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As we continue work on the 2050 Regional Development Guide, called Imagine 2050, Met Council members have endorsed working drafts for cross-cutting regional goals that will guide policy development across the entire development guide. These cross-cutting goals reflect what we’ve been hearing from engagement as being important in the region.
Council members, members of our advisory committees, and other regional partners have offered deep insight and experience while discussing high-level policy guidance for the plan for more than a year, with the assistance of regional planning staff across the Met Council. They’ve identified key issues of concern to the region that are relevant to Imagine 2050. Conversations with Council members have been supported by many subject matter experts and led by Planning Analyst Michael Larson and Senior Manager of Local Planning Assistance Angela Torres.
Staff across the Met Council have been engaging partners at the state, federal, and local level, and we’ve also engaged residents, business and community leaders, and community advocates in discussions about the 2050 guide. In addition, we’ve begun engaging specific audiences with a stake in the 2050 outcomes. The Young Leaders Collaboration met in early 2023 and presented their recommendations to the Met Council in May, providing thoughtful insights about how our region can work better for young people.
Guiding vision and values
Council members have endorsed a working set of cross-cutting regional goals that are intended to inspire and provide direction, or a vision, for what the Met Council wants to achieve for the region.
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Our region is equitable and inclusive.
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Our communities are healthy and safe.
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Our economy is dynamic and resilient.
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We lead on addressing climate change.
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We protect and restore natural systems.
These statements reflect four cross-cutting issues of regional significance:
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Equity
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Public health, safety, and wellbeing
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Climate
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Natural systems
Earlier this year, the Met Council endorsed a set of regional values statements to guide how the Met Council will carry out its work. The working drafts for regional values include the following topics and brief descriptions:
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Equity – We value the people and communities of our region.
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Leadership – We value those in our region who inspire and motivate others for positive change.
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Accountability – We value being effective in our work and achieving measurable outcomes.
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Stewardship – We value our region’s resources.
Council members will continue conversations to create a brief and overarching regional vision statement from the cross-cutting issues and working goals and the regional values statements.
Together these pieces provide the highest-level guidance that will extend across all the different policy areas and help each planning area establish more explicit objectives, policies, and supporting actions that will be identified in Imagine 2050.
Planning for 2050
The regional development guide, created by the Met Council every 10 years following a decennial census, establishes the direction for our regional system plans and provides policy guidance for comprehensive plans created by local governments throughout the region.
According to state law, the Met Council must guide the growth and development of the region and plan for the regional parks, transportation, and water resources (or wastewater) systems. Imagine 2050 will also include policy guidance for land use and housing.
More detailed policy guidance across regional planning areas will emerge over the next six to nine months, with more formal public engagement and review beginning in late summer 2024. The Met Council expects to approve the Imagine 2050 plan by the end of 2024.
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A thought for the day …
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
– Helen Keller (1880–1968), American author, disability rights advocate, political activist, and lecturer
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In this issue
In response to the growing demand for an alternative way to gain access to the Met Council Learn platform in situations where a computer is not practical, you can now download the Learn mobile app, SumTotal. The app provides accessibility for staff members who may not have a computer available or prefer to engage with the Learn resources and skill-building opportunities off-site or offline.
The official platform for accessing Learn remains the web browser. Some courses may not be suited for smaller screens and provide better viewing via the web browser version. The mobile app serves as an additional perk for employees who may find it as an easier way to access the Met Council’s learning opportunities.
Improved access to training resources
One of the key benefits of the app is its ability to enhance your career skills. Met Council employees have access to required and free training courses available when offsite or offline without access to Wi-Fi. By providing a platform for on-demand training, the app simplifies the process, making it more convenient for all users to complete when it fits into their work schedule. However, it’s important to note mobile device usage should follow all Met Council policies (i.e., not to be used while performing work duties, like operating a bus or train). If you have questions regarding these policies, please talk with your supervisor.
Users can also keep track of favorite courses using the “favorites” feature for future registration when logged in to the web version of Learn, allowing for a seamless transition from mobile to web.
Download the app
To ensure a successful onboarding process, we have prepared detailed instructions for installing and logging into the app on both Android and Apple devices. The app requires an Android 9 or newer, and iPhone users must have iOS 13.0 running or a more current version. Some work units may have iPads available for employee-use.
