15 West Kellogg Blvd.  
Saint Paul, MN 55102  
651-266-9200  
Board of Commissioners  
Minutes  
June 24, 2025 - 9 a.m.  
Council Chambers - Courthouse Room 300  
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. with the following  
members present: Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong and Chair Ortega. 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  
Present:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  
Presented by Commissioner Miller.  
Agenda of June 24, 2025 is Presented for Approval  
2025-249  
2024-575  
1.  
Sponsors: County Manager's Office  
Approve the agenda of June 24, 2025.  
Motion by Moran, seconded by Jebens-Singh. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Minutes from June 17, 2025 are Presented for Approval  
2.  
Sponsors: County Manager's Office  
Approve the June 17, 2025 Minutes.  
Motion by Miller, seconded by Moran. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
ORDINANCE PROCEDURES  
Proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary Ordinance for 2026 - Waive  
the Second Reading and Hold the Public Hearing  
2025-196  
3.  
Sponsors: Human Resources  
1. Waive the second reading of the proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary  
Ordinance for 2026.  
2. Hold the Public Hearing for the proposed Ramsey County Commissioner’s Salary  
Ordinance for 2026.  
Chair Ortega opened the public hearing at 9:02 a.m. There was one speaker, Greg Copeland  
who testified in opposition to the proposed salary increase and expense allowance; which can  
be accessed via the archived video. The chair called three times for additional public  
comments. Hearing none, the chair closed the public hearing at 9:10 a.m.  
The Ramsey County Home Rule Charter section 5.02 states each proposed ordinance shall  
receive two readings: first, at the time it is presented, and second, at the time of the public  
hearing as required by law. Both readings may be waived if a copy of the ordinance is supplied  
to each member of the Ramsey County Board prior to its introduction.  
Motion by Moran, seconded by Jebens-Singh. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-132  
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS  
Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of  
Veteran Affairs for the Functional Zero Project  
2025-250  
4.  
Sponsors: Veterans Services  
1. Approve an amendment to the joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Department  
of Veteran Affairs, 435 Wabasha Street North #120, Saint Paul, MN 55102, for the  
Homelessness Mission - Functional Zero Project for the period of June 24, 2025,  
through June 30, 2026, in the not-to-exceed amount of $400,000 in accordance with the  
rates established in the agreement.  
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.  
Motion by Miller, seconded by McGuire. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-122  
Sole Source Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for Employee  
Metropass  
2025-231  
5.  
Sponsors: Human Resources  
1. Approve the selection of and sole source agreement with the Metropolitan Council, 570  
Sixth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 for Metropass License for the period July  
1, 2025, through June 30, 2030 in accordance with the rates established in the  
agreement.  
2. Approve fully subsidized employer funding commitment for one year from July 1, 2025  
through June 30, 2026.  
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Agreement.  
4. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to  
5. agreements and contracts in accordance with the County’s procurement policies and  
procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the available funds.  
Motion by Miller, seconded by McGuire. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-123  
Acceptance of Legislative Grant for Capitol Area Public Safety and Livability  
Initiative  
2025-228  
9.  
Sponsors: Sheriff's Office  
1. Accept the legislative grant from the State of Minnesota for Capitol Area Community  
Vitality for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029 in the amount of  
$3,000,000.  
2. Authorize the County Manager to establish the Capitol Area Community Vitality project  
account.  
3. 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.  
Motion by Miller, seconded by McGuire. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-124  
Minnesota Council on Local Results and Innovation’s Performance  
Measurement Program  
2025-149  
6.  
Sponsors: County Manager's Office  
1. Approve continuation of Ramsey County's participation in the Minnesota Council on  
Local Results and Innovation's Performance Measurement Program, as well as public  
distribution of the performance measures report via the county's website.  
2. Ratify the County Manager’s submission of Ramsey County’s annual report of its  
adopted performance measures to the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor.  
Presented by Larry Timmerman, Planning Manager, Policy and Planning. Discussion can be  
found on archived video.  
Motion by Jebens-Singh, seconded by Miller. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-125  
Agreement with Network Communications International Corp., dba NCIC  
Correctional Services for Inmate Communication Services  
2025-212  
7.  
Sponsors: Sheriff's Office  
1. Approve the selection of and the agreement with Network Communications  
International Corp., dba NCIC Correctional Services, 607 East Whaley Street,  
Longview, Texas 75601 for inmate communication services for the period of June 24,  
2025 through June 23, 2027 with the option to be renewed for three additional  
one-year periods for a total of five years, in accordance with the rates established in  
the agreement.  
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.  
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the agreement in accordance  
with the County’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are  
within the limits of available funding.  
Presented by Ashlee Bryant, Under Sheriff, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. Discussion can be  
found on archived video.  
