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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.F.3. Met Council News Release Council seeks applicants for Regional Parks Commission - August 2007. Metropolitan Council News Release l ~ . F. 3 :....... ..........; ...... ....i.." ". .,.... ..A........ .... .... ..', .~ .... ......~.. ..' . . ......"'....._.:...: '''A' ....'.... ...d..:........ . ""', ".'. .... '-.. " ., " ." '.' ..... " " '.'. ". .,' ... . " . '-"-'..' ,- . -'. . .... . m,' J - --,-. . . ", '-",-.', '.. "':-:' ." '.- .,.,', _~.;.;.~.:::::;:.~;:::,:;~:::~~~:~~,~~:::~~j::;..f"7';j1! NEWS RELEASE Council seeks applicants for Regional Parks Commission -~ ~ Applications due at the end of August Contact: Bonnie Kollodge (651) 602-1357 ST. PAUL - Aug. 7, 2007 - The Metropolitan Council is taking applications for four positions 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 MPOSC includes eight citizen members who represent geographic districts across the seven-county metro area, and a chair that 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. Candidates must reside in the district for which they seek appointment. The Council is seeking applicants for four-year terms to represent: . District A (Council districts 1. and 2) . District 1 includes Champlin, Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Independence, Loretto, Maple Grove, Maple Plain, Medicine Lake, Medina Plymouth, and Rogers and the town of Hassan in Hennepin County. . District 2 includes Co(umbia Heights, Fridley, Hilltop and Spring Lake Park in Anoka County, and Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Osseo and Robbinsdale in Hennepin County. District B (Council districts 3 and 4) . District 3 includes Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland in Hennepin County. . District 4 includes Carver County, the Hennepin County cities of Minnetrista and St. Bonifacius, and Scott County. District C (Council districts 5 and 6) . District 5 includes the Hennepin County cities of Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield and Fort Snelling. . District 6 includes Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, St. Louis Park and a western portion of Minneapolis. District D (Council districts 7 and 8) . Districts 7 and 8 include most of Minneapolis and St. Anthony. For a map of MPOSC districts, see www.metrocouncil.orgjaboutjParksCommissionMap.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 at http://www.sos.state.mn.usjhomejindex.asp?page::::::5 Applications must be returned to the Secretary of State by the end of the business day on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. For more information on the MPOSC or regional parks, call the Council's parks planner, Arne Stefferud at 651-602-1360, or visit www.metrocouncil.orgjparksjparks.htm . http://www.metrocouncil.org/news/2007/news_580.html(1 of 2) [9/4/2007 9:20:41 AM] Council seeks applicants for Regional Parks Commission - August 2007. Metropolitan Council News Release 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. -30- Return to News Releases Home I Services I About Us I Meetings & Events I Resource, Reports & Data Regional Transportation I Jobs I Contact Us I Site Search @ 2006 Metropolitan Council. All Rights Reserved. Last modified: Tuesday August 07 2007 http://www.metrocouncil.org/news/2007/news_580.html (2 of 2) [9/4/20079:20:41 AM] August 30,2007 Mr. Peter Bell Ms. Mary Hill Smith Metropolitan Council 390 North Robert Street. St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Dear Mr. Bell and Ms. Smith, I have learned that Scott County resident Jon Brekke is a candidate for the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, and I want to offer this letter of support for his candidacy. Jon served previously as the Mayor of Shakopee. During a time of unprecedented growth, Jon provided leadership for t~e acquisition and development of new parks and trails. In addition, he recognized that maintaining the existing infrastructure was important in sustaining the high quality of life for Shakopee residents. In addition to his work on Shakopee's parks and trail system, Jon was an effective collabo~ator with other organizations in Scott County. He consistently pursued opportunities to work together with other civic and government organizations. As a result of his work, we were able to build relationships and gain efficiency and effectiveness throughout the County. Thank you for your consideration of Mr. Brekke's candidacy. