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"Metro Cities works to make <br />sure legislators are informed <br />about the effects of state <br />policy decisions on metro <br />communities. We are fortunate <br />to count on their expertise." <br />- Senator Melissa Franzen (Edina) <br />LEGISLATIVE POLICY <br />DEVELOPMENT PROCESS <br />Four policy committees meet each summer to review, <br />consider and recommend legislative policies to the Metro <br />Cities Board of Directors and general membership. Policy <br />committee participation is open to elected officials and <br />staff of member cities. Adopted policies serve as the <br />foundation of Metro Cities' lobbying work at the State <br />Capitol and Metropolitan Council. Check our website for <br />this summer's policy committee schedule. <br />This year, the member policy adoption meeting will <br />be held on November 14th, 2019, at the Sheraton <br />Minneapolis West in Minnetonka, in conjunction with <br />LMC's Metro Regional Meeting. Watch for details in the <br />coming months. <br />METROPOLITAN COUNCI <br />Metro Cities supported processes for extensions <br />for local comprehensive plan submissions and <br />is currently monitoring the review and comment <br />process for plans by the Metropolitan Council. Metro <br />Cities will have discussions with city officials this <br />summer to determine whether modifications to the <br />organization's policy on requirements and processes <br />for comprehensive plans should be recommended. <br />Legislation to modify the governance of the <br />Metropolitan Council was considered this year <br />but did not pass. Two contrasting bills, one to <br />require the direct approval of Metropolitan Council <br />members by local officials, and a bill to provide <br />staggered terms and additional transparency in the <br />selection process, were considered, the first in the <br />Senate, and the second in the House. Metro Cities <br />supported the bill to provide staggered terms and <br />transparency measures. Neither bill passed this year. <br />Metro Cities monitored Metropolitan Council <br />applicant interviews and provided a letter to the <br />Governor outlining organizational priorities as <br />members were appointed. Metro Cities also sent <br />an introductory letter to all new Metropolitan <br />Council members that emphasized the importance <br />of the Council's collaboration and partnership with <br />metropolitan cities. <br />The process for nominating members to the <br />Metropolitan Council was modified by Governor <br />Walz to expand the nominating committee <br />to include a majority of local officials on the <br />committee and to post the nominees before <br />appointment. These process changes are consistent <br />with Metro Cities policies. <br />