Find more detailed instructions on how to download and use the app in the Learn Mobile Guide (PDF).
A virtual information session will be scheduled for Sept. 20. A calendar invite will be sent out in August. If you would like to schedule a live demo with your work unit, or have questions, please email Learn@metc.state.mn.us.
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After a lengthy national search, Chair Charlie Zelle announced Lesley Kandaras, interim general manager and chief of staff, has been selected as Metro Transit’s permanent general manager.
Those who have met and worked with Lesley know she has the passion and expertise to lead the division, and will continue to improve and build out the Met Council’s transit network. As chief of staff, Lesley served as an adviser to the general manager and led the division’s Administration and Executive Affairs department, which includes Outreach, Communications, Marketing and Transit Information, Equity and Inclusion, and Strategic Initiatives.
Throughout her tenure, Lesley has immersed herself in Metro Transit’s operations, gaining a full understanding of what it takes to lead an organization that provides essential transportation services across our region. Along with overseeing the advancement of Metro Transit’s strategic priorities, she has led efforts to create and implement the Safety and Security Action Plan, and been an enthusiastic supporter of the Great Workplace Project.
Please take a moment to congratulate Lesley on her well-deserved promotion!
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As of July 31, the Procurement Vendor Team has implemented a new process for vendor requests and will no longer be using the Vendor Request Form on Procurement’s MetNet site. In an effort to increase efficiency and streamline the process for updating and creating new vendors, all requests can now be emailed directly to vendorsetup@metc.state.mn.us.
All vendor request forms previously submitted and currently pending will still be processed, and the history of previously submitted forms will be maintained.
All requests should be submitted with a W9 and ACH authorization form, which can be found on the Vendor Information MetNet page. Questions about this new process can be emailed to vendorsetup@metc.state.mn.us.
Registration will open next week for the Met Council’s 2023 management conference: Leadership Forum on Sexual Harassment!
The conference – part of the Met Council’s Affirmative Action Plan – is required for all general managers, directors, managers, and supervisors.
Save the date
Managers and supervisors will choose from one of two dates. The event will be held at the RiverCentre in downtown Saint Paul, and lunch will be provided.
2023 Leadership Forum on Sexual Harassment
All managers and supervisors
Pick one: Monday, Oct. 23, or Tuesday, Oct. 24
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saint Paul RiverCentre
Invitations to register for one of the two conference dates will be emailed next week.
Complete the pre-event assignment
All attendees must complete a short online course in Learn before the conference. This assignment will give everyone a baseline understanding of sexual harassment, allowing the conference information and discussions to go deeper into this important topic.
Managers and supervisors were assigned the pre-event training today and received an automated notification from Learn. The training is due in October.
For questions or more information, email LeadershipForum@metc.state.mn.us.
August is National Breastfeeding Month, with specific observances each week: World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7); Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (Aug. 8-14); Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 15-21); and Black Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 25-31).
These campaigns aim to promote the benefits of breastfeeding (or chestfeeding) and advocate for all families to have the opportunity to breastfeed.
At the Met Council, the Lactation Support Project continues to make progress to improve the breastfeeding experience for working parents. The cross-divisional team is analyzing and improving our facilities, amenities, processes, staff communication and education, compliance with existing laws and standards, and resources for managers.
Expanding the project to Environmental Services
The project began as a pilot in Metro Transit and is expanding Councilwide. In the current phase, the project team is working toward lactation room improvements at Environmental Services facilities, starting with an inventory this summer of those sites.
Throughout all Met Council facilities, the project team is continuing to improve the employee experience by upgrading rooms and adding accessories, including chairs, art, new lockers, and badge-access doors.
Lactation procedure nearing completion
One of the project’s goals is to meet and exceed the breastfeeding-friendly workplace standards set by the Minnesota Department of Health. One of the requirements in the designation is that the Met Council have a written workplace breastfeeding policy, and the project team now has a procedure going through the final stages of review and approval. More information to come when the procedure is approved.
