| Dear Residents,
As I enter the final stretch in my term representing District 12 at the Metropolitan Council, I am taking this opportunity to share with you some thoughts about the privilege of having had this opportunity to serve the people of Washington County. Upon my appointment to this position, I was looking forward to collaborating with all of you in our shared desire to improve our infrastructure and expand economic opportunities in a sustainable and equitable manner.
Unforeseen challenges certainly have an impact on all of us: from having to navigate new ways to interact and new issues to address due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to the moment of painful conversations sparked by the murder of George Floyd, we have had to be more flexible, creative, and empathetic.
I also encountered personal challenges that unfortunately affected my ability to collaborate with you. In 2017, I was diagnosed with a treatable but incurable form of blood cancer, mantle cell lymphoma. After initial treatment, my condition was in remission, but I relapsed in early 2019 and again in the spring of 2021. I was undergoing long and exhausting medical treatment in Texas for most of 2021, physically unable to do much work during this time. While I am currently in remission again, it is likely that I will have another relapse in the near future.
I sincerely regret that these personal matters prevented me from being the partner that you expected and deserved to have at the Met Council. I am disappointed too, but I do hope that the times in which I was able to connect and discuss concerns with you were productive. I certainly enjoyed meeting (virtually and in person) many of you, and deeply appreciate your commitment to public service. I will not submit my name for consideration as Council Member for District 12 once my current term expires early next year, but I intend to remain engaged as a private citizen on issues of equity and sustainability for our region.
Thank you again for all that you do, and I look forward to continue to support your work on behalf of all the people of Washington County.
Very truly yours,
Francisco J Gonzalez
The Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) continues to work with Met Council stakeholders in providing community input to targeted Council projects and programs. Among our current work is providing feedback regarding the new Council’s Equity Policy.
What does an Equity Policy do?
• Recognizes systemic discrimination and commits the organization to
continuously breaking down barriers
• Creates a structure for institutionalizing equity
• Disrupts unjust practices, policies, and procedures and holds us
accountable
• Commits the organization to the use of an equity lens in all decision making
• Creates clear expectations
Gold Line Updates:
Gold Line Construction began in April 2022, with crews began updating utilities and other preliminary work in advance of Gold Line construction. A groundbreaking ceremony was held this month to cememorate this needed addition to our Metro System. Opening of the line is right on schedule for 2025.
Priority Waters List:
Valley Creek in Cottage Grove & White Bear lake among in Washington County among the lakes and streams included in Priority Waters List.
The Metropolitan Council developed the Priority Waters List to help sustainably manage Twin Cities metro area waterbodies. Rivers, streams, and lakes included on the list provide significant use and benefit to the region based on seven categories: recreation and tourism, healthy habitat, drinking water protection, tranquil connection, equity, industry and utility, and science and education.
Click here to see the full list of bodies of waters included.
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