Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Wendy Wulff to the unscheduled vacancy on the Metropolitan Council in District 16.

Wulff, of Lakeville, is a self-employed web designer and has been a member of the Lakeville City Council since 2003. Wulff will be resigning from the Lakeville City Council and the Transportation Advisory Board as a result of her appointment to the Metropolitan Council.

She served in the United States Army Reserve from 1983 to 2000, and was a library technician with the Department of Defense from 1988 to 1990. Wulff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology. Wulff serves on the League of Minnesota Cities Board, Minnesota Women in City Government Board, Metropolitan Council Land Use Advisory Committee, Transportation Advisory Board, Metropolitan Legislative Commission Board, and the Cedar Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Group. She was also a member and past chair of the Lakeville Planning Commission.

The vacancy occurred with the resignation of Brian McDaniel on January 1, 2009. Metropolitan Council District 16 includes the Dakota County cities of Apple Valley, Coates, the southern portion of Eagan, Farmington, Hampton, Hastings, Lakeville, Miesville, New Trier, Randolph, Rosemount, and Vermillion; and the Dakota County Townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion, and Waterford. Sixteen people applied for this position, two of whom subsequently withdrew their applications. A Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee reviewed applications, conducted a public hearing and made recommendations to the Governor for the position. The recommended finalists were Christy Jo Fogarty, Mary Riley, and Wulff.

The Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services. The Metropolitan Council consists of 16 metropolitan citizens appointed from geographically defined districts in the seven county metropolitan area and a chair. All 17 members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms that are co-terminus with the Governor.