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Ramsey County presents $3M Capital Area Vitality plan aimed at community programming, not replacing core safety roles
Summary
Ramsey County and CAP Board staff briefed the board on a three-year, $3 million Community Vitality program focused on youth programming, neighborhood cleanups and ambassadors, plus a $1 million Port Authority CORE grant pool for small businesses. Board members asked for quarterly performance metrics and assurances funds will not supplant existing city or state safety budgets.
Ramsey County and CAP Board staff on Thursday outlined a Capital Area Community Vitality program funded in 2025 by the Minnesota Legislature, including $3,000,000 appropriated to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and an additional $1,000,000 to the Saint Paul Port Authority for small-business CORE grants.
Inspector Darren McDonald of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office said the three-year initiative is designed to "supplement" — not replace — the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Patrol or city services, and emphasized a community-centered approach that pairs licensed deputies with ambassadors and youth programs. "This project is just not about reducing crime or putting more deputies on the streets," McDonald said, adding the work is about "creating a deeper sense of safety grounded in relationships, opportunity, and pride."
Staff described program priorities that mirror the Community Vitality Task Force recommendations: public safety through relationship-building, youth and family programming, neighborhood beautification and ambassador work. The Port Authority-funded CORE grant program will provide awards ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 to businesses operating or relocating in the capital area to support equipment, façade improvements and capital upgrades.
Board members pressed staff for accountability metrics. Representative Isaac Schultz, a Vitality Task Force member, said quarterly updates were essential; staff agreed to provide regular reports. Representative Shenning Cleburne expressed concern that portions of the $3 million could be used for staffing that looks like policing rather than community development and asked for documentation showing the funds are not supplanting existing sheriff's-office budgets. Staff acknowledged the request and said they would include budget and implementation details in forthcoming reports.
The presentation also noted early community activities — neighborhood cleanups, block events and plans for a Rice Street storefront to serve as a community hub — and cited partnerships with nonprofit groups and schools. Presenters said coordination with the City of Saint Paul, Department of Public Safety, Metro Transit and other stakeholders is ongoing to avoid duplication and clarify jurisdictional boundaries.
Board members generally praised the outreach work but reiterated the need for clearer cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The board did not take formal action on the vitality program during the meeting; staff will return with additional reporting and metrics.
