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Record of Proceedings

Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026

Board of Commissioners & Authorities — Tuesday, May 5, 2026
BodyRamsey County, Minnesota
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Authorities
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:50

Original source
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0:31

That's the hook.

0:36

Good morning.

0:37

I'd like to call to order the Ramsey County Board of Commission's roll call, please.

0:42

Jebin Singh?

0:43

Here.

0:44

McGuire.

0:45

Here.

0:46

McMurtry.

0:47

Here.

0:47

Miller is excused.

0:49

Moran.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Zhang.

0:51

Here.

0:51

And Ortega.

0:52

Hi.

0:53

Can we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:55

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

1:01

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:04

One nation under God.

1:06

Indian justice for our acknowledgement commissioner McMurtry.

1:15

Thank you, Mr.

1:15

Chair.

1:16

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.

1:26

Some were brought here against their will.

1:29

Some were drawn to leave their distant homes in hope of a better life.

1:32

And some have lived on this land since time immemorial.

1:36

Truth and acknowledgement are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference.

1:43

We are standing on the central lands of the Dakota people.

1:47

We want to acknowledge the Ojibwe, the Ho Chunk, and the other nations of people who also call this place home.

1:53

We pay respects to their elders, past and present.

1:56

Please take a moment to consider the treaties that treaties made by the tribal nations that entitle non-native people to live and work on traditional native lands.

2:06

Consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today.

2:13

And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events.

2:19

Thank you.

2:21

I'll intertain a motion on the agenda of May 5th, 2026.

2:25

So move.

2:26

Second.

2:27

See no discussion roll call.

2:29

McMurtry.

2:31

Aye.

2:31

Miller's excused Moran.

2:33

Aye.

2:34

Zhang.

2:34

Aye.

2:35

Jabin Singh.

2:36

Aye.

2:36

McGuire.

2:38

Aye.

2:38

And Ortega.

2:46

So moved.

2:48

Second.

2:49

See no discussion roll call.

2:51

McMurtry.

2:52

Aye.

2:53

Excused.

2:54

Moran.

2:55

Aye.

2:55

Zhang.

2:56

Aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████22%
Racial Equity█████████████████████21%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Youth Programs████████8%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on May 5, 2026, from 9:02 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. in Council Chambers. Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Moran, Xiong, and Chair Ortega were present; Commissioner Miller was excused. The board approved routine items, issued two proclamations, and unanimously passed four administrative resolutions.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda (2026-158): Approved with a motion by Moran, seconded by Xiong. Passed 6-0.
  • Minutes from April 28, 2026 (2026-159): Approved with a motion by Xiong, seconded by Moran. Passed 6-0.

Proclamations & Public Testimony

  • American Indian Month (May 2026): Presented by Commissioner McMurtrey. The proclamation recognized May as American Indian Month, acknowledging the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples and the county's commitment to partnership. Several community members spoke:
    • Dakota (youth and two-spirit person from Heading Home Ramsey Advisory Board) expressed the need to move beyond recognition to responsibility, urging the county to center Native youth voices and invest in community-led solutions.
    • Lavon Lee (community member, read by proxy) celebrated the relationship between the American Indian community and Ramsey County, noting the importance of the proclamation.
    • Sherry Reimers (Chair, St. Paul Indians in Action) emphasized action over acknowledgment and thanked the county for supporting initiatives like St. Paul Indians in Action.
    • Other speakers included representatives from American Indian Family and Children's Services, the American Indian Family Center, and county staff. All speakers expressed support for the proclamation and ongoing partnership.
  • Correctional Officers Week (May 3–9, 2026): Presented by Commissioner Moran. The proclamation recognized the over 300 correctional officers and employees in Ramsey County. Speakers included:
    • Ashley Bryant (Under Sheriff, Detention Services) highlighted modernization efforts (tablets, no-cost calls, suicide prevention barriers) and the Project Bridge partnership with Community Corrections.
    • Jamie Brisch (Deputy Director, Community Corrections) noted the challenging work environment and the importance of supporting staff.
    • Several correctional officers introduced themselves, expressing gratitude for the recognition. Commissioners thanked them for their service.

Administrative Items (All passed 6-0)

  • Item 5 – Third Amendment to Single Source Agreement with ESRI (2026-076): Approved an enterprise license agreement through April 6, 2030. Commissioner Jebens-Singh asked about uses and contract updates. Matt Koukol (IS) explained GIS applications (mapping, spatial analysis, use by assessors, sheriff, fire chiefs) and confirmed data security and open data policies. Motion by Jebens-Singh, seconded by McMurtrey. Resolution B2026-056.
  • Item 6 – 2026 Special Board of Appeal and Equalization (2026-110): Appointed members and chairs, approved procedural rules and ethics guidelines, and authorized the county manager to approve expenses. Motion by McMurtrey, seconded by Xiong. Resolution B2026-053.
  • Item 7 – Local Option Disaster Tax Abatement (2026-132): Approved an abatement of $10,000 or more for property at 80 Cottage Ave W, Saint Paul. Motion by McMurtrey, seconded by Xiong. Resolution B2026-054.
  • Item 8 – Property Tax Abatements (2026-134): Approved abatements of $10,000 or more for properties at 1125 Energy Park Dr and 1246 University Ave W, Saint Paul. Motion by McMurtrey, seconded by Xiong. Resolution B2026-055.

Reports & Updates

  • Legislative Update (Commissioner McGuire): Noted the final weeks of the state session, including omnibus bills and potential bonding bill. The county is advocating for the Park at Rivers Edge.
  • County Connections (County Manager Ling Becker): Recognized a Metro Transit certificate of appreciation for the Safe and Strong partnership. Announced the grand opening of DG Pilot at Union Depot and the Flipping Tables youth event on May 12.
  • Outside Board Reports: Commissioners reported on various meetings: Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center annual report (mattress diversion, Gerdau site feasibility study, infectious waste legislation), Rice Creek Commons JDA, AMC Medicaid subcommittee, Generation Next, North End Community Council, and more.
  • Chair Update (Chair Ortega): Attended Science Museum gala and Regions Hospital ER expansion ribbon cutting. Announced board workshops on state hospital utilization after the meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items were approved unanimously (6-0, with Miller excused).
  • The board issued proclamations for American Indian Month and Correctional Officers Week.
  • The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m., followed by board workshops.

Meeting Transcript

That's the hook. Good morning. I'd like to call to order the Ramsey County Board of Commission's roll call, please. Jebin Singh? Here. McGuire. Here. McMurtry. Here. Miller is excused. Moran. Here. Zhang. Here. And Ortega. Hi. Can we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indian justice for our acknowledgement commissioner McMurtry. 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 in 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. We are standing on the central lands of the Dakota people. We want to acknowledge the Ojibwe, the Ho Chunk, and the other nations of people who also call this place home. We pay respects to their elders, past and present. Please take a moment to consider the treaties that treaties made by the tribal nations that entitle non-native people to live and work on traditional native lands. Consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events. Thank you. I'll intertain a motion on the agenda of May 5th, 2026. So move. Second. See no discussion roll call. McMurtry. Aye. Miller's excused Moran. Aye. Zhang. Aye. Jabin Singh. Aye. McGuire. Aye. And Ortega.

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