The Little Canada City Council is scheduled to meet Nov. 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. to consider the 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan, an ordinance amendment, interlocal agreements and several routine financial and personnel items.
Ramsey County Board workshop on Aging and Disability Services reviewed progress after the board funded 80 additional FTEs, updates to assessment workflows (MnCHOICES), partnerships with contracted case-management providers, and statewide fiscal risks from LTSS cost-shift proposals.
Discussion Points
•Advisory council charged with proposing $178 million in program changes; county share would be triggered if savings are not enacted.
•Advocacy in 2027 legislative session is needed to prevent county cost shifts and to sustain waiver case management.
•Board-funded 80 FTEs were hired and deployed to ADS; initial assessment backlog eliminated; statutory timelines being met.
•County will assign dedicated vendor liaisons, perform annual file reviews, and expand partner onboarding and training.
•DD waiver eligibility requires diagnostic testing and QDDP-certified assessors; SMART referrals for disability determinations can take months.
•Providers described heavy administrative burdens and low reimbursement; county staff acknowledged the legislative dimensions.
Directions
•Continue reallocating vacant positions to higher-need teams; monitor fiscal impacts from shifting positions.
•County staff to continue participation in state working groups and inform commissioners about potential interim rate increases.
•County to coordinate with MACSA/AMC and may request board support for outreach to legislators.
•County to engage in 2027 legislative advocacy; continue participation in MACSA/AMC discussions.
Ramsey County Environmental Health staff discussed textile waste, fast fashion impacts, repair and reuse options, and local services such as fix‑it clinics and recycling partners. Officials offered practical tips for thrift shopping, swapping, mending and where to find county resources (ramseyrecycles.com).
Discussion Points
•Fast fashion drives high turnover and environmental harms; average discard ~81 pounds/person/year and ~92 million tons globally.
•Fix‑it clinics provide free mending (zippers, small holes, buttons) and are held most months at the Ramsey County Environmental Center in Roseville.
•Lower quality garments limit repair/reuse; industry is a significant water consumer and polluter.
•Pilot with Retold Recycling sorted textiles locally; resalable items go to thrift stores or overseas markets; unsellable material is shredded into 'shoddy' pressed into pads used as insulation, rags or fiber fill.
•Practical tips for secondhand shopping: wear a tank top for trying on, carry a measuring tape, and use swaps and online marketplaces.
•Primary county web resource: ramseyrecycles.com and the reuse page for event listings and textile collection information.
•'Shop your closet' first; use accessories and capsule wardrobes to increase wear time.
The Little Canada Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to meet Nov. 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to consider a proposed 2027 fee schedule, a farmers market wrap-up, updates on the Community Building and Thunder Bay Boardwalk, and other routine reports.
Nov. 3, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Ramsey County Board convened, opened two public hearings (no public testimony), approved an amendment to a memorandum of understanding to change the nonprofit developer for a tax‑forfeited property sale, approved an operations and maintenance agreement tied to the Primer Tracer/Rice Creek Commons site, postponed two watershed appointments for process review, and received county updates on veteran outreach and high early election turnout.
Discussion Points
•Becker described Operation Greenlight and provided election operational statistics (early turnout, election judges, polling hours).
•Becker requested more clarity on the appointment selection process and staff roles.
•Collins explained that the agreement is required by a blanket easement with the Army and names the site owner as a party so they can access roads/utilities.
•Commissioners asked for clarity that county approval did not constitute endorsement of future development.
•Commissioners emphasized the pause is procedural and not a reflection on candidates.
•Commissioners reported community events, site tours and interagency meetings related to youth housing, solid waste and economic development.
•Commissioners thanked election staff and encouraged voting.
•Several commissioners emphasized pairing housing projects with supportive services and thanked staff and volunteers.
•Staff explained county auction process and policy favoring sales to cities with nonprofit affordable‑housing partners.
•Staff reminded the board that the City of Arden Hills holds land‑use authority and future proposals will go through municipal permitting.
•The amendment replaces the named nonprofit developer but does not change the overall sale framework or city land‑use review responsibilities.
Decisions
•Board approved the MOU amendment to change the nonprofit partner (unanimous among present; Ortega excused).
•Board approved the operations and maintenance agreement (unanimous among present; Ortega excused).
•Motion to postpone items 5 and 6 approved; items held for follow‑up.
Directions
•Elections staff to post unofficial results and continue supporting interpreters and accessible services.
