A thought for the day…
Read. Read. Read. Read! Read! Put it in the computer of your brain.
All knowledge is spendable currency depending on the market.
– Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American poet, author, singer, and civil rights activist
 IN THIS ISSUE
Notes from Charlie Zelle
Chair
In the past few weeks, our community has been reeling from the senseless death of George Floyd. People have been crying out for our institutions to correct the systemic inequities that lead to the horrific and disparate treatment of residents who identify as Black. Their calls for action are not new. But they have gone unheeded for too long. They have gone unheeded for long enough.
As we have gathered to consider what we should do as an agency, one stark reality is clear: we have failed the people of Minnesota when it comes to equity. In particular, we have failed Black Minnesotans.
We cannot continue to set lofty goals to include people of color in our region’s prosperity by doing things the way we always have. We must forge a new path. We must change our methods. And if we truly want to address, remove, and eliminate disparities, we need bold, decisive action. We need to push ourselves. We need to expect better or we will be in this same position in 10 years, 20 years, 50 years.
We are committed to working with our partners in government, in the business community, and in the community at large to find ways to make significant and meaningful investments in our communities to break down the barriers to success that face people of color in this region.
We are committed to acting with greater urgency where we have influence to address regional disparities for people of color. We are committed to intentionally and authentically including the voices of people who are most affected by the disparities in our region and the decisions that we make.
And we are committed to holding our own agency to a higher standard when we’re spending regional funds in advancing contracting and workforce opportunities for those previously left behind. We’re also anxious to truly rethink how our own processes need to be adjusted and where we can influence other government processes.
Given the Met Council’s role in overseeing the Metro Transit Police Department, we welcome the opportunity to participate in this community conversation about policing.
The Metro Transit Police Department has more than 140 sworn officers. The department is responsible for the safety of our riders and operators, and the security of the transit system, which spans 8 counties, about 90 cities, and 125 transit routes. This means our responsibility overlaps with many other police jurisdictions and requires collaboration.
In fulfilling our oversight role, we will be conducting a comprehensive review of the Metro Transit department’s policing policies, practices, and relationships. Chief Eddie Frizell, who has led the Metro Transit Police Department since August 2019 and has championed the philosophy of 21st century community policing within the department, welcomes this review.
This review will require robust and authentic public engagement and will inform our ongoing efforts to improve transit security and customer experiences on our region’s transit system. It is important to me as the chair of the Metropolitan Council that this review is thoughtful and substantive, and not reactionary or merely symbolic. Specific plans are now being formulated to support this review, and we’ll communicate progress and ways the community can be involved in the coming weeks.
Our work to plan for an equitable, prosperous region has never been more important. We hope you’ll join us in this work as we work to transform our systems.
Additional remarks from Chair Zelle:
Email to staff, May 28: At a time of community tragedy, creating space for grief
Chair’s message: We need bold action on racial equity
Chair's message: Met Council planning review of Metro Transit Police Department
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The time is always right to speak up
In an emotional message to transit employees last week, Metro Transit General Manager Wes Kooistra wrote, “This has been an incredibly painful and challenging week.” He described some of the turmoil over the past few weeks, and then pivoted to the future: “As individuals, as an organization and as a community, we find ourselves asking: How do we not just move forward but improve and make a real difference under circumstances like this?”
Kooistra directed Metro Transit’s Equity and Inclusion team to collect ideas and develop next steps for how employees and our organization as a whole can respond to the tragedies of the past weeks and how we can advance equity in Metro Transit operations and our region.
Staff can share their thoughts by e-mailing EquityMT@metrotransit.org. (Some 21 emails have already been collected this week.)
You can read Kooistra’s full column in Insights.
Input from across the Met Council
In addition to open forums the Met Council has scheduled this week and next week to acknowledge employees’ emotions, experiences, and thoughts about the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd, Met Council leaders are also seeking ideas from staff about valuable equity resources and steps our organization can take to support our employees and play a role in the region to heal and move forward.
Stay tuned for more information on how we'll start collecting feedback across the Met Council.
In the meantime, as Deputy Regional Administrator Mary Bogie pointed out in her virtual meeting with the division last week, you can share thoughts with your supervisors, department directors, Human Resources Director Marcy Syman, or with Bogie herself via email. (See News Brief below.)
Online bidding keeps big projects moving ahead
The massive METRO Orange Line project benefited from online bidding and contract work from the Procurement Department's nonstandard contract team, standard contract team, and purchasing team.
