Sponsor: Property Management
Title
title
Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative Grant for Ramsey County
end
Recommendation
recommendation
1. Adopt a resolution to support and authorize the Property Management department to apply to the State of Minnesota for the Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative Grant Program for $350,000.
2. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
end
Background and Rationale
body
The 2026 Legislature funded the fourth installation of grant funds to support safety and security in courthouses and other facilities where court proceedings are held. The funds, $4 million in total, are available through the Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative Grant Program, to government entities responsible for providing or maintaining safe and secure court facilities. Ramsey County supports court proceedings in five buildings.
In collaboration with the Second Judicial District, projects to enhance security at court facilities were identified. Two projects are being submitted for the Safe and Secure Courthouse Initiative grant. These projects meet the criteria for the grant including county board support and a 50% cost match by Ramsey County. The security enhancement projects for grant consideration include replacing the City Hall/Courthouse skyway entry door and replacing the metal detection systems at the building’s entrances.
The City Hall/Courthouse skyway entry has no physical barrier to prevent unauthorized entry to the building during the day. The enhancement project would install a new door system that would integrate with security technology and allow only authorized entry into the building.
The City Hall/Courthouse is the busiest courthouse in Ramsey County. The entrances have old technology for metal detection that often requires hand wanding to identify and validate the source of metal. This leads to long lines at the entrances and is invasive to prospective jurors and members of the public who are subject to the wanding. New full body security scanning equipment would increase the speed of screening and improve privacy for those being screened.
The total cost for the proposed security enhancement projects is $350,000. If awarded funds by the state under this grant, the county would need a 50% match of the awarded grant amount to be able to accept the grant and implement the projects.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
__ Well-being __ Prosperity __ Opportunity _x_ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The racial equity impact of this project is unknown. The project will include workforce inclusion goals of 32% minority and 20% women, as well as a goal of utilizing 32% certified small businesses (SBEs) found in the Central Certification (CERT) Program directory recognized by the county as the acceptable source for SBE subcontractors and suppliers in conformance with the county’s approved policy on workforce inclusion and contracting goals.
Community Participation Level and Impact
A request for funding the Courthouse Innovative Security Upgrades was submitted to the Capital Improvement Program Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CIPAC) during the 2026/2027 CIP budget process; however, funding was not granted at that time.
_x_ Inform __ Consult __ Involve __ Collaborate __ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The county is required by statute to provide space and building security for Courts. The Safe and Secure Grant requirements include a 50% cost match for grants awarded. In collaboration with Finance, it is recommended that bond interest be utilized to fund the county’s 50% match of $175,000. Adequate funding is available in the bond interest account.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
None.