•Staff to continue coordination with parks and City of Arden Hills and return with updates as land‑use proposals proceed.
•Staff to coordinate with parks and county attorney and return items once the process is clarified.
•Staff to follow up with additional details when requested by commissioners.
Nov. 10, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Ramsey County Board convened Nov. 10, 2026, opened with a land acknowledgment, adopted several administrative ordinances and agreements, proclaimed November as National Veterans and Military Families Month, and hosted the graduation for the 2026 Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) cohort; the Youth Advisory Board warned the board about the impacts of encampment closures on young people experiencing homelessness.
Discussion Points
•Call for inclusion of youth voices and measuring success by housing outcomes.
•County canvassing board to meet later that day to certify results.
•Eligible emerging developers may apply for up to $500,000 in zero-interest, deferred loans; HRA funds cover technical assistance.
•Items moved as administrative/consent actions; no extended debate recorded.
•Just over 251,000 residents voted in the midterm; early voting and absentee participation were significant.
•Moran recorded as excused during roll calls.
•Proclamation recognizes veterans and military families and cites functional zero for veteran homelessness.
•Program pairs an eight-week education cohort with exclusive funding opportunities and technical assistance.
•Project partners thanked and expected full opening by Thanksgiving.
•Rice Street second phase reopened; cosmetic work remains after rain delays.
•Youth Advisory Board presentation highlighting risks of encampment closures for young people.
Decisions
•All motions passed by roll call; implementation details to be handled by staff.
•No board actions recorded; informational update.
•No funding awards were approved at the meeting; staff previewed awards expected in December.
•No further board action recorded; informational update.
•No policy decision recorded; board acknowledged remarks and requested further connection with staff.
The Little Canada City Council was scheduled to consider routine consent items, several permit and licensing requests including a two-day temporary liquor license and a tactile wellness license, a park pond cleanout agreement with the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District, an RFP for city wayfinding and signage design, and two closed-session legal items on Oct. 28, 2026.
Discussion Points
•City strategy to seek injunction or declaratory judgment action regarding a business's refusal to obtain required city licenses
•Easement acquisition last written offer/counteroffer
The Little Canada City Council was scheduled to hold a workshop on Oct. 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to review the draft 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan and to discuss 2027 water, sewer and storm utility rates.
Discussion Points
•Agenda lists a discussion of 2027 water, sewer and storm utility rates and provides a linked staff file
•Review of draft 2027–2036 CIP as provided in linked materials
Oct. 27, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Ramsey County Board meeting on 2026-10-27 covered approval of an infrastructure funding agreement with CareerForce partners, a motion to waive first reading and set a public hearing on the 2027 capital improvement bond ordinance, multiple commissioner reports (including election voting statistics and manufacturing month highlights), updates on transit and public-health matters, and adjournment to a closed session on election litigation.
Discussion Points
•A Dec. 2025 CDC advisory change about hepatitis B birth dose was noted as causing public confusion.
•Announcement of YouTube streaming for board and related meetings including closed captioning.
•Commissioner Miller asked about tracking employment placements; staff said not currently tracked at individual longitudinal level but exploring employer follow-up.
•Commissioners asked about credit rating steps; staff noted the role of credit rating agencies and the county's AAA history.
•County follows recommendations from pediatric and medical associations for infant vaccination policies.
•Director Davis summarized services, usage and demographics (3,242 job seekers; 5,400 services; 77% from low-income ZIP codes).
•Finance staff explained the multi-step bond issuance timeline and that identified CIP projects match the budget.
•Met Council staff responded that they are in compliance and tightened definitions; further analysis and legal options to be provided in November.
•Questions about state chargebacks clarified that the infrastructure agreement sets a shared cost allocation and there is no per-visitor chargeback system.
•Scott County sent a letter to US DOT alleging Met Council noncompliance over community considerations.
•Update on early voting and absentee ballot counts.
Decisions
•Board approved the infrastructure funding agreement with CareerForce partners.
•Board waived first reading and set a Nov. 17 public hearing.
Directions
•County to continue outreach and information campaigns through community partners and clinics.
•Finance to return with adoption/resolution requests on Dec. 1 and report sale results Feb. 9, 2027.
•Staff to explore employer follow-up methods and return with measurement proposals.
