Transportation issues again top local concerns

Council Chair Peter Bell meets with officials in Anoka County

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
(651) 602-1357

ST. PAUL – Aug. 4, 2009 – When Anoka County officials and Metropolitan Council members met to discuss regional concerns July 29, one issue stood out above the others: Transportation.

Council Chair Peter Bell and Council members Georgie Hilker, Tony Pistilli, Kris Sanda and Natalie Steffen joined the Anoka County officials group in Columbus for the first meeting of the District Dialogues for 2009. The annual series provides an opportunity for Council officials to meet with city, county and state officials to discuss top local and regional concerns.

Bell updated the group on a number of issues, including the transit budget outlook following the 2009 legislative session, and future challenges related to funding streams that support wastewater treatment.

With an underperforming Motor Vehicle Sales Tax, additional revenues are needed to support the budget, including federal stimulus funds and the temporary transfer of dollars from other Council programs.

“We did remarkably well in a very challenging budgetary time,” said Bell.

In terms of wastewater treatment funding, the Council may seek some flexibility from the Legislature to manage the two sources of revenue – the Service Availability Charge (SAC) and the flow charges. With development at historic lows and a dry summer, the region is experiencing lower revenues for sewer infrastructure, Bell said.

Bell also discussed a project “near and dear” to Anoka County officials – the opening of the Northstar Line from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis, where it will meet the Hiawatha line in a station adjacent to the new Minnesota Twins ballpark.

“I’m very excited about the opening of Northstar,” said Steffen, noting that celebratory events will be planned near each station when service begins late this year.

Progress on the $133 million Urban Partnership Agreement to reduce congestion in the I-35W corridor will bring the first bus-rapid transit project to the southern half of the corridor, Bell said, and new park-and-ride ramps in Blaine at 95th Avenue and at County Road C in Roseville.

Officials asked about development of additional transit routes to serve the area – specifically along Highway 65 and from the county to downtown St. Paul. Bell noted that the Highway 65 corridor is identified in the Council’s Transportation Policy Plan for additional study. He also supports an east-metro transit hub at the Union Depot, which received $500,000 in the 2009 bonding bill from the Legislature. But he warned that ridership estimates need to be high enough to warrant service.

Proceeds from the constitutional amendment to designate a portion of the state’s sales tax to the environment and arts are also improving park facilities in Anoka County. And a new Regional Parks Foundation is working to raise funds to meet the Council’s challenge of expanding the current regional park system to nearly 70,000 acres and regional trail miles to 877.

“One of the truly bi-partisan issues in our region is support for parks,” Bell said. “Everyone loves parks, and parks are the most popular feature of our region for residents, too.”

Bell also thanked community leaders and their staff members for their efforts to submit comprehensive plan updates on time. Council staff are currently reviewing the plans and several have already received Council approval.

Officials from Anoka County communities expressed gratitude for the work of the Council and for efforts to improve relationships over the past several years.

“We really appreciate the staff and members of the Met Council,” said Blaine Mayor Tom Ryan.

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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