Guide makes it easy to locate rooms
The Lactation Room Guide (PDF) includes floor plans showing the exact location of rooms in our facilities, photos of the spaces, details on amenities, and instructions for reserving the room. As work continues in Metro Transit – next with a new room at East Metro Garage – and the project expands to Environmental Services, the guide will continue to be updated.
If you are a field or frontline employee, this room guide is a critical resource so you know what nearby facilities have lactation rooms.
Contact info for support
Met Council employees can email LactatingParentSupport@metc.state.mn.us to get connected with the project team. Email the team if you have any issues, feedback, requests, or questions with the lactation rooms, or if you are experiencing barriers to meeting your lactation needs at work.
Check out the next issue of The Wire for more resources and information on how we can all support lactating employees, including tips for managers.
Celebrating a correct answer during the “Climate Jeopardy” game at the June training are (from left) Jody Jacoby, contracts and procurement director; Bert Tracy, interceptor services director; Deb McKinley, programs and administration manager; and (hidden) Shawn Jacobson, principal graphics specialist.
Eighty-two staff members from across all five divisions participated in a recent training on the Met Council’s Climate Action Work Plan (PDF). The trainings grounded participants in the plan and gave them an opportunity to talk about the opportunities and challenges of putting the plan into action.
Several common key themes emerged from the robust discussions across the training sessions:
- Implementing the plan will take more staff resources than we have right now. Existing staff need to be given capacity and may need additional training to carry out actions identified in the plan, and we will need new, dedicated staff as well.
- Data, metrics, and tracking will be key to the success of this plan – knowing what to track, having the tools to do it, and reporting out results regularly to raise awareness of our progress.
- Clear communication will be critical – sharing stories about our successes, letting staff know about our existing and new resources, and providing periodic updates about how we are doing to realize the commitments in the plan.
- The importance of our leading by example. If the Met Council models what needs to happen, others will more readily follow.
Five working groups created to ensure progress on the plan are either formed or close to being finalized. Staff are still being asked to serve on three of the groups: Energy Management, Climate Risk and Vulnerability, and Climate-Focused Workforce Development. Two kickoff meetings for the working groups will be held in September.
If you were invited but missed the trainings in June and July, or weren’t invited and would like to be, a makeup training is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 31, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Please respond to the invitation or check with your supervisor for permission, and then email Jeanne Landkamer at Jeanne.Landkamer@metc.state.mn.us if you would like to be invited.
The Climate Action Work Plan is an internally focused, agency-wide plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and adapt our facilities and operations to be more resilient in the face of growing climate risks and hazards. The plan is part of implementing the Minnesota Climate Action Framework, a key priority of the Walz-Flanagan administration.
The Climate Action Work Plan Coordinating Team is led by Lisa Barajas, executive director, Community Development, and includes: Jeff Freeman, sustainability manager, Metro Transit; Tony Fischer, planning analyst, Metropolitan Transportation Services; Jeanne Landkamer, writer/editor, Communications; Kathy Matter, program manager, Risk Management; and Sam Paske, assistant general manager, Environmental Services.
Zoey Yandell
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Climate Data Analyst
Community Development
Zoey is a rising senior at Macalester College in Saint Paul studying mathematics and environmental studies. As a climate data analyst intern in the Community Development division, Zoey assists with documentation and bug fixes for the Greenhouse Gas Strategy Planning Tool. She is also involved in a project to help update the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.
Zoey’s position at the Met Council allows her to play an active role in addressing and combatting climate change. As the effects of global warming grow increasingly severe, this role is especially important.
“I've loved the opportunity to get involved with climate planning work that feels meaningful and hopeful,” said Zoey. She also expressed her appreciation for those she gets to work alongside. “All of my colleagues at the Met Council are welcoming and make me feel like a real part of the team!”
Outside of work, Zoey’s passion for the environment remains evident. Some of her hobbies include gardening and the growingly popular practice of foraging, which involves searching for wild, edible plants. She also enjoys swing dancing and tabletop role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons.
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Sabrina Lor
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Communications
Environmental Services
Sabrina earned her Associate of Arts degree in mass communication from Anoka Ramsey Community College in the spring of 2022. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in strategic communication at the University of Minnesota.
