District 3 November newsletter

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In this Issue 


Message from Council Member Munt:

Rising Demand for Metro Mobility 

Our graying and growing population is fueling demand for Metro Mobility. That demographic shift and rising costs are a top concern for me and the Metropolitan Council, which oversees the shared-ride paratransit service for 20,000 people certified as unable to use traditional buses and light rail due to disability or a health condition.   

Metro Mobility costs have risen about 65% in the past decade, mirroring an equal rise in ridership. Over the next two years, by some calculations, the program's deficit is expected to reach $24 million. This is a function of the expected increase in ridership and the subsidy cost per ride.

Despite its costs, Metro Mobility is an invaluable resource for people with disabilities who need to get around the Twin Cities. It connects them to work and school, to the grocery store and medical appointments, to friends and family. It allows people to stay in their communities, to remain healthy, and not be socially isolated in their homes. It's a door-through-door service, where drivers leave the vehicle to help people onto the vehicle or into their building. About 30% of the 2.2 million rides last year required use of a wheelchair lift. 

To raise revenue, the Metropolitan Council increased fares by 50 cents for Metro Mobility. Starting in October, Metro Mobility passengers pay $3.50 or $4.50 for each ride depending upon the time of day. A 75-cent distance charge may also apply to trips outside the ADA service area that are 15 miles or longer. 

But the fare increase by itself won't be enough. In fact, fares cover little of Metro Mobility's expenses; its subsidies exceed any other type of transit at more than $20 a ride. 

Rising demand also impacts the quality of our service. Drivers also struggle to keep up as Metro Mobility ridership climbs. That means vehicles are late and some rides take much longer than they should.  While our on-board times and on-time performance still exceed federal standards, delays and problems understandably frustrate passengers. We want to hear your concerns and ideas. 

The Minnesota Legislature charged the Metropolitan Council with creating a Metro Mobility Task Force.  The group will identify options for reducing costs and improving efficiency - and submit a final report to the Legislature by Feb. 15, 2018.

We're hosting listening sessions with passengers to inform the task force and improve our service. Please join us on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1-3 p.m. at the Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd. If you are not able to attend but still would like to share your feedback with us, please feel free to email or call me.

Happy holidays! 

Jennifer Munt 

Metropolitan Council member | District 3


Directly influence regional policy

Metropolitan Council seeks applicants for advisory committees

The Metropolitan Council encourages community members to apply for openings on several advisory committees. The application window is open for terms beginning in January 2018.

“Our advisory committees provide some of the best ways to influence regional decisions,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Alene Tchourumoff. “Each member partners with the Council members to provide a wide variety of viewpoints. I encourage people to apply – we need different voices at the table to assure our advisory committees reflect the communities we serve.”

Apply today – priority will be given to applications received by 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 27. Below is a list of openings.

Equity Advisory Committee

Eleven spots are open on the Council’s Equity Advisory Committee, which advises the Metropolitan Council in its work to advance equity in the metropolitan region. In forming the Equity Advisory Committee in October 2015, the Metropolitan Council affirmed its commitment in Thrive MSP 2040 to ensure that residents and communities are full partners in making the decisions that affect them.

The committee has 21 members – including members of the community and the Metropolitan Council. There are eight district representatives and nine at-large members. The co-chairs include one member of the Metropolitan Council and one community representative. Members serve four-year terms. See Council District Descriptions and Map (pdf).

Open seats:

  • Nine at-large members, to serve 4-year terms which expire in January 2022.

Land Use Advisory Committee

Two spots are open on the Council’s Land Use Advisory Committee, 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.

The committee has at least 16 members – including members of the community and elected officials. At least half of the members must be elected officials, and there must be a member from each Metropolitan Council district. The chair is a member of the Metropolitan Council. Members serve four-year terms. See Council District Descriptions and Map.

Open seats:

  • District 3 – includes the city of Chanhassen in Carver County and the Hennepin County cities Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland. This appointment will fill the remainder of the term for this seat – until January 2019.

Transportation Advisory Board (TAB)

The Transportation Advisory Board helps shape regional and state transportation plans. Every three years it adopts the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which identifies which regional projects will receive federal funds.

The board consists of 34 members, defined in state law, drawn from county and city elected officials, residents and business leaders, transportation providers, and representatives of state and regional agencies. The Council appoints a number of members to represent different aspects of transportation. 

Open seats (all are two-year terms)

  • District B – includes southwestern Hennepin County, all of Carver County and portions of western Scott County. (Council Districts 3 and 4)
  • District B Alternate
  • Transit Representative – represents the entire seven-county region
  • Transit Representative Alternate
  • Transit Representative 2 – represents the entire seven-county region
  • Transit Representative 2 Alternate
  • Non-Motorized Representative – represents the entire seven-county region
  • Non-Motorized Representative

To apply, visit the Council’s website and fill out the new online application. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application though PDF, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806.


New Regional Parks Map reflects the rich cultural heritage of our region

People from a wide variety of communities, and many ages and abilities, will see themselves reflected in the Council’s newly updated Regional Parks Map.

With more than two dozen photos, the colorful publication celebrates the diversity of people who visit the parks and trails, and the four seasons of park activities. Woven into the patchwork of photos are short phrases in a variety of languages that welcome visitors from around the world. Words and phrases for “family,” “connection,” celebrate,” “relax” and more are printed in Arabic, Hmong, Somali, Spanish, and English.

“We wanted residents to see themselves in the parks—whether alone, in small groups or large groups—and show park amenities as open, fun, inviting and compelling places to visit, right here in our own communities,” said Emmett Mullin, manager of the Council’s Regional Parks & Natural Resources unit.

The folding map and guide helps people locate regional parks and shows what activities are available in each one, using icons that are understood in any language.

The updated map is an outgrowth of the Council’s research that showed some communities of color and immigrants do not use the parks in proportion to their share of the region’s overall population. The Council embarked on an extensive community engagement effort to identify barriers to participation and is working with communities and park agencies to overcome these.

See an online version of the map


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 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.


Council green infrastructure grants support local water initiatives

At our September 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.

District 3

District map and description


Service Updates

Environmental Services: 

Chanhassen/Minnetonka sewer improvements

Minnetrista emergency sewer replacement project

Mound area sewer improvements project

Mound area interceptor improvements project

St. Bonifacious lift station and force main improvements 

    Metro Mobility: 

    Purchase tickets and passes

    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

    St. Paul man honors mother with Metro Transit farewell tour

    Electric buses a first for Metro Transit

    League of Women Voters "Talking Points" SWLRT video


    Contact Information 

    Jennifer Munt
    Metropolitan Council Offices
    390 Robert St North
    Saint Paul, MN 55101

    Phone: 952.933.1537

    jennifer.munt@metc.state.mn.us


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