Climate Action in Ramsey County

Friday, February 9th | 7:30 - 9:00 AM

Virtual Zoom Meeting

Join your fellow RCLLG members as we welcome Abi Phillips, Ramsey County Climate and Health Planner, as she discusses the creation of Ramsey County’s climate action plan.

In 2024, the RCLLG Collective Action Committee (CAC) has proposed that RCLLG form a Climate Action Working Group (CLAW) that extends beyond the current members of the CAC. The initial goal of the CLAW is to develop a multi-jurisdictional climate action plan that would include as many member communities of RCLLG as possible, as climate change does not recognize political boundaries. John Doan, Shoreview council member and RCLLG Treasurer, will be sharing the Collective Action Committees’ initiatives in creating this working group and multi-jurisdictional climate plan.

Legislative Updates & Priorities Recap

Last Friday, January 12^th, we held our annual Legislative Updates & Priorities program. We’re thankful for the legislators who were able to share their insights, including the committees they sit on and the initiatives they are supporting. We were fortunate to hear from Senator Tou Xiong, Representative Peter Fischer, Representative Mary Frances Clardy, Representative María Isa Pérez-Vega, Senator Heather Gustafson, and Representative Dave Pinto.

This program serves as a way we can share and learn from each other, our priority to shape Ramsey County into the best it can be. Last year was a significant legislative year, with many new initiatives passed and being implemented in 2023 and 2024. What initiatives are legislators forecasting this year? We asked legislators their answers to these focus questions:

How can you support Ramsey County’s local governments in their effort to ensure communities have the resources needed to address the impacts of climate change?
What are some of your other priorities during this legislative session?
What do you see as significant outcomes from this session?

As this year is a “policy year,” many legislators echoed the sentiments that last year was seen as a historic session. This year’s focus is to secure those investments. Read the notes for a recap on each legislator’s focuses for 2024.

Program Notes

Program Recording

Resources for RCLLG Members

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2023 Program Recaps

As we look towards our next program, we want to provide you with a lookback on last year's programs.

January: No program held in January.

February: On February 10th, we held our annual Legislative Priorities & Updates program. It was a busy time due to the legislative session, and we were fortunate to hear updates from Rep. Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Senator Sandra Pappas, Representative Liz Lee, and Senator John Marty.

March: On March 8th, we heard presentations discussing the shortage of students/youth pursuing the skilled trades and its impact on our workforce and communities. We heard from Scott Stallman, Provost at Dunwoody; Don Mullin, Saint Paul Building Trades Council Executive; Jill Stewart-Kellar, Northeast Metro 916 School District, and Ling Becker, Ramsey County’s Director of Workforce Solutions.

April: On April 14^th, a few "trash talkers" spoke to our members. We learned how our communities in Ramsey County can more effectively manage waste and be more environmentally friendly, and were fortunate to hear from representatives from Ramsey County, Maplewood, and White Bear Lake Area Schools.

May: On Thursday, May 4th, RCLLG members attended a 'May the 4th Be With You" social event at El Sombrero Restaurant in Little Canada.

June: On June 9th, we heard from three experts on legislation passed relating to Ramsey County and in Education. Our presenters included Jennifer O’ Rourke, Director of Government Relations; Melissa Finnegan, Government Relations Specialist; and Kirk Schneidawind, Executive Director of Minnesota School Board Association.

July: On July 14th, we heard from Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt and Noelle Bakken, Sustainability Specialist for the City of Roseville on climate action plan priorities and initiatives at the city and county level.

August: On August 14th, we held another great RCLLG social with almost 20 of our members. After a great meal, we took time in groups to imagine and illustrate what an ideal "interconnected Ramsey County" means to us.

September: On September 8th, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Ramsey County Manager Ryan O’Connor presented on “Juvenile Crime & Legislative Funding, discussing a history of crime reduction efforts and current community-based efforts and results.

October: On October 13th, Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay shared a history of Minnesota’s climate as far back as the late 1800’s, as well as what he predicts for our future.

November: On November 10th, Meghan Redmond, Associate State Director and Community Engagement for AARP MN, and Kristine Rossow, Roseville Area Senior Program Manager, provided information and resources on Age-Friendly communities in Minnesota.

December: On December 7th, the Annual Dinner and Program was held at the Cedarholm Community Building in Roseville. We heard RCLLG’s Year-In-Review and the 2024 strategic plan. Our featured speaker, Melinda Coleman, City Manager for the City of Maplewood and Gallup Certified Strengths Coach discussed the benefits of "Strengths" and what it brings to their teams at the City of Maplewood.

If you have any questions about RCLLG, your membership, or news listed above, please email RCLLG@fusionLP.org.

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Ramsey County League of Local Governments | www.fusionLP.org/rcllg