RCLLG July Newsletter

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Newsletter Content:

1. August Social Invitation

2. Climate Action Program Recap

3. Member Resources

4. 2023 Program Recaps

August Member Social

Thursday, August 10 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Wakefield Park, Maplewood

Join your fellow RCLLG members for another great social event, complete with food, games, and socializing for all. Be sure to bring a colleague (or two or three!), as all staff of RCLLG member communities and organizations are invited. As such, please share this invitation with your elected officials and staff! Attendance is free. We can't wait to see you there!

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

Climate Action Plan

Program Summary

Climate change is a growing, or "hot' issue (no pun intended!) around the world. Ramsey County communities have begun crafting their own climate action plans, many in early stages of planning and many partnering with firms or other third parties to do so. 

At our member program last Friday, July 14th, we heard from two members on their work in this realm. Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt first discussed climate action plan priorities and initiatives at the County level. Noelle Bakken, Sustainability Specialist for the City of Roseville, then provided an overview of the sustainability work Roseville has completed, providing resources and discussing collaboration with other cities, state and regional entities to support staff working on similar initiatives.

Program Take-Aways

• A number of RCLLG member cities and school districts are discussing doing a joint climate action plan. Please be in touch with the County, utilizing Commissioner Reinhardt and Commissioner McGuire as resources.
• There are grants and resources available for your community! For example, the Watershed Districts have grant programs available to offset costs for climate resiliency projects. 
• Helpful community partners include Minnesota GreenStep Cities, Xcel Energy, EV Smart Communities, student support, and more.
• A big thing residents can do is apply for energy assistance and apply for audits. Some cities subsidize home energy audits. 
• 2022 Key Accomplishments of Ramsey County include 1) a community engagement plan, 2) performance measures, and 3) a community resilience assessment framework tool (CRAFT). Plans into 2023 include adopting a climate action framework ad plan, adopting a commuting policy, and pursuing federal and state funding, policy and legislation. Check out the notes below for specific initiatives that have been taken!

Download the Program Resources

Resources from RCLLG Members

First-Ever Mental Health Clubhouse

Mental Health Clubhouse: Filling a Gap in Ramsey County for People Living with Serious Mental Illness



With a diverse partnership and in collaboration with Vail Place, NAMI Ramsey County is excited to lay the groundwork to launch our county's first-ever mental health clubhouse. The clubhouse model is an evidence-based program that promotes purpose, employment and social engagement among people living with serious mental illnesses. To learn more about this successful approach and efforts underway to start a local clubhouse, you are invited to access the following 90 minute recording of their webinar offered on March 7th. Click the button below to access.

For more info and to get involved, please contact Co-Chair Mindy Greiling. 

Check out the 2023 RCLLG directory

Find contact information for members and state legislators, read handy information about RCLLG, and more! Visit our website to view this directory at any time.

2023 Program Recaps

As we look towards our next program, we want to provide you with a lookback on our 2023 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.

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

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