New fire truck to blaze into town in 2025

BY NOELLE OLSON EDITOR

A new rescue fire truck will be parked in the garage at the White Bear Lake fire station in 2025.

Fire Chief Greg Peterson said rescue truck #923 has been in service since 2003 and has reached its expected 20-year life span. Its replacement is part of the Capital Improvement Plan and Financial Management Plan in 2025. He noted prices for fire trucks have significantly increased over the last few years.

“The first truck the council approved me to purchase five years ago was about $550,000 and now the same truck is going for $944,000,” Peterson said. “Each year we’re seeing significant price increases. And so we obviously need to replace the fleet and keep it up to up to par and working for another 20 years.”

Peterson noted that another dynamic that has developed over the years is the delay in getting a truck. “It used to be less than a year and currently, they average about 24 to 36 months before we can even get our hands on the vehicle,” he said.

According to Peterson, the city is a member of the Houston-Galveston (HGAC) Cooperative. MacQueen, the local vendor of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., is the preferred vendor through the HGAC Cooperative for the purchase of the new truck for $944,000. There is a provision within their purchase agreement to purchase the current rescue truck via trade-in at a value of $60,000.

The final cost to the city for the new truck would be $884,000. Payment for the purchase would be due in 2025 which aligns with the Capital Improvement Plan, Financial Management Plan and 2023 adopted budget.

“The city’s mechanics enjoy working on the ladder truck and are impressed with how it is built,” Peterson stated. “Having a similar rescue truck with the fleet would be beneficial for the fire department and public works mechanics.”

Council Member Kevin Edberg asked Peterson how many miles are put on the truck and how many times a year does it go out on calls.

“We don’t travel a great distance, but usually around 70,000 to 80,000 miles over those 20 years,” Peterson responded. “Currently the rescue truck is kind of the backup role. So, this will become the primary truck that goes on every call. We do closer to 1,000 fire calls a year. But it also goes on accident scenes and so on.”

Mayor Dan Lousimet noted getting the truck is essential for the safety of the community. “It’s an essential piece of equipment for the fire department, and it’s time to replace it.”

RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MANAGER ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES

JULY 11, 2023

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:02 a.m. with the following members present: McGuire, Moran, Ortega, Reinhardt, Xiong and Chair MatasCastillo. Also present was Ryan O’Connor, County Manager, and Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.

AGENDA of July 11, 2023 was presented for approval. Motion by McGuire, seconded by Ortega. Unanimously approved.

MINUTES of June 27, 2023 were presented for approval. Motion by Reinhardt, seconded by Ortega. Unanimously approved

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – Read by Commissioner Moran.

PRESENTATION OF AWARD

Human Resources – Presentation: Ramsey county Employee Achievement Award: The citizens Resource Center of the Sheriff’s Office. Presented by Commissioner Moran.

Human Resources – Presentation: Ramsey County Employee Achievement Award: Winter recreation Area Team – Parks & Recreation. Presented by Commissioner Ortega.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

Housing Stability – Amendment to the Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Housing Support Infrastructure. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-102)

Property Tax, Records & Election Services – Agreement with City of Shoreview for voting Equipment and Elections Services. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-103)

Sheriff’s Office – Joint Powers Agreement with Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for Participation in the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-104)

Sheriff’s Office – Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Commerce for Minnesota Auto Theft Prevention Program – Dedicated Investigators. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-105)

Sheriff’s Office – Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Commerce for Minnesota Auto Theft Prevention Program – General Personnel, Training, and Equipment. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-106)

County Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office – Grant Award from Minnesota Department of Commerce for Minnesota Auto Theft Prevention Program Grant – Youth Intervention Project. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-107)

County Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office – Grant Agreement with Minnesota Department of Commerce for the Minnesota Auto Theft Prevention – Dedicated Personnel & Training Grants program. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-108)

Workforce Solutions – Grant Agreement with the Federal Communications Commission for Affordable Connectivity Program Outreach Grant Program. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023109) Workforce Solutions – Appointment to the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-110)

Board of Commissioners – Appointment to the Gold Line Joint Powers Board. Motion by Moran, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2023-111)

Housing Stability – Amendment to the Sole Source Agreement with Ellen Watters Consulting, Inc. to Exceed $175,000. Motion by Reinhardt, seconded by Ortega. Unanimously approved. (B2023-112)

COUNTY CONNECTIONS – Presented by Ryan O’Connor, County Manager. Discussion can be found on archived video.

