Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ramsey County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in public safety with critical priority
Youth Justice Transformation
The county celebrated two decades of juvenile justice reform with a proclamation, noting that just weeks ago only one young person was held in the juvenile detention center. Commissioners and partners from the courts, sheriff, attorneys and community groups rallied around the work.
Winter warming spaces and homelessness response
County Manager Ling Becker outlined a modified winter approach: emergency shelter beds will be the first option for single adults, with warming and overflow spaces as a safety net, plus transportation and extreme-cold protocols with the Sheriff's Office. Last winter the county logged nearly 13,000 warming space visits and about 20,000 rides.
Pig's Eye Park encampment closure and emergency shelter response
With the August 5 encampment closure coming, the county and St. Paul are spending nearly $2 million on shelter beds — but only 8 of 49 serve women, and there aren't enough beds for couples, pet owners, or gender-neutral needs.