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at Sincerely, (Mayor/City Administrator) August 29~ 2007 Office of the Secretary of State, Open Appointments 180 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martjn Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155.1299 Dear Appointing Authority, Please consider my application for the vacancy on the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission of the Metropolitan Council. I would be honored to serve the region in this capacity. I am greatly interested in setting aside and developing wonderful natural areas for the enjoyment of present and future generations. As former Mayor of Shako pee, one of my strongest interests was in the area of parkland acquisition and development. During my tenure, the City Council approved the development of large acreages of parkland and unprecedented new miles of paved trails for recreational enjoyment. That tradition of park land development continues today in Shakopee. I envision a future where people readily find peace and solitude in natural areas within minutes of urban development, throughout the region. The Twin Cities area has long been a leader in developing such natural places. I would be excited to contribute to that. legacy. Additionally, I remain an advocate ofthe development of interconnected trail systems that give people transportation options outside of motor vehicles. These trails can be used for transportation, recreation, and family enjoyment. And families in this region shouldn't need to travel far to find these opportunities. As an avid daily runner, I really enjoy parks and trails. Those are the best places to run. I would enjoy contributing to their development. I am grateful for your consideration of my application. Best, ~~ Jon Brekke Jon P. Brekke 905 Wild Rose Court Shakopee, MN 55379 Home Phone: 952-496-1166 E-mail: jbrekke@grenergy.com WORK HISTORY 7/05 - present Vice President, Member Services, Great River Energy, Elk River, MN - Executive responsibility for functional areas including resource planning, load forecasting, capacity planning, market operations, environmental services, member services, and demand-side management. - Member of GRE's senior staff executive team. - Manage relationships with GRE's 28 member,cooperatives. 1/98 - 7/05 Vice President, Finance and Planning, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative, Jordan MN - Managed the functional areas of finance, accounting, consumer billing and information systems for a $30 million electric distribution utility. - Responsibilities included planning, coordinating and leading the finance and information technology personnel, resources, strategies and initiatives. .. Served as organization's chief fmancial executive, managing all aspects of financial strategy. - Negotiated and secured long-term contracts covering all of the organization's future power supply needs. - Coordinated the organization's strategic planning processes. 1/94 -1/98 Senior Software Engineer, Business Information Systems, West Group, Eagan, MN - Planned, coordinated and implemented information systems solutions for various business functions. - Developed software solutions for sales force automation, payroll, and human resources. - Technical experience included Visual Basic, SQL, C++, PUI. 12/92 -1/94 Banking Officer, Citizens State Bank, Shakopee, MN . Managed portfolio of real estate, consumer, student and commercial loans. - Provided financing services to customers in order to achieve solid banking relationships. - Coordinated and implemented detailed marketing plans. - Spearheaded proactive loan review and collections efforts. 9/92 -12/92 Gra,duate Research Assistant, University of Minnesota ~ Co-authored the research publication: Minnesota Rural Real Estate Market in 1992. - Compiled, analyzed and interpreted primary survey data of agricultural land sales. 4/90 - 9/91 Grain Merchandiser, Peavey Grain Company, St. Paul, MN ~ Originated purchases of grain from fanners and grain elevators throughout Southeastern Minnesota. - Marketed grain purchasing efforts through daily phone contacts with existing and potential customers. EDUCATION 9/89 - 6/92 B.s. degree with high distinctio~ Agricultural Business Management with concentration in finance, University of Minnesota. Final grade point average: 3.79. COMMUNITY AND LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES . Two-term Mayor, City of Shakopee, 1/98 - 1/02. During the term of service: .. The City of Shakopee was one of the fastest growing cities in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, with a population of tlPproximately 21,000 people. ~ The City employed 80 full-time employees, with an annual general fund budget of just over $8,000,000. .. The City's tax rate was among the lowest in the Southwest Metropolitan area. . Member, Shakopee Planning Commission, 1/96 - 8/97. . Member, Shakopee City Council, 11194 -12/95. . Board member, Minnesota 4-H Foundation, 9/05 - present. . Shakopee Area Catholic Education volunteer teacher, 9/94 - 5/97. . State President, Future Farmers of America, Minnesota Association, 4/89.. 4/90.