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Metro briefs: Ramsey County Board meetings resume in-person

June 5, 2021 at 6:24PM

Ramsey County

County Board restarts in-person meetings

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will resume in-person public meetings on Tuesday after meeting virtually for more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

County leaders say they believe the council chambers in downtown St. Paul, which is used both by the County Board and the St. Paul City Council, is spacious enough to allow for continued social distancing. Visitors are still required to wear masks in county buildings. But commissioners will consider revising that policy at their Tuesday meeting.

Shannon Prather

PLYMOUTH

City names first diversity manager

Plymouth has hired Laurice Reed as the city's first diversity, equity and inclusion manager.

Working with residents, stakeholders, community groups and city staff, Reed will examine local policies and practices, develop an action plan and make recommendations to the City Council.

She previously spent four years as the racial equity program coordinator for the city of Minneapolis.

KATY READ

Maplewood

Regional park to get snow-making system

A years-in-the-making plan to add snow-making equipment to the Nordic ski trails at Battle Creek Regional Park won final approval from the Ramsey County Board on Tuesday, with 2.5 kilometers, or about 1 ½ miles, of lighted trail targeted for a permanent snow-making system by fall 2022.

The $5.6 million plan includes a tubing and sledding area as well as snow-making equipment and a maintenance shed. The 1,440-acre park is situated in both St. Paul and Maplewood and has 14 kilometers, or almost 9 miles, of Nordic ski trails.

Funding for the project comes from various sources, including county funds, the state Legacy Amendment fund, the Metropolitan Council and the 2021 state bonding bill.

Matt McKinney

LAKEVILLE

City considers parks and rec referendum

Lakeville City Council members are considering a $30 million to $40 million parks and recreation referendum that, if voters approve it, would pay for a host of planned park projects.

Officials are leaning toward holding the referendum in November, in conjunction with the scheduled election, said City Administrator Justin Miller.

The council on Monday will vote on whether to approve a contract with accounting and consulting firm Baker Tilly for about $25,000 to determine how much of a tax increase residents might support. Results would come in July, providing enough notice to plan a fall referendum if council members decide to go ahead with the measure, Miller said.

The city has several large park projects planned that officials can't fund through normal channels, Miller said. They include $10 million in improvements to Antlers Park, where an existing master plan calls for revamping the park on the shores of Lake Marion — home to one of the city's most popular beaches.

A new park near the Avonlea housing development — to be called Avonlea Park — would cost more than $10 million and include several ball fields and other amenities.

Erin Adler