What is the Metropolitan Council? How are members chosen?

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning agency serving the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area. It provides essential services to the region. The Metropolitan Council works with local communities to:

  • Operate the region's largest bus system
  • Collect and treat wastewater
  • Engage communities and the public in planning for future growth
  • Provide forecasts of the region's population and household growth
  • Provide affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families
  • Provide planning, acquisitions and funding for a regional system of parks and trails
  • Provide a framework for decisions and implementation for regional systems including aviation, transportation, parks and open space, water quality and water management

The 17-member Metropolitan Council has 16 members who each represent a geographic district and one chair who serves at-large. They are all appointed by the governor. The State Senate confirms Council member appointments.

Show All Answers

1. What is a Comprehensive Plan?
2. What are the chapters of the Comprehensive Plan?
3. Why did Edina update its Comprehensive Plan?
4. Who leads the process to update the Comprehensive Plan?
5. How does the City use the Comprehensive Plan?
6. How many meetings did the City have to update the Comprehensive Plan?
7. What is the Metropolitan Council’s role in the Edina Comprehensive Plan?
8. What is the Metropolitan Council? How are members chosen?
9. The Metropolitan Council has given the City some forecasts about future growth. What if the City doesn’t agree with those forecasts?
10. What changed from the 2008 Comprehensive Plan?
11. Which consultants worked on the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and what were their roles?
12. What is a small area plan?
13. Did other jurisdictions have any comments on the proposed Comprehensive Plan?
14. Can the Comprehensive Plan be amended? If so, how?
15. When will work begin on the 2028 Comp Plan?