Public Listening Session on Metro Governance & the Future of the Met Council
If you care about transportation and land use here in the Twin Cities metro, consider participating in the Metropolitan Governance Task Force’s first Public Engagement Listening Session on Friday, December 8 in Saint Paul.
The Metropolitan Governance Task Force is currently reviewing how the Metropolitan Council is run and is considering changing how Council Members are selected. Currently, the Council Members are all appointed by the Minnesota Governor. These public engagement sessions are an opportunity for the public to better develop their understanding of the Met Council and provide input into what governance model they think would best serve the Twin Cities region. Some of the alternative governance models being considered include a publicly elected Council or a Council made up of local elected officials—though these are not the only options. Additionally, the Task Force is looking into measures which would help make the Metropolitan Council more transparent and accountable.
Task Force members want to hear from transit riders, business owners, and community members who have experience with the work of the Metropolitan Council, including its operation of buses and trains, housing, land use, waste water management, or other work in the region. The Task Force is responsible for drafting a set of recommendations to present for consideration during the 2024 State Legislative Session, and by sharing your experiences and providing input, you will help inform the Task Force’s final proposal.
Chaired by State Representative Frank Hornstein, the Public Engagement Session will open with a panel discussion on the topic of Metropolitan Council governance. Panelists joining at the Wilder Foundation include:
- Council Member Mitra Jalali, Saint Paul City Council
- Russ Stark, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Saint Paul
- Veronica Burt, Executive Director, Dayton’s Bluff Community Council
- Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt
After the panel conversation, community members are invited to provide their testimony and thoughts to the Task Force members, who will be both onsite at the Wilder Foundation and participating remotely from the State Capitol. You can RSVP to attend and testify here.
Getting There: The Wilder Foundation is just a short walk from the Lexington Pkwy stop on the METRO Green Line. Free parking is also available for folks who drive.
Questions & Accessibility: Please reach out to Taylor Koehler at taylor.koehler@lcc.mn.gov with questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation.