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As promised, I'm pleased to provide you an update on the Councilwide Culture Assessment work we began last fall. We are wrapping up the first phase of the assessment, which included the survey you participated in earlier this year, the focus groups and small group conversations led by the vendor, and the beginnings of a leadership framework to address cultural realities revealed by the survey results.
Thank you, again, to everyone who took the survey and participated in the small group follow-ups! And a special thank you to the Councilwide Culture Assessment Taskforce for their work. This phase was the crucial first step in understanding and improving our workplace culture.
Below, you will find a link to a video that includes those high-level results from the assessment. (We are also sharing the presentation (PDF) from the vendor highlighting the results) This is the first of many results we will be posting. In addition, each division will be meeting to review their specific, more detailed results with their teams. The goal is to have these meetings completed by early June.
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A thought for the day …
"I always try to start out with some type of goal. Then I work backward and think of what I need to do to get there, and give myself smaller goals that are more immediate." – Kristi Yamaguchi, figure skater and first Asian American woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics
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In this issue
Help improve how we partner with small businesses! The Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity (OEEO) is working with an external vendor to assess the Met Council’s small business program and make changes, and employee feedback is a critical part of this audit.
This assessment will consider our small business inclusion activities, programs, policies, goals, objectives, and outcomes, as well as our purchasing practices related to these businesses. In looking to strengthen this program, OEEO wants to find more ways to make an economic impact in the way we procure and spend our dollars with small and diverse vendors. To do this well over time will require a team effort and collaboration across Met Council departments.
Before completing the audit, OEEO is providing space for staff throughout the organization to share input, ideas, and questions that would inform the program recommendations.
Listening sessions focused on different employee perspectives started in April and continue into June. Please consider joining one of the remaining sessions if your job falls in one of these categories.
Session 5: Staff focused on equity work
Tuesday, June 11
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Session 6: Senior leadership staff
Wednesday, June 12
11 a.m. to noon
Virtual (Zoom)
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New email security feature
Due to a rising number of cyber breaches called phishing attacks, the Security Team in Information Services recently launched a new email inbox security tool. The tool sorts “graymail” into your “graymail” folder. "Graymail" is promotional email that falls between email from a known sender and spam. This is email you might have opted to receive, but don’t frequently read. Note: This email was previously sorted into the “promotions" folder. If you find something in your “graymail” folder that you would rather have in your main inbox, drag and drop it into your main inbox folder.
The change will move unwanted junk emails automatically to your “spam” folder to cut down on potential security threats.
Contact the Service Desk at ServiceDesk@metc.state.mn.us or 651-602-1498 with questions.
Transition from Citrix to new remote desktop tool has begun
This month, all Metro Transit and Metropolitan Transportation Services personnel will transition to the new Microsoft remote desktop tool. This shift is crucial to ensure optimal support from Information Services during this period. During phase two, starting in June, Information Services will turn their focus to supporting employees in other divisions.
 Managers and supervisors - do you know who your first point of contact in Human Resources (HR) is? It’s the Human Resources Business Partners team! We serve as a strategic partner and provide consultation in areas such as performance management, employee relations, job classification and compensation. And we partner with other subject matter experts to integrate and deliver HR services and programs. Think of us as the conduit to every service HR provides to the Met Council – the connectors who keep things moving. We’re embedded within the Met Council to help understand your strategic goals and priorities.
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Becky Grams
“I love leading a team of diverse and dynamic HR professionals who demonstrate leadership, creative problem solving, and a commitment to customer service through nuanced and complex situations.”
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Richard Hammons
“I love leading and empowering leaders in the areas of performance management and employee engagement to help with the nurturing and transformation of their teams.”
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Walt Joy
“I enjoy working for the Met Council and supporting its high-profile mission and complexity! I use my expertise to develop business strategies and facilitate processes, staff, and expertise to achieve desired strategic outcomes.”
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Maddie Segal
"What I love most about my job is serving as the conduit between organizational goals and employee success. I enjoy working with my customers to create and foster a positive workplace culture where everyone feels valued, recognized, and inspired to be their best."
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Ricki Vang
"Creating inclusive practices isn't just a goal, it's a passion, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every perspective is celebrated. Together, we build not just a workplace, but a community where everyone can thrive and contribute their best.”
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When should I contact an HRBP?
Managers and supervisors should contact their designated Human Resources Business Partner for all HR services. We look forward to working with you!
Coming soon
The Human Resources Business Partner team is currently hiring! You may see changes to the areas your current HRBP supports.
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Senate Transportation Committee reviews report on Metro Mobility
Last Thursday, May 8, the Senate Transportation Committee met for an informational hearing on the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) Metro Mobility evaluation report (PDF) that was released in early May. Legislative auditor staff presented the evaluation, followed by testimony from the Minnesota Council on Disability, and Met Council representatives Chair Charlie Zelle, Regional Administrator Ryan O’Connor, and Metropolitan Transportation Services Executive Director Charles Carlson. Three Metro Mobility riders also shared their experiences and thoughts regarding the report. Watch the full hearing.
