MIC Staff
The professional planning staff at the Metropolitan Interstate Council conducts research, develops technical tools and analyses for the region, consults with area jurisdictions and advises the Policy Board on transportation issues in the Duluth-Superior area.
The professional planning staff at the Metropolitan Interstate Council conducts research, develops technical tools and analyses for the region, consults with area jurisdictions and advises the Policy Board on transportation issues in the Duluth-Superior area.
| Ron Chicka, AICP
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Ron is the Director of the Metropolitan Interstate Council. He began at ARDC and the MIC in 1995, becoming Program Manager in 1997 and MIC Division Director in 1998. Prior to ARDC employed with City of Janesville (WI) Planning Dept as the MPO Coordinator from 1990 to 1995. He has an undergraduate degree in Geography from University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from University of Kansas– emphasis areas of land use and transportation. He is a member of the American Planning Association and is certified by American Institute of Certified Planners. His responsibilities with the MIC include:
Consultation with local, state and federal officials on transportation activities State and federal legislation review Reports to ARDC Board, NWRPC Board, MIC committee and project steering committees Overall MIC Program administrative functions and project oversight Director Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council 221 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 529-7506 / Contact Ron by email |
| James Gittemeier, AICP
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James is a Planner with the MIC. James has a B.A. in Urban Affairs from Saint Louis University and a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Kansas. He manages the annually updated Transportation Improvement Program, leads the MIC’s bike planning efforts, and works on various corridor and transportation studies. James' current projects include:
Public Involvement Plan Proctor Master Trails Plan MIC Area Bike Route and Signage Planning James Gittemeier, AICP Planner Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council 221 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 529-7556 / Contact James by email |
| Robert Herling
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Robert is a Planner with the MIC. He has a B.S. in Land Use Planning from University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he completed an internship project drafting the transportation element for a township’s comprehensive plan. Robert's major projects include:
Safety Planning and Traffic System Management (TSM) NW Superior Traffic Circulation Study Robert Herling Planner Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council 221 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 529-7573 / Contact Robert by email |
| Sheldon Johnson
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Sheldon is the Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Interstate Council and the Northwest Regional Planning Commission. He has a B.A. from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in Geography and in Urban Studies and an M.A. from Mankato State University in Urban and Regional Studies. Sheldon has been with the MIC/NWRPC since 1994. He is member of the American Planning Association, on the Board of Directors of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, and on the Wisconsin Local Roads and Streets Council. His responsibilities with the MIC include:
Consultation with Wisconsin officials (local, state, and federal) on transportation issues Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council Northwest Regional Planning Commission 1400 S River Street Spooner, WI 54801 (715) 635-2197 / Contact Sheldon by email |
| Andy McDonald, AICP
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Andy is a Principal Planner at the MIC. Andy has a B.A. in Urban and Regional Studies and a Masters of Liberal Studies from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has been with the MIC since 1996 and has experience with maritime, rail, truck, freight, airport, pedestrian, traffic, and policy planning. Andy is the lead staff for the Harbor Technical Advisory Committee and works with the Dredging, Advocacy, and Modeling Subcommittees. Andy's current projects include:Andy McDonald Principal Planner Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council 221 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 529-7514 / Contact Andy by email |
| Kody Thurnau
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Kody joined the MIC Team in October 2009 as its GIS Specialist. He received his Bachelor’s degree from UMD in 2008 majoring in Geography with a GIS emphasis. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s degree in GIS at the U of M main campus. Kody comes to the MIC with relevant experience in a few endeavors that are key to our work, including work with the MN Pollution Control Agency on projects for the St Louis River estuary – an important item to the MICs Harbor TAC. He will be providing technical assistance for the following projects:
Duluth Area Transportation Improvement Program Port and Harbor Planning GIS Specialist Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council 221 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 529-7515 / Contact Kody by email |
| Rondi Watson
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Rondi has worked at the MIC since 1999 as Planning Assistant to MIC staff and the Policy Board. Her background as an English major comes in handy for editing MIC plans and communication pieces, including the MIC website and the Focus on Transportation newsletter. Her previous experience includes working as Office Manager in the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis and as a Benefits and Human Resources Specialist at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Although she greatly enjoys her work at the MIC and exposure to the field of transportation planning, she still misses being able to peruse the galleries on a daily basis!In addition to providing assistance with administrative functions, Rondi has primary responsibility for the following projects:
MIC Website Production of MIC final plans in hard copy, CD and online formats Focus on Transportation newsletter Planning Assistant Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council 221 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 529-7541 / Contact Rondi by email |
Quick Links
| Meeting Information
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| Click here to view current MIC meeting materials. Click here to view calendar of all upcoming committee meetings. |
| MIC Staff
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| Click here for list of MIC staff members, their current projects and email contact information. |
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| We Need Your Input!
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| We are seeking public review and comment on the following planning initiatives: DRAFT 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Superior Metro Area |
| Featured Planning Project
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| Long Range Transportation Plan - Directions 2035 |
| Current Planning Initiatives
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| Click on a project link, below, for information about current MIC planning efforts: Bike-Ped Advisory Committee (BPAC) 2011-2014 Duluth Urbanized Area TIP |
| Recent Plans and Studies
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| Study Shows Arrowhead Region Rich in Transportation Assets
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| A recent study released by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), Arrowhead Region's Transportation Assets: A Case Study of the Twin Ports Region of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, highlights the assets and opportunities related to multi-modal transportation systems in the Twin Ports area of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. |
