The Metropolitan Council encourages community members to apply for openings on several advisory committees. The application window is open for terms beginning in January 2018.
“Our advisory committees provide some of the best ways to influence regional decisions,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Alene Tchourumoff. “Each member partners with the Council members to provide a wide variety of viewpoints. I encourage people to apply – we need different voices at the table to assure our advisory committees reflect the communities we serve.”
Apply today – priority will be given to applications received by 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 27. Below is a list of openings.
Equity Advisory Committee
Eleven spots are open on the Council’s Equity Advisory Committee, which advises the Metropolitan Council in its work to advance equity in the metropolitan region. In forming the Equity Advisory Committee in October 2015, the Metropolitan Council affirmed its commitment in Thrive MSP 2040 to ensure that residents and communities are full partners in making the decisions that affect them.
The committee has 21 members – including members of the community and the Metropolitan Council. There are eight district representatives and nine at-large members. The co-chairs include one member of the Metropolitan Council and one community representative. Members serve four-year terms. Council District Descriptions and Map (pdf).
Open seats:
- District A – includes communities in northern Hennepin County and a small portion of southern Anoka County. (Council Districts 1 and 2), to fill out the remainder of the term which expires in January 2020.
- District H – the southern three-quarters of Dakota County and southeastern Scott County (Council Districts 15 and 16), to fill out the remainder of the term which expires in January 2020.
- Nine at-large members, to serve 4-year terms which expire in January 2022.
To apply, visit the Council’s website and fill out the new online application. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application though PDF, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806.
Land Use Advisory Committee
Two spots are open on the Council’s Land Use Advisory Committee, which provides advice and assistance to the Council on regional land use and comprehensive planning, and in matters of metropolitan significance as requested by the Council.
The committee has at least 16 members – including members of the community and elected officials. At least half of the members must be elected officials, and there must be a member from each Metropolitan Council district. The chair is a member of the Metropolitan Council. Members serve four-year terms. See Council District Descriptions and Map.
Open seats:
- District 3 – includes the city of Chanhassen in Carver County and the Hennepin County cities Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland. This appointment will fill the remainder of the term for this seat – until January 2019.
- District 4 (Carver County) – includes Benton Twp., Camden Twp., Carver, Chaska, Cologne, Dahlgren Twp., Hamburg, Hancock Twp., Hollywood Twp., Laketown Twp., Mayer, New Germany, Norwood Young America, San Francisco Twp., Victoria, Waconia, Waconia Twp., Watertown, Watertown Twp., and Young America Twp. This appointment will fill the remainder of the term for this seat – until January 2019.
To apply, visit the Council’s website and fill out the new online application. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application though PDF, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806.
Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee advises the Council on management policies for public transportation services in the region from the perspective of riders with disabilities. The committee has 16 members: a chair appointed by the Council, seven members selected by groups that advocate for seniors and people with disabilities, and eight community members who represent geographic districts in the region. At least half the members must be certified as eligible for ADA paratransit services and be active users of public transportation. Council-appointed members serve two-year terms.
Open seats:
- District E – includes the western half of Ramsey County and the western two-thirds of Anoka County. (Council Districts 9 and 10)
- District F – includes all of Washington County, the eastern half of Ramsey County and the eastern third of Anoka County. (Council Districts 11 and 12)
- District G – includes all of St. Paul and the very northern communities in Dakota County. (Council Districts 13 and 14)
- District H – the southern three-quarters of Dakota County and southeastern Scott County. (Council Districts 15 and 16)
To apply, visit the Council’s website and fill out the new online application. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application though PDF, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806.
Transportation Advisory Board (TAB)
The Transportation Advisory Board helps shape regional and state transportation plans. Every three years it adopts the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which identifies which regional projects will receive federal funds.
The board consists of 34 members, defined in state law, drawn from county and city elected officials, residents and business leaders, transportation providers, and representatives of state and regional agencies. The Council appoints a number of members to represent different aspects of transportation.
Open seats (all are two-year terms)
- District A – includes communities in northern Hennepin County and a small portion of southern Anoka County. (Council Districts 1 and 2)
- District A Alternate
- District B – includes southwestern Hennepin County, all of Carver County and portions of western Scott County. (Council Districts 3 and 4)
- District B Alternate
- District C – includes portions of southeastern and central Hennepin County, including portions of Minneapolis. (Council Districts 5 and 6)
- District C Alternate
- District D – includes the central and eastern portions of Minneapolis (Council Districts 7 and 8)
- District D Alternate
- Transit Representative – represents the entire seven-county region
- Transit Representative Alternate
- Transit Representative 2 – represents the entire seven-county region
- Transit Representative 2 Alternate
- Non-Motorized Representative – represents the entire seven-county region
- Non-Motorized Representative
To apply, visit the Council’s website and fill out the new online application. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application though PDF, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806.
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system and Northstar commuter rail, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.
Source: Metropolitan Council