Council makes appointments to the Livable Communities Advisory Committee

Committee reviews and recommends Livable Communities grant applications

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357

ST. PAUL—July 12, 2007—The Metropolitan Council has appointed three new members and reappointed a fourth to the Livable Communities Advisory Committee to serve three-year terms. In addition, the Council reappointed Ruth Grendahl of Apple Valley to serve as committee chair. The chair does not serve a set term.

The advisory committee reviews local government applications for funding from the Livable Communities Demonstration Account for development and redevelopment projects that promote mixed-use development and demonstrate land uses that connect housing, jobs and services, including transit.

In addition to the chair, the committee is composed of 12 members who represent various areas of expertise established in bylaws. Four of the 12 seats on the committee come up for reappointment each year.

Among the appointments:

Blair Tremere, a public affairs consultant with expertise in local government planning and community development.
Peggy Lucas, a partner with Brighton Development with expertise in redevelopment.
Fred Dock, a consulting transportation and land use engineer with expertise in the relationship between transportation and development. Dock has previously served on the advisory committee.
Lance Neckar, a landscape architect and professor at the U of M with expertise in site design.

After reviewing the projects according to established criteria, the committee evaluates and recommends projects to the Metropolitan Council for approval. Funding for Livable Communities Demonstration Account projects is typically awarded once a year.

“There is intense competition for these funds,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “The advisory committee reviews funding requests that total many, many more dollars than we actually have available. Some years, requests have totaled $40 million or more, while the grant money we typically have available is $7 million or more each year. The committee performs a terrific service for the region by reviewing and recommending projects for funding; funding that helps local units of government in a meaningful way.”

Communities that compete for funding must participate in the Livable Communities program. More that 100 cities and townships currently participate.

See a complete list of all advisory committee members (pdf).

More information on the Livable Communities program.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, manages regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.