying shared priorities for county-level improvements, exploring shared strategies, and aligning service delivery for mutual clients.
Rice Creek Commons Joint Development Authority
The Rice Creek Commons Joint Development Authority (JDA) met last week to review a request for an extension to the preliminary development agreement with Alatus for the site’s main parcel. The JDA took no action regarding the request to extend the development agreement past June 30, 2025.
Reflecting on the work that has been done, Commissioner Jebens-Singh stated at the meeting "our jobs here are to ask ourselves what is not best for the county, the city, or the JDA, but what is best for this project...and as hard as it is then to decide to stop where we are at now, and figure out what is next, I think continuing...in these discussions is not serving the community or this project. That is why I come to the decision that an extension should not be granted."
Outside Boards, Committees, & Workgroups
Minnesota Landmark Board Annual Luncheon
Commissioner Jebens-Singh recently attended the Minnesota Landmark Center Board’s annual luncheon in her capacity as a board member. The event provided an opportunity to connect with fellow board members, receive detailed updates regarding the Center’s operations, and celebrate the Center’s ongoing contributions to arts, culture, and historic preservation.
Ramsey County Youth Justice Transformation
Commissioner Jebens-Singh attended the the 2nd quarterly Youth Justice Transformation (YJT) meeting.
During the convening, attendees compared data from the first two quarters of 2025 related to the county's standard risk assessment initiative, engage in a presentation by the ECMC Co-Lab group, and received updates on important initiatives, including the Youth Intensive Treatment Home and Wraparound Support Grant, as well as the Respite Shelter Request for Proposals (RFP).
Commissioner Jebens-Singh is actively participating in a collaborative effort focused on implementing Minnesota’s recent juvenile justice reform that raises the minimum age of delinquency from 10 to 13.
The group is working to assess system needs in our social services department through identifying gaps in services, developing community-informed strategies, and ensuring that the county’s approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate.
Commissioner Jebens-Singh's was also thrilled to attend the National Association of Counties Youth Justice Peer Exchange.
The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the work being done in Ramsey County and connect with county leaders from across the United States on promoting community-based solutions and cross-sector collaboration.
City Council Connections & Presentations
Commissioner Jebens-Singh was delighted to present at the North Oaks City Council meeting, along with County Manager Ling Becker.
At the meeting, updates were provided on how the county is addressing changes in state and federal budgets, initiatives aimed at expanding the county’s tax base—such as the RiverEdge Apartments and development at the Rice Creek Commons/TCAPP site, and local matters including road improvement projects.
Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce: Arden Hills/Shoreview Business Council Meeting
Joining local small business owners, Commissioner Jebens-Singh attended the Arden Hills/Shoreview Business Council meeting, hosted by the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, to discuss ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting small businesses, expanding the local tax base, and promoting regional economic growth.
A key focus of the meeting was highlighting significant housing and economic development projects shaping the community’s future:
- Gramsie Junction in Shoreview is moving forward as a critical affordable housing development, providing much-needed rental units to help address housing accessibility in the area.
- Canal Brook Townhomes, also in Shoreview, is an affordable homeownership initiative seeking to create long-term homeownership opportunities for families.
- Micro Control Company recently broke ground in Arden Hills, and will bring approximately 200 jobs to the region.
Meeting participants discussed these projects alongside strategies to foster entrepreneurship, improve business resources, and strengthen partnerships between the business community and local government.
Understanding County Functions & Partners
As Commissioner Jebens-Singh continues to deepen her understanding of Ramsey County’s functions and community partnerships she participated in series of site visits and discussions. Recent engagements have included tours of Merrick, Catholic Charities, the Ramsey County Environmental Center, the Ramsey County Medical Examiners Office, and Newtrax. She also participated in a discussion with Habitat for Humanity and attended the Wilder Foundation’s Coffee & Community event, highlighting a range of valuable programs serving local residents.
These experiences provide her with firsthand insight into the services and collaborations that support Ramsey County’s diverse communities, enhancing her ability to advocate effectively on behalf of constituents.
Ramsey County Wellness in the Park
Saint Paul Pride Festival
NAMI Ramsey County Picnic
City of Vadnais Heights: Annual Ice Cream Social
Arden-Hills Shoreview Rotary Club Governor's Installation Ceremony
Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce Members Mixer
Celebrating Juneteenth
Ramsey County League of Local Governments - CLAW: Mobile Home Engagement Event
Hmong International Freedom Festival Grand Opening Ceremony
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