Hello! Ramsey County: Questions About Election Day? (EP. 3)
Ramsey County podcast episode where communications specialist Allison Brinker interviews elections administrator Matthew Liefeld about voter eligibility, registration, voting methods, key dates, ballot tracking, language access, and worker voting rights ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Discussion Points
•Absentee (mail) uses envelope-style ballots routed to the ballot board; early voting mirrors election day and uses scanners.
•Absentee voting began Sept. 18; early voting begins Oct. 16; election day is Nov. 3.
•Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, 18 on election day, and no court order revoking the right to vote.
•Employers must allow time off to vote without docking wages for state and federal elections.
•Interpretation and translated materials (including Hmong sample ballots) are available.
•Locations with >20% non-English speakers receive on-site live interpreters; Propio app and interpreter judges are additional supports.
•Mail voting has a long history in Minnesota and is described as very safe by the county official.
•Online registration requires a driver's license or ID and other identifying details; in-person registration is available.
•This protection also applies during early voting.
•Voters can track mailed ballots at mnvotes.gov and choose alternate options (in-person request, early voting, or drop-off) if worried about delivery.
•Voters must re-register after changing residence, even within the same building.
Ramsey County commissioners and staff reviewed the first draft of the county's proposed 2027 state and federal legislative platform, focusing on three priorities (reducing property tax burden, improving county operations, and community wellness) and discussing lead/active/support items including a proposed Capital Host program, SNAP cost-share relief, LTSS cost shifts, housing tax-credit reform, public-safety radio funding, and a $6.5M bonding request for Aldrich Arena.
Discussion Points
•Apply LTSS savings to avoid county cost shifts and advocate to eliminate cost shifts where possible.
•ARMOR is used by law enforcement, EMTs and emergency managers; counties currently expected to fund costs locally.
•Bonding ask of $6.5M for Aldrich Arena renovation described.
•Capital Host described as a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes/state appropriation aimed at tax-exempt capital complex.
•Commissioners recommended a multiyear readiness strategy aligning CIP and earmark processes.
•County presenter estimated Ramsey County's cost for systems funding could exceed $13,000,000 if self-funded.
•County proposes tiered policy linking larger deductions to deeper affordability (e.g., 30% AMI) rather than broader thresholds.
•Current deduction thresholds (70% AMI) allow substantial credits without deeply affordable unit share.
•Need for coalition-building with cities and coordination with AMC/other statewide groups.
•Platform items were categorized as lead, active advocacy, and support items.
•Protect counties from SNAP benefit cost-share and increased administrative costs imposed by federal changes.
•Staff estimated current language could bring ~ $22,000,000/year to county.
•Staff presented a three-theme platform (property tax relief, county operations, community wellness).
•Staff will produce one-pagers with fiscal impacts and recruit bill authors; commissioners will be engaged in outreach.
Decisions
•No formal votes taken; board set process/timeline for next drafts and approvals.
•No vote; staff to prepare materials and pursue authors as opportunities arise.
Directions
•Advocate for a statewide funding and governance solution, engage Department of Public Safety and state task force, coordinate with other counties.
•Coordinate a legislative delegation meeting on Nov. 19 and follow-up workshops as needed.
•Coordinate with AMC and statewide partners; prepare one-pagers with fiscal impacts and local stories for legislators.
•Prepare one-pagers for top priorities with estimated fiscal impacts.
•Prepare one-pagers quantifying fiscal impact and develop outreach to city leaders and legislative authors.
•Refine bonding strategy with multi-year planning and prepare a full bonding packet and authorship outreach.
•Staff will consult housing advocates, providers and the assessor's office to quantify local impacts and identify potential sponsors.
Comprendiendo los Impuestos y Valores de Su Propiedad
Presentación informativa (en español) sobre cómo se calculan y notifican los impuestos a la propiedad en el condado de Ramsey, los plazos de notificación y pago, opciones de apelación y programas estatales que pueden reducir impuestos para veteranos y personas mayores.
Discussion Points
•Calendario de avisos: marzo (valoración), noviembre (propuesto), marzo siguiente (declaración).
•Calendario: presentación en agosto, audiencias públicas en noviembre/diciembre.
•Dónde encontrar detalles: aviso de impuesto propuesto.
•Evaluaciones especiales incluidas en la declaración.
•Factores que considera el tasador: clasificación, mercado, estado y mejoras.
•Función de los impuestos a la propiedad para financiar servicios locales.
•Pagos en dos cuotas: mayo y octubre.