Motion by Miller, seconded by Moran. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-126  
Agreement with Taher, Inc. for Micro Market Services  
2025-213  
8.  
Sponsors: Sheriff's Office  
1. Approve the selection of and the agreement with Taher, Inc., 5570 Smetana Drive,  
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 for micro market services for the period of June 24,  
2025 through June 23, 2027 with the option to be renewed for three additional  
one-year periods for a total of five years, in accordance with the rates established in  
the agreement.  
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.  
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the agreement in accordance  
with the County’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are  
within the limits of available funding.  
Presented by Ashlee Bryant, Under Sheriff, Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. Discussion can be  
found on archived video.  
Motion by McMurtrey, seconded by Xiong. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-127  
Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the  
Crossover/Dual Status Youth Grants 2025 Program  
2025-256  
10.  
Sponsors: County Attorney's Office  
1. Ratify the submittal of the grant application to the Minnesota Department of Public  
Safety for the Crossover/Dual Status Youth Grants 2025 Program.  
2. Accept a grant award and approve a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department  
of Public Safety for the Crossover/Dual Status Youth Grants 2025 Program for the  
period upon execution to June 30, 2026 in the amount of $300,000.  
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.  
4. Authorize the County Manager to establish the budget for the Minnesota Department of  
Public Safety for the Crossover/Dual Status Youth Grants 2025 Program in the County  
Attorney’s Office.  
5. 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.  
Presented by Erica Schumacher, Assistant Division Director, Ramsey County Attorney's Office.  
Discussion can be found on archived video.  
Motion by Jebens-Singh, seconded by Xiong. Motion passed.  
Aye:  
Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-128  
Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs for the  
Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant Program 2025  
2025-257  
11.  
Sponsors: County Attorney's Office  
1. Ratify the submittal of the grant application to the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs  
for the Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant Program 2025.  
2. Accept a grant award and approve a grant agreement with the Minnesota Office of  
Justice Programs for the Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant Program 2025 for the  
period of August 1, 2025 to January 31, 2027 in the amount of $450,000.  
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement when the State of  
Minnesota presents a final grant agreement for execution to Ramsey County provided  
that the terms and conditions of the final grant agreement remain substantially similar to  
the terms and conditions of the draft grant agreement.  
4. Authorize the County Manager to establish the budget for the Minnesota Office of  
Justice Programs for the Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant Program 2025 in the  
County Attorney’s Office upon the execution of the final grant agreement.  
5. 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.  
Presented by Erica Schumacher, Assistant Division Director, Ramsey County Attorney's Office.  
Discussion can be found on archived video.  
Motion by Jebens-Singh, seconded by McGuire. Motion passed.  
Aye: Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Xiong  
Resolution: B2025-129  
COUNTY CONNECTIONS  
Presented by County Manager, Ling Becker. Discussion can be found on archived video.  
OUTSIDE BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS  
Discussion can be found on archived video.  
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE  
Presented by Chair Ortega. Discussion can be found on archived video.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Ortega declared the meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m.  
CLOSED MEETING  
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13D.05, subdivision 3(b) in order to discuss Ching Vang v. Ramsey  
County matter, the Ramsey County Board met in a closed meeting, which was not open to the public.  
In Re Ching Vang v. Ramsey County  
The Closed Meeting was called to order at 10:37 am.  
Present: Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Chair  
Ortega.  
Also present: Ling Becker, Ramsey County Manager; Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, Ramsey  
County Attorney’s Office; Kristine Nogosek, Assistant County Attorney; Brett Bacon,  
Assistant County Attorney; Kevin Plaisance, Assistant County Attorney; Alex Kotze,  
Deputy County Manager, Health and Wellness Service Team; David Metusalem, Chief  
Deputy Sheriff, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office; Deanna Pesik, Chief Compliance and  
Ethics Officer, Compliance and Ethics 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 B2025-130).  
Motioned by Miller, seconded by Xiong. Unanimously approved.  
The closed meeting was adjourned at 11:17 am.  
CLOSED MEETING  
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13D.05, subdivision 3(b) in order to discuss the Breen matter, the  
Ramsey County Board met in a closed meeting, which was not open to the public.  
In Re Breen Matter  
The Closed Meeting was called to order at 11:19 am.  
Present: Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Xiong, and Chair  
Ortega.  
Also present: Ling Becker, Ramsey County Manager; Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, Ramsey  
County Attorney’s Office; Kristine Nogosek, Assistant County Attorney; Brett Bacon,  
Assistant County Attorney; Kevin Plaisance, Assistant County Attorney; Alex Kotze,  
Deputy County Manager, Health and Wellness Service Team; David Metusalem, Chief  
Deputy Sheriff, 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 B2025-131).  
Motioned by McMurtrey, seconded by Moran. Unanimously approved.  
The closed meeting was adjourned at 12:03 pm.