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We’re a diverse organization with many people doing many different things. We connect people to the places they want to go. We plan for green spaces to roam. We help ensure clean water. We offer safe and affordable housing. And we do it all to help maintain a thriving region for everyone.
It begins with you. You have your own reasons for serving the region. It’s your story, shaped by your personal experiences, desires, dreams, and determination. Collectively, these shape who we are and what we do.
It’s time we celebrate these stories — and the people behind them.
We’re kicking off a first-of-its-kind internal branding campaign this week to showcase the people who help make the region a better place to live, play, and grow. You’ll see your coworkers — ones you know and ones you're just meeting — on posters. You’ll hear their stories. You’ll find out what inspires them.
We’re individuals with a common goal to serve the Twin Cities region. It takes more than one person, or one division, to make it happen.
“We’re on this, together.”
Want to share your story? Email us at TheWire@metc.state.mn.us.
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A thought for the day …
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."
– Henry Ford (1863–1947), American industrialist and founder of Ford Motor Company.
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In this issue
Last year, we introduced the Business Process Systems Integration (BPSI) program, which is a Councilwide initiative to streamline multiple business processes and their supporting technology systems across the organization. The processes include timekeeping, absence management, asset management, procurement and more, which are currently managed by multiple systems.
Each of the seven projects that are part of the program have significant milestones in 2024, with several are slated to move into the implementation phase. Each project has a project manager, at least one project sponsor in a leadership position, and teams of subject experts and implementers guiding the work. The projects address needs in the following areas:
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Enterprise asset management
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Timekeeping
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Absence management
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Contracts and supplier management in the Met Council Procurement department
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TxBase
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Operational reporting
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Enterprise application integration
The absence management and timekeeping projects are both aiming to engage contracted implementation partners by mid-year 2024. The contractor will have PeopleSoft expertise, which will also support goals for the Procurement department’s sourcing and contract management project. In addition, the enterprise asset management project has completed its information gathering phase and will soon release a request for proposals to choose software and implementation partner.
The projects will extend into 2026. More specific timelines will be shared as progress is made.
Programs like the BPSI initiative are complex and require methodical processes and planning, including employee involvement. For example, with the enterprise asset management project, the team is spending considerable time assessing needs and business processes, as well as getting feedback from key impacted staff. Many employees have already provided critical information to support that project.
Deputy Regional Administrator Phil Walljasper is the program sponsor. He says the BPSI program is facilitating important discovery about how we work together across the organization, gather and elevate employee expertise, define and achieve collective goals, and support an overall organizational culture of best practices and continuous improvement.
“Our goal with this program is to deliver technology that supports consistent and effective processes,” Walljasper said. “We’re defining clear and consistent processes for these tools with the BPSI program, as well as delivering technology to support those processes,” Walljasper said. “We’re aiming to bring you tools that improve your experience as users of the technology and help you do your jobs. This is a huge investment of time and resources over several years, and you – our employees – are critical experts in these processes.”
The projects in the BPSI program will create Councilwide solutions that:
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Provide stronger security
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Create easier and smoother systems
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Remove redundancies
- Cut costs
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Standardize processes
Join the email and calendar community of practice group. The practice group will meet quarterly to generate recommendations on service changes, provide feedback regarding service delivery, and share other service information. If you are interested in getting involved, please get your manager’s approval, and then contact the service owner, Teresa Dondelinger at Teresa.Dondelinger@metc.state.mn.us.
Between now and midyear, Met Council teams will begin transitioning from using the Citrix application for remote access to a new Microsoft-based tool.
The transition will be staged over the next five months as we implement the new Microsoft remote desktop tool. This change will eventually affect the way most employees access essential applications, including TxBase (timecards and purchasing), TransitMaster, Hastus, and many other important applications.
Information Services will share more information as this change moves forward.
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The Met Council adopted the Vendor Suspension and Debarment policy on Jan. 24. The purpose of this policy, and its supporting procedure, is to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in procurement and non-procurement actions.
We use suspension or debarment as a serious measure to make sure only responsible vendors get contracts. This is an extraordinary step in the contract management process. It means a vendor is prevented from getting future contracts for a fixed period of time due to not being a responsible contractor. Suspension is a temporary pause, giving the Met Council time to decide if the vendor should be debarred. The reasons for suspension or debarment are detailed within the procedure. Some of them are:
- Conviction of criminal offenses
- Falsification or destruction of records
- Violation of antitrust statutes
- Failure to perform the contract
- Any other cause the Met Council determines to be serious and compelling
Generally, all other means to work with the vendor will have been exhausted before the Met Council suspends or debars a vendor.
The Vendor Suspension and Debarment policy and procedure are now on MetNet in the Policies and Procedures library. Please familiarize yourself with these documents to better understand the reasons for suspension or debarment, the appeals process, timelines, etc.