Sabrina joined the Environmental Services division this summer as a communications intern. She has contributed to several of the division’s important projects, like the signage update, the Capital Program Project, and the Inflow and Infiltration Grant Program. Sabrina says these projects have expanded her communications knowledge by allowing for collaboration with talented professionals.
“These opportunities gave me the chance to learn from the experts and ask clarifying questions,” she said.
In her free time, Sabrina enjoys biking and exploring Minneapolis. One of her favorite activities is biking to a lake and reading a good book on the grass. She also loves live music and recently had the honor of seeing Beyoncé at Huntington Bank Stadium. Understandably, she is still in emotional shock.
Add Sabrina on LinkedIn
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Internal communications survey closes this Friday
Communications wants to hear from you! Please complete a survey on the Met Council’s internal communications channels and strategy by this Friday, Aug. 11.
The survey is designed to gather your thoughts and opinions on various internal communication channels and tools, such as:
- The four internal newsletters (ES Update, HR Connect, Insights, and The Wire)
- Digital signage
- Bulletin boards
- MetNet
Your feedback will help provide insights into the effectiveness of our current communication methods and identify opportunities to better meet your communications needs.
The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. Your feedback is anonymous.
Throughout the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to different departments and work units to participate in voluntary focus groups. If you’re interested in participating in a focus group, please complete a short interest form.
No marijuana policy change for safety-sensitive employees
There was no change to the Met Council's drug and alcohol policies for Department of Transportation (DOT) and non-DOT safety-sensitive employees regarding recreational marijuana use when it became law in Minnesota on Aug. 1.
The use of, impairment by, or possession of marijuana while on Met Council premises or while performing Met Council work is prohibited for all employees, including both non-safety-sensitive employees and safety-sensitive employees.
Employees in positions governed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), or Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) are still required to follow federal law on possession and use of marijuana.
Policies regarding non-safety-sensitive employees will be reviewed and updated in accordance with Minnesota law and existing federal regulations. Review the policies on MetNet.
If you are unsure which policies apply to your position, please talk to your supervisor or use the new Occupational Health request form.
Free skin cancer screening events this month
Being active outdoors is a big part of living a healthy lifestyle, but it’s important to protect ourselves from the sun. Sunscreen is the best tool to protect yourself when it comes to skin cancer, along with getting regular skin checks.
While our Well@Work clinics can perform a skin check appointment anytime, free skin cancer screening will be available all day Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the Saint Paul clinic and Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Heywood (Minneapolis) clinic. Employees, dependents 18 months and older, and retirees and their dependents who are enrolled in a Met Council self-funded health plan can be seen at either clinic.
Read last week's HR Connect for instructions on scheduling an appointment.
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MTPD
The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) is celebrating their 30th anniversary Wednesday, Aug. 23.
MTPD 30th anniversary celebration
Wednesday, Aug. 23
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Conference rooms 314/315
Metro Transit Office and Police Facility
560 6th Avenue North, Minneapolis
Employees attending the celebration should park in the North Loop Garage.
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Stay up to date with Metro Update
Looking to hear more about the fantastic work your colleagues are doing in other departments or divisions? Check out the Met Council's monthly external newsletter, Metro Update.
Read these stories and more in the July issue:
- Visitors flock to regional parks and trails in record numbers
- Updated tool helps cities reduce effects of extreme heat in urban areas
- New Livable Communities grants support redevelopment, jobs, and housing
- Met Council adopts 2024 wastewater services rates and charges
- Purple Line anticipates recommended route, northern endpoint by fall 2024
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Rainbow over the Metro Plant
Joseph Cheney and Matthew Lebeis, plant operators at Metro Plant, spotted a rainbow over the Solids Management Building at the Metro Plant on July 28 after a rainstorm.
Looking for your cool photo!
Do you have photos to share? The Wire is always looking for the next cool photo from staff, from a close-up in your flower garden, to scenic vistas up north, to exotic travel adventures, to more artful fare like reflections and silhouettes. The only criteria is that it's a cool photo! Email the editor at TheWire@metc.state.mn.us.
