Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting – February 3, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met on February 3, 2026, beginning at 9:06 a.m. (agenda listed 9:00 a.m.) in Council Chambers at the Courthouse. All seven commissioners were present: Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Chair Ortega. The meeting included a land acknowledgement by Commissioner Moran and approval of routine items, followed by adoption of a resolution condemning Operation Metro Surge and directing a county response. The board also held two closed sessions afterward.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda (2026-047): The agenda was approved with an amendment – a motion by Commissioner Xiong, seconded by Moran, to add RBA 2026-061 (the resolution on Operation Metro Surge). The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
• Approval of January 27, 2026 Minutes (2026-048): Approved unanimously (7-0) via motion by McGuire, seconded by Moran.

Administrative Items

• Designation of County State Aid Highway on Century Avenue (2026-040): The board approved establishing, locating, and designating Century Avenue/East County Line Road between I-694 and County Road E as County State Aid Highway 72, subject to Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation approval. The motion (Moran, seconded Miller) passed unanimously (7-0). Resolution B2026-023.

Discussion Items

• Ramsey County Board Resolution Condemning Operation Metro Surge and Supporting the Federal Response Action Team (RBA 2026-061): Commissioner Xiong introduced the resolution, which condemns aggressive ICE tactics, mourns the killings of Renee Nicole Good (37-year-old U.S. citizen fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7, 2026) and Alex Pretti (37-year-old U.S. citizen fatally shot by ICE agents on January 24, 2026), and requests an independent investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The resolution calls on DHS to end Operation Metro Surge and directs the County Manager to establish a coordinated response, including legal protection of county property, partnerships for eviction prevention and food security, virtual service access, communication strategies, staff training, policy reviews, mental health mitigation, and engagement with the Federal Response Action Team. All commissioners spoke in support, emphasizing condemnation of violence, the need for due process, and the economic and social impacts on the community. Commissioner McMurtrey challenged business leaders to act. The motion (Xiong, seconded Miller) passed unanimously (7-0). Resolution B2026-024.

County Connections (County Manager Report)

• County Manager Ling Becker reported on workforce impacts (increased anxiety among staff of color), operational updates (e.g., increased doula demand as pregnant individuals avoid hospitals, increased Spanish-speaking families seeking rental assistance), and the economic toll on businesses (citing a New York Times article titled "Minnesota's Economy Suffers as ICE Cracks Down"). She also noted the county’s AAA credit rating reaffirmed by S&P and Moody’s, and the ongoing federal budget shutdown. A letter from Chair Ortega to Minnesota Senators urged safeguards on DHS funding.

Outside Board and Committee Reports

• Commissioners reported on various external meetings: Recycling and Energy Board (metro waste district planning), Rice Creek Commons development (90% spine road grading complete, developer bids under review), precinct caucuses, and Black History Month events. Commissioner Miller highlighted the groundbreaking of an anaerobic digester in Scott County, expected to process up to 75,000 tons of organic waste annually and produce renewable natural gas.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved as amended (7-0).
• Minutes approved (7-0).
• Century Avenue Highway Designation approved unanimously (Resolution B2026-023).
• Resolution Condemning Operation Metro Surge approved unanimously (Resolution B2026-024).
• Closed Meetings (not open to the public):
  • 3M Campus Property Tax Litigation (10:40 a.m. – 11:13 a.m.): Board approved outside valuation experts and budget (Resolution B2026-025).
  • Federal Operations Update – Adult Detention Center (1:34 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.): Board authorized staff to proceed as discussed.