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%WA, CITY OF ORONO <br /> RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL <br /> � NO. 6858 <br /> AkESHO <br /> RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PRINCIPLES <br /> FOR REFORM OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL <br /> WHEREAS,regional planning and local government cooperation is vital to the <br /> continued success of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area; and <br /> WHEREAS,the Metropolitan Council is,by statute, the regional planning agency for the <br /> Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area, with broad authority, including the ability to levy taxes, <br /> charge fees and set regional policy; and <br /> WHEREAS, cities and counties are the entities most directly affected by policies and <br /> financial decisions of the Metropolitan Council,making them the primary constituents of the <br /> Metropolitan Council; and <br /> WHEREAS,the Metropolitan Council's scope of authority and involvement in regional <br /> issues has expanded significantly over the years; and <br /> WHEREAS, a governmental entity,particularly one with taxing authority,to be <br /> effective,must be credible, and responsive and accountable to those it represents; and <br /> WHEREAS,the appointment of Metropolitan Council members resides solely with the <br /> Governor, effectively making the Governor the primary constituent of the Metropolitan Council; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS,many cities and counties believe that the Metropolitan Council lacks <br /> accountability and responsiveness to them as direct constituents; and <br /> WHEREAS,many cities and counties believe that the authority to impose taxes and set <br /> regional policy should be the responsibility of local government elected officials; and <br /> WHEREAS,reform is necessary to ensure that the Metropolitan Council is an effective, <br /> responsive, and accountable partner for regional development and progress. <br /> NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,that the Metropolitan Council, due to its <br /> taxing and policy authority, should be accountable to a regional constituency of those impacted <br /> by its decisions; and <br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Metropolitan Council should not operate as a <br /> state agency answerable to only one person,the Governor, as it does in its current form; and <br />