Other recent activities include:
- House and Senate pass transportation policy conference committee report
- Legacy bill advances
- Senate passes omnibus transportation, housing, and labor supplemental finance bill
- Senate passes omnibus environment and natural resources supplemental finance bill
- House and Senate conference committee agrees to language regarding labor policy
The legislature must adjourn by Monday, May 20.
For details on these activities and more, read the full summary on MetNet.
For questions or more information, email Hannah Pallmeyer in Government Affairs at Hannah.Pallmeyer@metc.state.mn.us.
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Thank you to those who attended the Regional Administration town hall Wednesday, May 1, either on Microsoft Teams or in person in the Met Council chambers. If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the discussion, you can watch the recording on the RA town halls page on MetNet.
The next regular, quarterly Regional Administration division town hall is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug.7, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Once again, it will be a hybrid meeting, in the Met Council chambers and on Microsoft Teams.
A number of pre-submitted and live questions were answered during the event. If you’d like to submit a question for the next town hall, please submit it using this webform. This form will be continuously open. If the question is timely and should be answered before the next scheduled town hall, a response will be provided in The Wire or on MetNet.
Phil Walljasper, deputy regional administrator, will also continue hosting office hours on Wednesdays between noon and 1 p.m. If you'd like to schedule a time with him in person or over Microsoft Teams, please use this Bookings page.
Throughout May, we’re celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) month – a time to celebrate, honor, and recognize the cultural and historical contributions made to the U.S. by people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.
Check out the May editions of The Wire and Insights, along with the MetNet homepage, for stories from Met Council employees on the cultural traditions they celebrate, who inspires them in their community, and why celebrating AAPI Month is so important.
 From left to right: Sarah Gong, Gao Yang, Fai-Yee Xiong and Nikki Muehlhausen
Is there someone in the AAPI community who has inspired you?
"Alice Wong, Yuri Kochiyama, and Grace Lee Boggs. All incredible AAPI women and intersectional liberationists!" - Sarah Gong, qualitative researcher
Why is AAPI Month important to you?
"It’s important because it reminds me of the sacrifices that previous generations have made in order to open up opportunities for those after them. It’s important to share and recognize the diverse foundation and history that this country was built on." - Gao Yang, HRA coordinator
Is there someone in the AAPI community who has inspired you?"
"General Vang Pao, who was a major general in the Royal Lao Army and led Secret War in Laos. A leader to our Hmong people who led us to the U.S. He was born Dec. 8, 1929, and died Jan. 6, 2011, at the age 81 years old in Clovis, California." - Fai-Yee Xiong, HRA coordinator 2
Is there someone in the AAPI community who has inspired you?
"Connie Chung. In 1993, she became only the second woman to anchor CBS Evening News. But she also marked the first time that I saw someone who looked like me. I’d faithfully sit and watch her every night and this lead to me pursuing a degree in journalism and spending 18 years in TV news before I came to Metro Transit." - Nikki Muehlhausen, Metro Transit Police public information officer and principal communications specialist
 From left to right: Sadixa Sanjel, Neha Damle, Chang Yang and Bobby Andress
What cultural tradition do you celebrate that is important to you?
"AAPI Month is an opportunity to reflect on the vast tapestry of culture and tradition, including those of South Asia. I celebrate Dashain, a major festival in my home country Nepal, that embodies the essence of family, and community. This festival allows us to reconnect with our roots, ancestors, and the values that guide us. The celebration spans 15 days, each day marked by its own unique rituals and significance, and is a time where families come together. The most significant day is the tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, where elders put tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) and jamara (sprouted seeds) on the foreheads of younger relatives. This act is a form of blessing, which is believed to bring prosperity and longevity. Through Dashain, we celebrate the triumph of good over evil, the importance of family and community, and the enduring strength of our traditions and cultural heritage." - Sadixa Sanjel, data scientist
Why is AAPI Month important to you?
"Asian culture is very important to me because that is what I grew up with and have my roots in! Indian festivals, culture, and traditions is what I still follow and cherish. My husband and I try to inculcate that culture in our child along with the American traditions and culture. AAPI Month celebrates different cultures across the Asian region, and I am excited to be a part of this!" - Neha Damle, environmental compliance lead
Why is AAPI Month important to you?
"AAPI Month is important to me because it recognizes and celebrates Asians, their diverse cultures, accomplishments, and contributions to this great nation.
I am a first-generation immigrant. I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. I grew up and come from a very traditional Hmong family. My parents traded life and death to come to this country to give us a better life. There is a story to their sacrifices. There is a lot to be acknowledged and recognized. I honor them by doing my very best to carry on their traditions. I am proud of what I am and I am thankful to have a month to dedicate to my Asian heritage." - Chang Yang, transportation manager - bus operations
Is there someone in the AAPI community who has inspired you?
