Res 2016- 32 Supporting Principals for Reform of Met CouncilCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2016-32
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PRINCIPLES FOR
REFORM OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
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, to be effective a governmental entity, particularly one with taxing authority, must
be credible, responsive, and accountable to all of those who it represents; and
WHEREAS, the appointment of Metropolitan Council members currently 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 all cities and counties, regional development, and
progress.
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council should be accountable to a regional constituency of those
who are impacted by its decisions; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council should not operate as a state agency answerable to only
one person, the Governor, as it does in its current form.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights,
Minnesota, supports reform of the Metropolitan Council by adhering to the following principles:
A majority of the members of the Metropolitan Council shall be elected officials,
appointed from cities and counties within the region;
II. Metropolitan cities shall directly control the appointment process for city
representatives to the Metropolitan Council;
III. Metropolitan counties shall directly appoint their own representatives to the
Metropolitan Council;
IV. The terms of ofiice for any Metropolitan Council members appointed by the
Governor shall be staggered and not coterminous with the Governor;
V. Membership on the Metropolitan Council shall include representation from every
metropolitan county government;
VI. The Metropolitan Council shall represent the entire region, therefore voting shall be
structured based on population and incorporate a system of checks and balances.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 19t1i day of April, 2016.
ATTEST:
orr Smith, City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
.-
:-�'
;�
�--'" � . .
an ra Krebsbach ayor