Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting – November 18, 2025
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Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting – November 18, 2025
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on November 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, Courthouse Room 300. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ortega, with Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McMurtrey, Miller, Xiong, and Ortega present. Commissioner McGuire arrived at 9:04 a.m. and missed the approval of the agenda and minutes. Commissioner Moran was excused. The meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m.
Proclamation: National Veterans and Military Families Month
Commissioner Jebens-Singh presented the proclamation declaring November 2025 as National Veterans and Military Families Month in Ramsey County. The proclamation highlighted that Ramsey County is home to over 22,000 veterans. Several community partners spoke in support, including Snap Leitner (West 7th Street Boys Club), Gary Carlberg (4th District VFW Commander), Daniel Thompson (Senior Vice Commander, Roseville VFW Post 755), and John Weiss (American Legion Post). They described programs such as Safe Summer Nights, bike giveaways, holiday meal distributions, and veteran support networks. They expressed gratitude for the county’s support and emphasized the importance of year-round collaboration.
Presentation: 2025 Emerging and Diverse Developers Program Graduation
Josh Olson (Director, Community & Economic Development) and Jericho Gomez presented on the third year of the Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) Program. Key statistics: 156 applicants for 35 spots; over 100 graduates over three years; since 2023 the program has added, stabilized, or renovated 441 affordable housing units in Ramsey County with an $11.6 million investment. The program includes an 8-week classroom curriculum and a solicitation exclusive to emerging developers (under 25 housing units or 15,000 sq. ft. commercial). D'Angelo Svinkinson (NAO Partners) and Catrice Williams (graduate) spoke about the program's transformative impact. Graduates were introduced, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and community-focused development goals.
Consent Calendar
The Board approved the following items en bloc (motion by Xiong, second by Miller; passed 6-0 with Moran excused):
- Agenda of November 18, 2025 (motion by Miller, second by Jebens-Singh; passed 5-0, McGuire absent)
- Minutes of November 4, 2025 (motion by Jebens-Singh, second by Xiong; passed 5-0, McGuire absent)
- Item 5: License and Lease Amendment with MnDOT for Arden Hills Communication Facility (Resolution B2025-208)
- Item 6: Certification of Property Assessed Clean Energy Charges for Every Meal solar project ($274,935 at 6.75% over 15 years) (Resolution B2025-209)
- Item 7: First Amendment to District Energy St. Paul Agreement for cooling services through 2048 (Resolution B2025-210)
- Item 9: Request for Proposals for Food Services (Resolution B2025-211)
- Item 10: General Contingency Account Fund Transfer of $171,793 to Sheriff’s Office (Resolution B2025-212)
- Item 11: 2026 Ramsey County State Legislative Platform (Resolution B2025-213)
- Item 12: 2026 Ramsey County Federal Legislative Platform (Resolution B2025-214)
Discussion Items
Central Fleet Fund Balance Transfer (Item 8) – Commissioner Xiong pulled this item for discussion. Staff explained that a fund balance transfer of $500,000 to operating budget and $300,000 to capital budget is needed due to structural funding issues, a recurring need over multiple years. County Manager Ling Becker acknowledged the need for a deeper analysis of long-term funding pressures and indicated that a strategic review of fleet funding will be brought forward in the next year. Commissioner Xiong also raised concerns about high-cost specialized vehicles used infrequently and suggested exploring regional collaboration. The motion passed unanimously (Resolution B2025-215).
2026 Capital Improvement Program Bond Ordinance (Item 13) – Adopted by motion (Xiong/Jebens-Singh; passed 6-0). (Resolution B2025-216)
Resolution Authorizing 2026A Bond Sale (Item 14) – Approved a competitive/negotiated sale of up to $31,500,000 in General Obligation Bonds, with sale and award date set for February 9, 2026, and a report to the Board on February 10, 2026. Commissioner McMurtrey asked questions about funding sources for transportation projects. Staff clarified that the CIP incorporates the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) but bonding is not used for TIP projects; a workshop on the TIP was scheduled for later that afternoon. The resolution passed unanimously (Resolution B2025-217).
