Dialogues cover a wide range of concerns

Council Chair Peter Bell updated attendees at the District Dialogues on a number of regional issues:

Council budget: The Council had projected a $62 million deficit in transit operations for 2010-11, due to the under-performance of the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax. The Council was able to shift some funds, use federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act money, and adjust expenses to cover the deficit, without cutting transit service or raising fares.

Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell speaks at the District Dialogue held in Woodbury.
Northstar Line and Central Corridor: The Council opened the new Northstar Line for commuters on Nov. 16; officials from the Council are working to resolve issues with the University of Minnesota on the Central Corridor light rail project between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Council hopes to begin the final design process in early 2010, with construction expected to begin in late 2010.
Urban Partnership Agreement: This project brought $133 million in federal funds to the region for congestion relief and will help launch the region’s first bus-rapid transit project along Cedar Avenue and I-35W from Lakeville. New MnPASS lanes on I-35W and improved bus lanes on Marquette and 2nd Avenues in downtown Minneapolis opened this fall, as did new express bus service from two new Lakeville park-and-rides.
Transit corridor development: A number of transit corridors are being studied throughout the region, as identified in the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan adopted in January 2009. Hennepin County has chosen its preferred route for Southwest Corridor light rail; the Locally Preferred Alternative will be submitted to the Council for consideration.
Recovery Act funds: The Council’s Transportation Advisory Board helped allocate $168 million for state transportation projects, $80 million for regional projects, and $70 million for transit projects throughout the region through the federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Transit bonds: The 2009 legislature allocated $21 million in bonds for regional transit projects, including the Central Corridor, Maplewood Mall transit center, Southwest Corridor, Union Depot and Cedar Avenue bus-rapid transit.

Arlene McCarthy, director of the Council’s Metropolitan Transportation Services division, responds to a question.
Comprehensive plan updates: Chair Peter Bell praised communities for timeliness in submitting updated comprehensive plans for Council review. More than 95% of the plans have been submitted, and nearly 70% have gone through the review process – nearly double the amount that had been reviewed by this point during the comprehensive planning update process 10 years ago. The Council will compile an aggregated view of the comprehensive plans to identify trends and other key information from the plans submitted.
Highway System Study: The Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are conducting a study to assess resources that will be available for highway system improvements in the next 50 years. The study will focus on wringing as much as possible out of existing roadway capacity in the region, as well as needs for additional capacity.
Dial-a-ride transit services: New dial-a-ride transit services will begin in early 2010. The new system will create consistency among operating parameters, fares, and contract management. The 20 vendors and organizations currently providing services in specific areas will be consolidated into five service areas. Greater coordination with and among areas beyond the city/county boundaries will be available through the regional system.
Recent changes in wastewater charges: The regional wastewater collection and treatment system has two sources of revenue – the Service Accessibility Charge (SAC), which developers pay to connect to the regional sewer system, and the flow charges that communities pay for collection and treatment. The Council recently changed the way the charges are calculated, which will mean increases in municipal charges averaging 4% starting in 2010. A task force, co-chaired by Council Members Peggy Leppik and Roger Scherer, will examine these fees and make recommendations to assure long-term sustainability.
Regional Parks Foundation: The new private foundation will work to raise funds to help achieve the goal to expand the region’s park system to 70,000 acres and 880 miles of trails.