|
In this Issue
This month I would like to discuss an important issue concerning a vital service we provide to the disability and senior riders through Metro Mobility.
I am co-chairing a Metro Mobility Task Force called for by the Minnesota Legislature. The purpose is to develop and submit a report to the Legislature by Feb. 15, 2018. We have been charged to:
- Describe the current Metro Mobility program
- Summarize the work of the task force and its findings
- Identify options for reducing program costs and improving efficiency
- Identify at least three potential service level approaches that involve partnering with and incorporating transportation network companies, taxi service providers, or both
- Provide any recommendations for program and legislative changes
There is a diverse group of people and organizations on the task force including an elected official from each county whose district/unit of government is within the Metro Mobility service area, people representing transportation network companies, taxi service providers, and other community and industry members.
For those in our district, we are hosting a 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.
Sincerely,
Deb Barber
Met Council Representative for District 4
Metropolitan Council
seeks applicants for advisory committee
The Metropolitan
Council encourages community members to apply for openings on several
advisory committees. The application window is open for terms beginning in
Jan. 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.”
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
4 (Carver County) – includes Benton Twp., Camden Twp., Carver, Chaska,
Cologne, Dahlgren Twp., Hamburg, Hancock Twp., Hollywood Twp., Laketown
Twp., Mayer, New Germany, Norwood Young America, San Francisco Twp.,
Victoria, Waconia, Waconia Twp., Watertown, Watertown Twp., and Young
America Twp. This appointment will fill the remainder of the term for
this seat – until January 2019.
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.
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.
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
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.
|
