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G N U 0 Q z r C> `o.�`°Esm in 3_ow a- EaI3 ccc taxi �'m 2`CC c �', mcu?y E' we .. vc�m6J Jro �EE 0a0oa a0V E�oco a EE no ao 0� y N 0 Oc O- O o cn NN o 0 N N a_,d N O C m c vin ti w am mjro my"y-'" =roY oomzroN a aO O EN O U dvdOa m m a0mcc:F0 Cc -w MW -m mm¢ o C 0 N °'yaam Ja°2X0p iEw�Noc`awC7 ° vEm cn `o0��ma C[)on ci m3 F a`a Poverty is spreading, and more concentrated The share of the region's population living at 185% of poverty or below—$44,093 for a family of four in 2013—jumped from 15.8% in 2000 to 22.7% in 2009-2013. The number of residents in this economic strata living in the region's suburban and rural areas now exceeds the number living in the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul combined. A Council analysis of U.S. Census data also shows that even as poverty is spreading, it is becoming increasingly concentrated - meaning the share of residents in poverty within census tracts increased. Areas of concentrated poverty (ACP), as defined by the Council, are census tracts. where 40% or more of the residents live with incomes below 185% of the federal poverty threshold. Between 2000 and 2009-2013, the number of ACPs across the region doubled, going from 61 to 122 census tracts. In addition, people of color are more likely to live in these areas than are white residents. According to a recent Brookings Institution study, the Twin Cities region's trends on poverty mirror national trends. The rapid suburbanization of poverty has several causes, including more rapid suburban growth and national economic changes that have left many longtime suburban households in worse financial shape. Visit metrocouncil.org for more information about regional and national trends related to growing'poverty. ANOKA WASHINGTON v RAMi n CARVERc n SCOTT DAKOTA Kooistra appointed to top executive post In June, the Metropolitan Council approved Chair Adam Duininck's appointment of Wes Kooistra as Regional Administrator, the Council's top staff job. Kooistra will replace Pat Born, who retires on July 3. "Wes Kooistra is a proven leader and is Wes Kooistra committed to the Council's mission of fostering efficient and economic growth for a prosperous metropolitan region," Duininck said. "He will continue our work of building strong partner- ships with communities so that our region can thrive well into the future." Kooistra has served more than 20 years in public sector, senior executive posts. Prior to joining the Council, Kooistra worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, where he served under three administrations in executive capacities, including Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Commissioner, and Assistant Commissioner for Mental and Chemical Health Services. At the Council, Kooistra served as Chief Financial Officer from 2008 to 2011. As Deputy Regional Administrator, he is responsible for the oversight of the agency's financial management, information technology, contracts and procurement, human resources, government relations, and communications functions. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and look forward to working with the new Chair and Council to achieve the. goals this Council has established for the agency and the region," said Kooistra. "Chair Duininck has made it a priority to meet and engage with local decision makers in a way we haven't experienced before. I'm excited to work with him to build strong relationships with the Council's partners and to further our important work in the areas of water, transportation, housing, and economic competitiveness." Iil Council embraces integrated approach to water The Metropolitan Council has adopted the regional 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan. The plan has two overarching themes: integrating water supply, water quality, end wastewater treatment; and collaborating with local government and other partners. Theplan includes policies to: • Treat wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries to high water quality standards to protect public health and the environment. • Protect and improve the quality of surface waters. • Help ensure the seven -county metro area has adequate water supplies now and in the future. One example of how the Council could integrate its approach to water resources planning is to treat wastewater not simply to meet regulatory compliance. Instead, the Council will view wastewater as a potential resource for reuse. The goal is to protect the quantity and quality of water our region needs now and for future generations. Goals and strategies in the plan aim to: • Protect, conserve and utilize the region's groundwater and surface water in ways that protect public health, support economic growth and development, maintain the health of the habitat and ecosystem, and provide for recreation opportunities. • Maximize regional benefits from regional investments in the areas of wastewater, water supply, and surface water management and protection. • Promote and expand collaboration, financial support, and technical support in working with partners to address wastewater, water quality and quantity, and water supply issues. • Investigate issues and challenges to advancing water conservation, wastewater and stormwater reuse, and low -impact development practices in order to promote a more sustainable region. Green Line is magnet for housing development From artist lofts to family affordable housing to luxury neighborhoods, so people of all incomes and all stages apartments, new housing development has been a of life can access and enjoy the benefits that light rail significant contributor to the estimated $3 billion in provides," said Jonathan Sage -Martinson, Director of Saint development activity along the METRO Green Line Paul's Planning and Economic Development Department. since 2009. At least 13,000 housing units have been created or are in the pipeline within one-half mile of the light rail corridor, according to figures compiled by the METRO Green Line Project Office. Opus Development Company, L.L.C., has created several mixed-use, market -rate multifamily developments in downtown Minneapolis and around the University of Minnesota. "We look for key transportation nodes and locations with access to multiple transportation options that also support a mix of uses, including retail," said Dave Menke, company president. The Council's Housing Policy Plan recognizes that as the region makes significant investments in transit, we must also take steps to minimize and mitigate the impacts of neighborhood change along transit that can displace existing low-income residents. Between 2011 and 2014, 2,375 subsidized long-term affordable housing units on the corridor were either preserved or created. "Our vision for the Saint Paul portion of the line is really mixed -income Saint Paul's vision aligns with the Council's overall housing policy priority to create housing options that give people in all stages and of all economic means viable choices for safe, stable, and affordable homes in the communities where they want to live. The Council has awarded a total of 32 Livable Communities grants totaling $16.4 million to support both affordable and market -rate housing development along the Green Line, leveraging nearly $709 million in development costs. Southwest LRT: Communities to recommend cost cuts On July 8, the Metropolitan Council is expected to vote on a package of cost reductions to the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project. The goal is to reduce the project cost by $341 million to get it back within the $1.653 million budget, and at the same time maintain the project's competitiveness for federal funding. As currently planned, the line runs 16 miles from downtown Minneapolis to Mitchell Road in Eden Prairie. In May and June, the Southwest Corridor Management Committee examined a variety of cost-cutting measures. The committee comprises representatives from project funders and partners, including MnDOT, Counties Transit Improvement Board, Hennepin County, and cities along the corridor. In addition to eliminating stations, potential cuts include reducing the light rail vehicle fleet, the size of park -and -rides, and vehicle storage capacity. On July 1, the Corridor Management Committee was expected to make a final recommendation to the Council. "These are difficult decisions but all communities along the line have shown good faith and a willingness to compromise," said Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck. "Our final decision will seek to meet the budget target, keep projected ridership around 30,000 daily, and maintain consensus about the reductions being equitable to the five communities. I am optimistic that these objectives can be achieved." The Council is scheduled to take action on July 8 on a revised project scope.