Metro Cities News 9/16/22

 

In This Issue:

 

Metro Cities Accepting Applications for TAB and TAC

Metro Cities is seeking candidates to fill an opening on the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) as well as an opening on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that advises the TAB.

The TAB qualifies the region for federal transportation funds and is a participant in processes for transportation planning and funding in the metropolitan region. Municipal appointees to the TAB must be elected officials, and Metro Cities’ guidelines place a high priority on appointment balance with respect to geography and city size. There are no term limits, but members must meet attendance requirements to qualify for reappointment, as well as have a background and interest in transportation issues. Guidelines also give preference to those who agree to serve on Metro Cities’ Transportation Policy Committee.

Metro Cities is also seeking interested applicants for an opening on the Metropolitan Council’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that advises the TAB. Appointees must be department head level staff with an engineering, planning or public works background. Metro Cities’ guidelines place a high priority on making the TAC balanced with respect to city size and geography. The Board also gives preference to those who agree to serve on Metro Cities’ Transportation Policy Committee.

The deadline to apply is Friday, September 30, 2022. Interested candidates for the TAB should submit a completed questionnaire, letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Dorn at [email protected]. Interested candidates for the TAC should submit a letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Dorn at [email protected].

Please contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected], or Mike Lund, at [email protected] with any questions.

 

Committee Approves 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program

The Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee approved the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at their meeting on Monday. Council staff presented background information on the TIP, the projects included in the 2023-2026 TIP, and the public comments received over the summer.

The TIP includes all projects funded with federal transportation dollars as well as projects that affect air quality. These projects are prioritized by year and are incorporated into the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The TIP includes transit projects programmed with FTA formula funds, roadway projects programmed by MnDOT with federal and state funds, and regional solicitation projects.

The 2023-2026 TIP includes $5.6 billion in total funds. 49.2% of the funding is allocated to transit projects, 41.8% for highway and road projects, 2.1% for bike/ped projects. The remaining funds go toward other categories, set-asides, and TDM projects.

Following approval by the Transportation committee the TIP will come before the full Metropolitan Council on September 28. After full council approval the TIP will be incorporated into the STIP with federal approval expected at the end of this calendar year. Click HERE to view the Final 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program and HERE to view the Public Comment Report.

Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.

 

Met Council Approves Livable Communities Grants to Five Cities

The Metropolitan Council approved four predevelopment grants to three cities, as well as two policy development grants to two cities.

The predevelopment grants to Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis and Saint Paul will support early stages of development for projects that grow the local tax base, build more homes, and add commercial space. Predevelopment funds are used for community engagement, stormwater management, staging and site plans, architectural designs for affordable housing, mentoring for new/and or small developers, and market and feasibility studies. More information on the awards can be found here.

The policy development grants are to Mahtomedi and Minnetonka. The policy development grants support locally adopted policies that further LCA goals and have an impact on physical development in the city. More information on the awards can be found here.

 

SouthWest Transit Receives Grant Awards

SouthWest Transit, which serves the cities of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, and Carver was awarded $8.1 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding to buy electric buses and charging equipment for their fleet. $1.6 billion in federal funds were made available as a part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill with the goal of doubling the number of clean transit buses across the country. SouthWest Transit’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2024 outlines several climate and energy-related goals. Click HERE to view a press release from the FTA on the Low or No Emission Grant Program and HERE to view a full list of FY22 grant awards.

Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.

 

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