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 Our internal branding campaign showcases the people who help make the region a better place to live, play, and grow. Each of us has a story that helps define who we are and what we do.
Watch Sadie Wolf, principal contract administrator, talk about how the biggest part of her job is the future of our children and preserving our environment for them. She connects her passion for that future to her work in wastewater treatment – a passion that we all can share.
Want to share your story? Email us at TheWire@metc.state.mn.us.
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A thought for the day …
"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today."
– Malcolm X (1925–1965), American Muslim minister and human rights activist
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 Employees from across the Met Council submitted photos of them "on the job" for the State of the Region intro video.
On Friday, March 22, Chair Charlie Zelle encouraged regional leaders to imagine the possibilities for the Twin Cities region in 2050. The Met Council’s State of the Region event served as a kickoff to a broader regional conversation about Imagine 2050, the next regional development guide for the Twin Cities region.
The regional development guide includes planning for the Twin Cities regional parks, transportation, and water systems, as well as guidance for land use and development, housing, and water supply.
Zelle’s speech, and remarks by other regional leaders, including Met Council Vice Chair Reva Chamblis and new Regional Administrator Ryan O’Connor, highlighted the importance of partnership and collaboration to make the region of the future prosperous, equitable, and resilient, with abundant opportunities for all to live, work, and thrive.
“It’s hard work,” Zelle said. “But I know everyone in this room is up for the challenge. We can’t just imagine. We also have to ‘do.’”
Read the full State of the Region recap.
 Approximately 200 city leaders, elected officials, and community partners attended the State of the Region on March 22.
As the projects within the Business Process Systems Integration (BPSI) program make progress in the coming months, we’re taking the opportunity to introduce you to people supporting these efforts throughout the Met Council. This month, you’ll meet Sam Paske and Kristin Thompson, co-sponsors for the Enterprise Asset Management project. This project will replace out-dated software and streamline the different systems currently used to manage all the operational assets and equipment we use across the Met Council. The project includes aligning asset management best practices and policy to support business objectives Councilwide.
Paske, assistant general manager in Environmental Services, and Thompson, director of asset management at Metro Transit, are committed to this project because it will give our employees the right tools to do their jobs successfully today and into the future. The project team is undertaking a deep dive into how all the elements of the business work, to make sure the people who work in all of the impacted business units have an opportunity to share their depth of experience to shape the final product and related business processes.
Thompson and Paske agree the key to success on this project is including the voices of our employees. The power of this project, and the broader technology program, is the opportunity to gather the valuable experience of employees to ensure the new system supports their needs and identify good ideas our employees bring forward. Listening to our employees is a critical starting point. We capture each role and how it is important to serving the people of the region. With this information provided by you and your coworkers, we can ensure our new technology will help us meet our bigger picture goals and work together better.
We’re asking ourselves what tools we need to support our employees as they serve the region every day. We’ve tapped into the knowledge base of our employees’ experience and know-how. We’re listening to those experiences to guide how we implement this tool.” – Sam Paske
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“This system will help the Met Council make better decisions. The goal is to have a unified solution that works well for everyone. It’s not just about technology. It’s a generational opportunity to look at processes. and streamline them so that employees can be as effective as possible in their work to deliver on our mission.” – Kristin Thompson
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The Enterprise Asset Management project is entering the procurement phase for the technology system and related implementation services. The project will continue through 2025 and into 2026.
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Agreement reached on joint supplemental budget targets
On Friday, March 22, Governor Walz and DFL legislative leaders announced they had reached an agreement on joint supplemental budget targets (PDF) for general fund spending for the 2024 legislative session. The joint supplemental budget targets for the 2024 legislative session include $477.5 million in new general fund spending for state fiscal year 2025 and $62.7 million in new general fund spending for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 state biennium.
Proposal heard to establish a Minnesota Advisory Council on Infrastructure
On March 26, the House State and Local Government Committee heard HF 4025 (Koegel), which would establish a Minnesota Advisory Council on Infrastructure. The advisory council would be responsible for defining and maintaining a vision for the future of Minnesota's that provides for its proper management, coordination, and investment. As defined in the bill, infrastructure means physical structures and facilities, including but not limited to property, lands, buildings, and other assets related to agriculture, commerce, communications, economic development, energy, food, health, housing, natural resources, public safety, transportation, drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater.