Innovative changes will last long after pandemic
A lot of regular Met Council functions were sent into a tizzy when the state lockdown began in March. But the world of million-dollar bid openings and contracts barely missed a beat when staff almost seamlessly moved their work exclusively online.
By using several newer software innovations – such as Adobe Sign (for electronic signatures), Webex Meetings (for live, online bid openings), and Virtubid (for bids and proposals) – Procurement staff have kept millions of dollars in Met Council purchases, contracts, and bids flowing as before the lockdown.
The process has kept the Met Council’s external business interests transparent and accessible, and kept vendors satisfied.
Procurement Director Jody Jacoby said she could hardly be more gratified with the transition.
“I’m very proud of the whole Procurement team for bringing their ‘A game’ to the process and really stepping up with some innovative solutions during a very trying time,” she said.
“Our workload has been on full tilt throughout the lockdown, and everyone here has been a key contributor. As an added benefit, we’ll emerge stronger and more efficient on the other side of this pandemic,” Jacoby said.
ADVANCE WORK PAID OFF
Fortunately, Procurement staff had been working toward more online engagement over the past year, especially regarding electronic signatures and bid submittals. So when the lockdown was ordered, staff were in a good position to fast-track their earlier legwork.
The opening of sealed bids created a slightly bigger obstacle, because the law requires a public opening. Procurement Program Manager Auburn Dees said Webex provided an effective solution for contract administrators to open the sealed bids live online and read them out loud. The figures were recorded by another Contracts staff member on the call, and the recorded document was posted on QuestCDN. For additional transparency, an audio recording was also made of each bid opening.
Dees said the new process smoothed out after an expected learning curve for both staff and vendors, but all parties readily adapted with the ongoing successes.
Since the stay-at-home order began, Contracts staff have received electronic bids or proposals for 10 projects through Virtubid and have another 5 projects queued up. The combined value of the 15 projects is about $106 million.
Read the full story on MetNet.
Learn more about Met Council contracts and procurement.
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Employees across the organization are doing their part to keep Met Council services and programs running at full steam despite COVID-19 and the state lockdown. But we’re all in this together. To help share a little virtual camaraderie, we’re asking staff how their work has changed and what it’s like to serve during a pandemic.
This feature began in Metro Transit Insights several months ago. Since then, well over a dozen staff have been profiled in 'In This Together.'
To share your story or suggest someone who is doing outstanding work, please email TheWire@metc.state.mn.us.
TANISHA BROWN
PROGRAM MANAGER
HUMAN RESOURCES
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How has the pandemic affected your day-to-day work?
My life changed drastically once I started working from home. I enjoy being in the office because everything I needed is there. I struggled for about a month; even though I still have my moments. I also have two middle school-aged children whom I’ve had to help with schoolwork.
What is it like working through a pandemic?
Working through a pandemic makes me appreciate those who regularly work from home. I could never get use to this. It’s a lot quieter, but I still miss seeing my colleagues throughout the day. I enjoyed getting dressed up. Now, I just roll over and power on my laptop in my pajamas.
How has your life changed outside of work?
The pandemic hasn’t been all that bad. I received a promotion in April and I closed on my house at the end of May. I am very blessed and grateful that I made this happen for my sons. I will say that I am happy to be working from home now that I have some projects that I’ve started around my house.
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TONISHA FARMER
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST
CENTRAL SERVICES
How has the pandemic affected your day-to-day work?
I don't have full access to my computer files like I typically would downtown so I do my best with what I have for now. I can no longer greet people each day like I used to and I miss that the most. I've always been a people person.
What is it like working through a pandemic?
So far it's been hard because it's not the same as working at the front desk. Being a part-time immersion teacher to my daughter has also been demanding as Saint Paul Public Schools closed starting with a strike, then went onto the pandemic lockdown, and now the protests.
How has your life changed outside of work?
My life has been full of challenges, but I get through them daily. I am sad that I no longer get to see all my wonderful coworkers and speak with my buddy Joseph every day, and I miss the person-to-person interactions. However I do get to see my daughter 24/7.
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Our Met Council information security team and other industry professionals have noticed a rise in phishing emails, which are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords. To combat this phenomenon, the security team will be adding a new notice or banner to the top of emails in Outlook that come in from external sources.
"Caution! This email was sent from an external source. Do not click any links or open attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is safe."
The reason for the banner is to have employees think twice about clicking on an e-mail that may look like it is from an internal person, but isn’t.