County Connections (County Manager Update)
Ling Becker reported on the end of the federal government shutdown after 43 days, with a continuing resolution through January 30, 2026. SNAP is fully funded for FY2026 with $107.5 billion (a decrease from FY2025); child nutrition programs received $38 million (slight increase). She warned that other federal programs, such as HUD Continuum of Care funding (approx. $8 million for Ramsey County’s Heading Home program), may face reductions and changes in approach. She also announced that a black-owned business, DG Pilot (specialty retail and aviation merchandise), is expanding into Union Depot.
Commissioner Reports
Commissioners reported on community events including: a Hmong Committee of 100 gala (honoring 50 years of resilience), Roseville Area Schools Foundation fundraiser, Union Gospel Mission tour, Active Living Ramsey County’s 20th anniversary celebration, Landmark Gala, League of Women Voters panel, Veterans Day ceremonies, a disability policy panel, and small business collaboratives. Several commissioners highlighted the importance of county services and the need for sustainable funding.
Key Outcomes
- The Board proclaimed November 2025 as National Veterans and Military Families Month.
- The Emerging and Diverse Developers Program graduated its third cohort; the program has produced over 100 graduates and contributed to 441 affordable housing units since 2023.
- Approved 11 administrative consent items, including legislative platforms, leases, energy assessments, and budget transfers.
- Approved Central Fleet Fund Balance Transfer of $800,000 after discussion.
- Adopted the 2026 Capital Improvement Program Bond Ordinance.
- Authorized a $31.5 million General Obligation Bond Sale (Series 2026A) with a sale date of February 9, 2026.
- Accepted the County Manager’s report on federal shutdown impacts and ongoing budget pressures.
Meeting Transcript
Chubin Singh. Here. McGuire is running a little bit behind. McMurtry. Here. Miller. Here. Moran is excused. Here. And Jeb and Ortega. I stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. For which she stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all of us. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Every community owes its existence and vitality to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy to making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will, some were drawn to leave their distant homes and hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land since time immemorial. Truth and acknowledgement are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. See no discussion roll call, please. Aye. Chabin Sane. Aye. McGuire's running a little bit behind. McMurtry. Aye. Miller. Aye. Moran is excused or take off. All right. We have a proclamation for National Veterans and Military Families Month. Commissioner Chav and Singh. Anyone who's here for time. Wonderful. Good morning, everybody. Thank you so much for coming. Today we're going to be honoring our national veterans and military families with a proclamation. The National Veterans and Military Families Month was established in 1996, recognizes that military service is not carried by service members and veterans alone, but shared by spouses, children, parents, and caregivers who often endure long separations, frequent relocations, and major life disruptions to support that service. Military families embody strength, resilience, and courage, and the well-being of military families directly strengthens national defense, community stability, and the collective health and safety of families across the nation. Ramsey County is home to over 22,000 veterans. In addition to service members and military families whose experiences, leadership, public service, and continued civic engagement make meaningful meaningful contributions to our communities every single day. And I'd also like to recognize that along so many of these veteran families, I will say also come from our Native American communities, our immigrant communities, and it's such a wonderful testament to the variety and diversity of folks within our county who have served their served our nation. No single organization can do this work alone. Support for veterans and military families is sustained through partnerships across government, community nonprofits, veteran service organizations, local employers, volunteers, and Ramsey County departments working together throughout the year. This proclamation reaffirms Ramsey County's commitment to veterans and military families, elevating gratitude into action by ensuring access to benefits, care, and opportunity, and calls on residents and partners to join in recognizing their service, sacrifice, and enduring contributions to this county and the nation. And who will be receiving this proclamation? Yes. And uh I'll go ahead and read this proclamation. Whereas throughout the nation's history, members of the United States Armed Forces have defended freedom with courage, honor, and selfless service. And whereas each veteran and family military family represents a link in a chain of honor that stretches back to the nation's founding days, unwavering in their devotion to their loved ones who served in uniform with this month honoring all military and veteran families for their service and sacrifice in answering in answering the nation's call to duty and recognizing a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid.
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