Met Council Appoints John Gunyou to Transportation Board

The following was released by the Metropolitan Council:

John Gunyou, the Three Rivers Park District Commissioner in District 4, has been appointed to the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB).

The Metropolitan Council has approved two new appointments: Gunyou and Brooklyn Park businessman Anani d’Almeida. 

The TAB advises the Council on transportation planning issues and adopts the program of local transportation projects in the region to receive federal funding.  It helps ensure coordination and cooperation among the many agencies and local units of government responsible for transportation planning and encourages citizen participation to help meet the transportation needs of the metro area.

Gunyou, TAB District B, represents Carver and Scott counties, except for New Prague, as well as a portion of Hennepin County. Mr. d’Almeida, TAB District E, represents much of Anoka County and a portion of Ramsey County.

Former Woodbury Mayor Bill Hargis has been reappointed to the position of TAB chair. He also represents District F, which includes Washington County, as well as some communities in Anoka and Ramsey counties.

Other reappointments include Transportation Alliance Executive Director Margaret Donahoe (District G), representing St. Paul and several Dakota County communities, and Lakeville business owner Karl Drotning, District H, representing most of Dakota County.

“I am very pleased to make these appointments,” said Council Chair Susan Haigh. “The role of the TAB is critically important; focusing on all modes of transportation and helping to advise the Council, MnDOT and other partners on maintaining and improving upon a system that is the life blood of our region’s economic prosperity.”

TAB is a 33-member body, composed of elected officials, representatives of government agencies involved in transportation issues, citizen members, and members who represent transportation modes, such as transit, freight and non-motorized modes. The board’s existence, by legislation, qualifies the metro area to receive federal transportation funding.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county metro area. It runs the regional bus and light-rail system, collects and treats wastewater and coordinates water resources preservation, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families.