You should start to see the banner on external emails in Outlook tomorrow, Wednesday, June 10. If you notice it on emails that aren’t from an external source, please notify the Service Desk so they can exclude those emails from the warning banner.
Creating a cyber-secure home
As we continue to integrate and rely on technology for our work and leisure time from home, your home-based cybersecurity should be top of mind.
In the June edition of OUCH! (top cybersecurity resources at your fingertips), guest editor Randy Marchany presents "Creating a cyber-secure home." "In the past, building a home network was nothing more than installing a wireless router and several computers," he begins. "Today, as so many of us are working, connecting, or learning from home, we have to pay more attention to creating a strong cyber-secure home. Here are four simple steps to do just that."
OUCH! also boasts many other cybersecurity resources, including helpful articles on a variety of important topics. Please download and share OUCH! with family, friends and co-workers as well. See the OUCH! archives.
We know how hard the last few months have been, and now with the events of the past few weeks in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, many of us are feeling the weight of extreme emotions and a community in turmoil. We understand the impact this has all had on our employees, and through open forums, resource sharing, and education, we are hoping to create space for our employees at the Met Council to support each other, learn from experts on how to cope with trauma and grief, and find ways that work for you to support your mental health and well-being.
Below are a few open forums we are hosting to acknowledge employees’ emotions, experiences, and thoughts about the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd. We are also seeking ideas from you about valuable resources and steps the Met Council can take to support our employees and play a role in the region to heal and move forward.
Employee support sessions:
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Space to acknowledge our grief, facilitated by Phyllis Braxton-Frierson of Pink Consulting
- First session was held the morning of June 9
- June 11, 4 – 5 p.m.
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Coping with the trauma of community violence, facilitated by Brad McNaught of Sand Creek
- June 12, 10 – 11 a.m.
- June 19, 10 – 11 a.m.
Staff received Outlook invitations with Webex Meeting details on June 5.
Other ideas we encourage work units to consider as individual teams:
- Managers could hold department meetings to check in on employees and lead meaningful discussions; encourage employees to participate when and where they are most comfortable
- Employees should feel empowered to find time and space where they can be comfortable talking to a friend or a colleague
- Departments could invite a Sand Creek counselor to a staff meeting if they have employees who were especially involved in the response
- Employees and managers can share links to training and education content about institutional racism with their colleagues and encourage team discussions about content
Check the MetNet home page story to stay updated on our efforts to support staff during this difficult time and expand our own equity work at the Met Council.
New site for storing internal videos to share
Last week, Microsoft Stream, an Office 365 application, became available for employees Councilwide. Stream is a new place to store videos that are for internal use only. It is an enterprise video service where staff can upload, view, and share videos securely.
Recordings of classes, meetings, presentations, training sessions, or other videos that aid collaboration can be stored in Stream, and it integrates with other applications like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneNote, MetNet, and Groups to make sharing and viewing easy. With Stream now live, when employees record meetings in Microsoft Teams, the recording will be saved and viewable in Stream. (For example, see link in News Briefs below to the recording in Stream of a recent virtual division-wide meeting.)
You can navigate to Stream from other SharePoint applications by clicking the waffle icon in the top left of your window and selecting the Stream application in the dropdown. Please visit Enterprise Content Management's (ECM) Stream page to learn more and access resources like an intro video, instructions, and frequently asked questions.
For any questions or issues, please email ECM at ecm@metc.state.mn.us.
The Met Council’s Enterprise Content Management Department (ECM) and State of Minnesota’s Information Technology Services department (MNIT) have organized a web-based training on Microsoft Teams. These trainings are being conducted by Microsoft on behalf of ECM and MNIT.
These are new topics from the previous webinars offered in April and May. All Met Council employees are encouraged and welcome to take the training.
To receive meeting details for one of these trainings, click the event link in the story on MetNet.
- Run Effective Meetings with Teams – June 9, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
- Microsoft Modern Workplace Teams Training (Teams Overview) – June 16, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Advanced Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks – June 23, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
- Run Effective Meetings with Teams – June 30, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
- Microsoft Modern Workplace Teams Training (Teams Overview) – July 9, 10:00 a.m. – noon
- Advanced Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks – July 16, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
In addition, ECM will be posting a recording of this training when it is available on the Microsoft Teams MetNet page for those unable to make it to a live session.