"My mother taught me about the culture of Japan, origami as well as the lullabies that I sing to my grandkids." - Bobby Andress, North Loop garage manager
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May is National Bike Month. It's a chance to showcase the benefits of cycling and encourage more people to give biking a try. Celebrate this year's Bike to Work Week with Move Minneapolis at The Commons on Thursday, May 16. If you'd like to join a group ride to the Metro Transit Campus for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17, email Drew.Kerr@metrotransit.org.
A note from the Safety team: Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. When operating a vehicle, look out for cyclists and never drive distracted or impaired. Cyclists do not have the same protections as a vehicle.
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Building Strong Communities program sees record number of graduates
Aaron Koski, workforce development senior manager, served as the master of ceremonies for the Building Strong Communities graduation event on Friday, May 3. The program saw its largest graduating class in history, with 105 individuals who will go on to pursue apprenticeships with one of 12 construction trades. More than 70% are women and people of color.
“It is great to see the Met Council’s investment in construction workforce development grow and strengthen,” said Aaron. “We look forward to seeing this program continue to impact the region’s construction workforce.”
The program was originally launched in 2017 to support the METRO Green Line Extension project and rebranded in 2020 under the name Building Strong Communities. The Met Council’s Workforce Development team led the design, recruitment efforts, and administration of the program for two years before it was expanded across the state by the newly formed Building Strong Communities non-profit.
To date, the Met Council has had more than 15 Building Strong Communities graduates work on capital projects such as the METRO Green Line Extension and multiple Environmental Services interceptor construction projects.
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Benefits series: Prescription benefits 101
The Benefits team will be hosting their next webinar Wednesday, May 22, on prescription benefits.
Coverage of prescription medications is included in all the Met Council medical plans. However, the cost of medication prices vary by the type of medication, pharmacy used, and medical plan enrollment. Medication prices can change daily.
Benefits Series: Prescription Benefits
Wednesday, May 22
10:30 a.m.
Microsoft Teams
Calendar invite coming soon.
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 May issue:
- Met Council awards $2 million in regional parks equity grants
- Efforts to improve conditions on transit show promising results; ridership is up
- Blue Line Extension receives $700,000 for station are planning in Minneapolis
- New tools available to cities for public education of fats, oils, grease, and rags
From the Chair: Protecting the air, water, and home we love
I’m an avid cyclist. I love to get out on my bike and enjoy the natural beauty of this region – even during this spring’s rains. They are a welcome relief from the drought we’ve experienced for the last few years.
It’s not always easy to know the difference between normal variations in weather and longer-term changes in climate. But climate experts know the difference – and here in Minnesota, they’ve been tracking trends over the last several decades. We are experiencing warmer temperatures, especially night-time temperatures, more intense precipitation events, and more periods of drought.
Read the full May column from Chair Charlie Zelle
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 Calm before the storm
Brynna Bargfield, auditor, captured a photo of 5th Street and Robert Street (Saint Paul) METRO Gold Line bus rapid transit (BRT) shelter currently being built. It’s quiet now, but will be bustling with people this time next year, after the line opens in late March 2025. As a single-vehicle household, Brynna frequently takes transit when she can, and is excited to see the expansion of the BRT network in real time. Stay up-to-date on METRO Gold Line updates.
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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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
35 years
Leisa Thompson, general manager, Environmental Services
30 years
Bill Turcotte, applications developer 4, Information Services
15 years
Sarah Thole, purchasing agent, Procurement
10 years
Justin Allen, businesses systems analyst 1, Metropolitan Transportation Services
Joseph Barbeau, planning analyst, Metropolitan Transportation Services
Amanda Buchanan, financial analyst, Finance
5 years
Cyndy Boyce, real estate specialist, Real Estate
Katelyn Champoux, planner, Community Development
Emily Connolly, principal contract administrator, Procurement
Raven Mcknight, data scientist, Community Development
Mahdi Rahmani, applications developer 2, Information Services
New staff
Michael DuFresne, April 29, systems engineer 3, Information Services
Rick Toenjes, April 15, business systems analyst 3, Metropolitan Transportation Services
Departures
Tanisha Brown, May 2, program coordinator, Human Resources
Raya Esmaeili, May 11, planning analyst, Community Development
Nicole Franke, May 3, facilities assistant manager, Central Services
Susan Frey, April 3, occupational health specialist, Human Resources
Crystal Mulry, April 24, digital experience consultant, Communications
Matthew Netland, April 20, infrastructure and operations director, Information Services
Christine Stevens, April 16, information specialist, Environmental Services
Retirements
Cecile Cloutier, June 4, human resources assistant, Human Resources
Curtis Moore, May 11, workers’ compensation claims representative 2, Risk Management
Kevin Pogatchnik, June 4, compensation analyst, Human Resources
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