Contact the Contract Management Support Unit at contractmanagementsupport@metc.state.mn.us with questions.
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Communications is looking for photos of you and of your colleagues at work.
Residents in the Twin Cities region enjoy a very high quality of life. Clean water, beautiful parks, access to transit, and housing. But how many make the connection between their quality of life and the work you do?
Communications is putting together a video that will show viewers the very tangible benefits residents get every day from you doing your job. We’d like to include shots from across the Met Council. Nothing fancy, no special requirements. Just a selfie taken on your phone as you’re in the field, at your desk, in a truck, etc. The video will be played at the State of the Region event on Friday, March 22, and linked in a future Wire edition. Wherever and whatever your work area is, we’d like to represent a variety of Met Council jobs.
Please send photos directly to Carol.Critchley@metc.state.mn.us.
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The Black History Committee is hosting a series of lunch and learns with authors, artists, and CEOs throughout the month of February. Join on Wednesday, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14, and Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Metro Transit Police Department room 315 at Heywood, or via Teams. For more information, email traci.williamson@metrotransit.org.
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Applications for MentoringWorks due Feb. 15
Applications to become a mentor and a mentee in the MentoringWorks program are due Thursday, Feb. 15.
The program will start in April with an in-person kickoff session, during which mentees and mentors meet, learn about the program, and receive resources for a successful experience.
Applications are used to match mentors and mentees. Obtain your supervisor’s approval and complete the application by Feb. 15. To apply, click on Be a Mentor or Be a Mentee. Visit the MentoringWorks site on MetNet for program information and testimonials of past participants.
For more information or if you have questions, please email MentoringWorks@metc.state.mn.us.
Regional Administration town hall tomorrow, Feb. 7
Regional Administration is holding a hybrid town hall tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 7. The agenda includes 30 minutes of division updates and information followed by a 30-minute discussion/Q&A with staff.
Employees in Regional Administration are encouraged to submit questions anonymously in advance via webform or participate in person or virtually via the Microsoft Teams chat, which will be monitored and facilitated by Communications staff.
Regional Administration town hall
Wednesday, Feb. 7
9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Robert Street Chambers and Microsoft Teams
Attend a Procurement training
The Procurement team is continuing to offer quarterly trainings in 2024 to educate staff on the policies and procedures to procure goods and services at the Met Council.
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 January issue:
- Met Council grants help address region's need for affordable housing
- 2050 preliminary local forecasts available for local government review
- Snowmaking at Battle Creek expands skiing opportunities in east metro
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 North Loop Garage sunset
Luke Birtzer, Transit Control Center Supervisor, captured this photo at the North Loop Garage on Oct. 20 at sunset. He hopes to see the new Minnesota flag debuted on the flagpole soon.
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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Allison Waukau
Pronunciation: Wah-ka
Tribal Liaison and Native Relations Coordinator
Communications
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Primary duties
My primary duty is to serve as the point of contact for tribal and Native issues and act as a liaison between the Met Council and tribes along with the Native community. Also, to support staff in various ways to increase tribal knowledge and relations.
Started
Dec. 11
What has the transition been like starting this new job?
Great so far! Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful.
Hometown
I grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Current residence
Minneapolis
Family
I have one son (9) and our best friend is a small black and white dog named Zilla.
Education
I graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in humanities.
Experience
I have a background in leading Native engagement initiatives, most recently in my previous role at Hennepin County. In the past few years, I have been honored with the Mover and Shaker and Rising Leader awards. I have consistently served my community throughout my career and happy to continue to do so in my new role at the Met Council.
Other interests
I enjoy visiting all the museums, libraries, and bookstores that the Twin Cities has to offer with my family.
Clete Erickson
Pronunciation: Clete - like cleat from the bottom of an athletic shoe
Unified Communication and Collaboration Manager
Information Services
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Primary duties
I will work with/on SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, telephones and telephone systems, conference room technology, and other duties as assigned.
Started
Dec. 26
What has the transition been like starting this new job?
So far it has been very good. My peers and other department staff at the Met Council have been great to work with and very welcoming. This is a new position for the Met Council.
Hometown
Red Wing
Current residence
Savage
Family
Married to my patient wife, Amy, and we have a German shepherd, Asha.
Education
I have a Bachelor of Arts in history and Bachelor of Arts in geography from Saint Cloud State, as well as a master’s degree in public administration from Mankato State. I also have a green belt in six sigma process improvement techniques. Lots of training on Information Technology (IT) specific software.
Experience
I have been in Information Services leadership for years and years. I started my IT career in school districts and worked in a medium-sized municipality, City of Savage. Over the years, I’ve been in several different roles including desktop support, server support, project management, and at the director level. I have planned and managed budgets, written IT policies, rolled out new technologies, and pretty much supported anything to do with technology as it came up.
Other interests
My wife and I attend a variety of concerts, live theater, festivals, and enjoy traveling in the U.S. and abroad.
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