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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMET COUNCIL UPDATE 2019-114A METROPOLITAN C O U N C I L New goals to address critical challenges Future generations will judge us on how we address four challenges. Stormwater grants focus on redevelopment Funds awarded to five cities, one county, and a watershed district. Cities, Council advance solar development Working together we've added at least 50 megawatts of solar capacity. Grant: Reducing 1/1 from private property A Met Council grant of $500,000 to Saint Paul aims to show the effectiveness of working with private property owners to reduce inflow and infiltration (1/1) of stormwater and groundwater into the regional wastewater collection system. The Saint Paul project focuses on private pipes, called service laterals, that take wastewater from homes and businesses to the city wastewater pipe in the street. The target area for the grant is West Side Flats, across the Mississippi River from downtown Saint Paul. By targeting a small area, project managers will be able to identify the sources of 1/1, quantify the costs of fixing the leaky pipes, and measure the resulting reduction in flow. o11ab oration d „ the result axle to other {hat aae W1U be �a1u the reon toWnsh�pton duce 111„ General Manager, \V0( .\ 9 �IaecY Assists seNjpes al -J soil Environmen CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR 12800 RAVINE PKWY COTTAGE GROVE MN 55016-3195 ©Properdownspout gutter connection Root Intrusion ra■■ ■■ ■■ m ■ N N oper sump pump wLconnectionl v © Gap In connection Cracks Sewer service line The home service line, or service lateral, is vulnerable to several sources of groundwater infiltration. Council awards systems contract for Southwest LRT. In September, the Council awarded the systems contract for the METRO Green Line Extension to Aldridge -Parsons Joint Venture. Aldridge also performed the systems work on the Central Corridor. The $194.4 million systems contract includes the construction and installation of equipment such as overhead catenary lines, traction power, and communications systems. How growth and rainfall impact wastewater flows. A five-year study of flows in the regional wastewater collection system in Minneapolis is expected to provide valuable data for the effort to reduce excessive inflow and infiltration of stormwater and groundwater into the system. Regional wastewater pipes in Minneapolis collect wastewater within the city and from over 20 upstream communities. Engaging community for LCA projects. The Livable Communities Act staff at the Council is convening sessions on conducting community engagement for successful projects. The second session will be Dec. 17 in Bloomington. Contact Hannah Gary at 651-602-1633 for more information. Council hosts Metro Mobility conversation. On Oct. 29, 53 Metro Mobility customers and advocates attended a community conversation at the Minneapolis Public Library. Attendees had a chance to talk about what they like and don't like about the service, and to get questions answered. Visit metrocouncil.org/News-Events.aspx for more Council news. Metropolitan Council Chair: Nora Slawik (resignation effective 11/15/2019) Interim Chair: Molly Cummings Members: Judy Johnson (District 1); Reva Chamblis (2); Christopher Ferguson (3); Deb Barber (4); Molly Cummings (5); Lynnea Atlas- Ingebretson (6); Robert Lilligren (7); Abdirahman Muse (8); Raymond Zeran (9); Peter Lindstrom (10); Susan Vento (11); Francisco J. Gonzalez (12); Chai Lee (13); Kris Fredson (14); Phillip Sterner (15); Wendy Wulff(16). Regional Administrator: Meredith Vadis Editor: Jeanne Landkamer General Offices: 651-602-1000 1 (651-291-0904 TTI) 390 N. Robert St. I St. Paul, MN 55101 e-mail: public. info®metc.state.mn.us Web site: metrocouncil.org Printed on paper containing 100 percent post -consumer and alternative fibers. �•y. �' PRIIITED WITH SOY INK Transportation board, Council prepare for next round of funding applications The public comment period for Regional Solicitation applications closed in early November and the Transportation Advisory Board at the Met Council will adopt the revised applications on Nov. 20. With the changes and the public comment complete, the board and Council will invite local government agencies and their partners in February 2020 to apply for funds to make improvements broadly on roadways, transit, and bikeways and walkways. The Regional Solicitation happens once every two years and awards about $180 million in federal transportation funds. The board — a group of state, regional and local officials, transportation providers, and community members — is central to the solicitation process. This process is one way the board and Council prioritize and invest in roads, bridges, and transit, as well as biking and walking needs. Whether for existing infrastructure or new improvements, projects focus on outcomes like moving more people more effectively, managing congestion, and improving air quality. Since February this year, the Transportation Advisory Board made several key decisions that impacted categories, the funding distribution; and minimum and maximum awards found in the applications. They also decided to redistribute funding between the roadways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian categories, increasing funding for transit and reducing it in the other two categories. "With each solicitation, we're considering many inputs into our funding decisions, and with that we recognize the shifting priorities in our transportation system," said Council Member Deb Barber, who represents the Council on the board. "The board takes these ideas and works collaboratively, making compromises to create a program that best serves the region. "During this round, we heard that more complete funding for bus rapid transit is desirable," said Barber. New goals to address critical challenges As my time at the Council comes to a close on Nov. 15, I'd like to share how much I appreciate the opportunity to serve the region Am and the Metropolitan Council. We really are so fortunate to have a regional coordinating body. I remain impressed by the foresight of Council founders, encouraged by all that's been achieved, and confident Nora S I a w i k the region will prosper in the face of FROM THE CHAIR the challenges ahead. Five decades ago, state lawmakers recognized that urban sprawl was out of control. The private bus company was facing bankruptcy. Pollution in our lakes and rivers was a major problem. That's why the Minnesota Legislature created the Met Council to ensure orderly growth and development in the region. Looking back, we can say with confidence that the regional approach they adopted has been a success. The Twin Cities region is consistently ranked as being one of the best places to live in the nation. We have beautiful parks and open spaces, our transit system is well run and nationally recognized, our lakes and rivers are cleaner, and our regional