The Minnesota governor’s office announced on Friday six new members to serve on the Metropolitan Council, including former Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter representing a St. Paul district.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan appointed the 17 council members who will serve on the Met Council — which acts as a policy-making body, planning agency and provider of transportation services and infrastructure in the Twin Cities metro area — for the next two years.

Council members each represent one of the metro’s of 16 districts. Charles Zelle was reappointed as the Met Council chair.

“Met Council members play important roles, not only in the governance but in providing direct connections to stakeholders directly affected by council policies and activities,” said Zelle in a statement. “New and returning council members represent a diverse and talented group, and I am thrilled to be working with them as we embrace a vibrant vision of inclusive prosperity.”

Carter, who retired from the Ramsey County board in January, replaced Kris Fredson as the representative for District 14, which includes the St. Paul neighborhoods west of Interstate 35E.

After working with the Met Council on numerous projects as commissioner, Carter said she’s excited for the opportunity to engage with the “levers” their work involves including transportation, housing, parks and water systems.

Carrying over from her work as a county commissioner, Carter said she hopes to center diversity and equity in the council’s decision-making process and expand community engagement efforts so they’re “not just doing it on behalf of people, but we’re doing it with people.”

“Opportunities for the region to grow are also opportunities for people — families, young people — to grow together with our council and our communities,” Carter said. “We hear people, and we do the work that our community together with us is asking for and can benefit from.”

Other new members

Other new council members are Tyronne Carter (Minnetonka) representing District 3, Anjuli Cameron (Edina) representing District 5, Yassin Osman (Minneapolis) representing District 8, Diego Morales (Coon Rapids) representing District 9, Gail Cederberg (Mahtomedi) representing District 12 and Tenzin Dolkar (Inver Grove Heights) representing District 15.

For more information about the Met Council, go to metrocouncil.org.