Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/06/2014

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Collaboration Collaboration recognizes that shared efforts advance our region most effectively toward shared outcomes. Addressing the region's issues — particularly the emerging challenges of climate change, economic competitiveness, racial disparities, and water sustainability — requires collaboration because no single entity has the capacity or the authority to do the work alone. Even when one entity is the primary funder or investor in a project, success requires the coordinated collaboration of a range of public and private entities to fully realize the development potential — witness, for example, the extensive partnerships supporting development beyond the rails along the METRO Green Line (Central Corridor). For the Council, acting collaboratively means: • Being open to shared strategies, supportive partnerships and reciprocal relationships; • Convening the region's best thinkers, experts, and stakeholders to address complex regional issues beyond the capacity or authority of any single jurisdiction or institution; • Providing additional technical assistance and enhanced information to support local planning and decision -making. Being open to shared strategies, supportive partnerships and reciprocal relationships In implementing Thrive via the systems and policy plans and the next round of local comprehensive plans, the Metropolitan Council intends to be a collaborator first and a legal enforcer second. Technical or regulatory solutions led by a single entity cannot match the complex adaptive challenges now facing our region, driving the need for a collaborative stance. For example, the need for broad collaborative approaches to maximizing the benefit of our region's transitway investments led the Council to a leading role and active participation in the Corridors of Opportunity partnership of government, philanthropy, business, community development and advocacy. The Corridors of Opportunity transitioned in 2014 into the Partnership for Regional Opportunity, an ongoing effort to grow a prosperous, equitable and sustainable region. Another example is the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board's Climate Subcommittee, established in 2013, which includes representation from the Council, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Departments of Commerce and Health; this effort is developing plans to help Minnesota meet the climate goals of the Next Generation Energy Act. The Council will continue to seek out opportunities for collaborative partnerships to address complex challenges in the region. Convening to address complex regional issues As a regional entity, the Metropolitan Council was formed to address issues that transcend local government boundaries and cannot be adequately addressed by any single governmental unit. DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Last revised: February 21, 2014 37