October Region Ahead Update: Met Council District 14

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNORGMETC/bulletins/1c04308

In this Issue 


Informing land use across the region

Since I was appointed to the Council in 2011 by Gov. Mark Dayton, I have also served as the representative and chair of the Council’s Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC). LUAC is one of multiple advisory committees and task forces made up of members of the public and external parties that advise the Council on policy issues important to the region. As called for in state law, LUAC gives the Metropolitan Council advice and support on regional land use and comprehensive planning issues.

The Land Use Advisory Committee has at least 16 members and a chair. The committee includes at least one member from each Metropolitan Council district. It represents each of the seven counties in the region. Locally elected officials make up at least half of members on the committee. LUAC is structured this way to ensure that every part of our region has adequate representation on the committee and to allow for a varied discourse between elected and community members.

LUAC creates value for the Council and for the public, because of the work members do raising important issues about how we manage urban, suburban and rural land across the region. When we convene, community leaders, mayors, and city council members have open dialogue about transportation investments, water resources, development patterns, household formation and job creation.

Often, the committee submits valuable advice to the Council that improves coordination between the Council and local governments. For example, the Local Planning Handbook – which is proving to be a significant resource for cities and counties during the current round of comprehensive planning at the local level – was shaped in part by LUAC discussion and feedback. Council staff and policymakers use the expertise and advice of LUAC to make better decisions.

We are currently looking for candidates for two seats on LUAC. If you live or know someone who lives in District 3 (southwest Hennepin County) or in District 4 (Carver County), please encourage them to apply, or reach me at 651-645-4644 to discuss the committee and its work. We are always looking for passionate individuals – with or without land use experience – to help us advise the Council on this body. Please visit our website to view the application.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jon Commers


Learn more about the work of the SAC Task Force

The Metropolitan Council is considering potential changes to the process for determining SAC. The recommendations are based on the work of a task force with representatives from local governments, businesses and other customer groups.

The task force focused primarily on the way SAC is determined, and the Council is exploring using gross square footage for SAC determinations rather than net square footage for individual uses. This change should not have an impact on the SAC rate and typically would result in the same SAC unit determinations, but simplifies the process for our customers.

We want your feedback – if you are interested in learning more, contact us with your questions or to schedule a time to come and meet with you. Or visit www.metrocouncil.org/sacprogram to learn more. 

About SAC

The Metropolitan Council charges this fee directly to local governments. We charge SAC when a residential, commercial, industrial or institutional property first connects to the regional wastewater (sewer) system. We may also charge SAC when a business grows or a property changes use in a way that creates more demand on the wastewater system.

Wastewater pipes and treatment plants are expensive to build and rehabilitate. We borrow money to size them large enough to serve both current and future customers. The space required for future customers is called reserve capacity. SAC pays the debt for that extra capacity.

Learn more


Council “green infrastructure” grants support local water initiatives

At our Sept. meeting, the Metropolitan Council voted to award $1 million to five metro cities looking to improve water quality and encourage conservation. The awards are part of a pilot project to support local efforts to address issues in their communities related to water quality, quantity, and wastewater treatment.

Projects were reviewed for their integrated problem-solving approaches, and their ability to achieve multiple benefits and measurable outcomes. The Council received 30 requests for funding totaling $7.2 million.

Projects awarded funding

  • One Water Grant Program, South St. Paul -- $300,000 toward initiatives to improve water conservation efforts and reduce the city’s water use, reduce the volume of stormwater runoff that is polluting water resources, and reduce the amount of stormwater and groundwater that seeps into the sanitary sewer system.
  • Evergreen Stormwater Reuse System, Roseville -- $300,000 toward building an underground stormwater storage facility in or next to one of the city parks to relieve flooding in a downstream storm sewer. The facility would reduce sediment and phosphorus in the stormwater, providing an opportunity for a reuse system that would supply water for irrigation and reduce demand on drinking water supply.
  • Becker Park Infiltration Project, Crystal -- $200,000 toward an infiltration facility beneath a recreation area in Becker Park. The facility would filter runoff from a 147-acre watershed and reduce the amount of phosphorus and suspended solids being released into Upper Twin Lake.
  • Northwood Inflow/Infiltration Study, New Hope -- $50,000 towards a study to better understand some of the issues the city is experiencing with stormwater and groundwater making its way into the sanitary sewer system and needed improvements to public and private infrastructure.
  • Inflow and Infiltration Private Property Compliance Program, West St. Paul-- $150,000 to help reduce the amount of stormwater and groundwater from private properties that gets into the city’s sanitary sewer system.

