Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Meeting – September 1, 2026

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:02 a.m. on September 1, 2026, in the Council Chambers of the Courthouse. Chair Ortega presided, and all seven commissioners were present: Jebens‑Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Ortega. County Manager Ling Becker and Civil Division Director Jada Lewis also attended. The meeting covered routine approvals, a settlement agreement, several joint powers agreements, a fund transfer discussion, a presentation on emergency communications modernization, and an update on homelessness encampment response. A closed meeting on the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons property followed the public session.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval (Item 1): Approved unanimously (7 ayes).
• Minutes of August 25, 2026 (Item 2): Approved unanimously (7 ayes).
• Settlement Agreement – Felicia Marie Wilson v. Ramsey County (Item 3): Approved a settlement totaling $150,000 plus non‑monetary terms. Authorized the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute. Resolution B2026‑115. Unanimous (7 ayes).
• Joint Powers Agreement – Election Recount Services (Item 4): Approved a JPA with the State of Minnesota for election recount services through December 31, 2026. Resolution B2026‑116. Unanimous (7 ayes).
• Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative Grant (Item 6): Adopted a resolution to apply for a $350,000 state grant. Authorized the County Manager to enter into related agreements. Resolution B2026‑117. Unanimous (7 ayes).
• Joint Powers Agreement – Metropolitan Emergency Services Board (Item 7): Approved a five‑year JPA (2027‑2031) with multiple counties and the City of Minneapolis for operation of the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board. Also authorized the County Manager to appoint members to the Technical Operations Committee. Resolution B2026‑118. Unanimous (7 ayes).

Discussion Items

• Fund Transfer – Boys Totem Town & Maplewood Properties to Redevelopment Implementation Project (Item 5): County Manager Ling Becker and Community & Economic Development Director Josh Olson presented the request to transfer up to $75,000 from Boys Totem Town (BTT) and $125,000 from Maplewood Properties into a single Redevelopment Implementation Project account to advance the Building Stronger Together initiative. The pooled $200,000 would provide flexibility to address due‑diligence and redevelopment needs across multiple county‑owned sites, including smaller parcels near Payne & Maryland and Frost & English. Olson noted that over 500 acres of county land are already in active redevelopment, with an additional 100+ acres identified as opportunities. Commissioner Xiong expressed concern that the BTT property has seen little movement since 2021, despite the county spending millions annually to maintain it, and she called for prioritization and community engagement. County Manager Becker responded that prior environmental studies (e.g., archaeological survey concluded May 2025) and the COVID‑19 pandemic had delayed outreach, but that work is now being kick‑started with a multidisciplinary team. Commissioner Moran supported the action, linking it to the need for intentional investments in the context of upcoming budget constraints (HR1 impacts). Commissioner Miller asked about the future process (RFI, community engagement) and urged long‑term thinking to avoid selling land that might be needed later for public purposes. The motion passed unanimously (7 ayes), Resolution B2026‑119.

• Presentation – Joint Powers Agreement Modernization (Item 8): Emergency Communications Director Nancie Pass presented a plan to modernize the four existing JPAs that govern the consolidated 9‑1‑1 center. The center is the largest in Minnesota, handling nearly 1 million calls in 2025 with 151 employees. The current agreements, created when the center first consolidated in 2007, are outdated. The modernization aims to: create a single operational JPA rather than four; update language for cloud‑based technology and subscription models; strengthen the role of the Dispatch Policy Committee (DPC); and establish transparent fund‑balance guidelines. Commissioner Jebens‑Singh asked about partner feedback; Pass reported positive survey responses and a productive DPC meeting, with stakeholders recognizing the need for updates. Commissioner Xiong inquired whether the $2.1 million cost for dispatch console upgrades was included; Pass explained that a separate legislative work group is studying a statewide radio system (ARMER), and the new JPA would clarify how fund balances could be used for such capital improvements. Commissioner McGuire asked about cost sharing; Pass confirmed the current 60% levy / 40% city cost allocation (based on a three‑year call‑volume average) would remain unchanged. County Manager Becker noted the project is part of broader operational excellence work and that roadshows with city councils will occur. The presentation was for information only; no vote was taken.

• County Connections – Homeless Encampment Response Update: County Manager Becker provided an update on the county’s coordinated response to homeless encampments, including Randolph & Shepherd Road and LaOrient. She outlined a shift from broad on‑site presence to targeted, individualized transition planning, supported by newly expanded shelter capacity (funded through LAHA and other sources). Key statistics: during the most recent reporting week, the shelter hotline handled 608 calls, including 380 shelter reservation requests; adult shelters were operating at or near capacity. The housing stability team has conducted 120 on‑site engagements, identified 28 individuals with active housing referrals, and placed 8 into housing (with 6 more completing intake). The county will maintain outreach at Randolph two days a week, coordinated with the city’s HEART team, and will deploy financial assistance and specialized supports based on resident needs. Commissioner Moran then shared her visit to Avivo, a Minneapolis 100‑unit tiny‑home warehouse that has housed over 300 people into permanent supportive housing since 2020 at a capital cost of $4 million. She contrasted this with a recent $1.8 million emergency encampment response, for which she questioned the measurable impact. Moran called for evidence‑based, innovative approaches and better coordination through the Heading Home Ramsey continuum. Other commissioners offered brief reports on transit, school visits, and regional infrastructure projects.

Key Outcomes

• Votes Taken: All seven consent and discussion items (Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) were approved unanimously. Resolution numbers B2026‑115 through B2026‑119 were assigned.
• Directives: The County Manager was authorized to execute agreements for the settlement, joint powers agreements, grant application, and fund transfer. The County Manager will also lead the JPA modernization outreach to city councils and develop a property disposition framework to be presented at a board workshop before the end of 2026.
• Next Steps: A closed meeting on TCAAP Outlot A was held after adjournment. A Budget Committee of the Whole meeting (Health & Wellness Service Team 2027 Supplemental Budget) was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. the same day.