ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Metropolitan Council on July 9 approved a series of routine and capital actions by voice vote, moving forward regional park funding distributions, a software contract and transit vehicle purchases.

The council approved the annual regional parks operations and maintenance distribution tied to the state appropriation; authorized a three‑year grants management software contract with two one‑year options not to exceed $1,390,000; authorized purchase of 128 40‑foot biodiesel buses from Gillig LLC for up to $122,085,767.45; and approved up to $10,000,000 for nonrevenue vehicles and equipment charged to the Metro Green Line Extension project budget. The meeting also ratified committee assignments for council members.

Why it matters: The bus and Green Line equipment purchases support transit service and the opening and operation of a major capital project. The grants management software is intended to modernize how the council tracks roughly 550 grant agreements valued at about $600 million, and the parks allocation distributes the state appropriation for regional park operations across the 10 implementing agencies.

Details of approved actions

- Regional parks operations and maintenance allocation (Business Item 2025‑1161). Council member Lillebrand presented the item, explaining the legislature appropriated $11,740,000 for distribution and that the total eligible expenses submitted by implementing agencies exceeded $143,000,000. The chair called for a motion and the council approved the report by voice vote.

- Grants management enterprise software contract (Business Item 25P123). Council member Johnson moved to authorize the regional administrator to negotiate and execute a contract with Insight Public Sector (reseller) for Flux Labs Incorporated’s grants management platform, not to exceed $1,390,000 for an initial three‑year term with two optional one‑year extensions. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Purchase of 128 40‑foot biodiesel transit buses (Business Item 2025‑143). Council member Chambliss presented a request to exercise purchase options using the State of Washington master contract (06719‑01) with Gillig LLC; the council authorized the purchase for up to $122,085,767.45 by voice vote.

- Metro Green Line Extension — nonrevenue vehicles and equipment (Business Item 2025‑145). Council member Chambliss moved to approve purchases of up to 71 vehicles and 73 pieces of equipment in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 charged to the Green Line Extension project account; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Committee assignments (Business Item 2025‑59). The council ratified committee assignments, including appointments of newly seated members to standing committees. The action was approved by voice vote.

How the council voted: All listed actions were approved by voice vote; meeting minutes and the transcript record the chair calling for “all those in favor say aye” and the ayes prevailing. No roll‑call vote tallies by name are recorded in the public transcript.

Notes and next steps: Contract initiation memos and procurement documents tied to the bus purchases and Green Line equipment purchases will attach to subsequent contract paperwork. Staff said the grants management system will be implemented to improve applicant access, reporting and integration with existing systems. The parks report was submitted to fulfill statutory timing for the FY2026 distribution.