The Met Council chair, or their designee, would be a nonvoting member of the advisory council.
Other recent activities include:
- The Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee heard SF 4183 (Fateh). The bill was laid over. This bill adds sustainability related to the environment and public health to the Metropolitan Council’s legislative mandated role.
The next legislative deadline is Friday, April 19. Committees in both bodies must act favorably on major appropriation or finance bills.
For questions or more information, email Hannah Pallmeyer in Government Affairs at Hannah.Pallmeyer@metc.state.mn.us.
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 Our Communications team is seeking insights on how Met Council employees use the professional networking platform, LinkedIn. If you’re an active user, sometimes browser, or even if you aren’t drawn to post on the site, please share the types of content you would enjoy interacting with and like to see more of on the Met Council’s LinkedIn. This information will help us grow our professional network, add more visibility to employment opportunities, and build employee engagement by sharing achievements, project updates, and other job culture content.
Not connected with the Met Council or Metro Transit on LinkedIn? Follow us or check out both sites before taking the survey.
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Met Council leadership will be hosting a second, larger welcome event Wednesday, April 10, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers lobby for employees who have recently moved from various Metro Transit locations to the Robert and Jackson Street buildings. All employees are welcome to stop over and meet their new colleagues.
Division leadership will be serving slices of pie from Key’s Café. Other activities include walking tours through the skyway and Robert Street building at noon, and information from the Met Council Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), who will be will be onsite answering questions, and recruiting new members.
For those unable to attend the event on Wednesday, walking tours led by Fit for Life staff and Wellness Champions will be held Tuesday, April 9, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 to 3:30 p.m., and Thursday, April 11, from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Interested participants should meet at the Robert Street front desk.
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The Tribal-State Relations Training equips employees with comprehensive knowledge of American Indian tribal governments, histories, cultures, and traditions to foster effective collaboration and respectful relationships between state agencies and American Indian tribes.
Met Council employees are welcome to participate in the State of Minnesota training and are strongly encouraged to do so. Early registration is recommended; these trainings fill quickly. Before registering, get approval from your manager, follow the instructions on submitting an Learning and Organization Development (LOD) form, and submit the form through Employee Self Service.
Reach out to Allison Waukau, tribal liaison and native relations coordinator with questions.
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The Procurement team is continuing to offer quarterly trainings to educate staff on the policies and procedures to procure goods and services at the Met Council. Below is the full schedule for second quarter.
If you are interested in attending one of these virtual Ask Procurement sessions, add the event to your calendar or at the scheduled time use the link below to join on Microsoft Teams. If you have questions, email Tara Rasch at Tara.Rasch@metc.state.mn.us.
Ask Procurement: Procurement 101
Thursday, April 11, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (add to calendar or use this link to join)
I need to purchase something, but what do I do? Learn the rules and procedures of completing procurements at the Met Council.
Ask Procurement: Contract management 101
Thursday, April 18, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (add to calendar or use this link to join)
This training will share project management tools and information on how our new support unit can help.
Ask Procurement: Conflict of interest
Thursday, April 25, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (add to calendar or use this link to join) Understand where conflicts occur related to contracts and procurement.
Ask Procurement: CPV purchases
Thursday, May 2, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (add to calendar or use this link to join)
How do I piggyback? Learn how to utilize approved cooperative purchasing venture opportunities.
Ask Procurement: Sole source
Thursday, May 9, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (add to calendar or use this link to join)
Don’t force a sole source. Understand when, how, and why sole source contracts can be awarded – and when they cannot.
Ask Procurement: Procure to Pay
Thursday, May 16, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (add to calendar or use this link to join)
How do we order, receive, and pay for goods and services at the Met Council? Learn all about procure to pay!
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Enterprise Content Management hosting office hours
Enterprise Content Management (ECM) will be hosting virtual monthly office hours to share best practices. All sessions are hosted on Teams the first Thursday of the month and include a short presentation followed by a Q&A.
