HomeMy WebLinkAbout16-023 Met Council Reform Resolution
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
RESOLUTION 16-023
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT PRICNIPLES FOR
REFORM OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
Motion By: McGuire Second By: Thompson
WHEREAS, regional planning and local government cooperation is vital to the continued success of the
Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is, by statute, the regional planning agency for the Minneapolis -
St. Paul Metropolitan Area, with broad authority, including the ability to levy taxes, charge
fees and set regional policy; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are the entities most directly affected by policies and financial decisions
of the Metropolitan Council, making them the primary constituents of the Metropolitan
Council; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council’s scope of authority and involvement in regional issues has
expanded significantly over the years; and
WHEREAS, a governmental entity, particularly one with taxing authority, to be effective, must be
credible, and responsive and accountable to those it represents; and
WHEREAS, the appointment of Metropolitan Council members resides solely with the Governor,
effectively making the Governor the primary constituent of the Metropolitan Council; and
WHEREAS, many cities and counties believe that the Metropolitan Council lacks accountability and
responsiveness to them as direct constituents; and
WHEREAS, many cities and counties believe that the authority to impose taxes and set regional policy
should be the responsibility of local government elected officials; and
WHEREAS, reform is necessary to ensure that the Metropolitan Council is an effective, responsive,
and accountable partner for regional development and progress.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT
RESOLVED,
That the Metropolitan Council, due to its taxing and policy authority, should be accountable
to a regional constituency of those impacted by its decisions; and
BE IT
FURTHER
RESOLVED,
That the Metropolitan Council should not operate as a state agency answerable to only
one person, the Governor, as it does in its current form; and
BE IT
FURTHER
RESOLVED,
That the City of Prior Lake supports reform of the Metropolitan Council that adheres to the
following principles:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA as follows:
1. A majority of the members of the Metropolitan Council shall be elected officials, appointed
from cities and counties within the region;
2. Metropolitan cities shall directly control the appointment process for city representatives to
the Metropolitan Council;
2
3. Metropolitan counties shall directly appoint their own representatives to the Metropolitan
Council;
4. The terms of office for any Metropolitan Council members appointed by the Governor shall be
staggered and not coterminous with the Governor;
5. Membership on the Metropolitan Council shall include representation from every metropolitan
county government;
6. The Metropolitan Council shall represent the entire region, therefore voting shall be
structured based on population and incorporate a system of checks and balances.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 22nd DAY OF FEBRUARY 2016.
VOTE Hedberg Keeney McGuire Morton Thompson
Aye ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
Nay ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Abstain ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Absent ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The motion carried.
______________________________
Frank Boyles, City Manager