New Teams features for Met Council staff
Features available to staff now:
- 3x3 video display in Teams Meetings
- Raise hand in Teams Meetings
- Background images in Teams Meetings
- Meeting recordings will now drop into Microsoft Stream
Coming to Teams soon (timing TBD):
- Breakout rooms
- Increase of Teams Meeting attendees from 250 to 350
- Contextual search
- Pop-out window for Chats
- Pop-out window for Apps
For more information about Microsoft Teams and how it can help your team work remotely, please check out the Microsoft Teams page on MetNet!
For any questions or issues, email ECM at ecm@metc.state.mn.us. Need help with working from home in general? Please visit the Home Office Help Team channel in Teams where a community of teammates are ready to help.
A new day dawns for summer interns
Physical distancing evident at orientation June 8
After a delayed starting date, the Met Council’s cohort of summer interns showed up as planned for orientation at Robert Street on Monday, June 8. Program Manager Luis Martinez said the interns were divided into small groups and scheduled for short meetings with other Human Resources staff over several hours to comply with Met Council policies on physical distancing. The 29 students were pared down from a pool of 101 students that had been anticipated during planning that began well before COVID-19 shut down all normal operations. Five Urban Scholars in the group will be coordinated by EO Consultant Yolanda Burckhardt in the Office of Equal Opportunity. Most will work though mid-August at assignments across the agency, though most are with Metro Transit. Watch The Wire in July for more on the interns.
Virtual division-wide meeting drew 200+ employees on June 5
Deputy Regional Administrator Mary Bogie talked with about 210 employees in her second virtual division-wide meeting last week using Microsoft Teams. She began by addressing the current turmoil on city streets and said Council Members are actively engaged in discussions about significant action they can take to improve racial equity in the region. She also updated the status of employee statistics related to COVID-19. Bogie was followed by Human Resources Director Marcy Syman, who presented an update on the Met Council's new COVID-19 Leave policy. (See stories in recent all-staff COVID-19 update emails for more information.)
Bogie spent the bulk of the hour – nearly 40 minutes – taking questions from staff. Among a long list of topics covered were teleworking, transitioning back to work, fitness rooms, budget impacts, COVID-19 testing, damage to Met Council facilities during street protests, use of face masks, and much more.
Listen to a recording of the one-hour meeting on Microsoft Stream. (Please note that the meeting doesn't actually begin until the 5:00 minute mark of the recording. A distracting split screen eventually disappears around the 21:00 minute mark of recording. The meeting ends close to the one-hour mark.)
You can navigate to Stream directly by opening Office 365 in your web browser and looking in the apps for the Stream logo (a small red arrowhead).
New check requisition form is all online
A new check requisition form available now is completely online and will route from the originator to their supervisor to Finance for payment without having to be printed or e-mailed. Met Council staff are advised to begin using the form right away. The new form is located on MetNet on the Finance & Operations page and updates an existing form that’s been in use for about 15 years. It was developed by Applications Developer John Kissell and Business Systems Analyst Hope Falkenstein. Questions? Please email Accounts Payable Supervisor Chris Houser.
From the Council library: Researching a topic remotely?
While our Met Council library is closed in terms of checking out print materials, you can connect virtually to the library and access many services and resources online. Articles from magazines, journals, newspapers, and reference books covering all areas of study are available in databases from the EBSCO, Gale, OCLC, and ProQuest, as well as other local and national resources. A full listing of online resources and other information is available from the library's MetNet site.
Still not finding what you’re looking for? Discovering that the article you need is behind a paywall? We may be able to locate it using interlibrary loan or other subscription services. Email Librarian Jan Price with questions or to find out more about the library.
Craig Bantz
Chief Information Officer
Information Services
Primary duties
I try to ensure everyone at the Met Council has the right technology services they need to be successful. I am especially excited to partner with those we serve to envision and bring to fruition outcomes greater than either of us could have independently created. Those moments when I can help leverage technology to do something really impactful to the Met Council's work really excite me.
Started
April 27
Hometown
I grew up near Parkersburg, WV, on the state border with Ohio. I have spent nearly my entire life split between the Twin Cities and Appalachia. I could not be happier to be heading back to the Cities full time.
Current residence
We are currently splitting our time between WV and MN as we secure permanent housing in the Twin Cities. We are aiming for a new home with close proximity to transit, which I plan to take into the office.
Family
I have an amazing partner in my wife, Kristen Lillvis, who is an English professor at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where she focuses on supporting underrepresented voices at the intersection of technology and the humanities.
