Metro Cities News 9/30/22

 

In This Issue:

 

Private Inflow & Infiltration Grant Task Force

Metropolitan Council staff presented information on private property inflow and infiltration at this week’s Environment Committee meeting. Recent changes to Minnesota law allows the Metropolitan Council to establish a private property inflow and infiltration prevention program and make loans or grants to private property owners.

The Council will convene a task force to develop program guidelines for grants. The proposed task force will include municipal employees (engineers, public works, finance, and building officials), city administrators, and Metro Cities staff. The task force is anticipated to begin in November and will run until April 2023. Metro Cities will provide information and updates as recommendations for a grant program are developed and solicit input from cities on program criteria and requirements. Click HERE to view the presentation materials for this item.

 

Metro Cities Policy Adoption Meeting: Mark Your Calendar

Metro Cities’ legislative policies will receive final adoption at Metro Cities’ Policy Adoption Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, November 17th at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be virtual, and will feature two guest speakers: Brian Bakst, MN Public Radio, and Briana Bierschbach, Star Tribune, who will discuss the November elections. Please mark your calendar! More information to follow. Legislative policies will be posted for review once they are adopted by the Board of Directors in October, and in advance of the policy adoption meeting. Questions? Email Jennifer Dorn at [email protected]

 

2023-2028 Capital Programs for Transportation and MCES

Information on the 2023-2028 capital programs for transportation and environmental services was presented to members during this week’s Metropolitan Council committee meetings. See below for highlights and links to presentation materials.

Transportation Division Proposed 2023-2028 Transit Capital Program
The proposed 2023-2028 CIP contains $3.021 billion in planned investments. This includes both Green Line and Blue Line extension projects. Without the LRT Transitway projects the total is $1.413 billion. The CIP covers the entire regional transit system including Metro Transit, Metropolitan Transportation Services, and suburban transit providers.

The CIP focuses on several key goals:

  • Expanding the transit network.
  • Creating faster and more reliable service.
  • Improving the customer experience.
  • Improving existing facilities.
  • Enhancing safety and security.
  • Investing in the workplace (employee spaces and facilities).
  • Sustainable investment, including zero emission buses.

The CIP will be officially before the Metropolitan Council at their October 12th meeting. Following a public comment period, the Capital Program will be considered for full adoption on December 14th, 2022. Click HERE to view the CIP presentation materials.

Environmental Services (MCES) 2023-2028 Capital Program
The proposed 2023 capital program includes $1.263 billion as a part of the Authorized Capital Program (ACP) and $778 million coming from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for a total of $2.041 billion.

The three objectives cited in the Capital Program materials include:

  • Preserve Assets: Rehabilitate and replace assets to preserve value and performance.
  • Meet Capacity Needs: Expand system capacity through plant expansions and interceptor extensions or improvements.
  • Improve Quality: Improve quality of service by responding to more stringent regulations, reusing wastewater, increasing system reliability, and conserving and generating energy.

The Capital Program will be formally presented to council members next month with final adoption of the 2023 Program taking place in December. Click HERE to view the full presentation materials. Click HERE to view the MCES 2023 Capital Program.

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

 

2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program Adopted

The Metropolitan Council adopted the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) on Wednesday following the 45-day public comment period and recommendation by the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and Transportation Committee. The TIP lists funded transportation projects within the metropolitan planning area. The 2023-2026 TIP contains approximately $5.6 billion in highway, freight, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. About 56% of total spending is from federal sources with 10% from state sources, and 34% from local/other sources. The TIP includes $2.8 billion for transit, $2.4 billion for highways and roads, $120 million for non-motorized transportation, and $386 million for all other projects.

Click HERE to view the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program. Click HERE to view the TIP Public Comment Report.

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

 

Metro Cities Staff — Charlie Vander Aarde

Charlie Vander Aarde, Government Relations Specialist for Metro Cities, is leaving the association this month for a new position in public affairs with Tunheim. Charlie has worked for Metro Cities for 11 years, with a focus in the areas of housing, economic development and redevelopment policy and funding issues. Charlie is an exceptionally talented and valued member of the Metro Cities team who has helped advance the organization’s goals in many ways over the years. We’ll miss Charlie’s skills, talents, and not least, his good humor and wit. Wishing Charlie all the best in his new role!

 

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