[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6079847,"mediaKeyId","2953884-266ee2697eeea0bea2c17fb4ab8c8619","parentId",2953884,"title","Council defends Southwest Light Rail project after Office of Legislative Auditors hearing; says work is 85% complete and on track for 2027 opening","audioSeconds",65,"startMs",1092000,"endMs",1157000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953884-266ee2697eeea0bea2c17fb4ab8c8619&start=1092&end=1157","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953884-266ee2697eeea0bea2c17fb4ab8c8619/thumbnail_1092000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079847/Minnesota/Council-defends-Southwest-Light-Rail-project-after-Office-of-Legislative-Auditors-hearing-says-work-is-85-complete-and-on-track-for-2027-opening","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079847-6e5bef2266e4ede8cf39a0832cc318b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770740150&Signature=aYxW8bvr2TUaNlgSw~Nn4VyzYwiDtbdPk4p94~aPiANzrvwfWCUouDwiwL2CmDolwxVoHR2CrTvJKBLWH3zWgufOtfyiIRP1w3GtKP-gyplgDp3EO-20irHie~iL2fj2k7WcVvdRS~mkHK7ft~ZZwQR8~jRLujkSLLM2bNl9ljWAONi~lmWALP85LfNXSaipr44g0gct8lVt4wyc3Jket7jAWxILZ~owDFzTQonhJbo4gW~AtK6JiaSk1adDqhzYrTChjHWjqy5XgdIaRorAeTqN3sLR1vGODBRi0ewxjkRpVUqm-wW0egPzBKfUFnpGpRGH7Dgqzfi57nDYb7sxJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Metropolitan Council","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","Metropolitan Council leaders told members on April 9 that they had appeared before an oversight committee and the Office of Legislative Auditors (OLA) to answer questions about the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project and that much of the criticism reflected earlier work and conditions.

Chair Charlie Zelle and council members acknowledged the project had been over budget in earlier years but said recent progress justifies cautious optimism: \"85% done, we are on track to be open in 2027,\" Zelle said. He told the council the criticisms aired at the OLA hearing largely concerned field work and decisions made four to five years ago.

Why it matters: SWLRT is a major regional capital project with significant budget, schedule and public interest implications. Oversight hearings can influence public confidence and potential legislative or funding decisions.

Council response and context
Zelle said private conversations with OLA staff and follow-up work indicated the project team \"have come a long way\" since earlier stages. He said the council acknowledged earlier budgetary issues and that council leadership and staff worked to keep the project moving and protect taxpayer interests.

\"When we said the taxpayers have been well represented, we mean it,\" Zelle said, adding that council members must take a long view given the project's history and scale.

No new schedule changes or budget authorizations were recorded at the April 9 meeting. Council members said they would continue to monitor the project and report progress; Zelle said he planned to visit the project office to thank the team.

Next steps
Council officials said they will keep the council informed and return with additional information as it becomes available. The council did not take a vote related to SWLRT at the April 9 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Metropolitan Council April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council officials told members the Metropolitan Council faced criticism at an oversight hearing about the Southwest Light Rail project, but defended project staff, said the project is 85% complete and on track to open in 2027 while acknowledging earlier budget problems.","taxTitle","Metropolitan Council, Agencies, Boards, & Commissions, Executive, Minnesota","taxId",36731,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6079852,"Metropolitan Council officials report community listening as Northstar evaluation continues",135,851000,986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953884-266ee2697eeea0bea2c17fb4ab8c8619&start=851&end=986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953884-266ee2697eeea0bea2c17fb4ab8c8619/thumbnail_851000.jpg","/articles/6079852/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-officials-report-community-listening-as-Northstar-evaluation-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079852-523b0d97a6c976702b641984ef899a01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770740150&Signature=MAa36-~Pl1AakJfllds7t6hLZrPoTMW2Rj691~7rWIM1~PLXY6ByDKMdq6l1sZshrPo-qwrb7JUP7ZqZwQ5bXifGk4eccM1y6qer4fDVv7Ldh8f3y7oTIW8GajEi449cbyX99YBoiLLC1ojcxM7nztGf8eFXEAE6dqOIcBFAoeeRuD8zqz0R~~oeXpf8909zWI-GcM1Wt6THrdjqWARYA8aOG2Vcp76t4-NUlFuFGYWnG~JvwFiN~vM~K9i16JcSoRtOKQ1aQEG~qf9S1NPNHCq~0~v874yhCX-SDLwi9ckuIN6USpjuKrEA15iecFHT1BWXWQJf1tGj12tC6urnjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Metropolitan Council officials on April 9 said they are continuing community outreach and evaluation work around the Northstar commuter rail corridor and described recent conversations with communities in Anoka and Sherburne counties as \"productive and positive.\"

Regional Administrator Ryan told the council staff and members took part in listening sessions in communities along the corridor and emphasized that, despite lower-than-expected ridership, transit-oriented development and pedestrian improvements built around Northstar remain community assets.

Why it matters: The Northstar evaluation may inform service changes, investments or alternative uses of the corridor; council members said they want to preserve benefits such as adjacent development and pedestrian access while aligning service with current travel demand.

What council members heard
Ryan said the conversations focused on community concerns and opportunities and that officials are preparing additional community engagement sessions in the affected areas. \"It was a listening chance for us as much as sharing anything about what our community is most concerned about,\" Ryan said.

