Council members & districts

Phillip Sterner

Metropolitan Council Member, District 15  |   See District 15 map and cities

Sterner has been the owner and president of Sterner Insurance in Apple Valley since 1983. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2009 to 2011, where he was vice chair of the Local Government division. He served on the Rosemount City Council from 2005 through 2008, and before that, on the Rosemount Park and Recreation Commission for six years.

Q&A

What do you think is most on the minds of people in your district?
Safe and plentiful drinking water, and safe, comprehensive, quality transportation and trail options. Also affordable housing that helps support our robust economy and growing population.

What will be your priority focus area in 2019?
I would like to focus on transportation and trails needs for work, recreation and school. And I would like to make sure that clean water for everyone continues to be something we all count on. I also would like to see if there are additional opportunities for safe, quality investments in our region.

What are the biggest changes you would you like to see in the Twin Cities region by 2040?
I would like to explore all options for transportation including growing our fleet of electric buses. I would like to see preservation of quality farmland, pristine parks and lakes, and affordable sustainable housing.

More personally, what do you like to do when you’re not working?
I like to spend time in nature: hiking in the woods, watching waterfalls and rivers, and looking at birds and animals. I play softball, tennis and pickleball. I also have a passion for visiting restaurants, breweries and wineries, and trying new foods and beverages. I enjoy watching sports and listening to music. I am also a museum and historical site junkie with a wide variety of interests.

Biography

Phillip Sterner lives in Burnsville and represents District 15, which includes the Dakota County cities of Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount.

Sterner has been the owner and president of Sterner Insurance in Apple Valley since 1983 and involved in the insurance business since 1981. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2009 to 2011 where he was vice chair of the Local Government division. He served on the Rosemount City Council from 2005 through 2008, and before that, on the Rosemount Park and Recreation Commission for six years.

“I’m passionate about bringing transportation to people,” Sterner said. “It starts with having great ‘wheelability’ and walkability, and ensuring safety for people as we integrate different transportation modes. We can also focus on making the transit experience very positive, by providing Wi-Fi, comfortable transit stops, and other amenities.

“I’m also an advocate for sustainability, whether it is in the transit system, the wastewater system or as we create or preserve affordable housing,” he said. “We need to look for more opportunities to harness wind and solar power and geothermal power where we can. I am a longtime environmental advocate and I bring that interest to the Council.”

Sterner has five adult children. He enjoys a wide variety of live music, plays, and lectures. He also attends many sporting events and has a passion for playing tennis, volleyball, and softball. He loves to travel and meet new people. Sterner also finds peace and aliveness in the outdoors by hiking, camping, canoeing, and observing nature.

Committee assignments

Contact Information
390 Robert St. N.
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 612-930-6768

phillip.sterner@metc.state.mn.us

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Appointed

Sterner was appointed to the Metropolitan Council by Gov. Tim Walz in March 2019.