In This Issue:
- Co-Chairs Announced for House Committees
- Metropolitan Council Committee Acts on Transit Items
- Openings on Transportation Advisory Board (TAB)
Co-Chairs Announced for House Committees
Leaders from both caucuses in the Minnesota House have named co-chairs for 23 committees and one division, following the results of the November election and a 67-67 tie in the House. Representatives Demuth and Hortman have been named leaders of their respective caucuses and jointly released the list of committee co-chairs on Monday. Click HERE to view the list. Committees will have equal representation from each party. Full committee rosters will be announced at a later date. The Legislative session will begin on January 14, 2025.
Metropolitan Council Committee Acts on Transit Items
The Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee met on Monday to act on several business items. See below for highlights and a link to a recording of the meeting.
Blue Line Extension
Many items from Monday’s meeting moved approval for funding agreements for the METRO Blue Line Extension project, including those for MnDOT and Hennepin County staffing needs, engineering services, and space for the project’s office in St. Louis Park. The committee also authorized the Regional Administrator to execute a grant agreement for $10 million for the Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity Program (ACPP). Members of a work group on anti-displacement were appointed to an Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity Program (ACPP) Board by the Minnesota Legislature in 2024. Earlier this year the overall budget for this project was estimated at $3.2 billion. A new update to the budget will be developed in 2025 to reflect changes in the project design and commitments in the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Green Line Extension
Business items before the Transportation Committee included amending agreements and contracts in place for the METRO Green Line Extension project. Contracts cover freight rail flagging services, office space, capital grant agreements with Hennepin County, design consulting work, management support services, and quality management services. The Council also voted to approve the updated project cost estimate of $2.86 billion and the revised schedule that anticipates revenue service beginning in 2027.
Transit Funding Allocation Policy
The funding allocation policy approved by the Committee will set the basis for further updates in the next few years and will include details on the allocation of regional sales tax funding, federal funding, and requirements for coordinated regional transit systems. A key aspect that informs allocation decisions is the Council’s long-range financial forecast of revenues and expenditures. These forecasts use a 25-year time horizon and are updated annually. Another critical piece of this policy describes the way funds are allocated to replacement service (suburban) providers. For 2025, the Council will use an interim funding allocation based on the share of 2023 regional ridership for each transit service ($17 million of the 2025 sales tax collections). An ongoing allocation policy for these providers will be developed and implemented effective 2026.
Click HERE to view the full agenda along with a recording of Monday’s Transportation Committee. Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Openings on Transportation Advisory Board (TAB)
Metro Cities is accepting applications to fill two openings on the Transportation Advisory Board (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 TAB appointees must be elected officials. Metro Cities guidelines for appointments require high priority for balance with respect to geography and city size.
There are no term limits, but members are re-appointed every two years and must meet attendance requirements to qualify for reappointment. Guidelines give preference to those who agree to serve on Metro Cities’ Transportation Policy Committee.
Applications will be accepted until end of day Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Candidates should submit a completed questionnaire, letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Dorn at [email protected]. Contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected] with any questions.