Russ Susag resigns from Metro Council

Richfield resident has long record of civic involvement

Russell Susag, a member of the Metropolitan Council for the last five years, has resigned to help care for his wife, Mary, who is recovering from a major illness.

Council Member Russ Susag

Susag, a former member of the Richfield City Council, was appointed to the Met Council by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2003 and reappointed in 2007. His district included the cities of Richfield, Bloomington and Edina.

In announcing his resignation at the Council’s March 12 meeting, Susag told his colleagues he once opposed the Met Council’s direction and called for its elimination. However, he credited Chair Peter Bell with adopting a more collaborative approach to working with local governments and building greater public support for the Council.

“It has been a delight to serve under Peter Bell and work with the outstanding, dedicated staff of the Council,” he said.

Bell, in turn, said he was “extremely honored to have served with Council member Susag.” He said he appreciated “Russ’s wry sense of humor and his knowledge about a wide range of issues, particularly our wastewater collection and treatment system.”

A civil engineer with a Ph.D. in sanitary engineering, Susag worked as a manager for the system in its early years and later served on the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission before its merger with the Met Council in 1994.

While on the Council, Susag chaired a task force that developed a plan to reduce the amount of clear water entering the wastewater system through inflow and infiltration (I/I). Excessive I/I consumes system capacity needed to serve future growth. During major storms, it also can cause sewer backups, resulting in threats to human health and the environment.

Susag has deep roots in his community. In addition to serving on the Richfield City Council for eight years, he has served as president of the Richfield Tourism Board and as vice-chair of the Richfield Planning Commission.

The governor is expected to establish a nominating committee to screen candidates for the Council seat vacated by Susag.