economy is strong. Fifty years from now, what will our children and grandchildren say about how we tackled the challenges that will impact their lives? I believe that future generations will judge us largely on four things that the Council sees as priorities. First, did we make the transportation investments needed to ensure that people can get to work and school, and that goods and services continue to move efficiently in our marketplace? With 700,000 more people here in 2040, these investments are critical. In particular, our transit system will need significant investment to keep up with growing ridership demands. Second, did we greatly improve opportunities for people of color and indigenous people? Today our region has one of the biggest gaps nationally between white people and people of color and indigenous people on measures like graduation rates, home ownership, and income. Without closing that gap, our region cannot continue to prosper. The third is housing costs. Population growth will put even more pressure on the current supply of housing, particularly housing for people with lower incomes. In the last decade, rents in the Twin Cities area have gone up twice as fast as the cost of all other household goods and services. Finally, we don't have to wait for future generations to judge us for the work being done on climate change. Young people are telling us loud and clear that we're not doing enough. As important as input and feedback is, it doesn't take the place of action. This fall, the Council has worked to lay out clear goals on each of these priority areas. The goals will be accompanied by metrics that we can use to measure our progress. Our region has met big challenges before. As always, solutions will require partnerships — all of us pulling together. The Council stands ready to live up to the example that was set for us in the last 50 years, and tackle the unique challenges facing our region in the decades to come. Chair Nora Slawik submitted her resignation to Gov. Walz effective Nov. 15, citing health challenges. Visit httpJ/bit. 1y/32b9eNT for the governor's response. Stormwater grants focus on redevelopment In October, the Met Council awarded a total of nearly $500,000 in stormwater management grants to five cities, one county, and one watershed district. The grants will support projects at redevelopment sites. "Many parts of the metro area were developed before stormwater treatment was required," explained Judy Sventek, Council Water Resources manager. "Stormwater management retrofits are often difficult due to site constraints. "Our grants give local governments an incentive to add stormwater treatment as properties are redeveloped," she said. "We're funding projects that could be replicated throughout the region." Projects awarded grants use a variety of stormwater management techniques. Among the projects are expanding an existing stormwater reuse system, installing raingardens, tree trenches and underground stormwater storage, and others. Grant recipients include Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Centerville, Fridley, Hugo, Hennepin County, and the Riley -Purgatory -Bluff Creek Watershed District. The Council received 15 grant applications requesting a total of more than $1 million. The applications were reviewed and ranked, based on published criteria, by a mixed internal and external panel. "All the applications were good projects," said Joe Mulcahy, Council scientist who served on the panel. "We wish we had enough resources to fund all of them." Council approves changes for housing program In September, the Met Council approved changes to its policies related to the federal housing voucher (Section 8) program. Among the changes are: Charging a minimum rent of $50 per month, unless a hardship is demonstrated. Inspecting qualifying properties every other year instead of an- nually. • Creating opportunities to help families move from supportive housing to independent living, freeing up vouchers for people who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. Terri Smith, director of the Council's housing and redevelopment authority (Metro HRA), said that charging a minimum rent is one step towards addressing a Metro HRA operating deficit. In addition, the change will prevent the agency from having to further reduce the number of households it serves. Metro HRA engaged its Resident Advisory Board and held meetings in three different parts of the region to get feedback on the proposed changes. The HRA also consulted with a focus group of landlords. The minimum rent will affect about 270, or 4%, of Metro HRA's current voucher holders. These households can get the charge waived if they demonstrate a hardship. Seven of the other nine housing authorities in the seven -county metro area charge a minimum rent. To qualify for biennial inspections, properties must meet certain criteria. Staff estimates 3,000 fewer inspections will be needed each year. Metro HRA provides housing assistance to more than 7,200 households throughout Anoka, Carver, and suburban Hennepin and Ramsey counties. For the 15th consecutive year, the agency earned the highest federal ranking for its program administration in 2018. Cities, Council advance solar development Local governments and the Met Council have expanded the region's solar capacity by an estimated 50 megawatts since 2015. Through a combination of on-site solar photovoltaic development and community solar garden subscriptions, that's comparable to powering 8,100 Minnesota households, or about 20,300 people. Technical assistance from the Council has helped dozens of local governments in the seven -county metro area advance solar development. Recognizing the Council's role, the national SOISmart program In September awarded the Council its top designation — Gold — for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes, businesses, and government to adopt solar energy. "Solar energy is one tool in a wide array of options that local governments have for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resiliency to climate change," said Cameran Bailey, Council planner and solar advisor to local governments. "It is a tool for economic development and realizing social and environmental justice." "Local governments are doing great work to advance solar," Bailey said. "For example, the City of Burnsville developed outstanding solar energy system design guidelines that other cities could easily adopt." State law requires local comprehensive plans to include "an element for the protection and development of access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems." The Council has advised more than 80 communities, including 16 SolSmart designees in the metro area, offering "Cities are finding that advancing solar development can resources and technical assistance on solar permitting, attract young families for whom sustainability is a priority," planning, and market development and finance. Bailey said. "Solar provides multiple benefits." 1