Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – November 25, 2025

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on November 25, 2025 at 9:01 a.m. All seven commissioners were present. The meeting included approval of the agenda and minutes, adoption of the 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and a presentation on the Wood Waste Management Plan. The board also received outside committee reports and a chair update. Following adjournment at 10:26 a.m., the board convened a closed meeting for cybersecurity discussions.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda of November 25, 2025 approved (motion by McGuire, second by Miller, all ayes).
• Minutes of November 18, 2025 approved (motion by Miller, second by Jebens-Singh, all ayes).

Discussion Items

2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (Item 3)

The board adopted the 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program via Resolution B2025-218. The TIP authorizes $15,300,000 from the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority tax levy fund balance and $32,680,000 from the Local Option Sales Tax fund balance for projects. It also authorizes the County Engineer to prepare plans, solicit bids, acquire right-of-way, and the County Manager to enter agreements. The program emphasizes multimodal connectivity, safety improvements (e.g., roundabouts), and alignment with previous board-approved plans (Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan, Climate Equity Action Plan). Commissioners expressed strong support, highlighting the plan's importance for the east side, the tree replacement policy (one-to-one replacement for removed trees), and community engagement. Public Works Director Isaacson noted that the TIP reflects a shift toward serving all abilities and that future projects on corridors like Larpenteur, White Bear, and Edgerton will continue to be developed with community input. The motion by Xiong, seconded by McGuire, passed unanimously.

Presentation: Wood Waste Management Plan (Item 4)

Daniel Schmidt, Division Manager of Public Health, presented the Wood Waste Management Plan, required by the MPCA. The plan addresses the growing wood waste problem in the metro region (550,000 tons annually). Ramsey County's solid waste management plan, adopted October 8, 2024, includes strategies. The presentation highlighted a gap between current capacity (250,000 tons to district energy) and actual wood waste generation. Engagement efforts include surveying over 105 partners and a November 18 session with about 45 attendees. The county aims to finalize the plan in early 2026. Schmidt also previewed two capital requests totaling $6 million from the solid waste fund (no new levy or bonding): $4 million for site improvements at yard waste sites (paving upgrades and attendant booths) and $2 million for wood waste processing equipment (air curtain burners for biochar). Biochar can reduce volume by 90% and sequester carbon. The capital requests will be voted on at the December 2, 2025 meeting. The board had extensive discussion on partnerships with Washington County, the use of biochar as a soil amendment, and the condition of yard waste sites. No vote was taken at this meeting.

Outside Board and Committee Reports

Commissioners reported on various activities, including: Project for Pride in Housing, Heading Home Ramsey County Continuum of Care annual meeting, Pretrial Justice Council (highlighting successes in bail reform), National Foundation for Women's Legislators conference, Hamlet Midway Annual Meeting, Workforce Innovation Board executive committee, Larpeneteur Avenue MCARE project open house, Native American Heritage Month event at Ramsey County Correctional Facility, Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative quarterly meeting, CAPRW (Head Start enrollment at 98%, energy assistance updates), Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative, Transportation Advisory Board (approving regional solicitation categories and car-sharing discussion), and Recycling and Energy Board (reporting multiple loads of infectious waste at the RE Center, a serious health and safety issue being addressed with the Department of Health and Attorney General's office).

Board Chair Update

Chair Ortega provided a brief update (details not captured in minutes).

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and minutes approved unanimously.
• 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program adopted unanimously via Resolution B2025-218.
• No action taken on Wood Waste Management Plan; staff directed to finalize the plan and bring capital requests to the December 2, 2025 meeting.
• The board adjourned at 10:26 a.m. and subsequently held a closed meeting from 12:08 p.m. to 1:17 p.m. for cybersecurity updates pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13D.05 subdivision 3(d).