Agenda - Council - 03/10/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• A tradition of shared civic action Today, the metro area is a thriving region of nearly three million people living in 186 communities across the seven counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington. The region has emerged as a great place to live, work and do business. As we plan for our next 30 years, key challenges lay ahead - constrained fiscal resources, new demands stemming from demographic shifts, emerging environmental challenges, and the increasing necessity of regional economic cooperation. To meet these challenges, the Metropolitan Council is responsible, under state law, for preparing a comprehensive development guide for the seven -county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Council's Thrive MSP 2040, adopted in May 2014, provides a framework for a shared vision for the future of the region over the next 30 years. Thrive establishes the policy foundation used by the Council to develop its regional systems and policy plans, as well as development policies and implementation strategies. Taken together, these constitute the comprehensive development guide that directs the orderly and economical development of the region. State statute specifies four metropolitan systems plans - for regional transportation, aviation, water resources, and regional parks. In addition to these statutory metropolitan systems plans, the Council has developed a housing policy plan. The Housing Policy Plan provides an expanded policy framework that the Council will use in reviewing the housing plan and housing implementation programs of comprehensive plans that local governments prepare under state law. Thrive Outcomes Thrive's regional vision includes five desired outcomes: stewardship, prosperity, equity, livability, and sustainability. These outcomes provide policy direction for this 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan. Stewardship. Stewardship advances the Council's longstanding mission of orderly and economical development by responsibly managing the region's natural and financial resources, and making strategic investments in our region's future. Prosperity. Prosperity is fostered by investing in infrastructure and amenities that make our region competitive in attracting and retaining successful businesses, a talented workforce, and strong economic opportunities. Equity. Equity means connecting all residents to opportunity and creates viable housing, transportation, and recreation options for people of all races, ethnicities, incomes, and abilities so that all communities share the opportunities and challenges of growth and change. Livability. Livability focuses on the quality of our residents' lives and experiences in the region, and how places and infrastructure create and enhance the quality of life that makes our region a great place to live. Sustainability. Sustainability seeks to protect our regional vitality for generations to come by preserving our capacity to maintain and support our region's well-being and productivity over the long term. 4