Read more about the Green Infrastructure Grant Pilot.


Council promotes inclusion in contracting opportunities

The Council is taking steps to make sure more small businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans and people with disabilities can participate in contracts the Council puts out for bid. A change in Council purchasing practices will engage more diverse businesses in economic opportunities and ensure access to jobs is more inclusive and equitable.

The Council has changed its procurement process so it can assign more of its contracts, in addition to construction contracts, an inclusion goal. The goal describes how much of the work should be available to Minnesota businesses that are owned by women, people of color, veterans or people with disabilities.
 
The change means the Council can assign inclusion goals to contracts for professional, technical, architecture, and engineering services. It's intended to encourage more disadvantaged and underutilized businesses to bid on locally funded contracts.
 
The Metropolitan Council Underutilized Business (MCUB) program previously assigned inclusion goals only to locally funded construction projects, similar to goals the federal government requires for federally funded construction projects to promote opportunities among diverse businesses.

Learn more about the Council's inclusion programs and goals.


    Recap and looking ahead

    Union Flats Groundbreaking - On Oct. 25, I attended the groundbreaking for the Union Flats development in Saint Paul. The event was attended by local officials, project partners and community members. The project will include 216 units of housing affordable at 60% area median income or below, a public connection to Territorial Road from Charles Avenue, bicycle amenities, two small pocket parks and an enhanced pedestrian environment. The Council contributed funds for the project through its LCA program, which supported site acquisition, soil remediation, and asbestos abatement activities.

    Riverview Corridor PAC Meeting - On Oct. 12, I attended the Riverview Corridor Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting as the Council representative. The PAC voted to recommend modern streetcar between downtown St. Paul and the Mall of America on West 7th Street crossing the river on Highway 5 as the draft locally preferred alternative (LPA). The public hearing for the draft LPA will be Nov. 9, at Highland Park High School beginning at 5 p.m., with an open house until 6 p.m. A presentation will be made at 6 p.m. with public comments beginning at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in this project or the future of the Riverview Corridor, I encourage you to attend. 

    Rail~Volution 2017 - On Sept. 16-19, I was one of the handful of Council Members representing the Council and the Twin Cities region at the annual Rail~Volution conference in Denver. Every year, transportation professionals gather for a week-long conference to share best practices and cross-pollinate ideas. I greatly enjoy attending on behalf of the Council, as it is a great opportunity to learn from other regions but to also share the innovative projects and programs we are implementing here in Minnesota. Visit Rail~Volution’s website to learn more about the conference and some of the topics that were discussed at this year’s event. The event is held in a different city each year and next year Pittsburgh will have the honor.

    District 14

    District map and description


    Service Updates

    Environmental Services: 

    Maplewood/St. Paul Meter Improvements Project

    Maryland Ave. Area Regional Sewer Improvements Project in St. Paul, MCES Project No. 808840

    Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant Asset Renewal Project

    St. Paul Area Regional Sewer Rehabilitation Project

      Metro Mobility: 

      Service hours by community

      Metro Transit 

      Ride to the Wild this season – free on Saturdays

      Find your career through the Technician Program

      Take Second Saturday Rides and save at MN Children's Museum


      In the News

      Metro Transit's Penn Avenue Bus Rapid Transit line taking shape

      Explore how land use has changed in the Twin Cities metro area

      St. Paul man honors mother with Metro Transit farewell tour

      Streetcar desired for W. 7th

      Electric buses a first for Metro Transit


      Contact Information 

      Jon Commers
      Metropolitan Council Offices
      390 Robert St North
      Saint Paul, MN 55101

      Phone: 651.645.4644

      jon.commers@metc.state.mn.us