Council seeks applicants for regional parks commission

Applications for north, east and southeast metro openings due Dec. 12

ST. PAUL--Nov. 20, 2008--The Metropolitan Council is taking applications for three seats on the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission (MPOSC), which helps the Council develop long-range plans for the Twin Cities renowned system of regional parks, park reserves and trails.

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.

The three openings are in District E in the north metro, District F in the east metro and District H in the southeast metro.

District E is composed of Metro Council Districts 9 and 10, which includes the Anoka County cities of Andover, Anoka, Bethel, Blaine, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lexington, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey, St. Francis, and the town of Linwood, and the Ramsey County cities of Arden Hills, Blaine, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.

District F is composed of Council Districts 11 and 12, which includes the Anoka County cities of Centerville, Columbus and Lino Lakes, the Ramsey County cities of Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, the town of White Bear, and all of Washington County.

District H is composed of Council Districts 15 and 16, which includes all of Dakota County except its northern communities of Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul.

Candidates must live in the district and would serve a four-year term.
See a map of the MPOSC districts (pdf).

Members of the commission do not receive per diem pay, but may be 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 Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.

See more information on the MPOSC or regional parks, or call Ann Beckman at 651.602.166.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning agency for the seven-county metro area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system; collects and treats wastewater and manages water resources preservation; plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The 17-member Metropolitan Council is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Minnesota Governor.

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