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MacKenzie Young-Walters
Pronouns: he/him/his
Senior Planner
Community Development
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Primary duties
Once I am trained in, I will be serving as a sector representative and principal reviewer. These roles focus on helping local communities navigate amending and updating their comprehensive plans as well as coordinating the review of these plans. I will also help to develop fact sheets and other supporting planning resources.
Started
July 3
How does it feel to start a new job when many employees are working from home?
My previous job was almost entirely in person, so it has been a bit of an adjustment. That being said, Teams and other systems do a good job facilitating collaboration and the slower pace of meeting people makes it easier to keep track of who everyone is and what they do.
Hometown
Woodville, Wisconsin
Current residence
Hopkins
Family
My wife’s name is Bethany, and we have a two-year-old daughter named Antigone.
Education
Master of Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Master of Public Administration, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Experience
I spent the last seven years working as an associate planner for the City of Chanhassen. Prior to that I avoided starting a career by spending a year in the AmeriCorps program and three years in the Peace Corps.
Other interests
I enjoy tabletop games, reading, and attempting to garden.
Paul Heo
Pronunciation: Huh
Pronouns: he/him/his
Applications Developer 1
Information Services
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Primary duties
Working on developing and maintaining applications for the Met Council by working with other departments and developers to provide efficient ways for employees and customers to interact with our application.
Started
July 10
How does it feel to start a new job when many employees are working from home?
I feel honored to work at the Met Council and although many employees are working from home, including myself, I still feel deeply connected and productive within the community whenever I see a bus or train pass by.
Hometown
Born and raised in Saipan! It is a small island (part of the Mariana Islands) in the Pacific Ocean and is a U.S. Territory (great place for vacation).
Current residence
Saint Paul
Family
I was raised as the only child, and my parents are currently residing in South Korea.
Education
Macalester College
Bachelor of Arts, computer science
Experience
I previously worked as a junior full-stack developer at Pyramid Consulting and did contract work for Cognizant.
Other interests
I love to play volleyball and going to the Hidden Falls Regional Park to look at the bridge and river whenever I have time.
Hearty congratulations to the following Met Council employees who celebrate major service milestones this month. This recognition includes Robert Street employees and Regional Administration employees working off-site. Read Insights and ES Update for recognition of Metro Transit and other Environmental Services employees.
The staffing updates are shared when they are made available by Human Resources.
Years of service
15 years
Hongshi Li, Applications Developer 3, Information Services
10 years
Angela Mazur, Principal Administrative Specialist, Environmental Services
5 years
Hannah Gary, Senior Planner, Community Development
Cyrenthia Jordan, Director, Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity
Mauricio Leon, Senior Researcher, Community Development
Dominique Marshall, Customer Service Specialist, Metro Mobility
Tracy Martineau, Associate Real Estate Specialist, Real Estate
Crystal Mulry, Web and Social Media Editor, Communications
Michael Stupka, Real Estate Appraiser, Real Estate
New staff
Paul Heo, July 10, Applications Developer 1, Information Services
Dan Schertner, July 10, Applications Developer 4, Information Services
Bidemi Adejumo, July 17, GIS System Administrator 2, Information Services
Connie Herman-O'Connor, July 17, Human Resources Assistant, Human Resources (previously intern)
Ptahmes Tat-Siaka, July 17, Information Services Project Manager, Information Services
Erin Acton, Aug. 7, Project Administrator, Community Development
Kelly Jameson, Aug. 7, Director, Real Estate
Departures
Bryan DeGidio, July 4, Systems Engineer 3, Information Services
Meng Chang, July 22, Financial Analyst, Finance
Ellen Esch, July 22, Senior Data Scientist, Community Development
Erin Hall, Aug. 2, Applications Developer 4, Information Services
Noel Miller, Aug. 4, Systems Engineer 2, Information Services
Steve Ylitalo, Aug. 4, Central Services Manager, Finance
Retirements
Renee Klemenhagen, Aug. 2, Senior Account Specialist, Finance
Mark Kotz, Aug. 12, Infrastructure and Operations Director, Information Services
Alison Coleman, Sept. 2, Senior Administrative Specialist, Metropolitan Transportation Service
Theresa Long, Sept. 2, Senior Customer Service Specialist, Metro Mobility
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A bi-monthly publication for Metropolitan Council employees
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