Education
B.A. in political science and M.S. in the management of technology from the University of Minnesota
Experience
I have been part of teams a few times over the years that have made breakthroughs that really impacted the public service mission of the institution I was serving. In recent years I have worked in higher education and was able to develop technology that made a significant difference in student success, especially for first-generation students, such as myself, and underrepresented students. Later, I was able to share that progress with other institutions and build a consortium of universities where now more than 300,000 students benefit every day from the work. It's really gratifying to think that if just a single student succeeded in part from my work that the ripple effects could be very impactful for generations to come.
Other interests
I love cycling around the Cities, but my biggest hobby (at least by space consumed) has to be restoring older pinball machines. I have owned as many as 30 machines and focus mostly on machines from the '80s and '90s. My wife and I do volunteer work where we use pinball machines to engage students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). We have found that pinball excites students about everything from storytelling to programming.
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Ashleigh Johnson
Senior Planner
Community Development
Primary duties
I will be managing the Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA), which provides grants that support the production and preservation of affordable rental and ownership housing. I also will review comprehensive plan updates and amendments from communities across the region.
Started
May 18
Hometown
Detroit, MI (Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood)
Current residence
Minneapolis (Uptown)
Family
My husband, Donte (and our almost two-year-old rescue mutt, Phoenix, aka “Phee”)
Education
B.S. in economics and M.S. in urban planning from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Experience
I previously led community engagement and managed projects at UM Poverty Solutions. Prior to Poverty Solutions, I worked as a policy specialist in the City of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department, and as a planner at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
Other interests
I take pride in my Yelp Elite status; I often stop Donte from eating to get the perfect picture of our plates. I’ve switched to take out but I LOVE trying new foods. I also enjoy live music, theatre, and finding the best craft cocktails, which are all cancelled for quarantine. So I’m trying to start a small balcony garden and beginner guitar lessons on YouTube. I also enjoy walking Phee around the lakes near Uptown and baking new desserts. I recently made a peach cobbler pound cake with cream cheese icing! I can’t wait until it’s safer to share my desserts instead of eating them all.
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Hearty congratulations to the following employees who in June celebrate major milestones in their service to the Council. This recognition includes only Robert Street employees and Regional Administration employees working off-site. For recognition of Metro Transit and other Environmental Services employees, see Insights and ES Update, respectively. The information is published when it becomes available from Human Resources.
Years of Service
30 Years
Anne Banttari, Program Technical Specialist, Environmental Services
20 Years
Sandi Dingle, Program Technical Specialist, Community Development
Bruce Dreier, Project Administrator, Metropolitan Transportation Services
15 Years
Jeanne Landkamer (21+ years total in two stints), Principal Communications Specialist, Communications
Jamie O’Hara, Senior Administrative Specialist, Metro HRA
Rachel Wiken, Planner, Metropolitan Transportation Services
10 Years
Christine Hedman, Senior Administrative Specialist, Procurement
Kathy Matter, Program Manager, Information Services
5 Years
Akua Asare, Auditor in Charge, Program Evaluation & Audit
Robin Lee, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Human Resources
Cory McCullough, Project Administrator, Environmental Services
New Staff
Ashleigh Johnson, May 18, Senior Planner, Livable Communities, Community Development
Brian Bartley, June 1, Technical Support Specialist 3, Information Services
Taylor Ghere, June 1, Associate Purchasing Agent, Procurement
Debra McKinley, June 1, Manager, Programs & Administration, Environmental Services
Departures
Jane Zhao, June 30, Database Administrator, Information Services
 Iguazu Falls and Coatis, by Brian Davis
Here’s one for the books: Iguazu Falls on the border between Brazil and Argentina.
“My wife and I visited the falls last March on the last stop on a nearly three-week tour of Argentina,” said Environmental Services Senior Engineer Brian Davis. “Both Brazil and Argentina have national parks from which one can view the falls from multiple vantage points. The tropical rainforest surrounding the falls is incredibly lush and fragrant, but you have to watch out for the coatis that are all over the place, friendly relatives of the raccoon that will take food out of your hand if you’re not careful. Monkeys and toucans could also be seen along the trails.
"We had a nice big bowl of acai on the Brazilian side, with a cold can of Guarana Antarctica (both Brazilian favorites). But across the river on the Argentinian side, those things were hard to find – instead, empanadas and alfajores were abundant (Argentinian specialties). An interesting cultural juxtaposition. We loved both sides of the falls.”
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The Wire is published every two weeks for employees of the Metropolitan Council. Everyone is invited to submit comments and story ideas. Contact the editor at thewire@metc.state.mn.us
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