Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Formal Meeting – January 13, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met on January 13, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. in Council Chambers, Courthouse Room 300, with all seven commissioners present (Commissioner McMurtrey arrived at 9:05 a.m.). The meeting included an employee achievement award presentation, approval of administrative items, and extensive discussion on federal impacts including immigration enforcement, nutrition assistance, child care funding, and changes to immunization schedules. The board voted unanimously on all actions.

Presentation: Employee Achievement Award

• Commissioner McGuire presented the Ramsey County Employee Achievement Award to Julie Erding, a Library Assistant at the Shoreview library, for excellent job performance. Paige Fuller, Technical Services Manager, highlighted Erding’s 15 years of service, her physically demanding work processing library materials, mentorship of newer staff (over one-third of the department has one year or less tenure), and her willingness to assist public-facing branches. Erding expressed gratitude and noted her commitment to service.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the January 13, 2026 agenda (motion by Miller, second by McGuire; unanimous).
• Approved the January 6, 2026 minutes (motion by Jebens-Singh, second by Miller; unanimous).
• Appointed Megan Jacoby to the Ramsey County Library Advisory Board for a three-year term (Resolution B2026-010).
• Approved an agreement with Bituminous Roadways, Inc. for the Roseville and Maplewood Libraries Mill and Overlay project, not to exceed $268,275, through December 31, 2026 (Resolution B2026-011).
• Approved the allocation of State Affordable Housing Aid for housing development projects by emerging and diverse developers (Resolution B2026-012).
• Approved a lease agreement with Tiger Investments, LLC for 546 Rice Street, Saint Paul, through December 31, 2028, with an option to renew for one additional 12-month term (Resolution B2026-013).

Discussion Items

Item 7 – Grant Awards from the Metropolitan Council for Legacy Amendment Parks and Trails Fund Projects Commissioner Miller pulled this item for discussion. Mark McCabe, Director of Parks and Recreation, explained that Legacy funds are exclusively for regional parks and trails, not county-owned assets. Projects are identified through a system plan, long-range park plans, resident input, infrastructure failures, and asset conditions. The timing of projects depends on complexity (e.g., redevelopment requiring multiple agency coordination vs. simple maintenance). McCabe confirmed Ramsey County operates six regional parks: Battle Creek, Long Lake, Keller, Tony Schmidt, Bald Eagle–Otter Lakes (including Tamarack Nature Center), and one other (he initially omitted one, then identified Bald Eagle–Otter Lakes). The board voted to accept $1,890,775 in grant awards for State Fiscal Year 2026 and authorize execution of grant agreements (Resolution B2026-014; unanimous).

Item 9 – Single Source Agreement with Children’s HealthCare Corporation Commissioner Moran sought clarification on the services provided through the Midwest Children’s Resource Center. Samuel Clark, First Assistant County Attorney, explained the runaway intervention program (targeting ages 12–17, originally girls but now inclusive) provides intensive services with a public health nurse to stabilize youth, reduce trauma responses, and reduce harmful behaviors (substance abuse, suicidal ideation, sexual health). Referrals come through law enforcement, schools, hospitals, and families. Data over 19 years shows near-zero suicidal ideation after the program, below the Minnesota Student Survey baseline for the general metro area. The board approved the agreement through March 31, 2030 (Resolution B2026-015; unanimous).

County Connections – Federal Impacts and Immunization Update County Manager Ling Becker provided four updates:

1. New Housing Stability Director: Jamie Wilkins was introduced; she previously served at Lutheran Social Services and will lead the housing stability department.
2. CDC Immunization Schedule Changes: Public Health Director Amy Karen reported that the CDC reduced universally recommended childhood vaccines from 18 to 11 diseases. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Ramsey County will follow evidence-based schedules from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and ACOG, not the revised CDC schedule. Commissioner Xiong asked which vaccines were removed (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal, COVID-19, influenza, RSV – now recommended based on individual risk). Commissioners expressed concerns about public confusion, insurance coverage, supply chain, and potential federal retribution. Karen confirmed no changes to school immunization requirements (Minn. Stat. § 121A.15) and that MDH is issuing communications to counter misinformation.
3. Federal Impacts – SNAP and CCAP: Becker noted a temporary federal freeze on Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding was blocked by a lawsuit led by Attorney General Ellison; Ramsey County continues administering ~2,400 CCAP cases. A letter from the USDA indicated intent to freeze SNAP funds; the county is operating business as usual and will communicate any changes.
4. Immigration Enforcement: Becker described increased ICE enforcement in the community, leading to trauma, fear, and service disruptions. The county has not reduced services, but has observed declines in in-person visits, canceled appointments in public health (WIC, home visiting), increased calls to 911, and disruptions at the VA office in the WIPPO building. Over 200 staff have been trained on protocols for encounters with immigration officials. Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, clarified that ICE cannot enter private county spaces without a judicial warrant (not an administrative warrant), but may enter public spaces. Commissioners discussed the difference between judicial and administrative warrants, how to advise residents, and the limits of local law enforcement. Commissioners stressed the need for accurate public education and support for vulnerable populations. The board expressed solidarity with affected communities and commitment to continuing services.

Outside Board and Committee Reports Commissioners reported on various meetings: African American Family Preservation work group, Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, pretrial justice council, Rondo Community Library relocation, ICE enforcement incidents in their districts, and upcoming events (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations, legislative delegation meeting).

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items and resolutions passed unanimously (7-0).
• The board directed the county manager to continue monitoring federal impacts and to keep the board updated on SNAP, CCAP, ICE enforcement, and immunization schedule changes.
• The county will maintain virtual service options for residents afraid to visit county facilities due to ICE presence.
• Staff training on ICE encounter protocols will continue, and the county attorney’s office will provide legal advice as needed to preserve attorney-client privilege.
• The board expressed strong support for immigrant communities and commitment to constitutional rights, while acknowledging limitations on preventing ICE access to public spaces.