Anoka County Regional Rail Authority elects 2025 officers, adopts rules and confirms staff appointments

The Anoka County Regional Rail Authority elected Commissioner Scott Schulte chair and Commissioner Manny Meiser vice chair, approved resolutions designating officials and meeting procedures for 2025, and confirmed several staff appointments at its statutory organizational meeting, officials said.

The votes formally established leadership and administrative rules for the authority during program year 2025 and included reappointment of Dee Goodman as executive director and the appointment of Tanya Westaffner as assistant executive director.

The actions matter because the authority retains financial and safety responsibilities tied to outstanding rail bonds and continued coordination with county emergency-management and public-safety departments. "As long as we have the bonds, we need to be there," Dee Goodman, executive director of the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority, said during discussion. Commissioner Scott Schulte added that the authority helps keep county departments "at the table" on rail-related issues, including emergency management and 9-1-1 coordination.

Elections and appointments

- Commissioners elected: Scott Schulte, chair; Manny Meiser, vice chair; Julie Jepsen, secretary; Jeff Reiner, treasurer. Each office was filled by nomination, second and voice vote; the meetings' roll call showed seven commissioners present and the voice votes were recorded as aye with no opposition.

- Staff appointments: Dee Goodman was approved to continue as executive director for 2025. Tanya Westaffner was approved as assistant executive director. Deputies/assistant financial officers named in the agenda were also approved.

Resolutions

- Resolution 2025-1 (establishing rules and procedures and designating a public meeting notice facility and legal publication for 2025) was offered, discussed briefly about the authority's continuing financial responsibilities and adopted by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-2 (identifying the authority's local officials for 2025) was offered and adopted by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Elect Scott Schulte as chair for 2025 — Motion: nomination by Commissioner Ganesh; second: recorded; Outcome: approved (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). - Elect Manny Meiser as vice chair for 2025 — Motion: nomination by Commissioner Mac (as recorded); second: recorded; Outcome: approved (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). - Elect Julie Jepsen as secretary for 2025 — Motion: nomination by Commissioner Majid (as recorded); second: recorded; Outcome: approved (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). - Elect Jeff Reiner as treasurer for 2025 — Motion: nomination by Commissioner Jesse (as recorded); second: Commissioner Henrich (recorded); Outcome: approved (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). - Adopt Resolution 2025-1 (rules/procedures/publication designation) — Motion: offered by Commissioner Dimash; Outcome: adopted (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). - Appoint deputies/assistants (items 8a and 8b on the agenda) — Motion: moved by Commissioner Breasted; Outcome: approved (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). - Reappoint/appoint executive director and assistant executive director — Motion to appoint Dee Goodman as executive director: moved and seconded; Outcome: approved (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). Motion to appoint Tanya Westaffner as assistant executive director: moved and seconded; Outcome: approved (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition). - Adopt Resolution 2025-2 (identifying local officials) — Motion: offered by Commissioner Ganesh; Outcome: adopted (voice vote, ayes recorded; no opposition).

Discussion and context

Discussion during the meeting focused mainly on why the authority should remain active even though it no longer operates rail service. Goodman said the authority continues to exist because of outstanding bonds and potential safety-related spending. "We did adjust what our platform looks like and what we're looking for federally," Goodman said, describing prior conversations about lobbying and the authority's narrowing role. Schulte and other commissioners emphasized interagency coordination on rail safety and emergency response as a reason to maintain an authority structure.

Procedural notes

All roll-call names and nominations are recorded in the meeting transcript. The meeting also noted that the membership of the management committee will remain the same as in 2024. No contested votes or formal dissents were recorded in the transcript excerpts provided.

Next steps

The authority completed its organizational items for the year and adjourned after noting the management committee appointments and any other business were unchanged from 2024.