•Pago vía compañía hipotecaria para aproximadamente la mitad de propietarios.
•Programas anuales de reembolso y programas especiales para veteranos y personas mayores.
•Vía de apelación: contacto con tasador; apelación a corte de impuestos tras aviso propuesto si no se resolvió.
A Ramsey County presenter explains how property taxes are determined, the three notices property owners receive (valuation notice, proposed property tax notice, and property tax statement), and how residents can appeal, attend budget hearings, or access tax-relief programs.
Discussion Points
•Explanation of levy and allocation to properties
•Explanation of tax shifts vs. levy changes
•Payment timing, special assessments, mortgage escrow and state relief programs
•Timing and content of the valuation notice, proposed notice, and property tax statement
The Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) met Oct. 20, 2026, and unanimously approved recommendations for the fifth round of its Critical Corridors program, funding 10 projects from 17 applicants and expanding eligibility to Downtown Saint Paul with emphasis on wayfinding and commercial corridor support.
Discussion Points
•CED staff noted fewer suburban applications and cited staff capacity as an anecdotal barrier.
•Commissioner McGuire praised Little Canada for past wayfinding work.
•Commissioners asked about 50/50 suburban–city balance and eligibility for multi-jurisdiction cities.
•Ella Mitchell presented goals and structure of program and said staff recommended 10 awards from 17 applications.
•Mitchell explained wayfinding can be signage, banners or design studies and that staff will coordinate with the City of Saint Paul.
•Staff committed to targeted outreach and a November workshop to coordinate with the Economic Development Authority.
•Staff previewed a November workshop to coordinate with the incoming Economic Development Authority.
Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Public Health Clinic Move (EP.43)
Ramsey County Public Health relocated several clinical services from 555 Cedar to a new Maplewood public health center at 1850 Beam Avenue to improve access, privacy and program capacity.
Discussion Points
•$15 administration fee, with policy not to turn away children who can't pay
•Clinic 555 serves adults and teens for reproductive health needs
•Clinic offers low-cost vaccines and bills some insurers
•Confidential HIV testing and support continue at new site
•Expected improvements in client experience and staff workflow
•House Calls program has already moved to 2785 White Bear Avenue
•Move completed June 1; continued operations at new site
•Rationale for relocation (aging building, cost to retrofit)
•SLS violence services remain distributed across community locations
•Syringe services will remain downtown for now; potential relocation under exploration
Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Environmental Health - Fix-it Clinic & School Supply Shop(EP.41)
Ramsey County environmental health supervisor Beth discussed the county's community programs including Fix It Clinics, reuse and swap events, food-scraps drop-offs and upcoming school-supply swap dates and logistics; she shared contact details and resources for residents to participate and volunteer.
Discussion Points
•County plans to enable in-home participation soon; timeline not specified.
•Donations accepted in July at the Environmental Center and Ramsey County Library branches.
•Educator day scheduled for teachers with extended access.
•Electronics recycling and parts recovery are available to residents.
•Fix It Clinics are run monthly and are volunteer-driven.
•Food-scraps drop-off network currently in place.
•Newsletters such as 'Green Ramsey' provide updates.
•Primary web resources: ramseycountymn.gov and ramseyrecycles.com.
•Recycling hotline: (651) 633-3279 (633EASY).
•Residents can bring up to three items but not all items may be serviced due to demand.
•Reuse room accepts certain donated items for redistribution.
•Swap expanded from one day to multiple days; open to all residents.
•The program emphasizes teaching repair skills to residents.
October 14, 2026, City Council Meeting Agenda. Minutes
The Little Canada City Council advanced the $9 million community building design into the construction-document phase, authorized an RFP for a parks system master plan update, received a City Hall solar performance update, and adopted a multi-item consent agenda at its Oct. 14, 2026 meeting.
Discussion Points
•2018 master plan achievements and outstanding items.
•Authorization to use 10% fund for Demont Rink board replacement.
•Confirmed donor commitments and potential cost-saving alternates.
•Council emphasized public engagement in next steps.
•Council weighed project scope versus cost and agreed to retain key amenities.
•Design concepts, site layout, renderings, and cost estimates for the proposed community building.
•Mayor thanked the resident for participating.
•Need for community engagement and grant readiness.
•Plans for a Nov. 5 open house and continued subcommittee and public engagement.
•Questions about rebate applicability for municipal accounts.
