Metropolitan Council seeks applicants for regional parks commission

Applications for east metro district due at the end of August

ST. PAUL - July, 31, 2008 - The Metropolitan Council is taking applications for an east metro vacancy on the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission (MPOSC), which helps the Council develop long-range plans for regional parks, park reserves and trails.

The open seat in District G, composed of Metro Council Districts 13 and 14, represents all of St. Paul, as well as the Dakota County cities of Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul. Candidates must live in the district and would serve the remainder of a term that ends in January 2009.

The MPOSC includes eight citizen members who represent geographic districts across the seven-county metro area, and a chair who serves at-large. The regional parks system includes 49 regional parks and park reserves, more than170 miles of trails currently open to the public and six special recreation areas, including the Como Zoo and Conservatory.

See a map of MPOSC districts (pdf).

Members of the commission do not receive per diem pay, but are compensated for mileage and parking. The commission meets once or twice per month.

Interested applicants should contact the Secretary of State's Office at (651) 297-5845 or visit the Secretary of State’s web site. Applications must be returned to the Secretary of State by the end of the business day on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008.

For more information on the MPOSC or regional parks, call the Council’s parks planners, Arne Stefferud at 651.602.1360 or Jan Youngquist at 651.602.1029, or see the Council’s Parks information.

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

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