Summer greetings to all! It has been about four months since beginning my new adventure as the Met Council representative for the cities, townships, counties and residents of District 11. During that time, I’ve been on a speedy and steep learning curve, responding to requests for information and assistance, attending many meetings and meeting so many new friends!  

My two most immediate goals are to meet with as many city, township and county elected officials as possible before autumn and to learn as much as possible in order to be a responsive and responsible representative on the Council. 

I am so impressed to witness first-hand the wise, collaborative and diligent work of the amazing local leaders, as well as the Met Council staff, who make this region a great place to live, work, learn and celebrate the seasons. 

Please don’t hesitate to let me know when I can attend your meeting and be of assistance. I am here to serve. 

Susan Vento 

Thank you to all the District 11 residents who help shape regional policy and services by serving on one of the Council’s advisory committees. The Council relies on these committees to help develop solutions that best serve the entire region. 

• Equity Advisory Committee: Metric Giles 
• Land Use Advisory Committee: Phil Klein, Hugo City Council member 
• Livable Communities Advisory Committee: Jo Emerson, Mayor of White Bear Lake 
• Transportation Advisory Board: Chair of the Washington County Board Stan Karwoski, County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire, County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo, Becky Petryk, Hugo City Council Member 
• Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee: Darrell Paulsen, Diane Graham-Raff, and Heidi Myhre 
• Water Supply Advisory Committee: Phil Klein, Hugo City Council Member 
• Gold Line Corridor Management Committee: Chair of the Washington County Board Stan Karwoski, Oakdale Mayor Paul Reinke, Oakdale City Council Member Kevin Zabel, Landfall Mayor Stan Suedkamp, Maplewood City Council Member Bryan Smith, and Maplewood Mayor Marylee Abrams
• Gold Line Community and Business Advisory Committee: Torin Gustafson, Darrell Paulsen, Donald Gonser, Allison Hawley March, Pat Cosgrove, and Nancy Volkman
• Gold Line Techinical Advisory Committee: Jan Lucke, Wayne Sandberg, 

  Sara Allen, Steve Love, Shann Finwall, Brian Bachmeier, Bob Streetar, and Ed Shukle

• Ramsey County's Rush Line Policy Advisory Committee: Maplewood Mayor Marylee Abrams, White Brear Lake Council Member Kevin Edberg, White Bear Lake Mayor Jo Emerson, Vadnais Heights Council Member Craig Johnson, Gem Lake Council Member Jim Lindner, White Bear Township Supervisor Scott McCune, Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, and Maplewood Council Member Bryan Smith

The Council will start recruiting for 2020 committee openings in November of this year. 

Gov. Tim Walz signed several budget bills for the next two years, after a successful conclusion to his first legislative session as governor. Walz helped reach a bipartisan agreement with House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, which set the stage to wrap up the bills without an extended special session. 

The budget bills contain funding for many Metropolitan Council programs, including transit, regional parks, and water supply. In addition to providing for the state-funded portions of the Council’s budget, a handful of important changes were also approved.