15 West Kellogg Blvd.  
Saint Paul, MN 55102  
651-266-9200  
Board of Commissioners  
Minutes  
January 20, 2026 - 9 a.m.  
Council Chambers - Courthouse Room 300  
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:02 a.m. with the following  
members present: Jebens-Singh, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong and Chair Ortega. Commissioner  
McGuire joined the board meeting remotely pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 13D.02, Subdivision 2.  
Also present were Ling Becker, County Manager, and Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, Ramsey  
County Attorney's Office.  
ROLL CALL  
Present:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  
Presented by Commissioner Jebens-Singh.  
Agenda of January 20, 2026 is Presented for Approval  
2026-033  
2026-034  
1.  
2.  
Sponsors: County Manager's Office  
Approve the agenda of January 20, 2026.  
Motion by Moran, seconded by Jebens-Singh. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Minutes from January 13, 2026 are Presented for Approval  
Sponsors: County Manager's Office  
Approve the January 13, 2026 Minutes.  
Motion by Miller, seconded by Moran. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
PRESENTATION OF AWARD  
Presentation: Ramsey County Employee Achievement Award: Shannon  
Stewart, Naturalist  
2025-541  
3.  
Sponsors: Human Resources, Parks & Recreation  
None. For information and discussion only.  
Presented by Commissioner McMurtrey. Discussion can be found on archived video.  
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS  
Ramsey County’s Vision, Mission, and Goals  
2025-560  
4.  
Sponsors: Policy & Planning  
Reaffirm Ramsey County’s Vision, Mission, and Goals as follows:  
Vision: A vibrant community where all are valued and thrive.  
Mission: A county of excellence working with you to enhance our quality of life.  
Goals:  
1. Well Being: Strengthen individual, family, and community health, safety, and well-being.  
2. Prosperity: Cultivate economic prosperity and invest in neighborhoods with  
concentrated financial poverty.  
3. Opportunity: Enhance access to opportunity and mobility for all residents and  
businesses.  
4. Accountability: Model fiscal accountability, transparency and strategic investments.  
Discussion can be found on archived video.  
Motion by Moran, seconded by Xiong. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2026-016  
Allocation of Grant Funds from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety  
towards the Acquisition of Youth Healing and Treatment Homes  
2025-546  
5.  
Sponsors: Health and Wellness, Safety and Justice  
1. Approve the allocation of Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant funds toward  
the acquisition of Youth Healing and Treatment Homes in the amount of $1,950,000.  
2. Authorize the County Manager to enter into the necessary loan or other agreements  
and execute amendments to loan or other agreements in a manner consistent with local  
regulations and requirements, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.  
Presented by Ling Becker, County Manager; Nadir Abdi, Deputy County Manager, Health and  
Wellness; and John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney. Discussion can be found on archived  
video.  
This item was tabled.  
Motion by McMurtrey, seconded by Xiong. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McMurtrey, Ortega, and Xiong  
Nay:  
McGuire, Miller, and Moran  
COUNTY CONNECTIONS  
Presented by County Manager, Ling Becker. Discussion can be found on archived video.  
OUTSIDE BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS  
None.  
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE  
No updates.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Ortega declared the meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m.  
CLOSED MEETINGS  
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13D.05, subdivision 3(b) in order to discuss federal operations  
updates, the Ramsey County Board met in a closed meeting, which was not open to the public.  
Re: Federal Operations Update  
The Closed Meeting was called to order at 10:55 a.m.  
Present: Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Chair Ortega.  
Commissioner McGuire joined the meeting remotely pursuant to Minnesota Statutes  
13D.02, Subdivision 2.  
Also present: Ling Becker, County Manager; Alex Kotze, Deputy County Manager, County Operations  
Service Team; Gloria Reyes, Deputy County Manager, Safey and Justice Service  
Team; Maria Sarabia, Chief of Staff, County Manager’s Office; Andrew Greenlee,  
Deputy Chief of Staff; County Manager’s Office; Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director,  
Ramsey County Attorney’s Office; Deanna Pesik, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer;  
Mandy Malecek, Enterprise Risk Manager, Compliance and Ethics Office; Rose  
Lindsay, Director, Communications and Public Relations; Jason Yang, Chief Clerk,  
County Manager’s Office.  
The closed meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.  
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13D.05, subdivision 3(b) in order to discuss the Randle matter, the  
Ramsey County Board met in a closed meeting, which was not open to the public.  
Re: Randle matter  
The Closed Meeting was called to order at 1:40 p.m.  
Present: Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McMurtrey, Miller, and Vice-Chair Xiong. Commissioner  
Moran joined the meeting remotely pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 13D.02, Subdivision  
2. Commissioner Ortega and McGuire were absent.  
Also present: Ling Becker, County Manager; Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, Ramsey County  
Attorney’s Office; Jason Hiveley, Outside Counsel; Gloria Reyes, Deputy County  
Manager, Safety and Justice; Ashlee Bryant, Undersheriff, Detention Services, Ramsey  
County Sheriff’s Office; Mandy Malecek, Enterprise Risk Manager, Compliance and  
Ethics Office; Jason Yang, Chief Clerk, County Manager’s Office.  
The Board of Ramsey County Commissioners authorized the Ramsey County staff to proceed as  
discussed in this closed meeting (Resolution B2026-017).  
Motioned byMcMurtrey, seconded by Jebens-Singh. Unanimously approved.  
The closed meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.