•Resident attended for a college assignment and reported surprise at low attendance.
•Role of connectivity and potential pedestrian bridge over 35E.
•Routine consent items including permits and construction payments.
•System performance since Sept. 10, 2025, and factors affecting output (snow, clouds, sun angles).
•Use of grant funds and payback estimate (15 years).
Decisions
•Consent agenda adopted 4-0; items to proceed administratively.
•No formal change in policy; informational update provided.
•Proceed with further design work; council later approved moving the project to construction document development (see separate action).
•Resolution 2026-10-140 adopted 4-0 to advance the project.
•Resolution 2026-10-141 adopted to authorize RFP issuance.
Directions
•Conduct additional public outreach including an open house on Nov. 5, 2026.
•Consider similar monitoring for other city facilities.
•Continue fundraising efforts and explore alternate cost-saving options.
•Continue monitoring SolarEdge data and Xcel billing.
•Issue RFP for 2027 Parks System Master Plan.
•Proceed to construction documents using current design and estimates.
•Provide progress report on previous plan accomplishments.
October 14, 2026, City Council Workshop Agenda. Minutes
At an Oct. 14 workshop, the Little Canada City Council reviewed a draft set of seven 2027 legislative priorities prepared by a new Legislative Committee and agreed to support them. Council members also consented to further explore hiring a lobbying firm to help advance a bonding request for a proposed pedestrian bridge.
Discussion Points
•Committee identified a bonding request for a pedestrian bridge as a priority and staff presented research on messaging options.
•Staff and the Legislative Committee drafted seven 2027 priorities and recommended Council discussion on next steps and potential lobbying support.
Decisions
•Council consensus to explore hiring a lobbying firm; no contract or funding decision made.
•Council consensus to support the seven legislative priorities and to further explore use of a lobbying firm.
Directions
•Staff to determine lobbying costs and potential firms for Council consideration.
•Staff to obtain estimates of lobbying costs and identify potential lobbying firms for future Council consideration.
A Ramsey County podcast episode on youth justice transformation featured county planning manager Elijah Norris Holiday and DJ (Dejean) Brooks of World Youth Connect discussing the county's shift from higher juvenile detention to prevention, remaining racial disparities, community programs, the ISF emergency fund, and a Maplewood pilot to reduce arrests of young people.
Discussion Points
•Decline in JDC admissions from ~3,000 to ~450 year-over-year.
•Description of Maplewood "call-in" pilot to use RAI screening before transporting youth to JDC.
•Funding and budget cuts reduce program capacity.
•ISF is used for immediate needs: rent, utilities, gas cards, IDs, diapers.
•ISF launched at the beginning of the year; served over 90 people.
•No eligible calls yet from Maplewood during pilot period (speaker statement).
•Organization size and paid membership (63 members).
•Persistent racial overrepresentation of African American youth (county-cited estimate: 18% population vs ~60 75% detention representation).
•Programs: backpack giveaway (3,000+ packs), anti-gun-violence and drug prevention initiatives, state fair tabling.
•Transportation, driver's licenses and housing are barriers to job access for youth.
•Use of RAI screening and alternatives to detention; quarterly data disaggregation by race/ethnicity/gender/geography/offense.
•Youth report needing humane treatment and consistent relationships at work.
Directions
•Collect and analyze disaggregated data to target disparities.
•Continue and publicize ISF as a prevention tool; pair with community-based supports.
•Continue investment in culturally specific community organizations and upstream prevention.
•Invest in driver\u0019s license support, paid internships and housing access as complements to diversion programs.
•Organization seeking a permanent physical hub; plans to close space by September.
•Potential expansion to other law enforcement agencies if pilot yields positive data.
2026 Emerging and Diverse Developers Solicitation Webinar
Ramsey County held a webinar to explain its Emerging & Diverse Developers (EDD) solicitation, including eligibility (developers with ≤25 units/15,000 sq ft), scoring (40% strategic alignment/livability), key deadlines (applications due Nov. 4 by 4:30 p.m.), technical-assistance opportunities, and Q&A for potential applicants.
Discussion Points
•Definition of 'emerging developer'; acceptable site-control documents; predevelopment grant terms.
•Entity vs. individual application rules; acceptable proof for contractor involvement; AI caution.
•Roles of TA and limits (advisory vs. doing the work) and TA deadlines.
•Staff explained scoring weights and the importance of narrative alignment to county plans.
