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.
•Implement primary liaison assignment and MDT meetings; monitor contract performance annually.
•Staff to continue prioritizing QDDP recruitment and use volunteer-certified staff to expedite backlog.

Nov

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Solving Unfashionable problems (EP. 45)

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.

Nov

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

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.
•Proclamation adopted; ceremonial recognition only.

White Bear Lake

Meetings

Video

Discussion Points

Directions

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Solving Unfashionable problems (EP. 45)

Discussion Points

Nov. 3, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Nov. 10, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

Decisions

White Bear Lake City Council 10/27/2026

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Oct. 27, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Hello! Ramsey County: Questions About Election Day? (EP. 3)

Discussion Points

Video

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Comprendiendo los Impuestos y Valores de Su Propiedad

Discussion Points

Understanding Your Property Taxes and Values

Discussion Points

Video

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Public Health Clinic Move (EP.43)

Discussion Points

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Environmental Health - Fix-it Clinic & School Supply Shop(EP.41)

Discussion Points

White Bear Lake City Council 10/13/2026

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Hello! Ramsey County: Youth Justice Transformation

Discussion Points

Directions

2026 Emerging and Diverse Developers Solicitation Webinar

Discussion Points

Directions

Video

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Cannabis (EP. 43)

Discussion Points

Directions

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Contracting with Ramsey County (EP. 37)

Discussion Points

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Government Center (EP. 38)

Discussion Points

Video

Discussion Points

Directions

Nyob Zoo Ramsey County: Solving Unfashionable problems (EP. 45)

Discussion Points

Nov. 3, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Nov. 10, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

Decisions

White Bear Lake City Council 10/27/2026

Discussion Points

Decisions

Directions

Oct. 27, 2026 Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

Decisions