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Board approves administrative items and settlement; prioritizes two bonding projects while discussing Rice Creek Commons
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Summary
The Ramsey County Board approved administrative items including agreements and a settlement and voted to prioritize two bonding projects (River's Edge Park and Aldridge Arena) for the state bonding process while continuing commitment to Rice Creek Commons and related infrastructure.
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 approved several administrative items and a settlement agreement and voted to forward two priority bonding projects to the state Office of Management and Budget for consideration.
County Manager Becker moved a package of administrative items, including an agreement with Inbuilt LLC for a guaranteed energy‑savings project, a project budget and financing plan for East Kellogg building furniture and fixture disposition, and a sole‑source agreement with CorVel Healthcare Corporation. Becker also moved item 11, a settlement agreement in Dayshaun Tucker versus Dwight Fonta Smith (acting in his individual and official capacities) and Ramsey County.
The board adopted the motion by roll call: Maguire, McMurtry, Miller and Ortega recorded “Aye”; Moran, Zhong and Jevan Singh were excused.
Bonding prioritization: Becker later moved item 10, a bonding project prioritization resolution. Commissioners discussed why the board presented River's Edge Park and Aldridge Arena as the county's immediate priorities for Minnesota Management and Budget and the governor’s bonding request process while continuing work on Rice Creek Commons.
Commissioner Ortega framed Rice Creek Commons as a long‑term transformational project and said the county is committed to building core infrastructure, including what staff referred to as the Rice Creek Boulevard (formerly the “Spine Road”), to spur development and increase the tax base. EGCI director Josh told the board that Rice Creek Commons remains a top county priority and that transportation sales tax dollars and other funding paths can support the spine road investment.
The bonding prioritization resolution passed by roll call with the same vote pattern as earlier: Maguire, McMurtry, Miller and Ortega “Aye”; Moran, Zhong and Jevan Singh excused.
What passed and references: The administrative motion included items described on the agenda (items 7–9) and the settlement (item 11). The bonding resolution (item 10) placed River's Edge Park and Aldridge Arena at the top of the county’s list to submit to the state’s Office of Management and Budget; staff said the selection emphasized momentum, legislative sponsorship and clear project scope.
The board did not adopt additional bonding projects at this meeting; commissioners and staff said other proposals will be discussed during a legislative workshop and through the county’s ongoing intergovernmental strategy.
