2016-21CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
DATE: February 22, 2016 RESOLUTION NO: 2016-21
MOTION BY: McDonald SECONDED BY: Tiornhom
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, 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 HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA, 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 Chanhassen supports reform of the
Metropolitan Council that adheres to the following principles:
I. 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 office 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.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this 22nd day of February, 2016.
ATTEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
YES
Laufenburger
Campion
McDonald
Ryan
Tjomhom
l
Denny Lauf nburger, Mayor 41
NO ABSENT
None None