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In this Issue
Greetings! I am proud to serve as your representative on the Metropolitan Council. I am writing to give you a quick update on my work, highlight the Council’s priorities, and ask you to take action.
Since I was nominated by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and sworn-in on March 6, I have been hard at work, doing my best to get out across the region, listening and learning from local elected officials, community leaders, staff and my colleagues on the Council. On top of serving on the Transportation Committee, Environment Committee, Equity Advisory Committee, Riverview Corridor Policy Advisory Committee, and as alternate to the Transportation Advisory Board, I have:
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Raised my scarf at the Allianz Field opening
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Joined Chair Nora Slawik on her seven-county tour and visited with local elected officials and community leaders from Ramsey, Dakota, Scott, Carver, and Anoka counties
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Joined Gov. Walz and community leaders at the grand opening of the METRO C Line
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Served lunch at Metro Transit Driver Appreciation Day
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Toured the Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant, Metro Transit F.T. Heywood Garage, and the routes of Southwest LRT, Gold Line BRT and Rush Line BRT
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Interviewed candidates seeking appointment to the Transportation Advisory Board and Equity Advisory Committee
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Attended Chair Slawik’s Theater of Public Policy appearance and Metro Transit police chief interviews
Most importantly, I have spent time meeting with and listening to the people of Saint Paul, hearing your vision, priorities and concerns for our future. I pushed for a commitment to no future reductions in Green Line hours and for better meeting the needs of people who are unsheltered. I supported Commissioner Trista Matascastillo’s efforts to protect the frequency of Route 62 bus service. And I worked to advance Gov. Walz’s proposed comprehensive transportation funding package which would have funded 10 new BRT lines and 220 new electric buses, prioritized funding for Metro Mobility and faster, more frequent and reliable service for all of us. Let’s keep up the fight to make our transit vision a reality!
This summer and fall, I look forward to continuing to get out there, hear from you and immerse myself in the experiences of the people and communities we serve. Please feel free to call me at 651-235-4459 or e-mail me at Kris.Fredson@metc.state.mn.us. Please subscribe to this newsletter and follow me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/KrisFredsonMetCouncil.
The Commuter Choice Awards is an opportunity to recognize programs and projects that improve commuter mobility in the Twin Cities. This year, two Saint Paul organizations were celebrated. Brake Bread, based on Saint Paul’s West Seventh Street, was named Organization of the Year. The Midway YMCA, on University Avenue, received an honorable mention in the same category.
The Livable Communities Demonstration Account funds innovative re-development projects that efficiently link housing, jobs, services and transit in an effort to create inspiring and lasting livable communities. Saint Paul received two pre-development grants this spring; 422 West University Avenue contains the Little Mekong Market, and the other for the Ford Site Redevelopment.
Metro Transit has wrapped two buses, dubbed Nature Connectors, with a beautiful painting designed by Minneapolis muralist Greta McLain and created in her studio, GoodSpace Murals. The painting prominently features monarch butterflies. The buses are now traveling on routes that lead to some of the region’s most popular regional parks – Minnehaha and Theodore Wirth in Minneapolis and Como and Lake Phalen in Saint Paul – as part of an effort to highlight the connection between transit and parks. Learn more about where you might find the Nature Connector buses.
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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.
The Metro HRA, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, and St. Paul Public Housing Agency all opened their waiting lists for applications last month. Over 17,000 households applied for the Metro HRA waiting list, and 2,000 of those will be selected in a random lottery to be placed on the waiting list. The staggering volume of applicants shows the need for affordable housing in the region.
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Kudos to metro area communities that have completed their local comprehensive plan updates. State statute requires metro communities to update their comprehensive plans for growth and development every 10 years for Met Council review. The process helps to ensure that local plans are coordinated with regional plans so services and infrastructure are available to support growth.
 Clockwise from top left. 1. Council Member Fredson and Governor Walz at the C Line opening event. 2. Council Member Fredson, Representative Leon Lillie, Chair Slawik, Council Member Johnson, and Leah Solo at the Allianz Field opening celebration. 3. Council Member Fredson on a tour of a Wastewater Treatment Plant. 4. Council Member Fredson on a tour of the Gold Line.
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