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BOARD/COMMISSION:  Metropolitan Council


Address

390 Robert St. N
St. Paul, MN
55101

Web Site

Supporting Entity/Enabling Legislation Supported by Metropolitan Council

ENABLING LEGISLATION
M.S. 473.123
Enabled: 07-14-2015
Revisor of Statutes Link

Chair and Contact
CONTACT
Sam O'Connell
(612) 373-3815
CHAIR
Charles Zelle
(651) 602-1453

TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
Staff - Contact
sam.oconnell@metc.state.mn.us
(612) 373-3815
No
Director of Community Relations - Staff Contact
sam.oconnell@metc.state.mn.us
(612) 373-3815
Yes
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
Chair
charles.zelle@metc.state.mn.us
(651) 602-1453
Yes
Membership

The 17 members include a chair who serves at-large and 16 members who each represent a geographically defined council district. All members serve at the pleasure of the governor.  Members cannot hold elected public office and must reside within the council district they represent. The council is organized by committees, which make recommendations to the full board. The standing committees are Environment, Transportation, Community Development, and Management. Council members each serve on at least two committees, attend weekly council meetings and meet regularly with local government officials. 

Metropolitan Council members should expect to spend between 25 and 40 hours per month for committee meetings, preparation and briefings, participation in advisory committees and partner events, regular engagement with Council members’ district stakeholders, and attending district meetings and events. Every Council member is expected to:
• Attend semi-monthly Metropolitan Council meetings (currently the second and fourth Wednesday of each month starting at 4:00 PM)
• Attend semi-monthly Committee of the Whole meetings (currently the first and third Wednesday of each month starting at 4:00 PM)
• Serve on at least two Metropolitan Council committees (Environment, Transportation, Community Development and Management)
• Serve on working groups or other advisory bodies established by the Metropolitan Council
• Attend assigned advisory committee meetings
• Meet regularly with local government officials, members of the Legislature, and district constituents
• Attend stakeholder and Metropolitan Council events
• Respond to constituent inquiries
More information about Council Committees can be found at: https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees.aspx

Member Info

COMPENSATION

  • Per Diem: $
  • Other Compensation: $20,000 Annual Salary

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

  • Requires Older Member - no
  • Requires Senate Approval - yes
  • Members file campaign finance and disclosure - yes

Entity Powers and Duties, Activity Summary
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning agency for the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. The council advocates for vital communities and cost-effective regional services. It runs the region's transit system, collects and treats wastewater, manages regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The 17-member Metropolitan Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Meetings: 21 Council meetings and 20 Committee of the Whole meetings were held. For a summary of activities, see the annual reports.

Meeting Information
Meetings typically last: Metropolitan Council members should expect to spend between 25 and 40 hours per month for committee meetings, preparation and briefings, participation in advisory committees and partner events, regular engagement with Council members’ district stakeholders, and attending district meetings and events.
Meeting Frequency: Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays; the Committee of the Whole meets on the first, and third Wednesdays. Standing committees meet at least twice a month.

Meetings are held at:
390 Robert Street N in Saint Paul and other locations within the seven-county metropolitan region.


Fiscal Information
Annual Staff Hours: 8519680.00
Total Appropriations:
Appropriations Description: Inflow and Infiltration Grants - $12,000,000 (a) For grants to cities within the metropolitan area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, for capital improvements in municipal wastewater collection systems to reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration to the Metropolitan Council's metropolitan sanitary sewer disposal system. The council must award grants based on applications from cities that identify eligible capital costs and include a timeline for inflow and infiltration mitigation construction, pursuant to guidelines established by the council. (b) Any unencumbered amount of this appropriation on July 1, 2024, shall be issued as grants through the metropolitan cities inflow and infiltration grants program under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.5491.
Fiscal Year Expenses: $661,269,000.00

Expenses Description:


Open Positions (2)
POSITION SEAT AUTHORITY 21-DAY MIN GUARANTEE #SEATS ACTION
District 12 Rep. District 12 Rep. Governor 2/4/2025 1 APPLY
District 15 Rep. District 15 Rep. Governor 2/4/2025 1 APPLY

NAME POSITION APPLICATION DATE
Michael Cahn District 12 Rep. 2/1/2025
Joseph Forester District 12 Rep. 2/9/2025
Mr Barry Hand District 12 Rep. 1/28/2025
Mark Jenkins District 12 Rep. 2/10/2025
Cody Joos District 12 Rep. 2/14/2025
Donald Mullin District 12 Rep. 1/21/2025
Mr Henry Peterson III District 12 Rep. 2/3/2025
Mr. Mark Vaughan District 12 Rep. 2/13/2025
Mr. Paul Mandell District 15 Rep. 2/10/2025
Brian Mielke District 15 Rep. 2/10/2025
Ms. Elizabeth Niemioja District 15 Rep. 2/14/2025
Victor Obisakin District 15 Rep. 2/7/2025
Jason Teiken District 15 Rep. 2/14/2025

No pending appointments found.

POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
ACTION
 No Direct Appointments were found.

Current Members (17)
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
Chair
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 1 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 10 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 11 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 12 Rep.
Governor
Posted
01/04/2027
District 13 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 14 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 15 Rep.
Governor
Posted
01/04/2027
District 16 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 2 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 3 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 4 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 5 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 6 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 7 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 8 Rep
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027
District 9 Rep.
Governor
Filled
01/04/2027