Content Migrations
Thursday, April 4
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Add to calendar or use this link to join
Policies and Procedures Program Overview
Thursday, May 2
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Add to calendar or use this link to join
Find more information on the Ask ECM Teams channel. Email Alex.Brosam@metc.state.mn.us if you have questions.
The Coordinating Team for the Met Council’s Climate Action Work Plan has $500,000 available for climate plan-related projects between now and the end of 2024. If you are involved in plan implementation at any level, you may submit a proposal to use a portion of the funds.
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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 March 28 issue:
- Met Council creates water supply atlas
- Community-led organizations dig into regional policy, make recommendations
- Met Council, Saint Paul HRA seek developer for Central Station block
From the Chair: The State of the Twin Cities region
On Friday, March 22, 2024, Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle delivered the 2024 State of the Region Address at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Below are some highlights of that speech.
The Twin Cities Region
With a population of more than three million, the seven-county region comprises more than 181 cities and townships, and is home to more than 300 languages, more than 1,000 lakes, and 56,000 acres of regional parks and trails open for public use.
Imagine 2050
The Met Council exists to help manage the growth in this region in a way that is collaborative and methodical, because no one community can do this alone.
Our vision is called “Imagine 2050.” Our next regional development guide, which happens every 10 years, is being developed as we speak to create and sustain a prosperous, equitable and resilient region with abundant opportunities for all to live, work, and thrive.
This regional development guide will lay out the region’s values and vision for 2050 and the goals needed to achieve it, given the region’s existing conditions and emerging trends.
Read the full March column from Chair Charlie Zelle
Systemwide, nearly 7.6 million rides were provided in January and February, up almost 16% compared to the same time last year. Of note:
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Ridership on the METRO Green Line is up 28% compared to last year. The growth partly reflects increased ridership at the University of Minnesota, where through the Universal Transit Pass program, eligible students and staff can use their school IDs for unlimited rides. Universal Transit Pass ridership is up 41% compared to last year.
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Ridership on Arterial Bus Rapid Transit lines – the METRO A Line, C Line and D Line – is up 33% compared to last year. Three new BRT lines will open in 2025, bringing improved stations and frequent, all-day service to corridors now served by Metro Transit’s busiest local bus routes, the 6 and 21, and a new level of service in the I-94 corridor east of St. Paul.
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Ridership on the Northstar Commuter Rail Line is up 34% compared to last year. Additional weekday trips were added in fall 2023; service will be further expanded this year with special trips to more Twins games and all Vikings home games.
Explore ridership patterns by mode at metrotransit.org/performance.
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 Hummingbirds in motion
While on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic to photograph endemic hummingbirds of the Caribbean, Jody Moore, rail transit supervisor, Metro Transit came across these two hummingbirds outside of Jarabacoa in the mountains. Both birds were quite vocal as they fed on hibiscus blossoms and regularly chirped warnings while being photographed.
The tiny Vervain Hummingbird (pictured in both photos) is the second-smallest bird on the planet. At a little more than two inches long from the tip of the beak to the end of its tail, and weighing only two grams, it is only slightly larger than its cousin, the Bee Hummingbird. The Vervain is native to the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Jamaica, while the Bee is found only in nearby Cuba.
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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Eric Ebbesen
Pronunciation: EH - beh - sehn
Pronouns: he/him/his
Application Engineering Manager
Information Services
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Primary duties
Managing a team of engineers and helping to deliver software with increased efficiency, quality, and security.
Started
March 18
What has the transition been like starting this new job?
It has been exciting to meet so many new people and learn about the wide variety of things the Met Council is responsible for. I worked in the Hamm Building (by Rice Park) for seven years and am enjoying being back downtown.
Hometown
We moved around quite a bit growing up. I lived in Appleton, WI, from sixth grade through high school and I consider that my hometown.
Current residence
I live in the Summit-University neighborhood of Saint Paul, close to Selby Avenue and Lexington Parkway.
Family
My partner and I live with two cats. We have two children, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota and a junior at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Experience
I have been a software engineer since the turn of the century and an engineering manager for the past six years. I have been actively involved in the civic tech space for the past 11 years.
Other interests
I volunteer as a software engineer and hackathon coach. I’m a bicycle commuter. A friend introduced me to disc golf this February and I’m enjoying it very much.
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