Sponsor: Board of Commissioners
Title
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Proposed Name Change of Savage Lake in Little Canada - Hold the Public Hearing
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Recommendation
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Hold a Public Hearing to afford the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed name change of Savage Lake in Little Canada to Lake Metis.
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Background and Rationale
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Members of the Little Canada Historic Society reached out to the Ramsey County Auditor and have expressed a desire to explore renaming Savage Lake in Little Canada to Lake Metis by petition. Minnesota Statues 83A.04 - 83A.07 requires a tiered public process for the renaming of lakes and bodies of water. A petition must be filed with the County Auditor, including fifteen (15) or more signatures of voters registered in the county where the lake is located. The county board of commissioners hold a public hearing and the petition is brought to the board for a vote. If the county board votes to recommend the proposed name change, the county adopts a resolution. The county will forward the resolution to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for consideration and approval. The DNR will review and determine whether or not to approve the requested change. If approved, the DNR will submit the lake name change to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for federal approval and use.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The current lake name is a derogatory and offensive term; therefore, members of the Little Canada Historical Society proposed renaming the lake as Lake Metis. The Metis are an Indigenous people whose historical homelands include Canada's three Prairie Provinces, as well as parts of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Northwest Ontario and the northern United States. Historic records show that Little Canada was settled by the Metis people originating from French and Scottish fur traders.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no fiscal impact with this request for board action.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact with this request for board action.
Last Previous Action
On December 19, 2023, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners set the public hearing date of January 23, 2024, at 9 a.m. or as soon as possible thereafter, in the Council Chambers, third floor of Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102 to afford the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed name change of Savage Lake in Little Canada to Lake Metis. (Resolution B2023-262).
Attachments
1. Affidavit of Publication