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Studies to address
community concerns
about Southwest LRT
After considerable debate and discussion this fall about
the Green Line extension (Southwest light rail) project,
the Council commissioned additional independent
reviews in order to help resolve concerns about both
freight location and water quality and level.
In December, we tapped national
engineering firm TranSystems to
independently analyze freight rail
relocation options and another national
engineering firm, Burns & McDonnell,
to independently evaluate potential
impacts to the bodies of water around
the Kenilworth Corridor. Additionally,
Sue Haigh expert staff in the Southwest Project
FROM THE CHAIR Office will conduct a landscape
inventory of the Kenilworth
Corridor in Minneapolis.
The freight rail relocation alternatives analysis conducted
by TranSystems will review existing studies and designs,
assess viability of options considered and identify any
new possibilities for rerouting freight traffic out of the
Kenilworth Corridor.
The purpose of the water resources evaluation is to
independently assess potential impacts on water quality
and levels of lakes within the Kenilworth Corridor that
could be caused by construction or operation of shallow
light rail tunnels.
The Metropolitan Council will host public community
meetings on January 7 and 9 focused on the studies
now underway of freight rail, water resources, and
landscaping /greenscaping of the Kenilworth Corridor.
These meetings will provide opportunities to learn about
the scopes of these studies talk to project staff, and
discuss the project with invited elected officials. Draft
results of these three efforts are expected to be
released in late January 2014 for public feedback.
Additional community meetings to discuss all three draft
reports will be announced in a few weeks.
Final results of all three
studies will be presented �IMEipp
to the public and to the
project's advisory
committees, and will be
reviewed by the
Metropolitan Council
before it votes on the
project scope and budget.
We hope the additional time and independent expert
review of these three areas of concern will provide
supplementary information requested by the public and
decisionmakers to allow the project to move forward.
Details of upcoming meetings and study scopes can be
found at www.swirt.org. Drafts of all three studies will be
posted when they become available.
Council prepares water
supply progress report
A study of water supply in the northeast metro will hit
an early milestone when the Council issues a progress
report to the Legislature in January.
"The progress report will provide information about how
funds for the study are being allocated, data that's being
collected, up -to -date analysis findings, and work both
completed and remaining," said Council Water Supply
Planning Manager Ali Elhassan.
"It's also important to note that the progress report
will not include the estimated cost of the various
options or recommendations about options to pursue
and funding mechanisms with which to implement
proposed solutions," Elhassan said.
The final report, which will include cost estimates and
recommendations for a sustainable northeast metro
water supply and for restoring White Bear Lake, is due
in fall 2014.
The study is part of the Council's initiative to evaluate
the reliability and sustainability of water supply
metro -wide, funded by Clean Water Legacy monies.
"White Bear Lake . is a bellwether for the region, showing
us that continued reliance on groundwater is
unsustainable," Elhassan said.
Council earns hefty energy savings rebate
Xcel Energy delivered a $234,000 present to
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES)
ratepayers in December.
The rebate check is a reward for the energy savings created
by a new non - condensing turbine generator at the Metro-
politan Wastewater Treatment Plant's Solids Management
Building.
The turbine reduces the pressure of steam coming off
boilers that are connected to solids incinerators, and
converts the steam into electricity - up to 800 kilowatts -
that can be used at the plant. And at the lower pressure,
the steam can be distributed and used in the plant's HVAC
system.
The new generator will save an estimated 2.6 million kWh
or $182,000 annually in electricity purchases, according to
MCES engineers.
MCES identified the steam system as a target for potential
energy savings. The turbine was selected and installed in
2012, and began operating in early 2013.
Xcel had initially determined that the project would not
qualify for a rebate. But MCES Energy Specialist Brad
Gehring questioned that analysis. As MCES process
engineers worked together with Xcel to evaluate their
respective data and modeling, Xcel determined the turbine
was definitely rebate - worthy.
"We truly value our partnership with Xcel Energy as we
aim to reduce our energy purchases 50% by 2020 from
our 2006 baseline," said MCES General Manager
Leisa Thompson. "Our respective teams worked diligently
to demonstrate this project is an energy- saving winner."
To date, MCES has reduced its fossil -fuel energy purchases
by 20 %. since 2006, saving ratepayers about $4,000,000
in 2013.
MCES consistently achieves near - perfect compliance with
federal and state water discharge standards while holding
rates 40 %° below the national average - and significantly
reducing purchased energy costs.
Council steps up transit - oriented development role
Transit - oriented development (TOD)
is moderate- to high- density
development that is walkable, served
by frequent transit, and includes a
mix of housing, retail, and
employment choices. TOD improves
mobility, enhances connections
between destinations, creates
efficiencies, and generates economic
vitality.
That's why the Metropolitan Council,
in November, adopted aTOD policy
that positions the Council to play a
leadership role in the planning and
implementation of TOD in the region.
A new TOD office at Metro Transit will
partner and coordinate with
communities to advance TOD. The
office will be advised by an external
group of developers, local
government, nonprofits, and other
partners, and will coordinate with a
multi - department internal working
group at the Council.
"We have a big stake in successful
TOD, as the regional agency charged
with building and operating the
transit system, guiding regional
development and transportation
investments, supporting affordable
housing, and providing regional
access to opportunity," said Council
Chair Susan Haigh.
"We also recognize that land use,
zoning and development approvals
are local decisions," she said. "We
are committed to collaborating with
our partners to advance TOD in the
region. But we are unabashed in our
goal to ensure that more housing and
more jobs are created where we have
made investments in transit service."
The Council interviewed two dozen
stakeholders in 2012 and held three
think tanks in 2013, attended by more
than 100 partners, in order to develop
a TOD Strategic Action Plan. The
Council also looked at best practices
from other regions and took direction
from its outreach and deliberations
during the Thrive MSP 2040 planning
process.
The Council has long supported TOD
through Livable Communities grants,
its growth and transportation policies,
the new Regional Transitway
Guidelines, and the Guide for Transit
Oriented Development. The new
policy, however, commits the Council
to be more proactive and to
prioritize TOD. in transit service
decisions, regional planning, grant
making, data collection and technical
assistance.
Metro Transit: Improving bus service, with your help
Metro Transit is asking for customer and community feedback to
help develop a 10- to 15 -year plan for expansion of its bus system.
When complete, the Service Improvement Plan will guide
improvements to Metro Transit's network of local and express
bus service in the years ahead as additional funding becomes
available.
Through February 2014, Metro Transit is soliciting feedback through
a survey posted at www.metrotransft.org /sip. The brief survey is
designed to collect data on travel patterns and priorities of
travelers, as well as to solicit suggestions for changes to bus
service.
Metro Transit is also partnering with community groups and
promoting the Service Improvement Plan throughout the transit
system in an effort to maximize input.
This feedback will help to inform a draft plan that will be presented
to the public in 2014 for additional comment before being finalized.