Council Member Diego Morales and others described the meetings as opportunities to surface local priorities. Officials emphasized that improving or changing service could build on existing transit-oriented development rather than reduce community value.

\"These assets where the value comes in does not necessarily degrade if you think about increasing service in new and improved ways that match today's travel demands, it actually offers opportunities to further build on what has been built,\" Ryan said.

Next steps
Council staff said they will continue community outreach around the Northstar corridor and report back to the council as additional evaluation findings and public input are gathered. No formal decisions or votes on service changes were recorded at the April 9 meeting.","Council members and staff described recent community conversations in Anoka and Sherburne counties as part of an ongoing evaluation of the Northstar commuter rail line and said outreach will continue.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6079856,"Metropolitan Council approves minutes, three consent items and multiple advisory appointments",322,221000,543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953884-266ee2697eeea0bea2c17fb4ab8c8619&start=221&end=543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953884-266ee2697eeea0bea2c17fb4ab8c8619/thumbnail_221000.jpg","/articles/6079856/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-approves-minutes-three-consent-items-and-multiple-advisory-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079856-2afc58d71de2b698b3d0521c2c57fe63/orig.mp4?Expires=1770740150&Signature=jMpe6zV8kThQUmI5STt6Ss-nU3SLNh7cbUnCdDqjtUebDV-lmgnTwiwimhyFm5CoqTT8i7PGJnDp1~TEj82-mx93ir1hYDKxRs3LVJEwLYu8wSdn7B3H13y-YcHWrggOpnK-ObZc~Zm1-VwTaqLRPvTIqAo9YeEIGQHUIcXdYtOpH-g4qXiySL4h7et3-Nwgh0fkAU6WsEf5LoMvDg7DG8G6j0QN7B5BxTbHf8s5Y4cRXduRW7NjIbVduAXIEUuW6Sojil7GJci5NJpSPH-cdTJez5wkSWzwSX9btrDs1-w7LRURTQiC9hiPRcOI-TVXqaLe2A3lH8MjX1hb5NbrlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Council on April 9 approved meeting minutes and three consent business items, confirmed an alternate to the Transportation Advisory Board and ratified 16 appointments to its Land Use Advisory Committee.

Chair Charlie Zelle opened the session and described the agenda as short but important. The council voted by voice on routine business after hearing no objections.

Why it matters: The Transportation Advisory Board helps set priorities for federal transportation disbursements in the region; the Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC) advises the council on planning and local land-use matters. Filling advisory seats keeps both bodies able to represent jurisdictions across the council's seven-county region and to participate in federal and regional processes.

Minutes and consent items approved
Council members moved and seconded routine business items and approved the minutes from the council’s March 26 meeting and three consent business items by voice vote; no opposition was recorded on the transcript.

Appointments confirmed
Chair Zelle recommended Rachel Chinitz as the District H alternate to the Transportation Advisory Board; he said the recommendation was determined in consultation with the nominating committee, Council Member Deb Barber and MTS Director Charles Carlson. The council approved the appointment by voice vote.

The council also ratified appointments to the Land Use Advisory Committee after a nominating process led by Council Member Diego Morales and Council Member Wendy Wolf. The ratified appointees listed on the record were: Tom McKee (mayor, Corcoran), Lona Doolan (St. Anthony City Council), Eric Anderson, Gerald Brunner (Watertown Township board supervisor), Kathy Hoffer, Sean Hayford O'Leary (Richfield City Council), Robert Glisky, Gunnar Carlson, Noah Keller, Birketta Jilo, Dan Rowe (mayor, Roseville), Kristen Liddy (Scandia City Council), William Droste (Dakota County commissioner), Mei Chong Yang (Ramsey County commissioner) and Daniel Walter (Lakeville City Council). Council members noted two LUAC district vacancies remain; Morales said one vacancy has another interview scheduled and asked for assistance recruiting for the remaining seat.

Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes of March 26 meeting — Motion to approve; voice vote; outcome: approved (no opposing votes recorded).
- Approve three consent business items — Motion to approve; voice vote; outcome: approved (no opposing votes recorded).
- Approve appointment of Rachel Chinitz as District H alternate to Transportation Advisory Board — Motion and second; voice vote; outcome: approved.
- Ratify Land Use Advisory Committee appointments (list of appointees as recorded) — Motion and second; voice vote; outcome: approved.

What council members said
\"We do not have a robust agenda. In fact we have a, not a, we have a short agenda, but it's really important so I appreciate everybody being here,\" Chair Charlie Zelle said at the meeting's start.

Council Member Diego Morales said the LUAC still needs help filling one vacancy and that \"we do have 1 more interview set up for this week for 1 of the vacancies, but we would need help for 1 of the districts, I think it's District 15, that we still have pending.\" The council asked members to assist with recruitment.

Next steps
Appointees will serve on their respective advisory bodies; the council did not specify effective dates or terms for the appointments on the record. The council moved next to informational updates and closed the meeting after routine business.","At its April 9 meeting in St. Paul, the Metropolitan Council approved the March 26 minutes, three consent business items and ratified appointments to the Transportation Advisory Board and the Land Use Advisory Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council defends Southwest Light Rail project after Office of Legislative Auditors hearing; says work is 85% complete and on track for 2027 opening

Metropolitan Council officials report community listening as Northstar evaluation continues

Metropolitan Council approves minutes, three consent items and multiple advisory appointments