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In this Issue
It's my honor to serve the region on the Metropolitan
Council and to share my first newsletter with municipal leaders and
constituents in my district. This issue
focuses on equity.
Our Twin Cities region faces a unique opportunity to
regain our status as a place that works for all of our residents. As the regional planning agency and provider
of essential services - transit, sewers, parks and housing - the Metropolitan
Council has a crucial role in advancing equity.
Equity isn't just a trendy buzzword. Equity connects all residents to opportunity
and creates viable housing, transportation and recreation options for people of
all races, ethnicities, incomes and abilities so that all communities share the
opportunities and challenges of growth and change.
For our region to reach its full potential, all of our
residents must be able to access opportunity. Our region is stronger when all people live in communities that provide
them access to opportunities for success, prosperity and quality of life.
Imagine a region where people of color have the same
graduation rates, employment rates, and
homeownership rates as the white population. By 2040, our region would have 171,000 more high school graduates,124,000 more people with jobs, and 186,000 more homeowners. Those improvements would generate $35 billion
more in economic growth over the next 30 years. Equity is not only the right thing to do, it's an economic imperative.
As the region's main planning agency, the Metropolitan
Council recognizes that our seven-county metro area is growing more
diverse. Data shows that by 2040, about
40 percent of the region's population will be people of color, compared with 26
percent today. One in three households
in the region will be senior citizens.
That's a huge demographic shift. We know
by measures such as employment, income and home ownership that people of color
are lagging far behind white residents. We also know that our current
housing stock will not meet the needs of our aging population.
To address those challenges, the Metropolitan Council is
incorporating equity into all the work we do. We're ensuring meaningful community engagement, voice and leadership
with wisdom from our Equity Advisory Committee.
Advancing equity will require an ongoing commitment from multi-racial,
multi-generational, multi-issue leadership to develop a shared understanding of
problems, priorities and solutions. Click here to read more about equity initiatives at the Met Council.
Fortunately, the groundwork is already in place. We're raising important policy
questions. Are our regional parks as
welcoming to new immigrants as they are to others? Is transit connecting low-wealth neighbors to
job centers across the region? Is bus
service accessible to seniors and persons with disabilities? How can we help communities make plans to
meet these changing needs?
Equity is one of the key principles we will apply to
answer these questions and take action.
It is not about placing the needs of one group over another. It's about giving everyone in the region an
equal shot at a fair outcome.
I invite you to share your thoughts with me at jennifer.munt@metc.state.mn.us.
Warmest regards,
Jennifer
I proudly serve Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
The Metropolitan Council is inviting community members to apply for openings on several advisory committees. The application window is open for terms beginning in January 2017. Our district, District 3, which includes city of Chanhassen in Carver County and the Hennepin County cities Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
One spot is open on the Council’s Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC), which provides advice and assistance to the Council on regional land use and comprehensive planning, and in matters of metropolitan significance as requested by the Council. This appointment will fill the remainder of the term for this seat –until January 2019. The chair position is also open.
The Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC) advises the Council on management policies for public transportation services in the region from the perspective of riders with disabilities. The committee has eight community members who represent geographic districts in the region. At least half the members must be certified as eligible for ADA paratransit services and be active users of public transportation. Council-appointed members serve two-year terms. The chair position is also open.
To apply, visit the Council’s website and download the application for appointment. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806
Apply today – priority will be given to applications received before Nov. 29.
Qualified low-income residents of the Twin Cities can ride for $1 per trip - including transfers. The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) is a pilot program which has been extended through April 10, 2017.
How the pilot program works
- Household member ages 13-64 – not including college students, seniors or persons with disabilities – are eligible to participate in the test program that will offer discounted transit rides, on any bus (express or non-express) or train at any times of day. For those not eligible, other programs may apply.
- Ride all regional buses and light rail for $1, transfers included.
- On Northstar, your card will deduct $1 for the first $3 of the fare. Additional surcharges will be deducted based on distance.
- You can add value online, at any Go-To Card outlet (including all Cub Foods stores) or any rail ticket machine.
NOTE: Discount does not apply on Transit Link or Metro Mobility buses.
This pilot program will run for six months (one card per certified ID).
Learn more about the TAP program.
The Met Council awarded $1.9M in planning grants to assist communities with their local
comprehensive plans. The Council established eligibility criteria,
which included forecasted growth and net tax capacity (more info below).
The Council expanded the eligibility to provide assistance to small
cities meeting population and Net Tax Capacity (NTC) criteria.
The Small Cities criteria expanded eligibility to 21 communities, 15 of which did not receive assistance from the planning assistance fund in 2007 and several of which experienced significant challenges and delays in meeting the Council’s statutory review requirements in the last planning cycle. As communities with populations of 5,000 or less, each of these communities have relatively small internal staff capacity to undertake the comprehensive plan update without some external assistance. In our district, planning grants (Small Community $10K) were provided to three of the small communities of Spring Park, Long Lake, St Bonifacius.
Lake Minnetonka cities municipal tour. (part I) In July, I completed a tour of three Lake Minnetonka cities of Deephaven, Greenwood and
Woodland. The three mayors dispelled the myth that their cities are only
mansions on the lake. Most surprising was the
diversity of the housing stock, and that modest homes and mansions are located
next to each other. No one is pressured to tear down to clear the way for
mansions. Everyone seems to get along and share
a common vision for their community. All three cities take pride in their
individuality and independence. While they share a city hall and some services,
they reject any push to consolidate.
Employee Recognition Week. October 3-7 was Employee Recognition Week at the Met Council and the week was filled with Council-wide and division specific celebrations. Each division selected staff to be recognized at the Employee Recognition Breakfast that took place on Monday, October 3rd at University of St. Thomas. Awards were also given out for employees with 25, 30, 35 or 40 years of service to the Council. Over 300 people RSVP’d for the breakfast where over 100 staff members were honored. Chair Duininck made remarks and was joined by myself, Council Members Jennifer Munt, Cara Letofsky and Wendy Wulff.
Rail~volution. On Oct. 9-12, Council Members Rodriguez, Letofsky, Commers, Rummel, Reynoso, Barber, Elkins, McCarthy and I represented the Council and the Twin Cities region at the annual Rail~volution conference in San Francisco. The five-day conference shared best practices and cross-pollinate ideas from across the country. In addition to Council Members, there were over 40 representatives from our region at the conference including a number of Met Council staff. The conference was a great opportunity to learn from other regions but to also share the innovative projects and programs we are implementing here in Minnesota.
Lake Minnetonka cities municipal tour. (part II) On Nov. 18, I attended a municipal tour of Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park and Tonka Bay. I met with Mayor-elect Mike Taylor, Mayor De La Vega and Mayor Bruce Williamson. I was joined by Freya Thamman, my Sector Representative, and Andrew Virden, my Community Relations Specialist. I was pleased to get to know the mayors better and to see their communities. |
