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Citizens <br />League <br />COMMOagm od.C'OMMan$ood EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />From September 2015 to March 2016, the Citizens League convened a special task force to consider <br />possible Metropolitan Council reforms in response to growing questions and concerns. <br />With the belief that the importance of the region is larger than just the sum of the interests of individuals, <br />cities, counties, and even beyond the seven counties in the Metropolitan Council's formal jurisdiction, the <br />task force reviewed the Metropolitan Council's performance against its goals; learned from a variety of <br />stakeholders about the concerns raised; examined the tensions between the Metropolitan Council and <br />counties, cities and individual Minnesotans; and discussed possible changes from the starting place of <br />preserving and strengthening the Metropolitan Council's regional effectiveness. <br />Citizens League Key Findings and Conclusions <br />1. Because the Chair and members of the Metropolitan Council are appointed by and serve at the <br />pleasure of the Governor, Council members are perceived by some as primarily accountable to <br />the Governor and not to the districts from which they were appointed or to the region as a whole. <br />This structure is viewed by some as preventing members from acting as an independent advocate <br />for their district or the region. <br />2. With Metropolitan Council member term(s) being coterminous with the Governor's term(s), this <br />results in the possibility of a complete turnover of members with each new Governor. This works <br />against the Metropolitan Council's charge of long-term planning for the orderly and economical <br />development of the region. <br />3. There is growing poverty, both concentrated and dispersed, throughout the region, and this should <br />inform decision-making under the current authority of the Metropolitan Council. <br />4. Water quality and supply is a critical long-term regional asset and is currently perceived to be <br />complicated by numerous overlapping, governmental entities with planning, operational, and <br />regulatory authority. The Council has certain authorities for water planning in the region. <br />5. There are important questions and valid concerns about the region's transit and transportation <br />finance and delivery systems related to accountability and transparency, efficiency and <br />effectiveness, and equity. <br />Citizens League Recommendations to the Governor and Legislature <br />1. Adopt fixed four-year, staggered terms for Metropolitan Council members. Members would still <br />be appointed by the Governor and would serve fixed, four-year terms. The Chair would be <br />appointed by the Governor and continue to serve at the pleasure of the Governor per statute <br />473.123, Subd. 4. <br />2. The Metropolitan Council member selection process should include more input by citizens and <br />local officials, strengthening the credibility of the Metropolitan Council, and further encouraging <br />the appointment of well-qualified members. To achieve this, the Citizens League proposes: <br />a. Expanding the current Metropolitan Council nominations committee from seven to 13 <br />members. Of these 13 members, seven should represent citizens -at -large and six should <br />represent local governments: three appointed by counties and three appointed by cities. <br />Exe Summary Only. Final 04.04.2016 <br />