Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met on September 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers, Room 300, to approve routine items, discuss and vote on a fund transfer for redevelopment, and receive a presentation on modernizing the emergency communications joint powers agreement. Commissioners also provided updates on community events and county operations, including an encampment response and housing initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda and Minutes: Approved the agenda (2026-331) and the August 25, 2026, minutes (2026-332) without discussion.
• Administrative Items 6 and 7: Approved the Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative Grant application for $350,000 (2026-313) and the Joint Powers Agreement with the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board for 2027-2031 (2026-326) on a single roll call vote (all ayes).

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – Fund Transfer from Boys Totem Town and Maplewood Properties to Redevelopment Implementation Project (2026-305): County Manager Ryan Becker and Community & Economic Development Director Josh Olson presented the item. The action transfers $75,000 from Boys Totem Town and $125,000 from Maplewood Properties to a new project budget to advance the Building Stronger Together initiative. Olson noted that the county owns well over 600 acres of land for redevelopment opportunities. Commissioner Zhang raised concerns about lack of progress on Boys Totem Town since 2021, citing high maintenance costs (in the millions) and community inquiries. Olson responded that environmental and archaeological surveys were completed by May 2025, and the transfer provides flexibility to address multiple properties simultaneously. Commissioners Moran and Miller emphasized the need for intentional planning and long-term thinking. The item passed unanimously on a roll call vote (all ayes).

• Item 8 – Presentation: Joint Powers Agreement Modernization (2026-344): Nancy Pass, Director of Emergency Communications, presented a proposal to modernize the four existing joint powers agreements (dating from 2007 and 2017) into a single operational JPA. Pass reported that the center handles nearly 1 million calls annually, with 151 employees, and serves 550,000 residents. Key updates include aligning language with cloud-based technology and clarifying fund balance use. A stakeholder survey received 20 responses. The target for execution is March 2027. Commissioner Zhang asked about capital improvements, particularly dispatch radio consoles (estimated $2.1 million). Pass noted that state-level work on the ARMER project may affect that timeline. The current 60-40 cost split (county levy vs. city contributions) is expected to remain unchanged. The board received the presentation for information and discussion.

County Connections & Reports

• Commissioner McGuire: Reported on the Roseville Area Schools back-to-school workshop, the state fair mental health day, the Rice Creek Boulevard open house, and the Twin Lakes Technology Center groundbreaking (property value increase from $5.4 million to $66.6 million). Also noted Ramsey Washington Recycling and Energy Board actions, including a 10-year feedstock contract.
• Commissioner Singh: Highlighted overdose awareness day and the upcoming 988 day (September 8). Encouraged mental health conversations and reminded of Ramsey County resources. Mentioned ongoing work with the Direct Care and Treatment Advisory Committee.
• Commissioner McMurtry: Recapped a town hall at the Limbloomstein Care Center (Como Park) covering Medicaid, SNAP, housing, and election security, and attendance at the Ramsey County Judges Women’s Group and Men’s Group community picnic.
• Commissioner Miller: Spoke on the groundbreaking for the fourth incinerator at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant (serving 1.8 million people) and the Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts joint powers board. Also noted receipt of a feasibility report on the former Gerdau Steel Mill property near the recycling center.
• Commissioner Moran: Shared a visit to Avivo, a 100-unit tiny home shelter in Minneapolis. Avivo placed over 300 people into supportive housing over six years with low barriers and no security firearms. Moran urged Ramsey County to adopt more innovative, evidence-based approaches to homelessness, contrasting with the $8.1 million spent on emergency encampment response without clear outcomes. The board discussed legislation to seek state funding for similar projects.

Encampment Response and Housing Update

• County Manager Becker provided an update on encampments, shelter capacity, and housing transitions. Key points: Emergency shelter capacity is insufficient; the county is implementing a targeted model with individualized transition planning. In the most recent week, the shelter team handled 608 calls, including 380 requests for shelter reservations. At the Randolph and Shepherd encampments, county presence is reducing to two days per week with emphasis on barrier removal. At the Laurent site, assessment is ongoing. The county has initiated a by-name list case consultation, resulting in 120 on-site engagements, 28 active housing referrals, 8 individuals moved to housing, and 6 completing intake. Additional shelter beds are being leveraged for a winter warming model to reduce temporary costs.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All items (consent calendar, administrative items 6 and 7, and item 5) were approved unanimously.
• Referrals: The board directed staff to bring a property disposition framework and a strategic plan from the Heading Home Ramsey continuum of care to a future workshop.
• Next Steps: Emergency Communications will continue stakeholder meetings and aim to execute the modernized JPA by March 2027.