OUTSIDE BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS – Discussion can be found on archived video.

BOARD CHAIR UPDATES – Discussion can be found on archived video.

ADJOURNMENT – Chair MatasCastillo declared the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on August 2, 2023.

RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENTS TO AND THE DEEMED REISSUANCE OF A CONDUIT REVENUE NOTE THAT FINANCED THE ACQUISITION, RENOVATION, AND EQUIPPING OF A MULTIFAMILY RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT (WILDER SQUARE APARTMENTS PROJECT)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) of Ramsey County (the “County”) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at or after 9:00 a.m. in the Board Chambers on the 3rd floor of the County Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, Minnesota, to consider a proposal that The Ramsey County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (the “HRA”) approve and authorize certain amendments to (the “Amendments”), and the deemed reissuance of its $16,500,000 Multifamily Housing Revenue Note (Wilder Square Apartments Project), Series 2021 (the “Note”) originally issued to finance the acquisition, renovation, and equipping of an approximately 136-unit multifamily rental housing development consisting of an existing 11-story building with surface parking and other functionally related facilities, located at 750 Milton Street North in Saint Paul, Minnesota (the “Project”). CB Wilder Square Limited Partnership, a Minnesota limited partnership (the “Borrower”), owns and operates the Project.

The Amendments, among other things, will extend the Note’s maturity date. Such Amendments, if approved, would cause a reissuance of the Note for tax purposes pursuant to Section 1.1001-3 of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Following the public hearing, the County Board and the HRA will consider resolutions approving the Amendments to the Note and granting approval of the reissuance of the Note.

The Note will continue to be a special, limited revenue obligation of the HRA, and the Note and interest thereon will be payable solely from the revenues and assets expressly pledged to the payment thereof. No holder of any Bond will have the right to compel any exercise of the taxing power of the HRA or the County to pay the Note or the interest thereon, nor to enforce payment against any assets or property of the HRA or the County except money payable by the Borrower to the HRA and pledged to the payment of the Note. Pursuant to an agreement with the HRA, the Borrower is obligated to make payments at least sufficient at all times to pay the principal of and interest on the Note when due.

At the time and place fixed for the public hearing the Board will give all persons who appear or submit comments in writing to the Board prior to the hearing, an opportunity to express their views with respect to the proposal. Members of the public may also monitor this meeting remotely at https://ramseycountymn.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. In addition, interested persons may file written comments respecting the proposal with the Executive Director of the HRA at or prior to said public hearing. For information on how to comment, please contact 651-266-8010. (Hearing impaired, call Minnesota Relay 1-800-627-3529.) Please let Ramsey County know if you require any special accommodations. Written comments will be received through August 14, 2023, and may be forwarded to Community and Economic Development, 250 Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102 or forwarded via email to Holdhusen, Max max.holdhusen@CO.RAMSEY.MN.US. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE RAMSEY COUNTY.

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on August 2, 2023.

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY

SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT, DISTRICT COURT

PROBATE DIVISION

COURT FILE NO. 62-PR-23-560

NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of:

Craig A. Berndsen, Decedent

Notice is given that an application for informal appointment of personal representative has been filed with the Registrar. No will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed

Cheryl E. Waste, whose address is 2902 Eagle Valley Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota, 55129, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate. Any objections to the appointment of the Personal Representative must be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

Laura J. Stevens, Probate Registrar

Date: July 25, 2023

Michael F. Upton, Court Administrator

Date: July 25, 2023

Attorney for Personal Representative

Jack W. Clinton, Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC 635 Bielenberg Drive #200 Woodbury, MN, 55125

Attorney License No: 17413

Telephone: (952) 941-4005, FAX: (952) 941-2337

Email: jclinton@hjlawfirm.com

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on August 2 and August 9, 2023.