Lisabeth Barajas Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Lead an integrated team in the Community Development Division in both long range planning and implementation and the provision of the Metro Housing Choice Voucher program. The Community Development division:- In collaboration with the other divisions of the Council, leads and coordinates the long-range planning efforts for the Twin Cities region, including the development of the region's growth and management policy and the development of the region's land use policy. - Coordinates the review of comprehensive plans prepared by local governments and provides technical assistance to communities as these plans are developed and amended.- Administers the Livable Communities programs that provide funding for cities to invest in local economic revitalization, affordable housing initiatives, and development or redevelopment that connects various land uses, creates community identity, and has good access to transportation.- Collects, analyzes, and publishes research and data about the region, forecasts growth trends, establishes the region's population numbers, and analyzes other regional trends.- Administers the federal section 8 Housing Choice voucher program in communities in all or portions of four counties in the seven-county region. The Metro HRA uses the existing private rental market to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for more than 7000 low-income, senior, disabled individuals, families and singles at an affordable cost.- Provides planning coordination and review of the regional parks system master plans, develops a capital improvement program for the system and coordinates the distribution of parks grants.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Led the Council's implementation of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act. Led the development of the long-range land use policy for the region. Managed and coordinated Council reviews of local comprehensive plans, plan amendments, and environmental reviews. Collaborated with other Council work units and divisions in long range planning, plan reviews, policy analysis, and implementation. Fostered intergovernmental collaboration on planning issues of regional and sub-regional importance.Built a team of a dozen full time staff with a complementary set of expertise and skills to carry out our work in new and innovative ways. Key projects included:- leading the development of the Land Use Policy in Thrive MSP 2040- transitioning the Local Planning Handbook to a fully online guide integrated across our internal databases and workflows, as well as a broad range of resources and individualized information for local governments- overseeing the development and offerings of an expanded program of formalized comprehensive planning educational opportunities through our PlanIt program. Other priority efforts included:- leading the Council's efforts to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation into its planning and technical assistance efforts- directing the Council's sector representative program to provide information and assistance to local communities to help them in implementing local plans in conformance with Council system plans, consistent with Council policies, and compatible with plans of neighboring jurisdictions- managing the staff advisory role to the Council's Land Use Advisory Committee, responsible for advising the Council on issues of land use, comprehensive planning, System Statements, and metropolitan significance

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Served as the liaison between the Metropolitan Council, Council Members, and communities in the eastern part of the metropolitan area. Served as a technical planning resource for Council Members and local government staff and elected officials. Principal reviewer for comprehensive plans, plan amendments, and environmental reviews to determine conformance to regional plans and consistency with regional policies. Provided staff expertise on annexation and incorporation issues in the region, including regional policy analysis and implications of proposed annexation/adjustment requests. Regional policy analysis on a variety of other issues, including long range planning, ordinance implementation, and feasibility studies.Managed program monitoring development and redevelopment in the metropolitan area.Started as Planner in 2007, then promoted to Senior Planner, then to Planning Analyst during this period.

The Consortium for Scenario Planning offers a community of practice for practitioners, including access to technical assistance, educational resources, and a network of fellow innovators.Our VisionCommunities are able to navigate an uncertain and complex world and make strategic decisions in pursuit of a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future.Our MissionImprove the practice of scenario planning and broaden its use in communities of all sizes across disciplines.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Instructor for Public Engagement Capstone class for graduate students in Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Master of Public Policy, and Master of Public Affairs degree programs. Lead students in the application of public engagement theory in projects for public agencies and non-profits. Guide students in developing plans responsive to client needs and to public engagement feedback.

Minneapolis, Mn

Vice Chair, 2016-2018Chair, 2012-2016Vice Chair, 2011-2012Along with the other members of the Board, responsible for defining the organization's vision and mission and for providing overall leadership and strategic direction to the organization. Actively lead Board efforts, with a focus on community building, land use and redevelopment, and organizational sustainability issues. Key projects include negotiating elements of the redevelopment at Lake and Hiawatha, advocating for pedestrian/cycling improvements at the Lake Street Station, and incorporating equity and inclusion in the Board and our programs.

Brainerd Lakes Area, Minnesota

Provided planning and zoning administration services to a variety of rural communities in northern Minnesota and on the developing edge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Also provided long-range planning assistance for communities, including the facilitation of comprehensive planning processes, ordinance reviews and writing, community meeting facilitation, and research and findings for planning issues in client communities.

Plymouth, Mn

Assisted in development of environmental review documents for transportation projects. Analyzed geographic and demographic data for a broad range of planning projects, including transit studies, traffic studies, and comprehensive plans.

St. Peter, Mn

Assisted with feedlot certification and issuance of NPDES permits. Responsible for the development and maintenance of tracking databases and GIS for feedlots and residential development in the county.

Masters, Urban And Regional Planning

Concentration in natural resources and recreation resources management. Teaching assistant for Environment and Infrastructure Planning.

B.A., Geography & Environmental Studies

Activities and Societies: Eta Sigma PhiMorris K. Udall Scholar Paul L. Rucker Scholar Student researcher for Geography Department.